Autumn Flowers - Red Ditsy Floral Shirt Dress from New Look Inspire

I feel very lucky that I have wonderful friends, but to have wonderful friends with excellent taste in fashion is just so incredibly fortunate. And that feeling of excitement, luck and happiness was written all over my face when opening one of my birthday presents from the lovely Chattermonkey. Inside I found this darling Red Ditsy Floral Shirt Dress from New Look Inspire staring back at me, and couldn't wait to get myself into it!

The dress fits right in with my vintage sensibilities. A bold red with blue and white floral accents, it's a Summer print which flits into Autumn with ease. The dress is sized up to accommodate my larger bust, but the belted fit and flare shape ensures that my waist doesn't get hidden amongst the fabric.

The dress is currently part of the New Look sale on their website, and you can pick this beauty up for just £9. I teamed it with a lovely Tatty Devine swan necklace which was also a birthday gift (this time from the almost-mother-in-law), and some blue flowers from Pearls & Swine. It's such a cute and comfy outfit to wear, and one which sits easily under a cardigan as layers get thrown on for the colder weather.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Sunshine After The Rain - Autumnal Days in H&M, Primark and Pearls & Swine

I feel a bit like an idiot posting this now that the treacherous weather has turned back to feathery rain and ominous grey skies. But cast your minds back to last week and remember that we had a couple of glorious sun filled days which harked back to Summer - days where you'd feel warm in a coat, with the sun's golden glow throwing long shadows all around you.

I know it's hard to believe now that our ten minutes of proper Autumn has suddenly turned into the start of six months of Winter. I can now barely remember what my legs look like out of black tights and suspect their paleness would blind me if I could and glanced upon them.

But anyway. Going back to that lovely warm, Autumn sunshine...

Dress: H&M

Cardigan: H&M

Tights: Primark

Ballet Flats: Primark

Flower: Pearls & Swine

The not-quite-chlorine-blonde in my hair is still freaking me out a little. I sort of like it, but it takes me by shock every time I see it. It was never meant to be like this for more than a day - it was just a pre-lightening exercise as a base for bright hair-dye fun. But I've learned a lesson - wait for your order of hair dye to actually arrive before covering yourself in peroxide. Sigh.

That said, I think the hair works with this outfit. The H&M dress was a £4 bargain in their sale, and the cardigan and ballet flats work brilliantly with the various shades of pink. But that's it. Nothing else but ankle boots, faux fur and wolly socks until March. Good bye legs, see you in the spring!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Wednesday, Break My Heart - White Collar Dress from New Look Inspire

There's no doubt in my mind that Wednesday Adams is one of my all time style icons. The fact that my wardrobe contains so many black dresses with white collars is a testament to just how much of an influence she had on me from a very young age.

Wednesday, Break My Heart - White Collar Dress from New Look Inspire

There's no doubt in my mind that Wednesday Adams is one of my all time style icons. The fact that my wardrobe contains so many black dresses with white collars is a testament to just how much of an influence she had on me from a very young age.

Hot Hot Heat - Summer Chub Rub Saviours from Bandelettes

Whilst I love Summer, almost every owner of a pair of thighs has come across the problem of what has affectionately been termed the dreaded "chub rub". We've all experienced it - that sweaty friction which turns a sunshine filled walk into a long, spiky fall into hell fire. There have been many solutions offered over the years - sweating it out in leggings, unattractive "comfort shorts" and all manner of creams and pastes designed to form a barrier for your skin. Whilst effective in their own ways, there's nothing like feeling sticky or squeezed like a sausage to leave you feeling less than a summery goddess. Thankfully this is where US brand Bandelettes have stepped in, giving chunky thighs a bit of breathing space when the weather heats up.

Bandelettes are one of those items which as soon as I slipped on, I couldn't fathom why someone hadn't thought of it sooner. Not only do they look like sexy stocking toppers so instantly put a kick in your step, the thigh bands protect and provide comfort from chafing all day long.

Available in a whole range of colours and designs (I was sent the Red Romance style to review), the wide lace bands are backed with non-slip silicone to ensure they stay in place all day. You simply measure the circumference of your thigh and choose the size which your measurements fit closest to, with the recommendation that you size down if you fall in between two options. Having run errands in them for an entire day, they didn't roll down or slip for the duration. The silicone kept them firmly where they needed to be, and it felt lovely to waltz around without an extra layer of tights or leggings underneath my dress.

You can view the whole Bandelettes range here, and even with the international shipping, they had arrived in less than a week. I cannot recommend them enough, and will definitely be coming back to purchase more. They are a wardrobe essential to survive the summer, and you'll be able to happily kiss your tights good-bye until the Autumn.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Spring Fling - A Sunshine Ready Dress from Collectif

London is pretty cold and blustery at the moment - lots of rain, wind and grey skies, with the odd flash of blue in between. I actually love the rain, but sometimes you need a burst of colour to lift you up so I've found myself currently gravitating towards spring colour palettes and floral prints.

Collectif are probably my favourite vintage repro brand, with a huge range of styles and fabrics. Their sales are the stuff of legend, and I managed to snap up this lovely floral sun dress for half it's original price. I was so glad I did, as I can't find anything in this shape or fabric currently on the website and I'm utterly in love with it.

Dress: Collectif

Bolero: George

Leggings: M&S

Lilac Flower: Pearls & Swine

Shoes: Yours Clothing

Pink Roller Necklace: Pip Jolley

Print aside, I adore the cut of the dress. The back has an elasticated panel which meant I could size down so the dress fit my waist rather than my chest and is a size smaller than what I would buy my usual Dolores style in.

It's the perfect sun dress, and one which will see lots of action once London gets a little warmer. In the meanwhile, I'll be using layers to get as much use out of it as possible as it's currently one of the most cheerful prints in my wardrobe!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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www.fashionlovesphotos.com

(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)