Flower Child - Floral Print Peg Leg Trousers from F&F

In those brief windows which promise a flicker of summer, I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone and switch up how I dress for the warmer weather. My wardrobe is filled with vintage polyester and repro dresses which are my usual go to, but often worn with tights or leggings and even cardigans despite the soaring heat. It's mostly due to feeling insecure about my dry and blotchy skin, but as I'm getting older, I'm realising that people just don't care. Everyone is too busy with their own life to take note of every single little thing you hate about yourself, so with that mind set firmly in place, this is going to be the summer where my legs, my arms and even glimpses of my stomach will be very much on show.

I don't wear trousers very often, but having just a skirt or dress without leggings when on a photoshoot isn't practical unless I want to show everyone the colour of my underwear. But that didn't mean that I had to stray too far from my floral ditsy print loving style. When I saw these Floral Print Peg Leg trousers (£16) on the F&F website, I knew that they would be the perfect bridge between being practical and not veering too far from my personal style.

The trousers are available up to a UK 22, and with their comfy waistband and tapered leg are as easy to wear as they are pretty. They have pockets on the hips which is always a plus for any photographer, and a fabric belt which can easily be removed.

I teamed it with an old favourite vest rolled up from Simply Be, a Pearls & Swine rose headband and some ballet flats from JD Williams.

All the floral elements make me feel like it's still very me, just a more casual and sunshine ready version. I'd definitely wear this to a festival or for a picnic in the park, and would simply ditch the floral headband for a single flower clip to bring it back to be more everyday. I was so surprised how comfy I felt in the trousers, and loved the print so much that I've brought the matching dress too which will also be in the blog soon!

Until next time,

Diana x ❤ x

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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.)

Her Name Is Rio - Primark Tropical Prints And More Spring Time Dreams from the Spring 15 Preview

Baby, it's cold outside. Freezing, big hat, giant scarf and still shivering at the bus stop kind of cold. Whilst the twinkling Christmas lights and promise of festive fun times on the horizon make it palatable, I'd be lying if my brain wasn't already fast-forwarding to a little Spring time sunshine. Cool breezes, blooming flowers and a burst of colour which the sartorial season always promises.

And certainly that's what we were treated to at the #PrimarkSpring15 press day. Following lit up arrows through what felt like a giant warehouse, we were suddenly met with an explosion of tropical prints, mirrored finishes and more colour than a giant bag of skittles!

There were many themes running through the Spring collection, with Wanderlust being key. There were nods to both "Asia Nautica" and "Nordic Glamour" with a mixture or blossoms, embroidery and fringing on show. There was an underlying boho vibe on show too, where thrift-shop meets free-spirit for some globe-trotting adventures.

More colour can be found amongst "Miami Memphis", an eye-popping array of technical airtex, perforated panels and structured neoprene. Flowing white fabrics are also a big hitter, with pretty fabrics with darling lace-work set for sunshine filled picnics and festival fun times.

The accessories are hugely fun, with holographic and mirrored finishes competing with neons and glitter for your attention. The tower of shoes showed off stunning floral prints and reflective options, whist the bags ranged from fun, fruity perspex clutches to the more demure but bold citrus handbags.

It was hard to pick a favourite as there were so many amazing options, but the Watermelon Clutch and Citrus Yellow handbag had to be up there.

If I had to sum up the collection in one word, it'd be vibrant. For the most part, colour is king, and the range of clothing and accessories is fun and perfect for the Spring season. Much of what was on show will easily feed into the Summer, with the citrus and boho vibes being a SS15 winner for sure.

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.) 

Pretty Prints - a #PSOOTD from Scarlett & Jo at Evans featuring their 2 in 1 Floral Prom Dress

When Scarlett & Jo released their Spring Romance Collection for Evans earlier this year, I absolutely fell in love with this floral print prom dress. It's shape really ticked all of my vintage loving style points, whilst the design was perfect for my high waist and larger bust.

I was all set to buy it, but it quickly sold out in my size and I was left heart broken. Ever since, I've kept an eye open for it on blog sales and eBay and was over the moon to purchase it brand new with tags for a fraction of the price. The best things really are worth waiting for!

Dress: Scarlett & Jo at Evans

Flower in hair: Pearls & Swine

Leggings: F&F True

Necklace: Tatty Devine

Bracelet: Vintage

Shoes: Vintage

The dress was a size smaller than what I'd usually buy, but there was no way I was letting this beauty slip away! Luckily the top half is very stretchy, and the wide elasticated band at the waist really nips you in for an hourglass silhouette which is even further exaggerated by the attached underskirt and net petticoat.

Even though Winter is just around the corner, I fully intend to rock this Spring dream as much as I can, teaming it with tights, ankle boots and cardigans. It's one of those dresses which really walks the line between day and evening wear with ease. The fabric is cosy and comfy to wear, but the frou-frou nature of the skirt makes it feel equally dressy.

It took me a while to realise what the 2-in-1 nature of the 50s style prom dress was, but it's clever design allows you to embrace your inner Bardot and wear the dress in an off-the-shoulder fashion.

Whilst this particular design is no longer available, there is a similar Scarlett & Jo dress in the Evans sale here.

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.)

Honey In Your Hips - Plus Size Tights from Pamela Mann

Oh my goodness, what a busy few weeks! I always find things get a little crazy this time of year and it's been a never ending stream of photoshoots, writing and DJ sets for a good month now. I've finally found some time to set aside to blog again, and it feels nice to be able to share a few things which I've really wanted to talk about.

Wild Rose Printed Tights (£.99) from Pamela Mann.

First of all, how stunning these Wild Rose printed tights from Pamela Mann? Available up to a UK size 32, these garden party inspired pins are the perfect product for those not quite ready to wave good-bye to Summer. They're also a fantastic way to break up a black dress and boots, they sit on the hip in a roomy fashion with no bunching or pinching at all.

Solid Bow Suspender Effect Tights (£7.99) from Pamela Mann.

The other tights I adored were these super cute Solid Bow Suspender Effect tights. Whilst I love a good pair of stockings, these will offer a little more protection against an Autumnal chill and are easy for everyday wear with no pinging belt straps in sight! Whilst the bow is designed to go at the front, I liked the subtlety of it to the back of the calf instead as it put me in mind of a stockinged seam. Once again, this design is available in Pamela Mann's plus size range and is available up to a UK size 32. I wear mine with a 50s style circle dress and petticoat and it's nice to have that flash of a seam when spinning round.

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.)

Life As A Daydream - A Week in Cornwall (Part 2).

Continuing on from yesterday's post, a sunny Tuesday morning in Cornwall started with a quick round of golf. Previously to this, the only sort of golf I'd ever played was of the crazy variety at the beach, so it felt a whole lot more serious lugging around a huge bag with lots of different clubs. Obviously I was awful at it, but the green was surrounded by a whole host of cows and bunnies and with none of us taking it at all seriously, it was a lovely, silly way to start the day.