Thieving Thursday - Summer's LBD

Hello my lovelies.

Let's keep things nice and simple today.  Like with an LBD.





I felt inspired to slip on a Little Black Dress for a date night.

It's such a simple thing to do, slip on an LBD and feel comfortable wherever you are and whatever the weather.

Like Ashley, who was my inspo for my LBD in summer today.

Yes, wondering what to wear, I'd stumbled upon Le Stylo Rouge, HERE wearing her LBD and I was reminded how simply stylish the LBD can be, all year round.  This lovely young lady has styled her loose LBD in a young and modern way, with a statement necklace and sports shoes - sneakers.  

We called them pumps BITD, then they became trainers, and now heavens knows what they're called in the UK!  But whatever the name of the footwear, this sweetie is looking so good in her loose and airy dress, perfect for late summer.

And that's the beauty of an LBD.  Suitable for all ages.  Suitable for all seasons.

Mine is a mid-calf Dotty P jersey dress (it looks longer in pics).  I cinched it in at the "waist" and wore heels.

The Woolovers beaded cardi is the aqua version of the cardi I wore in my last WIW Wednesday post.  Yes, I couldn't resist the 2fer deal!

So, that's how I'm wearing my LBD in late summer.

Here's another LBD I wore last week, in ribbed jersey and styled with a lacy scarf.

And here are other summer LBDs from previous years.

The same old Dotty P dress, last year. 

Here the look is more similar to my Ashley's styling, without the belt.

Again from last year's post, a Next linen LBD, with and without the belt.

You can see from the pics that the look changes with the simple addition of a belt.  So if you're looking for a quick variation to your LBD, simply add a belt and see how it changes not only your silhouette but also the mood of the dress.



I find myself drawn towards LBDs through the summer, but especially this time of the season, when the days are a little chillier and the nights are drawing in.  An LBD in August just sorta feels right.

Now why don't you pop along to Ashley's blog following the link above and see some of her clever stylings.

A la perchoine.



Thieving Thursday - Kimonos

My week of structured posting continues with Thursday's offering - some thievery!

Firstly, thanks for your sweet message Mary G, TP's doing just fine thanks.

Secondly, have you noticed how the Blogosphere has been a-buzz with kimonos these past few weeks?

Well I have but I have to say I haven't been jumping on the trend as I didn't see much pattern that I liked, and I'm quite picky with print.

However, I was sruggling to find a second piece to wear with my Ultra Violet dress and in desperation I ordered a white/blue kimono.  Well, I wasn't convinced when it arrived that it went with the dress but, hey, maybe I could work it into other outfits.  But I had hit on a technical problem - it needed ironing, and if you've been hanging out with me long enough you will know I don't do irons.  So that kimono stayed in a holding pattern.

A second kimono kept popping out at me on Pinterest.  But if one kimono had gone technical on me, could I dare try my hand at another?   Well I did, some weeks ago, but it was only on Saturday that I tried both of them on, spurred on by my blogger mate Lisa of Coast to Coast who'd been kimonoing herself with flair and panache (see below).

So let's take a look at my try-ons.

Here's my steal from the seller's pic.

Hmmnn, not totally convinced.  Maybe kimonos aren't my thing?

 Or maybe it's just that the fabric doesn't have much hanging weight.

Looks more crepe de chine-y in the pic, which would hang better.

Apart from wearing this with jeans or an all white or all grey column, I'm a bit stumped for ideas.  Can you help?

Then time for my first purchase, the blue on white kimono.

The Lovely Lisa of Coast to Coast had sported a kimono in the same colourway as mine.

Lisa's kimono is longer and looks like it hangs beautifully.  Seen here with a white column 

and here with denim shorts.

Doesn't she look a treat?! In both looks she's brought in some brown so maybe that's the route to take.  I plan to steal these two stylish looks in these last few weeks of summer and hopefully come up with a few ideas of my own, encouraged by Lisa's " show us what you've got" response to my comment on her post!

There are many styling ideas to be had by visiting Lovely Lisa's blog HERE.  I race to pop in each time she posts!

Here are some other bloggers who have been kimono-ing.

Shelbee and Nancy's good buy/good bye features kimonos this month SEE HERE for the concept.

Kim of FIERCE FASHION, HERE posted a really natty idea.

A scarf kimono!

I tried it out for myself today and posted it on Instagram *

Oh so many kimono steals out there, but so few weeks of summer left to wear them 😱😖😢.

If you fancy giving kimonos a try, visit the links above for ideas.  Hey, you may already be an old hand because, heavens knows, I've turned up late at the party ... again!
Perhaps you could drop me a comment sharing your kimono experiences - you know, I'd really like it if you did.

A la perchoine.

* Yes peeps, I decided to man-up and dip my toe back in the instagram water today.  Hours later I realised I'd posted about 15 pics.  I don't think that's supposed to be how it works!

Find me on INSTAGRAM HERE!