Ma Vie Bohème | Just Add Ginger

It's no secret. I am finding the thought of looking for bridesmaid dresses very stressful. I'm having trouble with the colour, finding a style I like..the list goes on and on!

So when I found out that Glitzy Secrets - an online stockist for some of the prettiest wedding jewellery and accessories I've ever seen -was launching a new tool* to help you uncover your vintage  wedding style, I got really excited. Would some inspiration finally come at last? Thank GOODNESS!

I love anything Bohemian inspired. I love the fashions of the 60s and 70s. Growing up I'd always ask to try MG's "hippie" dresses from that era. One of the reasons I got my fringe cut in was so that I would look more of that time. So naturally, it was to my delight that the tool told me my vintage wedding style was the 1970's! 

Putting myself in that carefree fashion age, I sat back and thought. Our wedding has a "vintage shabby-chic" theme, and is all about whimsy and having fun. With so many stand-out trends from the 70s, if I was to look back then and take inspiration from the styles that I love, what alternatives to your bog-standard bridesmaid dresses could I put my 'maids in to make them comfortable, creative, and completely unique? 

Look One 

Floral Playsuit: ASOS  | Floppy Hat: H&M  | Gold Clutch: unknown | Chelsea Boots: New Look | Fur Jacket (below): New Look 

For the first look, I went for something really fun and girly. When I think of 70s fashion, I immediately think of big bold florals, hot pants and glamorous accessories. This look combines all three ideas. A playsuit would be a really fun alternative for 'maids, especially for a Spring or Summer wedding. You can dress a playsuit up or down as much as you like, and they just add an instant fun flair. And if it's a Winter wedding, throw on a pair of tights and everyone is good to go!

Look Two

Green Swing Dress: ASOS  | Floppy Hat: (as before)  | Tan Belt: Primark (from a dress)  | Chelsea Boots: (as before) | Sunglasses: M&S

The 70s was all about playing with hemlines, and the 60s mini dress was ever popular. This swing dress from ASOS can be worn midi, but I chose to change the style by adding a belt. Swing dresses are so comfortable that there is no way my bridesmaids would feel restricted. 

Look Three

Black Maxi Dress: ASOS | Rose Gold Collar Necklace: H&M  |  Chunky Heels: Daisy Street | High Heel Boots (below):  H&M | Fur Jacket: (as before)

This look is all about 70s glamour, and is my favourite look of all! There is a true sense of Bohemia with the length of the dress, but the fluttery kimono sleeves make it ever so slightly Disco, and the rose god collar adds a touch of opulence. This is definitely a style I would put my 'maids in because it is just so effortlessly 70s-chic! The dress is empire line (so extremely flattering.) You can team it with any shoe and it just looks beautiful! The split on the left side is sexy but not showy, and I know that my bridesmaids would all look stunning in this outfit!

*To find your vintage wedding style era, take the test at https://www.glitzysecrets.com/find-your-vintage-wedding-style/

Ginger's Fashion: Turning Twenty Seven

Last week, I turned the big 2-7!

I am now officially in my late 20s.

I always have mixed feelings when I know my birthday is coming up. One half of me is really excited to be getting older. With each year I feel more mature, wise....like I can conquer the world that little bit more. But on the other hand, getting older means more responsibility and more having to act like a grown up.....

...Even though I think I am quite mature, there are times when I still act like a big kid!

I had already had my big birthday night out on the 3rd January with the Boy, Sarah, & her other half (you can see my OOTN/FOTN post here.) So on my birthday, the Boy & I went out for a romantical dinner for two at our new-discovery of a restaurant - Yukti.

But not before I was woken up in the morning to the sound of party poppers and several whoops of glee from the Boy as I jumped out of my skin!

Because we were going out shortly after I got in from work, I wanted to keep my outfit quite simple. I picked up this skater dress from Primark a few weeks ago. It was a bargain at £5, and the shape is really flattering. Whenever Primark bring out a new design of skater dress, I go and pick one up straight away because they are so versatile.

I didn't want to do heels, but decided on a pair of wedged furry ankle boots I'd picked up from New Look in the Autumn. They have unbelievable grip, and are super-snuggly and comfortable. I haven't had a chance to wear them loads yet, but I can see them being my go-to boot when I'm looking for a "casual-but-you-can-dress-them-up" shoe.

Instagram: Gingerjax

Floral Skater Dress: Primark 

Dogtooth Coat: Primark 

Leggings: Dorothy Perkins 

Stacking Rings: H&M

Furry Boots (out of photo): New Look

This birthday was so amazing and special that I didn't want it to end. I'm already planning to have a "Queen Birthday" in July....exactly 6 months after my January birthday....so that I can keep up this excitement. 

Thank you to everybody who made my birthday so fabulous! 

If you would like to do a What I Got For My Birthday post, let me know in the comments below.

A Mini Fashion Haul | Just Add Ginger

Blogging everyday throughout April was so much fun, but I did get a bit behind on the day-to-day life stuff, so needed to take a bit of a break to sort myself out and just enjoy life. There have been loads of exciting things going on lately, and I really wanted to engulf myself in them and have a good time! 

During these few weeks I have done a little bit of shopping, so I thought I'd share my purchases with you in mini haul posts...this one is for fashion items, and next time I will cover beauty. 

Nb: I am in no way showing off what I've bought. I really like watching hauls on YouTube, or reading haul blog posts because it gives me the chance to see what clothes are out there on the high street/online. This is what I'm doing in sharing my purchases with you. 

New Look 

These are my newest purchase. 

A few months ago, I bought a pair of wedged trainers from Primark. I was desperate for a pair of comfortable shoes for a weekend and they were a complete impulse buy.....I fell completely in love with them! For the summer, I wanted a lighter coloured pair, and found these beauties in New Look. They are super-comfortable, and I particularly loved the spike detail on the velcro strap. The colour is the perfect for wearing right now all the way through to Autumn! I already have big plans for these shoes!

Playsuits are normally my arch-nemesis. I absolutely LOVE them, but normally, the cut does not suit me at all. My legs and around my hip area (and my bum) are quite shapely compared to the rest of me, so wearing playsuits can make these areas look even big. 

However, the cut of this playsuit is super flattering. The shorts are slightly flared, and almost culotte-style, so don't cling to my legs. I really like the design too. There's something quite Art Deco and Great Gatsby about it. When I put it on I felt instantly glamorous!

With warmer weather gradually starting to creep in, I knew I wanted to pick up a pair of wedges. Because if foot issues, it is impossible for me to wear flip flops because they don't stay on my feet. Sandals/wedges with thin straps near the toe are out of the question because my left pinky likes to pop out the side, and I always need to have a strap that secures my foot in. 

With these limitations (and wide feet to add to the mix,) finding a pair of wedges that I could actually wear was a bit tricky. I found these in the New Look in Westfield, and couldn't believe it when they fit me! The buckle at the front means I can loosen the shoe to accommodate my chubster feet, and the strap at the side means my feet are in no danger of going anywhere! The tan colour is perfect for the summer, and the wedge height is perfect for comfort (and high enough to be worn night time too.) I'd definitely recommend giving these a try if your feet are on the wider side, but they are beautiful shoes even if you have slimmer feet too! 

H&M 

I spotted this dress quite a while ago in H&M. I wasn't too sure at the time if I liked enough to buy it. But then at home, I decided I did really like it, went back to find it, and it had vanished from sight! 

Noooooo!!! 

When I went to Westfield, I found it again in the H&M there and immediately picked it up. I am a huge fan of the skater dress style as for my body shape it is an extremely flattering cut (nips me in at the waist and skims my hips.) the skirt is mini length, so great for day time or night time looks! And I just love the statement the tiger makes staring out from the top...it's instantly eye-catching and the colours pop out from the black fabric. 

I have already worn this dress. Check out my Instagram for how I styled it up.  

ASOS 

Like the H&M dress, I had been eyeing up this maxi dress from ASOS for a while. Because of my shape, I lot of maxi dresses I have tried on in thec past have not suited me because they are just shift or shealth style, and cling to me in all the wrong places. This dress however, is A Line, so flares out just after the waist and skims over the parts of me I don't want to accentuation. 

I decided to go for the dress in the black because I wanted something quite classic that I could wear all year round rather than just in the summer. I thought black would be the best choice for this as it is such a versatile colour, and carries through all the seasons. 

It never goes out of style!

Again. I have worn this dress already, so check out my Instagram if you want to see how I styled the dress. I'll probably do a lookbook post/video on it soon too!

Everything featured in this haul was under the £30 mark. I'm a great believer in investing in affordable fashion that I'm going to enjoy wearing again and again without fear of my purse erupting into flames!

What fashion items have you been buying recently? Any recommendations?