Outfit of the Day Featuring Miss Selfridge, Topshop and New Look

SUN! YES SUN! IT'S HERE! FINALLY!

I may dress every now and then like I'm more comfortable in a dark cave, but I really am a Summer person. 

For months I've been yearning for an opportunity to start creating my Summer wardrobe, and what a better opportunity than now. The items in this Outfit of the Day I've had for a while now, but they seldom get an opportunity to be seen, what with rain and clouds determined to be centre of attention. 

If you read my March Haul, you would have already seen these luminous yellow shorts from Miss Selfridge (which they've now sold out of, but there are some similar ones in peach here, or some shape flattering skorts in a very similar yellow here). These shorts are perfect for elongating the legs and emphasing your waist. 

I don't have much colour in my wardrobe, but when I do I like it to be something very eye-catching and dramatic. Something as simple as a boldly coloured pair of shorts bring a real essence of Summer to an otherwise all black outfit. 

Because I wanted the shorts to be the focal point of my outfit, I teamed it with a very simple loose black cami top from Topshop. These are essential. They're timeless, and can be worn with anything from jeans and skirts to dresses that have a deeper neckline than one might wish. If you're going on holiday and are trying to put together a capsule wardrobe, stock up on these. 

The kimono is one of my recent bargain buys from TKMaxx, for only £25. It's so delicate and airy that it's perfect for sunny days. If you're self-conscious about your arms or back its a gorgeous cover-up that doesn't leave you sweltering in the mid-day sun, and it's brilliant to just throw over a bikini whilst you're on the beach or at a festival. Kimono's are a definite must-have item for this Summer, so if you're looking for a bit of a bargain definitely check out TKMaxx before heading anywhere else. 

The bowler hat is from H&M, and although it's not really that appropriate for this weather, it goes perfectly with this outfit. Also I'm really prone to sunstroke and look silly in most Summer hats, so it was either this or an old beret. 

The chain necklace is from New Look, and is another way of breaking up the black of the top, kimono and hat with another source of colour. 

Finally, the shoes. They are from River Islands A/W collection, but if you wear them without socks and with shorts or a skirt, they're just as good for Summer, however they have a more updated version with an open toe that you can find here. You should know by now that I love my big black chunky shoes, and I never like to look too girly, so these are my way of adding a bit of a grungy edge to this outfit, but some delicate gladiator sandals or some nice block heels would work really well too. 

I'm really interested to hear how your Summer wardrobes are coming along, and if you've found any bargain buys on the way, and also what you're doing to make the most of this gorgeous weather. 

Steph x x x

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Leather and Lace

Oh my. 290 views already. I would have been over the moon with 10, so thank you to everyone who took the time to look around BS&H, it really means a lot. 

This is my first today-I'm-wearing post. I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture, but the sun is out, and I decided to embrace it and do some outside photography of what I was wearing, seeing as the lighting in my house is so poor. 

 I have a variety of different styles that I like to explore, but looks like this are definitely my favorite. I am a massive lover of black, in fact, until the last few years that's all you would find in my wardrobe. But I think if you are going to wear all black, you really need to play around with the textures.

Here I'm carrying through the Victoriana  trend of Autumn/Winter 2013/14 into Spring, with this lace high-neck top from Zara (it's now sold out, but you can find similar here.) This would look great just wearing a black bra underneath for an evening look, and a leather jacket, but being a size E, I really didn't think that was something I could get away with, so I've teamed it with a black cami top from Topshop instead. 

The faux leather skirt is a recent purchase from H&M that is becoming one of my favorite basic items. It works with so much, and the leather works really well to cut up the lace texture that is flowing from the top down to the tights. I do struggle sometimes to find a non-elasticated skirt that really flatters my curves, and I do worry that I' m going to have to pay ridiculous amounts of money for the privilege, but this skirt is a saving grace, and a massive money saver. I can't find the exact one on their website, but there's a similar one here. 

As for the tights, I'm not sure if you'll be seeing them again, because I love them so much I've worn them within an inch of their life. I wear them with absolutely everything, even just a simple skater dress, and they really add a whole new dynamic. I've had so many compliments and people asking where I got them from, that I'm pretty sure ASOS can thank me for their selling out. They're a unique twist on netted tights, and I think they actually make the outfit. 

Now, this blog is called Blood, Sweat and Heels for a reason, and I think the beasts enveloping my feet can give you a good reason as to why. They're my most recent purchase from Boohoo.com and they are my babies. Being only  5'2, they make me the tallest I think it's possible for me to be without looking like I'm on stilts. I wear chunky heels more than stilettos and I love the gothic feel they add to any outfit, yet not taking away from its femininity. 

Jewelry wise, I accessorized with my Alexander McQueen Ninfea Skull Pendant and my new The Rogue and The Wolf  Queen of Hearts ring.  (I've just discovered this brand on Etsy, they're jewelry is amazingly creative. Go check them out)

Sorry this one's so long, mega well done if you read it all. What's your opinion on wearing all black?If you love it like me, how do you wear it in the Spring/Summer?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions. 

Stephanie x x x

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Hello Everybody!!!!!

Eeeeeek my first post!

 I'm actually more nervous about this than you can imagine, and I'm very new to this so please be kind. Having my own blog to explore and express my love of fashion and beauty has always been an ambition of mine, and I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so I've been putting off this first post, constantly telling myself there's more I can do to prepare (crazy I know) But I've forced myself to dive straight in, otherwise this blog space I've spent ages setting up will just sit here empty. 

I've spent quite some time following some amazing bloggers, and decided to get involved myself. I feel I have quite a unique sense of style that I really want to share with you. 

 I've just recently graduated after dedicating three years to an English Literature degree (another one of my passions) and I think those three years was when I really developed as a person. I discovered my passions, my own sense of style, and really thrived in being given the opportunity to be individual and discover my identity. I did struggle for a while though. Being 5'2, with a rather curvaceous figure meant that there were a few styles that were shut off to me, and for someone just starting to explore their style, that was quite hard to accept. Now though, I feel I have created something that reflects everything I love. 

I love anything dark, weird and unusual, and try my best to portray that in the way I dress, and as you've probably figured from the title of this blog, I love to wear heels, they're my weakness. The chunkier, more dramatic, and more likely they are to give me altitude sickness, the better. I would say that's what the majority of my hard earned cash goes on, so you can expect to see a lot of shoe porn haha.  

If you're wondering what you can expect from Blood, Sweat and Heels, well, it'll be a mixture of today-im-wearing posts, product reviews, trend and runway reports, some of my favorite things,  and me and my hairdresser friend Natalie (I'll introduce you to her at a later date) are going to throw some awesome hair tutorials your way, inspired by the latest catwalk and celebrity looks. 

Well aren't you guys in for a treat : p

Really can't wait to get started, and I hope you enjoy reading Blood, Sweat and Heels as much as I enjoy making it. 

Stephanie x x x x

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