Easter Dresses

Easter brings back such happy memories of parades, Easter bonnets and sunshine. It's perhaps the most mellow and relaxing celebration: you just know that the long, dark nights are over and sunshine and happy days lie ahead. 

As a treat, my grandparents would buy me a dress to wear with a handmade bonnet. While others went to the fair or the beach on Good Friday, we were always in our new outfits and - come rain or shine - at the parade. Easter was not for the beach or the fair; we were always taught that it was a time for family - and food. Easter Sunday tea was always at our house. My mother would cook a roast and then we'd have sandwiches, sausage rolls, celery and cheese for tea, followed by an enormous piece of gooey Simnel cake. Indeed, the focus on family is something I still very much believe in. Whenever I hear the throb of the drums, my heart still flutters and brings the memories of these bygone days to the forefront of my mind. 

And one tradition I've naturally been very keen to preserve is the new dress for Easter...

I'd still make and wear an Easter bonnet, too, if I didn't suspect that the fiancé would disown me. 

As always, I'm only interested in timeless pieces. This should be a dress to stand the test of time and bring with it fond memories. 

So, what do you want from this dress? Channel literal dressing a la the Duchess of Cambridge. The logical solution therefore: mini eggs. 

No, I'm not going mad - and I'm not suggesting you wear an egg-printed outfit (but if you do, please send me a photograph!) - the colours are perfect for this season. If you prefer, look to seasonal flowers: lilac and purple crocuses, pink and cream tulips, and bright yellow daffodils (otherwise known as the colours of mini eggs! A-ha!).

Vintage styles work well for this, too. Channel tea parties and parades of old: keep the neckline decent, the hem around the knees, and ensure the skirt has sufficient swoosh, (you'll be grateful after all those Easter eggs!).

Happy Easter everyone; here's to a glorious weekend of family, sunshine and cakey delights.

As it should be.

xoxo

P.S. I've included a Florence and Fred (Tesco) dress. I wonder if you can spot it...

1: Vivienne Westwood £315

2: Zara £39.99

3: Hobbs £129

4: F&F at Tesco £25

5: Hobbs £139

6: People Tree (Orla Kiely) £85

7: Hobbs £139

8: Orla Kiely £648

Dress of the Month March

The snowdrops have melted into daffodil fields; the clocks go forward next weekend, (don't forget, sweet peas) - all this  can only mean one thing: summertime is nearly upon us. Squeak! 

To celebrate this glorious new chapter in the annual calendar, the dress of the month must be charmingly light and subtly bright. And this ethereal creation is just that.

The dress

The Florida Bloom Mesh Dress, £150

The designer

French Connection. With their finger well and truly back on the beat this season, the S/S2014 range sees FC doing what they do best. The palette is refreshing; the shapes are structured with a feminine flutter; and the styles are timeless. 

I saw this dress only today and immediately decided to share it with you. It's a bit of couture-inspired frothiness which will enhance any wardrobe and see you through summer parties, weddings and social events for years to come. If it's a little too girly for your tastes, sharpen it a la Carrie Bradshaw. Try teaming it with these on-trend pointy gold flats by Russell & Bromley or clash it with oversized chunky floral accessories.

xo

Good Morning Vietnam: what to wear on holiday!

I hate February. There, I said it. February, I hate you with all the fervour I can muster. No wonder it's the shortest month.

And I'm not terribly keen on March either.

But all this hatred does do one thing. And that is it makes me ever more grateful and appreciative of the days of sunshine ahead. 

If you're like me and have been suffering from serious Vitamin D deficiency and pissed-off-with-rain-itis, this post will be your light at the end of the tunnel. Because this week I'm talking holiday clothes.

The fiancé and I decided we'd had enough a couple of weeks ago and booked extortionately priced flights to Vietnam - and it was the best decision. I'm officially on holiday countdown - 6 days to go.

I have realised one problem, though, and that is I haven't got a stitch to wear!

Okay, slight exaggeration. I do, in fact, have far too many clothes. 

But holiday clothes are different. They must transform me from weary worker to beach bum...I mean, babe.

So, I've taken inspiration from sunnier days: as a four year old I was an enormous fan of 1980s Kylie Minogue and there are far too many photographs of me singing into nail polish bottles to 'Hand on Your Heart'. To be perfectly honest, not an awful lot has changed since. 

But I digress! It's no coincidence that we tend to look to our past when choosing home decor - and the same is true of clothing. We associate happy, stress-free times with our childhood, so that's what I'll be channeling this year: Sarah, circa 1989. What does that mean? High waists (super flattering on almost everyone - no more Britney-esque low rise), denim, knotted shirts and lots of smiling. Add to this a nod to Scandi-style (read: crisp whites and cool blues) and my backpack is happy.

Needless to say I've been shopping recently - and here's what I'll be packing: 

Kylie! Woo!

Casual Chambray Shirt, £29, Topshop

Amelia Dress, £40, Allium B

Hepburn Midi Dress, $275, Erin Fetherston

Lottie Dress, £55, Seasalt

ASOS Tiffany Midi Dress, £85

Sunflower Sun Dress, £110, French Connection

Leaf Print Organza Dress, £234, Geeks and Stitches

MOTO Bleach Shorts, £30, Topshop

Powder Blue Top, £24.95, Joules

Monte Carlo Dress, from £69, Boden

Short Sleeved Dress, £52, Jack Wills

MOTO Fit and Flare Dress, £38, Topshop

Boheme Dress, Ganni, euro139.90

Crinkle Frill Dress, £28, Topshop