The jacket I'm wearing here is a preloved Mint Velvet Utility style which I bought from Willow & Eve, our gorgeous consignment store in nearby Rustington. Working there means I do have my pick of stock as soon as it comes in; and whilst I resist the temptation for the most part, because we want our customers to find great pieces, it's difficult when you know how much wear you'll get out of something!

Apart from my gym gear, denim distressed shorts and an array of sweatshirts, this look is now a lockdown staple, swapping out my Jigsaw linen t-shirt for other tops and alternating scarfs! The scarf is again from Willow & Eve, from The White Company, Hush boyfriend jeans and Veja pumps. I looked at Mint Velvet online to see what was on offer this summer as it's always good to see the updates from my favourite brands. At the moment I don't have a lot on my wardrobe shopping list but I could be tempted by my top four picks below.

Firstly a print slip skirt, an easy on, flattering style which, because of the print, looks less lingerie inspired than the on trend slip skirts from last season. With an elasticated waistband it's also practical if you've put on extra pounds or toned up during lockdown!

Next we have the type of dress that I always go for, a shirt dress. This is available in a dark khaki shade and the cupro/viscose mix gives it a silky feel and weight with utility styling details. The midi length is great for coverage and if you want to flash a leg then the button front gives you that flexibility.

I've picked this denim jacket as it's an update on a style which I know a lot of you own. The puff sleeve has been revived for summer and is currently on trend, although if I'm honest it's a style I won't be buying into, It looks great here and the proportions are also well considered. I currently don't own a denim jacket but if I did I'd wear this with a breton stripe dress and Veja pumps.

Whilst we may not be booking a summer holiday abroad this year hopefully we'll be getting some sunnier weather soon. If you've got outdoor space and able to sunbathe you may want a cover up for when the gardener/ window cleaner turns up which is why I've chosen this floral print kimono. It's definitley a purchase that will keep until your next vacation too.

So whilst your locks maybe suffering in lockdown your wardrobe doesn't have to; as a lot of fashion retailers are still able to operate within the new guidelines. With high street brands like Oasis and Warehouse currently in administration and the future of Debenhams in question the fashion industry is going through a big change and it will be interesting to see how our shopping habits will be shaped going forward.

For now keep safe, stay socially distanced, look forward to a new normal and as always thanks for stopping by.

Shopping your own wardrobe has been the trend since lockdown began and today I took out a Coccinelle cross body bag that I bought last year but have never worn; mainly because it's got a suede body and we did have a lot of rain! 

As I was wearing my soft shell pink mohair mix cardigan, from Part Two, I thought I would complement it with a stronger shade of pink and suddenly remembered I had it still in the packaging! I teamed it with my new Hush Boyfriend jeans, Veja Esplar leather trainers, old, All Saints T-shirt, old and The White Company pattern scarf which I bought from Willow & Eve, the consignment boutique I work in, which I'm missing so much since we had to close! The scarf adds some print and I'm also wearing a Massimo Dutti black leather belt and Gucci sunglasses, both old. 

So although I was only going to the shop for essential food items my new/old bag made me smile; especially on this Monday morning, with the children beginning homeschooling!! See my outfit builder below, inspired by todays look, with a Coccinelle belt; a category I've always thought they should do, so I'm really excited that they now have a range to offer!

​Click on the links to shop, stay home, keep safe and thanks for stopping by.

I hope you had as 'good as you could' Easter, with many of us experiencing a different type of break than usual. We've been lucky enough to enjoy the sunshine in our garden and dog walks on the beach, without flouting any lockdown rules, and for that I've been very grateful.

Today I'm looking at Steps 4 and 5 of my Lockdown style tips, to help you optimise your current wardrobe. See all the steps here and visit my previous two posts for a recap.

Step 1) Identify your daily uniform
Step 2) Curate your current wardrobe
Step 3) Outfit build
Step 4) Buy the best you can afford and/or buy what you love
Step 5) Create a shopping list

As you curate your wardrobe you will have hopefully compiled a shopping list, step number 5; items that are worn and need replacing, more of what you actually wear and versions of, updates for the season that are more trend led, or items that create complete outfits for your existing clothes. Try not to add something when you have a similar item already in your wardrobe that does the same job. You'll usually default to the original item and wear that instead of the new. Also clients generally have way more tops than bottoms so try and keep that in check too.

Armed with your list you can now go shopping....well at the moment it's online only, and apparently Next are reopening their online offer soon. I recommend John Lewis as they have a lot of my 'go to' brands and I always find great updates at Massimo Dutti. I've also learnt that spending on quality items, that last longer, means I have to buy less in the longer term, which leads me to step number 4, buy the best you can afford and/or buy what you love.

Several items in my wardrobe seemed expensive at the time, for example a Tanvi Kedia silk dress from Anthropolgie which was £158, but that was in 2016, click to see my original post, and I've worn it this week! So with 4 summers wear it doesn't seem so pricey and I still love it.  

​Also an ivory Iris & Ink crepe dress that was about £140 comes out for most occasions and as I couldn't wear ivory to my sisters wedding, and was struggling to find something appropriate, that suited my body shape, I bought a navy version too!! See below.

My Iris & Ink crepe dresses; investment occasion dresses!

With the warmer weather I've been looking at my summer wardrobe and purchasing some key items from  my shopping list. I've been trying for a while to get a boyfriend jean fit I love as much as my CK ones. I've thought of repairing them but the fabric is now so thin that they easily rip. I bought these Hush boyfriend jeans from John Lewis prior to lockdown, in size 12 and 14 and stuck with the 12.

I always buy white linen t-shirts or tanks for summer and needed a long sleeve version as well as an update for my blue cotton shirt. I found this Jigsaw linen pocket version and this easy AND/OR Ikat blouse, both from John Lewis. I also bought this John Lewis & Partners swimsuit in anticipation of a future holiday; I love the low back and flattering neckline as well as the print! I've worn all items since purchasing them, even sunbathing in my swimsuit, so I know they're all keepers. 

As well as fashion I often do the 5 steps for my beauty haul too; so I have a minimal make-up bag and don't have toiletries going to waste. I've been looking, or smelling, at perfumes since Christmas, to replace my everyday scent, that is light and not overpowering. That's when I discovered Le Labo at Liberty, however it was so busy around the counter that I wasn't able to decide on one scent.

Luckily Net a Porter do a discovery set, which I bought, and fell in love with the Rose 31 Eau de Parfum. I can understand why the Santal 33 has gained cult status but it wasn't for me. I was pleasantly surprised that John Lewis sold the Le Labo range and as I was purchasing other items popped it in the basket too!

So as we're still in lockdown for the foreseeable future I hope you've found my steps useful and also see I definitely practise what I preach. Just a reminder too that all content is unbiased and authentic! Sometimes you may find affiliate links to products but there are none in this post.

Stay home, keep safe and thanks ,as always, for stopping by,