Daily wear: All the old favourites!

Hi guys,
There is comfort to be found in familiar clothes. I have several outfits I know I can just throw on and will look and feel great, regardless of how many times I've worn them before. These outfits usually aren't trendy or particularly fashion-forward. But they look good, feel incredibly comfortable, and most importantly, don't take too much thinking about in the morning!

Nothing I'm wearing today hasn't been featured on the blog (at least twice!) before:
The blouse is from Primark (the cost per wear on this must be down to about 20p by now!) The jacket and leather panel leggings are both from Topshop. The bag is from TKMaxx, and the shoes are from New Look. Jewellery-wise I am wearing all of the usual suspects: my tooth neclace (which I've now had for more than 8 years!) my Marc Jacobs watch, and two See by Chloe bangles.

My brogues have actually seen better days and definitely need replacing: I'm thinking about getting these Mellow Yellow ones from Sarenza instead. But even when they're old, dirty and smelly, it's hard to replace shoes as comfy as these!

Do you have a 'comfort' outfit you couldn't live without?

Love Tor xx

LFW AW12: What I wore for day one

Hi guys,

London Fashion Week kicked off this morning, and I started what is going to be a fairly hectic weekend. I always love Fashion Week, even if I don't attend a single show or party: it's just exciting to be surrounded by so many creative and fashionable people.

This year I won't be bringing you coverage from every single show I attend, but I will be writing a couple of posts a day covering trends, key pieces I've fallen in love with, a little bit of street style (because lets face it, the outfits of the fashion crowd are just as exciting as the shows) and my outfit choices.

To get the ball rolling, here's the outfit I wore for day one:



I went for comfort with my shoes, and wore my flat Jeffrey Campbell dalmatian print pumps (c/o Sarenza.) Expect to see lots of comfortable flats over the next few days: life's too short to walk over cobbles in heels!

I teamed the shoes with my Topshop skinny jeans, a striped blouse from Primark, All Saints necklace, Kenneth Jay Lane ring, and a studded bag I picked up on holiday in Egypt. Sadly, I had to wear a coat (my leather sleeved jacket from Miss Selfridge) which made the outfit look bulkier and more top heavy than I had planned. Make up wise, I went for a punchy red lipstick and statement nails.....

....Yes, I did match my nails to my shirt! I used Nail Rock nail wraps. It's the first I've used them, and they looked great and were really easy to apply. However they started to peel off really quickly: maybe I applied them wrong! Overall though, my verdict is they look great for a couple of hours (night out, special event) but aren't good for everyday wear.

What are you doing this weekend? Will you be watching any of the live steamed fashion shows? Hitting the shops? I'd love to hear your plans!

Love Tor xx

Daily Wear: Wrapping up warm

Hi guys,

Last night the temperature hit -18 oC. So I probably didn't pick the best day to rebel against my coat! But at around this time every year I just get fed up of covering everything in a big old jacket, and want to wear something different. Which is why I left the house today without my coat, and instead wore a thermal vest, thinsulate top, chunky knit cardigan, and very questionable hat to keep warm:

The blouse is Clothing at Tesco. The jeans are Topshop. The cardigan, the Rock and Republic sunglasses and the All Saints necklace are all from TKMaxx. The hat is from Matalan, the boots are M&S. And the big bag is vintage.

It wasn't my wisest decision: despite all the layers, I was still freezing! Next week is London Fashion Week, and if the temperature stays like this I have no idea what I'll be wearing: but I do know it will be less about fashion, and more about wrapping up to stay warm!

Oh and by the way - This is the second post I've written which featured my new hair colour, but I keep forgetting to mention it! It's still pretty blonde, but I've added some frosty overtones to it: removing the warmth of the previous blonde colour and introducing a light ashy brown to give it some texture too. What do you think?!

Love Tor xx

Daily Wear: The white shirt challenge

Hi guys,

I was presented with quite a challenge when TM Lewin asked me to style one of their classic white shirts. Because of my heavy bust, I'm not much of a shirt wearer, and I almost never wear white because I think it makes me look (much) wider. In fact, I've had the shirt in my wardrobe for more than a week without any idea how I was going to wear it. I'd tried it on with a pleated skirt (and looked like a pensioner) and with jeans (and looked like a chubby American mom).

Then yesterday morning inspiration struck. I ended up throwing this outfit together in less than 10 minutes, and being really rather happy with it:

OK so I cheated and hid half the shirt, but I maintain that the outfit wouldn't work without it!

I wanted an outfit that would look great for a dinner and cocktails after work, but also work for a busy day of reasonably formal meetings. So I put the shirt on underneath my black shift dress from River Island, which has a slightly sparkly sheen. I then added a statement necklace from Oasis and my Marc by Marc Jacobs watch. I finished the look off fairly simply with my black satchel and black ankle boots.

The dress and the necklace are technically pieces I would only wear in the evening, but the crisp white shirt and sensible ankle boots made them look smarter and more appropriate for something semi formal. Like I said, I loved this look!

Do you own a white shirt, and how do you wear it? Let me know, because this shirt fits like a dream, I'm just not sure how to wear it. I could really use the inspiration!

Love Tor xx

Daily wear: A night at Westfield London

Hi guys,
Last night, Mike and I went on an amazing date night to Westfield London. Not a place I'd normally think of to go for a date (nights out in shopping centres remind me of being a wayward teen) but actually it was fantastic, and much more grown up and sophisticated than I had expected.



I didn't dress up (as we were rushing there straight from the office) and instead wore my Topshop black jeans teamed with my Primark leopard print blouse and H&M orange coccoon coat. I accessorised with my Friis & Co satchel (c/o Sarenza), Marc Jacobs watch, and a tangle of necklaces. It was a casual and fuss-free style that suited the nature of our fuss-free date (I added make up though: even I wouldn't go out with my face looking that pale!)

We went to the Meat and Wine Co. which is an incredible steak house. The only UK branch of this restaurant is at Westfield London, and it's well worth making the visit for. Our meal was incredible! I had steak and ribs with chips which was an absolute mamouth sized portion (even I couldn't finish it) whilst Mike opted for kangaroo fillet and potato gratin. We finished off with chocolate and pistachio melt-in-the-middle chocolate puds served with pistachio icecream. It was unbelievable!



When we were stuffed to bursting point we headed to the Vue cinema in Westfield to catch a movie: The Iron Lady. As Mike and I are both staunch lefties, a friend suggested this would be like a horror film for us, but actually it was incredibly moving. Meryl Streep is one of the most amazing actresses I've seen for a long time. All in all, a well-recommended date night location: we had a fantastic time!

When was the last time you went out on a date? And more importantly, what did you wear?

Love Tor xx

Frugal February activities: Movie parties, poker nights, sunday lunch...

Hi guys,
As part of "Frugal February" Mike and I have been organising lots of free and fun activities at home. Just because you're saving money doesn't mean you have to live like hermits and never see your friends, right?!

First we had a couple of friends round for Sunday dinner. Aside from the cost of the joint of meat, Sunday lunch is a surprisingly inexpensive meal to make: and easy to do too! It was a great and relaxing way to spend a couple of hours catching up with friends, which is something we'd usually do at the pub, but at half the price!

This weekend we organised a small poker night, using up all of the left over beer and wine we didn't drink at Christmas. The slight flaw in the otherwise-cunning plan, of course, is that I don't actually know how to play poker. In fact, the closest I get to even thinking about poker is when I'm humming along to Lady Gaga's poker face. Mike has tried to explain the rules to me several times: what risks to take, what makes a good hand. But I just don't get it! (I do however play a mean game of Pontoon!) So what really happened is that other people played poker whilst I sat in the corner drinking wine and gossiping: a great night had all round!

Next weekend my little sister is coming to stay with my nephew. This means that we can't go out anyway (without finding and paying for a babysitter). So I am going to organise a movie night: Clueless, Ten things I hate about you, Never been kissed....the list of chick flicks we want to watch is almost endless. The left over Christmas candy will come in handy here (yup, I still have loads) as will my rarely-used popcorn machine.

Are you taking part in frugal February? Or are you on a money saving drive? What have you changed or tried to do differently to save some cash? All tips welcome!

Love Tor xx

Dailywear: Sixties leopard print

Hi guys,
Another weekend has flown by and it's goodbye pajamas and comfy hooded tops, hello work clothes, once again! I know it's not a very fashionable thing to admit, but comfort is always my main priority when choosing what to wear: once I'm dressed I don't like to think about my clothes or feel restricted by them.

Today I've managed to combine an outfit that feels loose and comfortable and looks great at the same time: a double win!



I'm slightly in love with this Jarlo dress: it's double layered chiffon (making it seriously flattering) and it flares in a gorgeous Sixties style. Admittedly, it's very very short, but with leggings that really doesn't matter. The best thing is how versatile it is: with my boots it looks amazing during the day, but it would look just as fabulous for the evening teamed with heels and lipstick. It's from our newest Fabfrocks sponsor, a lovely brand called FashionPony, and it's been reduced in the sale to £48.

I've teamed it with my Primarni Owl necklace, Friis & Co bag, and knee high riding boots from Next. Actually I got these from the Next outlet store (called Choice) where they were reduced to £24.75. I never normally wear tall boots, but I think these ones look fab!

Love Tor xxx

Daily wear: Boyish charm

Hi guys,
I'm really enjoying this January's warmer approach to winter, which has meant for the past week I have been able to leave my winter accessories at home. Don't get me wrong I love my hats, but I also love not having frizzy hair when I get to the office!

As a general rule I'm far to curvy for the masculine trend, but today I'm looking quite boyish, and I like it! Time to invest in a bowtie, perhaps?



Today i'm wearing my new coat from Miss Selfridges, my favourite dress from River Island (I just wish it was more flattering!) my Moschino brogues, a stack of jewellery, and my Betty Jackson Black satchel.

I normally wear bangles religiously, but I picked up these leather wrist wraps at the Topshop outlet this weekend, and have been experimenting with them. I actually really like the way they look, and they have the added bonus of not constantly bashing against the keyboard when I type. Result!

Love Tor xx

Daily Wear: A Casual Saturday

Hi guys,
I haven't posted an outfit post for weeks; mostly because over Christmas, all of my outfits have consisted of pajamas or hubby's cozy oversized jumpers. I defy anyone to look fashionable whilst watching movies and stuffing their faces with Quality Street!

Today is another casual day (no hair, no make up, no effort!) but at least I'm wearing clothes, as we popped out to check out the sales:

Today I'm wearing my orange cocoon coat from H&M, Topshop leather panel leggings, Moschino shoes, blue Primark blouse, Friis & co handbag, and beloved Marc Jacobs watch. I'm delighted by how well the new Moschino shoes match my studded handbag: a dream combo.

I love this coat, which I picked up from the H&M in Selfridges just before Christmas. I love their H&M concession: they pick all of the best pieces, which means I always want every single thing, and don't have to sift through the rails looking for the good stuff!

Love Tor xx

PS - I've just added more items to the Fabfrocks Shop, and will be adding some more items tomorrow.

Daily wear: Bobble up!

Hi guys,
Since the weather turned colder, I have been wearing my jeans more than ever before: someone could challenge the name of this blog under the trade descriptions act, because I'm now only wearing frocks a couple of times a week!

Jeans are just so easy to throw on and know that you'll be warm enough, whatever Jack Frost has in store for the weather that day! Just add a blouse and a cardigan or jumper and you're ready to go: which is why this has become my newest work uniform. I now own more blouses and knitwear than ever before:


The blouse is from Clothing at Tesco, the jeans are Topshop, and the boots are Rocket Dog, c/o Sarenza. I loved this bargain Tesco blouse (just £14) so much that I ordered it in navy blue too.

I love my outdoor clothes: coats and hats are a minor obsession. I think people often underestimate the importance of a good coat, and the difference it makes to your outfit in wintertime: I couldn't imagine owning just one! This coat is from Next, and the bobble hat is Topshop. Whenever I'm wearing a really plain or simple outfit like this one, I always add my leopard print coat: it's perfect for bringing colour, pattern and texture to what otherwise is a fairly snooze-worthy look.

Do you find your style changes alot with the seasons? I wouldn't dream of wearing trousers if the sun was shining, but now I'm never out of them!

Love Tor xx

Daily wear: Wrapping up for winter

Hi guys,
I am currently in the middle of a horrible flu (hence my slightly zombie-like face) so decided that wrapping up warm in lots of faux fur was the only solution. I love the layering possibilities you get with winter dresssing, and took full advantage today by teaming a cardigan with my leather jacket, then throwing my new jewel collared gilet on top:



Whenever i'm ill I very lazily just throw on jeans and a top: the effort of putting tights on is all too much! These jeans are from Topshop, the top is Primark. The bag (which is covered in gold studs underneath) is Friis & Co, and the gilet with the awesome jewel collar is Cynthia Rowley: both from TKMaxx. The leather jacket underneath is my trusty River Island one.

The Jonak brown ankle boots are my new favourite boots in the world, c/o Sarenza. I love the gold detailing at the toe, and they have a low heel meaning they look smart, but aren't too high that I couldn't wear them all day: perfect!

I love this super cozy outfit: perfect for casual chilly days. We're going to Berlin for four days on Friday: I think this outfit will definitely be making the cut to come with me!

Love Tor x

Daily wear: New coat and new boots!

Hi guys,
Do you ever have one of those rare days when you leave the house and think "actually, I look pretty good today?" They don't happen to me that often (I'm more likely to have an "I hate my entire wardrobe day") but today is one of those lookin' good days!



Let's start with my yummy new boots from Sarenza; one of two pairs that arrived this week. They're by Rocketdog (not a brand I would ever normally look at) but I just fell in love with these clog ankle boots and their furry trim. They're so snug and cozy, they would be just perfect for clopming about in the snow! Until next Tuesday, Sarenza are having "7 frozen days" on their site: the cold weather is causing their prices to shrink, with discounts of up to 50% off available!

The other new aspect of my outfit is the coat which is Jonathan Saunders/Editions at Debenhams. I have admired this coat from afar for a while, but thought £115 was a little too expensive. However Debenhams are currently running their Christmas spectacular, with up to 40% off many lines, and this coat was one of them! Now just £69, I snapped it up yesterday, and I'm completely in love with it!

The rest of my outfit consists of my Betty Jackson Black satchel (also from Debenhams), a blouse and necklaces from Primark, and jeans from Topshop. Expect to see several variations of this outfit in upcoming months, because I am completely in love with it!

Love Tor xx

Daily Wear: My new cropped fur jacket

Hi guys,

A quick Saturday post to share the outfit I wore today to pop for a long walk around the shops with my beautiful niece and nephew (and their mummies, of course!) I was really pleased with the way this outfit turned out, given I had less than 10 minutes to throw it together. It was the right mix of casual and fancy, if you ignore the biscuit crumbs I had lovingly rubbed into my leggings, of course:

I'm slightly in love with my new jacket, which is from AX Paris. When I picked a cropped fur jacket from the dazzlingly wide selection of dresses and jackets on their website, I envisaged myself wearing it over flippy party dresses this Christmastime; and it will look amazing with my new gold festive frock. But I've surprised myself by loving the way it looks casually too: it really smartens up blouses and leggings (my staple lazy weekend wear) and I can see myself wearing it over and over again this winter. It's super-warm, it fits like a dream, and it feels as soft as a newborn puppy too! I'm so fussy about new additions to my jacket collection, and it's not like me not to have a minor criticism or two, but I really can't think of anything negative to say.

I teamed the jacket with a long-line black vest and my leather panel leggings from Topshop, a leopard print blouse and tooth necklace from Primark, my Friis & Co satchel (c/o Sarenza) and my beaten up old clogs (also from Topshop). These clogs have been worn to death and they really need throwing away, but they're so comfortable and easy to slip on that I just can't myself to get rid of them!

I'm experimenting with growing my fringe out at the minute, but it's reaching that awful in-betweeny stage that always drives me back to the hairdressers to have the fringe cut back in. And ignore the unmovable bags under my eyes: that's what you get from sharing your flat with a newborn baby for the week!

Love Tor xx

Daily wear: Slouchy, comfy, stripey...

Hi guys,
This week my posts might seem pretty daily wear intensive, but that's only because I'm so excited to be able to wear some of the wintery things that have been sitting in my wardrobe for a while!

Lately I feel like something of a knitwear addict: I've gone from owning 2 cardigans and not a single jumper to being the proud owner of 6 chunky knit cardigans and 3 jumpers!

This is definitely my favourite time of year to dress for: it's not so cold that everything needs to be covered up with a big bulky coat, but I get to play with layers, and I finally get to wear my new Friis & Co boots from Sarenza, which I ordered 2 months ago, and have just been waiting to break out properly!


The rest of the outfit consists of my new-favourite leather panelled leggings from Topshop, a TK Maxx dress with a stripey Clothing at Tesco jumper thrown over the top (It's first outing), my Friis & Co satchel, See by Chloe bangles, and vintage brooch (a birthday present from Mike last year).

Today has been a good day. I've lusted at the Lulu Guinness press day, explored (and fallen in love with) Levis new Made and Crafted collection, brought 5 boxes of chocolates for just £20 from Thorntons (perfect for Christmas prezzies, and a complete mega-bargain) and now Mike is making homemade meatballs for dinner. Frankly, what more does anyone need?!

Love, Tor xx

Daily Wear: Beating the pre-winter chills

Hi guys,

The beginning of winter is officially here, and I am busying myself by organising my wardrobe and working out which gaps I need to fill (on a very tight budget, as always). I also want to get a new winter coat: not so much a need, but a part of my winter routine that I've had since childhood, and I just can't imagine a winter without a lovely new coat. So far I'm fixated on this one from Topshop, but I just can't justify the expense.

In the meantime, I've been wearing one of my favourite casual Autumnal outfits. As you know, I'm addicted to car boot sales and antique markets: well this is the kind of outfit I wear when I'm trawling the stalls! Smart (as always) but still super comfortable.



The Ugg-looking boots are actually by BearPaw from The Nature Shop: super comfortable for slouchy weekend wear, but without looking too scruffy. They have a sheepskin lining with a cow suede outer and my feet have never felt so toasty. I'm trying not to let myself wear them too often, or my feet will never let me put them into proper shoes again!

The Nature Shop is a shop that sells "nature products" that are kind to the environment: I'm a big fan of sustainable fashion (I've written about it before) but only if it's something you'd wear anyway (I would never wear something unattractive just because it's sustainable; I'm far too vain!) The store also has a 10 % profit pledge of making charitable donations to the World Wildlife Fund, donations to kids charities (Heart Children and Canteen) and carbon credits purchased to achieve their carboNZero certification.

I've teamed my car boot boots with my torn light jeans from Topshop, my Vince short sleeved cardigan (which I got from the Selfridges sale last year) and my chiffon blouse from Debenhams. The bag is my favourite Friis & Co satchel, and the skinny bangle is from my See by Chloe set.

Sadly I have no car boot sale bargains to show from this week, but that's the nature of the beast: some weeks I come home with a pirates bounty and other weeks (like this one) I come home empty handed!

Love Tor x

Daily wear: Summer stripes

Hi guys,
I'm making the most of what the forecasters are calling the last day of our Indian Summer by wearing a light and airy summer dress. Although it's made of cotton, the button-up top part of the dress (It looks like separates but it isn't!) means that it's great for office-wear too. Obviously i've accessorised with black: when do I ever wear an outfit that doesn't have black in it?!



My chief photographer (aka Mike) wasn't working at his highest standard this morning, so the dress picture isn't the finest! I still hope you can see how vibrant the red is though.

The dress is from the Topshop outlet (a bargain £7), the belt is from Primark, the shoes are ASOS, my Friis & Co satchel is from Sarenza and I had the bracelet made when I was living in Beijing: I wanted one that sat much higher up my lower arm so that I could still type whilst wearing it!

I'd already packed all of my summer clothes and shoes away, so tearing up my wardrobe for something to wear lead me to these shoes which I got last summer, and haven't worn once this summer so far! I definitely need to have proper wardrobe clear out and shop what I already own: I'm forever finding things I love that I'd forgotten all about!

Love Tor xx

Daily Wear: Fabfrocks in jeans!

Hi guys,

Today I did something I very rarely do, particularly on weekdays. Today I left the dresses hanging in my wardrobe and headed for a day at work wearing jeans. I don't really like the shapes of my legs, especially my thighs, so I don't often wear jeans at all. But then, whilst have a deep clean of my wardrobe, I found these Topshop jeans that I haven't worn since university. They fit like a dream and it's been a revelation: I can't stop wearing them!

I teamed my lovely jeans with an Urban Outfitters blouse, See by Chloe bracelet, Primark owl necklace, Topshop outlet boots, and satchel c/o Sarenza.

I appreciate that this isn't a high-fashion outfit, but it feels perfectly comfy and perfect for autumn. I also thought I should share the pictures of me in jeans, because they don't get taken very often!

I'm glad I didn't dress for the heatwave the weather forecasters said was coming: I saw so many women struggling through the rain torrent in sandals tonight. Instead I packed my bag sensibly with my River Island snake skin blazer and my beloved Vivienne Westwood scarf:

I hope you don't get bored of seeing this scarf by the end of the winter! I just can't get enough of it: it turns even the most boring of outfits into a style statement, and I'm completely in love with it. It matches all of my winter coats too, so I can see myself wearing this until the fabric wears thin!

What have you been wearing today? And what item have you bought recently that you know you'll be wearing all winter?

Love Tor xx