Fabfrocks picks: The best rainy day rain coats

Hi guys,
It's raining, it's pouring, it's time to dig out your raincoat!

If, like me, attempting to dig out your mac made you realise that a) it doesn't fit you and b) it's not actually waterproof then it may be time to hit the shops and find a new one. Sadly, in a country as wet as ours, a raincoat is an essential piece of kit: more so even than an umbrella, which is 90% likely to blow inside out as soon as it's hit by a little wind. But if you're looking for a waterproof jacket (i'm not talking chic macs here!) it also isn't something you generally want to spend alot of money on: after all, you're only going to wear it when it's raining, meaning that no matter how great your outfit, your shoes will still be soggy, and your hair will still be frizzy!

With that in mind, here are my picks of the best affordable waterproof raincoats on the highstreet (only one is over £50!):

Victorian rose raincoat, Cath Kidston, £35
Yellow plastic rain mac, ASOS, £50
Clear plastic mac, Topshop, £35
Red rain jacket, H by Henry Holland @ Debenhams, £27
Metallic long jacket, Topshop, £45
Floral rainy day mac, Boden, £97

I always think rain coats should be fun: they remind me of being a kid and splashing around in puddles wearing wellies with frogs on them. Which is why I haven't chosen a single black rain coat: it's just not a garment that should be taken that seriously! My raincoat is a cag in a bag (or mac in a sac, whichever you prefer) from primark which is pink with a red cherry pattern all over it. And, as far as I'm concerned, that's exactly how a raincoat should be!

How are you protecting yourself from today's deluge of rain? Do you have a comedy raincoat, or are you more of an umbrella kind of gal?

Love Tor xx

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

Beauty: A week in my finger nails!

Hi guys,
According to new research, the fastest selling beauty product right now is no longer the lipstick, but the humble nail varnish. The theory is that in the recession, where we can't afford to update our looks with new clothes right now, women are instead choosing to update their look by changing their nails.

I've always loved painting and looking after my nails, and generally I varnish them every other day: every day if they chip. So rather than look at what I wear in a week (because let's face it, you've seen almost every piece in my wardrobe before!) I thought I would show you a week in my nails:

Friday: You may have seen these nails in my post of what I wore for London Fashion Week, Day 1. I cheated with these and applied nail wrap: these are Nail Rocks. As you can see, they peeled really quickly though, and the ends didn't look great!

Sunday: The grey base colour is from Essie. The shade is called Then and Now, and was specifically designed for the new online shop of the same name. The mustard is from Topshop. I don't have any nail pens or fancy tools, so I applied the polka dots using the end of a lolly stick! I wore these nails with a simple grey dress and mustard heels: I love coordination!

Tuesday: I'm prepared to admit that I was watching My Big Fat Gyspy Weddings when I painted my nails on Tuesday, and that definitely influenced the results! To create this look I applied a lovely rich red Nails Inc. varnish called Victoria, and used my Barry M glitter varnish for the tips. It looks a little bit cheap (like badly applied acrylics) and I was definitely pleased when it started to chip and I could take it off!

Thursday: I went home to my parents house for my nephew's Christening over the weekend on Friday, so on Thursday night I applied a simple and glossy coat of this neutral looking brown Boujois varnish. I wanted something that I could touch up quickly and easily over the weekend, and this definitely fit the bill!

How do you update your look without spending a fortune? Are you a slave to your nails, or happy to let them chip?

Love Tor xx

It's not over 'til it's over.....

Hi guys,
Usually by now all of the sales are just about done and dusted. But this year, maybe because of the warmer than average weather and maybe because half of the country is flat broke, there are still a ton of bargains to be had. Some stores are advertising up to 70% off, and almost every high street store is offering further reductions. If you aren't in the flat broke half of the nation then hit the shops, because you're in for a treat! Here are my picks:

Metallic detail dress, Topshop, £40 (was £150)
Beige coat, Miss Selfridges, £30 (was £69)
Brogue ankle boots, Feaith @ Debenhams, £32.50 (was £65)
French connection bag, £64 (was £160)
Vintage apple ring, Accessorize, £1.80 (was £6)
Lanvin purse @ Harvey Nichols, £68 (was £170)
Marc by Marc mouse pumps @ Selfridges £149 (was £215)

Miss Selfridges has an amazing sale. I picked up this gorgeous leather (actually pleather) sleeved coat for just £30, and it's still available on their website. It looks so much better on than it does off - in a soft lightweight fabric and an amazing fit. I'll be showing it off soon!

As well as having up to 75% off all of their sale, all of French Connection's sale coats are now £89 or less. My tip would be to look for a classic style in a colour you love, so that you can buy and wear it now, but still wear and love it again next winter too: that way, you're actually saving money!

Have you had any amazing bargains from the January sales? Are their any other shops you'd recommend I check out?

Love Tor xxx

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

Fabfrocks reviews: Nails that cut the mustard

Hi guys,
For the past 4 weeks I have been hunting for the perfect mustard nail varnish. I love the warmth and vintage feel of the colour mustard and have been wearing it for years but it's current fashion popularity means it's so much easier to find now, so as well as buying a couple of new mustard dresses, I resolved to get myself some mustard fingers!

I don't normally spend alot of money on nail varnish, so first I tried Barry M. The nearest they had to mustard was an egg yolk yellow, and it was very very runny. Even after two coats it looked thin and streaky: often a problem with light coloured varnishes. I wiped it off and started again.

Then on Monday whilst in Topshop to check out their sale, I found this:


I've never tried Topshop make up before, and was dubious: I always am when fashion brands branch out and try other things. The colour is called 'cut the mustard' and as it was only £5 I decided to give it a go. The colour is really rich and although I did need the second coat to get a flawless finish, with two coats it has given a thick and glossy finish. I think it looks fantastic!

I've now had it on for two days and haven't suffered a single chip (admittedly I am wearing a base coat and top coat, which is probably helping). But for £5, I'm really impressed! Having been unsure about Topshop make up, on the nail varnish front at least, I'm a new convert.

Love Tor xx

Daily Wear: Lady Madonna

Hi guys,
I can't believe the weekend is almost over! Just a quick post to share my Madonna costume, which I wore to a friend's 80s-themed 30th birthday last night. When I think of 80s icons, Madonna immediately comes to mind, so I knew straight away that was a costume I was going to put together. And luckily, everything I needed I already had in my wardrobe: not sure what that says about my wardrobe!


Mike went as Suggs although as he isn't wearing his sunglasses or his hat you can't really tell!

And my outfit? Well, The pleather jacket is from Primark (I lopped the sleeves off last year for a Lady Gaga costume) the one shoulder dress is from Topshop, as are the flat ankle boots. The long lace gloves are from Accessorize, the hair bow is from Miss Selfridge, and the clutch bag is from Peacocks. A high street costume without spending a penny! I might actually reuse this for Halloween...I'm on something of an economy drive.....


Love Tor xxx

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: 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

Daily Wear: A Happy Experiment

Hi guys,

I've now been back from my honeymoon a full six weeks, but only now can I share some of the pictures! When I got back to the UK my trusty camera malfunctioned and I had to have it repaired (losing some of our honeymoon pics in the process). But it's finally up and running again, and I can bore everyone with my pictures yet again!

Finally seeing the pictures reminded me of what a beautiful country Egypt is. I always imagined that the desert would feel arid and dead, but there was actually so much life in it, and as you can see, the views from our hotel were almost painfully beautiful - and to the other side of our room was the sea!

I don't have all of the outfit posts I planned to show you, sadly. BUT on the brightside, I do have the picture of my most experimental outfit of the trip. If you can bear to see summer outfits when the weather is so miserable, that is:

Ouch! Look at that sunburn (and I was religiously wearing factor 50!) It's not the pieces that I put together that I think are experimental, but the dress itself. I got it from Topshop Unique a full twelve months ago, but hadn't ever worn it. It's ridiculously oversized (Mike and I can both wear it together with room!) and features a raccoon dressed as a cowboy and wearing antlers. It's definitely one of the weirder pieces in my wardrobe: but I completely love it!!

I teamed it with my gold diamante sandals from Dune, tooth necklace from Warren James, and an Aztec-inspired hand embellished bag from Accessorize.

Looking at this picture has made me love this dress more than I already did (now that I'm brave enough to wear it!) And I think it will look great for autumn teamed with ankle boots and my cropped leather jacket.

What do you think? I know it's weird: but is it good-weird, or just plain too much?!

Love Tor xxx

PS- I'm sure you've already noticed the site redesign. A big thanks to Carly Watts, who did the illustrations! You can now find the site at www.fabfrocksworld.co.uk - this is just phase one of a wider plan to launch a whole new (and improved) fabfrocks!

Daily Wear: Making an effort for work!

Hi guys,

Today was an exciting day in my office, as Peter Andre was coming in for a live webchat. Now, I'm not a big Peter Andre fan (though he was a nice man) but because he was bringing in his ITV2 film crew and I was managing the chat, I figured I ought to make an effort: without looking like I made an effort, of course!



All the shots of me showed me stressing out and typing wiht my mouth open, but no matter! Here's what I wore:





My black mini dress is about 6 years old and a wardrobe staple (originally from TKMaxx), with my other wardrobe staple of my Topshop kimono, my Topshop leather panel leggings and blazer, Primark owl necklace, and Friis and Co Satchel from Sarenza. I wore my New Look brogues, and carried my black wedge heels in my handbag (but didn't change into them in the end, because he's not a tall man!)



Overall, it looked like an outfit I would wear to work on any day, but with more attention paid to coordination, and slightly tidier hair!



Love, Tor xx

Daily wears: Getting the weather all wrong!

Hi guys,

The thing I hate about rain, besides the fact that it ruins my hair and makes it go frizzy, is that it tricks me into thinking it's going to be much colder outside than it actually is, leaving me dressed for winter in the middle of August! And i'm not the only one: everyone's at it!



I actually saw a girl wearing a cropped fur coat on the tube this morning! I've made the mistake two days in a row now, and i'm melting. Tomorrow i'm wearing a sundress, whatever the weather!



Wednesday's outfit:



The dress is vintage (I got it in Paris for a bargain 10 euros!), The scarf is my new Bicester village Vivienne Westwood. The shoes are Vivienne Westwood Melissas and the bag is Friis and Co (Both from Sarenza) The necklace is from Primark (£5).



Today's outfit:



The leggings with the leather panels are Topshop, as is the jacket. The blouse is from boohoo.com (and looks much nicer in real life than it does in the picture) The satchel and necklace are the same as before, the boots are from Firetrap.



Maybe it's time to invest in a decent lightweight raincoat: I just don't know what to do with this weird summer weather anymore!



Love, Tor xx

Daily wear: Sunday lunch

Hi guys,

Well, today I went out for the nicest, and most expensive Sunday Lunch I have ever eaten! We went to The Beantree in Harpenden (such a pretty little town) and completely overindulged ourselves! Here's what I wore, and more importantly, what I ate:



Yes, you have seen this dress before! It's from the Topshop outlet yesterday. The cardigan is also Topshop (not outlet), the necklace is Blank, the shoes are my new Sarenza faves (again!) and finally my years-old slouchy leather bag. Basically I wanted to wear the dress (i'm like that when I have anything new)but it felt too fancy for a Sunday afternoon, so I dressed it down with the batwing cardigan and the tan bag. And for lunch:





My starter was a warm mozzarella and tomato tartlet with parma ham and an olive tapanade. My main was a classic pork sunday lunch: best roast parsnips ever! I finished off with a sticky toffee pudding with carmel sauce and cream (which I ate too quickly to photograph) and washed it all down with a large glass of wine. It was at least a million calories (yup, that's scientific fact) but absolutely worth it!



I hope you're all having an equally delicious weekend!



Love, Tor xx

Daily wear: Back to Black

Hi guys,
Well my brightly coloured holiday outfits have gone back in my wardrobe and I am officially back into my regular outfits on head to toe black. It feels bizarre to be wearing a jacket in the middle of August, but it's just been too chilly to leave the house without one!


I'm wearing a silk vest from River Island over a longer line Topshop vest. The jacket is Silence and Noise (from Urban Outfitters) the necklace is blank London, the bag and ring you've seen before in the last post, and the shoes are my newest Sarenza clogs.

I am slightly in love with these shoes: they look like proper heels, but the platform at the front is tall enough that my foot is actually flat. That makes them comfortable enough to wear all day long - and I haven't had them off this weekend! My other favourite thing about this outfit is the jacket: I got it from the Urban Outfitters sale about 2 years ago and it was only £10, but it is perfect for jazzing up plain black outfits and giving them some personality!

I've completely missed the summer sales this year: but I don't feel disappointed. I've had my wedding and summer holiday, so it feels like summer is over for me and i'm ready for Autumn to arrive. I've even started doing research for my new winter coat: not long to go now!

Love, Tor xx

Daily wear: Back to work!

Hi guys,
Well, today is my first day back in the office: it feels weird to be wearing leggings and proper dresses instead of vests thrown over my bikini!

Today i'm wearing a grey Topshop dress with leggings, snakeskin sandals from Debenhams and my favourite oversized necklace. It was the slouchiest dress I thought I could get away with in the office: I just don't feel ready for fitted dresses and nipped in waist lines quite yet!



The ring and bag are both souveniers from our honeymoon: Mike got me the ring as a one week wedding anniversary present from a shop in Dahab. I love turquoise, and it looks especially good when I have a tan. I actually have never been so tan: it feels unlike me, and it makes my hair look even blonder, which teamed with the sun bleaching, is pretty blonde!

Love, Tor xx

Daily wear: Looking a little lingerie?

Hi guys,
You know what it's like when it's early and you throw on anything: especially when you know the weather is going to be warm! Well this morning I threw on a dress, adding a bag and matching shoes (the easiest way to achieve coordination) and left the house. Only to step outside and realise that the skirt is so short, and the fabric so shiny, that it looked like I was wearing lingerie! Here's what I mean:

The bag is old Dorothy Perkins, the shoes are New Look, and the dress is Topshop. I do love this dress though: i'm a frills and bows kind of gal!

Oh the power of the simple outfit and the sleep deprived eyes: not my finest look! The reason? Well because Saturday was my hen 'do, and i'm still feeling a little tired and bleurry eyed! It was worth it though: we went to see Pricilla Queen of the Desert (which is fabulous!) and then played games and drank cocktails into the early hours. I didn't think to take an outfit picture: I was having too much fun! But here's a couple of rough party shots:


I wore a blue French Connection dress with studded heels and a black and gold Marc b bag. I accessorized with a sash, veil, L plates, and more hen night crap than I have ever seen in my life: it was fabulous!

Love,
Tor xx

Daily Wear: Dressed like a Brownie!

Hi guys,

Once i'd left the house this morning I realised that i'm dressed like a Brownie: all that's missing are the brown cap and the badge sash! I loved being a Brownie though, so I definitely don't think this is a bad thing! (What is a bad thing is how desperately my fringe needs trimming!) The boxy blazer is much shorter than the longer boyfriend shape I usually wear. I really like it, but it's taking some getting used to! Here's how I look in my unofficial uniform:



The yellow blouse and brogues are New Look, the brown jacket is Topshop (As are the vest and leggings). The necklace is Juicy Couture: a gift from my Nan.

When I was at university I used to be famously scruffy (my mum once called me to remind me not to wear jeans to a wedding!) but i've noticed that my style has really changed, and i'm much smarter than ever before. Even at weekends I opt to wear a blazer and proper shoes over anything else: I only own one pair of jeans (which I rarely wear) and I can't remember the last time I put my Converse on. This must be what happens when you grow up....

Love, Tor xx

Love, Tor xx

Daily Wear: Red, red, and....erm, more red!

Hi guys,
A sunny weekend- hurrah! Let's all make a beeline to our gardens/the park and make the most of it! Because I'm desperate to be outside, today's post is just a short one to show the outfit I wore to the Fabulous event on Thursday night:

I don't know why I look so stern: I wasn't sure when lil sis was taking the picture!

I love this red dress (although it is a little short!) It's from H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams. The clogs are Moheda ones from Sarenza, the belt is Topshop, necklace is River Island, and the satchel bag was a bargain £2 car boot sale find! To match the dress and the bag I painted my toes and fingers red, and wore my brightest red lipstick. I love wearing red: if possible, it makes my hair look blonder than it is already, which is a massive plus point for me!

Anyway, enough of my fashion chat: get outside and enjoy the sunshine quick, before it disappears again!

Love, Tor xxx

Daily Wear: The birthday bow!

Hi guys,

I wanted to post these pics yesterday, but blooming blogger was playing up! Thursday was my birthday (i'm now 27 or, as my sister put it "the wrong side of 25") and, as it was my birthday, my inner five year old said I should definitely wear a big birthday bow in my hair:

I'm completely in love with this bow, which is leather and from Topshop. A leather bow is the perfect mix of tough and girly! As for the rest of the outfit: the pumps are topshop too, the jacket is H&M (my new obsession and the perfect summer jacket!) and the dress was from TKMaxx about 5 years ago, and I haven't stopped wearing it since! Incidentally, this is also the dress I was wearing this time last year, when Mike and I celebrated my birthday and got engaged....my wardrobe must've been feeling sentimental!

I had a lovely birthday though, and have lots of lovely prezzies to share with you guys: a gorgeous Betsey Johnson watch from my parents, an OTT clutch bag from Mike, and shoes and homemade jewellery from my sisters: I was spoilt rotten!

In the meantime PLEASE ENTER my competition to win 2 pairs of faith shoes, which i've extended to 5pm today, because of all the blogger issues meaning you guys couldn't enter for the past couple of days!

Love, Tor x