The Edit: Straw Hats

The Edit: Straw Hats

If there's one accessory I love for the Summer - it is a great straw hat. Perennially chic, a straw hat is your greatest ally for protecting your hair and skin in the heat. I love to add mine to simple outfits for a little extra drama. 

Here I've rounded up my favourites available now. I've got my eye on this Kooples studded number which is now in the sale - YAY - and these classic black and white options for £10. 

For those of you with hat-packing fear - I HEAR you - these top tips from Geneva of A Pair & A Spare will put your worries at bay.

Happy hat wearing peeps!  Let me know how you wear yours - and tag me in any of your insta pics - @MonicaBeatrice

Have an awesome day all!

Love, 

MB x

Luxe Staples

Luxe Staples

T-Shirt: Wishbone c/o, Leather Skirt: Wishbone c/o, Clutch: Russell & Bromley c/o, Bracelets: Next & Nadia Rabosio

I am always on the look out for stores to shop luxe staples -  those perfectly cut, jerseys, silks, cashmere and leathers which partner up with EVERYTHING - and so when I came across new brand Wishbone, which is as obsessed with fabric and cut as I am, I was super excited to give their wardrobe building blocks a whirl. 

I have been reaching for my 'Gaby Scoop Tee' non stop since it came into my life a couple of weeks ago, and the 'Lauren Leather Skirt' ticks SO many sartorial boxes, I know I am going to wear it again and again come A/W. 

I wore this look to dinner a couple of nights ago with Oli and my Dad. We were checking out a new burger haunt (panic: leather skirt - you can't undo the top button?!) but I can thankfully, gratefully, delightedly, confirm that the Wishbone Lauren Skirt is crazy comfy - plenty accommodating for burger, fries and dessert. YAY. I loved wearing this look with a simple grey tee and pointed flats, but I know that the skirt is really going to come into its own in the Autumn when I can pair it with a thin knit, a cape and some cute ankle booties. Now that I've experienced the joy of the Wishbone Lauren skirt I'm seriously considering investing in the caramel version too - what do you guys think? For £160 it's one of the best prices I've seen for such a good fit and quality. 

You can shop the Wishbone A/W collection here. I highly recommend dipping into the leather and tops tabs. Wishbone also have an awesome Summer sale on - I picked up this beautiful Orly Broderie Tunic for a wedding later in the Summer. 

Wishbone currently have a pop up space in London until the end of July. Swing by the store and see if you don't fall in love with this new luxe staples go-to too! Address: 3 Brompton Road, London, SW3 1DE.

What are the building blocks of your wardrobe? Do you have pieces which you buy in bulk? 

Have a super day all!

Love, 

MB x 

- This post was created in collaboration with Wishbone - 

7 Hot Sandal & Polish Combinations

7 Hot Sandal & Polish Combinations

A fantastic pedicure ranks high on my list of favourite things EVER "I can take on the World!" says a fresh polish. We all know that manicures come with high chip risk - but pedicures - jeez, those things are tough! Choosing an awesome summer nail shade to match/clash/compliment your sandals is all the more satisfying when you know it's going to last. Here's my roundup of 7 hot sandals + 7 hot nail polish shades to rock this Summer.

SHOP SANDALS

SHOP POLISHES

I'm obsessing over these Ancient Greek Sandals paired with a hot pink polish; and half price Tory Burch?! Yes please! The combination of Nail Girls yellow plus Topshop snakeskin is possibly my favourite, although turquoise and metallics . . . ugh I love the lot.

Cue a tonne of nail polish remover. And a new shoe rack.

What's your favourite combination? Do you have a fail safe Summer shade?  

Have a super day all!

Love, 

MB x 

Best Of The Sales - High Summer

Best Of The Sales - High Summer

Confession: I am a TOTAL sales girl. There is nothing I like more than rolling my sleeves up and diving in to discount mecca. I know that people are divided on the time vs investment vs hassle scale, but REALLY, the high of nabbing a mega bargain is unrivalled. Seasons turnover so quickly nowadays, that we basically shop current season stock with a discount - c'mon - are you still weighing it up?! And here's the REALLY great news - for the sharpened-elbow-shy - you can do it ONLINE.  

Here's my roundup of the best steals of the High Summer Sales now.

1. Roxy Sunset Stripe Bikini Bottoms - about £17 - Nordstrom

2. Roxy T Back Bikini Top - about £19 - Nordstrom

3. Solana Clutch in Yellow - about £28- Anthropologie

4. Vix Amazonia Jumpsuit - 70% off - now £84 - Matches Fashion

5. Full Print Prom Dress - now £75 - John Lewis 

6. Etre Cecile Shake Some Action T - 50% off - now £42 - Matches Fashion

7. Boyfriend Short - now £14.99 - Mango @ John Lewis

8. Ancient Greek Sandals - 50% off - now £65 - Matches Fashion

9. Nike Yellow Trainers - now £51 - ASOS

10. Sam Edelman Leather Sandals - 50% off - now £80 - Matches Fashion

SHOP

Are you sales shy? Or do you love a bargain too?! And importantly - what's on YOUR sale wish list?!

Have an awesome day all!

Love,

MB x

9 Beautiful Beach Coverups

9 Beautiful Beach Coverups

The beach coverup - once upon a time a holiday after thought - now NO longer the case. When travelling with a bevy of hot fashion editors last week, I couldn't help but notice that they gave GREAT pool-side game, and we all know that if the eds are doing it, we better hop to it too. This Étoile Isabel Marant tunic proved a favourite in Ibiza; and there are a tonne of other great alternatives available.

You can use the scrolling bar as per usual below, or click on the numerical icons to shop straight through.

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5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 

SHOP

Read on for my tips on shopping for beautiful beach coverups . . .

Styling Notes: One of my favourite things about beach wear is that it tends to be a lot cheaper than mainline - that goes for both designer and high street. A total win if you want a fix of designer on a budget, and a win for bargain High St hits too. When shopping for a beach coverup don't limit yourself to the 'beach wear' section of a store, often Summer pieces can transition; instead look for breathable fabrics including cotton, linen and silk, and pieces which will wear well when you wash them. Some brands offer matching bikinis and coverups, I myself haven't bought into this. Instead I like to mix and match, if I am wearing a plain bikini I'll chose a printed cover up, similarly a fancy bikini can look best when seen peeking through a plain tunic. I have my heart set on this crochet Lisa Maree number. Pack underwear when you plan to go swimming so that you can slip seamlessly from beach to bar, any of the coverups above would fit the bill for both. 

What is YOUR take on beach coverups?

This weekend Ols and I are going to a wedding, and I'll be spending quality time with my pup who I don't see all that often on account of him living at my parents.

Hope you guys have a great one!

Love,

MB x  

7 Pairs Of Work To Weekend Trousers

7 Pairs Of Work To Weekend Trousers

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Inspired by yesterday's jumpsuit post I got to thinking about trousers.

Trousers are a great building block for outfits, they're ace in transitional weather - which is basically all the time in the UK (!) and they work from office, to bar to weekend. Wearing trousers on occasions when you'd normally wear a dress, such as a wedding, to a party or even on a date, mixes things up. Bonus - no hem line worries. 

Above I've rounded up 7 of my favourite pairs, and here's how I'd wear them for different occasions. Click on the product images to shop straight through:  

Office: court shoes, blouse + blazer

Cocktails: barely there heels, sheer blouse + statement earrings

Weekend: pumps, jumper + cross body

What are your feelings on trousers? How and when do you wear them? 

Which pair do you love above? I think I'm playing favourites with these coral honeys. 

Have a super day all!

Love, 

MB x

13 Swimwear Items That ROCK

13 Swimwear Items That ROCK

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It's THAT time of year again - swimwear season!

This week is shaping up to be one of the most beautiful and sunny we have seen this year, add that to holiday season, and it is clear that it's time to rack up some awesome pool/beach side options.

I've pieced together 13 swimwear items rocking my world. 

Scroll below for direct links:

Styling Tips: I begin a holiday wearing dark swim wear, and build my way up to paler colours and white as my tan develops. This grey Topshop two piece is a nice alternative to black and I can't wait to get my hands on this crochet two piece as a pretty cover up. I love hats in the Summer and I'm thinking of breaking into a new style with this palm tree print cap.

Seafolly is producing some seriously impressive onepieces, they come in at a premium price point but they're so pretty they will work when paired with a full skirt for evening too - double usage.

Have you guys got your eyes set on swimwear yet? Are there any labels which you love? I'm always on the hunt for new ones.

You can check out one of my favourite travel diaries EVER here.

Have a super day all!

Love,

MB x

10 Beautiful Dresses To Wear To A Wedding

10 Beautiful Dresses To Wear To A Wedding

*Update: all of the gorgeous dresses above can be shopped using the scrolling shopping bar below. Hover over an item image and the brand and price will pop up, the navigation arrows allow you to scroll through all 10 dresses. 

So, it's officially started.

When interning a few years ago, I overheard my boss talking to another colleague: "trust me" she was saying "it'll just happen. One Summer your friends will start getting married and then every weekend you'll be attending a wedding." Well, this year seems to be the tipping point for mine and Ols' friends and I for one am super excited about this. I love love, weddings, romance...and heading to a Summer do' is the best excuse to stock up on a wardrobe full of pretty new dresses. 

Not only is it wedding season coming up, but Summer is filled with other events where special attire is required: prom, parties and holidays.

Now is the time to get your wardrobe in order; so often I see a dress early in the season and kick myself when I can't find it later on. If you are thinking about buying for a few different occasions, starting now and spreading the cost is super helpful too.

What special occasions do you guys have coming up?

Have a super day all!

Love,

MB x