Trends: A day at the races

Hi guys,
This afternoon my sister mentioned that she is going to Royal Ascot for the racing in July. Which is very exciting! I've never been to the races before (I'm not really a fan of it) but I love the idea of having a formal occasion to dress up for. Realistically I suspect that's what most women go to the races for anyway. Well, that and the champagne!

Stores on the highstreet are advertising their racing and wedding wear in almost ever window at the moment. But, much like going to a wedding, going to the races doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here are some of my highstreet picks that will leave you looking fabulous on an affordable budget:
Top images all at Phase Eight
Leopard flower fascinator, Accessorize, £35
Peplum skirt dress, Very.co.uk
Lola cotton printed dress, Phase Eight, £99
Peach floating leaves dress, Apricot, £34
Dusky pink fascinator, British Heart Foundation shop, £7.99
Green Valentiena fascinator, Phase Eight, £49

If you're Norwich-based then Chapelfield shopping centre are having a pop-up Best Dressed Style Station this week (from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th June) where you can head down and have their stylists help you find the outfit you need for your day at the races. Or a wedding, or other special occasion. Appointments are free and last 20 minutes. You can find out more about it here.

Are you heading to the races at all this season? And what would you choose to wear?

Love Tor x

Daily Wear: Just a walk in the park!

Hi guys,
Isn't it amazing how much the weather can change your mood? After a miserable week stuck in the house with Wilbur last week (mostly wearing jeans and baggy tees) I woke up this morning to find the sun shining and the birds singing, and my immediately reaction was Hurrah! It's the perfect day to throw on a dress and go for a walk around the park!

So that's exactly what we're going to do today, complete with rides on the swings and sandwiches under a shady tree. And here's what I'm wearing to do it:
The dress is years old (like, I got it when I was at university old!) and is from Topshop. The vintage bag is just as old (I was 19 when I got this bag and I'm 29 now. That's some serious wardrobe longevity!). The necklace is the Black Lily one I showed off last week. And the shoes are from Mellow Yellow via Sarenza. I actually ordered these months ago in anticipation of Spring, but today is the first time I've worn them. I'm seriously excited to take them for a spin, as they're so cute, with their little heart cut out details!

Oh by the way - you may have noticed the new background to my last couple of outfit posts: our new garden! We spent much of this weekend mowing the lawn and weeding the patio: my next job is to paint the fences. It's so much nicer to take photos here without passers by on the street gawking. I feel much happier and comfortable posing too: cue lots more outfit posts to come this summer!

What did you get up to this weekend? Did you do anything nice, to make the most of the sunshine? And do you find the change of weather affects your mood too?

Love Tor x

Shoes: Wild about white sandals

Hi guys,
White sandals have a bad reputation. When you think about white sandals you probably think of cheap pleather and Essex girls. But actually, white shoes are about to have a white-hot fashion make over. And it's a trend that I am definitely ready to get on board with!

Head to toe white is a big trend for this season (let's face it, it's a big trend nearly every summer) and where your dresses go, your shoes are sure to follow. White is perfect for summer: it emphasises your tan, keeps you cool in the sun, and looks great teamed with warm summery colours like coral and turquoise.

I love to wear white when I'm on holiday: white and gold is my favourite summer colour combo. White maxi dresses and white linen trousers teamed with delicate gold jewellery are my favourite beach-holiday outfits. But finding shoes to team with them is difficult...

Enter these gorgeous heeled sandals, which are the perfect solution, and will look great with any white outfit. With their coral, turquoise, and snakeskin geometric panels, they add colour and interest to the simple white sandal. They also make a shoe that could look cheap look and feel very classic and expensive.

These Chie Mihara sandals cost £218.99. If you want to get your hands on a pair of your own then you can find them here.

How do you feel about this season's white trend? Would you wear white sandals, or is their Essex-girl reputation enough to put you off?

Love Tor xx

*Post written as part of a new partnership with Spartoo shoes