Win A Pair of Funky Wolky Shoes From Their Blazer Collection

Now summer is almost here I have to put my trusty Uggs away and wear something a little more, well, summery.

Not being able to do the school run on foot wearing heels, I need something durable, comfortable and anything but dull.

Luckily Wolky Shoes meet the bill.  A new brand to me, they specialise in the kind of funky footwear that you can't fail to notice.

Wolkyshop has been making shoes since the early 80's and are designed by a Dutch designer, Charles Bergmans. Their shoes are sold through the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom, where we have our first shop in Brighton.

Wolkyshop sent me a pair of their Dusky boots from their new BLAZER collection to try.

Dusky comes in a 5 colourways (mine are grey printed suede) from size 35 to 42. The boot has a thick sole which is extremely comfortable and is fully leather lined and adjusted with laces.  The wedge heel gives you a little extra height whilst still being comfortable to walk on.

The reason these boots are so comfy is because they have, like all Wolky shoes, an anatomically formed footbed.

I found my Dusky boots incredibly comfortable and the size 42 (UK size 8) generous. Wolkyshop do not do half sizes and when I asked whether I could try the smaller size, Sam in the Brighton shop sent me out a size 41 to compare the same day - together with a free returns label to send the ones I didn't want back.  How's that for service!

As it was, the bigger size was the best for me.  I wish I had smaller feet!  And, should you have the problem of odd sized feet with two different sizes, Wolkyshop have their Odd Sized Shoe Programme.

Rather than having to buy 2 pairs of the same shoe style, for an extra £22.99 Wolkyshop will custom make you  a pair of shoes from the same piece of leather.  This only applies to certain styles so you have to check the website to see which ones are available.

The Giveaway

I can see my Wolky Shoes becoming a permanent part of my comfy shoe wardrobe, along with my Uggs and FitFlops.

You can find out more at www.wolkyshop.co.uk.

I have one pair of Wolky Shoes from the Blazer collection to give away to one lucky winner.  The Blazer collection has five styles - four sandals and one boot - to choose from.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the giveway ends at 11:59 pm on Saturday 24th June.  UK entrants only and the usual terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.

Please make sure you complete ALL the mandatory entries, including following Wolkyshop on Facebook and Twitter.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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Charnos Hosiery SS17 Collection: Funky Tights That Fit!

These days I rarely depart from my mum uniform of t-shirt, leggings and socks, much to Caitlin's increasing displeasure, but when I do dress up, it's usually a dress and either tights or hold-ups.

I often find myself in Marks & Spencer's hosiery department and rely on their trusty hold-ups because the sizing is generous and the prices reasonable.

I have not, I must confess, ventured towards any other hosiery brand for a long time, generally because I have found the sizing constrictive and the finer the denier, the more likely I am to put my finger through them or scag them on something.

I also have quite long legs which means lots of tights struggle to get past mid thigh or, if they do, are a little tight round the old mum tum.

Charnos Hosiery kindly sent me a selection from their new Spring Summer 2017 collection to try and I was expecting the usual problems but not a bit of it.

CAEV Floral Net Tights 

Not only is the quality excellent but they fitted perfectly (I tried the medium to large size).  They came up to my waist comfortably, the elasticated waistband was generous and I didn't have to wrestle them over my thighs.

CAGO Floral Tights

I tried three pairs of their patterned tights, the material of which was quite strong and resilient. There is a cotton gusset, which was a bonus I wasn't expecting and a reinforced toe to add extra durability. All retail around the £8 - £10 mark per pair.

I was a bit worried that the patterns would be overwhelming but actually they are quite funky without being over the top.

CAGJ Diamond Net Tights

I was also sent some of their lovely comfy socks to try which the Husband was very pleased about as he's always moaning about the fact I wear his.  Having size 8 feet often makes mens' socks a better bet as for some strange reason lots of ladies' socks only go up to a size 7.

These fitted fine, although they could have been a little bigger for the longer toed among us (I know, I know - feet, don't you just love them?), but they are lovely and soft and come a decent way up the leg.

CGBH Geo and Stripe Sock in Rose Mix

The range also includes sheer tights, knee highs, spotted and diamond patterns and natural tan tights. I keep promising myself I may actually try a spray tan but haven't got around to it yet so the latter have been added to my shopping list.  We redheads very rarely go very brown without help.

Would I buy these?  Yes I would - they're a great way to add a bit of an edge to a conservative date night dress or perk up your office wear without going over the top.

You can find out more at www.charnoshosiery.co.uk where you will find a list of stockists, or you can connect with Charnos on Facebook or Twitter.

*PR samples were received for the purpose of this post.

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Review: Jacamo Menswear - Great Value, Great Fit

When you work it's very easy to keep adding to your work wear and to just rely on the same old staple casual clothes which get worn to death.

It seems a bit of an extravagance, doesn't it, to splurge on casual clothes.  The Husband's wardrobe is stuffed to the gills with suits and formal shirts but he very seldom adds any new casual clothes.

Happily he was given the chance to try out Jacamo, a name with which we are already familiar, not least because of Freddie Flintoff's association with the brand. 

We were expecting, good value, well made clothes with a decent fit - and that's exactly what we got.

Menswear brand Jacamo used to have a reputation as catering for the plus sized gentleman but things have changed and their new advertising slogan is "Any Occasion. Jacamo Fits." As part of the JD Williams stable, it's not surprising that their marketing and service delivery is good.

As well as Freddie's own range, you can find many well known menswear brands such as  Adidas, Duffer of St George, Firetrap, French Connection, Lacoste, Pringle, Vans and Wrangler.  You can now find menswear for any occasion, whether work or casual wear, or holiday wear including swimshorts.

The Husband was sent two items to try. 

Joe Brown Denim Shirt With Badges

This blue denim shirt is customised with badges and stich detail and has a vintage 'over wash' and popper buttons.  It's made of cotton and is machine washable.  Sizes range from chest 39" up to 66".  The Husband had one in L42/22 which fitted perfectly. 

 

This denim shirt was quite heavy-weight and since it was a warm day, no t-shirt was needed underneath.

We were also sent the Luke Sports Mead Pique Jet Black Polo - a short sleeved polo shirt from Luke, featuring a red tipped three button collar with contrasting red top button and a stitched logo on the left side of the chest.

Luke Sports Mead Pique Jet Black Polo

Again, it was well made, roomy and the red detailing lifted it out of the ordinary. 

We were really impressed with the quality of the clothing.  Delivery was fast and you can spread the cost of your purchases with their buy now pay later scheme. 

And certainly a lot easier than a shopping trip with these two.

Find out more at www.jacamo.co.uk, or connect with them on Facebook or Twitter.

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Review: ChloBo Bracelets - A Bit of Handmade Bohemia

Hands up, I had heard of ChloBo bracelets before but as I have recently been consumed by all things Pandora, they had passed me by.

Me, wearing my lovely ChloBo Noodle Disc Peace Bracelet

Happily, a chance to review one of their lovely sterling silver hand-made bracelets has rectified that, as I was sent the ChloBo Noodle Disc Peace Bracelet to try.

Part of their Iconics Collection, this is one of their best sellers and it's made from 925 sterling silver large noodles, 6mm discs and 4mm beads. It also features the peace charm which symbolises desire, love and peace.  And let's face, when you're a parent you'll try anything for a bit of peace.

ChloBo bracelets are designed to be worn as a stack and there are so many lovely ones I have my eye on.   You can either buy them separately or as a predesigned stack.  They come in silver, rose gold or gold and the featured stones are Black Onyx, Eagle Eye and Pearl. There are also rings, necklaces and jewellery for men.

ChloBo Mini Disc Hamsa Hand Bracelet from the Cuties Collection

One of the major plus points for me with my ChloBo bracelet is .... no tricky to use clasp.  Much as I love my Pandora charm bracelet I still haven't managed to do it up myself on more than a handful of occasions.  ChloBo bracelets simply slip over your wrist as they are elasticated.

ChloBo Feature Bead Tassel Bracelet from the Iconics Collection

Because they are made from sterling silver, gold plating and semi precious stones, you do have to treat them with care. ChloBo recommend that you keep your jewellery away from perfume, fake tan, lotions and chlorine, and that you gently clean the silver with a polishing cloth.

Obviously ChloBo bracelets are designed to be appreciated in stacks but I think my individual bracelet is pretty enough to be worn on its own and would be a great gift that the recipient could add to over the years.

The designs are a little more edgy than some of the other jewellery ranges and are, as ChloBo themselves say, bohemian rather than traditional. That said, I think they are as likely to appeal to fashion-conscious young things as they are to us, um, slightly more mature women who refuse to be defined by their age!

ChloBo Gypsy Collection: Dusk Wanderer Stack

They are not inexpensive (my bracelet is £90 and the stack featured above is £350) but they are certainly not costume jewellery and you are paying for the ability to create a pretty unique bracelet which should last for years.

You can search for stockists and find out more at www.chlobo.co.uk.

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Strike A Balance Between Comfy And Cool With Your Look

Getting fashion right isn't always easy, and we tend to go through different stages of it throughout our lives. When we are young, free and single, most of us prioritize looking good above all else - even if that means constantly having to straighten out a shirt that's ruched up under your pencil skirt, or wearing a dress so tight, you aren't quite sure whether you will ever breathe again normally.

Image source

As we get older and work and family life takes over, a lot of people tend to head to another end of the spectrum entirely - the land of comfort. This means that gone are the days of lace blouses and tight denim - now it's all about sweatpants and plain jumpers (the baggier, the better). But this transformation into the typical mum uniform can be pretty disheartening for many mothers.

After all, since when did having children mean that you can no longer dress in a way that allows you to express yourself?

Fashion is an art form, and when we lose our fashion mojo, it can sometimes feel as though we've lost a lot of our creativity along with it. But is there actually a way to be a style icon while being a busy mother, AND holding down a full-time job? You'll be pleased to know that there IS a way to achieve this - but you'll need to get savvy.

In order to create a workable look for yourself, you'll need to be prepared to fit the fashion around your lifestyle, not the other way around.

The key to doing this is to find workable pieces of clothing that are comfortable, but that also speak to you on an aesthetic level.

This way, you can strike a perfect balance between being comfortable and able to run around after your kids, but also looking pretty fabulous while you do so. Check out my guide below.

Rock some flats

Have you grown up in an era where the 'feminine' thing to do was to wear heels 24/7? Sure, heels can make a woman's outfit look that little bit more girly and glam, and there are some occasions where a pair of heels are very much warranted - a fancy dinner, or a work party, for example.

But wearing them all the time (even mid-heeled boots) can end up causing long-lasting damage to your feet.

Blisters, bunions and ingrown toenails are the least of your worries when it comes to wearing heels - nerve damage, spider veins and even back problems can all be caused or worsened by the long-term wearing of high heels.

In order to preserve your feet for years to come and to make rushing around throughout the day just that little bit easier, make a point of investing in some stylish flats.

Many women think that a flat shoe cannot be stylish, but this is where they are wrong!

There are so many different designs available. For example, you might go for a preppy loafer or boating shoe, or maybe a daintily embellished ballet flat.

Alternatively, a good pair of trainers are something every woman should have in her wardrobe - trainers aren't just for teenagers, you know! Opt for a classic brand such as Converse or Vans for a timeless look - shoes like this can add a fun, youthful edge to just about any outfit.

Image source

Loose trousers

If there is one item of clothing that restricts our daily movement more than any other, it is the tight trouser. We are all aware of the fashion for skinny jeans - sometimes jeans that are so skinny they almost look as though they were sprayed on!

As fabulous as they can look, however, they are not the most practical things to wear on a daily basis.

Of course, you may try to run your various errands in them - going to work, doing housework, ferrying the kids to and from their various after-school clubs. But all it takes is one awkward squat as you reach down to pick up a discarded toy off the floor, and that's when you hear it: the dreaded rip.

No one wants to be accused of public indecency swanning around in a pair of torn jeans - so this is just one definitive reason why you may want to consider switching to boyfriend jeans.

Boyfriend jeans (just like the boyfriend shirt or jacket) are designed in such a way to make them look as though you borrowed them from your boyfriend. In this respect, they are usually made with a wide yet straight leg, have deeper pockets (very useful) and need to be tied up around the waist.

They allow for much more movement simply because they are looser, but that doesn't mean you need to compromise on style.

Wear your boyfriend jeans with a tucked-in stripy t-shirt for a casual cool, or you can even pair with a lacy crop top for a night out.

Other types of loose trousers are also great for everyday wear if denim isn't really your thing. Palazzo pants have recently come back into fashion as the seventies trend resurfaces, or how about a good pair of harem pants - perfect for both lounging in and going about your daily business.

Image Source

Casual cool

Over the past year, we have seen a couple of interesting new trends emerging in high fashion. One is the sports luxe look - the other is the trend for pyjama suits.

Huge fashion brands such as Fendi have been branching out into clothing that takes inspiration from sportswear - but that has been twisted so that it is acceptable to wear on just a regular day.

The benefit of all this? You are on trend and my, you are comfortable too!

An easy way to get this look is to don a pair of luxe joggers (if Fendi is a little out of your budget, there are plenty of great high street imitations too) and pair with a simple, chic t-shirt or jumper.

As far as the pyjama look goes, things are a little more complex. You have to get it completely right. Otherwise, it can just look as though you simply haven't bothered to get dressed that day.

The first step is to look for something tailored - this is what will make your 'pyjama set' look more like actual clothes, rather than sleepwear. Then, pay attention to the material you choose. Avoid cotton at all costs - instead opt for something like a suit material, or maybe satin if you are feeling particularly luxurious.

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Throws and ponchos

We may be on our way into spring now, but that doesn't mean we don't still have the occasional bitterly cold day.

When the temperature drops and it's rainy and cold, most of us want nothing more than to hide out in a cozy blanket at home, away from the prying eyes of the world. But, as is life, we usually need to leave the house to get on with our days.

Thankfully, there is a way you can stay cool and comfy and warm all at once - and it is with the help of blankets and ponchos.

We really saw blankets come into their own in the autumn/winter season of last year, so if you've still got one, don't be afraid to rock it!

Simply wrap up in it whichever way feels most natural to you - if you want to make the look a little more streamlined, simply cinch yourself in at the waist with a stylish belt. As long as your arms are still free, there really isn't a more comfortable piece of clothing to snuggle up in on a cold and frosty morning.

Fashion and comfort don't have to be mutually exclusive - there are plenty of ways you can feel good and look good every single day.

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The Dressing's in the Details: Little Style Touches That Make a Difference

Looking your best every day isn't an easy task. When you're a mother, it can be even harder to find the time to put yourself together every day. But just because you're busy, it doesn't mean you have to neglect yourself.

If looking good is important to you, you can find your own way to create your look in the time you have available.

Image credit: Pexels

One of the ways to look good all the time is to pay attention to the little things. Even if you're dressed casually, you can still have a unique necklace on or an eye-catching bag.

Try these little touches to elevate any outfit.

Wear a Watch

Perhaps currently you use your mobile to tell the time. A watch might seem a little pointless to you, but it can be the ultimate accessory for a busy mum.

Whether you wear a traditional analogue watch, a digital watch or even a smartwatch, it can look good and help you stay on track.

Your watch can be an ever-present accessory that completes any outfit, and it can do a variety of other things too. If you get a smartwatch or fitness tracker, you can watch your activity levels.

Smartwatches can help you stay on top of your schedule and calls.

Image credit: Wikimedia

Get an Arty Phone Case

Most people have their phone with them all the time nowadays. You're probably forever having to get it out, whether you're taking a business call or scheduling a play date. If it's going to be surgically attached to you at all times, you might as well make sure it looks good.

An artistic iPhone case can add a splash of colour to any outfit. Even if you're conducting the school run or going to the gym in leggings and an old t-shirt, it shows that you're usually much more fashionable.

Match a Few Details in Your Outfit

If you're unsure about how to bring an outfit together, consider picking a motif to run through your outfit.

There might be something on one piece of clothing that you can match to other things. For example, perhaps your floral skirt could go with a flower necklace. However, you could also add something that's not on your clothes.

Use the same motif on your hairclip as you wear on your bracelet or as a brooch. Nothing has to match exactly, though. You could pick a more general theme to run through your outfit.

Image credit: Pixabay

Pick a Signature Accessory

Do you know someone who always has an amazing bag with them or never takes off their colourful scarf? If you want to look good even on your lazy days, this is one way you can do it.

Pick a signature accessory that you always have with you. It doesn't have to be the same item every day. You can simply build a fun collection of scarves or statement necklaces, so you always have one to show off.

You don't have to do anything big or flashy to look good. Sometimes, it's the little things that make a difference.

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Red Hot For New Year's Eve

Red is the colour to wear this festive season and it makes a refreshing change from being one in a sea of little black dresses. Best of all, lots of these are reduced in the sales.

Red Hot For New Year's Eve by lindahobbis featuring a fit and flare dress

Alexander McQueen off shoulder dress
net-a-porter.com

Pencil dress
karenmillen.com

Fenn Wright Manson petite maxi dress
johnlewis.com

Fit and flare dress
coast-stores.com

River Island red bodycon dress
£57 - riverisland.com

Red prom dress
£53 - amazon.com

Yves Saint Laurent red cape
tessabit.com

Fendi red jacket
£3,155 - marissacollections.com

Red jacket
£630 - laperla.com

MAGISCULPT MESH INSERT DRESS | Simply Be
simplybe.co.uk

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Win A Man's Suit From Dobell Menswear

After the Christmas festivities, it can be a bit of a relief to don our workwear again and prepare for a fresh new year.

We make our New Year's resolutions and determine that this year will see us become even more successful and what we wear definitely helps us to "walk the talk"!

In fact in a survey undertaken by car manufacturer Kia in 2014, when asked what made them feel confident, the top 10 list for women included: high heels, a little black dress, and designer perfume and for men the list included: a freshly shaved face, a new suit, and a nice smelling aftershave.

If you're looking to spruce up your man, there's nothing like a crisp new suit to make a statement and Dobell Menswear have kindly provided a man's suit for a lucky Mother Distracted reader.

Dobell menswear have created fine men’s suits, tuxedos and wedding suits for over 10 years, and create handsomely fitted suits and formalwear accessories, at great value - up to 50% cheaper than the high street.

They stock leading suit and shirt brands such as Paul Costelloe, Tommy Hilfiger, Noose & Monkey, Esprit, Lambretta, Paul Gross, and Alexander Dobell.

They also cater for men who want to look and feel correctly dressed when they’re attending black tie dinners, weddings, balls, business conferences or calendar events such as Glyndebourne and Ascot.

There's free standard delivery, and free UK returns, a next day delivery service, and international delivery. Their site offers on-site expert advice articles and sizing guides or, if you prefer, you can talk to their dedicated customer service team who are on hand to help from 9 am to 6 pm weekdays.

For a chance to win, just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.  Terms and conditions apply (please see my Competitions page).  UK entrants only.

The prize is one Dobell branded man's suit in your preferred size (jacket and trousers).

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 13th January 2017.


a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck!

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Office Party Chic

Office Party Chic by lindahobbis featuring caged shoes

Etro caged shoes
£500 - luisaviaroma.com

Aspinal of London chain handle handbag
harrods.com

Kate Spade watch
£155 - katespade.com

Earring jewelry
tattydevine.com

John Lewis rose gold jewellery
johnlewis.com

Elouise Silver Satin Maxi Dress - REISS
reiss.com

Eliza J Fit & flare dress with jersey top and lace skirt Black & Brown...
houseoffraser.co.uk

seastone sparkle cocktail ring - kate spade new york
katespade.co.uk

Tinsel Half Sleeve Shift Dress | M&S
marksandspencer.com

JOANNA HOPE Lace Dress | J D Williams
jdwilliams.co.uk

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