Thank the lord it's no longer January ey!? Honestly this month has been testing to say the least.
It's been a month full of self doubt, feeling a little lost, unmotivated and seriously lacking in inspiration. My blog has become my little diary and that at least has been one thing I've loved about January; I've really enjoyed getting some things of my chest and feeling more connected to you lovely lot because of it, thanks for always having my back and being so encouraging, you have no idea how much I've needed it this month.
I've basically just felt a little bit lost with some parts of my life and not really knowing which way to turn.
It doesn't help that the weather has been absolutely god awful and the majority of my Instagram feed features babes in bikinis somewhere gorgeous and exotic but hey, only a month or so until I'll be jetting off, so it's all swings and roundabouts.
But alas, here I am, coming to you from rainy ole Manchester, on day 13712846385983496 of gail force winds and torrential downpour... Excellent. But I must say, seeing the back of January and kick starting February with a little stay cation in The Lake District was all I needed to feel back on track and ready to kick some well dressed ass!
With my month long bad mood I got thinking about things I'm good at and the things I can rely on no matter what. And one of those things that I know I can always turn to for a little boost or a pick me up is styling. I love nothing more than heading into my wardrobe and reworking well-loved pieces in new and interesting ways. Throw in a new item or two and I'm practically floating once more (slight exaggeration there but hey!)
I've always been inspired by all that is around me. Whether that's a certain era in time, a musician (here's looking at you Bowie), a colour combination or the latest series we're watching on Netflix, I can take inspiration for styling from pretty much anywhere and thats one thing I know I'm pretty good at.
I love it when an item of clothing inspires an entire look or even better a variety of looks and thats exactly what this rather fabulous jumper did when it crept into my life.
As soon as I cast my eyes onto this House Of Holland Resort 18 multicoloured, patchwork jumper I knew it was love. It's a thing of beauty and right up my alley with the jewel tone clashing colours, the cricket jumper shape and the deep V neckline. I knew exactly how to layer it and exactly what to pair it with as soon as I brought it out of it's packaging, thats how you know you're onto a winning piece!
Once I'd popped this on, however, I felt like somebody else entirely. I felt like Elmer the Elephant, do you guys remember her!? I felt like a small multi-coloured elephant... Yeah really!
It wasn't something that came to mind instantly but as soon as I looked at myself in the mirror the childhood character came straight to mind and I felt even more fabulous than before.
And yes, some may think I'm rather odd but seriously SO MANY PEOPLE said the same thing when they saw me in it that day, it's amazing what certain items of clothing can remind us of, even childhood characters that we haven't thought about in over 15 years.
Since making that realisation, I've been looking into old school tv characters a lot more, both the cartoons and the real life humans, and I've been SERIOUSLY inspired. Whether it's Screech Powers from Saved By The Bell with his bleached jeans and pink converse, or Woody The Woodpecker with his fabulous primary colour feathers, I'm feeling totally inspired and I'm sure, now I've divulged this information, that you'll notice it more and more across everything I do.
Take inspiration from everything you do and allow it to inspire your outfit choice the following day. For me, it's a really great way to keep my wardrobe refreshed and reworked and allows me to concoct a variety of different looks using the same pieces. Read books, research musicians, watch something new, eat something new, look to the past, look to the future, it's all there for the taking, to inspire you in whatever you choose, especially with your outfit choices.
So yeah, thanks Elmer for inspiring this look, for being a sassy little multicoloured elephant and for bringing a whole new level of style inspiration into my life in the form of fictional characters from my youth, I owe you one!
x M
Love the colourful sweater so much!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
It’s just pure happiness in a jumper isn’t it! xo
This jumper is amazing, I love how you have styled it here. I always feel inspired whenever I read your blogs or watch your vlogs! x
https://idreamofclothes.com/
Ohhh Christina I am SO glad you’re feeling inspired by what I put out there, thats what it’s all about! Thank you for always being so supportive babe xo
Your styling of this whole look is very appealing Megan. Love each item on you and the way the colours and textures work together. I’m taking your words ‘take inspiration from everything you do’ literally. X Deb
Ohhh thanks Deb, means a lot! SO glad you liked it! xo
Love this post Megan! Inspiration is so weird, I feel like I either have a million ideas at once or none for a week! xx
Frances Kayleigh | Fashion & Lifestyle
HAHA I am SO with you on the all or nothing train! SO irritating, but when it strikes, oh it feels soooo good! xo
Dear Megan, can I say you’re one of my style inspirations? ? But seriously, you inspired me so much to be bolder with my colour choices, and this is also why I like so much the outfit you wrote about in this post: I love the contrast between the warm brown/orange and the deep teal!
Ohhh Anna wow thank you babe! I am SO SO thrilled to hear that YAY! Amazing news that you’re experimenting more with colour YAY! xo
I loved Elmer the Elephant, I used to have a gigantic painting of it on my wall when I was little and I’m now very sorry I lost it in my move as I would definitely put it on my wall again if I still had it! Lovely jumper 🙂
http://fannyanddailybeauty.com
Ahhh wow that is so sweet!! Gutted you’ve lost it 🙁 What a bummer! Glad you enjoyed the post babe and it provided you with some nostalgia too x
This outfit is everything, the colour of those flares is such a beautiful shade. This post has deffo inspired me to branch out more with my colour choices, I love the quirky combinations in this look and need that in my wardrobe. I’m with you on being done with the dull weather, get me some sun and a cocktail and I’ll be happy as larry!
Lucy Jane | Infinity of Fashion
I’m so glad you like the look babe, and I agree, the trousers are SUCH a beautiful colour!
I’m really happy to hear to post has inspired you to branch out with colours! xo
Hi Megan
I love this jumper, lol to Elmer the Elephant did not think about that at all until you mentioned it. I love how your inspiration comes to you, its amazing. My inspiration at the moment comes from yourself, ive honestly just ordered the stripe tshirt from next you featured on your instastories yesterday its fab! Im not the most colorful of people when it comes to clothing always opting for black which is mad considering my favourite colour is yellow but slowly I am trying to add a few bits here and there with my sister just buying my a lovely yellow/mustard bag from Dorothy Perkins for my birthday so I am trying 🙂
xx
HAHA I’m glad my Elmer reference made you chukle!
Inspiration is a beautiful old thing isn’t it! It’s awesome when and how it strikes.
Ahh so glad you’ve ordered that tee, it’s such a fun and beautiful piece with a strong message!
I’m also bloody thrilled to hear you’re injecting more and more colour than ever, go on gal!! x
I love the idea of taking inspiration from old tv characters – so fun! xxx
Honestly, take a look, you’ll be filled with ALL the inspo! x