I'll be the first to admit that no matter how many floral dresses, bright coloured skirts or rainbow striped jumpers I end up accumulating in my wardrobe I always seem to revert back to black somehow. This isn't necessarily a negative thing. Black doesn't have to mean boring. I mean take this coat for example. Black yes, but boring, anything but!

I remember lusting after this coat before it even hit the stores. As a dedicated follower of (Alexa Chung) fashion, I saw her sporting this little dream during fashion week and loved it straight away. Then FINALLY it landed in stores. I may have ordered 3 different sizes so I could make sure I got the perfect fit before it sold out (yep I've become that person). But when I tried it on I wasn't 100% head over heels in love with it. I KNOW. I don't know what I was thinking. I just wasn't sure It was something that I could pull off. I felt like it was such an eye catching 'show stopper' type coat that someone with bag loads of confidence needed to wear it, not me.

Flash forward to my latest trip to Paree and I stumbled across it yet again, this time in the sale. Now if there's anything that's going to tempt this gal back in, its a 50% off sticker... So maybe it was a touch of Parisian magic or maybe due to the croissant induced sugar coma I may have been in, but I bought it! I finally told myself, stop being stupid! This coat is the bloody dream. Stop putting yourself off and just wear the damn coat!

And I'm soooo glad I did! I think I've finally reached that point where I really just don't care what other people think. Yes when I wear this on the Tuesday night Tesco run to grab some milk and a pack of bagels, I get the odd few looks. But who really cares? As long as you love what you're wearing that's all that really matters. Anyway, moral of the story is, wear what you want, when you want and let them stare!

If Anna Russell were alive today she'd be the ultimate dream babe, #goals and likely to be part of Britain's coolest girl gang. If you have no idea who I'm banging on about (like me 10 minutes ago...) prepare to be enlightened. Anna Russell- aka Queen Victoria's bezzie, was the brains behind the afternoon tea. Yep. This means before this babe stepped on the scene, the concept of sitting down with trays of finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and endless cups of tea whilst having a good old gossip with your gal pals wasn't a thing. Just imagine! For me, my absolute favourite treat is tucking into the perfect afternoon tea. It's just so quintessentially British! I mean where else in the world is it considered sophisticated to slap on layers of clotted cream and jam and demolish a tray full of cakes before 5pm?

Now if you're like me and love a spot of afternoon tea, you HAVE to go to the Ritz at least once in your life. There is no place better in the world in my eyes. Yes I adore sketch, (the interior, the bathrooms, the food- it's just the dream) but if you want something a little bit more old school fancy schmanchy, then the Ritz is absolute perfection.

Upon our arrival we were quickly met with a fresh glass of rosé champagne before the prettiest floral china tea set was placed in front of us, filled with finger sandwiches, warm scones and delectable cakes. I mean talk about #instagoals- I couldn't not snap about a million pictures right?

Anyway when a gal finds herself with an invite to the afternoon tea of dreams there's only one thought that enters my mind- OMG what can I possibly wear?!? But fear not gals- Joanie has it covered. As soon as I saw this dress back in November at the Joanie shoot, it was love at first sight and when it landed on their site, I snapped it up as fast as you can say Victoria sponge! I mean it may as well be called the Harriet dress because it's as if someone read my mind and created my ultimate dream dress. 

Where do I even start. A collar adorned with red love hearts, a massive white bow with the cutest 'I left my heart in NYC' embroidery, the perfect sixties shape, Monochrome AND pockets. I mean, I have to hand it to the gals at Joanie- they are absolutely killing it at the moment. Teamed with my favourite red strappy heels from Zara, a cute vintage red bag (I mean let's go all out with the red accessories here...) and of course a coating or two of red lipstick, my perfect Valentine's Day outfit was complete!

So go on gals, treat yourself. Book that afternoon tea, wear that red lippy with your favourite dress and you'll honestly have the best evening of your life! In my head you feel like a princess as soon as you walk through the doors and what girl doesn't deserve the princess treatment every once in a while?

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