Not just gold, but this season comes in silver, pewter, metallic and even shimmery animal prints. I have noticed a few stores stocking mainly tops and accessories, or shoes in these shimmery tones for Spring. Whether its full blown shimmer, or a touch of sparkle there are silvers, golds and metallics that will suit all skin tones. 

To make sure you pick a hue that works for you, when you try on a top see if the colour adds warmth to your face. For me any of the plain silvers just washed me out, whereas the golds/coppers and greens added warmth to my skin-tone, see my photo below.

Decjuba Stacey Top $59.95, Max chevron beaded top $149.99, Max Shimmer Tee $59.99, Max drape front shoestring top $89.99, Max metallic cold shoulder top $89.99, and Witchery foil stripe knit $139.90.

Also check out my Shoes and Accessories edits to see my shimmery picks...

Seed Heritage sequin stripe tee AU$49.95, Witchery cut-out knit $149.90, Storm Star Gazer jumper $149.00, and Witchery foil tee $64.90. 

A blazer can be a very handy item of clothing to have in your wardrobe. According to Wikipedia; "A blazer is a type of jacket resembling a suit jacket, but cut more casually. A blazer is generally distinguished from a sportcoat as a more formal garment and tailored from solid color fabrics. Blazers often have naval-style metal buttons to reflect their origins as jackets worn by boating club members."

A blazer is one of those staple items that you can dress up or down, throw on with smart trousers or ripped jeans. At this trans-seasonal time of year a blazer is great to throw on instead of a jumper or cardi if you want a slightly smarter look. I love the linen blend blazers for Spring/Summer, and I also love the pastel colours although not everyone can wear them.

Here's my pick from the shops;
Ezibuy Heine blazer $139.99, French Connection Crossover back blazer AU$149.95,(smaller picture is of the back of this jacket as I love the cut), Max Cotton blazer $149.99, ASOS Linen blazer $87.71, Witchery linen blazer $209.90, Glassons tailored crop blazer $69.99, Forever New Molly boyfriend blazer AU$69.99, Storm Staple Jacket $249.00.

Here's a couple of different ways that you could style them...
For a relaxed Sunday brunch try a lovely soft drape linen blazer with a statement tee, boyfriend jeans and silver sliders. Always add some sort of jewellery to finish the look, here a Long necklace and large circle bracelet add interest.
Witchery linen blazer $209.90, Decjuba Tomboy Tee $49.95, Seed H Fine circle necklace AU$14.95, Country Road Round bracelet $89.90, Jeanswest Sammi crop boyfriend jean $139.00, Country Road Ruthie sandal $89.90.

I also checked out the new look Glassons store in Westfield Mall, Albany. I think the new layout looks great and there were quite a few pieces that I liked. I tried on their tailored crop blazer and styled it in a few different ways so you can see what a must-have piece the blazer is! (Glassons currently has 30% off everything in store!)
Glassons tailored crop blazer $69.99, V-neck midi dress $34.99, Animal print scoop hem blouse $20.99, Deep V Kimono playsuit $41.99

Over the last year you may have noticed the rise of Active Wear, or Sports Wear. I don't mean the standard Adidas and Nike, or even the collaborations of Designers or Celebrities with these top labels - think Stella McCartney and Rita Ora for Adidas. We now have the presence of High Street Women's Acitvewear with Lulu Lemon and Lorna Jane, and in the last 6-12 months the emergence of Activewear in your favourite High Street Fashion stores. 

As we place more importance on looking after our bodies, through exercise and the myriad of healthy eating lifestyles, the High Street Stores have cottoned onto this and you can now walk into some major shops and shop for workout gear! I love the fact that Sportswear is now fashionable, I try to get out every day to walk my dog Ted and to get to the gym a couple of times a week, so being able to do this wearing something with a funky print, or great colours is an added bonus! 

Here in New Zealand we have such an outdoors/laidback lifestyle so its great that we now also have a wider choice to choose from. Now there are no excuses to throw on your baggy, bottomless tracky pants and oversized sweatshirt, you have lots of options to wear this look but with a bit of style!

Some of the High Street Stores that have recently started stocking Sportswear are; Cotton On, (even bringing out a Cotton On Kids Active range), Witchery, Country Road, and from this week Moochi. Take a look at my pick of whats out there. Also check out on-line store The Iconic as they do a really good range of sportswear, with labels like Stella McCartney and lesser known but funky brands.

All Witchery - Miyako Jacket $149.90, Nova Leo Vest $149.90, Marvel pant legging $109.90, Nikita print tank $54.90.

All Country Road - Sprint Odyssey tank $89.90, Exhale double layer tank $79.90, Sprint Odyssey Hoodie $149.90, Pocket detail sweat short $79.90, Breathe Asteroid t-shirt $79.90.

All Cotton On - Drop studio pant AU$19.95, Power tank AU$19.95, Fleece jogger short AU$19.95.

The Iconic - Adidas Pastel rose tee $50.00, Downtown Tee $49.95, Stella McCartney Barricade tank top $69.95, Atmos Active panelled capri legging $39.95.

This week I have been trying on an assortment of Jumpsuits and Playsuits to get a better understanding of how they sit on the body and what they look like. A jumpsuit is a trouser-suit all-in-one, and a playsuit is a shorts-suit all-in-one. Don't rule this look out, they can work for a lot of different sizes, its just a matter of finding one that fits you in all the right places. I'd recommend looking for styles that have some waist definition, belting, drawstring or tailored. The styles that are quite loose don't really do anything, and also watch out with the Playsuits for the droopy crotch element!! 

You will also notice that this week I have added some photos of me in outfits! I want to make this a feature, as much as possible, in my 'Hot in the Shops' posts. The best way for me to tell you about the clothes is for me to try them on, which I always aim to do. But I also think that if I can show you how they look on a '40-something' Mum, rather than a '20-something' model, you may be more encouraged to try things yourself?! My favourite of all the ones I tried was the French Connection Crepe Jumpsuit and the Witchery Playsuit.

This season if you are on the look out for a Jumpsuit/Playsuit then you are spoilt for choice!

Firstly, Jumpsuits; Country Road Spot Jumpsuit $279.00, French Connection Crepe Jumpsuit AU$149.95-my favourite, has an open back that can be done up or left undone! Portmans Alannah cross front jumpsuit AU$89.95, Jeans West Jumpsuit $99.99, Flo & Frankie Finders Keepers Jumpsuit $209.00, Forever New AU$129.99, Country Road High waisted Jumpsuit $279.00.

Playsuits; Witchery Utility Playsuit $149.90 - my favourite! NEXT International Printed playsuit $51.00, Seed Heritage Striped Romper AU$69.95, The Iconic Atmos & Here Playsuit AU$69.95, Seed Heritage denim Playsuit $159.90-cute style but not for a Mummy with stretch marks!!