SUMMER - BUT WHERE IS THE SUN?

We're still waiting for some proper sunshine this summer, particularly since we just want to wear the rest of our lovely new summer outfits.  However, Anne H's fabulous big back garden is a riot of wonderful colours and perfectly sets off the latest in our summer haul of new outfits.

Anne C is wearing a deep lilac double layered sleeveless top from Simply Be, which she also bought in black for herself and another one in a grey print for her daughter - all in the same very flattering style.  Unfortunately it is no longer available, though there is a similar black one here. She has teamed the top with white jeans from Marks & Spencer.

The block heeled platforms in white leather are from an independent shoe shop, while the pretty purple straw bag with drawstring top (great for keeping your valuables out of sight) was a craft fair purchase many years ago. Amazon, Polyvore and eBay have some cute straw bags online, though she couldn't find any in purple - maybe it isn't this season's colour, though she saw a great pink one on Shopstyle.

Her necklace is one of her favourites and often features in her summer wardrobe, and was bought in Santorini, as was the chunky purple bracelet.  The gold Gucci watch is the one she wears most of the time (seen here in silver) and is several years old, but still available online, and the diamante stacking rings on her right hand are Swarovski.

Anne H is wearing another Zara find - she has done rather a lot of shopping with Zara this summer - which is an asymmetric pleated top.  Available in the sale, but not in the deep green that she is wearing here, at only £12.99 it is a real bargain and really dresses up an outfit with its dropped back and totally feminine shape.  Some still available online here though, in cream or orange.

Her jeans are from 7 for all mankind and a A pocket, long beach dark boot cut jean - and that is a mouthful.  Also in the sale at £90 with most sizes still available.  A bootcut or flare is a really flattering cut and makes legs look longer while balancing the hip.... not that Anne needs her legs to look any longer.  

Anne's colourful clutch handbag was a Zara purchase from at least three years ago, and adds a flash of vibracy which is perfect for an evening out.  Her necklace is from Covet which always has a great range of unique, ethically sourced, pieces of jewellery.  She has teamed it with a handcrafted bracelet with coral insets that was purchased in Tropea, which complements the necklace and picks up the orange in the handbag giving a perfect foil to the dark green of the top and dark blue indigo of the jeans.