It may have been incredibly cold, but we spent a beautiful day in Kew Gardens sightseeing the heck out of this gorgeous London park just over a week ago.
It’s one of the most beautiful places in South West London (Surrey) – I’d been to Kew when I was a kid and then again as a young adult, but never in the autumn with all the beautiful gold and red leaves everywhere. We had a delicious brunch just down the road from the gardens before making our way there, but it’s so huge we barely saw half of it despite being there for several hours.
I’ve featured just some of the gorgeous buildings and structures at Kew – if you get a chance to go then I highly recommend it. It’s a lot cheaper in the winter months and autumn is obviously spectacular (if somewhat cold)!
I HAVE A FEELING I’M GOING TO BE WANTING A DUSTER COAT IN EVERY COLOUR IMAGINABLE EVENTUALLY. THEY’RE JUST SO SMART AND FLATTERING.
As for what I wore: I’m finally showing you my new grey Marks & Spencer coat (I actually wore it with the jumpsuit but never featured it in the photo shoot) – I have a feeling I’m going to be wanting a duster coat in every colour imaginable eventually. They’re just so smart and flattering.
SHOP THE LOOK:
It may have been cold (bloody freezing, more like) but I’m a squinter even with grey winter skies so my Quay Australia sunglasses not only gave my frown lines a rest but also reflected all the leaves in the photos (how cool do they look?). And I’d forgotten to bring my sparkly poppy brooch so got one of the paper ones when making my donation – I always love that pop of red you get from your poppy at this time of year.
We took these photos after lunch as the sun was just starting to drop – I took my scarf and gloves off for the shoot but somehow it was a touch less windy and sunnier than it had been for most of the day so I was thankful for that brief respite. Otherwise I was bundled up like I was on an Antarctic expedition… I don’t do cold weather very well!
I forgot to say please excuse the hair – I’d been blown to smithereens earlier in the day and hadn’t put a brush in my bag. Sometimes you just gotta go with a bit of realism.
Do add your outfits to this week’s link up and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured next week!
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO KEW GARDENS OR (ESPECIALLY NON-BRITS) ANY OTHER LONDON PARK – WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!
Marks & Spencer coat | Seasalt sweater (similar save, similar spend) | ASOS trousers (similar) | Adidas Stan Smith sneakers | Hobbs bag c/o (similar) | Quay Australia sunglasses via ASOS | Royal British Legion poppy (a donation is made for every purchase of a sparkly poppy brooch)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thank you for joining the #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!
The link up goes live every Monday at 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!
Linking up etiquette…
CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!
Featured favourites
My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:
(L-R) Wishes & Reality | Living On Cloud Nine | No Fear of Fashion | What Lizzy Loves | Andrea’s Wellness Notes
To get yourself featured next week, make sure you’ve included a link back to Not Dressed As Lamb or my button in your post/sidebar!
DO SHARE THE LOVE AND VISIT AS MANY LINKS AS YOU CAN (YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT OTHER LOVELY LIKE-MINDED LADIES YOU MIGHT MEET) – THE ORIGINAL INSTAGRAM CAMPAIGN FORGED SOME WONDERFUL NEW FRIENDSHIPS SO DON’T MISS OUT!
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN | YOUTUBE | NEWSLETTER | RSS
P.S. DO CHECK OUT MY PINTEREST BOARD WITH ALL THE BEST OF THE #IWILLWEARWHATILIKE LINK UPS – HAVE YOU BEEN PINNED…?
Linking up to: iwillwearwhatilike, Shoe and Tell, Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Brilliant Blog Posts, Fun Fashion Friday, Passion for Fashion Friday, Saturday Share Link Up
Fab photos! I was at Kew Gardens last week on a visit to London. I love it there! My sister has a guest pass – can you believe it was once free to get in?
Beautiful photos. I really enjoyed looking at these beautiful colors on you photos. And love your style and look, dear.
xoxo
Liza
Liza Corner | Instagram | Facebook
Beautiful pictures, lovely! The gardens look amazing. Your outfit is perfect for a day of sightseeing. I really like that coat and I can see what you mean, about wanting one in every color! Thanks for hosting the link up. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Still loving your wavy hair Catherine! Already followed your pics on insta and the plams are just so beautiful. Also love your picks this week. Doesn't Andrea just look stunning??? Thank you for hosting and wishing you a successful week. xo Sabina
What a beautiful place…even if it was cold! I went to Kew Gardens many years ago – I think I was about ten so I can't remember much about it…apart from my nan wanting to nick bits of plants for cuttings! I love how the leaves reflect on your glasses – it makes them look glittery 🙂
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Yay for your fab Quay Australia sunglasses Catherine! I'm a big fan, have a couple of pairs and have been wearing them for the past two summers – aren't they amazing? I love the shots where you've got all of the leaves reflected in the lenses, it looks like they're decorating the glass. Thanks for the link up party x
Anna
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
The weather is all over the place. I can't believe we had a day of a full blanket of snow the other day, then the next, it was like it never happened! Love the photos – everything about this is just Autumnal brilliance! x
Kat
http://www.kittyandb.com
BRRR!! I totally feel your pain when it comes to cold weather, dearest Catherine!! I've also invested in a new coat (or two!) to keep things interesting when the temperatures inevitably drop here in Vancouver…but for the time being, I'm sooo happy to still be getting away with wearing sweaters!! Your tailored grey duster is divine, of course; did I ever mention how disappointed I was when Marks & Spencer pulled out of Canada?? I always loved shopping there!! XOXO P.S. Can't get over how cool those mirrored Quay sunglasses are!! P.P.S. If I ever make it to the other side of the pond for a visit, can I hire you to be my personal tour guide?? 😉
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
What a lovely place to visit, a bit far from us Aussies but maybe one day…Love your duster coat, perfect outfit for sight-seeing, Catherine
https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com.au
Catherine, that sweater is so lovely. It reminds me of my infatuation with Benetton sweaters. Do you remember? I know you must have also loved the craze of Benetton when we were in high school. Oh, I got a job just so I could purchase those lovely sweaters.
Also, you should never apologize for your hair! It's quite lovely!!
Love, Ann from Kremb de la Kremb
PS I hope it's ok that I included links to my 3 Zara DIY pants. They are more of an outfit post with a short DIY included. Thanks.
Thanks for hosting the linkup!
Jonathan
The Hosiery Spot
So much of my family is in the UK and yet I've never been. Isn't that ironic 🙂 you look very fetching, Catherine, especially that poppy pin thingamabob xoxo
On the blog today, I'm tackling something literally "borrowed from the boys", i.e., an item of clothing I took from my husband's wardrobe. Come on over and see how I (and four other women of all ages) styled pieces we, ahem, borrowed from the men in our lives.
https://sheelagoh.com/2016/11/14/boy-oh-boy/
I LOVE your coat!! SO beautiful – the colour is stunning 🙂 xo
http://www.hayleyloves.uk
You look absolutely fabulous in casual layers sightseeing!! I adore the poppy brooch!
~ xo Sheree
Posh Classy Mom
Instagram
How lovely to see the Kew in fall. It's been ages since I was there.
The Poppy you have is amazing. Nothing at all like the ones we get here.
bisous
Suzanne
That picture of you with the poppeys reflected in your sunglasses.. brilliant.
Of course you looked elegant. And warm. Not an easy styling task.
And thank you for choosing me as a featured favourite. Very nice of you.
Greetje
ahum.. leaves reflected… not poppeys
London is on my list of places to visit! Kew Gardens looks beautiful, and you are dressed perfectly for a day of sightseeing – stylish yet comfortable (in a good way!)!
Thanks for including me in last week's featured favorites! I've been feeling really down, and seeing myself there really brightened my day! Thank you!
Thanks for the link up & have a good week!
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
I love to be able to see the park through your glasses.
Fantastic as everrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
1.-Will you have another meet up like last year?
2.- Can I join you?
3.- Reminder of the dots, lol
Much love, my friend
What a beautiful place! Love the changing leaves too. Your outfit is lovely. Big fan of the adorbale pin on your lapel and the coat looks like a perfect compliment to your casual abd colorful outfit. Love the shades on you!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
this is such a great look . .. you look effortlessly cool love it
Life is just Rosie
Instagram
Great sight-seeing outfit! I LOVE the sneakers! So practical for sight-seeing! Great coat as well! Gorgeous pictures.
I've never been to Kew but it's been something on my radar – if only I had the chance to visit London more often! I love the M&S coat but can't imagine it was anywhere near warm enough for such a cold blustery English day, Catherine. I peeked bare ankles again too – I don't know how you do it lol!! 😉
Suzy
xxx
http://www.suzyturner.com
Even though I live near Kew I have never been inside! I have been to some great concerts there though! It's beautiful in the summer. I love the shot with your sunglasses. Amazing x
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
Beautiful London & beautiful you!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.com
I love a duster for all the reasons you've given (as long as wearing one doesn't involve housecleaning). Thanks for sharing the sights from your visit and for hosting.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Lovely outfit! The sweater is really pretty!
Marta – http://www.aroundcolours.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for featuring me from last week xxxx
I love your outfit. So casually chic and of course the photos are amazing as always xxxx
What a great place to visit Catherine!!
I love the pin on your coat—it's a great way to add some pizzazz to a touring outfit!!
And the hair looks just fine—heck, that's what mine looks like on a great day!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Desr Catherine, Thank your for this nice pictures from kew gardens. Iam looking forward to travel to London on thursday and I hope to go to a park and see squirrels:)
You look fabulous in this wonderfull autumn style.
Xxxxx