Summer has shown it’s face at last! It’s time to show off what we’re wearing, ladies and ditch that winter coat.
At Orchid Boutique this Spring, we have a range of maxi-dresses that will take you to any occasion: Perfect for the races, summer barbecue or your holiday wardrobe alike.
For more day to day-wear, or for the office, choose a more structured dress in a cotton or light-weight fabric.
And for that summer wedding or race day, Frank Lyman has it covered. Team any of these dresses with a contrasting bolero or pashmina, add your accessories and flaunt it! Wear again afterwards for cruising and holidays.
We hope that this brief insight gives you some ideas for your summer wardrobe, and if you’re in Louth, pop in and take a look at our full range.
Spring is upon us, and at last we can start to look forward to baring a bit more of our bodies. For some of you though, this might not be something to look forward to. Over the last few weeks I have had so many of you in the boutique, bemoaning the fact that over the winter months you have put on a few extra unwanted pounds!
Do not get despondent, my friends. Here are a few useful tips to try and help get you back into shape to enjoy wearing your summer wardrobe.
The first golden rule of course, is to GET MOVING! I’m not suggesting you take up marathon running, but a brisk daily walk that gets your heart rate up will help to kick start the metabolism. Not to mention the benefits of fresh air into our lungs.
With lighter evenings and milder days, pay the garden some strenuous attention and work off some calories.
Joining the gym is not for us all, but most gyms nowadays have specific ‘ladies only’ sessions, or maybe hire a personal trainer, who will tailor make an exercise plan for you and help with diet advice. But that age old rule of 20% exercise to 80% of what we eat will be certain to provide results.
Swimming is a good all-round exercise and an effective way of toning your muscles, but as it’s low-impact, it means there’s less stress on your joints. Why not make it a more sociable event, and go with friends?
We all have busy lives nowadays and therefore our diet tends to suffer. With a bit of planning, committing to a healthy diet will be one of the smartest moves you make. To help you on your way, I’ve added a simple, yet healthy meal idea, that is a favourite of mine:
POTATO CAKES WITH BAKED TOMATOES
preparation time 35 mins plus cooling
cooking time 40 mins
serves 4 (makes 8)
Per Serving: 401 calories; 18 g protein; 16 g total fat; 5 g saturated fat; 69 mg cholesterol; 44 g total carbohydrate; 7 g sugars; 8 g fibre; 314 mg sodium
(Potato cakes are often fried in oil or butter. Here they are oven-baked to produce cakes that are equally tasty but with a lower fat content).
1 kg potatoes, washed
1 large leek, sliced
2 tablespoons low-fat milk
2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
2⁄3 cup 25% reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, grated
6 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
all-purpose flour for dusting
1 egg, beaten
1 cup fresh whole-wheat breadcrumbs
4 large tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons ready-made garlic-flavoured olive oil for brushing (or, to make your own, add 1 crushed garlic clove to 2 tablespoons olive oil)
Method:
Cut the large potatoes into halves or quarters. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and add the potatoes. Bring back to a boil, turn down the heat and cook for 15 minutes or until tender. Add the leek to the pan for the last 5 minutes. Drain the vegetables, then spread them out on a plate and leave them to cool. Preheat the oven to 220ºC / Gas mark 7.
When the potatoes are cool, peel and place in a bowl with the leek, and mash. Add the milk, mustard, cheese, parsley and thyme, and mix well. Divide the mixture into 8 portions. Shape each into a ball, then press on a floured surface into a flat cake about 10 cm across and 3 cm thick.
Set the potato cakes on a clean plate. Brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle over half the breadcrumbs. Turn the cakes and coat the other side with egg and breadcrumbs. Transfer them to a nonstick baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the tomatoes in an ovenproof dish, cut- side up. Brush them with the garlic oil and sprinkle over any remaining breadcrumbs.
Turn the potato cakes over carefully. Place the tomatoes in the oven with the potato cakes and bake for a further 10 minutes or until golden. Serve hot with a mixed salad. Delicious!
I know you’ve all probably heard this advice many times before, but if by reading this, it inspires just a few of you to get motivated and helps you ladies out there, then I’m pleased to have shared this with you, and I thank you for taking the time to read it.
We have some fabulous new Spring/Summer collections in store, to entice you gorgeous ladies. So, what are you waiting for? X
The holiday season is underway, not to mention that impending wedding invitation, race day or party, and we all require a ‘heroine’ dress that can work for all occasions. That’s where Bianca can save the day. Their summer dresses can be cleverly and stylishly teamed with a jacket or wrap and a fascinator for that formal occasion, or dressed down with a cardigan or scarf and flats to give a more casual look.
This gorgeous maxi dress has just dropped and is an ideal option for wearing to the races, a summer wedding, on holiday…the possibilities are endless! As your local Latte stockist, we are thrilled to have this in stock. Pay us a visit to see this and other styles of the SS 16 collection.
This textured cotton-feel jacket from the ‘Oui’ Spring/Summer collection, is an essential key piece that will work with jeans and a simple tee, or over a dress or silky blouse and smart trouser, giving your wardrobe versatility.
It was a bit chilly this morning to be wearing some of the new Spring collections outdoors, but Jenny put on a brave face and a smile and did us proud. A big thank you to The Brackenborough Arms, Louth for allowing us to roam the hotel and grounds to take our pictures.
One of the joys of the festive season is the opportunity to say a sincere thank you for your loyalty and support throughout the past year and we look forward to seeing you in 2016
We now have the fabulous Michèle Magic Jeans back in stock in Black, Blue/Black and Metal Grey.
Drop a size instantly! Combining Michèle’s famous comfort styling, your bottom will be lifted and nicely shaped, your hips look slimmer and your tummy flatter. These five-pocket denim jeans give a leaner, more shapely look and feel great.
We’re loving this cream pu jacket with the detachable fur collar from Canadian designer Frank Lyman. With this stylish jacket, you get two for the price of one, because we think that the jacket looks just as good without the collar, as it does with it on. Dress up a pair of jeans in the day, or team with your LBD for evening, we think this will be such a versatile addition to your wardrobe.
We are so excited by the winter collection from Monari. High quality knitwear and an Italian inspired range of tops and tunics with attention to detail – “Monari is more than just fashion”.
