I often get to this time of year and yearn for summer. The fun of layering and rugging up (well by Australian standards) is over and I usually feel a bit blah about my style.

This year, it seemed that our Spring and Summer collections arrived in store sooner than in prior years so I have bought and started to wear. I like to buy early because my work air con is usually cold and I need summer toppers.

I know my Spring / Summer update is large and I am a little shocked at how easily I have found so many items to love. I have questioned my motives for buying and acknowledge that there may be some retail therapy that has crept in. Whilst my additions may be large, I am firmly on Team Wear and want to enjoy these new additions and so I am not beating myself up about what I have purchased. I have done a good closet edit and so the one in - one out is working well for me.

I am moving back to classic shapes and more streamlined and tailored pieces, they feel business like and fresh again. I still feel distinctly like myself, I may have moved my style and added lots of pants but not too much for it to feel jarring or wrong.

Outfit 1 - the white peplum suit by Cue. A white suit has been on my "would love to have" list for a while, because about 15 years ago I had a beloved white suit and wore it into the ground. I have found it hard to replace without looking like I was a waitress or wearing a lab coat and so was thrilled to find this one. Pictures 1 & 2.

Outfit 2 - blue leopard dress (Cue) worn with Karen Millen cream jacket. A soft and stretchy dress and in a favourite print. I have lots of dresses, so I was trying to be picky and not add too many this summer - but this one made the grade... Picture 3

Outfit 3 - black peplum suit (also have some black crepe pants and for high summer, some pedal pushers, all in Finds - which should be fun with the white peplum jacket too). I love this vest. A black vest has been something I have hoped to find for a while - already worn with both skirt and pants already and owned this less than a week, a future workhorse for sure. Picture 4, worn with a lace top (old).

Outfit 4 - Karen Millen plaid dress with a sweetheart neckline and cream jacket (same as Outfit 2). Added my Olive Oyl scarf for warmth. Pictures 5 - 7.

Outfit 5 - My Power Suit (Carla Zampatti) - Red & Black blazer, black pants and red top - Pictures 8 - 9. Power suit was the biggest splurge - but in buying the suit, I was given a free top (Picture 9) and really love how this works together.

The Cue and Karen Millen items bought on a 20% off all store special, so even though I bought early, I bought at a reasonable discount. These sorts of specials seem to work better for me than Clearance Sales where I get sales goggles and the purchases tend to not work so well for me.

I have worn all of these except the Power Suit. I am saving that to wear to an upcoming work trip to Singapore where I have to run a seminar for about 100 clients. Feeling fab and comfortable yet commanding attention is essential for that, I think this suit with its bright colour and sharp tailoring fits the bill. I welcome your suggestions on that and whether you think another outfit would be better.

Shadow style

Runcarla mentioned her Boho shadow style which I embrace a bit myself in my non-work wear. This is what I wore on Sunday - Picture 11. Blush dress, blush faux fur and white and silver cowboy boots.