Victorian Gothic

I know it’s become a bit of a blogger cliché but I really do love this time of year, from the colours, to the scenery, to Pumpkin Spiced Lattes. Not to mention that with its lashings of lace and delicate style, the current Victorian Gothic trend is one of the prettiest, not to mention most fitting and versatile trends to have arrived in recent months. So I thought I’d take the chance to showcase the beautiful scenery and my interpretation of how I’ve turned this trend into a daily wearable look.

Shirt: Marks and Spencer (similar here or here).Varsity Jacket:Vintage, Jeans :Topshop (here), Backpack: New Look (similar here and here)

With some help from my beautiful friend Hollie (who can take a pretty mean photo I’m sure you’ll agree), this has been one of the most enjoyable posts I’ve ever done. I really hope you enjoy it too and it has given you some inspiration, and please let me know if you’d like to see some more fashion posts on here.

Leopard Print Shoes Two Ways

Leopard print shoes are one of the most must-have A/W items this season with everyone from New Look to Net-A-Porter bringing out their own versions. From Beyonce to Fearne Cotton, to Harry Styles there’s nothing like a pair of leopard print shoes to make you instantly cool. But animal print is also one of those things that if not styled correctly can look a little Pat Butcher so I thought I’d share with you a couple of the ways I thought they can be worn for a casual everyday look.
Jacket: Topshop (similar here), Shirt: Jack Wills, Jeans: Topshop, Shoes: Primark.

I love this combination because it combines both my favourite leather jacket and jeans (where would we be without Jamie Jeans), but the shirt gives a slightly smarter element as well as bringing a dash of colour to the outfit. Plus did I mention the shoes were only £4!  

My second look is a more casual basic look with my favourite breton print dress, my Rayban wayfarers and the classic life saver of black tights. I’d also wear it with my cropped denim jacket (which I may or may not have forgotten) and just a dash of casual red lippy.

Dress: H&M (similar here and here), Sunglasses: Rayban,

I had a couple more ideas for how to wear this (so tell me if you want to see those anytime soon) and was surprised at just how wearable these shoes are. Granted I don’t think I’ll be reaching Sienna Miller or Harry Styles level of cool quite yet but it’s definitely encouraging me to try some new things and take some risks when it comes to some of my fashion purchases.

Summer Party Family Style

As my family lives far and wide across the U.K. it’s not often that we all manage to get together in the same place. But with my great Uncle’s 70th looming, him and my Aunt decided to celebrate with a big blow out to make the most of the sun with good food and good company, and boy they didn’t let us down.

We arrived and walked round the corner of the house into what must be as close as England is going to get to being a tropical paradise!

While the children made the most of the pool the rest of us relaxed in the sun and had a good old fashioned catch up.

For once in my life I forgot to photograph the food which should tell you just how good it was! They had laid on enough for a small army with everything from hams, salads, fresh bread, salmon, and anything else that you could possibly want.

But a special mention has to go to the wine which I did manage to photograph, which had been flown in all the way from the Alps! Crisp, fresh and fruity it was a perfect accompaniment to the delicious feast.

    After all that feasting we decided to wander around the tropical paradise (and take a few photos as well).  

Hidden behind these Hydrangea’s which had me swooning they were so beautiful, I discovered a little hideaway from all the craziness, squirreled away in the tropical forest.

What I wouldn’t give for one of these in my back garden as my own little office/ reading nook.

Swooning over, I couldn’t help but strike a pose against the beautiful flowers.Dress: Zara (Similar here, here and here), Denim Jacket: Topshop (similar here), Bag: Kate Spade (similar here), Sunglasses: ASOS, Pumps: Topshop.

Usually I am the type of person who dreads these sorts of ‘smart/casual’ occasions as I often end up either too smart or too casual, but this recent Zara purchase has saved me. The more eagle eyed of you will recognise this as the dress I graduated in which emphasises just how versatile it is, not to mention how obsessed I am with it! Paired with my favourite Topshop denim jacket and pumps and my Kate Spade Saturday bag which I picked up in New York shortly before they closed, I think I’ve finally nailed the smart casual brief.
  After all that ‘hard work’ there was nothing left to do but enjoy the rest of the day, which is already one of the highlights of my Summer. I’d love to know if any of you have any tips of how you strike the balance of that dreaded smart/casual dress code and your favourite ways to have fun with your family this summer!

Coachella Fashion Dreams

With the festival season almost upon us the shops have become inundated with millions of beautiful things that make me want to spend way too much money and unleash my inner hippy. Now while I may not be lucky enough to be going to Coachella this year (damn you university exams), I thought I’d share with you all the items I’m currently coveting and my festival must-haves. There’s a bit of a mix that will ensure come rain or shine you’ll be prepared for whatever festival weather throws at you. I am a big wellie and shorts fan and prefer to chose one stand out print piece and team it with simple accessories to make sure I’m not left in the morning spending too long deciding what to wear. Plus as a seasoned festival goer I always have a couple of top options to layer in case it gets cold/wet, and a change of shoes just in case! These are just my favourite pieces but I’d love to know what you guys are lusting after, and what festivals you’re heading to this summer.

1. Hunter Short Fringe Wellington
2. Miss Selfridge white frill bardot top
3. Miss Selfridge floral trousers
4. Ray-Ban Erika sunglasses
5. Topshop paisley bardot top
6. Topshop ripped hem denim shorts
7. Topshop floral plastic mac
8. Boohoo dungarees
9. Zara brown suede tassel bag
10. River Island cat eye sunglasses
11. Zara sequinned top
12. Accessorize tile print playsuit
13. Miss Selfridge striped dress
14. Accessorize white bumbag
15. H&M cuff
16. Topshop floral shorts 
17. River Island purple bralet
18. Miss Selfridge bead and tassel bracelet (from a selection)
19. ASOS cut-out fedora
20. Miss Selfridge patchwork maxi dress

Winter Haul

So am I the only one that thinks that as soon as the calenders turned to October it suddenly became winter? I decided that with a change in weather comes a change in wardrobe, so with my student card in tow I hit up my top 5 stores and prepped myself for the onslaught of rain and cold in the best way possible.

So first things first, jumpers. Topshop is my ultimate one stop shop for these as they always have a massive variety of colours, sizes and patterns so I went for these two adorable ones; one that gives a pop of colour and whimsy that Winter most definitely need, and this because it was SO SOFT!

Next to stock up on was the winter warmer accessories so I went with a black beanie, wide brim hat to take care of those bad hair days and these boots to provide protection against puddles.

Zara is another great place for Winter staples and I picked up this adorable top which combines my three loves; collars, stripes and statement jewellery. It’s the perfect mix for casual cute daytime looks or an evening date, which definitely helped justify this purchase.

Also am I the only one who’s found that the yearly long hard slog for a new winter coat has been made extra hard this season, considering everything seems to be a parka or a super long? Well fear no more as when I came across this miracle of black wool gorgeousness it was a match made in heaven. It sits just above the knee, and is the perfect mix of fitted while loose enough to fit a jumper underneath, so yep, perfect.

Miss Selfridge is not a usual haunt but recently has been winning me over especially with this cute 90’s crop top, which may not be the most sensible winter option but it was just too damn cute to say no. And by wearing it with these high waisted black jeans makes it the most uber flattering, day to night outfit for even the most low key of girls.

To finish up my wardrobe reformation I picked up from ASOS this adorable heart necklace, which will add a perfect glam update to any winter jumper, and this statement necklace from Zara for a fancier look. Finished with this perfect winter nail from Essie and my ultimate berry lip from Nars, and come rain or shine you’re ready to look your best no matter what!

Winter Wears

 

As the nights slowly grow darker earlier and the jumpers start being pulled out, it’s a sure fire sign that Summer is on its way out and Autumn’s here to stay. So to make the most of the sunshine while it lasted I grabbed my dress and hat and headed for the river. With my Topshop lace dress providing the pop of colour that will carry me through the dark winter days and the lace detailing around the middle and neckline, makes it the perfect dress to go from day to night.

My excitement when I found this hat in Topshop was uncontainable as my larger head means I had long accepted the fact the no hat ever did, or ever would look good on my head until I placed this miracle of millinery on. With H&M providing the perfect black pumps, and the bag I’ve nicknamed Mary Poppins thanks to its ability to fit everything and anything I need to carry in it, it’s my perfect come rain or come shine outfit. So bring on Autumn, whatever you have it store, I’m ready for you!