Tag: All

THE CLASSIC SHIFT

. LAST SEASON: SUMMER SHIFT .

Inevitably each season I end up buying a whole load of new clothes, it’s not that I deliberately seasonly shop, it’s more that I like to pick up bits as and when I see them, and naturally with the new season meaning tons of new clothes to catch my eye, I always end up having a little splurge. But the benefit of being a hoarder means that these clothes never just get one seasons worth of wear, oh no, often i’ll recycle my favourites for up to three seasons. It’s one way I help justify my shopping addiction … pennies per wear n all that.

. TOPSHOP WHITE SHIFT DRESS (OLD) . MISSGUIDED SUEDE JACKET . ZARA LACE UP SANDALS (SIMILAR) . REISS FEDORA .

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”802301″]

This white shift dress is a really simple summer number I picked up last year from Topshop. Last year it was a seriously well worn dress, and this season i’ve rediscovered it again. Simply updating the dress by accessorising it with my favourite SS15 accessories. It’s amazing how a little styling updates can keep a classic item on trend, year after year.

This season it’s all about fringing, suede and lace up gladiators, and so I simply popped it all together, with my Topshop white shift dress and voila. Last years favourite, looks SS15 ready.

Are you good at recycling last seasons favourites?

June 26, 2015
THE SUEDE DRESS

. BLACK SUEDE SHIFT DRESS .

I’ve been obsessing over suede all summer so far, there’s something about the ‘look’ of suede, that no matter what garment it’s on, I seem to just fall in love. The suede skirt, suede jacket, suede shoes, and of course the suede dress. Given my addiction, i’ve been on the hunt for the perfect suede dress for sometime now, and whilst i’d found tons of skirts and jackets, the dress took a little more patience. That’s until I discovered this Zara number … lazer cut aztec print, real suede, an effortless cut & length and the boldest black. Perfect.

. ZARA SUEDE DRESS . ZARA LACE UP HEELS . CELINE NANO .

SHOP THE SUEDE DRESS

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”802336″]

I’ve tried on quite a few suede dresses so far this season, but this is the first to truly fit the way I wanted (loose, effortless & laid back) and one of the finest quality suede dresses i’ve tried on. It took me a while to give in and snap the dress up, the £109 price tag meant it was a very considered purchase, but as soon as it arrived I was sold.

The dress is the perfect summer evening or event dress, the ideal festival throw on & would also look fab styled up for a chic work look too. I’ve given the dress a few ‘debuts’ so far, and for this look I kept things super low key so the dress could do the speaking. The only accessories being Lady Celine (of course) and my Zara lace heels, which clearly were made to be worn with this dress.

Are you a fan of the suede trend this season, what do you think of this suede dress?

June 25, 2015
HOW TO UNWIND FROM WORK

HOW TO UNWIND FROM WORK

As I sit here on day three of my holiday, I’ve come to realize how difficult it is to truly unwind from work, whether it’s the frequent email check, or the occasional ‘reminder note’ to someone back in the office, or simply just finding your mind wondering about your clients or all the things awaiting your return. It really is hard to switch off.

I’m clearly no seasoned professional when it comes to switching off, clearly, but I do have a few tricks up my sleeve which do help me to try to leave my work brain at home, and actually relax when I’m away in the sunshine.

So today, I thought I’d share my top tips for unwinding from work and generally giving your brain and body a little relaxation.

5 TIPS TO HELP YOU UNWIND FROM WORK

#1 LIMIT YOUR PHONE USE

The first tip is kind of obvious, but actually quite hard to do in reality. But if we’re honest with ourselves, the route of the problem to this 24.7 working mantra is of course our best friend the mobile phone. As much as this little devise has been a wonder to our worlds, it’s also been a trigger in ‘non stop’ work mentality. Whilst I too can’t resist a little holiday instagram, and a whatsapp to the boy back home, having your phone on you all the time makes it all to easy to not actually ‘stop’ and take a moment away from our busy lives back home. More than that, it stops you enjoying the place you’re visiting. So as much as possible, put your phone down, sunnies on, and take time to enjoy real life.

#2 TURN OFF YOUR EMAILS

It’s so hard to fully switch off from work and blogging when your emails are constantly flowing in, and urgent is written all on every email title, so the best way to actually leave work behind is to simply turn your emails off. For one whole week.

#3 DO A BIG HANDOVER

Of course the way to enable you to keep your emails off, clients happy and team going, is to do a proper handover before you leave work for your holidays (or even the weekend). Be sure to leave all your work in a good place, handover projects that will need support whilst you’re away, inform your clients, your team and anyone else that may need to know, that you will be away and picking up emails and work on your return. Put an out of office on your email account, and properly go on ‘annual leave’. It’s all too easy to leave deliverables looming for your return, or forget to let people know … but the better you manage things before you leave, the better they’ll be while you’re away, and importantly when you return too.

#4 KEEP DISTRACTED

I know how hard it is to switch your brain off … when you’re used to running at 100 miles an hour, all day, everyday, it’s hard to actually let your brain stop whirling and whizzing around ideas, to do lists and the dreaded worry. Being on holiday, whilst it’s a necessity to relax, can also be a nightmare for the busy bodies like me, and most the time no matter how hard I try I always end up doing something ‘work like’ to keep my brain active. I simply cannot relax enough to do nothing (unless of course it’s napping on a sun lounger). Whether it’s reading back to back and getting through 4 books in a week, spending hours thinking up blog concepts or features (seriously some of my best blog ideas, blog strategies or design concepts have come from my brainstorms on holiday), or simply occupying myself with cards & cocktails. Unlike my body (which will happily lay on a sun lounger all day long), my brain likes to be active, so having non work related things to do is key.

#5 DON’T WORRY

Most importantly of all, don’t worry. The whole point of having a break is to enjoy yourself, relax and to live a little … what’s the worst that could happen! Work will be there when you return, and your life outside of work is important too … so look after yourself, make sure you have a break, and do not waste your time worrying.

“Never get so busy making a living, that you forget to make a life”

It’s always easier said than done, but i urge you all to put in a little effort to ‘breaking’ from work and work pressures, unwind and enjoy your time off. After all we only live once and so why waste it worrying and stressed, when you could be happy and chilled.

I’d love to hear your experiences of unwinding from work while you’re away? Do you struggle like me? What are your tips?

June 24, 2015
MY NEW SUMMER COAT

. MY SUMMER COAT: ZARA EMBROIDERED KIMONO .

The summer coat isn’t something I ever really appreciated until a couple of years ago, i’d always opt for a simple leather jacket or vintage denim number, and think nothing more of it. But over the last couple of years I’ve grown a huge appreciation for the the summer coat. Whether it’s the classic cut, vibrant colours or the fact i’m cold all year round, the summer coat has become a firm favourite, and must have purchase each year for me now. For the last couple of years it seems to be Zara that ticks my ‘summer coat’ wishes the most, and this year was no different. Their summer coat collection is on point, as usual, and it was this beautiful embroidered kimono number which really caught my eye.

. ZARA EMBROIDERED KIMONO . TOPSHOP BLACK SUEDE SKIRT . ZARA CAMISOLE . ZARA LACE UP HEELS . CELINE NANO .

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”802476″]

I already have a few summer coats in my collection which I still wear all the time, despite getting them a fair few seasons ago, a Zara & French Connection trench coat, my bright pink and bright green structured coats both from Zara, a cheeky little ASOS duster my Zara trench coat and of course a whole variety of summer jackets. In fact, when I think of it, it makes me feel a little anxious recounting the sheer volume of coats i’ve collection over the years …

But there’s always room for another right? Especially when it’s as pretty as this white and blue embroidered Kimono from Zara.

This coat was actually a shameless copy cat purchase. It’s a coat my sister bought a few months back, and after seeing her look so fabulous in it, I couldn’t resist any longer and begged her to let me buy it too. And i’m so glad I did. I absolutely love the cut, the cropped sleeves, fringed bottom and the detailed embroidery which really make it stand out.

I’ve been wearing it as much as I can (and it’s accompanied me on holiday too). It looks great with jeans, summer dresses & even with my favourite suede skirt too!

Do you have a little summer coat collection? What’s your go to ‘outerwear’ garment for the summer months?

June 23, 2015
WORK WEAR DENIM

. OUTFIT INSPIRATION: WORK WEAR DENIM .

Today I thought i’d humour myself and post an ironic little outfit post … today is the first day of my summer holiday in Turkey, but rather than make you all jealous with glorious pictures of sun, sea and sand I thought i’d share a little work wear inspiration, with this classic denim ensemble.

. WHISTLES DENIM SHIRT . ZARA BLACK RIPPED JEANS . MISSGUIDED LACE UP HEELS . ASPINAL BUCKLE BAG .

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”802246″]

This look is a classic work look for me, often I don’t have the time or energy to over think what I am going to throw on in the morning, and most days i’m seeking maximum comfort, but a look that still looks chic and professional. What I love is that denim has the potential to deliver just that, some serious comfort (especially these Zara jeans, they’re so comfy) but when styled well, can give a professional and sophisticated vibe.

I teamed my denim ripped jeans with my Whistles tencil shirt and Missguided lace up nude heels for a simple work look last week … before I ditched clothes for bikinis and heels for birkenstocks!

What are your fail safe ‘work wear’ looks?

June 22, 2015
HOW TO PACK FOR YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY

. HOW TO PACK FOR YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY: HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS .

Going on holiday is one of my favourite things, I absolutely love taking a break from reality, exploring a new city or culture, lapping up some sunshine and generally just taking a moment to unwind. I always start thinking about planning my next trip, even before I have even come off the first one! That’s how much I love going on holiday.

From organising your holiday, printing all your booking confirmations, trying to squeeze everything into a case, over-packing and repacking, to trying to remember all the essentials, packing for holiday can be a little stressful at times.

Today though, I thought i’d share a little check list of holiday essentials & of course let you shop my holiday edit too … my favourite pieces on the high street and some bits i’ve picked up myself too.

. HOLIDAY CHECK LIST .

CLOTHING: Summer day dress (x2) / Denim skirt / Denim Shorts / White blouse / Cami top / Evening Shorts or Skirt / Ovesized Knit / Denim Jacket / Jeans / PJ’s / Undies /

BEACH WEAR: Bikinis (x 4) / Beach dress / Sunglasses / Straw Hat / Beach Towel /

TOILETRIES: Sun Tan Lotion / Moisturiser / Skincare products / SPF Tinted moisturiser / Bronzer / Mascara / Medical kit / Toothbrush & Toothpaste / Shampoo & Conditioner / Razer /

TECH: Adapter / Straighteners / Ipad / Kindle / Chargers / Camera / Phone / Memory Card /

TRAVEL: Passport / Flight Ticket / Hotel Booking Confirmation / Visa / Magazines / Currency

ACCESSORIES: Birkenstocks / Gladiator Sandals / Evening Shoulder Bag / Jewellery / Heeled Sandals / Clutch Bag /

. PACKING & TRAVELING TIPS .

#1 TRAVEL IN COMFORT

My first rule when going on holiday is to travel in comfort, that doesn’t mean rocking up in a onesie, heaven forbid, but simply wearing my favourite and most comfortable clothes to ensure i’m kept comfy on the flight. I often get really cold in the air, so I liked to take a few layers in my hand luggage and always find a pashmina or scarf the perfect accessory, doubling up as blanket, pillow and general heat provider.

My go to travel outfit is a pair of comfy ripped jeans, my favourite ankle boots or heeled sandals, an oversized shirt or jumper, and a jacket for ‘just in case’.

#2 GO LIQUID LIGHT

If like me, you are a sucker for over packing, then finding ways to reduce your luggage weight is essential. Liquids naturally take up SO much weight and so actually I try and travel liquid light and actually pick up any essentials at the airport instead. It leaves more room for clothes & gives you something to do at the airport in between champers.

#3 PREARE ENTERTAINMENT

Prepare entertainment. There’s no denying how boring a 4 hour flight without movies can be, so stock up and prepare before you travel. Update your iTunes playlists, download some new books on your kindle, or simply pick up your favourite magazines or new paperbacks. Entertainment is key on holiday too … as much as I love to lay on a beach to do nothing, in reality i have to be doing something, so having a good book is essential.

#4 PRIORITISE

When you’re packing it’s really easy to just empty your wardrobe into an unsuspecting case … naturally it won’t fit,but also it’s just pointless as you’ll never get round to wearing everything. So you need to prioritise … focus on the items you know you’ll wear in the heat, you know you find comfortable and items you know you’ll wear together. In reality you only need 7 looks for a week long holiday, plus a couple of beach extras. It’s really hard, but ask yourself ‘will I really wear this?’ before packing it. Even better … make an outfit plan so you only pack items you know you’ll wear (I never know what I want to wear, so this wouldn’t work for me).

#5 SHARE

Often when we travel, we’re going away with friends, a boyfriend or family, and so sharing is a super neat trick to save you all a little suitcase space to share items you know you’ll all need … sun tan lotion, hair products, straighteners and hair dryer, even clothes if you’re similar sizes and have the same taste. A little re planning & sharing can really help keep your suitcase a little lighter, plus takes a little responsibility off everyone, as you each only need to remember 1 or 2 things each.

SHOP MY SUMMER EDIT .

[show_boutique_widget id=”265736″]

I’d love to know your holiday packing tips, your travel essentials & your favourite purchases this summer too?

June 21, 2015
5 ESSENTIAL GADGETS FOR BLOGGING ON THE GO

. BLOGGING ON THE GO : TECH MUST HAVES .

These days bloggers lead quite the jet set lifestyle, but with the glamour of travelling the world, does come the logistical nightmare of blogging on the go. It’s not the easiest thing to do whilst you’re abroad or away from home for a number of reasons … not least because your too busy drinking cocktails watching the sun down on a gorgeous beach front. But time (and motivation) isn’t the only thing, wifi connection, juggling your (hefty) photography kit, travelling with products to shoot and generally just having the time to sit and work are also considerations and challenges we face when blogging on the go or on holiday.

Whilst time and motivation might take some overcoming, there are some ‘essential’ gadgets which really do make blogging on the go a little more feasible, and these are gadgets I absolutely couldn’t live without.

. 5 ESSENTIAL GADGETS FOR BLOGGING ON THE GO .

#1 CAMERA

First up, Camera. You can’t blog without imagery, and actually if anything being away gives you the perfect opportunity to shoot lots of beautiful imagery for your blog. I usually always travel with my Canon 5D III ‘just in case’ I need to shoot, but I’ve actually recently invested in the Olympus Pen EPL7 Pancake & 45mm F1.8 lenses which make a fab alternative to my hefty Canon for times when i’m away from home or blogging on the go. I really recommend it for a convenient on the go camera, it’s still great quality and has the huge added bonus of being able to send the snaps straight to your phone for instagram and social media. Brilliant.

#2 LAPTOP / IPAD

I’ve tried, but you simply can’t blog without a laptop, and at the very minimum an iPad (although i’ve not mastered this yet). Whilst a laptop does require a little extra luggage space to fit it in, having a compact laptop that’s light and easy to carry does make blogging on the go a little easier. I have an iMac at home but also a Mac Book Pro which I use for travelling or blogging on weekends away.

The iPad is a great tool for checking in on your blog, updating your social channels and making minor updates to posts, but I’ve never quite mastered totally blogging on my iPad.

#3 SMART PHONE

I don’t need to tell you how helpful a smart phone is when blogging on the go, we’re all far too obsessed with them to need telling. But if you did need any more reassurance, a phone is the perfect way to keep up to date with your blog and social channels, share links to new features, photos from your travels and generally just keep in touch with the social world.

The other great thing about a smart phone, when bulging on the go, is that it can also double up as a wifi or 3G hotspot, so you can tether your 3G to your iPad or laptop to be able to get online from pretty much anywhere in the world.

#4 CHARGER & ADAPTOR

Its obvious guys. But don’t forget these bad boys … there’s nothing worse than no charge.

#5 NOTE BOOK

And of course a little note book … i find that when i’m relaxing around the pool, chilling on the beach and generally lolling around doing not that much, my brain gets a little more creative, and ideas and inspirations just get flowing. Because of this, I always carry around a notepad with me, you never know when inspiration might hit and it’s great for capturing ideas, helping you plan features & generally good for keeping organised.

Et voila. 5 essential gadgets for blogging on the go …

Do you agree with my picks? Are there any other items which are essential for you to blog on the go or while you’re abroad?

June 20, 2015
SUMMER WORK WEAR

. SUMMER WORK WEAR : CLASSIC .

I am so excited, today i’m officially jetting off for 7 days in the sunshine with my uni friends. I can’t wait to have a little down time, catch some sun rays and generally just hit the beach with nothing to do but swim, read and sip on cocktails. Heaven.

The UK weather has been trying to warm us up for the 35 degree heat, by treating us to a few sunny days this week. The UK weather is such a mind game it’s near impossible to dress for, one minute its sunny and 25 degrees, the next we’re grey skies and rain! For those of us with sartorial obsessions, it’s a bloomin’ nightmare deciding what to sport and trying to second guess the weather, hoping we’ll have got it right.

It’s even harder when you throw in dressing for work too.

. ZARA GREEN COAT . ZARA JEANS . TOPSHOP SHIRT . CELINE NANO . AND OTHER STORIES HEELS .

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”807656″]

This kind of look is fast becoming my ‘go to’ for work wear dressing in this transitional weather period. Jeans always do the job, come winter or summer, and simply changing how you style them can adapt them for any season.

Right now i’m opting for the classic white shirt (or billowy white blouse if it’s really hot), a simply and classic cut summer coat (this Zara green coat is still a firm favourite from last season) and of course a chic pair of heels. These are an And Other Stories pair I spied in Stokcholm earlier this year and quickly nabbed back here in the UK (now half price, I sadly missed out on that). They’re the perfect, chic, black heel and look great with a pair of skinny jeans.

What’s your summer work style?

June 19, 2015
BLACK SUEDE DRESS

. ZARA BLACK SUEDE DRESS .

I’ve been eyeing up this black suede dress for some time now, I kept checking it out on the Zara website, ‘umming and aching’ over the investment, unsure how it would look on me, but equally head over heels with the gorgeous bohemian style, the lazered and embroidered open detailing & the plethora of festival inspired outfits I was plotting to wear it with.

. ZARA SUEDE DRESS (SIMILAR / SIMILAR) . LEATHER CONVERSE . BODEN DENIM JACKET . REISS FEDORA .

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”807636″]

After officially losing all my sanity and spending every last pennie I had on shopping this last month, I gave in and decided what’s another £109 to my already ridiculous haul investment. And guess what, it was a bloomin’ marvellous moment of frivolity and actually the dress was pure perfection, fitted like a dream, really good quality and a great addition to my summer wardrobe – the dress can easily be styled up for work, or down for a low key everyday look like this one.

This weekend I took the dress for a little spin, in my leather converse and denim jacket. The look was effortless and comfortable, and made the suede dress far more wearable. Needless to say I now want to just live in this outfit non stop.

Are you getting bored of my incessant musing and coveting of all things suede?

June 18, 2015