NYE Sparkle

If there is one time of year that it is unexcusable not to wear a glittery top then New Years Eve is the time and place. I picked this up a couple of weeks ago after deciding on the spot that it would be worn and danced in on NYE. Saying that I am not the hugest fan of said day but if spent with friends and a glass of wine in my hand then it is set to be a pretty good evening, New Years Eve or not. It's a comfortable one to wear with a pair of high waisted black jeans or dressed up a bit with a high waisted skirt.

 Enjoy the last day of 2014!

Topshop Lurex Crop Top

The A/W Uniform

Topshop Jamie Jeans / Boden Long Sleeve Breton

Once the months of autumn start to roll around my wardrobe starts to show a very clear pattern, which I rarely stray from. Of course I have other options, but with limited time in the morning or if I am ever unsure then this is the outfit that I will always veer towards. For in my personal opinion I don't think that one can ever go wrong with a pair of skinny jeans and a striped top. Paired with chelsea boots for a chic look, or New Balance for a more laidback style. Worn with a Barbour jacket for those brisk morning dog walks, or a smart wool winter coat for those working days. There are limitless options with this simple pairing.

A/W Fashion Picks

 Topshop Clean Rib Knitted Jumper / Topshop Mensy Blazer by Boutique / Boden Long Sleeve Breton

Each year as a new season rolls around I like to invest in a few key pieces to add to my wardrobe, and Autumn/Winter is my favourite season to buy for.  I've had a decent clear out of my wardrobe recently, getting rid of all the clothes that I was holding onto for sentimental reasons. Now I am left behind with the clothes that I actually wear. I have definitely noticed that my wardrobe is catered towards the colder months, living in England can you blame me?  So there aren't too many gaps to fill, but I can't help add a few things to take me through the next few months. I like to buy a new jumper each year and this black one from Topshop is ideal. I initially saw it on their website but it was only in a camel colour, I checked back again a few days later and there it was in black. Safe to say it was in my basket and purchased within the space of about 15 minutes.

One aspect of my wardrobe that I've been trying to improve over the past few years are the jackets and coats I own. Whether it's a chilly autumnal morning, a rainy day or we're in the midst of winter I have discovered that a variety of coats/jackets are essential to get you through this tricky period. When I saw this oversized blazer on the Topshop website I instantly fell for it. I can tell it's going to be out of stock very soon so I'm going to search high and low for it when I go to London soon.

And finally one can never go wrong with a stripey top. Never. I already have two of these tops from Boden but feel like this white and navy version is basic wardrobe essential that I will be able to wear all throughout the seasons and it will never go out of style.

Worn Yesterday :: at work

Today I thought I would share what I wore to work yesterday. I'm lucky in the fact that I can wear quite casual attire. When I first joined my boss told me that she wanted to let everyones personal style shine through and not cover it up with a uniform. Those words have really stuck with me and my confidence in what I wear has really grown over the past few months. I can tell that I am developing my own style and no longer feel the need to buy something because it's the thing to have, but more if I like it and I think it suits me.

I'm on my feet all day so comfortable shoes are a must! Honestly my New Balances are my new best friend, I'm not joking. I bought this top a few weeks ago now and it is one of my best purchases in a while. It is versatile, comfortable, chic and just everything I need to make it look like I've made some effort, when we all know that I made as little as humanly possible (it's 7am, give me some credit here). And of course I thought I would show you the makeup that I wore yesterday as well. I tend to makeup it up as I go along. This time I stuck to my usual base, a champagene/bronzey eye using cream products and my new favourite lipstick.

French Connection Top / Topshop Jamie Jeans / New Balance 373

NARS Tinted Moisturiser in Terre-Neuve / Bobbi Brown Corrector in Extra Light Bisque / NARS Creamy Radiant Concealer in Chantilly / MAC MSF in Light Plus / Liz Earle Cream Blush in Cameilia / MAC Brow Pencil in Fling / MAC Paintpot in Bare Study / Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Pencil in 011 Bluffing / The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Balm / MAC Lipstick in Peach Blossom

New Balance Love

 

These are the comfiest pairs of shoes that I have ever worn in my life. I have been wearing them with absolutely everything. Jeans, midi-skirts, dresses. And I'm sure that they will look just as great with shorts if the weather ever decides that it's going to warm up and actually behave like spring/summer. I've been a converse girl for the past few years but these have totally converted me. I had been considering buying a new pair of trainers for a while. I'm on my feet all day when I'm working so one evening when my feet were aching the decision was made. The pair that I have are the New Balance 373 in navy, baby blue and white.

I'm not normally one to give into the hype but there is good reason around the hype for these! They can be casual or smart depending on how and what you wear with them. I can't see my feet straying from these anytime soon. 

New Balance 373 Trainers

Wishlist.

French Connection Amelia Striped Tee Dress , New Balance 565 Trainers , French Connection Classic Polly Plains T-Shirt

In recent times I have been spending a fair bit of money on makeup (a spurge may or may not have happened last week, inevitable really). However my attention seems to be changing to favour fashion items. Does anyone else have that? Their attention will be completely on makeup and skincare with absolute no interest in buying any clothes, and then suddenly the tables will turn and clothes are back at the top of the list again. Welcome to my mind ladies and gentlemen.

So here are a couple of things I have been lusting over recently. The dress and top are both from French Connection, a shop I had previously overlooked. Oh what a mistake! After wandering around Topshop the other day and coming out rather disheartened that nothing had caught my eye, which has been the case more and more recently. *whispers* Maybe my style is evolving out of Topshop? Shocker, I know.  So French Connection was my next hit and I love it! I did buy a couple of tops from there, including the blue top that I have on this wishlist but in a midnight blue. It's the perfect basic tee, hence why I've got the lighter blue shade on my wishlist, with many more shades to be bought after as well I'm sure. The dress is another FC find which I think would be great for casual summer days which can also transition into Autumn with some tights.

And finally, I've been thinking about buying a pair of New Balances for a while.  The decision was made after another day when I came home from work and my feet were in pain. I'm on my feet all day and converse just don't seem to be cutting it anymore. So these would be a worthwhile investment, right? My favourites are the New Balance 565 trainers in black and white.

Lilac

Another outfit post from my recent holiday. And yes it is another midi skirt. I did say I'm having a bit of an obsession at the moment. I saw this online a few months ago and completely fell in love with it. Perfect for those lazy summer days, or days spent at work. A very versatile and a soon to be well loved piece!

Top - Topshop
Skirt - Topshop (not online)
Shoes - New Look

Pinterest Lovin': Spring Time

I've been stuck in a bit of a rut recently with my clothes. I just feel like I wear the same outfits over and over again and I'm getting bored. So for some added inspiration I headed over to the one and only Pinterest. I find it really helpful to look at what others have been wearing and take some inspiration from that to apply to what I already have in my wardrobe. I already have a 'Fashion Inspiration' board so I thought I'd take a look at what I have pinned and I rediscovered some outfits which I really love. Rather than keeping it to myself I thought I would share it with you lovely people, so you can be inspired and get an idea of what my preferred style is. Because let's face it, we're all nosey and interested in each others lives and fashion choices.  As you can see I have a bit of an obsession with stripes and midi skirts, the latter which has already been mentioned a fair few times on this blog already. They're just so easy and chic! I think that's how I would sum up my style, if you can really call it that. Easy, simple and chic.

Pinterest is my way of keeping inspiration and ideas all in the same place. All the looks you can see here are in the 'Fashion Inspiration' pin board, and many more of my favourite looks if you are interested. What's your go-to spring look/item?

Pinterst Looks (L-R) 1, 2, 3, 4

Summer Nights

A quick post on an outfit I wore one evening on holiday.  I am really loving this skirt, infact throw any midi skirt at me and I'll wear it. It's turning into a bit of an obsession. I am missing the sun so much, but I'm hoping the weather in England will warm up soon so I can wear this outfit again!  There's also a little sneak peak into some of the makeup I was wearing with this outfit, keeping it very 'au naturel' of course.

Outfit: 
Top - Topshop
Skirt - Topshop(not online)
Shoes - Office (2 years ago)

Makeup:
MAC All That Glitters
MAC Satin Taupe
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Kissable Pink

Transitional Pieces

It may be Spring time here in England but that doesn't necessarily mean that the weather is warming up day by day. The sun is still making us wait unfortunately so what I wear day to day has needed to be adapted to fit the needs of these cool days. They're not freezing, I haven't worn my winter coat in a month or so now, but it's also not yet time to bring out the short shorts just yet. Instead there are a couple do pieces that have come to my rescue in this transitional period. 

1. Midi Skirts- worn with tights and a 3/4 length top

2. Lightweight Jacket

3. Blue Pumps - to brighten up an outfit, it is Spring after all 

Shoes - New Look Basic Ballet Pumps £7.99
Skirt - Topshop (not on website, bought in February)
Jacket - Boden Cotton Biker Jacket £79

Parisian chic

L-R : Zara, Urban Outfitters, Zara, American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, Urban Outfitters

I love the Paris.  In particular the style. It just looks so effortless. I swear French woman can wear the most basic ensemble and it can look a million dollars.  In an effort to channel my inner-chic I try and imitate what I presume to be Parisian. And by that I mean a striped top and Chelsea boots. In the winter months, which in England are most of the year, I live in these boots. They are easy to wear and make one look like they have made an effort with their appearance if styled cleverly. Perfect right? Over Christmas I added to my collection, so I now have 2 pairs.  One pair that are looking a bit worse for wear, I prefer to say lived in personally. And the other are just so pretty I’m scared to wear them. Does anyone else get that with shoes?

Paired with a pair of skinny jeans, I favour the Topshop Jamie jeans (they retain their shape for longer than the Leigh jeans and look just as chic, your welcome!) and a striped top. I have subconsciously grown to have quite a collection of these styled tops. I’m instantly drawn to them in any shop. Maybe because I know that they are a safe choice.

So there you go that is how I achieve my version of the Parisian chic style. Striped top. Skinny jeans. Chelsea boots. Pair all this with a  smart navy coat and you’re good to go.

And just in case you are tempted I'll leave the links to the boots below. Just in case.
Sloane Chelsea Boots
OFFICE Chelsea Boots (bought December 2012, but these are pretty similar)