Back to basics

top and blazer - vintage c/o Depop
jeans - Stradivarius
belt - Primark
necklaces - Neck on the Line
earrings and ear cuffs - ebay

Following on from the surrealness of my last post, I thought it best to inject a little normality back into my life - namely through an outfit post.

This look is an absolute go-to for me. Black roll neck and black jeans are such a great base to layer up with any jacket/shoe/jewellery combo. No one need know that you spent three hours on the verge of tears screaming at your wardrobe 'I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR'. Nope, not a soul.

Plus, it low-key make me look like I'm part of a drama group in a 90's American high school which I am so on board with. Just pass me my cigarette, beret and we can go through my lines, or like, whatever.

What's your go-to outfit?

xxx

photos by the fab mhquin

Starting again

January? More like Janu-scary. I'm currently sat, bewildered, in front of my laptop, wondering how on earth we have completed yet another 12 months only to circle all the way back around to the season of #healthkicks and #newstarts. 

It's funny just how symbolic the 1st of January has become in acting as a 'reset' button. In the past I have certainly been guilty of feeling skeptical of this 'clean slate' mentality, particularly as it technically just another 24 hour slot, if only with a different digit on its timestamp.

Now, however, I am starting to see the appeal; a source of motivation, a reason to try new things and an excuse to put plans into action.

The only issue is where the 'new year new me' mentality is concerned, it's very easy to get to February, feel disappointed, and write off the remaining ten months.  Despite all the overlooked boxes you've already ticked and exciting excursions you had in mind, you wish the end of the year away to return to ""page 1 of 365"". And you've got a while to wait.

So in the mean time, it might be worth trying to look at things in a slightly different way. (I know this is starting to sound the landing page for a free motivational e-book you accidentally clicked on, but please bear with.) Rather than eagerly waiting for the 1st of Jan for the chance to start afresh, why not just see 00:01 as an opportunity to completely reset ? 

Even if you have had a really bad day, is it worth getting bogged down in the mentality that 'it just isn't your year'? Whether you spilled an overpriced cup of coffee on the train or cc'ed that email that should have been bcc'ed (the worst), six hours with your head on the pillow can be all that's necessary to forget about it and remember that when you've finished scrolling through Instagram, you've got another 24 hours to make up for it.

What I'm trying to say is that you really don't need an excuse to go out and do what you want to do. You don't have to compartmentalise your life or your achievements or wait until your X years old to do Y and Z. You can literally do it at the start of every morning when your alarm clock go off. Give or take a few minute for snooze time, of course. 

Have you got anything planned for 2019?

xxx

photos by the fab Alexander Ward

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I think I actually prefer the build up to Christmas than the big day itself. 

Whether it's being stuck in a crowded coffee shop waiting for the rain to pass, or last-minute festive jumper buying for the charity day at work, the days leading up to the 25th always seem a little more special; that may be the extra prosecco talking, but it's hard to tell.

For me, these photos capture that festive whirlwind which December seems to wrap everything up in. The lights, the laughter and the mince pies. Horribly cliché, but I certainly think it's worth taking that occasional moment to just step back and take it all in, as after all, sometimes it can be tricky to see beyond the excessive buying, and actually remember what this season is really all about. 

Are you looking forward to Christmas?

xxx

photos by the fab Bartek Basista

Why should you go charity shopping?

blazer - Oxfam Bold Street

top - Primark

jeans - H&M

boots & bag - ebay

necklaces - Neck on the Line

 My first charity shopping experience was during a rainy lunch hour in Sixth Form. I'd become firm friends with a girl who was several ranks above me in the style stakes and who always blew me away with her outfit choices. You know that person in your friendship group that just has a knack of putting the best outfits together? That was her.

Naturally I had to know where all of these amazing pieces were coming from; from the vintage silk shirt to the oh-so-gorgeous western boots, I longed to discover how I too could create a wardrobe which would match the likes of hers. 

The simple answer? Charity shopping. Since then I am yet to look back.

As well as enabling me to find completely original pieces for a fraction of the price, opting for vintage items promotes sustainability and, in the long term, is of course much better for the planet.

Did I mention you can find genuine designer items for literally under £10? Harvey Nicks eat your heart out. 

Have you tried charity shopping?

xxx

photos by the fab Ben Kirby 

A week of #ootds

bodysuit - Shein

skirt - Missguided

bag - ebay

boots and hat - Primark

coat - H&M

jumper - Shein

trousers - Boohoo

boots - Next

jacket - New Look

bodysuit - Shein

jeans - H&M

boots - Primark

vest - Shein

jeans - Zara

shoes - ebay

blazer - vintage

top - Shein

jeans - H&M

As well as sharing outfit posts personally, seeing what other people wear day-to-day is my favourite type of inspiration. Whilst scrolling through wishlists, seeing what's trending and spending way too long on Instagram's infamous 'explore' page is great, the really great thing about #ootd posts is seeing how different people put different pieces together in ways that you would never have even considered. 

The above looks are a snapshot of some of my most recent wardrobe combinations - which is your favourite?

xxx

Let's get graphic

shirt - Next

trousers - Shein

shoes - ebay

top - Shein

trousers - Primark

shoes - ebay

Currently in the weird post-holiday blues period where I'm still saying pleasantries in French and adjusting to the significant lack of croissants in my life - full details on international pastries in another post.

In the mean time, I thought I'd share my thoughts on a couple of new additions to my wardrobe i.e. the wonderful power such statement pieces can have.

You know the ones I mean - the printed shirt or embroidered blazer which you can rely on to instantly improve an outfit, or make it entirely. Whilst I am drawn to shiny new trend pieces, I know it's the trusty statement items which I can turn to in a crisis e.g. trying to get out of the house on time.

What's you favourite statement piece?

xxx