Tuesday 12 December 2017

New to the wardrobe!

I have slowly come to realise that personal style is not a fixed things. Its such a flexible yet intangible thing and when trends come about, you just gravitate towards a variety of different things. I am constantly changing my wardrobe and falling in and out of love of different things or wanting to experiment with more than my jeans and a t shirt.

Today I thought I would share with you some new things I have added to my wardrobe from things I thought I was missing to some experimental pieces to some key pieces for winter.

Adidas campus trainers


I haven’t had just black and white trainers that I have wanted to wear in a long time and these just ticked all the boxes. Something that didn’t make my feet look bigger than they already are, comfort and work with both jeans, trousers and skirts and dresses; an all rounder shoe if you will.

Branded t shirt


I got this long sleeve north face t shirt and I contemplated returning it but since I got it, I haven’t stopped wearing it. It’s a really great layering piece as well as a basic to go with jeans and trousers. And because it is long sleeved, it is great for the winter months. I recommend this particularly if you are not the biggest fan of branding as most of it is at the back and with it being layering season, most people won’t see it

Trousers

You know what, jeans are really fucking uncomfortable. That’s right I said it. But I definitely go in phases with them. And when I bought these, I hated jeans with a passion. These maroon trousers were spurred on but the fact that I want a maroon 2-piece suit but I found these trousers at an M&S outlet and I couldn’t be happier. Really great quality and colouring and a dose of something other than black



I also bought those classic stripe down the side pair and I have been on the hunt for them for the longest time and I found the perfect ones from new look via ASOS. The perfect colouring, a little high waisted and fits like a peg leg style trouser.

A beret


I used to wear berets all the time. For some reason I don’t feel like this is working for me but as it was discounted, I wanted to give it a try. Plus, it is actually cold, so I need to start wrapping up a bit better. I have gotten into accessorising again and I thought this was a good trend piece to include. Now that I think about it, have berets really ever gone out of fashion?

The LBD


Oddly enough, I don’t have a basic black dress in my wardrobe. I must have thrown them out. As its time for me to start looking for jobs and going to interviews, this paired with a blazer was an essential. I picked this up in Zara for less than £20! Can you believe it?

Check it out


A don’t wear a lot of skirts but I saw this on Instagram and I knew I had to have it. I was sceptical because these things are just so darn short, but they had this one in the tall section and as I tried it on, I knew it was coming home with me. It just fit like a glove and hugged in all the right places. It also allowed me mobility as I hate skirts that are too tight. This one was from Topshop and with student discount, how could I say no?

Love is love


When I saw this on the Instagram page, I kind of kept going back to it but I rainbow strip fluted sleeve jumper. Need I say more? There was something about it that just said you need this. It’s a lovely medium knit (does that make sense?) jumper great not only for layering but tucking into a skirt or trousers.


Tell me some things you have added in to your wardrobe or things I should check out. 

stay woke my loves


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Tuesday 17 October 2017

A Catchup!


Either it really has been a while since I have done one of these or I have a crap memory but either way I thought it was time just to catch you all up. I don’t even know where to begin, I feel like so much has happened but I don’t think I’ve been the most productive person ever, you feel me?

Let me first state the obvious with the blogs new look. I’m sure this design is quite familiar to most of you and I have Pipdig to thank for that. It just got to the point where nothing was looking the way I wanted it to, it wasn’t easy to navigate the website and if I didn’t even want to go on my own blog, why should anyone else come? It was time for a long overdue tidy up of the layout so I hope you are finding it a lot easier to read latest content and to find any specific posts you may be looking for.
I don’t think I am alone in this when you have that love hate relationship with blogging. It can be hard to constantly stay creative and I should know, I study media. I figured out that I got to a point where I was writing posts because I knew I hadn’t uploaded anything in a while. I was writing posts I truly wasn’t passionate about and it meant I was leaving my blog for months on end just because I didn’t care as much. But blogging requires patience. Over the years, the market has become very saturated and it can be hard to keep creating content when you don’t see any engagement or as many views as normal. If I gave up every time this happened, I would not be writing this post write now. So, no official upload days, a girls gotta breathe. No specific content genres, just keeping it real, keeping it me and uploading the next post when it feels like the right time.

Instagram has become a platform that I have realised I really need to use a lot more. Another platform to engage with readers and a really good networking space. I am slowly working out how to have a good balance between Instagram and blogging content as I feel Instagram has just taken blogging and made the whole idea of fast fashion a whole lot faster. So, I have been using it more and making adjustments when necessary and drawing inspiration from another social media platform. I would love if you came over and gave me a follow. We have to support eachother out here, it’s hard trying to stay relevant in the blogging industry.

Overall, where have I been for the last year? I honestly couldn’t tell you. I mean I could but I don’t want to. Just yet. I’m not ready for that kind of exposure. I really just needed headspace, to find me again and my purpose and what I wanted to do with my next steps in my non- internet life. Sometimes you just have to go right back to the beginning and work your way up again just so you can see things a little bit clearer.

In other news I have a website. That isn’t this. This might be a little confusing so let me call it my portfolio. Working in the media industry, I needed an easy way to show off my work so I created my portfolio showcasing all of the work that I have done or am currently working on. This is linked right at the top of the blog so I would love it if you had a nosey. I focus mainly on photographer so if you are looking for one and like my work, hit me up.

I promise you I am going to shut up right after this nice Segway into asking you guys for help. My final year photography project is fast approaching and me being me, I want to create extra work form myself. Even if this isn’t the final thing I really want to do a piece on personal style. A collection of images and some footage chatting with the person behind the images and their thoughts on personal style and their style inspirations. I will eventually make a whole post on this but for now I just want to get the ball rolling. I am still working the ins and outs of it all but I would love for you guys to be apart of this. I can only do Brighton/Sussex area and north London and depending on finances I may be able to stretch it a bit further but if you are interested, send me a tweet, leave a comment with your email address so I can see how much initial interest I have for this.


That’s it, I am done, I promise. I hope now you feel like you get where I am at with this whole adulting situation. Tryna succeed at that hopefully. I am off because I have reading for tomorrows seminar and it’s like a lot of pages and its already midnight. #whatevenissleep.



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Friday 13 October 2017

Shop my Instagram

So recently, I have been attempting (that being the key word here) to use my Instagram a lot more, showing daily outfits and eventually progressing on to showing you outfit inspo, my favourite picks from shops and all that jazz. But hey one thing at a time, I still need to pass uni this year. I thought if I could attempt to do a monthly one of these, I would be a direct source of where you could get and shop instantly any of the items that I show if they are still available

Outfit one


I was deffo an outfit repeater with this but I loved bringing back some of the past trends for my return back to the UK. As we are moving into the autumnal months, layering will be your best friend and this hits that understated 90’s trend on the nail whilst adding a little more dimension to a mostly black outfit

White t shirt – H&M: http://shopstyle.it/l/jXqs

Strap top (Old Marks and Spencer – SIMILAR LINKED): http://shopstyle.it/l/jXtY



Outfit two


This outfit really became one where I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do that day. Baseball style t shirts are a great versatile piece that work through all the seasons just with a variation of sleeve length. I paired this with some jeans because they are a staple in my wardrobe and my long love Zara city bag just to tie a quite casual outfit together

Top- ASOS (linked is from men’s section): http://shopstyle.it/l/jXvT

Jeans – ASOS Ridley: http://shopstyle.it/l/jXwq

Bag – Zara: style no longer available but they are killing it in the bag department


Outfit three


With this outfit, I just wasn’t ready to let go of the off the shoulder trend. I still think you can get away with this style now, but just choose your outerwear correctly I’d say. I think the pinstriping can make it seem quite formal but the off the shoulder style made it more wearable for every day.


Jeans – ASOS Ridley: http://shopstyle.it/l/jXwq


Outfit four


Finally, the only slogan top you will ever need. I was never crazy about the slogan tee trend. Some of them were rather nonsensical sayings and the looked cute on the hanger but I just didn’t see a right fit for them in my wardrobe. That’s not to say I am not guilty of buying 2 from Topshop, but they are not my most worn items. But this one from monki changed the game. Something with a powerful statement and I think I loved it more because I bought it in china and…that’s all I have to say about that.


Culottes – New Look: best to shop local store

Hopefully I can somewhat keep to my word and try and do this on an almost monthly basis. I do like to intermix some beauty, lifestyle, travel and food stuff on my Instagram so have a browse over there and your support with a follow would mean a lot.

For now brb, I have some chocolate cake waiting for me. mmmhhh.


*disclaimer- some affiliate links have been used within this post. If you want to know more about these, please check my “PR/Disclaimer” tab at the top of the page
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Tuesday 10 October 2017

Realising not every trend is for me

Every season we are just thrown a bunch of different trends. Not only can it be hard to decipher through what ones you want to go forth with, it can be hard to resist the urge to just buy it all. I used to be in such a bad habit of seeing a trend on other people, falling head over heels for it buying it and leaving it till after the return date to realise that it’s not for me or I don’t like it. A waste of money and space in my wardrobe.

In the past year or so, I have learnt that it can’t all work for you and if all the trends worked for everyone, where would people see essence of personal style be? With the introduction of autumnal weather and autumnal trends, the ones I’ve really been keeping an eye on is the prince of wales check print, red and corduroy materials.


I’ve worn blazers as a casual outerwear piece for as long as I can remember but the grey blazer I feel has really changed the game. It’s a really nice combination of menswear/workwear chic and adds a great touch of sophistication and put-together-ness to an outfit. The oversized look of this one was just right up my street with the little touch of red thread running through it, making it more everyday appropriate.


Red really has become the colour of the season, making the successful transition from summer to autumn. I am not one for statement pieces but rather adding pops of colour here and there because let’s be real, I have to be true to my black clothes. This red crop top I bought in a shop in china which has questionable drawings of clowns on it (don’t question it or you will just be questioning it forever) but its defoo not hard to come by some red items these days.


The corduroy trend is something I have been toying in my mind with. Because of the texture of it and it being mostly bottoms out of that material, I questioned whether it was the right fit for me. But I “invested” in the miniskirts from Primark and I have fallen head over heels with the trend. I love the different texture especially because its black. I tend to feel a little less guilty about wearing all black when I combine different textures.


THIS COAT IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF I AM TELLING YOU NOW. Thinking about cost per wear, I could have just bought the Zara OG version last year but I am so happy that my babes Primark made a version because I saved so much money and I think it is really good quality. Its classic style means I can carry it through multiple seasons with me and just, you know when you have wanted something for like over a year and now you own it because it’s finally within your budget? I’m feeling that right now

With any trend that I chose to do a little more research into, I find the place I can get it the cheapest but also of a decent quality. Because it is a trend item, you just don’t know how long it’s going to be around and when you have to adult but look fashionable whilst doing so, you just don’t want to break the bank. As most of these items are from Primark, I’ve never had an issue with their items lasting me but shop where you see fit. More expensive doesn’t always mean better and vice versa.


Tell me about some of the trends you have dabbled into below, I would love to know 


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Friday 6 October 2017

Friday Favourites #2

Hello and welcome back to another Friday’s favourites post. I really enjoyed creating the last one and I think it makes me really aware (every so often) of the things that I just keep going back to or have added to making my life that little bit easier.

Favourite items

Firstly, is my iPad. This might seem like an unusual item to put on such a pedestal but as being more of a Samsung person over an apple one, the ipad is the most recent addition to my gadgets collection and not only did it save me when I had no internet in china (that was a real rough patch with 90% of things being blocked) it’s great for watching videos in the morning, getting work done on train journeys and even for the occasional lectures. Never thought I needed something like this in my life untill now but it has proved to be a great asset.


My panda headband is another recent edition from my trip to china but after years of getting face cream in my hair and getting kinks in it with hairbands, I resorted to a somewhat cute headband to get me going with my daily routine. Not the cutest panda faces I have ever seen but if it does the job, it’s a keeper.


What I’m watching

Netflix is pretty much my regular tv app of choice and I have been really getting into a few of the new releases. The first is The Good Place with Ted Danson and Kristin Bell, dispelling the perceived ideas about heaven and hell and putting those already dead through the works. Only one season and a bit in, I am excited to see where the episodes go and what twists happen next.


Having taken a break from American horror story with hotel being the least of my favourite ones, Roanoak is what I had secretly been holding out for. The style it is filmed in is definitely unconventional but from a critic’s point of view, a style with potential and gives the series a new lease of life. Some of your old favourites are back with a few new faces thrown in there and it deffo one I think you should give a go…even if AHS isn’t your favourite thing.


How could I forget the confession tapes? If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know I love murder mystery programmes and cases so as soon as this came through, I clicked on it straight away. It went into a little more depth about some of the cases I already had prior knowledge and even if it’s not your genre, it’s really interesting just to see how these are used or thrown out within the justice system.


Let’s eat

Bringing in a little home cooking this week as I am trying to keep my weekly expenses to a minimum, this is one of my many bulk dishes that I make and it’s a lentil and sweet potato curry. I use a recipe from online which I will link here but it’s always good to add your own little touch to it


I like to add some spinach to the mix as well as serving it with some wholegrain rice with quinoa. I uses ones out of the packet as I am not that great of a cook but in general, I have just loved taking recipes and adding my own little spin to it. This dish also works great if you have a busy week and need a few quick easy meals for even on the go.

Fashion favourites

I am loving Primark’s clothing range at the moment and I am going to do a new in haul very soon so you will see it all there but Primark’s Instagram page is just giving me all of the feels right now. Just look and tell me you don’t want it all.



Something to think about

“what you are feeling matters”

Every emotion and feeling that you have is valid. And you should allow yourself to feel it. Feel like crying for an hour? Go and go it, let it out of your body and if necessary, let those around you see it. Only once you let go can you give yourself the strength to keep going.


I hope you all have a great weekend and I’ll see you very soon with a new post 
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Sunday 17 September 2017

Transitioning your wardrobe from summer to autum

I’m sad that the summer warmth has left us but autumn is one of my favourite seasons, because it’s a great in between stage. But I guess I am not the only one who went on a summer shopping binge and doesn’t want to completely let their summer wardrobe go to waste.

Well you don’t have to. Because of this in between weather, it means you can be in between wardrobes. Today, I wanted to share with you some of the ways I am going to be taking some of my favourite summer pieces and bringing it into autumn fashion. We are constantly bombarded with these sorts of videos as well as trend alerts every time a new season rolls around but it’s really helpful to first begin by looking in your wardrobe and seeing what you have. What you liked from summer and autumn and how you can mix and match some of those items.

Off the shoulder and mustard


I’m starting with this because its incomplete but I have a vision in my head that I think will pan out and is a way I have incorporated the trend of the grey check blazer. This skirt and top combo is something I wore just like that on my internship days in china but with the weather changing, I got to add a few more layers. I want to add a grey longline blazer as layering is a key element of autumn fashion (which you will come to realise as you go through this post) and for some added warmth in the evening. Finish it off with tights and black boots or black trainers. What I love about this outfit is it can work for the day or night just by switching out your accessories.

Top – Monki // Skirt – ASOS

Spaghetti straps


Another one of those infamous internship outfits and because of the humidity, layering was just not going to happen really. But keeping in line with ongoing trends and the weather cooling down, I’ve layered a white t-shirt underneath. Going back to basics is a real trend this season and is worth investing a little more in. my favourite place to get tees from are H&M and Zara for the longevity. You can complete this look with the grey blazer or denim jacket.


I also layered this t shirt with a jumpsuit which I did a post all about why the jumpsuit is the one item you need in your wardrobe which you can read all about here. But another great item to keep in your wardrobe recycle and works well for day and night.

Tshirt – H&M // strap top – M&S // trousers & jumpsuit – new look //

Midi dress/midi anything


This ribbed H&M basic midi dress is such a must to have in the summer and at an even better price. This silhouette works on all body types and just hugs you at the right places. But I wasn’t ready just yet to completely ditch the skirts and dresses. I adapted it for UK weather by turning it into a midi/almost full length shirt. That way I saved money but still got the figure hugging look from the dress. I paired it with a basic crop top which I can still leave out from summer and I always finish this look with my oversized denim jacket and trainers. But with a look like this, the shoes and jacket are interchangeable for the look.

Dress & top & kimono – H&M // jacket – meters browne

Culottes



They are just one of those items where your legs are just gonna get a little bit cold but you can still get a few more wears out of them. I’ve chosen these ones from newlook which have that beautiful blush pink striping in them which work well with the transitional weather and help to break up a potentially all black outfit. To keep the lower half warmer I would suggest some ankle or calf length/height boots but that’s not really me so I would just go for my trainers. I went for a warmer top half with a sweatshirt, a happy medium for the unpredictable weather. This look would look great with an oversized leather or suede jacket too, incorporating some different textures, again to break up a potentially monochromatic look.

Crop top – bershka // culottes – new look // badman sweatshirt – dua lip merch

FINAL TIPS:

Silhouette: I tend to gravitate towards cleaner lines and things that aren’t too busy into the mix so roll neck jumpers with highwaisted jeans are a great starting point into building an autumnal wardrobe.

Pops of colour: reds, mustards, pinks and greens are just a few great colours to throw into the mix. As much as I am attached to the colour black, it helps to break an outfit up with pops of colour even if it’s just in your accessories.

Denim and knitwear: they work well together especially when layered underneath each other. Rolling knit sleeves over denim jackets work great with jeans and leggings to give a cosy yet put together look.


Think before you buy: fast fashion is a hook line and sinker so don’t get trapped with all of those amazing pieces. Take a step back and think about what you actually need, will you wear it, and how can it work with the rest of the stuff in your wardrobe. 
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Thursday 14 September 2017

My wishlist and wardrobe updating ft. Shoptagr

I don’t think it is any surprise to you guys that I love to shop. I have done countless hauls via the blog and YouTube and some that don’t even make it because I don’t want to seem like a crazy person. Now that I am going into my third year at university (omg I feel so old typing that) I have come to realise that fast fashion really has done its damage on me and I want to build upon what I already have. I have really gotten into making personal wishlists and thinking about items I want to get. To help me do this I have been using the website and app shoptagr.

If anyone remembers wantworthy (shoutout to old school bloggers here), it operates in the same way in that it’s a platform where you can save your desired items to one page and then go back later to shop them. They have a notification system too so if anything goes out of stock or on sale etc. they tell you. With the transitional period, there isn’t a need for a completely new wardrobe but for a few new items and basics for me to keep in time with trends and stay that little bit warmer in the colder months.


So as you can see I have pretty much everything on there from my new laptop that I wanted to remember the name of to tops and slogan tees. This way, I am not scouting each shop forgetting what I have put in my basket. On the flip side of that, I forget what’s in my basket and when I go back I can think what I really need and how much I want to invest into each individual item.


I also have the mobile app on my phone so when I’m out and about and have the urge to buy something, I can go back to my wishlist and make more useful purchases that will benefit me and my wardrobe in the long run. With shoptgr being linked with thousands of websites, you can save anything from fashion to homeware to beauty products and have your own little wishlist library in the palm of your hands.

Having used this system for about a month already, I have now found a great list of things that will benefit me in the long run. You can check out my whole list here: but here are just some of the things on the top of my list.


Creating your own wishlist: curated and money saving

I really thought about all the things I had seen my favourite celebs wearing, as well as bloggers and paying close attention to the fashion forecast and had kept on seeing things that I knew would work with my personal style (need help finding your personal style? Click here) or things that we coming around again from the year before. Adding them all to the wishlist kind of scratched the itch I had to go shopping and just see everything and seeing it all in one place from different sellers helped me see what I was sure or unsure of. I also thought about where I could get it cheaper. Like the check blazer and Zara coat I have on my wishlist, I know I want them but Primark have them cheaper and I know these are going to be seasonal as well as trend pieces so I won’t invest too much in them. Plus, I have never had an issue with Primark things not lasting which works for my bank balance. Wishlists are also a great place to play around with different trends and colours etc. You aren’t committing to anything especially as you aren’t shopping directly on the site and gives you room to experiment with different things for the autumnal season. I have kept everything in a very monochromatic colour palette as I have some items left over from last year as well as the summer season to help inject different colours and textures into my wardrobe mix, even if it is through simple accessories.

So that’s how I am cutting down my shopping habits with shoptagr and curating the perfect autumnal wardrobe. On Sunday (fingers crossed) I’m going to have a post about transitioning your clothes from summer to autumn so I hope that both combined will be useful, help you save some money and find a new way to window shop. I recommend also checking out my #fashionfebruary playlist for more inspiration.


Much love x


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Monday 11 September 2017

When in China | Part 2

Now as you guys know, I am back from my time in china which saddens me greatly. It was such an eye opening experience and filled me with such energy, change of heart and change of understanding. Something quite indescribable unless you do it for yourself. After spending week’s pre departure being hesitant about my decision, I’m so glad I didn’t go back on it.

Although I have a few more posts with china related pics coming up, I want to share the last leg of photos to sum up my last 6weeks out there immersed in an internship, meeting new people and finding new things.


This place that was the first of many long haul trips and this place is one of the most unreal places I have ever been too called Jiuzhaigou (without the tones roughly pronounced joe-jie-go). It looked like an oil painting and every image taken made it so much more worthy of embarking on a 7 hour walk to the main tourist centre within the park. This route was free from the crowds of tourists we encountered at the entrance and a chance to breathe some fresh air, and have long chats with friends made. This place will always hold a special place in my heart especially as we were still there coming towards the end of the trip, this place was hit my an earthquake and luckily there were very few causalities but it’s a shame how such a nature driven place could have been partly destroyed just like that. Well I guess the pictures will just have to speak for itself.

The second of the lengthy journeys we made out of china was to Kanding, the Tibetan area of china. Another one of those indescribable experiences.


I have thought long and hard about going into depth about what it’s like to go to china and be there who isn’t strictly from china because, especially for me, it was tough to feel like you kind of belong somewhere where they continue to see you as outsiders or other. But if you want me to talk about it more let me know.

Kanding is another place that holds a special place in my heart because they are treated like outsiders in their own country, but they are some of the nicest people I had ever encountered throughout my time in china. Beautiful fashion, history and place to visit. We went horse-riding, joined in this daily town dance that they have and embraced a new culture. Plus this was also the first time I had had a yak burger and I have to say not too bad. It kind of tasted like a beef burger but yak…this will only make sense till you have had one.


I touched on the food a little bit in my first post but I have to say thinking about it again, there is a shit tonne of food to choose from. Some looked questionable but others were really enjoyable. Always bear in mind that if you find a non-Chinese cuisine, it’s a Chinese version of that cuisine haha! But at times, I do find myself craving it especially those little white buns. That with like a mince meat mixture was soooo good. And potato noodles (kind of like gnocchi but Chinese) were sooo good. I think I need to stop talking about it because it’s making me really hungry.


All I can say is that china I will be coming back for you. You have given me such an unforgettable experience that I would do over and over again in a heartbeat. But here are the final thoughts; the good the bad and the ugly

The good: gaining knowledge about somewhere on the complete opposite side of the world to you as well as being able to gain working skills to take back for future jobs. Aside from that it’s a rapidly developing country with soo many things that I wish the UK had, like their bike system

The bad: the air pollution. I can’t tell you how much I missed breathing in fresh air whilst I was there and how opening a window is something you just shouldn’t do there. AC is the way forward.

The ugly: how backwards and uneducated they seem to be about race and diversity. I feel so lucky to live (most of the time) and have grown up in London where being black wasn’t such a bigger deal and being a bigger size wasn’t such a big deal. Now, London is in no way perfect but it’s a giant leap from china. I feel blessed that I have a diverse group of friends and we have different interests and styles. As they are slowly being exposed to more western media and ideals, you can see with some of the people that you encounter it doesn’t bother them but they have a long way to go.

I hope you enjoyed the post. You can check out part one here and let me know some of your favourite destinations you have been too below.

Much love


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