Thursday 29 December 2016

a winter saviour

Whistles navy faur fur jacket, & Other Stories black cashmere jumper and Acne Pistol boots

So far this winter we've got off pretty lightly here in the UK. Christmas Day was positively balmy (hope you had a great one by the way). But in the last couple of days we've been reminded that it is actually December and this does normally mean biting winds, frosty mornings and scraping ice off your car before you can get anywhere (god, I hate that). And when the weather turns cold, I unfailingly call on my trusty navy faux fur.
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Friday 23 December 2016

the sales wish list part one

Every year the once so-called January sales get earlier and earlier. This year Whistles' sale kicked off on 12th December, before I'd even begun most of my Christmas shopping (shh, don't tell anyone). So I've decided to split my sales wish list into two parts. The first is dedicated to the early bird sales you can already get your hands on, and part two will be posted after Christmas to showcase my picks from the more traditional sales which actually wait until we've given out our gifts before slashing their prices. You can read my sales tips from last year here and they absolutely still stand.



Whistles Toscana fur collar jacket / £270 (reduced from £350)
There are few more classic and timeless wardrobe staples than a leather jacket, so the sales is the perfect time to snap one up. I've gone for this fur-collared beauty from Whistles (the best place on the high street to buy your leather jackets; trust me on that). I love how the soft collar adds a little point of difference and it'll probably keep you warm enough in this mild British winter of ours.

& Other Stories buckled leather sandals / £35 (reduced from £69)
& Other Stories do some of the best quality clothes and accessories for their price point around. Their shoes in particular look way more expensive than they are. Normally I don't stray far from black shoes but these khaki sandals really caught my eye. Plus (and you can tell I'm getting old now) they look super comfortable.

Prada La Femme eau de parfum / £49.50 for 100ml (reduced from £99)
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the sales, stick to beauty and you can't go wrong. Rest assured that a sophisticated perfume will never go out of style. I love the slick packaging of this Prada scent, which is a soft honeyed floral fragrance, and FeelUnique are currently offering the 100ml for the same price as the 35ml = bargain.

Emma Hardie travel kit / £17.50 (reduced from £35)
Beauty gift sets are also a failsafe sale staple. I stock up at this time of year and then I'm set for gifts for months (don't tell my friends...)

KARA textured-leather backpack / £284 (reduced from £405)
NY label KARA specialises in beautiful timeless backpacks made from butter-soft leather. Treat yourself to this reduced white beauty (also available in black).

Iris & Ink Silvia ribbed cashmere sweater / £80 (reduced from £160)
If you're not aware of The Outnet's own brand Iris & Ink, you've been missing out. The line is already well-priced for what it is (think Whistles/Reiss price points) but now it's on sale, making it the perfect time to introduce yourself to its timeless cuts and quality fabrics. I'm always a sucker for a soft cashmere sweater.


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Sunday 11 December 2016

december beauty favourites

Apologies for the blog silence of late: work and life have got in the way. But I'm back and want to share with you some of the beauty products I'm loving this month...

Beauty favourites Dec 16

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Thursday 24 November 2016

the christmas wish list

You'll no doubt have realised from the relentless advertising that this weekend sees Black Friday and Cyber Monday turn our high streets into a frantic tangle of discounted items and overenthusiastic shoppers. Although I sometimes wish we in the UK had jumped on the bandwagon of eating loads of food and having two days off rather than just the shopping discounts, to be fair it is the perfect time to get your Christmas gifts sorted.

under £50


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Tuesday 15 November 2016

the khaki bomber

Whistles black neoprene jumper, Topshop white Jamie jeans and Alexander Wang black Prisma bag

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Sunday 6 November 2016

the best christmas candles

There's nothing I love more than a scented candle. Except maybe Christmas...


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Monday 31 October 2016

the aviator jacket

Topshop white sweatshirt, Alexander Wang Prisma black tote and Whistles blue jeans
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Friday 28 October 2016

the best copper interiors


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Monday 24 October 2016

an eternal classic

There's nothing better than buying something and really hoping you'll wear and love it forever - and then it actually happening. Step forward this perfect jacket.

Whistles sheepskin leather jacket, Isabel Marant black ankle boots and Topshop Jamie jeans

Whistles black sheepskin jacket, Larsson & Jennings Saxon watch and & Other Stories black cashmere sweater

Topshop skinny white jeans, Whistles black sheepskin coat and Larsson & Jennings black leather watch

I'm still just as obsessed with it as the day I bought it. Perfect butter soft leather, cosy sheepskin lining and makes me feel happy whenever I shrug it over my shoulders. It wasn't cheap but it was worth every penny. Surely that's what fashion is all about, right?

Isabel Marant Dicker boots, Whistles navy bucket bag and Topshop white skinny jeans

Larsson & Jennings black Saxon watch, Topshop white skinny jeans and Whistles blue bucket bag

Whistles navy leather bag, Isabel Marant black suede boots and & Other Stories black knit

Topshop white Jamie jeans, Whistles Everett bucket bag and Whistles black leather jacket

Whistles jacket / similar here
& Other Stories cashmere jumper / similar here
Topshop Jamie jeans / similar here
Whistles Everett bag / similar here


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Tuesday 18 October 2016

look fantastic beauty box

I was lucky enough to attend a fantastic blogging workshop hosted by the lovely people at rewardStyle last weekend in the most Instagrammable venue I've ever seen (the Violin Factory in London - Google it and get ready to feel like your home is inadequate). The event was sponsored by Look Fantastic and we were very kindly given one of their beauty boxes to try out.

look fantastic beauty box

I love the concept of a beauty box. Anyone who loves beauty products knows that it comes with an insatiable desire to keep trying new things. I'm sure you, like me, have mountains and mountains of samples and barely used products and yet you just can't wait to keep trying more. The thought of a new serum that's like no other or a mask that will revitalise your skin leaving it unrecognisable: these overblown promises rarely deliver what they say they will, and yet we just can't help but test them to be sure.

At least with a beauty box you get to sample relatively inexpensive mini versions before - rarely - splashing out on a full size product when you fall in love. So what's in this box? I haven't exhaustively used up these goodies so this isn't a review of them: more of a teaser to tempt you into trying them out for yourself (I do love the mask already though). And if you're as much of beauty lover as I am, you inevitably won't be able to resist.

Alterna Caviar moisture intense oil crème pre-shampoo treatment




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Saturday 15 October 2016

the perfect black ankle boots

Sometimes you fall in love with something extravagant, totally trend-led and of the moment. Like my khaki shearling aviator jacket from Topshop, which I fell head over heels for back in 2010. Even though you know you'll probably love it for a season and then only get it out on special occasions, it's worth it for the sheer instantaneous joy it brings.

Topshop navy coat with Topshop white Jamie jeans and Zara black ankle boots

Topshop white jeans with Zara black ankle boots and Larsson & Jennings black Saxon watch

And then there are the pieces you fall in love with which are absolutely not extravagant, trend-led or even, arguably, that interesting. These are the pure classics: a really, really good cashmere knit; a perfectly cut black blazer; even a white tee that fits just so. Or, in this case, black suede ankle boots. Nothing fancy or fussy about these: nothing even that memorable. But they are just such a perfect example of a true wardrobe classic that I am absolutely sure I'll be wearing them to death until the heel snaps off under my desk one day (as so often happens to me). Plus at under £50 for real leather, they are a cost per wear dream.

H&M grey cashmere jumper with Topshop white skinny jeans and Alexander Wang Prisma black tote

Topshop navy coat with H&M grey cashmere knit and Larsson & Jennings Saxon watch

Topshop long blue coat with Zara black suede boots and Topshop Jamie skinny jeans

Alexander Wang black lizard Prisma bag with H&M grey knitwear and Zara black boots

Topshop coat / similar here
H&M cashmere jumper / similar here
Alexander Wang Prisma tote / in matte black here


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Wednesday 12 October 2016

the wednesday wish list

Today's wish list is dedicated to the sales. I don't know about you, but it seems like I've just got past one set of sales when suddenly another lot are here. It means that it's hardly ever worth investing in something full price these days to be honest: if you like something but don't absolutely love it, pin it to your wish list and wait a few weeks. As ever my advice for sales shopping is: stick to classic pieces rather than trends. So here are a few of the items I'm tempted to spend half as much money on as I ordinarily would.



Topshop casual overlay shirt / £30 (reduced from £40)
You can't go wrong with a classic khaki shirt. This is one of those rare pieces that would work just as well at work tucked into a leather skirt as paired with jeans at the weekend.

You may think it's a strange time of year to buy sunglasses, but in fact those golden autumn rays are still necessitating shades every now and then. Besides, these are a classic style so you won't have gone off them by next summer.

Whistles Blake shoulder bag / £140 (reduced from £235)
You'll probably have realised by now that Whistles make my favourite bags on the high street, always much higher quality than their price points would suggest. I love this classic navy style.

French Connection adjustable one lamp / £86.25 (reduced from £115)
French Connection's homeware range is pretty unbeatable when it comes to industrial style. Price-wise, however, it's no IKEA. That's why the sale is the perfect time to snap up a few pieces. I bought one of their sale lamps a few months back and it was such a great investment.

Reiss Atlas leather and neoprene shoes / £90 (reduced from £150)
Reiss shoes are always super beautiful but super expensive, so the sale is the perfect time to snap them up. I'm in love with my Reiss mules that I picked up in the last sale, so take my word for it: these are definitely worth the investment.


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Thursday 6 October 2016

today i bought... larsson & jennings saxon watch

larsson jennings saxon watch


If you've seen any of my outfit posts lately (and sorry that these are few and far between at the moment - work is pretty demanding right now), you'll have noticed that I'm literally never without my silver chain metal Larsson & Jennings watch. I got it for my birthday back in January 2015 and I've worn it every day since. Which is very strange for me, to be honest. I'm not usually one to wear the same accessories every day: I never wear the same bag or pair of shoes more than once in a week.

This is probably because I have a very minimalist approach to clothing: I'm quite happy wearing similar looking black dresses or repeating a white jeans, grey tee and leather jacket combo, as long as I can change up my bag, shoes and jewellery. I honestly have never got bored of wearing that silver watch every day, but I have got to the point where I thought it might be good to shake things up a little.

Step forward another Larsson & Jennings beaut. With its gold-plated black face and sumptuous leather strap, it feels utterly luxurious. I'm pretty much in love. Every other day: here we come.


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Wednesday 21 September 2016

today i'd love to wear...


This outfit sums up my mood right now. Trumpet sleeves may have hit their heyday a few months back (thanks to Australian brand Ellery) but they're not going anywhere anytime soon in my book. Same goes for frayed hems on jeans - somehow way more interesting than ordinary hems. Just add a super soft grey furry gilet to fend off the elements and sleek patent boots.


& Other Stories trumpet V-neck top / £55
Alexander Wang Prisma croc-effect leather clutch / £165.63
Whistles short sheepskin gilet / £450
Topshop Heart patent flare boots / £69
& Other Stories raw edge denim jeans / £55


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Wednesday 14 September 2016

today i love... beauty favourites

beauty favourites sept 16

Here are some of the products I'm loving at the moment.

As you will know by now I'm a diehard Diptyque fan, but I have to say I always steered away from this particular scent in the past. In general I find vanilla scents to be sickly sweet, but I should have known that Diptyque's take would be far more sophisticated than that. This is a dark, spiced, grown-up vanilla and it's now one of my absolute favourite fragrances.

I don't know about you but I find washing my make-up brushes a bit of a chore. This no-rinse spray makes it super easy, and I love the minimal packaging too.

I still don't really know what toners do, but I really enjoy this spray-on version. It does seem to plump and tighten skin, and if nothing else it's very refreshing on hot days.

I absolutely love Marc Jacobs' Splash range. Such great value and beautiful packaging. This scent is really fantastic as well - fresh but somehow deep too - and lingers longer on the skin than some previous Splash iterations I've had.

I seem to get a sample of this in every beauty box I receive and I have to say I'm pleased about that. A little goes a long way and it leaves your skin feeling pleasingly taut and ready for moisturiser.

A classic for a reason: luxuriously moisturising and with a strong, heady medicinal smell. And I do mean strong: I've had to stop myself applying before eating or I can only smell it rather than the food. But I love to keep it on my bedside table as it's the perfect scent to inhale before drifting off to sleep.


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Wednesday 7 September 2016

today i'm wearing...

Zara black jumpsuit

Reiss Brie black neoprene mules

Larsson & Jennings CM silver watch

3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli medium burgundy

Stop the press: I've found the perfect jumpsuit. Smart enough to wear at work or on a night out, but casual enough to dress down at weekends; flattering fit; ridiculously comfortable; super cheap. I mean seriously, what more could you ask from an item of clothing?

Zara jumpsuit /
Reiss shoes / similar here
3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli bag /
Larsson & Jennings CM watch /


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Monday 5 September 2016

today i love... the monday wish list



I'm back from my summer break just in time to tell you what I'm loving for September...

I don't know about you but I'm always looking to get the maximum possible outfit combinations out of every piece I buy. That's probably why I'm so enamoured with this amazing reversible bomber. It's padded satin on one side and furry shearling on the other. Amazing!

Autumn is creeping up on us and that means sandals will have to be replaced with boots before we know it. This pair are my favourite transitional pick.

There's little more extravagant than a beautifully scented body lotion, is there? As the days get colder, nights in with hot baths and decadent toiletries become ever more appealing to me, so this is looking very tempting.

There's something wonderfully statement-making about an amazing copper terrarium filled with adorable little succulents on your windowsill.

I have had this bag on my "beautiful classic designer bags" wish list for ages, and seeing it back in stock on Net-a-Porter has reignited my love. It's not that expensive, right...?

I'm loving graphic earrings at the moment. This pair would be a perfect cheap and simple way to update your look.


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Monday 8 August 2016

today i'm wearing...

Whistles black leather jacket

Céline perspex mules

Alexander Wang black Prisma tote

Larsson & Jennings CM silver watch

If you follow me on Instagram you'll already have seen me bragging about snapping up these amazing Céline mules at a fraction of their RRP in TK Maxx. Pretty much in love with them.

Whistles leather jacket / similar here
Topshop t-shirt / similar here
Whistles trousers / similar here
Alexander Wang Prisma tote / in matte black here
Céline mules / similar here
Larsson & Jennings CM silver watch


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Monday 1 August 2016

today i love... what's in my bag

inmybagaug2016

Givenchy Obsedia bag /
Tom Binns earrings / similar here
Dolce & Gabbana lipstick /


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Wednesday 27 July 2016

today i'm wearing...

& Other Stories black mules

Whistles Helena crepe trousers

Larsson & Jennings CM silver watch

& Other Stories asymmetric cream top

3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli burgundy medium

Have to admit I'm kind of relieved this heatwave is pretty much over. Don't get me wrong, I love the heat when I'm in a bikini on a beach. Working in an office without air con, however, leaves me craving rain. Plus as a minimalist dresser it gets difficult to find different creative ways of wearing loose-fitting black dresses. Pretty glad to be back in my trusty Whistles trousers, albeit pepped up with a little bit of asymmetry via this reduced & Other Stories top (winner).

Whistles trousers / similar here
& Other Stories shoes / similar here
Larsson & Jennings CM silver watch /


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Saturday 23 July 2016

today i love... the saturday wish list



If you still haven't got the perfect classic leather biker in your wardrobe, then this Topshop beauty is a great inexpensive option. I particularly love the rusty orange silk lining.

I've heard great things about this perfume, and if the scent is as sophisticated and complex as the Byredo candles I have, then the hype is justified. It's certainly not cheap, but surely the lure of having that beautiful bottle on your dressing table alone is worth it.

In this heatwave a loose silky slip dress is just what the doctor ordered (especially if you're of the minimalist persuasion like me and recoil in horror from flouncy floral frocks). This & Other Stories beauty fits the bill perfectly and what's more, it's not actually silk so is machine washable = always a winner.

The only problem with decorating your flat entirely in white is that white curtains don't really block out the light. To be honest it doesn't bother me that much, but occasionally if I wake up early I need to put an eye mask on to fall back asleep. At the moment I'm using a navy British Airways one which unfortunately leaves blue marks on my pillows, so I can't wait for this lovely white silk version to arrive on my doorstep instead.

5. French Connection large pillar candle holder / £12.50 (reduced from £25)
There's little more chic than marble when it comes to interiors. This beautiful candle holder would look divine in any room and is especially attractive at half price...

You can always rely on Whistles to create the best bags on the high street. This buckled satchel looks way above its price tag and would pep up any summer outfit.


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