Yayday

With the magical day that is Payday, or as I like to call it, 'Yayday', coming up, I've obviously been perusing the usual online shopping sites, gathering my most coveted items and trying to decide what to spend my money on. (Must remember to actually save some money this month!) 

...And I thought you would like to know that I've decided to spend my wages on a black leather backpack. Do you approve? I thought so. 

As I was scrolling through my Instagram feed - which I do countless times a day - I discovered the work of Alfie Douglas. Handmade in England, the design team behind this brand appreciate simplicity and minimalism and therefore their products exhibit such elements. With high attention to detail, their designs can only be described as chic, sleek and pretty much perfect. Each piece is individual, reliable and innovative. Need I say more?

Ideal for work and play, such Douglas designs are the perfect companion for a stylish, confident lifestyle. They most definitely look the part and whatever that part is, I want a slice of it. Who doesn't want to go on an adventure when a backpack looks this good?

So there we have it. I'm officially in love. Officially in love with a backpack, officially in love with their designs, hell I'm officially in love with the Alfie Douglas brand. 

I suppose I best get saving...  

All images from: http://alfiedouglas.com/pages/lookbooks

A New Love Affair

Whilst my love affair with high-street brand, Zara, continues to thrive, another fashion store is coming close to stealing my heart. Simple and effortless, Whistles is making a big name for itself amongst myself and every fashionista alike.

Take a look at their Runway Lookbook for Autumn/Winter 2014 if you don't believe me...

    

A colour palette of greys, navy and blue, Whistles have encapsulated colour without being dreary and cold - and that's some achievement considering fifty shades of grey are present in the collection. Isn't it funny how grey was once seen as a bland, drab and generally uninteresting shade but is now riding high in the style stakes? You can't flick through your instagram feed or open an interior or fashion magazine without seeing some sort of "minimal chic" image these days. Grey is the new black, the new chic, the new big trend. 

Checks are back for another fashion season and I, for one, am more than happy about this trend which refuses to go away. Oversized boyfriend coats are one of my favourite things about the colder months and combined with plaid, I'm essentially in heaven. With checks more woven and showing a graduation of colour, think less Scottish tartan and more stylish statement. Combined with socks and sliders, the contrast between the oversized outerwear, polo necks and scarves is a look that I covet but I'm not sure people would necessarily 'get' when walking down the street - I think the majority of people in my town would have misplaced the memo about this trend and I feel sad about the lack of style resonating here. How people are happy in jeans and a hoody is beyond me!  

The shade of grey/blue/purple above is one that is delightful. How ever you would describe it, I can't wait to wear it! It would also seem that jumpsuits are here for the long haul and hurrah to comfort and style all rolled into one! The tied waist detail is similar to the 90's trend of tying a checked shirt around your waist and thus, Whistles earns extra fashion points due to harking back to grunge era of the 1990's. If only clothing looked this good back then! - then I wouldn't have to be reminded of my terrible fashion choices at the time. Please tell me I wasn't the only one who owned hair mascara and wore gold, glitter hair stencils for a school disco...? Shameful. In fact, traumatic. Although it always provides good lols. 

So if someone would love to lend me a couple of hundred pounds to give my wardrobe a Whistles overhaul, that would be just great. Truly great. Of course, if that can't happen - which, lets not lie, is more than likely - I'll have to admire from afar. Just like fit boys who are just too god damn good-looking to talk to, Whistles has got me all flustered under the collar and I've fallen hard for their contemporary elegance and attention to detail and quality. 

All images from: http://www.whistles.co.uk/look-book/runway-autumnwinter-2014

The 90's are back...

If you didn’t already know it, the 90’s are back. In a big way. 

This latest collection from Joseph Spring for Spring Summer 14 caught my eye almost straight away for it's nostalgic nod to the decade of The Spice Girls, choker necklaces and jelly shoes. My 90's wardrobe is slightly too painful to relive since it was A LOT less cooler than the items pictured here. (Did anyone else own one of those bubble rucksacks? What was with those and, more importantly, why did we wear them?) This time around things look promising - I think we've nailed 90's fashion if this collection by Joseph is anything to go by - and it's only a decade or so too late. Sadly, not long enough to be able to forget those terrible fashion disasters. I've been put off tracksuit bottoms and trainers for life. That's the reason I tell myself repeatedly whenever anyone suggests I go running. Sorry beach body, you ain't happening just yet. 

With sheer panels and laser cut detailing featuring in the designs, Joseph is all about the "less is more" mantra. Showing hints and indications of what lies beneath the beautiful cloth is a subtle, stylish element and gains Joseph some top fashionista Brownie points. Much better than fishnet tights and crop tops worn together. My eyes bleed at the very thought of that disastrous 90's get-up.

From cami slips to slides and sequins, this overall collection has brought the 1990’s right into the present. Metallic, leather and lasercut details, Joseph showcases a sporty collection that even appeals to the non-sporty people in the room. (i.e. me.) Plus, that Dalmatian-esque printed jacket and trouser piece really is something else… Give me a matching two-piece any day of the week. 

A white shirt is a classic, timeless piece for any wardrobe and this one with short sleeves, although slightly reminiscent of school days, is chic and crisp. If you wore this shirt in the school playground, pretty sure your style credentials would be worthy of a gold star.  

With jackets perfect for the Spring chill in the air, a cami dress that has Kate Moss circa all of the 90's written all over it and oversized clutches - great news for those who struggle to squeeze all their possessions into a smaller one i.e. ALL girls! - this collection is effortlessly cool. With a subtle colour palette of black, white and various tones of grey, this collection is anything but bland. High attention to detail and clean lines, I think I am in L-O-V-E. 

I am coveting that neckline. Want. Need. On a dress. Now. Please. 

Crisp, minimal and androgynous, Joseph Spring has got me wanting to relive the 90’s all over again. And it's going to be a heck of a lot cooler. Much, much cooler! 

All images taken from: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/S2014RTW-JOSEPH

House of Hackney Steals My Heart.

If you've heard of House of Hackney, then can we be friends? Sorry for being forward but it's very simple: I adore this luxury, East London, creative brand. 

House of Hackney is gaining popularity by the day and it's not hard to see why. Anything that combines interior and fashion via down right delightful prints is a winner in my eyes. With the brand's mantra "to take the beige out of interiors," I think they do that quite nicely. They've got people talking about interiors again and making them consider the overall design of their home - the creative in me LOVES this. 

I would have to say that the Palmeral print, above and below, is my favourite since it allows me to dream of tropical, exotic days which we lack in the UK... I recently treated myself to a collection of H of H (not House of Holland) notebooks which have these exact prints on their covers. But of course, I don't actually write in these journals. They are just to sit on my book shelf and look pretty - A job they do exceedingly well. Money well spent in my eyes. 

The blue version of Palmeral is particularly aesthetically pleasing, especially within an interior context. Just look at that lampshade! Serious room envy right now. 

I've come to the conclusion that all these palm trees are making me want to go on holiday. Any takers?! 

Onto the next print and in walks Hackney Empire . Although I'm not a big animal fan - and to define 'big,' I mean 'not at all' - I think this print is so quirky and out there that you can't help but find it anything other than charming. Who would have thought that matching your clothing to your wallpaper would be so chic? #trendalert. 

One for the bird fans amongst us. The Flights of Fancy print is very similar to Hackney Empire, however, the pattern solely features our winged, feathered pals. I love the contrast between the detailed animals and the simple stripe pattern in the background. The retro and eccentric boxes have both been ticked for me. 

And as for the floral repeat designs, we all love flowers, right?! These vintage-esque, traditional designs stand out for all the right reasons. With London Rose, above, and Dalston Rose, below, both flower patterns satisfy people's appetites for everything rosy and chintz. With an emphasis on quality, detail and providing designs Made in England, the brand's following is constantly expanding. 

I think it's safe to say that House of Hackney can do no wrong at the moment. They've most definitely conquered the notion of making interiors become full of personality and thus less bland, whilst for fashion, they've shown that it shouldn't be taken too seriously. Whether you've got palm trees or a Puffin on your top, this luxury Made in England brand say it's okay. In fact, it's more than okay. It's pretty darn cool. Traditional, yet vibrant and not one to conform, House of Hackney is doing something different and it's refreshing. If they're not a modern statement, I don't know what is. 

All images from: www.houseofhackney.com

Can My Life Just Look Like A Zara Fashion Lookbook?

Since graduating from University last year, I feel as though my style and wardrobe have gone through a BIG (much needed capital letters there) transformation. Gone are the days where a vintage jumper and a messy bun would suffice. Instead, they have been replaced with a more monochrome colour palette, tailoring and clean lines. In other words, the store, Zara, sums up my wardrobe or rather, my most coveted and most desired wardrobe. 

In their new lookbook, released today, Zara only served to highlight their minimal chic excellence. White mixed with lilac, navy, khaki and just a little bit more white forms a stunning, stylish Spring time colour palette. Although I've never favoured white as a colour in the past, I can't deny the clean, simple look is working it's way into my good book.

Well, this lemon coloured drop-waisted dress is just delightful, isn't it? A perfect hue for the daffodil season! And navy tailoring? Chic, classic and perhaps the new black?

Thought khaki was just a bit, well, bland? Yeah me too. But Zara have proved me wrong once more. The centre khaki piece is really something else and against the bright white, the simplicity of the piece really stands out. 

Do we every get bored of laser-cut details? Yeah... didn't think so! Said elements reign supreme at Zara. Attention to detail is always high on the list at this brand and for that, I thank you. Big fan of the high attention to detail and quality over here. 

Of course it can never truly be Spring without some form of floral print. This time Zara present a rather more tropical take on matters. Confident, vibrant and bold, these floral patterns are not for the wallflowers amongst us. 

I've got a big crush on pink hues at the moment and both these images, above and below, satisfy my appetite for all things blush. Paired with a midi-length skirt and Birkenstocks, these Spring looks tick all the trend boxes. *Adds birks to wish list.*

After spending a great deal of time evaluating (and drooling) over such pieces, I've come to establish that I want my day-to-day life to resemble this Zara lookbook. I don't think I'm asking much, am I?! 

*Frantically searches for the nearest Zara to make sure this becomes possible. *

All images from: http://www.zara.com/uk/en/lookbook-c367001.html?