One Year Blogiversary!
30 March 2015
This time last year I made the decision to restart this ol' blog of mine - give it a completely new lease of life and combine my interests of fashion, beauty and lifestyle all into one little place on the Internet. And low and behold Halcyon Velvet was reborn and with it now having so many followers (not just here, all across my social media channels) I thought I would just do this little post to say A BIG, FAT THANK YOU to everyone liking what I've been doing so far. Some of you may know my 2014 didn't get off to the best of starts and that's when I knew I needed a hobby to take my mind of things and escape from reality for a while (so much corniness, feel free to vom). Yes, HV is still just a hobby, I don't make any money from it and only work with a few brands - I toyed with the idea of it becoming my career and realised it wasn't the path I wanted for it. I'm keeping it to myself, as it were.
So let's get away from the sentimental mushiness for a moment and just talk a little about this beaut of a dress. I posted it on my Instagram a couple of days ago and said I felt like Florence Welch (Florence & The Machine) - if only I LOOKED like her too, but you guys all seemed to like it and, of course it comes from one of my favourite online stores ASOS.
As I (hopefully) continue with blogging I like to think I will gain more and more in maturity as I a) get older and b) improve my writing month by month. I studied journalism at University so spelling and grammar are the things I absolutely try and get right for my readers, nothing worse to me than reading a blog post and picking out all the grammatical errors! With that, I hope my personality still shines through. As someone who is incredibly sarcastic with a 'tongue in cheek' sort of demeanour I really hope it comes across within my writing - I don't want to be another Zoella/ Tanya Burr (I ain't gonna get that huge anyway, let's be honest) I just want to stick to what I like and know and hopefully gain some followers and readers along the way who are going to enjoy my journey with me.
So, like I said before this post was just a huge thank you to all you guys who follow me here, there and everywhere and enjoy what I ramble on about. Love to you all!!
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Spring Seventies
27 March 2015
Dress, boots and hat all Primark
The cold shoulder look is already hitting high street stores ready for Spring/ Summer and even though some of the styles don't really suit my top heavy body shape, it's such a classic trend. When I saw this dress on Primark's website I knew I had to track it down ASAP - so off I went to the best store in my neck of the woods and found it there (if you're ever in Bristol, definitely visit the Primark - it has four floors!!), I tried it on and instantly fell in love. The fabric is soft, silky and flows so easily, because of the gorgeous colours in the dress it's also something you could take into Winter with tights, a leather jacket and black boots.
For this look though, it was actually a pretty warm day (WHAT!) so I risked it and slapped on the fake tan - still as pale as paper though - to go bare legged. The brown, ankle boots and purple, floppy hat seemed to go with this outfit really well and it's actually so comfortable for you to wear throughout the day. And with festival Season coming up this little baby will be coming with me to dance the night away.
Hope you all have a great weekend, I'm off to London to see one of the besties - of course lots of photos will be taken and a post up next week!
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Orelia London
26 March 2015
Necklace and Ring c/o Orelia London website
When it comes to jewellery I never go too fancy, I love intricate pieces that are not only transitional but something I am able to throw on last minute to go with any outfit I'm wearing. Orelia London is a brand you may have already heard of - they're stocked in two of the biggest stores online and off - Topshop and ASOS, hello! - and create these gorgeous statement (but understated) pieces. Not only that but, if you take a look at their website you'll find hair accessories and THE body art trend of the moment: temporary tattoos.
The pieces I received from the brand are absolutely perfect for me. The necklace hangs lower than I thought it would so it gives a effortless 'summer loving' look to your outfit, in this pretty gold colour plating and wishbone detailing it's something I know I'll be able to wear for a good few years to come and it will always be in style! The infinity ring comes up slightly small (well, actually it's probably my fat fingers to be honest) so I can only wear it on my pinky finger. But that seems to work for me, as I have a fair few gold plated rings I tend to stack them on various fingers and it just adds a little something extra to an outfit.
I'll be using these pieces in various upcoming posts and of course I'll be showing them off on my Instagram so if you want to see more then head over there and give me a little follow. Tomorrow's Friday - YAY - and with it comes a new outfit of the day for you featuring a heck of a lot of Primark.
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Incognito
24 March 2015
Sleeveless jacket New Look unavailable similar here | Skinny jeans Primark | Chelsea Boots ASOS | Roll neck Primark | Sunglasses ASOS unavailable similar here
Sunglasses are fast becoming my favourite accessory - doesn't matter if it's sunny or not (even though it was on the day I shot this) wear them on your head, on your face, anywhere you like, they're a super easy addition to any outfit. I love love love this pair from ASOS which are now annoyingly sold out - bugger! - with the acetate tortoiseshell detailing they seem to go with anything I throw on and they are so so comfy on your shnozz too. For this look I absolutely thought I looked like a French Spy - wearing all black and braiding my hair back - ya know, so it doesn't get in my way when I'm sniping etc.
Then I decided I needed a little pop of colour, even if it was just this camel sleeveless coat. Sleeveless jackets seem to be the 'in thing' at the moment and I love that they're back in our lives - such a versatile piece for you to wear no matter what the Season. Plus it's in my favourite camel colour so there's nothing I don't like about it. This ones also sold out from New Look - Bugger! again - but I've found a pretty close alternative also from New Look so you can work this style this coming Season.
See you Thursday for a particularly pretty post.
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Double Denim & Suede
20 March 2015
Suede jacket Mango | Chelsea Boots ASOS | Button through skirt ASOS | Denim Shirt George at ASDA similar here | Sunglasses Vintage
I opted for minimal accessories, I never really wear a lot of jewellery anyway - I own a lot though, for some reason - and added just a simple pair of vintage sunnies and my "yep, I'm still wearing them" chelsea boots. I also love that the weather is getting warmer so tights are (hopefully) becoming a thing of the past - bring on the Sun! It was, however, windy the day I decided to shoot this look so apologies for my tear filled eyes and wind-swept locks - a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
No post Monday unfortunately, but never fear my darling readers I'll be with you Tuesday instead! Have a great weekend.
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Oh So Lovely Intimates
18 March 2015
Oh So Lovely website
As a girl with not-so-small boobs it's always refreshing to find a company who adhere to the various needs of their customers. Enter Oh So Lovely Intimates. A relatively new brand that has now taken the online world by storm gaining a huge following on Instagram and a lot of blogger fans (myself included) Oh So Lovely are here to stay and boy oh boy are they getting better with age. I chose to go for this gorgeous lace black bralette with the notion that even though I asked for it to be made in a custom size it wouldn't fit me at all. How wrong I was. The fit is great and while I won't be wearing it as a normal bra as it has no under wiring (I need me some under wiring), it's perfect to wear to bed when I do still actually need some support. Yeah my boobs are that ridiculously big...I feel like I'm probably sharing to much information but ya know, sharing's caring.
The brand have now created a lookbook and launched a whole new line of their lingerie, including some gorgeous pants and bra sets. As I mentioned before I got my bralette custom sized especially for me and that's the brilliance of this brand - they're all hand made and made with you in mind. The only thing I would say about Oh So Lovely is that because they are still getting themselves out there the length of time from when you order to when you receive your order is quite long. But, if you have time to wait for it then definitely order! I love mine and can't wait to purchase the next one.
See you Friday for one of my favourite outfits for a long, old time!
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School Cool
16 March 2015
So here I am off to school, obviously I'm not but that's what it feels like - anybody else around the mid twenties age mark remember wearing pinafore dresses at school? I've been totally transported back to my childhood with this dress and I love how a piece of clothing can do that to you. Before I go any further with this post excuse my legs, they've been in hibernation and I think the shock of being out and about got to them.
Anyway, I digress so back to the dress...
It's from the ASOS reclaimed vintage section of the store which, although it can sometimes be a little bit expensive, the pieces are amazing so definitely worth the look! I decided to stick with the vintage theme for this post and added my fail safe denim jacket I got a year or so ago at a vintage fair in Bristol and I still love it now as much as I did then. I love the oversized fit, it just gives any look a more casual feel which, if you regularly read my blog you'll know I'm a fan of. Adding my simple black boots that you're all probably bored of seeing by now and a simple white tee also from ASOS I think this look works perfectly as a sort of 'thrown together but I kinda look good' outfit.
Find the ASOS reclaimed vintage range here and have a fab Monday!
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Floral Cocoon
13 March 2015
Ripped Jeans ASOS | Shoes Primark | Coat Primark | Floral Blouse Primark
So Spring doesn't officially start until March 20th but I got a little bit over excited with this outfit, that just seems to scream Spring fashion to me, and wanted to show you guys as soon as I could. Cocoon coats have been seen on the catwalk and in stores such as Zara and Warehouse for the upcoming Season but when I popped into Primark the other week I saw they had their own (cheaper) version of this trend and picked it up in this pastel blue colour (there were other colours in store). It's in this sort of neoprene fabric which means the fit is spot on and the colour is just absolutely perfect for me and my skin tone.
I decided to make my look more casual (as I often do) and picked out my go-to ripped skinny jeans from ASOS and even managed to brave the weather to go for the no sock look in these beautiful grey pointed flats. The floral blouse was something I'd had in the back of my wardrobe for quite some time and I think it works perfectly for this whole look. As we know florals are always a big thing for Spring (Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada taught us that) and this top is going to be getting showcased a little more in these upcoming (hopefully warmer) months.
Hope you all have a lovely weekend, if you're reading this today then I'll be in London for an interview so will be Instagramming beautiful London things in the process, make sure you follow me on there.
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Polabora Polaroids
11 March 2015
Prints c/o Polabora website
If you've read my blog for a little while now then you will already know what a huge fan I am of vintage and photography - put them together and well, I'm in Heaven. Polabora are a website completely adhering to people like me who love all things retro and want their photography to be incorporated into that also. As someone who owns a couple of polaroid cameras herself I was interested to see how the Polabora prints would differ and if the quality would be noticeably different too. I picked a fair few photos from my personal archive, Instagram and Facebook albums - some of which had been taken with a disposable camera so already had that retro feel anyway. The whole process of picking, uploading and choosing which photos worked best within the frame was a doddle and the website was really straight forward - great for an impatient person like me.
The sets I were sent are called Polabora Original and Polabora Retro Strip - both giving you that vintage effect and a nice little keep sake for those memories you want to keep on show. Mine are currently plastered across my wall alongside my actually polaroids and they fit in perfectly. The image quality - considering I was uploading from Instagram as well - is really good, not a blur in sight! - my favourite of the two sets has to be the Retro Strips though. I love that you get three different photos aligned together into one nifty strip, it reminds me of the photo booths you get in Topshop and Rough Trade. There's not a lot of difference between the polaroids I was sent and the photos I've taken with my own polaroid camera so if you don't have the money to invest but still want the effect these are definitely the way to go.
Want more good news? Type in VELVET when you go to pay on Polabora and you'll receive 20% off all their products. The code is valid until March so happy snapping!
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