Layer up!
30 October 2015
Layering up has got to be one of my favourite things fashion-wise when it comes to the colder seasons. Not much of a bikini babe or one to pull off a crop top, I love nothing more than a good shirt under the jumper scenario – like this one I picked up from Primark recently! A thin, flimsy layer of shirt underneath this light grey loose fitting jumper is a great addition to any Winter wardrobe. I decided to add my denim midi skirt, also from Primark as it's still not OVERLY cold yet is it? Let's face it, it's going to get chilly around here soon, though so I want to make the most of going bare legged for as long as I can.
Adding simple converse and my staple black bag, this look is perfect for everyday, add another layer – either a coat or knitted cardigan – and it can take you into December, too.
Skirt and jumper Primark | Shoes Converse | Bag ASOS
What I bought at Stylist Live
28 October 2015
If you read my post last week you'll know I went to Stylist Live (and had a ball, find out more here) a couple of weekend's ago and while I was there I picked up only a few bits from A LOT of what was on offer! The first thing I decided to pick up was a build-it-yourself Birchbox – I'm sure most of you guys know what Birchbox is, but just in case you don't, it's a monthly subscription box made up of new and exclusive make-up and skin products. Stylist Live teamed up with Birchbox for you to be able to create your own from some of the products they had on offer.
You could pick two make-up products, two skincare products and one hair product – so I headed straight over to Benefit Pore Fessional and the Laura Mercier mascara and added them to my box. The skincare was a little harder as I hadn't ever tried them before – but that's what Birchbox is all about, I guess, to try new things. The Whish Body Butter feels amazing and the Philip Kingsley hair serum makes my hair so soft – really happy with what I managed to pick up!
The second thing I picked up was a small goody bag from Clarins, for only £20 you got a heck of a lot of product for your dollar! From a blusher palette to mascara and Skin Perfecting BB Cream to a Cleansing Gel there's a huge variety in this pack. While we were there, we also managed to chat to one of the lovely ladies working for Clarins and talk a little more about the brand which was really interesting! I now also have a lovely new travel make-up bag, too!
Autumnal tones
26 October 2015
When it comes to dressing for Autumn there are certain colours I will always go back to, year after year no matter what trends are going on at the time. As I'm writing up this post I'm sat snuggled in a blanket on the sofa watching my third Harry Potter film of the day (bravo to Sky for dedicating an entire channel to HP) and this is the norm for me when the cold hits. The sun has only just reared its weary head after a day of wind, rain and general moodiness and I love nothing more than snuggling with a cuppa watching films all day – but let's talk about some clothes, shall we?
An (almost) entire outfit made up of Primark products means you know this outfit isn't going to be on the pricey side at all, having said that the mac did set me back £25 – which, for Primark is quite the investment! Having bought the deep green version last year, they've obviously now caught onto the rust colour trend of this year and brought back this design – and I LOVE it! The skirt is comfy, stretchy and so well made, plus it's button up so right up my street! Adding a simple bucket bag and Chelsea boots this is a look that'll see me through the colder months, maybe when we finally get into Winter I'll have to replace the mac with a fluffier replacement but for now this works just fine!
Coat, Bag, Skirt, Rollneck Primark | Boots ASOS
The burgundy pinafore
23 October 2015
Sometimes all an outfit needs is a little pop of colour…and in this case it's in the shape of this amazing burgundy corduroy pinafore from Primark. We all know how much I love Primark, but I especially love the high street chain in the Autumn/ winter months – aka my favourite time of year! I picked up this pinafore when I was in Cardiff recently, only going for a innocent trip with my brother to see Michael McIntyre I accidentally fell into the store. This is such a great buy that's going to last me forever and never really go off trend or out of style.
When it came to accessorising my look I opted for just black, sometimes all you need is black – am I right? My trusty fedora which is also from Primark, thick black tights (from Primark – duh), roll neck jumper (hey, it's Primark again) and ASOS (oh, that's different) pointed croc-effect flats all complete this Autumnal look.
Have a lovely weekend and see you Monday, of course!
Stylist Live 2015
21 October 2015
Having read Stylist magazine since I was at university in Southampton (though it's a lot harder to find now I'm back in Somerset) when I saw they had an event on in London I jumped at the chance to be there. Stylist Live took place last weekend and filled with fashionistas, industry experts and pop up stores my friend Larissa and I were in a fashion wonderland! So where to start?
As soon as we arrived we knew it was going to be a fun and glamorous affair – Dawn O'Porter and Edith Bowman were both there ready to hand us fliers, yes, hand US fliers! We did a double take for that one. Then we took off upstairs too scout out some yummy breakfast: one fruit smoothie and pain au chocolat later we got back into the heart of the event (after taking a few photos of ourselves, of course – see my Instagram for more posey action) and started to peruse the huge array of pop up shops, enjoying a free flute of champagne. It was then time to learn a little more about social media! Stylist had put on 'Learning Labs' and a 'Culture Lounge' which played host to experts, all there to answer our burning questions and give talks on their profession. We opted for The Social Media Revolutionaries – hosted by Edith Bowman who put questions to three brilliant women who have all made a change using social media, including Brie Rogers Lowrie of Change.org. Amazing and inspiring!
It was then time to browse some more, I won't give too much away about what I bought as there will be a post all about that next week but let's just say creating your own Glossybox and getting some Clarins bargains puts you in a super good mood! Shops such as a personal favourite Olive Cooper London, Benefit, Flamingo Candles and so much were on hand to offer discounts and a more personal shopping experience. It was then time for something we had paid extra for – a Q&A with make-up superstar Lisa Eldridge, who was absolutely amazing. She was asked questions by Sali Hughes, another inspiring woman and author and audience questions, as well giving us an insight into how she got to where she is today.
It was then time for probably my favourite part of the whole event and I'm so glad we waited till the end of the day (i.e. when we were starting to flag a little) to go and see the catwalk show. As it wasn't that busy we were bumped up to front row and got to see the five big trends Stylist had come away with after attending the major fashion shows. The trends were: Sweet and Sour, Period Drama, Decor Dressing, 80s Glam and (my favourite) Supercharged Tweed – all using clothes from the high street, and we were given all the details of the looks and where they were from which was super helpful...but also a little dangerous for the bank balance!
As it had started to die down we decided to hot foot it to the photobooth which had been busy all day – fashion girls love their selfies, don't ya know – but it was finally time to leave and rest our tired feet after an amazing time at Stylist Live. Didn't get to go? Make sure you do next year!
Oh and if you're after something else to read follow my friend Larissa!
Colour blocking
19 October 2015
Yellow isn't normally a colour I'd get all that excited about, however in the form of this roll neck-esque jumper with a strip of this clean, crisp cream colour to complement it, I'm totally sold. Recently purchased from the Motherland that is ASOS this jumper is perfect for Autumn days when all you want it to throw on a jumper and some jeans. The jumper is long sleeve but with my orangutan arms being far too long, I like to roll the sleeves up which makes the look even more casual and comfy.
I completed my look with my dark blue denim culottes I bought from the Topshop sale a little while ago (so annoyingly they're no longer available). Culottes really work for me as a) they're comfortable, which is key for any 'Sam outfit', and b) they balance me out, as I'm top heavy with stick thin legs. Adding my converse I was good to get on with my day…
…keep your eyes peeled for an ASOS haul coming soon
Denim & stripes
16 October 2015
My go to outfit will always involve a stripe, or two, and throw on a bit of denim and we're definitely in business. This midi dress is something that will be in fashion every single year so I had no hesitation in snapping it up the other week. I really like the button down detailing that we've been seeing EVERYWHERE at the moment and also that it's still quite fitted, even though it is basically a dungaree shape!
Teamed with, like I said, my go to stripes, brown ankle boots and bucket bag this outfit is something you can wear any day any time. I tend to throw the can't wear brown with blue/ black rule out the window because I think these colours actually work really well together, and there the colours I would wear all the time. Finishing off this look is the on-trend raw edge hem line on this dress, it just makes the look even more casual and effortless!
Striped top TKMaxx | Boots Primark | Bucket bag Primark | Midi dungaree dress ASOS
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