First Party of the Season

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Possibly the most nervous I’ve been in a while. Went to Hayden’s work Christmas party and met all the people he talks about me to for the first time. It was so warming to have people be excited to meet you and to get to hear how wonderful my boy friend is, it  makes me warm inside. We took a moment away from the party to snap a few outfit photos on the stairs on the Hallmark hotel in Bournemouth.

Dress – H&M (old) sequin option, red floral option, black option, | Boots – New Look (old) similar, similar, similar, | Earrings – Camila Carril “Eugenie ” Huggies| Lip Colour YSL – Fuchsia

 

 

 

Party Season

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The party season is upon us. Decembers calendar is filling fast with work parties, family gatherings, friend nights out. I’ve felt, as I’m sure we all have. The need to buy a few outfit for every occasion to get into the festive spirit. But you really don’t need to. Working with a few elements in your already existing wardrobe to create festive work party looks.

My works party this year is “smart casual” the bane of many peoples lives. I am always the one to over dress and make a statement. But there are a few ways around this “smart casual” conundrum.

A good pair of black jeans, high waisted if possible. They will make your legs look longer instantly. A “smart top” anything that isn’t a t-shirt, collared shirt or overly sporty. Anything embellished or patterned, think sumptuous fabrics. Here is a high necked top from Monsoon that’s been in my wardrobe since the boxing day sales, last year.

Footwear stick with something comfortable, but not trainers. Anything really goes for footwear. If you want to wear heels wear them if not, boots or flats are perfect.

Jackets and Coats. It best way to say you are “smart casual” a formal coat can work with a more casual look and visa versa. This little swing jacket is one colour no flamboyant detail but the cut makes it more premium. I’d suggest to not wear the coat you call run to the corner shop in at 10 minutes to close to get chocolate and crisps (you know the one)

Finally the best part.

Accessories – My favourite way to have fun with an outfit. If you are wearing head to toe black, add a bright bag for a statement. Add your sparkle to your headband or bag. Slip a broach over your lapel on your coat or wear something in your hair.

Jeans – New Look | Boots – Seven7 Footwear | Velvet top – Monsoon | Bag – Stella McCartney | Headband – Nalí Shop

Silk Scarf Holiday Hair

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I love this outfit.

This post isn’t going to get that deep.

Wore this outfit to dinner one of our first nights, I felt amazing in it. I knew I wanted to shoot the look at the beach and really loved how the shots came out. As we arrived in Port de Pollença in October it was the very end of the summer season. Which meant the beach was relatively empty so the shoots like more editorial.  A simple peplum cotton shirt with wideleg navy trousers and a vintage silk scarf in my hair. The epitome of summer holiday style. In some of the shots to straw parasol looks like a hat.

Trousers – Very | Shirt – Zara | Scarf -Vintage | Earrings – Primark

Location – Port de Pollença beach, Mallorca.

Photographer – Ez

Gaining Confidence

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When I started blogging, back in the day. It was a solo project. I took photos on a self timer, edited and wrote alone. But seeing fellow bloggers like officially Quigley and Paige Arminta working with others to create interesting content opened my eyes to the possibility that blogging could actually be fun. I could smile in photos, jump around do silly things. Trying to be more excited in photos soon meant, my photos became better. I wasn’t as stressed about getting everything done, and it showed. My photos stopped being replicas for American Gothic and become something to actually look at. Relaxing into getting my photo taken by Hayden or Ez or even a photographer I’ve never worked with. My confidence grew I could stand in a crowd and get the shot, not pretend I didn’t want my photo taken.
I wanted more epic photos taken while away with my family in Mallorca. This little wharf in Port de Pollença was perfect. a striking back drop with a cool pose would create a great photo and story. Having my photographer for the shoot ( my cousin Ez) lie on the floor to create different angles, me swooshing my new favourite dress. It was loads of fun. People would stop and look but I was focused on getting the shot more than them.
My advice would be to shoot with people you know first to gain confidence in your work. Here you will be able to understand what works for you, the poses you like the feel of the photography style. I’ve found that having a glass of wine before shooting your look is perfect to be the right amount of confident/ I don’t care who watches me pose. Especially when out with friends.
please leave a comment telling me how you gained confidence posing for your shots.
Location – Port de Pollença
Photographer – Ez

Julia’s House Store Expansion – Press Event

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Dress – Old | Boots – seven7footwear | Jacket – Vintage | Bag – Calvin Klein (thrifted)

Halloween earrings – Claire’s

Julia’s House Children’s Hospice is a charity founded by a lady called Julia. As a nurse she saw a gap in the community from in-patient care to home care and wanted to create a charity that would bridge that gap. Unfortunately Julia lost her battle with cancer. But her friend Mike Wise took over the dream and founded Julia’s House. Julia’s House provides respite for families with have life-limited children. There are two hospice locations one in Dorset and one in Wiltshire. There are many ways you can donate to Juila’s House. Through charity events, leaving money in your will, my favourite one is shopping in one of their stores.

One of the stores is in Creekmoor, just outside of Poole, Dorset. It was a large store before it expanded and now it’s more a department store than a charity shop. The visual merchandising in this store is perfect. Creative displays really promote all the donations that come through. Their bridle room has expanded, there is now a library, electronic store, a huge kids section and the women’s and homeware has expanded too. The store manager talked through the process of the re-fit building displays for the store using as much recycled, materials as possible. Julia’s House store really developed on the sustainable shopping trend. Why not shop sustainably in a sustainable shop.

To celebrate the expansion of the store bloggers were invited to have an after-hours shopping spree. To be able to have a look around and have a talk from the various staff was affirming. I took Hayden along with me, he picked up a running book and I a striped cardigan for my holiday at the beginning of November. I did have to restrain myself from buying so much more. I think I’ll be going back for the dress in the second picture.

[press event]

Thank you to Julia’s House & Bournemouth Bloggers

The Joy of Missing Out

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The fear of missing out is a huge part of what blogging has become over the last few years. If you aren’t at this event or party or working with that brand EVERYONE is working with. Your fear of missing out becomes a fear of not being relevant or worthy of your space on the internet. I know I’ve felt this in the past, not being invited to events other bloggers did. Watching all the stories and reading all the blog posts about how darling the event was, just tastes like sour grapes. Recently I’ve shifted my thinking pattern over from FOMO ( fear of missing out) to JOMO (joy of missing out)

Being able to carve out your own piece on the internet for you. You soon forget about that party everyone and their dog went to because you are having the best time doing your own thing. When you do get invited to events you are more appreciative and not bloody thirsty about the exposure or amount of content you need to create. You spend time talking to your fellow bloggers and make new internet friends. You move away from being stuck in the corner not talking to everyone, worrying if you are having a good time or not.

You begin to understand that you validate yourself and your decisions, not anyone else.

Hayden and I took a trip over to Lyme Regis and spent time walking around the sea walls, eating pasties and fudge. Knowing that I didn’t have to present myself and sell myself, for want of a better word was relaxing. I was able to appreciate where I was. It didn’t matter that other bloggers were doing this or that. I was with Hayden having a little day date.

I encourage you to step away from the FOMO ethos of blogging and relax in the moment. Appreciate the life you live away from the internet, take a few photos for the gram (obviously) but don’t make it the reason for the trip. Celebrate the pleasure of your JOMO.

Who’s been all over Fashion Month? I have, I’ve lived through everyone’s Instagram feeds and lusted after so many pieces my eyes could water. I’ve seen a running theme creep though the runways this September. The scaling of print sizes. Small intricate polka dots against huge polka dots, delicate pinstripes against ribbon sized paneling.  I’ve chosen the style these old Primark bag waist trousers with my new H&M jacket to play with the scaling of the checked patterning. Popping in colourful statements to elevate the look. A watermelon coloured velvet headband and a turquoise bucket bag.

Seasonal Wardrobe Change

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I’ve found the best way to ignite inspiration within my wardrobe is to look back at past looks. To see what I liked what I want to create more, what didn’t work. Fashion month is here and I’ve been all over Instagram soaking up all the street style looks created by fellow bloggers. Looking at what designers are creating for the future is really inspiring and I’m motivated to create more sartorial, editorial looks. During New York Fashion Week I’ve been following Jacy from Damsel In Dior, Leonie Hanne, Elena Taber. Analysing what I liked about a photo or how I wrote a post, the location etc. I think it’s also reassuring that you are good at what you do. Seeing all your hard work in one place can give confidence.

Dinner Date

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Rewearing this Monsoon number for date night with Hayden and Hotel du Vin. This dress makes me feel so put together. The length is perfect for a more formal look with buttons down the front you can create a little split for a more sexy look. Long buttoned sleeves, delicate flowers.

Whole look is created from pieces I’ve had for a long time. Similar items here ( dress, dress, dress, )

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Hotel du Vin, Dorset

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Hotel du Vin, Poole. A perfect hotel on the quay for Hayden and I to have dinner and spend the night to celebrate being together for three and a half years. We usually do something every 27th of the month. We thought this one would be a little more special so found a bank holiday promotion that fit in with our schedules.

Hotel du Vin was founded in 1994 buy two chaps we had worked in a Hampshire hotel and joined to create what we see today. the “du Vin” is after one of the founders sommelier knowledge.

 

 

Staying in the Château Bauduc ( from the Bordeaux region of France ) room we were spoilt with a view of the courtyard, L’Occitane bathroom products. I love L’Occitane products and took advantage of using all of them during our stay.  The whole hotel down to the menu was influenced by France. From wine regions for the name of the rooms to the dishes at dinner we were in an anglo-french mix which was perfect.

If you have the opportunity to stay at a Hotel du Vin, I suggest you do. The perfect hotel for a little getaway or the best home base while exploring a new city. Hayden and I really had the most relaxing time and will sure to go back.

The Mousetrap

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The Mousetrap – Bournemouth Pavilion       5th August – 10th August

There are lots of things I loved about this play and one of them was the set design. The lounge/sitting room/ entryway of the country home was perfectly created. Nothing looked out of place. As the audience member, you could quite easily guess the date the play was set. I did a little digging and found that the clock on the mantelpiece was used in the very first production of The Mousetrap.

You can’t really go to a play or performance without talking about the acting. But as someone who hasn’t been on a stage in about 8 years and the highest level of education I have is an A-level. That said, it was convincing, flawless and I got exactly what I wanted out of every performance. Special attention has to be made to Christopher Wren played by Lewis Chandler. Do you remember watching the old Agatha Christie films on day time TV from the ’90s? I way purely nostalgic about them and Kenneth Williams. The comedic timing them ease of performance. By far my favourite character.

Please, if you have the chance to go and see The Mousetrap it’s a really good watch. You will be trying to guess the murderer all the way through. What is truly great about this play is that you are trying to figure out the murderer. My choice changed twice. Tell me in the comments if you’ve seen The Mousetrap and if you guessed right the first time.

 

Dress – Zara | Shoes – Primark | Bag- Yumi

Tickets were gifted from BH Live Tickets and Bournemouth Bloggers.