Style: Staying Stylish & Cozy

(Sweater: Oasap*, Leggings: Oasap*, Shoes: Primark, Bag: Topshop, Necklace: Wavy Jewellery)

This Winter I’ve rediscovered my love for big chunky sweaters.
I feel the cold easily so I’m constantly trying to stay warm but stylish when choosing an outfit.
It isn’t always so easy, but luckily there are plenty of cozy sweaters out there this season to help.
The bat-wing sweater above is from Oasap and has an irregular hem, which makes it stand out from regular sweaters. I wouldn’t usually pair a sweater and leggings but luckily due to the irregular hem and length it means it’s longer at the back and I don’t have to worry about showing off my bottom in leggings (a style peeve of mine). The leggings are mixed material (faux leather front & fabric back), which creates a contrast and tricks the eye into making your legs appear skinnier – always a plus! When I wore the two together I chose to pair the them with a simple leather bag and some studded slipper shoes to keep the comfy vibe going.
I wore this out at the weekend and I am in love with the feel of this sweater, it is so soft and cozy.
I often find that a lot of sweaters made with this material make me itch, but this wasn’t the case here.
I managed to stay warm but also felt quite stylish, in an understated way – let’s hope onlookers felt the same.
Don’t forget to visit Oasap and use discount code: ‘bloomzy’ for 35% off!

Emoda x Miranda Kerr Collaboration

Shots from Emoda’s AW2012 collaboration with Miranda Kerr
Even though I don’t have regular access to Japanese brands anymore, I’m still a fan.
In particular I love MuruaEmoda, both ‘Mode‘ brands are very reminiscent of Western brands.
Even though this may be the case I still find that they offer items in a style that you just can’t find in the UK.
Recently Emoda became the first Japanese brand to sign Miranda Kerr to their label.
Emoda felt that she embodied the ideology of the brand – ‘high sense, yet real clothes’.
I was really interested to see a Western model I like, working with a Japanese brand that I love.
I personally think she is the perfect fit for the brand and I love what they’ve done with their AW concept.
It’s a pretty big deal for her to work with Emoda and they’re delighted to have her as their A/W2012 visual model.
I am hoping that this will help shed more light on the brand, in countries outside of Japan.
Do I like the collection? – of course I do, I wouldn’t be blogging about it if I didn’t!
I love the items and the styling, not to mention the gorgeous new accessories in the AW2012 collection.
The pricing of Emoda’s items may seem high but this reflects the quality of the product you receive.
I have a few items from the brand and I am impressed. Emoda knows how to bring out items to compliment.
I couldn’t feature everything I loved but I hope I’ve given you enough info to tempt you.
Does any of the Emoda x Miranda Kerr AW2012 collection take your fancy?
For those who aren’t in Japan, you can purchase items from the A/W2012 collection on their Global store, here.
Source; 1

Event: Birchbox Champagne Afternoon Tea

Birchbox – Joliebox Champagne Afternoon Tea event

As soon as my plus-one and I walked through the doors we were giddy. I’d invited her to the Birchbox event as we both share a love for champagne and afternoon tea. It was held at The Soho Hotel, which is fashionably fancy, as is the drawing room which we were directed to. The tables were lined with cakes, sandwiches, biscuits and scones – with jam and cream, of course!

We arrived early and were greeted by the lovely team behind Birchbox and Joliebox. We were shown samples of October’s Joliebox, whilst waiters offered us salmon sandwiches and champagne. I loved the effort that the team went towards to greet and have a proper talk with everyone, not just a 5min chat. I knew quite a bit about Joliebox but I was really interested in finding out more about Birchbox, an American monthly beauty sample box company which are now moving into the European market, hence the event.

We even got to meet Katia Beauchamp, one of Birchbox’s co-founders – an incredibly funny, intelligent and gorgeous lady – definitely a power woman if I did ever meet one. I thought having some of the American team there was a really great edition to the event and showed just how passionate they are about making it here in Europe. Although I won’t lie, the highlight of the event were the ornately decorated (and incredibly yummy) biscuits! I think we can all expect big things from Birchbox once it’s launched in the UK – I can’t wait!

Birchbox UK will be launching in January 2013.
Joliebox will now be merging with Birchbox and becoming Birchbox UK.

Event: Avène & Klorane Bloggers Breakfast

Avène and Klorane Bloggers Breakfast

When I was invited to the Avène and Klorane Bloggers Breakfast I was so excited. I fell in love with Klorane’s dry shampoo earlier this year, and I am a big fan of pretty much all of Avène’s products. The breakfast was held at the gorgeous Delaunay Grand European Cafe Restaurant, in Aldwych – by Covent Garden. The breakfast itself was delicious and there were plenty of yummy treats to choose between, although the mini-pastries were my favourite – I think Sascha of Beauty Geek UK agreed with me on that too. However, the stars of the show were of course, the array of products by Klorane and Avène.

I was introduced to Klorane’s shampoo and conditioners, as well as being given some advice on which product would be best suited for my hair/needs. For me it was Pomegranate (for coloured hair). Also on show were 3 shampoos that will be released early next year into John Lewis stores – more on that at a later date. If you haven’t come across Klorane’s shampoo & conditioners before, they have them for every kind of hair type, and they all smell gorgeous!

I like to think I know my Avène products, just because I’m such a fan…and because I’ve bought so many. I was wrong though, which was actually a nice surprise as I was introduced to some new products I didn’t know about. In particular the Antirougeurs range caught my eye as it offers a variety of products to help combat skin redness. I hadn’t heard of the range, or seen it in any French pharmacies so I was very interested in finding out more. I’m hoping I can get my hands on some soon to review for you all!

You can find my previous posts on Klorane here, and Avène here.

Recent Fashion ‘Haul’

(Underwear & Sandals: Topshop, Blouse: Internacionale, T-shirt: Zara)

I thought I might share with you some of the fashion items I’ve been buying recently.
Don’t be surprised if you see a lot of these in my outfit shots from my holiday as that is why I bought most of them…except for the underwear, be surprised if you see those. To be honest I’d be surprised too.
Apart from a few poor pairs that I’ve bought in the past, Topshop underwear has to be my favourite.
I’m so picky about patterns and shapes etc. that I find it difficult to actually find underwear that matches what I am looking for. Topshop never fails to please in this aspect though. I always end up buying one in each type and pattern. I just wish they did matching bras in my size, but I don’t think that will ever be a reality in Topshop.
I also like their shoes, as they’re always pretty, although sometimes overpriced – luckily I grabbed these sandals in the sale for only £15. It may not be sandal weather in England right now, but hopefully it will be whilst I am away on holiday.
Finally I picked up the blouse from the Internacionale sale, and the Zara top from their sale. The Zara top was actually to replace a very similar one that the fiancé bought me in Paris, that I accidentally ruined. The blouse was because I was drawn to the colour, buttons and the cut-out shoulders. It’s incredibly sheer though, so I’ll have to figure that out.
It’s just a shame that I probably won’t get much use out of the blouse and sandals when I return.
Unless the weather changes dramatically that is, not that I would complain!