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COS Superstar | Style (OOTD)

COSDress: COS | Trousers: Topshop | Shoes: Converse x Comme des Garcon

You ever have one of those moments when you just grab something from the shelf of a store – to try on for the fun of it – even though you know it will never suit you? That’s actually how I found this dress. Whilst wandering around COS one afternoon I spotted this little black number. I told myself, “it’s too long” and “it’s too big”, but I wanted to see it on anyway. I’m a sucker for punishment when it comes to gorgeous clothes. And maybe it’s the slits down the side, or the way the bottom of the dress floats like an angel…but something made me fall in love with this dress on that day. Truth be told, I’ve not fallen out of love since.

In all honesty, it’s most likely the way it so easily layers with other items of clothing. Even the COS website suggests pairing it with a turtleneck – something I’ll never do as my own neck is practically non-existent – so that’s saying something. We’ve reached that part of Spring (in the UK) when it’s neither warm nor cold, so I like to layer. Well, that and I love the way certain cuts and fabrics flow together.

Mostly I try to avoid this type of dress. And even though I’d usually feel like I was wearing a bag in this cut, I actually really like the way it sits on my body. It accentuates my curves, but it doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable. I dislike it when people say “that won’t suit your body, skin type etc etc” but I do believe in feeling confident in the clothing you wear. And I definitely do. This dress is a superstar in the making!

Check out my previous style posts: OOTD
Thanks to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for the photos of me.

COS COS COSCOS

bloomzy /

2 Lovely Gays x Secret Linen Store Collection

2 lovely gays2 Lovely Gays Collaboration with Secret Linen Store

I love when I get an invitation to a press event that’s a little out of the ordinary. A slumber party…in an interior designers house? Where do I sign up?! Ok so the “slumber party” was more of a concept, than an actual sleep over. I knew that. I totally didn’t re-read the email 3 times and remove my silky pyjamas from my bag…

In all honesty though, I was pretty excited to be invited to the release of 2 Lovely Gays (2LG for short) new bed linen collection, in collaboration with the Secret Linen Store. The fact that the event was at their house was even cooler. I’ve always loved diving into magazines and seeing what interior designers homes look like. I mean if someone is gonna get it right, it’s gonna be them, yeah? Well I was right, because as soon as I stepped into the 2LG’s home, I was in awe of the sheer style that played out in front of me. Everything was effortlessly arranged, and there was a flow that moved throughout the house, linking each room to the other. Basically I wanted to move in straight away!

But what about the 2 Lovely Gays x Secret Linen Store Collection?

There are 3 sets in the collection:

All of the sets look gorgeous and feel lovely – these would be so wonderful to cuddle up in on a cold Sunday morning. Each set has a story behind the design, which makes them feel that little bit more special. My personal favourite story was about a sweet old lady called Mary – who used to live in 2LG’s house – and is now the namesake for one of the sets. It makes the sets feel like you own something personal, and unique. A nice touch.

However stories aside, the Moon Bed Set is my favourite by far. It’s everything I look for in a duvet set: a high thread count (260), quality cotton (50% Egyptian), affordability, and a contemporary-minimalist design. I plan to buy the set when I get back from my travels next month, because I just can’t stop thinking about it.

You can check out the full collection online, at Secret Linen Store.

2 lovely gays 2 lovely gays 2 lovely gays 2 lovely gays 2 lovely gays 2 lovely gays 2 lovely gays

bloomzy /

Superhero or Super Villain? | London Fashion Week OOTD

london fashion weekCoat: Urban Outfitters* | Jumpsuit: Topshop | Boots: ASOS

Part of the fun of London Fashion Week is going out in your Sunday best. Dressing up, and seeing if you get papped…snapped…Instagrammed? Photo sharing platforms aside, I genuinely love dressing up, so LFW is a lot of fun for me. I’ve had a couple of photos taken in the past, but I can’t honestly say I’ve turned heads. Not the way I did when I wore this little number, whilst wandering around Soho a couple of weekends ago. Is it the coat? Is it the hair? Is it the daring cleavage I’m flaunting? Who knows!

For such a simple get up, I felt pretty stylish. My trusty Topshop jumpsuit and ASOS boots were the basis for this look, but I couldn’t resist throwing on this (deep emerald green) Urban Outfitters coat when I saw it. The coat had me feeling like a superhero, what with the way it swished as I walked down the street. But maybe my look was more fitting of a super villain with this particular hair style? After all, everyone knows villains are always more stylish…

Check out my previous style posts: OOTD
Thanks to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for the photos of me.

london fashion week london fashion week london fashion week london fashion week london fashion week

bloomzy /

HEIO, Hello! | Style (OOTD)

HEIOSweater: Light Before Dark @ Urban Outfitters | Jumpsuit: Topshop | Boots: ASOS | Bag: HEIO*

HEIO! It sounds like something a group of youthful jocks would shout in a sports bar. Actually it’s the name of an incredibly fashionable new bag brand. The more you know. Well on one particularly blustery London fashion week…day, I decided to take their Cube Turqueta for a wander. The cute, almost-origami style had me sold; as did the nude-neon lined colour way. Maybe others felt the same, as we got quite a few looks whilst shooting this look. Either that or they were confused by the tiny woman battling the wind, in nothing but a sweater and ankle swingers.

I’m still not quite sure how we managed to get these photos. I refused to give up though, as I was so in love with this cosy combo. Any time I get to wrap up in a cuddly sweater and call it fashion is ok by me. We were even snapped on our way back to The Apartment, so I must have been on to something!

Check out my previous style posts: OOTD
Thanks to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for the photos of me.

HEIO HEIO HEIO

bloomzy /

OOTD | 50 Shades of Grey

ootdCoat: Topshop | Culottes: New Look | Sneakers: Luca Verdi* | Backpack: Sandqvist | Beanie: Blake LDN

Grey slowly started working it’s way into my wardrobe late last year. But after New Year it made itself a permanent fixture. I’ve always stuck to darker colours (read: only wearing black), and my clear-out at the beginning of the month pretty much proved that. But the addition of this grey coat (which is as warm as it is stylish) to my wardrobe has changed all of that. It’s a happy medium between black and white, and it pretty much always looks great with a smart casual ensemble.

Now that the introduction is done with, let’s not avoid the elephant in the room. Yes, I did go and buy another pair of culottes. As ugly as some people may find these oversized trousers, I adore them. You know me, if something is comfortable and stylish, I’ll wear the hell out of it. They work with a variety of shoes, but since the weather was looking ok I decided to test drive them with my Luca Verdi sneakers. I couldn’t get enough of these pointy-toed beauties when I was in Italy; I almost cried when I came back to the UK and found that Expool & Luca herself had sent them to me. These will always be a reminder of an unbelievable travel adventure.

It’s a wonderful thing when your clothes tell a story. Even better when they make you feel good.

Check out my previous style posts: OOTD
Thanks to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for the photos of me.

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bloomzy /

Introducing… Finch Womenswear

finch womenswearFinch Womenswear | Norwich

The date is Mid-2015. Location: my sofa, probably. I have found myself on an endless Instagram loop. You know the kind. You find a new account that you fall in love with; so you click on one of their photos, follow a hashtag, check a location etc etc. This time it just so happened that my loop ended when I came upon a store based in my hometown of Norwich. I hadn’t heard of Finch womenswear before, but the aesthetic and brands they carried matched my personal style down to a tee.

My personal style has changed a lot since I moved to London, that much is evident from my Style Evolution posts. This paired with my fussy taste in clothing makes it difficult for me when purchasing clothes. I have my favourite shops in London, but never found anything matching them in Norwich. Luckily Finch has changed all of that. I now make a habit of visiting whenever I’m back.

Finch womenswear stocks well known brands such as Wood Wood, Norse Project and Rains. Alongside these are also new names like Delores Daywear. Everything has been lovingly hand selected by Sophie, and it shows. Their carefully curated selection of brands and items are easily on-par with their London counterparts. It’s easy to see why the store has become so coveted in such a short period of time. It really is a must visit for those with a penchant for minimalist, quality fashion. And if you don’t believe me, check out my fave Brittany Bathgate‘s love for the brand – she even modelled for their latest campaign.

You can find Finch womenswear at 14 St Benedicts Street, NR2 4AG, and online at Finch.

finch womenswear finch womenswear finch womenswear finch womenswear finch-womenswear-1finch womenswear finch womenswear finch womenswear

bloomzy /

Blogs I’ll Still Be Reading in 2016

in-the-window-interior-design-2Old photo is old…but relevant

Looking back at my ‘Blogs I’ll Still Be Reading in 2015‘ I’m pretty darn proud of myself. My predications were spot on. Actually what I should be saying is, well done to my favourite bloggers for all the awesome content they brought out during 2015. Well I don’t expect next year to be much different, but my reading preferences have altered slightly; some of my old favourites are still in there, but there’s some new additions too.

Blogs I’ll Still Be Reading in 2016

  • Park and Cube – Inspirational photography and awesome lifestyle posts.
  • Joe Allam – Full of interesting content for lovers of photography.
  • The Bearded Bakery – Mike always posts the best recipes…and he uses a lot of matcha!
  • Worship Blues – Meaningful words and photos. A blog with a lot of soul.
  • Vasilieva – An image heavy blog, with a hauntingly beautiful photography style.
  • I Heart Alice – I love Alice’s photos, her style, and her personality. This lovely lady is a triple threat!
  • Chopstickpanorama – I had to include VA! She continues to help drive me to do my best. And I just love her photos!
  • Style and Wellbeing – It can be difficult to find a blog that fits your style exactly, but I fell in love as soon as I set eyes upon Brittany’s blog.

 

I hope to continue discovering more amazing blogs in 2016. Feel free to leave your own, or your favourite blogs in the comments below.