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OOTD: Cherry Blossom Season

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Jacket: Primark | T-shirt: COS | Jeans: Topshop | Trainers: New Balance | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban*

Looking at me now, you’d never guess that my teenage years were spent mixing patterns and colours like an overly eccentric cat lady.  In fact I imagine 15 year old me would have detested the clothing I wear now. It’s funny really how our tastes and looks change. Just a quick peek at my Style Evolution post from a few years ago will show you how much my look has changed in recent years.

That doesn’t mean I’m unhappy with my current personal style at all though. In fact I love my more minimalist approach, as of late. It’s nice to feel stylish without having to worry about trying too hard. I like the idea of grabbing a t-shirt and jeans, and pulling on a leather jacket before rushing out the door (which is exactly what I did the morning these photos were taken). Knowing that actually you’re still going to feel pretty cool even though you didn’t stop to think about it. At the end of the day, I guess it says more about my wardrobe than anything. My resolution of “quality over quantity” (style AND substance) really is working.

 

Photos of me by V.A (chopstickpanorama)

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Style: Transitioning into Spring

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Backpack: ASOS | Pom Pom: Wonderound | Crop Top: Tokyo Laundry* | Facemask: Face D*

The dreaded wardrobe transition. You know, the one where you spend a whole weekend packing away your ‘Winter clothes’ and bring out your Spring/Summer clothes from the suitcase under your bed. No, just me? It’s something I do every year around this time, as I try to be less pessimistic and actually start to believe that we might see the sun again. The beautiful weather this weekend made me think about this inevitable shuffle, and how I would be transitioning into Spring this year.

The light, fluffy accessories that were popular in Winter, such as my pom pom from Wonderound  transition well – I mean, lambs and chicks are fluffy, and they’re basically the epitome of Spring. That’s my reasoning anyway. As for clothing, that’s a little more difficult. Britain is infamous for it’s bad weather especially around April, so I was on the look-out for something that felt like Spring, but had the practicality of a Winter item. Tokyo Laundry‘s striped crop top is thick enough to keep me warm, and the crochet accent definitely doesn’t feel like Winter . Finally, skincare! As the weather changes, so does my skin. It’s as if it thinks I’m doing something terrible to it, and so it freaks out and dries up on me. That’s why I need to keep an eye on my skin, even in the warmer months. I was so impressed with Face D’s Instant Effect Depuffing Eye Mask that I have added them and the Instant Hydrating Anti-Ageing Mask, to a permanent position in my bathroom cabinet.

All these little changes may not feel like much, but I’m certain they will carry me through into Springtime well.

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OOTD: Bookworm

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Jumper: Tokyo Laundry* | Trousers: Topshop | Antumbra Necklace: Clarice Price Thomas*

As a kid I would read 2-3 books a week at school. My dad would read the classics to me and my sister before bed, and I would buy a new horrible history book whenever I was given pocket money. Needless to say, my love for books followed me into my teenage years, and through into adulthood. When I had the chance to visit Hay-on-Wye this weekend I jumped at the chance. For those who don’t know, the small market town is famous for it’s bookstores (lovingly nicknamed The Town of Books) and the Hay Literary Festival. So I wrapped up in my new Tokyo Laundry jumper, ready for a day of rummaging through books. It’s a lovely Welsh town that I could easily spend hours wandering around. However I had my eye’s set on Richard Booth’s (the man behind the town) bookstore – an old, beautiful bookshop that any child would swear is magical. In fact I fell in love with the magic of it myself. Dusty old books sit next to shiny new novels – this store doesn’t discriminate – and comfy sofas and chairs are close-by for those who just can’t wait to get home before they start their new book. It truly is a book lovers paradise. I browsed the shelves for Murakami before grabbing myself a copy of Emer O’Toole’s Girls Will Be Girls. Eventually I was dragged away as I pleaded “No, just a little longer…”

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What’s In My Handbag?

Sally Leather Cross-body Bag – Marc by Marc Jacobs
Work Phone: Apple iPhone 5c | Personal Phone: Apple iPhone 5s | iPhone 5s Case: Cavendish Cases of Bath
Business Cards: Goodprint* | Nikon 35mm f/1.8G Prime Lens  | Case: Wonderound
Earphones: Happy Plugs | Eye Roll-on: Simple | Velvet Matte Lip Pencil: NARS | Pen: WC（ダブルシー）

Remember how I said one of my resolutions for 2015 was to minimise my wardrobe? Well I’ve been doing pretty well, and recently I continued that winning streak by downsizing my handbag. Just last year I couldn’t go anywhere without a bag big enough fit a small dog in – no I’m serious – so this is a big step for me. So a bag of this size is just the incentive I need. Of course this has also meant putting less items in my bag, meaning I have to stick to the essentials. It’s been a tough transition, but a good one.

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OOTD: And it was all Yellow

Coat: Zara | Jumper: Oliver Bonas | Skirt: Zara | Boots: Topshop

Lately I overlooked my monochrome wardrobe rule for one special coat. This yellow parka from Zara called out to me as I walked into the store, and I knew there and then that I had to have it. Coming from a girl whose wardrobe is as black as a witch’s cap, that’s saying something. Not only have I fallen in love with it, but it seems everyone else has too. I genuinely think I could conduct my own psychology experiment involving this coat. People smile at me more now, and tons of people have commented on my “lovely/bright yellow coat”. If anything it has been a great conversation starter.

It was also the perfect coat to take a walk down Columbia Road Flower Market in recently. I paired it with my flouncy (that’s a great word, isn’t it?) black skirt and a simple Breton stripe jumper. It was a lovely Sunny day. So much so that I regretted not bringing my sunglasses to finish off the look.

Spring is definitely on it’s way and I plan to help it along with my daffodil yellow coat.

 

Photos of me by V.A (chopstickpanorama)

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OOTD: Marble Marble On The Wall

Coat: Sandro | Dress: Warehouse | Boots: Topshop | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Any trip to the V&A involves copious amounts of photos and the occasional selfie. V.A and I went one step further and took outfit shots alongside the beautiful interior of the museum…as any self respecting blogger would do.
I actually came down with a mild cold this past weekend, so taking outfit photos was the last thing on my mind. Nevertheless I layered up in my trusty Warehouse dress and Sandro jumper-coat combo. To be honest the whole outfit was a second thought to my new Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, which I had been dying to premier to the world. Thankfully V.A stole away my camera and decided to document it’s first foray onto the streets of London, whilst I awkwardly posed against marble backdrops, to the confusion (and amusement) of the odd tourist.
If you love all things marble (and decorative arts in general), I’d highly recommend a visit to the V&A.
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OOTD: J’adore Kenzo

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Coat – Sandro | Sweater – Kenzo | Trainers – New Balance | Bag – ASOS | Pom-Pom – Wonderound

J’adore Kenzo! Is it really any surprise? The designer perfectly combines my love of Japanese and Parisian fashion into energetic, colourful creations. If the brand had been established today I would have sworn it was created especially for me. Sometimes designer brands can be a little too serious, but I love playing around with fashion. That’s why I love living in East London so much. People take fashion seriously here, but they have fun with it.

However last weekend I took some time to wander around Chelsea, and I made the most of the change of scenery.  South West London is as far away as possible from my East London home, in more ways than one. Shabby chic hipster cafes are replaced with modern, polished eateries…with no street art in sight. There’s no doubt about it, the architecture and streets of Chelsea are a lot prettier than Shoreditch. But then that’s the great thing about living in London, each borough is different to the next. I hope I can discover even more of London’s hidden gems this year.