Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Archive for September, 2013
Student Fashion Essentials: Slouch Trousers
3
5 years
To coincide with Freshers week and the start of university for a lot of new students, here is the second installment in my series of posts about student fashion essentials. Whilst at university, space and funds are often limited, so for the fashion conscious it’s important to be able to stay looking good on a budget, with versatile pieces that can be worn again and again with different looks.
Though university is hard work, you’ll probably also find yourself at home in between lectures with a lot of free time on your hands, and it’s during this time, and on lazy weekend days, that comfy clothes are key. So with this in mind, today’s post is all about the genius invention that is slouch trousers.
I recently came across a brand called Beaufox, who specialise in fashionable loungewear which is both affordable and trendy. They stock a range of pyjama style slouch trousers for men and women, in a variety of designs from tie dye to skull print to floral, which are available in a light summer fabric, or lined for the colder Autumn and Winter months. I was recently sent a pair of Beaufox trousers to try for myself, and they are incredibly comfortable, just like pyjamas, but look really great on.
My pair feature an all over black and white Yin Yang print, and are made of soft, loose fabric. This pair are from the summer collection, and though they look fab with a vest top and flip flops, they are warm enough for this time of year when teamed with a jumper and pumps.
Perhaps the best thing about Beaufox’s slouch trousers is that they can be worn around the house like pyjamas, but can also be worn out of the house as normal trousers. So, if you’re sitting around watching a film and fancy a bar of chocolate, you can nip out to the shop without looking daft! They have two deep pockets too, so you can easily carry your change and phone on you without having to worry about a bag.
The trousers are one size only, but they fit me fine and I’m a size 12. I’d say they’d fit sizes 8 to 12 with no trouble. The length is also fairly decent. I’m 5’9″ and usually wear a 34-36″ leg length, and though Beaufox’s slouch trousers are probably more suited to an average leg length of about 30-32″, if I wear them low on my hips they are plenty long enough and still feel comfortable.
Beaufox’s slouch trousers are also great for festivals and camping, so they’ll last you all year round whilst allowing you to look and feel fun and fashionable on a budget. You can get yourself a pair here for £15.99 for the summer trousers, or £19.99 for the lined trousers – bargain!
Which design would you choose? Check out the Beaufox website and let me know.
Naomi x
*These Yin Yang Slouch Trousers were sent to me by Beaufox for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Waterstones Blogger Murder Mystery – My Statement
0
5 years
Day two of the Waterstones Blogger Murder Mystery and suspicions are still running high. As part of the murder case of my ex-husband Mat, I gave the following statement to Detective Michael Scott:
“I’m not surprised someone finally decided to put Mat out of everybody’s misery, but if you think it was me, you’re sorely mistaken. True, Sophie and that bimbo Katrina saw me leave the table just before Mat was killed, but I was in the upstairs bathroom at the time, trying to keep those awful cupcakes down.”
And it’s all true. Have you worked out who did it yet? Head over to Twitter via the #BloggerMystery tag to get involved questioning us suspects, and be in with a chance of winning £100 worth of Waterstones vouchers!
Naomi x
Waterstones Blogger Murder Mystery
1
5 years
I have some news… I am among several bloggers who are all suspected of committing a horrible crime against Mat of buckets and spades blog, and it is your job to work out who did it. Here are the details…
In celebration of the Agatha Christie Festival this week, Waterstones is holding the first ever Blogger Murder Mystery event.
Waterstones needs your help, dear reader. There’s been a crime most horrid committed against fellow blogger Matthew Pike at http://www.bucketsandspadesblog.com/. We need your help to find the culprit and be in with a chance of receiving a £100 reward of Waterstones vouchers. Detective Michael Scott is on the case, so be sure to follow him on twitter @DCIMikeScott where he will be revealing clues throughout the week until Friday 20th September. You can question any of the bloggers using their twitter handle and the hashtag #BloggerMystery to find holes in their alibis.
The list of suspects are:
Naomi https://bewitcheryblog.co.uk/ (You know I wouldn’t do it though, right?)
Jane @ITYDarling http://isthatyoudarling.wordpress.com/
Lucinda @ljbarton http://www.bakesbooksandmyboys.com/
Katrina @carouseldiary http://carouseldiary.com/
Sophie @sophiepatricia6 http://ileftmyheartinmiami.blogspot.co.uk/
Kel @kellovesclothes http://www.kelloves.com/
Eleanor @ebsnare http://threewordoutfit.com/
And here’s what the detective on the case has to say…
From DCI Michael Scott
“Waterstones invited six prestigious fashion and beauty bloggers – Elly, Kel, Sophie, Naomi, Katrina Louise and Mat – to its very first Fabulous Fashionista of the Year Award, held amid a lavish cupcake dinner at Cryptic Hall. However, events have taken a dark turn and Mat, the winner of the award, has been found dead in the bathroom. Foul play is most certainly suspected.
Details of the night are still sketchy, but we know all six fashionistas were known to each other at the time of the killing and enjoyed a friendly rivalry in the world of fashion blogging. Also in Cryptic Hall at the time were Jan, the owner of the manor, and a chef, Lucinda, who was hired to put on a delicious spread of cupcakes for the guests.
According to my interviews, the guests arrived at Cryptic Hall at around 6pm or just before. They sat down to enjoy Lucinda’s cupcakes and discuss their blogging with one another. There was a short break for coffee at around 6.40pm, during which time many of the guests seem to have left the table for various reasons. At 6.55 or thereabouts, we received a phone call from the suspect who found the body, claiming there had been a murder at Cryptic Hall.
Unfortunately, many of the suspects seem unwilling to cooperate, for reasons that are still being established. If you think you can tease more information out of them, ask them about their activities on that night via Twitter – and when you think you ascertained the culprit, the motive and the method, please relay your suspicions to me, DCI Michael Scott. Together, we can get to the root of this tale of intrigue, jealousy, high fashion and sweet, sweet cupcakes.”
Now, I wasn’t particularly keen on going to the award ceremony because Mat, my ex-husband, was bound to win and I didn’t really fancy spending any time with him. He was going with his new girlfriend Katrina, too. But I went anyway just on the off-chance that I was chosen as winner, and I thought it’d be a good opportunity to score points against Katrina. I don’t know who did what to Mat at the ceremony, but of course you know it wasn’t me!
So, get thinking… Who do you think did it? Once you think you know who the culprit is send a tweet to the detective giving the name of the killer, the motive and the method by Friday 20th September at Midnight. The winner will be selected on Monday 23rd September.
Good luck, sleuths.
Note: this competition is only open to UK residents
Don’t forget to tweet me and the other bloggers your questions to help work out whodunnit!
Naomi x
Dissertation = DONE
0You may have noticed that my blog hasn’t been as busy as usual over the last few weeks and months. That’s because I have been locked away in a room since June with a pile of books and my laptop, researching, writing and editing my postgraduate dissertation. I have been studying for a Master’s degree in Modern Literature since October 2011, and tomorrow I will be handing in a 20,000 word dissertation which signals the end of my time at university! Obviously I’m relieved that the dissertation is done and dusted, but I’m also sad that, after nineteen years in education, it has now come to an end. Having said that, I’m really looking forward to graduating and being able to think about the future. I’m hoping to find a graduate job as soon as possible so I can start saving up for a house, and of course I’m going to be dedicating a lot more time and effort to blogging, so you’ll be seeing a lot more of me!
But before all that, I need a little break, so on Tuesday my partner and I will be heading to Dublin for a few days. Seeing as I spent pretty much all summer cooped up inside, I can’t wait to get out and about doing stuff. We have quite a few things we want to do and see whilst we there, and I’ll be taking my camera, so expect to see a LOT of photos upon my return!
Have a great week everyone,
Naomi x
20% off at Zatchels for London Fashion Week
0Good news, fashion lovers… To celebrate the start of London Fashion Week, British satchel manufacturer Zatchels are offering 20% off ALL bags and accessories sold online. The offer starts today, Friday 13th September, and will run until Midnight on Tuesday 17th September. To get your discount, all you have to do is visit the Zatchels website, choose your bargains and enter the shopping code FASHIONWEEK at the checkout.
Here are my picks of the Zatchels range to show you some of the gorgeous bags they have to offer. All prices are based on the smallest bag sizes, but larger sizes are available.
Candy Blue Cracked Metallic Satchel – RRP £119 – £95.20 with discount
Pink Fluorescent Saddle Bag – RRP £60 – £48 with discount
Gothic Lace Satchel – RRP £119 – £95.20 with discount
Tangerine Duffel Bag – RRP £145 – £116 with discount
Purple Leather Satchel – RRP £96 – £76.80 with discount
Cornflower Blue and White Polka Dot Barrel Bag – RRP £55 – £44 with discount
Will you be taking advantage of this offer?
Naomi x
Long Black Dress: Summer into Autumn
2
5 years
by Naomi in Fashion
One of my staple items of clothing this Summer has been a long black dress from Damart. The dress is lovely and soft and extremely flattering, and the classic cut makes it a very versatile piece, so much so that I can’t wait to style it from Summer into Autumn. Throughout the Summer months I have been keeping it simple with my favourite accessories and a pair of cut out boots from New Look, but it also works amazingly well with a leather jacket and some chunky Dr Martens, which will look great throughout the cooler months to come.
Dress – Damart
Leather Jacket – Vintage
Bag – Everything5Pounds
Cut Out Boots – New Look
Bracelets – eBay, Primark, Gifted
Necklace – Handmade by Me
The dress was originally £35, but is currently on sale at Damart for just £14, and it comes in black, navy or print and in sizes 10-22. Damart may not usually be your first choice for fashion, but give them a chance! They’re brilliant for affordable, basic pieces that can be styled up to suit your mood, and the weather, as you can see.
Naomi x
*This dress was sent to me by Damart for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Leicester Pride
2At the weekend my fiancé and I decided to go into town to watch the Leicester Pride parade, before heading to the local park where the parade ended, to join in with the Pride celebrations. Neither my fiancé or I are LGBT, but we both strongly advocate the equality and diversity that Pride encourages, and we wanted to show our support for the LGBT community. The whole event had a really peaceful, friendly atmosphere, and it was nice to spend some time in a relaxed, happy space which is inclusive of everybody. There was music, dancing, entertainment, food and lots of fun, and I’ll definitely be going again next year. Here are a few photographs I took of the parade as it passed through town, and one of my aptly decorated rainbow nails!
Will you be attending your local Pride event this year?
Naomi x
