Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Archive for October, 2013
Bewitchery is now on Instagram!
0
5 years
by Naomi in General
I know I’m extremely late to the party, but Bewitchery is now on Instagram, as bewitchery_! If you’d like to follow me and keep up to date with my daily happenings, click here to visit my profile and hit follow. Or, click on the icon in the ‘Follow Me’ section in the sidebar of this page. I’ll be uploading lots of fashion and beauty related pictures so I hope you’ll join me there. I’m also looking for some Instagram accounts to follow myself, so if you have one please leave your links/usernames in the comments below – thanks!
Naomi x
Winter Wardrobe Wishlist
2
5 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Exciting news, Fashionistas – musicMagpie have long been helping us make money from our old CDs, DVDs, games and technology, and they’ve recently launched a new service which means you can now get cash for clothes as well! All you have to do is tell them what you want to sell by entering it into the ‘Get Value’ box, giving a few details about the brand, size, colour and suchlike, and then they’ll make you an offer on the item. Then, once you’ve entered everything you want to sell, you just have to send your items to them and they’ll pay you for them. Sending everything to musicMagpie is really easy, as you can send it boxed for free, or if you’re selling more than 25 items they will come and collect them for you, also for free. There are also four ways to get paid – bank transfer, cheque, e-Vouchers or a donation to charity. Easy peasy.
Now, I’m sure I’m not the only fashion fan who sees this as the perfect opportunity to clear space for new clothes, whilst also making the money to pay for them! I recently dropped a dress size or two, so I have plenty of clothes that I need to get rid of, and I can’t wait to replace them all. I’ve spent many an evening lately browsing the net for some brand new, gorgeous pieces to add to my collection, and I’ve found a few which I absolutely love, so here is my 2013 Winter Wardrobe Wishlist.
Internacionale Black Fur Collar Biker Jacket / Aura Que VELA Handknit Banana Yarn Snood / boohoo PU Sleeve Marl Knit Cardigan / ASOS London Rebel Studded Heel Shoe Boots / Thomas Sabo Sterling Silver Raven Pendant / River Island Black Lace Belted Maxi Skirt / boohoo Faux Fur Mittens / All Saints Reflection Boots
As I’ve mentioned before, the Autumn/Winter season this year is all about black for me, with the odd splash of colour. I’m becoming obsessed with mixing statement pieces with something simple, as well as different fabrics and textures to create interesting looks. I love the combination of leather, lace, faux fur, metal and knits in the pieces above and I want them all.
What would you buy with the money you could make from musicMagpie?
Naomi x
*This post is a collaboration.*
DUO Black Helvin Boots
2
5 years
by Naomi in Fashion
I was recently given the opportunity to choose a pair of boots to review from a brand called DUO Boots. DUO Boots specialise in ‘beautifully tailored design’, selling high quality, women’s boots and shoes, all of which are hand crafted and made-to-measure, to bring you perfect fitting boots whatever your size. I practically live in boots, whether they’re shoe boots, ankle boots, chunky boots or high boots, so I was really excited to take my pick of the site! After much deliberation and changing my mind, I finally settled for a pair that are unlike any other pair of boots I have ever owned, the Helvin Fitted Knee High boots in granite black, and I am extremely pleased with my choice.
What first drew me to the Helvins was their shape and unusual ankle detail. They are cut asymmetrically at the top which looks really elegant on the leg, and the criss cross buckle straps give them that Gothic, Edward Scissorhands-esque look that I absolutely love.
The boots are crafted from granite black leather which, from its soft, supple texture to its flawless appearance, oozes quality. I’m really into black and leather this season, and have been having a lot of fun experimenting with textures rather than colours, and these boots have been (and will continue to be!) a fantastic addition to my Autumn/Winter wardrobe. They’re warm, stylish and very versatile, looking great with short or long dresses, but also with skinny jeans.
The heel height on these boots is 7.5cm, so they’re extremely easy to walk in, aided too by the fact that they have a block heel, and cushioned insoles. They also fit perfectly as they (and all of the other boots on the site) come in a range of shoe sizes and calf fittings. There’s even a video guide available to help you measure your calves, so you’ll always get the right size – ideal when you’re ordering online and can’t try them on!
Being leather, it’s essential to care properly for your DUO Boots, and they came boxed with a leaflet of care instructions. I spray all of my leather boots with a leather protect spray to prevent them scuffing or fading, but they also need a polish every now and then to keep them looking new. In terms of storage, I like to keep my shoes and boots in their boxes, but DUO sell boot trees for knee high boots so you can store them upright so they keep their shape.
Overall, I am incredibly impressed with my Helvins from DUO Boots. They’re classy, beautiful and versatile, I feel amazing when I wear them, and they feel that extra bit special as they’re tailored to fit me. The Helvin boots are available in black or rust brown, and retail for £185, which for such a quality pair of boots is an excellent price. You can check out the rest of DUO’s wonderful range of boots here.
Naomi x
*These Helvin Fitted Knee High boots were sent to me for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Capology Urban Fashion
3
5 years
Whether you’re a guy or girl interested in urban fashion, or you have a partner/relative/friend who is, I have discovered a really quirky company who you will definitely be interested in, who are bang on urban trend – Capology. Capology’s edgy pieces would make great additions to any wardrobe wanting to make a statement, or excellent gift ideas for a stylish loved one this Christmas.
Capology are a new, independently owned company, who have a store in Newcastle which was opened in February this year, with Professor Green in attendance, but you can also shop with them online. As their name suggests they specialise in all types of caps, but they also stock unisex and kids’ clothes and hats from brands such as Mishka and Play Cloths, as well as accessories, bags and even toys. After a long time spent browsing their site and trying to narrow down my favourite pieces for this post, I have managed to put together an edit of just a few of the items they have to offer.
Top Row: Mishka Keep Watch Cardigan – £100 / New Era Hero Break Out Batman Cap – £35 / New Era NFL 59ifty Miami Dolphins Aqua Fitted Cap – £25 / 10 Deep Ghost Roses Crew – £90
Bottom Row: 47 Brand Stevenson Avalanche Dogeared Hat – £30 / Any Forty Artist Tee Sprinkles – £30 / Play Cloths Safara Shield Cordovan – £15 / Play Cloths Horizon Socks Mimosa – £6.50
My absolute favourite piece on the whole site is the 10 Deep Ghost Roses Crew, pictured above. I’m a big fan of black for Autumn/Winter this year, and the contrasting rose print is unusual, but not over the top. I’d love to see my fiancé in it with a pair of black jeans.
Whether you’re on a tight budget or have a bit more cash to splash, Capology have something to suit every budget, so check them out for all things urban. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with all their latest news.
Naomi x
*This post is a collaboration.*
Braun ExactFit 5 Blood Pressure Monitor
2
5 years
by Naomi in Health and Fitness
Having had minor health issues in the past, I now make a conscious effort to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible; eating well, exercising more and making sure my vital signs are tip-top. Not obsessively so, but just enough to know that I’m in good condition! An important piece of equipment in helping me check that I’m healthy is my blood pressure monitor – the new Braun ExactFit 5.
The Braun ExactFit 5 monitor comes with everything you need to check your blood pressure and heart rate – the monitor, two arm cuffs, an owner’s manual, four AA batteries and a handy black storage pouch. The arm cuffs come in two different sizes, S-M for arms measuring 22cm to 32cm, which is the size I use, and L-XL, measuring from 32cm up to 42cm, so everyone is catered for.
The monitor itself is sleek and compact for easy storage and transportation, and is a very intelligent piece of kit. After the initial simple task of inputting the time and date, very little interference is needed, but the monitor can do so much. It has a memory function and a multiple user option, so two people can use the monitor to store up to sixty results each, whilst remembering the exact time and date of each measurement, and after seven days it can calculate your full day, morning and evening average using your most recent readings. As it takes your blood pressure reading, the monitor also measures your heart rate, and has the very useful feature of being able to detect and highlight an irregular heartbeat. Furthermore, the coloured bar indicator down the side of the screen is compliant to the World Health Organisation, and gives guidance on whether your blood pressure is normal or too high. Despite its complex abilities, however, it is easy to understand, as the on-screen information is displayed clearly, in simple terms.
The ExactFit 5 is really easy to use, as the cuff depicts exactly how to fit it, with the red section and circular symbol having to sit over your main artery. Once you’ve got the cuff right, you just press the start button and the cuff will inflate. I have used home blood pressure monitors in the past which have felt uncomfortable and taken a long time to take and display a reading, but this one is surprisingly comfortable and quick. After a reading is taken, it deflates quickly and the result is accurate and displayed immediately, unlike some less sophisticated monitors where you have to wait a while for the reading to show whilst the cuff remains tight.
Whether you want to check your blood pressure quickly every now and then, or regularly, the Braun ExactFit 5 is invaluable. I imagine I’ll find it very useful when I eventually get pregnant, and it would also be ideal for the elderly or anyone with an existing health condition that requires regular checks.
The Braun ExactFit 5 has an RRP of £99.99. For further details visit www.braunbloodpressuremonitors.co.uk. Packed full of information and advice, Braun’s new microsite includes tips on controlling your blood pressure, as well as practical videos showing you how to fit your Braun blood pressure monitor and understand your measurements. The Braun blood pressure monitors are available nationwide at selected Boots stores. Visit the microsite for further information.
Naomi x
*This Braun ExactFit 5 Blood Pressure Monitor was sent to me for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
What I Wore: Back to Maxi
1
5 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Yesterday was a fairly mild day for October, and I couldn’t resist bringing out one of my summer maxi skirts to incorporate into an Autumn look. I teamed my favourite black and turquoise Primark maxi with another Primark piece – a short black jumper. The jumper is one of my favourite recent purchases as its simplicity is made that little bit more interesting with a high neck and zipped back. It looks amazing with pencil skirts too, and at £8 it was an absolute bargain for something so versatile. I also wore my trusty black cut out boots from New Look, and two of my favourite silver rings.
Black Jumper – Primark / Black and Turquoise Maxi Skirt – Primark / Cut Out Boots – New Look / Silver Rings – Gifted, Vintage
What have you been wearing this weekend?
Naomi x
Avenue 32 Wishlist – Chayalan
2One of my favourite places to look for fashion inspiration is Avenue 32, and during a recent browsing session I came across Avenue 32’s new designer Chalayan. Hussein Chayalan’s unique pieces are extremely modern and adopt clean, sculptural shapes; a style that I’ve really come to appreciate as my interest in fashion has grown. His current collection featured on Avenue 32 really captures the colours and forms of Autumn, my favourite time of year, and I’ve managed to build up a fairly extensive Chayalan wishlist! Here are my favourite pieces from the website. The image is clickable for a closer look.
Grey Wool Knit Sleeve Coat – £1150 / Multi Metallic Signature Leggings – £680 / Oxblood Wrap Maxi Dress – £1260 / Petrol Cross Over Maxi Dress – £1020 / Black Signature Leggings – £240 / Oxblood Cup Sleeve Jumper Dress – £570
This summer was all about the maxi for me, and the two maxi dresses above are perfect for a smooth transition into Autumn without having to shed the maxi trend. The Oxblood Wrap Maxi Dress is my favourite piece from the whole collection, as its Gothic influences and elegant shape are the style I’m aspiring to this season. I’m also a fan of colour blocking, and the Petrol Cross Over Maxi Dress takes it into a whole new dimension by cutting into the colour with an exposed black satin lining.
One of my wardrobe staples for this time of year is leggings, mostly black as they go with anything, hence why I’ve included Chayalan’s Black Signature Leggings in my wishlist, but his Multi Metallic Signature Leggings also really caught my eye. The iridescent colours remind me of the backs of beautiful beetles, and would lend well to a dramatic day or evening look when worn with a simple black outfit.
Another Autumn essential has to be knitwear, and Chayalan gets it so right. I usually struggle to find coats that I love, but I absolutely adore his Grey Wool Knit Sleeve Coat. Its simple, angular silhouette is just stunning, and the combination of fabric textures give it an added edge. The Oxblood Cup Sleeve Jumper Dress is also simple, but its heavy knit looks so snug. I can just imagine it being teamed with a pair of chunky boots and a huge statement necklace.
Which Chayalan piece is your favourite?
Naomi x
*This post is a collaboration.*
Student Fashion Essentials: Boots
0
5 years
This week’s Student Fashion Essentials post focuses on one of my all-time favourite fashion items – boots.
A pair of comfortable, warm and waterproof boots are essential for all the walking to, from, and around campus you’ll be doing during the cold Autumn and Winter months, but that doesn’t mean they have to look like you’ve come straight from a building site or hiking expedition. If you go for quality leather boots, they’re almost guaranteed to fulfil the above criteria, and with this season’s biker leather trend there are currently hundreds of amazing, stylish boots out there to choose from.
My pick of the boots this season are these black Studded Leather Biker Boots from F&F, which are not only gorgeous and bang on trend, but also incredibly kind on the student pocket, coming in at a thrifty £35.00.
The boots are crafted from beautifully soft, high quality leather which give them excellent flexibility for ultimate comfort, and the fact that they’re made from leather means they keep your feet warm and dry too, so they can withstand any kind of weather without getting soaked or falling to bits. Also, usually when I wear new boots they tend to rub and cause blisters until they’re broken in, but I haven’t had that with these at all, even after wearing them all day at work, as the strong soles and low block heel make them easy to walk in.
In terms of aesthetics, these boots are perfect for this season’s biker trend, with their double straps and silver dome stud detail. They’re also very versatile and look great with a variety of outfits. They work really well with a simple dress and a pair of black tights, and their wide tops mean they can be worn with skinny jeans on colder days. I mostly team my pair with black skinnies, a simple top and a leather jacket for a chic look that’s effortless but edgy.
If you’re looking for a quality pair of leather boots for this season that are practical but affordable, then these are definitely for you. You can order your pair of Studded Leather Biker Boots from F&F here.
Naomi x
*These Studded Leather Biker Boots were sent to me on behalf of F&F for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Ozeri 4×3 Motion Digital Pedometer
0
5 years
One of my favourite keep fit activites is walking, and I always like to track my progress using a pedometer. However, every pedometer I’ve ever used has been cumbersome, noisy, and so basic it barely even worked. That was until I recently discovered the Ozeri 4×3 Motion Digital Pedometer, which does so much more than just count your steps, and now comes with me wherever I go!
This little gadget is a lot more sophisticated than your average pedometer as rather than clicking and only working when it moves up and down, it uses a 3D Tri-Axis Sensor, meaning it can sit at any angle or position along a Y, X or Z axis, and still work. Also, it not only records your steps, but also your distance, speed, the number of calories burned and the amount of time you’ve been walking for.
There’s a set-up option on the pedometer which allows you to set the date and time, but also your weight and stride distance. Using the latter two pieces of information, the pedometer is then able to calculate how far you’ve walked and how many calories you’ve burned depending on your weight, and every single time it does so it gives the same result as the MyFitnessPal app that I use on my phone, so it’s really accurate. It’s also easy to look back through your recorded data – you just press the mode button to scroll through today’s results, or the up and down arrows to check through the last seven days.
Unlike a lot of pedometers, the 4×3 is completely silent, and comes with a detachable neck strap so you can wear it around your neck if you so desire. However, its ultra slim design means it can sit in your pocket without looking or feeling too bulky, which is how I prefer to carry mine as it’s more discreet.
The pedometer has a few other useful features too, such as a blue backlight for night viewing, a sports timer, a clock and a calendar, and it automatically goes into sleep mode if you’ve stopped walking for thirty seconds or more. This helps to save the battery life, but also prevents it registering any other movements or vibrations as steps, which is handy.
My only issue with the Ozeri 4×3, and it’s a small one, is the colour. Though I like yellow, it wouldn’t be my first choice and I’d like to see a few other colour options be introduced. A purple one would be nice! But that’s only a tiny, insignificant quibble about an all-round brilliant pedometer that does what you want it to, and much, much more.
The Ozeri 4×3 Motion Digital Pedometer is available on Amazon UK and costs £15.95, which is a £16.61 saving on its RRP!
Naomi x
*This Ozeri 4×3 Motion Digital Pedometer was sent to me for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
NOTD: Jacava London Blueberry Muffin
4
5 years
by Naomi in Nails
Nail varnish is one of my favourite things to review, so when London brand Jacava gave me the opportunity to choose a colour from their collection to write about, I just couldn’t say no. After much deliberation I settled for Blueberry Muffin, that I received along with a Top Coat with UV Inhibitor which I wasn’t expecting, so that was a nice surprise.
Jacava are a 100% British brand who are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and never test on animals. They also boast the first 8-free polishes in the world (yes, that’s right, EIGHT-free), as they don’t contain Formaldehyde, Camphor, Toluene, DBP, Cellophane, Phthalates, Parabens or animal ingredients. So, right from word go, they’re a brand I’m happy to support, and luckily their products match up to their good name!
Top Coat with UV Inhibitors and Blueberry Muffin
Jacava’s packaging is simple but sleek, and the long, slim lids that their polishes come with are easy to grip which makes application effortless.
The polish itself has a silky smooth formula which gives surprisingly opaque coverage in one coat, but I like to apply two coats for a bolder, more intense colour. Perhaps the most stand-out aspect of Jacava’s polishes for me is how quickly it dries. It’s literally dry to the touch within a minute, and after five minutes it’s good to go. I even got my two pet rats out to play just after painting my nails, and they didn’t smudge at all. Just one word of advice. In my experience the top coat isn’t suitable as a base coat, and will make the polish peel off extremely easily. It stays put for a long time without a base coat, though, and looks gorgeously glossy with the top coat for an all round perfect manicure. Jacava’s website also states that the top coat’s UV Inhibitors keep white nail polish white for longer, which is a nice feature that I’ve never seen before, so worth investing in if you regularly wear pale shades.
Blueberry Muffin has a lovely creme finish, but is more of a pinky purple than a blue purple. Sort of a soft and dusky dark lilac. It’s an absolutely beautiful shade which reminds me of spring flowers and lightning skies all at once. I love it.
Click image for a closer look!
Jacava’s range features eighteen beautiful shades and several different finishes, including creme, metallic, shimmer and glitter. Every polish contains 22-carat gold for a nourishing, luxurious formula, and they cost just £14.50 each. I personally have my eye on Blackberry Fool, Marrakesh Nights, Midnight’s Secrets and Chillax! To view the full Jacava range click here, or find them on Feel Unique.
Which shade do you like best?
Naomi x
*These two nail polishes were sent to me by Jacava London for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
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