Guinness T Shirt / Papaya Tartan Skirt / Primark Tights / Converse Hi Tops / Topshop Leather Bag

Ever since I saw the gorgeous tartan pieces from Alexander McQueen’s ‘The Girl Who Lived in the Tree’ collection, at the V&A Savage Beauty exhibition, I’ve been looking for red and black tartan items to add to my wardrobe.  I thrifted this skirt from eBay a few weeks ago, and though it isn’t MacQueen tartan, I still love it.  The sash at the waist and net underskirt give it more of a modern twist than your traditional kilt skirt, and I also really like the fullness the net gives it.

I picked the Guinness t shirt up in a gift shop in Dublin a couple of weeks ago, specifically to wear with this skirt, and I think they look pretty good together.  The patterning is so pretty, and the red font is another twist on the traditional.

I can see this outfit transitioning really well into autumn, layered with a leather jacket, thicker tights and biker boots, so hopefully I’ll get a lot of wear out of both pieces before the year is out!

Naomi x

I’ve always been more of an Autumn/Winter fan than a Spring/Summer one (which is probably just as well considering I live in chilly little England!), so although I’m enjoying the longer days, blue skies and lush landscapes of the current months, I can’t help but get a little bit excited about the up and coming Autumn/Winter collections from my favourite shops and designers.  Walking around the Highcross last week, I’ve already started to notice a slow trickle of thicker fabrics and darker colours coming in and, much to my delight, Alexander McQueen have also just launched their Pre Autumn Winter 2015, and Autumn Winter 2015 collections.  There are some absolutely stunning pieces in both collections, but unfortunately I’m far too poor to afford any of it!  So I thought I’d share with you my McQueen Autumn/Winter wishlist, so that you can see how beautiful it all is, but also so I can come back to it during the end of year sale to remind myself of what I want, in the hope that I will then be able to afford it!

Which is your favourite piece?

Naomi x

Per Una Crochet Long Top (Thrifted) / Primark Basic Vest / Primark Black Skinny Trousers / Blonde + Blonde Lace Up Block Heel Boots / Four Beautiful Keys Moon Necklace

The last few days have been warm enough to go out without a coat or jacket, so today when Charles and I headed out for lunch, I decided to wear something with a bit of detail that wouldn’t be covered.  I’m still not quite over my winter passion for layering, so this long crochet top by Per Una seemed like the perfect transition item.  I picked this up for £1 from a carboot sale a few weeks ago, as you probably saw in my latest thrifty finds post, and it’s so comfortable and light.  I adore the long bell sleeves with their mandala-type crochet patterning, and the length of the top is really flattering.

I needed some new black skinnies for Spring, but wanted something lighter than denim, and these Primark trousers are ideal.  I found them in the jeans section, but they’re actually made of a soft stretchy fabric.  They fit really well too, which is a big thing for me as I have long legs so usually struggle to find trousers that are long enough for me, but these are fine!

The lace up boots are also new, and were an amazing find.  I was strolling through the local shopping centre a few weeks ago, with no intention of buying anything, but happened to spot them in the window of BANK.  The shop was having a closing down sale, and these babies were discounted from £38 to just £7.60!  Lucky for me, despite the shop being almost empty, there was one pair left in my size, so it was meant to be, especially as I’ve been after some laced block heel boots for MONTHS.  Winner!

Naomi x

 Primark Light Knit Cape / Primark Floral Skater Skirt / Primark Basic T Shirt / Primark Tights / Gifted Cloudbusting Silver Necklace

It would seem that Spring is finally here, and brighter weather calls for brighter clothing!  I’ve been trying to add a few more colourful pieces to my mostly black wardrobe lately, and this skater skirt from Primark is a good start.  It’s floral and made of crepe, two things I’m not usually a fan of, but at £3 in the sale I thought I’d give it a go, and was pleasantly surprised.  It’s a lovely shape and very comfortable, and though I bought it to with the intention of wearing it to work, I can see it becoming an all round favourite this season.

The black cape was also in the Primark sale, half price at just £7.  It’s a lovely soft lightweight knit, so is perfect for keeping covered during the spring months, when it isn’t quite warm enough for bare arms.

As you may have seen in my 25th Birthday Haul post, this gorgeous necklace was gifted to me by my fiancé for my birthday.  It’s made of 925 silver and was personalised especially for me.  Cloudbusting by Kate Bush is one of my favourite songs, and holds many special memories, so I absolutely adore it.

Have you been enjoying the warmer weather this weekend?

Naomi x

The three new girls are called Pumpkin, Pingu and Bramble, and they’re currently ten weeks old, and incredibly cute!  Here they all are…

Pumpkin is an Agouti Berkshire and is a little feisty thing.  She’s very confident and keeps play fighting with Mabel, which is always fun to watch.

Pingu (so-called because she’s black with a white belly!) is my little shy girl.  She’s smaller than the other two, and quite timid, but she’s so loving.  She reminds me a lot of Mog in her demeanour and appearance.

Bramble is an Agouti Hooded Dumbo – my first ever dumbo rat!  Just look at those gorgeous ears.  She’s feisty like Pumpkin, and also likes picking play fights with her big sisters.

The three new girls have the same dad as Mabel and Heather, which I think made the introduction process a lot easier.  After a week of quarantine we let all the girls meet each other on neutral territory, and they got on straight away.  Nobody showed any signs of aggression, and after two intros they were ready to live together!

Charles and I also invested in a Savic Royale Suite cage, which is a top-of-the-range piece of kit.  It can fit about twelve rats, but we’re sticking to five for now, so they’re very lucky in terms of space!  The five rats have now been living together since Monday, and we’ve had no trouble.  In fact, they’re all like best of friends!  Every morning I find them squished into one bed together asleep – so cute!

Naomi x

Outfit One

George Sequin V-Back Dress / New Look Pony Hair Structured Clutch / Jeffrey Campbell Lita Ankle Boots / Zara Interwoven Chain Necklace

Outfit Two

George Peplum Bodycon Dress / Irregular Choice Stitch In Time Clutch / ASOS POETIC Platforms / George Bobble Bead Necklace

Outfit One features George’s Sequin V-Back Dress, which retails for an incredibly affordable £28.  Sequins and a V-Back would both make a huge statement at a glitzy Christmas party, so this dress doesn’t need a huge amount of accessories.  A simple structured clutch would be ideal to offset the sparkle, and a chunky chain necklace would add a bit more texture and depth.  It’s not always easy to find a pair of shoes to go with sequins, but I quite like the look of a chunky heel with this kind of dress, hence why I chose a classic pair of Litas to go with it.

Outfit Two features George’s Peplum Bodycon Dress, which costs just £30.  I absolutely adore this dress as it’s classic and feminine, but has a bit of an edge with its faux leather waist detail.  To enhance the waist, I chose a pretty floral clutch by Irregular Choice which has a similar black on black look.  An elegant pair of stilettos and a beaded necklace finish off this look, but I think it’d look just as stunning without the necklace.

Which of these two looks do you like best?

Naomi x

*This post is a collaboration.*

New Look Multi Strap Skater Dress / Everything5Pounds Waterfall Jacket / Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses / Primark Tights / New Look Stud Pumps / Topshop Leather Stud Bag (Thrifted) / Accessories Boutique Heavy Spike Bracelet

The key for me has been light layers that can be added/removed accordingly.  A dress makes a great base for this kind of look, as it’s cool enough for the sun, but can be made rain and wind proof with a jacket and tights.  I went for this New Look Multi Strap Skater Dress that I bought in the last ASOS sale, and added a pair of basic sheer black tights from Primark to avoid flashing my undies in the wind, and a lovely waterfall jacket from Everything5Pounds.  I absolutely love this jacket as it’s really comfortable, and is perfect for warm weather as a cover as the fabric is so lightweight.

To accessorise, I wore my Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses, that are an absolute essential when the sun is shining, and I also gave my New Look stud pumps a first outing.  Of course my trusty thrifted Topshop leather bag was a necessity too, and I added a heavy spike bracelet from Accessories Boutique to bring the stud theme of the outfit together.

What have you been styling during this stormy summer weekend?

Naomi x

‘But why not buy designer clothing and high street accessories?’, I hear you ask.  Well, you could, but fashions and personal tastes change, and that dress you love this year might not be your thing next year, and it might not even fit you then!  But you never grow out of basic sunglasses, jewellery, bags and shoes.

The key to choosing the right pieces is to save up, do your research on what is best for you, and spend savvily.  Not all of us, myself included, can afford to buy designer with every pay cheque, hence having to mix with high street, but if you put a little bit aside when you can and keep an eye out for a good deal, you can bag yourself a timeless piece that will last for years.  This summer I’ve been relying on two designer pieces in particular, both by Alexander McQueen.  I bought these zipped biker heels in the McQ online winter sale after eyeing them up for months, and they were reduced from over £500 to £159.  They’re made from very high quality leather, are surprisingly comfortable, and look great with anything from smart work outfits and going out dresses, to casual jeans and a jumper or tee.

My other go-to designer accessory this summer is a pair of stunning vintage-style cateye sunglasses.  I know a lot of people wouldn’t choose to splurge on a pair of sunnies, but think of it this way…  If you spend £15 on a pair of sunglasses, chances are that by the end of the summer they’ll be broken.  It happens to me almost every year because, quite frankly, cheap often means badly made.  But if you save up and shell out on a more expensive pair, made from higher quality materials, they’ll more than likely last a lot, lot longer, and eventually you’ll have saved money by not buying a new pair every year!

I adore these sunglasses, and have been wearing them almost every day for the past couple of months.  They’re very sturdy and come in a solid protective case so can’t be broken or damaged easily, and the lenses provide far better protection for your eyes than cheaper shades.  The classic cateye shape has been popular for decades, but the glossy eye frames against the matte brow, and gradient lenses, give them a modern, Gothic edge that really suits my personal style.  Alexander McQueen sunglasses don’t come cheap, and I’ve seen these on a lot of websites for around £220, but you can get them from Red Hot Sunglasses for £180, with free delivery.

Be sure to check back soon for a series of What I Wore posts featuring these designer accessories and high street clothing!

Naomi x

*These Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses were sent to me by Red Hot Sunglasses for review and styling purposes.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*

Primark Stretch Tee / H&M Skater Skirt / Primark Shoes / Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses / Eclectic Eccentricity Necklace

To finish the outfit, and add a bit of interest, I wore my Alexander McQueen sunglasses, which I love, love, love and have been teaming with everything this season (look out for a special McQ style post coming soon), and this amazingly cool necklace from Eclectic Eccentricity.

Eclectic Eccentricity is a British brand who specialise in creating quirky pieces from vintage components.  Their pieces are all so unique and unusual, and I have a wishlist as long as my arm of items from their website!  This necklace is their You’re On My Wavelength Einstein necklace, which features a gold toned geometric frequency wavelength, and a teeny tiny, but very detailed, figure of Einstein.  Who knew he could be so cute?!  I’m a big science fan, so this necklace is right up my street, and it’s definitely a talking point.  I love how it hangs as well and it sits perfectly, just where I want it.  You can grab your own here for £16.50.

What do you think?  Would you wear this necklace?

Naomi x

*This You’re On My Wavelength Einstein Necklace was sent to me by Eclectic Eccentricity for styling purposes.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*

I’ve spotted two big trends on the highstreet this season – pastel brights and platforms – and these beauties tick both boxes.  The sandals fasten at the side with a buckle, and have a strappy design reminiscent of ’90s-style jelly shoes, but with an open toe.  The platform is around 4 inches high, but despite the height they’re incredibly comfortable as the sole is cushioned, and they’re flat so very easy to walk in.

I absolutely love the colour of these shoes.  They’re a gorgeous bright pink that adds a perfect pop of colour to my (mostly) black wardrobe, but the pastel element gives them a dusky hue, rather than an overwhelming fluorescence, which I prefer.  However, if pink isn’t your thing, they’re also available in black, white, green, orange, or yellow.

These sandals are so easy to style too.  I’ve paired them with leggings and a long top for a casual day look, but they also look really cute with a strappy sun dress, a skater skirt, or even skinny jeans!  I’m sure they’ll be featuring in some style posts in the coming months, so keep an eye out.

These Ciara Flatform Shoes cost just £13.49, which for a good quality pair of pretty, versatile sandals is an absolute steal.  And even cheaper than Primark and suchlike too!  Check them out here.

Naomi x

*These Ciara Flatform Shoes were sent to me by Shusole for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*