Tobi Warm Nights Bell Sleeve Sweater Dress / Primark Black Skinny Jeans / Handmade Faux Fur Jacket / Blonde + Blonde Lace Up Block Heel Boots / Curiology Necklace

Charles and I decided to brave the snowy, cold ‘Beast from the East’ yesterday and have a date day, starting with breakfast at our favourite local bakery, followed by a trip to the cinema to see Black Panther (which I highly recommend, by the way).  I wanted to wear something nice for our day out, but also stay warm, and I think this gorgeous sweater dress from Tobi is the right blend of both!  I absolutely adore the aesthetic of the bell sleeves and high neck, and it’s just so cosy.

I teamed the sweater dress with a trusty pair of black Primark skinny jeans (which come in a 34″ leg for all you fellow tall girls out there), and my Blonde + Blonde boots.  The block heel means they were really easy to walk in in the snow, but looked a little more ‘dressed up’ than my usual Dr Martens.

To finish the outfit I added one of my many Curiology necklaces, and a faux fur jacket (handmade by my mum!)

Tobi Checkmate Plaid Shift Dress / Primark Black Leggings / Sam Ryde Onyx Moon Pendant / Primark Nail Polish in ‘Rock Your World’ / Alexander McQueen Book by Claire Wilcox

When we got back from our day out we wanted to cosy down in the house with Netflix and some good books, so I changed into something slightly more casual.  This plaid shift dress is also from Tobi and is so loose and comfortable – perfect for lazing around the house in, but would also look amazing dressed up with a pair of skinnies and some heels.  I’ve been obsessed with red and black plaid ever since I saw Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty exhibition at the V&A in London, so I’m definitely going to get a lot of wear out of this piece.

Naomi x

A relaxed weekend called for a relaxed outfit, and as there is finally an autumn chill in the air, and I was spending most of the day (and evening) outside, it had to be warm too!

New Look Leather Biker Jacket (Thrifted) / Primark Crew Neck Top / Blue Rags Red Ornate Embroidered Trousers / Dr Martens Lauren Boots / DressLink Cowl Scarf / Topshop Leather Bag (Thrifted)

These red embroidered trousers are a new purchase of mine.  They’re by a French label called Blue Rags, but I actually got them from Everything5Pounds.  Most of my wardrobe is black, but I like to add a splash of colour here and there, and these trousers are the ideal shade for Autumn.  They’re incredibly soft and comfortable and the detail of the embroidery is stunning.  I also ordered a pair in black and I’m so glad I did as they’re a real statement piece.

My Dr Martens Lauren boots are another new purchase.  They have that buckled biker look that I adore, so they match my biker jacket, but they’re not as clumpy as a lot of my other Dr Martens.  I’ve been wearing these a lot over the last few weeks, casually with jeans, but also with my work dresses, and I think they look great.  I walk to work so it’s essential that I have a warm, comfy, waterproof, sturdy pair of boots for the winter, and these tick all the boxes.

Naomi x

DressLink.com Draped Hoodie / H&M Polka Dot Acid Wash Jeans / Primark Basic T Shirt / Primark Metal Waist Belt / Primark Canvas Shoes / Thrifted Topshop Leather Stud Bag

I ordered this oversized draped hoodie from DressLink.com a few weeks ago.  It was originally intended to be for my mum, but unfortunately it doesn’t quite fit her right, so she let me have it.  Believe it or not, this is an XXXL, but Asian sizes are a LOT smaller than our Western sizes, so it fits me, a size 10/12, like a baggy hoodie.  There’s no way it’s a UK size 20 like the website suggests!

Tops like this are absolutely perfect for this time of year.  It was sunny today, so too warm for a coat, but there was a hint of Autumnal coolness in the air, so it kept me nice and cosy, and the hood is great for when you want an extra bit of warmth.  I also really love the length and draped style of the hoodie as it gives it a slightly witchy edge, and though it looks good baggy, I adore the more tailored shape of it when worn with a waist belt over the top.

What pieces will be seeing you through the Summer to Autumn transition?

Naomi x

Thrifted Papaya Polka Dot Peplum Top £1 / H&M Black Super Stretch Straight Leg Trousers £7.99 / Primark Black Suedette Flat Shoes £6

Primark Long Black Lace Shirt £10 / Primark Black Skinny Jeans £7 each (I bought two pairs, one of which I plan on customising) / Shoes as before

Primark Polka Dot Cardigan £8

Primark Stripe Long Sleeve Top £4

Thrifted Zara Flying Squirrel T Shirt 50p

La Senza Knickers £1 each

Total Spend: £54.49

I also recently placed an order on DressLink.com, but I am going to do a separate post about those purchases (possibly a YouTube video) as I want to share more details about my experience of the site.

What do you think of my new haul items?

Naomi x

House of Fraser Label Lab Men’s Jumper / Primark Grey Skinny Jeans / H&M Black Ankle Boots / Claire’s Bird Skull Necklace

Here’s a bit of advice from me… never bypass the men’s department just because you’re a woman! I found this little beauty in the men’s section of House of Fraser, and it’s by a brand called Label Lab. This was the only one left and it’s a size XL, but I think it looks great as an oversized slouchy jumper.  I’d even wear it as a jumper dress over leather-look leggings.  The jumper feels incredibly soft, and is soooo comfy and warm.  I love it, and at £14.40, down from £45.00, it was an absolute bargain.

This outfit also features two other bargains from my January Sale haul.  The grey skinny jeans were a snip at just £5.00 from Primark.  I was actually surprised to find these, as Primark jeans are usually too short for me, but these are long length and fit me perfectly.

I bought this cute little bird skull necklace yesterday whilst in town.  I spotted a £1 stand in the doorway of Claire’s and just had to have a look, and picked up this necklace and two others for a total of £3.  Not bad!

Do you have a sloppy joe jumper that you turn to on lazy days?

Naomi x

Today I thought I’d share with you what I wore on New Year’s Day.  My outfit of choice consisted of a gorgeous new pair of jeans that I purchased from ASOS in their winter sale, which I paired with a simple black zip back jumper from Primark.

Primark Black Zip Back Jumper / ASOS Only Batik Skinny Jeans / H&M Black Ankle Boots / H&M Black and Gold Clutch Bag

I seem to have collected quite a few black tops over the past few months, so I decided to invest in some colourful pieces to wear with them, and these Batik Skinny Jeans by Danish brand Only do not disappoint.  Purple is my favourite colour, and I’ve always been a fan of batik/tie dye style prints, so as soon as I saw these I knew I had to have them.  They’re an excellent fit as well.  The sizing is accurate, and they have a range of leg lengths to choose from, so they are plenty long enough for my 36″ inside leg!  These jeans cost me £12.50, down from £60.00, and they’ve now been reduced even further to £11.00, so I have ordered another pair as I love them so much.

To finish the outfit, I went for more black.  A few weeks ago I received a couple of fashion items from BLOGGERS[edit] to review, so I decided to give them a whirl with this outfit.  Despite only expecting one item from them, BLOGGERS[edit] actually sent me two (thanks!) – a gorgeous pair of black ankle boots, and a surprise black and gold clutch bag, both from H&M.

Those who read my blog regularly will know that I have a thing for black, and a thing for boots, so these Black Ankle Boots are right up my street.  They’re made of imitation suede which looks and feels almost real, and they have a sturdy but flexible rubber sole so they’re easy and comfortable to walk in.  One thing I always look for in simple black footwear is a little bit of a twist to make them a bit more interesting, and these pass that test.  The boots have a curved panel on the front, and a lip at the top that sits higher than the back, giving them a slightly more unusual shape.  At £24.99 these are a real bargain!

This Black and Gold Clutch Bag is a little beauty, and even comes with a chain strap hidden inside, so you can wear it over your shoulder if you so wish.  The bag has a sturdy gold metallic shell, which is underlaid with soft black suedette, and it fastens with a large clip on top.  Despite only costing £14.99, the bag oozes quality, and adds a touch of glamour to any outfit.  It’s not the biggest bag in the world, but it’s roomy enough for your phone, keys, money, lipstick and chewing gum, which is just about everything you need on a night out.

What do you think of this outfit?

Naomi x

*These Black Ankle Boots and Black & Gold Clutch Bag were sent to me by BLOGGERS[edit], on behalf of H&M, for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*

Work Christmas Party

A lot of work Christmas parties tend to happen straight after work, so I thought I’d put together an outfit that could be worn at work during the day, and effortlessly transformed into something gorgeous for the evening.  I love how pretty this Floral Scuba Skirt is.  It looks smart teamed with a black blazer, but remove the blazer to reveal a pretty top and you’re ready to party!

Meal with Friends

A Christmas catch-up meal with friends calls for something more casual, so I opted for this cute Gem Collar Skater Dress and leggings.  The sparkly detail on the dress is also really glam, so you can look fab whilst feeling comfortable!  A loose-fitting dress like this also enables you to eat more, haha.

Christmas Eve Party

For a Christmas Eve party I chose this beautiful red Strapless Tailored Jumpsuit as it’s suitably festive, and looks effortlessly chic.  Christmas Eve is a busy day for most of us, so to be able to throw on something this simple and still look amazing is always a bonus.  If you’re worried about getting a bit cold though, it’d look amazing with a Sequin Sleeve Jacket worn over the top.

Christmas Day

I like to look and feel good on Christmas day, so I always buy myself a fab new dress to wear.  This Floral Scuba Dress is just the ticket, and the classic cut would suit any age, and any size.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day is usually a lazy day spent recovering from the previous day’s antics and over-indulgence, so a Trumpet Top like this would hide any evidence of having eaten far too much!  I love the contrasting black leather-look panel on the front the top too, and it’s bang on trend.  Dress it down with a pair of Leather-Look Trousers, black skinnies or leggings, and you’re ready to go.

Sale Shopping

Once I’ve recovered from Christmas day, I like to hit the shops and try and grab a few sale bargains.  Wandering around the cold winter shopping streets calls for a coat, and this red Skater Skirted Coat is stunning!  I’ve always been a fan of red coats as they’re real attention grabbers, and this one is no different. Again, team it with some black leggings and a cute top and you’re ready to shop ’til you drop!

Last Minute Party

Ever been invited to a party last minute and not had anything to wear?  Panic!  Well, there’d be no need to panic with this blue Tie Waist Dress in your wardrobe.  You could put it on with minutes to spare and still look the belle of the ball, and who wouldn’t want that?  The colour is absolutely wonderful, and something a little bit different from the usual Christmas colours.

New Year Party

New Year is the perfect time to pull on your favourite LBD and work the room.  I’m a big, big fan of Little Black Dresses, so I found it hard to choose between these two beauties.  The Embellished Cuff Dress has beautiful sparkly cuffs, and a flattering tunic cut so would hide any lumps and bumps.  The Satin Ruched Support Dress is perhaps my winner though, as it’s simple, but still a show stopper.  I also really like the V neck.  Which would you choose?

Back to Work

Now, I know we don’t want to think about it just yet, but after all this celebrating we have to go back to work (boo!), so we might as well do it in style!  Again, the blazer makes an appearance, with a pretty camisole top and, for a bit of glitz to remind us of the previous weeks’ festivities, a Gem Embellished Pencil Skirt.

Which look is your favourite?  Check back soon for more #FFPaperDollParty entries!

Naomi x

  Jonny Cotton Jesse Pinkman ‘Bitch’ T-Shirt / New Look Black Skinny Jeans / Schuh Black Biker Boots

I ordered the t-shirt from an eBay shop called Jonny Cotton.  I was slightly worried at first as it’s impossible to judge the quality of t-shirts like this on eBay, but I’m really pleased with it.  Both the fabric and the print are great quality, and at £7.99 with free postage it was an absolute bargain.  I’m usually a size 12 but I ordered a men’s medium as, being 5’10”, I often find women’s tees to be too short in the body and I wanted something baggier, and it fits really nicely and isn’t too shapeless.  I’d definitely recommend Jonny Cotton for printed tees.

I teamed the t-shirt with my go-to black skinny jeans from New Look, and a pair of black biker boots from Schuh that I found lurking under my bed.  I must have had them for about five years now and I wasn’t too keen on them at first, hence why they were under my bed, but they’re starting to grow on me now.

Do you like Breaking Bad?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.  But please, no spoilers!

Naomi x

Jennifer Hope Denim Wolf Waistcoat / Jennifer Hope Hope Hat / Primark Long Sleeve Top / New Look Black Skinny Jeans / Dr Martens 1460 W Purple Shimmer Boots / Primark, Gifted Stackable Bracelets / Rings & Tings Long Bar Necklace

For the past few months I’ve been looking for a waistcoat to wear over simple tops, but finding one was proving difficult, so when I was sent this denim wolf waistcoat by Jennifer Hope I couldn’t wait to style it.  I also received a Hope beanie hat, which is obviously perfect for this time of year.  My partner and I spent this afternoon browsing the local shopping streets and going for an Autumn wander around the park, so something casual and warm seemed suitable, and the waistcoat and hat are definitely that.

The waistcoat is made from thick, high quality denim, and is scattered with a few rips and tears for a more edgy look.  The back is what really makes a statement though, as it features an on-trend wolf print which is stitched onto the full length of the waistcoat.  I love having unique pieces like this in my wardrobe as they add quirky detail to plain outfits, and look effortlessly good.

I teamed the waistcoat with a basic black long sleeve top from Primark, a pair of black skinny jeans from New Look, my favourite pair of Dr Martens and the Jennifer Hope beanie hat.  I also added a simple necklace and a stack of bracelets for some extra detail.

To browse Jennifer Hope’s full range of clothing, you can visit her online shop here.

What do you think of this look?

Naomi x

*I was sent this Denim Wolf Waistcoat and Hope Beanie Hat by Jennifer Hope Clothing for styling purposes.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*

T-Solar Dress / Vienna Dress / Judy Jegs Jeggings / Judy Jegs Pencil Skirt / Riot PU Jacket

These two French Connection dresses are fine examples of what, for me, a little black dress should be.  They’re classic in their shape and fit, but have a little something extra that really makes a statement.  The T-Solar’s leather panels and pleated skirt are bang on trend and give it a real edge, and the Vienna dress’s beautiful sheer lace sleeves and waist detail look so elegant.  Both dresses would be perfect for the upcoming party season, teamed with a contrasting necklace and heels.

The Judy Jegs Jeggings and Pencil Skirt are simple pieces that could easily become wardrobe staples for me.  Their simplicity means they could be worn to work without looking too over the top, making them the ideal way to bring the leather look into the office.  Having said that, they could also both be dressed up with a nice top, your favourite jewellery and a gorgeous bag for a glamorous evening look.

Last but not least, the Riot PU Jacket would be great for those days when you want to wear something a bit brighter, whilst maintaining that on trend edge.  It could be thrown over a colourful bodycon dress or even a t-shirt and jeans, and still look brilliant.  The cropped fit, exposed zips and emphasised shoulders are also really modern, which I love.

You can find these pieces from French Connection online at divinetrash.co.uk.

Naomi x

*This post is a collaboration.*