Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Posts tagged Winter
What I Wore: Arura
0
6 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Arura Nini Heavy Knit Cardigan / Wrap London Lace Front Dress / Dr Martens Hazil Virginia Boots / Primark Tights / Sam Ryde Onyx Moon Pendant /
If you’ve been following my blog for a while then you’ll probably know that I like my wardrobe to have a combination of cheap and cheerful, as well as luxury investment pieces, and I feel this outfit combines the two well!
This gorgeous heavy knit Nini cardigan was recently sent to me by a local luxury knitwear brand called Arura. Arura was founded in 2016, and specialises in creating diverse clothing and accessories, crafted on a limited basis in the UK and Europe.
The craftsmanship of the cardigan is fantastic, and it looks and feels so well made, as the wool is top quality with a softness and weight to it, and it’s also lined with a silky fabric. I just know this is going to be a staple piece in my wardrobe throughout autumn and winter as it’s so comfy and cosy, but I’m also getting use out of it during Spring. It makes for great outerwear on chilly days and evenings when a coat would be too much.
For this look I teamed the cardigan with a dress by Wrap London, which brand new would probably have cost around £100, but I managed to bag this one from a charity shop for just £3! As my outfits tend to consist of mostly black, I like to add interest by mixing textures or flashes of colour, and I love how the lace panel looks against the knit of the cardigan.
What would you pair the Nini cardigan with? Keep an eye out for future posts to see how else I style it!
Naomi x
How To Spend a Winter Evening In
0
7 years
by Naomi in Lifestyle
Being the homebird that I am, one of my favourite things about Winter is spending the evening in, under a pile of blankets, with some good food and entertainment. As such, I want to share with you some of the best things (in my opinion) to do of an evening at this time of year.
1. Watch TV
This might seem like an obvious one, but of course it had to be on the list! After a long day at work I love nothing more than to chill out on the sofa and spend a few hours enjoying my favourite shows. We’re actually looking for a new TV at the minute, preferably a Panasonic which I know we can trust, and I have my eye on this Panasonic UHD 4K TV. It has excellent picture quality, cinema display and Smart features, and all the reviews I’ve seen are really positive! Just need to save a few pennies now.
We’ve been binging on Netflix lately, and I highly recommend Black Mirror, Glitch and Stranger Things. We’re currently on Season 1 of Bates Motel which I’m loving too!
2. Play Games
I actually prefer board and card games to computer or console games, and I’m a big fan of playing them with a group of friends, or just with my partner, complete with a large Dominos pizza on the side! I find it’s a great way to socialise and have fun without having to go out in the cold and rain!
At the moment I’m really into two particular card games – Fluxx (the Adventure Time version) and Sushi Go! Both can be played in groups or pairs. Sushi Go! is ideal if you like cute, simple, quick games, whereas Fluxx requires a little bit more commitment with its ever-changing rules! Both are available on Amazon.
3. Read
I’ve had an obsession with books for as long as I can remember, and even after spending five years studying literature at University, I still get a kick out of reading. There’s just something so comforting about settling down in front of the fire, with a hot drink and a good book, exploring new worlds and characters.
I want to read a lot more this year than I did last year, and I’m already off to a good start. My 2017 reading list is getting bigger and bigger, and as well as dipping in and out of several non-fictions, I’m also reading A Kind of Loving by Stan Barstow at the minute. I have a soft spot for working class kitchen sink realism, so I’m really enjoying it.
What are your favourite things to do of an evening during Winter?
Naomi x
What I Wore: Snow
0
8 years
by Naomi in Fashion
H&M Cropped Jumper / George Net Frill Skirt / Primark Cosy Tights / Dr Martens Crackle Suede Pascal Boots / Curiology Snow Globe Necklace
Well, it’s been a ridiculously long time since I last posted, but I think it’s about time I made a blog comeback! The last few months have been incredibly busy, and I may do a life update post soon to share a few things, but for now I thought I’d kick back off with a good ol’ outfit post – my favourite!
Last weekend we had our first snow of the season, and though there wasn’t much, Charles and I went for a lovely wintry walk around the local meadows. My outfit of choice for my snowy walk was put together around one piece – my skirt. I actually thrifted this skirt for just £3.25 from a charity shop a few weeks ago, and I absolutely adore it. The full tiered net looks so feminine, but still has the Gothy edge that I love, and is surprisingly warm when worn over tights.
I teamed the skirt with one of my favourite basic jumpers from H&M, and my newest pair of Dr Martens, which kept my toes toasty from the cold. The necklace was a Christmas gift from my mum, and is pretty damn cool. It’s by Curiology, and was one of their Winter 2015 pieces. It doesn’t show up well in the photo, but the necklace is layered, and depicts a gothic castle scene, with teeny bats included. So cute.
Did you get any snow last week?
Naomi x
Alexander McQueen Autumn Winter Wishlist
0
8 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Folded Drape Mini Skirt / Ladder High Neck Dress / Rouched Knit Crew Neck Jumper / Long Handkerchief Skirt / Silk Chiffon Creased Roses Scarf / Studded Heeled Bootie / Legend Bag / Draped Sleeve Flare Dress / Petal Sleeve Double Breasted Coat / Studded Continental Wallet / Folded Drape Mini Dress / Studded Heroine Bag
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
Winter Degustabox 2014
1
9 years
It’s been a while since I last reviewed a Degustabox, so today I thought I’d share with you my thoughts on the Winter edition.
The Winter Degustabox, received in November, included eight brands, and fifteen individual items, with a combined value of £20.94. Each Degustabox costs £12.99, so this one saves you almost £8.00.
Lindt My Melting Moment (RRP £0.65 each)
Once again I was pleased to see a Lindt Lindor treat in the box, this time in the form of five Melting Moments. As usual, they taste delicious, are a good size, and have the same smooth and creamy texture that I love from Lindor. They look great too, with a lovely snowflake shape and pattern. One thing disappoints me though… Considering this is a Christmas treat, I would have liked to see Lindor incorporate a festive flavour. Ginger perhaps, or cinnamon, or even mincemeat!
Kent’s Kitchen BBQ Flavour Shots (RRP £1.85)
These BBQ Flavour Shots by Kent’s Kitchen are one of my favourite items in the box this month. The pack consists of four little pots of concentrated seasoning, which just needs to be stirred into meat a minute or two before serving. I’ve used a couple of these so far, both with Quorn fillets, served them with rice, kidney beans and veg, and they are delicious. The BBQ seasoning is intense, with a smoky but sweet flavour. They make for such a quick and easy meal too, which is just what I want after a long day at work. At £1.85 I’d definitely buy these again, and I’d like to try the other flavours too.
Cool Dawn Recovery Drinks (RRP £1.49 each)
I’m not much of a drinker, so I haven’t actually tried these Cool Dawn Recovery drinks. They’re herbal detox drinks which are supposed to prevent and cure hangovers, by drinking one before bed, and one in the morning. They aren’t carbonated, and contain no stimulant ingredients, and though the citrus and liquorice flavour sounds intriguing, I’m not sure it’s a combination I’d enjoy the morning after a night of drinking!
Montano Cider (RRP £2.79)
Montano Cider is an Italian cider made from apples grown in the foothills of the dolomites. Apparently, ‘these orchards are the highest in Europe enjoying fresh mountain air and over 300 days of sunshine each year. The result is a golden, elegantly sparkling, medium-dry cider with a refreshing, crisp finish’. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? I’m not the biggest fan of cider, but this one sounds that little bit more refined, so I may give it a go when the time is right.
Kettle Salsa & Mesquite Chips (RRP £2.19)
Kettle reintroduced two old favourites as a limited edition over Christmas – Stilton & Port, and Salsa & Mesquite, which is the flavour I received in my box. This was one of the original Kettle flavours way back in 1988, so it was nice to try a blast from the past. As you’d expect from Kettle, the chips themselves are thickly cut, pleasantly crunchy, and the flavour is strong. The salsa flavour shines through, and tastes very authentic, which makes these crisps oddly refreshing, if that’s even possible!
Pip Organic Cloudy Apple Juice (RRP £1.50 each)
Pip Organic is a family run company based in London, which specialises in organic juices and smoothies. In my box I received two small bottles of Cloudy Apple juice, which are the perfect size for lunch boxes. The juice is made from 100% fruit, with no added sugar, water, preservatives or additives, and it shows. The juice is thick, and has the sweet, sharp flavour that you get when eating an apple – very different to your bog standard supermarket juice. However, at £1.50 for a small bottle, they seem rather expensive, and I’m not sure I’d pay that myself.
Branston Caramelised Onion Chutney (RRP £1.50)
I planned on saving this new Branston Caramelised Onion Chutney for Christmas, but I ended up using it for packed lunches instead. The chutney has a lovely sweetness to it that goes well with a variety of cheeses. I tried it with a subtle, creamy Double Gloucester, and a strong, sharp Cheddar, and it complimented both. I have plans for this chutney as I want to use it in tartlets with goats cheese, so check back in the future for a recipe post!
Holy Cow! Curry Sauces (RRP £1.69 each)
Last but not least I received two Holy Cow! Curry Sauces – a Mughlai Korma, and a Madras Chettinad. I’m yet to use the Korma, but I tried the Madras and it was incredibly tasty. The sauce has a tomato base, but it’s the coconut, curry leaves and fenugreek that gives it a unique flavour. The sauce is very hot, but the combination of the Indian spices with the coconut is out of this world. It’s really easy to use too – just snip open the packet and pour into the pan with your meat and veg a few minutes before serving!
Overall, the Winter box is another impressive offering from Degustabox. If you’d like to try Degustabox yourself, you can get £3.00 off your first box using the code ‘XI4CK‘.
Check back soon for my review of the December Degustabox!
Naomi x
PS. You can check out the rest of my Degustabox reviews here.
*This Winter Degustabox was sent to me by Degustabox for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
What I Wore: Rat Fan
1
9 years
Have you ever found an item of clothing that is just so perfect it could’ve been made with you in mind? Well for me, this t shirt is one of those items. I love rats, I love Batman, I love black clothing, so what better than a black ‘Rat Fan’, Batman-style t shirt?!
ratsratsrats Rat Fan T Shirt / Primark Long Black Cardigan / Blue Rags Black Ornate Embroidered Trousers / Dr Martens Lauren Boots
I bought this t shirt for £14.99 from an online store called ratsratsrats, which specialises in rat-themed clothing, accessories and gifts. I’ve ordered a couple of t shirts from them now and I’m always really impressed with the quality. The fabric is really soft and comfortable, the fit is great and the print is always high quality. I also like the length of ratsratsrats tees as they sit below the hip, which I prefer.
I teamed the t shirt with my favourite winter cardigan, and a pair of Blue Rags black embroidered trousers, which are so warm and comfy. They’re also patterned with a beautiful embroidery-style damask, which you can see clearer on the red pair I styled here. My Dr Martens Lauren Boots make an appearance too, of course.
This outfit is pretty much my go-to outfit for cosy, lazy weekend days, and is perfect for nipping out to the shops, or slouching around the house in.
Naomi x
Little Black Dresses by George
0
9 years
by Naomi in Fashion
The festive season is just around the corner, and I’ve already been invited to a few Christmas parties and meals out. As such, I’ve started to do some online window shopping for the perfect party outfits for this season, and I’ve found that George at Asda have some really gorgeous women’s dresses in their Autumn/Winter collection. I’m a sucker for a classic LBD, and George have two in particular that I’ve been eyeing up. It’s been a while since I put together a wishlist type post, so I thought I’d do one to show you how I’d style these two dresses.
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.*
What I Wore: Purple Knit
2
10 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Yesterday was a fairly mild day for December, so my fiancé and I decided to take advantage of the Autumn sun and go for a little wander around the lakes with my camera. Whilst we were there, we took the opportunity to take some ‘What I Wore’ photos, featuring my new oversized purple cardigan from Primark.
Primark Purple Knit Cardigan / Primark Plain Black Vest / Primark Leather Look Leggings / Dr Martens 1460 W Purple Shimmer Boots / eBay Multi-Layer Leaf Necklace
I was really quite pleased with this Primark find as I’d been looking for a big cardi for weeks, but hadn’t been having much luck finding one I liked. In fact, after a lengthy browse I was ready to give up on Primark, but as I was about to leave I spotted a sale rack with this gorgeous cardigan on it. Admittedly, quite a few of them were cut weirdly and I had to try a few on to get one that fit right, but I’m glad I persisted, especially as it was reduced from £12 to only £5!
The cardigan is lovely and chunky, so I wore it over a plain black vest and my leather look leggings, and still felt cosy and warm. Of course, I had to team it with my trusty purple Dr Martens, and added a multi-layer leaf necklace for a bit of extra detail. A simple outfit for a chilled out day, which ended perfectly with nachos and quesadillas, doughnuts and Breaking Bad!
What did you wear this weekend?
Naomi x
French Connection Wishlist
0For years my personal style has featured a lot of black, so I’ve really been embracing this season’s trends for black and the leather look, as they’re letting me revive my teenage love of the Gothic, but with a bit more sophistication. In my search for new clothes to add to my hoard of black, I have been browsing the internet, and have found that French Connection’s current range has some amazing pieces that would look right at home in my wardrobe. So, I thought I’d put together a little wishlist featuring a selection of my favourite French Connection clothing.
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.*
Primark Autumn/Winter Coat
6
10 years
by Naomi in Fashion
If there’s one thing I absolutely hate shopping for, it’s coats. Every year I end up trailing around shops for hours, trying on coats that just don’t look or feel right, before eventually settling for something that I don’t particularly like. This year, however, was different. I walked into Primark, picked up the first coat that caught my eye, tried it on and, much to my surprise, I loved it! And, to make things even better, it only cost £25 – a third of what last year’s coat cost me.
Primark Coat / Primark Leggings / Deichmann Boots / Butler & Wilson Skull Necklace / Royal British Legion Poppy Pin
I’m usually really fussy about coats as I don’t like them too long or too short, and I don’t like them to be shapeless either, but I absolutely love the length and shape of this coat. It fits really nicely and the slightly puffy shoulders balance out the flared bottom. The coat fastens with an off centre zip and a faux leather tie belt, which is perfect for this season’s leather trend, and it also has a large lapel collar and good-sized angled pockets.
Though it’s not the warmest of coats, it’s been keeping me toasty on windy Autumn days, and its simplicity means it can be dressed up throughout Winter with cosy scarves, snoods, hats and gloves. For me, that’s a bonus, as bulky hoods tend to annoy me and I’d rather accessorize anyway. I also went up a size so I could wear jumpers and layers underneath, as going one size bigger with this coat doesn’t look bulky and wrong, due to its fitted shape.
What do you think of my Primark bargain?
Naomi x
