Lesson 2: Breathe baby breathe | February

So you are finally getting over your January blues and already seeking those Summer months. February was always one of my favourite months, now it is one of the hardest. With awards season in full swing and in the midst of fashion week, February is not only about planning those career goals but also making peace with your mindset.

This past February was a little unexpected. 

I know Antartica was on top of my bucket list but I didn't expect to live and breathe it so soon.

Whilst the snow caused chaos and disruption in England, it also became a welcome distraction.

February is the month to take time out and breathe. The time to find your headspace. 

Whilst my February was filled with work work and more work, I also gave myself time to reflect and kept my head in the clouds. Reality never has to be as it appears. 

Surround yourself with people who understand this mantra. 

... because remember my darlings, you don't always have to keep your shit together. 

   Lesson 2: Breathe baby breathe

  

A British Autumn

A British Autumn is nothing but desirable.

For a country that is famous for its rainy weather and combination of countryside and cities, this is the season where the island flourishes. 

Think Burberry trenches, iconic landscapes and of course the crisp cold air.  

The reasons we adore Autumn vary. From a divine deep colour palette, to dreary days in the city- there is something about Autumn that keeps us going. Could it be the new beginnings of September? The countdown to Christmas? Or a killer wardrobe? 

I spent my Sunday afternoon in the city with one of my best friends sipping on cocktails and catching up on life.  

With fashion week in full swing it is time that we completely embrace AW15 trend. The transition from S/S to A/W can be a little tedious so I opted for fail proof monochrome. We need to save our favourite seasonal colours for when the leaves start falling and the hard work gets going.

Here i'm wearing my favourite River Island leather jacket and new season over the knee boots. I have paired this with my Topshop ribbed jumper and white cord skirt.   

I'm all about Autumn and a British Autumn is what makes us adore September across the waters.

The AW15 runway was one of our favourites and these are trends to live by. It's time to flaunt our flawless styling and wardrobe perfection. 

 

Blogmas Day 14; Wishlist: Lulu Guinness luxury

Lulu Guinness is a girls dream.

Quirky, unique and totally chic, this darling British gem is my favourite accessory designer.

Her iconic focus on bold lips and graphics are what make her pieces noticeable and outstanding.

From clutches, to bags, to purses and even key rings we quite simply desire all.

If you are seeking something to add a little extra excitement to your ensemble these are for you darlings. Despite designers such as Moschino and Anya Hindmarch creating quirky and dynamic designs many seek Lulu Guinness as the personality of each piece is statement making in all the right ways and requires little courage to work with.

£295 BUY HERE

£95 BUY HERE & £245 BUY HERE

£170 BUY HERE

£495 BUY HERE & £45 BUY HERE

Are you obsessed? I know I certainly am.
Who said chic and sophisticated could not be a little fun and feisty?

Shop the entire collection here

Blogmas Day 1;Wishlist: Louboutin Nails

Blogmas Day 1;Style fix: Eyelash knits X rouge lips

Blogmas Day 2;VSFashion Show: Meet the Angels

Blogmas Day 2;Style fix: Red on red

Blogmas Day 3;Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: Runway exclusive 

Blogmas Day 3; Style fix: Laid back embellishment

Blogmas Day 4: Pre Fall Runway:Chanel in Salzburg

Blogmas Day 4; Style fix: Glam Thursdays

Blogmas Day 5; #Nextmaswishlist

Blogmas Day 5; Style fix: Cropped city chic

Blogmas Day 6; Beauty fix: Best Beauty Advent calendars

Blogmas Day 7; Christmas fashion campaigns

Blogmas Day 8; Beauty fix: Christmas make up essentials 

Blogmas Day 9; Christmas in the city

Blogmas Day 10; Style fix: The Christmas party edit 

Blogmas Day 11; Style fix: Must have party season shoes

Blogmas Day 12; High street wishlist: River Island tote bags

Blogmas Day 13; Beauty fix: Hottest Christmas nails colours

*Photo credit: Lulu Guinness

The City

Today has been a whirlwind, non stop. We've managed to explore so many parts of London that we've never been to, in one day.

 Covent Garden

 Buckingham Palace

 The state room openings at the palace

 Hummingbird bakery

 Nottinghill Gate and Portobello market.

 A sneaky little indulgence

Visit, Indulge and love this summer

Perfect your summer whether you are jetting off or not ...

Parties

The most perfect way to celebrate a British Summer is in true British style. Sophisticated garden parties or champagne gatherings are not only classy but sophisticated and chic. With Pimms pouring and cute outfits dazzling you’ll be sure to enjoy a flawless afternoon. Partying does not always have to include clubbing!

Perfect Homemade  Lemonade

·         Prep time: 10 minutes

Add to shopping list

INGREDIENTS

·         1 cup sugar (can reduce to 3/4 cup)

·         1 cup water (for the simple syrup)

·         1 cup lemon juice

·         3 to 4 cups cold water (to dilute)

METHOD

1 Make simple syrup by heating the sugar and water in a small saucepan until the sugar is dissolved completely.

2 While the sugar is dissolving, use a juicer to extract the juice from 4 to 6 lemons, enough

for one cup of juice.

3 Add the juice and the sugar water to a pitcher. Add 3 to 4 cups of cold water, more or less to the desired strength. Refrigerate 30 to 40 minutes. If the lemonade is a little sweet for your taste, add a little more straight lemon juice to it.

Serve with ice, sliced lemons.

Yield: Serves 6.

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/perfect_lemonade/

Shop

Shopping? Most girls favourite past time. Whether your preparing for your holidays or the numerous occasions ahead indulge in shopping for the day. Go somewhere you would not usually go. The cute boutiques of York or perhaps designer outlets, shop til you drop. 

Places to try:

McArthur Glen Designer outlet, York

Liverpool One, Liverpool

Bluewater, Kent

The most obvious is Oxford or Regent St London. If you are lucky enough to live in London why not try Paris? You can make it there and back within the day leaving from St. Pancreas or if you live further afield stay the night? Make the most of it.

Read

I love reading whilst on holiday. Of course in Ibiza I was always on the go so I refrained from my reading purchases until my next holiday.

Relax and read, here are are my three main summer reads for 2013:

Revenge wears Prada: The Devil Returns, Lauren Weisberger-  The Sequel to The Devil Wears Prada (I know you’ve all seen the movie!)

Entwined with you, Sylvia Day- The third book in the series. If you were a 50 Shades of Grey lover like me last year this book is perfect for you. It’s not all about sex and seduction (although that plays a big part) it also includes mystery and romance. Make sure you read Bared to You and    Reflected in you first!

Looking for Alaska,  John Green-  Romance need I say more

Travel, Road Trip

TRAVEL! This is what summer is all about. I am personally interested in history and love the thought of visiting castles and historical towns. Having said this I love to travel so I am open to anything. Be spontaneous this summer. Visit the Zoo or a theme park or somewhere you would never have thought to have go. This is perfect for those who are not jetting off this summer.

Here are places I wish to travel to:

Nottingham Castle

Stirling Castle, Scotland

Thorpe Park, Surrey

Cornwall

Ireland- a country I’ve always wanted to go to!

Sports

Detox with Yoga or be adventurous and parasail over the sea. Seek to be a daredevil the summer. I love the excitement and thrill you get from adventure and water sports. Surfing is definitely not my type of thing (although I would try) but anything that is fast or high I am all in! 

Camping

So we aren’t talking mud, rain and the middle of nowhere! Sleep on the beach or hidden in the woods you will never understand how much fun it is until you have tried it!

Party

Dance the night away in your favourite clubs. Try something new, go somewhere different, drink cocktails rather than vodka and meet new people.

Darlings visit, indulge and love ...

Margaret Thatcher and the rise of power dressing

So I'm currently sat preparing for tomorrow's Sociology seminar which is on Thatcherism, a topic that I'm growing particularly fond of. I have 10 newspaper articles that I have to go through to prepare for a discussion on her legacy. As you may know from my pervious blogpost on Margaret Thatcher and her most rememberable outfits I admire her for her power dressing and the influence she had on the fashion industry, along with various other achievements. As I was reading an article from The Guardian discussing '20 ways that she changed Britain' I was attracted to reason number 8, entitled, 'the rise of power dressing'. I was incredibly impressed this was included within the article commenting on aspects such as her trademark blue skirt, pearls and handbag and the influence she had on other powerful women. It's nice to know that her influence in the fashion industry, by people other than her outfit admirers, is recognised.