Black

There’s new trousers in town

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Wardrobe staples

#ootw

culottes

Move over skinnies; there’s new trousers in town. You heard – my staple black skinny jeans have been replaced. I blame my beloved jumpsuit. The wide, cropped leg inspired me to invest in a pair of culottes for winter and they have been crowned this week’s outfit of the week.

Culottes can be tricky to wear. They need to sit on the waist at just the right spot and be just the right length and if not, things can go horribly wrong. If I’m honest, these Zara culottes on the hanger are everything I want. Elastic waist, pockets, tie at the front. All very positive features. However, it feels like someone got the measurements wrong, leaving the material about half a centimetre short in a rather uncomfortable spot. Get my drift?

culottes

I’m persisting though as the positives outweigh the negatives. Whether it’s boots, tights, socks, sneakers, heels, a cardigan or a shirt, these black culottes are the perfect staple for the winter months ahead. What’s even better is they have become a part of one of my favourite outfits. The culottes and my white ‘hug’ in a jumper are a match made in heaven.

Culottes

These trousers are here to stay!

xo

 

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Christmas in July

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Christmas in July

#OOTW

COS

Don’t get scared, this is not a Christmas post. I’m not playing Christmas carols or baking some kind of bird. I barely do those things in December let alone July so bear with me. Instead, I’m talking about Christmas presents and this week’s #OOTW.

I got some wonderful presents last Christmas, one being a voucher for COS and I have only just spent it. COS is a favourite store of mine so I was thrilled to have the chance to purchase something special. With a gift like this, I was not going to spend it on the first thing I saw. I wanted it to be a special piece that reminded me of the person who gave me the voucher every time I put it on.

Six months on and I still hadn’t found what I was looking for. Not because there weren’t options! Everything I touch in COS I want, but I was being so cautious with handing over my gift.  COS to me is all kinds of heavenly block colours, crisp lines, almost an androgynous yet feminine aesthetic. When I look and wear their pieces I feel comfortable, powerful and timeless. You can see why I want everything in the store! That’s just me, COS themselves put it more eloquently perhaps;

‘COS is a fashion brand for women and men who want modern, functional, considered design. Offering reinvented classics and wardrobe essentials, we create pieces that are made to last beyond the season. Traditional methods and new techniques merge to form timeless, understated collections.’ 

With that done and having tried on every possible item over the past six months, I found myself with this beauty. Just another black top you say? Not at all. This top is so sleek and flared panel with contrasting peplum hemline means I’ll be wearing it both day and night!

COS

COS

The thing that was a real seller for me was where the peplum was placed on the garment. I go on and on about proportions but this is a good example of why it’s so important to get right. I always feel peplums make my torso look short, accentuating areas I’d rather hide. The peplum, or poplin hemline as COS have called it, is actually a bit lower than most which means both my legs and torso look in proportion creating a lovely silhouette.

COS

You can see why I love COS and this top so much. They have made what could be just another black top interesting, versatile and stylish and I feel fabulous in it. This purchase was definitely worth the wait! Until next Christmas.

xo

#OOTW

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Another pair of black jeans please

#OOTW

Black jeans

You have probably seen my last post by now, I’m so excited I could oui! and the excitement of it all made me completely forget about my Outfit of the week, so while I’m away stuffing my face with croissants, here’s this week’s #OOTW. 

This week’s #OOTW is a staple and an item I couldn’t live without. The change of season always makes me pull out clothes I haven’t worn for a while and somehow I feel refreshed, but there is one thing that remains the same for me; black jeans. It’s hard to go past denim but there is something about black jeans that really floats my boat.

Black jeans

It is so important to have an understanding of brands and their sizing, shapes and styles of jeans and even more so, what materials work for you. I’m a fan of skinny jeans and to be honest traditional denim doesn’t do it for me. I prefer a softer, more flexible material with just the right amount of stretch.

These kinds of jeans means I can take them through all seasons. Ok, maybe I wouldn’t wear them in 40 degree heat (I hardly think I’ll face that temperature here) but you get my drift. I love going from a casual day look to wearing them on a night out and it’s amazing how one item can create so many different looks. I wear my jeans so often I have a few pairs on the go. I wear them to the point that the holes are beyond repair and they have faded so much they are now different shades of grey. Even then I can’t throw them out so I have developed a hierarchy system; brand new pair, new pair, old pair which can be worn in public and an old pair for around the house. There are sub layers in this hierarchy but I won’t bore you!

Black jeans

We all have those pieces that we love and can’t live without and I say everyone needs a pair of black jeans in their wardrobe.

What’s your staple item?

xo

Is it really that bad?

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Yes is the answer to that question, it is that bad!

I am speaking of my bathroom. The most detested room of my house. It has taken me almost 3 years to find a way to make it, well less ugly and still to this day I’m not sure I’ve succeeded. As I rent I am limited to DIY home improvements and yes there are lots of ways to create the illusion of space and all the other tricks renters try but even these bring their own challenges.

IMG_2590

My main issue (and there are many with this room) is the tiles. Floor to ceiling tiles of what can only be described as a wishy washy, cringe-worthy mess of green and white swirl (as you can see there is no way of making these tiles look anything other than revolting, in my opinion!). It is unfortunate as if I was to decorate a room green would dominate. Anyway, initially when I approached this room I was trying to find accessories that would ‘blend in’ with the hideous tiles however no joy with that plan.

Bathroom jazz up

My new approach is to change the focus. Instead of walking in and seeing ‘those tiles’, my aim was for the eye to go directly to something else. So here it goes, the one colour I would never use in interior decor; black!

black in a bathroom

I adore black in clothing, footwear and accessories but for home interiors I feel it is too modern, I prefer a softer, more vintage feel. However I needed something so bold as to shift the focus so black it is. With only a few additions, I now walk into the bathroom and the tiles somehow, if I squint enough fade into the background of a bold monochrome shower curtain and a big black mat that adds texture and warmth. Throw in wooden triangle shelves that use up what was once dead space, a plant holder for magazines, a jam jar for my make up brushes, a hanging door storage unit for all my creams, nail polishes and of course lipsticks and a turtle just for the fun of it! By no means does the final result resemble a bathroom I actually want but hey, you can only work with what you’ve got!

Turtle fun

xo