NE_StyleSmart

Sunday, 25 August 2013

Stylish In the Rain

The weather in the North East is awful at the moment! It is overcast, muggy and raining which I'm finding very demotivating for leaving the house, however it has inspired a quick blog post about umbrellas. A strange choice some might think, but I've decided to take advantage of the weather to come and use my umbrella not just as protection from the rain, but as a fashionable accessory.

I've put together my top 5 on trend umbrellas for you and there are some amazing ones out there, think check, snake print and dark florals. My favourite is without doubt the clear dome umbrella and has been ever since I first saw Carrie Bradshaw walking the streets of New York; simple, stylish and goes with anything.

Topshop


Amazon

River Island

Amazon


New Look

I hope these umbrellas will have you singing in the rain. Which is your favourite?

Wednesday, 14 August 2013

My Favourite Outfits of Summer 2013

Well my lovely readers, I think it is safe to say that we have had our summer. With temperatures coming in at a real feel of 15 degrees I think autumn may be on it's way, but in celebration of the best summer that we've had for as long as I can remember, I have put together my favourite outfits of the summer and I would love it if you can tell me your favourite.

My top outfit has to be my floral midi dress. I picked this up in the ASOS sale; it has without doubt been my best buy of the year so far and I've received so many compliments on it. I usually wear this with either black or bright blue heels and keep my accessories to a minimum. I think the dress is speaks for itself.

I have to admit that this jumpsuit doesn't actually belong to me. I borrowed this from my good friend Rosie for a night out partying. She bought this from Primark for a bargain of £8 and it's such a shame that I have to give this back. Unsurprisingly I added a hat to this outfit which is also from Primark; I love the retro feel it gives to this outfit. This jumpsuit works great with gladiator sandals but I chose my platform heels from New Look for a more glamorous night out look.

I've had this zebra print maxi dress for a couple of years. I bought it from New Look for £25 and it is one of my fail safe dresses, more so than the little black dress. I love how versatile this dress is; I've worn this to a black and white garden party with heels and statement jewellery but I can dress it down with flip flops for a casual picnic at the park.

I bought these shorts from Zara after I spotted them on honeymoon, but unfortunately I wasn't a savvy packer and there was not an inch left in my suitcase, so I had to wait until I got home to buy these. My blouse is from Ted Baker and I've had this for years and I've worn it so rarely that it almost ended up in the charity shop bag, but I'm so pleased it didn't. My heels are from Primark and I adore clashing colours so I couldn't resist putting blue and orange together.

I don't just love clashing colours, I also adore clashing prints. I first spotted this style on The Guardian website and I was instantly inspired. It was the perfect opportunity to wear my black and white stripped tee from Zara; another piece inspired by my honeymoon. I immediately fell in love with these floral trousers from Next, they are so bold and instantly add oomph to an outfit. My Primark blue heels have made another appearance here and they give that extra bit of height that is needed in such loud trousers.

So there you have it, my favourite outfits of the summer, which is yours?

Friday, 9 August 2013

ASOS 50% off 50 Items

How nice are ASOS? Their amazing sale has only just ended and they have already created another one; 50% off 50 items. I've put together my favourite pieces for you, but get in there quick as a slouchy pander jumper that I had my eye on has already gone!

ASOS have answered my prayers; a floral jumpsuit, two of my favourite things. I love the crop top worn by the model, but I think this would also look great with a shirt and tie, or a bright pink tee for clashing colours and my black heeled buckle ankle boots.

Was £50 Now £25

I may have just done my first wish list for Autumn/Winter but I haven't left the summer completely behind. This summer dress could be one of the last summer buys of 2013, but this dress will take you through the winter too. Either brighten up your wardrobe with the yellow dress, but if like me this is a colour that sadly you can't pull off, the black version would look great with a chunky cardigan, statement tights and boots.

Was £25 Now £12.50

Blouses are a great end of summer investment as they are ideal for when it's too hot for short sleeves but too hot for a jumper. The lace detail on this blouse is stunning and it gives a feminine edge to a leather skirt, but if you want to go full on feminine I would wear this with a midi skirt.

Was £38 Now £19

This Lipsy embellished collar playsuit is very daring but at least it has followed the fashion rule of showing either chest or legs. If this playsuit is still a bit too daring for you a black or white blazer would be a great cover up.

Was £60 Now £30

Let's be honest, this wouldn't be my blog if I didn't have more than one floral piece in the post, and here is the final piece, a flower shirt. Thankfully fashion has not let me down with their Autumn/Winter collections as floral is still huge, but it have taken on a darker edge, so expect floral patterns on dark fabric and this shirt is bang on trend.

Was £22 Now £11

Think I've got myself another shopping list, where's the plastic?

Wednesday, 7 August 2013

My Next Autumn/Winter Wish List

Fashion really does have no concept of time, or the seasons for that matter. I still have no heating on and yet here is my Autumn/Winter Next catalogue bombing through my letterbox, however, do not think this is me complaining, more baffled excitement. I love Autumn/Winter collections far more than the Spring/Summer (gasp in horror!), I find Spring/Summer clothes can become very samey, there are only so many ways that you can wear shorts, t-shits skirts and dresses, whereas in the winter you can wear any item of clothing as long as you have a few statement pair of tights and a coat, so here it is; my first wish list for Next Autumn/Winter 2013.

Nothing says Autumn/Winter like a jumper dress and I have owned more than my fair share, but I'm certain that this year will be no exception. I love how effortless they are, the only thing you need to think about is what to put on your feet, which is great when you leave for work at 6:45 and a pair of knee high boots never fails. This colour block on this dress is oh-so flattering and the flared out bottom adds a cute, feminine touch.

Ponte Colourblock Dress £40

I wear more skirts in the winter than I do in the summer, probably because I can be quite lazy and I can't be bothered to fake tan, especially not for work, it's more than enough effort for a night out! This mesh skirt in mink is stunning and it would be great for either day or night, pumps and a statement t-shirt during the day and sequins and heels on a night.

Mesh Skirt £28

I will admit I do love Autumn/winter clothes as I have an excuse to indulge in one of my favourite items of clothing: coats. I already have far too many, fur coats, overcoats, over-sized blazers, duffle coats and a parker to name a few, but there is definitely a space for a few more and this grey faux fur pu sleeve jacket is most definitely one of them.

Grey Faux Fur Pu sleeve jacket £70

Maxi dresses are a sure winner all year round and this is why we love them. This drape maxi dress is straight out of Gatsby with a drop waist and would be perfect with a full length fur coat on a winter's night out.

Drape Maxi Dress £50

Chunky knits are a must for any winter wardrobe and this check boucle sweater is bang on A/W 13 trend, checks are everywhere. This would look great with skinny jeans and knee high boots, or a full midi skirt, tights and stiletto heels.

Check Boucle Sweater £40

It's very rare that you will get to wear a t-shirt past September in England unless you are going to the gym, but I'm hoping that I can make an exception for this graphic animal t-shirt. The hare resting on the books is far too cute. I want to wear this with the mink mesh skirt and a pair of Chelsea Boots.

Bunny T-Shirt £12

Last but certainly not least is the A/W staple, the biker jacket with a check twist. I wish I could wear this jacket now I love it so much, if only I wouldn't turn into a pool of liquid. This jacket will add a punk vibe to anything and will look amazing with a pair of faded denim boyfriend jeans a fitted black vest and kitten heels.

Biker Jacket £60

Tuesday, 30 July 2013

My new buys Part 2

So I've gone a bit crazy on buying clothes this month thanks to left over money from Honeymoon, so thank you very much to everyone who contributed, not only did I get to visit Italy but I got to update my wardrobe, you have made me a very happy girl! This is why I decided to do this post as a two parter.

Sheer Floral Jumper.
For those of you that read my blog and have seen my twitter pictures you will know that I am a bit obsessed by floral; I'm starting to think that some sort of floral therapy may be in order but I had to feed my addiction once more and my hit came in the shape of this sheer floral jumper from Primark. Primark have some amazing floral designs but this sheer jumper really stood out for me, clearly this had nothing to do with it being at the entrance of the shop. I've had so many compliments on it and people can't believe it's from Primark. What's great about the top is how versatile it is; I can dress up a pair of rolled up boyfriend jeans with kitten heels, but dress down my Zara colottes.

Floral Midi Dress
Ok you've got me, I have already blogged about this dress in my ASOS sale post, but it really is that special. I was true to my word, I bought it, wore it for my girls night out and loved it.
End of!

White Cigarette Pants
I'm always a bit wary white trousers and white clothing in general, even though I absolutely I adore it; mostly because I am such a clutz, but also because white isn't the most flattering of colours, however I could not resist these. I usually wear these trousers with a feminine blouse and stiletto heels, but I think that a statement t-shirt would look great with them and add a certain edge to them. I'm considering buying the matching jacket next month to make it a white trouser suit, what are your thoughts?

I think I might have enough floral clothes now; it was only as I was adding these pictures that I realised that every outfit has floral in it. Off to floral rehab I go!

Sunday, 21 July 2013

My recent buys Part 1

Black and White Striped Tee
For me there is nothing more stylish than Parisian chic and this was confirmed on my honeymoon. No I was not actually in Paris, as many of you already know, but for those of you who don't I was in Florence. My head was well and truly turned by a girl on a bike wearing a black and white striped tee with a black puff ball skirt; fair play to the girl, I can barely manage to ride a bike well in gym gear, never mind looking stylish whilst doing it. I instantly had to have her top; yes a little bit copycatish but this is now a wardrobe staple of mine.
The tee is from Zara and I love the fine detail that they have added, with a black neckline and the zip at the back. It works with so much; my mates would happily confirm this. I've worn this with a black leather skirt, white jeans, and most recently with my Zara shorts and not surprisingly my Fedora Hat.

Zara Shorts
I've toyed with the idea of shorts for many years and I've finally found a pair that suit me; this has taken quite a lot of effort as I was not blessed with thin legs. I surprised myself that Zara became my shorts saviour as I sometimes find that their sizes can be somewhat unforgiving, but they are so flattering; I think the wide leg helps. I love the colour, perfect for the heatwave that we are having and I intend to wear them in the winter too, with a nice pair of thick tights and a over sized jumper. They go great with my black and white striped tee but also my floral sleeveless vest from Primark.

Black Loafers
I was utterly inspired by my visit to the Gucci Museum in Florence, and yes there were many historical monuments but Gucci is my place of worship. The dresses on display were out of this world and were screaming to be touched much to the anger of the security guards, but it was with the horse bit loafers that I fell in love. Unfortunately my purse does not quite stretch to the £365 required for the anniversary special but Primark never lets me down. I picked these up for a bargain £10. I wear these with everything, dark jeans and a blazer, white trousers, maxi skirts and shorts. The best £10 I have ever spent!

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Liebster Nomination.

I have been a very lucky girl this week. I received not just one, but two Liebster nominations and I cant thank Kristie at http://www.kristieblogsbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/ and Becky at http://bexandthecity2013.blogspot.co.uk/ enough. You must definitely check out their blogs.

The Liebster nomination is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. It is a great way to meet other bloggers, find great new blogs and a way to recognise the hard work that goes into creating and maintaining a blog.

The rules:

Nominees must answer 11 questions asked by the blogger that nominated them.

You need to choose 11 blogs with under 200 followers to pass the award onto and let them know you've nominated them by commenting on their blog.

Come up with 11 new questions for them to answer.

Check out my Q&A below

1.Who is your celebrity style crush?

Millie Mackintosh from Made in Chelsea. I love the way that she mixes designer and high street, and classic Chelsea with a vintage vibe. Check out my celeb style post.

2. What season style do you prefer (i.e. winter or summer styles)

You all might gasp in horror here but I have to say winter. I love layering clothes and you can’t beat an investment coat. I bought my recent winter coat from Topshop three years ago and it was £190, proving that sometimes it does pay to spend a little extra (only sometimes!) I love the bell sleeves and if you twirl round it puffs out, so girly.

3. If you could only wear 1 colour for the rest of your life what would it be?

White. Simple, sophisticated and elegant. I love my cigarette trousers from Next and nothing says summer like a white summer dress.

4. What style or trend do you wish you could wear but doesn't work for you?

Easy one; Sports luxe. I think this look oozes effortless style but unfortunately if I wear loose fitting tops without a belt, I resemble a pregnant woman at 10 weeks who still hasn’t told everyone and is trying to hide the bump.

5. 1 beauty product you can not live without?

This may sound obvious but concealer. I have an extremely busy life; a full time job with an hour long commute each way, a husband, family and friends and now my blog so unfortunately I sometimes resemble a panda, thank God for Benefit's Erase Paste.

6. (stealing a question from above) Why did you start your blog?

I’ve always loved fashion and writing; when I was younger I wanted to be the editor of Vogue, a 'realistic' goal but as I’ve got older I decided that I wanted to write purely for my own enjoyment, so when I looked back on my life I had no regrets, and that it was something that I was proud of.

7. What do you want to achieve with your blog/career in the next 10 years?

I think I answered this question in answer number 6; editor of Vogue...ONLY KIDDING! I would love to be a fashion writer or a features writer. Although I will nearly be 40 by then (scary).

8. What's been your biggest fashion disaster?

A red dress with a lace mesh over the top. I wore this when I was 15, going underage clubbing (hang my head in shame). It was hideous; it resembled a curtain, sadly for you, my lovely readers, there is no photographic evidence, phew!

9. Real, spray or sun bed tanning?

My answer to this question depends on how lazy I am feeling. If I can be bothered and if I am going out with my friends that tan I use Rimmel Instant tan. I hate sun beds, I feel like I’m standing in a coffin and I find £25 minimum a bit extortionate for a spray tan. £5.99 all the way.