AW15 Fashion Trend #2

Ciao ♥ Brr! Autumn has unwelcoming-ly blown into our lives bringing coming months of cold days, and even colder nights. Although there's little nothing we can do about this, other than dress in accordance to the weather (hello layering), we can certainly take charge as to how fashionably well we do this.

To assist you ladies in doing so, I've put together an 'AW15 Fashion Trends' blog post series which illustrates some of the hottest fashion trends around. The first instalment of this series focused on the 70s which you can have a read about here. In today's instalment I will be briefly discussing this season's obsession with velvet. Oh and when I say briefly, I mean briefly. Hmm! I just don't feel as if there's much for me to elaborate on when it comes to this particular trend. Now that's a first as I usually always have so much to say. Nonetheless, I'm going to try to be as informative as I possibly can in the shortest but sweetest type of way. Here I go...

If you're someone who follows fashion quite closely you'd have noticed that velvet has slowly been creeping up on us, season by season. Despite all of this effort it's never quite made it is as a key seasonal trend, until now that is. Evidently, AW15 has seen the likes of Alexander Wang, Burberry, Christopher Kane, House of Holland and Mary Katrantzou incorporate this super soft fabric into their AW15 RTW collections. Featured below are some of my favourite looks from their catwalk shows.

The majority of trends are usually centred around styles (i.e. monochrome, the 70s and sports luxe) opposed to fabrics. However, this is quite the opposite for AW15 as the high-street stores are flowing with an array of fabrics including corduroy, fur, leather, suede and velvet. Yes! This season it's ALL about fabrics. After all, how many of you sought high and low, in one shop and out another, to find the perfect denim button A-Line skirt or a pair of fitted leather trousers? Ah! Quite a few of you I see. Not at all surprising as both of these statement pieces were made desirable simply because of the composition of them. For instance, this season ladies are opting for a suede or corduroy version instead as it's on trend.

What's your favourite fabric? Do you like velvet? Personally, I once considered it to be a fabric that was best suited to either a child or someone a lot more mature in age. I'm not entirely sure why, I guess I just didn't think of it as being very fashionable. Has anyone else had that thought? Although I'm not completely head over heels in love with it, I'm slowly growing fond of it having recently picked up a black velvet embroidered cardigan from Rokit. It's gorgeous and was only £7. Bargain!

• #FashionTrendFact: Just like faux fur, velvet is better suited to this time of year. The texture, softness and warm essence of the fabric compliments the chilly autumnal days perfectly.
• #FashionTrendTip: Textures are a great way of adding some character and dimension to an outfit. It's also quite fun to stroke (LOL).

Below is a selection of my favourite velvet finds from the high-street and online stores, all of which are currently available to purchase. What are you favourite pieces? Mine has to be the bib front dress and love heel courts ♥

Velvet Jacket - £79.99 from Zara (click here to view)

Faith Navy Asymmetric Textured Velvet Clutch - £29/£23.20 from Debenhams (click here to view)

Velvet Love Heel Courts By Unique - £125 from Topshop (click here to view)

Velvet Scrunchie - £4 from Topshop (click here to view)

Faith Dark Red Velvet High Heeled Sandals - £45/£36 from Debenhams (click here to vew)

Velvet Floral Applique Dress - £210 from Karen Millen (click here to view)

Velvet Print Wrap - £39.50 from M&S (click here to view)

Velvet Ditsy Print Wide Leg Trousers - £45 from Topshop (click here to view)

Velvet Bib Front Dress - £50 from Oasis (click here to view)

Black Velvet Embellished Bow - £3.99 from New Look (click here to view)

White Stuff  Lindy Velvet Skirt - £45 from John Lewis (click here to view)

Velvet & Crystal Choker Necklace - £6 from Accessorize (click here to view)

Eastpak x House of Hackney Limited Edition Velvet Backpack in Carpet Print - £175 from ASOS (click here to view)

Onari Velvet Tank Top - £70 from Reiss (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx 

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H&M Sale Picks

Leather Biker Jacket - £139/£70 (click here to view)

Wool Hat - £19.99/£12 (click here to view)

Long Shirt - £39.99/£27 (click here to view)

A-Line Top - £24.99/£16 (click here to view)

Court Shoes - £39.99/£20 (click here to view)

Striped shorts - £39.99/£25 (click here to view)

Leather Clutch Bag - £39.99/£25 (click here to view)

Suede Handbag - £79.99/£40 (click here to view)

Sleeveless Dress - £49.99/£25 (click here to view)

Top with a Flounce - £12.99/£8 (click here to view)

Belt - £3.99/£2 (click here to view)

Suede Pencil Skirt - £79.99/£50 (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx 

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Wish List | October

Longline Double-Breasted Wool Blend Coat - £110 from Topshop (click here to view)

High Heeled Combined Leather Ankle Boots - £79.99 from Zara (click here to view)

Komono KOM-W1241 Women's Moneypenny Bracelet Strap Watch - £70 from John Lewis (click here to view)

Circular Skirt - £39.99 from H&M (click here to view)

Felt Fedora - £25 from Oasis (click here to view)

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anita - £24 from Selfridges (click here to view)

Mock Crocodile Saddle Satchel Bag - £35 from M&S (click here to view)

Hendrix Check Reversible Scarf - £25 from Oasis (click here to view)

Heart Applique Underwired Bra - £22 from Topshop (click here to view)

Heart Applique Mini Knickers - £10 from Topshop (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx 

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Topshop Sale Picks

Ombre Feather Gilet - £95/£50 (click here to view)

NOMAD Suede Tie Sandals - £68/£35 (click here to view)

Key To Freedom Make-Up Bag - £22/£12 (click here to view)

Zebra Print Pyjama Set - £28/£15 (click here to view)

Embroidered Bralet - £30/£18 (click here to view)

Double Breasted Jacket - £65/£35 (click here to view)

Limited Edition Raffia Embroidered Bardot Dress - £150/£80 (click here to view)

Oyster Shell Earrings - £30/£15  (click here to view)

Cut-Out Daisy Shift Dress - £45/£18 (click here to view)

Floral Applique Triangle Bra - £20/£10 (click here to view)

Floral Applique High-Waisted Knickers - £12/£6 (click here to view) 

Suede Fringe Crossbody Bag - £28/£18 (click here to view)

Geometric Mirror Print Wide Leg Trouser - £42/£25 (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx 

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Outfit of the Day (#OOTD)

Ciao ♥ Happy Sunday! I hope you're all having a relaxing afternoon and being nothing but lazy. I certainly am as it's nearly 16:00 and I'm still in my pjs, sipping on countless cups of tea. What are you guys up to? :)

Considering I've been trying to write ths post for the past two hours (I keep getting distracted, mainly by Anthropolgie's homeware section. Look at how beautiful this plate is), I'm going to keep this post short and sweet. Short as in this is it, this is the end of the post. Lol! Should I really end it like this? Gah! What the heck. It's a Sunday, I'm tired and I know y'all understand. Peace. X

 

(Jacket: Primark // Top: H&M // Jeans: Topshop // Shoes: Superga // Bag: Zara // Necklace: Greenwich Market)

Ciao ♥ Xx 

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Product Review | It Really Works Vitamins

Ciao ♥ A few weeks ago I was contacted by the founder of It Really Works who introduced me to her brand and kindly sent me a month's supply of vitamins. These vitamins are targeted at both genders and are designed to give you stronger nails, longer and healthier hair and brighter skin. This is achieved by an extra-strength formulation of micronutrients including Biotin (also known as Vitamin H), Copper, Folic Acid, Inositol, Iodine, Manganese, Rosehip, Selenium, Vitamin B Complex (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B9 and B12), Vitamin A, C, D and E and Zinc.

Prior to being sent these vitamins, I was rather intrigued by Perfectil, having spotted them in Holland and Barrett. Despite this curiosity I never got round to making a purchase as there was too much choice to choose from, in the very little browsing time I had, during those times. Thereby, I was delighted when I was introduced to It Really Works as it benefits the three things I just love to look after... my hair, skin and nails.

It's recommended you take two tablets per day with your main meal and a full glass of water. It's important you adhere to these instructions as food supplements are intended to supplement the diet and shouldn't be regarded as a substitute for a varied diet. Lesson learnt as I once made the mistake of taking these on an empty stomach. Ha! Let's just say I didn't make the same mistake twice.

These vitamins are currently sold online as a 28 day supply (£33.79), a 3 month supply (£86.17) and a 6 month supply (£120.84). Understandably, some individuals might be slightly apprehensive about purchasing a product from a brand they're not familiar with. Worry your cotton socks not as It Really Works are so confident their customer's will notice a clear improvement in the health of their hair, skin and nails, that they offer a 90 day money back guarantee. Not only does this guarantee illustrate the likelihood of these improvements occurring but it also highlights how important customer satisfaction is to the company. This is quite unusual, yet rather refreshing, as the majority of companies are more interested in how much revenue they make opposed to how satisfied their customers are.

Upon being introduced to this brand I was particularly drawn to the fact that this product is produced and bottled in Oxford. Now some of you might consider that to be quite a bizarre thing to be drawn to, but having worked for several British companies, I've come to appreciate the importance as to where products are made in regard to authenticity and quality. Trust me, your girl knows what she's talking about ;)

I was also impressed that despite only recently being introduced to the market, It Really Works has already been featured in Men's Health and Men's Fitness due to its successful results amongst customers. Not at all surprising as my hair looked a lot healthier and nourished after I finished my course of vitamins. I also noticed that my nails were a lot stronger and there was less breakage. This is something I tend to struggle with at this time of year due to the seasonal transition period so I was particularly happy with this.

What do you guys think? Does this sound like a product you'd be interested in? Let me know what your thoughts are in the comment box below.

Ciao ♥ Xx 

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Outfit of the Day (#OOTD)

Ciao ♥ I’ve never quite understood why people look forward to the arrival of autumn. It baffles me. I just don't get it (*looks around confused*). Don't get me wrong, I love sipping on hot cups of pumpkin spice latte, burning autumnal scented candles and rockin' chunky knitwear, just as much as the next person BUT please spare me the colder and darker days/nights. Brrr! I can most certainly do without those.

That's not to say I haven't prepared myself. Call me crazy but I've already bought not one, not two but three seven new coats. Yes! Seven. As in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Gah! Now I've written that down it sounds a little, erm... excessive, especially as they were all bought before autumn had even arrived. Three of those coats are from Hunter Boots who recently pulled off a spectacular show at London Fashion Week. The one I'm wearing in today's outfit post is metallic and puffy. Not something that sounds like it should work but thankfully it does. At least I think so anyway :P

I rocked this outfit last weekend when the girls and I headed to Shoreditch for a spot of chill time and a bite to eat at the French restaurant, Haché. I ordered the Steak Milano which is a Scotch steak burger topped with buffalo mozzarella, Parmesan shavings on sun-dried tomato tapende and a side order of frites. Mmm! It really is as delicious as it looks (*salivating like a dog*).

Nearly all of my jeans, and almost all of those that have been featured on my blog, are the Topshop Joni jeans. If you haven’t yet strutted your stuff in a pair of these badboys, what are you waiting for? They’re super high-waisted, have a spray-on effect and really help to emphasise your body shape (#FYI: I buy mine in a W26L30). I'm utterly obsessed with them so picture my happiness when I saw that the 'New In This Week' section on the Topshop website featured a khaki and burgundy pair. Obviously, this caused me to have a I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE type of moment in which my eager little fingertips typed away my bank details before I could stop myself. Do I feel bad? Hell to the no.

I also bought three ribbed crop tops in a size 8 but found them to be quite an awkward fit; the arms too long, the shoulders too big. I then reordered four more in a size 6 hoping they would be a better fit. They weren't so I've now returned all of them but the camel coloured one I'm wearing below. Finally, knowing there would be lots of walking around involved I slid my feet into my dusty pink Superga flatforms which are super comfortable. What do you guys think?

       

(Jacket: Hunter Boots // Top: Topshop // Jeans: Topshop // Trainers: Superga // Necklace: Greenwich Market)

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Ciao ♥ Xx 

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