Rome - City Break Style

Ciao Bellas! It's been a long time coming but finally, I'm back! A lot has changed since I last blogged. For one, I have waved good-bye to Cheltenham and traded in cotswolds life for city life in Manchester (where co-incidentally I started my blog in the first place). So, you can now find me tapping away on my keyboard blogging in a little flat in Northern Quarter! Living up here has given me all the more reason to re-start blogging, what with the copious amounts of fashion, cute cafes etc, plus someone to snap some outfit shots for me - thanks MisterYoungProfessional ;) - I've found myself four years down the line, fresh new blog look, fresh new start for 2016! (How very 'New Year, New me' cliche of me!) 

But before I begin on Manchester, I just wanted to do a little city hop and share some snaps from my recent mini-break to Rome with previously mentioned pal MYP and Quite Contrary Style to bust the January blues, enjoy a little "Vino al Vino" in "any bar, just your average Roman bar" and you know, I guess maybe see some sights on the side...                                                                                                         Well I can officially say that in just a few short days Roma romanced me with it's gorgeous buildings, amazing pizza and gelato and cultural charm. So much so I have picked out many a new home there over-looking a beautiful Piazza. One day you shall be mine chandelier filled, marble floored apartment of interior dreams! 

Packing for our chilly, but sunny, weekend away with a smaller-than-cabin size suitcase was not the one for an over-packer such as myself, but on our very own 'door tour' of Rome I got a few shots in front of one of the many incredible doors of one of my city-break outfits! As we all know outfit layering and flat shoes are pretty key when it comes to walking everywhere to explore a city. so I found these patent leather-style shoes a treat! My trusty silver satchel carried my camera along with the worst map of Rome in the world quite nicely, and I picked up the tassel-end scarf in Aldo whilst we were there because I definitely did not leave my scarf behind in Manchester....

Outfits aside, I have lots of shots of the city itself to share with you all on my next post! 

So, till next time, Ciao! 

 

Hobbs A/W '14 Press Preview

On Wednesday I was kindly invited to check out the Hobbs collection for this Autumn/Winter and what can I say ladies, this is your warning, there are some pretty amazingly lustworthy pieces you'll be desperate to clear your wardrobe for! The event took place at the beautiful Hobbs HQ where all the pieces were displayed in their stunning collections. We were treated to some rather tasty prosecco and treats before having a perooze at all the collections and a run through of the behind the scenes inspiration from the designer! Interestingly all the pieces are pattern drafted and toiled at Hobbs HQ, giving the clothes that beautiful fit, British styling and quality tailoring they're so well known for. 

  

Beautiful classic dresses up pieces - how much of a beauty is this low v-back LBD?

I absolutely adored the 'invitation' collection which has pretty dreamy colour palette of soft creams, blushes and warm tones. The sheepskin jacket, beautiful lace dress and clean tailored coats were a few amongst many highlights for me. This collection is also pretty special, with Hobbs teaming up with well known Royal Palaces to draft their inspiration from Brickwork at Hampton Court Palace, to floral regal inspired patterns. But more on that is to be revealed soon! 

Next up was a look at the gorgeous camel, navy and tweed pieces. With a nod to Chanel's classic tweed styling, the pieces embrace their British heritage emulating equestrian inspiration with heavy cable knits and detailing. Slouchy 60's dressing has also influenced this collection with roller-neck shift dresses and sleevless shirts. How amazing is the cocoon shaped brocade coat too? 

Pillarbox and telephone reds complimented with Boucle 'granite-like' yarns, it's fab to see the London City inspiration behind this collection. Included are staple wardrobe pieces such as the double-faced coats (genius - I mean that's two coats for the price of one right?!) a gorgeous leather jacket and 'Prince of Wales' checked dresses, all perfect for day/work wear whilst feeling pretty patriotic too. I fell a little in love with this classic cashmere t-shirt and leopard print skirt combination - I could just imagine it as an 'off-duty' look!

 

The NW3 collections featured an array of teals and greys with textured wovens and knits perhaps more suited to colder winter wear. As one of the many 'christmas jumper' fans the fairisle prints teamed with the rouched leather skirt was a personal favourite alongside the button up shirts and duffle coats. I may have spent quite a while bag crushing on the gorgeous printed clutch and tote below - I mean how fab would they be as accent accessories with a classic outfit? 

Thank you to all the team at Hobbs HQ for allowing us a fab insight into the collection! It was fab to meet a few new bloggers too, such as Bessie from Fashion Noodle,  Annie from Annieemac Blog, Jasmin from What Define's Us, Chrisabella, Thread and Mirror, and Banke from A Style Diary.

What do you guys think of the A/W '14 Collection?

 

Leopard Print & Waistcoat

Leopard Print Shift Dress// River Island   Waistcoat//DIY River Island Blazer   Hat// Topshop   Boots// Deena & Ozzy at Urban Outfitters

That's right people, I've gone big scale photo style for this post, what do you think? It's a bit of a new look for my outfit posts but I thought I would bite the bullet and give it a shot as it would (hopefully) show off what I'm wearing better! I wore this outfit to BFW a month or so back, but as I never got to do proper outfit photos that day here it is...

Oh I do love me a tailored piece! I've been crushing on all the gorgeous waistcoats around at the moment so I was pretty desperate to get my paws on one. This 'waistcoat' was actually a PU Leather sleeved Blazer I bought a year or so back which I just wasn't wearing anymore, so I dug the quick unpick out and gave it a new look, removing the sleeves! It was very easy to do and I'm pretty chuffed I've managed to get what feels like a whole new piece of clothing out of it. High fives all around!

This leopard print swing style dress from River Island is pretty 'wild' (see what I did there?) with its colour mixtures and bold print but I just love it! It's a very easy style to wear and a great go-to day dress, the only thing I will say is it's a touch on the short side for me, a gust of wind and I'm pretty sure my underwear would be on display, something I don't wish on anyone, so I'm not so sure I would feel completely comfortable without tights!

What do you think of this look? 

 

Monochrome

1. Formal Drape Front Blouse // Topshop   2. Black Molly Jeggings // River Island   3. Gold Cuff // TU at Sainsburys   4. Tan Sandals // Topshop   5. Leopard Bag // Next

I am absolutely loving all the pieces coming through Topshop this season, they're bringing out some killer classic pieces that have left me in kind of a Topshop addiction at the moment. Ok ok, let's face it, it's hardly a temporary thing, I always love Topshop but please can we take a second in memory of my poor bank account...

hmmm on second thoughts maybe best not to dwell..

The good news is at least I have this beautiful cream wrap blouse to show for it! Hurrah! I've teamed it with my ever faithful black jeggings from River Island, chunky belt from Accessorize and tan sandals also from Topshop (see, I wasn't joking). The chunky arm cuff I have on is believe it or not from the TU range at Sainsburys, it made a nice little addition to my food basket and I love a bit of chrome accents with monochrome style looks!

If your looking for something to fit in  the 'Smart-Casual' dress code I think this shirt is pretty perfect,  it's a great one to throw on to dress up just a simple pair of jeans or skirt! Now the tan sandals, these beauties are just so comfy to wear and I love that they have the whole 'slider' style look to them that's everywhere at the moment, they just have a little heel instead! I couldn't decide for ages if I preferred them in black or tan, but the tan won in the end as I already have a fair few black shoes and thought they would great with paler colours too! If you're in need of some black sandals however I would recommend!

What do you think of this look?