Happy Hiking

30 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
I always see living in Yorkshire as a bad thing. Simply because I like busy cities and lots of people, places like London, New York City and even Los Angeles seem like magical cities and the best place to be; but sometimes there's nothing I love more than being able to look out the window and seeing the Yorkshire Dales, watching a sheepdog control an unbelievably large flock of sheep or just being mesmerised at the phenomenal landscapes the county has to offer. I like in a historic village area of West Yorkshire, so everything is very simple, there's not overbearing traffic and major events (apart from Bingley Music Live) and people smile at each other in the street. One of my favourite things to do on my days off is go for long walks or hikes up the moors right to the very top. The great thing about walking all the way to the top is that I can see Leeds Bradford Airport, as well as Lister Mill and plenty of other historical landmarks around Leeds and Bradford. On a clear day, there's nothing greater than seeing all the jumbo jets set off in different directions, flying to every corner of the Earth. Although it's a tiny bit colder than a few months ago, I still enjoy occasionally hiking to the very top of the moors - it's a great place to relax or read, and it's rare there's a lot of people up there during the day. An essential for me when taking these 3 mile walks are my favourite chunky boots. I bought these from Brantano for around £20 and I have to admit, I think they're a better quality boot than Timberland. I know high brands are usually quite pricey, but I've found that sometimes the cheaper items is better despite all the stigma attached to big brands. My teeny tiny shoulder bag/purse is perfect for today as it fits my phone and some spare change in which are the only things I take with me. I'm wearing some thick charcoal jeans because there are some sections of the footpath where I need to climb so I need to be able to move, but it's a little colder as autmun is in full swing so I think jeans are the best way to go. Finally, I bought my jacket and t-shirt during the summer season but I can't get enough. My t-shirt is made of a rally high quality, thick cotton, so it's so cosy and warm even though it's just a short sleeved tee. Over the top, my jacket is very light but still well insulated so it's ideal as I usually get really warm when I'm walking uphill. Unfortunately today is only a quick walk as I have job interviews today but it's a great wake up!  
T-shirt - Topshop
Jacket - Next
Jeans - Urban Outfitters
Boots - Orchard
Bag - market stall

Wake Me Up When September Ends

29 September 2014

Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
I'm refusing to believe this month is almost over - it's impossible for time to move that quickly without me noticing. As much as I miss summer, autumn/winter is my favourite time of year. I own way too many jumpers and have a strong obsession with boots so I love the transition stage which is this time of year. As September ends, I'm bringing out my complete fall wardrobe and getting to know my favourites again. This jumper, which I bought in a Topshop winter sale last year, and I've loved it ever since. Chunky knit jumpers have become a favourite of mine because they're so cosy to wear but they're not overbearing and are usually lighter than fabrics that take more fabric as they're using a smaller knit. The looser knit also means I don't overheat and can wear this jumper with a leather jacket. The length of this jumper is also great because I can wear it with leggings without exposing too much. Today's leggings are a lot thicker than typical viscose and elastane as they have a spandex-type fabric in them which is what creates the shiney, 'disco' effect to them. I've grown to really love these leggings because they keep me super warm during this season as they're a little thicker and actually a lot softer. To finish the look I'm wearing my favourite Chelsea ankle boots and carrying a faux leather handbag.
Jumper - Topshop
Leggings - made for me
Boots - Dorothy Perkins
Bag - TK Maxx

Subtle Sparkle

27 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Today's dress reminds me of a kangaroo. I think because it's made of a thick fabric, like the fur of a kangaroo and it has a little pouch - I just can't help but feel like one when I wear it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, just an observation. I've really grown to love the dress after realising how versatile and functional it is. Today I'm wearing it for more of a casual day, but this dress is really easy to dress up to. The glittery effect in this piece makes it stand out from the darker background and pulls an outfit together making it seem more exciting. The subtle sparkle in this dress makes it a go-to piece if I need an exciting outfit as without the sprinkle of glitz the dress would be quite boring. The length is incredibly practical because it's not too long to be worn on a casual Saturday but not too short to be worn to a more formal event. To finish my mellow weekend look, I'm wearing plain black leather pumps and carrying a leather bag (both faux) to put all the attention on my dress. 
Dress - Next
Bag - gift
Shoes - Next

Completely Casual

26 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Today's I'm going for the ultra casual look. Sometimes I like to feel really casual rather than dressing up every day. As I'm only shopping, I chose not to wear a dress because taking tights off and then having to put them back on every time I try something on can be quite a faff. I think graphic tees are the best way to still have an exciting outfit without going over board and staying casual. The one I'm wearing was actually a present, but t-shirts like this are available anywhere. I like that this t-shirt can have a dark background (still sticking with black as usual) but the design that reads "live on tour" is the focus point for the whole ensemble. In my opinion, jeans are the best nonchalant style without going full laid-back and wearing sweats. I prefer to wear super skinny, and this pair is from Topshop which make some of the softest jeans I've ever worn in my life. I've also found that the classic pair of hi-top Converse are not only comfortable but the ultimate informal shoe. I was going to wear boots, but again thinking of practicality, I went straight to the All Stars. 
T-Shirt - gift
Jeans - Topshop
Bag - Next
Shoes - Schuh 

Overworn Overwear

25 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
One of my biggest fashion habits is wearing one item of clothing too many times. Today's coat is a perfect example. I wore it only a few days ago, but luckily I'm not a celebrity so that doesn't matter. What initially drew me to this piece was the bright colour, but I quickly learned that this coat is incredibly versatile. At first, I thought I could only pair this coat with clothing that features a similar colour, like today's top - but I've found that my jacket can be worn with many different colours and clothing. If I want to really stand out, and I pair the coat with another bright colour, including orange which is the contrasting colour to blue and really brighten up a look. However, I can also wear this coat as a statement piece, as the colour is very bright so wearing much darker colours underneath will illuminate the whole look. I love that the coat is very light, but also contains wool so it's perfect for this time of year. As the temperature begins to drop and the clock will eventually go backwards, I'm going to begin to appreciate this jacket even more. Today is quite a casual day so I've chosen to dress down my whole look rather than go along with the elegance and sharpness of my coat. Today's shoes are very similar to skater shoes that are available from stores such as Vans and Schuh, they're super casual and give off an easygoing vibe. 
Top - Next
Coat - Dorothy Perkins
Jeans - Topshop
Shoes - Brantano
Bag - market in Salou

Treasured Trainers

23 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
About 4 or 5 years ago, I would be the first person to be immediately hostile towards trainers worn for any other reason that sport. I couldn't be more irritated by trainers and jeans worn together. Today, everything's a little different - although I still struggle to accept a pair of trainers such as the Air Max put together with a midi skirt or longer dress, but there's time for it to grow on me. Trainers with jeans were really popular when I was younger and I just couldn't stand it, especially white trainers with dark jeans, that look would aggravate me. Today I try to experiment more with my wardrobe, which means going out of my comfort zone, even if it's just baby steps. I've owned Nike trainers for a while, Nike is usually my go-to brand for sportswear, even if do pronounce it wrong. I've found that they have a wider variety of shoes, including the ridiculously popular Nike Roshe Run shoes which are worn by a large amount of people. I chose these darker pair of trainers which I actually picked up from the Nike section in Sports Direct (a sports store which sells items for the most amazing prices I've ever seen). I paired the navy shoes with jeans of a similar colour, and chose to go for super skinny jeans because I think they suit this type of shoe best. Because the design of the shoe is quite sleek and slim, baggier and wider fitter jeans wouldn't look as great. On top, I'm wearing a white, knitted 3/4 length jumper which also brings out the white in my trainers and brightens up the whole outfit. To finish the look I'm carrying my favourite oversized bag. 
Top - Next
Jeans - Topshop
Bag - TK Maxx
Shoes - Nike

Super Smart and Considerably Casual

22 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Happy Monday! There are often days where I have to dress in a less casual outfit to suit the occasion. Working for a charity means there are often meetings with other charity members. They don't exactly require you to arrive in a suit and tie, but turning up in your favourite sweats isn't the best idea. If you work in quite a relaxed work environment where you still need to make an effort, I think this outfit is perfect as it highlights the best of smart and casual combined. When I hear 'smart-casual' I immediately think dark denim. Whether this is because I have a soft spot from charcoal jeans I'm not totally sure, but I think darker denim is a great fabric to include in an outfit that is a little more formal than the rest. It's socially seen as less of a colloquial colour because darker tones tend to be associated with seriousness. I've only ever attended three job interviews in my life, but all three times I wore a blazer because they immediately give off a formalistic vibe. I love blazers because they're so versatile, and they can be worn over any type of item underneath - for interviews I lean towards dresses but blazers pair well with plenty of items. Blazers also come in so many different styles and colours so it's impossible not to find one you like - unless you have a realyl strong hate for blazers. My oversized bag is perfect for today as I'll be carrying folders and paperwork which looks a lot better without dog ears and tears. My oversized bag is idea for storing a lot of items without it getting too heavy or breaking - I often use it as a carry-on because it's so large and has zips on to expand. To finish the look, I included a bright blue blouse that adds a touch of colour to the overall outfit and my jet black Chelsea boots which appear much more professional in contrast to my everyday Converse. 
Blazer - M&S
Top - Next
Jeans - Topshop
Boots - Dorothy Perkins
Bag - Next
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