A few weeks ago I did my first ever styling job for Daisy Jewellery. I was SO excited when they asked me, because it’s something new for me and I can’t tell you all how much I enjoyed it! The incredible girls at Daisy told me they had been mood-boarding for the shoot, and were pulling up lots of looks from me, so decided they may as well ask me to do it and bring my own clothes too! So that’s exactly what we did. Dani, the gorgeous model, looked amazing in everything, And styling someone up in my own clothes really got me inspired by my own wardrobe too. We styled a few collection, but the one I was most excited about was the basics collection, which will be available very soon. It’s, as the name suggests, a collection of basics that are perfect to mix and match and layer up. It got me thinking about how jewellery has become so important to my own style too (promise to do a collection video soon, just have to get the missing necklace out from behind the radiator, those who watch my vlogs will know what I am talking about there). All in all, it was an amazing day and I really wanted to share the photos on here, and also say a huge thank you to the Daisy girls for trusting me with this job!
Thursday 1st November
This post is sponsored by Jigsaw
Really excited to be working with one of my favourite brands, Jigsaw, who in my mind just excel at their winter collection every year. Long time readers will know I have many a winter coat from them that have stood the test of time for many seasons. This time I wanted to share some new knitwear; cardigans no less, which you all know are my current favourite thing. I have honestly been reaching for a cardigan everyday - sometimes to wear alone (as I have done with the red one here), other times to wear open underneath a jacket where you can’t really see it but it provides an extra layer of warmth in this cold weather, or sometimes over my shoulders in true chic grandma style. The red one here is the perfect one to be worn alone, it’s a great thickness to keep you warm enough (but would also look great with a white t-shirt worn underneath too, like I have done here with an old season Jigsaw cardigan that I still very much love). Also red is a colour I forget to wear, but always vow to try and wear more whenever I do, because it’s such a flattering one!
The second cardigan is this mohair number draped over my shoulders. This grey-ish/blue-ish number (which you can see properly here), is a cable knit cardigan, and unlike one I have already! I love the crew neck, especially when worn undone, and the dark buttons really give this a vintage nana feel that I love. I styled it here with a cashmere knit from Jigsaw. I am currently working on a Testing Basics for cashmere, and while I won’t be including Jigsaw in that as the were in the last one, I really do love their cashmere pieces. This knit has already been through the wash a few times and is still looking and fitting perfectly, so I would really recommend. Also styled here with some chinos which I am LOVING (see another way I styled them here) - such a good alternative to jeans that fit me so so well!
RED KNIT: c/o JIGSAW | BLACK CASHMERE: c/o JIGSAW | CARDIGAN ON SHOULDER: c/o JIGSAW | CHINOS: c/o JIGSAW
PHOTOS BY ISAAC MARLEY MORGAN
Because Paris is always a good idea.
Some current favourite music I have had on repeat recently. Something for every mood here!
Friday 26th October
So last week I bought myself some Church’s brogues. My most worn style of shoe are my loafers and my trainers, and I suppose these sort of sit between the two. Last Winter I bought my first pair of Church’s which were some chelesa boots and proved to be some of the best shoes I have ever bought. They wore in so well, and still look like new a year on after being worn so, so many times! I can’t recommend them enough and I really like how they have ticked off all I need in a black flat boot collection. So when wanting some flat shoes, I thought Church’s would be a good place to start, and bought these glossed leather brogues. They have been killer to break in, and have shredded my feet pretty badly, but after about four outings in them, they have finally broken in and softened loads. I love how they look, how classic they are and easy to style, and how chic they look with everything. If you can cope with a painful breaking in period, then i really recommend them! And go a size down if you can, Church’s do give a lot in my experience.
Styled here with:
Rouje Jeans (c/o) | Stories Blue Knit (c/o)
Chloe Jacket (c/o) | Toteme Trousers (old)
Jisgaw Blazer (c/o) | Stories Overshirt (c/o) | Toteme Jeans (c/o)
Thursday 25th October
I now have an office!!! I can’t tell you how life changing this is for me. I know that sounds very dramatic but please bare with me here. Working at home is an amazing privilege, but it can mean you quickly loose any split between your work and life balance. Which is something I really felt the effects of in my old flat - where I worked and lived all in one room. It means your work is always in the corner of your eye, even when you’re trying not to work. The main reason I moved was to find somewhere with two bedrooms so I could have a separate room for an office, and honestly it’s one of the best decisions I have ever made. To be able to shut my work away at the end of the day, or not even go near it at all on a weekend, has made me so much more efficient and productive. So I turned the little space in the back of my flat into my dream office. I moved the silver chest that was once a TV stand in here, it’s now full to the brim with film photos. On there I have my old bedside table lamp, some prints, and Angel figurine, a White Company candle and some matches to light it with. I hung my Tropea print in here which I love so much, bought in the plant which is still limping along despite how neglected it is by me! My desk was gifted to me from La Redoute, I built it myself which I am quite proud of as it was far from simple. I loveeee how it looks so much. The desk chair is my dad’s old desk chair, it’s a little low but I am sitting on several cushions right now to make it work!! All in all, I am obsessed. The desk is already full of papers and mess, because I work in mess always, but it’s amazing to be able to shut that away at the end of the day!
DESK: c/o LA REDOUTE (Currently on sale)
PHOTOS BY ISAAC MARLEY MORGAN
Welcome to Light of My Life; an ongoing story about me trying to find some table lamps. Important stuff, I know. It’s been a journey of twists and turns thus far. With trips made in high hopes to Oka, only to be disappointed. To finding, and purchasing, the dream vintage ones online - only to get a call from the retailer to say that the lamps had been bought in store the same day so were no longer available. That was the low point in the journey, and I was convinced I would have to live my life in perpetual darkness. Then, just as thought there was no hope, I threw caution and budget to the wind and checked the Conran Shop. And here we are, I think I have found the dream lamps. No, they are not the dream price, but desperate times call for desperate measures so I may just have to order them. Stay tuned for Light Of My Life Part III, hopefully it’ll be full of good news.
Feeling fancy in this look, which is like my dream Autumn evening outfit! Mixing old pieces in my wardrobe with some new ones here too. The skirt is Mango from about 18 months ago which still stands as one of those too-good-to-be-true high street finds that I bought in Madrid. The knit and boots are the new pieces, both sent to me from Stories. I will be honest and say I am not feeling the high neck knit as much this season, i think most of my looks will be crew necked, so I doubt I will welcome many more than this one into the collection. I love how it looks, and maybe as it gets colder my tune will change in favour of practicality, but at the moment a high neck is feeling restrictive and far less comfortable than I ever remember it being (aside from a skinny turtleneck). Anyway despite all that I do like how this looks with this outfit. The boots are of course the star of the show. You can wear them like this, or slouched down a bit as they do on the website. I thought they would be a more wrinkly/soft material than they are and that they would fall down naturally, but they really don’t - if you squish them down, they stay there, if you pull them up, they stay there too! Get your normal size but bare in mind they have a wide fit, so thick socks will be a must if you have thin feet!
BOOTS: c/o & OTHER STORIES | KNIT: c/o & OTHER STORIES | SKIRT: MANGO
PHOTOS BY ISAAC MARLEY MORGAN
So last week was a big’un for me career wise! I signed with Next Management, not in model capacity, but for my blog and all that good stuff. Having management has been a huge decision for me and one I have considered over the past year. I have gotten so used to running all of this myself and having full control over everything, which is really hard to give up in any way. But after feeling as though I had hit a glass ceiling, and also the capacity of what I could manage on my own, I knew i needed some help along the way to keep things growing and to keep me having enough time to work creatively too. So I reached out to Next to arrange a meeting, as I love how fashion focused they are in their management, and the rest is now history! I promise nothing is going to change for you guys on here, this isn’t suddenly going to become awash with sponsored content, I am just going to be having some help on working on those projects I have worked on for years now.
So it’s all hugely exciting, and I can’t wait to see what this brings for my blog and my business. I wouldn’t be in this position without you all reading along here, so thank you so much for that, I hope you all know how endlessly grateful I am of you all.
xxx
Photos by Jakub Koziel
Been collaging away again and loving it!! Isaac took these photos of at home last weekend and they’re some of my faves we have worked on together yet. These jeans are new in from Rouje and if I am honest I am not wild about them, the fit is nice but very similar to the Weekday Voyage which come in at a much lower price point. One thing I do recommend for the higher price tag is this top. It’s actually a body and is the best fit ever, and has been washing really really well (I have worn it loads since it arrived). This sort of combo always makes me feel like Steve Jobs, but the minimalism of it is always so effortlessly stylish.
Anyway I have been in a major down spell recently that I couldn’t see a way out of for weeks. This blog redsign and your lovely words of encouragement on it has given me a new lease of life, I am so focused on this right now and it feels really good. I have so many ideas of what I want to post, and am loving just sitting down and really quickly sharing things with you guys just because I feel like it. It’s been very fashion focused recently but I promise some variation in that will be coming soon!
Photos by Isaac Marley Morgan
Writing something I never really thought I would… but I bought some leggings. Of course it was Toteme that made me do it. I have been reaching for slightly skinnier jeans as of recent, and generally pining for tighter fitting trousers. So these Toteme leggings fit the bill - I will style with big coats and boots like the Toteme lookbooks, but also with big wool blazers and trainers/loafers with big knitwear or white t-shirts. Really excited for them to arrive and will of course share my styling with you as soon as they arrive. I got them in a Small which has now sold out, but you can put your email in for restock info.
17th October 2018
Some photos at home yesterday evening, all taken on my iPhone. Wearing some new in comfy clothes from American Vintage (especially obsessed with the shorts). I worked sort of late (the funny rolls on the desk is 120mm film if you’re wondering), and whenever I work late I always make myself a drink. Sometimes late on is when I get very inspired, and having a drink sometimes helps that too… but never more than one!! Tonight’s drink of choice was a G&T. I am also hooked on Narcos at the moment, I can’t believe I haven’t watched it sooner. I am hooked!!!! It’s brilliant and because it’s got subtitles I actually have to sit and watch and concentrate and not scroll through my phone. After that I had a bath and face wash etc etc. My current evening skincare is consisting of Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, and then either an oil or moisturiser - my faves are Embryolisse, Aurelia and Pai. I have also been using a Vitamin C serum and a retinol twice a week but I want to do a full post all about that very soon!
16th October 2018
I have been working on a Testing Basics for Wool Jackets which will be with you very, very soon. One of them is this Weekday number I shot with Isaac on Saturday. I wore it all weekend long, and don’t want to give away too much of the video, but I love it. It was really warm on Saturday so I wore it with my old favourite Reformation mini skirt, a black t-shirt from Weekday, and my Veja trainers which I love and have just about broken in because they really did rub at first. Also wearing the Sophie Hulme bolt bag that they very kindly sent to me - I am going to do a review on this next week because I have really been loving it and would really recommend it!!
Also, thanks for all the amazing comments in the CHAT section so far, I am loving checking in on there and reading your comments and getting involved - please keep them coming.
JACKET: WEEKDAY
SHOES: VEJA
SKIRT: REFORMATION (similar linked here)
T-SHIRT: WEEKDAY
BAG: SOPHIE HULME
PHOTOS BY ISAAC MARLEY MORGAN
I got this amazing handbag from Vestiaire with a voucher they sent me last week and I am obsessed. I just happened to find it on the first page when I was quickly browsing and ordered it straight away. It’s in such amazing condition and feels like the perfect nod to the Dior bag trend we are seeing everywhere, but in a way that is much more ‘me’. I love the Dior charm, because it’s a bit of extra glam but isn’t too in your face at all, and this is the first patent bag I have and feels way more posh and polished than other ones. Also the shoulder strap is the perfect length too, you all know I am such a big fan of a cross body bag, but there is something very chic about walking around with a bag on your shoulder and it makes me feel very posh!
Some iPhone photos from last Sunday. I spent the morning at home watching Four Weddings And A Funeral (for the first time ever, I am ashamed to say), before heading out for a roast with Laura. We had a good catch up and I enlisted her photo-taking skills, she always snaps the best Insta content for me. I then spent the evening in my comfies working and finishing Killing Eve on TV, if you haven’t watched it you must, it was amazing!
I was wearing Levi’s Authorised Vintage Jeans, Raey Jacket I am obsessed with, Toteme shirt, Uniqlo T-Shirt and my vintage Dior Bag
This post is sponsored by Hush.
Taking a little step back in time today with Hush and some 70s inspiration styling. I wouldn’t say there is one era that inspires my look more than the rest; sometimes I love the 70s for the hairstyles, the 90s for the bra-less looks, and the era we are in right now. I would say my style is an amalgamation of lots of different eras. I like that though, because it always feel like my take on something - like the looks I have here, they are inspired by, but not completely replicating, 1970s style.
The luxe velvet and emerald green of the blazer, cut longline and tailored just how I like (as we all know very well), styled with a simple white tee, some straight leg jeans and some gold jewellery. Despite having such an extensive blazer collection, this is actually the first velvet blazer I have ever had and I love it, I think it’ll be the perfect evening piece for the Autumn. I also don’t have any other jackets in this colour and now want lots more because it is so flattering!
Secondly, something girly for me. This black dress and these pointed flats are such a chic combination that would definitely work for a workwear option too. You guys know I am a fan of a smart flat shoe, but it is normally a loafer and not something as feminine as this! But, I am loving how these shoes look, and while I have gone for it and the girly vibes with his black dress, I think they would look amazing with baggy jeans and a t-shirt.
Now something I do find tricky to style, but always love on other people, the midi skirt. I don’t know what it is I find hard about them, because a mini skirt I can style up all day long, but something below the knee and I suddenly struggle. But, here is my attempt(s), and I am pretty pleased with it! Trainers are a must I think if you are going casual, and I love the colour of these ones for autumn, and not surprisingly I have kept everything else simple. The oversized black knit (softest thing ever, Hush do the most incredible knitwear), and the plain white t-shirt for something more warm-weather friendly. I would also love to give this look a go with a skinny turtleneck, because I love how the t-shirt looks tucked in, but love the high neck of the knit with the longer length of the skirt.
And as a final note on this one, I recommend going one or even two sizes down with this skirt as the sizing comes up a little large, but every other piece in the post is true to size.
Ordered these lamps from Pamono last week only to get a phone call today to say they are no longer available!! Back to the lamp drawing board, but these really have set the bar high and, and also narrowed down the search - 1970s style for sure. Pamono is one of my current fave places to browse for hours, especially the exceptional section, which really is exceptional.
Friday 5th October 2018
Had a long weekend in Tropea with my family and it was amazing. I hadn’t seen Luigi in over a year so it was amazing to see him, and as always we ate so much amazing food, sunbathed and started on the Aperol around midday everyday. Couldn’t have been any better - and I always love the photos I manage to shoot while I am there. I just did one roll of film this time and here it is for you guys!
This post is sponsored by Maje
Those of you who watch my YouTube channel will already be familiar with this amazing skirt. I was singing it’s praises for managing to be that micro length I love, while keeping your dignity safe with a little hidden nylon shorts that lurk underneath. With the check print and wool fabric, despite flashing your legs to the world, this really does feel like a very transitional-appropriate piece. Especially when teamed with some knitwear like this v-neck number. Which may be the perfect black knit for winter, an item I think we will agree as being a wardrobe essential. I don’t actually have a chunky v-neck black knit, and due to my laziness when it comes to hand washing knits, its essential I have a few options in the wardrobe while they slowly all build up in my wash basket.
I do think it’s safe to say the star of the show in this look are the trainers. My love for the chunky trainer trend has, up until now, mostly been inspired by slightly more classic takes on it ala Princess Diana. My New Balance dad trainers haven’t really left my feet since I got them, and it opened my eyes into the world of the ugly trainer in a different way. While I not quite ready to embrace the multi-coloured ones, a chunky style in all white seemed to strike the perfect balance between feeling ‘on trend’ and classic. The thing that always put me off this style is partly how heavy I imagine them to be, like I would spend my days shuffling around Notting Hill with ever growing leg muscles due to the sheer weight of them. Thankfully these are very light so I can stick to gliding around (wishing I was that elegant and didn’t manage to trip up at least once a day). I think I am going to embrace these as much as possible with bare legs while I can, they are undoubtedly flattering on bare legs - and also don’t be put off if you have big feet, I am a UK 7 and gladly embrace a chunky shoe all the time!
Having a few down days at the moment so I thought I would share some things I am doing to try and help;
Sleep as much as possible. Someone once told me that you heal so much in your sleep and it’s always stuck with me. When I am down I always try to make sure I am having early nights, and most importantly avoiding drinking too much which always ruins my sleep quality.
Work lots, it’s my biggest distraction always. Work has been sort of stressful lately but aside from a couple of meltdowns I am really enjoying it all, and enjoying how busy it is. I try to let my work fill my mind as much as I can.
But also, contrary to that last point, I am trying to make my new home my happy place and enjoy being here even if I am sad. Which has meant it has to be more than just my office, so I am trying to have evenings in on the sofa watching TV, even if I can only manage 30 mins of sitting still and relaxing, it’s better than nothing. I am finding I am looking forward to the moment I get to sit and chill too, I am just not good at sustaining it.
Look forward to things. I am thinking of taking another solo trip next month, it will be almost a year since my last one, so it seems a good time. I think where my head is at right now it could be the best idea and really inspire me again, or the worst idea and I just regret leaving home - I am willing to take the risk with it though! So hopefully I will be stateside again soon!
Listen to Future Islands. That cures everything.
Read Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, there is a reason people quote it so much, some of those pages really stick with you.
Exercise, when you don’t feel like it, it always makes me feel so much better and clears my head a little bit.
Remember self care doesn’t have to mean putting on a face mask (I blame YouTube for making me think that self care is all about candles around a bathtub), for me it has meant speaking to friends lots, writing down all my thoughts, trying to be mindful and have control over my thoughts too, and balancing between business and downtime. I haven’t gone near a face mask once.
This post is sponsored by Links of London
You may all have noticed my growing love for jewellery over the past year. My collection is growing very nicely and I have so many pieces I am wearing on a daily rotation. So I am excited to be working with Links of London to share a collection that is so different to anything they have done previously, and something that is fitting perfectly in with my growing collection. So I am sharing three looks with you here today, all styling up two pieces from the new Links of London Ovals collection along with some other pieces from their core collection.
The collection is an exciting new direction for Links of London, and I love how it encourages me to mix metals when styling which is something I do a lot with my jewellery. The dark black rhodium with the gold vermeil creates such a contract it allows each piece to stand out perfectly. There is something strong about the pieces, while they are still feminine - like the size of the oval on the necklace against the lightness of the chain, it’s all about the subtle contrast which makes the collection so interesting.
Let’s start with the necklace. This is from the Ovals collection, and while I am styling it on it’s own here, it will look amazing layered up with other gold chains, with this gorgeous oval detail sitting dead centre. I love the white topaz detail which gives it a bit of sparkle without it being OTT at all. And the lightness in tone that brings to it allows it to really stand out against a black t-shirt, or subtly sparkle against a lighter toned look or directly on yous skin. It has a few different length options with the fastening at the back which I always love in a necklace so you can tailor the length of it for each outfit and neckline. Now to the bracelet, also from the Ovals collection, this time in black rhodium and white topaz. I love how the dark colour makes this feel more androgynous, and would make it work well sat alongside a chunky mens watch like I would usually wear.
Gold hoops have definitely been an obsession over mine over the past few months. Being such a lover of minimal dressing, introducing things like gold hoops into my favourite basic looks really elevated things for me. I love how you can mix and match with ones of different sizes, and on the most lazy of jeans and t-shirt days it looks amazing with your hair tired up, and brings just the right amount of effort to an effortless look. These ones have a bubble detail to them (inspired by champagne bubbles) which gives them a little more oomph then a normal gold hoop. They are the perfect size too, not so big that you nearly rip them out every time you take out your headphones (I have learnt that one the hard way), but not too small that they go unnoticed.
Finally, the gorgeous signet ring, I love this piece so much! I love the way signet rings reflect the light on the flat surface, they can be really eye catching just because of that. The simplicity of this one is perfect, with the cut out detailing down the sides which breaks up the texture of that flat top surface. Whatever style of rings you normally/already wear, a signet ring is always going to work so well with it all. A contrast against dainty rings, or a compliment to other chunky jewellery. They have a certain androgyny to them which of course I am sucker for too!
Also enter their competition to win some earrings here.
BRACELET: c/o LINKS OF LONDON | NECKLACE: c/o LINKS OF LONDON | SIGNET RING: LINKS OF LONDON | HOOP EARRINGS: LINKS OF LONDON
PHOTOS BY TOM MITCHELL.
This post is sponsored by Everlane
Everlane now ship to the UK and shipping is free on orders over £100 until the end of September!
First post of many to be shot in my new flat, sharing some new clothes I am excited about too. You all know how much of an Everlane fan I am, especially of my beloved grey blazer which I still wear all the time and has stood the test of time both in terms of style and quality. Everlane have the most amazing selection of basics, and I am always so so happy to get to work with them. This time it’s to share with you their new skinny jeans, The Authentic Stretch High Rise Skinny Ankle Jean. While skinny jeans aren’t as much of a daily staple in my wardrobe as they once were (I spent my Uni days surgically attached to some black skinnies), every wardrobe needs a really good pair of black skinnies. To wear with minimal and classic outfits, but also to pair with OTK boots in the Winter, or the current trend for knee high boots. These have everything you want in a skinny jean; the right amount of stretch to make them feel form fitting, but not too stretchy that they feel and look like leggings (something that I avoid in skinnies). They are black by which I mean a really flat black, no fading down the front of the leg, no distressing on the bum, nothing… which I very much like. Black skinnies are very much a basic and foundation in a wardrobe, so in my opinion it’s best they are kept simple and streamlined. These ones fit very true to size, I am wearing my usual waist size and they fit amazingly around my hips and bum. I feel I say this a lot but for your reference in length, I am 5”8 with most of my height in my legs, so these come up cropped on me.
Moving on from the jeans onto this amazing mustard shirt. You guys have already been loving this on Instagram, and for good reason, it does fit amazingly. I love this style of shirt, it’s really easy to wear and doesn’t feel as workwear-ish as a white shirt can feel (although it can definitely be worn for work too). The boxy cut, the lapel collar, and of course this amazing shade of yellow. The silk fabric makes it feel really luxurious and hang really nicely, but I love the fact it’s a matt silk which keeps it feeling a little more laid back and casual. I am wearing a size 4 and it has just the right oversized fit so I recommend going for you normal size with this one too.
And finally, the boots! The perfect simple black leather boots for Winter in the softest leather imaginable. These are the sort of boots that require zero working in, they are already buttery soft and comfortable from the first wear. Again, they fit very true to size, and I think going forward I will style them with my longer length jeans. I think the classic style will look amazing with some really androgynous straight legged trousers too! But of course they are such a classic piece they work with whatever you want to style them with.
All in all, huge thank you to Everlane not only for working with me on this, but also for creating yet more amazing pieces to be added to my wardrobe! Fast becoming one of my favourite brands for basics.
SHIRT: c/o EVERLANE | JEANS: c/o EVERLANE | BOOTS: c/o EVERLANE
Can someone please tell me where my obsession with dressing like Princess Diana has come from? It’s hit me like a bolt from the blue and I am blaming two things; my New Balance trainers, and the ongoing cardigan obsession. Maybe it’s more of a 90s vibe than specifically Princess Di, but everyday I am reaching for looks that have this classic feel to them, but hopefully finding ways to make them feel more up to date with things like my beloved Vans and the new Chloe bag. There are actually a few new pieces in this look I wanted to discuss, and let’s start with the bag.
So I was sent this bag which was AMAZING so massive thank you to Chloe. I will be honest, I wouldn’t have gone out and bought it myself - but now that I have it, it’s totally changed my tune. I would get this in another colour and spend the price tag on it, I love it!!! The details on it are amazing, not just the obvious things like the gold hardware on the front, but the wide shoulder strap, all the clips and buckles down the side. It is also a decent size and I can easily fit in my phone and a camera, and a load of other crap I convince myself I need on a daily basis. The leather hasn’t scratched or marked at all, so all in all I would very much recommend this bag to you all, I would love it in the black too!
Secondly is this t-shirt which I have been wearing endlessly. It’s from Uniqlo and I discovered it because a couple of guys I know always wear them and they always look so so good! So I ventured in and picked up a couple in a small, and these are not going to be my go-to t-shirts. They are such an amazing thick cotton, and the most amazing cut. When I went in they didn’t have it in white which as now more or less become the holy grail and I am determined to find one in white now. Highly recommend, and they are such a good price!
Finally, these trousers. These are new in from & Other Stories, and I think we can all agree they have a rather amazing cut on them. I am obsessed with the fit of them, that mega high waist and the awkward length (awkwardness obviously very dependant on height here), and that off white colour I have been wearing endlessly throughout Summer. They are a really thick fabric so I am excited to transition in that colour now too.
T-SHIRT: UNIQLO | TROUSERS: & OTHER STORIES | CARDIGAN: UNIQLO | SHOES: VANS | BAG: CHLOE
PHOTOS BY TOM MITCHELL
Last week I got to go to the GQ Men Of The Year Awards afterparty with Haig Whisky and got rather dressed up for the occasion. It’s not often you are invited to something with a back tie dress code, and it’s the perfect excuse to go out shopping for the perfect look. I happened to find this amazing Jacquemus jumpsuit which I fell in love with right away, especially because I am really hoping it’s a piece I will find easier to rewear than some other black tie looks. I little life goal of mine is to become fancy enough that if a black tie event comes up last minute you have a few options in your wardrobe from years gone by, which means shopping wisely now and buying items I won't tire of. So far I have the black velvet dress I wore to the Baftas and now this, one winter option and one summer one! The flowing silk of this jumpsuit is what makes it look and feel so luxurious, as you can see it just moves in the most amazing way when you walk, and needs so little styling with accessories so is such a simple piece to wear. I just paired it with my strappy Tibi sandals because they’re easy enough to walk in, minimal make up and slightly wavy hair on the night. I honestly felt amazing and I can’t wait for another occasion to wear this dress again.
I do think getting dressed up does amazing things for your mental health sometimes too. I have spoken before about the rituals me and my friends had before nights out spending hours getting ready when we were teenagers, and how sometimes that would be the best bit of the night. It’s something I don’t do enough now. London is so laid back in terms of style, even on a night out I wouldn’t reach for too much more make up, and would rarely even opt for heels nowadays. Most of my night outs are now spontaneous, coming from no where after a laid back meal and you end up dancing away until 4am in jeans and a t-shirt. But actually spending time on yourself and putting on an outfit that feels amazing and is wayyyyy fancier than the usual get-up is such a good feeling! I am thinking I need to plan in a girls night out where we get properly dressed up and make your bedroom smell so much of Elnett you could pass out. I might even give false lashes a go again!
DRESS: JACQEMUES | SHOES: TIBI
PHOTOS BY ISAAC MARLEY MORGAN
It's Sunday evening and I am writing this post from my new flat, on my new sofa, in a space that already feels very comfy and very much like home. This post will be short and sweet, because my brain has more or less fallen out my ears and I am fighting off sleep with all my might... but what a lovely weekend!!! Mum was down the whole time helping me out, and it's an understatement to say I couldn't have done this without her. We packed up the flat in a day and a half, and unpacked it at the other end in just a few hours, and still found time to go shopping. Honestly it's been a whirlwind and I am beyond tired, but also beyond excited!! I can't wait to make this new place feel even more like home - all my furniture looks amazing in here but there are so many ideas I have of things I want to do. More than anything, this space feels huge, and while what will be the office is currently still full of boxes and crap, that is the room I am most excited to have completed.
Big thank you to you all for all your comments online, I have loved sharing this with you and will continue to do so while I make this place my own. So many of you offered such good advice (special mention to the person who recommended keeping all clothes on hangers, that one saved us HOURS), and so many really kind well wishes too. I am so excited for this to be my home and to make lots of new memories here, and of course share them all with you guys too.
Thank you always, and biggest thank you ever to Mum for helping me so much!!
xxxxx
How many times have you all seen photos of me sat about in my flat, posing on different piece of furniture? Well this is going to the last time, because tomorrow is the move day. I remember the first ever time I shot in here, when there was hardly and furniture, just one chair, a sofa and a rug. I have lived here for just over 13 months, and it's been the most amazing 13 months of my life. When I moved into this place I thought there would be no way I would be leaving in a years time, mostly because the stress of moving had been so intense it was something I wanted to avoid for at least another two years. But after about 9 months here I started to feel really differently, mostly about how much I wanted an office which would have such a big change on my life. I realise I am talking first world problems here, but working and living in one space has left me finding it harder and harder to ever have some sort of balance or switch off, and those of you who watch my vlogs will know that my bedroom is mostly a wardrobe. So the hunt began for a two bed place, where I can hopefully split up my work and life a little more, have more focus on them both, and generally feel I am in a happier space.
Now like I said, the past year has been the best of my life, and there are so many amazing memories I have from this incredible apartment. I have loved living here, all the features, the furniture I have filled it with - anyone who knows me knows just how much I love it. One thing I think I failed to do was make it feel like a sanctuary. I think it is partly due to travelling so much, I have spent so much time here not fully settling back down because I know I am off again so soon. That combined with finding my way with working for myself and living on my own, which has been a constant cycle of self-motivation that has sometimes overwhelmed me. I have learnt so much from it. In my new place I will always fully unpack, even if I am going somewhere again in two days time. I will make sure my work stays in the office, and doesn't creep into my living room so I can fully relax and actually enjoy an evening on the sofa.
I have experienced more in the last year than I ever imagined in this flat. Nights in with friends getting blind drunk while sat on the sofa, or just days sat watching endless films. I have worked here with amazing creatives and friends, shot so much content and used my home as a reflection of my style in a way I never thought I would be able to. I have spent hours sat on my chairs staring out the window with a cup of tea watching the world go by. I have had many early mornings working and late nights at my desk. I have had days where I have felt so empowered by how much I do on my own, loved my own space and hated anything that compromise it. I have had days where I have felt lonely and lost and tried my best to focus on my work because I don't know where else to put my head. I have walked into here loving the silence after a busy day, I have walked in here resenting the fact that there is no one here to share my day with. I can't tell you the rollercoaster of emotions, only that I have felt more in the past year than I ever have before, and so much of it has taken place in this little flat.
More than anything, it's been a representation of how much I want to pinch myself. When I spent those early teenage years wishing I was older, I don't think I ever imagined my life would look like this, and for that I am so so grateful. I know every time I walk past this flat I will be filled with nostalgia for the year I have lived here, and the year I lived bang slap in the middle of Notting Hill will be something I will love to tell my children about (thankfully I have lots of photos to share with them too).
Once again I feel like I am moving onto a new chapter, which is both daunting and amazing. After a year of huge, huge changes and growth, I really want to create a new space where I feel more settled. I want to create even more amazing memories, work even harder from a new home, and hopefully have a year ahead that tops this one. Living alone is the biggest learning curve I have ever known, it totally highlights your independence but also the points in which you are hugely dependant on others (because I think we all have that). I will miss this place more than I can tell you all, and I keep feeling super teary at the thought of leaving here for good!! but I am so excited for the new chapter, and so thankful to have you all with me for it. I hope it will be even more amazing!
PHOTOS BY ISAAC MARLEY MORGAN
Yesterday I shared my testing basics for cardigans and I think it’s the first testing basics I have ever done where I have discovered a serious love for an item of clothing that I never appreciated enough before. I dabbled in the (wonderful) world of cardigans a little last Winter with my & Other Stories black one that I wore a lot, but I feel only now am I realising the true potential of the cardigan (I am imagining some dramatic music while I am writing this, FYI). So due to testing basics I now have five… well four because I shrunk one in the wash so much it’s now beyond recognition. I have decided that everyone should have one chunky one and one skinny one in their wardrobe. Both can be worn buttoned up on their own, or undone over a t-shirt, and both will look very very good. I always thought cardigans were nana-ish and I do still think that, but there is something so effortlessly chic about them too. Even just draped over your shoulders, which is something my Mum often tried to make me do when I was younger and I always protested, sorry Mum you really do know best. I am a fully converted cardigan lover and were there a cardigan fan club I think I could be elected president at this point. All jokes aside, they have given me a lease of life in my wardrobe which is feeing a little lack lustre at the moment. They are the ultimate transitional piece, over mini dresses or tucked into your jeans, but also will be great worn underneath jackets and coats as the layering piece when it gets cooler. I can guarantee you will be seeing lots more cardigans from me over the coming months.
Cardigans aside, I am writing this in my garden on a Sunday morning - feeling thankful for having woken up without a hangover this morning after having battled through Saturday with what was possibly my worst hangover of 2018. I have so much moving content coming up this week - posts I want to do that say goodbye to the flat, and hello to the new one. This has been my last weekend living here and It has felt super emotional. I will write so much more about this later on in the week, but these photos will be the last I share of me in the garden. Sitting here right now I feel like I didn’t make the most of this gorgeous outdoors space! I had a few days sunbathing in the heatwave, a couple of boozy picnics with friends and one surprisingly sober mad half hour playing on the swings like kids. It has though, been the host to many a photoshoot, so I am thankful I will always have the memories to look back on here too!
PHOTOS BY TOM MITCHELL
WHITE DREES: BRANDY MELVILLE | CARDIGAN (now halved in size after putting in the washing machine, RIP cardigan) : AMERICAN VINTAGE | SHOES: VANS
JEANS: WEEKDAY | CARDIGAN: JOSEPH
EARRINGS: MONICA VINADER & ALL BLUES | NECKLACE: ALL BLUES, RELIQUA
