How To Style | The Statement Coat

Remember me? After starting the year with such high hopes about regularly blogging, it gradually petered out until I ended up posting nothing all summer.... I was definitely stuck in a blogging rut, and couldn't think of any posts I was desperate to write. I think after exams, the last thing I wanted to do was write and concentrate, and I was barely home this summer (although I will never complain about how much travelling I've done).

I'm back feeling ready to write, photograph and get creative again which is the best feeling, and I think living in London during Autumn/Winter helps, because it's definitely my favourite time of the year to live here. We've got it all- overpriced artisanal coffees which taste like Christmas, huge parks to crunch through all the fallen, burnished, beautiful leaves, lights and magical evening walks along the Thames, and ALL the food markets.

After being in Norway for six months, I'm back in London and I have to say, I've missed it. My first proper week back has been a wonderful whirlwind, reminding me of how much I love this city. 

This statement coat has been worth every penny, taking me from Summer to Autumn with ease- instead of chucking it on top of dresses during balmy evenings, I'm toughening it up and cosying up in it as I match my Autumnal surroundings.

Leaving 2016 Behind | Highlights and Resolutions

2016 will most likely go down in history as one of the most miserable for the world overall, in a rather long time. It's easy to focus on all the negative changes that have taken place, and to forget all the incredible things that have happened. 

Personally, it's been one of the best years of my life, and I've enjoyed reflecting over what has made it so special, and reminding myself that it's not all bad! It's led me to base my resolutions about bringing the best of 2016 into 2017.

OOTD | Silver Skirt and Fur Jacket

Well London, you've certainly got me in a wintery, festive mood! I don't think there's any better time to live here, everything about it is putting me in the best mood, minus the hordes of tourists making Oxford Street grind to a standstill obvs. The lights, the markets, the general happy mood permeating the air (or is that just mulled wine...?), all contributes to me falling deeper in love with London.

I had a wander around Shoreditch with my bestie the other day to shoot this outfit, and it reminded me of just how big and varied this city is! However it's also incredibly chilly at the moment, which is why this outfit is perfect for the festive period!

Hair | Sam McKnight

Kate Moss. Princess Diana. Cara Delevingne.

What have all these iconic ladies got in common?

They've all worked with the incredible hair stylist Sam McKnight, whose exhibition at Somerset House I visited this week. And oh maaaaan was I impressed.

What I Wore For My Internship

After the most amazing, hectic and full on four weeks, my time as a fashion intern at Look has come to an end *cue sadness/amazement at all this newfound free time*

I've enjoyed pretty much every minute (minus the time we were asked to tidy up a huuuuge pile of hangers, prompting flashbacks to that time Rachel in Friends opened up a cupboard to find a load of hangers at work). 

But one of my favourite things has been having the opportunity to see and try out different fashion styles I wouldn't normally have thought about. So here's a round up of some of my favourite looks and trends from the last month, hopefully giving some new outfit inspo!

And bonus, everything is high street woo!

The Midi Dress

How I Got My Dream Fashion Internship

Well blogging it's been a while... But for the best reasons I could think of, as for the last three weeks I've been one of Look magazine's fashion interns, and it's been one of the most incredible experiences.

I've always loved writing, and journalism has been a career I've considered for absolutely ages, but it's only been after reading people's blogs and starting this one that I've seriously considered it as a career.

I knew I wanted to get some experience in this field to see if it was for me, so last month I wrote to a few of my favourite magazines to see if they needed interns.

How To Style | Slip Dress

Yay velvet is apparently back in for A/W 16 and I actually couldn't be happier about that, like please give me all the velvet clothing in my wardrobe thank you.

Tbh it was never out in my world and I've built up quite a collection but hey a girl can never have enough clothes especially when it's this hot piece of gorgeousness from Zara.

OOTD | Culottes

I have post holiday blues, siiiigh. I've been on a cruise around the Mediterranean and just damn it was basically the perfect few weeks. Good food, company, travel and weather... what more could a girl want?

So rather than lounge around on my bed staring at my tan lines (you can actually see where my watch was, when I saw it I was genuinely excited and I know that's pathetic but hey- freckles over here will take whatever she can get), I thought I'd reminsce at pictures and post some outfit inspo. Might actually be relevant with this lil heat wave in England which has got everyone going nuts.

How To Style | Printed Bomber Jacket

The first time I wore a bomber jacket was when I was about 12 and was going through a stage where I desperately wanted to be a fighter pilot. Me and my brother were obsessed with everything Top Gun, and ended up sharing a khaki jacket which we sewed RAF badges onto.

Man I was so cool.

OOTD | Nautical Inspired

Recently, I'm not sure why my work wages bother going into my bank account, they honestly might as well just go straight to Zara... 

I'm just loving their summer collection so much- more than anywhere else on the high street at the moment. I recently went to Oxford Street having just been paid to try and update my summer wardrobe, but the only place I bought anything from was Zara. (Oh, and Topshop, but that was for new underwear and I think my mum would disown me if I ever blogged that.)

OOTD | Camouflage Jacket

Everyone's got their fashion weak spot; and for me I'm a sucker for shoes and jackets. I think it's the fact that an eye catching shoe or a colour pop jacket can instantly elevate an outfit. 

When I was packing to come to uni in September, I was texting a friend about how many pairs of shoes she was bringing. 'Probably about 8, definitely no more than ten.' 

*cue me sitting on my suitcase to try and cram my 20 odd pairs of trainers, heels, boots, sandals...* 

Hey, there's got to be some advantages to being the same size/height since I was 13ish, means those once pristine boots are not artfully distressed, plus 5 years old is basically vintage right?

Investment Piece | OOTD

Without a doubt, my favourite Christmas present this year was an All Saints leather jacket from my mum, and oh. my. gosh. I never want to take it off. Gig? Born for this. Lectures? Why not. Going out? How practical. Lunch date with friends? Well it goes with everything.

Now these are definitely not a student friendly purchase, but my mum got this with a pretty substantial discount. Although expensive, All Saints do the best sales, 20-30% off makes all the difference when it comes to an investment piece like this. (I haven't even been sponsored to do this post I just love it too much!)

What I like most about this jacket is how versatile it is- I've been wearing it in all weather, for a variety of occasions, and with so many different outfits, but it never fails to nail the effortless cool vibe. Literally you can just throw it on with a shirt and jeans and boom. Cue sassy strutting down the street. (I wish I was joking).

Tips for a Successful Dinner Party

I can hardly believe how long it's been since I've posted, the Christmas party season has definitely been occupying a lot of my time! But my favourite kind of parties are the ones where you can actually sit down and have a good catch up with old friends, rather than screaming "SO HOW'S UNI" in a crowded club.

I held my first dinner party before Christmas and it was such a lovely evening I thought I'd share some tips and maybe some inspiration of you're thinking of holding a get together!

Decorating

Since I held it during the festive season, some of the decorations won't be relevant all year, but most of them work all year round!

1.) My essential for brightening up a table (quite literally!) is candles. Lots and lots of candles. They can transform your setting from drab to magical, and create a soft, magical glow in the room. Get cute jam jars, tea light holders or lanterns, the more mismatched the better, and dot them around the table and the room.

2.) To add some interest on the table I put a small amount of confetti and some Quality Street, which added a nice pop of colour against my charcoal tablecloth.

3.) Get the nicest glasses, cutlery and crockery you have out! I'm a sucker for these, and there's some really beautiful designs out. Since it likely won't be a crazy party, there's less anxiety about things getting broken, and they really look special on the table.

4.) I put place names on the table and these are something you can definitely play around with! I'm not the most creative person but it's fun finding your place and seeing who you're next to.