Boutique Fashion in Yarm

Recently I had the chance to visit fashion outlet, Kiwi Boutique, for a night of cakes, drinks, blogger chats and most importantly clothes. With a shop already in Guisborough, Kiwi Boutique opened up another in Yarm which is proving to be just as popular! Fellow blogger and employee of Kiwi Boutique, Lucy, organised the event to promote the Yarm store. 

The girls in the shop spoke to us about the Autumn/Winter fashion and gave us a tour around the store. The shop was quaint and cosy but filled with some great fashion. I had the chance to try on a few pieces but unfortunately, I didn't come away with anything. I'll definitely be checking them out in the future to see what new pieces they get in store.

If you are in the area make sure to give Kiwi Boutique a visit! I was kindly given a voucher code to pass along to my lovely readers to provide you with 10% off purchases (on non-sale items).

Happy Shopping!

Work Spring Capsule Wardrobe with George at ASDA

Today is the day I show you the two outfits I've picked for work from my George at ASDA Spring capsule wardrobe! I've tried to keep it smart but fun using the shoes from last week's casual post. Although most of the items in this post are very different from the last all the pieces could be mixed together to provide different outfits. I could have easily paired the tops from last week with either of the bottoms from this and vice versa, very flexible.

What I'm wearing - Dotty Woven Cami - Tapered Mock Zip Trousers - Lightweight Blazer - Navy Block Heel Sandals

Within my brief, for this Spring capsule wardrobe, I was to pick a skirt from the George at ASDA range. I'm not one for short skirts really as I'm always worrying if I'm showing a little too much flesh so I kept it safe and went for this long black skirt. It is super comfy, very smart and nips you in at the waist which is brilliant.

What I'm wearing - Black Pleated Skirt - Jersey Shrug - Embellished Neck Vest - Bow Ballet Shoes

So that's it! Did you like my picks? Do I make it in the world of fashion bloggers? I do hope so. Although taking these pictures was harder than it looks. Next time I need a photographer rather than using self-timer for each image!

*Clothes were provided to feature on the blog

Casual Spring Capsule Wardrobe with George at ASDA

Now before I get into this post, spoiler alert - I'm not a fashion blogger. However, when the people from George at ASDA got in touch I jumped at the chance to have a go. They set me the challenge of creating a capsule wardrobe for Spring. I decided to put together two outfits that I could wear for work and two that I could wear casually, mixing up different pieces from the haul I picked. I think I did a pretty good job, but I'll let you all be the judge.

First up is the casual wear! These two are outfits that I will wear out shopping, to the cinema or out for lunch. They aren't too dressy but smart enough that I don't look too casual. You will see that over the two outfits I've used the same jeans! I was asked in my brief to pick a pair from their fabulous jeans range. The ones I chose are called Wonderfit. Basically, they come in a selection of sizes, from XS-XXL, and are super stretchy to fit all shapes and sizes.

What I'm wearing - Dotty Blouse - Bow Ballet Shoes - Wonderfit Skinny Jeans - Navy

Just a quick note on the shoes from George at ASDA, I was so pleased that they did a size 6.5 as I have odd feet when it comes to shoes. I'm not quite a 7 but too big for a size 6. George at ASDA's shoes fit me just right and for this haul, I picked two pairs, the ballet pumps above and the small blue block heels below. If you are in half sizes I suggest you have a nosy over at their shoe section!

What I'm wearing - Lace Vest - Blue Duster Coat - Navy Block Heel Sandals - Wonderfit Skinny Jeans - Navy

I'm in love this combo! The vest is so gorgeous, the coat is stunning, the jeans are such a good fit and the shoes, well they are just super cute! This outfit will definitely be getting worn quite a bit! 

Keep your eyes peeled next week for the two work outfits I've picked out. You'll see how my Spring capsule wardrobe fits together then. Until then, what are your thoughts on my picks?

*Clothes were provided to feature on the blog

#SimplyBeReal Moments

Although I have a wicker chest full of different shoes, I always wear the same ones. My black biker boots. I'm on my second pair after spotting my most recent ones in Bank and falling in love. I wear them all the time with everything, they are my comfort shoes and I think they look great. Whenever I have jeans on, they are on my feet. Dresses I love to grunge up with my boots and I would wear them to work if I could but that's going a bit too far. The only problem with my new boots is the sound they make as I walk. You'd expect a shoe to jingle when it has little bits of metal on and accept that as a small price to pay. My boots have loads of little metal bits that all clang together as I walk making it sound like a have a pocket full of change. At first, I felt a bit self-conscious; my mum said I couldn't wear them with her around and my boyfriend asked if Santa had been (jingle jingle). However after a while, thinking and knowing my boots looked amazing (wink wink, nudge nudge) I got over it. The stares continue as people wonder where on earth the noise is coming from but I just strut on past. The image below, by the lovely Jo Cheung, illustrates the stares that I get when I'm out and about rocking my gorgeous biker boots. SimplyBe have started the hashtag #SimplyBeReal across social media (twitter/facebook/Instagram/Tumblr) asking people to share the real moments women experience in their everyday life and that fashion doesn't always go as planned. My story certainly shows that it can look good, but it is not always the most practical or the quietest! Get sharing your #SimplyBeReal moments on social media!

Love Niche London Collection Fashion Preview - Newcastle

Last month I was invited to the preview of a collection called Love Niche London put together by fashion entrepreneur, Nisha Vedhara. She'd put on a gorgeous spread of treats including cocktails, fruit, popcorn and sweets which we munched on whilst we waited to go into the studio.

The studio was amazing. It was filled with lots of clothes, sorted by colour, on racks around the room accompanied by lots of sparkling jewellery. I felt like I was in Kim Kardashian's walk-in wardrobe! We all started browsing the clothes and picking our favourites. As we did, Nisha announced there would be an outfit competition so we all raced around the room picking items we loved that would go great together.

I fell in love with this gorgeous blue jacket, so I had to try and find items that would go with it. I found this pretty simple top with an accompanying necklace that I thought went perfectly underneath. The trouble came from me when I had to find trousers! I personally think this would go great with jeans but there were none to be seen so I tried out some white trousers with them.

Unfortunately, I didn't win, fashion blogger Tasha Steel scooped first prize and got to take her chosen outfit home with her! We all took numerous pictures and browsed the clothes for potential buys. Throughout I got the chance to chat to my blogger friends who I don't see unless we are at blogger events; Chloe (New Girl in Toon), Lisa (Is it Just Meme) and Kayleigh (I Dream of Coco). I also met Alexis (Newcastle Sparkles) which was great as I love meeting other local bloggers. It was a brilliant night spent with some lovely bloggers and gorgeous clothes. I think the plan is for Love Niche London to appear online shortly so you will be able to have a browse at the clothes yourself!

Psyche SS14 Blogger Event

Recently an opportunity to attend a North East blogger event came up and it happened to be very local to me, in Middlesbrough. The event was held to showcase the Spring/Summer 2014 trends at Psyche, organised by Media Works. The event was originally organised for last year but after a freak storm the whole of the Middlesbrough town centre was in darkness meaning the event was off! Another date was set for last Thursday and thankfully mother nature was kind.

I hadn't met up with any NE bloggers before so I was really excited to meet the bloggers I'd been chatting to on twitter and organised to meet Kloe before we went in to the event.

The event started with all the bloggers receiving a generous goody bag and being given a glass of bubbly. After everyone was settled Steve Cochrane, Psyche's Managing Director and creator, told us about the inception of the shop and it's growth to where it is now. He also went on to tell us about his future vision for Psyche which involves a shop in Leeds and a bigger online presence following a pretty nifty update to their website.

Following Steve was one of the store's buyers. She told us about the trends for spring and summer including comfy flowing garments, tribal/animal prints, lace and visible zips. Steve then gave us a quick run-through of the upcoming men's fashion trends. Two of the three floors in the Middlesbrough store are allocated to men's wear leaving only the top floor for woman and children. Steve believes that when men shop they want to be in and out, this is why the men's affordable fashion is on the ground floor which is easily accessible, then on the second floor are the more premium products and specialist services such as tailoring.

The reason he places the woman's fashion on the top floor is that he thinks woman have more of a tolerance to shopping meaning they will wade through the two floors of men's to get to woman's with ease and they want to shop, whereas men will find this a hassle. I do think this makes sense but there needs to be more of a focus on the woman to encourage them to come into the store.

We were then given a tour of the shop by Steve which was very interesting as he told us about the specific brands that they stock and also went into detail about a few of the products they sell.

Overall it was a great event. Although I am not a fashion blogger it certainly educated me as to what was in this season, even if I'm not keen on some of the trends. I really want to thank Psyche and MediaWorks for holding a great event.

My birthday shoes!

For Florence I wanted a nice pair of high top trainers that I could walk around in during the day. As my birthday was coming up I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get these!

I went shopping and came across Nike Blazer high tops. I had to have them, but what colour?! I was sold on the pale blue version for a while until it came time to get them and they had a red pair in! I think fate stepped in when there wasn't my size in the blue, guess the red ones were coming with me!

Here they are...

I have worn these only twice so far as they are pretty tight! I think I need to wear them in a bit more to soften the leather around the edges up. When I wore these on the plane, coupled with my gold chain, I felt a bit like Run DMC... I don't know, I think it's just me who thinks that...

When shopping for high tops I came across another pair of beautiful shoes that I had to have. I asked my mum if she would get them for my birthday and she did! Result! 

These are the most adorable jelly shoes you have ever seen. They are textured around the edge and smooth inside with a fastening across your ankle. The bows on the front are black and glittery, they sparkle soo much! They are made by a company called Mel, whom I'd never heard of before I walked into Schuh but now I want them all!

What shoes have you bought recently? Have you got either of these shoes? Which is your favourite?!