Birthday Blazer

So as promised, here is the final part to my What I Got For My Birthday Post. I was lucky enough to receive this beautiful Reiss blazer for my birthday, but wanted to wait until I had taken some styled outfit photos before I shared it with you. I know that blazers are a huge staple for many fashion bloggers but this is actually the first one I have owned since I had to wear them everyday in Sixth Form!

I fell in love with this blazer after trying it on while I was bored and waiting for the rest of my family to finish shopping! The silky printed fabric caught my eye in an "oh, this is kinda cool" way and the rest is history. So as much as I love online shopping is it also great just to browse shops, feeling all the fabrics and trying on pieces that you wouldn't normally.

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The double-breasted style and beautiful fabric of this blazer mean that is is a fairly smart piece. However, I love the current trend of dressing-down smart, tailored pieces with casual garments. I've style this blazer with a simple white t-shirt and a pair of light washed distressed denim to make it more appropriate for daytime. I also this this would look so cool with trainers or boots and even some strappy heels if I was feeling a bit fancy.

Blazer

T-shirt

Jeans (Similar) 

Watch

Short Necklace

Long Necklace (Similar)

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I've tried to link everything that I am wearing or similar above incase you wanted to shop anything. I'm also planning some exciting new posts for the new season, so keep an eye out for those. Anyone else over Summer and can't wait to snuggle up in cosy knitwear with a cup of tea?!

Speak soon, xx

What I Got For My Birthday 2018

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22...actually I think I am just feeling old! Clearly 22 is not old, it's just that I feel (and look) about 17, but suddenly I am a graduate and a proper adult! My birthday was on Friday and I had a lovely day with family, mostly chatting and eating. I was also lucky enough to receive some beautiful gifts so I thought I would share them with you. The one thing I have left out of this post is a special gift which I chose from my parents that I am going to write a separate post about. Hint: it's something I need to style up.

The first thing I opened was this beautiful jewellery stand from Oliver Bonas that has been on my wishlist for a very long time. It's gold, marble and a minimal style, meaning it is right up my street. I love how it looks next to my Roberts Radio which also picks up the gold, and I have already hung some of my new and favourite jewellery on it.

Unfortunately this seems to have sold out online, however, a similar style can be found here.

As you may know from previous post or my Instagram I have recently been on a family holiday to Naxos and Paros. We wondered around a lot of beautiful shops and I loved all of the "evil eye" pieces that despite their legend have become a trend, particularly on jewellery. This is a beautiful little bracelet that my brother picked up for me, that happens to go really well with my gold watch shown below.

I love The Body Shop products and this hand cream is divine. It smells lovely and isn't at all sticky so will be perfect when the weather gets a bit colder and I am reaching for my hand cream more and more often.

Almond Hand and Nail Cream

Some beautiful faux pearls from my auntie. I love the irregular shape of the pearls and think these will go with so many outfits.

Before I went to university I couldn't boil an egg! These days I love cooking and trying out new recipes and this Rustic cookbook looks right up my street. Also, it's going to look beautiful on display in a kitchen!

Some more jewellery from our holiday! I spotted these in a beautiful little shop in a village in the mountains of Naxos. I like how they are a bit of a statement earring, but can still be described as delicate, and selfishly because I found them on holiday it is very unlikely anyone else will have them!

I hope that you have enjoyed having a little preview at what I got for my birthday this year. Speak soon, xx

My Top 5 Holiday Essentials

I got back from my two week holiday to Greek islands Naxos and Paros a few days ago and am still trying to adjust to the fact that it is no longer appropriate to wear a bikini instead of underwear. But just in case anyone else is lucky enough to still have some Summer holidays planned I thought I would share my top 5 holiday essentials.

The Linen Shirt 
I remember reading somewhere that instead of a beach coverup Lucy Williams (ultimate style icon) wears a linen shirt. I am obsessed with how effortless yet chic this looks over a bikini or swimsuit. But I also found that a linen shirt looks great with a pair or shorts or more practically as an extra layer when it gets a bit colder in the evenings. I think I am going to have to say that this is the most essential of all my holiday essentials!

The Large Beach Bag 
I like to pack for the beach like I pack for everything, I overpack. I'll take my camera, phone, hat, sunglasses, an array of different suncreams, a book, an extra bikini, a leat one change of clothes...you get the idea. In my opinion a beach bag should be large enough to fit a beach towel in and still allow plenty of room for all the other beach side essentials listed above.

Eyelash Curlers 
I packed a ridiculous amount of makeup for my holiday only to find that 95% of the time I wasn't wearing any makeup. It was so hot that I would have just sweat it off, but really I just like swimming too much to be faffing with all that. Plus as soon as you get a bit of colour on your cheeks and cute freckles start to appear on your nose, who needs makeup anyway? The one think I did reach for though was my eyelash curlers just to open up my eyes and make it look as though I didn't drink two glasses of wine the night before!

Podcasts 
This holiday I absolutely fell in love with podcasts, and in particular The Food Medic podcast by Dr Hazel Wallace. Don't get me wrong, I do still love books on holiday too, but trying to read in the sunshine is not always easy. Plus it's nice to be able to put some headphones in and shut your eyes. I'm really into health and wellness podcasts at the moment so send me your recommendations!

Insect Repellent 
I learnt my lesson the hard way with this one, as every time that we went out and I forgot to apply my insect repellent I would get eaten alive. It doesn't look great when you have build up a nice even tan, only to then be covered in red lumps and bumps. That's not to mention how itchy and painful some of my bites were, which sometimes lead to awful nights sleep. Yes, applying insect repellent is a pain and stinks, but seriously just do it, and thank me later.

So there you have it, my top 5 holiday essentials and a real mix of style, beauty and life things. I've still got loads of pictures from holidays that I can't wait to share with you, but I'm just unsure of the content that I want to go with them. But if you want to see holiday pictures now then head over to my Instagram at kpenney17 as I have been uploading while I've been away.

Speak soon, xx

I Bought Another Jacket...

I will be the first person to hold my hands up and say that I have an issue, I cannot stop buying jackets. It is approximately 100 degrees outside and Winter fashion, specifically coats and jackets, is on my mind. Don't get me wrong, I love bohemian Summer dressing, lace and lots of pastels, but nothing beats a good quality jacket that you can shove on over jeans and a white t-shirt and be done. Plus here in the UK it is usually an item that you'll get your money's worth from! Although as I am typing this with my hair in a topknot and fan on full-blast the only thing I really want to be wearing is a bikini (preferably sitting by a pool).

The bomber jacket is from a brand called Part Two which I saw in a local boutique shop and then found on House of Fraser. Part Two is a brand that I haven't come across before, but if this jacket is anything to go by I think I should probably check out some of their other pieces. It's a beautiful bottle green shade in an intricate quilted design, with a slight sheen to the fabric. It has gold hardware and a lovely floral lining that reminds me a bit of  Ted Baker. The jacket also feels heavy which I like to think indicates good quality. And on top of all that I got it for about a third of the original price in the House of Fraser sale!

I can't see myself wearing this anytime soon with the weather at the moment. Although knowing UK weather it will probably feel like Winter as soon as we get to August! But I can't wait to style this up with jeans and boots, or cropped trousers and trainers for Autumn. So watch this space!

Speak soon, xx

One Degree Hotter!

It's official, I am a graduate! So I hope you will forgive me for the break I have taken from blogging. Final year deadlines were stressful to say the least, and since finishing my last exam I have been here, there and everywhere. But on Monday I was back up in Manchester with my family for my graduation. I graduated with a first class degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising and had the most lovely day celebrating! So I thought I would share with you some of the pictures from the day as well as my outfit details, of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The "I just graduated" powershot showing that I mean business! Probably gonna make this my new LinkedIn profile picture...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture is probably the 50th attempt of this shot! But perseverance is key and we got there in the end! These are the girls that got me through my final year and made it the amazing experience it was. I'm so proud of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the family (minus my little sister who still had school). Please don't comment on how similar my brother and I look, I get it all the time!

 

 

 

With my boyfriend, Jack who has been my absolute rock. We met at school and have managed to do long distance while at uni (he is up in Durham). He has always pushed me to do better and work harder and I really believe I wouldn't be where I am today without him! So proud of him and everything he has achieved and I can't wait to start the next chapter of our lives not being so far apart.

Outfit Details 

Dress - Conimo Couture on ASOS
Shoes - Dune
Clutch - Dune

So there it all is. I'm walking into the next stage of my life and finally out of full-time education! Not that it has been a chore (although it was hard), I have loved my degree and adored Manchester, which will always hold a very special place in my heart. But I'm ready to join the real world, start a job and earn some money, which I desperately need. I'm currently at home, although not a lot as I have crammed in so many holiday this Summer it's ridiculous. So here's to the next chapter and continuing to take you with me!

Speak soon, xx

 

Walk This Way...To Primark

As I've got a little older I am naturally shopping at Primark less, trying to move away from cheap fast-fashion and investing more in pieces that will last longer. Yet there are two categories that Primark just do so well at, pyjamas and fashion shoes. Last year I wrote a post about another pair of Primark shoes that I feel in love with, which you can find here. Some shoes, like boots or classic heels I do think are worth investing in, but for trend pieces that are only really going to be in for a season it really isn't worth investing. And this is where Primark come in.

The first pair of shoes are actually the reason I came to Primark in the first place. My best friend and I going out in London tomorrow night and I realised that I left all of my heels back at uni in Manchester. I picked these ones up as they are classic and elegant, but have a heel that isn't too high and an ankle strap, which I am hoping means I am going to be able to dance in them!

The second pair of shoes that I picked up are a bit of a wild card! Mum loved them so much she copied me and got a matching pair! My boyfriend on the other hand can't stand them. I just think that these are so cool for Summer. Perfect with jeans and a white t-shirt, but also with a little dress. They may only last the Summer, and by next year I may have a "what the hell was I thinking" moment. But for now, they are fun, cute and only £6!

 

I also need to apologise for it being a little quiet around here recently. I think it's fair to say that final year at university really took it out of me! I had some big coursework deadlines last week and I still feel as though I am recovering (catching up on sleep). But I have one exam in a couple of weeks, and then I'm done, forever! It's a crazy thought but I am definitely ready to be out of the education system! I've got some very exciting things planned for Summer and I can't wait to finally get back into blogging. So watch this space! xx

Why You Need a Shacket...Now!

Shackets are back on trend for yet another Spring, meaning that if you haven't already got one, you need one. For those of you that are a little confused right now, a shacket is a shirt-jacket hybrid. Genius. Which makes it the perfect transitional piece. Having borrowed by sister's camo style one the whole of last year I knew it was about time that I got one myself. I wanted a plain khaki one with some kind of detail to make it a bit different. Classic, but with a modern twist. So when I saw this one from Mint Velvet a few months ago I was obsessed. Show me pretty much anything with stars and I am sold!

However, as a student with absolutely zero income it was very out of my budget, so I pinned it to my Wishlist board on Pinterest and waited. I watched as it fell from £140 to £79 in the January sales, but decided it was still too much. And then I painfully watched as my size sold out just before the price fell again to £59. I think that actual tears were shed over a shacket that evening! But I prayed and I waited and sure enough the jacket came back in stock. A single size 8 was on Mint Velvet for £59 the other day! So I added it to my basket and paid with Paypal before I had a chance to think about how how deep I already was in my overdraft.

The shacket arrived and it is everything I could have hoped for and more. Plus I totally understand what all the hype around shackets is about, they are so versatile. Mine arrived 3 days ago and I have already worn it twice. The first time I wore it (shown in these pictures) was a slightly warmer Saturday. I wore it with a breton stripe top, black jeans and black boots and I love the combination of different prints and the outfit still looked really put together. Today was a lot colder, and wetter, so this time I wore an M&S thermal (lets keep it real), a thin grey knit slightly tucked in to a pair of dark denim skinny jeans and then the same black boots. Another very simple outfit, but that just looks so cool! Pinterest is also amazing for more inspiration of how to style your shacket. I saw someone pair theirs with a black leather which looked so good. Or a little slip dress for when it is a bit warmer. You could dress it up with heels and black leather pants. Or dress it down with a grey hoodie...very "street style". Basically the list is endless!

Now is the best time to buy as the high street has so many options. Although just a warning that you do have to be a little savvy about what you are searching for. Not all retailers are down with the fashion lingo. If you search shacket on H&M it will autocorrect to Shark and boys t-shirt will show up! They are often list under "cargo jacket" or "utility jacket" so try searching for that too!

Speak soon xx