Jeans and a Nice Top

No bad ever came out of someone being too prepared and that is the approach I am taking for SS18. So while it might be raining outside and sometimes snowing on occasion, nothing is going to stop me preparing for spring even if it is over a month away.

To me, spring is the season for 'jeans and a nice top'. Of course, a classic combo for anytime of the year, the english weather during springtime makes 'jeans and a nice top' perfectly suited to this season. Often too cold for a skirt but too warm for a coat, the thickness of denim will keep you warm while you can finally show off all of those pretty blouses that have been hiding underneath jumpers and coats throughout winter. But just because your wearing what is effectively jeans and a nice top, it doesn't mean your outfit has to be boring. Keep reading to see what I'll be wearing this season...

What I'm Wearing | Coast Itzel Lace Top*, H&M Denim Culottes, Office Heels, New Look Trench Coat (Similar) 

There is nothing more striking than an all white outfit. Simple and pure yet ever so daring (and no I don't mean because of how easily white stains)! That combined with pretty lace just screams spring to me enter the Coast Itzel top*. Designed in a pretty floral lace with a high neck and tie back detail, the Izel Lace Top is perfect for both a day out shopping or a romantic meal out. Playing with smart/casual vibes, I've paired it with raw hem denim culottes (a comfortable alternative to skinny jeans) and these simple natural heels from Office.

What I'm Wearing | Coast Jemima Spot Mesh Top*, Asos Jeans, Ice Watch, Coach Bag, Office Boots

For a slightly more classic option I've gone with the Jemima Spot Mesh top* paired with simple black jeans. Black and white spots were quite big last summer and I can only see them being even bigger this year having featured on the catwalks of Carolina Herrera and Rodarte. The simple mesh overlay and cutaway shoulders make this delicate top ever so flattering and one I can see myself wearing quite often this coming season.

What will you be wearing this spring?

Eleanor xx

*Disclaimer - This is not a sponsored post but Coast did kindly send me this dress. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never talk about a product to my readers that I would not buy myself. For more information please see my full disclaimer.

Like, Realizing Stuff

Ah, that famous Kylie Jenner quote that reinforced her status as a millennial icon. While we may use it ironically, perhaps Kylie Jenner was onto something when she talked about the year of 'like, realizing stuff'. Yes I may be a year and a half too late, but starting my placement year has marked a change in my life that has resulted in me realising a lot about what I want to do with my life.

What I'm Wearing | ASOS Jeans, Missy Empire T-Shirt, New Look Blazer, Converse, ASOS Bag (Similar)

Starting a full time office job has forced me to grow up a bit. I now work 9-5 Monday-Friday, drive a car and pay bills. Gone are the days when I'd roll out of bed, attend a couple lectures, then go home and watching crappy day time television in between revision. It is this change in routine that has made me realise what I really want in life. Yeah I still want to have fun, but I also want to get a mortgage and own my own home. I'm excited at the prospect of one day shopping for tiles or furniture (this probably isn't helped by working for a large homewares retailer)! 

I'm also finding that as my ambitions change so has my personal style. While I still love an ironic slogan t-shirt, I'd have never worn a blazer in the past for the fear of seeming too formal. Instead of always buying fast fashion pieces, I find myself buying more and more classic or investment pieces (which I've written about here).

Maybe this is what growing up feels like.

Eleanor xx

Dreaming Of A Parisian Summer

One of my favourite sources of inspiration when it comes to spring/summer is Parisian fashion. Yes there is just something about the way the women dress in the city of love that makes them the ultimate style icons. Perhaps it is their love of the iconic Breton stripe or just their effortless elegance. But whatever it is, countless pins of Parisian street style on Pinterest and season 4 of Gossip Girl (when Blair and Serena spend their summer in France) has had me dreaming of a Parisian summer.

What I'm Wearing | New Look Hat (similar), Pull & Bear Jumper (similar), Pull & Bear Bag (similar), Missguided Skirt and Office Shoes

What is your inspiration for this Spring/Summer?

Eleanor xx

A Grey Day

A grey day. How ironic considering it's been a lovely week weather wise and anything but grey. Grey and silver are often viewed as cold and unfriendly colours because of their cool undertone but as the weather warms I find myself venturing more into crisp whites and cool greys. Some may argue that grey is merely just a paler shade of black and perhaps that is why I love it so and have made it the focal point of my outfit today.  

GET THE LOOK | Topshop Leather Jacket (similar), Vintage Ben Sherman Shirt (similar), H&M Wrap Skirt, Office Shoes, Ebay Necklace, TK Maxx Bag

I adore wrap skirts and dresses for spring and summer and this grey H&M skirt is a perfect example of why. Drawing on the cross over detail from the skirt I paired it with my beloved lace up flats inspired by last years must have Aquazzura shoes. 
The top half of my outfit was also designed to compliment the wrap skirt through this statement coin necklace from ebay. People can never quite believe that I bought this necklace from ebay for under a fiver because it doesn't look or feel cheap. It's quite a weighty necklaces and the metal doesn't look like plastic, making it one of my favourite ever ebay purchases.

Eleanor xx

Clean Cut

One thing I miss when I'm in Birmingham is the architecture of the buildings in my home cities of Bath and Bristol. As you will know if you have visited either Bath or Bristol, a lot of the older buildings and houses are built from Bath Stone and the houses have very traditional black iron railings separating them from the pavement. This makes them not only very beautiful architecturally but also a great backdrop for outfit of the day photography. I had to take advantage of this while I'm home from Uni, so while showing my boyfriend round Bristol I persuaded him to also be my photographer.

What I'm Wearing - Missguided Coat, Primark Jumper, Missguided Trousers, Vans Shoes, Céline Sunglasses, M&S Bag 

We spent most of the day exploring the area around Park Street and climbing up Cabot Tower. The views from Cabot Tower are some of the best in Bristol, and it is only from here that you begin to grasp the size of the city. Park Street is also a lovely part of the city, filled to burst with quirky independent stores and cafes such as Rise Records (honestly the best record store I've ever been to) but the street is on a massive hill so prepare for lots of walking. Luckily this outfit was perfect for exploring the city as my Vans provided comfort and my small M&S bag didn't weigh me down or give me back pains unlike my usual handbag.

Eleanor xx

Next Stop New Street

When I first moved to Birmingham I didn't anticipate quite how cold it would be. While Bristol is only an hour and 40 minutes away, being that little bit more southern makes all the difference during the colder months. At home I'd happily wear a skirt in March but sometimes I forget that I'm not in Bristol and venture out in a skirt. This was a massive mistake the other day when it started snowing on the way into town to pick up a friend from the station. Let's just say I was thankful when we got to New Street

What I'm Wearing - Topshop Leather Jacket, Zara Jumper, H&M Skirt, TK Maxx Bag and M&S Boots

While I love this outfit, I think that I've learnt my lesson and won't be venturing out in a skirt anytime soon. In the mean time all I could do pray for the weather to get warmer.

Eleanor xx

My New Home

As you may or may not know, this September I started university. This is a big moment in my life as I moved to a new city on my own, ready to meet new friends and study a subject that will hopefully lead me to my dream career. So where is my new home I hear you ask? Well I have moved to Birmingham to study Marketing at Aston University and I can safely say that I have settled in nicely. This may partly be down to the fact that my sister also lives in Birmingham, so there is comfort in the fact that I can see her anytime I want.

Me and my sister get on very well and love spending time together so when she found out that she needed to visit an art gallery as part of her course there was only one obvious choice of who she would ask to go with her: me. I love art galleries so it was hardly a chore for me but I did ask her one favor in return, to take some pictures of my outfit and here is how they turned out... 

What I Am Wearing - New Look Hat, Pull & Bear Jumper, Topshop Dungarees, Topshop Leather Jacket, T K Maxx Bag, Accessorize Bag Charm and Office Shoes.

Did anyone else start Uni this September? I'd love to know the cool places you've discovered in your new city!

Eleanor xx

Outfit Post - Meet Steph

As I mentioned in my last post, last week while I was in Bristol with one of my best friends Steph, we took some time out of our shopping trip to take some pictures of each others outfits. I love Steph's style and this outfit really fit the 'edgy' location: a graffiti covered alleyway just off Nelson Street. 

What Steph Is Wearing - Urban Outfitters Hat, Shirt and Jewellery, Topshop Jeans, Vans and River Island Bag.

Have you seen any of Bristol's famous graffiti?

Eleanor xx

Outfit Post - Leather and Pleats

Bristol is a beautiful and diverse city that I am proud to call my home, one minute you'll be walking through a graffiti covered street and then you'll stumble onto a road of tall stone buildings. So yesterday while I was in Bristol with one of my best friends Steph, I took advantage of the opportunity to get her to take some photos of my outfit. 

What I Am Wearing - Pull and Bear Backpack, Adidas Trainers, Topshop Jacket, H & M Skirt, Primark Polo Neck and Morange by Mac Lipstick

I am so pleased with how these photos turned out especially since this was the first time Steph has used my camera and no doubt I will be forcing her to be my photographer again! Also while we were I took some photo's off Steph and her outfit, so keep an eye out for them as they will be posted soon!

Eleanor xx