Tag: Clarks

The New Blue Blazer

Something New & Blue

It’s not often that I have any super new in pieces to share, in part because I often like to mull things over before finally taking the plunge and deciding to make the purchase and in part because, well, I don’t shop that often. I say this but then I have been a little bit spendy as of late, but that’s one I’ll leave for another blog post. Anywaaaay, back to today’s subject which is this new in Topshop blazer and when I say new in, I mean I purchased it the day it became available online, which was Monday and it’s now Wednesday.

This blazer was part of the Topshop London Fashion Week collection, which I hadn’t even realised when I’d purchased it because aside from it being a bit pricey for a Topshop blazer (£95), I had no clue and just thought it was a marvellous little jacket, which was just what I’d been after. And it seems that this one has been pretty popular too because I’ve noticed that it’s already completely sold out online. So it’s a bit annoying that the one time I have something really new to share with you, it’s out of stock because it’s been too darn popular.

Now, side story: So I wore the blazer for the first time today when I headed to a wonderful breakfast event with Carven (thanks to Onyi for these snaps this morning). I was so excited to wear the blazer that the tags were straight off and I was heading out of the door. I couldn’t help notice though that this felt considerably shorter than what it had looked like online but initially I dismissed this and put it down to the fact of me having an extra long torso. Anyway, it’s only after I returned home that I decided to have another look at it online again because something was really niggling me about it, and then I noticed that it is in fact a different blazer than I had ordered. The fabric and product code is the same but the blazer I’ve received is significantly shorter and has one pocket less on either side. Now I’m in a slight predicament because I had initially hoped for a longline blazer and that’s not what I’ve ended up with. In fact, I couldn’t find the blazer that I’ve received anywhere online. Obviously it’s not the end of the world but it’s a bit of a weird one. Anyway, I’ll leave the link here incase it does come back in stock, or incase you’re wondering what I’m nattering on about and fancy a nosy. So now the question is, do I return this one and explain the predicament in hope that it will come back in stock and I’ll somehow end up with the longline version eventually, or do I stick with this one – I’m just wondering where this jacket has actually come from and how I’ve ended up with this random variant of the one I ordered. Have you ever had anything like this happen when ordering online before?

Anyway, that’s enough rambling about this jacket for one post. I do love a good blazer but I didn’t think I could speak about one quite so much. Hopefully I’ll be able keep you updated on the blazer situation in a future post (if anyone is even interested), but for now that’s it from me. Ciao for now!

Samio x

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September 20, 2017
Practical Pieces For a British Spring Summer

Hello there! I’m excited to be coming at you with a new outfit post…finally! It seems that Spring has finally sprung (almost/sort of) here in Manchester and I’ve finally had the opportunity to wear some of my new glad rags.

I find shopping/dressing for Spring and Summer in the UK a bit of a tricky one, as while the shops tend to be filled with short shorts and cute little dresses, the weather here doesn’t always quite reflect that.

As much as I’d love to fill my wardrobe with a selection of gorgeous sun dresses and be done with it, it’s unfortunately not often the most practical option and unless you’re jetting away for the majority of the summer, it’s likely you’ll need a few ‘sensible’ summer pieces, to see you through those not so summery summer days. I have recently added two practical summer pieces to my wardrobe…

The Perfect Pants

If you watch my Youtube videos, you will have seen that in a few of my recent style videos I have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of culottes. It seems like a pretty simple piece to find right? But not when you are a miss fussy pants like me, who won’t settle until you find exactly what you have in mind. Luckily my search recently concluded in Topshop and after trying on a couple of pairs, I found just what I was after with these black wide leg trousers.

Now I know these trousers are rather simple but it’s basic pieces like these that I love to have in my wardrobe because I know I’m going to get so much wear out of them. The fit and quality is all there with these culottes and I like how they are in a fabric that doesn’t easily crease because I hate getting creases after sitting down for five minutes. These trousers also make the perfect transitional piece as I try to move away from jeans. Not completely but just a little bit. I did actually think about putting myself on a denim ban for a little while but let’s face it, with my current wardrobe that just isn’t realistic.

…and a British Summer jacket

Enough about the perfect pants. I have another new found love to introduce with this cropped stripe jacket. I don’t tend to buy things that I’m not intentionally looking for, however when I saw this I had to make an exception.

I’m a big fan of high waisted pieces: High waisted jeans, skirts, culottes, you name it, it’s quite rare that I go for anything with a low rise waist and because of this, something I’ve felt I’ve been missing in my wardrobe for a while has been a cropped jacket.

The problem with cropped jackets however, is that finding the right crop and fit can be tricky, especially if you have a fuller bust. I like something that covers the waist line of my trousers (as this jacket does), so that it’s cropped enough to still show the shape of the trousers but not too short that it doesn’t properly cover my top half. The right fit is everything and I was so happy with the quality and fit of this cropped jacket I ordered on Asos. I went for a size 10 and the fit is just perfect.

This jacket is certainly a great piece for a British summer and I also I love that it’s quite a classic looking piece, meaning that I’ll be able to wear it over future summers too.

Shoes – Clarks (similar here) | Wide Leg Trousers – Topshop | Belt – Asos | Vest – (similar here) | Jacket – Asos | Bag – Pinko | Jewellery – Pernille Corydon

So those are a couple of my new in pieces. I’m pretty happy with these alternative basics for the on/off summertime we have here in the UK and I’ll be getting plenty of wear out of them I’m sure. I’ll be sharing another new outfit later this week so be sure to check back if you’d like to see that, but in the mean time have a fabulous week!

Samio x

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*Some of the items may have been sent to me for review purposes, however this does not affect my opinions – check out my disclaimer for further information.

April 24, 2017
Pretty & Practical – My New Go To Accessory

I used to be obsessed with owning lots of bags and shoes and ended up owning so many that the majority would get neglected and really I was focusing on quantity rather than quality, often acquiring pieces that wouldn’t really stand the test of time. These days I much prefer to own a smaller selection of really versatile accessories that I love and are easy to regularly re-style with lots of different outfits.

I feel the right accessories can really help to elevate an outfit and my most recent bag addition works perfectly to do just that, even with this simple jeans and t-shirt combination I wore on Sunday.

This gorgeous little Kate Spade Tassel bag is from Tessuti where they now stock Kate Spade NY in store. With its long adjustable strap it can be worn on the shoulder or across the body with ease and at just under 8 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep, it is the perfect size for fitting in all my everyday valuables and keeping them safe when out and about.

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I didn’t think a bag of this size would fast become my go to bag for everyday. The size is surprisingly deceptive and I actually manage to fit a fair amount in it, which is something you’ll notice if you check out my new ‘What’s In My Bag’ video here:

Samio x

Some of the items may have been sent to me for review purposes, however this does not affect my opinions – check out my disclaimer for further information.

September 14, 2016
5 Things I’ve Discovered Since Downsizing My Wardrobe

It’s actually possible to get ready in under 10 minutes

I’ve always been one to faff. I’m that annoying friend who says they are about to leave the house, when really they are still sifting through a selection of clothes, manically deciding what to wear…Or at least I was. One of the best things about downsizing my wardrobe is that it has given me more time! I don’t find getting ready a stressful task anymore, whatever the occasion. Less stuff, means less to choose from, which inevitably means less faffing from me!

Quality is far better than quantity

This one may seem pretty obvious but I definitely used to be someone who preferred spending less and owning more. This is something that changed a while ago, but I’d still easily be drawn in by something just because it was a ‘bargain’. Fast forward to now, and call me boring, but I find myself thinking purchases over a lot more and try to invest in pieces that will last longer when I can. I also find that I tend to favour the pieces I put more thought into purchasing too, and so I end up wanting to wear them time and time again.

You can be content with a smaller wardrobe

When I was younger I always had dreams of having my own walk in wardrobe…That dream still stands however now, I envision that space much more sparsely filled and with a selection of pieces that I truly love. I’ve been amazed with how much happier I’ve become with my outfits (even the super basic ones) and the pieces I wear on day to day basis. It’s not that I care less about clothes (I still totally love them), it’s just that I worry a lot less about them now that I have a lot less to choose from and find myself content with the pieces I own, instead of always longing for something new.

You don’t need every type of garment in your wardrobe

We’re constantly told about fashion ‘must haves’ and things that we absolutely need for this and for that that, but the reality is that if we bought into all of it, we’d actually have a wardrobe ready to burst…Oh wait, that was me!

I’ve always had quite an eclectic taste and so shopping for me meant buying random pieces that I liked on whim. Over time this meant that I really did have almost every type of garment in my wardrobe and lots of pieces that I wasn’t willing to get rid of ‘just incase’ the right occasion should arrive. But since finally letting go and clearing a lot of that stuff out, I haven’t actually missed any of it and not once has an occasion come around where I’ve thought ‘Oh I wish I’d kept that’. It’s also helped me to refine my style and think about what I truly want to wear and will actually wear on a regular basis.

It’s okay to be an outfit repeater

For a lot of people I’m sure this one is pretty much a given but I used to be someone who hated wearing the same look twice, especially when it came to occasion wear. Nights out would always require the ultimate planning as I’d spend hours browsing online for something new to wear for the occasion. Now I realise that it doesn’t actually matter if you have a particular garment or outfit that you like to wear on repeat for a certain occasion. There are ways to change your look without changing your entire outfit, such as styling prices differently, adding accessories and changing up your hair and makeup. Of course I still find it’s occasionally nice to go for something new or slightly more special from time to time but I’ve learnt that it’s better not to worry about it too much and like they say if it’s not broke, why try to fix it.

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Samio x

July 22, 2016
Dressing Up The Basics

I mentioned in a recent post how I’d ‘fallen out of love with shopping’ in the typical sense (as in acquiring new pieces impulsively) and since strategically downsizing my wardrobe, I wasn’t joking when I said I’ve taken things back to basics. My wardrobe now consists of a selection of basics that I find easy to mix, match and style, whilst being comfortable to wear, even when dressing up.

You’ll see me wearing these black skinny Topshop jeans on repeat and I’ve already mentioned my love affair with these mules from Clarks…

There are a few pieces that I have kept in my wardrobe however, that don’t seem as obviously wearable, like this white double breasted blazer for instance. This is one of the pieces that had been neglected in my previously over stuffed wardrobe and now that I’m down to only a few jackets, this is the one that I tend to go for when I want to dress up my outfit slightly and I’m pleased to say that recently I’ve been getting a lot of wear out of it. I’m currently on the hunt for the perfect black blazer, which is proving slightly more difficult than I had imagined (tall girl problems) but there’s no rush, as for now this white one is serving me well during the summer.

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I wore this outfit the other week to the opening of the Vogue 100: A Century of Style exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery, where I’d kindly been invited along to preview the exhibition with a private tour. It was a fabulous event and the exhibition is great, as those of you who already saw it in London will know. So if you’re in Manchester I definitely recommend that you check the exhibition out, it’s free and it’s on until the end of October.

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Samio x

July 4, 2016
Perfect Pieces To Finish Off An Outfit

Often I find that the right shoes and accessories can help to finish off an outfit perfectly and recently I’ve had a few new additions that I’m absolutely loving…

I’d been on the hunt for a pair of mules for quite some time but finding the perfect ones was actually a harder task than I had anticipated. I’d tried so many on that just weren’t right and I really wanted to be 100% happy with the ones that I eventually went for. In the end Clarks saved the day as they kindly let me pick out a pair of shoes and whilst browsing through their new collection of women’s sandals I spotted this fabulous snake print pair.

Although this is the first appearance of these shoes on my blog, I’ve actually been getting so much wear out of them. They are my comfiest pair of heels by far and not once have they made my feet sore or felt uncomfortable to walk in, which I’m sure you’ll know is a rarity with heels.

Cami Top – Glamorous | Jeans – Asos | Cardigan – (similar here) | Bag – Radley London (similar here) | Shoes – Clarks | Earrings – Pernille Corydon | Rings – Velvet Head | Sunglasses – Vintage

Something else I’ve been loving is my new jewellery. I’m usually a gold person and for quite a while I’d only really been wearing one set of earrings, which I’d pretty much lived in. I’d been wanting some simple rings that I could wear everyday too and when I was asked if I’d like to pick out some of the silver pieces from Velvet Head, after browsing the collection I instantly feel in love. I went for two quite simple rings that I could wear together or on different fingers and one slightly more statement ring that has a synthetic white opal. I love how pretty the three rings look together and it’s nice to have rings that I can’t wear all the time without having to worry about them discolouring my fingers like a lot of dress jewellery does.

Of course once I had silver rings, I needed silver earrings too. A friend from Copenhagen had recently introduced me to the jewellery designer Pernille Corydon, after I had fallen in love with a pair of earrings I’d seen her wearing…I love the simplicity yet uniqueness of these open coin earrings. I’ve been wearing them everyday and I love them.

Samio x

May 16, 2016
Black Biker Jacket & Skinny Jeans

The older I get, the more I realise that it’s some of the simplest things that make me the happiest, like spending time with loved ones and enjoying every good moment (however small), or on this particular occasion, having an afternoon with a couple of my besties whilst chatting away over cups of tea and coffee…

The sun was shining for once in Manchester (or there were blue skies at least) and although maybe a little premature, I decided to brave it with a slightly less layered outfit, having only my faux fur scarf for added warmth. I have to admit, it was a little breezy on the ankles wearing cropped skinnies and my favourite Clarks loafers but it felt nice to get out of boots and opt for something a little different. I can now confirm that spring isn’t here just yet and it may not quite be time to ditch the layers but the blue skies are certainly getting me excited for longer days and milder months. Yes to more daylight!

Samio x

February 10, 2016
Clarks Anniston Vale Outfit – Competition

Recently I’ve been talking a lot about how I’ve been wanting to downsize my wardrobe and invest in good quality items that I can get plenty of wear out of – less is more as they say.

These jeans were a recent purchase and so far I’ve been getting plenty of wear out of them but the star of the show with this outfit were definitely my Clarks Anniston Vale loafers.

I’m no stranger to Clarks shoes and over this past year I’ve accumulated a number of different styles, each which I am glad to say I’ve been getting plenty of wear out of. I think there is often a misconception with Clarks, as many people are often surprised after they compliment my shoes and I tell them where they are from. Yes Clarks are known for their comfort and quality but they should be known for their style too. Whoever said you can’t have style and comfort.

I’d been eyeing up these particular loafers since I spotted them at Clarks A/W press day earlier this year. I’d spotted them in black and a gorgeous burgundy shade and knew I’d have to have a pair. I was over the moon when I was given the opportunity not to only have a pair but to choose my own unique colourway for them too! I’d spotted the brushed animal print on another pair of shoes, so chose that to go on the top part and there’s something so classic about patent black, so that made up my mind for the rest of the shoe. I excitedly ripped open the box when they arrived and I could not be more pleased with them.

What I wore:
Shirt – Zara (similar here)
Jeans – Topshop
Shoes – Clarks Anniston Vale loafers

Win a £200 Clarks Voucher

Clarks have been even more amazing and given me the opportunity to spread the shoe love with you guys by giving you the opportunity to win £200 in Clarks Vouchers! All you have to do to enter this fabulous competition is follow both me and Clarks on Instagram – @clarksshoes and @samiorenelda – Then comment below on this blog post with your Instagram name to let me know you’ve entered. The competition ends at midnight on Friday 16th October and the winner will be selected at random and announced on my Instagram on Saturday 17th. This competition is open to UK residents only. Good luck!

Samio x

Some of the items may have been sent to me for review purposes, however this does not affect my opinions – check out my disclaimer for further information.

Check out my other outfit post featuring some of my favourite Clarks shoes:
Clarks X Orla Kiely
Boyfriend Jeans & Hotel Bustle
Matching Florals

October 6, 2015
Boyfriend Jeans & Striped Tee

Some days it’s nice to go for an easy relaxed Tee and a loose fit pair of boyfriend jeans for the ultimate comfy day, when you still have to leave the house.

This summer I’m loving wearing my Clarks Hotel Bustle sandals. They are really comfy to wear and I feel that they bring a slightly smart finish to this otherwise super chilled outfit.

For days when I’m running errands, I tend to go for this more relaxed type of look and find it good to have a few easy to wear tees that are good to throw on when I need to leave the house in a hurry or just nip to the shops.

Although on these more casual days comfort is the priority, I find finishing off my outfit with a pair of smart yet comfy sandals like these, helps my outfit look that little bit more thought out, even if it wasn’t

What I wore:
T-Shirt – Zara (Similar here)
Boyfriend Jeans – Zara (Similar here)
Sandals – Clarks

What are your go to, on the go ‘comfy day’ items of clothing?

Samio x

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June 15, 2015
Tie Top & Mom Jeans

The weather has been glorious in England this week! I know that I often talk about the weather in my posts (how very British of me) but when you come from a place like England, where the weather can determine your outfits on a daily basis, it’s hard not to mention it when it’s being particularly fabulous for once. And by fabulous, I mean sunny!

Okay so it’s rarely hot, hot in England but it’s still so satisfying when it gets warm enough that you can wear your summer pieces and step out of the house without taking a jacket or coat.

Crop tops are some of those cute summer items that I love to wear. I especially love the cute tie top ones like this one that I’m wearing. I originally got this as a two piece which I previously posted here and this time I decided to switch it up by pairing the top with a casual pair of Mom Jeans. I’m a little late on the Mom Jean tred but I am loving these as they are so comfy, making them a nice and relaxed changed from super tight skinnies.

What I wore:
Sandals – Clarks
Cropped shirt – H&M (Similar here)
Jeans – H&M (Similar here)

What items of clothing do you love to rock in the summer weather?

Samio x

June 12, 2015