Tag: fashion

French Style & Taste – Balsamik Launch at 63 Degrees

There is something about French style that is so simple yet chic and so when I was invited along to the UK launch of online French brand Balsamik, I was excited to go along and see what their new A/W collection had to offer.

For the event, myself and a few other bloggers were invited to 63 Degrees, French fine dining restaurant in Manchester. We were treated to a delicious two course meal (and plenty of wine), after being shown a few of the key pieces from Balsamik’s newest collection.

There was a lot of monochrome in the collection and staple pieces that you can build lots of different outfits with. I like this sort of thing as it reminds me of what I’m currently trying to do with my own wardrobe.

I really liked how the theme of the event ran right through with the food and I was pleased with my choices of starter and main. I went for the Organic poached quail egg to start, followed by the pan fried sea bass and mashed potatoes with basil.

I soon got chatting to a couple of lovely bloggers (L’Oréal on the left & Ellie in the middle) and after our meals we took the opportunity to try on some of the items from the collection.

I had instantly been drawn to this simple yet elegant wrap coat and so I had to try it on. I have to admit I was quite surprised by the garments when I saw them in person. From what I had seen online I felt that the brand represented a slightly older age range than myself. However, after having the chance to have real look at some of the garments, I could definitely see that a lot of these pieces could be worn by a wide range of ages, old and young.

It’s pieces like this coat which I feel are timeless in your wardrobe and could easily be worn by a 40 year old or a 20 year old as it really has no age limit, which is something I really liked about a lot of their pieces I looked at.

In terms of my own style, for the event I went for quite a simple yet chic outfit. I wore a white oversized shirt, black biker jacket, high waisted ripped skinny jeans and a pair of red suede heels for a masculine meets feminine look… It’s also quite coincidental how well the Balsamik wrap coat went with my outfit, I may have to invest! I’m currently trying to simplify my own style and so I definitely appreciated the French inspiration.

Shop my outfit:
White shirt – Gap (similar here)
Biker jacket – Zara (similar here)
Jeans- Topshop
Red suede heels – Aldo (similar here)

Balsamik items featured in this post:
Wrap coat
Monochrome jacquard cardigan
Ankle boots

Thanks to L’Oréal for the outfit snaps.

What are your thoughts on French style?

Samio x

September 21, 2015
Major Wardrobe Clear Out & Some Items I Won’t Be Getting Rid Of

Today is the start of a massive wardrobe clear out for me (she says, sat typing on her blog instead of doing what she actually should – the clear out). It’s been long overdue and as I have much of the day free today, I thought that I best go ahead and do it. It’s going to be an arduous task but as each of the items in my wardrobe are at least triple hung, the rail is starting to bend and I’m running out of shelf and draw (and loft!) space, I know it cannot be put off any longer!

It’s time for me to majorly downsize and start afresh but there are some items of clothing that I shan’t be getting rid of, including this here outfit.

I bought these high waisted denim shorts only a couple of months ago from Primark. It’s been years since I bought denim from Primark but after trying on these I was pleasantly surprised and since purchasing I have been wearing them loads. This fit isn’t perfect on me but I think this is more due to my body shape as opposed to the cut, as I have a small waist and larger bottom but it’s nothing that a good old belt can’t solve. So I’ve teamed them with this brown chunky vintage waist belt that I love.

On the top half, another basic, yet wardrobe staple: The tank top, also purchased from Primark. I have loads of these and they happen to be multi purpose tops for me, whether it’s day to day, for bed or for the gym, I couldn’t go without my black tank tops. So I’ll be keeping those.

The shall is a fairly new-ish purchase. It’s by Glamorous but I actually purchased it from TUK (I think it’s called) in The Northern Quarter for just £10 on sale. I love it because it looks so cute thrown with jeans and a vest and instantly livens up an outfit. So I’ll be keeping key pieces like this, that are unique and add a bit of something to an otherwise plain outfit. Unless of course I’ve had it forever and its time in my wardrobe is done.

Finally my Underground wedge creepers. Obviously I’ll be keeping these as they are my wedge of choice when it comes to comfort and they have served me well over the past three years of ownership. That’s right, three years and they are still going strong. They were definitely a good investment. Some may say three years is too long and it’s time to get red (and I would agree with most things) but no, na ah, not going to happen. Theses babies are here to stay.

Anyway, enough rambling from me. Time for me to begin my massive clear out. Wish me luck!

Samio x

March 26, 2015
Vintage Polka Dot Dress & The Pink Welted Sole Dr Martens

I had had my eye on these pink welted sole Dr Martens for quite some time and finally, a few weeks ago I decided to just go for it and make the purchase. I had loved them from when I first saw them but it had took me some time to decide if I’d actually wear them and if they’d go with any of my outfits. It turns out since buying them, that yes, they do go with loads and I’ve almost not stopped wearing them!

The bouncing soles make them so comfortable to wear and walk around in and the colour is my favourite shade of pink. The are also made in England, which I thought was pretty cool (as most Dr Martens aren’t these days).

Like I say, since purchasing them, I’ve almost been living in them, so it was definitely worth the investment. Most days I’ve been throwing them on with skinny jeans but yesterday, as the sun was shining, I thought I’d wear them with one of my old vintage polka dot dresses and team it up with a matching pink belt. So you’ll probably be seeing a lot more of these on my outfit post, as I think they are my new favourite comfy shoes.

How about you guys, do you have a favourite pair of shoes that you love to wear with everything?

What I wore:
Dress – Vintage
Belt – Primark
Shoes – Dr Martens

Samio x

March 24, 2015
80s Fashion Friday

Friday was the first day that actually felt like summer might be coming after what has felt like the longest winter ever. Blue skies and not a rain cloud in sight meant I was able to ‘de-layer’. Although it wasn’t time to get out the shorts or crop top just yet, it was nice to be able to ditch the big cosy coat for once and not feel the need to be wrapped in a thousand layers.

Late afternoon I met up with my friend Laura and we went for pizza and wine at Dry Bar before I met up with some other friends to head to The Smiths Disco later that evening.

I wanted to wear something that I could wear from evening through to the night, so I went for blue high waisted trousers and a silky wrap peplum top to dress it up a bit. I’ve had the vintgae top for ages but this is the first time I wore it. I’m guessing it’s from the 80’s and I love how it looks good worn either open as a jacket or fastened as a top. I think I’ll be pulling this one out a lot more now that I’ve finally gotten round to wearing it.

What I wore:
Top – Vintage
Navy high waisted trousers – H&M
Belt – Vintage
Shoes – River Island
Hoop earrings – Topshop
Bag – zara

Samio x

March 7, 2015
Clarks Hotel Bustle Outfit Lookbook

Recently I did my first video look book for my blog. It was rather unplanned but we decided to get some video clips whilst taking some recent outfit shots and so here’s how it turned out.

I hope you enjoy it and if you do, please do give it a like and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube for more videos.

http://youtu.be/D5rUEiEagAk

Samio x

March 5, 2015
Fred Perry Polo Shirt & Polka Dots

On Friday I met up with my friend Dale and we headed for lunch before I helped him spend some money clothes shopping (my speciality). For lunch we had planned on burgers but after a last minute change of plan we opted for Zizzi. I went for the Pulled Pork Rustica pizza while Dale opted for a calzone. As delicious as our dishes sounded and looked, we were both pretty disappointed with our meals. There was nothing wrong with them as such, we just found that they were both pretty bland for our pallets. I’d only been to Zizi once prior to this occasion and had gone for the calzone containing meatballs, which I think I enjoyed. I guess it was just a case of wrong choice for both of us on this occasion.

To make up for our failed lunch however, we later headed to the Northern Quarter for some tea and cake and both opted for a slice of carrot cake each and traditional English tea. I can’t remember the name of the cafe we went in but it’s on Oldham Street right next to Afflecks Palace and I walk past it all the time but this is the first time I popped in. Anyway, it cost only £3.50 for a tea and a slice of cake, which is pretty good and the carrot cake was really tasty too.

Later we saw street style blogger The Mancorialist and got a few snaps. I’ve been photographed by The Mancorialist a number of times and always like the cool and quirky street style shots. You can check out The Mancorialist here.

Here’s a shot of Dale captured by The Mancorialist.

What I wore:
Polo shirt – Fred Perry
Skirt – Asos (last summer)
Shoes – Office

Samio x

March 4, 2015
Manchester Blog Meetup

On Saturday, my boyfriend Damien and I were heading into town to the Northern Quarter for a spot of lunch and a few drinks. It was on our way into the centre that I decided to have a quick scroll through my Twitter feed and as I did I spotted that there was a Manchester blog meetup taking place in the Northern Quarter that afternoon. I instantly wanted to get involved and so I sent a tweet to Jasmin, who had organised the meet up and asked where it would be as I was keen to pop along. It was perfect timing too and after quickly nipping to the shops, Damien and I headed to kosmonaut, where the meetup was taking place.

Luckily for Damien, Jasmin, who had travelled up from London, had brought her boyfriend, Paul along too and so it wasn’t long before the pair of them were enjoying a pint each and chatting about ‘guys stuff’.

It was my first bloggers meet up and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was so nice to chat to many other like minded bloggers and of course exchange blogs with one another (I always love finding new ones to read). The turn out was really good which was of course great but it was a shame that I didn’t get chance to chat to everyone there, as there were so many of us. It was a great afternoon though and I got to meet a lovely mixed bunch of beauty, fashion and lifestyle bloggers.

This is some of us not long before we left (many had already just gone) but here are some of the lovely ladies I got to chat to.

Damien and Paul sat enjoying their pints.

Lots of chatting and several glasses of wine later, we wrapped things up at the bloggers meet up and after everyone headed their separate ways, Damien and I went to Hold Fast Bar for another drink. As impromptu as it was, we both really enjoyed the meet up and had a really good afternoon. I always enjoy meeting new people and sharing interests, I think I’ll have to make it to another meet up again soon.

What I wore:
Cardigan – Forever 21
Vest – Primark
Denim shorts – Primark
Necklace – H&M
Belt – Asos
Bag – Aldo
Boots – H&M (Similar here)

Samio x

March 2, 2015
The Pink Vintage Shirt

Today has been a delightful day, it’s been a delightful weekend in fact and now I can’t believe that it is March already! It feels like only the other day that I was writing my first blog post of the year on the first day of January. Anyway, here we are and I’m pleased to be slowly working outfit posts back onto my blog. Brighter days and slightly better weather mean I’m getting more opportunities to get some of my outfits snapped. Today was no exception and we got these shots done literally seconds before it began to pour it down. Despite the wet weather, it was certainly not putting a dampener on my day as I’d met up with one of my best friend’s, Lydia and her mother Hazel, as we headed to Frurt to attend their Barakah Food Aid event.

We spent the afternoon sipping coffee, sampling tasty cake and of course frozen yoghurt. Lydia and I tried our first taste of kanafeh, which is a cheese pastry soaked in sweet sugar based syrup. It was unusual, yet enjoyable nonetheless. We also enjoyed a delicious Nutella hot chocolate each, which of course was amazing! It was certainly a sugar filled afternoon and an enjoyable one at that.

What I wore:
Shirt – Vintage
Skirt – H&M
Belt – Primark
Necklace – Ebay
Shoes – Office

Samio x

March 1, 2015
Hotel Bustle Ootd

Finally, a glimpse of sunnier days. Although I think I spoke too soon, as today it is actually raining but this weekend however, we finally saw some blue skies in Manchester. Although it may have still been rather nippy, I still saw the brighter looking weather as an excuse to wear my new sandals which I got to pick out from Clarks recently. I went for the Hotel Bustle sandals in navy leather. I was instantly drawn to them, I love the colour and when they arrived I loved them even more.

On Saturday it was of course Valentine’s Day and I spent it with my boyfriend doing what we do best… Eating! We took an impromptu journey to the Northern Quater and found ourselves in Almost Famous (the best burger joint), chowing down on some delicious burgers. I went for something a little different this time and opted for the burger consisting of two burger patties, a sausage pattie, poached egg, potato waffle and maple syrup. It was actually amazing! Then for sides we went for our usual portions of bacon bacon fries and suicide wings. How romantic are we. In the evening we enjoyed champagne and cocktails and I received a Hockney coffee table book which I was thrilled with (David Hockney is my favourite artist in case you didn’t know). It was rather fitting as last Valentine’s Day we took a trip to the Tate in Liverpool to see Hockney’s exhibition there. So keeping with the theme, maybe next year I’ll receive a genuine Hockney painting… Yeah right.

What I wore:
Faux fur jacket – Forever 21 (Last season)
Necklace – Ebay
Bag – Zara (Last summer)
Belt – Primark (currently available in store)
Polka dot shirt – H&M
Navy high waisted trousers – H&M
Shoes – Clarks

Samio x

February 16, 2015
Wrapped Up for Winter

So Christmas is finally over but winter certainly isn’t. I’m feeling the necessity of layers even more as this cold weather here in England continues to sweep in and I’m wanting to do nothing more than hibernate in bed. However, as it is mandatory to venture outside I make sure I’m layered up when I do so and I’m more than happy that I have this coat to keep me warm. I got this coat from H&M at the start of December and it’s truly been my saviour on those frosty days. It’s actually now in the sale as all the shops are prepping for spring/summer, so if you go quick you may be able to nab a bargain. Although the shops may be preparing for warmer days, I on the other hand am not quite ready to get into shorts and a crop top, so for now it’s still warm clothes and layers for me!

These earrings are from Ultimate Collections. I was given the option to pick out a piece and so I went for these pretty jeweled studs. They are very me as I do like my sparkly pieces. I was also wore them for NYE as they went perfect with my dress.

What I wore:
Coat – H&M
Turtleneck – Primark
Jeans – Topshop
Heels – Primark
Bag – Aldo
Earrings – Ultimate Collections

Samio x

January 2, 2015