Shop The Trend: Cross Body Bags

For my fashion savvy readers, you will be aware that despite the various styles of handbags from totes to clutches - there is one style that is taking the fashion world by storm. The functional and hands-free cross body bag. If you read my last post then you'll know that I too have had a fashion-reality check. I'm moving away from my larger-than-life handbags, and appreciating the slung across style trend. Essentially a satchel with the ease of a fanny pack, though they maintain the cuteness of arm candy. In my last post (titled 'The Perfect Everyday Bag) I gave you a sneak peak at my Michael Kors Jet-set Safiano travel Cross-body, and although I'm still in love with that bag, I've found a few other similar styles that I'm just dying to get my paws on!

To help you get your sling on, I've tallied up some of my favourite and super chic cross body bags of this season. Consider this the perfect time to start drafting your Summer '15 wish list! 

*Remember* To be stylish does not mean you have to spend £££ on one item, all your eyes need are little inspiration. High street stores have great alternatives to these high end beauties.

Tory burch crossbody
£315 - toryburch.com




Michael michael kors handbag
selfridges.com




MARC BY MARC JACOBS black purse
selfridges.com




Kate spade crossbody
£175 - katespade.com




Alexander Wang black handbag
£505 - shopbop.com




3 1 Phillip Lim leather bag
harveynichols.com

Happy Styling! 

Saina xo

Vintage Shop Browsin' : OOTD

Those in fear of double denim look away! So today I made a trip to one of my favourite London locations in hopes of finding a few vintage gems at a flea market - Angel Islington. The weather was a bit of everything today - we had a few moments of sun yet the wind was in full force today, which made me question my fedora choice one too many times.
Leather jackets are my Spring time staple. They're the perfect addition to any outfit with the right amount of layering and warmth. In London we're at that stage where winter coats are too much though we can't skip jackets totally just yet. This outfit, apart from being an example of how double denim can work, is an example of layering.

The jeans I'm wearing here were bought from Topshop in the mid-season sale for...£5. They are two sizes up from what I usually wear but due to their 'Leigh' style the material is tight, so they don't appear too loose or gather at the legs. Although this exact pair are no longer available, here is a link to a similar pair that are still in stock on the Topshop website.
Yet another Zara basic tee - I'm a sucker for Zara's basics! These are the most flattering tshirts I've found to date, and I love everything from the deep V neck to the light airy material.  
This shirt is an example of how great some vintage finds are - I found this light denim, over sized piece was found in Rokit a few years ago. You can find similar shirts in almost every charity shop!

To accessories, I've kept things pretty basic - don't I always. Obviously, I opted for the Miss Selfridge fedora, again. I'm also wearing my small Michael Kors bag, it's the perfect size for just the necessities - there's nothing worse than rummaging through a flea market with the weight of a heavy bag weighing you down. Finally, on my feet I'm wearing my firkenstocks (fake Birkenstocks) which I bought from Primark last year.

Hope you've been enjoying your Bank Holiday weekend!

Saina
xo

Park Middelheim OOTD

Hello lovelies, here's a rather quick outfit post that I wanted to share with you guys from my recent trip to Antwerp, Belgium. Another city break can only mean one thing, another blog post added to my pending list of European ventures to write about.
Once again, my outfit is pretty much all black. I think my love affair with my dark wardrobe is a losing a battle for those who keep suggesting 'colour'. So let's just go with it, accept it and move on!

Outfit details: 

Jeans - A couple of posts ago I included a pair of distressed Jamie jeans on my Spring wishlist and I found this pair in the mid-season sale for £25! Having had a check of the website they seem to have either got a new batch, or they've priced them back up to £42 (OR I was extremely lucky) find them here
Fedora - I found this little beauty in Next, and it's got to be my wardrobe favourite since. I always thought I had a somewhat big head, but all hats seem to be massive for me - except this one! This fedora fits like a dream and sits well without me having to worry about the next gust of wind. find it here
Cardigan - This cardigan was bought from River Island a couple of years ago, and I can't seem to find anything of the same shaggy material since. However, the cocoon fit cardi trend has since made it easy to replicate this look. similar style here
Bag - Although it's not really shown here, I've still been committed to my Michael Kors chain bag - it's perfect for traveling. Though, a couple of months ago I found this faux fur pom pom from River Island and I've had it attached to my bag since. similar here
Trainers - I'm still adoring my Nike Flex Runs and have them pretty much stapled to my feet everyday. Although this particular model is no longer being sold, you can find similar styles on the Nike website here

Saina

xo

Jeans & Tee Kinda Girl: OOTD

As promised, here is a super casual outfit post featuring my new (ish) loves - my Nike Flex Runs!
This outfit is very typical of what I tend to wear on a daily basis, keeping me incredibly comfy but *somewhat* trendy.

Today's errand running outfit was pretty minimalistic (isn't it always), featuring my trusty Zara jeans that I've consistenly purchased and worn over a 3 year period. This Zara slogan t-shirt was purchased in the sale for £1.99 - I'll let you take that in for a moment. Zara stores still have a small section dedicated to last sale items, so I'd definitely recommend you go for a quick browse to pick up some bargains. My faux leather jacket is also from Zara (there seems to be a trend here)- similar one here  and I'm wearing a New Look shawl, that I also found in the sale for £10, around my neck as a statement scarf.

Another item which has quickly made its way to the contents of my most worn wardrobe is this Michael Kors Jet Set Saffiano-leather cross body bag. It's the perfect size to hold your daily necessities and matches almost any outfit due to its simplistic style and colour. You can find the bag here.

xo

Grey No More OOTD

It's officially October, though the sun remains to be shining over London. For most this is a reason to smile, but as someone who loves the holiday season, I'm yearning for winter festivities to fast approach us! Though with today's 22 degrees, it was impossible for me to squeeze jeans on and to throw a jumper over top. I'm not much of a skirt/dress wearer, yet over the passed year, the midi length trend has definitely allowed my legs to see the light of day. If I wear midi skirts or dresses during the day, I tend to style them with a pair of leather ankle boots - not only to add a little bit of a less feminine 'edge', but also to make the look appear more casual. I also added my Miss Selfridge Fedora , which just seems to be making an appearance every other day. I've been totally obsessed with chucking it on to add a little 'grunge' edge to every outfit, and it simply works wonders on third day hair (when it's beyond Batiste's help). Sunglasses, as always are my Ray Ban Classic Aviators, found  here.

As you may have gathered by now, my wardrobe colour pallatte does not exceed white and black, and grey is my idea of colour. If I've managed to incorporate a grey piece, then I tend to give myself a pat on the back for effort! This 'Army' cropped t-shirt is a Vintage Renewal buy from Urban Outfitters. This jersey charcoal grey skirt is from Boohoo and is still available to buy here for only £8!

These boots are totally Western meets Biker, the stitching and the slight metal toe cap add so much detailing to a somewhat simple outfit - love! They were bought in H&M last year so I couldn't find the exact pair to link for you, however you may be able to find similar styles from their new A/W range online here. Finally, my bag - this little gem is a vintage Celine satchel-style bag, which I was incredibly lucky to receive as a hand-me-down. Although it may be a little difficult to find this particular handbag, you can rummage through your local charity shops and thrift stores for that similar 'vintage' effect (probably for an eighth of high street prices).

I hope you've all had a lovely start to October!
Saina
xo

Autumn Sun OOTD

Hi lovelies, today's post is another ootd - these are some of my favourite types of blog reads, and I love doing them too. This outfit is an example of my usual monochrome casual getup, with an added splash of colour brought in from accessorizing. On more casual days, I tend to just throw my hair up into a messy ponytail, and opt for a nude lipstick - and today's look was an accurate depiction of that.

 

The sunglasses featured in this outfit, are my Classic Ray Ban aviators with a gold frame (I've practically worn these for 2 years straight). This faux leather jacket was purchased last year from H&M, similar ones can be found here. I've paired my Topshop white Joni jeans with a basic Zara tshirt - these tshirts are less 'slinky' than others that I have found on the high-street, and therefore do not look too much like pj's (am I the only one that feels like white tshirts look pyjama-y?)

For some people, the heeled Chelsea boots may be an unnecessary addition for a casual day out, but over the passed year I have embraced a sleeker and more classy look by adding a slight heel to my casual style. Am I the only one that feels more feminine and slightly more mature by wearing a small heel during the day? These boots were bought two years ago from Topshop (anyone remember the Topshop Allegra craze?) but I'm sure you can find similar ones that are in stock at the moment.
My handbag is the Michael Kors Jetset Safiano in black, with gold hardware.
Finally, this Topshop scarf is my new favourite addition to my wardrobe, it's that gorgeous mustard-camel colour and instantly lifts a neutral outfit.

What are your wardrobe style essentials? Do you have any staple Autumn pieces?

Saina
xo

Camden Town OOTD

Here's a quick post of my outfit details from yesterday where I made a trip to Camden Town for lunch and little browse around the market. Yesterday's weather was much more Autumn-like, allowing me to wear only this long length cardigan over my tshirt without feeling cold. I've also been loving wearing my fedora hat recently - it's also a God send for those ever so frustrating bad hair days!

Outfit details:
Felt fedora hat - Miss Selfridge here
Long length knitted cardigan - Monki here
Cropped acid wash tshirt - Brandy Melville here
High waisted Joni jeans - Topshop here
Vagabond Dioon boots - Office here
Bag - Hermes Birkin

What are your Autumn wardrobe essentials? 

Saina

xo

OOTD

Here's a quick outfit post, featuring my recent Prada purchase from Bicester Village (look a few posts back). We've been holding onto the last few days of summer here in London, so my outfit involved light layering.
As always, I've let the accessories do the talking with this outfit and played around with textures and materials to liven up an all black outfit.
I wore a loose fitting silk-like shirt, similar one here and layered that with my beloved Asos longline chiffon blazer (I've worn this to death, I know).
My trousers are waxed leather effect jeans, purchased from Zara in the sale (unfortunately only available full price now) - identical pair here
As you may know, I am loving the pointy shoe trend that has well and truly made its way back, and these H&M pumps are the perfect day rendition of that sleek heel look - similar style here

What have been your pre-autumn essentials?

Saina
xo