Chunky Cream Roll Neck / Leather Trousers / Davidoff ICON Collection Preview

Shoes: c/o Daniel Footwear.  Bag: c/o Davidoff. Jumper: Missguided (only £15 too!). Trousers: Topshop. Earrings: Dior (ASOS alternatives here). Cape: ASOS (sold out).

Hello everyone!

Tonight, I'm excited to share a rather special piece with you. You'll all know, whether you've been familiar with my blog for a long time or you happened upon me just yesterday, that to remove my Chanel bag from my arm would likely involve a lengthy surgical procedure. However, when Davidoff offered to send me a preview piece from their new ICON Collection, which officially launches this Spring/Summer, I decided to open my mind and accept their kind gesture.

The bag itself, as you can see above, is 100% italian leather and surprisingly lightweight. With gold hardware and two deceptively generous sized compartments (meaning that this bag could easily accommodate work-related items such as an iPad or notebook - or even the modest overnight essentials) the front pocket opened by the golden twist-lock Davidoff logo on the front and the other by a strong magnetic flap, this bag hasn't left my arm since. I've been keeping things that I need access to less frequently in the front, very secure compartment such as my keys and make-up bag, and items like my phone and oyster card in the back pocket which is extremely convenient and easy to access (but not easy enough that I'd fear being pick-pocketed!)

 It also comes with a long strap that can be attached if you prefer , but I favour carrying it by it's little handle - rather reminiscent of a doctors bag! I should mention that the bag also comes with an authenticity card which makes it feel very special indeed.

Overall, I'm truly thrilled with this piece and so happy to share it with you. I've surprised myself over and over by picking it up in preference of my trusty Chanel, and I'm so happy to have this classically stylish bag in my collection.

If you'd like to take a look at the collection yourself, head on over to the Davidoff website.

This post is kindly sponsored by Davidoff. All opinions are my own, and if you'd like to know more about what a sponsored post is any why I accept them, feel free to take a look at my 'About' page here.

Black Cape / Graphic Print Trousers / Embellished Point Courts

Cape: ZARA (New Look alternative here.) Trousers: River Island. Shirt: Urban Outfitters (old). Shoes: Dune. Earrings: Dior (ASOS alternatives here.)

Why, hello!

Continuing my resolution to make more use of clothes I already own, I'm wearing another trusted but slightly neglected favourite today - this ruffled white blouse from Little White Lies. My favourite features are undoubtedly the frilly, old-fashioned style collar and the frill-heart across the front of the blouse - which proved hard to photograph without me holding my cape open like an unusually demure flasher, so you'll just have to trust me on that one. It's unusual and lovely. 

I'm also wearing one of my more standard outerwear choices, this black cape from Zara. I've worn this cape to utter death, usually combined with some kind of bow - but on this day I threw a few blouses around my room and settled on the frillier option. I do enjoy a good frill!

I recently picked up these graphic print, monochrome trousers from River Island. The fact that they're monochrome means that they're easy to style and pair with colours, but the modern pattern also serves to 'edge-up' my outfits that might otherwise look a bit too... prim? Not that there's anything wrong with looking prim at all. What do you think? Do you enjoy mixing old and new styles, or do you just stick to one? I'd love to hear! 

P.s. You can also see my Cape Lookbook on YouTube here. I put it up about a month ago and completely forgot to 'advertise' it here - I'm thinking I should, seeing as I'm such a cape ambassador!

Ruby Red Cos Coat / Tartan Trousers / Knitted Roll Neck

Top: River Island (a steal at only £15 too!). Coat: COS (last year - alternatives here and here) Trousers: Oasis at ASOS. Earrings: Dior - alternatives here. Shoes: c/o ASOS - sold out at the moment, alternative here. Sunglasses: Miu Miu. 

Hello everyone!

This year I've vowed to not only visit the gym more often (and perhaps unsubscribe to Domino's email menu...) but to also make the most out of my wardrobe. I mean that in the sense that I'm trying to give 'older', perhaps slightly neglected items another shot. I've been looking at items in my wardrobe and asking myself 'if I saw this on someone else, would I want it?' or 'if I saw this on Zara/ASOS's new-in section would I be filled with lust and longing?' - the answer is usually yes. Just because something is 'old' doesn't mean that we should forget about it or value it less than newer items. That's my vow this year. To appreciate and wear the old goodies just as much as the newer, perhaps more exciting pieces. Here we have this ruby red coat from COS. (Thanks to Becca for taking these photos!) I wore it to death last winter and as time went on it gradually moved to the back of my wardrobe. However, this year I remembered how excited I was to be in possession of this coat and how much I loved wearing it. I over-wore it back then for a good reason, surely? So that's that. This year, I've dusted off this coat along with several other bits and bobs that I'm newly enthused to wear. (The only problem with that being you lovely lot won't necessarily be able to get your hands on the exact items anymore, although I'll always link alternatives where I can. Oh what a tease I am!)

Have you ever neglected an item just because it was no longer 'new-in'? Please let me know!

I'm also sorry to anyone who may be scarred by my ugly toes. I understand that they're very upsetting. It's hard to show sandals without showing my toes. I need socks that look like normal toes. Does such a thing exist? You have my apologies. 

My Birthday - Afternoon Tea at The Mandarin Oriental

Cape: Asos (sold out - alternatives here and here.) Blouse: M&S (old - alternative here.) Shoes: M&S (old - alternative here.) Trousers: River Island (old - alternative here.) Earrings: Chanel. 

Hello all and Happy New Year!

On December the 1st - now technically last year, I turned 23. This year, I've vowed to up my game on the organisational front and so posting this a month after my actual birthday doesn't bode too well. Let's just say this one doesn't count. The leaf of organisation has been turned over from this moment - ok? We're all agreed. Good. 

On my birthday, I always spend the day with my mother. I enjoyed birthday celebrations with friends either side of my birthday, but truly, my mother is my best friend and so I always choose to spend the day itself with her. 

On the day, we devoured a ridiculously indulgent afternoon tea at The Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge. We nibbled on delicious mini-sandwhiches (small rolls instead of the traditional finger sandwich which we found rather thrilling) and miniature patisserie treats exploding with flavour, accompanied by floral teas and the best iced latte I have ever had. After this point, we were satisfied, but it wasn't over. Oh no, not by a long shot. Next, we were presented with miniature scones with a selection of jams. They were utterly divine and so we struggled through - if you can even use the word struggle to describe such a mouth-watering torture. The waiter then made a joke about 'cakes on the way' and we all laughed. This turned out to be entirely serious. LITTLE CAKES ARRIVED. I failed to photograph these cakes as I was so overwhelmed. Is it possible to drown in food? 

Finally, accompanied by a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' I was presented with a surprise mini cheesecake topped with a candle on a beautifully iced plate. It was so unexpected and lovely I even had a tear in my eye (perhaps also because I knew I now HAD to eat this cheesecake.) I can confirm the cheesecake was delicious and I proudly ate 80% after begging my mother to have a few bites. I cannot stress how incredible it was - the food, drinks and service were all second to none. If you're looking for an afternoon tea experience in London - I can't recommend it enough. When it was all over we genuinely considered rolling across the road to Hyde Park and lying on the grass just to get over the amount of food we'd eaten.

Scroll down if you wish to see. Be warned - mouths may water. 

(I should also like to say, as I always do, that this is in no way a sponsored post - we chose the venue entirely out of our own free will and paid the same price as everyone else.)