Black, White & Grey
I just wanna put it out there that these are some of my favourite shots to date. Early afternoon rooftop lighting is the key lads! Also, the whole colour co-ordinating your outfit to your surroundings probably helped. I don't usually do this because I like to just shoot in hidden away areas out of everyones eyesight y'know, but when it happens like it did this time it really makes me want to find perfect, pretty backdrops that mach every outfit and not give a damn. If only, hey! But I've gone back to my monochrome roots and it feels like coming home. As much as I love a bold print and splashes of colour, black & white is just me, it's who I am. Dramatic is also who I am, so y'know.
The baker boy hat has come back out because I'm fast becoming obsessed with it. My brother did ask when I became a train conductor (ha bloody ha) but I have firmly adopted the 'who cares' attitude and everything is fabulous. Oversized everything is pretty much my style, so this top with the big baggy sleeves is pretty damn fabulous also! The little tie detailing also makes it that little bit nicer, doesn't it?
I had a vision for this outfit and it definitely did not involve thick ugly black tights, but as I've mentioned before, I'm a massive wimp when it comes to the cold and I just wasn't brave enough to bare my legs on this occasion. So the effect of the patent croc skirt is a little lost, but what can you do? The faux fur boots also look a little lost against the tights but it's still pretty clear how amazing they are isn't it? I wore these a few weeks back when I was shopping and a young girl started whispering to her mum because 'that lady's got fluffy boots!' which tbh, the part that freaked me out most was being called a lady because I still feel like a child myself sometimes really.
Loves. Emma.
Let's Talk: Defining your personal style?
I'm constantly finding inspiration for new blog posts at the moment and it's got me itching to get posts out left, right and centre. If only there were more hours in the day! I had a real switch around on social media recently and I've started following a lot more varied bloggers; this then got me thinking about my own style. Not my ~blogging style and my niche and all that (that's a whole other issue in itself!), but my personal style, fashion wise. It always seems that everyone I follow knows their style - they're minimalist or into streetstyle, vintage-lovers or rock chicks, and they all have their signature aesthetic that fits them, what they're known for. I sometimes see pieces when I'm shopping and think how well it would suit a certain blogger. Yeah, I know. But then I think about how I'm perceived and how I'd define my personal style myself and come up with a big fat nothing?
I like to think I have a signature style; a guy from work once spotted me from the other end of a supermarker because he saw my outfit and thought 'that's something Emma would wear' and that made me pretty happy tbh. Like, I'm ~distinguishable and stand out, y'know? But at the same time I don't know that I fit into a particular style. And I think I like that. The idea of being fit into a box of only one style doesn't fit me; I like to wear band tee's and platform boots; I also like heels and a trench coat; but often I just opt for anything Adidas complete with baseball cap and trainers. Most times though, I just mix up each of these styles (and more) and this makes for my personal style. Why buy a bag of marshmallows when you can get a tub of pic'n'mix? (I really want pic'n'mix now).
In the same way, the brands and stores that I get my clothes from are widely varied. ASOS will always be a favourite because of the sheer amount of variety on there, and Zara is my go-to for statement pieces right now. But vintage pieces and charity shop finds are fast becoming a favourite. I like the idea of having unique pieces in my wardrobe that nobody else has, which adds a whole other dimension to your style doesn't it? I've always been about monochrome but also love a bold print clash and the signature of my outfits tends to be a statement shoe. I'm a big fan of dressing up basic outfits with statement accessories in general, a brightly coloured handbag or a chunky pair of boots work wonders.
Basically, don't try and make yourself fit into a box that doesn't feel right. Your own personal style is basically wearing what you want to wear, what makes you feel good and gives you confidence. It doesn't matter whether that combines 2 defined styles or 20 (I don't think I know 20 styles but we'll roll with it). Once I learnt this and started really experimenting with my outfits, that's when I got to be the most confident. I've always chose to express myself through my style because I'm just not good at talking, whether that be through my forever changing hair colour or a pair of thigh high boots, so being the most comfortable and confident is always a priority.
Loves. Emma.
Patterned Pleather
When I shot these photos, it was actually -2°C outside. I lost feeling in my fingers and toes so quick and just wasn't up for shooting for very long tbh. I know I'm a wimp, but I have circulation problems and just can't deal with cold temperatures. I was always the child crying and wanting to go inside after 5 minutes of sledging. I don't think I ever made it through the full duration of building a snowman. So I guess I should've worn a more weather appropriate outfit to shoot in the middle of winter, but I didn't think this was too bad tbh. And once I have an idea in my head, I have to stick to it y'know!
So here we are in the middle of February and I have an outfit full of sale purchases from last month to show you. I can't decide whether it's because I bought so much, or I'm just slack at blogging? Probably a good combination of the two really! But after my little online Zara sale splurge that I mentioned in a previous post, I ended up returning some pieces to the store and obviously had to check the sale in-store. I ended up coming away with a few more pieces, including this absolute babe of a jacket. It was down from £60(?) to £30 and is the softest, buttery (I hate that description but it's so fitting?!) faux leather and I think I'm a bit in love. I had to get a medium as they had no smalls left, but I'm all about the oversized look so it's all good.
It's one of those pieces that surprises you with how well it goes with everything. Although it's quite ~out there~ with the appliqué detailing, it's still a very simple piece and perfect for either adding to a basic, monochromatic outfit or just complementing something already colourful.
Hat and sunnies aside, this whole outfit was sale bargains. In fact the jeans and top together only cost £11. Bargain hunter, extraordinaire over here. The shoes were in the first Zara order and I'm not usually one for 'flat flat' shoes, like ballet pumps or anything, but these just stood out to me, probably because they're quite Chloe-esque, and they're actually super comfy!
Wearing: Jacket, Zara (sale) - Top, New Look (sale) - Jeans, Primark (sale) - Shoes, Zara (sale) - Hat, Topshop (old) - Sunglasses, ASOS - Belt, ASOS
Loves. Emma.
Let's Talk: Valentines
I'm the first to say that I'm not a Valentines fan. This isn't me being single and bitter and 'well I didn't want any flowers anyway!!1!' but I just think it's a ridiculous, commercial excuse of a holiday. We shouldn't need an excuse to show loved ones that we love them, y'know? Especially not when it involves buying unnecessary red tat that nobody wants nor needs. But at the same time, I do like Valentines in a way; not for couples to get nauseatingly soppy over a stupidly expensive dinner date (honestly a friend of mine is spending £150 on a meal for him and his girlfriend and you could fly to bloody Paris for that pal)(but if that's what you're into then go you), but for single girls (and guys, and everyone) to practice some self-love. Because there can never be too much self-love in the world.
For a lot of single people, Valentines day can be quite a ~sad time, you get down about recent break-ups or unrequited love and get that whole 'but why does nobody want me?' mentality. And I think instead, we should use it as a great excuse to pamper ourselves and do whatever it is we enjoy most. So whether you've got a group of friends you want to spend the day with, or you want to spend the day alone, just get your favourite food/film/face mask/ whatever it is that makes you happy, and forget about boys because they're trash tbh.
For me, one thing that always makes me feel good is wearing a banging set of matching lingerie. Especially if nobody's going to see it, because then I'm most confident and can just rock it. I have more bras and bralettes than any girl could ever need, because choices! If you've not got a great budget to spend on little luxuries like this, then Primark is the place for you. Honestly, they are killing it with their lingerie game lately. Everytime I go in there's a new set that I want and I just need to stop going in, don't I? But these two in particular are very recent and very pretty, on the Valentines theme but not overly so, and really what's not to love? The rose covered set in particular is a bit of a dreamboat set isn't it?! (Disclaimer: I know these types of bralettes aren't for everyone, but lingerie in general is very personal so I can only share what I know, y'know?) I'm also very happy with both of the bottoms being quite 'big knicker' Bridget Jones esque because sometimes you just want to cover your tummy a little really. Especially if you're gonna gorge on pizza and cookie dough like I plan to!
Loves. Emma.
Veganuary: A Review
It was kind of a last minute, spur of the moment decision I had to partake in 'veganuary' this year. It's one of those annoying, cobbled-together words but, y'know! It was the push I needed to try a fully plant-based, vegan diet and see how it works for me. Because it certainly isn't easy for everyone to make the switch! Hannah (hannahlouisef.com) wrote a v good post all about being vegan if you're interested - obviously offering far more knowledge and insight than I could.
I've been quite heavily plant-based for a while now, but haven't taken the final step to cut things out fully, mainly out of laziness tbh. We all know there's loads of benefits to being plant based, not only health related but environmental and saving the animals, obvs. But I'm not here to ramble about that! I gave up red meat about 18 months ago, and then poultry less than 6 months later. When I was diagnosed with IBS last summer, it was discovered dairy is a big trigger for me, so i swapped to oat milk (after trying various others!) and I've never been a big fan of cheese, so that's kept to a minimum anyway. I guess I've ~technically been pescatarian for the past year, except I don't eat that much fish and I don't want to label my 'diet' because sometimes I'm weak if I'm eating out or getting a take-away and there's no good veggie options. It's quite frustrating when 90% of veggie options at restaurants are cheese or mushroom based and you don't like either, y'know? But I guess I just need to experiment more and try new places, really push myself a bit more.
Challenges
A whole month without any animal products turned out to be much easier than I thought. As I've said, there wasn't loads for me to cut out, I've been getting there gradually anyway, so it was more about ingredients and this tripped me up a few times. I had some Haribo which were gelatine free, so I thought they'd be ok, but turns out they had beeswax in them. Even some crisps, flapjack or vegetable cup-a-soups that I went to have turned out to have powdered milk in them. And although I did find very good dairy-free chocolate (milk and white, because dark chocolate is gross), I struggled to find cakes which were vegan friendly. I also didn't actually try any vegan cheese at home, or experiment too much with other vegan alternatives, so there's still a lot more I could do!
What I Ate
Pringles and skittles by the bucket load. Seriously. No, but they are very good vegan junk food snacks. For eating at home, the Linda McCartney veggie range is, without a doubt, the best out there! It might not be the cheapest, but then again it's not really like you're gonna be having veggie burgers, sausages and sausage rolls every night is it? So for ocassional treats, there's nothing better! Also, the pulled chicken and shredded duck from the range is great for making wraps/tacos/pasta dishes, etc. Also, keeping tins of 'five beans' in meant there was always a go-to quick option for a pasta dish or casserole type meal. But in general I've been getting more into cooking lately and a few vegan faves to make are:
- BBQ bean wraps
- Parsnip soup
- Potato & Leek pie
- Roasted vegetable pasta bake (minus the cheese)
In terms of eating out, I played it quite safe this month, opting only for three places known for their vegan options: Handmade Burger Co, Zizzi's and Rola Wola. I was v impressed with HBC and Rola Wola, super tasty options (HBC's sweet potato and chickpea burger gets all of the stars from me) but the vegan pizza from Zizzi's was... bizarre? The cheese is made from coconut milk so is really sweet, and just tasted a little weird. I guess if you get used to it though, it's not bad. Also, I got it as a margarita so if you're more adventurous than me with your pizza toppings, it might not stand out so much!
Going Forward
I'm not gonna put it in writing and commit myself to trying veganism full-time from now on, but I'm definitely leaning that way. Like I've mentioned, I didn't experiment fully with certain foods and finding alternatives, but I definitely want to make more of an effort to do so. I need to find more shops and restaurants near me with vegan options for sure!
Loves. Emma.