That Zizzi Feeling!

Hey everyone I hope all is well. Sorry that it's been been rather quiet on the blog lately.  I've been a little under the weather and quite snowed under at work. Having said all of that I have still taken the time to make sure that I am prepared for the change in the seasons and I have made it my mission to play around with some cool looks for autumn and winter. 

It's now the time of the year when things start to wind down, we try to get prepared for the cold and wet days and the special events such as Halloween, Christmas, New Years Eve and the office Christmas party. 

I like to tone things down a little, bringing in a little more bling, dark and rich tones and some warmer essentials when it comes to my wardrobe. Recently I have been looking for some sleek items that I can wear both in a casual and sophisticated way; items with that little something extra. 

I was recently gifted this gorgeous top by Zizzi. This is a sample for an upcoming collection in size M. I really like the style of this top. The asymmetrical cut really adds to the piece. I really enjoy wearing this top as it hangs nicely and clings to all the correct places. The material is lightweight and would suit both warmer and cooler months. What I really like about this piece is the detailed features. The rouched hemline gives it a nice dimension and the beaded shoulder with draped detail is really nice. I like a little extra sparkle and the shoulder detail in this itself is almost like wearing an additional accessory. 

I really enjoy items with a bold section or garish print. For me a single item that can act as a strong focal piece for any ensemble is likely to find its way into my closet. I find that items like this really take the pressure off; it can be a challenge to find the right adornments and accessories to pull together an outfit so something with a show stopping feature can do all the work for you leaving you to just enjoy your look. 

This top is a multi purpose item that can be worn in many different ways. I decided to pair it with wet look leggings for more of a classic-chic look. For me comfort is a really big thing when it comes to selecting an outfit and simple leggings made this outfit a really easy wear. This top could also be paired with skinny jeans, jeggings or a skirt depending on the look you want to achieve. 

A simple drop necklace, silver clutch and black heels complete my look here. You could of course have some bursts of colour by wearing some interesting shoes, coloured leggings or you might even play around with your choice of make up.

Hopefully we'll see this one make it's way into the new collection but for now check out some of the gorgeous items from Zizzi and take a look at the AW14 lookbook to see what items might work well for you in this current season. 

There are some gorgeous items coming from Zizzi in the Spring and Summer of 2015 and I can already say I will endeavour to add several items to my wardrobe because from what I have seen so far they are must haves! Check out this clip of their recent fashion show for some sneak peaks!

Remember what ever you where, feel fabulous in it and where it with a smile!

Spots And Pleather!

With the change in the seasons and the cold snap in the air I think it's still important to have fun with your wardrobe. This is the time of the year when we find ourselves getting stressed out and frustrated; the kids are back to school Christmas is around the corner and the autumn/winter blues are starting to set in. This is the time when I like to get out a little bit more, have a few drinks when I can and hit the dance floor!

It's no secret that I enjoy mixing fabrics and prints together and I found an outfit that I could easily wear on a night out in the club. I recently wore this pleather top from Simplybe (size 28) in a photoshoot (i'll be sure to share the pictures with you all real soon) I wanted to pair this one with something that would compliment it well. I thought that it would look good with this tube skirt from Forever21 (size 3x). 

It should be noted that these are both from previous collections but if you like the shapes and styles it's worth taking a look at these companies to see if they currently stock something similar. 

When I'm on the dance floor I like to be in clothes that look great but also feel great. When you're out there throwing shapes the last thing you want to feel is restricted in your clothes, you also want to feel that you look your best. Like many women I have a thing for leopard prints and I think that the pattern lends itself to pretty much any season which makes this skirt a multi-purpose item. I could easily wear this to work and pair it with a cute blouse for a more sophisticated look. 

When I'm out on the floor I like to feel grounded and I don't tend to wear heels when dancing so I thought I would wear my chain detail boots from Fashion World. They fit so comfortably and I can wear them for hours on end so these would be the perfect footwear for the club. The attached gold bling is an added bonus and reduces the need for accessories. 

As finishing touches go I decided that I would keep it really simply by of course wearing my signature hoop earrings and a simple floral statement necklace. The metallic flower arrangement is one that I really like and the simplicity is exactly what I wanted. Many statement necklaces are loud and garish, which I love but for this look I thought I would keep it simple as the pleather top and the leopard print skirt was loud enough for one outfit. These accessories are available from Primark so if you like them head on down there before they sell out!

Remember what ever you where, feel fabulous in it and where it with a smile!

An Outfit Idea For The Current Season

This time of year brings many changes; we're starting to feel that chill in the air, the darkened leaves are falling from the trees and the sunshine has pretty much left us for the remainder of the year. I, like many others use this time of year to refresh my wardrobe. I scour the shops and websites looking for inspirational looks that will make me look fabulous in the cooler months. 

At the moment I'm seeking styles that will look great at any given time of the day. We all get those random phone calls come lunch time with someone wanting to meet for an afternoon drink, spur of the moment meals out and a variety of other social events. I thought I'd look for something smart, chic, sophisticated and classic with a slight modern twist. We all like to look good at any given moment and I wanted an outfit that would leave me ready for anything. My search led me to One Stop Plus where I ended up with a wish list outfit that I just have to have:

Image Courtesy Of One Stop Plus

This houndstooth top is just the kind of thing I was looking for. I really like classic prints as they never go out of style and can pretty much be worn all year round. An added bonus is that this style is bang on trend! 

My current obsession with lace also had this top catching my eyes. The simple style would lend itself well to the office and can also be dressed up for a night on the town. 

Image Courtesy Of Boohoo

Basic colours leave an outfit open to many opportunities and this is one of the reasons why I am so easily drawn to blacks and whites. Despite the change in the weather and things slowly cooling down, for a simple piece that would work at any restaurant or event this jacket provides a nice amount of coverage whilst not overpowering the rest of the outfit. I thought this gorgeous Candice Oversized Boxy Jacket  from Boohoo would be a nice option. I think this one gives the look that extra element of sophistication that I enjoy from time to time.

Image Courtesy Of  Pinupgirl Clothing

As a huge vintage lover I thought it would be fun to select something to work alongside the classic houndstooth print in the blouse so when I saw this Audrey flared skirt from PinupGirl Clothing. You can never go wrong with a black skirt and this is one that can be worn at the office, on a hot date or as casual wear. Any multi-purpose item is more than welcome in my wardrobe. A cute pencil skirt would fare well also.

Image Courtesy Of  Office

Once I have all my key items in place and I know where I want to go with the outfit I then think about accessories that might just add that extra something to the overall look I'm going for. Those of you who read my blog and know my style will be aware that I like to have items in my wardrobe and accessory box that I can use in many different outfits. I tend to work with my favourite colours and prints and then expand from there. As blue is my favourite colour and is one I love to wear I was over the moon to stumble across these gorgeous heels from Office.

As soon as I saw the cobalt blue I thought OH YES! What I love the most though is the heel I think is the snakeskin electric blue print. These would also work really nicely with jeans, denim jackets and a selection of other blue and black based items.  

Image Courtesy Of River Island

As no outfit is complete without a handbag I thought I'd look for something bright and fresh for the summer that would be a good size and when I saw this blue and white number from River Island, this outfit had suddenly pulled itself together for me!

What's fun is playing around with different hair styles, jewellery and make up looks also. There are so many different ways you can switch up your look and what better time to do it than when the weather is cold dark and dreary. As far as I'm concerned it doesn't mean we have to be!

A Curvy Kate Review - Jetset Swim Range

*These Items Were Gifted To Me For Review

It's been years since I have ventured out into the water to swim. I absolutely love swimming but due to hair care maintenance (something any woman with Afro/Caribbean hair will understand) and the lack of good and supportive swimwear available, I was deterred from taking a dip into the deeper waters. 

With a holiday to Greece on the calendar and the general desire to improve my exercise regime I thought it was an idea to start my search and see what I could pick up in the swimwear department. I was looking for something with a sleek and flattering style that would feel comfortable and support my 38K bust. I decided that as a regular customer and huge fan of the brand, I would message the girls at Curvy Kate and see what they might recommend. I was looking for something that would support and lift my bust and give me the appearance I was hoping for whilst lounging on the beach. 

At first I toyed with getting a tankini and some bottoms. When I swim I like to feel free to just do my thing with a strong confidence and not be hindered from having a good time. Initially I was looking for something bright and bold and my eyes were firmly on their Seashell set. I then decided I wanted to settle for something with a more classic style and so I selected the Jetset. 

Stock Images Courtesy Of Curvy Kate

As the different style and shapes of the Curvy Kate range can vary I thought it best to go for a 40J. Often with bras if you go down a cup size then it's common place to go up in the back size to regain the balance. When I first tried this Bikini top on I have to say I was seriously surprised. The support was better than most of the bras I own! I'm not sure if it was the padded finish of the top or the material used but I felt highly supported and extremely comfortable. The metallic detail on the straps gave a simple black piece that little extra style. The metallic sliders are extremely comfortable and didn't dig in to me once. 

I had never owned a Bikini top before this one and I was concerned that as soon as I got wet that I wouldn't feel supported and that my beasts would drop heavily. I decided to give the set a test drive and so went for a swim in women's lake at Hampstead Heath. In truth and weirdly enough I felt even more support once the top became wet. I have no idea why and I can't explain it but this to me definitely gave the item extra brownie points! The experience of wearing the set in Greece didn't change and the added sunshine and warmth of the Mediterranean sea was an added bonus!

I got the swim-skirt in a size 20 and this was very comfortable. Built in knickers with the additional skirt attached made for a sleek and sexy piece. I did however decide to opt for a pair of high waisted swim knickers when on holiday in Greece as I wanted my stomach concealed for comfort. I wanted to ensure that all of my problem areas were covered on holiday and so that I wouldn't need to constantly apply sunscreen to that area (lazy I know). 

I really enjoyed wearing these items and I will most definitely pick up some of the other sets in the collection. There are some great package holidays available at the moment and I may be in need of another set! 

The 2014 collection is still available online and in many stores. Check out the Curvy Kate site to see what set catches you eye and for information on stockists.