Trending Spotting: Suede Skirts

As spring edges closer and closer, one trend that's getting everyone excited is the 70s inspired suede skirt.

I personally really like the look of this one. So easy to wear it'll be perfect for taking you through a chilly Easter into what will hopefully be a slightly warmer spring if worn with long length boots and then bare legs and sandals.

Bloggers have been wearing the look in a few different ways. The patchwork style had a great vintage feel, and the high waisted longer length style feels really modern and KimK-esque. Hopefully more high street options will come out as we move further away from winter, but in the mean time there are a few nice options out there.

Suede Skirts by kayleya on polyvore.com

Style Overhaul

Punchout Clutch Bag, £12, ASOS Navy Blue Lace Top Skater Dress, £38, River Island Gallop Patent Court Shoes, £58, Topshop Clean-Cut satchel, £32, Topshop Satin Back Overlay Dress, £48, Topshop Harp Metal Heel Boots, £80, Topshop Black Leather Croc Panel Tote Bag, £45, River Island Ribbed Funnel Neck Top, £14, Topshop Black Amelie Superskinny Jeans, £40, River Island Gallop Snake Effect Court Shoes, £59, Topshop
Every now and again I think we can all be guilty of getting stuck in a style rut. Since it's been ridiculously cold and I got far too comfy over Christmas living in a hoodie and my slippers, I feel like I've lived in the fail safe jeans, tee and stompy boots combo. In fact I struggle to remember a day I've worn anything BUT this, even to work.
Last year I was all about dresses with my favourite block heel boots, and mixed things up so much more than I do now so it's such a shame to think I have so many nice clothes hanging in my wardrobe (quite a few even with the tags on!) which haven't seen the light of day in a good few months.
Anyway, I had a browse on River Island and Topshop and saw a few bits and pieces which caught my eye. They got me thinking how boring it was to live in the same two pairs of jeans just because they were comfortable!
The above outfits are by no means fussy or OTT; they'd be just as quick to put on in the morning as my current jeans and tee uniform, so there's no excuse not to wear them. (Especially since I own most of the items above!) Maybe next week the purple satin dress with the tags still on could even make it's debut!
Are you guilty of sticking to old favourite whilst nice clothes sit unworn in your wardrobe?

Le (Fitness) Freak, C'est Chic!

1. 3 Pack Trainers Socks, £6.99, H&M 2. Nike Allure Sports Bra, £30, Nike 3. Nike Epic Lux Printed Running Tights, £80, Nike 4. Nike Pro Hyperwarm Fitted Half Zip Shirt, £40, JD Sports 5. Nike Elite Storm Fit Running Gloves, £9.99, TK Maxx 6. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31 Womens Running Shoes, £68.62, Direct Sports 7. Nike Modern Tempo Shorts, £30, JD Sports
After all the excitement of Christmas and New Years, I'm probably not the only one thinking that it might be time to re familiarise myself with that gym place I last remember visiting some time in November. January is a great time to do it because you have the momentum of new years resolutions behind you, as well as lots of other people thinking exactly the same thing!
One way to get yourself motivated to get out there is to invest in some new sports wear. Even the thought of heading out for a run at this time of year in summer's cropped leggings and tank tops is enough to make me declare I'm going back into hibernation mode! Which is why a new pair of long leggings, a long sleeve top (with reflective bits so cars don't run me over) and some fancy new socks will hopefully motivate me to reach the rather ambitious fitness targets I have set for the year.

Best Dressed 2014: Mira Duma

2014 has seen lots of trends come and go, and with them comes a whole host of clothes horses, ready to ping up at the world's biggest shows, draped head to toe in the most chic looks.
Someone who is perhaps most representative of this phenomena is Russian writer and fashionista, Miroslava Duma.
Throughout the year she has graced fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, London and New York with her sophisticated looks, always looked primped and primed to perfection with an outfit which screams elegance.
Her petite frame topped with a chic bob (which has even got me considering the chop!) and finished off with an effortlessly pulled together look never fails to impress. From the electric blue suit worn during LFW, to those burgundy culottes and the powder pink shift, her credentials as a street style expert have definitely been cemented this year.
Add to this her staples of a framed bag and essential courts, and we definitely have a fashionista who has well and truly earned her stripes this year.
Who's style have you been digging in 2014?

Trend Spotting: Novelty Phone Cases

Hotdog iPhone 5 Case, £12, Asos Moschino Teddy Bear Case, £31.62, FarFetch Moschino Fries Case, £45, Selfridges Stella McCartney Red Lips Case, £40, Liberty Skinny Dip Popcorn Case, £22, Selfridges Moschino Dream Phone Case, £45, Selfridges
Novelty phone cases seem to be everywhere at the moment after Moschino sent their models down the run way clutching fries phones to their ears last spring. Since then a whole line of these garish looking objects have sprung up taking the shape of anything from geese to Barbie style vanity mirrors, teddy bears and pandas. 
Gimmicky accessories seem to be the look du jour, with both Chanel's supermarket theme and Anya Hindmarch's biscuit and cereal inspired offering developing lives of their own.
And even if you're not ready to lug a goose about in your purse, there are toned down iterations of all of these trends across the high street. New Look are loving the novelty bags for next spring, and Asos can sort you out with a hotdog phone case if that's your bag.
Will you be adopting any of these ostentatious accessories any time soon? 

The Christmas Party Problem... Solved!

1. Black Metal Cuff Barely There Sandals, £75, River Island 4. Olivia Burton Gold Bracelet Watch, £95, Asos 5. Lace Insert Dress, £45, Next,  2. Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Red Carpet Red, £23, Charlotte Tilbury 3. Love Potion Bag, £40, Aldo @ Asos
The date has been booked into your calendar since mid-October, and that date which seemed ages away is now alarmingly close... Yes, it's Christmas party season! Whilst it's exciting to have a night of fun and frolics with your co-workers to look forward to, there's always the problem of just what should you wear. You don't want to look too done up, but let's face it this is the one night of the year where your colleagues have the opportunity to see you without a dribble of coffee down running down your lip and a palm mark on your chin from where you've been resting on it all day.
So how should you play it? Accessories can be your best friend here to transform yourself from 9-5er to late-nighter. Stick with a basic shape dress in an understated colour (blacks and navys work well) but layer on the glitz with a box clutch (these quirky shapes are everywhere at the minute), some gold wrist wear and your favourite pair of black pumps (the ones you're very practised at dancing the night away in!)
But the one thing you need to top your look off is a flash of red lippy. Charlotte Tilbury is the epitome of classy lip colour at the moment; the formula will last all night so "Red Carpet Red" is well worth the investment.
How are you coping with the Christmas party problem this year?

Trend Spotting: The Camel Coat

Is it me or has it now reached that point where last year's coat need to be resurrected from the back of the wardrobe? Goodbye leather jacket, you were good while you lasted but it's now time to bring in the serious winter weather gear.
Traditionally this is the point where I visit every retailer to desperately try and find something I can wear with everything in my wardrobe and has sleeves which reach to my wrist rather than my knees (why is this so difficult?!). Typically this process is futile and I end up returned disheartened to my old faithful black number (which could really do with an update this year!)
But this year I have a feeling I'm on to a winner. Every which direction I turn there seems to be someone very chic looking with a camel coat draped over their shoulders and I might just have to get myself in on the action. Easy to wear with jeans, a jumper, a dress, boots, heels or flats, one of these might just be making it's way into my wardrobe very soon!
Are you in on the camel coat trend and where's yours from?

Trend Spotting: Destroyed Denim

Destroyed denim has been a huge trend this AW, adopted by celebrities and bloggers and the high street alike. As demonstrated above, it's a hugely versatile look which can go from sporty to smart and everything in between My favourite look from above is sported by Olivia Palermo (second from the right.) She's teamed a classic indigo pair of skinnies with just a small bit of fraying at the knee with some lace up heels and a high neck blouse for a really chic look which is super easy to emulate. Try contrasting some super skin tight skinnies with a large overcoat or roll neck jumper to stay warm, or dress the look down with a pair of crisp white trainers and leather jacket; there's definitely a way that this look at fit into anyone's wardrobe. Have you adopted the destroyed denim look this season, and just how shredded have you gone?

New Year Style Resolutions

New Year Style Resolutions by kayleya featuring golf skirts

As a new year sets in it always gets me thinking about what I want to change in the following 12 months.

Now my style isn't necessarily awful, I just find that I'm always going for the same shape and style of outfits repeatedly and lacking inspiration, so my new year style resolutions are:

1. More bright colours

Now admittedly there is a lot of black in the collection above, but I'd really like to start wearing more colours. Whilst I love the simplicity of wearing an all dark ensemble, I do feel like people see someone in head to toe black and think, "she's obviously shy and likes to hide in the background", which isn't necessarily the case, but a colour pop of a bright shoe, or even a neon dress I think would definitely update my look!

2. Play with textures and fabrics

I've absolutely loved the leather trend which has come in this year; it's a much needed update to denim which seems to have reigned unchallenged to decades now. The quest for the perfect pair of leather-look leggings reigns on, and even velvets and furs have been catching my eye more than usual recently!

3. Show some skin

Cut outs and crop tops have been huge this past year, and it's a bandwagon I'm yet to leap on. Whilst midrift might be a bit too far out of my comfort zone, cut outs around the waist and shoulders definitely appeal, so I'll be looking out for these on my next shopping trip!

4. Shape Shifting

Now I'm getting a bit older *sniff* some things are feeling more and more like they're too "young" for me to wear. In the past I'd happily go for a body con dress, but it's starting to feel far too teenage for me now the mid twenties are fast approach. High necks and looser shift dresses will definitely be on the agenda for 2014.

5. Take more risks

Having fail safe options often means that you'll end up in a "uniform" of sorts. Trying out new things, for example I'm really regretful I didn't jump on the jumpsuit or skort trend of 2013, will hopefully bring something a bit more interesting to my current wardrobe!

What are your style resolutions for the next 12 months?