ss15 for your aw14 wardrobes.

Okay, so the clocks going back last week and this awful weather outside is all the warning signs you need to see that summer is officially over. You won't get any complaints here from me as I love Autumn/Winter. I love being cold, being able to layer up my clothes, and I also love that it is once again socially acceptable to be in all black, head to toe.

With the Fashion Week season being over and press days being in full swing, I can now confirm that the upcoming Spring/Summer fashion is my all-time favourite. There are hardly any excessive floral prints and pastel colours are not as prominent. With this, it is so easy to keep those Spring/Summer vibes in your daily wear during these gloomy days...or you could just prepare yourself incredibly early for the next season.

You can take a look at some of my favourite looks as well as find out how I'll be injecting some of these trends into my current wardrobe.

 NEW YORK

 

DKNY / Monique Lhuillier / J. Crew / Nicholas K 

The cold and the rain allows knitwear to be a constant necessity, so adding prints/patterns to your monochromatic look as well as layering with a scarf and a leather jacket is a must. For those of us who go about our daily lives in tailored work wear, do so with style adding metallic touches or colourfully accessorising.

LONDON

 

Mother of Pearl / Mary Katrantzou / Markus Lupfer / Trager Delaney 

The sports luxe trend shall never die in my eyes, but be sure to be unique about it. Sweats and hoodies can be the standout of any outfit if done right, so for this season you can try pairing them with tailored pieces in sharp colours, contrasting with the darkness of the rest of your outfit.  

MILAN

 

Iceberg / Gucci / Les Copains / Fausto Puglisi 

Is it just me, or is army green a colour for this season anyway? Make your attire that much more interesting by playing with textures and embellishments, while still layering. Also don't be scared to have one statement piece, whether it be an array of bright colours in your top or an oversized jacket to add a bit of personality. 

PARIS

 

Veronique Leroy / Andrew GN / Barabara Bui / Dries Van Noten

I know, right? I thought colour blocking was a thing of the past too, but when it's done to animate an ensemble, it adds character like you would not believe. It can also be done with dark, autumnal colours too. Long coats are a good investment because they are such transitional pieces, so you can break out of your comfort zone a little knowing you can cover up with your contemporary outerwear.

How are you dressing up SS15 trends? Are you saving them all for the season?

my wardrobe transforms, never changes, jayj x.

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topshop boutique layering.

After a Topshop fashion show, I go a little insane and want everything that every single model is wearing. But seeing as they just showcased SS15, I can't quite do that yet...

What I CAN do is hit up the website and see what the boutique has to currently offer me for this season.

 

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

This season is all about layering as the cold weather hits us, so my plan is to update my basics to Boutique quality and get to layering!

everything that I wear is oversized, jayj x.

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fashion week aw14 trends: shoes.

Carrying on with the trends...

Shoes are just as important as any item of clothing in our outfit, and for some of us, we like to make our statement through our shoes.

Fashion week saw footwear creating a trend of its own this coming Autumn/Winter. With a mixture of different textures, pops of colour to complement a darker colour palette and an aray of embellishments,  we saw classic styles with a difference. There was a twist on classic boot styles, monochromatic flats and cut-outs unimaginable.

 

Ashish / Chanel / Devastee

 Barbara Bui / Stella Jean / Yohji Yamamoto

 Christopher Kane / DSquared2 / Valentino

MSGM / Fausto Puglisi / Tracy Reese

As a tall girl I'm not mad on heels, but I am a lover of trainers, boots and a statement flat, so I will most certainly take these as inspiration when making future footwear purchases.

What do you think of shoes as a trend on it's own?

always step in style, jayj x.

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check out my post on colours & prints as a trend!

fashion week aw14 trends: colours & prints.

After attending LFW a few weeks back and catching up on all of the fashion shows from New York, Milan and Paris, there are a few trends that have really stuck out to me. 

Over the next week or so, you will see a few posts from me highlighting these trends. So if you missed out on the fashion week festivities, be sure to check out these posts as I'll be sharing images from loads of designers including all the greats.

First up...colours and prints.

In Autumn/Winter we always expect a darker colour palette and nothing too out of the ordinary. People tend to focus on layering to prepare for the cold weather ahead and make their statements through accessories, but we can definitely expect the opposite for 2014. Expect splashes of colour on simple silhouettes, thick and unusual textures and unexpected colour blocking.

Chanel / Xiao Li

 Louis Vuitton / Valentino
 
Kenzo

 Alexander McQueen / Chloé
 
Paul & Joe / Burberry Prorsum

As someone who is always in dark colours, this coming AW14 will definitely give me the opportunity to explore new areas in fashion without it looking too out of the ordinary.

What do you think of colours and prints in Autumn/Winter?

Be sure to come back for more aw14 trends!


I will stop living in black and grey clothes, jayj x.

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the review - british plus-size fashion weekend 2014.

As you saw on a previous post, I was invited along to the media day of the BPSFW. This particular event went down on Friday 14th February, along with so many other events...so it was definitely a successful day.

I had the chance to speak to designers and models and get an insight to new and current plus-size fashion and I learned SO much. It was amazing to be in a room full of people where being plus-size was being embraced and celebrated.

Simply Be.

Dynasty London - Viviana.

 Dear Curves.

 Syreeta Badu.

 Remi Ray. (wearing my new favourite tee!)

 

Cut for Evans.

Dea London.

Here is an instagram pic of me and the amazing Whitney from ANTM!

 Be sure to check out all the links to see more from each designer.

Apologies for the picture heavy post! I also tried to get a video up of the catwalk but I am having mad technical issues so stay tuned for that in a separate post.

Did you make it to the event? What do you think of all the plus-size designers?


everyday is a plus-size fashion day, jayj x.


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one can dream...

I have a few posts that I need to get up for you guys within the next few days, but due to some technical difficulties and the fact that I am currently having the time of my life in Lisbon, these posts may just have to wait for a second.

Anyone who knows me will know that I have a weakness for designer items. When I have my eye on something, I won't let go until I get it or find a more reasonable alternative to fill its space.

With my two best friends fast asleep behind me, I thought I'd do what I do best and explore the internet for new things to buy and blog about it.

Here are my current obsessions:

Saint Laurent tote / Alexander Wang iPad clutch / Saint Laurent loafers / Kenzo tote

One can most definitely dream...

I never stop shopping, jayj x.

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crossEyes london event.

February 14th...Valentine's day, the beginning of London Fashion Week, media day at British Plus-Size Fashion Weekend and the CrossEyes London blogger's event...I was a busy girl.

As a fellow four-eyes, being invited to a blogger's event for a glasses brand was like being at home away from home. I was surrounded by designer frames of all different shapes, sizes, materials and styles...and all at my disposal to try on.

CrossEyes is a Danish chain of opticians that specialize in creating a personal atmosphere and experience for each and every customer. All of the frames are placed very openly in the store, allowing you the freedom to try on every frame and find what you need to suit your taste and style. You then get a free eye test and then get your glasses made for you, all with a very personable service.

I like my glasses to reflect my personality as well as my facial features so I am always looking for big, fun and quirky looking frames. 

 I think I must have tried on every single pair of glasses that they had in that store, but I must say my favourite were probably this style; fun and quirky, yet, sophisticated.

Be sure to check out their official website, twitter and Instagram to check out their concept and find your own favourite style.

fashion forward four-eyed fox, jayj x.

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british plus-size fashion weekend 2014.

I've been lucky enough to be invited to the British Plus Size Fashion Weekend for the second year running, and as I want to see all of you there, including my curvy sisters, I thought I'd share some info and links to the event so you can get your tickets.

I love anything that celebrates women of all shapes and sizes, and as a lover of fashion, it is so positive to see so much light shining on plus-size fashion. There will be four exclusive fashion shows, including one for lingerie and swimwear which I am super excited about! You will also get the chance to shop at the event with an exclusive discount, and there will be professionals on hand to give you advice about your shape and how to shop for your figure.

It will be held on the 14th and 15th February at the London Vinopolis.
Be sure to check out the official website to get tons more information and also find out how to get your tickets.


Hope to see you there!!...and make sure to look out for my blog post after the event for pics and whatnot.

plus-size is beautiful, jayj x.

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the january sales - my edit.

The most exciting thing about the winter holidays are the sales that come along on Boxing Day. You get to take all of your hard earned money and buy a bunch of stuff just because they are now at discounted prices.

Some of the prices that I was seeing were not the best on Boxing Day, but as we are now in January and majority of my favourite stores have now had their further reductions, I have found some awesome bargains. 

So behold my edit of the best January sales on the interweb. BEWARE...this post may make you spend monies.

 

FASHION

ASOS never cease to amaze me with the items that they place in the sale at such amazing prices. I love them most for their wide range of accessories and unique everyday pieces. 

For shoes and to add to my collection of never-ending black tops, I always turn to New Look.

I haven't shopped there for a while, but H&M really surprised me with what I found in their sales. I got some awesome knitwear as well as items for work.

I went absolutely nuts on Monki, they're prices are just ridiculously awesome and I love all their items because they are stylishly oversized.

 

BEAUTY

I tried to ban myself from spending money on beauty but The Body Shop always gets me. With crazy sales, extra percentages off and free gifts, I can't get enough of their website.

I have recently fallen in love with all things Illamasqua and when I saw the sales on their foundations, I jumped on those immediately.

I must also mention e.l.f. as I have taken full advantage of their promotions during the festive period. As a firm believer in affordable makeup, they have provided me with some Holy Grail products.

 

JEWELLERY

Tresor Paris have outdone themselves with their up to 80% off sale, and as one of my favourite jewellery brands, we already know that I had to buy stuff.

Another crystal brand that I love is Swarovski, and as I like to splurge a bit to get quality, there are a few things I just had to pick up.

My love for watches has increased greatly, and Beaverbrooks is a store that does nothing but feed my habit to have several items that all do the same thing.

What have you bought in the January sales? What have been your favourite stores?

forever spending money, jayj x.

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christmas countdown competitions.

Christmas is creeping closer and closer and some of my favourite websites are doing various promotions and competitions for the festive period, so I thought I'd share with you my favourite ones so you don't miss out.

They are mostly done in an advent calendar style where you can win something different or there is a new kind of discount every day.

The She Said Beauty advent calendar is one I must do every year. You are told the value of the prize, and each day it increases, so you have the option to only enter for the more expensive prizes. As a beauty hoarder this is perfect for me and I make sure to check back daily.

One I just recently discovered and automatically fell in love with (I'm not even sure if this is for Xmas, or just general competitions) is the InStyle prizes. There are pages and pages of competitions to enter and so many fashionable prizes to be won...yes!

As a tall girl, I sometimes specifically look for items of clothing catered to someone my height, so with Long Tall Sally giving away daily prizes, I thought I'd give myself a helping hand with my constant need for new clothes.

With the influence of one of my good friends, I've recently become one of those people who goes to a lot of gigs. It is most definitely an expensive hobby, so Eventim giving the chance to win tickets to some shows and tours is simply awesome.

Linking back to She Said Beauty, as well as You Beauty Discovery selling a beauty advent calendar, they are also doing an online advent calendar where you can win bundle prizes from amazing beauty brands. Anything that allows me to try and discover new and different products is always a win.

Some of my favourite brands like Glossybox, Steamcream, Tresor Paris and Live Nation UK are also doing daily giveaways on their Facebook pages so be sure to 'like' and check those out.

Are there any other competitions you're entering over the Christmas period? Do you think more websites should join in the festivities?

Good luck!

I wanna win stuff for Christmas, jayj x.

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summer sale - tresor paris.

One of my favourite jewellery brands is currently holding a sale, so instead of buying out all of their stock, I thought I'd give you the chance to get a little something too. Tresor Paris appears to be a permanent fixture on my blog, but if you know me, you know that I can't help but love some sparkle. 

This summer extravaganza is coming to an end on the official Tresor Paris website, but don't fret, you can take advantage of the offer at all of their participating stockists.

Here are a few of my favourites from the sale:

 

You are certain to find something to suit your style, so why not take advantage during the summer sale?

You can find Tresor Paris on their official website as well as Ernest Jones, Beaverbrooks and other stockists which you can find here.

I live for discounted jewellery, jayj x.

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