The Coat Edit | Zafira
I’m back baby!
So, it’s been a while since my last post and I feel like I’ve started a lot of posts like that but life just gets in the way.
Anyway I’m back for good this time and for this post, I’ve compiled some of my favourite coats to wear since the temperature has dropped all of a sudden. As I’m writing this actually, it’s been snowing for the last couple of hours so I know this post is very apt for right now.
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll have seen a few of these before but here are a few of my favourite coats to wear at the minute.
THE BIG FAT COSY ONE
It feels fitting to put this first because 1.it’s my most recent coat and purchase in general and 2. it’s probably the biggest coat I’ve ever owned.
I desperately needed something oversized and warm because the rest of my coats (as you’ll see) are lovely but in terms of practicality, they’re not the best for this time of year where we’re hit with wind storms and snow.
This is from M&S which I feel like in my head I’ve somehow classed as a middle aged lady store and the place I’d once go to buy my school uniform but recently, some stuff at M&S has topped things I’ve seen at places like Zara and H&M. The quality is amazing and the pricing too which shocked me a little because this coat was priced a lot cheaper than the Zara version of this that everyone seems to own.
This coat style is perfect because it’s in trend every year. I’ve been trying to buy things that I know I’ll wear for a long time and that I know will last and this coat definitely will.
You can buy this here.
THE LONG LEATHER TRENCH
This might just be my favourite coat ever … And I bought it for £9.99 at TK Maxx.
It’s from the brand JCL which I’ve never heard from but the RRP was around £80 so with it obviously being the deal of a lifetime, I picked up and I think it was my best purchase of 2020 or maybe of all time.
I get so many compliments wearing this and I just feel so amazing wearing it. It feels modestly sultry? And the way it blows in the wind when I’m walking is the ego boost I need everyday.
I love styling this with really feminine outfits such as a dress like the pictures above or doing an all black outfit also feels super cool.
It’s the best coat to add a little something to your outfits. I could just be wearing a pair of jeans and a plan white shirt and this coat would top the outfit off like a cherry on top of a sundae.
Also, this coat plus my Vagabond Edwina boots are a combination one could only dream about.
This coat isn’t available anymore but here are some extra cute alternatives:
PLT Oversized Faux Leather Trench
Misspap Missé Leather Look Longline Trench Coat
THE BASIC TRENCH
I don’t think you can say you have a decent coat collection without having at least one camel brown trench coat in it.
This is actually a very very old trench from Mango that I bought during my first year of uni and I love how slouchy and big it is. I’d like to say I dress quite modestly so when it comes to coats, I do like something that covers me up pretty well and this definitely does that.
If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ll know I just started painting a ridiculous amount of flowers all of this. My goal was to have it done by November but uni life got in the way (as always) and I’ve put it on the back burner for a bit. Hopefully, it’ll be done by spring if we’re lucky to get one in the UK and it will be the perfect spring trench.
Make sure you follow my Instagram to see the behind scenes of this coat and other projects.
This isn’t available anymore, but here are some very similar alternatives:
ASOS Noisy May Drop Shoulder Trench Coat
Stradivarius Long Flowing Trench Coat
Monki Hilde Trench Coat
THE smart ONE
I’m going to be honest, I forget this coat exists sometimes and I beat myself up anytime I rediscover it in my coat wardrobe again because it’s such a good coat.
This is a vintage Ralph Lauren Checkered wool-blend blazer coat that I picked up many years ago at the Thrift Shop near Piccadilly Gardens. I think it only cost around £12 which is so amazing for this style and quality of coat.
I remember it originally had shoulder pads so I knew this was old. I had to take those out though being a broad shoulder gal and then had it dry cleaned and then she was ready for the streets.
It’s a such a great formal coat, like for interviews and events. Sometimes it even makes me feel like a mom or a Julia Roberts character from the 80s or 90s and there’s something so uplifting about that.
Here are some great replicas/alternatives for this lovely coat:
ZARA Quilted Checkered Overshirt
Abercrombie & Fitch Wool Blend Blazer
ZARA Wool Blend Blazer with Elbow Patches
THE TWEED ONE
This might just be my most worn coat ever. It’s been through so much, it’s been washed a good 30 times in it’s short time with me but I love it so much. It’s become a sort of comfort blanket at this point and I adore it.
My mum however, hates this coat lol. It has so many pockets so whenever I’m running errands, those pockets are filled to the brim and she says I look so boxy and chubby but for me it’s so incredibly convenient to have that many pockets.
I love the colours, it has a bit of brown so it’s super ideal for this time of year and goes very well with these brown trousers I’ve been living in recently.
This was one of many lockdown purchases so it isn’t available anymore, but here’s some very similar coats:
Mango Tweed Jacket
Sister Jane Tweed Jacket
That’s all the coats I have for you today but if you want to see anymore clothing edits please let me know.
Thanks for reading!
What I Wore This Week | Zafira
Hey!
So it’s been a while, like a real while. I think my last blog post was in November which is shocking because I’m usually semi-consistent with posting on here.
But sometimes, life gets a little too much, I’m in my final year of uni plus just the general effects of living through a p-word in your early 20s when you’re supposed to be out living your best life kinda hits you sometimes.
However, I’ve finally found my motivation and a good balance between everything going on in my life and I’m back with some exciting stuff.
Today I want to start off a new series called ‘What I Wore This Week’. Over on my Instagram, a lot of you were into my OOTD posts on my stories so I thought I’d make it into an official thing by compiling them on here into a blog post with some better quality pictures.
There’s nothing I love more than getting overdressed for a day of doing nothing but wearing my mask, washing my hands, and staying inside.
Here are 5 of my outfits from last week!
(also i’ve edited these like i’m in a catalog from the 90s/00s, enjoy)
MONDAY
I’m the biggest advocate of wearing skirts at home purely because of how flowy and freeing they feel. It’s way too cold to be wearing skirts out in this weather for me so wearing them around the house makes me feel like I’m putting them to use.
This shockingly is actually a midi skirt, but on my 5ft 2 (maybe 3) body, it’s become a full-length skirt. I’ve paired it with a simple black velvet top and my favourite cardigan from Zara. It’s very Chanel-esque which is probably why I adore it so much.
If I were to be leaving the house, I’d most certainly be wearing these heeled boots from ASOS that I would normally be wearing on the daily. They’re extremely comfy for heeled boots, I feel like I could walk miles in these.
TUESDAY
I feel like Tuesdays are always such a meh day. I can’t remember the last time I had a fun Tuesday. Because of this, I kept my outfit pretty casual and cosy since it's either raining, windy or snowing outside pretty much every day recently.
Zara has completely wowed me in the cardigan and jumper region as of lately. They have such an incredible range featuring so many House of Sunny inspired pieces.
This cropped blue fluffy cardigan is worn at least once a week. Considering it’s cropped, it’s super warm. The fur is detachable which I love and it’s just so pretty. It’s a complete embodiment of early 00s fashion.
I’ve paired this with a simple black turtleneck and to further achieve that early 00s look, my Juicy Couture velour bottoms. These bottoms are one of the best investments I made in 2020. They’re so warm, I can’t seem to leave my house without them on. And the best part is that the pockets have zippers. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much security and practicality in a pair of women’s trousers before.
WEDNESDAY
Something about Wednesday’s just absolutely drains the life out of me. It’s hump day, I feel extra lazy so I usually gravitate to a simpler outfit like this.
These are all my time favourite corduroy trousers I picked up at Monki a while ago and they’re one of the best pair of pants I think I’ve ever bought due to how soft they are and how well they’ve worn over time.
I love this shade of red too, I don’t wear a lot of red often because I feel too bold but this is definitely more of a burgundy and with a black turtleneck, I feel like the Parisian Instagram influencer we’re all secretly dying to be.
THURSDAY
To pick myself up after Wednesday’s slump of a day, on Thursday I wore a dress I had made a few months ago.
There’s something so incredibly pretty about this vintage toile de jouy material. I want everything in my house upholstered in this material and I think eventually, I would love to make some more pieces with this material.
I love a puffy sleeve on a simple dress, it’s so easy to style and always looks effortlessly put together.
I’ve paired this with some jeans from the Gap because I’m on a mission to bring back jeans with dresses like it’s 2006 again.
(P.S I’ve made an Instagram for stuff I’ve made and will maybe sell soon! You can follow me here.)
FRIDAY
Yay it’s Friday! (the days are meaningless this means nothing) Obviously, I have to be a little extra and funky to prepare for the oh so very wild weekend ahead.
This jacket from Sava London is so stunning. It’s beautifully crafted and I adore wearing it. It’s part of their Kantha collection where the pieces have this traditional stitching all over them.
I love this method because my grandma would stitch blankets with so many different designs with the Kantha stitch so wearing this jacket feels so special and nostalgic.
I’ve paired it with my favourtie favourite brown leather trousers from Zara. They are admittedly a little too big for me but I love them nonetheless.
That’s all I have for this week! Thanks for reading and if you like these kinds of posts them let me know.
Back to Uni Lookbook | Zafira
Hi!
It’s sadly that time of year again where we all go back to school or college or university after a beautiful summer off (in this case, a corona infected, socially distanced, stay inside all day kinda summer off). For me, this will be last time I’ll have a summer off like this because I graduate next summer which is quite terrifying knowing I’ll be joining the real world very soon.
I thought I’d share some fun outfits I’ll be wearing either in my webinars or in my four hours of actual seminars that I have in a week! I hope that these looks help inspire you try some looks for this new academic year or for work or just in general.
the boiler suit that will change your life
If you’ve either been friends with me or followed me for some time now you will know that this masterpiece of a boiler suit is the most worn and adored thing in my entire wardrobe. Like, actually. I know I say I love this or adore this when it comes to clothes in general, but this boiler suit has been worn so much and was the best £35 I think I’ll ever spend.
This is a Levi’s boiler suit that I was beyond lucky to find in TK Maxx for less than a third of its original price. I wear it when I run errands, when I go out for brunch, when I’m doing a DIY job around the house (for the aesthetics), to my university lectures, just everywhere and anywhere I go. It’s the easiest thing to wear and style. It’s a whole outfit that takes less than 5 seconds to put on.
Imagine this, you’ve got a 9am lecture, you’re running late because you spent all night binge watching New Girl on Netflix so you’ve ended up waking up late and the last thing you want to waste your very limited time on is what you should wear. So what do you do? You throw on a boiler suit and run out the door. All your what to wear problems are solved in a matter of seconds and you look cute for the day.
Have I sold you on buying a boiler suit yet?
This sadly isn’t available anymore but here are a few similar alternatives:
the v neck jumper & comfy printed trousers & funky boots
If you’re a big jumper fan like myself, you definitely need to get your hands on a v neck jumper because they are one of the easiest ways to smarten up your look for the day. I think they also really help take your outfit from looking slouchy and casual like a regular round necked jumper would do and make it look that little bit more formal.
This lovely pastel blue one is from Mango and it is the softest thing I think I’ve ever felt. I’ve paired this with these super cute floral printed trousers I got from the Zara summer sale. Printed trousers are your new best friend because you can style them easily with any kind of plain top or jumper and you’re ready to go. I’m also wearing what looks like those Zara pearl boots that everyone and their mum was buying last year, however, these are just the Primark ones because I didn’t manage to grab a pair of the Zara ones in time. I know, it’s the saddest story you’ve ever heard.
This outfit feels very spring/summer-y but because you’re wearing a jumper and boots, I think you’ll be able to get away with it during these early days of autumn.
BUY THE LOOK
You can buy the jumper here.
These trousers aren’t available anymore sadly but get your hands on any printed trousers you like and find comfy.
The pearl boots are also not available but here are some very cute alternatives:
another jumpsuit?
Any one piece outfit is great for uni which is why I threw in another jumpsuit in here.
This is a Bershka pinafore style jumpsuit with this really nice retro style checkered print which are in such autumnal colours. This is a lot more formal and work-chic than the rest of the outfits in this lookbook but I think this looks super flattering on. I’m wearing a plain black, frilly sleeved jumper from Ralph Lauren underneath since the days are getting a bit chillier here in Manchester but you could away with so many things underneath this. A crop top, t-shirts, anything you want.
I’m also wearing these beautiful black heeled boots I got a few weeks ago from Asos that you’ll see in nearly all of these looks.
BUY THE LOOK
brown skirts are life changing
The star of this extremely autumnal look is obviously this amazing brown corduroy vintage skirt. I found this baby at Cow a few weeks ago and it’s technically not vintage, it’s just old Brandy Melville but I think this has major vintage vibes. I love how well this shade of brown compliments not only my skin tone but my green leather jacket (old River Island).
Something about this look screams “I’m a uni student” to me and I’m obsessed with it. It’s such a simple look that can pulled off by anyone and everyone.
BUY THE LOOK
This jacket is from a few summers ago but here’s a similar one.
coloniser-esque white collared shirts and slip dresses are an excellent combo
I love that these collars have come back into fashion because I think they’re absolutely stunning. Collars like this give me very Christopher Columbus/white man colonising countries that don’t belong to him vibes but I think they’re so pretty. It makes me feel powerful almost as a brown woman throwing this shirt on as a part of my outfit.
This shirt paired with your slip dresses from the summer? An iconic and unbeatable combination of pure greatness. I love how this looks paired with my green gingham slip dress from Cow.
BUY THE LOOK
Cow has so many styles of these Ralph Lauren re-work slip dresses, you can check them out here and find one that you like.
I hope you liked this lookbook! If you want to see more uni/everyday outfits I usually do an outfit of the day over on my Instagram stories a couple of times a week so make sure you follow me to keep updates with those. There’s a link to all my socials at the end of this post.
Thanks for reading,
The White Shirt Edit | Zafira
Hey!
So it’s been a little bit of a while since I’ve posted anything but I really wanted to take this whole isolation situation as an opportunity to sort out my site and so I did and here I am on this lovely new layout!
It’s also been a chance for me to figure out what sort of things I want to actually post on here and one of my favourite things to do is talk about clothes. I think the best place to start with all of that is with the basics and nothing is more basic and simple than a white shirt. A staple in not only a man’s life but a woman’s too.
I think a white shirt will always come across with some level of formality. It’s something you’d consider wearing to interviews or to work but for me, it’s become a such a necessity in my everyday wardrobe.
Here are 3 of my absolute favourite white shirts that I’ve been wearing religiously or were before we were all put in isolation (sometimes i still wear them around the house sometimes to make myself feel alive):
a good old tailored, well fitted white shirt
We have to start with one of the most versatile items in not only my wardrobe but everybody else’s too. A simple, well fitted, tailored, body hugging crisp white shirt. My shirts never look crisp mainly because I like the whole slouchy look or at least that’s what I tell people when in actual fact I just hate ironing shirts.
This is just a plain white Vivienne Westwood shirt that I was incredibly lucky to find sitting in TK Maxx one day and was one of the best purchases I could have made and was honestly quite the steal.
When it comes to styling this shirt, your options are truly endless. Here I’m wearing them with my flared jeans from the Gap for a more casual look but you could wear this shirt with any bottom combination. Whether that’s a pair of flowy culottes, a midi skirt or even a mini skirt. But my favourite thing to do with this shirt has to be pairing it with dresses or jumpsuits as an undershirt. Anything with a spaghetti strap is your best friend because you can easily throw on a shirt under it for a more put together look.
One thing I’ve figured out whilst owning this beauty is that the key with making a shirt look more casual or formal has to do with how many buttons you do up. The more buttons you do up, the more formal you’ll look and vice versa. So for a smarter look I’ll usually stick with one button undone like I’ve done in the photographs, but for a more casual look I’ll undo a few more and throw on a black vest underneath.
You buy this here but I definitely recommend having a wander around TK Maxx when the world’s back to normal to save yourself like a £150.
2. a white organza puffy shirt
When I bought this I had no intention of wearing as much as I do. This shirt is more of on over-shirt/jacket sort of situation which I feel like is such an important addition to one’s wardrobe.
A shirt like this is the perfect way to dress up literally anything. In these photographs I have it over a basic velvet green jumpsuit and it’s instantly turned something plain and casual into an outfit that looks like I’ve put a lot of effort into. I love doing a little tie knot with this shirt because I got in a size bigger than my usual so I could get extra puffiness in my sleeves and have a looser fit too.
I love wearing this dress over plain white cotton dresses in the spring/summer and then over a turtleneck or sleeveless sweater in the winter. It’s definitely something in my wardrobe I can make work all year around.
You can buy this here.
3. a shirt with bigger sleeves than the last and just generally oversized
I don’t know how anyone can claim they have a semi decent wardrobe without at least one or two oversized white shirts you’ve most likely stolen from your dad’s wardrobe. This shirt kind of has that vibe which is what drew me to it but with a touch of femininity making it probably one of the best things you could ever buy.
I think this just might be the most worn thing in my entire wardrobe. The versatility of this shirt is insane. Insanely good.
It’s got that whole big sleeve situation going on which I am smitten with and on top of all that, it’s cropped which I’ve slowly become to love in not only shirts but in tops in general. One thing I hate when it comes to loose or oversized shirts is when you tuck them into your pants and they bunch up weirdly. It frustrates me in ways in cannot put into words but a with a cropped shirt like this, I will never have to suffer with that ever again.
I wear this in so many different ways. I wear it a lot with jeans because it’s just so so so easy to style. It’s become my go to ‘I’m late because I spent too long thinking about what I wanna wear’ outfit because of this.
I’m also a big fan of wearing it as overshirt/jacket like my organza shirt over dresses and jumpsuits and it always looks so effortlessly chic.
This sadly is pretty old and not available anymore but here’s a similar alternative.
Thanks for reading,
I Went To London Fashion Week! (kind of) | Zafira
Hey!
So, if you’ve been keeping up with my Instagram this past week you will know that I went to London Fashion Week! Well, I didn’t exactly go. It was more of a stand outside the event spaces in the rain and hope some well dressed people go in and out so you can take some pretty pictures of their outfits kinda thing.
Even though I was stood in the rain for two days, the entire experience was so incredibly good. I loved seeing everyone all dressed up and the range of people that were there. It was definitely an experience that I’d remember forever.
I took a lot of photographs so feel free to have a little browse :)
Thanks for checking these out, I’ll be posting my film shots in my February on Film sometime in the next few days so make sure you follow me over on my socials to know when it’s up!
The Up-Cycle Project: The Perfect Errand Bag, the V Neck Dress of My Dreams and a Furry Surprise | Zafira
Hey!
So, it’s been a while. It’s so been so long in fact that we’ve rejoiced a new year and are already somehow halfway through January. I hope you all had the loveliest start to your new year and are slowly but surely getting out of that post-holiday slump.
Anyway, I made a few New Years resolutions and shared them on a post over on Instagram and one of them was to stop shopping and make more of my own clothes.
This is definitely one of those things that are easier said than done because making your own clothes requires many skills and a whole lot of practice. However, much like photography, I can 10000% say that clothes are a passion of mine and in order to understand the process a bit more, I have to start right from the very beginning.
My mum is the most talented tailor to have ever graced this Earth. She’s made me the curtains in my room, quilts and a bunch of clothes so I’m taking a few tips and tricks from her and obviously, some handy dandy YouTube tutorials to educate myself on my new found hobby.
What is up-cycling you may ask? Up-cycling is where you take products and turn them into something else. I know that a lot of vintage/thrift stores do this such as Cow and Blue Rinse so I wanted to see for myself what sorts of things I could make out of neglected clothes.
V Neck Black Dress
I think we should probably start with my absolute favourite thing in my wardrobe right now which is this black v neck dress.
You’re either 1, too focused on my amazing top underneath to care or 2, asking why this boring old thing is my favourite out of all the contents of my wardrobe. This is top stunning, I dream about it every night and I will be wearing this every day for the rest of my life but I’m planning to do a whole other post about this top and some more stuff very soon!
So back to the dress, I think something like this is fundamental in a person’s wardrobe. Especially if you’re trying to be a bit more conscious about stopping shopping. A dress like this can be worn and styled in so many different ways. I get incredibly excited thinking about the endless possibilities.
I thought this would be a lot more difficult to make but it really wasn’t. I began by sketching out my V neck on the front and back. I did make the V a lot deeper in the back so measuring all of that and making sure it was somewhat even was a little bit of a challenge since numbers and I do not get along. I made the dress slightly shorter by decreasing material from what is now the straps of the dress and then finally hemmed all the raw edges.
You can see here that I’ve styled it with this top with big sleeves which is basically a piece of art (again, I’ll get into everything about this beauty in another post) but I would wear this with pretty much anything you can put on the top half of your body. A plain white tee, a turtleneck, a blouse, a white shirt, like I said, endless possibilities.
The perfect ‘i’m just heading out to run some errands’ bag.
Honestly, I’m not much of a bag person. I either carry my tote bag with my favourite painting of all time on which is ‘Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose’ by John Singer Sargent or my basic but ever so handy Kanken black backpack.
When it comes to bags, I’m more on the practical side versus it looking pretty on my shoulder. Two things I always carry around with me are my camera and a water bottle so I knew when making this bag, it would have to be a decent size and not miniature like a Jacquemus Le Chiquito Mini Bag.
This bag is definitely a little on the smaller side than what I’m used to but I can still fit all my essentials in here and I love coordinating this bag with my ever so famous and my all time favourite pink shoes.
I think you’ll be surprised to know that this bag was once a woven mini skirt. I picked up the skirt a while ago in TK Maxx for a solid £4.99. My goodness do I love TK Maxx.
the original skirt
I really do wish I took better before shots of the skirt but here’s a little shot from my story archives.
As you can see, it’s a fitted, woven mini skirt with fringe detailing at the bottom. I can’t really say I’m much of a mini skirt wearer but this was most definitely a very cute skirt.
I have a rule where I will get rid of anything I haven’t worn in over two months. Whether that’s donating it or selling it over on my Depop. However, I did not want to part ways with this gem and I am glad I kept it and made it into something I use all the time.
The making process was fairly simple. I didn’t have to sew as much since it was a skirt but I sewed the bottom where the fringe is, cut about an inch or so off the top to keep for the straps and added a zip.
A little something extra…
I wasn’t sure I wanted to put this in with this post since it isn’t an up cycle item but it’s just too cute to leave out.
the ‘i only made this so i would have something to nap on when i go out’ bag
I never thought true love was real until I made this.
I love anything soft, most people do but this, this is like next level soft. Imagine carrying around a chinchilla with you, this bag is exactly like that.
I got the material for this bag at my new favourite shop, Abakhan, and I knew after one slight stroke that this was the material I needed. It’s so so so nice.
I think the making process of this was great, I had a lot of fun making this one.
I used one of my totes as a guideline when cutting the material. I did decrease around half an inch to an inch because I didn’t want it the same size as tote but something a bit smaller. I also made it wider horizontally which is something I prefer in bags.
I wish I lived in a less wet city or else this would be my go to accessory every single day.
I’m so excited to be starting a new series and project, thanks for reading as always!
Lots of love,
September on Film | Zafira
Hey!
After an abundance of requests asking for my monthly film blog posts, I’ve decided to bring back what seems like everybody’s favourite series over on here. The roll I shot on this month has actually been in my camera since the end of July/beginning of August and it might just be the longest I’ve ever had a film roll in my camera.
This summer was a little chaotic to say the least and shooting on film felt like a massive inconvenience. I was shooting frequently on digital so to carry around my DSLR, the lenses for that and then my film camera with all it’s accessories would have been quite the struggle. It’s a shame because there were so many moments this summer that could have been beautifully captured on film. I’m hoping to get a little film camera soon, something like Contax T3 (maybe something a little cheaper jesus i had no idea that these were that expensive) so I can take it everywhere hassle free.
I don’t know how this month is already over, I don’t remember feeling like it ever began. It’s been just as busy as this summer with me starting my second year of uni. I actually love September, it’s so lovely seeing everything transition into autumn and there’s just something about Manchester during this time of year that I completely adore.
Here a few snaps from late July, August and of course, September.
I think I took this in August when I was walking through Piccadilly Gardens to probably go shop or something but I ended up bumping into this huge marching band. It was pretty cool and very random but I love their hats.
This roll has more photographs of me than I’m used to but here’s a shot of me in the COW changing rooms because they’re so cute. I can’t remember if I bought anything from there but this is a very rare shot of me in a printed white t-shirt.
My mum hates all animals, especially this little daredevil of a cat. This is our neighbour’s cat that might as well belong to us. If you’ve followed these monthly film posts for a while, she’s made quite a few appearances and loves her time in-front the camera. What a pretty girl.
Moose Coffee looking pretty in the sunlight.
I picked up this amazing jumper this month at Thrift Shop Manchester for £7 and I can’t stop wearing it. It’s super 80/90s style and it’s one of my favourite things in my wardrobe at the minute. I also got these lovely Chanel button looking earrings from my friend Vicky as a late birthday present which was very sweet of her and my clip is from Primark!
Also how insane is it that this time last year, I had a bob and now my hair is sooo long? I think this the longest I’ve had it in a while, I usually get it cut into a bob every summer but this year I thought I’d let it grow out and go wild.
I finally updated my photo walls in my room with some newer shots. I also upgraded to 5x7 prints too and I loove how they look. I love being surrounded with photographs of my family and friends and most importantly, shots of me.
When I say I’ve lived in my boiler suit this summer, I’m not even exaggerating. It was my go to outfit and was so easy to wear and style. Anytime I’d leave the house to run some errands or even to come into the city, I’d throw this on with a pair of boots or my Vans. This is the best £35 I’ve ever spent. Here I am in TK Maxx in my 5 hour quest to find some jeans that actually fit me (no luck unfortunately but I got a cute pair from Topshop).
I remember when I first started shooting on film, I’d always take these mirror pictures cos I thought they were so cool. I still love them so they’re slowly making a comeback.
I had lunch at Mackie Mayor a week or so ago and it’s one of the coolest places to eat in Manchester. Maybe one day I’ll have to do a post about my favourite places to eat in Manchester because there’s sooo many. Mackie Mayor is filled with different food stalls so there’s so much to pick from. From pizza to tacos to all sorts. It’s the perfect place to eat if you’re with a lot of people because they have such a good range of food to pick from so there’s something for everyone.
Here are a few of my favourite things this month:
Pearl Clips - Primark
Burt’s Bees Lip Balm in Pomegranate (hands down best lip balm ever made by anyone)
Hugo Boss Watch
The Ordinary - Alpha Arbutin Serum (so so so good for dark spots)
All necklaces are from Lovisa
Bangle - from some little cheap stall on Green Street in London
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Rome (i’ve been wearing this everyday since i was 16 it’s my favourite lipstick of all time)
Gold Hoops - & Other Stories (i also wear these almost everyday)
Her'e’s me and my friend Divine in our matching outfits for our first day back at uni! (you don’t even need to ask both of these shirts are obviously from Zara)
When I was around 8/9 years old, I had a dress so similar to this. Me and my cousin Zahrah would wear matching outfits and we both had this dress so when I saw this in Oliver Bonas the other day it immediately took me back to our childhood. Over this dress, I’m wearing a puffy sleeved shirt from Zara that I’ve tied at the front and my new Converse.
Can you believe this dress was on sale for £20 down from £68? I love a good bargain.
That’s all I have for this month! I’ll try and make this into a regular thing since it’s in high demand. To see more of my film pics and photographs in general, follow me over on my Instagram and other social medias (everything is linked at the bottom of each post!)
Thanks for reading!
Lots of love,
The Cowboy Boot Edit | Zafira
Hi!
I’ve been trying to stop myself from buying cowboy boots for months now but the more we delve into autumn, the more brands are releasing more and more varieties of the beloved cowboy boot. It’s pretty hard to stay away.
A cowboy boot is a great way to add a little unique touch to your outfits and can turn any basic outfit into something a little more interesting.
In this post, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite cowboy boots on the market place at the moment. They range from very expensive (they were too beautiful to leave out) to some very affordable cowboy boots to have in your collection this autumn.
1.INCH 2 - HIGH WESTERN BOOTS
We’re starting off with an amazing brand called Inch 2. These boots are £512 which honestly make me feel a little dizzy but they’re so wonderfully crafted. Inch 2 is a brand that I found recently on Instagram and I’m so smitten with them. They create the most stunning shoes, boots and bags and if I wasn’t broke student, I’d buy everything from them.
This type of boot is great if you’ve got long legs because it’s quite a high boot. The heel adds a little feminine touch and the colour is perfect for not only autumn, but for so many outfits. They’ve styled the model in the pictures with a cute floral dress and I’d probably do the same. I love a good pair of cowboy boots with a pretty floral dress, maybe even an oversized v neck jumper or an oversized wool cardigan on top too.
2. BROTHER VELLIES
I think Brother Vellies are who really started me on this insane obsession with cowboy boots. They do the whole ‘I’m a modern day cowgirl’ so so so well and in such a different way. I couldn’t pick just one pair from their brand so here’s a couple of the best things you could ever put on your feet. I love the mix between the animal print and doodles, it’s very cute. If one pair of these boots didn’t cost around £900, you’d be seeing me in a different pair of these everyday.
One thing that’s always stood out with Brother Vellies is their photography. If you check out their Instagram, you can see more cool photographs of their products. It looks very effortless and casual which is so different than other brands where they try and go very over the top. Also can we talk about how insanely good every model is styled on there?
3. MANGO
Delving into our usual high street and into the more affordable (kinda) stuff, Mango have been playing the cowboy boot game better than anyone else. Their range of cowboy boots for a high street store is beyond words. I can see these boots lasting a life time and being a classic piece in so many people’s wardrobes.
Let’s start off with these two boots on top which are so beautifully made. The first is a similar design to the Brother Vellies Doodle boot but way way cheaper. It’s a really good dupe and also great if you’re not ready to put a £900 dent in your bank account. The second pair are a pair that will never go out of a trend. It’s a very classic cut and style of boot.
Cowboy Leather Boots with Doodles: https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/shoes-boots-and-ankle-boots/cowboy-leather-boots
Goodyear Welted Leather Black Boots: https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/shoes-boots-and-ankle-boots/goodyear-welted-leather-boots
It was so difficult trying to narrow down 4 pairs of boots from Mango because there are so many styles, colours and cuts. These two are a little different from the previous two because they’re definitely a lot more casual and suitable for everyday attire.
The first black pair are a perfect autumn boot and are a more subtle take on a cowboy boot. You could pull these off with a dress or even a pair of jeans. They’re super versatile and are a great staple boot, The second pair are a little more daring. I love the contrast of black and white because they remind me of cows which is indeed, very cowboy. The prettiest aspect of this boot is 1000% the the square toe. It’s unique and makes the boot, in my opinion, look so much cooler.
Leather Cowboy Ankle Boots: https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/shoes-boots-and-ankle-boots/leather-cowboy-ankle-boots
Leather White and Black Cowboy Boots: https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/shoes-boots-and-ankle-boots/leather-cowboy-ankle-boots
4. ZARA
What would a fashion based post be on here without including Zara?
Zara has a pretty versatile mix of cowboy boots in this season ranging from a classic black booty to something quite dazzling and funky.
Let’s start off with the lady in red. I actually tried these on in store and had a little epiphany about how happy my life would be if I bought a pair (i didn’t buy a pair and now i’m sad and miserable) and they’re also the reason why this post exists! I think these are such a pretty shade of red, a very daring shade but so wonderful. I also love the steel toe cap, it’s such a nice touch to the boot.
The second pair are insanely good. They’re on the verge of being very tacky but I think the classic black with white stitching on the toe of the boot really help to balance it out. These are also probably the hardest style, I’m not even sure how I would style them. I think I’d probably just put them on display because they’re pretty beautiful.
P.S they also have these in black and white!
This last black pair are again, another classic cut. This is a very safe but amazing option if you want to try out the whole cowboy boot thing but not go over the top. I love how plain these are and I can see these being a staple and basic item in many wardrobes this autumn.
Red Leather Cowboy Boots: https://www.zara.com/uk/en/leather-cowboy-heel-ankle-boots-with-metal-trim
Green and Metallic Leather Cowboy Ankle Boots: https://www.zara.com/uk/en/multi-piece-leather-ankle-boots-with-cowboy-heel
Black Cowboy Heel Boots: https://www.zara.com/uk/en/cowboy-heel-boots
5. & OTHER STORIES
When it comes to classic, timeless pieces, & Other Stories is always a good choice. This black cowboy boot is such a sophisticated, smart cut and would be perfect for work. I like that this cut is in between ankle and knee and especially love how pointed the toe is. I think this will make a wonderful addition to anyone’s wardrobe.
My second choice of boot however reminds me a lot of cheese. I can’t tell if I really hate it or really like them but I think they’re kind of stunning. I wish I was brave enough to wear bright colours like orange because these boots are actually really cool. I think it’d be interesting to pair these with either with an all white outfit or even maybe with some blue denim.
Black Cowboy Boots: https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/shoes/boots/ankleboots/product.square-toe-leather-cowboy-boots-black
Orange and White Cowboy Boots: https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/shoes/boots/product.duo-toned-leather-cowboy-boots-orange-white
Thanks for reading! If you want to see more posts like this then let me know :)
Lots of love,
My Current Favourite Outfits | Lookbook | Zafira
Hey!
I love clothes a lot. Maybe a little too much. Considering all of this, I don’t talk about fashion and style on here enough which is wild because it’s such a massive part of my life. So I’ve decided to make a lot more fashion related posts starting with this one!
I feel like this is such a weird time of year because it’s kind of summer but it’s also kind of autumn. It’s so hard finding and putting together good transitional outfits for this time of year that are a good balance of keeping you warm but also keeping you cool but also fit into both seasons really well. It’s a tiny bit of struggle.
However, after a lot of trial and error, I’ve concocted some pretty outfits that I love wearing at the minute!
OUTFIT NO.1
There’s a little bit of cowboy craze going on in the fashion world at the minute and these jeans from River Island that I found for £10 in TK Maxx fit into the whole cowboy thing so well! They’re amazing. I love the button detailing up the leg so much. They’re such a unique find and my favourite thing to do is pair them with this white organza plumetis shirt from Zara. I have to admit, at first this shirt was a little too fashion blogger-y, even for me, but I love pairing this shirt with some blue jeans to make it a little more casual. When it gets a little more chillier I’m so excited to pair this shirt with a black turtleneck underneath. It’s such an amazing piece that adds a little dressier tone to whatever you’re wearing.
Also a massive plus, these pants make me look like I’m 6ft tall (I’m like 5ft tall irl).
I’ve accessorised this outfit with my usual go to Zara boots that are featured in every lookbook as well as a chunky pearl clip from Primark! I love that clips have become a trend because as a kid, my mum used to never let me leave the house without a couple of clips finishing off whatever brightly coloured ensemble she had picked out for me that day. This pearly clip is definitely a lot more grown up and looks a lot more expensive than it was. I’m also wearing my forever favourite gold hoop earrings from & Other Stories.
BUY WHAT I’M WEARING:
Shirt - https://www.zara.com/uk/en/organza-puff-sleeve-blouse
Jeans - I had the hardest time finding a dupe for these jeans because they’re a little (very) out of season at the minute but if I find a decent pair I’ll come back and add a link in the future. My best bet is to check some thrift stores or even TK Maxx but like I said, they’re a very unique pair of jeans.
Gold Hoops -https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/jewellery/earrings/hoops/product.glossy-trumpet-mini-hoops-gold
OUTFIT NO.2
This outfit is a little more casual than I’m used to but I’ve had a very calm and chill end to my summer and my outfits reflect that a lot.
This is something I’d wear if I was just out in town, running errands or maybe even meeting up with some friends. This shirt is actually thrifted and it’s an amazing slouchy shirt that’s so easy to throw on. I’ve never really been a fan of very tight fitting clothes so this shirt is great. A red stripy shirt is definitely a must in everyone’s wardrobe. So so so easy to style and it looks good on everybody.
I’ve paired the shirt with the same jeans I always wear from H&M. These are a pair of straight leg jeans that I got in a size too big and they are the comfiest. I’ve been madly in love with denim this summer and have been finding literally any excuse to incorporate it into every outfit.
I don’t think I’ve featured my Kanken over on here yet but it’s the best bag ever. I use it for uni pretty much everyday but also when I’m out and about. It fits everything I need such as my laptop and cameras and matches my outfits which is a massive plus.
BUY WHAT I’M WEARING:
Shirt - I had no idea how difficult it was to find a decent red striped button up shirt for women online, I only found one result like the one I’m wearing which you can get here: https://www.hawesandcurtis.co.uk/womens-red-and-white-bengal-stripe-fitted-shirt but thrift shops are usually filled with the best red striped shirts!
Jeans - I don’t think this exact style is available anymore but these are pretty much the same https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0400285006.html
Bag - https://www.fjallraven.co.uk/fjallraven-unisex-kanken-black
OUTFIT NO.3
I have no idea why this outfit was so difficult to photograph but it really was. Anyway, this skirt is beautiful. I usually avoid wearing browns and beige tones because I always feel like they wash me out a little but this is the perfect balance between orange and brown. I found this suede skirt in We Are Cow earlier this summer and immediately imagined myself wearing this on a autumn day with a black turtleneck and like leaves falling from trees behind me. It is such an amazing transitional piece too because of the colour and material. Amazing. This might be one of my favourite purchases this year.
I’ve paired this skirt with a basic button up top from Monki which has done me dirty in these pictures and not sat well on me at all lol but it’s fine. These tops are such a staple in my wardrobe at the minute because they’re the most exemplary basic tops ever. I’m also wearing another clip from Primark, this time it’s a plain brown vintage-y looking one and of course, my gold hoops.
BUY WHAT I’M WEARING:
Top - https://www.monki.com/en_gbp/clothing/tops/product.cropped-button-up-top-white
Skirt - like I said this skirt is from We Are Cow so unfortunately they don’t have loads of these skirts lying around but here’s a two great dupes: https://www.marksandspencer.com/suede-a-line-midi-skirt/ & https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/skirts/midi-skirts/product.pleated-suede-midi-skirt
OUTFIT NO.4
Nothing screams summer more than a white cotton dress. I wore the crap out of this dress this summer. Any time I’d be going anywhere, I used to throw it on because it is the easiest thing to wear. This dress is from Zara and I think I’ll be wearing this in every season because I love it so much.
I love pairing this dress with this very fancy shmancy looking cardigan which is also from Zara. It reminds me a lot of this Gucci cardigan and I adore it. I love the pearl buttons and the contrast between the black and white pipe lining on the edges. It’s also pretty thick so it will definitely keep you warm when it starts to get a little chillier.
I’ve accessorised this dress with the most popular headband on Instagram ever which is from Topshop and once again, my beloved gold hoops.
BUY WHAT I’M WEARING:
Dress - I bought this quite a while ago but here’s a cute alternative to it: https://www.prettylittlething.com/white-broderie-analgise-smock-dress
Cardigan - This is no longer available at Zara and I can’t find any dupes (minus the Gucci one) but if I do find one, I’ll come back and link it here.
Thanks for reading! I’ll be posting looooooads of outfit pictures over on my Instagram since I’m back at uni and have a reason to get dressed everyday. Also, if you want to see more fashion/style based posts like this then let me know!
Lots of love,
The Ultimate Guide to Clearing Out Your Wardrobe | Zafira
I will admit, I have a lot of clothes and finding the perfect system to organise them has taken me a while but I think I’ve finally got the hang of it. I get a looooooot of questions anytime I post that I’m organising my wardrobe over on my Instagram stories so I thought I’d answer them all on here and add a few tips on how I keep my wardrobe organised and tidy.
1. HOW TO WORK WITH YOUR WARDROBE SPACE
waiting for everyone to get triggered by my mismatching hangers hehe
I have a wardrobe that’s definitely on the smaller side and I always get questions on how I fit everything in it since I have a pretty hefty amount of clothes. A few years ago, I found that the best method to fitting everything into my wardrobe was by organising my wardrobe seasonally. Now, yes, I am very aware of the extremely bipolar weather in the UK so a good 70% of the time, the weather isn’t what it should be during a certain time of year but I like to keep a basic gist of what I would wear during the current season. For example:
Autumn: Light knit jumpers, shirts, thinner coats & jackets, midi skirts, turtle necks etc.
Winter: Heavy knit jumpers, bigger coats, thicker pants etc.
Summer: Cardigans, light weight jackets, culottes, jumpsuits, thinner material dresses etc.
Spring: Lighter coats & jackets, usually more thicker material dresses & light knit etc.
So you’re probably like, “where do you put your out of season clothes?” and the answer is pretty simple. In storage.
Your two new best friends after this post will be these big plastic storage bins and vacuum storage bags. You can get them in so many different sizes so they’re perfect for sliding under your bed, or or in drawers or if it’s something you’re not going to wear for a while then even the attic. It’s the best way for me to still have a range of clothes but not clutter and overfill my wardrobe. I get mine either from Ikea or Amazon, check some out here:
2. EMPTY YOUR ENTIRE WARDROBE
The first thing to do when organising your wardrobe is to begin by emptying everything in it. I think it really helps when you can visually see how much you own and makes it easier to decide what you want to keep or get rid of. A key tip to remember when doing this is to clear your wardrobe on a day when half your wardrobe isn’t in the wash. There’s nothing more devastating than thinking you’ve cleared your wardrobe and it looking all pretty and tidy just to realise you have a billion more pieces to fit in somehow.
3. create piles to organise what you want to keep or sell
When all my clothes are out of my wardrobe, I like to sort them into 3 piles different piles: keep, sell/donate & throw away. I have a rule where if I haven’t worn something in over 2 months, I have to get rid of it. This helps with filtering out clothes I don’t want and also makes more space for new purchases. If you’re someone like me and like to shop frequently, this is such a good rule to have because it allows you to add new pieces to your wardrobe without completely over filling it.
A few months ago, my cousin told me that she was keeping track of what she was wearing by keeping note of her outfits on her calendar app. Ever since she told me this it’s honestly changed by life. I can easily see what I have been wearing and it 100% has helped with clearing out my wardrobe too because I can see what isn’t being worn.
When it comes getting rid of clothes I no longer want, I will either donate them to closest charity shop or sell over on Depop.(follow me!) I’ve been using Depop for yeeaaaars now and I adore it. I sell everything on there and it’s played a massive role in helping keeping my wardrobe clear.
4. ASK FOR HELP/OPINIONS FROM OTHERS
I think a lot of people forget about asking others for help but there’s nothing more fun clearing out your wardrobe with your friends. It’s very very useful to get a second or third opinion especially if you’re on the border about keeping something or not.
5. ORGANISE PRACTICALLY NOT FOR AESTHETIC PURPOSES
When you organise your wardrobe, of course you want it to look pretty in the end and want it to look like all those Pinterest pictures when the clothes are in rainbow order and all your clothes fade into the next piece and look very cute. However, when it comes to practicality, this method kinda sucks. Unless you’re a super duper organised person and always put everything back in it’s place straight after you’ve used it then I can promise you that this isn’t the method for you.
I’ve tried so many different methods over the years but the best one that’s worked for me is organising my clothes into what article of clothing they are. So I usually go from jackets/coats to Asian dresses to cardigans to jumpers to dresses to shirts and then to tops. Kind of a random order but this is what works for me at the minute. I also keep items I wear frequently towards the front of my wardrobe so they’re easier to get such as the jacket I’m wearing currently. Play around with different methods until you find one that fits in perfectly with you and your lifestyle.
6. STOP SHOPPING SO MUCH IN GENERAL
Ultimately, the ideal way to keep your wardrobe clear is by shopping less which is much easier said than done. However with everything that’s going on now with fast fashion, I think it’s really important to try and make somewhat of an effort to stop impulsively shopping and buying things we don’t need just to then throw away when we no longer want it.
I try to remind myself that empty hangers don’t equal more reasons to shop and that I already have plenty of clothes to fit my everyday needs. I’m also trying to up-cycle a bunch of older pieces into things I would wear today. (blog post coming soon!)
Thanks for reading and good luck with clearing out your wardrobe!
Lots of love,
The Earring Edit | Zafira
Hi!
The other day I was thinking a lot about Pat Butcher. There's no reasoning to my thinking, it just sorta popped into my head and somehow I ended up playing that awful but also equally beautiful Eastenders dress up game and had completely forgotten the level of Pat Butcher's earring game. It was quite eye-opening for me actually, I had a mini-epiphany and came to question myself. If I can wear cute outfits, why can't my earring game be just as cute?
Earrings and accessories make a massive difference to an outfit (as I've learned from playing Stardoll). They can easily make your entire look from a 7 to an 11. It's amazing.
Here are a few of not only my favourite but recent additions to my earring collection. I am completely smitten with every single pair.
NO.1: i like to pretend these are versace but they're not
These are from Primark and they're honestly the best thing I've ever bought from there. For £2 too. I think I saw these in one of Hannah Gale's Instagram stories, waaay before they were even launched in stores last autumn. They look like vintage Versace and who doesn't love vintage Versace? These are such a good pair of statement earrings, I've dressed these up with dresses but sometimes they're just fun to wear with jeans and a black turtleneck. Best thing I've ever spent £2 on.
These are unfortunately not available anymore and I can't really find anything online like them which is so sad but if I do find anything like them I'll update this post!
NO.2: i'm basically lana del rey and ready for coachella
I'd like to clarify that first I'm nowhere near being Lana Del Rey and also secondly, Coachella isn't somewhere I'd like to ever go lol. These are from a little jewelry shop called Lovisa which has recently found a cosy little spot in my heart. Such a wonderful shop with literally anything you could possibly want/need (mostly want).
I saw these when I was having a browse around and restrained myself from buying them because realistically, where am I wearing these? But I couldn't stop thinking about myself wearing these in the summer when I have lovely beachy wavey hair in a cute dress so I went in the following week and bought them.
Yes, they're totally crazy and absolutely huge but so well crafted and made and not heavy whatsoever. The quality of them is beautiful and I'm ecstatic that they're part of my earring family.
I hate saying this but these aren't available either and I can't find anything similar to them online either, if they're available or find anything similar soon I will defo update this bit.
NO. 3: these are actually super cute little earring elephants that reflect not only my cute personality but looks too
These babies are also from Lovisa and they're just so cute. I went in with my friend Vicky and they always have really good deals on like 3 for £9 or something like that so we both ended up grabbing these and a few other pairs because we couldn't get over how cute they were. But they're just small little elephants that a little bit of 'aww' to your look for the day. Just super super super cute.
These are not on the Lovisa website but definitely available in store so if you have one near you go in and have a browse!
NO. 4: like the previous flower earrings but more casual but also not really they're crazy too
Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking. But seriously, these scream spring and just are so pretty. These are from Lovisa (told you it was a good shop). I bought these before the other big ones as a way to ease myself into them. I wore these with a nice summer dress a few days ago and I have to say, it was quite the look.
You can buy these here:
https://www.lovisa.com/products/rgld-rg-coated-flower-hoop-er
NO.5: the most basic but necessary thicc gold hoops you need to have in your life
I love a good hoop. They're great, they match everything and can change the entire vibe of your look so easily. I bought these originally for my mum as a birthday present from & Other Stories because it seems like my love for hoops is a genetic thing. Anyway, I ended up trying them on and realised that they were my perfect hoops so I went out and bought a pair for myself too.
The shade of gold is so nice and not obnoxiously gold which I have come despise. They compliment my skin tone really nicely. The size is modest and so lovely for day to day but then not too small to dress up either. They're also just really comfy to wear and don't bother me whatsoever. I think I've probably worn these almost everyday this month.
These have impressed me so much, I'm definitely going to have to have a browse around the & Other Stories jewellery section more often.
These aren't available anymore but here's pretty much an identical pair:
NO.6: the devil wears red. .... tassel earrings?
I'm not going to lie, I was kinda over tassel earrings but I saw these in Lovisa a few weeks back and decided I was most definitely not. A lot of my Asian clothes are red and I love pairing them with tassel earrings because of how vibrant they are.
I loooove this shade of red, I definitely want to start wearing it a lot more over the summer period. It makes me so happy. I think these earrings are so simple design wise but again, amazingly crafted and a very good staple 'dressy' earring.
These aren't available online but here's a cute alternative:
https://www.lovisa.com/products/mar19-sg-fabric-flower-drp-er-3
NO. 7: i think i've ran out of quirky titles are this point, but a vintage dangly coin earring? yes pls
These are probably my most worn out of every single pair I've mentioned so far. I picked these up from Blue Rinse Vintage in January I think and they've quickly become my favourite day-to-day earring. They're also super light which is something I always look for in a pair of earrings since I have such small ear lobes lol.
I think these are also a very good staple pair of earrings, very easy to style and just all in all, perfect.
These aren't available online but I know that Primark is selling a lot of coin style jewellery at the minute so it'd be worth having a look!
Thanks for reading this post! If you want to see more like this please let me know :)
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UPDATED:
February Favourites 2019 | Zafira
Hi!
I have no idea how it's March but February has flown so so so much quicker than January. Now that Spring is finally coming our way (and climate change), I've had a chance to not only switch out my winter items and products but also purchase some new bits and pieces which have changed my life.
Here are my favourites for Feb!
1. REVOLUTION CONCEAL AND DEFINE CONCEALER
I feel like makeup is a very chronological place to start since February turned out to be my month of breakouts. Literally, the day the months changed I broke out like there was no tomorrow and it was extremely unfortunate especially because we had a big family wedding coming up mid-Feb. My breakouts did calm down by then but not enough to just wear foundation like I usually do.
I've never been into concealer because I hate the way it feels but this is so different and feels extremely light. I even started wearing concealer under my eyes too which is something I never do and it's been life-changing.
I usually use the darker shade (C12.5) kind of all over, on my scars and under my eyes. Then I go in with the lighter shade to highlight because I now think I'm an MUA, I'll use this on my forehead, a tiny bit under the eyes and on my chin. For £4, you definitely cannot go wrong with this.
Buy it here:
https://www.superdrug.com/Make-Up/Face/Concealer/Revolution-Conceal-and-Define-Concealer-C5/p/751538
2. NYX FOIL PLAY CREAM PIGMENT in POP QUIZ & GLITTER PRIMER
Glitter is something I like to keep my distance from because once you touch it never leaves you. However, I decided to go extreme for this family wedding and just spice up my go-to gold eyeshadow look with a dash of glitter and I'm so glad I did because my eyeshadow was dazzling in all the pics I took!
I swatched this NYX Foil Play in Boots and was a bit taken back because it was just super glittery. Not like chunky glitter, kind of like a gold eyeshadow but with millions of tiny flecks of gold glitter. I did use gold eyeshadow as a base for extra pigment and then used a thin layer of the glitter primer (worked absolute wonders) and then applied the glitter.
My eyeshadow was on until 3am I can 100% assure you that this glitter and primer combo are amazing.
Buy it here:
https://www.nyxcosmetics.co.uk/eyes/eyeshadow/foil-play-cream-pigment/NYX_639.html
3. & OTHER STORIES LIPSTICK in RUBYLITH REGAL
I ended up throwing away a lot of makeup at the beginning of the year either because it was old or just not worn enough. I'm really trying to minimalise my makeup collection because realistically, how much makeup can you possibly wear? I'm trying to purchase things that either have multi purposes or things I know I will defo wear on a day to day basis.
This lipstick from & Other Stories is 1. super pretty but also 2. so versatile. I will wear this either full on with a brown lip liner and use a little bit of loose powder to matte it down the slightest bit or I will apply it in a very thin layer to get that 'swollen lip' look and if I'm feeling a bit adventurous that day, I might even add a lipgloss on top.
I can't find the specific shade of lipstick I mentioned but I would definitely recommend having a browse through their lip products and see what catches your eye!:
4. LAURA MERCIER POWDER in TRANSLUCENT
Now listen, paying any more than £5 for a l o o s e p o w d e r is ridiculous. But this, this is a game changer. My face? Not cakey. It's smooth, airbrushed and just nice to look at. I may have just become a broke student again but it was completely worth it.
That's all I have to say about this.
Buy it here:
http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/laura-mercier-loose-setting-powder_304-3001489-12321001/
5. KHAKI PANTS AND JACKET
This kind of counts are two favourites but I didn't take two separate pics for them (whoops). I bought these khaki pants and jacket from Zara on two separate occasions and when clearing out my wardrobe these two items just found their way together. They were just laid on my bed next to each other and I was like wow wait hold on this is actually a great outfit and this is how I ended up creating what I have decided is my most coordinated outfit yet.
Unfortunately, the pants and jacket aren't available anymore but here's some good alternatives...
Pants:
https://www.zara.com/uk/en/drss-trsr-01-p08547860.html?v1=8468819&v2=1180677
Jacket:
https://www.zara.com/uk/en/jacket-with-contrast-topstitching-p08073021.html?v1=8167138&v2=1180323
6. THE ORDINARY HYALURONIC ACID
Skincare has been a bit tricky this month since I had such a crappy breakout but this has really helped. I've been using products to dry out my spots so stuff like the Mario Badescu drying lotion and Sudocrem (weird yes but it works so well!!) and to somewhat combat the dryness after my spots have gone, I've been using this twice a day.
It's important to use this before a moisturiser in order for it to work properly, so in the mornings I'll use this with my GlamGlow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturiser and then in the night with Bio Oil. It's wonderful and so inexpensive.
Buy it here:
https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-hyaluronic-acid-2pct-b5-30ml
7. & OTHER STORIES PERFUME in MIAMI MUSE
I'm quite a picky person when it comes to perfume. I'm not a fan of overpowering perfumes or like extremely floral ones. I always look for something that smells clean, comforting and something you'd sniff and be like 'hm that's nice'.
It lasts all day and isn't too strong but strong enough for people to compliment me on my scent. I think & Other Stories have such a good range of fragrances and it's not really somewhere you'd expect to be selling such high quality perfumes. A very unexpected but well-loved favourite this month!
Buy it here:
https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/beauty/fragrances/product.eau-de-toilette-miami-muse.0293738026.html
8. FLORAL EARRINGS
I'd be lying if I said I've been wearing these a lot but I only got them a few days ago but they already make me drool so so so much. Lovisa is such an underrated shop with the prettiest jewelry ever. I saw this and cried for a few minutes and somehow found my feet dragging me to the till and my hands pulling out my debit card. It all happened so fast but I'm dying to wear these. I might just be
that
person and wear them to uni this week.
Buy them here:
https://www.lovisa.com/products/rgld-rg-coated-flower-hoop-er
9. LUSH ROSE JAM BUBBLEROON
The Lush Rosejam bubbleroon has changed my zen Sundays massively. Every Sunday, I take time to myself and relax. I'll run a bath, put a facemask (or about 4) on and just chill. It's become a part of my weekly schedule and I treasure it.
I bought this because it was pink and sparkly. I hate that I'm
that
person but it caught my eye and I'm so glad that it did. It smells so lovely and just clean and floral. Did I mention it turns your bath water pink?????? yes pls.
Buy it here:
10. SHOES
Words cannot explain my love these shoes! If you haven't heard me speaking about these whether it's in real life or over on my Instagram then you must have been living under a rock for the entirety of Feb.
On one of my many trips to TK Maxx, I found myself wandering through the shoe section (mainly disappointed because nothing exciting usually pops up in the size 3 section) and found these pretty things. My shoe knowledge is quite limited so I have no idea what these are called or where you can even get your hands on a pair like these but they're just wow.
Pink and velvet is a combo I never thought I needed until now. I thought they would be quite difficult to style but they fit right into my wardrobe so well and match so many of my outfits. These have truly made not only my year but just my entire existence overall.
Thanks for reading this post! If you want to see more like this please let me know :)
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UPDATED:
Parisian Inspired Lookbook | Zafira
Hi everyone!
So, if you know me well then you'd know that I adore clothes. I don't really have a set style or look but one style/look I find myself coming back to time and time again is the Parisian look.
Maybe it's because I have this overwhelming love and obsession for pretty much anything French like every time I imagine myself in my 40/50s, I can vividly see myself sat in the French countryside with a thick French accent sat in my head to toe designer outfit.
Anyway lol, I guess the only way I could describe Parisian style is elegant, chic and effortless. You don't want to look like you're trying too hard (but secretly you are). I think it's a pretty universal style and is a style you can definitely personalise into whatever you want.
I had so much fun shooting these photographs with my friends and putting the outfits together. I haven't included a lot of accessories such as bags and stuff just because I pretty much carry my Kanken backpack everywhere. I haven't quite advanced in the accesories world yet.
The boots I'm wearing in literally every pic are my everyday Zara boots. I think they go well with every look and I actually do wear them every day. They're unfortunately not available anymore but here's a pair that are very similar.
LOOK NO.1: RED SUEDE
When I think of suede, I think of camel browns and creamy whites but when I saw this beauty in Zara, I fell in love. Something about this shade of red reminds me of Parisian fashion. This is an amazing everyday dress that you can easily dress up. Here I'm wearing it with a pair of leggings, ankle boots and a pair of small hoops (that you can barely see soz) and I think that this made a perfect, easy day outfit. If you wanted to change it up for a more dressier and evening/night time sort of look then you could switch out the ankle boots for a pair of over the knee boots and wear a pair of statement earrings. Dresses like this are such a staple for any wardrobe because they are super easy to style.
Dress:
https://www.zara.com/uk/en/buttoned-faux-suede-dress-p07901157.html?v1=8086578&v2=1180558
Knee high boots that would go great with this dress:
https://www.zara.com/uk/en/flat-over-the-knee-boots-p16060301.html?v1=8267676&v2=1180430
Maybe a bag like this?:
LOOK NO. 2: PRINTED BLOUSE & MIDI SKIRT
I don't want to go too much into detail with this outfit because I've mentioned it a lot over on my Instagram and previous posts but I think a midi skirt is such an essential in anybody's wardrobe. Whether you're a Parisian wannabe like myself or not, a midi skirt will definitely change your life for the good. In this look, I've paired it with this velvet printed blouse for some texture and it's created this beautiful chic look. I can already imagine myself posing near the Eiffel tower in this outfit.
This skirt is from Zara and is sadly not available anymore but here's some similar ones:
https://www.asos.com/bershka/bershka-pleat-check-midi-skirt/
https://www.asos.com/max-co/max-co-gingham-pleated-midi-skirt/
This shirt is also from Zara but the men's section, it is also sadly not available either. I can't find any similar ones either but if I do, I'll update this area or post about it on my Instragram.
LOOK NO. 3: THE ONLY BLACK DRESS YOU'LL EVER NEED
One day I was in Zara (i'm at Zara everyday) and I was having a little browse through the sale sections and I gazed upon what eventually turned out to be one of many great purchases of 2019. A dress like this could possibly replace your best friend, in fact, it could probably replace anything in your life that needs replacing. It's just such a good dress. I'd say this is more of an evening/night/event type of dress but I also wear this to uni a lot so it's quite versatile. You might look like you're trying to be the next Morticia Adams or even look like you're ready for a funeral but it's a look. A look that needs to embraced.
The dress has a lot of texture to it which I love. It has a velvet collar, a velvet button strap and lots of velvet polka dots all over. I like the see-through-ness of it and how lightweight the material is because it makes it so flowy. It's an all-around beautiful dress and makes me feel like a pretty woman. You could pair this with a pair of black heels if you're trying to be fancy or a pair of ankle boots like me. Maybe even a couple of gold hair barrettes?
The dress is from Zara and isn't available anymore but here's a very similar one that they're selling at the minute:
LOOK NO. 4: GREEN VELVET
I've never been a green wearer but this jumpsuit from UO makes me want to be a green wearer. This velvet jumpsuit was kind of an impulse buy but it's such an easy to wear piece of clothing so in my eyes, my purchase has been justified. Here I've paired it with a white t-shirt because it's -6 degrees everyday and my oversized suede, shearling lined coat from Headlock Vintage. I also put in a couple hair barrettes from Blue Rinse Vintage because I think green and gold go together so so so well. This is such an effortless outfit, perfect for when you're about and about. It's especially perfect for colder days. You could also wear this for formal events if you pair it with some heels and maybe even a blazer.
I know a lot of stuff isn't available that I've posted about but it's because I bought everything during the sales, here's a good alternative the UO green jumpsuit:
https://www.asos.com/monki/monki-dungaree-jumpsuit-in-dark-green-velvet/
The gold hair barrettes are also not available online and I can't find anything similar to them but any gold hair barrette would work great with this look.
LOOK NO. 5: CORDUROY
I said I was well and truly over corduroy last year but then I saw a picture on Instagram of my French Parisian queen Jeanne Damas in corduroy so naturally, I went out and bought myself a pair of corduroy trousers.
In terms of practicality, corduroy trousers are amazing for the cold, they block out all cold wind and they're super comfy. I found it quite difficult however finding a pair that were flattering enough and fit well. This pair from Monki fit so well that I don't have to even wear a belt which for me is so shocking. I wear belts with all my trousers. I am wearing one in the pictures though but just to look pretty. This has slowly but surely become my go to look for winter days. A black turtle neck, corduroy pants and a pair of ankle boots. I also threw my coat from Headlock Vintage on top too because like I mentioned earlier, it's about -6 degrees everyday in Manchester.
Corduroy trousers:
I hope you liked this post! If you want to see more stuff like this then let me know.
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UPDATED:
70's Inspired Winter Lookbook | Zafira
Hi!
There's something about the 70s that just makes me fall in love over and over again. I love so many things about it but most importantly, I love love
love
the sense of style and fashion around that time. So much in fact that it's heavily inspired my winter wardrobe for this year.
Dressing for winter can be quite the struggle. The weather is ever changing and unpredictable, it's freezing outside but then heaters are being blasted indoors so finding a balance between all of those factors can be difficult whilst still looking semi presentable to face the world.
I feel like I get stuck into this loop of wearing jumpers and jeans but I've tried really hard this time round to get out of it.
Here are some outfits that I've been wearing a lot this winter and some tips to help you keep warm!
1. THE MIDI SKIRT (that's too long because I'm short)
You know what I've realised? Midi skirts are actually quite intimidating and kind of scary. You have to be quite careful with how you style them or else you can end up looking a bit like a 90 year old librarian which personally, isn't quite my style. I was determined to find one from a thrift or charity shop but I couldn't find any that looked as flattering as this Zara one.
It fits perfectly around the waist and I can get away with tucking a cheeky jumper in there without it looking frumpy. I love the pleating and it's actually a decent length considering it is a bit too long. I'll either wear a turtle neck, a slighting oversized jumper or just a velvet t-shirt with the skirt. I also love wearing this skirt with these cute heeled boots that are from Zara too.
I feel like midi skirts are a very 'mom' thing from the 70s but when styled perfectly, you can totally be that cool mom every kid wanted.
Because it's freezing, a coat is necessity. If you follow me on Instagram you've probably seen this leopard print coat a thousand times by now. It's such a nice and long and it keeps me warm.
Jewellery is something I'm trying to get myself back into. As a child and even a young teen, I loved jewellery and felt the need to be blinged out no matter what the occasion was. As I've gotten older, I find myself more into the minimal jewellery side of things which you can see here.
I'm wearing a simple dainty diamond necklace that I've had forever and some small hoops from Primark. I'm also wearing my Hugo Boss watch that you can see further down.
Here's a few links to similar versions of my leopard print coat:
I wear these boots everyday they are actually life changing.
2. FLARED PANTS
Ever since the summer, I've been completely in love with various shades of blue/green. Right now, this Tiffany blue colour makes my heart skip a beat. These flared pants are from Zara and are amazing. They are super pretty on windy days.
This shade of blue is what I associate with the 70s a lot and flared pants too. Maybe not as flared as these but I guess this is kind of a modern and more flattering update on the iconic flared pants of the 70s.
I like to wear this with a black turtle neck on extremely cold days but if it isn't -20 degrees where you live then it also looks really great with a graphic t-shirt. Again I'm wearing my leopard print coat and my Zara boots.
You're probably thinking that these are too thin for the winter but pants like this are the perfect layering tool. I can get away with wearing pretty much anything under these, a pair of jeans, my pyjama pants or if I'm feeling a bit more mature, then a pair of thick thermal leggings. Because of my how flowy they are, you can't even tell it's great.
If I'm feeling super adventurous, then I'll even wear matching blue eye shadow.
3. CASUAL YELLOW
This outfit is a bit more dressed down and good for a very low-key day. Yellow is very bright. I would never think that it would be a colour that I would ever wear but here I am in a vibrant yellow cardigan that I can't seem to ever take off.
The printed high neck top is actually an old play suit from Motel Rocks but since I'm not much of a play suit wearer, I like to wear it as a top. It's an amazing layering piece (except from when you need to use the toilet and have to completely strip). It screams the 70s to me. It had flared sleeves too but I took them off since it was a bit too much and got in the way a lot whenever I was doing anything involving my arms (literally everything i was doing).
The cardigan ,which has been one of my favourite items in my wardrobe this year, is from Monki.
. It's so so so thick and it coordinates with the play suit perfectly. I bought this in a large so it's massively oversized but it just makes it feel so much cosier.
I'm trying to channel my inner Blair Waldorf and I've decided that headbands need to make a return in my life so I've paired one with this outfit. This one is from Primark.
I usually like to wear this outfit with my black pleated culottes which I'm sure a lot of you own. Like the blue flared pants, they're a pretty good layering piece. But I also like to wear this outfit with my blue and thick black belt.
For shoes, you could get away with wearing anything really, a pair of vans or converses to dress down or a pair of cute boots.
Thanks for reading and let me know if you want to see more this type of blog post on here!
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UPDATED:
4 Self Care Tips for Uni | Zafira
Hey!
It's September and you know what that means, back to school season (ew). It's a sad season for most of us except from those of you who weirdly enjoy going back to school, college or uni. I start my very first year of uni soon and I'm absolutely not prepared for it whatsoever.
I thought the best place to start with all this uni prep stuff is to make a guide focusing on self care. I desperately need it and I'm guessing you will too since it's definitely one of those things we always forget. Self care plus the stress and chaos of school life can be quite tricky and sometimes it's pretty hard to remember to care of yourself when you're drowning in books and work but with these few tips I'm hoping to make the whole process a lot easier.
No.1: Make a Schedule & Make Sometime for Yourself
When you hear the word 'schedule' it doesn't sound relaxing at all but it's one of the key things you need in place to make sure you have time for yourself throughout the week. On a certain day throughout the week such as a Sunday, section off a couple of hours to do something you really enjoy or something calming. This could range from taking a bath and having a few hours to pamper yourself or letting yourself divulge into your fave show on Netflix. Whatever you like. This time is for you and what you like.
No.2: Take Care of your Health
I don't want to be a cliche and tell you to sign up for some lame gym membership to get your self into better shape and and only eat fruit and veg for the rest of your entire life because let's be real who wants to do that? The only things I can really make myself do is drinking enough water and just walking wherever and whenever is possible. I'm a pretty lazy person but even doing that is better than doing nothing at all. Try to take a water bottle (not plastic pls the turtles are dying) with you in your bag and drink it whenever you're feeling thirsty opposed to a sugary drink. It'll make such a difference with your skin and health.
I know we're talking about physical health here but mental health is also extremely important especially to those of you who are moving away for uni. It may seem a bit lonely and you may feel as if there's no one there for you talk to but your school/college/uni will offer a range of resources to help you if you need it.
This is also pretty useful to read.
No.3: Make Some Pals & Socialise
This is probably the part I'm dreading the most because I'm kind of shy when you first meet me and the whole introduction part of making new friends is always so so so scary. However, I'm trying to overlook that this year and at least attempt to try and say hello and hi to a few people to make some pals that will hopefully last a lifetime. If you're starting uni, they have so many different clubs and societies for you to join so it makes the process a little less difficult. I think it will be so cool to find friends with a lot of similar interests to me.
No.4: Sleep & Re-Fueling
I am the worst when it comes to sleeping during academic periods. I don't know whether it's just stress or what but my sleeping schedule goes flying out of the window. I think this is probably one thing I'm going to really try and get into order this year because lack of sleep has the biggest effect on everything. It effects your work, your health, your skin and so much more. Something really interesting to try would be a sleep tracker of some sort to figure out how much sleep you're getting every day and go from there. In tip no.1 I was saying to make time for yourself and this massively includes re-fueling and just getting enough rest.
I hope your academic year is amazing!
Lots of love,
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UPDATED: