Tag: accessories

Style | KT by Jennifer Hamley

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For 14 years I worked as Office Manager at a large design company based in Wakefield. I loved it there [for the most part] but like most good things unfortunately it came to a an end

I suppose during my time there I liked to look the part. I used to love getting ready for work ; smart dresses, trouser suits, neat hair and immaculate makeup . Stilettos; the higher the better [ this was my pre- dodgy foot era ]. Power dressing when you didn’t feel that confident / know what you were doing was the quickest way to fool everybody into thinking you were and that you did !

There was just one thing I always felt was missing. I always hankered after a brief case one that was both stylish and practical.

I never got one. I used to juggle various bags often forgetting where I’d put things, or leaving essentials at home! Having to carry my laptop in a separate bag [usually of the plastic kind!]

Fast forward a few years …

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Style | They Call Me Mellow Yellow …

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Do you ever look though a magazine or swipe through Instagram and see something you HAVE to have.

That’s a silly question … of course you do.

I do it a lot actually but I don’t necessarily act on my instincts. Mainly because I’m always skint and very fickle; my urges move on quickly.

One item I did see. One that wouldn’t stop playing on my mind was a yellow jacket from JD Williams new season collection. It looked at me and whispered “you try and walk away… buy me, buy me“

I had some birthday money left and as I didn’t think the price was bad at all [£50.00] I only bloody ordered it. It felt satisfying, because basically it was.

I had hoped it would be as fabulous in the flesh as it looked on paper. I had my fingers crossed that I wouldn’t look too much like ‘Big Bird’ from Sesame Street in it … I mean at 5ft 10 it’s a worry.

So here she is in all her glory…

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Crucifix Love …#desertdiamonds

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When I was younger I was fascinated by Vampires. I would sit and watch ‘tame’ black and white Dracula movies , get the ‘willies’ but also secretly wish I could be a (lady) creature of the night.

They were always portrayed so beautifully. They were alluring, flawless , had killer cleavage and they didn’t bloody age!

Cool.

While most youngsters had their sights on becoming a nurse or something along those lines. Not me I had my sights on  becoming a vampire bride.

Hey don’t panic … I’m not a nutter, I  knew they didn’t really exist, I’ve always had my head in the clouds . I was, I still am,  a day dreamer.

Things all  changed after a particularly scary encounter with the film  ‘Salem’s Lot’. It scared  mum and I to bloody death (and then some) We daren’t even go upstairs afterwards.

Dad came in from the pub to find us both hiding behind cushions. Slightly bemused he told us both to grow up and to not watch things along these lines again if we couldn’t handle it.

I was convinced for weeks I was being watched while I slept. I daren’t open curtains incase a pair of eyes came staring back at me. These weren’t pretty vampires, they were evil, ugly rip you to pieces vampires.

That’s the power of a good film and an over active imagination.

I bought myself a cross as a safety prevention not long afterwards ( well I bugged mum to buy me one and basically did her head in until she did )… you know to keep the evil spirits away.

Daft as all the above may sound ( and I know it really does) I’ve worn one ever since.

Just a plain cross.

Simple but pretty.

It makes me feel safe and old habits die-hard.

I go big on arm candy and earrings but it’s always just a cross around my neck. I sometimes add a plain black choker when the occasion takes me.

You can therefore imagine my delight when Victoria from Desert Diamonds got in touch to ask whether I would like to review one of their crucifix pendants or crosses as I refer to them. She had noted that I wore one after seeing some of my pics over on Instagram. (@the_naughtyfortydiaries)

I said a big fat yes without hesitation.

It arrived over the weekend and here I am wearing it Saturday night.

The first thing I noticed was how sparkly it was (never mind keeping those evil spirits at bay, by golly  this one would dazzle them to death) Continue reading →

NFD – Accessorising with obi belts…

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Now I don’t claim to know much, if anything about fashion but I spend alot of my time with my head shoved in fashion magazines, umming and arhhing over clothes I can’t afford. Ever since I spotted Cara Delevingne wearing a rather gorgeous red obi belt…well I’ve wanted a piece of the action. Obi belts are nothing new and have been around a while . They were big news back in 2011, but like most things are making a welcome come-back, or maybe they never really went away? Either way I’m inspired…

Obi belts also referred too as sash or wrap belts are soft belts that you wrap around and tie either at the front, back or side  – from Japanese origins.

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Miss Delevingne looked amazing, but then again let’s face it she would look great in a potatoe sack! I am in lust with her outfit; I think that the belt really adds the finishing touches .

Flicking through this month’s Vogue… up they popped again.

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So here’s my inspiration and how I’m planning to style mine.

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imageI love the idea (above) of a long chunky cardy over a polo neck / skirt combo neatly gathered with an obi belt. It’s just looks so stylish and really accentuates your waist . The same goes for the blouse, it just adds that little something and pulls an outfit together. They would also look great and add a little va va voom to jumpsuits and dresses.

I have some great news. Well I say great – don’t get excited! I would have disclosed this earlier in the week had I not been scared somebody would outbid me and I’d miss out. For once I kept completely stum.

So the news… I bid for 2 ASOS obi belts ( one black, one tan) on ebay at the beginning of the week and I’ve only gone and bloody won them both for the whooping cost of only £2 plus P+P. Yes you heard me correctly two whole English pounds.

Said belts are winging there way to me as I am  typing and I have my fingers crossed they fit. Like the ding bat I am….I didn’t check the sizing!!

imageSo if they don’t here’s where I’ll be heading. Mango.

This comes in at £29.99 and comes in black and chocolate. HERE

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ASOS have some beauties…

Faux suede reversible obi belt £15 – HERE

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But I’m saving the best for last.

Black & Brown Premium Leather Oversized Obi belt – £45  HERE
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Delicious isn’t it ? I’m just working out whether or not I can afford it.

(Translates too …  If I can or can’t this will be in my Wardrobe!)

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I’ll keep you updated as to whether the ebay goodies fit (please fit!) and how I get on styling my outfits. My plans will either come together nicely or I’ll look a proper chuff!

Until next time, Tracey x

Style Tips Part 1…The Jeans

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‘I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my clothes’ – Yves Saint Laurent

I live in jeans.

My current favourites and the ones which are seemingly never off my back-side are my H&M ripped ones. I’ve had these for many, many years – more than I care to remember! Jeans are so very versatile and that’s why I love them.

We decided for this first style tips post we would take a pair of jeans each, Liz black skinnies, Tracey blue ripped, and show how with just a few different accessories you can totally transform your look.

We are both firm believers that you can look stylish at any age but that style is also very personal. Fashion is fashion and comes and goes as quickly as it arrived. What’s in fashion may not necessarily be something that suits you, or your body shape. Style however well that’s your very own…

You take a piece of that fashion and make it work but in your own very stylish way!

Last week La Redoute emailed us, inviting us take part in a their ‘Style Tips’ competition with a chance to win a trip to Paris (Oooh la la!!) and more importantly, be Brand Ambassadors for them for a whole 12 months.

We didn’t need to be asked twice.

So, armed with a boot load of accessories, we donned our loyal denims and met on a rather blustery Yorkshire day at Tankersley Manor, Sheffield for a spot of lunch and our first ‘style tips photo shoot’.

First stop food and a coffee…

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Liz:

I live in my skinny black jeans and have lost count of the number of pairs I have.  I just love their versatility.

For my first outfit, I decided to go casual. I poured myself into a pair of my favourites (good ol’ M & S ones), teamed with a plain black Primani vest, then threw on a H & M denim shirt, my Zara black leather jacket and a pair of Miss KG ankle boots and tucked into my lunch…

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Tracey:

My basic outfit was the afore-mentioned ripped jeans and a simple black vest.

For the first outfit I teamed it with a leopard print jacket from Zara, red vintage handbag which belonged to my late gran, Top Shop Red ‘Boudoir’ shoes circa 2000, and chunky gold jewellery.

I’d say that a jacket and jeans were my style staple, mixed up with bright accessories.

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Liz:

To adapt the same outfit for a day at the office, I discarded the shirt, the leather jacket and the boots and smartened things up with a plain black blazer and black heels. To add a bit of colour and break up the black, I added a scarf and tote bag.

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Tracey:

For my second outfit I replaced the leopard print jacket with a stripy navy and white mac and my sandals for a pair of black killer heels. Bright accessories came courtesy of a yellow handbag…

…and the weather was typically English!

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Liz:

As its supposed to be Spring (the Yorkshire weather didn’t think so), I brightened things up a bit. This is my favourite coat/jacket at the moment – a fifties style lemon number by J Taylor. I kicked off the heels and staying with the fifties vibe added a pair of pointy black slingback ballet shoes by Miss KG.

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Armed with a pair of Prada Catseyes sunnies for the odd moment the sun appeared plus a pearl and gold cuff by Coast, et voila…a modern day fifties inspired outfit!

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For style tips on how to dress as chic-ly as the French, pop over to La Redoute and take a peak!

In the meantime, wish us luck with the competition and watch out for the 2nd part of out style tips…dresses!!

For now…Au revoir

Liz and Tracey x