Embracing The Chill | Havaianas Rain Boots

Embracing The Chill | Havaianas Rain Boots

Wellingtons: Havaianas Helios Mid Height in Aubergine | Blanket Scarf: Accessorize | Jeans: Levi's | Jumper: Old but Similar | Shirt (Worn Underneath) Levi's | Watch: Caravelle 

Wrapping up for the Autumnal chill is something I feel we all harbour a not so secret love for. I mean, how many of you are waiting on the cinnamon version of everything to hit the coffee shops?! Say it's not just me . . . ?! Equally, that moment when we can open the jumper drawer, grab a scarf, and if - like me - you're going to go leaf-kicking - you'll be pulling on your wellington boots too. Havaianas - most famously known for their flip flops - have branched out into rain boots. And YAY for that. I gave the Helios mid rain boot in aubergine (delicious colour) a whirl on a recent fruit tasting trip to Blackmore Farm. I love that the length is shorter than most boots (although they do come in full length too) as I was looking for a wellington which I could wear on days in the city, as well as in the countryside. 

nature's finest!

Read on for my favourite way to style my wellington boots . . . 

Despite their practical uses I treat wellingtons like any other footwear - an accessory. I want to feel put together and stylish . . . even when it's pouring with rain.  Berry hues are just so tasty for Autumn/Winter and I couldn't resist making these Havaianas booties the focus of my outfit. I paired them with my favourite blanket scarf, skinny jeans, and a shirt + jumper combo.

Top Tip: A streamlined silhouette will balance out heavy footwear. 

Havaianas are giving away 5 pairs of their wellington boots per week until the 17th of November '14. To enter the competition, Instagram a pic of yourself embracing Autumn/Winter with an awesome attitude - and tag #sambaintherain. Good luck guys! Full T&Cs here. 

How are you guys faring with the change of seasons? Are you looking forward to cinnamon everything too?!

Check out Havaianas' full range of wellington boots. If any take your fancy - don't forget to enter the competition!

Have an awesome day all!

Love, 

MB x

This post was created in collaboration with Havaianas. Thank you for supporting The Elgin Avenue's sponsors! You guys are ace!

Blazer n' (Faux) Leather Pins

Blazer n' (Faux) Leather Pins

Jacket: Vintage Similar Here | Shirt: Jack Wills Old Season Similar Here | Bag: Ralph Lauren c/o | Faux Leather Leggings: New Look c/o 

Hey lovelies! Mid-week! Let's just have a little celebration for that! Booty shake! Do you ever get those days when you just feel like getting fancy? I was totally in that mind set last week when I went to the Apple store. Yep. The Apple Store. No rhyme or reason -  I could have happily stepped out of the house in a cocktail dress! Fortunately I opted for my faux leather trousers, and a blazer combo instead, but the fancy feeling was real. 

Shop The Look

This week has been crazy busy, I am actually looking forward to desk time on Friday. OH and getting that computer I was hunting for on Saturday. EEK - buying a desktop feels like pretty big news. Do you guys have any advice?

Hope you're all having an ace week!

Love, 

MB x

All Gray Everything

All Gray Everything

Silver slip ons: Russell & Bromley c/o Similar Here | Skirt: Next c/o | Jumper Twist & Tango Past Season Similar Here and Here | Bag: Ralph Lauren c/o 

Hey pretties! Here's to the WEEKEND! Tonight Ols and I are hosting some of our friends for dinner, and I am so excited to rustle up some yummy seasonal food. I'm looking here for starter inspo, and here for dessert. YUM.

This week I've had a handful of early - like moon still in the sky - starts, and so I am REALLY looking forward to some bed time, friends, and apple picking on Sunday! 

The past few days has also marked the opening of my jumper drawer for the first time this season, and OH MY, had I forgotten how much I love great knitwear. I was invited to visit Next's head office this week, and pulled on this gray on gray ensemble for one of the aforementioned crack of dawn starts. A mid-length skirt is such an easy look, it's polished but comfortable, and when you have a commute ahead of you, it's IDEAL. I wouldn't have thought to pair a long skirt with a thick roll-neck jumper, but I saw similar proportions on one of my favourite bloggers, Jessie, and was converted.

The Next HQ was so inspiring, especially the design studio which was flooded with light. There is a converted warehouse near our apartment which rents out offices, perhaps one day I'll make the move from bedroom/home office, to a floor-to-ceiling window lit space too . . . !! Hmm. Thinking cap on. 

 Obsessed with this Next HQ design space! The shelving! The Light!

 

Light Light Light

Outfit Photos by Sarah

Get the look

What are you guys up to this weekend? Have you delved into jumper-land yet? And if so, how are you wearing yours? 

Hope you have an awesome few days off! Let's DO this!

Love, 

MB x 

Early Autumn Love | Levi's

Early Autumn Love | Levi's

Jeans: High Rise Skinny in Gravel Levi's | Shirt: Levi's | Denim Jacket: Levi's | Trainers: Jack Purcell Converse 

Well hey there you gorgeous lot! FRIYAY! This week I've really felt the Autumn love - takeaway coffees, strolls 'just because' and leaf-crunching. A LOT of leaf-crunching. I wore this look for a beautiful Autumn walk with Ols; it was the perfect easy ensemble.  Levi's has always been my go to for daily denim - I think I wore my Levi's cutoffs for 90% of the Summer.  I'd been tracking the Live in Levi's campaign, featuring real people living, working and love-ing in Levi's,  for a while before Levi's and I got the opportunity to work together - when we did I was SO thrilled to style up a few of my favourite pieces for Fall. 

Speaking of which . . . 

Can you believe I've never owned a classic denim jacket?! Last week I corrected this wardrobe misdemeanour (because surely it IS a crime?!) and nabbed what I now believe to be the PERFECT denim jacket. The price points on all of the Levi's items I'm wearing are some of the best I've seen for quality denim. The jacket is £80! When you think how often you'll wear it, how beautifully it will age and what a classic investment is, I'm totalling up the pros in my head to one seriously ACE bargain. Cannot recommend it enough. And the jeans are VERY good for girls who have extra wiggle. Me included!

What do YOU love about Autumn? And what is your favourite Fall outfit?

I'm spending the weekend with my sister, and have brought this entire look with me - I think they mean it when they say #LiveInLevis! Ha! Yay to girl time!

I hope you all have plans too - here's to a great weekend all!

Love, 

MB x 

This post is sponsored by Levi's. Thank you for supporting The Elgin Avenue's partners and being awesome always!

Dress Up Monday

Dress Up Monday

 

Skirt: Wishbone | Jumper: Boden c/o | Heels: Ursula Mascaro Similar | Bag: ALDO Similar Shape + Similar | Necklace: Similar 

Hello lovelies! How has Monday been treating you? Did some of you use my wakeup well tips?! Ironically I have felt kind of groggy all day but I blaming that one on the grumpy weather - bring back the Autumnal sunshine!

Anyhu, setting that aside, today I had the pleasure of previewing Gone Girl - a movie which I - and no doubt countless others - have been hotly anticipating since reading Gillian Flynn’s gripping book  of the same name. I am not going to say ANYTHING other than GO! If you’ve read the book, great, but even if you haven’t, this is definitely a film worth watching. Gone Girl is out for general release in the UK this Thursday, October 2nd. 

I rarely post an outfit article on the day I wear the look - this is mostly down to timings - but today the stars aligned! 

This Boden cashmere jumper was a recent wardrobe addition via my good friends at The Apartment. I LOVE the optimistic colour and neat cut. A slim jumper like this one is perfect for tucking into skirts and trousers, slipping on over a silk shirt, or adding to a dress. As the seasons turn I rely on bolder accessories to lift an outfit - particularly necklaces over knitwear. I am loving tortoise shell jewellery right now and Bauble Bar have a brilliant selection. A leather midi-skirt has been one of my best purchases this year, it is SO versatile. I wore my Wishbone version to the screening and meetings today, and below I've rounded up a great selection on the high street.

Right I'm off to take my own advice and switch off for a few hours before bed! Hope you've all had a good start to your weeks!

Love, 

MB x

Coat Pursuit

Coat Pursuit

Coat: New Look c/o | Trousers: Chlee Jogger iSKO @ Bethnals c/o - Similar | Heels: Next c/o | T-shirt: Comptoir Des Cotoniers - Similar | Clutch: Karen Millen 

Hello you lovely lot! Happyyy Fridayyyyyyy! When I was still at University last year, I worked as a waitress along side the blog. My shift was, like clockwork, Friday night through to a double shift on Saturday. As such I missed out on that Friday feeling although I did love the crazy, eclectic, awesomeness of the weekend shifts. Now that I work Monday - Friday, I totally get how awesome it feels to know that on Saturday you're off ! I look forward to a weekend cappuccino and chocolate croissant all week. And a lie-in. And magazine time. Ugh, it's just heaven!! 

This weekend I am having a huge wardrobe clear out - YAY! Although obviously this shall be preceded by coffee + pastry. 

Since we moved house earlier in the year I've been systematically editing my wardrobe, selling some things, donating others, re-discovering . . . it's been cathartic, and healthy and made room for new items too. 

I've recently added a few Autumn/Winter pieces which I've been wearing on rotation. There's been a cold snap of late and I have been revelling in the excuse to begin layering.

Understandably, finding the perfect Winter coat is something which I feel many of us embark on with military like focus. A coat is what you will top off most outfits with and so it needs to fit many guises. For work, for the weekend, to match this colour, to go with that handbag . . . your Winter coat has a lot to live up to! Whilst I whole heartedly agree that investing in a good coat is a money-allocation you will not regret, there are FANTASTIC options on the High Street. This New Look coat costs £60. £60!!! It is a brilliant piece, the cut is flattering, the faux-leather trim is luxe, and it is warm without being stifling. If you are in the market for a coat under £100 I would fully recommend it. 

By keeping outerwear purchases under £100, there's a little more wiggle room to buy a few options,  rather than splurging all of your money on one. There are arguments for and against this, but if you're looking to buy into a trend - say colour, or print - then dipping your toe in with a high street bargain is the best way to go! I'm liking this white ASOS number for that very reason.  

Below are five fabulous coats for under £100! Go get 'em tigresses!

SHOP

Righto, I'm spending the rest of the day with sleeves rolled up - wardrobe-sorting.

Mmm. Capuccino tomorrow. 

Have a BRILLIANT weekend all!

Love, 

MB x 

cold play: vanessa moody by kacper kasprzyk for teen vogue october 2014

cold play: vanessa moody by kacper kasprzyk for teen vogue october 2014

model: vanessa moody (women)

photographer: kacper kasprzyk (totalworld)

stylist: elin svahn (streeters)

hair: tomihiro kono (julianwatson)

make-up: lisa houghton (timhoward)

manicure: alicia torello (wallgroup)

Looking To Autumn

Looking To Autumn

Coat: M Missoni pre SS'15, Jeans: Next, Heels: Old but Similar, Breton: Old but Similar, Clutch: Russell & Bromley, Scarf: Feather & Stone c/o 

For as long as I can remember Autumn has been my FAVOURITE season. I have always been obsessed with getting the perfect Fall photo - a tree lined park with golden branches overhanging just so. And the thought of warm drinks in hand whilst the air is biting cold . . . pure, pure love. Today, I officially saw my first honey hued pavement - it's happening peeps!

Whilst Summer whole heartedly rocks my world, and I love the ease of throwing on cutoffs, there is a wardrobe excitement which I feel only ever comes with Autumn. Total back-to-school vibes. One of my favourite looks is a fabulous tailored coat, jeans, scarf and heels. And preferably yes, one of those warm drinks in hand too. I recently came into possession of the most perfect leopard print scarf, which I have been wearing non stop. I adore the longer length. This M Missoni coat is also scoring major wardrobe points with me; it's a stellar piece which smartens up any look. It's a pre SS'15 item; but you can have a snoop around the current season here. 

Are you guys excited for Autumn too?! Fraudulently (!) as I write this I am actually mentally packing my suitcase for a week's holiday in the sun with my Sister, we'll be returning to my favourite Menorca for a little last minute Summer sunshine. But then, it's officially AUTUMN.

Have an awesome day all, 

Love, 

MB x