Countryside Glamour - What to wear this Autumn Winter

It's October tomorrow... How on earth did that happen? It feels like just last week I was swanning around in floral summer dresses and sandals. I think it must be true as you get older time truly does fly by. And with the 1st of October is the arrival of Autumn/ Winter one of my favourite seasons. Mostly because it's my birthday month (yes month I am one of those people) and because I love this in between time of year almost as much as I like twixmas That just before it turns into tights weather and just after the last bit of September sunshine.

I can't wait to start getting snuggly and layering my dresses with cosy knits and I'm super excited to be working with the wonderful brand Traffic People again to share some pieces from their new Autumn Winter collection. Perfect if you're not sure what to wear in the coming months I've selected some of my favourite picks from their new collection and taken them to the Yorkshire countryside! Because where else would you take a beautiful printed dress right? You might remember my trip to windy Devon earlier this year with their beautiful Spring collection.

Leopard print has become a second skin and new neutral in my opinion. It's a timeless print that has been refreshed in glorious green here. I adore the shape of this dress, it's so flattering and brings all the glamour. 

I was instantly drawn to the rusty colour of this dress, the perfect autumnal shade and a polka dot print. Scroll down to see the other pieces I chose for our weekend trip to the countryside. 

I've tagged the items I'm wearing in the images below if you'd like to update your Autumn/ Winter wardrobes with a piece that will last through the trends.

Blue Pinstriped Jumpsuit  / Rust polka dot maxi / Floral Jumpsuit / Boho Green Leopard Print Dress

This post is sponsored by Traffic People, a huge thank you for such beautiful pieces to treasure [ All garments have been gifted as part of the partnership].

Desperately seeking spring

I don’t know about you but I cannot wait for the seasons to change and Spring to really arrive. There is something so magical about this time of year as the mornings grow brighter and the evenings get lighter there’s a feeling of change in the air. The daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops pop their heads out of the ground and there’s suddenly some colour after the grey and dark of the winter months. 

Colour has a very similar affect to sunshine with it's mood boosting properties it can work wonders for mental health and wellbeing. If it's grey and sad outside it most definitely doesn't need to be so everywhere and simply adding a pop of colour to your wardrobe can change a mood considerably and it definitely does mine. 

I've always loved colour and been drawn to it throughout my life. It's become an important part of my career as an art director, designer, stylist and maker and something that always inspires me. Now more so than ever I find myself wearing colour on a daily basis too. I have ditched the black, navy and grey garments from my wardrobe (that are still very loved) and turned to the more rainbow brights instead. I am naturally a very positive person anyway but have to admit I am filled with utter joy when wearing colour be it a bright red jumpsuit, pastel stripes or a pink and yellow floral frilled dress. 

When the gorgeous British brand Traffic People got in touch about partnering with them to share some of their new collection with my readers I was so excited especially as their collections are so full of colour and pattern. The brand began their story on Portobello market in West London, a place i'd often go to find inspiration and source vintage pieces for my much smaller wardrobe back when I was an art student. I'm sharing four dreamy outfits perfect for the soon to arrive Spring and Summer and Wedding seasons with you all from their collection. 

Ironically it was absolutely freezing and a very grey day when I decided to hop on a train down to Devon to tell the story of these beautiful pieces. Beside the sea alongside the fitting colourful beach huts is where I headed. Luckily the sunshine came out for us in the end... and I now have even more appreciation for models!

I've styled these pieces really simply and true to my own personal style with golden hoop earrings, mucky old converse, colourful statement socks (if you follow me over on instagram you'll know I pay particular of attention to my socks) and a raffia headband. Colour is so easy to wear if you're thinking to yourself how on earth do I wear colour... you simply just have to pick the right shade for your skin tone. Once you know which shade suits you then the rest is easy. As I have dark hair and skin I suit bolder shades like oranges and softer pale yellows which if you are very fair will either contrast too much or wash you out completely. I like to pick one statement colour and pair it with neutrals so for example a red jumpsuit will look fabulous with nude shoes or a raffia headband. Once you know what works for you it can become a recipe to create and style your wardrobe.

I hope this post has inspired you all to wear more colour and take a peek at Traffic People's colourful new collections. Now let's hope the sunshine comes out for us all soon. 

Here are the links for each of the items I wore #Fallinlovewithtp
Red Frill Jumpsuit / Striped Wrap Dress / Floral Ruffle Dress 

This post is sponsored by Traffic People, a huge thank you to them for Spring outfits that really do spark joy!

The Lilac Edit

Lilac, mauve, pale purple, grey blue, whatever you call it lilac is going to be a big trend this year. Following it's debut as Pantone's colour of the year in 2018 it's been creeping into wardrobes and interiors trends ever since.

If you follow me over on instagram you'll know I am a huge lilac fan, i'm mean i'll take any pastel colour. Dressing colourfully for me sparks joy and here are my top picks for a March wardrobe update. Lots of these pieces will be timeless as you can't go wrong with knitwear or a polka dot dress. Style with whites, neutrals or more pastels. 
Plus there's even some sale bargains...

Happy shopping!

Zeena X


PS. This post contains affiliate links, this means I may earn a very small % of any sales that are made through the link, this doesn't add any cost to you it just helps me run my blog and pay for the monthly hosting :) 
Thank you for reading!

3 ways you should be using instagram

I've been spending lots of time with friends lately (one of my 2019 goals is to work less at the weekend and see friends more) one topic that keeps coming up amongst many of them is how we use social media, especially instagram in our day to day lives and it's not taking a bathroom selfie. There has been lots of negativity around the app that i'm sure you may have noticed but I don't want to go into any of that instead I want to share with you how I use the app in my day to day. 

Instagram can be a wonderful place if you use it in a valuable way for you. 

Here are the three ways I use instagram and can highly recommend it:

1. Friendship

There's an incredible community on instagram you just have to find it. 

It really can be a place to meet new people and actually make some real friends. All you need to do to start is send a simple DM (direct message) and you're off. It's actually much easier than trying to do the same in real life in a room full of strangers. There's something about having a conversation with words over an inspiring image that can make a connection. After all time is so valuable and for someone to spend a moment sending a message really is worth all the effort. I for one have made some incredible friends through the app. It's been a place to find my tribe and a network of supportive women in business too.

2. Inspiration

It is true inspiration is everywhere but especially on instagram. Use it to inspire your everyday, from up-cycling an old t-shirt or mending a broken vase to how to style an outfit.

3. Discovery

I can't even count the number of new brands, small businesses, big businesses, artists, designers, poets, writers, photographers and more that i've discovered on instagram over the past few years there are so many. Use it to discover all of the things that aren't on your doorstop or your everyday. With the save feature mine has become a miniature pinterest board.

On that point here are five instagram feeds that are really inspiring me this month.

I hope they inspire you too.

@nicoleocran

A fellow fashion lover and lovely human, her wardrobe is to die for. I love seeing her daily #ootd and styling tips.

@emmajanepalin

Home to transform a rented abode she'll inspire your interior design in no time and also has the sweetest pup.

@elisalex

A sewing inspiration and a hand made wardrobe of dreams. Elisalex makes me want to call in sick and sew all day long. One talented lady.

 @2lgstudio

I had the pleasure of meeting London based Interior Designers Jordan & Russell at an event last year and they are as lovely as their feed. They have an incredible eye for design.

@becki_clark_

Super talented illustrator and the kindest human. Her florals and pretty pastel feed bring me all the joy.

Remember instagram isn't real life and now go and unfollow all of the accounts that don't spark joy (Marie Kondo your instagram!) and make that scrolling more meaningful. After all life is too short right?!

Zeena X

The Boilersuit and how to wear it

It's the big Black Friday weekend here in London and almost every store has a discount so i'm asking myself if there's anything i'd really like to buy...? and do I really need it...? Which of course I don't but I can still browse right...?

I've always loved wearing jumpsuits and have found myself drawn to yet another this season. It's inevitably pink and I found it here at Urban Outfitters which is now 30% off for Black Friday - annoying for me as I picked it up a while ago but great for you!

Boilersuits or jumpsuits are incredibly easy to throw on and work across the seasons which make them a great investment. They are also incredibly comfortable, the only downside being the need to get almost completely undressed every time you need the bathroom. 

As it starts to get cold i'll layer mine with a poloneck and a jumper or cardi and keep it simple and unzip a little in the springtime. You can do the same with your choice of shoe and easily dress it up with a heel or down with trainers.

I've popped together a collection of my favourites here for you to join the boilersuit club. I might just give in and get the floral one...!

 PS. This post contains affiliate links, this means I may earn a very small % of any sales that are made through the link, this doesn't add any cost to you it just helps me run my blog :) Thank you for reading!

How To Print Your own Fabric And Make A Dress

Hi guys!

Happy Monday. Here's a little bit of Monday Motivation for you all by way of this dreamy new Stevie dress sewing pattern from the power house that is Tilly and the Buttons. 

Here's a little behind the scenes video with fellow model the lovely Sew Happy Alex.

You might notice the model is rather familiar and you're right. Not only did I model this gorgeous new dress pattern Tilly created but I also printed the fabric! And you can too via this DIY guest post I wrote all about it over on Tilly's blog. Oh and I used a Parsnip to print with if you can believe it! Get the full how to over on Tilly's blog. I used a parsnip to had print a random repeat pattern for this pink linen from my fabric stash. It's so simple and so much fun. The best thing about it is that each print is totally unique. If you're keen to learn a bit more about print design and fabric printing then check out my book How to Print Fabric for all the know how, tips and tricks.

Here are some more snaps of the dress so you can see the complete print design.

Enjoy!

Zeena X

5 Perfect White Summer Dresses You Need Right Now

Hey guys,

Double whammy this evening as i've had a lot of lovely comments on some of my recent summer outfits - thank you! - it's prompted me to share a bit more about my wardrobe choices and style finds in my Sunday evening browse at the shops online. 

I for one LOVE online shopping. Do you love or loathe it? I always get mixed reviews from friends and family but I absolutely love it as i'm sure you can tell from my insta stories... I have to say my current returns pile is a crime to living a plastic free life so it's not sustainable for certain and I promise to try harder. I think the key to nailing online shopping is knowing what size will fit you from each different store. For example I know i'm always an XS in Zara and an 8 in Topshop so once you have the right formula it's at least 80% more accurate and your more likely to be onto some winners. That said the returns pile is a definite thing so if you're prepared to be at the post office regularly then it's definitely for you.

An embroidered white dress is a completely timeless summer piece that will never fall out of fashion and something you must all have at least one of in your wardrobes. You can always dress them up or down, team with red lipstick or a flat sandal and you have a multitude of looks. 
So here are my top 5 dreamy white embroidered summer dresses that you need this invest in this summer. I promise you won't regret it. 

First up is this scallop edge pretty from Other Stories £85

Love the Broderie panels on this Topshop one £55

I've just added this one to my basket also from Other Stories £85

Loved the simplicity of this one H&M £49.99

Lastly there's this incredible one from Valentino £2480 - because a girl can dream right

Happy Shopping!

Zeena X

The dungarees you'll be wearing all year round

Hey guys, 

It's been a really really really long time since i've posted here... and when I think about it I can't quite believe how quickly time has flown by. Running your own business and juggling everyday life seem to make time fly by and writing blog posts gets pushed further and further down the to do list. Well i'm pleased to announce i've finally made time to sit down and write a new post, one of my new year's resolutions for 2018 is to write more so here goes!

I wanted to share some exciting news, if you're a fan of sewing and dress making then you will love the brand new dreamy Mila Dungarees sewing pattern from the fabulous Tilly and the Buttons. I was honoured to be asked by Tilly to model for her newest pattern and I can tell you they are as comfy as they look and much easier to sew than you would think too. If you're new to dressmaking or really want to give making your own clothes a try then check out Tilly's clothing patterns and give it a try.

Here are some snaps of the designs taken by the talented Fanni Williams Photography.

Zeena X