Independent Clothing Brands? Never heard of them…

This post is set to defeat the overload of high street brands within our wardrobes and convince us all to introduce more independently designed and styled pieces into our everyday outfits. A few weeks ago, I discovered a London based and independently owned women’s clothing brand named Nobody’s Child.

Since placing my order I have instantly fallen in love with the concept of this brand which aims to offer unique pieces which can fit into anyone’s wardrobe; I was defiantly sold when the company released a statement which totally captured my interest ‘Carry a polaroid & think everything sounds better on vinyl?’- It was at this moment that this brand stole my heart and bank balance! When looking through the clothes designed by the brand I could definitely  see the indie influence within the pieces; a sense of style which I really like to incorporate within my everyday outfits- I had also seen other bloggers frequently style their pieces in posts which defiantly convinced me to have a look.

Dress- Nobody’s Child

Jacket – Vintage denim jacket

Bag- Ted Baker

Shoes- Topshop black leather sock boot

I have to applaud the brand for their extremely reasonable prices which make it even easier to want to buy the entire website; as well as the 15% student discount they have on offer. As I ordered three items of clothing, I qualified for free next day delivery; I was really shocked on how quick my parcel came and how quick and easy the overall ordering process was. There are little special touches within this brand which makes ordering from them a joy, one stand out feature being that the clothes are packaged in a brown paper potato stack- style envelope with their logo elegantly printed on.

Cami Top- Nobody’s Child

Turtle Neck- Topshop

Bag- Marks and Spencer; Vogue edit

Jeans- Urban Outfitters Girlfriend jean

Shoes- Old Skool Vans

The clothes I bought of the website included a floral jumpsuit with ruffled straps and slightly cropped wide legs (this definitely has o e my favourite piece; as I cant stop wearing it); a red button down tea dress and finally a slightly cropped black satin cami with a square cut front. I can only praise the high quality feel of these items, and I would refer the sizing to be similar to Topshop’s for reference. It was extremely easy to style these items, seen in the photos throughout; however I would definitely recommend looking at these social media sites for outfit inspiration.

Jumpsuit- Nobody’s Child

Top- Plain white T-shirt (can be bought form anywhere)

Jacket- Vintage denim jacket

Bag- Topshop black leather and suede Cross body bag

Shoes- Old Skool Vans

The discovery of this amazing clothing brand has convinced me to start to include more independently designed clothes within my everyday style; based on my really positive experience I urge you to check out the website for yourself and also discover similar brands which are also independently owned- I would love to know if you love any other brands! With the support of other style enthusiasts with a ‘passion for fashion’- sorry had to say it- we can show our support to these amazing brands. Until next time,

Hannah Miller xoxo

My Go To Spring Shoes…

It is officially spring 2017, meaning that we can finally start to pull away from winter boots and thick clothing (or at least I  along with the entire population of the UK would like to think!); and enjoy some spring shoes. The few pairs of shoes I have decided to include in this post, will totally make you want to invest in a few new pairs or better still; dig out last years spring shoes and start to wear them- because why not; it is technically Spring?

The first pair I have to tell you about is a nude (with light pink undertone) pair of backless loafers from Topshop. I absolutely love these shoes as the neutral colour is destined to go with all outfits, I usually pair these shoes with blue straight-leg jeans, a simple t-shirt or blouse and a loose cardigan with a cross body bag. However I can’t help but think how nice these shoes would look next to a smart suit co-ord or a simple tea dress- which I have noticed to become increasingly dominant whilst I refresh the ‘new in filter’ on high street retailer’s websites. Finally I can completely understand why this style of shoe (originally taken as an inspiration from a traditional Gucci Loafer), has become a fashion favourite as it offers comfort as well as style.

Next, and probably my favourite shoes from this small selection, is this pointed western boot design with a cut out heal and a wrap around the ankle buckle. I had originally seen this design on the Topshop website but never saw it in my local store, but luckily whilst in the Topshop York store I was able to try the shoe and eventually buy it. Named ‘The Madness’, this black suede shoes with silver embellished circles varying in size; has an amazing fit and looks great with any outfit. I especially adore how these shoes can add an edgy feel to any look, and the small heel size adds the perfect amount of height whilst still providing comfort. These shoes are also available in white leather, and I would highly recommend investing in these shoes if you can because this statement piece is soon to become a wardrobe staple.

Finally I have most recently bought this pair of baby pink suede mules from Primark, they resemble similar style shoes I have seen in both Urban Outfitters and Topshop (just with a smaller heal and price); as these gorgeous shoes only come with a price tag of £10. These shoes will be great to finish any outfit in Spring and into Summer and also to incorporate pastel colours into your wardrobe, as we move away from the dark colours haunting our winter wardrobes- I can admit that it has been my aim in the new year to pull away from primarily wearing dark colours and to inject colour into my style ; I’ll keep you updated on how it goes!

I hope that you can also embrace Spring style and possibly gain some inspiration from the shoes I will mainly wearing this season; whether you are sifting through your dusty summer wardrobe of clothes or shopping for some new wardrobe staples I guarantee that the urge to embrace the Spring/ Summer style in these oncoming months will soon be too overwhelming to ignore. Happy shopping, until next time,

Hannah M xoxo

120 Hours In New York…

This throwback post dates back to December 2016 when I visited New York, and yes I am going to be cheesy and label this experience as a trip of a lifetime-sorry i can’t help it…       I am mainly going to let the photos to show the story of my amazing trip, however I can’t help but miss this trip when I reflect on the unforgettable memories captured within this lively city. Alongside taking photos on my phone, I decided to buy a few disposable cameras to capture special moments on; I especially love how these have turned out as the developed film gives a vintage look to the overall image- I hope these images help you fall in love with this city as much as they have effected me!

I can’t even begin to explain how grateful I am to be even sat here at 8pm on a Wednesday night drinking tea out of a New York Starbucks mug (Yes I am slightly sad like that… however It is vital that I mention how surprising the amount of Starbucks there actually were within the city compared to the single caffe which occupies Middlesbrough); discussing the things I got up to within the beautiful city.

During our trip, we obviously had to engage in typical tourist activities; such as taking an bus tour around the city (which was freezing in mid December, if you are planning to visit in Winter  definitely be prepared); shopping a little to much, a LOT of walking to sight see and importantly to view the christmas displays.

Now I definitely can’t write about my experience of my trip to the big city without sharing my shopping experience, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Most of my shopping took place in Urban Outfitters, which was great as the clothes were reasonably cheap due to many amazing offers available to use in store- it was safe to say most of savings where left here but in exchange for gorgeous clothes, obviously! Also another shop which stands out to be poplar location, was Sephora; after watching and reading about endless Sephora hauls online I was finally able to join the hype and look through makeup heaven.

I Hope you enjoyed looking back on this trip with me, If you ever have the chance I would highly recommend visiting (especially at Christmas to witness all of the festivities); as it gives you the opportunity to pretend to live the life of a city resident in New York- for a few days at least. There is something so amazing about standing still within a city that literally never sleeps, whether you are watching people quickly commute to and from work, standing to pay respect at the Twin Tower memorial, sitting peacefully in Central Park to take in the picturesque views, looking out onto the Statue of Liberty or encompassed by the hustle and bustle of Times square; you will always feel strong connection and emotions towards the constant environment. Until next time,

Hannah  xoxo

 

February Favourites…

This weeks post consists of the things I have been loving this month, from music to fashion there has been plenty of things that I couldn’t stop using throughout February.

As you may have been aware a popular fashion favourite worn by many, includes the blue light wash straight leg jean; captured in the style of both ‘Mom’ and ‘Girlfriend’ jeans. These wardrobe staples have been worn by many ,one of them being model Gigi Hadid who is always spotted in her Sandro Paris straight cut jeans, however after endless searching for a similar pair that fit nicely and have a reasonable price tag; I have fallen in love with these Girlfriend jeans from the brand BDG which are stocked in Urban Outfitters. I have found that these look great dressed down, tucked into a graphic/band t-shirt with a western style belt and a simple pair of trainers; however they can also be smarted with a light weight blouse or shirt (which seem to be adorned with ruffles or embroidery this season) and a pair of loafers or ankle sock boots- either looks fab!

Sticking to the theme of fashion, my go to shoes this past month has had to be my old skool style VANS; despite taking a while to break in (I have broken VANS in before in the past and despite being uncomfortable for the first few wears I would highly recommend battling through the pain as I guarantee that these shoes will become your new go-to pair). I know that these shoes have become a popular ‘trend’ recently, I have quoted ‘trend’ because in reality I am a true believer that we should enjoy fashion and wear what we want that makes us feel confident without the peer pressure of conforming to societies list of popular and socially acceptable clothing- a truly inspiring blog post that discusses the negative connotations being the pressure of trends within the world of fashion and the importance of individual acceptance of style was created by the talented blogger Sophia Rosemary; who I would really recommend checking out. However back on to the shoes, I believe that these trainers look great paired with a smart pair of cigarette trousers as well skirts and dresses and jeans- even the ones I have just previously mentioned.

Next is a DVD which captures the success and tensions of one of the most memorable British bands; Oasis. The two hour long documentary, directed by Mat Whitecross, captures the Gallagher brother’s road to success; the film which follows the band’s iconic history which has continued to shape the British music scene has modern commentary from the Band members each reflecting on their time in Oasis. As a fan of this band myself, I would highly recommend taking the time to watch this documentary as it reflect the major highs and lows of their experiences; and instantly reflects on the major success  of captured in their Knebworth gigs back in 1966- and it is almost impossible to not feel a sense of sadness when the captivating documentary filled with a mix of emotions eventually draws to an end. The film named ‘Supersonic’, an iconic song known as the bands first debut single, is available to buy at HMV– as well as the blue extended edition cover which is shown in the images below and trust me the added cost is easily justified by the extended footage and who wouldn’t  love to see more of  Liam and Noel.

My must have fragrance of this month has to be Estee Lauder’s Modern Muse; although I absolutely love this scent I have absolutely no idea what the exact smell is however I have looked at their website and it is described to enrapture ‘an alluring contrast of sparkling florals and sleek, sensual woods’. This fresh smell is honestly amazing and is the perfume that I am always drawn towards choosing on a morning- and based on  the amount I received at Christmas it must be obvious to others that this perfume is my all time favourite.

Although I would say that within the new year I have become more open and discovered a lot of new music artists; I have kept it pretty ‘typical Hannah’s music taste’ when it comes to this month’s music pick. I have decided to feature The 1975’s Milk 7″ vinyl , I am aware that I have recently featured this in my Record Collection blog post, however everything about this record is perfect and deserves to be talked about. Other than Milk being one of my favourite songs from The 1975, this record truly showcases The 1975’s consideration and care of atheistic (clearly seen in their uniquely stunning stage set used throughout their tours); the record itself is white to further symbolise the song; however I was pleasantly surprised to see a short phrase etched on to both A and B sides – their consideration for little features is something that I adore about this band.

This month I have been more experimental in what accessories I pair with outfits, I usually just wear my watch and matching bracelet along with simple earrings and the occasional couple of rings; however during February I have started to wear chokers. I admit that I am pretty late to the bandwagon of wearing this particular necklace however as my style has evolved and I have adapted the ability to feel comfortable wearing the things I like me not necessarily what is deemed pleasing to others; I thought it was the perfect opportunity to begin wearing more accessories. I have picked out my favourite chokers, which include this thin black velvet and silver circular patterned one (both from Topshop, however almost every clothing retailer sell these chokers); I particularly like wearing these two stacked on top of each other (I definitely copied this of my friend who I had seen wear this before and it looked great- thanks Katie!). Chokers will look great with any outfit, but if you are stuck on how to style these gorgeous accessories I usually pair mine with a simple white shirt and black skinny jeans with statement shoes.

Finally I have been loving reading more magazines this month, these include luxury coffee table magazines that focus on fashion and youth sub culture to more simple magazines which are released weekly. However this month I will be focusing on the NME, my rekindled interest within the NME originates from my studying the publication as a case study for my A Level Media exam (I know that this may be torturous to another college media student who studies print publication; but despite studying all of the information for just a simple magazine we mustn’t fall out of love with traditional print media-as we all know that print is preferred over digital). I would highly recommend picking up this magazine distributed for free in Topman, HMV, train stations and University campuses; if you have a particular interest in British music and are interested in reviews and news focusing around Music, Film and TV.

These are all the things that I have been loving this month, I hope that you have the chance to check some of these out yourself (all of the product I have found online have links) and love them as much as I have; until next time,

Hannah xoxo

Hometown Favourites… Visiting Mima…

This post is all about loving the facilities in your local area; and in my case I have decided that it is time that I start to appreciate the own I live in (Middlesbrough) and prove the negative stereotypical views forced upon the area. I have started this journey  by visiting a key facility within Middlesbrough; Mima modern art gallery. I am ashamed to say that it has been years since I have last visited Mima, the last time being in a school art trip, and decided that It was time I visited the gallery again.

 

Knowing my luck, I recently visited Mima when two of the three available exhibits were being changed over; meaning that only one exhibition named ‘The Middlesbrough Collection’ was available to view. However, this didn’t put us off at all but simply made us insist on making the decision to visit the gallery soon when the new exhibitions are available for the public to view.

I love the name of this exhibition, ‘The Middlesborough Collection’, because it not only unintentionally helps support my push for embracing and appreciating my local facilities; the collection can be seen as a salute towards the area and the amazing talented art within it.

On entrance, which avaialable free of charge for the public to use, I picked up a card that further explains the significance of the exhibition- which i would definitely recommend taking. The collection, which celebrates ten years of the galleries presence within Middlesbrough, was stated to have been shaped “through a dialogue between staff and the community, with the museum’s users, constituent groups and visitors suggesting it’s content”. I especially love this backstory to the collection as it adds sentimental value to the collection and truly showcases and values the various voices of the community within Middlesbrough. The images within this post capture some of the amazing art pieces within the collection and the vibrant and complimentary ways in which the meaningful art is presented.

The Middlesbrough collection is available to be viewed on both public and guided store tours which allow visitors to view pieces of the collection that are currently not on view and listen to short talks hosted by local enthusiasts. All of this information and more on future events held at Mima is available on their website; visitmima.com.

Before leaving the gallery, we made a trip to the restaurant within Mima named ‘The Smeltery’. This perfectly complimented the surrounding environment that offered an amazing choice of food which is primarily vegetarian; and was accompanied by a view of the surrounding green area accompanied by the Middlesbrough library.

Overall, I insist that you visit Mima if you have the opportunity and take advantage of the free facilities within Middlesbrough; as it was a great opportunity to appreciate art in a relaxed and calming environment. Similarly if you are not located in or around Middlesbrough, I hope you too can start to appreciate some places that essentially shape an area and give it a sense of meaning-despite the fact that in reality we can all admit to have forgotten about them but this can soon change by showing your home town some love. Until next time,

Hannah M xoxo