newlook

Be a Savvy Shopper.

Making your money go further appeals to everyone, but sometimes a new pair of shoes here and a new dress there all adds up to more than you were expecting. Here are my top tips for saving you money…

Shopping online isn’t for everyone but I really think it has its perks. Online you can short the products low to high, compare similar items from different stores in browser tabs and view sale items refined to your size without the rummaging through a disorganised and messy clothes rail.

Picture1

An absolute must for me is to google a discount code for the site. There are lots of different websites and forums where people post discount codes for online stores and it is crazy how much you can save by simply finding a code.

http://www.vouchercodes.co.uk & https://www.vouchercloud.com   are a couple of sites that often have a valid code running. The other day I saved 25% with a code I found for Newlook just my simply googling “newlook discount code”.

If you are a student then I’m sure you already have UniDays, if not then why not… download it now! -It gives you discounts and deal at hundreds on high street retailers online and in store. If you are thinking of buying something online don’t forget to check for student discounts.

If you have found something you are considering ordering I think it is always a good idea to wait a couple of days; sites such as boohoo.com or missguided.com often have flash sales such as 20% of dress and so on. Keep checking a website for a few days as you could get lucky and get it cheaper. Same with free delivery. Delivery costs are often what put people off shopping online but free click & collect from store and free delivery codes make it hassle free and literally free to deliver products to your door or local store.

Check whether the store offer free returns. Asos, Boohoo, Newlook, riverisland, topshop, ect offer free returns with collect plus (you drop your return off at your local corner shops and they collect it from there, making it easier than ever to return unwanted packages) or free returns to store when you keep the invoice. This means you can order two sizes to ensure a good fit and simply and easily return the unwanted pieces.

Sign up for the newsletter. Sites often offer an introductory discount to people who sign up with their email. Sign up with a different email each time to get the code over and over.

Keep the tags on!! You often have 30 days to return something so keep the tags on until you wish to wear it just encase something better/ cheaper comes up somewhere else.

Be critical. Try something on at home. If it’s not right for you -return it, its silly to keep something and not wear it when you can simply return it for a full refund.

Know the market. Even if I am going shopping I like to look online first to get an idea of what they will have in store. This way I will be prepared and I can create aims to ensure I don’t buy unnecessary pieces.

I hope this will help everyone to find a good deal and save you money.

Check out my post on how to create the perfect wardrobe and put your money saving skills to the test. https://katielouisaclarke.wordpress.com/2015/09/07/the-perfect-wardrobe/

The Perfect Wearable Wardrobe.

The key to the perfect wardrobe is creating a succinct collection of versatile pieces you can mix and match to build any look for any occasion.

It all comes down to making considered purchases instead of buying everything you see or like -too much clutter only makes it harder to find something to wear.

It’s important to really know and understand your style and the look you are going for, so you can really know what to look out for when your shopping. This should help keep a theme running through your wardrobe allowing you to mix and match in so many more combination.

Next, have a sort out. The season has just changed so now is a perfect time to go through your clothes. If you haven’t worn it in ages, or you don’t think you’l wear it again then loose it -why do you need to keep something you never wear.

On the bottom: I think you need a classic pair of blue skinnys for the casual days a pair of black jeans to dress it up slightly and a pair of smart trousers. Also consider a couple of skirts, a simple mini skirt, a midi pencil and a button through A line skirt.

bottoms

On your feet I would say a pair of Nike Roshe runs, then a pair of Loafers, heeled boots and then the strappy heels/ stilettos will work with any outfit and take you from popping to the shops, to a lunch date, to night on the town.

shoes

On top the choices are more open but my advise is go for a selection of versatile pieces. Get a couple of camis, a sweater, a couple of long sleeve tops in different styles and a selection of vests and jumpers. Try to get a mix of different, lengths, sleeves, fabrics and colours. Try to avoid getting similar tops in the same colour.

tops

Dresses wise go for a fitted midi little black dress, this will work perfectly for any evening look then go for a couple of shift/ t shirt dresses that you can dress up or down with heels and a clutch or flats and a tote/shopper.

dresses

Accessories: Find a warm scarf that goes colour wise with everything a neutral colours works well such as grey, black or khaki works well for me, then find a large clutch for the nights and a tote/ shopper for the day. Then finally coats and jackets are really important, I would say invest is a smart coat shorter coat and a long warm wrap up coat,

acsessories and coat

Ta dah! that’s it.

Phew I know that seems like a lot and a bit complicated but I hope it helps. As you can see from my wardrobe I like simple shapes and minimal pieces. Tan, Khaki, denim and black are my autumn go to colours. I tend to stay away from patterns for some reason but create interest by mixing fabrics and textures so leather, croc, suede and patent which feature heavily throughout. All the pieces are very interchangeable and work from everyday casual to a night out.

Clothes featured can be found at Asos, Newlook, Pretty Little Thing, Missguided, H&M, Riverisland and Forever21.

For more details please leave me a question in the comments below.

Easily Suede.

The 70’s is back this autumn with a modern twist; new colours, new shapes, new textures but for me its the suede that needs to be the key piece in your wardrobe this season. Suede is such a luxorious fabric when to get it right, there are so many great pieces out there is it hard not to. My favourites are a draping suede jacket, the suede A line skirt and the suede shift dress.

For me it has to be the shift dress that steals the show, its so easy to wear day or night and so effortless. This little khaki suede number is from missguided £25 but the the clean shape, seam detail and side zips make it looks much more expensive. Pair it with some loafers and a camel coat or heels and a clutch for the perfect autumn look.

Newlook are killing the suede skirts. Go super 70’s with the button through mini skirt, add a modern twist with this leather and suede trim skirt or dress it up with this suede midi skirt starting at £12.99.

new look suede skirts

Or the suede jacket adds a touch of texture to your look with this tan suede waterfall jacket by Zara £49.99 or this sleeveless khaki waterfall duster for £25 from Boohoo.

Image 1 of FAUX SUEDE OVERSHIRT from Zara

https://www.missguided.co.uk/dresses/suede-dresses/suede-t-shirt-mini-dress-green

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/_/N-cm2?No=0&Nrpp=120&Ntt=suede+skirt&filtered=1

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/jackets/faux-suede-overshirt-c269184p2773874.html

http://www.boohoo.com/restofworld/new-in/emma-suedette-belted-blazer/invt/dzz97396

Do you love a bit of suede? What are your newest Suede purchases? leave it in the comments below.

suede lap shot

Wrap up Warm.

The weather has taken a turn for the worst and I feel this wet and windiness might be here for a little while.The good thing to remember about this change in the weather is it gives you a chance to change your wardrobe. You can bring out the coats and knits from last year and start considering some new pieces.

Here is my low down on the best coats this season.

For me it has to be Khaki or Camel. These two colours are so on trend this season, very autumnal and both go so well with any outfit. There are four main styles to look out for; the waterfall coat, the trench coat, the duster and the boyfriend jacket.

Here are my affordable favouites.

The khaki trench coat £39.99 Newlook

Newlook trent

This coat is so gorgeous, its a midium to light weight coat perfect to dress up or down.

Waterfall Camel Coat Missguided £30missguided waterful coat

This shape is very flattering and feminine and looks so nice undone and relaxed.

Suede Duster £50 in Chestnut Boohoo.com

boohoo suede duster

Suede is a key fabric for this autumn so why not really get your 70’s on with this maxi duster.

Khaki Boufriend Jacket Newlook £29

newlook boyfriend jacket

This coat is perfect for adding a more formal feel to you look day or night. It looks so good here over a leather skirt a ribbed high neck knit.

This season is all about textures; suedes, ribbed knits, cords, leather. pair a leather A line skirt with a ribbed sweater under a suede jacket and you are away.

All the links are below. Let me know what you think in the comments section.

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/jackets-and-coats/khaki-drape-belted-trench-coat-_333499434

http://www.boohoo.com/restofworld/new-in/boutique-bonded-suedette-duster/invt/azz01713

https://www.missguided.co.uk/clothing/category/coats-jackets/belted-waterfall-coat-camel-camel

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/jackets-and-coats/khaki-textured-boyfriend-coat-_347282034

What’s in my makeup bag.

I recently had a sort out of all my makeup. It was such a mess -eye shadow dust and black liner splodges everywhere. The other morning I had a rummage for my tweezers my hands got so covered in makeup, I’d had enough. From that point I knew I needed to have a sort out. I had all sorts in my makeup bag, things I hadn’t used in ages and all just taking up space and making it even harder to find what I am looking for.

It is always good to have a sort out, make up is expensive and you don’t want to be chucking everything away but most makeup products have a 12 month use by date on them so it is important for hygiene to throw away old products. It is best to invest in products you know you are going to use everyday to make your money go further. I cleaned up all my makeup and washed my brushes and then sorted them in to the products I use most often and ones that I might use again in the future.

This little beige makeup bag was an absolute bargain from Newlook it was £3 in the sale. It’s a nice size as it fits all of my essentials with out take up too much room in my hand bag if I need to do my makeup on the go.

I would probably say I buy most of my makeup from Boots as your points add up quickly on my Boots card and their products are often on 3 for 2. Here is a list of my must haves right now.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Lah Multiplying Mascara £7.99

Maybelline Fit Me! concealer £5.99

Boujour Smokey Eye Trio £7.99

Boujour Healthy Mix Foundation £9.99

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner £7.99

Rimmel Professional Eye Brow Pencil £2.99

Rimmel London Good to Glow Highlighter £4.99

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss £5.45

Makeup bag -Newlook £3

Brush set -Amazon £6

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer Sand 20. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara Very Black 1Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil Black/BrownBourjois Healthy Mix Foundation Beige 54

Bourjois Smoky Eyes Trio Eyeshadow Nude Ingenu 4Rimmel London Good To Glow Highlighter Notting Hill Glow 1Makeup Revolution Matte Concealer Stick 01 FairestMaybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner Black

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick By Kate Moss 38Body Collection Eyelash Curlers

If you are interested in how I contour my face. I have the quickest and simplest steps for everyday contouring, link bellow -Complexion Perfection.

https://katielouisaclarke.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/complexion-perfection/

Work shoes.

You may have read in previous posts or seen on my Instagram https://instagram.com/katie_clarke94/ I have a new job; as a cover corporate receptionist, I travel around London filling in for leave and sickness at the large office buildings around London. I have to be well dressed and professional, in a black pencil skirt, jacket and blouse with a pearl necklace and earrings. The uniform is provided but I have to supply my own shoes. You don’t want to know how long I was looking and how many pairs of shoes I ordered and sent back until I found the right ones.

If you’re anything like me I wanted a comfortable pair of relatively high heels in black leather. Sounds standard but it was really hard to find what I was after. Turned out Newlook is the place to go for the widest range of shoes suitable for the office.

Here are my top three. Number one: Black Comfort Leather Platform Courts by Newlook originally £34.99 but reduced to £14 in the sale. The shoe is very comfortable with a padded sole, they fit true to size and being genuine leather they will soften and mold to your foot. The shoe has a rounded toe, small platform and an 11cm heel giving them a classic and sophisticated look.

Comfort courts

http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-shoes/black-comfort-leather-platform-court-shoes-_330611401

For the wider foot Newlook has come out on top again with their Wide Fit Black Court Shoes now £10 in the sale!! These shoes are perfect if you have a broader foot they again come with a rounded toe and discrete platform with a 10cm heel and have a elegant finish.

wide fit courts

http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-wide-fit/wide-fit-black-court-shoes-_342919401

Finally if you are tall or you really struggle in heels and are looking for a lower pair, why not consider these Black Comfort Leather Pointed court shoes again currently in the sale at £12 these have a lower 8cm heel in a soft leather again with a padded sole.

pointed courts

http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-shoes/black-comfort-leather-pointed-court-shoes-_330585701

So there we go Newlook has turned out on top when it comes to formal shoes for work. Obviously there are other places that sell black courts but I didn’t like the styles or shapes and they were no where near the price of these ones from Newlook especially as they are currently all in the sale. Happy shopping everyone.