Category Archives: Style

Espadrilles – the must have summer shoe

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In recent years I have become more and more aware of the need for comfort in the heat. A month in the Mediterranean each year, plus at least 6 months of 70 degrees Fahrenheit necessitate comfy, cool feet. I love my flat simple sandals, but there are still times a girl needs some good heels. Espadrilles fit the bill perfectly for height and comfort – and the added practicality of a wedge means you can glide along the lawn at those summer gatherings.

My favorites at this time include these classic Castañers. The tomato red pair are just perfection with a crisp cotton white dress and brown legs.

I love this nude taupe pair and the slight platform is perfect – these will look hot as hell with denim shorts and a white shirt.

I’ve ordered this denim pair – I love the fringing and I think they will look great with a bright t-shirt and a pair of my J Brand Selena crops.

Kurt Geiger are another high end option – here in the US they are even more – why can’t brands just use the exchange rate?! Having said that these are so unique that they might be worth the extra $$$. The Mimi in snake skin is gorgeous and they also come in a gold glitter which will be great for a high summer party.

Yellow has to be the color of the season and these are beautiful for some eye catching footwear. They also come in snakeskin or black.

This pair are my absolute favorite. Monochrome and fluorescent pom poms!

For those of you in the UK you may already be aware that Kurt Geiger now sell Vince Camuto – a brand I have bought on several occasions here. These platforms are lovely.

TheOutnet.com is well worth a good browse on a Sunday evening. Soludos is a brand that I have worn regularly is and promoted by many bloggers including Sincerely Jules. I have a couple of pairs of their smoking slippers that I love. Right now there’s an abundance of the brand on TheOutnet.com heavily discounted.

This leather pair is beautiful and reduced by 50%.

These are reduced to just $60.

I ordered this pair last night – I love the pink and orange together. Again reduced by almost 50%.

Others that caught my eye on TheOutnet.com include these by Tory Burch. What a perfect color for summer and these are leather. Discounted by 55%.

These are by Iris and Ink – TheOutnet’s own brand – I really love the red but they also come in brown.

These are a bit of a curve ball but I bloody love them! For some reason I think they would be a great travel shoe – I know that sounds daft/pretentious having shoes for traveling – but take it from me you need flats, easy on and off, and stylish shoes for that jet-setting lifestyle 🙂 The Rag & Bone Gena espadrille.

I hit The Gap after seeing Fran wear these on Instagram – they are a lovely shade of pink.

Also available in khaki.

These white eyelet espadrilles are really pretty and feminine. Keeping them clean might be a b*tch but thats where clorox gel pens come in handy!

The gold open toe espadrilles are great and a lovely price.

Finally always check out Nordstrom Rack and Neiman Marcus Last Call – they have amazing brands appearing all the time and can give TheOutnet.com a run for their money.

Oh and these – yes I love these – I know many of you will hate them – but hey that’s what makes fashion fun!!

We had a lovely family day today – out for a lunch of burgers and ice cream. Unfortunately I am having real trouble moving after 30 laps in the pool yesterday. Seriously getting dressed was a real problem this morning 😉 That’ll teach me to work out.

T-shirt – AllSaints // Jeans – Hudson (discounted here) // Boots – Rag & Bone // Sunglasses – Oliver Peoples (discounted here) // Bag – AllSaints (no longer online)

 

 

 

Pastel slides

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How beautiful are these new arrivals from Everlane? I just love how simple and elegant they are. Perfect with a slip dress or cropped jeans.

So question is which color?

If you prefer a more masculine aesthetic how about the modern Babo? I love the blush or green but there are other colors available.

It’s absolutely lashing it down here today – an ark may be required soon, but for the love of fashion I still managed to take a photograph.

Sweater – AllSaints // Jeans – J Brand // Sneakers – Isabel Marant // Earrings – J.Crew

Sneakers – Superga (discounted here) // Skirt – H&M (similar here) // Top – H&M (currently reduced) // Jacket – Gap

Sneakers – Nike // Jeans – J Brand // Shirt – Madewell

Finally don’t forget to pop over to PoppysStyleBeauty to enter my giveaway before it ends on May 5th!

Big Earrings

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I used to wear big earrings all the time with longer hair. With short hair I always felt very self conscious with big earrings, and then with the addition of a rook, daith, tragus and helix piercings it all felt a bit overwhelming to try and wear big danglers. That said I’m always very envious of those that carry them off with absolute aplomb like Alex here.

After the recent J.Crew catalogue I became so tempted to try some myself, but I worried the look in my head was not the look in real life! Today I challenged myself – if I could wear a pair of old danglers for the day, and not be irritated or feel weighed down then I would treat myself to a pair of J.Crew earrings while the 30% BIGSALE code is operative till April 30th.

It’s hard to see in this image but the ones I wore a beaded hoops – 3 hoops inside each other with smaller diameters in coral and gold beads. Not too heavy but definitely big earrings (sunglasses are Prada).

As I popped into the mall I was greeted with not one but 2 compliments on my earrings! Yes – I can do this! So of course some research was required and here is what I discovered…first of course J.Crew with the 30% discount.

First here are the ones I bought – already reduced with an extra 40% off using BIGSALE. I just love turquoise for summer. The clear crystal are also on sale.

The gold and olive are perfect for my coloring.

Here are the ones Alex is wearing – a little too big for me – I wish I could get away with them!

In blue or yellow here.

These beaded ones in white and wild berry are on my list. I can see myself wearing these with an off the shoulder top.

These aqua hoops are lovely and simple and also come in tortoiseshell – just $19.50 with 30% off.

Then these Gaia tassel earrings are beautiful.

Then of course don’t forget about JCrew Factory.

For just $15.50 you can have these in grey or cobalt blue.

Want to experiment with yellow? How about these?

These are striking in this vintage kelly color.

These could be my absolute all time favorite – great color and so much fun!

Next TheOutnet.com – always a fabulous source of striking, cut price, quality jewelry.

 

From top left clockwise –

  1. Kenneth Jay Lane clip on black tassel earrings
  2. Kenneth Jay Lane turquoise resin earrings.
  3. Kenneth Jay Lane silver tone crystal earrings
  4. Ben Ammun tassel earrings
  5. Noir Jewelry gold tone earrings
  6. Kenneth Jay Lane crystal earrings
  7. Kenneth Jay Lane turquoise silver drop earrings
  8. Kenneth Jay Lane silver earrings
  9. Center – Kenneth Jay Lane red resin earrings

Finally I can’t leave without mentioning Mango’s fine contribution to everyones’ ears this season – there are too many fabulous ones to list but check them out here.

 

A new tattoo, a giveaway and an outfit catch up!

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So I can finally share – I was waiting till after my trip back to the UK, once I had shown my Mum and Dad. As it turns out my 5 year old niece, Alice, is rubbish with secrets and snitched on me at the weekend! I guess it’s a good thing that Mum and Dad know in advance – the fewer shocks the better 😉 My lion is done – I’m a Leo and I love all it signifies.

We had a lovely relaxing weekend and went out for another ‘end of testing’ celebratory lunch. It was actually planned originally as a meal out for me and Dave – then Hugh invited himself and his sister. Not one to dissuade an interest in dining out, we happily changed our reservation from evening to lunchtime and went as a party of four.

I wore my new Victoria Beckham x Target dress. I’d told myself I wasn’t going to buy anything from the range, but as I read reviews I thought I’d give it a whirl. As the reviews confirmed the quality is amazing – far superior to any $35 dress I’ve ever bought in the past! The fabric is heavy, but comfortable and on my shape you can’t beat a drop waist cut! I’m wearing a Large which fits perfectly.

Dress – VB x Target // Shoes – Sam Edelman // Bag – Proenza Schouler

Once again the weather is heavily influencing my outfits – we’re in that ’80 degrees one day, 50 degrees the next’ time of year until the end of May when it is reliable blazing everyday.

Jeans – J Brand // Shoes – Miu Miu // Top – Mango (old)

Shoes – Nike // Jeans – Current Elliott (reduced by 55% here) // T-shirt – H&M // Jacket – Mango // Bag – Mansur Gavriel

Slides – Mango // Jeans – Hudson // T-shirt – AllSaints // Jacket – AllSaints

Trousers – Cos (old) // Shoes – Zara (old) // Shirt – H&M (in sale now here) // Jacket – AllSaints (old) // Bag – Proenza Schouler

As we move toward May (not wishing April away!) I realized that nearly every year I get caught out. Mother’s Day in the USA is in May – so I always forget when Mothering Sunday is in the UK! I have no commercials, emails, or news prompts to remind me in March! I’m getting better though, and my Mum did receive a potted lily before she left with Dad on their Cunard cruise from Singapore to S. Africa. They’re really slumming it as empty nesters!

Anyway as I mentioned Mother’s Day here in the US is May 14th so I thought it would be great opportunity to host a giveaway – whether you’ve already celebrated or not!

Enter here to win 2 Rodan + Fields gift sets! Neither are available to purchase and both are valued at over $100!

  1. The Rodan + Fields Lash Boost and eye cream gift set with pouch
  2. The Rodan + Fields spring gift set with lip renewing serum and eye cream with pouch

Enter here between now and May 5th for your chance to win – Mother’s Day giveaway
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The best designer jeans – many on sale!

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I live in jeans. Years ago I would only ever buy Diesel jeans, then Hudson became my brand of choice, and more recently I fell in love with the J Brand Selena jeans. I wear a lot of jeans from high street stores too like H&M and Zara – but as I get older, I once again learn that valuable lesson, that less is more and it pays to invest. The softness of the denim and cut of a designer brand really is superior.

As luck would have it there are MANY sources of great, cut price brand name jeans. Here I’m pretty much sticking with my favorites – J Brand, but Bloomingdales for example has LOTS of other brands on sale. It’s also worth noting that in the US – text BLOOMIES to 25666 and you will get a 20% discount code for signing up to texts which can be applied to jeans already on sale.

First I’m including two pairs of J Band Selena jeans which are not on sale, just because I love the wash for summer – the first pair has distressed hems and the second pair is a lovely light blue wash.

J Brand selena decoy wash J Brand Selena

Now my next port of call for great discounted designer jeans is always TheOutnet.com – I found these gems today.

Both these J Brand Selenas are on final sale with an extra 40% off.

J Brand Selena the outnet

Bloomingdales has the J Brand Selena on sale here in a variety of washes – don’t forget the extra 20% too by texting BLOOMIES to 25666

Stylebop.com has the Selena in one of my favorite washes – undertow – and starting today there is an extra 15% discount applied at checkout.

I was looking for a pair in white and managed to find these at a store I’ve never used before – elevtd.com – use welcome15 for an extra 15% discount on this distressed pair.

Others that I loved at TheOutnet.com include these bargains – the 835 distressed mid rise from J Brand discounted by 56%

j brand 835 mid rise jean

The Kick from Current/Elliott reduced by 55%

Current/Elliott Kick flares

The J Brand mid rise crop in black discounted by 56%.

J Brand crop in black

As I say Bloomingdales has a plethora of jeans on sale right now so check them out here!

Which are your favorite brand jeans? I’ve been reluctant to stray but I’m sure there are other brands I need to check out!

Here I am today in a pair of J Brand jeans from Bloomingdales. They are SO soft and stretchy – no gaping at the back either. Totally stupid to wear heels though on a hot spring day!

Jeans – J Brand // T-shirt – Mango // Shoes – Marks & Spencer (welcome20 in the US for a 20% discount)

Shoes – Zara (old) // Jumpsuit – Uniqlo // Jacket – AllSaints // Bag – Proenza Schouler

Top – Target (old) // Culottes – Uniqlo // Boots – Rag & Bone // Bag – Coach

Sleepwear

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Sleepwear is like underwear – I hate spending money on something that may only get seen by 3 other people in my house. Every 12-18 months though it becomes essential to replace my greying, fraying pyjamas with some more decent attire to wear in the car on the school run – you know one day we will break down and I’ll have to get out of the car. My poor children – if not already scarred for life – they will be.

My first port of call for sleepwear is always H&M – I’ve had more success with their pyjamas than more expensive ones bought in the NAP sale – I still kick myself for wasting money on some ‘luxury’ sleepwear. This year I haven’t been disappointed – H&M have BY FAR the best selection of sleepwear and take it from the quality is fabulous! There is so much to choose from too – I’ve kept it to pyjamas here as I am not a nightshirt wearer (are you supposed to wear them with knickers or without? It’s always bothered me wearing underwear in bed!) but those are available too.

First up is this simple camisole and short set. Really cute and cool for summer.

This long sleeve and pant set is available in 2 colors and is super flattering and drapey. I’d change into this after work (my husband is tracking the earlier and earlier hour that I arrive in the lounge in my sleepwear!) it’s so lovely – perfect for sofa surfing in front of Survivor.

I love how H&M keep their color scheme simple too – greys, whites and pinks – easy to mix and match if you choose to. This set is gorgeous with the lace detail.

As I suggested the next two sets could easily be mixed and matched with the previous one.

Here’s one I can DEFINITELY get away with wearing in car pool – surely?

The next 4 sets are all 100% cotton. I’ve worn the blue striped on already and it is gorgeous. Really fabulous quality for the price and super comfortable. I have a large which is generous – the shirts are boxy so no discomfort with buttons. Just really soft, cool cotton. Highly recommended.

Cotton pyjamas

These shorts come in a pack of 2 without tops – but again perfect for mixing and matching with a cami.

This is one of my favorite sets – just pure, simple white pyjamas – gorgeous.

These are cute and available in pink too but with a slogan which I’m not sure my husband wants to wake up to each morning…

So what do you think? I used to be an M&S girl all the way for pjs when I lived in the UK – even buying their great cotton mens pyjamas (you might want to check out this VERY important link – David Gandy looks MIGHTY FINE)…but you’ll be hard pushed to get me to look elsewhere for sleepwear than H&M these days.

Finally a quick catch up on some outfits – spring is definitely in the air here along with a TONNE of pollen.

& Other Stories cardigan, AllSaints topShoes – Zara (old) // Jeans – H&M // T-shirt – AllSaints // Cardigan – & Other Stories // Bag – Coach

Madewell shirt and birkenstocksShirt – Madewell // Jeans – H&M (currently on sale here) // Bag – Coach // Shoes – Birkenstocks // Glasses – Prada

Mango jacket and Gucci laofersT-shirt – Mango // Jacket – Mango // Jeans – H&M (on sale here) // Shoes – Gucci // Bag – Coach

Allsaints leather jacket and leggingsLeggings – AllSaints // Top – AllSaints (similar here) // Jacket – AllSaints // Bag – Balenciaga // Shoes – Golden Goose

AllSaints leather jacket and Nike Jewell sneakersJacket – AllSaints // T-shirt – AllSaints (on sale here) // Jeans – H&M // Sneakers – Nike // Bag – Coach

A forgotten store – Uniqlo

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My husband was asking me the other day where he should look for minimalist, contemporary trousers for himself. He loves James Perse but their prices are not so lovely. As I wracked my brain I suddenly remembered Uniqlo. It’s a store I always forget about – probably as we don’t have a bricks and mortar store here in Atlanta. I’ve made many great purchases from them over the years – particularly their knitwear and outerwear. As I was checking out the men’s section I figured I may as well take a quick peek at the women’s section!

Firstly I had forgotten how amazing their prices are! For great quality basics they are hard to beat. In fact my son has some of their long sleeve t-shirts and I swear the cotton feels so luxurious and soft – and yet I paid $9.99 for them in NYC last fall!

These pieces in particular caught my eye.

These dresses have a built in bra. Now for summer this is perfect – even I, with a generous bust, love a built in bra in the summer – so easy and no fiddling with bra hooks when its hot. Even better – its not a shelf bra that can often be unflattering resulting in a mono boob 😉 The bra in these dresses actually has soft cups to separate and give a flattering bust line.

Uniqlo dress with bra

Uniqlo dress with bra striped bra dress Uniqlo striped bra dress

Next up culottes are always a great choice for summer – easy to wear and cool – and these have a lovely elastic waist band. They are available in navy, black, beige and yellow – more of a mustard color.

jersey culottes

Uniqlo jersey culottes

This style is slightly dressier and can double as a skirt with the convenience of trousers. Available in black, navy, pink and beige.

Uniqlo pleated wide leg trousers

I love a great jumpsuit and these are gorgeous – and JUST $19.90 right now!! A whole outfit for less than $20 and it gets rave reviews. Just perfect with sneakers during the day, then throw on a blazer or leather jacket and a pair of heels for dinner!

Uniqlo jumpsuit Uniqlo jersey jumpsuit

If you’re in the UK check out this style of jumpsuit. I’m not sure if they have sold out in the USA or if we’re waiting for them to arrive – regardless my sister has a package on its way to her that I can collect in May 😉 Again an absolute steal for £24.90! I think they are perfect for traveling – easy to pack and so versatile for sight seeing or dinner out.

So what do you think? Are you a regular Uniqlo shopper? What other items do you rate that I should be checking out?

As for my daily outfits – well last week I was on Spring Break so it was bikinis all week. If you saw on Instagram I am a HUGE fan of Athleta’s swimwear. Their fabrics are amazing quality and the tops and bottoms all come in various styles which you can mix and match – I love them! You can use this referral link and receive 20% off an item.

Jeans – H&M // Sneaker – Nike // Top – Mango (old) // Jacket – AllSaints // Bag – Coach

Top – Madewell // Shorts – J.Crew (30% off with code LOTSTOSHOP) // Flipflops – Gap // Bag – Coach

Dress – ASOS // Sneakers – New Balance x J.Crew // Bag – Balenciaga

 

 

A spring fling with AllSaints

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I have loved AllSaints for years. They are edgy, urban and do the BEST leathers and knits. They are however very expensive for a high street brand. So when they have a 30% off deal, as they do now, I am always quick to take a gander. You can use the code SPRING at checkout but be quick as it applies to limited stock (leathers, coats and knitwear) and ends tomorrow.

My picks are mainly knitwear, which given the 80 degree temperature here today, are pretty useless to me!

I love their cutout pieces and this Able open shoulder sweater is beautiful with zip detailing. It also comes in cinder black and grey, but this pink marl is gorgeous. Size down – it’s generous.

One of my favorite pieces from AllSaints is the blanket cardigan – perfect for travel – I never fly without mine. This Lori blanket cardigan also comes in cinder black.

I love the texture and color contrast on the Terra Funnel sweater – and the cutouts in the elbow give it neat details.

AllSaints is always my first stop when I’m back in the UK in Manchester – their store there is great and as is the concession in Selfridges. I can’t wait!

As AllSaints has been on my mind recently I’ve worn a few items from my collection. I always love wearing them – so comfortable and super soft. Expensive, but worth it in my opinion – though I do try and wait for the sales.

These raffi leggings are a great example – you may sneer at $75 for a pair of leggings BUT I swear they are the softest, most comfortable ever, with no bagging at the knee and a cute attached skirt for a little modesty. It’s great for hiding a camel toe and allowing you to wear shorter tops than you would normally with leggings!

Leggings – AllSaints // Sneakers – Golden Goose // Top – AllSaints (old) // Bag – Balenciaga

This skirt is the ULTIMATE bargain – I felt amazing in it on Friday and though it’s not AllSaints it could easily be mistaken for one of their cuts – especially in the black.

Skirt – ASOS // Top – AllSaints (old) // Boots – Zara // Bag – Balenciaga

 

 

A quick Poppy’s Style business update!

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Preamble – this is a one off informational post on my other business – then it’s all back to fashion, fun and family here at Poppy’s Style!

As many of you know I started working with Rodan + Fields back in August 2016. My endeavors with the skincare business were some of the reasons that I took a break from blogging at the beginning of the this year. I am thrilled to report the business is going from strength to strength and I am still relishing every moment of it.

Let’s face it MLM/network marketing/social commerce businesses historically have a poor reputation and carry some stigma. Unfortunately this bad rap was generated by companies who abused the concept, had no viable product and made money out of the initial investment leaving the franchise owner with nothing to build a business.

R+F, however, have had products in the market for years – initially in retail stores and then the dermatologists saw the opportunity to empower business owners and leverage the world of social media and peer recommendations. Our products are incredible and the before and after photos of our customers and consultants are testament to that. Personally my skin has never been better, and as a melanoma survivor and prior sun worshipper, I assure you that skincare is at the top of my obsessions.

So this post is just to make you aware of the following :

  1. In order to maintain the integrity of Poppy’s Style I will be moving all posts relating to beauty and skincare to a new site – PoppysStyleBeauty.com (link in header above) where all my beauty obsessions from my lipstick addiction to dealing with cracked heels and Brazilians will be discussed 😉
  2. If you are at all interested in trying the skincare regimens that I am now evangelical about, having tried them all, you can email me at joanna@poppys-style.com or visit my site here for more information. If you are outside the USA I can offer free shipping and payment via Paypal.
  3. If you would like to follow my footsteps and feel ready for a new challenge, more fun, new friends, more income and some self-development, and you reside in the US, Canada or Australia email me at joanna@poppys-style.com or visit this site for more information. 1-2 hours a day has changed my life and lifestyle – no one is too busy, and anyone with any experience can succeed with a little dedication.

See you here at Poppy’s Style or PoppysStyleBeauty.com and thank you as ever for reading, commenting and your ongoing support – I truly appreciate you all! xxx

Our beautiful Spring Gift Set has arrived – perfect for Mother’s Day, teachers gifts, bridesmaids gifts or graduation gifts!

Rodan + Fields spring gift set

 

The leather jacket – but not a black one in sight!

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I adore a leather jacket – I always have – and this season there is an abundance of fabulously colored jackets to try instead of the tried and tested black leather jacket.

Let’s begin with top dollar on the high street – and some of the best leather jackets out there in my opinion – AllSaints.

The Balfern jacket is a regular style – a real classic. There was a baby pink available in the leather version which may still be available in stores but has sold out online. However, my favorite on me is the coral.

AllSaints Balfern leather jacket coral

The sky blue is really pretty – more of an egg shell blue.

Then there is suede – personally I prefer leather to avoid greasy finger marks – but this plait Balfern in clay pink is beautiful. It also comes in lemon yellow and luna blue here.

TheOutnet.com is always a great place to look for leather jackets. A couple of years ago I scored a gorgeously soft Maje jacket in a great orangey red. This Isabel Marant jacket in claret is 51% discounted.

Isabel Marant Kheo leather jacket

This beautiful yellow jacket from IRO is 65% off.

Another amazing jacket from Isabel Marant at 68% off!

My favorite leathers this season are from Mango. They are always well priced, good leather and fit well. I actually just ordered this beautiful yellow leather jacket – I love the soft color with my coloring as opposed to some of the really vivid yellows. My skin is yellow enough thanks! I also love the plain neckline – most of my other leathers have a collar.

Mango yellow leather jacket

This red leather is fabulous – a really great price too.

Mango red leather jacket

I am super tempted by this blue jacket. I have a really deep indigo blue leather jacket from AllSaints but I really like this more summery blue here. I love the buckle detailing too.

Mango blue leather jacket

Finally green – just the perfect green for me too – a deep forest green.

Mango green leather jacket

TopShop have a great vivid red suede jacket that will add instant cool factor to any outfit.

TopShop red suede jacket

Of course whenever you’re in doubt of where to find something ASOS is the place to head! This beautiful pink suede is available in all sizes and reduced by $200!

ASOS pink suede jacket

This one is so similar to the AllSaints jacket – well except for the pice tag – this is $500 cheaper!

There is of course a tremendous selection of studded and embroidered jackets out there right now – I’m afraid they just don’t appeal to me and I think they will date quickly. I like my classic leather jackets but I really don’t mind what color they are. There simply is nothing better to throw over a dress or jeans all year round.

My FIL arrived last night so we have a fun week ahead. It’s his birthday on Sunday so hopefully we will indulge in a good meal out once all our cheer competition commitments are over! It’s also my nephew’s birthday tomorrow so HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!

Today I’m in one of my favorite jacket and top combos – and I may have new sneakers on 😉

Sneakers – Nike Jewell LX // Jeans – Zara (old) // Top – AllSaints (old – similar here) // Jacket – J.Crew (old – similar here) // Bag – Coach

The other day Poppy and I went for a browse in her favorite store – H&M. The neon shoe thing was complete coincidence I assure you!

On Poppy – Shoes – Vans // Jeans – H&M // Jacket – Uniqlo // On Me – Shoes – Nike Air Max // Jeans – H&M // Top – AllSaints (old) // Jacket – Mango (old) // Bag – Coach