JUST BE COS

Shirt: COS, Culouttes: Boohoo, Sandals: ZARA, Sunglasses: ASOS, Lips: No7 Classic Rose

Following Sunday's glorious weather, it is clear to see that spring has definitely sprung. There are some beautiful daffodils in the front garden of my parents place and there is blossom frequently blowing in the wind and catching in my hair.

I have started to really feel like my old self recently, with the start of my new job and the rebrand of my online shop (launching soon) I can really say that things are looking up.

My wardrobe has been on hold for the most part of last month and it has really given me time to put together a collection of pieces that I can definitely see myself in throughout the coming months. Albeit, several are weather dependent so those pieces will remain on my 'tbc' list but lets keep fingers crossed for pin worthy weather.

In the meantime I pulled a typical all black outfit - something I am donning a lot recently - and kept it comfy in the sun for some errands. It feels so good to finally get my ZARA classics out and show you my fav COS buy.

BRAVING IT

Crop: ZARA, Trousers: ZARA, Mules: ZARA, Sunglasses: ASOS, Lips: No7 Mocha

Today was the first day in a few weeks I could actually relax. I managed to shoot this before the sun went down after a glorious day. It's amazing what the sun can do to people. Everyone was out and about and you could feel the positivity and excitement. If England had good weather all year round, we would be the best country on the planet.

Although being 'International Women's Day', I am wearing a fairly masculine outfit. I am still loving crops and pinstripes so what's better to throw on for a day of bits and bobs.

I do have a wishlist the size of my arm however, so keep an eye out for new SS pieces!

CHARLIE MAY AT LFW

  images via charliemay

I have been following Charlie's progress since I came across her blog - girlalamode - about 8 months ago now.
Her minimal, soft tailoring is the epitome of effortless chic and has had me dreaming of a wardrobe filled with her pieces ever since. Although slightly out of my price range, Charlie's pieces set the bar in colour and texture with amazing quality fabrics that are manipulated so easily into such wearable pieces.

I was invited to attend the Charlie May show at the amazing OXO2 on the southbank for LFW after expressing my love for her brand and couldn't have been more excited.
Above are some of my favourite looks from the show. Apparently my shots are totally terrible and I need to take a lesson or two in taking pictures of moving objects! If you want a peak at some of my images then please see my instagram: @jennanicholls

The show was total perfection. Fabulous leather, long sleeves, structured knits and serious shearling. I got goose bumps as each model walked past!
If you don't believe me, the full catwalk looks can be seen on Vogue and there are also great backstage shots from Notion Magazine.
Thank you Charlie for inviting me and I can't wait to see what you do next!

LONG PINS

Coat: ZARA, Knit: COS, Leggings: ZARA (similar here), Mules: ZARA, Bag: Vintage Louis Vuitton, Lips: MAC Pink Plaid

I have finally bagged this fabulous long-line pinstripe coat and I am totally in love. I had been umming and ahhing it from afar in the ZARA sale and finally decided to take the plunge. Its high neck, length and stripes are totally masculine but wrapping it around me felt effortlessly chic and added that girly tailored edge.

So anyway, this is what I wore on one of my days off this week. I didn't have a huge amount planned but put together some exciting ideas for the not too distant future. If you read this blog regularly then you should (hopefully) be pleased to know I will be posting more often and with some more planning. 

This is all with a prediction that the weather turns that worthy of LA and my bank balance adds about six 0's however. But yes, stay tuned and spread the word. Jenna is here to stay...

KILLER CUT-OFFS

Knit: ZARA, Culottes: Boohoo, Mules: ZARA, Bag: Louis Vuitton (vintage), Sunglasses: ASOS, Lips: MAC Craving

After a packed weekend - some of it spent at LFW, with post to follow - I finally had the chance to slip on my awesome new culouttes from boohoo and mules from Zara. After spying these easy breezy troosies on the stunning Megan at whatsnewpussycat, I had to snap them up to start easing myself back into spring. Paired with an oversized chunky knit to protect myself against the weather, I felt effortlessly chic in my cut-off shoes too. I spent hours drooling over the ZARA SS14 lookbook only to come across these babies. The decision to buy took a fraction of the time, an easy sign it was love at first sight.

EASY ACNE

Sweatshirt: Sheinside, Leggings: ZARA, Boots: H&M, Sunglasses: ASOS, Lips: No7 Cranberry

The easiest outfit to don after clocking some crazy working hours. Bagged this bargain beauty from Sheinside and it certainly has saved me some dosh as well as creep up the leaderboard of my all-time favourite buys.

I don't really have a leader board- don't worry- but it's only natural for a girl to fall in love and I certainly did when this piece fell through my letterbox.

MAC OUTING

Mac: Mulberry similar here, Top: COS, Leggings: ZARA, Boots: ALDO, Sunglasses: ASOS, Lips: No7 Coral Rose

Just like any girl, I dream of owning those luxury pieces seen and worn by our fashion icons when each season comes and goes.
This tan mackintosh is one of those pieces for me. I fell in love with it in the store while shopping with the boy. It must have been the look on my face that guilt tripped him into buying it for me as a premature 21st present. Well I'm not going to complain am I?!
These images really don't do this classic justice, but I thought why not show off its fabulous colour by donning all black and some sunnies. Let it do all the talking just like when it spoke to me in the store...

GREY MIDI

Skirt: ZARA, Crop: ZARA, Boots: ZARA, Lips: MAC Craving

After a full on week, I was seriously looking forward to my weekend off. As usual I was stifled by the weather and only managed to snap this windy picture before the heavens opened and the rain poured... but it does give you some sort of idea of how it looked.

This grey mermaid skirt was top of my sale buy list this year and is perfect for these dull days as its fit and texture make me feel quite the opposite.

ALL BLACK

Knit: COS, Joggers: Topshop similar here, Boots: ZARA, Bag: Mulberry, Sunglasses: ASOS, Lips: MAC Twig

All black seems to be my favourite thing to wear at the moment. It's just so easy to throw on without too much effort. This COS polo neck is a dream to wear and has been my best sale buy this season. It's a soft wool knit with a gradual swing fit which means its great to pair with anything.

And I can also introduce you to my lovely new arm piece from Mulberry.

I have been saving for a longtime and finally got the opportunity to purchase this old girl last weekend. It's size and colour means its the perfect staple and I am loving using it.

KNEE HIGHS

Knit: ZARA, Shorts: ZARA, Boots: H&M, Lips: No7 Cranberry

It's about time I got back into the blogging game. What's better than kicking things off with the best new addition to my wardrobe.
These boots are part of the H&M Parisian Collection that launched in the latter part of last year. They really are my perfect boots, and since spying them when the collection launched I have been hunting them ever since.
It wasn't until a day of shopping in the city a few weeks ago that I spotted them slumped in a corner looking unworn and unloved. I squealed with excitement when I saw they were my size and had to snap them up.
The rest - as they say - is history...

TESTING

Jumpsuit: ZARA, Top: ZARA, Shoes: Nelly, Bag: Just Fab, Lips: YSL

Pictures from a recent test shoot for a jewellery company in December.
It was fun shooting with some of my own items as I got to play around quite a lot and play stylist. Safe to say when taking off my coat to shoot outside it was pretty chilly but it was super fun never the less.
Shooting in Kensington and Chelsea at Christmas time is so magical. With decorative lights and large green and red wreaths made the day particularly festive. It's safe to say I'm very jealous of the stunning town houses and spent more time oogling at these than worrying about the weather.

Photos by Johnny Colbert 

NEW YEAR WISHLIST

01 lantern 02 bra 03 purse 04 dress 05 boots 06 watch 07 coat 08 candle

LEATHER JOGGER

Joggers: Topshop, Top: ZARA, Sandals: New Look, Lips: No7 Mulberry

I've been after a pair of trousers recently that would really set my wardrobe on fire and these leather joggers are certainly there.
They're smooth and sexy and boy do they feel good. If you've read my blog before you'll probably notice that these are really my style, but I feel a whole new me coming on and this is the item to get the ball rolling.
Along with the cosiness of these joggers, I wanted a relaxed but (hopefully perceived) edgy approach to wearing them. I constantly drool over the outfits Aimee Song puts together with her detailed and extravagant heels and casually cool trousers, so thought I'll give it a go! Despite being a little cold, I threw on a leather jacket and finished my Christmas shopping.
It's amazing how clothes can make you feel but hey, I think I'm getting there!

INSTAMANIA

My life according to instagram.

Finally up to date! A small idea of what I've been up to the latter part of this year. Although not as much as I'd hoped, the new year is dawning and I feel there's some changes to come with the rise of the sun.

Follow me here: @jennanicholls

FREEZING PINS

Knit: ZARA, Skort: ZARA in black here, Boots: ALDO (grey is in sale!), Lips: MAC Twig

A brave 30 minutes with my pins out today. The short time was due to the fact I was being an optimistic IDIOT and thought with a heavily layered top half I'd still be warm. Can't fault me for trying, I am English after all.
Today was the first of 5 days off for me. I woke up and didn't really know what to do with myself. In the end I did some chores, got some Christmas decorations together and then met a friend for a cosy pub lunch.
Isn't it funny how we long for our days off but when they arrive we are stuck for things to do (well, people to do them with) or the slowing down actually has us lacking motivation to socialise?

For me, December is the time to reflect on the year that has passed and to think of the year to come. I think my (first) New Years Resolution will be to really make every moment count. None of this sitting around twiddling my thumbs business. Being proactive and spontaneous is what life is all about!
If all else fails though, I can always fill my days with shopping right?

WHO ARE YOU BUYING FOR?

Benefit, Yankee, Lingerie, Makeup Bag, Alexa Chung IT, Necklace, ELLE, Watch, Brushes, Camera, Ghd's, Notebook, Bracelet.

Christmas is THE best time of year and no matter how old I'll get, seeing presents under the tree will always get me giddy and excited.
Most of the time we tear our hair out thinking about what gifts to buy others so I plucked a few of my 2013 favs to hopefully give you a little more inspiration if you're struggling for ideas.
It is always the thought that counts and no matter who you're buying for whether easy or picky, there is always something for someone.
Some of these are great for stocking fillers or for the Secret Santa you weren't prepared for. Never the less they're great girlie gifts and mostly inexpensive.

The makeup bag and Olivia Burton watch are my favs....what are yours?

COLLARING

Dress: Missguided, Knit: ZARA, Collar: ASOS similar here and here, Lips: MAC Mehr

A cold crisp day off called for an easy versatile outfit. This collar saved me from the cool wind on several occasions and looked super chic whilst doing it.

EFFORTLESS DRESSING

Jumpsuit: ZARA, Coat: ZARA (last year), Shoes: Whistles via ASOS (similar here), Lips: No7 Pink Mocha

I cannot put into words how much I love a good jumpsuit. It's the epitome of smart, effortless dressing. It's all about finding the right one for your body type and then to wear it with pride.
I've spent months trying on all sorts and finally came across this piece from ZARA. Falling in with the lace trend this season it has both a cute and intimidating side and makes me feel just the same when donning it with a pair of courts.
Fabulousooooo

WEAR THE NAVY

Trousers: ZARA, Crop: ZARA, Shoes: ZARA, Clutch: Michael Kors

Navy is one of my favourite new autumnal colours. I feel it doesn't wash me out too much and is so warming. The pinstripes are comfy and this jersey crop is a dream so this outfit couldn't be better for my only day off in a manic week at work.
As usual I'm wearing my metallic sandals, but if today has told me anything it's that I need to trade these in for some winter booties. That's mainly because I woke up to a Kurt Geiger email promoting their mid-season sale. Wuh oh, see you paycheck.