Not Going Out

I’ve never quite understood January blues...it may be that it’s my birthday month or the fact that I haven’t gone dry but I think the main attraction to January is that it’s totally fine to stay in and do bugger all. I mean why you would want to go out on Saturday night when you can now watch Tom Hardy for a whole hour I do not know! (Ok so if you don’t know about this then BBC 1.9PM.Tom Hardy. is all you need to know!) I for one was treated to posh beautifying lotions and potions for Christmas and I fully intend to test their miracle credentials before the month is through and I’ll mostly be doing this in the fabulous leopard print pyjamas Mrs Clause (i.e. Sarah) gave me for Christmas. What’s not to love?! This is the month where hygge comes into its own and if you need any more convincing to stay in, here’s our picks of the best ways to CTFO this month and beat those so called January blues....

Lighting a candle can instantly make the prospect of staying in more appealing. The Parkminster Regency Collection offers the ultimate in calming and atmospheric decadence. We’ve got three delectable scents in store: Malabar Spice, Sicilian Fig and Indian Lotus. (£30 each) According to Parkminster “The exotic scents of the Regency Collection capture the imagination of far away lands and distant hillsides. They are an inspiration for a life of comfort, of warmth and of graceful living”. The soy wax is poured into a luxurious green recycled glass container and is packaged in super chic black boxes.

Turn your standard routine into something special and pimp your bath with a scoop of Parkminster salt scrub (now £10). A blend of Himalayan salts, almond oil and essentials oils this sumptuous product exfoliates and moisturises in one. This stuff is the only excuse you’ll need to delight in the tub, guilt-free. 

Who says you can’t dress up to stay in? Slip into your comfort zone with a Love Stories set “for comfortable lingerie that can be styled and worn with ease”. Soft triangle bralettes (was £40 now £20) and briefs (were £20 now £10) make you feel gorgeous and are available in stylish prints epitomising the ‘underwear as outerwear’ trend. To complete the look team with the Becksöndergaard cotton eye mask (£11) for pure tranquillity.

MINKPINK has got our January uniform sorted with the Someplace Else cosy sweat (£38) and the tapered lounge pant (£38). This dreamy set is perfect for chilling out with a copy of the latest edition of The Happy Newspaper from Emily Coxhead (£3.50).

Whether you have a cup of tea in hand or a glass of fizz, staying in is the new going out. Well, for January anyway…!

Enjoy beauties!

Rachel x

Welcome to the new year...

So I’m back from a week in beautiful Sorrento where I enjoyed the last drops of summer sun…and way too much pasta and ice cream! I’ve returned feeling refreshed and ready for the new year. New year huh? Well perhaps its because I come from a family of teachers but to me September has always had a sense of new beginnings about it.  Schools have re-opened their gates, freshers are getting fresh again and Strictly is back. Another wondrous thing about September is the need to re-evaluate our wardrobes…its time for boots, coats and cozy knits. Well   it’s a new term at WSd HQ too and the fresh AW16 drop has got us super excited for the season ahead.  Here’s our pick of newbies that are sure to inject you with a sense of renewal for the bronzed autumn months ahead. Grab your new stationary and take note…

Scotch & Soda is a new kid on the WSd block but this uber cool brand has unsurprisingly settled in like a dream. Autumn is synonymous with a concoction of textures and the Scotch & Soda collection is making texture building easy.    Green is a colour of ‘balance and harmony’ and it only takes one look at the Scotch & Soda pleated skirt (£100) to feel restored. In luxurious billiard green this silky skirt will bring a feeling of opulence to your look. Pair with the Scotch & Soda Striped Lurex Cardigan (£130) with its fabulous shimmery undertones for a perfect duo that gives you ideal layering options. Simply team with the Moda in Pelle Chiara pony skin heels (£99) for your go-to sartorial uniform.

Pleated skirts were also spotted at the Chloé show during Paris fashion week. Ok they were slightly OTT but we can totes take a little inspiration from the runway and add a drop of wispy frivolity into our everyday lives. Designer Clare Waight Keller paired the tiered skirts with laid back sweatshirts, proving that sporty and luxe go together like gin and tonic. Style your pleated skirt a la Sarah with the MINKPINK Hey sweat (£45) and the Veja Esplar low-rise pumps (£82).

WSd HQ is a currently a treasure trove of super soft and sumptuous knitwear from scarves to jumpers, and quite frankly we’re lusting after every piece. But what do you add to knitwear to bring some playfulness to the cosiness?  Why Love Stories of course. The latest ‘Darling’ bralette (£45) and ‘Russell’ briefs (£35) from this luxe brand are making the underwear trend impossible to keep under wraps. How about teaming with the Somedays Lovin Bonnie cable crop knit (£52) for a hint of underarm ‘Golden wave’ material. If you dare to bare then the side split detail of the Vero Moda jumper dress (£34) will reveal a sparkle of glittering disco pant. If you’re not quite ready to commit to knitwear, then slip the MINKPINK military shirt (£55) over your Love Stories bralette and allow the latter to peep from the neckline to strike the delicate balance between seduction and elegance. 

In its Fall 2016 Fashion Colour Report, Pantone conclude “along with anchoring earth tones, exuberant pops of vibrant colors also appear throughout the collections”. This is mirrored in WSd HQ with spicy mustard yellow and tantalising berry mixed amid warm taupe and military green.

For a helping of mustard reach for the Vero Moda Louisa scarf (£26), Hudson Algoma boot (£125), Becksöndergaard grid socks (£7) and Crafted Jewels agate necklace (£20). Get your serving of berry goodness with the Vero Moda drill jumper (£34) Becksöndergaard suede clutch (now £55) and the Hudson Mimi boot (£150).

Remember that a ‘new year’ isn’t about a ‘new you’ and we stand by the statement we made in January that “sometimes things just need a little refreshing rather than replacing….” So pop in store to pick up an autumn wonder that will not only prove its worth in your wardrobe but will give you the confidence to be top of the class this season.

Rachel x

Goodnight...

When a Vero Moda delivery drops and this toppling tower takes centre stage in WSd HQ, you know things are about to get even more fabulous. This dreamy brand is the backbone to our wardrobes and never fails to impress us with stylish, affordable and dependable pieces.

So here’s what’s new…

Boudoir elegance has gone beyond the bedroom and the sleepwear-as-daywear trend has taken the spring/summer 16 catwalks by storm. Enter chic separates Poet Pyjama shirt (£24) and pants (£24)with their delicate Japanese motif print for a modern take on the trend. There are so many options with these pieces and one is to wear them together for a super chic look that oozes sex appeal. The key to rocking this duo is polished hair and make-up, and if this sounds high maintenance, don’t forget you’re effectively wearing your pjs all day so balance will be restored! For luxe over loungewear avoid flats and elevate your look with heels. The Sol Sana Chuck heel (was £145 now £80) perfectly contrasts the delicacy of the print.

Go separate for a laid back look and to maximise each piece. Accented piping and a plunging neckline take the Poet shirt into the luxe category and what better way to reveal a little of the Love Stories bralette (Hazel: £50, Darling: £45)?! Try half tucking the shirt into boyfriend jeans for a perfect silk/denim balance.

For a dreamy trio, pair the Poet trousers with the Vero Moda bodysuit (£16) and the Sol Sana Porter Heel (was £120, now £69). These would make the perfect trouser for that early morning flight to paradise; simply pair with the Hudson Beata white loafer (was £120, now £55) and the Vero Moda Elsa Frill Sweat (£18).

Steering away from the boudoir but continuing the blush, we give you the Poppy Frill dress (£28). Solving the woe of British summer dressing, the soft pastel shade, long tailored sleeves and laid back skirt strike the perfect balance. The structured ruffles keep this beauty on the cool side of cute and the cut out neckline will ensure a peep of sun kissed skin. Toughen up the look with the Hudson Emmett boot (was £155, now £75).

The jewel tone story is continued with the Poet cold shoulder blouse (£20). The cold shoulder silhouette is the shape of the moment and has confirmed that shoulders are officially in…. who knew?! According to InStyle ‘its versatility continues to be unmatched- they look just as good- and just as appropriate- at the Farmers’ Market as they do for a night on the town”. So whether you go choose your Hunters or heels, the tantalising cutouts reveal just enough to keep them guessing…

 Vero Moda, we simply ♥ you

Pop in store to take a look at the new drop and snap up the last of the sale! 

Rachel x

Love Stories

There’s the practical undies you just can’t live without; your failsafe nude strapless, those pair of flattering frenchies or that bra that gives you the perfect plunge…then there’s the set that’s the pinnacle of luxury and indulgence and you simply adore.

WSd gives you Love Stories, the ultimate Danish lingerie brand offering delicate individual pieces that are “all about showcasing your personal style, allowing you to reveal who you are and what makes you feel gorgeous”.

We have two beautiful bralette styles and one style of briefs in store, with each piece in the collection designed for mix and matching.

Hazel (top left) Darling (right)

The soft triangle Hazel bralette (£50) is an idyllic combination of rich maroon lace with delicate scalloped edging and charming muted animal print. Adjustable double straps in dusky pink add to the effortlessly chic colour palette of this barely-there bralette. Close this beauty at the front with an antique gold Love Stories clip. 

The ethereal Darling bralette in rose brown (£45) combines rich aubergine lace with soft grey double straps and a black elasticated underband for dreamy comfort. The brand’s ethos to ‘steer far away from traditional lingerie fabrics and colours, such as black, white and nude’ is evident in the diverse mix of materials and colours within this unique piece. A double hook –and-eye closure means this beauty also offers both luxury and support.

The Wild Rose briefs (£30) in inca gold will exude goddess status when paired with either of the bralettes in store. The lace backed, printed front knickers combine seductive hints of the elegant textures and prints found in both bralette styles.

These pieces are too beautiful to hide so try the subtly exposed bra look that allows you to elegantly show a little lace or a flash of strap. Pair a Love Stories bralette with a simple sheer top for a hint of luxe lace or with something backless for a tantalizing glimpse of satin strap. A slouchy top that occasionally exposes a suggestion of scalloping or an unbuttoned shirt that reveals a flirtation of rich silk is the perfect way to nail the underwear as outerwear trend.

LoveStories is the brainchild of fashion and interior stylist Marloes Hoedeman, who firmly believes that “underwear enhances and extends the rest of your wardrobe”. It’s with this in mind that these masterpieces of intricate design hang alongside the myriad of dresses, jumpsuits, skirts and other treasures of WSd, ready for you to create your perfect outfit.

Watch this space as there are more amazing Love Stories to come...

Rachel x