It's All About That Base

Ok so there’s definitely no denying that it’s really flippin cold. I had to admit defeat last week and buy a winter coat- something I probably should have invested in months ago but I’m feeling rather smug that I snapped mine up in the January sales and I’m pretty sure my investment will prove worthy for at least another couple of months before going away until next winter. Don’t get me wrong I’m not the kind of gal to be beaten by winter woe but with the current sub-zero temperatures hanging around, January has a high chance of turning us blue in a more literal sense! So whether you’re trying to update your current wardrobe without breaking the bank or you’re merely trying to stay warm, it really is all about that base.We all know the basics about layering on our top half but what about the bottom?

Up your layering game and pair your favorite dress with jeans or leggings to reinvigorate your staples. Style a la Sarah who took her go-to vintage dress and made it almost unrecognizable by teaming it with a pair of Vero Moda grey denim skinnies (£29) and the coolest of Veja kicks (£82). The trick to mastering this look is playing with proportions and the queen of style has just done that by adding an On the Rise (£70) sweat into the mix to create a flattering silhouette that works equally as well with heels as it does trainers.

A dress you might ordinarily keep exclusively for nights out can be converted into the perfect day look with the help of clever layering. The MINKPINK hustle dress (£58) has all the credentials of a night on the tiles but its cross over shaping is a magnet for the best of the base. Steal Sarah’s style and let the roll neck prove its worth once again to take this dress into the off-duty department. The addition of cut off skinny jeans adds practicality to that oh so sexy high slit and creates contrast against the more billowy skirt. Hudson Magee brogues (now £62) prove that a glittery dress can be at the centre of an androgynous look.

For a runway worthy look toughen up your denim layering with a pair of fishnets. Sarah chopped and sliced her Vero Moda 7 skinnies to offer a tantalising peep of grunge glam.

A slinky slip dress is probably on every girls  wish list in all its whimsical beauty, yet  the prospect of wearing it in anything other than our daydreams can seem a little daunting. Well, fear not and just slip it over a pair of jeans for a chic tomboy vibe. Try the Vero Moda Heather off-shoulder (£32) dress and skinnies and finish the look off with a pair of cool Veja 3 lock metallic kicks (£100) and a little leather jacket for the ultimate in versatile dressing.

These savvy style tips will not only save you a penny or two but will reignite your wardrobe staples and keep you cosy. Oh and any excuse to delay that leg wax is fine by us!

Happy layering beauties!

Rachel x

Inhale • Exhale • Repeat

There’s no doubt that over the last year or two there has seen something of a wellness revolution. You only need to spend five minutes perusing Instagram to notice that everyone is on a mission to be the best versions of themselves whether its through food, juicing, yoga or mindfulness. The explosion of healthy living and clean eating has been synonymous with the growth of ‘athleisure’. It’s the latest buzzword in fashion and refers to the ‘gym-to-office’ look-yep that’s right sportswear is now chic and stylish and can be worn any time anywhere.

Sound appealing? Well this week the ultimate in ‘athleisure’ has landed at WSd HQ and we couldn’t be more excited…

Bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘statement style’ is On the Rise- a premium bespoke sweat brand that makes words your most powerful accessories. Sarah has worked closely with this brand to design stylish sweats exclusively for WSd…that are single handedly reinstating girl power back into leisurewear. Sarah has picked a mix of slogans so you can say it loud and proud with ‘Sass’, ‘Brave’, Lioness’, ‘Angel’ or simply ‘S’ (£70, S, M, L). On The Rise proves that you don’t have to neglect your style to be comfortable so style your sweat a la Sarah and dress one of these beauties up for a luxe loungewear look. She proved her leader of the pack credentials with the black and gold Lioness sweat which she teamed with an oh so on trend pleated skirt for a day to night sartorial 

saviour.

Whether you’re getting your downward dog on or you simply want to feel sexy running your errands then you need a pair of Yoga Leggs in your life. This brand is the brainchild of yogi buddy duo Amanda and Becki who are not only super beautifully fresh faced but are really rather busy. In between designing leggings they have ‘acquired a rather large dog and two babies to add to the existing cat and four children’. Refreshingly real these ‘Essex mum entrepreneurs’ have created luxury fitness clothing for real women. The mantra of their yoga leggings goes like this…

“They are high waisted to avoid muffin tops and provide you with a seamless and flattering silhouette. You will love their silky smooth fabric, making you feel and look super sexy from the school run, studio to street. Yoga Leggs leggings are not just for yoga or working out, although made with sports performance components they will withstand any sweaty activity you choose. Women wearing our funky fitness leggings make a fashion statement, are stylish and on trend”.

These leggings are all about efficiency- something us girls pride ourselves on- they’ll take you straight from vinyasa flow to fizz flow or even prove their worth in the office with a simple trainer to heel swap. What Sarah did…is the proud stockist of four fabulous prints: Carefree Camo, Mystical Mermaid, Sexy Snake and Sublime (£45) all of which offer fun versatility.

 A new drop of super stylish kicks from Veja has just landed in store too so What Sarah did…is your one stop shop for sports luxe. After all, ‘athleisure' is the new black.

Namaste beauties

Rachel x

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

C L U S E

The lingering New Year’s hangover has finally gone, the NutriBullet has been dusted off and the new gym gear you got for Crimbo is looking mighty fine (even if its only modelled when nipping into town for a coffee-we totes won’t judge). Amid the green juices, if another one of your resolutions is to be on time then of course you’ll need all the equipment necessary to help you along the way! Well with a gorgeous CLUSE watch, punctuality is one pledge that definitely won’t fall by the wayside.

According to Dutch brand CLUSE each watch “gives your look the effortless elegance of a movie star with a touch of contemporary minimalism and Parisian chic’. Select pieces from the La Vedette collection are sitting pretty in store and firmly demonstrate the collection’s message that ‘fashion is temporary, but true style remains’.

So for a timepiece that offers cool details and effortless elegance, take a look at these beauties available in WSd HQ…

All Black Everything

The Mesh Full Black watch commands attention without being over the top and truly is the epitome of laid-back cool. The pared down look is achieved from a combination of matte black and stainless steel, which achieves an androgynous, sporty look while the fine mesh reinstates a softer vibe. For the chameleon within, the strap is easily interchangeable so you can mix up the minimal feel with bright metallics or soft neutral hues.

Metallic Moments

Black and gold is the colour combination du jour and a CLUSE beauty is taking this iconic duo to a whole new level of sophistication. Uniting the timeless palette in wrist wear form is this masterpiece, which comprises a black dial with gold detailing and a gold metallic leather strap for shimmering sophistication. CLUSE has made it effortless to add metallic accents to your look in an oh so chic way.

Grey Matters

CLUSE proves that understated soft grey matt leather has a big impact on a classic eggshell white and rose gold hardware face.  This classic pairing summarises the purpose of the La Vedette collection to stand as a “tribute to captivating elegance, timeless sophistication and the uncontested power of true female confidence”. Here's to tick tocking our way to regular Beyonce moments!

Every CLUSE watch from What Sarah did...is presented in a super soft pouch for safe storage or ultra luxe  gifting and prices range from £79.95-£89.95.

The watches in store stand out enough to be worn alone, but why not elevate the look and team your treasured timepiece with a stack of fine bracelets or a chunky bangle. With interchangeable straps the style options are endless making a CLUSE watch a worthy wrist candy investment. 

Rachel x