Building A Minimal (Capsule) Wardrobe

I’ve spoke about clearing out and reducing my wardrobe for a while now. It’s been a long gradual process particularly when you’re a clothes hoarder like me but my wardrobe keeps becoming smaller and less cluttered of unworn clothes. Instead of having a wardrobe full of clothes with jeans in every shade possible, I now have and am aiming for a smaller collection of items that I need and wear regularly that fits my style. Not only is de-cluttering a satisfying thing to do, it also teaches you more about buying clothes and how to buy more sensibly.

STEP 1: CLEAR OUT

The first step to making your wardrobe more minimal is to obviously cut it down. Open your wardrobe, drawers etc and look at each item individually and decide on it’s final destination (that sounds much more intense than I am intending!). Anything that you truly love and know that will get its wear, place it back into your wardrobe. If you have anything that is damaged or simply not wearable then chuck it in the bin. You’ve also got your ‘maybe’ items which we all have, items that we may be struggling to get rid of and are holding on to! Keep things simple and keep them in your wardrobe for the time being. Then you have the other items that you know you can get rid of. If you have anything that holds value, e.g. trainers, on-trend pieces then it is a good idea to think about selling items. I use eBay regularly and you also have Depop. It is such a good way to de clutter as you can make money that can be reinvested in your wardrobe! Anything else, can then also be given to charity!

STEP 2: ANALYSE 

After the initial clear out, you can definitely cut your wardrobe quite dramatically. Although I do think particularly if you are like me it can be difficult to be strict and cut out everything that could be erased. After a set amount of time, this could be weeks, a month, longer analyse your wardrobe again being more strict about what stays and what goes. One trick I have heard is to ensure all your hangers are facing one direction then once you wear an item face it the other way and after a length of time you can truly see what has been worn and what’s not. There is simply no point holding on to items that are not getting worn so this proves as a good indicator for de-cluttering. The process of continuously eliminating can be long particularly if you own a lot and have hoarder problems (guilty!), I am still regularly making my wardrobe smaller and smaller but each time I do it, it feels incredibly rewarding!

STEP 3: ORGANISE

Apologies to the naturally messy and untidy people who’s wardrobes mainly stay on the floor, sadly for you I am going to encourage you to do the opposite! The best way to get use out of your wardrobe is to ensure it is in a organised fashion in which you can see everything neatly in front of you. So in terms of hanging items up, I like to arrange them in a certain order like dresses then tops then trousers etc. You can make up your own order but having them in an organised way makes it much easier. In terms of storing in drawers etc, I like to have a drawer dedicated to certain things so one drawer for t-shirts, one for skirts etc. Another handy tip for organisation is to organise your clothes using the Marie Kondo method rather than stacking things as you see items much easier rather than simply wearing what is on the top of the pile!

STEP 4: INVEST 

After cutting down your wardrobe, you will have a clear idea of what is missing as well as understanding what you really wear. It is now time to fill in the gaps and make up a wearable wardrobe that reflects your style. One of the lessons I’ve learnt from looking back to my old shopping habits and my wardrobe is that I used to regularly buy poorer quality clothes and many trend-led pieces that go out of fashion far too quickly. Obviously adopting that method means my wardrobe grows quicker and also becomes unwearable. My attitude towards shopping and different clothing brands has changed a lot over the last year, I try to avoid on-trend pieces and cheap poorly made items and instead I like to invest carefully in pieces that are good quality and will we wearable for years to come. Whilst spending a lot of money on one item can be off-putting it is actually much better value than continuously spending on numerous items and having to replace them after a short period of time!

How do you de-clutter?

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Fall Style Wishlist

Did I just use the word ‘Fall’ during Summer!? Yup I did. Let’s get real though for anyone living in the UK, Summer came for a couple of days and then left us. The beginning of September is also looming which means the Autumn season is near and it is my favourite time of the year so of course I have to start early! Autumn/Winter style is also my favourite and I’ve been super excited to see all the collections come into store. I am also in the middle of sorting out my wardrobe so a few new additions wouldn’t go a miss!

Whistles is one of my favourite places to shop, it is a little more pricey for a high street store but it offers good investment pieces that aren’t carbon copies of everything you find in most other cheaper stores. There is a couple of things on my list from the brand that I am desperate to get my hands on. The first is this Multi Coloured Striped Knit which is super cute and injects a nice bit of colour into an outfit. It also looks comfortable as I do find that a lot of knitwear can be too heavy or too light and this seems like the perfect happy medium!  The jumper also appears to pair well with this leather skirt too which is in a gorgeous burgundy colour. As it is leather it might be a little more difficult to care for but it seems that it would make a great staple in my wardrobe.

A few more classic pieces that I need in my wardrobe include a good pair of black skinny jeans. I basically live in black jeans but I don’t have a decent pair so I do have my eye on a pair from All Saints which seem like a perfect match for my wardrobe. Also, a major lust is the Acne Jensen Boots, yes they are incredibly expensive but damn they are beautiful and are a great wardrobe staple. Lastly, is this cute pinafore dress from Urban Outfitters which I’ve been wanting for so long. It would also look super cute with the Whistles jumper and be a little different to just wearing jeans all the time!

What is on your fall wishlist? 

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5 Healthy Ingredients You Need In Your Cupboard

I’ve been on a bit of a food mission lately by trying to cut down on my sugar addiction and just learn to eat more healthily. I’ve became glued to blogs and books in order to find the best ways to eat without consuming too many nasties! Snacking is one of my main problem areas when it comes to food as I just love to snack so I’ve been loving trying to find new healthier alternatives to snack on during the day. A lot of the recipes that I’ve used have many common ingredients and I’ve really learnt about the importance of particular ingredients and how much they can do for me. Therefore, I thought I would share my top 5 ingredients that I just need to have in my kitchen!

Plant Based Milk

I always try to avoid consuming too much dairy as it can be bad for my skin. I tend to stick to a little yoghurt in the morning but try to steer away from too much milk! Instead, I’ve been opting for a plant-based milk, in my case Almond Milk. Opting for a plant based milk also supplies you with a whole lot of goodness for your body too so you won’t be lacking in calcium! I also opt for an unsweetened milk so I am not consuming anything with added sugar.

Nuts

Nuts are such a great cupboard staple, they are super versatile and can be used for snacking, main meals or dessert options. There are many different types of nuts with so many different nutritional values. I like to keep a mix and particularly favour almonds and cashews.

Maple Syrup/Honey

Cutting down on sugar can be a difficult step for a sweet tooth! However there is healthier sweetener options! Maple Syrup and Honey are both great options to add a little sweetness to a dish. There is a little stigma around the likes of Maple Syrup and how healthy it is however like honey it does have its nutritional values and is packed with antioxidants. Obviously though it is all about eating in moderation however I never feel like I need to add loads anyway!

Medjool Dates

I have never been the biggest fan of dried fruits so dates were never of interest however they make a great addition to so many sweet treat recipes. Medjool dates can be pretty pricey but they do last really long so I do like to buy in bulk, Amazon is always a charm! Again they are super nutritious and the Medjool kind are super gooey so add a beautiful creaminess and sweet taste to many recipes. I particularly rely on these for making a batch of energy balls!

Cacao Powder 

Last but not least, Cacao is what every sweet treat lover needs. Cacao powder is essentially raw cocoa. It contains the great cocoa taste (although much stronger so you need a good bit less than normal cocoa powder!) yet isn’t as processed as cocoa is. Again it is super nutritious with antioxidants and is a great energy booster. It works perfectly in many snacks and baked treats to get that chocolate-y taste yet in a healthy way! Again it is pricey although I like to buy it in bulk and you only use a little as I said the taste is pretty strong!

What healthy ingredients do you rely on? 

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The Bag Wishlist

I’ve always been a bag kinda gal at heart, bags over shoes anyday! My dreams of owning a designer bag have existed for too many years now and I think it’s time I did something about that, right!? Being a Leo, I do have expensive taste and I do like a little bit of luxury so whilst a designer bag may require a good few wage slips, it is still something I am happy to invest in. You either get it or you don’t but for me it’s the kinda thing I like. Having got hooked onto luxury style YouTube channels which I mentioned here, I am ready to take the leap into saving for my first designer bag. So what is it going to be, well I thought I would show you some (yes just some) of the bags that have topped my wishlist!

Starting with the bag of dreams, a Chanel Classic Flap. Every bag lover needs a Chanel, right!? Now the price for Chanel is eye-watering and sadly it tends to increase year on year making it near impossible to buy one. However hopefully one day, whilst it is not on my immediate list (for obvious reasons) I will be able to visit a Chanel store in Paris (yup, going all out!) and pick up my very own. Then I will be one step closer to being LC, life goals right there!

Another bag of dreams that I just need in my life is the Saint Laurent Sac De Jour. This bag is simply beautiful, black grained leather possibly in size small please. Again it is one of the more pricier options on my list but having this bag would make me complete. Hopefully I can save up for this one once I graduate as a special treat cause you gotta treat yo self.

Now I mentioned that I prefer my bags over shoes but if there was one pair of shoes I would like to get my hands on then it would be the classic Valentino Rockstuds. Of course with those I need a bag to match, it’s only right! I adore the Valentino Rockstud Lock Shoulder Bags, particularly the light nude pink-y shade which would match my shoes obviously! The bag just looks so beautifully elegant with the gold hardware, I need!

I usually tend to avoid seasonal pieces and trend-led items and I would particularly advice to when opting for a spendy purchase however I have my eye on one. The Gucci Dionysus Shoulder bag is a classic but I have never really been a fan of the whole Gucci monogram style however I adore some of their Floral design options. It is a bit different and totally a statement piece but it is so beautiful! I have been actually really impressed by some the newer Gucci styles recently too!

Lastly, a much cheaper option than the rest, the Celine Trio. I adore the whole minimalistic Celine aesthetics and I just love how simple but chic this bag is. Everyone needs a good crossbody small style bag and this is such a great option. The three compartments is also incredibly handy but I can imagine pretty annoying when you have to get your bag searched! A good all rounder though!

What is on your bag wishlist? 

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My Minimal Jewellery Collection

The whole minimalistic lifestyle seems to be all the rage lately particularly on many blogs. Whilst the concept sounds pretty good, it isn’t very feasible. However I have definitely tried to adopt the more is less kinda of thing lately style wise, beauty is another story…  From my wardrobe to my accessories, I have been de-cluttering a lot out of my stash in order to create small collections of items that I know I will get use out of it and that I truly love. My jewellery is an area that I have been cutting down quite dramatically recently and I thought I would give you a little insight into my collection.

Taking a look overall at my collection, I have a clear love for small dainty pieces that can be worn very casually. Gold also tends to be colour of preference as I just prefer it and it seems to go more with my style too. I tend to shop in high street stores for my jewellery pieces but I will go into that later and show you where I bought all my favourite pieces from. Also, if you are interested in my storage as seen above, I keep my necklaces and rings on my very beautiful marble and gold stand from Oliver Bonas and I also have a little plate from H&M in which I store my earrings.

NECKLACES

From oversized statement pieces, I have clearly made a change in my preference of necklace style. I currently have three go-to dainty pieces that just add a simplistic but chic addition to a casual outfit. Urban Outfitters is one of my favourite stores and particularly for jewellery. They do the most perfect minimalistic style pieces that fit perfectly in my collection. The first necklace (left) is as extreme as it gets. The longer chain and double triangle style is more of my going out option for when I have a little more neck on show. The other two are simple pieces; one with my star sign and the other a basic gold bar style. When it comes to necklaces I am all for the less is more approach, looking back at what I used to wear I much prefer the neater simplistic style.

RINGS

I don’t want to sound like a broken record since I am sure by now you get the whole ‘I prefer the minimal look’ although when it comes to rings I am so for it. I love the look of having a handful of rings with cute midi styles and what not but if I am honest I forget my rings half the time so remembering to coat my hand in them doesn’t really work for me. Although nevertheless I love a good simple ring. There is something about a good ring that just makes me feel complete outfit wise but also adds a bit of sophistication to an outfit. For a simple casual look I love my Gemporia Crescent Moon Ring*  which I spoke about in a separate post here. The crescent moon adds a personal touch yet is super simple but a special piece in my collection. I also have a more ‘edgier’ style from Topshop with a cross design which remains well despite being a cheaper piece.

EARRINGS

Probably my favourite pieces of jewellery. Earrings are the one thing I wear all the time (although saying that I currently am not wearing any!). Whilst fun slightly comical fruit shaped earrings look ever so cool they just don’t fit my style and after wearing boring studs I really wanted to find earrings that I enjoyed wearing and created a bit of a statement. I have became truly obsessed with swing earrings that are pretty unique with a swing bar style that comes from the back of the ear as well as a stud at the front. I have multiple pairs now and Asos seem to hold the best selection. Whilst I love the look of crazily pierced ears I wouldn’t wish that pain on myself (lol) so I love that adding something unique can keep my earring choice a bit interesting.

*PR sample

What is your favourite type of jewellery?

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Gemporia 9K Gold Moon Stacker Ring

I don’t think I could ever fall into that ‘minimalistic lifestyle’ category although I love the minimal look when it comes to style particularly jewellery. There is just something so chic about minimal simple pieces. Speaking of which, I have added a new piece to my minimal jewellery collection (something I will show you soon!). Thanks to Gemporia who specialise in gemstones, I was kindly gifted this gorgeous 9K Gold Moon Stacker Ring* (£52) which is the perfect new addition to my jewellery wardrobe.

I love a good ring but I am so disappointed in the poor quality high street offerings which are easily scratched and worn within a short amount of time. So it has been a delight to get my hands on this gorgeous gold ring from Gemporia. As I said previously, with my minimal preferences I chose this simplistic but classic piece rather than something big and chunky which isn’t my style. The ring has a cute crescent moon design on the gold band which is super pretty and goes with everything. I used to have a crescent moon necklace which sadly broke but I am delighted to have the moon design back in my collection in some form. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing but the crescent moon has a bit of deeper meaning to me as it holds a much more personal meaning to me. The symbol actually plays a sort of reminder to me in where I grew up and basically home for me  (Just pretend you know what I am talking about!). So obviously to have a personal touch behind it makes it feel even more special!

The ring is slightly a touch too big for me although it is nothing that can’t be fixed! Once it is more my size, I can’t wait to wear this more as it adds such a simple and classy touch to any outfit. I am obsessed! Gemporia also have a really great range of jewellery to suit everyone so if you are still stuck for Mother’s Day then I am sure they will have something perfect for a last-minute present!

What is your favourite piece for jewelery?

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White Chocolate Chunk Brownies Recipe

With the horrible Winter weather, there seems nothing more appealing than staying in and indulging in something sweet. As I am sure you all know, I love doing a bit of baking in my free time and this time I was all about brownies. Who doesn’t love a good brownie!? I also happen to be a huge white chocolate fan and basically find a way to put it into anything so today’s recipe features brownies with white chocolate chunks, yummy!

Ingredients

225g butter

5 eggs

450g caster sugar

110g plain flour

55g cocoa powder

40g chocolate (milk/dark or mix) chopped

100g-150g white chocolate (broken into chunks)

Method

Firstly, pre-heat the oven to Gas Mark 5/190C.

Melt the butter and sugar together in a pan over heat.

Remove from heat and add in milk/dark chocolate (usually dark with brownies but just suggested milk as I prefer it!), eggs, flour and cocoa powder and mix. Then add in chocolate chunks, distributing them evenly in the mixture.

Then place into a tin and bake for 30-40 mins until the top has hardened but still soft inside.

Remove from oven and allow to cool before cutting into squares.

Are you a fan of brownies?

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My Staple Cross-body bag and Chloe Drew dupe

It’s been a while since I talked style on this blog although the topic itself is the prime reason I started this blog so I thought it would be fun to bring in some more style posts! Any recommendations for posts are very welcomed! Anyway I am currently in the process of reinventing my wardrobe of staple pieces that I know will remain in style for a long time to come. Bags are something I like to hoard, I have to admit. I have always been a bag kinda gal so it is something I would happily invest in! My goal for my wardrobe really is to cut out the junk that I don’t wear anymore and those pieces that adopted fad trends that are a bit of a waste of time. It is all about quality over quantity (something I wish I told my younger self!) and finding those staple pieces is my current wardrobe goal.

Back at the end of last year, I picked up this gorgeous mini cross-body bag from Topshop. I wasn’t looking for a new bag at the time although as soon as I spotted this it had to be mine. The first thing I thought when I seen it was the fact it is a perfect dupe for the blogger favourite Chloe Drew bag which is what dreams are made of (pretty much). Although what I love about this is that it isn’t an exact dupe or copy, it has similar characteristics but doesn’t feel cheap like a designer knock off. Yet in fact it feels and looks expensive, the gold hardware and chain gives it a very luxurious feel. The bag itself is also pretty sturdy and structured which I like so doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap, an important factor for me when it comes to bags. The bag also has a tassel design on the front which adds a nice bit of detail without being too over the top and also adds a slight 70s vibe again without feeling like a fad. The black shoulder strap also makes it comfortable to wear and again adds that little extra luxurious feel.

I hate to be that person although sadly this bag isn’t available anymore on Topshop. At £30 though it really was a complete bargain considering the quality and beautiful aesthetics. It will remain a long time staple piece within my collection, I just wish I picked up more in a couple of different shades…

Do you have a staple cross-body bag?

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