A Chanel and Stella McCartney Bag in one?

Last week I went on a much needed shopping trip to London and I went into Zara and I fell in love with but I found a beautiful bag which I knew had to mine. The bag looked like a hybrid of the Chanel Boy bag in terms of the shape and structure of the bag and the embellishing of the bag - a silver chain around the edges if the flap of the bag really reminded me of the Stella McCartney Falabella bag. Both of these bags are iconic and ones I would love to own, but seeing as I'm a student both of these beautiful bags are definitely out of my price range!

I thought that this Zara bag was a perfect bag as I got the best of both worlds with the shape of the Chanel and the embellishing of the Falabella bag in one. I think this bag is such a lovely all day bag as it has two pockets to fill up. I must say the bag itself is quite heavy so you definitely can not overpack this bag too much or it would would be too heavy to carry round all day. With the chain and leather panelled strap, I can have it long with the leather strap or double the strap up for an evening bag. The strap is not long enough for a cross body but is a perfect shoulder bag. The material of the bag on the interior and the bag is a smooth leather and there is a patterned velvet on the flap pf the bag.

Link to the bag

I have been wearing this bag everyday since I bought it and I know I will wear this bag to death.

Soraya x

Photo Credit: Zara Website

Summer Must Have: Espadrilles

This Summer I have noticed that espadrilles have been a Summer must have. Luxury and high street brands have come out with their versions. I think espadrilles' are a great alternative to always wearing flip flips and sandals during the warmer months; and in England it's not hot enough to wear flip flops or sandals so espadrilles cover your feet but still look summery compared to wearing trainers all the time! I thought I would share what I have bought and some of my favourites that I have seen in the shops.

Last summer, I bought some beige and silver pair from Zara and I wore these to death last summer and they still look brand new.

This summer I thought I would buy another pair but in leather. I saw these Kenzo espadrilles with an embossed tiger on the pink leather in the Selfridges sale and thought these were perfect for summer as they were bright and would go with anything from jeans to dresses.

Now for the ones I'm loving in the shops but just haven't bought... yet!

These Chanel espadrilles have been all over my Instagram and I think they are beautiful with the classic and understated colours which allows you to wear them with anything. Chanel have two options either leather espadrilles or canvas.

Kurt Geiger have come out with some beautiful espadrilles in different colours with a black toe cap.

I also love the espadrilles with the lace ups around the leg. I think these ones are perfect for holidays and also dress up your outfit as it looks like the wrap around sandals that are on sale.

River Island

Soludos

Soludos 

Check out my Pinterest board - Espadrilles for more of my favourites

Love Soraya x

Photo Credits: Myself and Pinterest

London Trip with the FCP girls

Yesterday our course took a trip to London to do some primary research for our fragrance module. My day started early with a 5am alarm going off! As I live in London, I knew my way around the beautiful city. Here are the places I went in pictures!

Frederic Malle

Fortnum & Mason

Le Labo - Liberty's 

The Burlington Arcade

Penthaligon's 

Selfridges

Soraya x 

Photo Credits: Me

Perspex Fashion Accessories 1

Clutches and Bags 

For the next part of my summative brief, I have been looking fashion accessories that have been made out of perspex. I have decided to split this topic into two - clutches and bags and then other accessories. 

Perspex clutches were seen as a trend on the catwalks for Spring Summer 2012 and eventually trickled down to the high street with the new accessories brand Skinny Dip leading the way. 

Chanel clutches and bags

Chanel have made several perspex clutches, the most popular clutches from Chanel have been the 'lego' brick which was produced in the several different colours. Fans of this clutch were the Kardashian's, models and several bloggers.  In addition, the perfume bottle bag was popular among bloggers about a year ago, however, you could not fit much in it. 

Clear perspex 'lego' bag 

Chanel Perfume bottle bag

Charlotte Olympia clutches 2012

These clutches caused a boom in the use of perspex in bags and clutches. 

Chill Pill Clutch - found on Pinterest

Jasper Conran - S/S 2012

Simone Rocha - S/S 2012 Lace perspex bag 

Skinny Dip 

Skinny Dip is the only well known lower market brand that sells perspex clutches. The green perspex box clutch was popular with the bejeweled plastic perspex shapes as was seen everywhere last year including phone cases.  

Stella McCartney jewel shape clutches

Soraya x

Photos: Pinterest and Google

Harrod's Christmas Windows

Every year my family and I head in to London to finish our Christmas shopping and most importantly look at the Christmas Windows. This year my favourite windows were from Harrods with smaller windows underneath their normal windows for their younger customers! I loved this concept and their idea was based around fairytales. Each window featured a different designer from Burberry to Chanel. My favourite window was the Christian Louboutin cracker window with two giant teddy bears pulling a Louboutin Christmas cracker revealing a gorgeous pair of glittery Louboutin's. If only  you could actually buy crackers like that! Underneath this window their were mice robbing a bank with a well known Louboutin shoe bag as their sack! The larger windows also had music playing out of them to get passers by in to the festive spirit!