Miami nights...

My trip to Miami is getting closer and closer so, of course, my Miami wardrobe is getting bigger and bigger.

Zara, Missguided, Topshop, and & Other Stories - which has of course just opened in Manchester City Centre, have been my go-to places for all things summer holiday this year.

Missguided has an incredible collection of playsuits, shorts and crop tops, while Topshop has some beaut smart trousers in store.

& Other Stories is officially my new favourite place to shop in Manchester. Whether it be accessories, a last minute outfit or something for a special occasion, this store has everything you could possibly need - all in one place. The sunglasses and A-line halter print dress, featured in my montage, are personal favourites. 

Zara also never lets me down, especially when it comes to summer holiday clothes. Although the autumn/winter collection is starting to filter into stores, there are still some lovely dresses and playsuits in store - ideal for both day and night. 

While in the midst of writing this post, I stumbled upon an amazing summer holiday brand in Dancing Leopard. Featuring eccentric, bright and beautiful prints in a variety of garments - the best being the playsuits and dresses, this brand is perfect for summer 2016. 

Below is a round-up of just some of pieces that will be featuring in my Miami 2016 wardrobe...

Missguided

Missguided 

Topshop

& Other Stories

Zara

Dancing Leopard 

:) 

x

By Jessica Simm

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Race day...

In a little over a week, I'll be heading on my annual work summer outing to York Racecourse so, as always, outfit planning is at the top of my agenda.

The races can often be challenging to dress for, but it's important to go with something classic. This year I'll be opting for a midi dress/skirt or a smart trouser, silk cami combo and, as there are so many options, I wanted to share my top races-friendly pieces for this season.

& Other Stories recently opened the brand-new Manchester store and I absolutely LOVE it. There are a number beaut pieces in, perfect for race day, my favourites being the two red midi dresses.

Elsewhere on the high street, Missguided, River Island and Topshop have some stunning pieces in, and below is an overview of my top ten races picks for spring/summer 2016:

1. & Other Stories

2. & Other Stories

3. Chloe

4. Topshop

5. Topshop

6. Topshop

7. Victoria Beckham

8. Missguided 

9. River Island

10. Topshop

:) 

x

By Jessica Simm

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Bikini season...

My summer holiday is finally booked and what a trip I have planned. I'll be heading to Miami in August followed by one of my favourite places in the world, Toronto.

So, I have already started working on my bikini bod, and of course planning my wardrobe - starting with my beach/pool looks.

Pool parties will be all about high-waisted bikinis, so I have already started to pin some ideas over on my Pinterest, and below are a few highlights.

There are some incredible bikinis to choose from on the high street and online too, with ASOS, Missguided, River Island, H&M, and Triangl, having the best by far. 

Missguided in particular has some beaut one pieces, while ASOS has some amazing high-waisted numbers. 

I'm also loving Triangl's mismatch looks, all of which will look stunning with that summer glow we all know and love. 

For bright colours, Triangl is the place to go and for anything monochrome head to Missguided, H&M, ASOS or River Island.

Below are the best bikinis I've found this season... 

Missguided 

ASOS

H&M

River Island

Triangl

Happy summer!

:) 

x

By Jessica Simm

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The top five trends for spring/summer 2016...

1. Boho 

Every summer, boho makes a comeback and, as it's definitely making a reappearance for SS16, this trend looks set to stay for years to come.

Flower hair garlands, tie dye, vintage jewellery, fringing, floppy hats, paisley, feathers, floaty skirts, hand chains, lots of embroidery, and denim cut-off shorts are all key for this trend. And, as festival season gets into full swing, we'll be seeing much much more of boho.

2. All stripe everything

As you will know from my last post, I have a slight obsession with stripes, so a lot of my spring/summer 2016 wardrobe is very much the epitome of this key trend for the season.

As I mentioned last time, Zara, Topshop, Missguided, Sandro, Miss Selfridge, and Karen Millen, all have a great selection of stripe pieces, ideal for spring/summer 2016.

3. Bardot

In recent months, the Bardot neckline has taken the fashion world by storm. Whether it be a jumpsuit, playsuit, dress, or top, this look is set to be everywhere this coming season.

The Bardot neckline is already that popular that Missguided has a dedicated 'Bardot dress' section on its website, while collectively Topshop and ASOS have hundreds of pieces to choose from within this trend.

4. Bomber jackets

I have already purchased my first bomber jacket for SS16, an oriental inspired ASOS number, and I have a few more still on my wish list.

Just about every store on the high street has a collection of bomber jackets to choose from, and while I'm loving the bright and slightly eccentric styles, the khaki ones also look great.

5. Exposure

Cut-outs are also key for spring/summer 2016. If you're looking for the perfect holiday look to show off your summer glow then exposure is perfect - whether it be to show off your shoulders, stomach waist, or even your knees.

The likes of Balenciaga, Peter Pilotto, Barbara Casasola, Christopher Kane, Prabal Gurung, and Givenchy all have skin-baring collections for SS16, and the high street has definitely followed suit.

Topshop has some beaut pieces, as does ASOS and Zara.

:) 

x

By Jessica Simm

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Stripe heaven...

I was recently invited to intu Trafford Centre to check out the latest collections to hit the shops for spring/summer 2016 and, much to my delight, one of the key trends for this season is of course stripes.

Anybody who knows me knows that I have a minor obsession with all things striped so, I will definitely be welcoming this trend into my spring/summer 2016 wardrobe with open arms.

My first stop on the trip was to Karen Millen which had a number of striped pieces in a monochrome palette, perfect for the coming season. Alongside the striped numbers, the store also had a couple of green/yellow pieces ideal for brightening up any look - my favourite being the lime duster coat.

Karen Millen

Following Karen Millen, I visited Miss Selfridge, Missguided at Selfridges, and Sandro at Selfridges, where stripes were much more prominent. Playsuits, Bardot necklines, and lace-up tops are key for SS16. 

Miss Selfridge

Missguided at Selfridges 

Sandro at Selfridges 

Next was Topshop followed by Zara, both of which did not disappoint. If you're looking for all things stripe for your spring/summer 2016 wardrobe then I would definitely recommend visiting these two stores. 

Whether it be jumpers, tees, jumpsuits, playsuits, trousers, dresses, shorts, skirts, or even jackets, Topshop and Zara have just about every garment you can imagine in a variety of different stripe designs. 

Key pieces, which I will most definitely be purchasing for this season include, the navy stripe jumpsuit, the navy and white dress, and the black and white playsuit - all from Topshop, in addition to the Zara shirt dress and Bardot top. 

Topshop

Topshop

Topshop

Topshop

Zara

Zara

Overall, I had a great time visiting intu Trafford Centre, and managed to walk away with a number of pieces perfect for the season ahead. 

:) 

x

By Jessica Simm

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Holiday blues...

I have been back from Canada for almost two weeks now, and I have a major dose of the holiday blues.

The country is one of the most amazing and beautiful places I have ever visited, and I was lucky enough to experience so many parts of it.

From Toronto to Niagara Falls, and even Ottawa, I saw some amazing sites and made lots of unforgettable memories.

My favourite moment was of course witnessing Toronto Blue Jays score a 'grand slam' during their game against Detroit Tigers - something which has definitely given me a newfound love for baseball.

Additional highlights do of course include purchasing my holiday wardrobe and, doing a whole lot of shopping during my trip - so I thought I would pull together some of my outfit highlights.

The main bulk of my wardrobe was of course from Topshop however, I did also get a few trusty pieces from Zara, Brandy Melville, H&M and Urban Outfitters, with shoes from Birkenstock, Office and River Island.

Here are some of favourite looks from the holiday...

:)

x

By Jessica Simm

Follow my blog with Bloglovin