Favourite Summer Looks

So this Summer I was very very lucky in that I got to travel to three different cities; Beijing, Dubai and Casablanca. And this meant that I got to wear a lot of clothes that I wouldn't be able to wear back home in Ireland (boo rain!)- here are my top 3 favourite outfits from my five-week long vacation. I re-used a lot of my pieces over the three cities as you could see in my Insta posts (follow me @ yasmina aniss) Links to exact items or similar have been posted- Happy Shopping!

*Note-for Irish & UK subbies- there is 20% of ASOS at the minute with a student code, and for Irish only subbies- there is 10% of Topshop for their newly launched Euro site with the code 'IETREAT10'

HOLIDAY LOOK 1-
Badass T-shirt (ASOS) || Collarless waistcoat on sale (Zara)- Similar here  || AM90 Premium (Size) || Levi's shorts (ASOS) || Tassle wallet on sale (Zara)- Similar here









HOLIDAY LOOK 2-
Sleeveless Belted duster- sold out (Topshop)- Similar here and here || Striped midi- sold out (New Look)- Similar here || Alexander Wang Rocco (NET-A-PORTER) || Spiked sandals- sold out (Zara)- similar here || HRH Delicate choker set in gold (HRH COLLECTION) || Pom Pom keyring- mine was is black but I am definitely getting this berry one (River Island)





HOLIDAY LOOK 3-
Black culottes (Primark/Pennys)- similar here || Plunge neck cami (Topshop) || Lace up wedged sandals- sold out (Topshop)- Similar here and here || MK watch (ASOS)

Florals and Fun

To celebrate the end of the stage school year yesterday, here is a little outfit of the day I whipped up before my Dublin date with my sister Grace. We went to our favourite sushi restaurant in Dublin to celebrate- Musashi on Capel Street (get the Ebi Tempura Masago rolls!)- it was her treat...luck me eh?! and we then went to Brother Hubbard for cake and coffee and their takeout iced tea. I popped into Folkster and bought a lovely pair of Indian Rose coloured culottes that I can't wait to wear on holidays in August and added these pair of Air Max 90's from Size? to my collection. I live in trainers, and having worked in Size? for over six years, biasedly, I still think the shop does the best collection of trainers in Ireland.

I am wearing a Zara waistcoat that I got in the recent Summer sale (similar here and here) || these Binx jeans from Topshop- I usually buy Joni, however these have more of a relaxed feel but are still high waisted || Nike AM 90 in black croc, similar here and here || this crepe tank top that I also got in the sale || a Michael Kors watch that was a gift- similar here || a beautiful bunch of pink flowers that I received from one of my students and had to accessorise with...(so lucky!)

Hope your all having a lovely Sunday, x

Pop of Neon

So, a few weekends ago I decided to base two very different outfits (but with an all black errthang theme...) around my neon clutch. Black is such a staple colour of my wardrobe- I undeniably feel the most comfortable in this colour! However, a pop of colour is sometimes needed- and this neon clutch was just that!

The weekend was pure bliss! It was spent with friends (we unintentionally all wore black and white lol!) on the Saturday afternoon gossiping about life in one of my favourite local cafes in Meath 'The Donkey Shed'. Saturday evening saw myself and Ev with a bottle of Prosecco, some cheeky sticky toffee pudding and us finally starting Season three of Homeland. I know I'm a bit late to the Homeland buzz....but I'm slowly but surely making my way through every series on Netflix lol!

Sunday was spent in Dublin City Centre trying out a joint called 3fe- famous for its coffee and very small menu range (there were only three things on the brunch menu which is surprisingly refreshing for a change to not have such a choice!). We got the fish tacos, the corn fritters, the tasting espresso set (one Ethiopian bean, and one Mexican I think!), a chocolate and beetroot cake (yes I said beetroot- it was so moist and delish!) and one scone! It was some of the best brunch I have had in Dublin yet, and not too hard on the wallet! A stroll round grand canal dock and seeing blue skies ended a peaceful weekend! 

What do you like to get up to in Dublin? Have you a gem of a place for brunch? Do you recommend anywhere in Dublin?

Outfit details- SATURDAY

Wearing a Topshop jumper- similar here || these Topshop Joni jeans || Topshop chelsea boots, similar here || Zara neon clutch, similar here || this Topshop fedora ||

Outfit details- SUNDAY

Wearing this Topshop Shirt || these wax coat Topshop Joni jeans || Topshop Chelsea boots, similar here || this Zara fur stole- which now comes in a few other colours that I NEED!!! || Neon clutch bag by Zara, similar here|| MK watch, similar here ||

Monochrome Madness

I'm such a sucker for a mono outfit. My wardrobe over the past year has grown darker and a lot more minimalist...I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting older or because it reflects my moods lol! Today was one of my sisters birthdays and we celebrated it in one of my favourite Japanese restaurants, Musashi! And because I have had such a mad week preparing for the opening of my stage schools- I really wasn't pushed for glamming up! Yep...shock horror!

I'm wearing;
(Click the links to purchase the items!)

Penny's/Primark trench coat (similar here at Zara, except for a LOT more money), white grandfather collar shirt- Zara (similar here), croc slip ons from Topshop (similar here), H&M faux leather pants (similar here) and mini office bag from Zara (similar here). I'm wearing one of my favourite MAC lipsticks in 'Dark Side'.

Casablanca Diaries 2

It's been a pleasant last few days in Casablanca. I have spent it by the beach, visiting relatives, shopping for fabric, looking at the remaining French architecture and eating copious amounts of food.

It's quite humid in Casa and a mild enough temperature with the weather being in the mid 20's. So totally bearable. Marrakech at the weekend is going to be a whole different story though...40+ degrees...eeek!

My wardrobe was insanely small this year- I only have about 6 outfits that I have played around with. Today's outfit was head to toe Zara with the culotte jumpsuit being an absolute steal I found in the recent sale. I have been dying to find the right pair of culottes for me- and this jumpsuit inspired pair was the best way to introduce this trend!

My OOTD;

Jumpsuit (Zara s/s14), sandals (Zara s/s14), bag (Zara a/w13) and jewellery (HM and Pennys mix)

Top Ten A/W 2013/14 Picks

It's important to update your wardrobe with staples that are on trend but also that you can rotate forever as a timeless piece. Gone are the days where I have bought a whole wardrobe and worn an item only once. I am a way more savvy shopper then previously. All items are High Street except the splurges on the beautiful cloudy grey Givenchy 'Antigona' (which I am dying over...) and the Senso 'Bertie I' boots (rock chic at its finest...). Tartan/Plaid Grunge- Coral Orange- Boyfriend fitting clothes- Statement necklaces- Anglophilia Chic are all top trends at the moment, so here are some pieces that fit the current trends but that will be a continuous highlight in your wardrobe. What are your A/W top picks? I would love to hear...

1. Tomato wool coat (Topshop) 2. Bertie I boots (Senso) 3. Widebrim hat (Folkster) 4. Wide double chain leather belt (Zara) 5. Herringbone Kilt (Topshop) 6. Danna Spike Necklace (Folkster) 7. Bat mobile phone cover (Zara) 8.Givenchy Small Antigona bag (Netaporter) 9. Sweater with transparent sleeves (Zara) 10. Grunge plaid pants (Topshop) 

Punk Princess

So I decided to do a blog post on one of my favourite OOTD's that I have worn recently. It was a total Punk vs Princess look. Soft makeup, hair and queen jewels vs. biker chic, camo and minimalist basics. Everything in the look is high street except my prized Alexander Wang 'Rocco' which unfortunately is starting to tarnish slightly.  Boo! The pants, shirt, jacket and statement necklace are all Zara- which I am obsessed with. They have the most amazing winter pieces right now. I have spied way too many winter coats and dresses that I need....well want! Lol! Hope everyone has had a great start to the week!

1. Jacket- Zara (Similar here) 2. Shirt- Zara (Similar here) 3. Statement necklace (Zara) 4. Skinny jeans (Similar here) 5. Alexander Wang 'Rocco' in gold brassware (Rose gold version here) 6. Patent Brogues (Clarks) 7. HM Scarf

Dressing for your size...

'Fashion is Architecture: it is a matter of proportions' (Coco Chanel)...

I'm all for female empowerment and liberation to wear what we want, when we want. Women have campaigned for years for gender equality and the right to be treated fairly in the workplace and not just a pin up with lumps and bumps. But seriously ladies, sometimes we need to take a look in the mirror for just a tad second longer and agree with that inner subconscious thought of 'that just ain't right on you!'. 

I believe that because we come in all shapes and sizes means that we have to dress ourselves as individuals and not because it looked amazing on Miss Kardashian or that it has been sold out in Topshop for the last month!

Take the trendy AA disco trousers for example. I lust over these every time my sister wears them for a night out. She pairs them with a crop top and JC Lita's (think tall 6ft leggy something....b****!). And I go to myself, well I could lose a little here and there and then they would look fine, but in reality, my legs are too short and my bum is too big to wear them. In fact, when I tried them on in the shop (having literally starved myself that morning to get into them) I had a wee heart attack. My bum turned into this monstrosity of a black blur. The whole mirror was taken over with shiny black material. They suck you in all right, but literally manoeuvred my derrière into places I didn't know existed. I have come to the conclusion that I will never wear a pair.

So ladies be aware of your size. Are you pear shaped? Then find pieces that nip into the waist and build on top to create a more hour glass appeal with lapels, shoulder pads or costume jewellery. Are you top heavy? Generally, you have fantastic legs, so highlight these instead of emphasizing your tatas and stay away from stringed tops! Athletic builds should show of what women envy the most, arms and no muffin tops, so should wear anything from a feminine chiffon dress to soften the shape or a skinny jean that gives definition. 

The amount of times I'm on a night out, and each women wears the same repetitive mini dress. Live a little. Try new styles. They might not work out but at least you tried. 

And for the sake of our dignities, bum cheeks poking from underneath our dresses on our 4am Charlie's feast is never a good look...