2016

 (The back of my head, hair by NotanotherSalon)

Hey girl, haven't seen you in a while!

I wanted to do a post on 2016 so far... Because, let's face it, what a weird crazy ex boyfriend of a year this is! This year has been pretty mental for more reasons than one, from BREXIT to the sad passing of numerous celebrities... there's been some serious drama and sadly not of the Netflix variety.

For me this year got off to a weird and wonderful start when I was headhunted for a job in Barcelona. I quit my UK job and packed my bags (mainly with shoes) and headed over to Spain. It was an amazing experience and I'm so lucky that I was able to do it and learn a bit of Spanish on the way, but various factors and the passing of my incredible Grandma meant it just wasn't for me.

 But wait admitting that I needed a change .... it actually wasn't that sad!

Being the most indecisive person in the universe means that it isn't easy for me to choose which kind of Poptart I like best, let alone making life decisions. But for some reason, deciding to make a change for the sake of my own happiness seemed pretty easy and this is the point of this post. I know it's easy to give people advice, including yourself, that if life gives you lemons make lemonade lalala ... but I think sometimes we lose focus on ourselves and our own feelings. I was trying to make something work that actually wasn't making me happy... I had the job, the boyfriend*, the gorgeous loft style apartment and a good salary and was probably the most unhappy I've been in a long time. Don't get me wrong, this is a total first world issue and it wasn't all doom and gloom, but it was a major step for me and one that I'm sure many 20 something year olds have been through before me.

 I'm now back in England with a new job that I start next week and I'm feeling all fluffy and refreshed after a week-long break driving round Italy from Rome to the Amalfi coast (and yes Amalfi really is as cute as Pinterest suggests) And this isn't a preachy self happiness post, it's been good for me to share it with you guys, but I think it's important to remember that there's a lot of unhappiness in the world and we need to focus on our own happiness before we can try and improve anything else. And sometimes, behind the glits and glamour of social media and filtered photos, things aren't great but that's OK, because we're fortunate enough to be in a position to make a change.


"If you don't like where you are, move. You are not a tree"


Penny

XO

* .... Just like to point out that I still have the boyfriend and as far as I'm aware I'm still his girlfriend.

Beautiful Barcelona

(Sunglasses QUAY AUSTRALIA, Fluffy jacket H&M, Boots Dr MARTEN, Bra ASOS, wet look leggings TOPSHOP past season, faux leather jacket New Look, Dior looky-likey sunglasses EBay)

Those of you that follow me over on Instagram ( @penelopesarah ) will have seen that I spent this weekend in beautiful Barcelona. This was a last minute city break with the boyf but it turned out absolutely amazing! We stayed in a private room in the GENERATOR hostel and our room was absolutely beautiful from the amazing tiles in the bathroom to the pure luxury of having our own terrace!

We spent our days roaming the city, looking at the incredible Gaudi buildings and Cathedral and washed it all down with authentic Spanish food at the markets and lots of Spanish beer and wine. I haven't visited the city for about ten years and it had changed so much. If you're planning a trip, I'd recommend staying in the hostel as its walking distance to Sagrada Familia and they do a mean Goat's cheese salad! My favourite area is the Gothic Quarter where you can visit the food market and also sit in the sunshine with fresh bread, cheese and a slab of Spanish omelette! (there's even veggie options)

All in all, we had the best time. Until next time Barcelona!

Peace and Love,

Penelope

XO

The perfect watch: Daniel Wellington

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(Boots ASOS, bangles from Morocco, watch c/o Daniel Wellington)

Just a quick post today as I'm currently suffering with a pretty serious case of tonsillitis which I'm putting down to the crazy British weather we have RN. But I'm glad that I have my shiny new Daniel Wellington watch to look at to cheer me up (as well as a giant mug of tea of course).

Anyway, back to my beautiful watch, I've been eyeing these bad boys up on my quest to find the perfect everyday watch in black and silver... And Daniel Wellington well and truly answered my prayers with the Classic Sheffield ladies watch! I'm so picky when it comes to watches and never want anything too big or flashy, just a watch that can be worn with anything whether I'm head to toe in sequins or just completely casual.

But the best thing about this is that you can get yourself 15% off your very own watch or as  gift for someone else... or even a gift to yourself, with my personalised online code "fashion-fade" But hurry, because you only have until 15th October to claim your discount! Just head over to www.danielwellington.com or click HERE

...So while you're all getting your paws on a beautiful new watch, I'm snuggling up for an evening in bed with my best friend... Netflix so that I can get better for London Fashion Weekend!

Peace out

Penny

xo

#WAGYOURTAIL

(Beautiful hamper c/o Oasis, puppy not included)

If you're looking at these pictures you're probably thinking one of two things (or both) ; "is that a dog or a mop?" .... and "Penny that dog has better hair than you." But this week, sees Teddy in the limelight as my pooches and I were fortunate to receive an incredible personalised hamper from the lovelies over at Oasis. The new campaign combines every girls style staples, their denim and their dogs.

The hamper included some amazing denim pieces that I'll be featuring over the next weeks and also treats for Teddy and Tizzy, plus as a little denim neck scarf (Teddy's never looked better)

The new campaign for Oasis is now online and you can send them some denim selfies of you and your favourite canine pals with the hashtag #wagyourtail ... so get snapping your denim and your dogs sistas!

Poochy love,

Penny

xo

Pretty Small Shoes: Pretty perfect

(Parfait boots by Prettysmallshoes )

Recently I was lucky enough to be contacted by Prettysmallshoes. An amazing shoe brand that specialises in custom making incredible leather shoes, boots and sandals for all you small footed beauties out there.

As someone who has narrow feet, I've often had to pass on some incredible shoe purchases due to the fact that shoes just don't seem to fit me correctly on the high street... But prettysmallshoes are here to save the day! 

These beautiful witchy boots, named "Parfait" (a boot I've been looking for for so long and never found) seem even more incredible due to the fact that they were handmade especially for me! The thing that makes me love them EVEN more is that the leather is so soft and basically makes you feel like your boots are made of butter... which I know doesn't sound too pleasant but I don't know how else to portray how ridiculously comfy these boots really are!

My only criticism of the brand is that they only up to a size UK 3... which I'm sure will leave anyone over that size heartbroken!

I cant wait to style these boots for sunny evening drinks this week..... Well done Pretty Small Shoes for making the comfiest, sassiest boots I own.

Peace&love

Penny

xo

Red/Black/Silver

 (Shirt by Dancing Leopard via SilkFred, trousers Topshop, shoes Steve Madden, necklaces various, bag vintage Dorothy Perkins)

Something a little more dressy for you guys today, because I actually don't always look like I've just rolled out of bed... well at least I hope I don't.

So this is basically one of my current favourite outfits including this beautiful tie waist shirt by Dancing Leopard. I was recently introduced to the site SilkFred and instantly fell in love. The site features loads of new and independent designers which is perfect if you're looking for something that's just that little bit different, I get loads of pieces from this site and also love knowing that I've bough from independent brands and new designers.

The necklaces are various ones that I've collected over the years that I like to wear all at once, mainly because looking like the female Mr. T is exactly what I'm going for.

Peace

Penelope 

xo

FIRST&I

(Trench First&I at ASOS, shoes from Japan, bag from Morocco)

When I was sent the First & I look book, it was a brand that I hadn't heard of, but I loved every piece!  So I was pretty thrilled when the guys sent me some pieces to celebrate their launch on ASOS including this this black mac that is quite frankly, the answer to all of my trench coat prayers!
It's one of those pieces that you wear and within seconds, it has rapidly become a wardrobe staple.  It's more of a light weight trench that can be layered in the Winter but also something that can be thrown on in the Summer months too (not that it gets hot at all in England, not that I'm bitter about it or anything)

I decided to do something a bit different though and wear it as a dress, it's hardly groundbreaking styling, but I love the outcome.  I was back home visiting my mum and Dad and found myself back in front of their little white garage ( A favoured outfit post back drop that I'm sure veteran readers of Fashion-Fade will remember)

This is probably one of my favourite and most comfortable outfits that I've worn in a long time and I can't wait to wear it on my Summer travels. I layered this with my big black overcoat and my little metal engraved bag that I found in the Moroccan souks.

As you guys know, I'm not big on just promoting brands willy nilly but also like to support brands that I love so if you haven't already, check these guys out on ASOS for beautiful, affordable pieces and stock up on your Summer wardrobe.

Peace & Love


Penny

XO

Valentine's treats at urban Outfitters: Part 1

(Nike bra top Urban Outfitters, leopard skirt Topshop)

Welcome to part one of a little series I'm posting for the next three days featuring some of the best bra tops/bralets/croptops that I've selected from Urban Outfitters... On a scale of one to spice girl I've got you covered people.

Valentine's carries a bit of pressure in the underwear department ... caught in limbo between not wanting to look too "slutty" ... or maybe you do, but also not wanting to look like youv'e borrowed your Nan's knickers for the night.

I've always loved buying underwear and I'm a firm advocate of the belief that good underwear can, infact make you feel happier, prettier and maybe even a little bit sexier.

Over the next few days I'm going to feature three bras that I've selected from Urban outfitters that actually don't just have to be for Valentine's but can be worn all year round (and that includes wearing them on show as well as under your clothes)

So yeah... My bra obsession was born due to the fact that as a fairly short girl, I have rather large assets for my size. But looking like the British Dolly Parton isn't all fun and games, particularly when it comes to buying sports bras and any other sort of bra for that matter. The fit of this Nike bra is perfect and I love it so much that I intend to wear it all Summer inside and outside of the Gym ( I have a gym membership and never go, it just makes me feel better having one) I've paired it up with my leopard print skirt and a pair of vans to give it a laid back look and cant wait to wear this with a long black duster coat in Summer.


See you tomorrow for Part Two for more talk on boobs, bras and love!


Penny

xo