I TRIED TO WARN YOU, EVERYTHING IS BLACK AND WHITE

Let's be real here, it's getting pretty damn cold outside but that means one thing, layering...and that's the best part of A/W right?

It's been a long time since I've hit Topshop and this sleeveless Ponte jacket [HERE] caught my eye instantly. Although I'm kinda gutted it's not in black, it's a good excuse to add some different tones into my wardrobe. I've always loved the contrast of a really tailored, sharp piece with a more laid back, grunge style. Think: Zara meets Urban Outfitters. Perfect teamed with ripped skinnys and pointed Chelsea boots, I threw on a slouchy black jumper and my leather jacket over the top. Obviously, this kind of sleeveless jacket looks rad underneath loads of different styles of coat! It's such a versatile piece you could definitely dress it up, or leave it casual as I have in this look. 

THE LOOK

sleeveless jacket - TOPSHOP | jumper - PRIMARK | jeans - ZARA | boots - DOROTHY PERKINS

& IT ALL COMES DOWN TO A SUNRISE ON THE EAST SIDE

 I don't run...but I all but broke my body scrambling to get my paws on this bomber jacket. 

Damn you TOPMAN.

khaki heavyweight bomber jacket - £45.00 - here - size S

I love the aesthetic of bomber jackets, they're the epitome of 'throw on and go'. I pretty much live in my leather jacket so it's cool to finally have an alternative. I've been looking for something really laid back, something simplistic with minimal hardwear and this ticks all the boxes. I'm also a massive sucker for the khaki green colour, it looks rad with black. All in all, Topman never seem to get it wrong. 

The rest of the look is nothing new. 

Ripped jeans, the scoop neck tee from Topshop and my chunky heeled boots from Dorothy Perkins are basically another skin. I think the bomber works perfectly with the rest of the outfit and gives it little bit of a revamp, adding some colour and a different finish to my usual leather jacket. 

THE LOOK

bomber jacket - TOPMAN | basic tee - TOPSHOP | jeans - DOROTHY PERKINS | boots - DOROTHY PERKINS 

UNDERDOG, JUST LOOK AT THE MESS YOU MADE

It's Friday, someone get me a drink ASAP. 

Nights out with the gang always start out with the intention of being chilled but seem to end with me crawling into bed after one too many tequila shots. 

I've never really been into getting overly dressed up for nights out 'cause let's face it...my make-up is usually ruined by 11pm and who's really got time for heels? I think my natural style dictates a more casual approach to nights out or maybe it's the fact that as a gang we're more likely to hit dodgy bars than clubs, so it doesn't reallllly matter. 

Either way, I'm a big fan of this look. 

TOPMAN's long-length tee's [here] double up as the perfect tee shirt dress on a night out. I love that they're basic, baggy and give off that effortless look. Obviously, it's not a Gabi-look without a leather jacket and VANS...let's be real here. Oh and I chucked on my fedora...wind + my hair ends up looking like Monica from F.R.I.E.N.D.S and no one needs that, not at all. 

I've been after a choker for quite a while now, but I wanted a cool one not a tacky plastic number. Of course I just happened to be in Topshop today and I saw this for £8.50 and I fell in love. It's got a black stone [black is best] and it's silver, what more could you want? It definitely reminds me of something Urban Outfitters would do. 

THE LOOK

leather jacket - H&M | t-shirt - TOPMAN | shoes - VANS [original black] | chocker - TOPSHOP | fedora - PRIMARK

KEW GARDENS // 10-10-14

It's fair to say, London means a whole lot to me in general..more than I can put into words but today I found myself falling head over heels all over again for one little corner of the city that once made up a huge portion of my childhood.

 Richmond, South-West London is that place that always makes me feel nostalgic about being a teeny-tot. I'd always visit Richmond with my Dad, whether it was to watch the rugby or to just stroll around. 'Till now I've always believed that I've been remembering Richmond through

rose tinted specs but driving there today to visit Kew Gardens, I realised it's just as beautiful as I remembered, even more so in the autumn. 

I'm sure you all know by now that naturally I'm a real tomboy but...I'm a sucker for plants and flowers. The dream is to own a house and just let ivy grow everywhere, have plants up and down the stairs, just a jungle really. So, being the lover of all things green, the botanical garden at Kew has been a place I've wanted to visit for ages and it was everything I dreamed of and more. 

This is  Jack & my surprisingly cheesy grin for the early-ish start of our journey. 

The grounds alone were absolutely beautiful. I could spend an entire weekend roaming around them. You'd stroll down one particular path and it'd bring you out at a lake or you'd end up at a greenhouse full of tropical plants. You literally feel as if you're not in the city anymore, but then every so often a plane would fly so ridiculously low overhead and remind you that you were. 

I hate heights and Jack had to all but force me up the steps but I'll admit the tree-top walk was spectacular. If you ever visit Kew, make sure you find this little area because it was well worth the fainting-feeling on the way up. 

The greenhouse we visited was all my dreams and more. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. I love that rustic look and I kept saying "I wish this was my bedroom". I loved the white iron and the deep greens, it was just all so Tumblr, you know when you see these incredible pictures and it doesn't look real? It was so beautiful to actually witness with my own eyes. I just fell completely in love, walking through the jungle at floor level and climbing the balcony to see it from above. 

Every inch of Kew Gardens is a complete dream. It's looked after so well and it showcases just how beautiful nature really is. Some of the plants I refused to believe were real, they were that amazing. I have a massive amount of respect for the people that maintain and look after the botanical gardens, from the little museums there to every inch of the plants. 

It's well worth a day trip, just to escape city life and get back to basics.

I had one of the most amazing days in a long time, it's well worth every second. 

SLEEPLESSLY EMBRACING ME

These days it's all about grabbing a pair of jeans off your bedroom floor, chucking on a pair of boots, a slouchy tee and hoping it doesn't chuck it down with rain. 

I threw this look together in desperation and I've kind of fallen in love with it. I've always loved the contrast of something really tailored and sharp, such as this insane ZARA coat, with something a little more grunge/distressed aka the jeans. It's that Urban Outfitters meets Saint Laurent clash that I can't get enough of at the moment. Obviously, any chunky boots are an essential and I can't get enough of this pair from Dorothy Perkins. We all know I'm a sucker for high necks and Topshop basics tee's are bang on at the moment. Keeping accessories simple with silver band rings, my L for Lenihan necklace, a fedora and black tote [not attempting to copy the Saint Laurent bag at all...] I thought this look is pretty simple, but effective and that's what I'm after. 

fedora - PRIMARK | coat - ZARA | tee - TOPSHOP | L necklace - DOROTHY PERKINS | boyfriend jeans - PRIMARK | boots - DOROTHY PERKINS | bag - DOROTHY PERKINS 

THE LENIHAN LAUNCH

Hiii guys.
Basically, I just wanted to touch base and tell you that there will be no new content on my blog from Monday 6th of October 'till Sunday 12th of October. There's a couple of reasons I'm taking a week away. One: I am re-vamping my blog, aesthetically as well as lots of cool things to add and change. Two: I'm launching two new series' on my blog as well as finally posting a really exciting project I've been working on. I just need a little bit of time to get everything up and running.

It's incredible watching my blog grow and expand, even though it's still teeny tiny, thank-you to all the people that've followed thelenihanlook, you guys have no idea how much it means to me. I've had a massive wave of motivation and inspiration lately and I can't wait to put it into works on my blog.

So to recap:
On Sunday 12th October a post will launch explaining the new layout, features and series' I'll be running here on my blog...
&
On Monday 13th October the first post of the new era of my blog will go live.

I am soooooo excited...
See you all on Sunday,
- G

DARKEN THE CITY, NIGHT IS A WIRE

Am I the only one that finds these 'from where I stand' snaps hard to take? I spent a good ten minutes on the train station platform grumbling to myself because lets face it, all those cool bloggers make it look so easy and I just couldn't get the hang of it. Anywhere, we got there in the end...kinda.

Brunette's back, back, back, back again! 

It's October and for some reason, British weather is still all over the place. It's ridiculously warm by lunch time [much to my frustration, I want to wear my jumpers!!!] but freezing in the morning so outfit choices are stupidly difficult. 

There are a few pieces this A/W that I'm obsessing over, one being turtle necks and the other being bottle green. I have really obvious collar bones and I'm quite concious of them so high necked pieces are something I naturally gravitate to. This bottle green crop top from Topshop is the perfect layering piece to implement colour into an outfit. We've discussed these printed Dorothy Perkins trousers before and ever since I brought them I've been wearing them non-stop. Teaming this look with my DP pointed-toe Chelsea boots [see first snap], a Topman scarf and H&M leather jacket - it's a look I'm loving. 

scarf - TOPMAN | leather jacket - H&M | crop-top - TOPSHOP | trousers - DOROTHY PERKINS | boots - DOROTHY PERKINS