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

COLLECTIVE HAUL | ZARA, TOPMAN, TOPSHOP

[please ignore the eczema on my arm in some of these snaps :-(]

October is a month of madness. What with working full-time, rushing in and out of Central London for loads of different reasons, attending a couple of exciting events, gigs and let's not forget I'm 19 at the end of the month; it's going to be crazy. On one of my last free Sunday's for a while, I hopped on the tube and spent the day shopping with one of my best-buds Maddy who recently moved away to Uni. Here's the stuff I picked up. 

ZARA

No one does autumn/winter like ZARA. Hitting the Regents Street store, I had to show a massive amount of self-control 'cause their shoe collection is just flawless at the moment; but I managed to grab a couple of gems. 

£9.99 | size S

I've learnt that if you can afford it, which I only can nowadays thanks to working full-time, investing money in good quality basics is the best foundations for any good wardrobe. ZARA are one of the best high street stores to do this. I'm well aware you can nip to Primark and get this top for £4 but for an extra bit of $$ you get a better quality material, a better cut and all round nicer top. This top is pretty simplistic but it's a great layering piece and the horizontal stripes and monochrome add a bit of detail.

£29.99 | size S

I saw this dress and just fell-in-love. I'm having a massive love affair with midi skirts all over again, teamed with a pair of chunky boots and leather jacket it's an effortlessly cool look, plus I find the shape really flatters my figure. Slightly longer than midi, this long sleeved light-knit dress fits me like a dream. I think the neckline is really unique and all together it's a great piece to have for autumn/winter. 

£12.99 | size M

Electric blue is probably my favourite colour to wear [besides black, but that's a shade *smart ass comment or what*]. I'm desperate to get my hands on a bodycon electric blue dress but I saw this and it's satisfied my needs for now. Basic lightweight jumpers are an essential at a moment and a pop of colour can't go wrong. 

TOPMAN

You guys know me and Topman have a bond and it was re-established this weekend. I'm in the midst of writing a post about why I love buying boys clothing so much so I won't babble on but their pieces are so ace at the moment. 

£32.00 | size S

As well as electric blue, deep greens are going to be making an appearance in my AW14 wardrobe. I love the mix of this type of green with my skin tone and I can't help but love everything about this jumper. Slightly oversized, slouchy and warm as anything - it'll look ace with ripped skinny jeans and chunky heeled boots. 

£30.00 | size S

IT FINALLY HAPPENED. I've been obsessing over a turtle neck sweater for weeks now and it was the first time I saw when I walked into Topman. Don't worry, this will be featured in many a look coming up on my blog - I have big plans for this simple, versatile piece for A/W.

TOPSHOP

Basic central. Topshop's a little OTT for me at the moment, so while I wait for it to hold back on the sequins and embellishments...I stocked up on some basics. 

£8.00 | size 8

Deep green...again? Get used to it guys! I love this crop-top, I've already worn it too work. I'm seeing it with midi skirts and the trousers you can see peaking out in the photo [sorry about the shit quality, it's been a gloomy day!]. It's another attempt to add a little colour into an outfit, I find high necks really flattering as they take the attention away from 'dem boobz. 

£10.00 | size 10 

I've got this basic jersey tee in grey and black, I wear them both so much that it only made logical sense I nab it in white. I give it an hour of me wearing this tee before I spill something down it or draw on myself...but hey, it looks nice all fresh and un-stained doesn't it? I love the necklines and general cut of these tops!

£10.00 | size 10

Again, I basically bought the top above with a high neck...you can never have enough basics...right?

Hope you guys enjoyed this little haul, there's an accessory haul to follow so keep your eyes pealed for that. 

Hope you had an ace weekend & Monday wasn't too painful! 

G - 

FLOAT DOWN, LIKE AUTUMN LEAVES

It's getting darker earlier, sunny days are filled with fresh, icy winds, there's pretty leaves everywhere and it means one thing only - autumn is finally here.

I threw this ensemble together in a rush to get out of the door and I rather like it. It's unusual you'll see me head to toe in grey but I think the printed trousers and different shades make it less 'blocky'. I'm never one for leggings or jeggings as I never think they're that flattering, gimme a pair of jeans any day but these treggings from Dorothy Perkins caught my eye and I love 'em. Made 10x better with a zip + button fastening, they're skin tight and slightly high waisted which tick all the boxes in my book. 

Oh and let's talk about this slouchy cardigan from Topshop shall we? Basically my best bud Bamz and I were shopping and we both spotted this [obviously we both ended up buying it] and honestly, it was well worth the £48. It's the comfiest, slouchiest, throw on piece in my wardrobe at the moment. It's so cosy and warm, perfect for days in bed or throwing on with a pair of jeans and a baggy tee, well that's what me and Bamz are all about anyway. 

With a pretty grey-scale outfit I decided to dig out my vampy dark purple lipstick [which I'll write a post on soon] and to be truthful, choice of shoes and bags were pretty vast - it's such a versatile outfit to style. 

cardigan - TOPSHOP | printed trousers - DOROTHY PERKINS | v-neck tee - TOPSHOP 

HE KNOWS THAT YOU'RE DREAMING ABOUT BEING LOVED BY HIM

Autumn is settling in, believe me as I'm writing this I'm wrapped up in a woolly jumper with my window open the teeniest little bit being blasted by icy winds! The days of mini skirts and no jacket are numbered but while we're still getting some warmish days I'm making the most of it.

In the transition from spring-autumn, Dorothy Perkins have had some ah-ma-zing pieces. They've never been a shop that I imagined I'd like quite so much but they've quickly become a staple brand in my wardrobe.
The print of the scarf featured in the look above is just one of the DP things I've become obsessed with. There's something about the mixture of the black base and pastel floral print; it effortlessly breaks up an outfit and I think it's quite unique in itself. I love it so much that I nabbed a kimono in the print and now the scarf. 

If DP weren't already ticking all my boxes, I'm literally living in this little faux leather mini skirt. It's such a great piece to add texture into a look. Oh and let's just drool over the DP boots shall we? If you read my shoe collection [here] you'll know I've pretty much brought every pair they have to offer and these babies are just everything to me right now.

Oh and I'm still rocking the fedora even though the wind sends me running after it on lunch breaks all the damn time.

- G

floral scarf - DOROTHY PERKINS | v-neck tee - TOPSHOP | fedora - PRIMARK | boots - DOROTHY PERKINS | mini skirt - DOROTHY PERKINS