Fashion Archives - Page 7 of 14 - Mr. Salt and Pepper

Festive Gift Giver

27th November 2017

On a mittened-hand with stocking fillers.

Without a doubt, Christmas is my favourite holiday of the year. Once Black Friday sales are over, I can’t help it but get all super excited for the festive season. Even though I love receiving gifts (like everyone else does), I love gift-giving even more! *avoids maxing out his credit card limit*

Growing up, my family encouraged me to invest more time in crafting a meaningful gift for people I care about rather than just spending a lot of money. Therefore, I opted for things like personal drawings, knitted bracelets and handmade ceramic bowls… Even though I wasn’t good at arts and crafts. *oops* The sentiment was always there but luckily my gifting abilities have improved a lot since then.

With any gifting opportunity, I try my best to find something that is very practical and high quality… Because it’s not just the thought that counts. I often spend a good day putting together my gift ideas. So, if you’re not a savvy gift-giver then don’t worry – I got your back. *on a mission to save your Christmas this year*

Jack Wills has launched a fine selection of Christmas gifts for him. Whether it’s for your brother or dad or your latest crush, there are some really cool items that are currently on offer. So, scroll down to see my picks and start ticking off that festive shopping list!

Oh, and by the way, have you seen my Jack Wills swimwear post shot in Miami?! *feeling nostalgic*

Team brunch in Richmond.

Last week, I spent my Sunday afternoon with Victoria (@Philorose) and Ollie (@ByOllieB) in Richmond. *dream team alert* Brunch at The Ivy Cafe was compulsory, followed by several shoots around the area (including this post). Funnily enough, after living in London for over 6 years, I never had the opportunity to experience Richmond in all of its glory… Up until now! Therefore, you are definitely going to see me there on a regular basis. *plans to relocate and live his true suburban housewife fantasy*

TEAM UPDATE: We finally started planning our adventures for 2018! It involves international travelling and some epic brand collaborations. So, watch this space for some further updates! *come through new year*

Grooming / Style

The Man Tan

22nd November 2017

… or otherwise known as, an ode to my complicated relationship with tanning.

I’m going to be brutally honest here… I’m not a fan of tanning. There, I said it! *mic drops* As someone who suffers from psoriasis, a little bit of UV light helps to keep my skin condition at bay but there’s a thin line where things can go the other way around! *taken from a chapter of my psoriasis diary*

Ever since I moved to London, I became more conscious about my skin. I established a daily skincare regiment and started to avoid things that irritate it. So, I decided to spend less time in the sun but look at ways of getting that healthy summer glow. With latest advancements in the skincare industry, there are so many tanning products out there that cater to women… But what about men?!

Recently, I have been introduced to James Read’s Hydra Tan Mist. Made specifically for men, this lightweight mist is a great alternative to traditional tanning and it’s way better! I spray my Hydra Tan Mist before I go to work or several hours before an event as it takes roughly 2-3 hours to develop. Each application gradually builds a deeper natural tan, allowing me to take control of my skin colour. *feels finally in control of his life*

The mist is transparent and has a light but masculine scent, which makes it a perfect companion to my regular aftershave. There’s no fake tan smell and (most importantly) no ruined white shirts!

After using Hydra Tan Mist for over a week, I saw some outstanding results. My skin tone looks more natural because it gradually develops over time. Therefore, James Read’s Hydra Tan Mist is a great product for a beauty-conscious man on the go.

How to apply?

Hold the nozzle at arm’s length from the face.
Spray evenly in downward motions, working it from left to right.
Lift chin. Spray the neck and under the chin area.
Remember to spray the back of your neck as well.
Allow 1-2 minutes to dry.
Apply post-shave for a cooling effect or pre-shave for a spray and go tan.

SHOP

Hydra Tan Mist from James Read
Muscle Fit Colour Block Knitted T-shirt from boohooMAN
Dark Ink Jeans With Stretch from Next

This post is sponsored by James Read Tan. However, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Life / Style / Tech

Smart About Time

12th November 2017

For any young professional, productivity and time management can be a tough thing to tackle. With latest innovations and advancements in tech, our minds are being constantly bombarded with information. So, it doesn’t take much to get distracted from your daily tasks. Instagram, WhatsApp and other platforms offer a quick ride down the rabbit hole. *spends days writing this blog post, oops* Whilst very few of us can really nail their time management skills, I thought I’d give you guys some tips on how to be more productive for the week ahead. Are you ready? *say yes*

Here are my 5 ways of increasing productivity and time efficiency:

Catch some sleep – first and foremost, establish a healthy sleep routine. Habits such as eating, sleeping and waking up at the same time each day signal the body when it’s time to work, play and rest. So, with my busy lifestyle, I have to keep these 3 things consistent in order to make my day as productive and efficient as possible.
Set daily goals – prioritise your tasks according to time commitment and priority level. I usually have my tasks written on my notepad. Also, I use Momentum for Chrome to set that one main task I have to achieve on the day.
Take breaks – sitting at the desk for a long period of time is not good for your body. Therefore, I often leave my desk and go make myself some tea or have a little gossip sesh with my colleagues in the kitchen. *sorry not sorry*
Shut down distractions – my phone is the biggest productivity drainer of all time! Quite often, I check my Instagram and WhatsApp every five-to-ten minutes which is really really bad. *cries* So, when it’s time to work, I turn my “Do Not Disturb” feature on and check my phone once I achieve at least one of my daily tasks. Also, I set my Kronaby watch to only notify me when there’s an important email coming in or when a close friend calls/texts me.
Make minor daily decisions – a thousand tiny decisions add up to your day to day life. So, jump on your day ahead by taking care of simple tasks first. I always plan my outfits the evening before and prepare my weekly lunches in advance.

Introducing… The Next Generation of Connected Watches!

Back in July, I introduced you to Kronaby Sweden connected watches. These watches proved to increase my productivity, whilst making me look at least a hundred times more stylish. *style icon over here, whoop whoop* I use Kronaby watch to monitor my daily steps and have my email notifications set as a top priority because you never know what opportunity comes my way at the very last minute! *patiently waits*

Since I’m the #1 fan of Kronaby, they reached out to me asking if I would like to be one of the first influencers to try their next generation of watches. Obviously, I said yasss! *d’oh* With the new and improved sunray brushed sterling silver-plated dial and the solid rose gold frame, this new Kronaby watch is already making waves in the watchmaking industry. The new Sekel range is a major step up from its predecessors as it feels much more firm and precise. This might be the perfect gift for your modern dad or even yourself. #TreatYoSelf

As an avid location scout, I enjoy trying new things and experiencing unfamiliar places. So, the “Remember this spot” feature on my Kronaby watch makes my life a better place because I can save my current location by pressing the GeoTag button on my watch. It comes in extremely handy when I’m cycling about and see something worth coming back to. *content game strong*

Do you own a Kronaby connected watch? What is your favourite feature?

SHOP

Sekel Role Gold Watch With Silver Dial and Brown Leather Strap from Kronaby Sweden
Jacquard Sweatshirt from Zara
Velvet Trousers from Zara
Lace Up Shoes In Black Leather With Creeper Sole from ASOS

Thanks to Kronaby Sweden for sponsoring this post. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Special thanks to Oliver Burton (@ByOllieB) for taking these amazing pictures.
Ollie just relaunched his lifestyle and fashion blog, so make sure to check it out!

#KronabyDisrupts

Life / Style

Single Speed Project

9th November 2017

Cycling my way through life…

I have a very detailed memory of riding a bicycle without any support for the first time. I was about six years old. My grandfather let go of my bike whilst I was cycling away thinking he was still supporting me. But once I realised I was on my own, this completely blew my mind. I felt free, liberated and one step closer to adulthood.

When I moved to Cambridge in 2010, riding a bicycle was pretty much my daily grind. I biked my way to college, the supermarket and even my local pub. *orders a pint* However, things have changed once I moved to London. The chaos of the Big Smoke kept my passion for cycling at bay. *scared to face the London traffic*

When I started my new job in August, I bought an annual Santander cycle pass. I found this program to be very convenient and easy to use. Dedicated bike lanes and traffic lights really have made cycling a safer commuting option for a money-conscious Londoner like me.

I’ve been wanting to own a bike for quite some time but never really found one to be good enough for my busy lifestyle. I mean, until I was introduced to S2P Bikes!

Inspired by the streets of London, these single speed bicycles are very light, stylish and durable. But most importantly, it only took me 30 minutes to put this bike together! *wowzers* With a strong focus on sustainability and performance, the S2P bikes are authentic and (best of all) affordable!

My S2P in the Wild!

After almost 2 weeks on my new bike, I must admit that I’m in love. I chose the carbon black one because it offers timeless style with utmost practicality. Apart from the sleek black matte finish, the bike features the puncture resistant tyres and premium pressed brown leather saddle. Therefore, it’s perfectly made for me!

Whether it’s for my daily commute or general fitness, owning a bike is just a thousand times better. I can park my bike everywhere and there’s no time limit. *phew* It’s a peace of mind.

If you’re looking to buy your own bike, I’d strongly recommend checking S2P bikes out. You won’t be disappointed! *thumbs up*

SHOP
Single Speed Bike in Carbon Black from S2P
Tricoloured Quilted Jacket from Zara
Dark Ink Jeans With Stretch from Next
Leather Work Boots in Brown from Next

Thanks to S2P Bikes for sponsoring this post. However, all views are my own.

Special thanks to Justina Navickaitė (@itsjustinesjournal) for taking these jaw-dropping images!
Check out Justina’s lifestyle blog here.

#S2Pbikes

Style / Travel

Forest of Dean

1st November 2017

The Royal Hunting Ground.

A couple of weekends ago, I had the opportunity to join Victoria and Ollie for a most epic weekend away from the Big Smoke. *happy dance* It didn’t take us long to decide where to go or where to get our inspiration from. So, we packed our bags, put our welly boots on and shimmied our way down to the West Country.

As you may already know, we enjoyed a six-course dinner at Tudor Farmhouse and spent a couple of nights at The Speech Hotel Hotel. On day 2, we were on a lookout for some wonderfully scenic places. Something that would be ideal for long strolls in the forest but also suitable for our autumnal fashion shoots. *unapologetic blogger comment noted*

So that day, the inseparable blogging trio (that’s us) discovered the magical Forest of Dean. Known as the oldest oak forest in England, Forest of Dean was a huge inspiration for J.R.R, Tolkien’s Middle Earth books and the Harry Potter franchise. Victoria was living her geeky book reader fantasy in the forest and I tagged along. *no major anxiety here*

Mysterious Depths.

On a chilly afternoon in the forest, I like to wear layers complemented with an oversized coat and black leather boots. In this look, I love how the pea coat gives an artistic edge to this stripey crew jumper and dark-inked jeans. Black apron cleat boots really add volume to the lower part of my body, whilst the latest connected watch easily catches everyone’s eye. *bling bling* Are you feeling this? I most certainly am!

This clothing ensemble is insanely comfortable. Therefore, if you’re looking for some smart casual layers to add to your autumn/winter wardrobe – Next has a fine selection to choose from!

SHOP
Navy Wool Rich Double Breasted Jacket from Next | Black/White Striped Crew Jumper from Next | Dark Ink Jeans With Stretch from Next | Apron Cleat Boots in Black from Next | The University Stripe Pure Wool Scarf from Aspinal of London

Fashion