Style | Top 10 moments of 2017

1. BARCELONA.

In March I travelled to Barcelona with my family to celebrate my big brothers 30th birthday and it was incredible!
We stayed in a luxury hotel and ate beautiful food in stunning restaurants with tapas, nibbles, cake etc.
We visited montjuic and went up in a cable car ride overlooking the city, walked around the city capturing all the buildings and surroundings, with beautiful architecture and amazing shops. I love Barca and its one of my favourite cities, so would definitely recommend it for a city break!

2. GIRLY TRIP TO OXFORD

In April - I met up with my cousin for a girly day trip in Oxford. It was a beautiful sunny day and we spent it shopping, site seeing and had a beautiful afternoon tea in a restaurant called Quod. We visited the Bodleian libraries and walked around the city taking in the architecture and the little 'Bridge of Sighs' that reminds you of being in Venice! It was a lovely day and I also bought some stunning pieces in Zara. Definitely a day to remember.

3. BIRTHDAY TRIP TO LONDON

In May- My amazing boyfriend took me to London for the day before my Birthday and treated me to various things. We went for breakfast in Selfridges, shopping along Oxford street, a walk through Chelsea to see the pretty pastel buildings, tea and cake at Peggy Porshcen cafe and a surprise cable car ride over the river Thames! It was so magical and the best birthday spent.

I then went down to see my cousin in Somerset and had birthday lunch with the family at The Railway inn. Its such a nice pub, all decorated modern and I had a surprise birthday dessert. Loved it so much and got to spend it with my family which is always special. 

On my actual Birthday, my mum treated me to a afternoon tea at Commbe Abbey Hotel! It was so glamorous and felt really special. We had tea and sandwiches and cakes and had a lovely girly day. 

4. GIRLY WEEKEND

In June- Saw me finally secure an amazing job within the Fashion Industry. I had spent years interning and applying for job after job and I finally did it and got a job as a Fashion Merchandiser, managing the ASOS menswear account for a Menswear supplier. I couldn't be happier when I got offered the job and my dreams had finally come true! So i celebrated with my cousin who came to stay with me for a girly weekend which was fab. We went shopping in Birmingham and had a lovely lunch at one of my fave restaurants - Bills. It was such a nice and relaxing day and had a naughty treat in Selfridges, we went to Archie's for a waffle. It was incredible and definitely somewhere unique to go if you have a sweet tooth like me, then check it out. We had popcorn, cakes and watched movies till late. Then on Sunday we went for a lovely Italian meal for lunch. It was a great summers weekend and looking forward to doing more of it this year. 

5. SUMMER HOLIDAY IN ZANTE

In July- I travelled to the beautiful island of Zante in Greece with my love to celebrate his 30th birthday. We stayed in a small remote area called Kemp. It was STUNNING! It was literally the most beautiful place I have ever been to. We arrived early morning to this glamorous hotel and stayed all inclusive for 10 days. We went to various beaches, swam in the sea, went to shipwreck island, turtle island, went on a speed boat to keri caves, had beautiful food, sunbathed, relaxed, went to the hotel spa, had beautiful food all day long with the most incredible desserts in the evening! I got to dress up and had the holiday of a lifetime, all whilst celebrating with my love. Definitely want to go again and would love to visit the other stunning islands in Greece. I've got my eye on Santorini or Mykonos. Where is your favourite holiday destination? I love to travel. I think you have to visit at least one country a year, that's my aim anyway.

6. PICNIC AT THE BARN

In October - me and my boyfriend love our Saturday days out together. We discovered this amazing restaurant called The Barn, which is on a farm. Its above a farm shop and you can see the countryside whilst you eat. Its a quirky place and its nice and quiet for those moments where you just want to get away. I had a afternoon tea for one called 'Picnic in the barn', it was so different to any afternoon tea I've had before. I got sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes and a scone and I love how it was served on a blackboard. Would love to go again!

7. LUNCH AT HARVEY NICHOLS

In October - I went to Bristol for the day to meet my cousin for a lunch date in Harvey Nichols. I lvoe glam places and this was definitely one of my favourite places to eat. We had stunning food topped off with a cocktail which was all girly and Pink. We then went shopping in the afternoon and had a fab day full of giggles and fun. I love my time spent with my cousin and its always something to look forward to and love making memories.

8. LUNCH AT THE SHARD

In November - I got to go to London to The Shard to celebrate my dads birthday with my family. It was so amazing and somewhere that I've always wanted to go. I took the day off work and went down with my parents and my brother who was over from Canada. We went to the top and looked over London and saw all over the city, then had a gorgeous lunch in Oblix restaurant overlooking the city. It was quite a miserable day weather wise but was so nice to sit and watch the buildings lit up as it went dark. How many people can sit and do that all day on a Monday? Great way to spend the day and was definitely special! If you haven't been then its well worth the visit!

9. FESTIVE DECEMBER

In December - I love December, its probably one of my favourite months of the year. I love getting ready for Christmas, everywhere is all festive with pretty lights and present buying, people are full of Christmas cheer, I love it! I spent most weekends xmas shopping but also went to London and found the most pretty and girly cafe ever called Elan! It was the best and had the most incredible brunch before heading to Winter Wonderland with my boyfriend because we hadn't been before and it was so good! we walked around the stalls and had mulled wine. I also go to meet up with Friends before xmas for dinner and cocktails and lunch with the family and not to mention the frankfurt Christmas market in Birmingham. It doesn't feel like Christmas unless you go there. I had my nails done too ready for the festive period and last but not least Christmas Day. It was so nice full of turkey and presents and literally just spent it relaxing and Boxing Day we went to family friends for lunch which was lovely. How was your Christmas?

10. NYE AT THE BELFRY

Lastly me and my boyfriend decided to celebrate New Years Eve at the Belfry hotel and resort. We went the year before too as we loved it so much. It such a nice and glam hotel and we had cocktails in the bar and then watched an amazing fireworks display outside. It was the perfect way to bring the new year in with my love by my side. we then got to wake up and have the most delicious breakfast before heading home. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year and looking forward to lies ahead for 2018. We are already half way through January and I cant wait to learn more about my job and progress within the world of Merchandising and working with fab high street brands but also save those all important pennies as I start to think about buying a house with the bf.

What are your new years resolutions/plans?

x

Fashion | Collaboration with Danubia Sousa

 

Ruffle body suit | www.rhona-anne.com | £45

I cant believe its been nearly 3 months since my last blog post! Since I started my new job in Fashion Merchandising, its gone so fast!
Anyway I wanted to share my recent collaboration with Brazilian fashion model Danubia Sousa. I've been wanting to gain some exposure for my brand and thought what better way than to collaborate with those in the fashion industry who have a much bigger following and who have their own sense of style. Its nice to see how others style my designs and also gets my name out there, which is proving to be very hard.
Danubia - who also modelled for me in my London Fashion Week show in 2014, chose to promote the ruffle body in Grey. She went on a recent trip to Portugal and I loved how she styled it with a simple pair of jeans and sandals.
Its such a beautiful body suit and although it might be better as a summer garment, it can be worn in so many ways - tucked into a skirt or flared trousers and then worn with a blazer on top or long chunky cardigan. Its simple to wear and comfy and I have had a lot of feedback from collaborating.
If you follow me a lot, you would have seen my other collaboration with Lauren Black, who is a big fashion blogger and promoted the same ruffle body in Black. She also styled it with jeans and got so many positive comments on Instagram.
Its exciting to see my designs on well known figures in the fashion industry and if you feel you can pull it off too and want to buy one, check out my online shop - www.rhona-anne.com.

        Danubia Sousa @danubiasousa in the Grey ruffle body | Portugal 2017.

 Lauren Black - @imlaurenblack  in the Black ruffle body | www.rhona-anne.com | £45

Fashion | Zante Lookbook

Outfit 1: Top: Topshop | Pencil Skirt: River Island | Sandals: New Look

Hey there! Sorry for the lack of posts recently but I have been busy seeing the world and enjoying the sun! A couple of weeks ago I travelled to the beautiful island of Zante in Greece, for a summer holiday and to celebrate my boyfriends upcoming 30th birthday. We stayed in a remote part called Kampi, which was out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by stunning greenery and mountains, so if you decide to visit there you definitely need a car to get around! In this area was the most stunning 5 star hotel called Mabely Grand Hotel. It was so glam and grand, with beautiful big staircases and a gorgeous lobby area as you came in, I just had to take photos wherever we went, as it was breath taking...

As you all know I love fashion and putting outfits together and absolutely love summer holidays, as I always feel I can dress up and wear what I want, without having to worry about covering up because of the weather! I wanted to share with you my holiday look book and how I put my outfits together.
Each night I wore something different and enjoyed wearing all my heels as I didn't have to walk far! I felt like a princess in every outfit and hope I inspire you all for your upcoming holiday looks!

Outfit 2 : Dress : River Island | Shoes : New Look

Outfit 3: Cami: New Look | Skirt: River Island | Sandals: New Look | Clutch: River Island

Outfit 4: Choker Style top: Missguided | Skirt: River Island | Sandals: New Look

Outfit 5: Powder blue dress: New Look | Shoes: New Look | Clutch: New Look |

Outfit 6: Lace top: Zara | Shimmer skirt: Topshop | Wedges: River Island | Box bag: Missguided

Outfit 7: Crop top: Missguided | Skirt: River Island | Wedges: River Island | Necklace: H&M

Outfit 8: Crop Top: Missguided | Pencil skirt: River Island | Wedges: River Island | Bag: Billybag London | Necklace: Accessorize

Outfit 9: Lace Top: Topshop | Skirt: River Island | Sandals: New Look | Necklace: H&M

Outfit 10: Choker: Zara | Top: Topshop | Shimmer skirt: Topshop | Clutch: River Island

Have you booked any holidays for the summer? Look out for my next post talking about all the top places we visited and where not to miss if your travelling to Zante!

Fashion | Setting up a business

It's taken me some time to pluck up the courage to write this post, so I thought I would share my story with you lovely followers about setting up a business and the struggles, my business being my own fashion brand - Rhona Anne - www.rhona-anne.com.

After completing my BA (Hons) degree in Fashion Design, I graduated from Kingston University, London. It was the hardest three years of my life, stressful, demanding, challenging and I was constantly up against the likes of people who could never do no wrong, who could be the best of friends with the likes of Victoria Beckham, because it's who you know right? Not what you know?

I got through those three years though because I wanted to, I wanted nothing more than to get a degree and make a success out of my career, I went from an A grade in Art to a distinction in Fashion at college, to a BA Hons Degree and thought with those qualifications I could become a top designer for a top fashion brand/designer but I was wrong! After Uni I was even offered work experience but there was never anything at the end of it. I was so close, yet so far. Since then I've struggled to get my dream job. This frustrates me...a lot. As I'm sure a lot of graduates may feel the same, it still feels like your alone, like it was a whole waste of time.

So I decided that I wasn't going to give up and in 2014 I launched my own brand and made it personal to me. I wanted people to know me as my brand. It was a challenge to say the least!
I worked extremely hard to build it, I designed my own collection, pattern cut each design, toiled it up, I sourced my own production company, arranged endless meetings, designed and created my own website, had everything produced, set up social media, collaborated with bloggers and photographers on fashion shoots, had my designs featured in magazines, I even showcased at London Fashion Week, oh and I was a selected designer in the Midlands Fashion Awards and for the cosmopolitan show during Oxford Fashion Week but somehow it isn't enough... however, I feel if you are different, if you have something to offer someone, if your unique or talented in another way, even if there isn't a job at the end of it, never give up on your dreams, because its only you who can bring that to life. I didn't give up and I've achieved so much. You have to keep believing in yourself, one day Rhona Anne will be the next Dior, the next dream, the next designer someone looks up to. I think the quote is "Good things come to those who wait".
I'm proud of my business and sometimes I lose sight of that, I forget I've designed and built something from scratch and although it may take time, I will reach my goals.

To those who have knocked me down in life, who are you? what have you achieved? are you any better?
I may work in retail temporarily alongside working towards building my brand but I have a dream, I have a degree, I have qualifications, I've worked for Amanda Wakeley, I've travelled but most importantly I've worked so so hard and it WILL pay off in the end.
So please.....don't judge.

Oxford Fashion Week

London Fashion Week

 

 

 London Fashion Week

Girls just want to have fun photoshoot

Midlands Fashion Awards