IYAAJAY // MENS STYLE BLOG: June 2013

Update 30/6 Watching, Wearing, Wanting & Waterworks

June 30, 2013

Just thought id put a quick little update on this week.

As I mentioned i've just came back from holiday but what I didn't say was that whilst we were away, we had a slight water issue resulting in my parents room being severely water damaged but luckily we had someone checking in everyday and stopped it before it spread. So now we've started the long process of sorting out everything so i've been assigned the 'designated replacements specialist' so I get to find replacements for whats been damaged. Im just so glad it wasn't my room, otherwise I think I honestly would of had a breakdown!

Also, i've decided to slow down on the spending as I have an expensive few months ahead of me such as my car insurance (complete necessity) birthdays etc but its still doesn't mean I cant lust after eh? Ive been eyeing up a new iPhone as a treat to myself for my 21st in December but I think I may break my ban if Im having a bad day and I think these Vans Classic Slip on's in Rust Tie Dye will be my weakness.

Zara are also trying to tempt me, not only with a sale, but with their stunning new ranges BUT I have to remain strong and not be persuaded.....

Had you fooled didn't i? Ofcourse I already browsed the A/W collection when I visited Barcelona and spotted my Biker Jacket with Elbow Patches which i am O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D over!

Since i've been spending a bit more time indoors lately, i've been discovering a couple of new bands which i've fallen for;

CHVRCHES- Gun

This sickly sweet electro-pop has had me hooked ever since I caught it on Radio 1 and i've been obsessed with it ever since! CHVRCHES are definitely heading for huge things in 2013-2014.

London Grammar- Wasting My Young Years

This beautiful melody caught me by surprise and i've been humming it to myself so much I just had to download it. Its one of those gentle ballads that then packs a ton of gusto and its a real tear jerker if your in one of those moods but its also strangely uplifting, almost like 'i've been knocked down but heck i'm gonna get back up' sort of anthems.

Ill also be posting a review of Gucci's new aftershave Gucci Guilty Black in a couple of days time so keep posted guys!

app

In-case You Didn't Know.....

June 27, 2013

Meet Casetagram!

The evolution of phoneography (photography via a smartphone) has made it easier than ever before for people across the world to capture and share their memories. Founded in 2011, Casetagram is the world’s first social design platform to make customizable cases for phones and tablets using social images, including Instagram and Facebook photos. Casetagram provides an easy-to-use platform to bring personal photos to life, making it more customizable than ever. Combining quality and brilliance, Casetagram continues to search for ways to turn social images into extraordinary products and celebrate the creative along the way. Shoot it, Place it, Case it.

Casetagram offers customizable cases for iPhone 5/4S/4, iPod Touch 5/4, iPad Mini, iPad 3/2, Google Nexus 4, Samsung Galaxy 4/3/2, and Samsung Note 2/1. All designs can be made using the Casetagram mobile app or web portal, offering over 15 different layouts and filters, and are printed on quality cases, which are durable, slim and easy to snap on. Cases are available in a frosty charcoal or frosty white matte finish for $34.95 - $54.95.

Heres my favourites of the individual bunch!

L to R-

Galaxy by Aysha Chaudhry

Graphic 3 Blue by Maboe

Billy Rays by Fimbis

Nordic Combination 7 by Maboe

All available at Casetagram

I LOVE how individual they make your phone look, and with the easily removable covers, you can easily mix and match, switch and swap to go with any look or mood, it really couldn't be simpler!

Also I was contacted by the lovely people of Casetagram to let all you know about the new app theyve just launched which I love! Keep Calm is the best app to design your Keep Calm posters with your own instagram, fFcebook and camera photos. You can also customize your own by tapping on a word and icon, and then Share to Instagram,Facebook,Twitter,Email and also make a Casetagram or a poster of your design. The app is freshly launched and is free for a limited time only! So make sure you get snappy quick!

Barcelona

Holiday Splurge

June 26, 2013

prints

Summer Trends with Topman

June 14, 2013

L to R-

Black Tie Dye Backpack

Burgundy Tie Dye Vest

Tie Dye Biker Tank Vest

Take a trip back to the simpler brighter times with this trend of tie dye thats everywhere at the moment and nobody is doing it better then Topman. Ive picked out my 3 favourite pieces which fit the trend perfectly. Firstly everyone always needs the perfect summer bag, for all those trips out and unexpected beach moments and this tie dye backpack is functional, on trend and also looks a lot more expensive than it really is. Secondly, I'm a sucker for burgundy and this vest incorporates the two trends together in an essential piece for the summer! Finally this rocker vest top is majoring in two summer must have trends for tie dye and statement designs (For inspiration on styling, Balenciaga have an incredible original collection here The Egyptofunk Collection )

L to R-

Navy Preppy Letter Oversized Printed Sweatshirt

'Tux' Bright Red Leather Hi-Tops

Grey Neppy Contrast Drawcord Joggers

Light Grey Marl '38' Printed Mesh Oversized Sweatshirt

Think bright leather shoes, skinny joggers, oversized preppy jumpers and you've got another summer trend; Sports Luxe! Gone of the days of wearing gym gear strictly at the gym, sportswear's gone high fashion with new material's, silhouette's and prints that add an Americana vintage twist to any outfit, whether its colour pop trainers, freshman lettered tops or teaming laid back slouch tees with skinny joggers to play up shapes.

L to R-

Brown Large Scale Animal Print Short Sleeve Shirt

Navy Dip Dye Check Long Sleeve Shirt

Baroque Leopard Print Short Sleeve Shirt

Quintessential tailoring with a fun twist? WELL COUNT ME IN! Printed shirts are huge this year and yet again Topman have hit it out the park with some of the best around since the runaway success of their swallow print shirts (You can still get some now, check the sales!) and this year they've excelled themselves with new takes on traditional checked shirts, outlandish grandeur in baroque style or wild with oversized animal prints (also my favourite one!)

advice

Want some help with your packing today?

June 11, 2013

Now I even wish that I had this option when packing for my holiday (which is Sunday so I won't be blogging next week, ill be having a sunny break away from the mac and online shopping). Every year this happens, me, being captain procrastination, panicking about what to pack, whats going in hand luggage, what to wear on the plane etc BUT determined to not be like that this year I kicked my butt into gear and actioned some helpful tips to help with the stress of trying to organise a stress free holiday (ironic really?)

NEVER ever over pack- This sounds so stupid but do you really need those jumpers and jeans in a hot country? do you need to pack 8 pairs of shoes for a short trip? NO, be your inner sceptic and pack light, making sure to optimise outfit choices such as a pair of shoes you know that'll work with nearly every outfit etc which is what I've done this year (wearing my grey Vans on the plane there, and they're comfy enough for walking and go with everything due to a neutral colour and i've also packed a pair of black Toms)
Lighten the load before- Do you really need that fully packaged product? Do you really need that industrial bottle of shampoo that weighs your luggage allowance and probably more? Think cleverly and scale back, such as ditching unnecessary packaging and also, trial products before you go, that way things that work will be lighter to travel with such as shampoo or conditioners which are often pretty bulky. Another tip is to just buy the products when you get there, then buy the smallest one and it can be easily discarded.
Be realistic- Pack the essentials, such as an exact number of tee's or vests, as in a hot country, you cant always reuse things due to being sweaty etc so make sure you've got backups and also make sure you've got enough to last you instead of relying on travel washing which is like a last resort.
Think about cost- If the items your packing are cheap, split them between the amount of suitcases your taking (when me and my family travel we split our stuff 3 ways so that if one of our suitcases goes AWOL then we aren't stuck without all our luggage) and also think that if your gonna be upset over a item that either cost a lot or is pretty irreplaceable, think about placing it in hand luggage so you know its with you at all time (which is what ill be doing with my more expensive pieces)
Let your hair down- Holidays aren't a fashion show, its about practicality for where your going such as skin tight items don't go down well in hotter climates (you'll be sweating more then a sauna) or skimpy items don't work in colder climates (nobody wants to turn blue like a extra in Avatar) so always when packing, think of practical items that'll easily transition between day and night (some countries temperatures differ dramatically during the day so be prepared)
Ditch the added extras- This may be a taboo for many, but do you really need all those electrical hair goods? or all that makeup? Things like hair and makeup turn from a really nice style to a horror movie extra in hardly any time so embrace a more natural laid back holiday look such as beachy hair etc.

Anyways guys, ill be away for a week only so obviously the blogging front for me will be a bit quiet but I promise ill be back to my usual savvy self when i'm back (the joys of two weeks off from work eh?)