My Travel Essentials- Undercover Review

I'm officially going on holiday next month to Asia, and I'm super excited to be leaving the cold, rainy UK to visit a hotter country. However, travelling doesn't have to be full of trouble and worries, as I want to talk about my 2 travel essentials that come with me wherever I go. The first thing about travelling is that you have to be prepared- you can't forget your documents and passport, as that will make the trip a trip you wouldn't want to remember!

So here are 2 things that I always carry around…

1) Passport holder 

After discovering the existence of passport holders a few years ago, I couldn't help but get myself a cheap ebay holder which didn't last me very long. Admittedly, the quality of eBay items is doubtful, but I managed to get myself a replacement passport holder recently. I bought this lovely, personalised Navy Disckers passport holder for myself, which looks absolutely stunning, and is a much better holder than my old one!

As you can see, the soft leather holder is made with a navy exterior (though you can customise it to many different colors), which feels extremely smooth and supple The holder is handmade in England, so the quality is pretty awesome and great. It's made from recycled leather which is environmentally friendly, and it's lined with a silk lining. This makes a wonderful passport holder as the size is compact, and the weight of this holder is light and easy to carry or stuff in a bag.

I love how it comes in a gift box which can be wrapped to give to a special someone. It is wrapped really beautifully, and looks great when it arrived in the mail. I will definitely be buying more of this, as you can personalise the initials on top of the case. It's so lovely and will make great presents, as with most things on Undercover's website.

2) Travel wallet

My second travel essential is a travel wallet. I've been using low-quality wallets that costs $10 for a while, and they all end up broken and full of holes. I got myself an upgrade from Undercover and managed to snag this Compact Leather Travel Wallet. This gorgeous leather wallet is pretty much the perfect size for travelling, it can fit into my jacket pocket yet carry everything I need. I put my passport in the middle compartment, and the wallet has lots of space for different things like documents, money, cards and coins.

I love the design of the wallet as it's beautifully made. You can choose from a range of over 25 colors, and I chose this aqua green shade for a girly, feminine look. Alternatively, men can go for darker shades. The wallet's super beautiful and allows you to put a lot of things in, including travel keys, credit cards and lots of cash- perfect for my needs!

Of course, I also carry around a huge backpack as well as other things such as cute leather tassels that Undercover also has, but let me talk about those next time! For now, I'm going to be filling my wallet with my documents and getting my passport ready for the trip- thank you Uncovered for making these lovely items. Hope you found this useful!

Visit their site: www.undercoveruk.com

Leather Goodies With A Twist- Kovered Backpack Review

Hey everyone! Have you ever wanted a decent leather backpack but didn't know where to find one? I know I certainly have! In fact, I was looking for decent leather bags for myself the other day, and came across a shop that I've actually seen everywhere on Instagram and Facebook a while back. The shop is called Kovered and they're a UK-based leather accessories and bags shop that sells a huge range of phone accessories, leather backpacks and shoulder bags.

A bit about the brand- Kovered is passionate about combining the idea of recycling with natural, ethically made goods. In fact, their whole collection is inspired by the great outdoors- their items are all made from recycled leather which would otherwise have gone to waste. They pride themselves on being open about their manufacturing process, and they make products that are going to last for many years to come.

Since the brand went big with their lovely phone cases, they have branched out into making some of the most gorgeous backpacks that I've seen. Kovered's style can be described as minimalistic, simple and rugged- their bags are all unisex so the colors aren't overly feminine or over the top. They create products in greys, neutrals, browns and black tones, and everything has an earthy feel.

I bought this lovely Waxed Canvas Backpack in Brown Grey Leather- the package arrived within a few days of me buying it from their Etsy shop, and it was beautifully wrapped in a compact package. It'd make a lovely gift for women and men, as they come with a cute dust bag.

As for the quality, I'm really happy with this Kovered backpack. This backpack is one of the best bags that I've touched, because it feels incredibly strong and stable. When I say strong, I mean- this bag seems like it would last me through years of tough wear, in the desert or in the jungle! It feels really durable and the waxed canvas material feels really great.

The leather quality is also fantastic, as the top of the backpack is soft and supple, yet thick at the same time. The leather is 100% reclaimed leather, yet feels better than most non-recycled leather that I've touched. I actually love the contrasting fabrics on this backpack, and it looks absolutely stylish!

All of Kovered's items have a classicm vintage design. I really love their clean, classic look that combines elements of a vintage and heritage style. This waxed canvas rucksack has a huge pocket compartment, which is fully lined with waterproof nylon. Durable double zip-pockets and three interior open pockets define this tough everyday bag. The shoulder straps are also fully adjustable, and is thick and supportive when worn on the back. I put my laptop and books in without problems!

Overall, I'm really happy with this backpack, and I'd highly recommend Kovered for leather goods with a twist.

Visit their Etsy shop HERE. 

My Favourite Summer Shoes - MYNDOS review

Have you ever dreamt of having the perfect holiday by the beach? Have you ever wanted to wear a summer dress and need the right pair of shoes to go with your outfit? Fear not, for today I want to talk about my favourite summer shoes of this season. The Etsy shop that I'm going to talk about is called MYNDOS, a beautiful boutique that sells some of the most exquisite and luxurious sandals that I've ever seen. 

A bit about the brand- MYNDOS is a shop that designs shoes inspired by the warm, blue waters of Agean sea and the history of the Halicarnassus (Bodrum) peninsula with its beautiful Myndos bay. Every shoe is handmade in Bodrum by artisans that are skilled in making beautiful shoes. All of the shoes are made by locals, which preserves their traditional skills and generates a source of income to improve local livelihoods. I love how every pair of MYNDOS sandals are unique as they're all a bit different. 

I got two pairs of shoes from MYNDOS and they're absolutely lovely. The first pair that I got was this Summer Dance from MYNDOS, which comes from their Summer Nights collection. I was attracted to this pair of sandals because of it's unique design- it features a lovely detail on the top, which has white and black plastic decorations in the shape of a little bow. It looks really feminine and unique, and also a bit surreal and hipster! 

As you can see, the fit of these gorgeous sandals is perfect. I got a Size 39 as I'm usually a Size 38.5, and the shoes fit pretty well so I'd definitely recommend rounding up. The shoes fasten on the sides with a buckle strap, and it's absolutely sturdy and feels great on the feet. The lower soles of the shoes are made from leather, and it's really thick and strong, unlike other sandals that I've worn as they tend to be too thin. 

The quality of the sandals is also excellent. The artisans in Turkey really makes their shoes with care, precision and detail. I saw that each strap on the shoe is stitched with attention, and I love the thick, strong bottom sole which forms one of the most important parts of the shoe. 

The second pair that I got is this more unique Zebra sandals from their Sunny Days Collection. This pair of sandals caught my attention because of it's unique pattern. The stripes alternate in white and black, and each black strap has a series of silver embellishments on top. It's really interesting, as I've never seen anything like this! The shoe looks great with paler skin, and a pair of jeans and a cute tee.

The quality is again fantastic. I never doubt the quality of MYNDOS's shoes, as they're extremely well made and strong. I think that these shoes will last me for years to come, as the shoes are made with 100% pure leather that comes in a thick, strong hide. As for the fit, again it fits perfectly and I'm absolutely adoring my gorgeous sandals.

Overall, MYNDOS is absolutely fantastic- top quality, lovely artistic designs and unique, handmade patterns. The shop is one of the best that I've seen on Etsy, and I highly recommend them.

Visit their Etsy shop:  MYNDOS
https://www.bymyndos.com/ 

MAHI Leather Summer Giveaway!

Attention ladies! This May & June, MAHI Leather is giving away a personalised leather backpack (worth up to $150) every 2 weeks. I've been a fan of the shop since I did a review of their travel bags back in 2016, and I've been using the bag ever since. It goes with me everywhere, across Europe, to the UK and even to Australia. The bag is great!

MAHI is giving away items from their Backpack range- their backpacks are wonderfully stylish because they're made with 100% pure leather, and they come in a range of styles like classic style, roll-top styles and vintage styles. They're good for men and women, and for people who want an affordable backpack with stylish details.

Their price range is second to none, and you can't beat MAHI leather's price! For around 100GBP you can get yourself a gorgeous, real leather backpack that lasts for years to come.

You can find more details on their competition page here: https://mahileather.com/blogs/news/backpack-competition

Gift Ideas For Men This Summer- Ministry of Supply Review

It's finally getting warm, and this can only mean one thing- summer is coming! For those of you who haven't been living under a rock, summer is the time for parties, weddings, new beginnings, new jobs, and of course- new clothes. Today, I want to talk about 2 gift ideas that you can get your man this summer. In fact, the shop I am going to be introducing you to- Ministry of Supply- also sells clothing for women, and they're just as wonderful as the items I'll be showing you today

A bit about the brand- Ministry of Supply is one of the world's leading brands that specialises in performance clothing for men and women. What are performance clothing? Essentially, performance dress shirts and pants are clothing that looks and feels like regular office or formal clothes, except they are actually made from high-tech, moisture-wicking and odour-resistance fabrics. These are usually synthetic and are engineered by specialists to make sure that sweat doesn't stick to the shirts, and that they can be wrinkle-free, hassel-free and easy to care for.

Now, why does this make Ministry of Supply my top choice for when I'm buying clothes as gifts for people? Because not only are their shirts super easy to care for, they also feel super comfortable- just like you're wearing gym or lounge clothing to work! Ministry of Supply is one of the world's best shops that specialises in performance clothing, and they use really unique fabrics that aren't found anywhere else in the world. Without further ado, here are two items that I'd highly recommend from their shop.

1) Aero Button Down performance dress shirt- this dress shirt caught my eye because it had a lovely grey striped pattern, which is perfect for work. If you're getting a man a gift, it should be functional and practical. Ministry of Supply sells lots of designs for shirts including checkered patterns, stripes and plain shirts- there's something for everyone!

In terms of the quality, the Aero shirt is pretty perfect and well-made. The price is not cheap, and the result is what you would expect- a really well-made shirt with great stitchings, nice buttons and a strong collar which stands up to wear. Again, it's extremely soft, smooth and moisture-wicking and wrinkle-free- super easy to care for!

The best thing about this shirt is the fit- the Aero shirt is stretchy as it has a 2-way stretch fabric. This means that the wearer can move around easily without problem, and it's an extremely comfortable shirt. I got a slim size and it fits my man perfectly- he loves the shirt and told me he got lots of compliments from his colleagues asking him where he got this.

2) Kinetic Pant - I've heard great things about Ministry of Supply's kinetic pants. Developed to be worn as comfortable dress pants, these pants actually look much like a pair of formal trousers that you would wear for work. However, it actually feels like loungewear as it is made from an ultra-soft 100% warp-knit Japanese Primeflex Polyester. This material is uniquely designed to be soft and smooth, and extremely comfortable. I feel like I'm touching something made from silk or cotton, but this feels so much better.

In terms of quality, these pants are truly a work of engineering. It is water resistant, has a DWR coating and is totally breathable and thermoregulatory. It is also easy to clean and care for, as it is moisture wicking and wrinkle and water resistant. If you ever spill anything during your lunch break, there wouldn't be any worries at all! The pants are truly high-quality, as the brand ensures that everything is made according to detailed specifications, so it's definitely worth it for the price.

As for the comfort and fit, the brand has a huge range of sizes for you to choose from. I chose a 32 inch waist for my man as that usually fits him, and these pants look amazing on him. He calls it his "lucky pants" since they're super comfortable and cheers him up on his bad days. I think that these pants are extremely comfortable to wear, and they're just fabulous!

Overall, I'd give Ministry of Supply a solid 10/10 for their products. They are an innovative and unique brand that caters for the needs of modern men and women. Their range of men's shirts are outstanding, and their kinetic pants are extremely modern and technologically-infused with the best qualities you want in pants. I cannot recommend them enough!

Visit their site: www.ministryofsupply.com

My Summer Go-To Shoes - Leatheropolis Review

It's really warm in the UK and I'm looking forward to getting my sundresses, short shorts and tank tops out. But what pair of shoes can I wear with my summer outfits? I'm super excited to show you one of my favourite pair of shoes this summer. It's finally warm enough to wear sandals, and I recently got this gorgeous pair of Greek sandals from Leatheropolis. These shoes have saved my wardrobe and they've been able to pair with all of my clothes!

A bit about the shop- Leatheropolis is an Etsy shop that sells gorgeous leather sandals and bags that are made in Greece. Inspired by the simple styles of the Grecian look, Leatheropolis features minimalist, simple designs that can be worn with any outfit- dresses, shorts and tees. Best of all, all of their shoes and bags are practical and functional, and made from 100% pure leather. Leather is one of the best materials for shoes, which means that all of their shoes are high-quality and durable. 

My new Dodoni sandals are actually incredible. They're really well made and comes in a lovely brown/ tan colour. The first thing about these shoes is that they are really well made. The shoes are stitched on well, and the soles look durable and tough. The leather inner soles are comfortable and durable, and the rubber soles is non-slip and comfortable. I like how the leather straps feels sturdy and smooth, and the buckles are really strong too. 

In terms of the design, I absolutely adore all of Leatheropolis's styles. They have a huge range of sandals, including wedge platform sandals, gladiator sandals, strappy ones like the one I got, t-strap sandals- you name it, they have it. In fact, all of Leatheropolis's styles are extremely stylish and cool, and looks like something right out of an Instagram shoot. I absolutely adore this pair of Dodoni sandals, which looks extremely flattering on my feet. The buckles are on the side, and the triple leather straps at the front look so cute!

The fit of these sandals are also pretty good- the shop has a size chart which you can look at, and the owner is super helpful in terms of getting the right size. I got a Size 39 and it fits just fine! I think if you're a half-size, you have to get a size up for them to fit. 

If you want a new pair of summer shoes, please visit Leatheropolis!

Unique Pattered Shirts - Balibur BCN

I've gotten a lot of shirts for my man- seriously, a lot. However, they're always the same pattern. Blue, white, pink, checkered, striped, jacquard- you name it, I've gotten it before. However, if you're looking for something more unique, I've got just the shop to show you! I'm so excited to talk about this new shirt that I got from Balibur BCN, a lovely shop that sells limited edition, beautiful and uniquely-designed shirts for men. 

A bit about the brand- Balibur BCN started when two friends met for the first time in a long time. The founders decided to start a clothing brand for men because they wanted to create unique designs that aren't found anywhere in the world. The interesting thing about their shirts is that each is made in a limited number- every shirt is manufactured in 200 unit batches, which means that when it sells out, a new design will come into place. Each shirt is made from local manufacturers in Barcelona, and everything is sustainably and ethically sourced. 

So this unique, beautiful shirt is called the 'Camisa Pedris' shirt- I decided to surprise my boyfriend with this shirt because it's one of the most interesting shirts that I've seen. The shirt features a geometric repeated pattern which is coloured in different places. The shirt is actually pretty white, but it looks colorful from afar because of the subtle pattern. I really like the interesting pattern as it stands out from the crowd and makes the wearer stand out. 

'Camisa Pedris

In terms of the quality, Balibur BCN's shirts are all 100% made from cotton. When I opened the package, I was really surprised to see that the shirt was pretty thick and sturdy. I expected something thinner, but the quality of the shirt is great as it's pretty dense and not see-through. The shirt is quite crisp and feels light, like a shirt from a high-end shop. Balibur BCN's pricing is also really reasonable, and I absolutely think that the quality is one of the best I've ever seen.

As for the fit, I chose a Size Large which has a 47cm shoulder and 58cm chest. Balibur BCN's sizing is  quite generous and the shirts come in a relaxed fit, which is pretty great for a casual look. I really like the relaxed look which makes guys look more approachable and friendly. Many casual shirts aren't meant to be slim or tight, so the fit is pretty great.

So some final thoughts- Balibur BCN ships free to Spain and Portugal, and they charge a small fee for EU and the rest of the world. They also accept returns if the shirts don't fit. As for the packaging, I really love the touch of style in their packaging, as the shirt is beautifully wrapped. It would make a lovely gift for anyone!

Visit their site: www.baliburbcn.com