Outfit | Getting Ready for Winter + City Hopping

 ASOS Overcoat (similar here) | GANT Jumper | Dickies Chinos | Universal Works Bag | Converse 70s Sneakers | Bailey Nelson Glasses | Goodhood x Timex Watch c/o Timex | Form&Thread Socks

Oliver Wears - ASOS T-Shirt, Coat + Beanie | Oliver Spencer Trousers | Dr Martens Shoes

I don't know about you but I've been wearing winter coats for a good few weeks now. Maybe it's not been quite cold enough for most us, but as soon as it gets below 10 degrees I'm reaching for heavy layers, knitwear and thermals.

It's my favourite season for clothing, but it doesn't half play silly beggars with my circulation. And for that reason I tend to over-consider what fabrics my clothes are made out of; making sure they're going to keep me warm enough (or cool in the summer).

Anyway, this outfit falls into my current uniform of grey + navy, and on a recent meet-up with Oliver, in the good city of Manchester, we ended up unintentionally coordinating, both wearing grey overcoats by ASOS. Mine is around three years old, but Oliver's single breasted coat has just hit the website. I wore mine with this blue cashmere jumper by GANT (from my recent shoot in Leeds), slim trousers by Dickies and a fresh pair of Converse 70s, which I picked up via Octer.

Octer works in a similar way to Pinterest, but instead of DIY, baking and travel-related things, the site + app lets you create wishlists of clothing, accessories, interior design and technology. It's pretty straight forward to use; when you're ready to buy something you click through to the item, which then takes you through to one of their partner stores. It's worth checking out if you get tired of looking through loads of sites to find the items you're after.

So where are you heading next? I'm down in London for a couple of days next week, for some meetings and a catch-up with Nik + Lucie. It will probably be the last time for a while, as I need to handle moving house very soon!!

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While we're on the subject of visiting cities, I recently contributed to the eBookers "London Like a Local" city guide. The guide features quick tips and insider knowledge from bloggers and writers - handy for anyone that's new to visiting the city or for anyone looking for some alternative places to eat, drink + explore.

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A Conversation with ASOS Stylist Kieron Watts

Cramming my diary with appointments and places to visit is my expertise when it comes to visiting London. I try to make the most of my visits to the city, which usually leads to being totally buzzed off caffeine from the amount of meetings that take place coffee shops. We're thinking of creating a Buckets Coffee Guide, but that's one for another day...

One such stop was at ASOS HQ to meet up with one of their resident men's + womenswear stylist, Kieron Watts. For my part in ASOS's activity, #InterviewAStylist, suggested to the team that Buckets & Spades would be a great place to chat to Kieron. We headed into Camden for a wander around, grabbed some food in The Blues Kitchen and chatted about what it's like to work as an ASOS Stylist.

My Pendleton x NikeiDs

I had fun going nuts on a pair of Nike Roshe Run at the ASOS HQ a few months back, and they finally arrived! We were lucky enough to get a super late invite to meet the Nike and Pendleton teams, where we explored the endless outcomes of their new iD range. It's always temping to go over the top with stuff like this - 'Pimp My Ride' style - adding way too many colours, bright fabrics and regrettable name tagging, but for their new collaboration the focus is on Pendleton's rich fabric archive.

For my pair I chose to go with the familiar Blackwatch Tartan and durable nylon navy on the upper, with a complimentary(ish) green Swoosh and golden yellow accents. In my head it sounds a little much but I actually couldn't be happier with the results. So Wrong it's Right...?

Customise your Pendleton x Nike iD here.

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Reflecting on a Year of Freelance | #MakeHistory with Jim Beam

It's coming to that time of the year where we all step back and look at what we've achieved over the past 12 months. Evaluating the ups, downs, successes and potential missed opportunities is an invaluable task to helping us grow and move forward. For me, the year of 2014 has been a very significant one -  I ran full steam ahead into freelance life, started to seriously plan for the future and set myself realistic and attainable goals. Not everything went the way I'd planned (I ended up becoming a Yes Man and taking on too much) of course, we can just try our best. It's trial and error in some ways, but being motivated + inspired to push to the next level is always the aim. We choose to make our own history - you can either go with the flow or take control.

Jim Beam is a company no stranger to progression, they've been distilling their famous bourbon since 1795, and the fact that they're still producing today is a testament to the brand's willingness to evolve. They constantly take a fresh approach and cover new grounds, in the same way as we do as creatives. Their #MadeHistory campaign not only highlights what significant work they're doing in their chosen field, but ourselves as individuals too – which got me think about how each week I'm consciously (and subconsciously) laying the foundation for my own future.

Here's how I make my own history each week:

Planning Ahead + Setting Goals

I have a strict routine when it comes to my working week. I set up and plan for the week ahead every Sunday without fail - making lists, filling in spreadsheets, planing content, arranging my diary to set the ball rolling. I have a clear vision of what I want to achieve and Sunday's are imperative to making it a successful one. Certain things will inevitably get in the way but if you stay focused and motivated then the week will fall into place. If you hit the wall then try this short exercise to help regain focus.

Staying True To Yourself + Do What You Love

Doing something I love each week - be that work related or not - is not only good for the soul but is a great way of keeping yourself grounded. Hollie loves jigsaws, I bet if she picked one up more often she'd be less stressed about her day job. As a visual person I'm drawn to certain things like a magpie - to say I'm a collector is an understatement. Sometimes my possessions are met with weird looks and remarks, but this is what makes us individual. Beer mats, cartoon figures, comics, stamps, coins, baseball caps, pencils....they're all a part of me (thanks Grandad). These tokens remind me of a places I've been or an event in my history, and will play an important role in my future.

Trying A Fresh Approach

When something isn't working we need to adapt and try a fresh approach. Often I hit a brick wall with my writing, it doesn't come as natural as I'd like  it to sometimes. Taking a step back and starting a fresh works wonders - determine what's stopping you from completing your task and leap over it with a new outlook. Sometimes we can be reminded of this with something as simple as a new screen saver, or even looking back on past sucession. Nik recommends clearing by going for a run to clear your head but who'd have thought we'd be training with the NFL!?

Investing In Your Passion

I love nothing more than traveling to new places + experience local cultures. It has to be said I spend a lot of my time in London, but I still make a point of wondering into new areas or down unvisited streets, for the love of discovering something unknown. Investing your money into things like cameras, train/plane tickets, night courses, sports, computer programmes or even a new pair of walking boots can give you the drive to achieve things you never thought you could. Remember the excitment of buying your first SLR camera or developing your first roll of film? We could do with more of that feeling.

Meeting New People "In Real Life"

I was given some advice while studying at uni, "every single person in your class is a gateway to a new opportunity". I didn't take that as go looking for people to befriend, but rather to meet people who you feel you have a connection with and share similar interests. Many of us are hooked on social media, but making the time + effort to connect with people "in-real-life" rather than behind the computer screen has an endless amount of benefits. We form relationships with people in all walks of life, and to finally meet the people behind the avatar is very satisfying.

Buckets & Spades would be a lonely place if it wasn't for the real people. Above is one of my highlights of 2014, when I had the opportunity to work with Olivia + Remi on the ASOS On Tour: Tourism Ireland project.

It's times like these that remind me why I love blogging so much. 2014 has been a stonker but I can't wait to see what 2015 may hold. Time to take control. How do you go about making your own history?

The post is in collaboration with Jim Beam for the #MakeHistory Campaign

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ASOS on Tour | Dublin + Belfast with Tourism Ireland

 I'm super excited to finally share some more photos of my recent trip to Ireland with ASOS and Tourism Ireland! Myself and fellow bloggers Olivia of What Olivia Did + Remi of Hands of Style, we were lucky enough to be invited by ASOS to get involved with their latest campaign - ASOS on Tour | The Dublin + Belfast Challenge.

Over the course of a few action-packed days we set about exploring as much of both cities as possible - soaking in Dublin + Belfast's culture, entertainment, history and attractions. Both cities were very different, each with their own historical background and unique restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, markets and art scenes. Both Olivia + Remi look ridiculously pretty in the photos, they did a top job at making me look good! My highlights of the trip were visiting the Guinness Storehouse, pizza at Skinflints, The Mac art space and spending time down at the seaside with the team at Howth.

You can check out the full campaign with ASOS + Tourism Ireland is here, where you'll find our comments on each location we stopped at. If you would like to see more menswear shots then click here.

Thank you for reading folks, hopefully you've enjoyed the photos -  there's a chance for you and your mates to win a trip to Ireland c/o ASOS here, give it a whirl!

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ASOS On Tour | Ireland Preview + Weekend Links

Exciting doesn't cover my reaction when the images from the ASOS Ireland Tour dropped in my inbox earlier this week! Myself, Olivia of What Olivia Did and Remi of Hands of Style headed to Ireland eariler this month to work with ASOS + Tourism Ireland on this brand new campaign. For now I can share a couple of images + an exclusive look at the campaign on the site, but more to come soon! Click "MEN" to see more images!

In other news - Buckets & Spades has been nominated for an award, at the American Crew Men's Lifestyle Award! It would be super if you take 10 seconds to vote for us! I think a bike ride is in order this weekend. Have you guys got any plans?

Weekend Bucket List

Have you seen the trailer for the new film, American Blogger? Anna's in it!
We don't need friends like these! Not to be trusted.
Welcome this month's new blog partner, British Streetwear brand Set.
Performing magic tricks on dogs, my favourite is Torsti!
One handsome pair of boots.

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Current Fitness Goals + Energy Boosting

Fitness talk is widespread at this time of year so I thought I'd delve into the subject area myself for a change. Don't worry, this post won't be full of motivational speeches, "go get 'em kid" quotes and throwaway advice, rather just a simple breakdown of my current routine and how I plan to achieve my goals.

I've been a member of the local gym for a good five years now but took to taking it more seriously only about eight months ago. I used to pay-per-session but a price hike meant it would be substaintially cheaper to pay monthly, so I went for it. My Jewish roots urge me to make sure I'm getting the best value for money at all times, hence I'm now trying to hit the gym four times per-week to make it worth it! I also can't pretend decent looking fitness gear doesn't make me more motivated, superficially maybe but if I makes you work harder then it's doing its job.

Walking + cycling daily has generally kept my weight down since I was in my late teens, which ultimately has been my downfall. For years felt I was inferior by looking/feeling too skinny, and basically not manly enough for a guy in his mid-to-late 20s. Thanks #menswear world! To put things into perspective, since I was in my late-teens I've weight around 10.5 stone. This leads me nicely to my goals over the past year:

- Gain 1-stone in healthy weight

- Build upper-body strength + muscle

- Increase flexibility/relieve stress with yoga

- Improve cardio with running + cycling

- Eat healthier + more varied foods/drinks

Wearing - Marmot Jacket c/o Blacks, Topman Hoody, H+M T-Shirt, Shorts + Leggings, adidas Energy Boost c/o JD,

 ASOS Wooly Hat, Timex Watch.

With all goals it's a work-in-progress, but the main target I've nailed is the weight gain. The day I wrote this (Monday) the scales read 12.8 stone, which is clearly a huge leap up! The gain is a combination muscle (most noticeably around chest, shoulders + arms) but also because I've been eating more a lot has gone on my stomach! This is the work in progress, cos I'm not giving up beer for nothing! One of the biggest factors in my weight gain has been from buying a decent blender. I blend the mother out of bananas, blueberries + oats on a daily basis, combining them with protein powders, milk (chocolate + full fat), natural honey and a bunch of other fruits + seeds.

I've not had the best luck with protein powders, it's expensive business so I've been sticking to the affordable Pulsin products for the past few months. They're not ideal for muscle/weight gain but it gives me a decent enough hit each day. I'd love to try out some other brands, so if you guys any protein powder recommendations then please do let me know! Rosie's recipe on protein pancakes is also an inventive way of increasing your daily intake.

I'm still getting to grips with yoga, I don't dedicate as much time to it as I'd like to, Hollie in Texas has been giving me advice along every now-and-again. My cardio has improved but I'm still not at the stage where I'm actually enjoying running (cycling is a winner), but I'm determined to stick at it. For the past few weeks I've been running in the new adidas Energy Boost, which are making the experience much more bearable! They're suitable for all types of running and give you supportive and cushioned ride. I keep reminding myself, there's no cutting corners if you want to achieve your goals. I said I wouldn't give any "motivation" advice but this is a good rule to stick by.

So there we have it. I've achieved most of my goals from the past year. I just need to work harder on a few areas and mix up my routine more regularly - Adding more/harder cardio sessions in, work on my core strength and vary the muscle groups I'm hitting. Let's call this P1 of a Fitness Goals series, I'll report back in a few months on my progress! I'd love to find out some of your current fitness goals, any recommendations and how you plan to stick to them over the next few months?

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