Tuesday 29 November 2011

Winter Warmers



So, the jumper. Pretty boring, right? Not necessarily... There are so many great choices out there at the moment, in all price levels too. Whether you're looking for something festive or one that will last you through, winter after winter, I guarantee you'll find what you're looking for. My personal favourite is the Pepe Jeans cable knit jumper and I'm desperately hoping it will be under the tree this year. I also love fair isle prints for the festive season and I love the colours on this juicy couture one. These are my pick of what's out there; variety is key so if you're investing in more than one piece go for plenty of different colours, textures, prints and thicknesses. I'd also advice buying something that's made of wool, having itchy fabric against your skin is not nice! I'm getting really excited for Christmas now and I'll definitely be investing in one or two of these pieces to keep me warm over the festive season. 

Sunday 27 November 2011

The Christmas Cardigan

 Zara cardigan, shorts and belt, Urban Outfitters cami, Topshop brogues and necklace

Usually I don't bring out any festive clothing until we've hit December but this year I felt like I really couldn't wait! Home Alone was on the telly yesterday and after going to the Christmas market my excitement levels are sky high. I don't really have much in the way of festive clothes; I got this Zara cardigan last year so I thought I'd bring it out again this Christmas. I really adore the heart shaped pockets and think it adds a sweet touch. I also like the cropped, boxy shape which I think is quite unusual for a cardigan and looks great with something high-waisted to balance out the proportions. If you're going to wear something festive than my advice would be to keep it fun and whimsical but still stylish and only ever wear one piece at a time. Whilst we all love Christmas, we all know what happens when we have too much of a good thing...


Friday 25 November 2011

All in the Detail...

Zara blouse and shorts, Topshop vest, Asos belt

I've gone for a monochrome look today, well for the most part; it's always a classic look and great when you're not in the mood to be too bold. I love an outfit that has lots of subtle detailing, it shows you've taken the time to put a creation together and focused on the small details as well as the overall appeal. I love love LOVE this Zara blouse. I got it in the summer and have just  not stopped wearing it. The collar has a different style to most blouses which I like and the little gold buttons have ridges all over them which fits in well for today's theme. I decided to leave the blouse mostly open to flash a bit of my pink belt underneath. It's always good to have a little bit of colour... I have accessorised with lots of gold jewellery (watch, ring, necklace etc) but I appear to have concealed it all in this photo. 
Have a great weekend everyone!

Wednesday 23 November 2011

November Edits

 The Sartorialist
Every month I must look on so many different websites, looking for different inspiration that I can use for my own wardrobe. These are some of the pictures I've collected during November; since writing my blog I've been moving away from the girly, vintage look and in to something more classic and minimal. I love all the looks in these photos especially how everyone makes their outfit individual with personal accessories. There's also a video on Zara's website at the moment about a women called Lucy Chadwick... Everything she wears and her apartment, to me, is just so perfect. I've got absolutely no idea how you put the clip on here (if anyone knows then please fill me in!?) but here's a link to it on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3gDnnTfE2E. Enjoy!
 Asos
 WearingItToday




Topshop Tumblr 

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Topshop Tumblr

Tuesday 22 November 2011

Christmas Market

Zara trench, American Apparel leggings, Urban Outfitters scarf and tee, Topshop head band, Carvella boots, Miss Selfridge bag

Last night my boyfriend and I went to the Christmas market in Manchester; it was very festive and very cold so I wrapped up in all my stylish accessories to keep warm. I really like to wear heels during the day but when I'm on my feet I can't be doing with anything too high! I've got a couple of pairs of Carvella boots with a smaller, thicker heel and they're so chic but so comfortable. The market was amazing and there was so much going on, it's really starting to feel like Christmas. Here are some of the photos I took. Next time I go I really hope it snows!







Sunday 20 November 2011

Bird Print

Zara blouse, Topshop jeans

Sorry for the lack of posts this week, it's been crazy busy and I've come down south for the weekend to visit my family. Today I'm off for a big family Sunday roast, so my outfit needs to be chic but appropriate and also pretty comfy. This bird print shirt from Zara is a recent purchase which I'd been eyeing up for a while and I love it! The print is so quirky but the colours mean that its not too bold. I also bought a size up so I could try and achieve that cool oversized look (the operative word being try!). 
Hope you're all having a great weekend.


Wednesday 16 November 2011

The Roll Neck

Zara roll neck, Topshop jeans

I had a little shopping spree yesterday because I've not bought anything for 7 weeks (I know!) and one of my lovely purchases was this roll neck. Now I think there are some pretty mixed and extreme views on the roll neck... As I was eating my breakfast this morning I read in Grazia that they should be avoided at all costs. Not exactly what you want to hear when you've just put yours on for the first time but I stood by my decision. In the shop I was unsure, but then I tried it on and decided it was chic a the simple and androgynous way. I also decided that if it was good enough for Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face and Beyonce in Countdown, then it must be pretty cool. I think it looks good, and even if others don't at least I'll have the satisfaction of my neck being warm.

Tuesday 15 November 2011

The Red Dress

Zara dress, Topshop shoes and necklace

I really love a good red dress. Every girl's wardrobe needs one; its not something that you'd pull out often, but when you do it has to be really, really special. I've gone with something a bit different with mine. It has a slightly more casual style and is quite feminine. But a fitted dress with a low back is also a very good look. I've gone for one key, statement accessory as the shape of the dress is quite simple and the necklace makes it a bit more interesting but the colour is what really brings the outfit to life. A red dress isn't for that faint hearted, and you should get a style that flatters your figure and a shade that's complimentary to your skin tone. I would definitely consider buying one, if you don't have one already; it's the best colour dress a girl can have.

Friday 11 November 2011

Leopard Print

 Zara blouse, Asos shorts, Topshop shoes

Okay, so I know the above photo is a bit strange (not entirely sure what I'm doing with my arm?!) but I didn't have a lot of time to take a bunch of photos today... Just another day of lectures and the library, nothing particularly exciting happens at the moment as my entire life revolves around my dissertation; I did watch the first two episodes of frozen planet though which I'd go as far as to say was the highlight of my week. Like I said, not a lot is happening right now.
I've not worn these leopard print shorts for a long while and I had to delve deep into my closet to rediscover them. I thought they would be a fun way to brighten up a pretty regular Friday; my tip when wearing a statement piece like these is to keep all other items simple and wear chic make-up and accessories to complete your look.
Have a great weekend everyone!


Wednesday 9 November 2011

Nature Inspired


I don't want this to be a weird post or for you to get the wrong idea; I'm not one of those wacky nature loving people who talks to plants and eats soil! In fact, I'm pretty rubbish at trekking through fields or being friends with flies but, sometimes, I do feel quite inspired by nature. These are some photos I've taken over the last few months and I do think there are elements we can take from it into our daily fashion lives.
Firstly, the strong colour of these flowers is really quite awe inspiring. I know it's a bit pink (I think I might be going through a phase at the moment?!) but just the vivacity and boldness of each hue is immense. I also love the layers of petals in the first two pictures and it reminds me of the origami trend we saw a few seasons back (anyone remember Teri Hatcher's white dress at the 2009 SAG awards?). Granted, she probably made it onto a fair few worst dressed lists, and I'm not saying we should go to that extreme but in small, elegant doses it's definitely a new element I've not explored. 
Nature can be a forced to be reckoned with, and I think looking around a little wider for our fashion inspiration is refreshing from time to time.



Tuesday 8 November 2011

My Space


I think interiors shows a lot about your personal style, so I've decided to share my bedroom in my uni house with you. I don't think I realised how much of a pink person I am until I took these photos earlier! Although I'm hoping it's less so in my wardrobe. 
I like my space to have lots in it and be full of life although still chic and not like a jumble sale. I'm quite an avid reader, although I find it difficult to fit it in these days, and these are some of my books above. I really love to bake and cook too, and I have some beautiful cookery books (mostly gifts from my boyfriend!). 
I feel like I take my style one step further when it comes to interiors. In my dress, I like to be quite classic whereas I tend to favor pieces that are more quirky in my house and like to fill every space. But the fundamental points stay the same; quality, style, elegance and a little bit of colour. I can't wait to have my own apartment in London once I finish uni. I have so many ideas swirling around in my head, sometimes it's just not enough to have only one room to put things in!







Monday 7 November 2011

Glitter Fingers


I really love painting my nails and I changed my colour on quite a regular basis. I think it can add a whole new dimension to your outfit and there are so many great choices out there. At the moment I'm really into glitter nail polishes - as I said before, it must be something to do with Christmas coming! These are a few of my favourites at the moment. The blue and gold are both from Space N.K and are so easy to apply and last for quite a while before chipping. The purple Models Own was a birthday gift from a friend and I adore it. It's really, really sparkly and looks very fun although it's a real pain to get off! Try adding some glitter into your outfit, you'll be surprised how much it can brighten up your look.

Sunday 6 November 2011

Bonfire Night



Asos tee, Topshop cardigan, jeans and necklace, Converse pumps, DKNY watch

So, last night was Bonfire Night and I thought I'd share my photos of the night seeing as I didn't show my own Halloween pictures (I'm not sure how blog appropriate my bunny outfit was!). During the day I had a visit from my Mother and Grandmother so this is what I wore for lunch (above). I love to mix casual items like skinny jeans and converse with statement accessories than can bring your outfit to life. I adore this Topshop necklace and it really adds a bling element - not that I'm particularly cool enough for that... On warmer winter days this cardigan is great as it's thick enough to keep off the winter chill but its not too heavy.

Hunter wellies, Barbour jacket, Topshop hat

A few key changes for the evening: wellies are a must for Bonfire night. It was so muddy where we went that anything else just won't suffice although Amy (right), got on pretty well with her Urban Outfitter boots. Barbour jackets, which we're both wearing, are also great because they're so good at keeping you warm which is exactly what you need whilst watching the fireworks. They're pretty stylish too and I love the quilted and the wax versions.
Amy's top and jeans are both American Apparel.



Finally a few pictures of my boyfriend and I and also my other housemates. I turned the flash off my camera to create a longer exposure so that the lines from the sparklers could be seen and Voila! 
I hope everyone had a great night!

Thursday 3 November 2011

21


Yesterday was the 21st Birthday of one of my very best friends. She had a lovely day opening gifts and receiving flowers (as well as the odd lecture) and this was her birthday cake that we're going to eat tonight! She, myself and our other two housemates along with some other friends had a lovely evening drinking champagne and cocktails and going for dinner at Las Iguanas. 


I think birthdays are important occasions and your 21st is the most important of all. All my friends make such an effort for my birthday so I think it's important I do the same. Therefore, I decided to wear something quite special with a little sparkle so I put on this Topshop playsuit with beaded flowers on (this is my housemate Megan on the left of me, here very chic dress is from H&M). Dressing up is so much fun and it's always important to make the effort to feel and look good.

In case you can't really see the playsuit properly in my photograph, he is what it looks like full length. 


Finally the birthday girl, wearing American Apparel and Topshop with her new Mac lipstick and her bottle of champagne.

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Hallowe'en

Miranda Kerr as a Ringmaster

Halloween is one of my favourite times of year. I'm not a huge fan of dressing up, but I love it on this one occasion. This year I dressed up as a bunny, not very scary but seeing as I went as a zombie last year and a cobweb the year before that I felt like doing something a bit more cutesy. 
It seems celebrities aren't adverse to a little costume either. Miranda Kerr is the best looking ringmaster I ever saw, and a bee was the perfect compliment to Beyonce's baby bump. I also loved Kim Kardashian as Poison Ivy and am seriously considering this next year! To see what other celebs dressed up as, and for more ideas on what to go as next year, click here http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2011/10/19/halloween-costume-inspiration/gallery


Alessandra Ambrosio 

 Beyonce as a bee

Heidi Klum and Seal


Kim Kardashian as Poison Ivy