30 June 2012

So boy forget about the world...


FLORAL SHIRT: RIVER ISLAND | WHITE SKATER DRESS: ASOS | WHITE HI-TOP TRAINERS: TOPSHOP

Layering your clothes is always a massive trend in the winter (how could it not be?  It's literally necessary to do it in English winters) so I thought I'd try a little bit of summer layering.  Putting a dress over a top is something which I've wanted to try for a while now.  Whenever they have the '6 different ways to wear a shirt/dress' (or whatever) feature in magazines one of the looks always has them layered like this, however I usually shy away from it in fear of it looking just not right on me.  Despite this I decided to just go for it because I wanted a new way to wear this dress and thankfully I am quite pleased with how it looks!  Because I don't have the amount of money one would need to wear something new and different everyday, being able to remix items in my wardrobe is pretty much a necessity, and layering my dresses like this is now definitely something I will be experimenting with more often.  What do you think of this idea?  Have you/would you try it? 
Due to the colour of the dress it goes perfectly with the pastel pinks and blues on the shirt, which made the look much easier to pull off.  I teamed them with my surprisingly clean and new-looking hi-tops to keep the look fresh and girlie albeit with a slighly sporty edge.  Very tennis chic, I suppose?  Am not planning to play tennis, however, so not sure if that's a good thing or not...
Happy weekend!
post signature

29 June 2012

Friday Favourites


I get style inspiration from several places but the main sources of my inspiration are fashion blogs, and without them I wouldn't have started mine. I catch up with them everyday and I don't only admire their pictures but I read what they have to say because I love finding out where they got theirinspiration from for that particular outfit. This is where my fashion inspiration has come from this week, so they deserve at least a little bit of credit!

post signature

28 June 2012

Why'd you have to go and let it die?

PASTEL BLUE JUMPER: ARK | DENIM DRESS: NEW LOOK | NUDE & PINK BAG: TOPSHOP | SHOES: CONVERSE

The weather is being crazy humid at the moment so what better time to pair a jumper with a dress?  It's not a combination which I get to try often due to the lack of predictable weather, but it is one I really like  I think it looks simple but très chic, also.  I wasn't sure about mixing the two colours together, though, because they are very similar but I actually really like how they look together.  The jumper is nice and light so I consider it more of a summer jumper rather than winter one.  I haven't tried it with black items because I don't think they'll work together, I much prefer it worn in outfits like this one. 
I decided to feature my bag in my outfit photos today mainly because it was a nice addition to my relatively simple outfit.  I bought it in London a few months ago, I love the pop of pink on it and it's much bigger than it looks on the outside, which is always a bonus for us ladies!  I'm not much of a bag person, probably because I can't afford to be, so I'll keep this one for the next couple of months and then buy a more winter appropriate one (i.e. a black one) so it suits more of my outfits.  To say I carry this one round with me every day and it still looks as good as new I think it's doing well!  Definitely got my money's worth, and I love love LOVE it when that happens.
I went to see Abraham Lincoln the Vampire Hunter yesterday, have you seen it?  I actually thought it was pretty good, and the 3D effects were the best I've seen yet because I usually can't see much of a difference in other ones!  I'm also trying to finish reading 'The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' before I get inevitable sucked back into the world of Christian Grey, but I'm getting a little bit impatient with it now because there are SO many characters to remember, plus their names are Swedish which doesn't help.  I did really enjoy the first book/film though so I'll see it through to the end!
post signature

26 June 2012

It's a brave new world


CAMO JACKET & DENIM SHIRT: TOPSHOP | LACE SHORTS: ASOS | SHOES: CONVERSE

What did I say the other day?  This jacket can be thrown over anything, ANYTHING, I TELL YOU.  Today I went for all of my go-to items - black shorts, denim shirt and Converse - and just chucked them all together to make one outfit (because it is that simple, ahem...).  A denim shirt is obviously a staple for your summer wardrobe but due to the lack of, erm, summer, I've had to make it work for autumn/winter looks, so this jacket was the perfect addition because it's an awesome layering piece.  They're both oversized and the shirt is lightweight and not tight (which I like) so the I teamed them with shorts to show a little leg (albeit under tights, not by choice, people...) in order to show I am under there, somewhere.
I know some people only wear shorts in the summer - sans tights - and although denim shorts are usually the popular option to wear with tights it's not one which I really choose.  I have a thing about wearing summery things, like denim shorts, with wintery things, like tights.  It's kind of like a man in socks and sandles, except maybe not as bad.  Don't get me wrong though, I do think some women can pull the look off but I just tend to stay away from it and buy shorts which are appropriate for all seasons.
I can't stop wearing these specific pair of Converse at the moment, I usually prefer the high-top style but I think I am beginning to change my mind.  I love them, they are just my perfect shoe (although I definitely would not say no to some Louboutins) and I would absolutely wear a pair them with my wedding dress, that's how strongly I feel that they can work with any outfit, (why don't I just get the wedding dress and marry the damn shoe?).
I am a bit better today but yesterday I was in quite a bad mood for the whole day and realised that night that it was because there was no Christian Grey in my life.  And I'm not even joking.  After reading 'Fifty Shades of Grey' for two days, NON STOP, only to get completely hooked on it, on a fictional person, I am NOT looking forward to finishing the trilogy.  I think I need therapy or something, do they have help groups for this kind of stuff? 
I might be going to the movies tomorrow to see something about President Lincoln fighting vampires tomorrow, I really can't understand why people have put them two together to make a movie (I must have missed that history lesson?) but I've heard it's good, so what the hell.
post signature

The best websites for saving money on fashion

shop·a·hol·ic
[shop-uh-haw-lik, -hol-ik]
noun Informal.
a frequent shopper, especially one who is unable to control his or her spending. (from dictionary.com)

I am, without doubt, a compulsive shopper.  I become preoccupied with shopping, and devote a silly amount of time, and an even sillier amount of money, to the activity.  When I'm not spending, I am online window shopping.  "WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO YOURSELF?" my family ask, "Dem, just stop looking at clothes!" they say.  I don't know why I torture myself in this way, because even when I find something that I LOVE and just cannot stop thinking about, I can't do much more than add it to my 'Wishlist' on Pinterest, which currently holds 616 items (which says it all, really).  I know a lot of you can relate to/share my addiction, and I suppose reading fashion blogs just makes you want to spend even MORE money.  Therefore I have decided to write about a collection of the websites which aim to make you save money on fashion.  Spending bans will no longer be the answer!
You've probably all heard of this one, and I know a lot of you will have used it, too.  The great thing about this website is it doesn't only save you money but it can make money for you, too.  I know some people are still sceptical on how reliable it is but I have bought (and sold!) many items on there and haven't yet had a bad experience, (always check the seller's rating!) but even brands now have outlet stores on eBay such as Office, French Connection and Religion, and it's just as safe (but much cheaper!) to buy from them as it is to shop on their actual websites.  A great thing I've found also is Victoria's Tumblr who actually devotes some of her time to finding specific items on eBay for you, she also writes eBay related posts every Sunday such as a collection of 'designer inspired items' on her blog.  If you're a fan of shopping on eBay, you should definitely check her out!

This website finds out all the latest voucher codes, sales and offers available in the UK and puts them all in one place - hallelujah! Before I make a purchase I always check whether there are any voucher codes floating about which will save me a bit of money, so this site is perfect. I always have it opened in a tab when I am doing my online shopping! The brands which are featured include New Look, In Love With Fashion and Urban Outfitters. People who I follow on Twitter are ALWAYS asking people if they know of any voucher codes for a certain shop, so I will definitely be recommending this website!

If you've got a big fancy occasion coming up (a guest at a wedding this summer, perhaps?) or you just want to look amazing for a night out but can't afford a designer dress, then this website is the answer.  I know a lot of women spend a fortune on a whole new outfit on a night out and then won't wear it again, ever, but with this website you can spot a dress you love, hire it (try it on before if you wish!), wear it, and then simply send it back.  We know a lot of A list celebrities borrow dresses for an amazing red carpet event, and now the same service is available to us.  You can hire dresses by Herve Lerger, Miu Miu and Alexander Wang, to name a few!  I actually hired my prom dress from them a few years ago - a beautiful coral Issa dress, and I saved a few HUNDRED pounds! (Which is a pretty big deal.)  This is definitely worth checking out.

This is basically a free online personal shopper.  When you sign up you tell them your favourite designers - from Dolce & Gabbana to Topshop - and your sizes, and then they send you personalised email alerts that feature the latest markdowns, secret promotion codes, and VIP sale events.  Rather than you spending a silly amount of time trying to find the latest sales, this does it for you!  I have been using this for a while now and it's so helpful and saves me a lot of time.

It does what it says on the tin, really. This website was recommended to me by someone on Twitter a few weeks ago. Why is it so cheap? Well, in their words 'We believe women's fashion trends are moving so fast the every single of you, our customers should have the right to fill up their wardrobes without having to pay a fortune!'. It's an amazing idea, I think. You can buy ten things for £50 whereas that money would buy you one dress in Topshop! It's a great way to go shopping without the inevitable guilt that usually comes after a usual shopping trip.

This is probably one of the websites which you've heard of before as I've seen it mentioned in magazines so many times.  It is a huge fashion outlet which sells women's designer clothing and accessories for a fraction of the original price.  During weekends they even offer ADDITIONAL discounts, on top of their already unbelievable reductions.  Amazing for the shoppers who love designer bargains, but also for us high street lovers - because everyone wants at least one designer item in their wardrobe!

Other tips for saving on fashion:

- Charity shops/carboot sales.  I have seen so many bloggers looking amazing in pieces only to find out they purchased them for a mere few pounds!  Although it does usually take some digging and effort, I think the end result it totally worth it.
- If you are a student, like me, then take advantage of your student discount!  Although 10% off £20 may not seem like a lot, the amount of pennies which you save from using your discount will all add up!
- Other fashion blogs.  So many girls have discount codes at the bottom of their post for brands which aren't as well known or are just starting up, or sometimes they even host giveaways which is great if you're lucky!  (I'm still yet to win one, though...)
- The sale sections.  Sites like ASOS always have something like a 50% off section on their website, even though they might not be having an official sale, so it's always good to check, just in case!  Which brings me on to my next point...
- ...Don't buy something in the sale simply because it's cheap!  Ask yourself if you would have bought it for its original price.  If you didn't like it when it was full price, then you probably shouldn't buy it now.
- Set yourself a budget.  Whether you limit yourself to a certain amount a month or you go shopping with a specific amount of cash in your hand, it's a great way to stop yourself being skint/spending all your money on payday so you have none left for the rest of the month.  This is one I'm still yet to learn...

So there you have it!  That is my pick of the most useful websites for saving money on fashion, maybe you use one which I haven't mentioned?  I'd love to hear your tips and sources for shopping on a budget!
post signature

24 June 2012

Muted colours


WHITE SHIRT, SKULL NECKLACE & GREY SHORTS: TOPSHOP | SHOES: CONVERSE
These shorts are another new purchase of mine from Topshop.  I had to push myself to buy these because I realised that the amount of tops I have compared to the amount of bottoms is slightly embarrassing.  I actually like them much more than I thought I would, the colour is lovely and I am all over anything which is high waisted.  It was a lovely change from my usual outfits to wear more softer colours and keep it more minimal.  I suppose muted tones are usually associated with work wear so my Converse were the perfect addition, a great outfit for when you want to look a bit more formal than jeans but a bit less formal than office wear.  Sometimes I think it's nice to step away from dresses and skirts, shorts are a perfect alternative to wear whatever the weather and plus they're a little boyish, which I love.
I hope you've all had a lovely weekend!  I've had my head stuck in 'Fifty Shades of Grey' for the whole time (it's safe to say it has completely taken over my life...) except when I went out for a meal last night for my dad's birthday, which was lovely!  The olympic torch was passing through my town yesterday morning but I'm not really interested in the olympics, never mind a torch, so I stayed in BED.  Bah humbug, etc.
post signature

23 June 2012

Army jacket


CAMO JACKET, GREY PEPLUM TOP, BLACK SKINNY JEANS, SPIKE BRACELET & BLACK PATENT SHOES: TOPSHOP

Oh helloooooo, new jacket.  Undoubtedly my favourite new item in my wardrobe, EVAH.  One day it's hot, the next day week it's cold, so this jacket is the perfect transitional piece.  It would look amazing in the winter, obviously, but also thrown over a simple dress during the summer, which is exactly what I'll be doing if the weather starts to look up at some point.  I have wanted an army style jacket for a while now, and this seasonal staple definitely will become one of my go-to pieces, I could wear it with literally anything!  I've seen a few bloggers wearing these over the past few months, but their jackets were all vintage.  I'm not one who does or even attempts to do or even can if I want to do vintage shopping, so when this came in stock on Topshop's website I added to my basket without, er, ANY hesitation, which is not like me at all.  I also bought this top (and maybe some shorts, too...) which featured on my 'Wishful Wednesday' post a couple of weeks ago, on which Charlotte commented saying she bought the same top in cream but the sizing was a bit small, so I decided to size up and thankfully it was the right choice!  It's still very body hugging, but not tight or uncomfortable.  I thought the shoes contrasted with the jacket perfectly.  I really want to stud the shoulders but I've never studded before, despite me REALLY wanting to, but I'm not sure how to do it except buy the studs... I'm sure I need to buy a tool to put the holes in the jacket to put the studs through, ermmmm?  Maybe you know of any good tutorial posts?
I've been enjoying my summer holidays so far, meaning I've been spending all my time on Twitter, Blogger and reading.  I've finished reading 'One Day' and 'Water for Elephants' in the past three days (both really good) and now I'm onto 'Fifty Shades of Grey' - maybe you've heard of it?
post signature