But that was love and it's an ache I still remember

Vest top: URBAN OUTFITTERS | Blue triangle bra: TOPSHOP | Chunky boyfriend watch: RIVER ISLAND |
High waisted jeans: MISSGUIDED | Shoes: CONVERSE

The jeans are out again... If Kate Middleton is 'thrifty' for wearing something twice, then I am now the thriftiest person on earth.  I'm not even a big jeans wearer, this is only my second pair, but recently I have been fully embracing more androgynous looks over dresses.  Plus it's been bloody freezing what with the snow and all, so jeans seem like the most sensible option at the moment.  My love for them is definitely down to the high waist, they fit so perfectly and are super flattering.  I still can't believe I only paid twenty pounds for them, w-o-w.
The bra and the top are both new purchases, and both from the sales, and I wanted them both when they were full price too.  Yep, I have been incredibly lucky with my sales shopping this year, which gives 2013 a very good start.
I properly dig vest tops which have a large sleeve hole (apologies if there's an official name for these, I can't remember at all...) so you can flash a bit of your bra.  This triangle bra is such a bright colour and the thin strap makes it nice and feminine, giving the perfect touch to this boyish outfit.  Plus it matches with my shoesies, did you notice?  Sure you didddd.
Hope you're all having a nice weekend! My brother and I walked to my dad's in the snow today - brrrr! - and then we watched 'Man on Fire'.  I have seen before but had forgotten it, but I really enjoyed it! (Again).  I'm a big fan of Denzel and his acting, he's so badass.  It had my holding back the tears at the end though, I'm a pussy when it comes to films.  Have you seen the trailer for the new film he's in?  That looks good too and has been added to my 'To watch' list.
The rest of the night will be spent watching absolute crud on television with the ma'.  Sorted.

Boyfriend shirt

Oversized checkered shirt: HEARTS & BOWS via ARK (c/o) | Skinny leather trousers: RIVER ISLAND | Glasses: eBay | Shoes: CONVERSE

Sometimes, there's nothing better than the good old big-shirt-skinny-pants combination, maybe you agree, maybe you don't, but I just feel effortlessly cool, and maybe even a little bit sexy, in this ensemble.  Plus, my rule has always, always, been 'if you go baggy on one half, go tight on the other'.  I mean, it just makes sense. I am thoroughly enjoying making my way through my wardrobe and teaming every top I own with these pants.  There's no order to it, I just happen to think 'right, I'm wearing the leather pants today, now just pick the first shirt you see.'  Today, it's this shirt.  A gift from Ark a few months ago, I chose it because I was lacking a checked shirt in my clothes collection (and it's just one of those items that every girl should have, right?) and I liked the oversized look of this one.  It was even bigger before it shrunk in the wash, but let's forget that part.
You might notice a new addition to my face.  No, I didn't listen to the adverts and made a trip to Specsavers, they've actually been passed down from my mother, who bought them for 99p off eBay.  I can't get enough off them and even wear them around the house just to make myself feel cool.  Totally loving the whole geek chic look at the moment, next on the list is some braces.  I think they look great with these leather pants as leather pants aren't usually associated with being geeky, more, erm, fetishy.  So the contrast is definitely there.
I am really enjoying being home.  I've done practically nothing since Thursday, and I am bloody loving it.  I have been doing a lot of baking though, I even started baking at something past midnight last night whilst watching the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' (AMAZING FILM ok?!) so that was pretty damn good.
Hope you're having a nice weekend!

Make love your goal

Skeleton top: TOPSHOP | Blue velvet maxi skirt: ASOS | Shoes: CONVERSE

Check out my new skirttt!  Ain't it amazing?  One cannot beat a bit of velvet in the festive season.  Velvet is pretty darn huge right now.  For this season, the extremely luxurious fabric has been seen to create blazers, dresses, trousers and then some.  Although black will probably be the most popular colour to buy it in, in my opinion the best way to wear it is in a jewel toned colour - greens, reds, and of course blue - to make the fabric look even more rich.  I mean, don't you just want to stroke it?
Like I said, velvet it perfect for this time of year due to its expensive, luxe appearance.  However, seeing as I don't run a very expensive day-to-day life, I decided to contrast this with a bit of a playful top and, yep, you guessed it, a pair of Converse.  If you asked me how to style velvet for daytime wear, this look would be my answer.  I think it's been toned down enough to make it overall a quite casual look, meaning you can get away with it no matter what the occasion.  I actually went to Tesco in the exact outfit last weekend.  I don't lie.  I'm not sure Burnley was quite ready for that, but hey, I like to see the shock on people's faces.  I'm going to Clothes Show Live on Tuesday and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to wear this skirt there as I feel like it's a stand-out item, which I think is pretty essential for Clothes Show.  I mean, I haven't been before, but the street style must be pretty great there, right?  I somehow don't think jeans will cut it.
I hope you've all had a nice weekend!  Mine has been nice and relaxed, apart from the amount of work I put into yesterday's post.  Thank you for your lovely feedback on that, by the way, I'm so glad a lot of you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed making it, it really meant a lot to me that you did.  I love it when hard work pays off!
Just one more day at uni for me *angels start to sing*.  And then the Clothes Show on Tuesday, and then home on Wednesday, YAY.  I love living in Manchester, and as a place little old Burnley doesn't even stand a chance against its awesomeness (I'm definitely a city person), but you can't beat some family time.  What will you be doing this Christmas?

Hello December...

Cream pom pom hat & spaceman tee: TOPSHOP | Skinny leather pants: RIVER ISLAND | Shoes: CONVERSE

So I showed you these amazing leather trousers the other day and rambled on about them, and here they are in their first outfit.  In my opinion, they were just asking to be paired with this super cool top.  I've only worn this top with skinny jeans or just a black skirt before, so it was definitely a great change to give it more of a 'rockstar' kinda' feel.  Although saying that, I did have to give the look a little bit of, erm, fluffiness, with this hat. (It's cold outside, okay?!)
I haven't done much today but I'd usually wear this outfit for just a simple day to go round town or maybe a trip to the cinemas, something like that.  I think the great thing about these pants, though, is although they can be worn on a chilled day, they can definitely be dressed up for more of a fancy occasion, for example I'd wear a white, oversized blazer over it and some patent loafers to adapt them to an evening outfit.  Do you have any pants like these at the moment?  How do you wear yours?  I'm thoroughly looking forward to wearing them with pretty much every top I own.
Like I said, I've done practically nothing today, which has been quite nice after a relatively busy week.  I had a good sleep last night and lay in until half eleven, and then had a nice long shower.  It's been really sunny here too, which was nice.  Mum also bought me 'The Amazing Spiderman' yesterday which I am reeeally looking forward to watching.  Again.  Because, you know, Andrew Garfield...


What was I saying?

All along it was a fever

Blue pom pom hat & fair-isle knit snood: TOPSHOP | Low drop sleeve vest: REPUBLIC |
Split maxi skirt: RIVER ISLAND via ASOS | Shoes: CONVERSE

Oh look at me flashing some side boob.  I purchased this top a while ago and haven't worn it much really, so I decided to pair it with this maxi skirt which I recently bought, and I do like how they look together.  I think the long skirt balances out the skin flashing that the top causes.  I did buy this top not knowing the sleeve holes would be so big, but I can't say they've put me off wearing it, despite the accidental boob flashing which may occur when wearing it.  Man, it's a good job I have a nice pair of breasticles.
Obviously I am showing quite a lot of skin for a winter's day so the least I could do is to have added some seasonal accessories: see cable knit hat and chunky snood.  Oh, and a coat would be a good idea, too.  I like how the red colours in the scarf tie in with the deep red tones of the top, making the outfit look that little bit more put together.  The Converse gives the look a more casual spin, too, which definitely helps to dress down the long skirt and also not make it overly sexy.
So I went to my first blogger's meet up last night here in Manchester.  Like I said yesterday, we went to Harvey Nichols for a couple of hours and then some of us went for a bite after.  I won't say too much as I have some pictures of it so I will do a separate post on that in the next few days, but it was so lovely to meet new people and to do something a little bit different.  Oh, and I have a great little goodie bag which will be passed on to my mother which she will be very pleased about.  I also have another blogger's party thing tomorrow night which is being held by Daisy Street.  A lot of us who went last night or going to that too so it will be good to talk to them some more!  Hopefully I'll get some pictures of that one, too.
I've had a nice, relaxing day off today but I've got an assignment to hand in so will be getting on with that for the rest of the night.  I'm in a jolly mood though as I have found the perfect skinny leather trousers today.  Yep, my months of searching have come to end.  Watch this space for more on them.  OH, and a random (and yet surprisingly uncreepy) guy said I'm 'gorgeous', which was also a little highlight.  Yep, I still got it babeh.

Gold dress

Gold sparkle dress, black faux fur gilét, fairisle knit snood & blue pom pom hat: TOPSHOP | Shoes: CONVERSE

So if you haven't noticed already, this dress is actually the same dress from my outfit post the other day.  Yep, the midi dress.  So it's actually two dresses in one.  What can I say, I'm a genius...
Like I mentioned in the previous post, it is more of an evening/going out dress so I try my best with it to make it into a more casual outfit for daytime wear, which I think the hat, the snood and the Converse have definitely done.  Success!  This snood is one of my favourite accessories, I think the colours are so great and even though it's not something I usually go for I liked it as soon as I saw it in store.  I think it looks lovely with the dress, which is quite unexpected since they're very different items.
The faux fur gilét is a fail-safe item in any winter wardrobe.  The texture adds a bit of glam to any outfit whilst keeping you nice and warm at the same time.  In fact I've been out in this on and that's it as I was warm enough without having to throw my big coat on, which is definitely a good thing.
This is a perfect, Christmassy outfit in my opinion.  The sparkles and the faux fur give it that luxe feel, whereas the hat and scarf make sure it's still nice and cosy.  I can't help but team the hat with this dress, as the colour of it subtly matches with the dark blue base of the dress.
So there you go, I'd never worn this dress until a few days ago, and now I've worn it twice, in two completely different ways.  Being inventive with your closet is a must when you can't afford to buy anything new.
I'm currently watching Jeremy Kyle whilst doing this on my break from uni.  I go back later for a two hour lecture and finish at six, but then I have a day off tomorrow, woop woop.  Today in two weeks I will have the Manchester blogger meet up.  I am totally excited for it as it's my first meet up and I don't get the opportunity to go to any as they're usually in London.  It will be great to meet lots of new girls and it's held at Harvey Nichols which should be really cool.
P.S. Did you see Kristen Stewart's red carpet look from last night?  I think it's my favourite from her yet, the dress is beautiful!  Check it out here.

Ganesha

Ganesh tee: TITLE UNKNOWN via URBAN OUTFITTERS |
Black vintage denim Levi's shorts: HEARTS & BOWS via ARK | Black felt bowler hat: TOPSHOP | Shoes: CONVERSE

I don't know if you saw my Urban Outfitters haul post the other day but if you did you would have already seen this t-shirt.  I also said how elephants are my favourite animal which works out quite well as Ganesha is also my favourite Hindu god.  I learnt Buddhism followed by Hinduism in my first year of college a couple of years ago and ended up thinking Hinduism is a really lovely religion what with all of their different gods of different things, but Ganesha was the one who stood out to me (and this was before my obsession with elephants). 
Ganesha is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles and is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth.  The rosary in one of his hands suggests that the pursuit of knowledge should be continuous and the open hand is a pose of protection and refuge.  He is also humble enough to ride a mouse, 'the lowest of creatures'.  So there's a little lesson in religion for you.  I'm not a Hindu, no, but if I was I would definitely choose to worship Ganesha because, you know, he's totally awesome.
Aside from that, I do really like the top as a whole.  I think the colours are lovely against the grey base and it's got a great loose fit.  Perfect just simply tucked into some high-waisted black denim shorts.  I'd love to dress it up a bit though, too.  Maybe with a bodycon midi skirt, or a blazer, so you'll have to watch this space.  I'm quickly becoming a big fan of Urban Outfitters, the prices are probably slightly worse than Topshop, even, but they have a niche and stock extremely cool and quirky stuff, so I can now say it's one of my go-to shops, alongside ASOS and Topshop.  Oh, how pleased my credit card will be.
I'm back in Manchester now and am currently on my lunch break from uni before going back for another hour.  I'll then probably come back, watch rubbish on telly and read some magazines.  I have recently been trying (and trying, and trying...) to get a job in retail, but have had no replies back.  Nada.  I must applied to at least fifteen vacancies in the past few months, I even handed my CV into a bridal shop yesterday hoping my experience in that area will help me, so am keeping my fingers crossed!

Machine guns ready to go

Tiger silk sweater: ASOS | Cream pom pom hat: TOPSHOP |
Black vintage denim cut-off Levi's shorts: HEARTS & BOWS via ARK (c/o) | Shoes: CONVERSE

I adore this sweater, the colours the so lovely.  And, d'uh, it's a tiger, therefore it's awesome.  I really like how it looks with the cream hat, the colours go well together but mainly because the casual feel of it contrasts with the silk top.  It's such a unique piece and one of my best finds, in my opinion, and it would look great worn in so many different ways.  Another good thing about it is the little chain attached to the neck, so you can just throw it on and go rather than umming and ahhing over which necklace you should wear with it.
I was very lucky to recieve these shorts a few months back.  Ark contacted me and offered me to pick a couple of things from their Hearts & Bows range (which is my favourite) and these shorts had been on my wishlist for quite some time.  These are the first and only product I own by Levi's as I thought they were too expensive for my budget, but these are completely affordable at under twenty seven pounds, am I the only one who thinks that's a really good price?  For me the distressed and frayed effect is a must when it comes to buying denim shorts, as well as them being high-waisted.  Much more flattering and easy to wear, don't you think?  I'm not a sucker for vintage, really, but I do like how these are one-offs, to some extent.
Hope you all had a nice weekend, I have!  I went to watch 'Skyfall' yesterday with my brother and my dad.  It really is a good film, I haven't seen many Bonds, and if I have I can't really remember them, but I'm convinced that Daniel Craig is the best Bond ever.  Although Sean Connery's accent will always be unbeatable.  Have you seen it yet?  What did you think?  I compared the end to Home Alone, but my brother and dad quickly disagreed...
I went out to breakfast this morning to this cute little cottage thing in the middle of nowhere, beans on toast, yummm.  I'm now chilling watching 'The King's Speech' with my mum before going back to Manchester this afternoon, and then back to uni tomorrow morning.