Mink Leather Waistcoat by Mint Velvet – £199

Knitted Button Headband by New Look – £3.99

Guipure Lace Peter Pan Blouse by Topshop – £34

Black Flower Lace Ankle Socks by Topshop – £5

Lace Panel Pleat Tunic by Topshop – £38

About Arianne Adel Brogues by Whistles – £195

Leather Necklace by House of Harlow 1960 @ ASOS – £75

Longline Blazer Jacket by Miss Selfridge – £55

I’ve been so inspired by leather and lace recently – There is so much around and I recently did a little something at work and I wanted to wear everything I had picked… The joys of working in fashion, eh? Bad on my bank balance. I reaalllyyy want these brogues – I’ve seen them in real life and they are so soft. Also the waistcoat is something I used at work and it is amazing, I wish it wasn’t so expensive!

This week has been mental at work. To cut a long story short we used to have a team of four + manager but this week I’ve been by myself… I’m absolutely shattered! Tonight I’m home alone so I treated myself to a Nandos and now I’m catching up on the new seasons of TV shows… So far I’ve watched Glee (I’m guilty of being a show tunes fan), How I Met Your Mother (Still going strong after all these years), Castle (It’s still a load of crap), Two and a Half Men (Ashton Kutcher… Come on!) and Parenthood (I hate how it will never be as good as Brothers & Sisters (RIP)). I still have The Big Bang Theory and Greys Anatomy, as well as our telly shows – Made in Chelsea and other rubbish like that. Just in case anyone is also a massive TV geek. And I haven’t even checked out the new US pilots for this season yet! #geek

These photos were taken last Sunday when I visited my family. I wore this to the car boot, and I think teamed with the topknot it was suitably hobo-ish to get a good bargain. This weekend was great though – on Sunday we went to Covent Garden for a little wander, and then to Soho where I tried “The Best Brownie in London” from Paul A Young Fine Chocolates, which had been brought to my attention by David Lebovitz. It was good and had the perfect texture, but was maybe a little too rich (shock horror!) for even my sweet tooth. Even so, I’m glad I tried it. We then had the most ah-mazing Autumn clean of the flat (call me boring, I love a good deep clean).

Internet world-wise I have finally made the switch to Firefox. Yes, I think I was the only person still using Internet Explorer (hey, I’ve used it for 80% of my internet life, and I was a fan of the newest version), but I was getting sick of its hatred of Blogger commenting. I can now comment on a Blogspot Blog without reloading the page 128471 times. I found Firefox was awkward when posting this post for copy&paste, but after a quick Google I found this article on fixing the glitch in WordPress. Aaanyway, I’m also going to be moving to a self-hosted wordpress.org domain in the next few weeks, but when I have money. Exciting but it will most probably be stressful moving and redirecting my blog. If anyone has done a wordpress.com to wordpress.org move (I know most fashion bloggers use Blogger) please do get in touch!

Jumpsuit by Therapy @ House of Fraser

Cardigan by H&M

Loafers by Primark

On Friday I got stuck in a service lift at work for an hour. In between floors. I even prized the doors open (damaging my oldest ring in the process. Locked lift doors are stubborn) when it clanked to a stop and saw brick. While I was sitting on the floor, looking up at the mannequins standing above me, I really hoped I wasn’t going to die… at work. Of course, there was little chance I was going to die (unless the cable snapped or the oxygen ran out), but let me tell you it was the longest hour of my life. I was so bored! I didn’t have a watch or a phone, or anything to entertain myself (when I told the boyf this later on, he said he would have fashioned a ball out of the rubbish in there… my mistake). It was a strange experience though – I wasn’t scared or claustrophobic, I was just left with my thoughts and the odd person coming to a lift door and shouting to me. I thought about my boyfriend, my friends, my family, if I was going to get out in time to say goodbye to Carly on her last day, how strange my skin was, what my last words were, what I ate last (a slither of carrot cake I had made), what song I last heard, if I would mention this on my blog (obviously)… I tried not to think of the lift cable.

Top by Primark

Cardigan by Urban Outfitters (Sample sale)

Skirt by H&M

Tights by New Look

Socks by H&M

Loafers by Primark

Nails in Revenge by 17 (purple shimmer) and Shimmy Shake by Collection 2000 (gold sparkle)

PS. This H&M skirt is the best skirt in the world, I am currently living in it. I was also ~*skirt twinz*~ with my friend Carly on her penultimate day at work because everyone wants it! My two-tone nails were really easy too, here is a video tutorial but all you need is two nail colours and a sponge.

I’ve forgotten about my weekly wish list for the last three weeks. Well, lets just call it teething problems, shall we? Without further ado, here is my wish list for this week.

Knitted Colour Block Jumper by Topshop – £44

Adele Double Leopard Dress by Whistles – £150

Black Chelsea Boots by Topshop (no name?) – £40

Luis Zip Clutch by Motel – £19

Foxy Ringo by Temporary Secretary – £12

Dalmatian Print Shorts by Topshop Unique – £75

Loco Hoodie by French Connection – £40

A gorgeous glass pot which I have used for delicate rings and hair clips. The lid has a mirror on the inside. Kicking myself I didn’t get the matching other two! I think it was 50p in the end.

My mum found this pop up New York map for me when I go there next February.

Hedgehog hedgerow tin tray (25p).

Glass jar which I have used for cotton wool balls (20p), and I picked up the Stella half pint for the boyf (25p).

What do we have here?

A brownie! Not sure if it’s in working condition, but I had to have it for a mere 50p. I’d found a (slightly better) box brownie a few stalls before but the guy was asking £20 for it. That is an excellent price, but I couldn’t justify it. Instead, I went for the 50p bargain.

Picked up these Beatrix Potter books for the boyf – all four for £1.

This was marked 10p…

… I liked the Ipswich lettering, so I got it but she gave it to me for free when I bought…

… This lovely vintage leather bag for £1.

Happy days.

Dress by Label Lab @ House of Fraser

Cardigan by H&M

Loafers by Primark

I had a really great weekend away- the highlight of the couple of days was definitely the meal we had on Saturday night. I had the most amazing spinach and ricotta tortelloni… As a vegetarian I usually find that eating out at a restaurant is mainly average especially if it is some kind of pasta. But this was like no other pasta I have ever had!! Everyone had a try of it and agreed that it was the best dish. Vegetarians rule! Me and my mum also went to a carboot sale on Sunday and I got some pretty great things, and only spent £8 (including the 50p each to get in)! I will share what I found soon enough, but I need to have a little break first. So now we are home, I have lots of clothes to wash, and I am relaxing until 6am tomorrow morning when I return to work. Joys! By the way, this outfit was taken last week but I somehow forgot about the photos. I had woken up at 2am that morning and hadn’t managed to get back to sleep! So, yeah, that was a difficult day at work.

This is the last of my proper sunshine photos for the rest of this year (I hope not…!), and funnily enough literally right after these photos were taken the heavens opened and the sun was swallowed. Well guys, It is well and truly autumn! I’ve been wearing my jacket everyday – although, it is colder in the mornings and I have to leave for work at 7am every morning, but still. I love layering and wrapping up – I’ve already bought a new snood and mittens!

Top by Primark

Shirt by Jigsaw (from charity shop- 50p)

Necklace by Topman

Maxi skirt by Vero Moda

Shoes by Office

Lipstick by MAC in Rebel

Ahh, sunshine. I vaguely remember it. Okay okay, I’m being overdramatic, but there have only been a handful of days this summer where the sun shines for the entirety without a whole load of rain falling on us and totally ruining it. This was one of those days sans rain. It was so hot, and an absolutely gorgeous day. The jumpsuit I’ve had for a couple of years, and is vintage Laura Ashley. I could live in it all year!

Jumpsuit by Laura Ashley (vintage)

Necklace by Topman

Belt by Primark

Bag by Primark

 Loafers by Primark

Nail varnish in Cyan Blue by Barry M

Lipstick by MAC in So Chaud

We made pizzas. By we, I don’t mean me.

Spiderwebs.

Two couples.

The cat.

King of the garden.

We went to Woodbridge, a small Suffolk town, for the day.

Moomins and mock-vintage.

Local produce.

Sometimes we need a break. This was a welcomed one.

I love the skater dress trend. Sure, it’s like so unoriginal, but I love the simplicity of it and the fact you can still make it your own. The weather has been crap (if you’re in the UK), but the dreary days have been perfect for this dress as the fabric is very thick jersey. Come Autumn, I’ll be living in it. Although, I might have to get it in a darker colour because it’s not practical for my job! Or, maybe a few colours…?! If you’re not into longer sleeves, Victoria posted about some sleeveless skaters she found on eBay which I have my eye on!

Dress by H&M

Necklace by Forever21

Tights by New Look

Loafers by Primark

 Lipstick by Topshop in Rapturous

Nail Varnish by MUA in shades 19 & 21

You can find a tutorial by Gem Fatale here.

Well, I have to be honest. This outfit is not mine. I borrowed everything from my sister, but aren’t you glad I did?! This dress is a beaut from French Connection, but for £110 it is a little bit out of my price range. Nevertheless, it is perfect. Perfect fit, perfect length, perfect colour, perfect texture. I sort of wanted to accidentally pack it in my bag. It’s still in stores, and also comes in royal blue and red. I also stumbled across these amazing All Saints heels in the bottom of her wardrobe (yes, I am nosey and I riffle through people’s belongings), but let me tell you they were almost impossible to walk in!

Dress by French Connection

Belt by Primark

Heels by All Saints

Lipstick by MAC in So Chaud

I am so obsessed with these trousers from Primark! This is the third colour I have. I’ve really been looking forward to the long Bank Holiday weekend, but I’m a bit disappointed now that the weather is totally crap! We bought a disposable BBQ for the Royal Wedding (yes, in April!) which we never got round to using, and I fancied BBQing on Monday, so hopefully it will cheer up. I also did my nails in leopard, and this was the colour combo I prefer so far. I ended up buying loads of nail varnishes on the models own 50% sale, so I’m looking forward to using those!

Top by New Look

Cardigan by H&M

Vintage rings

Trousers and belt by Primark

Loafers by Primark

Lipstick in Papaya Punch by Sleek

 Suede Peep Toe Heels by New Look – £29.99

Oatmeal Cable Knit Scarf by Topshop – £16

Knitted Spot Jaquard Jumper by Topshop – £40

Silk Eye Print Playsuit by Jaeger Boutique – £160

Contrast Chiffon Shirt by New Look – £14.99

Green Pom Pom Knit Hat by River Island – £13

Padlock and Zip Detail Tote in Stone by Missguided – £26.99

The New Look Contrast Shirt looks like such a great cheaper alternative to the Whistles shirt I posted last week. Although, reverse, of course. And the Jaeger Boutique Playsuit is SO gorgeous, and even better when seen in real life. Slightly out of my price range though…

I thought I would create a weekly feature on my blog entitled Weekly Wish List! At the moment this type of post is rather sporadic, so I wanted to make it more consistent. Enjoy.

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Well, today has been totally miserable. Summer is over folks, but did it really ever begin? I think we’ve all been wishing for Autumn to come for a while now, and I’ve had my odd autumnal moment. I just realised this is the same cardigan from my previous post… But I really love the colour and fit of this cardi and have been living in it! I picked it up from the Urban Outfitters sample sale the other month, and even though it was a size too small (and £8 wasn’t super cheap for a high-street sample sale) I knew it would stretch out a bit and it did. I picked this top up for £6 from Primark on my day trip to Norwich, but the fit isn’t amazing- I love the colour and swallow print though! Also, do you like the red room setting?! It’s in my parents house when I was house-sitting last week.

Top by Primark

Cardigan by Urban Outfitters (Sample sale)

Skirt by Topshop

Loafers by Primark

Lipstick by Mac in MAC Red

I’m so sad that my week off has come to an end! I am now home, desperately willing the day not to end as I’m back to work tomorrow morning. The week went so quickly but I really enjoyed myself, and me and the boyf had a much deserved week together. I took some outfit photos which I shall be posting over the next week, while I am crying on the cross-trainer at the gym. Back to reality, eh?

I’ve had this dress for years, I think I got it for about £5 from Warehouse in the sales about three years ago. I don’t often wear it because however thin I feel (feel being the key word there), it really shows off my belly! I love a denim dress though, and I haven’t found one that I like more than the style of this one.

Dress by Warehouse

Cardigan by Urban Outfitters (Sample sale)

Bird Necklace by Forever21

Belt by Primark

Red Brogues by Primark

Nails in Green 346 by Miss Sporty and Lemon Soda by Collection 2000

Lipstick by MAC in MAC Red

Let’s just get this out the way first. Yes, I have super pastey legs. They are pale and whatever I do, they just don’t tan. I could put fake tan on them, but I just don’t want to! It was too hot when I took these photos for tights, so we’re just going to have to deal with it! So, onto the nails. I’m totes obsessed with nail art at the moment and these are the second leopard prints I have done. I want to try zebra next but I have a feeling it’s going to be tricky. I also want to try snake-skin, although I haven’t found a tutorial for this yet! As I said, slightly obsessed.

I wanted to try clashing prints in this outfit because I’m always so nervous to do this. I know it’s still ~*matchy*~ but hey, give me time.

Shirt by R&R

Brooch by Primark

Skirt & Belt by New Look

Loafers by Primark

Nails in Green 346 by Miss Sporty and Lemon Soda by Collection 2000

For my lips I mixed 147 by Barry M over Girl About Town by MAC

This is a scheduled post while I am away for the week- I’m looking after my parents house while they are away! I am currently trying to fit too many clothes into a suitcase that is already two-thirds full of silly boy clothes. I don’t enjoy packing at all and I am certainly not looking forward to lugging the massive suitcase and two bags to the other side of London by myself! In other news I bought a 50mm lens for my Nikon! I’ve had my eye on the 1.8 for a while, and finally splashed out on Friday on my lunch break. I got a cold sweat when I entered my pin as it was £150 with a 3 year warranty, but I’m looking forward to using it. In fact, the shots of my split ends hair and rings below were taken with it. Gorgeous.

I found this ring (yes, it looks like an engagement ring. Yes, it is on my ring finger. No, it is not an engagement ring) at a car boot for £1. Also, I bought this Topshop skirt a few weeks ago but ended up taking it back, and then buying it again… only this time in a size 1o. I was pretty smug getting it in a 10, but it is very stretchy material after all.

Blouse by Primark

Necklace by Forever21

Thrifted and Vintage Rings

Skirt by Topshop

 Leggings by Topshop

Loafers by Primark

Sleek Lipstick in Papaya Punch

I know a lot of people, including myself, are obsessed over burgundy for Autumn/Winter. These are a few pieces which I think would make an amazing outfit. I want.

Shirt by Whistles – £125

Maxi Skirt by River Island – £25

Rabbit Skeleton Brass Necklace by Galibardy – £21

Effa Shopper by Missguided – £18.99

Abe Chelsea Boots by Topshop – £62

Hazard Lipstick by Topshop – £8

I’m going to NEW YORK! Not for another six months… but, still. I’m twenty-three years old and for pretty much my whole life I have wanted to visit The Big Apple. So my sister and I decided to book some flights and a hotel for a week! But lets forget about that for now, because tomorrow I’m going away to  house-sit for my family while they are jetting off to the South of France. Splendid.

Oh I’m totally addicted to leopard print nails by the way- I like the leopard print with the Forever21 Aztec top too. This was my first attempt but I’ve now tried it a couple of times and it’s definitely improved. Gem has made a nail tutorial, but I’ve slightly adapted the squiggly lines. I bought my nail pen from eBay, but it’s a bit temperamental and it comes with a thin needle to de-block the tip which is strange. Is this normal? I’m not sure.

Top by Forever21

Chinos by Primark

Socks by ASOS

Moccasins by Topshop

Nails in The Elle Red by Mavala &  320 Blue by Miss Sporty

MAC Lipstick in So Chaud

I feel like I have a lot going on at the moment, but I actually… don’t! Tomorrow is my last day at work before I have a lovely week off. Living the high life… by house sitting for my family. My parents and sister are going away so me and the boyf are feeding their cat. Ha! It should be good though, I’m looking forward to relaxing and spending some time together. The past couple of weeks have been draining to say the least. Of course, we had some rioting going on here in London and around the country. It was soul destroying to watch the images on the news, and It made me genuinely upset. Brixton underground was closed all day on Monday so I didn’t see the damage which was done on Sunday night until Tuesday morning. I was so saddened by what I saw – the shop windows boarded up all the way up the high street, smashed windows, and burnet out holes where shops used to be. There was a definite sadness in the air, to say the least.

Make-up wise I am searching for a new foundation. I usually wear MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation, but have recently felt it’s been sticky in the summer heat, or perhaps I’m extra sweaty at the moment… either way, I’m moving on. Sorry MAC – I still love you for your Lipsticks. I got a sample of Chanel Mat Lumiere Fluide which I’m wearing here, and so far I like… even though it’s slightly on the pricey side. I’m also trying out some of my new things – MUA lipstick Shade 8, 2true Blusher True Colour in Pink Blush, MUA Professional Eye Palette Heaven & Earth, 2true eyebrow pencil and 2true Instant Volume Mascara No 2 Black. All but the mascara I have been wearing on a day-to-day basis so far!

Top by Primark

Skirt & belt by Primark (sorry about the lack of iron!)

Ring by New Look

Socks by Topshop

Sandals by Asos

MUA lipstick Shade 8. This lipstick has been such a great surprise! It was only £1, and the coverage, pigmentation and colour are brilliant. Photos to come soon.

Waitrose Baby Bottom Butter. I’ve read a couple of positive reviews about this as a moisturiser, but after a week I’m not convinced. I find it too sticky, and although it smells amazing, the texture just doesn’t work for me. I haven’t put it on my face, but even on my hands and arms it’s too heavy.

NYC Ultra Last Lipstick Air Kiss. Not so amazing.

Clarins colour quench lip balm in Peach Nectar. I got this freebie from a scratchcard they were giving out. It tastes yummy!

Urban Outfitters headband for £1 in the sample sale, and Forever21 Necklaces for under £5 each!

2true Blusher True Colour in Pink Blush. Actually a nice little blush, but the size is awfully small.

MUA Professional Eye Palette Heaven & Earth. Naked Palette Dupe, which is pretty darn awesome. Apparently it’s sold out almost everywhere, but there were tonnes in my Superdrug in Brixton at the weekend!

2true eyebrow pencil. I’ve been looking for a new eyebrow pencil, and the colour of this is a good match – my old one was slightly too dark.

2true Instant Volume Mascara No 2 Black. The 2true range was on a 3 for 2 offer, so I thought I’d try this. My Maybelline Colossal Volume Express is letting me down at the moment. I’ve given it a go, and it’s not bad for a cheapo mascara, but not as dramatic as I would usually like.

I bought a flash diffuser and wide angle lens add-on for my camera. The wide angle is not bad for a tenner.

I found a cheap perfume and makeup shop in Westfield, and thought I’d give these two LA Colours “colour craze” a go for 99p a pop. Of course, they were awful.

More nail varnish – I got the Elle Red with this months Elle. Tried it yesterday and it gives a really nice coverage! I also tried the MUA Nail Quake in Shattered Ice and regular nail varnish in Shade 6. Haven’t tried the Shade 6 yet but the Nail Quake is not as good as Barry M in my opinion.

A couple of Primark bargain rings!

Maxi dress by Dickins & Jones @ House of Fraser

Cardigan by Urban Outfitters

Sunnies by Therapy @ House of Fraser

Shoes by New Look

Topshop Lipstick in Rapturous

Last weekend I met up with my mother and we took a trip to Kensington Palace. I have never visited, and at the moment they have a special exhibition of sorts called The Enchanted Palace, which focuses on seven princesses (and queens) who have lived in the Palace through the years. It is totally beautiful, and you can really see the hard work that has gone in to transforming the Palace. This exhibition is on until January 4th (I think, looking at the website I assume this is correct but it’s not obvious) until they have completed building and renovating. This is a slightly photo heavy post and I’ve tried to condense it as much as possible so take a look!

Firstly we walked from Notting Hill Gate and found this gorgeous cake shop.

We were greeted by this message painted on the wall.

It was a very hot day, but a very memorable one indeed! Check out Kensington Palace here.

Ever since I can remember, I have been aware, conscious, a follower of fashion. I was ecstatic when I got my first retail job in Miss Selfridge when I was 18. I remember being so excited on my first shift; touching the clothes and eagerly helping out the customers. A few years later I went to University because I wasn’t sure what to do with my life. I ended up studying Film Studies… Which was 100% useless to me, so I dropped out after two years and never received my degree. (Luckily I met my boyfriend there, so I don’t see it as a complete waste of time!) During this time at University, I landed myself a sales assistant job at a small Topshop store in my home town during the summer holidays. This led me to a London Topshop, which soon got me into Visual Merchandising.

For those of you who haven’t got a clue what a Visual Merchandiser is, we are the fairies (or gremlins? It’s a close call) who make the stores you shop in beautiful. The windows, the displays, the in-store pretty things, sometimes the merchandising on a rail or wall bay, the layout of the store, even the painting. It’s very hard work and it’s mostly very awful pay. I have been a Visual Merchandiser for a few years now, working my way through three major high-street brands to where I am now. It’s got its ups and its downs like any job, but one thing I love is that no two days are the same. I’m often non-stop and I think the sales assistants think I’m a crazy whirl-wind of  sweaty madness.

But back to the point of this post. For the entire time I have loved fashion I have of course loved fashion magazines, which in more recent years has evolved into fashion blogs. I love how they connect with the reader on such a higher level than magazines. Glossies such as Vogue and Elle are coveted but blogs are so much more relatable to the everyday reader. They are real. They are the fashion being worn right now by real people. I love to see how bloggers interpret trends in completely different ways, incorporating their own personal style into every outfit. You can see how they experiment with new looks and be there to see their style evolve and grow. Fashion can be reported right here right now rather than once a month. I think blogging is wonderful, in a completely different way to glossies, and I respect this form of media so much more now thanks to modern technology.

I would love to be a professional blogger, and be paid for what I enjoy doing. I love getting home at the end of the day to read the many blogs I follow (and not just fashion!) and even post on my blog too. I would be so happy to be given a chance at starting this career off by reporting front row at the Look AW11 show. Other bloggers reading this should definitely enter this competition. Thank you Look for giving us bloggers a chance!

Top by R&R (Sample Sale)

Cardigan by Urban Outfitters (Sample Sale)

Necklace by Forever21

Skirt by New Look

Loafers by Primark