Outfit - Black and white, Pink splash

Shirt-dress - Vintage M&S

Leggings - M&Co (a million years old)

Belt - taken off a playsuit

Shoes - Dorothy Perkins (also a million years ago)

Watch - Casio

Ring - Accessorize

Nail Varnish - Relvon, Posh pink

So this is what I wore today. The shirt-dress is vintage Marks and Spencer. I always find myself drawn to old marks n sparks without realizing until I check the label. I bought this shirt-dress in a lovely vintage shop in Bristol (I forget the name! Woops) while visiting my close friend Bekky at the beginning of the year.

As soon as I spotted it I thought it would be perfect for when the sun started shining. It's a great length, so it can just be worn over leggings without having your bum on show for all to see!
  I added the pink skinny patent belt from an old H! by Henry Holland playsuit to break up the black and white. As I was splashing the pink I dug out my old pink jelly shoes that rub like hell, but are oh so cool and I've had for years! I threw a bit of  Revlon pink nail varnish on and popped on a pink Accessorize heart ring too.

The strawberries are here, so summer is round the corner right?

On popping to my local corner shop this afternoon for that post lunch chocolate fix, I saw these gorgeous looking strawberries outside with all the fruit and veg! 

  On another side note London is amazing in its stock of fresh produce at local independent corner shops.  My shop a few minutes from my house is actually cheaper then my local supermarket and the quality is superb.  I often pop in for a solitary onion or a bag of grapes. 

  

Firstly the strawberries are so large and bright red unlike the small slightly battered ones you usually find at the supermarket.

  And secondly they are just divine!! Smelling so fresh that it really puts you in the mood for summer. 

Chop up and throw in a bowl with some ice cream, what more could a girl want on a lazy evening waiting for summer to arrive. 

Oh man, check out Pamela Mann!

I came across this piece of hosiery heaven in the form of Pamela Mann the other day so just wanted to share my favorite finds on the site. 

 I'm more of a black sheer tight kind of girl than a full on colourful patterned tight so hence by selected colour palette. 

  They stock a wide range of tights, leggings, socks, stockings, legwarmers and hold-ups! Phew - all your leg needs covered then. Every colour and design you can possibly think of, so well worth a look. As a little bargain hunter I love the postage price of only £1.80. 

The gingerbread men came to my house...

Check out this little package that arrived through my door this morning! One of my best friends posted me these homemade treats all the way from York to London. 
  They survived the journey pretty well considering the distance. Some men suffered minor injuries, most lost at least one limb and a few were severed from the waist eeek! They all went down the same and ended up in my tummy! I did try my best to spread out the munching but I just had crumbs left after a few hours :)
  Thanks Vicky! xx

Outfit - "Did you go out in your pajamas?!"

Trousers - Peacocks

T-Shirt - Monster Munch coupons

Waistcoat - Gap (sale)

Denim Jacket - Charity shop (99p!!)

Shoes - Converse

Bag - Mexx

Necklace - Accessorize

Watch - Casio

Apologies for my "moody" posing face. Its more a "hurry up camera the neighbours think I'm mental standing here in the garden"

So this is what I wore today. One of my housemates said "Everyone will be wearing pajama style trousers soon, it's bang on trend!" while another housemate actually thought I was wearing my pajamas and said "Did you go out in your pajamas!?". So a mixed response!


I actually bought these trousers last summer from my beloved Peacocks (may she rest in peace, sob sob). I am pretty gutted this shop went into liquidation. As although like every bargain high street shop it did have a lot of tat, it also had some amazing gems mixed in between. 


In the the town my parents live, Peacocks was one of the few clothing stores. I always popped in when we were "up town" along with the typical northener trip to Gregs for a sausage roll. Now they just have New Look and Dorothy Perkins along with a vast beautiful selection of charity shops. 
  Farewell my Peacock feathered friend you will be missed.

Hazy Grey

This is my current favorite Nail varnish. Another lovely freebee from work as normally I stick to my trusty Barry M varnishes at £2.99. Particularly the 293 Grey shade is a well loved regular on my nails.
  This Revlon Top Speed normally retails around the £6-7 mark which is a little pricey for my budget just for a varnish. But upon trying it I would defiantly buy this product in the future now though as I am terrible at letting nail varnish dry enough before setting off about my day again. It drys at "top speed" as it states even when applying a thick coat.


Superdrug currently have an offer on of 2 Revlon nail varnishes for £7.99, so bringing the individual price down to £4 each. This is much more my sort of price and I will be sure to go check out the range of colours on offer and bring some splash of colour to my nails!
I'm feeling in the mood for some candy colours ready for Spring/Summer or something a little brighter.

Want of the week - Trouble Mesh Hi-Top Trainers

Topshop - £28

Hi-Tops have been on my wishlist for a while now and I have toyed with the idea of the classic Nike variety. I really love these trainers as they are still detailed with the texture of the mesh and suede without being emblazoned with branding and a bad mismatch of colours.
Also with your classic sports brand prices nearing the £50-60 price mark these are a snip at £28. 


Obviously the Sports Luxe trend is everywhere at the moment. Sportswear is massive, mainly from the grand old Olympic hype that is "sweeping" the nation. My personal favorite designs at the moment are the Adidas by Stella McCartney range. She has also done a collection called "London 2012" and as I'm sure you are aware designed the Team GB Olympic and Paralympic Games athletes' kit continuing her collaboration with Adidas. 




Final thought, quote of the week on the central line underground at rush hour - "Ladies and gentlemen, please stop leaning against the doors, you're making my ride very uncomfortable. You think it's busy now? Wait till the Olympics."

Brat & Suzie for Warehouse

I came across Brat & Suzie while vintage shopping in Bristol earlier in the year. I spotted the quirky printed tee's in a couple of vintage shops across the city and wrote down the name to investigate further upon returning to London. 
  The label was launched in 2009 in an East London studio by twin sisters Polly & Charlotte Vickery. They named the brand Brat & Suzie after their childhood pet cats and celebrating their love of animals. They quickly established a cult following, which grew even further with a pitch on Dragons Den so you may recognise them!



I recently purchased from the collection so was delighted to hear they have now teamed up with Warehouse to produce a limited edition capsule jersey collection. Each item has the trademark Brat & Suzie animal inspired graphic in black filled in with splashes of colour. 


I particularly love Henry the spectacle wearing squirrel and Gwynnie the oh so cute owl! Both is gorgeous pastel shades, perfect for spring! 
  

Prices range from £22 for a vest to £35 for a sweatshirt. Remember its limited edition so get down there fast!!

Last tiny bit of A/W 2011

I took this outfit photo a while ago and though I better post it before Spring/Summer gets into total full swing!

T-shirt House of Holland A/W11

Necklace - Topshop £1 (sale)

Cuff - Vintage

Jeans - Topshop £40

Boots - Primark £10

I was lucky enough through work this time last year to go to the House of Holland A/W11 show. It was my first fashion show so I was super excited! One of the perks of my job is the fact I get to see a great range of clothing and accessories before they hit the shops. A lot of the time I see stuff so far in advance I've forgotten about it and started lusting after another item by the time I'm able to purchase! Anyway, I was able to buy a t-shirt form the collection at wholesale price! I fell in love with this t-shirt as soon as I saw it and adore the design. It says winter to me with the crochet blanket print on it without being a heavy winter knit. The print is also on a maxi dress from the same collection and if I had my wits (and pennies) about me I would of snapped up one too at the time! 


I will continue to wear it throughout summer as I am not the type of girl to just stop wearing something just because it is out of season. Also along with my other House of Holland pieces and a vintage Dior jumper, it makes up my limited designer items! 


If you love the print as much as me you can still get the Henry Holland Crochet tights from Urban outfitters http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/henry-holland-crochet-tights/invt/5743462260003/&bklist=


P.S. I hate HTML

Rain, rain......

The rain come come stay anytime as long as I've got this gorgeous mac to keep me dry and stylish. 


I love the fact it is clear and can still show off an outfit underneath after all these months of having to bundle up from the cold in thick winter coats. 

Topshop - £36

Want of the week - River Island Floral print wrap Dress / Moustache Ring

This week I am opting for two wants of the week. One budget and one more expensive. 


This black floral print wrap front dress is perfect for the warmer weather coming our way! I adore sunflowers so was instantly drawn to this dress. It can be worm with leggings and then tights before the real heat hits London to brave the bare legs! Being of a larger chest I would pop a vest top underneath of either green or yellow/orange shades to bring out the colours in the dress. 

River Island - £25

Moustache's are everywhere at the moment and if you just want to add just a touch of the trend, this ring is ideal for that instant bit of playful fun. After all fashion is all about fun and trying new things out. A definite want for this week! 

River Island - £6

Gripped by the "Inside Men"

Inside Men is a BBC drama series centring on three security depot employees who plan and execute a multi-million pound cash heist. The series covers all the pit falls and ins and out of plotting the crime and the difficulties they encounter. 

I started watching the first episode just as I was getting ready for bed but I was so gripped and on the edge of my bed the credits were rolling before I knew it! 

  I set the series to record so my boyfriend and I could watch it in a bumper session, and it is only until this week I have been able to catch up with the high drama. In turn I have got my boyfriend also hooked and every episode develops into further twists with gasps and shocked looks at each other. 

I wont get into further plot details as it really is one to check out yourself and make your own conclusions. 

One last note, Steven Mackintosh puts in an outstanding performance as does all the cast.

Available on BBC iPlayer

Want of the week - Pop Tarts!

I'm currently recovering from an operation on my abdominal area so my wants this week are a little different to normal! 


I knew my operation was approaching and I was craving some treats to stock up on while I would be laid up recovering! It hit me one day at work: POP TARTS! I used to love them as a child and as they were always so expensive on many a shopping trip to the supermarket I would try and slip them into the trolly unnoticed, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. Once I got home it was then a battle to get my grubby mitts on them before my siblings. 


So I thought I would grab some on my next trip to the supermarket. The shelves were bare. My mission was turning out to be harder than I thought. I visited Sainsbury's, Tesco (several branches), and many corner shops searching for my classic strawberry pop tarts with no luck at all. 


To cut a long story short on the day of my operation my boyfriend tracked my desired pop tarts down at a Budgens round the corner from the hospital. At last he came to visit me with pop tarts in hand. The perfect thing to wake up from surgery to. I'm not even sharing either.

Available at Budgens

Want of the week - The perfect oxford shirt

I stumbled across this classic shirt while flicking through a magazine. On looking it up online I discovered it has almost sold out in every size. You can see why. It is a staple wardrobe piece which will never go out of fashion and would suit any age, be it a young girl or mature woman. 


Style books always advice on "investing" in these essential items, such as the little black dress and the blazer jacket. The classic white shirt is another of these essentials. Gap is well known for its basics, and this is no exception. With its price tag of £29.95 it is reasonable considering it is an item that you know will wash well (with other white cottons of course) and last a number of years without showing signs of wear and tear. 


Wear it with skinny jeans or smart tailored trousers it is a shirt that can be dressed up or down what ever the occasion. 

Gap  £29.95

All buttoned up

How cold has it been lately!!?


So cold I had to pick up this hand knitted cardigan at my local vintage store in the sale!! £12 what a little bargain. The wool is so gorgeous in a mixed green from dark to light. The chunky buttons really complete the chunky knit. 


Brrr hope your all keeping wrapped up warm in the blistering cold. 

Cardigan - Vintage - £12

Jeans - Topshop - £40

Chelsea boots - Qube - £20

Lucian who?!

Me: I can't wait to go to the Lucian Freud exhibition!
My Boss: Who is Lucian Freud?


OMG


Anyway for those that are a fan like me, I can't wait to get my tush over to the National Portrait Gallery. It is my favorite gallery in central london and I love the paintings just as much as the photographs. 


My all time favorite Lucian Freud painting is the 1995 "Benefits Supervisor Sleeping". It set the world record price for a living artist in 2008 at a whopping $33.6 million in New York. A little out of my price range! 

I love nude artwork be it a painting or photograph but Freud's subjects are always so different and real! The exhibition is of 130 works from museums and private collections throughout the world, some of which have never been seen before so defiantly worth a look! 

I'm booking my ticket now! :)

Want of the week - ASOS T-Shirt in Multi Tie-Dye

I still yearn for the expansion of my t-shirt collection this week. This time I have spotted this gorgeous tie dye number from Asos at £18 it is still under the big two zero budget which makes it ever more appealing. 


"Crafted in pure cotton, with an all-over tie-dye print. Featuring a crew neckline, roll up short sleeves, and double stitched hemline. Designed in a fitted style, and cut to hip length. " - It sounds irresistible!! Get in my wardrobe now!!


I can't help but reminisce about textile lessons at school whenever I see tie dye clothing and want to get out the string and start creating my own patterns and swirls while trying not to stain my hands a variety of colours. 


Maybe I should run out and buy some dye and rubber gloves instead along with that all important ball of string.......

Asos £18

Want of the week - Maths Symbol Tee

Yesterday while doing a spot of internet window shopping (lets face it in this weather it the only way to shop) I stumbled across this little beauty.


Math symbol tee is my want of the week!! At £20 from Topshop it is tempting me away from saving but I must stay strong and simply lust from afar in the safety of my chair. 


I was organizing my wardrobe the other day and was staring in desperation at my lack of "cool" t-shirts. It is fully stocked with plenty of staple plain tops and the trusty vest variety but lacks that special something to spice things up for when I no longer need to wear 5 layers to work. 

Topshop £20

Tis the season.....

To want a onesie. Or rather a designer Onepiece. 


At around £130 a pop they aren't the cheapest item of clothing to lounge around the house in. They clam to be "A piece of clothing that you'll love more than you love your mum!" which is quite a claim, but I am pretty damn freezing right now and my Mum is all the way up north!!


Below is my current favorite. As a lover of all things lounge wear I WILL have one of these one day. Keeping my eyes peeled in the summer sale ready for the next big chill! For now i will have to make do with my Primark onesie which is exactly what it says on the tin - a beautiful budget version to suit my limited pennies.

One day...

This year is the year my boyfriend is joining me in London after two and a half years apart!! Yay!!
No more house sharing and traveling up and down the country. Instead a little overpriced London flat for two! I'm such a girl I can't wait to nest and buy duvet covers and crockery.