Passion for Fashion

A few weeks ago on the lovely Lily's blog I read about this fab 'Passion for Fashion' competition being run by Money Supermarket. You can read all about the competition here, but in a nutshell the aim is to create your dream looks for autumn/winter for under £200 each.

Now it's no secret that I both love a bargain and love putting outfits together, so I thought I'd give it a go!

I think the looks are all very 'me' - or at least how I'd like to be! There were 5 categories in total, and I found some easier than others to create looks for. I'm always dazzled by party dresses and my wardrobe consists of far too many, so I was spoilt for choice here, whereas I'm far more of a snuggle under the duvet in winter kind of girl than brave the elements, so the outdoor task was more of a struggle!

I'm really pleased with what I came up with though, and I really would like to wear all of the outfits. For under £200 each they're not bank braking either. Although I have to say, I didn't find keeping within the price restrictions too difficult - there are so many good buys on the high street at the moment that with a bit of savvy shopping you can easily create expensive looking outfits for less.

I hope (my technology skills permitting!) that you can click on each of the images to make them bigger.  I've included where all the items are from so you can take a look if you like them, and have also tried to explain the looks I was going for and why I made some of the selections I did.

I hope these outfits show my 'Passion for Fashion'. It was certainly a lot of fun putting them together. Why not give it a go yourself?!

xx

Put A Ring On It!

Evening all.

So I'm pleased to report that I had a really good second week at my new job :-) But I still think that no matter how much you like your job, you still get that Sunday night feeling where the weekend just seems to have flown by and you can't believe it's Monday so soon. Ah, well, it will be Friday again before we know it!

I really want to do another couple of posts like my last one on my old room at home, but because I don't want things to get too boring, I thought I'd mix it up, do this post on accessories, and then do another room post next.

Now I do love a good old bit of costume jewellery. A statement ring here. A funky necklace there.

Over the last few weeks I've added a few new rings to my collection. I only really tend to buy costume jewellery in the sales, as you can get some real bargains. Here are a few of my latest purchases... I can't wait to wear them...

Miss Selfridge - £2

Big. Chunky. Flower. Can't go wrong.

Left: Miss Selfridge £2. Right: Bijou Brigitte (Uxbridge) £5

I bought these two separately but I think they look good together. I bought the Miss Selfridge one because I have so many rings for my middle finger, but none for my ring finger.

Accessorize - £1.80

I'm not really sure about this one, as the diamantes aren't my usual style, but it's still quite pretty and will look nice when I want something a bit more subtle.

Dorothy Perkins - £2

So this one's pretty big and impractical, but it's pretty! I wouldn't wear it on a daily basis but thing it could be a statement piece to add to quite a plain outfit for a night out or event.

\

Miss Selfridge - £3

I couldn't resist the colour of this, with the wires and chains. I also picked up the matching long necklace for £3. I probably wouldn't wear them at the same time though.

I don't know about you, but my heart always skips a beat when I see a sale jewellery rail! *need to get my kicks in ways other than shopping*

xx

All Snuggled Up!

Evening chicas!

Hope you've all had a lovely start to your week (or as lovely as is possible!). I had an interview in London and then met up with a friend for drinks in Birmingham, so I've been a busy bee :-)

So I just have a very quick OOTD post for you today. This is what I wore on Saturday to go shopping with my mum... (I apologise for dodgy pictures taken on my iPhone and Photobooth)...

Jacket/Cardigan - New Look

Trousers - Dorothy Perkins

Boots - River Island

Bag - River Island

Necklace - Secret Santa!

Vest - New Look

I put my hair up after I took these two pictures, because it just didn't look right. It just seems very nothingy to me at the moment - very long, but it doesn't really 'do' anything (if this makes sense). I really want to have a bit of a change in the hair department, so I'm busy looking for inspiration.

I am so in love with this jacket, cardigany thing (I don't really know what to call it!). It's just a gorgeous mix of autumny colours and is really snuggly - perfect for this chilly weather we seem to be having.

It was actually a bit of a bargain - I picked it up in the New Look sale for just £5. However, when I got home and looked at my receipt it said 'Zip Leggings', so it turns out it had the wrong tag on it! I practically haven't taken it off since I bought it!

Getting gangsta...

xx

Snippets from the Sales

Hello lovely ladies!

As promised, as a follow-on from my last post which showed all my recent bargainous beauty buys, here's a peek at some of my clothing and accessories purchases from the good old January sales :-)

First up is this beautiful evening bag from Next...

I love that it is a clutch, but it also has a strap which can be tucked inside if its not needed (because 90% of the time I take a clutch bag out with me, and by the end of the night when I'm giving it my all on the dancefloor I wish I didn't have to hold my bag!). The colour should go with anything too. I'm having a bit of a clearout at the moment and am discovering I own way too many cheap going out bags (mainly from Primarni) which I want to get rid of, and just have a couple of really nice bags instead.

This little beauty was just £8, reduced from £18 :-)

I'm really into scarves recently, as I seem to be wearing a lot of plain outfits and then adding colour or texture with a scarf. This was from River Island...

It was £24.99 reduced to £10, and is a mix of white, greys and black, with some velvety-feel parts, and some see through sections. Scrumptious!

Everyone has to get PJs for Christmas or in the sales don't they?! It's like an unwritten rule! These were from Dorothy Perkins, reduced from £20 to £12...

The trousers are full length but I folded them to get them all in the picture. I particularly like the top, as on the front it is plain black, but on the back it has the same floral pattern as the trousers - this means that from the back I look like I'm wearing an all-in-one! I can't wait to snuggle up in these :-)

Probably my favourite purchase has to be this jumper from the Signature collection at Next... (even though my mum says it looks like I have ferrets on my shoulders)...

I had wanted it when it was full price at £40, so I couldn't resist when it was marked down to £20 :-)

There's cute button detailing on the back too...

It reminds me of something I saw Frankie Sandford wearing in a magazine. It isn't exactly the same top, but I'll probably wear it in the same way (but won't look as good!).

FInally I got some shoes (of course!). A girl can never have too many black heels right?! Again, these were from Dorothy Perkins...

I love that they will go with everything that a normal pair of black heels would, but are a bit more 'interesting', with the zips and silver heel and platform. The fact that they were reduced from £40 to £10 just makes them even better!

And that's pretty much it :-) I still plan to head in to the sales once more this week, probably in Birmingham, to have a final look for some last minute bargains.

Let me know if you managed to get anything good in the sales. Even better, if you've done a blog post on your bargains, just post the link below - I really want to discover some more good blogs!

xx

Heavenly Haul

Hola Chicas!

Firstly I should say that I haven't gone AWOL! My recent absence from the blogosphere has been due to my poorly mac, which had to be fixed in the apple shop. But it's now back fighting fit and I'm once again ready to rock n roll!

After getting my hands on a few new purchases recently, I thought I'd do a lil haul post for you :-) I managed to get a few sale bargain as well as some really useful items that should be perfect for work. So here goes...

Poodle Beanie Hat - Topshop -£2

I was very happy to stumble across a Topshop outlet store in Slough the other week - I didn't know these even existed. I'm trying to build up my stash of winter accessories to make the thought of the colder weather a little bit more bearable. And for £2, what a bargain!

Gold Leaf Necklace - Republic - £2

A girl can never have too much jewellery! What more can I say...

Motif T-Shirt - New Look - £4

Since starting work I've got a little bored of dressing sensibly 5 out of 7 days a week, so on the other two days I'm starting to want to be a little bit more fun with what I wear. I thought this was super cute (look at the little bow in the girl squirrel's hair) and I just couldn't resist :-)

Beige Cardigan - New Look - £16

So this cardigan isn't the most exciting thing I've ever bought, but it will be really useful for work. I'm wearing a lot of basics for work at the moment, made a bit more interesting and adding colour with scarves and jewellery.

Maxi Skirt - New Look - £12

I was lusting after this maxi skirt when it was full price, so when it was reduced to £12 in the sale I just had to get it. I think the colours are lovely and its perfect for this time of year.

Skinny Trousers - Dorothy Perkins - £25

I was in need of some trousers for work that were smart but still casual (if that makes sense!). These fitted the bill nicely and are super comfy - shame I saw them reduced in the sale yesterday for £15 :-(

What have you guys been buying recently? Any good sale bargains or cute winter purchases?

xx

The Big 2-3 - My Birthday!!

I've had a lovely few days of celebration this weekend because it was my birthday on Saturday! I hit the big 2-3 which I'm finding very scary since it only feels like two minutes ago that I was 18. However, a day out in London helped take my mind off my rapid ageing, so I thought I'd just post a few little piccies.

We headed down early in the morning to queue for tickets for Wicked at the Apollo, and luckily we managed to get our hands on some. Before the matinée started we went to Covent Garden. I know it's really touristy, but it's still one of my favourite places to go to in London.

While we were there we saw a Pearly King collecting for charity. I just had to grab a picture as he looked so dashing! (and of course I added my donation to his collection box).

The street performers were all out in force as usual. I think the human statues are brilliant, but I never stand at the front to watch because I find them a little bit scary!

At 2.30 we headed back to the Apollo for the show...

I knew very little about the show before we went, and was surprised (and very pleased!) to find out that the talented (and a little bit gorgeous!) Lee Mead was in it...

I can't praise the show highly enough - it really was amazing. The set was stunning and the voice of the lead character in particular blew me away. If you happen to be in London I can't think of many better ways to spend a few hours.

After the show we headed to the Waldorf for cocktails, and then on to an Italian back in Covent Garden for dinner. A lovely day finished off with my favourite meal...

All in all I had a fantabulous day - a very happy (and lucky) girlie :-)

Now, to find some wrinkle cream and my Bonmarché vouchers...

xx

August? Seriously?!

Evenin all,

Hope you're all good and surviving the cold weather... seriously, it's meant to be August, what's the cold snap all about? We actually had to turn the central heating on tonight... bad times.

Anyway, I've just got a really quick outfit post of what I wore the other night, before it turned chilly. The plan was to head to a friend's house for drinks, before heading into town for a boogie and a bit more drinking! This is what I went for...

This dress has been one of my best recent purchases - it cost just £7 and I've worn it so much. I think it's really versatile, as I can wear it during the day, on a night out, and I even wore it to a recent job interview (see my post here).

Dress - G21 at Asda

Sandals - Tesco

Belt - Primark

Clutch - Dorothy Perkins

Earrings - can't remember...

I had a bit of a hair malfunction before I went out (well, to be honest, it was probably just wasn't doing quite as it was told, but at the time it seemed like an actual disaster - I HATE hair stress before going out!). I tried to curl it but it wasn't really behaving, so in the end I ended up with general messy hair with random ringlets - I was NOT pleased!

Make-up wise I tried out a few new Rimmel products I won in their Twitter competition recently, which I've fallen in love with, so hopefully I'll do a more detailed post on some of those soon.

In the end, after starting of with a few drinks round a friends house, we all said we were pretty much happy to stay there rather than go out, and someone suggested we play some good old fashion games! What old people we are at heart! We got Articulate out at midnight and were still playing at 5.30am!! I have never played it before, but it was sooooo funny - actually had one of the best nights I've had in ages :-D I can highly recommend it. However, walking home at 6.30am wearing the night before's clothes passing random people who were out on their early morning walk, I did feel a bit naughty, like I'd done something wrong :-/ I bet they thought I was a real dirty stop out - little did they know I'd been playing board games, not painting the town red!

What board games do you guys like to play?! After only just discovering Articulate, I feel like there must be loads of other gems out there that I've been missing out on!

xx

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...

Evening all,

Thought I would write a quick little blog with a few cute piccies of my day at the beach at the weekend :-)

On Sunday it was my boyfriend's stepmum's 60th birthday and she wanted all her friends and family (around 40 of us altogether!) to celebrate at one of her favourite places in the whole world... Frinton-on-Sea!! She owns a beach hut there with 4 of her friends so that was the hub of the day's activities. The hut is sooo cute! I really want one, but with a price tag of around £20,000, I think they're a little out of my price range!

We were very lucky with the weather, as it didn't rain at all. Although it was super sunny, there was quite a strong breeze so it was a little chilly (hence why I didn't feel the need to put suncream on, so am now nursing very burnt legs!). Here's what I wore...

I popped on my straw hat from Primark to keep the sun of my face and tied my hair in a messy side plait to try to keep it out of my eyes.

Bag- New Look

Shorts (again!) - Dorothy Perkins

Belt - Primark

Strapless Top- Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan- New Look

I spent the day releasing my inner child; building sandcastles, paddling and playing games. After food, the birthday girl was presented with the most amazing birthday cake...

How adorable is it?! With the beach huts (notice how it's number 60 because it was her 60th), a lilo, crab, the sand, beach ball, and the lady herself asleep on a deckchair, every detail was perfect :-)

What makes it even better is that it was all made by one of her friend's daughters - very talented lady! Her boyfriend even got roped in and helped make the deckchair - he cut lollipop sticks, sanded them down and even drilled holes in them so he could stick them altogether... now that's a lot of effort! It was all worth it though, as she seemed to love it...

Just as we were leaving, the boyfriend, his dad and stepdad felt the need to go for a swim :-/ Now, I know it was a sunny day and we were at the beach 'n all, but let's not forget... THIS IS ENGLAND and the water was still freezing!! Ah well, I guess boys with be boys, whatever their age!

I had a really lovely day at the beach and, most importantly, so did the birthday girl :-) Now, where's the aftersun...

xx