OOTD // Gucci loafer dupes & Topshop shirt

Oh the #firstworldproblems of moving house. Now entering my third month of living within different walls, I still haven't unpacked all of my clothes yet. There are boxes - oh so many boxes - and trying to find another box of clothes is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Quickly becoming bored of the clothes that I am wearing on rotation each week, I face two options:

1. unpack the rest of my clothes
2. buy new ones

But to be honest, option two is a whole lot more exciting. So here I am. Window shopping on the Internet, seeing what takes my fancy. And I have to say, this shirt has grabbed me.

Swallow shirt (available in petite, tall or standard sizing) // Joni bleach jeans // Lucy black / white loafers 

It's the perfect autumn / winter shade - even though I technically don't know what colour this is. Khaki? Mustard? Griege? Who knows. All I know is that it's pretty as. I love the golden sparkle of the embellished swallows, which helps to brighten up an otherwise dark garment.

Aren't these loafers the most perfect Gucci dupes?! Being called "Lucy" they were meant to be. I rather naughtily ordered myself a pair in black. When worn with peter pan collars peeking out of knitwear, I feel all kinds of Alexa Chung. The only downside? I paid full price and these loafers are now in the sale :'( always the way! C'est la vie

7 things to do during the Easter holidays. And more importantly... what to wear

Easter is finally here! Now comes the task of deciding what to do on these glorious days off from work. And more importantly, what to wear (always a quandary!) So with today's post comes an Easter post with a difference. Instead of overloading you with Easter eggs and Easter gift guides, I'll be sharing ideas of things to do during the Easter break and styling an outfit for each occasion. Be sure to let me know your favourite look!

Spring time walks
Whether by the sea or in the woods, it's the perfect time of year for a walk. It's milder out, and the sky is gradually looking cheerier and less pissed off. It's this time of year that nature's prettiest buds and blooms are begging to be photographed. It's still a little bit damp underfoot given recent weather, so a good pair of boots is a must. As is a rucksack and a cosy knit. If you're less about nature and are in London this Easter, why not try a city walking tour? Some are guided and you'll need to pay for, otherwise you can find plenty of free walks and maps for them on the web. There are so many to choose from including themed ones from the likes of Harry Potter, Jack the Ripper and so on.

Boots   //   White rucksack   // Ring    //   Roll neck jumper   // Jeans

Day trip
Be it a museum, art gallery or zoo, why not be a tourist for the day? If you're in London over Easter, catch the new Lands of the Lions exhibit at London Zoo which will transport you from London to India's Gir like that. Or if you have children or younger family members to entertain, why not try the Where's Wally experience at the Shard? Fashionistas will love the Vogue exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. For days like these, wear light layers with a light cover-up - because rain is always sadly a possibility! - and shoes that won't rip your feet to shreds in the first ten minutes!

Light blue coat //  Marble watch //  Blue jeans // Necklace // White rucksack //  White sneakers // White sweater

Brunch with the girls
I love going for brunch on my days off. During the week I have a rushed bowl of cereal before work and never really get to sit down and enjoy what I'm eating. So going out for breakfast / brunch is always some what of a treat for me. The Breakfast Club is a popular choice, but if you can't face the queues why not try Bill's or Duck and Waffle? Wear wardrobe staples in neutrals and tans with pops of colour here and there, dressed up with a pair of heels. Heels or wedges will take you from casual to chic in less than 60 seconds. A trench coat at this time of year always ticks all the right boxes too. Think small ish bag. You won't need to carry much - just a phone to Instagram that avocado toast, right?

Tan shoes //  Rib camel top //  Red clutch // Denim skirt

Picnic
Weather permitting of course! Bring your finest picnic blanket, fancy patterned cups, plates and napkins and maybe a thermos of soup / hot chocolate / both should there be a chill in the air. I just love this half moon picnic hamper set (below) - so unusually shaped, but in that white aesthetic that all us bloggers have come to love. Currently 50% off in the sale, it's a Spring must have. And now get ready for an abnormally wide image.... #LucyFail

Black jeans //  Striped bardot top // Straw bag  // Floral napkins //  Picnic basket

Yellow napkins //  Gold napkins // Shoes  // Colour glasses

Shopping
Because stepping into Spring requires a new wardrobe right? A rookie mistake I make every time I go shopping is taking too thick a jumper or too bulky a coat which then I have to cart around with me. So wear a thinner jacket like a blazer or a leather jacket. I like to wear ankle boots when I'm out shopping - I don't mind wearing heels as I'm losing stamina in my old age and not at the shops for hours on end like I used to be. So heels are now doable. But if you tend to spend most of the day at the shops and / or tire of heeled boots easily, why not opt for some white sneakers? (see "day trip")

Blue jeans // White lace blouse // Yellow bag  // Tan leather jacket // Ankle boots // Sunglasses

Cinema
I know that you can go to the cinema any time and that it's hardly Easter specific, but it's worth noting that some pretty epic films have been released lately - Batman v Superman is this Easter's must see! Cinema temperatures are always so unpredictable and can go from being toasty as to who-the-fuck-turned-on-the-aircon? So I always like to bring something cosy with me like a blanket cape or a scarf. A fluffy faux fur jacket will work equally well here.

Knee high boots //  Black faux fur coat //  Grey jeans // Paisley top // Cream faux fur coat

Easter baking, games & crafts
Baking being something I'm statistically very likely to be doing this weekend! Why not invite a friend over and make some Easter treats? Pinterest is full of inspiring Easter arts, crafts and bakes. And why not dig out family favourites like card games and board games? Always good for a giggle! When it comes to baking and crafting, opt for casual items of clothing that don't have fussy washing instructions - you don't want to be getting your dry clean only items ruined! This dungaree playsuit fits the bill perfectly. As good as it looks with a white tee underneath, I really like how dungarees look with printed blouses and shirts. I especially love this powder blue kitty blouse.

Cat print shirt //  Dungaree jumpsuit //  UNO // Kerplunk  //  Copper recipe stand // Marble cake stand

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

I think my favourite outfit has to be "brunch with the girls" - although "cinema" and "shopping" are close contenders! I am heavily coveting the white backpack. tan heels, camel top, denim skirt, pale blue jeans, yellow bag, lace top, everything from the "cinema" look, the dungarees, the cat shirt... who I am kidding?! I want and love them all! <3

Which look is your favourite?

Be more Karlie

I'm sure I'm not the only one who was delighted when Karlie Kloss was signed to be the new face of Topshop. Those of you who have seen my Pinterest (in particular my Karlie Kloss pins!) will already know that I love her style. But Karlie Kloss kitted out head to toe in Topshop? Perfection. After seeing her Topshop Lookbook, I found myself wanting to wanting to Be More Karlie, and wanting to dress more like her. And dress more like her, I did. To celebrate #bemorekarlie, I decided to try and emulate some of the pictures from the campaign. Obviously I don't have access to studio lighting or an industrial / urban space with stone steps and brick walls...but I gave it a go!

SHOP THE LOOK

Khaki jacket (similar here)  // Red dress (similar here)

SHOP THE LOOK

Blazer and trousers duo  // White tee (similar here)

One of the things I love about Karlie is how her poses look so natural and effortless. I thought they'd be easy to mimic, but the cramp in my leg - then foot - decided otherwise. Apologies for the grainy pics - I'm just your average girl, so don't have fancy lighting rigged up or a photographer friend to take my snaps for me. My SLR wouldn't focus so I had to use my compact camera which has the WORST NIGHT CAPABILITIES KNOWN TO MAN/WOMAN. #firstworldproblems

Epic lookbook and effortless posing, courtesy of Karlie and Topshop. Awful posing, my own.

NEW IN // Topshop lace-ups and skirt

When it comes to clothing, I don't shop much in-store these days. Not intentionally - it's just that I tend to have more luck online. But I stand corrected. The other day I went to Topshop and fell head over heels for two things: the lace up shoes that everyone and their cat has, and a white skirt in the prettiest embossed pattern:

Red lace-ups  //   White embossed skirt   //  Black lace-ups

Perhaps I didn't need two pairs of shoes. I just couldn't decide. What colour do you prefer? I went outside my comfort zone and picked up a pair in red as I have never owned a pair of red shoes before(!) And seeing as I live my life mostly in monochrome, these will bring a welcome pop of colour to my wardrobe!

And let's talk about the skirt. 

Not only does it have the most beautiful embossed detail, but it also has a rose gold zip. It's love <3

The perfect night in // Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day. The marmite event of the year. Some people love it, some people hate it. The one thing I really dislike about Valentine's Day is the amount of pressure this day places on you. The pressure to spend, spend, spend or risk looking like a bad boyfriend / girlfriend if you don't. The pressure of having the best possible night (much like New Years Eve). And lastly the pressure of looking your absolute best. Notably for women. There are magazines, newspapers and advertising left, right and centre saying that you should be wearing a body con dress you can't breathe in, you should be risking your neck in skyscraper heels, and you should be wearing swanky underwear. I don't like being told what to do, what to wear and how to act. If you love someone you should show them the same level of love and respect all year long - not just on the 14th because the card companies told you so.

But it doesn't have to be like this. Why not stay at home and recreate a meal out or a night at a hotel? Lounge around in white fluffy bath robes, light some candles, wine and dine one another, and just be yourselves. Lots of the supermarkets have 2-for-1 inspired meal deals making it far better value for money than dining out. Also there are lots of lovely pieces of homeware out there that won't cost an arm and a leg and can be used time and time again for other special occasions. Consider it an investment. And it'll work out tons cheaper than that hotel, trust me.

Here are my Valentine's Day essentials for the perfect night in:

Yankee Candle //  The White Company unisex bath robe //  Hotel Chocolat sparkling pink rosé // framed print

 Swoon sensual massage gift set  // Glass bowls & oak board set // Goblets // Faux flowers in vase // heart jars  

 Embellished bedding // Heart cushion // Hotel Chocolat pink champagne truffles // Topshop lingerie

My ideal night in would include; dim lighting with candles everywhere possible, new / clean bedding, cooking our own three course meal just the two of us, a bottle of wine (in an ideal world, Malbec), nice lingerie, massages, sharing a bath together, bath robes, and afterwards lounge around watching movies in bed. With chocolate of course. 

I'm really into interiors at the moment - particularly glassware it seems. The heart jars would be ideal for homemade desserts like cheesecake or an ice cream sundae with brownie pieces and lots of cream on top. Very Pinterest. The same goes with the glass bowls on that beautiful oak board. And I'm pretty sure those wine glasses aren't called goblets on the Next website... but they looked regal enough to be called goblets. And that bedding though. SWOON.

What have you got planned for Valentine's Day?

Want to read more? Feel free to have a nose through some of my other Valentine's Day posts....

1. The funniest and most inappropriate Valentine's Day cards guaranteed to make you chuckle 
2. How you know if he's a keeper
3. Alternative Valentine's Day gifts which AREN'T red roses
4. Love in pictures

What's inside my suitcase? // Canary Islands

If everything has gone to plan, I am currently stretched out on a sun lounger in the Canary Islands. Technology will take a back seat until I get back, so this post has been sneakily scheduled in advance ;) Here are a few of the things that will be packed neatly rammed into my suitcase:

- Topshop white wedges - perfect for dressing up outfits in the evening
- Boohoo stripe crop - looks great worn on top of a bikini on the way to the beach / pool
- ASOS white skater skirt - high waisted and goes with EVERYTHING
- ASOS blue skater skirt - the most beautiful baby blue colour
 - Urban Outfitters kimono - quite literally the comfiest thing I've ever worn. Great for the evenings when it cools down or by the pool
- Tresemme Keratin Smooth range - to (hopefully) protect my tresses from the humidity
- Urban Decay Naked 2 palette - I don't own any other eye shadows and I don't need to - this set has everything you need
- New Look peach dress - I'm turning into such a girly girl.WHAT IS HAPPENING
- New Look sliders - I've seen these in so many magazines lately and finally tracked them down. The ideal pool side shoes
- Urban Outfitters kimono - another poolside / evening option. Now sold out
- H&M black tube top & blue dress - basics are always useful and can be dressed up with accessories
- Benefit Laugh with me Lee Lee fragrance - summer in a bottle.
- New Look diamante flip flops - satisfies the magpie in me

Because I'm boring, I've gone back to the same place as last year. It's such a chilled resort and I rate it very highly for food. Long time readers will know how important food is to me ;)

TOPSHOP IRIDESCENT MIDI RING

If you haven't met already, then let me introduce you to The Midi Ring. Basically the equivalent of having too small a ring that you can't slide all the way down your finger. So remember kids: If you have an old ring that no longer fits you, keep it. Sure, it can't reach your knuckles - but you can have it poised by your nail and look very 'fashion'. But if at any time your finger starts to throb or swell, probably time to admit defeat and throw that bad boy out. Better still, buy one new.

I never used to own any midi rings, but it was definitely something on my shopping list. That and some basic stackables so I can create a layered effect. When I went onto the Topshop website the other day, I knew I'd found my 'first'

Topshop iridescent rhinestone midi ring - £4.50

Small, delicate and shiny, it ticks all the right boxes. I dare say it adds an elegance I never knew my hands were capable of.

Have you jumped onto the midi ring bandwagon yet?

Sorry for such a creased and un-ironed bed in the background today. I'm currently off sick from work with flu (also possible tonsillitis). I've mainly been asleep since 8.30 last night so my bed has been quite lived in to say the least!

Je ne regrette rien

This post is classic why-you-should never-shop-when-you're-mourning. Faced with some crushing news yesterday, I honestly let my feelings get the better of me and a harmless Internet browse to cheer myself up soon turned into quite the Topshop order:

Striped tunic 1  //   Motel dress   //   WhitePepper smock dress  //   Striped tunic 2

Long boots   //   Ragged Priest cable knit  //  WhitePepper smock dress //  Leigh black jeans

Total spend justified thanks to a discount code, cash back, and x4 vouchers that I've been very kindly gifted over the last couple of months. For the time being, I am still hurting. A lot. But these things take time. Sooner or later you need to put your brave face on and face the world. And if a new dress (or five) makes this a little easier, so be it.

Back to black (and grey)

Another online order lacking in colour. Quelle surprise. But hey, it's autumn / winter. It's all about leather, quilting, and clashing textures don't ya know? Both the quilted tops will look perfect with chunky jewellery layered on top. And imagine the black lace of the shorts peeking out from under a chunky knit. Topshop, you've done me proud.

FACT #1: You can never have too much black in your wardrobe.

FACT #2: There is no such thing as too much cake. 

FACT #3: The likelihood of me making cake whilst wearing the above? Very high.

M&S Summer Dress Styling

Whilst I won't be going on holiday to anywhere tropical any time soon, I am hoping to head to Rome or Paris one weekend before summer ends. No matter which city I choose, my style for both would be quite similar - European chic.

The perfect M&S dress for a European city break? This lace skater dress in navy blue. 

M&S lace skater dress - currently reduced to £47.20

M&S analogue watch - currently reduced to £18.00

Per Una cut out tote - currently reduced to £31.60

M&S belted trench coat - currently reduced to £63.20

M&S scallop pumps - currently reduced to £20.00

M&S umbrella - currently reduced to £12.00

The lace detailing of the dress is too beautiful to be ignored - so I would keep the look fairly simple with minimal accessories. The watch would be perfect for timekeeping purposes and the tan strap matches the handbag - which has the most incredible perforated detail. As Europe is always unpredictable weather wise, a weather proof trench + umbrella would be essential. Finally when you're on your feet sightseeing all day, flats are a must! I loved the scallop detailing to these pumps but was also very impressed that they're suede AND water repellent - a rarity with suede shoes.

My own dress styled:

The dress that I will be styling for the purposes of this competition is my trusty ASOS black maxi. Whilst on holiday, I like to be comfortable so a light and floaty outfit with flat shoes is a must! Ever since I bought my Call It Spring sandals, they've hardly been off my feet and go everywhere with me. I never like to over accessorize so would just wear a statement necklace to take my dress from day to night. Either my much loved Topshop dip dye spikes or my Call It Spring statement necklace.

And my look in action... (apologies for the quality...)

A bit of a dressier look - but it wouldn't look out of place in either Paris or Rome

Are either looks something that you would wear?

M&S have lots of lovely new A/W dresses being launched online at the moment - just in time for London Fashion Week! You can view the full range of M&S dresses here

Urban Outfitters elephant pumps

Animals have always been big in fashion - be it High Street or designer. And judging by AW13 previews, this is set to continue into next season. Jean Paul Gaultier's AW13 collection was feline inspired - right down to the opening music (the Pink Panther theme was reportedly played). Everywhere you turn there are dogs, cats and birds featured on scarves, bags and clothing. I've noticed many bloggers taking a liking to Topshop's panda tube skirt. One animal I've noticed a distinct lack of? Elephants. With elephants being one of my favourite animals (cats win - but only just...), it's a shame. Elephants after all symbolise strength and wisdom - and in some cultures are worshipped as deities. When I went into Urban Outfitters the other day and spotted these tan suede elephant pumps, I was overjoyed:

They can be found online too here

Also, loving UO's new window displays and bags at the moment:

Very quaint with an element of sweet shop, don't you think?

#6 Life as we know it

This week I have been...

• Wearing white lace - this Topshop dress I found in the sales - with Models Own "Champagne" nails and a Forever 21 statement ring

• Eating salmon and prawns from cute little shells

• Treating my sis to cake - yes, this is really a cupcake!

• Back to my favourite cafe for chorizo hash browns on my day off

• Out for the most delicious surf 'n' turf

• Having some lovely - and cider filled - nights out

• Bacon cures everything the morning after

• Today I have been out in the garden in the sun building furniture - a table, two chairs, and a sofa to be exact. Although I can be quite the girly girl at times, I also like to get my hands dirty and make things!

• Tonight we're staying in with cans of Stella Artois cidre and watching episode after episode of Breaking Bad - sounds perfect! :)

What have you been up to lately?

My Topshop sale picks

Why hello there Topshop sale! I woke up optimistic as their sale preview was quite promising yesterday - but in all honesty, I haven't exactly been blown away today. It's also been a highly frustrating morning as their site kept crashing and deciding that I wasn't allowed to view my basket or go to checkout. At one point I very nearly gave up. But I never give up. I'm a determined little cookie. 

My top picks:

White lace dress: White lace... a timeless classic - the long sleeves rendering it perfect for all times of the year come rain or shine.

White jeans: White jeans aren't meant to be the most flattering of trousers... but how do you know if you don't try?! LET'S DO THIS.

Khaki trousers: Not what I'd usually go for but I love how they look with the rolled up leg. So I added to my basket. Along with the shoes (non sale). Oops.

Macrame dress: Chances are this will be far too short on me. But hey, I can always wear as a top. Dress, you WILL be loved.

Underwear set: "Duck egg" is such an odd sounding colour but gawd is it beautiful! The colouring makes me thinks of Alice in Wonderland. WIN.

Sister Jane blouse: Last but not least, I picked up this Sister Jane blouse. I love a simple white shirt / blouse and the embellished neckline was too beautiful to ignore!

Have you found any good sale bargains lately?

The truth about returns

I went to Topshop with the sole intention of making a return. I just wanted to go straight in, get it sorted, and go. The reality? I got distracted. But life is too short to have regrets.

 Anything with cats and I am SOLD.

I'd never seen anything like this before.

I love anything that's a little bit different!

Why are returns rarely ever purely returns? 

How do so many turn into exchanges? Why are we so incapable of going to a store, heading straight to the customer services desk and handing over our unwanted items?

High street stores have meticulously planned out the shop floor layout meaning that it is nigh on impossible to enter the store and see the tills right there in-front of you. Instead, you will have to bob and weave through a maze of clothing rails which are all so closely packed together, you will elbow something off a hanger or catch something with your bag. You feel obliged to pick it up and hang it back up again, but what's this? 

Oh it's actually a little bit gorgeous. 

You feel obliged to hang onto it so that no one else snaps it up (besides, do you know how rare it is that they have your size in stock? It's in your size, it must be a sign). You try to talk yourself out of it but it's not happening. You've probably got an armful of other bits at this stage anyway. You've already lost the fight.

The alarming thing is that with exchanges, it doesn't feel like money is involved. 

Yes, you've spent that money originally but in the heat of the moment we seem to forget all about this. It's like free money. Or having a gift card or something.

There's also the guilt that comes with making a return. 

Especially when the item(s) in question is / are gorgeous. You get that look from the sales assistant that says: "you're mad to be returning this..." And then comes the questions where you are asked why are you returning said item(s). Cue the awkwardness where you don't really want to explain how it's too small / the zip wouldn't go all the way up / it wouldn't fit over your head. You're made to feel like such a villain. Even after giving your reasons, they will continue to probe: "anything wrong with it?" They're always so damn suspicious.

You should be elated to have the money credited back to your account but that's not your initial thought (well, not mine anyway). You feel bad for returning so many items and creating such a long queue that is snaking around the store. So we exchange. Because they - the shop folks - like you then. They've succeeded in keeping some of your money plus it's validation that their in-store visual merchandising is effective.

Does anyone else find it difficult to avoid temptation when making a return? Please share your stories and experiences!

Autumn/Winter #PassionForFashion

Autumn / Winter is my favourite time of the year for fashion, so when I was contacted by Money Supermarket inviting me to take part in their Passion For Fashion campaign, it was a no brainer! I was asked to create five different Autumn / Winter looks – party, casual, office, outdoor and first date – with a budget of £200 per look using UK online fashion retailers. The aim being to locate good value products and make savings where possible. 

My outfits took me absolutely ages to create but it was really fun!
Please read on to see my take on all five looks....

Playsuit - Urban Outfitters - £38

Jacket - Republic - £30

Necklace - H&M - £34.99

Wedges - Republic - £20

Bag - Zara - £19.99

Lashes - Matalan - £3

Lipstick - Topshop - £8

Nail polish - Topshop - £6

Lace socks - River Island - £4.50

TOTAL: £164.48

I felt like this playsuit was excellent value for money because of its potential versatility in the autumn / winter months. Not only can it be dressed up, but it could also be used as shorts for a more casual look when teamed with an oversized knit. I have chosen to keep the colour palette fairly simple for this look with a black and white theme. Rather than just wearing the wedges as they are, I would pair them with these lace socks. I really like the socks and heels trend at the moment and feel these lace ones completely change up the look – simple wedges suddenly look like lacy shoe boots. All for a mere £24.50 in total for both the wedges and socks (I found this to be cheaper than most pairs of shoes when scouring the web). The wedges were a bargain sale find from Republic where I also found this lovely jacket for a mere £30. I was really shocked by this price as I feel that it looks a lot more expensive. Every party outfit needs a statement piece of jewellery. I saw this H&M necklace – which is a little pricier than I’d usually pay for H&M jewellery – but it is well worth the investment as it would be perfect for December party season and New Years (it would really transform a simple little black dress). The Zara bag was just £19.99 and is another versatile product for this season – I would have plenty of use for it day time too and it wouldn’t look out of place in the office either. And being a party look, fake lashes, lippy and a splash of nail polish add to the look subtly without outshining the main talking points of the outfit: the playsuit and necklace. 

Dress - H&M - £34.99

Bag - Accessorize - £35

Jacket - Boohoo - £35

Heels - H&M - £29.99

Nail polish - Topshop - £6

Underwear set - Topshop - £26

Necklace - ASOS - now reduced to £16!

Stockings - Tesco - £9

TOTAL: £191.98

For a first date, you want to make an effort (after all, it would be nice to score a second date) but not go too overboard. I feel that this outfit encompasses the smart casual look well. The dress could be worn everywhere – meaning that you will get your money’s worth in no time at all – and it is a great transitional piece as not only does it look wintery, but it also wouldn’t look out of place in the spring / summer months. I feel a bit naked without jewellery and loved the simplicity of this ASOS necklace which has been reduced down in the sale since the first time that I saw it. In this country we can’t really survive autumn / winter with bare legs, so I chose out these lacy stockings to give my make-believe date a nice surprise. I always feel so much more confident when wearing a nice underwear set – plus it’s fun knowing what’s underneath when he doesn’t! ;) For a splash of colour, I added a floral handbag, H&M heels and some nail polish in a closely matching shade. I love the berry red kind of colour – especially around Christmas time. So that the outfit didn’t appear too girly – or too formal for a first date – I toughed up the look with a leather jacket. I couldn’t believe that this jacket was only £30 from Boohoo! It looks so much more expensive and would get so much wear across all months – not just the autumn / winter ones.

Blouse - Zara - £29.99

Mary Janes - Tesco - £15

Skirt - Urban Outfitters - £30

Satchel - Bershka - £25.99

Blazer - Yayer - £50

Tights - Topshop - £4

TOTAL: £154.98

Office wear is a difficult one. You want to dress smartly for work but at the same time, buying suits can only get you so far. A good suit will set you back quite a bit of money plus it’s kind of restricted to work and interviews. When adding to my work wardrobe, I always keep my eye out for pieces that I can wear outside of work too (this way the items get a lot more wear out of them). I chose out this skirt as it’s such a versatile piece. I feel like it can be worn across the year and dressed up or down accordingly. In this instance I would wear with simple black tights and these Mary Jane shoes that are a mere £15 from Tesco (I kid you not!). Normally my outfit of choice involves either a) a very long necklace or b) a shorter but very sparkly necklace. However when I found this Zara blouse with the amazing high neck detail, I knew that jewellery had no place here. To keep the Victorian neckline the focus of outfit, I would tuck the loose tunic fit of the top into the skirt. For those chilly autumn / winter months, bare arms are a big no no. I fell in love with this Yayer jacket which has a military aspect to it with the buttons, as well as a preppy “school” kind of feel. Keeping with the school theme, I added this satchel which is so much cheaper than other satchels out there (Cambridge Satchel Company, I’m looking at you!) and is a lot more unique with the floral detail. 

 Cardigan - Boohoo - £25

Boots - Boohoo - £40

Dress - Republic - £30

Fleece - Boohoo - £25

Backpack - Republic - £20

Umbrella - Matalan - £5

Mittens - Tesco - £5

Socks - Urban Outfitters - £8

TOTAL: £158

The outdoors is quite a tricky one in Britain because our weather is so varied. One minute it’ll be bitterly cold and pouring with rain, the other it will be quite mild. My outdoor look makes use of layering so you are prepared for all possible types of weather! Seeing as we can’t guarantee dry, warm weather I chose out these insanely cute cat mittens and lacy umbrella. At just £5 each, these items don’t break the bank and can be stowed away in the Aztec backpack when not needed. To keep my feet warm, I would wear these toasty looking socks with these long boots which are a mere £40 from Boohoo. I choose out this dress in particular as although it is used in a casual context here, it can also be easily dressed up with some of the items from my other looks. For the layering part of my look, I would wear this very soft and warm looking fleece on top of the dress and then on top of that, use this Aztec cardigan as a coat. Together, the fleece and cardigan come to £50 and are probably much warmer than a standard coat (which will most certainly be more expensive). 

Cape - Asda - £10

Top - Lipsy - £40

Shorts - Miss Selfridge - £39

Knee highs - River Island - £8

Nail wraps - Missguided - £6.65

Slippers - Republic - £10

TOTAL: £113.65

I took “casual” to mean the sort of autumn / winter look I’d wear when chilling indoors watching movies with friends. Normally around the house I’ll wear denim cut offs with long socks and a cape - so I tried to stay true to that within this look. When being casual at home, I always like to experiment with my nails – whether it be trying new colours or nail art. In this instance I’ve chosen out these very cute nail wraps from Missguided. The Asda cape is an absolute bargain for £10 as since it’s reversable, it’s like having two different capes! To play on the cape’s monochrome look, I would wear with black knee highs (perfect for layering under trousers in the colder months) and this loose fitting, comfy looking white Lipsy top. Normally I would wear a necklace with the top and a belt with the shorts, but I feel like the embellishment on both items already give the desired effect. And if you and your mates decide to go out after all, the glitzy top and shorts will see you through as they are a little more dressy. To go the whole hog with the casual look, I would probably wear some ballet pump style slippers. I was sold when I found these owl slippers online. Lots of slippers online at the moment seem to be wintery themed - what with reindeer print and snowflake print - which does limit you a little bit. These cuties won’t break the bank at only £10 and the best thing? They aren’t autumn / winter specific so can be used all year round. RESULT!

So there you have it. Those are my five looks.

Would you wear any of these? 

Which is your favourite look?