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

20% OFF NEW IN // BOOHOO

Oh January. I told myself this was the year that I didn't need to shop the sales or do any form of shopping in January. Then as the first two weeks of January passed, my frustrations began to air. I realised that I didn't like anything in my wardrobe any more. And that everything else in there no longer fits. Deep in the midsts of a wardrobe clear out (three massive bags have gone to charity already!), my wardrobe needed populating again. As luck would have it, I discovered Boohoo were offering 20% off NEW IN stock. I had a look - not expecting to find anything - but was surprised at how much they'd upped their game since the last time I'd been on their site. Here's what caught my eye...

Metallic knit jumper - £10  //  Lace off shoulder dress - £22  // Crochet camisole - £12  // Gold floral print leggings - £10 

The printed sweater came in two colours and I was originally drawn to the vintage feel of the black and bronze version (pictured below), but there was something about the blush one I really liked too. I'm not normally a pink sort of girl, but over the last year, I've been embracing it. Hard. The lace dress I actually ordered in red (snippet in collage below) but Boohoo doesn't show it in red for whatever reason - just the back of the dress and a close up (below). I've prematurely ordered this for Valentine's Day as this will be the perfect dress for a dinner date. Forever lusting after lace, I also couldn't resist this relaxed fit white camisole. I'm usually quite boring with jeans and leggings, but have decided this year that I want to branch out more and get into prints. This gold foil print may not be to everyone's taste, but I think these leggings would look great paired with a shirt and the right pair of ankle boots.

Metallic knit jumper (as above)  //  Statement necklace - £12  // Pinafore - £20   //  Lace off shoulder dress (as above)

... and here you have a couple of close-ups of the jumper and dress that I tried describing before! I love a statement necklace and thought this multi-coloured version would look so lovely with a crisp white tee - or any pastel shade for that matter. And as much as I love dungarees, trousers are a tricky area for me as I can never find the right length. This pinafore dress is more up my street and is a great transitional piece for spring / summer.

Normally I'd be more than happy sharing the 20% discount code on here, but it was a very last minute discovery (I had only minutes to get it all ordered before midnight!) so said discount code has expired... However being Boohoo, none of the items are particularly expensive in the first place, so definitely worth having a browse on the website here!

New Year bargains from Forever 21

With the January sales no longer strictly starting in January - most start in December and it seems to be earlier and earlier every year(!) - I never really find anything when Boxing Day swings around. To get the best bargains you need to start looking early. And according to this year's papers, some people were queuing for the sales from 7pm on Christmas day. This I just can't get my head around. Christmas is a day to be spent with your loved ones, indulging in enough cheese to sink a small battle ship... right?! I ventured out to the sales on 27th December but nothing decent was left. Online wasn't much better either. However Forever 21 was an absolute cracker. All the below, at those prices, you'd imagine to be in the sale. But I've got news for you: everything below is non sale and full price.

Boxy stripe tee - £6.50

I love a striped breton tee as much as the next person and for £6.50 you just can't go wrong! I love how it's been styled with a pleated skirt - I own one just like this and this whole look will look amazing with knee high socks.

Collared sweater - £15.00

I love collars. Peter Pan collars. Lace collars. Shirt collars, Those collars that you can just clip onto a jumper for the effect. This collar and sweater combo is a mere £15. Forever 21 does have the sweater in other colours, but I'm boring and I like black. How awesome are the tweed jacket and loafers?! This is definitely the sort of look I tend to gravitate towards.

           Wire collar necklace - £3.50                                              Blogger PJ set - £10.65

£3.50 for a necklace... Toppers, please can you take note?! I oddly like the fact that it doesn't go entirely around your neck - it reminds me a little of headphones. Subtle and delicate, it's exactly what I go for in jewellery. I've enthused about Forever 21 pyjamas before, and found these incredible blogging pyjamas! I fell in love with the shorts which have little coffee mugs and laptops on them, and are the perfect shade of blue.

Did you find any New Year bargains?

NEW IN // SLOGAN TEES

The other night I took my sister on a last minute shopping trip before she heads back to uni. One shop that continues to impress me is Forever 21. Primark I feel is ever increasing in price, but the quality remains low. Forever 21 on the other hand always offers good value for money - the clothing lasts longer, it's better quality and I would argue that the prices are lower than Primark's nowadays. Thoughts? My sister managed to pick up a whole basketful of things ready for her return to uni and it came to just over £30! The Oxford Street F21 is massive - three floors worth! - so we spent a good few hours there. I didn't buy much, but I did pick up these beauts:

This top made me laugh and I grabbed it straight away because I am very particular with language. Bad spelling, bad grammar and comic sans font are all life's little annoyances.  I was an English teacher for a year so I can be excused right?! Although a small (the smallest size they do it in), this t-shirt is very over-sized... but it's such a comfy fit, I can turn a blind eye to that! It came as a set with these alphabet / typeface shorts which are good around-the-house-type-shorts. The sort of thing you can pull on if the postman rings the doorbell helluva early in the morning so you don't give him an eyeful!

This is me to a tee (pardon the pun!). I'm just not myself if I'm hungry... but I'm sure I'm not alone! :) This tee is actually part of a PJ set, however the shorts were missing on all of them for some reason. The shop couldn't find them either. In the end they gave me some money off of them because they obviously weren't a complete set! I don't mind though - I'm planning on using it as an everyday top anyway...

This top was one of the most expensive items I found that day... but for a mere £18, it's still nothing! The gold embroidery detail is gorgeous and - in my opinion - really calls for hair to tied up to show it off. I have a friend's birthday this weekend and think this'll look perfect with some heels and an up do.

Big love for this pyjama set with the tea cup shorts! I don't usually wear anything to bed - plus I'm a bit unsure of the colour pink - so I left these behind. I'd love a phone case or a purse in that print though!

Thanks for reading!

What I bought // ASOS

Needing more work appropriate attire, I was on the look-out for simple, classic, versatile pieces that would equally be acceptable for post-work drinks. I could have easily spent hours trailing the high street, but I knew of one website which always has exactly what I need. A website where "just a browse" turns into a guaranteed order every time. The website I am talking about is of course ASOS - an online shopping mecca. Discovering a 20% off discount code, this was something that couldn't have come at a better time!

ASOS pea coat   //   Mango shirt   //   ASOS mid heel sandals

ASOS organza top  //  ASOS Sugar Rush heels   //  ASOS Snap heels  //  River Island necklace  // Warehouse top

• As much as I love heels, our London office is too vast for me to survive 9-5 in them. These low and mid heels are a lot more practical, but at the same time I don't have to compromise on style!

• I have a new found love for blouses and shirts. I love how versatile they are as you can dress them up or down. I especially loved these lace organza type blouses as they'd look lovely layered with a simple dress. 

• I have been on the hunt for the perfect camel coloured coat for over a year now and I think I've finally found it! Camel coloured AND a pea coat... it ticks all the right boxes.

• Not traditionally a colour I would go for, but I couldn't resist this light pink / nude River Island necklace. It will really perk up a simple tee. Or add interest to a shirt collar.

If you wish to jump on the 20% off bandwagon, use the ASOS discount code ASOSGLAMOUR when you get to checkout. Hurry though, because this code expires on 9th September! If you do make any purchases, please tell all in the comments below - I'd love to know!

#3 Make your mark, Primark

Busy times in recent weeks meant I didn't have a chance to see one of my best friends around the time of my birthday. Long overdue a catch up, we went for food (pics and review coming in another post soon!) and then a spot of shopping along Oxford Street. I find Primark a bit like marmite - but I do like the London Tottenham Court Road store. It never disappoints...

I couldn't believe my eyes when I first laid my eyes on this necklace in Primark. Two questions I instantly asked myself were: 1) "how is this from Primark?!" and 2) "how is this only £5?!" An absolute bargain and will literally go with everything.

I know we're supposedly in summer right now, but as it's grey and raining constantly in London, I saw no harm in adding to my jumper collection. You ALWAYS need knitwear in London. I loved the embossed, textured print. The jumper itself has quite a baggy fit - so you may want to size down. Mine is a UK size 6 and is still very roomy.

I'll come straight out with it: I don't actually wear anything to bed (TMI), but I saw these and was drawn to the red and white shorts. I do worry now I've got them home as they look like short shorts - but I've gone a size up so they should be doable. I liked the embossed 3D effect of the popcorn on the top but fear that after a few goes in the washing machine, this may not have the longest life... I really loved this set as the whole cute-cartoon-food-with-a-face motif reminded me of the David & Goliath's tees, but at a fraction of the price. You just can't go wrong with £5 pyjamas. These will be perfect for my travels later this month and in July.

There are times where I really surprise myself. This was one of those times. Heaven knows why I was drawn to this particular sweater. Maybe it's the nostalgia of having loved this show back when I was little. Which then developed into a horse phase where I started horse riding lessons and spent every weekend at the stables. I guess it just brings back happy memories.

I needed a pashmina for a wedding I went to recently and this scarf I found in Primark was amazing value for money. You can easily spend up to £20 for such an item in a department store - but guess how much I paid? £3. Yes, you heard correctly. £3. It was a bit creased but a quick iron soon fixed that. There's a generous amount of material there - so it also makes a perfect scarf on early morning commutes and can be draped around me as a shawl at work when the air con gets a little much. Which is often.

I have holidays booked later this month and in July and am starting to look around for some summer pieces. When I saw this playsuit, I thought it would be perfect to wear poolside or for a day at the beach. The vertical stripes are really flattering and although it is yet ANOTHER monochrome addition to my wardrobe, at least there's some gold sparkle on it for good measure.

Have you found anything nice in Primark lately?

#2 Make your mark, Primark

I don't know about you, but for me Primark is a bit of a mixed bag. Yes, you can get a lot for your buck, but it's usually so busy, my instinct is to get out of there as quickly as possible. And sometimes the quality can be questionable. Remember these studded boots? The whole underside of one of the shoes just fell off one day. With quality concerns and a potential stressful shopping experience ahead of me, I often lack the incentive to pop into my local. Usually when I go it's because I've seen a nice item featured in a magazine / on YouTube / on a blog. But when you go into your local, do you spot any of the items mentioned in that YouTube video? No. And if they do, they won't have your size. Or anything on the smaller end of the sizing spectrum.

The other day I popped into my local with some friends and I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't as crazy hectic as I remembered, and I managed to get lots of lovely bits and pieces for a gift basket that I've been putting together for a friend.

I have always found Primark's candles a little iffy. Sickly sweet and just a generic candle sort of smell. This time round I was really impressed with their candles  - they've really upped their game. A good mix of church pillar style candles, tea lights and candles in jars. The ones in jars are really presentable and look far more expensive than £2 (well, to me anyway!). I picked one up for my friend's gift basket and couldn't resist picking up a couple for myself too!

The citrus and ginger is my favourite. It's really fresh and perfect for spring / summer. 

The berries and orchid candle is a close contender but is more "perfumed" rather than fruity. 

Primark isn't somewhere I really go looking for lingerie  - unless I'm stocking up on basics - but this time I was pleasantly surprised:

I love the dusky mauve colouring, the silky front panels and the polka dot details.

My favourite find was this black and white check dress for a mere £10:

I have yet to try it on. Hopefully it won't come up too short on me (long limbs mean I'm a nightmare to buy jumpers and dresses for!) I also picked up a couple of rolls of wrapping paper because they satisfied my love of everything that is French

At just £1 a roll, I may be going back for more! I love the miniature Eiffel towers, French phrases and the whole "carte postale" style they've gone for.

Have you found anything nice in Primark lately?

Petit à petit / The bargain Whistles sweatshirt lookalike

The other weekend was one of those relaxed weekends with no set plan, where anything goes. A trip into town turned into a walk along Bond Street in the sunshine, popping into the occasional shop, and finishing up with a spot of lunch on Canarby Street.

Walking through Soho, I came across Joy, a store I always pass when I'm en route to a lunch with work. With its enticing window displays, it's always been somewhere I mean to visit, but it always slips my mind. Finding it that sunny Saturday afternoon where I had all the time in the world to browse at my leisure... amazing. My top pick? This grey sweatshirt which gives the coveted Whistles comme ci comme ça sweatshirt a run for its money.

Joy sweatshirt - £35.00

With the Whistles French slogan sweaters retailing in the £75 region, the pricing of this sweatshirt from Joy sat more comfortably with me, and if you pardon the pun, made me jump for joy (sorry). I found my usual size a little on the cropped side, so if you like your sweaters baggy, then I suggest you go up a dress size or two for a looser fit.

T-shirt - £24.00

I probably didn't need the t-shirt version too, but it is by far the comfiest t-shirt I own. Amazingly soft material and the perfect grey colour. I mostly wear mine to yoga as "petit à petit" is very apt for certain yoga positions!

Afterwards we found the cutest little sweetshop and I relived my youth by finding my absolute favourite - chocolate covered honeycomb. Crunchie bars just aren't a patch on traditional, irregular sized nuggets of honeycomb!

What have you been up to lately?

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!

The NEXT big thing

At work the other day I read an article written by one of our journalists about how the British High Street fared over the festive period. I don't know if you've noticed, but more and more retailers are starting their sales on the lead up to Christmas ahead of Boxing Day. However Next held off until the New Year - a strategy which paid off and as a result, they came out on top. Reportedly their sales were up 7.7 per cent and their online sales, up 21 per cent over the festive period. But having seen their key trends Christmas catwalk, this does not surprise me in the slightest as they had such a strong A/W campaign. Right before Christmas I popped into my local store and found the perfect winter warmers:

NEXT soft to the touch cream jumper

NEXT jumper styled with Boohoo necklace and Zara coat

This cream furry jumper is something a little bit different to the fluffy eyelash sweaters which seem to be everywhere at the moment. Plus I find some of those knits really itch and irritate my skin. White / cream personally isn't one of the most flattering colours on me, but when I touched the material in-store, I fell in love. Softest material ever. I got in my usual size - 8 - but it's a little over-sized so I probably should've gone smaller. It's over-sized, comfy and long line so you can even wear with leggings. It's been perfect for layering with on long commutes and for trips to the cinema where I always feel a bit nippy.

NEXT faux fur collar cardigan

NEXT cardigan styled with Zara coat

The faux fur trim cardigan is similar to one I saw in Topshop once and is nice and cosy layered under my khaki Zara miltary coat. I wore it to Clothes Show Live here and it kept me nice and snuggly when I was coming home from Birmingham and waiting outside in the cold for a very delayed train. Whenever I wear it I feel like a Game of Thrones extra. WINTER IS COMING

I've been really impressed with both items so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for what Next has to offer in the coming year!

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.

Front Row, models, and tiny speedos at Clothes Show Live

The above title pretty much sums up my visit to Clothes Show Live last week. I went on the Monday so it was nearing the end of the overall event. It was the perfect time to go as prices were starting to be slashed. In particular, goody bags filled with the likes of Company, Cosmopolitan, x2 editions of Elle and some lovely little freebies were going for £2 a bag. Yes you read that correctly. £2 per bag. Considering Elle retails at £4 an issue, this was an amazing saving.

The beauty hall in particular is well worth a visit if you go. Brands such as Barry M, Models Own and Mint were offering the most incredible deals. Models Own for example offered a bag of treats worth a staggering 60 odd quid for just a tenner. This contained a nail care kit, lip balm, make-up, nail art pen, mirror, their official Clothes Show Live nail polish - an absolute dream of a shade - choice of two magazines and three additional nail polishes of your choice. Bearing in mind how much Models Own nail polishes retail for EACH, unsurprisingly most people jumped on this offer.

For me, the highlight of the show was the main catwalk show. Hosted by Henry Holland, it was a 45 minute spectacle of fashion, dance and amazing music. I very luckily managed to reserve front row seats in advance so had a very nice view of the male models ;) See if you can spot Jade, former winner of BNTM and face of Clothes Show Live this year:

There were also various other catwalk shows that day. Although I'm not really into reality TV, I do love America's Next Top Model and Britain's Next Top Model. So I was very excited to learn that the BNTM girls from the latest cycle were doing their own catwork show:

All in all it was an amazing day. A long day, but worth it. My shoulders still ache from carrying everything back to London:

It's a great place to pick up presents so next year I plan to do some of my Christmas shopping there!

Have you ever been to Clothes Show Live?