My Excuse Is That I'm Young

27 October 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
There's always that one item of clothing that you just cannot get rid of. There's not one element in the entire world that can demolish this specific bond and it has been your go-to look for at least a year now. That's exactly how I feel about today's dress. I'm absolutely crazy about it and I'm so excited for Autumn as the deep berry or maroon colour is ideal for this season. I've also been loving prints so the dark aztec print on the dress is ideal. This season has introduced a lot more coats and jackets which means I get to layer underneath to keep warm. There are so many different styles of cover-ups, the list is endless, but today I have chosen this khaki green coat with a faux fur collar to go with my look. I think the berry-like colour and the very dark green blend together really well and are two excellent colours for Autumn. I have also chosen matching accessories, as I wanted most of the focus to be on the clothing. This rustic rucksack is a new favourite of mine, it's denim but really light and pairs well with plenty of items in my wardrobe. Similarly, my boots, which are always a favourite of mine, are versatile as they pair with skirts and dresses as well as trousers or jeans. They're faux leather - making them waterproof and affordable!
 Dress - Topshop // Coat - Next // Boots - Brantano // Scarf (snood) - Primark // Bag - TK Maxx

i am as vain as i allow

26 October 2014

Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
I am as vain as i allow
I am crazy about this wishlist, I just want every single item! To begin, we must discuss this Mango Plaid Dress. It's still in stock in a few sizes at only £24.49 at John Lewis and I think it's the perfect autumn dress. The classic plaid print is all over the high street this season so this 100% cotton mini can only be considered an essential. Not only are the colour excellent for this time of year, but they're also very versatile as there's quite a variety - so you can pair the dress with plenty of other items, including different coloured tights. I have a soft spot for Rag & Bone, the clothes there are always on trend and stylish for each occasion. So over this dress, I chose a modern Charlize Cashmere and Wool-Blend Cardigan available at Net-A-Porter that's not intimating and very wearable for everyone. This super soft cover-up is a little pricey, but the mid-weight style (which is ideal for layering) and high quality make up for it. I chose a darker colour to go with the plaid dress as I wanted the dress to remain the centre of the look and though the grey tied in really well with the autumnal theme.
The Sac De Jour tote from Saint Laurent (other colours) has been a favourite of mine for a while. Although this berry colour is sold out, I had to include it in my wishlist because it pairs perfectly with the rest of the items in the set. I think this bag is an item that really compliments everything, as the shape is so simple and timeless, it can't possibly clash. Another accessory that never clashes are black chelsea boots. The Ganni Fiona Chelsea Boots are a pair I came across while online shopping and though would slot perfectly into this set. The classic boot comes with a chunky heel for an extra bit of high and adds a touch of elegance to the overall look. To view the rest of the items in this wishlist, just click the set!

The Townie

25 October 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Today I'm heading into the town centre just so I can shop in one of my very favourite stores: TK Maxx. Although the Leeds store is bigger, I much prefer the Bradford store as it's not as chaotic. A few years ago I would never really go into TK Maxx because I was so focused on popular brand names rather than just shopping for the best of fashion, however, I have really learnt to appreciate this store. Not only do I love the one-of-a-kind piece I often find in there, I like that there's always big brands for the best prices. TK Maxx also sells books and furniture so I could even live in there. Of course there are plenty of department retail stores that I love, but TK is the closest one to where I live. As soon as I walk into the store, the first place I divert towards is the bags section, closely followed by the shoes section. Both my bag and jumper were bought in TK Maxx over the past year and I'm still obsessed with them. I've found that my cosy knit jumper really easily pairs with plenty of other items. For example, today I'm wearing my favourite super skinny jeans from Topshop. The deep navy colour contrasts well with the light grey colour of my jumper to create a totally casual look.
Jumper - TK Maxx // Jeans - Topshop // Shoes - Brantano // Bag - TK Maxx

Heavy As a Feather

23 October 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
No weight, no worry. Today's look is super casual for me as I'm having a shopping-only day after a work-filled one yesterday. And as I'll be travelling quite a lot, I want to stay warm; I really need the perfect coat to wear that isn't too much of a burden. There are some coats that are just a bit of a faff to wear and too much to deal with. The last thing I want is to be reaching up to grab a book from the top shelf in Waterstones and my coat lifts up, bringing my top with it - that' a no-no. I also don't want a jacket that's too long, if I do ever take it off, there's that small chance that it could trail on the floor if I don't carry it properly which is the exact opposite of what I want while shopping in Bradford city centre. A lot of jackets and coats I wear are also really heavy which is fine for a short day out, but I'll be window shopping all day so I don't want to be uncomfortable. A bad coat can dampen the whole day. Today's coat is very different. I still cannot believe how light it is for a well-insulated cover-up. It's incredibly thick, but not overbearing to wear; I also like the contrast in the faux fur collar colour and the colour of the outside of the jacket. With this almost black/white effect, I can wear it with simple colours and still stop my overall look from being too dull. But to add a splash of colour to my look, I'm wear my favourite knitted top from Next to keep me extra cosy. The amazing soft collar on my coat means there's no need for me to wear a scarf, so it's extremely practical for a shopping day.  
Top - Next // Coat - Matalan // Jeans - Topshop // Shoes - Next // Bag - market in Salou

Misery Business

22 October 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
 I have been missing summer quite a bit this week, I always say I prefer winter but that's because I like snow. Wind, hail and rain are a few elements I'm not too crazy about. I'm also convinced that the weather is affecting my mood. The rain does make me happy, for example; yesterday, I got caught in a downpour that felt more like a shower outside and I didn't hate it even though it was unbearably cold. The clouds do dampen things a little bit so I decided to brighten my mood by brightening my outfit. Summer is a great time of year for me as I can wear plenty of different bright summer colours that contrast but compliment my skin tone. Even though I occasionally resort to black, adding a touch of colour never hurts. Today I'm wearing a really basic skater dress that I had made to fit to play the centre piece for the whole look. The solid colour is enough for the whole ensemble so I chose to stick with black accessories. The dress has two pleats rather than a gathered elasticated waist. And of course, the dress contains jersey, my favourite dress fabric. This week I have also really missed my Converse. I don't wear them as often as I used to, but after spending the morning in these hi-tops my feet are very happy. Underestimating to comfort of quality shoes is something I'll never do again!
Dress - made for me // Jacket - Miss Selfridge // Shoes - Schuh // Bag - TK Maxx
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