I bought some bits...

Dress: H&M// Shoes: Nike//Shirt: Adidas

It's been five months since I updated this blog and I have to admit that time has truly flown. The dissertation I was researching in November has now been written, and all that's left is a month of exams before my University days are over. I was always incredibly cynical about Uni, with older friends and adults always promising me, with a nostalgic twinkle in their eye, that it would be 'the best years of my life.' So it's over. My three years of gluttonous self-discovery and selfish academic study are at an end. So that's it? That's as good as life gets? Don't get me wrong, Uni has been incredible and definitely the best years of my life SO FAR. Does this mean that any happy encounter that happens after I leave the bubble of student life behind just won't compare? I'm sure a lazy Sunday by the river with a cold lager and close friends is as good at 31 as it is at 21.

I'm hoping that this big change will bring new experiences and opportunities, the first of these being my new job which I start mid-July. I'm going into advertising dahling. Yep, suited and booted, I shall be part of the mad, Mad Men style Marketing, PR and Advertising realm. 'You've sold your soul to the corporate giants!' one of my particularly eccentric friends proclaimed. No, these days the industry is young, vibrant and friendly. Jeans and silk shirts have replaced power suits, 'fun' is a buzzword and 'creatives' are actually allowed to be creative. I'll be working in Manchester, which is exciting and although initially I'll be commuting from Cheshire, I keep telling myself that eventually I'll fly the nest and settle in a flat near the Northern Quarter, so I can pop into North Tea Power for a Masala Chai on my way into work.

So that's me and what's changed in the last few months. Again, I'm sorry for leaving you so long, but sometimes work really has to come first. I also can't promise that I'll be around for long this term, with exams on the horizon it's difficult to find the time to blog. However, I do promise that once Uni is finished, I'll be back with regular posts and better quality pictures (I hope) so do tag along for the ride.

Fashion-wise, there's been a lot of changes and, after a friend of mine suggested that my wardrobe was a mix of black, black and more black, I'm making a conscious effort to wear more colour.

Starting tomorrow. Unfortunately, ignoring that nagging voice in the back of my mind, I invested in some more navy/monochrome pieces to add to the racks, rails and shelves housing the rest of my navy/monochrome wardrobe. Let's start with the shoes. I needed new trainers for netball and these beauties from Nike were versatile enough to wear on and off the pitch. They're the 2.0 running shoes and they are so light that one day I'm sure they'll float away. Having flat feet means that it's hard to find comfy shoes, but since buying my Nike's in early March, I've not had them off my feet. Teamed with jeans for a denim on denim look, or with leggings and a graphic tee, they are definitely my wardrobe's new best friend.

The gorgeous cut-out dress was a £5 bargain from H&M in their glorious sale. The material is non-crease which makes it easy to wear and wash and the skater-style skirt and low cut top is flattering on any figure. Maybe a little too short for even the hottest summer day, but paired with an over-sized shirt and some trainers, I'm sure it'll be just fine for July.

Although it's brand new, the shirt is a charity shop bargain costing me a measly £3. I am a sucker for vintage styles and Adidas' re-launch of their Stan Smiths has put the brand back on the fashion map. The v-neck and flattering cut of this t-shirt means I'll be wearing it on campus all season through.

And we'll remain connected as you're reading out loud

Dress: H&M (S/S12)//Shoes: Urban Outfitters//Necklace & Bangles: vintage/Belt: vintage

I'm not a fan of maxi dresses. There I said it. I know this confession is some sort of blasphemy in our maxi-mad world, but being quite tall, not being a lithe CK model and not being the owner of a fabulous 'rack' I have to admit that they don't look great on me. This one has been sat in my wardrobe for many a moon, becoming a sort of dust sheet or protective cover for my other clothes. I've been avoiding it for so long, but unfortunately this ridiculously hot weather means that my normal summer staples have been worn and worn, so in desperation I've turned to this. 

I know the look isn't something you'd throw on for the shops, but for drinks or dinner in the evening I have to say it's not as horrible as I envisaged. I couldn't cope with the fabric hanging loose, I'm quite curvy so the belt helps to accentuate my best bit and hide my tummy (the lack of exercise I've had this summer is frankly disgusting; slobbing out in the sun with a beer so much more appealing than a jog!) and these gorgeous heels (Urban Outfitters sale £30 quid - bargain!) help posture-wise, leaving me laughing in the face of the humble control pants (celebratory chocs and wine time).

My accessories are all vintage finds and the belt has been stolen from mum (got to the love free vintage goodies from the parents!) 

I'm currently up in Leicester for the start of my two week work placement with Next HQ - wish me luck!

Refined psychedelia

Dress: Rare (GetTheLabel)*// Shoes: New Look// Bag: h&m// Fur Stole: Accessorize

Exams are over! I am so relieved that they're all done and dusted, but so sad that second year is coming to an end. I've been living in my student house since October and it honestly feels like ten minutes. After this year I can truly understand why people look back on student life wistfully, I don't think I ever want to leave! 

Anyhoo, as I mentioned in my last post, I was invited along to the Get The Label blogger party last month, the event was such a success and, as well as meeting some lovely new bloggers, Get The Label offered to send me a few of their new season pieces to review. I was immediately drawn to this gorgeous lace shift dress from Rare. I've been dying to find the perfect little black dress for summer - all of my current ones are body con and too hot for a night out in June! The dress is such good quality and comes with a brown belt which you can pop on for a look more suitable to daytime. 

I thought for a treat I'd get dressed up and paired it with my lovely 60's wedges from New Look, which I'm a little bit in love with, and this gorgeous oil-slick style envelope clutch from h&m which I snapped up in the sale over Easter. With all the sunshine we've been having, my fur collar is a tad unnecessary, but I finally got to see Gatsby on Friday night so I thought I'd add a little glamour to the look! (I think sans collar would more suitable for a student night in Lancaster, it's a little more MIC than LA1!) 

Over the next few weeks I'll be popping up some more Get The Label posts as well as my usual thrifed styles. Although a few of the pieces have been sent to me for review I have to admit I've become a little addicted to the Get The Label site due to its very affordable collections, so I've made a couple of purchases of my very own too!

TTFN