Scotland calling...

Dress: River Island//Shoes: ebay// Cardigan: h&m (charity shop)// Fringe Bag: charity shop

Sophie looking very swish, I know that her cardigan is from Jack Wills but if you want to know where she got anything else, drop me a comment and I'll ask her! 

As those unlucky enough to follow me on Twitter know (due to the constant tweets about all things Scottish), last weekend my best friend Soph and I headed off to Edinburgh. We did the typical tourist trail, heading up to the beautiful castle and admiring the view from Arthur's seat, although I must admit, due to inappropriate outfits (ugg boots, converse and dresses) we didn't make it to the top!

We both fell in love with the city, there's such a buzz about the place and it's filled with quirky bars and restaurants. According to mother Nagaitis, it was voted the no.1. place to live if you're a young, sprightly thing, which explains a lot as I'm head over heels for the place.

Anyhow, I promised you an outfit post and the sun conveniently shone on Saturday morn so Soph and I headed to the gardens of the National Gallery to take a few photos.

I know I keep promising that I'll take some pics of high street stuff that I've bought and finally I've kinda delivered with this lovely River Island tapestry dress which was a mere £15 in the sale! I couldn't believe my luck with this bargain and the thick, quality material means that it's great for this colder-than-average April. Later on I'll be wearing it sans tights for dinner out and drinks in the garden. The bag is another relatively new purchase which I've fallen in love with. It's leather and I picked it up for a mere tenner from British Red Cross. It was perfect for Edinburgh and I've been using it ever since, I think the Mulberry's feeling left out!

More from me soon!

Keeping toasty!

Jumper: H&M (charity shop)// Skirt: River Island// Boots: Carvela// Coat: Dorothy Perkins (old)//
Bag: Mulberry// Necklace: ASOS

It was my last proper day at home on Saturday before uni starts again, so I thought I'd take some pics of what I wore, consids it was my first day in actual clothes, rather than pjs or the aptly named 'lounge-wear.'

Those of you who follow me on twitter will have seen me moaning about getting viral tonsillitis the minute I arrived back in the U.K, which meant I spent the last week of my hols in bed watching daytime TV. It was really dull and not something I want to repeat anytime soon, especially because I missed blogging.

Anyhoo, it was pretty nippy on Saturday when the parents and I ventured to Chester for an hour or two, so I popped on my newest charity shop purchase, this gorgeous cable-knit H&M jumper for the measly price of £4! Textures have been a pretty big deal this year, with the coolest kids mixing up textures rather than prints and styles, so I thought I'd have a go, teaming my jumper with my dip hem leather RI skirt.

My fur coat was perfect to wear on top - I find my parka is waaay to warm when you're moving from shop to shop, so this little fur number had an outing for a change and I was so made up with it that it's come back to uni with me!

Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas break and I'll be posting soon with a review of a fab little company, Nature's Health Box!

Purple Haze...

Jumper: Next// Jeans: Mango// Shoes: River Island// Bag: TK Maxx// Watch: Next//
Necklace: Topshop// Cuff: Chelsea Doll*

Hello lovelies, hope you're enjoying the Christmas break. Can you believe it's nearly 2013 already? Where did 2012 go?! Feeling slightly cheated as it passed in a blink of an eye! Anyhow, here's the latest outfit post for you, just something nice and simple for a casual dinner. 

I know you've seen this jumper before, but I cannot deny that it's become a staple of mine, studs are still in (thank theee lord) and burgundy will simply not budge on the fashion barometer so I'm still in safe territory! 

The jeans are new and, after their first outing, I think that I'm in love with them already. The two-toned thing to create a slimmer silhouette has been a big trend this year; I mean who can forget that amazing dress Kate Winslette wore, maximising her curves but taking inches off her waistline. Well, in short, that's what these trousers are trying to do, using black on the inside leg and thigh area to make your limbs look longer and model-like. For me, the attraction is the fit, the stretchier denim material used in black really holds you in and the sturdier grey coloured stuff fits neatly round the leg, meaning there's no chance of baggy knees! I normally find it really difficult to find jeans, being between a size 10 and 12 everything is either too baggy or a little too tight. However, these beauties are the perfect fit, something I wouldn't expect from Mango (their jeans are usually designed for models; I've had to turn up the bottoms on so many pairs in the past!) 

Bag-wise, this is an early Christmas present from mum, and it's so lovely. The colour, the material (although not leather, you couldn't tell!) and the gorgeous, heavy clasp at the front make it look very stylish and elegant. It's also big enough for necessities and even a book/folder or two!

The cuff I've blogged about before, but it's honestly become one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe, it's so simple yet so statement and it's something I wear for most nights out. However, the best thing is that I've not seen anything similar on the high street, so I'm still getting complimented on it a month or so after receiving it from Chelsea Doll! 

Anyhow, that's me dolls, hope you're all well!

I'm sure I'll get a Christmas post online after the big day, I'm already looking forward to the goodies I've got in my stocking!

Something a little wild...

Top: Missguided// Skirt: River Island// Shoes: New Look// Necklace: H&M//
 Handbag: Mango (charity shop)// Cuff: Chelsea Doll*

Yes, I realise it's been a long time since I've actually done an outfit post and believe me it's been playing on my mind. I put it down to having a ridiculous amount of uni work to do, so I've not been so creative with my clothing choices but also due to the lack of 'photographer' at uni (over summer I got used to the parents spending time taking photos for me!) 

However, I finally got round to buying a tripod so I could take my own pics and here's my first attempt! Not too bad I don't think! 

This is an outfit I'm planning to wear out later this week but each element has been worn separately before. I bought the top from Missguided a few weeks ago, but originally was not very pleased with it (it's VERY small) so I had to return it and get a Large which, as you can see, only just fits me. I always seem unlucky with purchases from Missguided although so many of my friends swear by them. 

I fell in love with this skirt last year and it's been a wardrobe staple for some time now. I'm so glad animal print is still being sported as it means I can get maximum wear out of this piece, only downside is that it looks a little questionable with tights! 

The cuff is one of my new fave pieces that I think I've mentioned in a previous post. Sent to me by the lovely folks at Chelsea Doll, it's something that I would've bought myself - a really versatile piece which works well with pretty much everything I wear.

Off to bed now, planning on writing two essays tomorrow! (eek!) Wish me luck!

Cinnamon sticks and candy canes...

Jumper: TK Maxx// Jacket: Jovonnista//Leggings: Store TwentyOne//
Bag: Vintage// Shoes: River Island

Yes lovelies, winter is upon us! I'm back in Lancaster for my second year of uni and let me tell you, it hasn't been half cold! I've brought a fair few jumpers with me this time (last year I was totally unprepared for the winter weather that hits the West coast - I'm nice and protected in Cheshire!) but when I stumbled upon this gorgeous knitted treat in Lanc's TK Maxx whilst shopping with friends, I couldn't resist a cheeky purchase pre freshers week! 

Although I found this jumper in the men's section, I have to stay it's a pretty feminine piece, with the berry detail and the grey marl coloured wool used for the neck and shoulder section! It's such a great piece teamed with leggings (and disco pants!) for lectures as it keeps you toasty warm (especially with my gorgeous Topshop parka on top) when outside and can be layered up and pulled off when in class. 

This look is a pretty simple one, with my trusty spiked ballet flats, black leggings and leather jacket, which I won in a Jovonnista, London comp a while back! I have to admit that the finished product isn't very adventurous, but it's something you can throw on when your stuck for outfit ideas and running late for the bus!

Again, the picture quality is terrible - I'm gonna have to get the boyf to pop round during the day and take some photos for me, so I can only apologise once more and blame the hectic first week of uni I've had (they really don't give you a break in second year!) 

Anyhow, off to watch Downton Abbey and paint my nails - cannot wait for a bit of 'me time.' Hope you all had wonderful weekends and hope you keep a lookout for an exciting post which I should have up by next week. 

TTFN (ta-ta for now)

She wore emeralds in her hair

Jumper: Vintage Monsoon//Skirt: River Island//Shoes: M&S (old)//Bag: Accessorize//
Cuff: ChelseaDoll// Necklace: ASOS

Sorry about the lack of posts recently, I've just moved into my student house (off campus! I'm a second year don't ya know!) So it's all been pretty hectic. If that's not enough, I was a Fresher's Rep for Lancaster's Freshers Week, so basically became a parent to about 10 freshers for the week. It was great fun and I made some lovely new friends, but by Wednesday I'd realised I couldn't hack the party lifestyle that first years lead *cough, cough*

Another apology for the quality of these photos, my new home hasn't got a garden, just a back entry which really isn't the place to take photos, so when my boyf popped round, I forced him to take some pics for me! The light isn't right and the images aren't amazingly clear, but I promise that they'll get better when I've found a decent photo spot.

Anyway, to the outfit. I've never been a fan of green, it's not really my colour and it's never been 'in' long enough to be a shade that I've considered investing in. This season and the next it's sure to be a winner. The return of the parka has led to green, in all it's different tones, gracing the catwalks. My fave shades have to be bottle green or the emerald variety, which will suit practically anyone and are winter-y enough to keep you safe from Summer's neon green looks.

I bought this top last year in a charity shop and I've been wearing it ever since. The elaborate pattern makes the piece bang on trend, mimicking the brocade-style outfits we've seen on the catwalk. I thought I'd pair the jumper with my trusty leather skirt from River Island which I've not had off! The dipped hem is so on trend, but the classic design means it'll stay in my wardrobe for years!

I dressed the look up with these heels and the gold cuff, but you could easily pair the pieces with boots, vans or flats, a messy updo, parka and tights for a off-duty winter look.

Hope you've all been keeping up with my Heart & Sole campaign, with my blogging gals, the last post is due to come out next week along with some other outfit posts. Keep a look out!

Love

Heart & Sole: Classic Heels Campaign, round 2

So ladies, you know the drill. Myself, Dayner, Lisette & Jo clubbed together to create some fantastic looks which don't include these impractical, sky-high heels which seem to have flooded the high street for the past few years.

Don't get me wrong, if you're a confident girl who loves the height and style of these shoes, that's brilliant - you probably wear them well. But for the rest of us who are either too tall for these giants of the shoe world, or those who simply can't walk in mahoosive heels.

Here's the next three looks for you to lust over!

This is my second outfit, featuring shoes from Aldo & clothes from Miss Selfridge:

Here's Jo from Eyes&EarsBlog's second look:

Here's Lisette's from LisetteLoves take on the Military trend:

Finally, here's Dayner, from Mozzypop's second look:

Hope you like the looks guys, the last instalment of this collaboration will go live next week - so keep your eyes open!

Have a great week!

Teddy Picker...

Top: Vintage Levi's//Skirt: River Island//Shoes: Vans/(from Schuh)/Necklace: Macouti//Armlet: Chelsea Doll//Snakeskin bag: vintage/thrifted.

Thought I'd show you all a few new items from my ever-expanding wardrobe. As a regular reader of Company Magazine I jumped for joy when I came across a 20% off voucher for River Island in the latest issue. I wasted no time in snapping up this gorgeous dipped hem leather skirt  for £28 (instead of £35!). Even at full price this skirt would've been a must for my wardrobe as it ticks three of A/W 2012's key trends - leather-look, dipped-hem designs and schoolgirl pleats. 

I've teamed this gorgeous skirt with my trusty new Vans, which cost £39 from Schuh thanks to my student discount and free delivery! Everyone's been wearing Vans and I honestly tried to resist the trend but eventually gave in after friends told me how comfortable and versatile their Vans were. So far I can't complain!

Accessories come from cute boutiques Chelsea Doll and Moutique (you'll find links in my photo caption!) and the handbag is a lovely little vintage find which I paid around two pounds for. This little beauty forms part of my collection of handbags - one day they will fall on me and I'll die from handbag suffocation! As, animal skin is 'hot right now' (Rita Ora-ing it!) I thought I'd add some interest with a smidgen of snake print courtesy of this bag. 

Talking of bags, have you checked out my givaway? If not, it's running til the 16th September and I'm giving away a beautiful vintage Suzy Smith bag! Have a gander - if you're a follower, you can enter! 

 http://www.hemlinesandholdups.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/50-follower-giveaway.html

Hope you're having a lovely week, I'm going back to uni in the next week or so and it's so stressful trying to get organised! I've got so much to do, but I'm still putting you lovely readers first so posts shalt continue!

 



101 Dalmatians

Top: Mango//Trousers: H&M//Bag: Vintage//Shoes: River Island

Hello lovelies! Hope you're all well and smiling! I've had a very busy, but productive few days - getting ready to return to uni for my second year is so exciting but also so much prep! Anyway, at the weekend I thought I'd reward myself with a few little treats - think I'm overexcited about my up-and-coming birthday (FYI 4th September, I'll be 20. *gasp*)

So I popped into H&M and snapped up these little beauties. I mentioned these gorgeous trousers in a previous post (click here to see!) and it got to the point where I was dreaming about them; in short I HAD to have them. Afterwards I thought I'd have a browse in River Island, giving me another opportunity to oggle their leather-sleeved coat which I'm lusting after, but instead I fell head-over-heels with these little beauties, black spiked loafers. 

One of my guy friends said they looked like "Lady GaGa shoes," but I was on such a new shoe high it didn't even dampen my spirits. They are officially my shoe of the season and River Island has not disappointed on the quality. The shoes are luxe inside, keeping my little peepers nice and cosy, however the spikes are sharp...I guess this could be both positive and negative, there's a slight chance they could accidentally spike you, or your friends, or anyone around you...but arguably, if you were being chased by a crazy psychopath, at least you'd have a weapon. 

Ah well, I love them and if you pop into River Island and try a pair, I'm sure you'll be as obsessed as me. 

Have a good week - I'm a busy bee once again, what with working and socialising, but I promise to get AT LEAST one other post in this week. Hopefully I'll have time to attempt a D.I.Y dip-dye at some point, so watch out for that.

Lotsa' love