AskHerFriends...go on, you know you want to!

So lovelies, as promised I'm baaaack! Apologies for the absence of posts, I've had 10,000 words to write this term and it's been hell! I've had to cut back on blog posts, something every blogger hates to do, but sometimes uni work has to come first.

So, back to this post, I thought I'd share an amazing new website with you. AskHerFriends  is a fabulous new concept developed to help the men in your life find gifts and presents for any occasion. From grandmas to girlfriends, AskHerFriends works with a number of brands including Glossybox, Selfridges and John Lewis to provide users with a huge selection of gifts, ranging from high street faves to unique online pieces.

So what's the difference to any other online store you say? Well AskHerFriends has created a quick and easy questionnaire, which includes options which range from outfit choices, to weekend activities, making it easy for your fella to choose answers which relate to you, assessing you as a person, rather than forcing them to choose from hundreds of different gifts. After answering these q's, AskHerFriends collates the info and produces a list of a number of top options.

From here, your guy chooses whether to create a list of the top three items or the top ten and this can be sent to your friends on Facebook either privately or via you, although your list will still remain a secret! Your friends can vote on the item you'd most prefer and then your spouse, son or other half can buy the product through the site!

I actually tried this out for myself, looking for presents for my mum; she has a fabulous figure and never picks out on chocolate, she is difficult to buy for clothes-wise and I've bought her all the different cookery implements/jewellery under the sun! I popped her details into the site and found an amazing deal for yearly magazine subscriptions. I opted for a year of Delicious Magazine and I'm sure she'll be delighted on Christmas Day!

The lovely people at AskHerFriends also sent me through one their amazing items after running my details through their 6-point questionnaire (scary I know!) I received a gorgeous hand painted leather purse earlier this week and I was over the moon! The quality of the piece is amazing and it's so unique, I love the fact I wouldn't find anything like this purse on the high street. Moreover, on arrival it was festively-wrapped, saving you the hassle of waiting anxiously for items to reach you to be gift-wrapped!

All in all, AskHerFriends is a brilliant and imaginative concept which is so useful for so many. Although it's targeted at men or partners, helping them ease the strain of gift-buying for the women in their lives, I've become a little bit addicted to it, searching out unusual presents for friends. It puts the fun and personal service, which you expect when you visit the shops, into online shopping and I couldn't recommend it more!

Check out AskHerFriends at: http://www.askherfriends.com

Hope you're enjoying the run-up to Christmas, now I've finished uni, I've got some exciting stuff coming up so I'll keep you updated!

Lots of love

Guest Post on Christmas shopping!

This week the lovely Brooke Samsonite has written a fabulous guest post for me on the importance of finding the right outfit to shop in! Enjoy lovelies!

Brooke Samsonite (@brookesamsonite) is a twenty-something residing in Indianapolis who is inspired by Lifestyle & Entertainment, Home Décor /Home Improvement, Travel, and writing. Having only recently spread her always-fashionable wings and started freelance writing, Brooke loves to blog (over @ Belts & Bangles and Cooks & Travel Books) about her extensive experiences and offer valuable resources to inspire others. 

Choose the Perfect Outfit for a Stress-Free Holiday Shopping Experience

When gearing up for several hours of holiday shopping, worrying about which outfit to wear is probably the last thing you want to do. However, making the wrong clothing choices can turn a fun-filled shopping excursion into an exhausting, dreaded ordeal. Look your best—and stay comfortable—by following a few simple rules.

Avoid Looking Frumpy

You might be headed to the mall, but you don’t need to look like a slob. It’s tempting to throw on a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, but those choices can actually be counterproductive to your shopping mission. Consumers tend to make better purchasing decisions when they look and feel good. Wearing slouchy, sloppy attire will keep you from feeling your best and may reduce your effectiveness when shopping for the holidays.

Choose Comfortable Shoes

Many people underestimate the amount of time they'll spend holiday shopping. A shopping excursion can easily stretch to a few hours or even the whole day. Although your new cute heels might make a serious fashion statement, your feet will start aching after just a few minutes. Stick to footwear that cushions your soles and provides the support your insoles need. Flat, knee-high riding boots are a great choice, as are a pair of simple ballet flats.

Relaxed Clothing Choices Will Set You At Ease

Although you want to avoid sloppy attire, wearing comfortable clothes to a shopping excursion is a must. If you plan to shop for clothing for yourself, choose an outfit that's easy to take on and off. A casual sweaterdress paired with leggings and boots is on-trend but unfussy. Alternatively, consider jeggings with a relaxed-fit light sweater for a chic but casual statement.

Accessorize to Prevent a Yawn-Inducing Outfit

An easy way to keep your shopping attire from looking too boring is to add fun accessories. A few small pieces won’t detract from your comfort, and they can add some spirit to an otherwise practical outfit. Putting on a chic headband instantly makes you look more polished, while a studded metal bracelet lends a rock ‘n roll edge. To make yourself look put-together, grab a purse that complements the rest of your outfit.

Layer, Layer, Layer

There's nothing worse than getting to the mall for hours of shopping only to realize you’ll soon be sweating bullets in your wool sweater. Layering ensures that you can control your comfort if the mall is too hot or too cold. Pair a ruffled tank top with a colorful cardigan and boyfriend jeans. Adding a scarf allows you to look fashion-forward while staying warm in a chilly mall.

Choosing the wrong clothes to wear to the mall can quickly derail your holiday shopping experience. By sticking to relaxed clothing with practical shoes, you'll maintain the comfort and stamina you need to shop for hours. Figuring out your outfit leaves you free to focus on more important things at hand—such as finding the perfect set of monogrammed kitchen towels for your grandma!

Image from:  http://www.sheknows.com/shopping/articles/977659/can-all-body-types-wear-leggings

Birthday Wishlist!

L-R:
 Dixi Jewellery Mia twisted rainbow stacking rings £6.00// Timex Watch (sold by Next) £55// The Vintage Set Camo jacket £25.00// Glamorous UK black organza sheer dotty blouse £22.99// H&M Dalmatian-print trousers £9.99// MotelRocks Zena Bodycon mini £35.00// Daisy Does Jewellery gold crystal bracelet £15.00// MAC Lipstick in Russian Red £14.00// Dixi Jewellery Kisa Sunshine Druzy Ring £15.00 

So on September 4th I'm gonna be the big 2-0 (I mean twenty) which is pretty scary let me tell you. I still get asked for I.D when I buy lottery tickets, never mind booze (FYI, in the U.K you have to be 16 to  have a little gamble on the national lottery, so it's pretty embarrassing that I really don't look my age!)

Anyway, scary numbers aside, I thought I'd compile a wishlist and, having recently joined twitter, I'm being followed by all sorts of lovely websites which I've found some amazing stuff on. Seriously, before heading to the same shops, have a quick look on these websites and I guarantee you'll find some unique and exciting buys.

The sites I've listed here are: 

www.shopdixi.com

www.next.co.uk

www.thevintageset.com

www.glamorousuk.com

www.hm.com

www.motelrocks.com

www.daisydoes.net

www.maccosmetics.co.uk

So if I end up with any of these little beauties on my big day, I will be one happy bunny. If you're looking for presents, or just a little treat for yourself, check these sites out here.

Happy Wednesday!

Sports Luxe

Top: Papaya, Disco Pants: Glamorous, Rucksack: Charity shop, Shoes: Matalan, Jewellery: vintage & thrifted

So I was stuck for what to wear for lunch with my friend, so ummed and ahhed for a good hour. Finally, I decided I'd style something around this leather rucksack I picked up in a charity shop for £5. I threw on this papaya dipped hem top which was actually a top my aunty decided she didn't want! 

I popped my disco pants from GlamorousUK and rolled up the bottoms to make them look a little more elegant with flats and teamed them with my good ole' black flats (I really need some new black shoes - any ideas?) 

In short, pretty simple outfit which probably cost me less than 40 quid, not bad eh?

But shock horror! Last night while I was gawping at the Olympic closing ceremony (Kate Moss and the supers looked AMAZING) I accidently drew on myself with permanent marker pen...

Yeah you're probably asking why at 19 (nearly 20) I still have problems holding a pen. I'm sorry but I've got no excuse, I'm just that clumsy. So unfortunately the top is now RUINED (sad face), so I'm gonna probably do a D.I.Y next week sometime. I was thinking dipped hem style, so any tips or ideas from you guys would be really appreciated! 

Hope you all have a great week!

Another sunny day

Top: Levi Jeans, Skirt: Next, Necklace: charity shop, Shoes: Converse, rings and bracelets: thrifted

I can't believe it, two days in a row its been sunny. By sunny I don't just mean a little-light-from-behind-the-clouds-and-braving-it-in-skinnes-and-a-scarf. I mean proper holiday-style sunny. To put it simply, it's been 25 degrees where I am and for England that is impressive.

While it was still cool this morning, my mum and I decided a trip to the charity shops was in order and, although I've had a huge wardrobe clearout, I REALLY couldn't resist a look.

I actually did pretty well, picking up a load of bargains all for the grand total of a tenner. I managed to find a brand new H&M animal print bikini, a Levis tshirt, a multi-coloured Breton top and a statement necklace.

I thought I'd pop on the tshirt and the necklace and show you some of my lovely buys along with a casual way to wear jewellery like this. I think it really makes the outfit (apologies for how casual I look, but on a hot day like today when you're sunbathing anything more is too much!)

Enjoy your day!

Fashion bites back - Recession-busting tips for clothing addicts

Yes, I know times are tough. As a student, I always find myself reaching for my beloved student discount card (the holy grail for girls between 16-22) but recently I've been thinking that a little piece of plastic can't really be the only option for the fashion obsessed.

I thought I'd start online and try to find some little gems so that my readers can actually use the info I supply and make some savings, whilst supporting fantastic sites. Basically, this means I'm avoiding golden oldies like Ebay because, frankly, everyone knows about it and understands that it's a great place to find fashionable bargains - all you have to do is search! So here are my favourite five websites for online shopping!

1. PRETAPORTOELLO.COM: This is one of my favourite online shopping sites. It's basically set up as a virtual version of Portobello market, so if you're not lucky enough to live in London you can still pick up some great items. The site has loads of "stalls" to visit which means you really wont be caught wearing the same things as friends, even if you all shop on the site. My little fave which is a recent add to the site is the "Haggle option." This basically means sellers can decide whether they're open to accept lower offers on items, meaning that you can be cheeky and offer less, letting you bag an even cheaper bargain!

2. REVIVAL VINTAGE: This is a great little site my friends and I browse regularly. Based in Huddersfield, this vintage shop sells loads of one-off pieces online. Unlike some vintage sites, items are relatively cheap and they also have a £5 vintage bargain area of the site where you can pick up some fantastic bits and bobs. I love a good vintage website which prices its stock fairly, so I definitely recommend you give it a visit.

3. THE THRIFT SHOP: Another really cool vintage site which is based in London. The site is fantastic because it's a no nonsense approach to vintage clothing. The site offers any address in the UK free delivery and free returns, so buying from them is totally easy. Clothing is reasonably priced and is really beautiful. A lovely vintage site to browse during your lunch break.

4. FASHION VOUCHERS: I normally hate voucher sites. From my experience, you do a quick Google search, find a link which promises you the world, then once clicked, you get plagued with adverts and chain mail etc. Fashion Vouchers is completely different and I have to admit, it's become a bit of a guilty secret for me. It's so simple to use, you search for a store or brand, find the voucher code you want, click on the 'reveal code' link and it directs you to the site and gives you the code. Allll for freeee! Quick, simple and saves you pounds. Be careful, you may find you buy even more because of this!

5. ETSY: A firm fave with me and my friends, Etsy is set up to work in the same way as Ebay, but attracts more permanent sellers with original designs and quirky items. You can shop for products from across the globe, but you're also able to limit purchases to within the UK if you're nervous of buying from further afield. The site is also linked to users' blogs, so you can learn more about sellers and their products before you buy. Everything is reasonably priced and you'll always find unique items to buy, it's another great site which really doesn't get promoted enough.

Do you know any great sites to visit when shopping online?

Here comes the sun

Yes, the first glimmer of sunshine and I've got my legs out. I do apologise, but this type of weather really doesn't last for long in the U.K.

Kept it simple today, white tshirt, spotty shorts (c.o. Primark), a hat I was given by a relative and some  SuperGa-esque shoes I bought in the charity shop for £2.

I guess they could be mistaken for being a little granny-ish, but I usually pair them with charcoal skinnies and some clashing top which livens them up a bit... and ultimately, granny-chic isn't half bad! 

Enjoy the sun! 

Montezuma summer

The Aztec trend has been really big throughout spring and summer and I can't tell you how much I love it. The bold colours and geometric patterns are really versatile, suit practically everyone and inspire so many designers to go big, bold and bright on the catwalk.

These designs then land in the hands of high street designers, who create beautiful, bright, eccentric outfits which allow every girl to stand out in a crowd.

So after having a huge wardrobe clear out the other day (I have bin bags filled with gorgeous clothes, which I will never wear!) I rediscovered this punchy scarf that I bought from Pop Boutique, Manchester about two years ago!

The colours are fantastic and really make my little scarf a statement piece. The clashing dark purple, pink and blue surround splashes of mustard yellow, allowing me to wear a little of my colour Kryptonite (believe me, when you have a weird-ass complexion like me, mustard yellow is your enemy)  which has been on the fashion radar for around three years (I have suffered, I know!).

So I'll hopefully be pairing this little beauty with a plain tee and my leather rucksack or add clashing prints for a more tribal look.

Have you found any fantastic accessories which channel the current trends by rooting in your wardrobe?

Oxblood: Colour of the season

Built on ASOS Fashion Finder. For product information visit:

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All products from ASOS

Neon Dreams

As you can probably tell by now my style is somewhat reserved (colour-wise), my outfits do consist of a lot of grey, blue or black and I must admit it's been a while since I decided to try pink.

However, shopping in Chester yesterday, I came across this absolute bargain in a small independent shop, that will complement the current neon trend while still having elements of the current sports luxe look. This gorgeous wolf top looks quirky yet cute and is perfect with denim cut-offs or black skinneys and heels.

The bright colour of this piece will also take me through to summer. Add some chains, or spiked jewellery to give this piece a tough edge, you'll have an outfit that looks like it's come straight from House of Holland, all for £8.00!

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!

First Row - Left to Right
Net-A-Porter, Boohoo, Bag-a-boot Ebay,
Second Row - Left to Right
Shu-Crazy 4 Women's Shoes and Boots, River Island,Miss Selfridge,
Third Row - Left to Right
Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Mango

Shoes glorious shoes!

I'm not really a shoe person, whenever I buy a pair I adore, they rub, they're too tight, they're too high, too low, too everything. Handbags are my true love, however when I popped into Urban Outfitters this spring I HAD to have these shoes. Our eyes met across the crowded shop floor and it's been love ever since! Now I know what you're thinking...Deena & Ozzy shoes - must've been pricey. Well, that's where you're wrong, not only do Urban Outfitters produce the most beautiful shoes, they're also not badly priced for quality footwear.

These boots are no exception, their suede edging and gold zips ooze glamour with a rock edge - I was singing Bowie for days after I bought these little beauties!

These gorgeous boots will take me from spring onwards, adding a tomboy edge to the pastel dresses and 1920's chic that covered the catwalk this season. For a tougher take on the Chanel's 2012 Spring catwalk, team your boots with a leather jacket and a multi chain necklace to create an outfit suitable for any occasion.


The moral of the story is that If you're normally a shoe-a-phobe like me, look for basic season staples that will take you from season to season!

  www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk