Playing at adulthood...

Dress: Dress Mad// Shoes: Next// Handbag: Gucci// Jacket: Next// Necklace: vintage

It's my third week in the big smoke (Manchester) and I have to say I'm loving it. I've been leading a pretty sedentary life during my time off, (which accounts for the huge belly I'm currently sporting, ew) due to the 6am starts and 8pm finishes, although soon I'll be flat hunting, so my commute will be a little less wearing - thank goodness!. Being at home has given me the opportunity to see some lovely people I've not had the chance to catch up with, but I've been trying to take it easy and focus on work.

The lovely ladies at Dress Mad definitely brightened my day by sending me this gorgeous Amanda Holden-style dress. The quality is fantastic and it's a really nice alternative to shorter body-con numbers which I tend to live in. It's so easy to dress up with these dalmatian-print wedges and a vintage necklace, or brilliant for the office with a blazer and flats.

I'm not normally a fan of neutral pieces, but I'm surprised that that this gorgeous dress suits my yellow skin tone! Paired with some simple accessories it's the perfect, versatile piece. 

Dress Mad is a pretty new clothing site so I'd definitely check it out for some up-and-coming bargains before they hit the high street!

All things thrifted!

   

Top: thrifted// jeans: topshop//bag: thrifted//necklace: thrifted// shoes: menorcan sling back espadrilles  

So after my first week of work I took a well earned break in Wales with my folks. I love coming here all year through as it was my weekend home growing up. The autumn is my season here as the crowds have died down and the little seaside towns are peaceful once more. I'm definitely a tourist snob now, having spent my childhood here I dislike holidaymakers as much as the locals! However, you can't beat a bit of sunshine  in Wales, the landscape comes alive and you just feel so much happier with blue sky above your head.

Today I really want to write a post about thrifting. As some of you will know, I'm a staunch thrifter and spend a lot of my time rummaging in charity shops and hunting for bargains on ebay. I was recently introduced to a fantastic new app called Shpock by a friend who knows how much I love a good bargain. About a week after I started using the app, the lovely people at Shpock contacted me and asked me about my bargain hunting habits, so I thought I'd pop my answers in a post for you all to see. 

But first, a little bit about Shpock. I'm a sucker for car boots, but hate the faff of paying loads to pitch up on a rainy Sunday to search for bargains or try to sell your unwanted stuff. Don't get me wrong, they're great fun on a sunny day, but British weather normally let's us down and you get soggy. So ladies and gents, welcome Shpock to your phones. Already popular across Europe, Sphock is like a virtual car boot, you can buy items, make a lower offer on items and list stuff you want to get rid of. The best thing is that Shpock will only show you products which are a certain distance away from you, ie 10km. The postcode of the seller is listed which, considering you pick the items up, is handy. It's a great way of clearing out unwanted bits and bobs without paying postage! 

I've just started using Sphock and have already made a few pounds on some stuff I've sold. Just one piece of advice, remember that if you change your location, the goods listed will change with it! So make sure you know where a seller is based if you want to keep your eye on a product. 

Now, I thought I'd share this outfit with you because of the many thrifted items I've styled it with. It showcases how easy it is to get hold of bits and bobs from charity shops and online. 

My friends always ask me how I find such  gems in these places, so here are my top five tips for happy thrifting. 

1. Make a list - It's very difficult to browse in a place that resembles Aladdin's cave (same goes for ebay) so to make it easy, out together a list of items you're looking for. It could be a vintage necklace or even a crop top, this will help you limit what you search for online and in store. 

2. Set a price - I know it sounds tight, but thrifting can be an expensive hobby. It's great if you're getting a top for £3 instead of £10, but not so great if you then buy four tops at this price. Don't go overboard and you won't be out of pocket. 

3. Think outside the box - Okay, so everyone wants to hit the jackpot and find designer gems and believe me, you do. However some bits you're just not going to unearth for a reasonable price. For example, take a Burberry Mac in a size 12. You're looking at paying about 150 quid for a used one and ain't no sistah got time for that. So, buy a bigger size and get it tailored. My Burberry Mac plus tailor's costs was about 70 quid, it fits just right and it's practically new. 

4. Don't be a shop snob - You've got to be prepared to rummage or take a gamble on an unknown ebay seller. If you get fleeced, you'll know for next time who to avoid. 

5. Don't be a box filler - Take a risk, for a few quid you could look great in that 80s jacket. If it doesn't work out, so what? At least you're not another high street clone!

Find out a little more about Shpock here:  

https://shpock.com/en/ 

Ripped knees and Jungle themed

Top: New Look// Jeans: ASOS// Shoes: New Look// Necklace: Next (Photos c/o Mae Reddaway)

It was pretty dull outside the day these photos were taken, so I decided to try and brighten things up by wearing a couple of new purchases from New Look. I've always shopped in the store, but it's definitely become a firm favourite of late as New Look's collections become increasingly wearable and hit all the trends head on. As I've explained previously, I'm attempting to inject a little more colour into my wardrobe and this parrot print top has been a god send. The print, reminiscent of Moncler Gamme Rouge's SS14 collection brings a little joy to any wardrobe and the button down front makes this such an easy to wear piece. On my recent holiday I unbuttoned it and used it as a cami style cover up, on top of a plain navy blue vest top.

Whilst shopping, I couldn't resist these amazing shoes, I've always longed for a pair of white heels which I could actually walk in. Don't get me wrong, I'm a dab hand with heels, but being 5'8 I try not to tower over everyone in four inch monsters. These practical shoes are perfect for everyday and look sweet with dresses or jeans - I even tackled Lancaster cobbles in them (and won!)

The jeans are one of my favourite purchases of the moment. EVERYONE is wearing ripped knee jeans. Formerly the choice of stylists or the Olsen twins, since they landed in Toppers, ripped knees have become this season's trouser. I love the skintight look of the ripped knees on the high street, however they weren't the most versatile trew I've worn, so I was delighted to find these ASOS beauts on ebay for a cheeky ten quid.

Having not exercised for a while (Any Nantwich Netball teams around?) I really appreciate the high waisted style of these jeans and the mottled blue dye goes with pretty much everything. Although I'm a bit of a cheap skate when it comes to clothes, I'd have definitely purchased these at any price, I've worn and worn them already, making these beauts a bit of a bargain.

Back in Lancaster for graduation this week - more photos to follow!

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.

Trust your gut, it'll never lie like the others...

Coat: Warehouse//Dress (worn as top) c/o Bank Fashion*//Skirt: H&M//Shoes: New Look

Coat: vintage//Dress: c/o Bank Fashion*// Shoes: Topshop// Necklace: Next 

photos by Mae Reddaway

November has crept up on me this year. 2013 has flown by and honestly, I can't wait for 2014. A year of sadness and bad memories has to make way for bigger, better and brighter things. All I can do is apologize for my absence and blame third year studies on  my lack of blogging. I'm already working late into the night, hence my post right now, but unfortunately the pile of essays, readings and analyses is never ending. 

Anyhow, the lovely people at Bank fashion decided to surprise me with a couple of pieces from their new ranges to give my little blog a bit of a boost and to lift my mood - believe me it worked! These gorgeous new shift dresses have been a hit with all my friends and I've not had them off since I received them. The cut flatters every shape, the patterns are bang on trend and the quality is good. Easy to dress up or down (or even transform into a top as my first pictures show), these dresses have become a bit of a wardrobe staple for me. 

Prints are still a big tick on the trend[ometer this Autumn/Winter. To add a little interest to your outfits, move away from the typical burgundies, navies and reds we see at this time of year and add some punchy print to your look. I promise it'll brighten up your outfit and your mood! I'm always guilty of sticking to greys and blacks, but this season I've promised myself that I'll brighten up. A bolder, better, more confident version of myself, to go with my new outfit choices. It's my last year of uni and I'm determined to enjoy it, regardless of what's going on in my little world.

Yep so that's me, a paragraph of clothing reviews and cryptic messages after a month of silence, but if you've been a long time reader, what did you expect? 

All my love and the promise that more blog posts will appear very soon.

The Straw that Broke the Camel's Back

Shirt|: Brag Vintage//Jeans: Topshop//Shoes: New Look//Necklace: Vintage

Hello stranger. I've been away for so long, it's despicable really. My blog's been having a little trouble, so I've not been able to update it for ages. However, I'm back with a bang in this beautiful shirt. 

Yes, before you ask, it hasn't got camels on it, they're alpacas/llamas, but I still think it's worth a post. I've been very hesitant about vintage online shopping since I ordered something from a site and the item arrived looking like it'd been fished out of someone's bin. Online shopping is a risky business as anyone will know, ordering clothing which arrives in the wrong size/colour is the most disappointing thing. However, I thought I'd try the whole 'virtual thrift shop' thing again, man up and purchase something from one of the many sites out there. 

A friend recommended I take a look at Brag Vintage , one of the big boys in the online vintage business. Skeptical, but willing to give anything a go, I had a peep at their site and boy was I impressed. Most of the stock was under £20 (it's a real bugbear of mine when 'vintage' i.e. old clothes, are ridiculously priced. If it's designer then fair doos, but otherwise keep prices low and customers happy) and this shirt immediately caught my eye. Although it's C&A, the quality is pretty darn good, the pattern is very current (aztec chic I think!) and it looks pretty bloody cool with loafers and jeans. 

I took this beaut to Festival Number 6 and it was a really versatile piece for the weekend! 

Jeans-wise, these topshop lovelies have not been off my legs since I bought them. I'm a sucker for soft denim and these indigo high-waist beauties are perfect for A/W. 

The burgundy loafers are from New Look and, as well as being ridiculously comfy, they're pretty darn stylish. A steal at under £30, you should really bag yourselves a pair - they're dead ringers for some of the current Russel & Bromley offerings!

That's all for now, I promise I won't abandon you all for so long again! 

xxx  

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

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!

Oh I do like to be beside the sea...

Top: Mango//Jeans: Charity shop//Shoes: River Island// Necklace: Spanish market//
Bracelets: thrifted//Watch: Next.

I'm guessing by now that you've worked out the absence of posts (unlike me) is pretty unusual. Well, I was actually away over the Christmas period, sunning myself in Fuerteventura (lucky me!) Me and the fam always have a holiday abroad in December instead of doing the traditional British summer hol thing. My dad HATES cold weather, so I'm always the one rocking a tan at the wrong time of year!

Ours was a typical beachy holiday and this meant evenings out were tres casual, so I stuck to jeans and  invested in this gorgeous blouse from Mango. Top itself is a gorgeous muted grey/blue colour and is lined with a similar colour chiffon so that you don't get the awkward underarm bra strap which always seems to show on low cut tops. It always really annoys me and, if I'm not feeling brave, I always pop a bandeau on underneath. This Mango lovely solves that problem and I've been wearing it way too much!

I teamed the look with the fab collar necklace which I picked up at a local market, I love finding bargains abroad and think it's so important to buy local, helping you find unique pieces for affordable prices. Some of my best jewellery finds are from abroad and I always make sure to check out local flea markets at least once on my hols - this time I bought two necklaces, seven rings and two bracelets, all for under 20 euros! I know that at times I struggle in the U.K to find accessories for under 20 quid, never mind eleven items.

What did you do over Christmas? Do you buy local when abroad?

Style Watch: Next - My favourite catwalk pieces

As Autumn draws ever-nearer and the-summer-that-never-was fades into obscurity, I thought it was about time that I popped onto the Next website to see what little gems I could dig up.

Over the summer I've been working as a temporary Sales Assistant in a Next store and ALWAYS find something that I want to buy every time I have a shift! However, my store is only little, so we don't have access to all the lovely clothes in the Next ranges (which is a good thing for my bank balance!), so every few weeks I have a browse on the website so see what I'm missing out on!  

This time I thought I'd set myself a challenge; to pick out the top four items from the website that would take any girl through Autumn/Winter 2012 which hit the big catwalk trends. So here they are! A total mix of items, from a peplum top to a pencil skirt all for under £100. 

The trench coat is bang on for A/W, following the craze for military-inspired pieces. The coat is well structured and a classic design, something akin to the coats seen at Burberry. With a timeless style like this, it's easy to keep up with currents trends but also have a wardrobe staple which will last for years!

Animal print, seen at D&G is my secret obsession and this gorgeous peplum really doesn't disappoint. Originally seen with Mary Katrantzou's gravity-defying dresses (S/S12) and included in on the A/W12 catwalks was the idea of accentuating the hip/waist area. Peplums are perfect for either emphasizing or creating curves! Leopard print in this classic grey and black is a perfect take on a trend which could be spoilt with garish versions of animal skin. 

After the newly-wed Duchess of Cambridge sported her pair of LK Bennett nude heels (a number of times!) The simple style has been big news. This season, the gothic, draconian style, which many argue has been inspired by the latest craze, 50 Shades of Grey (dear lord I hope not!), has modified this classic shoe adding toe caps and, in the case of Next, a seductive metal heel. These shoes are my personal faves, as the look like something off the catwalk for a fraction of the price. The colour also means they're suitable all season and into spring, adding a masculine touch to floaty florals.

Digi-print florals are out and the classic, retro fabrics are in! This skirt is bang on trend, with it's 'midi' style, which is very feminine (think Mad Men!) and it's gorgeous rose print, which again adds a little gothic edge. These prints are modified versions of the S/S12 catwalk collections; designers couldn't part with florals so adapted them with muted colours and pastel shades (think Lana Del Rey and Dirty Dancing!) This skirt is so versatile and a guaranteed bargain buy - this love affair with all things flowery will not be fading anytime soon! 

Hope you enjoy my picks and remember to visit the Next Website here, so you can have your own window shopping sesh! 

Next are also running a blogging competition at the mo - they're looking for a guest blogger for their own site and the winner will receive three outfits of their choice! for more info click here! Get involved people! 

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!

 



She's still a Chelsea Doll

 

Shift Dress: All Saints//Rucksack: Thrifted//Shoes: Urban Outfitters//Chain: Charity Shop//Arm Cuff*: Chelsea Doll



 

I thought I'd post something a little different today because of a very lovely package I received in the post from online jewellery site Chelsea Doll, containing two gorgeous pieces from their new 'Cross my Heart' collection. So, for a change, I thought I'd base my outfit around my accessories to show off my fabulous new Nox Cross Drop Armlet.

 

I teamed this little gem with my All Saints dress that I picked up in Lancaster's on-campus charity shop for £.250 (bargain!), a thin silver chain and my favourite suede boots from UO which have kept my feet snug throughtout my first year of uni. The rucksack is also a new find, costing around a fiver from another charity shop.

 

I'm a big fan of thrifting and, as many of you know, I'm always in and out of junk shops, vintage markets and charity shops - my go-to for a bargain (which goes towards a good cause too!) I'm not a mad spender on clothes and prefer versatile pieces which will last me a few seasons rather than a week or so.

 

I am a student after all and, unfortunately, in this climate you've got to be savvy with your money. However, I've got to admit, that at £12, this cuff is worth the money. The simple, elegant style means that it's in fashion now and will be throughout the winter months - something to wear in Ibiza, but also during the christmas party season.

 

I've dressed this look up with my suede boots, eyeliner and vampish purple lippy, but chuck on some flats, a grey marl t-shirt with a fresh-faced look and you're good to go! So, apart from the bright pink box and tissue this cuff came in, being adorable, the piece itself is a worthwhile investment.

 

The lovely people at Chelsea Doll also sent me another little treat which I'll be blogging about soon, but in the meantime, I'd recommend that you check out their website here, which, in my opinion, is full of unique, affordable pieces - a great alternative to some of the uniform, overpriced accessories that some sell.  

 

 

www.chelseadoll.co.uk

 

 

Happy Thursday everyone!

 

 



Cross my heart...

Top: Next (Charity Shop)//Jeans: Charity Shop// Belt: Topahop// Shoes: River Island// Necklace: Asos// Bag: Mulberry

So just a quick post today because I've been so busy! I've just bought my first car and been working non-stop, so it's busy busy busy for me at the mo! So here's something I wore on sunday while the sun momentarily shined.

The top was an absolute bargain from a charity shop and I've had so many lovely comments from friends when wearing it. It's got an aztec-style print on it and although it's brown (not my fave colour) it looks quite sophisticated when on. For simplicity, I teamed it with my old fave's; my black skinnies, which I always roll up so they sit just above the ankle.

The shoes and necklace are the newest additions to my ever-expanding wardrobe/jewellery collection. The shoes I've posted about before, but I really haven't had them off my feet and, for £28, I'm sure they've paid for themselves by now! The little cross was £6 from ASOS and it goes with everything. The style is so simple and so delicate that it's an everyday piece that could be dressed up or down.

Oh and don't get me started on the bag...it's my baby. End of.

So there it is, a little snapshot of my look from my bank holiday weekend wardrobe. Enjoy the rest of your week, although I must admit, today seriously felt like Monday all over again!


Muchos besos!