Tartan Trousers

Crop Top: Topshop
High-Waisted Tartan Trousers: Urban Outfitters
Black Patent Lace Ups: New Look

Happy New Year lovelies! Here's to 2014! I've made quite a few  New Years resolutions this year, and a few of these included my blog. My aim is to be more committed to "Reflect & The City," and be more involved with blogger chats.

Now, lets talk outfits! I've been waiting since September to find myself a pair of tartan high-waisters, but never had the money to buy any! So, as soon as those Boxing Day sales came about, instead of bracing the cold and crowds in town, I decided to do my shopping wrapped in my duvet and pjs. My parents kindly gave me a New Look voucher for Christmas so I grabbed these patent, chunky lace ups straight away! The tartan trousers were a belated present from my boyfriend via the Urban Outfitters sale. I think from all the sites I looked at, UO gave the best sale. The trousers were £20, down from £48, what a bargain eh?! I also bought a floral midi dress from the UO sale, which may feature on a new post soon! 

What clothes did you buy around the Christmas/New Year period?

Hope you like the outfit!

Thanks for stopping by.

Charlie xo

Oh Baby, All I Want For Christmas is... ALL OF THIS!

So here is my first, proper wishlist! For ages I had been chopping and changing between Tumblr and Blogspot and didn't know what would be best for my blog. I'm still quite a novice at blogging and have only just discovered Polyvore which can be used for fashion posts! (I know right, have I been living under a rock!?)I'm determined to make this blog successful! Keep those fingers crossed for me! 

(So, if we start from the top left and go clockwise...)

1) Alix Sequin Top Strappy Playsuit in Black - Missguided

I'm definitely going through a bit of a Missguided phase at them moment and I'm in love with most of their Christmas party gear! I've already bought myself a few dresses but I'm a bit of a magpie when it comes to sparkles and sequins. I instantly think "Christmas and NYE!"

2) Jimmy Choo - Eau De Parfum

I love getting new fragrances on Christmas and Birthdays. I can never really justify spending over £40 on a bottle of a sweet-smelling scent, so I always have my fingers crossed that someone (my boyfriend *cough*) gets all the hints I'm making... I've even showed him where he can get it on offer. Subtle right?

3)Great Gatsby Movie Blu-Ray

I saw this movie and totally fell in love with it. Baz Luhrmann is a total genius and I love the way he combined all the elements of a 1920's film with those from a modern-day classic. It might not be everyone's cup of tea but I was certainly spellbound.

4)Nike Junior Air Max Trainers - JD Sports

I'm in dire need of some decent trainers. I bought, what I thought were authentic vintage black Nike trainers on e-Bay a while back, but I soon realised I might've been fooled... They'll suffice as exercise trainers for now (ha, more like collecting dust) but I really want some proper trainers. I can use them to experiment with my style a bit, pair them with some high-waisted American Apparel jeans, crop top... you get the idea!

5) Morrissey's Autobiography - Waterstones

Since leaving University, I admit, I fell out of love with reading. It seems odd as I studied English Literature but I think I just got fed up with fiction and having someone tell you what you have to read. I guess I sort of rebelled, (ooooo so rebellious ha!) What I do love reading though are autobiographies/biographies of some of my favourite music artists and when I heard Morrissey was releasing one, this went to the top of my list! NME tells me there's a hardback version coming out on December 5th so I'm really hoping I get that! 

6) Pastel Pink Fluffy Coat - Topshop

It's the coat that's on everyone's wishlist, but Topshop have got this trend spot on. Every girl's wardrobes are certainly filling up with Winter pastels and I just love that it's a boyfriend coat too! They look like just the right amount of baggy. All my coats are vintage and seem to be treble the size of me which, at the time, was what I was going for but I think it's time for a new look. With its hefty looking price tag, I highly doubt I'll get this but it's always just nice to look at...

7) Black Tassel Loafers - Topshop

Brogues are my favourite type of shoe and my creepers are my go-to pair, so when I came across these Matrix tassel loafers sold in Topshop Oxford Circus, I fell in love! I'm really enjoying the platform trend at the moment as it means I can have a bit of height and not worry about falling over my own feet! In conclusion, I just think they would be very happy on my feet! I sound like a crazy shoe lady...

8) Baking Scales - House of Fraser

Since I've moved away from home, every time I've attempted baking I've had to search for cup measurement recipes as I still haven't bought any scales. For someone who likes to bake and eat a lot of cake, this is just embarrassing right?!

9) Alexa Chung's Autobiography, "It" - Urban Outfitters

Call me shallow, but the cover is pastel pink for a start! I'm totally judging a book by it's cover here... Appauling. I was also very intrigued by this book. With its mixed reviews and critics not being able to put a finger on why they like it/why they didn't like it, I thought I better take a look for myself. Hopefully this will beat my reader's block once and for all!

So there you have it Santa, better get that plastic out and start spendin'

Thank you for stopping by!

Would love to know what are on all your Christmas wishlists! Drop your links and I'll have a look :)

Charlie xo

Faux Fur #1

Faux Fur Coat: Primark
Floral Blouse: Rokit Vintage
Black High-Waisted Jeans: American Apparel
Black Lace Ups: Office

My sister gave me this faux fur cropped coat years ago but I didn't start wearing it straight away. I think I felt a bit too young for it as I was in my early teens, so it wasn't until I went to University that I started to come into my own a bit and appreciate the "look" of vintage. I'm currently working in central London and with a Rokit Vintage store right round the corner, it keeps me occupied on my lunches but is dangerous to my bank balance. I bought this blouse last week and just loved the 80's floral colours. It's a little oversized which is one of my fave styles. Tucking my blouse into my American Apparel high-waisted jeans, my current "fat day" woes had disappeared (quite literally into the jeans).

Handbag: Topshop

Some of you may remember this bag from a previous post. I've probably used it everyday since I bought it. Think it works really well with the coat and helps to complete the look. Definitely worth the pennies so far!

Brooch: My Nana's

What I love to do most with this coat, is pin an eye-catching brooch onto the collar. What I love even more is that this brooch used to be my Nana's. She loved a bit of glitter and glam, so feel she would be very happy to see this combination. It's a very sentimental piece and is treasured everyday.
Hope you enjoyed what I wore today and would love to hear your thoughts!

Thank you for stopping by :)

Charlie xo

Handbags & Gladrags

Topshop (Snakeskin Effect) Handbag £40

We all have a "vice." For some its shoes, others could be scarves, polka dots, zebra print, floral, tapestry... you get the idea. For a vast majority of us, its bags. I've never seen myself as a "bag" or "shoe" person. For me, I think my vice is skirts.  Hipster jeans and skirts were the cause of many-a-breakdown in Topshop changing rooms, so when I discovered high-waisted, it changed everything. With this realisation, came many trips to American Apparel and a large dent in my bank balance. But that's another story...

What I'm trying to get at is, bags never really excited me. I mean sure, I love a good tan leather satchel or rucksack but I always saw them as a necessity rather than a "splurge" on a shopping trip. That was until, I met the bag.  (see in pics on right... you'll see what I mean.) I just popped into Topshop to buy some new office attire and there it was... the colour, the snake skin effect, the vintage, classic feel to it... Perfect for a working girl right? 

By this point, however, I'd already made a lot of sensible purchases in H&M (what I'd originally set out on this journey for: work blouses, skirts, dresses) One more thing couldn't hurt and it really would look good with corporate outfits...

So yeah, I caved. 

I took back a few other items which were impulse buys so the money was there... See how I'm continually trying to justify this purchase? It's because I normally spend less than £10 for a bag by rummaging through a charity shop. It even took me three attempts to actually buy it. 

Seeing it hanging from my wardrobe though, assures me I made the right decision. My logic is if I use it more than 40 times, it will be worth every penny. We all deserve a cheeky buy when we've spent that long month earning it!  

Hope you like it! It can be found in most Topshop stores and maybe it will have the same effect on you as it did me! 

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Speak soon! XO

SHE WORE BLUE VELVET…

… On date night. 

Missguided  Navy Velvet Trapeze Dress
Kurt Geiger Plum Boots

I made my first Missguided purchase a little while ago. I’d heard good things: 1) It’s cheap, 2) It’s good for the money, 3) You won’t be disappointed. So I thought, why not? I love velvet and noticed the “Trapeze” dress is a popular style this season, so was delighted to see a velvet version of it! All I needed now was an occasion to wear it…  So I thought me and my boyfriend’s dinner and drinks celebrating our four years being together was perfect! It’s the kind of dress that makes you want to put your lippie on, wear your best shoes and dust off  your favourite, boxed “special” necklace.

A glass of Prosecco at the ready. 

I really love this dress. It’s comfortable, you can throw it on and dress it up, however, you like. On this occasion, I decided to pair it with my Kurt Geiger boots which I bought a year ago but have always been too scared to wear them in case they get ruined! They’re suede and Kurt Geiger.. need I say more? I decided to wear them as I knew I wouldn’t be shotting tequila in a sticky-floored club at the end of the night. It was a much more civilised, romantic affair, so was shoe-appropriate. 

Missguided’s velvet trapeze dress now holds prime place in my wardrobe and is a staple item. Every girl must have one!

Would love to know your thoughts. Have you got one and would like to share your review? Spill all here!

"As If!"

Topshop White Crop T-Shirt
H&M High-Waisted Tartan Skirt
Office Black Chunky Heel Lace Ups

I love how 90’s grunge has continued its reign of the high-street into Autumn and Winter and as you can see I also love to wear this Cher-from-Clueless-esque outfit. It looks great with white frilly socks but with that slight chill in the air now, I say its best to throw on some white or black tights. Tartan is all the rage right now and I’m very happy about that. Tartan is so versatile. You can dress it up with a blouse, dress it down with a tee, clash it with a print or pair it with something plain which enhances the colours of the tartan. My favourite part of this outfit are my new shoes. My boyfriend told me they reminded him of the last scene in Cruel Intentions. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Reese Witherspoon graduating from High School in their tartan skirts and chunky black lace ups. As that’s one of my favourite endings to a movie and epitomizes the 90’s style we’re now reppin’ in 2013, I took it as a big compliment.

Take me back, ta-ta-take me back to the 90s

 I’m one of those annoying people who moan when its too cold, then long for sunny days in beer gardens and when Mr. Sunshine eventually decides to show up, I’m “TOO HOT.” I struggle with flip flops, due to me either losing one, or those bastard blisters so I needed a back-up plan and a change from my trusted gladiator sandals: jelly shoes of course! 

Now today, I’m here to talk about that cringey combination: socks with sandals. I’ve always said ‘I OBJECT,’ when seeing people walking around town wearing thick white socks with heavy-duty sandals or Crocs, but I may have to lift the ban on this where jelly shoes are concerned…

When I expressed my enthusiasm to buy a pair of jellies, there were quite a few gasps in the office and amongst friends but when I really want something, those comments are far from my mind, especially when I’m at the counter paying for them. Even after I bought them, a lady on the train laughed at me saying “Old school,” but I needed something which would keep my feet cool and comfortable and these black JUJU jellies were the perfect purchase! As well as that, I didn’t see the harm in making a little fashion statement…

I decided to turn this 90’s throwback up a notch and add some white frilly socks (I hear some more gasps) to the mix. I love having the chance to re-live old styles but relish this even more when the high-street decide they’re going to take on vintage fashion too. If Topshop aren’t afraid to rock socks with sandals, then surely that’s a sign that we shouldn’t either! So if you were like me and have been sitting on the fence for a while, just remember, when you wear something that catches the attention of passers-by, it won’t always be for the wrong reasons! Who knows, they might decide to divert their route to get themselves a pair too.