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!

Let Go...

I took a pretty big risk last week. I handed in my notice at a secure, part-time job for temping work in various different media and magazine environments in the hope to find myself “THE” career. I’ve only just moved up to London and found my current job highly unsatisfying and instead of doing what I usually do (MOAN), I decided to DO something about it. I was lucky to have a connection, a branch to which I’m hoping I can use to climb up to my dream industry. After having a meeting, I finally decided to go for it. Let go of my fears and take the plunge into unknown territory. I’m not falling into a safe, full-time job, I’m jumping into something a little less secure, but I don’t feel afraid. 

I realised when walking around London Victoria station while I waited for a train, that this was going to be the most selfish thing I have ever done in my whole life. But it was probably the most empowered I’ve ever felt. It wasn’t just me I had to consider. I had my boyfriend to think of who I am currently living with. The pressure is on but life is too short to constantly worry and fret about the “what ifs” of everything. (all those who know me will be thinking, “Ha, rich coming from her!”) I am a worrier. But I refuse to let it control my life and stay in a job which makes me miserable, just because I have bills to pay. I’m extremely lucky that I have the support of those around me who I love who at times gave their cautious opinions but in the end realised this was the best option for me. 

Michael Parkinson was the ambassador of my University and I always remember the last line of his speech at my graduation ceremony. 

"You’re at the threshold of life. Make the most of it."

So this is what I’m trying to do. 

The song choice for this particular blog post is taken from one of my favourite movies, Garden State. The final scene where Zach Braff’s character Andrew Largeman takes a risk himself and leaves his current responsibilities which made him sad and depressed for a new and enriching life with his love Sam (played by Natalie Portman). The lyrics which illuminate this moment are so poignant and what I use to remind myself that I’m making the right choice… A little reassurance never hurt anybody. In fact, I could do with some more of that from myself.

Imogen Heap really does have a point here:

"Drink up baby doll
Are you in or are you out?
Leave your things behind
'Cause it's all going off without you
Excuse me too busy you’re writing your tragedy
These mishaps
You bubble-wrap
When you’ve no idea what you’re like.

So, let go, let go

Jump in
Oh well, what you waiting for?
It’s all right
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown.”

Cause there’s beauty in the breakdown.

BOW SELECTA #1

Bow: American Apparel
Blouse: Rokit
Skirt: American Apparel Cord "Circle Skirt"

My style varies quite a lot. I have brief obsessions, so it’s not long till I have another. First it was vintage bandanas (admittedly with my hair it often proved difficult to master), but now its bows. When I have some spare pennies, you’ll find me in front of the large selection of bows at American Apparel. Today, I paired my yellow bow with my vintage blouse from Rokit Vintage in Covent Garden and Maroon cord circle skirt from American Apparel.

What I Wore Today…

American Apparel High-Waisted Jeans
Vintage T-Shirt
Vintage Flannel Shirt
Underground Creepers

I’ve just worked 6 days in a row, so on my day off I wanted to wear casual & comfy. I bought these American Apparel jeans a while ago and I just love high-waisters. It’s the only type of trouser I can get away with or felt happy in without having a meltdown in the changing rooms when trying some on for the first time. Pair them with a vintage t-shirt and flannel shirt and what do you get? 90s grunge.

"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.

Good Will Hunting

Vintage Hunting Jacket
Beyond Retro
£35.00

I’ve only moved about half of my belongings into my new room and I was quite impressed with how little I needed and how much I had cut down! … That was until I realised I hadn’t packed ANY of my winter jackets, jumpers and cardigans and when Summer abruptly stopped, I needed a backup plan. So, I went to Beyond Retro to get myself a flannel shirt as I had left all my others at home and needed something warmer to tide me over till I could pick up the rest of my stuff (much to my boyfriend’s dismay…) 

I went to the Beyond Retro in Oxford Circus, behind Oxford Street. It was a lot smaller than the others I’d been too and you really have to be in the mood to have a good rummage. A lot of the flannels were made from quite an itchy material, so it took me a while to find what I had come in there for. (see pic below) It was perfect! They’re often called Hunting Jackets but I know them as Heavyweight Flannels from when I used to work in a vintage store in Nottingham. It’s great for the current weather as its not too bulky. For only £35.00 for a jacket in great condition, I thought I’d found myself a bargain!