SONG OF THE DAY

Lykke Li - Silent My Song

Yes folks, its true...

Lykke Li is set to release her THIRD album!

So I thought, I would pick one of my favourites from the Swedish songtress as a way to celebrate this news.

The whole of Youth Novels reminds me of my days at University, working on the weekends at a vintage clothing store. This album would always be played loud, and would knock any hangover haze out the window. It's funny how certain tracks or albums can trigger off memories. I'm actually travelling to the city of my University this weekend, so let the nostalgia continue.



It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

Well... there's not a snowflake in sight, and it's far too early for Christmas trees... So that must mean one thing; It's time to dust off your best, worst Christmas Jumpers!

Christmas is my favourite time of year and I discovered these themed jumpers whilst working in a vintage store during University. I earned my much needed pennies every weekend at WILD Clothing in Nottingham. Independently run, it had all the foundations of an authentic, second-hand store. Autumn/Winter was my favourite time working there as that's when all the colourful 80's knits, Halloween Crewsweats and Christmas Jumpers made an appearance.

So, I thought I would show you my first time wearing a festive jumper in 2013! 

Christmas Jumper: WILD Clothing
Jeans: "Spray On Skinny" Topman (my pal gave them to me!)
Shoes: Underground Creepers

I asked my boyfriend to take these photos outside on our balcony just outside our room as the setting is really Autumnal and the area is surprisingly rural for living in the city! 

Hope you like this post! Have any of you got your Christmas Jumpers out yet? Drop your links here!

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

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.

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!

Home, Sweet Home.

Homewares never normally excite me. I guarantee I’d choose a vintage blouse over a vintage cushion cover any day. Well, that was until I realised I was successful in getting a job in Topshop Oxford Circus and will be moving up there imminently! My mindset has now transformed and all I can think about is wooden dressing tables, Cath Kidston floral kitchen essentials and the layout of my room. Sharing with my boyfriend might prove difficult as I may have to cut down on the floral but I’ll buy as much as I can get away with! Last night, sleepy and tired, I decided to staple two vintage scarves onto a plain white wicker basket. Productive Saturday evening? Well, it’s definitely going to save me money on buying a ready-made one and will certainly get used! 

What do you think?

XO

"Forget about the Price Tag."

Some people assume that when you shop in Charity shops and look at a price tag which reads ‘£1.99’, its instantly not a desirable item. Why get something second-hand when you can find a cleaner and more up-to-trend garment on the high streets? Well, if I spent all my pennies on brands, my wardrobe would be a lot emptier, especially being a student for the last three years. The Charity shop has been my saviour. Don’t get me wrong, I am in love with Urban, Topshop, American Apparel and the likes but I can always count on Age UK to sort me out with a Granny chic blouse or Oxfam to feed my new love of lilac knits. 

Checkered shirts are another love of mine and I found this one in Salvation Army. I couldn’t resist.

I always like to buy shirts a couple of sizes bigger but have only just been able to find the right balance between ‘babe baggy’ and ‘bin-baggy.’ This one is a shorter length so can easily be tucked into high-waisted numbers or tied up without looking too over-sized. £2.99?! Well who could blame me? Especially as pastels are so in season. What a bargain. 

I  think I will always shop in second-hand stores, ‘cos just think; you are making yourself feel good as well as helping others: The best kind of retail therapy     

                                                                         

… and there it is; My very first newspaper article.

This article is proof that pestering an editor for a good couple of weeks, heeds good results. Unfortunately a freelance wage wasn’t feasible but I have fully accepted that un-paid work is a must when seeking a career in journalism. If there’s any advice I could give to future graduates, particularly journalism/media based, do not expect job opportunities to be handed to you on a platter where you’re spoilt for choice and the most gruelling decision you’ll have to make is what employer you have to turn down. ‘Cos in all honesty… it could take years.. But if you want it enough, that won’t even be a drop in the ocean. You have to think of the bigger picture… You might be a runner, an intern, an unpaid freelance writer for a good few years but could land that job role you’ve always wanted by the age of 25, with decades ahead of you. 

I’m getting sidetracked. Back to the article…

I chose to write about something I knew a lot about; vintage fashion. 

So, it was planned. It was decided. My incessant emailing had paid off. 

I first felt disbelief and then relief, ‘cos 1) I got an opportunity to get my writing published and 2) It would be about something I was truly passionate about. 

I spent a Saturday morning walking around the town with the paper’s photographer, whilst interviewing shop owner’s about their stock and businesses. It was then that I realised I was actually doing my first, proper piece of journalism. 

I met my deadline and I waited… it was probably more painful than waiting for their initial response ‘cos my I put my work out there and was expecting it to bounce back with numerous edits before printing. 

I came home on Friday, opened the newspaper and there it was… a DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD. 

"I am officially a published writer…" [I kept telling myself… in my head of course] It took a while to sink in  and I spent that night sat, slightly bemused, excited for the future whilst swigging on a bottle of Apple cider. It was then I felt like I could do anything. But like all aspiring journalists, when one project finishes, panic ensues at the the thought of waiting for another… I wonder what my next step will be and where it will take me… but until I figure this out, I’m going to enjoy this little dream for a while.

You know what, there was a little part of me that did feel like Ms. Bradshaw, writing for her local paper, indulging in one of her many passions; fashion, writing about it, and sharing it with her city. 

Now, where’s my next project?! 

Grazia?!