a big thank you

just a quick post to say a big huge massive thank you to all the bloggers that helped me out by voting for my hat in the talenthouse competition last week.

the end result was that i came 12th out of 220 entries with 189 votes... so obviously i'm very happy :)

i was up against so many professional milliners with years of experience and client support, that i'm shocked i even got in the top 50, let alone the top 15!

the support i received from friends, family, bloggers, work colleagues and strangers who just liked my work has really inspired me to keep the dream alive and keep working towards my millinery career. it was the confidence boost i needed right now, so for that, i just want to say thank you and roll on my next project!

now that it's over, hopefully my blogging routine can get back to normal...

help! vote for me

i've been a bad blogger recently, but it's due to the fact i've been working on something very special...

a few weeks ago i found out talent house had opened a competition to design and make a hat, inspired by the queens diamond jubilee. as i'm trying to make it in the millinery world, this was obviously a great opportunity for me to try and get my work out there, and really to see what people thought. you know the whole 'is my work actually good or am i just kidding myself?'

so this is all i've basically done for the last week, drew up a few designs, experimented with some ideas and finally came to a decision and got to work!

i am pleased with my finished hat (there's always something i want to change, but that's what being a perfectionist does to you!) i'm happy with my final design and how everything worked, but now is the tricky part...

no matter how well made or how relevant to the brief the design is, it all relies on how many votes people get, which is kinda rubbish but that's the way it goes...

so i'm asking for everyone's help, to get me in the top 10. it would be amazing. it would definitely give me the confidence to keep going!

here is my submission

click this link to get to where you can vote (it only takes a second)

http://www.talenthouse.com/creativeinvites/preview/a3f3206940f0036a61a51d2d488681e5/520

you can vote through facebook and twitter. if you have neither of these then you can vote using your email address.
if you have facebook and twitter then click to vote through both!

i can't explain how much this means to me, and i know it's only my first competition so i don't expect to win or come anywhere close, but i'm gonna give it a good try! your help would mean so much :)

 i will do shout outs to all the bloggers that help me out for showing your support

thank you!! <3

instagram five

1. friendship bracelets
2. fruit cocktail torte for my mamas birthday
3. order arrived :) smiles all around
4. my favourite footwear at work
5. awesome snack
6. a project i'm working on...
7. mamas birthday card
8. buns and brownies from the students

'made in chelsea' style icon

i'm addicted to made in chelsea. i've never been a fan of towie or gordie shore etc. but mic is definitely my guilty pleasure. the drama, the lifestyles, the fashion, the parties and of course the characters you can't help but love.

one of my favourite characters has to be millie mackintosh. i think she is stunning and such a style icon. no matter what she's wearing she manages to look beautiful and effortlessly glamorous. I would love to have her wardrobe (and body and boyfriend and job and money etc etc)

whether she's at a red carpet event or just a london shopping trip, she looks amazing. i will definitely be trying to put more effort in my everyday appearance, i feel ashamed to be sat here in my sweatpants and baggy jumper....surely millie must lounge around in sweatpants sometimes!!?? (she is human after all)

here are a few dresses that will help you to copy millie's red carpet look...

1. luna dress £135
2. jersey wrap dress £95
3. kelly maxi dress £350
4. symphony maxi dress £115
5. satin bandeau dress £145

all these dresses can be found at coast.
maybe too pricey for a trip down to the shops like millie, but great for special occasions.

well i can't wait for next weeks episode, i feel like planning a trip to london just to see if i can spot anyone from the show!

also i'm team jamie by the way! he's gorgeous :)

more shoes?!

i never got the chance to go on my (well deserved) shopping spree, so i resulted in online shopping on my absolute favourite site...asos!

they have a 70% sale on at the moment too which is always a bonus :)

i didn't go crazy, which is so easy to do with their amazing jewelry and must have accessories- not to mention the shoes....which i love almost each and every pair of!

i purchased just a few bits (that i really needed...honestly) and as soon as they arrived, each item was as perfect as i imagined...

 

1. poodle print boyfriend blazer - was £60 now £24

so i finally bought a blazer...not exactly what i wanted originally (something plain that would go with anything) but i just couldn't resist this print, isn't it cute! i still think i'd be able to wear it with a lot of other pieces, just keeping the rest of the outfit plain, as i'm not a major fan of lots of pattern together. the fit and feel is brilliant, i can tell it's something that will last a long time as the quality feels great. it's fully lined and has full length sleeves, great for rolling up for a different style or leaving down.

so i got distracted by an animal print, again, but i think it was worth it.

2. lace loafers - was £25 now £17
now i really did need these...i'm sick of wearing my scruffy converse to work or wearing last years summer shoes, not that i'm a person that needs new things each season, but when my primark pumps and h&m wedges are falling apart from too much use last year, then i think it's time to update and move on. also with the weather being so unpredictable, it's too warm for boots yet too wet for sandals...hello to the loafer. they also come in black but i felt cream was a change and a nice choice for summer, also the see through lace adds a delicate, feminine touch to a simple day shoe. i thought it was quite an unusual design and fabric choice and i love it. they are so comfortable and go with everything day and night. definitely one of my best buys.

3. kitten heel slippers - was £35 now £24
i'll admit i've slated kitten heels in the past, all that 'wear proper heels or go home' stuff... but i take it back completely, as each night out my feet become more and more crippled (i should really do something about that but i can't resist a sky high pair of beauties) the thought of spending a night in a pair of these was too good to miss. first the colour caught my eye, available in lilac, green and black. then the suede effect slipper style which looks so comfortable yet bang on trend and the added little heel sealed the deal as i realised i could have pain free dancing sessions from now on! i think they would look great to dress up a pair of jeans or add a wow factor to a lbd. comfy, stylish and affordable. i will be testing them out this saturday night!

4. cross hand harness - was £8 now £4
whenever i shop on asos i have to buy a piece of jewelry, it's just my thing, whether it's to bring the delivery choice up to free standard or just because i'm addicted. these hand harnesses seem to be very popular right now and i'm one to try new things and ideas, so this cross design was perfect. simple yet effective as they say. the chain is very thin which could be an issue if i'm not careful with what i'm doing and the cross is made of a very thin piece of metal, therefore i don't think it's worth it's original £8 price tag as it's very dainty and delicate, not for the heavy handed.

with free delivery and free returns, asos is by far the best online store in my eyes. another great purchase received. check out the mid season sale now.

take me away

sun

sea

sand

take me there

real friends last forever

i know this is nothing new, but i just find it amusing as i look around and see more and more people with arms adorned in multicoloured, multimedia bracelets of all sizes, shapes and styles. their collections getting larger at every glance...

friendship bracelets.

i have nothing against this trend, where less more is more, in fact i'm embracing it! i love looking at every ones different pieces, and learning the history or the reason behind it's place on their arm, whether its 'a family airloom' or a 'symbol of friendship' or even just a 'pretty item to add to the collection'.

friendship bracelets is really just a collective name for this everlasting trend. i've seen so many unusual jewellery pieces giving that finishing touch to an outfit, it doesn't have to be those traditional homemade embroidery threads that we've all had a go at in the past (i'm wearing one right now, there's nothing wrong with that!)

i love the idea of wearing a story. each bracelet having a memory or a meaning. it's fascinating.

 i guess i was inspired to write this post because i removed my festival band from june 2011 this weekend. it made me think of all the memories that were linked to just one piece of fabric, so much so that even though i no longer wear it, i will still treasure it forever. it's strange what something so simple can achieve.

i love wearing all my favourite bracelets at once. i have my everyday basics and then my specials depending on my outfit. although i think a mixture of colours and styles all at once looks even better. the only problem with my obsession is that i want to make my collection bigger, when ever i see an eye catching gem!

here are a few i've come across that would definitely fit right in on my arm :)

1. fashion union - £4.00 - timi multi bead bracelet
2. asos - £10.00 - spiked cord in blue or pink
3. asos - £12.00 - woven gold chain retro skulls bracelets
4. miss selfridge - £4.00 - stretch peace charm
5. h&m - £3.99 - colourful weave bands
6. h&m - £1.99 - beaded fridge bracelet


my favourites are probably the retro skulls and the weave bands, i think the mixture of colours and textures just adds to the fascination and makes a more interesting visual overall. and what a bargain from h&m!

here's my friendship bracelet choice for today...

a mixture of birthday presents, symbols of friendships and must have additions...

so no longer do we have to wonder which bracelet goes best with our outfit, or worry that we're gone 'too far', wear them all! the more the better, mix your styles and shades and rock the friendship bracelet overload!

you never know...if your feeling down- just glance at your wrist and smile at all the brilliant memories your accessories hold.

instagram four

1. princess phoebe and i
2. my finished restoration project
3. maisie <3
4. my easter gift from mama
5. yummy chick buns made by my auntie
6. chocolaty easter treats courtesy of lindt
7. april weather is crazy!
8. looking back at good times - my 21st

a little treat...in the shape of a discount code

so in an earlier post i mentioned a river island dress i really wanted and since then i've found pretty much the same dress...cheaper...and i have a discount code to share with everyone as well :)

crochet waist skater dress - ax paris - £21

pretty good match...this dress can be found at a website called ax paris, i've never bought anything from here before so i'm not sure how good the quality is, but i think for the price it's a great buy even if it only lasts one season. the colour is coral rather than orange like the river island item and they also sell a lemon version.

i also have a 10% discount code that can be used on all the 'new in' items on the website. just use the code LOOK0304X at the checkout! awesome!

i guarantee i will be purchasing one of these beauties for summer :)

fascinating fascinators

i stumbled across this selection of super sweet fascinators from the asos collection. i've never seen anything like this on asos before and love the quirky unique elements in some of the designs. each one has an elastic strap that can be hidden under the hair to secure them onto the head. seeing these pieces has definitely helped me with my own inspiration and ideas for my millinery collection. simple yet effective.

the prices range from £10 to £18 which i personally think is very reasonable as i know how much the materials cost to make things like this. it looks like the bases are made from sinamay and if they're good quality and strong then they are definitely worth a look.

my favourites are the apple and the cat! adorable!

add a wow factor to your outfit day or night!

all the fascinators can be found on asos here.

april - wish list

another look at a few items i'd love to own this summer. especially with the weather looking up (well it was until the down pour of rain recently and snow in scotland! what!!) lots of pretty pastels and delicate details are inspiring me recently, so fresh and sweet you just can't help but smile :)

1. topshop pale blue boyfriend blazer £40
i'm still in search of a summer blazer (shopping trip is planned next week so hopefully...) but came across this one from topshop which looks perfect. i love the pastel blue colour and the fact it has a contrasting lining, great for when the sleeves are rolled up creating a whole new look. i didn't think the price was too bad for something that will get a lot of use also i've had a blazer from topshop before and the quality is spot on i've never had any problems and get nothing but compliments on it.

2. miss selfridge skull ear cuff was £6.50 now £4.87
love love love this! i'm slightly obsessed with accessories like this at the minute. i've made a promise to a friend that we will accompany each other while we get the top of our ears pierced, but until then i'm sticking with the fake ear cuffs! i just really like the look of this and it's also in the sale! perfect!

3. river island mesh strip shift dress £28
there are quite a few of this dress design around this summer, and i've always been a fan. the only reason i picked river islands version is because i know the quality is usually trustworthy and the price is reasonable compared to a similar version from topshop at £40 and asos at £35. the colour is a nice change for me as i don't own many orange things (it also comes in lemon) it has a pretty summery fresh feel and could definitely be dressed up with heels for the evening or worn with flats for a daytime stroll.

4. asos nike dunk high ac trainers £65
i've wanted some proper high tops for so long! i practically live in my converse whenever i can (girls deserve a break from heels every now and then!) and these look so comfy yet bang on trend! fashions not always comfortable :) i don't think i'd necessarily spend that much on a pair just for nike, but the colour is unusual and adds a feminine touch.

5. new look bird headband was £3.99 now £1
this is just a cute little head accessory that i thought was a bargain at £1! the colours match perfectly with the rest of the wish list, and the cute bird print is so sweet it's a must have!

6. topshop slouchy pug tee and shorts £18
pugs are my favourite dog, so this was a no brainer for me. as soon as i spotted it it had to go on the wish list! it's adorable! also the fact that the style is 'slouchy' - isn't that just the best kind of pyjamas! great for the warmer weather and lounging around the house.

in total my wish list this month comes to...£156.87

i better be prepared for my shopping trip :S

diy diva - take 2

seen as i enjoyed it so much last time and was happy with the result, i decided to try and transform another piece of old furniture. this time i was given an old chair a neighbour was throwing away to do what i wanted with. here's how it started out...

first i sanded down any uneven parts or paint splatters. anything that might get in the way of the finished look. i then painted the chair using a magnolia colour, there is something about using creams and whites in projects like this that helps creates that pretty vintage feel. it took 2 coats to cover the dark wood, and took quite a long time to finish, with having to wait for the top to dry before i could start on the legs, be patient and don't rush the overall painting, you will get a better finish if you let everything dry properly each time.

now, i could have left the chair like this and just given it a lick of clear gloss. (quite a transformation already!) but i wanted to try something extra with this one, and turn it into a really special piece that would look super cute in any room.

i used old tester pots of paint, various colours (ballerina pink, rustic red, lemon, mint green and a few others i came across) and using a thin paint brush, painted onto the seat of the chair a floral design. nothing too detailed or complicated but something simple and clear. i also painted a small motif onto the top of the back rest. i'm so pleased with the result. i went wrong a few times, but as long as your quick just use a damp cloth to wipe away the paint and start again!

if your not confident enough to just paint straight onto a piece of furniture i guess you can use stencils or even paper cuttings, which can be glossed over to hold them in place.

to complete the chair i waited until the paint was completely dry and then used clear gloss varnish to seal in my design and protect the chair from use in the future.

i love the finished look, and have had many compliments on my new piece of furniture. it's definitely something to try, you can transform an old scruffy piece of trash heading for the skip into a work of art!

instagram three

1. traditional mr whippy
2. my little present from work
3. fresh fruit salad for lunch
4. sensible shoes on a friday night
5. my desk friend
6. hershey boy snoozing
7.  new earrings-loving feathers!
8. starts tomorrow! excited :)

fishtails

i know i'm slightly behind with the trends here, but i seem to see fishtail plaits all year round now anyway and now my hairs longer..i want one! i've watched all the 'how to' videos and even though i have a rough idea of how it's done, i just cannot do it myself! i don't know how people reach around to the back of their heads and achieve something that looks effortless and stylish! i just end up with a mess basically!
i'm wondering whether my hair maybe just too short still (cries) or maybe i just need more practise?

save,spend,splurge....denim shorts

i would really like a new pair of denim shorts this summer, as my others have seen better days and i don't know if other people have this problem with denim items but after they've been worn many times, the waistband seems loose and the whole thing kinda looses its fit! which i suppose i don't mind when i've worn the garment to death!

but anyway, i decided to look at a price range of hotties and see if any caught my eye...

save

denim shorts - h&m - £3.99 sale price 

wow. these are a bargain! even at the full price of £7.99. it's a very basic design but i was thinking aren't they the perfect canvas for anyone who's feeling creative with studs, bleach or a pair of scissors! i'm definitely hoping to get my hands on some of these. i've tried jeans from h&m before and they have always been decent a good fit and worth every penny. i also like the fact that the style is very standard, so if you want them shorter, then you can make them into a super short shorts or if you prefer not to have your bum cheeks on show then you can leave them as they are!

spend

studded denim knicker shorts - asos - river island - £35 

love love love these! the dip dye bleach effect is exactly what i've been wanting. the studs are obviously a big hit this year, but the design hasn't gone too ott with metal. i'm not sure what i prefer, maybe more studs would have looked edgier and more 'rocknroll' made them a little bit different? but that's just me, obviously they want to attract mass market. the cut is probably a little short for me, especially with the waist being quite high, it really makes them look 'knicker like'. i just can't help feeling i could achieve all of this myself (maybe not as perfectly) with a pair of £3.99 basics??

splurge

washed denim shorts - stella mccartney - £310 

now i would never buy designer clothes like this myself (unless i was mega rich, but even then i don't know if i would :S) i can only imagine the desire to buy something so expensive would be either because  i absolutely loved the designer, it was for a very special occasion or if like these shorts, i can imagine them being a timeless piece. i like the relaxed wash effect and the turn ups are cute, but personally i've definitely seen nicer high street pieces. then again i imagine their brilliant quality, fit and feel and i'd hope for that price that they would last many many...many years. (depends how long you want to wear the same shorts for i guess!)

overall i think there are so many designs around for all sorts of prices that it depends exactly what your looking for. for me i love the elements of the river island pair, but if your creative enough to be able to customise your own then i'm backing the h&m ones all the way, you can make them exactly how you want them! i just hope they haven't sold out!

which reminds me...must do more work outs on the treadmill in preparation for these shorts!

illusion

'illusion' - avon - £2.50 (2 for £5)

my newest nail varnish. not exactly what i was expecting, in the catalogue it looked more clear with a two-tone shine, (however i guess that's what can happen when you can't see the product in front of you) but it's still a nice colour, it's kinda like a light grey with a purple shine, unusual but still wearable.

avon have an offer on at the moment, any 2 nail varnishes for £5, there usually £6 each. so i also bought a new crackle varnish which i'm yet to test out. great deal, check it out here.

follow the rainbow

alexis mabille
spring 2012
couture

love everything about this collection

the

dresses

colours

fabrics

shapes

head pieces

makeup

beautiful

d.i.y diva

last weekend i decided to put my creative mind to work on something a little different than usual...

after many weeks/months of my mum pestering me to 'do something' with an old rickety table/stand thing we have in our living room, i finally did 'do something' with it.

i don't know how old it is or where it originated, but it only ended up in our house because someone was throwing it away....thats the sort of condition were talking...and it's been just stood there looking dull and boring for quite a while.

so i raided the garden shed...
and heres the transformation!

i'm very pleased with the result :)
firstly i used wood glue to stabilize the wonky legs, then all i did was sand down the old varnish and the odd random paint splatters that were decorating it. wiped it down, gave it 2 coats of a nice fresh clean cream paint (wheat-sheaf cream i think it was) which didn't cost a thing as i found a few spare tester pots lying around from previous d.i.y attempts. then as i like the 'shabby chic vintage' look, i gave it a light sand down, just enough to see small sections of the wood underneath, to create a more rustic finish. then a quick varnish with clear gloss....ta dar!

my mums very happy with her new piece of furniture and i think it fits in much better with our decor now, nice and bright ready for summer!

discover middle earth

sat at my desk in work on a cold monday morning wishing i was anywhere else, specifically here...

new zealand

the one place that i've always wanted to go. i've made a promise to myself that i will go there at some point in my life. i think it's one of the most beautiful places i've ever seen, the sightseeing there must be amazing.
the one thing that does appeal to me and made me first realize just how 'wow' this country was, is the fact that 'the lord of the rings trilogy' was filmed here. i would love to see the actual sites where my favorite scenes took place.
i came across a 'lord of the rings film location tours' which looks brilliant! i just hope by the time i get to travel across the world that this is still available!

visit 'the shire' in the town of matamata, perfect settings, green grass, rolling hills perfect for a hobbit home. distinctive hobbit holes and 'the party tree' are still on show for visitors to see while on the hobbiton tour. sounds fantastic! 

now this is probably my favorite of all the tours...complete the walk to mordor. its an all day walk (7-8 hours) while taking in the breath taking surroundings of steaming fumaroles, volcanoes, lava flows and the emerald lake. described as the best one day walk in new zealand. can you imagine the photos!

i really shouldn't have looked at this... i really want to go...right now!
it's one of those journeys i don't think people ever forget and it's definitely on my bucket list!

is there a place you really want to visit?

instagram two

1. baby monkey riding backwards on a pig
2. creme egg-how do you eat yours?
3. chocolate orange cheesecake
4. flowers and butterflies my new fascinator
5. keep calm and...
6. dads birthday
7. homemade strawberry cheesecake
8. perfect end to the day

hats j'adore

as an aspiring milliner, i've been researching different successful designers as part of my course. there are so many amazing people of this craft out there already, that it makes me wonder how i will ever make it in the hat world...however i'm not beaten that easily and i will continue in my struggle to create some kind of business in millinery, i will not give up just yet!

here is the work of jane taylor, one of the websites i came across. her work is unusual yet still wearable and appealing. i like her quirky and edgy style and think it's inspiring how she designs such ideas yet appeals to a range of people. her unique ideas don't alienate people, which is exactly what i want to achieve. it's difficult to let your imagination run wild yet know the boundary between different and just plain weird. as my sketch book would reveal....i'm still working on this boundary!

 to see jane taylor's full collection visit 

http://www.janetaylormillinery.com/ 

nevermore

'the only one who can stop a serial killer is the man who inspired him'

i went to see james mcteigue's 'the raven' last night. a film about edgar allan poe and his final days alive. not something i would of usually chosen, but as it was my dads birthday he was given the privilege of picking the film, and i have to say i was pleasantly surprised.



after watching the trailer and reading about the plot...horrific murders inspired by edger allan poe's stories start taking place all over baltimore, resulting in a race against time for detective fields and edgar himself, to get one step ahead of the killer before it's too late.


when i discovered it was a murder mystery kind of film, i was suddenly intrigued as i'm a big fan of shows such as csi, murder she wrote, columbo, midsomer murders etc. (i just love seeing how they worked it out in the end)


then i read the reviews...
'The Raven is a squawking, silly picture that never takes flight.'-leslie felperin (variety)
'The inherently likeable Cusack fares surprisingly well in one of his darkest roles, but The Raven's clever premise is totally undermined by James McTeigue's tactless, bumbling direction.'-shaun munro (what culture)

'A film that, despite a strong visual sense, has simply no grasp on its characters or its plot. 'Nevermore', indeed.'-tom huddleston (time out)



not that great to be honest. which is very off putting, but now i've seen it for myself i can 100% say that i'm so glad i didn't listen to all those bad reviews! i don't know what the problem is personally, but i'm no expert in the film industry so maybe they look for something else, but what i can say is:
did i leave the cinema with that rush of adrenaline?: yes
was i on the edge of my seat throughout the film?: yes
did i understand exactly what was going on from beginning to end?: yes
did i feel a connection the the characters?: yes
did the film do exactly what i wanted and satisfy the need to see a murder mystery on the big screen?: yes


it had blood, it had jumps, it was exciting, it was interesting, it was entertaining....what more do they want?


it's not something you can take children to, but it had a slight similarity to the 'sherlock holmes' films, just because there was a bit of humor and a real like-ability to the main characters. imagine a darker version perhaps?


the only thing i can think that some people would see as a 'let down' would be the fact it's described as a dark, gothic, thriller. which it is, but it depends what kind of level your looking for. for me it was perfect, but if you want something thats going to scare you to death, or have you leaving the cinema in a depressed 'questioning life' state then this isn't the right film for you. it's dark, but not too dark. it's bloodthirsty but not too bloodthirsty. it's gothic but not too gothic. if that makes any sense?

john cusack does a brilliant job as edger allan poe, i think he was made for the role. it's not a subject i know much about but after watching this film and his interpretation of the character, i really want to go read some of these famous books mentioned in the film! he managed to add a sense of humor into a story-line where there is really not much to be laughing about.


luke evans as detective emmett fields, another great character, i didn't even recognize evans in his period costume. the way the two characters bond really adds to the story and makes you desperate for them to be successful in the case.


a lot of criticism has been on the director james mcteigue, with reviews like- 'An utterly dreadful attempt at a costume thriller by the flashy, heavy-handed, vacuous director James McTeigue, whose previous crimes against cinema have been V For Vendetta and Ninja Assassin.'-chistopher tooke (daily mail) 
i think he did a great job personally. the setting, the suspension, the characters and the overall story all tied together perfectly and really helped the story come to life.


overall i really enjoyed this film, and i recommend anyone that likes this sort of plot should definitely give it a go. even if your not a fan of edgar allan poe or his work, it's still a really good story and as long as your not expecting something too deep then this is for you.


score 8/10

(reviews were sourced from www.rottentomatoes.com)

shoe beauty

alexander mcqueen

autumn/winter 2012

gorgeous

amazing

beautiful

infact the whole collection is, you can see it here

i'm seriously considering using mcqueen's work as inspiration for my final collection next year...i'm excited already!

please could i have...

i've been so sensible recently and worked out i haven't had a 'proper' shopping spree since last year! there's been so many nice items shoved in my face, calling my name and i've resisted, this is firstly because i need to save money for rent next year and secondly because until i sell some of my old stuff...i have no room for new :( (cue me waiting for the next free insertion day on ebay and half my wardrobe going on it!)

so here's a list of what i would buy this month...if i could...

1. river island tortoise shell watch £25 

i really need a new watch as after 2 years of every day use, my old one seems a bit battered. this one caught my eye as it's very similar to the one i have just a different colour. i don't think it's too expensive either for a watch, i would like to invest in a pricey 'forever and forever; watch but i don' t think that's a practically idea for me, i like to update and try new things and this is perfect to do just that.

2. barbour waxed union jack rucksack £199.95 

i love the whole rucksack trend this s/s, there are so many floral and aztec designs out there that when i saw this piece i really liked the change. it's a good quality product that i'm sure will stay strong when holding numerous work folders and projects. however the price is a little extreme, but your paying for the name and the fact it will last a long time, it's not a one off item you would get rid of after one season. if i could....then i would :)

3. miss selfridge micky mouse vest £22 

this is so cute! just a random choice really, i need some more tops (my mother wouldn't agree) and i seem to like ones that tie at the front or side. i also like the 'worn away' 'aged' look of transfers on clothes, much better than the clean cut effect. 

4. asos floral wedge £60 

i absolutely love these shoes! i loved them when the winter colours came out last year (red, purple and black velvet and a floral tapestry pattern) but unfortunately didn't get a pair quick enough, now i've discovered 2 new patterns! there is this pastel floral and a black and white floral. so exciting! i'm not sure whether to stick to classic black but i like this pattern so much! I guess i could just make sure i wear them with plain block coloured outfits? 

5. dorothy perkins skinny duck egg jeans £25 

i need some new jeans also...and i fancy a change from the usual choice of colours, there are so many to choose from now, and the summery shades are brilliant. i've never tired dp's jeans so i'm not sure whether they are a good fit (hate buying jeans) but i definitely would choose this colour as i think they would still go with most things. this is pretty cheap for a pair of jeans, i just wonder if the quality would match?

6. asos mary jane flatforms £30 

another trend i adore right now. flatforms! amazing! asos has so many styles and colours, if i'm honest then i'd have them all! i just thought this pair were so sweet and i could imagine wearing though the day and night, give my feet a rest from sky high heels but still be bang on trend. i bought some last year from topshop that can really hurt my feet after a while, but the strap goes around the heel, so i'm hoping a different style may be better for me.

7. asos lightening strike earrings £6 

this are just a random item, which i'll probably end up getting as their not going to break the bank. pretty much any piece of jewelry there is a 90% chance i will like, i'm slightly obsessed hence why i have 6 jewelry boxes at home :S this pair attracted me because i'm going through a faze of dangly earrings and these seemed kinda cool!

in total my wish list this month comes to £367.95!...most of that was on a very expensive rucksack.

it's nowhere near my birthday or christmas...wonder if I can trade an easter egg for a item off the list :)

the cat in the top hat

i came across the cutest imagine, which definitely caught my eye and made me stop and absorb like any cat lover would... (brilliant advertising by paul&joe right there)

paul&joe beaute 

i never purchased anything from their range of make up before but I'm seriously considering it just because the products are adorable! i think if i was to buy anything i wouldn't even want to use it, especially the 'cat in a top hat' blusher sticks.

i know it's a bit of a gimmick, the fact it is basically an image or shape of a cat on the products and once it's used the novelty factor has gone and its back to your usual everyday product with small remains of mr top hat cat :( but each to there own and i love the idea.

it's to celebrate paul&joe beaute 10th anniversary of cosmetics and skin-care, created by paul&joe creator and designer sophie albou, so why shouldn't she do something different, it's purrrr-fect!

the new spring/summer 2012 collection 'meow' consists of two sub collections 'collection sparkles' and 'kitten collection' they include blusher sticks (which i'm obsessed with), lipsticks, pressed powders, nail enamels, waterproof gel eyeliner and eye shadows. so as far as i'm concerned thats everything i need!

you can't buy the products straight from the official website, but you can find them here at asos. and as you can see there not the cheapest products around (£21 for a beautiful blusher stick) but from what i've heard paul&joe is good quality and worth the price. maybe another item for the wish list.

eye shadow £21.50 blusher stick £21 lipstick £16

it's all limited edition and won't be around forever so if your cat crazy i'd check it out, even if that super cute blusher stick does just sit on the side looking pretty and never actually being used....it's worth it!

instagram one

i'm still getting the hang of instagram so bare with me if this first post isn't that great.



1. saturday night comsumption
2. me, myself and i
3. fruit collection from leeds market
4. summer flowers
5. my original and i
6. gaga
7. my boy
8. refreshing rekorderlig



save,spend,splurge....blazers

as it's starting to get slightly warmer out there and my big winter coat seems a bit dramatic, i've been looking for a nice summery blazer for those days when you need a lightweight smart jacket thats not too heavy and bulky but protects from the english winds. here's some items I came across...

save

new look-draped pocket blazer-£22.99

i love the unusual mint green colour of this blazer and what a bargain price. i like the cute sleeve gathering details and the fact it doesn't have a fastening doesn't bother me as i don't usually fasten jackets like this anyway, however i do prefer my blazers to be slightly longer in length and have full length sleeves so i can choose whether to roll up or not, but this is a really sweet design for summer. it comes in 6 different colours for every outfit.

spend

zara-jersey blazer-£49.99

this may be my favourite blazer of the 3. it looks so classy and smart, yet the sugary colour palette adds a fun and playful edge. i think the contrasting lining adds subtle detail when the cuffs are turned up or can be hidden, the length and style are perfect for me. it's not too expensive but would definitely be something i would look after and wear each year. i think it's worth spending a few extra pennies on.

splurge

harveynichols-vince-soft leather blazer-£870

now this isn't really my style but i thought i'd include something from the high end market. it colour fits in perfectly with this years s/s pastel trends. but to me i don't think i would find the leather very comfortable and easy to wear. the lengths a little short for me but you are getting quality here with soft leather and satin lining, it's definitely an investment piece. i can imagine it's like heaven to touch, feel the expense!

overall i think i've fallen in love with the zara blazer at £49.99. perfect!