OOTD: Getting Organised

Top - Dorothy Perkins

Pinny Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Coat - Ark

Bag - Debenhams

Shoes - Office 

You might remember this pinny and turtleneck combination from a recent shopping haul post, well today I got an opportunity to wear it!

I've moved back to university and this week is a busy one of settling back in, reuniting with people I haven't seen since June and getting everything lined up for the next year. I'm lucky because I was able to keep the job that I did last year, but this year I also want to get more in to sports (I'm even considering joining a sports society) and get some much needed work experience to get me ahead of the game when it comes to graduate jobs. If the next two years go even half as quickly as the first one, it's going to get around to graduation really quickly and I want to have the best CV possible!

These shoes were an absolute bargain in the Office sale at only £32 - I've been wanting something like this for a while and was evening considering splashing out £90 on the Dr Martens version, but these came along just in time. They're really wearable and the thick sole makes them practical and helps to avoid the primary school look.

What did you guys wear today? 

New Buys

I'm now pretty certain that we have reached autumn, and for me that means lots of chunky knit jumpers, scarves and being able to wear all the black I want without looking quite so strange.

I went for a different approach to taking my photos today, using my brother's very plain bedroom wall as a background. As much as I love my own bedroom, my covered walls don't lend themselves quite so well to product photos. Let me know what you think in the comments!

Here are my most recent purchases. 

Scarf - New Look

I am a huge fan of tartan and this scarf is a fantastic way to incorporate it in to my daily look. The rich shades of purple, orange and navy also look great for autumn. It is also incredibly soft and will be lovely to snuggle in to as the weather turns colder. 

Jumper Dress - Next

Also available in cream, this jumper is one of the most comfortable things I've ever owned and I can't wait for the depths of winter to come just so that I can wear this! Teamed with either tights and Converse or leggings and Doc Marts, this jumper makes January 9am lectures seem almost bearable. 

Blanket Wrap - Boohoo

You may remember my recent post on blanket wraps, where I was searching the internet in search of the one. Well, I finally decided on Boohoo's version of the trend. The black and white check pattern means that it will be very wearable. It's also incredibly warm and will almost feel like I'm still in bed during bleak November mornings. 

Top - Dorothy Perkins

I rarely seem to return from a shopping trip these days without having bought some kind of black top and this outing was no exception. This style is all over the high street at the moment, but the one in Dorothy Perkins really took my fancy. A very wearable piece that will see me through a lot of "what should I wear?" stresses. 

Jumper - Primark

I am a huge fan of the turtle neck trend that seems to have taken the high street by storm. A lot of people slate Primark but I think that it cannot be beaten when it comes to basic pieces like this that might only be on trend for one season. As the jumper is quite thin it will be great for layering during this changeable time. 

Bag - Primark

This bag was an absolute steal - it was only £7 and look how much detail is on the flap! With a magnetic flap closing, adjustable strap and inside zip pocket, this is a perfect bag to carry essentials in when I feel like mixing it up from wearing black all the time. 

What were your favourite pieces?

Are there any trends you are loving this season? 

Shopping Haul

Yesterday I went on a shopping trip, and despite not looking for anything in particular, I ended up doing pretty well. 

Top - Dorothy Perkins

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Hat - Dorothy Perkins 

Jumper - The Collection at Debenhams

Cosmetic bag - Next

Shoes - Dorothy Perkins 

Firstly, I adore my new pinafore dress and the turtle neck top to go underneath, I can't wait to have an opportunity to wear it! While shopping I noticed a lot of deep reds and burgundys - great colours for autumn/winter, and this dress fits in to the trend quite well. It's a retro-looking piece which is something I really like and it will definitely be able to see me through the last few weeks of summer and into the autumn months. 

I've been lusting after one of these hats for a while, so when I spotted one in Dorothy Perkins for £14 I just couldn't resist. I'm not sure how much I'll actually wear it, as hats are quite a daring look for me, but I'm sure that it will add a touch of cool to any outfit. 

Jumpers are my favourite thing about autumn/winter, and the only thing that gets me through the post-summer blues is snuggling in to some gorgeous new knits. As this jumper is quite thin it should make dressing for 9am lectures easy when I go back to university next month. 

My nail varnish collection is ever expanding despite the fact that I work with food and therefore cannot paint my nails, However, I decided that they now need a bag of their own, rather than taking up space in my also expanding make up bag (you can read about my new found love of make up here). I love the bold print on this bag and it is the perfect size for what I need. Now I might have to buy a few new colours to fill it up a little more...

Finally, the shoes! A pair of smart black ballet pumps are always a key piece, they are great for shopping, work experience and for those nights on the town when you simply cannot face wearing heels. The little bows on the heel are absolutely adorable and I am sure that I will get plenty of wear of them. 

As soon as I get an opportunity to wear my lovely new clothes I will be uploading an outfit post for you to see. 

Have you bought anything new lately? 

Any Size (As Long As You're 5'10")

The internet has had a bit of a stir today, after Jamelia made some comments about people who are smaller than a size 6 or bigger than a size 16... she basically said that they shouldn't be catered for on the high street. Jameela Jamil (personally one of my favourite human beings of all time) hit back with this brilliant article, about how people shouldn't be made to feel ashamed of their bodies whatever their size.

But the thing which I feel always gets left out of the 'love your body' campaigns, is something which really cannot be changed: height.

At 5'4" I am a pretty average UK woman, but I am bombarded with images of women who are 5'10" and above. These women are beautiful, but they don't represent all women.

I'm a UK size 10, which is on the smaller end of the spectrum. But if I chose, I could probably make myself a size 6 and I could probably make myself a size 18. I physically cannot make myself six inches taller. So no matter how many 'plus size' mannequins and models are shown on the high street and in magazines, I, along with millions of other women, am still not represented.

My point? If the fashion industry are going to really start representing women of all shapes and sizes, can they please do it properly?

I want to see women who are short. Women who are tall. Women who are a size 4. Women who are a size 28. Women with stretch marks and acne scars. Women with size 8 feet. Women with size 3 feet. Women with small boobs, big boobs, flat bums, peachy bums, toned stomachs and muffin tops.

And don't just show people at either end of the spectrum, include everyone along the scale so that nobody is left thinking 'why can't I look like that?'

Hopscotch

Top - Next

Jeans - Red Herring

Cardigan - Moda at Asda

Ring - Pandora

Bracelet - Pandora

Nails - Hopscotch by Ciate

Sandals - Primark

Today was the first day that I've worn sandals this year, and it's great to know that spring has truly arrived! Naturally, this being England, I couldn't leave the house in April without having a cardigan just in case the weather tuned cool.

These jeans were a great find in the Red Herring range at Debenhams - they're called Holly! They're supposed to be anklegrazers but as you can see, because I'm a little on the short side, they don't really have that effect on me. However I was really drawn to the pale colour, and figured the slightly shorter length means that they'll look good with sandals and ballet pumps through the summer.

The nail varnish I'm wearing is my new favourite shade, after receiving a set of miniatures for Christmas, I will certainly be buying the full-size version when it inevitably runs out.

I'm not opposed to supermarket clothes, and this Asda cardigan is no exception! I've seen very similar styles (for a lot more money) in places like Urban Outfitters. With a student budget to contend with, I like to think that it's more about how you wear something than how much it cost.

I've been home from university this past week, and it's been lovely to relax at home with family and catch up with old friends. Today I went on a very unsuccessful shopping trip with an old school friend, but getting 40% student discount on our Pizza Express lunch went down very well indeed!

What have you all been doing this Easter?

OOTD: Brain Cell Overload

Playsuit - River Island 

Coat - Ark 

Shoes - Converse

Winter seems to be finally coming to an end, which is why I've adopted a less snuggly outfit than yesterday. Converse are my favourite shoes as they are incredibly comfortable and go with every outfit, making my everyday look more casual. 

It is still very windy today despite the sun, so I decided to let my hair dry naturally and do its own thing today, I didn't see the point in curling or straightening it for it to just get messed up anyway!

What are you guys doing today? 

The Denim Shorts Dilemma

It's now late February, and the shops are full of their Spring/Summer 2015 collections. But there is one summer staple which I battle to find every year, and this time I've finally found them... the perfect denim shorts.

There is by no means a shortage of denim shorts on the high street, Everywhere you look there they are, but finding some that don't show a little bit of bum cheek every time you move seems to be a constant struggle.

Since I don't have legs like Jessica Simpson in Dukes of Hazzard I want some shorts that are just that little bit longer, and cover up at least some of my thighs. During my teenage years I developed stretch marks around my thighs (thanks to Bio-Oil they have disappeared dramatically) so I feel a little bit self-conscious about that area.

So here are the wonderful shorts... only £18 from Next! They are a bit longer so I don't mind going bare-legged, but the distressed look also stops them from looking like something my mum would wear. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, my mum is a very well-dressed woman.

What are your summer staples?