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? 

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?

My Guide to Vintage Shopping

I love vintage shopping - I love the idea that nobody will have the exact same item as me, and because of the random nature of vintage stores, every purchase feels like a precious find - much more exciting that walking into Topshop and picking up the item displayed on the mannequin (although that is fun too) But vintage shopping can seem a little daunting at first, so here is my five step guide to make it a little bit easier. 

1. Always try it on

In a vintage store, you're likely to come across cuts and styles that you haven't seen before. Also, as everything is one of a kind, you can't rely on the fact that "I'm always a size 10". Therefore, if anything takes your eye about an item: the colour, print or material, make sure that you try it on. 

2. If you like it, buy it

Unlike high street shopping, that dress in a vintage store might not be there next week. You certainly can't go home, think about it, and order it later online. If you like it, buy it there and then, or you might regret it. 

3. Check the quality

Most vintage shops do check their items are of a high quality. But you should still always check that there are no missing buttons, dirty hems or broken zips. If you take the item home and then discover the fault, you might struggle to get a return. 

4. Be open-minded

As I said before, you might come across styles that you haven't seen previously when vintage shopping. Therefore, if you love the print of a skirt, but it's too long, or you like the style of a dress but it's too big, don't be scared of taking the item to a tailors and being made to fit you. 

5. Take your time

Vintage shopping isn't as easy as shopping on the high street - it's important to search every rail in order to find that precious vintage gem. You might leave one store with armfuls of clothes, and leave another one with nothing at all, that's just the way it is. 

Have you had any vintage finds recently?