Wishlist (I'm back)

Dress, Bag 1, REN Face Mask, Playsuit, Nars Sheer Glow, Nike Roshe Run, Bag 2

Hello everyone!

Just a little wishlist post to ease myself back into blogging. A little update: I handed in an essay and my dissertation today, and have one essay left between me and the end of my undergraduate degree, kind of bittersweet really. Also I got a conditional offer to study a Masters course in English Studies, so if everything goes the way it should, I shall be a postgraduate student come September! I plan on using the time in between to reacquaint myself with my favourite books from my teenage years, just to put off growing up a little bit longer. 

Like most people, I got my student loan in today, however most of it has gone towards paying for previously mentioned MA course and rent. I long for the day I no longer have to pay rent (although I'll probably be eating my words in a couple of months). So this is a little wishlist for, hopefully, once I start earning a bit more money.

I saw the polka dot dress on Millie Mackintosh's style diary and saw how cheap it was, it looks stunning on - but I guess what wouldn't look gorgeous on Millie Mackintosh. The brown bag is a little different, I dress really simply, never any jewellery except a watch and only varying shades of black, white and grey. I love the detail on this bag and am in desperate need of a small one.

I love the style of the playsuit although it will never suit me as it practically matches my skin tone. I put the REN face mask and NARS foundation up because I just really want to try them, and the other clutch bag is to go with my dress for my end of year ball. If you have any suggestions please let me know!

I'm planning a few posts to publish next week once this final essay is done, let me know if there's anything you would like to see. I'm thinking book reviews, new skincare bits and some dissertation survival tips?

So, how did I do? Will you have me back blogger?

Thanks for reading :) xxxx

December

Mango dress, Asos clutch, Girls Aloud eyelashes,

Topshop heels, Topshop necklace.

This is something I'd wear to a Christmas party. I've had to bail on my work's Christmas party due to lack of funds, but if I were going I'd wear this. I love velvet, and the simple cut of this is beautiful. I adore the shoes too; heels are one thing I will pay for from Topshop as they are always well made and fit well. 

November's Playlist:

Your Nickel Ain't Worth My Dime - Sleeping with Sirens

To a Friend - Alexisonfire

Young Cardinals - Alexisonfire 

Blue in the Face - Alkaline Trio

Call Your Girlfriend (cover) - Erato

Christmas For Her

Benefit 'How to Look the Best at Everything' Set - £24

Paul and Joe Lip Balm and Skincare Set - £11

Sylvia Plath Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams - £8.46

Asos Pointed Backpack - £55

Chanel Eau Fraiche - £45

Make-up/skin care/fragrances are always a good pick for girls. Personally I never ever buy myself perfume as it is so expensive, so it's lovely to receive it as a gift. I've also been a little bit indulgent here and included a Sylvia Plath book. Woops. 

I also was very generously offered the chance to try out a Sanctuary set, which, when I received it (damn you Royal Mail) I thought would make an excellent gift for mums. 
  

The set arrived in this huge box, I was pretty taken aback by the sheer size of the thing! It contains seven items, I'm not sure if they are all full sized, but the body wash and body butter definitely are. The body butter is massive! 

Left to Right: Body Butter, Body Wash, Foaming Bath Soak, Illuminating Moisture Lotion SPF 15, Heel Balm, Purifying Face Wash and a Body Scrub.

Everything came beautifully packaged, and although I haven't had a chance to try out everything yet, the products I have tried are lovely. The SPF lotion is light on the skin and sinks in quickly, however it does smell a bit like sun cream. It is paraben free too.

The body scrub and body wash both smell like oranges, which is lovely and refreshing; it isn't over-powering or too synthetic smelling either.

The face wash is a clear gel-like consistency, which is light and doesn't leave the skin too dry-feeling. I do have a skin care routine I'm pretty happy with, so I don't know if this would replace my usual cleanser. It is a lovely size for travelling though, and I will definitely be taking it to London with me this weekend.

I'm unsure as to whether this whole set is available to buy as is, but I do know that Sanctuary gift sets (and individual products) are stocked in Boots, and are usually on 3 for 2. I tend to buy a Sanctuary gift set for my mum/grandma for Christmas, so I was pleased to be able to try out the products for myself.

I hope this has proven helpful! 

Thanks for reading x

Christmas For Him

Joules For Men Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes set - £14
Ted Baker Wallet and Cardholder set - £35
Clarks Desert Boots - £79
Ted Baker Socks Set - £22
Best of John Miles CD - £13.25

I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and post a couple of gift guides. I don't have many people to buy for at Christmas so I'll try and be as broad as possible in my choices. Alongside this one I plan on doing one for her, and then one for stocking fillers.

These are few things I've chosen for this year. I find men really difficult to buy for! Another couple of ideas are a watch - Casio is always pretty cheap on Asos, and smellies are always a good bet!

My Christmas Wishlist

Nars Cream Blush in Penny Lane, REN Combination Regime Kit, Carhartt Hike Dress,

New Balance 420s in Grey Suede, Dr Martens Nixon Boots,

Virginia Woolf's Selected Essays, Hutton's Library Scented Candle.

I am rubbish at thinking of things that I would like as gifts, as I fall into the trap of looking for things I need rather than want. 

I think that at Christmas it's nice to have something to open, rather than receiving money, so these are a few things I wouldn't mind seeing under the tree (not including the things I have asked my sister to get me - she bugged me for ages).

I have lusted after the 420s for months but they are never in stock in my size. I'm a massive Woolf fan so these selected essays would be lovely to read whilst burning the candle (which is also out of stock everywhere). I have asked my mum for the Nixon boots, as they're a bit different from the Clark's Desert boots, and cheaper, and new make up and skin care is always appreciated.

What's on your Christmas list?

Stocking Fillers

O.P.I The Top Ten - £28.50
Owl Compact Mirror - £12
Topshop Gift Card
Lindt Lindor - £3.50
iPhone Case - £8.00
Rob Ryan Cup - £9.00

Looking at this selection, it is pretty much girl orientated, sorry about that. Although these items could easily be switched out for more male orientated picks. I put the O.P.I set in there because, although pricey for a stocking filler, it can be broken up and put in numerous stockings. Also, Lindor just scream Christmas for me. My sister and I always get a box at Christmas.

What I Wore Today #1

Mango coat, Usc dress - no longer available, Fossil watch, Carhartt bag,
Nike trainers, Primark snood - not online.

This is what I wore to uni today; the shoes and bag are both recent acquisitions, retail therapy was needed after a naff weekend last week. 

I'm in love with trainers at the moment and very rarely wear anything else; I've been reading Scandinavian fashion blogs a lot at the moment - my favourites are anywho.dk and feedmyego.net - where trainers are often the footwear of choice. The Scandinavian style is really interesting and inspiring. 

This Nike pair were a complete bargain, and also replace my black Vans which are dying a death. They're also super comfortable. 

I'm also getting more into street-wear brands, like Carhartt - the bag was a bargain at £35 from Zalando. I had initially seen the bag on Asos for £44, so £40 with student discount, but then found it on Zalando for £40, but if you sign up to their mailing list you get a £5 voucher to spend, reducing the price further.

Although Carhartt is pretty expensive full price, the quality belies it though, as it is a brand that started out as a durable work-wear brand so everything lasts ages.

In the end I did end up changing the dress to a big black jumper (from H&M years ago), belted at the waist, as it was way too cold for the dress, and of course wore tights and socks. 

I'm not an OOTD girl - I hate having my photo taken, but I like piecing together these collages, so let me know if you like them and I'll keep doing them :)

Thanks for reading x

A book review will be going up once I get back to Manchester; I forgot to take photos before I came home!

November

Dress and socks - Topshop, 80 denier tights - Miss Selfridge, 

Desert boots - Clarks, Fjallraven Kanken Backpack - Asos

I'm going to be a cliche and say it: where the hell has 2012 gone?! There are less than ten weeks of the year left, and Christmas present budgeting panic has set in, alongside dissertation panic (I haven't even finished the novels I'm writing on yet, major self-loathing going on here).

Anyway, this outfit is a complete dream. I would buy and wear every single thing, however the dress would not suit me, but I adore it regardless. Plus it would look awesome under my Mango coat, but as usual the Topshop price tag is way out of my budget.

I actually have the rucksack (read: filched it from my boyfriend after he bought a new one) and it is the perfect size. I love it. 

I am loving the cold weather at the moment, I'm sure it will become old very quickly, but right now, I love being able to get wrapped up warm and wear a ton of layers. I just don't work in Summer.

October's playlist:

A Case of You - James Blake

Lionheart - Bury Tomorrow

Clavicle - Alkaline Trio

Colourblind - Counting Crows

Nose Over Tail - Alkaline Trio

Thanks for reading x

Autumn Wardrobe

Mango coat, Vila dress, Topshop jeans, New Look jumper,

Cambridge Satchel Company bag, Fossil watch, Revlon KBS in Crush, 

Office Boots, Topshop Snood, New Balance 410

This is what I'll be wearing throughout Autumn. I chosen items I already own, or alternatives if they're not available online (damn you Primark). I dress pretty simply - a dress with tights, or tops/jumpers with jeans or a skirt (usually a H&M black bandage skirt) with very minimal accessories. It is very rare that you'll see me in a necklace, my watch is all I wear.

My footwear is pretty much a split between trainers and boots at the minute. I own 9 pairs of trainers (much to my sister and housemate's horror!) and 4 pairs of boots and pretty much live in them.

A decent bag is an essential; my parents bought me a black Cambridge Satchel Company satchel for my birthday last year and I still adore it.

Primark has some lovely jumpers in at the minute - starting at £8; this New Look one is a gorgeous alternative). This Topshop snood is ridiculously overpriced, I got one in a similar colour from Primark's mens section for a fiver. Seriously Topshop, what are you doing.

Lastly, I'll definitely be attempting a darker lip colour. After recently dying my hair a darker colour I've found wearing berry tones a lot easier as they don't clash like they did with my red hair.

What are your picks for Autumn?

Thanks for reading x

August

Jumper, Shoes, Disco Pant dupes, Bikini top and bottoms - all River Island

For this month's post I thought I'd post my picks from River Island. I'm having a bit of a love affair with the shop at the moment, after years of disregarding it because of its gaudy, sequin adorned clothing, but it has really upped its game over the past year or so.

I (may) have already bought the trousers after lusting over the disco pants for months. I wasn't sold on the shininess of the disco pants, and at 5ft 1, they would almost definitely be too long. I tried these on and it was love. They're thick, but not suffocatingly so and are really comfortable. I feel like Sandy at the end of Grease in them.

Anyway, onto the other stuff. I saw these shoes when I was shopping and had to prise myself away from them, same with the jumper. I tried it on and it's a really lovely loose knit, so it wouldn't be too warm in this summer (ha!) weather we haven't been having, but will also be lovely in winter with a vest underneath. 

I may be going on holiday in May for a week, and love anything blue and white striped. The hinge detail on this bikini makes it a bit different. Although, a white bikini may not be the wisest move ever.

Playlist for July has been:

A Toast to the future kids! - Emarosa

The Past Should Stay Dead - Emarosa

Reputations - We Sunk Atlantis

Raise Hell - Kids in Glass Houses