HOLIDAY HOTLIST

Summer is well and truly here!! With the exception of a few days of rain and thunder we've had some amazingly hot weather in the last few weeks, and while I'm loving being able to wear summer dresses to work, it hasn't stopped me dreaming of the much much hotter weather waiting for me in Tenerife in just over 2 weeks time! I've put together a wishlist of the key essential items I want to be packing in my suitcase and taking on my jollies!

1. Sunnies///River Island     2. Maxi Dress//ASDA     3. Swimsuit//Bon Prix     4. Bag//La Moda     5. Kimono//FD Avenue     6. Sandals//ASOS

Whether you're heading abroad or staying in-land, a pair of sunnies are everyone's summer essential. The 70's hippy-style round frames have been a huge hit this season, and I have to say I'm a massive fan, mainly because they seem to be the only style that suit my rather odd-shaped face. I've had my eye on this Brown Tortoiseshell pair from River Island- who by the way have an AMAZING selection of sunnies this season- for ages now. I do have a couple of pairs from Primark, but they are so flimsy that I'm thinking it's about time I invested in a more expensive pair.

Not much needs saying about this maxi dress from George at ASDA, apart from the fact that it's simple. chic, and perfect for wearing whichever way I want! I could add a statement pair of earrings or necklace to glam it up, but I think it would look equally as lovely with a brown belt and sandals for a casual look, perfect for day to night style! 

I'd never heard of Bon Prix until I saw this swimsuit in one of the magazines last week, and fell completely in love! It screams poolside glam, with the embellishment and colour making it look WAY more expensive than what it actually is (a complete bargain at just £14.99!). Bon Prix also have 20% off for new customers, so I've added this beauty to my basket and managed to get it for just £11.99! I've always been a bikini kind of girl, but this has definitely turned me into a costume convert!

A bag to fit my bits and bobs in whilst doing touristy activities during the day, but stylish enough to take out on a night, has to be one of my biggest holiday essentials. I tend to take 2 bags- one over the shoulder and one clutch- on holiday with me, and this is top of my wishlist to take me from day to night. La Moda are bang on with their shoes and bags right now, so this tasselled beauty is top of my 'next to buy' list.

Kimonos have well and truly taken over the high street this season, and the maxi style is one I've been completely obsessed with! After scouring my favourite blogs to see how the different styles are being worn, I've finally settled on this gorgeous White Lace one from FD Avenue. It is perfect for wearing both poolside and on evenings out, and I know I'd get plenty of wear out of it, as it's just so gorgeous! This will definitely be added to my shopping basket very soon!

Finally, I ALWAYS take a pair of comfy brown sandals with me in my suitcase. They go with absolutely anything, and seem to add a touch of summer to any outfit. Being nearly 6 foot, I can't really wear heels, plus they only add extra weight to my suitcase, so a smart pair of flats are what I look for. The buckles on these ASOS beauties add extra detail to what might otherwise be a fairly plain pair of sandals, and and £25 they are a steal!

I'm so excited to get packing, I might just have to get my suitcase out and start now- 21/2 weeks is enough preparation time right?

Are you heading on your summer holidays soon...? What key items will you be taking in your suitcase...?x 

June Must Haves

May is over, and I'm hoping (fingers crossed) that with the arrival of June, summer might finally be on it's way. This has lead to me dreaming endlessly of sunny days with the BBQ lit and a mojito in hand, so I had to show you guys my wishlist of June must haves, full of versatile summer pieces that I've fallen in love with, and am dying to have in my wardrobe- sob for saving :( !

1) Duster Coat // River Island     2) Button Cami // Topshop     3) Tote Bag // La Moda     4) Slider Sandals // Topshop     5) High Waist Jeans // Asos

1) This AMAZING Floral Duster coat is from River Island, and it's just far too gorgeous for words. RI have some absolutely  lovely summer pieces, and they are all so unique and individual, I just can't get enough of them at the moment. The statement print and pastel colours of this coat are dreamy, and I think it's also a great transitional piece, meaning you can cover up and stay cosy on days when the sun might not be shining so much. It's killing me though, as its £55, which is way out of my price range, and does make me want to cry a bit a lot. Oh well, I can always wear it in my dreams!

2) Cute little camis are always a summer essential, and this Topshop one is no different. It's a cute colour. and the button-up detailing adds a lovely little girly touch. I also love the kind-of 'knitted look' material, which is great if you're after boho vibes and a festival feel. At £12, you could probably get a cheaper version in Primark, but this one is just too cute to say no!

3)  La Moda are a brand I've seen loads of from fellow bloggers and Instagrammers (if that's even a word?). I've seen so many stylish ladies rocking their shoes and bags that I just had to give their website a quick check, and I fell in love with almost everything I saw!  This tan tote bag is one of my absolute faves, as it's a great size to fit all of my bits and bobs in, and the zip detailing makes it super chic, a definite bag must-have!

4) Oh my. I never thought I'd see the day when I pair of Birk-a-likes were gracing my blog, but I have to say that the 'ugly shoe' trend has completely won me over! I always love it when fashion and comfort come together, and it doesn't get any more comfy than these double-strap flat tan Topshop beauties. I will most definitely be purchasing a pair of these ready for my summer holiday in August. 

5) Jeans, Jeans and more Jeans. I can't get enough of them, they go with everything, and there's a fit to flatter every shape and size. I'm forever on the hunt for more jeans to wear in different colours and styles, but I'm loving the subtle knee rips in these high-waisted Asos jeans. They are bang on trend, and perfect for summer, nothing else needs to be said, except from, get in my wardrobe! 

What do you think to my wishlist? Are there any items you're coveting for summer...?x 

Outfit Post // Slogan Slouchy

Where has all the lovely weather gone?! The sun came and went far too quickly, and I didn't even get chance to take any outfit photos while the weather was nice! :( So I guess I'll just have to make do with these rather windswept ones for now, and judging by the weather forecast I may well need to get used to my hair blowing left right and centre for the next few weeks, get me on my summer holidays haha!

Jacket // Miss Selfridge     Slogan tee // River Island     Jeans // Primark     Pumps // Next     Clutch Bag // Primark

Today's outfit is quick and casual, something that's perfect for throwing on when you're having a rushed kind of day. I featured this River Island slogan tee in one of my wishlist posts a few months ago (which you can read here). My amazing boyfriend, who's one of my blogs biggest fans bless him, read the post and bought me the t-shirt for my birthday! I really love it, it's a baggy fit, and is so comfy, which is a great excuse to eat donuts when I'm wearing it, right?  Plus, I'm obsessed with all the different slogan tees around at the moment, there's so many super cool ones that you can wear in so many different ways. They are a definite wardrobe staple, and plus, when you've got your wear out of them, they are perfect for adding to the pyjama drawer! 

It goes perfectly with these Primark acid-wash jeggings that I bought a good few years ago, and somehow still (just about) fit into. I also chucked on these converse style pumps that I bought from next- again I've owned these longer than I should probably admit to! To smarten the whole look up I wore my leather jacket and black clutch bag, but to be completely honest I can't see a leather ruck-sack like this Topshop lovely looking out of place at all, casual all the way!!

Are you loving slogan tees? What is your go-to casual look?...x

Outfit Post // Denim Days

This weekend me and my boyfriend had quite a bit of time spare, so I decided to make the most of it and get him to re-invent himself as a joiner-turned-photographer to take some outfit pictures for me,  and to be honest, I'm really impressed with how they turned out. He was directing me left right and centre haha! As the sun was (sort of) shining, I decided to get my pasty legs out, and I opted for an outfit that is quite smart-casual, and could easily be dressed up or down and taken from day to night, depending on how you accessorize it.

Leather Jacket // Miss Selfridge (similar here)     Denim Shift Dress // Primark     Clutch // Primark     Sandals // Boohoo 

I bought this Denim/Pleather shift dress from Primark last year, I think it cost about £12, and while it's not the best fitting dress ever, (thanks to the sleeves seemingly being made for somebody with extremely wide arms) if I add a leather jacket on top then it loses the 'masculine shoulders' touch and looks a lot more feminine. The shift style is one of my favourites, and is perfect to wear for a long day out because it's so comfy and flattering for when I've had a bigger-than-usual lunch.  I also love this dress because of the retro 90's feel, the bright blue shade takes me back to my younger dungaree-wearing days, and it's also a slightly faded denim which is a nice touch, and also helps to enhance the shape of what might otherwise be a pretty shapeless dress, 

I decided to keep things completely minimal with no jewellery and just this black clutch bag- another Primark bargain I bought last year. I also want to take a quick moment to apologise for the state of my nail polish in the clutch bag picture- I just completely forgot to paint them! Finally I wanted to show off some gorgeous sandals I got from work (the same pair are available from Boohoo here). They are a lot chunkier than any other sandals I own, but I absolutely love the buckled gladiator straps, and the block heel and slight platform means that while they add a bit of height, they are so comfy to wear! I can't wait to use them to death this summer!

I hope you've enjoyed my new style of photos for today's outfit, now the weather is a bit nicer I'm determined to try and get more like this rather than the usual rubbish quality indoor ones I take using my tripod!

So how are you wearing denim this season? Have you got a pair of chunky sandals you love...?x 

Trend Edit // Tropical @ ASOS

This summer there is one trend that almost seems to have come from nowhere, and taken over designer and high-street alike. From palm to floral prints there's so many different ways to work the look, and so I have to confess, the once cheesy 'only for fat bald men on holiday' tropical trend has well and truly won me over! 

I'm a huge Asos lover, and so spending a couple of hours (minimum) browsing the New In section is a pretty regular occurrence for me. At the moment they've got some gorgeous tropical pieces in, so I've put together a little wishlist / look-book to show you all my fave items! 

1) Jumpsuit     2) Co-ord     3) Trousers     4)Co-ord      5) Jumpsuit

Jumpsuits are one of my favourite items of clothing. I only actually own one- a Next beauty that I bought years ago, and it's just so timeless and classic- they really are perfect for any occasion. There's two jumpsuits from Asos that I'm really loving, the first one is a Lipsy piece. It's flirty and bright, and would be so perfect for those casual summer nights when styled with a loose-fit denim jacket and chunky sandals. My other pick was this monochrome palm print beaut. I can see myself dressing it up more- adding a statement necklace and killer heels is the vision, so it's perfect for summer night out! Plus it would go with my trusty leather jacket, how can I say no?

Co-ords have been EVERYWHERE this spring, so it was only a matter of time before summer style hit and tropical prints merged with the two-piece trend. I just couldn't make my mind up as to which was my favourite out of these two co-ords, so I just added them both! While the first one is slighty less 'my style', I have been really trying to push my boundaries and wear daring things I wouldn't usually pick, and this would be perfect for that! The second co-ord is my favourite piece out of the all five, I love the understated colours and unique print, plus it's an absolute bargain at just £32 for the set. Asos I really do love you. 

Finally, I've fallen for these palm print trousers, they are just so cool! I've been after a pair of printed trousers for ages now, and I literally can't get these off my brain. There's just one problem, they are a little on the pricey side at £52 (and that's the sale price), and plus if I bought them I'd need a pair of Birkenstocks to go with them... If there's somebody growing a money tree out there.., Please give me some!

What are your thoughts on the Tropical trend? Are you loving Asos as much as me at the moment...?x

Part 3 // 3 Ways to Wear: Boxy Crop Tee

Here's the last instalment in my '3 ways to wear' blog post series.. In this outfit the Primark tee does all the talking as I've chosen not to layer over it with anything else. So here it is!

Look 3: Dressed Down Day Out
I'm a HUGE fan of the whole 'Parisian chic' trend, and I think mixing a staple white piece like this t-shirt with some red accessories always adds a bit of French style to what would otherwise be a plain outfit, and that's exactly the look I went for!

I kept things so simple and easy with this outfit, I literally just chucked on my favourite pair of blue jegging jeans from Matalan (a similar pair is available to buy here). These jeans aren't actually supposed to be high-waisted like they might look in the pictures, however I've lost quite a bit of weight since I bought them so they don't stay on unless I pull them up really high- sad I know, but they're so comfy I just can't stop wearing them!

I added my Red Topshop chain necklace on too, it's so cute, and looks perfect when you match it with some bright red lippy! I've been messing around with my hair much more recently, and to try and reduce the lions mane that is my barnet I've taken to wearing this 'topknot' style much more recently, and I think it works perfectly with the slightly casual vibes of this outfit.

I'm already planning to rock this look to go shopping, when I'm out for drinks or even just popping out for a coffee (or hot chocolate in my case!). It's my style down to a tee, (see what I did there..) and I'm so glad I saved it till last.!

I really hope you've enjoyed this 'Ways to Wear series', please let me know what you thought of it, and your opinions on my last look...x 

Part 1 // 3 Ways to Wear: Boxy Crop Tee

I'm forever on the hunt for staple pieces! Being on a budget means that I can't always afford to splash out on expensive clothes that I won't wear a lot, so while I do treat myself sometimes (after all I do deserve it haha), the main part of my wardrobe is made up of plain tops and jeans that last me for so much longer just because I can find so many more ways to wear them. I particularly love classic jersey style items that are plain and simple, and this white boxy crop tee from Primark is the perfect example, chic, minimal and just so easy to wear- I love it so much I bought it in two colours! So I thought I'd try out a brand new idea for my blog, and do a series in how to wear this tee in three completely different ways...

Boxy Crop Tee // Primark

Look Number 1: Smart Style

So here's my first look! In my opinion the white tee is the ultimate in simple chic style, and with monochrome being a huge hit trend both this season and last, adding a smart black jumpsuit like this Missguided one is a sure fire way to look smart and stylish with zero effort. Unfortunately Missguided no longer do this jumpsuit (I did buy it over a year ago), but Daisy Street have literally just started stocking the exact same one here so if you love it as much I do you're in luck! 

I kept the accessories minimal, and just wore my trusty Gold Hoops. I always worry about looking 'chavvy' when I wear them, but I do think they add a bit of edge to some outfits a la Rihanna style. Although I do think a more classic statement pair of earrings wouldn't go amiss with this outfit- it's just a shame all mine are broken haha!   

Again I kept things simple in the shoe department- you really can't go wrong with a pair of black flats, although adding a  nude heel like this gorgeous loafer-style pair from Next would definitely smarten the look up more, and mixing in another colour to an all monochrome look is definitely a good idea if all black and white isn't your thing.  

I could easily see myself wearing this outfit to a posh dinner out or even an interview, the white tee and black jumpsuit are the perfect mix of smart and casual! 

I hope you've enjoyed the first look in this series! Please let me know what you think, and if there's a staple piece in yur wardrobe that you're loving at the moment!...x

Outfit Post // Retro Colour Pop

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been a while since my last post, works been manic recently so I've been making the most of my relaxation time as best I can, so here's a little post I've put together!
On my Twitter feed a couple of months ago I came across the new fashion brand Lily Lulu Fashion, and after scouring their lovely website with so many stylish pieces I quickly realised they would be a brand to watch out for, some of the bargains in their sale section were amazing!  After some more research I realised they were based very close to me in Manchester, just another reason (or excuse..) to buy a piece of clothing from them. After much deliberation I finally settled on this gorgeous turtle-neck shift dress in a monochrome print, as I knew it would be something I'd wear just about anywhere! Since then they've added some amazing New Arrivals, including these gorgeous satchel bags in Pastel colours that I'm seriously lusting over!

Dress // Lily Lulu

Necklace // Primark (old)     Lipstick // Maybelline ColourSensational - Fuchsia Flash 

Shoes // New Look - Similar Here

As soon as I tried the dress on I felt like I'd been transported back to the 60s, it has such a glam retro feel, and I really love how it fits- the shift style means it doesn't cling when I'm having a 'food baby' kind of day. Because it's a monochrome print, something I don't always go for, I tried to think of a way to add a little pop of colour, and this Maybelline lipstick was the perfect way to do it. It's an almost Neon pink colour, and although I wasn't sure how much it would suit me, I actually love it! 

To finish the outfit off I added this simple pair of pointed flats from New Look, they have a slight block heel which again feels a bit retro, plus they are so much comfier than heels! I also teamed this Gold Primark necklace to add a bit of bling.

I first wore this dress for a day out shopping in Leeds, but I have already decided what shoes I'd team it with for a night out. I'll definitely be shopping with Lily Lulu again, and I'm also super excited to be attending their Charity Press Night next week, so watch out for more to come!

Is there a brand you'e a bit obsessed with at the moment..?x

OUTFIT POST // IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BOY

After a lovely day of some (almost) retail therapy in Meadowhall, I couldn't wait to get my new purchases on and write this outfit post! I say almost because I arrived at my favourite shopping centre, only to realise that I don't get paid until this afternoon, so I wasn't quite able to have the splurge I was hoping for, but I guess that's not a bad thing! 
After drooling over a super pretty skort in Miss Selfridge, and then a gorgeous suede tee in Zara, I was feeling major spending withdrawal by the time I got to Primark, but when I saw this gorgeous grey crop jumper reduced to just £5 I was so chuffed! At that price I really couldn't say no, so it went straight in my basket. It has a super pretty rolled top, and is almost (but not quite) a polo neck, this kind of style is perfect for me on those weird weather days where it's still a bit cold/windy but the sun is shining, and the slight cropped length means it will last me well into spring and summer. 

Cropped Jumper, Boyfriend Jeans, Spike Necklace, Metallic Heels // All Primark

I have been on the look out for the perfect pair of boyfriend jeans for a while now. The thought of having massive rips in my jeans hasn't fully  won me over, and after looking online nothing really caught my eye, but this pair (again from Primark) were perfect as the ripped detail isn't too OTT, which means I'll find them so much easier to wear. They are a little low on the waist, but I absolutely LOVE the tone and ankle-grazer style of them, and I'll be wearing these a lot as I tend to wear all the jeans I own to death. At £13 they definitely didn't break the bank, thank god for Primark! 
To finish my all Primark outfit I added this super cute spike necklace, which I've had for a few months now. I almost forgot I had it, but a sort through my jewellery box fixed that, and made me realise that 90% of my jewellery collection is from Primark! Overall this outfit cost me just over £20, and is perfect for casual daytime wear, definitely got my moneys worth!

Are you a Primark fan? What amazing bargains have you bought recently...?x