Instagramming

After buying my super cool new Canon 600D a few months ago, all I have done is take random snaps out and about as I try to get to grips with navigating my way around a DSLR.  However, lack of a good photographer or a decent spot to be photographed in, means I have neglected what I bought the camera for ... blogging!

Instead, I have stuck to my trusty iPhone camera to snap shots of blush, lipstick, brows and clothes.  Like many of you, I am hooked on Instagram as my photo app of choice and now have an album full of random pics I have captured day to day.

Here are some instagram pics of an outfit I wore a couple of days ago.

Hat: TK Maxx
Vest: Topshop
Cardigan: COS (sale)
Belt: Vintage
Leggings: Stradivarius
Boots: Topshop via Ebay
Bracelets: ROX

Where's my head at??

My flat is an absolute tip at the moment as I am packing up to move so there is no pretty or tidy area to be photographed in so this is the best I could find... a rare gap in my dressing/spare room that is literally littered with clothes and shoes at the moment!!

I wore my new Topshop boots that I found on eBay unused.  Originally £90 (they still had the pricetag on) I managed to snare them for £25.  The style is called 'Damsel' and they are a vintage, kicked in style of biker boot.  I really needed a new pair as my old biker boots had ripped at the zipper.

Jewellery wise I wore my ROX bracelets which are permanently attached to my wrist at the moment and my Ydeltuyt ring that resembles the YSL arty ring.  It had become very discoloured after too much wear though and actually broke later in the evening. RIP.

I have lots of reviews and bits and bobs to blog about .... sales shopping, new make up brushes,  lots and lots of new shoes!! .... I am hoping to fit in time to write about it all and do a bit of show & tell before I go back to work this week.  Hopefully I can share some better photos from my Canon too!

Does anyone else always resort back to their phone for photos instead of using a real camera?  I think I need to discipline myself in the ways of photography!

x

On my way to Geordie Shore

With my holiday still a long way off, I am breaking up a bit of summer with a trip to Newcastle to visit some special girls in my life.

Well, Gateshead to be exact then a trip to Leeds for a big birthday bash!  Today I have made mental notes, sketches and lists of what to wear, what make up will be required and what needs to be done in prep.  This is how I stay organised.

As well as the DIY mani, pedi, hair zshoosh and fake tanning sesh this evening, I need to pack my pre-styled outfits into one measly hand carrier.

Instead of preaching to you on packing light ... (I am still in the process of mastering this but will hopefully have some tips by my next big holiday) I thought I would show you some of the outfits I will be taking for day and evening.

I have been assured by Mr Weatherman that the weather will hold out and we will indeed be in for a sunny weekend so I think it's probably a good time to get the legs out again.

White denim shirt dress: Motel at ASOS
Studded belt: purchased in Philadelphia
Crossover stone bag: Topshop
Multi colour beaded bracelet: Mango.
Trainers: Nike at Urban Outfitters

During the day I expect we will be doing a bit of shopping, lunching and the odd cocktail.  Comfort is always the key when you are up to a bit of shenanigans so I have gone for a simple summer dress that is reminiscent of Wimbledon season.

Fringed Top: ASOS
Denim studded shorts: Miss Selfridge
Fringed sandals: Warehouse
Bag: Topshop
Bangle: Miss Selfridge
Ring: Ydeltuyt
Necklace: H&M

Another daytime outfit tailored for comfort again.  I love wearing this for afternoons in a beer garden and the odd boat rave when they come around.  It is such a comfy combo that it will serve me well for farewell drinks and my train home.  The top was a bargain purchase a few years ago from ASOS and it has to be my most worn item of clothing - it can be worn in many different ways, casual and glam.  I adore fringing reflected on the top and sandals - gah, I am so 80's sometimes!

I love this bag, it was a gift from my friend Stacie. It's so versatile and seems to go with everything.  It has a real festival feel about it and I think the blue stone in the centre is just gorgeous.

Brazilian print dress: Warehouse
Blue platform shoes:  Carvela
Blue clutch bag:  Zara
Bangles and cuff: Mango and Warehouse
Earrings:  Miss Selfridge
Selection of rings from H&M, Primark, Ydeltuyt and Accessories Online

It wouldn't be a big fat Geordie weekend without a party outfit in tow.  This dress is a recent purchase from Warehouse, I love the clashing pattern and colours throughout so I have tried to clash some of the accessories too without becoming too much of a muddle.  There is a slight twist in the front of the dress and so too in the bag which complements it nicely.

So all there is for it now is to get the vino chilled, the falsies at the ready and an endless supply of instant fake tan for these pasty ol' legs of mine!!

The extravagance of fur and red lipstick

My Saturday was spent recovering and reminiscing from the night before when my husband and I went to see one of favourite ever DJ's Laurent Garnier.  Fortunately for us we were still feeling relatively fresh the next day and made it out to lunch with friends.  We went to a Brazilian restaurant in town called Tropeiro for a real meat feast and left stuffed and practically rolling home. 

For some reason I keep insisting on dressing for spring.  When I look outside, it looks fairly mild and I see no frost, snow or rain ... so surely it can't be that cold?  WRONG! It's blimmin' freezing out there and I never know until it's too late and there's no going back to change into something warmer.  Thankfully we had the car today but I really need to keep in mind that winter is still well and truly with us.

Trousers:H&M; Striped top: H&M; Leather jacket: Zara; Faux fur stole: H&M; Wedge shoe boots: Dune; Belt: Massimo Dutti

In my last post I wore my fur stole and hat to glam up an otherwise drab outfit.  This time the outfit was fine but I wanted to change up the look of my leather jacket as it has studded shoulder detail.  I decided to wear my stole over it to hide the studs and went for a bright red lip just to make things a bit more interesting.

I played up on my rings today with my Vivienne Westwood skull ring, Ydeltuyt armour ring and my Thailand silver filigree style ring.

 The red lippie of choice was Estee Lauder's Extravagant Ruby.  A true red lipstick that emulates the glamour of a 50's pin up girl.  I have a drawer full of red lipstick, all slightly different from the other and all equally as loved as the next.

 

This is definitely my favourite for retro appeal ... it came out with Lauder's Christmas Collection and has a gorgeous gold glitter coating around the lipstick but doesn't transfer to the lip (kinda wish it did!).

In other news I bought a fantastic new lipstick this week that I just HAVE to share with you all so there will be a blogpost coming soon! 

x

Jail Bird

Fridays in my office are dress down day or casual Friday as some may know it.  I tend to not dress up for work on a Friday as I start so early I like to just roll out of bed and onto the train (I happen to live 2 seconds from the train station).  I also don't work in the most fashion forward of organisations, best way I can describe it is that it's very 'old school'.  Of course that's not to say there aren't some very stylish and utterly delectable hot young thangs that I work with - you know who you are ;)

So on a Friday I usually opt for something a little boring or on the plain side, mostly to avoid odd looks, comments or intense questioning over my choice of attire.

Friday past, I decided to wear a new top to work since I had to go into town straight after for an eye test.  I bought it in COS last week in the dregs of their sale ... which might I add still happens to have some amazing stuff on offer.  I like the leather look stripe detailing on this top, it makes it a little more edgy than casual and means it would look equally fabulous dressed up.

For this very reason I also kept this top on to go to the IMAX cinema to see Tron in 3D later in the evening.  Tron, which I loved by the way - mostly for nostalgic reasons - and couldn't help beaming cheek to cheek when Daft Punk appeared on the screen in their cameo role.  Love Daft Punk and love the soundtrack to this movie.

Top:COS; Jeans: Primark; Wedge Boots: Dune

I teamed my COS top with a very kicked in and tired looking pair of black skinnies from Primark.  These jeans look fabulous when new but with any pair of jeans you buy for £8 the quality is never going to be good enough to keep them looking pristine for long.  In saying that I have had these for ages and I wear them a lot.

I stuck to my Dune wedge boots which I am getting a lot of wear out of since I bought them... although I can't wait until the weather perks up so I can wear some of my nicer and brighter shoes.

I accessorised the top with my Links of London friendship bracelet, my new braid bracelet, braided cord bracelet and my fabulous armour ring from Ydeltuyt.  The armour ring is amazing and I think it looks a lot more expensive than it's price tag.  I blogged about Ydeltuyt not long ago here, but I am still obsessing over most things on the website and I am waiting until payday to get more of the chain bracelets as they are fantastic.

Hair was quiffed pretty high i must say.  I actually rolled my hair under like it had been set in a roller ... a little bit 1950s style.  My husband couldn't stop staring at it all night ... it was my 'Something about Mary' moment ;)

What do you wear on Casual Friday?

x

YDELTUYT

Rings!

It seems everyone has gone mad for rings just now - the more the merrier too and all at once.

I have always been a bit mad for costume jewellery especially rings and have a multitude hidden away in numerous jewellery boxes. I never tire of adding to the collection.

2010 seen everyone go ballistic over the YSL arty ring. So too did I but decided against jumping on the same wagon and avoided buying it. I wanted something less popular, something that people would have to ask 'where did you get that from?'. Luckily I found some gems on my recent travels but also discovered a fabulous website where I could order a plethora of beauties online.

YDELTUYT is an independent jewellery retailer based in the Netherlands and is the creation of Simone Zuurveld.

I purchased these gorgeous rings from the website, they are real statement rings and made from beautiful materials. Simone at Ydeltuyt was also kind enough to include this cute tiger ring which is just adorable and looks great worn together with other rings.

Ydeltuyt stock not only rings but bracelets, earrings and even sunglasses and at super reasonable prices.

Of course, the rings have caught my eye most and there are so many more I want to order, especially some of the ornate looking skull rings.

Ydeltuyt ships internationally and the jewellery available rivals larger retailers and in my opinion offers something a little bit different and more unique.

Has anyone else discovered the wonders of Ydeltuyt yet?

x