Clashing Prints

I spent the weekend 'doon tha toon' ... in Newcastle.  Well, Gateshead to be exact.

Friday was spent with Florence and her Machine ... and what a talented soul she is.  It's my 3rd time seeing Flo and she never disappoints.  I was a little apprehensive about the bigger production of the show to previous gigs but I needn't have worried, I was there for a voice, and a voice is what I got! Oh, and a cape. A stunning, flowing, bejewelled cape.  WANT.

I managed to get some grizzly outfit shots after the gig on our way into town.

Scarf print trousers: Matalan
Heels: Dune
Black top: Zara
Leather Jacket: Esprit
Bag: Mango
Jewellery: Mixture of Topshop, ROX, Links of London

I went for bold scarf print jeans that I picked up (last week) for a snip at £20 from the 'Be Beau' range at Matalan.  I love the colour, print and fit of these jeans.  Probably not the best quality but in my eyes, it's fast fashion, I'm sure in 6 months time I will have no interest in wearing them again so I'd rather spend less.

The clashing red snake-print clutch is a vintage Mango purchase.  Well, that's if you count an 8 year old purchase as vintage.  I do ... ;)  I had my friends give me the okay on the clashing prints as I wasn't sure if it was all a bit too much but they gave the thumbs up and in the end I loved the juxtaposition of both patterns.

What do you think of clashing prints? Do you dare?
x

Reiss Wedges

I shouldn't have done it.

I had no money, nada.  But I somehow managed to acquire a new pair of wedges.

After wearing my black Dune wedges to death, it really was a safe purchase to buy another black wedge.

However, these are much cooler, edgier and dare I say it a little bit more dangerous than the Dune offering.

I absolutely love love love the zip back detailing in these wedges and have in fact been on the search for a pair with this kind of feature for a while.  The split tone suede, leather effect makes these wedges rather special along with their peeptoe which thankfully doesn't allow my tootsies to pop out and be overly exposed.

The danger aspect is the height of these wedges.  I haven't measured but they are certainly higher than any other wedges I own.  Despite this, they are still delightfully comfortable to wear.  The soles feel like they are cushioned making me walk with a little bit of a spring in my step.

Despite being on a spending ban, I made an exception for these beauts, considering they were in the sale,  I feel I got a bargain.

I can always excuse them as a late (v.late) birthday gift to myself! ;)

x

Not just for pirates ...

I promised I would get back on track with outfit posts and when I make a promise, I always deliver.

So here is today's outfit ... it was a quick throw together for an early start at work (casual Friday) but it had to be pub/shopping appropriate as I originally planned to head into town when I was done.

I searched high and low in H&M's across the city for these faux leather patch leggings.  It became frustrating that whenever I did find them they were all in tiny or huge sizes ... eventually my search paid off and I found them hidden in a rail of regular leggings.   I can't tell you enough how comfy they are to wear and just look great with so many things.  They work a casual smart look terrifically.

On top I went for an H&M semi sheer blouse which dips down at the back hiding my big booty that will no doubt be struggling with gravity in my leggings.  Jewellery was at a minimum today as I was rushing out the house at 7.30am there wasn't much I could find or even be bothered to look for.

I wore my Mango trench style spring jacket even though it's still pretty chilly.  I love this jacket but the belt has broken and the shoulder buttons have fallen off ... to disguise this I threw on my trusty H&M fur stole over it which transforms it into something a little Burberry-esque.  Wow, nearly a full outfit from H&M!

I don't normally lie on the wooden floor, just for you guys ;)

Shoes were my trusty Dune wedge shoe boots.  Honestly, these shoes have hardly been off my feet since I got them, they are so comfortable and give me an added bit of height that I need.  And to think I considered returning them!

You might also notice my new hair colour.  As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, I got rid of my ombre hair and have gone for an all over shade of chestnut which over my natural auburn locks turns out quite a nice reddy shade.  I kept the length in my hair even though my ends make go lighter quicker but this will hopefully just give a sunkissed look.  Now my hair is bridesmaid ready! :)

x

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

Making a spectacle of myself

This outfit post is actually from the weekend.  My husband and I were going for a dander round the shops (which led to some fabulous bargains being purchased) and going to my sisters house for a delicious dinner.

Remember I said that when I like something I wear it to death?  Well, heres the proof, this is the third OOTD post where I have donned my leather Miss Selfridge skirt.  It's just so comfortable, casual and versatile.

I decided to wear my geek glasses too which I have been wearing quite a lot recently.  So much so I think I will invest in a more expensive pair that look a little more chic than these plastic offerings.  Someone told me I look like an annoying T4 presenter when I wear them ... this did make me chuckle as so often we are afraid to wear what we want in case someone takes the mickey or doesn't understand our sense of style.  I took it on the chin and it's actually made me want to wear them more!

We express ourselves in how we dress, the music we listen to, our interests and hobbies and sometimes when it doesn't blend in with the rest of society, others aren't sure how to take it.  Sometimes you just have to be confident even if it's a little intimidating at first and be proud of the choices you make.  You make those choices because they express how you feel and who you are, so enjoy them.  Obviously if I looked absolutely ridiculous I would want someone to tell me but for now I am happy with my £1 plastic glasses :)

I started taking photos before I had finished all my make up and I kept changing accessories (not sure why).  I hadn't decided to wear my glasses until last minute so decided to take the photos all over again once I was done.  Make up wise I used my Michael Kors Estee Lauder eyeshadow palette which hadn't been shown much love in a while and also a new Dior lipgloss that I got for Christmas.  It's such a lovely springtime peachy colour, I will do another post about it soon.

Denim Shirt: ASOS; Faux Leather skirt: Miss Selfridge; Wedge boots: Dune; Geek Glasses: Primark(!); Navy Trenchcoat: Commes des Garcons for H&M: Bag: Vintage Gucci

In other news, I also got my hair did ... it's been re-ombred so not much change at all so nothing to show really except the ends of my hair are slightly blonder than before.  I am also waiting on a new camera arriving in the post this week, it's another digital compact ... but I still have my sights set on something a little more super duper ;)

x

Summer Wedges!

I am going to Ibiza in 5 weeks time and one thing you can count on is a lot of dancing will be going on so comfortable shoes are a must!

So far, I have a fair selection of gladiators and other interesting flat sandals but these are not always flattering to the leg ... not my tree trunks anyway! Heels are a definite no go as I just know I will be tripping up everywhere and will get the dreaded sole burn - ouch! So, while in Dune at the weekend I spotted a comfier option in the sale.

These tan wedges were £65 reduced to £39 ... ok, not a big discount but enough for me to snap them up. I figure these will be a good alternative if my legs need a bit of slimming and lengthening with the help of some height.(AS USUAL APOLOGIES FOR TERRIBLE PHOTO QUALITY)

They are very comfortable, in fact so comfy, i wore them while tidying and making the dinner on Sunday! I wish i could say the rest of me looked as glam as my feet but I am afraid I teamed them with my pj's, scraped back hair and a naked face!!!

I should be less likely to fall over in these wedges although they are very high. So far they go with pretty much everything in my wardrobe, so that's a plus point although tan is a versatile colour anyway.

What do you think? Has anyone else purchased some killer wedges for Summer?

x