OOTD: Black midi skirt

Outfit:
Velvet cropped jacket: Topshop (similar)
Black cropped tee: Topshop (similar)
Black and silver netted midi skirt: c/o Chi Chi London thanks to Etail PR
Silver t-bar heels: Primark (similar)

I feel like this outfit is around three months too late. It feels and looks a bit too Christmassy for March. But I'm a rebel so I'm going to run with it anyway! The skirt is too pretty to be tucked away in the wardrobe. I'm kinda digging the wonky lop-sided-ness of these pictures - makes me feel a little bit Alice In Wonderland. Never a bad thing right?

On Thursday I'm off to Chicago and the surrounding areas for eight days on a press trip. Excited doesn't even cover it! I only went to America for the first time last year and have been desperate to venture back ever since. I'm looking forward to seeing another side of the States. I've got a feeling that it's going to be a lot different to NYC. I've got a few posts scheduled to help keep you entertained when I'm away. Keep an eye out!

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OOTD: Beige Trench Coat

Outfit:
Nude trench coat: Zara (similar)
Forest green tunic: Topshop
Black skinny jeans: New Look
Black suede western ankle boots: Topshop (similar)
Forest green leather satchel: The Cambridge Satchel Company

Another pair of jeans. Those midi skirts are showing no sign of shoe-horning their way back into my every day wardrobe. It's just too cold at the minute to even think of putting my legs in tights! I've been making sure to stock up on tunic style tops like they're going out of fashion. Looking at this jacket I think it might need to be taken to the drycleaners. And I should learn to hang my coat up when I take it off...

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Can't you find a little room inside for me?

Outfit:
Grey leopard print tunic: Topshop
Black duster coat: Topshop (similar)
Black super soft skinny jeans: New Look
Black pointed heels: Primark (similar)
Silver boyfriend watch: Fossil
Amazonian Butter Red lipstick: c/o Tarte via QVC

I'm finding I'm wearing a lot of jeans. Quite often when I wade through my endless supply of clothes in the morning, I'm picking up jeans. I don't know what on earth is happening either - those midi skirts are gathering dust. Maybe I've had too much of a good thing recently and fancy a change. I do know that these jeans are keeping me warm in this cold snap! I also know that this top has fast become one of my favourite things to wear. I bought it thanks to a birthday voucher - thanks E! - and it's been worn far too much already. That's always the sign of a good purchase.

Can we just chat about this lippie? I was given this lipstick via work and have fallen in love. Come payday and I'll be buying a few more. I've already got a Tarte blush which I picked up in NYC last year and have been meaning to sample a few of their products for ages! Any lipstick recommendations?

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A few favourites #2

Mary Berry Baking Bible
I was very kindly given this by my sister-in-law for Christmas. I just adore Mary Berry - she's such a babe and whenever I follow her recipes I always have such incredibly tasting cakes. Admittedly I haven't made anything out of this yet as I've just not had time to think since the festive period. But things should calm down soon and I have the cheese straws and Swiss Roll at the top of list of things to bake.

Matalan Pink Initial Scarf
My mum bought my dad his own version of this scarf just before Christmas and kindly treated me too when I expressed an interest. I love things with my initial/name and I kind of feel a little like High School Musical in it. It's very warm and the £10 goes straight to Alder Hey charity. Not only do you look good but you do a good deed at the same time!

Topshop Forest Green Tunic
I've been on the hunt for suitable tops for jeans for what feels like my whole life. Okay slight exaggeration there... But in an era of crop tops, they're like a needle in a haystack. I'm quite fussy and like tops to cover my bum and to be long and flowing.  Thankfully Topshop have come up trumps with this tunic. I love the colour and it skims perfectly past my rather large booty - winner all round! I might have to get it in the oxblood colour too.

No7 Pop and Glow Cream Blush Stick
I bought this with a No7 voucher, used it once and then popped it in my make up drawer and promptly forgot all about it. Fast forward to a day where I was determined to finally get a hold on my mountain of stuff - never did - and I came across it. Since then it's barely left my cheeks. Although the colour looks a touch scary, it's the perfect shade to build to your tastes and has great staying power. I'd love to try other shades in the range.

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Laquer Big Bang
Over the last few months I can seem to get enough of a red lip and this is one of the top contenders that I reach for. It can be a little tricky to apply as it's so easy to be heavy handed with it. A lip liner might help to keep it under control. But it really does pack a punch.

Enrapture Totem Styler 
I asked for this a few birthday's ago when it reached the dizzy heights of the blogger hype. Everyone and their dog seems to have one. Again it had been pushed to one side for a good few months - sense a theme? I need to detox my room. But I picked it up before Christmas and instantly remembered how much I loved it. I adore the fact you can adjust the curl depending on your mood and it really does lasts on my dreaded heavy hair. Perfect!

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Seeing spots

Outfit:
Burgundy and black polka dot wiggle dress: ASOS (Similar)
Faux suede block heel court shoes: F&F (similar)
Black oversize faux fur bag: Topshop
Quilted faux leather jacket: Zara (similar)
Ruby and Garnet rings: Vintage

This dress is an old faithful that I can't believe hasn't made an appearance on the old blog yet. It's my absolute favourite style of dress and I'd buy them all up from ASOS if I had the money. It's just so flattering and is the perfect dress to hide any food babies - just as well as I'm wearing this out to go for dinner at my friends birthday at Inamo tonight. I always feel a little bit sassy whenever I pop this beauty on which means it's pretty much the perfect dress right?!

Here are a few of my favourite wiggle dresses available on ASOS at the minute.

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You don’t need a plan of what you wanna do

Outfit:
Black ribbed turtle neck body: ASOS
Purple floral maxi skirt: ASOS
Gold heeled black sandals: Boohoo
Black furry oversized clutch: Topshop
Velvet cropped jacket: Topshop (similar)
Boyfriend silver watch: Fossil (similar)

I'd had my beady eye on this beauty of a skirt for months but at £75 I needed a good excuse to blow that kinda cash. As luck would have it the ASOS sale gods were shining down on me and it was popped in the sale just before Christmas. I made it mine immediately! It's just so fancy and I adore the gorgeous length - looks very glamorous don't you think? This was my New Years Eve outfit for a meal at our local Indian restaurant. I'm never too much of a fan of NYE as I think it's overrated so this was perfect. Good food and good friends - what more could you want to ring in the first day of a new year?

Can you believe Christmas has been and gone for another yet? I'm in cheese mourning. Luckily we still have plenty of leftovers. But not so lucky for my waistline.

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All black everything

Outfit:
Black roll neck jumper: Primark (similar)
Black crepe cullottes: Topshop
Black quilted leather jacket: Zara (similar)
Chunky heeled faux suede courts: F&F (similar)
Faux pearl stud earrings: c/o Susan Caplan

Sometimes when the weather just isn't playing ball you just want to wear all black in mourning for the long lost sunshine. There's something about an all black outfit that I love especially when there's a mix of different textures. A little bit of red lippy helps to keep it from looking too boring. These cullottes are my new favourite thing surgically attached to my body. I was persuaded by my nan to buy them during a weekend away- the girl has style! If you ever need to be talked into buy some unnecessary purchases she's the one to go too. My bank account weeps when we go shopping.

I was very kindly gifted these gorgeous Susan Caplan earrings - aren't they pretty? Founder Susan sources gorgeous vintage jewellery which means every piece is unique. She sells a wide range including earrings, necklaces and bracelets - well worth having a little mooch!

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The room is on fire as she's fixing her hair

Outfit:
Black duster coat - Topshop
Semi sheer black cami- Topshop (similar)
Burgundy skinny jeans- New Look
Croc print pointed courts - F&F (similar)

I succumbed to the duster coat trend after an innocent trip into town at lunch to pick up something for work. I had to pass Topshop and this was in the front door with a reduced ticket swinging from it. Obviously I had to go in to investigate and before I knew it, I was at the till handing over my plastic. It was just £30 and I thought it would be great to help jazz up my jean collection. It instantly smartens up any outfit and makes me feel presentable even if I've only rolled out of bed 15 minutes before.

The countdown for Christmas is well and truly on! I can't believe just how fast December is whizzing past especially as it felt like November was lingering. I've completed all my Christmas shopping, got my Christmas Eve outfit sorted and buying my cards tomorrow. I'm well and truly ready for the big day. The week off work is making me very excited indeed. I've got my box sets sorted so if you want me I'll be snuggled under my duvet, drooling over Jon Snow and stuffing my face with the leftover sweets.

Are you looking forward to Christmas?

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A few favourites #1

Red lipstick - Chanel Incandescente
Green glittery crop top - Topshop
Sweetpea and Freesia scented candle - c/o Laura Ashley
Smythson leather notebook - c/o Smythson
Green glitter nail varnish - Nitrogen c/o Only Fingers and Toes
Vintage cameo earrings - Local jewellery shop (similar)
Pitt Cue Co Cookbook - TK Maxx (buy it here)

As you can see from the bits and pieces in the post, i'm getting rather into the festive spirit and am looking like a Christmas tree with the green sparkles! That's never a bad thing right? Admitedly I haven't yet cooked anything from the Pitt Cue book but after trying their delicious food a few weeks ago, I had to buy this for only £8 when I saw it. The only problem is trying to decide what to cook first! I got the candle in a goodie bag at the recent Laura Ashley event and it smells absolutely gorgeous. It's lovely to have in the bathroom while I'm relaxing in the bath reading a book. A candle makes all the difference!

I was sent this gorgeous yellow notebook with a very apt quote on the front - we all need to be reminded to follow our dreams. It's been sitting in my bag ready for me to pull out when a moment of inspiration strikes. It's been so useful to write down various blog ideas and also to keep track of my life. I can't be the only one who seems to write endless lists? They have a gorgeous selection of leather diaries on the website that will make amazing Christmas presents.

What have you been loving recently?

This is a sponsored post by Smythson. All thoughts are my own. 

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Layering up

Outfit:
Midi beige trench coat: Zara (similar)
Burgundy and navy scarf: c/o New Look
Black across the body bag: Zara (similar)
Black turtleneck jumper: Primark (similar)
White textured drop waist dress: Asos
Leather heeled black boots: Topshop (similar)

You can tell the chill is starting to set in when you resemble the Michelin man when you leave the house thanks to the endless layers. This outfit is the prime example! Gosh it's been a little cold this week hasn't it? This trench still hasn't left my body since the day I bought it but I might have to retire it soon. It's just not thick enough! I'm still not entirely convinced by the drop waist dress. It's a little bit too much like a smock and not too flattering. But it's the ideal piece for layering a jumper underneath and is so comfortable! It definitely looks better with a bit of a heel.

Thank the heavens for Friday eh? This has been one hell of a week!

How are you layering up now the winter months have hit?

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