The £13 Primark embroidery shirt everyone needs

Outfit:
Khaki floral embroidery shirt: Primark (similar)
Ripped hem skinny jeans: New Look (similar)
Grey tailored coat: New Look (similar)
Croc print black skater shoes: Vans via TK Maxx (similar)
Red canvas backpack: Fjallraven Kanken via Asos

Back to my weekend uniform! I can't quite believe it but the last few weeks I've swapped my handbag for this backpack that I usually just keep for when I travel. I've been suffering with sore shoulders and back so thought I'd try and distribute the weight a bit by using a backpack. Turns out I'm getting sensible in my old age! I'm now a convert, my shoulders feel so much better and I can carry so much more stuff. As I'm no longer having to carry a handbag and tote bag to work, I look less like a cart horse... It doesn't seem like much of a hardship when the backpack looks like this to be honest. One step closer to achieving the Scandi coolness...

This week again looks set to be a busy week. I've got a few events I want to attend, a few drinks with friends and a dinner out. No doubt I'll be moaning by Wednesday just how tired I am but what's the point in working in London if you're not going to embrace it eh? God job this weekend was a lazy one...

Read more

OOTD: The everyday brown ankle boots

Outfit:
Grey multi colour roll neck: New Look (similar)
Khaki blanket coat: TK Maxx (similar)
Grey ripped knee jeans: New Look
Tan suede ankle boots: Next (similar)
Poppy red Lily: Mulberry

Gosh the temperature seems to have dropped this last few days eh? I thought Spring was suppose to be making an appearance now! The cold snap has meant layers are keys to keeping warm. Luckily a chunky roll neck jumper and oversized blanket coat have been helping. A pair of tan ankle boots are such staple in any wardrobe and these ones feel like wearing slippers. So comfy. Definitely no blisters from these. Just as well really as I walked a staggering 14km that day!

I wore this at the weekend for a day of exploring South London with Lily, Sarah and expert photographer Hannah. It was a day of eating. Lots of eating. We stumbled across these almshouses in Bermondsey during a wander down to Maltby Street market. It's amazing what you can find once you wander of the beaten track. London is full of surprises.

Read more

OOTD: Mustard roll neck jumper

Outfit:
Mustard roll neck jumper: Tu at Sainsburys (similar)
Striped shift dress: Tu at Sainsburys (Similar)
Khaki trench coat: Primark (similar)
Suede heeled ankle boots: Ravel via TK Maxx (similar)

Feeling slightly sixties in this get up. And I have my knees on show. Scandalous! Supermarket clothes have really upped their game recently. It's always decent quality, reasonable prices and quite nifty. I'm loving a roll neck under dresses recently. Nothing quite like feeling as snug as a bug when you brave the elements.

Life has been pretty crazy the past few weeks. I think I've forgotten what sleep feels like. But crazy is good. I like to be kept on my toes. I've been freelancing in West London for nearly three weeks which is about as far away as Australia from my house. But it's been fun. I've learnt lots and really enjoyed it. I realised I love working in an office. I love the socialising, the atmosphere and the fast pace. It's been a good change. I've now got a week off to recover before I'm back again for the next three weeks to do it over again. So this week I'm going to sleep. Lots.

Read more

OOTD: Pink floral dress

Outfit:

Pink floral midi dress: Topshop (similar)
Quilted faux leather jacket: Zara (similar)
Suede and leather heeled ankle boots: Ravel via TK Maxx (similar)
Black leather Bayswater: Mulberry

I've been trying very hard to keep this dress off my body lately. Pub with friends? Out comes the dress. Trip into London? Out comes the dress. Going to see a Whitney Houston tribute night like tonight? Out comes the dress. So really a dress for everything. That's the excuse I told myself when I treated myself to it. You can always find an excuse whilst shopping.

Looks like it's tights and ankle boots weather for another 6 months. And scarves. And gloves. And thick coats. Can you tell I'm not excited at the prospect?! But it does mean a little bit of shopping to update my wardrobe. Now that is something that excites me.

Thanks to the ever so lovely Sarah for snapping these pictures.

Read more

OOTD: Snakeskin shoes

Outfit:

Khaki trench coat: Primark (similar)
Roll neck black tunic: ASOS
Black ripped knee jeans: F&F
Snakeskin effect heeled pumps: Carvela via TK Maxx (similar)

Excuse the extremely windswept hair - I've heard it's the new thing for S/S14.

When I'm having a bit of a podge day I opt for an all-black outfit. It does wonders for the self esteem! It needs a bit of a boost at the minute which is why I've joined Slimming World. Hopefully it will help me kick self-esteem's butt. Please feel free to share any SW food blogs. I'm always after meal inspiration. Black also helps makes me feel a little it more put together and dare I say, a little classy. I know, I know. Stranger things have happened.

I'd just like to say a huge thank you for everyone's kind words on my friendship post. The love it's gotten has made me blush - you're all such babes. I'm so glad that so many of you can relate to it and I'm not alone. Be strong guys! You don't have to settle in friendships. You all deserve so much better.

Read more

New in

Snakeskin court shoes: Carvela via TK Maxx (similar)

TK Maxx kill it with their shoe collection every time. It's the first section I go into when I go in the shop. I spotted these gorgeous Carvela snake-effect heels while I was suppose to be doing Christmas shopping. Same old story. I've made a pact to only buy quality shoes as i'm fed up of them falling apart on my feet - Primark may seem a bargain at the time but it's not when you have to buy a new pair the next month. But I can't afford to splash out on expensive shoes that often which is hard when you're a dedicated shoe girl. So when these classic shoes caught my attention in the rack and they were Carvela - a brand I lust over - it was a no brainer. I loved the price of £35 even more. Bargain!

Here are some more gorgeous snakeskin style shoes below.

Read more

You know I try to live without regrets

Outfit:
Watercolour floral tee- Primark (similar)
Black midi textured skirt - Topshop via Leather Lane Market
Nude gold capped flats: TK Maxx (similar)
Gold vintage style boyfriend watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs

I had an hour to kill in between shoots while I was in London for work and as I was in my old stomping ground I decided to have a little mooch around Leather Lane Market whilst grabbing a drink. I used to make regular lunchtime trips to this market on my lunchbreak when I worked around the corner. It's a shame it's only on offer during the week but I find the clothing stalls also make the rounds at Petticoat Lane on a Sunday.  It has some cracking food stalls and cafes alongside a few clothing stalls that offer various Topshop/Asos/Dorothy Perkins bits. It was very hit and miss but you never knew what you was going to stumble across and I got some amazing bargains. This day I struck gold and walked away with this black midi as well as the same skirt in baby blue and a mint floral asos midi. All for £30. How could I have said no?

Tomorrow I shall be off to Glasto and keeping my fingers crossed I haven't forgotten anything. I'm so excited to spend a whole week listening to my favourite bands and just generally chilling out without much care in the world apart from what cider i'm going to drink and what food stall to choose. I have a few posts for you scheduled but i'll see you in a week! Hopefully i'll make it back in one piece!

Read more

So tell me, where does all the money go?

Outfit:
Floral abstract silky tee: Primark (similar)
Denim midi skirt: Topshop (similar)
White Jelly shoes: Truffle via TK Maxx (similar)
Cat eye green sunglasses: Red or Dead c/o Specsavers

I could get used to this sudden bout of sunshine although with a thunderstorm predicted over the weekend it looks like I need to get my wellies out. Talking of the weekend, i'm so pleased it's a three day blinder. It's even better than usual as i'm off to Nottingham for a few days to stay with a friend. There's nine of us camping out in his living room and with a trip to a rock club and Hooters on the cards, it's going to be a corker. I've already got the sausages to help me recover on Sunday morning. I don't think there's anything better than lots of gossiping, amazing junk food and plenty of bottles of wine with friends. I should imagine there will be plenty of all three!

Do you have anything planned for the Bank Holiday weekend?

Read more

Like Mother like Daughter

My outfit:
Graphic print scuba midi dress: c/o Florence and Fred
Block heeled faux suede court shoes: c/o Florence and Fred
Red lipstick:  Chanel 97 Incandescente

Mother Bears outfit:
Brown and black floral dress: Next
Black suede court shoes: Primark
Cyrstal pendant: Swarovski
Nude lipstick: Barry M 165
Black shawl: TK Maxx

Tesco got in touch to see if I would like to take part in a special Mother's Day challenge where I get to pick an outfit insipired by my mum. I obviously jumped at the chance as my beautiful mum is one of my most favourite people in the world. She's honestly my best friend. I sometimes think she knows me better than I know myself. Although I know that statement is likely to give her a very big head! I'm an only child and as a result i'm very close to both my parents. I love spending time with my mum and we often make out sunday morning ritual to scour the bootsales looking for junk that makes my dad tear his hair out. She enjoys stuffing her face just as much as do and gives me honest advice without holding back. Sometimes you need to hear that your current hairstyle is getting a bit boring!

So where have I taken my inspiration from? As long as I can rememeber my mother scrubs up extremely well when she's heading off out. We both like to longue around in our PJs at the weekend though if we're in the house! She takes great effort in keeping up to date with the trends whilst still being age appropriate. My mum loves a a knee length/ midi dress, something I find myself always gravitating towards. I just think it looks very elegant and classy. My mum isn't afraid of braving patterns and loves something that makes a statement.  She always loves a court shoe. Go in her wardrobe and you'll get a serious injury when you open the door and all these heels come falling down! I've chosen a black court shoe as she always says you can't have too many black shoes! Sound advice there guys!

Some of the quality isn't too good but here are a few more pictures of my mum and I through the years. Thanks for being such a star mum!

Read more