Monday, 09 February / The New 'Necessary' Boots

I admit that I'm guilty of the 'I really needed them' trick. I've applied my need vs. want argument to one-too-many purchases over the years (why stop now eh?)

The thing is, there is always an element to whatever I buy that makes that item essential to me. Take these boots, for example. Yes I already have black boots, patent black boots, patent black boots with a heel. But that crocodile pattern. Now that is something that does not feature on my excessively bursting clothing rack. So I pulled out my debit card and committed a selfless act: gave these babies a home. 

Apparently wandering into Clarks on a Sunday afternoon can be more detrimental to one's student bank account than initially thought...

Sunday, 08 February / Paris Inspiration: Daytime

As previously mentioned (on my blog and to anyone who will listen...) I'm heading to Paris next month.

I guess my burning obsession with Sex and the City has romanticised my view of city breaks and the fashions that will be worn when perusing the streets. In my head it's very much longline duster jackets, designer satchels and interesting headwear. Of course, Patricia Field won't be styling my week in the city of love so the reality will no doubt be bumbags and a mac-in-a-sac.

Here's my current inspiration for 'daywear': sultry neutrals and firm structuring. I'm going for comfort infused with Parisian chic (with the bumbag settled beneath some expensive-looking shirt). Look out for the nightwear version coming soon, and hopefully that will end my city break collages... though probably not... in fact definitely not... is it obvious I don't leave Newcastle often?

Clean cut, sharp and excessive silver hardware

VALENTINO
YMC
ADIDAS
DIPTYQUE
LARSON+JENNINGS

Friday, 06 February / Fashion Week

Fashion week is creeping upon us and the scent of upcoming trends is teasing my nostrils already.

There's something almost magical about fashion week as the 4 countries unite fashionistas and their followers. Though I may not study fashion academically, I certainly enjoy 'studying' it on my laptop, every night, for the month(ish) that designers boast their latest collections. I've never been a fan of spring/summer attire so the shows at this time always excite me for the winter months to return (even if they haven't even ended yet...) I've always been more faux fur and hot choc than swimsuits and Pimms so Feb-March time fashion weeks are certainly my favourite.

As usual, I'll be focussing my fashion lust on Alexander Wang and DKNY as the structural dynamic of these two tend to satisfy my androgynous (wannabe) desires.

I'm heading to Paris the week following Paris fashion week (woe is me) but hopefully the spirit of FW will still be in the air. Irrelevant to that, I'll still be sassing the streets in camel tones and too-high-for-walking shoes in an attempt to match up to the professional fashionistas (minus the paparazzi and complements).

Sunday, 18 January / Makeover

Well here is the latest makeover to the blog, and by far the most attractive!

I dabbled in the occasional HTML to try and establish a layout that I thought would be best for the blog. I soon realised that professional websites are efficient, inexpensive and definitely impressive. This layout has achieved exactly what I've been trying to for a while! 

I also wanted to throw out a quick apology for the lack out of outfit posts at the moment, with a heavier shift towards the beauty and lifestyle aspect of writing. Due to horrific weather (yipee for the North East), university deadlines and an apparent lack of camera charger (anyone in my fam wanna own up?) I've been unable to get any outfit pictures together. BUT, thanks to my wonderful boyfriend's recent enjoyment of photography I now have a personal photographer who is forced happy to take my pictures for me, whenever and wherever I want when he has the time. SO hopefully some rather high quality images of my awkward mug will be on the way (not sure if such quality is a good thing...)

Aside from that, I've enjoyed the past 3 days back at my uni home watching too many films, eating too many biscuits and laughing all day and night. My new year diet is going... well it's going, but Mcvities is a forceful character who will not leave me alone (Digestive with every cup of tea anyone...?) Today I waved an emotional goodbye to the naughty snacks in my cupboard and said hello to an assortment of healthy snacks. I'm aiming for that whole 'lifestyle' change rather than "diet"... we'll see. 

So that's the latest: back to watching Four in a Bed, planning my dissertation and eating biscuits grapes.

Saturday, 10 January / Sales

Like most of us, I am forever hunting for a bargain. I'm also that superficial, spending-obsessed, individual who begins hunting online when recovering from eating Christmas dinner. Yep, 4 o'clock strikes on December 25th and I'm entering my (memorised) card details into various 'checkout' points on the web. 

I think the key to getting a truly 'good' deal is to plan ahead. When I'm physically shopping I'm easily sucked in by red labels and synonyms for 'reduced' but online I obide a structured shop. Make note of what you want and try not to stray from it (note: this means looking ahead on various websites to choose your garment victims - more shopping yay). I was pretty successful with this in 2014 and have managed to grab myself an Acne-esque scarf from good old HM, at, possibly, a tenth of the price?! I then betrayed my own advice and entered the realm of all evil: a shopping centre. 

We moan, complain, push/shove our way through the treacherous battle of individual shops but all for a good cause: draining bank accounts and expanding wardrobes. It's highly bittersweet but returning home with an abundance of glossy bags and displaying my goods in front of me, the trauma is forgotten (maybe once I'm back snuggled on the sofa with a coffee). 

This year was a good'un for me, as my one true love was very much on point: Zara. I can usually tell when entering the shop if I'm going to be successful, of course, in the sales, I'm sprinting in too fast to take note. 

This jumper is probably my favourite purchase so far. It was one of those 'tag has been removed, no idea how much it is, take it to the till and hope for the best' jobs and it sure didn't disappoint. My extensive knitwear collection has definitely gone too far now, but, so long as its cold I'll be tucked in my turtle necks (praise British weather for allowing the obsession to continue until July).

So with a bit more monochrome, a necessary candle (because obviously I need another), some dainty jewellery and even more monochrome, my shopping was a success. Throw in a pit stop at Gourmet Burger Kitchen and the day was actually... fun? 

A few weeks ago I would have wished you luck with your own shopping missions. Warned you to pack deodorant, a drink and a taser (just incase). Things have mellowed down now but the sale is still providing the goods so be sure to not miss out - now that the insane bargain hunters have entered hibernation until next boxing day.

Til next time!

Friday, 2 January / Currently

There is something incredibly frightening about writing '2015' for the first time. Just like every year, nothing, for me, has changed (except those digits) and yet it seems so daunting. There would be little use in sprawling any ambitious NY resolutions as they have been the same since around 12 years old (and become vaguer each year: lose weight, drink water, be better at life). Broad, boring and easily forgotten - hence keeping it brief. 

I did, however, think that ranting about my current favourite things would be a perfect method of procrastination. Oh and a good excuse to crank up the volume of Julie Andrews singing the relevant musical accompaniment (is a lifetime obsession with Sound of Music something that should be kept to oneself? I think not).

CLOTHES
An easy subject matter. Though I increase my wardrobe on a worryingly regular occasion, (whilst decreasing colour variety) I have been wearing the same few items on repeat. 

All Saints Leather Jacket This bad boy was a bit of a last-minute xmas present from my boyfriend and I am so so so lucky to own it (and have a boyfriend who works at All Saints...) It completes, and enhances, literally any outfit and actually keeps me rather cosy. Perhaps the price tag is justified after all.

www.allsaints.com (Balfern leather biker jacket)

High Neck Jumpers  No surprise there if my Instagram posts are anything to go by. It's not 'stuck in a rut' if you are 100% content within that rut (a life of constant high neck jumper wearing). Knitwear will always be my true love and exploring my way through various-necked jumpers (shout out to the roll neck - still my no.1) has been my endeavour of the winter months. 

www.uniqlo.com

FOOD
Chinese Chinese Chinese Being back home from uni over Christmas means gaining 200 pounds home cooked meals. I'm lucky enough to have a mother who puts on a cracking spread every evening but also a fridge packed with enough goodies to tempt me into the chef role. I've definitely improved on my cooking skills since starting uni and I'm ready for my next flat meal to poison 'wow' my flatmates with a delicious meal. This Christmas I've been obsessed with Chinese food, so look out for anything stir-fry related on my blog/Instagram (already shaking with flavour excitement).

BOOKS
Appreciating the oldies Studying English literature at University means that books have consumed my life for almost three years. In an analytical and, therefore, rather unenjoyable sense. During that time, however, a few have really become true favourites of mine and encouraged me to read far more once finishing uni (and no longer being graded for doing so). I guess my book of 2014 would probably be Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Enhanced by my obsession with the BBC adaptation (Gemma Arterton is superb) I'm truly thankful to Newc uni for forcing me into reading this classic. If you like sassy women, a turbulent love story and feeling extreme emotion towards literary characters (god dam you Alec D'Urberville) then push your contemporary favourites aside and grab this classic.

Tuesday, 30 December / Interiors

I wish I could justify this post by announcing some big move to an exciting new place, with new people and an excuse for buying furniture. Instead, I'm planning to redecorate my bedroom. Alas it's no feature for Elle Decoration but if anything involves TK Maxx, copper artififacts and greenery, I'm gonna be mood-boarding it all night long. Alternatively, if, like me, you're supposed to be writing an important essay and you'd rather be doing literally anything else, now is a good time to discover Polyvore. 

When I move back from uni in the summer I'll be condensing two rooms into one and will need a seeeerious redesign in order to do so. Obviously buying more candles, some spiky plants and a cafetiere will aid this. Obviously. 

Ignore the scuffled edges of products that reveal my inability to edit any image (sincerest apologies to graphic designer boyfriend) and bask in the glory of pretty, unnecessary and expensive interiors. If only my degree was in daydreaming...