Secret Santa

Shirt - Topshop

Cardigan - Red Herring at Debenhams

Shorts - Topshop

Watch - Fossil

Tights - Primark

Today was a day much like any other - I dragged myself out of bed at the horrific 6:15am, got ready for school and trudged up to the bus stop. I actually understood my Chemistry lesson (okay, maybe today wasn't so normal) my English teacher is on maternity leave and school still hasn't sorted out her replacement so we missed another lesson, and by fifth period Psychology I could not focus on getting any work done.

On the plus side of my education, I've now received three offers from universities: Lincoln, Sheffield Hallam and Coventry, which I'm really happy about because now I just need to focus on getting the necessary 300 UCAS points and this time next year I'll be at university! It's really exciting but it's become very real and a little bit daunting since I got my offers, I'm actually going to study for a degree (results day permitting) and I won't be living in this little town any more, everything in my life will be completely different in less than a year.

I bought this shirt yesterday and I love the vintage look, it's so soft and feels like it's been washed a hundred times already so it's really comfy and having the top button fastened doesn't feel restrictive at all, and I love the metal poppers down the front.

How was your day?

I wish I'd never met you

Dress - Topshop

Cardigan - George at Asda

Necklace - Primark

Belt - Primark

This is what I wore for school today, I really like the shape of this dress and you've probably seen a lot of girls walking around in similar ones, it was a very popular style at Topshop. I got mine in the sale and accidentally picked up one from the petite range so it is a little short, but luckily I'm not the tallest person anyway so I don't think it is too obscene, especially when I wear it with thick tights and a cardigan like today.

I went to Leicester University at the weekend for an open day, it was nice and the English BA there sounds like a really good course, and it put my mind to rest about having only done Language and not Literature at A Level. The accommodation looked nice and everyone I spoke to was really friendly and helpful, I am still considering it for next year - now my biggest problem is trying to scrape a B in Chemistry. 

Up until now I was really looking forward to university, but going to the open day made it feel very real, and a lot of concerns have risen. I don't want to be one of those people who stay in their room all the time and don't socialise - one of the biggest things I want to gain from university is a bunch of new friends, but I know how much I struggle with talking to new people and I'm terrified that I will get there and hate it like I hated sixth form. But I still feel rather like I should go to university (what else would I do?) and I want to go away - I think commuting would only make me stay in my shell, leaving home might force me out. It's just a big gamble and it's very scary. 

How did any of you deal with meeting lots of new people, either at work or at university?

AABC

Polo shirt - £15 - Dropdead sale

Shorts - £28 - Topshop 

Watch - £75 - Fossil

I am sure that anyone reading this in the UK is well aware that it was results day today for A Level students, which is a very worrying and stressful time! Today I collected my AS results and was very happy with my grades: an A in English and Psychology, B in Photography and C in Chemistry. I woke up at six this morning and was unable to get back to sleep because I was so worried - I dread to think what I'll be like next year when I'm waiting for the results that determine if I'm going to university or not.

House party

House party by hollyarrre featuring zara flats

Lipsy dress
$77 - lipsy.co.uk

Topshop leather moto jacket
topshop.com

Zara flat
zara.com

Blue Nile sterling silver infinity bracelet
bluenile.com

Dolce Gabbana liquid eye liner
sephora.com

Topshop
$7.66 - topshop.com

Nordstrom Personal Stylist 2013 e-Gift Card Personal Stylist 2013 $150
nordstrom.com

First drafts of my Summer Wishlist

Lazy Oaf Bones Bodycon Dress £20.00 
Topshop Fox Stone Midi Ring £4.00 
Miss Selfridge Check Crop T-Shirt Top £32.00


Now, I know that so far these are probably the most un-summery things I could have chosen. But - apart from my birthday - me and Summer don't get on that well anyway (hot, humid, headache weather, bees, sunburn and pale skin), so I guess this is my little stab at Summer, my anti-Summer.
However, as much as it may not sound like it, I'm so happy Summer is finally here, it really is happy weather, and I love the way it makes everything so golden and glowing - except me of course! I happen to be Moonkissed remember.

T for Topshop

Here are a few things I would like from Topshop (the prices link to the pages)

£48

£42

£38

£5

£26

O for Owls

If any of you have visited my Lookbook profile, you'll know that I am quite a fan of the oh-so-cute owl print that has adorned the high street. They're a little out of vogue now, but I still think they're cute.

Here are some of the owly things I would like to purchase:


£2 - River Island


£12 - Topshop



£2.50 - Dorothy Perkins

Oxidation state of -1

Jumper - Topshop

Skirt - Miso at Republic

Tights - Primark

Boots - Office

I bought this skirt from the closing down sale that turned out not to be a closing down sale at Republic in half term, I like it because it's black and so goes with everything, but the subtle texture of the fabric stops it from looking too much like a school skirt, which is something I try to avoid as I go to a sixth form and are surrounded by the lower school (otherwise known as the cretins) so I don't want to look like them!

The jumper is an oldie-but-goodie bought from Topshop little over a year ago. I wore it to go shopping in Leeds with my cousin and the girl working in Topshop actually commented on it and said that she had wanted one but they went out of stock before she could get one. It really is the nicest thing when strangers compliment your clothes, because you know that they had absolutely no obligation to do so.

I was at school today which was nothing exciting; I had Photography all morning where Miss gave me a 15 point list to be completed by Easter. I absolutely detest Photography and cannot wait to be rid of it at the end of the year, but I've put in so much work now that I can't drop it, my exam is on 1st May so I don't have long left at all. I also had Chemistry and I understood what both teachers were telling me which makes a change. I hate Mondays.

I really can't wait for it to start warming up, I recently purchased the loveliest spring mac which makes me feel all sophisticated and it's been too cold to wear it yet!

Spring Wishlist

As spring approaches (even though it was hardly springy today, brr!) so do lots of new trends and items in the shops, so here I have pulled together the items I want to acquire over the next couple of months to complete my summer wardrobe, although where I'm going to put these purchases is beyond me, the rail in my wardrobe is already crippling under the weight of my clothes, I need to have a serious sort out!

First of all I would really like to have my tragus pierced, however my mum won't fund any piercings so I have to pay for this myself, the horror! I only want a simple silver stud like the one pictured, I darn't stretch my ears so this is my way of still feeling a little rebellious with a more reversible outcome.

Multi flower print corset - £30 - Topshop 

I know that this purchase is a little daring, and £30 is a lot of money for so little material, but I really like the contrast between the girly pattern and the structured shape. Me and Hannah are planning to start Zumba tomorrow but I think I'll need a little more than that before I dare to wear a bralet, although I would only wear one with high-waisted jeans, ofcourse.

Spot Frame Handbag - £55 - Cath Kidston

I know that I already have one Cath Kidston bag and that should be enough, but look at it! I love the unusual shape but it can be used as a shoulder bag which is perfect for me as I don't like to carry a bag around in my hand, that and the pattern is really nice.

Light wash bleached denim shirt - £32 £20 - River Island

I really want a denim shirt to wear over dresses and shorts in place of a cardigan over the summer (I may even rock the double denim if I'm feeling particularly daring) and this one from River Island is perfect; the bleached colouring means that the shirt looks light and summery while the studding on the shoulders keeps the shirt looking up to date.

Stone tipped swing mac - £35 - BHS

Okay, so I know that BHS doesn't exactly spring to mind when you think of fashion, but this coat is just what I need for the coming months when it's too hot for my winter coat and too cold to go without one. Also, the neutral colours mean that I won't look silly pairing it with my coloured jeans and bright yellow school bag and it is smart enough to be worn wherever I go, so when you think about it, £35 is something of a bargain.

Spot Canvas Rucksack - £35 - Fat FaceBackpacks are everywhere at the minute, but my favourite is this spotty one from Fat Face. A backpack would be the perfect size for me to take essentials when I go to university open days over the summer, and any trips I go on with school. I don't really like the idea of using them as a handbag because it's all too easy for someone to reach in and grab my purse without me realising, but if they want to nick a university leaflet they can feel free!That's everything I can think of for now, I'm sure I'll pick up some more bits and bobs along the way, if any parties or gigs come up I will ofcourse need a new dress, but we'll cross that bridge if we get to it!

Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn

Hoodie - £22 - Topshop

Vest - £4 - Next

Shorts - £18 - Topshop Sale

Tights - £1 - Primark

Nail Polish - Black Cherries - Rimmel I Love Lasting Colour

Ring - £4 - Dorothy Perkins

Sorry about the even-worse-than-normal posing, I had to be quick with taking my photo as everyone was in and I'm worried that they'll walk in on me taking photos of myself and wonder what I'm doing. 

I've been looking at university courses recently, and I'm thinking of doing something related to fashion marketing and I'm really looking in to sandwich courses, because I think that a year in placement will really help me to find a job in such a difficult industry, atleast that's what I'm hoping anyway!

I've started using the Peaches & Clean cleanser I got for Christmas and can tell you that it is absolutely lovely and really does smell like peaches! It's not a gritty cleanser like I'm used to which was weird at first, but it feels really nice on my skin and so far hasn't let my spots come back through, so all's good!

£6 reduced from £7 at Boots

Christmas party dresses

Since my Christmas tree is up and the halls have been decked, I've been buying and wrapping Christmas presents and now I'm feeling all Christmassy and looking forward to the sixth form Christmas party and ofcourse the big day itself.

I love Christmas Eve too, me and my family have my aunty and uncle round and we all eat pork and stuffing cobs with mince pies and festive cupcakes or biscuits (depending on what I want to bake) then we watch a something like A Christmas Carol and track Santa on the computer. Family traditions are what makes Christmas, don't you think? I love how every family has their own routine, and how strange everyone else's patterns seem to your own.

Tonight I'm looking for a Christmas party dress, and showing you guys my favourite choices from the high street this winter.

 

First up is this super-cute off-white dress from Topshop for a pricey £50
I love the collar (ofcourse) but also the lacy detail on the nipped in waist is really beautiful. The crystal stud detailing on the collar give a subtle nod to the studding trend associated with the grunge look which is in this season, but the dress still gives off a butter-wouldn't-melt vibe which I really like.
Silver or nude heels would look great with this dress, or you could throw in a completely new colour palette, such as electric blue.

Next up is this quirky printed dress from H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams. This dress is £40 but is so Christmassy, with the velvet collar, button placket and cuffs on the 3/4 sleeves. Unfortunately it is out of stock in some sizes at the moment online, but there may be some available in store. Although the dress is short, it is balanced out by the high collar and long sleeves, so you don't look like a slut. Wear with black tights and simple black heels.

And now for something completely different...
Okay, so this dress (New Look £14.99) may be a little more Halloween party than Christmas party, and I can't decide if it's awesome or awful, but it would certainly make a statement at a party (especially a family one!) You wouldn't need any jewellery, the dress makes it's own statement, so keep it simple with classic black tights and shoes.



This cosmic print dress is an absolute bargain! At just £20 from Republic, look at the amount of fabric you get for your money, not to mention the absolutely beautiful print. The chiffon fabric is absolutely perfect for this print, giving the dress plenty of movement and the mullet skirt just tops it off wonderfully.

And finally, if you like simple, then it doesn't get much simpler than this gorgeous blue velvet dress from Miss Selfridge (£35) unfortunately this dress is labelled as "Exclusive" meaning that it can only be bought from/returned to the Oxford Circus store or online. It does seem a bit of a chore but at least it lowers the chances of anyone turning up in the same dress as you!

The Perfect Pant

Since Miss deemed it "inappropriate" for me to write a mock magazine article on knickers for my English Language coursework, I decided to write a real life blog post for you lovelies instead.

Before we begin, this post is strictly about knickers, no scary thongs will be creeping their way up my backside, thankyou very much.

So, where to go for the perfect pant?

The first stop for affordable pants in bountiful colours and patterns is ofcourse Primark, which has hundreds of pairs stacked up on those tables that we've all come to love. Admit it, you know you do. This ofcourse is where Primark splits itself firmly down the middle - one half is full of pants and girly boxers with cute and colourful prints (not to mention the cheeky messages around the waist) And then there's the other half... the dark side. Scary thongs made from little more than lace and dental floss. Urgh.
I do like the not-terrifying Primark pants though. They're cheap (around £2 a pair) and they have different patterns every time you go in. However, the girly boxers do lead to a bit of a wedgie problem for me, but if you buy them in the next size up, then that solves the problem :)

The next stop is New Look, their pants are again very reasonably priced (3 pairs for £7, working out at around £2.30 each) and also come in a wide range of colours and patterns. And there's far fewer scary pants in there.

Miss Selfridge also do lovely knickers, at just £3 a pair if you buy 3 pairs for £9 (a constant offer so there's no reason not to take advantage) They do a lot of pants in chiffon, which I didn't think would be particularly comfortable at first, however it turns out that they are lovely and soft on the old bum cheeks and they're not too see through either (another feature of the oh-so-scary Primark thongs)

And finally, my ultimate choice when it comes to pants, and in fact all clothes... Topshop.
At a fairly pricey £4 each or 3 for £10, they aren't the cheapest of pants by a long way, however they are absolutely worth it. And if you can hold out for the sale, some lines are sold off at just £2 a pop - Primark prices for Topshop stuff? Sold.
I happened to pick up a pair of these God-send knickers in the Topshop sale and I am not ashamed to say that they are so comfortable I sometimes forget that I'm even wearing underwear and have to check!

So, my actual point? If you can, save up and go to Topshop for your knickers. But if you can't wait, Primark ones aren't half bad either.

Topshop Sale Picks

It's that time of year again, girlies! The Topshop Sale has arrived once more!
Since I love you lot (and have nothing better to do on a Saturday night) I've linked all the pages for you, so you don't need to go trawling through the 1025 sale items like I did. How committed am I?

MOTO Drum Print High Waist Hotpants
Was £34
Now £15

Some of you might remember my love of quirky prints from a previous post, and these shorts are no exception. I also love high waisted jeans and shorts, as they pull in my stomach and make shirts look much more flattering.

Crochet Lantern Skirt
Was £40
Now £20


I don't own enough skirts, and the few that I do own don't get have the wear that they deserve, they make me feel all girly and this black version would also go with loads of different tops, making it great value for money.

Petite Heart Back Prom Dress
Was £55
Now £30

Being a redhead, my skin has a lot of red/pink undertones and therefore pink really doesn't suit me, but the style of this dress is just too damn cute to ignore - I love the heart cut-out.

Dog Print Playsuit
Was £48
Now £20

Playsuits are a big love of mine, especially ones with a quirky print, and I like the culotte style shorts on this one that float together and make it look like a dress, but you don't need to worry about flashing your knickers.

Petite MOTO Stripe Leigh Jeans
Was £40
Now £20

The stripe on these jeans would be really flattering on someone vertically challenged like me, but if you're lucky enough to have legs like Alexa Chung they'll make them look even more endless; everyone wins.

Turquoise Dip Back Maxi Skirt
Was £40
Now £25

I did a post a while ago all about Dip Hem skirts, and this one caught my eye because of the gorgeous colour and flow of the fabric, I love the way it ripples around the wearer's legs.

Chiffon Mullet Hem Dress
Was £49
Now £20

Again, this dress probably wouldn't be flattering on my skin tone, but I still thought it was lovely. The wrap detailing on the bust, dip hem and light chiffon fabric. Love.

Chiffon Bandeau Dress
Was £42
Now £18

The A/W classic is ofcourse the LBD, and this Rare number is a bargain at £18! Once again made from a light chiffon fabric with lovely bust detailing and strapless design, where could it possibly go wrong?

As much as I love Topshop, they can be a bit too expensive for me at times, which is why I like to take full advantage of the sales when they're on. I'm really happy for this sale because I'm going to the local shopping centre this week which has a massive Topshop compared to the cruddy little thing in town.