Outfits of 2013

I saw this post format on Paige Joanna and thought it was a lovely way to look back over the year. A lot of things have happened to me over the past twelve months: I passed my AS Levels, successfully applied to university, I broke up with my boyfriend, got a job, turned 18, got a new boyfriend, carried on with my Chemistry A Level (that was never part of the plan!) and went to see Bowling For Soup, which was awesome.

Looking through my Lookbook posts for photos from each month, I realised that I do the same poses in almost every photo! And I really should find more interesting backgrounds than my bedroom wall... maybe "take better outfit photos" should be one of my resolutions?

January - February - March

I have to admit that this probably wasn't the greatest time for me. I hated sixth form the point where I was seriously looking into going to college instead, but I'm much happier now so I'm glad I stuck it out. And look how short my hair is! It's grown so much this year. 

April - May - June

This was a pretty stressful time for me because of all my revisions and exams, and it's going to be even worse next year when my results will determine if I get into university or not. But it was also a very lovely time because we had all that gorgeous weather, and going to school is so much more bearable when you can show up in a floral playsuit. 

July - August - September

I was pretty happy over the summer, my results came through (AABC) which I was very happy with, I spent quite a lot of time with friends and family and everything just seems so much pleasanter when it's sunny. Ofcourse there was the dreaded back-to-school but as it was my last one ever I was almost excited to get it over with and run away to university. 

October - November - December

I was very happy this year because I went to two Halloween parties, giving me the opportunity to dress up twice - I do love fancy dress. I also got my UCAS application sent off and received offers from everywhere that I applied so I was able to make my firm and insurance choices. I turned 18, had my first "night out" and had a wonderful Christmas. I am also looking forward to New Year's Eve tomorrow because it's the first year that I will have done something to celebrate, rather than just watching TV.

2013 was downright messy in places, but it has most certainly had its perks. I'm really looking forward to 2014: freshers, leaving school, a long care-free summer, I'll hopefully pass my driving test and maybe save up enough money to go on holiday somewhere. 

See you in the new year!

Promise of a suicidal father

Dress - H! By Henry Holland at Debenhams

Jumper - Next

Bracelet - Pandora

This dress is an absolute favourite of mine because of the collar and cute floral print, but it hasn't featured in a look since April (link to the blog post here) because I find dresses are difficult to, well, dress differently, and I don't want to be reported on Lookbook for reposting.

I want to point out that the title for today's post isn't a personal reference, but a paraphrased quote from the book I'm currently reading "A Tale For the Time Being" by Ruth Ozeki (available from Amazon). It was short-listed for the Man Booker Prize 2013 and so far I am really enjoying it, and it's teaching me a lot about Japanese culture, which I find very interesting. We tend to think of the world as a very small place now, with aeroplanes and the internet, so it's a shock to realise that places are still so different, and not everywhere has the ideologies of the west. 

The book is split between the diary of Japanese teen Nao, and American-living-in-Canda author Ruth, who finds the diary when it's washed up on the beach in a Hello Kitty lunchbox. I can't say much more because I haven't finished it yet but I really am enjoying it so far. 

Are you reading anything good at the moment? 

Just tell me you love me and it will be okay

Glasses - FCUK

T Shirt - Next

Cardigan - Dorothy Perkins

Jeans - Red Herring at Debenhams

This week is going by so slowly, every day it gets more difficult to get out of my warm, cosy bed and walk up to that miserable bus stop. I realise that neither of us have written many personal posts lately and I hate to tell you that it's simply because there just isn't that much going on right now. If it weren't for my birthday I would hate November just as much as everyone else, but it's my birthday soon and I am so very excited.

The worst part is that I'm 18 before all of my friends, meaning that I have nobody to have a drink with, but when they all turn 18 I will be able to join in the celebrations, so there is a silver lining!

Are you guys doing anything in November?

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?

Juno?

Jumper - H! By Henry Holland at Debenhams

Skirt - Republic

I will admit that the Christmas jumper turned out to be something of a bad move today, but the sky was so grey this morning how was I to know how lovely the day would turn out to be? And it's so nice and soft and the print on it is so cute I couldn't wait to wear it!

When I walked into English today I was told that I looked like Juno, and while I wasn't sure how to take this comment (Juno was, after all, pregnant at sixteen) I do think she's pretty awesome, with her laid-back attitude and brilliant sarcasm, it is also one of my favourite films, so overall I wasn't too offended.

Today in school we had a talk on personal statements, and although it was supposed to be helpful advice it really scared me! I didn't realise how fierce the competition for university places was (although come Clearing and they seem to let anyone in) and just how important my personal statement is to my application. I know why I want to do English, why I've always wanted to be a writer, I'm just not sure that it's what the universities want to hear.

The truth is that I wrote a story called "Jenny and the Witch" when I was in reception class and my teacher was so impressed by it that I had to go around all the classrooms in my primary school and read it to everyone. Since then I've wanted to write. Ofcourse other ambitions have come and gone: I've wanted to be a pop star, an actress and a dressmaker at some point in my life, but my love of literature (although not always the stuff I'm supposed to like, I've never been too interested in Shakespeare or the Bronte sisters) and desire to write has stood the test of time.

I'm really scared about applying for university, I hope somewhere decent will have me.

Are any of you applying to university this year?

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?

Crawling back to you

Jumper - Next

Necklace - Alnwick Market

Skirt - H! By Henry Holland at Debenhams

This jumper up until recently was sitting unloved in the depths of my ever-expanding wardrobe, but a few days ago I decided to go all DIY and give it a new lease of life by cutting off the long lace trim that made it more of a jumper-dress. A thin, cropped sleeve black jumper is perfect for this time of year when the weather is getting colder.

I got the skirt yesterday from Debenhams and is yet another purchase from the Henry Holland range at Debenhams which I'm sure I have previously explained is one of my favourite ranges at the moment. There is also an adorable Christmas jumper in the collection but I am not sure that I can justify a Christmas jumper at the beginning of September, unfortunately.

The much anticipated new album from Arctic Monkeys was released today, AM, hence the title of today's post. I am greatly upset that I didn't manage to get tickets to go and see them in November but hopefully I will get to see them one day. 

I'm done

Shirt - River Island 

Jeans - H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams 

These are the new jeans I bought for back to school (I go back in just over a week and I'm really not feeling it) and I really do love them - the star print is so quirky yet subtle. I wore it with this plain shirt so that all the attention is on my legs. 

Hannah is having a campout tonight and I am really looking forward to it because it's a chance to see everyone again. After Year 11 we all went on to different sixth forms and college courses so it's great when we get a chance to catch up with everyone, what makes it so lovely is that we can go weeks without speaking but everyone is keen to meet up and when we do it's as if we haven't spent any time apart, it's like we're all stood at the wall again in our blazers, I like that.

Come see me, bring flowers

Earrings - Swarovski

Cardigan - George at Asda

Shirt - Next

Shorts - Primark

Yes, another appearance from the notorious supermarket cardigan, maybe I shouldn't be writing a 'fashion blog' after all? 

The shorts are made from a really soft denim and were an absolute bargain at £5 - in fact they were such a bargain that I actually have the same shorts in two other colours: purple and green. They go great over tights when it's a bit colder but are also good with bare legs through the summer.

As you may know I have been job hunting lately and have applied to pretty much anywhere that I can think of, I've handed out CVs in town and have email alerts set up for stores that are opening soon. This 0 hour job I have at the moment has given me a taste of what it is like to have some money to call my own and I do not want to go back to being reliant on my parents again. Don't get me wrong, my parents are great and buy me everything I need and most of the things I want, but I do like to be independent. I haven't heard back from anyone yet, but there is still time, fingers crossed.

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.

From a very young age...

Shirt - Flotique (available here) 

Jacket - Vintage 

Skirt - Republic 

Sneakers - Converse

Okay, so I admit that the jacket isn't really vintage... it's my mum's. But she did buy it in the 90's so technically it is still vintage, but vintage sounds a whole lot cooler than "borrowed from my mum" doesn't it? 

We are beginning to write our personal statements for university applications at school now, which is a very daunting process because 1) I am not good at talking myself up and 2) I don't have any hobbies that a university would really approve of; my free time consists of scrolling Tumblr, watching TV, baking and reading magazines.

I do enjoy writing though, which is why I'm considering an English degree in which I can choose certain modules which include creative writing. The whole reason I began this blog in the first place with my good friend Hannah was to get my voice out there and get some writing practise in, bloggers are always getting featured in Company magazine and I think it's a great place to start.

I hope you're all good, and if you have any tips for applying to university I'd very much like to here them!

One doodle that can't be undid

Dress - H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams

Cardigan - Asda 

Nails - Block your Green - Rimmel

This is my belated break-up dress, because every girl needs a new dress after she splits with her boyfriend, even if it was over two months ago, right?

I absolutely love the H! by Henry Holland collection at Debenhams... here are a few of the other things in the range I would really like:


Cardigan £38


Shorts - £30


Skirt - £26


Cardigan - £45


Shirt - £30

I hope we're holding hands by New Year's Eve

Shirt - River Island

Shorts - Primark

Shoes - Vans at Schuh

URGH I give up on the challenge, my life is simply not structured enough to cope with things like that, that's why I haven't made a revision timetable, I like to just see what happens and make the most of what the day brings.

Life lately has been a bit hectic with revision and coursework, but I go on study leave in two weeks (yay!) so hopefully I will have a bit of time then considering I have twelve whole days of study leave before my first exam... I then have three exams over three days but what can you do? In around six weeks time it will all be over for another year and then I can relax and go back to sitting in the common room instead of the study room during my free periods, when did everything become so boring?

Me and Hannah have booked tickets to see Bowling For Soup on their Farewell UK tour in October (my first live show, eek!) and I'm really looking forward to seeing them as this is the last chance we will ever have :)

I hope you're all doing good :)

P for Post on Lookbook

I just wanted to put my new look on here and somehow link it to the challenge that we are oh-so behind on (blame school, exams, coursework and teachers!)

Jacket - Firetrap

Vest - Next

Jeans - Next

Sandals - Schuh

Now, I'm pretty sure that the shoes do not go with the outfit at all and I am still debating getting changed before I go out. It's such a lovely day today and I really want to look summery but it isn't warm enough for shorts and dresses and playsuits which is a bummer because I love wearing summery clothes, they just make everything seem better and happier. But I bought these shoes in February so that I would have them ready for the first hint of summer and here it is and they're so cool so I really want to find something that I can wear them with.

Me and my cousin are going out for a drive with the roof off and maybe a little shopping to celebrate the glorious weather - what are you lot up to?

Enthalpy change of formation

Shirt - H&M

Cardigan - Next

Jeans - Next

Brogues - Schuh

I wore this outfit to go and enquire about a job vacancy that I'm pretty sure that I didn't get. Every potential employer wants so much commitment and I'm completely undecided about my future, and even if I did know exactly what I want to do in life - it doesn't mean I'm more likely to get there! It's all just so annoying and feels completely hopeless.

The chemistry reference in the title is because I'm currently posting purely so I don't have to do any more revision - I'm trying to make revision cards and it's just so dull and I have so much to do over the holidays. I have five lever arch folders of work and I need to revise everything inside them, I probably shouldn't be blogging should I?

Me and Hannah have signed up for the A to Z Blogging Challenge for next month which is going to be really cool as it means we have to blog every day apart from Sundays so hopefully it will get us into more of a routine. 

You can sign up to the challenge here but hurry, you only have the rest of the day to sign up!

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!

That's fucked up

Cardigan - Sparkle & Fade at Urban Outfitters

Vest - Primark

Necklace - An adorable little shop in Durham

Jeans - Next

Worn with flowery Dr Martens

Today was quite a good day, I had an early-morning driving lesson before school and did my first parallel park (I was way to far from the kerb but atleast I didn't hit anything!) then I had three free periods, during one of which me and David did our normal trip to Sainsbury's and bought a bag of Mini Eggs and some Pepsi because Pepsi was cheaper than Coke.

We've all been told to make revision timetables at school which means I have to make one to avoid getting in the shit even though I will not stick to one and I'm not really feeling the pressure when it comes to exams just yet so I really, really don't see the point, but nobody likes to upset the apple cart do they?

Talk to me

Sunglasses - Primark

Cardigan - Red Herring at Debenhams

Top - Bank

Bracelet - Present

Shorts - Primark

Tights - Tesco

Vans - Schuh

Today I went to a college taster session for the morning which meant that I had to get up at SIX FORTY-FIVE DURING HALF TERM which I wasn't over the moon about.

I was really scared about going to the session as I wasn't going to know anyone there and I was really scared that nobody would like me, however there wasn't too much time for chatting and everyone I did speak to seemed nice enough, the problem is that if I do continue with my A2 studies next year, the acquaintances I made will have been in vain as I'll be in different classes to them anyway. Also, the Textiles teacher wasn't there so I still haven't met her and until I do I can't really decide if college is where I want to spend the next year (or two) of my life. 

On the plus side of life, I got an A in my last Chemistry test! An A! 

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

Counting Down

Cardigan - £18 - Red Herring at Debenhams

Shirt - £20 - River Island

Watch - £75 - Fossil

Bracelet - Present

Nail Polish - Rimmel I Love Lasting Colour in Black Cherries - £2.99

Jeans - £45 - River Island

I started back at school today, and am already counting down the thirty school days I have left until February half term, I hate the place so much and have two mock exams on Thursday - you'd think that they'd be a little nicer and spread them out for me wouldn't you?

These are the amazing galaxy print jeans that Alex bought me for my birthday, I'm sorry that I haven't got round to featuring them in a look until now, but I have worn them quite a few times and they are such a lovely soft denim. I was glad to get jeans rather than leggings, just because I hate it when I wear a dress or skirt and don't have a pocket to keep my phone in.

The nail polish was a present from Hannah - we were supposed to do a Secret Santa swap before the holidays but because we got some unexpected days off on the run up to Christmas we never got the chance until we came back to school, she also got me some smellies, a notebook, some incense, an Aussie hair mask, a can of Impulse and an awesome drawing she did of me which takes pride of place on my bedroom wall: thanks Hannah!