reflect and look ahead

The last work outfit of 2011; New Look skirt, Primark jumper and Bertie shoes c/o Sarenza.
It's crazy to think that this time last year I hadn't even started working. When I started my job I didn't expect to fall in love with it as much as I have, and I never imagined that I could have progressed so much. 2012 looks to be a promising year work wise and I couldn't be more excited, or grateful.

On the whole 2011 has been one of my better years; nothing could quite top the nightmare that was 2010. Things aren't quite where I want them to be, I have ground to catch up on in my recovery and things to be worked upon in general; but isn't that the point in life? To look back and progress. If it were perfect straight off the bat, what would we have to do, except merely exist?

I spent so long hoping for the perfect life, it wasn't until I stopped striving for the perfection and realised that no one else held the same expectations of me that I held for myself that things fell in the place. I was suddenly able to relax, meet new people without second guessing every move and allow myself to just go with the flow.
Lesson learnt.
We are our own worst critics. In 2012 I vow to take deep breaths and just have fun.

My tools for the new year? Well, my filofax to keep me organised and make sure I turn up to where I need to be, and my well being journal from paperchase; with sections for all areas of life, I'm hoping I can use this as a positive tool for taking care of me.

What have you learnt this year?
What are your new year essentials?

If your out partying tonight, HAVE FUN! If like me, you are planning on a night in (with a high chance of being asleep before midnight) then...enjoy that too!

xxx

A Year in Outfits

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December,

Typical representations of my style month by month. It's quite odd looking back and seeing how one's style has changed,
I am totally different now, compared to say, two years ago.

Has your style changed a lot over the year/s? What has been your favourite month for outfits? For me it has probably been December purely for the mix of home, work and party wear!

xxx

shop the sales; urban outfitters

Urban Outfitters is one of those shops that I browse in year round, but only ever buy from in the sale. From twitter and other blogs I gather a lot of you are the same; they create lust-worthy pieces that are sadly out of our budget.

And then the sale comes around...and suddenly, BAM...things.I want and don't need.I can afford (mostly)...my top picks of the current sale.

1. UO do home wares so well, in their last sale I picked up some gorgeous bowls for under half price, and this time my sights are set on pretty cups. This fab unicorn one is now £5

2. Birds. On a cushion (see also the sweet bunny design). I am messy, and my room never looks quite how I want it to, but I still get attracted to soft furnishings, especially when animals are involved. £20

3. Never in my life have I been attracted to this style of shoe before I found this pair at full price. Now they are in the sale at £30 I love them even more.

4. CW Carin Wester dress, a thing of beauty from the boutique range...and now a more reasonable £50. The colour makes me think Spring and Easter bunnies.

5. For some reason I will never tire of lace dresses. Kimchi&Blue £35

6. A leather skirt is an investment, and this one by Silence and Noise is just the right side of quirky to be current and yet, somehow it will never date. £70

7. Zatchels floral satchel. You might remember my gushing post about Zatchels a month or so ago. This floral one is now £70 and I WANT IT!


Are you a sales only shopper at Urban Outfitters? What have you snapped up?

xxx

I am not affiliated with UO in any way, I am merely overly excited to be able to maybe afford their products, and spend far too much time browsing.

feeling blue?

Started to notice a theme with some of my gifts this year. I have no idea where my current obsession with The Smurfs came from but it looks set to stay! Best Friend, Trudi bought me this epic t-shirt (same girl who bought me a Poddington Peas one for my Birthday) and ultimate sweetheart Eloise sent this calendar and chocolate coins in amongst a parcel of joy.

Worn with Zara skirt, New Look tights and Georgia Rose shoes c/o Sarenza for the last of my festive break; I'm back at work today, for a 2.5 day stint before I have two weeks off for the New Year.

Anyone else have a childhood obsession rearing it's head?

And who else is back at work today? I'm not sure if I'm gutted or glad to have some routine back!

xxx

meemee

When MeeMee.me got in touch asking if I'd like to have a go at styling up a piece of their knitwear I jumped at the chance. A shop only recently on my radar, I'd been having a cheeky browse just hours before the e-mail came through.
I was sent the Vila Nofia Knit Top in black which is down to a bargain £25 in the sale (and may I just say, the sale on this site is incredible!) which I paired with ASOS velvet shorts and Jeffrey Campbell swear boots.

The first words I said when I un-wrapped the jumper was "this isn't my kind of thing"...but never under-estimate a stylist...MeeMee.me  picked a perfect piece and my second sentence was "I think I'm going to live in this".

With brands such as Sugarhill Boutique, Vila, Motel, Jarlo and oh so much more, if you haven't already clocked MeeMee.me then I strongly suggest you do! They also happen to have a sale on...and well, it's pretty epic!

Shop the sales; Sarenza

And as if by magic, the onslaught of sales, online and instore reach fever pitch. If, like me you quite frankly can't be arsed to leave the house and face the crowds then you might be spending your Boxing Day recovering from festive feasting and browsing the best of the online bargains...
I'm planning to do a few sales spotlights, but my first just HAS to go to my favourite site for shoes ever...Sarenza

1. Jeffrey Campbell Areas £65.70. It's no secret that I adore JC shoes, and this orange pair are divine. I have something very similar and got so many compliments on the colour when I wore them.

2. I picked a pair of these as part of my prize for the blogger competition; Stone by Jeffrey Campbell, £86.80 might look high, but these are so comfortable and the two tone colour scheme means they go with everything. If your going to invest in one pair of shoes from Sarenza, I would suggest these!

3. Party season might be ending, but that's no excuse not to snap up these sexy Dune Held shoes...still expensive at £76.00 but a worthy investment. I own some Dune glittery heels and managed to dance the night away and come home without crippled toes!

I've limited myself to three top picks, because I could be here all day. If you fancy taking a break from forced family small talk and mince pies, take a look at Sarenza and let me know what you'll be snapping up!

xxx

Merry Christmas!

Have a good one lovelies!

Eat, drink and be VERY MERRY

xxx

the night before Christmas

Or perhaps the "the night before the night before" as this is what I wore for my last working day this side of Santa.
Topshop penguin jumper, Primark skirt, Tesco tights and Yull boots. This jumper may have been way overpriced, but it makes me smile whenever I see it (and it made other people smile too) so a worthy investment.

And now, Christmas Eve. Always a funny day, the calm before the storm. No matter how old I get there is a bubble of excitement. My plan is to fully relax and enjoy my few days off work, and make sure that come the 28th Dec I go back chilled out and feeling like there has been a break...made that bit sweeter by knowing that after the 30th I have two whole weeks stretching ahead of me.

Has anyone started sales shopping yet? Damn there are some killer ones out there; Motel, Dorothy Perkins, Matalan, River Island, Topshop, ASOS...I just can't stop window browsing. Half the fun for me is the anticipation/russian roulette of letting fate decide what you get by waiting for further markdowns; if what you want is even cheaper than clearly it is meant to be!

xxx

night and day

Yesterday I intended to wear this sequin pencil skirt from Zara...a hasty purchase after seeing it on one of my favourite bloggers, Jen. It has been hanging in my wardrobe for a couple of months now and I just can't work it for day like she does,
I guess, given that my day really only consisted of a quick trip to Tesco, that might explain it...but regardless, I soon swapped it for a maxi skirt from New Look vowing that I really will wear the sequins SOON!
Worn with a basic tee from Peacocks.

Half the problem with outfits here is that I live in such a small and close minded town. If I am not careful, I attract toooo much attention to myself and I don't like that. I'm thinking when this skirt finally makes it's daytime debut, it should be for a city centre shopping trip.

A few hours at work today and then Christmas has officially begun!
Thank you for all of Mum's Birthday wishes, she had a lovely day and really appreciates every comment!

How would you wear sequins for day? Am I over-thinking?

xxx

tradition

((photo from tumblr))

Tradition states that when the 22nd December rolls around, I publicly humiliate my Mother by wishing her a very Happy Birthday
and once again thank her for sticking by me and being utterly amazing through whatever life throws at us. Wishing you a truly wonderful day Mum, and thank you, for everything. I won't disgrace her by mentioning her age, but next year...well that'll be a whole other kettle of fish.

For now I shall settle for disgracing her with these pictures of us keeping it classy at the work party tonight...ya know, for some working with your Mother could be a nightmare...for me? Dream come true!

edging closer

And now we've hit those final few days...the moment we hit December 20th everything suddenly feels a lot more festive.
Wearing Primark jumper dress, Matalan tights and Blink boots c/o Spartoo. Perfect for a day mooching around the town and then bathing/hair dying/nail painting in prep for the party.

Hair result! The dye I use is Live Salon Style Intense Red 5-29, currently on offer at £3.99 in Superdrug! So much cheaper than an actual salon, even though my super thick hair takes two boxes!

I am hoping we have an excitable atmosphere at work today. I'm on admin for the whole of it, so if I'm lucky I might finish a little bit early so I can spend longer getting ready. I bought my Matalan dress so long ago now that I am hoping it still does up!
I can't wait to see what everybody wears! This is my first (ever) proper work's party and I'm like an excited child!
xxx

laced up

George at Asda dress, Tesco tights, I Love Shoes boots c/o Sarenza.

I'm pretty sure this dress has shrunk five inches since I last wore it. Thank goodness for the more relaxed pre-festive atmosphere at work!

Day off today, badly timed really as I could do with tomorrow off instead. Still, the day shall be spent pampering and getting as ready as possible for tomorrow night's Christmas party as once I finish work tomorrow I will have an hour, at best!

Looking forward to getting my super vibrant red hair back...goodbye roots! Funny though, the home colour I used has far surpassed the colour the salon used. Even better for a tenth of the price!

xxx

To the Moon

One of my latest discoveries (well no, not my discovery, I found it via a blog I follow) is Wolf & Moon. Jewellery has to be quirky to capture my heart these days...and the treasures in this shop have quirk in abundance. The sparkly deer has shot to the top of my wishlist, along with the statement blue and green piece...and just about everything else.

The prices are amazing too, £8 for the deer, £10 for Alice in Wonderland...don't believe me? Take a look

I know where my first New Year payday is being spent.

Have you found any online treasures lately?

xxx