ATTIRE - pastel power

Peplum: ASOS
Earrings: ASOS

Midi Skirt: Boohoo

Organza Midi Skirt: Boohoo

Yellow Jumper: Topshop

Pink Shirt: Topshop

Printed Top: Topshop

I cannot wait for spring/summer 2014! Any girlie girls loves her pastel colours so this upcoming season I will be in my element. I've been browsing online stores and found these pastel items - I cannot wait to splurge on some key pieces to see my through the season. Are you looking forward to SS14 trends?

ATTIRE - featherbone

I'm wearing Topshop's lipstick here in shade "Beguiled"

My new love - Mr Tripod

Polo: Next Skirt: Zara Boots: Internationale

Obviously I'm in my cosy polo neck and couldn't resist wearing my bargain zara skirt. 

I've always loved teaching myself how to do new hairstyles/ trends. I managed to teach myself this morning via several YouTube videos,  the 'Dutch head-braid'. I've seen it on a few celebs recently so thought I'd give it a go -  it's surprisingly easy yet if your already well practised at French braiding. At first I found it very fidderly as half way through to continue the plait to the back you need to swap your hands round which requires a considerable amount of coordination! I'm looking forward to perfecting this hairstyle, as it'll be ideal for mornings when I'm in a mega rush for uni (also allows me to skip styling my fringe!). 

ATTIRE - mishap

Endless sequins...

Harrison and myself ventured to Telford shopping centre this weekend as we'd both never been before but it seemed to have a good variety of shops. I'd been tempted to purchase this Topshop jumper during the festive period as a "little" (expensive) treat but couldn't quite allow myself to part with £50 at a time when the bank account was already being stretched! I then saw this very jumper in the Bullring on Boxing day for £25...but once again I thought it was too much for a limited wear item. I managed to whisk it up for £15 this weekend- can't complain at that price for all the embellishing! I'm planning on wearing it outside the festive period, it's only a bow! Bows ain't just for christmas! I'm going to pair it with my tartan a-line skirt and be a proper preppy student. Now onto my next bargain...the zara in the shopping centre had a vast amount of sale stock left which had all been re-reduced! I found this style of skirt but they only had larges left...then tucked up in the corner came along a small. This skirt had been reduced to £3.99!!! It's lovely thick material, and has a structured shape which I really adore at the moment. I'm looking forward to picking out the several colours in the skirt with different combinations of tops/ jumpers. I intend on wearing this skirt right up to and through the summer months! 

ATTIRE - celebrity style crush #2

Why I have grown to love Olivia Palermo...

1. Every occasion, every outing, every day Olivia Palermo seems to have outfit complimentary accessories. You never see her without a perfect bag to go alongside her clothing choice. I'd literally love to spend a day trying on her unimaginable large shoe collection! Choosing which accessories to wear in the morning must be a time consuming task for Olivia - however I highly doubt she's complaining!  

2. Olivia is genius at pairing similar coloured items or negotiating a colour pop in her outfit. I really love outfits that seem quite plain but then you add a bright bag or shoes and it changes everything! Although, it would be pretty hard for Olivia to put anything together and not look amazing.

3. Effortless is something I'll always adore in fashion. In Olivia's style you can tell she's spent time thinking about her outfit...but it comes across so natural for her to wear those items. Her prime 'effortlessness' (is that a word, maybe? haha) has to be her hair, it literally falls perfectly (envyyy).

4. Olivia embraces High street fashion alike the rest of us...Olivia Palermo is actually a real person, shopping in the shops we shop in! Doesn't that just make you feel great? Olivia is a great trend setter for Zara - the second pictures are released of her wearing a specifc Zara item it instantly becomes sold out!

5. So so so classy. You don't see Olivia Palermo stumbling into an Essex night club with a bodycon dress and chicken fillets hanging out do you? Her style is a top-notch class act. The only area of skin you see Olivia bare is her legs, and aren't they just amazing? Lean, slender, toned and long - everything you every want from your legs.

6. Finally, following on from the previous point, Olivia has an impeccable figure. Anyone looks 10x better if they look comfortable in the skin their in, and well, if you were in her skin you would feel and look great!

Anyone else share my love for Olivia Palermo's style?

ATTIRE - fire bird

Coat: M&S Top: Zara Necklace: Topshop Boots: Next (similar here)

Quick few picture before my first day back at university after the xmas holidays. This is my beloved coat! It was limited edition so I'm pretty sure it isn't available anymore, but I think M&S are the place to be for winter coats! M&S coats have the same price tag as Topshop but I'd definitely argue the quality is better and it's less likely to see anyone else wearing the same coat (Hooray!). The top I'm wear here was my first purchase from Zara a good few years back, it's shrunk a fair bit and is pretty sheer at the front but I still adore it. This was the first time I'd worn leggings in forever!! I can never find good quality leggings that don't flash your pants or are mega baggy on your knees/ankles so I tend to stay clear from them now. I think I'm haunted from religiously wearing leggings everyday in Sixth Form with way too-short tops (oh fashion...). 

Please remember to follow me on Bloglovin (linked in side bar) and remember to sponsor the half marathon I'm doing in May (linked in side bar - Just Giving)

ATTIRE - hibiscus

Jumper: Topshop Necklace: Dorothy Perkins Jeans: Topshop Boots: Office

Introducing Doug. Doug wanted to get with the action today, he's been following me around all day, definitely craving a spot on my blog! Doug is a rescue Jack Russell from the local Blue Cross centre, he's about 6/7 years old...we have another Jack Russell too called Dolly, maybe if she isn't asleep she can appear in my next post.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I'd be choosey when I wore these boots - however the only times I've worn them have been rainy days or muddy walks. Much to my amazement they are still spotless though! My trusty Topshop Leigh jeans are ideal for a day of many (boring) lectures, alongside my pink jumper which is so fluffy and soft I never want to take it off! It's got quite a high neck which I really like - as we all know I love a polo neck. I couldn't get a good picture of the necklace I wore, but I picked it up from Outfit Stratford in the Dorothy Perkin section as they were massively reduces all the jewellery prices. It's a simple knot design which I think I'll'll wear loads - a good find for £3!

I didn't venture far from the garden today, bitter winds were way to sharp on my fingers! Roll on spring and summer now...

Hiems time

Hat: Accessorize Dress: Topshop Boots: Next

 Today is the first time I've used my tripod I purchased at the weekend - I got fed up of risking my camera balanced on several books and boxes so thought it was well worth getting one. I'm really impressed with it! I didn't spend much money on it but it seems really sturdy and my camera attaches perfectly. I'm now trying to get to grips with the lighting of photos outside in comparison to indoors, if anyone has any tips please share them below!

Drop waist dresses are completely like marmite - you either like them or don't. I've tried on hundreds but they don't seem to fit well on my hips. I saw this dress in Outfit in Stratford and thought it was a nice casual dress for uni. I bought a size 6 because I found otherwise the style of dress resembles a tent...not attractive. My military boots are my favourite boots of all time, they definitely help my legs look longer haha! I got this fedora in the Accessorize sale, I saw it and just couldn't leave it..I've been after a purple hat and this one fit the bill. I've decided it was a well worth buy as I can wear it in the summer. 

I'm back to uni tomorrow so am spending today digging out all my clothes and putting numerous outfits together. I'm hoping to update my blog more regularly when I'm back at uni - throughout the holidays I haven't put many outfits together as I seem to be cooped up everyday writing essays...Zzzz. But they're all finished now....so get ready for the upcoming posts!

ATTIRE - celebrity style crush #1

So tempted to purchase a skirt like this. Missguided stock similar, Laura Whitmore definitely has the legs to pull off a high leg split! I guess if you didn't bare any skin on your top half and added strappy heeled sandals you could completely mimic the look. 

I envy Laura Whitmore's effortless style, she always seems to be photo-ready without looking like she's spent hours in a salon chair or switched outfits a million times before walking out the house. Alongside her outfits, I love her relaxed hairstyles and perfectly fixed make-up. 

ATTIRE - wish list #2

Clutch Bag: ASOS  // T-shirt: Ebay // SensatioNail Gel Polish - Espresso Bean: Boots // Skort: Topshop // Shoes: ASOS 

Christmas is finally over, which means my birthday is approaching! Birthdays are always an excuse to buy new clothing, and perfect timing to give out gift ideas. I've been lusting after all of these items for a while now but haven't got round to ordering any of them yet - they're all quite 'springy' rather than 'wintery'. 
I love this clutch bag...it would become more of a pet than an accessory I think, I'd be scared to take it out in case it got ruined! The mink colour caught my eye, as it always compliments your complexion and goes with virtually any other colour. I'd probably use this bag as an 'everyday' bag rather than going out to save myself from leaving a feather trail in the club haha!
After receiving the Sensationails kit at xmas I have been forever researching the other colours - I didn't realise there were so many! I've become quite picky with nail colours recently, I used to be a 'barbie pink' or 'blood red' kinda girl but I've gone off those colours, I think they look too in your face? I prefer darker colours like deep purples or more natural colours now...especially Barry M's 'Mushroom' shade and any of the No7 purples. I spotted this 'Espresso Bean' shade in Merry Hill Boots, it's more of a rich brown colour than my favourite Barry M 'mushroom' - it is also glittery! Something new to try and would look amazing with a tan!
Whenever I end up on the Topshop website I also find this skort. I like how they  style it on the website, I fancy wearing it in the summer with baggy tee's and chiffon shirts. In summer 2013 I purchased 3 pairs of skorts and wore them so much...so I've told myself buying another one would be reasonable as I do get the wear out of them.
This 'Feline' tee is an alternative to the 'Celine' tees swapping fashion blogs, I'm more of a dog lover than a cat...but I like it in a feminine expression way. There seem to be many different styles of the ordinal 'Celine' print now - they seem to be very popular with celebs! I don't buy many t-shirts as I prefer to spend a bit more on a proper top, so when it comes to a relaxed 'jean and t-shirt' outfit I always struggle. I'm really considering ordering one of these (just wondered about the quality through?). 
Finally these little leather flats...my beloved loafers seem to be on their last legs. I have had them re-heeled several times! I've been looking for some more loafers to replace my current ones but nothing seems to impress me enough to part with the money, so I thought these might be a nice alternative? They're also quite 'primary school' and cute!
Right...that's enough rambling (and putting off an essay!) I really can't get back into uni mode...but I am looking forward to going back and getting back into the swing of things! (and also blogging my university outfits whoohoo).
What do you think of my new layout? I've changed my header, background and the majority of my fonts. I had great fun today playing around with all the settings! I didn't realise you could customise so much...love having something so personal to meeeeeeee.

DIARY - fitness bunny

Runnng shoes: Nike Air Relentless

I've finally come to the realisation that life is going way to quickly, finishing school feels like 6 months ago rather than 3+years, and it still hasn't sunk in that I've half way through my degree! So, this year I'm setting myself a challenge...in May 2014, alongside my boyfriend, we will be completing the Worcester Half Marathon - raising money for St Richard's Hospice. Firstly, having a set date is great motivation to get fit, but also I want to prove to myself that I can achieve this goal!
They say purchasing running gear is a ideal way to encourage yourself to get off the sofa...so obviously I have taken the opportunity to buy some new clothing! I spent the majority of last night scrolling through pages and pages of running trainers. The only criteria I had was that my running shoes had to be pink, these ones definitely fit the bill! I couldn't resist the pink and turquoise blue contrast in these trainers, there were several others with splashes of pink but I decided to go the whole way and have HOT pink. Hopefully Harrison (my boyfriend) won't loose me in the crowds now? 
My running tops and bottoms aren't as exciting as my shoes as I opted for plain black (let the shoes do the talking ey!). 
I know my running clothing isn't the important factor...my aim is to raise £500. I decided if I'm going to do it, I'm going to make it worth while and raise as much as possible! Hopefully in a few weeks time I'll have an online donation page set up...which I will be spamming Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with!
If all goes well, we intend to complete the Birmingham Half Marathon in October 2014. Nothing better than a few goals to aim for!
Anyone else set goals for this year?!