Back To School

It's that time again and there was nothing I loved more as a child than going shopping for new school supplies. I may have grown up but that excitement hasn't and I still take delight in opening that just-out-of-the-plastic-never-before-been-touched-by-human-hands notepad or purchasing this year's winter coat.

I would say this is more of a grown up fantasy list and I haven't worn scrunchies since I left primary school but it just didn't feel like "back to school" without them.

Top Row: Smythson diary, Gucci coat

Middle Row: American Apparel lace topped socks, Tiffany & Co. pen, Paperchase craft book

Bottom Row: Chloé tote bag, American Apparel scrunchies

Half Tucked

And just as you've given up on good weather, it arrives! 22 degrees and sunshine! Hoorah!

I only just packed away my lighter clothes but any excuse to wear them you have to take in this country.* I think my eagerness to do this has awakened me to the fact that I'm not quite ready for the colder weather and the layering it brings. But hey ho, I'll be ready with my jeans and skinny knits when I need to be.

My favourite skirt once again, with my loose white cotton t-shirt half tucked in and cork and beige leather sandals. They look uncomfortable but are actually one of the most comfortable pairs of heels I own. I didn't even realise till I looked in the mirror that I'd paired two striped pieces together, but since the top is subtle, I quite like the combination. And then I even stood in front on my Anya Hindmarch dust bag which also happens to be stripey.

Top - ASOS, skirt - H&M, shoes - a market in Spain, necklace - Tiffany, ring - my Grandmothers

*Just as I type this the sun once again, creeps back behind a cloud. Sigh.

Weekend Away

I haven't had a lot of time to relax this summer. I seem to have unintentionally taken up most of my days with work so this weekend is a much welcomed break. My Mum is coming to visit from Spain so in a whirlwind of a weekend we have lots of family visits to squeeze in and a very special 50th wedding anniversary celebration to go to on Saturday. I can't wait. A weekend full of food, cuddles and catch up - what could be more perfect?

It took me a little while to decide what to pack (Jeans or skirt? Cardigan or jacket? Both?), especially since the weather has been so unpredictable. Essentially it's only three days worth of outfits which I need and I've tried to stick to that. I don't want to have to deal with the last minute panic of what to wear each morning - one option = no fuss. So below is an image of the six pieces which I'll be taking with me to form three outfits. That's right, six.

Clockwise from top: Monochrome geometric print dress, blue and cream striped satin top, both from Blanco. Black blazer from Stradivarius, Coach grey Merino wool cardigan, white slim cut jeans from Pimkie, light pink cotton t-shirt from Pepe Jeans.

Not forgetting footwear, I'm taking three pairs. Cream pom pom wedges, black patent heels (as another option to the dress as well as the wedges) and black patent flats.

Heels - Aldo, wedges - Zara, flats - New Look

Jewellery wise I'm taking my Burberry leather wrap bracelet and Tiffany key necklace for casual and Swarovski earrings for the anniversary.

Have a great weekend!

Little Bo Peep

T-shirt - Uniqlo, skirt - Zara, wedges - Zara, necklace - Tiffany & Co

Little Bo Peep needn't worry. I found her sheep safe a sound. On my skirt.

I've had this skirt for a few years now after buying it in Zara when I went through a stage of having a penchant for dainty prints and chiffon pleating. I feel all of these trends have made a reappearance so it was time to break it out of hibernation for a warm and windy August day.

I teamed it with a grey stretch T, my cheesecloth pom-pom wedges and a top knot in the pursuit of off-duty chic.

Monochrome Mini

Dress - Blanco, blazer - Stradivarius, pumps - Primark

With the unpredictable weather at the moment, it's so difficult to get dressed in the morning. This outfit actually started off with black tights and patent black heels but with the arrival of the sun I whipped off the tights and slipped on these flats instead.

Wrap-a-round bracelet - Burberry, watch - vintage, ring - vintage (my Grandmother's), necklace - Tiffany & Co



I had my final stage interview for the Mary Portas/House of Fraser job today. Unfortunately I didn't get it in the end but they have said they might be able to employ me somewhere else in the business so we'll see what happens with that.

However, I actually have another job lined up anyway. It's with a luxury retail agency who send you out on temporary contracts with companies like Chanel, Fendi, Prada, Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, Dior etc etc at places like Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols etc so that should be pretty exciting and I start next week. I hope it'll really help to boost my CV and give me a lot of experience with a whole range of luxury brands. The agency are constantly looking to employ new people so feel free to contact me if you are interested.

Maxi

Top - H&M, skirt - Belle and Bunty at ASOS, necklace - Tiffany & Co

I decided to wear my new maxi skirt today. Wasn't totally convinced before I put it on but I actually loved wearing it. It's so bright and flowing - really makes you smile. Since it's so outfit-dominating, I wore it with a plain, black tank top, black cardigan and simple gold sandals. Some gold bangles would have worked perfectly but unfortunately I don't have any.

I took a cheeky trip to New Look today to deliberately go and buy some flat sandals. Well that didn't work out so well but I did walk out with these tan stacked wedges (with my student discount - £20). Not sure if I'm going to keep them yet or not - will probably wear them round the house a bit until I decide. Why is it always that I end up keeping the item when I say I might return it??

Animal Antics

We have some visitors staying with us at the moment who want to do all the typical London tourist attractions. Today was London Zoo and although I wasn't so enthusiastic about going, I was actually quite impressed. I decided not to bore you by wittering on about all the animals and exhibits and thought I'd show you instead.

This is my day in photos.






















Jeans - Mango, belt white blouse - United Colours of Bennetton, trench - Zara, shoes - New Look, bag - Mulberry, sunglasses - Marc by Marc Jacobs, necklace - Tiffany & Co, ring - my Grandmother's

Cinema

My boyfriend and I decided to go and watch The King's Speech at the cinema on Saturday. I was fed up of seeing my newly purchased blazer hanging in the wardrobe so decided it was about time I wore it. It was quite a dull but mild day and I was grateful for the cover up in the air conditioned cinema.

I was feeling really lazy and it's long enough so I just wore it with leggings and my trusty leather boots.


Blazer - Vero Moda at House of Fraser, black vest - H&M, leggings - Mango, boots - a little shoe shop in Camden, watch - my Grandmother's, ring - ditto, necklace - Tiffany & Co.





Maria

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

At one time or another, if you have a boyfriend/husband who likes any type of sport, you are bound to find yourself in the position where you are to attend a game.

My boyfriend is a big fan of Chelsea FC so every couple of months or so, I get pulled along to a match. Now, I don't really like football and I'd rather sit and watch paint dry than watch football on TV but going to a live event is a bit different and I actually enjoy going. However, what's a girl to wear to a football game? Obviously it's freezing to sit outside for 3 hours hardly moving so you need to wrap up. But I despise the 'I need to keep warm therefore I shall wear a tracksuit and UGG boots' attitude so I always try to make at least a bit of effort in the style area.

So this is what I wore this weekend. The only piece of advice I would give is if you think you have far too many pairs of socks on, put on another. Oh and take a bag that you can wear accross yourself!


Dress- TFNC at ASOS, top- H&M, bag- vintage, trainers- Converse, necklace- Tiffany





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PS. I realise I'm overdoing the Converse a bit but I haven't worn trainers since August because I had left them in Spain and only recently got them back! Normal stylish footwear will resume momentarily.