F is for Fashion Fix

I peeked into the dangerous world of online shopping for today's post. I say dangerous because I love shopping, and more than any other item, I love buying clothes. It has been easier to resist the urge to buy when I stay completely away from such temptations, but I couldn't resist a little look, all in the name of research.

Yumi Blue Polka Dot Jacket at New Look, £44.99

Beach to Bar Dress by Joe Browns, £27.95

Louche Lovebirds Intarsia Jumper by Joy, £45

Louche Electra Leaf Pleated Maxi Dress by Joy, £69

Louche Leah Paisley Dress by Joy, £59

Fashion Find Friday: Owl versus Pussycat

So the owl and the pussycat were best of friends then huh? But what we'd all like to know, is who is best? There's only one way to find out.............fight!

I've marked my favourite of each bout with a little blue heart - but which do you prefer - owl or pussycat...you decide.....

Ivory Owl Motif T-shirt, Dorothy Perkins £10
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Miso Love Style T-shirt, Republic, £15

Inspire Monochrome Owl Print Jumper, New Look £27.99
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Louche Kat Intarsia Jumper, Joy £45

Owl Print Smock Blouse, Dorothy Perkins £25.60
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ASOS Shirt with Cat Embroidery, ASOS £24

Mini Owl Dress, Yumi £45
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Cat and Tree Print Dress, Yumi £38

Beige Owl Dress, Dorothy Perkins £28
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Louche Chat Dress, Joy £40

The pussycat came out on top (3-2) for me! 

I even found some more cute little accessories too. And I had fun trying out my Bamboo Pen Tablet preparing these collages...

Cat Ears Watch, ASOS £20
Cat Face Ring, ASOS £8
Teens Brown Owl Fur Coin Purse, New Look £4.99
 Helen Owl Face Watch, River Island £15

Owl Knitted Trapper Hat, New Look £9.99
Louche Owl Necklace, Joy £6
Sugar Reef Black Owl Bag, Dorothy Perkins £25
Grey Owl and Pussycat Socks, New Look £1.99

Fashion Find Friday: Bunnies and Bling

To some tiny extent I think this increase in online Pinterest shopping is helping to control my 'real' shopping urges. Don't get me wrong, I'm far from being cured, but collecting pretty stuff on my boards is definitely going some way to give me that new clothes buzz, without the disappearing money. Of course the downside is that when I go to my wardrobe thinking I'll wear that funky new find, it isn't actually there. I think I'm being much more fussy about what I spend my money on though, as I sometimes go off certain clothes pretty quickly - there are a few finds on my board that I wonder why I added them in the first place. Thank God for Primark for a cheap fashion fix!

Anyway, this week I found lots of bunny designs and some bling! I'm not usually one for sparkly stuff, but I was watching an episode of the TV soap Doctors the other other day, and a character was wearing a completely sequin covered dress and I loved it, so I've searched out some pretty ones today.......

Isn't this the cutest bunny jumper in the whole wide world!? I want it............

Bunny Jumper by Miss Selfridge, £39

Knitted Mirror Bunny Jumper by Topshop, £46

And what about a bunny print prom dress?

Bunny print prom dress by Dorothy Perkins, £45

And if you have a spare £2000, this little fella can be all yours....... (£2000!!!!)............

Carolina Herrera, £2000

Now, time for that bling I promised you. If you really want to sparkle, how about this little number from Thirty7..............

Sequin prom dress by Thirty7 at Republic, £55

Or for a slightly more toned down look (in a stunning colour)........

Sequin 2 in 1 dress by Thirty7 at Republic, £42

And last but not least........

Pink sequin tee by Miss Selfridge, £28

Fashion Find Friday!

I've always loved a good skull design, and there are quite a few around right now, just in time for Halloween I remember when I was a lot less brave with clothes I bought a skull print scarf that I loved, but was too self conscious to wear it. Now I'd be more than happy to wear any of these great skull designs!

Skull dress by Mela (at Yumi.com), £25

Cream Pagan Skull Tshirt by New Look, £7.99

Pink Skull and Heart Socks by New Look, £1.99

Skull Jumper by Missguided, £19.99

Skull and Rose Earrings by New Look, £2.99

Skull Lace Dress by Mela at Yumi.com, £25

Pink Skull Print Jumper by New Look, £22.99

Fashion Find Friday!

I love a good heart pattern, and this week I found loads of them! (I even bought one...ssshhh). I'm also throwing in a few kisses for good measure......

First up is this  gorgeous jumper from ASOS.com - it looks so warm and snug, and makes me think fondly of the weather turning a bit chilly rather than dreading the winter.

ASOS, £35

Another ASOS find is this subtle jumper with heart shaped elbow patches - too cute.

ASOS, £22

I don't often splurge on a Yumi purchase, but I love this mustard cardigan and am tempted now it's £10 off! I have yellow hearts on my plush creatures and it seems like a sign!!!

Yumi.com, £40 reduced to £30

Time for a big sloppy kiss....

ASOS, £32

ASOS, £22

This dress from Miso at Republic was one I just couldn't resist, especially for £25. It has a gorgeous cut-out detailing on the back too. Really pretty.

Miso at Republic, £25

It seems hearts are really fashionable at the moment so I'm happy. I just need to find a yellow heart pattern dress - or perhaps I might even try to fashion one up myself - a touch of applique here and there!

F is for...Fashion (on the cheap!)

Like a lot of people, I don't have endless amounts of money to spend on clothes, but I love fashion and shopping. Thankfully for me, there has been a real trend for cheap 'throwaway' fashion on the high street, and online, in the past few years. Of course this isn't all good news - many cheap stores have been accused in the past of using sweatshops and exploiting workers in the developing world, and items can be of a much lower quality. I might be naive but I hope that this is improving and that stores are much more ethical than they used to be. Surely they have to be now awareness of these problems is so high. There are certainly more ethical trading claims in stores now.

With the negative side over, lets celebrate the fun side! The most obvious store to mention is Primark. I remember when it arrived in my town. I had never heard of it before, but I soon discovered the magic prices and its nickname 'Primani' (as in Armani). It often seems that everyone out shopping in town is clutching a brown paper Primark bag. I'm sure most of them just went in for a pair of socks and came out with 3 tops, a bag and 2 necklaces, or is that just me? 

A couple of my more recent discoveries are Apricot and Select. I found Apricot as a small concession in New Look, but they do have some stores of their own and a great website. I especially love their tunics and dresses.

Source: apricotonline.co.uk via Claire on Pinterest

Source: apricotonline.co.uk via Claire on Pinterest

Source: apricotonline.co.uk via Claire on Pinterest

A chance visit to a new Select store in town led me to find some much needed knitwear this winter, and their website has some fab spring/summer clothes now too.

Source: selectfashion.co.uk via Claire on Pinterest

Source: selectfashion.co.uk via Claire on Pinterest

My Panda Heart- A Weekend Outfit

One of my first ever knitted creations had to be shown off even though it was a sunny day. I'm really quite proud of it as you might be able to tell!

Jumper: Select

Scarf: Knitted by me, adapted using a pattern for a single heart shape

Shoes: http://www.flylondon.com/

Ring: Topshop

Watch: Storm 

Oh Deer - A Weekend Outfit

I snagged a fab bargain with this cute little jumper....

Jumper: Yumi

Skirt: Diesel

Socks: Primark

Shoes: Fly London

Nail varnish: Don't Mess with O.P.I. by O.P.I.

And yes, it is a wig! 

Animal Seamstress - A Weekend Outfit

Channelling my inner animal.....

Dress: Republic

Belt: Peacocks

Cardigan: Topshop

Boots: Marks & Spencer

Necklace: Etsy - My Lavaliere

Black Snow - A Weekend Outfit

The snow came down and my wellies came out...

Jumper: Peacocks

Skirt: Diesel

Coat: Topshop

Red Hat: Accessorize

Black Hat: Topshop I think, but had it a long time.

Boots: Hunter

Muff: No idea, but I've had this since I was a child!

Gloves: Primark

Nails: Malaga Wine by O.P.I.

I used Camera Bag 2 to edit the photos and I'm loving the glossy magazine effects it can produce. 

Tangerine Circus - A Weekend Outfit

I've never worn anything orange before but I was drawn to this incredibly bright dress in the January sales this year and I love it! It is possibly a little short but I'm wearing it anyway. Wearing the ringmaster style jacket with it was a happy accident that I think works pretty well.

Dress: Rare at Topshop

Jacket: Topshop

Necklace: Republic

Ring: Dorothy Perkins

Boots: Marks & Spencer

Pink and Green Should Be Seen - A Weekend Outfit

I don't often wear pink as I'm not really a big fan, but a little splash of pink once in a while doesn't hurt! 

Jumper: Apricot

Skirt: H&M

Boots: Faith

Gloves: La Redoute

Scarf: Christmas gift a few years ago

Ring: Can't remember!

Earrings: Dorothy Perkins

Purple Storm - A Weekend Outfit

It wasn't the warmest day to be posing aroud outside but I took off the layers gradually and snapped away quickly! I've had a huge obsession with the colour purple for some time now and I love wearing it as much as I can.

Dress: Just Ginger

Belt: Peacocks

Cardigan: Topshop

Coat: Topshop

Scarf: Republic

Tights: Asda

Boots: Clarks

Ring: Accessorize

Necklace: Dorothy Perkins

Hair: Simple Gibson tuck - see tutorial