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 - Knitwear

I can't help but fall in love with patterned knitwear. There are so many fabulous designs out at the moment, and I've collected some of my favourites here. I think I'm going to have to pay a visit to Dorothy Perkins soon - they have some great stuff on their website, and often have 10 or 20% off weekends. But which one to choose....

1. Oatmeal Mr Fox Sweat, Internacionale £12.99

2. Glamorous Owl Knit Jumper, Republic £30

3. Beige Badger Jumper, Dorothy Perkins £30

4. Cream Flecked Rabbit Face Jumper, New Look £22.99

 5.Charcoal Rib Cage Heart Sweat, Internacionale £12.99

6. Fox and Friends Sweater, Sugarhill Boutique £48.00

7. Louche Windsor Corgi Intarsia Jumper, Joy £45.00

8. Swan Jumper, Miss Selfridge £39.00

9. Nude Bobble Heart Jumper, Dorothy Perkins £32.00

10. Bronze Bird Embellished Jumper, Dorothy Perkins, £32.00 

11. Rust Contrast Hearts Jumper, Apricot, £33.00

12. Misumi Navy Polka Dot Peter Pan Collar Eyelash Jumper, New Look £29.99

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!

Fashion Find Friday!

I love clothes, but I don't always have much money to spend, so I've taken up Pinterest shopping! It might not quite give me the thrill of lugging a full bag of pretty dresses home, but adding new stuff to my Pinterest style board is a damn sight cheaper. If you'd like to follow my board, here's the link.

This week I enjoyed drooling over the brand new Autumn Winter (yes, I know!!) collection from Yumi. I am totally in love with their print dresses, especially the one with a giant fox. I also found a funky fish print dress on eBay for you to enjoy..............

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!