O.O.T.D. 06/12/11 and my fat breakfast!

All I seem to be doing is outfit of the day posts recently, and here's another one! I'm not really doing much today, had to go out and drop off one of my artworks this morning to the local Gallery that I'm a member of. May have a potential buyer, so fingers crossed!

Going to have a bit of a tidy up of my bedroom since there's a load of crap piling up on my floor that is getting to the height of my bed somehow. After/before/during that I might go and get my other half some yummy dinner before he has to go to work (might have to pop into Topshop on the way to pick up some shoes I've been lusting after! More about those later...)

Here's what I'm wearing today.

The grey slouchy top is from Forever 21 online. I'm wearing a bandeau top from Topshop underneath it so my norks aren't hanging out all over the show as the F21 top is an eensy bit too big.

My bag is from the Cambridge Satchel Company.

I'm wearing my favourite flats - VECTRA from Topshop, available HERE

I actually bought two pairs of these shoes when they first came available in my size as I'm so in love with them and dread the day when I ruin them or they fall apart. I thought I'd get a backup pair just incase. I went into Topshop over the weekend (see previous blogpost) and tried on a few items of clothing that I'd seen, however I also saw my beloved Vectra loafers in leather rather than suede. I didn't try them on but they've been calling my name ever since - yes, I know they're pretty much exactly the same... but come on, I need some leather ones don't I?

They're available online HERE for £28.

My check shirt is from Topshop and the velvety leggings are from Miss Selfridge.

My watch is the Nikon Time Teller in pink and the bracelets are from random shops, BHS, Dorothy Perkins etc.

The cross ring I got for Christmas last year off my lovely boyfo and I think it's from Urban Outfitters. I also got this Tiffany inspired necklace from the other half sometime last year from ebay for super cheap!

The makeup I'm wearing is inspired by the Kiera Knightly tutorial by Pixiwoo, you can watch it on youtube HERE. 

Before I go, can we all just take a minute to appreciate the immensity of my breakfast on Sunday morning. I got to have a lie in while boyf cooked breakfast for us and his family. Bloody marvelous!

O.O.T.D. 03/12/11

I have two days off work this weekend, bliss. So I got up and ready to head out into town to pick up some bits and bobs for Christmas and then the heavens opened. 

The rain was torrential this morning so I waited until early afternoon 'til I braved going out the door. I spent most of the morning searching for my lost keys anyway. Found them under my quilt, obvious place to keep them.

Anyway, here's what I wore.  I ended up swapping my black cardigan for a grey hoodie and leather jacket when I went out as it looked super miserable outside and I wanted to be warm.

I decided to embrace my inner Greebo today and went for big boots, slouchy hat, skulls and dark makeup. Definitely not feeling anything other than the cold and miserable weather at the moment and also seem to be having a miserable face day, evidently, as I decided not to look at the camera at all!

Skull tshirt is from Topshop years ago and was the most expensive tshirt I've ever bought at £22. I've worn it to death though and it is definitely my favourite tshirt ever. 

Leggings are from Primark lingerie section - they're the body sculpting leggings and I'm pretty sure they're meant to be worn under trousers and not as leggings themselves, but..bothered? They were only cheap, I think either £4 or £6. And they're not see through so all is well. Plus, I try my best not to have my booty hanging out all over the place anyway.

My cardigan is again from Topshop ages ago, but you can find black cardis everywhere.

Bag is by Alexander Wang and it's called the Rocco in laser-cut leather.

On my nails I'm wearing Matte Black nail polish from Urban Outfitters. It looks good for the first hour or so that you put it on, but gradually gets more and more shiny and chips very easily, just incase you're interested.

My eye makeup is all from the Urban Decay Naked Palette. I used Gunmetal all over the lid, Buck and Naked to blend out the crease and Creep to darken the outer corners. I then applied a thick line of Clinique Brush on Creme Liner in True Black 02 and two globby coats of crappy mascara that I'm trying to use up.

My skull ring is by Alexander McQueen. The thumb ring and middle finger ring were my Grandparents'.

My hat is from BANK last year or so, I got it for a bargain 90p in the sale. It's super slouchy and looks a bit like a Smurf hat but it was a bargain and it's cold outisde, so...

I wore one of my favourite pairs of boots today. They are Dr Martens Triumph boots and have ribbon laces. You can get them in a range of colours now and they are available HERE. The ones I am wearing today are from Schuh and to find them click HERE.

While I was out I wanted to pop to Topshop to try on a tshirt I saw the other day. Ended up really liking it but the quality was just so poor for the price (£22) that I decided against buying it even though I had a gift voucher left from my birthday. I tried on a couple more things that caught my eye as I was walking round the shop.

This is the tshirt that I went to try on. I really like how it looks but don't think it would last. Very over priced for a thin tshirt. Can't find it online as it wasn't a Topshop label, I think it was a boutique or concession brand.

I also tried on this stripy dress as I loved the neckline and have a similar one that I bought years ago, except it's strapless. Think I'm getting too old to be wearing super skintight things though, so again decided against this one as I'd have to walk around breathing in all day in order to not look like I was hanging out all over the show.

Very reasonable price though I thought and was very nice quality material. If it were plain black I think I may have bought this just for the neckline and sleeves. It is £22 and is available HERE.

This next item I loved but again I just thought it was too expensive. (And they didn't have the size I wanted) Super Christmassy and very warm and snug, this cardigan is available HERE for £65. I was really contemplating buying it but didn't because I would have preferred a size 8 instead of a size 10 which is what I'm wearing in the photo. I loved the pattern and the material, however, since the cardi has a faux fur trim and contains wool it is hand wash only. I can't be doing with not being able to shove it in the washing machine or the tumble dryer, I think it's just too much hassle so that was the thing that sealed the deal for me and I put it back on the rail. :(

How is everyone doing with their Christmas shopping?

Wishlist December

Quick morning wishlist of things that I think are pretty.

Topshop Oxblood Ponte Blazer.

£40

Available HERE

Zara Clutch Bag With Tacks.

£29.99

Available HERE

Michael Kors Watch Style number MK5137

£189.05

Available HERE

Toms Black Women's Glitters

£40

Available HERE

Also, fantastic news, I received some beautiful boots from Mr Postman today. Now they have to be wrapped up for Christmas but first I had to try them on for size to make sure they fit...obviously! ;)

I don't even care that he rang the doorbell about a thousand times at 8am on my morning off work since he brought me this massive package! (Hugely oversized for the shoe box inside, might I add...)

My purrrr-fect jumper!

My lovely friend, Angie (of Angie and Gordon - Me&Yu, Manchester) kindly made me this beautiful jumper. Hand delivered to my door, what lovely customer service! ;)

You'll all be seeing this little gem in my next outfit of the day no doubt. 

Me&Yu is a Manchester based (Affleks Palace, right up top) clothing store run by Angie and Gordon. The label has been growing over the past seven years and each item of clothing is hand printed in Manchester. Many items are also hand made or reconstructed by Angie.

I love this jumper and cannot wait to wear it. You can buy the tshirt version of this kitty top HERE.

Also, check out the rest of Me&Yu's clothing range HERE

O.O.T.D. 29/11/11 & my new Buddy!

What an absolutely miserable day. I apologise firstly for the rubbish lighting, the weather has been so awful, dull, windy and heavy (very, very heavy) downpours.

My first day off work in a week so I went off out to run some errands, catch up with the boyfran and pop down to a Vintage Fair at a local University.

Here's what I wore.

Slouchy knitted jumper and dark wash skinny jeans from Topshop.

Knitted chunky infinity scarf from Warehouse.

My bag is my Cambridge Satchel Company Classic 11" Satchel that I got for my birthday earlier this month.

Watch is by DKNY from Goldsmiths.

Mood ring from Hawkins Bazaar.

Pearl heart necklace from Accessorize.

On my nails I have "Mint Green" number 304 by Barry M.

My peace sign earrings are from Tammy.

'Pistol' boots from Acne.

Perfume of the day is Stella by Stella McCartney.

While I was running some errands I popped into my local junk/house clearance shop to get a price on a bamboo hat stand I'd seen in the window. Turns out it was super wobbly anyway and not worth the price tag but while I was in there I fell in love with a little guy sat on a shelf at the back. He's so happy and is going to sit on my bed side table. I had to take him home for a bargain £10. Not sure what my kitty thinks of him though.

Have you picked up any random bargains recently?

O.O.T.D. 22/11/11 & Breaking Dawn SPOILER ALERT!

On the agenda for today was to spend the afternoon chilling with the boyf, have a wander round town and then later on in the evening cinema with two girl friends.

Comfort should have been a key point to my outfit today, but it totally wasn't.

The hat came off as soon as I moved my head faster than walking speed.

Plasters were on hand for my ultra stiff shoe heels that insist on rubbing my ankles down to the bone.

And jeans so tight I had a mini work out trying to get them on.

But other than that, the outfit was a great choice. :)

Shirt, jeans, shoes, bobble hat are all from Topshop

Cross necklace from Etsy

Gold watch from Guess

Bag from Cambridge Satchel Company

While I was in town, I popped in to the piercers to get a check up on my inner helix piercing and to ask him to do the second piercing for me. Good news is that the first piercing is healing fine but the bad news is that he wouldn't pierce the next one for at least another couple of weeks. Booo.

Anyway, I went to see Breaking Dawn with the girls and what can I say except for do NOT take anyone younger than 18 to see this film! I'm traumatised, not even kidding.

At first I was all like "Waheyyy, Jacob with his top off within the first five seconds of the film starting." Then I was like, "Aww what a lovely wedding," and, "Aww what a lovely honeymoon!" 

But then I was all like, "Ot ohhh, baby Vampire!" and then was like, "Oh my Gahhhh, skinny Bella!" and, "Lols Jedward and Renesmee!" Then there was a lot of howling and fights which was okay until, "Da fuuuuch?! Non anaesthetised cesarean! Blood! Guts! 8 month old baby! Omg she's dead! Don't chomp on her leg!" 

What did I just see? I'm not even sure, but I can tell you I was NOT expecting whatever that just was.

How to: Dye your hair like a pro in ten easy steps!

Here's the basics you will need:

Two or more old towels.

One tin of Vaseline. Aloe Vera optional.

One comb.

One timing/music device. I decided to use my phone.

And of course, one hair dye of choice. 

I decided to use Schwarzkopf LIVE Salon Style in 3-3 Dark Violet, Permanent.

(NB. Permanent my arse!)

Here is what my hair looked like before I started. Bear in mind that I'd used this hair dye last time I dyed my hair about a month ago...and it pretty much faded into a reddy-purply-brown. Butttt, I guess any hair dye fades after time and I like the colour, so I will keep using it!

Step one. Get set up. Lay an old towel on the floor to avoid sneaky spillages on the carpet or tiles. Wrap an old towel around your shoulders so you don't ruin your clothes. (Top tip: Don't wear your favourite clothes!) Comb through your hair.

Step two. Read the instructions of your hair dye.

Step three. Follow them carefully! (Perform an allergy test if you're new to dying your hair, have sensitive skin, or if you're using a different brand to one you have used before!)

Step four. Grab your Vaseline and smear it all around your hairline, forehead, ears, back of neck etc. This sounds revolting but will help you wipe away any dye that you accidently get on your skin during application. If you're like me and get hair dye everywhere then you should probably use a fair amount of Vaseline and put it pretty much all over your entire face and shoulders.

(Not really, just around your hairline is fine...)

Step five. Put on your gloves! 

Side note: Why are the gloves included in hair dye packets ALWAYS too big? Come on, who has thumbs this long?

Step six. Follow your hair dye instructions on how to mix your ingredients. Shake it, sh-shake it, shake it, sh-shake it!

Step seven. Put that shit on yo' head. Rub it in! Make sure every hair is covered in hair dye.

This is what it will look like when you've finished if you're as messy as me. Now, who wants purple face hair and sideburns? NOT ME! Avoid this by following step eight.

Step eight: Get a bit of tissue paper or an old face cloth and dampen it with water. Rub away any excess dye that has gone onto your skin. Because we put Vaseline on our head before,  it should wipe away super easily.

Ta-daaa!

Step nine: Now comes the waiting game. I had to wait 30 minutes for my dye to work its magic. I set the timer on my phone, ate some birthday sweeties and had a little boogie to Katy Perry. I suggest you do the same.

Step ten: Wash out the hair dye as to the instructions on your information leaflet. Wait for your fabulous new hair to dry and Voila! Done!

Hope you like it! Maybe try it yourself and let me know how it goes. :)