I Heart The High Street

I've just read an article about George Davies whose name you might not know but whose work you'll certainly be familiar with, as he's responsible for British high street labels such as Per Una and George at Asda...Anyway, he's opening a new store 'GIVe' this week, where his main focus is 'affordable' luxury.

Personally I don't see what's affordable about a £249 coat that I don't find particularly spectacular, and I found myself infuriated, yet again at the vulgar pretention I so frequently face in this industry.

I have lost count of the amount of times I am encouraged to make 'investment purchases', please note from a few posts back that I consider a £60 top to be an investment!

You may be familiar with sentences such as 'in the current climate it's much preferable to buy a piece that transcends seasons' and while they have a point, these pieces very rarely have a price tag less than £300. And am I honestly supposed to keep this coat for ten years and wear it every winter without getting bored??

The author of said article scoffs at us mere mortals for moaning that we don't want to spend hundreds on a dress. And while I LOVE to drool over fabulous designer garments and admire their wonder, the 'throw away' fashion is all most of us can afford. And even if it weren't, don't turn your snoz up at us because we choose to spend our hard earned dosh more wisely.

A girl who fashions a fabulously thrifted outfit combined with DIYed bits and bargainous high street finds has far more personality and style in my eyes than the WAG wannabe who gets an entire pristine outfit from a designer shop. Plus, it's much more fun, like fashion should be! We win. Amen.

Case in point: Each one of these babies costs under £25


Topshop

River Island

Miss Selfridge

Bits and Flits

So Christopher Kane for Topshop was a bit of a let down was it not? Not the sell out we thought it would be. Who knew! I weren't overly impressed myself. Too grungy for me I think. Although I was a fan of the embellished pieces.

I've been catching up with my favourite blogs tonight, and I came across this which I just adored from Clare at Pretty Green. She makes the most beautiful lingerie, and now she's offering a service where she'll upcycle any fabric of yours, turning it into one of her stunning creations. The bras are ideally suited to an A - B cup as they're so delicate, but I've GOT to get me a pair of the undercrackers!

In other news; There I was, willing to rise above my menacing ex-neighbours from hell. Leave them to be their miserable selves, I know that I'm better than those fools anyway (etc etc), when Dan came home with an empty alarm clock box...I think we all know what he did it's contents. Naughty Dan. Heehee.

Frilly Crop Top

I still hadn't found a way to fashion a crop top that would flatter me or anyone who isn't a complete skinny minny...until I seen this one from Topshop. I love the shape of it with the little frill, in sort of an empire style, which is a winner on almost any body shape. So I'm going to make one inspired by this baby, on my new fancy pants overlocker (which has caused me to bash it and shout at it A LOT because it's so complicated to thread!!) and I'll show you when I'm done!

Lady Shoes

I'm going to Ladies' Day at the races tomorrow and had the perfect outfit planned in my head...a blue and white spotty vintage dress, these shoes, white ankle socks and a few vintage accessories (which I'd initially bought to sell in my boutique, but whoopsie, they fell into my wardrobe, again, can you believe that?! It just keeps happening!)

The shoes of my dreams - Topshop

The smallest size they had was a 4 (I have midget feet) and I thought, no problem, stuff 'em with a couple of insoles - be fine! So I did, but they still make me look like a five year old trying on her mum's shoes. So back to Topshop they go... *waves* ...bye shoes.

You can enter my latest giveaway here

Splash of Colour

My recent wardrobe choices have consisted of grown up colours and dusky tones...I thought I'd start brightening things up a little, which is much needed especially in this gloomy weather! So today I wore some bright red ribbed tights, and thought up a nice little outfit on Polyvore that I'd like to own please.

Headband - Oasis, Bag - Chanel (vintage), Playsuit - Topshop

Sewin' Up A Storm

I went to a vintage warehouse a few days back and bought 7 (!) dresses. I loved the prints on all of them, but most of them are a size 22 and the styles are NAFF as...I think they're 80's numbers. So today I'm getting my sew on, and then I'll share the before and after pics with you. There may even be a cheeky giveaway so keep your beady eyes peeled for your chance to nab one of my reworked lovelies!

Don't want to leave you with no pretty pics in the meantime though, so feast your eyes on this little outfit...

Playsuit - Topshop, Ankle socks - Topshop, Bag - Kieselstein, Shoesies - Topshop

T-shirt DIYing

Lots of the outfits that have been catching my eye recently have included a graphic tee (usually tucked into a skirt). I've decided to make use of some of the ten thousand blank t-shirts in my wardrobe (ok ok, my boyfriend's wardrobe - thanks Dan!) and have a little customising sesh. I love the scribbley scrawly designs - all the more recreatable (that's not a word).

So get your paint brushes out people, all's you need is some acryllic paints and a little imagination...and here's a few I've found to get your juices flowing...

Forever 21

Forever 21

Topshop

Give 'em The Old Razzle Dazzle...

Anything with a bit of sequin is drawing me in like a magpie at the moment, I homed in on a stunning Chanel sequinned blazer in Vegas and have been excited by creating my own, more modestly priced sparklies since I got home. I've just been on the Topshop website and it seems we're on the same wavelength, they've got 3 pages of twinkly goodies for me to swoon over...my faves...

To Crop or Not to Crop...

I'm reeeeaaally drawn to crop tops at the moment. Pondering ways I could try and work them, belly out is a NO-NO, and I think I'll definitely avoid the tight ones as to not get confused for a Hooters staff member. Perhaps over a high waisted skirt, tightish of course if the top is loose. My friend Emma owned a little lacy number over a denim playsuit on hols...but I don't wanna be such an obvious copycat, so I've yet to decide...nonetheless here's a few that are currently featuring in my dreams...

Flamingo crop top - Wildfox

Peach hook & eye crop top - Topshop

Silk crop top - Alice McCall