Animal print has come roaring back in... again. It's all a bit familiar, don't you think? The Topshop leopard print furs, leggings, tees, cardigans, scarfs... have the Topshops and H&Ms moved on at all this A/W?
Doesn't bother me... it appears that, unconsciously, I have fully embraced this ever so overdone trend with open arms. This is my third animal print piece I have bought this season!Bizarre - this time last year I was totally disinterested.
I wore this Topshop shirt tucked in to some charcoal peg legged trousers and my allegra chelsea platform boots.
I bought this scarf last Friday when I was trying to buy a present for my friend. Isn't that the worst - when you end up buying yourself something and turn up at the party without a gift?! However, in my defence, there was NOTHING I thought she'd like and I'd much prefer to buy her something she will really love than any old thing. Plus, her party was early... her birthday is not 'til next week. Ok, ok - rant over. Back to the scarf... (!)
I was immediately drawn to this Zara oversized scarf - I love the old school check and the fringe detail. Worn with some old All Saints jeans, my Urban Outfitters Deena and Ozzy cuffed boots and my Zara frock coat this is a perfect casual/smart number - with the scarf and jeans successfully toning down the smart jacket.
What do you think of this outfit? Are you a snuggerly scarf lover too?
I found this jumper today in no other than the ever so useful Topman. I often have a nosey in there to see if I can find any jumpers or big tees that can be worn as oversized jumpers/t-shirt dresses. Dodging between over indulgent mums trying to buy their disinterested teenage sons a new wardrobe, I was lucky enough to stumble upon this little beauty. Teamed with thick socks from John Lewis and my Urban Outfitter boots I like this autumn look. Going to buy some wooly grey tights to go with this outfit as it gets colder.
Last night my boyfriend and I spent the night at Babington House, Somerset for our anniversary. The long drive (three hours) was certainly worth it. Nestled in the rolling hills of Somerset this Georgian house was opened to the public in 1998.
On arrival we were greeted by a high tea made up of scumptious scones and cakes (complimentary for all guest at the hotel). After this, we made our way to the Cowshed Spa where we swam in their outdoor heated pool and later I indulged in a 60 minute facial. I fell asleep immediately and felt obliged to ask the lovely beautician if I had slept talked! (I frequently do!) Dinner followed in the main dining room and a stroll around the stunning grounds.
A really beautiful get-a-way, unpretentious and yet incredibly luxurious. My boyfriend found a really good deal online so might be worth checking out. A serious ten out of ten for me!
It's all gone silver. It really has. Until recently I would only wear gold, but in the last few months I have begun collecting silver pieces. Above our my staples that I wear every day.
Picture 1 is a piece that is particularly important to me. The chain was given to me by my Aunt Marlene. I have attached a key to a secret box I keep and my uncle's two army badges. I love this necklace as it hangs really low and can be worn with a shorter necklace above it.
Picture 2 is a Maria Rudman bracelet given to me for my 21st birthday. Maria Rudman is probably my favourite jewellery designer. Her pieces are handmade using braided pewter on leather. Available at Feathers.
Picture 3 shows a new necklace I bought from H&M. I like it but have recently decided that I am going to take off the bottle cap charm.
Picture 4 is a silver bangle my Mum gave me. This bangle sits really well next to the Maria Rudman.
Picture 5 is a necklace I recently bought from American Eagle in New York. I fell in love with the little eagle!
There are a few artists that I can listen to over and over again without becoming bored of the song. For me, James Morrison is one of them. There is something about his incredibly rich and grainy sound that - without sounding cliche - takes me away to another place. My all time top James Morrison songs include "You give me something", "Pieces don't fit any more" and "This boy".
Above is my cover of "You give me something" with guitarist Jason Lipman. Below are some of my favourite lyrics found in the song "Pieces don't fit any more".
Have a read and let me know what you think.
"I've been twisting and turning,
In a place that's too small.
I've been drawing the line and watching it fall".
The imagery used in this opening line helps the listener connect with song. Immediately I picture a frustrated individual who feels increasingly trapped in their relationship.
"Well I can't explain why it's not enough,
Cause I gave it all to you,
And if you leave me now, oh just leave me now,
It's the better thing to do.
It's time to surrender,
It's been to long pretending,
There's no use in trying,
When the pieces don't fit anymore,
Pieces don't fit here anymore."
Never a truer word spoken. Sometimes we find relationships change, be it friends or partners. There is no use fighting it, it is natural and healthy. Morrison puts it so simply - "the pieces don't fit any more". I like to think we walk with different people throughout the course of life.
After an over indulgent brunch in West Village, to my boyfriend's dismay, I insisted on some "window shopping" promising not to buy anymore after my splurge in Forever 21.
But then something happened... we stumbled across Steve by Steve Madden... what's a girl to do?! What is more, there was a sale and a 2 for 1 offer !
Above are my new shoesies... teamed with skinny jeans and socks they'll work in both the colder and warmer months.
Over the summer I visited the USA - my boyfriend and I rented an open top car and drove through Boston, Cape Cod New York. Was such a brilliant trip filled with lots of giggles.
Cape Cod was stunning - filled with quaint bed and breakfast/guess houses, little cafes and spectacular beaches. Chatham was my favourite place we visited - somewhere I would one hundred percent recommend you see.
While Cape Cod was enchanting and incredibly relaxing... NYC was a whole other story. For three days my poor boyfriend had to entertain himself while I shopped til I dropped. Today I am wearing two of my favourite buys: my white shirt from American Apparel (still available in-store and online and in more colours) teamed with my multi coloured jumper from Forever 21.
What do you think of this look? Perhaps a little too soft and spring(y) for mid October?
Hope you have had a lovely weekend! So as I mentioned before I am also a singer/songwriter and will be using my blog to showcase my music and reviewing music that I like!
I am in a band called "Digital Farm Animals" and here is our cover of "Beggin" written by the brilliant Bob Guadio and Peggy Farina.The Digital Farm Animals crew is made up of myself, other vocalist JJ, producer Nick and DJ Guy.
"Artful Dodger?" I hear you ask?! Let me explain ....
Searching through my horrible mess of a wardrobe I came across this long tail grey blazer that I bought from Urban Outfitters a while back. I found it in the Urban Outfitters sale about a year ago, for a tenner! Was very happy with myself. I haven't actually worn it out until today - I had forgotten all about it! Paired with skinny jeans, boots and an old knit cream jumper from Cos this immediately reminded me of the costume I wore as Artful Dodger in Oliver Twist - my primary school production! I love the double breast detail and slit arms in the blazer which I have rolled up. My jewellery is vintage - found in my aunt's box of treasures!
I never get bored of Boho, and neither do the fashion stores. Year and year out, boho comes creeping back in to all of our favourite shops. In fact, I saw a yummy Urban outfitters poncho that I would love to get my hands on if my cash card wasn't feeling so ill and hard done by!!
I think as a blonde it's an easy trend to work with. In fact, I think I actually go out of my way sometimes to move away from it ... especially when my Grandma asks me for the one millionth time whether I have brushed my hair (!) and if I should get a new leather jacket as this one is falling apart. To which I respond... 'it's the look Grandma'!
Anyway, today I felt like embracing the shabby boho inside. I am wearing an old white collarless shirt, teamed with skinny jeans and my old brown leather jacket - which I found a few years back - suprisingly in Hollister of all places! My jewellery is all vintage apart from the triangle pendant necklace from Urban Outfitters and the beaded necklace from Cos. My scarf is not actually a scarf - and was stolen from my aunts' attic - it was a skirt she bought from India.... 'I'll take that' !!!
What do you think of my scarf? Maybe I could invent a new SKarf!
I love Autumn - by far my favourite season in the year. Today was particularly lovely - wouldn't you agree? Light blue sky, slight breeze, crunchy orange leaves - all in all pretty mild! In light of this strangely warm October weather today I fancied whipping out my cream buttoned shirt (American Apparel), dusty pink blazer (Zara) and my new leather strap necklace (Cos) ! Teamed with skinny jeans and my Urban Outfitters boots I like this autumn look :)
