Jekyll and Hyde...

So i went out today with my fellow shopper, salfordian and fellow fashion lover Soph, where we inevitably ended up in Primark.

We did start in New Look mind you, trying to spend our 20% off vouchers courtesy of this week's Grazia but it was exceptionally difficult. i found a gorgeous pleated wine coloured 50s skirt, but not in my size. I found a cotton alternative but then felt because i saw the pleared chiffon one and loved that one, i felt like i was wasting my 20% off. Soph tried on a knitted oversized mustard jumper, a cosy thick navy cargidan, a black and blue striped blazer and the purple sister of the aforementioned cotton skirt and for one reason or another didn't like any of them.

Feeling slightly disheartened, tired (and in Sophie's case, hungover), we battled through the Saturday crowds to Primark. One never to disappoint, Primark soon delivered and we were having to grab baskets.

In between picking up two cardigans (prepation for a/w) some tights (neccessity) and some pretty accessories (wanted), Soph spotted the most beautiful faux fur jacket ever seen, which brings us to the title of the post.

Now, i've only really started taking an interest in fashion for the past year or so, i'm always pretty safe withn my outfit choices. i stick to what i know which is pale floral dresses in the summer and darker floral dresses in the winter. sometimes i wear polka dots, if im feeling particularly crazy. but that's about as far as it goes.

And now i've seen this leapord print fur coat with beautiful 1920s style brass clasps, and i've fallen head over heels. The jacket is priced at £35 which is a pretty pricey jacket from Primark, but the detailing and the quality justify the price. 

How has this happened?! this coat is so not me! i don't have anything to go with it, i don't know when i would wear it or even where. but i have to have it.

so is it about time i finally had fun with fashion, and went with it? Afterall i'm 22. Even if the jacket is a horrible mistake, it will just be a funny picture to show my kids years down the line.

And it DOES get cold in Manchester in winter.

hmm, it's a tough choice...

xxx

who i'd invite to my tea party...

 I've been reading blogs for a little while now, and i've settled into a routine now of a cup of tea and a catch up of my favourite blogs, so i thought i'd share.

Louder Than Silence

London's coolest couple Sally & Ross keep us updated with their lives and their wardrobes. genuinely lovely, this blog is part lifestyle/part fashion/part love (because after all they are adorably in love!)

from Primark to Prada

If Sally & Ross are London's coolest couple then Katie is London's wittiest. Living the dream and blogging about it, she's the girl everyone wants to be.

AND she reads dailymail.co.uk for her gossip. girl after my own heart.

The Magpie Girl

Ireland's finest Vicki reguarly updates her blog with outfit posts, which are cute, quirky and always on the fashion ball.

Wayward Daughter

Having just released her first collection, this gorgeous blog is all about Cait and her life. her 'about' section describes her blog as her personal fashion diary which i think sums it up perfectly.

Stolen From Grandma

this whimsical and girlie blog is the product of Perth's Claire. very vintage inspired and with a romantic air about it, Claire is an absolute Doll <3

that's such a nice dress, i love what you've done with your hair...

So i'm sat watching Lily Allen: Riches to Rags (LOVE, by the way) freaking out about what i'm going to wear tomorrow (been with the boy for almost 2 years but tomorrow i'll be meeting a bunch of friends at his flat party and i'm determined to come across as a little bit cool and a little bit witty. Well, before the vodka takes over at least)  and i remembered;

I caught a glimpse of Daisy Lowe in mummy dearest's latest work the other day and i have to say, i NEED this dress in my life.

isn't it beautiful?! it's bang on trend in colour and texture, has a gorgeous festive feel to it, tinged with vintage inspiration. i don't care how or when i get this dress, i just know i need to have it in my wardobe before autumn hits.

does any one know when the new collection is released?

i'd just like to say; if i had this little gem in my wardrobe, my fashion crisis wouldn't be happening right down.

xxx

a rabbit-hearted girl.

I think it's about time i brought up Truffle. Now Truffle will come up, no doubt, for a variety of reasons; chewing on my shoes, leaving fluff on my clothes, being a great houserabbit but a terrible room mate (for aforementioned reasons.)

As previously mentioned i adore Nashy's rabbit Fluffy, and was so jealous when she got him as i had been banging on to anyone that would listen how badly i wanted one. i always knew that i wanted a house rabbit too, so in February 2010, when my last ever bursary from university went in and just weeks from my 21st, i dragged my best friend, housemate and partner in crime to Pets At Home to purchase this guy;

this is my gorgeous, loveable rogue of a bunny, Truffle.

 I'm not the only one obsessed with rabbits. Said partner in crime has also got two beatiful little lop eared bunnies, cleverly called Frankie & Benny, and another friend started with her own little trouble maker called Tulip, and then got Tulip an adorable little friend called Daisy.

following this, Barry M got in on the act and started featuring cute little rabbits hanging out in bedrooms in their adverts.

Florence even loves them!

i think there's something about having a pet rabbit that appeals to every girl. they're just so cute and fluffy, and you always remember that horrible girl in school that was a mean bully and never even LIKED her rabbit was allowed one and you weren't. or maybe that was just me.

but still, i have yet to come across someone who has met Truffle and disliked him. He has this amazing personality, and he's so chilled out and friendly. to be honest, i think Truffle has made a lot of people like ME alot more.

case in hand; truffle went to stay with the boyf last year when i scarpered off to Leeds Festival, and when i got back and Truffle came home, i was regaled with stories about how wonderful he was, how the boyf's parents loved him and how he, and as a result, me, are welcome at their home any time. excellent, good work Truf.

So whilst he drives me insane when he nibbles on my straightners' wire (needed for my fringe) and leaves fur all over my beautiful flat (a hassle to clean up), i genuinely couldn't imagine being without him, and i don't know how i did for the first 20 years of my life.

Truffle = (L)

 

xxx

pretty as a picture.

So, Friday's post was a bit rush happy, sorry about that! i didn't even include picture. psh, amateur.

However, I'm determined to start blogging on a regular basis, so practice makes perfect and all that.

So i left on Friday thinking about the A/W11 styles. i mentioned my love for the 50s style tailored look which will be adorable for my 9-5 life, and the shift dresses which i will be purchasing for my first night out in a long time with my favourite salfordian (don't think this is even a real word. but that's how i role, i just make it up as i go along) where we'll be attending the Smiths Disco in Manchester. Not to bang on about how wonderful Manchester is, although it's pretty bloody good, but i am so excited for this night. i went to the Star and Garter back in the day for Keys, Money, Lipstick and loved it then, so I'm excited to return for some quintessentially Manchester tunes.

So, these are my favourite trends to come out in the winter period. now colours!

the colours of the season seem to be a wine red and a mustard yellow and i love them both. not only do they go beautifully together, they can compliment other colours, and they are both perfect autumn colours. i can just see them going really well with some cute brogues, a warm coat and a big chunky scarf. Oh, winter is definitely my favourite season.

prints on the other hand are causing me a few issues. now i'm just going to throw this out there, but i really am not a fan of the star print. unless you're 12 or an emo, it's just not a good look. a grown woman in a star print, whether it be a dress  or just a scarf, just seems quite juvenille. The print i'm going to be championing this forthcoming season will be the polka dot.

i love polka dots anyway, don't get me wrong. i've been a fan for as long as my love of florals has engulfed me (if i see anything with them together i just go a bit crazy), so albeit i'm bound to be biased.

But polka dots can be put to the test in any occassion. smart, casual, pyjamas, houseware. it just works.

i'm afraid to say, stars don't.

but that's just my opinion. And many fashion houses and magazines and fashion bloggers would most likely strongly disagree with me. But what can i say, i'll always be a polka dot girl at heart.

xxx

summer in the city...

Okay, so i've done it. i've moved into my gorgeous little flat. i pay my own bills, i'm the only person that has a set of keys. i am officially a grown up.

Once the flat has all been lovingly decorated, i'm sure there will be a happiness post about the flat.

I also started a new job. (i wasn't joking about being a real grown up)

and i went to Glastonbury and Kendal Calling, saw Batman Live, went home for a bit and was completely distracted by the disarray of the country with the riots.

so the past couple of months have been hectic, and as a result i'm feeling a little run down with the beginnings of a cold, which led me to this blog post. As it's August and i have a cold, it's got me thinking about Autumn/Winter, which naturally progressed to what i'm going to wear in the colder parts of the year.

Don't get me wrong, i loved the 70s hippie vibe of the summer (perfect for festivals) and colour blocking (perfect for the city), but i don't think they were very 'me'. i tried both out to a very minimal extent (i can't bring myself to do flares) and have decided i am much more on board for the fashion traits of A/W 11. 

Now i'm working in an office as well, i have to dress smart so alot of my A/W choices need to reflect this, which is perfect with the midi skirt trend continuing, and as for pleats: LOVE! i think my outfit of choice for winter will be a lovely midi pleasted skirt and a peter pan collared shirt, with some heeled brouges.

As for nights out (albeit i've been a bit lacking in recently. hey, real grown ups only go out at the weekend, so really i've only had the opportunity a few times) i am going to thoroughly enjoy the 60s inspired style dresses that have hit the racks.

Many people say shift dresses are for the miniscule, now i disagree. as long as you're not trying to fit yourself into a minisule size, there's no reason why any girl can't rock the shift. Primark (my one stop shop for fickle favourites) recently brought out this gorgeous long sleeved scallop collar shift dress in mustard yellow and a deep red, and both i and my friend (both of us are on the curvy side) look pretty bloody good in it.

I am currently furiously typing away in my break room, and i have realised my lunch is almost over. so as a result i will leave you with this to mull over.

 tomorrow, PRINTS <3

xxx

give my love to the city, because i'll be having an affair this summer...

wow, talk about absolutely deserting your blog!

whilst plenty has been making me happy, the rabbit chewing through the laptop charger is not one of them. neither is a mid life crisis where you're trying to decide what to do with your life. hence the slightly late return of my happiness blogs.

today making me happy (albeit it makes me happy every day) is,

Manchester <3

The UK's third largest city and the one i now call home, everything a girl needs is in Manchester.

first of all, the boy of my dreams is from Manchester. Don't get me wrong, i didn't come to Manchester for him, just kinda found him on Halloween looking similar to me in his mime costume and being all cute, but he is born and bred Manchester none the less. And he is perfect, right down to his accent.

Second of all; i've made some amazing friends in Manchester. whether it was through them coming to university in Manchester (and being bullied into living with me by MSV) or they came back from their travels or finishing their degrees to Manchester (and bullied into working with me by CIS) or we crossed paths during my stint at Accessorize (bullied into knowing me by Accessorize), i've met some people i won't ever forget because i live in this vibrant, amazing city.

Thirdly; Manchester's appearance. Manchester has some of the most beatiful architecture i've seen in a UK city. i adore the town hall with it's noble and grand appearance, the redbrick city buildings making up a good portion of the city and the modern chic of the newly built portions of the city. Spinningfields has an amazing prescence in modernity. Now i'm not claiming Manchester's perfect. everyone makes mistakes, and Manchester has a few economic 60s/70s looking disasters that you are able to spot lurking around the city centre but on the whole it's done well to preserve the traditional and encourage the new.

Manchester isn't all about the appearance though. A truly cultural city, Manchester has an outstanding array of museums, art galleries, music venues and historic points. Everyone knows Manchester for 'Madchester' and for Oasis, but there's so much more to Manchester's music scene. Every night throughout the city is a new band playing on a badly lit stage to eager music devotees and that is an amazing acheivement. the city is also the original home legendary music projects such as the Warehouse Project, Sankeys, Parklife and Friends Of Mine festival.

The history of the city is exciting, unpredictable and vast. the prominence of Manchester within Great Britain's history goes a long way back, in all economical (the development of the canals), political (the fight for the vote) and social (the development of subcultures throughout modern history) and each of these are thoroughly explored and enjoyed at all of Manchester's museums.

Finally, and mostly quite importantly to us females of the species, shopping!
Manchester's Northern Quarter has some of the most beautiful, individual and kitsche boutiques i've been to.
Retro rehab is a heaven of dresses, Blue Rinse has some amazing peices and Ryan's Vintage has bargains galore. The Northern quarter is packed with fairly priced and well picked vintage finds. and if vintage is not for you, or too specific, there is always the high street.
Manchester's Market Street is unrivalled for it's high street shops to pick from. A Primark bigger than you would believe, H&M, New Look are perfect for some cheap essentials or decent bargains and then there's always Topshop, Urban Outfitters or Zara for a treat.
And i'll admit whilst i never EVER venture in, i've seen some pretty impressive high end shops hanging around deansgate and spinning fields, where it's Harvey Nicks and Selfridge's galore.

I often get caught up in the bore of every day life and chores, but sometimes i suddenly remember where i live and it makes going to work seem much better.

i plan to move into my own flat in a couple of  months as my first big venture into true adulthood. Whilst people around me say that moving out of town is probably the most economically viable option, my mum had a brilliant stance on it; 'you're 22 and you live in one of the best cities in the UK. so actually live in the city. have fun, enjoy it.' So i will be, in a pretty new flat in the centre of the excitement in Great Britain's best city! <3

i wish i was your favourite girl....

following Adele's heart-rendering performance on the Brits last week, my post today is dedicated to the many amazing female artists that are around at the moment, (and probably a lot about my ultimate girl crush, Kate Nash. but more about that later.) There has been an increase in female artists in the past few years and it's quite a talking point amongst the media, but it makes me feel kind of proud that finally women are being recognised in the music industry as being just as able as men to perfom, write and compose music. It's not something that's a new concept, having female artists, but it's just something that's becoming more recognised and more publicised recently.


i was so happy last week after seeing Adele deliver her latest offering to the toughest crowd and get the warmest reception.

The Brit School kids get a lot of slack from the media and other artists who weren't so lucky to attend an arts based school and it's something that really gets my goat. The Brit School has created some fantastic artists; Adele, Kate Nash and Amy Winehouse to name just a few, and i think it's a brilliant programme to nurture young, creative talent into something more. And many of the artists that attended the Brit school will probably argue that it helped them get where they are today.

ANYWAY. rant over; back to my favourite girls.

i've had to shorten the list considerably because otherwise this would have taken longer to do than an alcoholic to get sober, so quick small print: this list is not exhaustive. i love female artists from the 80s right up to current times that haven't been mentioned. i've cut it down to the bare minimum and to my absolute favourites (because otherwise you'd waste 3 days of your life reading what would essentially be a list of my ipod).


the Queen of beautiful lyrics and equally beautiful piano work has to be Regina Spektor.

She is most certainly one of my favourite artists, because of both her work and her personality. Her music is a constant soundtrack to my life, and her albums have spanned every mood and feeling. I think what makes an artist a person's favourite is how much they can relate to them, and whilst Regina is clearly amazing and a talented person, my love for her can't compare to my love for this lady;

 Kate Nash is my ultimate girl crush, i adore everything about her. first off, her style;

second of all is her personality. In the interviews i've seen, she seems to radiate honesty and good-will, her opinions strong and well-balanced and her attitude modest and sincere. 

Her music also speaks volumes about her likability factor. her songs are gorgeous, truthful and ultimately any girl between the age of 16 and 24 can relate to them . Nash cuts the bullshit and just writes good, honest and heartfelt songs about things that affect every girl.

and if Kate Nash didn't give you enough reasons to love her, my final reason;

Fluffy.

Now i love rabbits, an awful lot (which you'll hear about at a later date) and when i saw this little guy on Nashy's second album artwork i was thrilled. isn't he adorable?!

On top of these wonderful well known artists, there's emerging talent out there. Brigitte Aphrodite and Laura Constantinou are just two that are worth mentioning, and of course the more established acts that are still struggling to get the recognition they so truly deserve; Peggy Sue and Theoretical Girl.

The amount of female talent arund at the moment surpasses the amount of room i have on this blog, otherwise i'd continue with my love for the likes of Lily Allen, Ellie Goulding and of course the ever-charming Laura Marling.

Instead i'll leave you with this;

'this is really weird.'. More like totally deserved. Hopefully this'll be the start of amazing female artists being pushed into the main stream eye,winning awards like the Brits from here on in.

You are my sweetest downfall...

So my love affair with Cath Kidston has been in full bloom for a while now. her pretty prints caught my eye in my first year of university, and i fell head over heels there and then. like any other loves of mine, a visit to her concession in Selfridges never fails to make me smile. It would such a dream to work there. in fact, i fully intend to. if i just kinda hang around long enough...

 

Cath Kidston's vintage inspired prints, have a resolutely 'British' feel to them, making one feel that you've not just stepped into a concession, but you've skipped back 55 years to the homefront during the second world war. Not only do her prints have that particular country-house image, the brand includes a range of sewing products that would make 'Mrs make-do-and-mend' proud.

My dream is to one day have a wonderful city centre flat, and now i dream about my perfect flat being covered in Cath Kidston products. particularly so her bedroom collection. her duvet sets are just perfect, and lots of cushions. lots. of cushions. pretty florally girlie ones to make my big 4 poster bed super squishy. albeit this flat is a far off distant dream at the minute but a girl can hope.

whilst floral is always a winner, i also like polka dots. wearing them, seeing them, having accessories with them on.. yep. Cath sometimes rocks out with the polka dots out: 

 

so that's just a snippet about why Ms Kidson is on my happy list, because she makes beautiful accessories, homeware and bags in lovely prints, is one of the most original designers to emerge in recent years, and, really, who doesn't like floral prints & polka dots? 

<3