First Haul of 2014

Ouch! No posts since October... Super sorry but I have been busy with work and uni etc. etc. Yes, it may seem trivial but my workload has increased tenfold, [feel sorry for me here].

Anywho, let's get started on this haul! I was browsing H&M when I spotted a sign for "20% off" and, as a girl who cannot resist discounts and sales, I jumped at the chance. What had started as a quick browse on my lunch hour quickly turned into a full blown shopping spree.

Initially it was the window display that grabbed my attention, the pretty pastels and minimalism drew me in, like the point of no return...

So here we have the first item of my haul, a pretty in pink pastel jumper; although the picture doesn't do the colour much justice... It's oversized and fine-knit making it perfect for when spring (eventually) arrives. 

Next we have this cute shirt that I could not leave behind, it looks great alone as well as under the new jumper. It has mesh detailing, again making it great for when warmer weather reaches us.

This kimono is by far my favourite item of this haul, the colours are perfectly muted and the design is making me dream of holidays on a beach, far away. I bought a kimono from H&M roughly 2 years ago now and it is just such an easy item to wear, I find that these sort of items paired with jeans and plain vest really make a difference!

I thought I'd be daring and try a new skirt - jeans are beginning to bore me now... and voila! I saw this skirt, tried it on and did not want to take it off. Great length and can be worn all year round, winner!

The mohair effect on these shoes grabbed my attention as they're different to just plain ol' shoes, they add real texture to an outfit; even if they are on your feet!

Now this last item is not H&M, but rather Topshop, I had to exchange an item as I lost my receipt (silly me) and out of the whole store, albeit not that big, this is all I could find that I really liked. Hopefully Topshop, Coventry will get some better items soon. It's killing me. Anyway, the embroidery on this shirt just stood out to me and it's a nice thin material with three buttons at the back making it nice and breezy :-)

I am simply waiting now for some better weather!

Winter Boots

In my previous post I mentioned how it's getting colder as the winter months approach us and so, I thought there was no better time to invest in a new pair of boots.


I started my search in a store that very rarely disappoints with shoes - Topshop. Yes, I found a perfect pair at a reasonable price of £60 but, something was telling me to think about this purchase a little bit more than just buying the first pair I like.

Consequently, I continued looking and found many more pairs to add to my wishlist, but it wasn't until I came across the fabulous range that Dr Martens had to offer that I thought, wow! Guaranteed they were at the higher price of £110, nevertheless I knew that DMs would last me pretty much a lifetime compared to their Topshop counterpart.

After visiting their Birmingham store and trying on various styles and sizes I found the ones. These beauties are from their 'parade rugged collection' and have a greasy, soft leather with an oily coating to keep my feet warm and dry. They also have their hallmark air-cushioned sole making them super comfortable (maybe after I've broken them in)!

Outerwear Wishlist

Sorry I haven't posted for a while but I've been busy with uni and work (I got my uni job back)! In just a few days I'll have my discount card and then it's hello 25% off Topshop! 

Anyway, as it's been getting colder and colder this past week I've formulated a list of my favourite outwear pieces.

1. All Saints, Hide Monument Coat £358

2. Zara, Checked Coat £149 (this print reminds me of Celine, making it no. 2 on my wishlist)

3. Mango, Biker Style Flecked Coat £149.99

4. H&M, Biker Jacket £34.99

5. Topshop, Popper Front Boyfriend Coat £58

I love the oversized coat look this season and these 5 are at the very top of my wishlist to keep warm and dry this winter.

Checkmate

The weather outside today is just horrible - grey, windy and raining - so I decided it was the perfect time to wear my new tartan trousers!

I wore my nice, warm scarf to keep cosy on my travels and I love the clashing pattern trend, and to clash these two tartans was inspired by the lovely Miss Delevingne whom was spotted with the gorgeous Georgia May Jagger earlier this month.

Shirt: Primark
Trousers: Zara
Boots: Topshop
Coat: Vero Moda
Scarf: Vintage Burberry (it was my dad's)
Leather Bag: Next

#CosmoCareers

Firstly, I must say how much I enjoyed yesterday evening! It was really useful and the lovely fashion panel offered a great insight into working in the fashion industry. The gorgeous panel included;

• Laura Puddy (former Cosmo stylist and columnist)
• Niki proctor (head of PR at Gorgeous Couture and runs her own PR agency)
• Emma Pitt (buyer for online boutique Morgan Clare)
• Katie Curran (head of PR at Boohoo and former womenswear PR manager for ASOS) and,
• Rio Maddison (designer at Missguided who previously worked at Burberry).

Although my friend and I did get slightly lost, making us half an hour late we didn't miss much and got all the information we needed.

The panel told us about their experiences in the industry such as the best and worst bits about their career, how they got to where they are today - by sleeping in the car, or moving to London with nothing but a suitcase, or how they simply never gave up.

The panel also said how the fashion industry is a labour of love, and not even that deterred me from wanting to go into fashion. Which, for me is a pretty big deal because in all honesty, I would love to earn a salary to live the lifestyle I dream of! But, I love fashion and I am more than happy to give my career more than what it will give back for a while. Determination and patience is key! 

The best part of the evening was definitely getting to ask questions to the fashion panel as we could all get specific information such as CVs, what to wear to an interview etc.

The masterclass definitely answered all the questions I had about working in fashion and I am even more excited to start applying for my sandwich placement. A huge thank you to Cosmo and the stunning fashion panel for an informative and great evening!

Where's north from here?

So, you may be expecting a post soon about me telling you all of the lovely things that happened at Cosmo's Fashion Masterclass in London except, there will be no post. Well, not yet anyway.

I was talking to a friend about the Fashion Masterclass and she sounded very interested, as we both study Marketing, the PR topics available at the Manchester event seemed much more appealing than those on offer in London. Initially I wanted to attend the event in Manchester but as I had never been there in my life, nor know anyone who lives there I was apprehensive and thus booked the London date. But having another person to attend the Masterclass with made me less hesitant and I switched my tickets straight away!

Now we're both super excited and can't wait to see what Manchester and the Masterclass has to offer. Wish us luck!

Lipstick Tag

I was tagged by the gorgeous Leah, and I really enjoyed doing this tag post; I hope more are sent my way in the near future! So let's get started.

1. How many lipsticks do you own?

Eight lipsticks and three lip products, I have four lipsticks at uni with another four at home whilst I have all of my three lip products at uni - except I can't find my carmex, sad times.

2. What was your first lipstick?

I bought my first lipstick four years ago and it was a Boots No 17 Sheer Moisture in Antique Lace, and as you can see below it looks as old as it is! I no longer use this lipstick, but I guess I just haven't got the heart to get rid of it, I'm quite nostalgic really!

3. What is your most worn lipstick?

That has to be the second lipstick I bought which was, Rimmel Long Lasting Lipstick in No 16 Heart Breaker. I love the brightness of it and the fact that it's not as harsh as the reds that I own, making it perfect for sprucing up your little black dress and minimal eye make up!

4. What is your favourite brand of lipstick?

Mac, undoubtedly the longest lasting lipstick I have ever used.

5. What is your favourite finish?

I like a good sheer finish as it make your lips look lustrous and moisturised.

6. What is the last lip product you bought?

L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Collection Privée in Rosewood Beige by Julianne Moore, I love nude coloured lipsticks and it gives a gorgeous finish.

7. How many lip products do you have in your bag?

I currently have two, my new lipstick and my Baby Lips in Peach Kiss.

8. What product do you use to rock a red lip?

Starting with a Boots Natural Collection liner, I then apply the lovely RiRi Woo from the RiRi ♥ Mac collection.

9. How do you store your lipsticks?

In my make up bag, they even have their own little section!

10. What lip products are you currently lusting after?

I don't have any at the moment because I've just bought my current lust-have.

So thanks Leah, again for tagging me!