Quality over Quanity: New In the High Street

Currently I am going through a lot of changes and experiencing so much that fashion is almost taking a back seat. For those who are not regular readers of my blog, a quick sum up. I have recently moved to Cardiff and started my dream post grad course of Magazine Journalism at the University. Alongside getting to grips with a new course and living in a new city I just have not had the time to shop! Which is completely insane seeing as I live so close to one of the greatest high streets I have ever seen, including a HUGE Topshop FYI. But, before I tackle the shops this weekend I thought I would do some research into what I should be investing my money in this season. I am bored of buying things in the sales which I wear once and throw away. Although I love a bargain I seemed to have lost sight of quality over quantity. Anyway, here is what I need to be buying on the high street:

Both Topshop: Jumper £42 and Skirt £36

For a while now I have been lusting after the matching suits that are filling the high street stores. Warehouse currently do an amazing concoction of jacquard printed outfits that would look amazing in the office but also as a transitional outfit into the evening. However I have never treated myself as my head has always asked, "when on earth would you wear that?" After all, I am not in the office just yet. Hence my excitement over seeing this two piece from Topshop as I believe it offers a more casual nod to the look. I love the fact it is a jumper and skirt which would look amazing together but work equally as well as separates. This is the sort of thing I would never normally buy, but really should. It is the perfect on trend outfit that could be worn many ways!


Zara jewel shoe: £99.99

Okay. Yes. This shoe is £100, and I am a student who cannot afford a Nandos at the moment, but, bear with me. I never spend a fortune on shoes, my mum has always told me to buy leather ones as they are the only ones that last but because I am such a heavy footed walker (attractive) I seem to ruin those as well  However when I spotted these on Zara online I just thought, wow, what a statement. Everywhere from Primark to Mango there are studded shoes on the high street but never ones that quite look like these. I could dress them up or down and they would make even a t-shirt and jean combo look stylish. Can you tell I am trying to convince my bank balance that this is a great buy?

Urban Outfitters Bomber Jacket £95

Urban Outfitters cross skirt £28

Urban Outfitters leggings £28

Urban has some amazing items that are currently new in stock! I was spoiled for choice searching this site and will definitely make it my first stop this weekend. I have been looking for a bomber for ages, but wanted one that would suit the colder months. This one is perfect, but the price tag is slightly high. Maybe I should start playing the lottery? This skirt also caught my eye as I do not own many and I love the on trend cross print. Finally these lavish leggings will jazz up my over-sized t-shirts or under dresses.

River Island t-shirt dress £32

There is so much in River Island at the moment, it really is one of their best seasons. I have managed to get two great dresses in there recently which will work for day or night (outfit post soon) with the student discount that is in Company Magazine. It is only £1 this month and a discount in River Island is so rare so quickly go grab your own copy before October hits. This t-shirt dress is basically what I always try and buy when I go shopping but never do. I think my reasoning is £30 is a lot of money for a plain grey dress but I always forget that I really need more day dresses. I wish my wardrobe was just dresses really as then wouldn't getting ready in the morning be so much easier?

So these are my favorite high street pieces that are in store at the moment, what do you think? Have you decided to change your shopping habits?

Recycling the High Street: Ebay

leather Trousers, denim shirt, embellished skirt and basic blouse all available for bids on Ebay

This summer has been a struggle as my search for a job was fruitless. But my salvation has been Ebay as I have auctioned off my past high street buys to others. Throughout the past months I have kept up the habit and it has given me some much needed money. The irony that this money has been spent on more high street clothes has not been lost on me. It is just an endless cycle.

Today I have spent the whole day sorting through my wardrobe, putting nearly thirty items onto Ebay in the hope that others will love what I now cannot afford to keep. If you would like to see what I am auctioning, (today it ranges from leather trousers to cute embellished skirts) then please have a look at my ebay account HERE.

If you do fancy bidding on some of my items lovely bloggers, then please let me know. If you win I will give you free postage as a thank you :)

Have you relied on Ebay this summer? What has been your best ebay purchase?

Get TOWIE style on the High Street: Billi Mucklow

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In celebration of hit TV show 'The Only Way is Essex' returning to our screens tomorrow at 10pm, here is how to steal one of our favourite Essex girl's style. Billi Mucklow was pictured wearing this very pink number at Now Magazine's 'Smart Girls Fake It' party. I have chosen to copy this look as it is refreshing to see one of the girls wearing something that is a bit of risk and not another body-con. Although it might not be to everyone's taste, I love the mix of textures and nude shoes. The only thing I would have changed is the bag. This stud one from River Island would have made the look more edgy. 

From left: Topshop £20, River Island £20 and Topshop (sale) £10

I managed to get this look for a mere £50! Once again the high street never fails if you are inspired by a celebrity look. What do you think of this outfit? Would you choose designer or my high street pick?

High Street Looks #1

This week, for the first time, I decided to take a picture every day of my outfit choice. The pictures are not the best quality, so bear with me, but hopefully you will get an idea of how I mix the high street into my style. This blog will primarily still have fashion news but, to add a more personal touch, I have opted to see what the reaction is to this sort of post! Please add your comments and tell me if you hate or love my outfit!

merging print

Shirt: Topshop, Sweatshirt: Topshop, Jeans: Marks and Spencer, Bag: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Topshop

studs and things

Jacket: Miss Selfridge (studs added for customisation), Dress: Asos, Shoes: Clarks

 strawberry picking

Fringed waistcoat: H&M, Vest: Topshop, Trousers: Cheap Monday @Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Schuh, Bag: Urban Outfitters, Headband: Miss Selfridge, Sunglasses: Primark

fifty shades of grey

T-shirt: Urban Outfitters, Jumper: Topshop, Jeans: Vero Moda, Shoes & Bag: Topshop

a rainy day

Raincoat: Limited Collection @Marksandspencers, T-shirt, bag and shoes: Topshop, Jeans: Marks and Spencers

Jacket: River Island, Blouse: Miss Selfridge, Skirt: H&M, Necklace: Primark, Shoes: Marks and Spencers

hired or fired?

Sneak Peak at Primark AW12

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Although we are getting excited about the summer sales, the high street is (always) one step ahead and have released some pics of their next collections. I always use them as inspiration for the sales, so that I make sure I am buying items that will still be fashionable in the next season! 

I was just doing my usual high street browsing and found these pictures on Look, a great website for the high street and one that I read regularly. They had done a piece on Primark and I have to say, something that I usually never do, Primark has stepped up for the next season. I am lusting after their heavily printed blouses like the one below:

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But aside from their usual array of bright and bold blouses, Primark have all fashion areas covered with wedge trainers, chain print peplums and stud pumps. Blink and you would think it is Topshop...

See more of the collection in detail HERE.

What to Wear With...dyed Urban Outfitters Hot Pants

All over the high street a new trend has emerged. The shops have decided to find their ripped denim shorts and update them with a bit of coloured dye. Some have done dip dye, others have had a new colour and tie dye has even appeared. Overall, the look is cute and fun. I have been looking for the perfect pair for a few weeks-and as I am still hunting for a job-needed a pair that fitted my low budget! I found these in Urban Outfitters, which originally at £45 had been reduced to £25 so with my faithful student discount, I managed to buy them at a snip of the normal price at £22.50.

Now that I had found my new wardrobe update I played around with how to wear them. They would look great on the beach, daytime or evening and I have chucked these looks together. I am not one to go crazy with colour so have kept my looks subtle with the focus around these fab pair of shorts.

Beach Look: here I have teamed a purple bandeau from New Look to tone with the lavender dye of the shorts, added some simple flip flops from Office and made the outfit have more interesting by adding a feather necklace from Topshop. This is a very easy look for anyone to put together as they are basic items in your wardrobe. Just remember to add a floppy hat and some sun tan lotion when the sun finally decides to come out again!

Daytime Look: I have decided to mix trends together here but again keeping the colours pretty neutral. I have opted for the sports luxe vibe but added some preppy overtones to keep the outfit quirky. Here I have added a Topshop jersey shirt (I have literally worn it with everything since I brought it, at £12 it is the perfect  wardrobe staple!) and some wedge trainers I found by chance in TKMaxx. As jewelery is always a must with my everyday outfits I have added this Topshop necklace that I found in the sale for £1.50.

Evening Look: Again, I feel I may be playing it a little safe. I debated many other outfit choices, including a variety of sheer blouses but decided on this cute peter pan collar peplum t-shirt I found for a mere £5 in a Vero Moda sale. I added my favourite item of the moment- this Topshop stud bag and some Kurt Geiger cage heels to add some edge. I have always been a massive fan of light denim and black, probably from my indie days but hopefully the peplum makes the outfit on trend!

If this has inspired you to get your own dyed hot pants here are my top 3 from the high street:

Topshop £34 

River Island £35

Miss Selfridge £32

One year on: Kate's high street look.

On Friday 29th April 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton got married and a fairytale came true. Now, one year on, the Duchess has a new title against her name. She has become, undoubtedly, our fashion icon. With her contemporary mix of designer and high street she has become the epitome of how to dress with class. In celebration for their one year anniversary here are Kate's top high street outfits and how she wore them:



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Shortly after their marriage Kate stepped out in this gorgeous Zara dress, priced at a mere £49.99 and LK Bennett wedges at £129.99. Unsurprisingly the dress sold out immediately after the Duchess was spotted wearing it. Even now you can buy copies on ebay! See here

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with a bold blue colour here is Kate wearing a gorgeous belted dress from Reiss. Teamed simply with some black courts she looks elegant and  ready for her royal duties!

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This monochrome outfit is all by Whistles and looks perfect on a summery day. See how she has added navy heels to make the outfit look more quirky, rather than completely co-ordinated.

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This cream dress is by one of the Duchess's seemingly favoured high street retailers, Reiss. Here she has brightened up the outfit by adding coral accessorises.

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As she made one of her first solo royal visits with the Queen rather than her husband by her side, Kate looked totally in control in an asemble by LK Bennett. Her Jude jacket was priced £395 and matching Davina dress, £225. Shortly after she wore this outfit it was released on sale!

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This Zara dress, £69.99, was another hit with the public and sold out quickly. This is one of my favourite high street outfit of hers, as by adding a smart jacket and clutch it makes the outfit look stylish and expensive!

Which is your favourite Kate high street look?

Topshop's Latest Summer Treats

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Last week I was sunbathing on a beach and now I am wrapped up in a winter coat, rubbing my hands by a radiator. The change in weather is enough to get anyone down, but thankfully Topshop is not allowing the bad weather put them off producing some really cute summer accessorises. Here are my top picks from their latest collection that they dub 'Pageant Princess'.




This metallic rucksack would look great with all the pastel shades around at the moment. At £38 it would be the perfect summer treat.



You cannot beat a cute pete pan collar and this beaded example would add a nice touch to a plain tee at £16



A quirky ring always adds interest to an outfit and this heart shaped one is great at £6.50

If the weather keeps being gloomy these lip tights are sure to brighten up your outfit. These are immediately on my wish list at a price of £10



These cute ice cream earrings are a snip at £6.50 and will hopefully bring the ice cream van back onto your street.

Those are my top five favourite pieces from the new Topshop collection. They brought a smile to my face this afternoon and I hope they did for you too!

What are your favourite Topshop spring/summer items?





Day to Night Neon

This week I have decided to experiment with the Neon trend. I love all the pastels in the high street but until I get a bit of a tan they are difficult to wear. Unfortunately the nice weather we had this week appears to have disappeared. So, for now, I am turning to neon to brighten up the days. I have always found the trend a bit tricky as before it was styled with a mixture of neon shades, making you look more clubland than chic. 

But ever since I saw Lorraine Candy, Editor of Elle Magazine testing out the trend she pushed me into achieving the look. I absolutely love her neon jeans and the way she has kept everything else very simple. The minimalist ideal has always worried me, as someone who is a fan of piling on the jewellery I always feel naked without it.

Source: Elle magazine 

But here, with the colour being so eye-catching keeping it simple makes the outfit look even more stylish. I was in H&M recently and found this plain neon t-shirt for £3-an absolute bargain and perfect to ease my way into this trend. Below are my looks from day to night. For the day look I have teamed the t-shirt with some grey/navy slouch pants from Cheap Monday. I picked these up for £10 (sale) at Urban Outfitters and are great for the hours I am spending in the library at the moment. I have also teamed some wedged trainers to add a sport luxe feel, they are from TKMAXX and were reduced from £80 to £20. For the night look I still kept everything very minimal just adding some cropped leather trousers from Topshop at £11 (sale) and chunky court shoes from New Look at £10 (sale). For the evening look I would definitely add some nude nails and smoky eye.

Apologies that the pictures are not too clear, message me if you want more details :)

How are you wearing this trend?

Made in Chelsea is back!

Wow. Anybody would think I am addicted to reality tv shows, first Geordie Shore and now Made in Chelsea. Well, in truth, maybe I am. Slightly. Anyway, in celebration of my favourite posh totty show here is Millie looking fabulous. She was at the One Day premiere last year in an outfit which even worn today would still gain points in the style stakes.

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If you want to get Millie's style right now, luckily the high street has got some fabulous pieces which will make sure you can do your own S/S 12 twist to this outfit.

Source: http://www.riverisland.com/ leather shorts £65

Source: http://www.newlook.com/ £79.99

Source: http://www.oasis-stores.com/ this is in the sale currently at £25

Source: http://www.topshop.com/ £40

I have taken Millie's classic look and adapted it to this seasons trends by teaming these gorgeous metallic leather shorts with some contrast nude shoes. I have kept Millie's simple sheer blouse and blazer as these are staple items we can easily find already in our wardrobes. So that's Made in Chelsea style this season! I cannot wait to see what they wear in the next series! 

Who is your favourite made in chelsea style star?

How to get minted quick!

Unfortunately, I am not talking about a fantastic money making scheme that I have just dreamed up. This is a fashion blog after all. Instead I am going to show you how to find the key peices that follow my favourite trend this season: Mint! I absolutely adore this colour, and cannot wait to start wearing it. I do have a slight issue though, as with my pale skin and dark hair I might end up looking more ghost-like than chic. I have always steered clear of pastel shades but I really want to make an exception with this trend. So, I am taking the first step: my nails. ( I used No.7 nail polish in Minty Fresh)

I managed to take a picture of this by balancing my camera on my chin and starting the timer..now that is dedication to the cause!

I am slightly undecided about this colour as I normally stick to very safe colours. I could not survive without my red nail polish, but I really want to indulge in this colour more. What does everyone think? 

I have already resigned myself to the fact that all the gorgeous mint coloured blouses in Zara could never be worn by me. However, thankfully, the high street has some gorgeous alternative mint garments which I could certainly wear! Here are my favourites from River Island!  

 These lovely jeans are perfect for spring, especially as they currently have £10 off, making them only £20! Thanks River Island! 

 These smart shorts, also by River Island are now  on my lust list at £28. I'll be wearing mine with a crop top and smart white blazer.

I love how mint is styled here. I would not have thought to team it with black but with the balance of feminine and masculine touches Topshop has proven they know how to style the trend!

If, unlike me, you can wear pastels near your face then I would recommend wearing this trend with silver. A cute mint dress worn with metallic accesorizes is perfect for summer and gives an edgy look rather than people mistakening you for an ice cream. I am picturing here a pale pink sweater and a mint dress. Just no. Here are my picks from Topshop:

First this gorgeous metallic jumper at £36, which would look great with these mint green patterned leggings at £20. I have also picked some silver and mint shoes at £60 and sunglasses at £14

 I have also checked out Miss Selfridge to see what they have to offer and this is my favourite item from their collection. I absolutely love all the maxi skirts that are in the shops at the moment, especially the ones styled like this example.

I would probably wear this skirt, £37, with a buttoned white shirt, flats, £25, and some costume jewellery, £10, for a fun day look.

So there you have it, a quick round up of what the mint trend has to offer on the British high street. I for one, cannot wait to get shopping and try this fabulously fresh trend. On a final note, if mint clothes are not your style, here is one final idea to experiment with this colour...

Thanks ManicMagazine for this inspiration!

Hiow have you styled this trend?