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?

Bare Face & Lots of Lace

For some random reason I decided to take pictures today without any make-up. Normally I would make sure I had some blush and powder at least, but I thought it would be nice to blog completely natural. I have read a lot of outfit posts through the past year and always wondered whether they actually leave the house completely made up and wearing such extravagant clothes as we see. 

Well, this is what I look like today. I love these trousers from Dorothy Perkins as they are so comfy but still make me feel presentable. I always wear this lace shirt from Primark with them as I love the lace inserts mixed with the flower print. Finally I added these collar clips as I did not fancy piling on the jewellery today. I most probably won't leave the house as I have so many things to do. Hence the bare face! Whenever I know I'm staying in I always try to let my face breathe. 

I have also changed my make-up routine as I was getting tired of my skin breaking out due to an overload of foundation. I took the plunge a few weeks ago and tried No.7 BB cream and it has worked wonders. My skin is looking healthier already! 

Here I am wearing trousers by Dorothy Perkins which were in the sale at £9, then lace top from Primark at £7. I got the collar clips on Ebay for a couple of pounds :) 

Sorry for the quick post, but I need to write my next instalment for The Muse.tv on my blogging adventures and pack for a mini break tomorrow! Please let me know if you always make sure you look your best for your outfit posts, or sometimes like me, you just want to bare all! 

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?

Hackney Weekend Festival Fashion

So this weekend I was extremely lucky as I attended Radio 1's Hackney Weekend on Saturday, where I danced to the likes of Nero, Maccabees and of course of the incredible Jay Z. It was such an amazing day and I kept my eye out for all the festival fashion! Denim shorts were the usual staple, but dip hem dresses and skirts made a new entry as ladies teamed them with their wellies. Florence and the Machine rocked this trend on the Sunday when she wore this beautiful dress below: 

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I also saw so many people in disco pants by American Apparel- I was incredibly envious as they looked as amazing as what the reviews say! They have risen even higher on my wish list now..One lady that I thought would have definitely donned some of these beautiful pants was Jessie J, as she always seems to be in them these days. For this gig however she wore some quirky black and white leggings and orange crop top. Not one of my favourite looks from this singer but glad to see the blunt fringe bob is back!

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My favourite outfit of the weekend though, which some may think is surprising, was from Rihanna. She wore a graphic t-shirt, tiny shorts, fish net cycling shorts and lots of gold bling. This may not sound like a fashionistas favourite attire, but I loved the fact she wore something fun and actually quite wearable for a festival. She did not wear sky high heels, and although most of us could never wear shorts THAT tiny, her outfit provided us all with a little inspiration for the coming festivals. I love the fact that it looked like she had put on what she felt comfortable in, even if it might not have been a favourite outfit for the fashion critics! I also need some of those sunglasses for future festivals! 

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A fellow cycling shorts lover was myself, as I decided to layer some H&M lace ones over tights. I added a bold print dress from Wallis, parka from New Look, rucksack from Urban Outfitters and chunky gold necklace from Dorothy Perkins. Not forgetting my Primark essentials, some sunglasses and white pumps that I customised with some studs. 

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.