Destination: denim

Somehow, denim has become a massive trend over the last few months.
 
Maybe it's a 90s throwback (anyone else get irrationally upset after they heard that the rumour that the F.R.I.E.N.D.S reunion was false?), or maybe - more likely - it's representative of the fashion world wanting to perfect the easy-breezy look that throwing on a denim jacket creates, just in time for summer... but I'm not Anna Wintour, so I can only ponder.
 
Anyway, the fact denim is now available for almost every clothing item (I haven't seen any denim underwear yet, but watch this space) means if you're not wearing at least one item of denim in your S/S 2013 outfits, you're just not on trend. Sorry.
 
Denim is super easy to style, can be dressed up OR dressed down, and the variation of denim effects (bleached, pale, dark, black, crochet, embroidered, go crazy) means that double denim is no longer offensive. Huzzah!
 
So as a tribute to the denim trend, for which I am whole-heartedly on board, here's my top denim pieces for the coming months.
 
1. Light wash Cassie Boyfriend Jeans - £35, River Island.
You can't go wrong with some slouchy boyfriend jeans... I think these could sway me away from the skinny jeans I've been squeezing into for the last 5 years!
 

 
 2. Denim Jacket - £24, h&m
Slouchy, simple, and a wardrobe staple. Easy on the purse strings, this jacket sells itself.

 
3. Lexie Denim Cross-Backed Pinafore - £60, Dahlia
I've had my eye on the Dahlia pinafore ever since it was photographed to sell the necklace the model wears, and now it's finally available for me to actually buy! *cue tears of joy*
 

 

 4. Mid Blue Denim Skater Skirt - £14.99, New Look
Skater skirts don't seem to be going out of fashion anytime soon if clothing sites are anything to go by (which I hope they are).
 

 
5. Mid Wash Floral Print Playsuit - £40, Miss Selfridge
I adore the bleach wallpaper effect on this playsuit. Throw in a peter pan collar and I'm SOLD. Too cute.
 

 

 6. MOTO Bleach High Waist Hotpants - £28, Topshop
These shorts combine a flattering high waist cut with summery bleached denim and a semi loose leg, and they don't look like they are going to show any bumcheek, which is always a good thing.

 

7. Light Wash Aztec Panel Cropped Denim Shirt - £25, River Island

How rad is this cropped denim vest? Perfect for festivals.



 

 

8. Majlis Shirt - £25, Monki

Can't get enough of the colour-contrast denim on this shirt. As soon as I saw it I had to buy it, and I can see myself living in this during the summer months with the sleeves rolled up.



 



So what are you waiting for? Get excited for summer and jump on the denim bandwagon, or risk being left behind...

The dog days aren't over... and that's okay

So I've realised a few things in the last couple of weeks:

1. I have a tendancy to romanticise the past, which makes the present seem a lot worse than it actually is.

2. A healthy body is the first step to a healthy mind.

and possibly the most important thing...

3. To feel more confident, sometimes it's all about the little details.

The Easter holidays has, and will continue to mean for the duration, university work and paid work. At first this notion filled me with dread, but then I realised that I'm a complete sucker for organisation, and the holidays were the perfect opportunity to spring-clean my life and plan things to the last detail... which is a little bad sad, I'll admit, but that's just me.

So when I'm doing university work, I'm semi-content because it means I'm getting things done and a few hours closer to being FINISHED, and when I'm doing paid work, I welcome it as a chance to use my brain for practical means, not just focusing on the lovely topic of incest (which I've managed to base both my essays on, and I don't know what this says about my state of mind to be honest!)

Oh, and when I'm not doing work, I split my time between mindless TV - think New Girl, The Mindy Project, The Carrie Diaries and TOWIE - and the occasional outing to the gym. I'm determined to get there three times a week, even if it kills me.

Within this essay madness I've had my down moments, and moments where I feel like I can't be bothered anymore, and I put minimal effort into my appearance because hey, who am I trying to impress, the librarian? Somewhere along the way, I lost a bit of self-esteem, and started to wonder whether I could actually look NICE anymore.

You'll be happy to know I've found the answer, and sorry, but it IS shallow. I don't care.

My solution? Lipstick and some boot heels.

Even if your hair isn't styled, and you're wearing minimal make up, lipstick makes it look like you've made an effort (even if you haven't), and brightens up your complexion. I'm an absolute sucker for the bright pink lipstick I bought from Topshop about a month ago (it looked red on the website, but I'm glad for the mistake!) I wore it for my step-dad's birthday outing to The Shard, and it instantly made me look half decent, even though I was exhausted and stressed.

And boot heels... it shouldn't need any explanation, really. Heels automatically make me feel more grown up, make anyone's legs look longer and slimmer, and if you're wearing boot heels they're not nearly as painful as regular heels, and they are on the dressy side of casual - or casual side of dressy - without making it look like you've tried too hard.

The combo took all of about 5 minutes, and that's because to this day I still can't tie my shoe laces up very quickly, and I am rather challenged when it comes to applying lipstick. It would probably take most people less time than that.

Here are some pictures of my Easter weekend including my step-dad's birthday meal in Chinatown, The Shard and our Easter Sunday afternoon tea, although if you're following me on Twitter/have me as a friend on Facebook, you'll probably have seen them already:

 

 

 

 

 

Complete with a very strong G&T, courtesy of M&S

 

So I guess what's I'm trying to say is that even when you're feeling pretty darn unattractive, it's the little touches that can go a long way. Do something for yourself, indulge a little in the superficial, and let yourself be selfish. It feels good. And if it makes you look good, even better :)

A not-so quick update

Apologies for the long absence. All I can blame is how busy I’ve been, along with the fact I stupidly left my laptop at home, thinking that my iPad was sufficient for all my web browsing desires... whoops! Writing a blog on an iPad keyboard is quite bizarre, I can tell you (I’ve bought a wireless keyboard but when I went to connect it today it was out of charge).

Anyway, I thought I’d take a break away from fashion and fill you all in on what I’ve been up to in the last month or so!

My last post was about how much I was looking forward to getting my hands on the lovely Dahlia stuff, and getting it a few days before my birthday I was absolutely thrilled. The clothing did not disappoint. The only piece I haven’t had chance to wear is the long shimmery pink skirt, but I haven’t been on enough nights out recently to warrant showing it off – and it is way too dressy for library wear.

My 21^st was lovely: my parents treated me to a day in London where we went to The Ivy and saw Viva Forever at a nearby theatre afterwards. The Ivy was super lovely; you barely noticed the waiters clearing your things away, and the pink champagne we ordered came in the most beautiful glasses with a really long stem (which went all the way to the bottom off the glass) the bubbles fizzed all the way up. It sounds a bit weird the way I describe it – you’ll have to go and see for yourself to understand. But be warned: you have to order the sides in ADDITION to the mains, AND VAT isn’t included with the menu prices. Ouch!

Birthday cupcakes!

We also had a night out, all dressed as cats. A wonderful theme, if I do say so myself...

I got really ill after my birthday from the stress of my reading week (I had a sudden interview and assessment day in the space of a few days which really took it out of me) which wrote off the rest of the week, but it’s been utterly full on with seminar prep, essays and dissertation stuff. And somehow I’ve managed to spend a crazy amount of money on food stuff and drinks to keep my energy up for long days in the library. It’s all extremely monotonous and tiring, but I’m constantly torn between wanting all the stress over but not wanting to leave York. I know I’ll be an emotional wreck in the last week of university...

Over two days I also managed to get up close and personal with the stars of Made in Chelsea AND see Bastille in Preston - a pretty star-studded few days. Here's some pictures of my soon-to-be husband/s (I'm not picky)

If you ignore the bouncer, it's fine...

Bastille!

So what do the next few weeks have in store for me? Blogs! I will try and blog hopefully every fortnight, because I do enjoy it and it doesn’t take nearly as much time as I think it will. I’m also working part-time at the university again as a Conference host/student porter whilst balancing essays (Late Renaissance and British & Irish Literature if you’re interested) and dissertation writing. Eep!

Oh, and tonight marks me returning to the gym after a hideously long absence. I’m terrified. I can tell it won’t be a heavy one. Between reading week, getting ill, work and my tattoo (did I mention I got a tattoo? Yeah, that happened) I’ve neglected my physical health.

So, as Arnie says: I’ll be back! 5 weeks really is unacceptable. I’ve managed to get over 1000 page views which is amazing, so thank you for reading :)

Daydreaming about Dahlia.

My 21st birthday is coming up which means I've been trawling the internet and thinking "What can I ask for that is super nice and not something I couldn't usually buy?"

Luckily, the solution came to me pretty quickly in the form of Dahlia (www.dahlia.com)

I've had my eye on this brand for a few years. It has a single store on Carnaby Street, London, and specialises in really pretty, feminine designs in sumptuous fabrics. At the moment their collection includes a nod to the Western, baroque print jumpers, quirky pinafores and flowing skirts... amongst other beautiful things.

The clothing is quite unique, which means they can get away with their higher-than-your-average-Topshop prices, shirts costing upwards of £38, for example.  Unfortunately they don't offer student discount which I think would be really good for them (if any people working for Dahlia read this: pretty please!) which means I can only usually afford Dahlia when it goes on sale.

Anyway, I decided that my turning 21 deserved some pretty pieces that I can use for sophisticated nights out at glamorous bars and interning by day (yes, this is how I visualise my life, post-uni, let me dream). Here's what I'm lusting after.

From the top: Bergen Burgundy Cross Print Blouse, £38; Bernice Chunky Jumper with Stud Shoulder, £25 (SALE); Ella Black Scallop Edge Pinafore, £64; Jakarta Pink Metallic Pleated Knee Length Skirt, £38; Sabrina Pink Blouse with Floral Beaded Collar, £48.
The shirts will look fab under the pinafore, with skirts, or with jeans and I can mix & match the tops with the maxi skirt, too. I love the prints, the embellishments and the cuts of the clothing. Dahlia is super flattering for the more slender, boyish figures amongst the female population, and I can't wait for my birthday and to get my hands on this lovely stuff.