Boxing Day Bargains, Oh How I Love Thee...

It's true, sales have been starting so much earlier now than ever! You've all heard the crazy stories of the chaos resulting from this year's post-Christmas reductions...

- Panel falls on Selfridges shoppers in Manchester

- Riots in Gucci..what?!

- And even more craziness!

Luckily Bristol wasn't quite this bad, though there was still a fair amount of shoving and crazy queues!

Here is my comparitively small Topshop haul:


Grey jersey blazer, reduced from £45 to £25, a great plain alternative to my other blazers which are all patterned


Black wool biker jacket, reduced from £65 to £30. I was rather distraught when these had all sold out on the website, though they had plenty in the store.

Topshop is definitely the place to go for sale bargains, as most of their items are a bit too expensive at full price and the discounts are always generous. Plus they seem to reduce all their winter and party season stock, not just the stuff that isn't selling.

Post your sale bargains!

Almighty Trends of the '00s

What are your favourite and least favourite trends of the last decade?

I found the slideshow 'The Short-Lived Trends of the Decade' at NYmag.com via Gala Darling's blog - definitely worth a look for the pure nostalgia factor.

It made me consider all the weird, wonderful and completely questionable trends cropping up in the last decade. Will the 00s, or 'noughties' as this decade is becoming more commonly known, be iconic for fashion in years to come, or will we merely be regarded as 'the decade of crappy recycled trends'? Every decade in the 20th century has its own distinctive trends - what will ours be? Skinny jeans? Waist cinchers? Ugg boots? Or merely a demented mishmash of just about every ironic trend and pretty thing before us?

Here are my favourite from NY Magazine's great slideshow (all images from here) and ways on how these looks were/can be worn:


1. Saggy, Baggy Jeans: '01-'07
A relic of all our troubled childhoods in regard to style, hopefully the sinful saggies won't rear their ugly faces for a while yet to come.
Worn with: Blink 182/Sum 41/New Found Glory t-shirt and/or an extremely loose hoodie, guys and girls alike. These could be paired with chokers, studded cuffs, skate shoes and greasy, unkempt hair. Oh early noughties, how we won't miss you.


2. Uggs, Teen Truckers & Gymwear everywhere but the gym: '03-'06
The stranglehold that teen celebrities and MTV stars had over fashion in the early to mid-00s was really quite worrying. Can anything good, looks-wise, be said about any of these looks? Looking on the bright side, hopefully we won't see them again anytime soon.
Maybe it's just the troubled style situation in the depths of South-West England lately, but Uggs are still very much around every season, fake and genuine alike. Logically, shouldn't these have vanished by now? I've yet to see them being worn well.
Worn with: Von Dutch vests, heavily logo'd apparel, badly bleached hair and a gym bag casually slung over the shoulder, even if you've never set foot in a gym in your life.


3. The Almighty Skinny-Fit Jean: '07-?
I don't see skinny jeans going down in the trend stakes anytime soon. Best flattering the taller and slim-legged, they're sure to be around for a while to come - I just don't see us readjusting to flares and saggies anytime soon! This classic style has been produced in many washes, shades and hues - what's your favourite pair?
Worn with: Tees, minidresses, coats, jackets, boots, flats, rocker looks, girly looks..just about anything you can pull out of your wardrobe.


4. Neon Revival: '08-?
Neon just wasn't meant to be, in my opinion: it was too much, too soon. Neon was actually only cool for about a week or two, but places like Blue Banana are still selling entire outfits in eye-burning neons. These days I only see it worn by middle-school punks (yes, our school district enjoys americanising everything..we even have yellow buses!) and for ironic '80s parties.
Worn with: Other shades of neon in highlighter yellow, pink, green and orange. Tutus, tees, tights and shoes must co-ordinate or else clashing may ensue. At least you won't get run over, right?


5. Ripped Skinnies & General Pantslessness: '09-?
Ripped skinnies, in my opinion, can look great when done right: cut horizontally with a sharp razor and worn with a more classier, grown-up ensemble rather than the aforementioned middle-school punk look.
Pantslessness, on the other hand, I have few words for. Just: don't. At least it gets us many laughs at the unfortunate chocha-related mishaps in Winona's hilarious blog.
Worn with: Ripped skinny jeans: blazers, smart tops, studded heels and gunmetal-coloured items of beauty. Pantslessness: please don't try this at home, you have been warned.


6. Tough-Girl Chic: '09-?
Still going strong, this super-shiny, smart yet sexy look is still prominent on the rails of the top trend-loving stores such as Topshop, River Island and Dorothy Perkins and looks set to continue its reign over fashion for a while yet. One of my definite favourites!
Worn with: Girly pieces: playing with contrast between the two different looks is always fun.

There are so many more trends and disasters worthy of commentary - don't forget to let me know your favourites!

Dear Readers: Don't worry about lack of updates over the next couple of weeks - Christmas is sure to keep me busy! I'll be back blogging again in the New Year, but if you want to contact me or send me lovely messages I'll still be checking my email at racotterell@hotmail.com over the holidays. Have a delightful Christmas and New Year, beautiful people! ♥

In search of the perfect coat...

Anyone residing in the fair British Isles as of late will be fully aware of the icy Arctic blast currently sweeping across the country..and it's absolutely freezing!

Some of us pile on half our wardrobe to keep warm, but the slightly more stylish way of keeping warm in the chillier weather is to invest in a truly gorgeous, classic coat. And if you haven't already, now is surely the best time to get one.

After getting out my beautiful coats I wore just about every day last winter, I was shocked to find that they are now much too big for me; I don't know if I've lost weight, or if I've simply got used to wearing clothes that fit me better. Whatever it is, I'm feeling a bit stuck and a mere jumper or two doesn't seem to be enough to fill them out.

After searching the internet far and wide, I've come up with five favourites which I really wouldn't mind having.

1.
Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Jacket - £481
I've been lusting over this style for what seems like forever - the colours and shape are gorgeous. Also similar to Becky Bloomwood's amazing coat in the 'Confessions Of A Shopaholic' film..who wouldn't want to channel Becky's super-cute style?

2.
Topshop Short Double Breasted Coat - £60
Simple yet classic and would go with just about everything, even jeans. I prefer the grey rather than the black as it looks more sophisticated. Despite being from Topshop, its neutral colour and simple cut mean you can stop worrying about wearing the same coat as five other people in your class. Sure, it'll be everywhere soon enough, but it can be mixed up so easily it's hard to go wrong.

3.
Patrizia Pepe Black Pea Coat - £328
Another classic style, this one is unashamedly grown-up but can easily be dressed down with jeans and a pretty scarf. Suits just about every age, so no need to worry about 'growing out' of your style with this key piece.

4.
Alexander McQueen Houndstooth Folded Jacket - ~£1500
Who doesn't love a bit of McQueen, really? This probably wouldn't do much for keeping me warm, but the extravagant cut is so wonderfully unusual that I really wouldn't mind it.

5.
Full Circle Wrap Over Blanket Coat - £180
Belted coats seem to be irresistable - ultra-feminine and sexy when hardly baring any flesh at all whilst being smart enough for work and school. Such a beautiful hemline too..I want this!

What's your must-have coat this winter?

TFT #9

Topshop Knot Stitch Palmwarmers - £8


I want some of these for Christmas! They look wonderfully warm - these days I'm always shivering in the icy winter winds with nasty dry skin and cracked knuckles from the cold - not a good look for sure. These look perfect for keeping my poor hands warm! Plus the grey means they'll go with almost anything.

New All Saints Buys!

I haven't been feeling too great the last week or so, though I'll be back posting regularly very soon!

Last week I received two gorgeous items from All Saints purchased during their 20% off days..what's better than a discount on your current favourite website?



All Saints Pious L/S Top
Although now sold out on the website, this top is perfect for layering and the material is luxuriously fine - much more touchable than other plain layering tees! The only problem is the sizing: I bought a size 14 after just about being able to fit into a size 14 dress of theirs; unfortunately the top fits more like an 18 as it just drowns me! It doesn't seem to have shrunk after being washed, but I think I can just about pull it off with a jacket over the top to hide the bagginess. If all else fails, I could always wear it as a minidress!


All Saints Ditzy Ezra Skirt
In love with this skirt! The price is a bit over-the-top, though it doesn't detract too much from its beauty. The print is slightly bolder than in the photos, being a brownish-beige and vermilion red. The shape is particularly unusual even when compared to their other hitch hem skirts, as it is shortest at the sides and longest at the front, as well as ultra-pretty worn at the waist. I have a size 8 in another of their skirts, though I (thankfully) chose a 10 in this one just to be on the safe side.


Although the sizing seems to be a bit sporadical between pieces, the finer materials and cuts are of almost designer quality, especially evident when compared with other high street offerings. The styles are wonderfully unique yet blend in with just about any style..so perfect! I can't wait to get more.

What I Wore Today: 25/11/09

photography by my lovely photog buddy Rachel!

Jacket: Miss Selfridge
Dress: Miss Selfridge
Tee: Old I Am Ghost tour tee cut up
Tights: Primark
Boots: Fryes
POF: Adoring Miss Selfridge's new stuff and trying to avoid the gloom from this horrible weather!

I've noticed that many people are completely against calf-length boots with skirts/dresses: personally I think it depends on the boot as well as height of the wearer. Love my Fryes though. ♥

10 Fabulous Gifts for Stylish People

I cannot believe it's nearly Christmas again. Are you ready for it this year, or will you be rushing around madly the night before making gifts out of cereal boxes and parcel tape? Probably not the best idea.

One of the best things about Christmas is the increase in the number of gorgeous, cute gifts available online, therefore I have compiled a list of 10 super-fabulous gifts for anyone else who loves to give pretty things as much as I do.

1.

B 'Ding Dong!' Gift Set - £49.50

B products are some of the most sumptuously glittery, luxurious treats around, so why not treat someone who's been extra-nice to you this year? This is like a mini treasure trove for makeup lovers. In addition, they're closing down soon (sadness!) so stockpiling your favourite B products is a must before their gold sparkly doors are closed.

2.

Decoupage Bangles - DIY them yourself!

A great way to create a more personal yet fun accessory. Decoupage a plain bangle with magazine cutouts, wrapping paper or even newspaper looks good - such a wonderfully versatile gift!

3.

FredFlare Sprinkle Heart Ring - $11/~£7

Possibly the cutest, most mouth-watering ring in existence. Usually I try to avoid giving people jewellery as a gift as it's much more of a personal item, but this is much too cute for anyone to pass up.

4.

Lomography Fisheye Print Ryan Camera - £45

Being a photography student I get to spend hours playing around with interesting and fun lenses/cameras and the fisheye ones have got to be my favourite: everything looks cooler in fisheye form. A fabulous grown-up toy in pretty, limited edition casing.

5.

Matt & Nat Hendrix Vegan Handbag - £90

Shamelessly rock & roll, one of the vegan-loving Matt & Nat's newest handbags is a perfectly versatile accessory for both day and evening use. This particular bag is made from 4 recycled bottles - can you believe it? I can attest to their durability and general lusciousness as I own the extremely useful Camden bag in magenta. Did I mention it's also available in pink?

6.

Next Union Jack Clutch Bag - £25
Next is a rather unexpected choice when it comes to pretty things, but I'm sure you'll agree with me on this one. A perfect evening clutch, covering two of the best trends in recent months - sequins and the Union Jack. Super-versatile as the greys mean it will go with just about anything.



7.

Parisian Toiletry Bag - £13.50

Probably the prettiest method of storing your makeup and beauty products that there is out there. Great for travelling as well as looking beautiful on your bathroom countertop, this beats toting your cosmetics around in freezer bags.

8.

2010 Calendar - £12

From the same place as the above item, the irresistable Lapin and Me, this is one of the most adorable little desk calendars I've seen. Forget boring office-issued editions, this super-sweet 3D desk piece will be sure to brighten up your workspace all year round.

9.

Topshop Multi Space Dye Palmwarmers - £8

These look absolutely PERFECT for cold times at the bus stop and walking/shivering around town. I'm in love with the bright colours and unusual shape next to the masses of gloves out there - these look like a must-have essential for anyone this winter.

10.

Warwick Avenue Crystal Nail Polish - £15

Anyone who tells you that things don't look 100x better covered in sparkly crystals is lying. A perfect way to add extra glamour to your makeup bag and look like a celebrity whilst painting your nails. Why isn't everything encrusted with sparkles?

What's your favourite item from this list? What are you asking for this year?

TFT #8

FredFlare Bookworm Bookmarks - $7 (~£4)


Everything at FredFlare.com makes me literally wow with excitement. If you are an avid reader like myself, you'll probably have half a dozen different bookmarks consisting of till receipts, paperclips, schoolwork, etc. These cute phrase bookmarks are wonderfully unique, stylish and modern as well as marking your page without causing any damage to your book or other miscellanous property you may happen to stash between the pages in frantic moments.

Playsuit Love <3

I bought this gorgeous Topshop playsuit a while ago, but had no idea how to make it suitable for casual wear, or whether it would suit me. But I kind of had to have it.

This:


How I wore it:




[excuse the just-got-out-of-bed hair]
I wore an old Bring Me The Horizon tee with the neckline cut out over the top and with the old black semi-opaque tights underneath so I could wear it for school. Plus it looks like a skirt, so no getting in trouble for wearing 'bad' shorts, haha.

How do you/would you wear playsuits?

Miss Selfridge Buys

Lately I have been addicted to some of the rather fabulous Miss Selfridge pieces - their general appeal really has stepped up in the last couple of seasons thanks to some rather lovely irresistable pieces.


Yesterday I bought this:

I managed to run into an old primary school friend of mine who was working in the fitting rooms due to getting a rather fun job; turns out we're both applying for the same uni courses! Scary but rad, no? Anyway, I spied this beauty and had to try it on despite having aversions to the following aspects: jersey bodycon-style fits (not great for jelly bellies in denial like me!), low neckline, very short hemline and low back.
Turns out it's not a bodycon fit at all despite its appearance on the rack: it has a kind of hidden pleat coming from the waist skimming over the stomach which nicely hides any excess chub and looks good with both darker tights and worn as a long top with shorts underneath. Great for school worn with tights and boots, as it's a dress (no shorts allowed!). The neckline doesn't come up quite so low when worn; however the back is lower..I can easily hide this with a blazer or jacket. Additionally, I got away with buying a size 12 to fit better to my waist rather than a 14..how's that for a self-esteem boost?!


This week I got what I thought was a beret from the Miss Selfridge website using my free shipping code..how wrong I was! It's one of those long droopy hats that looks great on some people, but makes me look like an estranged member of the Seven Dwarfs..shame really, as the soft knit texture is wonderful. Needless to say, I'm returning it as it is absolutely huuge.
I also picked up a copy of Teen Vogue which I'd spotted in WHSmith, since it gave me an instant happy flashback to days of holidaying in the US with a copy of the magazine in my backpack. Good times indeed! Is 18 too old for teen magazines?

Since I hadn't bought anything for a while previously, I was delighted to finally be able to spend some of my long-saved cash on awesome stuff.