Holographic Vibes

(Marc by Marc Jacobs Techno iridescent wallet)

(Chanel Holographic nail polish)

Still obsessing over anything and everything holographic including these beauties above. So, Santa, if you're listening.....

B E R L I N

(An excellent AND super cheap record store, 5 euros for a Fleetwood Mac record, yes please - Cemetery - A few faces of those who lost their lives at the Berlin Wall - Artwork in the courtyard of our hotel - Quite literally the BEST Sex on the Beach cocktail I've ever had - A bar incredibly reminiscent of a David Lynch film - Vegan chocolate cake from Berlin's top vegan restaurant Kopps - Street art)  

Last weekend, the boy and I were very fortunate to spend it in Berlin with some of my very favourites. We had the most amazing time and it's safe to say that after seeing Gaseffelstein at Gretchen, all future nights out in England have been ruined. Above are just a few snaps I took while there. I would have like to have taken more but was far too busy drinking all the prosecco in Berlin. However, with 2 friends who have recently moved there, we're already planning our next trip.

To Shop...

Working in retail for 10 years has shown me that fashion is my absolute life and the thing I am most passionate about. However, spending so much time in one store means you can sometimes forget that there are other places to shop and more clothes to see.

I had an hour to kill a couple of weekends ago between doing some work for the other half and meeting a friend for coffee. I used to the time to have a quick wonder around the Trinity centre in Leeds and to do some spending.

Polka dot shirt - H&M

Faux leather skirt - H&M

H&M is a shop I rarely go into as it's always so busy and usually quite messy. Being a VM, I find it difficult to not start tidying stores that I don't work in which doesn't always go down that well! For this reason, I tend to shop in stores that I know have a good and coherent lay out with stock that is easy to go through. However, as I walked through Trinity, I saw this shirt and skirt merched together in the window so ran in for a quick purchase! The 2 came to under £30! Love me a bargin!

Boots - Topshop

I saw these boots in Topshop a while ago in a black canvas and thought they were great. Then my sensible side kicked in and canvas boots + Leeds rainy winter, a good combination does not make. Then when working in the Manchester UO, I saw a girl wearing these ones and made it my mission to investigate. A lot more hard-wearing than canvas, I thought they were going to be a lot more expensive. For an extra £4 I couldn't hand over my card quick enough! I love the burgundy colour and the platform means they are super comfortable so I can wear them for work meaning they pretty much haven't been off my feet since I got them!

 Dress - Urban Outfitters

However, one of the benefits from working in a store is the constant access to new clothes always coming in. I saw this dress in the Leeds UO and fell in love with it! It was a line that we didn't get in to the York store but as luck would have it, a couple got returned to us in my size so I snapped one up. It definitely makes me look like a nanna but styled with my new boots and beat up leather biker jacket it looks great. And the paisley print is just beautiful. The print is also on a skirt and oversized button up shirt. Maybe next pay day....

So those are my new buys. What have you been treating yourself to?

T H E S U N S H I N E C O A S T

When I was 19, I left sleepy Eastbourne to live in exciting Leeds to become an art student. I think it's fair to say that I couldn't wait to leave. I hated the place. Despite being so close to London and Brighton, it was nothing like them. I did everything I could to visit both places whenever possible, for gigs, shopping, galleries, anything!
I went back a couple of weekends ago and realised how bittersweet it's now become. I love going home to visit my friends and family and I'm now really sad to leave whenever I have to head back t'up north. Leeds is not Eastbourne beach.

So while home, I visited friends, hung out with my family and spent a day in Brighton where I could (want) definitely move to.

I also managed to fit in some (a lot) of shopping.

Denim smock dress - Topshop

(Apologises for the creases. I didn't have time to iron it BUT I did get mu SLR out to photograph it which means no more iPhone photographs on here!)

Shoes - Topshop

(Fell in love with these instantly. Slightly dirty as I wore them to a wedding this weekend, got drunk and definitely fell over. In front on everyone. At least I did it in good shoes.)

Ring and bracelet - Brighton Lanes

Holographic platform trainers - Schuh

(Like a lot of people into fashion, I've been obsessing over anything holographic since I saw THAT Proenza Schouler bag).

So a brilliant time had by all. I love you South Coast.

C F W

I was incredibly lucky to have been flown to Copenhagen last week with work. Our Copenhagen store was getting a brand new refit and I was called in to work with the company stylist. Not only did I learn loads but yet again, it was something that confirmed I'm definitely in the right industry. Also, it gave me the biggest confidence boost to be asked to style the mannequins ready for Copenhagen fashion week!

Above are a few snaps of store window and entrance cluster styling. My apologises for the bad quality images. Hand luggage only meant I only had my iPhone to hand.

A mixture of designer, renewal and current brands and trends. If you would like to know any item specifics, drop me a message!

S A L T A I R E

I've always thought I wasn't a fan of vintage. I don't feel entirely comfortable with second-hand clothing because, if I'm being honest, it freaks me out putting something on when I don't know who wore it before. So, not a fan of vintage. Or, so I thought. At work, we have Urban Renewal and basically, the buyers are great and with recent purchases I feel like I've been rocking a Courtney Love vibe in very short 90's dresses. You know, when Courtney was a mega babe. I also pretty much stopped breathing when presented with an original hand beaded 1920's flapper dress belonging to my friend. It was about this time that I realised it's not that I don't like vintage. I don't like fake vintage. A 10 year old top from Topshop with a larger price tag then it originally had does not constitute vintage in my eyes.
Anyway, due to some big changes that nearly happened recently but then didn't, I have decided to totally embrace Yorkshire and so my beautiful friend Erin suggested a day trip to Saltaire. We spent the day wondering around beautiful book shops and home-ware stores set up in the original mill in the middle of town. After enjoying a latte and slice of vegan caramel apple cake, Erin took me to a vintage store 'up the road.' Safe to say, this was good vintage and I wanted everything! In between trying to convince myself that I really needed that Edwardian nightie or white floor length backless 1940's silk dress I found this.

I definitely needed this. I wanted a new coat this winter and this was perfect. 100% Seigal wool with a fur collar and the perfect fit. For £75. A total dream find.

I've since decided I love vintage. Good vintage.

3 YEARS

James and I have had an incredible few weeks. We headed for a week and a half break to Milan and Barcelona. We attended Primavera Sound in Barcelona with good friends which is always the best despite getting far too emotional while watching Blur. I'm totally blaming the sangria! However, we felt it important to spend some quality time together so headed to Milan for 3 days before the festival.

I have never been so inspired by a city! It was so incredibly beautiful and the people of Milan were so chic. Walking around the fashion quarter was everything I hoped it would be and I now know that I am in the industry that I want to be in for the rest of my working days.

I think that whenever I come back from a new city, my clothing choices reflect this. James and I went to dinner last night to celebrate 3 years together and I'm hoping that I achieved some of the chicness I witnessed in Milan.

Blazer - Topshop, Shirt - Urban Outfitters, Jeans - Topshop, Shoes - D&G, Handbag - Vivienne Westwood.

FROM NORWAY WITH LOVE

This time last week I was arriving home from an amazing weekend in Oslo after the boy sent my best friend and myself as a surprise 26th birthday treat!
The city was beautiful and the pair of us arrived with all the best intentions to see some art and visit some museums but ended up doing what we do best...shop. And drink coffee. I'd advise anyone to go if given the chance but be prepared kids, it's hands down, the most expensive place I've ever been so my bag didn't come back as filled with goodies as I'd hoped but here's what I did return with.

I met a friend for lunch agessssss ago and she was wearing this skirt in a magenta shade and I had instant skirt envy. As someone who pretty much wears only black this is incredibly bold for me but I have a massive thing for midi skirts and as I bought it from the Salvation Army shop it worked out at about a fiver! Good work.

Being the magpie that I am, I'm forever attracted to something shiny, especially when it involves a massive rock on my finger. I don't usually buy costume jewellery as I can't be bothered with green fingers but I couldn't resist this beauty. I even got given some money off because it was my birthday and thankfully, no green digits yet. 

On the night of arrival, Rache Rabbit and I stumbled across a brilliant but very tiny Americana style bar. We quickly made friends with some locals who pointed us in the direction of some amazing vintage shops and I'm crazy glad they did....BECAUSE I FOUND THIS! I have been after a Girls Girls Girls Motley Crue t-shirt for as long as I can remember. I didn't want a re-print, nor did I want a fitted one. Oslo delivered.

Norway, I think I love you.

JANUARY BLUES

Thankfully, I don't suffer with the January blues and I put this totally down to the January sales and my love of finding a bargin. Here's my January treats:

Sheer striped shirt - Urban Outfitters

Kimono - Urban Outfitters

Drape dress - Cos

Wool and satin top - Cos

Metallic oversized tee - Urban Outfitters

Studded boots - Urban Outfitters

I always make an effort to go to Cos whenever I go for shopping trips to Brighton while at home as we don't have one in Leeds. The wool and satin top is an amazing alternative to an oversized tee with a drop hem and button detail that goes the entire way down the back. The dress isn't done justice on a hanger at all. The beautiful draping lends a feel of Vivienne Westwood luxury without the price tag.

And, as always, I just couldn't help myself with treats at work. Getting discount on top of sale prices it's almost rude to buy things.

What did you buy in the January sales?

M A L I C E

It's no lie, I'm a bit obsessed with nails. I love painting mine, hate having them chipped and could spend hours re-shaping them. When it comes to having acrylics, well, the possiblities are endless. With nail varnish, I only use 2 brands. If I have to tighten the purse strings a little then it's Barry M all the way. Considering how cheap the varnish is, it's great for not chipping. When I fancy a splurge, anyone who knows me will know I just can't resist those double C's.

I'm a complete sucker for anything Chanel but the make up and nail varnish is something else. The varnish goes on so smoothly and you could get away with only one coat if you were stuck for time. I got bought this gorgeous limited edition shade, Malice, for Christmas and it hasn't been off my nails since! A deep, dark red that offers the same drama as black but brings an unexpected change when seen up close or in the light.

This week I also stumbled across the Instagram of a nail artist in New York called Naomi Yasuda who does a number of celebrities nails as well as a lot of editorial work for major fashion magazines. The work she does is just incredible and it was really hard to pick a favourite image until I saw these!

Who wouldn't want ice-cream nails? Especially during those summer months? Which I'm so ready for now. You can follow Naomi and her amazing work on her Instagram, just look for naominailsnyc, or on her Tumblr here.

Ta Ta 2012

So last night we celebrated moving forward from one year into another. While some parts of 2012 were amazing, it's safe to say I'm glad that year is over. Bring on 2013 I say! I have a good feeling about this year, new places to travel to, new people to meet and a new start on this blog. So starting as I mean to go on, here's an outfit post of what I wore to the festivities last night.

Cream leather jacket - Hide x Urban Outfitters, Vest top - All Saints, Leggings - Abandon,
Boots - Jeffrey Campbell