Spring Daze

Yep, that's right, I'm still here! This blog still exists and I'm still running it. Just very badly.

I have been very busy with university and placements, so I've not really had very much time to blog, especially as I am working on my final project for uni.

As I mentioned before I am creating a fashion magazine called OUTFIT, and as part of this, I roped my friend Ash into doing a shoot for me, and I've decided to give you all a sneak peek!

As I am creating a May issue, I'm obviously using spring/summer looks, so I decided to do a shoot using jackets, as our weather is so unpredictable, so we should always invest in a good one.

I'm hoping to start using one day a week to write and schedule lots of posts so that it isn't so quiet and neglected on the blog.

Enjoy!

 Jacket: Zara// Dress: Topshop// Necklace:Accessorize

 Jacket:Topshop//Jumpsuit:Missguided//Boots:H&M//Ring:H&M//Necklace:Miss Selfridge

 Hat:Miss Selfridge//Playsuit:Topshop//Jacket:H&M

 Dress:Missguided//Jacket:Warehouse//Necklace:Miss Selfridge

Jacket:Zara//Shirt:H&M//Necklace:Next//Jeans:Mango//Shoes:Clarks//Ring:Accessorize

Model:Ash O'Brien

Styling and Photography: Niamh Stewart

My Fave Five!

Soap and Glory 'Scrub of your life'// Percy and Reed Finishing Polish// Vera Wang 'Princess'// Benefit 'Big Beautiful Eyes' Palette// Topshop Cream Highlighters

I love beauty Products, but I don't often do beauty posts, so I decided to do a post on My five favourite beauty products at the moment.

1. Soap & Glory 'Scrub of Your Life' Body Scrub

I have a literal addiction to Soap & Glory scrubs, as I feel they are the best ones on very dry skin. I do suffer from extremely dry skin, and this one makes my skin amazingly soft and smooth. It comes with the signature Soap & Glory scent as well, which is definitely a bonus.

2. Percy & Reed 'Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish'

I got this free with Glamour Magazine a few months ago, relegated it to the bottom of my beauty box, and totally forgot about it until I moved back home. I am now totally and officially in love with it. Is it possible to marry a hair product? because I need this to be in my life forever! (and I'll have the hottest wedding hair ever!) It is perfect for helping to control those annoying stray hairs, without making my hair look too neat, as I prefer to wear it slightly messy.

3. Vera Wang 'Princess'

This perfume is so summery and floral, that I have been wearing it constantly in the recent bout of sunshine. I bought it in the airport as a little present for finishing 2nd year of uni, and because Princess is my and my friends pet name for each other, and I won't see her for three months, so it cheers me up seeing it everyday. It is also a cute addition to my perfume shelf as the bottle is gorgeous.

4. Benefit 'Big Beautiful Eyes' Palette

This eye palette is in my everyday makeup routine, and definitely one of my makeup staples. it contains three eyeshadows, a base shadow, a shadow for contouring, and a liner shadow, in different shades of brown and nude, in order to highlight your eyes. It also comes with Benefits 'Boi-ing' Concealer, which I will be purchasing as a full product once I finish this, as I have yet to find another concealer which covers my under eye bags as well as it does.

5. Topshop Cream Highlighters

I never used highlighters, and didn't really know much about how to use them or what they did, as I never noticed much difference with or without them, but this is a product I got given on my last day at Company Magazine, and since then I have used these most days, and I can see the difference they make to the outlines of my face. I wish the packaging was as cute as other Topshop makeup, but at least these are a quality product, and not just based around the packaging.

                                    

Worldwide Wardrobe Competition: Part 1

Paris is my dream destination, and I'm currently the last person in my family that hasn't visited. I know, so unfair! I'm begging my sister to save up so that we can book a few days there this summer, just so I can stand outside Coco Chanel's house for hours and stare.

Street style in Paris is so chic and sophisticated  and this is my ultimate sightseeing outfit to blend in with the locals! The obligatory Breton top gets a cute 2013 makeover with some black lace trim from Warehouse (£21), and I would pair it with this midi length, Topshop skirt (£48), as this is such a simple, but classic look, and I would totally bag myself a hot french boyfriend dressed like this!

Speaking of bags, I've fallen in love with this Orange Zara beauty (£29.99), and this would add the necessary pop of colour to the monochrome look, (and lets all remember how much I love monochrome!) and its still big enough to hold all those essentials I carry but definitely do not need. And last but not least, the shoes! I know that for sightseeing it should be comfort all the way, but look at them, and lets face it, we should all suffer for fashion!

You can get the details on how to enter the Worldwide Wardrobe Competition by clicking here

Tea dresses and leather

Jacket-Warehouse//Dress-Topshop//Boots-Head over Heels by Dune

My first outfit post in what feels like forever! I have roped one of my flatmates into taking these for me, and I really have to invest in a tripod. This dress sums up my style in one item. I like dress, collars and pleats, so this has all three. I like the contrast between the leather and the girliness of the dress. It is a bit of a tight fit though, so I probably should have bought a size bigger. (Or maybe I should just not have eaten that entire bag of mini eggs yesterday?!)

Wearing this today was definitely a mistake, as it looked deceptively warm this morning, and I regretted not wearing a coat the moment I stepped outside. When will winter push off and leave us alone? I would quite like it to be summer already. I have a lot of cute summer clothes in my 'save for later' basket on Asos and I want to be able to buy them with a chance of wearing them.  

Mad For Monochrome

1//2//3//4//5

Monochrome is one of those terms you hear thrown about a lot in fashion, and every season, it seems to dominate the catwalks and the high street, but it never seems to get boring. 

Brands seem to keep it fresh with fabulous styling and some interesting patterns and shapes, and this season is no different. The five pieces above are just some of the amazing things available on the high street at the moment. With everyone from Topshop to Kurt Geiger getting in on it, there's something monochrome out there for everyone. 

It's amazing as a colour palette because it never dates, and it suits most ages and skintones. One of the favourite pieces in my wardrobe is my Zara monochrome blazer which I've blogged about before, and It will be coming out of my wardrobe again this summer. 

The Jacket above is from Zara and another one I'm considering adding to my collection. As for the trousers, well, I'm totally in love with a good printed trouser, so for me these tick every box. 

If you follow the blog on facebook, you'll have seen my post about these gorgeous shoes and how much I really really NEED them (Yes, Mr. Bank Manager, they are a necessity!) I think they are the perfect summer heel!

Which Monochrome pieces are you loving at the moment? Or do you totally hate the trend?

Recent purchases

Black Shirt-Warehouse//White Shirt-H&M//Trousers-Topshop

These are some of the things I've purchased lately, The black shirt and the trousers were both sale bargains, while the white shirt was just one of those items that I saw and thought "I must have it!". I've been looking for a nice white shirt for ages and this one is the first I've found that doesn't look like part of a school uniform! 

This is my first post of the new year, so I hope everyone enjoyed theirs, and that you all have less horrendous things than me to do, as I currently slave away at the revision. 

OOTD: Nude Stripes

Top-Internacionale//Skirt-H&M//Bag-Primark//Shoes-Topshop

I wore this out on Monday night for a friends Birthday. I saw the skirt in H&M and I had to have it, and it was a bargain so I could just about afford to! The top is last season, and I got it for my birthday, but they just matched so well, that I didn't know what else to match the skirt with.

At the moment, life is just one long assignment. its the only thing I seem to do these days. I am counting down the days until Christmas as well, by the time it comes round I won't have been home in four months, and I've never been away from home that length yet. I'm very excited!

Weekly Wishlist #3

Time for another weekly Wishlist! just a quick one this week before I crack on with some uni work.

1. Berry Dress - £75 ASOS
I fell in love with this dress the second I saw it on ASOS. It is the perfect colour, and the collar and sleeves are gorgeous, it looks like the perfect dress for a Christmas party.

2. Tapestry Skirt - £18 River Island
This is one of those items that you feel you should hate, but secretly you love it, it looks like cushions my granny used to have on her sofa, but I think its gorgeous for A/W, and perfectly priced for a student budget.

3. Brocade Skirt - £45 Miss Selfridge
Another skirt in the same post, but I love a nice skirt in the winter. this is such an unusual colour, and I love the cutout detailing around the bottom.

4. Glitter Heels - £55 Topshop
These shoes are AMAZING. I need them. now. if anyone is wondering what to buy me for Christmas  these are what I want.

Leather loving (all over again.)

I love a bit of leather, and apparently the whole of fashion does too at the moment because it is a massive trend. I have a few leather pieces in my own wardrobe, One leather jacket I adore, a leather skater dress and a black dress with leather panelling.

I remember being about 11 years old when leather was a big thing on the high street before, and my older sister and I begged for new clothes for Christmas when our aunty bought me a gorgeous leather skirt, which I still remember I loved more because it had hot pink lining! And my sister got a pair of leather trousers. I remember her wearing those a LOT, and now that its back in style I'm certainly loving it all over again, so I have gone through the high street and designer websites and found my key pieces that I think every girl should have in her wardrobe this season.

1. Peplum Dress - £29.99 H&M
I've said it before and I'll say it again, probably about 100 times, I love peplums. This dress grabs two huge trends and puts them together, and its under £30. Whats not to love?

2. Leather Biker trousers - £295 All Saints
Okay so these come with a pretty hefty price tag, but they are gorgeous, and the fit is really flattering. Although its hard to tell they're also a really nice plum shade so they are an upgrade on all the black leather. I honestly think they are an investment piece, and totally worth the price tag.

3. Contrast Mac - £85 River Island
Macs are the sort of coat that come in every year and are completely timeless, but sometime they can look so boring, because they've all been done before. This one however has a nice little upgrade on the leather sleeves, making it anything but boring, and yet the colour still makes it neutral and classic.

4. Red and Black top- £16.99 SheInside.com
Yes I know, another peplum, but this is such a nice top with the contrasting colours and the sheer sleeves, its really unusual, and within probably every ones budget. I hadn't ever heard of this website before I went looking for leather pieces, but its a really nice site with a few cute pieces.

5. Black Bag- £95 Topshop
No girls wardrobe is complete without a classic black bag, and this one from topshop is no exception. Its real leather so that's a bonus and I really like the subtle detailing.

Weekly Wishlist #2

Well, that week went by very quickly! I lost track of time and didn't post at all! apologies for that, and hello to all my new followers I believe I've gained three of you since I was last here.

1. Warehouse Dress - £55
There is nothing I don't love about this dress, I love the Colour and the pattern, but I definitely am in love with the shape, as I just think it would be flattering on pretty much everyone.

2. Topshop Holdall -£42
I think this is such a unique bag, and I honestly don't think I've ever seen anything like it before. I might treat myself to it so I can use it for trips home, having nice luggage really helps me deal with stressful airports.

3. Topshop Top -£40
This is a bit different from the things I usually buy, but I like the embellishment on this top and I just think it would really well with a nice pair of skinny Jeans and my favourite Zara Blazer.

4. Leather Skirt - Various prices
This leather skirt is from ebay, and I love leather skirts at the moment, but what I love most about this one is the simple studded waistband and also the lovely shape. And of course, Black goes with everything, right?

Weekly Wishlist #1

I have decided to start doing weekly Wishlists on my Blog so that I will always be posting. This weeks is full of gorgeous things that I cannot afford. (except for the H&M top. I've bought that, and I love it. so technically cheating?)

1. Peplum top- £14.99 H&M. As I said above, I have bought this and I love it, its flattering, comfortable, and it makes me feel like Lana Del Rey, simply because she wore it in the advert. 

 2. Fur collar Coat- £85.00 River Island. I love this coat, I shouldn't, but I do. I tried it on and fell in love more, but then read the price tag and backed away slowly. and sadly. I think I actually had to wipe away a tear from my eye. 

 3. Lace Playsuit- £60 Topshop. I think this playsuit is really simple, and I need it in my life. Preferably now please. 

 4. Ring- £100 Pandora. I have wanted a Pandora ring for ages. I'm not a massive fan of the bracelets, but I do love the rings, and this is my ultimate favourite. A girl can dream.

What I've been Buying

Shoes: Dune

Skirt: Urban Outfitters
Collar: Topshop
Top: Primark (Old)

Last Tuesday I had a well-deserved day off, so I packed up my new wages, grabbed my best friend and went for a shopping day out in Belfast! It was so good to be able to spend money again, but I fear I may have gone overboard. 
Here's everything I bought, most of it not in the sale, although I do have more sale bargains to show you all from yesterday, when I went shopping with Mum. (yesterday was also a good day because I finally had my braces off. but more on that later!)
These shoes were one of those "I love them, I need them now!!" purchases, I wasn't going to be deterred that one is maybe a teensy tiny bit too big...... oh well!
The skirt was nearly one that got away, but was spotted by my friend when we were leaving! so Glad she saw it now, its comfy, fits perfectly and matches everything!

Payday Picks.

So today is officially the best day of the month..... PAYDAY!
Sorry if it isn't payday for you and I've depressed you, but after almost a year of having no job, it is my first payday from my new job, which is incredibly exciting as I finally have money. So what do I do? Shop of course. 
Here are three of the things I want to buy most this month.

Shakespeare tee- Tee & Cake @ Topshop
I am such a nerd, that I fell in love with this tshirt the moment I saw it. Need in my life. 

Colourblock sandals- H&M
These are everything I usually hate in a shoe, but I love them for some reason!

Peplum top- Topshop
Peplums are MASSIVE this season, if you don't already own one, buy one now!!


Happy Spending!

Rainy Summer Days

Coat: Miss Selfridge

Dress: Local Boutique

Belt: Topshop (old)

Shoes: New Look 

Oh dear, I've been a very absent blogger recently haven't I?

I got home from uni about two weeks ago, and since then life has been hectic. Started a new summer job on Wednesday and I'm working full time so between that and visiting friends I haven't seen in a while, I wasn't really left much time for blogging!

I got this coat on Saturday, FINALLY! I seen it about three months ago in my local Miss Selfridge, and was waiting until I got paid until I bought it, but Then they didn't have it in Sunderland or Newcastle, and I couldn't find it online so I had resigned myself to not owning it until I spotted it at the weekend. Fate!

I have had this dress about a year and half now and I love it, and I pull it out when I don't know what to wear. wore it to work today, and I've had a complete wardrobe overhaul so that I could get stuff that is 'Office Appropriate' to wear for work. Feel very grown up all of a sudden!

I'm going to apologise for the shape of these pictures, I have no tripod and no photographer, so lots of background needs cropped!  

Loan Day Lovelies!

Tomorrow is the day all you students out there have been waiting for. After (barely) surviving Easter break on your overdraft and parental handouts (and in my case, birthday money) You are all officially rich again. This calls for one thing, a Shopping Spree! Naughty me, well, lets just call it research.

1. Striped Maxi Skirt: £75.00- Miss Selfridge
This is my Ideal summer piece. Maxi Skirts are my favourite thing ever! this material and design is so feminine!

2. Glitter Sole Sandals: £50.00- Topshop
I am a self-confessed Flatform Hater! and although I have been told by Victoria that these aren't really flatforms, I do believe they are the closest thing to a pair that I have actually liked. they are everything I usually dislike in a shoe, but they are SO CUTE!

3. Bird Print Shorts: £18.99- Missguided
Printed shorts are one of the items that I find myself reaching for every summer. I love a bit of bird print too. and lets be honest, even if it wasn't loan day, the price tag wont have us passing out in shock!

4. Blue Stone Ring: £8.91- Etsy
I am constantly on the lookout for quirky jewellery, and this ring is different, without being too flashy. Also, what a BARGAIN!

5. White Cutout Dress: £37.00- Miss Selfridge
This dress ticks so many trend boxes this season, White, girly, and a hint of lace. Perfect!

6.Blue Flower Print Dress: 65.00- Oasis
Another girly dress. I like girly dresses and I think everyone should own one this season!

7. Patent Bow Pumps: £35.00- Oasis
Nude shoes are my go-to, match-everything piece. These Pumps have an extra cute white bow added.

I feel I have just supplied you all with cuteness-sickening-girly-overload. Apologies.

Festival Favourites

Last weekend saw Coachella mark the beginning of Festival Season, even though the current weather may make it very hard to believe! Although I am not heading to a festival this summer (Oxegen has been cancelled! Not fair!) I have put together my favourite festival pieces for those of you that are!

1. Black Sunglasses: £10.00 River Island

Because lets be honest, Sunglasses are a festival must! and these black ones are perfectly simple!

2. LA Vest: £20.00 Miss Selfridge

This is a really cute vest top, Beats boring plain White, and will be great for the daytime at a festival

3. Straw Hat: £10.00 Boohoo.com

Straw trilby hats have long been a summer and festival staple, and this one is great because it wont break the bank and has a cute little accent on the brim. 

4. Beaded Sandals: £18.00 Boohoo.com

This is a bit optimistic, especially if heading to a festival in the UK, but if you are lucky enough to be heading abroad for one then these sandals are perfect! The beaded ankle straps are so cute, and means they are easier to walk in than flip-flops.

5.Aztec Print Shorts: £32.00 Topshop

I love Aztec Print, so these shorts are definitely a must for me! plus the black and white colour palette, means they will work just as well in winter with a pair of tights.

6.Navy Rucksack: £25.00 Awear

This rucksack will be great for holding all your essentials while away from your tent, and looks so cute with most outfits.

7. Pink Raincoat: £56.00 Topshop  

A raincoat is definitely a must for UK festivals, as it usually always rains, and this little pink one has really nice crochet detail. The colour will definitely make you stand out from the crowd!

Now I definitely want to go to a festival.... Oh dear, let the shopping begin!

Spring is all around....

Lately I have started noticing gorgeous weather creeping up on us ever so slowly, and living in North East it is very easy to believe that it is summer at about 10 degrees! However, it has been sunny, and surprisingly warm (for march anyways)and Yesterday I was awoken by the gardener cutting the grass and it smelt like summer. I loved it. Today marks the official first day of spring, 17 days until my Birthday, and 10 days until I go to London for the weekend to visit my sister. Exciting times.

The warm weather has had me daydreaming of digging out my sandals and maxi skirts, as well as ditching the heavy jumpers and coats for a while. Although to me, a new season definitely just means one thing, an excuse to go shopping. (Although I rarely require an excuse.) Cue summery style Wishlist, which goes great alongside a summery soundtrack, fyi!

Flower Shorts-Topshop Pink Blazer- MissGuided Floral Maxi Skirt- NewLook Nude Studded Pumps- Topshop Nude Detachable Collar-Topshop Nude Pleated Skater Dress- Miss Selfridge


Clearly I love some Nude in summer! those shorts are too adorable and They just make me feel summery by looking at them. The collar has to be my No.1 item however, I have wanted a removable collar for so long, so that I can use it on A few different dresses I have, and even some t-shirts.

Cannot Wait for Summer!

Topshop Makeup Shopping Spree.

Lipstick in 'Innocent'-Lipstick and eyeliner- Bag- Swatches- Cute box.

Took a little trip into Newcastle on Sunday with Melody for a days shopping, and then a cheeky little Nando's of course!
While browsing in Topshop I had a look at the makeup stand, after having heard very good reviews of it from lots of people. I wanted some new Lipstick and Some brown Eyeliner, and bought an eyeliner Kohl in 'Saddle', and a lipstick in 'Innocent'.
I find Topshop to be overpriced a lot of the time, so naturally was expecting the makeup to follow suit, however, was pleasantly surprised to find that they are all extremely reasonably priced, with the Lipstick costing  £8.00 and the Eyeliner costing £4.00
I love this lipstick. I was a bit unsure of the colour at first, and felt it was a bit bright as it comes out very pink when its on, and slightly reminded me of a Barbie, but I warmed to it and now I absolutely love it. Its very moisturising, and doesn't dry out your lips, and the pigmentation is good.
The eyeliner I also love, its not as brown as I was hoping for, but more of a bronze colour, but I still like the colour, it applies nicely, and smudges really well.
The packaging of Topshop makeup is so cute, and I love how simple it is, yet it still manages to look quirky. it does mark really easily though, just had the lipstick in bag at uni for two hours and already marks on it. Oh well, I am just clumsy like that!

Candy coloured fashion

Pastels and candy colours are all over the high street this season, and my favourite collection featuring this colour palette is Louis Vuitton. 

Some of the pictures from Louis Vuitton's spring/summer campaign

One feature of this collection I especially love is the adorable collar which is featured on most of the Items. I have also seen it being worn by Alexa Chung on the cover of this months ELLE magazine.

I am personally a massive fan of Peter pan collars, and the girlier they are, the better! This one is adorable, and I am hoping to see similar styles on the high street this season. 

One thing that the high street are already emulating is the pastel colours, and they are everywhere. This Mint Sundress from topshop is the first item I'll be getting for Spring/Summer. The perfect pastel shade to pair with sandals for a daytime look or heels for a nighttime look. so easy to dress up or down.

Mint Sundress - £29.00 Topshop

Winter Wonderland Wishlist.

With all this cold weather, and more surely on the way, probably some snow too, its a perfect time to look at some faux fur.
I have a MASSIVE obsession with fur coats at the moment but haven't seen one I feel I want to part with money for. oh, being a poor student!

 

Winter Wonderland by niamhs93 featuring highwaisted jeans