Leggings

Hey!
I found an ebay seller with good (cheap) alternatives for these babies;
Topshop - £18. The American Apparel equivolents are £23!Topshop - £18

The ebay person also has cute (and very comfy-looking) leopard and zebra print leggings! Oh and I was only looking at the metallic green ones because I'm thinking of going as Old Gregg for Halloween! Although, if anyone else caught the last episode of "The Fashion Show" on ITV2, they did put lac leggings over metallic ones and it looked pretty awesome!

Char x

Argyl

Hey!

My mum bought me these Primark argyl socks for my birthday, possibly because whilst shopping there I mentioned that I had a pair just like them a while ago which were stolen by my brother. He's a post in himself I'm sure, my little bro, actually a very stylish man despite the theft of socks. I was at a loss about how to wear these socks for several reasons. Firstly, they are in danger of being far too Gossip Girl. Secondly, pulled up in the traditional manner, it is my experience that argyl knee-highs are very unflattering - the pattern sort of stretches over the calves and they're an awkward kind of length. Finally, the original socks formed part of a fancy dress costume in high school - yes, people I dressed as Cher from Clueless and I loved it. I wish I had a photo becuase it would just be too funny, I'm sure.

So they had been momentarily forgotten and shoved to the back of the socks/tights drawer until I happened upon these pictures on a newly discovered blog, Girl Meets NYC. This editorial, from the August 2007 issue of Teen Vogue, is just so sweet. The idea is cute - the New York nanny looking uber stylish whilst cavorting round the city with her charge, an adoribly-uniformed little girl - the execution is also great, the colours, the clothes and of course the argyl socks! Worn slouchy with boots, the answer to my conundrum! You can see the rest of the pictures here, well worth checking out!



I'll be trying out my own versions once the weather gets cold enough to warrant socks and tights.


Char x

Topshop!

Hey!

I'm in a super good mood today, after a morning lecture I had lunch with a school friend and we checked out Edinburgh's new Topshop! It's at least twice the size it used to be and with birthday vouchers/money and carboot sale profits I was looking forward to a good browse. Browsing's always better when you can actually buy things too! More on that later, first some outfits! This is what I wore for my first lecture which was yesterday (got to love sparse fourth year timetables, two lectures a week - score!). I think I was doing head-down blogger posing because I was tired and my face was rank;

Vintage shoes from etsy, H&M wooly tights, H&M dress (old!) and tee, vintage cuff/bangle from ebay. The hairbow, which I bought originally for my birthday party, is from Topshop. My new flatmate said "Noone over 10 should wear bows." and "You look like Mickey Mouse.". I don't think she intended to be bitchy, she's just more of a jeans and a cute top girl, but it is weird living with someone so different from me and my friends. All my flatmates have been that way actually, I sort of confuse them!

Last night I headed over to a work mate's flat for a cocktail party, I actually only tried one cocktail - called the Anal Probe - and I would not recommend it! Seriously, it smelled toxic! We (another work friend and I) didn't stay long as we both had lectures today and I didn't want to face Topshop hungover, but it was a great party. Outfit;

Please excuse the photos! I had to take them in my room (which is tiny, I am at one end and the camera is at the other!) becuase my flatmate was weirdly hovering in the hallway. I probably wore the hairbow again to annoy her...You can't really tell in the photos but I'm wearing the bustier/boobtube thing I got in the Dorothy Perkins sale over a vintage sheer cami-thing. It didn't work that weel because the cami just isn't that sheer but oh well! I thought I'd also get another wear out of the star-print skirt, from Therapy at House of Fraser. The bangle was a gift from family is Australia. I actually changed into darker tights, as below;
Kept the same vintage shoes on even though the sole is coming off! We walked for an hour to get to the flat too, Southern Comfort being consumed along the way, even though it's a maximum of 20 minutes away, we just kind of rambled!

Today's outfit;

The shoes (which are also falling apart) are from Dorothy Perkins, the tights are H&M, the skirt is from Oasis (sale!), the tee is H&M and the blue top thing was thrifted (75p!). Same vintage bangle as yesterday...

Please excuse the chin(s) in the photo! The long necklace is from H&M and the little ballerina is Topshop.

Onto today's shopping trip! I got this leopard tee, which I had seen on the website and loved, even though I don't think it's my usual style (not girly enough, I suppose!) but I still love it, even though it looks kinda sad, I think in the eyes! Also I usually don't wear things that give people an excuse to stare at my chest! Honestly, I was visually molested by two men today whilst eating lunch, mealtime perving is most inappropriate! I got these lovely over-the-knee socks too, they are so soft and the prettiest peach/pink colour, like ballet tights!
I stole this picture from the website as the skirt didn't photograph too well...also, the website describes it as "flannel" which sounds icky and juicy-couture-esque, but the skirt is actually a nice heavy sort of wool material.
I also got a pair of lace leggings, I'm pretty certain it's these ones! I know, trendwhore!
I still had a little money left (shocking, I know) so we headed to H&M where I got this little skirt, not sure yet how it will look on as I had had enough of changing rooms by that point! It does look rather body-con but perhaps it will be tight enough to hold in the muffin tops?
I'm trying to get people to go out tomorrow night so I can wear my new clothes! I am a ridiculous person...

Char x

Victory dance

Hey!

While Sea is on her way to Paris with the girls, I am still in Edinburgh...but I'm having lunch with friends so it's all good! I don't know why I put effort into getting dressed today since the three friends I'm dining with are the least fashion-y people ever. I don't mean that in a bad way at all, but as an example, one of the males and I were talking about shoes last night. How many do we each own? I stopped counting at 20, he had 3. I decided to get at least one more wear out of this skirt before Autumn, so excuse that I look so very last season. It actually was quite an expensive skirt, and at the time I wanted it so badly that I went to the shop and put my name on a list. I actually got a phone call to go and pick this skirt up and yet this is maybe the third time I've worn it? I used it a while ago as an example of a trend that was over-done, in fact.

The shoes are my little vintage ones from etsy, they can't have been worn much by the previous owner becuase I'm having to break them in! The tights are from H&M, they're pretty cool cos they're made from cotton/jersey so they're like leggings, except that they have feet! I wore the old Primark boob tube under the skirt (it's very short and takes off in the wind!) and I like the way it looks anyway, kind of peplum-like, the skirt is from Therapy at House of Fraser, both tees are H&M and the scarf/hair tie is Primark too.

My ass of a flatmate left this morning, this is me dancing outside his room! Suck on that! Also an example of why I usually have to be drunk to dance...

Victory photo taken in the big bedroom, ha! I have the flat to myself for a whole week before the new girl moves in, awesome. No more covert photography!

Char x

Vanity Fair

Hey there!

I had forgotten to mention that I saw the Vanity Fair Portraits collection last week at the Queen Street Gallery in Edinburgh. I'd definatly recommend checking it out if you get the chance, although it has finished it's stay in London and, after Edinburgh, it is only visiting Canberra and LA. For such a landmark collection I don't understand why it's visits are so limited! The collection is split into "The Jazz Age", which showcases the beginning of Vanity Fair in the 1920's and beyond and "Modern Vanity Fair", which I assume is pretty self-explanatory! The collection features memorable pictures such as a heavily pregnant Demi Moore and Princess Diana. In fact, it has been claimed that the Vanity Fair picture was, in part, responsible for Diana's reputation as "the peoples' princess" as it showed a more relaxed and approachable side to her. It's definatly a beautiful and striking photograph.

This picture of Julia Roberts was one of my favourites (as well as many of the beautiful 1920's ones which I am not able to find, sadly). I like her as an actress and this photo just looks like so much fun!
There's no denying that this picture of Hilary Swank is pretty incredible, her body's like a machine!
I was also struck by this picture of Jean Harlow. Does anyone else see a resemblance between her and Kirsten Dunst?

That was just a few of the images, I didn't want to spoil it by posting anymore! But you can find a lot of them via google images if you want to see more.

I went to New Look today for a friend's birthday present as I know she likes their stuff and I didn't have too much to spend. As usual, I ended up spending as much on myself as on her, for which I feel slightly guilty! There was some surprisingly good stuff in there, including many many pairs of delicious woolen tights in cream, grey and black. Still a bit early for this kind of thing perhaps but there's no harm in being organised. Besides the socks were only a pound! Ribbed for her pleasure. That's probably only funny if you've seen Wayne's World, please tell me you have! I got this pretty ring (it was only £5) but I'm mildly annoyed because, even though I bought the smallest size which was S/M and even though I actually have pretty average-sized fingers, it still falls off!
I also spotted this yummy scarf which very much reminds me of the Luella one available at Urban Outfitters. But it is obviously like a tenth of the price. Methinks it shall be mine on payday. Much as I love the Luella one (though the collection was a slight disapointment online, I've yet to see it in the flesh, with only 8 pieces) it is a bit out of my price range...

New Look top, Luella at Urban Outfitters below.

Has any one else noticed that New Look have started to label their accesories with seasons? Does anyone else find that incredibly pretentious and unnecessary from a high street retailer? Not even a high-end or particularly fashion forward retailer, think All Saints or even Topshop, but in fact a very middle of the road, ordinary shop? Could just be me, but I don't see the point.

I red-circled the offending label for your viewing pleasure. Got to love a bit of amatuer-ish Paint work.

This was today's outfit. The debut of my new H&M tee that wants to be American Apparel so badly that it hurts.

That's my flatmate's room in the background. Mine is way prettier, obvs.
Ancient, battered Topshop shoes, tights from tightsplease, socks from ebay (which I happened to ladder this morning. Great.). Primark skirt, watch a gift from my Dad and H&M top, of course.

Char x

Hoisery whore

This is what A/W '08 looks like from the point of view of a hoisery-holic. I make no apologies for my addiction to legwear, if you are not familiar with said addiction, catch up here, here and here. You know I'm ordering a load of tights next payday. It's nearly Autumn so I'll be able to feel legit buying/wearing opague tights (not that I ever stopped for summer!).

Zan Posen

We Love ColoursZac Posen
We Love Colours
Zac Posen
Jonathan Aston at tightsplease
Betsey Johnson
American Apparel
Betsey Johnson
Jonathan Aston at mytights

Viktor and Rolf

We Love Colours

Zac Posen

Pamela Mann at mytights

Char x

Tuesday

Hey there!

Alas, it's back to work today. Only a few weeks left of my law firm job though, it'll be nice to have the time off! I know I moan a lot on here about how much I work, and for that I apologise - you guys all work/study hard too, I'm sure! This is first and foremost a blog about fashion and personal style, I've been thinking a bit about what to include on the blog so any suggestions would be welcome! I think this reflection began with a post from Kirsty Lee in which she said she didn't want her blog to simply be about "look at me, look what I'm wearing!" and I have to agree. I'll be working hard to include more depth and content in my posts, especially now that have the time to do so. Although, the flip side is that, on other blogs, my favourite thing (and I think a lot of peoples' favourite thing) is seeing daily outfits. Speaking of which this is yesterday's outfit, I had a quick lunch with my Mum which was really nice though I had forgotten I was also going out for dinner for a friend's birthday! So it was a good day, food-wise!

Pretty dull/casual outfit really! Tights - primark, shoes - ancient Topshop, skirt - H&M, t-shirt - etsy.

This skirt has braces but I detatched them today as they tend to make my chest look huge and I generally don't like to draw attention to this area, I prefer to minimise the whistles/comments I get from the male species! I'm hoping nobody will notice that I reattatched a button (which pinged off this morning and into the bin, a sure sign I've been munching too much chocolate!) with bright blue thread. It's pretty poorly sewn, squint and bright blue!

Take a look at my handiwork, try not to be jelous of my mad sewing skillzzz!

I wore the same skirt out for dinner/drinks. These photos were taken in the hallway outside my flat, isn't it gross? Why paint it brown...it's like living in somebody's colon.

Hair bow - primark, white vest - Zara, lace slip - Armstrong's Vintage, skirt - H&M, belt - ebay, cardigan - Primark, generic black tights, boots (not seen) - New York. This is how foggy it was all day/night yesterday and most of today!
Ordered these bad boys from the Topshop website yesterday, I really hope they get here soon! Although there's no rush really as I'm saving them, or at least trying to to get bored of them, for Autumn. I kinda like buying new stuff for going back to uni, it' s a little bit like school..."Mum, like, can I have some money to buy, umm like, stationary and stuff. For school." I've been collecting quite a few things for Autumn actually, I'm very organised/geeky! My winter wardrobe is always bigger than my summer one anyway since a) I'm Scottish, winter dressing is in my genes and b) it's 9 months of the year!I've been wanting a long cardigan for absolutly ages, but was unwilling to pay more than £20 for it which eliminated most options, I even checked the guy's bit of both H&M and Topman and found nothing! So this one was only £15 and I really like the big poclets and slouchy sleeves.
This is the back of the dress I ordered, I suppsoe that's obvious since it has a butt, but I thought I'd state it anyway. I don't really know what this is going to look like in real life becuase that crazy "zoom" thing on the website doesn't really help, but a black dress for daytime is another thing I've wanted for a while.

The tartan/plaid obsession continues and I got this baby from etsy, it's not here yet and I think it'll be a while since it's coming from the USA but it's another "save for Autumn" thing anyway!

My younger stepsister, of the blog Zen Trend, has observed my love of pinafores/jumpers, it must be fairly apparent since I see her an average of once a year! Are you guys hoarding things for Autumn too, like little fashion squirrels? I know The Fish Tank is, I wonder if others are too!

Char x