Sitting Pretty || UK Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

BEADED COLLAR

2012-02-18T21:26:00.000+01:00

Ten day stretch at work is done and dusted, and thankfully I've got the whole weekend off. Not really done all that much today, apart from walk Toby in hailstone and rain, and go to a local garden centre to drool over expensive homewares we can't afford, but thought I'd show you what I wore today. I got this blouse the other day from H&M, after showing it a couple of weeks back as one of my payday purchases. It's so lovely and delicate, though a little shorter than I would have liked. It's long enough to tuck into these jeans as they're high waisted, but that's all really. The beading is gorgeous, but it has to be washed in a laundry bag (which we don't have) to keep them in tact. Will have to make a purchase!

Blouse - H&M

Cardigan - H&M

Jeans - Topshop via eBay

Shoes - Primark

Lips - Viva Glam Gaga by MAC

Obviously didn't wear those shoes to walk Toby in! Switched to my trusty Uggs! Sometimes they are needed, no matter how bad they are.

Been browsing online for some new make up items, particularly lipsticks as I'm running out of some of my favourites. Normally this close to payday I have a handful of clothes reserved to buy at work, but surprisingly I've nothing this time, so I thought I'd treat myself to a few lipstick from MAC instead. I've narrowed it down to Speed Dial, Lady Bug, Rebel, Vegas Volt and Angel. Have you got any of those, or do you have any other recommendations?

HOME INSPIRATION - BEDROOM

2012-02-17T23:16:00.001+01:00

Another post from the Home Inspiration series I've been doing. Only one more to go after this which will be the bathroom, though I'm thinking of doing a 'Decor' one just in general showing furniture and accessories I like, so let me know if you want to see that too! The bedroom is actually the room I haven't thought that much about. I think its because that's the only room I have to do what I want with for the moment, so the prospect of having the rest of a whole house to furnish and style is more interesting to me. I like the feel of my room at the minute (room tour here) so I'd probably stick with something along those lines, but go for neutral walls and just tone it down a little.

I love the whole ditsy print/floral/vintage/pastels/shabby chic thing, but it's so overdone at the minute, so I'd try to modernise it a little with contemporary industrial style furniture. For example I love my clothes rail, but I'd go for something a lot bigger and modern rather than having a wardrobe. I'd still overload my bed with cushions, and one thing I've wanted for a while is a set of Scrabble cushions, either to spell out 'BED' or 'SLEEP' rather than the generic 'LOVE'. I can imagine the room having white walls, white furniture then pastel bedding and cushions in clashing prints.

I've put together a few things to create the look for the bedroom, and as usual all the above pictures are pinned on my Pinterest Home Inspiration board if you'd like to know their source or see them in a bigger size. I kind of forgot to put a numer 11 in the below image but only noticed when I uploaded it on here so please ignore me for being a little bit stupid!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (11) | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

Are any of you looking for a house of your own? How would you decorate your bedroom? What do you think of my ideas?

Don't forget I have a giveaway live at the moment. No one has entered it yet though which I'm surprised at as there are some H&M vouchers up for grabs!! You have to be in it to win it!

SITTING PRETTY LOVES: MEEMEE

2012-02-15T21:08:00.001+01:00

I haven't done one of these posts in a while so when I found out about MeeMee I thought it would be the perfect excuse to write one! I actually discovered MeeMee whilst looking for jobs online as they are based in Manchester's Northern Quarter. I hadn't heard of them until then, but I had a nosey at their website and they have some lovely clothing. I thought I'd pick out a handful of my favourite pieces to show you. A lot of the stuff is what I'd describe as very 'me'. Lots of pretty prints, girly shapes and a vintage feel to some of the styles.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

I'm in love with number 1 and 5 especially. I'd wear these together with some tan wedges, an oversized bag and bright lips and nails. The lace dress (2) is so sweet and would be perfect in summer with a sleeveless denim waistcoat and some tan sandals. The neckline reminds me of Kate's Royal Wedding dress, and the length is perfect for summer. I can imagine quite a few of these pieces fitting into a work wardrobe too, like the pussy bow leopard dress (4) and the printed blazer (7). They are classic styles that could be dressed up and down. Which are your favourites from my selection?

I might have to revisit MeeMee come payday as I'm finding it hard to resist some things! Have you ever shopped with them before?

PS. Don't forget to enter my giveaway in the previous post to win £20 of H&M vouchers!

PINSPIRE + H&M VOUCHER GIVEAWAY

2012-02-14T10:00:00.000+01:00

First of all, let me introduce you to Pinspire. If you're not familiar with it, Pinspire is a image sharing website where you 'pin' images to inspiration post, similar to Pinterest and We Heart It. As you may know, I love sites like these. I think having a fashion background and doing a degree in fashion are big parts of why I use these. Since graduating I have always felt a bit lost without a sketchbooks and never really had the time to do one in my own time, so Pinspire is the perfect way to collect information and inspiration quickly. Here are some of the images from my board, obviously all interiors because I'm obsessed!

Of course, being Valentines Day, I couldn't resist dropping in some love themed decor too! I love the little hanging felt hearts, and if you've seen my room tour you will know how my room is covered in heart shaped bits and bobs! How adorable is the heart keyboard?!

Now onto the competition! Pinspire are kindly donating two £20 H&M gift vouchers to two lucky winners, so you will have two chances to enter! I've tried to keep this as fair as possible having two ways to win, one of which is more of a contest between the entrants, and the other will be chosen by myself. It's a chance for you all to get a bit creative and inspired rather than a simple 'comment here to win' giveaway!

Here's what you need to do:
1. Be a follower of the blog via GFC or Bloglovin.
2. Sign up to Pinspire HERE!
3. Create your own board (based on anything you like!) and add a collection of images. Take a look at my board for some ideas! You need to title your board SITTING PRETTY CONTEST so we can see who is taking part.
4. Comment on this post with a link to your board and your email address.

How it works:
PRIZE 1: This will be awarded for the board with the most 'likes. People can 'like' your images by clicking the little heart icon on each one.
PRIZE 2: This will be awarded to my favourite set of images, so even if you don't have that many likes, you still have a chance of winning if I like your board!

Easy peasy! So what are you waiting for? Get pinning and send me your links!
The competition will be open for 2 weeks as of today, and will end on Tuesday 28th Feb at midnight, so make sure all your entries are in by then. Even if you post your link today, I won't be judging them until the competition closes, so you can continue to add images to your boards until then. I'll be announcing the winners the day after. Good luck every one! I can't wait to see all your boards!

WEEKEND WISHLIST #1

2012-02-12T22:32:00.003+01:00

Sorry for being MIA the past few days! Didn't really want that to happen after posting so consistently whilst I was off, but I was straight back in at work and I'm doing a ten day stretch. I was even in this morning for a stocktake at 6.30am, a time I rarely see. I did plan on doing an outfit post this afternoon but ended up staying in my joggers all day and slept most of the afternoon. I took to Twitter for post suggestions as I still wanted to post as I have a few hours on my hands tonight, and Becca suggested a wishlist. To be honest I don't know why I haven't done these sooner. If you've been with me since the beginning on here you will remember 'Three For Thursday' which was sort of a wishlist, and I loved doing those, so I'm going to try and do this each weekend. Thanks Becca for inspiring me, haha!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

#1: I've been after a plum lipstick for a while now, and I did pick one up in Boots the other day but it's a little too dark for me (Starry Eyed by Rimmel). I want something with a bit more of a pink tone and the Topshop one looks just about right. Can anyone recommend any others?

#2: After reading Jen's post on Blogger Cliches (really interesting post - go check it out!) I feel like a massive cliche myself posting this, but I love Peter Pan collars! I've wanted a necklace collar for a while but never spotted one that I really liked until I came across this one. It would look cute over a simple tee tucked into some high waist skinnies to dress them up a little.

#3 + #4: You will have seen my trusty Primark heels like these that I have in navy and nude crop up many a time in outfit posts on here, purely because they are the comfiest heels I own. I always wish I had bought more of the colours, and now H&M have brought some almost exactly the same out. They have this gorgeous cobalt blu and jade green, plus a hot pink and classic nude and black. I might have just gone and ordered the blue. Just maybe. Possibly.

#5: I'm really loving Warehouse at the minute, and have my eye on so many things at work. This blouse is so wrong it's right. Neon and florals on one garment should be a disaster on paper, but I love this. I think it works because the print is black and white, and I just love the shade of yellow. I really like all the graphic floral prints coming through for Spring. I'd team this with some black skinnies and heels in a contrasting colour.

#6: I've been on the hunt for some shorts like this but in black and white rather than blue, so if anyone knows of any please give me a shout! I do love the blue, but I feel like they would be more suited to bare legs, whereas the black would look great with opaque tights.

#7: After buying my trusty Topshop Jersey Midi the other week, what to Dorothy Perkins go and do? Bring out their own at a fraction of the price! Mine cost £34 but I did get staff discount so can't complain. It has been repriced now though down to £29 if anyone is interested. I know a lot of people commented saying they were unsure whether to buy! The Dorothy Perkins one comes in this blue and a dark grey which are both lovely and only £19.50!

#8: Another Warehouse number. I've had my eye on this since it came into work. The price tag is out of my range at the minute at £70, so I'm waiting and hoping it will soon be reduced. It's so beautiful though. You can't see very well in the image but the skirt has really fine pleats running through it. I'd dress this down for daytime with wedges and a denim jacket in Summer.

What's on your wishlists this week? Link me to yours, I love reading these posts!

PS. I'll be posting a giveaway tomorrow evening so check back for that!!

MONOCHROME

2012-02-06T22:41:00.000+01:00

First of all, sorry about the light of these photos. I hate taking pictures under artificial lights as it completely ruins the colours, but I really wanted to show you this playsuit I wore for a meal out this evening. It's Dan's 23rd birthday today, so we went out to our local Pizza Express for a yummy tea! I've been dying to wear this since it arrived the other day, but resisted so I could save it for tonight. I got it from Dixi, an online Vintage fashion shop. It's such a nice fit and shape and I love the print.

Playsuit - Dixi

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Ring - JWLRY

Lips - Impassioned by MAC

Nails - Mod-ern Girl by OPI

My hair wasn't playing ball tonight when I was getting ready. I wore a wooly hat out to town this morning and then had a nap this afternoon so it was well and truly flattened! That's the thing about wearing my hair like this. As much as I love the curls, it is so much harder to keep it looking nice, even though it is a millions times easier and quicker to style after washing than it is to straighten!

Last day off tomorrow (Boo!) which I'll be spending food shopping with my mum, and then Dan's taking me to look round a place called Bygone Times. It's the sister to Botany Bay if you've ever been there, but in my opinion it's miles better. It's basically a warehouse full of antiques, Vintage clothes and homewares and collectables, so basically heaven for someone like me! I don't know if I'll be buying anything but I'll keep my eyes wide open for things, especially to put away for a house. Might take some pictures and post them on Instagram which I started using again today! My user name is the same as Twitter, c_sittingpretty if you want to follow!

GREY JERSEY

2012-02-05T19:19:00.002+01:00

Today was a lovely Sunday. We went out for lunch at a local pub for Dan's birthday which is tomorrow. His mum came with us too which was really nice. I feel like I've eaten a horse I'm that stuffed! I wore this Topshop Jersey dress as it's something quite relaxed and not too dressy. I love the shade of grey it is, and how it's got a marl to it so it isn't a block colour. I did originally wear some ankle socks instead of tights, but it didn't look quite right. I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can wear things like this with wedges and bare legs! Speaking of the weather, I think Preston is the only place in the UK that didn't get snow yesterday, which was odd being so close to Manchester which got a lot! We just woke up to thick fog this morning. Kind of glad there was no snow though. It's February for goodness sake! I want to be getting my Spring wardrobe ready, not getting my Winter stuff back out!

Dress - Topshop

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Necklace - Wallis

Ring - Topshop

Lips - Chatterbox by MAC

Nails - Mod-Ern Girl by OPI

Two more days off after today, then back to work! Tomorrow is Dan's birthday so we will no doubt end up doing something during the day. I'm taking him out for tea in the evening which should be nice! I'll probably post what I wear in the evening tomorrow rather than what I wear during the day, as I'm planning on wearing a new Vintage playsuit I've got, so look out for that!

How have you all spent your weekend?

RED LACE

2012-02-04T21:02:00.000+01:00

Wore this blouse toda that I got for Christmas. I've worn it before on the blog but only undernath other things. This is the first time I've worn it like this. I love the lace detail ar the top and the little gold button. It's such good quality and the colour is just as bright in real life. I love red at the minute. A lot of paler skinned people find they can't wear it, but I think it looks fine against mine! I'm starting to get quite a build up of red clothes, and blue as well. I think those are the two colours that suit my colouring best. Do you have a go to colour that you love to wear?

Blouse - Warehouse
Cardigan - Topshop
Vintage Levi Shorts - COW Manchester
Tights - Primark
Boots - Topshop
Necklace - Topman
Lips - Ohh La La by Topshop

Also wore a cardigan I normally wear for work, but I think the outfit needed some black so I threw it on anyway. Incase you didn't know, I wear all black at work, so I feel as though I shouldn't wear it on my days off. I have been wearing it a bit more recently though!

Had a pretty quiet day today. Nothing exciting to report! The highlight was ringing work to find out my shifts when I go back, to find they have put my day off down as Tuesday, which means one more day off, and maybe one more outfit post. I've really got into posting them every day. It will be so strange next week when I'm back in work and back in black.

Off out for lunch with Dan, his mum and my parents tomorrow which should be nice. I think I'm going to wear my Topshop grey jersey midi dress, so keep your eyes open for another outfit post on that tomorrow!

BLUE HUE

2012-02-03T19:46:00.004+01:00

Today I wore this gorgeous Miss Selfridge playsuit I told you about a few posts back. I got it because it's one of those things I'll wear all year round, with tights whilst it's chilly, or with sandals or wedges when the weather warms up. I really like the sleeves too. They're the perfect length, making it a little smarter than if they were shorter. I wore my black biker jacket over this for lunch out and an afternoon shopping with my mum. It also looks nice with a chunky cardigan for more of a casual look, or a little cropped blazer also from Miss Selfridge (that I have yet to wear in an outfit post because I got it for uniform!) for a more formal look.

Playsuit - Miss Selfridge

Tights - Primark

Shoes - c/o Deichmann Shoes

Necklace - Topman

Ring - Topshop

Nails - Raspberry by Barry M

Lips - Rouge Coco Cambom 31 by Chanel

Decided to wear my hair curly again for the first time in ages! I tried out the diffuser attachment on the hairdryer I got for Christmas and looked ridiculous at first because it made my hair so huge and curly! After a bit of taming with the straighteners and some products I managed to get it to look like this. I really like wearing it curly when it grows to this length. I hate having hair thats sort of inbetween a bob and shoulder length, so this is my way of getting away with that before I can be bothered/afford to have it cut again! Still in two minds as to whether I should grow it again. I know I suit it better short, but I miss being able to do things with it, like topknots and such. It is so fine though, that it just ends up looking messy and bedraggled, and knowing me, I'd get fed up of waiting it to grow so I'd just get it cut again!

Hmm, dilemma! Does anyone else ever think that about their hair or am I the only one?

PATCHES + PANSIES

2012-02-02T19:26:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post tonight as I have lots to do and I'm awaiting the arrival of some take out noodles! This is what I wore today. I decided to go into town today rather than tomorrow, purely because I was bored. Couldn't believe how quiet the High Street was in Preston. So many shops are closing down, it's sad! I managed to pick up a few bits in Primark, and stopped off for a Krispy Kreme before I left. Spent the rest of the day looking after my little nephew which was fun.

I got the turban the other day from Primark along with a bobble hat as it's so ridiculously cold (come on February, seriously?!) at the minute and I didn't own any wooly hats. They were both reduced to a £1 each when I got them to the till which was a nice surprise. If you're after anything like scarves or hats for this crazy weather, then Primark is the place to go. They have reduced pretty much all their cold weather stuff to a £1. I might go back and stock up for the next Winter!

Dress - Topshop

Cardigan - H&M

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Hat - Primark

Nails - Raspberry by Barry M

Lips - Please Me by MAC

The dress was a Christmas present off my sister that I have only just got round to wearing. Its something I'll wear more in summer with sandals and a denim jacket or pale boyfriend blazer, but for now I think it looks quite cute with tights. I love the shape of these dresses. I know Topshop tend to do a few prints at a time in this style. I really like high necks, fitted waists and short hemlines as I feel like those shapes suit my frame best!

I'm off for a night of eBaying and CV tweaking! What have you all been up to today?

GRANDAD JUMPER

2012-02-01T22:43:00.004+01:00

Today has been a bit blah really. One of those days where you don't really have any plans or do all that much. I did some tidying and cleaning, and some more job hunting, but that was as exciting as it got! I wore one of the jumpers I picked up at a Charity Shop on Monday. I've decided that out of the 3, I'm only keeping this one. When I tried them on, the other two weren't quite right, so I'll be putting them on eBay tomorrow night I think. I love this one purely for the pattern. It's so unusual and the colours are really nice. I can't believe this was a men's jumper! I paired it with my trusty Topshop jeans I got a couple of years ago from eBay for something ridiculously cheap like £3.00. They're still in amazing condition even though I wear them all the time. They're slightly high waisted so they look great with things tucked in, too!

Jumper - Charity Shop

Blouse - Afflecks Palace Manchester

Jeans - Topshop via eBay

Shoes - Primark

Necklace - Topman

Nails - Raspberry by Barry M

Lips - Viva Glam Gaga by MAC

Tomorrow I'm looking after my nephew all day and doing even more job and house hunting, then Friday I think I will pop into town again to get some bits and bobs for Dan's birthday on Monday. I'm really looking forward to the weekend as we are going out for lunch with his mum and my parents on the Sunday, then on his birthday on Monday I'm taking him out for tea.

Have you got any plans for the rest of the week?

GWEN DRESS

2012-01-31T21:34:00.003+01:00

Another day, another outfit! Today I wore a dress I was recently sent from Zalando. They were kind enough to offer me a voucher to spend on their site, and after ordering a couple of things that weren't quite right for me and sending them back, I settled on this Vera Moda number and couldn't be happier. It arrived today and in excitement I threw it on straight away. On reflection I should have ironed it after seeing these pictures but I was so eager to wear it I didn't even notice any creases! I love the colour and the black detail. The dress has short sleeves with the same black detailing round the edges. It's the perfect length for my short little legs, and looks great with or without tights. I wore it with a cardigan from GiGi Vintage and a bright red lip for a pop of colour.

Cardigan - GiGi Vintage

Dress - Vera Moda c/o Zalando

Tights - Primark

Shoes - c/o Deichmann Shoes

Ring - Topshop

Nails - Raspberry by Barry M

Lips - Lady Danger by MAC

I was really impressed with Zalando on the whole, and I'm not just saying this because I was sent this, but I genuinely was happy with the service and returns procedure. I'd recommend them highly. I've got a few things on my wish list for when I next get paid as there are some gorgeous dresses and shoes. It took me a while to whittle it down to this dress as there is seriously so much to choose from! They are primarily a shoe store, but also sell loads of great womenswear and menswear, as well as kids. Take a look for yourselves!

I also wanted to quickly show you some of the things I picked up at the Charity Shops yesterday. I got these three jumpers that I'm not sure whether to keep or sell. I love the cardigan with its cute little buttons, and the pattern of the lilac one. The bottom one is actually mens, but I love the colours and when I held it up against me it seemed to really compliment my skin tone. I'm going to try all these on tonight and see what I think. I love wearing jumpers over blouses with the collar sticking out (you've probably noticed!) so hopefully they will all fit ok. Otherwise, you'll be seeing these on eBay!

Jumpers - Charity Shops

Speaking of eBay, I have lots of things listed at the moment, including Topshop, H&M, Primark and Vintage clothing, so take a look!

PEEPTOES

2012-01-30T23:19:00.000+01:00

Day two of my nine day break and nine days of outfits! Today I dragged Dan charity shopping where I picked up a few jumpers and a couple of other bits, which I'll show you tomorrow. I was going to include them in this post, but the lighting is awful in my room, so I'll take some photos in the morning!

I picked up this jumper in the sale at work for £14. Fuse is a brand I rarely by from because the clothes aren't really my thing, but I thought this was a lovely colour and it looks like it could be from somewhere like Topshop or Urban Outfitters! Also, these boots arrived this morning. I wasn't so sure when I first put them on, but the fact that I was trying them on with my pyjamas didn't really do them justice. I wore them with my faux leather panel leggings, which you've not seen before as they are normally something I wear to work. I was going to wear some skinny jeans that also came in my H&M order, but to my surprise they're too big, so I'll be swapping them at my local store tomorrow.

Blouse - Affleck's Palace, Manchester
Cardigan - Fuse @ Outfit
Camisole (worn underneath) - Dorothy Perkins
Leggings - Topshop
Boots - H&M
Necklace - Wallis
Lips - Fanfare by MAC

Tomorrow we are looking after my little nephew, then going into town in the afternoon to swap my H&M jeans and hopefully get some Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Krispy Kreme opened in Preston recently and I haven't been yet. Seriously disappointed in myself at how long it has taken me to go!

HEAT WAVE

2012-01-29T22:25:00.001+01:00

You may have seen that I now have a week (9 days to be exact!) off work, and off from wearing a black uniform, so to celebrate and make the most of my more colourful clothes I'm going to try and do an outfit post for each of the nine days, starting now! I wore this outfit to go shopping with Dan. We started buying things to put away for a house, so got some pans, cutlery and utensils. That may sound really boring to most of you, but trust me, it's exciting! Next month we're getting plates and bowls, and some baking dishes and trays. Can't wait, haha!

I got this dress in the sale at Topshop. It was £25 down from £50, which is quite a decent price for a dress I think! It's from the tall section but I think they did it in regular size too, and its really good quality. Theres an underskirt to it, and the floral part is really delicate chiffon. I love the high neck, sleeveless shape, and the elasticated waist that cinches you in. I think it will be great in summer too with wedges and a denim gilet.

Jacket - Topshop

Dress - Topshop

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Ring - Topshop

Lips - Heat Wave by Calvin Klein

Didn't realise how much Topshop I was wearing until I wrote where everything was from just then! Also, tried out a lipstick I got in a set for Christmas. I love the colour, but it seems to have made me look deathly pale in my photos. I'm pale anyway, but wow. The ring is something I got at work on payday. I'd bee eyeing it up all week, and it was only £4! I'm really into crosses at the minute, and this is nice and simple and discreet.

In other news, I have put a lot of stuff on eBay tonight. You can find everything HERE. Selling quite a few Vintage pieces, some Topshop stuff and some boots. Go take a look! If you buy anything, message me before you pay and I'll knock £2 off postage for blog followers.

FLORAL FANCY

2012-01-26T22:01:00.001+01:00

Bought this t-shirt a few weeks back in the sales from Topshop. I can't remember how much it was originally but I think I paid around £15 for it. I had been eyeing it up on the website when it was full price but I didn't really need it so always put it off. However seeing it reduced swayed me! I love the black contrasting fabric on the back and the sheer sleeves, and I've always been a fan of baby blue, so this one is a winner! The only thing is, this iss actually a size 16. I'm normally an 8 - 10 in Topshop, but this seemed to be quite a tight fit, which I don't like in t shirts. I love the loose fit now, and it looks great tucked in too. The only thing I'm worried about is the reviews it had on the site. Apparently after a couple of washes it can loose it's shape, but we shall see! Maybe I'll be alright because I got a bigger size!

T-shirt - Topshop

Trousers - H&M

Heels - Primark

Lips - Viva Glam Gaga by MAC

Get paid tomorrow - exciting! I'm buying this playsuit from Miss Selfridge at work as its perfect for all year round! The long sleeves make it suitable for colder weather worn with tights, and it will look oh so cute with gladiator sandals and a denim jacket when summer comes. Also bought this beautiful blouse from H&M. Love the embellished collar. It will look sweet poking out of a chunky jumper, or tucked into some high waist denim shorts.

Have you got your eye on any treats this payday?

HOME INSPIRATION - KITCHEN + DINING ROOM

2012-01-25T23:29:00.001+01:00

This is my second of four Home Inspiration posts where I drool over home wares and interiors that I can't afford when I don't even have a house of my own yet! As you know, Dan and I are hoping to move in together soon, so this is just a way of documenting all the nice things I find, but share them with you at the same time. If you missed the first post on the living room, you can find it here. Now onto the kitchen and dining room!

The kitchen is a tricky one, purely because in a rental property, you get what you see and you can't really change it. I would love one of the above simple white cupboard/granite worktop combos, but sadly that probably won't be the case. I'd like a modern-ish kitchen though. As long as there are no patterned tiles or rickety cupboard doors I'll be able to live with it. However, I'll still make sure it has our own stamp on it. For a colour scheme I'd love the typical blue and white theme, so anything from tea towels and oven gloves to vintage tea cups and saucers in a blue and white theme.

If the dining room were a lead on from the kitchen or in the same room, I'd keep the blue and white theme going, but if not I think I'd just keep it fairly neutral with the odd pop of colour. I love the idea of having a simple chunky wooden dining table, with an assortment of chairs in different colours. This idea would be perfect for furnishing on a budget, as the chairs could be bought on eBay or at charity shops and car boots, then sanded and repainted. I also love the idea of having a book shelf in the room. Don't ask why! I just think it looks nice filled with things other than books like in the top right image. Maybe a display for vintage tea sets mixed in with cookery books?

Again I've put together a selection of items that I'd love to be able to but to create this look. I already have the four tea towels from H&M safely put away from when the time comes!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

Same as last week, all the images in the mood boards were found on Pinterest, and are pinned to my home inspiration board on there if you would like to see the source! I still have invites to Pinterest if anyone would like one. Just let me know your email address and I can send you one if you like! The next Home Inspiration post will be on the bathroom so keep your eyes out for that!

In other news, I am off all next week so I'm thinking of challenging myself to post an outfit every day for 7 days straight. Let me know if you'd like to see that!

GET SHORTY

2012-01-22T17:28:00.004+01:00

A quick post to show you what I'm wearing today! Spent the day at home getting on with more job/house hunting, catching up on blogs and lazing around. Thank god for Comedy Central showing back to back episodes of Friends on a Sunday, otherwise there wouldn't be much else for me to do! I only put my boots on to take the photos as I had a hole in my tights, ha! I don't just walk around the house all day in heels, just to clarify! I adore the shorts I'm wearing. They are so comfy and light, and can be dressed up or down really easily. I think they brighten up this tatty, yet oh-so-cosy jumper that has gone so stretchy I have to roll the sleeves up!

Jumper - George (old!)

Shorts - Motel c/o My Label

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Ring - H&M

Nails - Mushroom by Barry M

Lips - Ohh La La by Topshop

Plans for the rest of the day include scheduling a couple of blog posts, watching Dancing On Ice and having a relaxing bath. Oh how I love Sundays! I can't wait for the next week to go by. Next weekend I get paid, will be seeing friends and starting to buy things for our (non existent, yet) house. Plus I've got a week off work to look forward to!

What are your plans for the week?

A FIERCE FASHIONISTA?...

2012-01-20T22:55:00.001+01:00

A bargain hunter? A trend trailblazer? A comfort lover? A stylish sista? A rock 'n' roll fashion rebel? A shoe addict? Those are the qualities that Sarenza are looking for, as one lucky blogger has the chance to become the next Sarenza Ambassador! Here is my entry!

Introducing one of the most beautiful, versatile shoes I have come across in a long time. Meet Jeri, from 'I Love Shoes' at Sarenza. Jeri is a stunning shoe boot with impressive stats. A 13.5cm heel, a 3.5cm wedge, £58.70 in price, and a colour combination of rust, tan and grey. A great year round shoe with Autumnal tones that will see you right in Summer too.

Pretty amazing, yes? Sadly these won't by gracing my feet anytime soon as the only size left in stock is 6.5! I think their a great alternative to styles such as JC Litas, and more affordable. I could imagine these working well with an array of outfits. Anything from chinos to floaty dresses, and I'd love to clash another colour with them such as jade green or cobalt blue for a twist.

I've styled them up 'a la Sitting Pretty' so you can see what I would wear them with in a Spring/Summer look. The peachy orange dress brings out the colours of the shoes perfectly, and the muted jacket and frilled ankle socks add a girly twist. I'm really into collar/cuff necklaces at the minute, and this gold one ties in well with the shades of the shoes. The belt and the bag pull everything together for a playful yet chic look, perfect for day or night!

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Do the Jeri platforms float your boat? What are your favourite shoes on Sarenza?

HOME INSPIRATION - LIVING ROOM

2012-01-18T22:46:00.000+01:00

As most of you know by now, partly due to the fact that I haven't shut up about it, Dan and I are hoping to move in together in the next few months once I bag myself a job in Manchester. Naturally, I've been spending my spare time looking at interiors in magazines and on the internet to give us some inspiration for decor and furnishings. We will be renting so will be limited as to how we can decorate the walls and floors, so a lot of rugs and wall art will come into play to put our stamp on things. Plus money will be tight to start out so we want to do things as cheaply as possible, without compromising quality. Over the next couple of weeks I'll be doing some inspiration boards using imagery I've found on Pinterest to show you the kind of things we are looking at, starting with the living room.

I love the idea of mixing modern with vintage, and having retro pieces such as old record cabinets and a quirky coffee table, alongside modern, square sofas and armchairs. Whenever I think of how it would look in my head, I imagine a corner sofa around a rectangular coffee table, all laid out perfectly straight and square, but then an organised chaos of mismatched cushions, throws and a huge rug to pull everything together.

I'd also like there to be a mix of modern and retro prints on the soft furnishings, all in a similar accent colour. I'd love to have neutral sofas and chairs, and then cushions in reds and oranges, or lime greens and duck egg blues. It probably sounds completely horrific, but I can picture it all in my head and I can assure you it looks lovely. Let's just hope Dan has similar ideas! I've also put together a little moodboard of items to show you how to achieve this look , and also for my own reference! All the pictures featured in the above images can be found on my Pinterest Home Inspiration board. You can find all the sources on there. (If you would like an invite to Pinterest, let me know. I have 4 to give out!).

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Let me know what you think of this kind of post! I'll be doing these for a couple of weeks, and then I'll be going back to my usual Sitting Pretty Styles feature. Next I'll be doing Kitchen/Dining Room, so keep an eye out for that, and if you have a Pinterest account send me your link!

PORK PIE HAT

2012-01-15T19:01:00.000+01:00

Today has been a lovely day off. Dan and I decided to go out and have a look round the shops as we had nothing better to do. We ended up looking at things for when we move in together, such as pots and pans, kitchen utensils and towels. Sounds so boring, but it made me quite excited about the whole thing! We've decided that when we get paid we will start buying a few bits to put away, so that when it actually does happen we won't have as much to buy. This is what I wore when we went out, plus my trusty Topshop faux leather biker jacket. If you follow me on Twitter, you'll have seen me talking about the Topshop Pork Pie hat. I saw it in work the other day and fell in love. Dan bought it me and now I never want to take it off. Also, my second pair of shoes arrived courtesy of Deichmann! Like I said, originally I chose some other brogues that when they arrived, weren't really me, so these were what I chose to replace them with. These are much more my style. They are these suede effect brogues by Graceland, and I love their masculine shape and stitched detail. I can see these fast becoming regulars in outfit posts!

Jumper - Sainsburys

Blouse - Charity Shop

Cut Off Levi's Shorts - COW Manchester

Tights - Primark

Brogues - c/o Deichmann

Hat - Topshop

Lips - Impassioned by MAC

Again, like the Boots, these are really well made and surprisingly really comfy. I've worn them all day and they haven't rubbed at all, which is great as I normally have to break brogues in first. I'd definitely recommend these, and they're only £17.99 which in my eyes is a bargain for shoes!

BUTTERCUP

2012-01-12T21:25:00.000+01:00

I couldn't decide what to wear this morning, then remembered this blouse I bought before Christmas from Dixi. It was on offer as one of their 'Treat' sets, where the blouse and two lovely rings were £6 for all three. I saw it on their Facebook page and snapped it up pronto! I hadn't tried it on until today, but I'm really happy with the fit. With it being vintage, it was obviously a one off piece on their site, but do take a look at their vintage section as there are so many gorgeous things! I also remembered I had these boots from about two winters ago, so I slipped them on and voila, they worked really well with the rest of the outfit. This has turned out to be one of my favourite outfits I've worn in a while!

Blouse - Dixi

Cardigan - Topshop

Jeans - Topshop via eBay

Boots - Miss Selfridge

Necklace - H&M

Lips - Ooh La La by Topshop

Today has been another day of job hunting and house hunting. I've applied for a few things I'm really interested in along the lines of Social Media/Marketing and working in Fashion Head Offices, but I guess its just a waiting game to see if anything comes up. We've found a few houses too, one of which I've fallen in love with, but I keep trying to tell myself not to get too attached because the chances of it still being available when it comes to actually taking the plunge are really low. I feel like now is the right time to be moving out. It just feels right, so fingers crossed something comes up!

Last night I updated my blog shop with a few things. Let me know if you would like to buy anything!

BOOTS

2012-01-08T15:08:00.000+01:00

A few weeks back I was contacted by Deichmann shoes asking if I'd like to review some shoes. I had done this last year for this pair of Chelsea boots that I still wear now and are still in great condition, so on that basis I jumped at the chance to try out another style. I chose a pair of flat brogues but unfortunately when I've tried them on they're just not 'me' so I'm changing them for an alternative. The second pair I chose was this gorgeous pair of high leg flat boots by the brand 'Janet D'. I had a pair like this a couple of years back but they were really heavy and rubbed the back of my feet, so I sold them. I loved the style of them though and have wanted a replacement, and these are perfect. They haven't hurt my feet at all and are surprisingly light weight meaning they're really easy to wear.

Shirt - Warehouse

Dress - Primark

Tights - Primark

Necklace - Topman

Boots - c/o Deichmann

Lipstick - Show Off by Topshop

This is just one of the ways I've worn them. I've also styled them with over the knee chunky socks and a dress, and worn them for work as my uniform is all black, with leather panel leggings and a chunky knit jumper. This pair also comes in tan, which I was thinking about getting at first, but I think I'll get a lot more wear out of the black. They're great quality, and they're real leather so are really sturdy and well made. I love the buckle detail, and if you struggle with high leg boots being too slim at the top, these are great because they have an elasticated panel at the back. They remind me so much of riding boots, which I like, but I'll have to be careful not to pair them with my Barbour jacket to avoid looking like I'm going to the stables!

Please excuse my hair in todays pictures. I look like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards for some reason! I took some outfit photos on Friday for this post but had to sack it off as a bad job as my hair doesn't seem to be very photogenic at the moment!

What do you think of my boots? Have you ever tried any shoes from Deichmann?

BEST OF 2011 - MY FAVOURITES

2012-01-05T21:57:00.004+01:00

I thought I would do a run down of the products I have loved using throughout the last year. I'm one of those people who finds something they like, then sticks with it, so most of these I've used pretty much all year round. There are a few things I only started using at the back end of 2011, but they were so good I thought it was unfair to not include them! I've bought these with my own money, or had them given to me at Christmas or birthdays, so I'm not being sponsored to big these up in any way. Purely because I love them! Some of these pictures have come out a little odd as they were taken in what was supposed to be daylight but turned out to be dull and rainy.

Batiste Dry Shampoo - An absolute lifesaver of mine. I always have a can of this ready for those 'OMG I don't have time to wash my hair' moments when a lie in is much more appealing than the sound of the hairdryer in the morning. I love all the scents, but my favourite edition of this is the XXL Volume one. It's amazing on fine hair as it makes it look so big!

VO5 Gloss Me Smoothly Shampoo & Conditioner - I've been using this since it came out last year and haven't changed my shampoo since. I love how it leaves my hair soft and shiny without being weighed down. I love the packaging too.

Samy Fat Hair Amplifying Hairspray - This does what it says on the tin. Fat. Hair. This is the strongest hairspray I've ever used, and a little goes a long way. A big can like this lasts me forever. I used to backcomb my hair a little to make it fuller, but with this i dont need to. The only thing is its really sticky and get everywhere, so anything valuable has to be moved out of the way before spraying!
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish - My favourite product of the year by far. I started using it earlier in the year and I think I'm now on my fourth bottle. It's so gentle on my skin and its one of the only cleansers I've used that doesn't break me out. So easy to use and so effective. I think I'll be using this until I grow old!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium - Now onto my third compact of this powder. A really lovely lightweight powder that I use every day to set my base make up. Really silky to apply and leaves a nice finish. The only face powder I will use now!

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light 2 - Raved about all over the blogging community, this is hands down the best concealer I've ever used. It's creamy without being heavy, and blends easily. Best of all I've found a shade that matches my skin perfectly. The only gripe I have with this is that, as you can see, the writing has rubbed off, but I can't complain about the product itself.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat in Shade 1 - I only get this every now and again, usually as a gift from Dan because I can never be bothered to fork out on it myself. It is expensive (Around £20) but it is really good. to make mine last longer I just use this under my eyes and conceal my blemishes with my Collection 2000 one, so I can't really vouch for how it covers up anything other than dark circles. This is what I jump for when my eyes need waking up and bags need covering!

Benefit That Gal Face Primer - Again another product I rarely buy myself, but get given as a gift as I love it. I use this if I need my make up to last, for example when I have a long day at work or a night out. The silky formula blends into the skin leaving a gorgeous, even base to work on, and smells divine!

Natural Collection Tinted Moisturiser in Natural - At the start of 2011 if you told me I would be ditching the foundations and using a tinted moisturiser I would have laughed, but thanks to Liz Earle helping my skin clear up I can now wear this with confidence. This is such a bargain at £1.99 a tube. I love the light coverage and the smooth finish. I feel like I don't have this on my face which is a really nice feeling. I only ever go back to foundations if I'm going on a night out now, which is a massive turning point for me!

Topshop Cream Blush in Neon Rose - I wasn't massively balled over by this when I first bought it, but I took it on holiday to Rhodes and fell in love with it after blending it in lightly with a stippling style brush. It gives a gorgeous pop of colour and a dewy finish, perfect for summer.

No 7 Natural Blush in 22 Candy Pink - I wear this most days now as it's a great daytime colour, and goes really well with the majority of my lipstick colours. I think these retail at around £8, but I used one of the Boots £5 off No 7 vouchers and got this for around £3. The vouchers have started again so I'm hoping to pick up some other shades as the colour pay off is great and it lasts on the cheeks.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose - This was limited edition (if I remember rightly) so I use it very sparingly as it is so beautiful and I don't want to run out! This comes out slightly shimmery and a gorgeous coral shade. It's both a blush and a highlight all in one, and it a great alternative way of creating a dewy finish without a cream product.

Rimmel Extra WOW Lash Mascara in Extreme Black - When it comes to mascara I'm not really too picky as I have naturally long lashes. If I find one I like I just stick with it until I run out then try something new. This has been my mascara of choice lately. It is long lasting, it doesn't crumble or flake on me and gives me a nice amount of thickness to the lashes without being clumpy.

Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in 21 Blonde - This is the colour I use to fill in my eyebrows. I used to use a pencil but found the lines too obvious and I could never find the right colour. This is the perfect match to my brows. I use a Sigma E65 (small angle) to apply it.

MAC Eyeshadows (top) White Frost, Naked Lunch, Satin Taupe (bottom) Vapour, Gleam, Knight Divine - There was no point in talking about these separately as I tend to use them mostly together for a subtle smokey eye. I love the colour pay off of MAC eyeshadows and really want to invest in some more as they last forever! These are my go to shades when I feel like wearing full eye make up.

MAC Lipsticks in (top row) Viva Glam Gaga, Chatterbox, Impassioned. (middle row) Saint Germain, Ravishing, Fanfare. (bottom row) Lady Danger - Again, no point in talking about these individually as they all do pretty much the same thing! MAC lipsticks are my favourites as they feel creamy and nourishing on the lips, and don't dry them out. I love every colour I own and I want to buy so many more! I think I have a slight obsession. Others to include are Please Me (couldn't find it to photograph!) and Hue and Creme Cup which have both run out.

Topshop Lipstick in Ooh La La (bottom, middle) - Such an amazing summery lip colour. A gorgeous bright orange coral that looks great with a dewy face. I wore this to death on holiday!

Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in 31 Cambon - My favourite red lipstick. A velvety true red that is so flattering worn with simple face make up. I turn to this when an outfit needs a pop of colour and I don't want to make too much of an effort with my make up.

Phew, I didn't realise there was so much! I could have included a lot more but decided to be ruthless. Let me know if you've done any posts like these as I love seeing what products people love.

ANGELIC

2012-01-02T22:19:00.005+01:00

Yesterday we celebrated the New Year by going to my sister's house for a buffet and a night of quizzes which was really fun, even if I did get a little too competitive! Just thought I would show you what I wore for the occassion. I spotted this dress in H&M last week, just before I had to dash home with stomach pains when I got ill. My brother gave me a voucher for Christmas and I snapped this up for a measly £10! I'm not sure what the original price was as the tag had been removed, but I'm sure it must have been quite a big reduction. Its a gorgeous shape that the pictures don't do justice. It skims over any lumps and bumps and has floaty angel-like sleeves. I love the cut out detail at the neckline, and you may not be able to see in the pictures but there are tiny beads dotted between the holes in the design. The only problem is how sheer it is, even with a lining. I had to wear a camisole underneath and I only had a black one so it looks a little odd. Really need to invest in a slip, preferably something strapless, to make this look its best.

Dress - H&M

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Ring - JWLRY

Lips - Viva Glam Gaga by MAC

I'm also wearing a new eyeliner I got the other day. It's the new Barry M Wink one in the pink packaging. I've had to practise a million times to apply it as its so different to what I'm used to. I normally use the ones with a bendy foam tip or a fine brush, but this is like a marker pen so feels a bit strange to apply. I loved the finish when I got the hang of it, but when I got home after about 4 hours, it had faded alot and the flicks were almost non existent. I'll give it another try soon and see what happens though. Has anyone else tried it?

A YEAR IN OUTFITS: 2011

2011-12-31T20:23:00.001+01:00

Yes I'm sat here writing this on New Year's Eve and no I'm not out enjoying myself. With us all being ill we didn't really make any plans, so my night will consist of watching Beyonce's I Am Sasha Fierce Tour Blu Ray that landed through my letterbox today, drinking various alcoholic beverages left over from Christmas and generally relaxing. Chinese food has been consumed and my stomach seems to be back to its normal self, thank goodness. You may hate me for saying this, but I think New Year is always a bit overrated. I'd much rather spend it with my family at home than fight my way round a bar or pay through the roof for a meal somewhere. I'm more of a Christmas fan myself! I'm not the only one either. I'm really surprised at the amount of people who are choosing to do the same as me this year and stay home! Anyway, as promised, here is my 'Year in Outfits'. I've not pictured them all, just my favourites from each month. I think its great to do this as you can really see how your style has changed and evolved over time. Spot the few summery days we had, ha!

I'd like to think my style has changed a little in the sense that I seem to be more keen to experiment with colour and print than I used to be, and I don't dress quite as safe as I did. The best thing is, none of these do I look back on and think 'Why did I wear that?'. I genuinely like each and every single one. Its such a shame that a hell of a lot of the stuff has now gone to new homes via eBay and blog sales! If you want to see any of these in more detail, just click the 'Outfits' tag in the 'What?' section of the sidebar and they are all there somewhere!

Let me know if you've done a post like this. I love seeing all the outfits on one page as you get a great sense of that person's style. I'm thinking of doing a '2011 Favourites' post in the next couple of days too so I can show you what my favourite hair, skin and beauty products have been over the year.

For now though I'd like to wish you all a very Happy New Year wherever you are and whatever you are doing, and to finish on a soppy note, thanks to all my followers for sticking with me and for all your lovely comments throughout 2011! N'awww!

WHAT I GOT FOR CHRISTMAS

2011-12-29T19:57:00.000+01:00

I know you've probably already seen loads of posts like this in the last couple of days, but I love reading them so really wanted to do my own too! I did plan to do this on Tuesday, but I came down with a horrible stomach bug that I've only just shook off. Dan and I went out on Tuesday morning to spend our Christmas money and vouchers in the sales, but we ended up having to leave after no more than an hour as I started getting pains in my stomach and felt really dizzy. You know I'm ill when I have to abandon a shopping trip! So basically I've been off work for two days, stuck in bed feeling sorry for myself. I'm still not 100% but I'm going back to work in the morning and hopefully I'll be alright. Anyway, Santa was very kind this year and brought me lots of lovely things. This is the majority of them, bar a few bits and bobs that I got in stockings.

Mulberry Book / Bridesmaids DVD / Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour Blu Ray / Waitrose Chocolates / Sanctuary Gift Set / Louie Spence Autobiography / Calvin Klein Ultimate Lip Collection / Drake - Take Care / MAC Mineralise Skin Finish / YSL Touch Eclat / Benefit That Gal.

Scottie Pyjamas / iPad Cover / Muji Candles / Remington Pearl Hairdryer / Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume / Orla Kiely Perfume / Hollister Boot Socks / Cath Kidston Wash Bag / Sex In The City Perfume / Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser / Kirby's Epic Yarn Wii.

Warehouse Red Lace Shirt / Hollister Cream Cardigan / Topshop Floral Dress.

I was going to include my sale buys in this post but seeing as I only managed to spend £10 I guess it isn't really worth it! I'm hoping to spend the rest of my vouchers tomorrow after work so will try show you what I get in the next few days. Before the year is out I want to do a 'Year In Outfits' posts where I'll post a selection of my favourite things I have worn throughout 2011. Let me know if any of you have done that as I love looking at them!

CHRISTMAS DAY

2011-12-26T20:58:00.001+01:00

Thought I would quickly show you what I wore yesterday! I got this dress from my mum and dad as I'd been eyeing it up for a while. Its really lovely with a sweetheart neckline and criss cross back. I love the fit and the print is perfect all year round. We had Christmas at home this year, but as I said in the last post we tend to get quite dressed up for the occasion! I got some lovely presents and was truly spoilt. I've taken a picture of the majority which I'll be posting in the next couple of days. I got some vouchers that I'm hopefully spending tomorrow, so I'll try and include anything I buy with those in the post too.

Dress - Miss Selfridge

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Necklace - Primark
Lips - Creme Cup by MAC

It has been such a lovely Christmas, but hasn't really felt that festive. Has anyone else felt like that? I don't know whether it was the lack of snow or if I'm just getting older so it isn't as magical. It has still been a really nice couple of days though, and I still have one more day off which is a bonus! I hope you have all had a great Christmas. Let me know what you got up to and what Santa brought!

SITTING PRETTY STYLES: CHRISTMAS DAY

2011-12-23T21:42:00.000+01:00

I know, I know, I haven't been posting enough lately but I am working full time hours lately and my day off was spent Christmas shopping so I've barely had chance to just sit down and take a minute to breathe! I'm all ready for Christmas now though. My day off yesterday was spent running round the shops like a headless chicken to get all the presents I had left on my shopping list. I must have done some serious shopping as I managed to pull a muscle in my arm and my stomach, so I've felt a bit like a cripple all day at work today! It was worth it though, as everything is now wrapped and ready to go. I love finishing my shopping at Christmas. It feels like such a big weight off my shoulders! Anyway, I know I missed this last week, so I've made an effort to sit down for a little while and get this done while I remember. I really enjoy doing these styling posts so I'm trying really hard to keep it up! This week, for something a little different, I've decided to do a Christmas Day themed post. I know a lot of people who spend the day in their pjs, and I don't blame them. Personally though, I like to dress up a bit as Christmas is a pretty big occasion in my family. I've created two looks, one for a day at home with the family, and another that could be worn if you were to go out for Christmas dinner. I'll be staying at home this year as its my mum's turn to cook, but I'll no doubt be dressing up to the nines!

CHRISTMAS DAY - CASUAL

For Christmas at home, comfort is key for me. In past years I've worn skyscraper heels that I got as presents as I couldn't wait to wear them, but my feet always end up hurting and to be honest there isn't much point, so I'll be going for flats this year, or my trusty Allegras. These burgundy skinny jeans are that little bit different and worn with a silky loose fit blouse will look gorgeous. I'd then throw on a chunky knit cardigan to keep me cosy and slip on some oh so festive Christmas socks with some cute brogues. At home I wouldn't overdo accessories. Just a long layered necklace would be enough.

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CHRISTMAS DAY - FORMAL

For a dressier Christmas Day outfit, I'd typically wear a pretty floral dress, but jazz it up with jewellery such as a statement chunky necklace and a gorgeous bracelet. I'd wear a leather jacket or maybe even a blazer if I was to go somewhere smart (I never do go anywhere smart, lol.) I'd black opaque tights and some shoes boots also in black, and carry a satchel style cross body bag too. I only ever spend Christmas day at family's houses, so this is the kind of thing I would wear if I was going to my brothers or sisters for the day. When we're having Christmas day at home like this year, I'd wear something more casual like the first look!

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What are you planning on wearing for Christmas? Do you like to dress up for the occasion?

ENGLISH MUSTARD

2011-12-18T20:46:00.000+01:00

As if its only a week until Christmas! This month is flying by and I am nowhere near ready for it. I took my mum Christmas shopping today so that she could finish getting presents, but I had no money so couldn't get any of mine done. I'm about half way there, but don't get paid until Thursday so mine is going to be at the very last minute! I know a lot of people hate Christmas shopping, but its one of my favourite parts of the season. I'm one of those people that has it all planned out and knows exactly what to get and where to get it, so I don't find it stressful at all. Then I love coming home and wrapping everything and making it look pretty with ribbon. Sad I know. I happily sat at the table with my mum for two hours today wrapping all hers! This is what I wore to go out in, only I took one step outside and had to go back and change my shoes. Since when did it get so icy?!

Jumper- H&M

Dress -Miss Selfridge

Jacket - Topshop

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Necklace - Primark

Lips - Ohh La La by Topshop

Nails - Barry M Bright Red & Barry M Red Glitter

I was hoping there might be a good Christmas film on tonight, but no such luck. I watched Elf (and judging by Twitter, so did the rest of the UK) last week for the very first time and have wanted to watch it again ever since. I think I'm going to hunt it down on my shopping trip next week to watch on Christmas Eve!

How are you all getting on with your shopping? What are your plans for the week up to Christmas?!

TATTY BOOTS

2011-12-15T20:30:00.000+01:00

Today has been another lovely day off, spent looking after my nephew as usual and generally doing nothing. I always like to make an effort with my outfits on my days off, even if I'm just staying in the house. I often get comments saying 'You're so dressed up for a lazy day', but I wear black all week at work, so I feel like I need to make the most of my wardrobe when I'm not in my uniform. Besides, I don't think this is dressed up that much, nor are many other of the outfits I've worn on my days off, but I can see where people are coming from. I do spend time lounging about in joggers and a hoody, but you don't get to see that, ha!

Faux Fur Collar - H&M

Blouse - Charity Shop

Cardigan - Topshop

Shorts - Vintage Levis from COW Manchester

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Necklace - Topman

Lips - Fanfare by MAC

I didn't realise how tatty my boots were until I took these photos. I got them last winter and they have lasted so well. Being real leather they seem to wear really nicely. I kind of like the roughed up look. It makes them look a bit more interesting and individual. They are one of my favourite pairs of shoes I own!

MANCHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKETS

2011-12-11T21:26:00.001+01:00

Today, Dan and I spent the afternoon in Manchester mooching round the Christmas markets. I've never been before and planned to go last year, but the snow stopped us. It was so lovely to be in the hustle and bustle and get into the Christmas spirit. We didn't stay too late, just as it started to get dark, but it was just enough time to get a sausage sandwich and hot chocolate and see most of the stalls. I just wish I'd had some more money as I saw so many lovely things to buy, not just for me but for gifts too. I took lots of pictures, so I will leave you with those rather than babble on!

Hat - Primark

Fur Collar - H&M

Jacket - Topshop

Jumper (just seen) - H&M

Blouse (just seen) - Oasis

Mittens - Oasis

Bag - H&M

As you can see, oh so Christmassy! If you haven't been before I'd definitely recommend going for a day out, or even an evening after work as the atmosphere is great. They're open daily, some until 7, others until 9 and finish on the 21st of December. I would have stayed a couple of hours longer but my feet were so tired and the hot chocolate sent me a little sleepy!

Have you been to this year's markets? What did you think?

KNITS ON KNITS

2011-12-08T21:16:00.001+01:00

Today has been lazy and relaxing, which has been a lovely break from work. I'm working longer shifts in the run up to Christmas and it has been a shock to the system after doing short ones for the past few months. I spent the day looking after my little nephew, baking scones and generally stuffing my face and doing not a lot at all. This is what I wore today to stay cosy. I threw the boots on for the photo when I was planning on going out to get a few things, but after seeing the weather I kicked them back off and stayed indoors. In hindsight after looking at these photos I think I would rather wear some beige brogue style ankle boots I have, but oh well!

Jumper - TU at Sainsburys

Skirt - COW Vintage Manchester

Scarf - George at Asda

Tights - Primark

Boots - H&M

Lips - MAC Chatterbox

Nails - Barry M Raspberry & Rimmel Disco Ball

Again, sorry for the rubbish lighting. I took these at around 2.30 this afternoon and it was so gloomy that I had to put the light on. I'll try earlier next time, I promise! Plans for tonight include mostly watching Friends and Glee and curling up with a hot drink of some description. I love being tucked up all cosy inside when the weather is horrible outside. Makes me feel a little smug, ha!

What have you all been up to today?

SITTING PRETTY STYLES: THE FAUX FUR JACKET

2011-12-07T21:48:00.001+01:00

This week's Sitting Pretty Styles is based on the classic winter staple, the faux fur coat. I wanted to use a block coloured fur in a neutral shade, but couldn't find one in stock that I liked, so went for the gorgeous leopard print one in the looks. I always try to chose things that I would wear myself so that I keep these true to my own style and the blog, and I would definitely wear this coat. I spotted a similar one in Tesco a couple of months back and fell in love with it but couldn't afford it at the time. Kicking myself for not just getting it!

THE FAUX FUR JACKET - CASUAL LOOK

For a casual look I would pair this coat with pretty much anything. It would look oh so cute with a little dress and tights with ankle boots, but I think it would look best teamed with skinny fit jeans and a slouchy jumper. I'd turn up the hems on the jeans and add on some little lace ankle socks with some lace up brogues, fastened all the way up. I'd add on a floppy hat for effortless chic and paint my nails in some gorgeous wintery shades. For when it gets chilly I'd add on some leather gloves with a knit trim to tie in with the jumper. I'd also wear a simple long necklace and carry an oversized bag in a similar shade to the shoes.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

THE FAUX FUR JACKET - FORMAL LOOK

For evening I would throw this over a simple black skater dress. I'd stick to something simple as the print is so bold on the coat, so this little sparkly Topshop number is perfect. I'd team it with some chunky ankle boots and a satchel style bag. For accessories I would cinch in the waist with a gold skinny belt, and wear a statement necklace and cuff also in gold. For finishing touches I'd add a splash of colour with a pillar box red lipstick and festive coloured nails.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

What do you think? Now that I've done this post I reaaaaallllyyy want that coat! I don't have a faux fur coat and could really do with one now that the weather is so cold. What do you wear yours with? I've got a day off from work tomorrow so will try get an outfit post up if I get chance/ remember to take pictures before it gets dark. Can't believe Wednesday is nearly over already. This week is flying by! I'm off to the Manchester Christmas markets on Sunday with Dan. I've never been before and I'm so excited! We did plan to go last Christmas but it snowed heavily so we didn't bother. Fingers crossed it stays away for the weekend!

DISCO BALL

2011-12-04T18:57:00.001+01:00

Last night was our work Christmas do, so I thought I would show you what I wore for it. I did originally want to wear a sequin covered t shirt I got in a Charity shop, but it only looked right with jeans, and I didn't want to wear them so that has been put aside for another day over the festive season. Instead I picked up this pink lace skater dress in the Topshop sale at work. It was £20 and my staff discount took that down to £15, so definitely a bargain in my eyes considering it was £48 originally. Also thought this would be a good excuse to properly show off my new haircut! These photos were taken last night, hence the shadows and garish lighting. I'd much rather take outfit photos in natural light during the day, but really wanted to show you this as I've not done an outfit post in a little while.

Dress - Topshop

Belt - Primark

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Clutch Bag - Primark

Rings - H&M , JWLRY

Lips - Viva Glam Gaga by MAC

Nails - Rimmel Black Cab & Disco Ball

We started the night at an Italian restaurant then went out afterwards for lots of dancing and antics. Had such a good night but have suffered today. McDonalds breakfasts are lifesavers! I'm spending the rest of evening eating take out noodles, watching X Factor and then gazing in awe at Beyonce on ITV later!

Have you had any Christmas nights out yet?

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE

2011-12-01T20:36:00.001+01:00

I know, I know, I'm such a child for putting my tree up so early, but I do it on the 1st December every year and I'm not about to change that anytime soon! My tree always coordinates in with my room n the vintage-esque style, and features lots of red and white. I like to think of it as a 'country cottage' type theme. If you haven't seen my room you can see what it looks like in my Room Tour. Most of the decorations have been collected over the last couple of years since redecorating, but I also picked up a few from Tesco last week on 3 for 2. I'd recommend checking out the supermarkets as they have some gorgeous things in at great prices. A lot of the stuff on my tree was from John Lewis last year, and although its all lovely stuff, I wish I'd gone elsewhere for something cheaper!

Christmas Tree - Argos (years ago!)

Lights - Can't remember! Possibly Asda too.

Star, beading & silver baubles - Asda

Candy canes - Homsense

Reindeer - Sainsburys

Other Decorations - John Lewis, Tesco

Advent Calendars - Sainsburys

Also, slightly off topic, today I had my hair cut. Its a little shorter than I usually have it cut, but I still love it and it looks so much healthier. I've had a lot more layers cut into it and a shorter fringe. I love having a bob back. You'll probably notice me wearing more collared shirts and blouse as I love wearing them with a shorter cut.

Blouse - Charity Shop

Dress - Primark

Have you got your decorations up yet? What colours will you be decorating your tree?

SITTING PRETTY STYLES: SEQUINS

2011-11-30T21:45:00.001+01:00

The party season is upon us, and with my works Christmas do looming this Saturday there is talk of all things sparkly in the world of fashion. I've decided to base tonights feature on sequins as they can be a tricky one to style. Over dress them and you run the risk of looking like you're wrapped in tin foil. Let's just leave the turkeys to that, shall we?! Rather than the usual one garment, two looks, I've done two completely different outfits altogether, purely because I didn't come across anything I thought could be taken from day to night.

SEQUINS - CASUAL LOOK

For the first look, I've chosen a simple black jumper with sequin detail as I think it's a really night, delicate way to incorporate sequins into your outfit. This would go great with some indigo skinny jeans and a leather waistcoat. It would also look fab with some heels, but I wanted to keep this really casual so I've gone for some Converse style trainers in an amazing metallic gold finish. I'd accessorise with a sequin beanie for a little more sparkle, and some fur cuffed gloves. I'd keep jewellery fairly simple, a long silver chain and a simple watch is enough, but I'd make a statement with the nails with some metallic shades. The bag is a simple black oversized one, as to not over complicate things, but if you wanted an extra splash of bling, go for a rhinestone covered phone case to complete the look.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

SEQUINS - FORMAL LOOK

For a night out, the sequins can be multiplied, but still need to be styled well to really look their best. They can be so overly done and I've seen so many victims of sequin overload. In the evening, my general rule is the more sequins, the less accessories. I've chosen this absolutely gorgeous dress, which is pretty much covered in sequins, so with this I'd wear a simple leather biker jacket, oversize clutch and platform shoe boots in plain black. The only other accessories I'd add would be a cocktail ring and some cute little lace ankle socks to soften the shoes. If you didn't want to go bare legged, swap the socks for some black opaque tights and you will still look just as good! I'd also keep make up simple. A fresh face, a slick of mascara and a sweep of plum lipstick is enough. Then I'd add some nail polish in a matching colour.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

What do you think? Will you be donning the sequins this party season? What will you be wearing for all your Christmas parties?
I've got a day off tomorrow so I'll be getting my hair cut then putting my Christmas tree up! Super excited that its December tomorrow. Advent calendars at the ready!

CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

2011-11-27T00:07:00.001+01:00

I can't believe that it is December in a matter of days! Crazy how time has flown by this year isn't it? I'll be spreading Christmas cheer and putting my tree up in my room on Thursday! I've decided to do something a little different and compile a wish list, or what I would put on my list to Santa (I've been an awful good girl!), some of which I have asked for, others I can only dream (Michael Kors watch, drool). I just thought it would be nice to see some things other than clothes and something a bit more personal.

1.Topshop Speckle T Shirt Midi Dress

2. Louie Spence: Still Got It, Never Lost It Book

3. Urban Outfitters Owl Cushion

4. Orla Kiely Eau De Parfum

5. Warehouse Dark Green Lace Bodice Dress

6. Lomography Dreamer Diana F+ Camera

7. Designed By Miss Selfridge Ethereal Printed Maxi Skirt

8. John Lewis London Souvenir Cushion

9. Miss Selfridge Lattice Back Floral Dress

10. MAC Vegas Volt Lipstick

11. Michael Kors Rose Gold-plated Stainless Steel Watch

12. Remington 2200w Stylist Turbo 2200 Hairdryer

13. H&M Shoes

14. Mulberry Book

15. Kurt Geiger Valerie Boots

What's on all your Christmas wish lists? Let me know if you do a post like this, I'd love to see what you're all asking Santa for! I'm off to bed feeling sorry for myself now. If there's one thing I hate about Winter its getting a cold!

TALK THAT TALK

2011-11-24T20:29:00.001+01:00

Just a few photo booth pictures for you today I'm afraid. I did plan on doing a full blown outfit post, but I spent the day looking after my nephew so didn't wear anything worth taking proper pictures of. Not really anything else to report, other than look what dropped through my letter box! The lovely Georgia over at Cheap Frills kindly sent me one of the cat rings I blogged about here. It is so adorable and a great statement ring without being too flashy or in your face. I'm wearing a gorgeous chunky jumper I got from Sainsburys a few weeks back. It was £18 which I think is reasonable for knitwear, and is perfect for keeping cosy on lazy days like today.

Jumper - TU at Sainsburys

Blouse - H&M

Ring - c/o Cheap Frills

I don't know what to do with myself tonight as there is no Glee or Celebrity Juice to watch, so I'll probably end up being even more lazy and going to bed! I've got some better posts lined up over the next week or so to make up for this awful attempt, but I promised I'd blog, so keep your eyes out for those. There will be a Christmas Wish List, outfits, another Sitting Pretty Styles post and a week today I'll be putting my Christmas tree up so you will see that too!

SITTING PRETTY STYLES: PRINTED LEGGINGS

2011-11-23T23:10:00.001+01:00

This week I put a message out on Twitter to see if anyone had any requests for this instalment of Sitting Pretty Styles, and Jessica got back to me with the idea of printed leggings. I personally don't wear them because I am conscious of my legs (short, knobbly knees etc) and don't feel that a lot of pattern on the leg area would do me any favours at all, but I've seen so many people overdress them out and about, that I felt it would be cool to put my spin on them. You know the drill by now I'm sure. Two looks, one casual, one formal with the same item.

PRINTED LEGGINGS - CASUAL

For this casual look I've teamed the leggings with a slouchy fine knit jumper in a similar shade from the print for a relaxed look. I'd generally always go for something slightly longer when wearing leggings as they can sometimes go a little see through and show off the underwear as I'm sure we've all seen before somewhere! I'd rather cover up a bit more just to be on the safe side, but thats personal preference. Then I added some smarter Chelsea boots for a contrast. I'd then add on a wool coat in a dark grey or black, and wear chunky accessories in a bright stand out colour like the orange I've chosen here. For a bag, I'd go for something big and casual in black to tie everything together.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

PRINTED LEGGINGS - FORMAL

For a formal look, I'd go for a classy monochrome look against the leggings, regardless of their colour or print. I think black and white just make everything look so much more sophisticated and chic. I'd wear a silky white vest top, again in a longer length, with a black boyfriend style blazer over the top. I'd then layer on some thin, long chains and carry a glitter clutch for a touch of sparkle. I'd also wear a simple silver bracelet and statement ring, then really go wild with the shoes. I love the Topshop numbers I've chosen here. The black and glitter pulls everything together with the right amount of fun and class. I'd add a pop of colour on the lips and paint the nails in a muted tone.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

What do you think of my choices, yay or nay? Let me know how you all wear your printed leggings. Its definitely a challenging one to style so I'd love to know what you team yours with. Please let me know if there's an item you'd like me to style for next week! I'm off to bed now and then off tomorrow (YESSS!) so will try get an outfit post up for you at some point.

Hope you're all having a lovely week!

SITTING PRETTY LOVES: CHEAP FRILLS

2011-11-20T19:33:00.001+01:00

You all know how much I love my vintage-esque jewellery, so when the lovely Georgia emailed me to tell me all about Cheap Frills I was immediately on board as the pieces are (cue Cheryl Cole accent) right up my street! Cheap Frills is a Brighton based jewellery company selling gorgeous vintage inspired designs from pretty little rings to statement pendants, and every piece is hand made. I've chosen a few of my favourite things from the Cheap Frills store to show you. I could have chosen a lot more, believe me! These are just the things that stood out to me the most and I could see myself wearing.

Clockwise from top left:

Lost At Sea Necklace - £12.00

Gold Ribbon Bow Necklace - £10.00

Cat Ears Ring - £6.00

Bird & Pearl Necklace - £8.00

How amazingly cute are the cat ear rings? They are by far my favourite thing in the store. You all know how obsessed I am with rings and these would definitely fit nicely in my (unnecessarily large) ring collection. I think I like the vintage brass and silver versions personally. I tend to go through phases of liking gold or silver, and although I love both I seem to be sterring more towards silver at the minute. Do any of you do that or is it just me?!

Cheap Frills also have a Facebook page and a Twitter, so be sure to follow for regular updates, offers and discount codes! Let me know if you buy anything. I'd love to know what you choose!

That's all from me tonight. Hope you've all had a lovely weekend!

GOT TO BE YOU

2011-11-18T20:29:00.001+01:00

Just a quick post before I go and chill in front of the sofa and watch Children In Need! I love Children in Need night. The show is always so good and all for an amazing cause. I watched the Children in Need Rocks Manchester last night which was amazing and did my bit with a donation.

Anyway, today I had a day off work and went out for lunch with my mum and sister for a yummy Italian meal and a spot of shopping. Then I spent the afternoon moving my room round (again) and cleaning up! Days off go way too fast, but only one day in work then I have another one! This is what I wore to go out for lunch today. I've had the blouse for a few months now but with it being so in your face I tend not to wear it too much. I think the whole outfit toned it down just the right amount. I also threw on my H&M faux fur collar to keep me snug whilst we were out and about.

Blouse - Vintage via eBay

Cardigan - Topshop

Jeans - Topshop via eBay

Shoes - Primark

Lips - Chatterbox by MAC

Nails - Mod-ern Girl by OPI

What are all your plans for the weekend? After work tomorrow Dan and I are getting a Chinese and watching X Factor, then on Sunday I have a lazy day planned, followed by tea out with friends. Can't believe how fast the days are flying by at the minute. Christmas is just round the corner! Exciting!

SITTING PRETTY STYLES: THE BARBOUR JACKET

2011-11-17T21:48:00.001+01:00

Evening all! This week I've decided to base the Sitting Pretty Styles feature around the Barbour jacket I got for my birthday back in September. Since I got it a few people have said they would be interested in seeing how I'd style it. I haven't really had the chance to feature it in an outfit post yet, so I thought this would be the next best thing. Rather than doing a casual and a formal look (I wouldn't personally wear a Barbour jacket on a night out or to a meal, but each to their own!) I've done an every day look, then more of a relaxed outfit to put it more to its use.

THE BARBOUR JACKET - LOOK ONE

This outfit is more of a traditional way to wear the Barbour jacket, think countryside walks, camping and rainy days but done in style! Not a lilac cagoule or hiking boots in sight! I'd wear some skinny fit jeans tucked into leggings, teamed with a chunky jumper over a longline camisole or vest. I'd then accessorise with a faux fur hat, sheepskin mittens and a vintage style scarf. I'd also carry a chunky brown bag!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

THE BARBOUR JACKET - LOOK TWO

For the second look I've come up with a more relevant way of wearing the Barbour. It now seems to be bought more for the fashion element that the practicality, so this version shows how to wear it in a more style focused outfit. This is how I tend to wear mine too! I usually go for a pretty vintage inspired dress over some thick tights teamed with boots. I'd also snuggle up with some chinky knitted accessories such as a hat and long scarf, and carry a satchel style bag in a complementing colour. To finish off I'd add a splash more colour with a bright lipstick.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Well? What do you think?! Let me know how you're all wearing your quilted jackets this winter. I'd love to hear how you style them!

FANFARE

2011-11-13T21:10:00.001+01:00

Phew, this weekend has been a hectic one! I had to work yesterday, got out late, drove home in circles round Preston because of diversions everywhere, straight back out for tea with the family, then over to my brother's house in Blackburn today for my nephew's birthday! Thinking a nice chilled bath is in order tonight, then back to work tomorrow. I barely have time to think lately!

This is what I wore today. I haven't worn this skirt in a while and to be honest I'd completely forgotten about it! I got in a vintage store in London, i think it was Absolute Vintage in Shoreditch but I went in that many I can't be too sure. When I first got it I loved teaming it with my leather jacket to toughen it up a little!

Jacket - Topshop

Blouse - H&M

Skirt - Vintage

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Necklace - Topman

Rings -H&M, JWLRY & c/o In Pink

Lips - Fanfare by MAC

Nails - Black Cherries by Rimmel

I'm off to watch X Factor now as always. I'm think Janet and Kitty bottom two tonight! Before I go, thought you might like to see this little chap again as he's not been on here in a while. Say hi Toby! He is in desperate need of a haircut, I know!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Let me know what you got up to!

SITTING PRETTY STYLES: THE FAUX FUR COLLAR

2011-11-10T22:14:00.001+01:00

Since I bought my H&M faux fur collar, I've had tons of compliments on it and people asking everything from where it's from to what to wear it with. Hence why I've decided to feature it in this week's post. The one in the outfits is the same as mine, only a lighter colour fur. I know it's available in a few shades online, but I'm not too sure about in stores. This was a fun one to do as being an accessory there is more room to experiment rather than if the item were a dress or coat ( speaking of which, I'm thinking of using a Barbour Jacket in this post next week - thoughts?). As usual, there are two looks, one casual, one formal, so here goes!

THE FAUX FUR COLLAR - CASUAL

Teamed with a vintage inspired dress and tweed jacket, the fur stole would look gorgeous left open similar to a scarf. I'd wear opaque tights and flat brogues in a shade taken from the dress, and carry a bag in a contrasting colour for a fun twist. Finishing touches would include fingerless gloves and a retro gold watch.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

THE FAUX FUR COLLAR - FORMAL

For evening, I'd wear a bold, eye-catching dress in one simple block colour, teamed with black for a classic sixties feel. A lightweight blazer jacket, opaque tights and chunky ankle boots bring this look up to date, whilst the fur and gold jewellery keep it sophisticated. I'd paint my nails in gold and black for a modern twist, and carry a mock crock doctors bag.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 & 8 | 9

Have any of you got hold of the H&M faux fur collar? I wouldn't be surprised if it sells out everywhere and fast! Its such a great piece for winter.

What do you think of the two looks? Which is your favourite?

REMEMBER, REMEMBER

2011-11-09T12:03:00.000+01:00

Sorry I've been a little quiet lately. I'm working six days in a row this way so barely have time to think, let alone blog! Just a quick post today to let you know who has won the Love Giveaway, and to show you what I got up to on Bonfire Night. Its not overly exciting, but I like the pictures so I thought I would share them with you. Basically, having two dogs means Bonfire Night is never amazing for me. We can't have fireworks ourselves as the dogs are scared stiff and bark and cry all night. For the same reason we can't go out and leave them either, so we decided to stay in. Dan picked up some sparklers and toffee apples though so the evening wasn't a complete bore!

Now that Bonfire Night has been I gone, I feel like I can start looking forward to Christmas and get stuck into the present buying. I hate parting with my hard earned cash at this time of year but there is something about Christmas shopping that I love. It won't be long now until the tree goes up in my room! Exciting stuff.

Onto the giveaway winner. I completely forgot to announce this on Monday night as I got too caught up in Junior Apprentice, so apologies that this is a little late. I've chosen a winner at random using Random.org.

The winner of a Love dress of their choice is.....

KRIS BEAUTY

Congratulations! I will be emailing you shortly!

That's it from me today. I'll hopefully be back tomorrow evening with a 'Sitting Pretty Styles' post. If you have any suggestions for an item of clothing you'd like me to style, please leave a comment below and I will see what I can do!

How was your weekend? What did you get up to for Bonfire night?

RAVISHING

2011-11-04T23:21:00.001+01:00

I'm not talking about myself or being big headed in the post title. It is simply the name of my lipstick! I got Ravishing by MAC when I went to Manchester at the beginning of the week. Yes I'm back! Sorry I haven't posted sooner. I have been so tired these past couple days so wanted to spend them relaxing before I go back to work tomorrow (boo). This lipstick caused a bit of a drama whilst we were there. Dan bought it me as a treat in Selfridges in the City Centre, but when we got back to our hotel room it wasn't to be seen. I must have dropped the (teeny weeny) Selfridges bag somewhere between leaving the store and walking to the station. We went to quite a few places in between ( Krispy Kreme, Zara, Paperchase, COW) so it could literally be anywhere. Somebody somewhere has a nice new MAC lipstick for free that should have been mine! Anyway, we took a trip to the Trafford Centre on our way back to Preston, and Dan was lovely and bought me a replacement. Needless to say I held on to this one for dear life whilst walking round the other shops. Anyway, this is what I wore today. The shorts are also a purchase from Manchester for a tiny £4 - bargain!

Blouse - Charity Shop

Vintage Shorts - COW Manchester

Tights - Primark

Boots - Topshop

Ring - Topshop (I think!)

Necklace - Ever Ours

Nails - Mod-ern Girl by OPI

Lips - Ravishing by MAC

Also today I did a spot of baking. Here's some sneaky snaps of what I made. I found both the recipes on the Waitrose website. They are white chocolate chip cookies and toffee ginger cakes. They were both fairly simple to make, apart from the icing for the cakes. I attempted to make it twice but it didn't turn out quite right in either try, but it still tasted right! They are both really nice, especially the cookies!

What are your plans for the weekend? I'll be working most of mine!

Oh, and don't forget you can still enter the LOVE giveaway here!

SITTING PRETTY LOVES: WADDLETOTS

2011-11-02T09:00:00.000+01:00

Often when I get emails asking if I would like to write about something, I dismiss them fairly quickly as it is usually something I'm not interested in and wouldn't particularly fit in with my blog, but when I got an email about Waddletots dolls, it really stood out to me as something quirky and relevant.

"Waddletots are a stunning collection of dolls created by artist and designer Emma Waddleton. Emma's life-long love of fashion, textiles and interiors, coupled with an exceptional talent for design and an obsession with vintage style, is reflected in each doll's beautifully expressive hand-painted face and individually designed outfit, peppered with eco-kindness. Rare vintage textiles, accessories and trims are carefully sourced and hand picked by Emma, adding to the Waddletots' swagger and charm, culminating in a unique and precious dolly sporting its own distinctive woven label."

Sounds cute right? Well take a look at the dolls themselves!

Left - Pearl

Right - Suki

There are twelve dolls to choose from on the website at the moment, some male, some female, but all equally stunning and beautifully made. The detail that is put into these is amazing. Especially the hand painted facial features and the detail added to the fabric.

I think these would make amazing special Christmas presents for someone who loves all things vintage.

Let me know which is your favourite!

A LOVE GIVEAWAY

2011-10-31T19:00:00.000+01:00

This is a scheduled post as I am currently in Manchester, probably out having a yummy meal right now with the boy! As promised I have a fabulous giveaway for you all. The lovely people at LOVE are very kindly offering one lucky reader a dress of their choice from the LOVE website. Before I get down to the nitty gritty I thought I'd show you some of my favourite pieces from the current collection to whet your fashion appetites!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

I'm loving the wrap over styles and loose fitting dreamy shapes that LOVE have in at the moment. My favourite has to be the navy blue long sleeved dress (3). It's perfect for dressing up with a statement gold necklace and heels, but could be dressed down with tights and chunky boots too. Oh so versatile!

Ok, so down to the good stuff! To be in with a chance of winning a dress from LOVE, you will need to do the following:

1. Follow my blog - either via GFC or Bloglovin' (or both!)

2. Like the In LOVE with fashion Facebook page.

3. Like the Sitting Pretty Facebook page.

4. Leave a comment on this post to let me know you have done the above, and leave your name and email address so I can get in touch if you win!

The competition will be open for one week, and will end on Monday November 7th at midnight.

Good luck everyone!

MY MIND IS A WARRIOR

2011-10-30T21:53:00.000+01:00

Today has been so lovely and chilled, for a change! This week has just been manic what with work and generally being a busy bee! I spent most of the day watching Friends back to back on Comedy Central, then had tea out with friends which was lovely. Tomorrow I'm off to Manchester to spend a few days with Dan in a hotel near where he lives to get some Christmas shopping done and just spend some time together. I'm so excited to see him and get away, but it means I won't be here to blog, so I'll be scheduling a couple of posts, including a giveaway, so keep an eye out for those! This is what I wore for my lazy day today.

Cardigan - H&M

Fur Collar - H&M

Dress - Primark (really old!)

Tights - Primark

Necklace - Topman

Rings - JWLRY

Loafers - New Look

Lips - Ohh La La by Topshop

I love this dress so much, though I hardly wear it. It was on my eBay pile the other week, but I just couldn't do it. It had to stay! It's such a funny shape though, hence why I look slightly pregnant in the photos. I can assure you I am not!

FAUX FUR

2011-10-28T17:54:00.001+02:00

I did plan on taking proper outfit photos today, but I've had such a busy week that I just couldn't be bothered to set up the tripod, so Photobooth it is! Its my day off today, and apart from a little trip to the shops this morning, I'm trying to chill out as much as possible. Nothing much to report, other than another H&M order arrived today. I got another pair of faux leather shorts, but a slightly longer, higher waisted shape, a faux leather skirt and a jumper. Also got the ring and faux fur collar in the pictures.

Fur Collar - H&M

Faux Leather Jacket (Just Seen) - Topshop

Ring - H&M

Lips - Impassioned by MAC

I'll be back at some point with an actual outfit post before I go away on Monday afternoon to make up for this half hearted attempt!

Hope you're all well and have a lovely weekend!

PS. I have a couple of blazers still for sale on eBay. They end Sunday night!

SITTING PRETTY STYLES: HALLOWEEN

2011-10-28T00:10:00.000+02:00

This week I've decided to add a twist to my Sitting Pretty Styles feature and dedicate it to Halloween. Can't believe how fast it has come round this year - crazy! I'll be away in Manchester with the boy for a relaxing few days, so won't be dressing up this year, so I thought I'd come up with some outfit ideas on here. I'm not going all out scary here. Just simple outfits with a slightly spooky nod to the night! Rather than doing a day and night look, I'm just going to do two completely different outfits with different items.

HALLOWEEN: LOOK ONE

Think glamour puss, literally! For a sultry, sleek catwoman-esque look, I've chosen some leather look leggings and teamed them with a gorgeous lace top worn over a bandeau bra. To add some feline fun, wear a gorgeous cat mask like the one below rather than ears for a more grown up feel, and accessorise with leopard print faux fur and a clutch. I've put a statement gold cuff and simple black heels with the outfit to finish it off.

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HALLOWEEN: LOOK TWO

A take on the skeleton, but oh so sophisticated! I've started off with some quirky skeleton tights and teamed them with a girly dress for a clash. I've added a gorgeous over the shoulder necklace for a gothic feel and for shoes I've chosen some chunky boots for a touch of grunge. A box clutch and armour ring add to the clash of girly and grunge, plus alternating nails in shades of red replace the fake blood and face paint to keep this Halloween look grown up and glamourous!

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What do you think? Another way to add a simple spooky detail is with make up and contact lenses. A deep red on the lips is perfect for a vampire look, or a bright red for a devil. Smokey eyes are perfect for Halloween. Think blacks and greys smudged out and emphasised with black winged liner and false lashes. As for the yes themselves, why not opt for coloured lens from contact lenses so you can change your eye colour completely!

What will you be dressing up as this year? Have you any fancy dress tips?

COME AWAY WITH ME

2011-10-23T20:59:00.000+02:00

Been an odd weekend for me in all honesty. I had to work yesterday, and felt really ill when I got home with a migraine. Dan came for the night, but the day was a bit depressing as I knew he was leaving this evening and I won't be seeing him for over a week now. I know it might not sound like a long time, but we generally don't go more than 3 or 4 days without seeing each other, so it feels a bit strange. I've got something to look forward to though, as a week tomorrow I'm going to stay with him in a nice hotel near Manchester to get some Christmas shopping done, so I guess its not all that bad! This is what I wore today. Nothing amazing, just a blouse I picked up in a charity shop the other day for £1.50. I wouldn't normally have bought something from George in a charity shop, but I thought it was lovely and it looks more like a vintage blouse than one from a supermarket!

Cardigan - H&M

Blouse - George via Charity Shop

Shorts - Vintage Levis via COW Manchester

Tights - George

Boots - Topshop

Necklace - Topman

Ring - JWLRY

Nails - Nightmare by George at ASDA

Lips - Please Me by MAC

I seem to be wearing a lot of George in this outfit - not intentional! The nail polish is absolutely amazing. It's a gorgeous metallic silver that applies really nicely. I'm a bit fan of the George polishes and have quite a collection of them. They're on offer at the minute, 2 for £2.50, so I snapped up Nightmare and another in a coral shade called Love Rat. Personally I'd say they rival Barry M in terms of pigmentation and finish, though the formula is a little thinner than Barry M nail paints.

I'm off to watch X Factor and be lazy. How has your weekend been?

FAIRISLE KNIT

2011-10-21T16:23:00.000+02:00

This is what I'm wearing today for a lazy day off work, relaxing at home and running errands here and there! I bought this jumper yesterday from Topman after spying it in the sale at work and immediately reserving it. I'm falling a little bit in love with Topman's knitwear at the minute. It's so much nicer than what's on offer for women at the minute in my opinion. This was originally £30, reduced to £18, which I think is really good for knitwear, especially at this time of year. I jazzed it up a bit with the lipstick I got at my birthday and some gorgeous GoGo Philip jewellery I was recently sent.

Jumper - Topman

Blouse - Afflecks Palace

Jeans - Miss Selfridge

Loafers - New Look

Necklace - c/o GoGo Philip

Ring - c/o GoGo Philip

Lips - Lady Danger by MAC

Nails - Mushroom by Barry M

The jewellery is gorgeous, not necessarily what I would have chosen myself, but I'm glad I got what I did. I did find it difficult to pair the necklace with something, because it is so bold and simple, but I think it goes well with this and ties in nicely with the aztec-esque design of the jumper. The ring is lovely too, and it has hardly left my finger all week. I've had loads of compliments on it which is nice! Its the kind of style that goes with silver or gold, (even though it does have little gold running through it) which is great as I like to rotate my gold and silver jewellery rather than just sticking to one.

If you want to get your hands on some GoGo Philip jewellery, it is stocked in some Topshop stores, on the GoGo Philip site and also on ASOS.

SITTING PRETTY STYLES: FAUX LEATHER SHORTS

2011-10-20T22:45:00.000+02:00

First of all, thanks everyone for your lovely comments on feedback on my first 'Sitting Pretty Styles' post. I'll definitely try to keep up with this feature as I have really enjoyed compiling it and putting it all together. I had a comment on the last one suggesting I do leather shorts next, and I jumped at the chance! The shorts featured in this are ones are similar to some that I own myself, and I've just ordered another pair in a slightly different style. Again, I've done two looks with the same garment, to show you how to dress down for day time, or up for night.

THE FAUX LEATHER SHORTS - CASUAL

So far I've only worn my shorts for work, as I have to wear all black. I wear them over opaque tights with a chunky jumper or a tee and cardigan to tone them down a little. I've yet to wear them for just a day to day look, so this is what I would steer towards. The jumper is one I already have in two colours, as seen in my previous post, and the baggy fit is perfect to balance out the shorts. I'd throw on a tweed style jacket or a casual blazer and a cosy snood in black to tie in with black opaques and flats. For a splash more colour I'd wear a bright satchel bag and a colourful ring.

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THE FAUX LEATHER SHORTS - FORMAL

For the night time I would make the shorts more of a statement and be a bit more daring. I'd wear them again with a loose blouse to balance out proportions. The Lita style heels would be perfect for this dramatic look, but could easily be replaced with a simpler black heel if they were too out there for you! I'd add some colour with the turquoise cross body bag, then accessorise with some dangly spiked earrings and an extra long chain. I'd add some sparkle to this look with some glitter nails too - perfect for a Christmas night out!

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Let me know what you think of this week's installment of Sitting Pretty Styles, and please keep the suggestions coming of what you'd like to see next week!

I'll be back tomorrow with an outfit post and a little review of some gorgeous jewellery I received recently. Hope you're all having a lovely week!

AUTUMN LEAVES

2011-10-17T23:44:00.000+02:00

Evening all. This was supposed to be up yesterday but by the time I'd got chance to do it I was struggling to keep my eyes open! However, I'm feeling the same now after a busy day so I'm afraid this is going to be a short one. This is what I wore yesterday on my day off. We had a yummy Sunday roast, then spent the afternoon looking round some shops, drooling over home ware and dreaming of our own place to put it in. We've decided its time to save up for a downpayment on a house, so hopefully by this time next year we can get our feet on the property ladder! I've already ordered this cute door mat to put away for when the time comes.

Jumper - H&M

Blouse - Afflecks Palace, Manchester

Jeans - Topshop via eBay

Shoes - Primark

Ring - c/o GoGo Philip

Lips - Saint Germain by MAC

I had a few of you asking for a swatch of St Germain after seeing my post on it here, so I wore it for you! I love the colour. It's bright and eye-catching without being too out there. Also, have decided to start straightening my hair again for some reason I'm not quite sure of myself, but I like it!

That's all from me tonight. I'm off to make a hot drink and snuggle down in front of the box!

What have you all been up to today?

PS. I have listed a lot of the Blog Sale stuff on eBay, so take a look if anything took your fancy as there are some uber low starting prices!

SITTING PRETTY STYLES: THE MIDI SKIRT

2011-10-13T23:12:00.000+02:00

Today I've decided to start a new feature that puts what I learnt at uni to use. As you know I did a degree in Styling, where I learnt everything from how to style commercial and editorial shoots, to designing window displays and everything in between and beyond! I've called the feature 'Sitting Pretty Styles' which sums it all up really. Basically, each week I'll pick a popular item of clothing that season and show you two ways to style it. One for a casual look and one for a more formal, going out look. To start the ball rolling I've chosen the midi skirt which is one of my favourite things to wear. I often get people saying 'Oh I wish I knew how to wear something like that' or 'I wish I could pull that off', so what I want you all to do is make suggestions for the next weeks feature!
I'll cut to the chase and get stuck in!

THE MIDI SKIRT - CASUAL

I tend to wear my midis for day wear as they are relaxed and easy to dress down. I like to wear mine with tees tucked in and some comfy flats, which is what I've styled here but more geared towards the colder months. With a midi (or a maxi) I wouldn't recommend wearing a long jacket as this will hide the skirt and create a straight, flat silhouette which isn't a flattering look! Keep jacket lengths around the same place as the skirt begins to keep proportions right and create a nice shape. Shoes can be a difficult area with a midi as it hits the calf at an unusual point and can sometimes makes ankles appear wide than they are. I've chosen some comfy, masculine brogues, but teamed them with a simple black ankle sock that will slim the ankle down and add interest. A basic jersey tee tucked into the skirt will ensure the waist is emphasised, but the look is still casual. Add on a faux fur stole and carry a slouchy satchel for a cool day time look!

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THE MIDI SKIRT - FORMAL

Personally, I think for evening wear the midi needs to be kept more clean and simplistic, as it is more of a statement piece for night. A sophisticated look would be to tuck in a simple black vest or camisole top, but more of a fitted style than the casual tee to keep a sleek silhouette. Again, I'd go for a blazer jacket as I think they make the skirt look more modern, but this time in a neutral cream tone. I'd then let the accessories do the talking, with a statement necklace and bracelet to add interest without being too fussy. For shoes I would go for something chunky and eye catching like the studded platform clogs I've gone for, as there is quite a lot of leg still showing with a midi, so you can get away with it! Then finish off with a bold envelope clutch in black to balance out the colours and pull everything together.

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So what do you think of my choices? I love doing stuff like this so if you all like it I'll definitely stick to this. Please feel free to suggest an item for m to style next week, or if you're struggling to style something you have bought, send me a link to it and I'll see what I can do!

Hope you're all okay!

PS. Remember to check out the blog sale!

MAC SAINT GERMAIN LIPSTICK

2011-10-10T22:29:00.000+02:00

Hello all! How was your weekend? I had a lovely one with my brother who was visting from down South for his and my niece's birthdays. On Saturday night I slobbed about in front of the box watching X Factor, then Sunday was spent baking some yummy cakes and being lazy. We spent last night at my sister's house for a little get together with a hell of a lot of food and yet more X Factor (Gutted Kelly sent Amelia home. Should have been Sophie!). When we got home, Dan arrived at my house for a few days and brought me a little present in the form of Saintt Germain by MAC! I've been after this colour for a while and was going to get it at duty free before we went away but it was out of stock. It was a lovely surprise as I didn't expect it at all!

Amplified Cream Lipstick in Saint Germain - MAC - £13.50

I'm a huge fan of MAC lipsticks and this doesn't disappoint. It's a gorgeous creamy Barbie pink, slightly blue toned, with a lovely smooth finish. Being an Amplified colour, it really stands out and looks striking with a simple face of make up. I think this will become a quick go to for me.

The lovely weekend was soon over though, and back to work today. The weather has been disgusting and I've been feeling really lethargic and run down at the minute. I always do at this time of year when the weather changes. I start getting sore throats and colds and can feel one coming as we speak. For a chilled out night we decided to order in from Domino's - yum! They have a new range of Gourmet flavours on their pizza menu. I tried the Rustica (chicken, bacon spinach and plum tomatoes) and it was lovely. Would definitely recommend it!

How have you all spent your weekend?

Don't forgot the blog sale is still live. Grab a bargain whilst you can as I will be taking it down this weekend!

ROOM TOUR

2011-10-07T19:02:00.000+02:00

I was planning on doing an outfit post today, but my room needed tidying, so as a motivation to get off my backside and get it done was to take some photos for a room tour! I'm not going to go into detail and explain every little bit as everything is pretty self explanatory. I decorated it a couple of years ago now for for birthday (and student loan, ha), and posted about it here when it was finished. I've accumulated a hell of a lot of stuff in two years so it isn't quite as spacious as it was! I love the colour teal, and I know that blues are meant to be calming, so I thought the combination of the two would be great for walls, but as the teal was quite dark, I wanted white furniture to counteract that. I'm lucky to have a fairly large room with a huge window so I get plenty of light. As you all know I'm a big fan of all things vintage and shabby chic, which comes across in the way I've dressed the room. I want a career in home styling eventually as I love interior design, and I think I'm quite good at it if I do say so myself! Oh, and the wardrobe collapsed so now I have a rail. Oops!

There you have it! As you can see, I have a lot of stuff! Some of it is Dan's too as he spends a lot of time here, so that doesn't make me feel so bad. If you want to know where anything is from just comment on this post and I will reply with the deets!

Let me know if you do a post like this. I love noseying at people's rooms!