Buy Less, Value More

Last night was the start of a brand new series I'd been looking forward to since I heard about it a couple weeks ago.  Dawn O'Porter's This Old Thing is a guide to vintage shopping for those who never stray too far from the high street.

I don't claim to be super knowledgable about the vintage clothing industry but I do have an interest in it, and would love to own a few more pieces.  As Dawn says 'buy less, value more', and it really is true.  Of the few vintage pieces I own they are some of my favourite things to wear.  I love knowing that I'm wearing something with a back story, something that no one else is going to be wearing and something that I've chosen for me, not because it's been marketed in a way to appeal to me right now.

The first episode of the show saw Dawn assist two women with reservations about vintage shopping, both to be converted to the pre-loved way of shopping.  I also loved that she featured a section of customising vintage pieces.  I think a lot of people can be put off by the worry that they will look as if they've been left behind and will look unfashionable.  By customising, tailoring, altering and showing that you can transform something you like into a garment you love is such a great idea.

I can't wait for next weeks episode and will definitely be checking out Dawn's scrapbook at channel4.com/dawn (I may have also just ordered the book!)

I'd love to know anyone else's opinion on the show and tips for vintage shopping :)

Steph

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Primarni Love

This week I've had a little more spare time than usual and I decided to use it wisely and hit the shops!  I've been lusting after American Apparel's Disco Pants for what feels like forever now but just can't bring myself to part with £70-£80 for what is essentially a pair of shiny leggings :(

Luckily there are tonnes of dupes on the high street and I found a pair I loved in H&M for a fraction of the price.  I've been wearing them non-stop since, they've even kicked my jeans back into the wardrobe!

After picking up the trousers I headed to Primark to see if they had any cropped tees to pair with them, and I wasn't disappointed.  They've got some seriousl lovely pieces in Primark at the moment, I may have to make another trip!  But here's the first few bits I picked out to pair with my 'disco pants'.

Top Left ~ I love this little polka dot shirt its so cute and drapes really nicely

Top Right ~ This t-shirt has become one of my faves already.  it's super comfy and the perfect length with the trousers

Bottom Left ~ I can't wait for summer and I think I'll have to save this one till the sun makes a reappearance!

Bottom Right ~ I couldn't help myself when I saw these socks, so cute!

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Winter Essentials

It's that time of year again, when the cold sets in and staying warm and cosy becomes top priority.  There are a few things I couldn't live without when winter hits and I thought I'd share them with you :) 

Hats ~ Keeping warm is always top of my list when the weather turns.  Each year my collection of beanies, berets and any other form of winter hat seems to grow considerably (I think they must be multiplying in the wardrobe!)  My faves so far this winter have been this 'Bad Hair Day' beanie from New Look and the gorgeously cosy Cream Cable Knit beanie from Topshop.

Candles ~ This year I've gotten really into scented candles (I'm going through them at a rate of knots!) and am just loving having a festive smelling room.  My most used candles are the Caramel Apple scent from Green Earth and Yankee Candle's 'Sparkling Cinnamon'.  I'd have them all over the house if the family would let me!

A Good Book ~ There's something about being curled up under a blanket as the night draws in with a candle burning reading a really good book, heaven!  I'm currently reading 'Dolly' by Susan Hill and really enjoying the creepiness of it.  If scary stories aren't your thing 'Chasing Harry Winston' and 'Last Night as Chateau Marmont' by Lauren Weisburger are both really good 'chick-lit' reads as is the new Bridget Jones installment.  I'm looking forward to reading 'Chanel - An Intimate Life' next too, gotta keep it classy!

Festive Manicures ~ I've gone into nail painting overdrive recently and have the urge to constantly have something festive on my nails.  I've gone for something a little more subtle this weekend with gold glitter over a Christmassy red.

Mini Purses ~ I recently discovered these gorgeous little purses in Primark after a friend showed me hers.  Aside from being the perfect size to keep a couple of cards and enough change for a night out they've also got a section to strap in a phone.  As someone who has lost more than one phone to a club toilet I had to invest!  The purses have little wrist straps (which you can remove if you're less clumsy than I am!) and at only £4 were a bargain, not to mention a little cheaper than a new phone!  I can't wait for the Christmas parties to begin so I can take them out!

Eye Cream ~ As someone who could sleep forever and still have bags under my eyes, I'm always after a goof eye cream to perk them up a little.  I recently discovered the 'Puffy Eye Attack' from Soap&Glory and have been really enjoying it.  It's been keeping my under eye area really moisturised and, as it's a gel, it lasts for hours.  I've been slicking it on morning and night and only have good things to say so far.

Gradual Tan ~ Dove's Summer Glow gradual tan has become my new best friend this winter.  Aside from preventing me from looking like a Twilight extra it also moisturises my skin and leaves it feeling really soft, a must when the weather can be so drying.  I've been using the lighter shade so that I don't look to obviously tanned but it's been giving me a really lovely colour and is much easier to control than a regular self tanner.

Exfoliater ~ Soap&Glory always have the best smelling exfoliaters and 'The Scrub of Your Life' if no exception.  I've been using this one for a few weeks now and it's been helping to keep my skin buffed to perfection!  The winter weather can really dry skin out and this helps to keep it smooth as well as providing a great base for moisturiser.

Winter Shoes ~ I recently gave into my love for Aldo and picked up a pair of wedge trainer I'd been eyeing up for about 3 months! I blame the Cyber Monday discounts partially for this purchase but the Aldo sale was definitely a contributing factor too!  Since they arrived they've barely been off my feet and are soo comfy.  The heel isn't too high for day wear and I've been rocking them with jeans, leggings, skirts and dresses as they're such an all-round shoe, I think it might be love!

Big Hair ~ Winter can leave hair feeling a little flat, especially if its been crammed under a beanie all day!  So far this winter I've been making a little more effort to give my hair some added volume using the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray or the Fat Hair Amplifying Mousse.  Both are great for creating volume at the roots and the size of the Bumble and Bumble spray makes it super handy for travelling.

Hair Oils ~ On the hair theme I've also been making an effort to keep my hair moisturised and glossy.  The combination of cold weather and heating can dry out your hair just as much as your skin so a hair oil can really help to combat the effect.  I've been loving L'Oreal's Extraordinary Oil for Coloured Hair.  I use a tiny amount all over my hair when its damp as added heat protection and focus more toward the ends on dry hair to prevent drying and split ends.

So there you have it, just a few of my winter faves for 2013, I honestly think I could go on all day with the products I'm loving at the minute but these are definitely my top picks.  Let me know what you've been loving so for this winter, I'd love to try out some new things!

Steph

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Influenced #1 ~ Hayley Williams

A few weeks ago I bought the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's book Influenced and have read most of it (I will get to the end of it soon, I'm just a suuuper slow reader!).  I've found it really interesting reading about the people who have had an impact on their lives in terms of fashion, art, attitude etc. and thought I'd like to make my own version as a little series on here.  I want to share with you the people who have inspired and ultimately influenced me across my 22 years, so here goes, the first of what I hope to be many!

Source - hayleywilliamsedits.tumblr.com

Thinking about people who have influenced me the first person to come to mind had to be Hayley Williams.  The the lead singer of Paramore, a band I discovered aged 14/15 and have loved ever since, her style has evolved as she, and the band, have grown up, and I feel that she has had such a lasting influence on me, and many others, as we've grown up with her over the years.

Hayley is a couple of years older than me and being able to watch her go through the transition from tomboy teenager to the style icon she has now become for many has definitely influenced the way in which I grew up and tackled the awkward teenage years.  As Julie Greenwald (Atlantic records) says 'She was never a young, fabricated artist.  She still styles herself.  She knows who she is and who she wants to be.' 

That self assurance and self belief is definitely one of the ways in which Hayley has influenced me and my style.  She made it okay to be 'that weirdo with five colours in her hair' (anyone who was a McFly fan back in the day will get that one!) or to wear what ever the hell you pleased, because it's your life and what's the point of not being yourself.

Source - hayleywilliamsedits.tumblr.com

'Baby Bangs' and bright orange hair ~ source - omghayley.tumblr.com

Hayley's hair is one of the things she is most known for.  She has been almost every colour of the rainbow and managed to suit all of them.  She does, however, always seem to come back to vibrant reds and oranges in varying shades giving her a flame like look, especially when leaping about on stage!

Hayley's ever-changing hair ~ source - welovewilliams.tumblr.com

Hayley writes many of Paramore's songs and her lyrics are always so relatable that you are able to connect with what she is saying every time.  She manages to write songs that feel as though she's singing straight to you while at the same time commanding an arena full of people.  Jeremy Davis (Paramore's bass player) puts it perfectly 'I think the reason why most people respond to Hayley is because of her lyrics.  Even though some of her songs are dark and heavy, if you listen to the words there's hope.  She writes her life stories really.'

' Last Hope' ~ source - alliwantedwasbands.tumblr.com


Hayley's fashion has ranged over the years from polo shirts and skinny jeans with distinctly tomboy touches to her looks today, tough outfits with feminine touches and punk over tones.  Her look has always just seem ed so achingly cool to me and she always always pulls off whatever she is wearing with such flare and attitude that it just works.

A little selection of Hayley's style ~ sources - tumblr tag #hayleywilliams

Hayley Williams is definitely one of my biggest style influences and icons and has been for almost 10 years now, and hopefully will be for another 10 to come!

Are you a fan of Hayley Williams' style? Let me know in the comments what you think of her looks and also who else I should feature in this series in the future.

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Autumn Loves ~ Boots

Each year as autumn approaches I get the urge to purchase a couple of winter essentials to keep me going through the harsher months, in particular cosy coats and chunky, functional boots.

This year my desire for boots got the better of me early (in my defense I did need a new pair!). My old boots have sat woefully in the wardrobe with the soles hanging on by a thread for the past six months, thanks to one to many cycle to and from uni up Welsh Valleys in countless storms, they really had given up.

My New Loves!

As sad as I will be to part with my old faithfuls I am far too excited to wear my gorgeous new pair and am already planning my winter outfits (too soon?!).  After a hunt round the high street I found a pair which were not only practical, with a nice thick sole, grip and fleecy lining for snow and ice (I am ever hopeful!) and a good bit of style to boot!

These lovelies are from Primark and cost £25, a fair price for a good pair of winter boots in my opinion, and I can't wait to wear them.  I've been experimenting with folding the tops down to reveal sections of the lining and to cut the leg off in different places and I think I like them best when they're rolled down.  Primark had a bunch of other styles and I can see myself heading back there to pick up another pair, funds permitting!

Now I've just got to resist the urge of the winter coats, I've got my eye on a gorgeous leather one in Topshop, I'll have to see if I can save up for that one!

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