FLAPPABLE

Ever wanted to look like an overgrown, velvet-robed bat?

Hmmm, me either.

That is, until I spotted this dress in H&M in October for a mere £9.99. Suddenly the urge to have sheer, flappable wings was immense, and I snapped it up in a flash.

I have a feeling it was cleverly brought out in line with Halloween, as a slightly gothic twist on H&Ms usual party-dresses. For ten pounds it hardly matters if you really do wear it just once a year, but I for one would wear it every day if it was vaguely appropriate.

Alas, I doubt I'll be braving the bat-outta-hell look very frequently, but by tucking it into a pair of good old high waisted shorts I think it's a sure winner for milder, braver days and impromptu evenings out.

x

P.S. for a good, non-winged alternative I've just spied Selina in this dress from Motel on their facebook page. Seems like another winner to me!

// Dress: H&M // Shorts: Urban Outfitters sale //

INDIFFERENCE

I've got to admit, this jumper isn't one of my faves.

It's tight around the hips yet boxy everywhere else, it's too low cut to wear without anything beneath it and, in an annoyed stance against the fact that the sleeves were too short for me, I de-hemmed them and ended up snipping a hole in it in the process.

Why the hell did I buy it?

Two words: staff discount.

And to be honest, I really liked the flecks of colour in it - kind of reminded me of some Urban Outfitters sweatshirts I'd seen at the time, but at a tiny fraction of the price. 

Poor thing, I guess I liked the concept of it more than, well....it.

" Dear jumper,

It's not you, it's me..."

x

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// Jumper: Peacocks // Shirt: gifted by Yayer // Necklaces: F:21 and Topshop // Shorts: Urban Outfitters sale // Nails: 17 parma violet //

SHIVER

I thought I liked winter, I really did.

The crisp, frost-bitten mornings, sparkling pavements, cool, dusky sunlight.

It all sounds so poetic.

And then you step outside and BAM. Your face feels like it's going to fall off, your nose starts running and, if like me your ears have the rude ambition to protrude from all hairstyles, you wind up with a pair of cold-air catchers either side of your face.

In sum, it's freakin' freezing.

But rather than pull my usual stunt of dressing like the Michelin Man, this year I seem to have ventured towards the other extreme and broken out the summer clothes.

Shorts, playsuits, t-shirts. The lot.

Maybe it's some kind of rebellion? An aesthetical statement that says "I see you, cold breath freezing in the air....but I don't care".

It quite probably also says "Look at me! I have no concept of seasonal dressing!"...

...maybe tomorrow I'll truly commit and break out the flip-flops?

Mmmmm frostbite.

x

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Playsuit (worn as top): Dorothy Perkins // Shorts: Urban Outfitters // Necklace: from a holiday!

STILL

Not an awful lot to say today I'm afraid, other than the fact that if you come back later this week you might just get the chance to win a necklace like this ^ one :)

x

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Cape: H&M // Shorts and tee: Primark // Necklace: gifted from Eclectic Eccentricity

PINS AND NEEDLES

You know the feeling.

You've finally found something that a) you like b) fits great and c) you can afford.

Hell, even one out of three isn't bad.

I found this Pins and Needles skirt in Urban Outfitters a year or so ago and it ticked all the boxes. It was even in the sale, and although £15 was a bit steep for me, I completely fell for the old red-sticker trick and was prepared to pay up for it because, hey! It was reduced.

A few moments after this rare decision I realised it'd been unlovingly graced with a huge pull and, due to scrambling around for it earlier, already knew it was the only one in my size.

Joy.

But rather than walking away empty handed, towards a perfect-skirt shaped hole in my wardrobe, I took it to the till and asked whether it was possible to have a further reduction as it was faulty and, frankly, I needed it in my life [again with gullible Danni and sales tactics].

Five minutes later and I'd got it for a mere fiver, as well as taking on a new found confidence to avoid settling for something that's not up to scratch.

The pull was rectified quicker than you can say snip, and despite not quite ticking the 'fits perfectly' box any more, it's an old favourite that I'll be wearing until it refuses to be tugged on.

Although judging by the ominous sound of snapping cotton the last time I wore it, that day might come a little sooner than expected.

x

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Skirt: Pins and Needles [urban outfitters concession] // Top: George@Asda // Rings: H&M and abroad // 

DUSTY

I don't think anyone out there can say their style is uninfluenced and completely original.

Be it the media, celebrities, blogs, friends or eras, we all take inspiration from things - even the most mundane - continuously, and diffuse them into our own personal style; something that ultimately becomes a mash-up of all the things we love.

And were it not for this bargain of a head-topper reminding me so profusely of Florence Welsch and her appendaged trilby, I doubt I would even have tried it on.

But try I did, and whilst half hoping it would turn me into the elegant lady herself, I knew that even if it looked a right mess, the purchase that would happen in about ten minutes time was already a done-deal, if not for its Florenceness then for its measly £5 price tag.

The only trouble is that felt turns out to be an all-out fluff, dirt and dust magnet, and so I've been walking around with what has basically become a cleverly disguised duster on my head without even realising.

I'd like to think that even my subconscious isn't taking style inspiration from household items...

but to be honest, I wouldn't put it past it.

x

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Tribly: Primark // Cardigan: Peacocks // T-shirt: Yayer // Leggings: Next // Rose Necklace: Topshop // Cross Necklace: F:21

CHANDLER

I have Chandler-like tendencies.

And for anyone who isn't a fan of Friends, Chandler is a loveable character who tends to compensate for awkward or uncomfortable situations by cracking embarrassing and not-all-that-funny jokes [and also, what did you ever do between 5 and 6pm on weekdays?].

And me? Well I'm a blogger that pulls out one of an archive of embarrassing poses when faced with the awkward prospect of taking daily-style pictures. Pretty ironically, I feel way more at ease and human when flapping my hands about like a small woodland creature than when I'm just...standing there, wondering whether I look vaguely normal and thus not at all like my usual silly self.

I say we all bypass normality and head for full on dreckitude pics like this.

Outtakes are the new avatars peeps.

x

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Jumper: New Look // Shirt: Primark // Shorts: Urban Outfitters sale // Scarf: Accessorize // Necklace: unsure - very old! // Bag: Charity shop // Nails: Miss Sporty 'teardrop'

KLOMP

I've never been stereotypically 'girly'.

Admittedly, I love florals, couldn't live without my lippy and have developed a potentially disordered obsession of painting my nails almost daily.

But, if I'm honest, 'girly' is never gonna happen in my world.

I tower over most of my female friends, am clumsy, flat-footed and....klompy.

I klomp. And guys, no matter how many frills and florals you chuck at me, you can be sure I'll just klomp my way rather ungracefully out of any suggestion of prettiness or femininity.

And so it's become second nature to me to always counteract any element of 'girlishness' in my outfit with suitably klompish things. Be it floral or flouncy, flowing or sheer, it's a given that I'll automatically pair it with an oversized grandad jumper or heavy, leather-clad worker boots.

Which is pretty much what I did today. This dress, though beautiful, is sheer, peach and floaty; a triad that, in my eyes, was a deafening beckon for a  years-old greying denim shirt, should've-been-thrown-out-by-now tights and proudly scuffed up walking boots.

Klompiness restored.

x

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Dress: Select // Shirt & Boots: Primark // Bag: Charity shop // Rose & Feather Necklaces: Topshop sale // Key Necklace: Urban Outfitters // Lips: MaxFactor "Pink Brandy"

WICKER CHAIR

Some days are rubbish.

The shower is cold [or worse, tepid], your nails are chipped and your head is pounding.

You might step in a kitchen puddle with your tights on.

Or fail at peeling stickers from things.

And subsequently spend fifteen minutes pulling your best concentration face while trying to get rid of that icky sticker-stuff that refuses to budge.

Days like this call for a remedy or two.

My remedies of choice? Scones, diet coke, taking pictures and wearing man shoes.

What can I say.

x

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Coat: c/o Tesco // T-shirt, belt, tights, shoes: Primark // Skirt: Vintage stall // Necklace: Urban Outfitters

SNUG

Comfort was definitely on today's clothing agenda.

Oversized jumper? Check.

Leggings? [that actually fit my lanky limbs?!] Check.

Unkempt hair? Definite check.

There are some days when, no matter how you might try, nothing will trump the need to feel cosy, covered up and completely comfortable.

Today was one of those days, and I was more than happy to succumb.

I have to mention these leggings, because for the life of me [or rather, for the last few months of my life] I haven't been able to find any that are long enough without breaking the bank.

As I mentioned in my post on shoe-troubles, brands that cater specifically to the slightly longer legged or larger footed tend to charge extortionate amounts as they know they're offering a unique service that, ultimately, we have to turn to.

Well I'm glad to say I've quelled the need to fork out my precious savings on such brands by finding these "Tall" leggings on the Next website - and for only £9. Mwahaaaa.

Stick it to the man.

x

I found out via twitter that the BINTM/handbag.com competition is now open until tomorrow, so if you haven't had a look yet you can do so here. No matter who you vote for, you'll be helping make one of us a very happy bunny, so please do take the time if you can!

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Cardigan, bag, boots & socks: Primark // Leggings: Next // Shirt: Yayer // Necklace: Topshop // Nails: Buzz nailpaint by Barry M

SCRAMBLED EGGS

Without wanting to sound a tad repetitive, it's BLOOMIN' COLD TODAY. Shiveringly so.

After a little indecisiveness over which coat is appropriate for October I threw all ridiculous rules of Macs and 'light jackets' out of the window, opting for this fluffy beast of a bomber-jacket that I got in a Zara sale a year or two ago.

It's too big, it sheds [faux]fur everywhere and it gives me shoulders to rival the Hulk's...but I don't half love it. It's a complete barrier against the cold and, when a Mac just won't cut it, this is the coat I'll be turning to this Winter/Autumn/Summer [the freaky weather this month has made it seasonally neutral methinks].

I popped out for breakfast with my friends this morning, which getting up early for was totally worth it. As I said to them, I feel like this has propelled us into a whole new level of sophistication.

That is, until I asked for ketchup with my scrambled eggs and made a delightful sound with the bottle.

Some things will never change.

x

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Faux Fur Jacket: Zara // Sheer shirt [underneath]: Yayer // Jumper: H&M // Jeans & Bag: Primark // Necklace: Love Hearts and Crosses

COTY PARIS

Tuesdays are always such a 'meh' day, don't you think?

I mean, Mondays are expected to be awful, Wednesday's are a celebration that we're half way through, and well, anything beyond that hints at the weekend which is never a bad thing in my eyes.

But Tuesdays? Meh.

Thankfully my friend rescued what threatened to be another dull, not-quite-middle-of-the-week-yet day by inviting me for a coffee and we wiled away a couple of hours in our fave globally recognised haunt just chatting about the stuff we've kept under wraps for a while.

Caffeinated therapy is the way forward my dears. Every Tuesday needs it.

Anyway, I wore this charity shop gem after seeing this girl's wonderfully edgy, slightly gothic style and whilst I looked a million miles away from her incredible efforts, it felt nice to wear something I'd forgotten about, and feel inspired by a new web fashionista. If anyone has any other lookbook recommendations [including yourself!] let me know and I'll check them out.

I also found out today that voting has now opened for the BINTM/handbag.com competition that I've been shortlisted in. I have to admit that if I could change my entry now, I probably would as I submitted my article on brights and colour blocking during the summer season, and was told to collate images of my favourite fashion pieces for this season - still sticking with the brights theme, but looking starkly autumnal next to my summery outfit pic and article! Nevertheless I'm proud of what I did and would be really grateful if you could take a look and vote if you like it!

You might just have to pretend we're back in August, sun shining, ice-creams melting, sunglasses firmly on.

OH WAIT.

This is England.

x

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Top: M&S via charity shop // Shorts: Urban Outfitters // Boots: Primark // Necklace: Yayer // Cross Ring: F:21 // Small rings: H&M // Nails: Miss Sporty, "coty paris"