Long Time No See!

I have finally finished uni for Summer! Aside from getting my Semester B project grade back and beginning research for my dreaded dissertation, I can finally plan some exciting things and get back to blogging on here for the next 4 months. It feels crazy that it's that amount of time I have spare before all the even harder work begins. It's even crazier that because I did my Foundation Degree as well as a BA too, I would have graduated from education this year alongside most of my friends!  Anyway now that I'm back after a little hiatus, it's back to making sure I blog here more often! 

So after remembering what my password was for this site, I thought I'd let you all know what I've been buying in my absence and what I'm lusting after for Summer...

Most of my student loan goes on a large amount of materials I need for my course, one of the slight downsides of being a creative arts student. But I've still been able to buy a few pieces here and there recently!

Asda Home Riviera Floral Duvet Set- 

It's so hard to find a double duvet for my room where I don't have to spend an absolute fortune on. I've been scouring George's home catalogue after recently picking one up and I have to say I'm so impressed with the kinds of products they are selling as of late. I love that a supermarket is working with up and coming interior designers, it's even inspired my own work in terms of where I hope to be designing for commercial businesses after graduation. I can't dare say to my tutors that Asda has inspired me as it would be completely frowned upon! Anyway I snapped up this lovely floral one for just £12 and it even has a reverse polka dot pattern. Bargain!

Asda Planter Pots-

I also picked up these handy and cute pastel coloured planter pots. At £3 I couldn't resist and thought they would look nice in my room for storage. They are quite compact and sit really well on shelving or desks. The colour is bang on trend for this time of the year and I think they look much nicer for interior storage instead of being left outside in the garden! I have so many things in my room which could be stored and tidied away, a great addition to any room!

Topshop Knitted Lace Hem Crop Jumper-

I went to Oxford Street with some of my friends after fabric shopping in Shepherds Bush and picked up this cute jumper for £34! It doesn't actually look very cropped on me but it looks lovely teamed with a pencil skirt. They also do the jumper in Petite and in a coral and pastel baby blue colour, though this one appealed to me more due to its contrast of the navy and white. I haven't made any garments in a while now since I graduated from my fashion degree but buying this has encouraged me this Summer to buy some crochet lace and make a few tops like this myself. With a sewing machine anyone can do it and it saves so much money!

Pandora Triple Daisy Flower Ring-

Since receiving a Pandora ring for my 21st from two of my friends, I have become in love with some of the things in Pandora. It's nice to be able to invest in something so nice that can be kept forever, so I was so overwhelmed when my mum treated me to this daisy ring. I'm obsessed with anything daisy printed at the moment so it will definitely go with any outfit I wear. 

New Look Blue Floral T-Shirt-

My mum also bought me this New Look top which is absolutely beautiful and is the exact copy of a similar Topshop one but for half the price at £12.99! I definitely need to return a favour as soon as possible!

Topshop Small Leaf Metal Necklace- £12.50
Filofax Blossom Organiser- £23
New Look Black Neon Floral Print Crepe Kimono- £19.99
Topshop Nation Two Part Chunky Sandals- £40
ASOS Daisy Chain Watch- £18
Sam Smith- In The Lonely Hour
dotcomgiftshop La Petite Rose Flask And Cup- £12.95
Bank Fashion Ribbon Floral Print Jumpsuit- £25

Summer Lovin'

Here are some of my current loves and lusts for Summer! I'll be reviewing A/W 13 preview collections very soon, so watch out!

♥♥♥

Holographic Nails In Moondance- £6, MOTO Pink Crochet Hotpants- £35, Spotty Casual Crop Top- £29, Rachel Dress by Jones and Jones- £65, Martie T-Bar Geek Shoes- £32, Nano T-Bar Clog Sandals- £45, Dip Dye Crochet Cami- £32, Edge Paint Satchel- £28

Black Floral Mini Dress- £25, Black Suede Cross Front Wedge Shoe- £28, Navy Pinafore Playsuit- £10, Tan Buckle Cross Wedge Shoe- £32, Multi Florence Floral Headband- £3

 Print Top- £9.99,  Jacquard Skirt- £12.99, Denim Waistcoat With Crochet Back- £9.99, Oriental Print Jumpsuit- £19.99, Embroidered Dress- £19.99, Fantasy Twist Jersey With Open Back- £12.99, Oriental Print Trousers- £15.99, Jacquard Linen Dress With Full Skirt- £15.99

Pleated Floral Print Dress- £18.75, Floral Print Wedge Sandals- £24.75, Cat Graphic Cropped Tee- £12, Lace Trim High-Low Dress- £19.75, High-Low Georgette Dress- £24.75

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Primark AW13 Collection

Primark, Primark, Primark. I applaud you. Never have I been so amazed by the success of a budget fashion chain like them this year so far. After recently teaming up with ASOS, the online retailer reported a huge surge in sales after beginning the partnership with the company. 

Now I know that the words "Primani" and "sweatshop" in the same sentence are seen to argue the reflection on the production quality of clothing made for the thousands of fashion forward individuals that shop at Primark. The dissertation I recently wrote is based on a very similar topic where I considered the argument of urban and rural China and why certain areas are bound by eco and ethical concern. It's a topic as a consumer and fashion student that I feel very strongly about and it always brings debate when talking about Primark especially. To those that shun the company though for the standards that production workers endure, I feel that we should take note and look at other high street stores and how their products are also produced. Primark aren't the only ones and as a budget chain, they seem to receive the hardest criticism.

Despite the name they may have made for themselves in terms of production, the company continue to provide many of us with their thrifty fashion forward clothing and accessories at budget prices and this continues with their Autumn/Winter 2013 collection. The latest collection is formed around the grunge look- a continuation of the 90s Nirvana style currently being seen left, right and centre in Spring/Summer collections from designers such as Phillip Lim and Dries Van Noten. 

Priced between £6-£30, it's certainly a collection that will fulfill the demands of any clothing budget. Here are my favourites from the collection: 

Uber cute pinafore dress! This could be worn all year round and I could see it being worn with....

This pastel knitted jumper! The colour combination works so well and teamed with woolly tights it could provide such a lovely winter outfit.

SHOES SHOES SHOES. Can never have too many! I'm loving the black and cream strapped flats at the bottom left & right.

MORE SHOES! These move away from the grunge look that the main collection targets but they would go with any outfit and are perfect for any season.

Pastel tones have been the lovechild of my summer thus far and these pieces send me Topshop Unique vibes seen in their own AW collection. I love!

Front view of the coat above left. Look at that collar and the fit looks absolutely amazing. This may just have to be my new Winter coat!

Tartan- a pattern notorious for its part in grunge inspired clothing. 

These Paisley trousers (£16) are seriously cool. Forever 21 are also currently selling a similar pair slightly cheaper than Primark but I think this whole outfit works extremely well together.

This contrast top would also work well with the denim pinafore dress and is a striking addition to the collection.

What do you think about Primark's upcoming collection? I think it's fantastic value for money for any budget and there are some key pieces which can be recycled into other seasons. 

A Little Gatsby Never Killed Nobody

It’s official- Although I’ve yet to see the latest film adaptation, I have become insanely in love with The Great Gatsby and all things 1920’s glamour. Last night I went a bit mad and starting saving a load of Leo DiCaprio pictures onto my computer! But back to the actual topic now..

I’ve always been intrigued by the “flapper” look and lifestyle of Western girls in the 1920s and those who popularised the image of a somewhat modern woman in a pre-Second World War era. F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of the original 1925 Great Gatsby novel was one of many criticised for popularising a brash attitude to women who wore excessive makeup, divulged in excessive drink and drugs and liberated social and sexual normalities. Documented in Gatsby, flapper girl Daisy Buchanan is an intoxicating character drawn to the excessive lifestyle of the Roaring Twenties. I’m really interested to see how Carey Mulligan portrays the role of Daisy in the latest film as the character is so intriguing. Mulligan herself states,

‘She’s difficult to crack because she doesn’t really know herself. I always imagined her as someone who, with everything she says and does, it’s as if she’s watching a movie of her own life.’

The opening of the film itself has brought a lot of attention to rejuvenating 1920s glamour, making not only the film but also 20s fashion one of the biggest trends for Spring/Summer and beyond.  

These knee length 1920s inspired dresses represent the liberation flapper girls endured from previous constraining garments, to where waistlines dropped considerably and hemlines rose. I adore the colourways used in these 3 garments, the middle dress from Miss Selfridge has a beautiful juxtaposition of the salmon pink and delicate metallic silver Art Deco inspired embellishment. 

If you know me, you'll know that I'm partial to a collar and this lace inspired one from Hobbs is a statement piece that will set off any outfit. It's available in 2 other metallic colours, but at £29 it might be better to dip into Jay Gatsby's wallet for one!!

Wouldn't it be amazing to have a clothes rail full of beautiful evening gowns like this? I absolutely adore the fringed 1920s dresses and the sequined ones are also to die for!

These Art Deco inspired nails are so simple yet extremely effective. I love the contrasting tone of the red and gold patterns and if it's too difficult to apply the patterns with a nail pen, there are a wide range of nail wraps available online. I can't wait to try it out!

Original 1920s Dresses: