Went for a walk down the old King's Road to see if anybody was there.

Floral top: £2.75, Topshop, via charity shop. Denim circle skirt: £28.50, American Apparel, via ASOS. Polka dot pop socks: £1, Primark. Two-tone ballet flats: 50p, Russell and Bromley, via ebay. Bag: gift, Marks and Spencer. Polka dot sunglasses: £1, Primark. Skull bracelet: £11, Made, via ebay.

Yesterday was, in short, hot. Walking westwards along the King's Road (in an outfit that probably cost less than the average person's left shoe), Danielle and I were rather grateful for our sunglasses and the occasional breeze. Neither of us had ever visited the Royal Borough before, despite obsessively watching Made In Chelsea, so it was about time we braved the Circle line and saw what all the fuss was about.

In all honesty, the King's Road itself is just a high street. Admittedly, it is a very nice high street, as the average shop is Jigsaw or Comptoir des Cotonniers, but if you wander off the tourist-infused street, you'll have the opportunity to gaze wistfully at wonderful architecture, and maybe even doff your cap to A. A. Milne at his former place of residence (yep, I'm a blue plaque geek). On a more palatable level, there's plenty of scope for rumbling stomaches. We were hoping to try out The Bluebird Restaurant until the sight of our already rather empty purses decided that it wouldn't be the most sensible option. Instead, we tried out The Chelsea Teapot. If you like a good scone - who doesn't? - then this is the place for you! For just over a fiver each, we managed to indulge in some sweet homemade treats; Danielle tried her first ever (!) red velvet and it got a very enthusiastic thumbs up.

Apart from the World's End Vivienne Westwood shop and the Saatchi Gallery, are there any other places you'd recommend in SW3? I'm such a Sloane Square Stranger!

xxx

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When I buy my mansion, I'll invite the world to stay

Michelle dress: c/o Motel. Black pumps: 50p, Russell and Bromley via ebay. Bag: £3, charity shop. Skull bracelet: £11, Made via ebay. Sunglasses: £1, Primark.


I always feel drawn to the canal in beautiful weather, and, seeing as I wasn't stuck for three hours in what is essentially a greenhouse writing about Renaissance literature, I thought I'd take another wander down to photograph what came through my letter box the other day. This dress is part of Motel's "French Riviera" collection, but I'm choosing to transfer its nationality across the Channel, in preparation for next week's jubilee - aka Pimm's drinking festival. I'm not one for bodycon at all, so it was a big thing for me to wear this for a whole day. Everyone has their body hangups; my biggest one is my stomach, and this dress is pretty unforgiving on that front. Yet, with the help of the stretchy material (and some pants Bridget Jones would be proud of) I think I've just about got away with it. Still, some of the photos do make me want to overcome my massive gym phobia.


My last exam is on Thursday (uh oh), and then I've a few days to appreciate sunny Liverpool before I'm back to Essex for the Summer, and get to see all the lovely faces I've missed for the past few months. However much I love Liverpool, I know I'm still an Essex Girl! Even if I haven't been to Sugar Hut, which I believe my friends intend to change at some point...


xxx

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Where there's a Wills, there's a way

Striped breton top: £30, Aubin and Wills. Suede skirt: £8, Oxfam. Black pumps: 50p, Russell and Bromley via ebay. Shoulder bag: £15, Oxfam. Necklaces: (from top) vintage, elsie belle, gift.

Don't let that carefree smile fool you, the last photo is c/o my camera's irritating ability to take photos just as someone asks whether it's okay for them to walk past. Cue dying inwardly, the perpetual story of my life.

I bought this top with my birthday money last December from the then recently opened Aubin and Wills along Church Alley. Hidden just off the high street, I'm always popping in to see what I can only dream of owning (oh, why must I spend my student loan on boring things like rent?). Perhaps I go in there a little bit too much as Carrie, the store manager, passed my details on to Lucy in their head office, and was invited to an event they hosted in-store last Friday. Two of my friends and I headed down to listen to the beautiful harmonies of Blue Rose Code and sample the swift brown fox topped cupcakes made by Cake Shop Liverpool (the one with the rad Beatles cakes in Central Station). I had a look at the new collection whilst the band were doing band things pre-performance, and amongst the classic cuts that Aubin and Wills are known for, there were beautiful floral prints, and a navy (favourite colour!) dandelion print playsuit, that would be perfect for telling the time in - don't deny it, everyone believed that the amount of puffs it took to clear a dandelion head equated to the nearest o' clock when they were young! However, the evening soon drew to a close, and we got rather soggy walking home - typical Liverpool. It's not very often that stores host events like this, and it was nice to just spend an evening pretending I don't have coursework due next week (gulp), and indulge in my love of stripes. Obviously. I'm determined to go to the Aubin Cinema in Shoreditch when I'm home this Summer; I feel like I only ever do the same things when I visit London, so do you have any recommendations?

Plus!! The blogger meet up took place on Saturday, and it was lovely to meet such wonderful people at long last. In the vague name of chronology I decided to post this first, what a whacky idea.

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I'll be there for you when the rain starts to pour

Blouse: £2, charity shop. Bow detail jeans: £5, Topshop via ebay.  Belt: came with dress, oh my love. Pumps: 50p, Russell and Bromley via ebay. Teacup and spoon necklace: £6, Accessorize. Glitter clutch: free!, Topshop.


Today's plan, initially, was to go to the library, write my dissertation proposal (gulp!) and maybe sneak in a couple of outfit photos, as I finally got my hands on these jeans that I regretted not purchasing the moment they sold out. However, it turned into an hour long walk in the rain, finally finding some cherry blossom in Liverpool, popping into the new Central Perk Liverpool that opened along Hatton Garden today, and serendipitously passing the Giant Uncle on his trip to Anfield as part of Sea Odyssey.


The latter is a three day event run by Liverpool City Council in association with a lot of other people, as seen in the fourth photo (taken by the LJMU Avril Robarts library). I can't get over the scale of it - notice how tiny the Superlambanana looks in comparison! I've seen a fair few scornful facebook statuses, but it was great watching its slow progression through the city centre, and having a chat with the people standing next to you. Liverpudlians are generally quite friendly, something I miss when I'm in London where it's a cardinal sin to make eye contact on the tube. It's continuing until Sunday, so if the route goes near you it's worth fifteen minutes in the cold.


While shivering behind the barrier (polyester blouses really aren't appropriate in this weather, even with a coat on top), I was clutching my hot drink to keep my hands toasty. Central Perk is actually my closest coffee shop now, so I dread to think how much time I'll spend in there. They have a massive TV playing episodes of Friends, loads of comfy sofas, and it's cheaper than many of the chains on the high street - win!


xxx

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Lazing on a sunny afternoon

Floral t-shirt: £27, Mary Katrantzou for Topshop. Printed floral trousers: £12.99, H+M. Black two-tone pumps: 50p (!!), Russell and Bromley via ebay. Masquerade necklace: £9, elsie belle. Watch: gift, Rotary.


Isn't sitting by the side of the canal in the sunshine the perfect way to wile away the hours? Serendipitously just like Cat in her latest post! I first found this area at the very beginning of my second year, and have wanted to return for ever such a long time, but just haven't had a lack of deadlines or reading to truly justify a walk for the sake of walking. However, the glorious sunshine called for ridiculous, garish prints, and the Kinks in my ears. I do love these trousers, even if they're something I would never have considered wearing before I saw Jazmine's entry for the Asos future stylist competition. When I'm filling out questionnaires and am asked "where do you look for fashion inspiration?" I, without hesitation, answer with both friends and blogs. Vogue can bore off, comparatively.


My suitcase is pretty much packed for my return home tomorrow. I don't know how I manage to ensure I'm so busy whenever I'm back, but within an hour of touching down at home, I'm already meant to be at a friend's to get ready to go out (happy twentieth birthday Chantelle!). Back to pro plus habits, I fear. I expect to see lots of burn marks in the grass of local parks (disposable barbecues, all the way), and I hope you're all applying your SPF 30 just like me!


xxx

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Her fav'rite midnight haunts

 

Striped top: £30, Aubin and Wills. Corduroy skirt: £15, American Apparel via ebay. Socks: Internatçionale. Patent loafers: £15, Russell and Bromley via ebay.

Despite barely having a moment to myself (which means to just sit and catch up on Gossip Girl with a hot chocolate) it kind of feels like I've done hardly anything recently. Since my last post I've finished exams (Victorian literature did not go well. It probably didn't help that about thirty people left to go to the toilet, seriously??), got back the marks of last semester's assessed essays (they were much better), and went to Cambridge for the weekend. But now I'm back in Liverpool and am officially halfway through my degree; this thought has resulted in many a breakdown and existential crisis, so nothing too dramatic.

These photos were taken by Jazzy during a cute lunch date when I was home over Christmas. Making the suburban look rad is our day job.

xxx

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it's like you're trying to get to heaven in a hurry

Jumper; £10; Ryan Vintage Liverpool. Necklace £9; ElsieBelle. Skirt; £30; American Apparel. Patent Loafers; £15; Russell and Bromley via ebay.

This is the only photo I managed to get where my hair isn't in my face (here's a good example of your classic hairinface scenario). I've currently got it pushed behind my ears so I can ignore it, but I promise you that it's incredibly windy in Liverpool today.
Okay, I caved, I bought something else. This jumper is from Ryan Vintage which opened a couple of days ago about halfway down Bold Street (apparently they have branches in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield too). Texting my friend, she noted the irony of having summery flowers on a winter jumper. Whatever, it meant I didn't freeze today.
On my way to campus I picked up my train tickets for tomorrow's meet up in Birmingham, are any of you going? I had a ridiculous amount of fun last time, and even though I'm not staying for the night this time round, I can't wait to explore the Christmas Market.

xxx

ps, I created a FAQ page. Ultimate procrastination.

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'cause i sez so

pineapple tee; £??; topshop. floral shorts; £28.80; topshop. most amazing sunglasses in the world; £1; primark. socks; £1; topshop. shoes; £25; russell and bromley via ebay. necklaces; vintage and gifts.

it was selena's birthday yesterday and she had an inflatable palm tree, so i went dressed in embroidered pineapples. too much of this outfit is topshop (i'm beyond ashamed) but the bag was the prize i won in claire's (aka jazzpad) giveaway last year.

DISCLAIMER: there's a lot of concealer on my legs. in the words of natasha bedingfield, i bruise easily.

xxx

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