Stuck in speed bump city.

Navy lace dress: c/o Pussycat London. Navy cardigan: mum's. Horse belt: Primark. Ballet flats: 50p, Russell and Bromley, via ebay. Saddle bag: vintage, via Claire. Tartan scarf: £8, ebay. Watch: Rotary. Sailor coat (finally sewn back together!): £63, Topshop.

Whenever I have to do the (two hour round...) walk to the Post Office to pick up parcels, I always feel obliged to travel the scenic route along the canal. I've taken outfit photos here a couple of times before, but can you ever really have too much of a pretty thing?

Wearing my new Pussycat London crochet dress, with a(n admittedly bumpy) beehive and slick of lipstick, I felt rather ladylike for a few hours. Surreal experiences aside, it is also seriously comfy when you're wrapped in your duvet surrounded by a textbook fort, which is a common occurrence right now. I hope you're all sniffle free and enjoying your advent calendars!

xxx

Read more

Oh Manchester, so much to answer for.

There's nothing like getting a little older! My birthday isn't technically until next week, but my dad managed to take most of a day off work near enough to the date to come up and visit the Northern quarter (a little Manchester joke there!) and little ol' me. We had a wander around the Arndale centre before heading to the Second Floor at Harvey Nichols to have a rather indulgent late lunch. The moustache-adorned menu (I've noticed that Olivia's boyfriend is taking part in Movember - go go go!) was full of treats. Eventually I chose the vegetarian "taster box" as I couldn't decide on just one meal, whereas my dad plumped for classic fish and chips. For those who are wondering, it gets a big thumbs up from me, although I'm not sure leather trousers were the best accompaniment. Followed by a chocolate tarte (which escaped my camera - I wasn't leaving it on the plate for too long!), we rolled out of the restaurant to check out the christmas markets, as it wouldn't have made sense to go all that way without perusing their wares. Despite being snuggled inside my new Glamorous blazer, we eventually had to head inside, and jump in and out of phone shops to sort out my birthday present. I've finally got a device that isn't met with pity or derision (Samsung, I love you, but you're binging me down), and, as I'm so late on the bandwagon, pretty much every instagram username has been taken, so follow me @rscfanclub. 

xxx

ps, I do have a couple of posts lined up, but sorry if I go a little AWOL on the blog over the next month or so. It's hardly breaking news for a third year student to be stressed, but my workload is ridiculous, and I can't foresee any free time until January (cry) when deadlines have finally been met and exams have been sat. Hopefully this weird message will amount to nothing, but I'd rather my blog didn't become an obligation and additional stress when I've already got more than enough on my plate. Bis bald.

Read more

Christmas Jumper.

Sailor coat: £63, Topshop. Ill-fitting and unflattering jumper: £1.50, charity shop. Acid wash shorts: American Apparel via ebay. Grey ribbed tights: Primark. Furry socks: Primark. Chelsea boots: Stylistpick. Necklace: Toujours Toi.

When the cooler period comes around I cannot help but release a sigh of relief that skimpy tops are to be put to the depths of my drawers, and instead the christmas jumper resumes its place on my shoulders. I can't decide whether I like clothes that don't fit, or am just unable to purchase anything that flatters my shape, but my jumper collection is certainly one to be rivalled. This specimen was purchased from a charity shop near to my sixth form; it is my favourite treasure trove of knitted gems, which I rarely leave without a new blouse or pair of shoes. Paired with a tiny pair of shorts this outfit, in hindsight, makes little to no sense, but two pairs of tights and some (faux!) furry socks certainly ensured that I was cosy as I went about my business, which was unfortunately rather boring and dissertation based.

Are you a fan of the jumper? Pop on over to The Tab to read an article I wrote (which may have a look at how other bloggers styled theirs!), and let me know how you wear yours

xxx

Read more

Birmingham's Christmas Markets.

Last Saturday I hopped on a train heading South, and, when it terminated in Birmingham, I packed my copy of "The Wrongs of Woman" firmly in my bag till the homeward journey. Once out of the station, I met Eloise, Claire, Emma, Kim, Becca, Maria, and Victoria, to have a quick coffee catch-up, Nando's (fyi, I had a medium halloumi and mushroom wrap, chips, and macho peas), and a mooch around the shops. We then, of course, had a look round the christmas markets, which involved scary amounts of nutcrackers and winter Pimm's! Armed with their DSLRs, and my ever faithful point and shoot, we had a quick opportunity for outfit photos, and Eloise took some of me, despite my protestations that no one would want to see an outfit they'd seen countless times before. But, you know, you don't have a willing photographer every day! I can't wait for the christmas markets to open in Liverpool, anyone for glühwein?

Also, I set up a blog shop (which I'll be adding to as and when I have the time), so if you could have a look I'd really appreciate it!

xxx

Read more

Slip inside the eye of your mind.

Camel coat: £10, Marks and Spencer via charity shop. Tartan scarf: £8, ebay. Peter pan collar dress: Urban Outfitters. Thigh high socks: asos. Boots: c/o Stylistpick. Cameo necklace: £1.50, vintage via charity shop. Watch: Rotary.

It's getting to that time of year when sunlight is scarce, and your daylight hours are spent huddled underneath your bodyweight in clothing as you hurry between destinations, exposed skin burning in the cold. Unfortunately, this situation isn't conducive to the sharpest of images, and neither was the rain splattering on the pavement (and my head!).

For now, I'm sitting on the sofa with my flatmate watching Children in Need and eating lots of heartwarming food - it sure is nice to not be staring at word documents for a few hours. Time to bring my duvet in from my room and crack out the chocolate, I reckon.

xxx

Read more

Remembrance.

Camel coat: £10, Marks and Spencer via charity shop. Tartan scarf: £8, ebay. Hat: £10, vintage via Cambridge vintage fair. Black blouse: £1.50, vintage Next via charity shop. Checked skirt: Laura Lees for Topshop (old!). Leather belt: 20p, charity shop. Black satchel: £16, Internaçionale. Chelsea boots: c/o Stylistpick.

Remembrance

noun

The memory of a person who has died or a thing of the past surviving in the minds of others.

I went home for a few days over reading week, and traipsing round the suburban town couldn't help but make me reflect on the past few years I've lived there. I never thought there would ever be a time when I could call Liverpool "home", but treading paths oft walked made me realise to what extent I've outgrown the town I've spent the past nine years of my life, and the way it contrasts with its northern counterpart. I adore Essex; the green spaces, roofs climbed, pubs frequented, and barmen befriended combine to create a place that acutely displays my teenage years, yet there's still a distinct difference. It will always be home, but the initial action of getting out, despite its difficulties, shows just how beneficial change can be.

That, or I've been reading too many Romantic landscape novels about fits of sensibility and gesture. Whatever.

In regards to the title of the post (and the horrifically pretentious English student-ness of the vocabulary tag), it is, of course, Remembrance Sunday. After meeting some Americans last week who asked why everyone was wearing "those flowers", it made me wonder how much the poppy has become an institution in itself; perhaps a motif as opposed to a symbol. Natalie wrote a genuinely interesting article about its purpose, which is worth a read. Two minutes a year is all it takes to remember the past, and it would be a true mistake to forget.

xxx

Read more

Hey, I can be the answer.

Camel coat: £10, Marks and Spencer, via Oxfam. Lambswool tartan scarf: £8, ebay. Silky shirred skirt: £30, American Apparel. Thigh high socks: Primark. Chelsea boots: c/o Stylistpick.

I gave in and finally put on a pair of tights. And then went the extra mile and added some long socks to the mixture. Paired with my two most recent purchases, I think I look pretty darn autumnal. The coat was a bargain from Oxfam (£10? For a nearly new M&S coat? And it almost fits??), and is so comfy I couldn't care less about whether it's a flattering shape or not. The scarf was purchased as the result of seeing Livvy wearing hers, immediately asking (probably in capital letters) if she could send me a link, and it was soon winging its way up North to cooler climes.

I write this sitting in bed with a cup of tea, looking up fireworks displays for tomorrow evening. However much I love Sefton park's renowned display, we're thinking of heading to Newsham park instead, due to its closer proximity. Are any of you planning to spend the fifth of November freezing in a field, unable to see the pyrotechnics through your frozen breath? However much I adore fireworks, they always have a knack of coming round on one of the coldest days of the year!

xxx

Read more

We're painted as monsters.

 

Sailor coat: £63, Topshop (old. Very, very old.) Bat t-shirt: DIY (originally Primark men's). Faux leather trousers: £30.40, Topshop. Granny cardigan: £2, charity shop. Adela boots: c/o Stylistpick. Masquerade necklace: £9, Elsie Belle. Eye ring: £2.25, Topshop. Carpet bag: mum's.

Hallowe'en!

I don't have any particularly exciting plans this year, just staying in with lots of sweets, dimmed lights, duvets, hot chocolate, and a scary film (or three). Is this what third year does to a girl? Despite not heading out in towering heels tonight, I still had to celebrate the day somehow, so whipped out one of my favourite bespoke tee (cohen code for "I scribbled on it"). A little "Alexa Chung for Madwell" inspired, but oversized and perfectly slouchy, if I do say so myself, I paired it with leather trousers. Yes, leather trousers. I never thought I'd see the day, and I was still having some serious reservations as I entered my pin number, but domesday has finally come about. I know that if it weren't for the huge amount of support I've received from all you lovely readers over the past few years I would never have the confidence to don such a pair of slacks and feel like Sandy. So, to say thank you, I've got a little something up my sleeve, but, unfortunately, I don't think these Cuthbert's cupcakes will travel well, so I guess I'll have to come up with something a little more permanent!

xxx

Read more

Liverpool Fashion Week.

1. Miss Rule1 - proud of her collection

2-3. Four of the Rule1 looks

4. Leading the way

5. The Hilton hosted the evening, and backstage was just as busy as front of house!

6. Chloe Cummings, Abbey Clancy, Chloe's mum, and Elle Clancy.

Last weekend, the Rule1 ladies invited me down to the Hilton Hotel by the Albert Docks to see what Liverpool Fashion Week had up its sequin-encrusted sleeve. Compared to the whirlwind of the fashion capitals, Liverpool focuses much more on wearable clothing; there was the occasional peacock feather fascinator, but otherwise all the designers dressed their models in glamorous looks for a night in Monique's, or showcased sharp monochrome tailoring for the office. Rule1's collection featured lace, bodycon, peplum, and baroque prints - a series of dresses that would fit seamlessly into my "night out" wardrobe. Elle Clancy and Chloe Cummings caught the paparazzi's eye in metallic bandage dresses, while my favourite was the Curve dress - which looked fantastic on Amy on the night. Other designers showed more diverse selections of their stock on the runway: everything from Swarovski-encrusted sunglasses (note to self: don't sit on those ones), to lace-up wellington boots. But the show was undoubtedly stolen by a little canine companion - who could resist his puppy dog eyes?

In a strange turn of events, I decided to film a little bit of my day. I'm not sure my camera's entirely cut out for it (and neither are my shaky hands!), but it's a little diary of what happened, and is backed by the song Laura by GIRLS, which is a pretty damn hot song:

xxx

Read more

Meet and drink and pollinate.

Striped Breton tee: £30, Aubin and Wills. Corduroy circle skirt: £15, American Apparel via ebay. Grey cardigan: £63, Carven via sample sale. Denim jacket: £63, Hobbs. Horse belt: £1, Primark. Ship necklace: Toujours Toi. Granny/child bag: £4, vintage. Eye ring: £2.25, Topshop. Watch: gift, Rotary. Grey Alea boot: c/o Stylistpick. Lipstick: Mischief, Topshop.

I like having access to a roof.

This is what I wore to Liverpool Fashion Week yesterday (more on that when I can work out how to edit videos; YouTube newbie over here!). Surrounded by a sea of sequins, I felt pretty casual, but crouching for a fair few hours in the marked photographer area made me feel slightly less ashamed of leaving my skyscraper heels at home. These boots were sent to me by the lovely Stylistpick girls after meeting them at The Apartment, and they are my new favourites. However much I love my chelsea boots, I have worn them to destruction, and it's reaching the stage where no amount of pleading in the cobblers will make them re-heel them. I am, surprisingly considering Liverpool's temperament, yet to weather test their replacements, but they're comfy enough to wear all day, which is an added bonus, and something I ought to consider more seriously when purchasing footwear. Although, life would be dull and a little less interesting if everything were done for the greater good (and to not get blisters).

xxx

Read more