Dream Big

Top- River Island
Jeans- Miss Selfridge
Coat- New Look
Bag- H&M

I know it's the most over used English topic of conversation and I'm am sick of talking about it myself, but where the hell did the sun go. We were tempted, treated and teased with a week of sunshine and warmer weather, and just as I found my perfect pair of new-season sunglasses (I was being very picky, but finally found the right pair in Next!) and my winter-blues mood had finally lifted, we were slapped in the face with the disappointment of the typical, unpredictable English bloody weather. Take off your sunglasses and put back on your coat! Eugh. I'll just hope and pray that, that wasn't our summer.

But anyway, weather rant over. These photographs were taken by my ever-so lovely boyfriend, Matt, as we took a stroll around the harbour, walking off our food baby from the giant pizza we'd just eaten. (You'll see, said pizza, on my Instagram!) Even though the clouds do look rather grey the sunset was beautiful. It was a lovely, chilled out weekend, just what was needed before Monday morning came around, again, to start the new work-loaded week.

This weeks Stylist magazine has been my motivation for this week as it includes an article on their top '100 inspiring quotes for life.' If you haven't had the chance to read it yet, download it on your phone and have a peak. When I see 'motivational quotes' plastered all over Instagram and Facebook I scroll past and choose not to read them. They bore me. Sorry. However there were a few inspiring ones in their top 100 that made me think, "Week, come at me!" So here are my favourite 3...

"If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough." Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (President of Liberia)

"Everything will be OK in the end. If it's not OK, it's not the end." John Lennon

"Be who you are and say how you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." Dr Seuss

LDN

Top- River Island
Scarf- TopShop
Coat- New Look
Bag- H&M
Jeans- Miss Selfridge

London is always a good idea, especially when the sun shines bright and amazing food is involved! The girls and I visited London to go to the Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore! exhibition before it closes next sunday, I had been recommended it by many so I couldn't let it go a miss and I wasn't let down. 

If I'm honest I haven't really visited many exhibitions but this one is the best by far. Not only was the clothing and accessories that were showcased amazing, but the journey you're taken on makes you feel like you knew her personally. Quirky boxes (with legs and arms!) showcasing little notes and magazines prints inside, many videos of her, so many mannequins with her clothes on, that all had seen much love and affection from the worn out seams and broken heels on shoes- making you feel like you knew her that little bit more. The exhibition moved through many rooms and floors to finally a video of a catwalk show in 2007, which was in honour of her following her death. I completely recommend you visit if you get the chance.

Once we had made our way round the exhibition our tummies grumbled so we treated ourselves to a meal (and pudding) at Garfunkels, before we walked around the city admiring the sights, and the sun. We then grabbed a coffee and rested our throbbing feet and took home shortly afterwards. 

My next visit will be to see the David Bailey exhibition at the National Gallery. That exhibition is on till June, so that'll happen once this uni work has been handed in!

Good things come to those who wait

Coat- New Look
Shirt, Bag- H&M
Jeans- Miss Selfridge
Boots- River Island
Lipstick- Mac: Rebel

Last week I managed to find this beauty of a shirt in H&M, I've been looking for a new baggy style checked shirt for some time now, I will admit that I have seen many I like but they are all so expensive, naming no names (There all in Urban Outfitters of course!) I just can't afford to be spending £40 a shirt! Thats a months shopping! So when I found this one for £14.99, minus the 20% student discount from Unidays (which ends tomorrow so theres not much time!) it would have been rude for me to run it away.

I really have been trying not to buy unnecessary items (this shirt was of course necessary!) because of living on a student budget n'all that as well as not being able to find my self a job yet means that, until I do, I have to be sensible and cut back. (proving to be more difficult to actually do than it was to write that sentence!) However, there is a light at the end of every tunnel as my birthday is fast approaching. Well, it's still a whole month away but thats close enough. Close enough for me to start writing a birthday wish list. 

I braved the blustery winds and wet weather to go to the high street today for the first time in over a week and everyone seems to have had a re-stock! Every shop had many items that tickled my fancy! Tops, Skirts, Bags, Purses, Coats, you name it I wanted it. My light at the end of tunnel is that I can suggest these items as birthday presents, meaning I don't have to buy them and that I don't have to wait to long either! However I do know deep down I won't actually receive any of these items as the list is rather long (endless) but a girl can dream right?

Summer wish list...

Jumper- H&M
Skirt- Miss Selfridge

2014 is in full swing; the assignments for my second semester demanding my attention and today is the last day in January! Where have the days gone?

I don't mean to wish the year away but I can't help but to think about planning my summer holidays and purchasing a new summer wardrobe. I already have a small wish list growing larger by the day, but my must-have purchases include:

Printed peg trousers- I've been meaning to purchase some statement print trousers for a while and so i'm thinking a floral pattern will be perfect for the summer months, I have my eye on these from ASOS.

Culottes- Again, the ones I have my eyes on are from ASOS and there super cheap. Light weight and comfortable, a nice alternative to the usual denim short.

Shift dress- My final must-have is a shift dress. This one from Miss Guided is the closet one i've found to one I like.

In the meantime, whilst I continue to save, i'm still wrapping up warm and dreaming of a sunnier place.

Coat- New Look
Shoes- River Island
Bag- H&M 

Rings- Flash Trash & H&M

January blues

Top, Coat- New Look
Jeans- Topshop
Shoes- River Island
Necklace- Vintage

Is it summer yet? I feel like the cold winter days should be over and t-shirts should be replacing scarves and winter coats, but we aren't even through the worst of the winter yet. So we have to keep our heads up through the worst month of the year where the lack of money, motivation and vitamin D is starting to take its toll. 

I'm not one for New years resolutions, but I have said to myself to set goals from time to time to stop me from hibernating under my duvet until the summer season. 

These include, visiting a new bar or cafe around Southampton, at least once a week; I've lived here for nearly a year and a half and barely adventured further than the high street and my university building. 

Also cooking new foods; trying simple, healthy, cheap recipes that are a change from the usual diet of pasta and chips!

Whilst I try my best to be more adventurous, me and a friend are also sticking it at the gym and dreaming of that summer body already! In the meantime I'll continue to wrap up warm and dream of a sunnier place.

Watch- Urban Outfitters
Bracelet- River Island

One week and counting...

Shirt, Trousers, Bag- H&M
Scarf- Topshop
Shoes- River Island
Coat- New Look

My parka coat has become the statement piece for my winter wardrobe. It has got so cold recently that wrapping up warm is my number one priority! 
The trousers and shirt are my most recent purchases from H&M (who are doing a stunning party range at the moment.) and will be my first outfit into my suitcase for New York.

Yes, New York! This time next week I will have landed in NYC and be living the American Dream. I'm super excited to jet off, with my house mate, on a university course trip to see the sights, be a tourist and of course do a lot of shopping.

So, other than continue to stress about the essay's that, inconveniently, will not write themselves, I am also devising my 4 day clothing plan for NY. I will keep you posted on my chosen outfits.

In the meantime, keep warm and cosy, try and stay inside with plenty of cups of tea with biscuits, and layer up your winter wollies. 

This is my reinterpretation of the brilliant David Bailey's photograph of Mick Jagger- not so iconic!

Lazy Days

Top- Topshop
Shirt- Vintage
Jacket- Primark
Leggings- River Island
Bag- H&M

My weekend has consisted of nothing but relaxation and good times. I decided, to save my sanity, I had to take the weekend off. Lazy days, the company of friends and a fair amount of take-aways and junk food. Whilst at the time it was a 'guilt-free zone', the guilt is slowly creeping in as Sunday draws to a close. 

So Monday morning strikes back and after a well rested weekend, I can go back to late night work and the piles of books on my desks that really need reading. 

Oh and I purchased this new beaut of a bag from H&M over the weekend. Very excited of its arrival. This will be my new winter essential.

Lets do this...

Top- River Island
Skirt- Miss Selfridge
Belt- Primark
Leather jacket- H&M
Boots- River Island

They weren't wrong when they said, 'the real work starts in your second year'. Uni has truly stepped up a gear this year and I regularly find myself making lists just to feel like I have my life under control. It really doesn't help. 

I have to tell myself to 'man up' and get on with it, even though what I actually want to do is curl up in bed with a great film and a packet of biscuits.

The work load will not get the better of me however, I have pulled my socks up, rolled up sleeves and I'm ready. (I think.)