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

NYC

Oh wow!
I'm home and back to reality!
New York is truly amazing. I don't think I can even describe the sights and the sounds enough to do it justice. I felt the luckiest girl to get the chance to go and I'd recommend anyone should take up the chance if they get it.
The town is quite literally a 'concrete jungle' and I've never felt so small but that's the best bit.
The portions were huge, the high streets were long and the views were fantastic. My favourite highlight over the few days was the being up the empire state building, seeing New York lit up at night time. A breathtaking view. Closely followed by seeing the NYC skyline ad the statue of liberty lit up at night from the ferry.
I ate a lot, shopped a lot and didn't sleep a lot but I had the most amazing time.
I'm now going to bombard you with photos… (I had trouble narrowing them down!)

Brooklyn Bridge 

 Central Park

View from where we were staying

Ice Skating in Central Park

5th Avenue

Brooklyn

Hard Rock Cafe

New York tomorrow!

So the time has finally arrived to start packing my suitcase- which I have been preparing my outfits for over a week now- change up some money into dollars (which feel like monopoly money!) and set the dreaded alarm for 3.30!

I can't explain how excited I am. This time tomorrow I will be Instagraming from NYC. I've only ever flown to Spain before, so I'm even excited for the plane.

The next few blog posts will be me bombarding you with New York photos, I hope you don't mind.

Eeeeek!

My new purchases!
PJ Trousers, Socks, Wash Bag, Scarf, Earmuffs- Primark
Jumper- H&M

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.)