Beanie's Time to Shine

Finally, the beanie is getting it's time in the lime light. So simple, so cheap and just the accessory to be on trend this season. I don't know why, it's not like I need one, but every winter I tend to buy a new beanie. I seem to be accumulating quite the collection. This little one in the pictures below I fell for not only for the colour but for the giant bobble on top. Seriously, it's bigger than usual so hard not to notice. It made me feel like a kid when I first tried it on as I had the funniest urge to move my head to make the bobble shake. We all need to keep a little of the kid inside of us alive right!?

On another note, the cold has really kicked in the last week so it was time to bundle up. With camel and grey everywhere this season, I really wanted to get a warm polo neck in either colour. Found this one I'm wearing in h&m last week. They have it in several colours. It's so snug and the neck falls nicely. As I added it to my wardrobe, I realised I only had one other polo neck in my wardrobe. I think I need to stock up.

Jeans; Miss Selfridge, Boots & Beanie; both M&S (AU13), 

Polo neck; H&M (AU13), Bag; Michael Kors

Steph xx

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe

Just wanted to share some of these great finds with you. Can't get the shoes in particular out of my head. I saw them in the shop & the picture doesn't do them justice. I'm thinking I should treat myself to one of these but I can't be greedy so which one to pick!? I can't decide.....eeny, meeny, miny, moe?

M&S Collection Fringe Pointed Toe Shoes with Insolia Flex®

Topshop Strappy Silk Dress

Warehouse Animal Print Jumper

Secret Crop Top

We all know how cropped tops crept back into fashion. Even still, I was hesitant at first. When I saw cropped top on the runway and on the high street, although they were often paired with high waisted skirts or trousers, i kept thinking I don't want to flash my belly. When I think of me flashing my midriff, I either think of the beach or when I was a teeny bopper. However, when I saw this striped top in Primark for the bargain price of 5 euro, I thought what have I got to loose. I instantly knew I'd first pair it with this skirt. Firstly I found I wasn't actually flashing the midriff unless I put my hands high in the air and if that happens, it's thankfully the flattering part of your midriff that is exposed. Secondly and probably that best thing about cropped tops and high waisted skirts is that you loose the excess bulk of having a the bottom half of the top under a skirt and avoid having a visible line where the end of your top sits. I know not all trends suit everyone but maybe we should give them a try (even if it's only in the dressing room of a store) before we make up our minds. All in all, I think it works great and by this picture you wouldn't even know it's cropped, it's like my little secret. What do you think? 

Cropped Top; Primark (now sold online at ASOS), Pleated skirt; Riverisland, 

Bag; M&S, Shoes; Office

Forgotten Gems

Have you ever looked forward to something, planned the outfit in your head and then after all that bother, the night you had planned never happened? This dress was initially bought for New Years Eve but I had come down with a bad flu and I never even got to go out in the end. Then I half forgot about this dress until recently so even though I bought it a few months back, it still felt brand new when I finally wore it. I wore it for my house warming as I had moved moved just recently. The lace was beautiful but what really caught by eye was the shape and fully beaded detail at the neckline. Have you any hidden gems you forgot you had?

 I added some red lippy for a pop of colour.

My recent purchase from H&M as my other black clutch didn't hold much.

All ready for the night ahead and as you can see, I really had that new dress feeling.

Hope you had a lovely weekend.x

Dress; Zara AU13, Shoes; M&S, Clutch; H&M

Pastel Pool

I've been loving all the editorials on pastels. Although I'm dying to go pastel from head to toe, I'm just waiting for it to look a little less like winter outside. With that said, I just picked up this pastel green jumper yesterday and decided to mix it with some warmer tones. I guess you could say I'm dipping my toe in the pastel pool before I jump in. Here's a quick snap of an outfit I was was wearing today taken right as I was running out the door. Have you guys been bringing any pastels into your wardrobe at all?

Jumper (Pennys), Bag (River Island), Jeans (Topshop), Boots (Aldo)

London Baby!

Back from London and I must say I had an absolute blast catching up with family and friends. After we went for some tea in this very quirky and cute cafe, we ended up doing a little vintage shopping down around Brick Lane where I ended up buying a lovely black leather skirt. It was the first item I went to try on and it fitted perfectly. I love when that happens. We also had a little stroll around some markets where I picked up a very eye catching ring I just couldn't resist. I was delighted we had time to see a show in the West End. Between reading all about the 1920's trend in Vogue on the plane, reading The Great Gatsby book on the way from the airport and topping it off by going to see the show Chicago, I felt like I'd really immersed myself in one of the spring/summer trends.
Here are some displays in Topshop on Oxford Street that really caught my eye. I took some quick pictures to share with you...

I was very excited to visit Sketch restaurant and former fashion house of Dior. I'd just heard wonderful things about the place so I had to go and see it for myself. There's a big dog on the building outside. If you walk by, you won't miss it. The building and interior is very unique. It's so much more impressive than these pictures portray. If you're ever in London, it's worth a visit. From the lighting, the decorative walls and even the toilets (yes, you did read correctly), the attention to detail and creativity striking. Check it out at http://www.sketch.uk.com/.

We just had to make a toast - to Dior of course!

Sales Sales Sales

Okay, so I know everyone doesn't love sales. The lack of organisation, the crowds and rooting through the mess can be a bit tiresome for some but isn't it all worth it when you find a diamond in the rough?!

I didn't go mad in the sales but I did pick up a few bargains. Firstly, if you've been reading my blog recently, you may have noticed I think using a statement necklace can really glam up an outfit so when I came across this little gem on sale, I just had to purchase it.

My second purchase, however cold it is now, I think was a very sensible purchase. It's coming into spring/summer and last summer I got so much wear out of my maxi dresses, particularly when I was in Italy. They're ideal for holidays, and the pattern was just so pretty. Sold!

I'm taking a trip to London soon and thought I'd get this little name tag for my luggage. The Cath Kidston range is adorable, isn't it?

Lastly, I have been planning on getting a pair of classic, plain black, round toe shoes for a while. I half forgot about getting a pair when I stumbled across these ones. The first pair I saw were even my size. It must of been fate I thought!

Necklace (M&S), Maxi Dress (Oasis), Luggage Information Tag (Cath Kidston) and Black Shoes (Zara).

Wardrobe Additions

This is an outfit I wore the other day. I got a new bag which is a my new favourite & I've a feeling it will go with everything or should I say I will make go with everything. 

Also, I was very excited to wear my faux fur jacket I got for christmas. 

If you can't tell from the picture, believe me, it's so soft.

Dusty Pink Grecian Top (Dunnes Savida range), Lace Cami (Dunnes), Cardigan (Topshop), Jeans (Topshop), Bag (River Island), Shoes (M&S). Turquoise Stone Ring (London Market), Watch (Pulsar), Bracelets (Thomas Sabo & Pandorra) and Faux Fur Jacket (River Island).

Christmas Wish List

With christmas around the corner, I thought it would be fun to do a little wish list of some things I had my eye on so here they are.

Bertie Sierra B shoes, River Island black colour block oversized padlock bag, Oasis Sequin Pointelle 2 in 1 dress (reminds me of the Christopher Kane dress Alexa Chung wore to the British Fashion Awards recently), Accessorize Daisy Frilly swimsuit (for indoors this time of year I assure you), Marks & Spencers Autograph Pure Wool Lightweight Feather Trilby hat (rustic burgundy colour), Crystalandco A Sweet Dream Drop earrings, Miss Selfridge Faux Fur grey coat, Accessorize Queen Natasha Luxe necklace, Inglot 27TG make-up brush, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb perfume, Newlook Peter Pan black shorts, adjustable tripod for my camera.