Come on Eileen

I've gone back in time and I am embracing my youth. They are back, the dungarees have been a big look for spring summer 2013 and I for one couldn't be happier. I used to have a pair of trousered dungarees with a black baroque print which I would wear with an orange Reebok t-shirt; I'm not sure that was ever in fashion. Nowadays I am never one to fall head first into a current trend so I have been debating whether to get myself a pair of dungarees and my fashion senses have won. So 13 years down the line I have found this little gem in the Urban Outfitters sale rail; originally £45 and down to £20. I have teamed it with a red and white striped sleeveless shirt that narrowly survived a recent wardrobe clear out. Love this trend as they are so versatile, I'm excited to start styling these up in the autumn/winter with some woolly tights and boots; can't believe I am already looking ahead to that dreaded cold season! But for now, here's to summer.

Annie x

Tell me about it, stud

I got chills, indeed they're multiplying. Very excited and well chuffed with this little bit of DIY this eve as I customised two items of clothing that have been neglected in my wardrobe. I gave them a new leash of life with these studs that were super cheap and easy to use. I used something similar in my GCSE textiles and was told that I wouldn't get a mark for it as it wasn't a sewing technique, fair enough. So even for those of you that don't deem yourselves as a dab hand at anything creative, you can still do this. If you look through whats on offer in the high streets today you will see that it will be laden with clothes with studs; and this allows them to bump up the pounds just by adding a little embellishment. 

Here are the items I funked up:

These are how the studs look originally. The idea is to pierce them through the fabric and then fold over the spikes just like the picture above. As usual, ebay has served me well. You can get these studs and many other variations to achieved your desired look for under £2. 

Link for the pyramid studs: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-50CS-8MM-Pyramid-Studs-Spots-Nickel-Punk-Rock-Design-Spikes-Heavy-Duty-DIY-/130844653816?pt=UK_Crafts_Sewing_Supplies_MJ&hash=item1e76f2f8f8

Link for the circular studs: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200pcs-6-10mm-Spike-Rivet-Punk-Belt-Bag-Leathercraft-Round-Cone-Studs-DIY-Silver-/230847884901?pt=UK_Crafts_Leathercraft_LE&var=&hash=item35bf9b2e65

Have fun trying something a little different. It is nice to know that no one else will have the same looking item of clothing as you. 

Annie x

Birthday outfit

After my last post where I declared my love for Zara it is no surprise that my birthday outfit was a Zara fest! From head to toe. Got treated to a lovely meal in Cardiff Bay with the other love in my life. It is rare, but this may be the first time I have been able to blog about a full priced item that is still available in the shops.

Zara embellished skirt: Zara Link £39.99

Heels: Zara link £29.99

Dipped back black top: Zara sale £9

Necklace: New Look sale

Annie x

Sunshine on a rainy day

Popped into town for a spot of shopping and cocktails with my mum. Got treated to an early birthday prezzie which I am so excited about. Went into Zara which was so refreshing, I have fallen in love with their clothes all over again. The styles, colours and fabrics are so lovely and I really don't think it compares to anything else on the high street. I realise as I post this Zara have started their sale so get online or run into the shops to grab a lovely bargain, I know I don't need persuading.   

If the suns out then the legs are too, even if it is still drizzling.

Floral shorts: Next old

Yellow jumper: Primark £3

Grey blazer: H&M £30

Annie x

Reading combo

Travelled to Reading this weekend to meet up with two very dear friends of mine. Here is my outfit of the night. As always a little bit of a back story with one of the items of clothing. The change in weather recently has found me digging around in my wardrobe and rediscovering clothes I haven't seen since last year. It was like going shopping in my own room, in my pjs and for free. On my hunt I reignited a love for this top. Once an ebay find but I found it difficult to style. I had tried to resell it on ebay without much luck, which is just as well.Here I paired it with this lace skirt from h&m sale for £5, linked in with gold skinny belt and rose gold necklace. 

 I love styling this white lace skirt with contrasting tops. Apologies for the shameful picture but unfortunately it's the only half decent picture of that night. Here's an example of how I styled it with a different top. This faux black leather top(Next) adds a bit of edge to the skirt. Made complete with silver and black jewellery, a face pout and some spice girl moves on the dance floor.

 All hail the whitest legs in Britain. Clutch a very old purchase from Dorothy Perkins. Shoes a new and exciting purchase from yet again, ebay. Originally from asos bought for £7. I think the buckles add a bit of interest to the outfit, just wish they were gold but can't be too picky.

Annie x

In bloom

Finally the sun has got his hat on here in sunny South Wales. In celebration here's a cheap and cheerful outfit of the day from me. I Purchased this top from Ebay a few months back for less than £3. Originally from H&M, I love the silk effect raglan arm sleeve ;although they are not clearly shown in the picture (I vow to produce better outfit pictures for my blog). This light pink colour doesn't suit my skin tone however I am persisting and still wearing it as it is a great staple that goes with almost everything. I Rolled up the sleeves and sewed them into place for a more casual feel. Floral jeans were an uncertain purchase for me but for £5 from Peacocks you cant really go wrong. I discuss these patterned trousers and others in this previous post of mine here. Tied in the gold and brown accessories with this rose gold chain necklace from the Miss Selfridge sale. I have seen identical in the majority of high street stores. Hope the sun is shinning where you are. 

Annie x

Take it to the max

Who would have thought we were on our way into summer territory with this typical British weather? Here's a very autumn inspired outfit of the day complete with dark vampy lip. As I am a what you would call a "short-ass" I do find it a big problem finding maxi dresses and skirts to fit me in length but this summer I am going to tackle this problem. I have one that I really enjoy styling and I've been wanting to get this maxi skirt out for a while. Its a lovely fitted maxi that only cost me £2 once upon a time in Primark, I would say a good 4 years ago. These were the days where everything was dirt cheap however Im sure everyone is aware that the prices have gone up a little over the past few years. But hey I still find it great value and more often then not actually not bad quality. Not sure how this post has turned into an ode to my love of Primark. So back to my point; maxi skirts don't have to be just a summer item as here I have teamed it up with my grey sparkle loose knit jumper and metallic chelsea boots. Not yet ready to get my feet out of boots and into sandals, which today was just as well as true to form the heavens opened. 

  

Testing out a darker lip today. I haven't been able to find the right vampy shade for me so I have mixed a dark brown lip liner with a plum lipstick for my ideal colour. Mixing liners and lipsticks is a great way of creating a new colour without going out and spending money on an all new lipstick. Its also a good idea for using colours in your make up collection that don't uselessly see the light of day.

Annie x