Down and Dirty

"I realized this week that I just cannot do it all. So I will choose to do what I can fabulously." Clinton Kelly

 

Topshop White drape blouse

Zara black combination leather blazer-similar here

Skirt stolen from my mum-similar here

Sandwich knit snood-similar here

 

How is time passing so quickly lately? It's October next week! I have literally not bought clothes for the last 9months! Just October, November and December left and that's me. Finished this silly challenge.  It's not silly really.  I love this look that I am wearing today and I don't think I ever would have been able to piece this together last year.  Oh don't get me wrong, I would love new stuff. Black ankle boots. Nice ones, not too big a heel but still stylish enough to dress them up or down. Technically this skirt is new, well my mum didn't want it anymore so I took it off the charity pile that she leaves in my bedroom up room.  I can be seen as charity really. I have no idea where she bought it, I think a tiny boutique in Italy.  Who knows, it's mine now.  Insert evil laugh.

 

This last week, I have just been trying to sort my life out.  At the start of the summer I set a long list of goals that I wanted to do and I am slowly but surely achieving them.  Exciting things like resealing my bath, repainting the kitchen roof, clearing out my store room.  All very very exciting stuff. I have a new housemate moving in this weekend so I am trying to tie all lose ends up. Shout out to my mummy who I forced to help me last weekend with the cleaning of my bathroom. Wee legend and the bathroom looks brand new.



 

 

Before I got down and dirty over the weekend, I went to the Directory 14 Catwalk event on Thursday night but my lovely fellow blogger Gemma Louise Bond.  Events like this annoy me now. Oh don't great me wrong it was a great event.  It was a catwalk geared towards you.  No models on the catwalk that you think, aw I could never wear that, she looks great in it with her model figure & the fact she is 7ft and has legs as long as spaghetti.  This is coming out wrong.  The models were gorgeous but they ranged in age, size and represented the majority of society.  Young models, plus size models, older models, size 8 to size 18.  It was get to see variety on a catwalk.  It was more commercial.  But I hate events like this now.  May sound sad but it's the pressure of what to wear.  Wearing something new always take the edge of it but I of course, don't have anything new so I am trying to think up ways to my smelly old clothes.

It's like I feel people are looking at me going, there is that blogger Laurina, what the hell is she wearing?!? Though these events are also fun because I get to play around more with my clothes and experiment more which is something I have always been too scared to do.  Take a look at my photos, I rarely do anything with my hair but for this event I tried the slicked back look.  I loved it, my family made some funny comments about the fact that it just looked normal & like I hadn't washed my hair as usual.  Fair comments.  I am a bit minging. I then took a cotton stretch top that I use for layering and tucked it in half & into my bra so it wouldn't fall down.  Ta da!!! My very own crop top.  Totes on trend.  Then paired it with a black pencil skirt.  I had a good tummy day so was happy to show a bit of skin. Loved this look.  Ignore my grumpy bake, I was trying to be fierce. I failed.

Starting to come into catwalk season, I am doing a catwalk for Cruise tomorrow night so lots of backstage photos to come from that.  Then I will blogging from the Victoria Square A/W Fashion and Beauty Spectacular. Lots of backstage craic and photos of the gorgeous clothes that the fab Rebecca McKinney will be styling. Can't wait! I promise to have cleaned my nails by then.

Torturing myself

"Shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist" Unknown

 

Zara Red Blouse-similar here

Zara Skinny grey trousers-similar here

Topshop Cord necklace

 

It must be really bad that into my 9th month of not shopping & I am still finding clothes in my wardrobe that I haven't worn this year. These trousers for example.  Completely forgot I had them and they are so perfect for work.  They are a nice smart trouser but still quite funky.  They are a jodphur style & would look so nice with a flat black knee high leather boot for Winter.  If only I had a pair.

 

Life is non stop at the minute.  I love when I am busy but this is taking the biscuit. I just seem to have something on every single night.  Last Thursday night I was invited to Mexx Party night in their flagship store in Belfast.  They had models showcasing the latest autumn hair and make-up looks from YSL and Hedonist Hair. The lovely Mexx team which included the fab Alison Paul chatted to us about the must-have pieces for the season with prosecco being served throughout the night.  I was a bore though as I had a sprite.

 

It is always torture going to these events for me.  Because they are showing you absolutely gorgeous pieces of new season stock.  I completely fell in love with a dress that one of the staff was wearing. It just looks like such a nice party dress especially coming up to Xmas, it would be lovely just to have for those dinner dates or nights out.

 

 

I am currently holding viewings for a room in my flat and one of the girls who came over last night asked what I did & I explained my job & then went on to explain about the blog.  She actually gasped & put her hands over her mouth when I said I wasn't shopping for a year.  Yes, would you like to move into a house with a crazy person who will prob go through your wardrobe and steal things the minute you move in.  The great thing about the blog is that it has introduced me to brands such as Mexx.  In a year my style has changed dramatically and it going to be fun to explore it when I am able to shop again.  I love the playful prints & the cute mini skirts that Mexx have in store at the minute.  With everything laid out in easy to find sections of the store; one side casual, one side metro style, I will definitely be standing on the doors of Mexx Belfast on the 1st of January.

Conversations in toilets

"When I compliment you, I compliment myself, because I am who I associate with.”   Jarod Kintz

Stills Cardigan

Stills Tshirt

Zara Black leather trousers

 

You know when your world has gone mad when you are minding your own business, releasing your bladder in the toilets of the wine bar and from outside the locked door you hear, "Omg are you Laurina's mum?" Now granted the first thought that went through my head was oh no, who's that? and oh no, what have I done now.  But then for my mum to be like "yes that's me" (And I know mum was probably thinking the same as me,) and for the lovely Joanne to be like "I recognise you from her blog," was the funniest thing & most surrealist thing to me.  The fact I had to then casually walk out of the toilet & be like Hello!! It's lovely to meet you! Thank you for reading my blog, sorry let me just wash my hands before I shake yours!

Primark Baseball top-similar here

Asos Wrap linen skirt

Zara Necklace-similar here

 

I spent my lovely long bank holiday weekend up home visiting all my family that I hadn't seen in a while.  My little sister got amazing GSCE results so we were celebrating those as well.  I am still getting loads of wear out of all my birthday presents.  I love baseball tops at the minute, loved this look that I wore on Saturday night to the Mermaid Kitchen in Portrush.  My BFF zoe asked me what I craved the most for my birthday and I said that Connor had hunted high and low for a baseball top but couldn't get one.  Well that's gay cause they are in Primark for £3 was her reply. Probably the one place he didn't look but thanks to Zoe who then went and got me this one!

 

Topshop Cropped Denim jacket

Asos Coral Skater Dress

 

After my slight mishap with my work clothes recently, I have been really trying hard to dress up for work and wear as much of the sample pieces of the collections that we sell.  So now for weekends I just love dressing down.  I am fighting not to get back into my jeans until the last possible moment when my legs fall off from frostbite! But it's becoming harder and harder.  But then I think well technically you only have 4 months to go till you can shop again! And that man from the Waterboy pops up in my head, "You can do it!!"

 

 

But when I am off work, I am never truly off work.  On Monday, Mum, Carla and I made a mad dash to Derry/Londonderry! Derry seems to be the place to be this year! With it winning the City of Culture 2013, the amount of events happening in Derry is amazing!! For a week in September, they are holding a Culture Tech week with events through out the city! Check out the website, there is just too many to name! http://culturetech.co/

 

 

Myself and 2 other bloggers from Northern Ireland, Gemma-Louise from That Belfast Girl and Caroline from the Red Dutchess will be attending some of the events over the 9th of September to the 15th of September to tweet, take photos and blog our experience! In conjunction with Foyleside Shopping centre, we each will be modelling fab outfits from the centre at these events! More on that later!  

My Precious

"Sometimes Pattern trousers come in handy when trying to match the carpet in your office" bourbonbasted, Styleforum

Topshop Black Peplum top

Warehouse Tile print trouser

My shoes are really starting to smell.  Granted I have quite smelly feet already but the fact is I haven't bought new shoes in 7 months or probably more.  If you think about it, I haven't bought summer shoes since last summer so technically I have been wearing these for over a year now & they are starting to get a whiff about them.  My black studded pumps that I wear religiously to work, if they get too close to my face I can definitely smell a pong coming from them.  What am I meant to do??? They are the only black shoes I own other than high heels, trainer wedges or boots.  I am not going to be saving any money from this year due to the fact I will have to bin most of my wardrobe at the end of this year.

One thing I won't be binning are these trousers.  Confession.  They are new.  BUT I didn't buy them.  This amazing thing called blogging has opened doors for me & given me stuff.  Free stuff!!! When I met with the PR girls from Warehouse to hear about them opening their fab new store in Victoria Square in September, they gifted me the gorgeous neon necklace you may have spotted me wearing (If not, check it out here) 

They also gave me a £50 gift voucher!!!! 

I went to the Warehouse in Forestside, think Gollum from The Lord of the Rings with my giftcard. My precious.  It was so surreal, walking around actually looking at the clothes but actually looking at the clothes in a sense of hey, I may buy you.  I wanted something that I had desired for a while.  You have to understand I could have bought everything in the shop because I could have just went crazy and relapsed.  It's like setting alcohol down in front of an alcoholic & saying you are allowed a sip.  Ok, maybe thats a bit more serious than my shopping addiction.

I walked around the shop for 35 mins, touching everything, smelling everything, rubbing my face with wallets, handbags over my arms.  The shop assistants were looking at me thinking who is this crazy person.  I wanted boyfriend jean, really baggy, lots of ribs.  I love the look at the moment of the boyfriend jeans and high heels.  Love to wear them out to dinner with a blazer.  So I tried on Warehouse's boyfriend style jeans and boy were they gorgeous!! Best fitting jeans I have had on me in ages. However, they weren't quite what I was looking for, not baggy enough.  So then I tried these on pattern trousers & we have a winner!!!

 

They just go with anything, you can wear them 101 ways.  I have kept it quite plain so far when I have worn them. Sticking to a plain black or white top & black pumps but I would love to wear them with a clashing top or even a colourful cami.  They are great for work too and I think they would be lovely even with heel highs for heading out to cocktails.  I almost cried as I saw the blue version of the trousers featured in the Look magazine 2 weeks ago.  It is so nice to be wearing something that you know is in style.  Can't remember the last time I saw something in a magazine were I was like ooohhh I have those, totes on trend or they are beaut, I am going to get them.  And the best thing is I still haven't spent all of my gift voucher!!! Oooohhhhh my precious, I am keeping you. Coveting you for a later date. Yes, my precious.

Resorted to stealing

"Borrowing is not much better than borrowing; just as lending with interest is not much better than stealing." Doris Lessing 

 

Topshop White Shirt

Topshop Neon tweed skirt-similar here

 

I have resorted to stealing.  Well not stealing as such, I am not slinking my way into Victoria Square at night like a ninja to steal clothes.  The clothes of my friends and family are a different story though.  Take the last 3 days and my outfits.  Apart from this neon green skirt, I haven't worn anything that was my own this week at all.  I was up home visiting my granny who has broken both her arms.  Having left my sunglasses at my mums house when I was up visiting my family the last night I was up, I popped to my mums to grab them.  It was then, the idea presented itself to me.  My mum and little sister are away currently in Italy for 3 weeks therefore leaving their wardrobes wide open for me to steal.  Think of a pig rolling in (shit) mud.  That was me in the middle of 2 wardrobes with stuff I hadn't worn before.

Topshop Purple Skater dress-similar here

 

So this has helped calmed my nerves.  Feels like new clothes but it isn't.  This is usually the time of year when I spend loads on clothes.  I don't know why, if it is because I always have a bit of cash after summer or if it is because I love the Fall collections more than any other season but this is the time of year I spent my most on clothes.  It was this time last year when I spent so much that I was like....hold on a second, this is bad.

River Island Midi dress-similar here

So stealing is now the new in thing to do.  Even my friends wardrobes aren't safe.  My bff Zoe let me borrow a skirt to head out one night and she forgot to take it the next day so I sneakily wore it to work.

Zara tropical skirt-similar here

 

 

Speaking of skirts,  what skirt length should you wear to work????

 

I am wearing my neon tweed skirt today and as I was walking to work this morning, I felt my whole arse was on show.  Have I gotten taller??? No.  Have I washed the skirt at too high a temperature??? No.  But all of a sudden it seems so short! I haven't bent to pick anything up all day as I know I will show my ass off.  Recently, every single time I wear a skirt this seems to happen.  Am I a slut and I haven't noticed until now? All my skirts seem so short!!! Is it my old age??? I feel like my boss has been watching my skirt line all day.

 

Due to the fact that I don't have a uniform per say, it is so hard to know what I can wear.  What length of skirts are a big nono??? Anything above the knee??? Even if it is slightly above the knee? I have no idea.

Overstyling

“You know, Minister, I disagree with Dumbledore on many counts...but you cannot deny he's got style...”   J.K Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Asos Blue geo print dress

H&M braided belt

 

To me, this is the perfect dress on me. 3/4 sleeve, high neck line to not show to much skinnyness, nipped in a waist to show off my waist and skater dress bottom to give the idea that I have a wee bit of shape.

 

Now I have worn this dress a couple of times through out the year and I simply don't have the heart to change the styling of it.  I know the main reason behind this crazy year of not shopping is to try and let my creativity flow, to styles clothes in way I never have before.  But in my opinion, you can over style clothes in trying to be different or trying to be unique.  I love this dress, just the way it is so why would I change it. However, here are just some ideas

 

Options for restyling:

• Add Layers to the dress: A navy jumper would look lovely over top or even a denim shirt left open
• Add a thick belt: I did try a thicker belt this morning, it looked ok but I preferred the brown belt
• Add different shoe: I always wear my brogues with this dress but it would be nice to wear danty heels & wear it out to dinner.
• Jewellery: A nice short necklace would be nice

 

Any other ideas, let me know

Skirts Rule, Boys drool

"I think a lot of women have too many mini skirts in their closet" Michael Kors

Pull and Bear Tartan Shirt

Topshop Black Skater skirt

 

It has come to my attention that this summer I have hardly worn any trousers. I have basically survived in skirts.  I am actually not looking forward to getting back to trousers soon. Though on the days where there has been alot of wind, it hasn't been that fun to wear a skirt.

 

So back to the main reason for the blog, to catalogued my outfits each day, styling new outfits & trends out of my old wardrobe.  Today I put on this tartan shirt as I had seen the new Mango Fall lookbook and it included a leather skirt and a tartan shirt which I loved.  Though for work my short leather skirt wouldn't really work so wearing a slightly longer skater skirt.  Of course, my daily ritual of having a nosey at Asos relived that tartan shirts are totally in again. I'm with it and I didn't even though. Too cool for school.

 

Even though I haven't been writing that much lately, I am still posting to instagram every day! Check it out and follow peeps!

Instagram

 

Also, if you want easy access to all of my outfits, follow the link on the homepage entitled "My Outfits"

That will bring you to my pinterest page dedicated to all the outfits I have worn over the last 7 months.  Easy for ideas & trends that I have worn & you have liked :)





 

 

 

Waking up

"Our life is made up of time. Our days are measured in hours, our pay measured by those hours, our knowledge is measured by years. And yet time eventually runs out and you wonder in your heart of hearts if those seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years and decades were being spent the best way they possibly could.” Celica Ahern

Topshop Drape black blouse-similar here

Asos Wrap skirt

Warehouse neon necklace

 

I am getting very bad at this blogging thing.  I know, I am very sorry. Last you heard from me I was leaving on a jet plane to support my boyfriend in a model competition in London for 12 hours.  It literally took me 4 days to recover from it saying that I arrived, partied, had about 3 hours sleep then up on the plane home & straight into work for half 9.  It was a great night & coco did amazing even if he didn't win.  He did so well that I might be blogging from London in the future ;)

 

Not one to exaggerate but I felt like a prostitute that night.  Not that I didn't feel good with what I was wearing or confidence in myself but in the sense of I felt I was very smouldering & sexy compared to everyone.  Don't get me wrong, it's not that everyone else wasn't dressed up but everyone was wearing quirky outfits. Crop tops & baggy leggings, sequin backless dresses & big wedge ankle boot heels, baggy tshirt dresses and one girl was wearing grey dungarees and a black crop top.  While I arrive in a tight, short black leather dress and then left in a tight, short black leather dress from my boyfriend's hotel room at 6am in the morning.  Maybe I am twisting it to sound funnier than it was.  It was a good night overall.

 

Other than that, I feel that I have just woke up.  I can't believe that a week has gone since I blogged.  Nothing has happened since then but it doesn't seem that a week has gone pass.  Time is going so quickly.  7 months in and I haven't bought anything.  I can't believe it is 7 months, I can't get it in my head at all. 

 

Houston, we have a problem though.  The next 3-4 months are usually when I buy all my clothes in the sort of annual year. I don't know why but this is the time I find, I usually have a wee bit more disposable income.  Last year I spent £2000 in 3 months on clothes.  That's a lot, I don't know what I spent it on but I just remember working it out when I started this challenge. Scary biscuits.  I am heavily relying on my birthday presents at the moment.  Today I am wearing my new necklace that was gifted to me from Warehouse and the black wrap skirt that Connor got me for my birthday.  I am reverting back to my old ways, only wearing something new.  I need to go through my wardrobe again and remind myself what I have. 

 

Laurina's top secret successful tip to trying to not to buy clothes

• Go through your wardrobe once a month to remind yourself what you already have.  It is so easy to forget.

You are welcome.

I promise I'm not dead..

“We become what we repeatedly do.” Sean Convey

Topshop Crossstitch skater skirt

Urban Outfitters White beaded vest-similar here

Black Waywafer Raybans

 

 

I promise I am not dead.  I am just being lazy.  I am not going to lie and say that I have been run off my feet and had no time to blog blah blah blah. I haven't it.  I haven't been doing anything, simply enjoying the weather, enjoying the quiet time in work, enjoying my birthday with the family, enjoying time with Connor without being on our phones all the time.

 

 

I am awful, if I don't have routine then I won't do anything. If I get out of the habit of doing something then I won't do it at all. Lazy Laurina. Such a pretty name.  But Samples are back in work so busy again there, my diary is filling up over summer so no more can't be arsed attitude. Back to letting you all know my every movement apart from when I go to the bathroom.  (That's a whole different blog that I have planned).

  

First never have I walked to work without a coat or cardigan or something over me.  It is beautiful at the minute, so nice to actually have a summer in Northern Ireland.  The lift light was kind to me this morning, (probably cause I had my new sunnies on), it usually makes me look like I've just done a Buffy and crawled out of my own coffin so a special new lift selfie! ooooohhhh

 

I still haven't bought anything. No clothes, no sales, no nothing.  Though with my birthday last week, I have had a lot bought for me to probably last me the next 6 months till this challenge is over.  

 

 

This was my bed, the day after my birthday.  Literally exploded with clothes. My mum got me clothes, my housemate got me clothes, Connor got my Asos password repeatedly shoved in his face and my best friends got me specially made personalised clothes.  So now begins the showing off of all my new threads.  The skirt and sunglasses I am wearing today were a birthday present from my darling mother.  

 

This was me out for dinner on my birthday.  White shirt you have seen before, actually you have seen it loads of times, standard Topshop. White Shorts, standard Hollister short shorts. Gold glitter bag, Monsoon, it was my formal bag in Upper sixth but look, look at the shoes. Oh god, look at the shoes!!!! I am not a shoes girl. Never have been.  I have some pairs of pumps since I was 16 & that's not good cause I have smelly feet but these shoes are my new God. Zara, Spring season, I have them in black as well bought to me by my mummy.  And the angel herself bought me the blue pair for my birthday. Amen, you sexy lady. I am privileged to have popped out of your lady garden. Mum of the year goes to Piera Morelli Armstrong!  

 

 

 

The woman does it again! I had lusting after this blue shirt for 2 months in Topshop.  My mum had bought it and it is so soft.  Yes, I know I do not need another blue shirt (total is now sitting at 7) BUT its so different! Its a different shade of blue, it has pockets on the front and its so soft and easy with rolled up sleeves.  I rest my cause.

 

Topshop Casual Blue Shirt

Now this is an outfit is all new.  Top and maxi skirt picked out by me but bought by my little sister and necklace bought by my mum.  That woman is really a legend. Though I think Carla, my little sister helped her pick this necklace, kinda fuzzy in this photo but I am sure you will see it over the next 6 months.

 

Topshop black & white cord necklace

Asos white swing cami

Asos black maxi skirt

 

Now on to the boyfriend who had my Asos password repeatedly shoved down his throat.  It took him a while to realise but he got there in the end. Actually the black cami is another present from mum. Jesus mum!!! You need to curbed your presents!!! The black skirt is from Connor though.  It is one of the black wrap skirts that all the bloggers are wearing.  Can I just say it is dangerous!!!! Gorgeous skirt but the slit is right over my va jay jay & I don't know how someone hasn't figured this out yet & why it is selling so well!  That's actually probably the reason why it has been selling well.

Last & not least, what I have wanted for months.  Black trainer wedges. Praise the Lord. Praise the Cocopops. He done well, oh he done good. 

Topshop black Cami
Asos black wrap skirt
Topshop Black hidden heel wedges

Oh trust me there is more to come.  I was a very spoilt girl from everyone. I think they just felt sorry for me as I have stupidly taken on this challenge or maybe it is a reward for doing amazingly so far.  Yeah that's it. Rewards.....Not spoilt...rewards. Wish it was my Birthday ever month.

 

Backseat driver

"Whenever I get a new calendar, I flick straight to the month of my birthday to see what picture I get." Tim Sands

Benetton Striped Boob tube-similar here

Urban Outfitters navy chinos-similar here

Therapy Coral Cardigan- similar here

 

 

I might mention this a few times in this post but it is my birthday next week. I am 25 years old on Tuesday.  It's a scary thought, 25 sounds so much older than 24.  But the most important thing about my birthday is presents!!!! That might sound highly materialistic of me but I will literally be pushing people out of the way to get my presents! Why? Cause most of my birthday presents are new clothes!!!!

 

In the last 6 months, I have had 3 new items of clothing (none of them bought by me)

1) Valentines day present of a grey All Saints tshirt from my bf

2) a white shirt from zara that my mum bought me as she felt sorry for me

3) a pair of high heels from zara that my mum bought me for my birthday that I begged her to give me early (I used puppy dog eyes, they work a treat).

 

Now of course I have picked most of them. My mum said she was too scared to buy me things as it is my only chance to get new clothes till the end of this challenge which is 31st of December.  I also simply gave Connor my Asos password and filled my saved box with half of Asos (I did cut it down cause I felt bad).  Looking forward to doing a post of hey, this is actually what I would go out and buy if I wasn't doing this challenge.

 

So with my birthday next week (told you I would tell you this a lot), I have set myself a few goals to get down over the summer.

Examples of goals:

• tidy house (standard goal)
• paint kitchen ceiling
• redecorate parts of the house (bored of it at the minute, pinterest is amazing)
• go glamping
• get a family photo done
• update sky tv

Sort of your standard grown up people goals.  Of course, trying to juggle all these goals, the 1 project that is taking a back seat is the blog.  I did try to type a blog while I mopped the other night. Multitasker is my middle name but it didn't work. I will be getting back on track with the blogging this weekend, bore you with my moaning of how I can't buy clothes. *Joy!*

 

P.S body tube, KEEP.  Haven't worn it in years but it is one of those things that you just keep in your wardrobe to have.  I mean it is a tiny piece of material, it doesn't take up that much room in my wardrobe.

 

 

 

America Wish list



"I was brought up differently to the average American child because the average American child is brought up expecting to be happy." Marilyn Monroe

 

 

So if you are just tuning in now, where have you been for the last 6 months??? Quick catch up.

 

1)I am not shopping for a year.

 

2) Yes I am a idiot but I have succeed so far!!

 

 

3) I went on holidays to Florida at the start of June and of course, couldn't buy any of the lovely clothes they have there.

 

 

So this is my American wishlist.  I just assumed that because I had been doing so well at home that I would do ok on holidays with the no buying clothes situation. Never truer was the saying "Assume makes an ass out of you" It was hard, oh god was it hard.  At one point I rung my mum while Connor went in to a couple of shops by himself, just to have a break.  I had to do Abercrombie as I had a list of presents to buy for people so while in there I took photos of some things I would have bought. *sigh*.  Apologises for the bad photos, my hand was shaking so bad from having to stop myself buying anything and also cause the light in Abercrombie is as bad as Hollister!!!

 

Definitely going back to America next year to buy what I want when I want!!!!

 

Abercrombie Boyfriend style jeans £88

Abercrombie Boho top £68

Abercrombie Tweed skirt £68

Abercrombie grey sequin jumper £78

 

 

I could have bought the whole shop, but then again if I put my rational head on all of the stock was summer stock and really how much wear am I going to get out of summer stock in Northern Ireland. That didn't really help to be honest. 

 

 

A fan of the designer shops my lover is. (Though do you find that men are more inclined to spend more money on nice clothes??? Going for the higher end shops like All Saints, Ted Baker and cruise than girls??? Just a thought) So of course we had to pop into Armani. I loved these Armani Super Skinny jeggings. 

 

Armani Exchange Super Skinny Jeggings £120

 

 

The final stop of the day was Macys which we found out had free wifi so we sort of randomly stood around the Aisles for a while.  Got some strange stares from the employees as we uploaded as many photos to facebook as possible and used Whatsapp to text home.  Wifi is precious in America!!! Although my eyes were glued to my phone, I was able to spy these Steve Madden wedges! To die for!!! 

 

Steven Madden Wedges £120

The 3 S's

"Either you run the day or the day runs you." Jim Rohn

Zara denim shirt

Urban Outfitters Flower skater skirt-similar here

Zara Spike Necklace-similar here

 

 

Sluggish, sleepy and spent are words I would use to describe myself at the minute.  Well today is the first day within the last week were I have woke up with a smile on my face or at least not had to force my eyes open with sellotape.  Could it still be jet lag? My body clock up to sunday night was sending me to sleep at half 2/3 in the morning. We are in our quiet time at work as well.  I always think when you are doing a lot of things, time passes quicker and it doesn't help your motivational levels when you are sitting at your desk staring at the wall.

 

I am feeling completely uninspired by my wardrobe as well. I am back in that runt where I was throwing on me whatever I wore the day before. Until last night, my wardrobe was residing on the floor of my room.  I still haven't done a wash from before Florida so that has piled up in a corner in my room.  (I do have a laundry bin in my room but it is completely fill.) The sun today though has helped to ease my mood & a impromptu visit from my boyfriend.  Glad to say, I have never worn this skirt before! It is an absolute joke that after 6 months of this challenge I still have pieces in my wardrobe I haven't worn.

 

So July will be the month of stuff I haven't worn.  Each day I will try to wear a piece I haven't worn yet.  I mean if I haven't worn it at this stage, do I really want it in my wardrobe??? So at the end of each blog post, I try to decide to KEEP or BIN (slash give to a charity shop).  Please comment to have your say as well!!!!



 

 

 

Back with a bang

"I have had a holiday and I would like to take it up professionally!" Kylie Minogue

Stills loose top

Topshop Leigh Skinny Jeans

Brown Brogues

Sandwich Silver Cuff

 



 

I am back from my holidays! Well to tell you the truth I have been back since Thursday but my brain actually hasn't worked until today.  Jet lag, delayed flights and going to bed at nearly 5am every night over the weekend didn't help.  So lack of sleep and motivation has kept me from posting until today.  It is so easy to get out of the way of things, our resorts wifi wasn't very good in Orlando and not even starbucks had wifi (Whhhhhaaaaaaa????? I know!!!!!)  There was wifi in the Disney parks which I used to quickly upload photos to Instragram but I got so easily distracted by the bright lights and rides that the wifi was quickly forgotten.  So forgive me but there was no way I was going to have a tan line of my phone on my face from trying to shade my eyes as I posted a blog.

 

 

Holiday was amazing! Though we had a tropical storm the first few days of our holiday while back in Northern Ireland, it was a heat wave. Typical!  I am going to do a few catch up holidays posts over the next few days to ease my mind back into the way of writing.  So hard to get your mind back into the way of thinking after being a child for 2 weeks straight.  Even as I type this I am rubbing my eyes and nearly falling asleep at the screen.

So what did I learn from embracing my inner child for 2 weeks in Florida?

1) my hatred for cockroaches has grown in my old age. My feet barely touched the ground when we were walking home one night due the thought of them crawling anywhere near my feet.  Oh and the snake that slithed past in front of us.

2) Nick Cannon is hilarious! And Mel B on America's got talent is very very annoying.

3) I def do not like spinny things or 3D fast moving neck jerking rides. How do I know this? I fainted coming off the Harry Potter ride at Universal. Couldn't even open my eyes to enjoy the amazingness that is Daniel Radcliffe flying in front of me.  Lucky his voice was calming enough to allow me not to boke on the ride.

4) I am better at riding a bike than Connor

5) It's amazing the lack of fear we have as a child.  My mum will be the 1st one to tell you that she used to turn her back for 1 second on me as a child and I would be gone.  Climbing a tree or carpet roll or cartwheeling off a wall but at nearly the age of 25, the summit plummit at blizzard beach nearly had me walking back down the stairs.

6) Don't go to america on a fashion fast.

7) Connor attracts crazy people to talk to him.  They see his cheekbones & they zone in on him.

8) Mcdonalds in america DO NOT do 6 mcnugget meals.  Only 10, 16 or 20 mcnuggets.

9) The Kennedy Space Center is actually not named after me, it's named after some president with the same surname....to say I was hurt is an understatement

10)  The detail at Disney is amazing.

SO back to point number 6 and actually the reason behind this blog (not the funny random facts of my holiday) but I succeeded in not buying a thing.  Oh believe me I could have bought the whole Abercrombie shop.  It didn't help my boyfriend walking around asking did I want anything or my mum saying that as I was on holiday, just to buy stuff and not tell anyone! Thanks for the support guys. 

So hard! But I did it! Though I will be going back to America next year and buying whatever the hell I want just to prove a point.  Now back to getting my life back on track.



 



Work hard, play hard

 "Sunday evenings often feel like the weekend is over before it has even begun"  Catherine McCormack          

                                         

Sandwich Jumper

Topshop Leigh Jeans

Office nude fashion trainer

 

 

Playing catch up, so many blog posts, so little time.  Even when I am off from my 9-5 job I am working!  Over the bank holiday weekend, I took part in a Catwalk for Abbeycentre Summer Essentials.  Great catwalk to take part in but you know when you have one of those days when nothing is going well. Your make up is just sitting on the top of your skin, your hair can't be tamed and people are trying to take pictures of you in these fab clothes and they are getting your worse angle every time??? No? Well I was having one of these days. Facepalm. At this point I just want to get to the sun on Saturday and pray that it magically makes everything better again.  Abbey centre is a maze of a shopping centre! We had to do a parade before each catwalk which let us have a nosey walking past all the shops. Primark, Topshop, River Island, Burton, Next, Monsoon. You name it, it has it.  It really is a one stop shop for all your summer esentials.  Head Honcho of the FABB for Northern Ireland and founder of Sugahfix, Katrina Doran was helping to explain summer styles/outfits for all shapes and sizes of lushious ladies inbetween shows.  Fab idea by the team at the Abbey Centre in Newtownabbey, hopefully they will have a winter catwalk as well and I will be on form!

 

Topshop Daisy top

Topshop cream laser cut skirt

 

 



I spent my lovely bank holiday weekend up home in the magically place that is Coleraine rubbing it in my family's face that I was going to Florida for 2 weeks soon. My 9 year old little brother and 11 year little sister were not impressed. Aw well, not my fault I am going!!! Just simply informing them of my day to day life. So obviously I am going away for my summer holidays and yet I can't buy anything but I can borrow things.  I am very organised and as usual, I am already packed so my mum couldn't understand why I didn't want to raid her wardrobe and take all her summer stuff as I must be bored with my wardrobe.  But I am taking away pieces that I haven't been wearing as the weather has been so bad.  Shorts, skirts, string tops, vest, maxi dresses, maxi skirts, you name it if I haven't worn it I am bringing it to America.  Granted I did steal a maxi dress from my mum and black shorts from my other little sister that she hasn't even taken the label off!