Absolute Mustard

“Yes. And also, if it's okay by you, I'd like to shut up now... Or possibly just go somewhere and swallow my face.” Lesley Livingston

 

Asos Mustard Pencil dress -similar idea here

Primark Spotty Jumper-similar here

 

 

Totally down styled a dress today. It's like magic.  This dress is usually a very dressy dress, a night out kinda of dress.  A sexy trying to impress dress.  But if by magic, I am able to wear it to work today.  With the help of a magic jumper.  Love this mustard colour and blue together.  Something I never would have worn before or put together before this challenge. Nice to wear colour rather than black or white paired with something colour. 

This photo shows the top of the dress which I have concealed with the jumper & made it look like a mustard pencil skirt. Ta Da!!!

 

To give you a laugh on a Monday morning as I like to entertain my readers as much as possible.  When I started this challenge, I knew that I would make mistakes. And I have, sometimes I have worn an outfit and the next day I have been like Oh no, that actually didn't work.  But that is what this year is about.  It is a learning curve for me, finding my own style, putting thought into my outfits, trying to be more fashionable.

 

But in the process of trying to be more fashionable, I forgot that 5 out of the 7 days I have to have a fashionable WORK outfit.  Well I didn't forget.  I just made a boo boo.  Last week, I wrote a post and at the end posed the question of how short is short for wearing a skirt for work. When I was walking to work I knew I was wearing a short skirt, it was a bit breezy around my lower region.  But I told myself I was imaging things or over thinking it in my head.  The skirt was never that short on me and if I was right then it was barely covering my cheeks.  I must have done something to it. Spot the blonde.  Also, spot the person who could not bend over in work but must have forgot cause my boss laughed at me and pulled me up on it.  AHHHHH! FACEPALM. 

 

So embarrassing! I must have made it smaller or something in the wash.  But now I am really worried about what actual length of skirt is acceptable for work? My work is mainly smart casual.  I have some lovely skirts that look lovely with shirts but are above the knee.  Not as short as that one!!! Just slightly above the knee.  When I started this job I never got a yes or no list of things to wear.  It isn't a proper office based job either, I am working in fashion so I like to look nice and fun.  So should I ban all my skirts that aren't below the knee? But if I am wearing tights in winter is slightly above the knee ok?? Uuuuuhhhhh I don't know.

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.

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 :)





 

 

 

Short shorts

“No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one.” Elbert Hubbard

Zara checked blazer

Hollister white long sleeved top

Zara Cargo pants

 

 

Imagine if you lived in a country where your stable wardrobe piece was shorts.  Instead of scarves, blankets, double, even triple layers of clothes just to stop your teeth chattering in May! I have put together a couple of colleges of my  holiday fashion.  I think you can guess the order of days by how white I am.

 

 

I was so excited to wear pieces from my wardrobe that I hadn't been able to wear this year yet. So my suitcase really consisted of things that I don't usually wear at home.  Florida isn't really a drinking holiday or a overly dressed holiday unless you hitting Miami or something.  We of course stayed within Orlando so mainly focused on the theme parks.  Some days I even felt dressed up wearing what I was wearing!

 

 

I had no real fashion faux pas apart from the first day (that's the whitest of white photo of me, with the coloured pattern top from topshop and beige shorts from Hollister). I tried not to wear a bra as much as possible a) to reduce tan lines as much as possible and b) bras make you feel so restricted and sweaty in such a muggy climate c) Connor has trouble with them.  So underneath the top I wore a black bandeau top; could I understand why it kept slipping down?!?! I simply put it down to my small breasticles so I spent the first day walking round the Magic Kingdom pulling up the bandeau every 5 steps. Then we went on Splash Mountain which you have to go on with your arms up (during freefall I did put my arms down as I am a wuss).  Of course, minute I put my arms up, my bandeau top came down. Trying not to scare any children, I quickly pulled it up but twisted it upside down to the way I had been wearing it.  This happened to be the correct way to wear it as it had an elastic bit I hadn't realised. Facepalm.

 

Black shorts, the one thing I didn't have so I made like a thief ninja and borrowed some from my little sister.  Never worn, tags still on them from Topshop, these black shorts caused quite a stir. Basically my arse hung out of them. You could see most of my peachy globes.  Probably the reason behind why my little sister hasn't worn them.  Got a few beeps and looks at Universal. I'm always causing a stir wherever I got! HA

My holiday style is pretty basic.  Hollister shorts, H&M tops with a couple of dresses from Victoria secret and Primark thrown in.  When I am on holidays I just like to relax.  No dressing up, no effort, just go with the flow.  The heat just drains me as well so I can't be bothered doing anything.  Everything was baggy as Florida has such a humid heat.  I brought with me a denim shirt and my leather skirt, both are tight & once you are there in that heat, there was no way I could of even got a tight leather skirt on over my arse.

Such a great holiday & now I am home and can't even show off my tan.  Trousers and long sleeved tops. *sigh*

Back, sack & craic

"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder" Kinky Friedman

 

Asos Army Jumper 

H&M Denim Shirt 

Topshop Midi Black Skirt 

Lovely name for a blog post but I think it explains exactly what I will be doing tonight.  Tomorrow after work, I will be sprinting straight to the lovely Paddy McGurgan Make up Pro store to get my hair & make up done then upstairs to Khara Pringle photography studio to shoot the West Coast Cooler Belfast Fashionweek S/S13 Trends shoot! Its a friendly affair as my annoying poohead yet gorgeous boyfriend Connor & another of my housemates, the gorgeous Jayne Higgins are shooting it too.  Incest is best as they say.

So tonight, eyebrows need done, nails cleaned (I am like a five year old, always dirt under my nails), a lot of areas need shaved (sorry about that last night, Connor!) & my whole body needs exfoliated and washed. Sometimes I hate being a girl.

It's really great to be involved with Belfast Fashion week in any way possible. I've gone from attending it to West Coast Cooler Promo girl to walking in it to the face of Spring/Summer 2012. So tune in tomorrow where I will be blogging directly from behind the scenes with all the craic & goss.

As yesterday was a review blog (skin is getting better & better, fingers crossed! Thank you Medi Comestic!), just a quick update on my going on at the weekend. My lovely Furby aka Ciara, my housemate had a big birthday bash at her house in Newcastle! Aw I hate dressing for house parties! Here's what I wore.

 

Zara Neon Blazer 

H&M grey Vest 

Topshop Black Skater skirt 

Topshop Black & Gold neck- similar here 

Ok so I probably over dressed. But better to over dress than under dress. I was green with envy, not only by ciaras gorgeous legs all night which turned into me just taking pictures of them all night but also of her gorgeous skirt that her boyfriend had got her for her birthday! 

It was £175 down to £50 in All Saints Victoria Square at the minute.  And according to Ciara, there are loads of sizes in the sale and I should def go buy one.....yeah thanks ciara.  Not shopping for a year, remember?!?!?!?! So yeah, still haven't bought anything, still haven't saved any money and not feeling enlightened at all. Please some one remind me why I am doing this again???

Bit of bling bling

"I have a very classic take on fashion. I like my accessories to pop, but in general, my style is pretty classic." Ashley Greene 

 

White T-shirt H&M 

Plum Midi Skirt Topshop 

I'm snotty, wheezy and sneezy.  Thanks for making me sick little brother.  I don't think he will be reading this as he is 9 years old but still, cheers. 

So I'm sick & I'm wearing a t-shirt... I'm blonde, not the smartest crayon in the box.  Today though, my aim was to accessorise to the max!  Accessorising is not one of my strong point to be honest.  My dad gave me a gorgeous diamond necklace on my 18th, my mum gave me the earrings to match on my 21st & that is my stable jewellery.  I hate taking them off so I just wear them all the time.  I have costume jewellery, but as many things in my wardrobe, it is covered in dust. Today though, no no no, it was like decorating my christmas tree again.  Arm is covered in pretty bracelets, I'm wearing a lovely gold belt & a spikey necklace. No earrings though, kinda forgot but I think that would have been too much. 

 

Spikey Necklace; Zara  

Gold Belt, primark 

Assortment of Bracelets

Here is a lovely close up of my pink, pale skin & the accessories I'm wearing today.  Now as I said accessorising isn't one of my strong points so I'm simply don't buy them.  Most of these have been lovely gifts so I have given alternatives on the links. 

Advantages to accessorises so far:

1. Complimented in the shop on my necklace, great start to the day

2. It helps make this normal t-shirt & tube skirt a really funky outfit

3. I feel all pretty, like I have actually made a real effort today

4.  Elasticated belt so it moves with my expanding belly full of the supernoodles I'm currently having for lunch

Disadvantages to accessories so far:

1. Necklace kept getting caught in my scarf this morning, which pulled the material of the scarf. (sorry connor as the scarf is yours hahaha)

2. My bracelets are annoying making noises every single time I type or move my hand to the mouse.

3. Necklace is slightly rubbing my skin as you can see from the pinkness of my skin. I'm a man though & can take it.  Lies, I'm a delicate flower & it hurts so I'm tugging my t-shirt up. This is in turn giving me a hunchback in my t-shirt.

Contents Page

"When I free my body from its clothes, from all their buttons, belts, and laces, it seems to me that my soul takes a deeper, freer breath." ~August Strindberg

Ever wanted a reality check & to appreciate what you have? This challenge is definitely it!!!

I have just finished going through all my wardrobe & counting/categorising what I have. At the start, I guesstimated 300 pieces of clothing. Of course, it is double that. 715 pieces of clothing & shoes in my wardrobe.

Here's a quick break down:
Dresses: 60 including
33 going out dresses (19 of these are black, 6 of these are red)
9 maxi dresses
16 formal & cocktail dresses

Trousers: 51 pairs including
24 blue denim jeans

Jackets & coats: 48 including
1 fur coat with my granny's name stitched on the inside
12 Zara blazers

Skirts & shorts: 41

Tops: 143 including
53 t-shirts (23 of them have comical sayings on them)
32 long sleeve tops
58 string tops

Shirts: 17 (6 of these are blue)

Jumpers: 24

Bras: 26 (who needs 26 bras?!? Underwear is a weakness of mine)

And one dragon onesies.

So sitting here, surrounded by my clothes. What do I do now? Roll around in them & make clothes angels? Do a massive car boot sale & sell them as half of them I haven't worn in 6 months? Nope, I'm going to wear everything at least once this year & if I put it on & don't like it, it's going in a box for charity. Or I could do a joey from friends & just wear all my clothes at once!

So what have I learnt from my first week of not shopping for the whole of 2013? The blogging community is a very supportive place!! (Unlike your boyfriend who sends you photos of the new shoes he bought), you have a lot more than you think and last but not least, Ryan Gosling will still want to go on a date with you even if he meets you wearing 2012 fashion.

Hello, my name is Laurina & I'm a recovering shopaholic...