Turtleneck Hair: a love story

Turtleneck: Gap 

Bag: River Island 

Skirt: Topshop

Tights: Primark

Boots: Zara

Jacket: & other stories 

Ever since I saw a piece yonks ago on manrepeller.com about 'Turtleneck Hair', I've been totally obsessed. Then in December, Leandra rolled out another post on the hot hair topic which can be read here. Leandra herself was a big influence in why I chose to divide my hair length in two. She looks so effortlessly parisian in every insta pic, every blog post: she's just COOL, and her hair definitely contributes to this. So in my pursuit of coolness (or something..) I went and chopped off half the locks on my noggin and ended up with a short graduated bob. So getting back to turtlenecks: when I first had my hair cut short I was super self-conscious about it and kept asking everyone whether I looked like a little boy (their words said no but their eyes, I found, usually said yes). Tucking my hair into a turtleneck sort of became a little comfort- something to make me feel a bit more comfortable with my snippy situation. Soon I came to love my hair, and now still adore how it tucks into a turtleneck at the perfect length. It's no longer a way to hide my locks though, but one to show them off. In general I really love having short hair. Do I ever feel envy for my mermaid-lock'd co-workers and their billowing luscious waves? Course I do. BUT I have to think that short hair is best for ME. I have very thin flat hair, and wearing it long only emphasises these less-than-ideal features. Having it short gives it some volume and I feel I can wear it up, down, half up/half down, twirled around, straight..YOU NAME IT, and I'm always pretty happy. I also feel (and this may sound a little cheeky to my longer haired gal pals) that with a short, choppy style, sometimes clothes can look a little cooler? Amirite?? On the downside however, I do have to wash it FAR more often than I used to, unless I want a greasy ol' mop on my head for a day's work, and no-one wants that, do they?  

Ealing B

Blazer: Zara Sale (sold) Crop Tee: Topshop Jeans: Asos Shoes: Topshop Sale Watch: Kate Spade  Bag: Topshop
These images were shot in my beloved Ealing B by my office wife Tess. It was a super rainy day so I thought I would unleash some sunshine-esque brights onto the streets of EB. This blazer was a total barg at Zara; I nabbed it for £30 in the sale instead of £50 ish (I think!). I love how oversized and long it is -- I often have a problem finding blazers that fit how I want them to: too many on offer are very fitted and sit at the waist which I find super unflattering. I'm also wearing my Topshop sale shoes which make me feel like Carrie Bradshaw (an awesome or awful prospect I don't know...). They are completely ridiculous and I can't imagine where or when I will wear them. When taking these shots Tess asked me about the practicality of these shoes. It went something a little like this: T: So, when will you actually wear these B? B: Don't really know. Blog posts? Fancy dress? Days when it's not raining? T: So why did you buy them? B: THEY WERE IN THE SALE AND I HAD A VOUCHER OK. 
Moving on...
I am currently planning my upcoming year (as much as you can "plan" for what life will bring in the next year) and am looking to go travelling over the new year (just for a short period) in Indonesia with my mate Michelle, and move to Putney in April time. If anyone knows of anyone looking for roommates or of any rooms available, do let me know! I also got a call from The Debrief last week too, offering me the short internship I applied for, which I will complete in March. I am SO excited as if you know me, you will know I am a crazy fan of the humorous-fashion-writing bracket, which The Debrief definitely can be filed under. I am also back at The Times next month, but the big news is that I have been kept on at the magazine (SHOP) I have been interning at since the beginning of Dec. I am still doing intern duties but have also been writing as a freelancer and am surrounded by the nicest people! So it looks like a move to Putney is on the horizon...London life is officially underway! (woop woop). 

The Leopard Print Bootie (and a little life update)

Boots: Zara
Long time no blog! Since my last post, things have been busy busy busy. I have been here there and everywhere as of late, including Lincoln and Nottingham with two of my Trek besties Nick and Helen for a cosy night in and tipsy night out, London for work and fireworks at Crystal Palace, and most excitingly, this week I returned from PARIS. It was such a beautiful thing to get away, stay in a very cool space at my friend's apartment and do some fun and naughty things. I now feel rejuvenated and ready to take on my week at The Times on the fashion desk. I have also just been offered an internship in London I interviewed for way back in September which is really awesome news :) It's time for some new beginnings people. 
So ANYWAY, about the boots. Aren't they completely IN-CRED?! I first spotted them on the feet of my favourite woman in the world (and intended spirit animal) Leandra Medine (manrepeller.com) which got me into a fluster like no other. Now if you know me at all, you will know that I love me some leopard print. In fact, I don't think there's ever been an animal print I've met and not liked. In saying this, it must be said that the quest for the perfect pair of roar-inducing boots was at times troublesome. I set my heart on a pair from Topshop (the Magnum animal print boot, no less) but it was not to be as they were sold out seemingly everywhere on the planet. In shoe addict terms, this is the worst form of unrequited boot love. 
But then I spotted these on the Zara website after first falling for them on Leandra. And guess what? They were available in all sizes and hence, loved me right back. I instantly plonked a size 6 into my basket when in Paris and just a few days later they arrived at the door. And comon'- just look at them...how effing awesome can a boot really get?! Pretty, practical, and enough to warrant a loving stare and admiring 'oooh aaaah' from every animal-print lover out there. It's fair to say these babies will be glued to my feet for the next, oh, I don't know...millennium. 

The 'When did it get so cold?' Winter Wishlist

Is it just me or has it got exceptionally cold in, like, an exceptionally short amount of time? Just a week or two ago I was revelling in the fact that I could still get my legs out and not catch a chill...fast forward to now and my thought process has evolved into 'just how many layers can I fit under this lightweight trench before I have to invest in an actual seasonal coat?!'  The winter chill has crept up so fast that I feel a little taken off guard and unprepared clothing wise. However, in all honesty, when you're job hunting and on intern-rates, money for shopping splurges can run a little dry. For this reason, I have promised myself not to go crazy this winter and to pick out some key pieces I aim to hunt down (however, true to form, the pieces I've pulled are not the thriftiest of choices so it's not exactly win-win). 

On to the pieces:
1. An oversized long line camel coat like this Topshop one, as well as this gorgeous Asos Cocoon version. 

2. A new leather jacket (my current one was bought about 6 years ago and is well and truly battered beyond repair). I like this Zara real leather jacket, or this cheaper faux Topshop option. 

3. Lots of faux fur accessories- scarves to keep me warm and clutches just because...Black scarf here, cream scarf here (this bag sold out I think- lots of options on Asos or Topshop though!). 

4. A pair of over-the-knee heeled booties, I love this Topshop pair in black and grey. 

5. Roll necks, roll necks, roll necks: wear alone, layer underneath things; the choices are endless. Roll necks are a great way to turn your summer dresses into early winter transitional pieces. I love these Gap Merino wool jumpers. 

6. A colourful suited co-ord like these Asos beauties (green here & here and grey here & here). 


What's on your wishlist for this season? 

Wine

Dress: c/o karma clothing

Shoes & Necklace: Zara

        Hey lovelies, hope you are all well. I can't believe how long it has been since I last blogged. I have been so stressed out with my exams my blog just had to take a bit of a back seat unfortunately. This year I am going to try my best to blog as often as I can but by the look of my Spring semester workload, it may be a challenge! Anyway, just a quick post today to show you my cute new dress from Karma Clothing. I love basic bits like this because they are easy to dress up and fun to accessorise. I have paired the cut out dress with my new Zara weapon-like statement necklace which I am currently obsessed with. My standard Zara sandals are also making an appearance here, as are some classic burgundy nails.

How would you accessorise this simple piece? 

B.  

Lakeside

 

Jumper: Zara

Skirt, hat & boots: Topshop

There's something so wintery and christmassy about being on campus right now and it's a nice feeling. I feel so lucky to go to a uni that is so beautiful too, and am trying to make the most of it all in my third year. What I wore today was pretty simple and nothing too special but did combine two of my favourite colours to wear all year round. There's something about navy on black that is so sophisticated and easy to wear. You may also notice that this hat is permanently stuck to my head these days; I'm ok with that. I also just really like these snaps because of how well they show off the pretty UON campus. They were shot by my friend Sarah who is a talented photographer and massive all round babe. I did nearly lose my hat several times though and I am seriously working (or trying to) the windswept look. 

B.