FEEDING MY FIXATION

Somehow my parents pre-empted my recent tie dye obsession and brought me back this dress from their trip to Malta, along with a sweet little straw and walnut bag. Just a heads' up from the 'rents: don't visit Malta from June-August, unless you enjoy being cooked alive. To me, that is preferable to this naff weather, but each to their own! I threw caution to the wind today and wore the dress, despite knowing that it could tip down any second.  Sophy Robson declared in this month's Vogue that "negative space" nails were the next big thing, so I obviously had to get straight on that..
I'm wearing: Dress & bag gifts from Malta Jon Richard necklace via The Style Rawr Acne shoes Vintage belt Shop Dixi, Topshop & BCBG Max Azria rings Kenneth Jay Lane & ibizan market bracelets Volkswagen watch
I've had a bit of a stressful time of it lately, involving presenting an idea to the Managing Director of Oasis (thankfully she liked it and I got some fantastic feedback, to the point of me being so overwhelmed I cried with joy) so I am really looking forward to some exciting goings on this weekend. Saturday involves a flying visit to London to take a tour of Oxford Street's Forever 21; I'll be getting a feel for the brand and doing a spot of shopping before their big launch in the Trafford Centre later this month.

On Sunday I have been invited to the Manchester SkyRide. I'll be there snapping photos of stylish cyclists, but I will also be cycling the route myself! Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know that recently I have been on a health and exercise kick, so this has really come at the perfect time. You can sign up here, and don't worry if you haven't got a bike - you can hire a bike just for the ride - that's what I'll be doing. My only problem is that I'm struggling to figure out what to wear myself. I'm thinking a tweed jacket and tailored shorts, but as this is a completely new sartorial area for me, anything might happen, although I feel modesty is the key element when considering cycling gear! I wonder what Kelly Brook will be wearing. Think she'll need something a little bit more substantial than this, considering the location of the ride..


I do hope to see some of you there in your very best cycling outfits!

Carpe Calciamenti

  H&M via Red Cross shop blazer & jeans, Chris's tee, ASOS sandals, vintage (can we call ten years old vintage?) New Look pleather jacket
"Have you got any hi-tops?" asked Chris as I got dressed this morning. "Because you look very 80s, very John Hughes."

We decided today's bleached jeans and white tee was totally Winona Ryder in Heathers, but forget the hi-tops - I'd already been convinced to wear sandals by Bottega's Sam.

"I'm embracing summer, I'm just dealing with it" she tweeted. Well, I already tried that yesterday wearing shorts and bare legs, and ended up freezing; but today the sun tried its very best to come out, hence my ancient ASOS Surface To Air knockoffs took a turn around Manchester.

I don't own any sandals in-between Havaianas and heeled (or wedged) sandals, so I'm now on the lookout for a chunky pair of flat ones. I'm rather keen on the Acne Ambrosia (though the name makes me hungry - darned diet) but I'm not so keen on the price tag. I hit Zara today after hearing a rumour of something similar but no such luck. Any ideas, Team Shopaholic..? (that's you guys!)





PS. Google tells me "carpe calciamenti" means "seize the sandal", but I have a sneaking suspicion there isn't really a latin word for "sandal"...

A Very Merry Boxing Day

Good times hanging out with my family and friends over the past few days, plus of course opening a handful of Christmas presents and drinking a pint or two. Or ten.

Today was a harsh snap back to reality working Boxing Day in House of Fraser, plus there have been some odd goings-on where I live in Manchester. After the comforts of my parents' house it's all rather jarring but normality will indubitably ensue presently. These three pictures - which were the start of an oufit diary whilst at home that clearly ran out of steam after day two - should suffice until I get a better grip on reality and can share some of the wonderful goodies that Santa Claus brought. Here I'm wearing a H&M men's shirt, Topshop palazzos, and Miista boots, and a French Connection jumpsuit with a H&M kimono and Acne shoes.

I hope you all had a happy Christmas, and enjoyed spending quality time with your loved ones!

Tuesday Shoesday

Now, I'm going to let you into a little secret that not many people know about me:

I like shoes. Like, I really, really like shoes. I'm obsessed; the wackier, the more limited edition, the better.




A fraction of my collection, including my Miistas, Terry de Havilland sandals, the New Look/London College of Fashion wedges, and about four different pairs of H&M samples (I'm exactly sample shoe size - hoorah!)

What - you knew that already? And I thought I was hiding my addiction so well.

What I love more than wacky shoes is cheap shoes. I don't mean Primark cheap, although I do own a couple of pairs for "knocking about in" as my mum would say - I mean a real designer bargain. I was pretty pleased with my Surface To Air score the other week, but I think today's buy is the new winner..





Weird, boat-like, with a discrete nod to ankle braces, I'm in LOVE. These Acne shoes are my new Best Buy coming in at a measly £35 from Elite Dress Agency on King Street. I want to move into this lovely little store; currently in the window are Nicholas Kirkwood x Rodarte shoes (if you follow me on Twitter you will have heard me rant about these many a time - I'm just devastated they're size 3) plus inside is a current season Céline wool and leather tunic. Well worth a visit if you're in town, just be prepared to rummage and you're guaranteed a designer steal.

I've been ridiculously busy with university work so far this week, though that isn't a complaint - it's great to get stuck in, finally. I'll be posting whenever I get a breather from writing essays and presentations, but in the meantime make sure you pick up a copy of Stylist tomorrow (if you're not in a distribution area, check stylist.co.uk). You may find yourself ogling a very familiar face..!