ALL PRESENT & CORRECT

That outfit you wear just after Christmas that consists entirely of presents, even if they don't really go together.. don't tell me you don't do it.

Christmas was OK actually. Santa was very good to me (ie my mum went a little crazy) and I spent a lot of quality time in my onesie.

I'm wearing:

H&M jacket

Evil Twin dress

Topshop socks

Vans hi-tops

Minkpink clutch

Claire's screw earring

SPARKLE DAY 'N NIGHT

'Tis the season to sparkle, and all that, though this year I've taken a break from the usual rounds of drinks, meals out and socialising, rendering my festive occasion wear redundant. It's all good for the liver, the soul and the bank balance, mind you. Instead of going all-out festive sparkle, I added a little into my everyday life thanks to this sequinned bomber from Motel. I've been looking for a layering piece like this for a while - easy to wear with boyfriend jeans, though also great for nights out.

I don't have too many going out clothes; I attempt to mix up my normal clothes into something edgier, hence the turtleneck and metallic A-line skirt: great with a maxi and a fluffy knit, respectively. It's always good to trade in the sneakers for a stomping boot, too, and incredibly whilst lusting over the Tumblr trend of cleated soled shoes I forgot I had something very similar myself. Miista been doin' that '90s chunky boot thing waaay before Stella Mac.

I hope you all have had lovely festive season, and I wish you a very merry Christmas. I'm heading home today and I'm really excited to see all of my friends and spend a while hanging out with my mum.

I'm wearing:

DAY	NIGHT
Sequin jacket c/o Motel	Sequin jacket c/o Motel
UNIF t-shirt	Evil Twin for Nasty Gal crop (via Steph)
ASOS/DIY distressed jeans	eBay skirt
Nike Free Runs	Miista Luannes
Minkpink bag	Topshop bag

FESTIVE SPARKLE

This has got to be one of the sparkliest outfits I've ever worn! In fact I was wearing my glitter tights with it, but that was just way too much. Being dressed as tinsel was fitting, then, for my annual Christmas Eve trip to the fine establishment of Wetherspoons in my home town. We branched out this year with a drink in the rock pub next door; they had a DJ on and with it being way after midnight at that point I even had a wobble around on the dance floor.

Christmas Day was fantastic, a really lovely time with my family and Chris too, who for the first time in our relationship spent the day with the Harradines. He had more presents to open than the rest of us put together.. spoilt brat (though I can hardly complain about the quality and quantity of my own gifts). Unfortunately my dad was admitted to hospital on Boxing Day and put onto a ward with a load of old ladies, but was released today. Hooray! It does make you grateful to those who give up their Christmas to work in essential services, and appreciate just how lucky you are to spend time with family and friends over the holidays.

These thoughts kept me going through the past two days working on the front line of the January sale battlefield. I've been working in retail for about a million years now and I can honestly say these past few days have been the busiest I've seen; and where manners go at sale times is beyond me. I've tried my best to smile my way through it but I was grateful for a day off today - spent in bed with my cat, reading. I finished High Fidelity, and read The Perks of Being a Wallflower in its entirety. Both come highly recommended from Dotty's Book Club!

I'm wearing:

Vintage Frank Usher dress

Jeffrey Campbell Suebee shoes (tan colourway here)

Topshop bag & jacket

H&M necklace

KEEPING WARM

Whilst most were busy searching for the shiniest, sexiest, most sequinned dress to wear to their work's Christmas party, I was more concerned about piling on the layers and keeping warm. We don't like to do things the normal way at my place of employment so our Christmas do was spent hanging out, drinking mulled wine and eating Nutella crepes at the Manchester Christmas markets. Far better for conversational purposes anyway; we laid down our plans for the next year, which involved everything from going to the zoo and travelling around Thailand, to making babies. Go figure which plan was mine.

This outfit is faintly ridiculous, but it did keep me warm. Too warm in fact: believe it or not after my second mulled wine I was considering taking my coat off. Just considering, mind you. It was also my first opportunity to wear this Jay Kay-esque hat I've had hanging round for a while. I can't even remember where it came from - an elder family member, or charity shop? - but my Blossom moment certainly was pivotal in maintaining my snug temperature.

The heart bag adds a well needed pop of colour to this outfit - I first saw it on Sara but became obsessed with the idea of a heart clutch after seeing the How Two Live sisters rocking one. This finally came up on eBay last week so I snapped it up.. for a mere £2.10. Gotta love that website.

I'm wearing: 

Vintage hat 

Charity shop shirt

H&M jumper 

Evil Twin kimono (just seen.. it's the fringing) 

H&M coat

MiH Marrakesh jeans

Topshop clogs

Topshop heart bag
Hippy shop necklace

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!

Howdy, stranger!

Big thanks to the BBC for the greatest Christmas present they could possibly give me.





MORE BLOG, MORE FLOG

I'll be watching on Christmas Day, inevitably half cut and surrounded by Ferrero Rocher wrappers.

Street Style at the Manchester Christmas Markets

To most Mancunians, this not-so-little guy, perched on top of the Town Hall, is a greater source of excitement than the Coca Cola, Marks & Spencers and John Lewis adverts all put together.

Soon after the Christmas lights are switched on, the German Markets descend. This marks an entire month of eating Nutella crepes, drinking mulled wine (or German beer, or Christmas punch, or Jager & orange..) then drunkenly buying hand-made goods,or cheese, in my case, that you neither want nor need, all because it's CHRISTMAS, and it's BRILLIANT.

I decided to do a little street style snapping, as I'm in need of some cold-weather inspiration. I'd love to be someone that looks amazing all layered up in woolly scarves and hats, but my style tends to peak around September, when you can get away with wearing one coat, rather than layering three cardigans underneath.

Firstly, I bumped into the lovely Shannon, of Tea and biscuits anyone?. See the subtle bits of blue and pink in her hair? Super sweet!

Cape + socks + sandals = the perfect foil to the chilly November weather we experienced last night. A boy pal in Docs carrying your bulging Topshop buys doesn't go amiss, either.

This cute group of friends look warm all bundled up in their snoods, faux furs and berry shades.

In need of an autumn/winter checklist? Fur coat, check. 1940s print dress, check. Awesome Office boots, check. LV speedy, check.. This girl doesn't put a leopard-clad foot wrong.

This brother-sister team are a little alternative, whilst remaining stylish. I love the animal print zip-up, and the chap's rockabilly-inspired get-up.

My favourite look of the night proves it doesn't have to be summer to look chic in a maxi skirt. The burgundy makes it perfect for this autumn/winter, and the cool leather warms the whole thing right up. The hot chocolate looks yum, too!

I look a little squiffy sporting my new Topshop crombie (or as they call it, "boyfriend coat"), but this is my first mulled wine, I promise. Hello to you, too, waving in the background!

The real excitement of the evening was caused by Fred the Weatherman, whose front-side I was to shy to take a picture of..

You may be reluctant to leave the house now the darker nights are drawing in, but I promise you'll be warmed right up by the festive atmosphere and warm alcoholic drinks at the Market. Don't dally - the last day to visit is the 21st December!