Someone call Shopaholic's Anonymous.

Last weekend I went shopping - a dangerous, foolish activity for me I know, but it was necessary. My summer holiday is coming up and I needed to supplement my hot weather wardrobe with mix-and-match-able pieces that will mean I can keep creating new outfits while I am away, while remaining appropriate for both tropical heat and more conservative cultures. For the shopping trip I eschewed sensibility and ignored the wind/threatening clouds to wear this..

Shirt - New Look; Shorts & Tights - Primark; Creepers - Amazon; Clutch - Cos (secondhand in Paris); Cuff - H&M; Earrings, Ring & Bracelets - Topshop.

I love a good pair of high waisted shorts because they are just so flattering, and this pastel stripe pair is really cute. I paired them wiith a sheer white shirt tucked in to emphasize the waistline, and buttoned all the way up in that girl-meets-boy way that looks very cute. I then threw my creepers into the mix because they are gorgeous and a little bit edgy, as is the new clutch. Lashings of jewellery and a bright lip completed the ensemble.

Primark

 

It's fair to say I got over-excited in Primark - what a haul. The cross tee and ballet pumps aren't even for my trip! 

New Look

The sales in New Look were bursting with gorgeous prints and colours - I just couldn't resist! And that parka is the perfect lightweight cover up, an alternative to my beloved blazers.

River Island

I have had my eye on these pieces for a while, but never quite had the cash to buy them. When they appeared in the sale however, I snapped them right up. I adore the paisley print on the dress and the mermaid-esque shell pattern on the skirt.

Topshop

 This neon dress is completely stunning, bright and beautiful, and will look gorgeous with a holiday tan.

Hair Bow - River Island; Black Rose Headband - Topshop; Ring & Gold Headband - Primark.

On holiday my hair will have to be up most of the time, so I invested in some cute accessories to keep it fresh!

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Paris haul!

I didn't go too insane in Paris, meaning I didn't buy too much... but here is the round-up of all my purchases that will forever remind me of a beautiful trip. Sorry it is so so late - I really have to catch up!

Essie nail polish in Sugar Daddy & Rouge Baiser nail polish in Pastel Jaune.

I am a complete sucker for nail polishes, and these sugar sweet shades were too cute to resist.

Hand painted Vogue cover art.

I bought this by the Seine near the Notre Dame. It was perfect for me - classy, elegant, Parisian, and of course featuring Vogue!

Assorted postcards.

I picked these up all over the city on impulse, and I plan to stick them all around my room to remind me of the trip. My favourites are the show posters and the Moulin Rouge.

Perfume spritzers - Belle du Jour.

I adore anything retro glamour and was captivated by the vintage ones in the window of this Montmartre boutique. Unfortunately my budget didn't stretch that far but these reproductions still look gorgeous.

Metallic dress - Isabel Marant (second-hand).

The likelihood of me ever affording anything by Isabel Marant was absolutely minute, until I stumbled upon this in a second-hand/vintage store in the backstreets of Saint Germain. It's gorgeous, sparkling and glamorous and I love it.

Clutch bag - Cos (second-hand).

I also unearthed this in the second hand shop, and fell for the unique print and on-trend fold-over style.

Vintage bracelet.

That second hand shop really was full of treasures, and this delicately beautiful silver bracelet is possibly my favourite.

 Bralet - Brandy Melville, Home Made.

The back of this cute bralet is my favourite part, love the detail.

And that is the end of my Paris haul - see? Restrained. Although if we're honest most of my money did go on pastries and BNs... I am so so pleased with all of my purchases though, and they will be permanent reminders of a beautiful trip.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

The infinite joys of a day off.

Today has literally been amazing. Numero uno, it was a 'staff development day', aka no college! Therefore I got a lov-er-ly little lie in, complete with reading Alice In Wonderland in bed while listening to Florence & The Machine (combination of 2 of my favourite things). Then came the utter joy of being in the house at 10am, able to switch on the heating and choose to do work as and when I please. And yes, it did happen. Then I got all dressed up and headed out into the bracing December air, off to the cinema with my friend Sherri. Well, firstly I did have to walk the mile and a half to my mum's school, to get dropped at the bus stop, but the less said about that the better.. Anyway, the day only got better - we went to see My Week With Marilyn, which was literally amazing. I already want to watch it again. Then a quick shop, Costa & bus ride home to a cosy warm house. Brilliant day. Here's my wintery best for you all..

Cape & Hat - Topshop; Top (worn as dress) - Warehouse; Leggings - Miss Selfridge; Boots - Primark; Socks - Urban Outfitters; Bag - Tous; Bracelet - Accessorize; Rings - Dorothy Perkins & Primark.
After going literally purple yesterday, and checking the (freezing) temperature outside this morning, I chose to get almost wrapped up, breaking out the serious winter pieces. The cape has emerged from its vacuum-pack bag, where it had been residing since last winter, and I had actually forgotten how much I loved it. Yes, it is last year's statement coat, and therefore has been seen by pretty much all my friends, but capes are not quite over yet! I adore this one - the duffle detail, chic navy colour and all-round cosiness that comes with a slightly more stylish coat shape than your everyday outerwear. I chose to rev it up a bit this year with some almost leather-look leggings (all synthetic, of course, I still have my principles), a bright statement handbag and my *new* beautiful faux fur hat, for a very du jour clash of textures. This hat received a fair bit of attention, and I did feel like I stood out a bit, but that's a good thing - I am an individual after all. An individual with a very warm head. Crazily in love with this hat, and can't wait to wear it again! I also added a pop of colour to an otherwise quite darkly tonal outfit with the dark berry lipstick, again Boots 17 lipstick in Rich, my new favourite..

In a vague attempt to link myself in with the film, I will just say that being so "done" with my lipstick on and a bit of a bold hat I did feel almost comparable to the immaculately made up Marilyn being portrayed brilliantly by Michelle Williams. But of course, I have not achieved anywhere near the level of glamour displayed by the icons of old Hollywood... with whom I am now getting more and more obsessed. Since seeing My Week With Marilyn I am realising more and more that under the glimmering facade they were not as perfect as they seemed, and that Marilyn at least was troubled. That doesn't stop them being international icons, of course. I think I will save my burgeoning screen siren obsession for another day, and another post, however, and suffice it to say that I am in awe of Marilyn Monroe & her fellow vintage movie stars.

Anyway, yes there was a brief mention of shopping earlier - you know me, I can't resist diving into the nearest store when I'm in town! And Sherri was the one who wanted to go into New Look...

Right, blogger is messing me about with this one.. Just ignore the fact it is technically upside down. This gorgeous purple clutch was such a bargain, and finally provides me with a sensible day-to-night bag. I always find that going to parties etc in the evening all my bags are too small - well now I can carry a cute bag that fits all my stuff! And as I wear my cape more I can't wear a shoulder bag too easily, so this is again perfect.

Oh look, what's this? Another unnecessary purchase? Why yes, I believe it is... This was another New Look find, something that I saw, loved, tried on for sheer funzies and then had to have. It looks so cute on, not too long considering it isn't technically a petite dress, and my wardrobe was lacking both a good red dress and a good lace dress. I believe buying this counts as what they call killing two birds with one stone. That and the fact that it was gorgeous and I wanted it led to another bout of impulse buying - the bank balance is really taking a hit this month! Good thing it's Christmas soon, the chance of money from relatives is always a good thing! So that was my beautiful day off - back to college again tomorrow.. joy. Love and kisses, Tara xox