Edgy florals.

One of the most tried and tested, timeless combinations is the cute dress with a leather jacket - something about the contrast of sweet girliness and tough leather makes for a perfect outfit. Of course with my new (faux) leather jacket this is going to happen a lot in my OOTDs, and here is the first one.

Dress, Jacket & Clutch - New Look; Creepers - Amazon; Socks - Urban Outfitters; Earrings - Miss Selfridge; Ring - Topshop.

I put my own spin on this combination with a hi-lo dress with a cute daisy print and my current shoe obsession, my leopard creepers and glittery socks. AW'12 is shaping up to be a season where we embrace our inner goth, but in a slightly more romantic way so of course a biker jacket was a necessity. I am really into this trend because I love darker colours and richer textures for autumn/winter, and because I am currently in lust with crosses, skulls and studs.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

London Fashion Weekend.

Despite my money-less-ness I hit London Fashion Weekend at Somerset House on Thursday 20th September. I am really disappointed to say that my camera died so I don't have many photos, and that I couldn't buy very much, but I literally had the best day.

I explored all of the stores and drooled over their contents, gathering inspiration for my newest looks. I picked up on anything free (hello, Diet Coke, coffee testers and kinder buenos), as well as gathering postcards, catalogues and business cards to put up for fash-spiration! I abused the free photo ops as well - so much love for Canon cameras and Jean-Paul Gaultier for Diet Coke for these masterpieces..

I also managed to meet VV Brown, who dwarfed me, as she had a little pop-up VV Vintage store. She looked casual, fashionable and was absolutely lovely.

This was also the best outfit shot of the day - 100% me. Bold pants, a little bit of studding, some discreet skin flashing and my clompy, comfy, beautiful creepers.

After spending hours wandering around in a fashion heaven and taking in the DAKS mini designer catwalk (gorgeous), I listened to the Twitter Panel talk, collected my Showbag and went for a wander around the Strand.

Mulberry fabric tote | Velvet pocket tissues | Elizabeth Arden moisturizing cream | shopstyle.com pocket mirror | Self tan applicating mitt | Compeed blister plasters | Lavazza coffee | Jean Paul Gaultier Diet Coke night time | Label M sea salt hair spray | Colgate whitening toothpaste - All free as part of my Shop + The Lot package!

While surrounded by gorgeous designer items and stunning pieces I was really finding it hard not to spend money, and I will admit I caved a little..

 Gold cuff & double gold ring - nelly.com

The end of my day consisted of a yummy frozen yoghurt, followed by a cocktail at TGI Fridays and finishing up by stumbling upon Covent Garden before taking the bus back home and collapsing in a fashion coma.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

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

Yes, I am still here.

Okay, I am going to apologise now for the silence over the weekend blog-wise. I hate people who give excuses for everything so I'm just gonna say this - Friday to Sunday I worked 24 hours, and I had an exam today and one tomorrow to cram for.. The blog took a hit. Besides, since I basically lived at work/in my bed I had done nothing interesting to share with you all. But today I have resurfaced and begun to look human again as I ventured back to college after half term for my English exam.. Yes, as of today my English A level is over! And only two more exams to go! Let's hope this one went well..

Dress, Denim Jacket, Cross Bracelet & Necklace - Topshop; Creepers - Amazon; Tights - Primark; Ring & Earrings - Miss Selfridge.

This Topshop dress has been one of my staples for longer than I care to remember, and people are probably sick of me wearing it to death but it just always seems relevant, and it is one of the easiest pieces to style up. It is floral, but not in a girlie way, and although it can be styled femininely, today I wanted to edge it up a bit. I bought this sleeveless denim jacket last year in Topshop and am so glad I can keep working it since I am still seeing them everywhere! It makes its first appearance of the year as one of my summer loves - despite the rain, it is June and I am wearing my summer clothes regardless. It is the perfect way to toughen a floral dress, especially with my new creepers. Not only was this a cute yet edgy look, but the chunky shoes kept my feet warm in the cold sports hall while I sat my exam.. perfect.

Speaking of exams, my next one is tomorrow and my last one is next week, so I could still be a bit erratic and absent on the blog, but after then I should be able to get back in to regular posting.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Endings.

Once again it seems like I have become lazy and inconsistent with my blogging - but I did warn you this could happen! Exam-frazzled nerves have kept me away from my constant updates, which means that today I have two outifts from the previous week for you to check out, and the news that yesterday was my last official day at college. I don't believe that two years have gone so fast, and that now I only have to go in for a few days to do exams and will possibly never have to set foot in there again after that. It has been a brilliant place to be, with enjoyable classes, wonderful teachers and of course hours and hours of fun with some amazing friends that I hope will stay close to me forever.

Outfit one..

Shirt & Tights - Primark; Shorts & Bracelets - Tosphop; Bralet (underneath) - New Look; Creepers - Amazon; Earrings - Miss Selfridge.

This was another of my attempts to be edgy I think, by working my creepers into one of my looks. I really love this shirt with the embellished collar because it can be the perfect nod to tribal chic, and really ups the ante on your average blouse. Teaming it with these raspberry shorts really helps balance out a high neckline which could easily look too prim and ladylike, and I just really adore my creepers. Some tough-yet-pretty jewellery was the finishing touch to this ensemble.

Outfit two..

Blazer - Bershka; Top & Necklace - Topshop; Trousers - ASOS; Shoes - Dorothy Perkins; Earrings & Ring - Miss Selfridge; Cuff - H&M.

Here I am returning to my beloved floral prints, but not in quite such a girlie way.. I am still very much loving the trend for printed trophy trousers, so I am bringing this pair out of their hibernation again. The bright digital blooms look very summery, especially when paired with a very SS'12 peach pastel blazer and a light metallic blouse. I allowed some black to slip in with the pointed court shoes, but that was because there were already enough colours and prints going on in the ensemble and these heels allow the existing elements to shine. Oh, and sorry about the poor picture quality, I had to take it on a timer in my kitchen..

Which one do you all prefer?

Also, since it was the last day, we took some photos - and here is one of my gorgeous group of friends.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Am I hipster yet?

Working a completely different style to the previous post, I have attempted to edge up my look a little to match my (gorgeous) new creepers. There is just something about them that makes me want to shop in the slightly grungier half of Topshop and plaster myself in crosses and a serious attitude. But of course, I'm not an all-out grunge kid, so this look was a little half-and-half. I like to call it eclectic. In contrast to the floaty, floral, summertime look of the last post, here I have added a bit more of a twist to my outfit - but of course the girlie girl inside me hasn't been completely overruled..

Shirt & Bralet (underneath) - New Look; Skirt & Eye Bracelet - River Island; Creepers - Amazon; Socks - Urban Outfitters; Bag, Earrings, Leaf Ring & Cross Bracelet - Topshop; Star Bracelet - Lola Rose; Camera Ring - Temporary Secretary.

See, even when wearing some super-cool leopard print brothel creepers, the girlie-ness works its way in there, as seen with my beloved pink skirt, new pastel handbag and pastel blue nails. However, the simple white buttoned blouse with a black bralet underneath and some edgy jewellery (crosses and such), as well as some glittery ankle socks keep it eclectic and cool. It might not be the most obvious way to work your creepers, but personally I like the contrast of masculine and feminine elements, and the way the shoes make the whole look fiercer when it easily could have been sugar-sweet.

These photos were taken out in town with Akikik of DREAMS, full credits to her for capturing me. We also took some more random photos just for fun - once I get hold of the ones she took on her camera you can see us being super-cool, as per usual..

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Paisley print.

Finally. The day has come where I can wear a sundress without tights or a jacket or any kind of practical layering - nothing needed other than shoes, jewellery and sunglasses! People might be complaining about the heat, but I am still loving it. I live for days like these. Besides, I hear that it is meant to rain here on Wednesday, so I have to squeeze in some sunshine appreciation while I can..

Dress - Dorothy Perkins; Shoes & Earrings - New Look; Necklace & Rings - Topshop; Bracelet - Pull & Bear; Sunglasses - bought in Malaysia.

I have had this dress quite a while and worn it on a fair few occasions, but I couldn't remember ever wearing it solo so I decided to break it out again today! The paisley print is still totally on-trend, and I love the colour palette. The bright blue, white and purple on a black background is a gorgeous way to work a print without looking over the top, and is echoed in my purple wedges. Yes, I am wearing those wedges to death this summer, I love them! Sunglasses are obligatory when driving on sunny days, and I opted to up the glam factor with this classic, oversized pair.

This week I tried out a new nail colour again - Maybelline's Forever Strong polish in Ceramic Blue, one of their new SS'12 pastel shades. It is safe to say I am completely in love with this pale blue colour which looks fresh, unusual and achingly pretty on my nails! It was also surprisingly easy to apply, possibly thanks to the '100% Precision' brush..

Creepers - Amazon

Another new purchase came in through the post today - I am now the proud owner of a gorgeous pair of creepers. I could have just bought a plain colour, but of course I opted for some super-cute leopard print on mine! At the moment they are being sold on Amazon for some ridiculously cheap price, so I snapped my pair up quick. Ever since flatforms came into fashion and brothel creepers seemed to be making an impact I was tempted by them, but only after seeing Karl Lagerfeld incorporate them into his ensembles was I completely sold. It may be a little warm to wear them now, but I love them anyway!

Love and kisses, Tara xox