Sweet freedom.

MY EXAMS ARE OVER!

Okay, now that is out of my system I can get on with the post. Today I had to go in to college for my final exam (French), meaning that I have officially finished college. A beautiful feeling of freedom is coming over me now, as revision is no longer on the agenda and deadlines become a thing of the past. To celebrate, my outfit felt quite free-spirited and eclectic..

Shirt - H&M; Shorts & Tights - Primark; Shoes & Headband - New Look; Rings - Topshop.

I love my new striped shorts since they are gorgeously light and summery, as well as being flattering with their high waistline. Since I love a bit of a print mix I paired them with one of my favourite tops, this sheer floral shirt, and instead of tucking it in I tied it at the front for a more relaxed feel. Then I added coral slippers and a cute floral headband for a whimsical edge to the outfit. Strangers in the street complimented me on it - clearly I am doing something right with this accessory!

One quick little notice - I won't be able to post for a few days, possibly not until the weekend since I am busy celebrating my new found freedom with friends over the next few days.. Follow me on instagram @babydolltara to keep up with my life in pretty little snapshots.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Embellished shorts come out to play.

This is actually yesterday's look of the day - after my exam I basically collapsed into my bed and didn't move for a long time because I finally powered down after my hectic weekend at work and the two exams this week. Yesterday I was having one of those days where outfit combinations didn't quite look right - I went through about ten before finally settling for this.

Shirt - H&M; Shorts - River Island; Tights - Primark; Shoes - New Look; Rings - Topshop.

Once again I seem to be re-working some of my older denim pieces.. I have had these shorts a while and I love the festival feel of them with the embellishments. Everyone seems to be working short shorts at the moment, so here is yet another pair of mine! The floral shirt I paired them with is one of my favourite pieces because it goes with so many things and looks beautifully summery while being suitable for our confusing spring/summer climate. I'm not totally happy with the way the shorts sit on me (possibly because they are too big!) but I like this outfit because it is a little eclectic and a little OTT - that's me all over.

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

Just another manic Monday..

Is it me or is it always Monday? Especially when you don't want it to be.. The full-scale exam nerves are kicking in, it was my full day and it was raining - all in all not the best day, and certainly not a Monday I was looking forward to. That said, I was keen to wear some of my new clothes!

Blazer - ASOS; Top & Skirt - New Look; Tights & Shoes - Primark; Earrings - Roam at New Look; Bracelet - Pandora; Rings - Accessorize, Topshop & New Look.

This is one of my new skirts that I picked up last week, and I wish it had been better weather today because it would be absolutely beautiful on a sunny day! As it was, it looked bright and bold in comparison to the overwhelmingly grey sky above. The cheerful floral pattern is the perfect Monday morning pick-me-up, and I like the burst of colour it gives to an otherwise almost monochrome outfit. The cutout white shell top adds a bit more texture and stops me feeling too covered up - it really is quite see through... My beloved black blazer was the attempt at making this look temperature-appropriate and preventing frostbite, as were the patterned tights. Once again, ballet pumps aren't the best shoes for rain, but I just adore these mint ones too much.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Tip top.

At the moment I am a strange mix of excited and petrified, thanks to the fact that it is only a week until I become an adult. Well, that accounts for the excited, but the petrified? Oh, that's because my first exam is that day too. Yes, some cruel twist of fate means I am going to be examined on my ability to talk fashion in Spanish. And some other, more depressing unknown subjects too (out of the environment, racism, terrorism and unemployment). It's a well-known fact among my teachers and friends that I hate speaking exams - I get incredibly nervous. So all in all, not what I was hoping for on my birthday.. And now every time I count down to my birthday, I count down to the exam as well! Today, the pressure and excitement really started to sink in. So forgive me if today's outfit isn't quite as put-together as you are used to..

Blazer - ASOS; Shirt & Shoes - New Look; Skirt & Cuff - H&M; Tights - Primark; Ring - Topshop; Collar Tips - Ebay.

Today's outfit consisted of some sharp, simple separates, pulled together with the detail. I am wearing this white, chiffony shirt for the first time and I love it. In this outfit it has been dressed up with the blazer for my take on some sleek, business-like tailoring, then the look has been softened by my colour block pleated skirt and some quirky patterned tights. From the waist up I am dressed quite androgynously, in a classic masculine combination of a blazer and a white shirt buttoned to the top, but waist down is more feminine and quirky, and the contrast is what makes this look interesting. I said the detail pulls it together, and it does - the block of purple adds interest, and the pleats add another level of texture that is very of-the-minute. 

My favourite detail however has to be my new collar tips! I have been seeing them on shirts in shops and on celebrities, and love the extra detail they add, but I was struggling to find any in stores or online that weren't permanently attached to a shirt. I love shirts, but I wanted the versatility of some collar tips I could add to any of the shirts and blouses with collars that I already own. So I went to the website that sells everything - ebay. And these gorgeous vintage style ones turned up - I adore the shell motif and stylized shape of them, and the way they take a plain shirt to a whole new sartorial level.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

A very long day.

More random moaning about the joys of being a student coming up.. let's get it over with. I had two exams today. Two. Plus isolation, since they originally clashed. Therefore, I was stuck in a room from 9.30-1.00 by myself (well, apart from the invigilator), then moved to another room to sit an exam from 1.25-3.45ish. Painfully long day. Made me very tired, very grumpy, and lacking the enthusiasm to do absolutely anything tonight - hence this small, slightly whiny post. Don't worry, I'll be back to my usual cheery self come tomorrow, when there are no ugly exams to worry about! To tide you over until then, here's my outfit of the day..

Jumper, Shorts & Ring - Topshop; Socks - River Island; Shoes - New Look; Key Necklace - Rock N Rose; Binoculars Necklace - Temporary Secretary; Egg Timer Necklace - Christmas present; Earrings - Miss Selfridge.
I will admit that this is one time I began planning my outfit with comfort in mind, knowing how long I would end up sat in one place for today! I'm not all practicality & sensibility though - the slouchy, loose knit of this jumper, micro shorts and knee socks did not a warm outfit make.. When wearing these gorgeous raspberry shorts, I felt like I had to go slightly oversize and chunky on top, to stop myself flashing too much flesh and looking trashy rather than chic - and the perfect match came in the shape of this caramel jumper. I then decided to rev up my block colour separates with aztec print socks (for a fun touch) and oodles of jewellery. One of my favourite things about this outfit is that the tonal feel is just playfully broken up by the pop of pastel blue nail polish (Barry M in Blueberry Ice Cream). This shade is one of the ones I picked up on Saturday, and I am so glad I did. It is gorgeous, springlike and oh-so-mood-enhancing - the perfect pick-me-up when you have to write for around 5 hours.. Love and kisses, Tara xox