Fashion Confession - Material Girl.

This is a bit of a random post really, since I haven't shared my little quirks (or bored you to death with my mundane-ness, take your pick) for a little while. In truth, I've been too busy with outfit posts & obsession posts to throw out some random, text-only detail, but today I have found the time. Well, I say time.. what I really mean is that I am going nowhere today (aside from work this morning) and will not be able to research/resource anything else in between attempting to write a French essay and trying not to fall asleep at my computer.

However, today's musings were not born out of sheer lack of effort & motivation - this confession is something that came to me like a bit of an epiphany this week.

I am probably the most materialistic person I know.

It's probably not news to anyone except me, since anyone who has seen a few of my posts knows I have the slightly shallow life goals of owning designer clothes (and shoes, and bags...) and maintaining my style whatever may happen to me. I am obsessed with fashion, shopping & image in general, choosing never to leave the house without my makeup and a carefully considered, fashion-centric outfit and reading countless fashion magazines in an attempt to be on top of the trends at all times. All of this is not adding up well for me - my entire world appears to be coming down to nothing more than material possessions, and expensive, fabulous ones at that.

My friends will probably agree with this realisation I have had, and tell me they knew a long time ago.. Especially those in my French class - when we had to argue that you can't buy happiness I disagreed, because I honestly think my life would be vastly improved if I owned a pair of Louboutins! One of my aims in life is to get my hands on a pair of those red-soled beauties, along with a Chanel bag, a good amount of Prada, a Mary Katrantzou dress and something by so many more designers that I adore. My friends, while they are mostly interested in fashion and what they are wearing, and all look absolutely beautiful at all times, probably have much less shallow goals..

And I am not saying I don't! I want a good job, to find happiness and to help others (especially children in third world countries), and I realise there are more important things in life than looking good, like my family and friends, whom I love insanely. It is just that I live, breathe and walk fashion, and in our capitalist, materialistic society, with the rapidly fluctuating world of haute-couture and trends, to keep up and keep looking stylish, money must be spent. Also, while the great British high street is full of fashion and gorgeous things (I should know, it is all I can afford), a fashion obsessive like myself cannot help but lust after the creations of huge fashion houses.. Materialism is in my blood - it's a sickness, and I am willingly very ill indeed.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

So the internet crashed on me yesterday.

Which led to about an hour of failed attempts at posting, restarting my computer many times to no avail and eventually getting too frustrated and walking away. This now means that today's post will be packed with double the fashion fun - lucky you..

So anyway, yesterday was the start of a new week after the weekend apparently evaporated.. Somehow between paid work, college work and sleep there was not actually much time for anything else, and before I knew it I was rolling out of bed on Monday morning, half panicking and half overtired. And a little bit ill. But hey, no rest for the wicked  - so I dragged my sorry self around college all day, relying on a bright colour and bold print to distract from my general air of want-to-go-home-and-sleep..

Top - Lefties; Blazer & Earrings - Topshop; Skirt, Boots & Rings - H&M; Tights - Primark; Bracelet - Pull & Bear.

Like I said, the raspberry sorbet shade of the blouse combined with a slightly camera-boggling zig-zag print was intended to stop me looking too tired, and I think I have succeeded! I am also even more in love with my ankle boots after seeing a celeb penchant for booties emerging - way ahead of them.. okay, level with 'em. This was, to be honest, a pretty simple little look to put together from separates, and it still looks pretty cool.. not quite winter appropriate, but when do I ever dress appropriately?

Now for today's offering, possibly even less practical for the weather than yesterday! Yes, I was chilly, but I loved what I was wearing.
 

Jumper, Shorts, Shoes & Ring - New Look; Socks & Bag - River Island; Necklace - Topshop; Earrings - Primark.
I went a little tonal today, with the autumnal palette of oranges, maroons and browns.. how seasonal. My absolute favourite part of today's outfit is my amazing Navajo print socks - they add a seriously on-trend twist to the whole outfit and make my little legs look way more interesting. You'll notice I am now a true ponytail convert as well, I've got to admit they are the ultimate in low-maintenance updos that still manage to look good with pretty much any outfit. 

Also wanted to give you all a little close up on probably my most simple, chic nail look so far - this cute nude shade oozes a minimalist, almost Parisian cool. It is a Nails Inc shade which came *free* with Glamour magazine this month (go buy it!) and as well as being a gorgeous, fuss-free colour it is fast drying and easy to apply.. well, Nails Inc is a quality nail polish brand. Love and kisses, Tara xox

a small town fashion blogger.

Now I would love to say I’m going to be a huge fashion blogger with thousands of readers and followers and that I can bring you high fashion inspiration and street style every day, and maybe in a big city that’s possible. However, I live in Somerset, a county known best for cider, not style. You’re thinking I won’t be very a la mode either, but (flattering myself here) I think I am one of the more fashion conscious members of the West Country. Don’t get me wrong, lots of my friends, and people I see on the street dress well... just not high fashion looks.

If I’m honest, I’m not very haute couture either. I’m a 17 year old college student with a part time job waitressing, from a middle-ish class family. I may be able to afford a bulging wardrobe, but I’m more Topshop than Prada (I’m actually a little obsessed with Topshop, but more of that later). So, how do I even expect to start blogging fashion, living out in the sticks with an utterly high-street wardrobe?

Well. My parents call me a ‘fashion victim’ at least once a day because I have clothes bursting out of my drawers, and hate wearing the same outfit twice, in an attempt to be on top of trends and ahead of my friends in the style stakes. If I go shopping with a friend, you can guarantee I’m the little shopping devil on their shoulder, and they will buy more things than they originally expected, because I judge prices comparative to designers, and always encourage them to ‘live a little’ and spend money! I read about 5 fashion magazines a month, and dream of owning the designer labels, while practicing the newest hair and makeup looks. To me, appearance is everything. When I’m out anywhere, I want people to compliment me, and I want to know I look good.

Also, despite being ‘in the back of beyond’ out here, when I go out I usually get comments on my outfits such as ‘you look like you’re out of a west end show honey, you look terrific’ while in my 1950s-esque outfit (see below) or ‘you must be a real individual’ while wearing a flower headband and floral printed dress. My friends sometimes tell me I’m being stared at, because I’m dressed up a little too much for college – they wear jeans, ballet pumps and sometimes even commit the sin of trackies; while I rock maxi dresses, headbands and wedges. I always think ‘if you dress down, there’s barely any point dressing up, people will remember the off days more’.

Oh, and I have a tendency to ramble, so I’d better hush now, and save my musings for later posts... hopefully now you believe me when I say I’m fashion obsessed, possibly too much so, and an aspiring member of the fash-pack. I’ll try to post as often as I can, to give you my little take on trends, celebrities and anything else that inspires me! If you’re hanging around the West Country and dressing covetably, don’t be surprised to see me rush towards you, camera hanging from my wrist, to beg for a photo... Love and Kisses, Tara xox