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

My week in instagram - doubled up.

Since my grandparents were down last weekend, I didn't get the chance to post my week in instagram, so I am combining both last week and this week for a double fix of my instagram snaps!

Last monday's shoe of the day | Posing with my baby last Thursday | Details of an outfit I wore last Saturday (to be posted) | Getting in some vanity | Becoming a "coffee connoisseur" as my grandma said | Again with my baby boy | Appreciation for my idol, Kylie | One of the many magazines I read monthly | Anna Saccone, one of my fave vloggers and youtube guru | Audrey Hepburn, icon | My beloved chain ring being worn yesterday | More details of yesterday's look

My instagram isn't just full of outfits and vanity, although it looks that way at the beginning of this set of photos! It's a good way to keep up with my life, and maybe get inspired.. Follow me @babydolltara

Love and kisses, Tara xox

My week in instagram.. #1

I have seen so many posts like this, and I love them as a really cute way to finish off the week. I am also completely in love with instagram, it is my favourite app of all time and the effects make me happy. I haven't taken many photos so far, but here comes my first week in instagram snapshots.. I am going to try and do this every Sunday!

 Monday's revision viewing - Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain | Close up of Tuesday's floral headband | Self shot of Wednesday's look | Summer in a glass - iced lemonade | Details of Thursday's outfit | Finding my perfect chocolate in Selfridges | Squirty cream | Some messy shots for pre-drinks | Lining my stomach with millionaire shortbread

 Posts about the last few days in detail to come - I am slowly catching up on all my shenanigans! Had a pretty good week this week though, lots to instagram.. 

Follow me on instagram @babydolltara!

Love and kisses, Tara xox
 

Ice cream dream.

TGIF, is all I can say. Today was pretty tiring if I am honest, and that wasn't helped by us watching a video in history last lesson - pretty sure I was sleeping with my eyes open. Yet again, on one of those 'I want to be in bed' days, I picked an outfit that would disguise my less-than-alert brain, with fresh colours to hopefully stimulate my mind. Not sure it worked, but it's always worth a shot!

Blazer & Bracelet - ASOS; Top & Earrings - Accessorize; Skirt & Tights - Primark; Shoes - New Look; Belt & Ring - H&M; Necklace - Accessorize.

In sharp contrast to yesterday's loud, proud & printed look, I opted for another of SS'12's hottest trends for this Friday's look - pastels. I am in love with pastel colours right now. I don't know if it is their ability to be mixed and matched effortlessly or the fact that they are super-pretty with their candy-ice-cream hues, but honestly, pastels are my favourite trend of the season I think. Today I dressed a bit like an ice cream, if you wanted some pale strawberry and mint.. I like the way the scallop-neck top matches the scallop-hem skirt, and the way the colours work so well together. I also love my gold jewellery, particularly this leaf double-ring.

I will admit that I got a little lazy with my hair though - I wanted to do something other than wear it down, but apparently all I could come up with was up in a bun.. I promise to be more adventurous with my hair soon! 

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Keep calm & go shopping.

Only two more days until half term.. That's not much to get through. Only 9 more classes, two more long days with early starts, and two more outfits left of this half term. Seriously, where is the time going? I am so looking forward to half term, because it should be a chance to relax (well apart from coursework, homework and actual work) and maybe even sneak a lie in.. For now, I was happy enough that today was at least Wednesday - which, since it is a half day, means I get the car (which still excites me!), I only have two lessons and there is usually some fun to be had in the afternoon...

Shawl - River Island; Jumper - New Look; Shorts - Blue Miss; Tights - F+F at Tesco; Shoes - Topshop; Earrings - Miss Selfridge; Ring & Bracelet - Accessorize; Necklace - Republic.
After yesterday's monochromatic look, I just had to break out some serious brightness. Pastel colours (such as the candyfloss-pink displayed on my slouchy jumper) and baroque prints (like my gorgeous shawl) are huge trends for SS'12, but I am not entirely convinced that the designers championing them meant the two to be combined.. But ah well. Taking on board the more-is-more, anything-goes, so-wrong-it's-right vibe pervading the catwalks I decided that since I felt comfortable in it, then it probably works! Oh, and you might have noticed something unusual here - my hair is up! I rarely have the time or inclination to try my hair in any manner other than down and straight (if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?) but today I just had the urge to do a different style. Admittedly, it's only a ponytail, but for me that is unusual, okay!

Since it was a half day today, I picked my mum up from her work (she finishes early-ish too) and we went for a quick shopping trip. Yes, all I do is shop. I didn't actually buy much, but the accumulation of that and a little package from H&M made today's haul pretty lovely.

I started off in Topshop, unashamedly picking up a pair of cute studs in the remnants of the sales - at that price I just could not say no to these elegant, ladylike earrings. I will admit that I mostly wear big, long earrings, but every so often a pair of studs like these comes in handy, like if I am wearing a statement necklace. These are pretty classic, so they should last a fair few seasons.

I also finally gave in and bought one of these scallop-edged vest tops from Topshop. Every single season I have been tempted by these because they come in such a rainbow of colours and are delightfully simple, yet detailed enough not to be dull, but I had held back because of the price and the fact that I simply did not need a vest top. However, when I walked in and saw one in this stunning shade of mint green my resolve crumbled and I snapped it up! Mint is one of my favourite colours for spring (yes, Gaga was right) because it is not only a super-pretty pastel ice-cream shade, but it is very flattering. Love this.
 

After passing my test I decided that it had become appropriate to personalise my car a little, and so far that has only stretched to sunglasses, spare flats for driving and blasting out Lana Del Rey at every opportunity. So when I was browsing Accessorize and saw this cute air freshener with a vanilla scent (one of my favourite scents ever!) it looked perfect. This will be hanging from my mirror as of tomorrow morning!

And now we reach the little H&M parcel. This double ring is just so cute and quirky, the perfect added detail to pretty much any outfit!

This dress was a total bargain, and was basically screaming 'buy me!' from the H&M website and catalog - I simply love the graphic, blue poppy print and simple shape. Print is obviously a huge trend this season, and florals have definitely gone digital (thanks in large part to Mary Katrantzou), so this is the perfect pattern.. not to mention the fact that blue is a hot colour too, with different shades cropping up all over the catwalks. This could easily be layered with a chunky knit and boots, clashed with more patterns or even belted and dressed up in a slightly retro way - I can't wait to wear it.

All in all, today has been pretty good! What do you all think of today's look & mini-haul? Love and kisses, Tara xox

Impractical as usual.

It's Friday.. and not a moment too soon! Another week has dragged on by, bringing with it my January round of exams (over now - woo!), the sudden realisation that this (college) year is disappearing into thin air and an unspeakable desire to shop again. Unfortunately, my weekend will not be either restful OR a chance to lose myself in some retail therapy, since I am working Saturday & Sunday.. Anyway, ramblings about my busy old life aside, the other thing that Friday brought was a definite drop in temperatures & an icy wind - making today's outfit vastly inappropriate.

Jumper - New Look; Shorts - Reverse; Shoes - Lime; Tights - Primark; Necklace & Ring - Temporary Secretary; Bracelet - Accessorize; Earrings - TU at Sainsburys.

Okay, okay, I'll confess to taking a jacket too. But this is what I really wanted to look like all day today! I have completely fallen for this jumper now I have christened it by actually taking the tags off and wearing it.. not only is it a totally gorgeous shade of candy pink that makes me feel like a sorbet, but it is also ridiculously slouchy, comfortable and flattering. Hello, spring style staple. To balance the slightly oversized fit of the jumper, I decided to break out one of my many pairs of mini-shorts (I know, totally not sensible in January).  I love my Americana shorts because they are so fun and quirky, different to your average denim pair - they are just not the most winter-appropriate clothing in the world. Especially not when paired with thin mini-dot tights! But cold or not, I loved my outfit today, especially the new jumper and my Temporary Secretary jewellery, so don't expect to see me give up my style for practicality any time soon.. Love and kisses, Tara xox

Just another college day..

Is it only Tuesday? This week seems to be dragging already.. On the plus side, today was a much better day now the exams are over for now (until May/June - eep) and I wasn't in isolation for the majority of it. I even managed a quick sesh at the gym - I really need to do more exercise. Three more days like this, and this week shouldn't be too bad.. Again, stylist's block struck me down a bit today, but I managed to pull something together with my usual impulsive eclectic-ness.

Blazer, Shoes & Necklace - Topshop; Shirt - River Island; Skirt - Internacionale; Tights - F&F at Tesco; Bracelet & Ring - Temporary Secretary.
Okay, ignore the fact the ring is technically upside down - I like seeing it the right way up from my perspective, because I really do love a good moustache. I think it was the cute details that made this outfit work and look pulled together enough for me, from the quirky jewellery to the glitter flats and the flower-pink lipstick. I do think I need to try a different statement necklace with my denim shirt - it's time to mix it up! Next time. I opted for such a floral pink lipstick today because I was flipping through a magazine or two (okay, five) and noticed that beauty for SS'12 is less about bold berry lips and more about the flower tones, so in an effort to stay on trend and maintain my love for lippie I broke out this one. Natural Collections in Pink Orchid if you were wondering. Love and kisses, Tara xox