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

Star Style Obsession - Mollie King

While everyone goes crazy about the jubilee today I am currently sat at home flicking through magazines and blogs. Which means that instead of some crazy royalist post (well, I have already obsessed over the Queen's style..) you are going to be getting some inspiration from another of my style heroes. This girl does, oddly enough, have a suitably royal name considering she is Mollie King, but other than that and a bit of a link to Prince Harry, this is quite unrelated. I just happened to see one of her latest looks and was then reminded of all of her stylish appearances that have impressed me. 

I am not a Saturdays fan in the slightest, but I have to admit they all scrub up pretty well and look irritatingly gorgeous in every appearance, and Mollie is in my opinion the most stylish of the five. Unusually for me, the looks I love the most are not her on-duty, red carpet ensembles, but her off-duty street style looks because she manages to make a stylish statement with every look, as well as being the epitome of easy-breezy daytime fashion. So for once, I won't be drooling over couture gowns that have no practical place in my wardrobe, but eyeballing some gorgeous daytime pieces that I could legitimately consider trying to buy.

Okay, you know me, I can't resist a few evening looks. This dress is pretty much perfect on Mollie - I love the lingerie-inspired lace and sleek midi-length, as well as the super-flattering silhouette.

 This is such a cute, playful red carpet look. I love the 60s style shift dress with oversized polka dots, and simple styling she has employed, with a voluminous up-do, heavy eyeliner and black heels. The look ensures she stands out next to Vanessa too.

 Working a hi-low hemline before most of us got in on the act, Mollie looks beautiful at the Harry Potter premiere. The ethereal, floaty dress is simply stunning on her and is perfectly complemented by white heels and her gorgeous tumbling waves and natural makeup.

A slightly more casual evening look, I love the polka dot body-con dress because the sleeves and high neckline are perfectly balanced by the shorter hemline that shows off her enviable legs. The matchy-matchy tan accessories are perfect with her navy dress.

Now we are really hitting the more casual looks as Mollie walks through an airport working that killer combination of tan and navy. That gorgeous scarf-print skirt is perfect for summer and really makes her stand out in the crowd, while still being comfortable and casual enough for travel.

Here's Mollie with a masterclass in how to work double denim - simply choose a light wash jacket and shorts, then team with a contrasting floaty top, messy updo, sandals and a luxe handbag.

Chic tailoring at its best here I think. I love the clean lines of this outfit and the neutral-yet-contrasting hues of navy, beige and white that are perfectly offset by some super-luxe accessories. I am incredibly jealous of her bag collection.

Tailoring seems to be one of Mollie's specialities. These gorgeous blue shorts could easily have been smartened up with a blazer for evening, but I love how she has toned them down with a cute white top, polka dot scarf belt and oversized sunglasses.

I promise I am not just in love with this look because I have the exact same dress in pink.. It helps though. The lace overlay is gorgeous and so Valentino, and again those tan accessories make it perfect for day but with a luxe edge.

Breaking out some gorgeous tailoring again on an outing with Frankie, but this time working a shorts suit in powder-pink. I have always been dubious about matching shorts suits, but Mollie does look gorgeous and sweet in this one, especially thanks to the pastel hue. I like how she has kept the look light with a white scallop-edged vest and blush-pink heels.

Another airport look, but not one that I am sure I would be brave enough to replicate, however much I love it! This grey t-shirt dress is gorgeous and super-cute with that rubber duck motif, and I love how it has been styled up with fierce heels, a luxe bag and uber-cool sunglasses.

Finally, this is the look that reminded me of Mollie's stunning style. I simply adore the 1950s trend this season, and I have been wanting to try a bralet with a pencil skirt for quite some time - this look has inspired me to go for it! I love the sweet white bralet with the brightly printed skirt, and again those gorgeous tan accessories and beautiful blonde locks.

I love Mollie's style and am hopefully going to emulate some of her daytime looks, especially in that she always looks very "done" and polished - definitely not a lazy-day-in-trackies girl! What do you think of her style?

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Examined in style.

I had an exam today. On like the sunniest day so far - it's typical! But on the plus side, history is over for this year. And I don't even think it went too badly. Only 3 to go now, thank goodness. I did get the morning off to sunbathe though, so it's not all bad. And then when I finally had to make myself presentable to the world I finally got to go out sans tights - summer is officially here. For at least a few days.

Shirt & Skirt - River Island; Shoes - New Look; Necklace & Ring - Topshop; Cuff - H&M; Wishbone Bracelet - Accessorize.

Like I said, I triumphantly got my pale-as-a-tissue white legs out today to celebrate the sun, wearing my gorgeous cherry print skirt to add a bit of fun to an exam day! I didn't get carried away though, pairing it with my light-wash denim shirt. Coloured and printed denim may be very du jour, but this pale-blue shirt is an old favourite of mine and is so much more summery than any dark denims. I then added a statement necklace, bright wedges and some gold jewellery, with quite minimal makeup for me and voila, my pick-me-up look for the exam was complete. Oh, and throw in my photo-bombing little cat too.

Some more shameless self-promotion - follow me on instagram! babydolltara is my username, look me up!

Love and kisses, Tara xox

My week in style.

Since I had all of my birthday shenanigans to post about this week I held back on the outfit posts, and now you lucky people can feast your eyes on all of this week's outfits in one (long) post! In my first official week of being 18 I haven't really gone crazy with it, and to be honest I can't feel much of a difference aside from being legally an adult - there's a little bit of new self-responsibility there. I certainly haven't made any changes to my style, which is still ever-changing, fun, experimental and intrinsically girlie..

Monday

Blazer - ASOS; Blouse - New Look; Skirt - River Island; Shoes & Tights - Primark; Earrings - Topshop; Necklace - Accessorize; Bracelets - Lola Rose, Pull & Bear, Topshop, ASOS & Accessorize.

I opted for a fun mix of patterns to beat the Monday morning blues - there's nothing like my cherry print skirt to add a playful edge to an outfit. I can't wait to wear it in a more retro fifties style outfit, but that will have to come when the weather finally improves! For now I settled for pairing it with a polka dot blouse, framed with black tights and a blazer and finished with my much-abused mint green shoes. I also wore my hair up for once, and it looked better than I thought.. I still won't make a habit of it though.

Tuesday

Blazer - ASOS; Dress, Shoes & Flower Ring - Topshop; Tights - Primark; Earrings - New Look; Bracelets - Topshop, Accessorize & Lola Rose; Star Ring - Forever 21.

With Tuesday came a very girlie look - inspired by the gorgeous lace on the Valentino catwalks I wore my new Topshop lace dress (a birthday present!) and kept it feminine with glittery pumps and statement earrings. Then of course I added a boyish edge with my blazer, and I love the juxtaposition it adds. Again, I can't wait to wear this dress without the necessity of tights and a blazer, but for now I like it layered. I just felt super-pretty wearing this and can't wait to break it out again.

Wednesday

Denim Shirt - River Island; Dress & Bracelet - Topshop; Belt, Tights & Shoes - Primark; Ring - H&M; Headband - New Look.

Since Wednesday was finally a sunny day where I am I decided to go for a more summery, almost festival-esque look. White has rolled around again as a key colour for this season, so I pulled out my broderie anglaise dress, and made it a little more seasonally appropriate by layering it with a pale denim shirt and patterned tights. My mint shoes added a confectionery edge, and I topped it all off with a sweet floral headband. I have been waiting for a sunny day to start wearing my floral headbands again, and this new one is super cute with its gorgeous yellow flowers. I loved feeling so summery and pretty, and I want more sunny days!

Friday

Blazer - ASOS; Top - Yumi; Shorts & Tights - Primark; Shoes - George at Asda; Bracelets - Topshop, River Island & Lola Rose; Ring - Miss Selfridge.

With Friday came a gorgeous print mix - a clash of some tropical-inspired parrots (thankyou to my friend who got it for me), and Prada-esque car print shorts. They really add a fun, playful edge to my outfit when put together and pick up on the cute, cartoon prints trend of SS'12. I also love these bright shoes, and cannot believe I picked them up at a supermarket!

Before you say anything, I realise Thursday is missing - I was actually ill then, and nobody wants to see a picture of me in my PJs in my bed. One thing I have realised looking at these outfits is that I can be completely different in my look from day to day, and just how versatile fashion can be, in that you can dress for every different part of you personality, which I love.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

[PS. I realise I am getting ridiculously haphazard with my blogging - when my life calms down a little I will be back to regular posts I promise!]

Simples.

For the first Saturday in ages, I wasn't working this morning (evening shift - yay!), so of course I hit my local shops hard. Shamefully, despite pounding that pavement for quite some time I didn't actually buy that much. I'd had ideas in my head of things I'd seen before and was highly tempted to snap up, but of course when I actually got to the right stores, those things weren't there, or weren't in my size - oh the difficulties of being an average size!

Blazer - ASOS; Top & Shoes - New Look; Jeans - Primark; Bag - H! by Henry Holland; Cuff - H&M; Ring - Topshop; Earrings - Accessorize.

I went for a simple, relaxed outfit today, relying on bold colour and different textures to see me through. I don't wear jeans or trousers half as often as I wear skirts/shorts/dresses, so when I do I don't like to just wear your average pair of indigo skinnies (although I do own some of those) and would much rather make a statement. Coloured denim has been big in fashion for a few seasons now, and it is going nowhere as we get into the swing of SS'12. I have my eye on a few other coloured pairs, but while they remain firmly in my dreams I picked out this cobalt blue pair. I paired them with a white cutout lace top (white is another SS'12 trend), which stops me looking too covered-up and conservative, along with my blazer and some bright accessories. I also wore my hair up for the first time in a while, purely because it hasn't actually come down since yesterday evening!

I said that I didn't buy very much, and it is true.. In fact the only thing worth mentioning is this gorgeous new pair of flats from Primark.

Okay, in the light here they look almost light teal coloured, but I swear to you these cute little dolly shoes are actually a delightful shade of mint green. And it's not really a secret that mint is one of my favourite colours right now, as well as a big hit in fashion - yes, Gaga was right. Since they were such a bargain, I couldn't resist these shoes. They are perfect for spring, and will work beautifully with all the other pastel colours that have infiltrated my wardrobe.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Doubled up.

It was the second day back to college today, which is an even bigger reality check. It means that yesterday wasn't just some kind of nightmare, and that there really is only six more months in higher education for me. Scary! Anyway, I don't want to depress you all with work, work, work, so I'll just put up a simple little post about today's outfit..

Blazer - ASOS; Jeans - Dorothy Perkins; Shirt - River Island; Shoes - New Look; Belt - Primark; Necklace - Topshop; Ring & Bracelet - Accessorize.
There's a first time for everything, and today I tried something I new - double denim. I've always been a little wary of doubling my denim pieces because I don't want to look like an 80s throwback, but I have been seeing double denim on celebrities, catwalks and in magazines, so I decided to go for it. Only yesterday I bought the new issue of Grazia and saw a whole feature on wearing denim the chic way, featuring many double (and even triple) denim ensembles.. I also decided to work a little bit of androgyny in there, because as far as I'm concerned there is still some life in the boy-meets-girl trend. I think what really makes this look work is the detail. Firstly the vastly different shades of denim make the outfit cool rather than matchy-matchy. Also the red belt adds a cute pop of colour, and the statement necklace worn just tucked under the collar looks unusual and adds interest to the plain shirt. Maybe I'll try doubling my denim again sometime... Love and kisses, Tara xox