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

Simples.

I am still in Sulawesi at the moment, and took the opportunity to get online while I can! I am seeing a lot of tribal things, walking a lot, eating a lot and still attracting attention wherever I go.. 

Oh my god I just realised it has been ONE WHOLE YEAR since I started blogging! Happy Birthday obsession du jour - now where can I get a celebratory cake? Thankyou all for reading, commenting and following, it means a lot. Love to you all! 

Our holiday actually started with an overnight visit to my relatives, who live much closer to the airport than we do. It breaks up the journey and was lovely to see them - I like to keep up with my family. Since it was such a casual occasion (being in the car and then chilling at my granny`s house) I opted for some simple separates.

Shirt - H&M; Jeans & Shoes - Primark; Ring - Topshop.

I adore this shirt because it can be dressed up or down, and it was the perfect casual accompaniment to these bright cobalt jeans - so much more interesting than regular blue. The mint green toe-cap pumps are new and I have now discovered how much I like them because they are so cute. Although it is typical that I should decide to be all covered up, only for the sun to come out.. and just before I go away too!

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Paris haul!

I didn't go too insane in Paris, meaning I didn't buy too much... but here is the round-up of all my purchases that will forever remind me of a beautiful trip. Sorry it is so so late - I really have to catch up!

Essie nail polish in Sugar Daddy & Rouge Baiser nail polish in Pastel Jaune.

I am a complete sucker for nail polishes, and these sugar sweet shades were too cute to resist.

Hand painted Vogue cover art.

I bought this by the Seine near the Notre Dame. It was perfect for me - classy, elegant, Parisian, and of course featuring Vogue!

Assorted postcards.

I picked these up all over the city on impulse, and I plan to stick them all around my room to remind me of the trip. My favourites are the show posters and the Moulin Rouge.

Perfume spritzers - Belle du Jour.

I adore anything retro glamour and was captivated by the vintage ones in the window of this Montmartre boutique. Unfortunately my budget didn't stretch that far but these reproductions still look gorgeous.

Metallic dress - Isabel Marant (second-hand).

The likelihood of me ever affording anything by Isabel Marant was absolutely minute, until I stumbled upon this in a second-hand/vintage store in the backstreets of Saint Germain. It's gorgeous, sparkling and glamorous and I love it.

Clutch bag - Cos (second-hand).

I also unearthed this in the second hand shop, and fell for the unique print and on-trend fold-over style.

Vintage bracelet.

That second hand shop really was full of treasures, and this delicately beautiful silver bracelet is possibly my favourite.

 Bralet - Brandy Melville, Home Made.

The back of this cute bralet is my favourite part, love the detail.

And that is the end of my Paris haul - see? Restrained. Although if we're honest most of my money did go on pastries and BNs... I am so so pleased with all of my purchases though, and they will be permanent reminders of a beautiful trip.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Paris Day Three!

Waking up in Paris just doesn't get old. Even if it is in a slightly dodge area. After an even more croissant-heavy breakfast we embarked upon a shopping morning, only to be halted by a quick downpour. So we had a coffee break (or hot chocolate in my case) and then hit the shops. In the morning we wandered around Montmartre, discovering cute little shops, then we headed into central Paris. We had lunch in the Saint Germain area, then chose to split up according to what we wanted to do.. In the end we all went our separate ways - Alison to sketch in the park by the Louvre, Claire to see inside Notre Dame, and myself to carry on with some hardcore shopping. While I wandered surrounded by designer labels I had no hope of affording I was having the time of my life, and it got even better when I found a second-hand/vintage shop down a backstreet! After shopping, I carried out my little Amelie fantasy and checked out the Canal de Saint Martin and the Cafe des Deux Moulins. Then we had a picnic dinner by the Sacre Coeur before cocktails.. A very good third day.

Here was my outfit of day three..

Dress, Bag, Shoes & Cross Bracelets - Topshop; Floral Headband - New Look; Wishbone Bracelet - Accessorize; Ring - H&M.

I absolutely adore this Topshop lace dress - not only is it a celeb favourite, but it looks effortlessly pretty and summery. Before Paris I had only worn it layered up with tights and blazers, but while away in warmer weather I finally got to wear it by itself. In my typical fashion I didn't leave it all simple though as I added a ladylike bag, some glittering flats and a Lana Del Rey style floral headband. I would swear blind that all day in Paris the only person I saw with a headband was my reflection.. I am definitely too British to blend in!

Here are some more snaps of my daily activities.. quite food-based this time.

Our emergency cuppas.

Casual Montmartre graffiti.

Paris is so damn photogenic.

Canal de Saint Martin

Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain anyone?

Some top quality vin rouge.

Macarooooons!

Coming up next is the final day, and then my shopping haul!

Love and kisses, Tara xox

The brightest crayon in the box.

Oh so many things could be said about today.. I am currently resisting the urge to serenade you with Friday-related songs, so I will settle instead for some ramblings about colour. I love colour, and can rarely put together an outfit without a pop of colour in there somewhere, because I just don't feel like me without it. The title of this post came from that old saying to indicate someone is a little slow - "you're not the brightest crayon in the box" - but I decided that today I was the brightest, given my colour-clash outfit!

Blouse - Lefties; Jeans - Primark; Flatforms - ASOS; Earrings, Cross Bracelet & Ring - Topshop; Necklace - Accessorize; Cuff - H&M.

Everything about today's look was bright and beautiful. Coloured denim is a much more summery way to wear your jeans, and I adore this cobalt blue pair that have been in my wardrobe for years - they make a statement, yet are really flattering and easy to wear. For a bit of a colour clash I paired them with my sorbet-pink blouse (definitely crayon-box colours here!) and I think it works because there is no pattern or shape, the colour contrast does all the talking. Of course, my outfits are rarely complete without a print, so I broke out my rather controversial flatforms again since it was going to be a dry day. I have received mixed reviews on these particular shoes, but I personally love them and intend to wear them to death when summer hits! 

Love and kisses, Tara xox