Loud.

Last night I went out down to Southampton to see a bit of live music. The bands? Jazica, Two Door Cinema Club and Delphic. Never heard of them? Neither had I until yesterday afternoon; however my brother runs a music reviewing website (There Goes The Fear) and got freebie tickets to review them. So of course, when asked, I jumped at the chance of a free night out and some new music.
Now, you're probably wondering why on earth I'm writing about this when I write about style and clothes and pretty things on this blog. Well, I was doing one of my favourite things at the gig: people watching and thinking about their outfits. So let's get down to it.
The crowd had the girls wearing skinny jeans or bodycon dresses/skirts. There were lots of racer-back vest tees as well. To accessorise there were headbands and flowers in their hair, along with a few clutches with chain handles. The boys were wearing either smart tailored shirts with skinny jeans or slogan tees. It was a typical concert type scene.

So with Jazica, it was a 4 piece group; all blokes apart from the lovely lead singer who wore a leather skirt (possibly faux, but I can't be sure); a simple white top and black knee high socks. She was setting an example to the girls in the crowd with her patent leather effect headband and had a small section of her hair tied with a feathery-flowery type thing; it was hard to be sure exactly in the lighting. The guitarist in the band had the most adorable I ♥ Dinosaur t-shirt. I'm pretty sure it was a kiddy's one because of the fit of it, but it was gorgeous none the less; and with his muscles, he could pull it off.... Adding to the cuteness factor of the top was that it also didn't say "dinosaur"; instead it had a cartoon picture of one. Beautiful :). The other 2 of the band were fairly non-descript in their outfit choices; harsh, perhaps, but true none the less for me.

The next band on were Two Door Cinema Club. My initial thought was that this is one of the least catchy band names I've heard. None the less, their style made up for it. The boys were all in varying degrees of grandad chic which also reminded me of Teddy boy styling. The lead singer was in ankle swinging smart trousers with a casual polo tee. The bassist and lead guitarist committed the ultimate sin, though, of wearing the exact same dark denim shirt; however they styled it in different ways with the bassist wearing skinnies whilst the lead guitarist wore classic fitting jeans.

The last band, Delphic, were at best, averagely dressed. There was nothing special in terms of their style; which let them down for me. They did, however, play a good show. All the bands did in reality.

Not a lot else to say for today; having a casual day in baggy jeans, vest top and short sleeved hoody.

Delays and Thoughts.

Yesterday, instead of going through my usual Sunday routine of getting up slowly, grazing all day and generally doing not a lot, I got myself out of bed early and getting myself into London. After all, yesterday was the day of the Affordable Vintage Fair. I got into London and navigated my way through the tubes (only made difficult by the engineering works), and found myself outside Old Street tube station trying to figure out which direction I needed to go. Having gotten myself lost once I returned to the tube and had the crazy idea to actually look at the map which pointed me in the right direction. A few minutes' walk later and I was at the building where the AVF was being held. Paid the very reasonable £2 and had this adorable bird stamped onto my hand to grant me access for the entire show (12-5).

It was quiet when I first got there but things soon started to get busy. Overall it was an enjoyable experience, however I feel it would have been good if there had been more space between the rails and such like because as soon as you got more than a couple of people hunting through the rails for their bargains, there wasn't a lot of space to move.

Sadly I didn't actually purchase anything this trip; but not for want of trying. In total I found 3 things that I utterly adored: a beautiful wool/cotton mix dress with cute heart buttons, however it was in a pale mint green which when held up to me made me look like I was extremely so discounted that. I am now regretting that though as it wouldn't have taken much to dye it another colour and replace the buttons with a matching colour; ahh well, hindsight is wonderful. After this find I found a skirt and a shirt that I fell in love with. Both of them, to me, screamed American 50's diner; however; neither fitted quite right, and also the skirt did nothing for my figure making my hips look huge. The shirt fitted fabulously until you got up to the bust where it was far too loose. Both were black with white and grey added into the mix in various different ways.

After spending a good hour and half to two hours browsing around, trying a few things on and generally people watching, I left the AVF and made my way around to Oxford Street where I went into a few different Uniqlo stores to try and find some of the J+ range (designed by Jil Sander) that I had fallen in love with on the website. In particular there was a sweat skirt and a pair of sweat pants that I wanted to give a try. After getting to the second store I found my size in both and tried them on. I'm glad I did in all honesty, rather than just ordering off the website as neither fitted in the way I had expected. The sweatpants were far to tight on my legs - I had wanted reasonably baggy to casually lounge around in at home as it got colder and the skirt just didn't sit right on my hips and over my curves. In the first Uniqlo store though, I had also tried on a pair of their skinny jeans as I'm always on the look out for new skinny's to try and get the perfect fit for me. I love their destructed tapered skinny jeans in light blue, however once again the fit wasn't quite right on my butt. I am going to have to find more time to have a play with the fit of their jeans though, as their size 10 is a 27" waist - something I've been hunting for for a while as Criminal Damage skinny jeans (the brand I usually wear) only come in a 26" and 28" with one being far too small and the other being far too big. Frustration!

Whilst up around Oxford Circus I also managed to find Beyond Retro which I had great fun looking around. In there I found a beautiful piece priced at an extremely reasonable £16 that was black with zips etc. It was something that I loved; but it stupidly took me until I tried it on to realise that it wasn't a dress as I originally thought, but instead a playsuit. Damn. It didn't look quite so good when I got it on, and although I knew I'd be able to carefully deconstruct the middle to make it a dress, I wasn't confident that I would look as good as I hoped.
So overall, in terms of shopping, yesterday was fruitless. I did, however, have a fantastic time and got lots of creative ideas to push me further with my own designs.

Oh, and whilst we're here. Just along from the AVF, I saw this mini. I had to stop and take photos because it is my favourite car and I fully intend to own one myself one day.

Vintage Baby.

So I'm psyched this weekend to most likely be going to the Affordable Vintage Fair in London as I previously mentioned in a post. However it sadly will no longer be with fellow blogger Jennily as work has got in the way. Instead I'll be going it alone after travelling in with boyfriend. :) So if you're going to be there on Sunday 25th, let me know and maybe we could hook up to have a mooch around together.

I have a perfect Friday evening going for me at the moment as well, in a non-fashion related manner. A roaring fire, my laptop, boyfriend, a good book and Nylon magazine.
I am aware I have pimped out this magazine slightly before, but I can't help but love it. Almost whenever I see it, I have to pick up a copy because I do find it so difficult to get hold of.

Not an awful lot else to report on fashion front. However on a DIY note, I have finally changed the zip in my favourite bag so it is officially usable again. It shall definitely be coming with me to the Vintage Fair so I can jam all my goodies in there. Excited much? I think so.

Anywho, I should go, boyfriend's going to give me a back rub in front of our fire and I do have some temporary work for tomorrow - shop work in the afternoon and babysitting in the night. Uber casual clothes required for both, nothing too fabulous but I'll still try to look like me.
Oh, but before I go, I went to Boots today whilst I was also in town getting my Nylon magazine. In boots I bought a new mascara - Natural Collection, £1.95. I quickly applied some when I got home to give it a quick test, and omgosh. It's lush. Definite recommend for this bargain buy. A decent mascara for less than £2, it doesn't happen everyday. Will be wearing it for the next few days to test it's durability. The only thing I dislike about it so far is it doesn't dry as quickly as I'm used to, so I keep ending up with black dots under my eyes - woops! I'll get used to it though hopefully.
Losing laptop tomorrow night whilst babysitting though, so I shall have to be returning to my geek-chic and read lots of books, still got about a third of "Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl" to read, and I'll probably take another book that I've picked up.

Getting Intimate

Checking through my various blogs that I follow, I found a reasonable cute web link through Style Bubble. So I was have a browse through the shop; Anthropologie and did my usual of looking at my favourite items at the moment: dresses, followed by knitwear, follow by intimates. Yet again though, I was disappointed to see the bras they sell only start at a 32" back.

Now, why might this be a problem? Well, it's all very good, but I have a tiny back. Try 28-30" instead. Thus it's near on impossible to find properly fitting bras in most retailers.
The ones I do find in a smaller back usually come in a larger cup, and it goes without saying that I'm not that lucky.

It's a frustrating issue, I wish more retailers would pay attention to this issue as I know so many people with small backs who can't buy a properly fitting bra. Having worked in the lingerie department and been a trained fitter, I have become very aware of the importance of having a properly fitting bra.

Rant over, I'll get over it and start hunting for a decent fitting bra. Especially in need of a strapless one, despite the fact we're going into winter.

Nailed

Dear Diary;
Whilst looking into what will be at the London Vintage Fair that I was meant to be going to (but is now looking unlikely), I came across this website:
www.wah-nails.com
Upon clicking on the link I discovered their proper website isn't really up and running yet; however it recommended you hopped on over to their blog. So I did just that; and I have to be honest, I'm lusting after their nail designs. Will have to at some point make a trek to London to get my nails done by them methinks.

Anyway, won't stop for more now as it is ridiculous o'clock and I need my beauty sleep.

P.s. Yes, I'm aware in every "Dear Diary", I am lusting after whatever is mentioned; but hey that's my whole reason for the "Dear Diary feature.

Neglect and Winter Times

So this morning I thought I'll quickly log on to check out the blogs I follow and see what's new. As I read through what must be 20+ new posts, it dawned on me that I hadn't actually logged on in a while and I suddenly realised that I haven't blogged myself for over a week, woops!
So i begin this blog with an apology for the neglect, I'll try harder now as I have some free time on my hands now I'm officially unemployed.

I think that's probably why I haven't been blogging because this last week has been kerazy with work and interviews. Ok, so just the one interview, but around work and the likes it has been a wee bit mental. Work is now over though as yesterday was my last day at that job - I'm just waiting to here back about some other jobs I've applied for. Last night I went out as well with the girls from work to celebrate me getting outta that place. Much jealousness all round from them, but hey, they're happy for me too.
As it was first night out in a while (that job sapped my social life basically), I made an effort with outfit and wore my faithful Uniqlo shirt with leggings, a belt and my boyfriend cardigan. Accessorised with 5 other girls from work and a lot of pizza at Pizza Hut and it was a fab night. I was also given pressies and a card; pressies including these socks below. They're new in at work and I fell in love with them as soon as I saw them.

They're advertised on the label as "snug as a hug" and omgosh, it's true! They're lovely and warm and perfect the winters drawing in; especially when boyfriend has to go away for tour stuff and I'm forced to survive in the cold on my own!

Also, you have to admit, the penguin is cute as!


In other news, next week it's looking like I'm heading to a Vintage Fair in London town with fellow blogger, Jennily, which should be great. Need to be on the look out for some things for winter methinks (or just need to go to Oxford Street briefly to have a quick mooch around Uniqlo for my winter clothes). Also gonna be looking out for lace, prints and draping. Hopefully will be a fab day for some bargains.
Best run now; dinner soon and I wanna climb in the oven to warm up! Also going to be reading my current book - "Living Next Door to Alice" which is a fabulous shorter book - only 308 pages. It has some decent descriptions of outfits and it's about modelling, love and chucks in a bit of comedy; would definitely recommend as something to read when having a long hot bath!
Will also be checking out Style.com which I'm currently loving - a bit late on the bandwagon I know, but hey; better late than never.

I'm so 3008; you so 2000 and late.

So this is what I wore today because it's freezing! Multi-layers for the win, most definitely.
Started with a strap top (Primark), black skinnies (Criminal Damage @ Blue Banana), Shirt (Uniqlo) - I love that thing and finally I chucked on my boyfriend cardigan (New Look) because it's so comfy and warm and lovely.
The boots are the ones I found the other week on my shopping trip to Swindon Outlet Centre; where I also got the scarf (Next) in the picture below. And I still can't remember where that blasted belt is from, but it's useful and well loved.

Now, I am aware that in this picture I look shapeless; it's the only thing I don't like about this cardigan is that it's gradually lost it's shape - I wish I had bought the size below; but I didn't because it made the bottom bit between the last two buttons gape even wider. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Am currently watching Lady GaGa's video for Love Game which I think is a pretty sick tune - but I loved her album before it was in the UK. I'm that ahead of it. Anyway, totally lusting for some of haute couture outfits. That body suit that is like blue, skin colour and I think has diamante on... that's lush. As is the white body suit. And finally, I lust for her police-style cap that she's wearing towards the end of the video. I think it's ab-fab (The nineties called - they want their lingo back!). That said, i think she has a fantastic sense of style; despite it being outrageous. Hell, Madonna always got away with it, so to me Lady GaGa is just the 21st Centuries Madonna, but like a hundred times better.
(Sorry, I don't think much of Madonna.)

After a bit of Katy Perry kissing a girl; I'm now onto Agnes with Release Me. I'm watching TMF's Weekend Starts Here feature; and it's pretty good - definitely suiting my present taste in music. All they need to do is throw in a bit of Kings Of Leon - Sex on Fire and I'm set for a fabulous evening. It has to be said; I have a varied taste in music from Dizzee Rascal through to a bit of Enter Shikari; Mindless Self Indulgence through to Cascada. I prefer to fall in love with a song than an artist though - there's been plenty of things I like by an artist; but then I won't like some of their other stuff - so it's better to go with the songs for sure.

Anyway, will stop blabbering now as my head is being filled with Boom Boom Pow which has just come on the tv.

MishMash.

First things first;
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/bodyconfidence/
Everyone should sign this because a) they can and b) I totally believe in it.
They barely cover it in schools, other than basics, but I know too many people who have had eating disorders and are obsessed with body image; myself included. The main reason for mine, and I'll admit it, is that dammit I just wanna be seen as beautiful and the models and people who are portrayed as beautiful never get spots, never have bags under their eyes, don't have cellulite, etc.
Yes, my logical side says that the photos are nearly always airbrushed, but that vain little bit of me who wants to be "beautiful" just refuses to remember that those magazine looks are unachievable.

Other things...
I'm so in love with my new winter scarf. It's just driving me mildly insane though because it smells vaguely of boyfriend and he's run away on tour =[ 6 lonely cold nights. Definitely truly need to get me some proper winter clothes. Hmmm.

Job interview tomorrow as well. If I get this job I think it'll mean lots of smart clothes in my wardrobe... So what a shame that'll require a shopping trip again. Damn. Not! I enjoy shopping far too much; even if it's frustrating to do for myself at times.

Disappointingly little else to say, have been flicking through my Harper's Bazaar which arrived yesterday along with my Vogue - I love subscriptions - I don't even have to remember when magazines are due out or making sure I have enough cash on me etc. It's wonderful.

Anyway, off I best run to do some research for my interview etc. More talks soon hopefully. :)

No Jokes.

I have spent over an hour going through my fashion-related emails to try and find the image of this top I really loved and mentioned the other day. Frustrating stuff, but I'm gradually coming to the conclusion that I might have dreamt it... Hmmm.

I've also been having a couple of issues with my laptop, so I can't guarantee that posting will continue to stay regular. Took like 5 attempt to get it to actually turn on properly this evening and it's started making an odd clicky noise when it's first switching on. Shall have to get boyfriend to look as he's like just an utter genius with my laptop. Honest.

Dear Diary; I fell into lust with an American clothes website today: I Don't Like Mondays
So this tank top is by Alexander Wang and I love it. It just looks so solid but delicate. The thing that stops me buying it? Erm the minor price tag of $79 USD. Ouchie =[.
Totally loving this top that's called "Grey Shredded Cobweb Tee" by Obesity and Speed. Argh man, I want this top badly. Even though it's completely not practical for daily wear. The thing once more stopping me from buying it? Yeah, that's right - the price tag ($149 USD if you must know). Ahh well. Still loving I Don't like Mondays.

Right, that'll do for now. I'm gonna go snuggle up in my bed on my lonesome cos boyfriend's on tour. And I'm gonna comfort myself with a hot chocolate and some window shopping on Uniqlo.

Sitting on the dock of the bay....

Driving home from work today, this song came on the radio; and omgosh it brightened my day. I love this song for forever and a day.

Regardless what the weather is doing or what the life situation is like, this song always brightens me day. I love my parents and bosses from my first job for getting me into lots of older stuff. That's where some of the best stuff is. [=

The weather at the moment, however, is annoying me. It's finally reached that time of the year that I really dislike - freezing in the morning and evenings, but stupidly sunny and warm in the afternoons - only if you've got enough layers on. Quite frankly, it's a pain in the arse because even like today, I put on a pair of skinny jeans (from a friend), boots (Famous Footwear) and a jumper (a store in New Zealand) with strap top (Primark) underneath. Quite presentable, but I was shivering as I drove to work with heating on full, gloves and a scarf on. Walking back to bus stop to get back to my car after work this evening, I was boiling cos the sun was on my back and finally, this evening, curled up after dinner watching tv, and I'm freezing cold again. There is no logic and my gosh it drives me insane.

And finally, the above picture is something I am currently fascinated by and craving for a little thingy to have my room - the jewel encrusted skull that is in my Tatler magazine to show off some watches. In all honesty; I don't give a damn about the watches, I just want to own one of those jewel encrusted skulls because I think; in the right setting; it could look truly beautiful and be a real feature of a room. *sigh*. Something to go on my "when I'm rich and know everything; I'll get these things" list.