Turning Over New Leaves

A few months ago, I scored my "dream" job. 21 weeks ago today, I started my "dream" job. Today, I quit my "dream" job. It was my dream job, only this dream had become a nightmare.

So in the next 4 weeks I have to find some where else to live (leaving London town baby), find some where to work and figure it out. But life goes on.

Hey, who knows, this could be an excuse to buy a whole new wardrobe of clothes, right? Haha.

Anyway, as per usual, this may (i.e almost definitely will) affect posting as all days off are gonna have to be used for travelling out to find a job and find a flat in the town near my parents. No one can say I don't like a challenge!

Short and Sweet

Just thought I'd pop a quick outfit post up seeing as I'm wearing new clothes that I bought during my time off for work.

After much whinging to my mother about having nothing to wear and wanting to get away from black, grey, jeans and leggings, I mentioned that I wanted a pair of trousers for a change, but something casual, something that was still "me" as such. Soooo, this is what we ended up finding. No black, no grey and new trousers. Apologies for the poor photo quality, but I couldn't seem to get the lighting right and wasn't quite in the mood to faff around with it for hours.

Anywho, basically, these are my new trousers (H&M), my new jumper (H&M) which is brown -  a shocker for me, I know - and my old boots that  thought were waterproof, but after Thursday's downpour, I discovered this was sadly no longer the case. Squelchy! 

Anyway, won't stop for more now. I'm off to Westfield to go get a birthday present for my brother (hopefully) and do a bit more retail therapy (definitely).

Epic Failings

As per usual, there's been some epic failings on the posting front again. I have no excuse for this other than those previously cited in my last post. That and general exhaustion at returning to work. Haha.

I don't have much to say right now, but I wanted to let you know I'm still alive and loving, honest! Whilst on "holiday" from work, I did a bit of retail therapy, and bought a few nice new things, so they'll make it up onto the blog in the next few days hopefully :) If not in the next few days, then certainly over the coming weeks!

Last night on the tube home, I also saw a man with the most fantastic pair of shoes. It was one of those times when I wished we were living in 2110 rather than 2010, because I would like to think by then that we'll be able to upload metal images, and use those mental images to Google things etc. Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera on me, and my phone camera is a bit crap, so I was unable to get a picture of these amazing shoes. But first things, first: THEY WERE MAN HEELS!

Now, normally, man heels would creep me out a bit, or make me think of that greasy haired, rather weird guy that everyone seems to know of... But they worked for this guy, some how, I'm not sure how, but they did. However, embarrassingly, I did get caught by him staring at his feet and got a big cheesy grin in return... mildly embarrassing.

Anywhoooo, I just googled man heels (not a search I would recommend if you've eaten recently or are weak stomach... there's some pretty scarring stuff there...) and I found a picture that closely matches these shoes that I'm now obsessing over. Unfortunately the picture only matches in style, and not in colour.

(Picture found from Google search leading me here)

Now, the shoes that he were wearing were actually a bluey-greeny purple two-toned boot. It was beautifully shiny (that's actually what caught my eye in the first place, I'm like a bloody magpie sometimes "ooo, shiny!"). To add to, and contrast against this, there was then an elastic insert to make them easier to get on, but this wasn't just any insert. Oh no, this insert was done in the shape of a slightly more elaborate cross, and in a lovely contrasting dull brown. I'm not sure why, but this all just worked for some reason.

And the final lust factor for me? He adjusted his position slightly, and this resulted in a mini-flash of lining of the inside of the boot... it was red! And looked like red velvet or suede or something. 

Basically, all I know is they looked sooo divinely comfortable and were so out there, they really worked. It was odd, but I'm ok with that :)

It's Time.

London Fashion Week officially kicked off this morning and from the sounds of the tweets, it's off to a fabulous start. Despite living in the capital myself, I unfortunately won't be attending any shows because I'm not cool enough, but also because work and the likes don't permit the time unfortunately. Life fail much.

Anyway, last night I had my friend and fellow blogger, Jennily, stay over. This was the first time we'd seen each other in some months due to now living miles and miles and miles apart instead of just 5 minutes walk. Bummer.

After insane amounts of Chinese food, sugary crap like doughnuts and trifles, and a fair amount of alcohol, it resulted in these crazily attractive pictures of us:

We're so beautiful, aren't we? Haha.

Anyway, yeah, so after taking awesome pictures and being amazingly awesome ourselves we crashed out, went to bed and got up late this morning. Managed to some how to both shower, dress, wash up last night's stuff and get ready to go in the space of just over an hour and then leave. I think the bit that genuinely took the longest was for me to decide what the hell to wear. Decisions are not my strong point. But eventually I settled on this:

With a helluva combination of cheap and not-so-cheap. Hoody (Primark), t-shirt (Marks and Spencers), Ring - not seen (DKNY), Skirt (Primark), Tights (Falke in "Crystal" @ Selfridges) and heels (Melissa for Vivienne Westwood). This shoes are my complete favourite at the moment, I'm genuinely obsessed with them and how ridiculously comfortable they are. The only things ruining this picture is my hair and my expression, but ahh well, I can't help my face, haha!

So now I'm off to catch up on what I've missed of LFW so far, which unfortunately will only increase over the weekend as I unfortunately have the joys of working both Saturday and Sunday before hopping on a train back to the 'Shire to visit my parents and have a few days break there. Pictures will be disappearing in that time, but I may try to whack out a blog or two whilst I'm there, we'll just wait and see I suppose.

Insane Amounts To Do...

None the less, here I am, blogging to procrastinate. All I have to do is strip my bed, remove my nail varnish, get work clothes ready, tidy my room and remake my bed... Erm, sure.

Anyway, few things to say. First things first, Lady Gaga. 

At the MTV Video Music Awards the other night, she caused her usual stir by wearing a dress made from meat. Erm, ok... Apparently it was designed by Franc Fernandez, who it would seem has designed a few of her other outrageous outfits (like that chain mail piece in her video for Bad Romance). 

So what is my point of bringing this up? Well quite honestly, I find it a disgusting thought, but I am the sort of person who doesn't really eat meat in the first place (no, not vegetarian, just don't really eat it often) and I can't stand raw meat. It makes me want to be sick. HOWEVER, and this is a big however - we did put it in capitals after all - credit where credit is due, this is an amazing piece. It's an amazing design and the amount of work that must have gone into it is truly mind boggling.

(picture found from a Google search leading me here)

Look at the shape of it, it hugs to all the right curves and has the right shape of a classic dress. The cuts of meat that have been used on the front and side almost give a corseted look and I only wish (sort of) I knew what cut of meat must have been used to create the bottom of this dress.

She has been quoted by multiple sources as saying that part of the reasoning behind this dress is to show "[she] is not a piece of meat" but who knows the entire reasoning. Also, who knows if it is even real, because quite frankly, if it is, it must have stunk and she would have been very lonely all night! Haha.

Anyway, moving away from disgusting, slightly creepy things, and onto pretty, lustworthy things. As many of you have probably heard in the press coverage, Selfridges' Shoe Galleries completely open tomorrow. With events related to this opening running for a week until the 23rd. I'm super - or should that be shoeper? - excited about this opening, and it's been much awaited as far as I'm concerned. At first when I saw the plans for it (ahhh, the joys of being a Selfridges employee) I was a bit hesitant and couldn't help but think "really? You're really using these concepts?!" However (there's that bloody word again!) when I saw the first few galleries that opened about a month ago, I was pleasantly surprised. The concepts used (such as concrete and rust) actually genuinely do work. The space is very light and open, and beautiful. Just as they promised it would be.

So, all I can say is: Get your ass down tomorrow! Though be warned, the galleries are closing early (5.30pm to be exact) for a big celebrity party. I should perhaps be worrying whether or not this is top secret info, but seeing as it's going to be noticeably closed tomorrow, I'm assuming they'll give the real reason. Anyway, after tomorrow, as far as I know, the galleries will be open with the rest of the store from 9.30am until 9pm every day, Monday to Saturday; and from 11.30am until 6pm on Sundays. Ahh, such exciting stuff.

And to be honest, I'll be glad when this is all over, because then it means our tacky shoeper-hero will go away. Can't say I'm particularly keen on that "great" publicity idea, but y'know....

Models Need to Cheer Up!

Today I was browsing through MSN news' coverage of Victoria Beckhams Spring/Summer 2011 collection, and I couldn't help but notice how grumpy some of the models look!

I know the whole point is they're probably supposed to be straight faced and not draw attention away from the clothes - they are just walking hangers after all, but even so, a smidge of a smile is always nice, or even just a genuine blank face rather than a really moody one.

Take this picture above for instance, (came from here). This girl is wearing a beautiful drapey purple dress (not necessarily my cup of tea, but I can acknowledge it's nice-ness) and she looks like she's ready to throw a tantrum. Seriously, what is up with that?

I am, however, totally loving this stud dress:

(from here)

Please, please, please, fashion gods, let there be a suitable high street alternative, because unless I can find a verrrrrrryyyy rich man in the next few months, I simply won't be able to afford this piece of gorgeous simplicity. And, Dear Diary, I REALLY want :)
I think I might even be able to pass it off as work-appropriate which is always an added bonus!

I love the simplicity of this dress as well. It's not necessarily something I would wear, it's too much of a classic design, and me and classic don't exactly work always. But I really do appreciate it's beauty.

(from here)
I'm also rather liking the chunky briefcase-type-handbag (prizes for best description ever, no?). Imagine how much stuff you could fit into that, and still be able to find! It'd be a dream come true for me, as I am forever losing things in big bags that have no structure to them, because it's always hiding in that little corner that you can't quite get your hand into for whatever reason.

Overall, I'm really liking Victoria Beckham's collection for next year, it's very classic, as per usual and I think that works well for her. Of course, I'll always be a little bit biased as I did grow up in the era of "GIRL POWER", Spice Girls and all that jazz, but having grown up with it and been able to watch her go from this young, slightly snobby seeming girly-girl to a fantastic designer who is really making her way in the fashion world... well, it certainly inspires me to persevere with what I want in life.
Girl Power to ya!

It's Funny Where Opportunities Occur....

Today, quite honestly, was not a good day until late this evening. Today I was having one of those days where you doubt everything you know, everything you've wanted, just everything basically.

But then things started to look up. I made some pretty important decisions, and I got some pretty good information. Turns out, one of the girls I work with interns with a stylist, but she wants to leave and needs to find some one to replace her. Opportunity methinks.

I've also finally made the decision to look at moving within the company, so applications will be made over the next couple of weeks with the intention of doing this.

So what started as a pretty horrendous day, ended up being not too shabby. And now I'm chilling out before bed with a good ol' bit of The XX. An amazing band that escaped my knowledge for far too long as far as I'm concerned. Something about their music makes me feel very chilled out and want to wear lots of floaty hippy-ish clothes.

Maybe I should get this sexual outfit. (That I found in a Google search leading me to this website).... Or maybe I should just stick to my own clothes.

I got told repeatedly today by one of our lovely temps, that I look like I'm a very rock chick girl. This complimented me more than it possible should.

I also got mistaken for a mannequin by a customer. I'm undecided as to how I feel about this.

That basically means that I can pass for one of these... (a pictures I found from a Google search leading me to this website)

I apologise for the lack of my own pictures, but it's one of those days where it's just not going to happen. There will, however, be pictures of my own later in the week as I (as it stands) have fellow blogger, Jennily, coming to visit me for a girl night in with a bottle of wine, Chinese food and chocolate cheesecake. Sounds like a pretty perfect night to me, and will probably result in our usual crazy style pictures, which'll be fuuuun. 

Hint for ya though, Jennily, you need to blog more ;)

Practicality is Not My Style.

Ok, sometimes practicality is my style; the majority of time, however, it is not.

Hence the reason today I thought that this outfit...:

...Was a bloody good idea to wear. I did change my mind very quickly though when I popped into a room with lots of windows open  and was freezing within seconds.

So I made the mature and sensible decision to change the shorts (Baxter Topshop jeans, customised by moi) for my black skinnies (Criminal Damage @ Blue Banana) and keep the top (Topshop). I also made the sensible decision to chuck my grey boyfriend cardigan (New Look) over it. Probably quite a good idea, seeing as when I went out to do food shopping (gosh, I lead an exciting life!) I was just about warm enough.

I ended up doing quite heavy make up as well, so I've ended up with this slightly rock chick look - especially with the wind messing up my short hair... oddly enough, I'm ok with all of this. I quite like the messy rock chick look. I think I shall be playing more with this as autumn progresses.

Anyway, will leave it at that for now. I'm off for a coffee with a friend, because that's what us hardcore rock chicks like to do with our Sunday afternoons. Pahahaha.

This Is The Way The Stylish Live

Or not...

I'm sat in on a Saturday night, with no intention of going out that front door again until tomorrow, stuffing my face with a massive bowl of pasta (yes, a massive bowl of carbohydrates, shockers!) and not giving a damn about what I look like. I'm not even wearing any make up. But gosh it feels good. After a week of having to be on form (and epically failing on at least 2 days), it's nice to not have to worry. It's also the first Saturday night I've been staying in at home in I don't know how long. Which is lovely.

So instead of going out and killing my liver some more, I can relax with my Vogue and Harper's Bazaar and mentally spend all of my rich boyfriend's money... The rich boyfriend that I haven't actually got yet, but we're working on that, haha.

But onto fashion related goodies, we're moving into Autumn/Winter clothing at last which I'm excited for, even though I've realised I don't really like any of my clothes or anything, but ahh well. This is the season for layering, which is something I love to do the more layers I can have on, the better, because more layers mean more warmth. I'm really fancying a cashmere v-neck jumper of some description I think. 

Actually, I quite fancy this jumper from Crew Clothing:

It's only £55, a price which unfortunately I can't actually afford at the moment, but none the less, I don't think that's too shabby for a jumper that's 95% cotton, 5% cashmere. Yum. 

(Direct link here if you want to buy it for me ;] - I think I want it in "chocolate" which is the colour I've shown here as well... Size 10 or 12 please because I don't want it too tight)

I'm also craving some really chunky knit grey ribbed tights for layering as well.... I seem to have really got layering into my head for this season. Not sure why.

Anyway, moving away from clothing for a moment, and onto lingerie, after all I do work in the lingerie department of Selfridges... there's a few things I'm really lusting after from Autumn/Winter collections - yes, that's right, even lingerie has it's seasonal stock.

The first thing, I can't show you because they don't appear to have it on their website yet, but Dirty Pretty Things have done a gorgeous bra & knicker/thong set this season that it is like a base colour of black, with a nude colour on the cup, covered by a black very fine mesh that has detailing like spiders webs in etc. Not the best description ever, but trust me, it's beautiful, if you can get your ass down to Selfridges, come and take a look at it. The only downside is that the bra is retailing at £80, the thong at £35 I think and I'm not sure on the price of the briefs, but I think it's around £45 or something... So somewhat expensive :( Boo hoo.

Another one that I'm loving is from Myla, and I actually have pictures for this one:

This gorgeous slip is called "Gardenia" and I'm also hoping to get the bra and matching briefs at some point as well... This is all down to a kind, kind friend who wishes to spoil me a little bit. Who knows, I might manage to make him the "rich boyfriend" I mentioned earlier. Haha, doubt it though.  But isn't this just divine? It feels so luxurious as well.

Anyway, I'll leave it at that for now, I'm off on a hunt for some pieces I can purchase to do the underwear as outerwear thing that has been a big trend on and off, and is suitable for my nights out with the drinking crowds I operate in. That sounds incredibly slutty, but it's not like that at all.

More soon...

Just Gonna Stand There and Watch Me Burn?

But that's alright, because I like the way it hurts.

Just gonna stand there and hear my cry?
But that's alright, because I love the way you lie.

I frickin' love that song at the moment. It's pretty much on repeat on YouTube for me at the moment for a few reasons.

One. It's an amazing song, that hits a few home truths with me.

Two. Rihanna has amazing hair in it, and an amazing outfit.

Three. Megan Fox... PHWOAR. If only I looked as good as she does in cut offs, boots and a vest. Sheesh.

Watch it here:

Anyway, on a more fashion related note, I finally managed to figure out an outfit for tomorrow. This may be subject to editing (i.e. changing the jacket etc) but this is the basic idea.

So I'm wearing jacket (New Look), vest (Topshop), skirt (Henry Holland @ Debenhams) and Vivienne Westwood shoes. I'll also be wearing my Falke tights (Selfridges) tomorrow in Crystal - the only "nude" tights I've found that are pale enough for my whiteness. Ahh, and I'm wearing my Lady Luck Rules OK logo necklace in this picture which I love, love, love.

I can't think of much else to say right now. I'd love to tell you a story about a customer I had today, but I think I ought to leave it a bit longer, plus I don't have the motivation to find all the pictures I want to create the post, so we'll leave that for now. Let's just say I meet some interesting people in my job; but that's the reason I love what I do, because you never know who you may meet or what their story may be.

Weekends Away and so much more...

I got home from my parents about an hour ago and am now fed, watered and caught up on my email so decided I'd finally get around to blogging properly again.

First things first, I wanna show off the outfit I concocted for Thursday. I'm not really sure why I haven't done this outfit for work before, I think it's because I was lacking the belt until recently, but anyway, with the world's dodgiest photography and "quick run and get into position before timer goes off", here's what I wore Thursday:

Lace top (H&M), strap top (Florence + Fred @ Tesco), Black skirt (Marks and Spencers), tights (Debenhams) and belt (Primark).

Today I also went shopping and managed to get some more work clothes which is awesomeness (in my opinion anyway). They'll be winging their way into my photos soon, no doubt.

Not much else to say for now, I got my October issue of Harper's Bazaar which I'm working my way through at present (and loving every second of it) and will inevitably be chucking up my wish list at some point in the not-too-distant future.

Anyway, I'm off to do some work related goodies, and read more of my magazines. More blogging soon.

Excuses

Ok, so I honestly swear I had this whole post planned out; I'd even hand written a good chunk of it down the other night whilst in a lull at work.

But quite frankly, it's a load of twaddle, I have no pictures to back it up, and I just generally lack motivation to sit and write it all out. Had a bit of a dodge week at work.

So instead, I pinky-promise I will blog decently from Sunday and/or Monday onwards. I'd say from Saturday, but I'm travelling out to the countryside to see my parents and a few friends from back "home".

But yes, basically, epic fail on the motivational front. Chat soon :)

Let Me Get This Straight...

I have to leave for work in half an hour and I'm still not dressed. I'm showered, fed and watered; but alas I am not dressed in a work appropriate manner. So why on earth am I sat here blogging?

Errrrrr, that'd be because I can pretend to be doing something useful by going through the process of decision, yeah? 

So today, I'm really not feeling in the mood for work. At all. This may be because I know I have the horrendous experience of walking through crowds of screaming teenage girls who are trying to get their books (and other things I'm sure) signed by JLS who are in store at Selfridges today... and just so happen to be instore based around where the staff locker room entrance/exit is. Fun. It's also because my bed was so warm and cosy this morning and I never want to get out of it. Ever.

Anyway, the idea with being a lingerie girl at Selfridges is that we're to look slightly seductive in a business like manner. All skirts are supposed to be knee length, and heel & make up is mandatory. Such a lot of fun that is. So, my solution for today it would seem, is to wear a skirt I haven't worn in a long time - my just-below-the-knee pencil skirt. That still fits, awesome.

But what top? Here we have four main options. The scoop neck tee (jacket required with this), the top with a shrug style bit on it (I really need to find a better way of describing this), the top with the bat wing style sleeves or the shirt. The shirt would be my managers' ideal. But who wants to obey them? 

The first two tops are good because I can wear a jacket with them, and it does get bloomin' cold on shop floor... but the other two don't get outings much...

Decision making never was my strong point in case you hadn't guessed.

So, what did I decide...? Drum roll please....:

Yep, we decided on black shirt and long skirt. Exactly what the managers would love. Bleugh. Now I just have to find some satisfactory hosiery and we're good to go. And with 15 minutes to spare?

Wow, I might actually get to do my make up at home. 

Have a good day, there may be more later.