Heights

Shell: Tesco

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Cardigan: H&M

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Gift

The weather seemed to be improving when I looked out of the window this morning but when I stepped out of the front door, I realised the wind wasn't going to let my walk to uni be pleasant. The insane winds were constant throughout the day but nothing could put a damper on hand in day. I handed in both of my essays and now I've only got one more deadline after essay, two exams and then second year is over. Time is moving wayyyyy too fast!

I'm off out tonight to celebrate with my friends but first I've got to do some dreaded packing and work my way through all the washing I have to do before the holiday. Le sigh! On the plus side, it means I'll have lots of nice photos from France for you next week. I'm not taking my laptop with me so I'll be missing from the blogging world for a little bit from Sunday but I'll share everything once I'm back. 

Wait & See

Top: H&M

Dress: New Look

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Cardigan: Topshop

Hat: Vintage

Bag: Zara

Bet you didn't think you'd be seeing this hat again this season, but unfortunately the rain returned today and to make it even better, some man laughed in my face while we took blog photos. I hope karma repaid him by having a stranger laugh in his face. I woke up late for lectures, which explains the straight hair, so I grabbed a bunch of colours I liked and threw them all on together. I felt very young in this outfit for some reason. 

It's hand-in day tomorrow and I've finally secured all of my locations, cast and crew for my film. It seems like there's no more pressing stress. I get to relaxedly prepare for the holiday and pack up my room for my short break at home. I have to come back a week early for production and the first week is the holiday so I only get two weeks at home. It's better than nothing though. 

Has spring run away from anyone else? It's so disappointing to see green on the trees but grey in the sky. Big sad face to that I say!

Wholehearted Mess

Top: ? (mega old)

Skirt: Urban Outfitters

Cardigan: H&M

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Bag: Zara

Sadly, the sunshine of these photographs is now hiding! I'm so ready for summer after a few days of the good old vitamin D. I'm ready to put my coat away for a few months, whack out the sandals and start working on the freckles. I just get a few freckles rather than a real tan from the sun because I'm a ghost!

It's the last week of term now and I'm starting to panic a little about how much I need to get done before I leave Leeds on Saturday. I'm off to Toulouse on Sunday and I can't wait for a little break from England. Excited for indulging in croissants, walks along the river and purchasing an authentic beret. Any touristy tips for Toulouse? 

I also ordered my new camera over the weekend so if it comes in time there should hopefully be a little film that comes out of the trip!

Inspiration For The Week

This week has been a wonderful sunny week full of drinks with friends, chai lattes, carrot cake, cinema trips, stressing about my film and finally feeling positive that things are on track. I'm about to dash off for my shift at work but I hope the sunshine comes back this week so I can go for a bike ride.

My favourites of the week:

found here

found here

found here

found here

found here

found here

Summer Has Not Yet Been Here

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan: H&M

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Gift

Bag: Zara

It was so sunny when these photos were taken, they ended up a little washed out. My tights are yellow but they look cream in these. I always feel like summer is here when I wear this dress (seen here and here). I know I wear florals year round but I feel like they really come into their own when the sun is shining. I am getting sick of florals though. I'm craving block colours at the moment so we'll see how that reflects in my shopping.

These shoes were a sale purchase found in Manchester. Mel dug them up from a box filled with size 3s, the only lone size 8 pair after I was moaning about how long I've been searching for t-bars. I suppose there's an upside to having big feet after all! I'm trying to put together my outfits for my holiday to Toulouse and these are definitely coming with me, I'm head over heels in love with them so a big thank you to Mel for finding them!

Oh and also, I'd like to say a big thank you to every single one of my readers. I recently reached 200 followers which is completely overwhelming so thanks for sticking around.

Island Cottage

Dress: Carboot sale

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Jacket: Oxfam

Cardigan: Primark

Scarf: Vintage

These are the other two outfits for the Oxfam shoot. The last outfit isn't charity shop at all but we felt it was similar to stuff we'd all found in charity shops so it was acceptable. I look like a proper granny in the second outfit though. I'm normally okay with granny chic but the way the scarf was tied really pushed me over that limit. Guess that's what you get for not looking in the mirror when getting changed!

I like the top outfit though, was good to get my old faithful £2 carboot dress out again. The green tights added something to the shoot, I think. Needless to say, I won't be a model anytime soon though and I'm fine with that!

It's been so sunny and lovely these past few days, I haven't been wearing a coat only taking a spring jacket for the walks home in the evening and I've been lovin' it! Does sunny weather put everyone in a good mood or is it just me that notices that?

Submarine

Top: H&M

Cardigan: Topshop

Skirt: H&M

Boots: ASOS

The amount of time I spent in the library the past month, it was only a matter of time before we resorted to shooting outfit photos in there. This was one of those outfits that was simple enough to put together while half asleep getting ready for a 9AM seminar. I still haven't fallen out of my coloured tights phase so I'm sorry, but get used to my rainbow legs.

I just got back from watching 'Submarine' at the cinema and I absolutely loved it. Everything just worked so well and for a director's first feature (I think), Richard Ayoade really pulled it off. It made me crave a red coat, an awful bob and the ability to have freckles. This may sound strange but it's actually a glowing recommendation. 

It's only two more weeks til the end of term now. Why is time moving so fast?

All In Forms

Dress: Charity shop

Cardigan: Topshop

Belt: Vintage

Necklace: gift

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Firstly, please excuse the shoddy screen grab quality of these photos, I had to steal them off Mel's facebook because there was so many. 

Basically, my friend has been doing a product revolving around a re-branding of oxfam. They wanted to shoot a faux-website styled with clothes from charity shops and asked a bunch of us to model for them to show the potential of charity shop clothes. We cheated a little bit with the clothes but most of the stuff was second-hand so shhh! Those group shots up there are the cheesiest thing in my life. They even made us do jumping shots at one point but I won't be showing those monstrosities. 

This was my first outfit for the website, all my own clothes. This vintage Laura Ashley dress was such a great find last summer. I used to set outside one lunchtime a week at work to get the bus along to a street packing with charity shops but this bargain was found in one of the charity shops just over the road from my office that I popped into it after grabbing a sandwich. I have to pair it with a belt to pull the length up above my knees but I like the simple shift shape of it. 

I'm going to post the rest of the shoot outfits later on in the week including a faux-fur jacket of all things. 

Hope you all had a good weekend!

Inspiration For The Week

This week involved lots of hauling library books back and forth, casting for my short film, trying to sort out my sleep pattern, watching the wonderful Iron & Wine and deciding I need more beards in my life. Followed by dancing til the early hours and then heading to Manchester the next day for shopping, food and cocktails. This weekend has seen me exiled to my bedroom in an attempt to finish up my essay with only a little break to go to work last night. A stressful one to say the least. There's only two weeks left of term and time is disappearing way too fast!

My favourites of the week:

found here

found here

found here

found here

found here

found here

Take Note: March's International Blogger of the Month

For March, I wanted to choose someone who really deserved some more exposure. I stumbled across Isla's blog and knew I'd found the right girl straight away. Her style is amazing, really feminine and classic and she's so sweet as well. She kindly answered some questions for me so please let me introduction you to Isla of A Fine Day for Sailing.

How did you first get involved with blogging?

A couple of my good friends have beautiful blogs. I always read them and secretly wanted to start one. On a trip back home to visit my father, i discovered he had started a blog. If he could do it, surely i could too. We made a pact to blog once a week and the rest is history. 

Describe your personal style.

Most of my clothes are thrifted, so as a result i wear alot of vintage pieces. Lately more 60's stuff. I love the excitement of thrifting; I often find myself trying on things i would never have dreamt of wearing and falling in love. 

Who are your style icons?

There are so many! From Twiggy and Brigitte Bardot to Joan Harris and Betty Draper. Not to mention all the lovely ladys whose blogs i read daily.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

From all around me. Whether it is a walk down the street, sitting in a cafe people watching, listening to music, reading blogs or watching movies. I'm also inspired by my friends and family. I grew up in Africa and Scotland so without a doubt that too acts as inspiration.

What's your favourite book, movie and band?

Book: A little princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett for sentimental reasons

Movie: The Royal Tenenbaums

Band: Talking heads... but lately i've been listening to the tallest man on earth, radio department and tennis alot

If you could be anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else, but i'd love to visit Borneo, for the people, rainforest, and the orangutans.

What's one fashion faux pas you secretly love?

My eighties rebook high tops. Shhhhh.

Do you think where you live affects your style?

Absolutely, not only does San Francisco's weather make it easy, but it's also a completely inspiring place to live. People on the streets are always pushing boundaries, so i feel comfortable and confident wearing whatever i want. This would certainly not be the case in the small town i grew up in.

What would be your ideal Saturday?

I'd start by sleeping in! Have a big breakfast in bed then head to a bunch of thrift stores. After i'd meet friends for coffee. We would all jump on our bikes and ride around till sunset. I'd finish off the day at papalote, a fancy burrito place around the corner from my house.

If you could live in one book what would it be?

The Borrowers. As a child i was facinated by the world Mary Norten created, and of course Arrietty and i would be best of friends.

Any tips for aspiring fashion bloggers?

I'm pretty new to fashion blogging and i have had nothing but positive interactions and experiences. If i could go back in time i would have started this years ago, i was just intimidated and shy or something. My advise is to go for it! Don't worry about it not being perfect, or making mistakes. Have fun and do it for you.

So head over and check out Isla's blog here!

Films To Note

These film posts keep rolling around quickly but I'm starting to make lists of films I want to share with you guys so I should be able to keep up. Also, if there's a topic or style that you would like to see me recommend films based on then please don't be shy and send me an email or leave a comment and I'll see if I can rise to the challenge. 

This week I'm going to share five unconventional romance films. Perfect for when you need a hit of love but don't want to turn to rom-coms (my guilty pleasure). 

1. Almost Famous (2000)

A Film by Cameron Crowe

An absolutely wonderful film about a young boy who wants to be a music journalist and gets an amazing opportunity to write for Rolling Stone Magazine and go on tour with the fictional, Stillwater. It's a coming of age movie with a great soundtrack and some amazing acting talent but for me, what makes this film is the love story between William and Penny. She is the stunning band-aid who moves through the film in a haze of cool and he is the geeky but adorable kid that who will never quite catch her eye. Watch this when you're feeling nostalgic for first love.

2. Leon (1994)

A Film by Luc Besson

To call this film a romance is slightly controversial but no one can deny the love between Leon and his young apprentice Mathilda, played by an outstanding young Natalie Portman. The story of a cleaner who lives his life in a constant routine until one day newly orphaned Mathilda knocks on his door, begging him to save her. What unravels is a fast paced, dark but hilarious at times tale of revenge, devotion and making your own family.

Watch this when you need something not romantic.

3. The Reader (2008)

A Film by Stephen Daldry

This film has recieved masses of critical acclaim but it is fully deserved, painting the life of Michael Berg and the impact his lover, Hana, has on him. They meet by chance but a frantic sexual connection blossoms between the two, seperated by quite a few years, until one day she disappears. Michael grows up, never quite letting go and then their paths cross again when he least expects it. In the courtroom for a trial for Nazi war crimes. It is a dark story that deals with so many issues bigger than love but it is at the heart of the film along with ideas of pride, resentment and guilt. 

Watch this when you need something without a happy ending.

4. Never Let Me Go (2010)

A Film by Mark Romanek

I was lucky enough to see this first at the Leeds International Film Festival for it's first UK screening and I was stunned. I've since read the novel it's based on, by Kazuo Ishiguro, the science fiction story of a race of people bred for the singular purpose of donating their organs to medical science. Set in Britain and told through the eyes of one of the ex-pupils of Hailsham school, it is a tragic love story with strong themes of yearning, self-acceptance and questions of humanity. 

Watch this when you need something to cry to.

5. Perfume: The Story of A Murderer (2004)

A Film by Tom Tykwer

With a name like that, I wouldn't blame you for thinking this wasn't a romance. And it's not, in the traditional sense. It chronicles the journey of a man with an acute sense of smell, who becomes obsessed with the idea of capturing the perfect scent for his perfume. This perfect scent is of a woman and thus his killing spree begins with a detached sense of purpose. Each woman he kills, he treats like another ingredient, putting her through a series of distilling experiments to try and reach his goal. The romance comes in the form of the woman he decides he must have, a porcelain skinned redhead whose father is determined to protect her.

Watch this when you need a visual spectacle.