Outward bound to London town

A king without a throne

A heart without a home

'Holdin' on' Monsta

So last weekend I was in London, this weekend my feet were firmly back in the Midlands... but not for much longer after putting down a deposit on a flat to rent in London. Those of you that follow me on Twitter will have seen my tweet of relief at securing my new postcode for the foreseeable future in South East London. I am soon to be a resident of SE13. To say that I am beyond relieved is an understatement! 

After my first viewing, in an estate that needed a map like a bad holiday park for you to navigate, complete with it's very own 'you are here' sign, I wasn't very hopeful that the big dreams of London, and my budget were compatible.

A few long days of viewings, tube hopping, east to west and back again, a little north and south, 2 new house mates found via the internet (think internet dating for flat mates) and it was all worth it. The Midlands will only have me as a resident for three more weeks, as I move on 1st December. 

It wasn't all strictly work and no play in London though, being in London for the weekend before Bonfire Night meant I got to see this beautiful sights on my way home Saturday evening.

Battersea Bridge

Even a simple taxi ride home (albeit it a massively extended one due to the traffic) throws up sights to behold in London.

I also managed to squeeze in a little shopping trip, as a reward for finding a home, I'd like to think. As I am still without employment I only allowed myself to buy items in the sale, any reason to make unnecessary purchases necessary. As expected, Topshop came up trumps! The purchases? A lace insert cross tunic I had my eyes on when it was full prices, truth be known I ordered it online when it went in the sale, but they only had it in a 10 (a size too big) and a tall-which I thought would be fine...how wrong was I!? It looked like a sack! So after finding it in a regular 6 I thought I would try it on expecting the opposite of the first one to be true, but it fitted perfectly. Being a fan of a designer collaboration, I snapped up a '2nd Place' Ashish vest for half price, here's how I wore them both.

Oasis leather jacket, Miss Selfridge necklaces and earrings, Topshop cross tunic, Asos Chelsea boots via ebay

H&M hat, Ashish x Topshop vest, Warehouse jeans and Zara ponyskin pumps via ebay

In a bid to become a better shopper, I am making a conservative effort to wear what I buy at the first opportunity I have, if I don't I will either a) forget I have brought them, or b) realise I genuinely didn't need the items in question in the first place. Mission accomplished. If this week had been an exercise in task ticking, I would have a seriously healthy looking to-do list.

So back on the story of my little adventure, the next hurdle to tackle is the small task of finding a job... a full-time job in itself it would seem.

KDx

A weekend's worth of outfits... and then some

Now it's not quite clear
But I wonder what shenanigans brought me here

'Cash and Carry Me Home' Ghost Poet 

What have I been wearing? Clothes. Yes. But what exactly have I been wearing? I try and take a snap of my outfit whenever I can once the weekend comes around even if I don't post it on here, so here's a selection of what I've been saving or has been backing up my phone more importantly...

Dressed down for daytime:

Topshop dip back vest, Miss Selfridge body chain, Oasis leather jacket, Converse via ebay

Topman MTV jumper, Topshop flag shorts and Converse via ebay, H&M necklace

 

Oasis jeans and Zara shoes via ebay, Topshop tank, Oasis leather jacket, New Look headscarf

Friday night dinner with the girls:

Necklace, trousers and silk front chiffon back tee H&M, Dorothy Perkins yellow belt and Zara flats via ebay

(Too many) Drinks and dancing:

Playboy tee, Topshop shorts and shoe boots (just seen) via ebay, River Island belt, New Look earrings, H&M necklace, charity shop watch and various jewellery H&M, New Look, Topshop and Matalan

Topshop star body, charity shop belt, New Look patent heels, American Apparel disco pants via ebay, various rings, earrings, bracelets and anklets charity shop, H&M, New Look, Topshop, Matalan, Dorothy Perkins and Miss Selfridge

So I gave in to the lure of the disco pants. After being a trouser-phobe for so long things seemed to have gone full circle and I have now embraced even the trickiest of trouser trends. Bright coloured denim? Cropped, tailored and floral? Gold, shiny and skin-tight?  Yep, I'm ticking all those boxes. I guess I am now a fully fledged trouser wearer. So what's next? One thing I know is, I draw a definite line at leggings... that's a whole entire phobia in itself. People, please. They are not a substitute for real trousers. 

I'll stop before I go on a fashion rant!

KDx

Attention! Tackling the Trends: Military

'It's now, or never'

Calyx & TeeBee "Elevate This Sound"

This time of year is a hard one to get your head around, the weather is changing and you contemplate swapping your wardrobe round and examining what knitwear you can salvage from last year. Whilst across the pond New York is currently in the midst of Fashion Week, showcasing the trends we will all be wearing come Spring/Summer next year. So bare with me while you fathom out this post. I am concentrating on the sudden drop in temperature and what we will all be wearing this season. (Next year can wait until another post!) 

Cast your mind back to February, when Fashion Week was highlighting the trends for this Autumn/Winter (Do keep up!) Military featured heavily in varying incarnations on the runway at both New York Fashion Week as 'Urban Utility' in more modern cuts and paired back colours at Alexander Wang and Victoria Beckham, and on home turf, khaki was spotted at Topshop Unique and Margaret Howell in London.

Image: Telegraph.co.uk

With all this going on my head, placing myself on a self imposed shopping ban for the month of September, not for any particular reason other than to test my moral fibre, was never going to be an easy task. Please don't be mistaken in thinking this is going to be an opportunity for me to gloat, because I failed. So early on too. I'd like to think it was for a good cause-literally.

This military jumper came in courtesy of the YMCA charity shop on the high street close to work at a bargainous £4.49. It was also retrieved from the mens section, though I don't think something such as this is gender specific. This jumper ticks the trend boxes as a genuine military item, it's better than any replica that can be found on the high street.

 

This is how I plan to wear the jumper, styled up with cut-off denim Levi shorts, a vintage belt, heeled M&S ankle boots and a serious spike necklace from H&M. Judging by the weather situation, the addition of tights will be greatly appreciated. I also think this would look great with a white shirt collar poking out over the top.

Which trends are you going to be wearing this Autumn/Winter?

KDx

Every day is like a battle

Wookie "Battle" ft.Lain Grey

What to wear on a pub crawl? Think practical, think easy, and think about how many times you are going to have to go pee, all important logistics to consider when getting dressed I find. Knowing me, and I do by now, quite well, the uncontrollable urge to gambol (that's a forward roll for anyone outside of the Midlands) at any given opportunity is always high on the agenda. 

So here's what I went for:

Levi's cut offs and Converse via ebay, charity shop belt, New Look vest, Topshop bra, various jewellery bits Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Topshop and H&M

On my shopping list are a pair of low Converse All Stars, seeing as they are the comfiest shoes I own, and they slowly being incorporated into almost every outfit, I think they'll even make their way over to Ibiza with me when I go. (Just over 3 weeks now!) In the meantime I have resorted to folding down my high tops.

Undoubtedly the most impressive part of my outfit were my nails, inspired by Fruit Salad sweets, from left to right: Rimmel Lasting Finish 025 'Strawberry Fizz', YCC Nail Enamel 103, Barry M 309 'Strawberry Ice Cream', Collection 2000 232 'Pink Passion', No.7 250 'Me!Me!Me!', Rimmel Lasting Finish 060 'Hot & Spicy', Collection 2000 43 'Fruit Salad', Rimmel Lasting Finish 705 'Tangy Tangerine', Collection 2000 28 'Hip Hip', and No.7 241 'Cheeky Chops'.

Apologies for my blogging being a little sporadic this week but there's been some big changes at work along with 3 events. It's not the busyness necessarily that's been keeping me away from blogging, moreso the tiredness... Hopefully my routine will return and with it a mid-week post! Until then.

KDx

You say that everything sounds the same

The Streets "Let's push things forward"


Sometimes the simplest outfits are the best. Uncomplicated. Guaranteed to work. Functional. No brainers. 

New Look vest and patent peep toe shoes, Miss Selfridge bag, Topshop bra, Topshop Kristen jeans via ebay, River Island belt (just seen), jewellery various (Miss Selfridge, New Look, Topshop, Accessorize, charity shops and Dorothy Perkins)

This by no means should be confused with boring and/or nice. The addition of a couple of bright accessories in the same colour will pull the look together (note: this is not a case of bag and matching shoes-unless it's black it's a bit cringey and too try hard.) In this case I went for red; a hint of a lacey bra, lipstick and a big clutch, adding some pattern breaks the block colours up with my leopard print belt that can just be seen and heaps of interesting jewellery. Dressing up doesn't always have to mean a pretty dress and lots of flesh on display, sometimes you just need to think about the accessories and start with a good base.

KDx

Take me out to the crowd

Frank Sinatra "Take me out to the ball game" Ft. Gene Kelly

The varsity jacket has been one of those creeping trends. Alexander Wang showed them in his Spring/Summer collection in 2010 and it kind of missed the masses the first time it surfaced on the market around 2011. The stores stocked them, they subsequently went into the sale; a trend to be filed away under 'fail' perhaps. However, it would seem as though sometimes fashion can sometimes get it wrong and they quite simply missed the mark and got their timings awry. Fast forward a year or so and it seems to be that their popularity is gathering pace as a streetstyle trend, having spotted numerous ladies choosing to wear their varsity jackets as a casual throw over, or to add some edge to a more formal outfit. The sportswear trend has been evident in a number of the Spring/Summer 2012 collections amongst the likes of Rag & Bone, Isabel Marant (who of course is also responsible for everyone wanting to wear concealed wedge trainers. If you had have said that before I am sure I wouldn't have been the only person who had flashbacks of this awful trainer-heel hybrid catastrophe) and our very own Stella McCartney, which is no surprise seeing as she has designed the official Team GB Olympic kit; which I feel is another coincidental factor in the rise in popularity of the varsity jacket, you cannot escape the pull of the Olympics!

Photos via Telegraph online and Vanessa Jackman

From models looking casual after shows, to bloggers visiting shows and Liv Tyler quite simply looking hot, the varisty jacket works on all occasions. Less formal than a blazer, but moreso than a hoody, the varsity jacket offers a spring jacket alternative to the leather jackets of winter and the plethora of denim jackets this time of year.

Topshop varsity jacket, Levi's vintage skirt, Converse all via ebay, H&M vest and Topshop belt

Jacket as before, Levi's cut off shorts (jeans brought from ebay) Urban Outfitters t-shirt and New Look studded loafers

Here are my varsity jacket outfits two-ways. Both pretty dressed down outfits, so I would like to experiment with a more dressed up look, maybe a pencil skirt and pointed court, or my H&M floral trousers as seen here. Those of you that haven't got to grips with the joys of ebay, you must! This cost me 99p with £4 postage. If that can't convert you then I can't think of many more persuasive sells!

KDx

King without a throne, heart without a home

Monsta "Holdin' On"


Happy Birthday to me!


So on Thursday I turned another year older, (it's not polite to ask a woman her age, but I was 24 for those of you that are interested) and since then I have been celebrating with fun and friends, the only way I know how. I love birthdays, mine more than anyone else's of course.


I got taken out for sushi, pizza, the cinema, more pizza, cake and shopping. 4 day weekends really are the best, I wish it could be my birthday every weekend!


Here are the outfits from the last few days, I do like short shorts!

Cardigan YMCA charity shop, American Apparel U-back body, Zara pony skin pumps and Topshop high waisted shorts via ebay

I love this cardigan, it's quite possibly the best thing I have ever spent a pound on. Should I ever win the lottery I will take this back and this will be the second best thing I ever brought for a pound, but I guess if I want to win I should start playing...

Zara pony skin pumps, Levi's high waisted shorts (that started out as trousers) and purple River Island blazer via ebay, white New Look vest, Miss Selfridge gold knot chain and charity shop scarf

Those of you that are regular readers will be well aware of my fickle fashion dilemas, and no, your eyes are not deceiving you, I am wearing a blazer. This isn't 'the' blazer that I've been eyeing, but it was a cheapy impulse purchase from the favourite ebay. I do love the colour, it is best described as Cadbury's purple, but that's the problem, I feel like a walking bar of chocolate. I wonder how many people had an unexplained urge to buy chocolate after seeing me out shopping? I know I certainly felt a little Willy Wonka in this outfit.

The birthday dress and vodka from a tea cup

 Dress River Island, Miss Selfridge gold knot necklace, Topshop black ankle boots various jewellery from H&M, charity shops and Topshop.

A somewhat demure birthday outfit, completely unintended. I really like the sporty vibe of this dress, which seems to be satisfying my innate urge to go all out 90s. (Via 1950s America.) I think this dress will have a lot of mileage in it, if and when the weather gets a bit warmer I will be looking forward to wearing it in the day with some sleeveless denim and my Converse. 

Only a short post today, as there are more pressing issues weighing on my mind, like the 'Olympic themed Eco dress' I am making for the Miss Worcestershire final next weekend, a little snippet of what to come can be seen in the background of my birthday outfit picture.

More on that to come. 

KDx

You've got a heart as loud as lions, So why let your voice be tamed?

Emeli Sande "Read All About It Pt.III"


This weekend has been a complete change of tempo compared to the last, I was so right about having a bit of routine back in my life. But it wouldn't be a weekend without at least one night out with the girls; throwing my arms around uncontrollably to some awesome music and generally having a bit of a giggle. This was my party outfit of choice for Friday's antics:

New Look grey vest (tied and tucked up into a crop) River Island leopard belt, River Island white skater skirt via ebay, gifted black Topshop platform boots, Miss Selfridge gold knot chain necklace and River Island feather earrings

We went to a night in Birmingham called Nude, at Bluu Bar on Summer Row that we hadn't been to before, so we didn't know what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised, the music was brilliant! Disclosure's remix of Jessie Ware's running was playing within seconds of me getting to the bar so I was hopeful that the music would remain at the same standard all night, and I wasn't disappointed; the curve ball came in the form of the mix of old school garage and house music, real feel good music! 

Despite consuming nothing but vodka and jager bombs all night, the hangover felt no need to rear it's head on Saturday which meant lunch with the girls:

Lilac Love Label skirt, Topshop lilac body, Topshop grey heart pumps all via ebay, pale blue H&M belt, gifted Oasis leather jacket, Miss Selfridge neon necklace

I am typically a girly dresser, as I've posted previously trousers are a new venture as are shorts, although they are becoming a firm favourite, and this is my updated take on 'ladies lunch attire.' The twin-set has been replaced by a coordinating skirt and top and the pearls with some neon diamanté. Lilac is fast becoming my favourite pastel shade for the coming season, however, mint is a contender. I am hoping to get a mint-on-mint outfit together soon. You really shouldn't be put off by putting the same colours together, to stop it looking washed out, mix textures and tones, the body is paler than the skirt, and the pleats of the skirt add some interest. In order to stop this outfit veering too far into old lady territory (a purple rinse would have seriously over stepped the mark!) I added my leather biker jacket to update the look, as a reminder that I haven't played smash and grab in a gran's wardrobe.  

For Christmas I had brought my bestest tickets for us to go and see Emeli Sande, the gig was Saturday night at the HMV Institute in Birmingham. It was an early gig, with the doors opening at 6pm, having listened to not much else but her album at work, I chose a suitably dressed down outfit:

(More) Levi's denim shorts brought as jeans via ebay, Amplified customised Run DMC T-shirt, Dune leopard pumps, Miss Selfridge necklace and Dorothy Perkins belt

Emeli. Was. Incredible. That girl has got a serious set of lungs on her! Her album by no means does her any justice, she has such a powerful voice, it almost feels listening to the album after having seen her live that she really reigned it in to record the songs. I don't think I had a favourite of the night, because they all sounded so amazing, it was really nice to hear her influences for the songs, and to get an insight into what someone's thoughts were when writing a song. Interesting fact, Emeli Sande was studying to be a Doctor before becoming a singer, whodda thunk it?! In regards to the outfit, these are my third pair of Levi's cut-offs, which naturally means they are my new favourites. I think I managed to cut these into the style I envisaged in my head, they do say third time lucky.

Apologies for the near unrecognisable pictures. Thankfully Emeli has such distinctive quiff of hair!

Sunday is undecided. Hangover free and no plans...I thought I best make some effort, just in case. I think that phrase sums me up perfectly Karmen 'just in case' Deanne. I find it difficult to leave the house regardless of  the weather forecast without an umbrella, always carry a pen and a notepad... Yeah I am so wild.

American Apparell U-back navy body, carboot sale belt, Zara leopard print pumps and vintage Next pleated skirt via ebay

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekends. There has been a development on the blazer debacle. But more on that to come.

KDx

I'm sorry I know, I'm out of touch

TEED (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs) "Tapes & Money"

Firstly apologies for the blogging hiatus; over a whole week since my last post. I haven't been blogging for long but I decided I was going to try and post at least twice a week, but seeing as my blogging schedule met for the first time the Bank Holiday weekend, it's fair to say that I am nothing without routine! So as much as I have enjoyed my 5 day weekend, I am thankful to get some normality back in my life and get to bed before the sun comes up, (Yes I am a dirty stop out!) In my defence, this Easter Sunday saw me host my charity event 'Mr. Miss Redditch' to raise money for the Official Miss World's Charity, 'Beauty With a Purpose,' that supports the work of children's charities worldwide.

Here's a bit of a picture heavy post of outfits, firstly Friday with the girls. This was taken kindly by Momma Bear in our kitchen before we went out for drinks and dancing, and I supposedly found my 50s style twin on a cocktail menu:

Bandeau crop Primark, Miss Selfridge hi-low hem skirt via ebay, carboot belt,  gifted Topshop black platform boots and jewellery H&M, Miss Selfridge, Warehouse and charity shops.

 (l-r Emma River Island dress, Aimee Warehouse dress, Laura H&M dress, standing on tiptoes optional)

Personally I think it was the flowers and the mass of hair that did it.

Saturday night casual at the pub. (Final preparations for my event)

Gifted Oasis leather jacket, H&M shirt (ribbon added myself), Topshop high waisted shorts via ebay and New Look black ankle boots

I really did not want to make an effort on Saturday, at this point I had already got two nights out under my belt, and all I wanted to do was sleep.

This is what I wore on Sunday to play the hostess with mostest (money). My event raised just under £200! I don't think I am going to be able to stop saying thank-you to everyone involved any time soon. I am so touched by their support, generosity and cooperation. (See I am off already! God help me if I ever win an Oscar...)

Topshop leopard print body and River Island white skater skirt via ebay, Dorothy Perkins yellow belt and gifted Topshop platform boots

The morning afternoon after the night before, Monday. The sole purpose of me getting dressed was to venture back up to the pub and retrieve my car, my belongings and the money I had raised after a rather heavy sambucca laden celebration. I woke up having taken one single solitary picture the whole night, which was 6 shots of sambucca lined up at the bar. I would like to think that was a message from my drunken self, to my sober self to explain the fuzzy feeling and emptiness of purse come Monday morning. This is basically the outfit I wore here with a few additions.

 Topshop tall burnout t-shirt, cut-off mens Levi's that I made into shorts, Zara ankle boots and Next faux sheepskin via ebay, Dorothy Perkins yellow belt, New Look headscarf and Miss Selfridge pendant necklace

And finally to round up the Bank Holiday bender, this is what I wore on Tuesday for shopping with Momma and to feast on Sushi at a place called Woktastic in the Paradise Forum in Birmingham, its £10 all you can eat at lunch time, and the sushi kicks Yo out of the water! (Although no sashimi-which is a fave of mine) 

If you remember back here I posted about the ubiquitous denim shirt, well here is how I wore mine, the denim shirt in question is New Look, but I took it in by hand to make it fit like a dress, worn with Zara ponyskin pumps, Oasis leather jacket and Dorothy Perkins necklace. Just to keep my modesty intact and ensure there wasn't any Sharon Stone style indecent exposure, I went all out and wore double denim, I had my Topshop denim highwaisted shorts underneath, this didn't stop me from being asked if I had forgotten my trousers... some people just don't get it!!

KD x

And I'm Lost Again, It's Keep Happening

Jessie Ware "Running" (Disclosure Remix)

Sometimes the best place to shop is our own wardrobes, my friends even treat it a bit like one, but I don't mind, I can't wear it all at once! We often buy items of clothing, wear it, (hopefully), and then stuff it to the end of the rail to be forgotten. Every once in a while it's a good idea to rifle through and pull out something you haven't worn in a while, try it on, and think about how you have worn it, and get inspired by new ways to wear it again and again. 

My inspiration came in the form of this image from Paris Fashion Week, on Vanessa Jackman's blog

She's Russian, her name is Ulyana, and she has made me want to wear a denim shirt all over again! I'm not even completely put off by the double denim combo...it was the addition of the statement necklace under the buttoned up collar that did it for me. In any other situation this much denim would scream casual, but she has somehow upped its credibility and made it work. (The fact that she is Russian, attending Paris Fashion Week, probably loaded and looks absolutely immaculate has nothing to do with why this look works...!) Ulyana is not alone in her fashion choice, once I started to think about it, I realised everyone is at it:

Images courtesy of Grazia UK, Elle UK and Gem Fatale's Blog

Incase you missed it earlier, I am of course talking about the denim shirt. I'm sure they became a 'wardrobe staple' a couple of years ago when you couldn't escape them; the high street was awash with them, this means I can also almost guarantee that most of you reading this have one too. So I dragged mine out of the depths of my wardrobe, and gave it a whirl. How will I be wearing mine? Well as the recently glut of hot weather is set to depart us this weekend, I am thinking about wearing mine as a dress (It is a longer length shirt), a statement necklace like my style-spiration Ulyana, oversized clutch and a slick of red lipstick with killer heels to boot.

Have you had a rethink about a previously worn item in your wardrobe and fell in love all over again? I urge you all to delve into the depths of beyond, mere mortals may refer to this as a wardrobe and see what gems you can find lurking at the end of the rail...

KDx