Wednesday 28 September 2011

Shop Focus: Goldie London

I had to share this brand with you as I have pretty much fallen head over heels in love with it!

I first came across Goldie London on the Topshop website. The dress I wanted had sold out so I tried to look elsewhere but the Goldie site was a bit underdeveloped. However, my boss sent me a link to the new site yesterday and I rediscovered how amazing their clothes are.

Here are a few of my favourites...

 
Serena Black/Yellow/Pink Floral Dress - £58

 Ariya Maroon Floaty Skirt - £45
Phillipa Royal Blue Maxi Dress - £68

Sammy Cobalt Blue Chiffon Skirt - £45

Sunday 25 September 2011

Urban Outfitters Bedding

When I lived in Manchester I became slightly addicted to Urban Outiftters, and now my appreciation has spread to their homewares. I absolutely love their line of bedding - its romantic and kitsch, with vintage influences. I also think that the photography and set dressing are gorgeous, especially in the Romantic Floral Quilt image.

Here are a few of my favourites from the current collection...

 Romantic Floral Quilt - £95

Pip Studio Toile Duvet Set - £120

 Floral Divide Pillow Set - £25

 Peacock Duvet Cover - £65

 Ruffle Pillow Cases - £35

Cats Pillow Set - £30

And I am in love with this Scarf Print Curtain. I have absolutely no where to put it, and could probably find something similar a lot cheaper elsewhere (it's £30!), but I can't stop lusting after it!



Tuesday 20 September 2011

Quarter Life Crisis

I've been having a bit of a crisis of confidence lately. Something I'm told many 25 year olds go through - a quarter life crisis if you like!

For almost two years I worked in the land of TV! I was a Production Runner at the BBC, and was lucky enough to work on some amazing shows with some great people. But then I stopped enjoying it. It's crazy really (as I'm constantly reminded) as it was a fantastic opportunity, that I worked so hard to get, and then I just gave it all up. I could over analyse the reasons, but it was down to a few contributing factors.

Firstly, I didn't particularly like living in London. I didn't like myself in London.  I'd become a bad person everytime I stepped onto the tube - taking satisfaction from walking slowly in front of people, or being furious when someone walked slowly in front of me even if I was in no hurry to get anywhere. And it never really felt like my home. Yes, its fantastic having everything available to me on a tube ride - but that was just it, nothing was readily available. I lived in Ealing - way out in Zone 3 in West London. All of my friends, however, lived in East and North London, a good hour away on the tube. This meant that if I ever wanted to go out past midnight I'd either have to stay over, get 3 buses home on my own, or pay upwards of £50 for a taxi home. I missed the days of a 10 minute bus journey or an £8 taxi ride. I could of moved to East or North but it felt too cool, and very unsafe! It also didn't help that the majority of time I was in London I lived alone. I technically lived with Jack, but as he was travelling for work, and out of the country most of the time, I was living alone Monday to Friday. That combined with almost zero social life didn't really set me up for a fun time.

Secondly, I just couldn't see a future in TV. I always thought I wanted to 'live to work' but after a year I realised that I did actually want a fulfilling home life. Sadly, it seems that women in TV who want to have a life outside of work, i.e. have children, either employ a full time Nanny, or move out of Production roles and into PA and Talent Manager roles. I also felt like I wasn't cut out for a life of constantly looking for the next role, and worrying about being unemployed every few months. Plus the roles that I was doing were never that fulfilling. Although, like I said the roles were interesting, it was always clear to me that if I didn't accept the long hours, the rare days off and the mediocre pay, there are a few hundred people waiting to take my job. I didn't exactly feel valued. I also felt like I was doing it for the wrong reasons - mainly so I could brag about all the celebrities I've met and the exciting life I lead. I still see people's facebook updates about this person they met, or this show their working on. What they fail to mention is their lack of sleep, non existent social life, and the resentment of being made to work 14 hour days. Don't get me wrong, I do understand why people do it and why they enjoy it, but perhaps I'm just not one of those people.

I actually had a bit of a panic attack tonight. After admitting to yet another person today about what I used to do, and them reacting the same way as everyone else - "What are you doing here?" I felt a pang of regret. The first time I've felt that since leaving 9 months ago. I always go on to explain why I left, but I always feel that I'm trying to justify it to myself rather than to them. I had a bit of a cry and explained all to Jack who said he wished he could have recorded our conversations from a year ago and played them back to me. Its so easy to remember the good parts and forget the bad.

I actually just posted my facebook status as "for the first time in 9 months is missing the land of TV..." and my Production Co-ordinator just commented on it with "Don't!!! It's still rubbish!" and I feel instantly better!

But hey, I've got some fantastic memories, and my name will forever be immortalised on IMDB and on DVD copies of Miranda and Twenty Twelve. I even made a couple of appearances! Plus I got to hold the Strictly Come Dancing trophy!



Thursday 15 September 2011

New Look Shoes

I popped into New Look on my lunch break and as usual headed straight for the shoes. I think that New Look have the best selection of footwear on the High Street and always at a bargain price.

I'm normally quite sensible when it comes to shoes. I only really started wearing heels about 2 years ago - shocking I know. When I was a student and going out 2 or 3 nights a week I just wanted to be comfortable, and that meant flat pumps. I can't believe what I used to wear on nights out as a student - there were definitely more than a few dodgy fashion moments. Now I don't feel dressed up if I'm not wearing a pair of heels.

My collection is still quite small as I'm always attracted to shoes that are far too high to walk in, so I just don't bother to buy. However, I came across these two beauties and I couldn't resist. They do seem really high but I've walked around in them and they don't instantly hurt so I decided to treat myself. I only intended to buy one pair but was in New Look for half an hour, alternating between each pair. So bought both thinking the girls at work could decide instead. And they decided I should keep them both - and I agreed!

 

Monday 12 September 2011

Models Own Arrival

I had my first night out with the work girlies on Friday night and it was SO much fun! The dance moves got a bit crazy - to the extent that I thought I'd put my back out! As the weekend wore on the ache seemed to spread to my throat and gums so I think it may have been a viral thingy rather than a result of my moves (although they were pretty epic!). I actually didn't go into work today because of it but felt a lot better by the afternoon so will be returning tomorrow. Sick days are so rubbish as you get a whole extra day off but feel too rubbish to do anything but sleep or watch crap daytime TV!

My Models Own delivery arrived in the week and I was so excited to receive my goodies - especially as they came in such a fab presentation box!

I opened it up and was greeted with this pretty array of polishes.


L-R: Pink Fizz, Peach Puff, Moody Grey, Top Turquoise, Lilac Dream, 3-in-1 Base Coat/Top Coat/Gloss, Wah Nail Pen

Unfortunately one of the colours I received was one that I hadn't ordered. I got in touch with Models Own and their customer service was amazing. A very quick response and they have sent out my Snow White polish and said that I can keep the Moody Grey they sent me by mistake as way of an apology!

I did attempt the Leopard Print nail design, as featured on Gem Fatale's blog, but unfortunately it looked a bit crap so I decided not to post the pictures. I'll try again another time.

I've tried out three of the colours so far. They don't look quite so neat zoomed in than they did on my nails, especially the Moody Grey - oh dear!

 Pink Fizz

 Lilac Dream

Moody Grey
(It looked more Green than Grey - unfortunately my least favourite colour, but hey - it was free!)

I'll snap the other colours as and when I wear them. I'll also attempt some more nail art that will hopefully come out a bit better next time.

Oh, also this week I joined Independent Fashion Bloggers and had lots of lovely emails from people welcoming me to the community. I haven't had a chance to go through them yet, or look through everyone's lovely blogs but I'll spend an evening dedicated to it this week. Jack's away Wednesday, Thursday and most of Friday so I have no excuses!

Monday 5 September 2011

Winter Warmers

This is what I want to live in this Winter! I've been fantasising about the perfect wedge boot and I think this might just be it! This is my second post in as many days about the Apricot jumper from Romwe. I think I'm going to have to give in to the temptation...


Untitled #3


Dorothy Perkins indigo jeans
£25 - dorothyperkins.com

Zara boots
$100 - zara.com

Zara messenger bag
$16 - zara.com

Sunday 4 September 2011

Autumn Knits

A pretty uneventful week all in all so I haven't really blogged much this week. We went shopping in Bristol yesterday as Jack is desperate for new clothes and I have to practically force him to shop. It amazes me how little interest most men have in clothes. Especially as he's just had a promotion - I'd be swimming in Chanel if it were me! He did, however, treat me to a gorgeous Salmon Blazer which I'll post about soon! I'm very spoilt! We haven't really done a lot with the weekend apart from that. I've had a horrible headache and stomach ache today. I'm putting it down to stress but worried that I may be starting to get migraines as they're more intense than the standard headache I'm used to, and seem to take a while to shift. I've got a lot on my mind at the moment though so hopefully they'll pass once I've made a few decisions.

Anyway, a little something to cheer me up!

Now that Autumn has officially arrived I'm desperate to start stocking up my Winter wardrobe. I get particularly excited about knitwear and have selected just a few of my favourites online at the mo to share with you.

Marley Sweater In Black And Cream - £45.00 - MotelRocks.com


Mink Sausage Dog Jumper - £28 - Dorothy Perkins



Pink Navajo Print Jumper - £38 - River Island
Brief Style Back Buttons Apricot Jumper - £26.15 - Romwe.com


Bardot Jumper - £58 - Topshop


Mink Pink Leopard Print Jumper - £50 - Yogoego.com

I'd be ordering all of them if I could afford it but my favourite has to be the Navajo Jumper from River Island, although I'm very tempted to buy the Romwe Apricot Jumper just because its such good value, and I have a 20% off code just itching to be used...

Hoping to do some nail posts soon but still waiting for the arrival of my Models Own splurge from last weekend. Can't wait to try out the leopard print - may try it out in the style of the last jumper!