A kiss from Bliss

  

Woohoo! This awesome gift arrived from Bliss Clothing yesterday - it's a very handy (given the current weather situation and my impending annual trip to Download Festival) and very flash zip hoody (or zoody as I've heard said in the hood...) It's got a printed aztec-come-nordic pattern on the front, which is kind of great actually because it means it'll span all seasons of my wardrobe, and the diamonds are... well, you know how I love diamonds. 

The hoody is quite lightweight, so it'll be good for layering, and I'm expecting to wear it with denim minis and leggings this weekend, and maybe slouchy over dresses for summertime evenings when it gets chilly. It comes in grey too, but I'm a bit of a klutz with light coloured tops so tend to steer clear of them... haha! Bliss has a load of interesting clothing that you won't find on the high street, and funnily enough - they're based in Leicester, like me!

This is just a quickie post about the hoody, but it'll be coming up proper in full outfits very soon!

You can grab yourself one here: http://www.blissclothing.co.uk/clothing/hoodies-sweatshirts/celin-aztec-print-zipped-hooded-top-navy.html

www.blissclothing.co.uk

This sample product was gifted from Bliss Clothing. Opinions expressed here are my own.

Harlem Milkshake

Ahhhh the sun! When it's hot you've got to go with what's cool and comfy, and I'm not the best at summery clothes, I'll be honest. BUT... Hollaaaa, ghetto sportswear in all the shops? YES! 

Sports-luxe was a big thing last year - satin joggers with heels, sleek adidas jackets and cycle shorts. Not for me. There's no way I can pull off a sporty look for a night out, but daytime Americana is easy when you're a sneaker-freak. I love and own pretty much at least one of every imaginable brand of trainers and if I like a style, you can assume I've got a few colour variations too (ok, a LOT of Converse...) so fashioning outfits around my shoes is standard.

'New York' blue sports jersey dress: Primark - I got this a few sizes too big so that it was really oversized and slouchy. It's got tiny holes all over in the style of basketball or ice hockey jerseys, so it's lightweight and airy in the heat.

Trucker cap: from a Matchbox 20 gig about ten years ago! Have loved them since living in Australia back in '97 - my BFF introduced me to them and now they remind me of my time there *smile*

Sneaks: DC Shoe Co. green and white hi-tops, I got these for £15 from TKMaxx in like... 2004 and I've worn them to death but can't get rid of them, they're so comfy. All the new styles are in mental colour combos so I haven't bought a new pair.

Socks: ASOS navy stripe knee sport socks, worn rolled down 'cause it was too hot to have them up.

Mini backpack: Roxy, again from TKMaxx I think.

Accessories -

Skullcandy TI Headphones: Honestly great sound from these, you can put them on and shut out the world! They're held on with a fabric Roxy clip hook that I found in a surf shop in Cornwall one summer, it's perfect for the headphones and matches the bag.

Sunnies: Gold aviators from Primark. They're a bit flimsy but they were £2 and have so far lasted three summers. Can't complain.

Bracelets: Plastic beads from the 2p machines in Whitby, a Hello Kitty pink watch from ebay, a Jack Wills leather wristband, an Evil Eye pink bead bracelet from the Outlaws trip to Morocco, white leather cuff, blue bandana wristband.

Rings: Alchemy Gothic skull, plastic leopard print, silver pinky bands from ASOS

Necklaces: Long magnifying glass (possibly from Accessorize), Red plastic converse (present from my sister), 'My name is' sticker necklace (Claire's Accessories)

Sea Breezes

So really I spent most of my Runswick time in shorts and vests (and got BURNT!) because it was so hot last weekend, but had to don better outfits for going out obvs. Here's another quick one...

Tweed jacket - Joules

Camera print scarf - from a shop in Whitby

Jeans - ASOS

Burgundy Vans trainers - present brought back from America

Woven straw mini bag - French Connection

Knit jumper - Ralph Lauren

Ticking stripe shirt - Joules

Aww chucks.

So we're back up North this weekend for sun and sea, despite a couple of grey clouds this afternoon it is actually starting out a pretty warm May. I've even got sandals on, which meant remembering to paint my nails for the first time in months! Needed a light outfit for travelling as it's hot in the car, but wanted to celebrate this elusive nice weather, so yes, it's a dress.

Bird dress - Primark (it's sleeveless and buttoned to below the waist)

Blue longline cardigan - George at ASDA

Flower belt - Accessorize? Next? I can't remember...

3/4 length black leggings -  George at ASDA

Tan barrel bag - Fiorelli (bought at The Clothes Show, it's huge and also comes with an x-body strap, which is very handy. Probably big enough to use as a weekend bag if you're a normal person... I carry a lot of stuff...)

Converse white sandals - Schuh. I absolutely adore these, they're comfy and look like a pair of classic chucks with the toes and heel cut out. They were in the end of summer sale last year, got them for £15, total bargain as they've been kept pristine and can now come out for the sunshine as new this year, sneaky...

Accessories:
Rose gold coloured key necklace - Pieces from ASOS

3 blue bangles - GAP

'a' tan watch - ASOS

Cognac big sunglasses - Pieces 'Bitten' from ASOS

Sugar High

I am Gina's high-waist. I am AJ's wrecked cardigan. I am Deb's grunge. I am Berko's skinny jeans. I am Corey's black boots. Mark/c is my BFF, Lucas looks out for me and Joe is my boss. His name isn't f**king Warren.

This is my Everything Empire look. A little inspiration from each character...

High-waist super skinny jeans in black acid wash - ASOS. They're a size smaller too,Yipeeee! This means a great deal in super-skinnies I tell you! They're really comfy and will fit well into boots too. The high waist definitely takes a bit of getting used to, but I think they're a good shape.

Nude vest - cheapo layering vest underneath from Primark. Don't underestimate the usefulness of these, I wear them under loads of sheer shirts.

White sheer gathered top with embroidered embellishment - Primark. This is sleeveless and has an unusual high neck. It's definitely a layering piece as the arms do cut off a little weird, but looks nice under lots of different jummies.

Ripped up stripy grey cardigan - Got this from a random stall at The Clothes Show a few years ago, it was the last day of the show and about 30 minutes before it closed, so everyone was going selling mad. It was a fiver, and I wear it LOADS. Every time I wear it at home my Dad says (with genuine concern) "Oh no, I think you've pulled a hole in your jumper!" *giggle*

Accessories and shoes - all Primark. Studded creepers, chunky against the skinny jeans and matte black for a punky look. Matched with a grey studded clutch and silver/pewter coloured bracelets that look a bit like bike chains and belts.

I wish I was special... but I'm a creep

Ahh Radiohead, you're right, I am a creep and I love creepers. So I had a little nose around Primark last week and found a couple of interesting things... These black creepers are a standard style and shape, with a few small studs across the heel. They're pretty comfy too, like flatforms they give a bit of height which is always nice!  

The two spike and chain necklaces are surprisingly heavy and drape nicely, I think I'll be wearing them under top-buttoned collars. One is silver coloured and the other is brassy, but they'll work with loads of different outfits. The one above them is shaped like mini feathers, it's going to look brilliant with a round-neck dress or jumper...

The other two necklaces are a Big Ben shaped one (from the mens section) and a sort of Aztec or Navajo style eagle, which was one solitary pound *yay*. It's a bit weird yeah, but the whole native look is coming back on trend with the warmer weather (stores are already picking up moccasins, fringed leather jackets and lots of tan).

The grey studded clutch bag was on sale and is just on the right side of oversize - big enough to fit my stuff in, but small enough to fit in the crook of my arm when I'm holding a drink. It's not structured though, so I'll have to be careful what I put in it - don't want to go out with a lumpy bag!

The last thing, which isn't from Primark is a small hard frame clip on purse from The Space Centre. A present from Al! It's for kids yes, but it's kitsch and cute and I'll enjoy clipping it to lanyards at festivals to hold my monies or tissues!

Ticking Over

Woo and Yay! Sunshine! Okay so it's still bitter as hell out there most days, but the sun is slowly making an appearance. I even went out without a jumper for a bit, see!

So we spent Easter up at Runswick Bay with my family, rock pools, fish and chips, the works. Didn't do many 'outfits' as I was mostly in joggers or beach clothes but this is from when we went to Whitby for the day.

Shirt dress with oversize pockets in ticking stripe - Primark

Skinny jeans - George at ASDA

Cream half-frame Clubmaster style sunglasses - Primark

Navy bow tie - ebay Hong Kong

Brown tweed and orange stripe high-tops - Adidas from Schuh

This shirt dress is a wardrobe staple of mine, it's casual and comfy and wears well with jeans or leggings and I usually wear a big leather belt around the middle so cinch the waist a bit as it's quite flat (however, left all my belts at home... doh). The trainers were an absolute steal from the Schuh January sale 2012 at the bargainacious price of £15 (free delivery too) they're really comfy despite the thin base and remind me of 70's caravan curtains. I love them!

I guess the inspiration is boats, ticking stripe always makes me think of the seaside.