Outfit of the day... First day at my new job!

Today I started my new part time job as a sales assistant at Newlook, exciting stuff! I've always worked in retail since I've left school, and although it can be stressful at times, especially with Christmas looming, I can't help but love it!

Anyway, so first day, wanted to make a good impression! Now at Newlook there's no strict uniform code, they just like you to wear on trend, key season pieces that are current in store! As I've got older, and had more money to spend on clothes, I've maybe drifted away from Newlook, although I've always gone back for some knitwear essentials, and bargain beautiful shoes time after time. After getting a job there though, and browsing for my work wardrobe, I found I've definitely been overlooking Newlook a lot lately, and now actually have a long list of pieces I can't wait to snap up with my staff discount. Newlook is great for key, on trend pieces to update your wardrobe for every occasion without breaking the bank and I'm glad to have rediscovered it again!

Here's the Newlook outfit I put together for my first day...

Faux fur & leather black gilet, soft, slouchy, grey marl jumper, leather look leggings and statement silver necklace - all Newlook!

The only thing I strayed from Newlook for today was the footwear, only because I couldn't resist trying out my new leather dextor boots from Office,  and also because I haven't got my hands on the studded, Newlook biker boots I MUST HAVE, yet!

Give last year's Winter coat a makeover for this season!

Winter is officially here, & the freezing conditions mean it is definitely time to get those big coats out again! As a self confessed shopaholic, there are SO many gorgeous winter coats out on the high street that I just want to snap up, as a student, I unfortunately don't have the funds for them all (sad face)! So this winter I made the cut throat decision to purchase a new leather jacket, which is also perfectly practical seeing as I live in the rainiest city in the world, Preston, and a military jacket with leather sleeves just because I have totally fallen in love with this seasons military trend and I just couldn't not!

Being the shopaholic that I am, I do have plenty of coats in my wardrobe from the past few winters, from some amazing fake fur numbers to gorgeous tweed, ladylike designs, that are all in perfect, working condition, but because they are not new this season they feel a bit dated. So, I dug a couple of my old favourites out and thought I would add a simple touch to completely update them and give them a new spin for this season, and get another winter out of them!

Now this coat is from River Island, probably about three, maybe even four winters ago now, but I still love it just as much as the day I got it. The cosy, grey tweed means it's the perfect winter warmer, and the oversized shape makes it not too far off whats 'hot' this season. When I first got this coat I had more compliments about it, and got asked where I'd got it from, more times than any other coat I've ever had, which is why I have held onto it for so long. Apart from loosing a few buttons along the way, this coat has stood the test of time so kudos to River Island for a gorgeous, well made design!

To update this coat for Autumn Winter 12 and overcome the lost button issues (oversized, tweed beauties I cannot find replacements for anywhere) I thought adding a large, studded, statement waist-belt (only £18 from Miss Selfridge) would be the perfect solution!

The waist-belt creates a brand new silhouette for the coat and acts as an interesting, new design feature which totally transforms it! The coat can even be worn folded open, in the blanket style very popular this season, with the belt worn on top just to hold it all together! Simple but very effective!

My much loved, Topshop leather jacket from last Winter was next to under go a transformation. 

The relaxed, slouchy leather jacket is easily worn with everything, I especially like to push the sleeves up to wear over pretty much everything for cold, winter nights out! To change it up for the day though I have simply been wearing my bargain Newlook, black, faux fur and leather gilet over the top. The cropped gilet sits perfectly on top of the leather jacket and just adds an extra layer for warmth and an extra texture for style (mixing leather and fur is one of my favourite looks at the minute)!

So, as you can see none off these make overs require much skill. Why not dig out one of your old favourite winter warmers and revamp it for this season!

Off for a chat with Company Editor Victoria White...

Today at UCLan the editor of the amazing Company magazine, Victoria White, came to visit us and give a chat about working within fashion journalism and the future of print magazines. I was a little bit in awe as I love Company magazine, and especially after Victoria tweeted me back after the chat, I was like I just want to work at Company now!

Victoria was great, she was brilliantly honest about her opinions on print and online magazines, telling us how Company have tried to maintain their readership and ultimately make money when there really isn't much around anymore, and how she feels about the craze of the blogger. With some great hints and tips for interviews, internships and getting your foot in the door of the industry, whilst also giving us an insight in what it is like to work at Company magazine HQ,  making me want to be apart of the Company team, it sounds like my idea of heaven and so much fun!

And here is what I wore to today's talk...

Fringe Skirt (can't really tell in the picture) Zara, Grey Speckle Jumper Newlook, Khaki Military Jacket with contrast Leather Sleeves (again, you will struggle to find me without it at the minute) Topshop, Bowler Hat Topshop, Selection of Silver Rings Topshop and Statement Necklace New Limited Edition!

Blue is the new black!

Now winter is officially here I would normally reach straight for the black nail polish, I just think there's something so effortlessly cool about black nail varnish! But I'm afraid I have been converted for the time being by the new, must have nail shade of the season, bright electric/cobalt blue! 

After spending a good twenty minutes examining the shelves in boots, and ending up with about ten different shades of blue nail varnish in my basket, I settled for the Nails Inc Baker Street blue! 

I was not disappointed in my choice in the slightest, it is the most gorgeous colour ever! And there's nothing like a brand new nail varnish that just goes on perfectly, dries quickly, no bubbles or bumps... made me a very happy girly! At £11 a bottle Nails Inc aren't the cheapest nail colours but with no other shade I found coming close to this amazing colour, I would definitely be willing to splash out on this again! 

My next nail purchase I think will be some black glitter! I've started seeing it all over pinterest and in magazines, and it will be perfect for the winter party season!

Bargain beauty buy!

Ultimate disaster the weekend, was just about to begin getting ready to go out and realised I'd run out of foundation... and Asda was my only option. What the hell was I supposed to find in Asda? Well, only the most amazing bargain beauty buy ever! 

If I said to you £6 for a foundation, you'd laugh or say whatever foundation costs that much isn't worth wearing, right? Well desperate times called for desperate measures so I went for it and brought the Maybelline Drean Satin Liquid Foundation. I have another major problem when it comes to foundation as I have the most sensitive eyes (even some Clinique foundations irritate my eyes) and the last thing I wanted was watering, sore eyes for a Saturday night out... but this foundation was amazing. From application it gave a silky, smooth, almost airbrush like coverage that was easy to build up without becoming thick or discoloured. It was also so light on my skin, which was another plus for me as I hate feeling like my face is plastered in makeup and like my skin can't breathe. Seriously this foundation was a beauty revelation to me. It went on well, gave great coverage and lasted all night... all for £6! No complaints what so ever! At least I know if I'm ever really strapped for cash I have a bargain foundation I can turn to!

And here's me wearing the amazing £6 foundation...

Casual Saturday...

Zara Tiger Tee. Topshop Military Jacket with Leather Sleeves. Topshop Gold Statement Necklace. Topshop Supersoft Leigh Jeans Black. H&M Flat Black Pointy Shoes.

Cocktails, Canapes & LBD's

On Thursday I attended the Little Black Dress cocktail party in Manchester. As my first, official invite to a blogger event I was very excited and the Little Black Dress launch party did not leave me disappointed!

After being greeted with the gorgeous, official Little Black Dress cocktail created exclusively for London Cocktail Week 2012 (thanks for the recipe by the way guys will definitely be trying that one at home), I was met the lovely Gemma and had a browse around the amazing dresses on display exclusively for us!

The team at Little Black Dress have hit the nail on the head with The Ulitmate LBD, with a simple yet effective and extremely flattering design, reaching out to women of all shapes and sizes, the classic dress is perfect for any wardrobe this winter. For me, I would 'edge' the short style up with some chunky shoe boots, statement necklace and an oversized, super sparkly or metallic clutch! As for the elegant floor length number, I just wish I had an event looming to give me an excuse to purchase this beauty. A messy, low bun teamed with some eye catching, dangly earrings and maybe electric blue clutch or shoes to add a pop of colour is how I'd love to wear this gorgeous gown.

The Ultimate LBD's were not the only dresses I fell in love with on Thursday night (I knew this would end up potentially fatally dangerous for my bank balance), there were some amazingly sparkly party dresses that were just perfect for those Christmas parties that are looming.

This beautiful, floor length, metallic ombre number was sequins and sparkles galore in a chic and sophisticated manner that would barely need accessorising at all, this is one of those dresses that you just leave to speak for itself! There was also a shorter version with tshirt sleeves on show that I literally had to drag myself away from. The short version I was adoring in the silver, metallic tones and one of the Little Black Dress team were wearing it themselves, teamed with chunky ankle boots, no jewellery needed, leaving me with ultimate outfit envy!

After managing to drag myself away from the rails of gorgeous dresses I went to check out the MAC team who were creating some fierce makeup looks that would make the perfect accessory to any LBD. The Marilyn look was my favourite, as to me she has to be the most glamorously feminine woman the world has ever seen!

Thanks to the Little Black Dress team for a fabulous evening and goody bag including the yummy cocktail recipe that I will be trying to recreate in the very near future!