Lust-have #10: Sparkly Shoes

All from Topshop

 
Maybe it's because I'm quite a girly girl at heart, maybe it's because I like making a mess or maybe it's because I have an unhealthy obsession with Dorothy's ruby reds but I have always loved glitter. Glitter pens were an all time favourite purchase of mine and I would create works of art with them for hours before I got bored and realised that instead of the paper my hands were all sparkly.

Recently I've noticed an amazing trend which I am lusting whole-heartedly: sparkly shoes. They come in all different shapes and heel heights, there's tall ones, flat ones, loafers and lace ups, though I think my favourites are the chelsea boots.

A few weeks ago I received a £20 voucher from Topshop as a reward for taking part in surveys at www.valuedopinions.co.uk, but everything in Topshop is just so expensive, that I'd have to spend way over the £20 to buy anything decent. However, the Topshop Maccoy Glitter Chelsea Boots have stolen my heart, and at £36 they're not too expensive. I'm not 100% sure on the quality but they're glittery boots, I won't exactly be wearing them all the time, only for extra special days when only the sparkliest of boots will do. I'm hoping I can find them in store soon and spend this voucher as it's burning a hole in my purse!

Do you like the sparkly shoe trend? Better still, do you own a pair? Show me your shoes!

Lust-have #9: LOVE Dress

Oh my. This dress. It has stolen my heart. Made by LOVE, the asymmetrical maxi dress is, in my opinion, the perfect maxi dress. I have issues with the typical floor length stunner because of my height. I don't want to be flashing my ankles to the world, unless it's on purpose in this beauty. The cut means it can be a bit shorter than your typical maxi dress and still look good, while also adding a bit of flirtiness to an otherwise quite conservative piece of clothing.

I am now on the hunt for a similar dress as the LOVE dress only fits up to a size 12, but so far have had no such luck - can you help me on my mission? Please let me know if you've seen a similar dress on the high street!

As always, here are some lovely examples of how to style this beautiful piece:

Simple. Stunning.

The leather waistcoat and boots give the dress an edgy look, while the scarf used as a belt is in keeping with its floaty nature. Perfect.

...and the look that started it all, from one of my favourite bloggers, here the dress looks sophisticated, yet edgy.

Lust-have #8: Cambridge Satchel

The satchels made by the Cambridge Satchel Company have been on my radar for a while, but recently they've been cropping up more and more and I'm just not sure I can resist any longer!

The classic designs are made using the finest quality English leather and each satchel is handmade per custom order (this means wait times are reasonably long, but who cares when you have a bag which is such good quality?) meaning you can request embossing too - who wouldn't want their initials on their handbag, eh?

The only thing I worry about with these bags is their size, I'm just not sure that even the biggest bag would be big enough for all the stuff I insist on carrying round with me, especially during the week at work. They're not the cheapest bags, coming in at around £80, but they're certainly not the most expensive, even so I wouldn't want to never use it, a bag that beautiful has be used! You can find out more here.

I love this look, it's a great girly and preppy outfit and the satchel just adds to the preppy coolness

Even without the satchel this outfit is 100% amazing, but matching the bag to the shoes is PERFECT.

The variety of colours available from Cambridge Satchel impresses me, and this green looks super chic.

These dresses are next on my lust-have list but look how nicely they go with floaty dresses - they're perfect for work and play.
Do you like Cambridge Satchels? Do you own one? I'd love to see how you style it!

Lust-have #7: Chelsea Boots

Before I begin, I just want to say that my thoughts are with everyone and anyone affected by the riots of the past week, I've been seeing my home town destroyed and it's been very difficult. Hoping all my followers and your loved ones, and their loved ones are keeping safe.

Anyway, today I woke up and saw winter outside my window, the floor was damp, there were dark clouds above and I wanted to put my dressing gown on because it was a bit chilly at 6.30am. I dressed (pretty much) in all black today, potentially a subliminal nod to my mood over the past few days and how depressed this dark weather tends to make me, but it got me thinking about my winter wardrobe.

One of my favourite things about winter is being able to wear boots, I maybe don't like it as much as Christmas, my birthday or wearing my fur coats, but I definitely prefer them to the infinite amounts of snow we seem to be getting in recent years. I have a small but varied collection including Cowboy, Knee Length and Wellies but the Chelsea Boot has always evaded my affections due to the fact I have a real pair of riding boots upstairs which are covered in mud and smell a bit (a lot) like horses. I've never thought of the style being fashionable, just practical, but I don't think my brown and worn in pair are right for outdoor wear for a budding fashionista like myself. Ahem.

I've been mainly obsessing over Topshop pairs, they definitely have some great variations on the traditional style and I've chosen these three which are really making me lust:

Don't you just love them? Sigh. Let's just pause for moment to lust over their classic beauty. I think I would really like to splash out on a pair of the Aldgate's in black, and I have a £20 Topshop voucher ready to spend so it could happen?

Do you like Chelsea boots? Point me in the direction of your favourite pair!

Lust-have #6: Vintage Storage Solutions

A slightly different lust-have post this week, this weekend Ryan and I started tackling the many boxes in our spare rooms that have just been sat there since we moved in in April. Now, I love the fact we own a house, and I absolutely adore our house, but the problem is storage. We are in desperate need of space, whether it be shelves or something a bit more unique, our house is crying out for more space to fit all of our "stuff".

While going through my handbags, scarves and shoes I had the great idea that I could look at getting some vintage suitcases or big wicker chests to have in our second bedroom to store all my crap very important stuff. I just don't have enough space in my wardrobe and right now everything is just sitting in plastic boxes, which definitely aren't pleasing to the eye. I'm thinking Ryan and I need to take a trip to some car boot sales to start the search, as I'm quite excited and inspired to look at pretty and aesthetically pleasing storage solutions.

Image fromhttp://vintageleathersuitcase.com/

Do you rely on storage from Ikea and Argos or do you prefer a vintage touch? I'd love to hear your advice for thrifting!

Lust-have #5: ASOS New Season Colours

As I'm not working right now (I am starting my new job in August) I have A LOT of spare time to browse online shops, however, I have no spare cash to spend so I am currently lusting over a number of different pieces which I feel will slot effortlessly into my wardrobe.

Today, I thought I'd have a look round ASOS and found that it had a new section for its new season colours and oh my, I am in love. I think we all know I have been discovering colours lately and I am trying to step away from my blacks and navys to wear brighter and bolder outfits and I feel like this ASOS collection will sherpa on the journey to a rainbow-filled wardrobe.

There are three main pieces that I am lusting over, all three are dresses that I think I could wear for work or at the weekend and could be dressed up or down (look at me trying to justify it, when really I can't afford any of them right now!)

ASOS Button Back Dress w/ Long Sleeves - £45

This is the perfect dress for A/W 11, the colour and the sleeves are to die for and the button detail on the back makes it that little bit more interesting. This dress comes in green or chestnut, but I think this beautiful reddy-pink chestnut would suit my complexion best. 

TFNC Button Front Fit & Flare Dress - £45

Why does this dress not come in a colour which would suit my skin tone? It is so so cute - I love it! But orange and yellow are just not me!

ASOS Short Sleeve High Neck Pleated Midi Dress - £45

I've saved my number one favourite until last - this is probably one of the most amazing dresses I have seen this year. I have been finding it difficult to find clothes that I like recently, but this just screams class at me and is in a colour I adore. Please can I buy it? Pretty please?

Do you like the ASOS New Season Colours? What are your lust-haves for A/W 11?

Images all from www.asos.com

Lust-have #4: Palazzo Pants

This new trouser trend had passed me by until earlier this week when I saw a girl on the train wearing a black pair and looking really effortlessly cool, well apart from the fact that in certain light you could see straight through the fabric and could tell she wasn't wearing any knickers...anyway...

So, this got me thinking about Palazzo Pants, and now I don't think my mind will rest until I've tried a pair on and found out if they look utterly ridiculous or crazy fabulous on me (I'm thinking ridiculous right now). They just look super comfy and would be a great way for me to wear coloured trousers as discussed last week, and depending on the cut could be a good work-wear trouser.

I'm not completely sure what you wear them with (knickers for one, I guess), t shirts? Blouses? Vests? They could become a money drain for my wardrobe if I purchased a pair and I wanted to buy various tops to accompany them.

This pair is from ASOS (photo c/o myfashionlife.com) and also come in black which I think would be a great way to look smart in the office, as I tend to go for wide leg trousers anyway.

As usual, here are a few of my favourite palazzo pant looks that I've been lusting over this week:

Ooh, I just love this hat and the pattern on the trousers is really cute but simple. Love it.

Seriously swooning over every aspect of this outfit, the pants, the scarf and my gosh THAT bag. SWOON.

I can't resist a polka dot, can you? Stunning. And those sunglasses? To die for.

What are your thoughts on Palazzo Pants? Do you think they're just a fad or will they be around for a while? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Lust-have #3: Coloured Trousers

This week has been thoroughly hectic, but I'm back and ready to blog about my latest style obsession: coloured trousers. Since posting my most recent Style on a Sunday post I have been toying with the idea of adding more trousers to my wardrobe. I have a confession to make: I only own one pair of jeans, one pair of casual trousers and one pair of work trousers, the rest of the time I live in tights or leggings. However, brightly coloured denim and soft pinky hues in chinos are pulling on my heartstrings and I'm very tempted to spend my hard earned cash on something I've never considered a wardrobe essential.

It seems to me that coloured denim or coloured chinos could slip nicely into my weekend and working week wardrobes (I really don't enjoy mixing the two normally, is that weird?) and help me in my quest to become a little more professional and maybe a little more grown up looking (no more bubble-hemmed skirts for me). To me they scream Parisian cool with a hint of cheekiness and when I see people wearing a bright red pair of jeans or pink chinos I instantly think they stand out from the crowd, and not that I necessarily want to do that, but sometimes it's nice for your outfit to say "Look At Me!", right?

So, as usual, here are some fabulous examples of people standing out from the crowd:

The lovely Chloe rocking some A.M.A.Z.I.N.G bright red chinos - if I saw her in the street I would be staring and she would probably be scared.

This is just so effortlessly cool. I have my eye on a pair of pink chinos from Primark, I tried them on a few weeks ago but didn't think the fit was right in a 16, so going to maybe look at trying the 18 and wearing a belt. Will have to see!

Yellow denim and Hello Kitty - what more is there to say? Oh right, there's SEQUINS too. I am in love.

Do you like coloured trousers? Have you been rocking the look? Let me know what you think and link me to your outfits!

Lust-have #2: Lita Boots

This week my lust-have is a shoe I have been obsessing over for a while, but haven't been able to justify the price: the Jeffrey Campbell Lita Boot.

They are overstated shoes with a platform and heel which would make me well over six feet tall, they come in a wide variety of ridiculous colours and I'm not sure I'd ever be able to walk in them, but barely a day goes by when I don't think about these shoes. They have wooed me with their uber coolness and I have wasted hours looking at the pretty girls on lookbook.nu who intimidate me just a little bit wearing them and looking incredible, which makes me think I'd be the number one cool girl in Leeds if I could just get my hands on a pair. I thought this was all a pipe dream, but according to this website they are available in black and in my size, and boy am I tempted.

I hope that by the end of the year I will own my very own pair of Lita Boots and I will be swanning around the streets of Leeds towering above everyone in my stupidly high platforms. Until that day comes I present you with a few of my favourite Lita looks courtesy of lookbook.nu:

Ah, look at this, the boots are the main focus and the rest of the outfit is simple but so full of style. I think this look would be really good for work (maybe with some thicker tights though!)

I have a dress that looks a bit like this dress, I therefore need these shoes to go with it... does anyone else use this type of logic when wanting to buy clothes? Please say yes.

I think I saved the best 'til last. This is simply stunning.

What do you think of the Lita boot? Maybe you own a pair - I'd love to see your styling of them!

Lust-have #1: Pretty Pleats

As any normal girl who loves clothes does, I often become slightly obsessed with a piece of clothing, a pair of shoes or a really beautiful accessory. These ‘lust-haves’ sometimes join my wardrobe, but often they remain a distant dream due to lack of funds. Previous lust-haves include white wedges (now own), a maxi skirt (own, but have never worn) and cowboy boots (have worn to death), and this feature will document my love of the moment.

This week, it’s the pleated skirt, seemingly the most fashionable item since clogs (we all remember that obsession last year, right? How does anyone even walk in them? I found it utterly impossible in the shoe section of New Look) and I was utterly desperate for one. First of all I wanted the Carrie Skirt, but due to lack of funds and the fact I remain unconvinced that pink would suit me, my Visa card remained firmly in my purse.

Then I was drawn in by a bright blue version by Zara, at £38 it was more affordable, but it didn’t really go with anything else in my wardrobe, so it was hung back on the shelf (after being carried around the Leeds shop for 15 minutes while I debated with myself).

When other high street stores failed to give me what I wanted I turned to the Internet and soon found myself adding this black pleated number from ASOS to my basket on bank holiday Monday.

Later in the day I went back to look at the picture and it had sold out, so now I’m waiting on tenterhooks to see if I’ve ordered the right size/it even looks good on me.

In the meantime I am busy trying to plan outfits around my new skirt without spending any money, which has been harder than it sounds as due to my tendency to wear dresses every day I have a severe lack of tops/blouses. Therefore, I have been looking for inspiration from my favourite guilty pleasure: lookbook.nu. Whatever you think of it, I really do find inspiration from the ladies who post their outfits for all to judge (they’re braver than me!) so here are a few of my favourites:

I love how the skirt has been rolled over at the waist - this gives me hope for if I have ordered the wrong size of skirt and it is too big!

The combination of black and mustard yellow is a favourite of mine, but apparently one of my favourite hobbies right now is being outbid on ebay on mustard yellow cardigans. Sob.

This is perfection. Classic, chic and simple - exactly the summer look i want to achieve!

Have you been swept away by the pleated trend? How would you style this skirt? Please offer your advice in the comments!