ampersand

Can't even put into words how lovely it feels to settle down with my laptop and some music, and write after the strangely busy day I've had. Ended up running errands with Mamabear and the sister so I could hitch a lift to the bank! Oh well, I did manage to pick up some books, replace my old edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone which went missing, pay rent, buy some underwear, and soak up the, ahem, atmosphere of my hometown. I've also entered the Very fashion job competition, after much hesitation and deliberation: thought I may as well give it a go, you can vote for me here, if you'd like!

(Top, H&M;
Floral culottes, Topshop;
Wooden 'Ampersand' necklace on 14K gold-filled chain, c/o Maria Allen Jewellery.)

I wore this today to run the above errands, have some Hello Kitty print cycling shorts on underneath too! I really adore H&M basic tops from their Divided range, the fit is absolutely perfect for my tastes and are ridiculously well priced. Throughout the day, I've been playing around with how this shirt is tucked in too, I can't decide if it looks nicer completely tucked in, tucked in at the front or not at all... Oh wells, I'm home and in my pyjama bottoms now!

Since I posted my eclectic little blogpost on Tuesday, I feel like I've been inundated with emails and comments about the necklace I wore. Fear not girls, I wouldn't just bypass the piece completely! Wanted it to be featured in a little more depth today instead. My wooden Ampersand necklace from Maria Allen Jewellery is my absolute favourite piece at the moment, a beautiful, handmade, laser cut wood necklace. For Maria's first post-graduate collection, I am seriously impressed and am saving speedily for a Wooden Teapot Brooch as well as the Golden Feather bracelet. I'm sure you can see from the photos why this is my new favourite: the Ampersand is just so well made, and I love the two-tone wood.

I'm just about to go and finish writing up my latest Ways to Wear post. I think I'll schedule it to post for tomorrow, as I'll be at work on Friday I believe, and then in London on Saturday for the day. Think I shall spend the rest of my evening alternating between reading one of my new books, reblogging endlessly on my Tumblr again (can someone teach me how to use the queue function?!) and sipping cups of coffee. Perfecto. Finally, I just want to say a big thanks to Bee and Gem for being amazing friends over the past two weeks, love you girls. See you all tomorrow (kind of)!

#377: the calm before the storm

Was going to post an outfit today, but quite frankly, I look like a hot mess at the moment: it's very humid at home right now, and my hair looks awful, my energy levels are at an all-time low (basically, I'm feelin' lazy!) and the lighting is horrendous because there's a little thunderstorm on its' way! I'm currently browsing all manner of websites for things I should keep an eye out for, and inspiration for my new room. (Alana and I move into our new houses for Uni this weekend!) I'm also popping to the hospital in a few hours so my outfit isn't... all that interesting. Think bodycon skirt, huge slouchy top and a few necklaces.

Currently very inspired by Monki, as well as Acne, H&M, Topshop and Zara. I need to buckle down and do a wardrobe clearout and overhaul next week! Having too many clothes is making me lack inspiration to wear nice things because I simply can't find anything in my wardrobe right now. I think I'm going to look for some similar alternatives to the pieces featured above, and if I can't settle on something else, I'll place a little (much overdue) order at Monki!

On Saturday, I'm popping into London to spend the day with Alana. It's been a good two months or so since I last saw her, and we're going to hunt out some interior treasures, sip many a latte and maybe even pop over to the Harry Potter 'Magical Event' at the London Film Museum if it isn't too crazy. The details are all here on their Facebook page for those who haven't already heard about it, and I believe it is running until the end of the year! I can't find the event/exhibition on the LFM website though, so who knows what's happening!

I also want to find some sweet little antiquey bits, photoframes and hanging decorations. I believe this is our main aim on Saturday, to find pretty things for our rooms! Hopefully going to look around Spitalfield's Market, Covent Garden and maybe Portobello, depending on how brave we are feeling, I'm not a huge fan of Saturday crowds! Does anyone have any hidden gems to share with me, for reasonable priced interior stores?

I'll hopefully be back with a "proper" outfit post for you all soon, I want to post some other content on here too, and I've had lots of little ideas that I've jotted down on Post-it notes that have mysteriously disappeared from my room... Until then, I'm going to enjoy the dulcet tones of the last of the storm outside and eat lots of food while no-one is home!

now playing:- b2st - 'on rainy days'

Boutique Spotlight: Adrianne Vintage

I think in a previous life, I might have been a magpie, what with my inexplicable penchant for jewellery, trinkets and all things sparkly. Either a magpie, or a cat with superhuman napping powers. Particularly drawn to long necklaces, delicate bracelets and of course, rings, I'm almost always on the search for new pieces to add to my treasure trove-esque collection.

Just last week, I was contacted by Annie at Adrianne, an online jewellery boutique who specialise in vintage inspired pieces. Of the hundreds of independent jewellery brands out there, I particularly like Adrianne's chintzy, statement collection, it rather reminded me of Madam Puddifoot's tea shop, a fictional location but a location fitting to the collection nonetheless!

(Top, Love Lola Vintage;
Skirt, c/o Annie Greenabelle;
'Danni' Happy Whale long pendant, c/o Adrianne;
Ruffle sandals, Primark.)

I shot this outfit at the weekend in the heat. It verged on unbearable heat actually, and I retreated indoors soon after eating lunch outside with my sister and taking these photos. I said I wanted to wear my Annie Greenabelle skirt with this top when I first posted about it, and there was no time like the present with temperatures soaring up to 30°C! Wearing the adorable Danni necklace breaks up the crazy Aztec-inspired print, and adds a sweet, eclectic twist to the look.

I also took it upon myself to look through the rest of the pieces available at Adrianne. Although some of their pieces aren't too my taste, being a little too out there, I can imagine so many people falling in love with their bracelets! Personally, their necklaces are my favourite, there's nothing I enjoy more than a long necklace adorned with a sweet charm!

(1. Abi Seagull Necklace, £12; 2. Trixie Feather Necklace, £14;

3. Paula Charm Bracelet, £10; 4. Bessie Square Ring, £12;

5. Mae Statement Ring, £11; 6. Charlotte Key and Rose Charm Necklace, £14.)

For 20% off your orders ladies, the lovely people at Adrianne have given my readers a code to use at checkout! The packaging of their products is super cute, and would make these a perfect gift choice! Use 'DAISY20' for your 20% off, and enjoy your new goodies!

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a week in photos #38

june 20th - june 26th

Hope everyone is good, I'll update this properly with the photo details when I have some time, it's all a bit crazy at the moment. Love always ♥

currently coveting: the perfect blouse

L-R: Brett washed-silk shirt, £220, Equipment; Cotton-trimmed jersey boyfriend shirt, £205, Elizabeth and James; Silk crepe de chine shirt, £160, T by Alexander Wang; Simone silk shirt, £260, Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Some items I am desperately coveting after my weekly peruse of the hallowed place that is Net-A-Porter. I'm still on my quest for the perfect loose-fit, but still tailored, blouse, and these are my idea of heaven. All of my usual suspects, designer wise, I'm a creature of old habits, and these are some that I'll never shake off. I need that Marc by Marc Jacobs Simone Silk Shirt more than I need a roof over my head. Hey, don't judge, at least if I did become a lady of the streets, I'd look ladylike while doing so.

All jokes aside though, sadly we can't all drop £260 on a shirt, perfect or otherwise, which is where Cocosa come in. I was invited to receive updates from Cocosa about a year or so ago, conveniently after first reading about it in Stylist magazine, by the people in charge of Cocosa so to speak. Cocosa is a luxury brand e-commerce store, started by Bauer Media, who offer members exclusive access to private sales of luxury brands, and some of the discounts they offer are absolutely amazing to be honest (Hello up to 80% off! Which would, coincidentally, make my Simone Silk Shirt a bargainous £52!). Perhaps this little reminder has come at a perfect time, just as I spoke of refining my wardrobe...

To register on Cocosa, all you have to do is click here. You can also enter 'LUXURYSTYLE' at the checkout to receive an exclusive £10 off your first order of over £50. (Which pushes my shirt of dreams down to £42!!) Happy shopping!

This post was sponsored by Ebuzzing. All content and first collage was created by me, all opinions expressed are of mine.
Viral video by ebuzzing

hands up

Today I've been a very sleepy girl, wandering around the shops and going for lunch with my Mama. Just another standard Thursday day for us really, my parents each take one day off from work, what with our restaurant, so Thursdays and Sundays always seem to follow a particular routine. I've also been enjoying a listen of 2PM's latest album, 'Hands Up', which came out on Monday, particularly in love with Hands Up, 모르니 and 영화처럼!

(Top, Urban Outfitters;
Playsuit, H&M;
Necklace, Accessorize;
Scrabble mugs, Wild & Wolf;
Button badge rings, c/o Dainty Roses;.)

Can't stop being drawn to wearing playsuits with something loose and slightly sheer on top at the moment. It's still hard to see myself wearing something typically Summery with this weird weather. I quite like the bright purple tones of this top though, makes the burnout detail look effortless and not too see-through. Still adore my drawstring H&M playsuit, I can't recommend this playsuit highly enough to people who struggle to find playsuits to fit their height, torso length, etc.! I wore this out to Brent Cross and food shopping at Wing Yip, along with my Mulberry Alexa, and a pair of Primark tan loafers - keepin' it real as always. Bought some Chinese fashion magazines too, so glad I got 'em, the lady who sells them only gets two of each issue in every month!

I absolutely adore these button badge rings at the moment, can't stop wearing them! Lisa sent me two rings from her newest collection to wear and I love them. The cross-stitch heart design is so unique and feels very eclectic chic, while the crown ring just speaks volumes for itself. They compliment any outfit so well, and are an understated style statement, an outfit oxymoron if there ever was one! They are priced at £3.50 each, and there are lots of designs to choose from.

Thanks for all the sweet messages the other night regarding the things with my best friend. She had a second op and is coming home tonight! Very, very relieved! Also, huge thanks for the lovely words about my Ways to Wear post yesterday, I like to see it as that little bit extra on my blog that sets it apart from the standard "fashion blog"!