Sunday Portrait #7

1. First Sunday of the month aye, soon enough it'll be first Sunday of December then Sunday of Christmas. However exciting! Also the first Sunday post of my second half of being at college, Christ that sounds terrifying! It's gone oh so very quick and I'm not sure how I feel about this. Everything should be on track currently which is good, things are moving so fast I'm not sure if I like it.

2. Last night was Bonfire Night as many people from the UK will know, it can be an amazing thing and some people go completely all out on fireworks and making the event and night extremely special. I went to my mum's friend's house for the fireworks and then afterwards my neighbours to see their finale and it was all so beautiful and lovely. I'll have a set of the photos up some time this week once I sort through them.

3. I've spent today working on a present for my boyfriend that was meant to be done a month or so ago, ops. But that's what today has been filled with, but tomorrow I'm hoping to go into town and purchase some material to make yet another skirt. Winter isn't the best season for them but by god I love them!

Much Love

Lauren Michelle

PS. I apologise for the bad picture, my camera was severely misbehaving last night! 

Theres a fire inside of you

The world of fashion and beauty most definitely comes at a cost, a cost we can barely afford. Black Milk clothing produce an amazing variety of graphic print clothing that some people are willing to spend £40 or more on, now I would if my allowance wasn't only £80 and I'd easily work hard to place the lot in my wardrobe, however situations have left most of us students alike; borrowing money from our parents and printing endless CV's. 

Personally I've wanted a pair of Lava or Galaxy leggings from the first sight, but after discovering the price it's safe to say I've been put off buying them for a very long time. We're all in the same position when it comes to money and thing's we want, searching endlessly for a job and having to save our money for the "important" things in life which is clothing to me, or working endless hours after being in college to look good for time we don't actually have. Either way, we're not going down the right track currently at all.

Taking a stroll through the website I came across several items, as Black Milk collections can be in for an extremely limited time, and as beautiful as all the items were, these 6  garments just screamed at me to be bought (oh how I could fulfil your dreams little ones). I love body suits so when I spotted the skeleton one I felt like it was made for me, graphic print bodysuits are a right pain to find and I've been searching ebay for a white suit like this but despite my efforts I never suceed -it's sod's law that once I finish this post and have a search they'll be one staring me in the face!- so I'd given up hope with that and only took a spilt second to see the price and lose faith in that also; but if I did suddenly come into the investment of £50 I would happily go out treat myself as long as I knew I still had money in the bank to spend; does anyone else get that dreading fear of not having enough money in the bank? Although the bodysuits are swimsuits people wouldn't know the difference, they both have the same style so why not be used for one of the same purposes which is to look great! 

Black Milk produces some brilliant items of clothing, they're unique, stylish, and made for people who don't care about other peoples opinions which I hope you are like.   

Much love

Lauren Michelle oxo

 

£150 to spend in Next

It's clear that Autumn is here with the weather not failing to hold back on cold moneys, strong winds and manic rain. I feel that it is time to bring out the winter coat, umbrella and find a waterproof bag for college! However, the weather doesn't stop fashion one bit at all! And Next are all stocked out ready for the A/W '11 season. I've stuck to burgundy trousers for my own personal look, but that doesn't mean this season doesn't stretch out to blush colours as well so be sure to find their blush pink roll up jeans. 

I personally love blazers, they're such a simple but strong addition to an outfit, as they're warm, stylish and suit nearly every outfit ever, what isn't to love? I've paired up the jeans with a oversized everyday white shirt, I didn't want to mix up to many different shades of brown with this outfit so I tried to stick to 2 types, which results in an easy every day casual outfit which is perfect for college, a trip out shopping, or possible even a date if you fancied jazzing it up with some brown suede heels. 

Sticking to a well in fashion pair of shoes definitely brings the outfit together, it all works well as something casual ready for Autumn and the cold days which you can pile layers underneath or possibly on top. I've thrown in a horse print scarf which reminds me of Miu's collections which easily can be ignored for those "hotter" Autumn days.

Be sure to check out Next's newest collection filling the store; they aren't always recognised for their fashion suiting younger adults, however they do produce some rare gems.

Blazer: £45 Shirt: £26 Trousers: £28 Scarf: £12 Shoes: £45

Total: £148

You got your daddy's wallet

Okay I think it's apparent I have a mad obsession for shoes, but they are the best accessory a girl can ask for are they not? For me shoes can easily be the main part of an outfit,  take Doc Martens for example; you could easily pair up black skinny jeans with an oversized white with top and then any colour or style Doc's would bring the outfit to life really, or a pair of statement heels which could easily change the mood/attitude of the outfit. Now I'm not saying this this classes for all outfits, because a small pair of ballet pumps give the outfit omph rather than the shoes. 

However, do you not agree these new Doc Martens are rather beautiful? I was casually scrolling ebay for a cheap pair of plain black to bid on when these came from no where and truly captured my heart. I've never seen them before so I have a feeling they are like the pastel coloured and are a limited edition set and by God do I need these in my life; it's a shame that they cost a massive £94 but still, I think if I had a job all my wages would go towards the green pair of these - although I do want the silver to pretend to be an astronaut. 

If you could have any pair of shoes in the entire world what would you have?

If I had £200 to spend in Topshop

So I've decided to take up a little challenge with myself, whether I'll continue this or not is a whole new challenge itself but I think it'd be interesting. I shall be giving myself an imaginary budget where I can choose whatever clothing I would wish to buy, the price will vary from shop to shop. I choose an outfit, and then blog about it. Seems simple enough.

Autumn is on it's way, although summer is still pushing through, so choosing outfits proves rather difficult as the weather is indecisive. This outfit is simple, the jeans make the statement and the top keeps it relax. I didn't want to through too many colours in together whilst having the jeans being a colour, although colour blocking has been in this summer I think burgundy doesn't fit into that group. 

Finding an ideal bag proved to be harder than expected, I usually like a big chunky bag in which I can fit my purse, phone, iPod, and SLR with any other items I need like a cardigan or jacket however I had to settle for what is a rather thing bag meaning my SLR would have to come apart if I fancied taking it out with me but I'm sure I can push around that. I wanted a nice pair of Chelsea boots to go with this outfit, but I think the brown on burgundy would of been far to close so settling for a wedge pair of shoes seemed good enough for me.

This outfit is simple, it can be worn to the shops, out for a meal with friends, or swap the shoes for a pair of loafers a quick and easy college outfit. Damn, I wish I defiantly wish I had £200 to spend in Topshop now.

Jeans: £40
Top: £28
Shoes: £70
Bag: £38

Total: £176

You could of done more

I may of gone a bit made with my shopping yesterday, however I am rather pleased with my purchases. (although it would be lovely to spend a bit more) I finally invested in a second bikini for my holiday meaning I won't go about just wearing one, I should try on the one from last year and see if I can squeeze my chest into it meaning I'll have three. I've also changed over my nose stud to a ring however it is actually MASSIVE and I need to get a smaller one so I look less idiotic. 

I also got an iPod touch 4th gen which is brilliant because I wanted one for ages but never had the money myself to buy it and didn't fancy asking my mum to, but my sister got to see Take That for free (she was meant to pay but it's been 7 months so I guess it's not happening) so my mum said she'd buy it as I was really dissappointed due to not going myself. She also bought me a Take That top which I love, however I do need to hide the "Progress Live 2011" as I wasn't there, ops. 

I'm going on holiday Saturday which means I have 1 day to get everything sorted, this is actually going to be my biggest challenge tonight/tomorrow/Saturday. Tonight I need to get any music I want onto my iPod, plan out the clothing I shall be packing, preparing my make up bag (what I can of it at least) and making lists. Tomorrow I'm going to get up at 8:00 and leave at 9 to go for a bike ride round to any charity shops I can find within my distance/range before heading to town to check out Primark and get a new nose ring at withit. Then I'll pop round to my boyfriends (by the way, if you like minecraft check out his youtube here as him as his friends are hilarious) come home and pack everything I want into a bag with the towels and prepare my little carry case bag. 

Also, what do you think of my new bedspread? I actually love it. Cannot believe I went into Wilko's to get a totally different bed cover and came out with this, however I much prefer it, mum also loves it because it means she doesn't have to iron it!

            Take That Tour                                                                                                          Primark

            Matalan                                                                                                                     Matalan

            Primark                                                                                                                     Matalan

            Primark                                                                                                                     Matalan

            Priceless (kids section due to tiny feet)                                                                     Primark

            Primark                                                                                                                 Wilkinsons

control yourself

I thought it'd be the best idea to take the long route to town so I stop in some charity shops and have a little mooch, turns out I only got 3 things. However, my favourite buy is the polka dot skirt and I cannot wait to have an event to be able to wear it out to. I like charity shops because it's my way of giving now that I'm out of school and unable to donate through that, seeing as college can't do "non-uni days" as every day is non-uniform.

I really like my maxi skirt, I've wanted to get one for so long but most are far too long on my body due to my height being a major issue, however if I wear it high enough it's not too much of a problem but I may have to secure it with a belt. I actually would love a black one, or maybe even a brightly coloured one. I think I need to invest in more tops though, or at least through out some of my lame ones which clog up my wardrobe and never get worn. 

I'm going to Centre Parc's with my boyfriends famalam on Friday, well his mother and her boyfriends children who I'm hoping I'll get along with however I do not know the ages or names... That's my first challenge for this weekend. Hopefully it'll be good fun and I'll have a nice time, even if it does result in ginger hair.

Red and yellow shirts £2, polka dot skirt £4 (charity shop), maxi skirt £12, pink top £8, pink jeans £10, striped vest £4, wedge cut out heels £12 (Primark), espadrilles (New Look)