Polka Spots and Love Hearts

Morning folks,

I was going to ask how your day was going, and wish you a great day, but then I remembered it's Monday and how everybody universally detests Mondays, so I thought I'd keep my mouth shut...

How about an outfit post, instead?

Another polka dot dress, I hear you say? Yes, you would be right! I purchased this little beauty from Rachel's sale blog at the end of last week, expecting a lovely dress, but I didn't think for a moment it would be so perfect. Granted it's a little big in places, so I've cinched it in at the back, but it's the perfect shape and style. It's fitted perfectly on top, with comfortable sleeves (sleeves!), nips in at the waist, and flares out at the hip; a mix of a tea dress and shirt dress. I feel so comfortable and feminine in this dress! It reminds me a little of a dress my Mum had when I was growing up, and also of Liv Tyler in Armageddon. I actually can't believe this is a Tesco dress! I'm so in love with it!

I wore it bare-legged around the house on Saturday as it was so muggy. Ordinarily, I would wear something like this with black or coloured opaque tights, but I can't cover my feet with socks, shoes, or tights until my toes have healed. Although, I'm positive this dress will make another appearance, restyled with tights, at a later date!

I kept the accessories simple, and went for a classic black and red theme. I picked out a few simple red pieces; my Cath Kidston rose bracelet; a pair of red lips earrings from Camden; a heart-petalled flower ring from Evans; and added in some pink in the form of my new Flower cameo brooch.

I was browsing on Etsy last weekend for accessories, in particular for cameo brooches, when I came across this little brooch from a UK company called The Devious Owl & Pussy Cat. I thought it was adorable so I snapped it up before I had time to change my impulsive mind. It was just £2.00, and shipping was £1.90, so it was a bargain. It does look quite cheap, and the glue is visible on the back where the pin has been glued to the cameo... but, that can't be seen when it's pinned to clothes, and overall I love it. It's so kitsch and tacky, but oh so cute!

I was playing around with my new Zatchels barrel bag with this outfit, which finally arrived on Thursday, thirty-six hours short of a 10 week wait! I'm not going to talk about this bag today, as I plan to do a separate feature and review of it this week, but I like how it looks with this dress. I think I'll be using this bag with the dress a lot!

Outfit Details

Dress-Rachel's Blog Sale (Tesco) // Bag-Zatchels // Bracelet-Cath Kidston // Ring-Evans // 

Earrings-Berty and Gerty // Brooch-The Devious Owl & Pussycat via Etsy //

I really am so pleased with this dress, and more so because I got it for just a few pounds! I know it's going to become one in my regular rotation. Thanks, Rachel!

Have you ever bought something from a blog sale, or an auction site such as eBay, which turned out to be one of your best ever purchases?

Fabulous Little Known Shops and Sellers

Sometimes I like to wear fashionable pieces which can't be found on every high street in the country. I've nothing against mass produced fashion at all- obviously I frequently shop from well known brands, it's just I don't want to turn up to a gathering or night out and see six other girls wearing the same dress with the same necklace as me. Nobody wants to feel like a mannequin in a high street window.

Granted my personal style is a little different to that of the average small town girl, but I still enjoy scouting out unusual pieces to accessorize with. That's just who I am. I love to wear quirky jewellery, especially pieces I know nobody else I know is likely to have. I usually head to Camden to source some rare handmade gems, but I also take advantage of the Internet, too.

And today, I've decided to share a few of my new favourite online shops with you lovely lot. Well, it would be rude to keep such lovely things to myself now, wouldn't it?

Enjoy!

Ali Buttons Jewelry

I stumbled up on Ali Buttons' shop after seeing photos of her wearing amazing quirky outfits on my Tumblr dashboard. I loved her style, so I hopped on over to her blog to follow, and discovered most of the clothes she modelled were for her shop! Obviously, I couldn't help myself and had to have a look, and immediately fell in love with everything.

 She sells plus size skirts made from the cutest, quirkiest patterns, which I long to purchase (and hopefully will in time), and also a great range of jewellery from gorgeous adjustable button rings to cardigan clips. Basically, I would own it all if I could!

Sweet and Lovely

Sweet and Lovely is an online shop ran by Kate of Scathingly Brilliant, which is another wonderful blog I found through Tumblr. Her vintage-inspired, pastel loving style clearly influences the jewellery and other products she makes, and they're all, well, sweet and lovely! I adore her sweater clips, which I plan to investigate further by purchasing one when I have the funds. I can't help thinking how perfect they'd be with my yellow polka dot AX Paris dress in spring and summer!

Flapper Girl 

I became aware of Flapper Girl a month or so ago, and am smitten with their 'Lady Ties'. They're inspired by actresses from the 1920s and 30s, and come in so many different patterns and colours. The above are a few of the ties I love, but there are many equally beautiful others to choose from. They're designed to be worn under collars, and I think they're an amazing way of completing an outfit. I hope to purchase one or two soon.

Kitschen Sink

I discovered the Kitschen Sink shop after Rachel blogged about her Bambi skunk brooch a few months ago.  Kitschen Sink sell some amazing kitsch accessories, and these brooches are my favourites. They're handmade by Rowan Grant using pages from damaged vintage books, and are all one of a kind- and not to mention, utterly adorable, too!

The Nearsighted Owl/Femme Club

I've been following The Nearsighted Owl blog for a few months now, and not only do I feel inspired by Rachele's posts on body positivity and fatshion, but I've also fallen in love with the crochet collars she's started making for her Etsy Shop. I have a soft spot for collars right now and these two have to be my favourites. They look so soft and vintage; and would look perfect over dresses, cardigans, and tops. She has many others for sale, so head over and have a look.


Well, I hope you've enjoyed this post, and I hope you'll check out a few of these great online shops. They really are all too wonderful to keep to myself . I'm pretty sure I'll be making a few purchases when my Christmas shopping is all done.

Have you shopped from any of these shops before?

Can you recommend an Etsy or other online shop I might like?

Wish List Wednesday

Evening everyone,

Over the last couple of weeks I've been trying to look for ways to improve my blog, and I've been brain storming away while I've been off the radar. I've been thinking about topics I could post about on a regular basis along side my outfit posts, and one of the ideas I have is to post a weekly round up of the items at the top of my shopping wish list... oh so "creatively" named 'Wish List Wednesday'.

I'm aware that it's not an original idea; it's a feature seen regularly on most personal style blogs, and I've done my fair share of them in the past, but instead of just putting together posts on things that have caught my eye from each brand every once in a while (which I will still do), this will be a weekly feature about the things I've set my heart on buying.

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Wednesday seemed like a good day to review these favourites since I get paid on every other Thursday. So, without further ado, here is my first Wednesday Wish List.

1. Dark Green Thin V Neck Cardigan from New Look.

This cardigan comes in a rainbow of colours but this gorgeous dark green one has caught my eye most. If you ask me there aren't enough green things in the fashion world. I layer cardigans over almost everything- dresses, jeans, skirts, jumpsuits... and need some new long sleeved ones to wear this Autumn/Winter. Dark greens are set to be big next season, and at £12.99 this one is really reasonable and won't break the bank.

2. Lush Eye Liner in Fantasy

I've made it my mission to collect the new range of Lush eye colours after falling in love with my first purchase a few weeks ago. If you've been following my blog for a few weeks you'll already be fed up of me rabbiting on about them, but they really are fantastic. The colours are vibrant, long lasting, and nourishing, and the colours have won me over. I want this gold eye liner to wear with the green I purchased last week.

3. Mocha Floral Border Prom Dress from Dorothy Perkins.

I've been eyeing up this dress all season, and think it would be the perfect dress to wear for Autumn. The brown print would be a lot softer against my pale skin than black, and also a change from all the bright colours I tend to be drawn to. It's also on sale for £22 now with a further 20% off.

4. Wide Fit Studded Slipper Shoes in purple and black from New Look.

I've loved the studded slipper trend which has been around all year. I already own a pair of the Topshop ones, which I love but because I've got really wide fit (I blame my Mother!), they are a little tight across the widest part of my foot. So when I came across these New Look ones a week or two ago, I knew I wanted a pair. They're far more subtle and understated than the Topshop ones, but I think they'd look good with a pair of jeans or jeggings when it gets colder. My only problem is choosing which colour to go for! Maybe for £17.99 I could buy both?

5. H&M Blouse in Dark Green.

Yes, I still have my eye on this blouse. I can't help loving a blouse in such a beautiful shade of green! I have so many possible outfit scenarios in my head- it would work with several of my skirts, over jeggings, perhaps with my red or cobalt jeans, even under a dress or two. I'm not usually a fan of blouses, but this one is stunning.

6. Raspberry Bird Cage Print Dress from Dorothy Perkins.

I've been admiring this pretty dress since it landed online a month or two ago. I love the rich shade of dark pink, and the print, and love the idea of wearing such a warm colour on frosty Winter days. I am a little disappointed that it's made from Polyester, but I may be able to look past that just this once...

7. ASOS Skater Dress in Spot Print with Lace Hem.

I came across this dress today, and have fallen in love with the polka dots and the lace detailing to the hem. It's gorgeous, but at £40.00 I'll probably wait to see if it comes down in price first.

8. Ruby's Closet Leopard Print Zip Dress from New Look.

Yesterday I discovered that New Look have added some of AX Paris' lines under the name of Ruby's Closet. As you know I love my two zip front dresses, so coming across another in leopard print made me stop and take notice. A good design for A/W, perhaps?

9. H&M Ballet Pumps in Dark Green and Bright Blue.

I really love the variety of colours in the range of H&M ballet pumps, and how they're so inexpensive- at £7.99 why stop at one? My only concern is whether or not they'd fit my monstrous feet.

10. ASOS Cream Shirt Dress in Cotton Embroidery.

This dress has been in the sale for a while now, and I can't help returning for another look every now and again. I'm drawn to little details like the broiderie anglaise and scalloped detailing on this one. I can't decide if the colour would wash me out, but I could always dye it a different colour.

11. ASOS Textured Bow Collar.

I love me a pretty collar, and this one would be perfect for restyling a few old or basic tops.

12. Models Own WAH Nail Transfers POW from ASOS.

I'm always on the look out for new ways to brighten up my nails, and really love this set of rainbow polka dot nail wraps. They combine two of my favourite things- polka dots and colour!

13. Oasis Cameo Stud Earrings from ASOS.

These little rose cameo studs are gorgeous. I really have a thing for cameo jewellery, and these would be a lovely addition to my collection.

14. Holly Trill Illustrated Bunny Rabbit Brooch from Etsy.

After seeing Nita of Pashteit wearing this brooch in one of her recent outfit posts, I fell in love with it. I love bunnies; I've been a bunny owner for over ten years, and am sure I'm going to be a crazy bunny lady when I'm old and grey. Some people are cat ladies, I'll be a bunny lady. So, it didn't take me long to fall in love with the brooch and I know I have to have one.

and last but not least...

15. Yenzi Owl Across Body Bag from Accessorize.

Isn't the owl bag amazing? Well, I think it is! I think I'm a little obsessed with incorporating animals in to my outfits. I don't set out to do it, but they always win me over. This bag would make a good day bag for those casual days.

Have you got any of these items on your own wish lists?

Which is your favourite?

As always, thank you for reading, and thanks for all your lovely comments recently. I don't say it enough. x