Only One More Sleep Til Christmas...

Merry Christmas Eve, everybody!

I hope you've all been having a lovely one how ever you've been celebrating or preparing for Christmas. 

A little Christmas miracle was performed this morning. I woke at 8am. Not only did I wake a full hour before the alarm I set, but this is the first time in a year that I've awakened before noon (except for those days I've had medical appointments)! I was determined to be conscious on Christmas Eve morning so I could enjoy the whole day, so I'm so pleased I managed it.

I made a point of dressing up a little, and even did my make up... it's been a little while since I've had a play with my Inglot palettes. I also straightened my hair, but then got soaked taking the dog to the vets for her post-op check up... My hair is in dire need of a dye, fringe-trim, and hair cut, so please excuse that mess hanging from my head. I have a rare outfit post for you!

I picked my black polka dot asymmetric Matalan dress from my Narnia porthole today. It's been a little while since I last wore it, and it's one of my most beloved frocks. It's so pretty and floaty! The waist is elasticated and I have room left in this dress to breathe, so it's very comfortable for lounging around in. The skirt is quite wide and floaty, but the shape seems to be a little exaggerated in this photo. I believe this dress was about £18 which is an incredible bargain for a beautiful dress like this one. I also have it in oxblood.

I dressed it with cobalt blue, as I've been loving black and cobalt together ever since I first tried my hummingbird print skirt with this cardigan. The cardigan was also from Matalan for just £10, and I've had so much wear out of it already. It's super soft, and has beautiful mother-of-pearl buttons on the front and cuffs. I had to get this cardigan in four colours. They're fantastic!. I love the Dorothy Perkins double keeper belt which I picked up last Winter, too. The colour and width is perfect.

I kept the outfit very simple, and just wore it with dark purple tights, my quilted heart-shaped chain bag, and a little robin brooch. I wore my quilted blue ballet flats when I left the house.

The brooch was from a set my Sister gave me for my birthday, and I think this little guy is perfect for the festive season. I'll be pinning him on my outfit tomorrow, too.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Matalan

Cardigan: Matalan

Tights: Evans

Bag: Topshop

Brooch: Cath Kidston

Belt: Dorothy Perkins

Do you dress up for Christmas?

Determined to stay out of bed and enjoy a 'normal' Christmas Eve, I spent all afternoon downstairs watching Home Alone 2, and slowly making desserts in the kitchen (with a little help from various family members). I fear I may have pushed myself far too far, but I think the extra pain was worth it.

How was your Christmas Eve?

I can't believe it's Christmas tomorrow! One more sleep!

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas. Have a few drinks for me!

I'll be back with another post soon.

Twenty Snoods

I was hoping to have an outfit post for you today, but I didn't wake up until 4:30pm, and since the light was already poor and I needed a shower first, it just wouldn't have worked. So, instead I've put together a post about snoods, and will attempt an OOTD tomorrow instead.

Over the last week or two I've been on the hunt for a new snood or two to see me through until Spring. My family keep rolling their eyes at me for purchasing things to wear outside seeing how I'm confined to bed and rarely have the strength to get down the stairs, let alone out the house. I, however, maintain that I do have to leave the house every now and again for medical appointments, and since I'm aiming to leave the house for a short while at least once a week for the sake of my sanity (when I feel up to shuffling about like an old lady), that I do need some things to keep me warm. I can't afford a whole new Winter wardrobe, but a couple of scarves and snoods can easily update some old outfits and can make all the difference in the cold.

 I currently own two snoods- a grey hooded knitted one I purchased from ASOS last year, and a purple polka dot one I got from Topshop this week, but I adore snoods (and scarves); I'm a little obsessed, so I'm not really sure why I don't own more. I think they can be a great statement piece, or perfect finishing touch to a lot of outfits, and there are so many different designs and patterns available which let your personality shine through. They're so easy to wear, too; like an instant scarf: ready to wear, just dress and go!

I've put together some of my favourite snood discoveries from a week of online window shopping.

1. Topshop polka dot snood £18.00

2. Topshop polka dot snood £18.00

3. River Island red waffle snood £15.00

4. Pieces (via New Look) red moustache print tube scarf £11.99

5. Accessorize pop leopard viscose snood £18.00

6. River Island sausage dog print snood (black/taupe) £16.00

7. River Island green heart print snood £16.00

8. New Look black unicorn print snood £7.99

9. Accessorize flock star snood £20.00

10. River Island cream star print snood scarf £10.00

11. Accessorize cami butterfly linen look stole £20.00

12. Accessorize leopard paisley woven snood £18.00



13. New Look grey and white aztec fairisle snood £9.99

14. Accessorize neon fairisle snood £22.00

15. Topshop studded grunge snood £18.00

16. Matalan chunky cable knit snood £8.00



17. ASOS textured knit snood £12.00

18. ASOS owl print snood £12.00
19. ASOS hedgehog print snood £18.00
20. Pieces (via ASOS) moustache snood £12.00

I came across hundreds of beautiful snoods, which made for difficult choosing. There's so much choice out there; so many beautiful colours, patterns, and designs! I was originally planning to buy the dark green heart print River Island one (no. 7), but after a lot of deliberating and procrastinating, I eventually bought the burgundy polka dot Topshop one (no. 2). There was something about the unusual colour combination of dark red and teal, and of course the polka dots, which stood out to me. I definitely made the right choice. I may pick another one or two up this Autumn; I'd especially like to add a thicker, wool knit version in to my wardrobe (no. 17 is beautiful, and no. 15 looks especially cosy). And I still adore the heart print one.  I love the daschund print scarf, but sadly my little Sister beat me to that one and bought it in taupe. Designs 1, 8, and 12 are also on my short list.

Which one is your favourite?

Have you embraced the snood trend yet?

The world passes by in my summer

What's a girl to do when Summer finally decides to make a comeback?

Wear yellow, that's what!

When I woke up, drew back the curtains and saw that it was such a gorgeous, hot sunny day, I knew I had to take the opportunity to wear this yellow dress again.

I really couldn't love this dress more. The dress is the perfect combination of polka dots and colour; a very Louise friendly combination! The skirt is lined and gorgeously full, and the fabric is so soft and comfortable to wear. It's currently in the AX Paris sale, along with the same dress in navy. Snatch one up! I couldn't recommend them more!

I started off wearing a white cropped cardigan over the dress, but I soon realised it was far too hot to cover up. I'm wearing white cropped leggings under the dress, and have accessorized simply with a turquoise belt, bangle, and a toucan necklace.

Dress: AX Paris

Leggings: New Look

Necklace: Accessorize

Belt: Dorothy Perkins

Bangle: Topshop

Nail Polish: Barry M Racing Green

I love wearing yellow. I'd wear it all year round if I could, but it generally only works on me when the sun is shining, so I'm going to have to give the colour plenty of wear before Autumn.

I ordered the yellow AX Paris bird print zip front dress last week, so hopefully it'll be another sunny piece to add to the summer rotation.

Do you wear yellow when the sun is shining?

Go fish!

Deciding I valued the ability to breathe over a pretty tea dress,  I returned the lovely swan print Dorothy Perkins dress I showed you a couple of days ago, and after a little online browsing, I bought a dress from AX Paris instead.

I'd been admiring this fish print dress for some time, and when I discovered it had gone on sale, it didn't take me long to make it mine.

Although, I was worried that it wouldn't be a good dress for me; that the shape wouldn't suit me, and that it wouldn't be long enough (as I'm not comfortable with showing much thigh), but, as I love the print, I thought it was worth the risk.

And it was.

The dress was delivered this morning. I have to say AX Paris provide such fast and reasonably priced delivery compared to most. They charge £2.95 for standard delivery, and each time I've ordered from them, the parcel has arrived within two days. I wish every brand was so efficient!

I love the way the dress sits. I sized up to make sure that the zip sat properly and didn't want to 'gape'. The fabric is thinner than I was expecting; but it's so comfortable and soft, and glides nicely over my curves without clinging. I'm also happy with the length, as it's just about long enough for me to wear confidently, and the fish print makes me smile.

Fish print

Topshop studded slippers, and assorted beaded bracelets

I think this dress will be a fun one to dress up or down. Today I've worn it with black leggings; studded Topshop slippers; and a load of black beaded bracelets to give it a bit of an edge.

Dress: AX Paris

Leggings: New Look

Shoes: Topshop

Silver and black bracelets: Gift from a friend

Grey stone bracelet: Next, a gift from a friend

Assorted black beaded bracelets: Dorothy Perkins (part of a set)

I attempted to cut my own fringe last night, and didn't do a good of it. That's what happens when you've got poor eye sight and an unsteady hand, and attempt it at 2 in the morning. I never like to trim my own fringe, but have had to resort to it a few times as I've not been able to go to the hairdressers in nearly seven months. It's funny that I miss these little pleasures. I also miss wearing make up, so decided to apply a little eye liner and blusher today.

I managed to get my hands on a few magazines yesterday. I bought Look, In Style, and Cosmopolitan.

The July issue of In Style comes with a free mascara or two eye definers from The Body Shop. I went for the eye liners (which are in black and navy and retail at £16 together) as I already have so many mascaras. I'm wearing the black in today's photos.

The August issue of Cosmo has a free Missguided nail polish with it. I came home with the hot pink shade called Misstify (although each copy in the Coop had the same colour, so I didn't get to choose) and applied it to my toe nails last night. It's easy to work with, and the colour sets nicely.

The view from my bedroom window yesterday evening

Oh, and I hear through the grapevine that it's meant to be summer right now... but I don't think England got the message. It poured relentlessly yesterday evening. I haven't seen so much rain since 2007 when there were floods all across the country. (You can tell I'm English as I feel the need to chat about the weather). I actually love rain and listening to it drum against the windows. When it rains like this, I always want to go for a walk, and get soaked.

Surely I'm not the only one?

Talkin' about butterflies (and worries) in my head

Me again,

Back to share today's outfit with you all.

And yes, I did just quote Crazy Town. Oh the shame. Moving on...

I had an overwhelming urge to wear this floaty tunic that I bought last Spring, but which so far was yet to see the light of day. The tunic is so pretty, but it's another case of my lack of self-confidence with my legs. This complex with my legs stops me flashing even a small amount of thigh outdoors.

Of course, I'm stuck indoors and not going anywhere, but it's even had me debating whether to post a photo of the outfit to share with you as I hate my legs so much. I created this blog to help with my self-confidence; to get over these complexes, so I will blog about it... but please be kind.

The tunic is so soft and layered, and has a monochrome floral pattern all over it mixed with lots of colourful butterflies. I love the longer delicate sleeves, as they hide my arms without needing to cover up with a cardigan. Today I've worn it with a necklace of keys; a bracelet with jewels in peacock colours; a pair of purple rose earrings; and I feel as it's such a romantic fabric, that my quilted heart-shaped bag would work nicely with it.

I have a little bit of an obsession with keys. I picked up this necklace in the London Heathrow branch of Accessorize before I jetted off to the States last summer.

I've had this bracelet for a couple of years, and I love the mixture of colours and textures.

This bag was picked up on a day-trip to London a couple of years ago. I almost got crushed in the Oxford Street Topshop trying to get to the till to buy it as it was packed full of tourists.

The shot of my ear only reminds me how desperately I need to dye my hair. Unfortunately, it's no easy feat for me right now, as I can't sit up for long enough for the colour to set.

And, for no particular reason, here's a little sneak peek at part of my dressing table...

Tunic: New Look

Leggings: New Look

Earrings: Accessorize

Necklace: Accessorize

Bracelet: Dorothy Perkins (I think)

Bag: Topshop

I already know what my addiction is...

So, I've been trawling the online stores today, pinning clothes I like, and generally just falling in love with everything I've seen. Why does this always happen when I have no money to spend? I can go in to shops and find nothing I like when I've just been paid, but when I'm skint I want everything! I've got a lot of favourites to share with you all; I hope you don't mind!

The item right at the top of my wish list, is the yellow polka dot dress from AX Paris. I love yellow clothes; the colour is an instant mood lifter, and in my opinion, I don't own enough yellow garments. I'm trying so hard not to buy it with my overdraft... it's not easy to resist! I love it in navy, as well, but I do already have several navy polka dot dresses. The ASOS shirt dress has also captured my heart.

I'm blaming Rachel entirely for this one and will hold her responsible for the big chunk of money I will end up spending with Dolly Darling when I get paid next week! I'd never heard of the range before, and after seeing Rachel's purchases the other day, I clicked on the link and almost passed out with excitement! The quirky jewellery is totally me, I would happily wear all of it. These are my favourite pieces, and I especially have my heart set on the windmill necklace. I can't wait to treat myself to a few pieces!

I'm also loving Dorothy Perkins new arrivals- how cute is that zebra necklace? It would go perfectly with my giraffe pendant from Accessorize!

I'm still in love with the Accessorize purple saddle bag, and think these other bags are beautiful, too. I love all things nautical and am always drawn towards anchors like on the Topshop one.

The gorgeous dresses in Dorothy Perkins just keep on coming. My new favourite is the blue floral one (top centre), and I do intend to make it my own soon. My parents let me order the palm tree print one to put away for my birthday next month, as I've been admiring it for ages and there was a promotion on at the time. I hope it fits!

I'm also eyeing up these trousers and leggings. I'm lacking separates, and especially love the middle pair.

I love the variety of on trend styles that New Look has to offer at the mo. As you've probably noticed; I'm a sucker for prints and colour. I love the zig-zag dress and all the chiffon skirts in gorgeous brights and pastel colours they have right now.

Matalan doesn't have the most visually pleasing website, but when I look past all the boring basics, I can always find a few gems hidden between them. They have so many cute summer dresses, and at such low prices, it's hard to go wrong! I'm in desperate need of a few basics, and there are so many cute, inexpensive cardigans and t-shirts available from them, too. The t-shirts would be great for those dressed down days, and you know I can't resist a polka dot!

I'm also loving these dresses and jumpsuits from River Island; all so different but all so pretty! My favourite piece is this palm print cardigan, but it's quite expensive at almost £50!

With some funds coming in soon, and a birthday next month, I'm hoping to treat myself to a few of these pieces soon. 

Which are your favourites? And what are you lusting after?