Last week I visited my friend on her year abroad in Seville (blog post on that coming soon!). We did some sightseeing at the weekend but it was extremely hot which made walking around a lot during the day quite uncomfortable and tiring and generally a very sweaty time. Hence why on the last couple of days we also did plenty of shopping as the stores were all beautifully air-conditioned and we were able to make our way down the main shopping street zig-zagging in and out of the shops - which of course meant I bought a few things.

First I got a few bits in Bershka, including this rainbow top with a tie front for €7.99. It's just really simple and easy to wear with denim shorts or jeans, I feel like a cool kid when I wear it. I've also christened it my 'Brighton top' because of the rainbow - I have a feeling I'll get plenty of opportunities to wear it when I move there for my Masters in September!

Also from Bershka I got this lip print top with the same tie front (also for €7.99) because I thought it was a really interesting print. I haven't seen anything else like it around and there's something about it that makes me think of high fashion??

I'm a sucker for anything gingham so I had to get this little black and white playsuit which was €14.99 (reduced from €22.99). This is an XS but the straps are still a bit too long so I'm planning to readjust them myself and I think it will be really pretty with some sandals and a brightly coloured bag.

In H&M I bought these patterned trousers for €3.99 (reduced from €9.99!). I'm a big fan of loose cotton-y trousers as I tend to just wear them casually around the house instead of leggings if I'm planning to stay at home all day. These ones are quite busy but will be nice with just a plain tank top or crop top.

Finally I got this simple black strappy top with a feather pattern, which was €4.99 (reduced from €9.99). I have a few of these H&M tops in different patterns which I wear all the time so whenever I'm there I check to see if they have any new colours or styles.

And that's everything I got!

I'm currently doing an internship with a planning company in the UK and while I admittedly have a lot of clothes, surprisingly little of it could be described as 'business attire'. After a rigorous assessment of my wardrobe I managed to pick out some suitable dresses and tops but I still needed some basic essentials to get me through the whole 8 weeks so I went out and ended up buying a few more dresses, a suit jacket, skirt and trousers and some tops. Luckily my workplace turned out to be more on the casual end of things (as in cardigans instead of blazers and flats instead of heels) but even so after the first week I decided I was in need of a few more items to avoid having to do washing every few days. The first weekend I was here I took full advantage of living less than 5 minutes from the shops and shopped till I dropped (and then came home for lunch and went back out again in the afternoon), and the following weekend I went to stay with my grandparents and did some shopping there. Basically I bought some stuff over the last couple of weeks and here it is, minus the first set of work stuff because most of it is in the wash. (Also there is a lot of non-work stuff here oops.)

Tops from Primark

I love this tropical print top (£6) - tropical prints are everywhere this summer, along with flamingos and parrots I've noticed, so this is just a really fun piece to wear. I also love dark florals so I'll definitely wear this in winter even when it's a bit off-season. The black top is exactly the same cut but a different print, I picked it up in the sale for £3 which I think is an excellent buy especially as I'll be able to wear both of these to work with some plain black trousers or a skirt.


Beauty and the Beast has been one of my favourite Disney stories since I was little as I always identified with Belle's bookishness, and I really enjoyed the recent live action film when I saw it in the cinema. I like how this top isn't obviously Disney or brightly-coloured with the characters plastered all over it, it's a lot more subtle but still has that reference if you know the story. The other top is just a simple strappy top and I always pick up one of these when I'm in Primark because they're so versatile and I wear them a lot.

Skirt from Primark & Top from New Look

Top and dress from H&M, top from New Look

This top (£5 in the sale) is just a simple cami but I have two others exactly like this in a tropical and dark floral print (do you sense a theme here?) that I've had for ages and wear constantly, so I know I'll get a lot of use out of it. Also its black and white which means it's formal enough to wear to the office if we get any more 30 degree heat over the rest of the summer. I also got this dress (£9.99), which is perhaps the most basic H&M-looking thing I own but hey, again it's black and white so I plan to wear this to the office and maybe to a formal at uni next year.

I also got some really cool pyjamas (which remind me of The X-Files) and a photo frame from New Look, and a red corduroy skirt and some jewellery storage boxes from Primark - not pictured because I bought them while I was at my grandparents' and left them there for my mum to take home next time she comes.

So that's everything I bought!

Also, just a quick note to say that I totally missed my 4 year blogiversary on 5th July - so happy 4th birthday to the blog!

x

 

 

So I'm back at university and although lectures don't start till Monday it feels good to get back in the swing of things. There's something about the walk into town on a crisp autumn day and seeing the cathedral tower rising up over the rows of houses that truly lifts my spirits, but it's also comforting to come back to a city I know instead of starting in a new place like I was this time last year. The major difference this year is that I'm living in a student house which so far has been a really lovely experience, it's so nice to have a big space to live in instead of a tiny room in halls - not to mention a pretty decent-sized TV and a lovely bathroom!

On the drive up my dad and I stopped off at Bluewater for a bit of a shopping spree and of course I bought a few things. Unfortunately the big H&M was closed for refurbishment and Forever 21 was 50% off the whole store (which sounds good but it was an absolute tip, full of summer stuff and impossible to find anything), but I still managed to spend quite a bit of time and money in New Look. I also got a couple of things in the H&M here in Durham so I thought it was probably time for another haul post, even though my last one wasn't too long ago.

Striped 3/4 length sleeve top from New Look, £8.99

Checked shirt from New Look, £22.99

Striped top from H&M, £7.99

Okay so I realise these might all look very similar but believe me, they aren't. The one on the left is from New Look and it's just a really nice super soft top with dark red stripes which totally match my hair now it's red again. It's one of those really easy to wear pieces that go with a lot of things so I'm hoping it'll become one of my wardrobe staples. The shirt is also from New Look and I really love it - you can't see too well on the photo but it has a sort of twisted fabric thing going on at the bottom so you can't wear it like a cardigan but it's another effortless top that I think will look so good with plain black leggings or jeans. Finally I got this red and blue striped white top from H&M because lets face it, you can never have too many striped tops! I tried this on with blue jeans in the shop and it looked so good as the blue basically matched, I had to get it.

Green corduroy skirt from New Look, £9.99

White trainers from New Look, £17.99

Black suede skirt from H&M, £14.99

Black bag from Forever 21, £7.50

The skirt on the left is actually a really dark green and I just fell in love with it. It was from the 915 section of New Look which I'm really glad I can still fit into (this was an age 12 lol) as the stuff from there is always slightly cheaper. I'd been looking for white trainers for a while but could never find quite the right ones, so I was happy to come across these in New Look - yes I know they're basic af but I need more practical footwear for the colder seasons, especially now I'm living so far away from where I have lectures. The other skirt is a lovely soft imitation suede material and I think it'll just be really handy and go with everything, plus I'll be able to dress it up or down. Last but not least, the bag was the only thing I managed to pick up in Forever 21 but it's really nice, it has two pockets which are just big enough to fit your iPhone in one and some money and your keys in the other so it's perfect for a night out (not that I do much of that) or just any occasion when you don't want to be carrying a big bag.

Lately I've been doing a bit of shopping in anticipation of the return of chilly weather and going back to university. Autumn/winter is definitely my favourite time of year to shop because I love winter dresses and thick cardigans and hats and scarves and wearing things with tights - it's so satisfying to add bits and pieces to my winter wardrobe. First I made a trip to my local H&M and then I decided to order some things off Asos, hence why the items here are in two currencies so I hope that doesn't bother you - I spend my life converting from € to £ and vice-versa so I hardly notice it any more! 

Mustard Checked Shirt from H&M, €14.99

I'm obsessed with this colour at the moment as I think it's perfect for autumn and I was actually on the lookout for the cardigan in this colour that I included in my recent H&M picks, but sadly no luck. I kept spotting something in the right colour and hurtling across the shop only to find that it was just a jumper or some other kind of top, and never exactly the cardigan I wanted *sigh*. But during the hunt I did come across this shirt which I really really like, it's super soft and made of organic cotton, plus I also bought some plain blue jeans (not shown here because I couldn't work out how to photograph them) which look amazing with this shirt buttoned up and tucked into them.

Plain White Top from H&M, €14.99

This is just a really simple (slightly creased) white top which I think will come in handy in all sorts of clothing situations. I bought it intending to wear it under the green pinafore (see below) but when I got it home I realised it would go well under dungarees, tucked into shorts or jeans or just with a patterned skirt - basically a super versatile piece! 

Striped Top from H&M, €9.99

I love stripes and especially striped tops as I think they're simple and classic and also so on trend right now. I especially like the colours in this one which, again, are perfect for autumn. The fabric of this top is amazing too, it's lightweight and stretchy and bouncy so I feel like it's also a really easy to wear item that could go with lots of things.

Sushi Jumper from H&M, €9.99

I couldn't resist this jumper because look at it, it has tiny sushi rolls with faces! My mum says it makes me look about fourteen but I am totally OK with that if it means I can wear a sushi-adorned jumper and wear it I shall. I think this would be nice just over jeans or leggings as a really cosy and comfy outfit. I also like that it's thin material because I'm quite sensitive to temperature and I get hot easily even in winter, so I usually steer clear of big thick jumpers.

Green Pinafore from Asos, £15

Onto the Asos purchases... First I got this dark green pinafore dress. I've been meaning to get one like this for ages but I could only seem to find denim ones so I was thrilled to come across this one. It's a really nice stretchy cottony fabric and it fits well (I had to put a ruler in the waistband to give it some structure for this photo haha). I'm planning to wear this with little stripy cropped tops or the plain white one above.

Striped Dress from Asos, £17

This isn't the most flattering dress in the world but I'm willing to bet it's one of the comfiest! It's a really nice cotton material and very simple in the shape and cut of it, so perfect for lounging around and just wearing with tights and trainer-type shoes. Also, stripes!

Space Pyjamas from Asos, £20

Finally I got this pyjama set which I LOVE to bits. At the beginning of the summer I treated myself to some really nice Disney princess (The Little Mermaid, to be precise) short pyjamas from Topshop and I've worn them all summer so I wanted to invest in a similar second pair. I love the slogan on this and the pattern on the shorts, it's very me!

Sleeveless dress, £24.99 // x

This dress is so simple and effortlessly romantic, I love it. It has a lovely old-fashioned feel and looks like something my grandma might have worn as a little girl growing up in the 1940s - in the best possible way, of course.

Embroidered dress, £24.99 // x

I'm a sucker for dresses with long sleeves and I wear them throughout the winter even on the coldest days. I sense a potential issue with wearing this dress with tights (dark tights under a light dress never looks good in my opinion) but I'm sure that could be got around - like with knee socks, for instance - and it would be totally worth it for the beautiful embroidered detailing.

Playsuit with lace, £19.99 // x

Okay so this does look kind of like (somewhat skimpy) pyjamas but in the vein of spaghetti strap slip dresses I'm sure you could get away with it as outerwear in hot weather. I really love the colour of this playsuit, I just wish I had the boobs to pull it off!

Embroidered blouse, £19.99 // x

This top is similar to the pink dress in the embroidery but I think the contrasting panel adds something extra and super cute. It makes me think of something a doll would wear, especially with the colour palette and little collar.

Dress in chiffon and lace, £24.99 // x

To be fair this has a lot in common with the first dress but again the contrasting detail makes it for me and it has the added advantage of little sleeves with delicate edging to make it especially charming.

Blouse with a lace collar, £14.99 // x

I think I'm right in thinking that this is what one refers to as a babydoll top - either way you've gotta love a little lace collar and bow detail. I think this would look really nice paired with a simple pair of light coloured jeans if you wanted to dabble in the lacy pastel look without fully committing to it.

Lace shorts, £19.99 // x

Perfect for summery days and garden parties, these shorts would add instant romantic factor to an outfit if worn with a simple cream or pastel top.

Suede ballet flats, £29.99 // x

Now I'm not gonna lie, I find these shoes a bit odd-looking but I think they would look a lot better on. Still, they definitely fit in with the style, what with the muted pastel colour and the intricate lace-up detail at the front.

Straw hat, £12.99 // x

I think this simple straw hat with a pretty ribbon would bring together any attempt to emulate this dainty, dreamy style while keeping the slightly period feel. Also it's practical and makes you look like someone who has their life together in the hot weather, score.

Fine-knit top with lace collar, £14.99 // x

For some reason I think of short sleeved jumpers as very 1950s but the contrast of the black and cream is oh so timeless and simple. This is a very versatile piece that could be worn with a variety of trousers or skirts to smarten up an outfit and give it a dollhouse feel.

Hope you enjoyed this little tour of another selection of H&M's current collection - I'm not sponsored I swear!

x

Patterned playsuit, H&M, £12.99 // x

This is so simple and summery - it makes me think of beach huts and evening strolls on the boardwalk and it also has some subtle nautical vibes. I would wear this with a brown belt, sandals and a straw hat and hopefully feel like a summer goddess.

Satin playsuit, H&M, £19.99 // x

This is obviously more of a dressy take on a playsuit but I think it's also quite versatile: you could wear it with heels and a clutch for an evening look or sandals and a beach bag for the beach. It's basically a LBP - little black playsuit.

Floral playsuit, H&M, £19.99 // x

I absolutely love the look of this and especially the shirt-style collar and sleeves. The pattern is so perfect for autumn with all the yellows and oranges and I think it would look so nice with my hair colour at the moment which is a sort of reddish auburn.

Embroidered high-neck playsuit, Topshop, £38 // x

I'm not sure why but I want to call this style a handkerchief playsuit - is that a thing or am I just making it up? Who knows. It's quite simple but the top and the fastening make it super summery and interesting and I love the detailing at the edge. The boho style means I would probably wear this for casual occassions.

Leaf print playsuit, Topshop, £36 // x

The last few times I've been in Topshop I've noticed a lot of stuff in this leaf print patter and I really like it - it's fresh and modern and just makes me want to test out its camouflage potential in a jungle.

Burgundy wrap front tie waist playsuit, New Look, £19.99 // x

This is another simple classy number and of course it's in my favourite colour. I would pair this with some chunky heels and a statement necklace to jazz it up a bit.

Floral lace-up romper, Forever 21, €24 // x

I couldn't resist including this because it's just so beautiful and delicate, which isn't a style I would normally go for but I really like it a lot. I think I would probably regret buying something all white because I would spill something down it within five minutes but it would be nice to start off with!

Scalloped crochet romper, Forever 21, €25 // x

I love this one to death and I would totally wear this with the hairstyle the model has because it's one of the only updos I do regularly. It's so sophisticated and classy but also just super chic and timeless, and of course you can't go wrong with another LBP.

V-neck denim cami romper, Forever 21, €14 // x

I actually have one that's very similar to this, it's the same colour and has white lace edging so in my opinion it's nicer but it was from Primark so that's debatable I suppose. I haven't worn it yet although I've had it nearly a year but seeing this one has just reminded me to get on and wear it while the weather is still hot and sunny!

And those are my playsuit picks! Which is your favourite?

x

It feels like it's been a long time since my last fashion post so today I decided to share my top H&M picks of the moment. It's a strange time in fashion because the shops are just starting to get their winter clothes in and there are tons of reds and greens and fur and pleather around, but at the same time summer's not quite over so you can find a good range of items in all sorts of styles. I actually threw a lot of clothes out at the beginning of the summer (we're talking like three black binbags full, it was intense) which was really liberating so I think it's time to invest in some new pieces for the colder seasons. To that end I was browsing the Divided section of the H&M website the other day and there were so many nice things I just had to share my favourites with you!

Top with lacing, £7.99 // x

I really love this sort of boho chic trend that's been in a lot of shops lately, and I think tops like this are the perfect way to embrace the trend without going over the top with the off the shoulder tops and floaty trousers. It's simple and classic and such a nice colour for autumn and winter - it would look great with just about anything, from black jeans to a patterned skirt.

Rib-knit cardigan, £7.99 // x

This is a really simple piece but the colour is so bold and bright, I absolutely love it. I don't think mustard yellow suits me particularly well but then again it doesn't look completely horrendous so I definitely want to get a few bits and bobs in this colour for autumn.

Ribbed top, £3.99 // x

Stripes are such a classic pattern and tops like this are so versatile: you can wear them with any colour and they look great with skirts and jeans. I think this one has a particularly Parisian vibe which I love, and you really can't go wrong with that price!  

Sunglasses, £6.99 // x

My current pair of sunglasses are also from H&M, they're round with mirrored bits at the top and I love them even though I don't think they suit my face. These ones, on the other hand, are a bit less round and owl-like so I think they might look a lot better.

Wool hat, £14.99 // x

I've definitely included a hat like this in a picks before and I LOVE how they look, but I still can't bring myself to go and buy one because I honestly don't know how often I'd wear it - I think it's more of a put-it-on-for-a-photoshoot type thing rather than an actual accessory, or at least it would be for me. Having said that, if I found a nice one for a good price (Primark, I'm looking at you) I think I might just have to get it.

Satin bomber jacket, £29.99 // x

Bomber jackets seem to be everywhere this season and while I don't think they're very me or go with my style particularly well I can't help myself from lusting after them in shops, especially super cool patterned ones like this. I think you'd have to keep the outfit underneath really simple, no patterns and just nice neutral colours because this really is a statement piece.

Loose fit trousers, £7.99 // x

I hate wearing jeans because I find them constricting, but that can be problematic in autumn/winter when it gets colder because there are only so many times you can wear skirts and dresses. So something like this would be ideal because they're a loose fit but also a nice wintery colour which makes a change from all the floral and brightly coloured ones you see nearer summer time. 

Printed tote bag, £3.99 // x

How cool is this bag?! Really really cool is the answer because look at that print. I actually have a top from New Look that's quite similar (I call it my witch top) and I wear it all the time because I love it so much. This type of bag is also so handy if you're just nipping to the shops or something because you don't need to carry a whole backpack or other big bag, you can just throw the essentials in.

Dress with lacing, £14.99 // x

This dress is one of my favourite colours and if you look closely you can see there's some boho lacing on the front which makes it a win-win. I think it looks a lot better on the model but it's basically just a really nice autumny dress - it reminds me a lot of a dress I had from Laura Ashley when I was about 8 or 9. 

Patent brogues, £24.99 // x

I really want to invest in some nice brogues this season because I think they're both practical and stylish which is the best combination when it comes to footwear, especially when you have to do a lot of walking which I will next year since I'm living about half an hour from lectures. I like that these ones have a slight heel as well as the light brown piping effect which means they're not too black, if you know what I mean.

Backpack, £24.99 // x 

Last but not least, this pleather backpack caught my eye. I have one quite similar to this already (which I bought at the beginning of uni last year when I realised my beloved Michael Kors bag just wasn't going to cut it) but after a year of use it's looking a bit worse for wear so something like this would be ideal to replace it.

And those are my top picks at the moment! Which is your favourite?

x

Earlier in the Easter holidays I spent some time staying with family in the UK and of course took the chance to do some shopping. Although it's quite different now as I'm living the UK most of the time so I don't need to take advantage of English shops in the same way, I live in a really small city where clothes shops are limited to a Topshop, a New Look and a recently opened H&M - oh how I long for Primark! So it will come as no surprise that most of this mini haul came from the Mothership (aka Primark) where I spent a grand total of £12.

Shorts, £6 from Matalan / Top, £2 from Primark (sale item)

This top is actually a size 18 can you believe it... Or at least that's what it says on the label (I have been a victim of Primark's mislabelling before) and there was only one on the sale rack so I had nothing to compare it to. But it really doesn't matter because it fits nice and loosely and in my opinion it's just such a staple piece for anyone's wardrobe. I picked up the shorts in Matalan as I really liked the pattern - I just hope these will fit as I haven't actually tried them yet!

Bag, £4 (sale item) and Shoes, £6 (sale item) from Primark

I'm always on the lookout for another little black bag and this one is a great size and shape. The clasp looks like it could break easily so I'll have to be careful with that, but otherwise this was an excellent find, in terms of price if nothing else! I'm mildly obsessed with these shoes for two reasons: first I have always wanted a pair of T-bar heels and I think they look SO elegant, and secondly they are instrumental in an Outfit Plan for my college summer ball - I'm planning to buy a 50s rockabilly dress off Amazon and do my hair all vintage and I'm hoping these will complete the look. I know they're not 50s per se, but for me they have something very vintage about them which is exactly what I need.

Faux leather jacket, £29.99 from New Look

x

Last Wednesday I took advantage of a brief lull in essay deadlines and general uni commitments to male the trip to Newcastle for an afternoon of shopping with a couple of friends. After two fieldtrips with my course since the beginning of the year it was nice to actually be able to explore the city a bit more without needing to complete any tasks or feeling guilty for stopping off in Starbucks. Although I was prepared to spend a decent amount of money (a pre-birthday treat to myself, if you will) we made the rookie mistake of going in Primark first (which has four floors!), after which everything else seemed too pricey and not worth the money.

I'm not exactly in need of clothes (I'm sure I could easily get through the rest of this term without needing to do any washing), but it seems I'm incapable of going into Primark without coming out with an armful of stuff - here's what I got:

Top, £4

I have about 5 tops like these from Primark already and I usually pick one up whenever I'm there. They're just so useful for tucking into skirts or wearing with jeans or anything else really.

T-shirt, £5

This top actually looks much nicer in real life, the border around the words is gold and it feels super soft.

Fancyish top, £8

It doesn't show up too well but this is a really nice shade of forest green. It's made of quite thick material so in my book this is a Fancy Top, which I'm thinking will create a smartish outfit when paired with jeans and a blazer. 

Top, £7

This is actually quite similar to the black one but it's much longer and has a kind of slit up the side. I wore this over black leggings the other day and it was a really nice simple casual outfit.

Pleated skirt, £8

I love this skirt a lot, I'm actually wearing it right now! It's unlined and definitely not the best quality but I can already tell it's going to be a useful little addition to my wardrobe.

Flip-flops, 90p / Necklace, £1.50 / Tights, £2.50

In a somewhat tragic incident the day before the trip my flipflops that I wear walking to and from the shower broke, so I picked up a really boring pair for 90p - they're suprisingly comfy though! The necklace is really lovely, it's rose gold and matches my watch which is always pleasing. I also picked up some relatively unexciting tights.

Shoes, £16

I very nearly didn't get these shoes but I'm glad I did because they're gorgeous. I'm sure it's all an illusion but they seem like really good quality and they're comfortable too (although I've yet to wear them properly). I'm thinking they'll be useful for those situations when you feel you ought to wear heels because the occasion calls for it, but you have to walk a bit and don't want to destroy your feet. Also I will probably just wear them on a daily basis.

And that's everything I got! I have another couple of potential hauls coming up but I feel like that's all I ever post on here so I might leave it a while ahaha.

x

I think H&M may as well just hire me to promote them because I seem to be doing a pretty good job of it lately! The January sales have started now but for some reason I decided to go shopping on the 30th of December, which actually turned out to be a good idea because it wasn't too busy and some things were already on sale. I only went to H&M in the end because I didn't have that much time and by the time I'd spent over an hour in there I decided I'd spent quite enough for one morning!

Aztec dress, €14.95

This dress is ridiculously flattering, it was one of those things where I tried it on and instantly felt like a model! It's quite trying on the eyes but the orangey tones complement my hair so well and the shape is a perfect skater style. The fabric is also really nice, it's quite thick so this is definitely a winter/spring dress rather than summer.

Flawless T-shirt, €5 (sale)

I remember trying this on ages ago when it wasn't on sale and really liking it, but for some reason I didn't buy it so when I saw it was on sale I just had to get it. Again the colours suit me really well and they go with a lot of my other wintery clothes. 

Printed top, €9.95

This top is made of the softest material ever, it's so comfy and loose and stretchy! So far I've worn it tucked into my denim button-down skirt and I think it worked pretty well.

Black turtleneck, €9.99

I don't know quite what I was thinking when I bought this because I've always kind of hated the feeling of turtlenecks, but it looked really quite fab on me so I decided to get it anyway. I felt super chic and Parisian wearing it!

Spangly dress, €9.99

I still can't get over the price of this dress, it's amazing! The dress itself is quite simple in shape but I think I could end up wearing it on a multitude of occasions, including formal dinners which I'm rapidly running out of things to wear for.

Spangly top, €3

Another bargain, although I'm not quite sure where I'll wear this. But who doesn't need a glittery gold top in their life?

Suede skirt, €19.99

This skirt is a beautiful colour and quite a lot lighter than it looks in the photo. I really have far too many skirts but admittedly none in this particular shape or colour, so it will make a valuable addition to my collection.

Layered necklace (left), €3

Choker, €1 (sale)

Charm necklace, €3

As I was on my way to the till I spotted the jewellery sale and ended up bagging some utter bargains! I really loved how layered necklaces look but they always seem so expensive so I thought this one was excellent for the price, and I also really like the choker on a velvet (!!) ribbon. The charm bracelet is adorable because you can mix and match the charms to create nice combinations, which is an idea I am a fan of.

And that's everything I got!

Earlier today I found myself idly scrolling through various clothing websites including New Look, Topshop, Forever 21 and finally H&M, where I found a lot of really nice and reasonably priced partywear. I've said it before and I'll say it again, H&M is so underrated - I always find amazing stuff there when I go, so I'm hoping to pick up some amazing bargains when I go in the January sales!

I love this sosososo much oh my goodness. I've been to a lot of formal college dinners this term and I never know quite what to wear over a dress when an actual coat would be too much and a blazer doesn't fit the style of my dress - this would be just the thing. Of course black would be a more practical colour, but I really like this shade of purple, it's gorgeous.

Admittedly this is quite pricey but I'm sure you could find something similar that isn't in suede. I don't know how practical it would be but I love the shape and the metallic studs and rope.

I spotted this and had a mild epiphany when I realised that a long blazer is precisely what my wardrobe is lacking. It would be ideal for making really boring outfits slightly more dressy, and just generally to get that effortlessly casual vibe down.

Would you just look at this dress, I mean what's not to love? It's full-on spangly so personally I'd probably only wear this for truly fancy events, but it's such a striking piece that is just crying out to be accessorised.

Sometimes you just need a really simple but fancy black top to wear with more exciting bottoms (such as the gold skirt). Plus this is so versatile, I would definitely wear this over shorts on the beach in summer!

Having recently purchased my first pair of non-black heels, I am feeling adventurous and I will totally buy these if I can find them in my size! I think metallic is definitely the way to go for parties, especially as it can bling up a more conservative outfit.