Peeper Protectors!

The only glimpse of summer has probably just passed, but just in case we are lucky enough to receive some more sunshine, I think a spectacular pair of shades are to be prepared!

I don't currently own a pair of sunglasses as I never holiday anywhere hot, and the British weather only seems to demand a pair of solar shields for a couple of days a year. But the range of spectacles out there is just too tempting, and I really should protect my peepers from those harmful rays. So here is a round up of my favourite (affordable) sunnies.

(left to right)

Half Frame Round Sunglasses - Ebay £1.99

Bronze Round Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters £16

Milo Round Sunglasses - Topshop £12

Etched Frame Castro Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters £16

Half Frame Round Sunglasses - ZeroUV $9.99

Classic Retro Sunglasses - ASOS £12

I recently came across the the American brand ZeroUV and they have a huge range of amazing sunglasses and they're all really cheap. Unfortunately, the price gets bumped up with the additional cost of delivery, but to be honest, they're still a good price for a pair of sunglasses. Personally though, I could never buy a pair of sunnies without first trying them on.

There is quite a big focus on the 'steampunk' trend and although I really love this style of sunglasses, I don't want to look too 'pretentious' with my choice of shades. Another big trend at the moment in the world of sun goggles are the very extravagant, heavily embellished glasses, decorated with the likes of flowers and pearls. I must say these aren't to my taste, and I could never pull such a statement piece of eye-wear off, but if you can then go for it!

I wonder how many synonyms for 'sunglasses' I have used in the post. Have you got your peeper protectors ready for this summer? 

A little rant and a little tip

So my 17th birthday was way back in October, and I was very lucky to receive my provisional and all my driving lessons as a gift. There's no way I could've forked out enough money to pay for them myself!

But unfortunately I waited until about March before actually applying for my provisional. And since I don't have a passport (because my family seems to enjoy holidaying in cold, rainy Wales) the process took a lot longer. A photo signed by someone a) not living in my household and b) not related to me, two alternative forms of ID and about a fortnight later... I had my provisional. And yet still, being as angry at myself as I was for not doing this sooner, it took me until yesterday to actually get round to booking some lessons!

To be fair, I had a deadline for my Graphics and Textiles coursework that was consuming all of my time, and I still have an English Literature resit I am meant to be revising for, so the amount of time I had available to learn to drive was pretty limited. But now the deadline has passed, and my driving lesson's booked for the day after my Lit exam, I have to say that I am relieved that I finally got round to doing this. But I'm also fuming with myself, because in reality, had I started learning to drive right away, I would've passed my test by now! Actually no, in reality, my nervousness of facing the road would've meant I'd be in hospital by now after causing a huge pile up somewhere.

But regardless! My tip to anyone who is approaching the 17 mark: GET YOUR PROVISIONAL AND BOOK SOME LESSONS! Because you'll severely regret it otherwise.

JuJu for jellies!

I don't have much luck when it comes to buying new trends. One of two things usually happens to me; I impulsively buy the item either to go off it (insert picture of my dusty TOMS here), or find that the trend doesn't stick around for very long; or I wait too long to buy the item and I'm then put off ever buying it for the reasons stated above, and it turns out that the trend sticks around for ages!

Unfortunately money is always going to be an obstacle, unless I marry a rich man (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, please) so I can't afford to have every new trend. But hopefully I chose wisely to tap into the new trend of jelly shoes! I was desperately seeking a shoe to see me through the summer, so maybe these will do the job. I chose to get them in black because then they'll go with everything. I made the mistake of buying purple doc martens a few years ago only to wish now that I'd gotten them in black, so my new motto is 'better to be black than sorry'.

I'm very excited to wear my new JuJu Babe's. Hopefully my mother will be nipping to the supermarket today so I can tag along and use it as an excuse to flash of my new 'kicks'. Although my sister's confirmation is later today, I'm not sure if it's the appropriate occasion for jelly shoes. I've never been to a confirmation before. What is the dress code for this kind of event?

As usual when I buy a bit of a statement piece, I'm concerned that I won't know how to style these up. However I have looked around on lookbook for inspiration and they seem like they go with almost everything! But just in case any of you have the same concerns, I'm going to try to do a blog post on how to wear jellies soon, and maybe a review.

What are your opinion on jellies, love or hate? Have you got a pair of shoes that will be your staple piece through summer? Leave a comment.

My first look post!

The sun has finally decided to rear it's beautiful head and for the first time this year, I left my house without my big bobbly coat! Although the weather reached a pleasant 16 degrees today (yes, that's considered warm here in Britain), I decided to stick to mostly a black outfit.

This is my first look post, so I have no idea how to pose in front of a (rubbish iPhone) camera. I did my best.

My mesh crop top can be found at Topshop. I tried this on about a month ago and really liked it but decided not to buy it. But when I found it in the sale just a couple of days ago for £12 (down from £26) I couldn't pass up the opportunity. My bouclé shorts were originally from H&M although I snapped them up for 99p (£3.99 including shipping) on eBay. My shoes were also off eBay, originally from Topshop, I got these bad boys for £25. I love eBay. And the leather jacket from Peacocks I have had for years!

Black is my comfort zone, and although it usually looks boring, I like to think that my mix of textures and patterns spiced up the look a little bit. And even though black isn't typically associated with spring, I thought that my (too short) shorts and skin baring mesh top would make up for the lack of summer in my outfit today. And let's be realistic, it's not like the sun was going to reach any blazing temperatures today. You know the kind, when that black jacket suddenly turns into a back burning torture device.

How did you enjoy the gorgeous weather today?

Confessions of an eBayaholic

It all started approximately 7 years ago...

I had just started Guides and they were planning a prom themed party. I needed the perfect dress. My mother and I looked everywhere, then one day she logged on to eBay. Hundreds and hundreds of dresses appeared at much more affordable prices. I found one I liked then we waited till the last 10 seconds. 10, 9, 8... I remember it so clearly; 7, 6... I really wanted that dress; 5, 4... I prayed that my mother was the highest bidder; 3, 2, 1... SOLD! YOU WON THE ITEM! I screamed. And that's where I was first introduced to the God send that is eBay.

More recently I've become obsessed. Who can resist grabbing that top for £2.50 when it should have been £32? Sometimes P&P charges can be a bitch. You feel chuffed because you won a dress for 99p, but it costs you about £4.99 in reality. But who cares?

My dad. I'm not old enough to have a PayPal account so all my orders go through his account. Of course I pay him back, but he doesn't approve. I recently spent about £80 on eBay, for which I bagged four dresses, a shirt, two skirts, a pair of shorts and some Topshop Joni jeans. Not bad! But after that splurge I decided I give up on eBay for a while. But just a couple of days ago my watch list managed to shoot up to over 70 items again. I think I've relapsed.

Here are my most recent bargains:

Topshop Crop Top - £4.70 (including P&P)

I only got this today. Can't wait for it to arrive.

Topshop Button Denim Skirt - 4.99

I love this skirt, I wear it all the time now! It's a tad big, but it's fine with a belt on.

H&M Boucle Shorts - £3.99

These shorts are more like hotpants. I'm a bit concious of exposing my butt cheeks, but otherwise I really like them.

Do you use eBay? What are you favourite bargains that you've got?

Mint Madness!

Do you have an automatic response you tell people when they ask you a certain question, even though that response is simply not true? For example, when asked what your favourite film is you say Pulp Fiction, even though it's actually Toy Story 3. Well my automatic response is pink. As in what-is-your-favourite-colour pink. But I'd never wear pink, or have my room pink, or paint my nails pink. So why do I say it? In reality, I love mint!

I'm not talking about the mints you eat, or the adjective 'mint' - that only antique collectors use. I'm talking about that delicious pale green which wouldn't look out of place on top of an ice cream cone. I can't get enough!

The pastel trend is nothing new. It grazed the catwalks back in SS12, and now that spring is finally here again it's making a comeback! I'm a lover of all pastel colours, but mint holds a special place in my heart. As I'm typing this I have a mint polish on my nails (albeit very chipped), and sat right next to me is my phone engulfed in a (grubby) mint case. Although it's coming across that I don't look after myself and my belongings very well, the actual point I'm trying to make is that I LOVE MINT!

To celebrate all things mint, here are some of my favourite pieces in this fabulous colour:

Mint Mesh Overlay Mini Skirt - £38 - Topshop

Blouse With Double Collar - £28 - ASOS

JuJu Jellies 'Babe' - £20-£28 (stockists vary)

Topshop's Railroad Collection

If you're an avid follower of Topshop like myself, and find yourself checking their website at least once a day, then you'll have seen their railroad collection. All very 50's American inspired, with a mix of denim, lace and my favourite for this season; tea dresses! I can't get enough of this collection!

When I look at this collection, I immediately picture myself in the blue floral tea dress, with dainty trimmed socks and the white t-bar shoes, sitting in a 50's style diner, tucking into a monster of an ice cream sundae. The collection also has a western prairie vibe, from the more feminine lace pieces, to the array of denim, check shirts and bolo ties!

It's safe to say that I love every piece of this collection, and I think it really defines the style I am in to this spring/summer. Unfortunately  as with all Topshop clothing, I find them to be a tad overpriced, but hopefully I can afford splurge out on just a couple of items from the collection.

This was a very difficult decision, but here are my top 3 pieces from the railroad collection:

Lace Crop Top - £24

Cotton Circle Crop Top - £32

Molly T-Bar Geek Shoes - £35

What are you favourite pieces from this collection? Leave a comment below.

Am I missing a milestone?

Most of my thinking is done before I fall asleep at night. But the other night my body decided to wake me up at half past three in the morning, and I had a bit of an epiphany.

I want to go to a festival!!

I'd never thought about it too much. A few people I know are going but all my closest friends have opted against spending their summer in a nylon house and using dry shampoo rather than the actual stuff.

But it's an experience! And according to my 'peers' 17 is the year for festivals and 18 is for holidays! And when I go to uni I don't want to be the only one who doesn't have a rotting wristband still latched on their arm.

But how do people my age afford this!? I figured the answer was either they have a job, or very generous parents. And unfortunately I have neither. And I can assume that many other people are in the same boat as me, so how did they fork out £200+ to go?

And even if I could afford it, who would I go with? Everyone I know who is going to Leeds is coupled up, so I'd be third wheeling times 5! Maybe I could convince my own boyfriend to go?

Am I being silly? Is going to a festival that much of an experience that I can't pass through to adulthood without having been to one? I don't know, but am I willing to take that risk?