Festival Fever

Summers nearly here and everybody's talking about which festivals they're going to be attending, except little old me. I havent been to one since 2008 - shame on me, and I was doing so well at rocking out at Download Festival for 5 years on the trot. Then uni happened and being on a fashion design degree doesn't leave much pounds in your pocket, combine that with rent and my u̶n̶n̶e̶c̶e̶s̶s̶a̶r̶y̶  completely necessary addiction for buying clothes and I was practically on my arse (no exaggeration!).

It was only today on the drive home from work with the sun blazing through my car windows that I thought why aren't I going to a festival this year? I mean this is the girl that bought 3 kimonos in one day yesterday, its like I've already told myself to start preparing my wardrobe! Plus I am all about the music, festivals are pretty much my natural habitat. I love the atmosphere, the fashion, the buzz and the all together out doorsy feel of everything. Its amazing how for a few days you are all joined together living this amazing experience. 

This trail of thought got me thinking, I never really do anything anymore. I mean sure I socialise, go out for nice meals with my boyfriend and visit the beach etc.. but I don't do anything big. It made me sad when I realised this, life is so short and there are too many opportunities out there to just sit back and watch the world go by. I don't want to be the person reading about everyone else's wonderful experiences anymore, I wan't to be the one experiencing them. So this has prompted me to "get out there" more and try out some new things! Unfortunately to do this I will need to put a spending ban in place (I'll let you know how this goes) and save save save! (I spent way to much money in H&M & New Look yesterday - woops!).

Below are a few images I found on pinterest, tumblr and weheartit that I found inspiring in a bid to kick start my new "get out there" plan! Wish me luck!

(All images were found on weheartit, tumblr & pinterest)

Hope you liked this post, please share any adventure ideas if you have any! I would love to hear all about them :)

Personal Style Inspiration

Recently I have had a bit of a fashion block, my wardrobe has started to become what I call "safe". I admit I sway more to the dark scale of the colour wheel so have a lot of blacks, greys and blues in my wardrobe.
As I have previously mentioned I used to be a bit of a 'goff' and never really felt that comfortable wearing colour after that - talk about colour phobe!
Last week I stepped out of my comfort zone and bought a pink coat from Missguided, I was so excited that maybe I was breaking the curse of the goth. Alas it arrived I put it on and it just didn't feel right - it wasn't the right shade of pink either (Yes there is a right shade of pink). I felt rubbish, I had seen so many bloggers looking lovely in their pink coats, why didn't it look nice on me?
The truth is to someone else it probably did look nice on me, but when I looked in the mirror I saw who I was and realised that it just wasn't me, and thats ok. Not every style/colour that's out there is going to suit us all. I think its important to experiment and step out of our comfort zones, but its also important not to get lost on the way, and I wasn't about to wear a coat that didn't feel me for the sake of fashion.

Nowadays all you have to do is turn on your computer for inspiration, or scroll through your instagram feed. I am an avid instagrammer and pinner, and love nothing more than researching the latest fashions. I mainly look to bloggers for inspiration over celebrities as I feel I can relate to them.
So with all this inspiration floating about why on earth would I have a fashion block? Well the whole pink coat fiasco stumped me. I wanted to experiment by trying out different styles and colours instead of the same basic one-tone clothing I always wear (FYI - Faded black jeans, black top, check shirt) but felt it was a lost cause. Since finishing university and moving back home I had got into a mega style rut, I thought by researching other peoples styles I would find the inspo I needed to inject life back into my wardrobe. Unfortunately I was wrong. Sometimes I think you can consume too much inspiration to the point where it just becomes overwhelming and you sort of forget what your own style is ending up with a load of clothes that your never going to wear.

So as I felt like I was becoming in danger of losing my own personal style and wasting money on pieces that just weren't 'me'. I decided to start a Polyvore (yeah I don't know where Iv'e been either) to help me recognise my style again and it has really helped.  Below are a few of the outfits I have put together which reflect my own personal style.

 

"Laid-Back" (click for outfit info)

"Leather and Stripes and all things nice" (click for outfit info)

"Street Chic" (click for outfit info)

"Summer Monochrome" (click for outfit info)

"Festival Vibes" (Click for outfit info)

Music has always heavily influenced my fashion choices, the leather jacket being my staple piece as a nod to the rocker in me. I always feel like an outfit isn't complete without it! Everyone has a staple piece, and once you find it its easy to build the outfit and show your personality through your clothing.

"Style is a way to say who you are, without having to speak."

                                                                          - Rachel Zoe

I still find inspiration through bloggers etc... but I have remembered how to put my own spin on things again. As for the colour issue, I branched out and bought a slightly colourful floral shirt from Topshop the other day which looks perfect with my leather jacket slung over the top! And the pink coat? Well that is being returned today without any resentment, in all fairness it made me realise I was in a style rut and brought me back to who I really am - amazing how a simple pink coat can change so much... hmm maybe I should keep it after all!

I hope this post wasn't too heavy! Please leave a comment if you have ever had a "pink coat" fiasco, I would love to know I am not alone!

Spice Up Your Life

Left to right: New LookWhite Platform Gladiator Sandals // River Island Black Cleated Sole Sandals // Topshop Fang Double Buckle Flatforms // La Moda Black Chunky Buckle Sandals // Hologram Chunky Sandals // Fabienne Leather Mesh Sandals // Spy Love Buy White Flatform Wedges // Vagabond Dioon Sandal // Topshop Fernando Chunky Sandals

Seeing as summer is just around the corner I thought I would do a little post on sandals, not just any old sandals - chunky ones.
When I was about 11 (we're going back quite a few years now!) I found the most amazing bright blue platform sandals in New Look. This was when I was massively obsessed with the Spice Girls to the point where my entire wardrobe looked like I could be mistaken for the 6th member of the popular 90's band..... just kiddiiiing!
I thought I looked really cool, but in hindsight my ridiculous stick insect legs made me look like a giraffe with blocks of wood stuck to the bottom of my feet. Maybe now that I've got some extra padding on my thighs with some added cellulite these shoes could actually work for me.

I'm really loving the vast array of sandals out at the moment, so many different styles and colours to choose from and I want them all! I have chosen a selection that would suit all different tastes and styles. If your a sporty kinda gal then the Vagabond Dioon Sandals would be perfect teamed with some plain black joggers and a white boxy tee for a chic minimal look, or wear the La Moda chunky buckle sandals with a bright kimono, denim cut off shorts and your best sunnies for a festival look! Alternatively if your still channeling your inner Baby Spice then the white platform gladiator sandals from New Look would look super cute with a baby pink co-ord!

 Unfortunately this new chunky sandal craze is not ideal if like me your wardrobe space is limited - do Ikea even do space saving solutions for chunky sandals?! Probably not. I will just have to limit myself to a few of these beauties so that I can pretend to be a 90's Spice Girl wannabe again!

Halloween Trend Inspiration - Spooktastic Picks

1. Skeleton Body Con Mini Dress // 2. Burgundy Creepy Burntout T-shirt // 3. Knitted Pumpkin Face Jumper // 4. Pumpkin Face Crop Tee // 5. Glow In The Dark Gloves // 6. Bat Print Mini Skirt // 7. Bat Clutch Bag

The day dedicated to remembering the dead is nearly upon us, and the high street is embracing this spooky holiday with lots of Halloween inspired fashion. These are my top spooky picks, my personal faves being the bat clutch, the pumpkin crop tee and the bat skirt! I'm not sure if I will be going out on Halloween this year, but these pieces definitely inspire some costume/style ideas!

I love this time of year, especially dressing up and carving out the pumpkin! My Mum has never really been a fan of Halloween so I didn't really get to celebrate it much when I was growing up, although she did help me dress up as a witch for a party when I was about 7 years old which was fun. I can't wait until I have kids of my own, will definitely be spooking my future house up, baking scary treats and throwing Halloween Parties!

What do you guys most love about Halloween?

AW/13 Punk Trend - Top Picks

1. Dog Bite Dress // 2. Gem Stone Spike Necklace // 3. Eyelash Knit Jumper // 4. Split Leather Skirt // 5. Tartan Backpack // 6. Check A-Line Skirt // 7. Cut Out Ankle Boots

As someone who used to be a bit of a goth and rock the tartan kilt skirt and chunky new rock boot look a lot I am loving this modern take on the punk trend. This time round it all feels alot more grown up and cleaner if you get me (I don't mean to say I spent my youth always muddy, sweaty from gigs yes but never muddy!). 

Back in the day it was all about safety pins, badges and anything spikey. I have grown up alot in my style over the years but I'm still a sucker for anything spikey and leather esque!

1. Above are my favourite pieces that I have come across whilst doing some online window shopping, I have infact bought the Dog Bite Dress (Couldn't resist!) I paid the full price for it and then it went in the sale the next day - bloody typical! So I bought the sale price one and I shall be returning the full price one. Unfortunately when I tried to link the dress I found that it was no longer available so check on eBay!

2. I need this necklace in my life, I've got a massive thing for statement necklaces at the moment, I think they just complete a look and give it a bit of extra wow factor! The bigger the better I say!

3. With the cold days finally settling in this eyelash jumper from River Island would be perfect for layering over shirts, teamed with leather skinnies or the tartan and leather A - Line skirt above!

4. I've always had a bit of a thing for a chunky metal zip, again relates back to the goth days. This skirt is just perfect but at £198.00 I think I'm going to have to find a cheaper alternative! - Sorry Allsaints but that is not within my price range! *Sigh*

5. I'm seeing alot of green tartan about at the moment, which is a nice change to the classic red, I love this backpack from ASOS, perfect for keeping bits and bobs in whilst being bang on trend!

6. Argh, I can't even explain how much I want this skirt, its even better in real life, but unfortunately I can't justify spending £42 on it. Might have to get the sewing machine out and whip up a copy!

7. Really need to get round to buying the Jeffrey Coltrane / Balenciaga cut out dupes, everybody and there dogs will have these by now, and soon they'll be all over Primark too, thats when you just know that EVERYONE will have them.

So theres some of my fave picks, what do you guys thing of the Punk trend? Are you loving it or hating it?

Fresh Starts And New Beginnings

Hi, Im Vicky a 27 year old Fashion design graduate from, actually I'm not sure where I'm from lets just say I'm hanging about at My Mum's in Devon for the time being after living in Manchester for the last 5 years.

This is my second blog but I chose to delete the old one as it had alot of old memories which I no longer deem relevant to my life now.

Recently the life I had known for the last 5 years came to an end, two major parts of my life just gone like that. One of them was a relationship which had consumed me for so long, and I didn't realise until I finally ended it that actually it was all very controlling, and I spent alot of that time blaming myself for things that actually were never my fault. Since then I have grown so much, I got back to being the old me with a  little bit of shiny newness - and honestly despite the fact that I have no idea where I am going with my life or what I'm doing I have never been happier.

The other major part of my life that ended was my Fashion design degree which took me 5 years to get through (including a year out). "Get through" I sound like I hated it, well I kinda did, more of a love hate thing, it wasn't so much the course it was me, I just could never put my all into it due to the fact that I got very poorly for the first 3 years of my degree, mainly due to the stress from the course so I guess it was partly the course! (Whoever says Fashion is an easy subject does NOT know what their talking about).

I never actually thought I would see Graduation day, it kind of felt like it was so far away, but boy did it come around and hit me in the face quick. It was the proudest day of my life, and I had to stop myself from crying a few times. Mainly because my relationship ended when we were set our FMP, and I nearly fucked it all up, but somehow I managed to carry on with the help of some amazing friends and a little bit of willpower.
The funny thing about it all was that my collection actually nearly got into LFW,  and it was then that I stopped and realised you know what I want this, I really want this. Over the years of the course my passion slowly dwindled but after I had proved to myself that I was independent again and I never needed the previously mentioned relationship I got my drive back, I felt alive again, something inside me told me to dream bigger, and that all those times I felt I couldn't do something I was very wrong.

I guess you could say I came out of 2 5 year relationships, a very liberating feeling, in all honesty it felt like a prison sentence, but now that I am out of "jail" for a crime I did not commit I am so ready for whatever the future holds for me, whatever that maybe.

I realise this is a bit of a heavy introduction, but for me this is all very relevant as this blog will be about my transition from my old life to the new, I want to document my progression, the journey into the unknown.
I want to feel like I have somewhere to go when I'm feeling uninspired so this will be my creative outlet - my little bit of escapism from the real world.

I hope you will enjoy reading this blog as much as I will creating it :)

Recent Purchases - 90's Grunge

1. Pork Pie hat 2. Peace Ombre Cropped Top - Topshop 3. Grey Studded Sleeveless Top - Ark 4. Spike Rings - New Look 5. Lipsticks (Brighton Rock & Pillow Talk) - Topshop 6. Sleek blush in coral - Superdrug

So it has been a while since I have posted, unfortunately alot of drama has gone down in my life which led me to move out of my shared home with my fiance into my friends house and then back home to the Motherland. Cut a long story short I couldn't hack living in Manchester without my fiance and just needed to go back home and sort myself out before returning to uni for my final year (eeek!)

Anyway! I am all good now, and back to my spending ways (despite the fact that I should be saving) above is what I have bought over the past few weeks.

I am loving the whole grunge revival, I haven't seen that look since I was back in college (a LONG time ago), but I'm glad its come back around again. The high street is offering some awesome pieces at the moment which I cannot get enough of!

1. I have been after some form of black hat ever since re-watching the 90210 series (had some serious Ivy/Gillian Zinser hair/wardrobe/Surfer skills envy) I think they just complete an outift, they make it look edgy and stylish.
I saw this pork pie hat pop up on the "New In" section on Topshop & new I had to have it, mainly because I like pork pies lol. Unfortunately I ordered it online & it is slightly battered as they don't seem to package their hats well! Tsk! Im debating whether to exchange it for the bowler version I saw in Topshop today hmm decisions!

2. I'm a bit late on the whole "peace" wearing trend, I don't usually like wearing what everybody else wearing at the same time but loved this top enough to give in to the hype! It looks great with high waisted denim shorts, its just a shame september is now here & I probably won't get to wear it unless my some miraculous miracle we get an indian summer.

3. I love love looooove this studded sleeveless top from Ark. They always have such nice pieces for reasonable prices. Im going to wear this top with EVERYTHING!

4. Being an ex goth I have always had a thing for spikes. And now that they are main stream fashion its hard to not buy every god damn spiked thing in site! I picked up these rings today, I have seen alot of these style of rings floating around tumblr and weheartit and had a look in Topshop but there just to expensive, thankfully Newlook saved the day at £3.99 for the spike cluster ring & £3.50 for the trio set of spike rings.

5. Been after a new colour of blusher for a while now, this is a lovely colour and different to my usual pinky choices. (I will be doing a make up review shortly)

6. These lipsticks have been allover the bloggersphere so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and see what all the fuss is about! I bought Brighton rock & Pillow talk, both are gorgeous colours and really moisturising! I can't wait to wear them out and about.

What have you guys been buying recently? And what do you think of the whole 90's Grunge revival? I would love to hear your thoughts!

So thats my haul guys, sorry again for being gone for so long, I move back to Manchester on Friday (which i'm pretty excited about) so I will have lots to blog about again :]

P.S So sorry about how my images have turned out, I am still trying to get to grips with my SLR.