My First Pay-Cheque: Haul

After a couple of weeks of saving I decided it was time to finally splash some cash and treat myself to lots of new pretty things; in the words of Georgina Sparks, "I've been so good for so long, it's time for me to be bad."

So, with my wages safely deposited in the bank and my debit card in hand I made a beeline for Topshop, Zara and Urban Outfitters. I have to say, I was left largely disappointed with what was on offer in some of my most trusted stores. No one wants to pay £48 for a plain knit jumper, or £52 for a skimpy playsuit. Topshop, Urban Outfitters; shape up or ship out! As for Zara, everything in their collection was gorgeous but I'm simply not brave enough to invest in floral print trousers or a chiffon blazer.

However I have apparently taken a liking to plaid, unwittingly purchasing two items in the pattern before getting home, taking them out the bag and being asked "What are you, a farmer?". 

I also made an obligatory pit-stop at Primark to see if I could snap up any bargains and ended up buying more there than anywhere else. I love this bag; I know deep down that it won't last the Winter but how could I resist such a gorgeous cobalt blue? I won't try and defend purchasing such a basic t-shirt, or another set of cosy socks... or the Christmassy penguin-print pants that I thought best not to photograph. 

Last but not least I scoured Boots for two items on my beauty hit list; Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter and Barry M Gelly nail varnish. Thankfully I found them both or else there would of been hell to pay after my less than satisfying shopping trip.

I headed home feeling a little deflated, sort of like I'd waited all day for a delicious roast dinner only to be left disappointed by soggy veg and dry meat. With only ten items purchased and less than a week's wages spent I vowed to go on another filthy great shopping spree before Christmas. 

Until then, here are some pictures of what I bought:

My Hair Routine

One fateful day in 2009, I grew bored of my long, poker-straight hair and begged my hair dresser to do whatever it took to breathe some life in to it. However as soon as the final snippet of hair floated to the floor, I regretted my decision. Sure, thanks to my new layers I became the proud owner of beautiful curls and waves, but they came at a price... I was now also the not-so-proud owner of a rather offensive bob-cut. 

It may have taken four painstakingly long years, but I have finally managed to grow it back out to its original length, whilst maintaining it's new-found texture.

 Me and my hair have been on quite a journey over the past few years and I have learnt a lot about how to care for it from the many tellings off I received from my hairdresser, but I have finally got myself in to a routine that leaves my hair healthy and happy; so here it is!

I wash my hair everyday; I know people say that you're not supposed to do that but the only way I could avoid getting my hair wet in the shower would be to wear a shower cap, the thought of which makes me shiver. I condition my hair everyday but only shampoo it every other day, because shampoos strip the natural oils from your hair and can leave it feeling dry. 

Denim Dreams

Skater skirts are my go-to item; whether it be red velvet or adapted from one of my mum's old maternity dresses, with braces attached or with swans on; I'll wear it. They're versatile, appropriate for every season and occasion, and can be styled in a thousand different ways. However, despite my apparent fetish for them I have never been the owner of the most infamous of them all; the denim skater skirt. I have coveted one for years, but I could never quite bring myself to part with nigh on £28 for something so... simple.

A few days ago, my grandma brought round a bag of old clothes for me to dig through. As well as discovering some rather cute vintage jumpers and blouses, I pulled out an ankle length denim skirt. It was as if all my prayers had been answered; I immediately grabbed my scissors and sewing machine, and embarked upon a merciless denim massacre. An hour later the skirt was 10" smaller, 15" shorter and with fresh elastic in the waistband. 

Feeling ecstatic about my latest creation, I decided to wear it out that evening and couldn't resist taking a few snaps of how I'd chosen to style it. However, with this being my first outfit post I was rather nervous about taking and posting these photographs and thus used my artistic licence to ensure I captured a sense of the outfit without having to inflict my face upon you all. 

Do any of you also have a love affair with skater skirts? Or any item of clothing? If so, how do you choose to style them?

InstaDiary: Week 5

Closest thing I can find to my name on a Coke bottle | Pub quiz (we came 3rd... out of 6.) | Yummiest chicken and bacon salad | New Vans | Hot chocolate in my favourite Harry Potter mug | Interview outfit... | ... I got the job! | Gromit hunting | My first wage packet!

Autumn Styling

I did one of these posts at the start of Summer, and what with it being the start of Autumn I've decided it would be fun to do one each season (kinda playing it fast and loose with the word "fun", there). 

I'm pretty sure if my mum saw this post she would weep tears of sorrow at how many black pieces I'm coveting at the moment. I realise I've just made her sound a little racist, but the majority of my wardrobe is black and grey and she has spent the last six years begging me to "wear some colour". I think the mint green jumper is the only splash colour of colour needed for this outfit, thank you very much mum (she says whilst realising it looks like something someone might wear to a funeral). 

ANYWAY, I like it and I hope you do too. What trends or pieces are you liking this season?

KJ xo

Full Swing Maxi Skirt - Nasty Gal, $68.00 // Knitted Bobble Stitch Jumper - Topshop, £36.00 // Imitation Leather Bag - H&M, £19.99 // Bleeker Spike Chain Necklace - Urban Outfitters, £18.00 // MADHATTER Metal Trim Boots - Topshop, £40.00 // Crochet Lace Frill Socks - ASOS, £4.00 // Big Floppy Hat - Topshop, £28.00

Hunting for Gromit

I'm not really sure why, but every year in Bristol some artists decide to paint some things and then they get displayed in some places for some time and some people like to try and find them all. Last year it was gorillas, this year it's Gromits. With me and Joe embarking on our gap year and his younger sister about to go back to school, we decided to take her out to enjoy the last dregs of Summer and help her bring her total of uncovered Gromits from fifty-two to sixty. (There's eighty in total but one of them is in London and ain't nobody got time for that.)

Despite what I may have previously said about the idea of Gromit-hunting making me want to gouge my eyes out, it was actually a lot of fun. There were eight Gromits located in the city centre, and so it was actually quite pleasant to take a leisurely walk around town to visit them all. Each Gromit is decorated in a unique way; some, such as Gromit Lightyear and Grosmos were super sassy, others such as Lancelot could have tried harder. 

If you want to read more about the Gromit Unleashed project, click here.

(I noticed when looking through my photos that I am wearing the exact same Topshop skirt and Urban Outfitters jumper that I have been wearing since Christmas. Can I still call myself a fashion/beauty/lifestyle blogger?)

InstaDiary: Week 4

Waffles with ice cream at the Cider Press | Giving my dungarees and outing | Cuddling my new baby | Cute birthday present wrapping | Cookie dough | Massive excitement at my new felt tips | Reminiscing on the first photos I took two years ago with my SLR | Fun times on my sewing machine | Lady Gaga "Born This Way" face paint.