Find me a millionaire...

I suck. It's final year, I've been slacking on my blog. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry! I don't even have time to write one now, so what I do have for you is a little piece I wrote to slot into my magazine for uni. I hope you like it, here you go xxxx

I’ve been watching Millionaire Matchmaker. It is a terrible, trash TV programme in which matchmaker extraordinaire Patti Stanger sets up millionaires with dates. She’s good, you’ve got to hand it to her. She’s genuinely awful to a lot of the people (millionaires included!), but somehow what she says is gold. So one of her tricks is the “five non-negotiables”; you have to pick five things that you want to find in a partner and if you meet someone who doesn’t fulfil your non-negotiables, then you need to say goodbye. I’ve decided that I need to come up with my own.

I am perpetually single. I may sound like I’m being melodramatic at the age of 23 but my last serious relationship ended two and a half years ago and I am yet to find anybody that I am remotely interested in. My first problem is that I’m a mature student. I walk into the club on student night and think, “oh my god, everybody is 12”. They’re not obviously because that would be illegal, but they’re 18 or 19 and that makes them around 5 years my junior. It is not a pleasant thought. I kissed an 18 year old on a night out a few months ago and afterwards I immediately felt like I should be arrested for molestation. This leads me to non-negotiable number 1: must be age appropriate.

I’m bossy. I’m not being self-deprecating I’ve just always been bossy. My little brother used to say it; at the age of 21, he still does. My ex-boyfriend used to say it, and we’re no longer together so obviously that was an issue. My old boss even picked up on it once in a review; I told her that if people did what they were supposed to then I wouldn’t have to tell them to. My point is that I know what I want and I’m not very flexible with it. This is perhaps a personal flaw that I should attempt to reign in but I’m never going to be a doormat. With this in mind, non-negotiable number 2 is that I need somebody who is laid back enough not to mind that I am a strong, opinionated, BOSSY woman, but that has enough backbone to tell me when I’m being ridiculous.

At 5 feet and 7 inches tall, I’m hardly an Amazonian woman but seeing as the average woman is 5’4”, I am on the taller side. Most men do not want to be towered over by their girlfriend, and I do not want to lean down to kiss my hypothetical boyfriend either. When I put a pair of high heels on, I’m pushing 6 feet and with the average man being 5’10”, I might as well be gargantuan, but I have no desire to give up my heels. A tall guy can make me feel small, feminine, and safe, and so it may seem silly but being 5’11” and over is not negotiable.

My friends are oh so important to me. The person who said that “friends are the family you choose” could not have been more right. I am not naïve enough to think that it is possible for everybody to get along; I myself have friends that I love more that life itself but who I still manage to have the occasional homicidal thought about. That’s life. I do however believe that patience and kindness can go a long way when you’re trying to get on with others. Non-negotiable number 3 means that I need somebody who is patient and kind enough to make the effort to get along with my friends, and who is happy for me to spend time with them.

Untidy is not even the word to describe the way that I am. I think if you saw my floordrobe, you’d be forgiven for thinking a small tornado had whipped its way through my bedroom. I have far too many clothes, shoes, beauty products, accessories… But that will not change. I’m a fashion student and these are the things that make me happy. While boys are out spending money on computer games, cars and watches, My happiness lies in the cardigan from River Island that cost £55 but has cost less per wear than the £12 shirt I bought in Primark, and the high heels that are beautiful but still manage not to hurt my feet. Non-negotiable number 5: happy to put up with my spending habits and the mess that ensues because of it.

So there you have it, my five non-negotiables. All I need to do now is find a man that is all of them. Shouldn’t be too hard right?!

Disclaimer: Patti also asks who your celebrity crush is. If Ryan Goslings twin is out there-the non-negotiables are going out of the window.

Celeb Spottin' 'n' Street Stylin'...

Okay, I need to start with a huge apology for being totally MIA for the last goodness knows how long! I've nearly finished university-aaaaaaaargh! I bought the tickets for graduation today, scary stuff huh?! So I don't have huge amounts to tell you as uni life is a busy one at the moment, however, I've got a few photos to share with you so hopefully you'll enjoy them...

I went the the Burberry A/W '13/14 show at London Fashion Week because I was lucky enough to get one of the five tickets my University had to offer. It was extremely exciting, I must say-Anna Wintour was sat in front of me! Eeeeee! Here's a few celeb snaps I took...

It's Anna Wintour!!!

How tiny is Olivia Palermo?

Tinie Tempah was almost as excited as me...

Kate Beckinsale and her daughter.

Anyway celeb spotting aside, I've got my Final Major Project left to do and because I'm apparently insane, I'm making a book of street style photography from some of the most fashion-forward cities in Britain. So last week I went to Edinburgh and tried to find the best dressed out there. It was cooooooold but thankfully the Scots seem to be warm blooded because hardly anybody was wrapped up and hidden away. I thought you might like to see a few of the snaps I managed to get hold of...

I loved how effortless this girl looked.

I just had to find some tartan in Scotland!

She knows her way round a neutral palette.

 I just loved her! She's so cute!... Definitely didn't follow her for 10 minutes so I could catch her when she was off the phone...

I know this post has been full of pictures and slim on the content but I promise when I next come back to you, I'll have some serious passion behind whatever it is I feel you need to know! I'll leave you with a final few fun pictures from my Edinburgh trip which have nothing to do with fashion (especially considering I've got bed socks on with my Converse in one of the pics!), but hopefully you'll enjoy them nonetheless!

 We stayed in a wigwam, it was awesome!

 This is definitely not me in Ikea in a basket of fur throws...

Highland cow.

I don't do drugs, I do shopping...

I'm having a crap day guys. You know when you have a day when you just can't seem to snap yourself out of it regardless of how much chocolate you ingest or angry music you play, and a cuddle just won't cut it? I've had a productive couple of hours on my dissertation and now I'm having a break.

So I thought I'd share with you what I've bought this week, because shopping makes me happy. It makes me less happy when I realise I'm a student and I haven't ended up with enough money for food, but happy nonetheless! I don't know what it is about buying new clothes; knowing you've got something you know you'll wear a lot, getting something that simply looks pretty, or even just thinking that if you spot that guy you fancy, he might just notice you in your new shirt. Whatever it is, I swear they should bottle the feeling and sell it-somebody could make a bundle. Anyway, don't judge me on the volume of my purchases, just be happy for my happiness, ok?

Puchase 1-Underwear
I seem to be spending a lot of time in La Senza lately. I don't know what drags me there but what I do know is that if I've got some pretty lingerie on, I could be wearing a brown paper bag and I'd still feel like I'd made an effort for the day! I have actually bought another set since this one but it's new stock and not up online yet. Normally I go for dark colours, but hey, it caught my eye, what can you do?

Lightly Lined Demi Bra - La Senza - £10 (Sale)

Purchase 2 - The Pinafore Dress
Yeah so I bought the leather look pinafore dress that I blogged about the other day, and bought a top to go with it. Oh Miss Selfridge, what are you trying to do to me? I'm not gonna lie, my friend Jim asked me if I was aiming for "Gimp at Oktoberfest", but I can't expect the boy that does Chemistry to understand why I love the leather look pinafore dress. I don't think I could explain it to him if I wanted to, I just do. Sometimes that's the thing with clothes, you just want it, just because. I'm OK with that rationale.

Cream Victoriana Tee - Miss Selfridge - £26
Black Coated Pinafore Dress - Miss Selfridge - £42

Purchase 3 - The Midi Skirt
This one's a bit unexciting but I've wanted one for ages and just not found one that I like: The black midi skirt. This one's double layered so it's warmer and less likely to show off your knickers-both a win. I want to wear it with oversized shirts, baggy tees, peplum tops, crop tops... I could style this bad boy with pretty much anything. The only issue is, it's a no-go area for flat shoes. I'm long legged but flat shoes with this skirt still make me look about 4 foot tall, so heels it is. On the bright side, you're pretty much OK with any heels too. Versatility baby, it's definitely my friend.

Black Double Layer Tube Skirt - Topshop - £20

Purchase 4 - The Alphabet Shirt
Now I bought the skirt when I was staying at a friends house and had very few clothes with me (I packed for the 2 day trip in 5 minutes when I was hungover), so it only made sense to track down a top to wear with it! Normally I find Primark abhorrent. It's not that it's cheap or that I dislike the clothes, because to be honest, it's not bad; it's simply the jumble sale vibe about it all. It makes me want to run screaming and find myself a nice, organised store that doesn't keep clothes in piles of complete disarray. However, we were on the hunt for a pair of tights, so off to Primark we went and to my wonder, the place was tidy, you could see the clothes and I couldn't spot a single item on the floor! Which is when I came across the alphabet shirt that I'd already spotted on llymlrs.com and at £12, could I go wrong? Pfft, no. So here it is, modelled by the beautiful Lily Melrose herself.

Alphabet Shirt - Primark - £12

Purchase 5 - The Denim Dress
Purchase 5 was an accident... What I mean by that is that I spotted it when leaving the shop and made the mistake of thinking, "I'll just try it on, it probably won't even suit me"... And now I'm £45 lighter, although it's alright because I really do like it! Over the next few months I'll be wearing a long sleeved top underneath like a mum in the 90's, but then in summer, a cropped tee or nothing underneath. I think it'll be a good transitional piece. Plus, cute belt right?

Light Acid Wash Sleeveless Denim Dress - River Island - £45

So that's it for the week... I've probably forgotten some stuff but it's probably better that way - wouldn't want you guys thinking I've got a problem... You know, like I don't have an financial advisor, that kind of problem. On the bright side, I feel better now, I hope you can find the same solace in retail therapy as I do - we might save the economy. You never know!

From Paris With Love...

Miss Selfridge have just released their latest collection for S/S '13 and oh my goodness is it cute! It's called From Paris With Love, naturally, and it is just full of the cutest cat printed tees, pastel colours, and all things pretty and girly. I've got two of my friends birthdays on the immediate horizon, as I mentioned the other day, and I'm in need of some new outfits; some of these are perfect. I've selected a few of my personal favourites from the collection but go check it out yourself because it's full of sweet little gems.

The Spotted Pinafore Playsuit - £39

This is top of my wishlist. For a start, the pinafore top is so on trend. Remember wearing pinafores and dungarees when you were about six years old? Well they're back with a vengeance and they're cute. I love the culotte-style shorts of the playsuit, they're so wide that people will assume you're wearing a dress so it keeps it girly. The waistband is tight so it'll prevent you actually looking like you're wearing your childhood pinafore and give you some curves. I'll be wearing it with a plain, fitted, white T-shirt and oodles of gold jewellery-who's coming back to the 90's with me???

Nude Lace Insert Shirt Dress - £39

I feel pretty, oh so pretty and witty and bright... Sorry, I was just getting a bit carried away with how, well, pretty, this dress is. It's so perfect for so many occasions. Dinner with your boyfriends parents? Check. Graduation? Check. A family wedding? Check. I could definitely go on. It's prim and proper so it should keep kitting you out for those occasions that are not quite ball gown appropriate, but definitely not going out dress appropriate. The black lace inserts stop the dress from being overly summery, which is great, because our weather just really does not seem to be improving. Team it with a pair of black mary jane's and some delicate drop earrings and you're all set.

Navy Printed Shorts - £32

More of the culotte-style shorts I've been raving about! Now I love a pretty, flippy, A-line skirt but occasionally it's just far too windy. All of us have had that heart stopping moment when we've accidentally shown our knickers to the world, which is never nice, regardless of whether or not you've remembered to put your good panties on today (although that is a small mercy sometimes!). The wide leg on culottes is super flattering, making your legs look slimmer, and the high waist should highlight the small areas of your body. Add a lightweight shirt with collar-tips and some smart ballet pumps, and you'll come over all Parisian.

Now just quickly, I must just add another Miss Selfridge item that is not part of the From Paris With Love collection but I'm just kind of in love with it...

Black Coated Pinafore Dress - £42

Like I said earlier, the pinafore style is going to be everywhere this season (I nearly just wrote "all the rage". Apologies. I was clearly having a senior moment!). Leather look items are making the crossover to spring, which unusual because it's normally such an autumn/winter fabric, but I'm not complaining. Now I've already seen one of the shop assistants in my local store wearing this and it just looked amazing - who knew pinafores could be so hot?! I'll be donning a long-sleeved, electric blue tee underneath, and I'll be whipping out my knee-high socks and wedge trainers-let's go retro!

Quickly before I go I will ask you, if you haven't already, to please fill out this survey for my final year dissertation. I'll love you forever! ;) http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8STB9PY 

Happy hunting! <3

Case study: blogger 'til I die...

It's that time in my university final year guys; the skies are grey, books are being thrown across rooms and panic is a familiar feeling that tends to reside in the pit of my stomach. There's something absolutely petrifying at the prospect of 3 pieces of work effectively determining whether or not you manage to procure any kind of gainful employment when you are thrown out into the real world... Actually, there's everything petrifying about it! So if you could spare what I promise you will be less than 5 minutes of your life, to fill out my little survey, you could save me just the tiniest bit of relief from the pain-causing, vomit-inducing headache that is a 10, 000 word case study, and I would very much appreciate your 5 minute sacrifice with every fibre of my being. <3

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8STB9PY

http://profalbrecht.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/study-tips-from-memes/

Almost Twins...

Just a quickie-I've been doing a bit of shopping research seeing as I have not one but two friends birthdays coming in the next two weeks! So, in the process I came across two practically identical skirts and thought I'd save some of you fashionistas a few bob...

This one's the Topshop version, coming in at a mid-level £35; not bad but...

Welcome to the Missguided version, at an extremely reasonable £16.99.

Don't get me wrong, I am a Topshop girl through and through; I could probably start my own Topshop store with the amount of their clothing currently taking up residence in my wardrobe. However, I'm a firm believer in saving money where you can and this is almost twenty of your English right here-that's several bottles of wine! I'm sure there are a few differences in quality, but when it comes to items like this that will inevitably have had their full wear in a few months, or even weeks, save what you can and keep schtum.

I won't tell if you don't ;)

Snow days, snow problems...

So there's snow everywhere and unless you live in the country, you probably don't have a pair of wellies hanging about for these extreme weather conditions. Fear not though, Office have every kind of wellington boot you could possibly need (and in some surprisingly stylish prints too). I've compiled my favourites for you to have a cheeky peek at and get yourself geared up for snowball fights, walking the dog, or just trying to get to the corner shop!

Joules Evedon Welly - Navy Rubber - £75

Now how cute are these babies?! With the red bow and the gold trimmed Joules plaque, they're all about being girly, but the navy and red keep them from going over the top. If you want a ladylike welly, this is what you need.


Hunter Original Welly - Red Gloss - £85

Everybody knows, if you're in need of a quality but fashionable pair of wellingtons, it's all about the Hunter boots. These red ones are so statement but the primary colour means you don't have to be too out there. The gloss effect also has some serious appeal!


JuJu Chelsea Welly - Glitter Rubber - £28

Let's face it, everybody gets a bit melodramatic about the snow-nobody can drive and everybody stays in ("just in case")-but really, it's never that bad. So if you don't fancy faffing about with a full length welly, why not try these? They're on trend, not too hard to put on and take off, but will still have enough grip to stop you from ungraciously sliding onto your bottom! Plus, who doesn't love a bit of glitter?!


Joules Millie Welly - Pink Rubber - £33

If you don't fancy spending £75, these Joules wellington boots are less than half the price of the knee-highs but still with enough length to keep your feet perfectly dry! I don't know what's gotten into me today-I seem to have come over all hearts and bows, but I think these fuchsia pink wellies are just adorable! A pair of skinny jeans and a chunky knit and I'd be happy as Larry in these!


So, get yourself kitted out-there's simply no excuse!... Don't forget to buy some welly socks!

Happy hunting!