A Failed Attempt

Today has been my first day off in ages from having to go to college or work, so I took advantage of it by staying in bed until 5pm tonight. I then attempted to do an outfit post with the trousers I keep raving about, but by the time I got out of bed the lighting was appalling and none of the pictures turned out great, so I won't bore you by showing any. I need to get a camera + tripod for my birthday, my sister is getting a bit peeved off with my constant requests for her to take pictures of me, as well as my iPhone not taking the best photos, and it means I can only do outfit posts when she's in the mood!

So, as I said, today has been spent in bed. I did some college work, some blog browsing (okay a lot of blog browsing, there are some really great ones out there!) and of course playing on smurfs village - an addictive little iPhone/iPod app that is a bit like farmville but with Smurfs! Whilst looking through blogs I found a lot of nail art inspiration and make-up tutorials, and it's made me want to try out some new things (as well as buy some!) so I will keep you updated.

I am in desperate need of a big chunky jumper this Autumn/Winter, and as payday draws closer, I'm getting more and more excited about being able to purchase these items below (as well as sticking to my pact that I WILL go and explore items in charity shops and Primark!!)

            

1. River Island

2. Topshop Unique

3. Miss Selfridge

Just tried sorting out my Topshop card account online (mainly so I could get the above Topshop jumper by cheating) and the page just doesn't even attempt to load when I try and log on. Has anyone else had this problem?

What have you all been doing with your Saturday?

Michelle xo

Instant Karma's Gonna Get You

Sorry about the totally off topic title, but I've had Lennon in my head all day.

So, I've been feeling emotional about the fact that all my close friends have gone off to university in the past week in order to fulfill their dreams and make something of themselves (which includes free pizza, going out every night and flat parties so far) whilst I am still stuck in the (not so) beautiful city of Preston. Alone. It's not like I'm totally isolated, but it's a bit emotional that I don't have a week of Fresher's to take my mind off the fact that I'm no longer living near my best friends, boo!

I've just downloaded Skype (yes, i am aware that I am behind the times) and so have been talking to one of my friends and in order to cheer myself up after, I went on the ASOS website.

I've just discovered that it's currently 20% off for people with an NUS extra card (as opposed to the usual 10%) and selected Autumn wear is also 20%, WIN! So I thought I'd do a quick post on some of my favourite pieces, as it's been a long day of redrafting my personal statement, and other general academic type collegey based things.

These are all in the 20% off section, so get them before they're gone!

 

(I love the printing of mini animals atm, such a cute mini trend!)

  

All Items: ASOS

There's thousands and thousands of items on the sale there (and hopefully still will be when I get paid next week) so definitely go check it out! And I urge you to look at their jewellery in the sale too, so affordable and downright gorgeous!

I've also decided that I'm going to subscribe to a few things this month, especially magazines, because I buy them every month, so it's just leaving me out of pocket really when I could be making huge savings by subscribing to my lovely Company, Marie Clare & Elle. I'm also going to subscribe to glossy box (hugely annoyed that I missed the HD eyebrows from this month!) and so I will be doing reviews about that on here as well, as they seem to put decent products in their boxes.

Anyway, thats the end of this post, as I have to get on with some college work, and cry at my lonely life with Ben & Jerry (and possibly ASOS).

Love xo

The Claw

 I was going to do an outfit post with my new Topshop trousers on Friday, but the weather was appalling and so the lighting was no good to take photos! And Saturday and Sunday were a no go either, since I was desperately ill and so was in bed as soon as I got in from work both days (cough, sniff). And today I painted my nails so I thought I'd show you them, and just show you my trousers next time I wore them!

Before I show you what is an attempt at me painting my nails, please take into account that I have virtually no hand-eye co-ordination, meaning however I try and move my hand, it does the exact opposite. I have tried to control this over the years, but as you can see below, I haven't improved enough so that it looks like a human (which I assure you I am) has painted my nails.

Topshop Red: Pillar Box

Topshop Orange: Causing A Stir

Topshop Blue: Celestial

Barry M Crackle Effects Black

I even have a blue splodge on my palm (doh)! I decided only to crackle effect my thumb since I like the blue by itself, but I like it with the crackle too, so tried to combine the best of both worlds! Which is a shame really, because no matter how much you screw up with crackle paint, it looks like it's been done correctly - the easiest, fastest & most michelle-proof nail art out there! Perfick!

I used the red Topshop nail varnish last week, and only had one coat and no base or top coat either (I was in a rush... and I'm lazy) and came out surprisingly bright and was chip free for two days which I was happily surprised about. Well worth £5 for the bright and fun colours, and the quality. I will be buying more (which is probably stating the obvious, as I like to buy things in general).

In other news, my feet are still not heeled from my Topshop pumps, and the weather today is surprisingly British. I'm also having spag bol for tea!

T'ra xx

My First Time

So here we are folks, my first ever outfit post! Sorry I wasn't wearing anything too inspiring, but I was preparing for the drab day at college I had ahead of me:

Parka: Dorothy Perkins

Jumper: Topshop

Jeans: Topshop

Pumps: Topshop

Necklace: River Island (ages ago!)

I took all these pics on my iPhone 4, and I was really worried about what the quality was going to be like, but I think they turned out alright (apart from the fact I look like a heroin addict - it's been a long day!)

It was the first day I have worn those pumps, and believe me kids, if you buy shoes from Topshop online, get them in the next size up! My feet look at though they've just been through a paper shredder - ouch!

So enjoy these pictures, I will try and take them more often now I know that my iPhone can take pictures that don't look as though I could have painted them better.

Lots of love x

The Bucket List of Shopping

This post could probably have been called 'Shopping List', but I wanted to make it sound slightly more dramatic.

So anyway, there's always a constant stream of clothes that I see as a necessity, but never seem to buy (those who read my blog often will probably know that I am constantly buying new clothes, so won't be surprised by this). But I was thinking before about, how i only own about 3 jumpers, and one chunky cardi. I have a few thinner types, but nothing to keep me warm during the winter months. Therefore, next time I buy some clothes (which will be in a long time... I promise!) it's going to be invested in things I truely need - spending my money on skirts even though it is most definitely hitting winter temperatures is not acceptable!

Therefore, the items on my Bucket List of Shopping are:
A cable knit sweater (preferably a long one)
A big chunky cardigan (neutral so it goes with everything)
Some more ankle boots, but ones that give me chills when I see them because they're so nice.. not seen any uber nice ones in a while!
A faux fur coat

Voila! I think that's about it for the ABSOLUTE necessities I need in my wardrobe.

I got some new shoes today, not convinced about how I feel about them yet:

I quite like the giraffe detail on the chain, I can't think of many things I can wear them with, but we shall see.

Some red chino's (which I reckon will go nice with the shoes) and pumps came with these today, mum's not too impressed with my spending, but I'm more than happy!

Anyway, i've decided to do outfit pictures each time I post, regardless of the fact I have no camera. My iPhone seems to take decent pictures, so I'll try and get some up ASAP!

Charity Shop

So I've recently been thinking about doing some volunteer work in a local charity shop (there are plenty to choose from, I think I live in the charity shop capital of the world.) It's not just for my CV/personal statement, to help them to rifle through the masses of clothes I donated to them last month, or to fulfill the void in my soul where a part-time job in a clothing store never went. But I do think I have a lot to gain from it.

Firstly, it will fill up one of the several afternoons I have off from college, which would otherwise be spent napping. It will also be something else I can write on my CV, and it may give me the opportunity to look at clothes that are extremely cheap (which could save me an awful lot of pennies!) I know the stigma about charity shop clothing, but Katie Styles has changed my opinion (check out her blog by clicking on the link, it's filled with tips on how to alter clothes, and buy from charity shops - I love it!)

And obviously, it would make me feel good inside because I would be helping a charity, which is always good! I will keep you all updated with any progress on the volunteering front!

I may be doing a giveaway soon. I'm an absolute plonker and binned the return slip for Topshop, that came with the stuff I ordered offline, thinking I would be able to take it in store! Going to see if I can change it into something else, but if not I have a dress that's worth like £40+ to give away (lucky you!)

p.s, think i'll be investing in a dslr camera for my birthday, which should liven this blog up a bit with pictures galore!

Guilt Spree

Gave in to my inner cravings of buying some clothes this month. I was going to be good, and managed to save at least 1/4 of my wages by the end of the first week since pay day, but I've totally spent up the rest. To be fair, the first 3/4 was spent on paying off store cards and necessities for leeds festivals (breakfast and booze).

I was originally going to just buy a pair of some innocent studded pumps from topshop, but by the time I had filled up my basket they were sold out (how long was I browsing for?!) Regardless, I continued to buy the other items in my basket that totalled an unspeakable amount.

Can't wait to be a student, at least they have loans to buy clothes (sort of) guilt free, I have a part-time job as a sales assistant, and a lot of needs to cater for. Boo!

Anyway, I bought a skirt, a dress and a top, which cost a lot more from topshop than they probably should!

Next month I will be splashing out on a camera, and Primark clobber.

Fashionably Late

Horrified by how long it's been since my last post, but my excuse is that it's fashionably late. Unfortunately, I've had prior engagements such as Leeds festival, and two weeks of recovering from Leeds festival, and so haven't had much time to squeeze in a post!

However, I will make it up to you, and cheer you up from this horrible rainy weather by showing you a street style view of festival wear, as a goodbye to the Summer, and festivals (hold back your tears girls).

Saw a lot of sandals whilst I was searching for images, and yes I know sometimes beauty is more important than comfort (platform shoe victim 2k11), but really? Hunter wellies or at least boots are key for festivals - we live in England for goodness sake! And besides, how are you expected to stand in a crowd where you can literally smell the hair of the person in front of you, and risk wearing footwear that doesn't even cover your foot - if you're stood behind a Shrek-a-like and he accidentally stands on your toe, it won't be so pretty!

Anyway, love the outfits above, simple yet pretty - real festival fever! Shame none of them are showing their pretty coats, all you saw of me was legs poking out from a big old parka at leeds festival. The rain was torrential. I literally slept in a puddle for a weekend.