A Little TARTAN Addiction...

Oh crikey - photographing items of clothing is a right task and a half sometimes, isn't it? Fashion bloggers - I don't know how you do it. You deserve a medal.  I often throw a clothing post into the mix... As obsessed by beauty as I am, I also have a love for retail therapy and at the start of each season I do tend to add to my overflowing wardrobe with some new bits and pieces.  This year,  I have a little bit of an obsession for tartan - clearly.  I must admit I do find it quite hard to style sometimes and I have to be 'in the mood' to wear it - but I've become quite drawn to it since I've seen it popping up in shops.  It's won me over.  I thought I'd give you a little insight into my tartan collection and how I'll be styling these pieces through Autumn/Winter.  I've written about them in order of how they appear in my photograph so hopefully you can pick and choose certain sections if you don't wish to trawl through my dribble. Without any further rambling, let's get cracking!

1 | Scarves / White Tartan - Primark / Black & White Snood - Tesco / Red Tartan - PrimarkOne of the first things I bought when I knew tartan was going to be 'in' this season was a tartan scarf.  I've wanted one for quite some time as I think they look amazing with a parka style coat and a simple outfit.  I usually just wear mine thrown loosely around the neck and I like them to be quite long in length - the warmer and snugglier the better.  The white tartan one is perfect for those days when red looks a little 'clashy' - and it's the thicker of the bunch making it perfect for the colder weather.  The black and white snood is perfect for wearing with my leather jacket and is perfect for those days when I'm feeling a little 'monochrome'.  I'm currently on the lookout for an oversized, wooly version of my red primark one - It's served me well up until now but now that the clocks have gone back, I know I'll be in need of a thicker one.  I have my eye on an oversized one from Urban Outfitters... Oh dear - someone has a scarf-buying problem.


2 | Pyjama bottoms / Purple Shorts and Red Tartan Trousers - both PrimarkOh Primark you little devil, you.  Every year you get it spot on when it comes to cosy PJs and I find myself at the till with a basket full to the brim of new-news. Okay, so the purple 'cheeky' shorts aren't exactly practical for the winter but I really, really loved them and I thought I'd get my wear out of them somehow?  I'm completely in love with the red tartan pyjama bottoms though - they're slightly fleecy and are just so unbelievable soft and comfortable.  I've been wearing these around the house to lounge around in and l love them to bits.  They even have a little holly pattern on the inside of the waistband - if that doesn't scream 'festive cosy-ness' to you then I don't know what will.

3 | Skater Skirts / Red Pleated - New Look / Black and Grey - Primark

You can't beat a skater skirt! They're perfect to throw on with simple black and white tops and camis and for tucking jumpers in to. I've been wearing these with my fluffy white jumper and a simple black belt and they look lovely - they cinch you in at the waist and just look so girly and simple. The red pleated skirt is a classic tartan print - and the pleats around the front give it a bit of structure.  I've been wearing the black and grey version with slouchy jumpers and simple black and white cami tops - it also looks nice with my blazers.  It was a complete steal at £8 from Primark and gives that 'school geek-chic' vibe without being too OTT. The shape of it is also lovely - it's not to flouncy or bulky and I find it so flattering to wear - I sometimes struggle to find skater skirts that I like the shape of - but these two are just right.

4 | Collared Smock Dress - River Island via ASOS

If it has a peter pan collar and a cute print - I'll 'av it! This dress is from River Island's 'Chelsea Girl' range and sold out pretty quickly to say the least! Apologies for not getting a full photo of it but hopefully you get the jist of how pretty it is.  It's a babydoll/smock dress but it isn't so loose that it doesn't create shape - it's possible to grab a belt to cinch you in at the waist should you fancy a more fitted shape.  The colour of it is beautiful - a reddish purple hue with lines of yellow, white and deep purple making up the tartan print.  It falls an inch or so above the knee and is the perfect length for wearing both with and without tights.  The white peter pan collar just makes it for me.  So cute and girly!

5 | Tartan Shorts - River Island via ASOS

I bought these a while back and I must admit I haven't actually worn them yet.  They're harder to style than I first thought due to the length! They're quite...cheeky, shall we say? At 23 I can't really get away with short-shorts of a daytime any more. However, never one to give in, I'm planning on styling them with my trusty opaques and a slouchy top/jumper to contrast with the slightly tighter fit. I will probably 'business' it up a little with a black or white blazer as well. Shove a blazer over any outfit and you'll go from casual to office professh in seconds...

Have you been loving tartan as much as me this season? How have you been wearing it?

Big Clothing Haul | River Island, ASOS, Topshop, Primark & More

Hiddely-ho ladies! I do hope you've all had lovely weeks - you may have noticed I've gone a little bit 'off schedule' with my blog recently (I usually post on the same 3 days each week).. I do hope you can forgive my higgeldy-piggledy-ness (hows that for a mouthful?) the past couple of weeks or so but I'm currently doing my Final Major Project at uni and it's taking up a great deal of my spare time. I shall be sure to post some photos and a link to my 'graphic design-y' blog when I'm all done and dusted for those of you who might fancy a nosey! Anyway.. excuses and explanations aside, I thought I'd kick off this week with a clothing haul - because, lets face it, who doesn't love a good nose through people's shopping bags?! I know I do...

I was online shopping on Topshop recently because I needed a simple little black cami (i haven't photographed it but I picked up this one) and before I went to the checkout i spotted this little 'bunny ear' styled scrunchie. I thought it was so cute and I always shove my hair up in ponytails and buns when I'm around the house so this will add a touch of girlie-ness to my hair when I want to wear it up.

I've been after some more jewellery for a while to wear with t-shirts and high necked tops - this little pack from H&M was a bargain (around the £10 mark) and there's something there for every occasion and outfit. H&M do some fabulous jewellery - and I can't wait to head back and grab a few more pieces from there.

I'm in love with this little red number! I have no idea where I'm going to wear it yet - I think it's quite a versatile piece and it can work for day or night. I might wear it to uni soon with a little black cami underneath and some patterned tights. The colour is just so pretty - such a vibrant red.. (think Mac's 'Lady Danger' lipstick in clothing-form!) and I shall be adorning this for a night out in the near future I'm sure!

I picked up the lace dress a few weeks ago now - they were out of stock of my size everywhere but I was determined to get it. Luckily, one came available on ASOS and I put it in my shopping basket sharpish! I haven't worn it yet but as soon as the sun comes out I'll be wearing this everywhere - I'm just completely and utterly in love with it.  The v-neck bodysuit is also from ASOS, and I've bought this to wear on a night out in the next week or so with my disco pants and killer heels! The shoulder pads add some statement detail and make it perfect for a night out on the tiles - i'm always wearing dresses out in the evening and I very much fancied a change!

H&M had a cracking sale on! So i picked up a couple of blazers - this hot pink one being my favourite! I've wanted a fuchsia blazer for ages now and I was superly-duperly chuffed to grab this one in the sale for just £7! I get so much wear out of blazers - they just add a bit of 'professional chic' to any outfit.  The shift dress is such a staple item in my wardrobe and I also have it in black (if you like something you must buy it in every single colour after all!) It's one of those items that will take you from 'office to bar' in the blink of an eye and at £19.99 it didn't break the bank either.

The bird jumper from New Look just had to be mine... I have no excuse or justification for buying it really..apart from the fact it has bird print all over it and therefore it would have been criminal if i'd not took home to the safety of my wardrobe where nobody else could get their little mitts on it...  I saw the 'eyelash cardigan' on LLMLRS's YouTube and knew I had to have it. It looks amazing with leather trousers and a plain top and just adds a bit of texture to an outfit. It's really snuggly and warm and will take me through to Spring. It was also reduced to £25 in the sale - fandabbydoozy if i don't say so myself!

And last but not least, no shopping trip is complete without a shuffle around Primark! I picked up the selection of jumpers a while back now as they were only £6 each and I get so much wear out of things like this - they're perfect for wearing with disco pants or leggings, or with jeans on my 'slobby days'. The peplum top is my favourite buy - seeing it on the hanger just doesn't do it justice though and I must make a point of doing an Outfit post with this pretty soonish! It's so figure-hugging and flattering and looks lovely with my Topshop Leigh jeans (and was a complete bargain at just £7!)

What have you been buying lately? Anything here take your fancy?!