BRB... Off to take a bite of the Big Apple

So after what seemed like the longest day ever, I'm FINALLY packed and ready for my plane ride at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning to New York City. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for this trip with 2 of my best friends from Uni. We've rented an apartment for the week in Chelsea village so we're right next to the Meatpacking District and Soho. I have many things on my shopping list for when I'm in NY as well as lots of cocktail bars and touristy things to visit. The last time I visited was nearly 10 years ago so I'm eager to see how the city that never sleeps has changed.

I'll be sure to blog all outfits and New York findings when I'm back. But for now, see you on the other side. Oh, and a quick "Hello" to all my lovely new readers on TGTH. Can't believe how much my readership has grown over the past month. Amazing.

xx

Fros and Florals

These floral ASOS trousers have been everywhere at the moment. I first saw them on Jazmine (who by the way looked absolutely stunning) when she styled them up as part of her ASOS Style competition entry. I purchased them, they arrived, I tried them on and absolutely HATED them. They seemed way too short on my legs and no matter what I paired them with they didn't look right. The other day I was making some purchases on ASOS for my holiday to New York and noticed the trousers had gone down to £20 in the sale. Something was telling me to give them another go, so they made their way into my basket a second time. I tried them on this morning and I don't know whether it was because I was feeling pretty crappy when I tried them first time around but I fell in love with them. I'm still not 100% sure on the length, I'd really like them to be a bit longer but the fit is incredible. They are quite low rise, but with a baggy t-shirt, look absolutely fine. I'm really pleased with them and am so glad I FINALLY own a pair of floral trousers.

My twitter followers will know I went to the Barnes Mary's Living and Giving shop launch last week with Mary Portas. She's an incredible woman and I even managed to her a brief chat with her about my job and high street fashion. Mary also mentioned how much she loved my Accessorize statement necklace I was wearing at the time (Bravo Accessorize!). My Mum also attended as she manages one of the shops on Barnes High Street and she was having a right old chin wag with Mary. Whilst sipping on champers I spotted this beautiful Issey Miyake blazer hanging on the wall and only £25! I went into the changing room whilst the party was still going on to give it a try - I loved the length of it and was in desperate need of a smart black blazer. It really is my new baby and was a perfect match for the floral trousers.

Oh - and here's me with my fro out! Haha. My hair is one of my greatest annoyances and I rarely have it out but I need to start embracing this curly mop a bit more now as I do so much damage to my hair when I put it in a top knot ALL the time.

Blazer: Issey Miyake

Flora trousers: ASOS

T-shirt: BOY London

Necklace: Topshop

Trainers: Converse

Rings: Accessorize & Love, Hearts and Crosses

Matchmaker.

Firstly; thank god for the long weekend. Secondly, this is what I wore out on Thursday evening. Quite a "grown up" outfit I feel for a casual night out with the girls and boys but it's always nice to make an effort, right? These Clements Ribeiro for Evans pyjama trousers do throw me off slightly. I've worn them only once before - quite dressed down for work with a pastel mint tshirt and gold converse but I'm just not 100%  sure how to pull them off. They are incredibly long too so I'm not sure whether I should get them taken up or not. Have to say though, I'm quite fond of this outfit and I think maybe dressing these up more than down are the way to go for me. You can see the gorgeous Bethany wearing them here too.

Blazer: Forever 21+

Trousers: Clements Ribeiro for Evans

Body top: ASOS Curve

Necklace: Marni for H'n'M

Clutch: Dune

Rings: Spitalfields Market

Earrings: Accessorize

Shoes: Vintage

Photos taken by Jinny King

Golden Elephants

I just had to share something rather special I found whilst visiting Battersea Car Boot sale yesterday. I met up with the lovely Jazmine in Battersea (who FYI is a charity shop/boot sale pro) and we walked down to the various charity shops and then onto the boot sale where we were later joined by Kristabel. I have to say, you need to require a large amount of patience to go through peoples piles and piles of belongings at Car Boots. You can see Jazmine has a good eye for spotting vintage pieces (she picked up a pair of Levi cut off shorts for a couple of quid!). I found a gorgeous silk kimono for £2 along with a beautiful emerald green clutch bag for £2.50 but it was these amazing shoes that were my true bargain of the day.

I'm a size 8/9 in shoes. To be honest, I don't actually find it that hard any more finding shoes, now that most high street retailers go up to a UK size 9 (apparently Paris Hilton is a UK 11 so that makes me feel slightly better!) but it's not often you find vintage shoes in a larger size. How AMAZING are these? The detail on the heel is what first caught my eye. They have little gold elephants around the heel as well as on the front. My iphone camera doesn't catch just how wonderful they are, but I'm hoping to do an outfit post with them tomorrow. And only a tenner - bargain!

The one where we had a taste of Summer.

You've got the love the British "Summertime" it disappears as quickly as it arrives and leaves us all reaching back into our wardrobes for jeans and jumpers. I had a sort through some clothes last week when the sun arrived, piling my knit jumpers and tights to the back of the wardrobe thinking I wouldn't need to see them again for a while - how wrong I was.

I've said before I absolutely hate getting my legs out. They are just one of many part of me I'm overly conscious of, but sometimes you've just got to go with the flow and not worry. So here's me embracing them this week during the heatwave. This skirt isn't even short so I'm not sure why I was so paranoid. This was another ASOS purchase I made a month or so ago and is one of the absolute favourites. I did actually wear it with tights the first time but it didn't feel quite right as it did with bare legs. I love the shades and bright neons along with the lace. There is an under skirt but this is SO short and barely covers my bum so I've added a longer one to it. The denim jacket is something I found amongst the rails of vintage clothing at The East End Thirft Store in Stephny Green for £15! (Bargain). Some of the studs are missing on it but I just think that adds more character. I've hardly taken this off since I wore it as there's just something about light wash denim.

T-shirt: Gap

Skirt: ASOS

Jacket: East End Thirft Store

Trainers: Converse

Necklace: Accessorize

Rings: Alexander McQueen, Forever 21, Primark

Swan. Clements Ribeiro for Evans

On Monday afternoon I was invited to the Evans showroom along with some other fabulous bloggers to view the new Clements Ribeiro Swan collection. I'm not really sure what I was expecting to be honest but I was excited by the fact that high end designers would be creating a range for a plus size retailer (which I don't think has ever been done before?).

The prints in this collection are stunning. On arrival (and after knocking over a glass whilst saying hi to the lovely LaCara) I flicked through the rails to see what was on offer. Whilst some of the clothing wasn't to my personal taste, I can imagine every item is going to sell out quickly. It's so refreshing to plus sized clothing in bright, bold and beautiful prints and steering away from the dark and dismal (which Evans is sometimes known for).

Commenting on the collection Inacio Ribeiro said;
"For our first range we addressed the different body shapes, with styles which are accessible but modern, with an emphasis on prints and femininity. It was our starting point, understanding different proportions and different needs behind a desire for fashion that is not different from the high fashion consumer. Far from being apologetic or patronising, we celebrated curves and voluptuousness".

Two of my favourite pieces from the collection. The second dress is such a stunning print but the material put me off as it felt like a swimming costume and I think it would just cling in all the wrong places. But it was these that will definitely have me reaching for my debit card on Friday morning when the collection goes online...

How amazing are these match stick pyjama trousers? I seriously cannot wait to get these on. I've been looking for a pair of pyjamas trousers and my heart did stop slightly when I saw these. Plain white t-shirt and a long line blazer and I reckon I'm good to go.

I'm wearing:

T-Shirt: Topshop

Jeans: New Look

Sequin Jacket; Edie Mac

Pumps: Topshop

I love this top and trousers. I actually think I might be brave and purchase both to see if I can pull off a whole head to toe pyjama look (watch this space). The Swan collection goes live on www.evans.co.uk on Friday - just in time for payday and hits stores on Monday.

One last thing I simply had to share. How AMAZING are these afro comb earrings I spotted on Deena

Marni Heaven

You're probably bored of reading lots of blog posts about the Marni collection at H'n'M but I just wanted to quickly share my own little piece of Marni goodness that I managed to nab on the day (with the help of Pearl). The Fashion Gods were truly watching over me the moment I bumped into her. To be honest, the clothes didn't interest me that much because I knew they'd be in smaller sizes but the jewellery however did excite me. We all know I'm a sucker for a huge statement piece and Marni certainly didn't disappoint.

This necklace is amazing. Probably one of the nicest pieces I own and sits nicely alongside my Tatty Devine lobster necklace (not together around my neck obviously). I especially love the huge diamante stones which are slightly hidden amongst the perspex twisted leaves. Obviously I wore this the day after I got it!

Oh and yes, here's ANOTHER new pleated Maxi skirt. The silk material on this beauty from Marks and Spencer is lovely though.

Faux leather jacket: Primark

Skirt: Marks and Spencer

Pastel foil effect t-shirt: Primark

Bag: Mulberry Alexa

Necklace: Marni for H'n'M

Rings: Disney Couture at ASOS, Accessorize, Primark