Making a statement #1: Tops

Despite my original intentions to have this as a fashion-focused blog, I'm not the best person at putting outfits together. So I usually pair a statement piece with something more plain. Here's a selection of statement tops I've recently bought- any interesting fabrics or textures always catch my eye:

Metallic Jacquard top- Boohoo

I was so impressed with this top from Boohoo. As much as I like some of Boohoo's designs, I feel the quality can be a bit hit and miss. However, this top is so well made and looks a lot more expensive than it is. The overlaid stitching and colour of the fabric makes it look almost like burnished metal. See the close up below.

The piece looks great over skinny jeans for a simple dinner outfit, or with leather shorts or a pencil skirt for a more dressed up look. It was £18 when I purchased, but you can get it right now for £15

Waffle-textured leopard print top- Topshop

Again, another great top for dressing up or down. And do you see what I mean about loving texture? This has a 'waffle' sort of texture with the leopard print design over the top. It's quite out there, and when I picked it up I had a brief moment of trying to decide if it was hideous or amazing! Obviously, I decided on the latter. I think this was £20, it's not on the website anymore and last time I went into a store it had gone in to the sale for £12, so there might be some knocking around still.
Below is another close up to show the texture.

Teal Jacquard top- Topshop

Stores at the moment seem to love labelling pieces 'Jacquard'- I have to admit I don't really know what this means! But in this case, it is almost like a tapestry-like effect because of the weaving of the fabric. This was the statement top I bought first, as my eye was drawn to the colour and unique fabric, which has a slight sheen to it. This was £28 and is no longer available, but Topshop have some  similar styles here, here, and here

White Leather Look Tee- Missguided

I was umm-ing and ah-ing over this for ages and finally bought it. I got a 10 (as I tend to find Missguided sizes a little small) but because of the cut I should have got an 8, as it looks a bit big in the shoulders. However, I still really like it and looks great with a statement necklace (post to follow soon...). This is still available on the site for £17.99, but I think I got it a bit cheaper as Missguided is very generous with dishing out discount codes!

So that's my first post on statement pieces, more to come soon!

Birthday outift

So today's my birthday :) Not got any major plans for it, just having my girls round for cocktails before heading into my local town. So not a super dressy outfit; my fail-safe disco pants, Ant boots, and new crop top which was a bargainous £10 from Top Shop. 

Top: Topshop

Jacket: Topshop avaitor jacket (old)

Trousers: American Apparel Disco Pants

Boots: Topshop 'Ant' (see this post)

OOTD: Fur and Jewels

Working for Top Shop/ Top Man, I have to represent the brand, which means getting pretty dressed up just for work. It can be a struggle trying to find something to wear everyday, so I tend to jazz up an outfit with accessories. I got this fur stole in Select for a mere fiver and over winter it pretty much never leaves my shoulders. The bejewelled necklace also brightens up any outfit, and was £6 from Primark. 

Jumper: Top Shop

Stole: Select (old)

Disco Pants: American Apparel

Boots: Top Shop

S/S 2013: Neon picks

Every Spring/ Summer the neon trend comes around, and I have always hated it WITH A PASSION. But this year I am a convert (as can be seen by my recent NOTD). Though I'm still not sure of the best way to pull off neon pieces, I've seen a few things that I am really tempted by, but might have to wait until this snowy patch blows over!

1. Skirt, £12. Boohoo. Wear with: a black cropped jumper, chunky gold chain and boots to toughen it up

2. Jumper, £38. Topshop. Wear with: leather leggings

3. Ankle socks, £3.50. Topshop. Wear with: high waisted shorts, crop top and high tops for a sporty/ 90s vibe

4. Bag, £18. Boohoo. Wear with: Anything! 

5. Jumper, £20. Boohoo. Wear with: Denim shorts or leggings 

6. Crop top, £15. Topshop. Wear with: I'm thinking white shorts or a skater skirt- but that outfit would definitely have to wait 'til Summer!


Think my new found love of neon is my subconscious wishing for sunnier days and the end of this dreary winter. And also because of it's tie-ins with the 90s trend which I'm also liking- hello Wildfox S/S look book!

Top Shop Mini- Haul

My recent purchases from Top Shop have been far too optimistic...though I love winter clothes I've already started thinking about Spring/ Summer 2013 and outfits :) Though with snow today and the cold front coming over from Russia, some of these outfits may not see the light of day for a while!

-

Denim Pinafore dress (£36) and grey crop top (£10): didn't buy both together to intentionally have an outfit but I think they work well together. I'm planning on wearing the dungaree dress with long sleeve crop tops and boots or creepers now while it's still cold, and I can imagine wearing it loads in summer with gladiator sandals

Green speckled dress (£26): this comes in a few different colours but I loved this one; unusual colour between bottle and teal green with little flecks in it. This is great for just chucking on with tights, boots and a fur stole

White cropped jumper (£30): I don't usually wear white as I think it washes me out, but with my new Kate Moss lipstick this looked great. Will wear with disco pants now and high waisted shorts in summer.


Seriously why am I thinking about summer so much already?!

I really want to begin doing outfit posts, however my camera isn't brilliant and I'm not in possession of a tripod. I was too embarrassed to ask my mum to take photos as don't think she'll really 'get' the blogging thing but I'm going to swallow my pride and just ask her :) I think when everyone starts out blogging they feel a bit embarrassed and like a total newbie, so hopefully it's