The last of the summer pastels

 



Hello all! I'm still here, you can't get rid of me. I'm like that one annoying spot that everyone has that goes away for a bit and then suddenly appears again in full force when you least expect it.  It's finally coming to the end of the longest summer of my life and so much has happened since I was last here! Apart from Zante I've been lucky enough to go on amazing trips to Amsterdam and Dublin with my friends, both of which were so much fun.

I also managed to get AAB in my a levels which means I will be off to the University of Birmingham to study English Liteature, something which when I picked up my very shoddy results last year I could have never imagined happening and is totally exciting. I mean, I've spent the last couple of days doing pretendy grown up things like buying cutlery and a kettle and bleach. MENTAL!  I should probably take this time to apologise to the teachers who I threw brat strops at which went along the line of 'WHY AM I EVEN DOING THIS?! I'M NOT GOING TO GET IN ANYWAY. I DON'T WANT TO WRITE THIS FREAKIN PERSONAL STATEMENT/ESSAY/COURSEWORK'.

What else have you missed out on in my super exciting life? I've made three dresses, seeing as I've had a fair amount of spare time haha. I got a tattoo (it's the bird illustration from my copy of To Kill A Mockingbird AKA MY FAVOURITE BOOK EVER). I also had my own little Rust and Stardust stall at a local vintage fair which I was totally proud of, especially seeing as I was the only clothing one there and I had sourced and put together everything. It was super great having people coming up and telling me what a lovely collection of clothes I had because those dresses were like my orphan children I had taken in, washed and cared for. Not that I would sell orphan children on at a profit, that is not the point I wanted to make with that analogy.

It's so strange that I'll be leaving the town and the people I've grown so familiar to and comfortable with over the past 18 years, for a place I hardly know and people I know though strenuous Facebook stalking. s/o to all the pretty girls I've been put in a flat with, making me work that little bit harder on my selling point as 'the funny friend'.

I don't know if I'll keep coming back to this blog or not. I may do just as a space to come and chat some shit, but I imagine it will be in a totally different way to way I envisioned using this blog when I  started it when i was 13/14. I guess what I'm trying to say is wish me luck and look out for my persistent spot face popping up every now and then!


My dress is vintage and my jumper is from Zara.

You look a bit pale? Are you feeling okay?

I'm going to mix it up YET AGAIN, god I'm so crazy! 

It kind of hit me the other day, when I was taking the photos for my 'Bardot' post, how strange it is that I'm always forcing my face on you but you never see what I actually look like. As you probably guess front the subtle header I would 100% call myself a feminist and my love of make up is one thing which my friends and people in general seem insistent on calling me out on, because you cannot be a feminist in make up apparently. The above are just a couple of the comments I get when I don't wear make up, they never cease to make me laugh. GUYS, THIS IS WHAT I ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE.

When I originally started plastering my face in natural collection foundation and concealer I was probably about the tender age of 13, a terrifying time for anyone. When I was wearing foundation then it was utterly and completely a way to hide myself, quite literally behind a wall of make up. I used it as a way to try and look like the perfect, plastic person I thought everyone expected me to be, obviously this never really worked, but I gave it a good shot.

I completely can understand the train of thought that goes, make up is to make you more physically appealing, you are pandering to the wants of men, THAT'S not very feminist of you. But can you blame people for wearing make up for that exact reason though? When we are told that is pretty much our primary purpose, it doesn't seem too radical a reaction, when our value is so attributed to our physical appearance.  In fact, make up is one thing which woman can use to shape their own identity, and it can also be pretty fun. When I started sixth form two years ago I got on overriding response from boys, and girls, about my make up. It was too severe, my eyeliner was too much and my eyebrows and red lipstick were too intimidating. This was brilliant news, seeing as that was the exact look I was going for.

My make is not a mask anymore, I'm far more comfortable now in who I am, both as a person and in my bare facedness, than I was at 13.  I can go out with no make up on now, I never used to be able to, but I can because I realise there is my face which is great the way it is, and then there are my make up faces. My make up is to me what my clothing is, it is a way to further express myself, it's all part of the fun I have creating a 'look'. Why not use the blank, acne-splattered canvas you were given to do just that? If I want to look 'severe' I will, because I do this to please me and no one else. I cannot speak for every MAC lover, but these are my feelings, so IRL people, stop hounding me. Jees.

I did have clothes on... it just really doesn't look like it, but you're going to have to trust me on this one  

Everything's rosy

     Dress- homemade

Here is the first of my sewing projects from this summer! I've had no idea what to do with all my free 

time, its been a total shock to the system. I almost miss the library because of this my sewing has just gone into overdrive trying to pass the time in a semi-productive way. Usually I'm far too much of a perfectionist to ever wear out the things I make, but I'm quite happy with this cheeky little number, so wearing it out today was awesome.

I also need more blogs to read to fill my time so if you're reading this leave a your link in the comments below! 

I still have items on ebay, take a look! 

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Hiddy Hi

    Shirt- To Be Worn Again kilo sale     Trousers-eBay

I went strawberry picking the other day! Well, I say I went strawberry picking, the farm was shut so we went to the pub instead, but I think I was dressed very suitably for the occasion, a kind of farmer girl from Southern America is what I seem to have gone for.

This was a total bargain outfit as well, the shirt is from the kilo sale and weighs I'd say about nothing, so cost me a few pounds. My trousers were a panic buy from ebay and have actually come in super handy, owning jeans is so much fun! I'm not a big trouser person but I have been swayed by practicality.

I hope everyone is enjoying the crazy sun! I'm going to get back to my pile of sewing projects, I may show you a few, if you're very lucky.

Bardot though?

Top- H&M   Trousers- Charity shop (Cancer research, I believe) Being to lazy to align pictures in photoshop or take pictures outside on a tripod- model's own lazy. 

Today was my attempt at being Bardot, I tried, I failed, but I still quite enjoyed this outfit. The trousers I picked up for a fiver in the charity shop and lopped some of the length off. I'm becoming a bit of a trouser fan. PLOT TWIST. I think it's the luxury of pockets. THEY'RE SO HANDY?!

You know those times you're just being too much of a poser, so you have to counteract it with a picture of you posing with a biscuit? This is one of those times.  I look JUST like a confused duck. Enjoy it, savour it.

This top was actually one of my many spontaneous sewing projects, which are basically things I have been meaning to do ALL YEAR but just haven't got round to. I've wanted a top with a Bardot neckline since I was a zygote and since I have only £2 in my bank and 50p in my purse, I had to improvise. 

This baggy top high-necked top has been hanging around my wardrobe since I panic bought it before the Arctic Monkeys concert earlier this year. 'AHHH IT'S GOING TO BE SWEATY AND I'M GOING TO WANT TO MOSH. I CAN'T DO THAT IN A 50s PARTY DRESS. BLACK TOP. BLACK TOP IS A SOLID CHOICE.', is how the panic went in my head. After that gig I have never worn it again. UNTIL NOW. 

Zante

Something a little different today...

So as you'll know I've been sitting my A Level exams, and have finished now. Obviously. At the start of the month I got back from my end of exams holiday to Zante, and it was AMAZING. 

Seriously, to anyone planning to go on a similar 'kind' of holiday, I could not encourage you to go more! I had THE best time ever and it was a most perfect week, partying, exploring, sleeping and eating, the most fantastic contrast to the stress of exam season, which for me only ended two days before we flew out! 

The 'strip' itself is everything you would expect it to be, full of drunken teenagers having an amazing time. However, what I didn't expect was the atmosphere that there was. What I had been lead to expect was to be constantly on edge you know? Expecting the next person to either vom on me or try to punch me. That totally wasn't it. While most people would see all these drunken teenagers as a TOTAL nightmare, everyone is just out there for the same reason, to have a good time and enjoy themselves. Because of this you go out and make so many drunken friends, always the best kind of friend.  There weren't even that many people throwing up in the street. Which was nice !

Away from the strip Zante is stunningly beautiful, more so than I expected, making a nice contrast to how you can spend your days and your nights. We opted to spend a bit more and stay in a nicer hotel, which I would totally recommend, a lot of our drunken friends who had gone for the hotels which were cheaper (our first choice had been the $10 a night one) said it was a nightmare trying to get those good two, solid hours of sleep when every room is a party room. The staff in our hotel were lovely, and we got upgraded to all-inclusive because of a problem with our room. I have never, ever, eaten so much. Which was so fantastic when you wake up hungover and there is just food. So much food. 

I had an amazing time, and am now going to force everyone go and do the same so I can live vicariously through them.

Aurora Dress

 

 
   

Over the coming weeks I'm going to have some posts featuring some of my favourite items from the store and today I'm going to wax lyrical about the Aurora Dress! 

I am SO in love with this dress, it is totally perfect. I can't shake the idea of how perfect it would be for someone's prom with gold accessories and a impressive beehive game. The colours are lovely pale shades of purple and blue, which hasn't come out the best in the above shots, but is so cute. Part of me wishes I hadn't committed myself to a Marlene/Dita tux (more on that later!) for my Sixth Form Ball, so I could wear this instead! 

Green and yellow=60s canary

 SUN?! WHAT?!! HELLO YOU JOYFUL BALL OF GAS YOU! NICE TO SEE YOU!

It was sunny today, and I don't know if you heard, that doesn't happen very often here England. We, as a nation, are very excited about it. 

Today I donned a 60s number to revise in, feeling a little like a colourful canary. It was originally paired with some skin-coloured tights, but they weren't half as exciting as the possibility of this fabulous colour clashing opportunity. I embraced this opportunity wholeheartedly. Also, if you are a VERY avid reader you will remember that these were the sunglasses which I won from Chloe (they are quite easily the most expensive thing I own BY MILES) so it's always jolly exciting to whip them out and I think they complimented this 6os ensemble nicely. 

I would just like to point out that, as obviously, all my photos are taken in my room you never get to see what footwear I'm sporting. To clear up any mystery it is always a pair of dodgy old white converses, which always ruin my outfit, because they are the only shoes I can lug books around in. Very glamourous. 

    Dress- To be worn again kilo sale (they have supplied the whole of my wardrobe) glasses-chloe

p.s. I promise I am not a stalker, the crazy ass sticker chaos is history revision. PROMISE. (......I love you Benedict.....) 

50s jacket and awkward hands

I'm avoiding revision. My revising has gone DRASTICALLY down hill these past few weeks, just as it's starting to become important. I feel like my brain is full and every time I go to start revising I just become so painfully bored I can't actually concentrate on anything. I'm very stressed about this.

On the other hand however, I really liked my outfit today. I mean yes, I was sweating one out when the sun came out later in the day, but apart from that it was great. What's even better is that the whole outfit probably cost me no more than £20, the dress and skirt being part of bulk buys from the TBWA (still not their poster girl) kilo sale and the hat coming from my local Cats Protection charity shop. SHOUT OUT TO CATS PROTECTION, my favourite charity shop of all. They even have pictures of cats in the changing room, which is great until you realise they are watching you change and judging your clothing choices.

I hope everyone else who is doing exams is making a much better job of it than me! I also apologise for my awkward hand poses in the pictures, I seem to have turned into a knock off Florence Welch, but I wanted you to be able to see the amazing shape of this jacket. It is a THOUSAND TIMES BETTER than the square blazer everywhere sells, but that's just because I generally wear my clothes three sizes to small in the hope that I look like an hour glass, opposed to whatever kind of fruit it is I actually look like (apple? pear? banana?!). 

     Hat- Charity shop (cat's protection. PREECH) Jacket & dress- To Be Worn Again Kilo sale

                                            STARING CONTEST. You lose.

Strawberry tea

Hey guys! It was my leaver's tea the other day. Basically, all those year 13s who are leaving, get together dressed all fancy and have some fancy afternoon tea, know like the kind of tea with tiny sandwiches, small pastries and scones on a tiered sandwich-turret-stand. I ate a lot because everything was so small, not one sandwich or scone remained on our table. 

My dress was from Modcloth, and I am totally enamoured with it. We won't talk about the hideous postage costs of the hideous custom charges, we will ignore those things, because it is a lovely and perfect dress.  I'm also going to be very honest with you here. I have been watching a lot of Gossip Girl recently, which you will most certainly know if you follow me on twitter, I may have worn a headband in an attempt to be Blair Waldorf. I would be embarrassed, but I'm not. She's awesome. 

                           Someone clearly didn't get the memo about the pastel colour scheme...

Staple Pencil

 It took me four months of dilly-dallying before I stopped being a tight arse and actually bought this skirt from Vivien of Holloway and it has quickly become a very staple item. I mean it would, wouldn't it? It's not like a plain black pencil skirt is a crazy item which you only dare venture out in on rare occasions. Anyway, what's even better is that it's handmade in the UK AND you can buy all their skirts via waist size, WHICH IS GREAT, because my waist can be an 8 in some places and 12 in others, AND IT DOES MY HEAD IN. STOP PLAYING WITH ME SHOPS, I NEED SOME STABILITY IN MY LIFE, NOT EVEN MY DRESS SIZE IS CONSTANT NOWADAYS.

okay breathe. My exams are going GREAT, if you were wondering. 

Yep, that's a rejected bra hanging over my sewing machine. 

                                    shirt- Primark (sorry)  jumper-Zara  skirt-Vivene of Holloway

PINK

This outfit was very pink. I looked like a 1950s marshmallow, and I loved it. I did look a little like I was in fancy dress on my way to Grease party, but who the hell cars?! Not I! 

You will be pleased to know that after taking the second photo I realised that my scarf looked like a neck brace and made it slightly less thick, although I imagine it won't be long until neck brace chic becomes a thing alongside other magazine favourites such as 'sport-luxe' *scoffs*. IT'S JUST OVER PRICED JOGGING BOTTOMS AND IMPRACTICAL TRAINERS, WHAT COULD MAKE IT WORSE?!

                               Scarf- grandmothers     Jumper- Zara    Skirt-Primark (I'm sorry, I caved)

Ignore the obnoxious pose below, I'm sorry I don't know what came over me. I've suddenly become really obsessed with checks/gingham, I don't know where this obsession has come from but it's taking over my life and this blog. Somebody send help before I just turn into one giant picnic blanket.

I know most bloggers buy their clothes form different places, this makes their blogs exciting and interesting to read, I on the other hand, seem to buy everything from To Be Worn Again, a fact well chronicled on here. I'm very sorry, but think how much time I've saved NOT walking round all those shops! Time that's been well-spent taking quality outfit photos.... oh wait... 

    Dress- Vintage (To Be Worn Again)

Check that

Love me a 1950s checked number, nothing better. Picked up this little number at the kilo sale. Whose kilo sale I hear you say. TO BE WORN AGAIN'S OF COURSE, WHO ELSE?! I also paired it with a petticoat from Snooper's Paradise which is extraordinarily heavy. I have now had to take it off because it was actually hurting me. I had to weigh up what was more important to me, comfort or swooshyness. Swooshyness won for the majority of the day. 

This dress was meant to be going in the etsy shop, but some how it ended up on me? No, I don't know how it happened either. BUT there will be new items in the shops this weekend, SO KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED LIKE AN ORANGE. What a beautiful simile. 

    Dress - TO BE WORN AGAIN