What I Bought: Spain Shopping

Shana White Jmper. Quilted grey skirt- a dead ringer for this ASOS skirt

Grey H&M Jumper Dress. Zara Tartan Skirt

Zara Tartan Trousers. Zara Playsuit. Blanco clutch. Blanco sandals.

One of the upsides to having to massively downsize your wardrobe during a move is that when you finally arrive, you get to go shopping. And, of course, once I had unpacked and wondered how so little ended up weighing so much, I headed into town. My favourite purchase so far has been the Zara scarf. I've been wanting a tartan scarf for ages and this is so big and so soft, it's perfect to be matched with my leather jacket. It's still very hot here in Spain but today it rained so it was the first real hint of autum I've seen so far so it's made me excited for jumpers and scarves. I'd also have to say the white Blanco sandals have been a life saver. My old Topshop shoes are well overdue a date with the bin and these sandals just did the job. Although they were cheap, I've been doing so much walking over the past two weeks or so, I've already worn a hole into one of the soles.

In other news, I had my first classes in the University of Granada. As ERASMUS, we had the week to try out a few classes and then decided what we want to do before we enrol much later on- Spanish bureaucracy is not the best organised. Everything takes about a month to get done. But, regardless, I've settled on beginners Arabic, Ancient Greek History and the history of women in contemporary arab society. Bit of a mix but they all looked v interesting. Combine that with the Spanish penchant for partying until sunrise and you'll understand why I'm writing this completely vegged out in bed. But that's just weekends are for!

Hope you're all well

xx  

A Collective Summer Haul

H&M Checked Blouse.  New Look Raspberry Maxi Skirt. H&M Black Denim Skirt. New Look Scarf. H&M Vest.

Bershka Dress

H&M Heels

Piz Buin Oil. The Prisoner of Heaven. The Silver Linings Playbook

This is a bit of a collective haul from the past month or so. I've been trying to get a few bits together for my upcoming holiday and stuff that has generally caught my eye. We're off to Egpyt so bearing in mind it's going to be bloody hot, I've tried to pick up a few cheap items that I can wear around the hotel resort and can just slip on over my bikini. However, we're taking a trip into Jerusalem because we're going to be right up near the Israel Border (Taba basically) so I had the challenge of finding something nice to wear that would cover me up enough. Enter the gorgeous maxi skirt I bought from New Look who have loads of maxi skirts in different skirts at the moment. I think they're a perfect summer essential for when you want to be covered but cool. I'm going to pair it up with a loose long sleeve top and the New Look scarf so I can cover my head if I need to. I also discovered to my bank balance's despair that a Bershka had recently opened in Brighton so I picked up this cute strappy black top aswell. Apart from that, I have trawled around the shops but wasn't overly impressed with anything. I was gutted to find out that a pair of Topshop Adonis boots in the sale had been mis-sold as a 7 and 8, otherwise, I would have snapped them right up as they've sold out pretty much everywhere and disappeared off the website not long after.

The books I've shown you are two of three that I bought in preparation for the holiday but I've already ready two of them because I'm a massive book nerd when I have the time to be. The Prisoner of Heaven is the last book in a trilogy by my favourite author, Carlos Ruiz Zafon. The first instalment is named Shadow of the Wind and Angel's Game, both of which I recommend. It's translated from the original Spanish (which I'm also attempting to read) but Zafon is an amazing author who creates an enchanting image of the city of Barcelona during the Franco regime. It's got a little bit of everything- romance, action and mystery by the bucket load. I couldn't recommend it more.

The Silver Lining Playook I'm sure you've all heard of but after enjoying the film so much, I decided I wanted to read the original. Without giving too much away, it's actually quite different from the film but written so well- you can really get a sense of Pat's thinking as he comes to terms with his past. I would say, if you enjoyed the film, and want to get deeper into the storyline, give this a read. 

In other news, I've made a start on my room revamp and am looking forward to getting stuck in once we come back from holiday- I'll be taking plenty of picture, don't you worry aha. I desperately need book recommendations so please, throw them at me!

Hope you guys have had a good day

xx

Oh No Look What Happened- NARS

NARS Lipgloss in Giza and Belize

NARS Blusher in Mata Hari

So the other day, I completely smashed one of my housemate's fancy wine glass. Just clipped it on the side of the drying rack and the damn thing cracked. I said I would replace it and it turned out that the wine glass really was a fancy one from House Of Fraser. I hated the thought of paying out for delivery as well just for one thing so to make it worth it, I decided to have a look through the NARS section... you know... to make it worth the delivery...

I've been curious about NARS for a while now and have always been super aware of their price tag. I really want to try Sheer Glow but having recently fallen in love in my new Benefit foundation, I didn't see any point in pursuing it. I toyed with getting the infamous Orgasm blush but I always thought it sound a bit overrated and why not go for something different.

And so this is what I ended up with. I've been getting a lot more into lipglosses recently and wanted to add to my collection. Giza is quite a warm peach and Belize a nice pinky neutral. Everyone knows that Turkish Delight is said to be Kim Kardashian's favourite but when I saw it in the flesh, so to speak, recently, I saw how pale baby pink it was and from past experience, I know those shades don't work well with my skin tone. I wore Belize out for a night out last night and absolutely love it, its a new favourite. Giza, I'm not so sure on yet and might have to wait until I've picked up a bit of a tan for it to work well.

As for Mata Hari, the first thing I thought when I saw it was holy crap that's bright. It's a fuschia blush with quite a blue undertone, I'd say. It is really well pigmented and nicely milled also so it's a fine powder when applied. But fear not! With a light hand with a blusher brush, this is perfectly work able with and gives a nice flush on the cheeks. Too heavy handed and you might end up looking like a china doll. I've been meaning to branch out a little with blushes- I pretty much only every use my Natural Collection Peach Melba so this is a nice change. I will let you know if it appears in any of my photos so you can see how it looks one. I'm too busy being a tramp and doing general house work before Barcelona to put make up today, sorry!

Tomorrow or, at the very latest Monday morning, 

I will have a post up on what I'm taking to Barcelona with me in my hand luggage. 

I have about half the photos taken but I'm a very last minute packer...

Hope you guys are having a good one!

xx

Merry Christmas and Sales Bargains

Heels- Zara Sale

Heels- New Look Sale

Blazer- River Island Sale

Dress- Zara Sale

Origins- Night-A- Mins

Hello! Hope you all had a good Christmas with lots of nice things!

Christmas isn't really a big affair in my house- minimal decorations or fuss and we don't go all out for presents as we'd all rather hit the sales/keep it to a smaller budget. So I thought I'd show you what I've snapped up so far. A few bargains but nothing insane. I'm particularly pleased with the two pairs of heels- both pairs that I had had my eye on prior to the sales and luckily were reduced. I got a pair of Superdry trackies actually for Christmas and they are so soft and warm! Perfect for when I'm trudging to the gym/ really cannot be bothered for an early start at uni.

But the real bargain that I got has yet to come. I did an order with Urban Outfitters- 4 items all in the sale. If I had bought them all at full price, they would have come in at just over £140. In the sale- around £83. I then managed to get student discount and free delivery on top of that so the total came to just over £70! Bargain! Including a new pair of black jeans. So I'm really chuffed for that but I'm just patiently waiting for the dispatch notice. I go back to university on the 5th and I ordered it to my home address so I'm hoping it gets here on time!

Apart from that, I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed with how much work I have to do still including 3 deadlines in the first week and then 2 exams and an essay in the two weeks after that. Slightly stressed but it because my timetable is reduced, hopefully I'll motivate myself to get to the library most days and power through the revision!

So I hope you are all keeping well and warm

And have a fabulous New Year

xx

Hauling

Collection 2000 Collection

Eco Brushes Concealer Brush

Zara Bag

Topshop Peplum Top

Topshop T-Shirt

Topshop Bandage Skirt

River Island Ruched Maxi Skirt

As promised these are the things I picked up on my little shopping trip. I want more cosy jumpers and cardigans in the shops now but I'm looking forward to styling all of these particularly the maxi skirt which is the perfect winter colour. I love the ruching and it has a split to the tight but with a pair of wooly tights and boots, it'll be perfect.

I'm also really happy with the peplum top. I wasn't sure it would suit my figure and when I tried it on, I wasn't sure but I then found it the Tall section and it fit like a glove! Chuffed. Also pleased with the bag, was really cheap at £20. I'm really picky with bags- they have to be just right and ideally big enough to fit an A4 notebook in so I can use it at uni. I might get a few more holes punched into the strap so I can lengthen it a bit. Most shoe repair places will do it for free.

Anyway, I hope you guys like.

Look out for them appearing in OOTD's soon.

xx

Brighton Shopping

Brighton Pier. Brighton Pavillion. Alice in Wonderland. Choccywoccydoodah window. Amazing salad. Beyond Retro. Leather belts. Old blue shoes. Vintage dress. Pheasant. Vintage bags.

Leather gilet- H&M. Hooters T-Shirt- Dirty Harry. Jumper- H&M. Vintage Levis- Vintage Shop. Dusty Rose Maxi Skirt- New Look. Peace Belt- Urban Outfitters.

A collection of pictures from 2 days in Brighton which is one of my favourite places and only a 20 min drive away from me. It's also fantastic for shopping as you get a great mix of high street and unique vintage shops, including the well known Beyond Retro. I find vintage shopping very hit and miss but if you get a hit, it's a  good day!
Una colección de imágenes de 2 dias en Brighton que uno de mis lugares favoritos y es menos de 20 minutos por coche. Es fantástico para hacer las compras porque hay una mezcla de tiendas de calles principales y de tiendas únicas y 'vintage', incluyendo el bien conocido Beyond Retro. Hacer las compras 'vintage' me parece un poco al azar pero si tienes un buen dia, es un buen dia!

As for what I did buy, I'm pleased with all of them, especially with the leather gilet which I wore straight away. I may stud it. I'm not sure yet. Also got myself some vintage Levi's. You can't move for them in the vintage shops. However, out of interest, do any of you find the sizing a bit on the small side? My friend and myself did as did 2 other women trying them on. Or are sizes these days just way more lenient?
Para lo que compré, estoy contento con todo, especialmente el gilet de piel que llevaba imediatamente. Quizas, lo tachonaré pero no estoy segura. Tambien, compré shorts vintage de Levi. Están en todas las tiendas vintage! Sin embargo, de interés, alguno de ustedes encuentra el tamano un poco pequeno? Para yo y mi amiga, sí así como 2 otras mujeres que los probaron. O los tamanos hoy en día son un poco más indulgentes...

I'm really pleased I snagged the peace belt from UO. I had been looking for it everywhere but always seemed to miss it until yesterday! Frustratingly, it's about an inch too small to be worn on my waist and my hips but I will definately get some good use out of it!
Soy muy feliz que compré este cinturón de paz de UO. Lo he buscado por todos lugares pero nunca lo encontré hasta ayer! Lo frustrante es que es un poco demasiado pequeno para llevarlo en mi cintura Y mis caderas pero estoy segura que lo usaré mucho1

So a very good day by all accounts :)

Would you like to see me style any of these new buys in a OOTD?

Let me know

Have a good day!

xx