Get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook

Outfit:
Cream jersey camisole - Primark
Blue jacquard midi skirt - Asos
Dove blue lady dragons - Vivienne Westwood
Red lips - Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer Big Bang

This skirt is by far the most beautiful, luxurious item of clothing I own. It's just so pretty and ladylike - I can pretend I'm not a gobby Essex bird for a few minutes. It literally only lasted a few minutes too before I got my heel caught in the decking and tumbled down the stairs in front of our guests. I had to sit through the reminder of my mother's garden party with a plaster on my grazed knee like a five year old. Ladylike can't be used to describe me just yet... Maybe one day!

I wouldn't be British if I didn't mention the glorious weather we seem to be having. Long may it continue!  All I seem to want to do is sit in the garden with a good book and a pitcher of Pimms. How are you spending the sunny days? Although the underground is sweltering at the moment, it's not one aspect of Summer I'm enjoying!

You might be seeing a lot of Arctic Monkeys lyrics as blog post names in the future as my boyfriend managed to get tickets for us to see them at Earls Court in October. Their first album has been making my daily commute a little easier - I feel like i've gone back to being 18 again aka the best years of my life. I'm so excited to finally see them as it's been a long time coming! If I'm honest, I'm probably just paying £40 to hear I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor live. Excited isn't even the word to describe it.

Have you got any gigs lined up in the future? Or did you manage to get Arctic Monkeys tickets too?

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I just can't listen to the words of fools

Outfit:
Orange floral dress - Primark
Cream cardigan - Primark
Nude cut out brogues - Dorothy Perkins

This dress was found as a result of a self-imposed spending ban. I'm trying to save for New York so buying clothes is a no-no and I'm having to root around in the dark and dingy depths of my wardrobes for things to wear. Sometimes I'm disappointed but other times it's a pleasant surprise like when I found this dress. It's quite a few years old now and I remember being disgusted that it was priced at £25. A bit extortionate to be fair but it's made of lovely thick material with netting underneath to help make it poof. This is my summer uniform. It's so easy to chuck on a dress, cardigan and shoes when you pop your snooze button on a bit too many times and have to rush out the door to catch the bus. My lovely wavy hair is courtesy of the Bumble and Bumble surf spray - we've become firm friends. Just look what it does!

What is your summer uniform?

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Laura Ashley Press Day AW13

A few weeks ago I was very kindly invited along to the Laura Ashley press day to see what wares they had coming up next season. Held in a ultra swish venue in central London - Il Bottaccio in case you were wondering -, the selection  of clothes were very impressive indeed.  From patterned trousers to leather jackets everything seem to catch my eye and I built up a mental wishlist as long as my arm.  The red duffle coat above received a massive thumbs up from me and i've now decided my new winter coat will have to be a duffle. Paddington Bear is the ultimate style icon don't you agree? The company seemed to be embracing all the winter trends and showed that the patterned trousers craze really isn't showing any signs of slowing down. Statement necklaces also made a welcomed appearance. They're great for jazzing up your outfit when you're a little short of cash.

Laura Ashley is also famous for it's amazing homeware. It may be a little pricey but you really do get what you pay for - the quality looks fantastic. This glass dressing table was without a doubt my favourite piece. It is such a pretty rose gold colour and really does takes centre point. it's certainly a talking point. With lots of beautiful little trinkets on offer, you don't have to spend a fortune to inject a little glamour into your home.

Finally we were given a little sneaky peak into the Laura Ashley 60 exhibition. The company reaches the grand old age of 60 this year and have opened their archives. It was so interesting to hear how the company has evolved and look at products through the ages. How cute are the matching sailor inspired dresses?! Laura Ashley have incorporated some designs from the past into the present collection so you get a real vintage feel.

Do you shop in Laura Ashley?

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