"Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style.” - John Fairchild

32 followers, wow! Thank you guys, I really appreciate all your comments and enjoy reading them so keep them coming! I'm almost done collecting bits for my first give away, I'll be posting about it later this week so watch out for that.

& now for something different, what have I been buying in February & March! I know I've been saving for the holiday of dreams (hoping to pass the £500 mark this weekend!) but it was my birthday and I had a few good pay days so of course treats were in order! I'm finally comfortable in my own style and I'm not really a trend follower because I just don't have the money to re do my wardrobe every season, but if I was Spring would be my favourite season. I live in dresses, tights and cardigans, even in the middle of winter so I look forward to when all the shops start to stock their beautiful floral dresses and I have to practice the most amazing restraint not to spend a fortune. I do of course buy a few, just to stock up for the coming year. Luckily for me, with my immense mountain of savings to do, Primark has had the cutest pieces so I haven't even had to go into my overdraft this year (for the first time in about 5 years!).

I'm a little bit nervous about this post and I've been putting off doing one for the past six weeks, but since I want to incorporate fashion into my blog I feel it has to be done. This is all because it's my style photos, as modelled by me. I have very little self confidence that's why there haven't been any of yet. There are no full body shots because my flat doesn't get very good light in anywhere that had somewhere to stand my camera on, I will need to invest in a tripod if i'm going to carry on doing this. There was no way I'm going to ask the boy to take pictures of me for two reasons really, one he always makes me laugh and two he takes them from odd angles so I always look like a giant with ten chins. Portrates aren't his photography forte.

I'm going to apologize now for all creases and any shots where it will seem like I'm posing because lets face it I am (who would want photos of themselves looking like a whale on their blog?). I'm not doing it for attention just to show of some outfits i've been wearing lately and if the reception of these photos is mostly good, then I'm hoping to start a Weekly Wardrobe project.

Clothes Buys for Feb/March 2010
L-R Polkadot Playsuit, Primark, £13 // Cream Lace Dress, Primark, £15 // Floral Playsuit, Primark, £13 // Blue Bow Dress, Miss Selfridge, £35 // Lace Leggings, New Look, £10 // Cream Long Cardigan, H&M, £10

Close up of patterns and details on the lace dress, floral playsuit & bow dress.

The cream lace dress from Primark is one of my favourite ever dresses, it's so flattering and it fits perfectly. I've worn it a lot but for some reason I don't have any outfit photos of it as of yet. I saw the other day Primark are now stocking other colours of it and I'm hoping to get the pale yellow version too. I used my birthday vouchers to buy the blue bow dress for the boys grandparents 60th Anniversary dinner. The collar and bows on it are so cute and the shape is very flattering, I am slightly disappointed with this because of how easily it creases. I have only worn it once to the dinner and we were in such a hurry I didn't get a chance to take an outfit photo.

Accessory Buys Feb/March 2010
Flower Hairclip, Accessorize, 80p // OPI Off With Her Red Varnish, Fenwicks, £9 // Diamond Ring, Miss Selfridge, 50p // Bow Necklace, Bit of Skirt, £7 // Love Bracelet, Accessorize, £4

I did receive more jewellery for my birthday but they're not really buys and I have already mentioned those. The flower hair clip was a bargin find in Accessorize, reduced to 80p because the pin had come off it, I love the colour. The gold ring is because I have a silver ring on my middle finger on my left hand that I used to take off when wearing gold jewellery but I felt so naked without it. The red of Off With Her Red is so perfect, I thought it would be more orange but it's not, I just really had to have one of the Alice in Wonderland OPI collaborations. The necklace is actually from Elsie Belle but I bought it in Bit of Skirt in Lincoln. I also bought the item below in Bit of Skirt

Vintage Tea Cup, Bit of Skirt, £1.75

It's beautiful and marked on the bottom as bone china. It's perfect for keeping my hair bobbles and curby grips in because I always lose them. It also looks really cute on my dressing table.

Snow White Loungefly Wallet, Ebay, £22-£23 ish

I asked the boy for this for my birthday, but since then we booked our holiday and he went on holiday leaving him short for my birthday so I used some money on ebay to buy this myself. It came all the way from America and it's beautiful. Best ever purse as it fits everything in and still stays slim.

Small Straw Bag, Primark, £2.50 // Cream Slouch Oversized Bag, Topshop Originally Thrifted for £12

I used to have the last seasons large straw bag from Primark but it was too bulky and hurt the back of my legs, I still loved it and reluctantly sold it on. So obviously I was delighted to find this cutie in blue in Primark for £2.50. It's half the size and will be perfect for summer trips to the pub. The cream bag was love at first sight and is current Topshop stock. It's gorgeous buttery fake leather and fits loads in. I get so many compliments on it and the best part is I got it for £12 on livejournal!

Nautical Flip Flops, Primark, £2

Gladiator Sandals, Primark, £4

Summer footwear from Primark is a must. With the amount of summer weather we get in England I begrude completely buying expensive sandals and the best part is the pair I had from Primark last year were the pair I walked all over Manhattan in and they were so comfortable. They're still wareable for this year so I'm saving them for Florida. They're identical to the tan pair I've bought this year except my old ones are in gold. The cute nautical flip flops are a bargin at £2. They come in blue and red and have a little fold anchor hanging on the toe post, they're also basket bottom which are my favourite kind since the foam bottom ones make my feet sweat.

& now, some outfits while wearing my new buys

Black Cardigan, H&M, £10 // Blue Tunic, Primark, £?? // Lace Leggings, New Look, £10 // Bow Necklace, Bit of Skirt, £7.50

The blue tunic I stole from my little sister, it's a size 8 but fits perfectly and it's a lovely colour of blue. The H&M cardigans are a staple of mine, I'm trying to get one with every pay cheque as they are so comfy and go with everything. And I love the second picture because it shows my layers in my hair perfectly.

Long Length Cream Cardigan, H&M, £10 // Floral Playsuit, Primark, £13 // 100 Denier Tights, Sock Shop, £5.99 // Cinderella Carriage Necklace, Elsie Belle, £14.95

I love how lovely my hair looks in this photo, but it's not about hair, no, it's about how amazing this playsuit is. The material reminds me of a floral dress my mum had when I was a child, she wore it to my sisters christening, it even had shoulder pads like this playsuit but I removed them because I hate the big shoulders trend. This playsuit fits perfect for me, I struggled to find one that fitted my odd shaped body and I was so surprised that it was in Primark I found it (as many people always say how shapeless Primark clothes are). The cardigan was on offer for £10 in H&M, I wish I'd bought more colours because the offers finished now and I live in this one, I guess i'll just have to pay £15 for another couple. The necklace was of course my Valentines gift from the boy.

Pussy Bow Top, Uniqlo, £4.99 // Tutu Skirt, Topshop, £28 // Heart Print Tights, Topshop, £8 // Tom Binns for Disney Couture Pocket Watch Necklace, Treasure Box, £40 // Bow Hairband, Primark, £??

Three photos this time to try and show the heart pattern on my tights. I have these in black too and although £8 is a ridic amount to pay for some tights especially Topshop tights that ladder so easily (although I've been so careful that mine are still going strong after about three wears) I just love them. I have a polka dot version from Primark for a meer £2 but they're just not half as cute as the heart print ones. The skirt and top are both very old but I love them, the top is insanely bobbled down but it's so flattering. The necklace was a birthday gift from the boy, I was a bit gutted to find it's not a working pocket watch but it still hangs in the perfect place.

Cashmere Blend Cardigan, Urban Outfitters, £9.99 // Polkadot Playsuit, Primark, £13 // 100 Denier Black Tights, Sock Shop, £5.99 // Princess Disney Couture Necklace, Truffleshuffle, £18

When I saw Primark were doing a polka dot version of my beloved playsuit in grey or black I had to have it. Black with white spots is a classic so that's the one I chose. I don't like it as much as the floral one but it's still a cutie. The pink cardigan is so ballerina esq and comfy due to it being a cashmere blend, it was supposed to be about £50 but I was lucky enough to get it in one of Urban Outfitters fantastic sales. It's supposed to be cropped but because I'm so short it fits me like a normal cardigan.

I'm really hoping the feedback from this post isn't too negative meaning you all want to see some more. Should I keep posting outfits? & What are your best buys from Feb or March? I think mine is def that cream lace dress, I just adore it.

Hope you're all having a nice Tuesday, I'm off to the Post Office then returning to do a LOT of house work. Sad times for a day off.

"I like my money right where I can see it, hanging in my closet." - Carrie Bradshaw

I'm pretty sure it must be most girls dreams to find out she has an excuse to buy something new for an expensive dinner, usually it is my dream but not three days before said expensive dinner. Saturday night, I will be spending my evening in the company of the boys family having an expensive meal to celebrate his grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. I did have my outfit all picked out, a nice new long top over my black leggings with a long cardigan and some small heals, comfy but sophisticated however last night the boy receives a message from his father to in the words of Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, "suit up". Which of course meant my modest outfit was going to be too casual for the occasion. Panic ensues. I have to admit I am fortunate enough to be in possession of £50 worth of arcadia gift cards from my birthday that I was trying to save for the sales but with saving for our holiday it's left me tight for money especially for new clothes. Not only was lack of funds a problem but the fact I have a small window of two hours tomorrow evening before we watch Alice in Wonderland at the IMAX to find something and with my shop choice limited to three this is indeed a challenge that has me in a flap. I always feel its important that while visiting the boys family I make a huge effort, his elder brothers wife is naturally beautiful so I often feel that I must be such a let down! I'm sure it's not true but a girl can't help worrying!

Since coming home from work I've browsed Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge and Topshop's website in search of something nice, smart that I can wear again by dressing down and making it as every day as possible since I don't go out enough to warrent having a huge selection of evening wear. I've found a few dresses and skirts I like, nothing that I would of gave a second look had I not needed something, but still, who can say no to new clothes?

So these are the bits I've come across. The first two dresses are from Miss Selfridge and are £35 each. I've found a new love for Miss Selfridge lately. I went off it a few months back as I thought it was getting very tacky and the sort of stuff I imagined fourteen years old to wear however the past few weeks I've been popping back in and I think a lot of their new season stuff is much nicer than Topshop. The first navy dress is my favourite and I'm hoping that is the one I'm able to get tomorrow. It's definitely something I'll wear again and I adore peter pan collars. I'd team it with a pair of skin coloured tights and my black squeek shoes from Topshop. The red dress, has padded shoulders which I'm not into, I'd have to check that the pads can be cut out but it's the back of the dress is gorgeous! This I'd wear with black out tights and again my squeek shoes. The third dress is from Dorothy Perkins and costs £30. I'm not so keen on the polka dots but I adore the shape. I have other dresses like that and it's really flattering on my figure. I do however thing it might not be smart enough. The next two are skirts from Topshop since I didn't see any dresses I like in Topshop, infact I'm struggling at all to find anything I like in Topshop at the moment. They're both £35, I do love them but then I'd just have to buy a top as well and that's more money than I really want to spend. The final dress isn't one I'm actually going to buy since I'd have to order it offline and I doubt it would be here for Saturday, plus it's £60. It is my dream dress that I lusted over last year on asos.com when it was in the sale for £30 but then it disappeared and I just found it again else where. I'll never own it because I know I'll hardly get to wear it but it doesn't stop me loving it!

Anyway, it's getting late and I have a busy three days ahead, I shall keep you all updated on which dress I treat myself to. Do any of you have dream items of clothes that you wish you could own but you know it would be pointless to?

"I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, Sir, because I'm not myself you see." - Alice

Alice in Wonderland Collection, Spring 2010

L-R Key Bracelet @ £25, Curiouser & Curiouser Hoops @ £25, Watch Necklace @ £45
Drink Me Necklace @ £25, Mad Hatter Necklace @ £30, Bottle Necklace @ £30

As I've previously mentioned I'm a huge fan of Disney Couture jewellery and was extremely excited to hear about the Alice in Wonderland that was to be released to coincide with the new movie release. It has been designed by renowned designer Tom Binns, famous for his eclectic and expensive jewellery that is considered more art than fashion. The collection contains 35 pieces that range from about £12 (depending on the retailer) up.

Above are some of my favourite pieces from the collection, my three favourites are those at the very top. The key bracelet (also available in gold), the hoops and the watch necklace (also available in silver). The bracelet was the very first piece I saw from the collection and although I'm not a fan of chunky things around my wrist (I never wear a watch) the key bracelet is an amazing piece of design that I would see myself always wearing. "Curiouser and Curiouser" is one of my favourites quotes from Alice in Wonderland (it's been featured in almost all remakes and is even in the book) and the stunning hoops with the quote is just the epitome of all things Alice. Even though I rarely ever wear earrings I would love these so much, they're so statement! The beautiful pocket watch necklace speaks for itself really, it's my favourite piece in the whole collection but at £45 and my current financial state I cannot ever see myself owning it. I already own a silver pocket watch I purchased on a recent trip to London but it has nothing on this beauty. I'd love it in gold.

Of all the pieces I would like to own, the "Drink Me" necklace is probably my least favourite. My only reason would be that it looks to much like a Tatty Devine necklace, or one that could be purchased from anywhere that makes perspex necklaces. The other two I find incredibly cute, I adore the charms but I have many similar charm necklaces that I'd be afraid that they'd just fall to the sidelines. I prefer something more statement, especially when I'm spending a lot of money on them... however the detail is just gorgeous that I'd probably wear them more than I think.

As much as I do adore this collection, I find it quite different to the Disney Couture stuff (although I have to admit I'm very glad not to see MORE Tinkerbell) it's darker and not as Disney, more Tim Burton. I think I prefer the older Disney Couture jewellery that has the princess touch. I personally hope this isn't the direction Disney Couture is intending to always take!

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow" ~ English Proverb

Is it just me or did January last forever? I could feel myself getting more and more miserable as time passed and I have to admit when the calender finally flipped over to February, I felt a little bit a hope. Finally we are moving closer to a little bit of sunshine! And with the promise of spring comes the thought of the spring/summer wardrobe. And this year I am excited. Nautical, lace, florals, polka dot and ditzy patterns and pastel colours! Coral and mint green are two of my favourite colours and I'm looking forward to wearing them.

Here is a few of my favourites that I hope to purchase over the new few months. I'm so incredibly lucky my twenty second birthday falls in March so maybe I'll be lucky and receive some as gifts.

L-R Topshop Vest @ £6, Topshop Heart Socks @ £3, New Look Lace Leggings @ £14, Topshop High Waist Skirt @ £30, Primark Lace Dress @ £15
Topshop Pants & Bra Set @ £6/£16, Topshop Ruffle Hem Vest @ £14, Topshop Bow Pumps @ £28, Elsiebelle Masquerade Necklace @ £11.95
Topshop Heart Cardigan @ £35, New Look Skater Dress @ £16, Topshop Dobby Spot Bikini @ £25, New Look Nautical Tunic @ £10

I've been really impressed by New Look lately. The lovely Emma Jane over at Plum Dressing inspired me to pay a visit after seeing she got heart print tights for a meer £4 instead of the £8 Topshop is charging. I called in but couldn't find the tights however I did see the gorgeous skater dress and the lace leggings. I also feel I need a nautical tunic. The lace dress is a total bargin in Primark. I've been looking on Instyle at all Primark's spring/summer 2010 collection and I am really excited by some of the items due in store at the end of March, including a straw boater I must get myself! Topshop as always has some gorgeous things I always feel I need. My favourite being the bikini that I would love to wear on holiday this summer, I may have to ask my parents for it for my birthday. The things I know will be buying is the vest top and the socks. The necklace is from my new favourite online jewellery store, Elsiebelle. I really do insit you check her out!