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Monday 25 June 2012

A Wedge of Waiting...

Is this the worst June weather ever?!

I'm kind of upset.

This year I'm fully embracing body confidence, working out 3x a week, eating healthily and (of course it happens- hello fishfinger sandwiches) very rarely falling off the wagon.

I haven't lost a tonne of weight but I feel good. Most days. Today isn't one of those, unfortunately.

But this year- for one year, finally- I saw the summer approaching and thought 'you know what? I am genuinely excited! Let's rock it. Who gives a f*ck what anyone thinks.'

...But summer has, so far, turned out to be a damp squid.

And this upsets me.

Because look at my beautiful new shoes.




They're not even new anymore, having been in my shoe box for over a month now, eagerly awaiting the sun.

They are the comfiest wedges, and were only £16 which I think is a bargain price considering I plan to make them my 'go-to' summer dress-up shoe.

If only summer would actually 'go.'



I have never been more eager to wear anything in my life. And the weather has never been quite so unsuitable.

Fear not, as soon as I get the chance, I WILL crack these out and I WILL be posting lots of pics.


Saturday 23 June 2012

I Like....

My trouser-like leggings.

I know I featured these in my ebay post- but I thought they deserved a little something extra as I *high pitched singing* loveeee themmmm.

I managed to snap up a pair in the New Look sale for only £7- I did that territorial grabbing thing when your heart skips a beat and you're like one of the seagulls from Finding Nemo ('MINE!')

They're slightly tighter than the DP Ebay pair and have stitching detail on the front.




I thought I'd do a few outfit options with these, just to show you how pleased I am to have found such a versatile piece. They literally go with everything- can be dressed up with heels for night and dressed down with boots for day.

As I said, I wanted some since I saw them in Topshop Oxford Street- I also read an interview with Take Me Out co-host babe Zoe Hardman who said they were her fail-safe date night go to.

The problem with a lot of leggings is everyone around you gets TMI (TOO MUCH INTIMACY) with your, erm, intimate bits.

I would say every girl should have a pair of these in her wardrobe.












TOP PIC
Yellow Top- Primark £8
Red Shoes- Primark £12


SECOND PIC
Green Blouse- New Look Sale £8
Purple Velvet Clutch- New Look Sale £5
Black Lace Heels- Very £25

THIRD & FOURTH PICS
Denim Shirt- New Look £10
Black Bag- River Island £28
Leopard Print Shoes- New Look Sale £10

FIFTH PIC
Liam Gallagher Print T-Shirt- Matalan (Men's Section) £10
Leopard Print Bag- Deichmann (Gift)

SIXTH PIC
Jumper- Ebay, Vintage £1
Red Bag- New Look £14

SEVENTH PIC
Grey T-Shirt- New Look Sale £3
Black Bag- As before

EIGHT PIC
Swan Print Top- New Look £4
Purple Clutch- Primark (Gift)
 

Thursday 21 June 2012

OH MY Ebay

I may be a little bit addicted.

If you are a reader of shewearsfashion.com, you will know that the beautiful Kavita is always finding absolute bargains on ebay.

And now I am too.

My sister is a massive ebay fan and now that I've found some absolute steals, I'm thinking, why didn't I do this sooner?!

I mean, be careful, because you could end up spending a lot of your time and money on ebay- but with the right amount of discipline, you should be alright and have some fabulous pieces to add to your collection.

Grandad Jumper



This is vintage *read: may need a wash* and with p & p literally cost, like £1. It's oversized, cosy, wam....slightly sheer when worn which adds a sexy-can you see my old man chest hair peeking through-vibe.
With red lips, nails- I'm bringing old people sexy back in a big way.

Boots

These glorious boots were £9 in the end....New...with a tag on them, original cost £60. I could cry with bargain happiness.

Sexy Legs

I've been looking for something like this for a while, ever since I went to Topshop on Oxford Street and saw a similar pair.....for like £45! No thanks, Sir Philip. I wanted something halfway between a trouser and a legging...not 'hey, who wants to see my bum?! and yet also not 'un.sexy.'
I think these are a vision in black. And for about £8, a bit of a steal.



I love picking up winter bits in summer, always ensures a bargain. And let's face it, in this country, who knows what you're going to get on a 'summer' morn! Hats and scarves at the ready, people!


My Top Ebay Tips

  • Know what it is you're in the market for- having a clear idea will help you cut to the chase and not end up spending an entire evening (easily done) sifting through Spongebob Squarepants print t-shirts.

  • Put things on your 'watch list'. Ebay's a predatory ground when bargains are sought by many. If an item you've got you're eye on is for auction a few more hours, don't jup in straight away- keep it on your watch list and be ready to pounce at the last minute!

  • Search by 'time: ending soonest'- you can literally snap up a bargain for mere pennies with just seconds to spare!

  • Having said that....don't rush in to anything silly. Like with tip number one, know what you're going there for. Don't just bid on something because it's cheap. Bid on it based on how much wear you're going to get out of it- ie, its value for money. It's one thing looking at those Spongebob t-shirts. It's another thing wearing them....

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Primark Haul

I don't live in a city with a Primark anymore *sad face*

Well, in fact, I don't live in a city at all....

So when I do go back from 'whence I came', it's always one of the places on my hitlist.

The one at home has had a makeover too- it's even bigger, even more bargainous and yes- even more busy- than ever.

Nevertheless, when a gal's on a mission, she will stop at nothing until a haul-worthy bag of goods is in her possession.


Bold? Brash? A little extreme? I love love LOVE these trousers. They had such a wide selection of patterns, I could have had them all. Unfortunately, budget constraints and 'how many pairs of trousers does a girl need, exactly?' sensibility stopped that from happening! So I went for the ones that I will get the most wear out of and which immediately caught my eye. That's right people- Normalface is one step closer to the dream of having every piece of clothing known to man in a leopard print style. I'm like that woman off Coronation Street.




I think these will look great dressed up (heels, white shirt) or down (tucked in to boots)...but maybe just not on me!...


Pretty self-explanatory. I got these because they are AMAZE.


Casual top with scallop-trim. Quite basic, but can be dressed up or down. And was half-price. Super.


Can't decide which colour to go for? Now you don't have to! Pick them all with these rainbow-inspired sandals!


Because we all love a bit of swan-print. It's a classic wardrobe staple!

No seriously, Primark seem to have a lot of these style tops nowadays. Which is quite nice. They're handy, can be thrown on with leggings and boots or dressed up with a pencil skirt.

And let's face it, who doesn't love a tank top?!

Leopard Print Trousers- £10
Red Shoes- £12
Scallop-trim top- £2
Sandals- £6
Swan-Print Top- £4

Monday 18 June 2012

Jewellery- Supersize

I'm a fan of a big earring or two.

I've been known to wear ones so big, I've needed a lie down after a few minutes of loping them about (or lobing them about, as it were).

But when in Rome- or wherever it is my holiday travels take me in a few months' time- just go for it.




No one wants to be in that awkward 'you've overpacked, pay us an extortionate fee if you want your precious goods to see ou on the other side of the plane journey' situation. So a capsule wardrobe is a must.



These are the pieces I will be taking on holiday with me. So if you see someone lying exhausted on a sunlounger with earrings big enough to act as sombreros, you know it might be me....

Tribal style earrings- Primark £2
Bangle- New Look (sale) £1
Feather/ shell earrings- Topshop (sale) £3
Gold earrings- New Look (sale) £2

Sunday 17 June 2012

Patterns

I don't know what on Earth attracted me to these leggings.....but I was on a Primark spree, picking up bargains left, right and centre, an eye for a pattern and....BAM! In to the basket you go, aztec-print £6 leggings.



They've been in my rapidly-expanding wardrobe for a while until I finally thought 'you know what, Normalface? Just go for it, fool.'

And I did.

And you know what? I love them.



They're so comfy. I wore them on (yet another) Primark shopping trip- where I picked up (yet more) daring leg wear. I'd wear them again tomorrow if I could....I just don't think they'd go down too well in the office.....

Leggings- Primark £6
Bag- Primark (sale) £3
Scarf- Primark £4
Leather Jacket- £25
Boots- Primark (sale) £8

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Weighing on my mind

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/10/body-image-anxiety-eva-wiseman?newsfeed=true

I’ve been thinking about this article since I read it yesterday afternoon. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

I realised that for the past 23 years. TWENTY THREE YEARS. I have struggled with a nagging feeling of inadequacy.

I don’t want to be a big head, but I feel like I’ve achieved quite a bit so far- and I'm sure you have too.
Good grades, degree, post degree, getting and doing a job that I absolutely LOVE and which I work very very hard at.

I have this blog, which I hope to develop.

I have a great family, a loving relationship, wonderful friends.

So WHY should I, and should many young women like me, feel like frauds?

Simply put- because we don’t feel like we look good enough.

I realised yesterday after I read that article, I am subconsciously going through life with the mantra ‘when you lose three stone, you will be so much happier. When you look like Scarlett Johansson, life will be better’ playing on repeat in my head.

Looking at photographs of Rihanna or Kelly Brook splashed on the Daily Mail and feeling a stab of panic.

I’m not sure what has conditioned us to think in this way- like Eva Wiseman says in the article, it is much too simplistic to blame ‘the media’ or ‘Hollywood’.

For the moment, the one person I’m blaming? Myself.

We’re bombarded with these images on a daily basis, told by a world outside ourselves that we’re not good enough unless there’s a gap between our thighs.

I blame myself for bowing to that pressure and thinking that because I might have a dimple of cellulite or two, NOTHING ELSE I’VE EVER ACHIEVED MATTERS.

And it’s BOLLOCKS.

I eat healthily, I work out. I’m blessed to have a body that works, that sees me through some of life’s most amazing experiences. One day, hopefully, it will allow me to have children.

But is this a world I’m not sure I’d want to bring a daughter in to.

To think that she might feel that same nagging feeling that she’s not good enough because she’s a size 14 despite how intelligent and funny and kind she is- it’s heart breaking.

But the only person that can change it is me. And you.

Like is said in the article, the media and the fashion industry will not change extremes now- technology has never reversed, we won’t start seeing un-airbrushed images or size sixteen women with their kits off on the front of magazines.

So what do we do? We take no notice. We hold our heads high, appreciate other women for their beauty, but we remember that no one is perfect- and just because she’s got a flat stomach, does not make her better than you.

I understand that primarily my blog talks about clothes and beauty. But I want to use those things to celebrate who I am, not hide me. I want to wear those fabulous new clothes when I experience some of the best days of my life.

And I don’t want to have the nagging feeling that if I lost some more weight, those best days might be better.


Friday 8 June 2012

Take a Dip in to…


Aqua Cool.

Lycra Pro, Rimmel.


I know different people look for different things in a nail polish. Chip resistant, price….

But for me, it’s all about the colour.

What’s the point of wearing a nail polish that lasts forever but that you. Just. Can’t. stand?

No. If I’m going to be wearing it, I have to be rocking it.

And atm, this is my colour du jour.


It’s a blue-lilac mix that makes me think of summer. And as we are in the middle of what can only be described as THE WETTEST JUNE EVER, that isn’t such a bad thing.

Plus anything that helps me get my arse in gear and to the gym is a bonus.

I know I said it’s all about the colour for me, but this Rimmel polish don’t come cheap- and I’m guessing that’s partly to do with the ‘up to 10 days’ tag it so proudly boasts on its label.

Apparently it’s made with lycra and has ‘anti-fade’ technology.

Most of us just wear a colour for a couple of days, change it up, and never really think about the promises we paid for.

So I’m going to give this one a run for its money.

Check back here in 10 days’ time to see how it fares.

Thursday 7 June 2012

Book Review


Pear Shaped

*WARNING- PLOT RUINER*



First of all, can I just say congratulations to whoever designed the cover for this book. The colours, the illustrations, the font. THE TITLE. Hell, this book had £4.99 off me before I could say ‘shallow’.

Judge me for judging a book on its cover if you will, but this is actually, a very good book.

If you’re in to puddings, that is.

Sophie Klein is a pudding developer, London girl and independent woman *mmmm hmmm ya’lll*

Then she meets millionaire James and they live happily-ever-after. Right?

Wrong.

For James commits, in my pudding-loving opinion, one of the ultimate sins against independent women.

He says that despite the fact she’s funny, and talented, and intelligent, she just, well….doesn’t look right.

Like 100 times.

And then he says he can’t be with her because he doesn’t find her attractive. Because she is a size 10, five-foot-something and not a size 2, six-foot-something Russian model.

I know sistas.  That ageing, podgy millionaire needs a clip round the ear.

One thing that made me enjoy this book, I think, was the amount of rage it made me feel. It sounds wrong doesn’t it, but who doesn’t love a good temper-tantrum every now and then?!

I FEEL RAGE because no matter that James is an *in my humble opinion* arrogant, delusional bastard who checks out other women and let’s face it, probably cheats on numerous occasions, Sophie TURNS A BLIND EYE.

If it was up to me, she’d have kicked him to the kerb by page 52.



But I guess that’s the point of the book. And it would be a pretty short book if she did get rid of that imbecile by page 52, wouldnt it?!
We’ve all been in the situation where we watch our friend make a huge mistake, be mistreated by someone, talk it over for hours and hours with you……and then walk right out the door back to the same old shit. And a lot of us have probably been in the situation where we are that friend, too.

This book makes you think about what you’d tell yourself, if you were your friend.

I really liked Sophie as a character- she’s smart, witty, hard-working, and she deserves better.

The book is a realistic portrayal of falling in love- it’s written in first person, and we ask the same questions that Sophie does. That butterfly feeling, one minute being on top of the world, the next worrying and jealousy- then wondering why you’re acting like a paranoid old shrew.

I won’t ruin the end for you. Because you should read this book.

All I’ll say is, it’s funny, sad….and will make you want to go to and spend a ridiculous amount of money on desserts.

I raise my New York cheesecake to you, Stella Newman, for this is a fantabulous debut novel.


Looking Forward....

To Summer.



I know we had those fleeting few glorious days a couple of weeks ago- when some of us *cough* did get sunburn, despite our rigorous and sometimes bordering on insane SPF application- but today is rainy, and horrible, and cold, and my hair looks like rat's tails.

There is only one thing I can do to console myself- think ahead to the sunshine.

My lovely boyfriend and I are going away later this year and, amid my 'must-get-toned-get-to-the-gym' panic, I'm already preparing my holiday wardrobe.

And who wouldnt when it looks so fabulous, dahling?!

I thought I'd just share a few bits (and hopefully inspire myself to keep on the keep-fit bandwagon and be beach-ready)


I've been looking for a while for a high-waisted bikini for a while because, let's face it, THAT'S a problem area for me. I'm really happy with this ASOS one...you never know, I might treat you lucky so-and-so's to a picture of me in it sometime. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Tropical print dress- New Look sale, £4.99
Satchel- Peacocks, £14
Bikini- ASOS...don't ask me the price...
Crop top- New Look, £4.99



I want to post on all these items individually because I love them so much, but I'm pretty sure my small number of followers whould shrink even more due to boredom.

I've been looking for one of these bags for a while- brown isn't really a bag colour I 'do', but this is the perfect shade. It basically reminds me of one I saw of Rihanna on holiday last year and clearly if I have a similar bag, that will mean I have a similary sexy body too.......



As for the 'crop' top....a scary place for many of us. But you know what girls? FUCK IT. With a high-waisted skirt this will be more 50's-esque than sexism.

Sunday 3 June 2012

I Like....


My little yellow bag.


I don’t know why I was instantly attracted to this. I thought- Normalface, you will look like you have jaundice next to this thing.

But it’s in a messenger style I didn’t have in my collection, it was £3 in the Primark sale, and it has horse material on the inside.

I mean, no bag collection is complete without a little animal lining, right?

Come Summer time *albeit rain* I’ve realised this was a brilliant purchase. And I congratulate myself every time I sling it over one of my stylish shoulders.

Come on everyone *letttt the sunshine in, lettttt the sunshine in, the suuuunnnn shine innnnnn*