Christmas Party: What I Wore

I came in like a wrecking bauble

The Christmas party is a BIG deal where I work. They spend an absolute fortune on it, and everything is included; transport to London, dinner, dancing, photo booths, bottomless drinks, a hotel room for the night, and a hellish, never-ending coach home in the morning.



On the coach to the venue. Great duck-face, Sian.

In the run-up, your outfit plan for the night is carefully discussed, scrutinised and analysed. You discuss hair, makeup, nails, shoes: all aspects are examined, all angles are explored, nothing is left to chance. It's all our desk has talked about for three weeks...
Unless you're me, of course, and you end up running into Reading before the party because you need shoes and you've realised your dress is silver, not gold....
I was on a serious budget this year. I have so many more things to fund (like a bathroom renovation!) and clothing and fashion has fallen by the way-side. However, I did need something new. Thank god for River Island.
Overall, the last-minute outfit cost me less than £60. I love the dress and its' already done double duty at my Mum's birthday meal. I can see it lasting the whole party season; it looks good with black tights and boots for a more casual night out. Plus, there is something oh-so-flattering about a Bardot neckline...

River Island shimmer bardot dress, £28

New Look Double Ankle Strap Heels, £24.99

  As always, I was flying the flag for Marketers everywhere and partied 'til 6am....

Who's bright idea was that photo booth??

Hope everyone has a great Christmas party too!

Reading Round-Up

Reading was a treat this year! I live about 30 minutes from the site now so I felt really relaxed and low-key. I also saved a ton of money on food and drink!!

After my earlier post, swearing by Wellingtons, I didn't wear them once: the weather was far too nice!
 

So, what did I wear?
White Dr. Martens with EVERYTHING, of course :)

 

I definitely prepared for bad weather!(L-R)

1. Primark dress, £8 - Topshop Bracelets, £8 (last season) - Brandless Sunglasses (bought there), £5
2. Primark long-sleve jersey, £2 - Apple Bottom (TK Maxx) check shirt, £10 - Zara Lace shorts, £19.99

3. Motel Mesh Studded Crop, £25 - H&M black circle skirt (not shown), £9.99

MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS
- Royal Blood - Amazing two-piece that play with ferocity. I saw them on the Glasto coverage and had to head along. They lived up to expectations!
- Lower than Atlantis - hark, a post-hardcore English rock band - but with amazing lyrics and a melodic tune
- Jimmy Eat World - 90s rock I'm still shouting along to.

- Blink 182 - 'nuff said. They smashed it.

- Jamie T - oh my god, this guy.... Been out of the picture for a few years but he had everyone chanting

Did anyone go to Reading too? Festival highlights?

Review: Liquorish @ ASOS

There's something that always manages to take my mind off assignment work, house complications, and grim weather - holiday shopping!

Sadly, I've not done much of it in recent years. My wardrobe is looking sparse and tired. I've gone up a size or two since I finished uni (which I'm sort of okay with) and the things that still fit don't exactly set the world on fire.

I decided to treat myself. Oh, ASOS, you ol' devil.

I ordered this playsuit and this kimono

I was really shocked by the quality of both. The playsuit feels too stretchy, and the material is clingy and waxy. The lower half and top half are different colours and textures. I like it in theory, and I AM feeling desperate... Should I send it back? :S 

The kimono had a crepe-like texture to it, and really lacked finish; the lapels/collar bit that tucked inside wasn't even hemmed. It didn't warrant a picture.

Both these pieces were £75 origionally. The quality certainly didn't warrant that tag.

I give Liquorish a 5/10 for quality. Looks like the clothing hunt continues tomorrow....

Reading Festival Fashion 2014 - Wellies ahoy!

Summer's over. Face it. It's WEEING it down out there.

Some idiot at the Metro told me I shouldn't wear wellies this year because it's cliché.
Actually, the biggest cliché is being that frozen, miserable girl that's crying at the first aid tent because she was wearing suede sandals with diamanté Aztec toe thongs and someone has moshed on top of her.

Bloggers, I commend you for your commitment to style. Selina from Flying Saucer looked show stopping at Wireless recently in an amazing Motel co-ordinate which I planned to emulate.... until the rain started.
I will be wearing my white docs for some of the weekend - until the defences fail and my socks start getting soggy. Then the wellies are back out, because I'm there to have fun and not to look good.¹

And I will not be wearing a kimono. Where would I store the whiskey?
See you in the pit!










¹ Though looking like a goddess by ACCIDENT would be nice.

Oracle haul: perfect polish, sassy sandals

Popped into the Oracle in Reading today and came back with a beautiful pair of very, very light summer sandals from Jones the Bootmaker (these paticular babies aren't online!) I don't normally shop here, but my Mum was after some Birkenstocks... the selection was great, the staff were lovely, and the sale meant I was within my budget!

We then spent a painstaking half an hour in boots after the perfect polish, and we ended up with 'Pearl' in Silk by Barry M (lovely texture & sheen) and Bourjois Paris 'So laque glossy' in number 4. Gorgeous, and most importantly, very complimentary.

I have disgusting runner's feet (my baby toe has a hunch back; I've got bunions like Beckham) but sometimes you need to just throw caution to wind and ditch the Vans¹

1. for one week of the whilst out of the country