Jungle Is Massive... American Apparel Disco Pants

Disco Pants - American Apparel // M&S Shirt - Charity // Faux Litas - eBay // Jewellery - Primark

I have swithered over the buy button for a while. Would I pay more for, in all honesty, a pair of leggings than I have for any single item of clothing I have bought in quite a while? Then I looked at my wardrobe full of shirts and thought "I need these in my life". I got them from ASOS with 10% off and free delivery which worked out at £63 in total. I ordered on the Monday and they arrived on the Friday. I'd been panicking all week over whether they would fit. I opted for a M which equates to a size 10-12. (I am generally a size 12 jeans in Topshop if this helps with sizing.) They are much stretchier than I expected. You will have to do the "wriggle" dance to get into them but once you are, believe me, the benefits are bountiful. Belly flattened. Bum lifted... Hello new pulling pants! They look as equally good with a a crop top and heels and they do with a vest and hi-tops. And yes, I couldn't resist a Sandy impression when I put them on.

(Update: I would say since buying that they have lost a little of their initial tightness and would be interested in seeing how a S would fit.)

Black and white images edited using http://www.picmonkey.com/

Orange Blossom

Dress - Costume Cupboard // Shoes - New Look // Bracelet - Links of London // Watch - Debenhams

It's May and the flowers are in full bloom. This dress is another pilfered number from the costume department... my treasure trove of vintage clothes. When it's warm enough to go without tights I'll pair it with brogues and ankle socks. I've found some great items during my costume cupboard rummages including a pink silk blazer which happened to be donated by another member of staff years ago. It was lovely hearing her exclaim that it used to be her favourite jacket and made it feel that bit more special. I've bought and borrowed (cough, cough) quite a lot of second hand items recently and would really like to do a post that focuses on outfits made up from second hand and vintage clothing. I don't think thrifting is as big a business in Scotland as it is down South but I think sometimes that's because people are scared to mix and match or are worried about making sure they are completely on trend. There's also a bit of a stereotype associated with buying second hand clothes but I really enjoy it; both the challenge of finding something unique among the discarded Primark cast-offs and being that little bit different.

Damn Disney

I love Disney films. Some of my earliest memories are of watching Disney films or pretending to be a Disney princess. I am unbeaten at Disney trivial pursuit and don't ever ask me to to sing Disney songs when I have had a drink. There have been renditions of "Part of Your World" in front of Cafe Mambo in Ibiza and "We'll Have a Dalmation Plantation" to a rather shocked crowd in Zante. (I clearly have no shame.) In Disney films the rules are simple; there are heroes and villains but good always triumphs over evil and a moral lesson is always learned. More importantly the guy always gets the girl and they live happily ever after... And then there is reality.

As a child we expect our own lives to one day mirror the fairy tale ending Disney promised us. To be swept off our feet by a knight in shining armour. To be enveloped in a cloud of romance and have sweet nothings whispered in our ear. The reality is somewhat different but then again I'd be stupid to expect anything different - right? Should I be content with my "partner" washing the dishes without being asked as the high point of my romantic-life?

I've been thinking a lot recently about romance and men and womens' roles in the old relationship game. It seems that the most romantic thing a person can do nowadays is declare their love via a Facebook status. To expect anything more, as a woman, is to be called needy or hard-work. To dream of romance is to quite literally to live in a fantasy world. But if there's no butterflies then what's the point? I know butterflies don't last forever. And I know that eventually it's the simple, caring gestures that become the most appreciated; like running someone a bath or yes... washing the dishes but surely there's always room for romance? So yes Disney, sometimes I damn you for giving me such high expectations but I also thank you because I'd rather be a dreamer, rather live in my fantasy world, than give up on romance.

"So this is love. So this is what makes life Devine. " Cinderella.

Pearls Before Swine

Shirt - Charity Shop // Jacket - Topshop // Leggings - Topshop // Belt - Primark // Earrings - Charity Shop // Shoes - Faith

I have had a lot of success in charity shops this Easter. This little beauty was £2! I was on a family day out to Falkland last Thursday and we stopped in the Leslie Christian Charity Shop on the way back which is a treasure trove of clothes, shoes and curios. I got a few other pieces but I want to save them for a "charity-shop-only" post. I am suffering from last day of the holiday blues. Ah well... back to work and reality tomorrow.

Monochrome

           

Dress - Urban Outfitters // Blazer - Topshop // Shoes - Dorothy Perkins // 
Bangle - Topshop (old) // Lips - Revlon Black Cherry

Aztec and Monochrome - Ticking two trends at once! The dress was a purchase from my recent Edinburgh shopping trip. I swithered back and forward over buying it because the material is wafer thin and I was in two minds as to whether my pull-in panties would have the power to deal with such a dress! However, I'm glad I bought it. Urban Outfitters only has two branches in Scotland so you're guaranteed to find something a little different from the crowd and at £32 it was a bit more reasonably priced than some of their other items. I also managed to get the shoes in an online flash sale £45 down to £31 - now that's luck. I kept seeing them featured on Miss High Street's website and knew they were the type of shoe that would go with everything.

P.s. Please excuse the background in this picture but this is what happens when you put four girls in a tiny room and expect them to get ready for a night out. Despite the lack of glamour in this picture we had a fantastic and glamorous night out in Glasgow (that is until we carried our McDonalds back to our room at 4am - oh the shame!)

Mint Choc Chip

Jumper - Warehouse // Earrings - Warehouse // Necklace - Charity Shop // Bracelet - Topshop (old) //
Nail Varnish - Rimmel Peppermint

I fell in love with this jumper the minute I walked into Warehouse. I was on a shopping trip to Livingstone to return a dress and hit Wagamama's with my mother when I caved in and bought this. It just happened to match my nail varnish which I deemed to be fate. Although it's not obvious in the pictures there is a floral pattern across the chest and down the sleeves. (I threw in a picture of my cat for good measure. She's a babe. She is actually a he... This was discovered recently at the vets. So Bonnie Blue is now Ollie Blue. And one of my good friend Leigh and I sharing a cocktail in TGI's. She is also a babe.)

Polka Pan

Shirt  - Charity Shop // Leather Jacket - Topshop // Shorts - Warehouse // Earrings - Urban Outfitters // 
Lipstick - MAC Russian Red

I am sticking to my pledge to blog everyday during the holidays My bank balance is not thanking me this week but Easter holidays are for shopping, eating, drinking and being merry - all of which I am most definitely indulging in! I had a rare Wednesday night out last night. I always feel so rebellious being out on a school night. Much fun was had and I wore my converse which was a liberating experience and made it much easier to shuffle! I decided to have a quick look in the charity shops of Dunfermline today before heading home and managed to bag myself two items - both with Peter Pan collars. Jackpot. The above shirt was £.295 and is originally from Marks and Spencers. It is massive but I have a crush on over-sized shirts at the moment and I love the collar. I also bought a sundress but it's ankle length and not very flattering as a maxi. DIY project number 2 - convert to a playsuit or short(er) dress!