Look me in the eyes under expanding winter skies...

Wow, what a glorious few days! Sunny bank holidays?! Whatever next? I am sitting writing this post wearing something I haven't worn for at least six years - TROUSERS! Yes, I ventured into the world of cropped trousers last week and haven't looked back since. I've only bought one pair (so far) but have several bookmarked for when I have some money... These are the ones I've got:

Trousers: River Island, Tee: H&M, Studded pumps: Topshop, Fish necklace: Accessorize, Squirrel necklace: H&M, Flower bracelet: Accessorize.

I also tried on these two pairs, but didn't buy them. The first pair are actually supposed to be full length trousers, but since I have very long legs they actually look cropped. I think they could do with being rolled up a little more though.

Trousers: Dorothy Perkins, Top: Dorothy Perkins, Brogues: Topshop

Trousers: River Island, Top: Cath Kidston for Uniqlo, Brogues: Topshop, Necklace: Tatty Devine via eBay, Rings: eBay

Another thing I've got into recently is crackle nail polish. I bought the Barry M black crackle polish AGES ago but it just sat in my make up bag unused until I decided to use it in the week. I've worn it over Models Own Feeling Blue and Collection 2000 Hip Hop, each time adding a coat of Seche Vite as I prefer a glossy crackle effect rather than the matte effect that the polish alone gives. 

Barry M Black Crackle over Collection 2000 Hip Hop

Barry M Black Crackle over Models Own Feeling Blue

Penultimate photo for today is a terrible changing room picture of my new River Island dress, which my mum bought for me in Birmingham on Thursday. The picture washes out the colour somewhat - it's actually a vibrant bright orange shade:

Dress: River Island, Brogues: Topshop, Necklace: Tatty Devine via eBay, Rings: eBay 

Final photo for today (I promise!) shows my running triumph from Thursday - I ran just over 5km! I am at the end of week six of my nine week programme, so I think I am doing pretty well and am therefore entitled to feel a little smug!

Well, that's all from me today folks! I hope you are all well and enjoying the weekend.

xxx

Spring has sprung...

Spring has sprung... by carelessthoughts 

First outfit: Cath Kidston Uniqlo tee and Topshop skirt

Second outfit: Antoni & Alison Uniqlo tee and River Island shorts

Third oufit: Topshop blouse and Miss Selfridge shorts

Earrings: She Draws and Plastic Bat, both at Hannah Zakari

March 2011 Polyvore...

Untitled by carelessthoughts 

Top row L-R: Helpless Romantic brooch, £12, Tatty Devine necklace, £45, ASOS wedges, £35, Topshop blouse, £36.

Bottom row L-R: Stolen Thunder necklace, £29, Tatty Devine necklace £21, Topshop jeans, £40, Topshop trousers, £42, Topshop trousers, £45.

Yet another Topshop wishlist...

January 2011 Polyvore...

January 2011 by carelessthoughts on Polyvore.com

A NARS purchase and two wants...

Just bought a NARS Orgasm blush with a £15 House of Fraser voucher I got for Christmas, meaning it cost me £4.50. Bargain! It will be delivered to my local store tomorrow (for free!) so I will report back once I've tried it...

NARS Blush in Orgasm, £19.50

I want these Office wedges BADLY. They are now £31.50, down from £92. A bargain. I love wedges and I love buckles, so I need these. But I am determined to stick by my no shopping rule, at least until the end of the month...

Office Wellington Kings Wedges, £31.50

Last but not least, after a recommendation from Allie at Allie in Wonderland, I really want these Topshop jeans...

Moto Super Soft Blue Leigh Jeans, £36

Dear Father Christmas,

Hello, my name is Laura and I am 28. I hope you are keeping well in the snow and that you are ready for Christmas! It seems to have come around so quickly this year! How are the reindeer? Good, I hope. And Mrs Christmas?

I have tried hard to be good this year, I hope you will agree. If it is not too much trouble, I would love to wake up and find one (or more - cheeky!) of these items under my tree on Christmas morning. I have included where to buy the items, and also the prices to help with your budgeting at this expensive time of year!

Nutmeg & ginger bath oil, £38 for 250ml, Jo Malone

Mawi gold-plated jade and skull ring, £205, Net-A-Porter

Little Robin Red brooch, £17, Helpless Romantic

Diamond Tears necklace, £125, Tatty Devine

Small Firework necklace, £30, Tatty Devine

Set of 100 Penguin Classic postcards, £15, Urban Outfitters

Melissa for Alexandre Herchcovitch flocked wedges, £85, Urban Outfitters

Apricot double ruffle tunic, £50, Topshop

 

 

Holiday Jewel Basket, $49.95, Nubar

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my letter. I hope the journey on Friday night/Saturday morning isn't too tiring; make sure you put your feet up and relax when you get back to Lapland! 

Lots of love,

Laura

xxx

Cardigan lust...

I have an unhealthy obsession with cardigans. I saw this one on the Topshop website a couple of months ago and loved it, but put it to the back of my mind as I couldn't afford to spend £65 on a cardigan. Just been browsing the site today and saw it again. Still lovely, still £65. Gah! Perhaps I'll get some money for Christmas? 

LOOK AT THE DUCKS! DUCKS!

Ohhhhhh, I need it!

Cath Kidston iPhone 4 cases

Yes please yes please yes please yes please, specifically the "London" design. I am actually in love. £24.99 from the Cath Kidston website.

 

I wonder if Father Christmas follows my blog? I'll go and check my stats and see if I have any traffic from Lapland...

Topshop wishlist

Lots of lovely things on the Topshop website at the moment! I've picked my top three;

BUG OVERLAY COLLAR

Price: £25.00

LEOPARD VINTAGE FAUX FUR COAT

Price: £98.00

CHAIN BACK DETAIL GRADUATED HEM CHIFFON DRESS

Price: £75.00

I seem to have picked three things that would go really well together - most unlike me!

Want: Pearl Lowe for Peacocks Dress

I am desperate to get my hands on this dress from the Pearl Lowe for Peacocks range when it is released on November 14th;

It will be priced at £45, which is a little more than I'd pay for an everyday dress but I think it's worth it as it looks very versatile. Only trouble is, I don't know what size to order! I am usually a size 10, but have read that the Pearl Lowe ranges are normally quite large so I don't know whether to order an 8 instead.

Well, these have really thrown a spanner in the works...

I posted a few days ago about some lovely Office wedges I'd seen. I haven't got round to buying them yet as it's my birthday next week and I am waiting to see if I get any birthday money! Just been browsing the ASOS website as I have a 20% off code and saw these beauties, which have really thrown a spanner in the works;

 

How lovely are they?! They are £60, so would be £48 after the 20% discount. Hmmm...

Shoe lust

Ohhh, I should know better than to persuse the Office website when I am bored. I have now decided that I NEED these shoes;

 

Office, £47.

How good would they look with a mini dress, slouchy cardigan and thick black tights? It's my birthday in two weeks - might have to treat myself...

Helpless Romantic

I have a bit of an obsession with jewellery, especially quirky, individual pieces. For a couple of years now, I have been eyeing up pieces made by the talented people at Helpless Romantic but have never quite got round to making an order - I always have too many of their items in my shopping basket and can't decide which ones to keep and which ones to remove! I have been looking at their website again this evening and have narrowed it down to these pieces...

 The Unshakeable Etch necklace - £28

 The 250 necklace - £18

Black Widows necklace - £20

So, which should I get? Just remembered that I DO have a Helpless Romantic piece in my collection, but I actually got this from a little shop in Edinburgh on my honeymoon. It's this one and I LOVE it, always gets compliments when I wear it!

 High Tea on my Chest necklace/brooch set - £15

All jewellery can be purchased from Helpless Romantic's website.

Pompom necklace that I NEED

I saw this gorgeous pompom necklace whilst browsing Folksy this evening and have decided I need it;

I think it's beautiful, a real statement piece and a definite conversation starter. Trouble is, I don't have £50 to spend on a necklace at the moment (will I ever?!) so it will have to remain bookmarked for me to look at and sigh at least once daily.

Necklace is made by La La Loop and can be found here.

New Chanel nail polishes; Les Khakis de Chanel

Don't they look lovely?

I want them all.