Debenhams #lovedemin Menswear Competition.

If you're a frequent reader of my blog, then you'll be fully aware of my ridiculous love for Debenhams. I work right round the corner from the HUGE Derby store and dread to think how many lunchtimes I've spent wishing how much of the pretty things I could afford!

                                              

When approached about this amazing competition thats currently running I couldn't say no! The idea is to style two outfits based on the theme of Demin, possibly the most timeless fabric around!
I often talk about my other half, Jamie in my blog as we now live together and not knowing many people in Derby, he's a huge part of my day to day life so I'll often bring him into my posts! 

The first look is a casual piece ideal for a gig. Being a music journalism graduate, going to gigs is something I know all too well and well dressed men is always an added bonus!

For this look I've opted for a smart/casual look. I've chosen a checkered shirt purely because I think a guy at a gig in a check shirt can never go a miss, Although most would wear this buttoned up I love an open shirt with a t-shirt underneath. This Mantary Purple Checkered Shirt, £40 (HERE) fits the bill quite nicely.

The t-shirt of choice for me is something that really needs alot of thought. I usually love a good motif print but under the check shirt it can alook a little bit too much so I've opted for this Fred Perry Pocket T-shirt, £35 (HERE). I think its perfect as a solid under colour but then if you get a bit warm, take off the shirt and you unleash a whole new look.

The Jeans I've picked for this look are a classic pair of Levi's. My go-to brand for demin and one of the few brands that have proved you can wear these for years to come. I've chosen the 506 Dark Stuff straight leg, £95 (HERE). I would normally love a guy in a pair of skinnies but for a gig, these would be a bit roomier for the heat of those crowds!

I've gone for a simple pair of Navy Converse, £45 (HERE) because I'm sure thats standard gig attire these days.
Finishing off this outfit are this pair of Storm Grey Aviator Sunglasses, £35 (HERE) because all that queueing up outside needs some sun protection surely?!


This 2nd outfit is based around a smart dinner date. As a girl thats not actually been on a dressed up date, this is purely based on every well dressed man I've seen passing my work on a Saturday evening! 

I've gone for a contemporary suited look for this as I think in terms of men getting 'dressed up' there has never been the biggest range of options so for me a shirt and smart shoes is a great look.

For a shirt I've gone with this Thomas Nash Dark Grey Shirt, £15 (HERE). I think a white shirt is abit wedding-y as part of a suit so a dark grey one is very date night whilst still looking incredibly smart.

As far as demin goes, I think a black demin is ideal for a dinner date as its still super smart but also have that cool twist to it. I've picked a straight leg fit for this look as it holds in place much like a suit trouser so will blend in with any uptown restaurant. These Jeff Banks Jeans, £45 (HERE) are so smart and I'm actually considering showing these to Jamie as they're so nice!

Being a lover of all things with a vintage twist, I love a man in a pair of brogues and these Ben Sherman Black Brogues, £65 (HERE) would go great to add that little something to this evening out.

 To finish this look I've picked this J by Jasper Conran Leather Wallet, £25 (HERE). Although I'm a big believer in splitting the bill, its always helpful if he has a wallet on him!

 
So there you have it! my top looks for the special man in my life. Jamie approved of these looks (but I'm sure he was just agreeing to shut me up for a bit longer haha!)

If you fancy having a good yourself all the details can be found here.

Let me know what you guys think of these and would you choose anything different??

Holiday Shopping and a quick update

Hello,

I'm back from a well deserved holiday with my boyfriend and the dogs. After a week in a beautiful secluded cabin in the woods (cue horror movie title), I am back to the real life smog that is Derby and back to work.

I had such a lovely week, we did very little, which was strange but I was more than getting used to it. We also had very limited 3g whilst we were in our cabin which again, was both infuriating but also really nice to just be with each other. The hours were mostly passed playing N64, Scrabble and discovering my new love of Nothing to Declare.

We did visit some small towns whilst there around Lake Windermere. After spending alot of my childhood there, it was strange to be back but also lovely and weird that nothings changed. We visited Windermere, Ambleside and Bowness which is my absolute favourite place. Jamie liked it too, which I was happy about as a London guy hes not used to so little signal and so much nature unlike me who adores all that.

It did mean my blogging got a bit short (I literally waited til we drove to a small town and was straight on blogger to get my posts up).

Anyway...I did get a tiny bit of shopping bits whilst in Bowness, its not the biggest shopping district but I did find one shop with some of the nicest things. On the plus side, I spent less on holiday than I do when I go to work.

A short and simple post today but here you go....

Maybelline 24Hr Superstay Concealer - Boots - £3.05 - BUY

I actually bought this in the clearance section as Boots are no longer stocking this as a main range product so I've linked to the full price item on Tesco instead. Its in an Ivory shade and as I recently bought a new Maybelline Foundation, I thought this would be a nice little purchase.

Muppets Coasters - £4.99 each - BUY

These are technically a gift I bought Jamie. As mentioned, we found a shop full of everything we love. It wasnt huge but it was like a dream of Baking / Handbags / Vintage Pieces / Rock (ACDC etc) merch / TV merch (think doctor who / big bang / muppets).

He didn't want to spend a tenner on two coasters which I can completely see why, and the shop was pretty pricey but thats the Lake District for you. However, we went back to Bowness on our last day and I went in alone and couldnt help but buy him something after he wanted them so much.
Plus we're making these our kitchen coasters now (we're so cool).

Music Note Necklace - £7.50
Typewriter Letter Necklace - £4.99

I saw these behind a cabinet in the lovely shop (again) and there were so many things I wanted. I had my eye on this music note necklace and knew that was something I needed in my life. To my lovely suprise, Jamie bought me both these bits so I got a really lovely gift from the holiday. I don't think I said thank you enough to him on the day hhaa!

Standard Holiday Souvenirs. I also bought a magnet but I forgot to take a photo of that.

You can't go to the Lakes without buying Kendal Mint Cake. If we go up again my plan is to visit Kendal, as Ive heard its lovely.

The penny press is one of those things I've always done and they're that few and far between that when I do see one I have to buy it. Infact, Jamie spotted it and offered to get it me cos he knows I'm sad when it comes to collecting them.

Heart Bag LYDC - £21.25 - BUY

My 2014 obsession seems to be heart shaped bags. Ultimately my goal is to buy a Vivienne Westwood one, I posted my Feb Lusts with a Floozie Heart bag I spotted, but this one stole my heard (no pun intended) I saw it whilst we were leaving the shop the first time and I talked myself out of it as £22 was good, I didnt know if I should. However, visting Bowness a second time I made up my mind I wanted it in my life and I do not regret it. I've used it every day so far and its such a babe. Its nice to actually have a lightweight bag for once.

so there you go..my holiday purchases. We also bought ALOT of sweets in an array of traditional sweet shops but those are long gone!

Have you bought any purchases on holidays?? Whats been your favourite buy on your travels??

xXx

Pet Vs Clothing

In the house I share with my boyfriend and that face up there AKA Winston the Jug, I'm extremely lucky that I have my own dressing room. Technically it's the 3rd bedroom but its my little beauty hub full of all my things.

New Look Sale -Was £49.99 Now £25 - Not Online.
On Saturday I bought a beautifulllll new coat from New Look in the sale, I don't know if its my love for vintage style find or maybe all the Only Fools and Horses we've been watching but I now refer to this as my 'Del Boy' coat. (One day I'll be cool, I promise)

After getting this home Saturday I put it in my room where it belongs....jump to Sunday when my boyfriend came to pick me up from work..we got home and to my surprise our house (which we dog-proof before we leave) was spotless...until I went upstairs found our dog Winston had been in my room and thought my new coat was clearly a new toy and chewed all but 1 button off it!!

Now, as you can see, Winstons face is ridiculously cute and it's hard to get overly angry at him and to be honest, I knew the lack of a button OR 4 wasn't the worst case scenerio.

Needless to say I wasn't thrilled, but I made it my mission to find some new buttons yesterday on my lunch. After walking to Pikes the haberdashery shop in Derby Market, I was super happy to find the EXACT same buttons!

So now to put my sewing skills to good use. ...

I will be posting the coat again in my New Look Haul later this week, and I'm sorry this post isn't thrilling but I'm hoping Winstons face makes up for it.

Have you had any Pet Vs Clothing mishaps?

xXx

Why its impossible to not spend a penny in Ikea

Growing up predominantly round parents who love anything old, vintage and quaint and living in a tiny 2 bed house, our house wasnt exactly the most contemporary hub.

As a result of this, I probably went to Ikea twice before I turned 18. (that sounds like it was some sort of overage law, but I moved out of my parents when I was 18)

All my friends always had the coolest stuff from Ikea and I'll admit, I think my parents have drilled into me the the pure shitness of flatpack furniture but moving 3 times in 3 years, means this is actually not too shabby for my lifestyle at the moment.

Whenever someone suggests a trip I know I need to tighten the pursestrings because you come away with the most random things. Because you REALLY needed that new 50p glass cup right?

After my boyfriend suggested an impromptu trip a couple of weeks ago, I of course said yes. Who doesnt want to walk around viewing beautiful rooms they'll never be able to afford?
 

I had nothing in mind I wanted to buy, We've been so many times in the first month of moving into our house, we've pretty much got shares in the Nottingham branch by now.

However, I still came away with some of the cutest bits.

I didnt go too wild but I still spend more than I should have,

Owl Cushion - Cover and Pillow bought seperately - £4 each  - BUY
Heart Mug - 75p  - not online
Photo Clip Holders - £1.85   not online
Glass Tealight Holder - £2.25  - I actually couldnt resist this I love all vintage cute looking pots etc. I'm actually going to put it in my dressing room rather than use as a tealight holder.  - BUY

This was a fairly good trip for me and I managed to keep myself from going mental

Whats the best IKEA bargains youve managed to find?? 


xXx