Weekends n' Vintage

Anyone that knows me, knows I have a massive shirt collection, I am obsessed. Colour, plain, pattern, anything a little bit different it's guaranteed I'll be buying it.

When I say massive and obsessed I mean over half my wardrobe has been taken over with my shirts...

 

So lets start with my weekend outfits. Vintage shirts are perfect for any occasion, literally, I dress them up and down. Wear them day and night, they're just amazing. Friday I had friends round for dinner and drinks so wanted to be comfortable, but of course stylish. I chose one of my all time faves for Friday; it's a gorgeous light silk material across the plain side of the body and the rest is a lovely chiffon. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a good pattern clash so when I managed to find this vintage shirt with just that I couldn't quite believe my eyes. Who would've thought spots and floral could look so good? 

I teamed my shirt up with my leather biker trousers from Zara (major essential in my wardrobe) and kept the leather look through to my shoes, as another thing I love is double leather.

This shirt is an old buy of mine from eBay. If you want vintage shirts/blouses trust me eBay is the only place you need. I'd say half my collection is from there and I've never paid more then a tenner for any vintage shirt, bargain!

 I managed to bag this beauty for just £10.

Outfit details:

Trouser- HERE

Shoes- HERE

Saturday was just a run about day for me being taxi for my younger sister, running some errands and looking into mortgages (how adult and boring are my weekends beginning to sound). 

I decided to brighten up my rainy Saturday with my gorgeous mustard smart trousers, as I hadn't worn them in ages and thought they'd look delightful with my 2nd vintage shirt of the weekend. Peg leg/smart trousers are big this season. I personally find ASOS the best place to shop for trousers in this style and they have plenty similar to what I'm wearing, in various colours and patterns to suit all personal styles. 

I know it's a red shirt again, but red and mustard together is to die for! This shirt is from my biggest inspiration in life and fashion; my Great Nanny Lil. Whenever I go up and see her she always has a bag full of her old clothes ready for me, every girls dream, right? I love it, even if I'm not 100% on something I know I'll still wear it. I don't know why, but in my eyes the uglier it is the more it appeals to me. 

 The shirt is from a brand that is still around today; Jacques Vert, definitely not a place I'd choose to shop at now. It's still in perfect condition even after all them years, how incredible! Just goes to show that much more care was taken when making these garments back then, which is another reason to love vintage. It was made with love not by bulk and a machine.

Outfit details:

Trouser (similar)- HERE

Sundays are all about family and of course roasts! This weekend I was at the in laws for dinner so that meant actually getting out of my pjs and getting dressed in suitable attire for a lovely family dinner. 

Being comfortable as you must know by now is what I love and with it being sunday a comfy outfit just had to make an appearance. I chose my wonderful black and white, peg leg patterned trousers from River Island, they're too comfy and thought they'd look really cool teamed up with one of my shirts to clash it up a bit. These trousers are unfortunately an old buy and no longer available, but fear not I have done my fashion research and found a few similar pairs including a petite and curve option for all you lovely people (details shown below the pictures).

I've added the most essential item possible in every girls wardrobe; a leather jacket. You just can't go wrong with one of these babies, they are useful all year round and a total must have. If you don't already have one, you need one! Mine is an old buy from Zara, but they re-make similar ones every year and I've found one that is pretty much identical to mine on their website (details shown below the pictures).

Now the shirt, what a story I have to tell about that. I was on a trip to America to see family and my Nan comes back from The Salvation Army (yes I know) with this stunning blazer for the most ridiculous price; $2.50, my face said it all and that was it, the next day I was there. 

OH MY GOD I was in vintage heaven. My auntie Sues back was turned for just 5 minutes and when she looked back my trolley was full. I travel all the way to america and this is where I end up, typical me!

But the best part about it all is this beautiful shirt was mine for the most teeniest, tiniest of prices... 50 cents so around 25p, it still shocks me to this day. SIMPLY AMAZING!!

Goes to show if you've got the right eye you don't need labels and millions of pounds to look good, you just need to make time to search for those amazing pieces and this shirt is a perfect example for you all.

Get searching girls, you can do it!

Outfit details:

Trouser (similar)- HERE  

Trouser (similar petite)- HERE

Trouser (similar curve)- HERE

Leather Jacket (similar)- HERE

I hope I've converted you all to love vintage, or atleast got you interested.

Stay tuned for more weekends n' vintage and regular fashion posts.

LOVE FASHPINE.

🍍

My comfy holiday style

For me, being comfortable as well as stylish is key, especially on holiday. I recently just got back from a lovely weekend city break to Barcelona. Constantly walking and site seeing, like "proper tourists" finding and putting my outfits together before I left was harder then shopping for your typical beach and swimming pool holiday. So I have decided to do a post about all my comfy holiday outfits and must haves! 

To start this is my airport outfit- how cute!! It was the most comfortable 2 piece, perfect for a long day full of travelling and how lovely is the pussy bow detailing and the cuffed sleeves, just makes this 2 piece that little bit more pretty and feminine. It comes in black too, but I thought navy would be nicer then the usual black colour and I personally think I made the right choice, I absolutely love it.

This amazing 2 piece is available from Milk and diamonds and just £24!! It's worth a look girls I want everything on there!

Follow them on instagram: @milkanddiamonds

Outfit details:

2 PIECE- HERE

Now it's time for my 1st daytime outfit which includes my new fluffy fave!! This jacket was too perfect for my holiday. When I was shopping I wanted something that could be worn in the day, but still look good with my outfits in the evening. I was lucky enough to purchase one of the last few of these beatiful jackets from TOPSHOP. In the sale too may I add: £95 down to £30 what a bargain girls, I was so pleased!! I've teamed it up with a simple light grey roll neck from the one and only Primark and my other amazing sale buy, my khaki trousers with sip detailing from Zara. Unfortunately these trousers aren't available anymore, but you can still buy similar trousers just in a leather material, which I of course have too and they look just as amazing. 

Outfit details:

Trouser- HERE

This is definitely my most favourite outfit of them all and a great example of how this jacket can go from day ➜ night. I've kept the trainers as we had a slight change in plans and I got to spend my valentines day at a football match (lucky me). However if I was having an evening out for dinner or drinks I would simply change my shoes to the best invention ever to be made- flatforms. I recently purchased a new pair for my holiday that I absolutely love. They also go with any outfit, what a bonus. Shoes are from ASOS and only cost me £28!!

My polo neck is again from Primark and these super comfy tailored trousers are from ASOS; My whole outfit is sale items! The tailored trouser and trainer look is big this season and I loved my take on it; the fluff, hoops and slick hairstyle give it that bit of girly, glamour that I like to bring to all my outfits.

Outfit deatils:

Trouser- HERE

Flatform- HERE

These 2 outfits are more proof that style can be taken from day ➜ night so easily. Above I'm wearing a funky shirt (ASOS), leather look trousers (Zara) and my #1 item flatforms (ASOS). Below I'm wearing the same trousers, just a different shirt (H&M) and with trainers, keeping this outfit daytime ready. Both outfits can just do a simple swap of shoes and you are ready for either ☼/☽.

Outfit details:

Shirt- HERE

Trouser- HERE

LOVE this look above, it suits me down to a tee. I love oversized clothing as you will begin to see throughout my blogs and this blouse is everything I could ask for, still covered up, but the slit shows just enough skin, high neck style (I love roll necks as you might of realised) and cuffed sleeves. It is also the most amazing colour. Unfortunately this buy is quite an old one and the shirt is now unavailable, they sold out so quick as you can imagine, but I just couldn't resist adding it as I thought it definitely deserved to be included.

However my lush bag that I'm holding is in fact a new purchase and although I can't find it on the website, there's still a possibility there is some left in the stores. 

The bag is from Mango and is perfect for holiday in every way: it's black so goes with everything, has gorgeous suede tassle detailing to keep it interesting, over the shoulder which helps a comfy hold for those long days walking and site seeing and finally the right size for all your holiday essentials.

 

It's another sale item of course and was just £20! Get searching for yours!

Last, but not least is my outfit for the return flight home. Again I wanted to be extra comfy for a day full of travelling and I knew this would be the perfect item. The khaki colour also done it for me, I am a big fan of anything that colour this season, I just think it makes any item look amazing.

Jumpsuits have always suited my shape best as I'm small on top and have big hips and thighs, so whether there skin tight or a bit lose they just seem to even me out.

 As you've probably already guessed this jumpsuit is again a sale item; I am the ultimate bargain hunter. I'ts from ASOS and cost me the tiny price of just £17.50, can't go wrong with that! There is also an alternative option for those who aren't such big fans of khaki, it comes in grey too at a slightly higher price of £21.

Outfit details:

Khaki Jumpsuit- HERE

Grey Jumpsuit- HERE

Stay tuned for more fashion posts.

LOVE FASHPINE.

🍍

#1 All you need to know

It has been a long time coming for my career to really begin, I am now in a role I have dreamt of having since I began my journey in the fashion industry back in 2011. Blogging has always intrigued me, but I never found the time to fit it in throughout my years studying (laziness). Now I have my first full time job in fashion and my foots in the door it's onto the next stage for me and this is where I made the decision to take the plunge and start blogging, to broaden my horizons, experience and career options.

So being a blogging newbie I guess I should give you all a bit more information about myself... 

When I left school 5 years ago I knew the only option for me was studying fashion, I therefore went to Southend College and chose Fashion Promotion. My heart wasn't 100% in it at the time and at that age all that is on your mind is going out and having fun. However I did enjoy my 2 years studying and managed to leave with a triple merit which I am still really proud of.

 I was 17 when I left college and felt like I'd come to a bit of a dead end, didn't feel ready for uni, nor a full time career and I knew I didn't have a lot of options. After a summer of thinking I'd got a job at IKEA and decided I was going to stay there for a year save, put my career on hold and work abroad for the summer. This was by far the worst decision I have EVER made, but you have to see the positives in these kind of situations and I learnt a lot about myself that year, It made me a better person at the end of it. 

After my year of disaster things started to pick up when I got into the Fashion Retail Academy to study visual merchandising and branding, perfect. The year at college flew by and before I knew it I graduated with a Merit, I started applying for jobs straight away and then came the waiting game. At the time it felt like a life time of waiting and failing when 90% of the companies wasn't even getting back to me. I was applying for at least 10 jobs a day and I was beginning to lose motivation. Just when I was ready to give up I got somewhere, I am a true believer in everything happens for a reason and I went into my interview so determined and confident where I had waited so long to get anywhere. The next day I got a call saying I got the job at House of Fraser as a visual merchandiser, I only spent an hour crying with happiness. 

After my 3 month review and being fully signed off I got asked if I wanted to become a menswear VM, as I seemed to be going in the right direction within my role and they wanted a strong candidate who was capable of looking after menswear independently. I was honoured to be having such positive feedback so quickly and as nervous as I was to take on menswear  I knew it was the right thing to do. 

I have been with House of Fraser just 6 months, I have the best team you could ask for, I truly love my job and that is all I've ever wanted, as my Grandad always used to say to me when I was little "loving your job and being happy is everything" 

6 months down the line I am of course still learning everyday in work and this is where I believe blogging will help me expand even more. I hope to begin freelance visual merchandising and styling once I build more experience and trust with all you lovely people via my blog. My blog will be about all my fashion styles and faves, outfits that make you look a cut above the price, just anything to do with fashion that interests me and will be of an interest to you of course. 

I hope I don't sound too boring and I have interested you enough to begin this journey with me.

Stay tuned for my first fashion blog COMING SOON!

LOVE FASHPINE.

🍍