#14 - Party like it's 1969.

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Topshop Electric Blue Strapless Top - Ebay, £2

Black Skull/Gothic Top - my Dad's (reworked)

Denim Fringed Waistcoat - Boohoo £12

Earrings - Topshop, Gift - RRP £16.50

#11 - Vintage, cheap as chips.

Alot of people know I'm a vintage lover. I love a good bargain, and when there's so many vintage emporium's and charity shops around the UK, why should we not pop in and take a peek and see if we find anything that we could compare to something on the high street from somewhere like Topshop or Zara? Having previously working in Topshop for 3 years, I know that some of the items in there can be way above some people's price ranges, let alone NOT worth that amount of money.

So, I decided one day whilst I was in town to go and take a peek in The Salvation Army, a charity shop in my local town centre in Luton. All I could say was "I'm never shopping anywhere else!" - for a good few years I've been grabbing vintage bargains on good ol' Ebay, as well as the occasional item from Topshop and other high street stores. You will probably find that some of the things you lust for in some of the more expensive retail stores out there, you can find what may aswell be a replica of that exact item, but in a charity shop for £'s less than what you'd pay originally.

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This beautiful nude/stone long lined blouse with a pussy bow tie, I found hidden in amongst loads of cute little peter-pan collared blouses in the charity shop. With spare buttons still attached, this beauty cost me only £3.99. The material is so soft, it feels like suede. Perfect for casual day wear, even a night out. That's the beauty of charity shop buys, they're cheap as chips and you can dress them to fit any occasion you like!

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Aaah. The tweed blazer. Believe me, I lusted over a tweed blazer I saw in Zara about a year ago when I was walking past the store in Oxford Circus and I promised myself I'd get it when I had enough money. As you can probably guess, I broke this promise. However, I found this lovely think blazer in the same charity shop. Costing me £4.99, in a high street store such as Topshop, you're likely to pay no less than £60 - I'm currently in the process of customizing this, I've got various cuts and colours of leather to sew onto the elbows to make elbow patches (with some help from my lovely Granddad)

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This cute little cream embroidered thick aran cardigan has been a lovely little addition to my wardrobe. In fact, it's now a favourite of mine. You may recognise it from one of my previous posts as I wore it on my 18th birthday. They had quite a few of these in the charity shop, I must admit when I found this as well as the tweed blazer and the pussy-bow long lined blouse, I was really impressed! We all know that in Topshop you would pay around £50 for a cardigan this thick, and with this much detail. As I previously have purchased one of the aran cardigans from there for £55. This little one cost me £4.99.

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When I worked in Topshop, I remember when it was time for me to get my uniform. I was so desperate a cape EXACTLY like this but it was £95, and I wouldn't ever spend that much money on an item of clothing unless I had more £'s to back it up with. As they say "if you've got the money, why not?". However, this beauty caught my eye on one of the racks in the same charity shop, it's SO thick (even though it's a Size 20) it gives a beautiful baggy, oversized vintage look to any outfit. It looks so cute with black tights and a chunky pair of heels with a little vintage dress underneath. So pretty. And guess what? At £4.99 I have to say once again, SO IMPRESSED.

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Along with all of the clothes they have in there. They also have a little cabinet under the till meaning you can browse cute little items like jewellery, powder mirrors, household accessories as you're paying. And this happened to catch my eye just as I was buying my items. How cute it is? I'm a sucker for anything floral, shabby chic and vintage. This was just the cherry on top. It's an adorable little powder mirror made by 'Stratton' (made in England) - now me being me, I told my Nan and Granddad about this amazing buy and my Granddad happened to mention how his Mum had one but with a blue floral pattern on the front, except it was boxed and was given to my Nan when my Great Grandmother passed away. He couldn't find it in the end which was a shame. But we did spend time researching the brand name 'Stratton' and found that they still sell now, and the price they sell at is between £25 to £35. And I purchased this one for *drum roll please?* £3. Bargain right? It was the perfect little addition to my shopping trip!

The Salvation Army is now my new favourite place to find lots of vintage goodies and fashionable clothes at a perfect price. In fact, I'm popping in there after work tomorrow for a quick browse (that could be fatal, I'll probably end up leaving with bags full!) - however, if I pick up anything tomorrow that catches my eye, I'll be sure to let you all know and blog away!

Are you guys second hand shoppers?

What's been your BEST charity shop buy?

♥

#9 - I turned Eighteen!

Right, so I've been slacking on blog posts recently. I used to do like, 2 or 3 posts a day and now I seem to have cut back but I'm back with a bang! I turned Eighteen on February 7th! (wahey) - I had a really lovely week, I spent it with all my loved ones, had THE most beautiful vintage style cake made for me by my Uncle. All in all I really did have a wonderful day, and as much as I really wasn't expecting anything gift wise, I received some really lovely gifts too!

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I have to mention, some of you may not of heard of Leighton Denny, he's best known for selling his amazing products on QVC. He sells nail colours, and now has his own tanning range. And I have to admit, I used to be so obsessed with Models Own nail colours, I've not converted to the Denny! His colours are THE best I've ever used, they dry quickly, no scuffs or marks, long lasting, and the shine is amazing! My next blog post will be on this gift and I'll be showing you all a few of the colours that I've been using lately. If you have Twitter, go and follow him @Leighton_Denny for all the latest updates on his range of nail colours for Spring/Summer 2012.

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I have to explain this beautiful gift, my best friend from London came down for my 18th meal and night out and thought that this gift was a cringey one? I DISAGREE KATE. It's so cute, it's basically a jar (as you can see) full of little notes that she'd hand written so that whenever I feel down or upset, I can reach into the jar, pull out a note and it will say something that links me to her, or a little quote to make my day better. She claims she's not creative with gifts, however I would never have thought of this! I love it.

I was so grateful for all of these lovely little gifts. My Mum got a bit of an earbashing from me as I really didn't want her spending any money on me for my 18th, however, she said to me on the morning of my birthday "I didn't want you coming downstairs on your 18th with no presents to open." So thank you Mum! ♥ 

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Vintage Cream Embroidered Cardigan - Charity Shop, £4.99

Floral Spring Playsuit - River Island, Gift

Brown Tan Leather Belt - Primark, £1

Long Chained Blue Stone Necklace - New Look, £3

Earrings - Topshop, Gift - RRP £16.50

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This was the cake my Uncle made me, he designed the whole thing. It's truly beautiful, my Mum was so overwhelmed by how pretty it was that she actually cried. It was on a bed on fake cream rose petals (that I've kept to add to my shabby chic Bird Cage in my bedroom) - the inside had a bit of a lemon theme going on. Lemon buttercream, lemon curd, lemon cake. Nevertheless, it was stunning.

And that my friends, concludes my birthday blog post!

♥

#8 - The Grammy's 2012!

One of my all time favourite things ever are red carpet events, award shows etc. The Grammy's has to be one of the best one's to catch a glimpse at the do's and do NOT's of the celebrity fashion world! I stayed up last night to grab a sneak peak of some of the gorgeous dresses the celebs wore to The Grammy Awards 2012. It's safe to say I definitely have my favourites! Who do you think was best dressed? I'm going to take you through who I thought looked absolutely, effortlessly beautiful, and who just...didn't.

Up first is the lovely Katy Perry looking flawless in Elie Saab.

I honestly think she looked gorgeous. She is by far one of very few people who can pull of any type of hair colour. If I told my friends I'd be dying my hair blue, they'd consider me as some sort of bubblegum. Katy Perry's Elie Saab gown is like something from a fairytale. Her hair looks simple yet elegant. I've seen a few comments saying "Grammy Awards? Have you seen Katy Perry? It should have been called the Granny Awards." - I could not DISAGREE more. She really does look beautiful. The dress, the hair, and simplicity of her make-up just makes the whole outfit a complete success.

Adele is another one of my absolute favourites. She really is stunning. Some people ridicule her for her weight, when really she is giving such a positive outlook to all the women out their who have fuller figures. She's promoting the kind of look that comes across amazingly. Alot of women out their feel like their figure is a problem if they're anything above a size 14? Incorrect. The curvaceous look is just as beautiful, and Adele is constantly looking good! This was her gorgeous gown, custom made for her by Giorgio Armarni.

Kelly Osbourne. E! Fashion Police star looked amazing in a sparkling silver, one shouldered gown by Tony Ward couture. She's another celeb who I think can pull of the 'any hair colour' thing. The lilac is dead cute.

Carrie Underwood seems to never look bad. She's flawless. The dress she wore hugged her so nicely and really showed off her slim figure. Her white sequin-and-tulle gown by London-based designer Gomez Gracia was simply beautiful. So chic. 

And last but not least on my list of red carpet beauties is Rihanna! I must say, I am in LOVE with her hair colour and cut in the 'You Da One' video, but I'm also in love with it here. She told Ryan Seacrest that her dress was "a collaboration between Mr. Armarni and myself" and that her inspiration for the outfit was "a little Michelle Pfeiffer from Scarface, simple, sexy yet a little gangster at the same time!". The plunging neckline and low scoop back was insanely elegant. Not the mention the fact that her Louboutin's made her feet look gorgeous too. Do Louboutin's really ever fail an outfit? I think not!

Who do you think was best dressed?

♥

#7 - Fashion overload!

I've been off here for over a month!? I really must dedicate more of my time to this blog. But I'm back now and I've got lots to blog about. The Grammy's 2012, my 18th! and let's not forget that London Fashion Week starts on the 18th February.

As New York Fashion Week has already kicked off, Diane von Furstenberg showed off her gorgeous Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection. A collection of ruched and sinuously twisting wrap dresses, complementary toned separates and jumpsuits. Backstage, Diane said "We wanted to be very seductive. And seduction led to rendezvous [the name of the collection] which is a meeting with expectation and mystery. The idea is to glorify the woman and make her sexy and proud of her body. There are some dresses that are very tight, with big coats - so you go to the rendezvous and you are not quite sure. You are wrapped into the coat, and you may or may not take it off....".

Model, Kasia Struss wearing a panelled LBD from Diane von Furstenberg's AW 2012 Collection.

In other New York Fashion Week news, Victoria Beckham has introduced us all to 'Harper Beckham, the handbag!' - She has named a handbag from her new Autumn/Winter 2012 collected after her seven month old daughter, cute.

These 'Harper' handbags consist of 3 suede totes with two front pockets, a front flap and a large handle.

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK ACTION:

- David Beckham supported his wife Victoria Beckham's catwalk show, sat next to US Vogue's editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

- 'Kill Bill' star Uma Thurman was pictured front row at Tommy Hilfiger.

- Solange Knowles looked rather bright and bold at Diane von Furstenberg.

- Elizabeth Hurley, Shane Warne and son Damian were together to watch the Moncler show.

- Dita Von Teese looked very glam at Zac Posen's show.

- Twilight star Ashley Greene was a spokesmodel for DKNY backstage at the show!

- Kate Winslet made an appearance at the St John show. 

- 'The Hangover' actor Bradley Cooper was spotted at the Tommy Hilfiger menswear show.

- Mary-Kate Olsen, who's own label The Row, which she runs with her twin sister Ashley, will be showing later this season, stuck to her customary head-to-toe black to watch the BCBG Max Azria show from a front row made of Pepsi cans.

- The beautiful Alexa Chung arrived at the Jason Wu show looking cute in a neutral grey and chunky black heels.

- Olivia Palermo arrived looking stylish in a rugged fur gilet and seventies style blue denim at the Peter Som show.

- Actress Vanessa Hudgens arrived to watch Leila Shams in a chic black ensemble.

Dita Von Teese at Zac Posen's show.

Ashley Greene - spokesmodel for DKNY backstage.

Kate Winslet at the St John show.

Mary-Kate Olsen watched the BCBG Max Azria show.

Alexa Chung looking beautifully chic at the Jason Wu show.

Olivia Palermo at the Peter Som show.

Vanessa Hudgens arriving at the Leila Shams show.

#4 - New year, more lusting!

What better way to ring in the New Year than seeing this as you visit Mulberry’s website!

So it’s the start of 2012 and I couldn’t help but go sneaking previews of more things I’m going to be lusting over this year! These things usually consist of items I know I’m never going to able to afford! So I’ve decided to blog about a few of my favourites to start of a brand new year!

Starting off with one of my favourites from Christian Louboutin’s Autumn/Winter collection last year, these beauties. I think every girl would love to own a pair of Louboutin’s. The first time I saw these I thought they were adorable. I wasn’t keen on the material at first, and in all honesty I wouldn’t wear them very much, but they’re absolutely gorgeous. So cleverly designed.

Second of all we have my all time favourite from 2011, the Mulberry Tillie Tote. It’s so cute. It’s one of those bags that’s practical yet stylish at the same time. It’s not too big and not too small. It’s one of those ones you’d want to wear with everything! Very expensive, and not to everyone’s taste, but if you have the money then why not splash out on a gorgeous handbag?

You can never ever fault Alexander McQueen. This is just simply stunning. The colour, the style, the layers of chiffon, it’s just beautiful! It’s the perfect kind of top to tuck into a pair of shorts in the Spring/Summer. Or even just to wear with a pair of skinny jeans or leggings. I love it. No words to actually describe how beautiful it is.

Aaah. The Mulberry Harriet Clutch, part of Mulberry’s latest arrivals for 2012. Simple yet elegant. I love Mulberry, again, another fashion label I cannot fault. I love this though, especially in Khaki. They also do it in Cream but this colour is so fresh. I’d tend to use it more in Autumn/Winter rather than Summer. I think the Cream Clutch fits Summer, colour wise. I saw it and just fell in love. It’s so cute.

Another pair of beauties from Christian Louboutin. Perfect for all year round. I don’t think I’d ever want to take these off, I may actually sleep in them. They’re stunning. They’re the type of shoes you’d expect to wear if you were a Princess, like Cinderella. The Swarovski crystals complete them, especially the colour. They’d go with any type of outfit, casual, dressed up, dressed down. Gorge.

Another favourite from Mulberry’s new arrivals for 2012. I think this is so vintage. You can find similar, and for cheaper as well. But the style of this is just adorable. It’s just perfect for Spring/Summer and again, perfect for day/night wear. The shape/style of the dress itself is simply beautiful. It’s plain, yet chic.

Another favourite from McQueen. Lusted over one of these gorgeous scarves for such a long time! I especially love them in this colour though. I’d definitely wear it more in Spring/Summer, the colours are adorable and as much as you can find similar, the original is always going to be better.

Mulberry, Mulberry, Mulberry. Matching with the Harriet Clutch, this Satchel is so vintage. A lovely colour also! It would also look so cute with the Effie Dress, it doesn’t match too much as the colours are slightly different. Satchel’s are always a favourite of mine, Mulberry or not Mulberry I love them but this one just so happened to catch my eye. I love thin strapped Satchels, I think it makes the bag itself stand out more.

I love Reiss. And I especially love this. For Faux Fur I really like this. I don’t usually like the look of it but I really like this. It looks so cute with the outfit that the model is wearing in the photo! And it’s just a really cute, vintage addition to your wardrobe. This is actually currently in the sale on the Selfridges website - http://www.selfridges.com/en/Womenswear/Categories/Coats-jackets/Ivana-faux-fur-coat_952-10025-657007IVANA/ - simply beautiful.

As much as I’d love to keep going with what I’m loving from last year, and this year’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection already! I think I’ll leave it as that, as I think I’ll be here all night otherwise!

“Fashion anticipates, and elegance is a state of mind … a mirror of the time in which we live, a translation of the future, and should never be static.” - Oleg Cassini.