To sparkle or not to sparkle?

It's that time of the year when the staff Christmas party is edging closer and I still haven't got anything to wear. I have spent (literally) hours searching ASOS for the perfect dress. Then there's the high street shops and their display windows, fully stocked with overpriced sequin dresses that you feel obliged to buy (although you feel like a WAG wannabe wearing one). 

(Topshop £59)

Every year I cave into this pressure and as I search for the sparkly nightmare that will cripple my bank balance, I have a million and one questions running through my head: 

Do I wear something that is drowning in sequins or is a simple smart peplum number or a cheeky chiffon hi-low more appropriate? 

How short can the dress be? 

Do I wear tights?

I literally drive myself mad.

Then there's the financial issue, can I really afford a new sparkly dress when I have a huge family to buy presents for? But then there are already pictures all over Facebook of me in my dresses. 

I didn't see the point in buying a sparkly dress which would only be appropriate attire at Christmas (or possibly my birthday) and would catch on my hair and tights throughout the night. Too much sparkle can verge on tacky. 

So I decided to take the budget route and wear something I already have but change it up. I simply bought a new pair of shoes.  I have chosen to wear a hi-low black chiffon number from Oasis and I will team it with a pair of peep-toe heels from Dorothy Perkins which have a bit of bling to ensure that there is some sparkle in the outfit. (the pressure to look like a Christmas cracker is too much to fully escape) 

So there will be some sparkle, but it will be understated and (hopefully) elegant. 

(Dorothy Perkins £30)

Olympics Sceptic

I am a self proclaimed Olympics sceptic, I don't like sports and I don't like lots of people getting on my train or making London even busier that it already is. I will have to actually be in work at 7.30am and that does not please me. And don't even get me started on these Boris announcements that are invading my ears every time I travel anywhere.

But having now seen the Olympic Torch twice (once at home and once at work) I couldn't help but feel a teeny tiny flash of excitement and I'm hoping maybe it will be better than I imagine. 

Despite my momentary Olympics love I have decided that early morning starts and free time in the afternoon may lead to 1)the end of my giving up caffeine plan and 2) SHOPPING. My current workplace has no dress code which has left me feeling as though I have no clothes (honestly, the bulging wardrobe means nada) so I have spent some time perusing the usual topshop and zara websites and managed to find a few little bits that I need to add to my collection. 

I have been on the hunt for a black skater skirt for some time and just the other day I was moaning about nowhere having any and then Tophop comes to the rescue with this leather number, YES PLEASE.

 I have one like this in grey but I can't get enough of peplums and love this colour!

I don't need these at all but they are wedges and animal print so I've fallen for them. 

That's all for now, the rest of my money is to be spent on mini dry shampoo and the like for my upcoming trip to Russia!

Love, Maeve xoxo

Wishlist #2

Hi!

This post is basically a collection of all the things I feel I deserve after having the worst (exaggeration, of course) week of my life. I have been working night shifts doing market research and the lack of sleep has driven me insane so please excuse this mad ramble of a post. BUT I digress, the point is I will soon be paid and that money will no doubt burn a whole in my overdraft and have to be spent. I may or may not have already attacked the forever 21 website whilst 'working' so a few things are on their way...

Number 1 on my list is these boots from ASOS!

I really want the coloured ones but I know black is more practical and useful blah blah blah so will probably go for them but either way they shall be mine!

Next up is the Origins Drink Up intensive overnight mask, now I don't even want this, well I do, but I actually NEED it, no sleep has led to my skin resembling a very dull prune (it's dry) so I am running out to buy this on Saturday! 

I have been looking for a statement necklace for a little while now and I found this beaut on ASOS so it may have to be mine as well, I reckon it will be great for jazzing up otherwise boring outfits!

And finally...I saw this coat whilst browsing the topshop website at work- this job has only made me want to shop and it was pretty much love at first sight. I am aware it's July but a)the weather is crap and b) I always buy my winter coat by August because coats are my fave and I get too excited to wait! I think this is soooooo lovely and even vaguely ladylike- a first!

Aaaaah so that is what I am currently wanting/ordering as we speak...

Love, Maeve xoxo

Lazy dressing

Yesterday I was doing the usual shopping spree (spending my entire pay cheque before it has had a chance to enter my account) and realised I am a ridiculously lazy dresser.

I was looking for some respectable dresses for work (classic cut but in bright colours) and I would not try anything on which looked like it would require effort in the form of accessories or was that little bit too tight. 

If you're like me then when you get up in the morning you want to be able to put on a comfortable but professional looking outfit on for work that doesn't suffocate you after a large lunch, so here are a few picks I have found:

Julia xxx

Clothes: Zara, Zara, Asos, Antipodium 

ISLE OF WIGHT 2012

Last weekend we went to Isle of Wight festival and had probably the BEST weekend, like, ever! So we thought we'd share some of our snaps with you and basically brag about what a good time we had.

The most important thing to note is that we saw The Boss, Bruce Springsteen and all fell head over heels in love with him (we simply refuse to believe that he is 63!) Here is a picture to demonstrate how amazing he looks/is...

We also saw Tinie Tempah (Julia's future husband) and the mighty Biffy Clyro (Simon IS Maeve's future husband) as well as Jessie Jessie J, Noah and the Whale, Madness, Tom Petty, The Vaccines and probably more that escape our memories right now! Oooh I've remembered, we saw Lana Del Rey and she was amazing and so beautiful!

(Simon from Biffy is just gorgeous)

The rest of the time we spent battling through the mud, dancing in the Hipshaker bar, drinking mojitos and saying "HOLLLLA" alot and laughing uncontrollably.

 As for fashion Julia totally rocked her new floral bralet whilst Maeve totally didn't rock a jumper she had to buy from the Oxfam tent there because she didn't bring enough warm clothes... 

We had such a lovely time despite the weather being a bit questionable and our next stop is Glastonbury 2013 so they better prepare....

Love, Maeve and Julia xx

Floral loving

This isn't a post with a purpose but I just wanted to share my love for everything floral with you all. From tropical flowers to roses, anything floral gets me excited for the summer... and some cheeky time off work!

Julia xxx

If you liked this post, read about Maeve's adventure at the Chelsea Flower Show...

Wishlist #1- Festivals

Next week we are off to Isle of Wight festival and now it's close I am super excited! I absolutely love festivals and this will be my sixth (I think) year in a row that I've been to one! One of the best things about festivals, aside from the great array of food to eat, is the fashion! At festivals there are no rules and you can clash and mismatch as much as you want without anyone thinking you've lost the plot.

I have been trying to plan what to pack this week but there's still a few bits I'd like to pick up before I go so here is my wishlist. My fave items for festivals always include denim shorts in some form, huge sunglasses, something warm for the evening and anything tie dyed or patterned! Although the number 1 thing I want is for the sun to come out or at least for a couple of days without a complete downpour, pretty please weather!

So these are some of the things I am wanting in my wardrobe and I think they would be perfect for any festival!

Maeve xoxo



Shorts and Cardi- Topshop, Vest- Urban Outiffters, Leggings and Crop Top- Topshop, Sunglasses- Dorothy Perkins

finding the right bag...

One of the key items I find incredibly hard to shop for is a bag, especially the every day bag. When you're a student/struggling graduate then an 'on trend' bright shoulder bag tends to do the trick as it is both practical and student chic.

However once you start working in the city, that bright coloured satchel just won't cut it when you are faced with all of those judgemental looks on the tube every single day.

I have also felt that silly pressure to dress more appropriately now I have an 'adult' job. So where to start when shopping for the every day work bag?

I say keep it simple, dark and leather for the every day (and save that gorgeous patent coral bag for the weekend...)

Julia x

Budget Benefit from Glamour

I got overly excited when I heard this month's Glamour was the benefit giveaway and even more so when I realised POREfessional was one of them! Every year Glamour teams up with Benefit and I always think it's a good opportunity to try things before you spend serious money on them (perfect for us budgeting graduates...)

I have wanted to try POREfessional for a while now but wasn't sure if I could part with the money, I think it's about £23 and even though I've heard so many good things I was still undecided so I am so glad it was an option. I also had to get the issue with the "that gal" primer which is supposed to be an illuminating one and I am becoming increasingly obsessed with primers lately so I needed (yes needed) to try. 

I tried the POREfessional today and I almost wanted to not like it so I didn't have to buy the full size BUT of course it was as good as I expected, it felt so nice to apply and made my skin feel all soft and worked really well under make up! So thanks a lot benefit and Glamour for putting me out of £23. I haven't tried the "that gal" one so hopefully that  won't be amazing : ) 

I realise this isn't "budget" at all if you end up liking it so I apologise for that! 

Maeve xoxo

Dressing up London

This is a slightly different post to normal as it doesn't have anything to do with clothes but obviously if you too visit this you should probably wear some... 

Plenty of graduates move to London in the hope of finding that dream job and even if you do it is still a pricey city to live in. Because of this agonizing fact I am always on the look out for fun and cheap things to keep myself occupied. 

Last week I took a trip to a street food market just off Brick Lane, very cool I know, and it didn't look like much (pretty much a car park) but the food and atmosphere was amazing. 

East London has long been the hang out of the capital's coolest but the food on offer is quite something, curry included of course! There is also some pretty good street art knocking about and having spent the last six weeks around Brick Lane I have snapped some of my faves! 

With the weather being so amazing recently I have also been lazing around in Greenwich Park, going to the park is an obvious cheap choice but Greenwich has lovely views and the lushest grass in London (the second bit may or may not be true). 

Maeve xoxo

Chelsea Flower Show

As I said before all experience is good experience as it turns out I was right because today my current internship led me to the lovely Chelsea Flower Show, on official caravan business of course!

I had to interview Jo Thompson, the designer of one of the gardens, and take lots of pictures- all in the sunshine that we finally got today! 

I got my first ever press pass, which was very exciting and made me feel like a real journalist.

Then I wandered around some very beautiful gardens 

I was actually pleasantly surprised at how much I did enjoy the event, I've never thought of myself as a flower lover but I am definitely converted! 

I also had the BEST frozen yogurt ever : ) 

Maeve xoxo

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