shopping
Low Cost Stores to Love
16 May 2015
H&M
From it's first UK store opening in 1976, H&M has become a multinational retail success. The Swedish brand is now a world-wide triumph, providing fantastic fashion for men, women, teenagers and children. H&M offered affordable clothing for all ages which is exactly what makes it a commercial success. Rather than spending an unnatural amount of spending money on a real leather jacket from an exclusive high street or even designer store; H&M can offered reasonably prices faux or real leather jackets of the same quality - and in many different styles and colours. H&M is a great place to shop for building a wadrobe. The basic items of clothing are available all year-round in contrast to the seasonal-wear. H&M also collaborates with huge designers and celebrities to give it's shoppers the best of the high fashion experience. From Beyoncé to Madonna, and Versace and Alexander Wang, H&M are the first to ring in the stylish season.
Primark
Primark is known for it's low prices. Selling lines for both men and women, the shop earned it's popularity for inexpensive items and enormous ranges. Like H&M, Primark is one of the best places to built a basic wardrobe. Everyday essentials like t-shirts, cardigans, knitted jumpers and t-shirts are featured in their stores all year-round and always at amazing prices. Primark is especially popular amoung the younger generation, as it's labels are designed for all ages - including their super-popular line, Atmosphere. Primark are also noted for their colossal stores, always having plenty in stock, alongside plenty of queues.
TK Maxx
TK Maxx has become one of my favourite stores. I'm constantly blogging about anything I find in there, as it's a fanchise full of weird and wonderful things. Avoiding shopping in their city centre stores are incredibly difficult, but I always end up finding something. Founded in 1976, TK or TJ Maxx's number one priority is selling high labels at low prices. As well is being incredibly active in charity work, TK is full of one-off pieces that can brighten up any closet. It takes real determination and motivation to fish through the hundreds of clothing rails across the county, but finding one item at a reasonable price is worth the adventure.
Boohoo.com
Originating in Manchester in 2006, boohoo.com has become a casual online fashion destination worldwide. As an online store, they feature a wide range of clothing for guys and girls, both in-season wear to match the trends on the runway but also everday clothing needs and the wardrobe tools to build your own personal style. The great thing about Boohoo.com being an online-only site is the contant new additions to their lines. Everything they have is available 24/7 and it's my go-to store for online shopping. The excellent delivery service gives boohoo.com the great name today!
Collection Eyes Uncovered Palette Review
1 May 2015
Collection is a make-up brand I will never give up on. Their ranges are affordable and such great quality for the range they offer. I usually head straight to the Collection shelf when I'm shopping on a budget because I know I'm going to find something I love. The Eyes Undercovered Nude Bronze Palette caught my attention immediately. With my darker skin tone, I can use a lot of bronzed colours that were originally designed for the 'nude' or 'sun kissed' make-up look. For example, I can use most bronzers as powder which is greaty for my bank account. I started using this palette as a way to experiment with more eye looks and shadow colours. Since first trying the Golden Brown shade, I have fallen in love with the set. It's a great little pack to use to create a gradient effect on your eyes for an interesting evening look.
Each shade has a tiny hint of shimmer, some more than others. I do use a primer, but the shadows last for a very long time and remain the same colour. There are products I have used in the past that seemed to change colour over time or fade to invisibility which isn't useful and poor value for money. On the other hand, this mini palette comes with an applicator so it's easier to use on the go. Overall, I would recommend this product to all skin tones as it has a set of colour that will blend beautifully with each other and can effortlessly suit day or night.
Shades L-R: Ivory, Mink, Ochre, Golden Brown, Ember, Nutty.
Whatever Size Will Do
28 January 2015
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Learning to shop my size used to be incredibly difficult. It doesn't really matter what size you are, some people just aren't comfortable with a busy store and people looking over your shoulder. I have always been too tall for my age, which meant I had to buy clothes that were bigger for length, but I was never the slim type either. Confidence plays a huge factor in being able to choose up your own clothes size, and it comes down to simply not caring about the opinion of others, because they're probably not even looking.
In my mind, whenever I was shopping, I used to almost feel ashamed to pick up my size and was convinced other people were watching or judging me. But after a long period of reading "clothes numbers don't define us" posts and continually doing everything in my power to boost my confidence, I started to embrace my shape and actually open my eyes to realise the world doesn't revolve around me. People tend to mind their own business and it's down to you to realise not many people care whether you're picking up a size 6 or a size 16.
My style has evolved a lot from being younger. I no longer shop at Jane Norman just for the snazzy carrier bags and I have no issue looking around F&F at Tesco for the occasional staple piece. When it comes down to how I like clothes to fit, I like a really loose fit and comfortable fabrics. I know textiles well, so I have learnt what fabrics will change or alter when washed or expand after use. Today, I have absolutely no problem picking up a size 18 in Topshop despite that being bigger than my real dress size.
I tend to ignore the numbers on hangers and shop for the fit rather than the size; which is exactly why TK Maxx is one of my favourite stores. In-store shopping can be a challenge and takes real determination to dig through the hundred of clothing rails, but two jumpers could be marked medium and yet completely different sizes. Primark is my go-to store for affordable casual t-shirts. Although the quality isn't always phenomenal, there are plenty of different styles to go with. Shopping nowadays is plenty of fun rather than an anxiety-filled nightmare. Realising there are many more people sat in this boat makes every trip a lot more enjoyable.
Completely Casual
26 September 2014
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Today's I'm going for the ultra casual look. Sometimes I like to feel really casual rather than dressing up every day. As I'm only shopping, I chose not to wear a dress because taking tights off and then having to put them back on every time I try something on can be quite a faff. I think graphic tees are the best way to still have an exciting outfit without going over board and staying casual. The one I'm wearing was actually a present, but t-shirts like this are available anywhere. I like that this t-shirt can have a dark background (still sticking with black as usual) but the design that reads "live on tour" is the focus point for the whole ensemble. In my opinion, jeans are the best nonchalant style without going full laid-back and wearing sweats. I prefer to wear super skinny, and this pair is from Topshop which make some of the softest jeans I've ever worn in my life. I've also found that the classic pair of hi-top Converse are not only comfortable but the ultimate informal shoe. I was going to wear boots, but again thinking of practicality, I went straight to the All Stars.
T-Shirt - gift
Jeans - Topshop
Bag - Next
Shoes - Schuh
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Warm Winter
10 September 2014
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
I've finally fallen for charity shops. The other day, I tweeted "Charity shops are just vintage gold mines" and this couldn't be more true. I never used to really shop in any sort of charity shop, not for any particular reason I just never went in. I live in quite an industrial village in Yorkshire, so there's literally charity shops everywhere especially towards the centre of the town. I recently went into a shop that supports Sue Ryder - a charity which supports people with complex needs and life-threatening illnesses across the UK and internationally. As soon as I walked into the door, it was like a vintage overload. There were amazing colours and pattens everywhere I looked and I couldn't contain my excitement. After browsing around for a while, and even buying a few bags and dresses, I came across this huge coat that was only £10 in the store. I did my research and the brand is INSERT BRAND HERE. It actually turns out, this coat would retail for almost £200. This coat is a little big for me, but I never have to layer underneath because it's so thick and warm inside. The lining is maybe the softest fur I've ever come across, as well as the coat exterior being leather so it's waterproof. I can't wait for the snow to blanket the whole of Yorkshire, so I can walk the dales in this coat without completely freezing solid.
Coat - charity shop
Vest top - Topshop
Jeans - Next
Shoes - Schuh
Bag - market stall
TWITTER // INSTAGRAM // BLOGLOVIN'
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