Three Ways To Wear | One Gold Party Dress

I know, I know it's been a while. But I've had a lot going on, and honestly didn't want to fill this blog of mine with a load of old rubbish. I need to channel my energy back into something positive, to take my mind off everything. So today I decided to have a dress declutter, I watched a bunch of you Tubers going through and trying on all their pieces. Which I highly recommend, because I hate to break it to you but your special dress you have been saving may not even make you feel good when you put it on. Today I was happy to make three piles, one to sell, one for the charity shop and those special dresses I actual feel great in that I'm going to keep. 

But rather than bore you with photos of this process, you can watch the story on my instagram if you fancy. I thought how about a style one dress post. I picked up this gold dress from the charity shop for a whole £3! It fits like a glove, and makes me feel like a million bucks. I'm sure you have a dress like this, but if you don't get thrifting, everyone is clearing out party wear to make way for new so it's thee perfect time. So here's how I style one dress three ways.   

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Next A/W 2018

Yes Autumn is here and I'm sorry but I'm not sorry. I need layers, I need fluffy cosy and hug inducing layers. Yes I probably will miss the odd warm day, but this season means cosying up, hot drinks, walks in the park through a million leaves. It's a bit more magic, dark nights aside. I've been clearing out a lot of my old tired things, as it's time to give everything a little refresh. A little wardrobe update, or adding some cute things to your home. Next have a great collection this season, and while everything isn't to my taste as always I've picked out my favourite bits to share and inspire you this Autumn winter. 

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How To Shop For 90s/00s Brands On EBay

Some of the 90s vintage pieces I've picked up on eBay

I've had a ton of you asking how I manage to bag such cool pieces off EBay. So I thought I would put together a cool kind of how to on hunting down 90s/00s brands and things you should actively do. In order to fill your wardrobe with awesomeness that didn't cost you an arm and a leg. This is exactly what I do, and how I've managed to build a cool collect of pieces when shopping on EBay. As I was a teen in the 90s and a hoarder I kept a lot of my things, but there were pieces that back then I couldn't afford so I love hunting down things. I should probably be over the 90s, and I'm sure there are people who would say I'm 'too old' to be wearing this stuff. I'm 34, and I'll wear what I bloody well like thank you.

So here's the 411

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How To Shop At Charity Shops Like A Pro

A lifetime again, I wrote a post on shopping at charity shops but I felt it needed a good dust off. Not that much has changed, I still love thrifting and I think with all that's going on in the world reusing is the way forward. You don't have to solo shop in them, but even buying the old pieces makes a massive impact. Your not only giving some money towards a great cause, your saving items from being thrown away. Some assume that there's no really thought that goes into charity shopping, but if you stop seeing it as a junk yard and more as a treasure hunt I promise you will find some amazing things. 

So let's jump straight into it ...

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A Guide To Avoid Buying Fake Vintage

Cheated, frustrated but mostly disappointed just some of the feelings you'll experience if you ever fall foul into buying something you were told was vintage. Yes a little dramatic, but honestly the amount of time and money wasted soon can dismay any vintage lover from buying on line. In my early years of thrifting, EBay was pretty much my go to, I was determined to find and fill my wardrobe with vintage gems. So being a pretty trusting person and assuming that most people could tell the different between vintage and retro I purchased what I thought was true vintage.  Waiting patiently for the postman to head over with said treasured package,  that of course I had already planned how I was going to style and to find what.. 

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Discover London: Ragyard

Ragyard Truman Brewery

I really want to start sharing more cool places in London with you, so I thought I would start with a shop I stumbled across a few weeks ago. Ragyard is everything I love in a shop, this beautiful shop is filled with amazing trinkets and clothing that you could only achieve by traveling the world. As I'm off to BST festival in Hyde Park and still not decided what to wear, I thought it would be great to have a look and get some inspiration. 

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Vintage Shopping With Rokit

Rokit - Covent Garden 

I can still remember the first Rokit store I ever stumbled upon, it  was a warm Saturday and me and Barry had been in Camden for most of the morning. We had just polished off a curry from the the market and decided to walk around once more before heading home- In other words I decided I need to buy more and dragged Barry with me. I had money to spend so it must have been close to payday, but was bored of the high street and fancied expanding my vintage wardrobe. 

Which back than was  around four items, I guess I was still learning about key pieces to invest in, and decided I couldn't go wrong with a denim skirt. I wore that bad boy to death, than when it got worn it looked even cooler. I went back the next month and picked one up in every colour. They were Levis reworked jeans that had been dyed and looked rocking. Simple but a classic, and to be honest if my waistline hadn't expanded over the years I would probably be wearing the same ones now. -Note to self buy some on your next shopping trip. 

As you know I love vintage, but as it's so popular now it can be a bit of a mare to find great vintage. The lovely peeps at Rokit invited me down to see if I could find some fab pieces to not only look funky in but jazz up my winter wardrobe. Of course I was counting down the days till I could get to a store to bat this challenge out the park. 

Where to start that is always the problem. I tend to look in jackets and coats first, I think when your shopping for adding into your wardrobe this is a way of getting a piece that you will wear more. While I was there I think a women mistook me for a Rokit peep and wanted my advice on a couple of jackets. I love to shop so natural helped her find a perfect 90s faux fur trim coat that would have made the cast of Almost Famous proud, and than chatted about why the 90s was so much better to be a teenager in. 

Than out the corner of my eye spotted this beautiful jacket that was a cross between, Chanel meets Clueless sadly it was a little too small for me. Sometimes this will happen, it's vintage, it's a one off. But than I spotted a pink checked jacket of dreams, and it fit like a glove. I love layering thinner jackets under heavy coats, as you can still have all that fun print and stay warm. The staff were amazing as I asked if they had any 60s party wear that I could try on. We found this amazing sequin top, which makes me feel like a real life mermaid (outfit post to come) and there was a moment I was going to put it back, but it was so beautiful. I did try on a couple of jumpers and dresses but again it's about fit. I found so much but of course had to be selective about what I would actual wear. There party wear is insane and I wanted to roll about in all the amazing dresses. They also have a massive range for lads too, including shoes and accessories which to be honest I always have a nose at because vintage men's sweaters are the one. 

I was really impressed to see they still sell reworked items, I mean who doesn't like a newly cropped vintage cat sweater. I was already planning on which shirt I'd layer it over, but before I could reach up a girl grabbed it. * Word to the wise, if you like it pick it up than decided if it's you or not. Vintage shopping is such a rush, I guess it's not knowing what's going to be there. Of course Rokit like other vintage stores makes it easy for you to shop, but at the same time it gets your style juices flowing on items you may have not considered before. I guess the best advice I can give you is have an open mind, and try things on. It may look smaller and fit. It may be your size but maybe doesn't fit you in the right places. Rokit is great for vintage on a budget too, they have a wide range of low to high end and you can always find something unique. I'm looking forward to showing you how I style my pieces for some jazzy winter inspiration. Have you shopped with Rokit? What was your best find? 

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Learning How To Crochet: What You Need & The Best Way To Get Started

For so long, I poured over photos of beautiful things people had crocheted. When I was younger my nan taught me basic knitting, as crochet was just so tricky and I just about learned to knit. When she passed I promised myself one day I'd learn, the reality was I forgot all about it and life went on. Than one day I saw a photo of a crocheted cardigan, and I suddenly felt angry so angry I ended up crying. Over a crochet cardigan. Crying.

So much time had passed, were talking years and I still had not picked up a hook and even tried. Who was I kidding I didn't even have any hooks, and how do you learn something if you don't even have the main tool for the job. I was so upset that I had made a promise to myself, not just for me but for her and I had done nothing. So than I made it a mission to learn. If I can you can, it won't be easy. You will want to give up, you will think how are people doing this. Than it will click, and all those failed attempts will fade to the background and before you know it you will be crocheting. You will.  

My hook collection and markers both from EBay

Firstly there are a few things your going to need:

A note book- Simple but great for keeping you on track, for making wool lists -No one will understand the pain of buying the wrong shade of wool because it was the same colour.  Making note of what hook you were using, and wool shade if you have started a couple of projects just helps fast track things. Basic ones or not, it just makes it easy so you can focus on learning and not what hook you were using on that granny square. If your following a how to, you can write down notes, rather than having to keep watching over and over again. 

Scissors- For cutting wool when your done.

A hook or set of hooks - Mine are from Ebay, go for metal ones or wood. Plastic ones are a mare, for someone starting out. One's with a grip at the end are also a good idea. Don't worry about having a bunch, when you start out it's all about learning the basic stitches first. You will soon get the feel for moving it, but it takes time and practice. My favourite hook is the 6.00mm, but to be honest any hook in your hand is the best start.

Wool/Yarn - DK is my favourite, it's also nice for when your learning. Save chunky and small yarns for when you have a better understanding. You will want to buy all the fancy ones, who can blame you but in the end crocheting with a fluffy yarn as a beginner will make you go insane. You need to really see the stitches to start to understand how they work and to get use to tension when working. Tension (how your holding your yarn/wool will make a difference) will come with time, the more you do the more natural it becomes. When I look back at my first granny square, you can tell it's too tight as it's curling in. It happens, you carry on. Sometimes you will make mistakes and have to unpick work, but when you finish a piece it's all the more special because of the time you have put in. 

Markers- Mine again are from EBay, and I think are super cute. These little beauties are a great way to keep stitch count. Once you start chaining and have to work stitches in certain chain spaces, this is where these will again keep your sanity. They are also perfect for keeping your loop, if you need to take a break without it all coming undone. 

A needle and thread - This probably comes a little later, when you need to sew in ends. I'd say at the start it's just about learning so this really comes a little later. 

So how did I learn from home in my spare time, the answer is simple. All hail You Tube, there are so many how to's but here are the people that inspired me and taught me how to crochet. Even now I have trouble reading patterns. These channels showed me how to crochet along with them. Yes you will stop, pause and re-watch them again and again. Some people crochet too fast and it's almost impossible to understand what's going on. These peeps show you clearly and take their time, I still go back to their videos again and again.

Great for learning the basics and making cute things- HappyBerry Crochet

Learning new patterns and basic skills- Bella Coco

Making bags and clothing with simple stitch use- Bag-O-Day

Making clothing in both knit and crochet- Ruby Stedman

But it's worth every minute. Once you have learned the stitches, the world of crochet opens up I have started to work from patterns. I have even got a couple of crochet magazines to try new things and help my pattern reading skills. I am still a beginner myself,  but every day I feel I can try something new and learn more as I go. This is in no way the perfect way to get started, but this is how I have learned, picking up a book just seemed over whelming but having someone show me and being able to see over and over really helped me to understand. 

I have since crocheted a blanket, a cushion, two tops and I'm working on three projects at the moment. So what are you so afraid of, you will fail but you pick up that hook and wool and you keep trying. For me crochet has had a life impact, it helps with my depression and I love that I'm creating something with my hands. You can make so much, and I already have a list of friends and family who want me to make them something. I crochet every single day, and it's great because you decide how long you want to spend doing it. You can make it fit around your life. So this is my second post of #blogmas I hope it helps, and you give it ago. I have a hashtag on my Instagram #lawdoescrochet, if you fancy seeing my progress. 

Have you started crocheting? How did you learn, and what would you recommend?

Note since posting this, lots of you have been telling me about crochet in your community people running groups etc .. and how you have found learning face to face has really helped too. This is wonderful to hear, if you have a group in your area please feel free to leave details in the comment section for others to join. Or if you have any other information for beginners feel free to share. 

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Finding My Dream Dress With Beyond Retro #mydreamvintagedress

As you may know already I adore vintage, and what's better than trying to hunt for vintage pieces yourself in a charity shop or car boot sell. Going to a shop that finds all the vintage gems you could ever dream of, and selling them at a price that won't leave your purse crying. I couldn't tell you how many years I've been shopped there, but it's well over a decade. I think a lot of vintage shops tend to be a bit of a mess, you can spend hours searching and still not find what your really after. Clothing can be really overpriced, and not in great condition it can be a massive waste of time and money. 

Beyond retro is really well organised, by style and decade, granted you still may need to try on pieces to get the right size but it's easy enough. But overall quality is good and items are true vintage, and they are very clear on anything that has been made from reclaimed materials. This is were their Beyond Retro Label was born, giving new life into vintage pieces. When they asked me if I wanted to take part in their #mydreamvintagedress challenge, I was excited to see what I would end up with.  

Were to start, with rows of colourful dresses ever where you can feel a little like you have won a golden ticket to the chocolate factory. But instead of chocolate it's dresses, and instead of a ticket it's your eyes darting around to find the one before someone else snaps it up. I decided to go in order of decade to narrow it down, starting with the 60s and so on. I do like the 50s, but the colour palette just isn't me I prefer bold prints and colours. 

If you have followed my blog for a while, you will know that my style is very mixed which just makes it even harder. From my love of 70s acid colours and flower power prints, to 90s grunge and pretending I can pull off the kinderwhore tea dress look. The choice is just endless, so my golden rule is to try it on, as different decades mean different sizing and the fit of a dress can vary massively. Here are some of the dresses I tried on, all amazing but sadly some did not fit me on the top - Never force a zip, if it doesn't go up with ease than put it back for someone else as double cleavage is never cute plus your boobs will thank you. The key to investing in vintage, is getting a great fit. 

I always check items over, as it's good to take into account if they need any repairs or if you want to alter them. If your buying a dress that does runs big, you can alter yourself with darts etc. If your unsure you can always take it to a tailor, who will work their magic for a bespoke fit that will fit you like a glove. Just be aware of cost, but if it's vintage than it will be pretty rare (depending on what decade it's from) so worth that extra investment. 

So which dress did I end up getting, you will have to wait and see. I can't encourage people enough to buy vintage, it's eco friendly not to mention the fact the rush you'll get from finding a piece of clothing that is truly unique. The way I see it is, these clothes have remained in tack for this long and need to have a new life. Keeping a balance between throw away fashion and eco friendly clothing is always my goal. It doesn't have to cost you a fortune and it can be something you can enjoy for years. I love my collection of vintage dresses and it's always wonderful finding a new one. Which decade would you pick from? 

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Long Live Vinyl

As someone a little older, vinyl doesn't seem that retro to me. My mum would pick me up from school and we would go to my nan and granddads. I would head up the stairs to  one of the spare bedroom aka my room when no one stayed over. It was my own little haven, a space I could do my drawing in, make friendship bracelets when it was raining and I couldn't play in the garden.  My grandad let me have one of his record players so if I couldn't find anything to watch on television -There were only four channels back than. I could flip through my mum's old records and pretend that the bed was a stage, my hair brush was my mic and that I was a rock star. 

Back than I thought it was pretty lame, as girls at my school seemed to have it all watching cartoons on Sky, the latest clothing and CD'S which had just come out but now I think it was pretty cool. I had a tape player and recorder, but never used it much. Vinyl seemed cooler a little more rebellious, the art work was always interesting and a lot bigger than on cassette covers. Cassette cases were made from flimsy plastic that always broke and tapes would get caught up in the player, they just annoyed me. Of course at a later Christmas my mum bless her, got me a CD player but again it lacked the feel, the grain that a record has. 

David Bowie Record: From my mum's collection // Glitter Brogues: New Look

Thankful I was lucky my mum had good taste, she managed to build a classic collection and happily gave it too me -Thanks mum. There was a few records in there I probably won't ever play sorry mum but no just no, but you know I'm sure at the time they were the 'one direction' of their day. I was gutted when my record player break years ago, and had to tuck my collection away for years. I wanted a player so badly but they were all massive and took up way too much room. I come across Crosley players, when my eye was drawn to a rug in the window of an Urban Outfitters. At first I thought they were a little hipster, but than to be honest hipsters are not all that bad anymore. If they have made vinyl hip again, than that makes them okay in my book. I knew that I had to have one, they come in a cute suitcase style and a heap of colours and patterns. Note if you want a patterned one you may have to sell a kidney, they are not cheap.

Thankful Barry my other half got me a beautiful orange one for Christmas, and so I practical jumped across the room to the cupboard to search for my box of records. A couple of people told me there awful players, but honestly they are worth every penny. I wanted to expand my collection, but records don't come cheap. I will probably save for the really important ones, that I know I won't come across easily. But before you break out your violin for me, I know that you can actual bag pretty good vinyl without the hefty price tag. So no need for a pity party here thanks. I've been thrifting my heart out down the charity shops, and managed to get a couple of albums for a £1 each. If your like me and what to thrift for vinyl here are a few tips that will make sure you get a  good deal. 

• Firstly will you listen to it, sometimes there is a temptation to just grab a bunch for the sake of building a bigger collection. But honestly are you really going to listen to BBC sound effect volume 26 on a Saturday night. Doubtful.

• Check the record while your there, for any cracks or deep scratches it may have been fine when they first put it on the shelf but someone may have knocked it with a bag, or their kid or secretly smashed it because they hated it and put it back. Jokes aside, you want to check, it's pretty soul destroying when you discover it at home. As someone may have put in the wrong record in the wrong sleeve, so you may think your buying Hendrix and end up with Chas and Dave. I don't know how that would ever happen, but even thinking about that makes me want to cry.

• Keep your receipt even in a charity shop you will be able to exchange, it maybe just a £1 but it will soon add up if you keep ending up with records that don't work. Also why not donate any records you don't listen to, make space for all the new gems.

• Car-boot sales and local hall sales are also a great place to find cheap records, again just make sure you check them while your there.

I wish I had a time machine just to see what it was like back in the 70s, record stores were more than just shops for young people than. They had events live bands and parties and everything was about the music. I guess films like Clock Work Orange, have given me the ideal image of what they looked like even if I know they didn't. Empire Records showed the type of stores I grew up with, anyone remember Tower Records. I spend most of the 90s in that shop, buying posters and checking out boys with friends, than waiting my turn to play the latest Playstation game. Thankful there are some amazing record stores still, there's a couple in Soho and Bricklane that I love going to (they do awesome band tees too). Sadly a lot of music shops are closing down over the west end, so many have gone already so many losing their jobs at a place that honestly you have to have passion for. I hope that vinyl does stay trendy, as it keeps it alive. I plan on building a collection that my boys can have when they are older, I can only hope they will enjoy them as much as me. Long Live vinyl I say.

I don't know if you have a record player, or are thinking about getting one but you won't regret it. Records have character, they are a thing of beauty and it doesn't have to cost you a heap to build a well rounded collection. You will get such a buzz when you discover a record you have been after for ages, as I did with my Dionne Warwicke find the other day. Yes I did put it on, sat on my bed and sung 'Walk on by' minus my hairbrush and no I'm no rock star but singing to records still makes me feel like one. Do you listen to records? 

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Stress Free (ish) Christmas Shopping

So the count down is on, and you still have a list as long as your arm of things you need to buy. Be it presents, decorations, food and this is on top of going to work, walking the dog or maybe doing that thing whats it call oh yeah sleep. As things can get out of hand quickly, and slowly that budget you had in mind is doubled because your grabbing at whatever you can. Don't cry into your Christmas jumper just yet ... Probably because you have had no time to buy one. I'll give you some of my top tips to keep it stress free and make the best Christmas you can on whatever time and money you have. Of course this is just how I manage mine, so I hope any of this will help and if you have any tips please, please leave a comment and share the stress free love. 

Check those cupboards..

See what you have it's often a second thought to dig everything out, if you have a ton of decorations from the year before than use them or why keep them. I discovered a stocking garland I forget about and saved myself another tenner, on the one I was going to buy. I think a great way to get inspired is to pick up the free magazines in supermarkets (sometimes they have discount coupons inside which you may find handy), they often have simple D.I.Y projects and can give you simple ideas for Christmas displays. Pound shops are also a great place to get those extra bits and pieces if your money is tight, and picking up things to craft with. 

Quick make:

Take some twigs from outside and paint them, I sprayed mine gold with spray paint from the pound shop. Take some string or rubber band and tie them together. Use an old jar, I used an old pasta one and fill it with rice. Cut the twigs down to size, so they make a mini tree. Take some mini tinsel and other decorations and dress your tree. This is great for extra little trees, or a main tree if you can't have a big one. We have used ours to let our boys make decorations for it. Check out pinterest for a ton of ideas for having some fun and making some pretty things. 

Same goes for food, it's a couple of days not a four month event you don't have to go mad. If everyone is coming to you than roughly work out what you will need, and let everyone bring a little something if they like. If everything is selling out frozen can be a life saver, so try and empty it out before the Christmas shop to stock up on what you will need. I've lost count of the times I would buy Brussels sprouts that would go off just before Christmas day. Frozen are just as good and mean there's more room for chocolate and wine in my fridge. 

He's making a list, he's checking it twice...

Take some advice from the man himself, it seems like it won't help but a list will give you focus and keep you on track to buying what you need. Because yes the sales are great for saving a little extra on those gifts, but if they are on things that the person won't really like or use it's a bit pointless. Think about who it's for, and have a couple of options so if something has sold out you have a back up. Set an amount for each person and stick to it as much as you can, and make sure you have put everyone on that list. From a small stocking filler for say a teacher or colleague, to the massive present for your other half, parent or best friend it adds up so list everything and don't add as you go along. 

• I think it's great to keep it small if your on a budget, you don't have to buy for everyone. Giving a card is just as nice just to wish someone a Merry Christmas, so keep your list for people that you will be spending on. If your going to shop online, write down any promo codes you have on your list, or have any gift cards ready. This will save you so much time. 

• A list for cards will also help, if you have children ask the teacher for a list and it will make life simple. You can always buy a Christmas stamp (or why not make one from a sponge or potato)  and than sign your Child's name, great for if your busy but still want to spread some Christmas cheer. If you have more time you could always make some cards (great to keep the kids busy) and it's always lovely to receive something handmade.

Corben wears: ASDA Santa jumper (supporting Save The children) & Spiderman trainers / Primark jeans / Cheeky grin his own. 

Surviving the shops...

Okay so these are always my golden rules, they may seem like yeah I know that. But saying them and doing them will mean the difference between you wanted to smash a cash register off someones head and you leaving a shop happy with your gifts. 

• Make sure you have your list
• check the night before that you have enough cash in your account if your spending on card, or take out the cash you will need add an extra £10 in there just in case. This will mean you don't have to waste time queueing outside with all the other Christmas shoppers at the ATM.
• A bottled drink be it water, fizz or a sporty drink. If your shopping and getting hot and it's busy this will keep you refreshed and focused. 
• Eat before you shop. If you really can't than have a snack with you, again your more likely to become annoyed by the smallest thing if you feel light headed from rushing around. 
• Put it on hold, this may not apply to sales items but with most things you can hold them. This may give you time to have a quick look around before pairing with your cash to than discover that up the road it was selling for £20 less. Just be ware of time on holds.
• Store check, most of the time you can just call a shop and find out if they have the item in stock before wasting your lunch break going there to found out they never stocked it at that store in the first place. Securing items is a massive weight off, but sometimes if there are sales on it's worth going in anyway as things are not always listed or can be held. 
• Knowing when shops get deliveries, you can ask and it will make a difference. So those must have items are more likely to be in store.
• Look on social media accounts for any promos and events going on in store, it may help to even bag yourself a little treat.   
• Ask someone, I know sometimes people don't always do their job, but ask someone else. There will be someone on that sells floor who will help and is more than happy to show you, and don't be afraid to not know where something is even if you are a savvy shopper. If you find service is awful, than just leave. In the end it's not worth your time or money and it's the shop that loses out, you can always let them know via social media/website that no one helped. In most cases, most people do want to help, even if it's busy shops usually have more staff over the Christmas season so take the help and it's worth checking if personal shoppers are free as most give an outstanding service. Mostly you have to book, but your luck may be in. 

For people who you can never get it right for ..

• Ask for a gift receipt where possible, this is great to give to those people who you just have no idea about. It means they get what they want and you don't have to go back to the shops to change it for them. 
• Gift cards, there is nothing wrong with giving them and if you have a ton to buy it will give your arms a break. 

But I can't face the shops..

Thankfully you don't have to, online shopping is a great way to get everything done without even stepping foot in a shop. Just have a look at delivery times and cost, again factor them into your list and be aware that if your ordering from overseas it probably won't get to you in time. So keep it close and have any promo codes ready to use. Make sure you have your banks number on hand, as they may check if your spending a lot on your cards. If a site is crashing, and you have seen something in a leaflet and know the code, than you can order by phone. Even without the code, most shops will be able to track down items and you can purchase over the phone.  

Than Breathe 

So I hope these ease your shopping woes, sorry if they don't and like I said let me know if you have any tricks or tips. 

1

How I Got My Pastel 'Mermaid' Locks

So after asking you lovely lot on twitter what eye looks you wanted to see, you all seemed way more interested in how I got this hair. It's really easy and looks like you have put it far more effect than you actual have. So firstly you should know same facts, will you need to bleach your hair if your not already light blonde? Yes. Will it damage your hair? Yes, but using a lower vol of peroxide and bleaching over a longer period of time will lessen the damage. If you are really scared go to the hair dresser and get them to bleach it for you, because once's that's done you can apply the colour yourself. So here's how I do my hair, hope it helps and if you have any other questions I'm happy to answer just leave me a comment.

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Selfie School With ASOS - A Lesson In Mastering The Camera Phone

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Get Savvy: A (Kind Of) Guide To Over Come Writers Block

So you finally have some time to write that blog post, it's been swimming around your head for a few days so your ready. Than as you begin to type, your mind goes blank. Not just a little blank, utterly totally void of anything! Well that's just great.

How do you get back on track, will you ever get your writing flow back. For any writer it can be thee most depressing feeling, you want to express yourself but it's like someone has stolen your hands. Fear not there are a few ways you can get that brain of yours, to flow with inspiration. It's not a perfect guide and there's no right way to get back on track, but here's just a few things to keep in mind to help beat the block. 

Write what you know- So simply but yet so effective. Why force yourself to talk about things that you know little about, and don't find interesting. Even for a fashion or beauty blogger, putting a little personality into your post will give your blog post a unique voice. Maybe it's a sweater that has rescued your weekend from an outfit disaster, or a lipstick that helped you have the perfect night out by making you feel good. It can be so simple, the trick is writing as though your having a chat, rather than overly branding your voice and trying to get it 'right'. Maybe it's something your working though, a house move, a break up. There are others who will know, and maybe also be going through similar  things. Go with your mood, and reflect what's really happening and how you really feel.

Take a break- Rather than burning yourself out and stressing about your block. Leave it for the day and go live a little, maybe you may watch something on television, read a tweet or magazine that inspires you to write/photography and want to talk about it. Visiting new places, chatting with people, and taking time out to just be and the inspire will soon flow back. It's hard as you want to pour yourself into a place to write, but take yourself out and it takes off the pressure. I always have a couple of notebooks and pens laying around the house, so if I don't have time I can note down ideas ,feelings and silly thoughts. Some I have used, and others have clearly been half asleep caffeine driven rambles. 

Don't be afraid- Sometimes I get blocks when I have an idea that I'm 50/50 about, and it's because I'm a little half hearted in my belief that anyone would actual enjoy it apart from me. BUT, yes a big but I have started taking more and more risk with posts. After all it's your blog, so just think about why you started your blog, what it says and where you want to take it. Feeling more relaxed about your ideas, and confident in that it's okay if people don't love it it's one post and not your whole blog. It's okay if you have some 'meh' posts everyone does, you grow, learn and move on. Let it drive you to try another way, because when/if  you get a great response for a 'risky' post it's a great feeling and worth the panic. 

Is it the right time- It's perfectly fine to take a break, I'm not sure where the guilt comes from and why we feel sometimes we need to say sorry. I think that most people will understand and support you if you do decide to have some time out. Or maybe like me your a night owl blogger. It's not the best time to blog really, because your half asleep and forcing your brain at a time when it just wants to rest usually resulting in grammar, spelling errors not to mention possible not making sense. A good idea is to schedule some posts here and there, it means your readers have something fab to read and gives your brain a break and can help you beat hitting that wall where your mind goes blank. Maybe keep them on a stand by mode, the just in case posts. Saying that you don't have to post anything, it's really up to you, and know that there's no wrong choice. You must do what makes you happy. 

So these are my tips (not tips really just my hope this helps rambles) just a little hopeful helpful advice, also this post came about as tonight I had writers block, so I thought hey write what you know. Good luck and take your time. A great post well be worth it, and if it's a 'meh' post than let it be.

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Get Savvy: How To Set Up A Swap Shop At Home.

Ever looked at a friends wardrobe and thought, she/he never wears that I would wear it. Or ever 'borrowed' an item off a friend than 'forgot' to return it. So instead of losing your mate over a handbag that went missing or those shoes that are in their house the shop being 'repaired' why not have a swap shop. Or swishing party, they are easy to set up and will save you and your friends some money. I was inspired when I attended the Most Wanted Swap shop, to share something that's simple and fun and also could give your wardrobe a boost. Also don't think they are just for adults, if you have children why not give there unloved items a new lease of life for one of their friends. 

So what can you swap, anything and everything but it's important to decide what you will swap at the party. Here are some ideas:

*Clothing- Make sure your items are in good condition, shoes and bags are also a great item. Maybe those items that still have tags on, as really your never going to wear them. Leave underwear and nightwear as you want it more to give life to your wardrobe, not give your mates nightmares about you in a mouse onesie.

* Beauty- Try to bring sealed or unused products, if it's only been used once it's easy to freshen up a lipstick by chopping off the end. Body cares and maybe those unwanted christmas beauty bits are perfect. Leave mascara and lipgloss out (only if their sealed). 

*Gadgets- Maybe a coffee machine you never use, or some headphones your bored of. Why not swap some DVDs or even CD's, great for finding something new and agin giving new life to unloved items. Again make sure items are working, and in good condition think about if you were receiving the item would you be happy with it.

*D.I.Y- If you want to you could always set up a little craft corner to, ask friends to bring what ever they have studs, glue, trims whatever so you can jazz up your items. Again you don't have to do this it's just an idea. Check out my D.I.Y projects for some inspiration.

Of course it's up to you, but it's good to have a solid item of items so its fair for all. So on to rules and set up, it's really easy and again doesn't have to cost anything. You could make it more party like by making some cakes and getting everyone to bring a bottle of drink or some nibbles, this is optional but it's just nice to swap and have a chat and a drink with friends to.

• Make sure items are in good condition, no one wants something thats stained or broken that they can't use either. Also don't be afraid to have it with boys and girls, as a t-shirt or trainers for example can be for either. I love a good mens tee.

• Get your pals to bring a bag, so they have something to take there items home in. Simple tip yes, but you don't want to spend your evening digging out bags for everyone. 

• Invite a bunch of friends, it will make swapping easier than say just two of you. Plus if some of your friends are a completely different body shape and size, than make sure theres more bags and things so they get some great things too. Set a limit of the number of items for people to bring, five is a good amount to make sure there's enough to swap. 

• You can use a paper and pen to give people stamps for items to make keeping track of swapping easier, make sure one person over sees the final swap to make sure everyone has got something.

• You can always number items, so if someone brings something more high end than can claim more items. Say in clothing hughstreet items such as H&M and Primark would be 1, where as a designer label could be 2. It's up to you, but again just think about keeping it fair for all.

• Think about what your choosing to take, will you wear it, use it watch it, listen to it. There's no point in swapping something that going to gather dust too. Any things left can go to your local charity shop, if there's a lot get your friend to come with you. Charity shops are always in need of things, and it's a great way for you and your friends to let go of things taken up space.

Than just enjoy time with your friends, it's free it's a laugh (you can always model items) and it's free. I know this is basic but I hope that it's inspire you to try it, or give you some ideas.

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Get Savvy: Back To University With Matalan

Back to university or maybe your just starting, well I will be your helping hand and picking out my favourite finds from high street home ware. University can be stressful at times and it's even more stressful when your not at home. So to help you make your pad feel cosy and a little less cell like, you can add some simple touches  some cushions and a bright duvet can make a huge different. I was inspired by the Matalan video, so headed over to their site to see what they had and fell in love with this purple chic look. 
  

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Jessica Floral Bedding Set- I'm not a floral fan but this is so cute and I love the spots on the other side, perfect for days were you miss home and went to chat to family on the phone all day. 

Rose Mirror - Well you will need to see just how hungover you look before classes, but also it's so pretty I love it! 

Round 3D Petal Cushion- Great for adding texture and chilling on while you stalk people on Facebook, update your blog, watch videos on You Tube and anything see that doesn't involve studying!

Spot Print Reversible Duvet Set- With limited room you hardly have space for a the shoes you dragged along, so a reversible duvet is perfect for mixing it up with out taking up room.

On a serious note, university can be scary but remember that everyone is in the same boat. Be yourself, relax and enjoy it, phone friends and family because they are missing you just as much as your missing them.  

Disclaimer: I have not been paid or made to write these posts, these are just products I like and wanted to share with you.

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