Frills 'n' Spills

This weekend was one of those where you just want to hide under the duvet and not get out. The rain combined with a ridiculously busy week meant that I opted for comfort and some of my favourite items from my wardrobe. This coat is one of those favourites (I look so young here, haha!) and is still going strong years after I first got it...

What are your favourite wardrobe items? Which brands do you go to for handbags?

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo

I think bloggers like to think that they are above such trivial things such as trends but for all my snobbery, I fell head over heels for peplums. This particular peplum top is from Matalan and although I have been desperate to wear it, I have found it difficult to style without looking as wide as I am tall but I figured black slim cut trousers will always work with a more oversized silhouette!

I never used to like leopard print, the first time I wore it was back in March 2011 and since then I have slowly been adding it into my wardrobe. I have stuck to accessories for now though, as I still worry that I would look a bit 'tarty' in a full blown dress or skirt. I really wish I had the confidence to pull it off! So, when House of Fraser asked if I would like to review this bag I almost bit their hands off. I love a nice mini bag like this and thought it would be perfect for those days where you don't want to carry around the kitchen sink...

I always seem to wear this dress with the same coat and belt, I think the camel coat makes it look a bit classier despite being a really short skirt! ;)

As you can see, neither the bag nor the logo is particularly subtle but then, leopard print for me is all about injecting that bit of 'oomph' into an outfit, it's definitely not for those who want to blend in! Saying that, I do like the more subtle purple leather version of the bag, isn't it the most gorgeous colour?! 

The inside of the bag is absolutely HUGE, looks are definitely deceiving with this Tardis of a bag. I managed to fit my phone, diabetes stuff (about a make-up bag's worth of stuff) purse, passport and keys and still have all this room left! I think the 3 separate pockets are fab, especially if you are as prone to losing things as me and I love the print on them too. I'm not so keen on the flap and handle of the bag, it is leather but feels a bit cheap and nasty (and at an eye-watering £179.00 full price, it certainly shouldn't!) The bag is in the sale at the moment for a slightly more reasonable £89.50 which for a sturdy leather bag like this, I think is fairly reasonable even if completely opposed to the essence of the original Biba brand! (where everything was designed to be cheap and disposable)

As I said the other day, I don't straighten my hair that often mainly because I hate how damaged it can leave it. I rarely use heat on my hair at all but since I had such a positive reaction I will definitely be trying it again soon. I was sent a style and protect set by ghd to review and I have to say that knowing I can protect my hair from the worse of the heat makes me feel a lot less guilty about straightening it!

The set includes a huge paddle brush, some clips to section your hair (a necessity when you have as much hair as me!) the 'Straight and Smooth Spray' and the 'Final Shine Spray' which both smell amazing...

How do you keep your 'do looking glossy? Have you tried any ghd hair products before?

Although I may complain about my hair, I have been lucky enough to have hair which I can straighten if I want to (unlike my younger sister for example!) even though I don't do it that often.  The other morning I woke up with completely mad hair- one side looked like I had been electrocuted and the other was completely flat. I knew that nothing would work except straightening it so out came my trusty straighteners, which I have had for years, and my rather snazzy hair styling kit from GHD. (post to come on this lovely set soon!)

I always end up pulling this shirt out for when I am feeling particularly uninspired with my work outfits and it was the perfect match for this purple suede-y mini skirt (seen here with my alphabetights). It was loose enough to contrast with the skirt but still look smart with the blazer (I hope!)

When I straighten my hair, I don't like it to look too pristine, so I liked how this turned out with the different lengths of my layers. I haven't had them cut back in now for at least 6 months but until I chop it a lot shorter my hair will still have all these different lengths in. Any tips on making my hair grow faster?

Do you have any tips on making your hair grow faster? What do you wear when you mean business? 

Sometimes I wish I was a 1980s teenager. I have a real penchant for 80s pop music and the garish fashion and I finally watched The Breakfast Club this weekend, which really sealed it for me. I have written before about 80s style work wear and this was another outfit that looked like I had pulled it out of my mum's wardrobe 20 years too late...

Unfortunately my hair styling skills leave a lot to be desired but Eugene has inspired me to be a bit more adventurous with my hair, definitely something to try when I go out for my birthday! 

I love it when things match and it was the perfect opportunity to pull out this bag which never gets used much due to just how tiny it is, thank goodness I had someone to carry everything I couldn't...thanks Mark! ;)

Wow. What a weekend! I spent this weekend in Birmingham with a group of lovely ladies drinking, dancing and having fun and I had the most amazing time. #bloggersinbrum definitely needs to become a regular thing! I bought this dress yesterday in Forever 21 and it was perfect for a lazy Sunday after a night out!  I have never bought anything from Forever 21 before, despite having visited several times as I just find the Birmingham store massively overwhelming. Apparently they are downsizing it slightly and reorganising it so hopefully it will be easier to find my way around, there are plenty of gems in amongst the rails though, you just have to be patient enough to search!