Saturday 31 December 2011

So long 2011!

I only started this blog at the beginning of December but I am really enjoying it so far. Thank you to the lovely people that commented on a couple of my posts - it made my day :) 

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So this is the part where I make my resolutions yes? Ok here it goes:

1. Take care of my face: Quite a shallow first one, but it is still suffering from my year of working in retail and is rather scary to look at without makeup so I think it is necessary. It's the only one I've got and I'll be 24 (what I count as the beginning of the mid twenties!) in 2012 so I will follow my mums advice and take care of it. Why hello there angels on bare skin

2. Take my shops Random Quirks and Toast Rack to new heights. More fairs, more action and generally put some more effort into them. They do quite well when I actually list stuff but I have quite a lazy nature so they could be doing a whole lot better. This will hopefully include getting the Random Quirks website up and running finally. 

3. Save money. I am currently in a very comfortable financial position now that I have a career job and I still live with friends so my rent is super low. I plan on moving in the summer so I will have less money as I will be paying more. Therefore I must start putting more money into my savings now. Plus I'd finally be free to buy cute homeware stuff so that needs cash!

4. Keep blogging regularly. I am really enjoying this and am not going to stop now :) It's a great way to document my life as I don't have the best memory ha ha. Plus its a great outlet for all my fashion thoughts etc.

5. See more, do more. Take photos! Try new and different things. Just what it says on the tin. I want to see now places, try new things. And of course that includes food! In 2011 I tried snails for the first time (not so bad if you don't think about the fact that they are snails) and for 2012 would like to try something equally as weird, though maybe less gross!

What are your 2012 resolutions?

Friday 30 December 2011

Outfit post: Christmas Day!

Did everyone have a good Christmas? I did! Here is what I wore Christmas Day.

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I miss having a full length mirror. Wish this one would fit in my room back in Manchester.


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50p - Bargain!


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Hairband: Primark
Dress: New Look
Necklace: Accessorize
Ring: Accessorize
Tights: Primark
Shoes: New Look (random fact - they are called Past. I used to work on the shoe department up until a couple of months ago!)
Nails: Models Own - Juicy Jules

I love the print on this dress! And the sparklyness of my nail varnish appeals to my magpie within. I definitely recommend it - just be sure to give it at least a couple of coats. The necklace I originally saw on Charlene from Dainty Dresses. As soon as I saw it I had to have it. 

What did you wear?

Saturday 24 December 2011

Christmas Eve!

Just a quick note to wish you all a Merry Christmas Eve and an even merrier Christmas day. I drove home last night instead of today and the surprise on my family's faces were priceless! :)


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I baked them myself :)

Merry Christmas!

How are you spending your Christmas?

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Old film fashions: An affair to remember



"A couple falls in love and agrees to meet in six months at the Empire State Building - but will it happen?" IMDB.

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Source: www.annyas.com

An affair to remember, a tragic love story starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. I can’t believe I hadn’t seen this film up until a couple of years ago. I watched it again recently after buying it on dvd. It never fails to make me cry.

So since I love watching old films and looking at the different fashions. I have decided to do a feature on my favourite outfits from this film and find the modern alternatives. Here it goes:

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Source: www.swotti.com

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Source:www.tvtropes.org

I love Kerr's evening wear in this film. Lots of gorgeous drapery, ball gowns, diamonds and fur stoles. Shame I don't really have a need for this type of clothing. Le sigh.

deborah kerr evening wear



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Her coat looks so warm. It would have to be if you were dancing with Cary Grant out on the deck of a boat!

Topshop Tweed Coat

This Topshop coat has the essence of Kerr's coat, only with a nipped in waist and a bow at the neck which makes it perfect in my eyes!

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The closest I could find to a peal bracelet but I think these are pretty cool.

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Source: www.slantmagazine.com

I think this is my favourite outfit in the film. Just so cute and pretty - ideal for the setting. 

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Blue shirt: Miss Selfridge, Sold out - was featured in Look magazine

Just a modern twist on old classics. Should I do another? What film should I do next?

Monday 19 December 2011

Funky tights make me smile

I give you another outfit post. With kinda bad pics. I did the best I could with the space available in my house share, giving that there are no full length mirrors (a crime!) and I would have fallen on my ass outside on the ice rink that is our street. Anyway, enough excuses, just take a look at what I wore to work:

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Oh yes, I'm still headless, bwahahaha.

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Unfortunately ripped a hole in these later on. I has a sad.

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My favourite work shoes. 

Dress: Dorothy Perkins, a bargainous £12 in the sale
Belt: Primark, 50p in sale
Tights: Accessorize, £4 in sale
Shoes: New Look £24.99 originally I think but I bought them while I worked there so 50% off. Huzzah!

I name this outfit, the bargain outfit!

Sunday 18 December 2011

My week 2

It's been a cold week! As of today, it's one week before Christmas and I can't wait! Next saturday I'll be driving home and spending a few days with the family :) But, first of all - this week:

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This is George. He lives on my desk at work. I got him on holiday in "Japan" at Disney's Epcot and he stands for success. Two days later, I got offered my full time career job. The bf reckons he's lucky and I think so too.

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It was the bf's 24th birthday this week and how cool is this cake that his housemate made? Polka dots!

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The ultimate action shot of him blowing out his candles.

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Really hard to get a pic, but here's the best I could get of the falling snow that was going all day while I was at work. Please don't let me get snowed out!

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I went to the Trafford centre on wednesday to get the last of my christmas presents and managed all but one, as well as this lovely stash for myself. It was pay day. Nail varnish binge anyone? Also, I may have bought the zara skull tee from my top ten week 1 :)

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My computer at work is rather slow so I may have gotten a bit frustrated and drawn an angry little bird. I name him Artie. 

How was your week? Are you looking forward to Christmas?

Saturday 17 December 2011

Films I have not seen this year (shame on me)


I love going to the cinema, but there have been a few films I have missed out on this year. Mainly for being too girly for my friends. And probably because I used up four of those times seeing the final Harry Potter film (it's the last one damn you!).

Have you seen any of these?

Bridesmaids

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Source: teaser-trailer.com

I really wanted to see this as it looked so funny. If I saw my mum more just the two of us, I would have seen it with her. She dragged my dad to see it and he wasn't impressed, lol. I love comedy films and there aren't enough good ones where all the main characters are female. 

One Day 

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Source: imdb.com

I think apart from no one wanting to see this with me, the reason I did not see this was because I know how it ends and it is not particularly cheerful. I read the book and really liked it until the end where I got angry at the author. 

But I would be interested to see how they handled the timescale of the story in the film in terms of fashion and how the actors age. I heard the film was not that great though. Any thoughts?

The Help

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Source: upcomingmovies.com

I had the book in my hands I read the first couple of pages but I lent the book to my teenage cousin because she said it looked good and she doesn't read too much. I like to know that young people are still reading so I do my part in encouraging it. 

I'm really interested to see the film because I won't be getting the book back for a while because I think my mum has it now and she doesn't live in the UK. It looks like an interesting story and I really want to see how Emma Stone does in her role since all I've seen her in are comedies. 

My week with Marilyn 

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Source: flicksandbits.com


I know this is still in the cinema but I doubt I'll get to see it before it comes out on DVD. Being a lover of old black and white films and an owner of Some Like It Hot (if you are a comedy or marilyn fan, you MUST see this), I want to see how they portray Marilyn in this film. Can't really put it into words why exactly but I just really want to see this film. Have you seen it yet? What did you think of it?

How has 2011 been for the cinema do you think?


Tuesday 13 December 2011

Top 10 - Week 1

I've been scanning the internets this week looking for pretty things for my first top 10 picks and here is what I found.


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That Dorothy Perkins dress needs to get in my life! I really wish I could handle heels as those Topshop court shoes are so me. Ah well, one day. Someone else buy them and show me the pics so I can die of envy?

What have you spotted this week?

Monday 12 December 2011

Outfit Post

Not brave enough to show my face yet, but here's a couple of pictures of my outfit for work the other day.

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Shirt: Dorothy Perkins
Cardigan: Next

I love this shirt and will not take off the cardigan. It's so warm and cozy!

Sunday 11 December 2011

My week

I love looking at other people's week in photos so I am attempting to do one of my own. Check it out:

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As a present to myself, I bought the Harry Potter box set which is the DVD and Blue-ray copies of all 8 films! It is so beautiful! I don't have a blue ray player as of yet, but I do plan on getting one when I have my own place next year. It's an investment I like to think, so I will never have to buy another Harry Potter film ever again :)

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When I first saw this chocolate that came out of my Hello Kitty advent calendar, my first thought was Darth Vader. I'm such a geek. I didn't actually figure out that it was actually a shepherd until lunchtime at work. In my defence, my bf also thought Darth Vader. At least we have each other!

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Mince pie ice cream! I loved the flavour and the pastry bits but was not a fan of the mince pie filling that was in there too. Was quite bitty if that makes any sense. The actual ice cream had enough of the mince pie flavour for me. Any one else tried this?

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My beautiful skirt that I love. Stood out a bit in the office (especially since I was wearing teal blue tights as well) but I don't care :)

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Went for the staff Christmas do to Akbar's indian restaurant in Castlefield in the centre of Manchester which I highly recommend. It was amazing. Check out the size of the naan bread!

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We then went to Duke's which is also in Castlefield. I've never been out in Castlefield but it was a good night. I loved the look of the bar at Dukes and it was all decorated for Christmas :)

How was your week?

Saturday 10 December 2011

Places I would like to visit: Portobello Market


Only a few hours away, but Portobello Market has been on my list for years! I’ve been to London loads of times, but never for more than a few days so there’s never been the chance with everything else there is to do there. I love markets and Portobello Market is one of the most famous ones in the world.



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Source: London Markets.co.uk

I can see myself spending hours there, trawling through the fashion market and the antiques market. I’ve never been to a market that didn’t just have a mish-mash of everything mixed together so Portobello appears more attractive. There have been so many times I’ve found myself walking round tables of rubbish, looking for ages for one that I can just stop at to look.

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Source: TripAdvisor.com


I hear Portobello is amazing for vintage, which is my favourite thing to shop for at markets. I just love knowing that you could find anything from the past and there's a good chance it’ll be unique. The high street is awesome but not very unique which I do crave sometimes.

The great thing about having a vintage shop is when I find an awesome piece of clothing that will in no ways fit me; I can just put it in the shop. Everyone’s a winner.

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Source: TripAdvisor.com

Unlike my other places I would like to visit, Portobello Market is very reachable. I will have to go sometime next year. One day soon I will be shopping in Portobello market like I’ve wanted to do since I was 16.

Have you ever been? Would you recommend it?


Thursday 8 December 2011

Nails, nails, nails


I never used to consider myself a fan of nail varnish, but my mind has been changed in the last year. I think it’s because working in retail killed my hands and nails. I looked forward to getting an office job where I could paint my nails and not have them be destroyed by unpacking shoes.

I want to try loads of colours! Currently, my favourite is Models Own Purple Ash. It looks nice with my skin tone and purple is my favourite colour. Also, I wore it on my two-week holiday and it lasted the entire time.  I would definitely recommend it. Check out the cheeky polka dots!

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I have started a tradition with my new job and I paint my nails a different colour every sunday. It's a really nice feeling to not have to worry about them being ruined anymore.


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On my want list is Topshop’s Gyspy nights – I’ve heard great things, but it’s out of stock on their website. I has a sad. I’m hoping that’s only on there that it’s sold out. If not, anyone know a similar one I can try?

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Number One


Welcome. 

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This will be my space to natter on about things I don’t really have anyone to talk to about: fashion. Among other things I love like travel, film, food, books, photography etc will also be included. Fashion will be my main gig though I reckon. As I said, when I have a fashion query or just want to squee about something I’ve just bought or seen  - I don’t really know who to tell. My friends are the people who I embrace my geeky side with: Harry Potter (do not dis or I will stupefy you with my wand that I totally bought from the wwohp), board games and shiz like that, but not fashion.

Anyway, I’m off the subject. This will be my creative outlet that I can just talk about the things that I love whether people are reading or not. Would be great if you could read, but that’s not my main objective of this blog. It will be a place that I can empty my brain – not as disgusting as it sounds I promise!

So next time, who knows what I’ll be rambling on about be it some pretty shoes or something weird I saw and had to get a picture of (like when I saw a load of jelly cubes stuck to a car – true story).