Westfield Stratford

 I went to the new Westfield shopping mall in Stratford on Wednesday. It's absolutely huge, I feel like I didn't manage to see all of it. Quite a few of the shops weren't open yet, but all of the ones that were all really busy (apart from Topshop, which was dead).

At the Jamie's Italian for cocktails and dessert.

The Khiels store gave me some lovely samples, and the Zara and Topshop had some great pieces (several of which I bought). There are a lot of high street stores, even a Primark, but all of the shops are well designed, more modern, and look great. 

I wore a Topshop jacket, Whistles trousers, Office ballet pumps and an H&M bag.

I'd definitely recommend a trip, but not until the hype has died down slightly - I was there at 7:30 on a Wednesday and it was heaving. 

Has anyone been to Westfield? Are you planning on making a trip in the future?

What I Wore: Black Milk Leggings

Lots of people (including me) have been obsessing over galaxy prints recently. My Black Milk Clothing galaxy leggings are my favourite thing to wear at the moment. They're so complex and detailed that I like to wear them with really simple things, otherwise everything is overloaded and distracting.

 I'm wearing my blue galaxy leggings with an American Apparel t-shirt, Ray Ban sunglasses, Topshop jacket and Dr Martens boots. 

Black Milk

About three months ago, I became obsessed with owning a pair of galaxy print leggings. I saw a girl wearing them on Carnaby Street and couldn't get them off my mind. I look at Christopher Kane (purveyor of all prints galaxy), but I couldn't justify the price on my budget.

 My friend then pointed me in the direction of Black Milk Clothing, and there were the exact leggings I had been looking for.

The leggings - blue galaxy leggings - arrived in two weeks (pretty quick seeing as they come from Australia) and fit like a dream. They're really comfortable, easy to wash, and look great dressed up with heels and an blazer, but I really like wearing them with my Dr Martens and an oversized t-shirt. 

Now if only I had an reason to order the red galaxy swimsuit as well. 

Images via: www.blackmilkclothing.com

In love with a dress from Zara

 I took a trip into town with Grace on Tuesday and while she was waiting for me (I was inevitably running late), she wandered into Zara and spotted this dress. 

When she showed it to me, I emitted a high pitched girly squeal and had to try it on immediately. 

It's such a perfect dress. I'm usually a size Small/Medium in Zara, but I had to get the XS (which I was surprised they had in stock), as in the Small sagged on my shoulders and waist. I think the cut is beautiful, and I could wear it out to parties over Christmas but also to work with a pair of biker boots or Converse. 

I'm taking my mother to see it today on the off-chance she wants to put it on my birthday list. 

Flo x

October shopping.

This is all I bought during the whole of October (that wasn't food, alcohol, desert boots or nail polish): 

A shearling aviator jacket, £25 from Primark. I love this jacket. I umm-ed and erm-ed about it because it is Primark, but its really cosy and keeps me really warm. 

 Brow brush and eyelash comb, £4.50 from Boots. Always useful - I've needed one for ages. It's working pretty well so far. 

 I cannot recommend this Soap and Glory conditioner (£7.50 from Boots) enough. I use it with cheapy, own-brand shampoo, and it works like a dream, especially on my difficult to manage, out of control, curly hair. I discovered it by accident, when "Santa" left it for me in my Christmas stocking, and I haven't looked back - it really defines my curls and makes my hair super shiny. It smells nice too. 

For the last four years (if not longer), I have used a Caudalie face wash (seen here). I felt it was time for a change, so I wandered into Space NK (one of my favourite shops in the world), and a very helpful sales woman helped me choose a new face wash, for £12. So far, it's working very well - my skin is clear, doesn't get to greasy, and, according to my mother, my skin has a 'glow' to it. I don't believe her. 

Budgeting and buying everything for myself has taken some getting used to, but I think I'm doing alright so far. 

Flo x

Holiday Purchases

A few things I picked up on my travels:

1. A hair cream by J.F. Lazartigue. 

When I went to Paris a few years ago, I had a "hair consultation" at the concession J.F. Lazartigue in Printemps and the woman there recommended I used this product. The cream weighs my hair down and stops it from frizzing and going dry, but it doesn't make it look greasy or pull out the curls. I've never been able to find it in the UK, so when we were there I had to pick some up. 

2. A birthday present for someone very special.

3. Delicious macaroons from Laduree. 

4. Foaming face wash by Caudalie. 

Until recently, the only place Caudalie was available in the UK was Space N.K, who charged quite a lot for it. Recently, Boots have been stocking it, but the price has been a little high for my meagre budget, especially now that I have to buy my own skincare products. However, in France, you can pick Caudalie up at any pharmacy. I've used the Facial Foaming Mousse for several years now - it's very gentle for sensitive skin like mine, but it is pretty effective for use against spots. 

5. Chocolate for the Lindt shop (a whole shop, devoted to chocolate - my idea of heaven).

I bought this gorgeous jacket from Pinko. The sleeves are rather long but it's a beautiful cut and it fits like a dream. I bought it from a designer outlet in Tuscany, far superior to the ones in England (it had a Prada store), reduced from 275€ to 75€.

Flo x

Recent purchases

To get through the pain that is A Level revision, I went shopping. Quite a bit. Here are some of my best purchases:

This cotton dress from Topshop is really light and floaty. I'm definitely wearing it on holiday this year.

I went a bit crazy in Zara, getting shorts and trousers - the khakis below and an identical pair in navy blue.

The khakis are so cool and comfortable - they're a really light material. Khakis are really having a moment - both The Sartorialist and Disney Roller Girl have been talking about them. I wear mine with brogues or pumps are a sheer white shirt. 

I got these sandals from Office. I love the bright colour and that when I walk, the beads made a really satisfying noise as they move when I walk. I also got these wedges from Office, to wear with shorts or one of my many floral dresses:

I'm nearly done with my exams now - only 8 days until my summer officially starts! 

Flo x

London Town

I spent an enjoyable weekend in London, spending my hard-earned wages. I'll post some picks of what I bought as soon as I take some pictures of them. I got a bag, not the one from River Island, but a red one from the Marc B concession in Topshop. It looks a bit See by Chloe.

On Sunday, my friend and I spent the day at Westfield shopping centre - we queued for Hollister, spent ages in Topshop and went and obsessed over all the designer-goodness in The Village (above). We literally stared at the Mulberry Alexa for about 5 minutes. We had Nandos twice in 24 hours, because we're really dull and when we like something, we go repeatedly. So here I am at lunch in Westfield, with my chicken pitta and peri-peri chips.

When my friend and I were in Westfield, my friend and I saw this couple in MATCHING UGGS. We couldn't believe it, so she took a picture of them:

The best part of the weekend had to be bumping into Katie and Joe (of www.whatkatiewore.com) on the way to the Tube. They were so sweet and lovely and I can't believe they recognised me. My friend thinks it might have something to do with the bright green scarf I was wearing. We were so starstruck that we got on the wrong Tube. How we laughed.

Flo x

P.S. If anyone knows where I can get some tartan tights, tell me, because the ones I wore on Sunday got a ladder in them, and the pattern means that they can't be stitched up.

Bag Lady

The one item I always have trouble buying are bags. With the limited funding of an A-Level student, I can only buy one decent bag per season, and I tend to make the mistake of buying a bag too early, or waiting for too long and not buying a bag in case something better comes along.

Here are my current favourite "It" bags that I would invest in, if I had the money: 

The Marc Jacobs "Stam" bag. The design has been around for ages, and there have been many high street spin-offs, but I love the zig-zag pattern on this version.

The classic Chanel 2.55 has been my ultimate bag for a long time. I have a Mark B copy, but it's not as good as the real thing, and has biro doodles drawn all over it from when I got bored once in a Psychology lesson. 

I have big love for this bag. I think it's gorgeous and combines everything I want in a bag - secure, can be worn on the shoulder and be carried on the arm AND I bet it has loads of pockets inside. I fear it will sell out before I gather the funds to get one, but there's always sample sales. I considered getting a Bayswater, but as someone just told me, everyone has one, and I shouldn't sell myself short.

Normally I hit Topshop, H&M or ASOS for my bags, because of price limitations, and they also have good designer copies. Normally, I don't like River Island's bags - I always think they are too gaudy or too patent, or just not quite right, so seeing this bag while in town with my friend, made me realise that sometimes they get it right.

  

It reminds me of a Chloe bag I saw on a blog (that sadly I can't remember the name of or find the link to). I really like the idea of nude snakeskin (great trend combination) and at £34.99, it is within my price range.

I may have to buy it when I make my trip to London this weekend.

Flo x