Outfit Post: 'Check' it out

Ear phones in, I block out the world. Surrounded by someone else's voice. Someone who doesn't know anything about me but clearly has the same feelings. Someone whose lyrics are not always the easiest to understand but whose talent, in my personal opinion isn't recognised enough. Sia's new album- This is Acting- has taken her talent to a whole new level. It is such a strong, feel good, triumphant medley of songs, that kicks starts the day and ends it perfectly. 

It's 7:30am and finally everyone is up so I can blast out Sia whilst I straighten my hair. It is proven that listening to music in the morning puts me at least 15 minutes behind schedule. I mean come on, there is a mirror in front of me and a hairbrush in hand, lip syncing never hurt anybody! And whilst I pretend to belt out 'Alive', I feel powerful and ready to take on the day. Music is so much more than just noise. Music is special to so many people, so meaningful and so personal.

***

I can't decide on my style. Having two jobs and my own time to do what I want, means three different wardrobes. Whilst being a T.A provides a dress code, I like to add my own flair to a more sophisticated set of rules, with pinafores, roll necks and chunky boots being my go to looks. Gap is much more casual, what Gap stocks, is what I wear, stripes, block colours and denim, denim, denim! In my own time, well I just don't know what style path to take anymore- smart and sophisticated or a little more preppy? It is very hard to discover your style when you have to adapt to different roles and when you're trying to put a cap on your spending habits. 

As much as I would love to venture out and try new things, I feel I have hit a comfort-wall-barrier and am stuck in a style that is some what confused. Take today's outfit as the perfect example. It is far from my everyday style but still simple enough to wear and feel comfortable in. This to me is a more casual and laid back look and I feel this is because of the relaxed fit of the shirt and the finishing touches of a rucksack and leather jacket. 

Thanks to the wonderful invention of student discount, I managed to pick up the tunic shirt and chunky boots for some bargain prices! H & M doesn't break the bank anyway and I love going in there and finding some unique, easy to style pieces that work well throughout my wardrobe. With their flash event of 20% off with UniDays, it would have been rude not to. Here I have styled the shirt in a more casual manner but paired with some chunky boot heels and a metallic box bag and I have also worn it on a night out. I must admit, it is shorter than I remember but paired with some thick black tights and it is absolutely fine. 

I searched endlessly for a pair of boots like this, Chelsea boots with a thick 'Dr. Marten' inspired sole. From Topshop to New Look, Asos to Boohoo, River Island to Miss Guided but I just couldn't find a pair. I haven't bought a pair of shoes from H and M before but I am glad I had a quick rare look in their shoe department. These were the shoes, I saw, convinced myself I didn't need, then thought about them every spare second for about a week...resulting in yet again another pair of black boots to add to the collection. I've tried and tested them at work and have to say, they are super comfortable and work well with jeans, dresses and skirts!

Completed with a pair of tortoise shell sunglasses, I was ready to take on the freezing cold, extremely windy but blindly bright sunny day. Hopefully I will be able to discover my style soon and if you have any tips on how to do so, please share. I'm stuck with a mismatched wardrobe and a goal to stop spending so much money.

Check Dress: H & M £14.99

Chelsea Boots: H & M £29.99

Faux Leather Jacket: New Look £34.99 (Last season!)

Monochrome Rucksack: Primark £8.00 (A few seasons ago)

Brown Lipstick: Kate Moss Rimmel  Read about my love for the lipstick here!

Thanks for reading, 

Mollie Isabella 

xx 

Three Weeks at Uni

The past three weeks of my life have tested me more than anything ever has before. As a very family orientated person who could not be described as independent, along with being a fussy eater and scared of all most everything, I was packing my stuff up and moving to Birmingham to start University. Okay, it is only just an hour away from home but that is an hour further than I have ever lived from my family, boyfriend and bestfriend.

Armed with my 'how to clean a toilet kit', jars of food I had never cooked before and washing powder tablets to wash my clothes with I said goodbye, clenched my lips together to stop my tears and walked away from a distraught dad as he watched his little girl start the next chapter of her life without him by her side every step of the way. 

Turns out though, thanks to Whatsapp, my parents are with me every step of the way. I call them before I cook to ensure I am not going to poison myself, I send them a picture of the meal I have prepared and then I update them on how it tasted. Along with checking I am using the right cleaning equipment in the bathroom, complaining about the hoover, sending them pictures of my outfits, updating them on nights out, moaning about stress (already), updating them on the weather, the progress of my house plant, my health, my boyfriend, my bestfriend, my lack of sleep, the spider smeared on my wall, the flies in the kitchen, my 7 day long life milk, my odd socks, my comfy bed- you get the gist right?

Turns out when you're left on your own, it is quite easy becoming independent. The strange thing is, I actually enjoy cooking, the thing that is even stranger is I actually enjoy cleaning. I have literally the best rubber gloves on this planet, bright red gloves with a floral trim and an extremely over sized flower on the wrist-you have to be stylish even when you clean. Whilst my meals have been big enough to feed the whole flat and not just me, cooking one portion sized meals is not something I have completely mastered yet. I think one of the hardest things I have faced is living on a budget-with no income now, I really have had to limit myself and with a view of the Bullring from my window, each morning when I open my curtains I am reminded of the clothes I could have but can't. 

I'm not going to lie, almost every situation you are put in for the first week is completely surreal. Meeting my flat mates was one thing I was dreading. After speaking on Facebook for many weeks before, we already knew bits about each other. But what if they didn't like me when they actually met me in person? It is confirmed 5 house mates (plus one we have adopted from the ground floor) all with completely different personalities, hobbies, likes and dislikes can form a functional family. After the first night out together, it felt as though we had known each other for months already. Now sharing a bed, watching Great British Bake Off and crying alongside Ian, is a completely normal situation. 

I feel already in three weeks, as a person I have changed for the better. I mean I went into the kitchen in my Monster's Inc P'js, wearing no makeup, with my hair scraped into a bun, ON MORNING ONE. Now for anyone that knows me, you will know how massive that is! There have been some days that have been tough and all I have wanted is a cuddle from my parents and a good night sleep- the benefit of living only an hour away hey! I just need to realise that having a small wobble isn't me failing, it is me being human. Sometimes you can feel so lonely, even when living with four other people, sometimes everything just all gets on top of you. But a visit home, a Chinese in front of the TV and some good nights sleep and I am all refreshed and ready to tackle the week ahead.

Right that is enough Uni talk, onto the outfit. Yay autumn is here, my favourite fashion season. The return of rich, warm colours and my all time favourite CHUNKY boots. Talking of chunky boots, I own a new pair, these gorgeous burgundy ankle ones! Now on a ten pound budget it was never going to happen but my fairy godmother arrived, in the style of my bestfriend James and paid for half, allowing me to take them home and put them in my wardrobe. Teamed with my new favourite staple, this ever so simple denim pinafore dress. Another gift from James as a going to Uni present. Basically I better give him some credit or this outfit would have never happened, thanks James! Underneath the dress is a lovely long sleeved, buttoned back top with an autumnal fox print all over it. I love autumnal animals, foxes, squirrels, owls, deers-just another reason to love Autumn. Finished with a fringed bag, perfect all year round and some burgundy feather earrings. 

Burgundy Boots- Primark £18.00

Denim Pinafore Dress- ASOS £30.00

Fox Print Top- H & M £12.99

Bag is from Spain and I have had my earrings for so long, I cannot remember where I got them from. Similar ones can be purchased currently at New Look.

Thank-you very much for reading. I am going to do my best to upload onto my blog as much as possible, mixing both fashion and university together! 

Mollie Isabella 

xx

Inside My Suitcase.

Now that I have worked full time, I can fully appreciate the whole idea of having a 'relaxing' holiday. Spending all day, every day, floating in the blissful pool, escaping into a Gillian Flynn book. There is something so pleasing and satisfying about laying on your back, ears dipped into the water so all sounds are muffled, eyes fixed on the gorgeous clear blue sky, just letting time pass. Of course until, a vicious looking wasp or a strange looking bug the size of a 'bird' dive bombs at your face causing you to splash around in a complete panic, all relaxation lost for those split seconds as you debate whether being abroad is really for you (okay, slightly extreme but I have a huuuuge fear of bugs!)

Dotted around the outside of the villa are gorgeous fuchsia flowers, those trees that look like giant pineapples (as you can tell by my descriptions, I'm not exactly a gardener) mixed with my favourite of all, CACTUSES (or cacti if you would prefer). The perfect scenery for a blog. However, and I am not complaining, the heat was just not right for posing and instead I have resorted to simple outfit pictures to show you the items that I wore, a little insight into my summer wardrobe.

The first outfit is this beautiful cobalt blue dress with a crochet top detail. This was originally from the Christmas collection in H & M, however they restocked it again around spring time, unfortunately for double the price! Paired with my ever so comfy tan sandals, simple gold beaded choker and some over sized red shades for a casual evening look. I love the look of the dress, despite it being such a simple and classic shape, the detailed top makes it a wonderful piece for a night out. Cobalt blue also looks lovely with white, a perfect look for a summer wedding.

 Cobalt Blue Dress-(Originally £12.99, being sold more recently for £24.99) H & M

Red Framed Sunglasses- £5.99 H & M

Gold Beaded Choker- £1.50 (Sale) Matalan

Tan Sandals- £15.99 Forever 21 (SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND)

The next outfit is almost fully Primark and was quite a gamble as I mixed different patterns/textures together. It was far too hot for a short sleeved top, however with tender burnt shoulders it was a must. I love this red crochet crop because it works with so much and these scallop shorts were the perfect material for the heat, allowing the more autumn monochrome look to still work in the summer. These lovely lace up espadrilles, were yet again a wonderfully comfy pair of shoes. Paired with a black crop top and some 'dangly' earrings this was an oddly thrown together outfit, that seemed to work- I hope you think so too! 

Red Crochet Top- Primark £10.00 (SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND)

Monochrome Striped Scallop Shorts- £8.00 Primark

Lace Up Espadrille Sandals- £14.00 Primark

Black Crop Top- £4.99? New Look

Gold Dangly Earrings- £1.50 (SALE) Accessorize

Outfit number three is my favourite of the holiday. It is just so different to what I would normally wear. I mean who has ever seen me in a floaty, midi skirt? No one. Until this very day. This gorgeous leaf print skirt was a BARGAIN from H & M and is such a great length for petite people who still want to wear this length without looking silly. The skirt is the statement piece, therefore accessories were minimal- a simple black cami top, gold metal detailed belt, square black bag and my black laced espadrilles! I am so eager to find this exact skirt in plain black-just think of the possibilities! Thank you H & M for this wonderful creation! 

Leaf Print Midi Skirt- £12.99 H & M (SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND)

Gold Metal Belt- Originally from a dress from River Island! Bonus aye!

Black Square Handbag- £8.00 Primark

Sandals as Above

Black cami, available in almost all clothing shops!

Outfit number four also included a gamble piece, as I went for yet again another midi length piece. The thing is, this piece also included a lot of light shades, something I tend to avoid because of my skin tone. However I instantly fell in love with the relaxed fit and split sides by the legs. It has such a gorgeous pattern on it as well, not the classic summer prints. Teamed with my wonderful white leather gap sandals, it all matched pretty well! I am of course gutted to see the dress in the sale now as I have only worn it once! I really recommend that you try different lengths that you may not usually feel comfortable in. I have been so pleased lately and feel like I have opened a whole new door, roll on my midi length wardrobe, haha. 

Pink Patterned Midi Dress-£19.99 (Now in sale but unsure of price) New Look

White Leather Sandals- £29.95 Gap (SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND)

Clashing patterns is never really something I have done before. However due to the blue element that both pieces have I decided to try it out and I was pleased with the results for outfit number five. This top has gold chain straps and is such a wonderful material. I love the striking pattern. The A line skirt, with popper buttons is a piece that I originally regretted pulling the tag out of. As it sat in my wardrobe I wandered when I would wear it (it is slightly shorter than I would like). It worked so well with the top though, I let the top of my thighs see some sunshine for once! Paired with a simple anchor necklace and my tan shoes to complete the look. 

Blue Floral Top- £5.00 Primark (SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND)

Blue and White Striped A Line Skirt- £17.99 Zara

Tan Sandals- £15.99 Forever 21
Anchor Necklace- From a stall in Spain

It is the return of the fringed maxi skirt that was featured in last years summer blog. It is a piece that I keep falling back in love with each year. I do not tend to keep clothes for years but this is a piece I refuse to throw away. I mean, it might just be me being paranoid but I am sure people stare at me and question what on earth is she wearing but I refuse to care because I love it. Paired with this cute summer hat (which was far too hot to keep on), a simple black cami, the metal belt featured previously and those recurring tan sandals this is one of my favourite holiday looks! 

Sandals as above
Black Cami avaliable in most clothing stores
Belt as mentioned previously
Fringed Skirt- £9.99 (a long while ago) New Look -(SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND)

The final outfit featured on this blog, made me feel rather girly thanks to this white, red and green floral dress. It has a low-ish back and a tie along the top to add some extra detailing. I loved this floral range from H & M and also own the layered crop top in this print. There were so many lovely pieces including a backless jumpsuit and some side split flared trousers! Paired with some striking red lips and this gorgeous green wicker bag, this was a lovely cool evening outfit for the 30-40 degree heat! 

Green Wicker Bag- Purchased from a stall in Spain (SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND)

Floral Dress- £12.99 H & M

If there was something I learnt this holiday in terms of fashion it is to experiment and gamble more and not care what people think. At the end of the day it is you wearing the clothes and feeling comfortable in them-so do it! I really hope you enjoyed this post!

Wear what you want and feel great in it!
Thank-you for reading!

Mollie Isabella

xxxx