Primark | Vanity Claire

ClaireSeptember 14, 2014

Outfit of the Day: Fluffy Bums

Coat: New Look | Crop Top: Missguided (similar) | Skirt: Primark | Boots: eBay | Bag: Primark

Aloha bitches! So in case you think this OOTD looks a bit familiar, I suppose it is a bit, er, exactly the same as Lauren’s from the other day (which you can see here). What can I say, all-black outfits jazzed up with a duster coat is just our thing now, okay? My new duster also comes from New Look, though mine is a a light crepe material, making it the perfect transitional piece. I’ve worn it nearly every day since I bought it, and like the way it updates any outfit.

Another difference between this outfit and Lauren’s is that my bum is made of fur. Oh yes, Primark have ventured into the world of fluffy skirts this year and I had to grab one as soon as I saw it (despite it still being a pretty sweaty August day at the time and getting a very weird look from the cashier). On the receipt it was listed as part of a 2-piece so I am PRAYING to the gods of ridiculous outfits that there is a matching fluffy jumper, preferably slightly cropped with cropped sleeves. If you’ve seen something resembling that in your local Primark then PLEASE let me know in the comments below because I won’t be happy until I can be head-to-toe fluffball.

The bag is also new, and also of course from Primark. With three different compartments it’s a pretty decent alternative to the Zara city bag, and at only £11 is much more purse friendly. Can I get a BOOYA?

What do you all think of this outfit?

ClaireAugust 4, 2014

Outfit of the Day: Sports Luxe

Top: Brave Soul via ASOS / Shorts: Motel Rocks / Sandals: Primark

Hey there lads and lasses! So I have to say that sports luxe is a trend I never really felt brave enough to attempt, feeling that my take on joggers and heels would look less ‘fashion’ and more ‘confused chav’ (which is basically what I am, but we must try to hide this from the world). However, I think with this outfit I’ve sort of managed the varsity-inspired smart/casual blend that has been intriguing me for a couple of seasons now.

I’m in love with this Brave Soul top that I picked up in the ASOS sale a couple of weeks ago. You can’t see too well in the photos but it’s actually a perforated jersey so has that authentic sports vibe, but the cropped fit keeps it from being too masculine (which is a good thing considering I have shoulders broad enough to take on any American footballer). I also like the fact that the print isn’t a varsity number or anything too sporty, as I think that’s a leeeeedle bit done and dusted now.

To add the smarter edge to the outfit I paired the top with these beautiful embossed white shorts from Motel. I got these as part of a co-ord, but they’re so versatile I’ll get plenty of wear out of them on their own. I can’t track them down on the website any longer which is a DARN shame, but they still have the black version here and they’re currently in the sale for £15 so GO MONKEYS, GO.

Of course my Primark sandals also had to be worn. Legend says that I’m actually incapable of wearing any other shoes at the moment…

What do you all think of this outfit?

ClaireJuly 27, 2014

July 2014 Haul: ASOS, Missguided & Primark

Do you ever have one of those months where you check your bank balance and actually consider alerting the authorities because you’re convinced SOMEONE must have swiped your card and gone on a spending spree? I did. As always though, I then looked in my wardrobe and realised that yes, a lunatic had indeed been on shopping spree… but that lunatic was me.

Non, je ne regrette rien.

Floral Shift Dress: River Island via ASOS / Sunflower Print Smock Dress: Motel Rocks*

I’ve been loving the ASOS sale this month, and this River Island dress was one of the beauties I picked up for my summer wardrobe for the mere price of £17 (down from £32). It comes quite long on me, so that teamed with the three-quarter sleeves and loose shift fit means that this is officially my new ‘grown up’ dress. Work meeting? I’ll wear this dress. Family meal? I’ll wear this dress. Want me to hang out with your nan? I’ll wear this dress (incidentally if anyone does want me to hang out with their nan then I genuinely will; I don’t have any grandparents left and really long for someone to do crosswords and bitch about young people with. Will bring my own Victoria sponge).

I was also lucky enough to WIN this beaut Motel dress last month from Yahoo Lifestyle‘s Twitter account, which I was super happy with. I don’t have the best luck with babydoll/smock dresses, but this one fits really nicely and isn’t as swampy as many that have come before it.

Layered Cami & Beach Cover Up: both Primark

I popped into Primark for some ‘holiday bits’ (yep that old excuse) recently and had to pick up this coral cami. I have the same style in a floral/jungle print and I absolutely love the way it sits so couldn’t resist this version too. For only £6 it’s fantastico value for money. I also found this crochet, tassled vest top which is perfect as a beach cover up (actually something holiday-related, huzzah!). This was only £10 and they also did it in black, so I’m considering sneaking back for that one before my holiday on Tuesday. Because… well, why wouldn’t you?!

I also picked up these 3 pairs of shoesies from Primark. Both of the sandals were £4 I believe, and the nude heels were a crazy good £13.

Watermelon Crop: New Look /Tropical Print Crop: Missguided

Like it or not, watermelons are sexy now thanks to Beyoncé. Fruit print is all over the joint this S/S so I couldn’t say no to this little crop tee in New Look, especially as it was a mere £5.99. As it’s summer, my crop top game is of course on, so this little palm print beauty also found its way into a recent Missguided order. It’s scuba material, obviously (rumour has it everything is made from scuba material at Missguided, even the staplers and the staff), so has a really nice, flattering fit.

The same Missguided order saw me pick up this scuba frill crop top and scuba midi skirt, which I featured in this recent pastel OOTD so I won’t waffle on about them anymore (on a side note, mmmm waffles).

Crop Tee: Brave Soul via ASOS /Floral Sweat: Pull&Bear via ASOS

ANOTHER trip to the ASOS sale saw me pick up these 2 sale babies. I like the Brave Soul top because of its exceptionally subtle nod towards wealth (nobody will ever know that I was only able to fill my petrol tank halfway because I was so broke before payday, shhhh) and the Pull&Bear one will be lovely as we head into slightly chillier months. These were £10 and £6 respectively.

Bardot Body: Motel Rocks via ASOS

And the final purchase of the ASOS sale, and the month, was this Motel body which was £25 down to £12. Surely the sheer amount of bargains I acquired this month make this all totally acceptable, right? And if we think about the amount of money I’ve saved in the sales then, er, this is all basically free. Ah, the warped logic of a lunatic/blogger.

What do you all think of this haul? And what have you been buying lately?

ClaireJuly 17, 2014

Outfit of the Day: ASOS Swing Dress & Chunky Sandals

Dress: ASOS Petite / Chain: eBay / Shoes: Primark

Hello you super sexy people. Following on from Lauren’s ‘blogger tips’ post yesterday on the mystery that is Do-Follow and No-Follow Links I’m back today with the much more superficial stuff, i.e. here’s me in a pretty dress with legs like Wotsits (it’s better to be orange than pale, am I right or am I RIGHT?) (Tumbleweed…)

I recently placed a pretty hefty order with ASOS after realising that I have zero clothes I actually wanted to wear in public, and this dress is one of the bargains that I managed to pick up from the sale. How much did I pay? Just TEN ENGLISH POUNDS. Sassy.

These Primark sandals have NOT been off my feet since I bought them weeks ago, which yes may be disgusting, but can you really blame me when they’re so absolutely perfect? I’m almost tempted to buy another pair for when these inevitably fall apart, but I dunno if that’s the behaviour of a straight up lunatic. Also, how cute is this bracelet that my sister picked me up from her holibobs? I think it’s meant to ward off bad luck, which I could definitely do with lately after smashing my hallway mirror to smithereens. I know, what am I like.

What do you all think of this outfit? Let me know in the comments below!

ClaireJuly 11, 2014

Outfit of the Day: Primark Tropical Jumpsuit

Primark Tropical Jumpsuit | Topshop La Vie Boheme Crop Top | New Look Platform Sandals | Clairol Nice ‘N Easy Perfect 10 – Dark Brown

Ahoy hoy

If you’re slightly confused about who on earth this black haired lunatic is, it is me. I had a bit of a moment yesterday at work where I decided my ginger hair was rubbish and I was ready to commit, so I swiftly popped down to Mozzas and got some hair dye. This was the result, and I am pretty happy with it! I do like having dark hair, because it makes me feel mysterious and cool. While I might look like a freckled gypsy in reality, at least I feel relevant to the world.

If anyone is vaguely interested, I used Clairol’s Nice ‘n Easy Perfect 10 dye in dark brown. They did not lie when they said it was nice and easy, it literally took no time whatsoever and I was able to dye my hair extensions too in less than an hour. AMAZING isn’t the word.

Anywho, I thought I would share with you what I have on today (ooo-er) because that’s just what us bloggers like to do. I bought this Primark tropical jumpsuit for Wireless last sunday, and I absolutely love it. It’s super comfy with an excellent tropical print and I generally like it a lot. It cost me £13, so its a total bargain too. I’m a big fan of layering under jumpsuits at the moment, so I popped my trusty Topshop crop underneath, and my equally trusty New Look caged platforms which seem to be glued to my feet. Hehe.

What do you think of Primark’s jumpsuit offerings?

ClaireJune 16, 2014

Outfit of the Day: Primark Culottes

Fedora: H&M / Crop: Primark / Culottes: Primark / Shoes: Primark

YES, approximately a million and twenty-three years after buying them, I finally got round to wearing the Primark culottes! Admittedly I struggled for a lengthy amount of time trying to work out exactly what to wear with culottes and eventually came up with the vague idea of balancing out the volume on the bottom with something big on top – so say ‘hiyaaaa’ to my jazzy new fedora (which is definitely a better version than that huge sombrero-like one that I accidentally bought a while back).

Overall I’m actually very fond of them now, and like the 70s vibes of this outfit. I feel like I would suit an afro, don’t you? … no?

I also teamed them with my BEAUTIFUL new Primark shoes to add a bit of height. I’m completely besotted by these, despite the fact that I heard a girl next to me make an audible grunt of disgust when I picked them up. Ugly shoes, eh, you either love them or ~~are a twit~~ hate them.

What do you all think of these culottes? How would you style them?

ClaireJune 3, 2014

Highstreet Beef: Things I don’t Love

At the moment, I am slightly consumed by rage. I’m not too sure what my problem is, but I have just been an angry, angry person recently. In fact, when Claire and I drove home today, I flipped someone off. Granted, they did cut us off BUT still. There was no real need.

So, in the interest of channelling my inner rage into something positive (kind of), I have decided to create a post of current highstreet bits and bobs that I think are downright silly. Now, I’m the type of girl who is happy to embrace even the stupidest of trends (see jelly shoes), but there is a strong, fashiony line for me. And here are the highstreet nonsense items that I just plain don’t like.

Drop Waist Dresses

Topshop Drop Waist Jersey Tunic | ASOS Gingham Drop Waist Dress | Topshop Bonded Drop Waist Tunic

Drop waist dresses are a huge bug bear of mine. In theory, I should like them. They’re a close cousin to the skater dress, which I love with the fiery passion of an ice skating goddess. But, they’re just so wrong in so many ways. Unless you are a willowy beautiful person, they will look lovely on you. But if you are a short, slightly dumpy person like I am, they will more than make you look like a potato. NO THANK YOU. Also, the word drop waist makes me think of some kind of accidental toilet problem in your trousers.

Culottes

Another stressful garment on the highstreet that causes me deep amounts of pain. Like drop waisted dresses, they look lovely on tall willowy ladies, but bloody stupid on me. In fact, they make me look at least 10 times worse than a certain Game of Thrones character who got his head violently squashed. I just don’t really understand how long, billowy shorts are supposed to look normal on a 5ft girl. At all. And I’m very unsure about what shoes anyone would wear with them.

ASOS Culottes | Topshop Palm Print Culottes | Boohoo Butterfly Print Culottes

Knee Length Gladiator Sandals

Boohoo Cage Leg Gladiators | Missguided Cage Gladiator Sandals | Carvela Tall Gladiator Sandals

MORE SHORT GIRL PROBLEMS. I say that these are knee length, but on me they would basically be thigh length. And they would genuinely make me look like the most ridiculous person in the whole entire world. In fact, I can’t think of anything less flattering on my ham legs. Frankly, these would be an absolute disaster. I hate them. Although that’s mostly because I can’t pull them off. I have seen many a beautiful fashion bloggers wearing them and looking fierce. But not me. Plus, Claire just made the valid point that they look a little bit like when you by a joint of string wrapped beef.

So anywho, these are my LEAST favourite things on the highstreet at the moment. Reading back, I think most of my issues with them are actually because I am short, rather than because they are horrible. But ya know. That’s that.

ClaireJune 2, 2014

June 2014 Haul: Primark, H&M, NEU Apparel & More…

Hello you little saucepots! It’s safe to say we’ve been a very OOTD-heavy this last week, so to give you a bit of a break from our moon faces, today I come bearing a haul post. Yes, another haul post. In my defence, I haven’t been completely spend crazy since my last haul post (which you can see by clicking here) as some of this was kindly gifted to us. I don’t really have a defence for the rest of it except, er, I can’t walk around with my nips out can I? This isn’t Game of Thrones.

Anyway, let’s crack on!

Trousers: Primark, £9 / Culottes: Primark, £12

A little trip to Primark last weekend saw me exit stage left with these couple of beauties. I love the jogger-style trousers for several reasons, which I will explain to you quickly: 1, elasticated waistband = give me all the biscuits, thank you; 2, the crazy club Tropicana print, it’s summer somewhere; and 3, £9 means change from a tenner to go and buy some Haribo with, HUZZAH. What’s not to love?

Secondly, we have here a pair of culottes. Yes, culottes. Has anything divided a nation more since Gareth Gates vs Will Young than culottes? I bought these on an absolute whim and to be honest haven’t quite got round to trying them on yet to see if they actually look nice or, as I suspect, will make me look like a 2 foot tall mutant.

Shorts – H&M, £8 / Playsuit: H&M, £13

I also popped into H&M and to be honest was pretty flabbergasted at how much nice stuff they have in at the moment, as well as how good their prices are. I ended up picking up these two pieces “for my holiday” (yep, that excuse is still going strong) though I’m sure I’ll get plenty of wear out of them before then.

Crop top – eBay, £10 / Trousers: c/o Sammy Dress

I wore this top in a recent OOTD and my love for it is still going strong. These trousers were sent to us by the wonderful folk at Sammy Dress, which is a Chinese site definitely worth checking out if you want ridiculously cheap clothes. And I mean ridiculous. As it’s international you have to wait quite a while for delivery (I think I ordered these when I was about 16) but when the prices are so good you don’t mind as much.

Mesh Panel Gym T-shirt / Gym Leggings – ℅ NEU Apparel

These last few weeks I’ve seriously lost my gym motivation, which I think has been down to a combination of remembering I love pizza LOADS and also not having anything new to wear to the gym. Yes I know that is pathetic but it’s me, I am pathetic. So for that reason I was SUPER HAPPY to be sent these pieces from NEU Apparel’s new collection to try out. I’m going to have a full post on this brand soon but I’m basically in love with their whole range.

London Retro Sunglasses – ℅ Glasses Direct, £95

I don’t think I’ve ever worn a pair of sunglasses that cost more than a fiver in my life so I’m so grateful for Glasses Direct for sending over these bad boys. While £95 is definitely more than I would pay myself, these are amazing quality and I know they’ll last for years – unlike my usual Primark versions that snap easily/lose lenses/bend in the heat/all of the above (stay classy).

What do you all think of this haul?

ClaireMay 29, 2014

Outfit of the Day: Missguided Dogtooth A-Line Skirt

Bloody hellfires, it’s outfit central at Stylingo at the moment! Someone needs to tell us that we’re actually horribly poor and can’t afford any of it…

That aside, I recently treated myself to this delightful little outfit from Missguided. I really love the preppy style that’s going around at the moment (HELLO Iggy Azalea in her Fancy video…), so it was rude not to get a few bits and bobs to show off that undying love.

Let’s all take a moment to appreciate this a-line dogtooth skirt. I love it, with a burning love that will never be quenched. It’s, as I said, from Missguided and will set you back a measly £14.99. For you gals who prefer a stiffer (oo-er) a-line skirt, this is not for you. It’s a bit more ‘flowy’ than you’d expect, but it’s really, really flattering.

I paired my one true love, I mean skirt, with another Missguided classic. This is a ribbed, high neck crop top and it will ALSO cost you £14.99. Zut alors and excuse moi.Someone at Missguided is having us on.

As it was a little chilly out, I popped on my Topshop fur coat and also wore my momma’s classy silver necklace for a laugh.

On my lips, I have on Mac Amplified Creme Lipstick in Sensual Sparks – read my review about it here. My shoes are quite old now, but they are from Primark if you’re wondering.

ClaireMay 28, 2014

Outfit of the Day: Primark Neon Floral Printed Jumpsuit

Hey there hot mommas,

Claire and I (and the fools that think its a good idea to hang around with us) went out on the bank holiday weekend – we had a jolly laugh, drank white russians and only slightly did some embarrassing dancing (orrrr maybe that was just me).

This is what I wore. It was a bit of a last minute buy – i.e. a mad dash around Primark, barrelling man, woman, child and pram out of my way an hour before I had to start getting ready. But I actually really love this neon floral jumpsuit – the print is absolutely jazzy and the fit brilliantly hides the fact I’d eaten a massive pizza before getting dressed. It also only costs £10…soooo.

I wore my trusted Missguided Bardot body underneath (similar here), because I have arms that resemble the trunk of a 100 year old oak tree. I think it works relatively well, if not only to make me look like I am ready to join a street dance crew (in my dreams).

Now lets get onto the shoes. For those of you who have pride and dignity, look away. I was tempted to lie and say that I bought these from a really cool boutique vintage retro shop that no one will ever find because it is too cool, but the fact is I got them at the market. For £10. And I would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, I’m tempted to trek back to the Birmingham markets because they had some BANGING holographic platforms for £20. For all you shoe lovers that are in need of some excellent footwear but are thinking ZUT ALORS, I am too poor for this nonsense – wear a balaclava and get your fine asses down to a scabby market. It’s so worth it.

My earrings are from Primark and my nail varnish is one I robbed off Claire – it’s Makeup Revolution in Adore.

I am a tramp.