Ootd 9/4/2014

Hey Lovelies,

Wednesday was Varsity Day where Swansea University & Cardiff University go head to head in a whole load of sports - cos we're Welsh, rugby is the main attraction and WE WON. And even though I didn't actually go (Engineering students don't have time to socialise), I still got into the Green and White Army spirit. Kinda... Mint and black is near enough.

{Credit to OH for the piccies!!}

Mint Loose Vest
H&M
RRP:  £3.99
Actually Paid:   £3.99

Grey Skinny Jeans
New Look
RRP:   £19.99
Actually Paid:   £18   (10% student discount)

Black Blazer
Debenhams Kids Section
RRP:   £13.99
Actually Paid:   £0   (From childhood - Mum bought it for me)

Black Studded Flats
New Look
RRP:  £15.99
Actually Paid:  £14.40   (10% student discount)

Total Outfit Cost: £53.96
Actually Paid: £36.39
Saving: 32.6%

One Piece, Three Prices - Red Plaid Shirts

Hey Lovelies,

Every Tuesday, I show one piece that I consider to be a wardrobe essential, usually a preppy essential, for three different price ranges (the name makes sense, right?)

Today's piece.... The red plaid shirt

Save

Forever 21 On the Range Plaid Shirt - $19.80

I absolutely love the gingham contrast cuffs!!

Spend

Lands' End Petite Roll Sleeve Madras Shirt - $49.00

Splurge

Ralph Lauren Cotton-Linen Blend Plaid Shirt - $145.00 (but currently 25% off!!)

Although she looks like she's been slapped in the face with a wet fish, this shirt is absolutely gorgeous!! I love how many colours it's got in it - it would literally go with anything

Happy Shopping!!!

Guide to Longchamps

Hey Lovelies,

Today's post is about a MAJOR staple in the Preppy Wardrobe: The Longchamp. If you're on a budget then I would say either save up (these are worth it, they last for years and they never go out of style) or try and persuade parents/grandparents/spouses to give it as a gift. If needs be then spread it across birthday & Christmas or get both sets of grandparents to give it as a joint present.

So, just a bit of info to start off with for the newly converted Prep... What everyone is talking about when they say Longchamp is the Longchamp Le Pliage range. Longchamp does more expensive leather bags, but the Le Pliage range is kind of it's "budget" range, but it's also by far it's best known and most popular range.

The actual bags themselves are made of Nylon and come in quite a few different "basic" colours. The handles and top flap are made of brown leather, which is how you can tell from afar that a bag is a Longchamp.

Longchamps come in 3 main styles, for some strange reason they're named differently in the US & UK. The UK names are in brackets:

- Large tote      (Large Shopper)     $145 / £72

- Medium Shoulder Tote     (Small Shopper)      $125 / £62

- Medium tote    (Medium Handbag)     $115 / £58

Personally, I prefer the small shopper. I think the large shopper is a bit too big as an everyday handbag, unless you carry around a laptop all the time; and I think the handles on the medium handbag are a bit small - I like to be able to put my bag on my shoulders.

Obviously this is all down to personal preference and requirements, so you really should go and have a look at the bags before you get one. 

On the same note - go to a respected, genuine store to buy them. There are a hell of a lot of fakes knocking around, some of them really convincing, and you don't want to get caught out (see this eBay guide on fakes). In the UK Selfridges, Harrods & some House of Fraser stock them. In the US Nordstrom, Saks 5th Ave & Bloomingdales stock them, and obviously there's the Longchamp Website - there's a more comprehensive list of stockists on there too.

Another piece of advice to sign off with: eBay is full of "Longchamp base shapers". I wouldn't really bother with these, the bag keeps its shape anyways, they look really uncomfortable and it's just another expense to add to an already fairly expensive bag.

Friday Favourite - ET the Hip Hop Preacher

Hey Lovelies,

This week's Friday favourite stems from my motivation issues. I know that I totally need to study otherwise I won't get onto my postgrad course, but between Tumblr, Pinterest and Candy Crush, I manage to avoid work completely. So, while I was watching Jimmy Fallon on Youtube (I love that guy!!), I had a thought. What if I could use my Youtube addiction to actually motivate me into doing work?! And that's how I found ET the Hip Hop Preacher.

A brief history of Eric Thomas: he was a high school drop out, his Mum kicked him out & he was homeless for a while. Then he decided he was going to get a college degree, against all odds. He now has a Masters degree and is currently studying for his PhD.

This is my absolute favourite quote of his (and he has some amazing ones). It's so simple but it really hits home.

Be Phenomenal Or Be Forgotten

It covers life, friendships, work, relationships.... It's literally applicable to everything, and that's why it works. 

YouTube Channel here

Blog here

Ootn 3/4/14

Hey Lovelies,

Tonight the Swansea University Morphing Wings Research Group (catchy name, right??) hits the town!! Me and OH went shopping beforehand for him, and we found this blazer in H&M, however as I'm low on funds I ignored it and moved on... And then an hour later dragged him back to get it. I'm absolutely IN LOVE with it!!

Mint Skinny Jeans
New Look
RRP:   £19.99
Actually Paid:   £18   (10% student discount)

White Vest/Tank Top
H&M
RRP:   £3.99
Actually Paid:   £3.99

Black & White Spotty Blazer
H&M
RRP:   £14.99
Actually Paid:   £14.99

Black & Cream Court Shoes
New Look
RRP:   £30
Actually Paid:  £15.00   (End of season sale)

Cream and Black Clutch 
New Look
RRP:   £12.99
Actually Paid:   £11.69   (10% student discount)

Total Outfit Cost:   £81.96
Actually Paid:   £53.28
Savings:   35%

Ootd 2/4/14 - Keeping up with Kim Kardashian

Hey Lovelies,

Today's outfit is inspired by Kim Kardashian (le gasp!!). While she's had her fair share of fashion misses, for a casual day, this outfit is a total hit.

Grey Vest/Tank Top
H&M
RRP:   £3.99
Actually paid:   £2.50     On a 2 for £5 offer

Grey Skinny Jeans
New Look
RRP:   £19.99
Actually Paid:   £18   (10% student discount)

Black Cropped Leather Jacket
Jane Norman
Guesstimate RRP:   £25
Actually Paid:   £0   (16th birthday present)

Leopard Print Flats

New Look

RRP:   £12.99

Actually Paid:   £3.50   (Student discount & gift card)

Total Outfit Cost: £61.97
Actually Paid: £24
Saving: 61.3%

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One Piece, Three Prices - Ballet Flats

Hey Lovelies,

Every Tuesday, I show one piece that I consider to be a wardrobe essential, usually a preppy essential, for three different price ranges (the name makes sense, right?)

Today's piece.... The classic ballet flat

Save

Old Navy Bow-Tie Ballet Flats - $19.94

Super cute, comes in all the basic colours & they do half sizes!!

Spend

American Eagle AEO Ballet Flats - $29.95

These look sooooooo comfy, and they're buy one, get one half price

Splurge

Tory Burch Reva Flats - $225

The classic preppy ballet flat!!

Happy Shopping!!!