June Delights

I realised I haven't produced a Fashion wishlist post in a while now so I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite outfits from June 2011.

The top is Primark (£12), the belt is Primark (£1.50), the jeans are New Look (£15.99) and the shoes are H&M (£7.99). I love this outfit because it's comfortable, can be worn as day-wear but is still quite sexy thanks to the sheer fabric of the top.

This whole outfit is Primark - The denim jacket is £15, the top is £4, the belt is £1.50, the bag was £8, the skirt was £8 and the shoes are £18. I love this outfit because it is so summery. You can dress the skirt down with flat shoes or glads, or dress it up for a night out with big heels as I have above.

The jacket was a steal from the H&M sale at only £10! The dress is New Look's Apricot range (£27.99) and the shoes are Primark (£12). I wore this out for my sister's birthday meal in the Mailbox and the outfit turned a few heads, so I'd say it was definitely a winner.

You may have also noticed my obsession with the Primark horse belt, as I have got it on in every picture! I don't wear it every day, but it does just go with so many outfits that I can't help throwing it on all the time. Well worth the £1.50!

I shall update again soon with more monthly favourites.

OCD Fashion

I've come to realise that not only is fashion a massive part of my life, it's also a massive topic of discussion around the world. Having browsed the bloggersphere and seen the style and genre of most of the content out there, it is clear to see that most modern day twenty-somethings, such as myself, place a great deal of interest and commitment into discussing and sharing their thoughts and views on the ever-changing face of fashion.

Although I have never resigned myself to only writing about one topic here on Twenty-one and Invincible - and I will continue to write about my life in general and as a whole for the rest of my time as a blogger - I will readily admit that fashion does play a massive part in my day-to-day life. I must end up buying a couple of new items of clothing at least once a month; never pricey things unless it's a special occasion, but I do love nothing more than to shop and buy things which I feel good wearing. I take shopping trips to London with my Mam and sister every year, I nearly always ask for clothes for Christmas and birthdays and I never miss the January sales. Ever.

When I have a great outfit on, or a new pair of shoes, I can't help but feel a little bit special. Even if nobody notices it's new, or bothers to comment on what I'm wearing, I find that personally it gives me a buzz and helps me feel good in myself, helps me feel confident. Being brutally honest, and please don't think ill of me for this, but I actually have a clothes list in my room which I refer to on a daily basis to help me decide what to wear.

I know that's a totally OCD thing to admit to having or doing, but I have so many clothes and I want to wear them all at some point within the month. I like to know that I have a selection of daywear, nightwear and work wear on hand so that I never have to panic when getting ready, and have that "I've got a room full of clothes and nothing to wear" crisis that so many of my friends and family have on a regular occurrance.

My best friend Ray is the queen of hoarding, and has far too many clothes and very few complete outfits, meaning that she's usually struggling to find something to wear nearly every time we go out. I don't want that stress, and so I make it so I always have something to wear. I make sure I have tops to go with my jeans or my skirts, and shoes to go with my dresses. I don't feel right if an outfit's missing something, it ruins the whole look for me. And when I get bored of wearing an outfit, I take it off the list and use it as an excuse to buy something new to replace it!

I have 20 day outfits which can take me from Uni, to work, to the shops and more, and 13 evening outfits which range from a night at the pub or a dinner date, to party frocks and clubbing outfits. That's only 33 outfits in total, and I do believe that is what the guru Gok Wan calls a capsule wardrobe.

So after comprehending what a huge part in my life fashion plays, I've decided to complete a monthly Fashion Wishlist here on Twenty-one and Invincible, detailing my top buys for the month, and explaining how best to work them. Any fellow fashionistas please feel free to comment and inspire me...

The Happy List

Twenty-one of my favourite things in life. 21 little micro-pleasures which can make any day the best day I have had in ages:

1. A new pair of shoes. Gorgeous shoes, with big heels. Nothing makes me happier than buying a brand new pair of heels and wearing them out. Yes, I may well be in agony all night, but nothing compares to knowing I am wearing sex in shoe form. Yum! My lovely boyfriend bought me these beauties for Christmas, and despite the fact they kill me a toe at a time, I've worn them at every opportunity possible. Sometimes, I just like to get them out and look at them, maybe stroke them a bit. But nothing more than that...
2. A perfectly fitting dress. To go with the gorgeous new shoes I have just bought. When I am wearing a dress that fits like a glove (and I don't mean one that sticks out in five places) I feel like I'm a runway model or something. I'm aware that I'm not a model, but any dress that can make you feel like you should be on the cover of a glossy magazine has got to be a good thing.
3. Perfectly painted nails. I'm like Van Gough with a nail brush. It is pure euphoria when I can look down and see 10 finely painted tips - no smudges, no bumps. I love bright, interesting colours, and I pick them at random so that they hardly ever match what I'm wearing. It's one of my little quirks that my Fella thinks is a bit strange. But why match, they should be a statement of their own. I'm currently in love with metallics, such as the silver one I have on right now. But Barry M's mint green will always be the favourite of mine. Goes with nothing I own, but that's completely the point.
4. When a quiet night in the pub turns into a fantastic Cheeky Thursday. As I have pointed out before, mine and Ray's Cheeky Thursday's are the best nights out you could imagine, and they are fast becoming renowned in the local area, with more and more people wanting to be involved in this epic monthly event. Mid-week partying has to end when you get a real job, so as a 21-year-old student I'm making the absolute most of it. Cheeky cheeky!
5. Finding a bargain. You're out at the shops, you're mooching through the rails, when suddenly a fabulous, must-have piece jumps out at you. It's in your size, and best of all, it's only £6. Result! I wear my Primarni bargains with pride, and am more than happy to tell people it cost less than they think. The ripped black top I am wearing in this picture is a Primarni original, and actually was £6.
6. An unexpected text. Be it from the other half whilst he's on a night out with his mates, or from your best friend simply saying something stupid to make you smile, or even from an old friend who you'd lost touch with. To know that somebody is thinking of you, even when they have no real reason to, is a proper cheery thought, I think.
   
7. Massive cocktail rings. Completely unnecessarily over-the-top, too big for your hand rings. I love a good rock I do, and it can literally change my outfit from being a decent get up to being out-and-out spectacular. If you couldn't club someone to death with it, use it to break down a door, or at least be at risk of catching someone at the next table to you with it as you reach for your wine glass, then it isn't big enough. As far as I'm concerned, with rings, either go big or go home. I own this absolute monster courtesy of my darling Mother, as a present for my 21st. It's called the Matador, that's how fierce it is. I will keep it forever, and one day pass it on to my little girl, to use as her very own knuckle duster.
8. A random memory that makes you smile to yourself. Be it down to a song that reminds you of a special someone, finding a random object that takes you back to an amazing moment or simply seeing something on TV that reminds you of a simpler time -whatever it's cause, you can't beat the effect. And when people ask what I'm smiling at, sometimes it's fun to say "nothing" and keep that perfect moment all to myself.
9. A cheesy 80s song. Speaking of random memories, I've only got to hear a bit of Whitney, Madonna, Rick James, Bon Jovi or Rod Stewart and I'm right back in Reflex, dancing with my friend Addy while some strange bloke in a Mac is slyly trying to flash us. That club has held many fond memories for me, and every time I hear a bit of 80s cheese on the airwaves it's like that night never ended.
10. Singing loudly to myself in the car. Plug the iPod in, put the radio on, or even fish out one of my vintage Wham tapes - any way I can, I am going to get my kicks while I'm driving. Can't sing a note, but why should that stop me? I love to belt out a proper feel-good tune on my journeys. By the time I've got where I'm going I've got a sore throat, but I'm happy as Larry. Pure good times. Ce Lo Green's "Forget You" is my tune of the moment. I pull all the attitude faces as well...it's a shame nobody else can see, I'm sure I look ridiculous.
11. Penne Pasana pasta from Ask. Ask is my favourite Italian restaurant, and their pasta dish of garlic chicken, mushrooms, pine nuts, parmezan cheese and pesto makes me want to lick the plate clean. If it wasn't such a fancy place I probably would. And I've suddenly become very aware that I'm salivating so I'm going to move on now before I drool all over my laptop.
12. Knowing all the words to a rap song. I literally spent weeks of my life listening to "Love The Way You Lie", learning the words and rehearsing them over and over. "I can't tell you what it really is, I can only tell you what it feels like, and right now it's a steal knife in my windpipe..." Test me on it, I bet I know every line. And I will, more than happily, rap it for you, whilst getting my guns out in time with the music. Oh yes, I am a badass. Word to your mother, homee.
13. A well deserved pint. There is actually nothing better than that first sip of ice-cold beer after a long day at work/uni/in front of the Tele. I can find any excuse for a beer I can, and drink all night if I fancy it, but nothing compares to that first pint. Mmmmmm....
14. A genuine compliment. Not one where you can tell that the person has cut their hair, or has bought something new, or is pointing obviously at the thing they want you to compliment. No, a proper compliment, when someone looks at you and genuinely wants to say something nice about you. And you can tell the real ones from the fakes. I most certainly can. So don't bring your knock-off compliment's around me, I can sniff a snidey one out a treat.
15. Red lipstick. My longest, most dedicated friend (no offence Ray). I have been wearing red lipstick since I could figure out where my mouth was, and I will be wearing red lipstick when the last breath escapes my lips. I know that sounds morbid, but it's a simple mathematical logic, suggesting that I actually do wear red lipstick all time. It is one trend that will never fade away, and it makes me feel proper saucy when I've got it on. Makes me feel like leaving it on more places than just his collar, if you know what I mean?
16. A kiss that gets carried away. And I'm not talking about the way your estranged Auntie likes to rub her moustache up you at Christmas! I'm talking about one of those simple kisses, that starts with a peck, then another, then a firmer kiss, then a lingering kiss and carries on until it's, well, more than a kiss. A kiss like that can make you feel like you two are the only people in the world at that moment; everything gets a bit hazy and dizzy, and it gives you butterflies in your stomach. If you haven't had one of these yet, you must go get yourself one immediately. And that's an order!
17. A great photo. Where you look particularly pretty, or happy, or where you can see that you are genuinely having fun. A "made to be a Facebook profile picture" type picture. Everybody will have a few of these. I have loads, and they are all up on my photowall in my room, to remind me every day of all the good times I have had.
18. Laughing with my Mam. Me and my mother have both got a stupid sense of humour, and we can make the slightest joke about the least funny thing, and turn it into a roaring fit of laughter that ends with us in tears. We once laughed so hard about a conversation her and my dad had had about cheese, that she was gasping for breath and I was on the floor clutching my side. We set each other off a right treat. Like a slightly less funny Ant n Dec. You don't get that bond with many people, so that makes me really happy to have it with her.
19. A good horror movie. I'm sure I have mentioned this before, but it really is a passion of mine. I collect great horror movies in vast amounts, and I try and see as many of them as possible. Can't get enough of a good scare me, so if you can point me in the direction of something new in the horror genre, it will be gratefully received. That is all.
20. Blogging. I know this is going to seem pretty self explanatory, but since I have been blogging here on Twenty-one and Invincible I have had this real sense of accomplishment. I'm aware that it's probably just my friends and the boyfriend who bother to read the majority of what I scrawl up on here, but since people from overseas have started to read my work - well, I've been feeling pretty fly...for a white girl.
21. Finding inspiration in the little things. My idea for this happy list came from another delightful Christmas present from my other half, in the form of "The Goddess Book". I love it when I find inspiration for my life in a throw away comment, a random moment or an inanimate object. If the world around you doesn't inspire you, it's not much of a life to lead really is it?