Home is where the heart is...

I've spent some time making my room habitable this week. I'm under the impression that a tidy room equals a tidy mind!

As you know, I've recently moved to London and it IS as expensive as they say so I've only just been able to afford to some nice touches for my room.

Nice clothes and accessories deserve a nice place to be displayed in...

A Plain Review: Mallzee

We all love online shopping (I myself find the 'click and buy' a little too easy) but the downside to endless stores at your fingertips is the solo act of virtual shopping sprees.

Half the fun of shopping is asking your friends' opinions on a daring new dress or getting advice on what suits your shape. A new website, Mallzee, is tackling this problem by integrating Facebook chat, questions polls and 'online wardrobes' into the shopping experience.

As you can tell from the name, this new website is about having a personalised shopping mall. You answer a couple of questions and their ingenious software finds items matching your style and showcases them for you in your very own Mallzee.

As the owner of your Mallzee, you can invite friends to browse your wardrobe of purchases and if they buy anything, you earn money. No that wasn't a typo - you can actually make money by spending it.

With over 200 brands signed up to their website - from Boohoo to Urban Outfitters - why not buy your new Saturday night ensemble through Mallzee and earn some credit towards next Saturday's LBD?

However, if the looming Christmas spirit has you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, you can also donate the money you earn from your wardrobe to charity (I think this is my favourite part of their website).

Mallzee should be live soon and I will give you all a heads up when it is. Until then... let's go to the Mallzee!

(Sorry couldn't resist).

LOOKBOOK: The Winter Shit Knit

Have you noticed that tacky winter jumpers are popping up all over the high street?

Yep, the shit knit is SO on trend at the minute and I couldn't be happier.

What was once my family's humiliating yet hilarious Christmas holiday tradition, has now become my winter season essential.

They're great for winter adventures like ice skating and the annual Christmas Eve present dash and - for £14 - this Primark piece is also a BARGAIN.

If you're after a jumper that hugs you with softness I'd invest a little bit more money however, as this one is a little itchy.

Happy holidays!

A Plain Review: Styloko

I came across Styloko about a year ago when my friend interned there. I didn't expect much from the site but after my first visit I was a goner to their fashion scrapbooks.

It is initially a fashion sales website, however, unlike other sales trackers it also incorporates an online scrapbook (think secret sales meets Pinterest).

With the personalised scrapbook - or My Styloko - you can upload items of clothing and accessories that you're coveting at the moment and when that piece goes on sale, Styloko will notify you.

Yes this a website where you can display your current fashion loves and it will let you know when you can purchase them for a fraction of the price - hence my love for Styloko!

I love the style of the site, the online scrapbook and the inspiration it gives me for my Coulda Woulda Shoulda blog posts. Let me know what you think of it!

LOOKBOOK: The Interview Edit

Though I love being a freelance writer, it's not giving me the financial stability I'd hoped for so I've been applying for full time jobs recently.

My first interview is tomorrow and I've been thinking about the outfit I'm going to wear a lot.

I'm not vain but I'm also not naive - first impressions count - so I wanted to wear something stylish in a classical sort of way.

I headed straight to Next, home of the smart casual attire, and bought a pair of tailored trousers and a loose fitted cream shirt with lace detail.

The outfit is simple yet stylish and I'll be able to wear it to all of my interviews - from journalism to PR.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow! Momma needs a new wardrobe...

LOOKBOOK: The Birthday Meal Edit

I had big dreams for this outfit. I was going to have a stylish designer dress with all new accessories... But then I woke up and remembered that I'm poor.

This being said I quite liked my budget outfit! You could never tell my dress was a bargain £15 from Select - or so my family assured me.

I teamed it with a black belt and black cardigan from Marks and Sparks for the contrast and accessorised with leopard print and gold bangles from River Island.

The outfit was classy enough for the swanky restaurant but could also be worn out on the town once I had ditched the cardy in the cloak room - all in the name of Nan's 77th obvs.

Next celebrates the big 3-0

Next, the high street home of the smart casual attire, is turning 30 this year. To celebrate this milestone, Next have created an interactive timeline on their Facebook account that charts the store's history.

If you're a sad fashionista like myself, you'll love the timeline - especially as it shows the development of timeless pieces such as suits, denims and wedges over the past 30 years. Who knew I could be so interested in the 80s??

Next is an iconic British high street brand and is one of the very few places that both myself and my mum can happily shop at, which is no small feat by any means! To celebrate (and say thanks) I have chosen my three favourite pieces that are currently in store for you.

Smart

Casual

Beach

Collage created on Polyvore

LOOKBOOK: The #GeorgeAtAsda Sale Edit

There's a 50% sale at George. I don't know if I should have opened with that line because Asda is open 24 hours and I've probably just lost a few readers. It's too good to miss though!

I live by an Asda superstore so the amount of sale items was phenom! I may have overdone it as per use but I got some great bargains.

My favourite is the classy LBD below, which would be great for work. It's long enough that I won't be branded the office slut and with a possible new job in the pipeline, image is important.

With it being black I can also restyle it every season with new accessories. Perfect!

Anna Karenina Trailer

It looks amah-zing! Ten pounds says I'll cry.

Shopping List: The Birthday Meal

It's my Nana Josie's birthday next week and I need an outfit that can go from fancy Italian restaurant to swanky wine bar (yep at 77 Nana still likes a large glass of vino).

A dress is perfect as it will cover my post pasta belly and the cardigan will stop Josie from moaning that I turned up to her birthday meal naked.

The clutch and heels, however, add a bit of pazazz to the outfit that will be needed later on.

Let me know what you think and please suggest jewellery - I'm thinking a chunky gold bracelet? Gotta look good for Nanny!

Dress, £40, Warehouse
Cardigan, £26, Dorothy Perkins
Clutch, £12, Asos
Shoes, £85, Dune

LOOKBOOK: The Hen Party Edit

Well it seems the age at which all your friends tie the knot is 23 as I am currently packing for my second hen party of the year (second of FOUR).

Hen party number two is taking place in Liverpool and is sure to be a messy event so please don't expect a blog post until AT LEAST Monday. I'm dreading the hangover already!

Unfortunately, as this is hen party two of four and it is an expensive weekend away I couldn't afford a new outfit. I'm a pathetic fashion blogger, I know!

I am being FORCED to wear the outfit I wore to the jubilee wedding three weeks ago but, being the fashun addict that I am, I bought a new clutch to jazz up the outfit.

This neon yellow crocodile handbag from Accessorize adds a bit more colour to my outfit and gives it a small yet inexpensive twist.

Wish me (and my liver) luck!

Fortnightly Photo Diary #01

Coulda Woulda Shoulda #June

Coulda... bought a pair of retro oversized sunglasses from Matalan this month for the bargain price of a fiver. However, unlike the majority of people I know I'm not going on a sun holiday this year so I may as well save my money!

Woulda... bankrupted myself for this Emilio Pucci silk crepe maxi skirt had I not had any sense. Unfortunately the £825.00 price tag brought me back to my senses, no matter how beautiful this purple number may be.

Shoulda... been sensible and invested for my future job. Hopefully I have a few job interviews coming up so should buy an outfit to impress. With my bank balance being so pathetic at the minute, this £16 ponte dress from George at Asda is perfect.

LOOKBOOK: The Monsoon Edit

The shorts have gone away for another year and the coats and scarves are back with full force in this wet and windy June of ours.

British summers are consistent at least.

I've been sporting my favourite wax effect jacket and cheapo black skirt from H&M with my many winter jumpers.

This oversized lavender one is from the Topshop tall section to get make it extra baggy on me.

I added my New Look black suede pumps and Oasis tan leather bag (scarf bought separately) for a preppy twist.

I'm off to scrub the festival mud off my Hunter wellies in preparation for the monsoon weather forecasted for this week! Laters!