If people make fun of you.. It probably means you're doing something right.

One thing I really can't deal with, is people who take themselves too seriously. 

And in fashion, you get this a lot - You know those poker faced, "someone stole my personality' kinda vibes. 

BUT times are changing people. And humour is infiltrating fashion. FINALLY. 

This came to light in the A/W catwalks back in February. When Chanel - some might say the most poker faced of them all, launched their Andy Warhol inspired Fall range... in a supermarket.

Karl Lagerfield has made supermarkets chic and I couldn't love him anymore for that... although he probably hash't actually been to one...

Also Moschino's new creative director Jeremy Scott made quite an impact back in February with the Fashion Takeaway range.

The reaction to it has been hugely successful (good start Mr Jeremy Scott).. especially this iPhone 5 cover - people go mad for a cute cover now.

Full Collections -  Chanel 

                         Moschino

It has always been said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery... (Sometimes I think mocking playfully can be more so) and a lot of slogan fashion has been popping up over the past year. 

 

       The Bags Under My Eyes Are Prada        More Issues Than Vogue

 

This is another one of my favs

I feel like some brands are starting to turn the corner and become more approachable... Less of the "big, super serious, I'm judging you heavily right now" and maybe, a little more light hearted? It is meant to be fun after all. 

Love,

Nikki

x

Stationery Stresses

Hello Lovely People. 

Today I am going to share with you a dilemma that has faced me since I was around 5 years old. Hopefully some of you can relate (and assure me I'm not crazy).

Similar to most females, I have a love for Stationery. And so my dilemma comes, when the perfect notebook, you've been waiting for your whole life, falls into your hands... What the hell do you write in it.

When I was younger, I would spend hours thinking through different options, is this the book I'm going to write a novel in? Is it a diary? Is it a scrapbook? Is it where I unleash my creative genius?! 

To this day I still stress about wasting a good notebook. 

These two notebooks have been giving me bother recently - as soon as there is moleskin effect I start to feel the pressure. I get those "these pages deserve more than my shopping list" sort of feelings. 

Anyhow, recently I heard (from little sister - the fountain of all knowledge) about a book that would have solved all of my notebook woes growing up.

Wreck This Journal - Now, there is no need to stress that you are wasting pages, it tells you what to do on each.

And if you check out some of the videos of completed journals on youtube - HERE you can see that these books mean big business.

In all honesty though, my childhood creativity probably wouldn't have matched up to these standards  - writing my name repeatedly seemed to be the height of it.

And so, now I have learnt to deal with my obsessions issues by reminding myself that a book is only wasted, when it is left empty.

In the theme of all things stationery and seeing as its nearly "Back to School/University/College/Everyone everywhere needs cute stationery" I have put together a list of some of my favourite finds on Etsy. 

 New Adventure Graduation Gift

Mint and Gold Reminder Pencils

Farm Animals Journal

Black and White Glasses Pencil Case

Terrier Moleskin

"Suck it up, Buttercup" Agenda Diary

Love,

Nikki 

x

NOTD - Leopard Loving

NOTD - aka Nails of the Day

Ever since a young age I have been a loyal lover of leopard print. 

When I was finally old enough to pick my own outfit to wear to church (one of the biggest social events in a 4/5 year old's calendar)... Every week I went for my favourite long sleeved, velvet leopard print dress with matching tights and lace up black boots. A quality choice in my opinion. My mother was not so sure but you don't argue with a 4 year old fashionista. 

This love has continued throughout my life... I could probably make an entire outfit (underwear included) made up of leopard print items. But obviously that would be a bit of overkill so I don't. 

Anyway back to NOTD, mine today are some leopard print lovelies. 

They are actually Nail Patch Art Stickers from Sephora I bought them a while ago so I don't think you can purchase them online but I have still seen them in stores.

Leopard Print is something that if done badly can look horrendously tacky or slightly... Pat Butcher. 

BUT if done well it can be effortless and fierce. I am evidently biased but here are some of Harpars Bazaar's best celebrities in the infamous print to persuade you.

Karoline Kurkova in Emanuel Ungaro

Heidi Klum in L'Agence

Lily Aldridge in Charlotte Olympia Flats and Saint Laurent scarf

Rose Byrne in Zara

One of my most recent leopard print purchases was a gorgeous Leopard and Royal Blue scarf from Coach (Although, I bagged it in an outlet centre on sale.. so yea BARGARIN) 

Before continuing any further with this blog, I would just like to make clear to any readers that I am not a model. SHOCK HORROR I know - at barely 5ft tall I am under no illusions that modelling is a possible career option for me. And so, this blog will be filled with photos either strategically cropped to remove awkwardness or like this one... of me imitating my fav monkey emoji. 

Thats all from me for now.  

Love

Nikki

x

Embrace Your Inner Obsessive

I would say one of my main talents in life is boxset and movie marathons. Anyone else? Well, I am amazing at it. But isn't that awfully antisocial and possibly a waste of time?? I hear you cry...

Well... yes but every so often, its needed (Especially mixed with large quantities of tea)

From The O.C and Gossip Girl to Dexter and Prison Break... I really don't discriminate when it comes to genre. Also... if there is a series of books thrown in the mix as well, I'll probably love it even more. Hunger Games, Harry Potter and Game of Thrones - I'm looking at you. 

Apart from revealing my inner antisocial obsessive to you, this post is also to share a fabulous online store that can help you embrace your inner hermit... (which most likely you have... don't pretend to be cool this is a non-judging environment, I promise)

PAMPLING.COM 

I actually found out about Pampling when I stumbled across a pop-up store of theirs in Valencia.

I saw the window display and was just like... YASSSSS (In the style of Crack Kid... if you don't understand this reference. Youtube it. I was literally him) 

Basically, what they are about is fan shirts made by fans for fans.

They run competitions through their website where anyone can design a shirt and the winners are sold online.

Stark Shirt  - Pampling.com

Denim Shorts - Zara

Belt - New Look

Watch - Marc by Marc Jacobs 

Being a big GoT fan this was my choice but in all honesty there was so many more that gave me a chuckle.

They also sell hoodies too.

After going to the store, I then checked out their website, its a Spanish company so there is a tiny language barrier but its quite self explanatory and you're able to muddle through.

Here a couple of examples of other designs featured on their website:

The minion designs are some of my favs. Those cute, little, yellow guys are popping up everywhere now. 

I hope you now feel more at ease about any TV/Movie addictions you have as however bad they may be... mine are definitely probably worse. 

Love

Nikki

x

Budget Buys - Zara

So as I may have mentioned... (just possibly) I spent some time in Spain this summer and one of the main things I learnt, in terms of retail, is that INDITEX pretty much owns the Spanish High street. 

INDITEX owns brands that the UK market are familiar with like Zara and Pull and Bear. But when you get to Spain and throw in Bershka, Stradivarius and Oysho, they are giants in market. 

Although I may have fallen in love a little bit lot with Stradivarius whilst in Madrid,  Zara still remains top for me. I've always viewed Zara as in the price bracket "not cheap but not expensive" however that changed when I witnessed the great REBAJAS (sales for all you non-spanish speakers) in July. 

The Spanish are notoriously passionate people... and when shopping in Zara sales, that passion turns to fury. A lot of blood, sweat and tears goes into their shopping.

However I battled nonetheless and found some great bargains, I am most excited about two dresses that I managed to bag each for less that 10 Euros! 

This number I actually saw a friend wearing and then went on the hunt for in the sale. 

I thought this channelled the Sports Luxe trend just enough for me... I'm not the biggest fan of it. 

Hidden heel trainers still make me feel slightly ill, but this trend took off in 2012 and seems to be here to stay so I bagged this baby 9.99.

Also... its white and anything white is a yes from me right now because I have a tan. A NATURAL TAN. Thank you Mr. Sunshine.

This little grey dress (again 9.99!) was quite an impulse buy, but I bought it more because I had one of those "outfit epiphanies" when I saw it. 

You know... those scenarios where you are shopping and you see something and automatically make an outfit in your head with clothes you already own?? Please someone tell me I'm not crazy alone with this?

Anyhow I seem to be needing more "professional" looking outfits lately... I must be actually growing up (eeeeekkkkkk) and so this grey woollen dress I thought would be the makings of a perfect office style outfit.

White Silk Shirt - Reiss
Gold Chain - New Look













Hope you enjoyed my excitement about sales.

Love
Nikki
x

A Hidden Gem

Hello Lovely People

So last week was my 21st birthday - when I got so old I have no idea!! but to celebrate I spent a few days with my family in Enniskillen, a small town in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland.

All in all, I was spoilt rotten and had a fabulously relaxing time - 21 has been very good to me.

During this trip I stumbled across a restaurant that was too good a find not to share with you.

Cafe Merlot - we booked this not expecting much. A probable "Irish, open fire in the middle of summer, smells like peat but a good feed, gastro-pub" sort of experience... However it was so much better.

Despite being on one of the main streets in Enniskillen - Church Street, it is not the easiest to find but I think this adds to the charm. 

We arrived, not even certain we were in the right place but we continued 

down through the staircases anyhow, arriving to a bright, sophisticated, really quite classy atmosphere. 

The food and service were both flawless. The food was unique, with amazing detail and flavour combinations you wouldn't have expected. 

It was also so lovely to have a more personal touch by being welcomed by the Co-owner and host Johnny Donnelly.

Being your stereotypical social media obsessed gal I obviously took pictures of every course for possible Instagram/tweet opportunities. 

MY THREE COURSES

My starter was a trio of things I have never had/thought to put together/can even remember the intricate names of but every aspect was delicious. 

My main was slow roast shoulder of lamb, rosemary mash with a pea and mint puree.

Honestly... this lamb was the best I've ever had, more tender than I thought possible. 

It even took the sting off the fact I was eating a wee lamb - which I usually feel are too cute to eat.

Lastly, I had a chocolate and hazelnut tarte which was heavenly. 

Chocolate hazelnut themed desserts, to me, usually set them selves up for disappointment as I would live off Nutella if I could and they usually just don't compare. But this was chocolatey and light at the same time (I know... I didn't think this possible for a chocolate tarte either)

Basically, we were very pleasantly surprised by Cafe Merlot and if you're ever in Enniskillen I would definitely recommend it! You can check them out on Facebook - Here

Hope you enjoyed my first "review" - I thought it could be a good starter topic but remember... be kind, I'm new.

Love

Nikki 

x