Post Christmas Sale Picks

Happy Christmas to you all! I hope the day was filled with merriment and laughter and that Santa was good to you. We have literally not stopped eating since christmas eve, so I thought I would take a break from scoffing left overs into my gob and show you all a few bits and bobs I've gifted myself from the December Sales. Not that I have any money left, but I managed to find a few good buys that didn't burn a hole in my pocket too much! 

I'm not a great fan of online shopping (despite working in e-commerce for the House of Fraser website), partly because post offices are in my Room 101, but mainly because I just can't do it! There are some experts that can order tons, and know exactly what they're items will look like, and get it right every time. I guess this comes with practise, but I always end up having to do returns or not finding the best deal, the whole thing is just quite distressing for me! But with boredom creeping in, I began to scroll the sale pages of my fave fashion sites and I think I've made some good choices here. 

December Sale Picks by emilyrodgers18 featuring statement earrings

The camel coat is a piece I (actually my mum) bought in the store sales at River Island, saving £30 it was marked down to £50 from £80. I love it, it's an oversized cocoon fit with a lovely deep red lining and will do nicely for a new winter coat. 

Accessorize have some great savings as always at this time of year and costume jewellery is everywhere at the moment. They have a lot of great statement pieces, but after searching for some big embellished earrings for a while, I finally settled on these lovely pearlescent pastel drop earrings. They were half price, £7 down from £14, I may have to get another pair I've got my eye on! 

I know, I know, Christmas is over, so why on earth have I got a xmas jumper in here. Well, was it just me or did you also have a mad dash around Primark the day before National Christmas jumper day?! So, to stop that from happening next year, I've thought ahead and ordered one in advance. You can get some amazing deals on xmas jumpers at the moment, I bagged this one for just £6 from Boohoo! 

Urban Outfitters is great for knick knacks, and if you want to be super organised, you can start thinking about next years christmas presents! (too far?) I got the hip flask, iPhone hairbrush case, kitty pencil case, and Russell Brands book into my virtual shopping basket for a good price. Great gifts for the future or little treats for yourself, either way they'll come in handy! 

I've been searching for a new good pair of jeans for some time now which is an ever lasting struggle in itself #firstworldproblems but I thought I'd give some ASOS ones a try as I've always opted for Topshop's Tall section. This pair came in leg 34" which should just about fit, and they're under £20 which is a bonus!

I never ever treat myself to nice undies, I usually just grab the nearest bra to me in Primark and think that'll do. I've wanted to try the triangle unpadded bras for a while so when I came across this one for £6.50 on ASOS with its delicate feminine design I thought I'd give it a bash. Being bosomly challenged, I'm a bit skeptical on how it will look but fingers crossed! 

And lastly, the off shoulder, bardot style top is caked across the sale pages right now. I'm not sure if the trend has been a flop or if it's just getting started, but I love the look of the necklines so I ordered this one from Boohoo for £6. It's always a bit hit and miss with this site so we'll see how it turns out!

Hope you've managed to bag some good buys this sale season. If you know any good sites to recommend for some good bargains, please comment them below! 

Midi Skirt Disaster

Midi Skirt by emilyrodgers18 featuring ballet shoes

You must have noticed the midi skirts at the moment, my favourites are in Topshop. There's something 50's Givenchy glamour about them. I tried a few on, but settled on this light pink one from Dorothy Perkins because of its price (£20) and its colour. In essence, this should be a cute little outfit for a winter dinner in a fur coat. In reality? It looks awful. 

The skirt was not at all what I expected when it came in the post, the colour is completely different from the picture, its a brighter pink, and the fabric is thin and cheap looking. I mean, it is cheap, but you can buy stuff in Primark, which when asked where its from and you say Primark, they go "OH MY GOD, WHATT?! I CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN THERE!"

So there was no excuse. 

In this day and age, where online shopping is so popular, and the line between bricks and mortar and websites is getting rapidly smaller, being able to see a product up close and know what you're getting for your money is a bonus. When it still doesn't look like the picture after zooming in and examining it on the web, and you've paid a good few quid to get it delivered, or schlepped through the shoppers to get it from click and collect, this is somewhat less impressive. 

But I guess there's an essence of mystery about it, hit and miss, and when you hit, you feel accomplished, when you miss, its just a ball ache to return. 

Has anyone else bought a midi this season? Where from? I'm still on the look out after this disaster! 

IOTW #5

I am going to do a separate post about my trip to Indonesia, but I've still got loads of Instagram photos over the last few weeks to update you all on! The first is of a new outfit I bought after my very long trip back to blighty, I love the giraffe print top and I was dying for some new jeans (both Topshop). The tan loafers were an absolute find in Primark at just £12! 

The next is a roast I was served in the hotel I was staying at. My first proper english meal in 3 weeks, it couldn't have tasted better! 

My nails for my holiday. These falsies had lasted since my graduation which was about 3 weeks prior! I used my new matte top coat to finish off the design.

The next few are from my trip to Cayman in July, the mug was at my aunties house (where we stayed before our flight). She has loads of them with sayings on but I somehow always end up with this one! love it! 

As I was eating my cereal that morning, one of her cats stared at me the entire time. I gave in and gave her a cheerio, or two. 

Just one of the amazing sunsets we experience out in Cayman, they definitely rival that of my hometown in Jersey! 

Me and my sister went out a few times while we were there, and considering most of the tourists and residents there are American, we got native and played some beer pong! Turns out we were doing it wrong.

The next photo has to be the most spectacular photo of a sunset I've taken so far, with a bit of editing I must admit, but still pretty amazing! Every time I show someone, their reaction is "wowww". 

Blackbeard's vodka, the stuff of pirates and rather lethal at that. 

This lizard was a friend of ours, he hung out by the pool every day and we called him Yoshi. He even jumped in and came swimming with us once. 

I love this key ring I bought out there. The whole ethos of the island just seems to be this saying. Its so chilled out and everyone is always happy, I bought this to remind myself to be the same! 

And finally, my little sister went to Turkey shortly after Cayman, I've been before and therefore know all about the fake goods they import there. I asked for a Mulberry purse and this is what she got me, its so beautiful I almost can't believe its not real!

IOTW #2

Hi Guys, here are my instagrams of the week! 

My mum came to stay in Manchester this weekend and bought me this zebra print dress from Primark, I love it and it was only £18, if I'm feeling brave enough I'll wear it out soon. 

I decided to do some random nail designs, I love the little tuxedo. Will definitely do them for my grad ball in summer. 

I went out after using my new hair rollers in my last post and I love how my hair turned out. 

A picture of me for throwback thursday/flashback friday, 3 years old wearing a rather fetching cardi! 

I love these pop art nails that I did from my WAH nail art book. 

I also tried some neon nail varnish which turned out really nice, and bang on trend. 

I had an interview at abercrombie and they wanted natural hair and make up, so I tried my best!

I love this trio of bracelets that my mum bought me, also from primark, great for summer, and I will definitely be wearing them in the Caribbean next month. EEK. 

I did these metallic nails with an aztec design and a diamond design, which got around 40 likes, which is a lot for me! 

Me and my mum went to Blackpool whilst she was here, it was a great day out and there are just a few shots from the day. 

Zara before Chanel

Much of Zara's Spring/Summer Women's collection is coated in Chanel inspired tweed suit pieces, with their take on the classic style, in this seasons trending pastel tones. 

Sophistication looms in every jacket, skirt and even dress, perfectly cut and tailored to that of Coco's standards. 

I cannot describe how badly I wanted to buy any one of these garments but sadly the price range was just too high, but that didn't stop me from touching, trying on, and admiring in ore. 

Zara has dealt a safe hand with this collection, this classic suit has never failed to impress with numerous comebacks on the Chanel catwalk, so why shouldn't the high street stores have a dabble in re-creating the style? 

Topshop and Primark have produced their own versions of some suit pieces, but Zara have gone all out. 

Below are a few favourites from the collection and some classic Chanel's from over the years. 

 CHANEL

1950                                                      1958

1960 

2012 Couture                                             2006 Couture

2006 Couture                                2006 Ready to Wear

 2007 Couture                                         2008 Couture 

 2008 Couture                                          2010 Couture 

 2010 Ready to Wear                                    2011 Couture 

 2011 Ready to Wear    

     2012 Pre-fall                                      2012 Ready to Wear 

 2011 Couture 

ZARA

I loved the yellow dress personally, when I tried it on, I didn't want to take it off! 

After seeing this collection and scrolling through the numerous past Chanel collections I hope to one day own a vintage Chanel tweed jacket. (21st birthday present? hint hint) 

All images were taken from the Zara website and InStyle.