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! 

How times change

I wrote this little exert back in May when I had just finished Uni, had no job, living in Jersey and was feeling pretty sorry for myself. I am now living and working in London, for a major designer, with so many exciting opportunities and projects coming up. Looking back on this has really made me appreciate how lucky I am to be in the position I'm in now. Its funny how times change isn't it?!

"Right now its may, which means the hoards of newly grads are going to haul themselves back to the island any minute and snap up every available job going. The good ones get the best roles first, and then what’s left for the rest of us is pretty slim pickings, so I’m attempting to act fast.

As you can probably tell, I’ve had no luck as of yet, although I think I’m punching a bit above my weight as I refuse to go back to shop floors, and I hope I’m not the only one struggling.

As soon as I say Fashion in an interview people tend to switch off before they even let me finish with marketing. "Oh, I suppose you want to be working for Chanel with the fancy bags and the fashion shows or a pretty magazine." Well, no. My course involved logistics, accountancy, internationalization, the economy, consumer behaviour, however all anyone ever hears, is dresses, shoes, designers. It was no easy feat. 

As much as it’s a dream of mine, I highly doubt I’m the next Carrie Bradshaw, mainly because she’s fictional, and also because that’s a dream. We are all encouraged to dream, it gives us goals. But the reality is, most of us are destined to be the next admin assistant in the photocopying cupboard saving for months for that amazing trip or a gap yah.  I’m also way too cynical, as this rant might have already shown, which is why I can look at the people who say “chin up” and “dream big” but the reality is, if you want something you have to work for it, so I guess I should stop complaining and get to it, because although I might get stuck making little penguins out of blue tac, its experience at the end of the day, and I should be grateful for any sort of job.

What makes it worse is that, whilst sitting at home, perfecting my eBay selling skills (not one to put on the CV) and watching the dreaded day time TV, my Facebook newsfeed is filled with the lucky ones who’ve managed to nab their dream jobs. “OH EM GEE, starting the new job today, eekk!” really?! That’s fantastic, please keep reminding me of your amazing success and your super duper organization skills, while I slowly but surely slip into the realms of bum-hood.

I’m not judging those who got their dream jobs, seriously, congratulations. You are the talented, smart ones destined to achieve greatness, as Will Shakes said, however, for the rest of us? The mediocre, run of the mill types? We’re lucky if we have any greatness thrust upon us. But that’s just it, its not lady luck who’s stopping you from getting these jobs, its someone with better skills and more experience, don’t wait for the greatness and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Yes, that is a quote from Will smith in the pursuit of happiness, going for a will theme here.

At uni they make a big deal of telling you of all the things you can achieve with this course, all the opportunities that are going to open up for you, you leave with a sense of hope and a lump of giddy excitement in the pit of your stomach to get out there and start a new chapter as a proper grown up. Turns out the hope is actually naivety and the pit is pure fear. Naivety of the fact that the reality is you will probably not get that dream job for a while, and your going to have to work bloody hard to get there, this has then made you think if that’s what you really want to do, contemplating the rest of your future, with all its choices, decisions and problems ahead, there’s the fear. So we can either bite the bullet, or dream on.

Now that’s been said, its time to get back on the job site, maybe a new position has been posted in the last 5 minutes."

Its funny because despite saying I didn't want to end up back on the shop floor, I worked for most of the summer in Next, the irony! It also turns out a bit of luck was sent my way to get to where I am now. It may not be my dream job but its a lot closer than I was back then! 

Try writing down a rant, or a story of your day, then read it back to yourself months from now and see how things have changed. It can go both ways in how it will make you feel, but the outcome is always interesting!

Party Dress

Party Dresses by emilyrodgers18 featuring topshop

I've got two birthday parties to attend next week. 

Now this means 2 things, celebrating some of my best friends new age, and spending money.

Money for presents, the outfits, and money to spend on the actual partying.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to do it, and I will happily stroll around the streets of manchester basically shoving magazines in the publics faces as a means of earning some extra dolla to pay for the merriment. 

But it always helps when you get money off the things you like, and in this case, it was 15% off Missguided online through Unidays (if you haven't signed up to them, do it, the offers are always helpful and include brands such as Motel Rocks, Boohoo, and ASOS). 

This meant I ordered this lovely dress for a smidge less, saved some money and that's a party dress sorted! 

Above is a mood board of some accessories I would put with the black lacey number, and I can't wait to wear it!

Best Dressed for Less No.6

I haven't done a best dressed for a while, so when I was flicking through the vogue gallery, I simply couldn't decide on one!

So, Who do you prefer? There is two outfits from Alexa Chung (always popular on the best dressed list) one casual oxblood outfit and a smarter pretty lace dress in pewter. Olivia Palermo in her day to day best, keeping it baggy with a jumper and shirt teamed with shiny black leggings and flat boots. 

And last of all there's Jade Williams sporting the turtle neck crop top trend with a pencil skirt in shades of grey, and some killer Jimmy Choos.

All of these have been replicated below for a fraction of their designer price. Theres something to suit you all! 

Best Dressed of the Week by emilyrodgers18 featuring fitted dresses

She Wore (blue) Velvet

I remember going into school to the Christmas party wearing my special black, velvet sequinned dress. 

It's a classic wintery fabric. (yes, winter!)

And this season is no exception.

Velvet is in abundance on the high street with the addition of the oxblood colour trend, their a perfect match, resulting in some beautiful fuzzy pieces!

Below are a few of my favourites. 

Velvet by emilyrodgers18 featuring a pleated bodice dress

The inspiration behind the title was the lovely Lana's song Blue Velvet. Featured in the new season H&M advert which she is currently endorsing. 

I am mad for this song, its so mesmerising, could listen to it all day.

Liebster Blog Award

Its my first post of September, and what a start to the month!

A massive thank you to Cherry Fashion for this nomination! It's my second blog award nomination and it always mean a lot to know people actually still read my blog, and actually like it! 

       The liebster blog award is an award for blogs with less than 200 followers which is great to get nominees posts noticed and appreciated by fellow bloggers.

Ok, so, for all blog nominations there are a few rules:

-Thank the person who nominated you

- Each person must post eleven things about themselves.

- Answer the eleven questions the tagger has set for you.

- Choose eleven people and tag them in this post.

- Follow the tagger and visit at least three nominees.

I wonder who chose the number 11 for this award?! 

11 Things about myself:

1) I'm in the middle of reading Fifty Shades Darker, and cant stop!

2) I used to have 7 dogs, 6 guinea pigs, a rabbit, a hamster, and cats. Basically a farm.

3) I work for a small promotions agency at home.

4) I wear contact lenses, and have a habit of leaving them on the floor.

5) I once hugged Ben Howard in a club. Claim to fame!

6) I am always bored, but too lazy to do anything about it.

7) I'm going to take full advantage of the stud trend this season, love it!

8) I'm contemplating cutting off my hair for 21st birthday.

9) I love Aussie Shampoo.

10) I always want to learn to play my favourite songs on my old guitar, but never have the patience!

11) I hope this University year doesn't stop me blogging, so much work!

The 11 Questions from Nia:

What inspired you to start and what inspires you to keep blogging?

I started as part of my fashion course, and I continue because not only do I love doing it but it keeps me in the fashion loop in my own chosen way!

What is your most prized possession? 

At the moment, my new Zara leather jacket which was a present from my mum, post to come!

If you could travel, where would you go? 

Probably back in time, I would definitely change a few things, but I guess we cant have regrets.

How would you wear your hair on most days?

My hair is wavy/curly, and long, so I leave it wet put mouse on it, scrunch it and let it dry naturally.

What is your favourite blog post to read?

I think we all love a bit of Tavi of Style Rookie. 

What beauty products can't you go without?

Mascara, I have long eyelashes and I'm guilty of piling it on.

Carmex cherry, for the chapped lips. 

What colour are you nails at the moment? 

They are lilac and mint with dots and little flowers, I blogged about them on my neighbouring blog, Stray Nails.

Where would you like to be in 5 years time?

Hopefully have travelled around a bit, completed an internship/placement, starting my career in a fashion/costume company and thinking about starting my own business!

What is your go to items in your closet?

At the moment, my faux leather Topshop leggings with my sleeveless coloured chiffon top. Great for any occasion and most weather!

If you could choose 1 lipstick colour what would it be? 

Deep red. I got given one in a goody bag from mulberry, its from the kate moss collection and its amazing.

What social media sites do you use? 

I use pretty much all of them! But the ones I use the most are Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Its hard not to with them all at your fingertips on the old iphone.

The 11 people I would like to nominate are: 

Tastes Like Gold

All This Fashion

Avant Mode

Beauty, Books and Fairy Dust

Bel Et Bien

Cinderella Rockefella

Emma May Louise

Empty Rack

F.Affiche

Fashion Analytics

Young Eyes of Fashion



And my 11 questions for you lovely bloggers are:

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

What is your daily skin routine?

Do you have any pets?

What is your favourite type of post to do?

Who is your fashion icon?

What is your best holiday memory?

If you could work for a designer, which one would it be?

Where do you see yourself in the future?

Roughly how many pairs of shoes do you own?

Twitter or Pinterest?

The best magazine is...?

Well done to all the nominees! hopefully this will get you a few more followers :) 

Julian Hakes Mojito Heels

This is my love of the week, strangely found by my mum, a wacky one off design which was never even meant for the fashion world.

Julian Hakes has been kicking up a storm in the blogger network recently and if you don't already know who he is or what 'mojito heels' are, here is a little bio. 

He started out as an architect, but posted a rough draft picture of these heels on a design blog, where they went viral. 

After millions of views, plenty of baffled stylists, fashionistas and bloggers were scratching their heads over these futuristic pumps. 

Agencies got in contact and a model wanted a few pairs for a fashion show.

It soon dawned on Hakes that he might actually have to manifest these shoes into reality, and fast. Fashion waits for no one.

After 2 years, the design has been tested and perfected to create the sleek, elegant and light heels and his first collection was born!

Definitely designed for the fashion bold, I think these would be a pair that even Carrie Bradshaw was weary of, however they are an innovation into a new shoe generation and I think I speak for most of us when I say I wouldn't mind trying on a pair!

To find out more visit hakes.co.uk.

Today I'm Wearing

I don't have the room or the patience to take photos of myself wearing outfits, maybe when I have a nice loft and a DSLR, but for now, here is what I'm wearing today. The levi short, tank top combo is very popular at the moment especially with the weather becoming slightly shinier. 

My levi's are just about hanging on for dear life so I replaced them with these Topshop blue acid hot pants (£28.00) and put them with a black vest from Ark (£12.99) which was cheaper than the identical Topshop ones, so I was chuffed!

I love this look personally, its so easy to throw on, you can put basically anything with it and play around with accessories to make it smart or casual. 

I wore my Urban Outfitters watch and assorted rings and bracelets and to give it that extra edge I would of loved to put a nice leather jacket over the top for the evening.

Below are a few bits and bobs to add to this to really make it a simple but effective outfit. 

Assorted casual accessories by emilyrodgers18 featuring star shoes