baby in our wildest moments;

[oh so chic.]

Well hi, beautiful!

QUESTION. 

Have you ever seen an outfit somewhere - in a magazine, on tumblr, on a blog, on a website - and wondered where you could find something like it? Perhaps the items aren't listed, or perhaps they're too expensive - but you still want to achieve the same look at an affordable price? (Let's face it - who doesn't?)

Trust me, I get this ALL the time. Even in magazines, where occasionally the products they feature are just samples and are never actually run, or are old stock and have already sold out - but problem is, you've already fallen head over heels in love. 

I know you hear me ladies; there's nothing more frustrating, right? So I'm dedicating one blog post a week to finding an affordable take on a chic and stylish outfit found from any variety of mediums.

It will either be an outfit I have come across and liked (but been unable to purchase for the aforementioned reasons); OR (and here's the really exciting part, bloggies) you can send me requests to seek out for pennies rather than pounds.

Sound fun? That's what I thought too.

I will do the first few, and if you like what you see, feel free to send me in a requested outfit!

THIS WEEK'S LOOK:

1. Origami Skorts (original from photo)

2. KATZ2 Cut-out Boots (original from photo)

3. Solid and Sheer T-shirt

4. Winged Handbag

5. Rose Gold Watch

6. Penny Square Sunglasses

[Where it feasible (and not astronomically expensive) I'll list the ACTUAL item if it's still in stock/I can find it!]

What sort of outfits are you lusting after as we move to AW'13?

ex oh ex oh,

Amant de la mode

it's time to begin, isn't it?

Happy day, beautiful.

And believe me, you are beautiful.

I’ve spent the last few weeks thinking a lot about beauty, and our perception of it. How people see others and more importantly, how they see themselves. I don’t think 99% of girls realise how truly beautiful they are. 

I’m not talking external, small-waist-long-legs-blonde-hair-and-blue-eyes beauty. I’m talking about being yourself, and that being truly beautiful, inside and out.

So there’s something I want you to do, go to the mirror, right now - with make-up, without make-up - and look at yourself. I mean really look at yourself. Drink it in, because this is YOU.

Stop worrying about your hair, it fits you just right. The scars on your body are precious, symbols of your journey, where you may have fallen, but are now standing here in front of me.  When you smile, there’s this wonderful sparkle in your eye. Your hands are perfect and unique. You have a good heart and you conquer every day no matter what it throws it at you. 

I don’t care if you’re over-weight or under-weight, or average, whether you have large or small breasts, whether you are tall or short, or the colour of your skin, or if you have acne or crooked teeth, or one eye is smaller than the other. I don’t care that you have a little pooch on your tummy, or that you have wrinkles under your eyes, I don’t care if you have large hips, or big feet, and you shouldn’t care either, because as long as these body parts are a part of you, they are beautiful.

There are three very important words that every girl should learn and MEAN: I. love. myself.

While you’re there, for what may be the first time, properly looking at yourself in the mirror - who you are; who you have become; and who you continue to grow to be - say these words to yourself. Repeat them if you have to until they sink in. No matter what anyone says, no matter what society deems ‘pretty’ – you are more than that. No girl should ever be confined to a 5 letter word. 

You will be: ‘pretty’ intelligent, ‘pretty’ amazing, ‘pretty’ funny, ‘pretty’ incredible, but you will never be merely ‘pretty’. You are BEAUTIFUL.

As someone who knows exactly how it feels to think you’re not ‘pretty’, to feel like you’re not what the magazines say you should be, to feel like you’re not quite good enough, I think sometimes we all need to read words like these. 

Someone loves you just as you are, at this very moment. So love yourself. Know what you are.  

Know what I see when I look at you.

ex oh ex oh,

Amant de la mode

we sang along to the start of forever

Hey gorgeous!

Another outfit of the day, a little different from the last (you may come to notice from this blog I have a fairly eclectic style - one day girly, the next trussed up like a complete boy!). I recently got the Topshop lace bardot crop from a sample sale at a steal of a price, and I'm in love with it. The fit is perfect and I am really into the off-shoulder style at the moment (even though it is a bit 90's!)

So today's outfit is very feminine, 'Mad Men'-esque and shapely!

Top: (originally) Topshop

Skirt: Topshop

Satchel: Topshop

Belt: Primark

Watch: ASOS

Jewellery: Primark/Topshop mix!

Boots: Topshop

The 'Parton' boots were one of my most recent purchases and I must talk about them for just a second, because they are incredible:

When it comes to boots generally, my first port of call is usually Topshop. Although they can get a little pricey (and these are no exception!) I always find that they're original designs, go with everything, and have a heel height that's casual enough to wear all day, but high enough to either wear out or smarten up a really dressed down outfit!

As soon as I saw these boots I knew I had to have them - they're more than I'd usually pay, but the last pair I bought (Alexandra's - click here for a photo) have lasted me around 2 years and are still going strong. They were a complete investment and my absolute favourite pair of shoes ever. 

What I love about these in particular is the gold accents, angle at the ankle and slightly pointed toe. They're ultra feminine but the gold gives makes them a bit of "stand-out" factor. To top it all they're from Topshop's premium range and are real leather, so you just know they'll last.

The fully black pair has sold out since I got them, but they're constantly bringing out updates on them. If I could afford to I'd buy the whole lot!

What have you been saving your pennies up for this Spring/Summer?

ex oh ex oh

Amant de la mode