2011: a retrospective

feeling inspired after reading miss tallulah porkchop's 'the year that was' i thought i'd do my own summary of 2011. at first i only focused on the rubbish stuff related to the situation i'm in now but when i got to really thinking about everything that's gone on, it hasn't been all bad.

1. went on holiday with just my friends for the first time and it was one of the most fun times of my life so far.

2. got my degree and a not too shabby one at that.

3. didn't date one single boy (and perhaps more worryingly still haven't realised what i'm doing wrong)

4. moved out of london, the city i love, and back in with my parents. a huge shock after 3 years of independent living in a huge bustling metropolis.

5. bought my first leather jacket which i hope lasts for years to come.

6. realised the job i want to do and in the same year given up the dream of doing it. recession you suck.

7. didn't get a tattoo, the first year i haven't since turning 18.

8. started wearing lipstick, you'd never guess that now looking at me.

9. broke my first bone, it was only a toe but it still counts.

10. had my hair cut professionally for the first time in 2 years.

i know it doesn't sound like the most thrilling year but at the moment i keep focusing on everything that currently sucks in my life (stuff i won't bore anymore people with) and i just need to remind myself that this year hasn't been a complete waste of time and i want to look back and remember some of the good times.

p.s. i'm aware this post should be accompanied by a giant #WHITEGIRLPROBLEMS

happy birthday daddy!

his first car!

even if you are generally a grumpy ole bastard these days i love you lots!

a little bit of christmas

aren't my sisters and mother total babes? the answer is yes.

christmas cards courtesy of birds in hats

hi, sorry i've been such a bad blogger, is anyone even still reading this? christmas is a busy time for me, i'm a little elf in my house, no word of a lie.

my lovely friend alice of birds in hats was kind enough to send me some of her adorable christmas cards that she's selling on her etsy shop. as if i wasn't in love with them enough she's now done a selection with GLITTER HATS. they're amazing, if you want people to like you then you should do the sensible thing and send them a bird in a hat on a christmas card.

like birds in hats on facebook here

happy birthday luke pooch!

to one of my best friends & my most avid blog reader,

happy birthday darling!

hope you enjoyed some of our best bits (bits!)

i love you so much, can't wait to see you friday

love coxy 

xxxxxx

christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat

my first batch of mince pies of the year! although these are technically actually mincemeat palmiers (recipe here) that i made this afternoon whilst listening to my christmas playlist that i created about 3 years but is still going strong (spotify link here if you wanna have a listen). despite nearly having completed my christmas shopping i still don't feel in the spirit yet but this afternoon has definitely helped! 

next up: homemade christmas cards & gingerbread!

gift guide: for your big brother who your cat loves more than she does you & has seen every film ever

clockwise from top left

ninja russian dolls / ebay / around £15.00 ( see also robot russian dolls)

beatles t-shirts / 1. george @ asda £7.00 / 2. florence & fred @ tesco £8.00

luxury drinking chocolate / hotel chocolat / £10.00

peep show series 1-7 / amazon /  £25.97

hoody (because he only has one and has worn it to death) / topman /  £30.00

y'all ready for this?

as if velour vans weren't heart racing enough, vans have now teamed up with beauty & youth to bring us a CORDUROY collection. prepare to be amazed.

BUT i think they're only made for boys. stab.

bloc (heel) party

just because we're meant to be spending our money on our loved ones doesn't mean we can't treat ourselves a little bit right? these boots are currently in the peacocks sale for £15.00, unfortunately (or fortunately for some) online the leopard print ones are only left in a size 6 and the blue suedette ones only available in a 3. 

christmas dress

because every girl's gotta have one.

dress / g21 / £16.00

and before anyone goes thinking that this is me pictured above, I WISH I LOOKED LIKE THAT.

holiday gift guide: for your older sister who has an obsession with animal print, glam rock & drummers

as people who know me in real life will know, i'm not in a great employment/ financial situation right now so as much as i'd love to spend a lot on my loved ones its just not possible. so as the holiday season is upon us i shall be composing some gift guides on a budget, i also think its quite fun scouring for something on the cheap that you know that certain individual will love rather than just throwing money at things that you know anyone would be happy to receive.

kiss tote bag / ebay / £12.00

sequin hip flash / urban outfitters / £12.00

leopard print dinner mats / h&m / £7.99

pyjama bottoms / new look / £12.99

claw bangle / topman / £12.00

cheetah & leopard print snood / river island / £13.00

cool kids with cats viii

twiggy

katharine ross

cher

patti smith

stunner

via olsens anonymous

sparkle and flash

wah i'm crying real tears because i'll never own this dress. 

an adventure in solitude

this outfit is perfect! i want this romwe shirt so bad! i entered several romwe voucher giveaways on various blogs in an attempt to get my hands on it but alas twas not meant to be.

meet jasmine

she likes boys, spooning and sleeping under the covers.

november wishlist

here's a little round up of things on my current wishlist (you know the drill: all under £30)

clockwise from top left

faux fur gilet / george @ asda / £25.00

ribcage t-shirt / orange circle / £13.49

striped leggings / ebay / £6.64 (and free p+p)

hiking boots / george at asda / £18.00

datter industries jewellery design

i love these designs from datter industries! all handmade in new york by illustrator kaye blegvad (the same woman responsible for this feather garland) i think they're so dainty and feminine but at the same time definitely keeping with my style. if someone's feeling generous i could really do with that tiny skull necklace, thanks!

tis the sequin season

so yeah i watch strictly come dancing, its not a guilty pleasure i'm too ashamed to admit, as well as its accompanying weekday programme 'it takes two' presented by the delightful zoe ball (she makes up for awful tess daly). now i'm not a huge fan of sequins but every evening i find myself loving what zoe wears, its always an awesome mixture of velour, leopard print,  leather and of course sequins, many many sequins. 

(apologies for the top two they were screen grabs from bbc iplayer) 

i admit that sequins aren't for everyone, maybe not even for me, but here's a collection of gloriously sequined treasures i've scouted from around the web and as per usual they're all under £30.00

clockwise from top left:

dress / new look / £24.99

shoes / m&s / £29.50 - an affordable homage to miu miu

skirt / h&m / £14.99

clutch bag / miss selfridge / £28.00 - this is my personal favourite.

and just in time for party season!

happy movember!

aren't these t-shirts awesome? if i had a guy i would definitely make him wear one of the cosmic ones..oh and make him grow a moustache. they're only £13.79, available from orange circle in a huge variety of colours and yes they do make women's versions too. 

more cushion for the..

ha sorry that title is a little crude but i do want to talk about cushions. i've blogged before about the excellent work coming from the fine cell work and i always appreciate a lovely cushion when i come across one shopping or browsing online yet, as you can see from above, my bed is pretty bare. i think these adorable matryoshka doll cushions would make a welcome addition.

if only they weren't so steep, i understand that these are from an independent seller (and actually relatively cheap in comparison to others) but even normally why is it that cushion covers are so pricey?  what would we do without primark, h&m home and of course ikea eh?

love is like the right dress on the wrong girl

i think elle or lucy might have posted photos from this shoot before but i absolutely adore it. if you don't love steven tyler, aerosmith or any of his beautiful daughters then please leave and never come back.

photos via andrew charles for his collaboration with tyler.

our most brilliant friends

my beautiful and extremely talented friend rhema recently interned at topshop and designed some pieces, today her first piece has made its way into this season's collection. watch this space for more amazing rhema gascoigne designs next season!

be amazing and buy it here.