Statement Shades!

With the sun eventually making a prolonged appearance (it's almost non-existent in North East England) I think it's about time I shared one of my fashion must haves - sunglasses. Not only are they essential in the summer, but they're perfect all year round. The winter sun glaring down on the bright white snow can be blinding! My opinion on sunglasses is that you should have one pair that sees you through all trends, such as the Wayfarer or Clubmaster which you splurge on (Ray-Ban), and then each year you can follow the trend by buying another pair from somewhere such as Topshop where they aren't too expensive. So here are some of my favourite styles and where you can find them!

1. Festival Brow Sunglasses, Topshop. This classic clubmaster style is both fashionable but not too 'in your face'. You can find this style almost anywhere, from George @ ASDA (in store), to Ray-Ban.

Alternative items: Aztec Clubmaster Sunglasses, Topshop // Mono Stripe Brow Sunglasses, Topshop // Festival Brow Detail Sunglasses, Topshop // Leopard Printed Brow Sunglasses, Topshop // Snake Print Brow Sunglasses, Topshop // Pearlised Brow Flat Top Sunglasses, Topshop // Etched Arm Plastic Frame Sunglasses, UO // Vintage Surplus Crystal Soho Sunglasses, UO

2. Cat Eye Sunglasses With Multi Frame, ASOS. Cat eye sunglasses aren't new by any means but they seem to be this seasons must have shades in terms of trends. Celebrities such as Kate Moss, Florence Welch (Florence & the Machine) and Jessica Alba have been seen wearing this style recently, and retailers have been going super OTT in terms of making these shades really stand out, with bright colours and added metallic embellishments. Definitely THE statement sunnies. 

Alternative items: Ridge Cat Eye Sunglasses, ASOS // Cat Eye Sunglasses with Bug & Flower Detail, ASOS // Cheap Monday Feline Cat Eye Sunglasses, ASOS // Metal Arm Cats Eyes Sunglasses, Topshop (I LOVE THESE ONES!) // Sapphire Jewelled Sunglasses, Topshop // Cat Eye Tonal Sunglasses, Stella Mccartney

3. Hearts Sunglasses, Chicwish. Think Lana Del Rey, Lindsay Lohan and Lolita, these girly sunglasses are a throwback to the sixties, the decade of love! Perfect for the hight of summer, heart shaped sunglasses are fabulous. 

Alternative items: Polka Dot Heart Sunglasses, Topshop //  Heart Shaped Sunglasses, ASOS // Tula Heart Sunglasses, boohoo.com // Angel Hearts Sunglasses, M&S // Vintage Surplus Lolita Heart Sunglasses, UO

4. Wayfarer, Ray-Ban. These are another classic style made popular by Ray-Ban and the list of celebrities seen wearing them over the years is endless. Wayfarers had their heyday in the 50's and 60's, but were made popular again in the 80's after a product placement agreement with many famous TV shows and movies in America (The Breakfast Club anyone?), and now in the 2000's they're making a huge comeback with the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Kate Moss, Jude Law (they're definitely not just for girls), Beyoncé, Brad Pitt, Sienna Miller and Kirsten Dunst (just to name a few) wearing them. 

Alternative items: Triwa Ernest Tortoiseshell Sunglasses, UO // Burgundy Metal Arm Sunglasses, UO // Grey Glitter Think Frame Sunglasses, UO // Jungle Frame Surfrider Sunglasses, UO // Mink Pink Tough Luck Sunglasses, UO // Print Flat Top Sunglasses, Topshop // Snake Arm Flat Top Sunglasses, Topshop // Warehouse 50's Style Sunglasses, ASOS // Marc by Marc Jacobs Brown and Cream D Shaped Sunglasses, ASOS // Jeepers Peepers Winston Tortoise Shell Waferer Sunglasses, ASOS // Dolce and Gabanna Matt Silk Pink Glitter Sunglasses, ASOS

5. Retro Lens Aviator, Topshop. Aviators are again another classic associated with Ray-Ban, but don't assume you have to pay top price for these glasses. Almost every high street store will have these shades, so check them out. 

Alternative items: Aviator Titanium, Ray-Ban // Chain Trim Aviator Sunglasses, Topshop // Metal Aviator Sunglasses, Topshop 

6. Extreme Bug Sunglasses, Topshop. Round sunglasses are extremely popular this year, so why not channel your inner John Lennon and try them out! Go big or go small, it's up to you. 

Alternative items: Round Metal, Ray-Ban // Lucky Punch Out Arm Sunglasses, Topshop // Swallow Trim Round Sunglasses, Topshop // Metal Inner Round Tortoiseshell Sunglasses, UO 

Summer = Gym

Summer is coming up and although I don't have a holiday booked this year I'm still hoping there will be some decent weather in Britain, which means bikinis, crop tops and shorts. I'm not the skinniest girl in the world, nor am I fat, but I could do with losing a little bit of weight. Recently I've been extremely unhealthy, eating chocolate and drinking coke every single day and not doing a bit of exercise. So I'm going to start going to the gym to get fit and healthy. My theory is if I buy myself some new sweatpants then I'll have more motivation to go, as I can't stand buying something and not wearing it. Here are some things I've found. Whether it's bright and bold, plain or patterned, there should be something here for you. I hope you like them! 

1. Petite Speckled Sweatpants, ASOS // 2. Sweatpants in Lace Effect, ASOS // 3. Nike Ankle Length Sweatpants, ASOS //    4. Denim & Supply By Ralph Lauren Cloud Printed Sweatpants, ASOS

(I'd like to point out that I didn't crop these images, they were like that already. I wouldn't chop the top of someones head off!)

5. Side Numer Joggers, Topshop // 6. Tie Dye Joggers, Topshop // 7. Swallow Print Joggers, Topshop //    8. Animal Embroidered Joggers, Topshop

Fashion designer Ralph Lauren created Fashion Targets Breast Cancer in 1994 after losing a close friend to the disease. Lauren was inspired to use what he knew best, fashion, to help breast cancer charities across the world.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer launched Fashion Targets Breast Cancer in the UK in 1996. Since then they've worked with some of the world's biggest names in fashion and media including Naomi 
Campbell, Cate Moss, Georgia May Jagger and Mario Testino. 

They raise funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer through sales of specially designed products, working with M&S, River Island, Topshop, Warehouse, Coast, Laura Ashley and Debenhams, as well as online store my-wardrobe.com. They choose items each year from their Spring/Summer collections and give at least 30% of the price to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. 

Here are some of the things you can get from those highstreet stores!

1. White Bird Print Oversized T-Shirt, River Island // 2. Chancey Dress, Coast // 3. Love Tee, Topshop // 4. Feather Tribal Print Vest, Warehouse // 5. Multi Tie Dye Bikini Top, M&S (Launches 2nd May) // 6. Multi Tie Dye Bikini Bottoms, M&S (Launches 2nd May) // 7. Pink Bracelet, River Island (Available in stores) // 8. Palm Tree Mirror Keyring, Topshop // 9. Trim Denim Shorts, M&S (Launches 2nd May)

Visit www.fashiontargetsbreastcancer.org.uk to find out more information about the cause, or to find more beautiful fashion items to buy! Remember, at least 30% of the price goes to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

5 Things I Love

1. Tanya Whelan - I adore her fabrics so much, and if my ideas come together for my own Etsy shop, then I know which fabrics I'll be using! 

2. Tommypom & Friends - If you don't know who TommyPom is then I'm judging you! Not really. But if you don't then you definitely need to head to Tumblr right now and search for him. He's Mackenzie Kosut's pet Pomeranian, and Mackenzie works at Tumblr HQ in NY, and Mackenzie takes Tommy to work, therefore Tommy works at Tumblr! Yeah, Tumblr staff can take their pets into work. Undoubtedly Tommy is the most famous of the Tumblr dogs, but he does have a range of friends including Gozer and HomerJayPug who work at Tumblr with him. They're all super cute and most of them have their own blogs. Cool, right? 

3. Topshop's Spring/Summer Trend, 'Railroad' - "Impulsive travellers take note, we're jumping aboard a style train headed straight for 1950s Americana." Need I say more? See the trend here.

4. Old Typewriters

5. Revolution, 10pm Fridays on Sky 1 (UK)

Suits and Co-ords

A big look this summer is suits. Matching tops and bottoms are a top trend, but they don't have to be masculine, nor do they really need to be suits. Feminine versions include crop tops and shorts, so there's something for everyone. A couple of designers including Marc Jacobs and Simone Rocha have shown this trend using stripes and neon colours. 

Here are a few I've found on the high street and online. Floral prints are on trend again this spring/summer so the two go perfectly together. 

1. Geo Jacquard Longline Blazer and Trousers, Topshop, £125 // 2. Paisley Jacquard Crop Top and Shorts, Topshop, £70 // 3. Floral Piped Crop Top and Hip Skater Skirt, Topshop, £70 // 4. Aztec Notch Neck Jacket and Skirt, Topshop, £100 // 5. Paisley Jacquard Crop Top and Trousers, Topshop, £87

The Dreaded 'Smart Casual'

You feel like you're ready for your interview - you've had your nails manicured, your hair trimmed and you've picked out your smartest clothes - and then you realise that the dress code is 'smart casual'. Your heart sinks. What is smart casual? What do I wear? Well, don't panic, it's easy. Here I'll show you a few possible combinations for your interview that will surely meet the dress code.

A blouse is a great alternative to a typical stiff shirt; it's less 'banker' and more feminine whilst still looking smart. Adding a pair of jeans gives the outfit a casual edge, but when wearing jeans make sure you stay away from trainers/tennis shoes! Both of these items together is too casual.

A simple vest top can be smartened up with a blazer jacket, but isn't overly smart like a shirt and blazer. Again a pair of jeans is perfect with this outfit, but if jeans aren't your thing then black trousers should work fine. Don't overdo it on the accessories - pick one or two items that stand out, but aren't in your face. A collar necklace is ironic but fits well, looking both smart and casual. If you have to walk far then try to find pair of shoes that are comfortable, but are still dressy. Ankle boots work great.

When choosing a bag, make sure you have enough room for all of your 'interview items'. The interviewer should tell you what you need to take along. A structured handbag is ideal, as well as a satchel. Avoid backpacks! Whilst they're in fashion at the moment I still feel like they are too casual.

March Wishlist

1. Pashley Poppy Bicycle

The rest of the items on my wishlist centre around this. I've wanted a bike for a while, and now that spring is pretty much here, and summer is right around the corner, it seems like the perfect time. I visited my local bike shop and got some ideas from them about what I needed, and they gave me some websites to have a look at. I showed the list to my step-dad who is an avid cyclist and he recommended for me to try Pashley. A couple of styles caught my eye so I went to a bike shop that stocked Pashley's and asked to see this bike - the Poppy. As soon as I saw it I knew it was the one - the classic style and pastel blue colour were exactly what I'd been looking for. The only thing that stopped me taking it there and then was the price - £450. It is less than I expected but I just don't have the money right now, so I need to start saving, and quick. Like I said - summer is just around the corner. 

2. Pashley Lunchbox Saddle Bag

Using cute accessories is the best way to personalise my bike, and Pashley have a gorgeous range of bags. The problem is that they're quite expensive. This one runs at £145, more than I'm willing to pay right now. However, if I find a job that pays well I don't see why I shouldn't treat myself as I'm yet to find one that I like as much as this. There is also another style of saddle bag that I like on their website which is a lot cheaper so maybe I'll go for that one instead. 

3. Pashley Wicker Basket

I will definitely be buying myself a wicker basket for my bike and I am leaning towards to Pashley one. It seems like a good idea to buy the same make as my bike as it should fit nicely and tie in with the style of the bike. I am excited to customise the basket though, hopefully with different fabrics to create a cover for whatever I have in there, or to line the basket with. Also, weaving flowers through the wicker is something I want to try. Of course, when I get it I will experiment with all kinds of things and see what works well, and will document my experiments right here for you.

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Pashley Cycles is England's longest established bicycle manufacturer. Founded in 1926 and based in Stratford-upon-Avon, their dedicated team design and hand-build a unique range of specialist bicycles and tricycles.

Favourite February Buys

I spent a lot of money last month, and only now am I realising it. But there were a few things I got that I definitely do not regret buying, and here they are.

1. Topshop Geometric Cut Out Necklace

I love this necklace so much - it looks great tightly fastened with a shirt or blouse on their own or under a jumper. Unfortunately I cannot find it on the Topshop website but it may still be available in stores. I got this one at the Metro Centre in Gateshead. I buy a lot of my costume jewellery from Topshop so its worth having a look to see what else they have.

2. Topshop Satchel

I've been looking for a satchel for so long that I'd almost given up hope. Whenever I found one they were always too expensive or not the type I was after, but then I saw this one in Topshop and fell in love. The baby pink edging goes really well with the grey of the bag, and I find I can use this with just about any outfit. Plus, at £28 it's a steal! (The colour on the website looks a lot lighter than what it actually is)

3. Topshop Nail Varnish in Firework

This nail varnish is super cute and pretty subtle for a glitter nail varnish. It could be worn on its own or as a top coat. It's kind of similar to Nails Inc's holographic topcoat except it has a purple tint instead of silver, plus its not as see-through. It's also half the price! I'm always impressed with Topshop nail varnishes and I find them a lot better than the more expensive Nails Inc ones. Definitely give them a try - there's a colour for everyone!