A/W13 edit: The shoes

Ah finally gotten round to doing the winter shoes edit! I've literally spent the last couple hours searching for shoes, I feel like one those cartoon characters with the pictures spinning round their heads! This is mainly for daytime shoes, I'm not even going to venture into the masses of different types of heels there are out there but if I find some particularly nice ones I will post them, maybe a collage..

The Ankle Boot.

 (left to right) F&F @ Tesco £18

Dorothy Perkins £29

AX Paris £47

I haven't really done a splurge and save option this month as quite a few I just fell in love with and couldn't find a cheaper alternative. First up is the ankle boot. These are everywhere at the moment, and they will literally go with anything! I think my favourite are the chocolate strap ones from Dorothy Perkins, mainly because they look quite slouchy which means they wouldn't be too tight round your leg. There's nothing worse than having your jeans bunch up at the ankle because your boots are too skin tight. I like the detail as well, studs are a big thing this year as well as you can see on the most expensive pair from AX Paris. I like the buckle detailing across the front and they just stood out to me but I'm not entirely sure if they'd be a little too in your face with the studs as well as the chunky buckles. The cheapest pair is from  Tesco (I swear I do not get paid for bigging up Tesco every other post!). These are really simple but the little buckle fastening over the side gives it a little something extra and for only £18 I think they're going to have to go onto my ever growing wish list.

The Biker boot.

(from left to right) Select £20

River Island £45

New look £64.99

I've tried to find a cheaper option for each and these tan studded pair from select at only £20 aren't too bad! Pair them with some jeans, a white tee and leather jacket and you'd be all set for those cold rainy days. Something about this pair from river island caught my eye. I love the fact that they're really unique with the zip detailing going all the way round the opening. Simple way to stop them being just another boring pair of black buckle biker boots. This pair from New look remind a bit of a pair of cowboy boots, (which I'm determined to get a real authentic pair of!) I love the distressed look to the leather and again they're buckled. Don't think you're going to find many pairs of boots this season without them!

Over the knee

(from left to right) Faux Suede boots, Ebay £19.99 (+6.99 P&P)

AX Paris £39.99

New Look £39.99

Okay so both the pair from AX Paris and New Look are quite expensive, but they are nice! I'm not sure I'd wear the brown ones myself mind you. They look pretty good quality though so bound to keep you dry and warm throughout the winter. I love the Kelly Brook pair from New look. I would have nowhere to where them and they'd kill my feet but they have that certain Julia Roberts Pretty woman feel to them and we all need our pair of 'hooker heels' don't we? The cheapest pair (on the left) are from a Chinese seller on Ebay. I know quite a lot of people can be skeptical of buying off of Ebay, but the trick is to find the ones advertising in UK sizes, like this one and also to check their star rating over the past 12 months. Quite a few of the clothing items are all one size and there's no way I'd fit into the same thing the gorgeous model in the picture is as the women are pretty tiny in China. But I think this pair would be pretty worth it. they come in a range of different colours and even if they aren't for you, they accept returns so you won't lose out on any money! 

The ballet flats.

Left - Forever 21 £18.90

Right - New Look £17.99

Pretty similar prices here, but totally different shoes. Again the forever 21 pair are studded, but I think this adds to the shoe in a really good way, they'd be good for a night out or a day shopping! The pair from New Look are my favourite out of the two, I love the lace detailing covering the shoes and the bow just adds a little something extra to give it a real fancy feel. I know ballet flats (or dolly shoes as we call them here) aren't necessarily always practical for this time of year, but they'd be great for a party or a meal out as well as for those rare dry days we get in Winter worn with a skirt or dress and some tights :)

The wedge.

Left - New Look £24.99

Right - Select £20

Two very different types of wedge here. The new look pair are more for a night on the town or a nice meal, aaand there's more buckles! I know there are plenty of wedges that are pretty much the same as these without the buckles, but I think they always look so plain! They're quite high, so I don't think I'd buy them myself, they'd end up on half the night and then being cursed for giving me blisters the other half! They are nice though and quite reasonably priced. The pair of wedge trainers are so in right now, I've seen them everywhere! Great for those of you who want a little extra height during the day or who love heels and just want something casual. They look really comfy as well and I love the fact they're not just plain black. Might have to purchase them if I go in Select anytime soon.

The casual 'everyday' shoe

Left - Converse @ Bank £45

Right - Superdry @ Bank £65

Everyone needs a good old pair of Converse taking lead of their shoe collection. I'm ashamed to say I don't actually own a pair, but I really need to get some soon! Maybe for Christmas.. Converse are literally the comfiest shoes I've ever worn and they go with absolutely anything. The Superdry pair are similar to converse high tops, and they look so darn comfy and will see you right through winter and probably be worn for years to come, just like the low top converse. Out of the two, I definitely lean towards the converse, mainly because of price and I find it easier to wear jeans with low top trainers.

Well there you have it! There's my official A/W picks for casual (mostly) shoes; some of them at a right steal price! Have you seen any other styles you've fallen in love with on the shelves lately? Let me know below :)

Hope you all had a great weekend xo.

The A/W edit: Coats of winter

Well I woke up this morning to grey skies and am currently sat here typing this to you in my jamas with a blanket wrapped around me. I think it's safe to say it's getting colder! After this late summer, I'm convinced we're going to end up skipping autumn altogether and go straight into winter. I've see quite a few bloggers out there doing weekly posts so I thought I'd jump on the band wagon with my top picks for different items for autumn/winter every week. This week - coats. I have realised that my wardrobe only consists of thin hoodies, summer jumpers, and a couple of blazers; not the sort of layering up you want over the next couple months! So I've had a lazy but productive morning of scowering the internet and my most used sites to find some coats. I'll do a splurge and save on each item, just in case you fancy treating yourselves! 

1.  The leather

Left: Save - River Island £45

Right: Splurge - Religion @ Asos £190

I actually do have a leather jacket in my wardrobe that I got from Matalan last year (trust me it's a great jacket) but I've got down a couple sizes since then so I need to invest in a new one. Leather jackets are one of those amazing wardrobe staples that will go with anything and can be dressed up or down. I do love the Religion one, mainly because of the print, but I just don't have £190 to spend on a jacket even if it is 100% pure leather. :( If only!

2. The biker

Left: save - Boohoo £30

Right: Splurge - Missguided £48.99

Okay so the Missguided jacket isn't exactly a break the bank kind of price, but still. I just love the colour blocks and the suede look to the grey. I think this jacket would go great with most items and again like the leathers can be used with any outfit, as long as it's not too grey. The Boohoo jacket caught my eye because of the on trend stud detailing and also because pastel colours are still huge for autumn and winter so you'll be bang on trend in this one!

3. The parka

Left: Splurge - Topshop £95

Right: Save -  Boohoo £38

Yes Boohoo again, I love online brands, less chance of people wearing the same thing as you. I've wanted a parka jacket for ages. Me and my friend spent our town's summer festival lusting after every one we saw and they seem to be everywhere! The Boohoo one is affordable, great style and not too long, which I have found can be an issue with quite a lot of them I've tried on. The Topshop one, although expensive looks so so so warm! The borg lining is actually detachable so if you are prone to getting a tad hot and sweaty while wearing coats (like me) then this would be the coat for you. Again its a great length, and I think this khaki colour goes great with the acid wash trend that's been quite big this year.

4. The mac

Left: Splurge - Warehouse £85

Right: Save - Missguided £58.99

I know that neither of these are particularly cheap, but I've been lusting after this Missguided jacket ever since it went online about a month ago. It comes in three other colours as well and I love the leather sleeves, just breaks it up and stops it from looking so plain which can be an issue with black macs. I also love the fact it's got kind of a biker style to the fastening and ah I think I'm going to have to buy it.. just unfortunately isn't in stock in my size at the moment! Onto the splurge one, I don't really shop at warehouse, but I love this mac too. I don't necessarily love it for £85 but I think the style and belt detailing gives it a bit of a unique feel.

Well there's week one! Going to be keeping an eye out for bags over the next week so check back next Tuesday for my edit! 

A/W 13: the trends.

I've been googling around all the usual fashion mags - Elle, Cosmo etc - having a look at the trends for this autumn/winter. I love this time of year, all the colours and leaves, granted I'm not a fan of the wind and rain, but nothing compares to those beautiful autumn mornings when you get to wrap up in a big coat and scarf! I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite trends that caught my eye and I'll be trying to incorporate into my wardrobe over the next couple of months.

First up the make up trends. I love love love all the plum! I don't entirely think I myself could pull of those dark plum lips, I'm much too pale, but I would definitely incorporate it into a smokey eye or my nails. I'm also loving the gold and orangey hues that are going around. Of course they sneak in at some point every year, but it's great how big the nail art trend is this year and there are so many ways to change it up, or attempt to if you don't have a steady hand! 

I am a creature of habit. I tend to stick to my tried and tested style throughout autumn and winter, but this year I've vowed to change it up a little. I love the colour pops in accessories this season, and royal blue is one of my favourite colours at the moment! Might just have to get this bag soon.. I am in love with Kelly Brook right now, and this dress and leather jacket is just something that I think would be perfect for days out shopping with the girls, would be great for nights out too! (definitely going on my to buy list) Another trend that's caught my eye is the tartan trend. I love a good shirt and they're great for when it's not too cold but you still need a little covering. This outfit is featured in River Island's new collection. The grunge trend is also pretty big this season, but after spending my teen years a tad gothy, think I'm going to steer clear of that one!

What trends are you all looking forward to splashing the cash on?