A Topshop(ping) Experience...

So I haven’t blogged in a while because I’m becoming lazy. Every night I get home from work and I think to myself, I must pay my beautiful blog some attention tonight. And I never do.

That changes now. My blog lovin’ is back and I promise not to ditch you for any of the following ever again: work, the mister, wedding plans, tired eyes.

As a result of increased penny pinching thanks to said wedding plans, my List of Lust has grown tenfold of late. The things I covet are still sadly that. But there may be one special item winging its way to me thanks to my darling cousin who is heading off on a shopping holiday to Hong Kong – lucky duck. As all you fashion darlings out there will know, Hong Kong is a mecca for designer clothes, shoes and handbags, at a fraction of the price you would pay here.

Step in my desire for a Mulberry Alexa – a splurge I simply cannot justify here, despite having to literally tear myself away from the Mulberry store in Westfield every time I (go out of my way to) walk past it. However, in Hong Kong, the object of my desire is significantly cheaper. And depending on how much cheaper, I will soon be the proud owner of a camel coloured, over-sized Alexa which will swing from my arm with such passion that people in the streets will stop and gasp. *intake of breath*

However, despite the aforementioned penny pinching I do still try to treat myself "every now and again" and after payday last Friday I felt there was no better time than to flex my debit card - and pay my dream bag a long overdue visit - at Westfield.

It's been quite some time since I've had a proper blow-out at Topshop - as excited as I get when I walk into the Oxford Street store (cue all those fabulous accessories on the ground floor) sometimes I'm left decidedly underwhelmed and disappointed. I think it's because my expectations are so high that I often have such a hit or miss experience with Topshop. However, I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that last weekend's spree was, indeed, a HIT.

I can sometimes be a bit of a one-trick pony when it comes to my clothes. I love fashion but when it comes to what I actually wear I tend to stick to what I know suits and looks good on me. I take Gok Wan very seriously and when I'm trying new clothes on my mantra is often "what would Gok say" - because let's face, boyfriend knows how to dress a girl to suit her shape. I live in my skinny jeans, ballet pumps, flip flops or converse depending on my mood and my tops of choice (particularly for work) are generally sheer blouses with a fitted vest underneath. But on Saturday I really felt like taking a risk (a risk for me anyway) and put together an outfit that I always wanted to wear, but never quite dared to... I fell in love when I saw Topshop's amazing leopard print Maccoy Chelsea ankle boots - they took me back to when I was seven years old and Chelsea boots had just come (back? I don't know, I was only seven) into fashion - minus the leopard print of course. I tried them on and that was it. A match made in leopard print heaven.

Next up was the amazing charcoal skull print t-shirt. I'm a bit of a muso, and the mister considers himself a total rockstar so naturally I've been wanting release my inner rock goddess for quite some time - and how better to do that than rock out to the Stones while wearing my amazing new skull t-shirt? To finish the look I knew it could only be one thing: cut off denim hot pants. But not quite hot pants because I don't fancy showing the entire world what I had for breakfast - at least not until I can look at my toosh and say 'Kylie eat yer heart out love'.

So that was it. I promised myself one kick-ass outfit and I got it. No more spending. Until I clapped eyes on a stunning coral eighties style power-jacket that I knew would be "just perfect" for work (cue extreme eye rolling from Stan) and a sheer black blouse with floral print. Five items from Topshop - in one day. I couldn't believe my luck. My purse couldn't believe my nerve. My mister couldn't believe I was spending money on "even more clothes and stupid animal print shoes" - HA shoes, shows how much he knows.

So here they are my lovelies...my new wardrobe darlings...aahh j'adore... xBBx

London Calling...

Having finally packed the last of my bags and bid a fond farewell to Glasgow, I am now officially settled in London – in my new house in the gorgeous West Ealing – and am all set to start my amazing new job on Monday.

After all the trauma of the past five months, life finally seems pretty sweet. There’ll be no more stressing out about work, money, knowing whether or not I made the right decision to switch from journalism to PR – and I’ll certainly feel a lot happier about not being in Australia anymore (the fact that the weather in London is somewhat better than Glasgow is a big plus too).

I surprised myself at how good I was when it came to packing and deciding what to take with me, what to leave behind and what I really should donate to charity. Deciding which shoes to leave in Glasgow was a bit like deciding which of my children I should take on holiday and which ones I should leave with their nanny. But I got there in the end. The story of my clothes was a bit easier – I had a major clear-out before and after Australia and 99% of everything hanging up in my wardrobe was to come with me. But not before I hit the shops in Glasgow with my mum for some last minute “work essentials” (i.e. any excuse to go shopping).

Luckily for me my new office has a ‘smart casual’ dress-code – my favourite kind of work wear – so I treated myself to a new pair of super skinny jeans from Gap (anyone who knocks Gap is a moron, they do the best jeans for every size and the quality of the denim is second to none), a stunning purple summer dress from (wait for it) Wallis of all places – I spotted it through the window when we were passing the shop and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It’s amazing and I can’t wait for a hot sunny day to give it a showing off. And if it’s a little bit chilly outside, it’s going to be perfect with leggings and boots. Next stop was River Island for a gorgeous taupe and cream lily pattered kimono-style jacket. Smart-casual fabulous with skinny jeans, a plain vest top and neutral coloured pumps. And speaking of neutral coloured pumps, my next purchase was exactly that from Dune, followed swiftly by a pair of petrol blue coloured leather flats from Pied a Terre – rocking major toe cleavage in those bad boys. Finally (and wasn’t my mum, not to mention our poor little tootsies, relieved) it was off to Topshop for some basic essentials – two vest tops (in taupe and green) and a bright blue sleeveless body. Perfecto!

We finished our little spree off with afternoon tea in the Willow Tea Rooms on Buchanan Street to celebrate – but I’m not sure if we were celebrating my new job or the fact that the spending was finally over!