With my blog picking up speed again and life distracting me, this season’s fashion month hasn’t been on my radar all that much but I asked those of you who follow me on Twitter if you’d like to see me do a few illustrations of what did catch my attention and you said yes! So, without further or do, here’s a small selection of my favourite collections from LFW Autumn Winter 2017…

~ ASHISH AW17 ~

I don’t think it was to anybody’s surprise that politics would be a huge theme throughout the upcoming season’s collections. Although I’m sure some people are opposed to the idea of focusing on a message rather than style, I think in current times it is vital we use as many platforms as possible to stand up for what we believe in, and fashion is one of the most important ways to do so, especially as what we wear is usually a good indicator of what is important to us.

Every piece in the collection was themed around something that is topical, especially within America, including diversity, unity and LGBTQ+ rights. It was still prominently ASHISH but it’s clear that it wasn’t just about creating a new collection, it was about showing that the industry and people within it will not stand for what is being proposed and changed. As one of the pieces suggest, there is a lot of unfinished business to be dealt with and I’m so thankful that it was ASHISH pointing it out.

~ FYODOR GOLAN AW17 ~

I love Fyodor Golan and upon looking a little closer at this collection (thanks to LOVE magazine), I love this collection too. Another collection which has a statement to it, a lot of the pieces were based around female empowerment and the ideas and values of a modern woman. There are also novelty elements like the velcro Post-It notes which to me, are some of the most creative novelty elements to a collection I’ve seen in a while.

I can’t help but also believe that the rainbows and bold colours mixed in with the love-themed slogans are also a nod to the idea of ‘love is love’. It’s current, it’s inventive and it’s strong. 

~ HOUSE OF HOLLAND AW17 ~

If I’m going to make the more political collections a focus of this post, then perhaps I should highlight House of Holland due to the fact it is heavily inspired by American themes and those iconic Wild West styles. If you’ve been following my reviews of fashion week for long enough then you’ll know I’ve dipped in and out with my love of HoH, but the prints and shapes are definitely a winner.

And tell me I’m mistaken but it also all seems rather ‘Bowie’ with those aforementioned shapes; fitted but with movement and life, and a whole lot of texture. I’m sure the slogan sweaters and tees will be a huge hit too.

~ ERDEM AW17 ~

A clash between British and Turkish influences, Erdem focused on combining classic traditions across the board. I always find with Erdem’s collections that they feel heavily luxurious and this is no exception. There were velvets and patchworking and ruffles and sheer embroidered dresses and there were beautifully dark jewel tones which felt perfectly autumn/winter.

It feels like the sort of collection you would find raiding an old vintage shop, with pieces from every kind of woman and every kind of past; a grandmother’s dressing up box.

What were some of your favourite LFW Autumn Winter 2017 collections? Would you like me to do and MFW round-up? Let me know in the comments!

Whilst I haven’t been blogging as much as usual, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what I’m doing on here, what I plan to do and what I’ve done so far, and it’s made me start to think about how the labels I’ve used have started to change and have started to develop. One of my biggest blogging characteristics is my age – I’m still a teen blogger, but I’ve started to realise that’s not what defines my presence on the internet anymore.

When I started blogging there were only a few teen, or tween, bloggers (aged from about 11-16) that were well known within the online world. It wasn’t a commonly known thing, so whenever I was asked about my blog and how young I was, there used to always be an element of surprise and intrigue, as well as questions about how I was coping at such a young age of 11. I was asked about what my parents thought and how they handled things; I was asked whether I knew how to cope with bullying and the other darker, scarier parts of the internet. It wasn’t really about what I wrote – it was about who I was as I wrote it.

You can still read my very first blog posts; they’re still live and I haven’t archived them even though there’s been a great temptation to do so. Looking at them now as a sixteen-year-old who’s been writing and creating for almost five years, they make me cringe and cave into that tempting thought of wiping the slate clean. I used to write about how you could recreate celebrity style when five years later I still genuinely don’t know who the Kardashian’s are and why they’re such a big deal.

People used to like what I wrote though because I had feedback and interaction and there was obviously an interest because I was getting asked to feature in magazines and travel to London for events and to film a pilot for a TV show, and all these sorts of exciting things… however, all of these features and all of this interest was mainly being given to me because of one thing – my age.

WHAT I WORE: Blue Floral Blouse (Jumble Sale) // Sparkly Black Maxi Dress (Charity Shop) // Vagabond Dioon (Mastershoe My-Shu)* // Jewellery (Unknown & Claire’s) 

I was a ‘tween’ blogger and it was what became my niche, even if it wasn’t intended. My content wasn’t necessarily unique or ground-breaking, but it supposedly was because the ground-breaking thing was who it was being written by. I wouldn’t usually share statistical matters with just anyone but if you must know, my biggest click back and referral to my website is still the article about teen bloggers I was featured in by The Telegraph Magazine. I was 12 years old, I was wearing what was technically a culturally appropriated piece of headwear and I was shooting most of my blog posts on an iPhone 3G.

I’m not trying to say that it’s all been an illusion and I don’t deserve the successes I’ve been given because trust me, it’s not been easy. Blogging isn’t easy. Being an 11-year-old and constantly updating a website and maintaining it, isn’t easy, and I can see why I was unique and ‘inspiring’, and why I still am in my own right.

In fact, all of the stresses and long nights of writing blog posts have made me understand why bigger names and voices get frustrated over the fact that their hard work is often overseen because no matter how big the industry is becoming now, it’s still seen as a hobby and something that anyone can do (well, technically anyone can, but not many are ready for the commitment).

What I’m trying to say is – now that I’m older, I’m growing out of that label. In fact, in about two years’ time, it won’t even be factually correct, because I’ll be an adult (yes, this blog is going to have seen my full transition from an 11-year-old to a fully-fledged ‘adult’), and guess what? You don’t really hear anyone calling themselves an ‘adult blogger’ do you? Unless, you know… you’re into that kind of thing.

And these days, I know I’m not the only one who soon won’t have a blog to base upon their original niche. Although there were only a few popular teen bloggers in 2012, there were still many opening up blogs and Tumblr accounts to give it a shot (I have proof in the form of dozens of emails asking for advice and guidance).

Teen bloggers aren’t a niche anymore because it’s so easy to start something at the click of a button. I’ve found out that a lot of my readers of the same age and younger are bloggers themselves, just by clicking on their Twitter profiles after receiving a reply or a like.

I don’t get asked whether I’m coping with cyberbullying or hate anymore; my parents are barely mentioned when I’m answering interview questions, and it’s all because five years on, people know of these issues and how they work. They’ve seen it hundreds of times over. Young people can make blogs and code their own social media platforms. It’s not new anymore, and that’s a hard honest fact to come to terms with.

So, if you’re reading this as a teen blogger (a blogger who is within the age range of around 11-16 years old), how do we redefine ourselves? How do we stand out and make sure that our young voices don’t get drowned out by the hundreds of others doing the same thing? How do we grow up as a teen blogger?

Ask yourself, why are you blogging?

If you’re known for being a young blogger, or your readers are young and they look up to you for the fact that they can relate to what you’re saying, you need to make sure that you’ve defined the niche that yourself and your readers will be able to grow up with. For me, it’s been a journey. I now class myself as an ethical fashion blogger (and aspiring fashion designer) because that’s what is important to me. If you write about teen beauty, specify what your core focus is on. You don’t have to label yourself as a ‘confidence blogger’ or an ‘acne blogger’, but make your core focus a key message throughout everything you do (more on this in the next point).

Labels aren’t everything, though. You don’t have to feel like you’re fixed in one position, because of the fact you’re going to change. You’re what you are in this specific moment in time, not forever.

Write a mission statement…

If you want to make a point about what you’re doing and you want to stand up for what you believe in, shout it! Write a mission statement and make it clear and precise as to what your goal is. Your readers will know what they’re there for and what they’ll be gaining at the same time. Start defining what part of being a teen blogger is most important to you. Here’s mine from my about page…

Let things change…

Don’t feel like you have to stick to a certain style or to a certain aesthetic just because that’s what you started with. I believe in creating a strong branding, but that doesn’t mean you can’t branch out and become the blogger and person you truly are. Allow your blog to grow up organically. Don’t force yourself into writing content just attract a certain audience. Let things change and develop. Think of yourself and your blog as a flower – you need to blossom and bloom.

…and accept it.

The hardest part is knowing that things have got harder and that being someone young online isn’t going to cause a stir. It might not have been why you started out, but it might have been what got you off the ground. It caused attention and it created your audience, but it might not necessarily do that anymore. It’s not just because of your age, it’s because of how much more choice there is. You have to accept the path things go, which is in fact, part of blossoming and blooming.

I’ve started to take this quote on board a lot, whether it’s to do with confidence or life in general – flowers are pretty but so are fairy lights and they look nothing alike. You can still have your own unique voice and still bloom into something individual and undefined by your age or another part of your personality or general being, and be successful and stand out. It really is about knowing what that is to you and watching people follow. In fact, I guess it’s about growing up in general – you have to work out who you are, first.

If you’re a teen blogger – how are you growing up online? Let’s chat in the comments!

Hello during this random blog post, the month and day of which coincide numerically with my expulsion from a uterus… yes, it’s my birthday! I’m officially sixteen… throw streamers, shoot out the confetti, pop the champagne (wait – can I drink that yet? 🤔) and get the balloons out because yeah, it’s my “sweet sixteenth”. Crazy, huh? I wonder if any of you have been here from the beginning? Let me know in the comments how long you’ve been reading! 1⃣6⃣ Today’s post is a little update! Hold on tight…

WHAT I WORE: Floral Denim Jacket (Jumble Sale) // Good Morning Sweatshirt (Wildfox)* // Blouse (Stradivarius) // Mom Jeans (Pull & Bear) // Mono Pascal Boots (Dr Martens) // Sunglasses (SCOUT)

Recently I’ve been having a bit of self-doubt, especially when it comes to my blog, so even though I know I shouldn’t, I’m going to apologise for the lack of content coming your way. I’m the sort of person who only really likes to put their best foot forward, or in this case, their best posts forward, so when I’m not especially proud of what I’m writing, I end up not publishing anything for a while. Luckily, I’m starting to realise that, that’s okay, but I just needed you to know, in case you’re wondering where I am at.

It always feels as if I have a lot more going on behind the scenes of my blog, rather than actually on it. For example, I just signed off the start of a new documentary style project that I’m going to be a part of (I can’t say much more just in case 1 – I’m not allowed, and 2 – something changes) and I’m still collaborating with different brands on upcoming features… it’s just the bit in between that I get a stuck with.

I know exactly the type of posts I want to put out, but it’s coming up with the individual ideas every four, or however many days. I also have to take into account that I’ve changed a lot in the past couple of years. My likes and dislikes have changed meaning that how I want to come across has been altered. At the moment I’m big on laid-back, carefree photography (inspired by film and polaroids) so my photoshopped profile pictures and header images don’t quite showcase that, do they?

Honestly, doing a whole overhaul of my blog has been on my mind recently… there are just several things in the way of stopping me, like formatting of old posts etc. I want readers to come to my blog and see who I am now rather than who I was before. I want to get rid of wishlist style posts and solely focus on my own, unique content. That‘s the dream.

But we can’t forget our origins, can we? Having all of my old posts creates an archive of all of the adventures and stories that have turned me into who I am, so stripping them away doesn’t show all of the hard work… it’s a real dilemma. I suppose what I’m trying to say is, right now, I think I need some time to figure everything out. I absolutely, one hundred percent, no doubt about it, want to keep my blog going, but I need to figure out how to keep it going.

So in the words of Tilly from Miranda; bear with, bear with, bear with.

BIRTHDAY PLAYLIST:
Take It Or Leave It (Cage The Elephant) 🎶
Whistle For The Choir (The Fratellis) 🎶
Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare (Matt and Kim) 🎶
Everyday (The Tragic Thrills) 🎶

I didn’t mean for this post to be quite so dramatic and rather depressing, but it’s actually lifted a weight off my shoulders, writing everything out for you to know. Today I’m going to relax and enjoy the day with my family (this will be my last birthday as an aunt to one – my next niece/nephew is on the way – woo!) and celebrate the fact that I’m still happy and healthy and going strong; because that’s all that matters, right?

Thank you for sticking with me over these past four (well, five birth) years, seeing me change and grow. It’s quite an exciting prospect that one day I’ll be able to look back on it all and see how I evolved into who I’m going to become. The great thing is, that even in these moments of doubt, I know I have you guys to spur me on!

Today’s “My Style“ post is slightly more editorial hence the slightly wider post and the ‘read more’ button for those of you on my homepage. I’m super happy with these photos, so here’s a big shout out to Papa Posh and all his hard work. He’s been my photographer since the beginning and he’s come such a long way. I won’t be talking too much in this post, so just appreciate the mini shoot… and also a little give-away at the end!

Accessories: Scotch R’Belle* ~ Dress: Spiritual Hippie ~ Trainers: Nike Leopard TR Fit 5.0 (JD Sports)*

DESERT REBELLE SOUNDTRACK:
Come (Jain) 🎶
Makeba (Jain) 🎶
Flashbulb Eyes – Dennis Bovell Remix (Arcade Fire) 🎶
Late Night in Kauai (Childish Gambino) 🎶

Not only is this actual shoot rather editorial, but the outfit itself is kinda’ high-fashion inspired in my opinion. It’s mainly inspired by the desert with my gorgeous new Scotch R’Belle cap which itself has a desert inspired print with camels and pyramids making an appearance. It’s also got those floaty, wind catching vibes with the dress (which is one of my favourite recent purchases).

It’s still not perfectly warm and sunny at the moment, so I have a pair of leggings underneath, topped off with my trusty Nike trainers to tie in all of the colours. It’s sporty, it’s simple, but it still has a lot of depth and texture going on throughout. My new favourite combination, I think!

Scotch R’Belle is actually the teen range of Scotch & Soda who also have Maison Scotch under their name; I’ve owned one of their blouses for a while now so to have some more specifically teen focused items in my wardrobe from them, makes me particularly happy. Everything’s such lovely quality too, and because of that, I’m going to give away a little something for you! Scroll on down for more details…

~ GIVE-AWAY ~
To win this leather iPhone 6 case, use the Rafflecopter below to enter! European only… all T&Cs below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions: European only. The prize will be sent out by Tolly Dolly Posh but was gifted by Scotch R’Belle. The give-away ends on April 17th. Mandatory Rafflecopter entries must be completed for a chance of winning. If you are 13 years old or under, please make sure you have your parent/guardian’s permission as Tolly Dolly Posh will need your postal address. 

Good Luck! Let me know what you thought of this shoot in the comments and how you’d style up the cap and scarf yourself (that’s a give-away entry already!) I hope you liked this post as much as I did…

(This is not a sponsored post, although I was gifted a few samples from Scotch R’Belle. You can read my full disclaimer here.)

As I mentioned in my London Fashion Week AW16 Review, I thought it would be nice to take a look at the collections coming out of Milan Fashion Week AW16 too, especially since I’m currently in Italy having a bit of an explore. There aren’t as many to list off, mainly because I’m not so familiar with a lot of the names, but I’ve tried my best to out the best of the best (well, for me personally, that is). (All images via Vogue.co.uk)

~ DOLCE & GABBANA – RATING: 8/10 ~

Just like over at London Fashion Week,  it’s yet another collection that is themed like a fairy tale. Inspired by Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, this collection is a taste of the classic princess life. It’s fun, it’s playful and it’s youthful, but the way it’s all put together shows that just anyone can live the dream, any time they like. I absolutely adored the finale too – I love that with Dolce & Gabbana, they always leave you on such a bold and exciting note.

~ EMILIO PUCCI – RATING: 7/10 ~

Inspired by alpine sports and all things leisurely, this collection is a taste of the Pucci brand… like, almost literally, seeing as there are a couple of Pucci slogans plastered across taffeta silk tops. I absolutely love the alpine prints and the colours used… it has a vintage feel but it’s still fresh and modern, and you can definitely pick out those space age feels – metallic jackets and zippers on show? Yes please.

~ FENDI – RATING: 8.5/10 ~

Fendi always intrigues me because the collections are always so fun and that’s probably got to do something with the fact that Karl Lagerfeld is behind it all. With striped fur coats (that are 100% going to be everywhere in AW16) and ruffles, it’s quite a texture spectacle.

It has it’s more watered down pieces though, with deep purple velvets and black pinafore dresses… every piece is something that you’d want to own and I think that’s the pure purpose of the collection.

It’s lusty and makes you drool just a little bit, and that’s essential these days because social media is what makes the world tick… and social media is full of snaps of things we like to drool over, and I’m certain Instagram will be full of Fendi come autumn time.

~ MAX MARA – RATING: 7/10 ~

A 20s inspired collection that kicks ass. It’s full of pant suits (or trouser suits) and bold shapes that pack a punch, it’s a really great range that doesn’t say too much, in a great way… and there’s even more faux fur stripes. Colour blocking stripes are another noteworthy trend, this is just a great Italian example. There’s also crayon, head-to-toe looks in mono colours (where else did we see that? Oh yes, ASHISH). It’s simple, it’s sharp and it’s smart. Outerwear at its best.

~ MSGM – RATING: 7/10 ~

If I had to put a label on MSGM AW16, it would be ‘sporty granny chic’, whether that’s the intention or not, I don’t know, but I kind of like it. It’s almost a way of just saying, wear whatever because anything works, because it really does. There are a few 80s shapes again with the oversized coats and bomber jackets, but for me it’s the mix matched pieces which are drawing me in the most. I especially love the half-and-half sweater… now that would make an interesting DIY project, wouldn’t it?

~ PRADA – RATING: 8/10 ~

This is a really interesting a collection by Prada. For me it’s like Hollywood meets World War II (not that World War II should be romanticised like that, but you know what I mean). It’s glamorous but dark, it’s layered yet simple and it’s also telling a story from start to finish.

What I didn’t see until I looked a little closer, was the books that hang around the necks of each model, or the books that hang around waistbands and belts. What are they a nod to? Are they a nod to the attempt of trying to bring peace? Books of spells to cast upon the world, or are they a nod to the many accounts of World War II and it’s survivors? It’s an interesting touch and it definitely gives the collection more depth, although it doesn’t really need it because the clothes all speak for themselves.

~ SALVATORE FERRAGAMO – 8/10 ~

More colour and stripes! This honestly must be the most colourful AW for a long time and I’m so happy about that. Missoni-esque chevrons, fluid streamline shapes (that you guys know I love), exposed zips and disco inspired prints all feature amongst even more wacky faux fur. It’s bold and dazzling yet it has that very minimalistic Italian feel throughout, even when it comes down to a chessboard style checkered blouse.

~ TOD’S – RATING: 9/10 ~

I’m mainly featuring Tod’s because of the fact that I have actually passed their HQ in Sant’Elpidio a Mare (Italy) many times now, which is quite exciting, so now that I know of their brand, I’m much more interested in seeing what’s going on, especially at MFW. Artist, Vanessa Beecroft, set the scene with an installation at the show which involved Karlie Kloss being sewn into a leather one piece (a nod to the leather work that Tod’s is known for, especially in the footwear department).

As we saw at LFW, the 70s is still in and I really love how Tod’s proved that. Laid back knitwear and suede are big features, along with tartan and huge fur collars that remind us of the shearling jackets that are a big hit currently.

Of course we should take note of the shoes too, which are tied up with laces and bows that pull things altogether. I really, really like it, even if I am slightly bias to the fact that I’m currently not too far to where the origins of these designs came from.

~ VERSACE – RATING: 9/10 ~

I was interested to see where Versace went for the women’s AW16 collection because I was actually pleasantly surprised by the men’s. I’ve never been a huge fan of Versace but perhaps that’s because I tend to associate them with the logo splattered pieces and rather marmite like golds… but I think they’re starting to win me over.

Donatella says it was a collection to bring the power back to every kind of woman, and quite like that. It’s more evidence that for us colour loving people, AW16 definitely won’t disappoint. They’re wearable colours too… navy blues with muted corals and neon yellows that break things up, all in very sleek and modern shapes that are a nod to what we saw at the men’s show indeed.

There are also pieces for those of you who prefer the more ice queen, pastel shades for winter, as you can see on Kendall Jenner (I think that’s her name – I honestly don’t follow the happenings of that side of social media but fashion week and model castings keep me upto date). It’s actually really nice, and I am definitely a fan. Versace are in my good books, people!

What do you think of Milan Fashion Week AW16? Who was your favourite Italian designer? Let me know in the comments below! 

(For those of you who have actually come here to find out how to soothe a sore thumb, you may want to walk away because I’m not actually going to be telling you how. I’d head to WikiHow for that… but if you’re here for self-confidence boosting material, definitely keep your tab open!)

~ 👍 = you ~

No matter how red and glowing your sore thumb might seem, there is no way to hide the redness. I’ve tried multiple theories, from staring directly back at people, joining in with their laughing and just casually dying inside, but do you know what? Nothing works. Nothing soothes my sore thumb because there is no miracle cure. There is no spell or potion that can get rid of what ever is making your thumb look red, because it’s not you, your thumb, your hand, or body… it’s other people. It’s them.

I’ve had whole families stop their conversations, turn around and watch me walk past them like I have a giant sign above my head saying, “LOOK AT ME, I’M A BIG FAT SORE THUMB!”. I’ve sat opposite a table of young girls, who have laughed at me and pointed when I’ve obviously stared back. I’ve been walking down a road whilst a lady slows down, turns her head and stares… just an arm’s width distance from me. All because I’m not wearing what most people wear… or look a certain way compare to everyone else..!

It might feel like your thumb is throbbing and glowing bright red, but really, it’s just because they’re seeing something that they’ve never seen before, and in a weird way, that’s pretty cool! Don’t ever go changing who you are because other people see that sign above your head.

One way to help relieve the pressure is to flaunt the thumb you’ve got! You have to realise that it’s their problem that they think you’re “soooo funny” to laugh at. They’re more funny for thinking that you’re an odd-one-out! You have to realise that it’s their problem that they can’t handle seeing something unique, that it makes them stop and stare. Deal with it! In fact, embrace the attention because who doesn’t want people looking at them with intrigue?

The more you flaunt it, the more people will catch on to your awesomeness, which means in the end, more people will be flaunting their awesomeness, so nobody will have to feel like a sore thumb ever again.

How to soothe a sore thumb? Well, you can’t.

If you think you “stick out like a sore thumb” did this make any sense? Let me know in the comments and we can all get rid of the “sore thumb” label together!

Long time no outfit post, heh? The days fly by and when I look at the date of my last one I think, really?! Jeeeez, it’s been a while! Anyway, today’s post is in celebration of the ridiculous weather right now. Some days you think “Ahh, so beautiful, sunshine and warmth…” and on other days you think “This is too hot. Where is the rain?”, but I’d like to celebrate the beautiful side of it today. Let’s talk more about what I’m wearing for it then, shall we?

WHAT I WORE: Good Morning Sweatshirt (Wildfox Kids)* // Super Crop Top (ASOS) // Multi-print Maxi Skirt (Jumble Sale) // White Flats (Random Store) // Sunglasses (Polaroid)

I’ve decided that this is a very “me” outfit. I always take a fairly ordinary outfit and make it weird somehow by adding a bold (and beautiful) skirt, but hey ho! The most “normal” (I mean really, is there such a thing as “normal”?) piece in this outfit is my new Good Morning Wildfox jumper which I am simply in love with! Grey slogan tops are such a simple way to pull an outfit together and this is my most recent addition to my collection. I love the slouchy vibes and the frayed edges. What d’ya think?

The more “weird” part of this outfit is my crazy skirt which was a jumble sale find, from ages ago. I absolutely love it… once again, it has a rather slouchy fit to it like the jumper, but the print makes up for the casual vibes. I love how floaty it is and it probably is one of my favourite skirts to date.

To be quite honest, I’d probably only wear the jumper with this outfit, in the evenings, so to make it a bit more daytime friendly, I also wore my Super crop top, which still keeps the slogan in there. I also like how it pops out on your shoulder when you are wearing the sweatshirt on top!

That GIF took me way too long to make, so you better watch it about 10 billion times and truly appreciate it. Look at that spin! I’m a ballerina. Like, a legit ballerina…. I kid. Although, I did use to be! I think it lasted a year when I was about 4, so it probably doesn’t really count but erm… oh well!

Sunglasses time! I’m a big sunglasses fan, so when I see a pair I like, I take them… quite literally in fact. I’m pretty sure Mama Posh has no idea that these have been stolen adopted by me! I love the vibe they give off though… they have that retro French feel to them and they make me feel pretty bad-ass when paired with a black floppy hat. I’m not sure they’re available to buy now though, I’m afraid! I think they’ve possibly been in my mum’s drawer for a few years…

Finally, the shoes… this pair are not only good looking, comfortable and affordable, but they’re also great for making my tan look a bit darker than it really is. I can definitely count it as one, right? 2 days at the beach in one week, can do that, can’t it? Speaking of shoes, I recently passed on my floral Dr Martens as they were too small and now I really want a new pair… must resist! 

Is it full on summer where you are now? What have you been wearing in the sunshine? Let me know in the comments so we can chat!

I’m sorry I’ve been quiet for a few days, but it’s actually felt quite good to just let my blog sit for a while. I hope you didn’t miss me too much! 😉 Today I have the penultimate outfit in my mini fast food fashion series. Have you been enjoying it? I hope so! This is all about the drinks… well soft drinks, just to reassure you. I’m talking coke/coca-cola floats and all things yummy. Hmm yeah!

🍼 WHAT I WORE: Diet Coke T-Shirt (Truffle Shuffle) // Structured Grey Skirt (Glamorous)* // White Platform Heels (Vagabond @ Mastershoe)* // Sundae Socks (ASOS)* // Milkshake Clutch (New Look) 🍼 

This outfit is super, super simple, but I feel like when styled in the right way, it has a sort of minimalistic aesthetic to it. I received this t-shirt when I won an ASOS voucher over on Hayley’s blog (she’s an awesome beauty blogger if any of you are interested) in collaboration with Diet Coke and I knew it would be perfect for this segment. It’s very oversized but paired with my structured skirt, the bagginess of it is counteracted.

I never really wear simple outfits because I always end up “ruining” (well, not really) them with weird pieces like the accessories I choose. It works in my mind though, it’s a little bit of this and that, mixed and stirred with my usually random personality…!

Talking of the accessories, I went for that New Look milkshake clutch, and I love how it picks out the colours from the rest of the outfit. Again, it’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Much like how you would make a coke float actually… a little bit of Coca-Cola and a little bit of ice cream! Hmm, they always remind me so much of the unlimited amounts my family and I would devour on holidays to Greece. Always take advantage of unlimited things!

Finally, let’s talk shoes. You all probably know about my love for these chunky platform Vagabonds, but heck, why not talk about them again? They’re a dream okay. If you like the look of heels but not the idea, get these! So comfy, amazing quality and also… they’re on sale! I paired them with these cheeky socks which are just the cherry on top (see what I did there?!). What d’ya think? 🍼 

I am really really excited (and kinda’ freaked out) to say that my blog has turned 3 today! 3 years old. Wow. I seriously find that absolutely mad to think about. I honestly cannot thank you enough for supporting me for this long and giving me so many amazing opportunities, it’s been an awesome experience. You may remember last year on this very same day, I put up a post answering the question, ‘Why Do I Blog?‘, so this year I thought I’d answer ‘How Do I Blog?’. To celebrate my 619th blog post and 1095 days of Tolly Dolly Posh Fashion, here’s a little insight into my creative process… (excuse the messy/curly hair by the way… curls just don’t work with me!)…

~ STEP 1 – THE INSPIRATION ~

The first place I go to for blogging inspiration when I’m a bit of a rut is magazines. I find them really inspiring to flick through. Back in the day I used to love Company Magazine (as most of my posts were celebrity style etc etc) but now-a-days I love more photographic and editorial magazines like VOGUE, Glamour and more recently, Wonderland.

I also love to scroll through places like Business of Fashion and Pinterest because you can find some really interesting articles and just one idea or thought can spiral into hundreds (okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration) of others.

TOP TIP: Put on some headphones, listen to some music which you love and flick through your favourite magazine. I always end up in a different mindset for new ideas after the album/playlist ends.

~ STEP 2 – JOTTING & DRAFTING ~

Next up is to get jotting down notes. I find it super helpful to have everything planned out before hand, especially if I’m taking pictures. I don’t usually do this for wishlists or the actual writing (although, I do, do that for long, chatty posts… like this one!) but either way, I would definitely recommend this if you’re also a blogger.

I have a notepad for this and some pens specifically set aside but if you’re an online-tech-obsessive then I recommend Evernote. I didn’t actually use a notepad for this post but I in fact used the web app for Evernote and thoroughly enjoyed typing it out. When I haven’t taken my pictures, I usually prefer to do it out of my actual blog so it’s free of the frills and extra bits and bobs that is behind the scenes usually.

TOP TIP: Have a notebook set aside just for your blog. Label everything clearly and fold down pages when you’ve published a post you’ve written down. It’s such a handy and easy way to stay organised.

~ STEP 3: PHOTOGRAPHY ~

These days I would say a good 90% of my blog posts have photographs I have taken myself included within them, so my 3rd step is to get ‘shooting’ (I have to say, I feel most bloggers use this term just to sound a bit more fancy… “Ooh, I’m off to shoot an outfit post…”). As most of you will know, Papa Posh (my dad), usually takes all of my outfit posts, but if I’m not in the picture, then I’m sure to be behind the lens. I will say though that most of these pictures and my prom outfit post were mainly taken by my big bro!

I use the Nikon D3200 with my trusty 35mm f/1.8 DX lens (Phyllis is her name), and they’re a nifty little combo. A few other items in my ‘kit’ are an IKEA side table – it’s perfect for taking pictures of things like my scrapbook –, a set of 2 soft box lights – great for when I sometimes dabble in YouTube and for photos I take inside – a white wall – for posing in front of – and a very large memory card.

TOP TIP: For outfits, read what my dad has learnt whilst taking my pictures, and for other sorts of pictures, just remember to have clear daylight… not too bright, no harsh shadows and not too much clutter… unless you want that kinda’ look!

Hello! I will explain my theory further in this post, but I believe it maybe my first OOTD of Spring…. oh yes. It is so beautiful outside whilst I write this (sitting on a table by the window – actually quite uncomfortable being a bony person), and I cannot wait to start sitting outside more. Enjoy this blog post because it has a GIVE-AWAY in it and you know what that means 😉

What I Wore: Faux Leather Biker Jacket £46.99 (Hearts & Bows – ARK)*, French Navy Bouquet Blouse (Joules)*, Blue and White Skirt €5.00 (Jumble Sale), Blue Floral Keds (ASOS), NANCY Sunglasses (London Retro – My Optique)* & Facial Ring Set (Rings & Tings)*

This outfit is a really good transitional outfit in my opinion. The top half is quite autumnal and the bottom half quite spring like, but the way the blouse picks out the blue from the skirt, makes it acceptable. I have been wearing this faux leather and blouse combo so much since I received them both, and I am literally obsessed. Not only have I really been wanting a faux leather jacket for years, I am also on a bit of a ‘blouse high’. I’ve never been the biggest Joules fan, but my thoughts on the brand have definitely changed since getting this blouse because 1, the women’s shirts are amazing quality, and 2 – just because it has the sort of ‘Polo’ ‘Horse Riding’ theme around the brand, it doesn’t mean you have to style it that way which you can see by this outfit! The leather jacket is so nice, and it fits amazingly. It’s not shiny either so it looks really nice and not tacky. I absolutely love my bargain skirt too but the one thing is the buttons… I think I might do a bit of a tweak to them. Overall as I said, I really like this outfit and it has a good balance of colours and styles.

I’ve had my blue floral Keds for about a year now. I had some navy ones (I am pretty sure they were kids – much better size for my slim feet!) but I grew out of them, and just couldn’t live without them, so I went on ASOS and saw they were way cheaper than Schuh or Keds, and snapped up a pair, but unfortunately ‘adult sized’ Keds don’t fit me as well, so although they fit after yonks of waiting, they are still slightly sloppy. In terms of jewellery in this OOTD, I went with my 3 rings from Rings & Tings, which are gorgeous. I’m not the biggest fan of the lips one, but I think the eye and the faux ruby look amazing. I’ve never really worn gold and silver together, but I think they look very nice together.

The sunglasses I am wearing are from London Retro. As a blogger I know all the gossip about PR reviews and things like that, and reviewing a pair of these I guess is known as ‘controversial’, but I decided I would review them for you, and let everybody know what they are really like. I’m a big fan of quite round sunglasses because I think they look really summery and (London) retro 😉 😉 and when I first tried these on, I wasn’t quite sure they suited me, but looking back at these pictures, I have decided they don’t look half bad!  I would have to say I am more of a ‘big’ sunglasses fan, and these come  up quite small on me, which is one thing to take into consideration seeing as I am only a small little person. One thing I found different compared to the pictures on the site is that the blue in the tortoise shell doesn’t come up as bright and as obvious. For those of you who need prescription lenses, these are available like that too! If you would like to win ANY pair from London Retro… here is what you need to do…

a Rafflecopter giveaway
What Could You Win? Any pair of London Retro Glasses/Sunglasses from the range.
Who Can Enter? Anyone! The give-away is open Worldwide! As long as you have parents permission if you are under 13!
How do I enter? Simply enter the obligatory entries in the Rafflecopter widget above, and enter any of the additional entries too!

Good Luck! If you liked this OOTD, do make sure to leave a comment below! 😀