"Surprise, bitch"

Top - Primark, jeans - Topshop, shoes - Schuh, bag - Mango

So for those who haven't seen American Horror Story, you won't understand the title of this blog post. Basically the sassy witch, Madison Montgomery, says it after she returns from a long 'absence' (I'm not giving too much away hopefully). Since I've not posted since February due to exam pressure/stress, here's my post that basically says 'I'm back and I'm here to stay'... I'm planning on posting every day of Summer (depending on dodgy wifi in foreign countries) 

Advice tip #1: If you haven't watched AHS... watch it. It's brilliant. 

Everyone knows that I love a good bargain and so when I saw this top in the Primark SALE (who knew it could get any cheaper?!) for just £3 I knew I had to have it, especially since I was going to buy something similar off SheInside which was a little more expensive! Also, I can't get enough of the fish net trend so the mixture of block printed words and the fishnet makes me drool.

My advice tip #2 is for bargain hunters like me: I have been waiting for the perfect monochrome Roshe's to be restocked forever in Office and all the other shoe shops over Leeds and when looking to buy over the internet, I saw that most shops do a 'Youth' version up to size 5 that is basically identical and so that's what I bought instead! The tick is silver rather than white and saving £30... I didn't really mind and I can practically buy another pair with my savings!

G xxx

ps. I created a travel blog but I am going to post my travel posts in here and just tag them so make sure you check out those posts too !

The Origami Skirt

When I first saw this skort on the Zara website, I fell in love. However,when I tried it on even the extra small was too big because I wanted the skort to be high waisted so I decided against the purchase. It wouldn't leave my mind though. After seeing this skort on multiple equally skinny bloggers sitting on their hips I gave in and bought the skirt. I hadn't seen anything else like it except from when I was researching into origami from my previous textiles exam, but now, after seeing the popularity of them so many skirts/skorts are about which are similar and a lot cheaper! You can pick them up on eBay for as low as £3.98! So have a look!

I've literally not had this skirt off since I bought it, just after my exams finished and instead of doing lots of separate posts with each outfit including the skort. I thought I'd include some of the different way's I've worn it!

Here I've gone for the laid back look and just paired it with a plain t-shirt and a chunky necklace.

(excuse the messy room! If you follow my instagram (gracemellor) you'll have already seen this outfit!)

shoes - Topshop via Next2nowt.com, skort - Zara, t-shirt - GAP, necklace - Mum's

I kind of dressed up a little bit more on this one, I was going out with a friend. This is still casual but a little bit more formal that just a big baggy t-shirt...

shoes - Topshop via Next2nowt.com, skort - Zara, blouse - Primark, blazer - market

I went full athletic style with this last one, ages ago I bought this vest from a vintage shop in Leeds for a fancy dress party but I love it so paired it with my new skort.

shoes - primark, skort - Zara, vest - Blue Rinse

I also love my two new pairs of shoes (well not so new anymore..) which feature in this post. I had never bought anything off next2nowt.com but had seen other thrifty bloggers use it so I thought "why not? I may as well give it a shot" and so bought these beautiful originally Topshop cut out boots which I lusted over in the store. The post and package was cheap and the shoes looked brand new even though I had saved about £30! They came quickly and I honestly can't fault next2nowt.com ! I thought I'd give you guys a heads up to check them out because they have a huge selection of clothes and accessories and what's the point in spending extra money when there's no need?

And the pair of red heels are so Zara-esque but only cost me £12!! I just missed out on the black pair too! Apparently they had sold their last size 5 about 10 minutes before I came searching! Oh well...

Comment if you have outfits with this skort, I'd love to see how other's style it!!

G xxx

The classic shirt

Jeans - Topshop, belt - Sue Ryder, shirt - Zara, rings - Pandora/Topshop, sunglasses - Primark, shoes - Kurt Geiger

This shirt was actually my mums and it has been in a large bag to sell FOREVER! When we actually went through it to make sure we were certain we wanted to sell it all, I found lots of things that my mum had recently put in there that I had never seen before including this shirt! The shirt is such a nice, good quality material and I really love the feel and it of it so it would have been such a waste to sell it and for me to buy one similar later! I've been dying for a nice stripy shirt for a while now! They look smart and you can wear them just as a safe outfit while popping to the shops with jeans! 

Ideally, in the future, when I have time I will make these jeans look a bit more roughed up ripping them at the knees and adding a few more tears here and there! Then they'll look a little bit better!

I have no idea what to wear tomorrow to the Pretty Little Thing event, which I can't wait for by the way!!

G xxx

Street style love #1: Olivia Palermo

After seeing many photos of Olivia Palermo on the front row of many different show's during the many fashion weeks that have just happened, I couldn't help noticing how much I loved her style... she even wore bits off the high street. I looked her up on google because even though I'd seen her in magazines, I had never actually taken the time to look at her, even though she's always impeccably dressed (bad Grace). I couldn't help drooling over pretty much every outfit and so I thought I'd do a blog post about it! I'm going to attempt to recreate her outfits in a more affordable way of UNDER £150 (if it's possible, we'll find out!). I've narrowed down the outfits to just a few of her styles for roaming the streets as otherwise it would be impossible! Here goes...

1) military - I've always been a fan of the military look but never really known when 'too much is too much', so I think just the one statement military jacket is enough, as Palermo shows off nicely. Khaki is very 'in' at the moment so this simple outfit works a treat. The simple floaty shirt beneath also gives a more feminine side to a more masculine trend.

2) block colours - Olivia Palermo was ahead of the game as block colours came out on most of the catwalks in the recent fashion weeks. The bold emerald green on this trench-like blazer is very daring but to match it with bright yellow! WOW, big risk. But she's pulled it off amazingly without going over the top by pairing it with a grey top and more neutral accessories. 

3) block colours #2 - cable knits are EVERYWHERE. No understatement. You can pick one up in lots of different colours from your local H&M or as below, theres a mustard cable knit, like Olivias, here for £12! I'd pair with a simple skater skirt or some jeans but brave Palermo paired it with another bold colour showing she can mix every colour in the wheel! 

4) 'LYD' - Olivia Palermo looks so stunning in this yellow shift dress and it really suits her body and her tan well! Those shoes are amazing too! I give this look 10/10! 

5) animal print - rawr. Having a statement item of clothing with a bold animal print and pairing it with other items of clothing with relatively neutral colours allows the animal print to stand out even more! I'm in love with the 'on the move' bag.

6) printed trousers - prints have been all over the place this season! Whether it's hearts, polka dots, floral... I could go on! As well as block colour clashing, print clashing has also been a favourite, shown how to by Burberry's Christopher Bailey mixing hearts and dots! However, Olivia compliments hers with a sheer white shirt and a navy coat.

7) fur (faux preferably) - everybody knows that now we're in in Spring (yes, England still needs to catch up and move away from winter), that the wearing of fur is going to die down. BUT keeping a fur gilet or fur collar in your summer wardrobe might just add a bit off 'va-va-voom' to some outfits! Especially if they're coloured. I saw a girl wearing a gorgeous turquoise fur jacket the other day which I really must hunt down! This gilet really does just liven up this black outfit and the crocodile clutch adds a hint of colour without taking the sophistication away.

I failed on making most of them under £150, but they weren't far off and they were all under £200... maybe next time my goal will be £200 because I'm a very sore loser (even if the competition is myself!) 

G xxx

which is your favourite look? 

blue and purple bruises

leather jacket - Kookai, snood - Primark, cobalt blue jumper - Zara, white vest - New Look, trousers - Primark, wedges - Jeffrey Campbell, sunglasses - Primark, necklace - H&M rings - Topshop/Pandora/gift/market, bracelets - Links of London/Kurt Geiger/market

Today I went to Jamie's Italian to celebrate my mum's birthday with my grandma, and this is what I wore... 

Just a quick post because now we're going out to Tapenyaki (I hope I spelt that write..) to celebrate with my dad and I have to get changed! 

G xxx

ps. can you believe it was actually sunny before I took these photos!?

PRIMARK S/S13

sorry for the photo heavy post but I couldn't help sharing the S/S13 range from PRIMARK. Yes, I said it. The cheapest shop on the high street have really up'ed their game and it shows. Keeping in line with all the newest trends, they have a little bit for everyone. Boyfriend jeans, sporty tees, killer sunnies, dunagrees... EVERYTHING. So get yourself to your nearest Primark asap and get spending for your perfect summer outfit. All these lovely pictures on the beach are kind of making me wish that it would start to be sunny (which probably won't happen since I live in Leeds!) 

C'mon sun!!! 

What's your favourite piece?? 

G xxx