I've been shopping #10

1_I spotted this oversized hockey shirt on ASOS... and would you guess, it's only a little Primark number. I know there's been a lot of hoo ha around the Primark/ASOS mashup - I personally think it's a bloody great idea. For one, I would have never have eyed up this top having seen it slumped on the racks on a messy shop floor, but seeing it paired with distressed denim cut offs and boots, I couldn't resist. Kudos to you Primarni! 

2_After falling head over heals in love with a beautiful neon pouch from whistles, I headed straight on to my love, ebay to find a dupe. It's not an exact replica, but we're on the same lines. This oversized pouch style clutch will be perfect for my holiday, it's super relaxed and chic, better then, it's only £5.50. 

3_I've pretty much warn these Primark sandals non-stop since I bought them last week - I'm in love. I adore the plated gold front, I think it adds such a glamorous touch to a really simple outfit. They definitely look a lot more expensive than the £8 I paid for them.

4_Whenever I head to Sainsbury's, I always have a look around the clothing, you really can find little gems - like these leopard espadrilles. I know they won't be to everyones taste, but I thought they'd be fun for the summer. They go with so many outfits, you can just throw them on and they add a little bit of playfulness to an outfit.

What have you guys been buying recently? I'd love to know...

Harri 

xxx

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Tk Maxx haul

A long awaited visit to the TK Maxx in my home town was well over due for this weekend - I don't know what it is about this particular one, but if I'm in the mood for a good rummage I can regularly come out with some great finds and so I did today. Here's what I picked up...

I am an absolute notebook fiend, so as soon as I spotted this yellow pad I couldn't put it down. It's so lovely, like an old school book reinvented in neon. My mum found the photo album and bought it for me to put in my new flat - It's an adorable size and I love the simplicity of it. 

Again with the notebooks, but how absolutely gob smacking lovely is this neon orange book. It's soft leather and the perfect handbag size, it was just too cool to leave behind. I was really attracted to this set of felt tip pens, the packaging really caught my eye and the colour of the pens, they're all subtle brights which is quite unusual to come across. They also double up as ink for stamps which is a bonus.

The actual reason I went into TK Maxx was to get a water bottle and I found this absolute gem. I love the retro design, it's sleek, cool and everything I'd want, I love that it's nice enough to leave out in the kitchen without looking messy. Lastly I picked up this vintage style corn flakes tin, I'm going to use it as a lunch box at Uni, it's just big enough to hold a sandwich and some fruit.

Have you guys found any good bits in TK Maxx recently? I'd love to know...

Harri

xxx

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I've been shopping #9

I've been going through a bit of a lull in terms of my wardrobe recently - sometimes I think it's because I study fashion, I start to lose interest in buying clothes for myself as I'm faced with it everyday. Then I blame the weather, just ridiculously unpredictable, I never know what to wear.

Whilst out shopping the other day, I spotted these shirts in the window of GAP - now, I can't say I'm not a regular GAP shopper, I think the last item I'd warn from there was most probably from the kids section. But, I think I've rekindled my love for it. I adore the two things I've bought and will definitely be returning. Take a look...

So, I definitely got that colour thing I was after. Both shirts were in the sale and I'm pretty sure are still in store for around £20-£30. They're the "boyfriend fit" so a really comfy but flattering loose style, I love all the subtle detailing, lots of buttons and tucks. Just a really great all round basic for summer.

What have you guys been buying for Summer? I'd love to know...

Harri

xxx

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Take a peak inside Llewelyn & Company | Hay-on-Wye

A couple of weekends ago I visited the quaint little Welsh town Hay-On-Wye. Many of you might know Hay for it's world famous book festival that's held every year. I've grown up visiting the town with my parents - memories of having giant bowls of homemade soup at The Granary and itching to have a look in the bear shop fill me with fondness. Add a few years on, I'm now itching to browse in the wacky antique shops and the unique independent stores.

One of my favourite shops is located in the centre, it's painted a dreamy duck egg blue and goes by the name Llewelyn & Co. The store is beautifully merchandised with antique French, Scandinavian and British furniture, filled with cute trinkets and home wares that you cant help but want to take home with you. The lovely owners so kindly let me take photos in their shop to show you guys. So enjoy taking a peak...

I could easily list about fifty things I'd like from these photos, everything is so cleverly and beautifully presented and even if you're not looking to buy anything, it's such an inspiring shop to browse around for quirky ideas and tips. 

Llewelyn & Co have a lovely website where they sell some truly amazing pieces, so definitely have a look here and if you're around the area take a look inside the shop, the owners are really sweet and humble, it really is just a lovely experience in which you undoubtably won't come out empty handed!

Have you ever been to Hay? and let me know if you've looked on their website, I'd love to know...

Harri

xxx 

I've been shopping #8

I thought I'd share with you some bits and pieces I picked up last weekend whilst I was home, it's kind of a mash-up of vintage, high street, home wear and beauty. Enjoy...

There are some really great charity shops in my home town, so whenever I'm back I always take the opportunity to have a browse. This black and cream blazer was hung ever so limply on the end of one of the rails, it was one of those items I had to try on to fall in love with and it happened. It fits perfectly, just ever so slightly over sized - Just the way I like it.

After I bought the jacket, it occurred to me that I own no casual, throw on dresses (why does this always happen!?) So I tootled on to Topshop and came across this adorable denim pinafore. It was just what I was after, something to throw over blouses, T-Shirts and jumpers.

One of the main reasons I actually went shopping was to get some more storage, more specifically "boyfriend friendly storage" i.e. No lid. I headed straight to TK Maxx, as they always seem to have unusual storagey type bits for reasonable prices. I picked up this hessian sack style basket - it's really great quality and looks super tucked in the corner of my bedroom.

A shopping trip, wouldn't be a shopping trip without me picking up a nail polish. I'm a bit of an ESSIE addict, but unfortunately they didn't have the limey green shade I was after, so I headed over to Bourjois and found this one. It wasn't exactly what I wanted, but I thought I'd give it a try.

Have you guys bought anything interesting recently? I'd loved to know...

Harri 

xxx

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New sheepskin coat

My mum has always told me that there's nothing warmer than sheepskin. Taking this with a pinch of salt, I bought my first sheepskin coat and I can't deny.. I haven't taken it off since. I had been lusting after an Acne version ever since spotting it in Copenhagen, but sadly as necessities like food, water and rent come before desirable Acne jackets, I settled for a £20 one found in a charity shop. Take a look...

It is the most cosy, comfortable and useful pieces of clothing I have ever owned, plus I think it looks pretty cool too. Luckily the one I found is in a classic cut and colour, it goes with everything from jeans to dresses making it extremely versatile. Sheepskin in shops can be very expensive, so take a look in charity shops and flea markets, they come up a lot cheaper, also remember to look in the mens section too...

Harri 

xxx

I've been shopping #7

Just a little post to show you what I bought in Copenhagen - The shopping over there was brilliant.. particularly If you like a more simple, relaxed kind of style. Lucky for me, I was in heaven and thankfully it was my Birthday a few weeks prior to my trip, which I was kindly given some Danish Krone. My only downside to the Copenhagen shopping experience is there's no middle ground. You either have expensive designer boutiques or high street stores like H&M, Zara and Monki, which goes against my one holiday shopping rule - Don't buy things you can get at home.

The first item I picked up was a pair of Acne jeans. I live in black jeans, pretty much wearing them everyday, so I saw this purchase as a bit of an investment. The pair I chose are the skinny, ankle length cut. They fit me perfectly and have kept their shape so far. I found the sizes came up quite small, so if you're thinking about buying a pair definitely try them on.

Whilst browsing in one of the department stores Illum, I came across this lovely illustration book. I'd say it's comes under the genre of an "adult's colouring book", I fell in love with all the hand drawn doodles and scribbles that fill each page. I love having these types of books around the house, as they always come in handy for inspiration.

I "ummed and ahhhed" over these Whyred boots the duration of my trip. They were a bit of a bargain with 70% of the original price, so it brought the price down to around the same as a pair of boots from Topshop. They have a really cool heal and I look the navy blue suede, they makes a change from my usual black staple boot.

I could have spent hours looking in the book section of Illum finding the perfect housey/lifestyle magazine to bring home. After a good half hour mulling over a good selection I chose Vakre. The magazine has a great Scandinavian aesthetic with a "find something different every time you flick" type of quality.

Last but not least, I bought Matt a little gift. This long sleeved tee is from a really cool store called Norgaard. I love anything stripy with a nautical influence, I think it always looks great for spring summer and the bright orange made it a little more different to anything I had seen at home. I think he likes it!

Do you guys like Scandinavian style? Have you ever been shopping in Copenhagen?

I'd love to know...

Harri xxx

A weekend in Copenhagen...

I got back from a speedy visit to Copenhagen on Monday evening. After a bumpy flight home and a bruised bank balance I thought I'd share some of the photos I took with you. To be honest I didn't take as many as I thought, must have been too busy having fun. Enjoy...

Over the three and a bit days I was over there, I did a lot of shopping. I have a huge brief at the moment, concentrating on Scandinavian fashion, so it was brilliant to see all the clothes in the flesh and check out all the lovely details, colours and silhouettes (I could have spent a fortune!) - I may photograph and blog about some of the pieces I bought whilst I was over there in the coming week.

So finally, some pointers if you're heading to Copenhagen any time soon - 

Save, save, save. It's pretty expensive to eat and drink 

Invest in warm clothes, hats, scarves, gloves, thermals... 

Comfy shoes are a must as everything is in walking distance

Think about staying in a hostel, mine was around £50 for three nights and was lovely

Harri 

xxx

Retro tea set...

More often that not I'll get a text from my mum with a charity shop update - The message will usually consist of a simple "what do you think of this?" followed by an attached snap. One of her most recent finds was this retro tea set including a tea pot, milk jug and sugar bowl, all for the grand total of £5... Now this may not be everyone's cup of tea (no pun intended!) but I certainly love it.
With a lot of gaudy or kitsch pieces that you can find in charity shops, it's only a case of taking them away from the dusty shelves and re-homing them in a modern kitchen to obtain the contemporary meets retro look.

The kind of Woodstock'esk 70's print is one of those things, that's so wrong, it makes it right - But when you pare the set back and place it against bright white, the pieces do start to look slick and very cool.

I really love mixing rustic, with kitsch but then also keeping it really clean and modern at the same time, pieces like this are really brilliant for recreating this look as they tie the individual themes together.

Have you guys found any cool second hand pieces recently? I'd love to know...

Harri xxx

I've been shopping #5

After a nail biting wait, my student loan final made an appearance in my bank account. Of course this goes towards rent, healthy food and University supplies.. and a little goes towards some treats for me!

I've been after a new pair of winter shoes for a while now, to be honest, I'm not really fussed on footwear. I live in my Massimo Dutti Chelsea Boots and my classic white converse.. Nothing else really comes in between them. So sticking with the old, I went for a pair of maroon converse. I picked them up from Office as you get 10% student discount. They go with everything I wear and are super comfy - A girl can't really go wrong with them!

My weaknesses when shopping, seem to always involve nail polish and lipsticks - I can't avoid them. I've never used or even looked at CK one make-up before, but after getting leaped on by a lovely sales assistant, I couldn't resist giving one of their new products a go. I picked up their pure colour lipstick in "fancy", it's a really creamy, slightly pearly nude. I love the consistency, it's very natural and not at all drying on the lips, the packaging is sleek and compact too.
I also picked up an Essie nail polish (I have become the ultimate Essie addict) in "aperitif"- I was after a true red. I often get sick of brights, pastels and glitters on my nails, and find myself going back to more classic colours. This makes for the perfect timeless red, definitely worth the money!

Have you guys tried any of these products? or picked up anything cool recently? I'd love to know...

Harri

xxx

I've been shopping #4

I spotted this vintage T-Shirt on the Beyond Retro online store in the week, it's so typical me - Red, white and blue, nautical, pretty classic. I'm a massive fan of vintage tees, the tackier, the better. I think this ones from the 80's..
Here's just a few photos of how I'd style it - T-shirts and Jeans are my go-to when I'm at Uni, simple, comfortable and easy when your in a rush..

T-Shirt - Beyond Retro, Jeans - Zara, Necklace - Accesorize, Shoes - Converse, Book - Charity Shop, Nail Polish - ESSIE

If you want to check out the Beyond Retro online store I'll leave a link here - which ones do you guys like? Have you got any cool vintage tees, or know of anywhere that you can buy them online? I'd love to know xxx