Ooh La La | New Look Parisian Haul

This month I have been on a bit of a spending ban, well when I say spending ban I mean I tried my best, failed spectacularly and today I am justifying my splurgey tendencies with this blog post. One day we may delve a little deeper into my psyche and determine why I have such a terrible spending habit and shopaholic tendencies but today I think it would just be that bit more fun to share my recent work wear haul and purchases from New Look (which in actual fact only came to around £55!)

Looking at my wardrobe, as I'm sure we all do, I felt as if I've been in a bit of a clothing rut. Dressing mainly in a midi skirt and a floaty tee, or being really lazy and throwing on jeggings and a shirt, my working wardrobe has left much to be desired. So when the brand new New Look Parisian inspired collection came into stores earlier this month I just couldn't help myself and of course I was able to fully justify these purchases by telling myself they will come in handy for our holidays later on in the year too and of course I get to share my finds with you guys.

Monochrome Tunic Dress £14.99

This was actually something I spotted in New Looks window display, and usually I don't get along with shift / tunic style dresses or horizontal stripes for that matter (I have the fear of looking like a fashionable but chubby zebra) But this is such a lovely fit and the material is so flattering and falls just right, it doesn't exaggerate my hips as some of these dresses often do and I'm looking forward to wearing this little number to work in the colder months with some wooly tights and then taking this to Paris with me in the summer and baring all! (legs)

Striped Baggy Shirt £17.99

This isn't something I would usually go for but the softness of the material drew me in! Since buying this I have barely had it off my back and it is totally worth the price just for the comfiness and wearability of the material. I can wear this shirt with so many things, dress trousers, jeggings or even tucked into a high waisted skirt. Statement pieces you can wear with a multitude of things have got to be my favourites, which is why I almost cried when I ruined my faux leather skirt a few weeks ago!

High Neck Ribbed Crop Top £12.99

I was scared to make this purchase if I'm honest, high necked and cropped are two words which are generally not in my vocabulary, I have the uni-boob fear you see! But feeling like a daring devil I tried this on, and I was pleasantly surprised. Of course I won't be dawning this with my belly on show or with anything too risque, instead I think I'll pair this with a pair of high waisted jeans or a skirt if I'm going dressy.

Grid Check Leggings £7.00

These were on sale, and I remember eyeing them up when they were full price and thinking I just wouldn't wear them enough to jusfity their price. But now I have them I can barely get them off (and no, funny people, it's not because of my big bum!) I wear them to work, around the house, out shopping and like the shirt I love how versatile they are! Usually patterend items scare me a little bit and I only have one item that goes with them, but in this case I have been very creative with my wardrobe and lucky!

 

Given that this has been my one and only haul this month I think my loose spending ban has done me some good, but I am pleased that I was able to find such fashion gems which are all so versatile! Now all I need to do is look for some great fashion accessories to go along with them and my life will be complete (until the next haul)

 

Of course as always I'd love to hear your styling suggestions, have I perhaps missed a trick or maybe you want to point me in the direction of some similar looking items which could dessicate my bank balance even further, either way I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments and suggestions below. Of course as always you can find me loitering about on Twitter or if you'd like to keep up to date with my latests you can always find me on Bloglovin

 

Until next time folks, I'll be nursing my bank balance back to health.

 

H.Elizabeth xx

 

My Coffee Table | Latest Reads

Over the past few months I have had a little bit of an obsession with the phenomenon sweeping the nation, blogosphere and coffee tables everywhere and since then I have gained quite an impressive library of fashion, beauty and lifestyle books, discovered some great authors and spent more than I care to think of in Waterstones! So in light of my recent discoveries and additions I thought I would share with you my top picks in fashion, beauty and lifestyle reads from my own coffee table.

A London Year: 365 Days of City Life in Diaries, Journals and Letters

A London Year is a collection or journal entries, diary excerpts and short musings from various individuals which date back to Tudor times and takes you right through to the 21st century, I really enjoy just picking this book up at any page and reading a little except and it really shows how much London has changed and how far people have come especially when you read an excerpt about the war, air raids and even executions. This is a lovely thick hard back book which is a great addition to anyone who loves reading about history, people's lives or who just loves London past or present!

Elvgren: Complete Pin-Ups Book

Pin up is something I have loved and admired style wise for a good while now and I love the glamour that comes hand in hand with post war 1950s style, in fact one of my greatest discoveries of this past year has been pin up You Tube sensation the Cherry Dollface. This book is a tribute to one of the world's greatest pin up illustrators, Gil Elvgren who liked to photograph models and then paint them into a hyper reality of long legs, gravity defying hair and flawless make up. This is actually a book I have had for years, and I use this when I'm looking for make up or style inspiration with a vintage feel.

Paris Street Style: A Guide to Effortless Chic

One of my most recent purchases and I'll tell you for fashion and beauty enthusiasts it's a definite page turner. Since adding this nifty wee book to my collection I haven't been able to put it down, the ideas inside are inspired and even if you're not looking to read too much then the outfits captured inside are enough to satisfy your style cravings. With styling tips, interviews and inspirational quotes from French and fashion greats alike this  book can help you develop your own personal style with a Parisian flair for everyday glamour with that highly coveted je nais se quois.

So I hope you've enjoyed reading my coffee table picks, of course this is only part of our collection and we're always looking to expand so if you have any great reads we have missed out be sure to share them with me in the comments below or come share them with me on Twitter or if you'd like to keep up with the latest Granite City reviews, antics and adventures be sure to follow me on Bloglovin

My head will be in a book, until next time folks! 

H.Elizabeth x

What I Wore | Feeling French

Recently I've been feeling as if I've hit a sort of wardrobe rut, nothing I seem to put on is giving me the usual confidence boost that comes hand in hand with a great outfit. However this day the clouds parted and I, for the first time in weeks found an outfit I remained happy for throughout the day.

What I wore on my body

Top - 'Tres Jole' Cropped top, H & M
Dress - Black Tube Dress, Topshop
Tights - Super Cosy Cotton Tights, Asda

 What I wore on my feet

Boots - Leather and Suede effect heeled boots, H&M

What I wore on my head and face

Hair - Voluminous lightly curled and pulled to the side (All time favourite hairstyle)

Face- Benefit Porefessional Pore Minimiser
L'oreal Infallible Make up (Porcelain)
Collection 2000 Pressed Powder (Ivory)
Eyes - Max Factor Khol Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal Black
MUA Browns Trio Eyeshadow
Clinique High Impact Mascara
Lips - Burts Bees Lip Balm

What I wore on my ears (This is a new one!)
Black teardrop earrings, a gift from my mum.

I was very chuffed that I was having a good hair day, these are few and far between and for it to fall on a day where I was also having a good wardrobe day seems improbable but there you have it. I hope you've enjoyed this 'what I wore' post I feel like my wardrobe blues may finally be at an end!

As usual I love hearing from you so drop me a comment below, catch me on Twitter or if you just can't get enough, follow me on Bloglovin.

H.Elizabeth