EVENT | bgo Meet-Up at The White Cloth Gallery

When Haydn from Joe's Blog Network got in touch with me, I was a little apprehensive. I've never attended a blogger event before! Especially as it was in Leeds, because I go to university at Newcastle, I know more bloggers in that neck of the woods.

But, I took a leap of faith and went anyway on my own! There's probably an idea for another post there! 'How to attend an event on your own and not be scared'! I usually find it quite easy to chat to people, but as I know the blogger community can be very close knit, I was worried everyone might know each other and me, no one.

I was very pleasantly surprised. Everyone was so friendly and lovely and welcoming. We started off with a few complementary drinks, so I had a chance to introduce myself.

We were then given a starter lesson in Blackjack and Roulette…Let's just say I don't think I'll be going to vegas anytime soon. We weren't playing with real money though, phew!

As the drinks were flowing and gambling getting more competitive by the minute, a few social media competitions were running simultaneously.

 These were the prizes. Unfortunately I didn't win any. I was too busy gambling to be looking at my phone, of course!

 The White Cloth Gallery was such a good venue for this type of event.

I wore; Skort - Topshop | Top - Urban Outfitters | Necklace - Urban Outfitters | Boots - Topshop

I spent most of my night with Rina Deb (right), Alex from Clouds in a Violet Haze (left) and photographer/blogger Emily. Look at her photography here.

Oh and of course, Vern.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first blogger meet-up, and it won't be the last I'm sure. Thanks Joe's Blog Network!

Check out the bgo website here!

Have you ever attended an event on your own? Do you like Roulette or Blackjack? Are you involved with Joe's Blog Network?


Amy xi

EVENT | Shindig XXII

Topshop Dress | Topshop Kimono | River Island Body Chain | Burgundy Converses 

It might be a little bit early for a festival style post, but May bank holiday gave me some inspo to write one, as I went to Shindig XXII by the Quayside in Newcastle on the 5th May!

Bank holidays are a pretty big deal at uni, as everyone just sees it as an excuse to get drunk and spend more money. Butttt, I'm really not sure why, as uni generally feels like one big bank holiday throughout the whole year.. except for those who have exams, unlike me (sorry, not sorry, hehe). When I was at school last year I remember some in the year above going to Shindig whilst I was stuck doing A-Levels and I wanted to be there so badly! 

I'm really not the biggest fan of festivals, ever since I went to Creamfields and the Sunday was cancelled because the whole park was flooded. All my things were soaked, muddy and ruined, and I've not been to a festival since. So, these one day festivals are ideal for me, as you get to go home a snuggle in a nice, warm and DRY bed, with all your possessions still alive.

As it's not quite summer yet, this outfit may seem slightly daring, but don't worry I did take a Primark Raincoat (only £9)! 

Bindi's are really trending at the moment, with Selena Gomez and Kendall Jenner rocking them at Coachella. I tried to buy some from Topshop, but they are £6.50 for 6! Bit too pricey for my liking.. but Claire's Accessories did some for half the price, and they were just as nice. I also bought Coral Glitter Hair Colour, so my hair was temporarily dip dyed pink. I actually would consider dying my hair that colour, but my mum would never allow it, so guess just gonna have to leave it as it is. 

Do you like this outfit? What do you think of the line up?   


In a bizzle,
Amy xi

STYLE | It's a spring thing

Now the weather has finally picked up, and England is finally starting to look like summer, I'm trying my best to pick my wardrobe up from those wintery colours. Now, I know I won't be the only one (hopefully) but the main colour in my wardrobe is black. All black everything. Black dresses, black tops, black jeans and maybe a burgundy if I'm feeling adventurous! 

Topshop is really colourful at the moment, so instead of opting for another black dress, I bought an orange skort, which I have mostly avoided before because eeeeeeveryone has one. But there is a reason for that, they are very flattering! 

As you can't see the necklace very well in the photo, here it is ^^^ (Topshop)

I'm loving the tribal trend at the moment, and this necklace really matched the skort, adding more interest to a simple, white crop tee (Topshop).

This outfit would probably look better with white heels, so the next time it makes an appearance that is how it will be edited!

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have any tribal clothing?

In a bizzle, Amy xi

CAMPAIGN | AX Paris Competition

As I've just been approved by Etail PR and become part of their Blogger Network, think its time to get involved in one of their campaigns. The AX Paris Campaign really caught my eye, so here is my post! 

Click on the image to enter the competition to win a £500 wardrobe.. I already have.

Check out the new SS14 TV advert!

And the behind the scenes video!

Have you entered it? 

In a bizzle, Amy xi

STYLE | Leather and Pastels

So as winter slowly transforms into spring, I want to bring some lighter colours into my wardrobe. Living in Newcastle means that it is still very dark when I wake up, and when I get home. The plus side is that it's still dark when I come home from a night out, as I always hate it at the end of a night when it gets light and you don't quite look the same as you did at the beginning (never a good thing). 

Although nothing will ever compete with the trusty colour black, I always want to add a little something lighter to it! But I love the juxtaposition (ooh clever word!) between the black leather and baby pink. Its like a sort of princess goth.. 

I would wear the cream skirt with the pink textured jumper, and the black boots perhaps with some cream frilly socks peeping over the top of them. And of course with the ol' leather jacket to finish it off. The pink jumper would also be perfect with the gold patterned shorts, and the metallic element means this outfit would be brill for girly drinks. 

Loving the 'Petal' lipstick from Topshop. Which isn't really a statement colour, but I would team it with soft eyes, maybe a thin flick at the corner of my eyes. I also love the half up, half down small bun, as I always think it gives your outfit an edge. 

The little satchel is the perfect size to fit the necessities, such as lipstick and money to shop of course! 

Teaming up any of these pieces would make the perfect combination for a day out, and even a date, especially with valentines coming up (wink, wink). 

Do you like the pastel and leather combo? Where would you wear this look?

Amy xi

STYLE | think I have enough winter boots?

1. These are the newest addition to my black boot collection. I love the chunkyness of the platform, and they always transform any outfit to look edgy. I have started wearing them on nights out and they are soo much more comfy than 6 inch heels! Means my night can go a lot longer!

2. I just love these peeptoe All Saints boots. I got them as a birthday present in the sale for £98, which is still expensive, but much less than its original £260 price tag. They instantly vamp up my outfits to become more stylish, and are perfect for girly drinks.

3. These are the oldest pair of my shoe collection as I got them last winter. They started falling apart slightly this year, so I was going to buy a new pair of day shoes, but when I was shopping I just couldn't find any that compared to these. So I got them resoled and they felt as good as new!

4. Yes, these shoes are as painful as they look. But the height of the heel makes your legs look so much longer and adds that much needed (for me anyways) couple of extra inches. However, I do end up avoiding them because the gradient of the heel killlls my feet. But on a special occasion they are perfect.

5. These are great daytime shoes if you need an extra bit of height.. which I do, at only 5ft 2 ha! They also look great for a chilled night out.

STYLE | Hypnotic

Top : Topshop | Skirt : Urban Outfitters | Boots : River Island | Necklace : Not On The Highstreet | Watch : Michael Kors | Bracelet : Gucci

Another night out on the toooon (Newcastle).. And wearing black and white, again! Love this Topshop crop top as its the perfect length, not too cropped but not too long. The photo doesn't show it well but it has mesh sleeves, which just adds a lil something something. My 'Amy' necklace sits perfectly on the top as well, and I never take it off, so that's good!

I wore this fitted skirt soo much over the Christmas holidays, as it matches so much. I wear it with tights (if I can't be bothered to fake tan my legs ha). I think the pattern on it is quite hypnotising when you look at it for too long though! My new little booties make this outfit look slightly grungy which I love! And because they are more flatforms instead of heels, I get the height without the pain. Except because they are new, I now have the most painful blister on my heel, boo. Still won't stop me from wearing them though. As I've said many times before, beauty is pain! 

The fake tan I'm wearing is St Moriz, which I don't usually think is very good but it turned out to be successful! However, my skin is very sensitive to chemicals on my body, so areas of my eczema were irritated a little. I've washed it off and my skin has recovered, so I think I will go back to my usual, Sun Shimmer. 

What fake tan do you use? 

Amy xi

STYLE | Monochrome

ASOS Leotard : £20 | Topshop White Jamie Jeans : £45 | Urban Outfitters PEACE Belt :£15 | Office White Textured Heels : £60 | Primark Necklace : £4

The Monochrome look may be a trend for 2013 but I think its a timeless classic. Black and White will always work. Yin Yang again I guess! 

I don't usually wear off the shoulder tops because I didn't have strapless bra that fit me properly. Even though the Topshop strapless I wore on this night, wasn't the best and kept slipping down. And in my opinion I do not think its an attractive trait on a night out, to keep on adjusting underwear in the middle of the dance floor! But I tried to do it as secretly as possible.. Hopefully no one saw!

On second thoughts I wish I wore black heels with this outfit, to balance it out more, but this Office white pair is just so comfy.. Well as comfy as heels can be! And after walking all the way home from the Quayside, they weren't so comfy as I first thought! Although I think they're such a sexy shape, and beauty is pain!

My Primark necklace was a great buy! It was only £4, it hasn't broken, unlike Topshop jewellery which has a much higher price tag! It adds a bit of glitz to any outfit and I've worn it time and time again. There's always something satisfying when getting a bargain, isn't there?

What do you think the monochrome?

Amy xi

(p.s. Sorry for the photo quality, I've not got many choices at uni!)

TRAVEL | Edinburgh

If you're at uni then you'll know that the weekends can be very boring. Especially if you've gone on a night out during the week and just fancy relaxing at the weekend, but then you realise that you only have you room to relax in, and you can go stir crazy.

So I wasn't fancying just sitting around last weekend. On Friday I spontaneously bought a train ticket to Edinburgh as its only an hour away on the train from Newcastle! I hadn't seen my best friend for over a month so thought I would pay her a visit. 

Edinburgh is a beautiful city, its like a mini-London in the countryside, as its surrounded by rolling hills. It was amazing, and my friend has the grand view of Arthur's Seat right outside her bedroom window, whereas I have the other side of my halls block to look at.. Bit of a difference. I'm from the countryside as well, which makes me really think that I would have settled in great if I'd gone there, although I do love Newcastle, its very 'cityish', and I miss the greeness and space of home. Edinburgh is the best of both worlds.

On the Friday night we went to the Christmas market which was lovely, had a hot choc with cream and marshmallows mmmm. We then had dinner in this small authentic Italian restaurant called La Lanterna on Hanover Street, which was again yummy. We had a night out at Castle Club, which was so much fun, but very different to Newcastle. Everyone wears much more chilled clothing and flat shoes, whereas in Newcastle, girls dress up to the nines every night, hair extensions, fake eyelashes, heels, fake tan.. the whole shabang, which gets very tiring after a while. 

The next day, even with a hangover, we walked Arthur's Seat, which I have to say was the hardest thing I've done in a long time! I'm so unfit, going to have to get going properly in the gym again. But when we got to the top, it was the most beautiful day, chilly and cold but bright shining sun. My favourite kind of weather. The view from the top was amazing, and then it was freezing so we went back down again.

I only went for one night but I could already see what an amazing city Edinburgh is. Loved being there, and would definitely recommend it for a hilarious night out.

Amy xi

STYLE | Today's Haul

1. Topshop Tartan Leggings: £28

2.Topshop Midnight Blue Shorts with Metallic Embellishments on the side: £45

3. New Look Disco Ball iPhone 5 case: £5

4. New Look Leather Look Jacket with Fur trim: £39.99

5. Topshop Classic Look Fedora: £25

6. All Saints Peeptoe Leather Boots: £197, reduced to £98

7. Urban Outfitters PolkaDot Velvet Skirt: £35

8. Topshop Floral Playsuit: £50

9. Topshop Red Bittersweet Nail Varnish: £6

10. Topshop Tartan Skirt: £35

I didn't buy all of these at the same time, otherwise I would not have enough money to even eat! But I did have my eyes set on them for a while and have bought them when I can afford them. They are all perfect for any type of Christmas activity. 

Except, I wore the Topshop tartan skirt last weekend for a few quiet drinks in my hometown, but when I got home I realised the material had frayed away from the stitching! So annoying when you've only just bought something that you love, and its broken! So I've taken it back, and it didn't look good in another size, so I've just had to leave it at that.. Was nice knowing you tartan skirt. I did love it though, so I will find one somewhere else and get that!

The Urban Outfitters Glitter Polkadot skirt is hard to see on this photo, but in the flesh its the glitter polkadots are pretty obvious. 

The mixture of leather, fur, tartan, suede and chiffon perfectly fits my look for this winter. Which one of these is your favourite?

STYLE | Kylie Jenner

Recently I followed Kylie Jenner on Instagram and I've completely fallen in love with her fashion sense. I do love all the Kardashians, but Kylie has always seemed much quieter and never stood out to me. In my opinion, she is totally underrated, and slightly shadowed by her taller sister, Kendall. Yet, Kylie's style is so cool and chic, that’s why I've picked my fave outfits of hers. They are simple, stylish, cool with a hint of quirkiness and personality. She doesn't look as if she is copying anyone, she wears now trends in her own way, and never overcomplicates her outfits, which I think Kim sometimes has a habit of doing.

This grey, narrow-fronted, tight midi dress looks insanely great on Kylie. Matched with her chunky black Louboutins and matte black clutch, along with the dark plum lip, gives her the edgy edge that suits her so well even at the young age of 16. Even without the Kardashian clan behind her, she storms the red carpet of the Hunger Games premiere in LA, looking totally amazing on her own. 

Again the little slit in the leg is perfect for slimming the curves in your thighs (not that she needs it of course). Its sexy but conservative with a high neck. Her simplicity shines through again, with her natural waves and side parting, paired with elegant gold bangles. Although I definitely don't have any premieres to attend to in the near future (there's always hope) I will definitely be on the look out for a look like this for New Year.

A more wintery look from K-Jenz that we could definitely duplicate! The red striped, faint tartan pleated skater skirt looks sophisticated, yet still young and playful. The shortness of the skirt is matched with a high necked black jumper with a white peter pan collar and cuffs. I would wear thick black tights with this look and a high heeled boot, for a girls meal or Christmas evening.

Although this is a more summery look, there is nothing wrong with a staple white dress for a night out, and afterall snow falls in winter and thats white! I've sort of gone off these panelled dresses with mesh pretending to cover your chest and actually revealing more than you bargained for, but this mesh is so perfectly fitting to her body shape that it looks nothing but classy. The contours of the panels shape her figure to be very womanly even though she is so young. She looks sexy and classy. To add a winter touch, you could wear a cream or black fur coat and black chunky heeled boots. Kylie has done it again looking effortlessly cool and collected, wish I portray that same expression!

Which Kardashian do you think has the best style?

STYLE | Going Out Outfits

1. Purple Dress, Asos. Black Peep-toe Stilettos, Kurt Gieger.

2. Black Halterneck Leotard, River Island. Burgundy Midi Skirt, Topshop. Peace Belt, Urban Outfitters. Rose Gold Watch, Michael Kors. Same shoes as before.

3. Red Halterneck Midi Dress, Asos. Same watch and shoes as before.

4. Black Leotard, Oh My Love at Topshop. Sequin Skirt, Topshop. Black and Gold Clutch, Accessorize. 

5. Red Mini Dress, Misguided. Same shoes as before.

If attention is what you are looking for, then a little red dress guarantees to do the trick. They're so simple, and let's face it.. men are simple. I love to wear black on a night out because its easy, but if you want to go that bit extra, opt for purple or burgundy, which are perfect winter colours for a night out.

What are you're fave night time outfits?

Amy xi

STYLE | Hallowe'en

2.

Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year. This may be because my birthday is the day afterwards. But it is also because I LOVE fancy dress, and especially when its scary!

I just love the atmosphere on a night out or at a party when everyone is in fancy dress. People seem to get on better. There's never (usually) any drama, because most people are more bothered about what people are wearing, and not about what is being said or done. Well nothing ever bothers me on this night because at midnight it turns my birthday, so I'm always in a good mood!

Last year was my 18th, so I didn't wear anything too scary, in fact, there was nothing scary about it at all... But hey, its a special day and I didn't want to look back in photos and feel disgusting! I went as a vampire, so I had some scary, stick-in fangs, which stuck for about half a minute as it was so hard to talk with them in your mouth! 

I wore a Lipsy dress, which I got shortened, as I am only 5ft 2... with my trusty black Carvela heels (the loves of my life) and a hair piece so I looked especially glamorous and vampish (if thats a word). That's my Dad by the way, he went as Dracula, if thats not obvious enough haha. Weirdly he loves fancy dress too!

However, this year, my 19th, was slightly different! Emphasis on the 'slightly', because I went as a vampire again... I like them okay?! But it was different, as instead of being at home, I was in Newcastle, otherwise known as the toooooon. So got all my friends together from around the country, and my best friend threw a pre-house party, then we all went out on the toon.

We decorated her house with spooky cobwebs and made our own pumpkins. I'd never carved a pumpkin before, but it was so fun, and not as hard as I thought! Although it was messy and smelt horrid. Oh well, I like to get my hands dirty sometimes! 

My creation is the scariest in my opinion, the second one from the left, and I named him Patrick. You can just imagine him saying it, can't you!? They looked great and really got us in the Halloween spirit.

This year I wore, Rare dress, and again my trusty Carvela's! 

I love being a vampire because its simple and you look nice, which is always a plus! However, think I'll go a bit scarier next year, as its only one night of the year that you can look as bad as you want to!

What did you wear this Halloween?

Amy xi