Bargain backpack

Of all the things I've learnt after years of clothes shopping the most important has to be "Never go into a shop without money". It's at this moment I've found that you're most likely to fall head over heels for something that's completely beautiful but you obviously can't buy. Leaving something that would fit perfectly in your wardrobe has to be one of the worst feelings ever, but for some reason I managed to convince myself that having a quick look around one of my local charity shops this Saturday would be fine. Foolish, I know. As you've probably guessed I did find something that would fit perfectly in my wardrobe, I did fall head over heels for it, and I did indeed have to leave it behind.

However, no need to despair. Surprisingly the shop was open on the same Sunday afternoon (thank you Scope) and I was able to convince my Dad to give me a lift up there to get it (thank you Dad). Again, rather luckily, no one had snapped up my beautiful bargain and I practically ran to the till with it.

The target of my affection:

The target of my affection is this undeniably cute tapestry backpack. As you may know I have a bit of an obsession with thrifting due to the vintage pieces you can get at such affordable prices, and if this isn't the perfect advert for such things then I don't know what is. It was an a mere £5! I absolutely adore the fabric and the small amount of leather and gold detailing on it. This bag is seriously like a tardis too. It's quite big anyway but inside it gets even bigger and I was able to fit all of my school books and my laptop in there today without any trouble. It has two pockets on the front which I kept my makeup and hair bits in, and then of course the large, main section at the back. It's by the brand Gabriel which I've never heard of before, if you do know them let me know in the comments. 

The backpack has official been christened my school bag after today's test run and I can't express how happy it makes me. My old bag was loosing a lot of its studs and was terrible in our recent bad weather since it's the complete opposite of water proof. Plus, I don't think I can argue with feeling that little bit happier about walking to school on an early morning. I suppose that's the power that clothes and accessories have on people. 

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and a not too hideous Monday. Let me know what your best charity shop find is in the comments, I'd love to know.

Thanks for reading, 

Bethany Paige X 

Are you serious?

Ashish described his inspiration for the S/S13 collection as "the archetypal math geek, who is more concerned with quadratic equations than the number of ply in a cashmere" If understanding quadratics is what I need to get my hands on his clothes, then frankly I better start studying because maths certainly isn't my strong point. One thing that is a strong point of mine however is understanding fashion, and I have to say that this collection is one of my personal favourites for Spring/Summer. In principle the clothes shouldn't work. I mean think about it, double denim, sequin socks, lop-sided hair scrunchies, reconstructed oversized shirts and to pull it all together chunky, bright white Reeboks. Is he serious? Well, as the sweater suggests - yes. It somehow works, all the way from the scruffy hair to the blindingly bright trainers. 

The clothes look as though they've been put together by teenagers going through a rebellious stage of cutting up their clothes and wearing their college boyfriend's sweater. Cuts are baggy and have a touch of PE kit about them with jersey fabrics and loose fitting shorts. Ashish also succeeds in contrasting fabrics by mixing denims with sequins in equal amounts to form some rather gorgeous trousers and a jacket. Then there's those asymmetric shoulder dungarees with a number print, which take the math geek aspect up a notch further. Overall, a completely lust worthy collection in my opinion.

What do you think of the collection?

Thanks for reading, 
Bethany Paige X

Damage control is needed: Topshop S/S13

Last night I wrote a post (found here) in which I looked at the SS13 Topshop lookbook. Well, at least I looked at what I thought was the SS13 Topshop lookbook. In actual fact I made the big mistake of confusing it with the SS12 collection, making myself look rather silly! There I was commenting on the clothes in their three styles, looking at cuts and colours, but the whole time I was lusting after clothes that have been around since a year ago, and I have in fact mentioned in previous posts. Whoopsie. I have no idea how this happened because looking at them I recognize at least one piece of clothing from each picture, but somehow I was in a blogger trance and it didn't quite sink in. I even had the real SS13 lookbook pictures saved on my phone, and still didn't realize when saving the pictures on my laptop that they didn't match up. Let's call it a "momentary lapse".

The thing that most bloggers would probably do, and perhaps the logical way to deal with this situation, would be to delete the post all together and make a new one. After spending my evening writing it though, it seems like a bit of a waste, so I decided to keep it up. I'm sure all of you beautiful people understand that everybody makes mistakes and so consequently won't hold this against me. I know that the blogging community can be very forgiving!

Here are the real Topshop S/S13 pictures: 

Tribal influences:

The tribal and jungle style prints in this section of the lookbook are to die for. I'm completely lusting over the dungarees in the second picture! I love the casual and laid back feel of these four outfits and the use of trainers with a hint of leopard print is ingenious; it brings a slightly sport luxe look to the clothes. 

Oriental beauty:

Oriental style make my heart flutter. I am so in love with these pieces. The use of jaunty angling in the first dress pictured is simply perfection, as are the high leg slits in the last. I think I've also become emotionally attached to the oversized clutch bags in this section. 

Monochrome grunge:

Just when you thouht it couldn't get any better Topshop whip out these monochrome pieces with a touch of grunge about them. I adore everything. The use of delicate fabrics layered under thick leathers with studs and spray paint is amazing, I'm especially lusting after the whole outfit in the first picture and the biker jacket in the last. 

Superwoman: 

Kapow! These comic book inspired prints are going to be huge in S/S and thanks to Topshop us normal folk will be able to get our hands on the jaw dropping style too. Of course I'm also a big fan of the "mom jeans" (mentioned here) and can't wait for them to hit the stores. Plus, varsity jacket are back! 

Spots and stripes:

Spots and stripes everywhere - On jeans, t-shirts, skirts, bags and even shoes. I love the skirt in the first picture with the leg slit, and how it's been styled with the loose fitted shirt. The green sweatshirt in picture 4 also has to be a favourite of mine. 

Sorry again for the "momentary lapse"! Still, I don't think two posts full of Topshop pictures can be a bad thing, right? 

Let me know in the comments which collection you prefer, SS12 or SS13? 

Thanks for reading, 

Bethany Paige X

Topshop excitement

"Keep calm Bethany, keep calm." That's a sentence I've had to repeat numerous times to myself today after finding out that Topshop have released their S/S 2013 lookbook. For me this is one of the best moments in the fashion calendar because, as you all know, Topshop is probably my favourite high-street shop. Looking through the absolutely stunning collection made me realize just how many wishlist posts I'm going to be making this spring! As far as I can tell the lookbook was split loosely into 3 categories: Quirky and girly, print overload and sport luxe. 

Quirky and girly:

Pastel colours, cute socks and delicately textured fabrics - absolutely adorable! I love the girly feel of these outfits and completely admire Topshop's ability to create jaw dropping accessories (let me point you in the direction of those flame socks in picture three) that bring a bit of edge to the clothes. 

Print overload:

The bright coloured clashing patterns of these outfits are certainly not for the faint hearted but they're totally gorgeous. I adore the use of layering. This kind of look is amazing for the warmth of summer as with all those floral prints you'll look like you're part of a tropical paradise! I have my eye on that yellow skirt in the last picture.

Sports luxe:

Metallics and mesh have to be two of my favourite fabrics. Enter Topshop. The sporty feel of these outfits really appeals to me, and I'm loving the gold and silver sandals (picture 1 and 3). These clothes are slightly relaxed but still have those luxurious touches that make them oh-so-stylish. 

Which is your favourite look?

Thanks for reading, 
Bethany Paige X