Hello summer, Hello ASOS. Break out the summer dresses!

Hi guys,
I can't be the only one that thinks they have summer sorted, until summer actually arrives. The sunshine and high temperatures today saw me break from wearing my jeans and reach for a summer frock instead, only to find that they're all either too short, too low cut, need too much accessorising or, for whatever reason, just aren't fit for purpose. I think the idea of dressing for summer is much more exciting and easy to romanticise than the reality, which calls for something simple and low key. That's why I've found myself browsing ASOS late at night in my PJs with a fan blowing in my face. And there is so much to love:



This is what I'm looking for! Simple dresses that speak for themselves: just add sandals and go! I think because I love to layer, I tend to favour simple clothes in simple cuts and fabrics, but without the layering potential these pieces simply don't work in the summer months. Time to go back to the drawing board, back to the wardrobe, and do a little more shopping: I currently have windows for ASOS, Boohoo and Dorothy Perkins open in my browser!

How do you handle high temperature dressing? Any hints and tips for looking chic and keeping cool at the same time? I'd love to hear them!

Love Tor x

PS - If you're frantically looking to update your summer wardrobe at short notice then you may like to know that Dorothy Perkins are currently offering 20% off when you spend £50. Excludes sale and selected brands.Just enter the code SUMMER20 at the checkout. The offer ends on Tuesday.

More Summery Loveliness From Primark

Hi guys,
If you want to see some images that will immediately have you craving some summer sun then these newest press shots from Primark definitely won't disappoint. I can only buy cup sized swimwear (which pretty much limits me to shopping in Bravissimo) and this is something I curse every summer. But it is a new experience to be cursing my body because I'm craving after swimwear from Primark! There is some serious swimsuit hottness going on, and at prices so affordable that you could have a different one for every day of your holiday!

Picture 1: Swimsuit £10, Skirt £10, Bag £8, Earrings £1
Picture 2: Bikini top £8, Bikini Bottom £4, Earrings £1
Picture 3: Bikini top £6, Bikini bottom £5, Sunglasses £3
Picture 4: Shirt £10, Bikini Bottom £4, Sunglasses £3, Earrings £1, Rings from £1.50
Picture 5: Bikini top £6, Shorts £7, Sunglasses £2, Earrings £1
Picture 6: Swimsuit £10, Skirt £10, Earrings £1

I love the Prada-style pineapple print bikini with the high waisted bottoms: It's almost worth buying those bottoms to pair with a plainer top! I also love the casual styling of the short sleeved boyfriend-style shirt with the bikini bottoms. Maybe it's because I'm going on holiday in a fortnight and maybe it's because the sun has started shining, but I can't remember the last time I had such positive feelings about swimwear!

What do you think of the latest Primark swimwear picks? And have you picked up anything fantastic in store lately? It's been a while since I popped into my local Primark, so I have no idea what's in store!

Love Tor x

The Summer Sales: Starting with River Island!

Hi guys,
The summer sales are well and truly in full swing! I popped into the city for a mini shopping trip yesterday, and struggled to find a single store that didn't have a huge sale sign in the window! As has become tradition, the first sale I want to talk about is River Island. Usually I come out with bagfuls of stuff, but this time I only picked up two vests: one of which, I have to say, is the most flattering vest I have ever owned!
I could have spent a small fortune on bags and shoes, which are always the highlight of the River Island sale for me, but I showed some rare restraint, and actually put the two bags I was carrying back! So if you do pop to the River Island sale what can you expect to find in store? And what do I think are the biggest bargains available? Here are my picks:
Red oversized slouchy jacket, Was £35 now £20
Black and white drop hem dress, Was £28 now £15
Black and white 3D flower Tshirt, Was £15 now £7
Orange skull studded slipper shoes, Was £28 now £12
Red one shoulder pencil dress, Was £45 now £15
Pink fluro 'famous' belt, Was £10 now £3
Pink stone ring, Was £8 now £2
Cream studded clutch bag, Was £50 now £25

I chose these pieces because you'll still be able to wear them through the autumn too, and given we aren't expected to have much of a summer, if you pick up any high summer bargains then you're unlikely to get a lot of wear out of them!

The sale is available in store and online at RiverIsland.com, and is well worth checking out! Have you shopped the River Island sale so far this sales season? And have you had any amazing bargains?

Love Tor x

High Summer from Levis

Hi guys,
For the past 12 months my obsession with dresses has been replaced with a newfound obsession with denim. I wear jeans at least five days of the week, and finding the perfect pair consumes me: I think I've come close, but I'm not quite there yet! One denim brand that I really do love is Levis. Great cuts, great fits, great jeans: but of course, they make other things too.

Even the most committed denim lovers tend to wear less denim in the summer. The lure of skirts and sandals, floaty sun dresses and fitted maxi dresses are so much more exciting that the jeans and vests or blouses that you've been wearing all winter long! Me? I'll be wearing the jeans and the vests (with a great sandal or two thrown in!) And I'll be teaming them with some of the latest high summer pieces from Levis:

High waisted yellow skinny jeans, £80
Denim trucker vest, £55
Body shaping floral tulip dress, Was £80 now £55.90

I love the sleeveless denim jacket. It would look fantastic worn open over a white cotton bohemian dress. And if my thighs were just a tad slimmer then I would snap up those yellow jeans: they would look amazing as part of my day to day uniform, teamed with simple black or white silk vests or chiffon blouses. Finally, who knew Levis made such pretty dresses? How perfect would this floral tulip dress be for a wedding, and it's almost worth buying for the fun and surprise of telling people you're wearing an outfit from the nation's favourite denim-outfitter!

Seen something you like? Shop the brand now!

Do you tend to wear less denim in the summer? Or are you a committed denim lover all year round? And do you have any denim brands you'd like to recommend for me to check out?

Love Tor x

Shoes: Comfort soles for the soul!

Hi guys,
When it comes to weddings, parties, and anything that involves drinking cocktails, I am definitely a heel girl. But when it comes to everyday summer days I prefer foot comfort! Summer to me means picnics in the park, strolls along the beach, and walking everywhere: why drive when you can feel the sun on your shoulders?

With that in mind I want sandals that look good but are so comfortable that I'm not thinking about my feet whilst I'm enjoying the rare British summer. Enter my latest picks from Sarenza: these comfort sole 'soft sole' Clarks sandals with their stud detailing. I always associate comfort sole shoes with old ladies on buses wearing pleated skirts and pulling shopping trolleys. But these aren't those shoes.

Yes, they're so comfortable you can walk in them forever without any rubbing or blisters. But they also look great: the on trend stud detailing is perfect with the black leather and metallic gold combo. And because of my obsession with gold jewellery they go with everything in my wardrobe, making them the perfect shoes!

Have you bought your new summer sandals yet? And have you gone for style, comfort, or a little bit of both?

Love Tor xx

*I am a Sarenza brand ambassador

Get ready for high summer from Primark!

Hi guys,
Spring has finally sprung - for the first time since September I've left the house without a jacket on this week. That means, that in the time-honoured fashion tradition of always looking a season ahead, it's time to forget about Spring and start thinking about high summer!

When I saw these high summer model shots from Primark, my heart skipped a beat. This is my dream summer wardrobe, and exactly what I'd like to wear for frolicking of the beach, wandering around the markets and sightseeing on my summer holiday. It has the perfect bohemian style and feels very casual, not too overthought, and just made for an exotic location. Perfect:
Fluro Zebra Bodycon Dress £10, Aztec Cut-Out Bangle £2.
Mexicana Print Tank £4, Denim Navajo Shorts £14, Ring £2.50, Bangle Sets from £2.50.
Bikini Top £6, Crochet Waistcoat £14, Printed Trousers £9, Beaded Sandals £12, Aztec Cut-Out Bangle £2, Ring £2.50 Crochet Fringe Top £14, printed Shorts £4, Feather Earrings £5, Straw Tote £7.
Bikini Top £4, Crochet Crop Top £12, Suede Shorts £12, Gladiator Sandals £12, Embroidered Rucksack £9, Dreamcatcher Necklace £10, Rings from £1.50.

The pieces I just can't wait to get my hands on are the paisley print trousers (still flattering because the base colour is black) and the fringed crochet top. Cream crochet and lace detail tops are definitely going to be a core part of my wardrobe this summer.

I also really love the tribal print shorts and for £4, they're a bargain! If you have the legs, go and check them out: I do not have the legs, but I love them so much that I'm currently scouring the high street for a longer pair: if I find them i'll let you know!

Have you started shopping for your summer holiday yet? Have you even booked it yet - and if you have, where are you going?

Love Tor x

SS13 In Primark this Week: Hit the beach in New Season Swimwear

Hi guys,
Have you booked your summer holiday yet? Are you going anywhere nice? Well, if you've got plans to spend any time on a beach with sand between your toes this summer then you have got to get down to Primark this week: all of their high summer swimwear and beachwear landed in store on 25th March (yesterday) and there are some pieces that I just can't wait to get my hands on.

I know March seems a bit early to be buying that new bikini (you probably haven't even started your bikini diet yet) but, much like buying the best winter coat, you have to plan early to get a good bikini, before all the best ones are sold out. And some of these bits just aren't worth missing out on:
Tassle cut out swimsuit, £13. Pink stripe bikini: top £4, bottom £3. Crochet pompom Kaftan, £8.
Lilac frilly bikini: top £6, bottom, £4. Block print hi-low swim skirt, £5. Aztec cut out swimsuit, £8.

If you're fuller busted like myself, then I wouldn't recommend buying a Primark bikini. Whilst they look amazing on the hanger, they just don't provide adequate support for the bigger busted gal. (I'll be sharing some of my favourite proper cupped bikinis next week!) For everyone else though, I really like Primark's swimwear; it's well cut and the designs are very fashion-forward. I will be shopping at Primark for my beach cover ups though: and that pompom detail Kaftan is at the very top of the list!

Have you tried swimwear from Primark, and what did you think? If you don't wear Primark swimwear, where do you get your bikinis from? Do you have any recommendations to share?

Love Tor x