Primark SS14: The First Images are in!

Hi guys,
Yes it's that time of the season once more: we're all freezing and bundled up in our coats, so it's time to start thinking about what we'll be wearing when Spring arrives. When it starts snowing i'll know it's time for me to buy my summer sandals! As we're in the process of booking our early-summer holiday (in May) I for one am particularly interested to see what spring/summer wear Primark have to offer. And their press images never fail to disappoint, even if they aren't always to my tastes.

There are a couple of looks in this initial that I suspect will look pretty cheap in the flesh, even if they photograph well. And when you can buy a whole outfit for under £20, what can you expect I suppose! But despite this, there are also a couple of outfits I definitely have my eye on:



Image 1: Coat £25, top £6, jeans £13, sandals £12, earrings £1.50
Image 2: Dress £20, earrings £1.
Image 3: Top £8, skirt £6, bag £1.50, earring £1
Image 4: Top £6, skirt £12, bag, shoes £13, hat £1.50
Image 5: Dress £20, shoe £12, sunglasses £3
Image 6: Top £8, skirt £8, bracelet £2, earrings £1.50

The drop dates for the selection above range from January to May, so if it's summer goodies you're looking for then it's safe to say you can start hunting now! I won't be running for the doors at opening time to get my hands on any of this particular range, but I do like the white dress with the white overlay: I think the fit would be really flattering!

Is there anything you've got your eyes on? Or are you hoping the next drop will be a little more inspiring, like me?

Love Tor x

Lust: Feel Grown-up in Preen from Debenhams Edition

Hi guys,
I really love the Edition Designers at Debenhams. Of all the high street designer diffusion ranges, it is the best quality with the closest similarities to the designer's mainline collections. By far my favourite of the Edition designers collections though is Preen: I love the sharp shapes, the clean lines and the overall grown-up feel of the collection. These are the clothes that would take you from work to play effortlessly.

I had a winter coat from the collection two years ago, and it is still one of my favourites: the styles are timeless but fashion-forward at the same time. Here are some of the pieces you can currently pick up in Debenhams right now:

I want that prim and proper buttoned up white blouse, the statement red trousers, and the black top with the dainty daisy embellishments on it. All are pieces that would slip in perfectly to almost anyone's wardrobe, and classic enough that they would last you forever!

I'm probably showing my age, but I just lust after the classics: I want a wardrobe that will take me anywhere without having to really think about it! What do you think of the Preen at Debenhams range? Are there any pieces you covet?

 Love Tor x

Sneak Peek: A/W13 Mainline collection images from ASOS

Hi guys,
The model and product images from the ASOS mainline womenswear collections landed in my inbox this week, and I immediately poured over them, lusting after several new season items almost immediately. Autumn/winter is by far my favourite season (in terms of both the fashion and the weather) and even when I'm shopping the summer sales in this 30 degree heat it's the coats and the ankle boots i'm looking at, definitely not the bikinis and beach dresses!

The contrasting textures, the muted colours, the grungy feel - this is everything I love about winter summed up in just a few images. Layers and knitwear: it's like a winter-lover's wet dream! There are so many more amazing images from next seasons mainline ASOS collection that I could be sharing dozens of them every week until December, and probably still have more to show off! Can you remember when ASOS stood for 'As seen on screen' and sold dodgy knock offs of celebrities outfits? My how the brand has grown and changed! I really couldn't imagine the online shopping landscape without it now!

Sorry for my radio silence for most of this week. I have been snowed under with freelancing work (definitely not a bad thing!) and that combined with a teething and grumpy baby means there hasn't been much time left for blogging!

What do you think of these first peeks at the ASOS autumn/winter collection? Does it make you lust after winter already, or is just the sight of these tights making your legs feel hot and itchy?

Love Tor xx

Primark AW13: Another peek (Because it's all so good!)

Hi guys,
As you're reading this I am at The Crazy Bear in Stadhampton celebrating my 2nd wedding anniversary. But I thought I'd leave you guys with some yummy scrummy Primark fun! I get back tomorrow, and I'll share all the details of my trip!

After last week's peek at some of the campaign images from Primark's autumn/winter offerings, I thought we should have a look at some more of the product we've got to look forward to. I said it last week, and I'll say it again, I'm so excited for all of this stuff to land in store! It's a range that really appeals to me because it's lady-like, grown-up, massively wearable and would fit in so nicely with my existing wardrobe.
Image 1: Sweatshirt, £10. Trousers, £8. Shoes, £18.
Image 2: Jacket, £25. T shirt, £12. Trousers, £16. Shoes, £14. Necklace, £8.
Image 3: Jumper, £10. Shirt, £10. Jeans, £13. Shoes, £14. Earrings, £5.
Image 4: Dress, £13. Boots, £20. Tights, £3.50.
Image 5: Sweatshirt, £12. Skirt, £6. Shoes, £18. Necklace, £8.
Image 6: Coat, £25. Sweatshirt, £10. Trousers, £8. Shoes, £14. Earrings, £5.

The peep toe ankle boots are gorgeous: I tried on a similar pair in Topshop last week, and they were £75. They'd look great with coloured tights or skinny jeans! I also really like the cobalt blue coat, which has an awesome, retro 1980s feel. My final pick? That chunky knit dusty pink jumper is a piece you would buy and wear again and again. It's so versatile, and could be dressed up or down.

Want to see more? Check out last week's post showing the first peek at Primark's new season campaign images.

Is there anything that's caught your eye this time? And what do you think about the new Primark autumn/winter collection - are you tempted to start shopping?

Love Tor x

Primark AW13: The first campaign images are here!

Hi guys,
We're finally having our first heat wave of the year, so it seems natural that now would be the perfect time for me to start talking about autumn/winter. Because what everyone wants right now is a new winter coat! Seriously though, the first campaign images from Primark for autumn have been released, and I knew I had to share them as soon as I saw them!

The unwearable crop tops and youth-focus of the spring/summer collection has gone. Instead it's been replaced with a grown up, lady like range that is really wearable and very covetable. There are so many pieces I'm lusting after that it's hard to know where to begin:
Image 1:Leopard print sweater, £10. Ring sets from £3.
Image 2: Nude coat, £32. Nude cropped jumper, £10. Nude trousers, £12.
Image 3: Black and white jumper, £14. Black skirt, £14. Black heels, £16.
Image 4: Leather sleeve coat, £28. Shirt, £12. Trousers, £12. Bag, £10. Trainers, £12.
Image 5: Grey and black dress, £17. Bag, £4.
Image 6: Pink coat, £25.

Where do I even start with my list of items I'm coveting? Obviously, because I'm a coat addict, I'd like the leather sleeved cream coat. The full faux leather skirt is just made for teaming with a vintage-style tee and heeled ankle boots. And that leopard print sweater has my name written all over it!

I really do like this collection. It feels like it's aimed at 20-somethings, rather than the teens and pre-teens of the past couple of seasons. What do you think? Is there anything you really like from Primark autumn/winter so far? Or is it just too early to start thinking about your winter wardrobe?

Love Tor x

More magic from Primark's high summer collection!

Hi guys,
My first thought when I saw these campaign images from the Primark high summer collection: Why, hello 1995, good to see you again!

Yes, the dungarees, the obsession with American sport styling, the grungy 'I love Kurt Cobain' attitude: all reminiscent of a very young and very uncool me in the 1990s. And I remember really wanting a pair of those round Liam Gallagher sunglasses too! This is definitely a collection reminiscent of my youth:
Fluro Dungarees £13, White Vest £2.50, White Trainer £6, Round Clear Sunglasses £1.
Varsity Crop Top £6, Boyfriend Jeans £15, Strap Heels £12, Fringe Bag £8
Knitted Varsity Crop £7, Printed Shorts £4, Spike Necklace £8, White Trainer £6, Denim Duffle Bag £6, Ring £3
Aztec Print Cut-Out Dress £15, White Trainers £6, Sunglasses £2.50, Earrings from £2.
Oversized baseball top, £6.
White sunglasses, £2. Pink trainers, £6.

I am so tempted to give dundarees a go, but I just know they wouldn't suit me! I do like the much more curve-friendly cut out detail Aztec dress though: rather than the trainers, I would team it with a satchel and tan wedges instead.

I love all of these looks, but following the old adage that if you can remember a trend from the first time around you shouldn't wear it, I won't be adopting a full-nineties look!  Instead I think I'll incorporate a few details into my usual look: hello, new found obsession with neon!

Have you tried the nineties trend? Would you incorporate any nineties details into your wardrobe?

Love Tor x

PS - This is a pre-scheduled post and as you're reading this I am picking up the keys to our new house! We officially own it from today, and we move in later this week, after we've finished painting the upstairs. I couldn't be more excited: obviously a full post, complete with pictures, will follow!

Object of Lust: Phase Eight's Frida Print Skirt

Hi guys,
I am having something of a boho moment for this Spring/Summer. My last three purchases have been lace embellished florally embroidered cream chiffon blouses - one from River Island, one from Zara, and one from George at Asda.

So when I saw this model shot from Phase Eight's Spring/Summer campaign, I fell in love. And I just knew I would have to find that skirt and make it mine! I love the bold floral print, and the way it juxtaposes with the layers of light chiffon fabric.

Phase Eight Milly lace embellished cardigan, £75
Phase Eight Frida skirt, £75

Luckily for me (and for my guilty pleasure Rachel Zoe, who championed it the first time round. And her most famous prodigy Nicole Richie too, come to mention it) the boho look is back this Spring Summer. Light coloured floaty chiffon blouses and dresses, oversized sunglasses and bags and vintage influences are all Red Hot. So this skirt really would be a great investment: and is a perfect object of lust!

Have you seen anything this week that you know you just have to have? Any immediately lust-worthy purchases? I'd love to hear all about them!

Love Tor xx

SS13:Get frock happy with the ASOS look book!

Hi guys,
I'm a self confessed dress addict (the blog title is probably a dead giveaway of this!) so whenever I see a new look book or stack of product shots, my eyes immediately make a bee line for the dresses. The glitzier the better: and nevermind the fact that I don't actually have anywhere to wear them! So when I saw the latest spring/summer press images from ASOS I did my usual 'look at the pretty frocks' trick. And I definitely wasn't disappointed!!
Green shift dress with 3D flower lace, £120
Metallic deep plunge skater dress, £45
Fluro spot shirt dress, £50
Red mini dress with laser cut flowers, £150
Denim look oversized shift dress, £35
Shift dress with cornelli trim, £85

The dresses on my "must-have immediately" list are the denim oversized shift and the pretty pink fluro shirt dress (my particular favourite!) Both would be perfect for just throwing on with sandals for a put-together, pretty summer look; and it's this ease that is my favourite thing about wearing dresses. My favourite dress from the full selection above is the green lame' and yellow lace number: I know it would be unflattering on my figure (because its so shapeless) and lets face it, when does someone wear something like that anyway (?) but nonetheless it immediately caught my attention, and I think it looks great!

Which of my selection is your favourite? What do you think of the new selection of spring/summer dresses from ASOS? As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!!

Love Tor x

SS13: More must-haves from Primark

Hi guys,
The more I see of the new season pieces from Primark, the more my fingers start itching to hit the shops: I can't wait to hit the big Oxford Street store when I'm in London for London Fashion Week this weekend.

Although my local Norwich branch is good, it doesn't get all of the pieces I see in the look book, and I really want to get my hands on some of the prettier summer dresses. Here are some more of the press shots showcasing the new S/S pieces:

I really like both of the denim shirts, and am seriously impressed by the sunglasses, which are only £1. Things I don't like? They may be on trend but I just don't like hi tops. My motto is that if you can remember a trend from the first time round (I can!) then you're just too old for it...

The best pieces, in my opinion at least, aren't shown on the model shots: there are some great cut out shots of them though. Here are some of the pieces that I can definitely see myself rocking when Spring arrives. Unless otherwise mentioned, all of this is in store now:
Floral tapestry biker jacket, £25
Crochet fringed top, £14 (In store 1st March)
China print dress, £20 (In store 8th March)
Striped midi tube dress, £7
Red zip pocket jacket, £26
Ivory lace midi dress, £17
Embroidered patch denim shorts, £12

What do you think of the new season collection from Primark? Are you a fan of the youthful urban theme and styling they seem to have gone with for their campaign photography? And if you've shopped in Primark lately let me know, what have you picked up?

Love Tor xx

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River Island jewellery: Whoever said that less is more?

Hi guys,
This week I have been as busy as a beaver working on a jewellery feature for one of the mags I freelance for. And whilst trawling through press images looking for suitable pieces, I kept being drawn back to the jewellery shots from River Island's A/W campaign:

Bold, brash, in your face and over the top. Frankly, it's everything I look for when I'm looking for jewellery. I love River Island: it is one of my favourite high street stores, and the shop I ultimately got my new winter coat from (outfit post coming soon!) Some accuse them of over-embellishing sometimes, but I think that's part of the reason I like them so much. As far as I'm concerned, whoever said less is more was very very wrong!

With that in mind, I headed over to the River Island website to pick out and share my favourite pieces from their new season jewellery drop. And anything delicate need not apply!

Silver and gold spike and crystal cuff, £25
Cream pearl bow collar, £25
Gold door knocker earrings, £6
Multi coloured print chain hand harness, £18
Clock pendant necklace, £15
Gold tone ring stack, £8 
Blue cupid jewel brooch, £10

What do you think of the jewellery from River Island? Is it a high street store you would head to if you needed new costume bling, and if not, which high street stores do you prefer?

Love Tor x

ASOS Curve A/W12 Look book: Ahead of the curve...

Hi guys,
Another day, another look book to lust after! Just as soon as Autumn was starting to sneak up on us, and I was preparing to really embark on my Autumn/Winter shopping spree, the weather has taken a typically atypical turn for the better: this weekend has been hotter than summer! Not that I'm complaining. And that doesn't mean we can't still lust after some seriously gorgeous new season shots.

I'm a big fan of ASOS Curve. For those that don't know, Curve is ASOS's plus sized range, and is available in sizes 18-26 (It's designed for sizes 20-26 though, because ASOS have now extended their mainline range to include size 18 too) And, quite rightly, their new Autumn/Winter collection is just as fashion-forward and covetable as their mainline collection:

Looking at the look book you can literally tick off this season's trends one by one! Androgynous coats and tailored trousers? Tick! Oversized boyfriend knits? Tick! Velvet, tweed, jewelled details? Tick, tick, and tick! Well, you get the idea!

Prices range from £20 - £120, and the collection will start landing in store this month! I particularly like the look of the black leather skirt, the black lace body con dress, and the red and blue striped hounds tooth dress too.

What do you think of ASOS Curve? Are there any other plus sized collections you would really recommend?

Love Tor xx

More from Primark's A/W Campaign: The party edition!

Hi guys,
You guys couldn't get enough of Primark's A/W casual campaign images, and if you loved those, you're going to love what Primark have coming up for the party season!

I never spend a great deal of money on my party dresses: if I'm going to buy something designer or high end I want it to be something I can get a lot of wear out of. And as party frocks are something I tend to only wear once or twice, Primark is the perfect place to buy them from.

They have gone overboard with the sequins and the glitter (my favourite things, when it comes to getting ready for a night out) and it still amazes me that you can buy a whole outfit, including jewellery and shoes, for less than £50. And you'd look phenomenal!  God bless Primark, and their truly reasonable prices. Here are some of my picks from what they've got coming up:




Picture 1: Sequin skater dress £20 beg Oct.
Picture 2: Sequin mini £12 mid Sep, Stud shirt £13 end Oct, Gem bow black £20 beg Sep.
Picture 3: Sequin short £16 beg Oct, Sequin jacket £25 beg Oct, Gem bow platform nude beg Sept.
Picture 4: Lace dress £17 beg Oct. 

I need that sequinned flapper-style skirt and the metallic sequinned blazer in my life immediately. And if I had the legs to pull off shorts, those matching sequinned shorts would be joining them!

What do you think? Would you buy an occasion frock from Primark? If not, where do you shop when you need something new for a party?

Love Tor xx

Matalan A/W Look book:New season trends

Hi guys,
I always get excited when new season look books arrive through my front door. I love planning my new season wardrobe, and seeing what trends are going to be everywhere as soon as the weather turns a little cooler.

The Matalan look book is divided into six sections: what Matalan considers to be the key trends for this season. They are: Gothic Glam, Masculine, CyberJam (You can see my take on the CyberJam trend here) Heritage, 60s Gamine, and Wild Craft.

My two favourite trends from this look book are Gothic Glam and 60s Gamine. I want to look like an off duty 60s model during the day, and a Studio 54-loving groupie at night....well, a girl can dream! Here are some of my favourite looks from the book:

Don't you think Matalan have upped their game?! I'm really impressed both with the look book, and the stuff I saw instore when I popped in last week. Really trend led, well cut, wonderfully affordable! What's not to like?!

Do you remember the style challenge I took part in for Matalan last week? Well, this is now live on their site, along with takes on the same trends from other bloggers. Check it out here! I'd love to know what you think of all the looks!

Love Tor xx

Warehouse A/W 2012 campaign: Perfect classic coats

Hi guys,
My coat addiction is a well-documented fact. As soon as the A/W stock starts landing in store my new coat(s) are the first thing I go looking for! My theory for lazy winter dressing is that it doesn't really matter what you're wearing underneath as long as the coat you're wearing on top looks fabulous.

But if, unlike me, you don't have or want a coat in every colour and style to go with every outfit and prefer instead to opt for something a little more classic that will go with everything then I heartily recommend you check out the new season coat drop from Warehouse:




Beige coat, £95, Warehouse
Stud detail coat, £120, Warehouse
Belted military coat, £90, Warehouse 
Faux fur cocoon coat, £90, Warehouse 

I particularly like the faux fur cocoon coat and the black masculine style coat with the stud embellishment on the shoulders: both nod perfectly to this season's coat trends whilst being versatile enough that you could wear them everyday, and with everything. The beige coat is also simple but statement-making, though I dislike the zip up front (It's just a personal preference!)

I will admit that Warehouse isn't a store I've ever thought to go coat shopping before: truth be told, I don't normally rate their style. But these classic coats  are gorgeous, and definitely worth popping in for!

Love Tor xx

Primark's A/W Campaign: I'm stocking up!

Hi guys,
I know August hasn't even arrived yet, and the height of summer is yet to come (if the hype is to be believed) but after falling in love with the Autumn/Winter collection from River Island last week, I just couldn't resist a peak at what Primark has in store for us.

No matter how much I try to focus on buying high quality items which will have longevity in my wardrobe, I just can't resist a rummage in Primark! They always manage to pick up on the hottest seasons trends but at the cheapest prices possible. If I want to experiment with something different I always look in Primark before I look in Topshop because I want to make sure I'm going to like a new look before I invest in it: new looks on a budget! What's not to like?!

Here are the outfits I'm coveting right now. And as soon as they hit the stores, I'll be stocking up:

The trend I am most loving from Primark from A/W is the boyish, casual 1960s trend. The sixties are by far my favourite style decade - and although I don't have the coltish figure of Eddie Segwick or Twiggy, I love nothing more than teaming flats with minis and oversized boyish coats. This is the drop I am most looking forward to in Primark, and I imagine I will spend a small fortune!

I also really want to get my hands on that khaki parka jacket with the leather sleeves. It's just £25, and apparently it should land in-store at the end of July. 

Do you shop in Primark? And what do you think of the new season collection?

Love Tor xx

River Island's A/W 2012 campaign: Lust worthy!

Hi guys,
I really do have a soft spot in my heart for River Island. It's one of my favourite shops on the high street for all of the reasons I know that sometimes other people don't like it: the excessive embellishment, the flamboyant patterns, the general 'lariness' of it all!

But it's also bang on trend and, along with Topshop, is one of the high street shops I look to to find out which catwalk trends will trickle down (although gush down is probaby more appropriate, given the speed it happens at now) to the high street:

Things I have to get my hands on? The metallic embellished top (oh chunky hardwear, how I need you!) and the multicoloured faux fur stole are definitely on my 'must have' list. The 80s gold embroidery is not to my taste, but is definitely going to be bang on trend for next season.

I always get excited to see the new season collections: I blame my attention span, and the fact that because I saw all the clothes on the high street now last Christmas, they're starting to feel very very old. I've already started spotted frocks that I know will be perfect for Christmas but don't worry, I won't start ruining your summer holidays by talking about the 'C' word just yet.....

Love Tor xx