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

Bag a Bargain in the River Island sale

Hi guys,
The River Island sale started yesterday, so of course I immediately popped (read: ran!) down to my local store to check it out. I tried on seven dresses but eventually left with a classic Breton striped jumper (£12) and a huge black leather bucket bag (£40): Both timeless investment pieces, rather than the frivolous sale purchases I usually impulse buy and never wear!

However there was much more on their website than I found in my local store: there weren't any of the goodies I had been lusting after in the Norwich branch! So rather than show you pictures of everything I bought like I usually do (because a picture of a bag and a jumper isn't much of a post!) I thought I would create my picks of the best stock left online. There are some amazing bargains to be had if you're quick, much of it from the River Island new S/S13 lines: Lime tweed oversized biker jacket: was £70 now £30
Cat moustache T shirt: was £18 now £7
Black Aztec print skater skirt: was £20 now £10
Blue tribal waterfall cardigan: was £48 now £25
Navy and cream knit jumper: was £22 now £12
Space invaders jumper dress: was £45 now £15
Tres over it jumper: was £38 now £15
Brown leopard print dress: was £35 now £15
Red ditzy print blazer: was £45 now £20

The stripey jumper is the jumper I picked up! It looks great on and has a really great fit, so it comes heartily recommended. I also really love the lime green biker jacket, and can't resist the moustached cat T shirt: I'm half glad they didn't have it in my local branch though. That's exactly the kind of thing I would impulse buy without thinking and then never wear because, let's face it, I'm way too old for cat clothes!

Have you checked out the River Island sale yet? Had any bargains? I'd love to hear all about them!

Love Tor x

Daily wear: My new uniform

Hi guys,
Everyone has a daily uniform, whether you're given a prescribed work uniform or not. Your uniform is your go- to outfit for speed, comfort, style. You could be a jeans girl or a leggings girl. Always wear black, or only wear bright colours.  Most people wear a variation of that same outfit everyday. I know I do!
Jeans, Miss Selfridges. Blouse, River Island. Boots, Georgia Rose c/o Sarenza. Baby bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Watch, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Bracelets, See by Chloe.

It used to be that my go to uniform for work everyday was a black dress or black tunic and a funky jacket. I love a jacket! But since I've been staying at home with Wilbur my lifestyle has changed and my uniform has too! For going to baby groups, coffee mornings, walks in the park, my new uniform is this. Jeans, comfy boots, baby changing bag, and a pretty blouse. I'm looking forward to the day when my uniform goes back to being pretty dresses and heels (I really miss heels!) but for now I am embracing the jeans and blouse look. And I like it!

Am I right? Do you wear the same type of uniform outfit everyday? And if so, what's yours?

Love Tor x

Rihanna for River Island launches tomorrow

Hi guys,
If you've been waiting to get your hands on the Rihanna for River Island collection then its time to set your alarm clock: the collection launches online at 1am tomorrow morning. It's been a while since there has been such a fuss about a high street collaborative collection: you know something's going to be big when Rihanna turning up late for the launch makes the national news!
The collection is very much Rihanna's style, and perfect for the average River Island shopper. The styling and the catwalk show was a little too flesh-baring for my personal prudish tastes (but it was very Rihanna) however actually there are several pieces in the collection that I like and that I would wear: I'd just team them with more clothes! The vibrant yellow is perfect for summer and the floral pattern is modern and very wearable.
As a general rule, I worry when a non-designer celebrity puts their name to a collection. I'm always interested to know exactly how much involvement the celebrity has in designing the collection: do they pick the fabrics, draw the designs? Think about how the designs will suit the average customer in the store?

I know some celebs have more involvement than others, but I just struggle picturing Rihanna slaving over a drawing board somehow.... So is the collection a credit to the design team that created it? Well it's nice, this kind of urban styling is very on-trend at the moment. But it's not exactly innovative. And there's certainly nothing that will invoke me to set my alarm to go shopping in the middle of the night: I just don't like any of it enough, although I will say I don't dislike it either!

Have you been waiting for the Rihanna for River Island collection? Will you be awake and clicking frantically to get the collection at 1am, or are you letting this one pass you by?

Love Tor x

Top picks from the clearance at River Island...

Hi guys,
Chaos. Disorganised, untidy, uncohesive chaos: That's the only way I can think to describe the River Island sale on the last occasions I've popped in to check it out. And I can prove it too! Check out how my local store looked the last time I popped in:

This isn't a criticism of River island: almost all sales look like this, and it's not exactly inspiring. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't still check out the amazing bargains in the River Island sale (they've made their final reductions and some items have more than 70% off) it just means that it probably makes more sense to do it online. Online is my new favourite way to shop: it's so easy and convenient on days when I can't get out of the house. And here are my picks of the best bargains still available on the River Island website right now:

Green floral peplum dress, was £45 now £10
Checked boyfriend coat, was £70 now £20
Purple floral Tshirt dress, was £35 now £7
Leather look studded gilet, was £60 now £20
Floral cut out prom dress, was £55 now £15
Silver zebra print dim hem skirt, was £35 now £7

Black stud front slipper shoes, was £30 now £10
Leopard print brothel creepers, was £28 now £10
Gold block heel ballet pumps, was £45 now £20
Dogtooth wedges, was £90 now £20
Beige wedge ankle boots, was £80 now £20
Stud back ankle boots, was £60 now £30
Black embellished sandals, was £70 now £20
Yellow peep toe heels, was £65 now £20
Lace wedges, was £60 now £30

I'm always amazed by how much winter coats and accessories are reduced by: this is the time of year when my coat addiction reaches its peek, and I am very tempted by that checked one. There are loads of other options over on their website too, but I picked the pieces with the biggest and best discounts.

I know the sales are nearly over and in some cases that means the best of the stock has been sold, but there are still some great bargains to be had and now, when almost all stores are reducing their sale prices yet again, is the best time to shop. Other stores making final reductions are French Connection (stock up to 75% off) and Accessories (all sale now 70% off)

I still want to hear about your sale bargains! What have you picked up? And which shops do you think have had the best sales this sales season?

Love Tor xx

Shopping: Wishing for my wishlist

Hi guys,
As my due date draws closer and closer (we're now just three weeks away!) my fantasies about wearing normal clothes and shopping in all of my favourite high street stores are increasing dramatically. I want heels, dresses with waistlines and chunky rings I can actually squeeze my swollen fat fingers into!

So to satisfy my shopping cravings, I've put together a little wishlist of the things I have been most lusting over this week:

1. Fuschia knuckle ring, dollybowbow.co.uk, £12. 
Yes, it looks just like the YSL Arty ring, which is the ring I would actually like to add to my wishlist. (I'm obsessed with it in this colour)  but at £180 it's every so slightly out of budget. This dollybowbow one is one of the best replicas I have seen though, and a snip at less than a tenth of the price!

2. Floral and lace mix dress, Topshop, £60
This has all the makings of the perfect Christmas time dress. Unlike a sparkly/sequinned dress which you could only wear for a Christmas party, this one is versatile enough that you could wear it for almost anything: dress it up for a party, down for lunch! Note how I'm justifying this purchase to myself: I'm having this dress!

3. Vintage Chanel drop earrings, ASOS, £795
Nope, that price tag isn't a typo. But what kind of wishlist would this be without something outrageously expensive on it?! Besides, they're so purty!

4. Blue print ankle boots, River Island, £65
Who says winter boots had to be boring? Or match your coat? Or easy to walk in? For these beauties, I'm prepared to throw all of my boot buying rules out of the window!

5. Digital jewel clutch, ASOS, £15
Attending a wedding last month drew my attention to the fact that I only actually own 2 clutch bags (one red, one blue) and I just don't think that's enough! Yes, I accept I won't fit many nappies in this beauty, but it's too pretty to let practical concerns get in the way!

6. Polka dot sequin jumper, French Connection, £62
This is another one that I think will be just perfect for Christmas: all the coziness of an oversized jumper, but with sequins! I love polka dots, so this jumped straight out at me when I saw it instore yesterday. I'd like to pair it with coloured heels and skinny jeans.

What's on your current wishlist? Is there anything you're lusting over, and what's holding you back from picking it up?

Love Tor x

Daily wear: Shiny Jackets and Ballgowns

Hi guys,
Yesterday I met with up with my buds Reena and Amy to check out the ballgown exhibition at the V&A. There were plenty of sighs and lust-induced moments as we made our way round, choosing the dresses we would imaginarily wear for a variety of different events. I'm going to make it a new resolution that I have to be invited to at least one event in the next 12 months where I get to wear a ballgown: life is just way too short not to float around in a sea of couture tulle!!

Sadly it was jeans for me, not full skirts. But nonetheless, here's what I wore for the occasion:



This is the River Island jacket I got from their sale on Thursday for £25: sadly it's sold out on their website, but it's still available in the Norwich store, so you might find it in your local store too! The rest of the outfit is all stuff you've seen before: My BCBG Max Azria bag from TKMaxx, Red Herring @ Debenhams maternity jeans, H by Hudson boots, Topshop necklace and bracelet, Swavoski ring, Marc Jacobs watch and Alice Temperley Somerset scarf.

As I get bigger I find that I am wearing jeans and jersey tops more and more: they'e just by far the most comfortable things in the world! Thank heavens for my (admittedly extensive) collection of jackets and scarves to jazz everything up!

What did you do this weekend? And what are you wearing whilst you're doing it?

Love Tor xx

The River Island sale starts today!

Hi guys,
The title says it all really: the River Island sale starts today! I love River Island, so I'm always very excited on the day the sale starts. I cleared my schedule this morning and made a beeline for my local store where I picked up a gorgeous Chelsea Girl leopard print dress, peach sequinned jumper, and irresistible but thoroughly impractical silver blazer!

Possibly because my local store (Norwich) isn't very large, there is considerably more available on the website than I found instore. I'm sure this is a completely different story in the larger London stores though: thank God I'm heading into town on Saturday! But luckily I'm not adverse to online shopping. If you're not either then you're in for a treat! Here are my picks:

Brown leopard print peplum dress, £10
Grey sequinned biker jacket, £35
Brown and gold lace dip hem dress, £15
Red embellished t shirt dress, £15
Black peep toe stud wedges, £30
Leopard print block heel boots, £35

I'm always dubious about mid-season sales, and half expected to see a pile of left over summer season stock. But actually there was plenty on offer from the new autumn/winter collections, and even some glitzy dresses and tops that would be perfect for saving for Christmas, if you like to plan ahead. Everything I saw was at least 50% off: some things were considerably more.

Have you checked out the River Island sale? Have you picked up any bargains in your local store? I'd love to hear all about it, especially which stores the shopping is good in!

Love Tor xx

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

Daily Wear: The way I wore London Fashion Week

Hi guys,
Well I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that London Fashion Week is finally here! I started my week by attending the Fearne Cotton for Very.co.uk show on Thursday, followed by the always awesome TKMaxx bloggers dinner. I wasn't planning on covering Fashion Week this year - I didn't think I would be up to it, to be honest. But then the excitement started building, the tickets started arriving, and frankly I just couldn't resist! So I am going to fashion week, but for fewer days and fewer shows than I normally would.

Choosing what to wear was difficult. If I was going to spend 5 hours on trains (and rail replacement buses - thank you Saturday trains!) then on my feet queuing for shows, comfort had to be key. But I wanted to look as stylish as I could muster as well! Here's what I came up with:



Dress - Mothercare, Leather jacket - River Island, Tan bag - Pucci c/o TKMaxx, Black studded bag (for carrying magazines, tickets, and my camera) - Friis & Co, Boots - H by Hudson c/o Sarenza.  

I love this leather jacket - I got it in the River Island January sale last year and have worn it so much that the cost-per-wear on it has to be less than 10p per wear by now! I flung it over one of my bump-hugging maternity dresses from Mothercare in the hope it would lend a slight rock chick edge! I then added practical bags and as many chunky bangles as I could fit on my wrists - done!

Also a quick note on my boots. They are H by Hudson Horrigan boots, c/o Sarenza. I wrote about them last month, but I really can't sing their praises highly enough. I've been on my feet all day, and they don't feel sore at all: they are the most comfortable boots I've ever owned! At £170 I admit that they aren't cheap, but they really are worth every penny. And because of their black/brown combo they're versatile too: they'll go with pretty much everything! Yup. I'm officially in love with a pair of boots.

Proper coverage of today's shows will follow tomorrow - but for now, I need to put my feet up and the TV on, and have a cup of tea!
Love Tor xx

River Island sale shoes: Check them out now!

Hi guys,
The summer sales are starting to wind down. When I went to check out the notorious Next sale today there was almost nothing left! But one department of my favourite sale, the sale I always make a beeline for, is definitely going strong. I have never seen so many pairs of amazing shoes as there are currently in the River Island sale!

There were leather sandals and flip flops for £10-£15. An amazing selection of heels and wedges for around £20. And three pairs of the most stunning flatforms I have ever seen: River Island have the best high summer shoes I've seen on the high street this year, and they're a damn bargain!





The bottom pair are beyond and above my favourites: and they're just £15! How can you possibly argue with a price like that?

If you don't live near a River Island store there is still a pretty good selection available on the website too. Check them out now: believe me, they're definitely worth a look!

PS - River Island also has a great selection of winter accessories in their sale at the moment too: I think it's left over stock from last year. But if you're looking for fur or knit hats or scarves then you can pick them up for under £5 in their sale right now: a bargain if you like to plan ahead!

Love Tor x

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

Daily Wear: The swan dress

Hi guys,
I saw this swan print dress on the Topshop website, immediately fell in love with the print on it, and scurried to the Oxford Street store to snap it up! Topshop seem to have gone slightly crazy with this print: you can also buy it in a standard and petite non-maternity tea dress, shorts, jacket, jumpsuit, and blouse.

The great thing about a printed dress like this is that you don't have to do to much to dress it up. I went minimal with accessories, and just kept everything else black. Here's how I wore it:



Eeek - please excuse my chipped toe nails (must rectify immediately!) As I said, the swan print dress is from Topshop, Marc Jacobs handbag, belt from Primark (but doesn't it look like Moschino and it only cost £3?!), Primark sandals, Rock and Republic sunglasses and Marc Jacobs watch.

This is the first time I've worn sandals this month, and just putting them on really makes it feel like summer! I wore this outfit to meet Mike from work and head out for pizza: we decided we needed a treat before coming home and continuing operation Paint the Whole House. I keep finding paint in the most obscure places, and we're not even half way through yet! I know how I'll be spending my evenings for the next fortnight...

What are you wearing today?

Love Tor xx

Jubilee fashion - How could I not?!

Hi guys,
With the Jubilee weekend (or what I am calling the 'Big Move' weekend) almost upon us, how could I not do a quick round up of all the best of Britannia fashion currently on the high street? And by that, of course, I mean the best of everything kitsch, tacky and gloriously over the top!

Love London make up bag, Accessorize, £10
Jubilee print blazer, River Island, £40 
Jubilee crown ring, Topshop, £10
Vivienne Westwood bracelet, Asos, £95
Union jack clutch, Debenhams, £50
Vivienne westwood dress, Matches, +£2000
Crown sunglasses, Accessorize, £6
Steam cream Big Ben moisturiser, Asos, £13
Union Jack pendant, Cath Kidston, £20

OK I know I said this would be high street, but you just can't talk about the best of British without throwing in a Vivienne Westwood dress, can you!? I also love the blazer from River Island so much that I just ordered it! It will look fantastic not only this weekend, but also all wonderful British summer long teamed with plain frocks, or jeans and a white tee.

I'm not ashamed to say that I like the Royal family - especially the Queen when she's wearing her ceremonial robes (or 'all blinged up' as I prefer) I think it's nice to have someone to look to that you can depend on and it's at times like this that I do feel very very proud to be British. So at some point this weekend, amongst the chaos of the removal men, endless boxes, and frantic hoovering, I will find the time to eat a hotdog in honour of 'er Maj: It's the least I can do!

What are you going to be doing this Jubilee weekend? Will you be celebrating? And more importantly, what will you be wearing to do it?!

Love Tor xx

Fabfrocks picks: Bold neon accessories

Hi guys,
There are some trends that are hard to avoid: you see them everywhere! But in the case of neon, not only is it a trend that's hard to avoid, it's also a trend that's equally hard to wear. The thought of my thighs encased in neon trousers makes me shudder: and neon dresses are far too attention-grabbing for me. But if there's a hot trend I'm not one to ignore it. Which leads me to neon accessories: the neon trend for the mild of heart!

There is a huge range of neon accessories on the high street (there are actually more accessories than dresses!) so why not dip your toes in the neon-waters with an attention-grabbing accessory instead? Here are my favourite picks:

Jeffrey Campbell Tanya wedges, Sarenza, £102
Cream and orange neon bag, River Island, £40
Neon and leopard print plastic watch, ASOS, £20
Fluro skinny belt, ASOS, £6
Neon green satchel, Cambridge Satchel Co, £100
Bird keyring purse, H&M, £2.99
Neon fringe necklace, Sweet Scandal, £75
Gold chain clutch bag, H&M, £12.99
Koala leather heels, Office, £40

What do you think about neon? Is it a trend you want to try, or are you neon-averse? I must admit, it reminds me slightly of the neon tops I used to wear in the early 90s (Oh yes! I was all glamour!) but I've still got a hankering for a pair of neon shoes!

Love Tor xx

Daily wear: Boyish charm

Hi guys,
I'm really enjoying this January's warmer approach to winter, which has meant for the past week I have been able to leave my winter accessories at home. Don't get me wrong I love my hats, but I also love not having frizzy hair when I get to the office!

As a general rule I'm far to curvy for the masculine trend, but today I'm looking quite boyish, and I like it! Time to invest in a bowtie, perhaps?



Today i'm wearing my new coat from Miss Selfridges, my favourite dress from River Island (I just wish it was more flattering!) my Moschino brogues, a stack of jewellery, and my Betty Jackson Black satchel.

I normally wear bangles religiously, but I picked up these leather wrist wraps at the Topshop outlet this weekend, and have been experimenting with them. I actually really like the way they look, and they have the added bonus of not constantly bashing against the keyboard when I type. Result!

Love Tor xx

River Island S/S preview

Hi guys,
This morning I popped to the River Island S/S press day. Now you all know I'm a massive fan of River Island, and I get half of my dresses from there (they fit my shape like a dream) so I was especially excited to see what I would be wearing next season. Prepare for a picture heavy post:


These two pieces were from the Sugar collection: the most overtly feminine trend and my favourite one! It featured lots of lovely pastels, chiffons, applique flowes, and all of the fabrics were floaty and sheer. Some of these tops and dresses were just made to be toughened up with denim and leather: perfect!





The collection was divided into 6 trends: Miami, Spring Break, Prairie, Ehtnic, Purist, and Sugar.

The acid brights and extrovert patterns of the Miami trend were the most eyecatching (and looked the best in photographs too) although not to my personal tastes. I did however love all the beaded and embellished accessories of the ethnic trend: that oversized beaded bag has my name written all over it!

As I sit here typing, wearing a sea of black and smothered in cozy knitwear, I'm already beginning to see the appeal of a new lighter, brighter Spring wardrobe!

Love Tor xx

Daily Wear: Club Tropicana!

Hi guys,

I'm really finding solace in writing this blog at the moment; it feels like it's the only break I get from thinking about weddings and wedding planning, whilst still feeling productive (I just don't have it in me to sit and veg out in front of the TV when there's work to do: it makes me feel lazy).

I wonder if Mike is feeling the same way, because he's stopped complaining about my constant requests for outfit photos, which of course I am taking full advantage of! Here's what I wore today:



The dress is from River Island from last summer and I love the shape of it, but because of its bright Hawaian pattern (hence the club Tropicana reference), I only wear it when it's really sunny. I'm wearing it with my new favourite shoes (my Moheda clogs from Sarenza) and a lightweight jacket with sheer sleeves which I picked up from Primark. A bargain for £13, and perfect for when I need to look smart (for work, meetings etc) in the summer, but it's too warm to wear a proper, heavy jacket.

I love summer dresses, but only when I can layer them up with other things! I'm just not a 'one piece at a time' kind of girl!

Love, Tor xx

London Fashion Week: Daily Wear

Hi guys,

Deciding what to wear during fashion week is a big decision in the bloggosphere: twitter conversations are had for a week to get these outfits right! I was at my most disorganised this season, so choosing my outfits was left until the very last minute, which, combined with the miserable cold weather, meant I turned to comfy brogues and warm jackets. Not all my outfits were terribly boring though, and today i'm wearing my favourite outfit that i've worn this week:

The dress was from the River Island sale for just £10! I'm wearing it with my Urban Outfitters sample sale fur hat, matching brown bag and belt, Topshop outlet blazer, and Primark wedge boots. These boots are surprisingly comfortable because the soles are really spongy, so I can wear them all day without too much foot ache: result!!

Today is my last day of fashion week before I go back to work and normality tomorrow: here's hoping it's a good one!

Love, Tor xx