Primark's A/W 2014 New Season Picks

Hi guys,
I feel I ought to start this post with a disclaimer: I very rarely shop in Primark any more. Over the past couple of years I have tended to shop less but shop smarter, so I would rather spend a little more on something that will last a little longer. That means I can't vouch for the quality of any of the things featured in this post. Having said that, I do still like a browse in Primark and I am always interested to see their new season press images. Much like Topshop (but on a more inexpensive scale) I always think Primark are great at nailing trends and assimilating all of the new seasons looks just a couple of garments. Of course, they also get alot wrong, but sometimes isn't that just the fun of fashion?! Anyway enough of my rambling. Here are the new season looks from Primark:

Image 1: Coat £30, Bag £10, Jumper £4.
Image 2: Coat £25, Skirt £6, Boots £15

Image 3: Coat £25, Jumper £14, Skirt £12, Boots £24, Hat £8.
Image 4: Coat £28, Dress £13, Shoes £12, Bag £14

Image 5: Coat £25, Top £6, Cullottes £14, Boots £24, Socks £2, Hat £2.
Image 6: Dress £20, Shoes £14, Hat £8, Snood £6, Bag £8.

I have a huge weakness for faux fur collars, so the lovely bright coral coat with the cream fur in image 3 immediately grabbed my attention. In fact, I love that whole outfit and the way it is styled. I'm pleased to see that Primark have moved away from the 90s revival trend (a trend I just can't wear - because I wore it the first time round! Shudder) and are focusing on lovely pieces that are wearable for everyone instead. Speaking of wearable by everyone, did you know that Primark have widened their size range? You can now buy sizes ranging from 6-20 in store. A very clever move meaning they can appeal to a much wider demographic of people looking for discounted fashions.

Love Tor x

Life Lately, according to my iPhone: July 2014

Hi guys,
Wow, it has been a long time between blog posts! Work has been hectic (definitely a good thing) and sometimes real life just gets in the way. It suddenly seems much more important to spend my downtime playing games and running around outside with Wilbur than it does to chain myself to my laptop. I've also been busy organising our next trip to Disneyland (which is two weeks away) and my sister's hen do (which is three weeks away). The hen do is a Disney-themed costume party, and I am going as Cruella deVille. Last week I had a practice of the make up:

Scary right? The eyebrows have been painted on with eyeliner which means they don't move at all, adding to the overall cartoony effect. I'm also currently in the process of creating a dalmatian print cape from a meter of fun-fur. I'll share the final outfit when it's all ready. Here's what else I've been up to over the past month:

1. I went and got my hair did (the curls sadly, didn't last long - damn my thick and heavy hair 2. Inspired by the magical Mary Berry, Wilbur and I made dinosaur cookies. 3. Dinner, recreated in Play Dough. Just because.

1. Wilbur's first face painting 2. Walking in the woods to gather sticks and stones for painting with 3. Water play in the garden on a hot day 4. Digging up bones at the dinosaur park. We've been outside and having fun every day: for the first time in years, I'll actually be sad when summer is over this year.

Fashion-wise, it's been a pretty light month at my end. I've been far to busy playing outside and making the most of the summer instead of worrying about what I'm wearing: most unlike me, I know. But September is fast approaching - the month of new season fashion, choosing new coats and breaking out all my favourite Autumn outfits. I can't wait!

Love Tor x

Shopping List: Preparing for September

Hi guys,
September (fashion's finest month) is so nearly upon us! And I am excited; bar Christmas, it's my favourite time of the year. September always feels like a month of fresh starts. I think its a hangover from being at school and university when September meant the end of summer, heading back to work and buckling down! It's also a huge fashion month, meaning that there is no better time or excuse to head out and buy new season clothes. I always tend to refresh my work-wardrobe for September too and, on that subject, here are a few work-wear shopping thoughts:

Style Staples 
Everyone has set style staples they couldn't live without. For some this will be the perfect trousers, for others a little black dress. Because I am a casual work dresser, for me it's a pair of dark skinny jeans and a well fitting blazer. Choose your staples by defining your style and shop to suit you. If you're not a dress wearer don't buy one simply because you feel you should; you'll only waste your money when it sits in your wardrobe unworn for months!

Shoes
When shopping for new work shoes I'm afraid that I have to be boring and practical, and point out that gorgeous flat pumps are a much better purchase than stiletto heels. Although Leo Claims rightly point out that a work accident can happen anywhere (whether you work in a factory, shop, or for yourself like me) I don't think you can get away with calling a fall off heels a work accident even if you do work in fashion; although I have fallen off my heels and twisted my ankle before and it bloody hurts! Stick to flats or low heels you can actually walk in.

Find the Perfect Coat
If I could only give one piece of advice for dressing in the winter then it would always be to spend decent money on a well fitting coat that you really love. You'll wear your coat everyday, all winter long, so make sure it fits you properly, is in a colour that compliments your skin tone, and looks really good on you. I have a wardrobe full of coats (they're my weakness) and I always feel more confident and happier when I'm wearing one.

Wool blend coat, Marks and Spencer, £129
Leigh jeans, Topshop, £38
White blouse, Topshop, £34 
Flat leather loafers, ASOS, £34 

My work wear looks pretty much the same as my casual wear: the joys of freelancing. I'm sure if you're a lawyer or an accountant your staples selection would look very different. All I need to add is a smart black handbag (with plenty of room for notes and my iPad) and a slick of red lipstick. Do you have any top tips for work dressing in the winter months? And do you tend to refresh your wardrobe in September or at another time of the year? I can't wait to hit the shops and get started!

Love Tor x

Shoes: Hello Heatwave!

Hi guys,
With forecasters predicting a heatwave and record temperature highs for August, it's time to start thinking about how you're going to stay cool. I hate being hot and sticky, which is one of the main reasons why summer is not my favourite season. If nudism were a little more in vogue I wouldn't bother getting dressed at all; even wearing cotton makes you feel warmer! When it comes to heatwave shoes, therefore, I need something that will be comfortable above all else. I want something lightweight and easy to wear whilst still looking stylish and going with everything; enter these gorgeous leather flip flops from Dune.

They come in black or tan (the tow most versatile of all the shoe colours) and I actually like them so much it's hard to choose which is better. I've had shoes from Dune before so I know they're going to be comfortable, and I have such an obsession with gold detailing on anything. I do have other summer sandals, but I tend to buy them with chunkier straps; these will satisfy my need to not feel like I'm wearing shoes at all!

Do you have any tips for coping in the heatwave? Other than install a pool in your garden or head to the beach, of course!

Love Tor x

*Post written as part of an ongoing partnership with Spartoo shoes