The LRD (Little Red Dress)



Red Plunge Neck Satin Dress - Topshop
(photos from Topshop.com)



As any student around summer, when the digits drain from the ATM bank account balance with every lunch, brunch and pair of sandals, I have been attempting to restrain myself in the spending department so that I can get a new A/W wardrobe in time for college in September. The social media fashion feeds have been pouring salt in my wound as, scrolling through my Pinterest feed, I fell in love with Selena Gomez' red Christian Dior mini-dress which she wore to the Rudderless premiere last October. And I was head over heels. Her translucent Manolo Blahnik heels.

Selena Gomez at the
Rudderless premiere, LA
(source: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)    

Obviously, we are all accustomed to drooling over the latest designer collection, with the realistic view that never will we step into that Elie Saab gown or those Louboutin pumps, however this dress has a high-street dupe. When I discovered Topshop’s strikingly similar satin plunge-neck dress, sat in the college library and scrolling through Topshop’s “NEW IN” section at my desk, I was so excited I immediately asked for someone to take me to a ball in our family group chat. I didn’t get any invites. Although Topshop’s LRD is a little longer, with cross-back straps and what appears in pictures to be a pinker shade of red than Dior’s, the two are very similar in style and it is the closest I have seen the high-street get to a designer dress. Whether for dinner or a graduation celebration, for those of us who are not an acting, singing, ex of Justin Bieber and BFF of T-Swift - Selena Gomez - or Lucy Hale at the 2014 Teen Choice Awards, this Topshop tribute is a good choice. This explains how there are only 5 left in stock. 

Lucy Hale at the
2014 Teen Choice Awards
(source: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

I have not purchased The Dress after a) convincing myself that I cannot and should not buy it due to lack of funds and, b) realising that I do not have an upcoming occasion to wear it. I stayed strong and didn’t even try it on after seeing it in the Topshop concession stand in Selfridges. *sigh* A girl can dream. What do you think of my Topshop alternative?

May your dreams be filled with Dior and Manolo Blahniks,
L









FRAMES, TRAINS AND NETFLIX FEELS

After exams, I was straight off to see H in Exeter, who was at university, as I’d decided to make the most of the opportunity to visit for a few days before she moves to Spain for a year. The weather was amazing, compared to the northern gale I’m used to, and for the first time this year I had the chance to wear my oversized, navy frame Mango sunglasses. Despite the sun, we spent my first afternoon chilling in the Lush Brazened Honey face mask with takeaway pizza and 30 Rock as Hatts was recovering from a sudden flu. After 2 seasons in 4 days, I may be turning into Liz Lemon. But as I like a night in under the duvet, that was possibly my favourite night.

Lush face masks are lush

Well-rested, the next day consisted of brunch with Teagan, H’s friend from uni, at Bill’s (my new favourite place to eat) and shopping. We went into Exeter Cathedral, which had been on my to-do list and visited Vintage Store Exeter, a treasure trove of prints and sequins. I bought a light tea dress, which I expect will be great for summer if this sun continues, and I found a thick, red and white striped t-shirt to introduce some variety to my wardrobe which is primarily navy and white stripe. Let's just say I’m having a moment with stripes. After having watched Pitch Perfect the night before, we saw the sequel at the cinema and I must confess to eating an entire bag of mint matchmakers myself. But any chocolate that says ‘SHARE PACK’ is simply asking to be proved wrong.

Bill's blueberry pancakes with bacon, maple stuff and all that fun fruit

Exeter Cathedral

The next day we caught the train to Topsham where we scoured the charity shops, gift shops and antique store, resulting in a £5.50 denim jacket, a book on modernism and a birthday card for my best friend whose birthday was 3 months away. Once back at H’s I threw on the red and white vintage dress and we went for dinner at Carluccio’s. I don’t know how we do it, but we always seem to find ourselves there with a bowl of pasta, in a long discussion over which pudding to go for. After a tense debate over the bread and butter pudding and salted caramel sundae, I caved in to my wild side and chose the special. I didn’t have my glasses so I couldn’t read the specials board. Luckily, it was a hazelnut ice cream with a molten chocolate core. It’s also lucky that I’m not allergic to nuts.





Quay Antiques Centre, Topsham



I left H on the train platform on the Thursday, because college was starting the next day, and waved as the train drew away. It wasn't an overly emotional departure as we were reuniting the next week after Bristol University open day to bring her back to Yorkshire. I love having her home; it’s just like having another of myself around the house, and who wouldn’t want that? We are frequently having the same thoughts at the same moments but it hasn’t become annoying yet. We'll see how it goes...

The button-down dress from Vintage Store Exeter

L

London baby! And Happy New Year.

I tend not to dream of a white Christmas anymore because however beautiful it looks in American Christmas rom-coms and however cold it may feel in the North of England, it is extremely unlikely. The one time I didn’t want it to snow, what did the great British weather do? Snow. On Boxing Day. Just before a planned London shopping trip.

Carluccio's linguine al frutti di mare (a favourite of ours)

Carluccio's



The journey home ft. January ELLE

Luckily the trains were still running and a 6.20am start after watching The Holiday till late the night before meant a sleep in my aisle seat. A copy of Elle (with Kim K on the cover), Regeneration by Pat Barker and a Greggs bacon sandwich on the journey provided entertainment and sustenance en route so the trip was pretty speedy and I do love a train journey. Of course we took the tube straight to Oxford Circus once we’d arrived and of course the first stop was Topshop. Of course. Three bargains, including a navy quilted miniskirt for 20 freaking pounds, some sweating and a walk to Apostrophe later: I was sat with a chocolate muffin and an apple juice preparing for Selfridges. I spied a purple faux-leather bell-shaped skirt in the H&M concession and fell in love - another new skirt and another new book is all I need to be happy.

Another year, another lot of resolutions. It has been a lovely Christmas, seeing family and opening presents, but the paper chains have been recycled, so has the tree and the leftovers of dinner. It’s time to begin 2015 and forget about the chocolate binges of Christmas, the sunburn of summer and the unfortunate fashion crazes of 2014. The year should always begin with resolutions and goals, some cliché, some out-of-the-comfort-zone, all likely to be forgotten by February. Here are mine:

1)      Drink more water, eat more cleanly and exercise more (walking to the fridge does not count as a trek, yes, even if stairs are involved)

2)      Learn to meditate (first might need to learn how to sit cross-legged)

3)      Read something inspirational

4)      Get another piercing

5)      Keep a scrapbook

6)      Complete New Year’s resolutions

Apparently, as I heard on the radio the other day, 1 in 10 people complete their New Year’s resolutions. Let’s see if I do.

L