Game City - Nottingham

I know this is mainly a fashion blog but I thought I'd a do a little post about Game City because I was there and I had my camera.

Really weird but amazing game called Starwhals

Mario Kart on a Nintendo 64

The awkward Nintendo 64 controller

On Monday me and some friends went to Game City in Fletcher Gate, Nottingham. Game City is powered by Nottingham Trent University, with support from Confetti College. It aims are to show video game culture as art and get people to experience and learn whilst having fun playing games.

 It's on all week (19th - 26th October) and it looks like it's going to be raining for a while so it's a really good idea. At first I did just think it was a room full of games because I went last year and didn't really explore, I just assumed that was it. But it's a bit more than that. As well as the popular stuff like Mario Kart and Grand Turismo they have loads of indie games and the developers are there too so you can talk to them about the games and other interesting stuff.

They also have different events on throughout the week here - schedule, which includes different workshops and competitions. On Saturday there is an Oculus Rift demo which I really want to go to because it's a virtual reality headset, my brother's had a go before and he said it was amazing. 

It's a really nice atmosphere where you can just sit on bean bags with your friends and play loads of different games in one room. I think it's aimed more a younger people because it's during half term and after about an hour me and my friends went. But my brother - who is 14 - has been there all week so far and still seems to find more things to do! 

My boyfriend made a vlog about the day so have a look here > click click click

Lots of Love

Sophie

xxx

Denim and Monochrome

Hello! 

Sorry about my squinty eyes, I decided to do an outfit post in the rain, probably not the best idea ever.

I am wearing

Denim Shirt - second hand (Grandmas)

Vintage Skirt - Cow Vintage 

Purple Dr Martens - Dr Martens

Gold Necklace - Christmas present

I took these photos nearly a week ago but I've been really busy with coursework and work (Sorry!). I have a couple more posts in mind so I'll try and do one tomorrow and one at the end of October. 

I've posted this outfit to Lookbook too so have a look! 

I forgot to post my last outfit post on Lookbook and I have to wait 6 hours before I post another one, so I'll do that later. 

Lots of Love

Sophie

xxx

Winter Shoes Wishlist

My creepers have sadly broken down, but I've worn them nearly everyday for nearly two years so I think it's reasonable that the soles have grown holes and the suede has turned from black to brown. What I'm saying is, I need new shoes. Sadly, I can't buy new shoes because I need to save my money for Christmas presents and I spent quite a lot on H&M stuff the other day (boxing day sales I will be buying lots of shoes). Because I can't afford shoes right now, I thought I'd do a wishlist about shoes.

Black heeled lace up boots are my favourite kind of boots at the moment. I really want something that has a heel and is casual too. I love these Topshop boots because they remind me of Converse but leather and with a heel. Topshop have loads of boots similar to this is loads of different colours and patterns so I recommend everyone to have a look! Perhaps they're not the perfect Winter shoes when thinking about practicality, you can't exactly walk through snow with them, but they look amazing and they would probably keep your feet warm and dry (maybe).

Topshop Boots - £42

I already have a pair of purple Dr Martens and I've been wearing them a lot more since I've gotten a bit bored of my creepers. When I bought my Dr Martens last year I was undecided on whether to get shoes or boots, after trying on the shoes and realising that they're actually really uncomfortable, I got boots. However, I think these 1461 shoe Dr Martens are really nice. I love the colour, it's perfect for Winter and matching with tartan. Dr Martens are more appropriate Winter shoes because of the thick leather and the grippy sole so you won't fall over on ice (because that always quite embarrassing). 

Dr Martens Shoes - £85

I've seen so many people wearing boots similar to this and I love them. The cut out section is really clever because it means you can wear cute socks and everyone can see them. They also come in white, but I thought that these are more appropriate for Winter. These boots are Jeffrey Campbell so they are slightly out of my price range, but there are loads of high street versions available from pretty much everywhere. They are good for Summer and Winter because you don't have to wear socks if it's warm but if it's cold you can wear socks, very versatile.

Nasty Gal, Jeffrey Campbell - £115.77

Chelsea boots are still in this season and I really like these traditional looking ones. They would go really well with a tartan coat and jeans. The leather would keep you warm during Winter and the elasticated section makes them comfier too. 

Office- £80

There are so many pretty boots out there at the moment but I'm going to wait until after Christmas because then I can get them cheaper in the sales (hopefully)

Lots of Love

Sophie

xxx

ps. my boyfriend made a youtube channel and I'm in a video so have a look click click click

Saving money whilst keeping up with trends

I'm not one of those people that obsessively follows trends and thinks 'I have to buy this because it's in'. However if there is a trend that I really like (eg pinafore dresses) then I will buy something new and follow it. I don't often buy a lot of stuff that's in trend because I think I won't really be able to wear it for very long and it'll be a waste of money. So I want to explain how I try and save money and keep up with trends.

1. Don't get rid of something just because it isn't in fashion at the time.

I have done this many times, you're ruthlessly going through your drawers, find that black lace top you never wear, throw it in the charity bag. Then a couple of seasons later you want it back. (I still miss that top). Fashion often repeat itself so to save yourself from buying it again, just don't throw it away, just in case. This is also the case with my tartan skirt, I bought it last Winter when tartan was in and this year it's back! I'm happy about this because I love my tartan skirt.

2. DIY 

Simple DIY customisation on clothes can make them look brand new and for hardly any money. For example when the whole 'putting spikes/studs on everything' came in, a lot of people just added their own spikes or studs to old clothes because they're only about £2-3 in shops or eBay. I tried to do a bit of the DIY thing too, when it was the yin yang phase I drew them on my shorts, but I'm not sure how great that looked. I also added beads to the collar of a dress when beaded collars came in - a more successful DIY. All I did was sow little beads to the corners of my collar and it made the dress look a lot less boring. So you don't need to change your whole wardrobe each season, just change the clothes you already have.

3. Buy one piece of clothing that's in trend to go with your old clothes

This summer I bought a skirt that fitted in with the whole monochrome idea but it was the only monochrome thing I owned. However, it goes with so much, I can wear it with vest tops, bralets, jumpers etc, so I can do monochrome in lots of different outfits with one skirt. This also happened with the pastel phase. I had a couple of pastel pieces like a cardigan and a tshirt then paired them with shorts or jeans so it was still following with the pastel trend. 

4. Take a look in a charity shop

Charity shops can be full of all different and exciting things and you never know unless you look. Sticking with the same idea that fashion repeats itself, if someone donated some clothes that were in a few or maybe even ten years ago, then eventually they will be in fashion again, so have a look and you may find something in trend and at a reasonable price.

Too much Tartan

Hello! I took these photos yesterday using my tripod so they're not as good as the photos my boyfriend takes. It's got a lot colder recently so I've had to layer up with a hoodie, jacket and scarf - I really should just buy a coat. 

In these photos I'm wearing...

American Apparel Tartan skirt here

American Apparel grey hoodie similar here

H&M jacket (I can't find the same jacket because I bought it years ago but other H&M coats and jackets here)

Cow vintage tartan scarf (can't find similar but look around vintage/charity shops and you'll probably find something!)

this black top is from Topshop but I got it ages ago
Dr Martens here

So this is my first real winter outfit! I don't really have that many winter clothes but I wear the same clothes in winter as I do in summer. But I might go shopping soon, then I can do a little winter-y haul and loads of outfit posts, yay!

Lots of Love

Sophie

xxx

ps. I've had silver shampoo on my hair for over an hour so my hair will probably be purple when I wash it off (ah)

Tartan

A new season has come and as expected has brought along new trends with it. My favourite of the Autumn trends at the moment is tartan. I love how it can look classic and wintery but can also look grungy when paired with leather.

This year I have seen tartan everything. Dresses, skirts, coats, trousers, I've even saw someone wearing tartan tights. 

Miranda Kerr, Alexa Chung, Cara Delevingne, Olivia Palermo, Kate Middleton

The Autumn/Winter catwalk was filled with tartan everything, blanket coats at Celine - looking a lot like picnic blankets - fitted jackets at Tommy Hilfiger and Marc Jacobs. Then there was the more grungy looking side of tartan from Phillip Lin with the leather sweatshirt paired with tartan trousers. The Emilia Wickstead show was full of pale colours and long tartan dresses making tartan look more pretty and elegant.

Lots of Love

Sophie

xxx