My Autumn/Winter basics: Major high street shopping haul!

It's officially Autumn with Southampton parks now covered in leaves and never ending rain, but the change in temperature/end of summer does mean one good thing: WINTER SHOPPING!

Back to uni shopping has pretty much been my mission for the past week - Surely that's the best thing about the change of seasons? Reinventing yourself? Aaannyway, with my new dark hair (which is even darker now since blonde patches appeared earlier this week) I needed some new looks. 

First of all, I fell in love with this Dorothy Perkins scarf with an over sized crown print - and at only £12 its an affordable way to give a royal spin to any outfit while being chunky enough to provide some warmth in the cold - I've been rocking it over plain dresses and t-shirts. 

Next, a lovely thick burgundy coloured fine-knit cardigan from H&M. Priced at £24.99 and comes in a range of colours, the cardigan is what H&M does best: lovely affordable basics. A knit cardigan is an absolute must for this colder weather! 

Yesterday I picked up this black blazer pictured bottom left from River Island that I have completely fallen in love with. A slouchy fabric with cable pattern on it, this comfy blazer is an essential for smartening up an outfit. I'm actually wearing it today with a t-shirt dress, leggings and my new DP scarf! The blazer is slightly more expensive at £35, but its one of those pieces that can go with everything, so is definitely worth it. 

And finally - I know I do A LOT of shopping, I'm a fashion student! - I fell in love with this city bag from Zara that I had to have. With long and short straps, a zip and flap to seal the bag it's the perfect black chic handbag - something I was in desperate need of. Zara are amazing for doing beautiful but affordable handbags and this is no exception at only £29.99. I've been rocking this to uni every day the past two weeks and I'm completely in love (although the flap can get annoying if you don't like fiddly things or are clumsy like I am.)

Brand of the week: River Island!

Seeing as I seem to spend 80% of my free time checking out brands "new in" pages. Constantly falling in love with a new brand every week while trying to find high street adaptations of rather expensive pieces - this feature seemed like an obvious idea. Each week, the brand that really grabs my attention and my favourite pieces from there. Seems easy enough, right?

This week it has to be River Island - I completely fell in love with their Autumn Preview, with such lovely pieces at affordable prices it's pretty hard not to adore their latest collection. As soon as pay day comes, some of their latest pieces are definitely going to be a part of my going-back-to-uni wardrobe! Versatile pieces easily changed up to suit anyone's individual style, and my ever evolving style it would seem. River Island has become one of my favourite high street chains in the past year!

Any suggestions for brands you're really into would be amazing and let me know what you think of my top picks!

So without any further delay, my top five pieces from River Island this week!

Collarless leopard print blazer - £50

Studded flatforms - £25

Compleeeetely obsessed with this dress! Lace Babydoll dress - £55

Dogtooth print jacquard leggings - £22

Grey 2 in 1 dress (also available in pink/black) - £30

All things studded...

My latest trend obsession (which I'm being serious, is becoming an actual problem):

  all things studded! 

Whether it's customised on Etsy or readily available on the high street, I want need it. 

Of course my ultimate studded accessory has to be the Alexander Wang Rocco -which, if anyone was willing to treat me to one for my birthday in a few weeks, I would very much appreciate, thanks! 

But anyway, back to some of my favourite high street studded pieces I've found! 

Someone needs to stop me before everything I own becomes studded...

Studded Shoulder Paisley T-Shirt - Topshop £26 (back view)

Black Blazer with Spiked Shoulders - Zara £70 

"Hellraisers" - Unif - $165 (about £105)

Lana Del Rey lands another fashion seal of approval.

As if it wasn't ridiculous enough the "Video Games" star was privileged with having her own Mulberry bag named after her, American singer Lana Del Rey is now set to front H&M A/W 2012 campaign. Lucky lucky thing.

Miss Del Rey, the sultry singer that's been capturing hearts since "Born to Die" was released earlier this year, is officially a fully fledged style icon. Front row at fashion weeks, endless mentions of style pages with her 60's inspired big hair and bold make-up, Lana Del Rey is the woman of the moment.

It was only a matter of time before brands sat up and took notice. Press Officer for H&M, Victoria Chappell states "We were looking for a style icon and singer to model our fall collection and Lana Del Rey was the perfect choice. We think she shows our fall fashion in a very inspiring way." 


The campaign is set to launch in September, with the advert featuring Del Rey's own spin of 'Blue Velvet' as the soundtrack. Of the collection, H&M have focused on a more feminine woman, with powdery pinks, as you can see from the released pictures below, and knitwear as a key focus with wine red accessories. Totes amaze balls. 

What do you think of Miss Del Rey as the new face of H&M? 

The rise of the crop top, Wireless sets it high in fashion stakes

The weather may have been awful this weekend for the Wireless festival but the outfits some of the acts were rocking were hot hot hot. And of course, two of the biggest female names in music were embracing the mini summer trend: the crop top/bralet. Rihanna and Jessie J looking amazing in their cropped and mini shorts/tights combo. 

Now the bralet trend is a bit tricky to pull off if you've been blessed (or cursed) with big boobs. A rather depressing moment when the cup from a New Look bra let covered half of my boob - I'm not even kidding, half! But here is some of my favourite high street crops. What do you think of the pieces?

Aztec Stripe embroidered crop top - Topshop, £10

 Black embellished bralet - New Look, was £16.99, now £6 (absolute bargain!)

 Zip front floral bralet - Newlook, was £16.99, now £6 (again, a total steal)

And lastly for my favourite... Truly Madly Deeply Bastass Tee - Urban Outfitters, was £28, now £14