Not so plain Jane afterall

So recently I’ve been very lazy on the blogging front and to my two- totally not my flatmates- followers I profusely apologise. Grovel, grovel etc. Anyway I thought it was about time that I delivered some shocking news to the fashion industry: Jane Norman has upped its fashion game and is consequently, dare I say it, fashionable? ‘What?’ I here you cry from your perfectly lip glossed lips, ‘how can Jane Norman ever be fashionable?’ and I admit that before today my lips would have been crying exactly the same thing. However during my brief inspection of the current Jane Norman stock it would appear that the once glorified market stall is starting to finally be competition on the high street. Topshop look out.

For starters Jane Norman is certainly tickling my tastebuds with their bang on trend pleated skirt which is available in coral and pink. Note to self: speak to doctor about this obsession.

Pink- £36.00

Coral- £36.00

They are also really on the ball with colour blocking, with the prada-esque stripes that they’ve mixed in managing to look chic rather than cheap-  Jane Norman’s usual design style.

Pleated skirt skater dress- £38.00

Cape detail blouse- £34.00

High waisted striped belted skirt- £28.00

Floral prints also seem to be working well with Jane Norman providing a bevy of floral garments that would be perfect for brightening up our rainy summer that we appear to be having; I mean would it kill you mother nature to follow season stereotype? Summer, as the name implies, is meant to be sunny!

Floral print playsuit- £40.00

Floral print shirt dress- £45.00

Floral print shorts- £28.00

However it would seem that Jane Norman can’t quite let go of its trashy fashion reputation as there are still multiple skeletons lurking in its closet. These garments in particular would certainly be more at home with flat cap Dave on his weekly market stall- ‘Ere luv fancy a bargain?’.

Embroidered bust bandeau dress- £55.00

Studded one shoulder top- now £21.00

At least we’ll know what the gypsy wedding cast will be wearing if they do another season.  I just hope that for Jane Norman’s sake that they move away from the likes of these garments to focus on the garments that are actually worthy of a place on the high street. After all there’s serious fashion potential here, don’t you think?

The Shelf

So today I was just playing with my camera and decided to be ‘artistic’, the overall result being the contents of one of my shelves; mainly glittery, shiny, colourful stuff, demonstrating my overall magpie-ness. Conclusion: I like pretty things...  

The observant amongst you will have noticed that these are nail varnishes and a fair few at that. To be honest the reason I have so many is in a feeble attempt to combat my nail biting habit and if this entails covering my nails in a gorgeous coral-orange colour a la Dior spring/summer 2011 then I'm quite happy to do so. Here I feel that I should also mention that this coral-orange colour also really works well with a tan but seeing as I'm paler than Edward Cullen this is not a tried and tested opinion.

I also like Disney. As a nineteen year old girl who is scarily edging closer to the big two zero each day what's cooler than that?

For some reason if I pile all of these bracelets on my hand like this I look completely ridiculous and too try hard, maybe its my arms? The combination of my gazillion freckles with gazillion beads was never going to be a good look really; it would be a complete circle overload, quite frankly sending me dotty.

This final picture is, simply put, random.I do however rather like it. I like the sunniness of the overall picture and the fact that ultimately every item in this photograph is what most people would throw away: Old train tickets (the majority of which are just to Bolton rather than anywhere 'exotic'), a bell from my cow costume, McDonald's monopoly, a lonesome bobble and safety pins- safety pins being a wardrobe essential. And on that bombshell (I realise it's nothing like a bombshell but I just wanted a Top Gear moment...) this is all I have to say on this particular shelf in my room. Feeling sad at this thought? Don't despair! I have many more shelves to talk about, I know you're all barely containing the anticipation!

Don't you rain on my blue suede shoes

The problem with wearing a pair blue suede ballet pumps this time of year is the weather has a rather rainy disposition. This I learned today whilst out shopping in said pair of blue suede shoes only to have them drenched in murky Manchester rainwater.  This is one of the main issues I have with pretty clothing, it just can’t compete with Northern weather and to be honest it’s really quite annoying. My shoes deserve better. Don’t you think?

Elvis would be proud.

I suppose that, ultimately, this comes down to the age old difficulty of what the fashionistas like to call ‘trans-seasonal’ dressing, technical huh? The issue with this is that we are technically not ‘trans-seasonal’ so to speak right now as it is June; June equalling summer. I’m also pretty sure that in the south in fashion central- where the term ‘trans-seasonal’ was probably created- that they are not experiencing this sporadic Northern weather; sporadic weather which refuses to be bound by the routine of seasons. My point? Maybe, as fashions disciples we should focus less on what fashion magazines are telling us to wear in these supposedly  ‘trans-seasonal’ and more on what the met office is telling us. After all my blue suede shoes would be in a much happier state if I had taken the time to listen to the met office before placing them on my feet.