Once a haven, always a haven

If you've had enough of staring at my frizzy hair (please someone recommend something other than straighteners before I cry) and bruised figure skater knees, I understand and won't take it offensively. I will just pretend as though nothing out-of-the-ordinary has occurred and move on to a jollier topic... It is no secret that I have been won over Bicester Village many a time before, and my last visit during the half-term was no exception. As a rule of thumb, we do not tend to spend an awful lot when we go, but rather seek out little bargains that add just that extra touch of chic to an outfit. That is not to say that we never buy expensive clothes at all; sometimes you just see an item where quality and price have kissed and made up and you instantly want to hug it to your chest and never let it go. We usually stick to our firm favourites, but I make an extra effort every time to go somewhere different and unexpected (what made me wait in the QUEUE to the new Ugg shop on Boxing Day, I will never know). I must have been in a bit of a kindergarten mood as I cooed over the sweetest sweeties in Ralph Lauren Kids, and suddenly had the random urge to sneak in to Petit Bateau as well! There's something about childrenswear shops that's really welcoming and "happy", and I always find it a relief to go in there sometimes after particularly daunting experiences at other shops where I cry over unaffordable beauties (£100 for a stunning sample dress at Luella is apparently still too much :(( ) and make myself miserable. It happened that I stumbled across some darling things in there which I will not fail to show you in an upcoming post!

While we were there, I also got this Monsoon cardigan, reduced from £55 to a much more pocket friendly £16, and I absolutely fell in love with the shape, having always been partial to cardigans (I collect them like a crazy cardigan lady, srsly). The light camel colour worked so well with my outfit that I put it on immediately, tag safely hidden by the infamous frizzy hair (SIIIIIGH.) . Unless you are a teenage mutant ninja turtle from a galaxy several light years away on a spontaneous visit to this here blog, you will have seen the Miu Miu collection my dress was inspired by. Having seen it on several blogs, my hopes weren't very high when I ventured into my local Zara to look for it, but there it was... "Comeowme gemeowt meow" were the words I thought I heard uttered by the feline settlement staring at me, and somehow I found myself taking it home. I honestly debated with myself at great lengths whether to return it or not, because of the recent hostility that has been expressed towards outright copies of designer items on the high street. This deserves its own little wee post, so I shall save this rant and end on a happy note:

EXAMS and this week I'm starting my A2 year and it is not going to be fun but zomg, italy in less than uno montho, university open days ARE and something so important that can change my life that i'm reallyreally scared about and come close to peeing my pants every time i think about it will happen soon OVER! Squeee :D

~
Cardigan, Monsoon at Bicester Village
Dress, Zara
Brogues, T.K.Maxx
Ankle socks, T.K.Maxx