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I bet you can't guess what I've just joined? (No one reads post titles, right?) And no, sadly its not the chipstix appreciation society- although if such a thing did exist I'd be all over that... I've joined- drumroll please- Bloglovin! Feel free to follow me for more photos of culinary wizardry and cheesy grins.

Ni Hao

Coat: Next, Dress: Marks and Spencers, Shirt: Next, Bag: Nica via TK Maxx, Boots: Clarks

The pig illustrations are on hiatus for the time being as my final year of university has quite literally overtaken my life. If you happen upon me pitching a tent in All Saints library don't be surprised. 

This photo was taken during a cheeky university trip to Shanghai back in November, which in the words of Towie was 'totes amaze'. Hopefully I will sort my life out and post some more photos which includes a particularly geeky informative trip to a silk factory. For the time being though, I shall leave you with a photo of myself smiling through exhaustion after a very busy morning navigating around Shanghai. How much do you now want a wall covered in flowers?!

Trend 101: Tartan

I really wanted to share with you the amazing retro Marks and Spencer television advert that I've just seen whilst catching up on  'Robert Peston Goes Shopping' but, alas, I am unable to unearth the spectacle on Youtube. In short it contained a lot of dancing and tartans (obviously this only skims the surface of its genius). To make up for the distinctly lacking video I thought I'd share my favourite tartan pieces currently on the great British High Street. Be warned though, this post will undoubtedly make you spend money...

1. This delightful dress comes courtesy of  Marks and Spencers- the source of my current tartan infatuation. Its nice to see tartan used in a way that isn't cliche to its punk heritage. The beady-eyed among you will hopefully have noticed that a lot of the pieces I have chosen fall into this category. I think that the key thing to remember with tartan this season is that its less about punk and more about wearability. If people look at you and think you're missing a mohawk then you're doing it wrong.

2. This bag from Topshop is in the same tartan as a pair of trousers I own. I'm not sure where I stand on tartan on tartan. Is it like double denim where only the brave (and supermodels) can escape unscathed? I fear tartan on tartan may sadly be questionable. A cute satchel nonetheless.

3. Not sure whether you want to commit to tartan? Look no further than Warehouse and their faded tartan shirt. Its a tartan shirt without the whole 'ooo look at me, I'm wearing a tartan shirt' debacle. If like me you spend your life avoiding making decisions then this is the shirt for you (winks at camera). Plus it has really cool zips on it. 

 4. Tartan = punk = Dr Martens. Enough said really.

5. An easy way to buy into any pattern related trend is the humble scarf. I think that scarves are particularly useful (aside from neck warmth) if you have a job where a uniform or a more conservative look is required. Just think, whilst commuting to work in your scrubs you can still show the world that you know what's happenin' in the world of fashion- jealous Mr. Bus Driver? Oh yeah, it's from  Accessorize.

6. If there's one shop thats going to come up trumps season after season it's Zara. This coat is surely evidence enough of that. It just looks so cosy! Paired with some brogues and some artfully tousled hair, it'll be hard not to mistake you for the heroine of a romantic comedy. Think Rachel McAdams in About Time (highly recommended film) or Anne Hathaway in One Day (highly unrecommended film). 

7. Next up (see what I did there?) is this lovely sheer tartan shirt in pastel colours. This shirt has my Nanna's seal of approval. If that doesn't sell it to you then quite frankly I'm not sure what will.

8. I love my tartan trousers from Oasis that I found in the sale for a bargain of £15, however as is du jour with sale things they are no longer available. Instead, I have found these virtually identical ones from River Island just incase the mood to dress the same as me ever carries you... Halloween outfit maybe?

Sugared pig

collar: Hey Pretty Things, jumper: Warehouse, Jeans: Marks and Spencers

Word on the grapevine is that this outfit is too saccharine for even the Sugar Plum Fairy. She's a fussy old thing.

Shorty

top: Marks & Spencers, necklace: heirloom from my piglet years, shorts: Lipsy

I'm not really a shorts person. In short (get it?!) I'm always the person stood there awkwardly pulling down the hem in a poor attempt to cover more leg whilst deciding that I would have been better off living in an era where an ankle was considered to be too much leg. 

However deciding to throw caution to the wind and acting my age and generation I braved this lovely pair last week whilst on holiday in Barcelona. I think I'd wear anything if it was floral... except crocs. Never crocs.

Pig Lady

Dress: River Island

Last night in a antibiotic-daze (doolally is not even close) I watched both Marie Antoinette and Grease 2. Discerning choices, I know. Hence, this morning I decided to dress in a way that flits seamlessly from macaroon eating to drinking milkshake and dreaming of the ultimate man- a cool rider. 

Alas, neither of these scenarios happened to me today and instead I found myself in Bolton looking distinctly overdressed amongst the leggings and trainers- I'm pretty sure some people thought I was in fancy dress. More fool them when my cool rider shows up and we ride off into the Versailles sun set. 

It's getting hot in here...

top: Zara, skirt: H&M

This is my cider-drinking-barbeque-partaking outfit (the baggy t-shirt helps maximise participation of these past-times).

Awkward Pig

Coat, Jeans & Shirt: Next, Necklace: Oasis, Boots: Clarks, Bag: Nica via TK Maxx, Shopper: Liberty for Comic Relief

When I'm not pretending to be a pig (psycho-analyse that all you want) I quite enjoy standing awkwardly in vintage markets while people take my photo. It's a niche hobby in league with paper quilling and collecting stuffed animals.

On a more helpful note I have spotted this Nica bag in back in TK Maxx recently. I've seen it in a mustard and a navy, so if you want to help me start a trend feel free to rush to your local TK (I shop there so much that we're on first name terms) and bag yourself a bag. We can be bag twins and your quality of life will drastically improve. Fact.

NB/ No, I do not work for TK Maxx, I just enjoy spouting inconsequential rubbish.

Camouflage

Dress: Fearne Cotton for Very

I'd be lying if I said that blending into hedges isn't my favourite part of this dress.

Mean Pigs

Top: Next, Jeans: Next, Necklace: Oasis, Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Its a Wednesday and I'm wearing pink. Regina George eat your heart out.

Trotters Independent Nailers

Just a little monochrome inspiration for those of you who have hands not trotters.

Sow Cool

Shirt: Warehouse, Jeans: Next, Boots: Clarks

I think that every girl has that one outfit that makes them feel a combination of effortlessly cool and ever so slightly bad ass. Well as as bad ass as someone who is contemplating buying Harry Potter themed jewellery from Etsy ever can be... I want a muggle born ring!

This utility shirt is truly perfect in every way, from the flowing fabric to the slightly wonky collar that just seems to work (my money is on voodoo magic). The negative? The only other colour that this shirt comes in is nude, nude being a highly unfortunate colour on me. Seriously, it makes me look like the walking dead and not in a sexy Twilight kind of way.

Consequently, I am currently clinging to the home that Warehouse will release this shirt in a new colour for this season as I'm pretty sure that this tactic is how all the high street stores operate nowadays. Thus I am torn between my desire for the high street to ave more originality and my desire for this shirt in every colour with the exception of nude. 

And maybe brown because that would just be weird.

Pig It Yourself: Collar

Its a rare occasion when my outfit lacks a collar; like Blair Waldorf's hair band, a collar is arguably my signature accessory. Naturally. I couldn't resist making my own, just in case I ever- heaven forbid- buy a garment sans collar. And naturally, I had to share my little DIY with you...

1) Pester any male that you can get your hands on for an old shirt.

2) Hack the collar of the shirt off (as carefully as you are able). 

3) Dispose of the rest of the shirt however you see fit- I personally enjoy putting it back in the males wardrobe and watching their confusion unfold when they go to wear it...

4) Select your beads for decoration. The ones on my collar are pale pink bugle beads. Initially I wanted black ones to create a Roy Lichtenstein style collar but alas I did not have enough...not that I don't love my pink beads- happy mistakes and all that jazz.

5) With a needle and thread that matches your collar fabric colour sew the beads around the edge of your collar to accent the pointy bits (ever so technical). You can also continue all the way around if you wish or go completely crazy and cover the whole collar, after all it's your creation so see my instructions as guidelines rather than gospel.

6) Wear your collar and get ready to drown in a sea of compliment s.

Boarhemian

jumper: Warehouse, lace dress: vintage aka 'borrowed' from my mum, boots: Clarks, necklace: Next

This is visual proof that I've been reading too many blogs. A dress as a skirt?! Madness! Or is it..?

Natalie and Dylana Suarez I blame you. 

You and your effortless coolness that makes me think: 'hey lets see how many layers I can possibly wear,- kind of like joey in friends but with more of a hippy, bohemian-y vibe'... After this photo was taken a coat, a snood and gloves were all added leaving me walking like a robot all day and not remotely as cool as the Suarez sisters. Serious gene envy.

Pig in (greatly needed) blanket

Coat: Ness, Dress: Next, Boots: Clarks, Bag: Oasis

Today was extremely chilly indeed. The fact it snowed supports this. 

Consequently I froze in this outfit as a jersey dress and mac is no substitute for bundles of wool. Dam those sheep have it good. I really must try harder when it comes to dressing for the weather. Maybe a coat with built in heaters? Although I don't want to roast...

On a side note, was I the only person to geek out at the fact that Game of Thrones had a two page spread in Vogue?! 

...Probably.

Hogfection

Jumper: H&M, blouse: Oasis, trousers: Oasis, necklace: Swarovski, shoes: Urban Outfitters.  

Why yes, those are tartan trousers.

Why yes, that is a peter pan collar.

And, why yes, those are of course glittery pumps.

Need I say more?

This little piggy went to fashion

Dress: Oasis, Shirt: Warehouse, Brogues: Marks and Spencers Limited Collection

What I'm about to tell you is probably, in blogging etiquette, way past its tell by date but I'm going to go ahead and divulge anyway. I'm such a faux pas.

I finally got a placement! I am employable! Exclamation!

For the past few months I've been working at a fashion importers as a Merchandiser Assistant. I have a desk and everything! Since September my life has literally felt like I'm in Devil Wears Prada minus the demonic boss- sorry Meryl- and I am so happy I could squeal (a most unladylike pig affliction).

I pinky promise that in future I will try and keep you in the placement loop, hopefully with work wear outfits such as the above: Elle Woods Geek Chic.

Pigspiration

dress: Marks and Spencers, boots: Clarks

My muse.

Pig It Yourself

Top: Tu at Sainsburys, Jeans: Marks and Spencers Limited Collection, Satchel: Simple Way

This isn't the most colour coordinated of my outfits however I just couldn't bear to leave my new satchel out of the loop. No one puts my satchel in the corner.

The fashion concious among you will be familiar with the likes of the Cambridge Satchel Company and Zatchels. For the fashion illiterate these are brands that trade solely on the foundation of old school satchels with modern make overs. The past year these modern make overs have consisted of neons, polka dots and metallics, all of which have helped shoot school satchels into the sartorial stratosphere.

Translation: I want one.

Problem: pennies.

Solution: Simple Way

You see, Cambridge satchels and Zatchels both come with quite hefty price tags (at least in my opinion- arguably the craftsmanship and quality justifies this) and so when my mum came across a cheaper version she did what any mother would do in this situation and turn it into my Christmas present. Woop!

Simple Way is a company that sells leather kits enabling you to sew your own bags. By boxing day my satchel was ready to use and -despite rather a lot of un-lady like grunting in production- be warned leather-work is hard on your trotters- so much fun to make I think they might be addictive...