New Topshop Jewellery

Over the past few weeks, Topshop's Freedom jewellery range has exploded with massive chunky chains, rope necklaces, hard acrylic flowers and jewels. Everytime I walk past the jewellery stands I turn into a magpie and feel the need to hoard all the glittery goodness that's on show. The bigger necklaces are quite pricey and so I've been easing myself in with the slightly less expensive pieces (although I can tell when I next get paid I'll be satisfying my magpie needs and buying some more!)

This quite literal daisy chain is my absolute bloody favourite necklace I've ever ever EVER laid eyes on. I bought it a week or 2 ago when I was invited by my friend Shelley to go to her university ball (Oxford Brookes) where Bastille were playing (more details and photos to follow!). I wore it with a minty green coloured lace skater dress from Primark and plain black courts. It just went so well with what I was wearing, and made the whole outfit look so much more summery. I can just tell it will go with so much of my wardrobe, and it will be worn a lot over summer. The one thing I do have to say is that it's quite fragile. I've had to take my first one back because three of the daisy's just fell off! I might reinforce this one, and treat it with extra care. I can't bear the thought of this breaking!

I wasn't sure about this when I first bought it, in fact I bought it in a bit of a rush when I was on my way to London for a friends birthday. I had forgotten to pack ANY jewellery and so on a bit of a whim just picked up the busiest chain related piece of jewellery I could find. However, I've come to realise that it just works with anything. It's got gold and silver chains which was a bit off-putting for me as I'm normally one to turn my nose up at the thought of combining metallic colours, but actually it doesn't look odd or out of place.

I can't remember if I posted about this necklace before, I know I definitely posted it on my Instagram account. I have so much love for this stag skull necklace, it's so simple but at the same time quite intricate. I like that it's on a thin delicate chain, it's easy to hide under collars whilst still showing the main detail of the antlers. I've been neglecting it recently since my purchase of the daisy chain necklace but after spending time photographing it I've fallen in love with it all over again.

Have any of you been splurging on the new Topshop jewellery? Where would you suggest getting similar pieces but at a slightly cheaper price?

New Shoes - Primark

In the midst of my obsession with wanting to buy some Nike Air Max or Air Force 1's, I seem to have neglected any other form of footwear that doesn't sit under the trainer category. When the sun finally made its way through the clouds that seem to permanently reside over Britain, I was at a bit of a loss as what to wear. I'd mainly been opting for my converse (Primarni's own of course) and sometimes my little white doll-like shoes, but I had to give in and admit to myself that I should probably start considering to buy some other flat shoes that were more sun appropriate. I'll be honest, it didn't take much self convincing to head to Primark to buy shoes, I'd needed a good excuse for a while.

I walked away with these 2 pairs, both costing £8 each. Taking into consideration that if I was unsuccessful in my shoe hunt in Primark I would have headed to Topshop, these were a bloody good bargain! The first pair are a black canvas material but they're quite structured, they're not flimsy like Toms or anything which I like. I wore these to the Jack Wills recruitment evening and they're so comfortable. Often Primark shoes have a tendency to rub my feet, but these were fine! I might head back and buy the pair with a colourful woven aztec like pattern on them.

The second pair are a monochrome aztec print flatform which I just thought were pretty cool. I didn't actually try this pair on in the shop, as I tried a 4 on and decided they were too small and so just bought the 5's. They're a bit of a strange fit, they feel like they're squishing my toes, but downwards? As though there's not enough height in the shoe for my feet. That sounds odd, but I can't describe it any other way. I also have a feeling these will start to rub my heels, but I'm yet to give them a proper walk as, of course, it chucked it down with rain today and so these flats were not an option. Maybe I jinxed the weather by buying summer shoes. Oh dear.

Ami x

21 Things Before 21.

Photo Source, Penny Wong on Flickr

A conversation about Um Bongo (and the fact no-one younger than me seems to know what it is) brought me onto a conversation about my 21st birthday coming up in October. It's only 5 or so months away, and it's suddenly hit home that it's so soon! How has this momentous birthday creeped up on me so sneakily? How is it possible I'm about to embark on the start of "adult" life when I still feel like a 16 year old. I still feel naughty going into bars and clubs, as though I'm under 18, borrowing someone's ID and about to get thrown out.

I was reading through Ella's blog the other day and came across her "25 Things Before 25" page and it's inspired me to make a little list of my own. Just a few small things I'd like to do or places I'd like to visit before I turn the big two-one. I'm trying to make my goals realistic as I am quite limited on funds and time. Some of them will undoubtedly not get done, but it's nice to try!

1. Get another tattoo, even if it's super tiny.
2. Visit at least one of my friends at university before they're back for the summer.
3. Get a full time job that I'm happy at.
4. Go on a "party" holiday (it's all booked, just waiting for July to roll around!).
5. Go parasailing when I'm on holiday.
6. Buy some Nike Air Max/Air Force.
7. Climb Carfax Tower in Oxford and actually see Oxford's "dreaming spires".
8. Spend the day walking around Oxford doing every possible touristy thing. I've never been into any of the colleges, the Botanic Gardens etc. I feel like since I live here, I should have done these things.
9. Buy my first piece of MAC make-up.
10. Visit The Bluebird in Chelsea (Made in Chelsea fan right here)
11. Spend the day at Blenheim Palace - or at least part of it. The rest may be spent at a pub in Woodstock.
12. Make a start on replacing the dent I've made in my savings (oops).
13. Start a little savings fund for moving out.
14. Drive down to Bournemouth and spend the day by the sea.
15. Completely empty my room of all school work/sixth form work/college work.
16. Use up a few disposable cameras over the summer and get them developed.
17. Read all of the books I've bought over the past few months that have just been sitting on my shelf.
18. Walk all the way along the canal from Kidlington to Oxford one afternoon. Maybe get the bus back though.
19. Get my bike fixed up and start cycling to work.
20. Redecorate my bedroom.
21. Visit London Zoo and Aquarium again.

Fairly bland, nothing too exciting, but there you go. My little list to complete before I turn 21 in October (on the 3rd if you want to note it down...)

Ami x