Goodbye Southampton,

Hello Reality.

So, i'm finally home for good! Well, that is before i move, entirely, to Southampton in about 2 and a half weeks, crazy, just crazy. I will not miss living out of a suitcase for weeks on end, no-sir-ee. I've had a fabulous summer, so far, galavanting up and down our beautiful country but it is nice to be home for a while before i have to up-root and make a new home somewhere else. I can't believe that summer has gone so quickly, it seems like moving away is coming 'round at lightning speed! I can't say that i'm not excited, because i'm beginning to really look forward to it but i really will miss the home life too.

A couple of backdated outfit posts for you today! I have to say i am the furtherest away from a leggings and top kinda girl and i have been one of those people who scream "LEGGINGS ARE NOT TROUSERS" to all those girls who think it is perfectly acceptable to show their midriff while wearing a super tight pair of see-through leggings. And i still am. And it still is unacceptable, but ever since i picked up these amazing leggings from Topshop's Tall section in York (which, by the way, is the bets tall section i have ever embraced) i have really enjoyed the comfy chic. I picked up this top while i was away, in Brighton for the day, and i couldn't wait to try the look out. I quite like the top/legging combo, as long as the top isn't too short. I find this acceptable, strangely. Hey ho, i liked the look so why not! I like to try new things. What do you think?

Leggings: Topshop Tall | Top: H&M | Hoody: H&M | Shoes: Topshop | Necklace: Miss Selfridge

(Sorry for the shitty lighting!

I took it after we got back from the cinema, quite late, blogger fail!)

This was really worn for popping to get some milk and watching The Inbetweeners Movie, at the Odeon in Southampton (if you get the opportunity i would highly recommend you go and see it because it is HILARIOUS) The thing i really love about these leggings is they don't sag! YES. They do not sag. I have been looking for said non sagging leggings for FAR too long, finally they are in my sticky little mitts. They're a little thicker than normal leggings which make the extra comfy, i'm really not complaining and they've got cute panel detailing on the sides, all in all a BRILLIANT purchase, love love love.

On Monday, i got the opportunity to spend the day with some of my future class/flat/uni mates which was really fun, and broke the ice three weeks early! Perfect for some easy, slip into university life type feelings. We spent the day scouring the shops for (unsuccessful) dressing up ideas, devouring lunch at Bella Italia and walking down to our future homes, our halls of residence. It was good to explore the city together, and be able to part some of my 2 or so years of knowledge of the city. This is what i wore for this occasion:

Skirt: H&M | Top: H&M | Cardigan: H&M | Tights: Tesco | Belt: Boyfriend's | Necklace: Claire's

I love this skirt, which i also picked up in York. The colour is so bright and the fit is perfect, i'm really glad i didn't leave this gem behind. H&M has some serious beauties in at the moment and i'm finding it hard to say no! I'm still waiting for my sold out jacket to be delivered, but hopefully it should be here within the next 2 days, as i had to wait for it to come back into stock online (after it totally sold out in store and then online THREE TIMES) I'm just praying it fits!

I'm hoping to get some blogging in for the next 2 weeks, until i leave, but me and mum are in full get-ready-for-university-mode, so i'll be here, there and everywhere picking bits up and spending my days slowly packing bits up! Crazy that i have to pack up my 19 years of life and haul them to the other side of the country, but it brings a nice change. A welcome change.

Another little note, i've been picked as one of the Aussie winners, for their Aussie-versary, over on Kirsty's blog FashionChampagne! I can't wait to hear more about the Aussie brand, and get my goody bag in the post! I'm also intrigued by the challenge, i'm always up for a challenge!

Everything is so exciting at the minute, and i don't want it to stop! Tomorrow i'm off to Cambridge to get more uni bits and some A/W essentials! What have you guys been up to?

- K ox

Brighton Rock

But before the details on that adventure, i thought i'd just give you a cheeky outfit post from what i wore to date night, on Wednesday, at Bella Italia (PS. Sorry for the shitty, student kitchen shots, it's the only place in the Mr's new house that has a decent self timer spot!):

Playsuit: Topshop | Belt: Vintage | Cardigan: H&M | Necklace: Miss Selfridge | Bag: River Island Via Gift | Scarf (On Bag): H&M | Tights: Tesco | Shoes: Topshop Bracelets: Homemade/Gifts/Various

I absolutely love how versatile this playsuit is, it has seen me threw many a 'i don't know what to wear!' dilemmas. It's easy to throw on during those warm summer days, or whack on a pair of tights & a cardi for easy spring/summer/autumn chic. We weren't going too fancy and dressed up, so it just seemed appropriate! However, i do like to do jazzier than usual make up for when i go somewhere special, so i decided to again use my favourite eyeshadow of the moment. It's so beautiful and shimmery, and really compliments my skin tone.

Eyeshadow: 17 Rose Quartz | Eyeliner: Barry M Limited Edition Duo Kohl Liner in 3 | Mascara: Rimmel Volume Flash in Ultra Black

I ment to take a picture of this before i started eating it, bit it was too delicious so here's a half eaten shot! If you're ever in Bella Italia, i highly recommend The Godfather Fragola, just like the original Godfather desert it's made up mostly of ice cream, but instead of being chocolately - this is the fruity version! Stuffed with Vanilla and Strawberry ice cream, strawberry coulis, meringue pieces pieces, whipped cream and fresh strawberries, well you can't go far wrong!

So, as i told you in my previous post, me and the Mr took a little trip to Brighton, for the day, which was nice! Unfortunately, the weather could have been a little better, but it brightened up as it got further into the day, however the wind had a deathly chill! We still had a lovely day exploring the little town, the pier, up to Devil's Dyke and down to the Sealife Centre, here come the pictures!

Breadcrumb Chicken at Devil's Dyke Pub | View Near Devil's Dyke | Starfish at Sealife | Fishes at Sealife | Deckchairs | The Pier |He literally squinted in every photo. This is the best | Brighton Pier | View from the Pier | My Candyfloss! | Brighton Pride | Brighton Place | I never knew DD had a shop! | Big Issue Pitch | The Lanes | Cath Kidston Fabric | Dinosaurs in Churchill Shopping Centre | Brighton Station Roof | Our Tickets

We spent the morning at Devil's Dyke taking in some scenery, and eating lunch at the pub, where one of Jonny's housemates works. The food was so delicious! That chicken only cost £6 and was so fresh and tasty, the lime and smoked paprika mayonnaise was delicious too and don't even get me started on the chips! If you're ever in Brighton, i highly recommend getting the bus and going to Devil's Dyke, the scenery is breath taking, you can honestly see for miles, and have a spot of lunch at the pub. After we ate, we got the bus back into town and headed for the Sealife Centre, on lots of Kellogg's Cereal at the moment, there are 2 for 1 vouchers for lots of UK Attractions, so we took the opportunity to use ours for the Sealife. I have to say, it's not very large and would seriously object to paying £16.50 each as it's totally not worth it, but using our 2 for 1 at about £8 each, it was a little easier to manage. There is plenty to see from the critters of the reef to sea turtles and sharks. I'd have to say that the Auditorium, where you can find the Turtles and Sharks, is the best part. You can start at the top, looking down on the vast amount of water and then go "20,000 leagues" down to see the life below. They even have one of those glass tunnels so the critters can swim right over you, it's pretty cool. If you want to, you can pay £3 extra each to take a ride on The Glass Bottom Boat over the tank housing the sharks and turtle. You have a guide that can answer any questions, tell you about anything you see and controls the boat. You can also have your picture taken, and buy it at the end (we didn't buy ours as the Mr had a bizarre dazed look..) Despite it being small, there's lots to see and we still had fun. After we had finished, we got the opportunity to have a wander 'round the town but not before, of course, walking right to the end of the pier - well, as far as you can walk, picking me up some candyfloss on the way back! We then had a look up the lanes, and the little streets ending up at Churchill Square Shopping Centre where we did a little shopping, nothing too extravagant. Brighton is a lovely place and i'd love to go again, maybe when the weather is a little better! I don't know if it's a Brighton thing, but a lot of them seem to talk to themselves.. Weird. However, a Big Issue seller told me my hair was "wicked, man" which i was pretty pleased about as at the moment i'm rocking the 'i need to dye my hair'/accidental ombre style. Well, at least someone liked it!

How are you spending your summer?

- K ox

Date Night

I promise i'm still alive! Just.. As i said in my previous post, i'm spending this week in Southampton with my lovely Mr. I know, i know i said i might do some sort of Southampton series post but that's going further and further down the pan! So far we've really just spent our time relaxing, getting bits of work done, exploring this beautiful city further and seeing some of the Mr's friends, which i'm more than happy with after this crazy summer!

The day we arrived, was really spent moving the Mr into his new room, unpacking a tesco shop, cooking, eating and having a drink at the House with two of J's lovely friends. So not really a whole lot to blog about! Yesterday was even more uninteresting, as you may or may not know, J has a web design company called Banana Business, with his brother, so it's on and off work for him, and yesterday he got given some pretty important client work that they've just secured (Yay them! Insert proud girlfriend face here) So he was working on that most of the day, so we never actually left the house - however, i wasn't really complaining as the weather was awful! Today's weather has been pretty glorious, so we made a trip into town to pick up some bits (more on that later), and for me to find my new Halls of Residence for September (which we successfully found) So know i am totally in the know for September, it's all making it that little bit more real! (For those that don't know, i'm attending Southampton Solent University this September to study a Writing, Fashion & Culture Degree) The rest of the week is going to be bits and bobs, really, we're taking a day trip to Brighton tomorrow as we're not too far away, which i'm quite excited about as i've never been! I promise to take as many photos as i can, weather permitting, and bring you a lovely little post. Friday brings more work for the Mr, so i think i might catch up on some blogs and bring you all my news from Brighton, we might also get our wellies on and take a trip to the cinema to see the Inbetweeners movie! I've never been that much of a fan, but i've been watching more and more on the telly and it does give me a giggle, so that should be interesting. Over the weekend, we'd like to do a little more city exploring, as i'd like to visit the docks and the waterfront where they have some cute little restaurants and bars, so that should be lovely! And Monday brings, the day i've been waiting for to meet my lovely new Solent ladies! Some of the girls that i'll be attending Uni with, this autumn, are coming to Southampton for the day and we're going to do a bit of Freshers shopping, have some lunch and maybe even a Krispey Kreme! No outfit posts as yet, but there maybe a few in the next few days (depending on the weather!)

Brown Notepad | Coral Post Its | Cat Highlighters | Floral Pencil Case: All Paperchase

Very much looking forward to the rest of my week, what have you all been doing with yourselves this summer? I'm off out to Bella Italia tonight for date night, so i better get a wiggle on!

- K ox

*Photo of a boat with my name on, taken in York

Almost Home

So, i'm home! (Again.) Had a beautiful week in York, with my lovely 'rents and brilliant best friend, Jenna. The weather was almost perfect, but i really forget how cold it is up north! I had to buy myself a jumper, i was that cold - i rarely visit the north, so it's easy to forget! Spoken like a true southerner.

York consisted of exploring the beautiful city, doing touristy bits and enjoying just wandering. We did everything from hitting the designer outlet to touring the beautiful York Minster, which really is a must see whatever your view. One thing i must say is that i absolutely hated the York Dungeons and do not recommend it to anyone, especially anyone with small children. It was terrifying! I hate any sort of situation where there's a chance you'll be picked but add it the dark, strange smells, strange people and things that go 'bump in the night' and you have my worst nightmare. I hated every second and am never doing anything of the sort again! However, if you do like gore, jumping and being terrified out of your wits - it's the place for you!

1. The longest street name for the shortest street | 2. Me & J with the Ghost Hunter | 3. Clifford's Tower | 4. The Cathedral Spires over the Rooftops | 5. An amusing cafe name | 6. Classic York Signpost | 7. Cathedral Window

Beside all of that, York is full of the most gorgeous architecture and even more wonderful history. Everywhere you turn, there's something to admire. The quirks are what make it beautiful, like the gothic architecture of their Cathedral or the thousands of ghost stories that frequent the streets. If you can, i highly recommend a visit!

Well, on Monday i'm off again! I know right, can't catch a break! Living out of a suitcase is becoming an increasing talent of mine. I'm jetting down to Southampton with the Mr for a lovely little break away from everything, so it should be lovely. We have a few plans, and bits & bobs to we'd like to do, but a lot of just enjoying spending time with each other before i get into uni life too. I'm also eagerly waiting for the meeting with my lovely new Solent girls! Cannot wait to meet my lovely uni friends, it'll be fab to spend the day with them in a more relaxed environment than the pressure we'll be under in September! So the trip should be lots of fun. I'm undecided as to whether to take my laptop or not yet, so that will determine how much i'll be blogging as if i take my own then i can blog when i like, however if i rely on using the Mr's it's permanently stuck to his hands so it's always a little trickier! Maybe we'll just see if it fits in my suitcase? (As i'm a serious over packer!) I'm sure the next time i post to you will be in Southampton, i'm considering doing some sort of Southampton Series but i don't know if my brain can be bothered! We'll see what happens!

Loved catching up with all your blogs when i got home yesterday, keep blogging!

- K ox

His 21st

As i said, it was the Mr's birthday weekend and he turned 21 on Friday. We had a lovely, lazy day spending some time with his family and then went for dinner at Cafe Rouge, with his parents. I'd never been to Cafe Rouge, but would definitely go again - it was delicious! I had soup, steak and lemon tart (the tart was to die for!) This was my outfit of choice, snapped by the lovely Mr, himself:

Dress: ASOS / Jacket: Topshop / Bag: Gift|River Island / Necklace: Claire's / Tights: New Look

I have been wanting to wear this dress ever since i bought it in the ASOS sale, i think it was only about £15 and i didn't even end up paying for p&p as they cocked it up. I love this sort of smart/casual style, it's such a lovely dress and teamed with this denim jacket it just seems nice and laid back, lovely dinner wear.

we had a lovely weekend spent together, and with his family having a BBQ last night. There was so much food, it was ridiculous! I felt defeated, haha. Here's a little snap of me and the Mr before we left for dinner.

Not that you can really see, but if anyone is interested i'm wearing a beautiful 17 lipstick called Honey Blossom and a 17 eyeshadow called Rose Quartz. (& The Mr's shirt is H&M!)

I hope you've all had a lovely weekend!

- K ox

Fat Willy's

(Sorry for the very peculiar post title but it only links to the top i'm wearing in this OOTD on Thursday, before i went to Mr's house for the weekend (as it was his 21st!) but more on that later.)

Jeans: Topshop Tall / Top: Fat Willy's / Bracelets: Homemade|Gifts|Worry Beads

So, i'm home! It feels like i've really been neglecting my poor blog, but i've been here there and everywhere, so it's been hard to keep up to date. Sadly, i'm not home for long as i'm (not so) jetting off to York tomorrow with my 'rents and my lovely friend Jenna. It'll be lovely to have a little city break, especially with such a good friend and to spend some time with my parents before i leave for University, this September. We plan to wander the pretty streets, do the touristy things (including a ghost walk or two!) and shop at the outlets! Shaping up to be a pretty lovely week, actually.

This outfit was purely worn for running errands, but i absolutely love this bright orange Fat Willy's top! I bought it at the original Newquay branch, while i was in Cornwall. It did have sleeves, but they kinda swamped me and didn't really suit the shape of the top. It's actually a 12-14 child's t-shirt as the smallest adult size they do is huge and i wanted it to be a little more flattering.

Sadly, my beautiful red hair is already fading fast! (input sad face) Due to the stupid bleach still in my hair from being a bright blonde bombshell, but i just have to hold tight and wait for it to grow out (which hopefully will seem to go even faster while i'm busy at university!)

I'm sorry that posting will still be a little sporadic for the next week (boo) but the week after i'm spending time in Southampton, with my Mr, so i'll have plenty of time to keep you up to date and i may even do some sort of Southampton series as my previous one, as well as England When It Sizzles, went down so well!

& Here's just one of my favourite things at the moment, it gives me right grin!

Keep smiling lovlies,

- K ox