Where on earth has October gone? How are we into November? No complaints though as it's my favourite month of the year. It's my birthday next week, fireworks night this weekend and so many lovely things planned. Blog wise it's the month for gift guides and a bumper beauty edit, as well as a couple of trips to Stockholm and Devon. All in all, busy. I really shouldn't - and won't - complain.

These pictures were snapped on Saturday when Lindsey and I had just come back from visiting Laura in Leeds. We went up for one night and had an amazing meal at Iberica - if you're from there or got any plans to visit to make sure you add this one into your culinary hit list. 

I'm wearing my favourite purchase in a while, my new leopard print shirt from Topshop. I have been searching for one of these for a long, old while and drifted between going for the much more expensive Equipment version here. I'm so happy with it, and for the price (£36) the quality is ace. It's also awesome that you shove it in the wash and hang it dry. No ironing, win!

The jeans are years old, again from Topshop. Long term readers of the blog will know that I'm a bit of a snob with my denim, but somehow these have always stayed. They're the boyfriend fit, and having had them for a long time I can honestly say they are worth the £42 investment (and that comes from someone who owns several £200+ pairs...). They're seriously good... Find them here.

Lastly the shoes. I've had these a while and hadn't got around to shooting them. They're from Boden, who really should be considered by all for footwear as I've had a few pairs of ace stuff from them over the last few seasons. I love them, they're great for work-to-play days and are really, really comfortable (wasn't sure they would be, but after they'd given a bit on first wear they're great). Here is their entire collection which is worth a gander = Boden footwear, or my loafers here.

I have told myself that this is going to be a super productive week, and am proudly ticking off tasks from my Wunderlist this evening (an amazing tool if you don't already use it). Whatever you're up to, I hope you have equally fruitful weeks, and roll on the weekend to fireworks night!

I really can't believe we're onto November already, or October pay weekend, however you look at it... Have to say I'm really, really enjoying shopping at the moment. I know that sounds a bit ridiculous but there is so, so much good stuff on the high street I had a tough time whittling it down to my edit, below. This month's WTB will just be for fashion as I'm doing a bumper beauty post next week with John Lewis - stay tuned as it's a goody, I've literally spent three days trying products out for it. It's a tough life...

This snap was taken post-haul at Topshop, Jigsaw and Selfridges who between them cost me a lot of money this month. One of the things I bought was this shirt which was a bargain from Topshop. I'd lusted after the expensive Olivia von Halle and Equipment versions which I'm now so glad I didn't fork out on. 

Trend wise, velvet is a killer isn't it?! I've been looking for ways to do it. So far I've found this black blazer from Whistles, this shift dress (super with a denim shirt) and this simple shape dress from Reiss. If, like me, you're still a bit unsure on how long the trend will last (though I'm probably wrong as it was all over the catwalks last month) then try simple accessories. Don't forget new names like Millie Mackintosh too, her floral embroidered velvet jacket is selling out incredibly quickly. Lastly, these red and blue belts from Topshop look amazing with a tee and jeans, or any staple sort of out. Great way of updating your wardrobe without splurging... 

Topshop is doing really well at the moment, there is a lot I want from there. Love this red silk maxi dress, so elegant yet hides all sins. I find smarter, long sleeved tops really necessary in winter months as they're a great option instead of wearing a dress or a proper shirt for nights out. This one is great, so simple and yet super flattering with the bell sleeves and neckline. Similarly I love the colour of this grey one too, great find for the same reasons...

Since posting this snap on Instagram lots of you have asked me where my coat is from, which leads me to my next shopping recommendation; Jigsaw. I popped in to see a PR friend and couldn't believe how much stuff I oohed and ahhed over. You'll most certainly be seeing more of it on the blog, particularly this jumper. Another "J" worth checking out is Jaeger, who's collaboration with Donna Ida is simply epic. These "Mia" jeans, and this red leopard print shirt are perfect game-changer wardrobe upgrades.

As for footwear I'm trying to be a bit braver. I went to see the guys at Kurt Geiger last week and spotted these gorgeous babies immediately. Snapped them up immediately, they go with everything and are my kind of winter/autumn heel. That said, on the other end of the spectrum I'm also toying with getting these from Topshop which are a bit ridiculous but really fun, or these proper night-out shoes from Reiss.

The last few weeks have most definitely taken a turn weather-wise (and thats before I even start with our weekend in Stockholm - so cold) and for the first time I've actually had a proper "wardrobe switch" from summer to winter. I packed up my tops and tees and was left looking as a pile of grey, navy and rust. As much as I love all that, it wasn't the most inspiring set of clothing so I set about searching on ASOS for something with a little bit more "oomph." And I found this.

The colour is just really uplifting. I know that sounds a bit silly, but I'd forgotten how much I like wearing green. I have a years-old cashmere knit from Reiss in the same colour and whenever it goes on my mood is instantly brightened. When it comes to this shirt I love the colours, the floaty bits (sorry, I'm sure there is a far more official word), the florals and the fact you can look just as good as it on a skinny day as you can a fat one - a necessity during these bleak, roast-and-wine-induced-bloating months to come...

It's from a Korean brand called Stylenanda which is pretty new to the UK market (I think ASOS are the only ones to stock them) and having done some investigations they're a pretty big deal (2.4 million followers on Instagram). I was a bit worried that the sizing wouldn't work for me as Far Eastern brands often come up incredibly small but this is a small and fits me really well (I'm a standard size 10, with arms and thighs I wish were a tad smaller).

I'm all for adding in a bit of colour and patterns to my otherwise thrivingly-neutral (read: boring) wardrobe and have since spied a few more bits. I'm not prepared to spend a fortune on prints, with the exception of an Equipment shirt I have tracked down to a boutique in Berlin and paying an extortionate amount of money to own... It arrives this weekend. So, with double the reason to by frugal this month I've found this pink top from ASOS and this green kimono dress. I haven't bought them yet but fully intend to this weekend (pay daaaaayyyyyyyy).

The jeans, as pretty much always, are from Paige. You just can't beat them. If someone told me I'd be an advocate for a £200+ pair of denims a few years ago I'd have laughed out loud. However, having worn these beauts for a while now I can honestly say the difference is outstanding. They keep their shape, they actually fit and they're so soft they often fall through my hands when I'm putting them on... Find the majority of their collection at Selfridges here, or as a tip try hunting down a pair on sites like The Outnet here or Paige's own sale page here.

You may have noticed my hair, and thank you to all of you who commented on it over on Instagram, really meant a lot. It's not like I got my head shaved off or anything but cutting my hair really does take a couple of vodkas for me. When I was ill last year it thinned a lot, more out of stress than anything else. So it means I now have lots of new hair coming through thats an awkward 7/8 inches long. Cutting my hair shorter makes it far less noticeable as it blends in with the layers... When I got it done at Sassoon I really thought it would be a short term solution but I think I might stay like this for a while!

Whatever you're doing this week, I hope you have a good one! Nearly payday, Halloween and Bonfire Weekend, etc. Enjoy!

shirt = as worn, Stylenanda at ASOS / similar in pink / similar style in a dress

jeans = as worn, Paige Denim

shoes = as worn, LK Bennett

bag = Celine at Bicester Village / similar pre-owned from Vestiaire Collective

Mentioned: green jumper, Reiss / Stylenanda collection at ASOS 

I wasn't going to do a post about this dress, but having shown it on my Instagram you guys seem to rather like so I thought I'd share some more piccies. They were taken a couple of weeks ago when Lindsey came over for a gym and a dog walk. As you can see, Lopez is very much embarrassed used to me having my photo taken and refuses to participate.

I've taken a bit of a liking to dresses this year which really isn't like me. I'm quite the tom boy, but the fact you can just throw one on with some boots (in this case my brand, spanking new grey suede ones you can find here) and just shoving your hair up appeals to my incredibly lazy personality...

Warning, boys don't like this dress. Mine hates it. To be fair I can see why; it's far from logical. The lovely, floaty bits that I really like do not make sense to boys. For girls, it means you can hides your wider bits and feel all skinny - total win. The midi length is really flattering too as it just shows off the smaller parts of your legs...

The dress is from ASOS, it keeps going out of stock to hurry up and get one here. I think it's a total bargain - I've worn it with trainers and my green lightweight army jacket (apparently called a "shacket" - find it here) to the boy's dismay, with boots like this it was "passable." Personally I really enjoy the "nursery-teacher-mixed-with-mad-old-lady" look. 

My sunnies are by Fendi and I love them. This sounds spoilt, but I forgot about them. The other day I was tidying up and found them in a box of odds and sods from our car journey around Italy. Somehow they'd gone unworn so I'm wearing them at every given opportunity now. Never thought white/cream frames would work for me but they're ace and go with everything!

Hair wise... Lets just not. This was pre haircut and the less we say about it the better... And with that, I'll leave you to the rest of your weekend!

Hello all! The weather has really taken a bit of a turn and I've been swapping outfits a few times a day to stop the risk of boiling, freezing, burning and shivering. It's a bit of a joke! Not sure what October has planned for us, but I've updated my wardrobe with a Reiss' pieces (see what I did there) that I think will help carry me through the next month...

One of the joys of where the blog has taken me is out of suits, for life. However, I'm finding the need to dress corporately for meetings more and more and sends me out into a total spin - I just don't know how! The closest I could really get was jeans (with holes in, apparently not always a good idea), shirt and a jacket. I found this skirt from Reiss and thought it could serve me well. It's a lovely, taught fabric so the flare is super flattering. It looks great with a shirt tucked in, or as I have hear with a knit...

And on the subject of the knit, this one is beautiful with the lace-style detailing at the cuffs and edges. I spotted it at their press day some months ago and have been keeping my eyes peeled for it ever since. Reiss are really good and doing things that you can wear in the office and also at the weekends. I've paired this one with jeans or cargo pants (I've got my eye on these forest green cords - yes cords - from Reiss too) and trainers as much as I have with formal trousers and skirts...

My jewellery never comes off, I'm so lazy with it. At the moment I've got mainly Astley Clarke on, with a few Rosie Fortescue pieces (her hoop earrings are THE best, here) and some studs from Missoma. Between those three I really don't think you need any other brands...

 outfit credits at the base of this post

Now the heels are a bit special; I think I'll have them for a while. They go with everything. Reiss don't get enough credit for their footwear, I have a few pairs and they always do me really well... Since these arrived I have worn them to meetings, date nights, dinner with friends, a Christening... The list goes on. They're quite high for me but they're very comfortable which is a solid recommendation as I've got small feet therefore struggle with any heel whatsoever (annoying when I'm also a bit of a midget).

outfit credits at the base of this post

These photos were snapped around the corner from my flat at a place called Fenton House. It's a little 17th property that is often opened up to the public, but as it's not in the direction of the heath lots of people completely miss it. The gardens (and the house in truth) are gorgeous and I really recommend you popping up to North London and having a look. Details here.

Outfit Details
skirt = as worn, Reiss (now in sale)
jumper = as worn, Reiss / similar without lace detail, here
shoes = as worn, Reiss / all Reiss shoes, here
jewellery = Astley Clarke, Rosie Fortescue and Missoma
sunglasses = as worn, Givenchy
mentioned = forest green cords, Reiss

This post was in collaboration with Reiss, all words and styling my own. Photos taken using an Olympus PEN EP-L7 from John Lewis here and the 45mm lens here.