Why should you go charity shopping?

blazer - Oxfam Bold Street

top - Primark

jeans - H&M

boots & bag - ebay

necklaces - Neck on the Line

 My first charity shopping experience was during a rainy lunch hour in Sixth Form. I'd become firm friends with a girl who was several ranks above me in the style stakes and who always blew me away with her outfit choices. You know that person in your friendship group that just has a knack of putting the best outfits together? That was her.

Naturally I had to know where all of these amazing pieces were coming from; from the vintage silk shirt to the oh-so-gorgeous western boots, I longed to discover how I too could create a wardrobe which would match the likes of hers. 

The simple answer? Charity shopping. Since then I am yet to look back.

As well as enabling me to find completely original pieces for a fraction of the price, opting for vintage items promotes sustainability and, in the long term, is of course much better for the planet.

Did I mention you can find genuine designer items for literally under £10? Harvey Nicks eat your heart out. 

Have you tried charity shopping?

xxx

photos by the fab Ben Kirby 

I need you more than I can take

jumper - charity shop
jeans & bag - Primark

boots - ebay

I do hope everyone had as lovely a Christmas as mine was, apologies for my appalling lack of posts! Crazily, I've actually had things on e.g. my boyfriend staying up here, then going out on the 22nd with uni people which pleasingly overlapped onto my birthday meaning some wonderfully free champagne and then Christmas of course.
Filled with far too many presents that I don't deserve in the slightest.
This jumper however was a charity shop find, also perhaps a little crazy in that a flock of sheep are strolling across it, but still rather cosy.

Here's a little inspiration before I go and spend all of my money in the sales on purchases I really don't need:

 

I don't need a costume to look scary

cardigan - charity shop
dress - American Apparel
necklaces - Topshop/Claires
socks - Primark
satchel - Primark
shoes - Faith

Happy Halloween lovely people, I do hope you've all located suitable attire. I think this is the first year I haven't gone trick or treating which is embarrassing as I am 17.. Anyway, we've literally been eaten out of house of home by these mask wearing individuals, all that remains is about two haribo rings and a maryland cookie.

Also, I don't usually share this kind of thing, but this is something my (ahem) friend who's a boy made for me when he ventured to New York. This is literally just the tip of the iceberg for proving how wonderful he really is.

and I don't want your heart, it leaves me cold

cardigan - charity shop
shirt - Jack Wills
vest - Zara
jeans - Primark
satchel - Primark
shoes - Faith

I can't even begin to explain how good this weekend has been. Friday I ventured to London with someone who means ridiculous amounts to me. By the end of the day we'd seen Big Ben, The National Gallery, waved to people at every possible opportunity, run after tourists and dodged fairs on the underground because we'd rather spend our money on tea. We then had to (literally) run for our train in order to get a seat we so desperately wanted. I hadn't done so much exercise since Year 11 compulsory PE. Still, it's lovely to actually journey outside sometimes ;)

I'm also so glad I took minimal amounts of money with me. I forgot how much opportunity for shopping there is.

it's witchcraft

cardi - H&M

necklace - Muse

top - charity shop

skirt - Topshop

shoes - New Look

Today I had opted for my infamous 'funeral chic' style with my black lace top and black skirt and black shoes as I thought it was going to be cold and dull as per usual. But, as the sun appeared I felt it appropriate that I put on this mustard cardigan as oppose to my black blazer to be in keeping with the weather. Makes me look a tad more cheerful (an emotion I appear to be lacking on the picture ;) 

On another note, I can't believe it's September already, this year has just gone impossibly fast. I still need to work out what on earth I'm doing with my a levels, I think I might need to actually try and work this year. Certainly not looking forward to that.