I'm spinning around

 

jacket and skirt: Zara / top: Marks and Spencer / shoes: Next

Does anyone else remember the Aswirl Twins who were on America's Next Top Model? Nope? Just me then... The twins 'job' (note the punctuation) on the show was to teach the girls how to twirl, although between you and me none of them managed the exuberant twirls I've achieving above. It's only a matter of time before Tyra is calling me up to pass on my twirling wisdom; a gift this good demands to be shared. 

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?

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).

Spighetti

Dress: Zara, Shoes: Russell and Bromley,  Clutch:  Vintage

I like food. I think that this is probably why on seeing this dress I immediately christened it 'the blue spaghetti dress' and  as simply as that this post received the worst pun title to date. I have a way with words.

I'd like to say that I wore this dress to an Italian restaurant - or even Italy (hint hint)- however, I actually wore it for a night out in Liverpool this weekend. Sans scouse brow of course!

Aside from copious amounts of alcohol and crazy dancing my friends and I also mooched around the city centre in the light of day too, visiting Liverpool One, Albert Docks and the University. Despite visiting Liverpool quite a few times before for both shopping and art gallery visits I always seem to forget how much I like Liverpool. Definitely aiming to go back again- even if it is just to do some serious damage to my bank account in Liverpool One...

Winter is hogging

Dress: Oasis, Necklace: Topshop,  Boots: Zara

Yes, its that special time again when I get a new dress from work... yay! How cool is the drop waist? I do feel very wintery when wearing it but then again our current weather situation (rain, rain and more rain) hardly demands summer attire.

I think my current reading choice may also be to blame as I am reading the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin and unsurprisingly for a born and bred northerner I am team Stark all the way! I'm now onto the third book so I think for the foreseeable future I'm going to be trying to get my hand on a cloak and some boiled leather to complete the look. Would a sword be a step too far or would I get brownie points for outfit commitment?

Hogging

necklace: Accessorize, top: Warehouse, jeans: Marks & Spencer's Limited Collection, boots: Zara

Hi, I'm Hogfreckles- just your average freckly pig with a major fetish for fashion. Seriously, why pigs would rather cover themselves in mud than fabric is beyond me! Mud wraps being the exception naturally. 

Anyhow, I thought it was about time that I start documenting my sartorial escapades in a more fitting format (my farm fashion shows just never seemed to take off for some reason...), namely blogging. I suppose you could call me a Hogger. Oink!