Partytime

Blue Skirt - Fashion Union

White Cami - ASOS

Gold Clutch Bag - New Look @ ASOS

Wedges - Ebay

The dark nights are setting and the weather is getting worse, I love layering and chunky knit jumpers but I haven't properly put together my winter wardrobe yet so for a change I thought I'd show you what I wore on a recent night out. As you can see the usual photo-taking spot of the garden was ditched because it was dark and absolutely freezing so excuse the lighting!

This never usually happens for me because I'm very picky about what I wear but for once everything in this photograph was brand new! It all started when I fell in love with this little cobalt blue skirt, its a wrap style skirt with a zip detail to one side in a beautiful jacquard printed fabric. I had never bought from Fashion Union before but I managed to find a few discount codes online and ended up paying around £17! 

I paired it with a while silky cami from ASOS and my new favorite metallic gold clutch (New Look at ASOS) which is the perfect size for everything I take on a night out (cards,cash, keys, phone and powder!) and makes a change from my usual little black bag.

I am still having a love affair with my new wedges which I snagged on eBay for a mere £21 and they are surprisingly comfy and easy to walk in!

#accessallasos

A couple of weeks ago I came across the  accessallasos hashtag on twitter thanks to other bloggers, I was supposed to be filling in job applications but curiosity got the better of me and I ended up doing a bit of exploring.

Access all ASOS is a new exclusive insiders community for ASOS fans and all I had to do to become a part of it was fill in their short and very fun application form! 

I had almost forgotten I had even applied until I woke up one morning to the postman delivering a parcel for me (for once I wasn't actually waiting for any parcels!) 

I love surprises so I was ecstatic when I opened it up and found a cute gift box filled with gold stars and gifts wrapped in tissue paper alongside a handwritten note saying I had been chosen! (and the most appropriate fortune cookie ever though I think I'd prefer destiny to come to me in fewer clothes!)

Being an access all ASOS insider means I have a login to the exclusive site where amazing opportunities, events and discounts are posted.

There have already been some super exciting events posted up (such at the opportunity to interview Don Broco) and I can't wait to get involved and see how it grows! 

Pink vs Punk

Okay so if you've read our London Fashion Weekend post you'll know that we were lucky enough to hear the talk by head of design for Topshop Emma Farrow, as you would anticipate if you had one question to ask this woman it would probably be "what should I be wearing/buying for next season?"! The first word to leave her lips when asked was 'PINK!"

So pink is stereotypical, girly and pretty but there are ways of wearing it that won't make you look like Barbie. The high street is awash with different hues of pink and as Emma said this trend is one you can style however you want, it might be as simple as one pink accessory or if you're brave then head to toe, also don't forget that there are no rules when it comes to the shade, pastel candy floss pink is just as on trend as shocking hot pink.

Now I have to admit I'm not sure I could rock head to toe pink, what with my blonde hair I think I would look a little bit Elle Woods a la Legally Blonde so I've picked my favorite pieces from the high street that could be added to any outfit.

1. Pink Topshop Dress £38 buy it here

2. Pink Topshop Sequin Crop Cami £35 buy it here

3. Pale Pink River Island Biker Jacket £120 buy it here

4. Pink Knit River Island Tube Skirt £30 buy it here

5. Pink Tartan River Island Scarf £25 buy it here

I am very very tempted by the scarf and the sequin crop but my bank balance won't be happy with me! 

Another of my favorite high street trends of A/W 2013 is 100% tartan/check! Had you asked me to wear a tartan skirt two years ago I would have probably replied with "no I am not wearing a kilt" however this time around I've really fallen in love with everything checked! Handily I picked up a lovely navy, green and red tartan wool scarf in Paris in April and paired with a chunky jumper and my leather biker jacket its perfection!

If like me the idea of wearing tartan initially terrifies you then perhaps go for a black/white monochrome check. Here are my favorite of the high street/online stores offerings!

6. Tartan Fashion Union Mini Skirt £15 buy it here

7. Check Crepe Fashion Union Dress £20 buy it here

8. Rose Check River Island Jumper £35 buy it here

9. Monochrome Check River Island Leggings £22 buy it here

10. Tartan Crop Lavish Alice Tee £16 buy it here

I already own these leggings and they are lovely (you can see them in this post) and I very nearly bought the Lavish Alice top...

The reason I titled this post Pink Vs Punk was because the two of these trends seem like polar opposites, so not only did I want to show you my picks of the high street but also how you could mix the two trends to form the perfect A/W outfit. 

Asos Check Smock Dress £25 buy it here

Topshop Biker Jacket £58 buy it here

River Island Pink Bowler Hat £20 buy it here

Lavish Alice Heeled Chelsea Boots £28 buy it here 

(Oops may have just bought the leather versions of these boots from Ebay post coming soon!)

How to wear: White Shirt

Shirt - Hobbs

Leggings - River Island

Shoes - Primark

Watch - Michael Kors

Shirt - Topshop

Skirt - Primark

Tights - Primark

Heels - Missguided

(Please excuse my face/general appearance I was suffering after a girls night out)

The transition from spring/summer to autumn/winter is a tricky one, especially when the weather cant make its mind up.The easiest way to tackle it is to start building up a collection of basic staple pieces that can be layered and dressed up or down. Recently me and Lauren have both invested in crisp white shirts, I have to admit they do remind me a bit of old school uniform days but they are the perfect staples.

We both wear them underneath lightweight jumper just to give our outfits a smarter more put together look as opposed to a jumper and jeans alone. For this post we paired them with our latest buys, my tartan/check monochrome leggings and Lauren's bodycon denim skirt. I went for a more boyfriend style mens oversized shirt so that i can wear it with leggings or tuck it in to high waisted skirts/jeans and where as Lauren's Topshop shirt is more tailored and with short sleeves.

What are your autumn winter staples?