M e e t Y o u r M a k e r

Monday, 24 March 2014

MeetMyNewAge

22 seems like a bit of an inbetween age, with the milestone of adulthood behind you & the final year of uni weighing down. However, age is just a number & I'm still optimistic to make the most of it! Well, what better way to kick it off than with a new hairstyle, some new additions to the (already bulging) wardrobe, some special treats & a (few) cocktails...

Treated to lunch at the Fallow Cafe in Fallowfield, the student hub of Manchester, with views of the local bearded street art.

You know it's the best fish finger butty when you can't even fit your mouth around it! (Complete with lager shandy...it was my birthday lunch after all!) Now excuse my big belly for my ootd!

...Cream looped mohair light jacket - H&M *perfect for springtime*...

...Emerald green jersey & chiffon panelled dress - H&M (really appreciating their S/S'14 collection so far!)...

...Black leather heeled ankle boots - Clarks...

...Gold hued Perspex lazer-cut angel wing earrings - Pearl & Queenie *SpecialGift*...

...Black leather backpack - *SpecialGift*...

The cutest socks I have ever experienced! Wear pulled up to ensure the koala bears can see where your going!

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Friday, 28 February 2014

MeetMyMealOfTheDay

With breakfast being my favourite meal of the day, I thought a special breakfast post is in order! After discovering 'What Should I Eat For Breakfast Today' blog (whatshouldieatforbreakfasttoday.com) I am inspired by the wonderful recipes & mouth watering photos, I thought I'd attempt a twist on the traditional porridge. Porridge is the perfect fuel for the day with oats full of slow-release energy & if then piled high with health food toppings, you are good to go!

Meet My Coconutty Peanut, Sultana, Banana & Honey Jumbo Oat Porridge!

My recipe consists of...

1/2 cup of Scottish jumbo rolled oats ( I use a medium mug, but just select certain sizes depending on your hunger level!)

1/3 cup of coconut milk (perfect to use up leftovers from last night's homemade curry!)

2/3 cup semi-skimmed milk

Pour all ingredients into small pan

Bring to the boil, stirring constantly

Turn down heat & keep stirring until you reach your desired thickness

Now it's time to add your toppings...

2 tablespoons of milled linseed mix (I chose the savory gojiberry, sunflower & pumpkin seed variety, as I'm combining it with sweeter toppings. The superfood seeds are a tasty mix which help your body absorb nutrition easier. Available from all good health food shops, although this one is a bargain from aldi & is just as good!)...

2 teaspoons of runny honey...

3 pinches of sultana & peanut mix...

And finally 1 banana...

Bon appetite!

Let me know your favourite porridge flavours in a comment below...

T - @AnnieLucyOakes

I - annie_oakes

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Tuesday, 4 February 2014

MeetMyFashionSpots

Bold prints always liven up an outfit, but instead of making mine clashing, I opted for complementary polkadots in negative reflections of monochrome. With the bolder bigger dotty print emblazoned on my top half, worn loose over my oversized trousers speckled with mini-polkadots, the lace body helped break up the black & white haze, exposing a flash of flesh.

...My Outfit Recipe [Let's take it from the top & break it down]...

...White polkadot top - Vintage...

...Black lace body - Topshop...

...Black studded leather jacket - Topshop...

...Oversized high-waisted polkadot trousers - Vintage...

...Accessorize my Life...

...A swipe of pink lipstick in the twilight...

...White & black checked scarf - Oxfam...

...Silver Shiva pendant - India *picked up on my travels*

...Black heeled boots - Clarks...

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Monday, 3 February 2014

MeetMyMondayMotivation

...Occasion...

...Creative day at uni...

...Situation...

...Composing a look from the bottom up, all aroun my new shoes...

Bargains are always the best kind of buys, so when I spotted these platform brogues down Portobello Road Market for a cheeky little tenner I knew it was my day! With my new shoes having many textures & colours in, I wanted to keep my look sleek but with key accessories to accentuate & compliment each other in the most colourful way, so I build my look from the bottom up...

...My Outfit Recipe [Let's take it from the top & break it down]...

...Long black dress - charity shop find (similar can be found in American Apparel)...

...Long red coat - vintage...

...Accessorize my Life...

...Antique gold pocket watch pendant - Northern Quarter, Manchester *gift to me*

...Embriodered basket bag - Marrakesh, Morocco *picked up on my travels*

...Black red & cork platform brogues - Portobello Market *only £10!*

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Tuesday, 7 January 2014

MeetMyNewYear

...Occasion...

It's a New Year!

...Situation...

Dressing to celebrate, yet set an example for the year ahead.

Yes, many may post about their New Year's Eve outfits on NYE, but I say why not celebrate it for a little bit longer! Dressing for New Year's Eve is always going to include a nod to the glamorous, but this year I opted for a fresher take on sparkle. To shine at a house party, you need to not be restricted by your outfit to have fun, but you also need to catch eyes while not appearing too over-dressed...

...Soft grey smokey eyes, wet-look hair & a choppy fringe to complement my NYE winter floral look...

...Faux-ostrich style leather jacket - Vintage, The Wardrobe, Hastings

...Kicking off the New Year fun!...

...Cheers to a New Year!...

...My Outfit Recipe [Let's take it from the top & break it down]...

...Pink & gold beaded bolero - New Look...

...Winter floral print silk skater dress - *ChristmasPresent*, Thunder Egg...

...Accessorize my Life...

...Diamond shaped gold pocket watch pendent - *ChristmasPresent*, Pearl and Queenie...

...Black & gold heeled booties - Clarks...

...MeetMyMan...

...Sean's Outfit Recipe [Let's take it from the top & break it down]...

...Tartan shirt - H&M...

...Blue denim jeans - Levis...

...Accessorize My Man's Life...

...Brown brogues - Office *wear them worn*

Tartan is the key pattern for A/W'13, meaning it isn't just reserved for Womenswear! Remember the traditional Scottish men in their tartan kilts? Well let's take that inspiration & rock a take on it in the colder months of 2014. Winter florals are also a perfect print for this time of year. Instead of a walk in the park, mine is lifted by the sheen of the fabric, complementing the beaded textures of my evening jacket.

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Sunday, 29 December 2013

MeetMyWestwood

...Occasion...

...The Wardrobe's Rummage & Plunder Vintage Sale...

...Situation...

...Searching for the best vintage bargains...

Stepping into the Old Town of Hastings is a creative rollercoaster ride of experiences. With a select few vintage shops now lining the historic Hight Street, The Wardrobe Clothes Agency is a gem that has always sparkled the brightest for me. Having twirled away with my heavy vintage stain prom dress a good 5 years ago now, I eagerly await their 'Rummage & Plunder' sales, where each & every selected garment is a steal at £10 a pop!...

...Reflections of red [Spot me in the bottom corner!]...

...The shoes & bags selection ranges from Tods to Chanel...

...Vintage posters line the walls & chandeliers hang from the ceiling...

...The Hastleons get their super-speedy rummage on...

...The Wonderful Wardrobe...

...Two of my bargains of the day...

...Faux-ostrich leather jacket...

...Draped wet-look Vivienne Westwood dress...

...Coming Next...

...Vibrant fine-knit Christian Lacroix cross-over back dress...

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Friday, 27 December 2013

MeetMyFashionableFestivities

Take2

...Occasion...

...Blustery Boxing Day walk...

...Situation...

...Dressing toasty for a windy winters walk...

Living in a town of quirky traditions, this wasn't a day to take boxes of gifts round to the houses of friends & family for us! A sunny stroll on the beach is perfect to stir the appetite for Christmas feasts & a spot of "traditional" Hastings brussel sprout 'conkers' for afters! With my Mum also looking extra chic for a walk on the beach, I thought she also deserved a fashionable mention...