Mirrored Orchid Pencil Skirt / Gold Details

Hello all!

This skirt is something a little bit more 'funky' for me (can we all just stop for a moment and appreciate the word 'funky'?). I can only describe the print as a kind of mirrored, digital orchid print - although on closer inspection I'm not sure if they're orchids at all. Hey ho. I do like this combination because I still feel that even though it's relatively conservative in the amount of skin on show, prepare to cringe... it's still a bit 'sexy' (ooo there it is) without having all your bits and pieces out and on show. Whichever way you wear it I feel like it's quite a versatile piece in the sense that I can see someone a bit more edgy (Kavita?) making it look amazing with some trainers/Litas and a cap, because lets be honest; I cannot get away with a cap. I definitely look more like I am involved in some kind of strange Ali-G roleplay rather than channelling my inner Rihanna... can anyone sympathise?

Skirt : Topshop. Top & Belt : ASOS. Shoes : Matalan (but keep that to yourself). Necklace : 80s Vintage.

Exposed Zip Pencil Skirt / Polo Neck Top / Vintage Gold Chain

Hello all!

At the risk of sounding like I'm really bad at small talk / a pensioner / a Springwatch presenter ... how incredibly beautiful is this weather we've been having? I fully intended yesterday to comprise of nothing but sitting inside surrounded by papers, working on my university assignments - as you can see, I didn't quite succeed. This is outfit number 2 of 3 for my styling project with Voucher Codes (you can see Outfit 1 here!) As I said along with my first outfit, Voucher Codes challenged me to buy 3 items, creating an outfit around each piece - fitting under the two categories I chose; 'Modern 60s' and 'Monochrome'. 

Being a Mad Men fan, creating the 'Modern 60s' look was the one I've been the most excited about. Initially, I planned to practice some wide-eyed expressions and seek out a geometric pattern a la Twiggy but decided that the opportunity of dressing up as a modern version of Mad Men office-goddess Joan Holloway might be too fun to pass up. So, I created this outfit around this futuristic, secretarial pencil skirt with an exposed zip detail.

p.s. I've finally given in and created a Facebook page for my blog, although with Arabella being my actual name.. inviting my friends to 'please like Arabella' doesn't exactly sound great..

 Top, Belt & Skirt : River Island c/o Voucher Codes. Necklace : Vintage. Sunglasses : c/o eBay. Earrings : Topshop. Shoes : ZARA.

P.S. I'm aware the necklace is decidedly more 80s (it actually belonged to my mother!) but I couldn't resist incorporating it! I would also not recommend this belt to you... despite it's beautifulness, you can see from the photos that the size SMALL (?!) is too big for my waist by a good couple of inches so I'll have to return it, which is ridiculous and disappointing. ALSO, Beehive-making is so much harder than it looks. I definitely need some tips from beehive queen Olivia.

Yellow Blazer, Scarf Print Shirt & Platform Brogues (I'm 21 today!)

Hello all!

So... today is my 21st birthday! I can hardly believe it. I've been joking throughout the week "it all goes downhill from here..." so let's wait and see shall we! I've never been through a 'mad teenage' phase and so am slightly worried I was going to wake up and have turned into a petulant beast a la Kevin from Kevin & Perry. (If you don't know what Kevin & Perry is, click here and be enlightened..)

To start of my birthday celebrations, on Thursday evening I had dinner and drinks at The May Fair in London with my best friend Kate, and these photos were taken last night when I went out for a family meal (where my well-meaning father had sneakily arranged for the entire restaurant to serenade me with 'Happy Birthday' - cringe is not a strong enough word.) Today, I've been shopping in London with my mother and as I've scheduled this to go up at 6pm, will currently be indulging in my annual never-ceasing tradition of 'party tea'. I am not ashamed to say that by 'party tea' I literally mean children's party food. Loving life. 

Jacket : ZARA. Shirt : ASOS. Trousers & Shoes 'STUNNER' : Topshop. Necklace : Etsy. Earrings & Bag : Chanel.