21 Things I love about Autumn & Winter

Morning guys, guess what - it's October which means...Autumn is now here! Autumn & Winter are my favorite seasons, I've always been a bit of a winter bird. If you follow me on Twitter you will know that each year I harp on about how I hate Summer with a passion and how I absolutely love Autumn & Winter. To me, summer is the worst. I hate the the fashion and I hate the sweltering hot weather. The second half of the year is much more to my liking and so I thought I would make a list of things I love this time of the year...

1. Christmas
2. Getting wrapped up and wearing knitwear, winter boots, scarves, gloves & hats
3. Watching Christmas films with the family
4. Looking at the snow and rain from your bedroom window
5. Making Hot Chocolates
6. Eating thick soups with chunky bread rolls
7. Bonfire night
8. Fireworks
9. Dressing up looking gruesome for Halloween
10. Decorating the house with festive decorations
11. Going shopping and buying Christmas Gifts
12. Wrapping Christmas Gifts
13. Celebrating the Christmas Holiday's & New Year with loved ones
14. Baking Festive Cookies & Cakes
15. Making Snowmen
16. Having Snowball Fights
17. Walking the dog on a cold winters day
18. Having get togethers and visiting family
19. Christmas Dinner
20. Going on winter city breaks to London/Edinburgh
21. Crunchy Leaves on the ground

Margot's World

Margot's World is the new Topshop collection inspired by a character called Margot from a 2001 Wes Anderson film called 'The Royal Tenenbaum'. I'm so in love with this collection, every piece in this A/W trend is so dainty and pretty. Topshop describes the collection as 'stepping into a sherbet coloured world where dainty dressing reigns.'

In the collage shown above I have created a set that you would be able to mix and match whilst still achieving this preppy vintage look. The character that inspired this trend - Margot, was best known for her oversized fur coats and dark smudged kohl eyeliner. I feel some shiny popping pink lipgloss would finish this look perfectly. I would never normally wear lip gloss, lipstick is where my true love lies. However I feel this collection really focuses on dainty styling with catwalk ready make up - i.e. the typical smudged eyeliner model look with textured lips that give you edge.

The pieces I have picked out in this collection are very princess'esque and prim but also incorporate the Tartan trend that is gonna take the world by storm this winter. Fur, primness and baby pastels will be the 'IT' items to wear in this wintery season. View the LFW stream/highlights here to see Margot reigning the catwalk.

You can shop the rest of the collection by Clicking here.

What do you think to this trend? Will you be wearing sherbet pastels this season?

Margot's World by whatlaradidnext featuring Topshop

Topshop sweater / Topshop crop shirt / Topshop blue camisole / Topshop pea coat / Topshop chiffon knee length skirt / Topshop high waisted shorts / Topshop socks / Topshop shoes / Topshop ring / Topshop clear glasses / Topshop lip gloss / TOPSHOP Kohl Pencil , Bolt, $6.33

CELINE Winter Campaign Video

Without a doubt, Celine is most definitely one of my favourite designers, I've followed this brand for years. After having just watched the Winter 2013 Campaign video I am almost speechless, what an exquisite collection. 

When I think of Celine I think power business and seriously high fashion. I was blown away with the Campaign video, for me the collection was on another level. The oversized coats were out of this world, the clean white pieces are always an all time favourite of mine anyway and certainly did not disapoint. I LOVED the grey palette used throughout the show, it reminded me of the colours of an elephant and the tartan was just beautiful. 

Whilst we're on the subject of Tartan. I was choosing some fabric earlier to make some clothes and was debating for ages whether to go for paisley or tartan. I opted for paisley as its a safer option but after watching this video I am bitterly disappointed I chose not to purchase the tartan as the Celine collection has just gave me inspiration I didn't realise I even had! 

The thing I love best about all designers is that their collections have the ability to take your thoughts to different places. One minute you're looking at an outfit and in your mind you're walking down the bustling streets of Fifth Avenue in NY on a cold day in December. Next minute you're parading through an African Safari in a 4x4. 

Check out the video above or look at the official Celine video   HERE

My weekend in photos

This weekend I actually socialised (shocker!). Problem is I enjoy my own company far too much and when my friends go out in town I either stay at home watching Keeping up with the Kardashians or have a Sex in The City marathon. Either that or I'm working. However this week I thought I would venture out and see what all the fuss is about. I spent the evening with my two best friends which was well overdue.

I also got my Christmas shopping done. However I almost had a breakdown In Vivienne Westwood because I was buying for other people and not my self. I didn't even let my self loose in Topshop because I knew I'd end up spending all my money on me! I went to Nottingham, which is one of my favourite cities - mainly because pretty much all my favourite shops are there.

Thought I'd post a selfie of my weekend outfit: Peplem top, Leather Jacket and All Saints jeans. Sunday was spent recovering from the night before and my lovely sister cooked us a delicious Sunday dinner. All in all a wonderful weekend. However I am now procrastinating as I am supposed to be doing my English Coursework. Boohoo!

Oh and does anybody wish to purchase that amazing beanie and leather tinsel dress for me? Please :(

Hairrrrrlp me!

Don't know about anyone else but I'm so done with my hair. I

honestly don't know what to do with it anymore, I get bored ever so easily - therefore I decided to cut this feature out from Marie Claire to inspire me. I feel like my hair is the same every day. Has anyone got any suggestions on different up do's etc? I'd be very grateful. Thanks my lovely's!

City stop!

I was extremely excited when I received my train tickets yesterday morning for when I go to Newcastle next weekend to stay with my boyfriend. A lot of my family live up there too although I don't think I will have time to go and visit them. Nether the less, I'm looking forward to spending time with Kyle and having a wander around Newcastle. As part of my media fashion magazine project I need to do some photoshoots, so it's more than likely I will force Kyle to take part in this. (I'll post photos next weekend).

The other day it was my late nannys birthday so we thought it would be a nice idea to set off a Chinese lantern as a mark of respect and celebration of her life! I also stayed at my dads last night so got to see Biscuit (our puppy!) he's so cute. Also I thought I'd share a selfie with you all. However, I do apologise for my lack of make up; I look like a little mouse! I'm desperately hoping it snows tonight, purely because it never does in my town and because I can just spend hours watching it fall out of my living room window. xo

It's the weekend!

And it's finally the weekend! However, I certainly don't have time to relax this weekend, I'm afraid it's all go.

Last night I totted off to work and didnt get home til 3am and then I had to get up at 10am *sniffs*. Although I don't particularly mind because I went shopping in Lincoln; it was so Christmassy and there was a lovely atmosphere so I really enjoyed it especially spending time with my Nanny. We managed to get lots of presents.

Is anyone else suffering from chapped lips this week? This cold weather has hit me hard. My pale skin can't battle with this weather any longer, I feel as though I'm constantly slapping on moisturiser and lip balm.

At some point this weekend I need to book my train ticket to Newcastle, which I am really looking forward to. Oh and that picture is of the River Trent which has overflown the river bank. Scary stuff!!!!

Studs, jumpers, winter and work.

Is it me or is it absolutely fweeeeezing this morning?! ( trust me it is.) However, I'm not one to complain about the crisp winter weather, I love it. There is nothing more thrilling than venturing outside in the cold whilst you're all snuggled. I tend to stand on crunchy leaves at any opportunity.

Once again it's been a busy week for me. I've not even had time to go out a jog, which I was slightly disappointed about but hey-ho. So the picture shows my outfit today with my little ted bag (duh!). I decided to opt for my studded jumper as I have yet to of worn if until now for some reason unknown.

This week I went out for a costa with my lovely friend from work; Jacob as he is leaving me to go to Australia for a year the lucky person! Boohoo. However I really enjoyed it.

Really considering getting a rich, decent leave in conditioner at some point this week as my hair is just in need of SOS seriously. Any recommendations you beauty gods?! Hope you're all well. PS I am loving my iPhone its amaze, I'm a geek I know!

What a turn around...

So today started off absolutely awfully. I literally wish I just slept the whole day; I mean what a performance. First of all, I was awoken at 4am by my drunken boyfriend ringing me which I didn't mind because it was cute! However, I payed for it this morning waking up late and had 6 minutes to get ready, yep you heard right 6... Must be a record - reckon I
deserve a medal. Anyway, then I got to sixth form, had my English Language lesson and walked home. You would think this is all fine and dandy; that is until it started choking it down. Leading me to look like an absolute drowned rat. (As shown in the photo below).

However, although the day started off somewhat tragically, as it progressed it began to get better. There is a new coffee shop in my town (which looked similar to a Starbucks) so me and dad thought we would give it a whirl and I actually really enjoyed it. Anyhow, this time round I felt I had better put a beanie on after being surrounded by the dreary, miserable weather and I felt so much more snuggled.

Laters!xo

My Winter Playlist.

My music taste varies so much, its quite mad actually. However, I thought that if i give you an insight to the sort of music I listen to - it might help you work me out a bit more, because I think music shows a lot about a person. You should give them a listen.So here is some of the music I can't get enough of at the moment:

Azealia Banks - Esta Noche
Drake - Best I Ever Had
Beyonce - Start Over
Bingo Players vs Jay-z and Kanye West - Rattle in Paris
Chris Brown - Deuces
Chris Brown - Yo
You Me At Six - Save It For The Bedroom
You Me At Six - Reckless
Azealia Banks - Van Vogue
One Direction - Live While We're Young
Drake ft Nicki Minaj - Make Me Proud
Eminem - Lose Yourself
Frank Turner - Wessex Boy
Enter Shikari - Sorry You're Not A Winner
Kanye West - Never Let Me Down
Ke$ha - Die Young
Ke$ha - Blow (Circuit Remix)
The Killers - Mr Brightside
Lady Gaga - Bloody Mary
Lady Gaga - Marry The Night
Lady Gaga - Cake Like Lady Gaga
Lana Del Rey - Mermaid Motel
Lana Del Rey - National Anthem
Lana Del Rey - Ride
The Pretty Reckless - You

What I've been up to...

I've been a busy bee just recently. I've been updating my portfolio and sticking in my work which is a massive effort, but being the geek that I am - I fully enjoy scrapbook projects and its really satisfying having a book full of all my achievements, makes me proud to see how much work I've had published at just the age of 17. I really feel that this year, career wise has been amazing. I've learnt so much about the industry and I just can't wait to get my self out there in the fashion world!

Ok so the top left picture is a little random, but I just thought I'd show you a picture of my extremely tidy room, as I have a slight OCD when it comes to my bedroom!

Any of my followers from Newcastle?! - At the start of next month, I'm off down there for the weekend to go on a university open day with my sister and then spend the weekend with my boyf (He lives there!!). I'm really excited because I haven't had chance to go down there yet and I have family up there too, so it should be good. I plan on finishing off my Christmas shopping there so I can make a proper weekend of it.

Not going to lie, my life seems so boring recently, all I'm ever doing is saving up and it is such a bore; meaning no fashion reviews for a while :-( . I would however like to inform you all that I am getting an Iphone at the end of this week which i am very excited about. This means my posts will be more frequent and you will all be able to stalk me on Instagram, yay!!!

If any of you want more of an insight to me, follow me on twitter: @laraduncan_95

peace out x

winter frost bite!

This weekend was pay day at work, which is obviously my favourite thing ever and I was treated especially well this month, because I worked more hours than normal due to Halloween - meaning more $$. However, being the dreadful person I am, the next day day I intended on going Christmas shopping buuuut you know how it is. There were several items I had my heart set on all month and therefore had to purchase them. I came to an agreement in my head that I would spend half of the money on my self and the rest on buying presents and luckily I stuck to this little arrangement. 

First of all I headed to Topshop (of course) and spent a dismal £80 in there all on my self. The picture in the top left shows me modelling some of my purchases. Don't judge me ok, I'm totally into this whole army trend but I refuse to buy a Camo jacket simply because of the stigma attached. I would rather not be referred to as a 'hipster' thank you very much, however I think this plain army print tee deemed more acceptable, as well as keeping on trend. Absolutely loving my spiked necklace which I got in the sale for £3.50, just call me a bargain hunter! Anyways, the shopping trip was successful and I got everything I went for. 

Sooo...is anyone else feeling the cold as much as I am. Pretty sure my entire body went numb last night at the fireworks display?! Not impressed. However, i only have my self to blame for not wearing gloves - because don't get me wrong, winter is definitely my favourite season! I absolutely love the whole wrapping up warm and the run down to Christmas. I especially love winter fashion - I genuinely really dislike summer fashion, its so tacky; to me fashion is all about layers and accessories and how can you possibly do that when its sizzling hot? Anyone else get any bargains this week or go to a bonfire?

What i've been up to...

 Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been extremely busy working etc... So I thought I'd just tell all you pretty people what I've been up to recently!!!! The other week I bought a new coat (as shown in the picture) which I bought from the Ragged Priest. I previously wrote a post about the brand because I'm a massive fan of it so I was really excited to buy this coat as it is going to play a staple part in my wardrobe over winter. I love this style of it, the fur makes it so cosy and of course the studs and sewn on denim just give it that extra edge...I've had loads of people comment on the coat thinking that I'd customized it my self because they thought it looked really cool!

The puppy in the photo is called Biscuit, he is such a cutie! We bought him for my dad as a Christmas/Birthday present as he had been hassling us for ages saying that he wanted a puppy so we took it up for him as a suprise. He is such a lovely dog with sooooo much energy. (Credits for me for thinking of the cute name for him :-D).

Obviously last weekend was Halloween weekend, well its actually today but still. I worked in a Bar/Club and we threw our Halloween Party on Saturday in which everybody dressed up. I decided to go as a Zombie Bride!

Then today I have been panning my way through that pile of books as I am currently in the midst of researching for my extended project that I'm doing. To some of you it may look tedious, but I love reading so it wasn't a chore at all; in fact it was quite therapeutic, as well as educational! It also reminded me how much I had been abandoning the books on my shelf and that I really should start reading on more of a regular basis again. Anyways, I hope you all had a good weekend and managed to get dressed up as a freak - I did and thoroughly enjoyed the process. :-) Hit me with your comments, love hearing from you all!!!! xo