A Berry Daze

Berry Bobble Beanie: Primark
Tapestry Print Pull Over: & Other Stories
Denim Shirt: Paul Smith
Leather Look Skinny Jeans: River Island
Burgundy Ankle Boots: Schuh
Balenciaga Bag

How has it been ten whole days since my last post? *Slaps self on wrist*. These past few days have been a right ol' mixed bag, at first I didn't feel up to blogging due to a few personal issues and then when I decided to get back on the horse my MacBook refused to turn on! Life lesson? Water and laptops don't mix, even if said spillage happened way back in September - I'm now the proud parent of a new MacBook Air, she's a babe who will not be gallivanting anywhere near liquids. Life hasn't been all doom and gloom though, my bathroom is finally complete and I spent Wednesday down in London with my best friend and beau (he's a good egg) watching the laugh out loud Book of Mormon and participating in a teeny amount of shopping, well it'd be rude not to. Not forgetting the huge spree I went on last weekend in Leeds with Gemma...oops! Taking a short blogging break has made me realise just how much I love my little space on the Internet and that sometimes it's ok if life takes over, this must be the first time I've not blogged in a while and not beat myself up about it.

These snaps were taken just a couple of weekends ago when we actually had some sunshine, now it's just the weather that ducks enjoy. Does anyone else feel the need to eat warm stews and veg in their pyjamas when it's like this? One downside to no longer living with the rents is not having daily access to their rather dreamy gardens, don't they just make the most pretty backdrop? Beanies have become a wardrobe staple for me recently, they're perfect for keeping your noggin' snug in these chilly temperatures or for disguising a bad, I-refuse-to-behave hair day. This outfit is the epitome of dressed down Hannah, it's a pretty relaxed ensemble while still being a little fash' and that's largely down to my statement jumper which I picked up from & Other Stories just before Christmas - thrown together with the boys denim shirt I'm just a little bit in love with this get up and the mix of textures. The one component I couldn't live without? My leather look skinnys, I'm actually thinking of getting my mitts on another pair because I wear them so much. River Island, you did good.

What's your go to weekend outfit? Do you enjoy sporting cosy headwear?

Straight Hair, Don't Care

Fluffy Cream Jumper & Hannah Necklace: Topshop
Blue Metallic Rivington Clutch: Whistles
Marley Check Skirt: Oasis
Black Cosy Tights: Primark
Burgundy Ankle Boots: Schuh

My outlook on life is pretty sunny (yes I'm that gal who's positive from the moment I wake up) so if ever I'm not a huge fan of something I'll adopt a 'fake it until you make it' mind set which is exactly what I'm doing here with my straight hair. Straight hair (on me) really isn't my thang - sported only after a hair cut and usually under duress, that said my hairdresser does whack a fair amount of Oribe Dry Texturising Spray into it. What can I say? My hair is one crazy mo fo which after years of trial and error responds most favorably when it's washed, dried and then trimmed. Ways to pretend your hair isn't so straight? Throw your hands into it or try the distraction method by wearing your shortest skirt (with cosy tights of course) to protect your modesty.

I fell in L-O-V-E love with this check skirt as soon as saw it and could quickly tell it was from the Mollie King collection, that girl has got it goin' on in the style department. Sure it's a tad short but as long as you save it for weekend attire it's fine - teamed with my fluffy cream jumper it's a pretty sixties inspired ensemble, it's just a shame I'm not sporting a beehive, now that would disguise my ironed locks. Completing the look are my berry skater boots for that addition of colour, my palindrome necklace and last but by no means least my steal of a Whistles bag. This is the very one my mum bought for my sister-in-law to be for Christmas and which I had a hard time not 'borrowing' for myself - when I saw it had fallen into the sale my Whistles shaped dreams came true. Now if only they decide to discount these boots...

Tonight I'm off to the only place worth eating a burger in Sheffield (Mud Crab) for a burger with peanut butter and a chin wag with Lauren. Oh and I may have placed a rather naughty Topshop order, sorry no spend January I have sinned.

Do you ever adopt the fake it until you make it mantra? Do you admire Mollie Kings style?

Llamas & A Pony

Grey Embellished Llama Jumper: J Crew via Net A Porter
Faux Leather A Line Skirt: Oasis
Burgundy Ankle Boots: Schuh
Reindeer Scarf: Asda
Studded Sleeve Coat: Zara
Balenciaga Bag

I'm pretty low maintenance when it comes to my hair (low maintenance can be defined as a messy bun and a pony are the only styles in my repertoire) and I'm ok with that. Life's too short to focus on my poor hair styling skills especially as I've always been a wash and go kinda gal so when there's a picture of me without my hair flowing free it's worth documenting, right? Sometimes a girl has got to rock a pony and who wouldn't want to throw a bunch of llamas into the mix at the same time? After staring longingly at my wish list admiring another animal inspired knit I was thrilled to find this under the Christmas tree. J Crew, you know how to make a good jumper.

Another item making it's blog debut is my newly purchased faux leather a line skirt from the masters of skirts, Oasis. Those guys know how to cut a skirt for a gal who's all legs and bum, unlike team Topshop who think it's ok for my butt to hang out (unless it's from the tall section) and nobody wants to see that! This is my third acquisition from Oasis in the last few months and I must say I'm impressed, especially since I've been on the hunt for a well fitting leather look skirt for what feels like forever. Get ready to see this cheeky zipped number make many appearances on Cagney and Lace.

Today Craig and I are making a trip to John Lewis to do some homeware research and possibly make a few purchases. It's crazy to think that this time tomorrow we'll be on a road trip to London (yay baby) to wave goodbye to 2013 and say a huge hello to 2014, I know everyone says this but it doesn't seem like two minutes ago since we welcomed 2013 - I can't wait to catch up with friends and watch the fireworks in Hampstead Heath. 2013 has been a real mixed bag for me but I'm going into the New Year with excitement and hope that it'll be one of the best years yet. Who's with me?

Are you a dab hand at hair styling or a bit of a novice like me? Will you be greeting 2014 with open arms?

Three More Dreams Of You & Mistletoe

Annie Sparkle Jumper: Whistles via ASOS
Floral Jacquard Skirt: Oasis
Berry Knit Scarf: Missoni via mywardrobe.com
Leopard Print Clutch: Whistles
Cosy Tights: Primark
Burgundy Ankle Boots: Schuh

Leona Lewis singing Christmas songs... why has no-one thought of this sooner? That girl has the dreamiest pipes around so I'm just a tad elated that she's brought out a Christmas contribution. Yesterday I may have spent the morning with my nose pressed to the window waiting for the arrival of Mr DPD. Why? Well I may have made a naughty purchase in the Whistles sale after discovering the leopard clutch I'd been lusting after for quite some time had been reduced hell yeah! 

Never one to shy away from mixing prints I decided to throw leopard, floral and sparkly berry into the Saturday outfit blender to come up with yesterdays get up and you know what? I love the outcome, although I did add a coat to proceedings when I left the house, no-one wants to catch a cold before Christmas. Continuing my new found Whistles obsession (yes the sparkly jumper is Whistles too) I was doing a happy dance yesterday when I spotted the most perfect dress for my buds wedding in the John Lewis concession. Not only was it the last one but it was in my size and it was reduced from £175, to £85, to £50 - let's just say Saturday the 21st of December was one fabulous day. Oh and did I mention it features lace and fits like a glove?

Today the Wild one and I are off to Chatsworth farm shop to be seduced into buying the most indulgent Christmas goodies you can imagine - I've got a rather long foodie wish list cos if you can't devour a slice of game pie at Christmas then when can you? With just half a day left at work I can definitely say it's beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas. Do you sing that one Leona?

Have you been participating in the pre Christmas sales? Do you have a penchant for Leona Lewis?

The Joy Of Living Jumper

Joie De Vivre Jumper: Whistles
Tartan Scarf: Primark
Leather Look Skinny Jeans: River Island
Balenciaga Bag
Burgundy Ankle Boots: Schuh
Fur Collar Jacket: Warehouse
Blue Bobble Hat: GAP
Kez: Models Own

They say a picture is worth a thousand words but how about one that features a cheeky French phrased pull over? Now there's a question for you. 

When it comes to Whistles I'm the girl who is constantly eyeing up pieces online but only ever hovering over the checkout button so let's just say dreams came true when I saw a tweet offering 20% discount and a donation to Shelter, who doesn't want to shop for charity? This Joie De Vivre sweater has barely left my person since it arrived in the post and with good reason - I don't think there's a more fitting expression to sum up my outlook on life, I'm definitely a glass half full kinda gal in case you were wondering.

Hats, once the accessory of choice to keep bad hair days at bay my recently acquired bobble hat rarely leaves my noggin whether I'm having a questionable hair moment or not. It's beyond cosy, the little furry bobble is uber soft and it's ice blue making a nice change from all those typical Wintery shades. I seem to be having a bit of thing for ice blue right now, have you seen this bag which has found its way onto my Christmas list? I promise I've been good this year Father Christmas...

The final newbies to step up and be counted are my naughtily purchased, burgundy ankle boots aptly named YOLO. I don't usually venture into Schuh for footwear but after seeing the gorgeous Faye chat away about these very boots in black I just had to investigate. A quick stop in town later along with some fantastic customer service from team Schuh and I had a pair waiting at another store with my name on. I've never been one for buying sensible black goes-with-everything footwear so these burgundy babies are my interpretation of a smart purchase.

This get up served me well last Sunday as Craig and I went Christmas tree shopping which is actually a tougher task than I thought it would be, who'd of known there'd be so many different types of festive tree to choose from? After a near mishap with the decorations (let's just say moving house with Christmas decs is not the one) we finally trimmed the tree much to Kezs delight who decided to lick most of the lower baubles. Kez your secret is out, sorry pal.

What's been keeping you snuggly this Winter? Do you dig Whistles as much as me?