Topshop Tropics

Woe is me, the common student - forced to simply browse and seldom buy in these hard financial times. BORE OFF, I want clothes and I want them now! I especially would LOVE some new summer beauties and found myself like a 'kid in a candy store' in Topshop this weekend, lusting over many many patterned things.

Here's the low-down:

Ever the sucker for ethnic and folk, especially when it's in a repeated tile print. These pieces make me want to go to Morocco or Turkey and bring back a whole suitcase of painted ceramic tableware.

1 - Folk Print Crop Top : £40

2 - Tile Tassel Longline Bikini : £36

3 - Tile Print Runner Shorts : £12

You can't get much more tropical than wearing half a rainforest on your body.

4 - Tropical Off The Shoulder Dress by Rare : £42

5 - Lemon Print Skort : £34

6 - Heavenly Two Part Wedge : £30

These pretty blues and pastel patterns are fab for SS14 (it's coming, slowly but surely, but it's coming) I imagine the jumpsuit is effortless to wear in the heat and the style also comes in a casual shirt dress and a playsuit!

7 - Tropical Print Boilder Suit : £65

8 - Mix Match Panel Floral Tee : £38

9 - Blue Gingham Joni Jeans : £38

Statement Sandals for Spring

This week has been gorgeously sunny in Newcastle, giving us relief from the constant freezing winds recently. The jackets are just about off and shorts seem to be appearing from last summer's stash. I have a feeling it won't be staying around for long, so let's bring out our pedicures in this season's must-have chunky heeled sandal while we can. Brights and metallics are favourable, and a comfortable inch or two is a bonus!

1. Topshop Fernando Sandal - £50

2. Nasty Gal Miista Patti Sandal - £89.99

3. ASOS Humour Sandal - £40

4. Topshop Novice Chunky Sandal - £52

5. Out From Under Karla Sandals - £65

6. River Island White Fare Chunky Sandal - £55

Mulberry's Cara Collection

My favourite bag from the Cara Delevigne Mulberry range that has landed this week. Not quite sure on the camo ones...

Sherrif and Cherry at Liberty

Known for their fun, colourful eyewear, Sheriff and Cherry have recently been added to the ever-evolving Liberty collaboration portfolio. Four popular Sheriff and Cherry frames have been infused with the super summery Lib prints of Marco and Patricia, creating perfectly aestival sunglasses for SS'14! 

Here, three S&C x Lib frames stand out and complement some of the brand's current cool sunglasses:

1. Patricia Liberty Print G12 Frame with Gold Lens - £150

2. Red Marco Liberty Print G11 Wayfarers - £125

3. Blue Marco Liberty Print G11 Wayfarers - £125

4. Blue G11S Wildcat - £95

5. Grey Matte Classic Retro - £95

6. White Turtle Cut - £115

Maude's Mint

[Apologies for the punny title, but the Geordie slang fitted so well]

Maude Boutique's stunning mint necklace instantly caught my eye whilst browsing Shopify on Instagram, and WOW, how awesome is their jewellery all the way from Fayetteville, Arkansas! Statement necklaces and costume earrings have long been on the scene now, and Zara and Topshop have had loads of gorgeous chokers but most of these seem to be about £40 with the gold turning pink after a couple of wears!

Many of these incredibly priced pieces come in alternate colour schemes, but I've found my favourite ones. I'll definitely be sharing this post with my parents, who have gone to the US for Thanksgiving this week - perhaps they could pick up a sparkly little stocking filler for me...

1. The blues necklace - $25 £15.50

2. Talking tulips necklace - $35 £21.50

3. Blossom choker - $45 £27.50

4. Taste the rainbow necklace - $32 £19.50

1. O my! Earring - $12 £7.50

2. Blue garden earring - $14 £8.50

3. Bee dangle earring - $10 £6

4. Crystal drop earring - $9 £5.50

5. Bug post earring - $6 £3.50

"A Maude Girl is much more than her closet, but the one she has should be full of 

clothes that help her feel confident as she makes her dreams happen"

Suited and Booted

How amazing are these smart but playful Doc shoes!? Simple and smart, with laser cut design to reveal postbox red card suit symbols.

African Shirt Company

  I came across The African Shirt Company in last week's Grazia and was captured by their vivid designs. I'm a sucker for a good ethnic pattern because they're always bursting with spirit and character. The earthy colours of orange, brown and deep blue sit next to one another in a clashing complement, drawing the African landscape it's been hand-made amongst.

   The bold shirts display the traditional design culture of its Kenyan producers. I later realised it also represents a more promising future brightened from this company's investment in two Kenyan mothers. Ruth and Clara are locals who have learned pattern cutting and sewing to make these shirts. Aiming to help the struggling village Kiteghe, The African Shirt Company profits are used to build a tree nursery to restore the increasing desertification in the community. Traditional farming income is threatened here by drought all year round and this environmental degradation with a lack of education prevents its restoration. The Company supports environmental education and land management schemes which will provide a sustainable landscape for food and trade.
  

I love how these shirts tell their story so well. They are also incredibly unique, with only 4 of each pattern made.

Here are some of my favourites... 

Women's

Men's

All shirts - £50

The African Shirt Company

ASOS Marketplace

Galactic Gal

Still waiting for the launch - 8th March on Regent Street!

Psychedelic

&OtherStories - £25

Wellibobs

Joules

    I didn't even know these funky half-wellies existed. The ultimate outdoorsy chick Joules does them in 13 different patterns and colours for every style of coun'ry bumpkin. Do they share the same horrendous 'inbetween shoe' characteristic as Crocs? I'm not sure but I love them, especially the ones with hares on, aw!

Joules Wellibobs - £20 - £35

Check out the whole of Joule's wellies range, they're all so pretty, I'd choose them over some Hunters anyday

City Chains

Spoilt with three great colours. They remind me of those Crayola metallic felt tips

City Lights Multirow Necklace - £14

Another Great H&M Dress

Monochrome Stripe Dress - £34.99

Flattering, polo necked and 60s-esque, what more could you want?

Also worn by Beyonce's sexy saxophonist during the 2013 Superbowl half time.  

Punchy Pumps

ZARA's Studded Heel Ballerinas - £16.99

I badly need some simple black pumps as my Topshop pointed flats have been 'worn in' to say the least. These would go with everything, and from personal experience, Zara shoes are well made and such good value.