I'm Back With Some Bargains!

Hey! 

I'm so sorry I haven't been here for ages (due to extensive school and stress related issues) but now I'm back, with some of my latest bargains...

I've picked up a distinctly grunge-y feel in my purchases and makeup choices recently, I'm just feeling a great affinity with black, grey and other such moody colours. Also, I've been buying and wearing very casual clothes recently (which isn't like me at all) but I think due to school and work and stress piling up; quick, easy clothing choices have been my go-to solutions, and I won't be changing it any time soon! In fact I'm quite enjoying not having to 'dress up' everyday, so to speak. 

(Side-note: I must apologise in advance for these utterly horrendous photos which make me seem about three feet tall and eight feet wide...my camera angle isn't very flattering because I'm taking them myself with a timer and don't have anyone else to help!)

1. JURASSIC PARK TEE - £3 sale Primark

This isn't my usual cup of TEE (get it?! No? I'll let myself out....) but I needed something to throw on when I really can't be bothered and this tee is just the trick.

2. MONOCHROME FLORAL SWEATER - £3 sale PRIMARK

I genuinely love this sweater top, although the material is a bit thin and cheap feeling, it looks brilliant on with plain black ripped skinnies and my fave black fake converse :)

3. 3/4 LENGTH STRIPED CROPPED TOP  - £7.99 Newlook

I know, I know: This is SO basic... but imagine it worn print clashed with some vintage floral shorts and stop worrying I'm going to turn into the dreaded 'basic white girl' persona.

4. 'KAKKOI' SWEATER - £5.99 H&M

If you remember, one of my last posts featured a sweater almost exactly the same as this one, the only difference being that said 'Brooklyn' across the shoulders. I wore that sweater so much I simply had to get another one, but this one is even cooler with the japanese phrase 'kakkoi' (cool) across the chest.

5. SHEEPSKIN LINED DENIM JACKET - £6.99 Barnados Charity Shop

BARGAIN ALERT! I still can't believe this was only £6.99. It's so warm and although I'm not sure which brand it's from originally (the label has been cut out) I somehow feel like it's from the men's section due to it's extremely boxy shape... which is my favourite coat shape so I couldn't be happier!

7. BOWLER HAT - £5 sale H&M
I recently got my hair cut into a pixie crop and before I couldn't pull off any kind of hat.... but NOW.... NOW I AM THE QUEEN OF BOWLER HATS! It's so cool and looks great even with a tee and jeans.

Anyway, thanks for reading! I'll try and update as regularly as I can so stay tuned.

Love, The SHSS xxx

LATEST BARGAIN SPREE!

Hey!

Guess what.... I've been shopping again. No surprises there! I found some great little gems in a few charity shops and high street stores over the course of this week, so let's delve right into them...

 I'm absolutely loving nineties grunge style accessories for those who dress slightly more teenage and laid back, I found this tangled at the back of a rack of hideous clumpy gems and beads, and immediately realised it's potential. I love the aztec patterns and the almost symbolic, charm-like feel of this and as you will see I am especially pleased with the fact that I can wear it with my next item, like a dual set, 

Shop: Barnados

Price: 99p 

 Here we can see my second jewellery item, which I also love for providing a nostalgic nineties skater kid vibe! It didn't come with the pacman charm, my sister made that at her school and I grabbed it as soon as she deemed it 'a piece of junk', knowing it would be useful somehow... and I was right!

Shop: Barnardos

Price: 99p

 I picked up these super cheap, plain flatform plimsolls on a whim, and recently realised they are even more versatile than I had previously imagined... I've worn them with dresses, jeans, leggings - basically everything! (ignore my tiny feet please, I'm very petite!)

Shop: Primark

Price: £6

 This is a super cute, jean fabric skater skirt I picked up the other day. It's nothing remarkable but extremely versatile, and so far I've worn it with a t-shirt and converse, and also heels and a lacy top.

Shop: Arthritis Research Newcastle

Price: £1 (everything from here ^ is this cheap!!)

Original Brand: Divided at H&M

 This sweater was spotted by my friend Chelsea and was originally to be bought for her friend as a birthday present.... but I loved it so much I picked it up as well! It looks amazing paired with grey acid wash skinnies, a few layered chokers and of course my ever trusty flatform trainers.

Shop: DIVIDED at H&M

Price: £5.99

 I've started stocking up on summer essentials early (even though the weather shows no signs of getting any better, typical England!) So of course every girl needs a classic light wash denim jacket, and as soon as I saw this I knew it had to be purchased there and then! I'm planning on pairing it with a floral dress and gladiator sandals.

Shop: Barnados

Price: £5.99

Original Brand: Warehouse

The picture quality on anything velvet is always terrible with flash, but I apologise since my lighting was even worse without it. Still, I hope you can see this is a plain, floaty velvet skater skirt and I've worn it nearly all week with everything! It's amazing for bringing an element of understated grunge to any outfit or even a splash of glam.

Shop: Primark

Price: £5

 This floral dress is going to be my absolute go-to dress once the sun turns up again - I'm obsessed! And for the price, well... that's just an added bonus!

Shop: Arthritis Research Newcastle

Price: £1

Original Brand: 'Glamorous'

 Yet another little gem that looks horrendous with a flash (sorry,) this velvet flocked skater dress has become my January staple dress, being super easy to dress up or down and extremely comfortable to wear!

Shop: Arthritis Research Newcastle

Price: £1

Original Brand: ASOS

S/S '15 Trend Forecast

Hey!

Well, it's 2015, and I'm a few days late with this post. 2014 was a great year for fashion, and the A/W season has paved the way for S/S 15 incorporating pastels and minimalistic silhouettes into the winter collections. So, what can you expect the first half of this year? 

Keep going with...

• monochrome
• clean-cut lines
• oversized muted florals
• geometric prints
• cleated soles
• ripped denim

Spring '15

Get ready for... 

• clean, crisp silhouettes
• white on white (think oversized tennis style)
• colour blocking
• understated metallics like burnished bronze, pewter and rose gold.

(Primark - see instore)

• pastels (again!)

http://www.hm.com/gb/product/77518?article=77518-A

• TEXTURE overload. This means get stocking up on transitional pieces, with detail like quilting and embellishment. Snap up a peach faux fur stole in the sales and rock it right through spring with a palette of warm pastels!
• blue and white
• shirtdresses... the most comfortable and versatile of robes

(http://www.hm.com/gb/product/58239?article=58239-B)

Summer 15'

Carrying on many of the trends from Spring, get ready to add...

• nautical influences (get those Breton striped tees at the ready!)
• flatforms, pool slides and any shoe with a cleated sole

(Primark - see instore)

(Primark - see instore)

• CULOTTES... yes, that's right! Those tricky french bottoms; not quite a skirt, not quite trousers; are back. But don't worry, I'll be back with plenty of advice on how to style them soon enough.

(http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/trousers-and-shorts/black-grid-check-culottes-_332726809)

• roomy denim. Boyfriend and girlfriend jeans are already hitting fashion mainstream, but if you're brave you can go bold and rock a pair of wide leg jeans with white pool slides and a white crop top. 

Well, get shopping! We have a very fashionable year ahead of us...

love, the Second Hand Scrunchie Shopper x

Charity Shop Bargains: Barnado's

Hey!

So today I managed to pop into Barnado's 'Save The Children' charity shop down in Benwell. I'm a frequent visitor so the lady who owns the shop smiled as I breezed in and hastened to tell me that ".. all clothing items are half price."

HALF PRICE?! Oh joy of joys! 

I managed to pick up only five items: (the restraint was incredible - I wanted it all, really,) three jumpers and two tops. The week before I managed to pick up some heeled ankle boots from there as well so I've included them below.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog!

I've been thinking about doing this for a while now, but never really had the time or drive to start. Recently, though, someone I know persuaded me to focus on what makes me happy, and not be afraid of what people said about it. Well, fashion makes me happy, and the best way to share my love of it is through blog format, so that's what I'm doing.


I think my main focus when it comes to buying clothes is showing people that they don't have to buy expensive items to look good. I'm a great advocate of charity shopping (or 'thrifting', as they call it over the Atlantic,) and I want other people to see that it is possible to get on-trend, good quality clothing for under a fiver! 

I also plan on sharing makeup tips, tricks and tutorials; outfit-of-the-day posts; and day-to-day write-ups. 

Anyway, I hope whoever reads this enjoys it, and that you'll come back regularly.

Love, The Second Hand Scrunchie Shopper X