lfw

Guess where I am working...

Excuse the horrible lab coat, it's part of my uniform.

new year, new shoes

So, I'm back everybody!

After a very stressful exam season and and even more stressful hangover I finally have time to devote myself to my blog. Oh how I have missed it!

Anyways, over christmas I got some amazing treats which will slowly but surely be revealed on the bloggy wog (Russel Brand's new book?). But first there is some urgent business to attend to in the form of some beautiful dark purple velevt shoes by Givenchy...did I mention that I am their very proud owner?

Well I saw them on the net-a-porter annual sale which is BY FAR the best sale out there. The reductions are ridiculous and if my student loan came in just two weeks earlier than usual I would 100% be the proud owner of half of the sale. However, I only came away from sale season with these stunning new playthings for my feet. At the moment they hurt like hell but I am hoping with some tender love and care they will soon be living in harmony with my toes. My favourite bit is the gold anklet on each shoe, they are detachable but I will never be taking them off.

In onther news I just signed up to twitter. I know I am way behind on the times but it's better late than never right? Be sure to follow me @merritt_laura

in the bag

I often wonder what goodies people have hidden away in their handbag but bags, and the treasures or lack of, that people keep in them are often very personal. Well not today! Here is a little peek at the crap that floats around in my everyday bag as well as a bag for a night on the town.

Day time essentials...
1. a copy of this months Vogue
2. my iphone
3. a biro
4. headphones
5. Ray Ban sunnies
6. highlighter pens
7. a small bottle of Miss Dior Cherie
8. my purse
9. Moleskine diary
10. Benefit You Rebel tinted moisturiser
11. Chanel glasses
Bag by Topshop

Night time essentials...
1. my iphone
2. hairbands
3. Haute and Naughty mascara by MAC
4. Wonderwoman lipstick by MAC
5. my purse
Bag by Topshop

don't make me get old school

Ok so this isn't the best outfit post ever because I think I look like I stepped out of a bad ninties movie, but in a good way.

Anyway, I finally got my converse! After months of pining over the leather high tops I went to try them on and to be honest the resuts were not great. Basically I am not even nearly bad ass enough to pull off white leather high tops, I just don't have the swagger. I looked like I was in fancy dress as one of those hip hop honey's you see in old Dr Dre video's, safe to say it was not working for me. So I tried on a pair of the canvas high tops and fell in love. I only bought them this morning so for now they ar far too shiny, white and new looking but I am taking them on holiday with me next week so fingers crossed I will wear them in nicely. They look blinding white in the photos below so beware.

so ninties it hurts

Converse All Stars, Topshop leggings, H&M tunic, a vintage Levi's denim jacket that belongs to my housemate.

leopard

I went to Sankeys in Manchester last night now that I am officially back in the North for my final year at University. It was borderline tropical in Manchester last night and Sankeys is always a bit of a sweaty mess but the t-shirt I bought from Urban Outfitters is so lightweight and floaty that I survived the night without feeling like I was clubbing on the sun.

Urban Outfitters t-shirt, Topshop Skirt, H&M cuff, Urban Outiftters shoes.

chain reaction

Beware...another post about 21st birthday related items.

My brother and I have never really given each other gifts since we were around the age of 17, mainly because we spend our allowance (and now student loans) on other things. However, upon turning 21 I felt I deserved a present. To minimise how annoying this reality might be to my little bro I chose my gift, ordered my gift and then simply informed him of the bill.

This beauty is what I ended up with-

It is another item I came across whilst working in the fashion cupboard at Glamour. It is by a designer called Florence b and basically you order the bracelet online and everything is bespoke, you get to choose the colours of the silk that is woven in to the chunky gold plated chain and you also get to choose a charm to be put on the clasp so every bracelet is unique and sooooo pretty!

twenty one

Happy Birthday to me.

head to toe in lion king

age 16 at my prom

the ripe old age of 21 wearing Topshop boutique and Christian Louboutin

linked

Although I do not turn 21 for another nine days, I celebrated in style with my friends last night. My lovely chums bought me a beautiful silver Links of London bracelet. The interlocking circles are meant to symbolise the link of friendship but I really love the fact that it kind of looks like hand cuffs (a la Louis Vuitton). I was also given this incredible fashion book called Stylelikeu which is full of shots of incredible personal style shots, tattoos, shoes and everything else under the sun. It is really amazing to flick through and I'm sure I will be taking some inspiration from it in the future.

twinkle toes

These bad boys crossed my path during my internship at Glamour magazine when they were called in for a party dressing without the dresses shoot. I adored them as soon as I saw them. I had been a massive fan of the Guiseppe Zanotti sandals that these ones are obviously a high street copy of, the difference is that the River Island verisons that I ordered are a million times cheaper at only £55 (even if they aren't as spectacular as the originals).

They are nude suede with crystals all over them so they are super sparkly but still quite subtle. River Island are also selling these in black suede with dark blue crystals, similar to the shoes that Olivia Palermo wore recently, however I don't think the shoes look expensive enough to carry off those colours.

I took this photo in my bathroom to try and capture the sparkles in the bright lights

gold dust

Feeling like a G in my glitter Miu Miu trainers.

Ok, I will own up to the fact they aren't mine- they were sent in to glamour for a shoot and I couldn't resist trying them on. They are so tacky and 'blinging' that they cross over from hideous to down right brilliant. I want them.

Zara jumper, Dorothy Perkins shorts, Miu Miu sneakers.

lemon meringue pie and strawberry mousse

        
This weekend my family and I went to Cornwall for my Nanny's 90th birthday celebrations. It was also the first time I have seen my brother since he returned from travelling around South America for six and a half months on Wednesday and he was looking particularly dapper.

I am wearing: Topshop dress, New Look shoes, Louis Vuitton clutch, Azendi green agate ring, Vintage bracelet.

Matthew is wearing: J Crew blazer, Jack Wills Shirt, Cheaney of London shoes, Tie Rack pink bow tie.

glamour day 4

Asos playsuit, Topshop boots.

from inside the fashion cupboard

Day 2 outfit. Zara dress, Chanel bag, Topshop shoes, River Island sunglasses, Michael Kors watch.



unpacking shoes!

I have only spent two days at Glamour magazine but I am pleased to report it has been an excellent experience so far. Day 1 had an amazing start when I met Glamour editor, Jo Elvin. When I first saw her it felt like meeting a celebrity, as I have seen her face in the front of Glamour nearly every month since I was 14. I think I involuntarily held my breath the entire time she shook my hand and said "nice to meet you". Heaven knows how I will react if I ever have the oppertunity to meet Alexandra Schulman or her royal highness, Anna Wintour. Most of my first day was spent unpacking clothes from a shoot with Britney Spears. Obivously Britney was given some really outrageous and fabulous outfits to wear, including a beautiful cream feather dress by Versace and an amazing Dolce & Gabbana number covered in gold sequins with thigh high boots to match. The shoes in the image above were only one of two suitcases completely full of shoes- a girl always needs options.

I am excited to see what adventures lay ahead of me so stay tuned...

colour clash

So, in my previous post I told you to keep an eye out for a little nail experiment inspired by Emma Stone's red carpet look. It was a bit more difficult than anticipated but I am happy with the final look.
I also found a photo of me at my friends 21st birthday in a dress that has the same colour blocking trend as Emma's.

Check out the results...




my hand looks like a claw for some reason



Nail Polish in Pink Flamingo by Barry M and Dutch Tulips by OPI.
ASOS dress.

LCF day5

Topshop crotcheted dress, Topshop bangle, Topshop shoes, Chanel bag.

LCF day4

Urban Outfitters aysmmetric shirt, Topshop leggings, Topshop shoes, Azendi ring, Michael Kors watch, Vintage bracelets, Chanel bag

LCF day3

H&M Dress, Topshop Shoes, Michael Kors watch, YSL ring

LCF day2

Topshop T-shirt, New Look skirt, Topshop necklace, Topshop boots, Chanel bag.

LCF day1

Earlier this year I signed up for a short course on PR skills at the London College of Fashion and today was my first day (the title kind of gives that away!). I would really reccomend taking part in short courses at LCF if you want more experience in the industry or if you need stuff to bulk out your CV as it really is such a valuable experience as well as being industry recognised. Check out the wide variety of courses on their website http://www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/short-courses//

It was a really great start to the week as everyone on the course is so friendly and the lady running the course sure knows her stuff after spending her career at brands like Burberry.

Anyway, I haven't done this before on here so I figured now was the time for a day to day fashion diary of my outfits.

Monsoon Dress, Michael Kors watch, Vintage bracelets, Topshop shoes, Chanel bag