I have to say that stripes are hands down one of my favourite styles and patterns to wear, they always look so effortlessly cool and just make me feel so good about myself. I've always been a big wearer of stripes, and so when the sweethearts over at farfetch contacted me saying they’d created a new infographic to help their readers pick their perfect stripes for this spring/summer season and if I wanted to share it with my readers, I couldn't wait!

I personally think that everyone can pull off stripes in some shape or form; it’s all about finding what is best suited for you. It’s also about what you like and want to wear; if it makes you feel good then ignore what anyone else may think. If you prefer wearing monochrome clothing, then you’ll probably be the same as I am and rock a good old fashioned black and white stripe. One of my favourite tops that I've ever owned was a black and white loose material v neck t-shirt, it was so flattering and went with whatever I paired it with (I then stupidly dyed my hair in it one day and it went EVERYWHERE and now I use it to dry my hair) so it’s all about finding what works for you. If you find that you wear much brighter/ colourful clothing day to day then you should definitely try something that bit ‘louder’ in terms of stripes, look at the example in the infographic and if it gives you all the feels then you know you’re heading in the right direction! I personally find that coloured stripes are the most daring and so if you’re braver than I am (most people are) you should give them a go.

The last ‘Audrey Hepburn’ style stripes are admittedly not something that I've ever personally considered, but after really looking at them I have to say I’m really intrigued to try them out myself. They definitely are what I’d consider as spring/summer stripes, the fact that they aren't too in your face but are a lot lighter than a lot of the clothing I own really does appeal to me. It’s certainly something I’m going to keep my eyes open for the next time I go shopping!

So although I’m fully aware that the classic black and white stripes are my idea of stripe heaven, the infographic has made me aware of all the different stripes there are and ways that you can wear them which means I have no excuses not to experiment a bit.

What type of stripes do you love? 

I’m back at work today after 4 days off, but only have about a week and a half left until I finish work for Christmas! If I’m honest I’m just excited for the time off to eat my weight in roast potatoes, because that is what the holiday season is all about. 

I think I've actually managed to finish all my Christmas shopping already which is insane to think about as I’m usually still buying for people a day before Christmas. I’m worried I haven’t got enough for people, but it’s obviously the thought that counts and that’s what I need to keep telling myself. I've also managed to get them all wrapped and I've done pretty well this year if I do say so myself! People always mock me because in the past my present wrapping skills are pretty poor: a fish could probably wrap a present better than me and they don’t even have hands. If you think I’m over exaggerating- I promise I’m not, but this year I really tried hard to wrap presents so that I wouldn't feel embarrassed to give them out and some of them still aren't great. However, some are actually pretty good! Maybe by this time next year I’ll be a superstar wrapper.

The decorations have finally gone up for our ‘heaven’ themed Christmas and they look amazing! I’m literally so in love with how they look, my step-dad and mum have done such a brilliant job with the decorations this year. I’m actually trying to persuade my mum to keep the fairy lights up (because we all know how obsessed I am) but it’s just nice to have something a bit different to everyone else and still have some elements the same. We still have lights and tinsel etc., but we don’t have a Christmas tree it’s just something a little bit different and I think it’s great and so cool. It feels so nice and cosy when you sit in the room surrounded by all the fairy lights, it’s really relaxing and now I basically want to do it to every room in every house I ever live in now.

Tonight is my last night of a class I've been going to for the last few weeks and I’m still undecided on how helpful it’s actually been. Some elements have been better than others and some have just been really common sense, but it’s been a great first step for me in getting the strength to get the help that I need and for that I am proud of myself in a way! So I’m interested to see where this now takes me.

I hope you have all had a wonderful Monday!

My works Christmas party is tomorrow and after last year (a lot of vomit was involved) I’m hoping this years will be slightly smoother. When it comes to social events I’m pretty OTT about planning what I’m doing on the day; from the nail colour I want to the clothes I’m going to wear, I will plan every detail like the perfectionist I am. It doesn't always go to plan, but I try nonetheless and this year is no different!

I did initially want something with sparkles or some sort of bright colour in my outfit but the more I thought about it I realised that isn't me. I am all about the monochrome and so decided to wear my black in style. I managed to pick up this dress and necklace in H & M and I think it came to under £10 which was bloody brilliant, I was so happy! The dress is beautifully fitting and the lace detail and the fact that it is backless just makes me love it that bit more. I didn't time to find a backless bra, so I’m going to wear a strapless bra and it looks just as good, so I don’t mind too much.  I then spotted this little diamond necklace and thought it was so simple and pretty and would look great against the lace, I’m also wearing these gold earrings from forever 21 which are so fab on! Although the necklace isn’t gold, who really cares about matching metals?! Not me.

I then decided instead of stressing myself out and finding a new jacket to wear that I’d just wear my normal black one that I always wear and my favourite black heels from ASOS (I love them so much when I look at them I want to cry) and the fact that my WHOLE outfit is black I thought I should add some colour somewhere, or try to anyway.  I then bought the Barry M shade in passion fruit which is a warm red/orange shade and looks absolutely beautiful against black as it’s such a burst of colour, After watching a recent video on VivannaDoesMakeup's channel she mentioned the new shade that Essie had brought out. I don’t usually like glitter polishes, but oh my god is this one a game changer; it’s got a range of different sized flecks of gold which shimmer and just look beautiful on top of the red, it makes me feel glamorous.  I also bought Bourjois' Rouge velvet edition which I was planning on wearing for Friday nights and special occasions, but I absolutely adore it and can’t stop myself from wearing it constantly now. It’s bold and its matte, what’s not to love?

So I’m actually really happy with the outfit I've ended up with and hopefully it’ll all come together. 

I think for the days when I’m at work, blogmas might be a little bit slim on the quantity front. So I’m not sure whether to use the posts I’ve got planned for December for blogmas instead, or whether to just wing it and try my hardest to come up with content during the days when there really isn't a lot to write about.

I've never been the most Christmassy person in the world, and I always thought when I started work it would all be very holiday/celebration lacking and I was so very wrong. The place I work at bloody LOVE Christmas, more than any other holiday. We've even created our own little make shift Santa’s grotto in the drawing room  and everyone’s bought in different decorations for it; there’s tinsel, advent calendars, hats, merry Christmas signs, a huge picture of reindeers and a singing and dancing father Christmas and Christmas tree. I've been hearing Christmas songs since mid-November, they are nuts about it. Last year I was honest and told them I wasn't overly keen on Christmas and I think I got called scrooge for about 3 months. So thank god I’m trying harder this year!

They also have a tradition where I work of going out when we finish work (on Christmas eve) and wearing Christmas jumpers that day and night. Last year I wasn't aware of this tradition, but this year I’ve already bought my Christmas jumper; it’s fluffy, bright red and it’s got a reindeer on it and it’s fabulous. I am trying this year, I promise! I would try and get some photos, but it’s my personal life and my place of work so that would not be the best idea ever.  Instead, I’ll leave you with some photos of how I’d decorate if I had the chance and the money! 

If you work, what is your workplace like with Christmas? Do you have any traditions? 

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Well this is blogmas day 2 and it’s on time, so I’m doing well so far (I know it’s only day two, don’t take this away from me).

This weekend I went to the Bury St Edmunds Christmas market with my parents and Adam, it’s a huge market it that goes on over 4/5 days and has all local stalls, music, food and entertainment and so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit.

We were walking round for a good few hours and managed to see the majority at the stalls, which included me and my mum stopping at every single jewellery stall and having to pull ourselves away from the food stalls; my favourite was an amazing looking noodle bar which I didn't manage to get a photo of. The whole area smelled of mulled wine and all different sorts of foods, so it was the perfect way to start December off. My favourite thing had to be the mass of fairy lights; I have an OBSESSION with all things involving candles and fairy lights so I was in my element.

After we’d walked round for a few hours, we decided to stop in the local Starbucks. I had a caramel macchiato and shared a chocolate swirl with Adam (it tasted like brioche and it was absolutely bangin’) and then we made our way back to the car slowly looking at the rest of the stalls. So overall it was a super nice evening, I loved it a lot. I know this isn't blogmas as such as it isn't today, but I work during the week so what chance is there that something Christmassy and fun will happen?  

I hope you enjoyed hearing about my little market trip. Let me know if you’re going to one this year, or if you go to one every year!