The "If All Else Fails" Outfit

Shirt - Topshop // Jeans - Zara High Waisted Mom Jeans // Heels - Public Desire (old) // Bag - Topshop (old)

One of the outfits I've historically struggled to put together is an "evening out" outfit. For those nights when you're not going on a night out to a club, but you're also not just going to Pizza Express down the road. You want something dressy, but comfortable, and need to strike the perfect balance between night out and night in. I just never had pieces in my wardrobe that catered to those kind of nights. Since I've made the transition from student to working girl, the demand for outfits like these has increased, because more often than not, a night out is a night going between bars, where you need something a little fancier than the jeans, crop top and trainers that a student night out allowed for. 

This combination is right up my street, and as I said in my last post, I really feel like I'm finally finding my own style. I feel like it's coming into my own and I'm more confident than ever in what I want to wear, and what suits me. I think this is the perfect definition of an "if all else fails" outfit - something you can throw on and feel comfortable in, whilst looking like you made an effort. I have been, and probably always will be a denim girl, so it's natural that this outfit includes a pair of jeans. The shirt balances out the casual-ness of the jeans, but the slouchy fit means the overall effect is still the more relaxed side of dressy. Incidentally, the shirt works really well dressed down, with blue jeans (which I think can be a little more casual), and a pair of Stan Smith's. 

I think outfits like this are an understated kind of sexy. There's nothing really that sexy in the outfit, but the shirt is a little baggy but still has the low cut, and the heels are a touch that elevates the outfit and of course, makes your legs look slimmer and longer. Admittedly, I would wear this with a jacket in the evening, but for the purpose of this post I wanted to draw attention to the most interesting parts of the outfit. The strappy heels can obviously be swapped for something warmer too, but I love these heels so much that I'll brave the cold if I'm just hopping between bars. 

I think everyone has an outfit like this - one that you'll always fall back on when you're lacking inspiration. This is mine - what's yours?

Shop the Look: 

Grandma's Jumper

What's In My Bag: Uni Edition

Starting University last month was the perfect excuse to buy myself one of the many Zara bag I lust over. Enter the Zara Office City Bag with pocket. It could probably only be more beautiful if it came in black. (Yes, I did ask a lady at the till if it came in black...) 

The details:

A girl can't have too many lippy options. I'm nearly always a nude lip girl, and Topshop's Nevada and Rimmel's Notting Hill Nude are my favourites that I always carry around with me. Carmex has been saving my lips recently, and Vaseline doubles up as a good blusher too. 

Of course, keys always come with me, as do the headphones. 

With all the best intentions, I've been hauling Gone Girl around with me since I bought it. So far, so good, and I've just got home from seeing the movie and boy, I don't even know what to tell you. There are no words. 

There are always black biros rolling around in there, and a calculator is a new addition too. I don't carry all my old notes with me- just paper, and does anyone else get really fussy about paper? W H Smith all the way people. Weleda's Skin Food transfers between all my handbags because it's an all round good'un. Good as a lip balm, or just a general moisturiser. My purse holds my life so I keep it close at all times- who knows when I might need one of the numerous random discount cards for some elusive store? 

So there's what I lug around all day e'rryday. I won't lie, it's quite heavy! What are the items you keep in your bag religiously? 

September Insta-Updates

Instagram will always be my favourite way of sharing the pretty snippets of my life. Here's the month of September in images.

1) I've picked up new bed sheets, a shirt and scarf from Primark recently, their new collection is so impressive! I also went to the other extreme and nearly broke the bank when I "invested" in a Zara bag. (Using the word invest makes me feel so much better about this decision) 

2) My mum sent me some pictures of the dog because she knew how much I've been missing the little scamp whilst being at university.

3) Spotting the Sartorialist at Somerset House, LFW. 

1) Spending my spare time taking flat-lay shots, because why not?

2) Walking the little monster. It was the first day I noticed the leaves had changed!

3) Lazy days sporting a birthday present. You can never have a bad day when you're wearing a t-shirt covered in Ryan Gosling's face, right?

1) Celebrating my birthday in a different style. We skipped the main course and went straight in with homemade desserts. 

2) Freaking out because I'm finally 18!

3) Making rice crispie squares for the blog. So. Good. 

I'm always looking for more instagram accounts to follow so leave your username in the comments! Follow me to see what I'm up to in October (I refuse to believe the year has gone so quick) 

follow me on Instagram.

Oh Deer...

Oh dear, the holiday break is coming to an end. *Curls up in a corner and pushes homework away* I wish I could do this, but I do have some work which probably needs doing. I hope you've all recovered from the shock of a new year, though! 

I haven't even begun to think about resolutions, I guess I should drink more water, so let's put that on the list. Other than that, probably just the usual, give more compliments to people, and lose a few pounds. Nothing imaginative! 

What about you? Any resolutions this year? 

Winter Picks

Christmas is fast approaching (I'm warning you now, it's all I'll be talking about until New Year...) and I love a bit of sparkle. I saw Tanya Burr talking about this Topshop sweater in a recent video, and liked it so much that I got to day-dreaming about the result. Here's the result...

Winter Picks by rubysterland 

Wish List: 22/07/13

Wish List: 22/07/13 by rubysterland 

 Here are a few beautiful things I wish I owned. (If only my bank account were larger.) Although, maybe that's a good thing, because I'm not sure I would know when to stop if that were the case.

Colour Block Bowler Bag, Topshop- I love pastel colours and the boxy shape of this bag. I'm always drawn to big bags, which probably does my back no good because I manage to pack everything into my handbags. (Things get lost in there)

Color Tattoo, Maybelline (in On and On Bronze)- I've heard so many good things about this range so I don't know why I haven't tried them for myself already. I think the bronze is a really pretty, subtle colour, so that's the one I would go for.

Double Blouse, Zara- I love these delicate v-neck tops, I think they look so simple but really flattering. With all the crazy warm weather in the UK, I think it's light enough to get away with.

Printed Jumpsuit, Zara- This is in the sale so I'm going to have to be quick to get it. I think it looks so comfy, but the silky material means you can dress it up too. It also looks like a pyjama, and if I could I would live in my pyjamas, so this is close enough.

Stuck In Love- I went to see this movie at the cinema and I loooved it. I would definitely recommend that you watch it- it's funny, sad, and full of relationships and also books, because the protagonists are all authors. 

Right Now I Love: The Skort

Right Now I Love- A new fashion feature! I've seen so many people wearing skorts and love them to pieces. It's definitely on my shopping list. I would contrast the tailoring with a slouchy tee (WeWoreWhat inspired) and boots to give it a casual feel. How would you wear the skort? 

Today's soundtrack- She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5. I had this on repeat whilst finishing off this post. I'm not sure exactly why, I guess I just remembered how great it is.