BLACK SCORE X PETA

Since becoming a vegetarian in August, I have started to really think about the choices I make not just when I am eating, but also in regards to the rest of my life as well. I have suddenly become really aware of actually how much stuff is not suitable for vegetarians; from makeup and skincare products to clothes and household cleaning. It just doesn't make sense to me! I was always aware that things were tested on animals but I think it's really easy to brush that knowledge under the sheepskin carpet and carry on using those products anyway. My usual reason for buying a product is because it's cheap/on offer rather than for any moral or ethical reasons, but now that I'm veggie I've decided to make a conscious effort to only buy things that are not animal tested and don't contain any animal products (and I will tell you now, it's bloody difficult!).

CHRISTMAS = VELVET

Christmas is just around the corner (help) which for most people means buying presents, ordering a food delivery and putting up the Christmas tree. Not for me though, I have currently managed to avoid all of these things and instead have been spending my days searching online for some fashion inspiration based around one of my favourite materials - velvet. I am a lover of anything soft and warm and therefore velvet is a fabric that my wardrobe is full of. Around this time of year the shops seem to be stocked high with it (dream come true) and with jewel tones everywhere on the high street these pieces are perfect for festive parties, Christmas shopping, or just for watching Love Actually after Christmas dinner with your slightly-pissed, paper-crown-wearing family. So I have gathered some of my favourite looks that I came across in my search for velvet to provide some inspiration to you all.

10 THINGS THAT TV AND FILM TAUGHT ME ABOUT FASHION

I would say that my first love of fashion came from Project Runway. I LOVED that show with a passion and always thought that I could be the one up there making a ballgown out of $30 of fabric and some sequins. Unfortunately I realised early on that I am not the sewing type; I once made a lined satin swing dress at school and after weeks of perfecting it and making sure everything looked great, I managed to overlock a seam and cut my dress in half... (it ended up as a horribly baggy top). Nevertheless this didn't put me off pursuing a degree in fashion promotion (no sewing there thank you) and I think watching a multitude of films and tv shows related to fashion during my childhood only spurred me on and made me realise that this is the line of work I want to be in. So here are 10 things that tv and film taught me about the fashion industry.

TOP 5 OVERSIZED WINTER SCARVES UNDER £20

Recently (in England anyway) it just hasn't felt that much like winter. I feel like it was only a couple of weeks ago that we were enjoying a heatwave and the only things distinguishing November from August are the ever-lengthening nights. We have, however, had the occasional freeeeeezing days. I usually either get up for work at about 7am or leave work at 9:30pm and at these times it is dark and often quite nippy. This is where the oversized scarf comes in. 

I have never been much of a fan of scarves; I don't like having anything around my neck and, having very long hair, find them kind of unnecessary in terms of keeping me warm. But when I spotted a girl wearing this black and white beauty from Zara (see below) I actually sprinted after her to find out where it was from. I then spent a good 2 weeks trying to find it in an actual store but it seemed to be sold out everywhere. I finally picked it up in Madrid of all places and I haven't taken it off since (literally... It goes with EVERYTHING). So, feeling like I might need to purchase another oversized scarf so that my Zara one can have a rest, I have compiled a list of a few of my favourites on the high street at the moment for under £20.

The Zara Dream Scarf - Credit: turnitinsideout

FUR FUR FUR, I JUST CAN'T SAY NO

I'd like to start off by saying it's definitely all about the faux. I have recently converted to vegetarianism and although I have never actually bought any real fur in the past, I must confess that I do own a pair of chinchilla lined gloves and a mink hat; both of which were passed down from my great great grandmother so I feel like it would be a waste of a life to leave them unloved in the attic somewhere. New fur however, definitely not.