Winter Boots

In my previous post I mentioned how it's getting colder as the winter months approach us and so, I thought there was no better time to invest in a new pair of boots.


I started my search in a store that very rarely disappoints with shoes - Topshop. Yes, I found a perfect pair at a reasonable price of £60 but, something was telling me to think about this purchase a little bit more than just buying the first pair I like.

Consequently, I continued looking and found many more pairs to add to my wishlist, but it wasn't until I came across the fabulous range that Dr Martens had to offer that I thought, wow! Guaranteed they were at the higher price of £110, nevertheless I knew that DMs would last me pretty much a lifetime compared to their Topshop counterpart.

After visiting their Birmingham store and trying on various styles and sizes I found the ones. These beauties are from their 'parade rugged collection' and have a greasy, soft leather with an oily coating to keep my feet warm and dry. They also have their hallmark air-cushioned sole making them super comfortable (maybe after I've broken them in)!

Outerwear Wishlist

Sorry I haven't posted for a while but I've been busy with uni and work (I got my uni job back)! In just a few days I'll have my discount card and then it's hello 25% off Topshop! 

Anyway, as it's been getting colder and colder this past week I've formulated a list of my favourite outwear pieces.

1. All Saints, Hide Monument Coat £358

2. Zara, Checked Coat £149 (this print reminds me of Celine, making it no. 2 on my wishlist)

3. Mango, Biker Style Flecked Coat £149.99

4. H&M, Biker Jacket £34.99

5. Topshop, Popper Front Boyfriend Coat £58

I love the oversized coat look this season and these 5 are at the very top of my wishlist to keep warm and dry this winter.

Checkmate

The weather outside today is just horrible - grey, windy and raining - so I decided it was the perfect time to wear my new tartan trousers!

I wore my nice, warm scarf to keep cosy on my travels and I love the clashing pattern trend, and to clash these two tartans was inspired by the lovely Miss Delevingne whom was spotted with the gorgeous Georgia May Jagger earlier this month.

Shirt: Primark
Trousers: Zara
Boots: Topshop
Coat: Vero Moda
Scarf: Vintage Burberry (it was my dad's)
Leather Bag: Next

#CosmoCareers

Firstly, I must say how much I enjoyed yesterday evening! It was really useful and the lovely fashion panel offered a great insight into working in the fashion industry. The gorgeous panel included;

• Laura Puddy (former Cosmo stylist and columnist)
• Niki proctor (head of PR at Gorgeous Couture and runs her own PR agency)
• Emma Pitt (buyer for online boutique Morgan Clare)
• Katie Curran (head of PR at Boohoo and former womenswear PR manager for ASOS) and,
• Rio Maddison (designer at Missguided who previously worked at Burberry).

Although my friend and I did get slightly lost, making us half an hour late we didn't miss much and got all the information we needed.

The panel told us about their experiences in the industry such as the best and worst bits about their career, how they got to where they are today - by sleeping in the car, or moving to London with nothing but a suitcase, or how they simply never gave up.

The panel also said how the fashion industry is a labour of love, and not even that deterred me from wanting to go into fashion. Which, for me is a pretty big deal because in all honesty, I would love to earn a salary to live the lifestyle I dream of! But, I love fashion and I am more than happy to give my career more than what it will give back for a while. Determination and patience is key! 

The best part of the evening was definitely getting to ask questions to the fashion panel as we could all get specific information such as CVs, what to wear to an interview etc.

The masterclass definitely answered all the questions I had about working in fashion and I am even more excited to start applying for my sandwich placement. A huge thank you to Cosmo and the stunning fashion panel for an informative and great evening!

Where's north from here?

So, you may be expecting a post soon about me telling you all of the lovely things that happened at Cosmo's Fashion Masterclass in London except, there will be no post. Well, not yet anyway.

I was talking to a friend about the Fashion Masterclass and she sounded very interested, as we both study Marketing, the PR topics available at the Manchester event seemed much more appealing than those on offer in London. Initially I wanted to attend the event in Manchester but as I had never been there in my life, nor know anyone who lives there I was apprehensive and thus booked the London date. But having another person to attend the Masterclass with made me less hesitant and I switched my tickets straight away!

Now we're both super excited and can't wait to see what Manchester and the Masterclass has to offer. Wish us luck!

Lipstick Tag

I was tagged by the gorgeous Leah, and I really enjoyed doing this tag post; I hope more are sent my way in the near future! So let's get started.

1. How many lipsticks do you own?

Eight lipsticks and three lip products, I have four lipsticks at uni with another four at home whilst I have all of my three lip products at uni - except I can't find my carmex, sad times.

2. What was your first lipstick?

I bought my first lipstick four years ago and it was a Boots No 17 Sheer Moisture in Antique Lace, and as you can see below it looks as old as it is! I no longer use this lipstick, but I guess I just haven't got the heart to get rid of it, I'm quite nostalgic really!

3. What is your most worn lipstick?

That has to be the second lipstick I bought which was, Rimmel Long Lasting Lipstick in No 16 Heart Breaker. I love the brightness of it and the fact that it's not as harsh as the reds that I own, making it perfect for sprucing up your little black dress and minimal eye make up!

4. What is your favourite brand of lipstick?

Mac, undoubtedly the longest lasting lipstick I have ever used.

5. What is your favourite finish?

I like a good sheer finish as it make your lips look lustrous and moisturised.

6. What is the last lip product you bought?

L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Collection Privée in Rosewood Beige by Julianne Moore, I love nude coloured lipsticks and it gives a gorgeous finish.

7. How many lip products do you have in your bag?

I currently have two, my new lipstick and my Baby Lips in Peach Kiss.

8. What product do you use to rock a red lip?

Starting with a Boots Natural Collection liner, I then apply the lovely RiRi Woo from the RiRi ♥ Mac collection.

9. How do you store your lipsticks?

In my make up bag, they even have their own little section!

10. What lip products are you currently lusting after?

I don't have any at the moment because I've just bought my current lust-have.

So thanks Leah, again for tagging me!

Bullring Birmingham: Student Event Haul

Happy, happy, happy! That's what I am right now and excited to do my first haul for brIT girl.

So as previously mentioned I attended, for the second time, the student lock in at the Bullring Birmingham. It's a really great thing as the stores who usually offer student discount kick theirs up and those who don't usually offer any, do!

The stores I bought items from are as follows; Armani Exchange, Selfridges & Co, River Island, Boux Avenue, Mango and Pretty Green (I bought something for the boyf if you were wondering).

This gorgeous bag I have been eyeing up all summer and as a result it was in the 'up to 50% off' section of A|X, so I saved myself a lovely £30!

Bag: Armani Exchange, RRP £98, paid £68

I have been looking everywhere for an oversized clutch and I found these in the American Apparel concession in Selfridges & Co.

Leather Clutch: American Apparel, RRP £48 (each), paid £38.40 (each)

I embraced my inner chav with this darling.

Bracelet: River Island, RRP £5, paid £4

Boux Avenue is one of my favourite lingerie stores as it's affordable and offers a fabulous range.

Lingerie set: RRP £78, paid £62.40

 

 

 

 

Mango never fails to disappoint and I even got a free, small bag of sweets and a canvas bag!

Top: Mango, RRP £29.99, paid £26.99

Jumper: Mango, RRP £34.99, paid £31.49

Trousers: Mango, RRP £34.99, paid £31.49

Purse: Mango, RRP £17.99, paid £16.19

 

This here is the claret polo I bought for my wonderful boyfriend - he loves Pretty Green.

Polo Shirt: Pretty Green, RRP £60, paid £42

Overall, I say that my trip to the student event in the Bullring, Birmingham was a success!

Haul Update

I took some photos of the lovely things I bought today but unfortunately they didn't turn out that great... I prefer working with natural light as it is so I was slightly apprehensive on how these photographs would look. The lighting in my room is awful and did no justice whatsoever, therefore I am going to get up early tomorrow (I have to catch an early train home) and take some better photos. Then whilst I'm on my train journey home I can add my photos to my post and ta dah!

Thanks for being patient, xo

Bullring Student Event

Being a student has its perks every now and then, and one of those perks being student discount. Such a marvellous thing, especially when you're like me and can't stop spending your loan on clothes and shoes and bags that you really don't (or do) need...

So, tomorrow evening, I shall be posting my first haul on brIT girl!

Cosmo's London Fashion Masterclass

I am finally attending a Cosmo Masterclass! I'm so excited and I also get to visit one of my best friends from home; she's at Greenwich uni so I'll be staying the night with her.

But now obviously, I have to start thinking about what I'm going to wear. I am loving the midi skirt this season and oversized clutch bags, so that's the look I'm wanting to go for. I have a few midi skirts so that's going to be no problem but I am lacking a good collection of oversized clutch bags.

To solve this problem I have been trawling the internet to find the perfect bag, and here it is...

Unfortunately I can't afford the hefty price tag that comes with perfect craftsmanship, so I may just have to settle with hiring one.

First Day of Year 2!

I would like to start by saying what an incredible summer I had; I was super busy, therefore didn't have time to get much blogging done! But now that I'm back at university it's time to get this ball rolling once more.

Today was my first day of second year here at Coventry, we're starting to discuss options and placements for next year. I have started looking and although the assessment and recruitment processes seem long and daunting, I am 100% sure they will be worth it in the end.

Our personal employability tutor worked in Marketing for Topshop (score!) so, I'm hoping that she's able to give me an insight and a few pointers into getting my dream job of working within the fashion industry. At this particular moment in time I'm undecided on whether to go down the commercial path or high fashion. Commercial seems so fun and bubbly and, I found out some great news that ASOS do placements! Talk about amazing. On the other hand, high fashion seems like such a dream world, full of sparkles and glamour. But, I guess baby steps are more important at this stage rather than giant leaps and big dreams...

So as the new academic year begins, so do many new challenges; wish me luck and see you very soon!

I Want What a Million Girls Would Kill For

Hello!

I'm Hayley and the blogger behind 'brIT girl'. I'm a marketing student - not long finished first year - who wants to pursue a career in the world of fashion.

I enjoy blogging and have a great interest in fashion, so I thought why not combine the two? et voilà, brIT girl!

Although, I am also undertaking a year in industry during my third year at university and with the internet at my fingertips I thought it was a great way to establish myself professionally.

Watch this space...