How to... Over Pack

I always, always over pack when ever I go away. I'll take a week's worth of outfits, even if I'm going away for a weekend. It's a problem. On Monday I'm going to France for three weeks so there's no way to over pack, right?

From left: Urban Outfitters, Miss Selfridge, Primark, Topshop, Zara

Shorts are an absolute staple for my suitcase. The styles I'm taking are versatile, so perfect for day or night and even for the beach. I picked up the elephant pattern (far right) from Zara a little while ago. The drawstring waist and light fabric make them perfect for summer. I always go for waisted shorts as they suit my figure most. I bought the Primark pair for a costume ages ago, never thinking I'd wear them again, but as they're the only hipster pair I have I thought I'd bring them along so I don't end up with dodgy tan lines after wearing waist shorts for the whole trip.

 From left: Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Topshop, Accessorize; Centre: Topshop

I love a summer dress. It's going to be really hot as we're spending the majority of our trip in southern France, so a lose cotton summer dress will be my saving grace. The Accessorize number (far right) is more of a beach cover up. I bought it years ago and never had much of a chance to wear it, so this summer it shall make its debut! The blue Topshop dress (centre) is my favourite; I can imagine myself wearing it to death this summer. I think it's lovely enough to wear into winter too, styled with tights and boots or brogues.  

Top row: Topshop, American Apparel; Middle row: Zara, Urban Outfitters;  Bottom row: Zara, Topshop

I'm taking a big variety of tops (these are just a selection) as these will dress up or down the shorts; whether that be for a casual day look, or throwing them over a bikini. Recently I've bought loads of crop tops and depending on your definition of 'cropped' I'm taking about five with me. With waisted shorts they're super cute and versatile, I just hope the trend hangs around as I've really invested in it!

Denim Shorts

Sunglasses: Topshop, £16, Necklace: Miss Selfridge, £7, Crop top: Topshop, £10, Shorts: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Converse

I felt sort of 80's throwback in this outfit, with the denim shorts and converse. I really liked it thought and felt great in it. I used to never, ever wear shorts, but about a year ago I bought my first pair of up cycled Levi's from Urban Outfitters and have never looked back. These were the second pair I bought as the first pair stretched and are far too big for me but I'm starting to think these will end up with the same fate. They fit me perfectly after a wash, but once I've worn them for a day they're really lose around my waist. It's such a shame as I'm completely besotted with them and hardly wear anything else!

The crop top is another summer purchase. Super cheap from Topshop and will go with everything. The fabric is a bit thicker than I anticipated (that's what you get for online shopping) but it hangs really well and I love it. I need to get a new pair of Converse, these have been to hell and back (they probably won't last another trip to my Student Union) so I'll probably buy another pair before I go back to university in September. 

Red Dress

                                         

Dress: Topshop, £38. Shoes: Topshop

This is one of my new Topshop dresses . As it's a bit longer than my usual style I felt a bit silly and over dressed, but its so light and lovely to wear I soon got used to it. 

I  rarely go out bare-legged (ok, never) but it's just so hot at the moment wearing tights would be so silly. I'm also mentally preparing myself for my holiday (on Monday!) so I'm trying to rock bare legs as much as possible. Hopefully by Monday my legs won't be so pasty white - although I have to admit I'm cheating by using Garnier's Summer Body moisturiser. I absolutely love it. It's really gradual and it has just enough fake tan in it to give a touch of colour, without looking like you've got a spray tan. And it doesn't smell- hoorah!

Yes, I'm wearing those Topshop sandals again. I think they're going to become my staple summer shoe. So comfortable and easy to style. I'm packing other shoes for my holiday but I think I'll just be rocking these everyday, dodgy feet tan lines and all. 

Short Shorts

Camisole: Zara, £13. Shorts: Miss Selfridge, £22. Shoes: Topshop

I had to run a few errands today and as the temperature is hovering around the high 20's where I am I thought it was the perfect excuse to try one of my summer holiday looks. I saw the shorts months ago out shopping with friends, but they didn't have my size. I'm never really one for online shopping but I couldn't forget about them so I bit the bullet and they're perfect so I'm really pleased. I bought the adorable little camisole in the Zara sale yesterday, £25 reduced to £13, its a little too big but for the summer months loose fitting clothes are ideal. The peplum feature is usually something I completely avoid, but as it's very subtle I didn't really mind.

Excuse the terrible photo, it's the first time I've attempted taking full-body shots of myself. Turns out it's a lot harder than I anticipated. Hopefully with a little more practice they'll turn out better...!

Summer Dresses

I've always been a huge lover of the cute summer dress. Although in recent months I've been drawn towards shorts, my love affair with the floaty dress is always a constant. I've just bought two, very different, summer dress from Topshop; they'd both look cute walking around little french towns, or with a glass of wine in hand. The perfect way to spend a summer.

Dress: Topshop, £34

I absolutely adore this dress. It fits perfectly and is just the right length. It's one of those Topshop staples that they make in countless patterns - I have it in a purple and black print too, but it's more for evening. This style looks denim, but the fabric is light and airy, with a slight stretch that ensures its comfy and summer suitable. 

Dress: Topshop, £38 

This is the other recent Topshop purchase. The fabric is slightly rougher and a bit see-through in certain lights, but, for me, this only adds to the summer appeal. It's a bit longer than my usual style, but as it's slightly see-through, the longer the better. I'm just hoping the floral cut-out detail won't leave me with dodgy tan lines! 

Dress: Urban Outfitters

This dress I've had for years - an Urban Outfitters number that's, again, slighty longer than my usual. I love 'grandma's curtain' patterns and it has hidden pockets in the side that are uber cute. I used to wear it all the time, often with jumpers and heavy boots in the winter, but I'm thinking this year it can make it's grand return as the summer dress it is. 

Summer holiday accessories

I'm off on holiday to France for 3 weeks pretty soon, and due to the unrelenting boredom of my university summer break I've bought almost everything I'm going to need.

I'm really into brown leather handbags and I'd been searching high and low to replace my battered and bruised Urban Outfitters one yet to no avail. However, whilst having a clear out of my wardrobe I found this perfect, soft leather bag. It's a brilliant size too. Once belonging to my grandmother I have no idea where it's from or even how old it is - lets just call it vintage!

I find summer shoes so difficult to buy, my feet are pretty much a half size so everything is either too big or too small. Rocking boots in the winter works out fine if they're slightly too big, but summer shoes have a tendency to fall off my heels. I found these pretty black Topshop sandals, again hidden in my wardrobe. I wore them to my Year 13 ball and never since. 

Sandals: Topshop

I'm not normally one to wear (even the tiniest of) heels during the day but they're so comfortable and go with pretty much everything. 

Sunglasses: Topshop, £16

I'm usually an aviator girl, but these were just too adorable. The diamante! The circle shape! They're so over the top for my style that I had to have them. I'm trying to wriggle out of my comfort zone and these disco ball sunglasses were the perfect place to start.