Yesterday, I popped to Oxford Street with my sister and cousin as she's staying over at the moment. I was happy to see the Christmas lights were up but they haven't been turned on yet, but then I realised we're still in October, duh! I just can't wait for Christmas!

Don't forget my Glamorous giveaway ends 11:59pm TONIGHT. There's been an overwhelming response so far so good luck to all that enter! I will reveal the winner on Twitter tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled!

001: This week is half term, although I only actually have three days off as I'm working all week. So as you can imagine, I have a ton of university and blog design work to fit into my three days off, so really my half term's non-existent! 

002: I've actually (for once) been pretty social this week. I popped to Oxford Street on Wednesday after my second unsuccessful contact lens appointment (I just can't do them! *sobs*) and treated myself to a few bits from Topshop; although two pieces are re-worked vintage items from the downstairs bit. I hung out with my good friends Nicole and Lauren the same night, had a good old gossip with plenty of treats. Nicole also pierced my ears which is a big risk I know, but sometimes you just have to take risks! They're absolutely fine though and I'm enjoying actually looking at earrings I can buy instead of ignoring the 'earrings' section on jewellery websites. Last but not least, I had a cute night in with a guy on Thursday which was lovely. Would you believe I've been single for eight months almost? Time flies by! I'm really enjoying the whole ~single, dating~ scene. It's nice to get to know new guys, even if the dates I've been on have been unsuccessful but either way, I'm happy!

Had a long boring month of non-stop working? Love shoes? Being paid soon? Fancy treating yourself? The Pokey Hat introduced their exciting new range last week. They are now starting to stock Jeffrey Campbell shoes! The next style doesn't launch till Sunday but as a Pokey Hat supporter, I'm exclusively telling you all about the new styles available before anyone else! 

The latest arrival is the Jeffrey Campbell 'Str8up Platforms' priced at £119.99, sizes 3-7 (which are true to size apparently!).  They're a gorgeous very high peep-toe'd platform with a cushioned inside for extra comfort (although I'm not brave enough to try them out ha!). The first arrival and the most exciting for me are the Damsel Spike Wedge Boots which are priced at £139.99 and are stud crazy!

Don't forget you can get 10% off The Pokey Hat with my code ASHLLYD10 . There's also a huge mid-season sale on at the moment. Get up to 50% off branded/vintage pieces starting from just a fiver! (£5). Get spending girls! :)

How would you describe your style?

Whenever I get asked this question, I freeze because I never know how to answer it. My style is always different. For the past six months or so I've been really loving the whole re-occurring ~90's grunge scene~, however I'm now growing out of that phase. I would say I am basically like a not so tomboyish tomboy? I love my trainers, baggy t-shirts and hoodies but then the next day I can be wearing a pretty dress and dolly shoes? I'm so weird!


Who inspires your style?
I adore the obvious; the Olsen twins, Alexa Chung and Nicole Kidman. People around me inspire me too. I often note down in my phone if I see a nice pair of boots on someone for example. I then go on a mission to search for them online by describing them!

I literally wouldn't be able to cope without American Apparel disco pants. I bought my first pair about 7 months ago which were actually worn so much that they developed a ladder in the bum. I tried cheaper alternatives, but nothing was the same, so I bought pair #2! I also wear vans and trainers a lot and my denim Levi jacket never stays off. I'm a sucker for funky socks too.

My floral doc martens probably as they were over £100 but I'm actually selling them as I never wear them, ever! Second place would be my AA disco pants!

I don't really see myself as materialistic (although sometimes I do buy things I really do not need!). I'm not really that bothered with bags from Mulberry and shoes from Chanel! Although I would have to say the rottweiler tee by Givenchy in this colour has been on my wishlist for ages, however there are cheaper alternatives! On a whole though I really want Nike Stefan Janoski SB's but they never seem to have a size 5 anywhere... #smallfeetproblems

Not really into designer fashion in all honesty, but I do like most of Burberry's collections, Meadham Kirchoff and of course, Chanel is dreamy!

It literally varies every month. I'm very lucky to work with brands that kindly send me clothes so I don't really have a need to shop other than for basics. Saying that, Topshop is the worst place for me to be in on payday. I would say I can spend anything from absolutely nothing to £200-£300 a month on clothes, but it really does vary!.

Topshop, ebay, h&m (when it has good stock) and I often visit Brick Lane for one off pieces. I do like high street shops but I hate wearing things that everyone wears, so tend to use ebay mostly. 

Coco Chanel, Madamoiselle. It's sooo nice. I'm hopeless at describing scents but it's been my 'signature scent' for a couple of years now. Quite pricey, so I always get a new bottle at Christmas which does me for most of the year. (mum if you're reading this, I've run out and would like it again for Christmas, ta!)

I never do anything with my hair because I'm rubbish at doing it! It's always down. I don't really brush it (ew) and if I do it's straightened but 'poofed up' or waved/curled using the enrapture totem styler.

Do I really need to answer this? AA disco pants! Some kind of top, my leather jacket and either flatform wedges (going out), vans/trainers (casual) or dolly shoes (smart/casual).

I thought the colour blocking trend was quite fun to play around with but to a certain extent. I'm not really sure if there's one I would want to come back! However, I do hope the whole "grunge trend" stays around for a few more years as it's my favourite style ever!

Probably a very dark blue velvet shirt by DKNY which I won on ebay for 99p!

What advice would you give to someone who is fashion conscious?
Don't be conscious! I think the biggest key when it comes to fashion is being confident. Don't be afraid to stand out from the crowd, as cheesy as it sounds. It's better to be different than to be a carbon copy. I would rather someone remembered me for something I'm wearing that they don't personally like, than someone not remember me because I look just like everyone else!

I would love to read about YOUR style! Feel free to copy the questions above and answer them yourself. Just send me over the link to your answers in a tweet/comment :)

Wednesday's Outfit (top is from the topshop sale) · Bought a pleather sleeved baseball jacket (forever 21 men's) · Skull necklace (topshop sale) · Me and Bardha on a negative · Outfit for Thursday night · Opticians appointment

paul mitchell colour protect 300ml shampoo £8.29*

paul mitchell colour protect 300ml conditioner £10.16* 

Since my last shampoo/conditioner review, I've been trying out the colour protect range from Paul Mitchell. I really like them! I've been using them in conjunction with the JASON duo which I reviewed here, but I'm not sure which one I prefer to be honest! They are both similar actually. I've found that both don't lather up as much as a normal shampoo do. After about thirty seconds of massaging into the hair, the hair sort of becomes less wet until there is no more product to massage in. I can't explain what I mean! But that's how I know it's time to rinse. I love the conditioner a little more than the shampoo. It's made my hair super shiny and I find I can last an extra day or two than normal without needing to re-wash my hair again. As for "colour protecting", I have found that my roots haven't grown out as quickly as they normally would. I have red hair as you probably know so my roots come through after about two weeks of my last dying session, however I dyed my hair about a month ago now and they are only just starting to come through again.. not bad!

On a whole, I would try this duo again and do recommend it if you have coloured hair. The prices are a little steep, but you do get 300ml of product so it's justifiable, especially if it means not having to dye my hair so often!

polka dot trousers // trying out a mamiya 7 II camera // waiting for a bus // bus got terminated, had to walk all the way home! // smallest cupcake, ever? // watching come outside! // treats all for meeeee // this week's movie choices!

red hot prom dress £60: jones & jones* 

flatforms: primark

This post is way overdue! I was kindly sent this dress months ago but haven't really had a "special occasion" to wear it out. In all honesty, I've been saving it for a date with a lovely young man, but that's not going to be happening any time soon, so I whacked it out of storage today and here it is. How beautiful is it?! Although it does look like I have a case of ~nipples showing~ but it's the way the dress is lined hahaha! I absolutely adore the scooped low-cut back and just the overall 50'ish feel it has to it. I'm not sure if it's something I'll actually end up wearing properly, but maybe Ryan Gosling will notice me soon? Who knows! (i can dream)

Here is the first lot of images I shot last Wednesday as part of one of my Uni assignments. I will blog the second instalment soon. I'm researching into current AW/12 trends for men, so I started off by documenting what guys on the streets of East London are currently wearing...

What do you think of them? Do you have a favourite?