Urban Outfitters comes to Nottingham!!

GUYS URBAN OUTFITTERS IS NOW IN NOTTINGHAM AND IT'S SO COOL AND EXCITING. 

Cool because, well, it's Urban Outfitters. Exciting because, you have no idea how much people have been talking about the store opening. It's like the highlight of the year for Nottingham shoppers (slight exaggeration? I dunno...) I was lucky enough to be invited along to the press day and went along with Gavina yesterday to take a look round which was pretty exciting! I've only ever been in the one in Liverpool One so it's nice to have one here in Notts that I can check out IN REAL LIFE instead of browsing through their online collection (and perhaps spend all my money in? Oh dear...)

Every time I go shopping I've started paying more attention to mannequins and how they're styled which I never really did before for some reason (I used to just ignore them and think 'oh they're dressed too cool for me to try' haha!).  I love the layering of different colours and textures on these mannequins and as soon as I finish writing up this post I'm going to YouTube how to tie a scarf/turban so I can gain extra cool points (you think I'm joking...)

Apart from loving the Urban Outfitters brand/style I also love love love the general design and vibe of the store.  It's a lot bigger than I thought and myself and Gavina kept commenting on the quite rustic/old school vibe it gave off with graffiti and street style art dotted around. There's also a Vinyl wall and an area full of quirky books and gift ideas (I'm pretty sure I saw a couple of furby's hidden at the back somewhere!) adding  to the whole shopping experience.

If you live in/near Nottingham and haven't done so already then you should probably go and check out the store for yourself, it's so flipppin cool! It's in such a great location too (the entrance to Victoria Centre) and it's opened just in time for some serious Christmas shopping. I'm so glad I got to go along to check it out so thank you to the guys at Urban Outfitters for the invite! I was also lucky enough to pick out an item so I shall do a separate outfit post for that so look out for that! Also, make sure to check out the #UONottingham hashtag on instagram for some pictures from their store opening party last night!

What do you guys think of the store? 

Currently, I've been loving:

Fast Car - Tracy Chapman

Find me on: YouTube | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram: @thatgirlsaadiya

How I style // Red Dresses

You guys probably know by now that I love red dresses. I think they're so lovely and quite easy to wear as long as you keep the rest of the outfit minimal.  As red is pretty bold I usually go for black or, if your feeling bold, I think blue and red are two colours that match quite well. Anyway, I was asked to put together a sort of How I would Style / Wishlist post featuring some lovely dresses from New Look and thought it could give you guys some ideas too.

Office Wear, a.k.a I need to look smart but I still wanna stand out y'know what I'm saying?

Dress - New Look; here

Bag & Heels - Zara

Notebook - Topshop

Lipstick - Chanel Rouge (or just any red lipstick if you're a pauper like myself!)

I think this is my favourite look. I just love the simplicity of it as even though you've got the bold colour, everything else is left quite minimal which I like.

Day out, a.k.a I'm off to town for lunch with the girls

Red Dress - New Look; here

Boots & Hat - H&M

Sunglasses -Ray-Ban

Moustache notebook - Urban Outfitters

 I quite like this off the shoulder dress! I don't own any myself but I think it's quite playful and easy to layer up with a jacket of some sort. I also thought this hat would go nicely with this dress and complete the over-all look I was trying to go for which was 'oh hey, I'm just going to Paris for lunch with the girls...' or something to that effect ha!

Night out, a.k.a Time to hit the town oooooh yeah

Dress - New Look; here

Leather Jacket - River Island

Necklace: H&M

Boots - Zara (how gorgeous are they?!)

Lipstick - RiRi Woo

Bronzer/Blusher - Nars

 Lastly, I think a red dress is a must for a night out. Sure, you've got the LBD but what about the LRD? Eh? Eh? I guess it depends on where you're going but I think having a red dress in your wardrobe for a night out is just as important as having a black one. Teamed up with a leather jacket, black boots and a gold chain I think anyone could rock this!

What do you guys think?
Which looks are your favourite?
Check out some more red dresses over here

Also! I have been thinking of ways to expand my blog a bit and have decided to set up a blogger series and interview bloggers who would be interested to take part. I've got a couple lined up at the moment and some on my list of people to e-mail but if you are interested in an interview (just a couple of questions!) then feel free to send me an e-mail! It's open for any type of blog, small, medium or big, just as long as you've been blogging for a while (so there's enough content for me to do a write up/get to know the style of your blog etc). I just thought it would be something cool to add and showcase other blogs out there and get to know the blogger a bit more! Initially I'll aim to interview one blog a month buuuuut that will depend on how interested people are in it etc, what do you think? Check out one of my previous interviews here.

Music wise, I am loving:
Birdy - Let Her Go (BBC Live Lounge Cover)

Check out my latest YouTube video on Comparing yourself to others HERE 

Find me on: Political blog | YouTube | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram: @thatgirlsaadiya

She turned her dreams into plans and her can'ts into can's // OOTD

I wore this outfit the other day and I think it's the first time I've worn a skirt in a looooooooong time. I go through stages where I just hate wearing skirts/dresses for some reason then think they are the best thing in the world again. Also, I actually think my top is some sort of beachwear that's supposed to be worn over your bikini but I just loved the print so much and to be honest, I'm not going to a beach any time soon! (Sucks, I know).

I say this every year but I honestly can't believe it's June already. We're half way through the year already guys!! It's weird how, day-to-day time seems to go at quite a normal pace then you wake up one day to see it says 01/06/2013 on your calender and you can't help but think back to those new years resolutions you made (remember them?!).  I also can't help but think that I've chosen to just 'stand still' for a while in the sense that my main goals of finding, applying and getting a decent job and just enjoying being in my 20's has taken somewhat of a backseat and I just seem to have accepted that this is the way things are for now. Which is kinda sad. I've been in a sort of 'meh' sort of mood recently and I need to find my 'get-up-and-go' attitude that I had before. Where did it gooooooooo??!

Music wise I am currently loving

Kelly Clarkson - People like us
Jordin Sparks - Faith

 Find me on: YouTube | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram: @thatgirlsaadiya

'I hope you fall in love with being alive' // The Maxi Dress

Maxi Dress - Zara

Necklace - H&M

Gooooooood old Tumblr for providing me with this quote/picture thing.  You know, sometimes I think it's easy to forget to love being alive and to love your life. Like seriously, take a minute to think about your life and everything you have going on and just love it.  The fact that you are alive, that you have people you love, that you have a past, present, and future.  The fact that you have opportunities, you have good memories and bad memories, you can get up and achieve so many things... you have life! There is no room for negativity here! Sure, things happen that can get you down but if every now and then if you can remember to just stand still, acknowledge all that you have going on and know that your life is the greatest gift you will ever receive then it can really help (well it helps me anyway). I find it really interesting that sometimes we can act as if life is a chore or a burden and that we don't actually want it. Are you kidding me?! Like 'ohhh, I have to revise/work/look for a job/clean/cook' whatever it is - as if it's the biggest burden to have to do those things. But you know what, it's a good thing that I have to do those things; that I have to revise means I have access to education, that I have to work means I have the right to work, that I have to look for a job means I am able to aspire, dream and achieve and the fact that I have to clean and cook means that I have food and shelter. And those are truly great things.  I guess it's about making the effort and digging yourself out of the negative thinking that we can sometimes find ourselves in. Life is nooooooot a chore - the simple fact that you are living is amazing, it really, really is, and with that, you can do anything. Besides, you don't remember the days you spent revising or cleaning anyway, you remember the days where you decide to make the most of your time and do something you enjoy.

WOW this has turned into quite a heavy post considering I just wanted to show you guys my maxi dress! But I hope it helps in any way it can.  

On to my maxi dress! I love it - I bought it from Zara a couple of summer's ago and whenever I dig it out I know that summer has finally arrived. Yesssssssssssssssss.

Music wise I am loving: 
Gabrielle Aplin - Panic Cord
Gabrielle Aplin - Please don't say you love me

Find me on: YouTube | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram: @thatgirlsaadiya

Nasty Gal Spring 2013 Collection

I don't know what I love more, the clothes or the model (how cool does she look??!).  I know it's pricey but The Nasty Gal Spring Collection is just lovely. I love the super cool beach wear teamed with sporty luxe wear making for effortless style and outfits that can be easily thrown together to create a really laid-back yet fashion-forward outfit.  No fuss, no non-sense style for summer - I like it!  The collection defo offers some inspiration for my summer wardrobe; I am loving the outfits in images one, four, five and six. Which are your favourite pieces and which ones will be inspiring your wardrobe this summer?

Before I forget, we have our third street style video out over at TrendTV Nottingham. If you're looking for street style inspiration, check it out and let us know what you think!

It feels like the perfect night... // Pastels & Prints - Wish-list

I currently work part-time in H&M and we have so many clothes that have come in for the new season with graphic prints and stripes just...everywhere. On trousers, blazers, dresses, you name it.  I made a bit of a wish-list focused on this up and coming trend because I'm sort of falling in love with it. it took me a while to get used to this style it but I think if you wear prints subtly and in the right way it can look really, really good. 

Dress, Jacket and bracelets; H&M
Shoes, necklace and bag; ASOS; 

 Here, I love this dress. Stripes are often overlooked sometimes out of fear of making you look big, but I think this dress really could suit any figure! The rest of the look also tones it down so all attention is drawn to the dress - perfect for a night out or something. 

Trousers, shoes and bag; H&M
Shirt; Forever 21
Ring; Ebay

 This image is more toned down but still incorporating the idea of 'prints'. Again, I didn't want to go too overboard with it as I think it can make the outfit look messy so this is more subtle and effortless.

Shirt, rings, necklace; H&M
Shoes and bag; Topshop

There are no prints here but I just love this look! I actually have this shirt from H&M but I haven't had a chance to wear it yet.  I do love the mint fresh colour of it. They had the same shirt in black and white also but I had to opt for this colour option. Pastels are great for Spring/Summer so can't wait to purchase more stuff in similar colours!

And finally! I have some exciting news!!
I'm hopefully going to venture on a little YouTube project that I have been planning for a while. I was going to keep it quiet for a bit longer but I'm just too darn excited! (can you tell...?) So watch this space and I will keep you informed with all the details soooooon!
Hope you all have a great week ahead.

'Be as you wish to seem...'

'Some people say dress for the job that you want, well, I say dress like the man you want to be'
 - White Collar, TV Series

Does any body watch White Collar? I love it!! I spent like two days getting through the first two seasons (I know, two whole days but, I regret nothing)  and now on to the third.  Basically I feel like I've watched so many episodes that I have started to convince myself how cool it would be to be in the FBI. Or at least think like an FBI agent... Like being able to pick locks and trip security wires and work under cover and create a new identity just on the spot. Yeah, I am officially hooked.  And that has nothing to do with the main character...if you know what he looks like, then you will know exactly what I mean... if not well then...

Source: Tumblr

I was watching an episode and there was something someone said that really stuck with me: '...dress like the man you want to be.' Very similar to a quote by Socrates - 'be as you wish to seem.'

Dress like the man you want to be...dress like the man you want to be...dress like the man you want to be...

It may sound silly but there is something quite positive about dressing like the person you want to be. I think that the type of clothes you wear can have a major impact on who you are, your mood and what you are thinking, after all, its the ultimate form of expression isn't it?  At first, I thought this quote was just about suits because, we all know, that a guy in a suit looks so much... classier, but I think this can be applied in general. It's why we have uniforms in schools or in the workplace.  Clothes aren't just things we wear, it's part of our appearance and a small part of who we are and how we choose to express that side of us.  It's the reason why you can put on that dress and feel like a model, genuinely.  I don't know about you but if I simply put on a pair of heels, I instantly feel more confident about myself and where I'm going.  I think it is important to dress like the person we want to be, the person we want people to see you as.  Your style can say so much about you and just knowing that 'yeah, I look good' can give you a little boost.  I say little because, while I think it is important, it is by now means the be all and end all, ultimately, its just an added extra factor.

be as you wish to seem...be as you wish to seem...be as you wish to seem...be as you wish to seem...

Source: Tumblr

There is something so infinitely true about this. About being as you wish to seem.  A simple yet great example of this would be confidence, or lack of confidence. It's the idea that even though you may be tremendously shy, scared or insecure inside, you put your game face on and do whatever it is you have to do with the confidence, self-assurance and certainty of a hero. And sure enough, that is what you become, eventually. I knew someone at Uni who would walk around like she was Beyonce-friggin-Knowles - so much confidence and yet, before every presentation we had, every-time we had to talk in class or every time she participated in moots she would tell me, in extensive detail, just how much she was really bricking it. But of course, no one knew that.  She seemed confident and extremely self-assured and, to be honest, that can be enough sometimes. If people believe it then soon enough, you will too, soon enough that is who you become.

Being as you wish to seem...  Ultimately, I guess, it's the story of the actor, who has to be a character, so much so that audiences are convinced.

Source: Tumblr

Source: Tumblr

*On a completely different note, I am trying to sort out the layout of my blog and make it look.. better? If anyone can help and is a whiz at these sorts of things or could point me in the right direction I would love you forever! Thanks!!