Outfit of the day... First day at my new job!

Today I started my new part time job as a sales assistant at Newlook, exciting stuff! I've always worked in retail since I've left school, and although it can be stressful at times, especially with Christmas looming, I can't help but love it!

Anyway, so first day, wanted to make a good impression! Now at Newlook there's no strict uniform code, they just like you to wear on trend, key season pieces that are current in store! As I've got older, and had more money to spend on clothes, I've maybe drifted away from Newlook, although I've always gone back for some knitwear essentials, and bargain beautiful shoes time after time. After getting a job there though, and browsing for my work wardrobe, I found I've definitely been overlooking Newlook a lot lately, and now actually have a long list of pieces I can't wait to snap up with my staff discount. Newlook is great for key, on trend pieces to update your wardrobe for every occasion without breaking the bank and I'm glad to have rediscovered it again!

Here's the Newlook outfit I put together for my first day...

Faux fur & leather black gilet, soft, slouchy, grey marl jumper, leather look leggings and statement silver necklace - all Newlook!

The only thing I strayed from Newlook for today was the footwear, only because I couldn't resist trying out my new leather dextor boots from Office,  and also because I haven't got my hands on the studded, Newlook biker boots I MUST HAVE, yet!

Give last year's Winter coat a makeover for this season!

Winter is officially here, & the freezing conditions mean it is definitely time to get those big coats out again! As a self confessed shopaholic, there are SO many gorgeous winter coats out on the high street that I just want to snap up, as a student, I unfortunately don't have the funds for them all (sad face)! So this winter I made the cut throat decision to purchase a new leather jacket, which is also perfectly practical seeing as I live in the rainiest city in the world, Preston, and a military jacket with leather sleeves just because I have totally fallen in love with this seasons military trend and I just couldn't not!

Being the shopaholic that I am, I do have plenty of coats in my wardrobe from the past few winters, from some amazing fake fur numbers to gorgeous tweed, ladylike designs, that are all in perfect, working condition, but because they are not new this season they feel a bit dated. So, I dug a couple of my old favourites out and thought I would add a simple touch to completely update them and give them a new spin for this season, and get another winter out of them!

Now this coat is from River Island, probably about three, maybe even four winters ago now, but I still love it just as much as the day I got it. The cosy, grey tweed means it's the perfect winter warmer, and the oversized shape makes it not too far off whats 'hot' this season. When I first got this coat I had more compliments about it, and got asked where I'd got it from, more times than any other coat I've ever had, which is why I have held onto it for so long. Apart from loosing a few buttons along the way, this coat has stood the test of time so kudos to River Island for a gorgeous, well made design!

To update this coat for Autumn Winter 12 and overcome the lost button issues (oversized, tweed beauties I cannot find replacements for anywhere) I thought adding a large, studded, statement waist-belt (only £18 from Miss Selfridge) would be the perfect solution!

The waist-belt creates a brand new silhouette for the coat and acts as an interesting, new design feature which totally transforms it! The coat can even be worn folded open, in the blanket style very popular this season, with the belt worn on top just to hold it all together! Simple but very effective!

My much loved, Topshop leather jacket from last Winter was next to under go a transformation. 

The relaxed, slouchy leather jacket is easily worn with everything, I especially like to push the sleeves up to wear over pretty much everything for cold, winter nights out! To change it up for the day though I have simply been wearing my bargain Newlook, black, faux fur and leather gilet over the top. The cropped gilet sits perfectly on top of the leather jacket and just adds an extra layer for warmth and an extra texture for style (mixing leather and fur is one of my favourite looks at the minute)!

So, as you can see none off these make overs require much skill. Why not dig out one of your old favourite winter warmers and revamp it for this season!