If it makes you happy, then do it.

 Coat & Shoes - Topshop
Top - Missguided
Skirt - Vintage
Mini Satchel - ASOS

One of the things I've realised as I've gotten older (I'm going to hit the big 2-1 in April!) is that while growing up increases your reponsibilities, it's okay to still have fun. Yes, money and jobs and studying are all important, but the picture of adult life that is painted these days is quite dull - get a job, settle down, have kids, work until you're 70 odd and hope you don't hate any of it. But I don't think that has to be the case. Teenage years are not necessarily the time of your life, and surrendering your youth does not mean surrendering your enjoyment. If doing something makes you happy, then that's what you should be doing - paying the bills is important, but so is happiness. In today's world it's increasingly important to project a good image, but people are the most beautiful when they're real. I personally think I look like a dork in these photos, but I had more fun posing in the streets with a smile on my face than trying to look cool. For this reason, I'm also making more time for things I enjoy that may not necessarily get me a job, like unleashing my creativity in words, pictures, and through the lens of a camera as well as in front of it. And I think everyone should, because I know too many people who've had "no time" for hobbies and little things that can make this life wonderful. We only get one, and I intend to enjoy mine! So that means if I want to spend my Saturday in bed watching TV I will, if I want to walk around aimlessly toting my camera and hunting for shots I will, and if I want to spend three hours making collages I will. Because in the end I will have a much better life if I am happy, than if I work myself to death.

Anyway, enough of the deep life thoughts - I wanted to share my outfit and ended up sharing what's on my mind. I've said it once and I'll say it again though, this skirt is one of my favourites, especially now I'm letting spring back into my wardrobe!

Tara India xo

Material girl.

Top, Trousers, Socks & Shoes - Topshop
Coat - New Look
Necklace - Vintage

This outfit is one of my recent favourites, because it is a departure from my current adoration of all things dark - I seem to like my clothes like my coffee, black as my soul haha! But it's a new year and pretty much all that's getting me through this season of rain, wind and practicality is the anticipation of spring, so sometimes I dress like it! This is what I like to think of as springtime monochrome, brightening up some classic black and white with pastels, and of course some vintage bling (this necklace is 1960s).

As I'm sure you've noticed, most of my clothes come from Topshop and most of my jewellery is vintage, and I adore designer labels, champagne and shopping. It's fair to say I've got expensive taste, but right now I face the challenge of having very little money! This means that you'll be seeing a lot of all the clothes I already own (don't get bored of me!) while I use my dollar to live on! I actually welcome this challenge because it inspires creativity, and I like to re-imagine ways to wear items, and reinvent the aesthetic of older pieces. When I get a bit better at this I'll post a few tips for reinventing your wardrobe without spending much money!

Tara India xo

Bring on Spring!

Top & Shorts - Missguided
Coat & Shoes - Topshop
Bag - Versace

Earrings - Vivienne Westwood
Lipstick - Mac

Being the lucky (and definitely not spoiled!) girl that I am, Mum treated me to a few things online this Christmas, including these Missguided shorts. I love playing with texture so the lace underlay intrigued me, and so did the rich wine-red hue – but I rarely wear shorts so I was unsure how to style them at first. I ended up going fairly simple, playing up to my current love for black and adding an extra texture with my faux fur collared biker jacket. As much as I love this gorgeous staple coat (thankyou Topshop), I have to say that now Christmas is over and we’re into the new year, I’m very much over winter and coats and bundling up. I’m dreaming of the day when one pair of tights will be enough, when I won’t have to cover every outfit with a coat so I don’t risk hypothermia, and when it stops being so dark at 5pm that I lose track of what is evening and what is night! Winter may be cosy, and coats and jumpers may be snuggly, but I’m a summer girl at heart. So roll on Spring as soon as possible!

Tara India xo

Vintage and Versace.

Coat & Top - Topshop
Skirt - Vintage
Ankle Boots - New Look
Bag - Versace

This post proudly centres on probably my favourite Christmas present (although I did get some gorgeous jewellery and a new camera and VS clothes!), which is a Versace handbag! It's not totally new since it came by way of my grandmother, but she's used it all of twice and it even has more backstory now - when her husband bought it for her in Milan they told him the price and he asked 'what about the 30% discount?', and obviously it was already including the discount.. Suffice it to say I love this bag for being classic, timeless, and high quality, as well as the cute lions on the straps and zipper that keep it totally Donatella. Of course, I never could have bought it myself since it is definitely real skin, but I couldn't turn down a present.. For its debut I paired it with a fairly simple outfit, focussing on the bag and its contrast to the soft pink of my vintage skirt.

Of course, I'll be the first to say that just because something is expensive doesn't mean it is worth it! Every time I see someone out in a designer tracksuit that probably costs more than my rent for 6 months I cringe - with all the beautiful items out there, why that?! Just because the price tag is killer, doesn't mean the object is. I'd only ever buy something designer if I liked it! Labels are fine, but vintage and high street can be equally beautiful. You can't buy style - it comes in how you compose your outfits.

Tara India xo

All dressed up with no place to go!

Dress - Topshop
Shoes - Iron Fist
Necklace - Swarovski
Bracelet - Vintage Trifari

This is exactly how I wanted to look on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, if I had somewhere to go that is! Classy, glamorous, with an edgy twist, this Topshop dress is simple yet stunning and easy to accessorize - I believe my words upon trying it on were 'Do I like it? It's like 1940s nightwear, of course I love it!'. However, since I spent Christmas Day working (10 hours, split shift) I stuck to my guns of overdressing by wearing this ensemble to eat our Christmas roast between shifts! 

Last night for NYE I was sipping prosecco in my PJs and watching TV, which is my traditional way to spend it, but if I had somewhere to go I would have looked like this! New Year is always cited as the time for turning over a new leaf, and while I disagree slightly – a fresh start can come at any time, who really needs a specific date to make a change? – it still provokes in me a certain level of reflection upon the year past, and thought over what I hope to achieve in the year to come. I always find myself making lists, because getting things down in writing is the only way to arrange my thoughts, so I hope you won’t mind me sharing a few reflections. 

The last year has been full of trials and tribulations, of joys and sorrows, and while I may not be entirely happy with how some things have turned out I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve gone through intense emotions, break-ups, bereavements and personal difficulties. But the past is in the past, and I believe that while we can learn from it, there is no point in dwelling upon it. So for next year I have high hopes, and just a few goals. I’m not one for resolutions (I find they set me up for failure!), but here are a few things I intend to do: keep my blog up and running and explore my creativity through clothes; go on at least one holiday because travel is one of my main passions; and develop my writing as best I can, continuing to refine my poetry and hopefully write the novel I’ve been trying to create for years!

And that's my reflective phase over for this season - I hope all your Christmases and New Year's were beautiful, and you're now full of roast dinners, chocolate and love!

Tara India xo

Faux is the way to go.

Headband, Top, Skirt, Coat & Shoes - Topshop
Bag - ASOS
Lipstick - Mac 

I’d just intended to write something light-hearted about how I tried this faux fur headband on for a joke and ended up falling in love with it (which is totally true), how I love its retro-glamour and almost unintentional practicality, and how I’ve been convinced for most of my life that I am not a hat person – which I am now disproving! However, I sat down with my laptop and ended up thinking more about principles than image... I am a born and raised ethical vegetarian (I’d go vegan, if not for wine, chocolate and ice cream!) and personally refuse to wear fur or leather. If I’m not eating it, I’m not wearing it! I honestly don’t see the attraction in wearing another creature’s skin – it’s almost macabre, and completely unnecessary. I’m sure the production industries for synthetics are causing our poor planet some trouble, but there’s no point saving it if we are destroying its beautiful inhabitants for our own vanity. This is now no more than some kind of cry for the fashion industries to stop using leather and fur, or at least create without those materials for those of us who don’t want to be limited by our principles (Topshop, I’m begging you for some vegan shoes!). I’m trying not to be preachy, but honestly, give fur a miss – stick to faux: equally warm, equally soft, and a fraction of the price anyway!

Tara India xo

Getting inked - again!

Coat, Top, Skort & Shoes - Topshop
Bag - Asos

Abusing the idea that Christmas is a time of indulgence, treating not only your loved ones but yourself, and slightly ignoring the fact my bank account is suffering at the moment, on Tuesday I got my fifth tattoo! I also had a lovely time in town with Mum – pre-tattoo breakfast at Costa (because tattooing on an empty stomach is a poor idea), and lunch afterwards, as well as picking up final supplies for our roast and a bit more chocolate. I opted for a fairly simple outfit, using small details to keep it fresh, such as the houndstooth print, the almost spring-time pink of my top, and the faux fur collar.

 I’ve included a picture of the finished tattoo – lyrics from one of my all time favourite songs, Human by Nerina Pallot, plus part of one of her illustrations. I do have a few words to say about tattoos though (and I feel fairly qualified now that I’ve had so many), so here are some tips if you’re considering getting inked! 

Bepanthen.
Of course, getting a needle repeatedly dragged through uncountable layers of skin is going to require healing and aftercare, so I recommend Bepanthen applied every day until it is fully healed. It’s technically a nappy rash cream, but tattoo artists will also recommend it because it’s very kind to skin and good for healing.

Eat beforehand.
I mentioned that an empty stomach isn’t a good idea – well, if you think about it going into anything that’s going to be painful is always more fun with some food inside you, and you have less chance of fainting from the pain! It’s obviously still going to hurt, but I think it’s much more bearable when you’re not also hungry (especially if you’re in there for a while!).

Really consider it.
It sounds obvious, but you’re going to have this on your body for the rest of your life! Unless you want to tolerate the much more painful process of laser removal, tattoos are permanent. So before you jump in and get inked, be certain that what you’ve chosen will either still look good or still have personal significance in ten, twenty years time.

Place is important.
Some professions dislike visible tattoos, and while I think it’s becoming less of a problem these days, I’d say it’s better to go for something that can be covered if necessary. All of mine can be hidden with sleeves or tights. Also, the place has bearing upon the level of pain – fleshy areas hurt less, but anywhere that the needle is likely to hit bone will be a lot more painful. I definitely found this one on my ribs far less comfortable than the one on my upper arm!

Pick your tattoo-day clothes wisely.
Either leave it out in the open, as I did with my ankle tattoos, or go for clothing that won’t irritate the area when it’s done. Something loose, in soft fabric, is a safe bet. Also, you want to be able to get the chosen area out easily when you’re in the studio! For example, I chose a crop top over a dress to wear, because it was much easier to whip out my ribs.

Tara India xo