October/November Haul

For the past couple of months I have been somewhat chained to my computer desk doing work, so I'm afraid this two month haul is mostly random little online buys. Hope you might enjoy a little insight into my purchases anyway.

Topshop Skater Skirt (via eBay)

My first purchase of October, this came about as I realised how much I had been neglecting all of my old favourite band t shirts, simply because I never wear trousers anymore and didn't have any plain skirts that would look nice with them. A good simple skater skirt has been missing from my wardrobe for months, and now I can't really see how I lived without one - the fit is so much more flattering than straight skirts on my body shape. It's was only a couple of quid and is a great 'throw-on' piece for work, adding a touch of smartness to my otherwise pretty simple cafe uniform.

Vintage Cream Blouse via eBay

Again pretty plain and boring, but a definite necessity in Autumn when layers are less of a fashion statement and more of a health precaution. This blouse was just 99p and fits perfectly on it's own or under dresses for a more retro look, which has allowed me to revive some of my old favourite pinafore style frocks.

Wax Coat - Tesco

For those who don't know, Huddersfield is the rainiest place ever. I ventured out to uni one day in October and got caught in a rainstorm, resulting in a drenched backpack and most unfortunately, a passport in the front pocket that had soaked up so much water than my picture in it was totally ruined. An incredibly irritating waste of £70, but a proper wake up call that I could do with dressing more appropriately for the weather. Luckily Tesco turned up the goods with this lovely Barbour-style wax coat, complete with hood (a surprisingly rare attribute in fashionable winter coats) and for only £35. There was only one left in my size in this colour, so I like to think that it was my reward for having such a rubbish rainy day. Stupid passport.

Care Box from Ma and Pa!

Having not had a chance to visit home properly since July, I REALLY miss my Mum and Dad. Third year of Uni is really full on and sometimes I miss the days where I had somebody else to be the adult for me. I guess they must have realised that I was feeling a bit down because just after Halloween, I received this lovely little care package which included sweets, my favourite Revlon nail varnish, new squishy socks, craft paper and my hideous Year 7 school photo (I guess that one was to amuse Kev). Mum also put in this lovely necklace/collar which I can't wait to wear over a plain dress. They know me so well and it really perked my day and reminded me that I CAN do whatever I set my mind to. I can't wait to see them over Christmas.

Boots Gift Card from the in-laws

 Speaking of Mum's, my boyfriend Kev went home to visit him Mum recently and she was lovely enough to give him a £10 Boots gift card to give to me. How sweet and kind is that? I'm not sure exactly what to spend it on yet but I'm thinking smellies - I love Boots's natural collection body sprays and moisturiser but my Passion Fruit spray has just run out. Maybe I'll try Vanilla next...

Freebie promo Cd's

With our uni set to move their SU building over to a new multi-million pound development, we've been made to clear up the Student Magazine's offices ready for the move. In the process, we unearthed a stack of cd's that had been sent to various Music Editors over the years that had been left behind, encountering more than a few blasts from the past. Whatever happened to Klaxons?

Primark Navy Polka Dot Kagoule - Inherited from lost property!

There are many perks to working at a Cafe (yummy cake, hot drinks to perk you up on a morning shift, overhearing customers gossip) but the best thing is that often, people will leave their possessions behind. Yes, I know this sounds awful, but we do have a lost property policy and we do keep things in case people come back for them, but sometimes though, things are left for so long that they just need a new home. Such was the case with this Primark Kagoule, which must have been left with us for well over a month. Everyone knows I'm a sucker for a good polka dot and it's so useful how it all fits back into it's own pocket. Still, if you are the Kagoule-less student and would like it back (sob), please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Business Cards from Moo.com

With graduation getting ever closer, our uni have set us a module this year called 'Professional Development Portfolio', where we are required to put together a Media CV, Cover Letter, examples of our best work and a business card. I had so much fun designing mine that I thought I'd share it here. Using my favourite printing service (Moo.com) and some voucher codes online, I managed to get 50 cards for just over £13, which isn't bad at all considering the high quality of the paper and how carefully they have been cut.

Magazines

Other university work has sent me on a bit of a magazine spree. I LOVE magazines but I normally deprive myself as they seem like a bit of a luxury. Still, since I enrolled on 'Writing For Magazines' this year I can justify it a little more and splashed out on Company, NME and The Times Higher Education Magazine to give me some inspiration for assignments. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in with this weeks NME - My big case study project this year is centred around Women In Music Journalism so I can't wait to investigate how they have approached M.I.A's big comeback.

Bon Marche Tartan Skirt (via eBay)

The tartan trend has been all the rage for a little while now, and as a child of the 90's I've been itching to try it. It's mad how people will pay so much for stuff on the high street when you can get in on the eBay for 99p. Now, Bon Marche wouldn't be my first choice (although my Nana used to love it), but the colours on this skirt are so perfect for autumn and the material is far better quality that I was expecting.

Primark Mustard Jumper (via eBay)

I've never been quite sure about wearing yellow as I was scared it might hollow out my skin tone, but after experimenting my £4 bargain Topshop mustard maxi, I thought I'd take the plunge into some bold knitwear. Mustard is such a great shade for this time of year anyway as it matches the leaves, and I managed to snag this off eBay for just over 3 quid. I normally find cropped jumpers pretty annoying as they tend to just make me look as if I'm wearing something that doesn't fit properly and often leaves slopping hems hanging out underneath, but as I'm planning to wear this over collared dresses hopefully it will work a bit better.

Bring on Beacons! My festival fashion guide 2013

Hello readers! I'm feeling pretty excitable today as I've realised that in just over a week, I shall be touching down at my first camping festival of the summer, Beacons. If you've never heard of the festival, it is a relatively new three days event that takes places in the gorgeous town of Skipton, Yorkshire, and attracts all sorts of indie and dance acts. They also offer a plethora of arts and crafts, independent food and vintage fashion.

Having been lucky enough to attend as press last year, I had an amazing time watching Wild Beasts, Cloud Nothings, Willis Earl Beal and many, many more, and was thrilled when I was asked to be part of the box office staff on top of my normal press duties this year.

Being at this years festival partly as staff and partly as a journalist, style AND comfort when it comes to my festival packing has never been more important. Whilst I don't want to rock up to the likes of Local Natives, Django Django and SBTRKT looking like a mess, we do live in Britain and I have to consider every kind of weather as a possibility, which means planning my outfits in advance. Now, I know people who put waaaaay too much effort into picking suitably trendy festival outfits or even go out to buy something new (something I will never understand - festivals are dirty places that don't suit clothes you really love!), so I'm very sorry if you're here looking for a shopping haul. I'd love to have the money to buy on trend festival clobber, such as the amazing two piece trend I'm lusting after (sigh) but HaberdasHer has always been and always will be a thrifty and affordable blog! So without further ado, allow me to introduce you to some of my failsafe pieces that I've gathered over the years that should be making in my 2013 Beacons Festival Wardrobe.

Stripe shirt from Next - I remember buying this a few summers ago when I did some casual work in the sales. I can't remember how much it was, but due to its versatile colour, it has definitely earnt it's keep over the years.

Dungaree Shorts from Internacionale - I bought these in my first year of University using a voucher I got from my sixth form, so completely free, for me anyway! Dungarees are perfect for girls like me because they look girly whilst being practical in the 'going to the portaloo' department.

Knee Socks from Primark - I believe they still do these, and two pairs for a pound when I bought them. A great festival sock as you can fold them over the top of your wellies to reduce rubbing, and they can be a more fun alternative to tights.

Shoulder bag from Tesco - Chances are at a festival you're going to be lugging some bulky bags, so it's always useful to have a smaller shoulder bag with the essentials you need quick access to when you're getting through the gates. This one cost me £2 in a tesco sale many moons ago and fits a phone, small camera, purse and ticket with ease.

Wellies from Asda - My ultimate festival fashion tip - get rid of the patterned wellies! Sure, they look great on their own, but you can't beat a good old fashioned green pair when it comes to making sure they 'go' with every outfit. And if your feet are on the slightly smaller side, it often works out cheaper to look in the kids collection- these were £7 from the boys section of Asda last festival season.

Homemade Headband - Avid readers would recognise this headband that I made from discarded old dress material! You can check out the tutorial here

Oversized Blouse from Rokit Vintage - As we all know, I love a bit of colour, and I especially love a polka dot. I bought this blouse from Rokit Vintage in Covent Garden last summer for a fiver, and it is one of my favourite bits of clothing. Now 90's fashion is all the rage, I feel pretty smug at having grabbed this so cheap. Layers are definitely a festival essential, and this is thick enough that it should keep me warm as the sun sets.

Broderie Dress from Primark - This dress was part of Primark's basics range a year or so ago, and I have worn it to death. However, I have recieved so many compliments on it when I wear it that I wish I'd bought it in every colour! The broderie top part adds a feminine side to the deep colour which should hopefully provide the well needed mute tone to the pink. It is a little on the short side though - I might need to add tights!

Belt from Old Internacionale Shorts - I bought a pair of chunky cord shorts for £5 from Internacionale last winter, wanting to try something new, but when I got them home I realised that they did nothing for me whatsoever and as they were a sale item I couldn't return them. They have since been passed onto my mum, but I kept hold of the belt and makes any outfit because of its simple brown design.

Necklace from H&M - I rarely spend any money on jewellery, but this was too cute not to buy a year or so ago. I love the subtle bling of the little owl's jewelled belly and eyes, and I think it complements the other colours in the outfit really well.

Converse High Tops from Office- These were my very first pair of real branded converse that I bought for sixth form nearly four years ago, and since then they have been to every festival with me. Reading, Leeds, V, Mumford & Sons in Huddersfield... you name it. They're reaching the end of their life now, but it would seem wrong not to take them to Beacons because they're so comfortable.

Two tone Sunglasses from Parklife Festival - These were entirely free, because I found them on the ground at this years Parklife festival. After asking around a little, I figured that I might as well give them a new home. Result!

Jack Daniels T-Shirt from Free Gig - These tees (festival classic, I know!) were being handed out last summer in Wakefield when The Cribs played a gig to celebrate a Jack Daniels anniversary. My friend Charlotte and I weren't lucky enough to go to the gig, but we were in town and met two guys at the train station who said they'd been to the gig but had picked up the wrong size and did we want them, Absolute result! The tee has got a really cool map of Wakefield on the back which makes it a great music-themed one off.

Oversized mens shirt from Rokit Vintage - I bought this shirt on the same trip as the pink blouse, but this one was only £1! It's massive so I normally wear it as a nightshirt, but it has a cool grunge-almost-kimono vibe about it that I think will be cool for a festival. It should match well with my round framed tortoiseshell sunglasses that were a pound from Primark (I forgot to picture them here, oops)

Denim shorts from Primark- Another item I wish I'd bought two of, these shorts cost me £4 from Primark ages ago and I've never found any quite so comfortable since. Sadly, they are starting to look a bit worn in the crotch (dangerous!) so this might end up being their last trip

Doc Martens from eBay - After lusting after them for years, these were my 18th birthday present from my Mum and Dad, but they still count as a bargain because Ma and Pa got them for just £50 brand new on an ebay shop. I might not end up having space in my bag for those and my wellies, but I shall do my best to squeeze them in.

Hip Flask from eBay - Arguably THE biggest festival essential, this was bought off ebay for 3 quid and then I made the slip myself out of an old fabric sample. Classy!

Basic top from Primark - Bought an age ago for a couple of quid in an attempt to add some basics to my wardrobe, this top has become the eternal match for the dress, a subtle, well needed pop of colour. It'll also double up as a top to sleep in once I've worn it in the day - classy I know, but when you're packing for a festival, you need to pack light!

Floral Pinafore dress from eBay - A find I stumbled upon on eBay last autumn (just before pinafores properly came back into fashion), I wore this all winter layered up with a chunky knit and glittery scarf. I'm looking forward to testing it out in a more summer way!

Sunglasses from ASOS - These were a birthday gift from my best friend Anna way back when, but I've grown to love the pastel shade even more recently, and they are the only pair of sunglasses I own that are truly comfortable.

Handmade Crochet Headband - Made from the waistband of an old tiered skirt I used to have and then cut up to make cushions, this crochet length makes a lovely belt or headband, a nice way to add a little festival detail to an outfit.

Polly Pocket Necklace - I'm so glad I found this! It was right at the back of one of my old drawers when I visited my family home recently. It's so 90'stastic it hurts, and unclicks to reveal a little secret garden with a polly doll on a swing. So cute! I'm fully waiting for these to come back into fashion, although I might have to swap the string chain for a metal one first.

Plimsolls from Primark - These were £1 last summer and  are just placeholding in the picture until the Converse-type white primark low tops that I ordered from eBay for £2.20 arrive (they were meant to be here today, grr), but you get the picture. A white shoe at a festival is always a risk, but fingers crossed they'll be enough dry grass for them to be acceptable and as they were so cheap, a little mud might give them character.

Fake Pearl Bracelets - I have no idea where I got these, I think they were probably part of a set I bought to go with my dress for my cousins wedding. Still, they add the finishing touch of girliness.

Mens Shirt from Judys Affordable Vintage Fair - One of my buys from the Judy's Kilo Sale I blogged about a few months ago. Seen as I got four dresses and this blouse for £20 and it's light as anyway, I reckon it probably cost me about £2. I LOVE the old fashioned bright stripes and it fits me perfectly despite a missing button or two. I never wear it buttoned up anyway. Even better, I love the fact that the colours perfectly match my ....

Wild Beasts T Shirt - I bought this tee from their gig two years ago in Leeds. Wild Beasts are one of my all time favourite bands and watching them headline Beacons last year is one of my favourite gig memories, so I thought it's be nice to remember that by wearing it this year.

DIY socks - Another blog favourite. You can get this lacy tutorial here

Sunglasses as above

Shorts as above

Plimsolls as above

So there we go! I hope you like my outfit choices. If you fancy grabbing a last minute ticket to Beacons, head on over to greetingsfrombeacons.com.