We never go out of Style

Skirt - Topshop. Top - M&S (just hear me out...) Jacket and Shoes - New Look.

One thing that people often say when asked who their style icon is, is their mum. I never really thought of my mum as a 'style icon' or anything, she just always wore nice clothes and that was that. But recently, with a specific style coming back around I've realised that in reality my mum and I actually have a very similar style,  meaning that some time in my life, she must have inspired me! Over Christmas one of my aunts said jokingly that all my mum wears is black - and I always joke around with my friends how all we wear is black (a little bit of white!) Alos last November when my mum and I went out we both were wearing grey clothes with some kind of roll-neck, and since we both have short blonde hair ( much to my dad's dismay) we look even more alike! 
I've even gone as far in this outfit as wearing her clothes! This roll-neck is hers, I've been lusting after one for ages and hadn't managed to buy one and then when I bought this A-line black denim skirt from Topshop the other week, I knew a fitted grey roll-neck top would be perfect with it. My mum always wears roll-necks under pinafores or chunky knit roll-neck jumpers with jeans - I remember when I was little not liking them because I felt like they were choking me! But after all these years, I suppose she has inspired me - Thanks Mum! (Or Mummy as even though I'm an 18 year-old, I'll never not call her mummy...)
Anyway, I better go and start school for today, I've had two coffee's before it was even 8 o'clock, so I'm sure I'll be crashing in a few hours, Hope you week is going well!

Now Reading // Landline by Rainbow Rowell - I've only just started this but I already love the setting and set up of the book.

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Could be jogging, but I'd rather be blogging...

Jumper - Aeropostale. Jeans - Topshop. Necklace - Thomas Sabo.

Hello, Nice to see you there, it's been a while hasn't it? I'd thought I'd let you know what I'm doing when I'd rather be blogging... (Plot twist: I haven't been jogging)

 - Doing Photography work (my deadline for the coursework part of it was last Friday which was super stressful but somehow the fact that Vicky and Ella were in the same situation and we could laugh it off made it tons better, the cake also definitely helped.)

- Doing English coursework (My deadline for my whole coursework unit is next Friday and although I've nearly finished 2/3 of it, I've still got a heck of a lot more to go!)

- Writing History notes, guess what for? coursework! (Yup, more coursework - this one is just getting started so it's the blank page that is the daunting part)

- Spending every night this week at dancing (however much I love dancing I've been there every night this week and last and it's just sometimes a bit too much, especially as half the time I'm not actually dancing as I am teaching others my parts as there is a competition this half but I am away! So can't really complain about to be honest) 

So yeah, There are my excuses to why I've been absent from the blog recently! Although I've tried to be a bit more pro-active with my twitter so be sure to follow me on there to keep up with my daily musings in life. The next couple of weeks seem super super exciting but super super busy - I've got three parties coming up (one of which is Bryony and I's joint 18th!) and a week on Sunday I am going on a ski trip with school! Which I am so so excited about, I had my first ski lesson last Sunday and it was interesting....hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon. It's just going to be a great week with my best friends creating memories! 

The most recent issue of Ink (my school magazine in which I'm editor-in-chief of) came out a couple of weeks ago -I wrote two articles, one on Shakespeare and one on Taylor Swift - I'd love it if you would go and check them out and have a browse through the magazine! 

Now Reading // I Was Here by Gayle Forman - Not that far into it but it hasn't grasped me fully yet!

Now Playing // Over and over again 

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Living in the Present or Contemplating the Future?

My life at the moment revolves around exams, school and preparing for university...

The past few weeks I've realised that i have been dropping in the topics related with Uni into everyday conversation. Like the fact I cannot wait to decorate my room there, like the fact it will be weird going out with new people and not any of my school friends, like the fact that I will be somewhere completely different. I will leave school in 5 months time. That in itself is very freaky, school is something that is always a constant in everyone's children years. We attend it since we were so young that you cannot remember anything different in your life. I like routine, and I like the fact that I have a specific routine very week that I rarely shy away from. My friends at school know me as being the organised one who likes to plan ahead and know what we are doing. Uni won't be like that, Uni will be full of spontaneous conversations, a bunch of new people and a lot of 'going with the flow,' it will be fun and exciting and full of new things however the prospect of leaving this small village, my school and my dance school; all things which I've known forever, is very daunting. But it's very exciting at the same time. It is bittersweet. 

In a way when I write this I realise that I need to focus on the present and put the future in the back of my mind. I need to enjoy this last five months of school (not matter how much stress they bring!) as, they are my last! I should just embrace the whole school atmosphere, embrace the vast array of people in my year, and embrace the opportunities I have to learn and grow at school. Right now I need to be doing my photography work but I had a sudden spurt of inspiration to write this post - I may or may not have just finished Girl Online by Zoella/ Siobhan Curham (awkward...) and been inspired by the blog and general fuzziness that the end brings!

Just to say, I think for the next few months I may have to turn this blog into a 'once a week' type thing, which does irritate me a bit but school comes first etc etc, I also am going to leave you with my favourite quotes/photo's I find from the week or in general life...

Now Reading // Girl Online - It was such a cute cheesy fun read!

Now Watching // Pretty Little Liars again!

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18 Candles

Dress - American Eagle. Shoes - New Look. 

Yesterday was perfect. I'm going to continue replaying every little detail of the day in my head forever. I spent my 18th birthday with everyone in the world that I love. My family, my family friends I've known since I was little, my friends from dancing, my friends from school and everyone in between. I felt so loved it was amazing and seeing everyone there together, I could not stop smiling! 

Whilst searching for a New Years Eve outfit in late December I came across this dress in American Eagle and instantly knew it was perfect for my birthday. The swing style, the stripes and the price felt like it was made for me. I was already picturing my make-up - gold eyes, winged eyeliner and red lips! I'm sure this dress will be worn many many times.Anyway, even though I'm now officially an adult, that doesn't stop school from happening so as I type this in my Monday morning free, I hope you all have a fab week! I'm sure I will as I continue replaying yesterday over and over again. 

Now Playing // 18 Candles by Nina Nesbitt seemed fitting!

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Unforgettable Nights, Feeling Infinite and Creating Worlds...

 So, I come to you with a Sunday night ramble inspired by pictures. I know my last post was a rather writing -heavy post but I've just feel like I've got a fair amount to say at the moment and this post was just screaming to be written all day whilst I was revising for my mocks this up-coming week! So, here it is, my thoughts spread out in the open for you all to read.

I've been writing a fair amount the past week (in my new beautiful journal I got for Christmas) but not the normal journal writing I do regularly, but creative writing. I've been creating characters inspired by film characters, making scenes, producing dialogue between characters, just creating a story. I've got so lost in my own little world, I've loved it. I quite often murmur about how I like creative writing but I only ever really have done it when I need to for school but it was such a liberating feeling doing it because I wanted to, it's something I really want to keep up this year!

 I turn 18 a week today, and that is incredibly freaky but super exciting. 18. I'll be an adult! I'll be able to vote, I'll be able to buy alcohol. It's odd, what an age means. I'm sure the next day I won't feel any different but 18 seems like a monumental age that you've always dreamed of being. I won't longer be a 'child' anymore! I know I'm growing up and the future is coming at speed but it still doesn't feel that real yet, but I have a feeling it will start soon enough!

Last Sunday night my mum, my sister and I were driving back from London, I can't even remember what we were singing too but we were singing at the top of our lungs. The lights were passing by as we drove with speed down the motorway and I just snapped this picture. I think I have a thing at the moment for imperfections in pictures. I like how this isn't crisp or perfect, the lighting is amazing and the colours are off, but it captures what I was feeling at that moment - infinite. (Perks of being a Wallflower reference right there)

This is another picture that I like because of its imperfections. If you follow me on instagram you will see that whenever I go out with friends to a party or something, I always post similar photo's of us posing and looking relatively nice (or so we think!) but Olivia took this just after Bryony and I had finished posing; I think the blurriness and the smiles we seem to have capture the essence of the night and it's one of my favourites of that night. It was  on New Years Eve and was our friends Ella and Olivia birthday party, it was such a great night. It's one I'll remember because of dancing until everyone went home and the last song of the night came on, Superbass, and my small group of friends sung and danced our hearts out, it was perfect - a perfect way to start the year.

I've got some exams at school this week, a uni to visit and a mountain of photography work to do but am as motivated as ever to keep this blog up. Let me know if you like this kind of post, because it's definitely one of my favourites to produce!

Now Watching // Pretty Little Liars - Season 1 - 5 is on Netflix and I'm going to attempt to watch them all and finally catch up, so I won't have to read synopsis on each episode to join in my friend s conversations!

Now Reading // We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves - Karen Joy Fowler - This book has taken a while for me to get into it but I think it's captivated me now! 

P.S I updated my good reads page yesterday, so make sure you check it out. 

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My Christmas Day Outfit

 Dress - Asos. Shoes - New Look. Socks - Forever 21

This is so exciting, my first blog post from my new Macbook Pro. I am so so happy right now. Christmas was amazing, I spent it with lots of family in Essex laughing, eating and smiling. We arrived on Christmas Eve when we went to the cathedral for a Carol service which was good then had an evening of laughter with the anticipation of Christmas not too far away. Christmas Day was mainly spent eating and just catching up on life then opening presents in the evening. Boxing Day was spent not like I imagined but was equally as good - my cousins and I went on a (roughly) 15 mile bike ride! And I am not one to ride a bike often so I am feeling it today but it was really nice to spend some quality time outside with them, and burning off some Christmas lunch! We then had another big meal and finished off with Downton Abbey Christmas special (such a good episode) So overall I had a lovely Christmas that it is almost too hard to put it into words how grateful I am to spend it like that!

My main present was my Mac which I have been waiting for since last summer and I cannot explain how amazing it is! Hopefully everything will be slightly more professional and high tech on the blog from now on. I also got a range of clothes, accessories and lots of other lovely little gifts that I cannot stop staring at. Today is being spent rejuvenating and learning my way around this laptop, tomorrow I am off to see Edward Scissorhands at Sadlers Wells so it is fair to say, Life is pretty darn good right now! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas laughing and eating with loved ones!

P.S. Madeleine shot this outfit on Christmas Day and although I was at first doubtful at her camera skills I am really really happy with how they turned out, I think the light and background is beautiful that I would go as far to say that it is one of my favourite shoots on my blog, ever!

Now Reading // Love, Rosie by Cecilia Ahern - So sweet and captivating!

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Uptown Funk

 Jeans - Topshop. Jumper and Jacket - Reublic (ages and ages ago) Scarf - Zara

I often think how much I would love to be a full-time blogger, like Lily Melrose, Lily Pebbles, Suzie from HelloOctober but I realise that it means I would be by my computer all day and as I have seen the past weekend, I can get very distracted by get very obsessed with a television show and then end up shutting the world out. Like I have with The Vampire Diaries the past weekend! I had some busy nights last week celebrating birthdays and Christmas with friends so by the time Friday came I need to rejuvenate myself so I opened up Netflix and got lost in the Mystic Falls world. It was fab but by the time Monday came around, I had cabin fever, I needed to get out of the house. So therefore on Monday I ventured into the hectic streets of London to do some photography shoots with Vicky. We braved Oxford street and took some street photography whilst gaining some odd looks from people around us, then walked to Carnaby street where we looked into a few shops like Brandy Melville and Monki before going to a thai restaurent. It was such a chilled day and I wanted to be comfy so kept my outfit simple and understated but actually was quite a fan of it. Grey has been a really popular colour this winter and I've definitely joined the trend, it goes with the monochrome vibe I often sport but just adds something slightly different. This is a jumper I got probably about 4 or 5 years ago and every now and then I find it and realise how much I love it!

I cannnot believe Christmas is so so soon! It's so exciting, I have been christmas baking and watching countless of Christmas films (The Polar Express on Sunday, Elf yesterday and The Holiday later today) to get me in the festive spirirt that I felt I was lacking. My family and I drive down to Essex tomorrow to spend Christmas and Boxing Day with my family, I'm super excited for a family Christmas and hope you all have a jolly time as well!

Now Playing // Yours by Ella Henderson, Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Classic Christmas songs!

Now Researching // Ways to get messy waves on short hair - Having serious hair envy at Izzy's hair (and life in America) at the moment!

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Got that red lip classic thing that you like

Dress - Missguided. Coat and Boots - New Look. Scarf - Zara.
My recent obsession with roll necks is a bit out of control, the last three days I've worn them and I'm planning on wearing another one today! I remember when I was little my mum quite often wore them and when ever I would I didn't like them, I felt like they were choking me but fast forward ten years and I can't get enough. However they do still remind me of my mum, I think I look really similar to her with this style, especially with my short blonde hair! 

This is becoming my go-to outfit for any slightly more dressy occasion as it is so simple and comfy to wear but paired with my heeled boots from new look and my new coat, it works quite well to fit the 'smart-casual' look. I'm planning on wearing it tonight as I'm going to the West End to see The Scottsboro Boys with my friend Vicky and I cannot contain my excitement, I'm a sucker for a good musical!
My life the past couple of days has been recuperating from the past hectic term at school by watching a fair-share of The Vampire Diaries as well as rushing around the shopping centre looking for Christmas gifts - 8 days now!

Now Watching // The Vampire Diaries (obviously!)

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Style Crush - Gigi Hadid

 All pictures from Gigi Hadid's instagram

My ultimate girl crush at the moment has to be Gigi Hadid. She has such a classic cool California chill vibe, the long blonde hair, the big blue eyes, it's no wonder at 19 years old that she has already had an amazing model career. At the moment she is linked with many model friends like Kendall Jenner and Cara Delvingne as well as being the girlfriend of Cody Simpson. Her instagram is one of my favourites as it is filled with different pictures like her beautiful model shots, stunning selfies and fun photo's with her friends. I just think that her career is going to blow-up in 2015 as she is such a stunning girl. Her fashion sense does also stand out to me as the California 'chill' vibe is very much there with casual knit jumpers and (as a model for Guess) the classic denim. Then her red carpet style is also stunning, my favourite being this simple black and white combination. The simplicty of it really captivates her laidback feel she has. But yeah, you can tell she is a proper girl/ style crush at the moment for me!

I should (fingers crossed) be back in the blogging swing as I break up for Christmas holidays tomorrow so can hopefully can spend some time on this blog and get it back to something I am proud of! Sorry for the absence over the past couple of months, life has just been getting in the way, as it always does! Hope life's good with you!

Now Playing - Yours by Ella Henderson

Now Reading - Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

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Morning Haze

                                                                                 

  Yay yay yay, an outfit post! I had a mufti day at school on Friday, hence the very very poor light of the photo's as I had to take it so early, the sun hadn't fully risen yet. But I think it actually gives the photo's quite a nice effect, a sort of soft romantic teenager angst type effect, I'm not sure, maybe I've just done too much A Level photography and am analysing photo's too much! This is why I cannot wait until next year when I go to uni when I can wear my own clothes everyday and don't have to wait for a mufti day to take outfit photos!

This is quite a special post for me as I am featuring my first item that a company has very kindly sent to me to put on my blog. I got an email from Sarah from Tales From the Earth jewellery company a few weeks ago asking if I would be interested and after searching through their website, I jumped at the chance. They centre around small things meaning a big deal, they're handcrafted silver jewellery is beautifully quaint. My bracelet has an inscirption saying 'A life filled with adventure' which I think is just the cutest little phrase, having this little message on your wrist is just an inspiring and cute thing to have. I rarely wear silver and rarely shy away from my standard gold watch and ring but it was nice wearing something different for the day. Tales from the Earth will definitely be a company I will keep in mind when thinking about Christmas or birthdays from now on!

Jumper and Shoes - New Look

Jeans - Topshop

Jacket - Crafted by Republic

Bracelet -     Tales from the Earth *

Now Reading // When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman

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P.S. Add me on Snapchat 'ChristinaStorey' for my occasional random updates on life!

Blank Space

Blouse: Asos. Jacket and Skirt: New Look. Shoes: H&M. Socks: Forever21

TGIF! I am so so thankful it's Friday, the week seemed never-ending. I don't know why though as we just had a break from school but it already seem ages ago. I suppose the novelty of being Year 13 has worn off and it's just settling into the same old routine. It's also been the stress of people talking about Uni and their offers etc buuuuut, my UCAS has been sent off! I finally sent it off this afternoon, so the waiting game starts!

One thing this week that has been a positive is dancing, on Monday night I had my normal Contemporary and Jazz classes and I'm not sure why as it was not much different to usual, but I loved them! I couldn't really stop smiling, even when in the Jazz warm-up my legs were shaking and I was completely out of breath. Then yesterday between Ballet and Modern, I took my friends Emily and Becky to drive-through MacDonald's and we ended up in one of those giggly moods where everything was funny. Weeks like this remind me why I dedicate so much time to my childhood hobby; for the rush you get whilst dancing and for the people who are there who make it just so special.

This outfit is a flashback to half term and I cannot actually remember when/ where I wore it! I think it was from this vlog when I went shopping with my mum. I felt like a schoolgirl in my knee high socks, my actual school shoes and my blouse but I'm not going to lie in saying I quite liked it!

Hope your weekend is fab, I'm going to celebrate it this evening with pizza, because why not?

Now Playing// Literally haven't listened to any other music apart from Taylor Swift's 1989 since it came out - be expecting a lot of 1989 blog post title references!

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All Black

Top - New Look. Jeans - Topshop. Scarf - Zara.

All week I've been lazy and loving life. Waking up gone 10, meeting friends for coffee or dinner and watching Gilmore Girls until my heart's content, it's been bliss. In the back of my head I knew I had these blog photo's that I could edit and blog about but I was so caught up in doing nothing that I've only just decided to blog about them. Considering I'm only at home for an hour between shopping and going to the cinema in which I need to change my outfit, re-do my make-up and have dinner, it's not so smart of me, but hey-ho!

It's no secret to anyone that knows me how much I love black. I just cannot seem to steer away from it and this outfit is no exception. I have basically been living in these jeans the past week as they are so so comfy and I really love how they look in an outfit, I think the rips give them a bit of an edge but the high-waist gives them the flattering effect. This scarf is another staple of mine for winter, I saw it near the beginning of September in Zara and knew if I didn't get it then I would regret it. It's so big, so warm, and just so perfect. I like the fact it is still a tartan scarf but fits in with the main colour scheme of my wardrobe - Black and White. Right I better go and have dinner so I can meet some friends at the cinema, I hope if your on half term like I am your making the most of it!

Now Watching // Gilmore Girls!

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