11 ❁ November Favourites

So as another month has drawn to an end I thought I'd share with you guys my  favourite things for November. This list covers the the top few but if you want to see a short-list of all my likes, then head over to my Pintrest!

Nail Art
Just a little thing that you can be creative and have a bit of fun with minus the commitment of it being permanent.

Doctor Who
The 50th anniversary special on 23rd was fantastic! I started to loose interest at the end of last series but Moffat has really reeled it back in with a brilliant and griping story line. So excited for Doctor No 13, Peter Capaldi at Christmastime!

Adventure Time
I felt a little excluded from conversation when everyone was making reference to Adventure Time so I made it my mission to start watching it. It discreetly teaches kids valuable lessons which i think is what makes a successful programme and at 10 minutes an episode they are the perfect wind down in a revision break.

Fun Fact- In Scotland
the style of tartan varies
to represent what clan
you're from.

Tartan
If you saw my post earlier this month I got a new tartan dress. I can't help but fall in love with all things tartan this season. I've had this skirt in my wish list for months now and I'm slowly becoming more inclined to buying it. A little different from traditional tartan but it's black & white so will go with anything and it's got kid of a preppy style which I adore



Sailor Shirt
I have been looking for a sailor shirt FOREVER and oh.my.god. I finally found a website that sells them at an acceptable price and doesn't sell them one off (e.g. etsy was the only other option).




We Need Medicine
The Fratellis are my all time favourite band so naturally I downloaded their new album. It's a little different but it has some hint's from their Costello Music era in 'Halloween Blues' and 'Whisky Saga'. Either way I'm loving it!





Submarine
I've wanted to read this for ages but couldn't find it anywhere until I finally, after a fair bit of searching, bought a copy whilst shopping with my sister. I didn't realise until I started reading that it's completely different to the film but I'm enjoying reading it likewise. I love coming-of-age style stories with contemporary, real-life settings and Submarine gives just that.






Les Misérables
So I kinda missed out on the whole release of the movie but I watched it for the first time this month and oh my god what have I been missing out on! The songs may be about how awful peoples lives are but you can sing them  at the top of your lungs with passion,which is always puts a tick in my book. Also i'll be learning about the French Revolution next year in History so technically i'm just getting ahead of the Game. Fingers crossed we get a completely educational trip to see it in theatre ;)

Girlguiding
I've been offered the amazing opportunity to help out promoting Girlguiding at The Clothes Show Live this December. I've been a member of Girlguiding for years but it's only recently that I've come fully understand what it stands for and how empowering it is for girls. I feel so passionately about it, like I'm a part of something  much bigger and I'm willing to promote everything it represents with my heart and soul. I'm also going to have the chance to be a leader for a new guide unit in my region which I'm so excited for, I've got so many ideas to show the girls what they can experience and achieve.

So yeah these are what i've been loving this November. At some point I may makes lists of my favourite albums,books films ect but they'll be in another post on another day. Lastly all I have to say is... bring on CHRISTMASTIME!!!

❁Always Deanna❁

10 ❁ Thanksgiving

I saw this video by Carrie Hope Fletcher and I 100% agree with her. Thanksgiving should be a universal holiday as it sets aside time to step back and see how fortunate we are, especially for the little things that we take for granted.

And with that here are my top 10 things I am thankful for...

1. Thank you to my friends who have always been there through thick and thin.
2. Thank you to my bed for my bed for giving me comfort after tiring days.
3. Thank you to books for letting me experience a million different lives and adventures in the comfort of my home.
4. Thank you to Girlguiding for giving me a chance to be a part of something bigger.
5. Thank you to clothes for allowing me to express myself the best way I know.
6. Thanks you to my headphones for giving me a solitary connection with the music I love.
7. Thank you to the caterers who provide top notch food at school (waffles and Philadelphia/cranberry sandwiches <3 )
8. Thank you to Christmas for being a festive season of giving, love and joy that gives me something to be happy about in the freezing winter. 
9. Thank you to Disney for making me feel young in the daunting adult world.
10. Thank you to my mother who i bicker with endlessly, i love you even if I don't say it,and know you have good intentions and always want what's best for me.

❁ Always Deanna❁ 

#9 ❁ Vanity Sizing

Scrolling down my news feed on Facebook I came across a post from Business of Fashion which led me to THIS post mentioning a term I hadn't come across before...

'Vanity Sizing'

This is where over time clothing has remained the nominal size (eg,8,14,S,L) however it's physical size has increased over time.

This caught me thinking about when I bought this cardigan from the vintage section whilst thrift shopping...

It was labelled as a size 12 and being an 8 I, without second thought, bought the cardigan to wear oversized. Upon taking it home and trying the article on I was baffled as to why it had such a snug fit. Is vanity sizing the cause of my cosy cardigan conundrum?

This also brings up the point of Marilyn Monroe. Now don't get me wrong she was an amazing woman however she is often used to support the idea that plus size women* can still be successful in public careers. unknowing to supporters, the reality is size inflation**.

Bearing in mind also that clothing sizes differ from brand to brand it's interesting to see what each shop makes their standardized shape and measurement. It just goes to show that everyone has a different view of what is 'perfect' in this world.

I feel enlightened by finding out about Vanity Sizing, It makes the dilemma of having to try on clothes so much more understandable.

❁Always Deanna❁

*I hate using the term 'plus size' or even categorising women who are of a bigger size, there is no need to for this sort of segregation. Women are women and you can look and feel amazing no matter what shape,size, colour, creed you are! #amen #goodday

**Refer to * and think of all the successful women around today, Adele, Rebel Wilson and more!

#8 ❁ I see what you did there

So the other day I was scrolling through Tumblr (as i so often do) and I came across something that looked familiar...

Saint Laurent dress A/W 2013 collection

Now don't get the wrong impression of me, as much as I want to be able to, I can not afford designer brands. I have one designer item which I thrifted, but that's another story for another blog post! Anyway this dress is so familiar as a bought one practically identical to it from Primark a week prior.

Dress ~ Primark (£15)
Bracelet and Charms ~Thomas Sabo

I absolutely adore this cute little number. The contrasting white collar gives it a smart preppy feel, yet the black bow underneeth keeps it's girly feminine edge. I think the colours work really well for A/W but it's such a statement piece that I think it can pull it off all year round. I wore this beaut out to a family dinner and did some lovely tartan nail art to match.

Base ~ The Colour Workshop ~ Red
Stripes ~ Rimmel  London ~ 700 Block Your Green
& 85 London Clouds
Topcoat ~ Maybeline New York ~ 25 Crystal Clear

 The nails have stayed on all week so far and received many compliments so i think i'll try something similar again soon!

So yeah I think it's quite cool how a highstreet shop like Primark will see items in designer runway shows and replicate them to sell in mass to the high-street public.

❀ Always, Deanna ❀