Arndale Centre's Vlogger's Christmas Edit Live

Waking up at 7am on a Saturday morning is not ideal, but it was definitely worth it (especially to see how beautiful and Christmassy the Arndale looked!). I was invited to a special blogger's breakfast at the Manchester Arndale last weekend. It was an exclusive insight into the Vlogger's Christmas Edit Live event which was held at the centre on the 20th and 21st November. The event featured 8 vlogging superstars, showcasing their top 10 Christmas picks. Each vlogger had a category and we were able to watch the Jennie Jenkins from Beauty By JJ choose her top 10 party heels.

We had a lovely breakfast at EAT and were able to ask Jennie some questions about her blog and vlogging channel. It was great to get an insight into the vlogging world. I don't vlog, and don't think I would ever have the confidence to make one! But Jennie, with her half a million subscribers, is running her own channel as well as being a full time blogger. She was such a lovely person, but also a savvy business women and an inspiration to us part time bloggers. I would love to be able to have blogging as my day job!

We then had the chance to watch Jennie run through her top 10, and see the production side of vlogging. It's very technical let me tell you! It was a great event, and as always, lovely to see my fellow bloggers. Before we left we were given a voucher to spend in the centre and a fantastic goodie bag featuring some AHHHmazing NYX make up! I just want to say a massive thank you to Helen and Leanne for inviting me and organising a fab event.

To watch the vlogger vidoes click here :)

#YULEBELIEVE Christmas Party with ARK and Motel

The night's are getting darker, the leaves have fallen and it's finally cold! It may not be December just yet, but everything else is perfect for a Christmas Party. Last week, I was invited to the Ark #YULEBELIEVE Christmas event. The party itself was held at the ultra swanky Abel Heywood Boutique Hotel in the hip Northern Quarter. As usual with me, I had not been there before (I seriously need to get out more), but it's so lovely finding these great places that I would otherwise bypass. Only 20 bloggers were invited and I was fan girling when I knew who the other attendees would be. Most of them I follow on instagram and cyber stalk (so cool). We were greeted by the lovely Natalie and Jenn and copious amounts of prosecco. The room was an Aladdin's cave, decked out in glitter, unicorns and sparkly clothes. 

The event was showcasing the new range from Motel. A brand I know and love, especially from my student days, I used to get a new Motel dress for every night out! The brand is stocked on Ark, and I can fully recommend the range. Their Christmas pieces were stunning, what you expect from Motel, but I think better than before. As well as dresses covered in glitter, velvet and sequins, there was also a great selection of coats. My favourite was the faux suede aviator jacket of dreams. It's bang on trend and looks sooo expensive, I had to double check with the girls that it wasn't real leather and suede!

After some mingling and cooing over the clothes, we enjoyed some gorgeous food and more drinks. I was going to take a picture of the food, but once you tell a group of Northern girls that the buffet is ready, it was demolished within 10 minutes! Once the food was finished and mojitos were drunk (yes more amazing booze) we moved our way back into the party room. It's always so nice when there are only a small amount of bloggers. You really get a chance to meet new people and catch up with friends. I met some gorgeous girls, and it's always great to meet girls who have the same interests and passions as you. Whilst we were chatting, there was a tarot card lady doing readings. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, although I was pretty nervous, but did go for a reading and it was really fun! It was great to have such a different form of entertainment, not many people had had their cards read before, so it was fab to do something new.

At the end of the evening we all were given our secret santa gift. We each had to chose something from the motel range for a fellow blogger, and we had already emailed our choices to the girls before the event. I was quite nervous to see if my blogger liked her dress, I think she did (although it's still staying a secret!). I got this beautiful black sequin number from one of my fave bloggers, Samio. She was so happy that I loved her choice that she did tell me it was her who chose it. So a big thank you to her! It's something I probably wouldn't have chosen for myself, but I love it! I tried it on as soon as I got home, and it is just going to be perfect for the festive sesason. I am in love with the sleeves, they are so flattering and very on trend.

A massive thank you to the Ark girls, Natalie and Jenn, for another fantastic event and amazing goodie bag. I felt well and truly spoilt and very lucky to have been invited. 

THERE IS CURRENTLY 30% OFF EVERYTHING AT ARK!

Scotts Teenage Cancer Trust Gig

 Last Saturday I was invited to a gig held at Hotel Football (Manchester United Fans will have heard of this!). The gig was sponsored by Scotts clothing and Liam Gallagher's band Pretty Green and was in aid of the fantastic charity, The Teenage Cancer Trust. 

The hotel itself is super swanky and bang opposite Old Trafford, perfect for Manchester United fans, and also a nice change to attending events in the City centre. This was also the first event that I could bring the hubsta too! He normally just takes my street style pictures and gets the odd freebie, but it was lovely to have him tag along with me. The gig was held in the nightclub-esque basement, where we were greeted with prosecco and beer (for Mus). We donated our £5 each (all proceeds went to The Teenage Cancer Trust) and were given our exclusive wrist bands and made our way to find the gorgeous Gail from The Equinox Fashion and her boyfriend. 

The gig featured two fantastic DJs, Peter Hook and Peter Hooton as well as the fantastic band Palma Violets. The gig had such a fantastic atmosphere and the music was great. It was a great way to spend our Saturday night, having fun and raising money for a great cause; 

"Around seven young people aged between 13 and 24 are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK. They need expert treatment and support from the moment they hear the word ‘cancer.’ We’re the only charity dedicated to making this happen" - Teenage Cancer Trust

Having a young person I know diagnosed with the horrible disease, it is great to know that there is specialised care for young people. 

A massive thanks to Bryony for inviting us both and to everyone who contributed to the successful event.

Collaboration With Blue Vanilla

 Over the past 6 months, my style has been evolving. If I'm totally honest, it's probably been evolving ever since I started Fashion Panic last year. Having to write about my style and why I have chosen certain looks has really helped me to understand my shopping habits. When I started my blog, I literally bought whatever I wanted, whatever style, whatever colour, whatever price. This may sound like a great way of shopping...it's not. I had a wardrobe full of things I never wore, colours that didn't suit me and pieces that did not mix and match. Well, let me tell you; I've had a wardrobe revelation. I went through and threw out/donated to chartity/ebayed everything that I hadn't wore in a year. The result was a massive pile of bright colours, patterns and pieces that were no longer 'on trend'. I realised, that although I agree with the phrase "forget the rules; if you like it wear it", I had taken that too literally and not thought about when I would wear it, or if it would go with anything else I wore. This brings me on to my latest collaboration with Blue Vanilla. I've been gravitating to simple, classic pieces in a neutral colour palette. This may sound a bit, well, boring. Trust me it's anything but. I now have a wardrobe where I can wear everything in it, mix and match pieces and have clothes that will last more than one season. The Trinity Grey Coat caught my eye immediatley. I needed a coat I could throw over anything, be it smart or casual. This is the perfect addition to my new, streamlined wardrobe.

You may have heard of Blue Vanilla. They have concessions in New Look and House Of Fraser, as well as a fantastic online store. I was so excited when they asked my to choose anything I wanted from their collection. I reminded myself of my new mantra "make sure it goes with everything, make sure you will wear it!". Then I spotted this absolutely perfect grey, boyfriend coat. It's over sized and slouchy, making it perfect for throwing on over all outfits. It's super soft and looks much more expensive that the £50 price tag (students get 15% off at the moment!). 

Sticking with my new rules, I teamed the coat with my fave pair of cropped flared jeans and very simple cream jumper. I felt really comfortable, but stylish. I can mix and match everything that I am wearing here, and let me tell you, it's saving me a FORTUNE! I feel like I've finally found my style, OK so it's taken me a while (I turned 27 yesterday) but I have confidence when shopping, and I now always have something to wear!

I hope you like this new look, I would love to hear your thoughts. I've over at @fashion_panic on instagram, so say hello!

See you soon,

Lauren

Coat: Blue Vanilla // Jeans: Asos (similar) // Jumper: Everything5Pounds 

Trainers: Primark (similar) Bag: Catwalk Killa

Collaboration with Naai Antwerp

This week, I have collaborated with a fantastic new brand. When the lovely Jo, from Naai Anwterp emailed me to ask if I would collaborate, I jumped at the chance as soon as I had seen her beautiful pieces. Naai Antwerp is leading the way in ethical fashion. For every piece of their clothing that is sold, they donate a book to a child in need. Along with ensuring the next generation is educated, they also use ethical factories in Europe. I was sent the beautiful Magda shirt (which is now in the sale!). It's a perfect twist to the classic white shirt, with beautiful pleated detail.

My shirt arrived in a stunning box with a lovely note from Jo. I didn't want to open it and ruin the beautiful wrapping paper! As soon as I tried on the shirt, I could feel the quality. It's 100% cotton, and you really can tell the difference. It fitted like a glove. The pleats perfectly highlight the waist, and the structure of the shirt is so feminine, it doesn't feel like a plain white shirt at all.

I teamed the shirt with my absolute faves (you'll see them a lot over the next few posts!) cropped wide leg jeans from asos. They just update any look. I can put them with a simple white tee and it immediately looks on trend. I finished the look with my stapes, M&S mules and Primark clutch for more of an evening feel. 

A massive thank you to Jo, I can't wait to see what else is in store!

Lauren x

Shirt: Naai Antwerp // Jeans: Asos (similar) // Mules: M&S (similar) 

Clutch: Primark (similar)

Shearling Jackets

Love it or hate it, it’s that time of year again. The nights are drawing in, jumpers are out, and it’s time to buy your winter coat. I personally love coat weather! It’s the perfect excuse to eat comfort food and layer up clothing like there’s no tomorrow. This season, the popular seventies look is still very much on trend and this means that textures, faux fur and an earthy palette are all essential for the perfect Autumn look. 

AW15 is the comeback season for the humble shearling jacket. I happen to have had one since 2012, when they were all the rage for the androgynous, over sized trend. I just couldn’t bear to part with it as it’s the comfiest jacket that I have ever owned. My hoarder tendencies have paid off, and now my little shearling coat is back in the lime light and they are everywhere! 

From Burberry Prorsum to Balenciaga, shearling was all over the AW15 catwalks in February. Since then, the fashion bloggers have gone crazy for the cosy coat, and street style is overloaded with all colours, styles and shapes. 

I do love that every once in a while, the fashion world embraces comfort and necessity (yes, trainers, I’m talking about you!). You can’t get a more suitable coat for the UK. I genuinely wear my shearling jacket on a regular basis. It’s not just because it’s ‘on trend’, it’s because it’s warm. 

Coats can be expensive, but they are all a great staple and can instantly update your look. As I’ve learnt, they can also be an investment piece that can last season upon season. There is a massive selection on the high street right now. The key is finding the right one to suit your style. There are some beautiful affordable choices, or you could chose to make a real investment and buy a real suede version.

It’s not just about the classic camel colours. This season there are shearlings for every style. I love particularly love the black variation, giving it a bit more of an edgy feel. Burberry Prorsum showcased beautiful rich plum jackets, and navy has also been a big hit with the bloggers. 

The length of the jacket is also key to finding one that is just right. The biker jacket shearling is a great option for Autumn, as it’s not full on winter mode, but great for throwing on over skinny jeans or perfect for transitioning your summer dresses into AW perfection.  The over sized, knee length is perfect for when you don’t have time to plan your outfit, just throw it on and it will cover everything underneath (amazing).

I’ve chosen six of my favourite high street buys, ranging in price, but all looking great and will give you an outfit to rival the street style queens.

Zara // Asos // Topshop // Mango // Miss Guided // Asos