*Deep breath* aaaaaand I’m back, guys. After a couple of weeks of being a nigh-catatonic wreck with a penchant for nothing but my duvet, I’ve emerged on a whim of motivation to get back in the game – I’ve missed you guys (I also miss waffling). So today, here is just a speedy little post to outline the recent splurge I went on in the Trafford Centre on Saturday. I’ve been feeling like a barrel of dump – a bit like someone literally emptied their insides on me and then whapped me around the chops with a mangy fish – so my boyfriend decided to ‘treat’ me to a couple pick me ups. By treat me, I mean – lend me the money until I’m no longer debating bin-raiding for my dinner choices. But it’s the thought that counts, right?

The trip revolved around taking back my ZARA houndstooth coat that I’d ordered online (featured in a recent post), which made me look a tad like I was auditioning for a slightly upmarket role of Oliver. So, after the disappointment of losing yet another houndstooth-y piece, I set out to ‘sniff’ out another – see what I did there? We ended up, unsurprisingly, raiding the racks of Topshop which, of late, or at least up until very recently, have bored me to near tears. However, I came across these little beauties (and I’ll be featuring them in an upcoming OOTD or two eventually – or at least, as soon as I stop resembling something hovering at death’s door):

• Dogtooth Printed Throw On Coat – £75 (cheeky £67.50 with student discount) 

Holy maracas: I am not a fan of that styling, Toppers. Anyway, I love this thing. Or, at least, I will love it until it finally throws me to the clutches of pneumonia due to its deceptively thin lining. This is grand as it’ll last me into the summery months – it’s just whether I’ll last with it. It’s soft, cosy, doesn’t make me look like a snowman/homeless person and what do you know – it’s in my favourite print (my tartan scarf is glaring at me). If you want something thin that you can layer underneath, I’d recommend this coat. If you like being warm and actually venturing outside for more than a lecture-dash, I probably wouldn’t.

• Petite Sequin Velvet Dress – was £68, now £35 (or a handy £31.50 with NUS)

I’d been eyeing up that Motel sequin number for yonks now – so when I spotted this Topshop version, I just had to at least give it a quick try on. Buying it in the Petite section – which isn’t too petite, allowed me to shave £5 off its usual price, but they only have size 10s left on the site now. It’s lovely, but the fabric is quite bulky, so be wary if you want something a little more streamlined.