Disturbia

I've recently started a second blog called Old Habits & Lost Baggage about my journey to sobriety, but since that's not very fun I figured I'd post here again too. Because buying clothes is much more fun 😅

I recently made my first ever order with Disturbia as I fell in love with these ridiculous shorts.

Beetle Shorts - model wears size 8

I always have a hard time with sizing online as it's so inconsistent, even within brands a lot of the time. My estimated measurements had me between a 10 & 12, so I initially ordered the 12. They were pretty baggy, I was surprised! 12 is often a bit tight on me these days. The waist wasn't too bad but the butt and thighs had far too much fabric for me.

Size 12

They also had the back patch sewn upside down somehow, so really hoping they'll be kind enough to refund my postage since they're technically faulty as I'd have had to return them anyway even if they had fit.

So I returned them and risked the 10, which fit perfectly! The shorts are a little thinner than I'd like, but not sheer and they're pretty eye-catching.

Size 10

I wear a lot of black & white (mostly black), so they're a good way of spicing up what would otherwise be a plain & boring outfit.

I'm not sure I would order from them again, but would depend on if I found anything else I really liked. £33 + postage seems a little steep to me for 'normal' clothing, though return postage is covered at least. Now to hope for some nice weather to get some wear out of them!

BMC: Mixed Bag

A long absence means a long list of new purchases! That said, I've been making fewer and fewer purchases since the cost of items is way too high right now, and the pieces coming out are much less to my tastes recently. But still enough new pieces for quite a large catch-up post, all the same!


While I was tempted by a few pieces, my only purchase from the Marvel collection was, rather predictably, the Spider-Man vs Venom IOD. It's much more flattering in person that I thought it would be, although I'm not sure when I will ever get around to wearing it as I'm not a Spiderman fan all that much, although I do like Marvel more generally!


Scorched was one release I had intended to skip, but since Sophie gave me a voucher as part of my Christmas present, I caved in! I'm not a fan of the new swim cut of The Strapped-Up Teal Bodysuit as the legs are very high. I also probably shouldn't have sized down since I've gained weight, and it was unexpectedly double-layered fabric which inhibits the stretch (awesome fabric is usually quite big!). I do love the colour, although it is yet another new shade of blue and doesn't go with either the sky blue or the jade pieces from past releases.

The Rogue Ninja was something I had really hoped for ever since the wool version came out a while back, but I probably should have sized down as the sheer panels look a bit off. I will always love how soft the fabric is, though.


After skipping a few more releases, Intergalactic Reloaded tempted me back with rereleases of some galaxy blue gym pieces that I missed previously - Galaxy Blue Racer Crop, Reppin' It White Muscle Top, & Galaxy Blue Ninja Spikes. I haven't figured out how to tie the white top up like in the stock pics, but hoping I can do it eventually haha! They're all a little tight at the moment, but that ought to change if and when I actually wear them...


I also added the Velvet Pinafore Pocket Dress from the Finders Keepers to my second gym order. I'm disappointed that the straps are buttoned on the back so that the excess fabric shows as I am used to lolita straps which have hidden attachments, but it's still a super cute dress and it has pockets!!

The tights (Sporty Stripes Powder Blue Hosiery & Sporty Stripes Lilac Hosiery) were from the later Dreamweaver release. I definitely prefer the blue ones, but they're both so cute and allow me to wear my girlier pastel pieces in a more tomboy way, which makes me feel more comfortable! Sadly my thighs escape between the stipes at the moment, but hoping to rectify that =P


Also from Dreamweaver was the Galaxy Emerald vs Forest Orbs IOD, which was needed for my collection. I had bought it for the forest side, but I actually prefer the galaxy side on me! I'd been put off by how green it was, but it works.


I also made a few purchases from a Facebook seller - the Arabella Wine Dress from the old Battle of the Kings release that I've been coveting for ages, and Sheer Straps 2.0 Leggings. The leggings have a sewn up rip in the left knee, but thankfully my tattoo makes it harder to notice! However for some reason one of the thigh has two lines of stitching but the other doesn't which must be a manufacturing error which sadly I can't do anything about. Can't complain, though!

And that's that all tied up! I just picked up a new package today, so hopefully I can get that up soon too. No idea when my next order will be, I'm hoping not for a while as I'm still trying to build my bank balance back up after buying my new iPhone haha!

Yet another catch-up

Long time no see, huh? I always say that I want to start writing more, but then I never do!

I finally got a replacement phone at the end of February, had to pay for it completely out of pocket as insurance people were useless. But means I have a camera again, and one less excuse for not posting anything...

I've barely been going out this year, I've just been staying in & feeling crappy. As a result I've gained a bunch of weight, which makes me feel even more crappy and wanting to go out even less. I feel just so uncomfortable in my skin right now, but whenever I try to do anything about it either something gets in the way or I just start feeling down and lose all motivation.

Not much point to this post really, just trying to make myself start doing something. Like, anything! I'm thinking I might start blogging more regularly again, and maybe I can do it while making myself use the cross-trainer. But in all likelihood, you won't hear from me much still...

Gig Catch-Up

Oh man why do I even bother trying to blog when I forget to post everything? Haha. So a select few photos from gigs since November. Apparently I had good luck and got to the front for all three!


Jimmy Eat World back on November 19th in O2 Academy Bristol was a bit of a last minute one as it sold out the day tickets were released and I only confirmed that I had entry on the day of the show! The girl I bought my ticket from turned out to be really nice, and she even dragged my right to the front and centre so we had the best view possible even though we arrived late!


Skipping forward to 6th December at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, we have Biffy Clyro.


I was a bit too close to get photos of the whole stage, but got some nice shots anyway! I wish they'd played more old songs, but at least they played Justboy (I think I cried a bit when they started playing it haha).


And lastly, Yellowcard, on December 11th at Bristol O2. Although I don't know their stuff very well, and have seen them twice before, this was my first time seeing them in a smaller venue...I couldn't even see the stage the other times! I'm glad I went along since it was their last tour and therefore the last chance to see them live.

The end of this year has been a busy one for gigs! And travelling too, I guess. Also went to Worcester to visit Sophie earlier this week, but I failed at getting photos so I can't really blog about it...epic fail!

BMC: The Devil Wears Nylon & Harry Potter

Halloween is always the big release for me as I just love Halloween themes! This year's offering was called The Devil Wears Nylon and while my wishlist wasn't so long as usual, it was only because the prices are so ridiculous that lots of things pruned themselves! But I still ended up with a sizeable haul.

Some of it took a long time to get me and then I was delayed in taking photos thanks to my tattoo, so apologies for this post coming so long after Halloween itself! And apologies for the poor quality of the photos as my phone got stolen so I'm using a super old one.


You know the drill by now, IOD always comes first! Invocation vs Haunted Graveyard Inside Out Dress allows me to get my hands on the Invocation print I missed out on when it was on a midi, although it doesn't look so nice on this shiny fabric. As for the other side, it looked a lot more blue in the site photos, but I prefer it more grey! It is a little similar to Haunted House which was on a previous IOD though.


Since I've been collecting the ouija pieces, the Ouija Board Black Boss Shirt and Ouija Board White BF Bomber were must haves! I'm still not convinced by BF sizing though, and the sizing of the boss shirt was a risk too and it does fit badly (bunches up so badly and gapes if I move my arms even slightly). Death By Disco PVC Skater Skirt is one I didn't intend to get but I got it to bulk up my third order since I loved this print the first time around! Need to make myself start wearing PVC, but it's just not very wearable, huh?


Trick or Treat Business Time Shirt was another risk in terms of sizing as it's a completely new cut, and I haven't tried anything like the Trick or Treat Pumpkin Cuffed Shorts before either. I maybe could have sized down for the shorts as I must be between sizes for them. I don't like the shirt when it's down as it's unflattering, but tied up like this is super cute!


Last but not least, the Voodoo Galaxy Scoop Skater Dress (you can tell this was my iPhone 6, huh?). I was so gutted I missed this print when it was on a boss shirt previously. By the time this was released I'd cooled off the print a bit, and the pastel bits are pixellated and cheap looking compared to the amazing quality of the galaxy background, but I do like it overall as the themes are very me.

I did have to change around my orders a bit, but I missed out on the Gone Batty Yoke Midi Skirt and decided that the Gone Batty Tee Dress would just be too long on me. I kinda wish I'd got the tee now though as I love that print! Two big wants I ruled out on the basis of price are the Voodoo Magic Harness Maxi Dress (so expensive it's over the upper customs limit, so there's no way I could ever have justified it) and The Choker Bralette that I now regret not buying. My only other want from the collection (other than the other PVC items which I really wouldn't wear!) is the Route 66 Skater Skirt, but it isn't limited (a rare occurrence!).


Not Halloween, but I also got the Great Lake vs Great Hall Inside Out Dress from the Halls of Hogwarts collection, and it arrived before 2 of my Halloween orders and blessedly without customs for once! I skipped the Ravenclaw Scoop Skater Dress as I think all those stripes that don't match up are ugly...they should have been designed like school or quidditch robes, damnit!

The release after those was the Marvel New York one, so I guess BM are really into the licenses right now. I guess Christmas must be around the corner, though!

Halloween

I somehow managed to skip writing about a lot of gigs (I've been to so many recently...and I don't think I wrote about Reading festival either?) but Halloween really can't be ignored.


I don't usually do anything for Halloween and hadn't planned to this year either, but then Bring Me The Horizon announced another London O2 Arena date. This wouldn't be particularly interesting...except Enter Shikari were to support as special guests. Um, yes please!


I missed part of Basement as they were on at 1830, which is when my lying ticket said doors were. I had been loitering around outside and checking out the merch tables! I only recognised one song, but they seem a pretty decent band and I would see them again at a festival, probably.


Next was Don Broco, who I have seen twice before. They were all dressed up as cowboys (like in their creepy music video) and put on the best show I've seen them do. They seem an odd choice of support being very poppy, but not complaining as they are a bit of a guilty pleasure!


Then the relief of not having to wait until next year to see Enter Shikari again! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous of people with standing tickets as I'd have been able to get to the front with ease and couldn't see well from my seat at the back of the venue, but then again I easily had one of the best seats in the house and I finally got the chance to appreciate the stage set-up and lighting which is easily missed when you're at the front.


The set was 11 songs long, featuring 4 tracks from The Mindsweep, 3 from older albums, and 4 non-album singles including brand new Hoodwinker. Only thing I'd have wanted different from the set would be for it to be longer - can't fault the song choice at all, even if it wasn't all that different from their February tour set.


Now Bring Me The Horizon are definitely a guilty pleasure for me. I don't like their older stuff at all but do like the 2 newer, more mainstream albums. I have to say they completely blew me away this time! I've always enjoyed seeing them before, but the stage set up, lighting, and all that jazz were superb. They definitely deserve their arena tour, and I hope they do Cardiff on their next run!

The next day after a swift hangover recovery (sitting at Marble Arch with a book and a can of Monster for an hour until I felt human), I went for a half-hearted shopping trip along Oxford Street. I had intended to do my usual an have a nice long read at Jubilee Gardens at the other end, but I was so exhausted that I decided to rush back for one of the last super off-peak trains rather than giving myself another 5 hours to kill.


I didn't end up buying much at all this time! Though I stupidly forgot to go in the toy store and was too fed up of how crowded it was (and by google maps getting me lost) by the time I got to Forbidden Planet. BMTH shirt from the gig, necklace from Primark, the others from H&M (I'd be lying if I said my main motivation for buying that shirt was anything other than that it looked like something Rory C would wear). Err I was too lazy to take a photo sooo maybe I'll add it at some point later. I just realised I'd never post this if I didn't just do it before I forgot entirely haha.

BMC: State of the Art

Finally caught up! State of the Art as a collection did exactly what it says on the tin, really. There were a lot of gorgeous prints, but sadly literally everything was on cuts that don't work on me, so I kept it small (the exchange rate and BM's steadily increasing prices didn't help either).


My first order just had to be this - the Times of the Day Pocket Midi Dress. Mucha's art is so pretty, and while I was put off by the length, the release was midnight after my gran's birthday and I just KNOW she'd have loved this one. So I had to! And pockets are always a winner.


Unfortunately that means I missed my usual size in the Almond Blossom vs Starry Night Cap Sleeve Inside Out Dress. I was really worried about my shoulders fitting into the smaller size, and I must say I can't really lift my arms as it's tight across the back and the arms. However there's less wrinkling in the middle so I guess I should have been getting XS IODs all along, and I'm definitely glad I couldn't get S for this one as it's already so low cut! I'm not a fan of this cut at all! But I do like this side a lot more in person. The side pictured below I'm less of a fan of since the print makes it look like it's stained oddly when it's just paint texture haha.


I do regret passing up on the Winterscape Pocket Midi Skirt as it's stunning and perfect for Winter, but I just don't trust myself with white (especially since I live in the muddy countryside and it rains a lot here!). However I may be tempted by it again if it crops up in a future museum sale.

Halloween release will be the next to arrive, and I really can't wait as it was such a good release. And Halloween is always the best!