#boohoohaul

I have always window shopped online. I've spent hours in front of a screen dreaming of the clothes that could be hanging up in my already full (albeit, single) university wardrobe, but I've never had the courage to actually click 'Buy'. Last week I changed. I jumped and then fell, hard. 

It's still cold here in New Zealand, and unlike many of my friends it seems, I cannot get excited about it. I have always openly associated winter with frumpy; trackpants and scarves being my uniform from June through to September. 

However, I found myself sitting on boohoo a few weeks ago, and instantly fell in love with so many of their clothes. So, with a newfound excitement about winter fashion (and of course, a bit more disposable income than last year), I did it. I clicked 'Buy' and fell face first into an obssession with their site. 

I bought three dresses. I know what you're thinking though: "Dresses are hardly a winter item" and that is where I would argue! I was determined to make dresses work and make winter far more exciting. 

It took a bit over a week (12 days) for my items to arrive from Dublin to my halls of residence in the middle of the Waikato. For free shipping and being transported halfway across the world, I was pretty pleased with. (Though, at the 11 day mark, I was itching to try everything on!)

Walking through the fog, into the office and seeing a big union jack printed package sitting there with my name on it instantly made my day a billion times better! I was totally satisfied with the packaging of my new items, everything was individually wrapped and folded nicely. Like Christmas all over again! 

Lorraine Animal Collar Shift Dress

If you know me, you know that anything with a collar is going to draw my attention, and with the sale price as it was, I had to give this one a go. The photo of the model wearing this dress does not do it justice at all! 

The Lorraine dress is sticks to its description of a shifty dress and fits true to size. The material was thicker than I originally thought it would be, and is a gorgeous quality with a bit of stretch in it. The dress washed well too; even in a uni laundry! The material didn't shrink and the colours did not fade. 

The dress gives off a grungy, yet girly sort of vibe and so when I wore this for the first time, I styled it with my Cotton On cut-out boots, white frilly socks peeking out over the top and a sneaky pair of nude stockings to keep my legs warm. However, what would totally complete the grunge look, is a pu biker jacket over the top; my next purchase for sure.

I would totally recommend this to anyone looking for a simple statement dress. The monochromatic colours mean that this dress is easily paired with anything in your wardrobe; black blazers for work, dainty chain necklace and black heels for a special occasion and even on its own with a pair of strappy white sandals. The choices are endless. It's almost silly not to have something so simple and easy to work with in your wardrobe. 

Debi High Neck T-Shirt Dress

This was the one item in my mini-haul that I was not completely sold on. I had heard that turtlenecks were making a comeback, but I am a true pear-shaped girl and I was unsure how flattering this would be on my figure. Boy, was a fool to ever be afraid about this little number. 

This is possibly the best winter basic that I have ever owned. Upon feeling the material of the dress I was surprised by how soft it was. This jersey material is of such high calibre. Again, this dress was true to its size and description: do not be fooled by the struggle of putting the turtleneck over your head! Once it's on, you'll discover that the dress fits in all the right places, hugging the arms and bust just enough for it to be extremely flattering, but not so much that you feel suffocated. The rest of the dress falls over the stomach and hips perfectly like your normal t-shirt shifty dress would. 

The turtleneck is pretty statement in itself, so I wear the dress with some plain ankle boots, a heavy coat in the winter and (perhaps if I'm feeling brave enough on the day) a bowler hat to add some effortless chic to the outfit. 

Genna Contrast Collar Shirt Swing Dress

This one was a little bit more expensive at the time I bought it, but I had recently fallen in love with the colour navy against my skin tone (and it had a collar) so without much thought I added it to my cart. I do not have the words to adequately explain my love for this piece and I'm sure my residents are sick of seeing me wear it already! 

Again, the shifty shape of this dress was extremely flattering on my pear-shaped frame; it glides over my hips and the contrasting collar draws attention to my top half. The material definitely surprised my upon opening (mainly due to my hasty purchase), but definitely in a good way! From the picture, I woud have said it was a thick cotton, but it turned out to be a beautiful crepe material. The only criticism I have about it would be that it has the tendency to be a bit static-y after washing. Rubbing a metal clothes hanger seems to do the trick for me on occasions like this though. The metal of the hanger discharges the electricity of the static and it works best just before you put the dress on. So simple, yet so effective. 

I like to wear this dress with my hand-knitted cream cable beanie and some strappy cream sandals if the weather calls for it, for a casual and effortless wintery look. 

In non-fashion talk, I hope you enjoyed my first published review; I've been putting this off for a little bit, but decided to jump, much like the title of this review. If not now then when, right? 

My first online shopping experience has fueled an addiction I think! Now that summer is approaching and the university year is ending, I'm hoping to to show you guys my first real Summer '14-'15 Lookbook with some more online purchases and some New Zealand high street pieces. I'm hoping to turn this blog into less reblogging and a bit more contributing. 

I have a beautybliss.co.nz review lined up with my first HUGE makeup haul, so if you'd like to see that, leave a comment below or give this post a sneaky like. 

Thanks for being such an amazing community of followers, I'm so nervous and excited to be presenting this new side of my blog. I cannot wait to see where it takes me!