And I'm Lost Again, It's Keep Happening

Jessie Ware "Running" (Disclosure Remix)

Sometimes the best place to shop is our own wardrobes, my friends even treat it a bit like one, but I don't mind, I can't wear it all at once! We often buy items of clothing, wear it, (hopefully), and then stuff it to the end of the rail to be forgotten. Every once in a while it's a good idea to rifle through and pull out something you haven't worn in a while, try it on, and think about how you have worn it, and get inspired by new ways to wear it again and again. 

My inspiration came in the form of this image from Paris Fashion Week, on Vanessa Jackman's blog

She's Russian, her name is Ulyana, and she has made me want to wear a denim shirt all over again! I'm not even completely put off by the double denim combo...it was the addition of the statement necklace under the buttoned up collar that did it for me. In any other situation this much denim would scream casual, but she has somehow upped its credibility and made it work. (The fact that she is Russian, attending Paris Fashion Week, probably loaded and looks absolutely immaculate has nothing to do with why this look works...!) Ulyana is not alone in her fashion choice, once I started to think about it, I realised everyone is at it:

Images courtesy of Grazia UK, Elle UK and Gem Fatale's Blog

Incase you missed it earlier, I am of course talking about the denim shirt. I'm sure they became a 'wardrobe staple' a couple of years ago when you couldn't escape them; the high street was awash with them, this means I can also almost guarantee that most of you reading this have one too. So I dragged mine out of the depths of my wardrobe, and gave it a whirl. How will I be wearing mine? Well as the recently glut of hot weather is set to depart us this weekend, I am thinking about wearing mine as a dress (It is a longer length shirt), a statement necklace like my style-spiration Ulyana, oversized clutch and a slick of red lipstick with killer heels to boot.

Have you had a rethink about a previously worn item in your wardrobe and fell in love all over again? I urge you all to delve into the depths of beyond, mere mortals may refer to this as a wardrobe and see what gems you can find lurking at the end of the rail...

KDx

So one, two, three, take my hand and come with me

Jet "So are you gonna be my girl"

I'm not sure when 'Wedding Season' starts, or what that even means, but I attended my first wedding of the year over the weekend; my Gramps got remarried and the weather was just perfect for it! The venue was a lovely big ol' house in the town along from where I live, a place called 'Grafton Manor'. 

The venue was as impressive on the inside as the outside. It was an intimate wedding, just very close friends and family, and despite it's size, it managed to retain this feeling. A few pictures of inside:

I love the little touches at weddings, they really make it, I took the name card home with me too. The cake was a 3 tiered cake, the bottom layer was fruit cake (the devil's food), the second layer was chocolate and the top lemon. I tried the top two layers and they were yummy!

Wedding dressing is notoriously difficult, especially for women. If you are at the wedding and the reception, your outfit needs to function well for both purposes, not too flashy for the day, but not too plain for the evening. Then there is the weather to contend with, on this instance I was lucky to have the sun on my side, and so the dilemma of whether or not to wear a jacket and/or tights was eliminated. This is what I opted for:

Warehouse Dress via ebay, carboot sale belt, Topshop gold shoes, Miss Selfridge earrings, belt (worn as a headband) off a dress that is now long gone

This wasn't what I had intended to wear, but being the shopper I am, I hate to admit I always have something to wear, the question lies more-so with whether or not I want to wear it. I am very fortunate in the fact that I am a heel wearer, I cope well with heels, and despite my height I'm not put off vertiginous heels-I love them! The higher the better personally. But apart being comfortable there are a number of things you can consider in order to ensure a successful wedding outfit, a few things on my wedding outfit checklitst would be:

• Heels aren't for everyone. Yes we all envy those that have the ability to wear higher heels for longer (Yes, even with the ability to wear 5 inches I too envy those that don't require the platform for longevity) If you can't walk in them, don't wear them. Simple. It's going to be a long day and night, and a lot of that time can be spent stood standing, so find a height you feel comfortable in, and stick to it. Weddings are not the best time to air your new shoes. If you haven't worn them before you don't know how comfy or uncomfortable they might turn out to be. If you insist on buying new shoes, wear them in. It's amazing how good you will feel wearing your new high heels to do menial tasks, and you're wearing them in-double bonus!

• Layers. When the weather is as unpredictable as we know it can be in England, light layers are a great way to look stylish and keep off the chill. Just because you are at a wedding, you do not have to throw on a pashmina. I think it says 'woman of a certain age', which is no problem for women of that age, but unless that is you, put the pashmina away. Throws and shawls are one in the same, just different names-you can't fool me!

• Pattern is your friend. As a general rule, if you are a bit clumsy a patterned dress will be the best option for you as it will disguise marks and spillages. The same applies if you are a mother or you are likely to be around children, a busy floral pattern will disguise mucky finger marks.

• Fabric. Think about how much sitting and standing you will be doing, a dress made of silk will crease. So as lovely as it will look when you arrive, once you've stood and sat a few dozen times, the dress won't look so sharp. Pleats are a good choice, and still on trend.

If you do happen to be going to a wedding and are stuck for some inspiration, my go-to shops are Warehouse, Oasis and French Connection, they have a great selection of occasion dresses and come in at reasonable prices. They also sell very wearable dresses, so if you choose well you should be able to change your accessories to get more than one wear out of it.

Have you got any tips for dressing for a wedding, or special occasion? I am sure with each wedding I learn something new!

KDx

Don't even recognise myself, Just tell me what the deal is

B-Trait ft. Elisabeth Troy "Fever"


Quick outfit post from the weekends shenanigans, first up Friday night:

New Look white racer back vest and black patent heels, H&M black lace bra (just seen), River Island skirt via ebay, leopard print belt and feather earrings also River Island

Saturday night's outfit saw me go a little bit more glam for the second round of drinks and dancing:

Topshop grey jersey strapless dress via ebay, New Look patent heels as before, Miss Selfridge silver cuff and black feather earrings

There is something ever-so fulfilling about getting all dressed up and going out for drinks and dancing once the weekend comes around, in my eyes it's what they were made for. Sadly the after effects of 3 weekends of 'doing the double' have left my poor little bod in a state of dilapidation, and I am currently suffering what I have entitled 'Party Fatigue'. I am battling through the motions, cruising from headachey to flu like, passing by coughing fits to my current position of sneezy sexiness. In the words of DJ Fresh/Rita Ora "Hot Right Now". Urgh. Still no rest for the wicked, pole dancing awaits me this evening...

Can someone please pass me a tissue?!

KDx

Fools. Know. Bright. Eyes.

SBTRKT ft. Roses Gabor "Pharaohs"


I've got a lot of time on my hands... no really...

Blues and Greens l-r: Barry M 209 'Spring Green', Boots No.17 'Mint Choc Chip', Topshop 104 'Green Room',  Barry M 304 'Mint Green', and 294 'Cyan Blue'.

Pinks and Reds l-r: Collection 2000 Hot Rocks Collection 34 'Hoola Hoop', and 43 'Fruit Salad', Nails Inc 'Tate', and Barry M 309 'Strawberry Ice Cream'. 

When I find myself at a loose end, and in need of a little pick me up, I paint my nails. I am literally wearing my spare time on my hands. I can happily spend a few hours getting them to look perfect, it also means I am reluctant to let anyone else paint them as I am so particular. In this instance I couldn't decide what colour to go for, namely because I didn't know what outfit I would be wearing tonight; my nails have to coordinate just enough or clash but never match, so when in doubt go for 10! Excessive?

I was inspired by this picture I saw over on Geneva's 'A Pair And A Spare', but I cannot remember where I saw it previously, I guess that's the problem when you indulge your eyes with endless pics of Fashion Week. 

Picture Grazia IT via A pair and a spare

It's needless to say that painting my nails on a Thursday night has become a bit of a weekly ritual, I am incessant on painting my nails and letting them set properly over night. I don't know when else I would be able to sit still for long enough not doing anything, I think myself out of watching films for gods sake as I can't commit to that long a silence! So this makes perfect sense.

Other recent nail looks have also included:

The almost  perfect green, but not quite right shades from Topshop, 'Gone Fishing' and 'Green Room' as above.

The lilac love in extends from clothes to my nails. A Purple manicure, Barry M 308 'Berry Ice Cream' and Nails Inc 'Belgrave Place' tips.

It's not just my fingers that get the nail treatment, I always paint my toe nails. I don't care if no one else will see them, I will, and that's one person too many that would be seeing my otherwise naked nail.

My look of the moment is:

Base colour and leopard spots Barry M 308 Berry 'Ice Cream', as above and Boots No. 17 'Sherbet Lemon'. The glitter on my third toes comes courtesy of Y.C.C Nail Enamel's 103.

I had been really impressed by Gem Fatale's leopard nail tutorial, which you can find here, but the idea of using liquid eyeliner seemed a bit defunct to me, as I couldn't get a top coat on quick enough afterwards without smudging my eyeliner handiwork. Step in the 'Sharpie Fine Point Marker' 

Ta Dah! 

My leoparding kit!

Super Sharpie saved the day! You have more control over the 'leoparding' so if you follow Gem's tutorial, just switch the eyeliner for a marker. I'm yet to try any other colour of marker, but can't see why it wouldn't work... when I test it out I will be sure to let you all know. Don't restrict yourself to just leopard though, zebra stripes would be easy to create with this pen, and it dries in double quick time.

What coloured nails are you all rocking this season? Are you influenced by nail 'trends'?

KDx

Hi-fi boom box, Pretty girl in bobby socks

The Black Keys "Go Getter"

Fashion is confusing. FACT.

Sometimes I’ll read a ‘trend report’ on what is supposedly in and/or out this week/month/year not to mention this season/pre-season/cruise collection (for those of you that I have lost, please revert back to the operative word in the opening being confusing and those that I've still got, stick with me!) And I think to myself, how can ‘Skirts have clout but trousers are OUT’ or whatever item of clothing the trend pushers are pedaling. I don’t think it should be taken to literally. It isn’t a statement to say that that anyone seen wearing the offending item is doomed to be arrested by the fashion police, but it is merely encouragement to think about the way in which we dress or approach the item that has been brought to the fore.

For me, the trend that has caught my eye is socks. “So What” I hear you all thinking (Yes hear you thinking, it’s a talent)  “Big Deal!” But think for a second about the way you wear socks. (For those of you that said on your feet, this is no time for sartorial cynicism.) You get up, get dressed, put your socks on, then your shoes; they merely act as a barrier between your foot and chosen footwear for the day. They have so much more potential! Socks are a cheap and fun way to take a simple outfit and turn it into a look.

Point in pictures:

Zara Court Shoe with Metal Toe Cap £69.99

Zara Short Sock £3.99

This Zara sock and shoe combo would work well with a mid length pencil skirt, a subtle way to update an office look, or a pair of ankle rolled jeans. For those who are the brave, go all out! Florals would totally rock with this!

New Look Block Heel Platform £24.99

Topshop Lace Trim Ankle Sock £3.50 (or 3 pairs for £8)

Team this combo with a flippy skater skirt or dress, and go all out 50s Diner Girl. And for the brave, add a varsity or collegiate style bomber jacket to up the ante. 

Asos Highlight Wedges with Colour Block £55

River Island Slinky Ankle Sock £4

The flatform style heel would lend itself to a daytime outfit, almost anything denim would work, think 70s style A-line denim skirts or denim cut-offs, and for those wanting to take it to the next level pair with a denim dungaree dress and a wide brimmed floppy hat.

I've dipped my toe in the trend, but I think for me I will be recreating something similar to the 50s Diner Girl look-minus bomber, but maybe with the addition of retro hair styling... I will of course post my progress!

Are any of you brave enough to pull your socks up and ditch the tights?!

KDx

Live fast die young

MIA "Bad Girls"


This weekend has been a weekend of 'firsts'. I went and watched my first ever actual football game, I only stayed until half time, but it's never a way I thought I would spend 45 minutes on a Saturday; I sat in the stands and got envious of a guy with a drum, I'm thinking a tambourine would be the perfect accompaniment to his chanting. But  another first of the weekend also came via Friday night, I went out in trousers. Jeans in fact.


In my quest to tackle my trouser related issues, that are in all honesty completely irrational, but they exist nonetheless, I decided to dip my toe in the familiar realm of many, jeans. This if my outfit from Friday night, my quiet night at the pub saw me getting in at 6am. I don't think that's in any way related to wearing trousers though!

Warehouse jeans via ebay, American Apparel body, New Look black patent shoes, charity shop belt, bracelets H&M, Warehouse cuff, New Look head scarf and H&M flowers

I felt like Olivia Newton-John in Grease. It wasn't a wholly painful experience, but I felt very aware that I was wearing trousers... The picture doesn't show the colour very well, but the jeans are a really nice burgundy red colour.

River Island skirt, Topshop body, charity shop belt, Miss Selfridge earrings and shoes as before

Excuse the extremely awkward pose. This is Saturday night's outfit, I went for something completely different to the previous night, back on familiar territory in a skirt. Leopard print and stars. Wearing a 'body' or a leotard is a logistical nightmare when it comes to going to the toilet!!

Hope everyone was lucky enough to get out in the bit of sunshine that seemed to bless the Midlands today, I made the most out of it and enjoyed my first trampoline of the year, perfect Sunday past time.

KD x

There’s someone here who laughs too hard at everything

Miike Snow “Paddling Out”

As promised, usual service has resumed.

Oasis leather jacket, New Look midi jersey vest dress, River Island belt, Miss Selfridge gold knot necklace, Converse via ebay, unknown headscarf, Disney Couture rings, charity shop bracelet (just seen) and Accessorize flowers.

Awkward lengths. This dress is not quite maxi, not quite midi, but I quite like the easy wear-ability of it despite it’s none descript length. Admittedly I hoped it would be a little more figure skimming on the bottom half, but I guess for a £6 sale buy brought without trying it on it fairs pretty well.  The picture doesn’t really show the colour up, but it’s a really nice charcoal grey marl. I am not normally a fan of New Look, whilst I think it does what it does well; I find it quite an overwhelming place to shop in, jack-of-all-trades perhaps? Everyone waxes lyrical about their shoes, but for me their saving grace is their underwear. It fits! Despite this fact I found myself looming over their sale section on the internet and was surprised to find things that I actually wanted enough to buy, not like those items you ‘covet’ but know full well will never make it out of the shop, let alone get in to the changing rooms. (Yes I am still wangling with the trouser issue/phobia/irrationality!) 

So surprisingly I am championing New Look. I was also after some luxe looking running shorts, that will never see me run for anything, but I got these, another bargain at £6, the gold zip detailing is a really nice touch, not sure how I am going to style them, they might have to wait for the warmer weather to be worn with a lightweight racer back vest, I  opted for this one and brightly coloured lacey bra? But I can't stop there. On an actual shopping trip, I faced my fear of the shop and came away with 4 other basic tops and 2 ruched front bandeaus... Now if that doesn't make me a convert nothing will!

Are there any shops that you used to avoid but have recently been drawn towards? 

KDx

And so, and so, and so

Delilah "Love You So"

Blogging whilst hungover is not the brightest idea I have had, but it would seem that these days all I am full of is really bad, good ideas. It's fair to say that I didn't give up alcohol for Lent, and last night I certainly made up for my previous abstinence. At least if I achieve nothing else today I have done something besides wallow in my own self loathing...

Oasis leather jacket, H&M mint vest, Love label lilac pleated skirt via ebay, River Island belt, Topshop jersey heart pumps via ebay, found broken watch, charity shop bracelet and Disney Micky and Minnie rings

I was reading Jen's post over on A little bird told me, about clothes that cheer you up, and this outfit certainly did that. This is what I wore to go shopping yesterday, spending my time off work productively! I didn't buy much, I was in search of shade of nail varnish that so far has escaped me, it would appear it only exists in my head. But seeing this in Topshop did make me very happy!

I think this is the little bit of me that loves order coming out. I don't quite have enough nail varnish to recreate this, but it has got me thinking about how I display things in my room nonetheless.

I honestly had the best intentions for this post, but I am seriously devoid of any motivation. Normal business will resume shortly!

KDx