King without a throne, heart without a home

Monsta "Holdin' On"


Happy Birthday to me!


So on Thursday I turned another year older, (it's not polite to ask a woman her age, but I was 24 for those of you that are interested) and since then I have been celebrating with fun and friends, the only way I know how. I love birthdays, mine more than anyone else's of course.


I got taken out for sushi, pizza, the cinema, more pizza, cake and shopping. 4 day weekends really are the best, I wish it could be my birthday every weekend!


Here are the outfits from the last few days, I do like short shorts!

Cardigan YMCA charity shop, American Apparel U-back body, Zara pony skin pumps and Topshop high waisted shorts via ebay

I love this cardigan, it's quite possibly the best thing I have ever spent a pound on. Should I ever win the lottery I will take this back and this will be the second best thing I ever brought for a pound, but I guess if I want to win I should start playing...

Zara pony skin pumps, Levi's high waisted shorts (that started out as trousers) and purple River Island blazer via ebay, white New Look vest, Miss Selfridge gold knot chain and charity shop scarf

Those of you that are regular readers will be well aware of my fickle fashion dilemas, and no, your eyes are not deceiving you, I am wearing a blazer. This isn't 'the' blazer that I've been eyeing, but it was a cheapy impulse purchase from the favourite ebay. I do love the colour, it is best described as Cadbury's purple, but that's the problem, I feel like a walking bar of chocolate. I wonder how many people had an unexplained urge to buy chocolate after seeing me out shopping? I know I certainly felt a little Willy Wonka in this outfit.

The birthday dress and vodka from a tea cup

 Dress River Island, Miss Selfridge gold knot necklace, Topshop black ankle boots various jewellery from H&M, charity shops and Topshop.

A somewhat demure birthday outfit, completely unintended. I really like the sporty vibe of this dress, which seems to be satisfying my innate urge to go all out 90s. (Via 1950s America.) I think this dress will have a lot of mileage in it, if and when the weather gets a bit warmer I will be looking forward to wearing it in the day with some sleeveless denim and my Converse. 

Only a short post today, as there are more pressing issues weighing on my mind, like the 'Olympic themed Eco dress' I am making for the Miss Worcestershire final next weekend, a little snippet of what to come can be seen in the background of my birthday outfit picture.

More on that to come. 

KDx

So hold her down with soggy clothes and breezeblocks

Alt J "Breezeblocks"

A decidedly quiet weekend due to the absolutely hectic 6-day working week, which culminated in the event that we had been meticulously planning actually taking place on the Saturday. There is nothing more depressing on a Friday than settling down in front of the television as you set your alarm for 6:45am. Now, it's not because I am not a morning person, I really am reasonably perky first thing, but knowing you have to hold back on a weekend until Saturday night to really enjoy what there is of a weekend makes me sad. Just plain sad! All the stress was worth it in the end though as the event was a huge success. For some light relief I went out for a curry with some of the boys and girls on Saturday night. I should have known as soon as I wore an outfit that involved heels I was really gearing myself for an actual night out. One drink, and one more, before you know it it's 4am. Quiet curry? I really should know myself better than this by now.

Topshop leopard print body, Warehouse burgundy jeans both via ebay, New Look patent heels and Warehouse green belt. Jewellery Miss Selfridge, charity shop, and H&M

This is exactly the sort of night where I had envisaged I would always wear a 'jeans and heels' combination, going out for something to eat when you want to look dressed up, but not like you've got sidetracked on the way to the club. It's also a time when I imagine a blazer would come in handy... I am edging closer to nailing down 'The One!'

This weekend really was all about Sunday. In my group of girl friends there is about 13 of us, give or take a couple, and another one of our friends is pregnant and Sunday was the day of her baby shower. She knew of the date, but nothing more, so it was as much a surprise to her as to us when we walked into the school hall venue to be greeted by a Mad Hatters style tea party, envy doesn't even come close to how I felt-it was beautiful, and  so damn tasty!

Vintage china tea cups and saucers, tea in a teapot and cute cakes. In this picture there is courgette cake with cream cheese frosting and sugar biscuits, my first of many cups of tea and ginger and lemongrass lemonade. I made sure I sampled as much of what was on offer as possible, the lemon meringue cupcakes and white chocolate cupcakes both came highly recommended. After gorging myself on cakes (to the point of feeling sick) I could only fit in one measly sandwich, which meant I missed out on chocolate orange cake pops, sandwiches cut into triangles, (the best way to eat sandwiches in my opinion) and chocolate cornflake cakes. The savoury and sweet treats were all made by my friend's very talented family, I think between them they have all creative bases covered, from artists to bakers! This is what I wore for what turned out for me to be a cake fest come babyshower, luckily my choice of loose fitting dress allowed for maximum cake consumption.

River Island dress and Zara leopard print pumps via ebay, charity shop belt and Dorothy Perkins belt

Next week is the beginning of the 'Birthday Week', it's basically me giving myself a hall pass to do whatever the hell I like because it's my birthday, sadly if it involves any more cake I think I might just blow. A birthday week without cake... let's see how long this lasts!

Hope some of you managed a healthier weekend than I did, needless to say my intentions on heading to the gym after returning from the pub didn't plan out. Tomorrow I will put myself through my paces, famous last words!

KDx

I tried to do handstands for you

Chairlift "Bruises"

It’s my birthday next week, next Thursday to be precise, which fills me with both excitement and dread. Now I am not bothered about ‘getting another year older’ I am firmly in the camp of believers that age is just a number, you can get old, but not grow-up, so whatever your age it’s no excuse for not having fun. My real concern lies in the fact that I am now going to have to tick the next box, no longer can I lie safe in the comfort of the 18-23s, I am now a 24-30. For the next few years I will only be filling out forms that allow the option of 21-24, otherwise how on earth can I inform people that I am at the beginning of  24-30, not soon to become a 31-35?!  A dilemma of miniscule proportions I understand, but something that receives my frequential pondering nonetheless.

Another year and another birthday, means another birthday outfit. No different from any other outfit for a night out in theory, apart from the immense amount of personal pressure we place on ourselves to get something that will dictate the mood for the whole night; knowing this doesn't make me any wiser to trying to break this viscous cycle where everything hangs in the balance of few bits of fabric, if my outfit sucks, so will my night! Ha!

So my inspiration started with W Magazine's February fashion shoot 'Hot to Trot,' 'Midcentury Americana gets a shot of glamour with flirty skirts, roadhouse tops, and rootin’ tootin’ boots.' You can check out the feature here, think 50s Americana meets West Side Story which was exhibited perfectly on Dolce and Gabbana's Spring/Summer 2012 catwalk show, alongside Prada's retro-tastic offerings. My favourite looks were:

Dolce and Gabbana S/S '12 Images courtesy of Elle UK

Prada S/S '12 Images courtesy of Elle UK

What has really resided with me was the matchy, matchy skirt and highdrift bearing top combos. If you don't know the highdrift, the bit above your belly button but below your bra line is the hot bit of flesh to flash, it is also a lot more forgiving for those that haven't got model like proportions and definition to die for. I am already a highdrift flesh flasher, so undaunted by the prospect I will be searching out either a matching top to go with one of my existing skirts, or a whole new get up-it is my birthday after all.

Looks that have so far caught my eye come in from Asos:

But it is also worth checking out looks from Oasis, Rare London and New Look for their take on the trend.

Will you dare to bare the highdrift? Or is the crop a fashion flop?

KDx

You've got a heart as loud as lions, So why let your voice be tamed?

Emeli Sande "Read All About It Pt.III"


This weekend has been a complete change of tempo compared to the last, I was so right about having a bit of routine back in my life. But it wouldn't be a weekend without at least one night out with the girls; throwing my arms around uncontrollably to some awesome music and generally having a bit of a giggle. This was my party outfit of choice for Friday's antics:

New Look grey vest (tied and tucked up into a crop) River Island leopard belt, River Island white skater skirt via ebay, gifted black Topshop platform boots, Miss Selfridge gold knot chain necklace and River Island feather earrings

We went to a night in Birmingham called Nude, at Bluu Bar on Summer Row that we hadn't been to before, so we didn't know what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised, the music was brilliant! Disclosure's remix of Jessie Ware's running was playing within seconds of me getting to the bar so I was hopeful that the music would remain at the same standard all night, and I wasn't disappointed; the curve ball came in the form of the mix of old school garage and house music, real feel good music! 

Despite consuming nothing but vodka and jager bombs all night, the hangover felt no need to rear it's head on Saturday which meant lunch with the girls:

Lilac Love Label skirt, Topshop lilac body, Topshop grey heart pumps all via ebay, pale blue H&M belt, gifted Oasis leather jacket, Miss Selfridge neon necklace

I am typically a girly dresser, as I've posted previously trousers are a new venture as are shorts, although they are becoming a firm favourite, and this is my updated take on 'ladies lunch attire.' The twin-set has been replaced by a coordinating skirt and top and the pearls with some neon diamanté. Lilac is fast becoming my favourite pastel shade for the coming season, however, mint is a contender. I am hoping to get a mint-on-mint outfit together soon. You really shouldn't be put off by putting the same colours together, to stop it looking washed out, mix textures and tones, the body is paler than the skirt, and the pleats of the skirt add some interest. In order to stop this outfit veering too far into old lady territory (a purple rinse would have seriously over stepped the mark!) I added my leather biker jacket to update the look, as a reminder that I haven't played smash and grab in a gran's wardrobe.  

For Christmas I had brought my bestest tickets for us to go and see Emeli Sande, the gig was Saturday night at the HMV Institute in Birmingham. It was an early gig, with the doors opening at 6pm, having listened to not much else but her album at work, I chose a suitably dressed down outfit:

(More) Levi's denim shorts brought as jeans via ebay, Amplified customised Run DMC T-shirt, Dune leopard pumps, Miss Selfridge necklace and Dorothy Perkins belt

Emeli. Was. Incredible. That girl has got a serious set of lungs on her! Her album by no means does her any justice, she has such a powerful voice, it almost feels listening to the album after having seen her live that she really reigned it in to record the songs. I don't think I had a favourite of the night, because they all sounded so amazing, it was really nice to hear her influences for the songs, and to get an insight into what someone's thoughts were when writing a song. Interesting fact, Emeli Sande was studying to be a Doctor before becoming a singer, whodda thunk it?! In regards to the outfit, these are my third pair of Levi's cut-offs, which naturally means they are my new favourites. I think I managed to cut these into the style I envisaged in my head, they do say third time lucky.

Apologies for the near unrecognisable pictures. Thankfully Emeli has such distinctive quiff of hair!

Sunday is undecided. Hangover free and no plans...I thought I best make some effort, just in case. I think that phrase sums me up perfectly Karmen 'just in case' Deanne. I find it difficult to leave the house regardless of  the weather forecast without an umbrella, always carry a pen and a notepad... Yeah I am so wild.

American Apparell U-back navy body, carboot sale belt, Zara leopard print pumps and vintage Next pleated skirt via ebay

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekends. There has been a development on the blazer debacle. But more on that to come.

KDx

I'm sorry I know, I'm out of touch

TEED (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs) "Tapes & Money"

Firstly apologies for the blogging hiatus; over a whole week since my last post. I haven't been blogging for long but I decided I was going to try and post at least twice a week, but seeing as my blogging schedule met for the first time the Bank Holiday weekend, it's fair to say that I am nothing without routine! So as much as I have enjoyed my 5 day weekend, I am thankful to get some normality back in my life and get to bed before the sun comes up, (Yes I am a dirty stop out!) In my defence, this Easter Sunday saw me host my charity event 'Mr. Miss Redditch' to raise money for the Official Miss World's Charity, 'Beauty With a Purpose,' that supports the work of children's charities worldwide.

Here's a bit of a picture heavy post of outfits, firstly Friday with the girls. This was taken kindly by Momma Bear in our kitchen before we went out for drinks and dancing, and I supposedly found my 50s style twin on a cocktail menu:

Bandeau crop Primark, Miss Selfridge hi-low hem skirt via ebay, carboot belt,  gifted Topshop black platform boots and jewellery H&M, Miss Selfridge, Warehouse and charity shops.

 (l-r Emma River Island dress, Aimee Warehouse dress, Laura H&M dress, standing on tiptoes optional)

Personally I think it was the flowers and the mass of hair that did it.

Saturday night casual at the pub. (Final preparations for my event)

Gifted Oasis leather jacket, H&M shirt (ribbon added myself), Topshop high waisted shorts via ebay and New Look black ankle boots

I really did not want to make an effort on Saturday, at this point I had already got two nights out under my belt, and all I wanted to do was sleep.

This is what I wore on Sunday to play the hostess with mostest (money). My event raised just under £200! I don't think I am going to be able to stop saying thank-you to everyone involved any time soon. I am so touched by their support, generosity and cooperation. (See I am off already! God help me if I ever win an Oscar...)

Topshop leopard print body and River Island white skater skirt via ebay, Dorothy Perkins yellow belt and gifted Topshop platform boots

The morning afternoon after the night before, Monday. The sole purpose of me getting dressed was to venture back up to the pub and retrieve my car, my belongings and the money I had raised after a rather heavy sambucca laden celebration. I woke up having taken one single solitary picture the whole night, which was 6 shots of sambucca lined up at the bar. I would like to think that was a message from my drunken self, to my sober self to explain the fuzzy feeling and emptiness of purse come Monday morning. This is basically the outfit I wore here with a few additions.

 Topshop tall burnout t-shirt, cut-off mens Levi's that I made into shorts, Zara ankle boots and Next faux sheepskin via ebay, Dorothy Perkins yellow belt, New Look headscarf and Miss Selfridge pendant necklace

And finally to round up the Bank Holiday bender, this is what I wore on Tuesday for shopping with Momma and to feast on Sushi at a place called Woktastic in the Paradise Forum in Birmingham, its £10 all you can eat at lunch time, and the sushi kicks Yo out of the water! (Although no sashimi-which is a fave of mine) 

If you remember back here I posted about the ubiquitous denim shirt, well here is how I wore mine, the denim shirt in question is New Look, but I took it in by hand to make it fit like a dress, worn with Zara ponyskin pumps, Oasis leather jacket and Dorothy Perkins necklace. Just to keep my modesty intact and ensure there wasn't any Sharon Stone style indecent exposure, I went all out and wore double denim, I had my Topshop denim highwaisted shorts underneath, this didn't stop me from being asked if I had forgotten my trousers... some people just don't get it!!

KD x

Don't look ahead there's stormy weather

Santigold "Disparate Youth"

Fashion phobias. They sound ridiculous, and the reality is that they are in actual fact just that, ridiculous. I mean how can any one person fear a harmless item of clothing? Who would succumb to such none existent pressures? Ahem Fashion finger pointing aside, I am one of these people. Some things I just cannot get on with, the trouser-phobia is slowly waning, but I cannot tackle the ill-fitting, ill-fated women wearing trousers of the world, so until then the phobia still rages on…

I’m a thinker , an over thinker, and just as I can so easily think myself into one of my own (in my opinion) awesome ideas, I can think myself out of something, for all the misplaced illogical reasons possible. (Again, case in point: trousers) So it’s no wonder that in my head, the humble blazer proves itself to be such a sartorial challenge.

In typical British tradition, the weather has thrown us a curve ball by withdrawing the tasty treat of springtime sunshine, and placed us back in the naughty corner along with the dark grey clouds that that loom overhead. Which is why I feel now is a good time to discuss jackets, or in my instance the lack thereof. 

I have a friend who shall remain nameless for the sake of her own awesomeness, she needs no more praise in my appreciation of her ability to pull of the blazer look to great effect... It turns me green with envy! In my opinion I am broad, and so any added emphasis on the shoulders fills me with dread. But the blazer is a perfect go to in times of coat wearing indecisiveness. Perched on the shoulder cape-like it won't interfere with a killer dress, worn with denim, it instantly smartens things up, lightweight or woollen, patterned or plain, nude or bright there is a blazer for every occasion, or so I am told.

Pictures courtesy of Fashion Toast's Rumi Neely, Wayne Tippetts' Street Style Aesthetic and Mossy with the hubs via Grazia

Olivia Palermo is another regular on the street style scene, who is rarely snapped without a blazer of sorts, be it bouclé, silk or cropped, but I find it hard to want to give her any more page space than she already accrues, albeit for a very well presented, beautifully haired, connected specimen of a woman.

I am fond of the nude/light coloured blazers in particular, they look so crisp and fresh. However, a zingy pop of colour via a blazer to a simple 'jeans and t-shirt' outfit would have it's merits.

Here are my pick of the best:

The nude blazer £60 Warehouse 

The printed blazer River Island £45 via Asos

The colour pop blazer £39.99 Zara

The 'go-to' blazer £55 Oasis

No-one said this fashion thing was going to be easy, and so I guess this is another hurdle along road...

What's your fashion phobia? The item you wish you could, but just can't work into your wardrobe?

KDx

A dream no one can dream to undermine

Jamie Woon "Lady Luck"


So, this trouser thing... It’s growing on me. Moreso, this jeans thing…yeah I think I like it. I like it so much so that I wore them all weekend!


Saturday's outfit:

American Apparel navy U-back body, Topshop 'Jamie' jeans, Zara leopard print pumps all via ebay and River Island leopard belt.

Nails are Models Own 'Scarlet Sparkle' on my ring fingers and Barry M 262 'Bright Red'

Sunday's outfit:

New Look white vest, Topshop red and nude bra, Dorothy Perkins yellow belt, Warehouse burgundy jeans and Zara pumps as before via ebay

I feel like I have been missing out on something all these years. Jeans are so easy to wear! When they fit they are amazing. Comfortable and practical, perfect weekend wear for hanging out with the girls, gossips at the pub and not doing much else other than just being, especially when the sun decides to show up for a sunny Sunday afternoon. I feel I am probably preaching to the converted as jeans aren't a revelation to most, but I am finding that they are fast becoming a welcomed addition to my (ever-expanding) wardrobe.

What is your jean style? Flared/skinny/straight? How do you wear yours?

KDx