Before you can read me, you got to learn how to see me 'Free your mind' En Vogue In an effort to start a-fresh and return to the blogosphere with some sort of focus and regular timetabling of posts I thought I'd clear out all the posts that didn't make it, the outfits that didn't appear and the bits of usefulness that didn't seem post-worthy. What you didn't see me wearing: Cast your mind's back to when the weather was sunny and it felt like summer for all of 5 minutes...
New Look vest, charity shop belt, Miss Selfridge skirt and Topshop sandals via ebay, Matalan necklace
Topshop Maxi and sandals via ebay, Dorothy Perkins belt, Miss Selfridge, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, H&M and New Look jewellery
Back in September I posted this on tackling the trends, with a focus on military, here is the outfit exactly as I had planned to style it:
YMCA charity shop knit, Levi's cut-offs, Mark and Spencer ankle boots via ebay and H&M necklace
I posted this about the amazing tea party my friends all threw for me on my news of my departure to London. the sophisticated antics of afternoon tea were followed swiftly by drinks and dancing, with this being my outfit of choice:
Topshop chain detail vest, River Island skirt, Office shoes all via ebay, River Island necklace and Matalan earrings
My love in with trousers continues:
Left: New Look vest and shoes, AA Disco Pants via ebay, charity shop belt, Topshop earrings Right: AA bodysuit, Twentyeighttwelve by S.Miller jeans, Miss Selfridge Necklace and New Look earrings A little bit of nail art:
Nail art using confetti (lots of topcoat needed to stop the corners catching on the stars! Needless to say it looked prettier than it was practical)
What I've been eating:
My favourite sushi place at home, Woktastic
Tempura squid and the best 'peanut butter chocolate stack' ever. (Tastes just like a Snickers)
Baking in the new flat a slightly odd looking (but damn tasty) Victoria sponge and a banana and walnut cake
Afternoon tea
What I've been seeing:
Beautiful flowers from my flatmates rents for our new home
Bizarre memo in Costa in London... actual 'LOL' moment
Although I have been living in London for a month, my foray into real London life starts tomorrow when I start my new job in Central London. I will officially feel like an adult.
This time of year is a hard one to get your head around, the weather is changing and you contemplate swapping your wardrobe round and examining what knitwear you can salvage from last year. Whilst across the pond New York is currently in the midst of Fashion Week, showcasing the trends we will all be wearing come Spring/Summer next year. So bare with me while you fathom out this post. I am concentrating on the sudden drop in temperature and what we will all be wearing this season. (Next year can wait until another post!)
Cast your mind back to February, when Fashion Week was highlighting the trends for this Autumn/Winter (Do keep up!) Military featured heavily in varying incarnations on the runway at both New York Fashion Week as 'Urban Utility' in more modern cuts and paired back colours at Alexander Wang and Victoria Beckham, and on home turf, khaki was spotted at Topshop Unique and Margaret Howell in London.
With all this going on my head, placing myself on a self imposed shopping ban for the month of September, not for any particular reason other than to test my moral fibre, was never going to be an easy task. Please don't be mistaken in thinking this is going to be an opportunity for me to gloat, because I failed. So early on too. I'd like to think it was for a good cause-literally.
This military jumper came in courtesy of the YMCA charity shop on the high street close to work at a bargainous £4.49. It was also retrieved from the mens section, though I don't think something such as this is gender specific. This jumper ticks the trend boxes as a genuine military item, it's better than any replica that can be found on the high street.
This is how I plan to wear the jumper, styled up with cut-off denim Levi shorts, a vintage belt, heeled M&S ankle boots and a serious spike necklace from H&M. Judging by the weather situation, the addition of tights will be greatly appreciated. I also think this would look great with a white shirt collar poking out over the top.
Which trends are you going to be wearing this Autumn/Winter?
As I'd wrote about in an earlier post here, I was taken by the idea of a Spring suit,or co-ord and here's my interpretation as worn out on Friday night when we dined at La Tasca for my good friend Laura's birthday. It turned out to be a bit of a double celebration as she only went and bagged herself a new job after unfortunately having to endure an interview on her birthday, but it was all worth it in the end!
American Apparel black u-back body, Asos floral shorts via ebay, Oasis blazer and Topshop boots
Despite the undesirable weather conditions, I perked up my hands with a summer nail look
I brought this Rimmel Lasting Finish nail varnish in 'Hot and Spicy' for a bargainous £1.24 in Morrison's whilst on my lunch break, admittedly my main reason for painting my nails was that I had brought the colour that day; how can you fail to transport yourself to hotter climes with zingy nails like this? The colour also looks a dead ringer for Models Own 'Hedonist' that has been spotted on numerous bloggers fingers. For my ring finger I used one of my favourite Nails Inc's, 'Lanseborough Place'. I have also discovered an amazing nail art/inspiration blog that actually comes courtesy of the Guardian-so I thank them for bringing it to my attention. The blog is called 'The Nail Saurus' and is written by 21 year-old Sammy from South Wales, you can find her amazing nail creations here. After reading through post after post I have to say my once creative self isn't feeling so advanced right about now, but she has filled me with some ideas and reignited my love for diy nails, so hopefully there will be some to feature shortly!
Right, back to the food. As much as I enjoy La Tasca I felt that being a party they neglected us a little, as they were so keen to serve us our food, which seems like a bonus, we were denied the 'tapas' experience and ended up with a table of soon-to-be cold food as we just couldn't eat it quick enough. In previous visits they had brought a selection of plates out in succession, so you had chance to enjoy them, before they were cleared away and the next lot brought out, hence our decision for choosing La Tasca; you get 13 girls together and they are going to want to talk! So sadly it felt like a lot of food went to waste. The food was as good as I remembered, albeit it in huge quantities, so I can't say I'll be rushing to recommend the party menu to anyone in the near future, just stick to small groups and I'm sure you'll get a more authentic Spanish tapas experience; the La Tasca I know.
Saturday was just spent wandering around town before a girly night in with our very expectant mother-to-be. Truth be known, a little part of me hoped we might be front line for a piece of the action, but the baby's not quite ready to meet us yet, so the wait continues...
Warehouse black and white cardigan, Zara leopard pumps and Topshop taupe leather shorts via ebay, H&M sleeveless shirt and New Look necklace
I'd been after some leather shorts for an age, but the real ones were always too expensive for me to justify for what in reality is so little material, and the fake ones always seemed to air on the side of bondage, anyone for shiny fake leather?! *shudders* The search inevitably continued. As with most things I tend to buy there is no time frame, which I find is the best way to shop; so as I rarely need anything for a specific outing, I can hold out until I get things at the right price, which in this case was 99p, and £3 delivery. Can't argue with that. In my opinion they were more than worth the wait, especially as it's May and I am still able to get away with wearing them with tights and not look like I am planning to lose my body weight in sweat alone.
Trust me when I say that it was absolute torture taking a picture of my lovingly jammed scone opposed to just scoffing it down asap. A bake I recommend to all. We only managed to get 7 scones out of the '8-10' mixture though, so I would ignore that bit, as if we rolled the mixture out any thinner I think we would have had cherry biscuits.
According to those that deliver the weather, this week we are supposed to see marked improvements. I'm going to do as every British person does at the hint of sunshine and harass all those around me into having a bbq, and at the risk of looking stupid spend a day without tights (I've been gradual tanning in preparation for this day to come so as not to be taken by surprise!)
Willie Nelson has been singing it for years... Bring me sunshine god dammit!
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...
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.
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!
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.
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?!
You would be forgiven for thinking this is another heartfelt cry about the ‘one that got away’ with it being Valentines Day and the fitting choice of title, and in a way it is… Except, when I talk about finding someone like you, I’m talking about interpreting trends (on a purse friendly budget) and I’m looking at you Stella McCartney!
No one worth their fashion credentials can ignore the influx of Spring/Summer 2012 ‘trends’ and ‘must buys’ that have been floating round the magazines and the internet. Now, I don’t consider myself to be particularly fashionable or led by trends, but I do appreciate it when something is in on trend that I like to wear as it means I can buy more of it. One trend that I did not see myself taking notice of was the ‘Pyjama Party’ that the likes of Stella, Jonathan Saunders and Jil Sander sent down the catwalk in their offerings for S/S ’12.
Images courtesy of Vogue UK and Telegraph Fashion
The reasons for this was not only the fact that wearing your pyjamas out in public was something that was reserved for late night car trips as a child, or late night takeaway trips as a uni student, but also because of my adversity to trousers. The only trousers I own are ACTUAL pyjamas.
A couple of weeks back, filling my lunch break at work browsing the shops, I found myself strangely drawn to some pyjama patterned, silk-to-the-touch, tailored 7/8th trousers. (On the trouser-phobe rating scale they score an 8 for complexity alone!) I tried them on, dabbled with the idea of them in my head, but returned them to the sale rack, even at only £7; there wasn’t enough pull to take them home with me.
On a quick dash into town at the weekend to buy essentials (hair bobbles and toiletries for those of you interested) between running errands, I sauntered past the sale rack in H&M and was once again met by these same trousers. Many of the beliefs that people place on relationships I place on shopping, for me, this was meant to be, these trousers were still there, last pair in my size, SOLD!
Just because I can’t get my head around trousers, doesn't mean I don’t admire/envy those that can pull the look off aplomb; Emmanuelle Alt, and Miranda Kerr to name a couple, besides being incredibly leggy and waif like are always in a good heel when rocking a killer trousered look. So here, laid on my bedroom floor with Alt and Kerr for inspiration, the trousers that I was meant to have, styled up how I think I will interpret the Pyjama Party trend. Here’s hoping I get further than a late night dash to buy take-away...
Troursers £7 H&M, Topshop chain drop arm hole vest and brown gladiator shoes via ebay
Here's a detail shot of the outfit, as the above image washed the colours out and I really wanted to show you the colour/pattern of the trousers.
On a side note, this alone is reason enough to love Emmanuelle Alt... Fashion Editor+Wham=AWESOME!
