Attention! Tackling the Trends: Military

'It's now, or never'

Calyx & TeeBee "Elevate This Sound"

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.

Image: Telegraph.co.uk

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?

KDx

I won’t give up, and I won’t up and go

Disclosure ft Sinead Harnett "Boiling"

From the ebay littered posts you wouldn’t be discouraged from thinking that everything I buy is from ebay. To a certain extent, I guess this would be partly true, but you can literally buy everything you could ever want on ebay, it’s needless to say I have lost a few hours of my time through endless scrolling. I digress, sometimes, I do actually like to go in to a shop and buy real things; it’s a completely different type of satisfaction from paying nothing for something over the interwebs, but after all I am a girl, and so  shopping in any of it’s forms always raises a smile! 

Here's what I have been buying

 New Look  Studded slip-on loafers £17.99 and statement necklaces £4 and £2

I have been looking for a pair of 'inbetween' black shoes since it officially changed season (despite the weather having a stubborn turn and reverting back to seasons past). It doesn't help that I find black shoes boring and/or safe. I have some black patent loafers, which are fine, some would even say nice, but I hate wearing them. They make me feel matronly, and standing at 5ft 10, it's not a feeling I am keen to retain. These slip-ons, despite resembling a house shoe, are spot on, and available here. My other purchases came in the form of statement necklaces for £4 and £2, throw-away money! My jewellery buying habits seem to go in cycles, I become obsessed and buy in abundance, leaving me with a 100 plus ring collection alone.

This Sunday sees me compete in the final of Miss Worcestershire 2012. The required 'Evening wear' filled me with dread, until I saw this beauty online and subsequently sold out. I imagined if I was attending anything more glam than the opening of a works event (a girl can but dream) this is what I would want to wear, simple but well cut, unusual colour, and subtle.

Topshop Clean T-shirt Maxi Dress £58 

Her name is Ginger, or rather the colour is. The dress fits beautifully, skimming rather than hugging, and feels and looks so much more expensive than the £58 price tag. I was lucky enough to find this hanging on the wall in Topshop during my shopping trip last week to the Bullring as part of the birthday bender, my heart actually did a flutter when I knew it was within reach. I was also fortunate enough to still have a £20 gift card burning a hole in my purse, which makes this dress even more loveable. 

Saving the best buy until last. The Blazer. And I do mean the blazer.

Oasis Colour Block Collar Jacket £60

Even before I put together this post I had been long lusting from afar for the perfect blazer. Lightweight and light in colour. That's when this came onto my radar. Neutral still, though slightly darker than I thought I wanted, but after re-evaluation, the likelihood of me being able to keep anything lighter clean for longer than 5 minutes seemed unlikely, I'd like to waiver the right to anonymity and blame make-up for the would be finger marks.

Here's how I wore it (all)

Oasis colour block collar blazer, New Look statement necklace, horse print head scarf and studded slip-ons, Warehouse green belt and Levi's cut offs

My exploits for the rest of the week centre around Sunday, so much so I can't even contemplate a little drinking and dancing this weekend at any point! I do have a jaunt to London next weekend planned so I will more than make up for it. I'll be sure to let you know how I do :)

Enjoy the rest of your week

KDx

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

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

I never know what's coming, forever fascinating

Skrillex, Benny Benassi, Gary Go "Cinema"

                                         

Skrillex live at the O2 Academy in Birmingham

Pictures of the past few days activities: 

Top-Bottom

Mary Berry 'Christmas Spiced Cupcakes,' better late than never! Made somewhat less Christmassy by omitting the cake ruining mixed peel in favour of chopped glacé cherries and nuts, and saving the brandy meant for the frosting for a coke at the weekend and replacing it with lovely lemon frosting-yummy!

My new bed! Despite it's deceptive appearance, this beaut was an absolute bugger to put together! Sleeping this high up is how I imagine the Princess in the 'Princess and the Pea' felt...minus the pea! 

Zane Lowe and Skrillex

So Sunday night I went to see Skrillex at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, supported by Alvin Risk and Zane Lowe. Now I'm sure everyone has heard of Zane, who was as awesome as has come to be expected from the Radio 1 DJ, but the surprise of the night came in the form of Alvin Risk who warmed the audience up as we arrived. More surprising than the fact that the relative unknown (to some at least) is a pretty good dubstep dj, is the fact that he is a dead ringer for Will McKenzie, aka 'briefcase wanker' from the Inbetweeners! Until they are seen together I am going to say it is him! 

I’m typically a girly dresser, and even when I am dressed down, I still feel dressed up, but I kinda like it that way, my motto is ‘You never know who you might bump into,’ but gig dressing is never going to be something I am going to excel at. In my head I am thinking, it’s not quite a night out, so no need for heels, (being 5ft 10 it is argued whether I ever need heels at all, but that’s none negotiable!) but then it’s hardly like going to the pub where a cute pair of ballet flats would suffice, so instead I plumped for this outfit on the night.

Levi’s cut off as before, Playboy men’s t-shirt via eBay and then customised by cutting the sleeves off, River Island leopard print belt, Converse red hi-tops via eBay and black H&M kids hoodie.

Absolute ultimate saviour of the night came in the form of Lipcote, honestly, lipstick lovers, there is a reason this product has been loved by women the world over for 50 plus years! My outfit post was taken when I got home after the sweat-fest of a gig, and my lipstick is still in place!

These are the other bits and pieces I threw on

Vintage brown leather satchel via ebay, H&M and H&M kids bracelets, found Casio watch (broken!) Topshop and Matalan rings and earrings, Warehouse silver cuff, Accessorize purple flowers and New Look leopard head scarf.

I swapped my normal nigh-out oversized clutch bag for a gig worthy shoulder bag in order to: a) tie my hoodie around, which proved invaluable seeing as this turned out to be the sweatiest gig ever!! How I laughed at the ‘idiots’ queuing in just their vests, clearly they are more attuned to gig wear than I am. And b) in order to keep both my hands free for ultimate music appreciation. Unfortunately keeping my hands free didn’t make me any better equipped to capture a decent video clip, as if the first one didn't demonstrate the point enough, here’s a clip from Cinema. In the words of Trainspottings's Jeremy Factsman 'Reach for the lazers, safe a fuck' 

KD x

We're all no one until someone thinks that we're someone, 'til then we are no one

Nervo, Steve Aoki and Afrojack "We're All No One"

First post is the hardest right?! Well for those that know me, this has been a long time coming, I have been admiring many a blog, almost to the point of envy, but my crippling fear of writing what might actually be read by people that care (?) maybe got the better of me. So here goes... A blog that I hope you will find witty and interesting, and possibly even a little inspiring on fashion, personal style, and a smattering of things I love, namely my friends, music, food and anything that I don't have to pay full price for. (I am an ebay addict, I will attempt to undercut 'rrps' at any opportunity!)

First outfit post (pretty sure you can almost feel the awkwardness radiating off my face from here)

What I'm wearing: Topshop tall burnout t-shirt, cut-off mens Levi's that I made into shorts, Dune pony skin leopard pumps, River Island leopard belt, H+M jewellery (H+M kids bracelets) New Look snake print head scarf and Accessorize purple flowers.

These shorts are fast becoming my wardrobe staple for casual days hanging out and errand running, I don't (yet) own a pair of jeans, so this is as close as I have come. 

KD x