New-Years Outfit Ideas

Wearing a jumpsuit or a playsuit/romper is a chic alternative to a dress or skirt. If you are going to a party where you will be moving a lot, dancing, or maybe a small amount of time outside, the trouser or short outfit could be a more comfortable and practical choice. Dancing for a few hours while making sure you're not pulling a Monroe, no thanks! 

White and silver is the perfect colour combo around the new year period. If there is one time of the year where you should be able to crack out the the sparkles, glitter and shiny goods, this is it! A spaghetti strap bralet is elegant while showing a bit of skin, and a flared skirt keeps it young and playful. This outfit above needs to be decked with silver accessories to really bring out the new year spirit!

If looking chic is not the style you were going for, this outfit is a good one to play with. The floral two piece allows for lots of different shades to be used without looking to trashy. Picky black shoes is a safe option with a statement lip and clutch. If standing out is your goal, you should love this outfit! Although I don't think I could pull this one off successfully, I know some who could! 

Christmas Presents 2014

1. #GIRLBOSS  2. How to be Parisian  3. The Sartorialist  (all from Amazon)

1/2. Boots Extracts  2. Loreal Paris Night Beauty Box  3. (brandless) Foot Products

1. H&M Shiny Pouch 

1. High Brow  2. Next Perfume (sparkle)

1. Chilly Millie  2. Azure Skies  3. Daisy Roots  (all from Bomb Cosmetics)

1. Primark  2. New Look

1. New Look

1. Terrys  2. Hotel Chocolat  3. Toblerone

Merry Christmas!

I've left it to the very last minute to talk about the big day, which actually so happens to be tomorrow! I haven't been feeling all that festive this year, and it has definitely taken longer to kick in that last year (christmas music in October!). Despite this, I have been taking part in a few Christmas-esque activities.

I have mentioned in previous posts that I attend Girls Brigade, which is a club very similar to the likes of Girl Guides. They have an annual Christmas production which I normally try to avoid getting a part in. This year, I decided to bite the bullet and join in! I also played the saxophone with the orchestra that I attend in a Christmas concert. It would appear that I suddenly grew some confidence right at the end of 2014!

My local city, Exeter, also did a great job of filling the streets with festive cheer. They hosted a German market on the Cathedral green for the third or fourth year now. There, they sell international foods, christmas ornaments, fur rugs, wooden sculptures, hat, scarves - everything really! It's normally very busy so I didn't get a too thorough look through, but just a wander around get you filled with the festive spirit! I also went to a local Christmas market in a very posh street in Exeter. There was a live band, rides, and lots of food. The scents of mince pies and mulled wine flowed through the street, and it was indeed a very lovely occasion.

As I am a Christian, Christmas means more to me than the presents, games, and even family. I celebrate this glorious time of the year simply because it is Jesus' birthday. It is always a poignant reminder for us of the day all those many years ago, Jesus entered the world as a baby in a manger.

With that said, I am wishing all of you the most wonderful Christmas imaginable. I hope you all receive some lovely gifts, eat some fattening food, and spend hours of fun and laughter with your family. Merry Christmas!

Primark S/S15 Lookbook & Preview Event

As the new fashion season quickly approaches, so the new high-street collections are released. I have said this many times, I am a huge fan of Primark. I can understand many avoid it at all costs, but for the most part its a very affordable shop that can at least guarantee the items to last for a season or two. 

Personally, I have a one rule when shopping in Primark that others may find useful. 1. Avoid statement pieces. A check coat or a sparkly dress, as nice as they are, are probably not the ideal items to be buying from a shop such as Primark. Times and times again I have seen the awkward faces of two passer by's as they walk past each other and notice they are both modelling the same item of clothing. Therefore, for me at least, I avoid anything to long, or patterned. In my opinion, Primark is wonderful for basics, simple staples, jewellery, shoes, pyjamas and lingerie, but for statement 'trendy' pieces, I personally give it a miss. 

The lookbook and styling Primark has released is the best way of figuring out the overall style and trends the store is going for this season. From these four pictures alone, quite a lot is clear. 

Trends:

1. Futuristic Fury

Reflective sunglasses, platform sandals, and holographic prints are going to dress the Primark stores around Britain this season.

2. Oriental Origins

Bright, beautiful, and clashing patterns will also be a repeating trend throughout Primark's next season. Matching two-pieces, caked with a bold and floral print will be one of Primark's more statement pieces being released. 

3. Monochromatic Madness

Although you can't tell from these pictures, from looking at some other photos online, there will be a recurring theme of monochrome, a.e, black and white, possibly grey. Personally, this is the most frequent reoccurring factor in my wardrobe. So, having more monochrome clothes out there, the better!

                                                                                                                                                                              (from primark.com)

5 Trends that are Back for Winter '14

Autumn/Winter 2013 brought us some lovely gems on the runways and on the high street. It was the best winter season for many years in general for the fashion industry. Although I certainly to not always follow the common trends and fads, it is clear to see that a few things have returned to A/W14. 

The cut-out boot was made very popular by high-end fashion house Balenciaga last year with those amazing patent leather boots, pictured above (first). With a product as loved and coveted by many, soon all the high-street shops took the idea and have run with it this year. Topshop, Missguided, and even Primark have made their own versions, all of which are indeed very impressive. 

It goes by many names, such as the polo and roll neck, but the turtle neck has come back again this year, bigger and better than ever! These high-neck garments have always been popular in one era or with one age group from one time to another, and it just so turns out the loved polo neck has hit the highstreets again this winter.

Tartan was probably the most remembered trend of winter last year, and it has returned for sure. Not particularly in the classic red and green print, but definitely in sister-pattern checks and gingham. I've seen many beautiful tartan skirts out and about, therefore, I would have to put them on the list of returning winter trends for AW14!

The fedora, wide-brimmed, and any felt hat in any form has come storming back this year. I am defiantly not a hat person, but I have seen many people rocking these classic hats, especially bloggers, this year after their rise to popularity last year. They're not particularly a winter item exclusively, but are good for the rainy weather here in Britain! 

This rather androgynous jacket, made popular in the late 80's and early 90's, appeared in some luxury's brands AW13campaign last year. This year, nearly every high-street shop has been selling their version, and not just in the mens departments. Check, floral, waterproof, leather - you name it, its out there! I'm sure every one can find their perfect casual jacket in this cool piece. 

Needs

September Favourites

1. Topshop  2.Rag and Bone  3.Vintage  4. Monki

1. Iosselliani  2.Topshop  3. Madewell  4.Skagen

Kindle Fire HD (2013)

As I said in my previous post about the lovely gifts I received for my birthday, my main gift was a Kindle Fire. I never ever thought I'd be the kind to buy want a tablet, let alone a Kindle, but I am most definitely converted! If you want a versatile tablet such as the iPad but want something more affordable, I'd recommend this brilliant item. 

       The Body Shop's Warming Mineral Face Mask

      If I am not mistaken, a few months I featured a Superdrug face mask in
      my favourites. All I can say, is that one has been thrown out the 
      window. This one is all together much gentler, kinder and 
      better for those with more sensitive skin. The consistency can be a bit
      unpredictable, but the mask itself is brilliant. It leaves my skin feeling 
      refreshed and extremely soft. Plus, being of such a reputable brand, 
      it's all natural. 

London Fashion Week: In a nutshell

London Fashion Week, number two of the big four, is now over. It was long anticipated, and it did not disappoint one bit. Designers, celebrities and fashion lovers alike had been long waiting for this week, and what a week it was! 

Bora Aksu was one of the first collections to walk down the catwalk this year. There wasn't an obvious theme throughout, but there was a running fabric: netting. The majority of outfits had at least one panel of netting or lace in it, which uniquely pulled the pieces together. The colours used were white, baby pink, ice blue, navy, black and once appearance of bright purple. With the frequent use of lace, comes an almost overwhelming sense of heritage, even for new designer and brand. 

Julien Macdonald, long time designer and now a ex-strictly contestant, brought us absolutely flawless collection this year. It was intricate, sleek, and detailed. With many of the dresses screaming bridal, there was beading, lace, stitching and everything any one with a love of fine couture would want. 

I obviously could not go through this post and not mention the fabulous Margaret Howell and her ss15 collection. It was nothing particularly different to any other Howell collection, but if it's not broken, don't fix it. Neutral tones and strong tailoring made for a very British,  androgynous show, which was a refreshing change from the ever so detailed and sparkly couture as of late.

Topshop Unique, on Day 3 was another big show that many people were looking forward too, not just because of the clothes, but because of lead model Cara Delevingne 's walk. The collection was very contradictory: parts of it being beautiful and delicate, other parts preppy, and other areas sporty! It was a strong collection that stood out for me with its undeniable versatility. 

The wonderful Erdem gave us another brilliant collection, that has been widely covered by the media and blogs alike. The majority having aspects of nature and foliage in it; this collection was varied and very different from all the runway shows. Not to mention the amazing showmanship of the stage. Every aspect of Erdem ss15 was beautiful and perfectly executed.

 Chrisopher Kane's collection was by no means a typical S/S collection. Full of dark colours and heavy textures, this collection would have been far more suited to an A/W, but nonetheless suitable in a place like Scotland, where Christopher Kane is from. One repeating thing we saw was the use of rope, otherwise known as macramé. He used in a beautiful way which enhanced the pieces it was on to no end. With the uses of silk and satin, this was a luxurious collection, but no-one would expect anything less.

New York Fashion Week: in a nutshell

New York fashion week has only come to a final close today. Although fashion month as a whole is by no means over, the first leg of it is, and it went out with a boom. As I said in my previous post 'fashion week pre-thoughts', there were quite a few shows in which I was looking forward too. Also, quite a lot of collections that I wasn't so much looking forward too, that turned out to be my highlights. 

In chronological order, there was only one show that stood out for me on day one (Thursday 4th September)  of New York Fashion Week. That being Tadashi Shoji. I will openly admit that I had never heard of this designer before hand, but I am very glad I discovered him. His collection came across of that of a bigger, more famous designer. It was indeed very beautiful. If I had to choose one word that kept springing to mind throughout this collection, it would be elegant. Everything within the collection was perfectly placed, sewn and balanced: well tailored, and all together well executed. The colours, fabrics, seams, hems and all of which any of the garments included looked one hundred percent perfect. Considering I really didn't expect as marvellous things from this collection,  I was very impressed, and will be following Tadashi in his new collections in the years to come.

As day one flew past, with 13 shows, day two came along with big expectations. This time, two shows stood out for me. Both being extremely different, but equally as impressive. 

First show that I loved was Monique Lhuillier's. It was everything a feminine, 'girly' collection could be. Full of intricate design, netting, pastel colours, and strong silhouettes; the collection was simply flawless. I was looking forward to this collection, and it didn't disappoint. It was in some ways a 'typical' spring/summer collection, regarding the pastels, floral details, long hemlines, but I believe there is no problem with that, as long as it is well carried out, which I believe it was. Not only were the clothes brilliant, the whole show was. For example, the final walk was strong and powerful, with confetti and a great choice of music included. Also, the models hair and make up complimented the collection beautifully. 

The second 'show' which I loved that day was that of Charlotte Ronson. The reason for the averted commas was that it wasn't really a typical show or catwalk which you wouldn't expect from anything other than the top fashion houses. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, in actual fact, it contributed to the collection. The models were stood in a circle where they stood completely still for the duration of the show, surrounded by barriers. Not only is that a physical challenge, it made the collection stand out as a whole and gave it all a somewhat mysterious vibe. 

Obviously, I'm not going to sit here and rant about the great showmanship the whole time. The clothes themselves were beautiful. Block colours intertwined with complementary patterns made a force to be reckoned with. The lengths, layers and contrasting textures gave the collection versatility and togetherness. I don't want to over analyse this collection, so I will finish by saying it was one graceful and elegant show. 

Day 3 was started off with a bang as Lacoste, the biggest show of fashion week so far, started at 10 am that morning. It was good show, but generally Lacoste isn't one of my favourite brands, therefore was not totally my cup of tea. Sporty as usual with block colours, that were all very well presented. 

There is an obvious show that was on Day 3 that was highly anticipated, being one of the fore runners for the whole week. Of course I am talking about no other than Alexander Wang. I am most certainly a Alexander Wang fan, while he was at Balenciaga also, but I will admit this collection was not his best yet, or even close. It was still a good collection and was still of a ridiculously high standard, which I believe he reached, but being such a great and talented designer, I must admit there were some clothes I personally didn't like.

Being a monochrome lover, and comparing to his previous collections, I thought the designs that were for majority black, white and grey were great. The flippy skirts and collared jumpers were all very 'on point' and that section, which was around 2/3 was great and I loved it a lot. The segment I didn't like was the colourful, short, structured bodycon dresses. I thought they didn't fit in, and to be honest, I thought they looked cheap. In a sense, they lowered the whole collection in my eyes, but the rest of his work was tremendous, as per usual.

There wasn't anything 'wrong' with these few designs, but I just didn't think they improved the collection, or fit into the show as a whole.

Marc by Marc Jacobs' collection was definitely that of an art form. If you like clothes that are well made, wearable and beautiful, this collection won't be your cup of tea...in the slightest. It was extravagant, eccentric, and all together off the wall, but it was enjoyable and entertaining, and very Marc Jacobs.

I'm obviously not going to do a New York Fashion Week post and talk about Ralph Lauren's bizarre yet spectacular 4D show, something that has not yet been done.  There is not all that much I can say about it, so instead, here it is.

Ralph Lauren himself said ''I really wanted to do something big for the new Polo Women’s brand—something set in the city—that felt modern. We returned to Central Park, a place I love, and captured the spirit of Polo with a truly innovative mix of fashion and technology''




So to finish off this extremely long post, I will leave you with some of the best Street Style pictures of New York Fashion Week, Fall 2014. 

All from Vogue.com