all i want for christmas

PLEASE SANTA!!!

Raspberry Glossy Bayswater, Mulberry

santa baby

When fairisle knit jumpers, glitter nail varnish and metallic dresses aren't quite enough to get into the Christmas spirit, these festive delights from Charlotte Olympia are sure to warm your heart. Loving that perspex Olympia/Pandora clutch.

today i'm wearing

There's nothing like an INSANELY bright angora jumper that screams 'you wouldn't lose me in a crowd' to brighten up a gloomy grey winter day. H&M jumper worn with Zara faux leather leggings, Primark black and gold studded loafers and a pop of orange red lipstick.

happy halloween!

Anna de Rijk for Vogue Netherlands November 2012 by Marc de Groot

halloween inspiration

If you're looking for some Halloween inspiration this year and are tired of the ugly monster / Mean Girls 'total slut' options, why not take it up a notch in chic vampy clothes (black silk, crushed velvet, leather, lace and sheer fabric) and let your makeup do the talking, as demonstrated below (styling by Carine Roitfeld and shot by Mert & Marcus for Vogue Paris October 2010). In love with that crucifix and handprint. Top marks for innovation, chicness and simplicity.

winter obsession

I am so obsessed with this Christopher Kane S/S11 shade of neon lime/acid yellow for Autumn/Winter. I bought this lovellyyyy fluffy angora jumper from H&M in my favourite shade a couple of weeks ago and have worn it with my faux leather leggings from Zara (sorry there's not a pic of me in the outfit!). This winter I'll be using splashes of neon to brighten up drab winter outfits - I love the contrast of summer colours on heavy winter fabrics.

Other brights I'm crushing on:

Acne angora jumper

Hearts & Hands @ Urban Outfitters coat

Cambridge Satchel Company

American Apparel Neon yellow nail varnish

Fashion's Night Out 2012

Please excuse me for the delay in this write up, had such a busy past couple of weeks going out, catching up with friends, travelling, working on my uni project and having the flu that blogging has completely slipped my mind!

Last Thursday, Hannah and I went to London to celebrate Fashion's Night Out. For those in the dark about this annual event, FNO is a global initiative, sponsored by Vogue and the CFDA, to encourage consumers to shop and support the fashion industry.

It was my first time at the event but it was amazing, there was such a buzzing atmosphere and so many shops took part, including Westfield London. Hannah and I spent the majority of our time on Bond Street. The night involved plenty of drinks, live music, photo opportunities and competitions. We began at Jimmy Choo, then Russell & Bromley where Hannah had an Elemis hand treatment. We made a pit-stop at Missoni for an ice-cream (chocolate ripple for me and pistachio for Hannah!), before heading into Burberry. Burberry was our favourite place of the night; we sipped champagne as we lusted over the latest trench coats and danced to indie folk band Southern. Michael Kors were giving away a handbag so we entered the competition and popped into the photo booth to model some Michael Kors aviators! Such a fun night with a party atmosphere and great to see everyone out in their fashion finest, I'll definitely be making an appearance again next year.

I wore Topshop skinny jeans, Primark studded loafers, Zara top, Primark belt and leather bag from Topshop

Indulgent Elemis hand treatment at Russell & Bromley

Southern at Burberry

Aztec accent

Today's nail art, created by painting nails using Barry M's Nail Paint in 272 Shocking Pink and painting an accent nail with Model's Own Lemon Meringue. I then used the Barry M pink, Rimmel Lasting Finish in 050 Tangerine Queen and Model's Own Nail Art Pens in black and white to create an aztec pattern.

wiwt

What I wore today:

Top - Zara

Jacket - Zara

Jeans - Topshop

Suede brogues - Zara

I love wearing this cape when there's some wind in the air as it flows so nicely in a breeze and adds a bit of drama to an otherwise standard outfit. Also perfect for channelling my inner superhero (although the ideal would require some Victoria's Secret Angel wings).

quick change

 Double outfit post today from what I wore yesterday. I wore this to work:

 

Burnout vest top - Topshop

Grey leopard print bomber jacket - H&M

High-waisted shorts - Mango

Shoes - Vans

Watch - Casio @ American Apparel

 Quick outfit change after work for Gemma's Olympic closing ceremony party, just swapped the shorts and vest for this white lace playsuit from Urban Outfitters, pictured here with Mim:

neo industrialism s/s13

I've been blogging so sporadically over the past few months but I'm starting a new chapter in several ways and this is one of them.

I feel like it's a confusing time for us as consumers to respond to the fashion trends recently as we've been too busy mourning for our non-existent summer (again) in a confusing mix of leather jackets and vest tops that we've barely had time to wear the vintage Americana, mix-matched prints and pastel trends that emerged for Spring/Summer 2012. With country classics and winter blooms, and a palette of strong paintbox colours (purple, red, army green, cobalt) with a dash of metallics presented for Autumn/Winter, it feels a little as though we're being rushed along when we're still clinging onto hope for just one more beach day. Next month, fashion week returns to present Spring/Summer 2013's trends, and I'd like to share my prediction for next season with you (forecasted Winter 2011).

Neo Industrialism S/S13:

 Illustrations and text by Lara Spiller (illustrations created using origami and original photographs)

During the past five years, there has been an irrefutable rise in the use of technology within the fashion industry. Companies are using social networks for promotion and market analysis, as well as creating mobile-optimised websites, shopping apps and installing computer tablets in-store. Even 3D body scanners have been developed to measure a person’s vital statistics, creating a virtual image of them which will allow them to pick clothes from the shop’s database, ‘try’ them on by transferring the image to their virtual body, and go home confident that their purchases will fit perfectly. The latest development in 3D technology are 3D printers, which allow the user to print a design for home decor, medical implants, fashion accessories, art, etc. Online companies are already selling 3D printed objects and allowing users to design their own. This new technology will revolutionise manufacturing.

This is part of a series of technological advances in the recent 3D phenomenon, which has seen a resurgence of 3D film since the unprecedented success of Avatar in December 2009, and the development of 3D game consoles and televisions. The latest, and most exciting, is the development of 3-dimensional printing, otherwise known as additive manufacturing, which uses a 3D computer design to create a ‘print’ in metal, plastic or even chocolate, by layering the material a few microns at a time. The core appeal of this revolutionary technology is bespoke manufacturing: medical implants can be precisely tailored for each patient; we can be our own fashion designers, creating accessories to suit our individual tastes and needs; we will be able to print spare car parts, personalised phone covers and even another 3D printer.

According to Lisa Harouni, of company Digital Forming, ‘it is going to affect every facet of life’. This technology has been in existence for almost two decades, initially being used for product prototyping, but decreased costs now means that it is now a viable method of mass manufacturing. Online companies such as Shapeways and Ponoko are already selling a variety of printed objects including musical instruments, jewellery, home decor and art, as well as allowing consumers to design and buy their own piece, and ‘part fashion label, part experimental design lab’ Continuum are selling a 3D printed bikini.

From this rise in technology emerges the trend Neo Industrialism: a fashion movement that looks to a realistic future, a future where 3D printing will infiltrate our everyday lives. This trend will appeal to confident, young, tech-savvy professionals who have a clean-cut, sophisticated style, with emphasis on cut, shape and structure rather than colour and pattern. They like to be individual, often customising clothes and making their own jewellery. The garments are not yet products of 3D printing (as the technology is not currently able to print in fabric) but influenced by it, creating structure and volume using boning, folds and pleats. 3D printed accessories will be worn to complete the look.

jingley jangley

I don't usually wear a lot of jewellery apart from a watch, so I'm very picky when I do buy it. I love geometric elements, bold earrings and tiny charms. I think Urban Outfitters always have a really good selection of lovely, quirky pieces that are still very wearable.

I'd been lusting after this necklace for a couple of months but couldn't justify the £18 price tag. However, I popped into Urban Outfitters the other day and was delighted to find that it was in the sale for £9! It's long, dropping to mid-torso, and made up of a plaited chain and pastel mint thread, with gold beads and antique silver triangle charms. You can buy it here, although only the peach version is available online.

Also I was lusting after this cute silver necklace, with tiny silver skull charms but decided my budget could only stretch to one necklace. My sneaky boyfriend Chris snuck off and bought it for me though, hiding it in my room for me to find after he left! Aren't I lucky? <3 :) This one was also in the sale, £5 down from £10. You can buy it online here.

filthy gorgeous & models own hed kandi

 As my Jubilee nails had chipped quite a lot and I'm not sure how long you should carry on the patriotism (should I take down the massive Union Jack flag on my house?!), I decided to try out two of my new polishes. I used a Filthy Gorgeous polish in Grunge, a really nice grey/lilac putty colour as my base. On top, I layered Ibiza Mix from Models Own Hed Kandi collection, a clear polish with sunset-coloured glitter (muted, coppery rainbow colours). I love the look of these two together - the Filthy Gorgeous polish is probably a new fave as the colour is lovely, more pastel than dull. I was hoping the Models Own polish would provide more glitter coverage as the glitter looks really dense in the bottle but I do like the overall effect as it shows off the base colour. It's a shame you can't wear Ibiza Mix by itself - you would have to build up so many layers! However, it would probably look gorgeous on a black base.

I painted these this morning and have been at work for four hours, ripping open cardboard boxes and unwrapping shoes, then did loads of washing up when I got home and my nails have stayed pretty much intact so big thumbs up from me.

 Also I need to mention Barry M's All In One clear basecoat, topcoat & nail hardener. I've only used it a couple of times as a basecoat but I've noticed a significant improvement to my flaky nails, I don't know if you can tell by the above picture but they've got longer than usual! Happy glittery nails.

Jubilee nails

I hope you all had lovely Jubilee weekends!

 

 I created these patriotic blue, red and gold nails using Barry M 292 Navy, Barry M 320 Foil Effects, Revlon 745 Frankly Scarlet and Model's Own Wah Nail Art Pen in Black to draw on the crown.

There was a street party on my road so I set up a nail bar to do Jubilee nails, I bought some Andrea Fulerton nail crystal gemstones to add a sparkle to the crown, applied using tweezers when the polish was still tacky. The little girls on my road were big fans!

market haul

On Saturday I explored Portobello Market, eating churros and spending money I shouldn't be spending!

I picked up this dress from a boutique for £27 - the photos really don't show it very well but its black with a sash belt and structured shoulders with little studs on the sleeves. It's so nice to have a unique piece in my wardrobe that I can wear on a night out or with sandals in summer - it's cut mid-thigh so will be great to show off a tan! I'm sure I'll be wearing it out soon so I'll make sure I get a better photo.

I also picked up these earrings for £5 from Appletree Boutique as I am obsessed with geometric earrings.

I couldn't resist treating myself to this gorgeous floral teapot - I've been wanting one for a while and it'll be so handy for when I'm stuck in my room at night doing uni work, and to make yummy cocktails in.

Yesterday, I went to Brick Lane market which I lovedddd. I'd never been before and the atmosphere was amazing, people all sat on the pavement eating food from the endless stalls. I opted for sushi which was delicious as it was freshly prepared in front of me.

It must have been the vibe of all those cool kids everywhere that made me crave some quirky new sunglasses. I chose a wayfarer-style pair with matte tortoiseshell and gold frames with brown lenses for £10.

And finalllllyyy, some gorgeous freshwater pearl earrings with silver backs, absolute bargain at a fiver for both pairs. I chose some tiny cream ones which are lovely and dainty, and a peach pair.