today i'm wearing

Corset detail light pink t-shirt, Topshop
High-waisted black shorts, Mango
Black belt, Primark
Studded and sequined gladiator sandals, Faith
Watch, Urban Outfitters

Prada A/W 11-12

Prada's Autumn Winter 2011-12 collection, along with Dolce & Gabbana's star print/boys vs girls collection, Gucci's Forties glamour collection, and Louis Vuitton's fetish collection, contains some of the best statement pieces of the season. The oversized aquatic sequins ensure they'll catch people's eyes for all the right reasons. I love how Prada always manages to inject a hint of the sixties into their collections whilst making it fresh and exciting with contemporary accesories and beautiful textures.
Here's some unedited outtakes from a sixties-themed photoshoot I styled and photographed earlier this year.

my make-up must-haves

1. Naked Palette, Urban Decay - the only palette I need. 12 shades of nude, gold, brown and grey allow me to create natural daytime looks, summery bronzed looks and smoky night looks.

2. Solar Powder, Soap & Glory - two shades of bronze in one cute compact so I can adjust my level of bronze depending on my tan.

3. Perfect Light, No.7 - you get loads of this loose powder and the packaging ensures there's no accidental spillages.

4. Almost Makeup SPF 15, Clinique - my skin tans easily so this tinted moisturiser means I can blend it into my skin all year round.

5. Touche Eclat, Yves Saint Laurent - this wonder concealer is truly the best you'll get for seamlessly covering blemishes and making you look wide awake. One sells every ten seconds, and now there's six new shades.

6. MasterpieceMax, Maxfactor - I love the brush of this mascara as it seperates my eyelashes and coats them with non-clumpy intense black.

7. 24/7 Glide-on eye pencil, Urban Decay - this eyeliner is so smooth and stays put for hours on end.

8. Liquid eyeliner, Barry M - I've stuck by this for years as it's so cheap but the little pot lasts for ages and the felt-tip style brush allows no-fuss application.

9. Eye Bright, Benefit - I use a smudge in the inner corners of my eyes for a cheeky lift when I'm looking tired.

10. High Beam, Benefit - This luminescent pale pink cream creates a dewy glow when applied to the cheekbones and browbones.

11. Lipstick, Mac - my friend bought me this in the shade 'Russian Red' and Mac now holds the best lipstick title for me. Smooth, creamy, intense colour... I'm planning which shade to get next.

12. Lipcote - I wouldn't dare wear lipstick without this. It makes it stay in place for hours and is completely 'kissproof'!

Rob Ryan

I'm delighted to read in September 2011's issue of Vogue (p251) that my favourite artist Rob Ryan has designed this year's Fashion's Night Out t-shirt. Made by Gap, the white longline t-shirt has a black printed design of 'a whimsical shopper under London's starry skyline'. Fashion's Night Out is described as 'Vogue's global celebration of shopping', and has returned for the third year running. I first fell in love with Rob Ryan after spotting a set of his and hers mugs in Urban Outfitters, and subsequently received a storybook, 'This Is For You' (a story of love and loneliness portrayed through intricate papercuts), and a water bottle, for my birthday.



This isn't the first time the papercut and screenprint artist has collaborated with the fashion world: he has been commisioned by Elle, Vogue, Stylist and Amelia's magazine, and has also collaborated with Fenchurch, Lulu Guinness, Paul Smith and Tatty Devine. This incredibly talented man's popularity can only grow - hopefully there's some more fashion prints in the pipeline!


Elle cover, October 2009; Stylist cover, June 2010; Vogue Nippon wedding supplement cover, 2005; Dress designed with Gary Page for Vogue, 2006

http://www.misterrob.co.uk
http://www.etsy.com/shop/misterrob

SingaporeBrides

I'm stunned by these beautiful images by Zhang Jingna for SingaporeBrides August 2011. I love the haunting and ethereal effect created by the black backdrop, alabaster skin, doll-like make-up and movement in the shots; it's such an innovative way of creating a bridal shoot that is neither generic or cheesey and ensures attention is brought to the intricate gowns from Amanda Lee Weddings, Dang Bridal, LaVie Bridal and The Wedding Present.




find the rest of the shoot here

Look blogging competition

I've just seen a competition on Look's website to report live from the front row at The Look Show, Westfield Statford City, this September.
I would love to report from the front row as my blogging style is creative, informative and personal - I take great pleasure in sharing my fashion thoughts and finds, and try to give my readers fresh material that will keep them up to date and coming back for more. I enjoy spotting a trend and researching behind it, as well as who is wearing it, how it can be worn in different ways and where you can find high street alternatives.
http://www.look.co.uk/

my birthday

On the 31st July I celebrated my 20th birthday. My lovely boyfriend Chris made sure I had an amazing day, bringing me some beautiful presents including a gorgeous bouquet, before taking me to a spa for some relaxing hydrotherapy and for a meal at an Italian restaurant, and we also popped in to Pitcher & Piano for a couple of cocktails.
The day after, I had my friends round for a garden party and drinks before heading out into town. Below is a picture of (from left) Camilla, in a pretty pleat-sleeved top from H&M, Annabelle, in a ruffle-front dress from Lovestruck, Chris, me, and Gemma, in a lace bodycon dress from River Island. I'm loving our pink and nude tones and lace, ruffle and pleat details.
I received a cute Accesorize heart lace vest and brief set from Laura which I absolutely love, and some vintage-style earrings with red gemstones from Sophie, which I'll post a picture of me wearing soon. My birthday party outfits were comprised of a Zara cream cap-sleeved blouse teamed with H&M soft pink beaded culottes for the daytime and H&M camel waterfall frill dress for the evening. I finished my look off with a spritz of my new signature fragrance - D&G 3 L'Impératrice - a fresh floral and exotic fruit fragrance that is perfect for summer.
I had such an amazing birthday so thank you to everyone for their birthday wishes and who came to celebrate it with me!