29 July 2009

What I Wore Yesterday: 28/07/09

I embarked upon writing an article the other day; it proved to be far too lengthy to complete all in one evening. It'll be up soon enough! I have many ideas still in progress and hope to unleash them all upon the world in blog-format very shortly.


POF: people should follow my example: stop saying "omg I can't BELIEVE it's July, look at the weather" and wear a damn hoodie. they're comfortable and warm.
Hoodie: Hollister. Evil, no? But I love it. It's the most comfortable thing I own, as well as being the one which gets dirty the fastest as the sleeves are miles too long for me.
T-shirt: Forever The Sickest Kids gig
Tights: somewhere
Shorts: Primark
Boots [not pictured]: Fryes

22 July 2009

What I Wore: 22/07/09


POF: Getting hair cut on a cold & windy day.
Jacket: Kookai
Tee: Bleeding Star
Skirt: All Saints
Tights: olddd
Boots [not pictured]: Fryes

My hair always feels alien for the first few days after it's cut. I decided long fringes are too difficult - even though they look rather beautiful - so I had mine short again while I grow the rest of my hair out. Anyone else agree that long fringes are hell to manage?

Today was actually very amusing even though I have my hair cut in the same small town where I go to school - I met a very cute person in Somerfield whilst shopping for Oreos (joy!) and my mum's lovely friend said I looked "very black today", haha.

I've been thinking about purchasing some more pairs of shoes to add variety to my ensembles - lately all I've been wearing are my Fryes and, divine as they are, I need some more super-versatile shoes that blend in seamlessly with my normal style. I have 30+ pairs of shoes, but alas they are mostly Converse, Vans and cheapie canvas shoes which I used to wear constantly but rarely do nowadays. Shoe shopping is always a pain for me, as I am somewhere between a UK 8-9, luckily just squeezing into the biggest size of most styles. However I feel it's urgent and shall seek out some beautiful brand new footwear to sit proudly alongside my darling Fryes and DMs.

19 July 2009

The Idols, Icons & Inspiration Quiz

photo from here.


Borrowed from the lovely Ava-May Hemme - check out her divinely fabulous blog!

1. Who’s your favourite designer?
There are so many amazingly inspirational designers out there. Favourites would have to be Vivienne Westwood, Betsey Johnson, Tarina Tarantino, Alexander McQueen, Kelly Ewing. Any designers who aren't afraid to think outside the box and completely blow away peoples' perception of what 'fashion' is.

2. If you had to move out of the country you are living in now, where would you chose to live?
The US, for sure! I have such an obsession with that place - for starters, it's massive! Not to mention the countless incredible people who were born and raised there.

3. Do any of your friends blog?
One of my friends has a political blog, though politics frankly bores me to tears, so I don't read it that much. It's what he loves doing & I think that's awesome, but politics is not my thing at all!

4. What is the scariest thing you have ever done?
Probably moving schools a few times, which is always deathly terrifying when you're young. Many people think that travelling to the US alone when I was really small must've been awful, but it really wasn't!

5. What hair products do you use?
More than is probably healthy! I'm loving the Aussie Colour shampoo and deep conditioner, I swear it's made my hair so much healthier and retained my colour for longer. I'm also a big addict of Bed Head products, simply because they smell so good, the packaging is obnoxiously bright and their stuff is great for short, funky hair!

6. Would you rather be in a submarine by yourself for six months or in a rocket ship in space with your best friend for a year?
Neither preferably, but I'd hate to be alone for even just a few days.

7. Would you rather be a model in Paris or a musician in Barcelona?
'Musician in Barcelona' brings to mind all kinds of creepy mariachi-esque imagery, so I'd have to make it a screamo band instead! I wouldn't mind being a model either.

8. Would you rather be an artist in San Francisco or a dancer in New York?
Artist in San Fran would be wonderful, I've heard so many great things about it.

9. Would you go back and change anything in your life?
I agree that everything happens for a reason - it's terrifying to think how the tiniest things can have such a huge impact on your life.

10. Do you have a job? If so, where? And do you like it?
I don't have a proper 'job' since I live practically in the middle of nowhere (and working at the pub as a dish washer does NOT sound very pleasant!) but I sell bits & pieces on Ebay which gives me a bit of extra much-needed cash.

11. Are your friends fashionable?
I wouldn't say any of them are in a Vogue type of sense, though they all dress to fit their fabulous personalities, which I adore.

12. Why did you decide to start this blog?
Writing is a huge passion of mine, and after almost 2 years of A-Levels I was fed up almost to tears of having my creativity suppressed under mountains of dry, dull essays. Fashion is another obsession of mine, though none of my friends are very much into it so I don't get to discuss it much away from the internet. I wanted to combine the two to start something that would hopefully be inspiring and interesting as well as fun!

13. When did you start this blog?
27th March 2009. I know, I can't believe it either.

14. Did you or do you make any of your clothes yourself?
I really want to! I have my own sewing machine and everything...I just don't know how to use it.

15. If you could be anyone for a day who would it be?
Probably one of my guy besties, because I think it would be such a freakish yet intriguing experience to be a member of the opposite sex for a day..like how they think differently, plus their families and homes are all super-cool!

16. What’s your favourite highstreet shop?
Selfridges! I wouldn't mind buying everything from there for the rest of my life. All Saints, Topshop and Dorothy Perkins all have wonderful things, as well as my new love Bershka. They NEED to have one here!

17. If you could live anywhere is the whole world, where would it be?
New York, though I haven't been there yet it seems like such an incredible fairytale city. London would be my second choice. Although I adore some of the amazing people who live near me, it's so draining living in such a desolate place with so few opportunities.

18. Whats the one thing you regret not doing most?
Nothing major I don't think, but there's certain times where you think, "Damn, I WISH I could've done/bought/said that!"

19. Favourite colour?
Pink, purple, blue, aqua, black, flax and silver!

20. What’s your perfect summer outfit?
A long tank top, pretty shorts (bermuda shorts are too underrated! adore that lazy American look, haha) and sexy boots. Sandals are cute but I prefer boots much more, and no - my feet are never too hot!

21. Who’s your favourite radio DJ?
None, I don't listen to the radio. I'd much rather control what I listen to.

22. Can you play any instruments?
Used to play piano, violin and recorder, plus I can play that White Stripes song on the guitar. Awesome.

23. What colour is your toothbrush?
Bluee and white.

24. Best and worst thing about blogging?
Best: Inspiring people, receiving lovely feedback, writing about subjects I find truly interesting.
Worst: Not being able to update as much as I like!

25. Where do you see your blog in 5 years time?
Still going, I hope! I'd love for it to still be around in 5 years. I'd like to have many more followers and connect with many more like-minded people.

26. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I shall be..23! Probably just finishing a fabulous & eternally useful uni course and making lots of new friends whilst still getting to be with my old ones.

27. Who are your favorite bands/music artists?
Escape The Fate pre-Craig Mabbit - Ronnie Radke is an incredibly passionate vocalist, I wish he'd never gone to jail. I saw local band Amy Can Flyy a couple days ago too, their music is completely different to anything else that's out there at the moment and they deserve to be huge.

28. Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Nope, only child here.

29. If you could only wear one color for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Black! Pseudo-goth style to the max.

30. Your favorite item in your wardrobe?
My new leather jacket! I can't wait for the cooler weather so I can wear it every day. The smell of leather is completely intoxicating!

31. Your least favorite item in your wardrobe?
I try not to keep pieces I hate, but I really wish I had the crazy sewing talents to resize all my big baggy band tees! They're amazing, but I can hardly wear them as they're huge and shapeless. You'd think some bands with mostly female fan bases would make skinny band tees, but no.

32. If you could meet up and talk fashion/go shopping with anyone, who would you pick and why?
Gala Darling, definitely. How she manages to find such amazing handbags and shoes is completely beyond me. She should start up a personal shopper service.

33. If your perfect day was patterned after a song, which song would it be?
Escape The Fate - Situations. The beginning of the video cracks me up and the song's incredible live.

34. Describe your capsule wardrobe:
Composed of many scarves, cardigans and dresses from All Saints, as well as a Vivienne Westwood blazer, a few Kelly Ewing and Marc Jacobs dresses and a Religion leather jacket. I'd have my fabulous Frye boots as well as some custom-made flats, heels and rocking horse shoes.

35. Where do you get inspiration from?
In general? Beautiful photos and art, as well as incredibly stylish people.

36. What do you want to do with your life?
To be successful and happy, which I suppose is what everyone desires. What I want to do exactly? I'm not entirely sure just yet, it's rather scary.

37. Who is most important to you?
My boyfriend and best friends. Much of the time they don't realise how important they are to me, but I don't know what I'd do without them.

38. If you could host a dinner party and could invite anyone, who would you invite?
My besties, Ronnie Radke, Nubby Twiglet, Kat Von D (to persuade her to do my future tattoo!), Paris Hilton, Nikki Sixx and Hayley Williams. Sounds like some incredibly twisted episode of 'Come Dine With Me'.

39. Do you have any style icons?
Audrey Kitching, Emilie Autumn, Hayley W, Davey Havok, Michael Jackson and anyone with immense style.

40. What is your favorite decade for vintage clothing?
70s-80s punk & metal inspired stuff. Leather, chains, studs..wonderful!

41. What’s on your birthday list this year?
Everything in the 'Item Lust' folder on my laptop, containing the most beautiful pieces from Topshop, Miu Miu, Religion, All Saints and a bunch of Japanese websites I've no idea how to order from.

42. Who is your favourite disney character?
I was never terribly into Disney as a kid, but Mickey Mouse was pretty cool.

43. What are your pet peeves?
Rude people, people who hate learner drivers!, when friends don't reply to an important text/message/voicemail, grumpy customers, scuffed shoes, rain, polo shirts, utterly hopeless boredom.

44. What is your favourite quote?
I rarely remember exact quotes - how I got through English Lit this year is beyond me - but I found a beautiful one the other day about how it's less painful for a flower to take the chance to blossom than it would be to remain shriveled up as a bud.

45. Which countries have you been to and which was your favourite?
The US (Florida & Ohio), Switzerland and Italy. Florida is always fun for me, as I stay with my extremely cool family avoiding all the lame tourist traps. Really, Disney World isn't that fun!

15 July 2009

Oh, London ♥

photo taken by me!


London is a city which never ceases to amaze me. Regarded as the undisputed epitome of culture, class and style in the UK, it's no wonder millions of people swarm there every day for events, sightseeing and shopping, shopping, shopping. The most inspiring aspect of the place is the culture - London is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, so it's not surprising that in one neighborhood you'll find people in floor-length burkhas inhaling the spicy aroma of exotic curries whilst in the one adjacent you'll encounter tall, beautiful tattooed girls running incredible high-end vintage boutiques. Mere moments after arrival it's easy to see how many London-based artists and designers manage to gain inspiration for their incredible work, as their senses are constantly being bombarded by the intriguing, terrifying and often absurd experiences that this hub of constant buzzing activity has to offer.

Similarly, the retail capabilities are limitless. When your shop has a place on the grey tourist-infested pavements of Oxford Street, you know you've made it. London is just as famous for its vast shopping centers and gigantic high street flagship locations as it is for its museums, art and culture. Every international fashion retailer's debut store in the UK has to be in central London for optimum traffic as well as the most effective marketing campaigns. No other city in the UK or Europe has nearly as many famous fashion stores from across the globe as London does, it's a truly phenomenal place to be.

After hunting down some cute vintage stores in Brick Lane and getting lost in the chilling zone of horrors known as Bethnal Green, I found solace in the ridiculously enchanting high-street paradise known as Oxford Street. I think I should probably set up camp in the back of Topshop and try and live there or something.

My beloved purchases:

1.
This lusciously soft leather jacket from Selfridges is most likely going to become my new child/most frequently worn item. I originally wanted a vintage one, but they were all much too masculine for my liking, so this beauty from Selfridges should make up for its frightfully expensive price tag by staying with me forever.

2.
I went hunting at the fairly new Bershka shop in Oxford street and marvelled at how cheap yet gorgeous some of their items actually are. This drape cardigan cost only £6.99 somehow and looks very similar to the current offerings at All Saints. Hmm.

3.
Another impulse Bershka purchase. I'm concerned by the 'Do Not Wash' label; however it was £2 and matches my hair, so why the heck not?

4.
An incredible scarf from japanese usefulness boutique Muji, featuring a map of New York. I was impressed by this as I'm hoping to go to NY in a couple of months, so I can memorise the street maps before heading off over there whilst wearing one myself. Plus it came in this adorable tube - how amazing is that? Accompanied by an amusing festival flyer from a vintage shop just off Carnaby Street.

What's your favourite aspect of London?
Any incredibly jaw-dropping purchases/occurances while you were there?
If you've never been, what would inspire you to want to go there the most?

What I Wore: 12/07/09

Recently my free time has been consumed with sorting out/worrying about school for next year, and whether that's actually going to happen! It's terrifying not knowing what's going to happen in the near future. As well as an impromptu trip to London yesterday, the last week has been pretty hectic for me.

Here's what I wore on Sunday:


POF: Off to Gay Pride in town..before realising the whole area specially set up for it had already been dismantled! :( Got some free Krispy Kreme donut samples instead..
Cardigan: All Saints
Tops: Atmosphere/H&M
Shorts: Atmosphere
Tights: oldd
Necklace: Urban Outfitters
Boots [not pictured]: Fryes

I shall post the fruits of my London shoparound very shortly!

7 July 2009

What I Wore: 05/07/09



POF: Seeing my friend's band at the beach!, buying tacky plastic beach toys, getting sand over absolutely everything.
Tops: River Island, H&M
Necklace: Urban Outfitters
Belt: Harajuku Lovers
Shorts: Primark
Tights: School ones which I still wear.

6 July 2009

Playsuit-O-Rama! Not Just Another Hideous Topshop Gimmick?

Traditionally, us Brits aren't built for the summer. We sulk under our rainy skies all year wrapped up in our fabulously well-cut jeans, pretty scarves and beautiful jackets. Yet when the sun decides to take pity on us by offering a couple weeks of humid heat and a few rays of sunshine as compensation for the dour and depressing winter months, some mechanism in 98% of British brains causes all sense of style to be thrown out the window. We are not used to this sudden heat, hurriedly throwing on whatever we find in the depths of our drawers. Our mum's old Race For Life t-shirt? Why not! The oh-so-practical socks with sandals? Go for it! Why is it that even the slightest hint of warm weather over the summer months causes people to suffer fashion crises of the most dire proportions, kicking off some of the most hideous trends our side of the earth has ever glimpsed?

One of the most bafflingly odd yet intriguingly adorable trends this summer has got to be the almighty Playsuit. But wait, doesn't the name sound like something your mother made you wear in your toddler years? Visions of flannel button-up onesies come to mind - "is this what really accounts for fashion these days?!" you ask yourself. I agree - the name itself brings up the most horrible of images and completely puts you off even investigating these awful-sounding new garments. But it couldn't hurt to have a look, right?

Topshop has been selling these aforementioned playsuits for at least a couple of months now, as well as other high street retailers following suit by displaying similar styles.

Top playsuits currently being sold in stores and online:


1. 'RARE' Black Asymmetric Playsuit @ Topshop.com - £45 (£25 on sale)
My #1 favourite. Wonderfully simple with a gorgeous asymmetric cut, as well as looking easy to undo - did you know you have to take the entire garment off to use the bathroom? These are currently out of stock online, but are most likely still being sold in stores. If I had to get any playsuit, I'd go straight for this.


2. ASOS Broken Heart Playsuit - £35
On second thoughts, I adore this one too. Satisfies your inner emo kid whilst still being cute enough to get away with wearing without being called 'goth bitch' by the local chavs.


3. River Island Cross Over Playsuit - £44.99
Will go with just about anything in your wardrobe. A little more expensive than the offerings from Topshop and ASOS, though the 'Little Black Playsuit' looks to be this summer's new 'Little Black Dress'.


4. Topshop Fluoro Rose Playsuit - £40
Pretty, classic and summery - if black is a little too dark for you, this cute blue and white floral number could be the answer to your playsuit conundrum. H&M are currently selling a skirt in a very similar material, showing that blue and white florals aren't just for your grandmother's tea set anymore.


5. Topshop Red Rose Playsuit - £45
On the other hand, if you're more into the alternative side of fashion, black and red is the way to go. Accentuating the waist and chest, this is probably one of the more sexier choices if a simple lighter floral design just isn't your thing.

What do you think of these hand-picked pieces? Would you wear one yourself?

4 July 2009

What I Wore Today - 04/07/09

A fairly uneventful day, just glad to be outside!


POF: weeekend.
Shirt: H&M
Tee: David & Goliath
Shorts: Primark
Tights: Kept from old school uniform :D
Boots [not pictured]: My lovely Frye boots which I seem to wear almost every day.


I can't wait to get writing proper posts again! The last few days have been fairly busy, though next week I'm hoping I'll be feeling 100% myself so I can use my oodles of free time more positively.

Hope all you Americans reading had a wonderful 4th of July! ♥ It's just another day for us Brits, haha.

3 July 2009

First Ever River Island Purchases?!

Yesterday I found myself in town alone due to people cancelling plans, etc - a perfect opportunity for an all-day shopping trip! Shopping in the early morning is absolutely wonderful - less crowds, a cooler temperature (any other UK people melting in this heatwave?!) and the sales staff are much more attentive a half hour after opening than in the early afternoon. Truly wonderful!

This gave me a great opportunity to have a quick dash around the shops that I never usually go into. I'd heard wonderful things about River Island from friends in London but have never been able to find anything in their local stores but, well, tacky trash to put it nicely. Neon vests and sequinned hot pants, for example - how foul! I had a great chance to look at some of their newer things yesterday and they truly do have some pretty items! I almost bought more, but £51 in one go is enough for one day, don't you think?

Though one of the department stores in town have just opened a new All Saints section, and they are having a sale...why do they tempt me?!

On to the photos!:



Purchase #1: Grey Animal Print Top: Adore this! Loved the cut, tried it on on a whim and it looks excellent for wearing to gigs in the summer with dark tailored shorts. The heat has been so intense here in the South for the last few weeks that I really needed some pretty yet practical summer clothes other than t-shirts.

Purchase #2: Grey & Blue Striped Jersey Dress: Is it ridiculous how I own literally no dresses? Now I have one which I love - I saw a similar one on Modcloth, shame it sold out! I wore this today and it's wonderful. I like how it subtly accentuates the waistline without drawing too much attention to the hips and stomach.

Lesson for today - always try things on! I think when the stores are quieter you feel much more prepared for trying things on than when it's hot and crowded. I'm delighted with my new finds. :)

1 July 2009

Charity shop finds - what do you think?

I've been feeling slightly better the last few days, I hope I can continue to improve - being ill is NOT something I'd advise to anyone!

I went looking through the charity shops yesterday and found these sweet-looking jackets. I know I wouldn't be able to wear them until winter and that I'd be wearing something else completely different underneath them - what's your opinion? Keep and love them, or sell them?

Picture too large for layout - click here!

#1 - Laura Ashley black velvet blazer, £5. Someone cut the inside tag out but I can tell from the care instructions label that it's from Laura Ashley.

#2 - Karen Millen jacket, bought for just over £6. Crazy print, no? It reminded me of a pimp jacket when I tried it on. I decided that if I didn't get it, I'd regret it and so went ahead and got it.

What would they look best styled up with? The most ridiculous, crazy suggestions are welcome. I can't wait to wear the second one, haha.
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