Style Steal - Amber Le Bon At the Cartier International Polo, 2010

Thought I would treat you to a quick Style Steal today. Depending on where you are this outfit may or may not be suitable for the weather you are having!


Amber Le Bon at the Cartier International Polo 

Image from Look

Get the Look ....

I like birds...

This post is a great excuse to link to a video of one of my favourite artists - Eels 'I Like Birds'




As the song suggests, I currently have an obsession with birds! And once you start to look, you will see that they are everywhere in fashion at the moment! Whether its feathers or full on bird illustrations, there is plenty to appease the bird lovers...

Trend - Monochrome

There is a lot of pattern and colour out there at the moment and I love a bit of colour as much of the next girl but sometimes you can't go wrong with a monochrome black and white outfit! - Put it this way ladies, Chanel cannot be wrong!

So this week I have decided to do a trend piece on monochrome for your viewing and shopping pleasure...

Inspiration...

Shop the Look...

STOCKISTS

A-WEAR                                         
  AMERICAN APPAREL              
ASOS
BOOHOO                                        
DESIRE CLOTHING                     
DOROTHY PERKINS
DEBENHAMS                                 
LOVE MISS DAISY                      
LINZI SHOES
LOVE HEARTS & CROSSES     
MATALAN                                 
MISS GUIDED
MY TIGHTS                                     
MISS SELFRIDGE                       
MISS PATINA
MY VINTAGE                                 
NEW LOOK                             
NATASHA BAILIE VINTAGE
PEACOCKS
RARE                                               
  TOPSHOP                                   
TALLULAH TU
TESCO                                              
THE VESTRY                                
WALLIS

Image sources for collage - Digital Arts online, Grazia, Telegraph, I heart lovely, Make up for life, Drowned in Sound, Celebrity Gossip, Glamour magazine, Look, InStyle, Marian Kihogo,and Talking Makeup 

Lottie's Finishing School - D is For....

DREAMS

 Image source - if you are the original owner please contact me

It's bee a pretty tough year or so for me and my other half (I won't go into details so don't run away!) and one resulting problem of my trials has been that I appear to have stopped myself from dreaming! How has this happened? I hear you wondering, and to be honest I have only just realised this myself after reading Lottie's post for the Finishing School about dreams.

Image source - please contact me if you are the owner of the image

The only thing I can think of that has happened to me is that I have worked so hard to get through each bad thing, and struggled with all my might to keep on going, that I haven't given myself the chance to dream. It used to come so naturally to me (I used to get told off at school for daydreaming too much in lessons!) From a young age I had a great imagination and used to love imagining all kinds of things, especially as an avid reader I always could transport myself to different worlds...

Zara and H&M online stores....

If you love to shop online, I have some good news for you my pretties, two more big high street players are venturing into the world of internet shopping - H&M and Zara are both set to launch their online stores (H&M 16th, and Zara on the 2nd) - Just in time for AW!

ZARA - Image from the Look show

H&M AW - Image from Look

Wishful Thinking...

I think I am developing a thing for birds of late (as in the animal before anyone makes any smart alec comments!) whether on jewellery, or t-shirts or stationary. When I saw this Jacey Withers parrot necklace on Cerise UK of course my gut reaction was want!

 £218, Jacey Whitters (Image from Cerise UK)

Staying with Jewellery, I am in love with the jewellery at Swell Vintage at the moment - a gorgeous site that sells handmade gorgeous jewellery (also stocked at selected shops as listed on the website). Particularly wanting this piece at the moment-

'Fantasy' necklace, £32, Swell Vintage

Lottie's Finishing School - C is for ...Part 2

Yes, it is time for the second part 2 of my Finishing School - 'C is for Clothes' posts (part one can be found here)

If you managed to have a good old sort out following the last post, I believe congratulations is i order! I know it can be a pain in the butt to do, but it is worth it and if you can get into the habit of doing it fairly regularly, it becomes less of a hassle.

So now you have sorted out your wardrobe, what next? Well slowly but surely you can build up a wardrobe that works for you. You need to think about what you do in your daily life, for example someone who has to take care of small children would not wear the same daily clothes as someone who spends a lot of time at the office! And of course we all have our own tastes and style. This is something which you will develop and add to as you are inspired by different things but first I believe it is important to have some basics in your wardrobe that are not driven by trends and can be used as the foundation of your wardrobe.

These are not set in stone, and I am not suggesting that you buy everything covered in the post, I am just offering up ideas to help you get started. Nor am I suggesting that you buy them all at once, just do it a bit at a time.There are countless lists on the Internet if you want to see what other people say are essentials, these are just what I have in my wardrobe as my go-to items, whatever is in fashion.

10 Ideas to get you started when wondering what to buy...  

New Drop - Topshop AW the first batch

I know it's still summer folks (well if you live in the northwest like myself, that is a matter of opinion!) But I have said it before, and I'll say it again - I love looking forward to the next season! Whilst I am still loving rocking the SS trends, I am starting to get a craving for some of the AW looks that are slowly feeding out to us. And I had  to blog about the newest items from the pride of the British high street - Topshop and their first AW batch!

Their website has a nifty little guide to each part of the collection starting with this first installment Into The Wild - Here are my three favourites from the drop (the rest can be viewed at the previous link):

 Biker Trousers, £32

Loving this week ...

Sherlock

This is my new favourite TV show folks, I suggest that if you haven't seen the episode that was aired on Sunday, catch it on iplayer pronto! Created by Steven Moffat (of Doctor Who) and Mark Gatiss (of League of Gentlemen) it is a brilliant modern adaption of the classic character.
Also I am totally crushing on Sherlock himself! - Benedict Cumberbatch...

 Image source

Ankle Boots

Check out Look's gallery for some inspiration, as ankle boots are back and better than ever for A/W!
I am currently lusting after this pair from New Look, £75

Hummingbird Ring 

I love a good bargain and I love interesting rings, this gorgeous hummingbird ring from Dorothy Perkins hits both of those targets as it is only £8.50!

 Diamond in the sky boutique

I found this jewellery site via twitter (gotta love it!) and had a peak last week. The jewellery is so cute and it is bargainous to boot! Visit the site here.

Eiffel tower necklace, Diamond in the sky boutique - £10

 Skinny Belts

I love a waist clinching belt as much as the next girl, but I am embracing the new trend for skinny rather than wide waist clinchers. Inspired by some of the looks that featured on the AW catwalks I bagged myself a proper bargain from Dorothy Perkins - £1 in the sale!!! Here I am sporting said belt with a boyfriend cardigan and dress:

Style Steal - Katie Holmes

The inspiration for this Style Steal post is Katie Holmes at her latest movie premier, showing us you don't always have to go OTT for the red carpet to look stylish.

Image source - Syle.com

Shop The Look -

Dress, £22.99 - Pop Boutique at Ark Clothing

Gold Intertwined Rings necklace, £12 - Dorothy Perkins

Buckle wedge court shoe, £45 - Debenhams

Images from the sites mentioned

Models Own Freebie Jeebies

Models Own are fast becoming one of my favourite bargain beauty brands. They are always on top of the trends and have a great variety of make-up at great prices. Every magazine I read these days seem to sing their praises, and they have a great website with plenty of advice on makeup trends

Beauty Special - Nails Nails Nails

I have always been a lover of nail varnish. Before I discovered any other make up, it was all about the nails for me. I would take my pocket money down to the chemist every few weeks to see which colour I would try next, and I tried every possible colour without discrimination!
As someone who never had much confidence, and was a chubby teen who couldn't find fashionable clothes to fit most of the time, nail varnish became my thing.

To this day I have absolutely no fear of trying new colours - exhibit A - current colour:

Clogs - The Marmite Shoe

A part of blogging that I am really beginning to love and be inspired by is the feedback that I get from the people who read my blog. One way that I try and get feedback is by continuing to have polls on my site (have you voted in the recent one? Check the left column). The last poll that I did was about the trend for clogs, the shoe that seems to have divided people.

 Rachel Bilson (Image source)

Featured blogger - Sarah's Scribbles

This is the second installment in my featured blogger posts. (The first one can be found here) This time round I chose Sarah of Sarah's Scribbles. 

I met Sarah through twitter and the general blogging community. I really like her blog, she puts a great deal of effort into keeping it going and fresh, and she has a great eye for designers and trends. Not only that, but as I have got to know her, I have found she is a genuinely lovely person. She has been really supportive and helpful whilst I have been developing my own blog. 

Last month, Sarah won British Style Bloggers Blogger of the Month title (well deserved in my opinion!) Proving that substance rather than longevity can get you noticed in the world of blogging. 


I asked Sarah to answer a few questions about her blogging:

Wishful Thinking...

I am lusting over several things this week (in fact due to my shopping ban, I am lusting after Everything!)
Here are three things I am lusting over for your viewing pleasure -

Contrast three quarter sleeve cardigan, £32 ASOS - Camel will be big news this AW - I NEED THIS CARDIGAN...

Lottie's Finishing School - C is for ...Part 1

C is for Clothes

This is the next part of Lottie's Finishing School - the related 'your mission if you choose to accept it post can be found here. The post contains some great tips on how to get your wardrobe organised. I advise you read it as I will be skimming over the parts that I already do/have done.

Wardrobe Management - First things first - GET RID!

I developed the habit of having a good old wardrobe sort out when I was a teenager. I have never been one to hang onto every item of clothing that I ever buy. Obviously there may be certain items that you simply cannot part with but keeping everything is ridiculous. 

I may sound like I have OCD in this post, but I assure you, it is worth it. Here is a step-by-step of my wardrobe sort-outs:

• I aim to sort out my wardrobe at least once a season, that way I am sorting through twice a year.
• I put aside the time to do it and to it properly and thoroughly, or there is no point in doing it.

Who's wearing what...

Rather than focus on a particular event, for this post I am giving a shout out to the Yummy Mummies, showing us all some style tricks...

Katie Holmes looked stunning at the premiere of her new movie in New York.  I love a stripe and I think that this look is simple but chic. Also I much prefer her hair like this than to the Beckham-esque bob she had.

Loving This Week

As I have already mentioned, I don't have much access to the programme I use for editing images due to a laptop change over but I want to keep on top of my posting so please stick with me folks...

Loving This Week...

THE ASOS SALE

Totally loving the ASOS sale, it was the last place I spent my pennies before making my no shopping pledge. I got a couple of pretty good bargains. I got my OH two Superdry T-shirts as a present for getting his university place and I bought myself these two items:

Breton Jumper £14 (Reduced from £28), Molly 70s wide leg jeans £20 (Reduced from £30)

Style Steal - Gossip Girl - Clemence Poesy

Before I begin this post, I just need to apologise for how basic the look of them has been, and will be for a little while. The programme I usually use to try and spruce things up is on my old laptop, and I am working on a new one. Normal sprucing will resume once I have installed said programme on new laptop!

Inspiration for this week's Style Steal comes from a photograph from Look of Clemence Posey on set of the new series of Gossip Girl (Confession - I have never seen it! Nothing against it, just haven't got round to it yet - may try and catch up on the internets) I really like the outfit, it's a simple and chic summer look.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

AKA why I have banned myself from shopping for a few months

I know that this is going to sound a bit strange seeing as though I am a fashion blogger & clearly adore shopping. But I have banned myself from buying clothes for a couple of months!

Beauty Buy - Andrea Garland at ASOS

Today's beauty post is one of pure 'I want' as I have not yet got my grubby mitts on the featured items.


I spotted the Andrea Garland beauty range on ASOS a month or so ago, and I am totally lusting over it as I am a total sucker for beautifully packaged beauty buys.


The range is a natural range, and features beautiful hand illustrated labels, and vintage tins. Imagine the envy of your friends when they see these beauties in your bathroom!!!

Vintage lip balm, £20

Hand Cream with cedarwood & Mandarin, £15.00

Lip gloss, pink, £10

For these items & more, visit the  ASOS website. (all images from ASOS)

If you have used any of these items, or any other from the range, please comment below as I would love to find out what you think.

Vintage Inspired Jewellery at Punky Pins

I know I have already harped on about punky pins not too long ago, but I really genuinely love their stuff. When an email popped into my inbox about a new brand in their 'independent designers' range, I had to share it with you!

The new brand is ElectroPop and the range is designed exclusively for Punky Pins.


Here is a little peek at what to expect, visit the Punky Pins site.

Vintage love letter envelope necklace, £14

 

Antique bronze bow vintage necklace, £10

Images from the Punky Pins website.

Lottie Loves Finishing School - B is for...

Brassiere 

Lottie's post on bras and bra fitting is a great read full of really good advice, it can be viewed here.

I am a firm believer (no pun intended) in the importance of a good bra fitting. If your underwear is uncomfortable you are not going to feel good about what you have on top of your underwear. If you have the wrong bra it can even effect how you carry yourself. 

I have only learned this important lesson in the last year (which is shocking as I am 26 years old, and have had a bra since I was about 11!) This, in part, was due to embarrassment about my body. No matter how many times my mum told me 'Nikki, don't be stupid, they have seen it all before' - the prospect of a bra fitting made my cheeks burn.

Lottie Loves Finishing School Catch-up

Those of you who regularly read the blog will be aware of my connection with another blogger called Lottie, who writes a blog that covers a great deal of interesting areas (we recently decided on twitter that it is a lifestyle blog).

I am currently taking part in a blogging workshop that Lottie is hosting - Lottie's finishing school

The first week was A is for Attitude and my contribution can be found here.

Unfortunately due to having to catch up with myself, I am now behind (and hope Lottie will forgive me!) But I am determined to catch up because I really do think it is a fabulous idea!

My Sale Survival Guide

It's a great time of year to bag a bargain ladies. Many shops & websites now have their summer sales in full swing, and there are reductions galore.
However, before you go off in a buying frenzy, take a few minutes to read my sale survival guide...

Rule 1 - Just because it's reduced, doesn't mean its a bargain!
First, ask yourself when buying from a sale, 'would I have bought this full price'? If you are buying something that you were going to buy, or would normally buy then you are getting a bargain. If you are buying it purely because it is reduced, then you are not saving money, you are actually wasting money on something you may not get much use out of.

Rule 2 - Use the opportunity to buy classic pieces
We all know that there are pieces in our wardrobes that are just timeless, e.g that perfect pair of smart trousers, a trench coat, a white shirt. Use the sales as an opportunity to get some of those pieces. Do you really need another pair of hareem trousers that you won't be wearing come Autumn?

Love of Lace

Lace has been a big story on the high street this season, and it's good news for all you lace lovers out there as it looks as though it is here to stay for another season.

The Autumn/Winter catwalks were awash with flowing lace gowns, and romantic blouses. Whilst moving away from the slightly more boho festival vibe of S/S, A/W lace is steeped in historical references with a touch of sophisticated goth...

Style SOS - An Autumn Wedding

As mentioned in an earlier post, I decided to do an agony aunt style feature following a poll I did in which people responded saying that they would like to see an advice feature on the blog.

So, here is the first post in that series.

My first client/victim (however you wish to see it!) is the lovely Samantha, who I met on twitter. She asked if I could help her to find an outfit for an Autumn wedding. Whilst quite nervous at the prospect, I also got excited as it is essentially the first time I have styled someone who is not me!

The criteria Sam requested was as follows:

• She is 33, a size 6-10 and 5'6"
• The dress with preferably knee length/just above the knee
• No hats, preferably fascinators/hair pieces
• No really bright colours (especially not orange!)

Here is what I have picked for you Sam. I hope that this helps with your outfit hunt!

What They Wore - Chanel Haute Couture AW Catwalk Show

A Chanel wouldn't be a Chanel show if it didn't ooze glamour from every atom in the room and the Haute Couture AW show did not disappoint!

The glamour continued of the catwalk...

Win £50 of Punky Pins Goodies!

One of my favourite jewellery sites Punky Pins currently has a prize draw to win £50 worth of goodies!

Happy Cupcake Necklace - £12

To Enter - make a purchase this week, up until midnight to be automatically entered into their prize draw. The names will be drawn and then they will contact the winners about their goodies.

Owl Charm Bracelet - £8

All images from the Punky Pins Site 

Warehouse AW10 Preview

The AW previews are coming in thick and fast this week. I must admit there is part of me that is really looking forward to the new season (I know these words will come back to bite me!)

I have been having a nosey at the Warehouse preview on the InStyle website (there are loads more pics so visit the InStyle site for more!)

Here are some of my picks from the preview:

Warehouse AW10

 

Outfit Diary

 This outfit diary post is a bit of a weird one. My holiday knocked the blog postings about a bit and I'm trying to start doing things more regularly again.

 So for this post I have cobbled together all the outfit photos I had but hadn't posted. There are gaps in dates (some of those outfits were on my holiday posts and I didn't want to repeat myself) but hoping to have a fresh start and take pics every day again from tomorrow.

Here we go...

Knitted Vest - Tesco Clothing, Jeggings - Tesco Clothing, Necklace & wedges - New Look

Skater dress - New Look, Belt - came with a dress from Dorothy Perkins, Leggings - Primark

Playsuit - H! Henry Holland @ Debenhams, Tights & Bracelets - New Look, Shirt - Primark, Necklace - Punky pins
 (apologies for the bin bag in the background! Clearly on my way out!)

Scarf - gift, Cardigan & Vest (worn underneath cardigan) - Primark, Jeans & Pumps - George @ Asda

 

Body (Worn under dress) - G21 @ Asda, Dress - F&F @ Tesco, Ring - Ribbon & Asher @ Dorothy Perkins, Bracelets - New Look, Leggings - Peacocks

This is what I wore to OH's college graduation - 
Dress - £20 from pop boutique in Liverpool, Tights - Tesco, Red pumps - Asda, Jacket - H&M, Ring - Ribbon & Asher at Dorothy Perkins, Charm bracelet - gift

Tshirt - Primark, Skirt - H&M, Leggings - Matalan, Cardigan - Primark, Bracelets - New Look, Bracelet watch - Breo

Dress & Ring - Dorothy Perkins, Leggings - Matalan, Bracelet - Primark

 
Vest - Peacocks, Necklace & shoes - New Look, Trousers - Wallis, Ring - Dorothy Perkins, Bracelet watch - Breo