HiFashion

London, I Love You

2012-02-15T09:00:00.000Z

I had an absolutely lovely Saturday wandering around London, with Rachel. It really is such a beautiful city and our walk made me fall in love all over again with my hometown.

Brunch at a lovely cafe, that doubles up as a boutique, in Notting Hill.

Walking around Westbourne Grove.

Portobello Road Market: Sold everything from jewellery and clothes to antiques and books.

I'm a massive Manchester United fan, so regret not buying this.

There are really talented buskers all across Portobello Market's 2 mile stretch.

Portobello Market has a huge variety of different foods.

Mini facial thanks to Neals Yard.

Headed to Camden: My favourite place in London.

A much needed sugar rush from Primrose Bakery.

Stroll back to the Station, via Regents Park.

Walking around London on weekends is one of my favourite things to do as so much is always going on.

What do you love about your city?

Sherin xx

Winter Kate

2012-02-14T09:30:00.000Z

Once again, I had a great time playing with some new clothes, in the snow. I borrowed this amazing Winter Kate top, from the SS12 collection, and love how flowy and pretty it is. Alongside House of Harlow, Winter Kate is one of my favourite brands, and I love how Nicole Richie did such an amazing job on them both. All the clothes from the SS collection are absolutely beautiful and so much fun to wear.

Once again, I paired skinny with baggy, and wore the top with skinny jeans from A wear and a pair of Eden boots, from Sarenza. The sleeves on the top are my favourite and just made me want to spin around (we have pictures of that, but they didn't make the 'final cut').

How would you have worn this top?

Sherin xx

The Boat Shoe

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000Z

As a shoeaholic, I've come up with a list of 'must-haves' and iconic shoes that everyone should have. Alongside the black heel and the desert boot, I added the Boat shoe to the list last summer. Since then, I've bought a couple, but only recently got my hands on the original Boat Shoe, kindly sent over by Sperry, who definitely make the best ones.

I got sent this pair and I've been wishing it was warmer so that I can wear them. They're so comfortable and really well made. They'll be a staple of mine in the warmer months and I can vouch for the fact that boat shoes look amazing with both jeans and skirts/dresses. They're such an easy shoe to just slip on and go, and Sperry's are also really comfortable.

Although still cold and 'Narnia-like' outside, I knew I had to take them for a spin! I paired them with a pair of skinny jeans from H&M and a jumper from New Look. One of my go-to looks this winter has been pairing skinny jeans with baggy jumpers, and it's such a cosy look!

The shoes will definitely see me through summer and I can't wait until it's hot enough to wear them. And they're definitely going to Qatar with me, next time I visit. They'll be the perfect shoe for all those warm days in the sun, and those hours spent by the pool or at the beach. Actually, can I go to Qatar now?

What do you think of Sperry's?

Sherin xx

Is it Summer yet?

2012-02-12T07:30:00.000Z

We're in the midst of winter, but my head is in Spring/Summer. I've been checking out a lot of SS Press Days and Collections and I want it to be warm enough to lounge around in brights and pastels, while soaking up the sun.
Here are the highlights of the last few weeks:

Polaroid:

They're celebrating their 75th Anniversary this year, so we got a chance to see a lot of their older sunglasses, from their archives, as well as some gorgeous, modern ones, inspired by previous styles. The 50's style cat-eye (aptly named Marilyn) was absolutely gorgeous, but my favourite was the 'Seventy Five' Aviator (which you can see in my previous post). Polaroid Sunglasses have Ultrasight lenses that give total UV protection as well.

Warehouse:

Warehouse really got me in the SS mindset. The press day was filled with beautiful prints and the most lovely pastel colours. The light materials and colours will be perfect for the summer, and I love how there were a few 'tough' pieces to compliment the more feminine styles, such as the faux leather vest.

Traffic People:

Again, the pieces were perfect for the Summer. There were some lovely dresses and skirts, in beautiful prints and colours. All the dresses were so lightweight, and I wanted to wear them all! One of my favourites from the collection was definitely the sequins blazer. It'd be such a cool piece to style in the summer, during cooler evenings.

Next:

The Next Press Day's are always such a pleasure to attend as they're such an iconic brand. To coincide with the Olympics, there were a lot of Union Jack prints and retro style pieces. I really loved the classic pieces, such as the dresses (there was a gorgeous white one) and plain coloured trousers. The accessories, such as bags, jewellery and shoes, were very bold and printed, so would compliment the clothes perfectly! The Next Team also took us to Afternoon Tea at the Covent Garden Hotel, and a massive Thank You to them. The food (especially Scones) were delicious and we all had a great time mingling with each other.

Dirty Pretty Things/Stephen Webster Collaboration: Pop Up Shop in Selfridges

To celebrate their third Anniversary, they have collaborated with jewellery designer, Stephen Webster, to create some gorgeous pieces. There is a DPT Pop Up Shop in Selfridges, which will run until 11th March showcasing the amazing new collection. The collaboration has produced something amazing, with a hint of cheekiness. The one off piece is made from black mesh and silk, ans is bejewelled with crystals in the shape of a wink.

Jenny Packham for Debenhams:

Jenny Packham has joined the fantastic line up Debenhams already has and has created a stunning collection exclusively for them. The dresses are perfect pieces of occasion wear, and are great for weddings, whether you're a bride, attending a wedding, or even for proms. The dresses on display were stunning, from head to toe, and the collection contains a lot of pretty colours, embellishments on dresses and also a lot of beautiful and sparkly dresses.

More pictures from each of the collections can be found on my Facebook Page.

Sherin xx

Today, I'm...

2012-02-10T10:30:00.000Z

Wearing:

Polaroid Sunglasses: It's cold, but the sun is really bright, so I still need a pair of sunnies to protect my eyes. I picked up these really cool 'Seventy Five' aviators at their Press Day last week, and love how classic they are. More on the press day this weekend.

Drinking:

Innocent Smoothies: Not only are they delicious, they're also really good for you and count towards your 5 a day. They sent me this amazing smoothie (which I drank really quickly) and it came in a really cool personalised bottle. Click on the picture to enlarge and see what's written!

Reading:

Misery Bear's Guide To Love and Heartbreak: I won a signed copy of the book via Twitter and absolutely love it, especially since I'm really unlucky in love as well. For those of you who don't know, Misery Bear is pretty incredible and I definitely recommend watching his mini clips. I would totally date him if I could!

Blinging out to:

Abilu Creations Necklace: I mentioned last week that I made this while at Things British, in Kingly Court, last week, and I haven't taken it off. It was a jewellery masterclass thanks to Abi and I love all the random charms added to the chunky necklace. I love how no one is going to have something identical to this.

Watching:

Photo Credit

New Girl: I love Zooey Deschanel. I want to be her. That's all.

Buying:

Motel Rocks: They're doing a great flash 20% off discount on their Valentines Range from today, until 14th February.

What are you up to?

Sherin xx

To UGG or Not UGG

2012-02-09T07:00:00.000Z

I recently got sent a pair of Whooga Ugg boots, and they completely changed my whole philosophy on Ugg boots. Up till a few months ago, I never would have thought I'd get a pair, but over the last few months, they've become more and more appealing. The thought of fleece lined boots is definitely tempting when it's so cold.

Ugg refers to a style of sheepskin boot, and Whooga have been said to be the warmest ones, which I have to agree with. As soon as I slipped them on the morning I got them, I found it hard to take them off. They're so warm and comfortable, and perfect for the really cold weather that has come to London (we went down to -8 celcius).

I opted for a pair of the classic tall boots, in black and I'm really loving them. The inner fleece is very thick and comfortable, and have been compared to having a cloud around your feet! Even without socks, my feet are all warm and cosy.

The good thing about Whooga is that they're a great alternative to other Ugg sellers out there. They're a lot cheaper than the rest, but also a lot warmer and better quality. The grip on them is amazing as well. I was wearing them all day and was even out when it started snowing in the evening. As I do with new shoes, I checked out the grip and was impressed at how well they did. There's no chance of me slipping in these!

I paired them with an ultimate winter look of skinny A Wear jeans and a really warm, chunky knit jumper from Fat Face. So, safe to say, I was warm throughout.

The eagle eyed readers among you will notice that my hair is different in these pictures. I went to the hairdressers (finally) and got several inches off, as well as getting my fringe re-done.

These Whooga's have HiFashion's seal of approval. Uggs are a perfect shoe when it's this cold and in the snow as they're super warm and comfortable. I just can't believe I snubbed them for so long! They may not be the most stylish of shoes, but no denying their use in the winter months. I kinda don't want to take them off. They offer better quality than their competitors, and are a lot cheaper, so there's no real reason not to buy them!

So be honest: What are your opinions of Uggs? Are you donning them throughout the winter, or still avoiding them? Once I tweeted about getting these, I was surprised at how many actually came back to me saying they already have Uggs!

Sherin xx

P.S. Have you entered my giveaway?

Snow in Madeleine Thompson

2012-02-08T08:00:00.001Z

If you're in the UK, you'd have most likely seen at least some snow this weekend. I absolutely love snow, so was over the moon when I woke up on Sunday morning to find my garden and the roads all white.
Although I know you should wrap up warm when going outside to play in the snow, I couldn't resist throwing on this gorgeous playsuit, which was borrowed from Madeleine Thompson for a bit.

Madeleine Thompson does some amazing knitwear pieces, which are perfect for the cold. Everything is warm and so well made. I had a look at the collection at a previous press day, and everything is so well made, really soft and absolutely beautiful. Madeleine Thompson also has some amazing stripped pieces, which I definitely recommend you keeping an eye for.

What did you all wear while playing in the snow?

Sherin xx

Lana Del Rey Album Review

2012-02-07T06:30:00.000Z

As a fashion blogger, I do have to sometimes control how much I write about music here, but sometimes, there's a gem that I have to mention.

Photo Credit

The newest addition to my music player is the Lana Del Rey album, Born To Die, which I promptly bought the morning it was released. It's lived up to all expectations and has been on repeat constantly.

I first heard Video Games a few months ago, on an episode of Ringer, and have been hooked on Del Rey's voice ever since. I know there's be a lot of controversy over her these past few weeks, with tons of people slamming her, but I'm officially a loyal fan, and really admire her for not letting it get her down!

Photo Credit

The album is absolutely beautiful. Definitely one of the albums on the year, and possibly an addition to my favourite albums of all time (it joins the likes of The Gaslight Anthem's '59 Sound', which very few albums do). Lana Del Rey has an amazing voice, which sounds stunning on the whole album and each song is so beautifully sung.
There is a huge variety between the songs and alongside the more mellow and familiar 'Born To Die' and 'Video Games', there are completely different songs, such as 'Off To The Races' and 'National Anthem', which sound just as amazing! There are also some perfect catchy songs, which are made to sing along to. 'Diet Mountain Dew' and 'Radio' are two such songs, with such an awesome beat to them.

Photo Credit

It's one of those albums where each and ever song is a stand out and there are no fillers. Picking my favourite from this album is really hard, but I think I may have to narrow it down to 'Blue Jeans' and 'Summertime Sadness', although 'This Is What Makes Us Girls' is also an amazing song.
My playlists are always dominated by male vocals, and so I have very few females to listen to. I love having such a strong female vocal to listen to and Lana's voice is hauntingly beautiful throughout. I even got a few goosebumps on hearing a few of the songs. She really sounds THAT good.

Are you a fan of Lana Del Rey? What are you currently listening to?

Sherin xx

P.S. Have you entered my giveaway?

Love Moschino

2012-02-06T07:00:00.000Z

Warning: the awesomeness of the shoes pictured below might be too much for some of you to handle!!

I swear I was going to buy a decent, sensible pair of black ankle boots. I really was. I even picked out the perfect pair. Then I saw these babies from Love Moschino, at Sarenza, for sale, and I couldn't resist. Between the lovely heel and the gold chains, my fingers automatically went to the 'add to basket' button and the rest is a bit of an excitable blur as I pictured them with a lot from my closet.

They came and were even more beautiful in person, but then I realised that nothing I owned was good enough to go with them, so I might have accidentally bought a new skirt, from boohoo, for it. Whoops. As for the rest of the outfit, I went plain with a black t-shirt (Dorothy Perkins), then a bit more statementy with the jewellery: a chunky Jon Richards charm bracelet and the necklace I made in Kingly Court last week.

And this amazing ASOS ring:

How would you have worm this shoes?

Sherin xx

P.S. Have you entered my giveaway?

Kingly Court

2012-02-05T07:00:00.000Z

One of my favourite things about being a Londoner is that there are so many 'hidden gems' dotted around the city and even as a Londoner, I can't boast about knowing everywhere worth going in the city.

During the week, Daniela, Lucy and I were kindly invited to explore Kingly Court, which is situated just behind Carnaby Street. We met at Cha Cha Moon, which is a great little noodle bar, for quick lunch to start ourselves off and I loved it there. The food was absolutely delicious, and it had a great vibe, which was a great way to introduce us to the area. We headed out to the actual Courtyard and saw just how beautiful Kingly Court is.

It's 3 floors high and is an outdoor shopping haven, filled with really fun and quirky independent stores. I always prefer shopping independent, compared to the high street, so I really enjoyed having a look around. It usually is open air, but for the winter months, a temporary roof is put up to keep shoppers warm.

Out first stop was Atelier Millinery. I absolutely love hats, so the whole shop was like being a child in a sweet shop. I loved looking at all the different hats, and we even got the chance to try them on. I tried on a vintage style birdcage veil and was overwhelmed with joy! Atelier does a lot more than sell hats and fascinators though. There are also lots of different classes, teaching you how to make birdcage veils, fascinators, trilby's, amongst many others. I think this would be such a great way to spend an afternoon! I definitely recommend a trip over to Atelier, especially if you're heading to a wedding or even Ascot.

Next stop was Camellia's Tea House. I'm not a massive tea drinker, but even I was impressed at the huge variety of teas, in all sorts of favours. The Tea House is absolutely beautiful and all the different tea's smelt amazing. We stayed there for Afternoon Tea, and the cakes were delicious. I had my first real taste of tea in years with Chocolate Tea (absolutely delicious), which is a great way to get your chocolate fix if you're on a diet. The teas are all really healthy and great with you and contain some really nice ingredients.

We then headed over to All The Fun Of The Fair, who do wool and fun knitting materials. We had so much fun looking all the quirky items and even tried our hands at pompom making. Despite making small pompom's is a skill I clearly don't have (my first attempt literally fell apart in my hands), I really enjoyed it. My second attempt (see below) came out much better and I was so proud of my handiwork.

Our penultimate stop was Things British, and it is probably one of my new favourite stores in London. It's filled with work from British designers, in the form of art, jewellery and other handicrafts, and is such a great way for upcoming designers to showcase and sell their work. We also had the very talented and lovely jewellery maker, Abi, come in and talk jewellery making. She told us the tools and equipment needed and I was surprised at how easy it all sounded. There were chains and charms so we could try for ourselves and I made this really cool chunky/charmed necklace. I love how it came out and have been wearing it constantly!

Our last stop was Hi Panda, which is somewhere I'm going to spend a lot of time. I love Pandas, so loved looking at Pandas on clothes, accessories, and even as iPhone covers (They have great his/hers pieces with the covers). My favourite piece was a knitted cape, with a panda as the hood. I tried it on and it was so warm and cosy: definitely something to live in during the winter months. The Panda's represent the new generation, and the clothes are really cool. I'll definitely be going back to buy some stuff. And we were greeted by the most adorable little pup, dressed as a Panda.

Have you been to Kingly Court?

Sherin xx

Very Competition

2012-02-04T08:00:00.000Z

Time for a Saturday morning giveaway from HiFashion. This time I've partnered with Very to give one of you an amazing product. I was at the Bloggers event a few weeks ago and can vouch for how amazing their upcoming collection is.

Now, one of you can win one the products featured below. I already have the snakeprint shoes and the blusher, and both are amazing.

For chance to win, just comment below with what you'd like from the above picture (you can click on the picture to make it larger).

The competition will run for 1 week and is open to UK residents only!

Good luck!

Sherin xx

Illustrated People

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000Z

I love discovering new brands, especially fairly local, home grown brands. I recently came across this amazing brand, Illustrated People, which is based in East London and I fell in love with the cool t-shirts and tops.

I got the chance to try out one of the tops for a few days and am officially hooked on the brand. I wore it in the midst of one of the coldest days and it definitely kept me warm. It was also so comfortable and such a versatile piece to style.

I paired the top with my new Michael Kors jeans. Funny story about the jeans: they were a crazy (and expensive) impulse buy from the day before. I went into the store just to browse, and both the super nice salesgirl and my friend (who I hadn't seen in 10 years) persuaded me that I needed these jeans in my life. Although a bit on the pricey side, I will justify the cost by wearing them ALL THE TIME. I definitely don't regret the decision as I'm already head over heels in love with them. They fit so well.

(The beautiful backdrop is from a Hotel in Cavendish Square, where I was for a Press Event, but more on that next week).

I also managed to check out a few more from Illustrated People at their PR offices, and loved what I saw. They had some cool slogans on them and each looked as comfortable and cool as the last.

You can also buy Illustrated People at the Topshop on Oxford Circus. I definitely recommend at least checking the brand out. It's great!

Sherin xx

Also a MASSIVE thanks to Daniela for taking these pictures.

My First Facial

2012-02-02T07:00:00.000Z

I was recently given a voucher from Groupon to use on the site for something beauty or fashion related. For those of you who don't know, Groupon is a site that put's together some great deals on all sorts of things, such as haircuts, facials, days out, meals, gym classes and so on. There's always something new on the site and it can be fun finding new deals for things you want to do (I once found tickets to the Zoo Lates for £9).

While looking for something to redeem my voucher on, I came across a 1 hour facial from Mary Cohr, which was redeemable at a beauticians literally down the road from me, called Beauty Works. I've never had a facial before, so I thought that this was a perfect opportunity to see what all the fuss was about.
After buying the actual deal, it still took me a long time to actually call up and redeem it as I really had no idea what to expect from a facial, and was nervous, but I eventually got round to it and booked myself to go in early last week.

Photo Credit

So, what did I think? I loved it! I really enjoyed myself and will definitely be going again. I was taken into a room, which had the most relaxing music in the background. I lay down and then had the most relaxing hour ever. I can now see why facials are so popular. My beauticians hands were so soft, and the Mary Cohr products smelt amazing, which my skin loved. I was treated to a real face, neck and shoulder massage as well, which chilled me right now. I hunch over my computer or laptop for hours a day, and I know I have tense shoulders so it was nice to have them relax a bit.

Photo Credit

I don't really get round to treating myself that much, so this was exactly what I needed. It's always good to have some 'me-time' pampering, be it a facial, manicure or haircut, and we all deserve treat ourselves. If you haven't already, I recommend going in for a facial, and I recommend finding a good deal for it, or anything else, via Groupon.

Do you like facials? Let me know your thoughts on Groupon.

Sherin xx

Goodies

2012-02-01T08:30:00.000Z

I've been lucky enough to have gotten a lot of really cool stuff recently, from various brands, and I'm loving it all. Here's a round up:

Love Label snake Print heels, c/o Very (worn with H&M skinnies)

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush, c/o Very

Slightly different to traditional blusher's, this one works really well and the colour is gorgeous!

Glossybox c/o Glossybox

I was really surprised when this Valentines special Glossybox made it to my house first thing on Monday morning, as I had no idea it was coming. Despite my 'issues' with the last one, I was really impressed with the one this month. The products seemed much better, and the whole box seemed much better value.

The Weleda cleanser/toner smells amazing; I can't wait to use it, and the Orly Nail Polish is such a gorgeous colour and is a great brand. I've also heard great things about Murad, so can't wait to try out the primer.

And finally, I saw these amazing watches from Storm.

We know I refuse to leave the house without a watch and these look like they'd be perfect additions to my collection. Aren't they the most beautiful shades of pink! I love the pastel colours, and pastel is definitely going to be a hot trend again this summer, so this is perfect for all you fashionista's. Storm are also know for doing really good, quality pieces, so you know you're getting something good as they're such a trusted brand!

What do you think of all these?

Sherin xx

#ZOMGBloggerBash

2012-01-31T07:00:00.000Z

I had such a fun night last night. It was the launch of Zoe's, from The London Lipgloss, new lipstick for Rockalily. It was a great event, and the venue was filled to the brim with amazing fashion and beauty bloggers, among other guests. We were given name tags as well, which included our Twitter and Blogs, so coming up and talking to new people was a lot easier and so much fun.

Firstly, here's what I wore: my red and black Motel Rocks dress, and my Jewelmint necklace (which I'm currently obsessed with.) I also rocked some red lipstick. I liked the look of it, but will probably only save it for special occasions. (Thanks Rachel for the picture).

There were also a whole host of activities, such as a blogger bingo, cupcake making, fancy dress and burlesque (which I sadly missed.)

(The delicious cupcake I put the toppings on)

(Some Rockalily lipsticks)

Me as a blonde! If only that out of control fringe wasn't in the way! How do I look?? (Thanks Amy for the picture).

So, all in all, a great evening. I had a lot of fun catching up with some of my favourite bloggery friends and making some new ones as well!

Sherin xx

Inslee Sketches

2012-01-30T05:00:00.000Z

Every so often, I come across a website or blog that really inspires me, and I spend hours and hours looking through the archives, taking it all in.
I recently came across Inslee Sketches, via Pinterest, who does some of the most beautiful sketches ever and absolutely fell in love with her site.

The very talented artist has loved drawing for as long as she can remember, and the website is filled with some stunning designs. I'm as inspired by them as I have been with street style recently, maybe even more. Inslee draws what she's inspired by, be it new collections, celebrity style, street style and even her friends.

Here are a few of my favourites (not going to lie, it was really hard to narrow it down to just 5!!!):

This is the picture that I first discovered Inslee with. I love how well it's drawn and how cute the outfit is. The wreath braid in the drawing was inspired by the Olsens.

This look was inspired by one of the looks at the Kate Spade SS12 Collection. I love how nice and summery the colours are and how floaty the dress is.

This one, entitled November, is definitely one of my favourites. Inspired by an Olivia Palmero look, I love how well it captures late Autumn. The colours are perfect for that time of year and the look is definitely something that I've been known to wear in November.

Another favourite of mine. This was sketched after she saw these two girls out and about. They've been drawn so well and it is street style at it's best. Also, how adorable is the little dog?

Another one inspired by Kate Spade, this time the shoes. I love how beautiful they are, and I love how classic the rest of the look is. The girl herself is so pretty.

I decided to email and get in touch with Inslee, to find a bit more about her and share it with you.

How did you get started?
I got started designing cards for friends and family while I was a college student, and then my fashion illustration business grew out of the note card designs. I have been sketching and studying art all my life.

What inspired you to make you want to sketch something?
I am most inspired by real life moments of fashion I see on the street, or captured by photographers on my favourite blogs and websites. I love classic, feminine looks.

What has been your favourite sketch that you've done?
My favourite changes daily. That is the best thing about my job: I get to create new favourites all the time.

You can also buy prints, cards or even a calendar from the website as well. I'm definitely going to get in early for the 2013 calendar!!

What do you think?

Sherin

Simply Yours and Very

2012-01-29T08:00:00.000Z

I had another couple of really cool events this week, and couldn't wait to share them with you guys.

First up, I went to the launch of Gok Wan's new shapewear collection, for Simply Yours.

The collection was really pretty. It comes in all sizes and has 6 key pieces, including the multi-way bra, which you can wear a whole range of ways. There really is something for everyone, no matter your size or shape. Alongside the practicability, the collection looked really stylish as well. The greys and salmons looked gorgeous, and the fitting on the pieces looked like they'd be perfect, as well as being really comfortable.

I also got to meet the man himself, and he was really lovely. He seemed really passionate about the collection, which is always a good sign, and it looks like the shapewear collection will really work.

I also headed over to the Very showrooms to check out their new collection. (Also, on a completely unrelated note: we bumped into Paolo Nutini on our way over. How cool is that? He looked good.)

Alongside manicures and delicious food, we got to check out the collection, which looked amazing. The collection was filled with some gorgeous pieces, in lovely and bright colours. The colour block wedges were my favourites to look at, and there were also some really gorgeous embellished pieces. I'm really excited to be wearing all these pretty colours this coming summer. Love Label from Very is fast becoming one of my favourite places to shop as the pieces are so pretty and really good value for money.

Check out more pictures on my Facebook Page.

Sherin xx

Inspirations: 27/01/2012

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000Z

As I didn't have the best day in the world yesterday (Thursday), I thought it was the perfect opportunity to make a little inspirational board to cheer myself up and feel a bit better. Here's what's been inspiring me lately.

1) I'm one of those people who will have a new favourite song or band every week. Music is a huge part of me, and a good song can put me in a good mood for ages. I've recently gotten into Tribes and their début album is amazing. Definitely one of the best albums I've heard in a while, as it's pure rock, and they sound amazing.

2) Still on the topic of music, a guilty pleasure of mine: We Are The In Crowd. It's a bit on the 'pop' side compared to what I have on my playlists, but I'm hooked. Between the catchy songs which are a lot of fun to sing aloud to, and vocalist Taylor Jardine's stunning voice, their album is one that I've had on repeat for months, and still aren't bored of. And Jardine is also super cute with great style.

3) For me, nothing is as relaxing as reading a good book, which is exactly what I need to do after a long day like today. I love being immersed in a completely different world and living life through someone else's eyes.

4/10) I don't know why, but I've been itching to be constantly outdoors these days. I know it's cold, but I'm loving walking around, getting some fresh air and just enjoying the world. I also really want to be that girl, sitting in the sun, with her super cool Vans.

5) I have been slightly hooked on FreePeople's latest lookbook. It's so well shot and has some beautiful pictures. This dress just seems so perfect and I love how they styled it as well. Free People has some really gorgeous pieces in the January catalogue and I've been lusting over them all.

6) I want it to be really hot again, so that I can wear pretty dresses, and spend my days in the park, where the days are nice and long. I'm so bored of the short and dreary days we're currently experiencing in London.

7) I recently discovered a new brand: For Love And Lemons. Since I stumbled upon the website, I've been back many times to admire their SS12 Collection. The collection is so perfectly Summery, and I want it ALL! And the beautiful photos of the collection just makes me want everything more.

8) I'm a massive ice skating fan, and I've been a lot these last few months. These ice skates are absolutely amazing, especially for me, who loves a good heel. I'm not sure how practical they'd be, but no denying you'll look so stylish on the ice. I think I may have to try heeled skates now.

9) Louboutins: The perfect shoe. That's all I need to say.

11) I hated pink in my teens, but it's been growing on me lately. This whole outfit is so bright and I'd love to be able to pull off such bright colours like that.

12) I'm long overdue a haircut. I've booked myself in for one next week, but have no idea what I want to do. I definitely want to keep it long, but as to whether or not I want to keep the fringe is another question. Thoughts?

What's been inspiring you this week?

Sherin xx

A Rainy Tuesday

2012-01-26T08:00:00.001Z

A casual outfit to share with you guys today. I wore it the other, while heading into town to meet Gok Wan, as you do (more on that later). It's not the most interesting outfit, but I really wanted to show you guys my new jeans. I wish the outfit photographed better as it looked really good, but sadly, it was dark and wet, and my hair had already been ruined thanks to the rain. Although, I didn't let that get me down and ended up having a great day!

I absolutely LOVE these jeans. They're Cheap Monday and Susie picked them up for me, while she was in Berlin over the weekend. They're seriously the best present ever!
I love these jeans and can see myself wearing them to death. They were a tiny bit too small for me, and by that, I mean about one millimeter, so it was *ahem* interesting watching me squeeze into them, and I have a few 'war wounds' to prove it. But we got there in the end and the jeans look great on :). I think they've stretched a bit now, so the fitting is absolutely perfect right now!

To balance out the super skinny jeans, I paired them with a a slouchy H&M t-shirt, and then covered it with a grey Zara cardigan (stolen from Susie while she was staying at my house), and of course, added my Ganni hat (which has actually expanded now, so doesn't fit as well as it used to). And my shoes are my Deichmann boots, which actually look really cool wet.

And here's me with my new 'homie' Gok Wan (more on the event itself in a future post):

What do you wear in the rain, when all your umbrellas are broken?

Sherin xx

The Asymmetrical Skirt

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000Z

Wearing this outfit in January was probably the dumbest thing I've ever done. I covered up with a coat, but was still cold, and wearing heels in the rain is not smart, but at least I looked cool, right?

This asymmetrical skirt, from New Look, is probably the hardest thing I've ever had to style. I bought it a few weeks ago and anytime I paired it with something, it would NOT look good, and I'd be back to square one.
Finally, I decided to go simple, and just added a white t-shirt, with a black waistcoat, and the outfit seemed to work. I threw on some black heels and was good to go.

Also, that's rain-ruined hair...

The t-shirt is from H&M, the waistcoat is Dorothy Perkins (from the first ever Take 10 Challenge) and the shoes are Sarenza. I promise, next time I photograph them, that I'll take a picture of the super cool purple soles on them.

How would you wear an asymmetrical skirt?

Sherin xx

Laduree Afternoon Tea and Somerset House

2012-01-24T07:30:00.000Z

Sometimes it's nice to have a really cute and girly day with a good friend. While Susie was in London last week, we dedicated a day to each other, for a lovely day out.

We started with the most perfect Afternoon Tea at Laduree, Covent Garden. It was Susie's treat to me, and it was my favourite out of all the Afternoon Tea's I've had. I decided on Hot Chocolate (I'm not a tea or coffee drinker at all), then we had an amazing tower of food.

There were finger sandwiches (we chose vegetarian, smoked salmon and cheese) and they were all absolutely delicious, with the smoked salmon being my favourite. Next up we had a lovely assortment of croissants and brioche's. Again, each was as delicious as the rest. The croissants had walnuts in them, making them so delicious and we literally inhaled them without thinking.

Finally, there was dessert. My biggest regret in life was not finishing it all, but I was so stuffed by the end. The chocolate thing was possibly the most delicious thing I have ever had in my whole life, with the Raspberry tart being a close second. I could only manage half of each but they were amazing. I was longingly staring at them, wishing I wasn't so full.

We then headed over to Somerset House for an hour of skating on their Tiffany & Co Ice Skating Rink. Ice skating is one of my favourite hobbies, and Somerset House had a great vibe. The ice marshals were really fun and friendly, and the session was a great work out as well.

Where's the best Afternoon Tea you've had? And are you an Ice Skating fan?

Sherin xx

Melissa Shoes

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000Z

Firstly, I was a bit late to realise, but this weekend saw the third blogiversary of HiFashion. I wish I'd planned something in advance, but I did manage a cupcake for myself to celebrate with. Just a massive thanks to everyone who's read, commented etc here. I would never have thought, when Leia and I first put this blog together, that it would become such a massive part of my life and who I am.

Anyway, now onto an outfit, once again, focused around a gorgeous pair of shoes. I recently discovered Melissa Shoes and when I saw them on sale, I knew I had to have a brightly coloured pair for myself. Melissa produce plastic shoes from recyclable materials and, so, are cruelty free. How's that for ethical fashion? These heels look gorgeous, elegant and are also really comfortable, so are the perfect pair of heels for any girl's wardrobe. I think a pair of Melissa flats are on the cards for me next!

Oh and they smell so sweet. Seriously! I knew some Melissa shoes had a light scent to them, but was surprised at how strong and sweet the smell actually is. It's pretty amazing and the smell is actually meant to last as well.

I paired the heels with a black ASOS dress, a Max C belt, Hollister cardigan and necklace gifted by Susie (via Jewelmint I believe).

How would you wear red shoes? Would you buy a pair that smelt sweet?

Sherin xx

The Dorchester and Marks & Spencer

2012-01-22T08:00:00.000Z

Thought I'd do a quick update on a few interesting press events I've been to.

First up, I headed over to The Dorchester to check out the Anndra Neen line, which was the winner of The Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. The Dorchester is an absolutely beautiful hotel and I love walking around it. The décor, especially, is gorgeous. The winners were really talented and the jewellery was stunning. It was really unique and inspired by the Mexican heritage that the two sisters behind the line share.

I also headed over to the M&S SS12 Showcase and loved all the summer pieces. There were gorgeously coloured dresses and lingerie, as well as special collections and food for Mothers Day, Valentines Day and Easter.

For Valentines day, there was a lot of red, as well as really pretty flowers and delicious looking boxes of Chocolates. This was one of my favourite things to look at, and there were baskets of chocolates every couple of steps, for us to try out, so I got to do my fair share of sampling.
The Easter collection was my favourite though. Easter is always about the fun pastel colours, and chocolate eggs, and the selection at Marks & Spencer looks like it will be to die for. We were also able to decorate Easter Eggs with little faces, which was a lot of fun to do. You can see a picture of the Easter display on the bottom row, and it looked amazing.

I was also pampered by Regdale Hall, who specialise in beauty products. They are a spa, based near Leicester, and this is their first line, exclusive to M&S. I got my hands exfoliated, scrubbed and massaged, and really noticed a difference. The products worked really well and smelt gorgeous. I would definitely recommend you head over to M&S and check them out when they're officially launched.

You can click on the collages for larger images of the images, and you can also check out more pictures on my Facebook Page.
I've been looking for interesting new ways to cover all the press events I go, so hopefully doing a collage of images is a better way of doing it. Let me know if you have any ideas!

Sherin xx

John Frieda: Style on Demand

2012-01-20T17:00:00.000Z

I'm pretty easy going and low maintainence when it comes to getting ready and going out. I can wear next to no make up or wear the same pair of jeans for a few days, but one thing I'm really intense about is having good hair. I refuse to leave the house if there's even a smidge of a bad hair day, and I actually have 3 straighteners and 2 curlers in my room, as well as a lot of different products from different brands. I'm also on a never ending mission to find easy and fun new hairstyles to try myself.

John Frieda is one of the brands I live on and their Frizz Ease Smoothing Creme has been one of my must-have products these last few months. Their Frizz Ease range is one I've been using for ages as it works really well on my hair.
I was really excited to hear that John Frieda have launched a new Youtube Channel, containing some great how-to hair videos, called Style on Demand. There are 8 videos, each with great step-by-step guides for some on-trend hairstyles. I love how hair brands do videos like this as it's a great way to learn some new hairstyles, as well as get the most out of your hair products.

This video below was definitely my favourite. It's for the California Waves style, which will be a perfect style for a casual Summers day when it gets warm again. It's a nice and natural look, and stylist, Giles Robinson, explains how to recreate the look easily.

As it looked so easy, I decided to give it a go myself, and loved the end result. Although I didn't do it on wet hair, I still think I managed to master the look.

I parted my hair into various sections, then used a large barrel tong to curl. My hair is pretty long and thick, so large barrel tongs are a perfect way to control my curls. I curled it section by section, then half tied it up at the end, and love how casual this look is.

(Clearly, I'm still a poser when I do my hair :))

I can't wait to have a look through the rest of the videos and try out some of the other hairstyles as well.

What do you think of how I did my hair? Let me know if you re-create the look as well.

Sherin xx

Rigby and Peller - Behind The Scenes

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000Z

I have so many great experiences as a blogger, but this one was probably one of my favourites. Yesterday, I was invited by luxury lingerie specialists, Rigby and Peller, to hang around behind the scenes at one of their photoshoots, and it was definitely a lot of fun.

The shoot, called 'Sculpting Shapes for Different Weights', is based around women of all shapes and sizes, and shows that Rigby and Peller can cater to the needs of any woman, no matter her size. The Campaign itself is amazing. Rigby and Peller asked women who worked in their stores to put their names forward to take part in the shoot and model the range to show that it is a brand for real women.
It was great seeing these women modelling the lingerie and they were all radiating confidence, as well as being super gorgeous and glamorous.

The location was absolutely amazing and we did spend a lot of time joking about moving in ourselves. It was beautifully white washed all over and had some really lovely, vintage-esque style furniture.
Check out a few of the pictures from the day. These are Uber exclusive as the official images of the campaign haven't gone live yet, so enjoy!

What was great was that the models were having a lot of fun throughout the shoot. There were lots of giggles and the photographer was amazing, making it such a perfect atmosphere for taking photos.

We also got a chance for a quick interview with a two of the women, who came from the Kings Road store and they seemed like they were having a great day. When asked why they put their names forward to appear in the campaign, they said it was a great idea for women of all different body types to stand up in lingerie and not be scared. They went on to say that they loved being treated like a star and loved the photos that they'd seen from the shoot so far.

It was so much fun hanging around and seeing everything that goes in to a photoshoot. The campaign is great for confidence, and this is what Rigby and Peller are all about. It was absolutely fantastic to see real women modelling the styles and once the pictures go live in stores and online, the reaction from shoppers is sure to be really positive.

For more pictures of photoshoot, check out my Facebook Page.

Sherin xx