Side Street Style

Going for the Glam Rocker Look

2012-01-23T16:38:00.000-08:00

At some point in life, everyone wants to become a rockstar. What is there not to admire in a professional musician? They get up under blaring light on a stage, play some fantastic tunes, and get to hear the adoration of thousands of fans who usually just beg for more.
While most of us would rather forget the styles of the late 70’s through early 90’s, rock n’ roll was kicking into full gear and provided us with a lot of fashion options. Here are some of the rockstar traditions that are living on today:

David Bowie
There is no rockstar who pushed the limits quite like David Bowie. Between crossing the androgynous lines and dressing like a spaceman, no one could ever quite put a finger on how David Bowie found his stylistic inspiration. For Vogue Paris, model Kate Moss did her best Bowie impression and donned the bedazzled jumpsuit with a bright orange mullet wig.

Blondie
Debbie Harry was the style icon for post-punk new wave and thousands of hipster girls across the world. Short little dresses, bleach-blonde hair, and a minimalist approach has helped women accentuate their most stunning features long after the death of punk.

Ashley Smith as Debbie Harry

Van Halen
If you think it acceptable to wear spandex to the gym you have David Lee Roth to thank. DLR sported the form fitting material on stage so he could perform extensive acrobatics and karate kicks for his adoring audience. You get to wear spandex in order to do yoga and use the Stairmaster.
Poison
Poison took the glam metal look that Van Halen started and cranked it up to 11. If you ever see a guy walking around with feathered hair, emerald engagement rings, and too tight jeans, you can rest assured that he is jamming out to “Unskinny Bop” on his Poison cassette in his Walkman (probably hasn’t heard of an iPad).
Eddie Vedder

While Nirvana made most of the musical impact out of the grunge era, Pearl Jam really emphasized the stylistic aesthetics. If you walk into any Urban Outfitters store you will see racks of clothing all adorned with flannel shirts, old military jackets, and jeans that look like they’ve been worn for years. The demographic Urban Outfitters usually brings in wears these pieces without a shred of their trademark irony.
The best thing about emulating the style of your favorite rockers is that you don’t need any real musical talent. All you need is a credit card and a bit of creativity to get the same reaction as Bono gets when he walks off an airplane.

Time for tea

2012-01-20T09:42:00.000-08:00

I think it's something about winter that really get's me back into drinking tea in a big way. I love that there is so much variation and wonderful choices of beautiful tea's...and most with health benefits to boost. I just had to pick up some Chai Latte as a treat when I saw it in it's cute little round tin. When you think of Britain you think of tea, but in a sort of boring way...simple earl greys and breakfast tea's but when Kate Moss and all the other fashion posse starting raving about the stuff loads of little specialist tea shops popped up, which I am not complaining about as I love to find fresh loose leaf, so I hope the trend stays. I thought I would share my love for tea with the rest of you....here are my favourites from my kitchen...

I love Chai so when I saw this....saying "drink me" I had to get it

I love a cup of Mint tea with lemon before bed...good for the digestion

This tea smells to good and it's specially for women...to help balance and destress

I often drink this tea when I think a cold is coming on, as it has cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamon and black pepper and is wonderfully spicy

I heart Rooibos...it's a South African tea and that's where I am from so I grew up on this stuff...full of antioxidants and caffeine free and tastes oh soo good :)

Weekend Adventure

2012-01-16T17:03:00.000-08:00

So I am shooting two weddings Caerphilly castle this summer and though it was time to have a little research adventure there, since it's only about 30min from where we live. I have been a few times before although John has never been - which I could not believe, since we live so close. It was very chilly and the big rooms keep no heat, but they have restored more of the castle and now you can go right up to the top of the towers and into the great hall. It's an amazing location, with a large moat around the castle that people fish in. Unfortunately I had abit of a cold and any sense of style seemed to go out of the window in favour of comfort, but my two boys are looking great in there unintentionally similar jackets.

The boys looking fine....Arthur in J Jasper Conran jacket and John in Ralph Lauren

My stylish little dude

H&M Spring/Summer

2012-01-09T17:26:00.000-08:00

So it's that time of year again...when the spring summer lines arrive in store, yey. It's brings alittle bit of sunshine to a cold and gloomy day. The moment I realised that spring was on it's way is when I heard a thump at the door as the H&M spring season catalogue hit the floor. I always fine H&M a good place to look for standard trends, it gives you a really good idea of what to expect.
So here is a small collection of my favourite women's looks for the new year, as well as there new flashy classic mens range, which I am really impressed with.

Really love this necklace

I want this little 60's inspired summer dress

I never get bored of leather jackets...viva la rock n roll

I love all the spring summer clothes but we are both really impressed with the styling of the Modern Classics collection. Everything looks really dapper and slick.

Favourite photoshoots of 2011

2012-01-07T17:10:00.000-08:00

So in 2011 I graduated from my photography degree and really started pushing for freelance work as well as setting up my own mini studio, so it was quite a year. It can sometimes be easy to get all caught up in the stress of starting a new business and you don't see how far you have come and how much you have done so I have just been looking through some pics and here are some of my favourites...hopefully I will get a few more fashion shoots this year, in fact I will be working with Vera Shoes again soon and hopefully many more interesting jobs will come my way this year :) You can see my photography website at www.lauracharlottephotography.com

Portrait session

Sisters - portrait session

Fashion shoot for Buzz Magazine July issue

Fashion shoot for buzz magazine July issue

Vera shoes hiking boot lookbook shoot

Vera Shoes hiking boot lookbook

Sons and brothers shoot

Buzz Magazine food guide.....I got to eat this afterwards and it was sooo yummy

My favourite portrait from Pete and Laura's September wedding

Abi's rocky portfolio shoot

He was just the coolest kid

Like father like son...not the best photo but I love Arthurs facial expression.

Amazing luxury chocolates how I miss you

2012-01-03T04:31:00.000-08:00

My brother bought these for me for Christmas from House of Fraser and they where literally the most amazing chocolates I have had in a long time. A dark chocolate outside filled with creamy Remy Martin Cognac truffle, the taste being deepened by plum juice and toped with a little twist of chilli...amazing. A real pity though that I am trying to give up chocolate for a month (3 days and still going strong).

2011 Mini Link list

2011-12-31T18:36:00.000-08:00

So another year has passed - I cannot quite believe it, especially since this year has been soo big for us, Arthur was 3 months at the start of it and now he is walking and almost talking and being a super cheeky 15month old, I cannot believe how much he has grown. I have also graduated my Photography Degree and set up my own company - LCS Photographic which has been going well and it's wonderful having a studio setup in the house. John has started working in an amazing traditional barbershop in the City Centre....a gentleman's retreat...cut throats and hot towels shaves and facials. We are now looking to moving closer to the city centre of Cardiff and I cannot wait. So I thought I would do our top fives - in this post I cover some new and longstanding blogs we have loved to follow in 2011

Some of our favourite reads of 2011

Pink Bow - one of my favourite personal style blogs run by the wonderful Paula, who I had the chance to meet at the TKMAXX lunch in London. Her blog is full of vintage whimsy and amazing photography. An lovely person with a beautiful maroon packed blog

Pink Bow

Plastik Magazine - a welsh born online magazine that covers all the new and hip things out there including film, fashion, music and all major events. I always thing supporting local ventures is where it's at and they were nice enough to post the lookbook I shot for Vera Shoes...big love.

I Rock So What - since I had Arthur I have been following this blog...another personal style/creative new mother sharing the stylish vibe. She is so creative, photographically and design talented and I cannot stop reading her blog - check it out.

Mr Natty - an amazing roaming barber who does pop-up shops in places like Albam London. He has such great personal style with that tattoo covered vintage 50's looks combined with an amazing moutstach. He also has his own small line of beard products - John loves em.

All Women Stalk - wow a blog that has everything, so much information packed in, with great fashion, hair, beauty and fitness tips plus loads more this is really a great one for the girls to stop by. With not just one blogger but a few and guest posts this is beaming with original content, it also has a real slick look about it and is easy to navigate and I love the photography and design used.

That Christmas feeling

2011-12-27T18:30:00.000-08:00

So a big happy Christmas to everyone and one and all. Hope you have all had an amazing past few days with lots of laughs. I have been so busy with my home photography studio - last minute christmas portrait shoots and running around trying to get them printed for clients right. But I always try and make some things as there is nothing like abit of a homemade feel to christmas, another rule that I have is the Tree and the wreath have to be real - no fakes here! I love the smell of a real tree, to me that is the smell of Christmas. One of the other things that is great about this time of the year is you can get up and have a champagne breakfast and no one looks twice mmmm I love champagne in the morning. Here are a few snaps from the past few days - including a sneak peek at Johns new Ralph Lauren jacket which will be in an outfit post soon.

mmmmm orange juice and South African sparkling wine at 8am is the best

Homemade Gift tags....they are so quick and easy to make and make me oh so happy

I love my real wreath...the prettiest on the street

Home made bunting chillin with the Run DMC dolls

Arthur being Santas little helper

My two boys in their new outerwear - John in Ralph Lauren and Arthur in the Swedish made Kozi Kidz fishermans suit.

Chloe love

2011-12-18T15:47:00.000-08:00

I have always been a fan of the french fashion house that is Chloe, founded in 1952 by Gaby Aghion, the lady also responsible to coining the term Pret-a-Porter. I love labels that have history and it's such a long-standing brand that always moves well with the times and creates creative, chic and classic looks. I think there spring looks are amazing and make me long to be french, these are my fav picks and I want them all.....

Love this Maxi

Arthur wears....stylish son

2011-12-10T07:16:00.001-08:00

So to sort of tie in with the post below about Ben Sherman - and please note this is in no way a sponsored post - I am just so lovin my sons new Ben Sherman fishtail parker jacket for 12-18months, a gift from his grandmother, it's seriously like a mini adults one and so well made. He walks really proudly in it and looks like such a stylish little boy.

Arthur wears Ben Sherman Parka, Miniclub jeans, Timberland tee and Clarks shoes.

So the one thing about the cold and christmas I do love is the german stalls in Cardiff, a place where you can warm up with a german sausage and Mulled Wine (mmmm yum yum I love Mulled wine) So first really xmas day caught on instagram

What a dapper man

2011-12-02T16:34:00.001-08:00

So Ben Sherman is one of those quintessential British brands that has been around forever, but there web presence has been somewhat hit and miss, but they have launch a new site that's all slick and shiny. They seemed to have dropped their women's clothes (from the website anyway) and broaden their mens collections and accessories. I have to say we are super impressed with their current look book and thought we would share the love with our fav picks

Dior Love

2011-11-30T16:02:00.001-08:00

So yes I am easily swayed sometimes but adverts - I am simply lovin the current Dior Ads..it really makes me wish I was french living in Paris....it's now going on my christmas list.

Movember love

2011-11-26T17:22:00.001-08:00

So John has gone full out with handle bars for Movember love. As he put it the other day to me - Prostate Cancer is the Male's Breast cancer - it's such a worth while cause!

All men secretly want moustaches so this is the perfect time to do that

I show my support in a different way - by drinking it - saw this bottle in tescos and had to have it

Winter warmers outfit

2011-11-19T16:43:00.001-08:00

I am sooo in love with my new Parka Jacket from Ellos, it's so warm and cosy and well made. I was really in need of a new jacket and this one is perfect for summer as well as it has a warm detachable inner liner, another thing I love about it is that it's light, as some parkas can be really heavy and since I am not very tall I didn't want something that was going to weigh me down.
For those who don't know anything about Ellos - they are a long established Swedish brand (you gotta love the scandinavians for style) and they have only recently launched in the UK. They have some great chunky knits in this season and I look forward to seeing if they manage to break the UK market as their clothes are really well tailored (well I'm a happy customer anyway :)

Ellos Park, Kurt Muller Dress, Gifted tights, Deena and Ozzy Brogues

I heart fish tails

I love my little Kurt Muller Dress

All I want for Christmas

2011-11-14T08:57:00.001-08:00

All I really really really want, ever since I laid eyes on the Alexander McQueen Knuckle duster collection I have wanted one....anyone...hmm pity I just lack the £1000 to buy one.

Vera shoes LookBook

2011-11-10T15:05:00.001-08:00

So the nice peeps over at Vera shoes kindly asked me to shoot some images of their new hiking boot range for winter and John and I jumped at the chance, I mean who wouldn't want to wander around the woods in really cool shoes. The founder Neil Morris, a welshman and former owner of Droogi, a store that was for a while Johns 2nd home, being one of the only shops in Cardiff which stocked Vintage Levi's, 6876 label, Duffer Of St George, Edwin Jeans and Red Wings to name a few. Vera shoes are made in Spain and are individual, original and high quality and they also do womens shoes. They had a really amazing range of Espadrilles for summer and now have these super slick hiking boots for winter. Here are some of my favourite picks from the shoot.

Peace outfit the the eyes

2011-11-07T17:46:00.000-08:00

So even though winter is almost here I still feel carefree and felt like wearing something alittle boho to lift the spirits as it gets colder. I am in love with this Topshop necklace and my new Deena and Ozzy brogues.

Wearing Levi's, Asos belt, Deena and Ozzy brogues, Next top, Topshop necklace, Retro Timex

Like some E.L.F

So whenever I think of winter and fall I think of ways to add alittle colour into your day, nothing too over the top but as the sun fades so does the natural colour in your face, that slight warmth that is created over summer days. I came across E.L.F - eyes lips and face makeup which have everything one needs to create alittle bit of sparkle to a dull day. I am lovin their 24K Gold collection and natural mineral label and would love to see an eye pallet or two in my stocking this christmas. They also do a professional range and have a really great blog full of tips but my favourite things is they have a step by step online guide to different looks which is great for me, as I do need some guidance when it comes to new looks, like the ones below.

Lovin this look

Folk and Fun

2011-11-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

So winter is really on it way, time for the warm coats, scarfs and gloves. The sun graced us in Cardiff on Sunday and we thought this was a perfect time to take a nice relaxing walk in the bay over the barrage to Penarth. Also John wanted to try out his new Folk Jacket from OiPolloi.

Folk Canvas Overcoat £285 from OiPolloi

John wearing Van shoes, Ralph Lauren socks, Albam jeans and Folk Jacket

So every now and then I just feel like a change, alittle spontaneity and at the moment I am really feeling like getting a new tattoo - just something small, I really want alittle rockabilly diamond on my finger, since I love my moustache tattoo so much I am going to get this to go with it.

Thats me! Rocking the Cazals and my finger tattoo

I want!

Laura Likes John Likes

2011-10-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

So here are two little things that are making us happy right now. First of all just want to say this not a sponsored post - it's just what we are lovin at the moment. John is really big into Moroccan Oil at the moment and since he is a Barber it's his industry inside tip - it leaves his hair smelling soooo sweet and I am easily bought by anything with the word Morocco in it as it has to be one of my favourite places in the world, one of the things that reminds me the most about travelling is Moroccan Mint tea...hmmm but now I am digressing. Back to the Oil - it also reviews hair and strengthens and conditions and it must be doing something because loads of celebs are digging it as well (not that we want to jump on that bandwagon) and the bottle is super cute. Now my current love is L'Occitane 20% Shea butter hand cream, with the baby I find that I am washing my hands all the time and they are becoming dry and when I saw that Tatler recommended this as one of the best hand creams out their I had to see for myself - and I see why - The Shea butter makes them feel so soft of moisturised without feeling oily. I always think when it comes to anti-ageing it is always important to look after your Eyes and hands because the lines on both are a major giveaway and now that I am 27 I am starting to be more and more aware of these things and taking the steps now to project my youthful skin.

Photographs of Noel Gallagher

2011-10-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

Ahh how I need to live closer to London as I have been invited to the private view of Lawrence Watsons new exhibition of black and white reportage images of Noel Gallagher - who is always seeming stylish and the show is put on in association with Adidas and they always seem to know where it's at. I am hoping to catch the exhibition before it closes on the 13th.

Bad Luck run soon be over

2011-10-22T16:34:00.000-07:00

To remind you what we look like since we have been away for a few weeks.

So it's been a while since my last post and for good (well in my case bad) reason for it, first of all about 3 years back I had knee surgery - ACL reconstruction (the reasons why are another long story) and it's been totally fine since I finished the physio but then a few weeks ago I turned to wave goodbye to a friend and my foot stayed in the same position but my knee did not and I think I may have torn the cartilage - only just got off crutches - paired with a short break away, then my one year old son had his MMR jabs which have made him feel awful - for a week he has had a high fever which means I have been up 24hrs and the past few days I have been fighting a really nasty cold - BUT HEY no more of the moaning - hopefully thats my full for the rest of the year! Detox to follow soon in all areas of my life - food, closet, house, life etc.....out with the old and in with the new and on that note....I am loving Full Circles new line

I am in love with this seasons trends and autumn colours of heritage and 70' combined together - so much good stuff out there at the moment. I love combining block colours with black - I am really into my black at the moment and cannot get enough of my two tone brogues and leather jacket.

Indian Summer

2011-10-02T17:33:00.000-07:00

I am loving this indian summer we have had recently - it seemed like a particularly disappointing summer and then wham a week of wonderful weather to lift the soul. So most of this week has been spent in the capital - Cardiff, with John now work in an amazing barbers in the City Centre and me trying to get more freelance photography work. I am also about to start a part-time job in an art based studio to help on the side. So I am totally in love with my new iphone - yes I finally converted and I'm really enjoying instagram - here are my fave shots so far.

Cardiff Bay is such a wonderful place when the sun comes out...ohh how I love the sea

Would love to be on that boat right now....and my fav Moroccan sandals

Would love to have such a MOD scooter....and a walk through Bute Park

Arthur being a legend after his first swimming lesson at The Hilton in Cardiff

I love the grass beneath my feet...Bute Park

Lapland beer at 10 Feet Tall

Crumpet love

2011-09-29T16:02:00.000-07:00

A label I just had to share - so I have to admit I don't know anything about this label, except that I stumbled across their new look-book and I want to know more. They are called Crumpet (so cute) and they do a lot with cashmere and I want these autumn looks.

The birthday posts

2011-09-28T16:03:00.000-07:00

So there is a good reason to why I have not posted anything for a while - basically within the same week it's my birthday and then a few days later Arthurs first birthday. I never knew that organising a one year old's birthday would be so much work!!! Lots of baking, wrapping, shopping, cleaning blah blah but never mind I felt really spoilt for my birthday - with some wonderful treats - a vintage belt, necklace, amazing little brogues and some beauty products - reviews and pics to follow soon, Arthur was also treated to a Ralph Lauren shirt for his big day. Here are just a few pics from the past week - more to follow.

Arthurs healthy banana muffin and my cupcake :)

My boy on my birthday

Arthur rocking Ralph Lauren

Last Day to enter Giveaway

2011-09-16T06:57:00.001-07:00

It's the last day to enter the Lingerie Please Giveaway

Win a set of Lingadore Lingerie worth over £100

What is a girl without luxury lingerie? I am very happy to announce the Lingadore Lingerie giveaway exclusively for Side Street Style readers.

Lingerieplease has been kind enough to sponsor this giveaway with an amazing luxurious lingerie set consisting of a sensual push up bra and cream lace, delicately detailed brief and suspender belt - worth over £100!! A serious treat for the lucky winner.

The competition closes on the 16th September and all you have to do to enter is go to this link http://www.lingerieplease.co.uk/competitions/sidestreetstyle/

and follow this blog either through google, twitter or facebook.

Good Luck :)