UPSIGHDOWN :: UK STYLE BLOG

Currently Trending - Summer Essentials

2013-06-21T05:37:00.000-07:00

Summer is quite obviously everyone's favourite season, though dressing for a day out when you can't rely on the sunshine is beginning to turn into a bit of a chore. My most common mistake is pessimistically judging the weather and going out in a winter coat when it's nearing 20 degrees and sunny.

Here are a few staples for summer, which can be dressed up or down and be worn in rain or shine.

No. 1: Graphic Print Sheer Pom-Pom Hemmed Top

This top is such a gorgeous print! It reminds me of a snake/Amazonian style. The picture really doesn't do it justice as the pinks and yellows really brighten it up and give it a cool summer feel. The pom-pom hem adds some femininity and a definite wow factor. This could be worn with black jeans for an edgy look, black skirt on a summers evening out or even on the beach on top of a bikini as a fake kaftan.

2: Boat Shoes + A Little Added NEON

I'm starting to become an absolute shoe addict. These gorgeous boat shoes are from River Island and I got them at a bargain for around £13. The colour is a dark navy though the cut out style adds a level of texture and stops them from looking anything close to boring. The added bright yellow, neon stripe is probably my favourite feature of these summer perfect shoes. Neon is so on trend and the strip along the sole is the perfect amount of brightness.

3: Statement Necklace and Chunky Brights

Favourite summer piece alert! I am so in love with this statement necklace from Primark. The gunmetal silver spikes and turquoise and coral beads are the perfect combination and really compliment each other. I'm usually wearing this necklace with a plain white t-shirt and orange cardigan, both from H&M, jeggings and the shoes above. A plain white t-shirt is a great staple for a summer wardrobe, it goes with anything and always looks fresh and timeless.

I Love Revlon

2013-06-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

Revlon is most definitely one of my favourite affordable make-up brands. And with Emma Stone now fronting their ad campaigns, the products have never appeared so on trend and lust-worthy.

The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain is the best lip product I've tried in ages. It is the ultimate chubby crayon. The packaging appearance is sleek, understated and the colour swatch is a true representation. (Sadly the writing on my tube have worn away, probably due to me fishing it out of my bag and constantly reapplying). The smell is fresh and subtle, the taste is neutral and it's so simple to apply.

I chose shade 045 Romantic and I love it. It can be worn as a striking cherry red or a lighter pale pink - depending on how much you apply and what look you are aiming for. Unlike many other lip stains the colour actually stays all over the lip. As generally I find with normal stains, the colour begins to fade from the centre of my mouth out and I end up looking like I've applied a really horrid lip pencil! The moisturising qualities are to die for and I honestly think, do just as well as a slick of old faithful vaseline.

Holiday Shop

2013-05-13T14:01:00.002-07:00

Image source: babasu via Compfight cc

Spring is here and with summer looming around the corner, it's time to dust off your gladiator sandals, tan your white bits and hit the gym to rediscover your bikini body!

As a season dedicated to bright colours, floral prints and lady-like skirts and dresses, here's a peak into the key pieces, on sale in the hottest places. All of which you will more than likely be lusting over for your summer '13 wardrobe.

River Island is my favourite store for summer styles. I'm generally a HUGE fan anyway but something happens to me when summer arrives and I'm out on the town in a tropical print, body-con, midi dress from River Island.

First of my lusted summer pieces is a chiffon, v-neck, double layered, crop-top.

Chiffon is an all round, key material for summer. It's flirtatious, feminine, and flattering. The three key Fs! For an evening look, I would wear this with black skinny jeans and heels, as suggested by River Island. Or team it with light denim jeans or shorts and beaded sandals for a summery daytime style. This top is a bargain and will keep you looking on trend for the whole season. At only £20.00, why not stock up and buy it in lemon too? - a key summer shade.

Secondly, an embroidered, tassel hemmed, kimono jacket.

I'm SO into Kimono. Especially when you can nab a jacket as versatile as this River Island beauty! Wear it alone with a bright bikini on the beach, team it with distressed denim shorts or jeans or even squeeze into a pair of disco pants and a crop top, for a modern twist on the traditional kimono style.

Finally, my absolute MUST have bikini for this year...

I absolutely adore this bikini. Though its not a traditional 'summer shade' and totally opposes the bright pinks, oranges and turquoises, that are colour-popping their way down catwalks everywhere, I love it. Paired with a golden tan and bronze or gold accessories - you''ll be beach ready in seconds. This stunning bikini is from Topshop and is on sale now.

OOTD - Collar Tips and Bright Lights

2013-04-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

Turquoise and gun metal silver earrings and ring - Primark

Bracelet stack - Primark

Black shirt with orange and yellow Aztec detailing - Primark

Navy jeggin jean - NewLook

Egyptian print dolly shoes - Primark

Everyday outfit for easy, no fuss wear. I love detailing. Whether it's a collar tip, statement shoe or colour pop jewel. Even the slightest of hints can transform an entire outfit.

This outfit is mostly sourced from Primark so its an absolute bargain.

(Champagne taste lemonade budget!)

xxx

Modern Pastel Manicure: Nail Art

2013-04-15T13:22:00.001-07:00

Here's a modern take on the traditional French manicure. I love nail art but am never very adventurous, so here is what came of me playing around with a couple complimenting nail varnishes and some sellotape.

I used this varnish as a base, called Berry Ice by Barry M, as you can see its a pastel lilac and its quickly become one of my favourite shades. Barry M not only offer affordable varnishes in on trend shades, the consistency is perfect, meaning you can apply several layers for a thick, Gelish look or keep it thin for barely there colour. It also dries quickly and I have never had problems with lumps or gunk.

I think I've mentioned this nail varnish before, called Blooboo by Models Own, it just looks modern and fresh. Slightly thicker than the Barry M varnish, its a bit harder to apply and achieve great coverage but the thickness does grant a fantastic, vibrant colour. I used this for the tips of my nails, considering the consistency of the two varnishes, it probably would have made more sense to have applied the other way round but I preferred the colours this way.

Essential Eye Make-Up

2013-04-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the products I use everyday on my eyes, for a basic, well groomed look.

GROOMED BROWS

I must admit, I did only start using these tweezers today as I left my normal ones in my Bournemouth home. But as a cheap replacement, from Superdrug at only £1.99, I'm very impressed! I might even go as far to say that I prefer them to my regular Body Shop tweezers.

The slanted nib is sharp and thin, allowing me to get a great amount of control and precision. The grip around the body of the tweezer keeps me from slipping and the plain black design looks sleek and professional, I doubt anyone would guess they cost me under £2.

As far as eyebrow advice goes, whether your a threader, waxer or plucker, there is no excuse for messy looking brows. I have tried a few different techniques to get a good outline, like using white eye liner to draw the outline of my desired shape of brow, or getting them waxed or threaded professionally and following that guide. But would say that simply having a good amount of light and steady hand are the best tips to be given for DIY plucking.

Buy these tweezers from Superdrug online here.

MAINTAINED AND GROOMED

Filling in eyebrows is a really skilful trick to master, whether your using a gel or pencil getting it right can make you look a lot more youthful and frame your face creating a well groomed impression. The pencil I use is completely cheap and cheerful, it costs £1 by MUA and to be honest does the trick. The double ended tool comes with a brow brush on one end and pencil on the other. The colour matches the tester colour and glides on easily. I also use the brush to smudge in the pencil lines, to create a more natural look, especially if I have applied too heavy handedly.

CONCEALED EYES

Eye bags, be gone! Anyone who has ever been stressed in their life, will have had eye bags and will know how much they can drain your face, making you look exhausted and lacklustre.
Garnier is a great brand and I have used this eye roll on for as long as I can remember. However one thing I would say is that I have begun applying with a concealer brush rather than just rolling on. I used to find that applying with the roll on left me with far too much product and after 5/10 minutes, I would have a line of excess concealer in the crease beneath my eye. I use medium, even though I am really pale, somehow the medium shade suits me better, especially when applying with bronzer.

LIQUID CAT EYES

Here's another cheepy product that I love! 2true is the cheapest of the cheap. I will never splash out on liquid eye-liner, my belief is that if you can apply your eye-liner well, then you can get away with using a cheaper product. When applying I would advise to keep your eyes open, when I was young and foolish I would shut my eye of the lid I was applying and ended up with awfully wonky lines. As for flicks, mine genuinely look different everyday! I honestly think its just trial and error on that front.

PHAT LASHES

My eyelashes are my own worst enemy. They are short, thin and not very dark. I used to leave them and accept I wasn't gifted in that area but recently I've started using mascara and curling everyday. This new regime is most definitely really bad for them and just making my case worse but using mascara and eyelash curlers seems to make my eyes pop... I use Soap and Glory's Thick and Fast mascara and the curlers are Superdrug's own.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT... (Excuse the cross-eyed-ness)

Money Saving Beauty

2013-04-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

1 - No.1 spot treatment

This has got to be the best thrifty, beauty tip to ever have been given. I always used to read in magazines that crushed up aspirin tablets mixed with a few drops of water would work miracles on spots, repairing broken skin and reducing redness, and to be honest I was a little sceptical. Until I tried it myself.

I use one crushed tablet when my skin has flared up on my problem areas, mix it with water till a smoothish consistency and leave over night. It is a bit of a pain as when the water has dried away, the tablet gets flakey and will fall everywhere! Though believe me, the little mess it makes, is well worth the result, especially considering you can pick up a pack of 16 for under 30p!

2 - Home-made smoothing exfoliator salt scrub

For an instant dose of smooth skin use this DIY salt scrub! Its cheap and cheerful and can be made up quickly of the essentials hiding in your kitchen cupboard. My mum and I swear by this and have been using this clever trick for a very long time!
Simply mix the salt and oil until a smooth paste is formed, rub onto dry or wet skin and wash off. The salt helps to remove dead skin and the oil leaves you feeling smooth and silky. For an extra indulgent treat, add a couple drops of your favourite essential oil, my personal favourites to go with this scrub are almond and jasmine oils.

3 - Desperate fix, eye make-up remover

For desperate measures when your out of facial wipes, don't go using shower gel to take off your eye make up! Soap in your eyes is really painful and shower gels are often really drying for your delicate eye area. Instead take a cotton pad and use a really gentle moisturiser like Nivea, without putting too much on the pad and getting it stuck on your lashes or into your eyes, carefully swipe away your mascara and eye-liner.

4 - Lash nutrition

People are always saying that putting Vaseline on your lashes makes them grow longer, now that's a beauty myth. But it does nourish them allowing them to repair from mascara wear and curling, giving them the potential to grow longer. For glossy, nourished eye lases put a little Vaseline on before bed and wipe off in the morning, after a week or twos use you should be able to notice the difference.

Also if your false eyelashes are looking a little worse for wear, but you can't make the shops to buy another pair, try putting some Vaseline on a cotton wool pad and carefully wiping off the excess glue and mascara from last times use!

5 - Eyelash and brow comb

Need something to comb your lashes with after applying a clumpy mascara? Try washing out an old mascara brush to swipe off excess mascara or even to comb your eyebrows. Maintained eyebrows are a big beauty statement as of late with models at the recent London Fashion Week seen sporting the BIG brow look. Just be sure to clean the brush properly and often as old bacteria and colour could be left on.

Vintage popularity - Why I love vintage

2013-04-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

Living in Bournemouth is totally feeding my new found love for vintage. With the vintage fairs and shops on offer in the area and surrounding towns, its no wonder I'm quickly falling out of love with the high street. Here are three reasons why I love vintage:

The majority of the time its a lot cheaper than high street, sometimes items can be pricey but if you know what to expect and where to shop, your a winner.
It lasts much longer than high street. 'The proof is in the pudding' if its lasted long enough for you to purchase it as vintage its likely going to be a hard-wearing piece and will have a whole lotta life left.
Its unlikely you will have the same outfit as your best friend. There's nothing worse than turning up to a party and deciding who is going to leave/change/stay in a darkened corner.

The above photos were taken in a vintage, Alice in Wonderland themed boutique in Boscombe, quirkily named 'What Alice Found'.

Owned and run by Nicki Grainger, a vintage and general fashion goddess, this little shop is the perfect hideaway and could brighten up even the dreariest of afternoons. After visiting the wonderland a handful of times, I can safely say I am a dedicated fan and will be sure to feed my latest obsession - by visiting once a month!

(I must apologise for the poor picture quality! Admittedly I forgot to take my camera to this event so these images are snapshots from my filmed footage)

THE VINTAGE FAIR

This is THE vintage event to attend, its the largest travelling vintage fair in the UK, housing over 50 stalls, which stock pieces from the 40's to the 80's and there are is even a vintage themed tea room and hair salon. The atmospheric music and brightly coloured stalls are exciting and paint a really retro picture,

Another difference between high street and vintage are the people involved, I met Gina Walters (pictured below) and she was absolutely lovely! I always find that vintage traders are much friendlier and care a lot more about their customers and product.

Beauty review - Elemis softly, softly daily moisturiser

2013-03-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

(The size pictured is a trial size)

Elemis is a high end, luxury skincare brand found in spas and salons, all over the world. Moisturiser is the single most important beauty product to be be armed with - I’ve tried and tested luxury spa and skincare favourite, Elemis’ daily skin saviour.

The indulgent products are said to be a new found favourite among celebrities, particularly Anna Friel, a regular visitor at the London based, urban spa and Victoria Beckham, who famously tweeted about the £27.00, Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend, during her pregnancy - as a tip for avoiding stretch marks.

The Softly, Softly Daily Moisturiser is a bit on the expensive side at £20.00 for 50ml but for a product this scrumptious and hydrating, I would be prepared to splash out.

Infused with essential oils rosehip, almond and lavender, the cream smells sweet yet sensuous and slightly like Turkish delight. Rosehip and almond both work to soften and hydrate the skin, providing a much needed boost. Lavender has calming properties, perfect for use before bed or to create a soothing feeling, ahead of a stressful day.

The suggested directions advise to smooth onto skin after cleansing, which leaves a light, fresh and hydrated feeling. Though this product is so versatile, I’ve even used it as a base under foundation to create a dewy skin look, which is totally on trend for spring/summer.

The only thing I would say about this product is if you’re looking for a thorough moisturiser, for dry or damaged skin, to pick a more intense cream, as the creams light consistency would not have much of an impact on skin in need of substantial hydration.

If you’re not completely sure about the right level of moisture your skin craves, visit an Elemis counter within a department store, a spa stocking the brand, or purchase trial sizes. This way you can insure to get the right product for you, before parting with your cash!

Currently trending - Little black dresses

2013-03-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

1 - ONE ARM CUT OUT:

AX Paris crochet trim one shoulder dress - £30.00

I adore this cut. As a modern, edgy take on the classic one shouldered dress, its perfect. After seeing a similar maxi style worn by Lousie on Made in Chelsea, I had to have one! The dress pictured above is a mini version, with crochet detailing on the outer seams. The material is refreshingly thick for a high street clothing outlet and it fits well. AX Paris stock affordable 'Friday night dresses' and I have generally had good experiences wearing their pieces. However I would advise people with 'bingo wing' worries not to go for a dress of this style as it extenuates arms, necks and busts. Wear this with: killer heels, bright lipstick and BIG earrings.

2 - THE HALTER NECK: Motel dalphine dress - £42.00

This dress is my old-faithful, whenever I'm stuck for an outfit, I can always depend on this dress to look great. I love halter necks because they exude femininity and flatter endlessly: think Marilyn Monroe. By Motel, one of my favourite brands, its comfortable, washes well and fits perfectly - all of which I believe are a constant trend in the label's pieces. They have also developed an awesome edgy, modern yet vintage look which runs through the line and its just lush! The versatility of this dress also makes it an all-rounder, dressed down with thick tights, army boots and a denim jacket (like this one) or dressed up with heels, lipstick and statement earrings - I really like these from Asos.

3 - MOCK STRAPLESS:

AX Paris mock strapless polka mesh sleeve dress - £29.99

This is possibly one of my favourite modern dress neckline styles. Long sleeves on a night out can create a big impact and look great on anyone. Mesh sleeved, mock strapless dresses are subtle yet sexy, allowing you to bare all without really baring anything! Also as you might be able to tell I'm also a fan of polka dots. They seem to be able to fit into any fashion age perfectly and look different every time! This dress gives the polka trend a breath of fresh air looking totally modern and cutting edge.

4 - SCOOP NECK AND BACK:

H&M embellished scoop neck body-con dress - £14.99

CLASSIC. As an hourglass shape, this is the style of dress that suits me best. You can't go wrong with a classic, sophisticated scoop neck body con dress. Especially when the top half is covered in sparkle! H&M always pleasantly surprise me at what they have in store for such reasonable prices, whether your looking for a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, an interview outfit or going out dress, there will nearly always be plenty of options, in a range of shades and sizes.

Handbags: Styles for every occasion

2013-03-15T16:18:00.000-07:00

Black mock leather, gold chain and tassel, slouch shoulder bag - NewLook

I am so obsessed with handbags, they are most definitely my weakness. Clutch bags, shoppers, slouches, satchels, purses, bowlers, totes, buckets... You name it, I have it in abundance. Sadly, coming to university meant I was only able to pack my favourites, so here they are, the finalists! Roll on the handbags...

Black mock leather, gold chain and tassel, slouch shoulder bag - NewLook

This my newest bag, which joined the collection just after Christmas. It was a bargain buy in the sales, costing £12. This bag is a perfect all-rounder, big enough to carry all the days essentials but small enough to still look great! I especially love the gold chaining detail - I'm a big fan of gold and am hardly ever caught wearing silver jewellery or any item with silver embellishment. I also think this bag has a bit of a designer feel about it, I'm always keen to achieve a great look at as minimal cost possible. The slouch style definitely reminds me of Mulberry's Daria Medium Hobo bag, and the gold detailing almost feels like a modern take on the classic Chanel style.

Strawberry, mock ostrich skin, doctor bag £49.99 - River Island

This is my all time favourite bag! Not just because of the gorgeous, bright colour and chic-vintage style, but because of the memories it comes with. My friends all clubbed together on my 16th birthday to be able to buy this for me. Despite being having the surprise coming my way hinted several times by friends, I was more than chuffed! Despite the bold colour, I feel I could wear this bag with almost anything. It effortlessly adds sophistication and style to any outfit. I believe a doctor style bag is something every girl needs in her collection. (The scarf with this bag is vintage).

Orange mock snakeskin, gold clasp and chain clutch bag - NewLook & Pink and gold embellished purse - River Island

Sorry, its another bright one! This clutch/chain strap bag is gorgeous and makes a perfect statement, in addition to a plain LBD like this. I love contrasting pink and orange and this purse is the best accompaniment. I wouldn't usually take my whole purse out to a club but when they look this good together its hard to resist. This bag is perfect for any occasion, as a bit of an optical illusion it can actually hold quite a bit! I could definitely fit my night out essentials in here and look great carrying them.

Style round-up: Trainer mismatch and Hindu God stretch bracelet

2013-03-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

Trend No.1 - mismatch trainers

A recent piece in Look Magazine has left me unconvinced - mismatching trainers? I've never been to greater fan of the 'sport luxe' look. That being said, I still enjoy kicking back in my scruffy, old Vans and dressing down on the weekend, with a pair of Topshop jeans, funky, printed slogan tee like this and accessories like the bracelets below. But wearing odd shoes? Surely that's too much. The piece in I read in Look said that stars like Beyonce had been spotted working the look, I adore Beyonce, her style and all she stands for but I'm afraid I will not be on board with this latest trend.

The Vans above are RRP £47.00 and available to buy from the Official Vans Shop Online here.

Trend No.2 - Hindu God stretch bracelets

These bracelets are everywhere at the moment and I'm more than happy to admit to jumping on the band wagon! Middle Eastern style inspirations are massive in accessories right now, with high street brands producing affordable, bang on trend pieces to mix and match. The bracelets above are a mixture from NewLook and Primark, with the Hindu God styled ones coming in at £2.50 from Primark, a great price for a quirky accessory to top off an outfit. They can compliment a casual everyday look (like the style mentioned above) or even jazz up an evening dress (like this) - the possibilities are endless!

The nail varnish I'm wearing in the picture above is Blooboo from Models Own.

Mock-leather sleeve jacket: DIY ways to wear

2013-03-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

Mock-leather sleeve jackets are everywhere this season - ranging from parka styles, macs and boyfriend tweed trenches. I recently saw a girl in Bournemouth wearing a style which featured a large black fur collar and burgundy tweed underlay, so thought I'd try to work the style without spending any extra cash on new outerwear. Why not layer jackets?!

H&M - Wool blend jacket with large fake fur collar £39.99

Available here

This jacket is by far one of the nicest I've ever owned! It wasn't overly expensive, looks great with most colours and after the autumn/winter hasn't showed any sings of wear and tear. The large fur collar holds a sophisticated vintage style and adds glamour to any outfit. I wear this coat with outfits from super casual - jeans and a girly blouse (like this) to a formal dress (like this) and it always works with whatever I pair it with! An easy wearing coat with oodles of glamour.

Zara -Mock leather biker jacket

Zara - Mock leather biker jacket layered with vintage fur collar

This jacker is such an all rounder. In a plain black, PU leather, biker style, it can be teamed with anything from pretty, girly summer dresses (like this) to jeans and converse and look utterly cool. I think a decent leather (or pleather) jacket is a must have for every girls wardrobe, if you want an edgier look buy slightly larger in a biker style, or if you prefer a more polished look buy a tighter fit with an off centred zip.

LAYERED UP

Here's the end result! I had to make a few minor adjustments to the jacket underneath, like safety pinning the button loops to the inside as when they were sticking out I felt it didn't look right. I also removed the belt from the jacket underneath as it also made the look appear unfinished and sloppy. Overall a result - great way to refresh your autumn/winter wardrobe.

Spring - fashion/beauty must haves

2013-03-07T14:55:00.003-08:00

In the words of Maria Von Trapp here are a few of my 'favourite things'!

1- Models Own Mirrorball Nail Varnish in Dancing Queen

There is no better accessory than a sparkly nail and this varnish creates the ultimate mirrorball effect. With some glitter varnishes its difficult to achieve coverage of the whole nail, but this bottle is jam packed full of sparkle, meaning that a great look is easy to gain. At £5 a pop they aren't at all extortionate, allowing customers to guiltlessly buy a bottle in every colour... I am a big fan of Models Own and think their glitter varnishes are one of the best in the market. Other shades include a sexy pink/gold blush suitably called Hot Stuff, a very festive looking golden green named Disco Inferno and a neon purple with flecks of blue called Boogie Nights. All available online here.

2 - Hasma Palm accessories
This symbol is everywhere at the moment and I adore it! The open palm is a symbol that comes from the Middle East and is used for protection, so why not look great and warn away bad vibes at the same time! These earrings were from Primark and were a bargain at £2.50. I honestly couldn't rate Primark more at the moment for their cheap and cheerful jewellery, their designs are spot on trend and often sell a variety of similar styles in different shades, so you can bulk buy and match a ring to every outfit!

3 - Peter Pan Collars
I know I ranted about collars not long ago, in this post, but I just can't get enough, whether they're detachable, a necklace or part of a top. The one above is attached to the peplum, navy and black striped top I'm wearing from New Look. I've always believed that I would never wear a collar again after secondary school but now I think they will be a staple in my wardrobe for good. They elongate necks, flatter shoulders and look feminine, perfect to pair with jeans for an everyday look or jazz up to create a more sophisticated evening ensemble.

4 - Spring time scents

Now Spring is here its time to get out the pastel shades and start smelling like exotic flowers again... MaDame by Jean Paul Gaultier (available from Boots here) has got to be my all time favourite perfume. With a bit of a luxury price tag at £45.96 for 50ml its probably best to wear on the more special of occasion, but then again you only live once! Its perfect mix of sweetness and musk creates a subtle, fresh smell and is a perfect scent for spring. The edgy, feminine bottle absolutely mimics what's to be expected from within, a gorgeously ladylike smell with a unexpected edge.

Beauty Review - Barry M Nail Paint

2013-03-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Blood Orange and Pastel Texture Nail Paint in Ridley Road

Innovative nail paint styles from Barry M

I was so excited to try these amazing new polish textures - particularly considering the more than reasonable price tag in comparison to similar style varnishes by Nails Inc. In at £3.99 each or (on promotion in Superdrug) two for £6, these bottles of brilliance are an absolute bargain.

The first of the pair I've chosen, is a high shine, blood red shade. Promised to achieve professional Shellac/Gelish manicure results, I can't wait to get painting!

I am a great fan of DIY-ing when the quality of product enables users to gain a professional level look. After applying the first coat its obvious how great this varnish is going to look, its easy to apply, glides onto the nail evenly and shines from first application. The only difference from this Barry M polish to a professional Gelish manicure is the thickness, after two relatively thin coats the ridges of an un-buffed nail are still visible, though this could be easily avoided by buffing and applying a base coat, or applying more than two coats of the varnish.

I think this shade would look stunning with a LBD like this one from River Island or slogan tee, like the one I mentioned in this post, with blue denim jeans. Overall this varnish is a perfect all rounder, and makes a reliable and easy wearing, sexy red polish - something every girl needs in her collection.

The second polish is a textured, pastel baby-blue, similar to Nails Inc. Concrete Polish but a third of the price at £3.99! Its a little tricky trying to get the hang of applying this varnish but when its done right, the look is super cool. Two coats achieve the best result as one looks a little too transparent, though be careful as too much polish will ruin the concrete style texture.

The shade is perfect for spring and would look dahhhling with a vintage stlye, smart white shirt like this one, summer dress (see here) or on toes with flip flops or wedges! Pastel shade varnishes and textured nails are bang on trend at the moment so why not rock two key season styles in one go?!

Statement necklaces

2013-02-24T16:56:00.000-08:00

Black & Gold Statement Necklaces

These statement necklaces can offer a bit of sparkle to a less than bland ensemble...

Teamed with complimenting counterparts these necklaces can be stunning, here they are worn with bare necks, but can be teamed over a t-shirt, jumper or blouse. I used to feel statement necklaces were accessories more suited to evening wear, but after this seasons fever for statement jewellery, I can't get enough. See how the celebs have been making their statements here. Possibly my favourite thing about neck wear is that it just draws attention to the shoulders and collar bone (taking attention away from problem chins) and creates an uber feminine, flattering and sophisticated look in a flash. The top Grecian style necklace pictured above was £4 from Primark (similar here) and the Egyptian gold and black crystal piece was £6 from New Look (similar here).

Peter Pan Cutesy Collars

These Peter Pan collar necklaces are the perfect accessory and affordable enough to buy one in every colour. You can ensure your neck is never bare again!

The two I've chosen here are particularly adaptable, both from New Look - left the navy blue beaded collar was £4 in the Christmas sales, I do love a bargain... Similar here. And the cream lace number, with pearl embellishments was £7 - similar style from ASOS here. I have worn them both with a black, velvet peplum top to add a bit more sparkle but could truly go with almost anything. I like the idea of wearing the lace one with soft pinks, pastels and chiffon materials to give a vintage luxe feel. And the navy with darker colours and maybe with gold accessories (earrings and rings), to create an edgier look.

Currently trending - Slogan tee, turquoise ring, patterned ballet pumps, skull scarf

2013-02-07T07:43:00.002-08:00

Snazzy ADDITIONS TO BORING OUTFITS....

1 - Slogan tee! These are everywhere at the moment... The shirt pictured above is a bargain £4 from Primark but there are similar styles available in Topshop or Newlook. The slightly rolled up sleeve look seems to be very big at the moment and works well if your just looking to wear something comfortable yet fashionable! Other styles have 'GEEK', 'DORK', and 'NERD' across the front.

2 - Turquoise... I LOVE this ring. The cracked turquoise stone is absolutely stunning. I don't often wear silver jewellery but since buying this I've barely taken it off! The thin bracelet I've paired it with also works well and doesn't overpower the look. I would probably wear this with a denim jacket and black jeans or leggins as I feel it stands out more when paired with something plain. The nail varnish I'm wearing here is 273 Raspberry by Barry M.

3 - Ballet pumps :-) I understand these might be a bit out there... But personally, I think they're cute! The Grecian print alongside the golds and yellows used contrast perfectly against the black detailing and really brighten up a dull outfit. I have worn them here with plain denim jeans but they also look good with black tights and a skirt. These were a also result of my bargain binge and came in at £4 from Primark.

4 - Skulls and crosses † These scarves are so cool... For a nonchalant student look, throw it over your shoulders and away you go! This style works best when oversized, so when worn would cover your t-shirt, which is perfect if your looking to jazz up a plain tee. The skulls are detailed with Aztec prints and the crosses are embellished with gold studs which are subtle, up to date addition to a very on trend scarf!

Statement classics - Needed in every wardrobe

2013-02-03T13:35:00.001-08:00

1 - Firstly, black wedges... Who would have thought something so simple and plain could be so fantastic? They are comfortable, go with pretty much anything and are very much in fashion. Whether your going for black, chunky platforms or a meagre cork wedge in the summer, your going to be comfortable and looking great! These were my Christmas sales bargain from River Island reduced from £55 down to £15! I generally team these with dresses, shorts or play-suits but they would also look super sophisticated with jeans or trousers!

2 - Purple! Peplum! Two of the most in things at the moment mixed into one easy wearing piece! I really like peplum styles and their ability to flatter every body shape... You can use them to build fake curves, accentuate your womanly figure or hide bloated stomachs! Here I've used a purple dress with a contrasting yellow belt to draw attention to my waist. Purple is a very in shade at the moment, red carpet celebrities are even jumping on the band wagon... Taylor swift and Lena Dunham both wore deep purples to this years Golden Globes, so be sure to get your fix! The texture of this dress adds a bit of substance, instead of just being completely plain. The dress pictured here was from New Look and the belt came from H&M.

3 - Vintage scarves... I really don't think you can go wrong with a vintage scarf. They are an investment piece as they will last a long time and look great with almost anything. Adding a bright silky scarf to a plain t-shirt or jumper can instantly transform the entire look. If your frightened of buying vintage or would prefer a high street version, many places are now doing copies in similar styles. To wear, I would generally fold into a triangle and roll it up, this way its less likely to flap in the wind or get in your way. The middle scarf here is from Primark and the other two are vintage.

4 - Finally we come to knuckle dusters! Or statement jewellery... I love wearing rings, especially big gold ones (although beware you may end up looking live a chav!) You can generally find statement rings in any high street stores and they are often under £10... I would advise to try before you buy for size and comfort as some of the latest double finger rings can be nasty to wear. And don't forget if your buying cheap, paint a layer of clear nail varnish on the inside of the ring to stop your fingers turning green! (From left to right) the first and second rings are H&M, third is New Look and 4th is Topshop.

More soon

xxxx

Wonderland - What Alice Found vintage boutique

2013-02-01T13:33:00.003-08:00

Love vintage? Look no further. ‘What Alice Found’ is a quirky Alice in Wonderland themed Bournemouth boutique exuding opulence and glamour – cultivated by vintage connoisseur Nicki Grainger.

Stepping inside this mystical little den, customers are immediately struck by the elegance of the décor and spellbinding sum of clothes, shoes and collectables, coating the store from floor to ceiling.

The fragrant aroma and gentle purr of ambient music creates a timelessly glamorous vibe - everything one would expect of a boutique.

Though what sets this store apart is the enchanting Alice in Wonderland theme which runs subtly throughout; accomplished with pastel hues, Disney themed accessories and a handful of clocks.

The amount of artistic planning went into the shop is evident to any passer-by; today Nicki Grainger reveals her inspiration and experiences.

Nicki is perched behind the till, dressed in a caramel woollen jumper, layered above a leopard print blouse, jeans, loafers and complimenting accessories – she looks every part the business.

With a smile she opens the white picket gate and ushers me behind the scenes, a polite offer of a cup of tea and I’m sold. It’s completely comprehensible how quickly I fell for this place.

Looking around the store, my inquisitiveness holds no bounds; I can’t even imagine how the creative process in building this vintage emporium would have begun.

“I like challenges.” she states. Nicki started her retail career in 2009 (with online vintage boutique The Cherry Closet), after graduating from Fashion Journalism at Southampton Solent University.

“After I finished university I tried interning but in a way I think that can put you off for life.” Nicki explained, “I was able to use the skills I had gained from my degree to start in retail.”

She opened We Found Alice in 2011, after huge successes with The Cherry Closet, “I missed meeting the people wearing the clothes, with online retail you just package it up and send it away.”

“I knew I wanted to build somewhere that people could come to escape from real life, a place that would look totally different each time a customer came in, an umbrella to suit loads of different people under one roof.”

I ask Nicki what brought her to Pokesdown, “I thought where shall I open a shop? I considered Brighton or London but decided I wanted to be a part of something really good. I am promoting the town as a vintage area and hopefully in 5 years it will be completely buzzing!”

Local vintage shopper Anna Steele recognises Nicki’s success, “What Alice Found is fantastic! It’s by far my favourite vintage shop. Nicki is great too; she just makes the whole experience more enjoyable.”

She sounds very satisfied explaining the opportunities the shop has rewarded. “We have recently been featured in Grazia magazine and I styled a shoot for The Daily Mail.”

She also provided costumes for the theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire by Dramatic Productions. During this project she styled leading lady and television actress Nicole Faraday. Nicki tells me it was her most memorable styling experience as of yet - “She came in the shop, opened a bottle of wine and took off all her clothes.”

Nicki doesn’t seem fazed at the mention of the economic crisis either, “Every industry has suffered, but women don’t stop shopping!” She even tells me that she believes the recession is one of the reasons for the recent vintage craze in the fashion industry. “Make do and mend is really in. You’ll get girls looking in their mum’s wardrobe for vintage!”

It is evident that Nicki is taking advantage of the vintage boom and her own boundless success when disclosing information about her latest project, “I am soon to be opening a What Alice Found outlet in a Poole based a vintage warehouse named Molly’s Den.” I have no doubt this venture will be yet another triumph.

So ladies, whether you’re a first time vintage shopper or Audrey Hepburn aspirant, take a trip down to the wonderland and see what Nicki has to offer, I can assure you, your experience will be nothing less than magical.

Beauty review - Nails Inc. varnish

2012-11-06T16:53:00.000-08:00

After discovering that Glamour Mag was giving out freebies again, I scrapped the highly important uni work, threw on some trainers and ran to my nearest shop. Much to my dismay ASDA had fresh run out, which meant no free Nails Inc. for me! At a hopeful last shot at happiness, I popped into Co-op, thankfully they had a few copies left, although the woman on the checkout was clueless and foolishly questioned "You want three of them?!" After offering a polite smile and accepting her ignorance I answered "Yes." and joyfully skipped out of the store with my new goodies!

Upon returning home, I ripped the 10ml of joy out of the packaging and investigated the vibrant colours inside the bottles. First was a blackened navy-blue colour, as usual the varnish is thick, smooth and gloop free. I could imagine this colour matching perfectly with a tailored white blazer or silver sparkly party dress! Second, in contrast to the dark twilight-esque shade, comes a pretty, girly baby-pink. I worry slightly as sometimes pinks can be see-through but this seems as if it will be perfectly opaque. Last, but certainly not least, my favourite of the bunch (pictured below) - a bright, sexy red! I'm a big fan of red nail varnishes and this is the best one I've seen in a while. The subtle glitter pigments give the red a shiny, gel like finish, a varnish to envy any professional manicure.

So, congrats Nails Inc. you appear to have smashed out another 3 fantastic shades and I'm sure boosted Glamour Mag sales yet again! I sure know where I will be sending Santa to fill up my Christmas stocking!

Reasons to love: Festival fashion

2012-03-22T14:41:00.002-07:00

After just returning from my personal favourite festival of the year (LEOPALLOOZA - a boutique festival, close to my home-town), I've been considering my love of 'festival fashion'. I think the main reason its so admired is the way it creates a whole unique style of its own by incorporating a broad range of peoples different approaches to current trends. I am pretty sure I've read that annual music festival Coachella has a lot of impact over the styles that will be available for months afterwards - high street and designer.

Here are my reasons for being such a festivalfashionlovingfreak.

1 - If your doing the festival thing properly and staying for a few days, you probably won't be able to wash. Bit of a strange reason without explaining myself, so that's what I'm going to do... (Explain myself). Basically no few day festival would be half as trendy without the three day mud build up on the Hunter wellington boots, random splashes of mud on waterproofs/skin/hair/clothing and (this is the best one) a wide array of gorgeous headbands cleverly used to decoy the look of greasy hair.

2 - After about 5pm people are usually pretty drunk and care less about what they look like, which in turn makes them look cooler and more fashionable.

3 - Whatever style you opt to incorporate into your festival outfits - it always looks relaxed and effortless. Particularly when in Great Britain as people will be wearing baggy clothes in the rain or baggy clothes in the shine... Clearly it wasn't just Madness who loved 'Baggy Trousers'.

4 - There is no gender, age, race, size or shape discrimination when it comes to festival style. Anyone and everyone can do it and generally look cool!

5 - ROCK vs POP. Some how the mix of leather, denim, studs, feathers, shorts, bikinis, army boots, wellies... (No this isn't fifty shades of grey)... The mix of pop and rock fashions mixed together work perfectly... In a way they have never worked together before!

Grunge fashion - Do or die?

2012-03-05T14:18:00.002-08:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dephisticate

However cool the grunge look is, I can't seem to get my head around it. I spend hours upon hours trawling through pictures of celebrities on the internet and its safe to say some of the people I envy most are the ones who are able to pull off looking like a corpse. The black leather, studs, baggy tees and rips all look super cool in my imagination, but in reality can sometimes lead to people looking like a dancer from the 'Thriller' music video.

Just think Taylor Momsen, from Gossip Girl, she looks great with her stacks of black eye liner but it must be a serious commitment to devote yourself to that kind of extreme look everyday, I hate to imagine how panda-esque her eyes would be after forgetting to take off her make-up before bed! It doesn't only appear to be a grave effort make-up wise, after the release of her band Pretty Reckless's debut single, named the ever so jolly, 'Makes Me Wanna Die' she appears to have gone into hibernation. The disadvantage of the grunge group, other than the eye bags, is that you can only venture out at night and have to appear aloof and mysterious at all times. It all seems too much of an effort to me.

Saying all this, the late Amy Winehouse had oodles of style, the way in which she mixed grunge with vintage/retro style was very clever indeed, this allowed herself to create her own iconic image. The way she mixed her tattooed arms and thick black beehive with girly floaty vintage dresses screamed post-modernism and was enough to make any fashionista weak at the knees! All with a feline felt tip eye liner flick!

However for now I think I'm going to stay away from the 'Thriller' look... The nearest I'll be going to that is next Halloween, though then hopefully no-one will recognise me!

Old fashioned glamour - Why the 50's rocked

2012-02-15T13:32:00.001-08:00

aphrodite-in-nyc

Whether its in the form of an oversized hat, a layered & laced pastel two piece or 1920's cocktail flapper dress, old style vintage glamour is everywhere! And I can't get enough. Most people who know me are fully aware of my obsession with the 50/60's and know that if I had the wardrobe and the money, I would dress like Marilyn, Dusty or Audrey every day of the week! And the added bonus of the style recognition modern day ladies receive from wearing any vintage shape, shade or design, is enough to make any woman convert from modern neons and brights to vintage headbands and petticoats!

After downloading Lana Del Rey's gorgeous début album last week, she has become my new obsession, though she has been slated in the press recently over cosmetic surgery rumours and her seemingly amateur/inexperienced performance style, no-one can deny her effortlessly cool style. She does what others before her have tried and failed at. Taking on a vintage look for everyday and making it look sexy and sophisticated, if only we all had her eye for such perfect style (or her stylists). The video for her recently popular single 'Video Games' is very vintage inspired and fits together perfectly with her sound. Shamelessly guilt free, I admit her music is very much on repeat.

Another striking difference between fashions from now and then, which makes me appreciate all things vintage that little bit more, is the shape of the women wearing these floral prints and lace. However lovely it is to have a slim, six packed frame, the ladies from the eras that I adore all knew how to embrace their curves and did it oh so effortlessly (but thankfully in a less obvious way than bootylicious Kim Kardashian)! So thank you vintage ladies with big bottoms, for providing modern day fashionistas some stunning fashions to indulge in and lust after for centuries to come...

Adios!

Candy coloured envy - Spring pastel trends

2012-02-06T12:44:00.000-08:00

Not is it difficult enough being a student, making important decisions about the future, picking the university to study at for the next 3 years and preparing for knee shakingly difficult exams. Louis Vuitton decides to add another obstacle to a fashion concious, young woman's load and it comes in a range of perfectly pastel shades! Yes, its the Louis Vuitton, spring/summer collection 2012. The hard hitting, nail biting problem here is that no student (unless your extremely well endowed), is going to afford any of these pieces...

Despite the unforgiving and unaffordable price tag, the collection could only be described as perfection. So, bravo Mr. Marc Jacobs, thanks for once more forcing me to peer into my high street wardrobe and quiver with overwhelming dress envy! Crafted from silks, lace and layers upon layers of sheenful, transparent material, these stunning retro-inspired pieces are obviously a serious investment and I'm making a pact with myself to one day be the proud owner of at least one item.

At least I'm not alone, picking up this months issue of Glamour Magazine, I couldn't help but notice their similar obsession with the collection and after viewing some pictures of the unveiling event on-line, which looked like a cross between Swan Lake and Barbie, I could quite understand why myself and the rest of women kind had gone ever so lightly loopy in lemon... However sad it may be to know I have absolutely no chance in affording these gorgeous items, which are engraved into my fashion forward memory, I'm pretty thankful I'm not a designer obsessed, WAG queen (as I can't imagine that would be any part fun), but instead will just have to wait till cheaper, badly made copies come out on the high street.

Over and out!

First-post: Didn't have a clue

2012-02-05T14:35:00.000-08:00

^ This is me!

Hey, so, I'm pretty new to this blogging lark! But hope to soon learn and be a pro... If I stick to this I plan to be sharing my thoughts and ideas on all things fashion related, possibly the occasional music reference (not that I'm much of a critic) and maybe a mention of beauty and make-up... Just because I can! So if your ever ludicrously bored and have literally nothing else on the earth to do, have a gander and let me know what you think :)