Coffee Mournings

Kimonos by amy-lia featuring a floral print coat

Fri, 01 Aug 2014 18:51:10 +0100

Kimonos by amy-lia featuring a floral print coat

2 months and 19 exams later, I’ve finally come to you with...

Sat, 07 Jun 2014 21:27:25 +0100

2 months and 19 exams later, I’ve finally come to you with a new post…

Australian label Triangl, have very kindly sent me a bikini from their line - this model and colour is called ’Tilly Sunburst’. I’ve admired Triangl’s simple but effective design for a while now and I chose this one because I loved the cheerful shade of orange the bottoms come in!

Triangl specialise in neoprene swimwear, the stuff that wetsuits are made out of - a departure from the usual Nylon/Spandex you usually get. What this means is that it’s hardwearing and sturdy (not to mention waterproof) but also that it doesn’t stretch very much. The lack of give means that I suggest sizing up when it comes to bottoms because they’re quite unforgiving.

With the top, I think the opposite applies - with this particular set, none of the straps are adjustable so a large cup size + small band size may mean that this design may not be for you. I think I’m going to have the straps adjusted on mine - girls with cup size C and above may want to be careful - coverage is less than expected. However, the thick neoprene prevents you from looking like you’re smuggling raisins so there’s a bonus right there!

It all comes with a duffel bag, also made of neoprene, which I think is a rather nice touch. I should also mention that Triangl’s customer service is pretty amaizng too - they offer an online instant chat if you have questions about sizing or delivery and their staff are really understanding and patient, so there’s no need to be scared!

The quality of Triangl’s products are really amazing - just make sure you get the right size!

Main website

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How to be Alone Our society has a fear of loneliness. We have...

Sat, 29 Mar 2014 19:46:06 +0000

How to be Alone

Our society has a fear of loneliness. We have been conditioned to believe that being alone is toxic and generally means there is some thing wrong with you.

Like spending time by yourself? Anti social.

Don’t want to date? Scared of people.

Not partying every night? No friends.

In this fun video, filmmaker Andrea Dorfman and poet/singer/songwriter Tanya Davis use poetry, art, and music to offer advice for tackling one of society’s biggest fears: alone time.

Tanya shows us how to ease into solitude—starting in easy places like the bathroom or coffee shop, turning off the security blankets that are our phones, honouring the things we like to do by ourselves—as we learn to enjoy it and realise the importance of it.

Below is the transcript for said viral video. I recommend you read it while listening. This is a piece that will help you understand that alone is okay.

If you are at first lonely, be patient.

If you’ve not been alone much, or if when you were, you weren’t okay with it, then just wait. You’ll find it’s fine to be alone once you’re embracing it.

We can start with the acceptable places, the bathroom, the coffee shop, the library, where you can stall and read the paper, where you can get your caffeine fix and sit and stay there. Where you can browse the stacks and smell the books; you’re not supposed to talk much anyway so it’s safe there.

There is also the gym, if you’re shy, you can hang out with yourself and mirrors, you can put headphones in.

Then there’s public transportation, because we all gotta go places.

And there’s prayer and meditation, no one will think less if your hanging with your breath seeking peace and salvation.

Start simple. Things you may have previously avoided based on your ‘Avoid-Being-Alone’ principles.

The lunch counter, where you will be surrounded by chow-downers, employees who only have an hour and their spouses work across town, and they, like you, will be alone.

Resist the urge to hang out with your cell phone.

When you are comfortable with eat lunch and run, take yourself out for dinner; a restaurant with linen and silverware. You’re no less an intriguing a person when you are eating solo dessert and cleaning the whipped cream from the dish with your finger. In fact, some people at full tables will wish they were where you were.

Go to the movies. Where it’s dark and soothing, alone in your seat amidst a fleeting community.

And then take yourself out dancing, to a club where no one knows you, stand on the outside of the floor until the lights convince you more and more and the music shows you. Dance like no one’s watching because they’re probably not. And if they are, assume it is with best human intentions. The way bodies move genuinely to beats, is after all, gorgeous and affecting. Dance until you’re sweating. And beads of perspiration remind you of life’s best things, down your back, like a book of blessings.

Go to the woods alone, and the trees and squirrels will watch for you. Go to an unfamiliar city, roam the streets, they are always statues to talk to, and benches made for sitting gives strangers a shared existence if only for a minute, and these moments can be so uplifting and the conversation you get in by sitting alone on benches, might have never happened had you not been there by yourself.

Society is afraid of alone though. Like lonely hearts are wasting away in basements. Like people must have problems if after a while nobody is dating them.

But lonely is a freedom that breathes easy and weightless, and lonely is healing if you make it.

You can stand swathed by groups and mobs or hands with your partner, look both further and farther in the endless quest for company.

But no one is in your head. And by the time you translate your thoughts an essence of them may be lost or perhaps it is just kept. Perhaps in the interest of loving oneself, perhaps all those “sappy slogans” from pre-school over to high school groaning, we’re tokens for holding the lonely at bay.

Cause if you’re happy in your head, then solitude is blessed, and alone is okay.

It’s okay if no one believes like you, all experience is unique, no one has the same synapses, can’t think like you, for this be relieved, keeps things interesting, life’s magic things in reach, and it doesn’t mean you aren’t connected, and the community is not present, just take the perspective you get from being one person in one head and feel the effects of it.

Take silence and respect it.

If you have an art that needs a practice, stop neglecting it, if your family doesn’t get you or a religious sect is not meant for you, don’t obsess about it.

You could be in an instant surrounded if you need it.

If your heart is bleeding, make the best of it.

There is heat in freezing, be a testament.

Focus on the bolded and italicised parts. Time alone can be healthy. It is essential for you to be alone when understanding parts of yourself - and that comprehension is necessary for you not to be alone in the future.

Amelie / Photo Editor / my blog / lifestyle blog

(Picture from: Could I Have That?)

Let’s face it: Travelling takes planning, is expensive,...

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 10:02:00 +0000

Let’s face it: Travelling takes planning, is expensive, and, depending on where you’re going and who you’re going with, can be a little nerve-wracking. Your Instagram feed may be the thing that’s giving you wanderlust, with that one rich friend or overpaid celebrity posting an endless stream of everlasting blue skies and pristine beaches - but to take the plunge yourself, to leave your couch and embark on your own trip is an entirely different story.

So why is it so important for you to do it anyway? Why is it is so incredibly essential for you to travel when you’re young?

In your youth, you will make choices that will define you. What you choose to do now will alter your thoughts and beliefs and travelling will change you like little else can. It will put you in places that will force you to care for issues that are bigger than you. If you go to southeast Asia, you may encounter the slave trade and major degradation and prejudice towards women . If eastern Europe, you may see the effects of genocide and religious persecution. Travelling gives you perspective - meeting ‘regular’ folks from exotic cultures will teach you that the way you look at the world (perhaps through the lens of mass media) is not the way everybody does. The world is so much more than what you can see where you are sat. Talking to people and experiencing it for yourself brings a healthy dose of reality to your so-called higher thinking. You will feel more connected to your fellow human beings in a deep and lasting way and you will learn to care.

This is not about being a tourist. It’s about experiencing true risk and adventure so you don’t have to live in fear for the rest of your life. It’s about developing a sense of excitement, and later you will come to appreciate that you experienced that sort of stimulation of the senses - besides, you’re not going to think back fondly to that time you sat in front of your HD TV, staring at pictures of Mykonos for a week. That’s not really a story to tell is it? But ziplining over the jungle canopy or a speedboat ride in the clear seas of New Zealand allows you to get a feel for what being an active human being is like. The need for adventure is hardwired; travel lets you tap into it.

So what, then, will it be? What choices will you regret making? Holding back. Being afraid. Making excuses. Not taking more risks. Waiting.

You should take the time to see the world and taste the fullness of life. It’s worth whatever investment or money or sacrifice of time that may be required on your part. Everything will be worth it when you’re standing on top of that mountain with the breeze blowing through your hair and you can look down on the world and know that you’ve made it.

[Picture from: Tripod Diaries]

Have I persuaded you to go jetting around the world then?

Trends: Spring 2014 - Crop Tops

Sat, 08 Mar 2014 22:15:00 +0000

Crop tops - made so very popular in the 90’s - are back. They’ve been a celebrity favourite recently, worn with matching skirts by the likes of Chanel Iman and Rooney Mara after being seen on SS14 runways last year. Crop tops aren’t all about exposed midriffs - they can also combine other trends. Vivienne Tam showed off an all white look at her show, whilst JW Anderson preferred a more structured look.

Here’s where you can get your own set:

Missguided

Statement prints are the hottest thing you can buy right now - and dogtooth is right at the top of everyone’s wishlists. The gorgeous spaghetti strap top can be paired with any simple jeans or skirts - but of course the matching A-line skirt would be perfect too! (And how lovely is that baby blue?)

Graciela Dogtooth Spaghetti Straps Crop Top In Baby Blue
Petricia Dogtooth A-Line Skirt In Baby Blue

Alice + Olivia

Clean, crisp and seriously chic. The sporty sleeveless top is fitted to perfection with a high-waisted tea length, pale green skirt made from super buttery leather. This has that soft structure that spring is all about.

Pire Fitted Crop Top
Daven Leather Center Pleat Long Skirt

Motel

Majorly on trend turtleneck crop top in a blue print that reminds me of blue and white porcelain combined with a high waist cut skirt with exposed silver zipper at back is super awesome. Love how it can be worn with white trainers for a more relaxed look.

Motel Mindy Turtleneck Crop Top in Blue Venus

Motel Annie A Line Skirt in Blue Venus

Will you be wearing crop tops this spring?

An Outfit for a Night Out from Little Mistress

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 23:56:00 +0000

Two things happened today: one, I made some new friends who bought me chips. Two, I found a cute, cute store called Little Mistress. Both these things resulted in the making of this set - bonding with people meant several invitations to some fun looking parties and a plethora of adorable dresses made me whip out the polyvore immediately.

Cream Cutout Sleeve Embellished Shift Dress - Sweet and simple with the embellished cap sleeves keeping things interesting. Love the colour.
Paper Dolls Gold Glitter Platform Sling Back Heeled Sandal - gorgeous, sparkly shoes that provide 5 inches of height. Perfect!
Gold Clear Stone Spike Necklace - I think this would be the key accessory to make this outfit not too sugary sweet. Let’s deliver some attitude too right?

Little Mistress is immensely popular with bloggers and is constantly featured in the press for their affordable prices and awesome designs! Tell me what you think of the shop in the comments below. Why not create your own set while you’re at it?

Want-It Wednesday Embellished Mesh Top - Browns Fashion Daphine...

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 10:01:34 +0000

Want-It Wednesday

Embellished Mesh Top - Browns Fashion

Daphine Ripped Jeans by Jovonnista - Topshop

Tall Hooded Lightweight Jacket - Topshop

Aubrey Leather Ankle Boots - Asos

Pashli Grained Leather Backpack - Farfetch

Also on Polyvore

Favourite Outfits of the Week | FOW

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 17:23:59 +0000

Chanel Iman in Fausto Puglisi at Sports Illustrated Swimsuit South Beach Soiree

The model jumped on the crop top bandwagon, donning a Fausto Puglisi Resort 2014 crystal-embroidered cropped tank with a blush aztec-print high-waisted circle skirt with a studded waistband.

To complement the exquisite detail on her outfit, Chanel continued the edgy vibe via Giuseppe Zanotti ankle-strap sandals with large studs

A simple ponytail was the perfect final touch.

Amber Heard in Burberry Prorsum on Live With Kelly & Michael

I have expressed my love for the Burberry Prorsum Spring 2014 collection many times already and I must say that I still adore it.

The actress was promoting her latest film, ‘3 Days to Kill’ on Live with Kelly and Michael, and looked typically stunning wearing a Burberry Spring 2014 pastel lemon cashmere sweater with a lace macramé black-and-white polka dot skirt seen on the runway, styled with white Jimmy Choo pumps. Signature glossy waves completed the look.

This is the perfect daytime outfit; effortless and chic, maintaining her sexy persona, whilst still being event appropriate.

Beyoncé Knowles in Vrettos Vrettakos Couture at Brit Awards 2014

Beyoncé was the surprise performer at the BRIT Awards on Wednesday. The queen turned to Greek designer, Vrettos Vrettakos, for her performance outfit, looking absolutely stunningwearing a sparkling green form-fitting, long-sleeved frock featuring sheer panels in the sleeves while performing her new song, XO, for the first time during a televised performance. The singer completed the look with gorgeous waves and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Pixie Lott in DKNY at Brit Awards 2014

I love simplistic, minimalist looks, and whilst I was surprised to see Pixie Lott don this slinky white number from the DNKY Spring 2014 collection, I was also very pleased. A side slit and criss-cross detail at the back kept the look interesting and the singer accessorized with the very popular Agata bag from Dolce & Gabbana as well as a contrasting pair of light-blue Sophia Webster pumps.

Which is your favourite? x

Want-It Wednesday Lace Bustier Top - Browns Fashion Floral...

Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:01:21 +0000

Want-It Wednesday

Lace Bustier Top - Browns Fashion

Floral Cotton Skirt - Browns Fashion

Daisy Laser Cut Holdall - New Look

Suede Pumps - Mytheresa

Pink Gemstone Teardrop Earrings - New Look

Also on Polyvore

Ondrash and his Watercolour Tattoos

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:03:02 +0000

There is plenty of debate about whether those with tattoos are stereotyped and judged strongly - and if they deserve it. Whilst I am not an advocate for facial tattoos by any means and really, Cheryl Cole’s huge back piece isn’t to my taste, I simply cannot claim that Czech artist Ondrash’s designs are not masterpieces.

The talented tattooist is located in Znojmo, Czech Republic, and sees only one customer per day in order to give the necessary quality and care to each piece.

Ondrash has the capability to make tattoo ink mimic the subtle movement of watercolours. It’s quite remarkable, really, not to mention incredibly beautiful.

Whether skin will allow the beautiful lines to hold up in the long term is of course still to be seen, but that is a concern to many a great modern colour artists, and only time will tell whether more recent tattoo techniques and inks will allow for expression that was not previously possible.

Even then, ladies and gentlemen,

This is art.

Check out his work: http://www.ondrash.com

What’s your opinion on these watercolour tattoos? Would you judge someone if they had one of these?

I'm Loving... Figure Skating (Ok... mainly Yuzuru Hanyu)

Sun, 16 Feb 2014 12:50:55 +0000

The Winter Olympics. The younger, cooler (literally), and therefore ever-changing, counterpart to the Summer Olympics. Whilst probably watched by less people, and it contains sports which are almost in their infancy, no one can argue about their entertainment value - after all, no one falls quite like almost all the competitors in the 500m Short Track final.

But really, my focus is ice skating. Yesterday, history was made at the Iceberg Skating Palace, in the form of 19 year old Yuzuru Hanyu, and during his Olympic début. Not only did he produce a world record breaking short program score of 101.45 on Thursday, but by winning the gold, he had become the youngest male champion in 66 years - as well as the first Japanese (and Asian!) man to win figure skating gold.

Yuzuru is somewhat extraordinary. Although he is the 2013-2014 Grand Prix Final champion, and the 2013 & 2014 Japanese national champion, in 2010, he was still competing at junior level (he was the 2010 World Junior champion!). It’s probably good to note here that you can keep competing as junior until you’re 19 in ice skating - by moving up, Yuzuru was now competing against the most elite skaters - especially Daisuke Takahashi, whom he idolized, Patrick Chan, whose skating skills Yuzuru utterly admired, and Evgeni Plushenko, who had inspired him to begin skating in the first place.

And he’s super good looking too.

In fact, Yuzuru's great looks has sparked many a debate about the treatment and objectification of sporting athletes because of their appearance - his resemblance to K-Pop stars and some anime characters has made him a heartthrob in both his native Japan and just about everywhere else. Androgyny is big in Asia. Androgyny is now big everywhere - even if you don’t think he’s hot, you kinda have to admit he’s cute.

Winne the Pooh is his lucky charm!

So he’s adorable.

But truly, his skating is spectacular. He makes quad toe loops - one of the hardest jumps on ice - look easy. He can do triple axels practically from a standstill. His lines are superb, spins sublime, and his flexibility is yet another thing to be amazed at. Yuzuru has all the technical skills of someone much more experienced, with a heavy dose of personality and emotion all added onto a supreme amount of sex appeal. And I am so glad he demonstrated as such at the Olympics.

He actually has asthma too, which makes everything he does doubly amazing.

His short program, skated to Parisienne Walkways by Gary Moore, is so engaging and exciting to watch. I’ve had it on repeat many times now, and it’s easy to see why the judges awarded him 100+ points - Yuzuru is utterly captivating, and in a completely different league.

His Biellmann spin… some women can’t do it as well as he can ok

And his short program contains arguably one of the coolest moves in ice skating

Though his Olympic long program included two falls, and a tentative start, even now, the music of Romeo + Juliet by Nino Rota is on a loop inside my head and I really cannot stop being so very glad he won that gold medal. His Ina Bauer is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. And so is he.

Best wishes to him, and I hope for a long long career with more outstanding performances in the future.

I currently cannot offer videos of his Olympic performances, but here is him performing the same Short Program routine and also Long Program routine at the 2013-2014 Grand Prix final.

Want-It Wednesday Geisha Printed Cotton Sweatshirt - Browns...

Wed, 05 Feb 2014 10:01:22 +0000

Want-It Wednesday

Geisha Printed Cotton Sweatshirt - Browns Fashion

Woven Checkerboard Miniskirt - Browns Fashion

Mind Your Manners embroidered clutch - Net-a-Porter

TIKA2 Fur Slip On Skaters - Topshop

Nails in Precocious - Topshop

Also on Polyvore

Favourite Outfits of the Week | FOW

Tue, 04 Feb 2014 21:35:37 +0000

Miley Cyrus in Saint Laurent at the Tonight Show with Jay Leno

I’ve never been the biggest fan of Miley’s OTT style but I do love this double denim look. I adore double denim. I wear double denim. So I love this. She wore a blue chambray shirt styled with dark-denim skinny jeans and blue Saint Laurent ‘Jane’ sandals. A Miley look isn’t complete without some ode to Chanel, so she completed her outfit with a vintage Chanel medallion gold-chain belt.

Rihanna in Chanel on Good Morning America

The singer made a guest appearance on ‘Good Morning America’ to promote her collaboration with the MAC this week, working a chic Chanel coral boucle skirt suit worn with an Adam Selman white bodysuit. I would’ve expected a twist or some edge, since it’s Rihanna, but the toned down look continued all the way down to her taupe Manolo Blahnik ankle-strap pumps with only her new hand tattoo hinting at edgy Rihanna.

Apologies for the lack of posts, it’s been a rather trying week. I hope you’ve all been well!

Want-It Wednesday Asymmetric Embroidered White T-shirt -...

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 16:02:08 +0000

Want-It Wednesday

Asymmetric Embroidered White T-shirt - ROMWE

Tabby High Waisted Skirt - Shopbop

White T Bar Barely There Stiletto Sandals - River Island

Alpha Belt - Shopbop

Quay Bellpop Round Sunglasses - ASOS

Also on Polyvore

Favourite Outfits of the Week | FOW

Sun, 26 Jan 2014 23:26:57 +0000

Solange Knowles in Azede Jean-Pierre at the Spotify and Troy Carter Pre-GRAMMY Music + Tech Party

I always love how Solange isn’t afraid to wear lesser known designers, and wear them well. Working a blunt cut ‘fro she wore a Azede Jean-Pierre Spring 2014 cropped jacket with a standing collar, featuring three-dimensional insect embroidery, and bracelet-length sleeves with matching skirt that she has worn back to front, possibly to stop the look getting too overwhelmed as there are less bugs the way she wears it. Black sandals completed the look.

Angelababy in Burberry Prorsum at the Chinese New Year Celebration Event

Angelababy was looking absolutely adorable in at a Chinese New Year event held in Hong Kong this Thursday. The actress/model went for a pretty pink look from Burberry Prorsum’s Spring 2014 collection that I have been dying to see again after Paloma Faith opted for the same combination a few weeks ago. Her Victorian lace shirt and pencil skirt were complemented by her Dior black pumps with a pink toecap which are super cute. Barely there makeup and loose waves completed her look.

Exact Shoes

Vanessa Hudgens in Monique Lhuillier at the ‘Gimme Shelter’ New York Premiere

As much as I love Vanessa’s boho chic, it’s always lovely to see her prove that she can do hollywood glamour just as well. The actress stunned wearing a Monique Lhuillier Spring 2013 black tulle gown with silver embellishments. Girl was on a roll working one of her best looks to date - which she styled with a black Edie Parker clutch, gold jewels and a messy side braid that kept the look from being too overdone.

Kiernan Shipka in Honor on the 'Today Show’

Kiernan Shipka is one excellently dressed teen. At just 14, she dresses better than many adults, as can be seen when she donned a Honor Spring 2014 ensemble on the Today Show. The young actress, who most know from ‘Mad Men’, was promoting her new TV movie ‘Flowers in the Attic’. Showcasing her style chops, the actress wore a fun and light dual-patterned crop top and high-waist skirt styled with metallic-silver triple-strap Chloe pumps and a selection of jewels, including earrings by Dana Rebecca Designs as well as rings by EF Collection and Graziela Gems. Wavy tresses and pink glossy lips rounded out her cute look.

Who are your favourites from this week? x

I'm Loving... Spring 2014 Couture

Sun, 26 Jan 2014 14:18:00 +0000

Well, I loved the Couture Week in Paris and I thought I’d share all of my favourite looks from my favourite shows in handy chronological order because that’s what makes sense.

Christian Dior

The first thing that struck one about this show was the lightness, not only in the openness and airiness of the clothes themselves, but also in an attitude that reflected the Raf Simon’s oft-stated desire to modernize couture. The collection showed off cutwork, lace and lattices, overlays, and veils of silk and pure ethereal springtime loveliness with a modern edge, a perfectly intoxicating combination that produced effortless movement and grace.

And how amazing are these shoes?!

Featured after the break: Giambattista Valli, Elie Saab, Chanel and Valentino!

Giambattista Valli

Giambattista Valli’s muse this year, according to the man himself, was one with morning-after hair, who has thrown on haute couture to run around town. There were party dresses with miniskirts and layers of duchesse satin around the hips and bust, some with silver embellishments. Valli didn’t so much set out to rewrite the rules as he did to inject the made-to-measure world’s confines with a young energy. Perhaps compared with Dior’s techno detailing, Valli’s approach is old school - but it also delivers unapologetic femininity with an outing of florals, pastels and embroidery as well as sculptural sharpness.

________________________________________

Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld’s collection embodied the concept of the “incredible lightness of being” in poetically handwoven cloth, and embroideries as light and magical as thistledown. It was hyper-focused yet diverse. One major theme was the intense corsetry exposed between cropped jackets and belled skirts a well as breathe-freely waistless looks.The palette contained pale and iridescent tweeds threaded with metallics, mica flecks, and shining ribbons with a dash of sorbet pastels. A true testament to the skill treasury of the legendary Chanel ateliers.

There’s going to be a waiting list for the Chanel trainers - these aren’t ordinary sneakers- they’re embroidered, jewelled and lasered to look like lace. Stunning.

________________________________________

Elie Saab

Every time the couture shows arrive in Paris, the most anticipation is saved for the utter enchantment that is Elie Saab, and this collection is no exception. There were the signature embroideries and appliqués but perhaps sensing that a refresh wouldn’t go unappreciated, Saab also included a handful of gossamer-light pleated goddess gowns. The designer conjured a detailed-orientated spring outing with a focus on the botanical; featuring everything from blooming roses to lovely lilacs in hue and decoration. The silhouette is suitably feminine, honing on the waist with empire lines and flowing drapery.

________________________________________

Valentino

Really, how good are Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli?! In this collection, they took their inspiration from the theatre, producing fifty-five beautiful looks for fifty-five operas. The duo showed a variety of shapes — ethereal ballgowns, airy golden lace caftan, thicker blue-and-brown lace sheaths and produced a dreamlike world, one that most notably included a surprise ode to the animal kingdom. The Valentino pair have been challenged to demonstrate that they’ve got more up their sleeves than long, covered-up dresses in lace. With this show, they dared to demonstrate that they can go beyond that captivating silhouette, continue with magical embroidery (a whole Garden of Eden scene on a skirt!), and make short dresses which have as much innocent romanticism as their long ones.

My favourite was definitely the extraordinary collection that was Valentino. Which was yours?

Happy Sunday everyone!

Etsy Finds: Make Up Bags

Fri, 24 Jan 2014 14:01:00 +0000

I don’t carry my make up bag around with me generally. Perhaps that rather defeats the point of a bag; but really it means I’ve never had a make up bag that looks nice. My current one is red and has a picture of a dog on it - and not the cute sort either. Don’t even get me started on the size - it’s far too small. As my make up collection has gradually increased, my bag has failed to do the same. And so, with my ever nearing move to the new house, I thought it would be nice to get a new make up bag! Here are some that I found on Etsy and I thought looked awesome.

Natural Leather Make Up Bag with Hand-Painted Pattern

Not only is this gorgeous pouch handpainted and made from real leather, it’s also upcycled from leather jackets - so it’s environmentally friendly too! It can be used as a make up bag or a pouch for important things or even a mini clutch. I just love the painted gold.

Check out nextLIFEproject for more 100% handmade products made from natural leather!

(via: nextLIFEproject)

Navy Blue Polka Dots Cosmetic Make Up Bag

I adore this colour combination! That coral zip is so perfect with the navy blue and the polka dots keep things interesting and fun! That pleat down the centre looks great too and gives the bag a unique touch. Want.

The shop contains loads of other designs and colour combinations too!

(via: hennyseashell)

Wedgie Bag and Cosmetic Brush Roll - Grey Woodgrain

This pattern is so my thing - minimalist, light and simple. And it really doesn’t hurt that it comes with a brush roll! A gusset bottom allows the bag to stand on it’s own, which I always like since it makes getting make up out easier.

Knitty34 has so many other just as adorable designs, with more colours for those with more vibrant preferences.

(via: knitty34)

Cosmetic Bag in Tove Dandelion Blush Pink

I just think this bag is so adorable (I like pink too sometimes!) That pink zipper is just so cute. It stands up by itself, is great size for all your make up, is practical, and would make an awesome gift for friends and family.

This shop is the bomb. Honestly there are so many different designs and colour combinations and I want them all. (And custom orders are possible!!)

(via: bySilkeJacobs)

Green Dots Hand Printed Cosmetic Bag

To finish off, I thought I’d pick something bright and simple! I am a huge fan of the hand done textured dots and I love that it’s made out of natural cotton. This is slightly bigger in size that the others I believe and can come in a set if you so wish!

Visit erinmillerarnold for more textured and original designs!

(via: erinmillerarnold)

Do you guys care about what your make up bag looks like? What do you think of my choices?

Have a nice weekend!

Interiors // My Room - New Beginnings // Tumblr Moodboard

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 16:04:00 +0000

My parents bought a house. And we are moving in on Friday.

Now, I’ve never been particularly good with change and we only hauled ourselves into this place a year ago, so I am happily admitting my reluctance of packing everything up… again. I have actually yet to see my room… but after living in a rented house for a year, and being unable to stick anything on the walls, I know I definitely want to decorate my new room as nicely as possible!

The moodboard is supposed to give me an idea of how I want my room to feel - not to look the same exactly but to take inspiration from the decorations and general atmosphere and idea of them. Partly because I suspect my room is not that big and also because making sunken beds isn’t in my dad’s DIY skillset.

I’m probably going to borrow some ideas from my friends too… I recently found out one of them doesn’t even have a bed and much prefers a Japanese futon. And also owns a bonsai tree.

Have any of you redone your room recently? How did you get your inspiration?

(via: Top - One | Two || Middle - One | Two | Three || Bottom - One | Two)

Want-It Wednesday Skinny High Jeans - H&M White Long Sleeve...

Wed, 22 Jan 2014 10:01:00 +0000

Want-It Wednesday

Skinny High Jeans - H&M

White Long Sleeve Shirt - River Island

Camel Drawn Wool-Blend Coat - River Island

Lizard-effect and patent-leather sandals - Net-A-Porter

Glam Punk Spike Neon Orange Necklace - Boticca

Super Duper Strength Crazy Tort - Karen Walker

Cyprus Stud Earrings - My Wardrobe

Also on Polyvore

I'm Loving... Houghton

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 17:03:39 +0000

The Houghton Spring/Summer 2014 Lookbook manages to be fun and fresh but still succeeds in being simple and clean and completely gorgeous.

Set in front of a plain white wall, I imagined the typical fake walking shots from the models, but instead you’re given an actual range of expressions, and the sense of movement and sass is captured superbly by the camera.

The pieces are flirty but still make a statement with bold silhouettes and a interesting selection of fabrics from floaty chiffon to dark leather.

Group shots are designed to contrast and are balanced to show off all the clothes in one picture without overpowering the ones next to each other.

Details are delicate and unassuming but elevate a look.

It’s not all about plain colours - florals are a feature too.

The natural, carefree party feel is done well. When you wear these clothes, you are going to have a good time, this isn’t just about style, it’s also about functionality because god knows we need some of that in fashion nowadays.

Unique poses, combined with stunning lines and quirky design is a winner. Take note: this is how you make a lookbook.

Houghton is gorgeous. Even if you aren’t a fan of simple, clean lines and minimalist colours, there is still no chance of you calling this collection boring.