Fashion #OOTD
30 April 2014
Festival Florals
Denim Jacket // Vintage Levi
Boots // Primark
Dress // Primark
'Peace' Necklace //ASOS
The Sun came out for two whole hours today so I made the most of it and got my pale, un-sunkissed knobbly knees out for the occasion. It's pretty safe to say my legs have not seen the any sort of sunshine for a really long time so I may resort to fake tanning for a few weeks so as not to scare anyone with my ghost like complexion...if I can be bothered.
In my Primark haul recently I found this one off floral dress- someone had obviously brought it back after purchasing in a different store - among the mounds of clothing on offer. It instantly made me think of summer, yes florals are once again big - Shocking, I know! - and this ditsy design gave it the vintage look I love. I've worn it loose but you could also add a little belt at the waist if you're smaller on top as this will flatter you more.
Teamed with black Primark (I may be obsessed) pixie boots, a simple necklace and a vintage Levi denim jacket this look is perfect for the festival season that is fast approaching (YAY). The 'Peace' necklace is from ASOS, I'm not normally a fan of slogan jewellery but I decided to buy this one just to see and it apparently change my mind. I love it and it's a great length to wear just with a plain white t-shirt and jeans if you're having a dress down day.
Hope you love this look too, please leave comments I love to her back from you all!
Fashion
29 April 2014
Kate Moss x Topshop
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| PAISLEY PRINT SUNDRESS £65.00 |
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| CROCHET LACE MIDI DRESS £150.00 (comes in black & white) |
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| DRAPED PAISLEY TIE BLOUSE £75.00 |
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| EMBROIDERED SMOCK DRESS £75.00 |
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| JEWEL BEAD OVERLAY DRESS £600.00 |
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| LONG FRINGE TASSEL DRESS £95.00 |
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| PAISLEY PRINT WIDE LEG TROUSERS £55.00 |
I am VERY VERY excited - and it's not often I use two very's next to each other - for one reason only, Kate Moss is showcasing her new Topshop collection tonight and I want it all. The Supermodel, Boho Queen, Festival Chic'ster, oh and Mother has done it once again, years since her last collab with the high street store she has definitely put her own stylish stamp on every single piece.
Now, personally I will not be able to afford the majority of the items in her gorgeous collection - prices range from a scarf for £48 to a dress (pictured above) for £600 - but it's always nice to have a look isn't it? I've narrowed my love down to two stand out favourite pieces, the first is the black long fringe tassel dress (picture above) that I can already see myself parading around a festival this summer in, teamed with a floppy hat, bangles galore...and probably wellies.
The second is the embroidered smock dress (pictured above as well) that I would also adorn at a festival, or slip on to go to the beach if I'm lucky enough for a holiday this year but would probably wear it all summer long no matter where I am to be honest. It looks super comfortable and something you can slip on during the day with gladiator sandals and a pair of retro sunnies, providing we get some hot summer sun soon.
Topshop have said there are four main areas to Kate's collection: Tailoring Noir hence the fringing, Balearic Dressing taking us back to Moss' bohemian style, Cocktail Hour giving us that gorgeous gold jewel bead dress and Pyjama Dressing, yep that's right you can even look like the model herself when you head to bed. The collection has hints of sixties nostalgia with the paisley print flare trousers (accompanied with a coat in the same fabric you can see on Topshop website) and summertime fabric with the crochet tops and dresses.
I can't wait until this evening, get ready for the Topshop site to be swamped with orders and get in there fast if you have the wallet for it.
View more of the exclusive collection here
Fashion #OOTD
28 April 2014
Americana
Baseball Tee // Primark
Jeans // Vintage Gap
Shoes // Converse
Necklace // Primark
Flannel Shirt // Primark
A comfy, casual but stylish outfit is my idea of blissful heaven and today's post completely exudes all of that. I've been wanting a baseball tee for quite some time but have only just finally found one that I can wear and wear and wear until it falls apart. From Primark this one is the perfect item to have in your wardrobe - with the weather still being a tad temperamental the long sleeves give you a little extra coverage and you can team it with pretty much anything!
The jeans were originally from Gap, but quite a while ago as I bought these from DEPOP - my new favourite site, see previous post - from a lovely seller and they are so so comfortable. High waisted and a gorgeous colour, it will elongate you and cinch you in at the waist perfectly. The shoes are a pair everyone - man, woman, boy or girl - should have on their shoe rack - mine were white but I had to get them a little dirty didn't I? The necklace adds a little something to the outfit, along with the flannel shirt - both Primark - a pop of colour and something to draw the eye to.
Hope you liked this look, to see more from me click the links below
APP: Best of the Month
DEPOP
An APP I can finally get on board with - it combines my favourite past time, shopping, with my second favourite past time, earning some always needed extra money. A clever gadget you will wonder how you ever did without, it walks the line between your local car boot sale and pop up boutique, vintage store and charity shop. According to DEPOP website there were some key objectives they wanted to give users:
Mobile - Only usable on your phone so you can interact with prospective buyers right from your pocket.
Fun - Trying to put the joy back into buying and selling clothes (among many other things) and succeeding.
Social - This is the clear difference between the APP and other online shopping sites, you are able to chat through private messaging with other sellers. For example if you are interested in a particular item someone is selling you can private message 'PM' them and enquire more about the product asking for images, any damage, bartering price etc.
Simply download, create your profile and start listing.
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| my profile - samantha_marie |
My Top Depop Tips
1. Follow people similar to you - they're more likely to buy if they are the same size as you or have the same style
2. Makes those photos stand out - you are allowed to upload four images of your item so try and get as much detailing in as possible, buyers always ask to see the product on a person so add one or two of you wearing it.
3. Sell it well - you have a description box with an unlimited amount of characters so give a super detailed description! - it will show up in searches better when people are looking for that sort of product. Name the brand, size and product condition.
4. Make you clear - add a bio to your profile page and make it obvious what you are looking for/ selling/ where you're from. Swaps are common on this site but if you aren't interested in them make it known - people will still ask but not as many if you didn't put it on there in the first place.
5. Get to know people - Everyone is in the same boat, they want to buy and sell as much as they can, have fun with the app and you'll be successful. Come across not so nice then you aren't going to sell!
Happy Shopping!
Festival Fashion
23 April 2014
Wish I was there...
Coachella
It was that times of year again, when the majority of us feel pure envy at all the hottest celebs and general party goers who have snapped up one of the hottest festival tickets of the year...Coachella...sigh. For two weeks I was constantly stalking the uber famous and uber chic on twitter,instagram, Facebook...you name it I was there, looking at what the richer-than-me were wearing there.
These were three of my favourite looks - the first Haim, Danielle, Alana & Este Haim or as I like to call them the 'Dream Team' are my favourite girls of the moment actually the passed year to be honest. The girls looked every inch the indie girl band donning ripped denim jeans with crisp white floating tops and lengthy dresses. I WILL get my hair looking that good someday.
Emmy Rossum and Poppy Delevigne went with the classic festival look with their gorgeous floral headbands - keep your eyes peeled on here as I will be making my own floral creations ready for summer VERY soon! And of course the beaut that is Sienna Miller showcased a floor length white number that while fabulous in the sunshine at Coachella you might want to avoid if heading to Glastonbury this year.
Someday I'll get to Coachella, and I'll have the wardrobe to make at least one blogger envious like I am right now.
Fashion
16 April 2014
Bikini Season
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Sunset Palm Mesh Panel Halterneck Swimsuit, £24.99, New Look //
Pink Lips top, £16, High Waisted bottoms, £12, River Island
Yep it's that time again, aren't you excited? No, me either. The only exercise I do each and every day is lifting the chocolate bar to and from my mouth, oh and walking the dog but apart from that I am not a 'fitness freak' nor do I think I will ever be. But, here we are again not all that ready for the dreaded bikini season to lurk it's beautifully toned and honed head out from the horrid wet winter.
Looking around the high street, stores seem to have taken note that we may not all look like Kate Moss and given us a hell of a lot of choice for all shapes and sizes. These first two from New Look and River Island are great cover ups for those of us who have done next to little prep for summer or are still a little dubious to be getting everything out on show all at once. I love the print of both, Palm trees encompassing holidays abroad with an on trend graphic print and this high waisted two piece with cartoon lips exuding 1950s Hollywood glam.
Flamingo print bikini, £26, Miss Selfridge // Bandeau Swimsuit, £21.70,
American Apparel // Red Floral Balconette, £14, Bottoms, £12, Dorothy Perkins
The three of these offer a clever take on the usual blue and red, normally nautical, theme. The first is AMAZING, probably one of my favourites so far, an otherwise plain shape the babes at Miss Selfridge have let the bikini speak for itself with flamingos scattered all over it. Yeah, flamingos! Now you see why I love it? This blue and red bandeau from American Apparel will hug you in all the right places and flaunt those curves to the extreme - you certainly get a lot for your money too. The floral suit from Dorothy Perkins will be great for those of us with a little more in the boob department - myself included. It'll give you the support you need and crave while still being on point with the infamous floral spring/ summer trend.
The last two are for the smaller ladies (lucky gals) among us and offer the bright, bold colour blocking trend or the less obvious pastel one. Boohoo are giving us a simple style bikini that then draws our eye to the middle of your top half and the side of your legs with string detailing - only the more confident of us will be brave enough for this one. I'm so jealous of all of you who are able to pull of this Topshop number, I'm not petite enough to pull it off but really wish I was as this colour is to die for.
Strappy Cut Out Bandeau Bikini, £16, Boohoo //
Bluebell frill bikini top, £14, Bottoms, £8, Topshop
I hope you enjoyed reading this post, please leave comments below, I love getting your opinions!
Fashion #OOTD
14 April 2014
Monochrome Monday
Embellished top // ASOS
White Jeans // Next
White Leather Loafers // ASOS
Hair Scrunchy // ASDA
Sunglasses // Vintage
As someone who would prefer to spend her entire life in a pair of jeans this post is all about that all important comfort factor with a little bit of oomph all us fashion crazy love. A huge huge fan of embellished tops, jackets, skirts (basically anything) it seemed only natural to team these jeans and top together and I think they make a great combo.
I found this ASOS top and instantly fell in love, it was £40 when I bought it quite a while ago but they still have some similar on their website so it's definitely worth a look, if not you might get lucky and find a second hand one on Ebay. I love the white floral detailing using sequins and unlike some other embellished tops I have bought I am not missing any or finding them on my floor yet! The jeans have been hiding away in my wardrobe itching to get their second outing, I only managed to wear them once last summer but this year they are out in force. If you love them as much as I do then Next always have a great range of jeans that fit really well, I normally get a size smaller as they tend to have a lot of stretch in them. Hoorah!
The sunglasses are a vintage find and teamed with the hair scrunchy makes them both bang on trend practically oozing 90s grunge that is oh so hot right now. Last but not least the shoes, an instant love for me - though I know they won't be to everyone's taste - they were my bargain in the ASOS sale down from £40 to £25 and are currently my favourite pair in my ever expanding collection.
Leave comments below if you want to talk more about this summer look,
Happy reading!
Photography
David Bailey Stardust
6th February - 1st June 2014
National Portrait Gallery
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| Jerry Hall and Helmut Newton, 1973, in Cannes |
There's nothing I love more than getting lost in a museum or art gallery, seeing images and intricate objects up close and personal is something you can never experience from a book. A recent exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery had me lost for words, the exhibition? David Bailey's Stardust. Only having seen a few of Bailey's extensive portfolio previously I was in awe of how many 'celebs' and fashion icons he had snapped over the years.
Walk in one room and you're hit with rock n roll nostalgia finding photographs of Jack Nicholson, Michael Caine and Mick Jagger to name only a few then onto the next packed full of all sorts from the fashion industry including the late Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood. The exhibition seemed to be never ending but never boring, every wall was covered top to bottom and there wasn't a Bailey stone that hadn't been uncovered.
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| Jack Nicholson |
A personal note rang through the whole gallery, images of his wife and children were laid out in different photo frames as a sort of family album on one giant wall. Normally private pictures were on display including his wife giving birth to their son giving you the chance to get to know Bailey as more than just a photographer, a father and husband too.
In yet another huge room you start to get an understanding of his friendship with the infamous Kray brothers and get a sense of London at that time this was then completely juxtaposed with his time in Africa and the tribal men and women he photographed. With over 250 images all personally selected by David Bailey it offers you a great opportunity to witness one of the greats in his prime.
For ticket info click here
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| Michael Caine |
Photography
5 April 2014
Polaroid...
...and why I love it
...and why I love it
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It's not much of a secret that I am a big, nay HUGE fan of all the different delights from past eras - I often find myself thinking I should have been born in the 1950s so I could have lived out my teenage rebellion phase through the 1960s. Pirate radio and all. And when it comes to photography I have now started my own new/ old obsession - polaroid images. It may not be the most 'cost effective' hobby I have ever had (the camera costs less than the film!) but it is something I have become passionate about and completely engrossed with. You've got to find something to love, right?
Andy Warhol made some of the most famous polaroids of our time capturing the likes of Muhammad Ali, Debby Harry, Sylvester Stallone and even himself taking probably one of the first 'selfies' ever. It is not always the easiest of cameras to get along with unlike our digital versions and mobile phones that shows our photos to us instantly the polaroid takes time and unlike that famous Outkast song you do NOT shake it like a polaroid picture. Leave in a warm, dark place and it will develop. Slowly but surely. The first camera I bought (polaroid p600) takes about 40 minutes to develop but the second (instax mini) took about five! It's the anticipation of seeing what a photo is going to turn out like that adds to the fun of it all.
These are just a few from my collection so far, I can't wait to capture more come the summer months. Click on the links below to see more about polaroid.
Fashion #OOTD
4 April 2014
Floral Invasion
Floral leggings // Topshop
Bag // Topshop
Top // New Look
Sunglasses // ASOS
Shoes // JuJu Jellies
Necklace // Primark
This is the first photo shoot post I've ever done and I actually found it quite easy and, dare I say it, fun! The whole theme was spring florals and, well, getting ready for spring in general really, we've had a long cold winter so it's nice to FINALLY see some sunshine peeping its head out from the dreary clouds.
The necklace immediately grabbed my attention when I popped into my local Primark store (just for a browse, oops) and reminded me of the River Island one I had blogged about previously. Realising I probably couldn't afford the £45 RI version I was excited to see this one for a mere £4, working both the floral and pastel trend in one it's going to be hanging around my neck well into the summer months. The bag I actually got about three/ four years ago from Topshop, shows that spending a bit more on a bag does pay off and lasts a hell of a lot longer. It's still bang on trend this season with different coloured pieces of straw-like fabric wafting and weaving throughout and the circular shape is something that made me love it in the first place - something totally different to the norm.
The glasses and jelly shoes are also from last year and yet are back again - a lot of the summer trends are recurring from previous years, the bank balance is very happy about this - the shoes have already been through a lot (they protected my feet from the boiling hot sand of Ibiza) and are still standing. I only ever buy my sunglasses from ASOS, exactly the same quality as RI and Topshop at a fraction of the price in all different shapes and sizes. What's not to love? The trousers are probably one of the best pieces in my spring/ summer wardrobe right now - stretchy, versatile and ready to go with any colour blocking top or jumper you pop on. Like this shell top from New Look, again working the pastel trend it was an absolute snip at £17.99 and one that I will be living in as it's so comfy and an item that can be dressed up or down.
Hope you enjoyed my first fashion photo shoot, this will now be a weekly occurrence so hope you stay with me for them all!
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