A Forte For Fashion - Leeds Fashion and Style Blog

Wax Lyrical: London Fashion Week

2012-02-09T19:38:00.000Z

As you know (because I keep talking about it) I'm hitting London Fashion Week. Words cannot describe the absolute excitement. When I got home yesterday there were two invites waiting for me on the matt. I wish I could of filmed my reaction to show you - there may have been some jumping up and down and screaming. You may wonder why I had such a reaction - I'm going to attempt to put it into words. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a Fashion Journalist. I'm the kind of person that sticks to an idea when they have one. As you may or may not know I started this blog while studying Journalism at University. After 4 years I'm starting to see the extra effort I put into my blog, pay off. For me the epitome of all this is being able to attend London Fashion Week - walking into a show and taking my seat I know I'll be feeling a mixture of emotions. For me it is like I'm being finally allowed to hang out with the popular kids (weird analogy but you get the idea).
I hope to bring you my experience through the eyes of a regular girl - I'm not a fashion insider so I hope you can relate a little more to me. I was thinking of filming some little behind the scenes videos to put on my YouTube channel - what do you think? I'd be interested to know what kind of posts you would like to see.

Just to add a little something extra to the proceedings I thought I'd share an outfit I plan on wearing while in London. Let me know what you think:

Lust List: Statement T-Shirts

2012-02-06T20:12:00.000Z

As promised I am trying to open up a little more of life to you guys and show you what I do when I'm not staring at things longingly on ASOS. I like to partake in seeing live music - although I don't go to gigs or events as often as I would like to. This weekend myself and my boyfriend went to the Don't Flop To The Test 10 Weekender in Leeds. If you don't know what Don't Flop is I'll give you a little rundown. Don't Flop is a rap battle league based in the UK, they hold events up and down the country, giving the MCs a chance to showcase what they can do. I had such an amazing time and saw some classic battles. If you'd like to know more about them you should check out their YouTube Channel. To bring this back to having a fashion angle - I bought one of their T-shirts this weekend, the RAP t-shirt in the collage above. This is of course their take on the famous GAP t-shirts - it's a great talking point.
Ted's Draws is a great place to find statement t-shirts - I already have the sold out Prince tee. His new set of designs are sure to be just as popular as the last. This time he has opted for a movie theme - this one featuring Christopher Walken especially caught my eye. Lastly, Wildfox always bring out some amazing statement t-shirts. I love this skull and cross bones tee - we all know I love anything with a skull. I love to wear all of t-shirts under a checked shirt or a cable knit cardigan now, as it is so cold.

What are your favourite t-shirts?

What I Wore: Printed Top from Urban Oufitters

2012-02-03T17:07:00.001Z

| Fur Stole, H&M |

Thought I'd get round to taking another outfit picture seen as pictures of me seem to be few and far between on here. I made it home on time today from work to be able to catch the light. I really love these trousers I picked up at a Vintage Fair. Although I do have to do a double take when I look down because my PJs are leopard print and sometimes I think I've gone out of the house in them.
I bought this vest top last weekend from Urban Outfitters - I think the print is pretty cool and it reminded me of the stuff from Shop with Asian Stereotypes. I can see that I am going to be wearing it a lot with a variety of different things. My cable knit cardigan was gifted to me by Joe Browns. I have worn it so much, over everything - it's so warm and is really good quality, I wish they did one in black. I put my stole round me to take this picture - I had actually been wearing this round my coat but I took my coat off for photo purposes.
Lastly I move on to my spiked loafers which you have all seen before. I love these babies and they receive so much attention when I'm out and about. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to the UNIF Hellraisers then these ones from The Cult Label maybe the ones for you.

Inspiration: Fashion Coffee Table Books

2012-02-01T20:30:00.001Z

Another place I tend to get inspiration from - fashion books. These are the ones I currently have on my book shelf - I have more hidden away but we'd be here all night looking at pictures if I featured them all. The most recent additions to my collection are the Lady GaGa and Terry Richardson photography book and the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty book. I love both of these books and would really recommend them. The GaGa book is full of wonderful animated photography and is a definite must have for any fan.

Savage Beauty had me oooing and ahhhing at the wonderful works of art inside the pages. Lee's creations really were a sight to behold - this is the best book out there for any McQueen fan, I spent my time saying 'I saw so and so wearing that and that....'

Luella's Guide to English Style is such a lovely little book it is packed full of amazing inspirational english women who have a definite style. The book also talks about the various fashion packs with hilarious illustrations of such subcultures as Emos.

The first book I bought out of these was the Vivienne Westwood book by Emma Wilcox - it's a wonderful book packed with photos of Viviennes various collections dating back to the start of her career.

What are your favourite books centered around fashion? Do you have any you can recommend me?

High Street Edit: Spring/Summer 2012

2012-01-30T20:52:00.001Z

So I received my acceptance for London Fashion Week which I found extremely exciting as this will be the first time I have attended. The next month will mostly now consist of me stressing over what I'm going to wear each day while I'm down in London.
I thought I would take a look at what the High Street has to offer for Spring/Summer - also I am going to focus solely on those that have shops on the high street and not just online stores. I will mainly be wearing high street or vintage at Fashion Week, as I don't really have the money or the contacts for any designer threads.

Pale pastels are all over the high street which I love. I think all pastels looks can look so good if they are done right. This suit from Topshop would look perfect in Spring paired with some chunky heels - you can dress this up or down. Also the pieces also work separately with other pieces. Pair this up with a clutch bag and you have the perfect look.

Clashing prints are not something for for the faint hearted - but this look can be so effective. These floral trousers from Warehouse offer the perfect way to try out this trend. You don't always need to match it up with a clashing print but this striped blouse does the trick. The lady like court shoe is back with a bang - you can pick these up in so many stores and they can be inexpensive but still look chic. I love a good oversized clutch and this American Apparel one comes in a range of colours and sizes.

The Lady-like trend is going to be big this Spring/Summer - pair this with neon and you have to trends in one. I love this skirt from River Island - it reminds me of the Christopher Kane lace collection. I really like the how transitional this look is - pairing it with a fine knit will work for when the weather isn't great (which is often in the UK) and when it picks up a sheer shirt will look just as good. To give this a little more edge you can wear some chunky bangles - I liked this cuff from Urban Outfitters.

In The Spotlight: BENGT Fashion

2012-01-26T23:12:00.000Z

I am always on the look out for new places to find fresh designers - BENGT Fashion is just that place. I have featured an item from their store before but I thought they deserved the spotlight today. BENGT only feature the very best British and International emerging fashion designers. I admire online boutiques like this who support emerging talent and give them a platform to sell their wares from. It can be a struggle to make anything of yourself in this day and age so a helping hand is always a good thing. They tend to stock more quirky pieces which I much prefer. These designers have been scouted by BENGT at graduate shows or off-schedule shows at London Fashion Week.

When I went to Graduate Fashion Week a couple of years ago I was impressed with the caliber of talent displayed and it cemented the idea that you can find talented fashion designers that come from all walks of life. Although the fashions are designer prices I think if your are looking for an investment piece this would be a great place to spend your money. Who knows you might end up wearing the next big thing.

Fashion In Music: Joan Jett

2012-01-24T20:33:00.000Z

Going on some of the comments I received on my post about blogging, readers like to get to know the blogger. They like to find out what makes them tick and what inspires them. I decided that I need to let a little more of my personality shine through and what else inspires me. Also I will also endeavor to write more in my posts. It can be hard for a number of reasons but content is the key and it is what keeps people coming back time and time again. On that note I think I'll get on with it.

Music plays a big part in my life - it has done for as long as I can remember. So I felt it was a huge injustice that this wasn't represented in someway through my blog. On the same vein as the movie post I am going to pick an Artist or Band that has inspired me both through their music and fashion. This month it is the turn of my number one heroine Joan Jett.

If you do not know who she is, I'll give you a quick low down. Joan Jett founded the band The Runaways at the tender age of 16 - they were the first rock group of their kind, being all female. After the band disbanded in 1979 Joan went solo for a while before setting up Blackheart Records and going on to form Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
I love Joan Jett because she embodies such a great message - to never change who you are no matter what people tell you. Her record was rejected by 23 major record labels before it was released and it just proves that with hard work and determination you really can achieve anything. Being a woman in a man's world can be tough but Joan has never let this stand in her way. As for Joan's fashion - it was pretty different to other girls her age. She wanted to look like the male rock stars of her age and always wore her trade mark biker jacket - a woman after my own heart. She made her own band t-shirts and wore tight pants - completely badass. Who can forget that trademark haircut, which was a fusion of Suzi Quatro and David Bowie's respective haircuts.
I really need to buy myself a new leather jacket this year - so in addition to this post I've added in my top three:

I'll leave you with some music courtesy of The Runaways:

What I Wore: Neon Lace Skirt ASOS

2012-01-22T16:54:00.002Z

It would seem that neon is edging its way into my wardrobe - one piece at a time. First is was the neon pink satchel and now I received this skirt from ASOS in the post this week. I decided to take a few pictures with it on, in the remaining daylight today. Although the skirt is so bright that it seems to have its own aura around it. I spotted it a while ago but at £40 I thought it was a little too pricey - but then it went down to £20 in the sale so I added to my basket. I teamed it up with my leather detailed shirt from New Look. I will have to have a dig around my wardrobe to find some other things to wear the skirt with. Any ideas? It so so bright and eye-catching I think I'll have to stick to something toned down on the top.

I am also wearing another sale bargain from Topshop. The eyeball ring was £1.50 - I got 3 other things in the jewellery sale too and it all came to a mere £10. I have an eye (hahaha) for unusual jewellery right now - I'm trying to gather together some stand out pieces to take to fashion week with me.

Fashion In Flim: Cruel Intentions

2012-01-20T12:00:00.000Z

I thought as another monthly post I would look at films that have either influenced fashion or have had an influence on me. This month it is the turn of 90's favourite Cruel Intentions. I don't know about you but this has to be one of my favourite films - for both the fashion and the soundtrack.
Although there is romance at the heart of the film it isn't one of those fluffy idiotic chick flicks - I like my films with a bit of bite. I won't ruin it for you in case you haven't seen it (you have to watch it immediately) but I also liked how this film didn't play by the rules and had a less than happy ending.

Kathryn Merteuil is played by the fabulous Sarah Michelle Gellar and while she will always be Buffy to me, I think her character in this film makes the most interesting fashion choices. She plays uber bitch and step-sister to the lovely Sebastian - played by Ryan Phillippe. These have to be some of her most iconic looks from the film:

But what would Kathryn be wearing now?

I imagine her in one of her signature all black looks - the bralet from Topshop would be a staple in her wardrobe. The killer shoes would also be an absolute must and I'm sure this crucifix would be a firm favourite - although the real purpose of it was less than savory. Kathryn the seductress lives on in this outfit.

What were your favourite looks from the film?

Wax Lyrical: Blogging

2012-01-18T20:09:00.001Z

I swear I haven't meant to make two posts centered around blogging. It just so happens that I have more time lately to think about my blog and where I want to go with it. Having read some negative things through twitter about discussing blogging instead of actually getting on with it, I was in two minds whether to write this post or not. In the end I thought if people are interested in this topic then they will read on, if not... there are plenty of other posts below that might capture your imagination.

While at University I actually wrote my Research Project on the rise of fashion bloggers and whether it would marginalise the mainstream fashion media. It is interesting for me to go back and read over it - knowing what I know now. I spent a lot of time researching the phenomenon that was Tavi from Style Rookie - many journalists at the time seemed to be annoyed at her attendance at fashion week and why she was relevant. The BBC have actually recently interviewed Tavi which brings the whole debate up to date. Now as bloggers we provide our Google Analytics as part of the registration process for fashion week- just like a magazine has to provide their credentials. Although I do think the view of bloggers can be a bit of the mark. For example the latest issue of UK Vogue features a editorial based on fashion bloggers. The editorial is way over exaggerated as I don't know any blogger personally who could afford a luxury hotel and any designer item they could wish for.

It seems that big brands understand the power of the blogger and what they can do for them in the online market. There has been a number of high profile brand x blogger collaborations which have proved successful. The problem with this though is that it seems to be an endless cycle of the same bloggers working with these brands - it might be nice to see them go out on a limb and invest in someone different.

Now I have more time to put into my blog and have the money to invest in it I am actually seeing an increase in traffic etc. It is true hard work does pay off - at the back of my mind though I do remember why I started this blog, I wanted to be a writer of course. Sometimes I don't think I write enough on here, as it tends to be picture led posts that actually catch peoples attention. What do you think? What posts catch your eye? Other bloggers have got me thinking about what content actually works well. Hayley posted a readers survey which I thought was a brilliant idea. I know a lot of people give the advice - 'only write for yourself' but that just doesn't fly with me. I want to know people are reading, adding me to their blog lists and most importantly coming back time and time again. I still smile every time I get a new comment and I take the time to comment on others blogs.

What blogs keep you interested and why?

Inspiration: Fellow Fashion Bloggers

2012-01-16T18:45:00.002Z

I'm not really one for celebrity style, it tends to be quite safe in my opinion (this excludes Lady GaGa of course - who I love) - I find that the most stylish people I've met or seen are other bloggers. I find so many new labels because of reading other blogs which I like because it expands my horizons a little more everytime I discover something new.

I don't really mind what type of blog it is. There seems to be much debate on how many other bloggers come from extremely privileged backgrounds and have a lifestyle which is unattainable. But isn't that why we read Vogue and magazines like it? To look at those things which we cannot afford. For me looking at a blog like that is just like looking in a magazine. On the other hand I read many blogs where the person in question mainly shops on the high street or in vintage stores. I think as long as you enjoy the content, read away.

I started reading blogs before I ever started writing one. There are some that have always been my firm favourites and some I only just discovered last week. So I thought I would take a selection of pictures from my favourite ladies and share them with you. You never know you might find one to add to your reading list.

First Image: Nicola Claire, Le-Happy, Lulutrixabelle and VIPXO

Second Image: Susie Bubble, Michelle from Kingdom of Style, Christeric, Dark Vice and Foxyman

Opinion Slave, Violet E, Fashion Pirate and Velvet Codeine.

Lust List featuring Own The Runway

2012-01-12T20:36:00.000Z

Todays Lust List is all about prints. I love a good print - they make up a good portion of my wardrobe. The skirt from River Island channels the lady-like trend for Spring/Summer - it also has a bit of a Versace vibe about it, don't you think? Own The Runway.com is a new website to me but I found a couple of pieces which I wouldn't mind adding to my wardrobe. What do you think to these items I picked out? I really like the wedges - I want to wear more heels for work but many of my heels tend to be fairly high and chunky. Wedges are a great way to add height without fearing for your life while your out and about. I have a fair bit of walking to do on my journey to and from work, so these would be the perfect compromise.I have seen a fair amount of snakeskin prints around but haven't actually added any to my collection yet. I think (like leopard print) you could go really wrong with this so maybe this shirt could be the first in my tentative steps towards a good snakeskin print?

Purchase of the Week: The Cambridge Satchel Company

2012-01-10T19:19:00.001Z

Having had a long Twitter conversation with Michelle from Kingdom of Style about this bag, I decided not to buy the ones on sale from The Cambridge Satchel Company - they all had faults which I could tell would annoy me if I ended up purchasing one. So imagine my utter delight when I went into Urban Outfitters to check out their sale and found this little beauty for the wonderful sum of £40. Now I do have a confession to make. There were three left on the shelf - two of which were marked in a fairly noticeable way. The last one wasn't marked but did have a hold ticket on for someone. I thought it must of been put back without them noticing the ticket - so I took the tag off and took it to the till. Will I get bad fashion karma? Here is the very bag pictured with a few other things. The purse was a present, but I believe it was from Zara. Lookin' to Rock Rita by Benefit is one of my most used perfumes - it smells so summery, spraying this on is great to cheer you up in the depths of winter. The ring is from Topshop and helps me channel my inner witch. The necklace is from H&M - I really like how simple this piece is. The lipgloss featured is from E.L.F cosmetics - I love these as they smell really minty and moisturise your lips. I picked up the new issue of Vogue yesterday which came with this collections guide for Spring Summer 2012. Have you guys picked up the new issue?

Label Focus: Shop With Asian Stereotypes

2012-01-07T20:14:00.000Z

I have officially completed my first week at my new job - have to say I'm really enjoying it so far and I am really looking forward to getting stuck into my new role.

I have been thinking about clearing my wardrobe out again now we are into a new year. I usually stick to three piles. One to keep, one for charity and one for Ebay. I always like to purge my wardrobe at points of transition and I think new year and new job are a perfect opportunity.

I don't know about you guys but at Christmas and New Year I love watching box sets - at the moment I have been powering my way through Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Me and my boyfriend have been laughing at some of the questionable nineties outfits (although some of it I would actually wear) and I also love how Buffy calls her stake Mr Pointy.
Twitter has been a great resource for me when finding new unique online stores. Yesterday I was added by online store Shop With Asian Stereotypes. Imagine my delight when I found that this store sold a wooden stake necklace that Buffy would be proud of.

How to Style: American Apparel Disco Pants

2012-01-05T12:00:00.000Z

My lovely friend Elizabeth asked me if I ever did any styling advice posts - I never have but I thought it would be a good idea to start it as a monthly thing. There are certain pieces that many of us can find difficult to style - it always helps me to see how other people have created an outfit.

So Elizabeth has just bought herself some American Apparel Disco Pants and because she knew I already had a pair she asked me if I would do a post about how to style them. I wear mine to death so I had a fair few looks I thought she could try out - I had to take these pictures after work, so no natural light I'm afraid.

Look One

The pants are extremely high waisted - the black ones I have remind of the ones Sandy wears in Grease. With this in mind they don't leave an awful lot to the imagination. For the less confident of you out there who still want to rock these trousers, don't despair. A long shirt looks great over these trousers - the good thing about this outfit is how stylish it looks without trying too hard. These pants look great with heels if the occasion calls for them.

Look Two

Now I highly doubt (without loosing a little christmas weight) that I would wear this out and about but I wanted to added it in as an option. There are many cropped jumpers around at the moment - whether it just about reaches the waistband or you show a slight slither of skin - I paired this with my creepers. I think the pants would also look good with a velvet crop top too.

Look Three

For the ultimate grunge look I teamed this with a band t-shirt and tied a check shirt around my waist - another sneaky way to cover my bum. This makes for a great day time look if you are thinking the disco pants are meant to stay in the disco - I thought these would look good with my spiked loafers.

A Fashionable Spring

2012-01-03T12:00:00.000Z

Now Christmas and New Year are out of the way, I am looking forward to Fashion Week. I decided to have a play around with Photoshop and put some outfits together which I think would be perfect to rock at Fashion Week. Are any of my fellow bloggers going to be in London in February? I'd like to finally meet some of you I am only currently 'internet friends' with - let me know if your going to be around.
These outfits all fit into different price brackets - I secretly wish I did have the money to buy the outfit in the bottom image. A girl can dream. Putting the price differences aside - which outfit would you prefer to wear? I'm planning on buying the House of Holland dress - what do you guys think?

Affordable: £146.50

Middle Ground: £220.99

Mega Bucks: £2155

I start my new job today - wish me luck! I'm sure you'll all be hearing about it in due course.

Product Review: Instyler

2012-01-01T12:00:00.000Z

I was very kindly sent the Instyler to try out. I love trying different things with my hair but I'm not actually very good at doing inventive things myself - so having the tools to do it for me really help.

After reading the instructions and watching the tutorials I had a go at it myself and was pleasantly surprised as it was really easy to use. You can actually use the Instyler to both straighten and curl your hair - so whatever you fancy doing the Instyler can lend a hand.

I decided to try out its curling capabilities - you simply wrap your hair around the barrel and hold together and wait while the barrel spins. I held this for around 10 seconds and let go.

One tip I would give everyone is to be careful of the barrel, as it gets extremely hot and it can be easy to touch it without realising. The Instyler does come with a heat protector to fit yourself to protect you from burning your fingers - I found this made it more difficult to wrap your hair around the barrel so I have been using it without. This was the finished result:

What I Wore: featuring Christopher Kane

2011-12-30T18:15:00.000Z

Sorry for the mini hiatus - I took a much needed break from all things internet related for the festive season. I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas and got everything you hoped for. Some of the fashion related presents will be making their debut on here very soon - I am hoping to hit the sales too, so I will share any goodies from sale shopping too.

I took this picture last week before I went to do my last minute Christmas shopping. I have to find different ways to wear this Christopher Kane vest as it is pretty much see through which doesn't go down well in this weather. Here I wore a plain black vest top and layered my American Apparel mesh dress over that - lastly I wore my leather skirt from Topshop to make the dress a top. It isn't entirely clear in this picture but I am wearing my Spine Wrap earring from Regal Rose. I think it is an interesting addition when wearing your hair up and it certainly turned a few heads.

I have just bought myself an official email for the blog - so if you are wanting to reach me, you can now get me on: laura@aforteforfashion.co.uk

What I Wore: featuring Evil Twin

2011-12-21T11:25:00.000Z

TA DAH! Look what I got this week - the Black Arts Shirt from Evil Twin. I really love the print - it makes me feel like I'm in The Craft. I teamed them up today with my black American Apparel Disco Pants which surprisingly seem to go with everything at the moment. I am going to pair it with my purple velvet leggings too - for an outfit over the Christmas period. It is maybe not the most festive of outfits (my boyfriend said I looked 'satanic' hah) but I like it.

I've bought a few things from ASOS this week which includes another Evil Twin dress - the 'Heavens Above' dress. I'm slowly expanding on my collection. I find it funny that you can see so much rubbish sat on my dresser - I really should tidy it up before taking pictures but I was just about to go out here so you get the unedited version I'm afraid.

Lust List featuring Ark

2011-12-19T21:54:00.000Z

The lust list this time has another theme - I have gone for spikes and studs. I saw these heels on the Topshop website and thought they were amazing. I have my eye on a few pairs from Topshop but like everyone else out there, I am waiting out for the sales after Christmas before I buy anything. I saw this shirt by Reverse on ASOS - my previous one came courtesy of Zalando. Anyone who knows me will know I am a sucker for anything with studs - I thought this was an unusual design and the shirt also features a cool cut out design on the back. I always remember as a child people saying you shouldn't wear blue and black together for fear of looking like a bruise. But I actually love the way the two colours go together. These lace shorts from ARK would make a welcome change to the standard Christmas dress this festive season. I am in love with all the jewellery from Regal Rose at the moment - my order from them came last week so I'm sure you'll see my own pieces popping up on here soon enough. This simple silver bracelet complete with spikes would complete any outfit.
What are you lusting after this festive season?

Label Focus: Evil Twin

2011-12-14T12:00:00.000Z

Evil Twin are one of my favourite labels of the moment; they kind of embody everything that I love. I absolutely adore the faux fur coat above - I think the red and black compliment each other perfectly. If you want to get your hands on this coat you can find it at Urban Outfitters. I will be treating myself to the Black Arts shirt - I have a cheeky discount code so I thought it would be rude not to - I plan to team it with my new purple velvet leggings from Topshop.
Looking at the new collection for Spring/Summer 'By the way of fallen idols' has got me even more excited for the next installments from Evil Twin. Long flowing maxi dresses, leopard print, tie-dye and sheer fabrics make up the majority of their collection. I love the way they manage to mix street style influences with a glam rock edge. I only have one piece from them at the moment which you can see here - but I intend to expand on my collection. I headed over to the blog to see if I could find where the boots are from. Alas they are a one off pair - so I won't be able to find them anywhere. If anyone sees a similar pair please leave me a comment!

What I Wore: featuring Goddiva

2011-12-11T23:24:00.001Z

I was kindly sent this dress from the people at Goddiva - I was asked to pick a dress from their £15 promotion and I picked this Dog Tooth print dress. I think this dress best suits my style of all the ones that are on offer - the others were a little too girly for me. The good thing about this dress is the ability
to wear things underneath it. I paired it up with my sheer shirt from New Look - the leather effect cuffs and collar give it a harder edge. I wore this today with my creepers but I will be able to wear it with heels too.
I found their sizes to be a little on the small size which means the dress I'm wearing is actually a Large. Just keep that in mind if you are going to order anything from them. I really like the fit of the dress - it is actually fairly fitted without being too tight. It hits just above the knee which is a perfect length for everyday wear. It came with a belt but I much prefer it without; I may pair it with a skinny belt for future wears.

I have really been getting into nail art lately - although I'm not brilliant at it. I guess it is all about practice and watching endless Youtube tutorials. I used Barry M in white and my Models Own nail art pen.

Christmas Gift Guide: Essential Stocking Fillers

2011-12-06T18:48:00.001Z

If like me you end up leaving your Christmas shopping till the last minute and rush around like a person possessed trying to check everything off your list - you may need a helping hand. This helping hand comes from me in the form of a Christmas gift guide. I've split it into three sections £10 and under, £20 and under and £30 and under. So if you are looking for some stocking fillers look no further...

Hope this little guide gave you all some help on your christmas present buying quest. I really love the neon laptop case - I'd use this as an oversized clutch. The skull print cape from River Island would make a great cover up for the Winter months - and will fit under your coat for some added warmth. There may even be some gifts in here I have already bought for some of my friends - but that would be telling wouldn't it. I'd like to wish all my lovely readers a very merry christmas and I hope you all get everything you want this year.

Laying the foundation(s): Illamasqua

2011-12-04T16:51:00.001Z

I have been holding out for a while on a buying a new foundation, simply because I have being waiting what seems like forever for the Illamasqua store in Leeds to open. It is actually due to open next Saturday 10th December. I was in Manchester for the weekend celebrating my anniversary and I decided to pop into Selfridges and bite the bullet.
I have not had a happy relationship with foundation - I haven't found one that I've been completely happy with yet. Although I explain my skin type and what works for me I never seem to come out with a product that I'm happy with. I spoke to the lovely lady on the counter and she recommended the Skin Base foundation for me - she applied it with this highlighter brush in a stippling motion. All of the makeup artists on the counter used this for the foundation to get the best effect - she also said it a quick and easy way to apply your foundation, so you don't have to be an expert.
I'm going to give it a go over the next couple of weeks and see if I notice a difference. My skin hasn't been looking great since the change in weather so this might give it the lift it needs.
What foundation do you all use?

Get the Look: Edgy Jewellery

2011-12-01T22:29:00.001Z

You cannot fail to notice the influx of edgy jewellery in fashion lately. It really is all the rage. I am a massive lover of statement costume jewellery - so this trend is perfect for me. If I was going to pick one designer to buy my statement piece from, it would have to be Alexander McQueen. I love the skull pieces they designed - especially the rings. Some of the jewellery above is a tad pricey but they are a great investment. But if you simply can't afford to splurge like that; don't fret you can find plenty of equivalents on the high-street.

My favourite place to buy my costume jewellery from is Topshop. They seem to have a really quick turn around when it comes to trends - and they always keep things fresh. Chelsea Doll have some great pieces on their site and the prices are really reasonable. ASOS is another favourite for the sheer amount of brands they stock, you really are spoilt for choice. This means you do have to spend a bit of time navigating around everything - although you can use their metrics at the side if you want to narrow the search.
What are your favourite costume pieces?

What I Wore: featuring Reverse

2011-11-27T18:12:00.001Z

I was kindly sent this by Zalando - which bundles all my favourite things into one shirt. It's black, sheer, has tiny crosses all over it and is longer in length at the back. I decided to team it up with the vintage leopard print trousers I found the other week.
I didn't really capture it in this picture but the shirt also has cut outs on the shoulders - I didn't know it had this and you can't really see it on the website. I like this feature though as it looks a little different from your average shirt. The leopard print trousers are so comfy and I really like this style of leopard print as it doesn't look cheap which leopard print can if you don't get it right.
Christmas shopping is go go go as of today, I have actually made some good progress. I bought a dress for my work's christmas party which will be making an appearance on the blog very soon. I've been on the hunt for one for a while - I have already sent two back. Buying online can be stressful when the sizings are so different from one site to the next. In case you wanted to know I bought this shirt in a medium and it fits really well.

Thanks to Zalando for the shirt - I recommend you get check out the site for yourself. They stock
Jeffrey Campbell shoes too and offer free shipping and returns!

Lust List feat Frank and Doll

2011-11-23T20:30:00.001Z

I'm back again with another Lust List - I have decided that these will just be a regular thing now as I spend most of my time browsing the internet and adding things to my long list of wants (who doesn't?).

I came across the skeleton hand t-shirt from Frank & Doll which I thought was really cool. I like the cut - I am partial to something that dips lower at the back. Think I'll get this come pay day and team it up with my leather trousers and heels.

Speaking of heels I love these catwalk copies from Jessica Buurman. I saw them over on Le Happy (whose blog I absolutely love) and thought that they were amazing. I always seem to gravitate towards black heels as a habit - but they do go with everything.

When I was on holiday over summer I saw a evil eye bracelet that I wanted but because I was already buying so much jewellery from the same shop I ended up putting it back. I saw this from Rock N Rose and it renewed my desire to get my hands on one. Well it is pay day tomorrow so I might just have to put an order in.

I promise I won't be buying myself too many things over the Christmas season - I need to start buying gifts for other people. I always seem to leave my shopping to the last minute. How are you all getting on with your present buying?

Beauty Collection: Lipsticks

2011-11-22T21:14:00.001Z

I haven't really ever done a straight up post about make-up or beauty, which when I think about it is rather odd. Make-up plays a big part in my everyday life. I'm one of those girls that cannot leave the house without it on. This isn't for any other reason than I don't have the best skin in the world - so I wear it to make me feel better. I thought I would start off with my lipstick collection which isn't the biggest but I always think it covers a range of colours.

ELF: Cool Coral, Cheerful Cherry and Prime Plum.

I love the formula of these ELF mineral lipsticks. I find that if I want something with a good pigment other aspects tend to lack - one thing I can't stand is drying lipsticks. These are really moisturising and long lasting, this is only the start of my collection.

MAC: Viva Glam GaGa 1 and 2, Rebel, Blankety and Fluid.

I have always been a fan of MAC lipsticks - the range of colours are amazing. I do actually have another MAC lipstick, Morange, but I can't seem to find it. I was a sucker for the GaGa collection but I really like the colours if they are worn with the complimentary eye make-up. Rebel has to be my favourite out of the lot as it is a deep purple and look great for a dramatic look on a night out.

Here we have: Barry M 37, 52 and 100. YSL: I have no idea.

Barry M are always my go to brand for a cheap but good quality lipstick. The Black is pretty good - this was bought for Halloween originally but I have worn it out on an average day. The YSL lipstick looks funny nestled between the Barry M lipsticks here. Putting the price aside, the lipstick smells like fruit and has a really creamy formula. It lasts for ages too - in fact at the end of the night I have to scrub it off!

What other brands should I be trying out?

What I Wore: Christopher Kane Galaxy Vest

2011-11-16T19:54:00.001Z

I received something today...

That's right I bought the galaxy print Christopher Kane vest. I saw that they had some in stock a while ago but when I came to buy one they were out of stock. So imagine my absolute delight when they had them in again. I actually bought the last one in stock - which was a large. I thought I could wear it as a longer top but as you can see a designer large really isn't very big. It got me thinking about the sizing of designer clothes, because on the website a Large is a size 14. If this fits me as a size 10/12 what are the lovely ladies at a size 14 supposed to wear. I wish designers wouldn't leave a whole demographic out of the equation.

I dyed my hair again this week - mixed red and pink together and it came out like this. It is kind of red ombre? I think I like how it looks though and I have had compliments on it already. What do you guys think? I also picked up the Models Own nail art pen this week - finally. I'm looking forward to having a play about with it, although I'm not very good at stuff like this, might have to hit up Youtube for some tutorials. I also bought the foil effects from Barry M in silver - I'm impressed with how it looks and I think I'll be getting the gold one too. Anyone else tried these?

Event: Halifax Vintage Fashion Fair

2011-11-13T18:53:00.001Z

Today I went to the Halifax Vintage Fair - I have mentioned before that I like going to the out of city fairs because they tend to have cheaper priced stalls and you can grab a real bargain.

As you can see I picked up these leopard print trousers for the amazing price of £7 - there were a few other people looking at them but I managed to snap them up before somebody else did. These trousers actually state that they are a UK 16 but fit me like a glove. Another tip for these fairs is to ignore the sizing of the item and just go try it for yourself - older pieces tend to come up smaller than they are sized. So don't pass up on that perfect item as you might be pleasantly surprised.

The next one I'm going to head to is:

Haworth already has some amazing vintage clothing stores so I am expecting this to be a great event. If your in the area I would recommend a visit and you even get a free cuppa!

Get the Look: Androgyny

2011-11-09T23:22:00.000Z

Following on from the last Get the Look, I thought I would give another trend a go. Androgyny has been an important trend for a while now - this Autumn/Winter is no different. Ann Demeulemeester used a parade of blacks and a hint of cleavage for a woman's touch. We saw the likes of Dolce & Gabbana sending out their take on dressing like the opposite sex - with the short jumper giving a sly nod to the 90s. The king of Androgyny is of course none other than Alexander Wang. Women everywhere have been going mad for his sportswear inspired pieces. The mix of textures that Wang uses is what always excites me about seeing his next collection. I also love the pink Acne look - the boxy jacket could look unflattering but the use of a feminine colour diffuses this.

When looking to the high-street to re-create the Androgynous look, you will find there are no end of places to pick great pieces up. I have put together one outfit - leaving out the suit jacket. Although you will find this look everywhere in the women's department, don't rule out looking in the men's. Topman have some great Knitwear for Winter, all you have to do is buy a smaller size. I often find myself in Topman looking at their jewellery section - it can be a little bit cheaper than Topshop. If you want to make a statement with your footwear a loafer or brogue is your best bet. I love these leopard print loafers from Kurt Geiger. If you are looking for the perfect trouser I think a tapered leg would best suit this look. There are so many different colours and even different patterns out there that you can work with this trend. The above pair for Topshop have the added detail of a leather waistband; adding another texture to the outfit.
Will you be trying the Androgynous look this Winter?

Event: Leeds Fashion Challenge

2011-11-06T20:03:00.000Z

Remember remember the 5th of November - this Saturday I spent the evening in the company of some other lovely local bloggers, to see the Leeds Fashion Challenge big reveal. Hello to the lovely Lil.

Elly, Lauren, Lucy and Jen were all part of Leeds Fashion Challenge which aimed to highlight Leeds Market as a great place to shop. Elly and Lauren were Team Market, while Jen and Lucy were heading up Team High Street. Last night we headed to Out of the Woods to vote on the outfits and to find out exactly which belonged to which team.

In the end I did actually spot which outfit was the high street however I have to admit that to create the perfect outfit I would of mixed the two together. It just shows that you can find great items in your local markets. We were asked to place our tags on the items we loved and I went for the little brown clutch.

We were all treated to some amazing Bonfire treats including good old Yorkshire parkin cake, Butternut Squash soup and some delicious chocolate apples. We all braved the cold to light our sparklers and have some traditional Bonfire night fun. Lauren and Lucy were big fans - sorry girls had to share a snap!

Lust List feat Topshop and ASOS

2011-11-03T21:14:00.001Z

I have a definite love for velvet lately. I posted about a velvet dress from Topshop in a previous lust list and I have actually since bought it. I really want some velvet leggings to wear with my creepers and a long t-shirt. The velvet boots would look great with tights and my leather skit. I think I would team all this with some great statement jewellery. Velvet will not be leaving my wardrobe this Winter.
I'm going to a local Bloggers event on Saturday which I'm looking forward to. It is always great to meet up with like minded people. It will also be the first event where I can debut the new camera - many pictures to follow.

This and That feat Jessie J

2011-10-31T20:24:00.000Z

This is a rather mixed bag of a blog post today. I bought this bad boy last week - it was reduced from £85 to £45. This was the last one and it was in my size, obviously it was meant to be. It's great for those Autumn days where you don't want to throw on a thick fur.

These are my nails of choice for the week - Barry M's Turquoise and Pink shatter polish. I always get compliments on this look whenever I wear these two together.

As you can see from the awesome reflection in my mirror, I have a new camera. I now have a Nikon D40x - just getting to grips with it at the moment. So you should brace yourself for the next few weeks while I practice my photography skills. I thought I'd include my bottle of Tru Blood seen as it is Halloween - I'm having withdrawals from the show. I went to see Charlie Simpson last week at The Cockpit in Leeds which was awesome. He put on a great show - as did his support act Dave McPherson. Last night I also went to see Jessie J at the O2 Academy. I have to say I already loved her and now I love her even more. The sheer range of her voice was incredible and she put on a show to remember. I got a quick snap of Jessie - it isn't the best but I couldn't take the new camera to the gig! I also went to a Halloween party on Saturday. As you can see I was working the Lady GaGa skeleton look from the Born This Way video - which led me to win best dressed girl and win the prestigious Halloween lucky bag.

Happy Halloween!

Event: Walk This Way

2011-10-26T21:06:00.000+01:00

Last Friday night I attend Walk This Way at the O2 Academy in Leeds. The aim of the event was to fuse music and fashion together. We saw the likes of Oceans, Hannah Trigwell and I Call Shotgun. I really enjoyed watching the range of acts and it was interesting to have the catwalk show running along with the them. I sat myself down along side the lovely Lauren and Elly.

In theory this would be an amazing event for Leeds as it has both a thriving music and fashion scene. I think that it will get bigger year on year if they continue the event. There were some great individual pieces but I think that the styling could of been a bit more adventurous. There is only so many models in their underwear you can stomach. There were some amazing hair dos from the brilliant Toni & Guy.

We saw some great dresses that just spoke for themselves. The picture below shows the great detail on the back of one of the dresses. The Walk This Way event was such a good idea but I think they should of started with a smaller venue as the O2 was a big venue to fill. It would be great to see the event come back next year and continue to help put Leeds fashion on the map.

If you want to read more about the Leeds fashion scene you need to read this and also this.

What I Wore: Creepin'

2011-10-22T15:14:00.000+01:00

Not anything particularly exciting but my creepers are finally making a debut on the blog. I literally can pair them with anything - and they are so comfortable. The shirt is from New Look, I really like the leather look sleeves and the cuffs, it just adds something extra to a plain old sheer shirt.

The shorts from from Pop Boutique, I envy people that can get the dirt cheap Levi shorts. The ones I try on in other stores never seem to fit me. I added some silver studs to the pocket of these ones.

The small opal ring on my right hand is from a little shop on the King's Road - I bought it last summer when I went down to visit a friend. The skull ring (it has a dagger hanging from it's eye which you can't really see) was purchased in Lanzarote and the big turquoise stone ring is from Boots.
It is a really nice sunny day in Leeds (which makes a change) so excuse my squinty face - I always have an excuse for my terrible facial expressions don't I?!

Street Style: O2 Academy

2011-10-21T15:15:00.000+01:00

I saw these two lovely ladies in the O2 Academy on a night out last weekend. They were kind enough to stop for a picture. It is quite evident I am loving the 90's look at the moment - I spend numerous hours pouring over ebay for 90's pieces, although they are not quite vintage yet, 90's pieces seem to be highly sort after. These two were working all my favourite things: velvet, flannel and lots of jewellery. A flannel shirt is perfect for layering just like the lady on the right has done here, when you get too hot you can simply tie it around your waist.

I've actually had my eye on a velvet dress for a while and after seeing this one my mind is made up. A little velvet number would make the perfect party season dress - it is equally easy to dress down too.

If the two lovely girls happen to see this (I did tell them the name of my blog but there was alcohol involved so it could have come out more like a mumble) - thanks so much for stopping for the picture!

Label Focus: Gogo Philip

2011-10-17T21:26:00.000+01:00

You all know how much I love costume jewellery, so when the lovely people from Gogo Philip offered to send me a couple of pieces I jumped at the chance. I actually heard of the brand from the lovely Barbara over at The Persianbabe, so couldn't wait to see the jewellery up close.

I really love how simple the pieces are, they are the kind of things you could wear daily and match with any outfit. The bracelet has watch like links connecting it together which is something I haven't seen before and makes it a unique piece. The necklace has a masculine quality about it which I think is really classic.

If you are in London you can pop down to Westfield Stratford or Westfield Shepherds Bush to one of their Island stores. Topshop Oxford Street also stock the range and ASOS.com.

Here are some of the other pieces I have been lusting after:

In the Spotlight: Michelle from Kingdom of Style.

2011-10-15T17:27:00.000+01:00

I am going to start running a regular feature where I speak to people who inspire me - it might be bloggers, friends or people I stalk down on twitter (haha). It will be kept fairly short and there will always be a fashion angle; I think it will be interesting for you guys to read. Without further ado here is the first one:

What is your earliest 'fashion memory'?
That would be when I was just starting school. I was a titchy 5 year old and my mum was looking out my school uniform the night before. I decided I wasn't too keen on the ugly brown satchel she had lined up for me, so I decided I would take one of my mums handbags instead. It was a white clutch with a thin chain strap. On my way to my school the next day I thought I was hot shit - what my teacher thought however is anybodies guess!

What is one item in your wardrobe that you can not bring yourself to get rid of?
I'm pretty ruthless with my wardrobe and regularly purge old clothes. That said, I could never in a million years part with an incredible Jean Pierre Braganza dress I have which no longer fits me. Unless my boobs and ass shrink back to their former size 6, I have zero chance of ever fitting it again, but I could never part with it.

What will be your most worn item this Autumn/Winter?
Big shaggy faux fur coats! I have a few and I can't wait to wear them every autumn. They add brilliant texture to outfits and make pretty much everything look sexy and edgy.

In contrast what would you not be caught dead in?
I always say 'never say never'! I do have lists of things I feel I no longer look good in but generally speaking I am up for trying most things. Perhaps, at a push, I would say those big 50's dresses with the circle cut skirts. I friggin' hate those with a raging passion.

Finally to change up the questions - what made you take up ballet? Any advice for beginners

I had wanted to do it since I was little but never got the chance. Then last year I decided I really needed to get some exercise but I'm definitely not the gym sort. I felt ballet suited my body type and I liked how disciplined it is. I actually have a real problem with authority and it was getting a bit out of hand, so the discipline of ballet - the letting yourself be under someone elses control - was what I needed to clip my wings a little.
I had no idea adults could do ballet as I assumed it was just far to late, but after a search online I found that Scottish Ballet ran adult classes so I signed up and was hooked from the very first class. It's incredibly rewarding and has made me aware of my body in a really positive way. I work very hard at being strong, flexible and mentally focused and now take three classes a week. My advice to be beginners is don't listen to people who say it's too late. It's never too late! Keep at it even when it gets tough as the rewards are like nothing else you'll ever experience.

Massive thanks to Michelle for taking the time out to do this - head over to Kingdom of Style to read some of her awesome posts.

Must Have Item: Winter Coat

2011-10-10T20:51:00.000+01:00

As the days get colder, I have been thinking about some Winter staples that I will have to invest in. The main focus of a good winter wardrobe is of course the coat. This Winter I am going to be picking up something with leather detailing, this will create an element of interest in your outfit from the offset. Leather and lace will be my textures of choice for Autumn/Winter. I love the coat from Comptoir des Cotonniers - the long line biker style is exactly the kind of style I'm looking for. The Topshop number reminds of the 'teddy boy' style. I'd wear it with my creepers for the complete look.

I always opt for something that hits the knee - this way you keep most of your legs warm and keep out the elements. Also it is always best to stick for a fairly neutral colour when buying a staple like this. This will ensure that your coat will go with the rest of your wardrobe. Black, navy or khaki are usually the best options. I'm not telling you to stay away from colour though - it is just an excuse to get two!

Have you seen your winter coat of choice yet?

Lust List feat Topshop, Motel Rocks and Ark

2011-10-06T21:13:00.000+01:00

These are just a few things I'll be hoping to get my hands on these over the coming month. I feel like make endless lists of things I would love at the moment. I love Autumn, there just seems to be so many good pieces to choose from. I always feel fairly limited in Summer. When I saw these trousers from Motel Rocks, I posted a picture straight to Twitter. Love at first sight. I think that they will be so versatile and I might match up my new creepers with them. I love all the different textures and patterns that are around this Autumn/Winter. Velvet is back with a bang and I will be making a beeline for this dress in Topshop. It is something you can dress up or down. This spiked bangle would go perfectly too; you all know my penchant for dangerous jewelry by now. Lastly the leather look maxi dress will be perfect for the Christmas season and doesn't look like every other cliched party frock.

Get the Look: Goth and Fetish

2011-10-03T21:47:00.000+01:00

That's right ladies its time to squeeze into those PVC trousers and dust of your New-Rocks. Well not really but the Fetish and Goth look was big on the Autumn/Winter 2011 Catwalks. It can be difficult to tackle this trend but you can make it look classy not trashy. Numerous designers played around with the trend with beautiful results.  

There are lots of things you can pick up on the high-street which will help you achieve this look without breaking the bank. You don't have to go all out on this look but if your feeling brave you can certainly make an impact. Grab your dark lippy and away you go! You could try black lipstick but if you think that look is too severe you can always opt for a deep purple. I'm going to be teamed my leather shorts with tights and lace vest this Autumn. 
Here are a couple of pieces that can help you achieve this look:

The Cream of the Fashion Crop...

2011-09-28T13:27:00.000+01:00

The main focus of fashion week are the collections right? Wrong. More increasingly the lens has been turning to those who are sat on the front row and those hanging outside the shows. This is where I find an endless stream of inspiration.

I love to see how different people look and what trends they have chosen to incorporate. There are some people you see everywhere like Anna Dello Russo, who never fails to look nothing short of fabulous. Then I find there are usually three main groups of people to look out for.

The Magazine Editors/Magazine staff.

These are the group to watch for the most up to date pieces for the season. I have thrown Miss Dello Russo in for good measure.

The Bloggers.

Bloggers are usually the ones mixing designer pieces with high street and vintage. This is where I find most of my inspiration from.

The A-listers.

The A -list usually keep it simple with one statement piece and a pair of heels. But boy can they pick their statement pieces. A few celebrities like to push the boundaries just like Eliza is doing here.

Well... they're showing a lot of florals right now, so I was thinking...

2011-09-21T11:03:00.000+01:00

'Florals? For spring? Ground breaking.' 

 Can you guess the film? If you do I'll give you a gold star. 

On a serious note though. I am loving the florals that designers have being sending out this September. Ashish has been one of my favourite collections so far. I think I might get myself some flower garlands from the haberdashery and attach them to my beloved docs. I love nothing more than teaming my docs with a tea dress; it would seem Ashish had his own ideas on how to work this look.

Here are a few of the floral looks I have seen so far: 

Ashish, Christopher Kane, Mary Katranztou, Rodarte.

I think I am going to continue to do these little trend reports; instead of talking about each show. If you want a good catwalk report you can find them on numorous magazine sites, so there isn't much point me doing one. This is my own little take on proceedings. I have seen quite a few trends emerging already, it will be interesting to see if these are carried over to Milan and Paris. 

What has been your favourite trend this season?

Underground for Urban Outfitters

2011-09-18T22:47:00.000+01:00

When this hit my inbox I just had to post about it. We all know about my love of creepers. So when I was told about this partnership I had to post about it.

Underground have used their classic styles but have given them a special twist for Urban Outfitters. I really love the mirrored creepers and the snake skin effect they have used.

What do you think of the collection?

Autumn Lust List

2011-09-14T21:36:00.000+01:00

1. 2. 3. 4.

With Autumn fast approaching us I have been lusting after various items which would fit right into my wardrobe. 

I actually have the shirt from New Look already, I love the leather look cuffs and collar. This will be one of my favourite shirts for the next few months. The great thing about it is the way it can be dressed up or down. I have worn this on a night out already but I will also wear it to work. 

The spiked loafers should actually be on their way to me as we speak. I've been waiting a long time for them but I'm pretty sure they are worth the wait.

I really liked the idea of the collar tips; it updates a shirt quickly and adds a point (get it) of interest.

The trench coat is absolutely perfect, more leather and it is the perfect shape for Autumn. I can imagine pairing these with some knee boots or my soon to be new loafers.

What I Wore: Holiday Edition

2011-09-12T13:13:00.000+01:00

Sorry I left the blog for a while, but as you can tell from the title I have been on holiday. So I thought I'd update with a few snaps of outfits I wore in my week away. I am fully aware I have the same shoes on in every picture; I needed to wear flats most of the time due to the hill we had to walk down on an evening to go out.

Here are a few of the outfits I wore while I was out there, as you can tell I was thinking about keeping cool, as it was hitting thirty degrees most days.

Dress, Evil Twin

Dress (as top) and Skirt, Topshop

Dress, Cheap Monday

Have any of you been on holiday this summer?

What I Wore: Leeds Festival Edition

2011-08-30T20:25:00.004+01:00

Well I had good intentions of getting my better half to take a picture of my outfit when we attended Leeds Festival on Saturday. However the weather (like most UK festivals) was not on our side. We spent most of the day huddled underneath an umbrella sinking slowly into the mud.

As you can see the mud took over. It wasn't very pleasant wading through all of this to get anywhere near the stage. I almost lost my boots to the sludge a couple of times. We made good use of the guest bar (we were on the guest list for the day) and sat drinking pear cider on the grass till it rained.

I thought instead of having the outfit picture, I would put up this picture of what I wore on the day. With all of the items placed in a pretty arrangement. Hopefully you can get the idea. I was also wearing a leather jacket but didn't think this would look right here laid out on the floor. I think I was defiantly going for the 90's look with this get up.

Shorts/Pop Boutique (added the studs)
Top and Bag/Topshop Dr Martens/Best Vintage.

Have any of you hit some festivals this summer?

Vintage Shopping

2011-08-22T10:00:00.003+01:00

When I was in high school I really got into shopping for vintage. I used to pick up various items from the little shops that popped up in my home town. But as you all know the prices of 'vintage' slowly got higher and higher. When you think about it your paying high prices for something other people may have worn before and often things that aren't in the best condition.

Obviously I know that if you are searching for particular vintage designer piece then you may have to face the fact that you'll have to put some serious money forward.

I do have a few tips though if you are looking to do some serious vintage shopping. There are the obvious tips such as checking out your local charity shops, as they do tend to have low price points.
There are a TONNE of vintage shops in Leeds; you can find some great pieces. However be careful as they tend to up the prices as many of them know this the only place some people find their vintage clothing.

Found at Halifax Vintage Fair

For me though these aren't my first ports of call for any vintage items I do pick up. I do love a good Vintage Fashion Fair; there is one held at Leeds Town Hall where you can pick up some amazing pieces. The good thing about events like this is you can haggle with the stall owners! It is also worth looking out for any other fairs in smaller areas as these as less likely to be picked over and you can find yourself the best pieces.

Found at Halifax Vintage Fair

The next stop for me is usually Ebay. I know Ebay can be just as over priced as Vintage Shops however it all depends what words you type into the search box. Also some sellers are actually fully fledged businesses so tend to have a higher price mark to start the bidding off. You are really looking for individual sellers or start up businesses.

Ebay piece from America

Lastly raid your mothers, fathers, grandmas, grandads (you get the picture) wardrobes. You can find some gems in there.

Robbed from my Mum's wardrobe.

Joe Brown's Blogger Event

2011-08-20T09:28:00.011+01:00

Last night I went to Joe Browns Blogger Event to preview their Autumn/Winter collection. It was such an amazing event we all enjoyed the Mexican food and a few cheeky margaritas. I got to meet and talk to some lovely bloggers who I have admired for a while. Shout outs go to Vipxo, Little Bird Jen, Charlotte's Collection, Becca at Fashion Train, L'Amour Lauran, Kate at ghOstparties, Jamie at TQS Magazine, Laura Rose, Top Style Advice, and Miss Lucy Loves. If I left anyone out, I love you too!
We were treated to a talk from the buyers at Joe Browns. These lovely ladies talked us all through their reasons behind the pieces they have picked for Autumn/Winter.

We were then shown around the various departments. The buying department looked especially interesting; all the clothes were lined up on one wall, so I took a couple of snaps.

We all had the chance to try some pieces on that caught our eye. Everyone loved the cream chunky knit cardigan; it will be great for those colder days, which seem to be frequent at the moment, where has our summer gone? I also tried on these snow flake print leggings, which are a really nice fleecy material. Got a few laughs from other bloggers trying to get my Litas off to try them on. I actually think I could wear the cardigan and leggings together as the cardigan is fairly long.

We were all given this cute goody bag before we left; which had some very generous gifts inside. One of which was a Gift Voucher for £75! I think I'll head over to Joe Browns now and buy myself the above outfit.

Thanks Joe Browns!

A different kind of wand...

2011-08-17T22:06:00.006+01:00

Stepping away from my usual territory here, which I think will help generate more posts in the long run.
Cloud Nine were kind enough to send me the Wand. I was really excited to try this out because although I do have straighteners I often find it takes an age to curl my hair with them, as you have to get your technique perfected. The Wand really cuts down on the time you have to spend to get a great style, which is great when you don't have long to get ready. Also if your not a dab hang at hair dos this is the perfect solution.

Here are a couple of snaps of the end result. I only curled my hair from the middle to the ends.

Check out my YouTube video below and laugh at my accent!

Inspiration...

2011-08-15T15:31:00.009+01:00

beats'n'pieces (i-D magazine Summer 2011) Photography: Paola Kudacki Styling: Natasha Royt

I loved this editorial from the Summer edition of i-D magazine. I'm really inspired by punk and goths looks at the moment. It also kind of cements the fact that I need to get myself a pair of these:

On my trip around tumblr (follow mine here) I save images that inspire me. The following ones seem to fit in with the theme of this post.

Whats inspiring you at the moment?

It all started...

2011-08-08T10:15:00.007+01:00

at a very young age. My family are forever re-telling stories about how I used adorn myself in necklaces and trinkets. Whenever my Grandma came to visit I used to make a beeline for her handbag and drag it around behind me; nevermind that it was almost as big as me. As you can see I was way ahead of all the trends, count them all: hair bows, high waisted shorts, flowered dress complete with knee socks and of course 60's themed colour blocking.

When I started high school I started to get more and more into fashion. I'm afraid you won't be seeing those beauties though, they are to remain buried forever. The first time I saw a fashion show I knew that I wanted to write about fashion for a living. I wanted to be at the forefront, I wanted to be on the front line. When I studied Journalism at University, my career choice wasn't exactly the most popular. Most people wanted to be war reporters or news journalists, and I used to get the pity look when I told people what I wanted to do (still do sometimes). Fashion is important; it creates jobs, brings massive amounts of revenue into the country and can help people feel better about themselves. Whats not to love?

I think if I won the Look Blogging Competition it would only add fuel to my fire and perhaps help me in my quest to become a fully fledged fashion journalist. Also the 17th September happens to be my birthday; so this would be the an amazing birthday present.

Competition - in association with Chelsea Doll

2011-08-05T12:00:00.002+01:00

I wanted to be able to give something back to my lovely readers, so here I am with a great competition. You can get your hands on a £45 Goody Bag courtesy of Chelsea Doll, in which you will find the following:

All you have to do to enter is:

Follow my blog (so I know you are a lovely reader) AND my Twitter.
Follow Chelsea Doll on Twitter.
Leave a comment with your name and email address.

This competition will run for 2 weeks until August 19th at 12pm GMT. I will confirm you have done all of the above, after which I will pick a winner on Random.org. The winner will be announced here and will then receive an email from myself to confirm their win.

Good luck!

COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

The Tale of Two Dresses

2011-08-03T10:55:00.004+01:00

I wondered if all my lovely readers can help me? It is my Best Friends Birthday this Friday and I cannot decide what to wear. I can see it now, getting home from work on Friday standing in front of my wardrobe stressing out and pulling pieces of clothing out at random. I thought a little pre-planning would do me good.

So I present you with the two options and will let you decide for me.

Red Lace Dress, Peacocks. Shoes, Office.

I am not sure if the red dress even suits me; red hair and red dress, is this too much people? Also I think it makes me look bigger than I am; what do you all think?

Galaxy Print Dress, Romwe. Boots, Office.

The galaxy dress looks like a sack without a belt, but I knew if I ordered a small I wouldn't be able to get it on. So I have added a belt to create a better shape, what do you think? I like the way it hangs but I think I need to play with it a little more.

I would love to know what your opinions; should I scrap these outfits and start again? I apologise that these images aren't the greatest, I'm working on that.

The Blogger The Brand and The Wardrobe

2011-07-28T09:38:00.009+01:00

Oh to be involved in such an awesome project and to deliver the best brands for my lovely readers to behold. Head over to Bloggers Wardrobe to find out more. 

What I Wore Today - Galaxy Print

2011-07-27T14:43:00.005+01:00

Top, Romwe. Dress, H&M. Boots, Primark. Bracelet, Chelsea Doll.

So here I am having a bash at the whole 'what I wore today' post. Or 'what I wore to work.' I received this top last week, along with a few other things I ordered from Romwe. I'm sure you will soon see me sporting the other goodies I bought. I layered it over this plain black dress from H&M. I think basics like this are really important; I always find myself reaching for this kind of thing all the time, as my starting point for an outfit.
These boots from Primark are one of the best things I have ever bought from there. It isn't often I ever go in there anymore as I am trying to stay away from ending up wearing the same thing as 50 other girls I see when I'm out and about. But I do love it for little gems like these.
I've posted about the bracelet before but thought I would show it off again. I love the way that it can make an outfit that little more interesting.

There will be a competition for all my lovely readers VERY soon, so keep checking back for a chance to enter.

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RIP Amy Winehouse

2011-07-25T14:05:00.002+01:00

It has been a couple of days since I heard the news that Amy had passed; I knew I wanted to blog about what had happened but I just had to find the right words. I have always been drawn towards artists that were a little rough around the edges and Amy was certainly that. I like my musicians to have some history, something interesting about them; not some perfect polished up dolly bird.

Amy was also a style icon; Karl Lagerfeld was inspired by her along with many others. There were countless beauty stories about perfecting the perfect winged eye-liner look. I can't say the beehive was a look everyone should be sporting but it certainly trickled down into the mainstream. She was like a walking caricature of herself.

We all saw Amy's public battle with addiction which seemed to overshadow her real calling in life; music. Her music spoke to me on so many levels, you could hear the pain in her voice and she brought you right along for the ride with her. 'Back to Black' will always hold a special place in my heart as it helped me through difficult times in my life.

There are so many dreadful things happening in the world right now but I find that turning to music can go some way to help you through it. I only hope now that Amy is at peace; I'll leave you with this performance which shows how truly talented she really was.

Urban to the Outfitters

2011-07-21T19:50:00.004+01:00

I was invited down to Urban Outfitters in Leeds today, by the lovely Camilla from the Press Office, for a bit of a natter and a look around the lovely things in store.
As we were walking around we spotted these ASH beauties that were meant to be £175 and were reduced to £20! We couldn't believe it; so I snapped them up. This was a bargain I could not miss. Think I'm going to be wearing them out this weekend; give them their first outing. I'll be sure to take some pictures of me wearing them.

These lovely gifts were courtesy of Urban Outfitters; you can find them here and here. The black lace top isn't on the site at the moment but it is by Pins 'n' Needles. I will be doing some outfit posts with these babies next week; maybe some different ideas on how to style them.
I also got to hear about some new exciting collaborations that Urban Outfitters are doing soon; when the news hits my inbox I'll be sure to share it all with my lovely readers.

Fashionable Interiors

2011-07-13T19:16:00.009+01:00

I have always thought that someone's bedroom can reveal an awful lot about their personality. You can find out little aspects of them which you won't necessarily pick up from talking to them. I have recently being doing my room; it was due a change as my tastes have got a little different as I have gotten older. My room isn't complete just yet; there are just those annoying last touches to go which always seem to take an age to getting round to. But I thought I would show you some details of my room so you can get the general idea and of course so you can have a nosy.

The idea for my room all came from seeing this wallpaper:

Which now sits proudly behind my bed. I was then set on theme centered around the colours: turquoise, white, cream and silver. I was on the look out for some amazing accessories for my room and I came across this mirror for £15.

It was reduced because it had been repaired along the top where the bow is, but you couldn't tell and I thought it was a real bargain. It was also originally gold; my dad volunteered to spray paint it for me and I was left with this beauty. I love the way it reflects my wallpaper and makes my room seem bigger.
Of course every fashion blogger should have a stack of 'coffee table' books, these are just some of mine. The statue was my mums which she kindly donated. He makes an excellent bookend. I got the Buddha from Next; he fits right in with the colour scheme.

I have a fairly large amount of jewelry and it is always a challenge, thinking of ways to store it; so you don't end up spending half your day untangling necklaces before you can actually wear one of them. I ended up buying two of these jewelry heart hangers from BHS to store my rings/necklaces/earrings. It also makes for a nice display for my room.

I also bought this cake stand from Next to store most of my nail varnishes on and also to hold my bracelets. I'd seen other people do this before and I thought it was a brilliant idea.

I saved the best till last. I picked up my dressing table at the same place I bought my mirror; the best thing was they were having a third off that day so I got it for something like £120!

I would love to see some of the details from all my lovely readers rooms (and any new people, hello!), so if this post leaves you feeling at all inspired please create a post and let me know so I can read it.

Style Stalker - Young Hollywood

2011-07-05T09:00:00.001+01:00

The new lookbook for Style Stalker hit my inbox today. I have to say I'm impressed. The new collection is called 'Young Hollywood.' This season their inspiration came from a range of different famous ladies 'we borrowed the elegance of classic Hollywood sirens, and made it our own with a dose of 90s grunge. Kind of Kathryn Hepburn meets Courtney Love. Sophia Loren meets childhood Drew Barrymore.' As soon as I read this sentence I was sold and then I saw the collection itself and I want everything!

I love this editorial; my favourite picture is the one at the top with the MJ look-a-like. Those trousers look amazing, I need to add them to my list of must haves. I also really liked the lace up dress; a real rock 'n' roll piece. I've added in my favourite looks below:

What do you think to the collection?

Summer Shades

2011-06-29T20:03:00.007+01:00

As the weather is hotting up I'm sure you are all thinking about buying your summer essentials. I have been looking at Mister Spex and picking out some of my favourites. I think it is really important to invest in a good pair of sunglasses; you need to take care of your eyes!

Everyone loves the classic Wayfarers that will go with any outfit. I haven't got the real thing at the moment but I hope to get some soon. I think these Tom Ford sunglasses are so fun and something a little different. I can imagine wearing these in a glamorous far off place, lying on a beach and sipping on a cocktail; I wish. Last but not least are these Ray Bans, another classic shape with a little twist. Whatever style you get this summer make sure they are the real deal so you don't do any damage to your eyes!

Heat wave

2011-06-25T16:34:00.000+01:00

Bloody hell! It's actually warm in the UK for once. Headed over to Asda and picked myself up a bikini top for £2.50. So as you can imagine most of my day was spent sunbathing. I highly recommend their bikinis though; really cheap and you can mix and match. As we all know, real ladies aren't the same size all over. The one I bought is red and white striped and looks good with a tan. So while everyone is outside making the most of the sun and getting their sausages on the BBQ, I thought I'd take a break and catch up on some resort collections. I have been really impressed with the resort collections this time round. I normally find that they can be hit and miss. However I have seen a fair few that I fell in love with.

Sarah Burton is doing a stellar job at Alexander McQueen. I love this collection there are so many separates here that you could actually work into your wardrobe. Ok, so maybe not the gowns but it wouldn't be McQueen if there wasn't any dramatic pieces.

Alexander Wang's collection was awash with colour and had some real stand out pieces. The cut outs shown on a number of different looks were a real interesting element for me. The leather cut out dress was a favourite of mine.

Label of the moment, Celine killed it again. I absolutely adored the printed skirts and the all white looks. All white may strike fear into the heart of many but here I think it looked more chic than clinical. The use of colour and textures really brought the collection to life. I think Celine will have people queuing for these pieces. I need these pink trousers in my life.

Givenchy was just divine. I love how I can always nodded along as I look through the pictures and think I can see myself in that. For me the stand out piece was the leather vest; I love the over sized look and you could wear it with so much.

Images: style.com

The Edge of Glory - Lady GaGa

2011-06-17T12:17:00.005+01:00

I have to talk about the new Lady GaGa video for her single 'The Edge of Glory.' Much talk has centered around the fact she wears ONE OUTFIT through out the whole video. Fashion chameleon GaGa is known for her numerous costume changes. But here it seems like she is simply letting the song do all the talking - as the video isn't like the other grand productions she has previously made.
In my opinion I think it was a smart move for her to strip everything down and get rid of all the gimmicks, without losing the typical GaGa extravagance.The vintage Versarce used through out (and in her recent TV appearances) will certainly have fans and fashion lovers alike rushing out to find their own pieces. Expect Ebay prices to soar.

What do you guys think of the video?

Net-A-Porter Live

2011-06-15T11:40:00.004+01:00

So a press release just landed in my inbox, I am also starting to see the buzz on Twitter, about the new Net-A-Porter Live. This shows you in real time what people are buying - giving you an interactive shopping experience.

It shows you the buying habits of people from all over the globe. It allows you to take inspiration from what other people are buying and add items to your own basket. You will be able to exchange views and create discussions on certain items. It was inspired by the plasma screens in the offices at Net-A-Porter that shows the staff real time purchases. The launch of the 'live' tool adds to the way Net-A-Porter connects socially to its visitors. Although it does also make me slightly sad as I see people buying things I can't afford, it's nice to dream though.

I just wanted to talk about this because I think it is a great marketing tool and also I like to geek out about things like this.

As Anna Wintour said 'Sometmes geeks can be chic.'

Getting my act together

2011-06-12T20:17:00.004+01:00

I'm trying to get my act together with writing and such. Building up my portfolio is really important as I am trying to do some freelance work alongside my full time job. I am about to write some blog posts for Cellardoor Magazine which will be up this week hopefully.

I want to invest in some key pieces with my wage this month. Long gone are the days of buying things on a whim. I think as I have got older it has become more apparent that I need to pick things that will last and that I will wear time and time again. That being said I think these things are going to be in my possession extremely soon (these or something similar):

In other news I entered the Nokia and Elle Competition and I would be eternally grateful if you could click on the picture below and like my entry.

Jessie J for Italian Vogue

2011-06-07T21:53:00.000+01:00

Having seen Amelia's post about Jessie's appearance in Italian Vogue I had to post about it myself. I've loved Jessie ever since I saw her performance on Jools Holland. I have tickets to see her Heartbeat Tour in October which I am really excited for.

I love how Italian Vogue are always trying new things and pushing the boundaries for fashion publishing. I used to love to go sit in Borders and flick through it. But alas now that Borders is no more I can not find it anywhere other than WH Smith occasionally.
The last picture out of this set is my definite favourite, the styling is bang on. I'm gonna go make myself a spiky headband now.

Photography:Francesco Carrozzini 

Chelsea Doll

2011-05-27T15:39:00.007+01:00

I think we have all come to realise now that I have a taste for edgy jewelry. So when I was added by Chelsea Doll on Twitter I checked out their online shop and found some amazing pieces. I had to put an order in straight away. These are the pieces I picked up.

I've taken a few closer shots so you can see properly.

It all comes really nicely wrapped too, which I thought was a nice touch. I will be ordering from them again very soon I think.
By the way, I bought this stuff with my own money. This isn't a sponsored post I just really like the shop and wanted to share with you all.

Vintage Dress

2011-05-22T18:10:00.003+01:00

I apologise that these pictures aren't amazing; the wind was seriously intense today and I was struggling to stand up never mind pose for a picture. I picked up this dress at a vintage fair near me. You can't see the details of the dress but it has sheer sleeves, gold and pearl buttons down the front and on the sleeves and it ties at the back. I really love it as it's such a flattering shape for me and I always get positive comments when I wear it.

I thought it was best to wear something underneath to combat the wind, so I put these cycling shorts on with lace bottoms which worked a treat. I paired it all with these velvet heels from Office which I got for £9 in the sale a while ago. I do love a bargain.

I am currently singing my head off to the new Lady GaGa album, I am a huge fan. Anyone else worship at the alter of Gaga?

Dr Martens.

2011-05-12T22:01:00.007+01:00

I bought these Docs the other day at a vintage store in Leeds, called Best Vintage. I'm pretty sure they have never been worn before as there were no marks on the sole or any on the boots. They were only £37.50 which I thought was a real bargain and they have added to my collection of 90's memorabilia. I need to wear the boots in though as they aren't the most comfortable thing in the world; I'm sure I'll put that right soon.

I won this 90's dress on Ebay which will soon be making its debut on here extremely soon. It fits really well, but being a 90's dress the cut on the bust is a little off so I think I might have to wear a little black top underneath.

I picked up the cross t shirt and the cross ring at the Urban Outfitters Birthday Event in Leeds. They were giving all customers 20% off purchases and you also received a goody bag. There were some cute ankle socks in the bag which I think I'll wear with my Litas.

Cross ring, Urban Outfitters. Skull Ring, H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams.

I had to re-post this post after Blogger went down and deleted it! So it you think 'I've seen this before,' you have but please comment again!

Found in Leeds City Centre

2011-05-10T20:58:00.005+01:00

At the weekend I was invited down to Found in the St Johns Centre in Leeds. Found was started by Create, a social enterprise, and originally started by selling vintage pieces. But they found when the students went home their takings dropped. They have now started selling new pieces which helps keep the project going. The shop also stocks local designers and are working in conjunction with a number of different enterprises.

Create aim to help people in the community who struggle to find employment and try to provide training and support to help turn their lives around. The people involved come from a variety of different walks of life. Many of the people involved in the project have spent some of their lives homeless. This has naturally effected those people from getting a job; Create aim to develop real skills which can change people's lives and lead to full time employment.

A great testament to this is Found's own assistant Manager Tom. He came into the project through community service and went on to explain to me how he had spent some time homeless. When the opportunity arose to work in a retail environment he was eager to take on a new challenge. The shop has a number of volunteers looking for experience in a variety of different areas; Found has student volunteers who are looking to add to their CV.

The new clothing at the front of the store actually helps to ensure that the 'dress agency', at the back of the store, can continue. Found would be a great place to pick up a great vintage piece. It is great to see projects like this thriving in a City Centre, when it would be so easy to buckle under the pressure from High Street Chains. I would recommend going down and checking them out if you are in the Leeds area.

A Sunday Outfit.

2011-05-08T17:41:00.006+01:00

Had to head into town today to do something for the blog, and to meet a friend. Thought I would give the Litas their second outing. I actually had quite a lot of comments from people while wearing them. From 'wow that girls tall' (if only they knew how short I really am) to 'where can I get those?' Thought I would take a quick snap of what I was wearing today, I figured if I take more outfit shots I will get used to the idea of doing them.

I am still thinking of things to give away in my competition for when I hit 200 followers. So spread the word lovely readers and the competition will happen sooner than expected. Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend; I am going to go read Vogue in the sun.

Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen

2011-04-29T17:00:00.004+01:00

I know I know this is EVERYWHERE but hey I'm British it's all part of our culture. Many people were also extremely against the wedding; what with all the money spent on security etc especially when the country is going through such hard times. However I thought it was really nice for the people of the UK to show such solidarity (and get a day off) and I think even the royal couple were surprised at the turn out. At the end of the day they are just like every other couple and I wish them all the best.
So on to the more serious point of THE DRESS. Even the most anti-royalists have to agree that it will go down as one of the most iconic fashion moments in history. I am so pleased she chose Sarah Burton to design the dress; it was everything a bride dreams of. It is worth nothing that her sister Pippa's dress was also designed by Burton. The lace on Kate's dress was simply stunning and I love that she opted for long sleeves, it just looks so elegant. The floral theme was not stupidly obvious either. The shape was perfect, the train wasn't too long, I don't tend to like stupidly long trains a la gypsy wedding. I think Kate has now defiantly set herself firmly among other famous fashion conscious brides. I wonder if she will be sitting front row at McQueen next season?

Pictures: Style.com

Adornments.

2011-04-27T20:30:00.007+01:00

It has been at least... a week since I bought a new ring. I bought this one from Topshop which was £14. Kind of pricey but it wasn't as much as I thought it would be. I've noticed a lot of their other jewelry has gone down in price recently which is always a plus.

I have been on the look out for some adornments for my fingers. Here are some of the ones I have picked out.

1. ASOS 2. Topshop 3. Miss Selfridge 4. Topshop 5. Modekungen 6. Regal Rose 7 and 8 Miss Selfridge

Its only a bloody outfit post...

2011-04-20T20:07:00.004+01:00

The Litas have landed; I am so excited I don't care if everyone and their mother has a pair! I will be getting some outfits up on here with me wearing them, so expect to see them in the near future.

I was involved in a conversation on Independent Fashion Bloggers about feeling awkward when posing for outfit pictures. Some bloggers just look so natural but I feel like I am getting my Chandler Bing on (See episode when Chandler can't smile) and so it has put me off. Which is silly because this is a fashion blog and I want to share my finds with you all. So I gave it ago today; face looks slightly awkward and my posing makes me look a stone heavier but I did it! I picked up the skirt in Madrid for €7 which I thought was a real bargain.

1. Alexander Wang look-a-like bag from Ebay; Inspired by Vipxo.co.uk 2. Sheer shirt, H&M 3. Plain Vest, Topshop. 4. Maxi Skirt aka Beetlejuice skirt, H&M.

I re-dyed my hair again last night. Red hair is so hard to keep up to, but I have found the perfect red so I will be staying this way for a while. I have been getting a few compliments on here about the colour, which makes me smile.
I am approaching 200 followers, which doesn't seem a lot compared to some big bloggers out there but to me it is a real achievement. Anyway I am thinking of doing a competition when I reach the big 2-0-0. Let me know what you think of this and anything you would like to see in the giveaway. Just to add I will be buying the prize out of my own money so I can't buy you a car or anything I'm afraid.

Jeffrey Campbell Litas

2011-04-16T19:18:00.015+01:00

Well these babies will soon be in my possession; I was excited to see that Office started to stock them but by the time I found out they were out of stock. Yesterday however I had a quick look and they had my size, I was so happy but also felt guilty for dropping £120 on them. Oh well, I have a new job, I'm calling it a treat to myself. I know I know I think I'm joining the bandwagon a little too late but I don't care I'm gonna wear them to death.

As many bloggers know we get many emails from P.R companies asking to join them at various different events which we can cover on our sites/blogs. I live in Leeds so I can't go to the vast majority of them. Well I only seem to go to events when I am actually going to be in London for other reasons. I have being emailing back lately expressing my pain at being left out for being a Northerner. Many of the lovely ladies have mailed back saying they too feel my pain as they once resided in the North. So to all the P.R peeps out there; don't leave us out!!!!

Although I just said I feel guilty over buying the Lita's I am still lusting over other items. I am aware of the total mishmash here, but it isn't meant to be an outfit haha

Various from: Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Missguided and Modekungen.

Madrid

2011-04-08T15:10:00.004+01:00

As you know I went to visit my best friend in Madrid. There's plenty to look at but the city itself isn't amazing for shopping; I only picked up a couple of things. I got myself some nice bright blue jeans from Zara and maxi skirt from H&M. Both of which will make a debut on here soon. I found Madrid to be very expensive and decided to spend my money on other things instead. I picked up the mini OPI Katie Perry set in Duty Free and I also bought the Benefit perfume Lookin' To Rock Rita. I love it, it reminds me so much of summer and it will be my summer fragrance this year.

To be honest I didn't go for the shopping but it was nice to get out and see some of Madrid. I didn't take many pictures of the sights though (again I told you I'm rubbish with a camera) but I did take a fair few of me, Fran and her friends.
This is me reppin' my body from Black Milk. I absolutely love it; amazing quality and I get so many compliments when I'm wearing it.

This is my best friend and me. Taken in the metro station before going out on the tiles.

The Perils of Packing.

2011-03-29T19:51:00.001+01:00

As I said in my last post I will be jetting off to Madrid tomorrow to visit my best friend. Any fashion addict can testify to the fact that packing is one of the most testing of fashion situations.

Many a time have we found ourselves stood in front of our wardrobes looking back and forth between case and closet. You do not want to find yourself without something when you get to your destination. Neither do you want to pack too much and get slapped with a massive charge at the airport.

First and foremost you need to plan your day outfits; obviously I have been checking the weather this week and luck is on my side as it is meant to be quite warm. So maybe pack a couple of skirts and a pair of shorts and then a variety of different t-shirts. Then pack your shoes for the day; I'll be taking some ballet pumps and sandals.
Moving on to the night; we are planning a few nights out while I am there. My partying outfits are usually centered around my heels. So I will be taking the trusty black pair (which is a little funny as 80% of my heels are black) and also my leopard print Jeffrey Campbells. I am going to be giving my BB Dakotas their first outing. Throw in a skirt and a couple of sheer blouses and I think I'm done.*

*This suitcase is subject to change. haha.

P.S I am also now using a new '.co.uk' address, how exciting. A Forte For Fashion

It's a hard life...

2011-03-22T16:18:00.002Z

keeping up with things. I have this master plan where I think I'll take my camera everywhere with me. So I can snap things as I see them, but I never remember it. Although the camera on my phone is really good so I have no excuse. I have seen a few people this week who I wanted to run after and get a picture of. I think they may have looked at me fairly weird when I finally catch up to them red in the face and gasping for air.
I think really it is just about getting into the habit of snapping everything that inspires me ,as in turn it will give me more to post about, you guys will be happy, I get more readers, basically everyone is happy.
Anyway moving on from all that I have a new job which means I am now in an office; which led me to think what do I wear to work everyday? I do spend a silly about of time stood in front of my wardrobe on a morning staring at my clothes. There are no real restrictions (with in reason) so I don't have to wear anything formal. But I have this thing in my mind where I think I can't keep wearing the same things everyday. Does anyone else have this same office wear subconscious voice?

I'm heading towards 150 followers; I would like to make it to 200 soon. But would like to thank who ever is reading out there for doing so, didn't think anyone would like to read my ramblings. Although I did hope so as I do want to make a living out of it. I think if I post more often I might make it.

I'm heading out to Madrid soon to see my best friend; which will mean I over pack to the maximum take about 10 pairs of shoes and only wear 2. I have being praying its warm though as I could do with a bit of colour, I'm looking a little vampire like after these long winter months. Actually with the sun out today it feels like Spring; is it really time to put away those cable knit jumpers?

On my endless quest to look as cool as this, the following collage is what I will be mostly trying to get my hands on over the coming months. Doesn't look that summery? Oh well!

Paris Fashion Week

2011-03-09T10:15:00.000Z

I've been having a look at what Paris had to offer. There are three I really want to mention, but we will get on to that.

I have to quickly comment on John Galliano, what a shame to waste a great career. I think people in the public eye need to seriously think about what they are saying and to whom. He is not the first to be caught out and he won't be the last.

(click on pictures to make them bigger)

The first collection I want to mention is of course Alexander McQueen. With Sarah Burton at the helm people were once again waiting with baited breath to see what would come out of the famed house. Personally I wasn't disappointed the collection really delivered; and the shoes were the winner for me.

Next up we have Givenchy. I am in serious love. The panthers eyes seen on many of the looks are amazing and once again a sheer fabric here and there. I am sold.

Lastly today we had Miu Miu. So many different looks were sent down the runway but they all looked so polished. The Miu Miu shoes were one of the best things out of the collection for me, as my eyes were immediately drawn downwards.

Leeds Universities RAG Fashion Show...THE EVENT.

2011-02-27T18:32:00.000Z

Me and my friend popped down to the night, which kicked off at 7pm with champagne for VIPS.

I have to say the show was good fun and all the models seemed to put 100% into it. I was disappointed at the lack of attention paid to the clothes  but I guess the team had to put on a show to make sure the paying customers were happy. So for me all in all it was much more a 'show' than a Fashion Show. But they did what they set out to do which was make some money for their charities!
I also got a good bag, and was pleased to find some tights from Urban Outfitters inside. White with black spots; I can already channel the new 'dalmatian' trend.
As you can see from the pictures below it the show was full of movement. I love the sheer maxi on the first picture, need to get me one of those.

Leeds Universities RAG Fashion Show...

2011-02-21T17:54:00.000Z

to round of a week of Fashion shown in London, Leeds Universities RAG team are putting on a Fashion extravaganza to show off some of the best retailers in Leeds. Starting at 7pm on Thursday the 24th with a VIP reception. And of course its all for a good cause; the charities benefiting from the night will be Yorkshire Cancer Centre and Action for Children.
Some of the retailers taking part are: American Apparel, Miss Selfridge, Lipsy, Urban Outfitters and many many more.
The massive show will involve 62 models, a 40 ft catwalk and VIP seating for that special touch. The aim is to beat the £6,000 they made for charity last year which I am sure they can do!
I'm am going to be there on the night spotting some of the new season designs from the High street and looking out for any fashionable people. If you do spot me come and say hi!

Here is a video of last year and the kind of thing you can expect from the show this year:

You can purchase tickets here.

Lots of lovely fashion...

2011-02-20T20:37:00.000Z

So I thought it was about time I caught up and all the lovely fashion from New York Fashion Week. Also, seen as London has now started I might as well through a bit of that into the mix. Although I am currently thinking about what I can wear in Spring/Summer; its nice to see what will be in the shops at the end of the year. I'm a big fan of a dark palette and so Autumn/Winter collections usually have some of my favourite looks.

(I advise clicking on the pictures for a better view of the looks.)

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have set themselves firmly among the fashion crowd by now as their label The Row grows from strength to strength. This collection was full of rich colours and fabrics which make dressing for Winter something to look forward to. I especially love the rich berry reds that were seen.

Marchesa never cease to amaze with their beautiful dresses season after season. There seem to be so many different influences going on here, which make for an extremely eclectic collection. I especially love the last look; I can see this grace many a red carpet.

We do not yet know if this collaboration will be a one off or not. But this collection shows such promise. There were so many different separates pieces here which could work in anyone's wardrobe. Which is a far cry from Margiela's usual flair. I especially love the layering through out.

As always Jeremy Scott delivered a fusion of colour and humor with his new collection. I love the skeleton print jumper however not sure I could carry it off like this leggy model does.

As always Alexander Wang delivers an amazing collection full of such functional pieces. I love the sheer white blouse which I think would look good paired with some skinny black leather trousers.

I know your usually supposed to be drawn to the clothes but here my eyes are immediately drawn to the footwear. Those are some serious heels; I would love to be rocking these next Autumn. Moving on to the clothes; I love the sheer blouse but I don't think I would be flashing any flesh like the model here. The dresses were just the right length and I can imagine them paired with some lovely tights.

Well, well, well..

2011-02-08T21:59:00.000Z

I am making a habit of disappearing off of here for any amount of time. I don't really mean to it just kind of happens. Also my life is decidedly unfashionable at the moment and so I'm not feeling particularly inspired. I feel inspired looking at other fashionable ladies blogs but this hasn't translated to a rise in posts on here!
I have become a little obsessed with Tumblr within the space of a week; who knew you could wile so many hours away looking at pictures. I am on a one woman mission to get more followers too, so if any of your lovely readers have a tumblr please click here and follow me. I promise I'll follow back. I seem to be waiting with baited breath for Fashion Week/s. I can not wait to look over all the collections and pick my favourites out. I'm excited to see Burberry, Givenchy and maybe a little bit of McQueen. I want to see what Sarah Burton does next!
But with this time of year comes my fashion depression. I'm sure those who've read my blog do know that I want a career in Fashion Journalism and I would give my right arm to be seeing shows over the coming weeks. However reality means I am working and looking for work in my preferred field. This has not come up with many results as the main response is to not get back to me at all. I must not less this dishearten me and carry on sending out those begging letters. So that you are not just staring at some ramblings from me here are a few things I am thinking of buying with the Ebay stash I'm building up.

1. Miss Selfridge, £44 2. modekungen.se, €33.94 3. Solestruck, $159.95 4 and 5 Topshop, both £8.50 6. Urban Outfitters, £18.

The Big Clear Out...

2011-01-27T14:09:00.000Z

Look at my poor little Macbook sat nestled within all the madness. Basically trying to get rid of a massive proportion of my wardrobe/stuff. I have become some what of a hoarder and need to be brutal with the things I have. I don't wear about 60% of it which is really bad. So there has to be three piles: ebay, charity and bin.
I was actually inspired by watching Susie in her video for Monki Television.
I want a wardrobe to be proud of, and although I don't have the space Susie has for my clothes (is it not every girls ultimate dream to have a walk in wardrobe?) I am trying to make the space more manageable and less of a jumble sale.

So at the end of a very long clear out, don't you find you always get distracted by something from your childhood and end up sitting and looking at that for half an hour? Anyway, I am left with this:

(My rail bends in the middle?!?)

Now I have cleared a bulk of stuff my next plan of action is to go through my clothes with a fine tooth comb and ask myself honestly am if I am really going to wear it again. If not it will either be for Ebay (to add to my Paypal fund to buy more stuff) or go to charity for somebody else to enjoy.
In the first picture it was light and now its dark, which pretty much sums up how long I have been doing this for. I think I need a long deserved cuppa and a sit down.

Is this getting boring now...

2011-01-24T16:46:00.000Z

I have found yet another amazing pair of heels from Office. I think I must have the luck of the Sale Fairy with me because I have picked up some beauties recently. This pair were a mere £13.50 reduced from £88. They are a Velvet material, which sounds quite odd but they are really nice. I especially like the chunky heel.

For some reason this picture looks like it's been painted, which I actually think looks pretty cool.

In other news I have entered a competition at ElleUk.com to win a chance to work for them for 6 months as an Intern. Although the competition is judged on the entry and your CV, I would be grateful if you could vote for me and comment to show Elle I am worthy!

Vote Here :)

I'm on a Shoe roll...

2011-01-13T21:05:00.000Z

...yes there is such a thing. Having shared the wonders of my Jeffrey Campbells with you all I needed to share another sale bargain I picked up. This one however is considerably more of a bargain! I picked these up in the Office sale...

... for a grand total of £9 reduced from £92! They take some getting into but once there on I think they look amazing. I'm still in shock from the price.

Also this little baby came in the post today; my first piece from Black Milk. I have to say the quality is amazing I am so pleased with it. Can not wait to start taking some outfit pictures in this baby. Thank you James your a genius.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-02T20:34:00.000Z

So it's now 2011. Where did 2010 go? Last year was a mile stone as I finished my degree and left University. I also went to do a short course at London College of Fashion which was an amazing experience.

I'm not sure what 2011 will hold but I really hope to start my career... I have a new job at Lipsy at the moment which I am enjoying. However in the long run I want to be walking the halls at a certain Fashion Magazines office. Who knows if this year will be the year I get the job I want. I do know that I am going try my damnedest to make it happen.

Anyway I have finally added a pair of Jeffrey Campbells to my collection, thanks to some money I got for Christmas. I'm seriously in love, I mean whats not to love: high platform and leopard print. Another plus is that these babies were in the sale in Office down to £60 from £95. I do love a good bargain.

P.S. Sorry for the month long hiatus. I have slapped the back of my own hand for that.

Sorry...

2010-12-01T20:04:00.000Z

I have been a bad bad blogger, my new job has been taking up my time. Also due to the snow I am now unable to take outfit pictures, or generally get around without sliding everywhere!

I have also realised that my wardrobe doesn't translate that well to Winter. Also I don't feel like I look chic in Winter which upsets me. I just layer up and end up looking frumpy.
I did make a trip to Primark and bought a camel cape and a nice cream cable knit jumper. I did really want a cape from Topshop (below) but with the £95 price tag I thought the £25 alternative was a good alternative.
Anyway with all that said I've been looking at some lovely Winter clothing that catches my eye.....

What I Wish I Was wearing today...

2010-11-07T17:56:00.000Z

Sorry for my lack of updates, I haven't being feeling inspired. I have been fairly busy too with job interviews etc. I have a new job at Lipsy which I start next Saturday which I'm excited about. I've been busy looking at their website to see what I could buy for my uniform!

Anyway I have made a little collage here to show what I wish I was wearing today. In reality I have chinos on and a Lily Allen tour t-shirt.

1. Topshop 2. ASOS 3.Modekungen.se 4,5,6 and 7 Topshop

Leeds Fashion Show 19th October @ Leeds Museum

2010-10-21T14:32:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday I attended Leeds Fashion Show at Leeds Museum, this took place in the same week as Leeds Shopping week.
The event aims to raise awareness in the North of England. There were many talented designers showcasing at the event.
It wasn't your typical fashion show however as there were a couple of presenters for the event who got the crowd involved. Also performing was an amazing Violinist and a wonderful female singer. At the end there was an auction and raffle to raise money for charity; this seemed kind of odd to me as I am used to more traditional show. However I'm not one to grumble when charity is involved!

My friend Matt Mulvey was taking photographs at the event (I did take some myself but as you can imagine they aren't as clear and professional looking as his) So I thought I'd share some of my favourite looks from the show all taken by Matt:

And of course present at all Fashion events the obligatory Vitamin Water shot of me....

Heavy Metal.

2010-10-20T20:46:00.000+01:00

I am a massive fan of costume jewelry. Here are a small selection of my favourite rings. As usual skulls are making a heavy debut. As it happens these are all silver; I do wear gold too! What costume jewelry do you guys like to rock?

1. Leaf ring, Dorothy Perkins, 2. H! (Henry Holland) for Debenhams, 3. Studded ring, Topshop, 4. Knuckle Duster ring, Topshop.

This will be the last...

2010-10-11T20:35:00.000+01:00

Looking over the last of the collections has taken me a while; I really have to be in the mood to sit and look through what seems like a million pictures.
In the end I decided to do a post about Alexander McQueen. With everyone's eyes on Sarah Burton, the pressure was really on for the designer, who had worked by McQueen's side for 15 years. I have to say I was really impressed by this collection, Burton really captured the McQueen spirit. There was a certain whimsical charm to the collection but also that side of Gothic glam which McQueen did so well. I hope she can continue for years to come and that the McQueen name doesn't end up a designer of the past.

Alexander McQueen

Catching up.

2010-10-03T23:53:00.000+01:00

It's certainly hard to keep up with all the shows. Trawling through the many pictures on Style.com can take hours and hours. So I'm going to talk about some of my favourites again. There seems to me a theme as always, when I like something I run with it. So here goes nothing...

Balenciaga

I'm a sucker for good details and there were certainly plenty to look at from Balenciaga. I really liked all the stripey pieces that were sent down. The layering was also spot on with some of the looks. I especially like the second picture here with the sheer shirt and biker inspired vest.

Balmain

I know I know it seems such a cliche these days to confess to liking Balmain. However I do absolutely love this collection. The details are the killer for me. Studding is like my love child so of course I was going to love this collection. I love the fact that the models looked undone but so well dressed all at the same time. And it is now sure fire that the Biker Jacket is the Spring/Summer IT jacket.

Givenchy

Some one pinch me? This collection was perfection. Sheer fabrics, leopard print, and killer heels. What more could a girl ask for? Riccardo Tisci's is also championing white for Spring/Summer which we have seen in a number of different designers collection. (Or a whole collection like we saw at Dolce & Gabbana) All I need now are the legs to pull off a see through sheer skirt...

The Craft

2010-09-28T20:45:00.000+01:00

I've always had a love for 90's movies and The Craft has to be one of my favourites. The fashion from the movie is an obvious talking point, as many designers of recent years have re-created looks which could of stepped out of this film. Alexander Wang brought back grunge in a big way and many other designers have used all things Gothic through out their collections. I always liked the juxtaposition between the witches and the Catholic girls school. The four of them stood out from the sea of boring teens.
My favourite character was always Nancy, although she was down right mad she had the most interesting fashion in the film. Whether it be her PVC mac or her maxi length dresses. She always had her own style and identity.
Here's what I think Nancy would be rocking these days...

(Asos, Mac, Givenchy, Miss Selfridge, All Saints and Kat Von D makeup.)

A Love Letter...

2010-09-24T23:35:00.000+01:00

Dear Christopher Bailey,

How did you climb inside my head and put everything I love into your current collection? Studs, spikes, leather and animal print. You really do spoil us. It is now officially acceptable for me to dress like a 'Hell's Angel.'

Thanks
Laura

P.S You Rock

New York Fashion Week September 2010

2010-09-20T23:45:00.000+01:00

So I have looked through many different pictures from a whole number of collections that were shown in New York. I have decided to pick out my favourites as it would be too long and probably tedious for you all to read through a review for every show. Anyway we have style.com to read for a blow by blow account of each show. So without further a do...

Helmut Lang

The white, black and grey basics would be perfect as part of anyones spring wardrobe. The grey maxi skirt would look hot with a pair of black wedges and a vintage rock tee tucked in.

Alexander Wang

White is definitely the new black/camel/etc. We better start to stock up now if were going to have those complete white outfits for Spring. Although I am thinking that an all white ensemble is not for the faint hearted.

Jeremy Scott

Jeremy Scott can always be relied on for bringing fun to the proceedings. The bin bags and carrier bags strewn across the models may not transcend from the catwalk. However the skeleton dress could be rocked by the best of us. The high waisted skirts were one of my favourite pieces.

Having looked through many collections from New York I found it a struggle to pick out many that I actually liked. My thoughts are that with many designers coming back to London to show, I will find many more treasures from London Fashion Week.

Lady GaGa?

2010-09-19T20:18:00.001+01:00

Oh no its me! This was from my birthday on Friday night... safe to say I got a few odd looks.

Normal blog service will resume soon, I need to get cracking with looking through some serious fashion week collections. Hopefully there will be plenty for me to drool over. I'll meet you over at Style.com.