Colour Blocking & Pleats

I couldn’t really decide what to wear at the weekend so here’s a few of the looks i was debating over embracing two of my favourite trends this season.

First up, colour clashing with pink and orange. Pink pleated skirt from eBay, orange crop top from Miss Selfridge and brown belt from Dorothy Perkins…

 

 

Pink pleated skirt from eBay, blue frayed detail vest from Topshop and yellow Primark belt…

Green Zara skirt, Office gladiator sandals, all other items as above…

And then with my brown leather jacket from Topshop…

Last but not least my beautiful Rare maxi pleated skirt in Peach, blue top as before, brown skinny belt from Primark, bag (just seen) Warehouse and jacket and shoes as before…

I wish i could wear this skirt every day and just twirl!

Trend Alert.......! Colour Blocking

A few weeks back i posted this pic of Camilla Belle in head-to-toe Gucci absolutely nailing the colour blocking trend and it inspired me to try the look with a little help of Zara.

Now if you've been into a Zara store recently, you will have noticed it has been transformed into a treasure trove of Crayola coloured items. Fuchsia pinks, neon yellows, cobalt blues, vermilion reds and Verde greens adorn every shelf and rail.

I wanted to take a picture of the store but felt a bit cheeky without asking so instead took a quick pic of the window display.


Orange, yellow, red and blue? Oh yes!

I was pretty much spoilt for choice and could have spent ££££'s brightening up my wardrobe, but i did refrain a little, settling on a green pencil skirt and yellow vest.

Skirt and vest - Zara
Belt and heels - Primark

I love how this pencil skirt can easily inject some colour into your working wardrobe, but yet can be teamed up with a simple tee for a more casual/relaxed look. You can't see here, but both the vest and skirt both have exposed gold/black zips which just adds that hint of sexiness to what could be a boring outfit.

I couldn't resist styling the skirt with old wardrobe items like this Miss Selfridge Orange Crop Top.....

And this new Floral Tee from Primark......

And for a relaxed look this photo print tee from Topshop....

Excuse the hair and check out the shoes!

Admittedly I've not gone the whole hog as the shoes are neutral but if i can dig out some colour pop heels i will!

I'll leave you with a few of my favourite images from Zara's Lookbook.

The future's bright, the future's Zara

Trend Alert.........! Pleats

One of the big trends this season is pleats. It has been a bit of a slow burner this one to transcend from the catwalks to the high-street, but i can report this trend has well and truly landed in-store. Go-to shops are Whistles, Topshop, Primark, Pretaportobello and Rare.

I chose this beautiful peach/nude full length pleated maxi skirt from Rare's concession in Topshop.

I love that this skirt has a full length lining so i don't feel too exposed, I'm not sure i could carry off that half-lining pleat skirt. The skirt is a floor skimming length so heels are a must to avoid that carpet sweeper look that the Olsens do so well. I've styled it with a casual tee for a relaxed daytime look but for night i would add a bright silk vest.

The Rare skirt costs £42 and is available online in two other colours but you do need to be quick as it's already sold out online at Topshop and Asos. If your budget is a bit bigger than mine then head to Pretaportobello where you can find their Jovanna Pleated Maxi Skirt for £65.

Here's what it looks like:

I also headed to Primark a few weeks ago and snapped up this black maxi for £12 - bargain!

But my first port of call for pleated skirts was actually eBay, you could have snapped up some pretty good bargains if you were early enough. I am currently eagerly awaiting delivery of this vintage beauty i won source from France.

I'm definitely going to rock this with a bright vest, working two key trends, pleats and colour blocking. Bring on the summer i say!

Look out for my next post where i try out colour blocking via Zara.



The midi dress

I never thought i would succumb to the midi trend but after seeing this dress from Primark's S/S'11 collection i was a convert.

Unfortunately that dress wasn't to be (unless i wanted to pay double on ebay) so i turned to the old faithful Asos courtesy of Groupon.

Apologies yet again for the grainy photos

I was a bit unsure when it first arrived and thought the colour washed me out and nearly sent it back, now I'm so glad i didn't as it's the perfect dress for the season which can easily be dressed up or down and the blush colour is also on trend.

Proving what a versatile piece it is i dressed it up for work with a black waterfall jacket from Warehouse...

And then for a casual twist swap the black jacket for a brown leather jacket from Topshop...

The dress costs £30 and is available in Mustard and Camel. Click on the ASOS image below to buy now...

Before i go, i just wanted to say a huge thank you to all my new followers, it makes my day when i see a new subscriber  and i love reading your comments. I'm thinking of doing a giveaway when i reach 50 followers as I've got far too many unused beauty products that could do with going to a good home so keep an eye out in the future.

Happy Easter guys xx

My love of rust - Part 2

My Topshop rust tapered leg trousers made their debut today along with some other items so thought I'd give you a sneak peek. I have to say i am in love with this colour and I've just realised I've acquired a new addition to my wardrobe which is also the same colour! I might show you that another time as not too sure whether to keep it yet.

Blazer - Limited Collection @ Marks and Spencers
Trousers - Topshop
Shoes - River Island (old)
Belt - Used to be my sisters but it's from Marks and Spencers
Ring - Topshop
Bag - Vintage (ebay)

Have you spotted the clashing nail polish? Especially on the toes! Not a good look, but rest assured i will be re-painting soon, just waiting for Nails Inc on QVC to start (4pm everyone!) to get some inspiration.

A week of nails

Colour blocking is one of my favourite trends for S/S 11 but it's not always a look that can transcend to the office.

Camilla Belle works the look perfectly in head-to-toe Gucci.

My take is to add a bright nail polish that clashes with your top and job done!

Monday - Nails Inc Brompton Place

Tuesday - Nails Inc Spitalfields

Wednesday - Revlon Pretty In Papaya

Thursday - Barry M Berry Ice Cream

Friday - Nails Inc Hanover Street

Hope you love the colours as much as i do!

French Connection S/S '11 Lookbook

A few days ago i received the French Connection Spring 2011 lookbook and ever since i have been meaning to share with you my favourite pieces. I love their tongue-in-cheek advertising, remember those FCUK slogans which caused uproar? They seem to be able to capture the modern twenty-something woman perfectly embracing their feminity, chic workwear, relaxed tailoring sit equally as well next to sexy leather shorts and flirty sun dresses revealing a hint of flesh. You will find pieces in this collection that can work for any eventuality - wedding, date, work, lunch with friends, going to a gig, cocktails...the list is endless.

Please note whilst some images are my own, i admit my photography skills are not fantastic hence some images are sourced from their website.

And the inspiration behind the campaign? French Connection say: "This season we have decided to challenge our customers in the way they consider themselves. Moving forward from the idealized image of Man and Woman we have created scenarios that confront the viewer with the question "You are Man?" and "You are Woman?". "

This is one of my favourite campaign shots...

The idea of ladies who lunch in white dresses, fishnets and heels eating burgers oozing with ketchup is brillant! Would a "real lady" sit on the kerb eating take-away?!

The collection is divided into five colour stories; Into The Blue, The New Romantics, Minimalist Monochrome, Lux Louche and Shades Of Grey.

Into The Blue Takes inspiration from the French Riviera in classically chic navy and white.



Top £62, Jeans £72, Shoes £135



When Spring approaches it's so easy just to whip out your staple blue and white stripes and red accessories but there's not a stripe in sight throughout this collection. It's about time someone reinvented the typical nautical look and proved white jeans are not just for TOWIE-types and can be super stylish. I love this navy sheer blouse perfect for a day-to-evening transformation, add a bright contrast cami for day and for night leave a little to the imagination with a backless bra.

The New Romantics Delicate pastel shades of pink provide a dreamy, ethereal palette for spring.

Dress £135, Shoes £135

Top £47, Skirt £67, Shoes £135

Combining two key trends, draping and pleating this pieces could be straight off the catwalk. The Mine And Yours dress with sweatheart neckline would be perfect for a spring wedding just throw on a cropped grey jacket. This colour palette could wash you out but either work your natural glow and go pale and interesting or fake it and if anyone asks where you got your tan say St Tropez of course! South of France or bottle - who cares?


Minimalist Monochrome Create a clean but striking silhouette in black and white.

Top £62, Trousers £87, Shoes £115

Shirt £67, Shorts £155, Shoes £130

The first look is pretty much what i'm rocking at the moment for work, tapered trousers with blouses or shirts, although i'm not sure about the white trousers. They remind me when i wore white trousers one and then it rained and you can guess the rest... Plus they'll be a bitch to keep clean and who can afford dry cleaning these days? The second look is one of my favourites, i'm loving shorts for day and night and it's not often that we can get away with wearing leather shorts without being propositioned no thanks to Pretty Women. I've got some pleather shorts from Topshop but they're more hotpant style and need to be worn with tights really to avoid looking too trashy, but although FC's are quite pricey add a demure blouse and they're first date ready.

Lux Louche Perfect the downtown look by contrasting soft drapes with tough leather.

Click above for larger images

Outfit 1: Jacket £300, Trousers £77, Shoes £130
Outfit 2: Jacket £300, Top £57, Trousers £67, Shoes £130
Outfit 3: Top £47, Trousers £77, Shoes £135
Outfit 4: Jacket £115, Top £22, Shorts £155, Shoes £135, Bag £115
Outfit 5: Top £57, Skirt £170, Shoes £135
Outfit 6: Jacket £300, Skirt £67, Shoes £135

I couldn't really pick out my highlights from this trend as i love them all!! All of the looks are perfect for off-duty days, although they are quite trend-led they will see you through this transeasonal period when it's note quite warn enough to breaking the brights and bare arms. As you can see an emphasis is on leather and a muted palette with shades of charcoal most prominent. I'll definitely be taking inspiration from these pieces on "nothing to wear" days trying to emulate that off-duty model look.

Shades of Grey From charcoal to silver, grey is your go-to for understated and elegant style.

Jumpsuit £125 Shoes £130

This has to be the statement piece of the whole collection, very geisha girl inspired with bat-wing sleeves and kimono wrap belt. Although it would be ideal for a meal as it could disguise a multitude of sins and you wouldn't have to go hungry but to be really appreciated standing at all times is required - this is one piece that deserves to be admired. I'm not sure i could pull it off but i love to see a girl who could!

And to finish another good campaign shot....