Thursday 27 December 2012

Bargain Boots

Left: Studded black boots, £10 (Primark)                            Right: Burgundy Flatforms, £5 (Primark)

I have needed a new pair of boots/shoes for every day use for so long now and what better time to have a look than in the sales? I was as shocked as you probably are that both of the above are from Primark. I love the black leather style boots with silver spikes, they will look great with tights and a LBD and for only £10 you can't go wrong. I had been expecting to pay a lot more than £10 for some boots so when I saw these burgundy flatforms for only £5 I didn't think twice-and for once they had my size in both! What do you think?



Boxing Day Sale Picks



Christmas is over and now everyone is busy searching for their boxing day bargains and a special outfit for NYE. The beauty of the internet is you don't have to embrace to busy shops to get those pair of boots you have been waiting to enter the sale. Simple make a cup of tea, get your laptop out and shop from the very comfort of your home. I particularly love the studded clutch bag from Miss Selfridge, perfect for NYE. Get in touch with your boxing day sales bargains- I would love to hear them!

Sunday 23 December 2012

Serge DeNimes: Bloggers Breakfast

Friday 21/12/2012 was a very memorable day for many, and for me it wasn't only because of for the supposed 'end of the world' but because I got to hang out with Oliver Proudlock at his pop up store on Dover Street. When I found out that there was a bloggers breakfast and a chance to hear about Serge DeNimes straight from owner Proudlock himself I jumped at the chance. 


I don't know about you but I am a HUGE fan of Made In Chelsea (a show documenting the lifes of the rich in Chelsea that subsequently brought Proudlock to our screens). However during the talk Proudlock was insistant that he wanted to keep Serge DeNimes as seperate from Made in Chelsea as he could and to be honest I don't blame him. Hailing from a background in Art, Proudlock fuses the boundaries of art and fashion so beautifully. Back in series 2 Proudlock mentioned a little bit about his t-shirt brand but it was only last week that the brand had it's launch night.  This followed by a 10 day pop-up store on Dover Street which was where the bloggers breakfast took place.  




 For those of you that know me know I am not particularly a morning person, but for the chance to catch up with other bloggers, have some tasty brownies by Wraggamuffins and to chat to Proudlock I certainly did not mind! Networking is the key to blogging and the fashion industry and some great blogs to check out from the morning are Seeing stars in my eyesBerlin London, and Style the natives.



With so many t-shirt brands with similar designs out there it's important to stand out and the Serge De Nimes prints do just that. Firstly you might be thinking what does Serge DeNimes really mean? Well like you I was equally curious and had to start researching. Interestingly Serge DeNimes is about the origin of denim. Okay so maybe now you are thinking where is the denim in the collection? Proudlocks mum actually used to have a denim brand and his future plans include a lot of denim. This will start with injecting denim into his t-shirt designs and will then progress from there.



Even though when you are reading this the pop-up store will actually be over it isn't all bad news. The future is actually looking very bright for Serge DeNimes and I can't wait to follow it's journey. You can order online for an after christmas treat now and I have no doubt they will have another pop up before long. 


Tuesday 18 December 2012

Marc by Marc Jacobs S/S 2013 Campaign

It may be December and the only thing on everyone's mind is CHRISTMAS! However some of us continue to look to the future and seeing what trends are going to hit our stores next year, not to mention S/S advertising campaigns.



The Marc by Marc Jacobs is one advertising campaign for Spring/Summer that stood out for me whilst browsing through various campaigns. I can't help but see similarities to some of Vivienne Westwood advertising campaigns and I don't think this is a coincidence as they were both shot by renowned photographer, Juergen Teller. German fashion photographer has a long relationship with brand and designer Marc Jacobs, and has shot his campaigns since 1998. Known for their simple white boarder you can always identify a Marc Jacobs advert from afar, and I have no doubt the crucial ingredient is Juergen Teller.


Friday 14 December 2012

Glitz & Gemz


If you have been reading my blog recently you will already be aware of my new fascination with rhinestones, gems, pearls and pretty much any form of DIY/embellishment. Decorating your clothes with beads, sequins isn't something new but rhinestones are definitely making a big comeback. Take a look at number 1-don't they just take you back to your youth? I remember I had a purse with a very similar design when I was younger (doubt I had any money in it-whats changed haha). 





Thursday 13 December 2012

Seeing Double


Anna and Sonya Kupriienko are twins from Ukraine that share much more than just a birthday, they share a modelling signing with Select model agency. As a pair they are known as Anna & Sonya K, and they just work so well together. So many photographers out there have played around with the themes of twins and seeing double and with this model duo it is reality. They made their catwalk debut at London Fashion week, September 2012.










Jessica Chastain for W Magazine: January 2013





'I love wigs, I love costumes, I love anything that will get me into the character.' Jessica Chastain



The relationship between art and fashion is always up for discussion for those interested in art and fashion. W Magazine have taken this topic and used it as the main theme for their January Issue the 'Art meets fashion' edition. Hollywood actress Jessica Chastain graces the cover of W Magazine in the multi cover issue. 

After being described as the 'ultimate muse' Jessica has been re-interpreted by visual artists;  George Condo, Rineke Dijkstra, Chantal Joffe and Mickalene Thomas for the latest issue of W Magazine. My favourite cover has to be the George Condo interpretation, it is quite simply a work of art. Jessica's striking red hair (admittedly a wig) looks beautiful in contrast as she blends into George Condo's art work. 

Photography by Rineke Dijkstra 

Sunday 9 December 2012

Emerald green: The colour of 2013



Earlier in the week Pantone announced Emerald as the official colour of the year for 2013. Being irish I have always loved green as a colour but I must admit I don't own a single piece of emerald green clothing. However it is the colour of the new year so I thought I would embrace it and show you a selection of green clothes and accessories. If you think that Emerald isn't really the colour for you why not just stick to accessories? I love the iphone case by Marc Jacobs and the Comme des Garcon iPad case (I just need to get my iPad first). 








Thursday 6 December 2012

DIY: Vintage Chanel Rhinestone T-shirt

I don't know if you have noticed but the high street is going rhinestone crazy at the moment! I can't get enough of it and thought I would try to be creative and customise some clothes I already have. I recently got this vintage chanel tshirt for an absolute bargain on EBAY and I wanted to snazz it up a bit, bring it to the 21st century... I could have added some studs but rhinestones and gemstones are so big right now, I thought I would give it a try. I ordered a mixed bag of rhinestones from a shop on ebay


 What do you need?
- 1 x needle and thread (similar colour to your clothing is best)
-1 x pair of scissors to cut the thread
-1 x pack of rhinestones/gems
-Something to customise, could be a tshirt/shirt or even a hat!


1). First of all you need to decide what kind of pattern you want to make with the rhinestones. I have seen a lot of tshirts and vests with rhinestones on collar tips and also shoulders but with my chanel tshirt I wanted to try something a bit different. I wanted to put the rhinestones around the round neck to make it look similar to a necklace.



2). First of all I poured out all of my rhinestones and picked my favourites. I then made a pattern on my t-shirt that I was happy with and took a picture. A picture will help when you come to sewing on the gems so you can remember which order they go in. I found that the pattern changed slightly during the process but I wanted the rhinestones to be symmetrical. If you want to put them in a random order I am sure they would still look great-it's all down to personal taste.


3). Simply begin to sew on the rhinestones with your needle and thread. It can get quite frustrating at time as there are quite a lot of rhinestones but persevere and you will be happy with the result. I would recommend double or triple sewing the rhinestones to strengthen the bond. 


4). Don't forget to have a break. I had no choice in the matter as my kitten fell asleep on my t-shirt half way through-she must be a lover of fashion as well.


5). Enjoy your finished product! Wear it and show off your hard work... It will all pay off when someone asks 'I love the rhinestones-Where did you get your top from?' and you can say 'I sewed them on myself'. Simple but effective!!


Tuesday 4 December 2012

Winter Wonderland: Topshop Christmas Campaign

Christmas is one of my favourite times of year and I love anything that can get me in a christmassy mood! Earlier today Topshop announced that Kate Bosworth was the face of their first ever christmas campaign. If you follow Topshop on twitter you may have seen throughout the week that they  launched a #whosthatgirl competition to build some excitement around who the mystery face could be! Over a five day period social media fans were given clues as to who would be singing Winter Wonderland.


As well as photography for billboards and on Topshop.com the christmas campaign also includes a video of Kate Bosworth herself singing her version of Winter Wonderland, which coincidently was directed by her boyfriend, Michael Polish. Unfortunately the dress that Kate wears in the video isn't available to those in the UK and will be available to buy in America to mark the opening of the LA Topshop in February 2013.



Monday 3 December 2012

PAUSE Magazine: Issue 2

I have been writing with PAUSE for a few months now and I have now interviewed both of their cover stars: Mikill Pane (Issue 1) and Vince Kidd (Issue 2). PAUSE is a menswear magazine, documenting everything from styling tips to up-and-coming designers. A lot of hard work goes into the online blog and the printed magazine and I am so proud to be a part of it! You can order your FREE issue here: http://pausemag.co.uk/?p=7126





Everything from the graphics to the photography has really improved this issue, it is definitely a magazine to watch out for. It would be great to get some feedback on my interview with Vince Kidd for any of you who do order a copy! 

Twitter: @Pause_Mag
Website: www.pausemag.co.uk
Email: info@pausemag.co.uk

Christmas spirit: Selfridges window displays

So last week I started my new (temporary) job at Forever 21 on Oxford St. As it was my first week I kept finding myself turning up very early!! One day I turned up at 8am and thought I would go and have a good look at the Selfridges window displays. I had briefly walked past them but it was the perfect time to have a glimpse and to take pictures as Oxford St was deserted!



Look at all those Quality Street. It is definitely Christmas time!
 Once again Selfridges have out done themselves and created a range of beautiful and creative windows-they definitely show the other department stores how it is done! My favourite part of the window displays has to be the corner window entitled 'The Anya Hindmarch all I ever wanted'. I'm not too sure how much input Anya had herself but she must be so proud-from an abundance of quality street to little toy trains and stunning Anya Hindmarch bags the window is a work of art!



Christmas is such an exciting time of the year, especially for children. This window display shows a more playful side of christmas as children received their presents  Love the Harry Potter style shades kids!


Wouldn't mind an iPad for christmas..... Please Santa!
 Selfridges has a vast amount of space which makes each window a great canvas of opportunity. Visual Merchandising is an art form and Selfridges excel in every way, I really can't fault them. If I was a tourist walking past or somebody not aware of Selfridges these beautifully displays would definately bring me in.



This has to be the cutest of the window displays-teddy bear picnic. I wouldn't say it was exactly traditional but I like it..



Agent Provocateur sleigh.... 


Selfridges take on Santa's sleigh. Santa in a giant stiletto!




So if you haven't found yourself in the christmassy mood yet then I hope this post has helped!
If you live in London I would definitely reccomend a visit to Oxford St at the moment, the atmosphere is so christmassy and the lights are stunning!!