Monday 23 November 2009

An LPD is the new LBD

I know everyone has to have one or two jaw dropping Little Black Dresses in their wardrobes but after X Factor this weekend the wardrobe evening essential seems to in fact be a Little Pink Dress! This post is for all the avid X Factor viewers, fashion lovers and Cheryl Cole obsessers that read our blog because, this weekend, as you may have guessed, CHERYL COLE blew everyone away with not one, but two stunning, show-stopping bright pink dresses



CHERYL COLE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT

Here are some beautiful pink dresses available on the high street-I think it is definitely necessary to have more than one LPD. After all Cheryl did have three!

ASOS Frill Sleeve Zip Frills. £38. Asos.com




ASOS Bow One Shoulder Slinky Dress. £25. Asos.com



Bandeau Peplum Dress. £45. Topshop


Bandeau Beaded Dress. £85. Lipsy.co.uk

Bubble Hem Dress. £55. Lipsy.co.uk

PINK PINK PINK PINK PINK PINK PINK PINK PINK PINK


Emma

Wednesday 18 November 2009

UNDISCOVERED TREASURE


Whilst travelling in Costa Rica a year ago I came across this fantastic beach-front market in Manuel Antonio where hundreds of colourful cotton wraps blew upwards carried by the wind and an endless array of beautiful stone and shell necklaces adorned the pavements.



After spending a while 'pavement shopping' I was about to head back to my hotel when I spotted this tiny stall selling beautiful unique, handmade silver rings set with precious stones. I stood at this tiny table trying on hundreds of rings for ages-I just couldn't decide which ring to buy. In the end I went for one set with a large red and small turquiose stone which hasn't left my finger since. I absolutely love it because it is ONE OF A KIND. People always compliment me, and ask where I bought it and sigh deeply when I say Costa Rica. Ever since leaving Costa Rica I have spent hours searching through endless rings but they all look the same-nothing ever stands out, UNTIL this weekend when I came across this fantastic stall in the O2 arena.


Kale Ring Turquoise

Whilst perusing around the O2 arena in London before watching Beyonce in conert I came across, once again, a small ring stall held by a lovely lady who designs all the rings herself, has them made from silver and precious stones and then sells them. They are all uniquely hand made and crafted to be one of a kind. She showcases and sells some of her designs on her website.


Flower Ring with Turquise and Coral


Sarah Ring - Amethyst, Lemon Topaz and Carnelian



You will spend ages choosing which stone and colour combinations to have as each ring is different. Designs span from simple to very decorative. I recommend everyone pays the site a visit-the rings will make great christmas presents!


Dina Onyx( tall)



Krissy Ring, Turquoise, Topaz, Garnet, Pearl, Labradorite, Amethyst

Prices range from £5 to £55 depending on designs

Silver Seren has a stall in Camden Lock Market where more designs can be found in a greater varitey of stones.

I JUST LOVE THEM

Emma

Sunday 15 November 2009

RAVE ABOUT REPUBLIC

My student loan is seeping out of my bank card faster and faster every day. I am a shopaholic. Sholpaholics need to shop which is why I am so happy to have, in the last year, discovered Republic. I have a massive obsession with evening wear, particularly dresses and Republic has some beautiful items for very reasonable prices. Republic was established in 1986 as a men’s denim only retailer trading from a single store in none other Leeds!It has developed over the years and now has 97 stores all over the UK. The brilliant thing about Republic is that it fills the needs of most styles from supporting surfer brands such as Soul Cal, Henley's and Fenchurch to more catwalk inspired brands like Miso and Jessica's Attic.


At the moment they have a brilliant collection of shoulder padded dresses, lace designs and sequined dresses and skirts.
THE DESIGNS HIT EVERY TREND

SEQUINS


Sequin Skirt. £19.99



Keep the look smart with a black or grey blazer and simple vest top-let the skirt do the showing off!


Mix textures, volume and sequins with this cross back dress:


Two tone sequin dress. £34.99

Add some colour to your wardobe with this striking, electric blue top. Team with black jeans to bounce off the brilliant blue.



Miso draped vest top. £29.99

FLORAL

I bought this dress the other day-the bold, feminine pattern attracted me.


Miso photo floral top. £16.99


THE VERY USEFUL BLAZER

!I have two blazers, one grey and one black and they are without a doubt the most useful, staple item in my wardrobe. You can throw them on top of any item make an outfit smart and sophisticated. You can wear them in the day with jeans or over a dress like the floral one above or at night over an embellished, decorative dress or skirt. THIS IS A MUST HAVE ITEM! It will remain timeless I promise!



Miso Jersey Blazer. £29.99

STRIPES

The nautical look will never go completely out of fashion. Stripes make appearances and reappearnces in shop windows year after year. They look great the summer The key thing is to not go stripe crazy-the aim is not to look like a captain of the seas but rather the captains elegant sailor. Keep it simple but bold. Stripes look great with plain, blocked coloured items like a white t-shirt and jeans. Never wear stripes with cowboy boots-things start to get much more complicated if you do!



Miso striped waterfall top. £19.99


and finally


THE CROPPED TOP

Crafted crop top. £19.99

Something I am yet to have invested in but will definitely be purchasing soon in a cropped top mainly for the reason that they are incredibly versatile. Wear on its own with jeans or a high waisted skirt or shorts otherwise, wear over a simple vest top and create a layered look. The fantastic feature about this one is its cut-out effect which gives it an interesting, feminine edge.

Visit www.republic.co.uk to look at more items.

Emma

Friday 6 November 2009

STUDS STUDS STUDS!!!


When I was about 13 I went through a pretty bad teenage fashion crisis (as everyone does). After my reality check finally clicked I immediately threw everything I had bought in those few, highly damaging months as away far away as I possibly could. The baggy jeans which were big enough to fit my head through one of the legs were thrown into the bin alongside all my incredibly bland and boyish hoodies. However, one thing did survive. My then incredibly treasured silver studded belt made the cut and, for the last 7 years has been collecting dust under my bed. Now, 7 years later I credit myself for judging the studded belt to be a valuable collective item. I guess you could say I'm well, let's not beat around the fashion bush, I'm a fashion fortune teller because...

STUDS ARE EVERYWHERE

This past season and, I warn you now, the coming season is all about EMBELLISHMENTS

Sophie's post on sequins made me go a little OTT-I went out and bought sequin leggings, a sequin body-con skirt, a sequin dress and a sequin jacket. As a result, I am now a walking disco ball! Don't get me wrong sequins are fantastic and will never fail in making sure you feel and look great on a night out, however, they do turn you into a bit of a disco queen! Sequins-think Kylie Minogue. Studs-think someone a little more hardcore and not so twinlky around the edges like, for example, Rhianna.



Rhianna in studs and leather at American Music Awards

STUDS guarantee ATTITUDE.




Premium Gold Studded Body Con Skirt. £35.



RAVEN Caged Stud Sandel. £65

Something a little more adventurous-wear over leggings-I RECENTLY BOUGHT AND LOVE!




Diamante Knicker. £25

FRENCH CONNECTION



Platinum studded dress. £65


LIPSY

I KNOW SOPHIE WILL LOVE THIS...


Stud and Sequin Jersey Dress. £45


SPLASH OUT...


VIP Studded Feather Dress. £260


AND FINALLY!THE ULTIMATE ATTITUDE ITEM-LEATHER AND STUDS!


Studded mini skirt. £45

How to wear Studds

This must-have trend is best worn in the evening-gold and silver studds look most striking against black. For a full-on launch of attitude team with leather, for example-a leather jacket or leather leggings. For a more classic, sophisticated look wear with a blazer. Don't overdo as you might risk looking like a dominatrix-keep it subtle. Choose items that have studds in key areas such as around the shoulder. Don't buy the first studded item you see, look around, there is so much to available and remember-you are investing in something which will remain timeless.

I'm warning you!buy something studded now or regret not buying that studded leather jacket in seven years!

And, just in case you don't have one of these under your bed...

Studded Belt. £7. New Look

Emma