The dress to outshine all dresses

Well, following that dismal performance by the England football team, I would like to turn your attention to a topic that never disappoints; fashion - to be more precise, party dresses. Even though I rarely go out out anywhere really special, I was completely unable to restrain myself when I saw this gorgeous dress on Friday, and had whipped my bank card out of my purse before the thrifty part of my brain could  react. I was in Miss Selfridge, browsing the sale rails (an absolute nightmare, especially if you've had an operation on your toe like I have and need to hop around vigilantly to avoid having it trodden on), when a vision of gold, sequins and bead droplets caught the corner of my weary eye. Drawn to it, I discovered a stunning party dress, a beautiful gold fabric with silver and pink sequin and bead detailing, 'The sheer detail to the top and bow to the back add[ing] interest to th[is] beautiful nude droplet dress.' Despite the £85 price tag (thank god for NUS Student Discount) and the lack of any posh event in the forseeable future, I just had to have it. So now I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go. Invitations on a postcard please...

Lou xxx

Check out http://www.missselfridge.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=20555&storeId=12554&categoryId=63751&parent_category_rn=63749&productId=1796494&langId=-1 for more info (ignore the Limited Edition bit, I bought it from my local store).

Orelia Jewellery - boutique gems in a high street store

Even though I had completely exhausted myself at Queens Club on the first day of my London trip a few weeks ago (mostly through sheer excitement at seeing a certain player that close up), I just had to make the most of my second day and our hotel The Levin's amazing location almost next to Harrods by indulging in a shopping spree, London-style. After a browse in Harrods and Harvey Nichols, I was determined to locate the brand new Topshop that had recently opened in Knightsbridge. Finally returning to where we started after a huge round trip of the surrounding streets, my mum suddenly points to a spot just across the road, enquiring, 'Is that it?' And yes, it was in fact right in front of my eyes, metres from where we'd started. I blame the left over adrenaline from my close encounter of the previous day. So anyway, after a few awestruck minutes upon entering this fashion treasure trove, I immediately abandoned my mum by the doorway and threw myself into a careful selection process of suitable garments for trying on, picking up some of their fantastic make-up (see future post) and accessories along the way.

So, to the point of my post, admittedly a few lines further on than I'd intended, I discovered amongst the jewellery stands an independant label called Orelia, bursting with on trend yet somehow special pieces. After much deliberation, I selected these stunning pink triple drop earrings on gold hooks (Lola, £15), perfect for this season's nude & pastel trends, fashionable yet timeless. I was so impressed with this line, checking the website as soon as I got home. Take a look to get an idea of their style, and pay Topshop Knightsbridge a visit if you're in the area - you won't be disappointed!

http://www.orelia.co.uk/

Lou x

Fitflops - the Uggs of summer

Second time lucky - I wrote a beautifully witty (Ok, maybe a bit too much much self-praise!) post on this topic a few days ago, only for my netbook to go gaga and lose the whole thing. Yes, a few choice words did escape. So here goes...

Every fashionista knows that Uggs are that rare phenomenon: uber-comfy, yet classed as stylish and loved by celebs and common folk alike. So when it finally got too hot to justify a longer attachment and it was time to surgically remove my beloved pair from winter parched feet (let's face it, Uggs + hotpants isnt that great a look), I noticed a huge gap in the market for a summertime version of this classic footwear. That's when I discovered Fitflops. Not only are they foot friendly, in a huge range of styles and colours, and recommended by glossy mags such as GLAMOUR, they also tone your legs and bum whilst you walk - yes you heard me right! Thanks to space age 'Microwobbleboard™ technology', muscles are worked super hard while you jut carry out everyday errands, helping you on the way to mini skirt worthy thighs without any extra effort. And they really are sooo comfy and are great for back & joint probs.

Take a look at the official website for all the details and a look at the full range:

http://www.fitflop.com/

I opted for the fairly basic Walkstar 3 in Fuschia Patent (£45), which I bought in person from Charles Clinkard, as I didn't know my size.

http://www.charlesclinkard.co.uk/womens-c1#m80

If you do know your size though, and can order online, I would order from Boots to grab a fistful of advantage card points.

http://www.boots.com/en/FitFlop/Fitflop-for-Women/?cm_re=c9083_image1-_-product_list-_-fitflop&cm_sp=brand_treatment-_-c9083-_-c9083_image1

Whether you prefer casual or glam, neutral or vibrant, there's guaranteed to be a pair of Fitflops to suit your style. Go on, your feet will thank you for it!

Lou x

End of 2nd Year & Sale Frenzy!

It's that perfect time of year again: 2nd year of Uni is over (I got a 1st!!!), Wimbledon has just started (Sadly, I didn't get tickets this year, but Queens Club was AMAZING and I still get to drool over a certain player on TV!), and the weather is all of a sudden beautiful again. One thing that's not so beautiful though is my bank balance. When you're out having fun in term time, shopping in FCUK like there's no tommorow, signing up for expensive sports clubs in the hope that you might bother to turn up once or twice, and paying for plush trips to the capital (i.e. tennis), that student loan that seemed so huge at the start of the year suddenly turns to pennies. So, in order to feed my shopper's addiction, it's extremely fortunate that mid summer sales are just beginning in most high street stores, with bargains galore to be had by the thrifty. Whilst writing this, I've just placed a cute black button-up skirt into my Miss Selfridge shopping basket, and am browsing a 50% off bonanza at All Saints. French Connection too has a wide range of cut price pieces, with Dorothy Perkins not far behind. Oh, and don't forget Department Stores such as Debenhams, whose lingerie ranges are often unrivalled. Lesson of the day: Don't let financial strain curb your shopping habits, just look that extra bit harder for great buys. Fingers at the ready!

Lou x

p.s Please excuse the shameless pic of my fave tennis player, my only justification is a very cool t-shirt...

A Hairstyle / Magazine Related Rant

In an earlier post, I took great pains to enthuse about the wonderfulness of my shiny new hairstyle, in all its chiselled, bob-esque glory. Now don't get me wrong, I still adore my swishy new hair with its sleek shape and diagonal lines, but I have recently become very frustrated with the amount of complex hairstyles featured in both weekly and monthly fashion mags, which are completely un-doable for us shorter haired beauties. In some cases, four or five on-trend hairdos take up a full, glossy photo spread each - four or five pages which girls with cropped styles can only skim past with a slightly annoyed sigh.

For example, in this month's GLAMOUR magazine, '6 gorgeous things to do with your hair on holiday' starts off by suggesting we buy a clip on plait (£25) so that we don't feel left out (note my sarcasm), then follows with two styles that involve piling your hair on top of your head in that messy, 'You may think I couldn't care less but I in fact spent an hour on my barnet', kind of way. I admit that with a bit of length like mine, 'The dressed-up (undone) waves' are just achievable, but the pigtails and high twist may as well be screaming 'Ha, that's what you get for chopping all your hair off'. Not one style out of six focusses on very short hair, and only one can be feasibly attempted with mid-length tresses. Not very all-round.

Similarly, LOOK mag each week creates 4 looks to copy, either beauty or hair related. Whilst the stunning yet simple with practice make-up creations featured in the past are great for everybody, the hairstyles becoming more favoured of late are once again impossible for those lacking in the length department. As a side issue, all of these looks also involve cramming your locks with enough products to create your own mini o-zone layer, something I particularly hate due to allergies.

Not to put a downer on experimentation, but what's wrong with '5 hot ways to wear this season's hairbands', or 'Top tips for straightening', or even 'Product free techniques that really work'? I recently discovered how to crimp hair with straighteners by twisting a small section really tight and clamping the irons along the length inch by inch until fixed in - no products required, and would take a few lines of print maximum. Just a thought fellow beauty lovers. Long hair isn't everything! 

Lou x

Maxi-tastic!

FINALLY, I can return to blogging, after a long and painful exam-induced absence. The last exam is over, the final essay handed in, and don't want to even see another text book until at least august. So what's happened in the fashion world since my last post? Well, even though we've been having these flash hot spells for a few weeks, it's finally become acceptable to ditch spring in-between wear for full on summer clobber. And for me, nothing says dreamy summer days quite like the trend-resistant maxi dress. This year, the maxi has really come into its own, with a variety of styles being stocked and raved about in all the major high street stores and fashion mags. Personally, my quest for the perfect summer outfit started with my outright loathing for my horrendous knees. Two stone I may have lost, but someone forgot to inform my much bemoaned knees of this idea, and the stubborn pockets of fat over them refuse to budge no mater what I try. Last summer, this was less of an issue, as I was able to find a wealth of summer dresses that covered the nasty bits and showed only the bottom of my knees, thus saving me the embarrassmet of being pointed at by small children like an exhibit at the freak show. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating, but the point is, this season is all about the short hemlines, the more headband-like the better. As tights are no longer appropriate, I've had to stash my beloved shorts until autumn, and can't wear my short floral dresses without leggings. So when I noticed the love pervading the fashion world for this summer style, I decided to become a fully-fledged member of the maxi club and buy my first ever floor length dress. Choosing a black number from Miss Selfridge, embellished with bronze, gold and silver sequins around the neck, I fell in love with the dreamy feeling of floating around in a dress that both screams exotic mystery and hides everything untoned. Genius! I've since bought a secong maxi from Miss S, a bright floral number with a more fun feel. Whatever your trend of choice, there's a maxi out there for you. Check out my pick and get the look for yourself. Thighs? What thighs?

• Starting with Topshop, this Western Lace Maxi Dress, at £45, ticks the white lacy box and falls across your figure with flattering ease. A beach & city staple alike.
• Here's my Large Floral Maxi from Miss Selfridge, also £45. The bold antique floral print gives a vintage feel that prevents the pattern looking gaudy.
• If demure black's more your thing, check out this Ruffle bandeau maxi dress, only £28 at Dorothy Perkins. LOOK Magazine ran a feature on short bandeaus this week, but the maxi version has a bit more class for those who prefer understated elegance.
• If you want to work your maxi at night, this jewel-blue silver embellised version from Warehouse, a slightly steep £100, will create effortless luxe. Shimmering like an azure sea, this silky style is perfect for flaunting your tan whilst keeping your figure under wraps.
• Finally, if your nemesis is flabby arms, try sleeves in your maxi like this Oriental Placement number, £60 from Oasis. Slightly more grown-up, the eastern print is very vogue for the hotter months, yet the jersey style wouldn't look out of place at work as well as on a shoping trip.

Lou xxx