For years and years, I was always the unfortunate one, with naturally fair hair, yet dark eyebrows. Then I started to highlight my hair and gradually get lighter over the years, but the ‘awkwardness’ of having eyebrows aprrox ten shades darker than my hair still stayed. I used to try everything, from over plucking to carefully applying face powder over them to lighten them in any possible way. Never ideal, but god loves a tryer…
However, 2013 only goes ahead and introduces us to bushy eyebrowed models, with dirty blonde hair and black eyebrows. Cara Delevinge makes her debut and the beauty fanatics go crazy! Suddenly it becomes stylish! The next thing we see is people falling over themselves to darken their brows to copy those on the catwalks. Eyebrow pencil sales go up, and brow bars open up all over the UK. Eyebrow tinting becomes one of the fastest growing beauty procedures, and at last, I can go natural!
However, I do believe all eyebrows need shaping, so I purchased an eyebrow pencil for the first time from MAC, which is actually two shades lighter than my natural brow colour (otherwise I would be sporting dramatic jet black brows, which would be way too harsh even in this day and age). It’s in shade ‘Lingering’, and I simply use it at the corners near my nose just to ‘corner off’ the look. Voila! With my strange colourings, I am now officially accepted in the eyes of the beauty industry, and I have natural eyebrows. Good news all round then!
MAC Eye Pencil in Lingering
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email I recently mentioned on the blog about the Urban Hip Hop party I attended with street wear brand GetTheLabel.com, and how they have an extensive range of brands all at exceptional prices. Well, I told you all about the items I chose from the website, and they got sent to me yesterday- a lovely package is always appreciated on Fridays!
I have to say that the cheapest item I was sent is actually an all time favourite of mine, and I cant believe just how reasonably priced this e-tailer is! To match my already existing Pineapple hoody and jumpsuit bottoms, I chose a pair of white and purple lace up pumps, which were a fabulous £6.99! The pumps are called ‘Flame 2′ and are a great buy for holidays, travelling, wearing with leggings and denim shorts/jeans…. the list is endless, but I honestly think they are a wardrobe essential for casualwear. More people should be aware of Get The Label! And that is coming from someone who only ever dresses ‘up’ and goes glamorous most of the week!
Also, I thought I’d show my little tattoo on the blog as it’s not something I usually show – all you need is love! <3 <3
Summer may be just around the corner, but with Britain’s unpredictable weather there is one thing you always need to rely on whatever the season – knitwear.
Whether you’re after a cosy jumper to keep you warm as you sit by the BBQ, or a knitted cardigan to protect you from the breeze during a summer stroll down the beach, here’s a taster of this season’s biggest knitwear trends to keep you warm no matter what the occasion.
If you’re tired of traipsing round the high street for your clothes, then fear not! There is tons of gorgeous ladies knitwear available online too.
Wide-neck
Wide v-neckline knitted jumpers are big this season and look fantastic with jeans and pumps, for that laid-back college look. The cable knit fabric associated with many of these styles makes for a luxurious and textured feel.
Textured Knitted Jumper, Matalan, £14
80s
Stand out from the crowd and work the 80s look with an oversized knitted cardigan. Zig zags, stripes and Aztec prints are huge at the moment. Brighter is better.
Stripe Jumper, £20, Matalan
Cardigan
Every woman needs a long, thin, well fitted cotton cardigan. Such styles lend themselves to those days when you’re rushing around trying to find a finishing touch to an outfit before you head off for a meal in the evening. Ideally worn with a dress, tights and flat shoes, such cardigans are a prim and proper addition to your look.
Zig Zag Print Cardigan, £22, Matalan
Cute
Thin jumpers with cutesy motifs on the front are everywhere right now – you will have seen them, pastel stripes with a sequinned bird or a print of a cute puppy on the front. These child-like knits aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if sweet and girly is your bag, then these little numbers are for you.
Curve Hem Metallic Jumper, £15, Matalan
Roll neck
Remember the roll neck jumper? I bet you haven’t seen it in years. But it’s back! In time with the re-emergence of 60s’ style, we predict the roll neck will be a staple piece in the spring/summer style stakes. Layer and add texture with a faux fur gilet, over the shoulder bag and a high-waisted belt.
Peter Pan
A big trend this year is the Peter Pan collar and these cute little collars look fantastic with plain knitted jumpers. It’s good to wear your jumpers plain in this occasion so that the focal point of the outfit is the collar. Peter Pan collars come in a range of styles, with sequins, intricate stitching, embellishments and doily-style patterns.
Don’t forget that knitwear isn’t limited to cardigans and jumpers. Knitted mini-skirts can create a quirky look when teamed with a vest and boots. So very 1960s!
Once your summer holiday is booked you can start thinking about what you are going to pack. If you love fashion then you will probably want to fill your suitcase with the latest fashion trends. You need to select some eye catching items that will make you stand out on holiday. You could always browse through some home shopping catalogues or get some inspiration online to see what items are in fashion at the moment.
If you are a little unsure of what to pack then here are some popular fashion items that have been rocking the catwalks this year. It is up to you to decide which of them deserves a place in your suitcase.
High Waisted Bikini Briefs
Vintage is back this year and there are lots of 50s inspired garments hitting the shelves. High waisted bikini briefs are no exception. They are taking the swimwear world by storm as well as a range of other vintage inspired clothes. They are very flattering because they hide your tummy and accentuate curves.
High Waisted Briefs, £12 from WITT International
Gladiator Sandals
Walk across the beaches with pride this summer wearing your favourite gladiator sandals. They not only look great but they are comfortable too, perfect for shopping or sightseeing. Gladiator sandals are set to be big this year.
Lace Up Heels
Instead of opting for standard high heels, add a touch of feminine charm to your feet with pretty lace up heels. You could wear them in a cocktail bar or for a quiet romantic dinner.
Neon Bikinis
The fashion world has been infiltrated with bright neon colours this year, and it’s a welcome trend after a particularly dull winter. These colours look fabulous in summer and look really good with a tan.
Crop tops
Pack a few crop tops in your suitcase. These handy tops are a favourite with designers and celebrities. If you are heading somewhere really hot then you can keep cool with a trendy crop top.
Floral outfits
Floral seems to be everywhere this year, although it is always a top choice for spring and summer. Bring a few flirty floral dresses and skirts to embrace the summer and bring out your sophisticated feminine side.
Bright Flower Dress, £39.99, WITT International
Cat Eye Sunglasses
Designers such as Marc Jacobs and Anna Sui are embracing cat eye sunglasses by showing them off on the catwalk. If you are confident and want to stand out from the crowd then try some cat eye sunglasses this summer. They are also inspired by the 50s vintage look that is currently popular for swimwear.
With summer just around the corner, many of you ladies will be starting to think about the different social occasions you’ll be attending this year. At last the sun seems to be making an appearance, and you can finally forget about those endless rainy days. Maybe you’ll head to a UK festival, or show your support at a sporting event? Well, whatever you choose, you have to be sure that you dress to impress. The warmer weather is the perfect excuse to get summer gorgeous. So, what will you be wearing?
Festivals
Festivals aren’t that glamorous, right? Wrong. Whilst they’re fundamentally designed for people to have a good time, the truth is, everyone likes to put a personal stamp on their festival wardrobe. What you wear is a reflection of your personality and musical preferences, so try to be selective in your choice of clothes.
A staple festival piece is denim shorts. Comfy, casual, yet subtly stylish, a good pair of denim shorts will work wonderfully with a fabulously floral blouse or printed tee. For more inspiration, check out brands including Joe Browns, as these provide a great selection of potential outfits for your festival adventures.
Aztec Wedges, £35, ideally for the warmer weather!
Sporting events
Another occasion where the dress-code can be confusing is sporting events. Ranging from Wimbledon to a day at Lords, sometimes it’s difficult to know which looks are the most appropriate. So, keep it simple and when in doubt, opt for smart casual.
You need a combination which can easily fit within any sporting crowd. If the occasion is just a few short hours, then maybe consider coupling some skinny jeans with a tailored jacked and low heels. This way, you’ll be comfortable yet still have a sophisticated edge. However, if it’s an all-day event, remember to layer up. A smart jacket will complement your overall combo perfectly, and it’ll keep you warm when the evenings get chilly.
Theatre
There are a wide variety of incredible theatre performances hitting the stage this summer; the ideal opportunity to flaunt your own show-stopping style. One of the most enjoyable aspects of going to the theatre is the social element, so why not make the most of the occasion? Go for a meal with the girls beforehand and make it an event for everyone to look forward to. But what to wear? A stunning shift dress combined with a killer pair of heels tends to do the trick. Simple.
Last week, I headed to Manchester’s SAKURA bar on Deansgate Locks for the event held by fashion brand Glamorous and Manchester magazine Style etc. The event was to celebrate the lovely new Summer collection at Glamorous, and to showcase a preview of what’s up-and-coming for Autumn/Winter 2013. In true Summer style, the current SS13 collection featured an eclectic mix of acid brights, bodycon dresses, embroidery denim and cute crop tops, in which crowds of North West based fashion bloggers gathered round, admiring and taking photos…
I can just see all these bold brights on the isle of Ibiza this Summer! However, as much as I love a bit of colour, some of the more casual, dark shades for Autumn Winter are much more ‘Emma style’ …
As well as browsing the rails of the event, bloggers and press got to read the latest copy of magazine Style etc, sip a selection of cocktails including Bellini’s and Kir Royales, be treated to a luxury nail polish and make over, have a completely different hair style, and chat to all the ladies from the Glamorous brand! It was a lovely event to talk fashion and beauty whilst indulging in a spot of fashion magazine reading…
We were also joined by celebrities Tulisa and Chelsea Healey, who both browsed the new collections from Glamorous and had their photo’s taken during the event. We all snacked on sushi, and got to take away a lovely goody bag filled with treats from Glamorous such as a chunky knit jumper, some super cool ear phones from Bass Buds (mine are metallic pink, perfect for the gym!) skincare vouchers, a Printworks offers card, just to name a few! All in all, a fun and fashionable night…
As a Manchester fashion writer, I love to hear about big name designers visiting the city, in particularly to view their own collections that are retailed up North. So it was lovely to hear that international fashion designer Mary Katrantzou visited Selfridges Exchange this week to enjoy a evening dedicated to her work.
International fashion designer Mary Katrantzou was warmly welcomed to Manchester this week with a fabulous evening dedicated to her work at Selfridges Exchange Square. Invited customers were able to enjoy a Q&A session with the Greek designer as well as a fashion show and sneak peek into her well awaited A/W collection where she showcased a handful of stunning show stoppers all featuring beautiful landscape designs.
I personally love Mary Katrantzou and her use of colour and patterns, always with a very feminine and ‘pretty’ look to all designs.
Festival season is almost upon us and so what better reason to make a start on a new summer wardrobe – or summer backpack. Take inspiration from the Queens of Festival Chic; Alexa Chung, Pixie Lott and Fern Cotton really know how to pull off this trend.
V Festival
Maxi dresses are a great addition to your festival backpack, as they are so versatile. They look incredible and sophisticated and can be worn with flip flops in the daytime and a denim jacket and boots in the evening. The type of boots you opt for should all depend on the weather forecast – high heeled women’s boots would look great, but could be a little risky in the mud. Maxi dresses are perfect if the heat is on and you want to stay cool without showing off your legs. If it’s cold you could even wear leggings underneath.
Look out for floral or Aztec prints this season and team your dress with a loose fitting belt. Crochet and knitted cardigans can look pretty and girly whilst at the same time effortless.
Leeds and Reading
An Aztec print or tie dye tee can look cool teamed with acid washed or distressed denim shorts.
Embroidered, silk or patterned blouses can look fantastic if teamed with denim – in fact, denim is a must-have for pretty much any festival.
Don’t forget to accessorise – fringed or studded handbags, sunglasses, chunky rings and lots of bracelets add a particular festival finish to any outfit.
Download
Download festival is your opportunity to release your inner rock chick. Band t-shirts are ideal and look awesome with denim shorts or, if you’re after a feminine edge, a floral skirt. Converse can make a fitting addition and are not restrictive when it comes to jumping up and down and crowd surfing in an attempt to get closer to your idols. The laid back atmosphere at Download is evident every year, and a hoody or parka can look great in the evening to keep warm whilst sitting around the BBQ.
Converse are a good festival option, if the weather is dry! All Star Hi Leisure Boots £40
Boots can also look great when trying to achieve the rock chick look. And there’s no need to spend a bomb. Plenty of cheap womens’ boots can be found online and on the high street.
Glastonbury
It’s hard to pinpoint a prominent Glastonbury trend. Individuality and creativity seem to be the key to turning heads at this festival. Hunt around some vintage and second hand shops prior to the weekend in order to get a feel for the unusual, bohemian, hippy style.
Dungarees can make a fantastic start to your Glasto weekend look. You can wear them with pretty much anything. Think of dungarees as a blank canvas, a necessary base ready for you to unleash your creativity.
Be bold and daring. Don’t worry about clashes – a leopard print t-shirt with sequinned shorts, knee length socks and wellies might just work.
Customise – seen a t-shirt you love that is too big for you? Transform it completely by cutting the hem into a fringe.
Wear a headband or plait a small section of hair to go even more hippy.
Up to now, May has proved to be the most expensive month so far this year! All of a sudden, everything needs paying – flights to Ibiza for my trip in September, Car Insurance needs renewing, Car MOT needs completing, not to mention an annual service and Tax Disc! Boring stuff aside, I also have four close friends birthdays, including my own in this glorious month! It is one where my bank balance doesn’t like me at all. However, this month did lead me to look into something I have never looked at before – Cash for Clothes!
I had seen the advertisements for MusicMagpie.co.uk, and assumed it was based on selling your old CD’s and DVDS. Well for me, I have hundreds of CD’s from over the years, however I don’t often buy DVD’s so I don’t really have enough of those to sell. Then the brainwave comes through – I’m a fashion blogger- what it the one thing I have way too many of? Clothes of course!
MusicMagpie.co.uk allows you to get cash for clothes and anything other unwanted CDs, DVDs, Tech, Electronics and Entertainment products. I have bags and bags on clothes I simply just don’t wear, and knew this could be a little way of making some extra money this month to help fund the hectic month! All these nights out need new outfits, so why not sell my old ones to fund this?
Basically, the process is straight forward, you just enter the brand and the type of garment into the search box which acts as a valuation agent, hit the Get Value button and they let you know. It’s a completely free system to use, which is why I gave this a go over the other clothes selling services I usually use. You can drop your unwanted clothes off at their local send shops, usually located within a mile of your home. You also get to chose whether you wish to be paid for your clothes via bank transfer, cheque or vouchers.
So come on fashion bloggers and style obsessives out there- I believe that each one of you is as bad as me and dedicates your life to clothes, resulting in bags of old items! Here is a nice new way to de-clutter your fashion wardrobes and make a few pennies too…
If you’ve begun to plan your summer holidays, chances are you’ve also begun to think about investing in a new summer wardrobe. There are a number of styles to choose from, particularly when it comes to finding things to wear on the beach. Making a decision can often be difficult which is where mix and match comes in! Why choose just one or two styles to wear on your holiday when you can choose several and mix them together to create an abundance of looks.
The beauty of mix & match swimwear is that you can be creative and alter your styles to suit your mood.
Sunseeker Blue Floral Print Balcony Bikini Top £45
Kangaroos Denim Style Hotpants £25
Creativity is key – create a range of looks by mixing different styles. Combine black and white for a monochrome look. Mix stripes with dots for sailor style, cute flowers with a wacky Aztec print to achieve the trend of the season or colour block and make a statement with clashing bright and bold shades. You probably already have a drawer full of bikinis – if you have some bikini bottoms that you love, whilst the bikini top is starting to lose its shape, there is no need to fret. There are plenty of styles out there that can help you find a new match.
Another benefit of mix & match bikinis is that you can choose the perfect styles to suit your body. For example, a halter neck bikini can be great for support if you are top heavy, whilst also showing off your assets. Tankini tops are also great if you are conscious of your waist and want to keep it hidden. Team these with shorts or bikini bottoms of your choice, whether they are briefs or ones that tie at the side, it can be fun to mix different styles to create new looks.
LASCANA Black Bandeau Tankini Top £35
If you’re smaller on top then you can try some of the smaller, less supportive styles or opt for ones that offer a bit of padding. Whatever your size, you can often benefit from investing in styles which have adjustable straps
If you’re petite or slim, vibrant colours can help you stand out and take centre stage. Delicate details won’t overwhelm your figure. If you’re looking for a sporty break of swimming and surfing, opt for a sporty, streamlined number to help you glide through the water whilst looking cute when resting.
Have a great holiday and enjoy the fact that your suitcase is lighter from losing the bits you don’t need whilst offering a different bikini for every trip to the beach.
