September Style Diary: Cruise Edition [Amsterdam & The Fjords]

Day Time Exploring

               *Amsterdam Strolling*                                                                                                          [Patent Heeled Ankle Boots- H&M] [Black Jeans- Primark] [Roll Neck Sleeveless Tee- Peacocks]    [Leather Bomber Jacket- Topshop]

                    *A Day At Sea*                                                                                         [Grey Vest- Primark] [Patterned Trousers- Bought in Budapest] [Necklace- Gift from India]

                 *Tvindefossen*                                                                   [Cosy Roll Neck Jumper & Black Jeans, both from Primark]

                  *Eidfjord Dam*                                                                                           [Leather Bomber Jacket- Topshop] [Black Jeans- Primark] [Jumper- Select Fashion] [Trainers- Nike]

               *A view of Bergen from Mt Fløyen*                                                                                                                 [Suede Dress- Primark] [Wool Coat- Warehouse]

Dressing up for Dinner Time

             *Formal Night on the Ship*                                                                                   [Earrings- Peacocks] [Dress- Miss Selfridge]

*Another Shot of my dress from above*                                                                                                                                                     Two dresses in one- The inner part of this dress was tight fitting, covered by gorgeous mesh and embroidered detailing- you can see this part blowing in the wind behind me (it was very windy on the top deck).                                                                          [Shoes- New Look]

            *Dressing Up Blue Jeans*                                                                        [Leather Bomber- Topshop] [Striped Shirt- Zara] [Blue Jeans- Primark] [Sandals- New Look]

                   *Formal Night #2*                                                                                          [Dress- Phase 8]

Beauty Fave: I’m on the hunt!

*Image taken from Pinterest*

Autumn is on it’s way here in the UK and I am well and truly ready to wrap up in cosy knit sweaters, oversized wool coats and knee high boots- BUT there is one thing missing (and yet it is already a favourite..) from my Autumn ready wardrobe- a dark, burgundy lipstick!!

I have looked all over and still no luck 😦   maybe I’m more eager than the Beauty World when it comes to the AW face!?!

If anyone knows of ANY lipsticks that I have missed in the hunt from my perfect lipstick let me know- and if it is from a ‘cruelty free’ make up brand that would be even better haha! 😀

Until then, you can find me swatching countless lipsticks on the back of my hand…

London Menswear: Favourite Collections

Coach

By combining dark greens and deep berry tones with more neutral creams and rich browns, the colour pallete at Coach made this collection an instant winner for me.

       

Hardy Amies

Offering a mixed bag of gorgeously tailored suits, cosy cashmere coats and warm accessories in an array of colours, from dark greys and navy blues to pops of bright yellows and cobalt blue, this collection (as usual) did not disappoint.

      

Tom Ford

This campaign is simply stunning and is mainly why I’m so sold on this as one of my favourites, not forgetting the actual collection, of course.

     

Pringle of Scotland

A chunky knit layered on top of more chunky knit is a definite winner for me, especially when combined with more structured outerwear.

      

London Menswear: Favourite Looks

Belstaff

Dunhill

Ede and Ravenscroft

Hackett

Joshua Kane

Tom Ford

Sexy, smudged lips at Vivienne Westwood

Okay, so Vivienne Westwood doesn’t always bring us the most wearable looks, but she certainly finds new ways to encapsulate the Vivienne Westwood woman every season.

This time we saw smudged red lips and flushed cheeks- a subtle hint that there is perhaps a more mischievous side to the Vivienne Westwood woman, a woman who dresses in such smart, luxuriously tailored attire, but is not quite as well behaved as what first meets the eye.

I love the sexy, mysterious quality that such a simple make up look has created, and although smudging lipstick around the outside of your lips may not be a good idea in reality, I am very tempted to try and recreate the look in a more wearable way.

Instead of perfectly appl ying red lipstick in a way that adds a bold pop of colour to the lips, why not try using a lip stain or pen instead. I use the Gosh Long Lasting Lip Marker in Red (Cruelty free and the most long lasting lip product I’ve ever owned) making sure to smudge across the lips with your fingertips straight away before it has time to stain. For extra smudge and dimension I may even blend a touch of the Gosh Long Lasting Lip Marker in Berry Red in the centre of the lips.

Catwalk Inspired Dresses: Phase Eight

     

From head to toe lace, appliqué detail and heavy embellishment, we see an array of classic, intricately detailed gowns hitting runways across the globe every season. Such creations, by the likes of Alberta Ferretti, D&G and Elie Saab, to name but a few, have managed to inspire fashion around the world, regardless of the fact that they are not necessarily ground breaking, but rather breathtakingly beautiful instead.

It is, however, difficult to find such intricately detailed dresses on the high street, because, let’s face it, it will probably always remain a dream for most of us to own any of the dresses we see gracing the runways.

But, it seems we needn’t worry any more, because over the last few months I have taken a shine to British brand ‘Phase Eight’. Every time I pass their designs I note their likeness to high end designers in excitement, from Dolce & Gabbana’s Rose print to whimsical florals at Alberta Ferretti, let alone their signature ‘tapework’ and lace detail that stands them a part from most High Street brands for their high quality occasion wear and a brilliant attention to detail.

Below are a few of my favourite pieces from their collection, which can be found online here or here, though I would recommend visiting them in store (or at Debenhams) to see the full effects of such gorgeous detailing.

This dress reminds me a lot of the ethereal feel at the AW Alberta Ferretti show

The classic red, lace gown, reminiscent of one stunning dress showcased during the AW14/15 Tadashi Shoji show.

  Shimmering Tapework embroidery is a signature style at Phase Eight.

Whimsical florals, reminiscent of the designs at Alberta Ferretti.

According to Vogue…

….we should look to Meryl Streep in the 70’s for AW wardrobe inspiration.

What do you think?

The effortless style of a loose fitted Oxford shirt and long, flowing skirt.

Now & then-we’ve always loved a chunky turtle neck sweater.

An extra long, belted trench coat paired with knee high boots.

The pairing of a checked shirt with an A line skirt looked amazing then, and now.

Dolce & Gabbana say so…

Dolce & Gabbana says:
The Classic White Shirt
Why we agree:  
Who knew this staple wardrobe item could look so good with embellished red hotpants? Granted, it isn’t an everyday look but I’m looking forward to taking the white shirt away from the office!
How to wear:
Okay, so we won’t all be wearing the white shirt in such an extravagant way, but how about taking a tip from Gucci ( sorry, not sorry about the constant Gucci name drop) and wearing this classic piece with an A-line leather mini? I’ve recently bought a burnt orange patent leather look skirt from Primark and I can’t wait to pair it with a crisp white shirt, black tights and over the knee boots or even simple black flats.

Dolce & Gabbana says:
Embellished Jeans
Why we agree:
Could this look a little garish to the untrained eye? Of course, but who really cares when you’ve got jewels all over your jeans? Plus, I love that you could actually make this even more unique with a little DIY, I like this video for inspiration.
How to wear:
Once embellished your jeans can take you from day to night! Keep the rest of the pieces simple though, not everything will work with such a bold pair of jeans!

Dolce & Gabbana says:
Red Roses everywhere
Why we agree:
I’m not sure why you wouldn’t want to wear fresh roses in you hair everyday, but these lovely floral decorations (in hair, on shoes and embroidered onto dresses) add a bold dimension to a pretty, feminine look. Did I mention it reminds me of the Mediterranean sun?
How to wear:
Firstly, put them in your hair! Secondly, embrace the oversized rose print and then if you’re feeling really brave, use them to embellish your accessories.. but not  all together though, I think that might be a little too much…

Dolce & Gabbana Says:
[Almost] Flat Shoes
Why we agree:
Heels always look really glamorous, but let’s face it we all love a good flat shoe because they’re pretty and nearly always comfortable. And look! The D&G versions are still glamorous with all the embellishments and the cute Mary Jane style strap! Now I just need to find a more affordable dupe..
How to wear:
The show was for SS15, but I think they’re a great substitute over the AW period for when it is a little too warm to wear boots. Do as D&G have and wear with loose fit jeans and mini dresses (add tights for the cooler weather

AW14: Statement Coat

An amazing Gucci dupe from Primark [£22}.

School Girl Nostalgia: Anya Hindmarch