Showing posts with label Spring Essential. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring Essential. Show all posts

Sunday, 14 April 2013

A Very British Spring – Essential Accessories


...Imber Ymber...

Well seeing that the slight improvement in the weather was short lived, I thought it would only be fitting to make a suitable spring wardrobe essential post, that tailors around the spring rain showers we seem to be getting quite frequently lately (bo ho…better leave those spring/summer clothes at the back of the wardrobe yet)!

The lack of sun does not mean that you cannot dabble with those cute spring flowers here or there (instead of being on the grass they are the print on your scarf or blouse, I have not seen a single daffodil yet thus far). I have rummaged around and tried to create British-weather proof spring essentials that will still leave you feeling spring(ish) without shivering your knees off in the heavy winds...leave those strappy sandals and spring skirts for a warmer day (unless you are wearing them with thick tights)!

1. 

Always keep an umbrella in your bag, you never know when the temperamental weather turns sour! This beautiful Black Floral Print Umbrella has a frill trim detail all the way round (I love extra details) and looks very pretty and has a very cute black rose handle, the details are so beautiful and make it very feminine. It is currently on sale from River Island for £7!


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2.




Who can go wrong with a classic bowler hat? I am loving this dusty pink number so on trend with the pastel spring palette, it will keep your head covered in those downpours as well as adding a vintage laid-back feel to any daytime outfit. It is also available in black and burgundy  but my favourite for spring has to be this light pink which is again very feminine. It can be brought from H&M for £7.99!


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3.


River Island have created a very good alternative to those rain/overcast days which will leave your Wellies behind, I tend to avoid Wellies simply because unless at Glastonbury for me they are not practical for everyday-wear, instead ankle boots tend to be more favourable to wear in Spring being both comfortable and not leaving you feeling like you are still stuck in autumn/winter.  These Black High Shine Chelsea Boot Wellies are great for dressing up or down (as well as keeping your feet dry and not flooding ruining those beloved pastel ballet pump shoes that you looked forward to wearing all spring). Grab them from River Island for £20!




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4. 

If you have hands like mine they tend to always remain cold (no matter what the weather), the current harsh wind does not help (especially when holding an umbrella, my hand tends to turn into a great numb bloodless piece of flesh). These cream studded leather gloves (I am a sucker for any clothing that is studded..,*cough cough Valentino-inspired cough cough*) are perfect for teaming up in spring. They are a far cry away from those thicker winter wolly numbers that are now firmly tucked away in my bottomless wardrobes. They are at a steal sale price for £14.50 (reduced from £35) from Asos, especially as they are leather and studded! 

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5.
This beautiful oriental print scarf is advertised to be green, although I think it is more of a light minty green/light aqua-ish pastel colour which is so pretty for spring. It again looks very feminine and can be teamed with your outfit to add a bit of spring sensuality and keep you warm at the same time. It can be brought from Acessorize for £12.


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6.

Not strictly an accessory as such although I feel this is an essential handbag item when out and about and had to feature it; it is simply a life saver if you have sensitive hands like mine. I currently have this Sanctuary hand cream in my handbag, it never fails and is a very friendly tiny travel size tube at 30ml for £3.00 available from Boots. It always moisturises my hands without being too heavy and greasy; leaves them smelling divine and soothes away the harsh effects of the coarse wind that dry out my hands, leaving me feeling more like I have dried prunes for hands!


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Lets hope the British rain departs soon, enjoy your lazy Sunday!


...ArA...





Thursday, 28 March 2013

#3 Spring Essential: The Uber-Cool Cat-Eye Shades

...Tempus Vernum...

Despite the random sleet weather we have been having lately (yes it is finally clearing), I am still looking forward to the better weather, the sun has been creeping out now and then and at least the weather is less overcast. Spring time is a great excuse to get some vintage shades which will easily make any outfit look sharp or glamour’s depending on what style you chose. I am currently loving the cat-eye trend; it immediately reminds me of those classy 1950’s screen sirens (think of the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor) an effortless sheek way to add some fun to your look.

There are a lot of fun embellished cat-eye sunshades out on the high street too, at a very affordable price which looks quirky whilst still having a relative vintage feel to it. I intend to team up my cat-eye shades with matte finished lipsticks to make an instant style statement; think colourful spring colours like a natural rose colour (or a very “now” fuchsia if you are feeling bold), to more wearable daytime peachy nudes or a classic Hollywood style red to instantly look on trend.

Take a look at five of my most favourite quirky shades…

1.

£12 – Wing Detail Cat Eye Sunglasses In Mixed Frame from Asos

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2. 
£4.99 – Pink Cat Eye Sunglasses from New Look

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3.

£20 – Premium Embellished Cat Eye Sunglasses - from Asos

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4. 
£4.90 – Cat Eye Sunglasses from Forever21

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5.
Similar to my black pair - £15.36 Leopard Cat Eye Metal Embellished Sunglasses from Osap.com

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Lets hope the good weather returns! Despite the Arctic winds I am still loving bit of the sunshine, although I do not recommend whipping out the whole spring ensemble yet! 



...ArA...

Saturday, 16 March 2013

#2 Spring Essential: Fashion Forward High Heels

...Tempus Vernum...

There are a lot of alternative killer heel looks dominating 2013; from tall tan gladiator sandals (think bold gladiator goddess) to futuristic style platforms (think contemporary astronaut meets sports luxe diva) to see-through PVC edgy heels. No matter how short or tall you are (even for 5ft 9 me) invest in a good pair of spring heels, they will instantly update your look and will make you feel uber confident. 

Added to this mix there a lot of fun and quirky revivals this season with diverse fastenings (the 80’s style stiletto has made a comeback with strong metallic detailing, and different clasp styles like T-bar to classic angle straps). The classic sturdy wedges makes a strong comeback too, for those of us who need that extra support and are not ready to embrace those extra thin high heels!

What I particularly love about this season is there a lot of different textures and prints (from understated graphic prints to statement suede animal prints to peep toe colour blocks) that can really transform an outfit, this season sassy footwear is actually in my opinion the key accessory needed to give that added *pow* to your look, whether keeping it low key or dressing it up.

Take a look at my five on trend wearable favourites from the high street…

1.



These multi-coloured suede high heels are right on top of my wish list, stunning yet simple. The metallic bronze finish and a thin stiletto gold heel are a classy take on the futuristic trend. Grab them from Asos for £75


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2.


I would purchase every single Zara shoe if I could, Zara never seems to disappoint me. These studded sandals are so on trend with multi-strap fastening and graphic monochrome trend (you can see the inspiration taken from designers such as Valentino, which is strongly inspiring the  high street at the moment) they can be purchased for £59.99 from Zara

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3.



These peach coloured leather sandals are so on trend with a simple buckle fastening (barely there sandals were seen all over London fashion week), team them up with pastel colours for that bright spring look, get them from Mango for £79.99

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4.


For those of you who still want to be very now yet are reluctant to take the plunge, these suede beige (very wearable) courts are for you! The gold cap toe is very in trend and is ideal for spring office-wear or can be teamed up for any daytime combo, (again notice the thin stiletto heel making a comeback). These can be obtained from Oasis for £45

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5.

Another shoe from Asos! I am currently loving Asos shoes, they have quite a diverse range of new spring shoes which to me rival those of Zara. These nude wedges incorporate a futuristic metal t-bar detailing and a contrast peep toe (all in one shoe)! I love these as they are very wearable, wedges are a good option if you want to remain comfortable yet still desire that height. These are at a bargain steal price at £40 from Asos




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Which shoe is your favourite?


…ArA…




Saturday, 9 March 2013

#1 Spring Essential: The Tweed Biker Jacket

...Tempus Vernum...


Spring is in the air! (despite the current lack of sunny spells...where art thou spring weather)?!  With the run up to Easter I thought I would make a mini-series of my essential spring-wardrobe-must-haves, all in time to embrace the warmer weather (I hope, despite it currently raining outside)!

A spring jacket is a key investment piece that should be the basic in any girls’ wardrobe; especially at the moment with this transitional weather all in the run up to summer (not to mention the constant worry of English rain).

There are lots of different prints dominating spring jackets at the moment, from tweed to tribal prints. The tweed print has made a comeback with a modern twist (think edgy biker meets Coco Channel) and is still running strong in 2013. Neon colours are dominating the high street and so are tribal/Aztec style prints, although I feel the Tweed Biker Jacket is an investable trend that can take you into autumn 2013 (always thinking ahead); therefore will be more friendlier (*ahem* justifiable) to your purses.

The key things that I look for in a good jacket are the finer things like detail rather than where I purchase the jacket from, look for vintage button embellishments to golden/silvery stylish fastenings…look for pieces that can be styled up or down whatever the occasion. I have rummaged through the high street and have selected five of my favourite spring jackets that I feel are very now! Take a look and be inspired...

1.


This funky lime/neon-ish number (oh so on trend with sports luxe craze) can be picked up from River Island for £70 – it is oversized too so can be ideal for layering on those colder spring mornings, bright and cheerful just like spring!

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2.


Even though this is not tweed I found this tribal biker piece a safe buy, with its leather lining collars and arms it is still very wearable and quite understated yet still edgy, a transitional piece that can be used for those overcast weather moments, it can be obtained from Zara for £99 

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3.

I LOVE this beige tweed, you can see the classic Chanel inspiration oozing through it, its gold zip detailing at the front and cuffs will just glisten under the spring sun! Team it up with big black sunglasses whatever you outfit to add instant glamour. Grab it from Warehouse for £65 

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 4.



This classic cut black biker jacket is right on trend with its zip detailing and tweed print, team it up effortlessly with the monochrome look, buy it from H&M for £34.99 

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5.

This collarless tweed jacket is perfect for that high neck lace top which will elongate your neck or team it up with a silk scarf  to instantly look sheek in spring (very Grace Kelly). This is currently reduced by 50% in Mango for £29.99 (bargain)!



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Have you got your perfect Spring Jacket ready?


..ArA…