London Fashion Weekend'14

Here are a few snippets from our visit to London Fashion Weekend.

Vodaphone London Fashion Weekend 2014

We would firstly like to apologise for our hiatus in blog posts, with college, exams and work we both felt that a break from social networking and editing was greatly needed. However After a long absence we are back and bring you our recent adventures to Vodaphone's London Fashion Weekend along with many exciting posts and videos to come, so stay tuned!
Having visited in previous seasons we felt like documenting this fashion season was a great way to return to our regular blogging routine.

We hope you enjoy this overview of the pop up stores and our favourite designer boutique picks. One of our favourite pop ups was the variety of jewellery. we specifically loved 'Finchittida Finch', glamorous statement pieces inspired by Thailand designed by a Lao-British duo. Our second favourite was the bird inspired accessories by 'Tessa Metcalfe'.  

April Favourites

It is the end of another month and time to share a few beauty favourites..

Left to right: YSL Rouge Volupte Rose Lingerie lipstick, Mac Prep and Prime transparent finishing powder

This YSL lipstick is a product that I have been loving this month ever since I kindly received it from Lara as part of an amazing birthday gift. The packaging is stunning and the lipstick is very pigmented. The lipstick is a shade of pink that adds a delicate touch to a makeup look, is not too over powering yet has great colour pay off. The Mac prep and prime transparent powder has been one that I have been using everyday over my face makeup. It keeps my t-zone from becoming oily and keeps all of the product in place.

Left to Right: Makeup Forever smoky lash mascara and Mac eyeshadow in Satin Taupe

I picked up this Makeup Forever mascara from a Sephora abroad and absolutely love it. The wand ensures that your lashes have great length and volume. On some occasions I have not even needed to curl my lashes. I will definatley be finiding a way to pick it up once it has finished. In addition, I recenty picked up Mac's Satin Taupe eyeshadow and really like it. The shadow is extremly pigmented and includes some shimmer, which I like. The shadow can be used on the lid or in the crease.

Left to right: Maybelline brow drama sculpting mascara and Daisy hot pink Marc Jacobs for women perfume

I saw that Lara was using the Maybelline brow mascara and her brows look great, so I decided to try it out. I am glad that I did as I am now using it to fill in my brows rather than using an eyeshadow, which frankly is more time consuming. The product is easy to apply and does not leave your brows feeling full of product, giving a natural finish. I also have been wearing Marc Jacob's Daisy hot pink perfume, which has notes including wild strawberries, violet petals, jasmine and white woods. The product is lovely for an everyday fragrance. 

Left to right: Nails Inc Express nail polish remover and Topshop nail polish in All I need is Aniseed

I always found removing my nail Polish was a hassle, however with the Nails Inc remover it takes only a couple of minutes. The tub has sponges with product absorbed, that when you dip your finger into it, the nail polish removes in an instant. It is definatley a product the I will be re-purchasing. Lastly, is a Tophop nail polish that I have been painting my nails with non-stop. I usually go for a deep burgandy or red polish and they always seem to be running out in my nail polishes. So I have been constantly re-painting my nails with this gorgeous colour.

Two-peice Panelled Top & Skirt

Recently I have finished my A Level Textiles garment and thought that I would share it with you and how the garment could be styled. I had a lot of control over my chosen design brief, and that in mind I was keen to revolve my project around 'opposites'. I was inspired by designers such as Alexander Wang, who has used panelling in his previous collections and opposing fabrics. I decided to base my design around using panels to construct the garment and opposite fabrics, which were a sheer Organza and a white Leatherette. Additionally, I chose to include the concept of up and coming trends, which led to the all-white theme of the garment. The garment is a cropped sleeveless bodice with a laser cut design on the back to give the garment a unique look. And the bottom is a body-con style skirt with panels on the bottom of the front, and the back is a sheer panel on its own.

Below are photos of Lara modelling the garment and showing how the garment can be styled keeping with current trends. Lara wore a bright pair of coral strappy heels and paired it with the same colour nail polish. When wearing an all-white garment, a pop of colour can really add to and complete the overall look.

rings - gold bands and midi ring - topshop, gold claw ring - River island, thin gold ring - folli follie, bracelet H&M, nail polish - coral BarryM.

Makeup & Brush Dupes

If you have ever discovered a beauty item either online or in store, however found that it is no longer available or too expensive, it can be rather annoying. So I thought that I would share a few makeup and brush dupes that are accessible and work just as well.

Left to Right: Sleek Rose Gold blush, Maybelline Dream Mousse Eyecolour, Mac Paint Pot in Bare Study, Mac 217 brush, Sigma E25 brush and Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge 

Starting with the Sleek blush in Rose Gold, it is a great dupe for Nars blush in Orgasm. Nars can be expensive with a blush retailing for £22.50 compared to Sleek's £4.49. If you are looking for an alternative product with a similar finish and pigment, then Rose Gold is a perfect dupe. 

Next, we all love a good eyeshadow paint pot, for either a base for your eyeshadow or for a simple eye look if you are in a rush. Maybelline's dream mouse eye colour has a similar look to Mac's paint pot however can appear not as pigmented. Maybelline has brought out a line of Eye studio colour tattoo's that are available in numerous colours and resemble Mac's paint pot's extremely well, therefore could also be used as an alternative. The shade Barley Branded is much alike to Mac's Bare Study and is around £10 cheaper in price. 

Furthermore, Mac's brushes can also be a little expensive and Sigma provides brushes that are very similar and a great dupe. They are perfect for blending and applying eyeshadow and a good alternative. 

A great substitute to the beauty blender is Real Technique's miracle complexion sponge. Although they vary in appearance, both apply similar when damp.

Left to Right: Mac Creme Cup Lipstick, Rimmel Airy Fairy Lipstick. Seventeen Instant Glow Gold Bronze Shimmer Brick, Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Crystal Pink, Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in
 Goldstone and Seventeen Instant Glow Pink Bronze Shimmer Brick

I am always on the hunt for a lipstick that applies well and is pigmented. Mac's Creme Cup and Rimmel's Airy Fairy are similar in tone, both are a deep shade of pink and have a resembling finish.
Lastly, is Mac's mineralise skinfinish is comparable to Seventeen's shimmer brick.
Although the shimmer brick is not as pigmented, an alternative could be Bobbi Brown's shimmer brick, which is still sightly expensive however gives a more visible finish. A shimmer brick is a great product that can be used multi-purposley and gives a glowing look to your makeup. Good luck going on the hunt for your beauty dupes!

Recent Purchases

Faux leather backpack - Primark

Snake skin slip ons - H&M 

Basketball mesh front top - Primark 

Light wash skinny jeans - H&M 

Vogue magazine April 2014 

Spring/Summer 2014 Trends

This spring summer prepare to greet the return of a selection of much loved classics along with a few unexpected trends that are already infiltrating the shops and ready to wear. I just love when a new season arrives welcoming a whole new wardrobe. It can, however, be rather tedious keeping up; with so many to choice from it can really be quite a challenge to know where to start. Well you’re in luck!  Fortunately for you I have put together a few of my favourite spring/summer 14 trends and where exactly you can find them! 

Say hello to spring floral once again as bock prints are back. However more noticeable on the runways the paring of geometric patterns has hit the scene and their not shy of colour. 

From left to right: Mulberry, Richard Nicoll and Peter Pilotto

The full skirt, a classic trend is back and more elegant than ever. The glamorous 60’s throw back has graced the runway of Tracy Reese, Christian Dior and Roksanda Ilincic. It’s fair to say that this timeless look isn’t going anywhere.

From left to right: Roksanda Ilincic, Proenza Schouler and Tracy Reese 

 Mesh is a big trend on the spring summer runways. It is a daring look that oozes cool. Most notably on the runway white mesh was layered over a black bandeaux and black mesh was layered over white. It has appeared in the form of tops and skirts. This bold monochrome contrast has become one of my spring summer favourites. It gives off a sports luxe impression that it also very much on trend.

From left to right: Elizabeth and James, Milly and Vera Wang

Pastels have taken over for spring summer 2014, similar to last year; we just can’t seem to get enough of it. Chanel’s s/s 2014 Haute Couture collection showcased the pastel trend very well.

Chanel Haute Couture 

The iconic white button up blouse/shirt is not only a spring summer necessity but also an all year round wardrobe staple. It gives a look of instant sophistication or when paired with a slouchy jacket, it can look dressed down and effortlessly put together. This season designers have reinvented the garment with added neckties and embellishments.

From left to right: Rachael Zoe Collection, Viktor and Rolf and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi

My S/S high street ready to wear picks

Primark have launched their S/S 14 collection and they have gone all out on mesh

From left to right: River Island geometric leggings, River Island geometric jumper and Topshop full skirt  

From left to right: Topshop full skirt, Zara Pastel jacket and Zara Mesh style white blouse.

The Slip-On

The slip-on skate shoe is a trend that has surfaced and combines comfort with style. Designers such as Celine and Givenchy have recently released a range of slip-ons that are being seen everywhere. I personally love this trend, you can really express your style and dress up or down an outfit through either the colour or texture of your desired slip-on. The texture can range from a suede slip-on to a tartan pattered one. The slip-on shoe is a great trend that I hope will remain for a while.

Above are a few bloggers wearing various slip-ons that look stylish and add a great touch to their outfits. The slip-on can be worn for numerous occasions that range from evening to day to day wear as shown above.

Although a Celine slip-on is a must item that I would love to own, I have found a cheaper alternative that I am so far pleased with. Below are a pair of Topshop black embossed croc slip-ons. They are comfortable to wear and definitely add a lovely touch to any look.