Met Gala – best dressed 2014

The Met Gala 2014 had all of the theatrics and grandeur of a high-fashion event, with the attendees honouring the great couturier Charles James. It was a night packed with breathtaking gowns that mirrored James’ style, with designers such as Zac Posen using his influence in their designs. I’m going to run through my top five favourite looks of the night – hope you enjoy!

5. Jessica Alba – Diane Von Furstenberg
It was a killer for me to put this in fifth place but there were so many beautiful gowns that I had to start somewhere. Jessica Alba looks so radiant in this Diane Von Furstenberg gown. The gold lace looks perfect against her skin tone – it really makes her glow. Her accessories are super simple and that befits the dress. The lace is so busy being dramatic that there was no need for anything other than a simple clutch and drop earrings. Jessica looks stunning in this gown. I love it agh.

 

4. Rihanna – Stella McCartney
At first, I had no clue whether I loved or hated this look. It turns out that I’m head over heels for it. Rihanna looks smoking beyond belief in this Stella McCartney gown, with women crying all over the world at her abs. Look at them. Ugh. Other than that, the gown is a beautifully modern take on a haute couture gown, which emphasizes all that Rihanna is about. The jewelled collar offers just enough glitter for me – anything more would have been too much – so she had no need for any other accessories. The dress really speaks for itself. And so do those abs.

 

3. Victoria Beckham – Victoria Beckham
The only person who could viably wear their own collection to the Met Gala was Victoria Beckham and that she did. It’s no wonder when her own collection is so stunning. Why bother going to any other designer?! This white column dress is almost fluid on Victoria’s figure – it skims over her perfectly. The double layer over the bust is particularly on-trend (we’re seeing that creep into this season’s pieces) and offers the piece an edge – it’s so simple but so elegant at the same time. Victoria is killing it.

2. Blake Lively – Gucci
This gown is everything I want in life and more. I cannot believe how stunning it is. The champagne gown is covered in sequin embellishments but manages to stray away from tack. It fits her figure perfectly, with the sequins adding to the way it molds to her shape so fluidly. This gown is quintessentially Hollywood glamour, reminiscent of the golden days with Blake’s retro waves and minimal accessories. I love the train that falls from her shoulders. It just offers the dress that little bit more that made me say ‘wow’ out loud. It is so beautiful, a real Gucci gem.

1. Suki Waterhouse – Burberry
This gown had already topped every best-dressed list by the time Suki Waterhouse had finished walking the red carpet. She just looked so classy and the epitome of a socialite. For me, this dress was oh-so-50’s, with the blush pink ruffles fanning out from her body as if to present her. I can’t put my finger on one thing that makes this dress so special – everything works together to make it such a statement gown. It appears as though Burberry utilized Charles James’ love of structural dresses and linked it in with this design of this gown; the ruffles offer a soft structure rather than the four leaf clover gown we are used to but it makes such a statement. Suki looked radiant, gorgeous and everything a Met Gala debutante should look like.

I hope you enjoyed!

 

 

 

 

sherbert colour

you’ve seen the catwalk. you’ve seen the shop displays. you know pastels are a major trend for SS14. they’re so easy to dress up and down for office chic or going out. lupita nyong’o wore the most perfect baby blue to the oscar’s which really pushed the trend into the limelight. pastels aren’t the most dramatic of fashion trends but they can really make an impact on a summery outfit – i’m giving you the run down on the sweetest pastel pieces from high street brands to those high end labels that my student budget could only dream of stretching to. have fun!

1. bayswater textured bag/ mulberry  – £1,100
oh yeah. i went there. the bayswater bag has done tonnes for mulberry – along with the alexa, it really epitomises the brand and makes it as recognisable as the louboutin red bottom. this bag is perfect for spring/summer as it can be teamed with so many outfits. it would look so cute paired with a co-ord suit and pastel heels or a pretty summer dress. because of its timelessness, the bayswater is so interchangeable and i think it reigns supreme on my pastel list. even if it is a thousand miles out of my league.

2. cropped fluffy jumper / river island – £21
this little number is perfect for spring. we kind of imagine spring to be warm and bright and the foreplay before the beautiful summer but it never is. so here’s the solution – a cropped jumper that can be teamed with a high waisted skirt. the colour is so sweet but i have a feeling that it can’t go with everything – i would pop it on with the black bodycon skirt as shown on the model or this fit and flare white skirt from topshop.

3. fit and flare pastel dress with sheer insert / dorothy perkins – £25
i am entirely, completely and absolutely in love with this dress. it’s spring-y and light and refreshing to see after a winter full of monochrome.  this piece has the potential to be the perfect summer dress but i also think it can be majorly dressed up for a night out – the sheer insert is just cheeky enough that you don’t have to bother showing your boobs as well. teamed with a nude heel, this dress would just look perfect. i love!

4. floral jacquard trousers / asos – £40
these trousers are really cute for spring. co-ord’s are going to be huge this season – we’ve already seen the style lists being flooded with big names wearing them – so i think these trousers and the matching blazer are spot on. they’re in-your-face without being too brash – the pastel floral pattern is really soft and can be toned down if worn with a white blouse like this from joseph. so chic!

5. pastel blue jacket / hobbs – £179
hobbs say on their website that “this season, outerwear is in” and that is so true. we’re going to be seeing lots of trench coats, bomber jackets and boyfriend blazers through the spring/summer period and i thought this silk blend blazer was the perfect one for spring. it’s such a soft shade it can be teamed with most colours – i actually adore the idea of this blazer with the floral jacquard trousers i spoke about above. this blazer can be worn over a white blouse for nights out or the office. it’s that diverse. super, ice-cool.

6. jumper with embellished neckline / burberry prorsum – £995
try to ignore the price and just focus on the absolute beauty of this jumper. i know it’s so ridiculously overpriced that most of us will never be able to afford it in a hundred years but when it’s so gorgeous, you begin to understand why. this jumper emphasises my point about the spring weather in london – this can be worn with a white skirt or thick tube pants, so it moves and changes with the weather. the crystal neckline is gorgeous so at least you wouldn’t have to splash out on a statement necklace….this jumper is lovely and refreshing, just as a pastel piece should be.

i really hope you enjoyed guys!

Oranges and Lemons say the bells of St. Clements

“By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show.” – Samuel Johnson 1773

Forgive me from straying from the beaten track but today I’m going to write about the place I call home. I’m not sure that I can say I’m a Londoner just yet, but I’m sure that I was meant to live here. London is not everyone’s cup of tea. It’s dirty, loud and busy – no-one can deny that – but somehow it is so easy to get swallowed up in this filthy metropolis. London is the perfect balance of old and new, of ancient and futuristic. It is awe-inspiring to believe that centuries of people have walked the same path as you, stepped the same cobbles and smelt the same heavy air that falls around the city.

I haven’t lived in London for my whole life – I was sixteen before I even visited for the day – but it’s always been a place of wonder. As a child I was fascinated by the Great Fire, the Plague and the Blitz. These huge disasters, each as big as the other, were meant to wipe London out and they nearly did. However, they didn’t. That’s why London is the epitome of strength – if Londoners can survive a fire that lasted for three days, a plague and a bloody big bombing then they can survive anything. London has built on these disasters. The Monument is one of the most beautiful sights in the city – this column of stone and copper was the metaphor for rising from the ashes and building what we have today.

Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford. – Samuel Johnson

(I think Samuel Johnson liked London, he had a lot to say about it!)

It’s true that there is always something in London. Something to do, something to see, something to explore. You learn new things daily – I recently learnt that Bedlam, Bethlem Royal Hospital, was situated near Liverpool Street from 1247 – where your head is close to exploding with the history that is in the streets of London. In some places (particularly in the City) you are walking on streets that date back centuries, where most of the previous history has been erased save for a few blue plaques littered around. Walter Besant once said these famous words on his deathbed in 1901 – “I‘ve been walking about London for the last thirty years, and I find something fresh in it every day,” – which is striking. London is growing every day but we must somehow try and take the history with it.

So now that I’ve stopped waxing lyrical about this lovely city, here are some photos that I’ve taken on my travels around London lately. I am by no means a photographer – just a fool with a camera – but you will get the gist of London hopefully.

At the bottom of Monument –
Strangely enough, after saying it’s the most beautiful bit of London, I didn’t get a snap of the Monument but this plaque sits on the bottom. I’ll be brave enough to climb the 311 steps one day because the views from the top must be breathtaking. It is almost too much to imagine that this monument sprang from ashes (it opened in 1677, the fire was in 1666) and stands overlooking the City.

Pudding Lane, where it all began –
I must admit that half of me expected there to be a bakery on Pudding Lane as a macabre attraction for tourists and Londoners (i.e. me) to gawp at. I was disappointed to find nothing. It’s just a little side street from Eastcheap. No bakery, no fire, nothing! It’s said that Pudding Lane was called so because of the offal and general mess that would fall from butcher’s carts as they travelled from Eastcheap in medieval times. I’m very happy to report that there is no offal there today – just a simple side street that, despite being one of the most important streets in London, cowers in the shadows of the Monument.

Temple Bar, leading into Paternoster Square –
This is a rare little gem in the middle of the hustle & bustle of important business people and tourists. This, the only surviving City gate, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1672 and was placed where Fleet Street meets the Strand. It was moved to Hertfordshire in 1878 but was eventually restored back in London in 2003. It’s another one of Wren’s masterpieces albeit a little overshadowed by the booming St Paul’s, a few steps away…

St Paul’s Cathedral
There is nothing I can say about this building that would bring it justice. It is awe-inspiring and breathtaking. It makes you feel tiny in comparison to its beautiful dome but you still manage to feel as though you supersede the cathedral. I sat in the middle of St Paul’s on my first ever visit inside and couldn’t help but burst into tears. If you’ve been inside, you’ll know what I mean. St Paul’s was ravaged by the fire but somehow managed to stand taller than the Blitz as the famous photo shows us all. It symbolizes a lot for me. It’s existentially British, as shown by it’s defiance during the Blitz. It symbolizes faith, strength and perseverance. It’s truly beautiful.

Tower Bridge
I couldn’t have an adventure around London without visiting Tower Bridge. I had a particularly bad job interview experience around the bridge so I’ve been trying to avoid it since then, but I realise it’s selfish of me. Tower Bridge is stoic, a symbol of British pomp and circumstance. I haven’t seen it open yet (that’s next on my to-do list) but for me, it’s easy to forget that it links the East to the South. It’s got the same presence as a building built by the Victorian’s because of it’s size. I like Tower Bridge – it’s very Towery.

View down the River from Victoria Embankment –
I was walking down Victoria Embankment minding my own business (you learn to do this in London) when this view came into sight. It stopped me in my tracks and I leaned across the wall to grab this picture. You can just see the Gherkin peeping from behind the metropolis of buildings on the left with the Shard standing defiantly on the right. The Thames looks deceivingly blue in this picture by the way. Imagine a nice shade of brown with a bit of green thrown in there and you’ll get the colour of the river. Nevertheless, walking along the water gave me this view.

The Eye from Victoria Embankment
The ultimate tourist photo. The London Eye is the most visited tourist attraction in the city which isn’t surprising. You can see for miles, across the sprawling backstreets of London to the brash, wide avenues that carry hundreds of cabs. This, along with Big Ben, symbolises London for a lot of people.

Big Ben –
I couldn’t have a photoset of London without including this beauty. The Clock Tower, sitting at 320ft high, is the most recognisable attraction in the world. Many don’t realise that “Big Ben” is the hour bell inside the Tower, which rings out each hour. The time is said to be correct to within one second which is pretty astounding. It first rang out across London in 1859 and it’s still super exciting to hear it chime out on the hour.

Never in the field of  human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. – Winston Churchill
This is a beautiful memorial on Victoria Embankment that honours the troops lost in the Battle of Britain. It’s understated. It features the battle of the air and on the ground, separated into two memorials. A lot of people actually walk past the monument without realising it commemorates the people who gave their lives for the beautiful city we have around us. It’s a lovely memorial.

Cleopatra’s Needle
This huge monument is the second oldest artefact in London, erected in Heliopolis in 1475 BC. It was presented to us by the Turkish Viceroy of Egypt in 1819 but didn’t make its way to Embankment until 1878. There’s a heroic tale where the obelisk was nearly lost in a storm near the Bay of Biscay but it was saved, killing six men in the process. Unfortunately, as well as being one of the oldest artefacts in the city, it was also the first monument in London to be hit during an air raid in 1917.

The Victoria Memorial, Buckingham Palace
This memorial for Queen Victoria, who reigned for an incredible 63 years (girl power!), faces the Mall with the same stoicism, strength and stiff upper lip that the Queen showed during her reign. The memorial also features the Angels of Justice, Truth and Charity. I love this because of it’s sheer air of pomp and circumstance – this was our longest reigning Queen and she has a memorial befitting that, with 2300 tonnes of marble making up the sculpture. It’s beautiful and fronts Buckingham Palace the way only Victoria could.

Property of Elizabeth II –

I leave you with these two photos. It’s true that London is a metropolis of tall buildings, grimy underground stations and millions of people on the streets but it has its beautiful nature moments too. These were taken in St.James’s Park on the walk up to Whitehall and reminds you that even when you’re among millions of people, there are green places to sit, breathe and recollect yourself.

I love London. You can probably tell from this post that I love London, but forgive me. It’s a beautifully busy place where you can live in your own bubble. A tube journey cuts you off from any mobile signal so it really is just you & other commuters. Walking down Oxford Street towards Marble Arch transports you from a capitalist haven to the serenity, beauty and peacefulness of Hyde Park.

London is a city of contrasts. It is old and new, green and grey, busy and calm. It has history in the concrete of its streets and painted on buildings that you don’t notice. I love London.

Hope you enjoyed!

goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married…

i’ve mentioned before that i’m lucky enough to work in a bridal boutique in east london called FairyGothmother. it’s a stones throw from the famous Spitalfields market and oddly enough, the pub where Jack the Ripper frequented. it’s a quaint little shop that has a selection of petticoats, lingerie and sweet 50’s dresses that customers often buy for parties and events. so, as i love my job and where i work, i’ve decided to make a shortlist of my favourite bridal gowns that we have in-store. they’re no particular order, so just enjoy and swoon over the beautiful dresses.

1. Lou Lou Bridal – strapless gown with soft pleats and a bowed waistband
this is such a sweet little dress to start with. many customers strictly rule out strapless when i meet them but i think it’s really important to try every style of dress on, even if it’s just to rule them out completely. so when i suggest this dress, brides begrudgingly try it on and most fall in love with it. the bow at the waist is super flattering when teamed with the soft pleats that fall from the bow. this dress can suit all body shapes and sizes, which is one of the nicest things about it. i like to team it with a cute lace coverup for the self-conscious bride as they can just whip it off as and when they want to. the simplicity of this dress makes it so easy to accessorise too. i love this gown!

2. House of Mooshki (Elle) – duck egg blue satin covered with damask devoré silk
this is truly a beautiful gown. the blue satin can be changed to ivory, champagne or apricot but it’s actually really popular in the blue because of it’s individuality. the full skirt combined with the length is so flattering – a lot of brides are initially unsure of the fullness of the skirt but are worn over when they get used to it. i am so in love with the duck egg blue – it fits a bride’s “something blue”. it also makes a gown seem really fun and not as conservative as maybe a full-length one. the more mature bride suits this dress well. i love this dress and so do the majority of customers who come in the shop. love love love.

3. Lou Lou Bridal – ivory tea length dress with a sweet collar that sits on the chest
now i have to admit, this is my favourite dress that we stock in-store. there’s just something about that sweet little collar and the buttoned back that makes this dress a classic. again, it doesn’t look extra special on the hanger but it sits beautifully when put on. it’s a very 50’s dress which suits some wedding themes perfectly and that is what makes the dress so endearing. the thin band around the waist really flatters any shape as it draws the body in as the skirt flares out. although it’s quite an old-fashioned dress, i think it’s absolutely perfect.

4. House of Mooshki (Sarah) – a 50’s length gown with apricot satin covered with a delicate ivory lace, cap-sleeved and finished with a detachable satin sash
this dress is our most popular dress in-store. every bride we have tries it on, just to feel the luxurious lace and to peek at how it sits on the body. i can honestly say that this dress suits everybody. it’s shown above in a lovely apricot satin but it’s also available in ivory, blush and champagne among many other colours. the ivory version of the Sarah is beautiful as it can be paired with any coloured sash – i’ve found that a cadbury’s purple is perfect with the ivory version. this apricot colour is beautiful too as it compliments a range of skin tones – the length also sits perfectly regardless of the bride’s height which is super important. as a side note, the vivienne westwood shoes that the model is pictured wearing are the most popular shoe that brides wear for their weddings…they are stunning!

5. Phoenix Gowns – beaded full-length gown with sleeves.
this is one of our small selection of full-length gowns in store & i absolutely love it. since i’ve been working at the shop, my preference has definitely been switched to 50’s/tea length dresses but i’m still very capable of swooning over full length ones. this gown is stunning. the beading is intricate but is not extravagant in the respect that you can only see the sequins when it catches the light. the back falls into a beautiful v that flows into buttons. i love this gown because it is so wedding-y. i know this won’t make sense so let me explain. this is such a typical wedding dress. it’s big, ivory and has a huge train so the attention is focused on the bride at all times. it is wedding-y. such a beautiful contrast to our other 50’s/tea length gowns. love!

so, i hope you enjoyed the run down of my fave gowns in-store. there are tons of more that i love but i’d be typing forever if i had more than five favourites – i always say to my brides that 10 dresses often blur into one, so i won’t let that happen today to you. hope you enjoyed!

your wardrobe –

fashion evolves every day. something that owns the magazines today could well be in the reduced bin next week because fashion grows, changes and envelopes you in different trends. however, there are a few pieces that should remain in your wardrobe through every season. these pieces are what we can build outfits on – for example, a white tee can be dressed up with a statement necklace but still look casual if paired with a pair of jeans. here are some of the pieces that i think every woman’s wardrobe should have…enjoy!

1. denim – dorothy perkins £28
jeans are super important for any wardrobe – they can be used for smart and casual purpose if put with certain pieces. a good fitting pair of jeans is vital for a woman because of their versatility. for a night out, they can be paired with a chiffon blouse, a statement necklace & heels and for something super casual, a cashmere jumper. jeans are so important!

2. a good bra – von follies by dita von teese £32
as women, we are all aware of the importance of a good bra. a well-fitting bra with proper support can improve posture, the shape of your clothing and how your clothes fit against your body. an ill-fitting bra can be the source of pain and discomfort so it’s super important to be fitted for a good bra.

3. black cami – asos £14
a black cami is essential. it can be worn alone, with a kimono for a casual look or underneath a sheer blouse for comfort and coverage. they’re super versatile – worn with a statement necklace, jeans and heels, it can provide a laid back yet smart outfit for going out. i always find they’re comfortable to wear with skinny joggers for the days where you’re having a trainer day. either way, the black cami is a wardrobe staple.

4. black blazer – topshop £48
a black blazer is a wardrobe staple for many different . it’s true that they are super smart for work – they look amazing with a tailored dress – but again, they’re versatile. with a white tee, tube pants and boots, a blazer can transform an outfit into a smart going out look. this one from topshop is a slim fit, which is cute for when you want a more tailored look, but the boyfriend fit blazers are also really cute and offer an outfit a more relaxed, comfortable look.

5. little black dress – miu miu £780
i will forever love little black dresses. this one, although super eye-wateringly expensive, is timeless with the crepe collars adding that little twist to an old classic. as with every other piece, this can be used for work or play – i love the idea of this dress with a pair of nude louboutins for an effortless lunch-date look. the price of it is immense (you can’t expect anything less from miu miu) so you can find cheaper alternative such as this one from river island on asos. i love.

6. tube pants – asos £22
i seem as though i’ve got a bit of an asos obsession in this post but they’ve just got some really super affordable pieces. these tube pants are kind of vital for any wardrobe. the fabric – a breathable ponte – is super thick and moves with you. i like these pants because they’re thicker than leggings but not as thick as jeans, so you’re comfortable and also covered if your leggings are slightly see-through. these trousers can be worn with anything – i wear them to work with a smart blouse and a cardigan – but ultimately, their biggest plus is the comfort. a vital wardrobe staple for me.

7. the white tee – river island @ asos £15
the white tee is the singularly most important item in a woman’s wardrobe. i’ve mentioned it in outfit ideas in this post because there’s no end to how it can be styled. the white tee is a blank canvas. team with a graphic skirt such as this from burberry (£495) for a super fresh and crisp look. it can also be worn with indigo jeans, strappy heels and a leather jacket. it just goes with anything. isn’t that what you need in a wardrobe staple?

8. trainers –  nike satire £54.99
this is an unusual choice for a staples list, i know that, but hear me out. a nice pair of trainers are important for when heels are too much and ballet pumps are too little. these nike trainers are super smart and wouldn’t look out of place with cuffed jeans, white tee and a leather jacket. although you obviously wouldn’t team these with the little black dress, they will add a classic look and relaxed feel to an outfit for when you just wanna be comfortable.

9. chunky ankle boots – new look £24.99
boots are my staple shoe. i wear boots with everything – tube pants for work, skater dress for uni, jeans for an edgy look. boots are generally wearable all year round – i know you probably wouldn’t want to wear them in the height of summer with shorts – but they don’t go out of fashion. chelsea boots give a look a fun yet smart look and they just go with everything, which i love.

10. the white shirt – valentino £835
again, another expensive price tag for a wardrobe staple, but i love this valentino design. the pussy bow is super cute and gives an outfit a little flair and originality. a white shirt is as versatile as the white tee – it works for work, pleasure and everything in between so it deserves a permanent place in any woman’s wardrobe. again, the price tag is immense so we have cheaper options with this topshop blouse for £36. team this white shirt with super tailored trousers for a smart look or tucked into a graphic mini-skirt for a fresh night out look teamed with my beloved booties.

so there we go, i hope you enjoyed!

the oscars

the oscars is a super exciting time for film buffs, i totally understand that. however i’ve been excited about the fashion since i saw that kate hudson dress when i was a little girl. it seems to me that the fashion is now as integral to the pre-parties, ceremony and after parties as the academy itself – at some point in your life, you will have spoken about a dress that someone was wearing at the oscars. so in light of that, here is my top ten outfits from the oscars and the after-parties…hope you enjoy!

10. olivia wilde / valentino
this dress suits olivia wilde and her baby bump so perfectly. although i’m sure it wasn’t her biggest priority, black is so flattering on her figure with the super chic white panel adding just enough to the gown.  her accessories are simple and sweet – i think she went so minimal on jewellery because the gown’s high neck and white panel adding the extra oscars magic. i love this dress SO much.

9. kelly osbourne / badgley mischka

there can be a lot of things said about kelly osbourne but her fashion sense can’t be brought into question. she usually rustles up something amazing for the red carpet and i’m really excited to say she didn’t disappoint here. i’m not overly familiar with the brand but this badgley mischka dress fits to her curves perfectly. the beaded cape adds a really touch of old hollywood glamour whilst keeping the white dress crisp and fresh. i have an ongoing love affair with kelly’s hair – her soft curls here are amazing and compliment the style of the dress. you don’t disappoint, kelly!

8. the kardashians

okay so i’m slightly cheating here and including three outfits in one picture. the kardashians aren’t names that often grace the best  dressed list but i think they really hit the spot in these outfits. kim’s dress, designed by celia kritharioti, suits her post-baby curves perfectly. the cleavage is just enough for me – any more would have been tacky – but the long ballgown balances the cleavage out. kourtney’s look is super chic – the androgynous trouser suit and pussy bow is a look she’s rocked so many times before. i like it because it’s the polar opposite of her sisters. khloe’s dress is gorgeous – heartbreak is clearly doing her figure wonders as she poured her curves into this stunning velvet gown. so although they’re not often on the best-dressed lists, all three women capture a trend and own it.

7. angelina jolie / elie saab

 let’s face it – angelina would wear a bin liner and still look like a super model but somehow this dress surpasses any outfit she has worn before. it has a touch of the old hollywood glamour i mentioned previously – the shimmery beaded effect that features on her arms, neckline and down the skirt was gorgeous as it caught the light. the long sleeves were rare for this year – angelina was one of the only dresses with long sleeves – but they only benefit the dress as it carries the beading through. her no-fuss hair and make-up compliment her beautiful drop earrings but then again, this is angelina jolie. she is perfect in anything at all.

6. jennifer lawrence / dior

jennifer lawrence is hollywood’s sweetheart and being hollywood’s sweetheart has its perks.  as she’s currently the face of dior, it can only be expected that she wears dior to the oscars. the colour is perfect against her milky skin and the soft peplum that lies around her hips only flatters her figure even more. the only qualm i have with her look is the hair – it offers nothing to the outfit. it’s just there. i really loved jlaw’s long hair and can’t quite get to grips with the cropped haircut. i’m 100% sure she could have done something a lot cuter with this hairstyle though – see lupita nyong’o and her adorable headband. other than that, jennifer looked gorgeous in up to $3 million dollars worth of neil lane jewellery. she is stunning.

5. amy adams / gucci

i love love love this dress. i’ve seen many say that it’s not very oscar-y which i suppose is true – it’s very simple and plain but that adds to the look. the blue looks perfect against her skin colour and compliments her perfectly. she is said to have worn this gown because it “felt like her.” it just suits her enormously. she accessorized the gown with tiffany & co jewellery but didn’t add too much, which i liked. the strapless neckline sits on her bust perfectly and i just love this gown. can you tell? i love it!

4. cate blanchett / armani

again, we have the old hollywood glamour pushing its way onto the red carpet. this. is. stunning. the beading is so intricate that this dress ultimately qualifies as a work of art. it sit on cate blanchett perfectly with the length being just enough for her frame. the neckline – high but soft – is complimented by her dropped earrings and relaxed, tousled hair. this dress was a real highlight for me because of its sheer beauty.

3. naomi watts / calvin klein

i can’t lie, i’ve been thinking about this dress ever since i saw naomi watts on the red carpet. it is beautiful. at first i thought that the dress was cotton but on closer inspection, it’s beaded all over.  this beaded aspect looks like a real trend that worked its way through the night – the simplicity of this white dress is complimented perfectly by the beading. her bulgari jewellery is also perfect, the necklace just flows into the dress which originally made me thought it was stitched onto the neckline. naomi just looks a vision in white in this gorgeous dress. i’ve not seen it on many best-dressed lists so here it is on mine.

2. kate hudson / versace

wow. is there much else i can say about this gown? the off-white colouring combined with the beading & draped cowl back gives this dress a perfectly vintage feel. the old hollywood glamour i’ve been blabbering on about rears its gorgeous head in kate hudson, i think, because she wouldn’t look out of place alongside the stars of old. her hair is perfect along with her earrings as they add more to the vintage glamour vibe – she just looks fabulous in every way. effortlessly gorgeous.

1. lupita nyong’o / prada

who else could be first on the best dressed list? lupita nyong’o has topped every best dressed list in the world. this baby blue prada gown is said to have reminded lupita of the narobi sky, which is fitting and perfect for her. the colour is complimentary against her skin tone and the cut, although a little low for me, still suits her perfectly. the coolness of the blue was reflected in how lupita handled herself throughout her first ceremony. it wasn’t unexpected of the actress though – she has been the fashion pioneer at every awards ceremony previous to this one this season – but she really blew everybody away with this gown. her little headband is adorable and suits her hairstyle perfectly. the gown is just amazing though and i just couldn’t see how anyone else could be the number one.

soooo there we go, the top 10 oscar outfits of 2014! i hope it’s been super interesting for you, so please let me know your top 10 in the comments!

five feb faves

here we go again. february saw hundreds of models strutting their stuff down the catwalks and also saw me lusting over pieces i will never be able to afford in my life. my february faves are a mixed bag – shoes and beauty also included – with high street brands rubbing shoulders with high end brands. let me know your thoughts!

1. dorothy perkins – colourblock skater £25
i am so in love with the pastel colours that are coming out for spring. this dress is so effortlessly chic with a really subtle 60’s vibe. love love love.

2. mulberry ready to wear spring ’14 – london fashion week
i am about 98.4% sure that i will support anything that cara delevingne is involved in but this suit is gorgeous. i am falling more in love with co-ordinates every single day & am desperate for some pastel cigarette pants with a matching blazer. mulberry ❤

3. barry m silk nail effects collection
barry m will always get a big thumbs up from me. quality nail polish at affordable prices, you can’t really go wrong. although i’m not necessarily a fan of a silky nail polish, i’m so into barry m that i will probably purchase and fall in love with every one of these polishes.  adorable for spring!

4. new look @ asos – platform chunky heels £29.99
super chunky platform heels are always the best shoe for a night out. they look massive but are only 5.5 inches – they look super comfy because of how chunky the heel is. i would love to see this shoe with the dorothy perkins dress, please.

5. jasper conran ready to wear autumn ’14
need i say more? the pastel pink separates scream ‘jackie o’ to me because they’re so chic and elegant. i love this so much. ugh.

let me know your thoughts on my picks and your feb faves!

my name is sian, i am eighteen years young and i have no clue what i’m doing but that’s okay. i spend most of my free time reading fashion/beauty blogs and basing my life decisions on those i read about. now i am at a point where i want to throw all of my own ideas, thoughts and general musings down into a blog where someone (or no-one at all) can read about it!

i’m currently in my first year at the university of Westminster studying english literature and creative writing. i have an uncontrollable tendency to write in lower case permanently, which university is not drumming out of me. i don’t know what i want to be when i leave university – ideas have come and gone for the past 18 months. something in PR, fashion or journalism would be cool.

i work in a 50’s style bridal and fashion boutique in Spitalfields, east london. i truly love my job, considering i dress people in gorgeous 50’s bridalwear for a living. i’m so happy that i get to be a part of a decision that huge.

i am obsessed with fashion and beauty. trying to fund this obsession on a student budget is difficult  so much of my lusting is spent online window shopping and poring over other people’s blogs. i promise myself that, one day, i will own a mulberry or a pair of louboutins.

so that’s that. my name is sian, i’m eighteen and i’m trying super hard to be happy (it’s working)

welcome!