Cinema Chic

Hi!  So today I decided to do another outfit post, but this time for some more casual looks.  I went to the cinema with my friends to see Iron Man 3, (which was a-freaking-mazing!! Not as good as the first, but definitely better than the second, so Disney didn't ruin it yay!) and this first outfit is what I wore.  The second outfit is one I wore a while ago, and I'm sorry that the pictures are incomplete for it, but I wasn't planning to do a post on it at the time!  But here you go: two casual looks for going out, which still retain style!

Obviously when you go to the movies you want to comfortable since you'll be sitting down for a couple of hours (and with the giant ad-rolls before the film, who knows how much longer you'll be?!), so I chose this soft black batwing jumper, burgundy skinny jeans (which are a little less skinny because I've had them so long!) and brown/burgundy sneakers.

My shoes are from SoulCal at Republic, and they're sooo freakin comfortable, no joke!  The fuzzy lining doesn't go all over the bottom of the inside of the shoe, but trust me, its like heaven for your feet - I could wear these like slippers!  The colour is great with this outfit as well: they're better than wearing black, but still blend in with the jeans (and  pssst! Extended colour can make your legs look longer!!)

Does anyone else remember when jeans this colour were really popular?  Well its one trend that wasn't totally fleeting for me - I absolutely love them!  These jeans were from TK Maxx a while ago, so the knees are a little worn (you can see the difference in colour) but I like jeans that look what I call well-loved!  They're also a little baggy since I've had them for a long time, but not in a way that the shape is lost (when you're jeans are so far gone they start sagging in in the butt, it is time to throw those mofos out!  Or donate them.  Either way, that is NOT a good look!)

This jumper is gorgeous.  I love it.  Its amazing. I've rambled about it previously so I'm not going to again!  But perfect for the cinema: really soft and slouchy, so awesomely comfortable! (I'm feeling like I said 'ly' a lot there!) I got it fairly recently from Wal G at House of Fraser, so if you're interested head on over there, quick!

Excuse the odd blue lighting that makes me look like a zombie.  Here I have on another cute casual outfit - perfect for the movies if the first wasn't to your liking!  I have on black disco pants here (from Topshop), they look great with casual shirts as they give a bit of sass to a pretty plain outfit (did I just say 'sass'?!  guess so...).  I also paired the same shoes with this as the previous outfit, since they go perfectly, and tie in with my hat! (but don't worry, there's no danger of a look like this being 'matchy-matchy'!)

The checked shirt I have on is from Hollister - I got it in the sale a while ago; I don't personally shop there usually, I wouldn't pay the regular price of their shirts for something that is, frankly, no better quality  than anything else from the highstreet.  The lower end of the highstreet.  I do love it though - the colours remind me of Christmas!  I rolled up the sleeves because I can't bear not to, I just think that it looks better!  My hat from Next is maroon with a giant pom-pom on top, and really cosy as well as cute - I think hats area great way to add some personality to an outfit.

Thanks for reading - have an a-freaking-mazing day! xxxx

Magnificent Metallics!

 Hi! Today is a post that's a little different - metallics have been around a lot lately, on everything from skater skirts to bags to sunglasses.  But way to incorporate metallics into your daily look in a more subtle way?  Because, lets face it, metallics are not shy - even a slight flash from that new bracelet is eye-catching: it seems we're almost hard-wired to have a radar for shiny trinkets! So these are my new wear-anywhere metallics: my nails!

For this look I layered two solid glitter polishes - it works with other coloured sparkly polishes with less glitter, al though I would recommend a glitter topcoat with them, but not with solid or satin-finish colours - it works best with the darker colour at the bottom of your nail, and the lighter one at the top. Its really simple, and the glitter means that the gradient effect is really easy, all you need to do is paint about 3/4 of your nail using the darker colour (or the whole nail) and then paint around halfway down the nail with the lighter colour.  Since you're using glitter, just add a few light dabs of the lighter colour  in the middle  of the nail to achieve the gradient effect. Just make sure to check your polish gives a pretty solid glitter finish (don't use a glitter topcoat, as the finish will be very sparse), but obviously you will want to do 2-3 coats for the best finish.

The polishes I used are both Barry M - I would reccomend using a base coat with these glitter ones or else they chip like crazy!  Here I used the shade 'Copper', which looks quite orange in the bottle but actually gives a gorgeous rusty-gold colour.

The polish which I used for the tips of my nails is in the shade 'Silver Multi Glitter' (inventive, I know!)  and although on camera it looks very silver, which is still lovely, its quite lilac-y, and you can even see chunks of pink and gold and blue glitter!

This look is easy to do and looks great for those of us who are a little less talented on the nail-art front! Alternatively, just use any solid-glitter or metallic polish for an on-trend statement nail, which still goes with any look!

I also thought that I would leave you with some of my past nail-art for some inspiration!  I do tend to use nail-art pens, but if you don't have them then the same effect can be achieved with a pin or a cocktail stick dipped in nail-polish.  Happy nail-arting! xxx

Metallic gold, pink and black

Cartoon messy hearts

Spring/Easter grass and flower nails

Glitter nails, with one magnetic-effect polish statement nail

Girl on Fire nails! May the odds be ever in your favour!

Cute polka-dot French-tip nails

Springtime and Blue Skies...hopefully!

Hi!  So this week the weather's started to get pretty gloomy (and I'm telling you, gloomy in Scotland is probably about a hundred times more grey than where you live!) so I needed a little way to cheer my self up - and what better way than to create a gorgeous, colourful spring outfit?!  When you're yearning for the sun there's no point hoping for it to make a move - bring the sunshine to you by brightening up your wardrobe!

This outfit is suitable for those who love prints, but maybe aren't sure just how to wear them - since there isn't any print by your face, its a lot easier to wear!

I love love love this top!  Its quite long, but fitted at the bottom so looks great over leggings, but I also love it tucked into high-waisted skirts.  I've had it for ages, I bought it years ago in New Look and it reappears in my wardrobe quite frequently!  I'm also starting to think that I have some sort of obsession with tops with embellished shoulders or zips - I just think they make baggy, loose tops much more edgy and little more dressed-up whilst still being casual.  Also with this being high-street you might think the quality might not be so great, but the material is so soft and flowing, and sturdy even though it is quite thin.

This skirt was a gift, its kind of a skater style with little pocket. and what I like about it is that the waist only elasticated at the sides, so you don't get that bunchy, elasticated-waist look.  The print is perfect for spring or summer, as its floral, but with a bit of punch!  The colours on this are so bright that they're borderline neon, and I love this busy pattern next to the plain blue shirt.

One of my favourite things about this has to be the accessories - the go with the outfit perfectly!  My little blue bag is from Debenhams, and its the perfect spring clutch if you want to add a zap of colour to a more neutral look, or blend with the same tone or other brights like I've done here.  My bracelet is from a shop called Joe in Edinburgh (I'm not sure whether they have branches in other cities) and it is a mixture of flat and round glass beads with delicate but bright flower patterns on them.  This ring is from Accessorize, and only cost a few quid, and I love it because the glass stone is a really gorgeous blue, and it reminds me a little of my mum's engagement ring!

 The earrings were also from Joe, and I think they're so cute and quirky - they're little red apple cores, and I've found that most people's reaction to them is love them or hate them!  They're a sweet little addition to this outfit to add a little personality, and I just adore them!

These shoes are some of my favourites for summer, and I think that the go really well with this outfit.   I got them in a shop called Bank, which isn't actually in the city nearest to me, but this one was in Newcastle.  They're cute little espadrilles, and were very on trend last summer - and I don't think they're going anywhere any time soon, which is fantastic news, because they are insanely comfortable!  I also managed to get a 10% discount on these because one of the metal eyelets that the laces go through fell off when the woman at the till was taking off the security tag, and these were the last ones in my size!  The eyelet was really easy to fix anyway, so don't turn your nose up at a bargain!

Thanks for reading - I hope your springtime weather in better than mine, but if not, hopefully this cheered you up!  Please feel free to leave comment and follow my blog to make me smile!  Have a fantabulous day! xxxxx

Plastic Fantastic!

 Hi!  Today's post is a little different - I wanted to show this cute wraparound braided bracelet and giant flower, which I made!  They're actually made out of a plastic bag (if you're interested in the colours of this one, the bag was from when I had some clothes delivered from Yumi - if you're no familiar with the brand I would check its out, they have many gorgeous things!).

Alternatively, you could always use the large flower as a brooch rather than a bracelet, or even make smaller ones and glue them to a hair clip - or even stick with the large if you're so inclined!

Her is where I attached the flower to the braided bracelet - they look great together because whilst still being the same colour, the rough braiding contrasts with the shiny flower.

The bracelet was simply made by tying three strips of the plastic bag together, around an inch wide, and then braiding them until you get the right length for your wrist, and tying the ends.  Then I cut off the excess material and for a clasp used a tiny golden safety pin, which can be tucked out of sight so your bracelet flows.

                                        

The flower was made by cutting out variously sized petal shapes and experimenting until I got the look that I wanted - they were then taped on layer by layer until the flower looked three-dimensional.  Its extremely easy to do, and costs no money at all! (it would also probably make a suitable umbrella if you happen to get caught in the rain!)

So there you have it - beautiful, unique accessories, from a plastic bag! 

Until next time, have a fantabulous day!  xxxxx

*my nail polish is Avon's Nailwear Pro+ in Sea Breeze