Sunday 28 April 2013

OOTN: We're Up All Night 'Til The Sun

"She’s up all night ’til the sun
I’m up all night to get some
She’s up all night for good fun
I’m up all night to get lucky
We’re up all night ’til the sun
We’re up all night to get some
We’re up all night for good fun
We’re up all night to get lucky"


Beanie - Ebay
Rabbit Shirt - H&M
Faux leather trousers - H&M
Harness Chelsea Boots - Ebay

Lips - "Plum" Forever 21

Hope you all had a daft weekend 

T x





Wednesday 24 April 2013

Coachella: Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

In my previous post about Coachella I challenged Vanessa Hudgens to prove me wrong and produce a festival outfit that was actually worthy of her icon status. 

Looks like the challenge was accepted...


This girl is too good. It's as though the over contrived and almost try-hard outfits of the first festival weekend never happened. She's back in the game and going for gold!

Since seeing pictures of this incredible outfit, I've eaten my words and resumed my position as a follower of the Church of Hudgens. Long may it continue. 

T x

Sunday 21 April 2013

DIY Red Velvet Bow

Yesterday I stumbled across a photo of the beautiful Bip Ling wearing a PPQ red velvet hair bow and fell in love. 

A rummage through the scraps box at home confirmed that this bow and I were meant to be as I found an old red velvet sash off one of my grandmothers old ballgowns (this wasn't cut up willy nilly, she was a size 4 ish during the war and her waist is a gazillion times smaller than mine will ever be!)...fate or coincidence, either works for me!

This took me about 45 mins to make and cost nothing, easy peasy. Obviously you could knock one of these up with any large scrap of material you may have lying around, denim or pleather would look amaaaaaaaaazing!

You will need:
  • A large piece of medium to thick weight material (the heavier the material, the better it will hold it's shape)
  • Tape measure or ruler
  • Sharp scissors
  • A glue gun
  • Pins
  • A needle and thread
  • A hair grip
1. Measure and cut the material for your bow and lay it out flat. Simples!
 For my pretty hefty bow I used a piece of velvet measuring roughly 12.5" x 8" but depending on what size you want your measures can be changeable.
As my material is originally from a sash it does have seams running through it but they don't really appear on the velvet side.

2. Use your glue gun along the long edges and fold them up about half an inch - just helps to keep things tidier.


3. Fold the material longways and pin the rough edges together.


4. Use the needle and thread to do a simple running stitch across the top - be careful not to pull your stitching too tight or it will gather the fabric.


5. Once  you've sown the top together, go over your last stitch a couple of times to finish it off and then turn the material inside out to form a tube of material, with the seam you've created in the centre of one side - this will be the back.


6.  Flatten the material and use your glue gun to close the open ends of the tube.


7. Using your thumb and first finger pinch the bow together so that it gathers to form a bow, then pop a pin through the top of the gather to the bottom to hold the shape.
Make sure that the gather is right in the centre of the bow otherwise it will end up looking a little lopsided.


8. Using the scraps from your original fabric cut a length approx 7" x 1.5" then use your glue gun to glue it in half lengthways. 
Remember that if you are using a material like velvet you will need to glue on the non furry side so that the velvety side will be on the outside of the bow. 

9. Dab a little glue on one end of your now shorter and sturdier ribbon of material and attach it to the top of the gather on the centre of the bow - just where you put the pin in to keep the shape. Take the pin out and wrap the rest of the ribbon round the bow tightly to hold the gathers and attach the other end just behind the end you have just stuck down. You should have created a ribbon that runs the whole way round the centre of the bow. 

It should look like this from the front. 

  10. Having created your bow you need to create a means to attach it to hair/clothes etc. As velvet is quite heavy I decided to use a large crocodile style grip that I found lying around which seems to work very well.  


I just slid the larger side of the pin (top side in this picture) underneath the central ribbon of the bow so it sits within the gathers.

Eh voila!


What do you think?


I love the way this brightens up a simple t shirt and am already scouting for a more summery material for my next one and oooooh maybe one with studs in...watch this space!

My beautiful pooch Hector wants one too!

 I'd love to know if any of you have tried making your own versions, just holler at me!

T x
 

 
 



 





 

 



Friday 19 April 2013

Coachella 2013: Cool Cats

Bad news. I have the lurgi. 

As it was the first weekend of Coachella last weekend I was planning on doing a "WIWW" (what I would wear) kind of post this weekend but since Tuesday I've been in bed sans make up and a bra, looking and feeling like roadkill. Nice eh?

Hopefully I'll be able to do this post at some point next week but for the moment I thought I'd share some of my stand-out favourites from the weekend.

Kate Bosworth
 The fashion world grovels at the feet of Miss Bosworth and it's not hard to see why. She manages to rock fur, embellishments, maxi, sheer, monochrome and buckles all in one effortless outfit...there are no words. This woman is a goddess. I don't think I am the only one who would shudder at the thought of trying this many trends out on ourselves at home (images of myself looking the lovechild of Ke$ha and Bellatrix Lestrange are floating through my head), it's a terrifying thought for us mere mortals. Kate, we salute you!


 It's recently been announced that KB is creating a "festival" range for Topshop later in the year. Expect plenty of crochet, fringing and embellishment from the queen of cool herself and at purse friendly prices - HALLELUJAAAAAH! 

Alessandra Ambrosio 
Oh ho boho! This Victoria's Angel has just shot straight onto my fashion radar with crochet, fringing, studs and suede pulled together with endless pins and tousled hair. Festival perfection!

Audrina Partridge
Floppy hat - check. Light dress - check. Statement jewellery - check. Bovver boots - check. Tattooed boyfriend - check check check! 
She's got it all, a simple but seriously stylish Coachella outfit that we could all take inspiration from for the summer. 


Ashley Benson
Love the casual all black look with statement logos and rock inspired rip details; this is the kind of outfit which totally stands out at a festival amidst the oodles of indie, boho and hippie chicks and could be worked as an everyday look. Rock onnnnnn Ashley!

ALL PICTURES ARE FROM THE MAIL ONLINE

Controversially Vanessa Hudgens doesn't appear on this list - don't get me wrong, I worship the ground she walks on but I have to say I thought her looks for Coachella were overdone and predictable...don't hate me! Prove me wrong VH, the challenge is on!

What do you think about the favourites I've selected? 

T x
 

 





Monday 15 April 2013

OOTN: Flourescent Adolescent

On Saturday night I went out to a charity event with my boyfriend's family. The dress code was smart casual but I'm not one to pass up an opportunity to dress up to the nines!

I toyed with the idea of buying something new but then stumbled across this H&M beauty I bought last year. It's an amazing structured ombre dress covered with geometric shapes and patterns - a total show stopper! The fitted cap sleeves, tight waist and lantern style skirt make me feel a little bit as if I'm wearing a kimono but I love how the shape of the dress makes my waist look teeny weeny.

Dress - H&M
Shoes - Matalan
Clutch - H&M


I actually took the hem on the dress up 5cm as it was an odd length just above the knee and although I was worried it would change the shape of the skirt, it seems to have held it's form really well. 


The back has an interesting cut out with a single strap down the centre - it's different and the cut out isn't too big that you can't wear a bra with it.


Teamed with beautiful an super-cheap gold pointed courts and my RL patent clutch (freebie of course) I felt like a little fluoro fairy. Even the inevitable "drunken-aunt-at-a-wedding" dance moves I pulled out later in the evening couldn't make this dress look ugly!


Gawd, don't you just love it when you rediscover hidden treasures in your wardrobe?! These are the items that will keep reappearing in Facebook photos from time to time over the years but will continue to look fresh and exciting!

I hope you all had a good weekend. Don't want to jinx it but I have this sneaky suspicion that Spring is finally on it's way...

T x















Thursday 11 April 2013

Charity Shop Conversion

2013 has stirred something in me. It's weird and unnerving. I think I'm growing up.

At the ripe old age of 23 I have finally discovered the unfathomable joys of shopping in charity shops! 

The idea of actually having to hunt for treasure rather than just scanning through the rails used to bore me but at the start of the year I took the plunge and have never looked back! There's something about charity shops; the pace is so leisurely that you can browse for hours without being hassled, the volunteer staff are unbelievably friendly, there's no banging bass ringing through your ears and the musty smell is somehow comforting. 

Really not sure how it's taken so long but finaaaaaally, I am a charity shop convert!

Over the weekend I picked up a couple of bits from my local shops so I thought I'd share them with y'all to give you an idea of the beauts that are out there...

Grey Jumper
£3.95

Can you believe that this is an Angora-type wool jumper for less than a fiver?! Holy Moley! 
The label says that it's a size 22/24 but I swear it must only be a 14/16 - perfect oversized jumper for this cold weather. I actually wore it last weekend - see the post here


Old School Kilt 
£4.50 
Not sure what drew me to this kilt, it's pretty similar to the ones we used to have to wear at school and I always used to hate them! It's mid length and falls between the knee and ankle - not the best length but as it's an 8 I can easily wear it as a waisted skirt and shorten the lenth. Really need to wear this before Summer comes but not sure there's going to be an opportunity! Thinking of styling this up with a tucked in knit and chunky ankle boot...nommmm....


And the crowning glory...

Paisley Maxi Dress
£5.50 
This dress is incredible! Could not believe my luck when I spotted it on a sale rail. Trying it on made me feel like Jessa from Girls as this is exactly the kind of kooky outfit I'd imagine her wearing with a huge bun and dangly earrings. 
The print is beautiful, a dark green/purple/ochre paisley pattern and it falls to just above my ankles. It's a little on the big side so the bust doesn't sit as tightly as I'd like but I'm pretty sure I can take a tuck in the back to tighten it up. I LOVE IT!!


My camera lanyard seems to have snuck into this shot - naughty boy!

Have you got any amazing treasures from charity shops recently?

T x











OOTD: A Wolf In Sheeps Clothing


Happy Thursday!

I know it's a little on the late side but here's another awkward outfit post to show what I wore to visit the "in-laws" on Sunday


Jumper - Charity Shop
Faux leather skirt - H&M
Tights - Marks and Spencer
Socks - Primark 
Boots - Ebay 



These boots are the absolute love of my life... 

A blatant copy of the Chloe studded boots or the Office Nighthawk versions but a mere fraction of the price at £25 inc p&p! I bought them back over Autums last year and can't remember which Ebay seller I got them from but there are links to similar pairs here, here and here.

 I know that everyone and their mum has a pair of these boots but honestly I've worn them religiously since last year and still love them to death. The soles have actually cracked due to serious over wear and I'm reluctant to show them to anyone for fear that the problem may be incurable and I will soon have to say goodbye to them *sob*

I picked up this enormous jumper from a local charity shop over the weekend - absolute bargain at £3.95 as it's made of angora-type wool and so snug for these chilly "spring"days. I'll do a post on my charity shop treasures soon as I managed to bag myself a selection of absolute beauties for next to nothing!

T x

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Monday 8 April 2013

OOTD: Cross Your Fingers & Hope For Sunshine


Sooooo we had a glimmer of sunshine this weekend! Would it be totally unrealistic to hope think that Spring may finally be on it's way?

My Saturday was spent leisurely sipping Ginger Beer in a beer garden and catching up on all the girlie gossip. Perfect.

This my first outfit post and for some reason I look like an awkward hobbit - really not sure what's going on with the pointed finger either! A thousand apologies, sure I'll get the hang of this sooner or later...

T Shirt - H&M
Jeans - Primark
Belt - FCUK
Scarf - Thailand
Boots - Primark 




Rings - New Zealand and Thailand 
Nails - Topshop Gypsy Night 201


This is one of those simple but interesting outfits that can be thrown together at a moments notice and just the thing for a chilled out day in the sun. Pretty certain that none of it cost over £20 aswell!

I know it's Monday and you're probably all back to work too but hope you did manage to catch some rays and top up those Vitamin D levels over the weekend! When I'm sitting at work behind tinted windows the only way to get through it seems to be to dream about the summer sun, festivals and Pimms...mmmmm!

T x


Saturday 6 April 2013

DIY Spiked Headband

Spiked headbands have been around for a while now. This ole bandwaggon has been steadily rolling down the road since Autumn/Winter 2012 and I have to admit I've only just caught up with it!



To be fair I'd been meaning to get hold of one of these Statue of Liberty-esque headpieces for aaaages but they all seemed to be ridiculously overpriced! The sparsely studded headbands in Topshop would have burnt a reasonably large hole in my pocket and, although it's each to their own, I just refuse to pay £14 for something that I could make myself. 

So that's how we ended up here.

This took me about half an hour to make and cost less than £7... *fist pump*

You will need:
  • 1 x elasticated headband, this needs to be flat so you can screw the studs into it - mine's an old H&M one that I'd had for years
  • Approximately 10 x Cone studs with screw on backs - easily obtained from Ebay or a haberdashery  
  • Sharp scissors



Firstly you need to poke evenly spaced holes through the headband with the end of the scissors. I left a 1cm gap between holes and covered the area of headband over my forehead.


Then it's just a case of unscrewing the base of the stud from the cone. 

I ended up using pretty hefty studs (about 2cm long from the base to the tip) and do wish that maybe I'd used slightly shorter ones - turns out a 2cm is considered "dangerous" and most bouncers aren't fans!


Once the bases are unscrewed simply push them through each hole from back to front


And finally, screw the cones back onto the bases...TA DAH!


Wear your handiwork with pride but avoid hugs and headstands!

I'd love to know if any of you have tried making one of these bad boys

T x





Wednesday 3 April 2013

Well why the hell not?!


This is me.

Having been absolutely obsessed with other people's blogs foreverrrrr...I've decided to have a crack at my own! 

It's going to be total melange of fashion/style/photography all on a teeny weeny budget so, a la Miranda's mother, please "bear with, bear with!

Let's do this

T x


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