Luxury Fashion // Disney Collaborations

There's something magical about a luxury fashion/ Disney collaboration. In a sense, it's a nod to the fond memories of childhood; making them wearable in a way that is 'grown up' and expressive. It's satisfying a sense of nostalgia, as well as conveying personal style. 

Marc by Marc Jacobs // Alice in Wonderland 

"I Am Not Like Other Girls", the final Marc by Marc Jacobs collaboration, features whimsical but playful pieces that are centred around the ultimate childhood It Girl; Alice, and her adventures in Wonderland. 

Givenchy "Bambi and Female Form"

In 2013, Riccardo Tisci, who is arguably a huge contributor for fashion's fixation with the sweatshirt, introduced the unisex "Bambi and Female Form" design, which appealed to fashion fans across genders and genres, and became a fashion frenzy. 

Hermès & Cinderella // Valentino & Snow White 

In 2014, Hermès' iconic Birkin bag was made-over by artists Shelby & Sandy using an image from Disney's Cinderella, whilst Disney's Snow White was the inspiration for REDValentino's Ready to Wear Fall 2014 collection. 

What will be next? 

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Vintage Vibes/ AW15 Trends

I love vintage shopping. It sounds cheesy but there's something exciting about getting lost in the most outrageous and eclectic collections of clothing that you just don't get with normal shopping. Brighton has a pretty great vintage scene, (I always do well in places like Beyond Retro and Snoopers Paradise), however my favourite ever vintage shop has to be Blitz; a huge vintage department store which is just off Brick Lane.

I've learned there's a knack to vintage shopping; you can't rush it and you have to pay attention to detail, to get the best buys. On a long weekend in France recently, I wore a vintage Calvin Klein sports bra from the 90's with a scarlet suede Vivienne Westwood skirt I picked up from Beyond Retro. Suede has been a big trend this summer after gracing the catwalks of fashion houses like Chanel and Derek Lam, and I don't think it's over just yet. I will most definitely be sporting a suede skirt with opaque tights and over the-knee-boots in the upcoming months. Red is also set to be the stand-out colour of AW15/16, from the collections of Christian Dior, Fendi, & Hermes, to name a few.

(Apologies for the poor quality images these were taken on my phone...)

3 Holy Grail Oils for Beauty Products

I've only recently discovered the benefits of incorporating oil into my beauty regime; I know, perhaps I'm late to jump on the bandwagon, but honestly, the advantages are copious. Here are three of my favourites...

Jojoba Oil 

I've got naturally oily/combination skin, so the idea of adding more oil was never appealing to me. However, after doing some research, I decided I would give jojoba oil a go. The compounds that make up jojoba oil are the most similar to sebum, which is the oil produced by human skin; the benefit of this is that it can trick the body into thinking that it's already producing enough sebum, thus, balancing oil production. 

Jojoba oil can be used as a moisturiser, a lip balm, and it can also help with acne, eczema, and ageing skin. It contains anti-bacterial properties, and can even act as an anti-inflammatory. I have also used it to take off my make-up when I found myself without any eau micellaire; oils are great at removing make-up because they can break down other oil-based products more effectively, and are gentle to the skin.

I also sometimes use this product in my make-up routine. Adding a drop of jojoba oil to your foundation leaves your skin dewy and glowing, without looking greasy. I came across this tip from watching gossmakeupartist's YouTube video's, and it is definitely something I'll continue to do.

Here are the results: 

Coconut Oil 

Whilst most oils can benefit your skin and your hair in terms of hydration, coconut oil is also particularly good for whitening the teeth. You've probably seen all the sponsored Instagram posts of celebrities holding their 'Coco White' coconut oil bars for oil pulling, but you can just buy a tub of coconut oil from your local supermarket, and it works just the same. 

Oil pulling or 'kavala', is an Indian dental technique that involves swishing oil in your mouth for twenty minutes, on an empty stomach. It allegedly improves overall health as well as oral health, by drawing out the toxins in the body. However, it is an effective method of teeth whitening, and whilst you can use other oils for this technique, coconut oil is hands down the tastiest, (vegetable oil, I can assure you, is not).  

Argan Oil 

Argan oil came to popularity in recent years for it's incredible benefits for the hair. I personally found that pure argan oil was too much for my hair after washing, however as an ingredient in general hair products, like shampoo and conditioner, leave-in conditioner or shine serum, it is fantastic. If I want to deep-condition my hair I'll put pure argan oil through it at nighttime and wash it out the next morning, which leaves it shiny and soft. It is said that this oil can also help hair to grow, treat split ends, and balance oil production. I have also used argan oil to treat my nails, as an ingredient for a homemade exfoliator, and as a body moisturiser. 

The best thing about oils is that they are all multi-purposeful; most oils have healing, hydrating, smoothing, and moisturising properties, to name a few. I cannot recommend them enough! 

How's your shoe game?

In my opinion, shoes can make or break an outfit. It's all very well buying a beautiful dress or putting together a look, but if the shoes don't work, the whole ensemble crumbles.

There are so many types of shoes these days, that the rules for what should be worn with what have become outdated, and people are a lot more experimental with what they put on their feet.

However, there are some factors to consider when choosing the shoes for an outfit, so that you aren't left treading in dodgy territory...

Heels

Firstly, what are the shoes are being used for in the look?
- are they the focus?
- do you want them to make a statement?
- do you want them to add a pop of colour?
- are they to colour block?
- are they to enhance/mirror the other pieces in the look?

Shoe Focus
For the shoes to be the focus of an outfit, it is better to ensure that the rest of the outfit elements aren't overly garish so that the look as a whole isn't too much. An outfit without much texture, layering, or pattern, with a pair of intricate, bright, or patterned shoes works a treat, but other accessories must be co-ordinated, to avoid looking like a hot mess.

Sergio Rossi Tawaraya Single Tier Fringe T-Strap Standal

                                       
Statement Shoes
Statement shoes work on the same principle, however they can be used in other ways. For example, mixing a pair of ripped, boyfriend jeans and some patent courts makes a fashion statement about juxtaposing two looks or two personalities, creating an interesting contrast in characters and an eye-catching outfit.

 
      Gianvito Ross                                     Rag & Bone 

Colour Pop
I have a tendency to want to wear all black, (especially in winter), and so I often opt for a pair of bright shoes to add a pop of colour to an outfit and to avoid looking like I am en route to a funeral. A LBD with a pair of vivid shoes, adds an eye-catching accent to a look, and shows a bit of personality against the neutral colours in an outfit. Additionally, colourful shoes are a great way to wear shades that you love that don't necessarily suit your complexion. 

                      

 
        Manolo Blahnik BB Patent Pointed-Toe Pump 





Colour Blocking
Colour blocking is a huge trend for Spring/Summer 2015, and shoes are an easy way to get involved without going overboard. Whether you pick one recurring highlight colour or a palette of colours to incorporate, this trend is guaranteed to be big this season. 

 

Mirroring / Enhancing
Colour accents or patterns in clothing or make-up which co-ordinate with shoes creates shortcuts to cohesion. A hint of colour picked up somewhere else in an outfit, even if it's just a matching lipstick, is an easy way to look well put together. Just make sure that there is some distance between matching elements. 

                                                  Michael Kors Aberly Snake Embossed Pumps




Personally, I think that heels too high can look tacky, and heels too low can look make you look fashion clueless, so finding the right height is for your look is important. Also, it is vital to make sure you are comfortable walking in your shoe choice, as a girl can't hope conquer the world if she can't walk in her heels first. x