Journey Of A Dress

I work in retail and see countless people come in to the store where I work looking for that last minute occasion wear option and panic buy. I've always thought to myself that if I've ever get invited to something pretty decent I will plan my outfit in advance. Well, I was wrong. I've known since late January that I would be going to a fancy event in mid April. My boyfriend has won an award at work and in return has been given an all expenses paid trip to London to attend the award ceremony. He invited me as his plus one, no pressure right?

Of course, being the plus one, I know my role is to ultimately support him and look good. This means that my outfit needs to say: arm candy. Stupidly thinking that 6 weeks would be enough time to find something suitable I only started looking last month. However I've spent the past few weeks scouring the internet desperately trying to find the perfect dress. It hasn't been easy; as we entered the new year the shops moved quite quickly into Spring and as party/occasion wear is quite a seasonal thing, I left it too late to look. Plus, to make matters more difficult, I happen to despise Spring/Summer party wear and pastels, midi length and prom skirts are all that seems to be available at the moment.

I felt that this Frock and Frill dress was just a bit too
'opulent' for the occasion. 

There have been moments amidst my search when I thought my search might be over. At one point I found an absolutely stunning Frock and Frill gown in the ASOS sale that was literally a dream. When it arrived I tried it on and loved the way it looked and how opulent I felt, however I then realised it was perhaps a little too dazzling and I wouldn't have the opportunity to wear it again. Reluctantly I sent it back. Shortly after this my sister purchased a dress by Solace London for her 21^st birthday and I fell in love with their simple, yet classic and statement looking aesthetic. I checked them out and their Cara gown immediately caught my eye. Unfortunately forking out £130 on a dress I might only wear once seemed too decadent. *sad face*

This beautiful dress by Solace London was just a tad out
of my price range. 

Feeling as if I were running out of options I then decided to try out the ASOS stylist chat. I connected with Safiya, talked her through my reasons for needing an outfit and explained my body shape and style. After reading through my ideal specifications she selected an array of different options for me to try. I do worry that perhaps I was little too picky as when asked why I didn't like one of the dresses she'd selected I commented that: “It looks cheap. I worry the fabric might ruin after one wash.” Whilst I didn't feel that she found the dress for me, my chat with her did help me narrow down my search. I realised after our conversation that I was looking for something black, mini and with a cut out detail on the neckline.

Haven't tried the 'chat with a stylist' feature on ASOS? Give it a go if you're struggling to find that perfect outfit
or in need of some wardrobe inspiration.

I then went on ShopStyle and searched: 'black cut out bodycon dress'. Whilst the search did pull up a lot of options, the majority of them were either by Hermes or Boohoo. I needed a nice medium with a fabric thicker than the cheap, popular, bodycon stretch dresses currently available and still within my price range. I then searched: 'black bandage dress' and searched through the options again. This time I felt I had a lot more to choose from including some reasonably priced options from Missguided.

This dress by Missguided was the closest I could
find to my ideal dress..

I've narrowed it down to one dress and whilst it may seem plain, I'm a firm believer in the 'less is more' approach to dressing. If I like the way it looks then I'll jazz it up with some killer heels and a statement clutch just to make it look a bit more wow.

It's in the post so fingers crossed it's a winner! Check back next weekend to see the full look pulled together.

O x 

London Fashion Week Round-Up

Yesterday saw the end of this season's London fashion week. Whilst I usually do my utmost to attend all the shows I get invited to, unfortunately this year I was only able to attend on the Friday and Saturday. Although I prefer going to shows in September when it's a tad bit warmer and the sun shines  a little brighter, I do have a general distaste for Spring/Summer fashion. Therefore, despite the cold, with the Autumn/Winter collections I was in my element and this season's offerings did not disappoint.

My fashion week kicked off with a Gothic and edgy collection by Jamie Wei Huang. Models walked seductively down the catwalk to, what I can only describe as, an Eastern European rock soundtrack. The colour palette was simplistic and likewise prints were relatively minimalistic. Chains, d-loop detail and leather however were heavily present giving the collection an underlying 'fetish' feel. Whilst it's undeniable that the collection was rather eccentric, it was the combinations of pastel pink and pretty fur that gave the collection a girlish/feminine feel that was both subtle and covetable. Watch my video below: apologies for the quality!

Day two saw the radiant contribution by Pavane; situated in the atmospheric Institute of Contemporary Arts this collection looked stunning against the backdrop of the exclusive and off location venue. The collection combined shades of deep emerald, charcoal grey and jet black with military style trench coats and floaty, pleated skirts ultimately coming together to create a divine AW15/16 contribution.

See if you can spot me on the front row of the Mariana Jungmann show.

 My favourite show of the season was by Mariana Jungmann. Her collection combined gorgeous AW shades of greens, greys and blues. Sharp tailoring came together with floaty skirts and subtle, laser detail. The neat tailoring complimented the minimal colour palette perfectly and thus created a very sophisticated and ready-to-wear collection. See my favourite looks below:

The show by Vin and Omi is also worth a mention purely because of its unique and wacky aesthetic. Set in a basement location this exclusive show proved to be a real feast for the imagination. The designs were other worldly and unlike anything else I saw this season. Plus, you might've heard that at LC:M this year it was all the rage for the male models to flash their private parts on the catwalk. Let's just say Vin and Omi followed suit with their presentation.  #freethepene 

Photo cred @VinandOmi

Photo cred @VinandOmi

Check by in a couple of days for my roundup of the utterly covetable collections from this season's designer showrooms at Somerset House.

O x

Bangles by Black Tied

Photo cred @blacktied

If, like me, you go weak at the knees for anything customised,bespoke or initiliased then you need to check out up-and-coming jewellery brand Black Tied. If you're unfamiliar with this brand then I suggest you go and give them a little google, now. Black Tied create contemporary and fine jewellery pieces, the most popular of these being their customised cuff/bangles. I've had my eye on one of their customised cuffs for a long time now. Ever since I saw another blogger share an image of her own on instagram I was in love and the fact that I didn't own one haunted me for months. So, at the reasonable cost of only £12 I promised myself I would get one after Christmas. However, not long in to the New Year I realised that with all the holidays/trips/festivals I'm hoping to go to this summer I need to be a lot stricter with myself and curb back my spending habits. *insert sad face here*

A couple of months ago I happened to mention that I wanted one of these bangles to a certain someone special in my life. I had quite forgotten that this conversation had taken place and was therefore completely surprised when I unwrapped this little beauty on Valentine's day. I won't lie, I did feel incredibly lucky. Not only had he treated me to a surprise trip to Berlin, but he'd also bought me something I'd been after for a while and remembered exactly how I'd wanted it engraved. What a pair of beauts! (The bangle and the boy). 

O x

'I Woke Up Like This' & Other Belated Gifts

Whilst I know 2015 is in full swing and Christmas seems a distant memory to us all now, I'm happy to admit that for me this is not quite the case as I'm still receiving belated Christmas gifts. Now, don't get me wrong, the purpose of this post is not to brag, however surely you agree that one of the best things about post-Christmas, besides the sales, has to be the belated gifts?!

Earlier this week I received, from a rather chic friend of mine who knows me far too well, this mug for my early morning coffee dependence and this bunting (from Urban Outfitters). Whilst it's true that the mug will be used excessively and will keep me feeling my usual sassy self, even on those days when it's far too cold and early for sass. The bunting, however, is just that chic I don't even want to take it out of the packet! Ooops!  

All I Want For Christmas...

People keep asking me what I want for Christmas. Well, isn’t it obvious? I want that man (the one and only love of my life Ryan Gosling) to be sat under the tree on Thursday morning ready to greet me with his infamous “Hey girl.” However, I understand he probably has other commitments on Christmas Day what with the new baby girl, time difference and living in a different country situation… So, just in case my mum hasn’t managed to get it all sorted, I’ve made a back-up Christmas list.

Now, before you judge my expensive taste, Christmas is, in my opinion, the season of decadence. If there's ever a time to indulge it's December. So, that said, my Christmas wishlist this year is a little unnecessary, hopeful and unrealistic. Still, 'tis the season!
Here’s what I’m hoping Santa brings me this year:

Necklace - Vivienne Westwood :£65, Bra - H&M  :£9.99, Top - Topshop :£45, Purse - Marc Jacobs :£105, Eau De Parfum 30ml - Giorgio Armarni :£45.50, Watch - Olivia Burton :£75, Foundation Primer - Laura Mercier :£29 and Book - www.amazon.co.uk :£12.50. 

What's on your wishlist?

O x

Say Whaaaaa? The Influx Of Slogan S***

If I'm completely honest, for a long, long time I was pretty much repulsed by the influx of slogan s*** that swanned in and dominated the fashion industry (I'm looking at you Moschino). However, as time went on I started to warm to them and, just recently, I decided they're actually pretty cool. For one, they're actually a great way to take something quite causal, like a simple t-shirt or clutch, and turn it in to something a bit more statement worthy. Plus, as the styles themseves are usually quite simple, it means the items have far more potential to transcend the ever changing trends than some of the other more seasonal items.  

If I had to pick an ultimate slogan piece it would be an Edie Parker box clutch (if you're unfamiliar with this designer then I suggest you google her now, she'll change your life... promise). But, as I don't have a spare £2000 lying around (sigh), I'd even settle for the massively iconic, bloggers' favourite, sold out 'Stressed, depressed, but well dressed' clutch bag by Zara. 

As I'm unlikely to get my hands on either items, I've devised a little lust list of my favourite slogan pieces available to buy now. The more tongue-in-cheek they were the more likely they were going to make it in to my wishlist. I know, I know, TOP BANTS. 

Well obviously...
New Look - £9.99

Why? Because YES, that's why.
Ohh Deer - £19.95

Missguided - £12.00

If I were to attempt to organise my life,
this folder would be far too fitting.
Happy Jackson - £6.29

O x

Lob Love

I've had pretty much the same hairstyle for almost two years and it's been really nagging at me lately that it's time for a change. I'm getting really sick of having hair that takes forever to style and too often gets trapped underneath the shoulder strap of my bag! Plus, with the party season approaching fast I just think it's time to try something a bit different.

Earlier this year the lob (long bob) really took off as celebs like Olivia Palermo, Alexa Chung and even die-hard extensions worshiper Lauren Conrad all opted for the chop. I've never been a massive fan of short hair before now but I think the lob looks really grown-up, classy and super chic. Besides, anything that's good enough for Palermo is by all means it's good enough for me! 

Gin pals.

Thankfully I have a shit hot hairdresser sibling who also agreed it was time to shake things up a little. So the other evening when we had a little spare time my sister gave my roots a re-touch and took about two inches off of my ends. Verdict? I'm so glad I decided to go for it in the end as I absolutely love having shorter hair. It's lighter, bouncier and way easier to manage. In fact, I might even ask my sister if she'll take off another inch. #chopchop

O x