May Favourites

I feel as though May has been rather a successful month for me this year. I have completed two of my A-levels with only English left to finish, got a second job in a small clothing shop for over the summer, sorted my accommodation for UCA Epsom in September, and, started swimming again frequently for the first time since I stopped it competitively. Oh, and I seem to have started blogging a lot more too!

Comfortable, practical, yet pretty; what more could you want for a day-to-day shoe? I've really grown to love these Toms over the past month. Having rather wide feet, I struggle to find shoes that fit properly, however these do so just like a glove - perfect! I love the crochet style, adding a delicate pattern to the shoe. They go with just about anything too!

I received this Essence mascara in May's Glossybox, which you can check out here. For such a good value, this mascara works a treat, appearing to elongate and curl the lashes so nicely.

Finding myself in desperate need of a new phone case, I picked this one up in the New Look sale for just £2! I love the pallet of pinks, greens and blues and the abstract pattern that is made.

For the past few months, I've been loving the Hello Fashion Magazine for just £1! It's full of the latest  fashion trends as well as inteviews, lifestyle and beauty editorials as well. Such a fab read!

Having quite long and thick hair, I struggle with keeping it in a good condition, despite using conditioners and oils. John Frieda Miraculous Recovery really does do what the name states, and appears to cure hair drastically! As soon as I first applied the serum, my hair immediately calmed and appeared so much less frizzy!

What were you loving last month?

Collection: Viktor & Rolf SS15

Imaginably striking and beautiful, a field of blooming flowers is instantly portrayed in Viktor & Rolf's Spring/Summer collection as their initial influence arose from the work of Vincent Van Gough. Bold floral patterns in a seemingly dull, rather old-fashioned colour pallet were modernised through - as no other can expect from a Viktor and Rolf collection - dramatic, intense and purely wonderful 3D pieces.

Masses of ruffles create voluminous skirts and sleeves giving the garments such a powerful perception as they fiercely amplify the floral print. Enthusiastic colours fill the odd shape, the random blocks of monotoned complexions highlighting the individual motif of the pattern, spritely making the otherwise monochrome scheme more interesting.

Intricately detailed flowers formed from wire and and wax lift from garments, creating adventurous flower scenes. The cami style dresses refrains the magnificent structures from appearing too overbearing, building a dainty style for the structures to work from. Strips of monochrome applique finished with a black bow gives the collection a subtle trademark detail - one which might be recognised as vintage, harmonising with the matured theme of Van Gough.

 What are your thoughts on the Viktor & Rolf SS15 collection?

Pinterest Summer Inspo

Bright and radiant, the sun is glistening off the flat surface of the tranquil sea, warm and calming as the ripples of water lap around your ankles and - oh. I can hope though, right?

In actual fact, the sun is not shining, but is cast behind a blanket of grey cloud. The rain pitter patters, pitter patters against the window. The darkly toned sea remains choppy and certainly not warm! So whilst we're still captured in such awfully un-May-like weather, I can't yet bring myself to crack open the summer wardrobe, but rather lusting over summer style on Pinterest. I've gotten so into pinning atm and you can follow my Pinterest here.

So timeless and pretty, crochet and lace tops will always be a summer favourite of mine. I love the boho vibes of this waistcoat and the so on-trend swish and swirl of the tassels. The animal prints are made to look so much more mature and chic in their monochrome, silhouette form, and I love the loose fitting of kimonos and cotton shorts - so perfect for summer temperatures! I really want to try some patterned trousers this year, but it's so difficult when they make short legs look even shorter than ever.

There's one thing I can never get enough of for summer: florals. There's so many different shapes, forms, colours and prints, they can't possibly ever get boring! Intricate cut outs are a current favourite of mine and I love the delicacy of the forms in this hem. I am yet to purchase a white blouse, but they're so versatile and light, so perfect for summer as they'll naturally team well with any printed skirt, trousers or shorts.

What will you be loving this summer?

White Jeans and Pale Pink Roses

Who else is completely and utterly fed up with the current un-May-like weather? I'm so eager to crack out the summery tops and skirts - I'm finding it rather challenging to dress for the in-between-seasons' temperatures.

Usually, white jeans are a strict summer-wardrobe-piece-only for me. A total winter no-go. And certainly not to be paired with jumpers. But the pale pink complexion and 3/4 length sleeves of this jumper as well as its cropped cut made this outfit, actually, acceptable, making the jumper look a lot lighter and cooler.

I have to say, I did feel like I was stepping out from the Moschino SS15 Barbie collection, perhaps due to the pink and white mixture of colours, however I do just love the way in which the shades harmonise so well together. The rose detailing on the jumper is also so pretty and intricate, I think it needed the lift from the whiteness of the jeans.

Pink Rose Detailed Jumper - New Look (old)

White High Waisted Jeans - Topshop

Caged Sandals - New Look

Mid-Season Sale Haul

Rather a lot of shops are currently in the midst of a cracking mid-season sale, and of course I've been making the utter most of it! But who can blame me, eh? New Look in particular have been ace with up to 60% off both instore and online and when I'm making that oh-too-regular trek through town from college to the bus station, temptation just has to get the better of me!

Tropical Print Tube Skirt - New Look - was £9.99 - now £5

Last year, the tropical print was huge for SS14, and this summer, its set to make a great comeback. I just can't help but love the bold prints and the bright pop of colours - so so perfect for the warmth of the summer season. I think that this would team well with a loose cropped plain tee and sandals for a casual summers day.

Floral T Shirt Dress - New Look Generation 915 (sold out, similar tee here)

Florals will hands down probably always be my favorite summer trend. So timeless and versatile with so many different colours and prints and styles to chose from, the choice is endless! I love the loose, casual fit with the t-shirt sleeves, making this so versatile for either day-time or evening wear. I'll be most likely pairing this with some black caged sandals, but in the winter this can be easily worn with tights and ankle boots too.

High Neck Bodycon Dress - New Look (sold out, similar here) 

I'm really loving the high neck 70s trend. It gives off such sophisticated yet cool vibes. The thinly knitted style makes this totally versatile, making it perfect for teaming with sandals in the summer, but also tights, ankle boots and a loose jacket in the winter.

Peplum Jumper - Topshop (sold out)

With the weather still acting pretty chilly and totally not like its the end of May, I'm currently loving teaming thin knits with jeans and chunky boots. I love the minimal effect of the grey tone and how it leaves all emphasis on the frilly peplum.

Floral Pop Pom Cropped Cami - Missguided - was £12 - now £6

Don't pom poms just make the cutest addition to any top/skirt/shorts? They add a dainty detail which really lighten up the piece of clothing. I love the boldness of these flowers and the fluffy texture created by the intricacy of the shapes' detail. I'll most likely be styling this cute cami with high waisted jeans and shorts.

What have you been buying in the mid-season sales?

Cannes Film Festival 2015 - The Best Dressed

Previewing new films of all genres from around the world, Cannes Film Festival happened over in France on Wednesday night, and oh-so-beautiful attires were strutted down that prestigious red carpet.


Fan Bingbing

Chinese actress Fan Bingbing opted for a magnificent pastel pink Ralph and Russo gown embroidered with complementary green flowers and leaves. The off the shoulder style keeps the look current and modern whilst the immense train graces elegance.

Angelababy

Dressed in Christian Dior couture, Angela Young, otherwise known by her stage name Angelababy, similarly chose a pretty floral embroidered ensemble. The full mid-calf length skirt creates a dainty style whilst the cut out trend keeps the look current.

Natalie Portman

Also in Dior, Natalie Portman pulled off this striking red number, its lack of embellishment and pattern allowing all of the dress' emphasis to be dropped on the jagged line of the triangle/zigzag neckline.

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Nyong'o stole the night in this wonderful mint green Gucci gown. The dramatic skirt creates such a beautiful movement, whilst the floral embellishments around the dashing neckline adds a level of intricate detailing.

Karlie Kloss

Is it a jumpsuit or a dress? Perhaps half a skort? Model Karlie Kloss amazed us all in this Atelier Versace piece.The half trouser, half skirt style gives the look an edgy effect, whilst the shiny fabric creates one of glamour.

Doutzen Kroes

Victoria's Secret model Doutzen Kroes also opted for Atelier Versace, wearing a pure white number with a daring thigh high slit and glamorous one shoulder sleeve.

Which were your favourite looks from the Cannes Film Festival red carpet?

SS15 Trend: Intricate Cut Outs

Intricate detailing, labyrinthine patterns and tangled lines, the cut out trend for this season has just achieved a whole advanced level of elaborate. From linear grids to organic swirls, designers from Valentino to Bora Aksu are removing and cutting tiny shapes from plain fabrics, allowing the entangled lines left to generate a garment of intensity and detail. The garments tend to be otherwise plain, and of simple styles, allowing the delicate forms to take utter control of contrarily subtle designs.

L-R Chloe, Valentino, Ermanno Scervino, Akris, Bora Aksu

Shop the Trend

White leather-look cut out tunic - New Look - £26

Pink laser cut hem crop top - New Look - £9.99

Laser cut overlay dress - Topshop - £40

Laser cut shell top - Missguided - £12

White laser cut out top - Zara - £25.99

Laser cut out loafers - Select Fashion - £10.99

Cut outs on the highstreet are predictably a bundle more subtle (boring) than those which graced the runways for the SS15 shows. Most are sticking to just removing shapes from the hem of the garment, whilst some slightly more courageous are in fact covering the whole garment, yet keeping the forms monotonously repetitive and simple. Highstreet stores are being less brave and a lot more minimal. Never-the-less the clothing above is, although rather trivial, perfect for participating with bold prints, such as floral and geometric patterns. Their monochrome colour tone makes them perect for teaming with bright or varied colours too!

Will you be sporting the intricate cut out trend for SS15?