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In 2015 I will be writing a Sentence a Day. You can read more about why here.
Today is the 18 March 2015.
Question:
What was your most recent purchase?
Answer:
The Graphic Spaghetti Strap Top and Bold Zip Dress from & Other Stories; my nod to the geo-graphics and New Seventies trends and as a reminder to myself that Spring has nearly sprung.
In 2015 I will be writing a Sentence a Day. You can read more about why here.
Today is the 20 January 2015.
Question:
What is at the top of your To Do list right now?
Answer:
My To Do List is a treacherous mountain of tasks to climb over and is compartmentalised as I'm sure most people's are ('Work!' 'House!' 'Blog!' 'Health!' 'Social Stuff!' 'Boring Admin!' etc); currently at the top is 'Put Christmas Presents Away and Write Thank you Cards' (yes, I'm aware Christmas Day was nearly a month ago and yes I know you can send an email, but I like the old-fashioned way).
My lovely gifts are safely stored in big Christmas bags and there is an & Other Stories voucher burning a hole in the bottom of one of them. I must hurry, there is brilliant new fashion to gain possession of.
CHELTENHAM
Off to the races! The Cheltenham Festival takes place annually in March at Cheltenham Race Course in Gloucestershire. Ladies Day is an opportunity to enjoy all of the exciting action on the course and wear a fantastic outfit. There is no dress code at Cheltenham but as March climates can be unpredictable, guests are advised to dress accordingly and with the weather in mind. This is quintessentially, brilliantly British - but us British women know that this is never an excuse not to have high fashion in mind. We laugh in the face of the weather.
THE LOOK
I wanted my look to be less traditional and more contemporary; to really project my appreciation and love of fashion. I wanted to keep it stylish and nail the new season look with a nod to the Spring / Summer 2014 trends with sartorial success in mind.
THE INFLUENCE
Primary colours and florals are exciting Spring / Summer 2014 trends. The bold shades of red and blue on the Peter Pilotto Red Floral / Check Print Dress are far too fun to ignore and with a splash of black thrown into the mix, as seen at Fendi, Prada and Céline, brights are more pared back. Florals are super-sized, bold and in bloom. The white belt is a nod to the understated Sports Luxe look.
Delicious candy colours are showing no signs of fading. A pop of candy pink on shoes and coat keeps it playful but chic - and who says clashing red and pink is wrong. The subtle fascinator hat? You simply cannot be at Cheltenham without a hat.
THE COMPONENTS
From left to right
1. Pink Coat by Zara
An oversized coat is a bloggers favourite and still going strong for Spring / Summer (and this is England, so a coat is a must in chilly March).
2. Rivington Shiny Croc Pouch by Whistles
A place to keep all your Cheltenham essentials in on-trend reptile effect leather.
3. Belted Dress - Red Floral / Check Print by Peter Pilotto for Target
Adored for its signature otherworldly prints and sculptural shapes, Peter Pilotto's beautiful designs are walking works of art. This is a perfect print from the hotly anticipated and limited-time only designer collection for Target.
4. Vintage Ring from Gigi's Dressing Room
All of my outfits usually include some form of vintage item. Gigi's Dressing Room in Wood Street Market, Walthamstow, London, E17 is a treasure trove of beautiful vintage clothes and jewellery.
5. Fine Mesh Fascinator by Whiteley for John Lewis
Made from two layers of fine, ivory mesh and trimmed with luxurious feathers, this is the perfect finishing touch to the all important Ladies Day Outfit.
From Coast's new range of affordable, stylish footwear. The colours are classic but the stiletto heel and double strap ankle makes a sophisticated and fierce statement.
7. Charm Bracelet by Thomas Sabo
A classic charm in stylish black keeps jewellery minimal and stylish.
8. Black necklace from South of the River, Crystal Palace, London, SE19
The detail on the necklace really stands out against the bright floral print without overpowering the overall look.
9. Brass Bangles Set in Gold by & Other Stories
In my opinion, & Other Stories the coolest place for jewellery on the high street.
BEAUTY
Less is more when it comes to easy every day glamour. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation helps to achieve a clean base and Benefit's World Famous Neutrals and Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner keeps eyes simple but impactful, finished off with Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir. Lips and Nails stand out - Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Rebelle keeps lips hydrated but bold and nails painted with Chanel Le Vernis in Rouge Noir completes the look dramatically. Subtle sheen is provided by Benefit - High Beam on cheeks and Bathina body balm for a silky, glimmering effect.
VOTING
THE VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED ON THIS COMPETITION.
RACING
My dear Dad has been a dedicated race goer for many years, attending national and international meets and sometimes taking his family with him. If I win, it will make my Dad very happy indeed, so please vote. If I don't, he will still be happy as I am standing on a racecourse, with authentic binoculars and wearing a hat.
'Fashion is part of the daily air and it changes all the time, with all the events. You can even see the approaching of a revolution in clothes. You can see and feel everything in clothes'.
Diana Vreeland
Here is my fashion wish list for this week. A panoply of delectable pieces that I wish were mine. Pink to make the fash-pack nod admirably.
Calling all fashion lovers. Would all fashion lovers please report immediately to Regent Street. I repeat, please make your way immediately to Regent Street.
Material Whirl is very, very excited about H&M's high-end label, & Other Stories which landed with an almighty thump this weekend, launching its debut store on Regent Street. I am already an unashamed lover of H&M and its modern take on fashion. I always devour its in-store magazine featuring inspirational mood boards, new and up-and-coming designers and its unique interpretation of the catwalk trends. I adore the new flagship store on Oxford Street and loved that it was H&M that took over Paris Fashion Week with its catwalk debut within the grounds of the Musée Rodin. Model of the moment Cara Delevingne even walked as part of an army of top models.
Right now though, it is & Other Stories that has me trawling through its trendy website and trying to work out when I can next get to Regent Street. This is H&M's cool big sister you really want to hang out with.
Filling a two-floor space with a crisp white interior and black spotlights that illuminate all the gorgeous treats on offer, & Other Stories offers minimalist clean lines that are in no way dull. Shiny metallics, towering chunky wedge heels, explosive pops of neon and the edgy and slightly kooky colours that my eye is always naturally drawn to are a perfect way to freshen up my wardrobe for spring (when it finally decides to make an appearance).
The label also offers beauty products and clever accessories which are a core part of the brand, such as preppy leather satchels, on-trend duffel bags and chunky jewellery to update your look. The price tag may be a little higher than H&M, but it is not extortionate. The Evening Standard's Emma McCarthy described the label as one 'To help those with champagne tastes on a beer budget' and as this is a perfect way to sometimes describe my approach to fashion (and a reflection of my bank account) I couldn't agree more.
http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/fashion/a-new-swedish-shopping-sensation--other-stories-lands-on-regentx
& Other Stories offers something a bit different, timeless and chic style on a high-street budget. I particularly love the makeup with a message - 'Go girl, seek happy nights to happy days...' carved into the blusher. Definitely created with this stylist city in mind where you never know where the day will take you...
http://www.stories.com/