All posts tagged fashion

Friday Finds

This week, I’ve been listening to Birdy’s album.

It’s a beautiful, relaxing collection of cover versions with a folky twist and Bridy’s voice is amazing especially considering she’s only 15. It’s very chilled so you need to be in a certain mood to enjoy it and as you know it’s been a reflective week for me so it’s been on my iPod while I commute to work.

Here’s my favourite song on there so far, Terrible Love:

I also watched Transformers: Dark of the moon this week. Sometimes my film taste edges into teenage boy territory and I loved the first two films for being fun action popcorn movies. The third outing is pretty much take three of the same although there’s a more definite ending and a change of girl. The bluray edition has amazing sound and picture quality, yes I am a geek so this got a thumbs up from me!

I’m currently reading Heist Society by Ally Carter. I love her spy school stories The Gallagher Girls and will let you know what I think about her new series, which is about a teenage thief.

I found a fab new nail vernish for Xmas from Barry M - red glitter, perfect for the festive season! But I’ve been on the lookout for a sparkly top to wear and I can’t find one so let me know if you spot a nice one in the shops or online!

Also on my buying plans this weekend, is the DVD of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, can’t wait to see this again!

Check out my blogroll too over on the right as I’ve added in some more favourites!

Any recommendations for me from your week?

Vix

14 Comments

by Victoria-writes on December 2, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Beauty, Books, Fashion, Films, Friday Finds, Music, Shopping

Tagged beauty, books, fashion, films, Friday finds, music, shopping

Posted by Victoria-writes on December 2, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/12/02/friday-finds-10/

Glamour puss

I went Xmas shopping at the weekend and my eye caught the girls on the Benefit make-up counter dressed up in forties style. One of them ended up defining my eyebrows, putting mascara on my mum and selling us £100 worth of products as pressies for us!

I love the idea of having a retro style and admire people with the confidence to wear it everyday. On the occasion I wear red lipstick, I instantly feel more glamorous and I’d love to experiment more with vintage. I was eyeing up the Benefit girl’s pin curls, which I might have to try at Xmas.

I think nowadays most people are pretty casual and that’s probably why I adore old school glamour as it’s so different to how we are now. I’m not sure I’m ready to go full out forties style but I shall try to channel some retro style when I can.

If in doubt, I shall look to the ultimate glamour puss style icon, the always inspirational Marilyn Monroe!

“I don’t mind being burdened with being glamorous and sexual. Beauty and femininity are ageless and can’t be contrived, and glamour, although the manufacturers won’t like this, cannot be manufactured. Not real glamour; it’s based on femininity.”
― Marilyn Monroe

Do you have a glamourous alter-ego you wish you could let out?!
Vix

26 Comments

by Victoria-writes on November 29, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Beauty, Celebrity, Fashion

Tagged 1940's, beauty, celebrity, fashion, style, vintage

Posted by Victoria-writes on November 29, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/11/29/glamour-puss/

Autumn colours

A large proportion of my wardrobe is black especially for autumn / winter and I can usually be found wearing jeans. So I went shopping on Saturday and decided I needed to brighten up my wardrobe this year. I’ve always stuck to black or blue jeans but these stood out to me in Topshop and I thought they would be a fun way to inject some life into my outfits:

Then I spotted a scarf on a mannequin in the window of River Island and snapped it up. I love the fact it has three block colours so will go with lots of different outfits plus it’s soft and snuggly, just what I need when the weather turns chilly.

Throw in a trip to Nandos and an evening watching Doctor Who and X Factor and I had a great Saturday

Do you tend to stick to certain colours / items of clothing?
Vix

32 Comments

by Victoria-writes on September 19, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Fashion, Shopping

Tagged fashion, shopping

Posted by Victoria-writes on September 19, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/09/19/autumn-colours/

Make do and mend

I needed a button sewn this weekend and having no sewing skills whatsoever I had to plead with my mum who hates sewing herself to help me out. Growing up, I had no instruction at school in sewing, knitting, mending and it’s left me pretty short when it comes to practical know-how.

I think it’s real shame that such skills seems to be dying out. I love clothes and am always moaning how things in shops never look or fit quite right. I’d love to be able to make my own clothes or be a whizz at the sewing machine but I’m hopeless! If I’m ever able to cut down on work I’d love to take a class so I can finally learn these things.

I actually did learn to knit although my skills are pretty low rent and did produce two winter scarves. I attempted to do a throw for my room but gave up because nothing looked right. I find it frustrating and disappointing that I’m not creative in this way.

If there was ever a clothes shortage, I think my generation would be pretty hopeless at getting through it. We live in such a disposal society now – people can buy a cheap top from Primark rather than mend an old favourite or make their own clothes but it’s sad to see the art dying out I think. I hope one day I can learn to do something otherwise if I ever have children I’ll have to buy them new shirts because I can’t sew on new buttons

How are your sewing skills?

Vix

51 Comments

by Victoria-writes on August 22, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Fashion, Fun, Musings

Tagged clothes, dressmaking, fashion, fun, knitting, musings, sewing

Posted by Victoria-writes on August 22, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/08/22/make-do-and-mend/

Saturday Shopping and Sunday Songs

Yesterday I hit the shops and got my first Autumn clothes haul – all in Gap surprisingly. I got two light jumpers in blue and tan, a pair of dark blue bootcut jeans and a black and white scarf.

I also went into TK Maxx and across the shop a bear caught my eye. Yes I’m 28 and I still have some cuddly toys in my room, I think I’ll always have a soft spot for them! Anyway, I went over to this bear who colour coodinates with my room – brown and cream. He looked like a reject bear – his eyes are lop-sided and his stuffing feels too thin. I couldn’t help but pick him up – he was £4.99 and was just calling to be taken home! I promise I’m not crazy Anyway here he is …

Any ideas what I should name him?!

Okay here are this week’s songs that I’m loving, enjoy!

Charlie Simpson – Parachutes

Will Young – Jealousy

Leona Lewis – Collide

Don’t forget to check out my playlists on the music page!

Have a lovely Sunday!

Vix

17 Comments

by Victoria-writes on August 21, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Fashion, Shopping, Sunday Songs

Tagged fashion, music, shopping, Sunday Songs

Posted by Victoria-writes on August 21, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/08/21/saturday-shopping-and-sunday-songs/

Be adorable

On my week off a book caught my eye on the shelf – pink, embossed and all about being glamorous, I snapped it straight up!

I love old school glamour, Hollywood stars of the past with their red lipstick, alluring eyes and long silky gowns. Marilyn, Audrey, Bette, Katherine … this books tells you how to be like them. Well, kind of. It’s actually quite tongue-in-cheek and gives plenty of secrets that these ladies indulged in to be so glamorous – wearing no underwear crops up a lot

I do wish that modern life wasn’t so much about jeans and t-shirts now but that we did pay more attention to how we look, speak and walk and inject a bit more glamour into everyday life. I love the idea of having a vintage style look but would lack the effort needed to pull it off. I did attend one black tie event once and curled my hair, wore a glitsy dress and red lipstick and got a lot of attention. I think it’s nice once in a while to push the boat out and sparkle like Marilyn.

Tips I’ve picked up from the book:

- Before you can convince others you’re attractive you have to believe it yourself (M. Monroe)

- There’s no such thing as an ugly woman. There are only those who have not realised their full potential (Arlene Dahl)

- Eat more pasta (Sophia Loren)

- Fashion fades, only style endures (Coco Chanel)

- Create a trademark like VB’s Hermes Birkin or Cindy Crawford’s mole – suggestions a piece of jewellery or hair style or quirky bag

- Always drink out of a glass

- No open mouthed kissing in public

- Be adorable on the inside – listen, remmeber birthdays, write thank you cards, give compliments and keep eye contact

- Don’t speak in a shrill voice

- Don’t use coloured eyeshadow in the daytime

- When all else fails smile (Elle Macpherson)

- Give your hair a champagne rinse a la Greer Garson

- You don’t have to be rich to be chic (Doris Day)

- Descend a staircase like a movie star – pause at the top for a few seconds, people will look to see who you are

- For a marriage to be a success,every woman and every man should have their own bathroom (Catherine Zeta Jones)

Do you ever long for some glamour in your life?

Vix

54 Comments

by Victoria-writes on August 10, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Beauty, Books, Fashion

Tagged beauty, books, fashion

Posted by Victoria-writes on August 10, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/08/10/be-adorable/

The trials of shopping

I’ve never been a fan of one particular shop. There isn’t one place I head to first when I’m shopping, somewhere I know I’ll find something. I find shopping on the high street to about luck really – sometimes I find something in one shop, the next time will think everything in there is hideous. Even if it looks good on the hanger there’s no guarantee it will fit or look good actually on you.

I don’t think it’s just a high street thing either. Once I was annoyed that I couldn’t find any decent jeans I tried on loads fo designer ones in a department store just to see if I paid that bit more whether I get a better fit. Nope. None of them looked good. Some seemed stupidly tight even though the waist measurement was apparently the right inches. I’ve managed to find jeans on the high street that I now stick to – skinny jeans from Topshop and bootcut ones from Gap. I had to buy the Topshop ones on-line because they never have many sizes in store. Annoying!

Recently I brought a few things from Next. I’ve never gone crazy over their clothes and often walked in and walked out again but the shopping gods were with me and I ended up with this little lot (sorry about the pics, I got them off their website and the sizes were odd):

One shop that has never worked for me is H & M. I often see nice things on people, which they got there but everytime I visit, I just see a bewildering mess of clothes and nothing fits me properly. So annoying but I’ve given up trying now. I also avoid Primark as it’s like a crowded jumble sale most of the time.

I’m also not a massive online fan. I brought a few things from online store ASOS.com but had to return most of them. They just didn’t look how I thought they would from the picture. I just don’t think you can get the same feel for how clothes will look on you from the internet and then you have all the hassle of posting the stuff back. I don’t think I’ll bother again.

No wonder when I go shopping I’m there for hours Desperately searching for something that looks nice. I wish I did have a place that filled all my needs but I don’t think it will happen anytime soon.

Do you have a favourite shop?

Vix

37 Comments

by Victoria-writes on June 23, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Fashion, Musings, Shopping

Tagged fashion, musings, shopping

Posted by Victoria-writes on June 23, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/06/23/the-trials-of-shopping/

Material girl

I feel in the need of treating myself to something special. This summer, I have no holidays plans so with that saving in mind along with the dullness of staying put (and probably enduring more rain), I think I need to buy myself a staying at home present. Yes I am trying to be logical about buying things for myself – it’s a gift!

I have a few ideas of what I should buy but thought I’d test opinion out on here to make sure my treat is the right treat. So over to you guys to vote for what my purchase should be

A new handbag - I’m liking this Juicy Couture one …

A new piece of jewellry - my top choice would be an evening watch with some sparkles on it (I only have a black leather one) or some diamond stud earrings.
A pair of designer sunlgasses (I currently wear a £15 pair from River Island)

What do you think?

Vix

48 Comments

by Victoria-writes on June 8, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Fashion, Shopping

Tagged fashion, presents, shopping

Posted by Victoria-writes on June 8, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/06/08/material-girl/

Coachella cool

Every year I get completely jealous when I see photos of the Coachella music festival in California. Cool people, trendy bands, fashion fun and lovely warm weather. Festivals over here are usually about the rain and mud in comparison. Hopefully one year I’ll get to go myself but for now, here are my favourite outfits from the event.

Fab summer dressing, love it!

Anyone going to any festivals this year?

Vix

35 Comments

by Victoria-writes on April 27, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Celebrity, Fashion

Tagged celebrities, Coachella, fashion, festivals

Posted by Victoria-writes on April 27, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/04/27/coachella-cool/

The sun has got his hat on

We are experiencing some gorgeous weather in the UK right now – it’s sunny and unseasonably warm, we’re even beating the Med on temperature. There’s something about the sunshine that makes everything seem better and my mood much lighter.

Yesterday I grabbed a lunch break and sat out for some sun catching. I must start bringing sun cream to work as my shoulder got a bit red oops I also ventured to the shop to buy an ice cream. It’s hilarious that even as an adult sunshine and ice cream or lollies go hand in hand. I remember hearing the jingle of an ice cream van as a child and wanting to jump for joy. I always get a Mr Whippy with a flake if I’m buying from a van.

I got a Twister because of its combination of ice cream and ice lollie. You get the best of both worlds!

The sunshine definitely makes it hard being in an office all day. I want to outside soaking it up, drinking the good old Pimms (Have any of you tried it yet?!) and listening to some summer tunes.

Another thing I find tough is choosing outfits in the warm weather. I honestly think I’m a winter clothes person - I like my jeans and boots and knitwear and find it much easier to find something than when it gets warmer. I’m not a big fan of short skirts or dresses, I find them uncomfortable on the tube and flimsy sandals usually break in the city. I need to find a cool, comfortable but chic summer look and get away from my usual jeans / long top combo.

Maybe city shorts is the way to go, some inspiration from Alexia Chung …..