Let's Go Monochrome

A big trend hitting the city faster than you can say 'spring wardrobe' is monochrome, its flash without being busy, and that works for me!

The great thing about monochrome is that it basically consists of black and white, and who doesn't have black and white items in their wardrobe already!! I'd suggest a few investment purchases though, just to add a bit of flare to the look.

This top is from Cos, and at £45, its a pretty decent purchase for the summer, wear with the monochrome trend or with a pair of denim short-shorts and sandals to give off a 'summer in the city' chic look!

Arguably, J-brand jeans are one of the best brands to purchase denim leg wear from, personally I am quite fond of the new curve range at Levi's and Not My Daughters Jean's (although quite frankly, the name had me at hello, and i cannot wait to go back!) These come in at a fair amount higher than my last student finance instalment will allow, £250, but I'm sure someone, somewhere, out there, will be able to blow their hard earnings on these babies!!

For those of you, like myself, who are watching the purse strings, try these on for size! Wet look leggings are all over this monochrome trend like flies to sh- - (oops) and at £18, what is there not to love?!?! 

Now i'm getting to the good stuff, shoes and accessories!! These nifty little numbers are from River Island, and yes I own not one but two pairs of these now, in white and in black... i am yet to wear the black ones but i guess this is the price you pay for owning too many shoes, i think i can live with this. £40. They also have a hidden wedge, which makes them super comfy and gives that slimmer leg (girls i know you know what i'm talking about, when you wear heels and your legs instantly become a size smaller?!? yes? thought so!)

 I am actually in love with this clutch bag from Zara, at £59.99 its a snag! and it has a bangle feature which means if you lose you're grip throughout the night its not going anywhere! PERFECTION. 

And finally, to complete the monochrome look you need some kick-ass accessories, GoGo Philip one of my favourite designers for jewellery on the high-street, prices generally dont go above £30 and start at about £10! this necklace is £15 and when you are adding to monochrome outfits the bigger and bolder the piece the better, stick to one simple colour, like gold or silver in order to give off that effortless feel to your outfit.

H. xx

Strike A Pose

It has come to my attention that I have been working on my dissertation too much, darn me and my book-worm-ing ways (if that is a phrase) so I thought I'd post about the thing that distracts me most from my work... Magazines, particularly Vogue. Now I'm not going to lie, the mass amount of adverts get my bloody boiling.

 I mean, it's basically £5 for a magazine that is 40% adverts, 20% girls who need a maccy-d's, 35% things I cannot, and will never, be able to afford and 15% mind bogglingly high fashion, yet it has me acting like a school girl ever time i purchase one. Vogue has got something special about it. 

This is a fact, its not my opinion, I'm sure there has been market research, scientific test, highly scrutinised results that all point to the FACT Vogue has something all the other magazines want. And boy do their covers prove that. This is a small collection of covers that have got my hands in my purse, searching for those extra pounds needed to purchase...

 Lily Donaldson is possibly my favourite model at the moment, her work with Aldo for their shoe campaign was beyond anything I have ever seen before... in my life... made me want more shoes... 

 Rosie Huntington-Whiteley oozes sex appeal in this, and no doubt, made me part with my coffee money for this issue, I was caffeine deprived but fashion high that day!

Personally, I think any photograph of Natalia Vodianova that hasn't got her mind-blowing pins in them is a waste of film! and no doubt this photograph also started one of those two week long diets, where we start and never finish, but boy she has a pair on her! ( pair of legs of course)

So that is it for now folks, promise to distract myself from my dissertation with blog posts more!! 

H. x

So i'm not feeling a fashion post today, well not completely, this weather makes me feel the need to turn my ipod on full blast and listen to the summeriest tunes to will the weather to get even better!

And what little gem of tun-age have i found recently? only a little darling who goes by the name of Florrie. You might recognise her from the Nina Ricci purfume advert (i'm pretty sure she even sang the tune for the ad too!)

Introducing the so very talented, Florrie, model, drummer, chic-beast. I have face envy right now. 

This is probably, almost, definitely my favourite song from her EP and guess what?? you can get it for free on her website!! 

This girl is going to go very, very far, watch this SPACE!

H. x

Mr Monroe, Where Have You Been All My Life??

Alex Monroe is becoming a huge name in the jewellery industry. He grew up in the country side and this is clear in his work. Turning fine embellishments into an art form, his work has become widely available on the high-street. From Liberties, Selfridges and many other high-end boutiques in the city to small shops out in the sticks! & rightly so, his work is unimaginably beautiful. I will leave your eyes to prove it to you.

His website clearly displays his different collections, including my favourite, the classic feather. I am fortunate enough to have purchased this myself after spotting it on the Harrods website. I love that you can see the texture in the piece, and I simply cannot wait for it to arrive!!

 Along with the theme of feathers, there is also a bird/gardner collection. This bird pearl necklace at £138, is a snip in comparison to his other pieces. The detailing on the piece is exquisite and worth the price tag given to it.

Another area of his inspiration lies in peacock feathers, these earrings, like every other piece in his range are beyond attractive. They would be prefect on some young thing whilst holidaying on a remote beach somewhere.

Another feather piece, which I may need to open a credit card account for! at £150 it is more steep but still an investment piece, i can only imagine Monroe becoming bigger and better as the seasons fly by.

 It is designers like this that aid the age old argument of wither or not fashion is an art form or not. surely if you are spending £1,900 on a 'fashion ring' then you clearly have more money than sense however people spend thousands of pounds on 'art' pieces every day! (although i must say i use this excuse many times when i go shopping) Monroe's work is clearly that of an art form.

 Charms are another area of work for Monroe, this rabbit £300, can be attached to either a necklace charm or charm bracelet. 

Finally many of his pieces are influenced by none other than a twig. his rings are amazing, they give a sense of timelessness along with avant garde fashion.

I have simply run out of things to say about this amazing designer, if you look up effortless chic in the fashion dictionary you will find the words "Alex Monroe"...

H. x

If You're Ears Are Burning, Find Some New Tunes

About three years ago I fell in love with a quirky blonde, with upbeat tunes and fashion taste even Donatello would be envious of.... Of course I'm talking about the Asteroids Galaxy Tour. 

Doing one of my many boredom searches on youtube caused my relentless fingertips to find this sweet little number, and the love story re-embarks on its third consecutive year. 

This is their new single for 2012, Heart Attack! 

And if you're scratching your noggin' wondering where you recognise the singer, Mette Lindberg, and vocals from, its the telly. They were featured on the i-pod adverts in 2008...  

....and then again in the Heineken advert last year!

It's fair to say you should have heard of them by now, and if you haven't I feel this blog post is basically doing a national service to you all! 

They are currently touring in America, but finish their last gig there on the 13th!! I would advise you to flock in your numbers if you are already over there!!

H. x

The Boy's Got Charm

My homage to Matthew Williamson, designer, businessman, stud muffin and all round dude. 

I don't seem to mention him enough on my blog, after all, the work that comes out of his fashion house is rather, well, something on another level to most other designers. He doesn't rely on his name to sell his clothes, he relies on his art work designs, intricate prints and amazing embellishments. 

These are some of my picks from his Spring 2012 collection, that I believe deserve special appreciation.

 No one can call themselves a slave to fashion unless they have had a night out with a clutch bag. Beyond annoying, because you will ALWAYS have one hand busy with your purse, this makes thing difficult when dancing. Personally, my hand jiving abilities have taken a hammering too, all due to the clutch bag. However, when they make them as beautiful as this, its kind of justifiable, besides hand jiving was only really cool when Danny and Sandi did it.

 This piece is a snip at £120, also comes in neon pink, green, yellow and black (dur). It's great to add that bit of sparkle to your holiday outfit, be it in Malaga or Dubai or even just down centre parks.

 Every year, girls (and guys) everywhere wait on the edge of their deck chairs, awaiting the announcement of what type of sunglass design is in. Well, this year I am throwing caution to the wind and buying mine before this announcement is made. Sod it. Who cares about sunglasses anyway, chances are you would have sat on them by mid June anyway.

These glasses mix several different styles to create this rounded shape, besides, when they cost £238 (i think) who is going to criticise what they look like?!

Scarves are the quintessential British accessory. And rightly so, featured in many typically British films, around the pale, slim, delicate neckline of a femme fatal or damsel in a fast car. Williamson makes the most beautiful prints for his scarves, and starting at around £250 (but we can wait for the sale) they are a great investment piece.

On to the dresses! The above is a bit of a purse pincher at £695, but if you've got the money, its such a pretty piece who wouldn't!! Bang on trend with the pastel colours, wide belt and dipping hem at the back.

And the piece of the part! This feather trip magnitude of a statement dress is beyond words itself. Also available in black, the staggering price point (over £1,000) is easy understood. Each feather was no doubt, hand stitched, as with the embellishments on it. 

I must say though, designers need to f-up their websites, Williamson's is the best i've seen by far, but no styling goes into it, and the look book is slightly awkward as it moves with your mouse. Sort it out fellas.

H. x

Everyone's Talking About Gwyn!!!

And quite frankly, I can understand why! Her Harpers Bazaar cover is RIDIC!!! In fact it is so out of this world, I felt obliged to make this my first 2-in-1-day blog post, exciting stuff i know. 

So I am yet to pick up a copy of the US mag, but will probably scoop it up tomorrow as I'm going into central, and if there is anything worth posting I wont let you guys down! 

These images are quite simply stunning, the black geometric design flatters her body in ways only underwear usually does, it helps that she has a figure to die for. I'm also loving the retro-feel hair, something that has been predicted to make a return to the catwalk for a little while now. WATCH THIS SPACE! 

 I must admit though, I have never liked pant-suits or jump-suits, and I am yet to be converted by this image. I do think there are stronger pictures, but I have seen the subscribers cover and it is worth checking out!

The only issue (see what i done there, hehe -lame-) I do have with what i've read so far online is what she has said about her eating habits. Now I am not usually one to comment on these things, its the complete norm' for uber thin, toned and bangin' celebs to say they eat junk food all the time, when everyone knows they push half a celery stick around their plate for 17 minutes and call it dinner time. However ol' gwynie here is KNOWN for her macro-biotic diet yet said this: "I eat whatever I want. I like bread and cheese and wine, and that makes my life fun and enjoyable.” hmmmm you're interview is telling me one thing, yet your legs say something else.

Either way, I'm not going to judge (much) she is an amazing personality, I loved her on Glee, and I have huge hair envy right now. 

H. x