Will You Be Rocking The Crop?

I thought I would do a post on how to wear the new season's IT-trouser: the cropped pant (extra fashion points if it's patterned). Studying at Edinburgh means battling hair-ruining winds, heel-defying cobbled streets and most notably, icy cold temperatures. Needless to say, working the latest trends in a sub-zero climate can be tricky. That's why, when wearing my new cropped trousers, I'll be keeping a secret up my sleeve. Or should I say legs. To keep warm I recommend wearing tights under your trousers -nude if you want to keep your secret or go for sheer ones with a pattern for a quirky look. So with this canny trick, will you be rocking the crop? x. 

Daisy Street Blogger Competition

This week I was lucky enough to be contacted by Punk PR on behalf of the online womenswear retailer: Daisy Street. They are holding a competition where 10 bloggers put together their ‘MUST HAVE’ looks for A/W 12 from the pieces on their website www.daisystreet.co.uk. I’ll be honest and say that I had not actually heard of the brand before but was genuinely impressed with their pieces. 

I created my look around the amazing Elene Metallic Peplum Jacket and imagined I was creating a look for a night out for drinks in a city bar. Peplums are a huge trend for next season and can be seen all over the catwalks and high street; not only is it fashion-forward, it’s actually a really figure-flattering shape! Another huge trend is embellishment and these stud collared shirts can be seen everywhere at the moment (TIP: wear the collar over the top of the jacket to highlight it). I also went for studs on the ankle boots. Seeing as I kept the base colours of my outfit monochrome, I used the yellow clutch bag and earrings to throw a splash of colour into this look, plus silver and yellow work surprisingly well together! To finish off the look I added in a bit of print with these amazing nail wraps, which are a fun and easy way to decorate your nails. 

So thats my outfit. I really hope you like it, and if you do please head over to the Daisy Street Facebook Page to vote for my entry by clicking ‘LIKE’ on my look (Please Vote for my Entry Here). The top three looks, as voted for by you, are entitled to receive a complimentary item from their look, with the overall winner recieveing their entire look! Needless to say I would absolutely love to win this prize, especially as I had so much fun putting this together and discovering this brand. PLEASE VOTE FOR ME! x.

Rosie Shares Lingerie Tips

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has just revealed her debut lingerie collection for the 'national treasure' of a British Brand: Marks & Spencers. And being a Victoria's Secret Angel and Agent Provocateur model, Rosie certainly knows a thing or two about looking good in lingerie. Speaking to the Sunday Times Style magazine Rosie shared her top tips:

'It's important that you are measured by a trained bra fitter every six months. Your size can vary with your diet, not to mention hormonal fluctuations. A good bra can improve your posture and make your outfit look better.'

'French knickers are great for curvy figures, shorts are best if you're boyish; a Brazilian means there's no VPL and a thong is the sexy option.'

'I don't just wear lingerie under my clothers - a camisole is the perfect layering piece and the all-in-one body would look fabulous with jeans.'

The collection hits M&S stores on the 30th August 2012, meanwhile watch the promotional video below and sign up for updates on the collection at www.marksandspencer.com/Rosie x.

How to: Customise

Top 1: Bleach Tie-dye & Cutout

Get the plain t-shirt you want to customise and stuff it with a plastic bag to protect the other side from the bleach. Make sure to cover your surface with newspaper to protect that too.

Tie up randomly spaced sections of the fabric with elastic bands.

Get some ordinary household bleach. Be careful not to get any on your skin.

Pour some bleach into the cap then use this to pour some bleach over the tied up fabric so that the bleach falls down the sides. Don't worry about being too precise the final look is a roughed up, grungy t-shirt so it shouldn't look perfect.

After about 10 minutes, or when you are satisfied with the colour change, wash off the bleach.

Remove the elastic bands to reveal your tie-dye top and leave to dry. If you want to stop here then make sure to wash your top thoroughly in a washing machine before wearing to get rid of the bleach smell.

To create the cut-outs, pinch a section of fabric and cut off the top with scissors.

Here is the final top! I would wear with denim shorts, ankle boots and lots of  grunge-chic jewelry.

Top 2: Bleach in a Shape

Repeat the same process with the newspaper and plastic bag as with Top 1.

To create a heart shape that is symmetrical, fold a piece of paper in half then on one side draw half of a heart shape.

Fold over again and cut along the line. When you open the cut-out shape it will be a symmetrical heart.

Place your paper shape on your t-shirt.

Fill a glass with plain water and get an old paintbrush that you don't mind being ruined by the bleach.

Paint a water layer onto the top around your paper shape. Then discard the paper.

Paint on the bleach working from the inside of your shape, out.

Continue until the whole shape is covered using the bleach to go over the water-layer outline.

As the bleach works it should look like this after about 10 minutes. Again we are not going for a perfect look, so the bleeding of colour and roughness of shape works well.

Wash off the bleach.

Here is the final top! A 'wear-with-anything' style that  reminds me of the Victoria's Secret 'Supermodel Essentials' Collection.

Shoes: Embellished with Brooches

Buy some plain shoes that you want to embellish. they can be any style but make sure the material they are made from is a fabric or felt otherwise you will not be able to pierce the brooch through.

Take two matching brooches of your choice. The great thing about embellishing in this way is that as soon as you become bored of this style you can simply change the brooches for an instant update!

Simply pin the brooches on and you have a completely new (and more expensive) looking pair of shoes!

Feeling frugal? As a student I am constantly looking for ways to change up my look on a budget. Needing some throw-on-tees I decided to customise two plain coloured t-shirts that I already owned. I then went out to buy some plain black slipper shoes (in love with the comfort and easy style of these shoes!) and two brooches to easily customise them. See the results and my step-by-step guide. x.

Megan Fox Make-Up Tricks

Megan Fox is well known for her sultry make up looks, and despite the 26 year old actress now expecting her first child with husband Brian Austin Green, you can be sure that she won't be ditching her trademark look anytime soon. This post shares her eye and lip make up tricks and works particularly well on girls with dark hair and blue eyes like Megan.

Entrancing Eyes
1) Firstly, define your eyebrows well! Megan has smoothly arched eyebrows just like her own icon, Sophia Loren. If you are not confident about shaping your own eyebrows, have them professionally waxed, threaded or plucked for the first time, then follow the line your beautician creates after that. It is important to fill in your eyebrows to add extra definition. You can use eyeliner or eyebrow pencil for this but I prefer to use eyeshadow as it creates a more subtle effect. Finish with a sweep of clear mascara to keep your perfectly groomed brows in place.
2) To really make blue eyes 'pop' use shades of gold eyshadow to cover the eyelid, using lighter shades on the inner corner of the eye. Then add black eyeshadow in the outer crease and along the upper lash line to define your eyes. When blending remember you are looking for a slick look not a smokey eye!
3) Next create Megan's sexy cat-eye shape with eyeliner. Preferably use gel or liquid liner as they are the most accurate and smudge-free versions (this may take a few practices if you are not used to using eyeliner). Start on the inner corner of the eye and try to sweep out in one continuous motion so as to avoid jagged lines. To create the cat-eye shape you want to flick out the eyeliner at the ends, this will extend the length of your eye visually. If you want a really dramatic look you can also line your lower lash, but beware of going too heavy or coming right into your inner corner, as this can make your eyes look smaller.
4) Before applying mascara, use a lash curler to bend your upper eyelashes upwards to create a fuller, more voluminous look. Then apply mascara on your upper and lower lashes, being careful not to smudge.

Luscious Lips
1) With such dramatic eye make-up it is important not to overdo your lips. Firstly use a lip liner in a tone slightly darker than your natural lip colour. Use this to shape your lips and erase the appearance of unevenness.
2)Then use a lipstick in matching (or ever-so-slightly lighter) colour. My favourite are the long lasting paint-on versions such as Maybelline's 'Super Stay 24 Hour Colour'. Finally sweep with a layer of gloss and you're ready to go!

TIP: To maintain the effect of your beautiful make-up, spray a thin layer of hairspray all over your face to set the look. It'll last all day and night.

I hope this helps anyone to trying to achieve a party or night out look! Please feel free to comment with any further questions. x.

Get Inspired.

If you are stuck for a bit of style inspiration, fashion blogs, magazines and clothing websites are of course a great place to seek inspiration. And in recent years, apps have taken over the fashion world as more and more companies are providing style inspiration for those on the go. My big tip though, would be to check out high street lookbooks (available online or as apps to download). Pretty much all popular brands these days do their own interpretations of catwalk trends, using lookbooks to showcase their new collections. Often these looks are far more wearable for day-to-day dressing. I would especially recommend  Topshop for those looking for edgy, avant-garde style, Zara  for classically chic looks and River Island for heavily trend-based ideas. Check them out by clicking on the links below. x.

Topshop A/W12 Lookbook
Zara A/W12 Lookbook
River Island A/W12 Lookbook

Its All-White to Accessorise!

Thought I'd share my latest outfit with you, this I wore last night for drinks out with friends. I went for an all-white outfit (something you can only get away with in summer) and accessorised with print to break it up. The lack of colour and print in my clothes meant I could mix prints and colours in the accessories. In the end I went for a leopard print bag from River Island, pink zig-zag wedges from New Look (featured earlier on this blog), this beautiful green gemstone frog ring from Topshop and a blue statement necklace from H&M. TIP: dressing in one colour head-to-toe makes you look taller! Great for shorter girls like me. Hope you like it! x.