I've been debating for a while whether or not to use this blog to also track my weight loss progress as well as my fashion fantasies - it seemed like a odd angle to take - but my initial questions about how this would go down met with a positive response on twitter so have decided to go ahead with it! After all, it's all for the same end - so I can look nice in pretty clothes!
I've just set myself up an account on My Fitness Pal as I've heard its great for tracking calorie intake - I aim to lose about 30lb altogether but I realise it will take time to do that and haven't set myself a time limit.
I'm planning a double pronged attack of eating better and exercising more. I have a mile as high as my waist of exercise videos I've amassed over the years and I'm bound to find something to my taste in there.
I also tend to snack a lot at work - I'm sat at a desk a lot eating biscuits - and really need to change this up and, if not cut out snacks altogether then certainly find something a little healthier to chew on.
I hope no one minds me including these posts here but I think it'll go a long way to helping me stay on track!
And if anyone has any great tips, diets ideas that have worked for them, anything like that then I'd love to hear them!
As a film lover, as well as a fashion lover, it was only natural I was keeping an eye on some of the wonderful outfits on display at this years Cannes.
There have been many best dressed/worst dressed lists and I won't add to them, this is just a mini tribute to my favourite lady of the minute, the delightful Audrey Tautou.
Since she first popped into my movie-awareness in her heart warming role in 2001, the French actress has held a special place in my heart and though she has been relatively under the radar on the movie making front, she made quite a big impression at Cannes this year.
One of the first notable fashion based images of this years Cannes was Audrey in this daisy-embroidered Valentino number - looking effortlessly adorable perfectly dressed for the French summer.
Of course, she can rock a more dressed-up red carpet look equally as well, as she demonstrates in the striking red and pink Prada gown she wore for the closing ceremony and equally eye catching black choice for the Venus In Fur screening.
If anyone reads this blog on a regular basis, you may have noticed I have a bit of a soft spot for luxurious lingerie. Purely a fantasy soft spot of course as the majority of my underthings were purchased based on price and comfort rather than sensuality, but there is something so appealing about the idea of wearing beautiful fabrics and gorgeously designed items so close to your skin.
This week I have discovered a new on line place for indulging in my silky daydreaming - Violets Knickers.
Violet, the lady behind the brand, clearly has strong views on the importance of lingerie to a ladies self esteem and has made it her mission to bring together the finest items from the best designers to her boutique. 'No woman should feel limited in underwear just because the majority of the world doesn’t see it. In fact, that’s what makes it so special'.
To learn more about the mysterious Violet, the 'Who is Violet' video gives a few clues to the identity of the self confessed lingerie addict.
France is the nation generally accepted to have the best understanding of the importance of lingerie, and the video, with its French soundtrack for example certainly does seem to nod towards our neighbours across the channel. But Violet shops in the English rain on the streets on London. She lives in a terrace house. She is an English girl with a French attitude towards lingerie - and why shouldn't she? Why should we let the French have all the fun?
And on that note, I've been having a look to see what a lingerie expert like Violet would deem as acceptable underwear and I can't help but agree with her on a few points! As a lover of anything vintage inspired, the Lovebird Bra (£37) and Brief (£25) combo instantly caught my attention - but the Marjolaine Silk and Lace Chemise (£190) is exquisite and the Ayton Gasson Silk Teddy (£80) looks equally as luxurious!
I'm really glad people like Violet are encouraging the masses to embrace their sexy side, and I think it's really about time I treated myself to a little something special too....
To keep up to date with the goings on in Violets knickers, you can follow her on twitter here.
I know I'm not the only fashion lover who has been eagerly awaiting the release of The Great Gatsby. My anticipation has little to do with seeing Scott F Fitzgerald's most famous story hit the big screen, and much more to do with the undoubtedly beautiful costumes bound to be on display.
I've yet to make it to the cinema, but I'm going tomorrow and in anticipation I bring to you some of my favourite Gatsby inspired frocks:
This first pair is a real Splurge Vs Save comparison - the stunning Lipsy offering, with it's beautiful lace detailing and eyecatching trim, has Gatsby-esque glamour written all over it, but the pretty simplicity and purse-friendly price make the George at Asda dress a wonderful budget alternative!
The Tracey Reese Dress, available from Modcloth, and the pretty Uttan Boutique Dress from Yumi Direct, both utilise embellishments to make a simple design look really special. The black and silver trim on the first option really lends itself well to being paired with black tights, or even a jacket, on slightly colder occasions, while the second is perfect for sunnier occasions where these wont be necessary.
And finally, I thought this extraordinary dress from Asos didn't need a partner as I would be very hard pressed to find anything comparable! A spectacular frock for a really glamorous occasion - if only I had somewhere to wear it!
The weather has been attempting to brighten up this weekend, and though I've been fooled into thinking this before, hopefully it means that Spring is finally here!
A change in weather always lead to a wardrobe update and thanks to the being able to get outside and experience nature again this weekend, I'm feeling heavily inspired by pretty spring greens!
Here are a few examples from Avenue 32 of my colour of the season!
The stunning green jacquard dress from Antonia Marras (£870) just screams 'spring time garden party' to me - I can just imagine wearing it to drink champagne and nibble finger sandwiches on the exquisite lawn of some grand home, though it would be equally suitable for any wedding (though you'd run the risk of upstaging the bride!) or similar occasion.
To start celebrating he season as close to your skin as possible, you can't go wrong with some beautiful underwear from Myla. The Gossip Green Aimee Bra (£115) and Thong (£60) are could help get in touch with nature by making you feel like a seductive forest nymph!
If you really want to make a big impression, the pop lime peplum top from Chalayan (£630) is guaranteed to turn heads!
And then, for the more laid back occasions, the Jade Leather Espadrilles (£150) - a comfortable yet style footwear offering from beachwear experts Prism - are the perfect shoes for the season!
Here's hoping the lovely Spring weather stays with us!
Now that spring is here and I no longer have to cover my head in all manner of hats and hoods to keep warm, I'm really looking forward to embracing hair accessories!
I recently discovered 'Racoon Circus' on twitter and love their 'headwear for heroines'. Their items, that they describe as 'ethical, upcycled, whimsical, unique' are handmade and available for very reasonable prices from their etsy store.
Here are a few of my favourite items for the Spring:
I have a deep affection for hair bows - it's such a classic girly look and the pretty fabric of each of these just adds to the feminine touch. A really nice touch with these is the background information on etsy about where the fabric came from - it just gives a really personal touch. The purple lavender floral bow is priced at £5, and the vintage yellow one is £8.
Though bows are not the only kind of adornment available from Racoon Circus - for those looking to make a bolder statement, a range of hair bands and crowns are available in a variety of colours ready for a bright flowery step into spring. The ones shown here are on sale for between £6 and £32.
Alternatively, for those hoping to make subtler steps into the world of spring accessorizing, you can't go too far wrong with these adorable lace-and-pearl flower clips at only £2 each, or for the same price, this vintage Versace button slide - 'one of a kind and entirely upcycled'.
All these items, and plenty more can be found here. The images included in this post were taken from the etsy store with kind permission. You can also find Raccoon Circus on twitter and on facebook so do go say hello!
I'd decided to return to blogging after taking quite a break and was wondering what would make the perfect 'return' post. I felt it had to be something a bit different, a bit special - then I heard about the Fashion Target Breast Cancer campaign and knew it had to be that.
A number of fashion retailers (including Topshop, River Island, Coast and Debenhams) have designed unique pieces for the campaign, with 30% of the sale then being donated to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
It's a wonderful campaign with a very worthy cause (one that's very topical today in light of Angelina Jolie's double mastectomy revelations), though that's not the only reason to buy these items - some of them are absolutely gorgeous in their own right!
Both of the dresses are absolute perfection - I was only going to include one but I couldn't choose between them. If I were to buy one it would have to be the Laura Ashley, coming in at a third of the price of the mywardrobe.com dress, but they are both stunning!
The T-shirt and shorts combo is a much more relaxed affair, but perfect for lazy summer days. The bird print on the T-Shirt is adorable, as is the lace detail on the shorts.
Any of these items, plus the many more than you can find here are not only fabulous wardrobe choices but you get to feel good about buying them - I've never heard a better excuse for shopping!
