Inspiration: Patterns and Prints

Lingerie photoshootFashion printsPatterned shoes flaforms heelsStop smell rosesMixed prints fashion Patterned rug DIYStatement print jacket outfitDecorating bathroom ideas DIYMixed prints outfitNail art patterns tutorialsDo not conform to the pattern of this worldVintage Seventeen magazineStripy skirtMixed prints outfit and statement blazerFlowers photographPatterns in homewear inspiration ASOS stripes spots and patterned tops dresses

Images sourced via Pinterest

Fun patterns just brighten up my day. Spots, stripes, geometrics, crazy prints – I love them all! Inject some playfulness into your life by saying YES to prints. ASOS have so many gorgeous patterned pieces to choose from, as do Spiegel’s SS13 collection (I mean, just look at this jumpsuit – so elegant and perfect for summer festivals) and all the swimwear pieces at Bonprix. Mix it up with two or even more sets of prints for a super fun look. It’s an instant mood booster, trust me! x

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How to Wear Double Denim

Double denim outfitDenim shirt outfits for womenAnkle strap heels Zara lookalikes Wrangler denim shirt and Great Plains jeansUK female fashion blogger Natasha from Girl in the Lens

shirt: c/o Wrangler, jeans: c/o Great Plains, shoes: c/o She Likes

A pair of heels always make such a difference to an outfit, don’t they? You could have one the simplest thing – a plain black dress, or just jeans and a shirt like me here, but add a pair of hot heels and BOOM. Outfit made. In love with my new nude toned ankle-straps from She Likes (can’t you see how happy I am from the last photo? ;)). They’re a dead ringer for the Zara version and so affordable – £25 for shoes as gorgeous as this? Yes please. I’m also super happy with these simple blue jeans from Great Plains I received last week. A girl can never have too many blue jeans, and this shade is particularly flattering.

I’ve been wanting to share another double denim outfit with you all for a while now as it’s a staple look of mine. There’s something just so easy and chic about it, and very British too. They key to it is getting the mix of shades right. Try and go for a dark denim piece with a light one to keep the balance, and I tend to find the darker shade is more flattering to the figure when worn on the bottom half. You could also incorporate patterned denim or coloured jeans too of course – J Brand have an amazing range of colours and patterns that would be super easy to style. I also like to team my double denim look with a nude-toned shoe. It’s just a combination I’ve always been drawn to, and plus, we all know the leg lengthening power of a nude heel now, don’t we girls? Sam Edelman have some amazing shoes that’d fit the bill perfectly – check out these three beauties.

Sam Edelman nude heels

What are your double denim tips? x

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Ballerina Style Prom Dress

Ballerina tutu prom dressProm dress ideasWhite tutu dress Ballerina prom dress

dress: c/o Chi Chi, shoes: c/o StylistPick

What is it about evening dresses and gardens with me? This is the third shoot we’ve done of that kind – hope you guys aren’t too bored of it already (I’ll stop, I promise)! I think I just love the romanticism of a girly dress amid all that green. With prom season fast approaching I thought I’d do this shoot for all of my younger readers (sigh, there was a time when I was young enough to still be at school too …) as a bit of promspiration. This ballerina-style dress is definitely one for prom as it’s super girly, with floral appliqué and jewelled detail on the bust and a floaty tutu skirt. You instantly feel more princessy than normal as soon as you slip it on. Because I’m not into overly feminine looks myself, I toned down the dress with a simple pony, minimal jewellery and toe-capped heels, but for full princess effect wear with some super high nude heels, a statement necklace and glamorous waves. May you be the belle of the ball x

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Spring Beauty Essentials 2013

Spring beauty essentials 2013

All items sourced via Shopcade

As I said in my last post, I like to keep my make up super simple (read: I’m just useless at applying it). Especially when spring comes round – it’s all about that fresh faced look with a splash of colour or an all-nude palette. Strip that winter routine way back. All you need this SS13 are six key products to mix and match:

1. Light Blush. eg. Benefit Dandelion – Think a hint of a glow, that Disney Princess fresh rosy look. I swear by Benefit blushes anyway as they’re so light and last forever, but in spring go for their lightest shade, Dandelion. Swirl onto cheeks, forehead, nose and chin for a soft, sunlit look.

2. Concealer, eg. Nars Radian Creamy Concealer – Say goodbye to your foundation and let your spring skin shine by hiding imperfections only with a touch of concealer. Or if you’re super lucky and have none, then don’t even bother with this step!

3. Pastel Nail Polish, eg. Essie Mademoiselle – Nude, natural shades with a hint of grey were massive on the catwalks this season. Go for a flattering shade with a pinky base for fresh spring nails perfection.

4. Brow Gel, eg. MAC Brow Set – Instead of filling in your brows fully, try a brow gel to keep them natural but well groomed. I always find this gives a really youthful feel to any make up look. For a modern edge, brush upwards across the whole brow.

5. Fruity Perfume, eg. Hollister Addison – A light, fruity perfume can really improve your mood and give you a boost of that summery feel. I adore Hollister’s Addison perfume. It’s a bit pricey but I had to buy it when I tried it at the counter because it smells like lychees. Just one whiff and my world is sunshine and tropical fruits.

6. A Light Tan, eg. Xen Tan Dark Tanning Lotion – Ok, I know it’s called dark tanning lotion, but don’t be scared. This is the only self-tanning product I’ll use. It gives a really natural, weekend-away-in-the-sun tan. You can layer it up for a darker colour, but I find just one layer gives a really fresh, light colour.

7. Bright Lipstick, eg. Models Own Matt Hyper Brite Lipstick – A pop of colour with your lips is all you need for an instant confidence boost. I am in the process of accumulating a collection of lipsticks in every bright shade available, but at the moment I’m lusting after orange.

8. Liquid Eyeliner, eg. YSL Shocking Eyeliner – I love the 60s trend this season, and while it’s not really my style in terms of clothes, I’m channeling that 60s vibe through my make up. A flick of eyeliner is the perfect accompaniment to a bright lip. I have actually stopped wearing mascara – it’s so much quicker just to add a dash of eyeliner. I love this YSL one. It just glides on, and is a really deep black colour.

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Red Lipstick and a Ponytail

Beauty shootTribal inspired necklace

dress: c/o Oh My Love, necklace: c/o Eclectic Eccentricity, lipstick: c/o Models Own

Sometimes all you need to feel amazing is is a bit of red lipstick. I’ve learnt a lot from running this blog about beauty, one of the main things being … er, actually wear make up. I barely touched make up till I was at uni, and even then a bit of eyeliner was like WOAH TOO MUCH GUYS. But I’m learning that make up can really finish a look, so I’m pushing myself to experiment with different products. At the moment it’s all about a pop of colour with the lips. I’m super impatient, so I love that it only takes a minute to slick on some lipstick, and then WHAM. Totally new vibe. I don’t like spending much money on beauty products, so the £6 Models Own Hyper Matt Brite range is perfect. I have this red shade and a gorgeous neon pink you’ve seen in many of my outfit posts (eg. this one).

Hope you guys are also loving my necklace in these photos. It’s called the Lakshmi necklace, and it’s from Eclectic Eccentricity’s new Geometrics v.2 collection – think mathematical forms with tribal accents and vintage flourishes. I was drawn to it’s unique shape and think it’s a beautiful statement piece without needing to be too in your face. Got another little piece from the collection I’ll be sharing with you soon 🙂

Have a great weekend guys and dolls! x

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