happy new year | hello 2015

Happy New Year!!! This is an extremely late post to welcome the New Year, but I just wanted to say I can't believe how fast 2014 went past! It has been such an amazing year both for the blog and the fashion world, many milestones were passed and I was so so satisfied with how things were going last year. I'm pleased to say I'm extremely psyched for this year, with many big things coming my way as well as many exciting developments in the fashion world. {Galliano for Margiela anyone?} However, I'm incredibly sad to say that this year as I have a major exam at the end of the year, I won't have as much time as I want to spend posting and curating this blog. I know for the past few months I haven't been posting as much as I should, and I'm apologising from the bottom of my heart that I would be posting even less for the rest of this year to concentrate on my studies. Of course I would try to find time to update y'all on the fashion world as frequently as I can, but there would definitely be much less activity from me hope you would understand. On a brighter note, my recent Valentino Sala Bianca post has been selected for IFB's Links a la Mode, read on to find out more....

In With The New

How's your first week of 2015 going? The first week back to work, still bulging from the holidays? Hitting the January Sales like there's no tomorrow? Cleaning out your closet? Planning your life for the next year? Even though it's just another day like any other, the turn of a new year brings up so many things for everyone. What are you discarding? What do you want to bring in?

Links à la Mode: January 8th

• A Glamourous Revelation: 40 Amazing Blog Posts from 2014
• Attire Club: Different Cities Different Fashions
• Buttons & Birdcages: New Years & Embracing Change
• Confessions of a Style Cookie: Valentino Sala Bianca 945
• Happy Pretty Sweet: 5 Ways to Wear Marsala
• It Takes Two Fashion: The True Princess Skirt
• Jolly Caucus Race: Oxfam Online Shopping With A Conscience
• Kremb de la Kremb: 2015 Closet Goals
• Les Assorties: Reinterpreting a Key Winter Accessory
• Moda Vracha's Spot: SkinFood Black Sugar Mask Review
• Msyolee: New Years Resolutions!
• Petite Fille Modele: Easy Makeup Tutorial for Beginners
• Purushu Arie: 2014: The Year in Fashion
• Quantrelle: Style Lesson: Color Coordination
• That Paki Blog: Winter Styling & Struck by Splash
• The Best Organic Skincare: Thesis Beauty: Oily Skin Review
• The Chic Teen: My Three 2015 Style Resolutions
• Thy Bliss Calls: A Clean Slate
• TLV Birdie: New Year's Resolution: Less Plans
• We Are Ready Made: 2015 Resolutions: Do We Have To Buy Less?

Although I won't be posting as much this year, do follow me on twitter, tumblr, and instagram for daily updates on the fashion world. Ciao!

princesses in new york city.

Modern day princesses wandering through the swanky boulevards of New York donning only the finest couture, is this really Enchanted come true? More like a fashion fantasy come true. In anticipation for fashion’s most extravagant and glamorous night out that is the Met Ball, models Tilda Lindstam, Xiao Wen Ju, Alana Zimmer, Hanne Gaby Odiele and Grace Mahary took to the streets of Manhattan in a beautiful array of Charles James-esque evening gowns, inspired by the theme of this year’s gala which celebrated the 20th century couturier. Ever ready to capture the candid moments of this impromptu fashion shoot was Cass Bird, snapping away as the models single-handedly stopped traffic in NYC in nothing less than the most breathtaking frocks from Dior, Monique Lhuillier, Giles and Prabal Gurung. 

And no wonder, the models were quickly trailed by a frenzy of New Yorkers-turned-paparazzi, Instagramming every picture of the models they could get their hands on. I mean, how often do you get to see gorgeous models wearing couture on the street? It’s as if a scene out of a fairytale has fallen right in the middle of the Big Apple. I loved how Cass Bird caught the models’ unguarded moments where they were just being themselves and having fun unlike how normal editorials are done, and it’s easy to see why this has become one of my favourite editorials from Vogue. The Met Ball might have ended, but the billowing ball skirts and the tulips of Central Park has got me dreaming about being a princess, wandering about New York City and getting lost in the spirit of spring and the glamour of fashion. 

what do you think of this editorial?

Must Have Bags For The New Season : Lucinda of Farfetch.com

I wouldn’t consider myself a big spender, like most girls I do appreciate fashion, I can see beauty in a delicately hand-stitched dress or an amazing leather jacket but when it comes to parting with my hard earned pennies there’s something inside that stops me. I would say that I spend around 75% of my spare time browsing clothes online and putting together my dream wardrobe. It seems that this time of year is harder as well, with all of the amazing new season offerings landing on the high street; there’s something about autumn/winter that really inspires the big spender in me. 

It might be something to do with the amazing coats or luxurious winter ankle boots that make me lust after them without fail year after year. Once in a while, if I’ve been extra good or I feel like I deserve a little gift for all my hard work I will make an ‘investment purchase’. I’ll spend an extraordinary amount on something that I plan to love and use until the end of days, most of the time these little splurges are on bags. So as the summer fades out into a, hopefully, spectacular fall I start thinking ahead to which bag will have the honour of sitting in the crook of my arm this season. So if you’re like me and you love bags, if you feel like you deserve something new, if your old bag is beyond repair or if you just want to splash the cash then you’ll be in need of this definitive guide to must have bags for the new season, which one will you choose?

1. French Connection Desert Croc Crossbody Bag - £45 

 This amazing crocodile print cross body bag is brilliant because it’s so different from everything else we’ve seen this season, the colour and the shape are fun and stand-out and it’s the perfect every-day bag for fitting all of your essentials in.

2. Whistles Medium Clutch - £55 

 We’ve had our eye on beautiful leather clutches for a while now and Whistles have released an amazing collection, you can even get your initials embossed on them so you’ll never lose it! Carry this orange pouch with a grey winter palate for a cool pop of colour.

3. Proenza Schouler Ps11 Degrade Leather Bag - £1,255 

 In the world of bags Proenza bags are ‘The Ones’, the ones you dream of and long for and their iconic Ps11 satchel style bags are worth investing in. This season Proenza have released a stunning coloured collection including a cool metallic oil slick style bag, these babies make for perfect day to evening bags and look great carried cross body or slung over one shoulder for a cool nonchalant look.

4. Zara Leather Citybag with Zip - £160

Zara are one of those high street shops that, year after year, knock the ball out of the park when it comes to stunning versatile bags. This city bag is a super sophisticated work option and at only £160 really is brilliant value for money.

5. Kurt Geiger London Dash Rucksack Black - £180

 Give everyday essentials a luxurious twist with this stunning Kurt Geiger crocodile effect rucksack. This is a fantastic choice for those who prefer to be hands free at all time. Made of sumptuous Italian leather this bag is perfect for almost any occasion with just the right amount of stylish, smart and casual cool.

6. Pull & Bear Tartan Check Backpack - £23 

 Work one of this season’s biggest trends into your repertoire with this fun Pull & Bear tartan backpack, great for overnight jaunts it’s got ample room to pack everything you’ll need. Wear yours with a longline coat and dark skinny jeans for a cool rock’n’roll aesthetic.

7. Kenzo Lamb Skin Shopper Tote - £541

 We simply can’t get enough of Kenzo and their iconic tiger prints which we’ve been rocking on our T-shirts and sweaters all of last season. Easily incorporate the designer’s iconic cool into your wardrobe with their new season embellished eye, and a tote bag is the perfect size for transitioning between the seasons; it will easily carry a spare jumper, a change of shoes and a brolly (just in case!)

8. Zara Mini Office City Bag - £32

 If you’re not one for carrying everything but the kitchen sink with you around all day then this mini office city bag will be right up your street. Boxy style bags are becoming increasingly popular as they’re chic and feminine and this cool mauve colour is the perfect hue as we approach the cooler months!

9. Mulberry Bayswater Oatmeal - £1,190 

 Mulberry is easily one of the best brands around for stunning versatile bags and their new season offerings never fail to impress.  This Bayswater is an iconic Mulberry style and the oatmeal colour is an easy way to work winter pastels into your new season wardrobe. This bag is perfect for any occasion, dress it up with a smart trench and dress for work or sling it over your shoulder with black jeans and a leather jacket to soften up an otherwise tough outfit.

10. Marc by Marc Jacobs Techno Holographic Vinyl wristlet Pouch - £85 

 Royal blue returns again and again as a strong colour for the winter months, this Marc by Marc Jacobs pouch is a perfect way to add a fashion forward touch to any outfit, wear yours around your wrist with an all-black outfit so it really pops. 

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So which bag will you opt for this season?

Guest post written by www.farfetch.com

Benefits New Brows Range Experience

Benefit are back with a big release on the 24th of June with the on trend new brow products and as always I'm so excited to be able to buy them soon! With the new packaging on some existing products whilst adding in some completely brand new ones how can you not look at them and not want to go running to your nearest Benefit counter and get the girls to give you amazing brows we all wish for. They literally have everything for your brow dilemma's in this range which I love and even a lighter shade for you blonde's.

I had the privilege in trying out some of these products before the release date as I got invited by the Benebabe Jo from the John Lewis counter, this was such a treat.
Firstly we used the product Browvo! Conditioning Primer before adding on any products, this comes in a tube with a soft touch applicator which you brush through your brow hair. If you have sparse brows then this is for you as it helps to re grow, giving you fuller brows. This was used to tame my hair and keep it in place as it comes out in a clear gel.

We went for two brows looks, one being a natural everyday which I can wear for work and then another more defined strong brow perfect for nights out. I've never seen my brows like this so I was interested in the results.

For the more natural looking brows Precisely, My Brow Pencil in shade 3 was applied, this ultra thin pencil creates hair stroke lines to help shape and fill in my brows. One of my favourites from the range and I will be purchasing as soon as the 24th June rolls around. To set it all in 3D Brow Tones was brushed through as this is a gel which creates subtle highlights in my darker hair, I'd say this is great for people with thicker hairy brows to show more results.

Elle Magazine this month are featuring a sample of this Goof Brow Pencil in different shades along with a free Benefit Brow Wax, if you wanted to get your hands on a sample while you still can. This is great for both natural looking or bolder brows. I got this in shade 2 which is slightly too light for me, I can still make it work with adding brow gel on top though. It has a slanted tip to give you the option of shaping with the thinner side and filling in with the thicker tip, while I have been enjoying using this I don't think I will be rushing to purchase this just yet once it's released as I prefer the Precisely, My Brows Pencil.

For the more bolder brows Ka-Brow cream-gel colour was applied in shade 2. I must mention that with this product, strangely the colours come out darker so whereas I am normally a shade 3, a shade 2 was the perfect match for me in this but there is a shade 1 available which is new. I love the design of this product as you can flip the brush around into the cap for a better grip and easily dip and apply the hard slanted brush to make your brows defined, you can layer this as much as you like until you're happy with the look. As I've said before I have never used a brow pomade so this took me a while to get used to the look and I love the look of the sharp defined lines you can get with this so I will also be purchasing this too.

I was given this Gimme Brows sample to take home with me as this isn't a new product and by now most people who love Benefit would've heard/used this, but for those who haven't this is a tinted brow gel which can be used on its own to fill in your brows or on top of products to keep everything in place. What I love about this brow gel compared to most cheaper alternatives is the brush size, this makes a massive difference as it needs to be small to really get into those hair fibres without it getting all messy outside the brow, which happens to me a lot with other brush wands.

Of course you can't go to a Benefit counter without getting a full Benefit makeover. Here is the finished look with my Ka-brows, Hoola bronzer, Dandelion blusher, They're Real purple eyeliner and black mascara, Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette, Shy Beam & Watt's Up highlighter, Erase Paste under eye concealer, Hello Flawless foundation & powder.

Thank you to Jo from the Benefit counter for a wonderful experience and I can't wait to go brow shopping next week!