Sunday 27 April 2014

Style Icon Sunday #002

Every girl I know has a bit of a wcw on Alicia Silverstone after Clueless, I mean 'duhhh!' But after watching 'Vamps' this week I now have a massive girl crush on her co-star Krysten Ritter.
Vamps is about two best friend vampires, Goody (Alicia) and Stacy (Krysten), in NYC. I am not about to write a film review but its basically a fun, easy to watch film about dating and vampires. Krysten also plays a starring role in 'Breaking Bad' but as I have an issue committing to series I haven't actually seen any of this, shocking I know

As a former Goth in my early 20s. I have carried small influences of this into my style now. Although now I am very much trend led I always have a background goth / rocker / indie elements so for example this season I am loving the amount of black leather tassels around. I firmly believe that you should adapt the current trends to suit your own style. 
7 years ago - Already pouting back then too! 

Krysten has made me want to dye my hair dark again, cut in a fringe and wear head to toe black but I keep reminding myself that colour is good too! 
During the club scene she wears an incredible dress that looks industrially put together with metal fastenings. I need this dress in my life! 

S. x


Saturday 26 April 2014

Shoe shop gone wrong

On Monday I am very excited to announce that I will be starting a new job as an online merchandiser. It is my first 'real job' since graduating and by that I mean 9-5,inside a real office building. I have previously worked freelance from home as well as for small start-ups.

Today I decided that I would need a pair of new shoes, to make the right impression of course! The dress code is smart-casual however I'm not sure this stretches to a pair of Birkenstocks - much to my disappointment. 

I made a good start focusing myself, repeating the word 'footwear' so as to not be distracted with all the shiny offerings. It went well, for a time. 

Spotted these in New Look straight away and thought they were perfect but at £65 I feel it's a little pricey for the brand - what do you think? 



Then it all went very wrong. Miss Selfridge is always my downfall. For many, many years now it is like they are in my head as far as style is concerned. I always find something that I like and that seems to fit perfectly to my shape. 
Within about five minutes I was in the changing room with three items. Oops. 
Well I do need some work clothes! The two dresses I tried first although they are both similar in shape, both with 90s style necklines, they give such different feels and could easily be worn for days, work or evenings. 
Then came the jumpsuit. I have tried on so many jumpsuits and dungarees and they NEVER fit. My top is a size 8 whilst the bottom is a 10 so I have to opt for a bit of boob falling out or to be nearly sliced in half underneath - sorry to be so graphic! This one fit! Perfectly! Some kind of Miss Selfridge magic!? I found after I went to the till to purchase that I had accidentally picked up a petite size. Is never considered trying this at 5'6" but apparently this worked - brilliant! It has great double strap detailing too. 
So finding that I has mistakenly spent pretty much all of my money I then just wandered to Topshop and River Island for a browse. These were the best I saw, most completely not office appropriate! 

Unsuccessful yet successful shopping trip!

S. x

 p.s. I will be doing a summer shoe dedicated post very soon\










Friday 25 April 2014

Have you heard about Depop?

So as you may already know, or not, I sell via 'My Wardrobe' on Asos. As a bit (lot) of a shopaholic I find it is the only way to be able to fit new items into my ever full, actual wardrobe. The toxic mix occurs when, like me, you are a shopaholic who hates waste. If you enter my bedroom there is forever a pile of 'to sell' items that I just couldn't bare to simply discard. Every few months I make the trip to the charity shop to donate, were I usually find a number of gems that I simply can't resist, and the rest I sell on Asos.

However, one of my close friends recently introduced me to a new app, Depop. It is a blend of Instagram's interface, Asos Marketplace's photographic style and the ease of use of Ebay. I love it! It is by far the quickest way to list items for sale I have found and once I started this evening I simply could not stop. I am selling under the name @thestylingforecast so go check the items out.

It is a relatively new app so although I've found it super easy to use and made one sale I certainly will not be abandoning Asos anytime soon.

Here are a few items up for sale - If you don't have it go download the app and follow me!


S. x

Ready, Set, Glow!

A spring beauty trend that comes around year after year is that dewy, glowing, i-just-woke-up-like-this skin, and Spring/Summer 2014 was no exception - the look was seen at Alexander Wang, Christopher Kane, and Giambattista Valli, to name a few.

Alexander Wang S/S 14

Christopher Kane S/S 14

Giambattista Valli S/S 14

Think this look is down to flawless genetics? Think again. 
As natural and fresh as this trend is, creating it is the opposite of a lazy no-makeup day. Let’s take a look at some of my favourites for looking like you made no effort at all.




Bourgeois Healthy Mix Foundation
I have never found a drugstore/ high street foundation that I love as much as this one. It’s low/medium coverage, which is great for spring as we want our real skin to shine through, and it sinks in to leave such a smooth, natural finish that it will feel like you have nothing on at all. Plus, it smells very pretty! 


Benefit Rockateur Blush 
If a highlighter and a blush had a baby, they would create Benefit’s newest boxed blush. "Rockateur" is a natural rosy colour with a golden sheen, which makes you look glowing and healthy, without looking unnatural. Use a fluffy blush brush to swirl it on the apples of your cheeks, but bear in mind that a little goes a long way. 

Face Stockholm Cream Highlighter in "Dignity"
Face Stockholm is not a brand that I often hear a lot about, but I think it’s an unsung hero! Their cream highlight in “Dignity” is gorgeous, iridescent and easily blended, and the packaging is simple but classy. For this look, I much prefer a cream highlight over a powder as it gives a dewy, fresh finish. Put a little on the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your brow bones, and your cupids bow. 



Dior "Creme de Rose" Lip Balm
Lip balm is an essential in every make up bag, and especially when doing a no-make-up look it is vital - luminous skin and chapped lips aren't quite a match made in heaven. Whilst this one is pricy, it works wonders and smells divine. I am always a fan of a multi-purpose product, and this lip balm is not just for lips! I use my "Creme de Rose" to tame my eyebrows and on the top of my cheekbones so give some extra dewy-ness. 

L. x

Thursday 24 April 2014

Summer Bummer

It was my sisters birthday at the weekend and as we are going to Glastonbury together this summer she asked for a gift that tied in with that. She gave a few hints and options, phone charger - boooorrrinnggg, waterproof jacket - meh, sleeping bag - kill me now, bum bag - ding ding ding we have a winner!

So, I started to trawl through websites in search for something appropriate. She usually has quite a subtle style but wanted something colourful for the summer. I was really surprised to find such a limited choice on my regular 'go to' websites - Asos, Missguided, Boohoo. They had relatively reserved pieces and I was looking for something more 'Mr Motivator'-esque.

I ventured deeper into the world of fashion online and on my way through I made a stopover at Etsy. To my surprise there was the biggest selection of bum bags I had as yet found anywhere else by far, with a wide range of colours and styles. These are a pick of my favourites:


and this is the one I chose for her present - hopefully she won't see this before she receives it tomorrow - It is from a brand called Butchi and Gosmos (£19) and was completely hand made. The African pattering is screen printed and you are able to pick your own zipper, I opted for black. It arrived after just over a week and it beautiful, I had to resist stealing it for myself! I will be sure to take a picture of her with it at Glasto.
S. x


Friday 18 April 2014

Fashion Flashback

Super, bold 90s style is having a comeback so, if you don't remember 'Clarissa Explains It All' you really need to check it out for some 90s style inspiration.. 


Wednesday 16 April 2014

Nailed It!

Yes, it's that time of year again. The sun is coming out, the leaves are turning green - it's time to put away the Chanel "Rouge Noir" and move on to brighter and better things!

I'm Lily, The Styling Forecast's new beauty blogger, and I wanted to start by discussing the humble nail polish - the perfect way to transition gradually (very gradually, this is England after all) from winter into spring. Here are my top five:


From left to right: (1) Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in “Blueberry” (2) Revlon Nail Enamel in “One Perfect Coral” (3) Topshop Nails in “Cob” (4) Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Colour in “Mint Sorbet” (5)  Maxfactor Glossfinity in “Angel Nails”


1. I have had a long-lasting love affair with the Barry M Gelly Nail Paints, and at the moment I am especially loving this blue sky colour for spring. The formulation is incredible - you can easily get away with one coat, and the finish is so shiny and gel-like (clue in the name) it does not require a top coat. Amazing value for money and brilliant in a rush!

 
2. I have never come across a nail polish that has received as many compliments as this beautiful coral. When I think of summer nails, I think of bright reds and pinks, and this is a happy spring medium.


3. I'm on the fence when it comes to Topshop nail varnishes - the formulation is not all that great, you certainly need a few coats to get a solid colour, but on the other hand they have an amazing range of shades and the packaging is just too cute to resist. "Cob" comes out a lot brighter than it looks in the bottle, and although it is not a colour I would ordinarily think of for spring, it works.


4. With a formulation as great as the Barry M, and in another beautiful pastel, Sally Hansen's "Mint Sorbet" looks good enough to eat (note: do not try at home, it definitely isn't)!


5. Looking for something a bit more unusual? Silver glitter does not have to equal snow, winter and all things Christmas. In fact, I think "Angel Nails" is ideal for spring as the glitter is very fine and has a pink tint to it - a great option if you're not feeling brave enough for the brights just yet. Another reason this polish earns its place in my top five is its versatility - it has enough sparkle that it could be used for an accent nail, or as one coat gives a very sheer shimmer, it would look great as a top coat over a more solid colour. Get creative!

L. x

Sunday 6 April 2014

Style Icon Sunday #001

Okay so I am aware that my choice for The Styling Forecasts first #StyleIconSunday post is a little.. well let's be honest.. obvious! But I don't care. 

Since I was a little girl I remember being in awe of Kate and that has failed to dissipate. She manages to keep her own style whilst remaining current and lets be honest she's managed to do this whilst having a bloody good time.

So, how do you get Kates style?

Although she can glam up with the best of them Kate is known for her casual relaxed style. To emulate her casual, cool look a par of denim jeans are essential. We like this pair from Dorothy Perkins, but I would roll them up a little at the bottom to keep them current.

A structured blazer has been another Kate staple throughout the years. I wanted to keep the colours cool for Spring Summer, however, in Winter a black blazer will work. The first one, from Oasis, is really more in keeping with the casual style but I really loved this one I came across at Forever 21, it is unbelievably, somehow only £14.75 so it would be rude not to really.

Pair these two with a neutral top in grey, white, black or a soft, pale blue. Accessories are always minimal, hats and bags tend to be her key go to items rather than jewellery. If you go for a plain, light coloured jacket then choose a bold bag - we like this leopard print one from ikrush, absolute bargain at £9.99, and a nod to the leopard print coats Kate is often seen wearing. If the jacket you choose is printed then a neon yellow clutch would work instead.
Anesu Dark Leopard Print Clutch Bag - ikrush - £9.99

S. x

*All opinions and views mentioned on TheStylingForecast are my own (Sarah Hill) and they are mentioned for information, enjoyment and reviewing purposes only.