18th February 2012

I bought this awesome leopard print top last week in Primark. I saw it hanging up across the shop floor and made a beeline towards it, dragging my reluctant little bro behind me.

They had a billion size 8s and 10s and then, right at the back, I found a 12. I thought it might be a little tight as the material has very little stretch and I usually buy a 14, but it fit perfectly.

It combines my two favourite things right now- leopard print and a peter pan collar. Plus, it was only £8. Billy bargain!

My skirt is also a bargain from Ebay. It's from one of those little cheapy clothes sellers. It's pretty short but, aside from that, much better quality than I was expecting.

I wore it with these suede New Look Mary Janes. I rarely wear heels so this was quite an event. I went to town in them and everything!

Here, have a picture of my face!

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Daily All-in-One BB Cream Light Review

For a little product with such a long name, it sure has some expectations surrounding it. I almost didn't buy this because of those unbelievably annoying "BB? BB... BB!" adverts. They absolutely do my head in and turned me off this BB cream all together.

However, after reading glowing reviews in Glamour and The Daily Mail (online, after a Google search, I hasten to add!), I was suckered in and applied for a free sample.

Now, my problem is that I am pretty overexcitable. Plus, I am very easily swayed. I am an advertiser's dream! (I once refused to buy anything but Happy Eggs because I liked the thought of happy breakfast!). After one application of this little sample, I was screaming "Smell my face!" at my fiance like a madwoman. It does smell good... and that was all it took for me to buy a full-sized bottle.

After some dawdling in the Boots at Reading train station- the barrier man had very nicely let me pop out whilst waiting for a connection to go to the shop, so I felt I had to buy something, but the cream was priced at £9.99, more expensive than I had read online- I decided to bite the bullet. Luckily for me, it was on offer after all at £8 or so (and I was served by a very nice older gentleman who was so chatty that I nearly missed my train and left my paper on the counter).

The next morning rolled around and I couldn't wait to try the cream on properly. Mindful of this upcoming review, I snapped some photos of myself before, completely make-up free. I then smoothed the cream in and took photos of myself after.

My skin felt lovely. It was so smooth and soft. It also smelt absolutely delicious. Though I'm afraid, that's the only positive. There was none of this smoother complexion, no covering of blemishes, no illuminescent glow that I noticed and my skin didn't even feel hydrated. Of Garnier's 5 promises (even, cover, hydrate, illuminate and protect), they achieved, possibly, one (I can't verify how much UV protection the cream gave me). If I was telling this to my class of 9 year olds, they'd desperately call out to tell me that it is 1/5.

There was one more noticeable effect, aside from the soft skin and lovely smell. My face went a very fetching shade of orange. I have pale skin so I bought the light version and still. Orange. In fact, when I saw the resulting photographs, I chickened out and deleted them all instantly. Well, I sent them to the recycling bin so they're still in there. Which is probably a mistake.

So, all in all, was it worth the money? No, not really. Yet I'm still optimistic. I'll just try another brand. Maybe a more expensive one. I mean, all the adverts say BB creams are miracle workers, so they must be worth it. Right?

Treasures: Erdem for Topshop NewGen 10 China Print Collar Tee

The first thing I did this morning (after turning my alarm off 5 times... Seriously!) was to check the Topshop website. I'm not sure why. There was no motive. I was just sleepy, confused and that made sense at the time.

Part of me thinks it was a mistake. Part of me thinks it was a huge lucky twist of fate. Either way, I now have this winging its way to me:


It's so pretty! Look at it! It's got a little lace collar and a blue china print and a little keyhole back. I'm so in awe that I forgot how to use connectives correctly.

I got a little free magazine with it too and I had a free bag sitting in my basket which was very exciting. However, when I went to check out, somebody had swiped the last bag out of my basket. How annoying! I always thought items in your basket were untouchable until you were timed out.

Never mind. The Erdem top is mine and that's all that matters!

This is all thanks to London Fashion Week, you see. Topshop are celebrating 10 years of NewGen by collaborating with 20 of their past NewGen recipients. What's more, £7 from each sale goes to Centrepoint, a charity that helps homeless young people towards a brighter future. Designers collaborating include Meadham Kirchhoff, Christopher Kane and, of course, Erdem. Seriously, I want all of them. Give them to me!

Unlikely Style Icon: Nora Batty

Welcome to the first installment of my new series- Unlikely Style Icons. We already established in this post here that I am not one to be swayed by the usual style icons. I don't care how many glossy magazines put you on the front cover or how often you are hailed as an icon. If you don't have something intriguing about your look, it won't inspire me. End of.

I am, however, completely drawn to ugliness. I love the macabre and creepy. I see beauty in abandoned buildings, in odd faces and in anything twisted. This leads me to find inspiration in the most unusual of places, hence my longing to create this series.

So, here I am, typing up my very first installment. Who better to launch it with than that British icon Nora Batty?

I suppose it's inevitable that I would find something appealing about her washerwoman style. I am the reigning queen of Nora Batty Ankles. Not purposefully, I hasten to add. I just have odd sized legs and if tights fit around the ankles, they will barely reach my hips. So I wind up buying extra large tights which gather very attractively around my ankles. I'd rather that, though, than a pair that is likely to stay on the bus seat if I stand up too fast.


Ok, so right now you think I've pretty much lost my marbles. But look a bit closer. The paisley pattern is bang on trend, coloured hosiery hasn't been this popular since the 1980s and even the orthopaedic shoes are enjoying a revival among the hipster types.

So how can we translate this look into something that would catch the eye of any street style photographer?


Well, this floral shirt dress from Boohoo.com is almost identical to Nora's patterned apron. Wear it over a patterned chiffon blouse from Vero Moda at Asos to recreate that pattern mix that made Mrs Batty such a recognisable figure.


Complete the look with Topshop tights (wrinkled ankles are at your discretion!) and black block heel shoes from Dorothy Perkins.
Whether to keep the hair rollers in is up to you!

15th February 2012

Today I went to the cinema to watch The Muppets with my little bro. It's a pretty good film with some absolutely cracking cameos. I squealed in delight twice at two particularly familiar faces.

Leopard print cardigan: River Island
Long sleeved black top: Primark
Black jeans: New Look
Velvet pumps: Kurt Geiger

After the film (and a Frankie and Benny's!), I dragged my brother around the shop. Here he is posing in Primark.

I reckon he's quite a talented little model- He actually makes those zebra print sunglasses look good!

Oh and ps: I got my hair cut. What do you think?

Inspiration: My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is back and, according to Channel 4, it is bigger, fatter and gypsier!

I have to admit, I adore this programme. It is unashamedly tacky and the girls' "more is more" attitude is contagious. After a while, I end up thinking "Maybe dressing as a pineapple for a hen do isn't such a crazy idea!"

Let's be honest here: We all watch for the dresses. Here are my favourites from last night's series premiere, all belonging to a traveller girl named Dolores:

Who else would dress up as a palm tree, and dress their bridesmaid as a pineapple, for their hen night?

Incorporating neons into rather exuberant bridesmaid dresses.

A cat-themed wedding dress. Of course.

Then, right on cue, Oscar de la Renta showcases his (quite wonderful) autumn/winter 2012-2013 ready to wear collection in New York. It is really sensational with more than a little 1960s air hostess feel about it. His showpieces include huge tulle ballgowns with a Disney princess appeal that absolute remind me of the gypsy gowns.

It might seem extravagant but I do find a glimmer of inspiration in the tacky gyspy dresses. Maybe dresses too wide to fit through the doorway and my own weight in rhinestones is a bit too much for my tastes, although with a little toning down, I reckon it could work pretty well.

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding by beckybedbug

Sequin vest. £32. Topshop.
Blue tutu. £59. Vivien of Holloway.
Glitter heels. £65. Schuh.
Multi strand necklace. £25. River Island.

I actually have a big petticoat upstairs. Maybe I'll give it a whirl!

Valentine's Day Fashion

Well, it's Valentine's Day. I've never been one for this tradition, really, so we're not doing anything today. Instead, I've spent the day coming up with three Valentine's Day outfits for any style- pretty, vampy or quirky.

Pretty

Valentine's Pretty by beckybedbug

This is a look for those pretty princesses. Designed with cutesy dates in mind, this is ideal for picnics in the parks, walks on the beach and other romantic classics. The pink lace dress is pastel perfection teamed with muted shades of cream and nude.

Lace dress. £35. River Island.
Alice band. £8. Accessorize.
Earrings. £7.50. Topshop.
Quilted bag. £25. Accessorize.
Nude suede shoes. £38. Dorothy Perkins.
Narciso Rodriguez For Her EDP. £50. Debenhams.

Vampy

Valentine's Day Vamp by beckybedbug

This is for the traditionalist. Nothing but drinks in a swanky bar will do. The satin dress screams sensuality whereas the black suede heels add a glamorous touch. Don't forget the seamed stockings for some real vintage glamour. Perfect your Marilyn wiggle and your look is complete!

Red satin dress. £89. Vivien of Holloway.
Black beaded necklace. £6. Vivien of Holloway.
Clutch bag. £20. Accessorize.
Seamed stockings. £16. What Katie Did.
Black suede heels. £50. Topshop.
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique EDP. £50. Debenhams.


Quirky

Valentine's Day Quirky by beckybedbug

For the quirky girl, I'd imagine romantic dinners and walks on the beach aren't for you. You'll be doing something much more exciting. Strawberry picking or a Jack the Ripper tour of London or an art club. I figure that, whatever it is, you're going to want to be comfortable and free to move easily. Heels and a mini skirt are not the most appropriate attire here. This playsuit is comfy, but still cute, and the brogues allow you to walk for hours without your poor tootsies screaming out for relief.

Playsuit. £40. River Island.
Earrings. £18. Tatty Devine.
Pink scarf. £7. Accessorize.
Glitter heart ring. £18. Tatty Devine.
Suede bag. £10. Dorothy Perkins.
Metallic brogues. £32. Topshop.
Stella McCartney Stella EDP Print Collection Look 3. £35. Boots.

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you have a wonderful day, whatever you do!