OH HEY, LK

Today I went vintage clothes shopping and bought my very first item of designer vintage apparel. I've never ventured in to this territory before, mainly because I've never been able to afford it, and I suppose I haven't come across many wearable designer items. I once found some tartan Moschino cigarette pants from the 80's in a charity shop, but they were size 16, expensive, and I just couldn't justify buying them.

So I'm very smug about this lovely wearable, timeless item. It's a Green graphic print L.K Bennett midi dress, and I'm really rather smitten, hence photographing it as soon as it came out of the bag like some kind of saddo, and then creating this post...

I love the print, colour, shape and how lady like it is, if this doesn't make me feel like a grown up, nothing will! Then in the vintage shop, I saw my ex-boyfriend's brother, so I quickly ran away which is another saddo moment of the day. Hmm. At least I had time to buy LK before scuttling away.

The End

IN VIEW OF

Oh DEER HI.

In view of recent times, here is a list of some stuff I like and some stuff I don't like.
I DON'T LIKE (the glass is half empty etc.)

1)Adult
2)Grey
3)Winter
4)Rain
5)Office
6)Forward Plan 
7)Boring
8)I.T.
9)Don't be an idiot

I LIKE (Oh!)

1)Music (not musicals)
2)Space
3)Glitter and Glam Rock
4)Tattoo
5)Tropical
6)Kitten
7)Grimes 
8)Nebula
9)I used to REALLY fancy this guy who loved 'Kiss'
10)1970s Groupie outfits

The Complete Abandonment/AA Disco Pants Debate

Hi! How are you? I've utterley neglected 'Idea, you gave me a fright dear' ever since joining Pinterest. If, by the way, you'd like to see my Pinterest, you can! HERE. It's a shame that there's something more gratifying about just copying images from around the internet on to boards rather than constructing well thought out blog posts, but that's just the way it is.

My lack of blog interest can also be blamed on my fairly new full time job in which I'm literally running around for most of the day reading to children, teaching pensioners how to use computers and any number of other things. 

Anyho, enough of this. What have I been wearing? MMMM. Spending most of my time at work means I spend most of time in work clothes. It took me a few weeks to get the balance right between looking like either a conservative yuppy bitch or a bratty art student, but I feel as if I've finally achieved the balance. There are things I miss wearing, like neon skirts or sequined shorts...things that would be ridiculously controversial at work. I've been living in 3/4 jumpers with midi skirts or cropped trousers and jersey tops, I sometimes wear these Urban Outfitter's trousers (pictured, below) to work, much to the amusement of customers and colleagues alike, apparently they're 'Andy Pandy' trousers. Good, I say.

Outside of work, a major debate of mine has been whether to buy the now cult American Apparel Disco Pants (approx. £74.00) or to save a bit of cash and purchase a cheaper version. Much debate has been had about whether the Disco Pants by 'Glamorous' (£30.00) are any good...I hate to say it, but having tried on pretty much every pair I come across, it's worth spending the extra for the AA ones. The Glamorous ones are made of a much much thinner fabric, you can see VPL through them, so I personally wouldn't want to wear them with a short t-shirt, and generally they just feel rubbish. Topshop have a version, but only in Black. They feel a bit thicker but still not quite up to scratch.

If you want Disco Pants to wear as trousers, just bite the bullet. If you are only wanting shiney leggings to wear under big jumpers etc. Get some nice shiney leggings rather than fake Disco Pants. 

Gosh I've gone off on a bit of a tangent haven't I. 

The End.  I'll be back when I remember this place again.

I LOVE MY BOYFRIEND, Shirt

At the moment I'm completely obsessed with this shirt that I sort of borrowed/stole/acquired from my wonderous bf. A proper 'boyfriend shirt'! It's a towl checkered grungey number, oversized ofcourse. I've been wearing it as a shirt, jacket, dress...I don't know what I'd do without it now, and a few days ago my bf said I could have it! Hurrah. On this note, I've found a few other boyfriend-esque shirts that I've fallen in love with, and will act as acceptable replacements should BF decide he needs this one back...(he won't). They're from Lazy Oaf, which i've only just discovered. Lazy Oaf sell really good printed shirts, skater dresses etc. An excellent find...

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1. X Batman Bat Icon Mono Crop Shirt (£60) 

2. Skull Repeat Shirt (£65)

3. X Batman Logo Shirt (£65)

I SEE A WHITE BAG, AND I WANT IT PAINTED PINK

Being broke right now I can't afford an amazing bright block colour satchel/handbag/clutch, but that's not gonna stop me! I transformed an average handbag in to a dream this afternoon, and here's how...

1) TO BEGIN

Take an old handbag, preferably one that is plain and pale in colour (I found this PVC one in a charity shop for around £2). A bag with a slight texture to it will work best, as it will hold the colour and create good effects with the paint after a bit of wear and tear

2) CHOOSE YOUR COLOUR

I went for a fuscia pink, I considered neon, but Autumn/Winter is on it's way and I wanted something that would be flexible throughout the seasons. I used a fabric paint by Pebeo called 'Setacolor Opaque' in no. 64 'Oriental Red'. I watered it down to about a 3/4 consistency

3) AND PAINT...

I used an old decorating paintbrush as big strokes look better, and it takes less time. I didn't pay much attention to neatness as the messier the better with this. Though I was sure to cover all areas of the bag including a couple of inches on the inside. Once it started to dry I brushed over it again and pressed colour in to all the nooks and crannies. I then left it outside for a few hours to dry

4) TA DA! 

It's now night time and the bag is dry! I'm happy with it, though it will look even better after a couple of wears when the paint chips a bit and white starts to show through. I may even re-paint it a different colour somewhere down the line. A DIY look is key here, so don't go wearing any matching pink shoes now! I will wear my special dream bag with a black shirt and denim shorts

NAUSEA BABY - A battle between Fine Art and Meadham Kirchhoff

Meadham Kirchhoff is a designer collaboration that makes pieces fitting for a fancy dress bargain bin. Me and my friend Natalie used to go to our local fancy dress shop whenever we felt depressed (which was regularly, you'll be happy to hear). We were students on a fine art course, and when that sweet and elusive inspiration didn't come, we'd go buy some bits from the £1 bin at one of Nottingham's fancy dress shops. It always made us feel better, especially once when Natalie let me borrow the money to hire a two person horse costume. 

I like Meadham Kirchhoff (aka Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff) because what they make is kind of disgusting anti-fashion. It's nausea all over. It disgusts me, and I love it. 

P.S. Because I'm Bitter, I'm gonna go to Twitter.

LUSTS OF THE DAY: A-MORIR

I have a slight fetish for sunglasses, apparently. I didn't choose it, it chose me. A quick look in to my 'top draw' (aka. draw of junk/jewels and sentimentals) reveals a staggering collection of sunglasses and glasses...ranging from the novelty to the everyday, that I've accidentally collected over years. Similarly, I seem to have a fetish for novelty t-shirts, but that's a different story. So, you can imagine my delight on discovering this range of sunglasses by A-MORIR. I'm a huge sucker for embellishment, kitsch and bad taste. Fortunatly they tick all boxes. Here are my favourites...

I mean really, could they get any better? No. And the above frames are pretty tame compared to some of the designs on offer. Each pair is made by hand, to order, with customisation options available. Therefore the hefty price tag of  around £250 a pair is justified...kind of.  A-Morir creator and designer Kerin Rose Weinberg says she's inspired by 'her time spent studying classical music as a child combined with her lifelong love of rock and roll'. Furthermore, Weinberg cites music from the 1920's, 1970's and the 1990's as inspiration for the spring/summer collection. Wow...I'm in love.

1) Bootsy ($275.00), 2) Dio ($350.00), 3) Cass ($400.00), 4) Simone ($350.00), 5) Lena ($320.00), 6) Betty ($280.00)

I KNOW I'M FAKIN' IT (FAKIN' IT)

Illustrator Harriet Gray has created my favourite thing of the day...or even week! Temporary tattoos of kittens faces. There is a kitschiness and charm to fake tattoos that really wins the day. As a kid in the 90's I used to get the fake kind inside this chewing gum, and sometimes from 'Smash Hits' magazine. I think the time has come to re-discover this 90's dream. Excited!

Set of 7 tattoos - £10 (Also available from Harriet's Etsy shop)

A WEEK IN PICTURES

STUDDY HELL

Top: Gold Anchor Studs - A gift from my sister, Leopard Print Cardigan - Charity Shop

Bottom: Silver Star Studs - An emo shop, White Shirt - American Apparel

THE HIGH STREET FASHION TRAP

Today in H&M, wedged amongst the many, many rails of sale clothes, I got to thinking about throw-away high street fashion.

It's no secret that clothes purchased on the high street lose the majority of their value as soon as they're bought by the customer. It seems like a good idea at the time, in the seductive atmosphere of the shop, because you feel like you really want a peplum top or some harem pants. But a few weeks down the line when everyone hates peplums and harems, you're just left with some over priced garments that are now worth nothing and you won't wear again, ever. The bottom line is...we are obsessed with high street trends that change from month to month, rendering the purchases of months past as worthless.

This is bad for several reasons. Firstly, it's just pure wasteful. Secondly, our drive to have the latest 'on trend' item is turning us in to slaves, literally consuming whatever fad is thrown at us. Thirdly, as well as making us slaves, it's transforming us in to the spitting image of each other, which is dull, to say the least. Finally, it's fuelling cheap foreign labour and has already completely obliterated the British sewing/textile trades.

So to save you from having to fall in to this horrible high street fashion trap, I have concocted some tips, so you won't have to be a slave to the shopping centre ever again (p.s. peplum tops aren't a good idea, even if everyone says they are).

1) DON'T GET SEDUCED

Avoid items that you're unsure about, but you talk yourself in to buying because they're of the moment. 

2) DEVELOP YOUR OWN STYLE

Get to know your own style and tastes. Understand what suits you, and develop it. It may involve making some crappy fashion faux pas, (which may well end up being amazing) but that's part of it. This way you'll know which trends to pursue and which to ignore. 

3) INVEST, DON'T JUST BUY

If you're in to fashion, it's fun to observe what designers are doing and watch how trends develop across the seasons, but the high streets take on these changes is fickle and cheap, so if you really like a trend, invest in an item that will stand the test of time, not necessarily an expensive item, but one that could be interpreted in different ways. To elaborate, take the trend of Navajo (which seems to be going on forever?!) as example. Instead of buying an all over Navajo print dress which is pretty great now, but won't be in a year or two, buy a vest, shorts or accessory featuring Navajo embellishments that will be transformed in to a brand new look when this stubborn trend is finally put to bed.

4) CONSIDER WHICH BRANDS YOU BUY FROM

As an avid Ebayer (both seller and buyer) I have noticed certain brands always do well on Ebay. Two that instantly come to mind are Topshop and Urban Outfitters. In my experience, you can often make a profit on items from these brands if you sell them even second hand on Ebay. So, if you're in to Ebay, it would make sense to consider how sell-able an item will be when you buy it.

5) SIT BACK AND WAIT IT OUT

To be honest, most of these trends come and go so quickly that just turning a blind eye for a bit, when you're really broke, or can't be bothered with all the fussing, could be the solution. Another trend that you'll want to buy in to will be just around the corner anyway.

6) SWEET CHARITY

Charity shops are literally one of the best ideas ever, I think. They provide a place to unload your old high street mistakes and they supply people like me with a weird and wonderful selection of oddities and stuff. If in doubt, just visit a charity shop and find a few cheapo bits to refresh the items you already have. Thus giving money to charity, not fuelling this crazed high street consumer mess, and not spending as much cash.

7) BUY VINTAGE

Generally, clothes from 20 plus years ago are much better made and have stood the test of time. They are also extremely coveted by many. Therefore buying vintage can be seen as an investment. It's like that thing they say about cars and houses. Buying a car sucks your money, because it costs to keep it and it loses money with age. Buying a house is a financial asset, and it maintains/increases it's value over time.

Keep your vintage well, and you could end up making a profit from it when it's day with you is done.

Lastly, and to emphasise the importance of having your own sense of style...

Being inspired and influenced by high street/catwalk/street trends is good, but don't be a fashion puppet. I think it's important to develop your tastes and follow your instincts, without taking it all too seriously. Fashion is, after all, temporary. The beauty of it is it's ever evolving and shifting nature. So be an observer, not a slave. Having a strong sense of personal style is the key.

The End

LUST OF THE DAY: BLESS

Today I will mostly be lusting after these sunglasses by 'Bless'. They are just a real dream come true. I first discovered them in graphic design journal eye (December 2007/January 2008) and have been searching for something that resembles them since. The fact they can no longer be acquired only adds to my lusting.

www.bless-service.de

IT GIRL

I adore Chloe Sevigny, and her collaboration with Opening Ceremony. Here are my favourites from her current collection:
         

1) Eyelet Pinafore Dress ($500)   2) Vision Canvas High-Top Sneakers ($80)   3) Barton
Perreira Kevin Sunglasses ($440)

www.openingceremony.us

A MODERN MARIE

Sofia Coppola's 'Marie Antoinette' is one of my favourite films of all time. It has been criticised (mainly by boys) for being one dimensional with a plot that lacks substance. I strongly disagree. Yes, there's a high focus on visual detail and overall aesthetic, but it's based on historical events and I believe Coppola tells the story beautifully. 

The new romantic movement is regulary referenced throughout the film, in the soundtrack (Bow Wow Wow, Adam and the Ants, Siouxsie and the Banshees) and in the costumes. The character of Count Fersen (Marie's lover) wears a costume based on the attire of post-punk hero Adam Ant. Elsewhere, the costumes have an essence of 18th century, but the colours, fabrics and styling brings them to the 21st century

It's a complete feast for the ears and eyes. Coppola selected a beautiful sherbet pastel palette instead of the Burgundy, Navy and deep Green hues conventionally associated with the 18th century, as reinforced by faded paintings and costume dramas. The aim was to 'remove the crustation of sepia' and bring Marie's world to a modern audience. The result is an eccentric, bohemian wonderland. Marie, too, is likeable and very easy to relate to. A world apart from the idle  'let them eat cake' stereotype.

So, on that note, here are some beautiful things i've found to transform your world (and your wardrobe) in to the floral, feminine, acid pastel baroque vision of the film, harnessing youth punk rebellion and new romantic charm... 

  
1) Dr. Martens Pink Monochrome 1460 Boots (Dr. Martens, £74.00)

 Ahh...Just swooon... 

 2) Secret Heart Flowering Tea (Canton Tea Co, £7.00)

 Tea that comes in a bud and then explodes in to a flower when put in hot water! WOW! 

  

3) Vivienne Westwood Beige Chancery Mini Yasmin Bag (Urban Outfitters, £232.00)

 Cute and amazing,,, 

4) Stila Custom Colour Adjust Self Adjusting Pink Blusher (Stila, £13.00) 

 This incredible blusher adjusts to the PH balance of your skin to create a customised shade, and it's the perfect bubblegum pink to give vibrant colour

5) Vintage Tulle Skirt by Rouge Pony (Rouge Pony at Etsy, £22.00) 

Beautiful, wear with a cropped pastel t-shirt and pale pink hair

6) Loulou Loves You Claire Flower Headband (Loulou Loves You, £30.00)

The best! creator Lou Lou Androlia has made some incredible head pieces and lingerie, follow the link above, and more on her soon...

7) Vintage China (Sara Evans at Pavlova and Fox, Etsy)

Dreamy china to accompany the flower tea. Sara Evans' Etsy shop is filled with vintage china and antiques...

8) TOMOTOMO Magazine (www.shinbiyo.com/tomotomo)

Learn about big hair here!

9) Jonathan Saunders Bright Paisley Short Sleeve Tee (Urban Outfitters, £80.00)

Jonathan Saunders doing acid pastel baroque...

10) Fantasy White Hair Dye (hairlights4u at EBay, £6.99)

Do a Marie and do your hair white...

Images from the film property of http://versailles.org.uk/marie_antoinette/the_film/ and   www.galadarling.com)

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