30.10.2011- Sunday Style Spotlight #7: Elizabeth Olsen

I've been a fan of Elizabeth Olsen's style for a little while now, and she's been steadily making a sartorial impact at events and premieres over the last few months. This week she attended a screening of her film Martha Marcy May Marlene at the London Film Festival, gracing the red carpet in sparkling Chanel Couture and cementing her status as an up-and-coming style icon:

I love Elizabeth's style as it's really simple and sophisticated. Unlike Mary-Kate's penchant for vintage and Ashley's attraction to all things minimalist, Elizabeth seems to prefer looks which are feminine, classic and youthful. I adore the dress by The Row (who else?) which she wore to the Cannes Film Festival back in May, and, as we saw at the SS12 presentations, this 20s inspired look is set to be big news for next season. Throw in some statement accessories and a touch of sparkle and you're well on your way to emulating Elizabeth's sophisticated elegance.

Are you a fan of Elizabeth Olsen's style?

(Image credit: Look, Google Images, Warehouse, ASOS, Oasis, River Island and very.co.uk.)

Sunday Snapshots - 30 / 10 / 11

Mhmm, the bliss that is an extra hour in bed was a lovely begining to today. Currently in a state of delicious laze which I don't intend to break too soon. 

These images certainly help to please too:

 

Happy Sunday
<3

29.10.2011- Weekend Wishes

This weekend, I wish my Halloween could be as stylish as this Tim Burton inspired shoot from Harper's Bazaar:

.

Tim Burton's Magical Fashion by Tim Walker, Harper's Bazaar October 2009.

As it is, I'm just going to do my best zombie impression (and use the occasion as an excuse to re-watch Shaun of the Dead!)

How will you be spending Halloween?

(Image credit: Harper's Bazaar.)

Decadent Winter Purchase

Hello beauties.

As those of you who've followed this blog for a while/follow me on twitter will know,  I am rather partial to complaining about being cold/freezing/chilly/frozen/all of those. 

This complaining is generally accompanied by endless longing for that perfect Winter coat that will keep me toastier than toast yet sleak and stylish as opposed to stuffy and puffy.

Well. After endless procrastination that beautiful day has finally arrived. Spurred on by the terrible influence that is my mother I purchased my very own devlishly gorgeous and decadently expensive Winter Coat  (decadently expensive for me anyway I'm the queen of not wanting to spend over £30)

Here it is in all it's cosy winter glory:

Outfit

1. The COAT - H&M
2. The Shoes - New Look
3. The Hat - Accessorise
4. The Gloves - H&M

I think I'm in love.
Have a good weekend girls
<3

Feelin Lacy

Hey honey's! Happy Friday. Feels like this one has been a long time coming that's for sure. After the day from hell yesterday - Finance stress, two busses not turning up in the rain, having to pay for a taxi and pretty horrible family problems - I was not in the best of moods. However onwards and upwards they say and today the sun is shining, I'll be seeing my lovely boyfriend and having a nice long chat with my bestfriend later and I'm sure those two combined will make me a much happier bunny.


Sorry to ramble on anyways :p today I have for you a gorgeous trend that's quite frankly all over the place at the moment - much to my delight:

Lace

For me - the perfect mix of gothic, glamorous and ladylike with a decadent feel and effortless edge. A pretty intoxicating mix no?

Here are my favourite budget friendly lace pieces:

1. Warehouse £30.00 

(breastcancer awareness too <3)

2. Dorothy Perkins £22.00

3. Miss Selfridge £29.00 

4. Miss Selfridge £29.00 

5. Monsoon £45.00 

6. AX Paris £28.00 

So there we are my loves. Hope you like!
Happy Friday
<3

27.10.2011- Film Review: Crazy, Stupid, Love

Crazy, Stupid, Love is a film which is pretty tricky to categorise. Part romantic comedy, part relationship drama, the narrative centres on down-on-his-luck Cal Weaver (brilliantly played by Steve Carell), who discovers his wife Emily has been having an affair with one of her work colleagues. Devastated when Emily asks for a divorce, newly single Cal heads to a local bar, contemplating his failings as a father and husband over a vodka and cranberry. Enter professional ladies man Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling), who makes it his mission to transform Cal from a trainer wearing loser with a habit of buying suits two sizes too big into a stylish, confident bachelor (much like Jacob himself.) Introduce a parallel storyline with the charming Emma Stone and you've got a recipe for cinematic success.

The most memorable element of Crazy, Stupid, Love for me (with the exception of that 'photoshopped' scene) was the dialogue. Dan Fogelman's script is simultaneously funny and deeply sincere, and the situations which he creates on screen are grounded in a reality which the audience understands, allowing us to really connect with the characters. The funny moments (especially Emily's Twilight admission and Cal's encounter with Marisa Tomei's maniacal teacher) aren't knowingly funny either, which makes them laugh-out-loud hilarious. In short, the comedy is so successful because it has been brilliantly observed, but also because it is perfectly balanced with moments of pathos which aren't overly sentimental or gushy.

The performances too, make the film a real joy to watch. Steve Carell is completely believable as the hapless Cal, and we root for him throughout. Julianne Moore is as radiant as ever as Emily, and it's a testament to her sensitive performance and the quality of the writing that we never see her as the villian of the piece for cheating on her husband. Ryan Gosling excels as lovable rogue Jacob, and Crazy, Stupid, Love looks set to be the film which cements his mainstream appeal (I can't wait to see him in The Ides of March, either). On paper, Jacob could come across as a shallow and highly unlikeable womaniser, but in the hands of Gosling the character is both charming and attractive. However, the revelation of this film for me was Emma Stone, who plays hapless Hannah, a trainee lawyer who is seriously unlucky in love until she catches Jacob's eye. Her performance is endearing, intelligent and she brings a real lightness of touch to the piece.

Overall, if I were to sum up Crazy, Stupid, Love in one word, it would be charming. Unlike so many films which fall under the 'rom-com' umbrella, it doesn't patronise its audience, and allows us to connect with an ensemble of characters who are both likeable and utterly believable. The unexpected (yet somehow everyday) nature of the comedy combined with the completely sincere relationships at the heart of the film really reminded me of Little Miss Sunshine (one of my all-time favourites). It's proof of the strength of the script that I didn't see the twist towards the end of coming at all, and, much like Little Miss Sunshine, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a film which I'm sure I'll never tire of watching.

Have you seen Crazy, Stupid, Love? If so, what did you think?

(Image credit: Google Images.)

26.10.2011- What I Wore Today #4

The events of today only served to confirm something I've thought for a long time- dressing for the Great British weather is one of the most impossible tasks known to man. Rain, wind, snow, hail- we have to contend with it all (usually in the space of a single day!), which can make choosing what to wear a mission in itself...

Dress- Topshop

Tights- River Island

Watch- Urban Outfitters

I'd been meaning to order this dress from Topshop when I first saw it online weeks ago, but when I eventually got around to adding it to my shopping basket, it had sold out. I'd completely given up on it until last week, when I found the one remaining dress in my size in the Oxford Circus flagship. You might call it luck, but to me that's fate- needless to say I snapped it up straightaway. Today I wore it for the first time, and within two minutes of leaving my house this morning, I was soaked (thank you, rain). Luckily, I dried out quite quickly and couldn't be happier with my new purchase. Now I just need to invest in a decent umbrella!

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell, please do not reproduce without permission.)

10 for under £10 - Autumn/Winter Essentials

Heya loves, how're we doing this fureeezing night? My central heating has decided to pack up and die this week - perfect timing I'm sure you'll all agree ha-ha. So I'm currently bundled up in a mix of boyfriend clothes trying to bribe the cat to come and act as a furry waterbottle ;) oh how glamorous :p

Ahhh well, got some gorgeous high-street fashion to cheer me/you up and the best thing about it is ... it's all for under £10! Talk about bargain spending huh?

Let's have a look what we've got:

1.Peacocks £10.00

2.H&M £9.99

3.Forever 21 £4.75

4.H&M £6.99

5.H&M £7.99

6.Peacocks £10.00

7.H&M £7.49

8.H&M £3.99 

9.Peacocks £4.80

10.Peacocks £9.00

So there we are my loves 10 quick bargains for you!
Hope you like <3

25.10.2011- Midnight (well, half 7!) at the Oasis

Last Wednesday, Sarah and I were lucky enough to be invited along to a blogger's party thrown by Oasis to celebrate the launch of their recently revamped Argyll Street store. The event started in their beautiful Regent Street Press Office, where we enjoyed cupcakes, champagne and were offered a sneak preview of their new collections before heading over to Argyll Street to collect a goody bag and have a look around the store itself. Here's a little snapshot of the lovely time we had:

Sarah enjoying a drink.

Samples in the show room.

The beautiful view over Regent Street.

Sarah fell in love with this limited edition coat, very Chanel!

There was also a little dressing up area where we were welcome to try on our favourite pieces, cue me pulling the most awkward face ever!

To celebrate their 20th birthday, Oasis have also reworked a selection of classic pieces from their archives, including this lovely white blouse.

The amazing fitting rooms in the Argyll Street store- I wish my house looked like this!

Inside the amazing Argyll Street store.

Overall, it was a really lovely evening. I loved the chance to see some of the new products up close (I've already drawn up a lengthy shopping list!), and the opportunity to have a good explore of the Argyll Street store was fantastic. A massive thank you to the lovely people at Oasis for the invite (and is there any chance you could come and decorate my room?!)

Also, apologies for the cringe-worthy title of this post, I couldn't resist!

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell, please do not reproduce without permission, and Oasis)