Tuesday 27 August 2013

Atomic Blonde

Mega excited to show you this post as it's a little toe-dip into A/W styling, based around a fabulous tshirt from Atomic Threads! Atomic Threads do loads of printed tshirts that you wouldn't find anywhere else, slogans and stuff too but my real favourite is the B-Movie collection - how freakin awesome are these? There are some proper classics in there too, like Godzilla, Revenge of the Dead, Eraserhead and Creature from the Black Lagoon.

I chose this amazing Zombie Rave tshirt, in oversized men's so that it would come up like a dress (I'm going to take the sleeves off or make it into a cold-shoulder cut out, just have to put my thinking cap on so I can do it justice! It's really good quality so I want to make a decent job of it). I love the print on the front, it's kinda distressed/faded so isn't too bold a statement if you're looking for a casual style outfit. 

It's going to fit in so well to my A/W wardrobe as upcoming trends are all sort of grungy/punky/hard edged (I love Moschino's punk catwalk looks) lots of leather, studs, tartan and boots - my heaven. I think I might be picking up a few more of these B-Movie tees, as I'm sure I'll be getting a lot of use out of this one!

So here's the lowdown on what I've styled it with...

Jacket - Faux leather biker style, H&M - this is part of their new season collection and I've been looking for a leather-look jacket for ages. I've tried on hundreds, I kid you not. They always seem to fit weird or if they're proper leather, they're suuuuper heavy to wear. This is nice and light, fits well and seems to be a decent sort of material.

Leggings - Grey crop with little hearts on, White Stuff. Got these at their outlet store, they're a little big (they only had a couple of sizes) but it doesn't matter too much, especially if I'm wearing them with shorts at festivals.

Trainers - Clear and black Converse. I just LOVE these shoes, they're so unusual. I've got black and white check socks on underneath but they look awesome with a pop of colour too. I think I got them from Footlocker online a few years ago.

Bag - Clear and black satchel, ebay. So pleased to have gotten hold of this, it's a Cambridge Satchel Co. dupe which was a considerably cheaper option. It matches the trainers so perfectly and I love being able to show off some of my cute purses inside.

Accessories:

Sunglasses - clear-rimmed, mirrored from ebay - again to match the clear theme
Moustache mini purse - Black and white, Primark
Moustache big purse - Brown, Loungefly (I use this as a sunglasses case)
Totoro mini purse - ebay
Mixed bracelets - stud and chain, Primark
Rings - Skulls from Alchemy Gothic, Chain from H&M, Mid-finger bands from ASOS, Claw from ebay
Big spike bib necklace - silver colour, Primark
Mini spike necklace - silver colour, Primark
Keys chain necklace - present from Mum

I'd like to thank Atomic Threads for giving me a head-start on A/W right on trend, if you want to grab yourself a tee or three, head over to www.atomicthreads.co.uk and take a look!
 
This sample product was gifted from Atomic Threads. Opinions expressed here are my own.

Sunday 25 August 2013

Have hat, will travel.

Dinner with Alex and Dave at Coast 2 Coast in Leicester - hot wings, hot topics! Needed something casual and comfy, the restaurant is always super-busy but it's a laid-back kinda place and we managed to snag a big round booth all to ourselves.

Cardigan - Navy cable-knit classic from Ralph Lauren. If you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know I've been coveting one of these for yonks. I have a grey one which I wear ALL the time, so thought a navy would be a good addition as it will go with lots of things. This one seems to be a longer-length version than the grey, which is really nice. Really soft knit with buttons down the front.

Shirt - Blue ombre collared shirt, Primark. This has a loose-fit sort of boxy shape with rolled sleeves (but rolled to a cap, not to the top of the shoulder) and it's quite see-through. It's comfy though, and a good pop of colour when the rest of the outfit is fairly safe.

Jeans - Super-skinny high waisted, ASOS Ridley. Again, if you've seen some of my previous posts you'll have come across the grey acid wash pair. These are a blue acid wash that I got when they had some massive promotion on, and I just love them. Every time they're on offer I'm going to get a different coloured pair, they are just really comfy and a nice shape. The high waist is good for tucking in shirts or, in this case showing up a little under a sheer shirt.

Trainers - Converse, brought back from America by the Outlaws a few years ago. Shoes are a brilliant present for me, Cons even more so. I'm a dead UK6 and they fit perfectly as I have skinny rabbit-feet. These have a sort of cross-stitch skulls and hearts print onto a white shoe, with pink lining and stitching.

Accessories:

Hat - Burgundy roll brim hat from ebay seller in HK

Vest - Cheap skin coloured stretchy vest from Primark. I wish I didn't have the round-neck silhouette underneath the shirt, but I can't think of an alternative?!

I am actually wearing a spike-necklace from Primark, but stupidly forgot to pull it out over the collar before having photos taken, doh!

Nail polish - MUA from Superdrug, I can't remember the number but it's like a dark mint or a light teal kind of colour. If I find out I'll pop it in the comments below, but it was only £1 in Superdrug - total bargain as it goes on nicely and lasts a long time! Ooh and one final thing, my lips are red due to a foray into Lip-Stain (this one is by NYC but I'll attempt a beauty-product post soon), I am loving that stuff!


Thursday 22 August 2013

Humbugs

It's been a couple of weeks since Bloodstock I know, but apart from this one, I didn't have any interesting outfits to show off - I had a stinking cold/cough, so stayed wrapped up in fleeces and scarves the whole time (and didn't really fancy having my photo taken obviously). Oh well, here's day one's outfit - playing on the monochrome theme (humbug!), which works really well with band tshirts!

Black and white stripe pinafore - ASOS, this was in the super summer sale so I was really pleased to get hold of it. Bought a size bigger than I really needed so that it would be baggy, but it is a bit long isn't it? I might re-hem it shorter. I also totally forgot to take a photo of the back, oops.

Band tshirt - a chopped up Black Stone Cherry tshirt that I bought one year at Download Festival.

Belt - black pyramid studded from Lowlife (bought at Download festival this year)

Black legggings - Jack Wills

Chequered wellies - Vans. Alex found these for me at TKMaxx, they're shaped like standard vans trainers on the bottom but are actually soft moulded rubber wellies! I really like them and they're pretty comfy, so I think these will be making the trip to Bestival too!


  

Accessories:

Burgundy bandana - ebay
Hair clips - skulls and rockets, both bought at festivals
Spike multicolour ring - on left thumb, H&M
Flat ring - on right thumb, Superdry
Spike ring - right middle, Primark
Chain ring - right ring, H&M
Skull ring - left middle, Alchemy Gothic
Vampire teeth ring - left ring, Me & Zena (used as a spacer to keep my engagement ring safe!)
Black strap watch - Umbrella Corp (from Resident Evil series) ebay
Leather 2 colour wristband - H&M
White leather wristband - H&M
Short spike necklace - Primark
Monochrome bear necklace - bought at Download festival a few years ago
Keys necklace - Present from Mum

Nail colour - MUA 'Koala' from Superdrug


Tuesday 20 August 2013

Sneaky ninjas

Okay so I know it's been a while since I've done an outfit post, and I do have a couple ready to go but I simply must show you this amazing set of bookends which were sent to me by the lovely crew at iwoot last week. They are actually amazingly perfect for our house, as Alex (and I briefly) did Ninpo-Budo, have an actual katana in our house AND a library full of books! I'd never seen these before, but if I had - they'd have definitely gone on Al's Birthday list.

So inside the box, there are two metal plates which you slide inside the front/back cover of two paperbacks and the handle and sword ends of the katana, which have magnets in. Now, these magnets aren't super-strong, so I found you really could only use the outer cover of the book in order for them to stick - but they do work perfectly well in any case.

The katana itself is plastic (which was a bit of a surprise as from the box and photos it looked like it might be metal) personally I think it would be much cooler in metal with some weight behind it, but then you probably run into problems with strong enough magnets and weight bearing books, it might even make it an actual weapon... who knows! Anyway, the plasticness is only really mildly irritating when you're brandishing it like a real sword (yes this is the kind of thing we do), when it's actually 'in use' as bookends, it looks AWESOME. 

 
 Here are the metal plates which go inside the books...

Here's the bookends in use, with a collection of relevant titles...
 
 Yes, yes you can fit the two parts together to make a small sword...

These are going to take pride of place in our library with the martial arts books, and have been delighting our Ninja friends on facebook already! You can get a set of your own from the iwoot homeware department here: KATANA BOOKENDS and don't forget to turn a black tshirt into a mask, creep silently and look before you leap... sneaky ninjas...


This sample product was gifted from iwoot. Opinions expressed here are my own.

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Luck bee Lady Muck

  

What an enticingly wrapped parcel! With a squirrel sticker on the envelope I knew I was in for a treat before I even opened it, but nothing prepared me for what lay inside... Lady Muck of Whitstable (click the link!) makes exciting and unusual jewellery and accessories, and she sent me a stunning bracelet and some beautiful earrings!

Now, I hear you say "But you don't have pierced ears?", correct. I mentioned this to Lady M, and she personally made me some clippies instead, how nice is that?! The last time I wore clip earrings was when my Nanna used to let us play with the costume jewellery box as kids, brings back fun memories, and for that I am truly loving these earrings...


Now, I spent a long time perusing the website and liked every single thing on there, so it was a bit difficult to make a decision, but in the end I opted for the 'Bees and Honeycomb' range - it's just so summery and I'm really into hints of gold at the moment (which is actually really unusual for me as I'm generally a silver lover). Bees are always busy so I like to think of them as a good emblem for me, maybe I was a bee in a former life? Anyway, I've popped these amazing earrings onto a flower so you can get a good look - I'll have to wait until Al comes home to take pictures of them on me, I did try but I just couldn't get the angle right!


Also from that collection, is this stunning statement bracelet made from acrylic gold hexagons. The honeycomb geometric effect is really easy to work into chic looks as it's quite striking. I think I'll be wearing this with monochrome, blocks or stripe patterns so that it really catches the eye. It also has a matching (to the earrings) little bee perched on one of the hexagons, which is just a really special touch, and I must just say even the chain is pretty - it has a heart lock-loop in a brassy colour. I really do appreciate it when all the details are wonderful, as well as the piece itself, it means care and pride have been taken in making it.

I'll be styling these in an outfit post really soon, but just couldn't wait to show everyone! I'm also now really coveting the Boiled Egg ring and the big matching Honeycomb & Bee necklace, click the links to check them out. Lady Muck has also very kindly offered my readers a discount code to use on her site, which will be popped in the comments below this post, isn't that jolly lovely of her!


These sample products were gifted from Lady Muck of Whitstable. Opinions expressed here are my own.