Hey it's ok, you're a student..

A student take on Glamour's popular 'Hey, it's ok' page.
It's ok.....

• To write threatening post-it notes on your food (Ross from friends style) using language that would make even your builder wince.

• To accept a dinner date invitation from a guy your not really into, just because you don't have any food in.

• To not have a job because it might interrupt your drinking study time.

• To invest in a fur coat, but not the £15 course textbook. Hey, you'll wear that baby for years to come!

• To befriend people with cars becayse they can drive you to Asda.

• To develop scurvey, as magazine subscriptions and Martini have replaced fruit and veg in your budget.

• When you see someone on campus you don't want to run into, and walk reeeeaaally slowly behind them, like a stalker.

• To spend your last £10 on conditioner instead of food and then call your mum telling her how hungry you are and can she please send you a food parcel.

• To scrape £2 together out of 5ps from your pockets, handbags and sofa, only to spend it on 'Glamour' instead of milk.

• To set an alarm for 8am so you can get up and make a dramatic show about getting ready for 'work', only to dive back into bed when your guest leaves (all that duvet to yourself, mmm !)

• To justify your overdraft by saying things like 'you really need to look at it as more of an investment than a bag'

• That you've already eaten two advent calendars because your parents weren't there to monitor you.

• To spend your rent on a vintage shopping spree. The streets may be cold, but you could in your fur hat collection.

Favourite Finds - yummy buys of the week!

Chanel-esque jacket, SUCH a steal!

Vinatge gloves - loved the ruching at the wrist

Tassled ankle boots, from a cute boutique in Camden.

Raybans, Camden market!

Parisian Party Of One: single in the city

I love love love dining alone, however there are some rules we singledons must abide by.
Firstly, don't ever book the table- thats a bit tragic. You want the air of someone who just has time to lunch by themselves, whenever they may like. I even like to wear a beret sometimes (especially at cafe rouge with one of their hot chocolates- yum!). Perhaps you are a lost soul, carried wherever the wind may take you - you dont want to ruin this charade by booking in advance now do you.

It's also nice to have a prop, such as a magazine or book - really you want a nice floppy paper or big magazine that will stay open by itself on the table. This isnt neccessarily for reading material, but will serve as something to occupy your attention so that people wont interrupt your me time, or take it as an opportunity to join you. I was actually breakfasting alone this weekend (the morning after the night before!) when I spotted a fellow single diner. It was in a little jazz cafe, and he was wearing a black polo neck whilst doing a crossword - this is what I like to call 'taking it too far'.

On another note, I've discovered there are just some things you dont want to order alone such as a Full English. This would have been ok if I was in a casual cafe, but my chosen venue was a little chi chi and I had to sit next to a french speaking couple for an appauling duration (I'm a slow eater)

Finally, you must keep your phone out of sight or atleast not play with it exssesively- rumours will be ripe amongst staff that you've been stood up! so bring out the beret and you're ready to go, happy lunching!

The Politics Of Style: First Lady Fashion

So, I was looking through Decembers Harper's Bazaar's 'Britain's Best Dressed' when something caught my attention (beside the fact that I wasn't mentioned) Our newest lady of number 10 had (ironically) won the place of 10th - beating out Kate Moss who was 13th!

Sam cam was a winner due to the 'understated ease' in which she dressed in, and her clever mix of designer buys and high street finds.  Above is Sam in another winning outfit, wearing a Zara blazer- Zara!

I couldn't help but draw comparisons to our other favorite fist lady - Michelle Obama, who always looks polished and elegant, yet accessible by the people, and for the people. She favors A line skirts, cute details such as vintage flower pins and gloves, and has been compared style wise to Jackie Kennedy.

Sam is less conservative than Michelle in the style stakes, and has been called a 'Champion of the British fashion industry' above she sports a Leopard print coat at a Lanvin opening in Chelsea - very on-trend Sam!

Michelle isn't without Merit however, besides having countless blogs keeping up with her look she appeared in Vogue's 'Top ten fashion diva's' as well as featuring as the cover star for American vogue in 2009. Who gets your vote?  

Country Couture

I am so feeling the country look right now, which of course Alexa is already working in her Barbour jacket. What I am NOT feeling is River Islands blatent rip off which is nearly ruining it for me.
If you really feel inclinded to pretend you are from the country, atleast hit Lester Bowden who have a superb Crew and Barbour selection.

The overall look is a bit Tatler's 'Bystander' (which I will feature in one day in the near future) - the messed up hair which ironically takes longer to achieve and has to be clean for it to work, and natural 'flushed look' make up, which suggests you spend a lot of your time occupied with outdoor pursuits.

The accessories: Louis Vuitton bag, Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses and nude heels (I couldn't help myself okay, I left my wellies in my country home anyway)

Has Alber Elbaz ruined the exclusivity of Lanvin in true British high street fashion?

It was recently suggested that Tom ford was bringing back exclusivity to fashion, with the guest list of his womenswear collection being around only one hundred people, and including only one photographer and a handful of editors.

However, Lanvin seems to be taking a different approach with their Autumn collection for H+M. The collection has been designed by Lanvin’s artistic director, Alber Elbaz, menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver and will go on sale November 23^rd in 200 stores worldwide.

Elbaz has said in the past he would ‘never do a mass-market collection’ but isn’t that exactly what this is? Elbaz defends it as ‘translating the dream we created at Lanvin, to a wider audience, not just a dress for less’. It’s questionable whether this will preserve the luxury of the fashion house, and if Lanvin can really translate the idea of their brand in this collaboration, as the whole idea of Lanvin is exclusivity and luxury brands such as these lose their exclusivity by mass production and over exposure of their collections.

This hasn’t deterred the masses however, and the line is said to be the ‘most anticipated fashion event of the year’ with the collection being revealed through film on the H+M site three weeks before the collection is available.

If you aint got no money take yo' broke ass home

 

 Empty :(

Underwear as ONLY wear?

So, underwear as outerwear has been rocking our catwalks for the best of 2010 now, and I am STILL feeling it.

In my opinion, there are two ways you can go here : structured, with corsets, lacing and body suits OR loose, with slips, camisoles and sheer dresses. 

I've been playing with both - corsets over shirts for a daytime, with a more professional touch  for work, and  I  also wore an ACTUAL  nighty  (sheer, Yamamay with a black lace bra) to a recent fashion magazine launch party.   

Another fave underwear dress of mine is my 'Catwalk Collection' number- very structured (and slightly restricting if you need to walk a bit quickly)    

Ive recently been thinking of taking this to the next level, and purchasing some silk lingerie style shorts to wear with heels under a blazer? Let me know what you think! xoxo

From Russia With Love

The brow : A trend which has begun to dictate my winter wardrobe. Obviously the power brow has been shaping our catwalks from sometime now, we've seen thick and shaped to bleached (eg the fabulous Allesandro Abrosio on this issue of Love). Following in the steps of Prada, Ive chosen the dark and thick power brow- but it doesn't stop there. With my thick dark hair, brows, pale skin and bold red lips I'm feeling a bit "Russia" (and a bit of an eastern European spin on retro glamour).

To accompany this, Ive purchased a fur hat (it was a steal) and it's become a staple in my winter wardrobe. The look is finished with my Russian criminal tattoo which I let a friend do, but misses a mink coat and thick Russian accent. Do not try at home.