Fashion Confession.

I'm not sure if I want to own up to this, since the entire fashion universe seems to be in love with it, but..

I don't really get the sports luxe thing.

Yes, I understand that since trends are predicted over a year in advance, the major events of the year they are style-casting provide inspiration, and looking at 2012 there is only one thing on everyone's minds.. But it still shocks me how the London Olympics have created not only a look, but possibly the biggest trend of the year. In every magazine I read at the moment there is sportswear screaming out at me, and I cannot make myself like it. As a self-confessed fashion victim I want to be all over the hottest trends like a rash, but I just won't be working this one.

Maybe it is because I spent about 8 years of my life in leotards and tracksuits as a gymnast that those kinds of apparel hold no appeal to me, except the potential nostalgia that envelops me when I throw on my old gymnastics hoodie (in bed, at home, never in public). However many times people tell me that neoprene and sweatshirts can be made to look glamorous, and however many times I see the pictures of the Alexander Wang collection, I can never shake the connotations of some of my most unnattractive moments happening in sportswear. It will forever be associated with either an intense training session, or being literally coated in glittery hairspray at competitions - not really fashionable moments for me to be honest..

It's not that I have anything against other people wearing the look. Kind of like being a vegetarian who doesn't mind her omnivorous friends chowing down on that bacon sandwich within her sensory range, I am happy to say, yes, you wear that neon, neoprene t-shirt or those fitted pants with the sporty stripe down the side, but try and force me to wear them and there will be trouble. You can make it out of the best quality fabrics, in the hottest SS'12 colours, slap a designer label on it and show me ways to make the look work beautifully, and something in me will still resist. I'll be sticking to my uber-prints and super-girlie outfits, thankyou.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Fashion Confession

This might seem an unusual one from a fashion blogger who posts outfit pictures at every opportunity, but...

I hate having my photo taken.

I literally run from cameras at parties and basically any other time than when I get my outfit snaps taken. You are more likely to find me behind the camera at a party, clicking away, or simply ducking out of pictures because I always feel awkward in photographs. In my opinion I am simply not photogenic - I always manage to be pulling a face or looking in the wrong direction, never just nice and normal! I am sure it's just a bit of paranoia, but I still hate being in front of the camera.

I am not sure where it stems from.. Possibly the fact that I'm an incredible perfectionist who can pick holes in anything has something to do with it - if there's anything wrong with me in a photo (cheesy grin, rogue blemish, slightly smudged lipstick), I will see it. Or maybe the constant threat of being tagged in an ugly photo on Facebook?

I have gotten better at just taking pictures though, and I don't mind messing around with friends because I know they will delete the truly hideous ones, but being photographed is still not something I enjoy. Like I said though, I have improved - I think the daily blog photographs have helped. I don't mind those so much because the focus is on the clothes, and as long as I look vaguely human and decent, they can go online!

Is there a way to get over an aversion to cameras though? Maybe having enough photos of myself would help, or perfecting my 'camera face' for when someone points a lens at me. Maybe I should even go for one of those professional-style photoshoot experiences, to really challenge myself.. Thoughts?

Love and kisses, Tara xox

(Oh, and sorry this is such a pathetic post - it's been thrown together last minute because the post I had planned for today will now have to wait until tomorrow, thanks to a few things taking a lot longer than they should...)

Fashion Confession - Material Girl.

This is a bit of a random post really, since I haven't shared my little quirks (or bored you to death with my mundane-ness, take your pick) for a little while. In truth, I've been too busy with outfit posts & obsession posts to throw out some random, text-only detail, but today I have found the time. Well, I say time.. what I really mean is that I am going nowhere today (aside from work this morning) and will not be able to research/resource anything else in between attempting to write a French essay and trying not to fall asleep at my computer.

However, today's musings were not born out of sheer lack of effort & motivation - this confession is something that came to me like a bit of an epiphany this week.

I am probably the most materialistic person I know.

It's probably not news to anyone except me, since anyone who has seen a few of my posts knows I have the slightly shallow life goals of owning designer clothes (and shoes, and bags...) and maintaining my style whatever may happen to me. I am obsessed with fashion, shopping & image in general, choosing never to leave the house without my makeup and a carefully considered, fashion-centric outfit and reading countless fashion magazines in an attempt to be on top of the trends at all times. All of this is not adding up well for me - my entire world appears to be coming down to nothing more than material possessions, and expensive, fabulous ones at that.

My friends will probably agree with this realisation I have had, and tell me they knew a long time ago.. Especially those in my French class - when we had to argue that you can't buy happiness I disagreed, because I honestly think my life would be vastly improved if I owned a pair of Louboutins! One of my aims in life is to get my hands on a pair of those red-soled beauties, along with a Chanel bag, a good amount of Prada, a Mary Katrantzou dress and something by so many more designers that I adore. My friends, while they are mostly interested in fashion and what they are wearing, and all look absolutely beautiful at all times, probably have much less shallow goals..

And I am not saying I don't! I want a good job, to find happiness and to help others (especially children in third world countries), and I realise there are more important things in life than looking good, like my family and friends, whom I love insanely. It is just that I live, breathe and walk fashion, and in our capitalist, materialistic society, with the rapidly fluctuating world of haute-couture and trends, to keep up and keep looking stylish, money must be spent. Also, while the great British high street is full of fashion and gorgeous things (I should know, it is all I can afford), a fashion obsessive like myself cannot help but lust after the creations of huge fashion houses.. Materialism is in my blood - it's a sickness, and I am willingly very ill indeed.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Fashion Confession

I frequently suffer from stylist's block.

Or at least that's what I call it when my little mind can't seem to conjure up a decent outfit. When I just end up standing in my room, wardrobe doors thrown wide open, drawers pulled out and possibilities littering the floor, and deciding I have nothing to wear. It's like a writer staring at a blank page - it is not that I lack the components of a good outfit, just the inspiration..
 

I have whined, moaned and generally complained about this complete mental blank many times when trying to explain what led me to create some of my more 'eclectic' looks, because they are produced with even less planning than my usual ensembles. On a good day, I will have had an idea the day before, then fleshed it out at some point in the previous evening/in the morning while showering and simply have to locate the pieces I want. But on a day when stylist's block strikes I literally cannot put the items together, and end up grabbing clothes in a last minute frenzy, relying on sheer instinct. And then really hoping it works.

I only thought to make this confession today because another, less common strain of stylist's block struck me down today - one that might have to be renamed blogger's block. Like usual I opened my blogger tab, read the new entries on blogs I follow, commented on a few and got generally up to speed with it all, then went to compose a new post and simply froze. I haven't been out, I haven't bought anything, no celebrities are greatly inspiring me right now... I got nothing. So in a vague attempt to pull myself together and write something, I decided to share one of my greatest afflictions (with a bit of a nudge from Becca I'll admit - credit to you dear). Sincerely hoping this isn't too personal/boring/unrelated to style. FASHIONFASHIONFASHION. There, now nobody can say I didn't mention la mode.. Love and kisses, Tara xox

Fashion Confession.

I think we can safely say I am an inconsistent blogger at best, and the plan to make a little confession every week is blatantly not going well. I could make excuses, but that would waste even more time. Let's just settle for agreeing that timing is not my strong point.. Which is why I have decided to randomly bare a little bit more of my fashion psyche this Sunday evening..

I am a terrible shopping influence.

My friends say this when I go shopping with them - they always maintain that they bought more than they intended to because I was there! And it is probably true, because when I see my friends trying on something gorgeous that's a total bargain (at least in my eyes) I will most likely persuade them to get it, whether they 100% need it or not. Shopping is one of my favourite pastimes, especially with friends, and it is all the more fun when you buy things together.. then every time you use or wear that item, you remember the shopping trip and good times. I also believe that my amazing friends deserve to have beautiful wardrobes, so when they find the perfect piece, I don't want to let them walk away from it. Unless they literally cannot afford it of course. But when the money's there, the dress fits, then why not?

Of course, it might not all be totally altruistic. I do assume that most people get the same excitement and joy from spending money and getting new things as I do, which might not be the case. And the joy I feel can sometimes be nearly as good second-hand, so there is an element of vicariously spending through other people...  Also, if everyone else is spending, then it looks slightly better that I am there eagerly parting with my squids too! Basically, what I am getting at here is that I love spending money so much, that if you shop with me you will probably end up a fair bit poorer, but your wardrobe will be infinitely richer... Love and kisses, Tara xox

Fashion Confession

After the super-long Gaga-fest that was my post yesterday, I decided a nice, simple 'revelation' about me & my style was in order - just a quickie to prove I am still alive & kicking. And possibly interest you, if you like finding out random details of my life.

My fingers feel naked unless I wear a ring.

At least one. Or my hands literally feel wrong. I don't know what it is, but unless I'm sporting some finger candy I don't feel complete, the outfit is unfinished. Don't get me wrong, I don't wear them 24/7 - at home when I'm just laying around being a bit of a waste of space my fingers are bare and natural, and rings aren't allowed at work for health & safety reasons. But when I go out anywhere where I have thought out my outfit, or at least gotten dressed into something other than trackies (only chez moi, or at the gym) or my work uniform, I will throw on at least one ring before I feel 'done'. Even if I wear no other jewellery, I will feel dressed up enough as long as I have some gems on my fingers. I will even wear rings under gloves, just so that I know I'm wearing them!

And I'm not fussy over type. Stackable, outsize, delicate, silver, gold, kitsch, classic.. I'll wear them all. For a few years now I have had an obsession with cocktail rings, and I love the way a bold, sparkling jewel on your hand can create a statement all by itself - but over the last year or so I have loved stackable rings, because you can create a new combination every time, and nobody will have the same as you. Right now, however, I'm open to anything. Well, I say 'open', I mean drawn. Rings are my favourite jewellery item, and a gorgeous ring will have an effect on me far superior to that of any mere necklace.. In shops I am pulled in towards the rings, constantly reminding myself to stay away, and constantly wondering whether there is any excuse to buy yet another.

Currently, I am lusting after pretty much all of these on Temporary Secretary, but Topshop is one of my favourite ring-buying haunts too. I can't exactly decide what kind of ring to go for next though - super-elegant, kitsch & cute, statement, subtle, cocktail... Bah. Right now I love stacking my rings up in a bit of a mish-mash - just with bare wrists so it's not ovekill - and therefore reserve the right to get lots more rings. Maybe as a Christmas treat... Love and kisses, Tara xox

Fashion Confession.

Okay, okay, I'll own up to the fact that this week's statement is less of a confession, more like sharing a dream not yet achieved..

I've never been to a single fashion week.

Not shocking, I know. Especially for a 17-year-old student living in the complete back of beyond. But I have been watching the fashion weeks taking place worldwide, from the relatively local London Fashion Week to thousands of miles away in Tokyo, with equal parts jealousy and lust. I am increasingly envious not only of the insane outfits, incredible style and the originality of every show, but also of just being there. I can only imagine how amazing it feels to be surrounded by the style elite, including designers, bloggers, models and celebs, soaking up outfit ideas and basically breathing fashion. Oh, it's the stuff of dreams. It's highly unlikely that I'll make it to any in spring either, the run up to exams is disappointingly more important. But one day, one day I will indulge my dreams of doing 'the big four' and going to London, New York, Paris and Milan fashion week one after another! Possibly followed by Tokyo. 

Right now however I must content myself with cyber-stalking the runway shows on blogs & gazing awestruck at the beautiful things the designers are showcasing, while admiring the painfully chic frow (front row, obvs) and trying to steal fashion tips. Somehow, it'll be enough. At least it is not like fashion shows are the only places to get inspired, or models/celebrities are the only style icons, you can find style inspiration everywhere you go.. even Somerset. You've just got to remember that all the world is a catwalk. Love and kisses, Tara xox