Catwalk Obsession - Meadham Kirchhoff

I know, I know, you were probably expecting the big V-Day post, full of love, sweetness and me gushing over how lucky I am.. Unfortunately I am a sad, lonesome little blogger who seems to be perpetually single, so there will be no gushing. I did get an anonymous card through the post which made me feel a little bit loved, but that's besides the point. And the point is that I am not about to go all crazy for Valentines Day since I don't really have anyone to share it with. I am instead going to spend the evening with some of my also-single ladies and have a good old girlie time! So I am now going to share a post that I have been meaning to for a while.. I have just been waiting for a day when nothing else was going on.

And it is oddly appropriate, since this post is dedicated to my love for the Meadham Kirchhoff SS'12 show. So many bloggers have been raving about it already that I do feel a bit behind the times (but then timing has never been my strong point). Anyway, this show and collection is absolutely amazing - my best description is like combining a circus with a pick-n-mix bag and shaking it all up to create an explosion of pastels, prints and kitsch-cute clothes. Before said collection, Meadham Kirchhoff was not a name I'd ever come across, but now it is firmly on my radar, if not for outfits to copy completely..

If this isn't the perfect V-Day look, I don't know what is. Okay, so the wild candyfloss hair may scare off any potential dates, but the outfit is ridiculously cute. And talk about wearing your heart on your sleeve.. (okay, chest, whatever).

Seriously kitsch, this primary colour ensemble is probably more fitted to a 90s children's TV presenter than the fash-pack, but that's what makes it cool. I love the combination of colours, and that checkered cat makes this outfit incredibly unique. And I think you see where the circus comes into Meadham Kirchhoff's collection - check out that curly wig, bold eye makeup and painted mouth, this is classic clown styling, but cute.

Like I said, these looks might not be ones to replicate exactly (I'm not sure I'll be dying my eyebrows orange any time soon..) but you can draw inspiration from the small things. For example, this look is making me crave sorbet pastels, and I also really want to wear pearls with a high collar, vintage style.

A little less vintage inspired here, this is a more party-ready outfit. I absolutely love the cutout detail of the dress, as well as the oversized collar. I also never thought I would want to wear blue glitter tights, but now I really really do!

I just adore how retro-cute this look is! The exaggerated beehive and sunglasses are a complete step back in time, which work perfectly with the sorbet pastels, and are just OTT enough to compliment that feather miniskirt and those yellow knee-highs.

You just can't beat a good flouncy skirt - nothing else in the world makes me feel more girlie and dressed up. Also, yet more hearts are cropping up, along with that super-sweet rainbow motif.. maybe this collection was just designed for Valentine's Day! It certainly fits..

I would absolutely never be brave enough to wear those shorts, although I adore the fringing! They are the perfect playful juxtaposition to that incredibly structured jacket, and I really like the tonal quality of this ensemble. Colourwise, it is not very adventurous but it works well because every piece is in a slightly golden hue.

Once again I love the cutout detail, and the quirky shape is gorgeous. It almost reminds me of Mary Katrantzou's iconic lampshade skirt in that it is super-structured.

Now this look just makes me think of Marie Antoinette gone bad. There is something about the almost corset-like structure of that yellow and blue playsuit and the abundance of ruffles, combined with the pastel hues and hair piled up that reminds me of her.. just if she had let herself go quite a lot, and come to the 21st century.

This colour combination is truly inspiring. Anyone could have come up with mixing their pastels like an ice cream bowl, so the mint skirt, strawberry jacket and blueberry shirt are gorgeous, yet hardly groundbreaking.. but then when styled with a flash of tartan, some neon hair and socks so orange they make your eyes burn, this outfit suddenly becomes showstopping. You wouldn't think it would work, and for your average, day-to-day mortal, this wouldn't, but the superhuman circus of fashion at Meadham Kirchhoff pulls it off with ease.

This is another slightly Marie Antoinette look - that structured dress with the almost baroque pattern in powder blue and gold screams French renaissance, but with a modern twist. The piled up hair and long white socks only add to that impression.

You might have noticed that the shoes all the way through the Meadham Kirchhoff show have been crazy, embellished and super-colourful... Well here's one up close. All of the footwear for this show was made by Nicholas Kirkwood, and I have to say I love it. I am not sure I could ever pull it off, because from the ruffles to the glitter and the pom-poms this is all just a little too clown-girl for me. However, I love how well he has matched his designs to the Kirchhoff clothes, and the flatform style is something I will definitely be looking in to..

Possibly my favourite little detail from this catwalk show is the nail wraps. Just how cute are these?? The images match up to some of Meadham Kirchhoff's clothes - the bear and that heart for example, and the pastel colours are just divine. Honestly, if I could get my hands on these I would wear them forever. They are the perfect way to try out some kitsch Kirchoff style without going all-out crazy and getting eyeballed in the street..

See? Meadham Kirchoff is the perfect fun, playful, kitsch collection! Also well suited to Valentine's Day thanks to the abundance of hearts and general air of sweetness around the clothes. While I openly admit that I would never be brave enough to wear one of the looks top-to-toe, a single piece would be perfectly wearable, and there is definitely some inspiration to be had from this collection. I am now determined to try mixing and matching my pastels, with a pop of brighter colour for an unexpected edge. Having noted the long socks I am desperate to get back into wearing them, and in more unusual colours. I am also even more in love with vintage style, which flowed throughout the collection. There is also a slight temptation to go get some seriously kitsch knitwear..

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Caping it real.

Ah, the first lie in of half term. This is one of my only days off work this holiday, meaning I got to stay in bed until a glorious 10am, before going on the motorway for the first time and going shopping. Well, what else is a girl to do when she has money in her purse and a bit of free time on her hands? And when said girl is a self-confessed shopaholic, there is no keeping her away from those stores. I actually think Topshop might be my natural habitat.

 Cape - Topshop; Jeans, Boots, Arm Warmers & Clutch - New Look.

I had not realised just how New Look-heavy this outfit was until now - but I've said it once, I'll say it again, their separates really do mix and match incredibly well! I'll be the first to admit that setting foot in there is dangerous for me, because it is just so affordable. These basic pieces work really well with the statement cape to create a low key outfit that manages to still look fashion-forward and stylish. Like always, this is thanks to the detail - the unusual cape style of the coat (I really do love that cape!), the red jeans instead of blue, the heels and the bright envelope clutch all add interest. I really cannot stress this enough, that basic pieces in more unusual colourways or with embellishment really take an outfit to the next level and will last you a lifetime.

Today's shopping trip was not all about me, let's just get that out there. It's currently that gorgeous year where (nearly) all my friends are turning 18, so I was on a bit of a present-buying marathon which can't be divulged here in case said friends see it and the surprise is ruined. I just wanted to let you all know that spending money isn't always just about me, me, me! In fact all I picked up for myself today was this gorgeous pair of earrings from Topshop.

Topshop clearly is dangerous territory for me too, because every time I have been in there recently, I have left with a bit less money and a few bits and pieces for my ever-expanding wardrobe.. But I honestly saw these earrings and died a little bit at how amazing they are - they are huge, retro 50s style studs that are sure to hurt my ears, but be so worth it! And just how cute is that mint-green detail.. so very du jour. I cannot wait to work these into a retro inspired ensemble.

Today I didn't just shop though, I went for a super-long run (for the first time in forever), did a zumba workout on the Wii and then consumed more than enough chocolate to negate the benefits of my exercise. I then had my evening perked up by a little email from MyDaily UK letting me know I had won one of their See It, Tag It, Love It competitions - getting me £500 to spend on my-wardrobe.com! No hints as to what I bought, you will have to wait & see when it arrives (soon, hopefully!) but suffice it to say that I am a very happy bunny.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

(PS. Apologies for the incredibly cheesy blog title - I just love my cape so much that the pathetic attempt at a pun came out before I could stop it..)

Star Style Obsession - Michelle Williams

This star cropped up on my fashion radar relatively recently, since I only really started paying attention to her after seeing her stunning portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn. I then noticed her on red carpets galore, and was captivated by her style. I especially adore her hair - it takes a truly brave and beautiful woman to pull off such a daring crop, and Michelle makes it work perfectly. I would never be courageous enough to go for the chop myself, but she looks so good that it is almost tempting.. It amazes me how she can make such a dramatic cut look so sweet and feminine, especially with all of those gorgeous red carpet dresses she wears! If I am honest, I prefer her on-duty style, so this post is basically a dedication to Michelle Williams' vast collection of amazing dresses..

Kicking things off in a gorgeous Victoria Beckham dress (let's not get into how much I love the VB designs..), Michelle looks picture perfect. Cute, quirky, sweet and elegant at the same time. Oh, and let's not forget perfectly accessorized - those classic black heels are perfect, and that boxy clutch adds an extra level of interest. Well played, Michelle.

This girl really knows how to work a mini-dress! I am quite impressed with her ability to pull off such a sheeny satin fabric, it's not easy, but she manages to look stunning. I adore the embellishment.

On anyone else I am pretty sure that this level of leg-baring combined with the focus on her chest thanks to the strapless style would look more than a little cheap and tacky, especially in bright white, but not on Michelle. I think it's due to the simple accessorizing, along with her natural skin tone and that sweet, simple makeup. I just hope she didn't spill anything, white is a very high maintenance colour!

It's not only minis that Michelle can work, she knows how to rock a good maxi as well - if 'rock' is the right word to apply to such a dreamy dress. Proving Lady Gaga's prediction that mint will be big in fashion, she practically floated down the red carpet in this pastel-hued confection. I love the way she has managed to make such a plunging neckline work and not look trashy by combining it with a floor-skimming hemline, romantic colour and her sweeter-than-sugar natural beauty.

Pulling yet another sweet look out of the bag here, this flowing dress suits Michelle to perfection. I am also a little bit in love with her hair here - she is proving just how versatile a pixie crop can be.

Showing yet more hair versatility with this midnight-blue hairband, Michelle works another cuter-than-cute maxi dress. The unusual choice of fabric really makes this stand out, since velvet isn't one you often see making the rounds on the red carpet. Kudos to her for daring to be a little bit different.

This really is picture perfect, and totally on trend. Channelling some suburban housewife style here in a gorgeously printed, fitted dress and muted red lipstick, Michelle is making wallpaper prints infinitely wearable, and showing us all exactly how to work the 50s look.

Going back to black is anything but boring in this combination. This is like an incredibly subtle print clash, which works because sometimes it is not all about eye-watering prints and colour that practically screams at you -  a subtle mix of patterns is enough to nail that quirky vibe and make head-to-toe black a lot more interesting.

Once again, Michelle is a vision in pale pastels. This slightly sheer, embellished, floor-sweeping dress might not leave much to the imagination, but she still looks incredibly classy and elegant. The silhouette created here is simply to die for - can I be her? Please?

Monochrome is always in fashion, especially in such a sharp, clean, gorgeous dress as this. I love the unusual colourway of this dress, and the way the belt defines her shape, as well as just how well her hair highlights those black shoulder panels. Her classic accessorizing lets the dress do all the talking, and what it is saying is simply show-stopping.

Straight from the BAFTAs this evening, another monochromatic beauty of a dress has made an appearance. This is probably my favourite look of the night (BAFTAs-wise I mean), and I cannot pin the reason down to one single thing. That classic, simple dress shows off Michelle's amazing figure, while the little corsage at her waist adds the perfect detail. And don't even start me on the accessorizing. Yet another gorgeous boxy clutch, and some screen siren red lips are the perfect compliments to that dress. This is just all-round perfect in my opinion.

Unlike some of my other style obsessions, Michelle Williams is not crazy-quirky, she doesn't wear lobsters on her head (Gaga, I'm looking at you), and for some reason I cannot get into her off-duty style. However, her red carpet event looks are simply perfect, and if I ever get the chance to go to a serious black-tie party, or even a red carpet, I want to look half as stunning as her. For once, I find myself liking a less-is-more approach to styling, because her minimal accessorizing is faultless and really lets her statement gowns speak for themselves. 

In my opinion she is also a modern hair icon, since she wears and styles her signature crop so well. It suits her elfin features beautifully, and I love the way she plays up to her natural beauty, rarely opting for crazy makeup. This is one of the things that makes her looks so sweet and innocent - even when she is flashing the flesh, that demure, innocent smile and pared-back makeup stop her ever looking trashy. Michelle's style teaches me quite a lot.. That it is okay to go minimal when you're wearing a show-stopper of a dress. That short hair can be just as glamorous as long. And finally, how to walk that fine line between girl-next-door-sexy and The-Only-Way-Is-Essex-trashy.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Project Perfect.

This post is a little bit out of my comfort zone. It has only the most tenuous links to fashion & is a little more personal than I usually go, but having seen it on Flaws and All and Tilly Glitter, I got really into the idea of Project Perfect. The idea is basically to get as many people as possible to write a post/make a Youtube video that's full of image-based positivity - a photo of yourself you like & why, three things you dislike about yourself & why others might love to be that way and 3 things you like about yourself.

Negative body image is so common these days, and most people find it quite hard to compliment themselves, for fear of sounding vain or conceited, because being self-deprecating is so much more socially acceptable. Also, in such an image-based culture where we are bombarded with ideas of "perfection" we inevitably end up over-scrutinising our own appearances, which only makes it easier to find flaws. I think it would be brilliant if loads of bloggers would write a post about themselves that is positive and shows that everybody is beautiful in their own way. People all need to be a little kinder to themselves, and realise that it is absolutely fine to love yourself exactly the way you are!

Project Perfect seems like a good way to start a little bit of self-esteem boosting positivity, and I hope you guys all take the idea on board, and maybe even write a post of your own.. If you do, link it back to Amy at Flaws and All. But for now, here is my contribution to Project Perfect.

A photo I like of myself.

 This photo is the original of the image on my 'All About Me' page, and it is now actually rather old (taken on a photoshoot with my friends around July 2011) but it is one of my favourite ever pictures of me. I may be posed, styled and completely made up, but I still look and feel comfortable & natural. Plus it is one of the only photos of me where I am not picking out all the flaws, I just like this one too much.. it's the hair, the bold dress & makeup and the contrasting background. Oh, and that bright orange nail polish.

Three things I dislike about myself, but with a positive spin.

1. My hair. I can practically hear the world screaming "WHY??", since my hair is naturally thick and straight, but honestly, the thickness & stubborn resistance to curls really limits my styling options. Plus my appointments at the hairdressers are ridiculously long. But people always envy thick hair, and I suppose it is preferable to really thin hair...

2. My face shape. It's kind of oval, but with a jawline that's a little too square, and cheeks that are a little too chubby in my opinion, especially when I eat unhealthily (I seem to get facial water retention!). I wish I had a smaller jaw and proper cheekbones.  However, other people might like an oval face since they do suit most haircuts, and I do agree that slightly chubby cheeks can be quite cute.

3. My legs. After 8 years of gymnastics I seem to have some muscle memory going on because even though I stopped around 7 months ago they have stayed quite muscular and toned. You're probably wondering how I can dislike this, but honestly it is not lean muscle, it is chunky muscle that has a tendency to make my legs look big (thighs especially) and sometimes sticks out awkwardly. But I guess if you don't have much muscle and your legs tend to store fat, you would much rather have this problem!

Three things I do like about myself!
 

1. My height. I am a pint-sized 5'0, and for most of my life I wished to be taller. I still get irritated by the mickey-taking that goes on around me, and my inability to reach the top shelf. But I have realised that I love being small because I can always wear high heels & bold patterns, and it makes me unique. Being petite is part of who I am, and I wouldn't change it for the world!

2. My figure. It is slightly boyish, and at the same time is not quite as toned as I would like, but in general I like the fact that I am proportionally small. Of course, I envy my curvier friends because they are so much more feminine looking, but now that I know how to dress my small frame to its advantage I quite like it. Being quite straight up-and-down means that the majority of clothes work on me, and honestly this figure suits my height much better than Kim Kardashian curves ever would.

3. My mouth. I don't possess a Hollywood pout like Lana Del Rey's but my lips are just full enough to soften my face, and they are quite symmetrical. I used to dislike my teeth, but since my overbite sorted itself out they manage to look straight and reasonably white. The main reason I like my mouth however, is the fact that it suits lipstick so well! I love bright lipsticks and stains, so I am really glad that they work so well on my mouth.

This post was ridiculously challenging, because it made me look at myself in a different way. I find it quite hard to pick out things I really like about myself, and I surprised myself with some of the things I said. One thing I really realised was that I need to take some more recent, flattering photos! Aside from my outfit post pictures (which are more about the outfits than making me look stunning) I only have photos from parties to choose from, and they are generally candid and unattractive.. This must be remedied!

Anyway, I have done my part for Project Perfect. Kudos to Amy for thinking it up! Love and kisses, Tara xox

Working that Katrantzou.

Okay, this one's going to be a little rushed... It's approximately 9.38pm as I type this, and all I really want is a good sleep. That's thanks to the full college day (plus driving both ways) and the hectic old shift at work, which wasn't exactly the perfect end to this half term! But there is no way I'm going to let my blogging slide, and besides, I actually loved today's outfit.

Blazer & Ring - ASOS; Dress - Mary Katrantzou for Topshop; Tights & Boots - Primark; Socks - Dorothy Perkins; Earrings - Camden market; Bracelet - Pandora.

It seems fairly simple, no? Dress + tights + blazer + boots is like fashion 1,2,3 for the perfect daytime outfit - and in principle this is a very basic look. But as with all of my other 'simple' styling, the devil is in the detail, most of which comes from this gorgeous dress! It's from Mary Katrantzou's previous Topshop collection & I decided that even though it is party perfect, I simply could not hold on long enough before wearing it and so I added some pieces that give it a slightly tough, structured and even mismatched feel. The body-con style of this t-shirt dress (which really is unforgiving - no more cake for me!) is countered by the blazer and boots, which manage to make it casual enough for day. My favourite little style detail from today though is the way my almost chilli-orange-coral lipstick pops against the otherwise simple colour palette - it's a little unexpected and just raises the look from simple to stylish. I could rave on about how much I love Mary Katrantzou now, especially since I just realised that this time next week her Topshop collection will have dropped, but I'll suffice it to say that she is my current favourite designer, which is saying a lot when you consider just how gorgeous the latest D&G, Louis Vuitton & Mulberry collections are...

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Peachy keen.

The penultimate day of this half term at college (leaving me with about a term and a half to go before I am off into the big, wide world - eek!) went off on a rather girlie note. I am most definitely not immune to the super-pretty trend of SS'12 - that Louis Vuitton collection has totally stolen my heart, along with the confectionery colour palette that is absolutely everywhere, and once again today I felt the need to be a complete girl about things..

Coat, Top & Shoes - New Look; Skirt & Tights - Primark; Belt - H&M; Ring - Accessorize; Earrings - Topshop.
When I say girlie, I mean it! Not only have I opted for a sugary-sweet shade of peachy-nude, but I have kept my makeup light and glowing and gone for a softer take on the ballerina bun for my hair. I did feel like doing a few plies as I wafted around college (not quite en point I'll admit) in this ballet-esque outfit. I quite simply love feeling uber-feminine, whether it comes from the sexy suburban housewife of 1950s origin that is surfacing at the moment, the 1920s screen siren in her glittering flapper dress or today's incarnation, the girl that is so sweet, your dentist will despair. The only thing I really wish is that I hadn't had to make this combination winter-appropriate! I might just have to re-style this top & skirt together when the summer finally reappears, because I love them so much together...

You might have noticed that this is the second day in a row my hair has been up, and that the style has gotten gradually more detailed & thought-out.. After actually enjoying wearing my hair pulled back yesterday I decided to be a bit brave and try something different, inspired by the latest Elle magazine (God I love magazines for inspiration) where the super-pretty beauty looks were pared-back yet flawless and the corresponding hair was in soft, slightly mussed-up updos. What do you think? Should I start being more adventurous with my hair? 

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Keep calm & go shopping.

Only two more days until half term.. That's not much to get through. Only 9 more classes, two more long days with early starts, and two more outfits left of this half term. Seriously, where is the time going? I am so looking forward to half term, because it should be a chance to relax (well apart from coursework, homework and actual work) and maybe even sneak a lie in.. For now, I was happy enough that today was at least Wednesday - which, since it is a half day, means I get the car (which still excites me!), I only have two lessons and there is usually some fun to be had in the afternoon...

Shawl - River Island; Jumper - New Look; Shorts - Blue Miss; Tights - F+F at Tesco; Shoes - Topshop; Earrings - Miss Selfridge; Ring & Bracelet - Accessorize; Necklace - Republic.
After yesterday's monochromatic look, I just had to break out some serious brightness. Pastel colours (such as the candyfloss-pink displayed on my slouchy jumper) and baroque prints (like my gorgeous shawl) are huge trends for SS'12, but I am not entirely convinced that the designers championing them meant the two to be combined.. But ah well. Taking on board the more-is-more, anything-goes, so-wrong-it's-right vibe pervading the catwalks I decided that since I felt comfortable in it, then it probably works! Oh, and you might have noticed something unusual here - my hair is up! I rarely have the time or inclination to try my hair in any manner other than down and straight (if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?) but today I just had the urge to do a different style. Admittedly, it's only a ponytail, but for me that is unusual, okay!

Since it was a half day today, I picked my mum up from her work (she finishes early-ish too) and we went for a quick shopping trip. Yes, all I do is shop. I didn't actually buy much, but the accumulation of that and a little package from H&M made today's haul pretty lovely.

I started off in Topshop, unashamedly picking up a pair of cute studs in the remnants of the sales - at that price I just could not say no to these elegant, ladylike earrings. I will admit that I mostly wear big, long earrings, but every so often a pair of studs like these comes in handy, like if I am wearing a statement necklace. These are pretty classic, so they should last a fair few seasons.

I also finally gave in and bought one of these scallop-edged vest tops from Topshop. Every single season I have been tempted by these because they come in such a rainbow of colours and are delightfully simple, yet detailed enough not to be dull, but I had held back because of the price and the fact that I simply did not need a vest top. However, when I walked in and saw one in this stunning shade of mint green my resolve crumbled and I snapped it up! Mint is one of my favourite colours for spring (yes, Gaga was right) because it is not only a super-pretty pastel ice-cream shade, but it is very flattering. Love this.
 

After passing my test I decided that it had become appropriate to personalise my car a little, and so far that has only stretched to sunglasses, spare flats for driving and blasting out Lana Del Rey at every opportunity. So when I was browsing Accessorize and saw this cute air freshener with a vanilla scent (one of my favourite scents ever!) it looked perfect. This will be hanging from my mirror as of tomorrow morning!

And now we reach the little H&M parcel. This double ring is just so cute and quirky, the perfect added detail to pretty much any outfit!

This dress was a total bargain, and was basically screaming 'buy me!' from the H&M website and catalog - I simply love the graphic, blue poppy print and simple shape. Print is obviously a huge trend this season, and florals have definitely gone digital (thanks in large part to Mary Katrantzou), so this is the perfect pattern.. not to mention the fact that blue is a hot colour too, with different shades cropping up all over the catwalks. This could easily be layered with a chunky knit and boots, clashed with more patterns or even belted and dressed up in a slightly retro way - I can't wait to wear it.

All in all, today has been pretty good! What do you all think of today's look & mini-haul? Love and kisses, Tara xox