Bits & pieces.

Here is the perfect example of how completely scatter-brained and slapdash I am getting in pretty much every area of my life (I am blaming exam-season pressure) - this post is a bit of a random one compiled of odds and ends that I had every intention of blogging in the last few weeks and just didn't get around to. I kind of feel like it would be better to leave these things un-blogged, but the perfectionist in me with her mild OCD is insisting that I catch up, and catch up now. And to be fair, it is bothering me a little.

So first up is a random little purchase I made in Topshop sometime last week..

These gorgeous neon-pink hotpants were such a bargain for Topshop and they caught my eye as soon as I walked in to the store! I literally could not resist them. I adore the bright colour, which will be perfect for injecting a bit of summer into my wardrobe from now on. Also, how much do they look like Kylie's encore shorts from the Anti Tour? These are quite similar to a pair of raspberry shorts from Topshop that I already own, which is why I didn't even have to try them on to know they would suit me. Cannot wait to break these out, probably with tights for now..

Next is this cute hairclip that I picked up in Primark for some ridiculously cheap price. This probably means the quality is iffy at best, but I just wanted a different way to style my hair up and if it doesn't work I won't feel bad about wasting money this way. If the heat ever properly kicks in I will need new ways to put my hair up and this clip is super-cute. I love the scalloped edges and the vintage-style floral print. If this works out for me, I think I'll be getting some more of these!

Now I'm continuing my Kylie-craze by finally posting photos of the merchandise I bought. I literally fought my way over to the stand to get these, and the pictures have been sitting on my memory card for over a week, unblogged.

Firstly these cute little button badges, I couldn't resist! There were 4 in the set but I actually gave 2 to Becca so we could have some each. 

I got this cute canvas bag because I can always use a good bag for shopping etc. I have already used this several times because it is so roomy - perfect for throwing my things in and going! I don't care if I look like a crazy fan - that's just me.

My last piece of merch was this gorgeous t-shirt, which you have already seen me wearing. I buy a t-shirt from nearly every concert I go to, but this one is one of the only ones I wear in public! I am not usually a tee girl, but I make an exception for Kylie's gorgeous face.

Finally, my last little bit of catching up comes in the form of something even more beautiful than everything so far put together. You remember I got all overexcited because we met Kylie last Monday before one of the shows, and I gave her a letter? Well, I got my signed poster back in the post earlier this week!

We are currently scoping out a frame for this so that the writing doesn't fade, I want to keep it fresh forever! This is now one of my most prized possessions (I'm a bit pathetic aren't I?) and it made me so happy to get it back.

One last piece of news - on September 11th, Becca and I will be at the Born This Way Ball seeing Lady Gaga! This is a week full of good news! I can't wait for this tour, to see the outfits, hear the music, and be inspired by being in the same room as Stefani Germanotta.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

May the odds be ever in your favour.

I am falling behind on my blogging lately - this outfit and ramble dates back to Wednesday. Oh, shame on me. This post, as you may have guessed, is mostly dedicated to my wonderful time out at the cinema on Wednesday afternoon/evening seeing The Hunger Games. I love the Hunger Games books and have been desperate to see the film for absolutely ages, and I was not disappointed when I finally got to go! I was on the edge of my seat for the entire film, despite the fact it was very long, and was really impressed with the effects, casting and direction. There was always the thought that the film could not live up to the hype, but in my opinion it did! Here's what I wore for my trip to the cinema..

Blazer - ASOS; Skirt, Ring & Cuff - H&M; Top - Kylie Minogue Anti Tour; Tights - F+F at Tesco; Shoes & Earrings - Topshop; Necklace - Accessorize.

I couldn't resist the temptation to wear my Anti Tour t-shirt out, but I gave it a bit of a fashion-forward twist by tucking it in to my pleated colour block skirt, then throwing on a blazer, some diamond-print tights and glitter pumps, topped off with gold jewellery. This was another of my darker looks - I seem to be going back to black when inspiration fails me. It's not all dark though, because my stereotypical pops of colour are everywhere.. my shoes, bag, nails, lipstick and even the hem of the skirt. 

After seeing The Hunger Games a little later than planned (the showing we wanted sold out!), we decided to hit up Pizza Hut. I hadn't been there for years, but luckily my friends knew what was good. We also ended up getting more than a little carried away with the Ice Cream Factory - they said since we were sharing we could only go up once, so we really loaded our bowl with ice cream and sweets. Then felt a little sick afterwards. All in all a pretty awesome day. I'll leave you with a photoset done by the gorgeous Akikik of DREAMS..

Love and kisses, Tara xox

The Anti Tour outfits.

Yes, I am dragging this whole 'I met Kylie and am a crazy fan' thing out a little longer. I'm apparently not content with simply getting near the front of the show on Sunday, meeting her on Monday and then blogging avidly about it on Tuesday, since there is yet more Anti Tour goodness coming your way today on Thursday. 

And yes, I'm well aware I'm currently competing for the crown of Most Inconsistent Blogger as I disappear for days, pop up again and then miss another day's posting.. Nothing huge or exciting happened yesterday, I was just out for longer than I thought and couldn't quite face blogging at 11pm - I'll get back into my daily blogging routine soon, promise!

Anyway, this slice of Anti Tour fabulousness is a lot more fashion-oriented. Anyone who's a fan of Kylie is usually on the edge of their seats trying to work out what she will wear to play a show (I know I was) and for this concert she was suitably toned down...

This was the first Anti Tour outfit, worn for most of the duration of the show. In keeping with the stripped-back, pared-down concert, instead of wearing her usual sequins and feathers Kylie opted for a newspaper-print tee paired with denim hotpants, a black waistcoat, lace body, fishnets and high heels. I personally love this look on her because it meshes casual with glamour seamlessly. I love the newspaper print on her t-shirt because it is actually a story from the 60s about mods and rockers clashing, and it adds a level of interest, while the rest of the outfit simply makes her look stunning. I am actually considering doing something like this myself when it gets warmer..

For the encore Kylie changed into this similar ensemble of pink denim shorts, high black ankle boots, fishnets and a Boy London top. Boy London is having a bit of a revival with celebs like Rihanna sporting their clothes, and they have gone up in my personal estimation since I saw Kylie in this top. I love the pink lettering. But mostly I was a bit crazy over these shorts - I was desperate to find out where she got them and get a pair for myself! That scarf she is wearing is actually a vintage one from one of her old tours, the Enjoy Yourself one way back before I was born.

This is a snap that Kylie herself tweeted after the first Manchester show (the one I went to!), and this is the outfit I saw in the dark from the stage door as she got into her car. It's a perfectly cool, casual post-show ensemble, and I love the kiss-print t-shirt. See, Kylie really is a normal person!

And this, dear followers, is the outfit Kylie was wearing on Monday pre-show, when I met her! Off-duty she really does have a casual, comfortable, effortless sense of style and I love it. I'm going to have to start wearing my denim shirt again, and I must dig out my black skinny jeans! The only thing I disliked about this outfit was the sunglasses - don't get me wrong, they are super-cool but I would have like to have seen her eyes..

Before you think this is just a manifestation of my crazy Kylie obsession (which it might be), here comes the lowdown on what I was wearing on the night of the concert.

Blazer & Earrings - Topshop; Blouse - Blanco; Skirt, Ring & Cuff - H&M; Shoes - New Look; Tights - Primark; Necklace - Accessorize.

 

Here I am with Becca pre-show, all dressed up and excited. I needed an outfit that would look appropriate for queuing all day, as well as for dancing in a concert all night, so I went for a casual mix of textures, with a black colour base. As I said myself, sequins for Kylie just had to be done, so I wore my sequin miniskirt but dressed it down with my new tropical print blouse, black blazer, tights and wedges. I love the new blouse because it is so summery that I want to be on holiday already, yet the print manages to be versatile. The wedges were a necessary addition - for once heels were practical since I knew I wouldn't be able to see a thing without some added height.

I really loved Becca's outfit for this concert - the dress is totally gorgeous and springlike, and I love the way she toughens it up with fierce heels and layered black tights. I am actually really tempted to steal those shoes...

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Always meet your idols.

I'm sorry for being silent blog-wise for the past few days (again!) - it seems I have gained a social life in the past few weeks. I spent the most amazing weekend ever with my best friend Becca of Dress me I'm your mannequin., which of course wasn't long enough, and now I wish I was still up there with her. In the next few days expect a super-long post full of our beautiful faces, because we got a little carried away with the camera on Sunday morning & were both pretty photogenic that day..

But for now you will have to content yourselves with reading about how we are so LUCKY (lucky, lucky), because not only did we go to the Kylie Minogue Anti Tour in Manchester on Sunday night, but we also met her on Monday. Yes, that's right, we met Kylie Minogue.

Before I get carried away I just want to say that the Anti Tour was incredible. Kylie played so many songs that I never thought I would hear live - so many personal favourites suddenly became even more amazing. I couldn't choose a favourite song, or even a favourite part of the concert because it was literally all beautiful. It was brilliant to see Kylie having such a good time up there, and I think we were a fantastic audience because you could just tell that everyone absolutely adored her! I really hope it was a memorable concert for Kylie, because it was possibly the best one I have ever been to, and will stick in my memory forever. I didn't take any photos or video because photography/recording wasn't supposed to be allowed (although there are videos/pics everywhere now), and I don't mind because I would rather look directly upon the beautiful Miss Minogue than stare through a camera lens.

While waiting for the Sunday Anti Tour concert we actually missed her coming in and were gutted, and then when we were waiting at the stage door afterwards she only waved and got in her Lexus. We did catch a glimpse of Andres though, and he was tall, gorgeous and completely fit. No, can't see what she sees in him either.. That's when we decided to enter super-fan territory and stake out that stage door on Monday!

We spent Monday morning writing letters & decorating the envelopes, then went back to the Manchester Academy and waited. It took two hours and we were freezing cold, but then Kylie appeared and it was all worth it. We both managed to give her our letters, and while everyone else was thrusting posters in her face I tried to have a bit more conversation. It's all a bit of an ecstatic blur right now, but as far as I remember I managed to get the letter across, tell her I loved her, and say that the show last night was the best thing ever. And she spoke back to me, and even signed my arm. Yes, it will rub off, but the fact remains that one of my idols was around a foot away from me, touched me, smiled at me and spoke to me. My life is complete.

There is even video evidence that my mum discovered, thanks to MrQwer1234qwer1234 on youtube, who videoed Kylie's entire signing circuit and caught us on camera! Lots of love for him for that. Watch it from around 1.20 to see yours truly!

Me meeting Kylie!

Sorry, you have to follow the link to see it, but believe me it is worth it. Now here's a snap of the lovely Kylie's signature on my arm. The writing will fade, but memories & photographs will last forever.

I also want to say how totally lovely Kylie is, making time to come and greet the fans on her way in and sign numerous autographs. People say don't meet your idols, probably because you will be disappointed by them or they will be rude or something, but if your idol is Kylie do everything you can to meet her! I may or may not sound like a crazy fan, but I'm cool with it. I am still riding the high of meeting Kylie and am bouncing along with the knowledge that life is beautiful because of that. One of my biggest dreams came true yesterday, and I still can't quite believe it..

Love and kisses, Tara xox