Step back in time.

Last night was another one of my friend's 18ths - yes, they're all turning into adults before me, it's quite annoying actually... But not to worry, only a few little days until my birthday. It was a really good party last night, age-related jealousy aside, as we all rocked up in our costumes, then talked, danced and drank the night away (over-18s only, I was on the Diet Coke all night). Since the birthday girl is called Briannie, we had been told to come dressed as things beginning with B. I love a good costume party because I love dressing up, and themes like this force me to get creative.

At the party there were costumes such as burglars, bumblebees, black swan, burlesque (this was a guy, by the way), Barbie and Beyonce (the birthday girl), and everyone looked awesome. I love it when people make effort for costume parties! As for my costume, of course I didn't pick something easy or obvious to dress up as.. Thanks to my extensive wardrobe, an obsession with old movies and google images I found my B - Barbara Stanwyck. No? Me neither, until I watched one of her films on youtube. She was a film actress from the 1920s-1940s and was full of glamour. And I just happened to own a flapper dress..

Dress - River Island; Shoes - New Look; Faux Fur Stole - Ebay; Earrings - Roam at New Look; Bracelet - Accessorize.

I don't do things by halves, so when it comes to costumes I go for it! I have actually been waiting for months for a chance to wear this River Island flapper-esque dress - it is just too extravagant for everyday wear, and there had been no appropriate parties previously.. So when the opportunity came, I went for it. The only thing I actually had to buy for this costume was the faux fur stole, which was an ebay bargain. I actually got a little attached to it during the night, and am hoping I can re-use it soon. I also really love the embellishment on this dress - it almost looks vintage! Especially when paired with the stole, gorgeous gold heels and some authentic, 1920s style hair and makeup...

As I said, I go all out for costumes so of course I could never be content with leaving my hair and makeup in the 21st century.. I had to go for it. Originally I was just planning on some 1920s style finger waves, but after much messing around with straighteners and hairspray I didn't look gorgeous and glamorous like a  1920s film star, I looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards. So I abandoned that plan and went for a faux bob with some faux finger waves at the front, all held up with a few hundred pins. I actually used this tutorial on youtube and adapted it a little for my hair - if you want a quick, easy 1920s hairstyle, this is perfect.

Kudos to vasgarcia for creating this video, it really is super-easy and stays in place all night!

One last little thing to say.. I hit 100 followers! This made me so happy when I signed in to start posting today - thankyou to all of my followers for reading, commenting and finding me interesting enough that you want to be informed of my latest fashion escapades and musings! I really love posting my outfits and general fashion obsessions, and I am so glad other people like them too. Again, thankyou so much, and I am even more inspired to keep posting now. 

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Dreaming of SS'12..

I literally cannot wait to crawl out of AW'11, and emerge like a beautiful SS'12 butterfly. I'm not saying that this season hasn't been gorgeous, stylish and full of amazing looks (it so has), just that I have had my fill of it already. Especially when there is such an incredible season of style just ahead. Literally, I can see it, breathe it and nearly touch it.. but every morning I have to remind myself that it is not quite Spring yet, and trying to float around in the new-season trends would only result in a very un-glamorous frostbite. It's so hard to force myself into that 'practical' and oh-so-necessary coat every morning, when the new looks are all around me in magazines.

I had been meaning to post a not-quite-comprehensive guide to SS'12's emerging trends, picking out the ones I in particular will hopefully be rocking, for a little while - basically ever since they began to take shape. But the thing that finally forced me into action was picking up the latest Elle (starring the gorgeous Dakota Fanning) and seeing their Front Row Runway Edit, packed full of stunning fashion. They feature their top trend predictions, plus showcase the best collections from the New York, London, Paris & Milan fashion weeks along with the emerging hair and beauty trends from each fashion week - it is well worth buying, and will provide weeks of fash-spiration. I am not ashamed to say that their brilliant Runway Edit was the starting point for my little trend report, but I haven't totally stuck to their guidelines...

Anyway, here are the SS'12 trends that are my absolute favourites - hopefully my wardrobe will soon be full of these gorgeous looks. I am literally dreaming of vacuum-packing the coat away for another year, and living my life in these styles..

Gatsby-esque.

I'm not ashamed to say that I am in the midst of 1920s flapper-girl fever. And I am not alone. So many designers, celebrities and fashionistas are currently harking back to the roaring 20s in their styling that this is set to be a huge trend for SS'12 and possibly beyond. I've named this look 'Gatsby-esque' because one of the main catalysts for flapper mania is the film of The Great Gatsby that is set for a 2012 release - I plan to see it, and am even reading the book for some Jazz Age inspiration. And it's not just the amazing, embellished, drop-waisted flapper dresses that are lust-worthy items (although they are - I'm so glad I've just picked one up), 1920s day-wear, especially tailored suits, sweet skirts in pastel hues and gorgeous hats are everywhere. I'm determined to fill my wardrobe with 1920s glamour - it's timeless, elegant and a real statement.

Print

The next trend I have totally fallen for is print, print print. And I'm not talking subtle, sweet florals here because this season is all about the bold, bright techno-styles. If I'm honest, looking at prints this season was always going to be a great appreciation of my current favourite designer, Mary Katrantzou - Queen of bold, graphic print and quirky shapes. I adore her new collection, which just epitomises the whole 'bold print' look perfectly.. expect to see a lot of her dresses on stylish celebs. Peter Pilotto also used print, and I love his unique dresses. Personally, I love a good print because it really makes you stand out from the crowd - and as a girl on the smaller side, I can get away with bigger, bolder prints, so bring it on!

Mid Century Modern

Another decade that the world of fashion and I are currently in love with is the 1950s - but this time it is being done with an edge of the 21st century, hence 'mid century modern'. Prada and D&G are pioneering this trend in my opinion, with those ridiculously cute fruit prints and retro shapes to their clothes. I might not start rocking a playsuit or bra-top (although you never know), but I feel the need for some fruit print in my life. It's not all about the bold, brash prints though, Rochas and Erdem have tackled the 50s in a more subtle, understated way which makes me think of willow-pattern china with the pale blue and white hues.. The fit and flare shape is also used by them, along with accessories that make me want to throw on a headscarf like Monroe.

Glorious Technicolour

I think we can all remember the colour-blocking craze of 2010/11, where the world fell head-over-heels for clashing brights, and bold colour is still a winner in the fashion stakes. However, come 2012 it has developed. The way to wear your colour is no longer clashy-clashy (although your print should be mixed up), but top-to-toe. A full outfit in one colour, like DKNY's pink and blue ensembles, is the epitome of cool - yes, matchy-matchy is in. I also adore Mulberry's ice cream colours, especially the yellow, green and pink dress that looks like vintage sweets mixed with those fruit pastille ice lollies... I wouldn't go quite as far as Thakoon and dye my hair a bright colour, but their lace-overlaid shirt dresses are perfect. Of course, colour was going to make an appearance in summer as everyone wants to kick of the dullness of winter and dress to reflect the bright natural hues appearing, but why not jump on this trend early - it will feel so refreshing to be wearing brights in January, and might just beat the winter blues.

Uber Feminine

After a season of androgyny and fetish-wear, fashion has gone girly again. And not just girly, the new season look is literally uber feminine - romantic lace, sheer fabrics, pastel colours and gorgeous florals are in abundance, ready to make every girl feel beautiful. I love the feminine direction the designers are going in because there will be a dress out there to make everyone feel like a princess, and also because it means the catwalk shows are the so pretty I can't take my eyes off them. Valentino, Erdem and Dior showcase my favourite girly looks, while Alexander McQueen, Carven, Nina Ricci and Louis Vuitton are also getting their gorgeous, feminine styles out there. I cannot wait to be a part of the prettiest season yet!

Those are my favourite trends of SS'12 so far, and the ones that I want to be rocking ASAP! It would be impossible to pick one look and decide to be 'that girl' every day for the entire season because I change my style every day - but these contrasting, often conflicting trends are perfect for influencing and inspiring pretty much every side of my personality. On princess days I can turn towards the gorgeousness of the Uber Feminine, while the louder part of my personality can pick and choose from Glorious Technicolour, Prints and Mid Century Modern depending on just how bold she is feeling, and finally the vintage siren inside me can be a flapper girl to her heart's content and get Gatsby-esque for evening (and possibly daytime too!). 

This is by no means a comprehensive compilation of ALL the looks I want to wear this coming season, because something incredible and inspiring might sweep the world of fashion. You never know! All I can say for sure is that these are the styles that are currently inspiring me, and that I am dreaming of wearing as soon as I possibly can, weather and wardrobe permitting... Hopefully it will be soon enough that I am not sick of seeing 'SS'12' splashed everywhere, or having to look even further forward to AW'12 (the pre-fall collections are out already..). Love and kisses, Tara xox

Successful sale-diving.

Only three days ago I was distinctly disappointed by the slightly rubbish sales this year, and determined to avoid them and focus on my wishlist instead.. Well. With much of my wishlist accounted for and (hopefully) winging its way over to me now through the great British postal system, that idea went out the window when a slightly impromptu trip to town took place today. That and the fact that my purse was full of money just begging to be exchanged for gorgeous things.. Since it is definitely still winter and it was raining quite profusely earlier, I went for a more wrapped-up look this morning..

Cape & Earrings - Topshop; Shorts - Primark; Boots & Clutch - New Look; Tights - F&F at Tesco; Gloves - Accessorize.

Well, I say wrapped up.. my top half was definitely cosy in my beautiful cape coat (which is making its second appearance of the winter!), but I decided to take it in a bit more of a smart, ladylike and almost retro direction. Hence the tailored shorts, diamond-pattern tights, knee high boots, oversize clutch and smart gloves - I can't tell you how dressed up I felt! The chic gloves were the element that made me feel most retro-fabulous, since they were my little hint to Audrey Hepburn and that time when no lady went out without her gloves... I did spend much of my time elegantly pulling them on and off though, to get money out of my purse, to try things on and to use my phone, which leads me to question their practicality. That won't stop me wearing them though! I am not going to lie, I got quite a few looks in town - I suppose that the retro gloves, very loud heeled boots and cape had something to do with it? But ah well, this just means my look was a success - I got noticed!

I did mention that today's foray into the sales was a little more successful, and it really, really was. In my opinion I snapped up some real bargains that are also perfect for the coming SS '12 season, and I honestly don't know how I didn't find them on Boxing Day!

My first finds came in Topshop, in the form of some of their gorgeous jewellery.. I had been admiring this fox ring for many months, but the price tag always put me off, so when it was on sale (half price!) I snapped it up. And then I spotted this statement necklace, with its distinctive twisted, almost Celtic design - perfect for adding an edge to any otherwise plain outfits. Topshop, I love you.

 This dress is so stunning, I could probably write a whole post dedicated to it.. and I just might if there is a slow day. But anyway, I found this in River Island, and there was only this single, solitary dress on the rail, on sale from £60 to £25.. I was very lucky that it happened to be in my size. Basically, as soon as I saw this amazing dress I knew I had to have it - literally only the other day I was saying how much I wanted a 20s, flapper-esque dress, and this one just presented itself to me. I literally adore how flapper-girl it is, and how intricate and delicate the beading is. It's this embellishment that makes it look way more expensive than it was, especially the scalloped, embellished hem. I'll stop raving about it now shall I?

After the amazing discovery in RI, I stumbled euphorically into New Look, only to have my excitement increased by finding these stunning shoes - the perfect thing to team with my new dress, as well as many other things, and only a tenner! Shot-GUN.

The last things I picked up were some ridiculously cheap tights from Primark, the mini-dot ones to replace the ones that were mauled by the dogs up at my granny's house, and the circle-pattern ones simply because they look pretty cool.

So yes, I would say the sales have definitely made a better impression this time around! That's not to say the stock wasn't 99% ugly/out of season/just not my thing, but this time I managed to find the diamonds in amongst the coal.. And as if that wasn't enough, the first item from my post-Christmas online spending spree

was waiting for me when I got home.

My incredibly scruffy, battered and well-loved Topshop blazer, a faithful companion of the last 18 or so months has been worn practically threadbare, and is now being replaced by this gorgeous, brand-spanking-new blazer from ASOS. It is very, very similar, only slight differences in the sleeves, pockets and lining are noticeable, and it fits like a glove. I am looking forward to getting just as much wear, love and loyalty out of this baby over the next year or so..

And that's my sale-tastic day for you all! The final announcement to make is that I am getting a little broke again.. good thing my paycheck just came through. But while I will miss the fleeting security of knowing I had hundreds of squids stashed in my purse, I am going to enjoy my new purchases so much more. Love and kisses, Tara xox