Friday, 18 May 2012

The brightest crayon in the box.

Oh so many things could be said about today.. I am currently resisting the urge to serenade you with Friday-related songs, so I will settle instead for some ramblings about colour. I love colour, and can rarely put together an outfit without a pop of colour in there somewhere, because I just don't feel like me without it. The title of this post came from that old saying to indicate someone is a little slow - "you're not the brightest crayon in the box" - but I decided that today I was the brightest, given my colour-clash outfit!


Blouse - Lefties; Jeans - Primark; Flatforms - ASOS; Earrings, Cross Bracelet & Ring - Topshop; Necklace - Accessorize; Cuff - H&M.

Everything about today's look was bright and beautiful. Coloured denim is a much more summery way to wear your jeans, and I adore this cobalt blue pair that have been in my wardrobe for years - they make a statement, yet are really flattering and easy to wear. For a bit of a colour clash I paired them with my sorbet-pink blouse (definitely crayon-box colours here!) and I think it works because there is no pattern or shape, the colour contrast does all the talking. Of course, my outfits are rarely complete without a print, so I broke out my rather controversial flatforms again since it was going to be a dry day. I have received mixed reviews on these particular shoes, but I personally love them and intend to wear them to death when summer hits! 

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Thursday, 17 May 2012

Tribally inspired.

In contrast to the 1950s Americana that I love so much, one of this season's big trends is tribal chic, and of course I just couldn't pass that by.. I have always loved travel and seeing other cultures, so of course tribal looks fascinate me in that kind of ethnic way (although I am always convinced I could get better stuff in Asia/Africa for 10% of the price!). Today I decided to make my look eclectically tribal, and quite a statement.


Blazer & Skirt - ASOS; Top - Pull & Bear; Tights - Primark; Shoes - New Look; Belt - H&M; Earrings, Ring, Cross Bracelet & Hand Chain Bracelet - Topshop; Necklace - Accessorize.

The basis of my tribal outfit was this ASOS skirt, which I have had for years (tribal just keeps coming back around!), and then I kept to a fairly limited colour palette of blues, blacks and golds, apart from my colour pop shoes. My jewellery was definitely integral to this tribal look, adding the especially ethnic edge. The feather necklace is gorgeous and such a statement, whereas the hand chain was just completely gorgeous and reminiscent of Indian style. I absolutely love it and will probably be wearing it a lot more! For once I also left my lips pretty much bare and focused on my eyes, doing a daytime version of a peacock eyeshadow by blending gold into medium blue shadow.

What do you all think of globally inspired style?

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Baby, you can drive my car..

Today was a pretty simple little Wednesday, but the fact that I actually braved college means that you lovely people get to see an outfit post for the first time this week! Since I was just in for one lesson I decided not to pull too many fashion punches and matched some of my separates for a casual yet stylish (I hope) look..


Cardigan - Dorothy Perkins; Vest - Topshop; Shorts & Tights - Primark; Shoes - New Look; Cuff - H&M; Ring - Miss Selfridge; Necklace - River Island; Earrings - River Island.

I absolutely love my car print shorts because they are achingly Prada-esque and just scream retro-Americana, which makes them a quick, simple way to look very du jour. They are also possibly the most fun a pair of shorts can be with their little cartoon motifs.. Today I paired them with my mint green scalloped vest (mint is my favourite colour right now), my Chanel-esque cardigan, black opaques and bright coral slippers for a slightly eclectic look with a very SS'12 edge.

Also, I just got a Lookbook account (finally) - I would love it if you would come check it out here, and maybe hype me?

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Monday, 14 May 2012

Review: Boots 17 Nail Polishes

Okay, first of all I just want to point out I am not a beauty blogger - I love makeup and cosmetics as a part of fashion and a quick, cheap way to work the latest colour trends, but I am hardly knowledgeable about the best brands or anything technical like that. I have not done many reviews, but after finally painting my nails yesterday I have a few things to say about my latest polishes.



 Boots 17 Lasting Fix Nail Polish in Juicy & Glisten.

These are two new shades that caught my eye as I was browsing in Boots a few weeks ago, and since the range is so reasonably priced I snapped them up. At first glance I love the colours - they are very light, natural, almost plant-like hues that put me in mind of spring flowers, and the hint of sparkle in them is gorgeous.

Upon application I have to admit I was more than a little disappointed. Of course, with such light shades I wasn't expecting a single coat application, but still. Admittedly, Glisten wasn't too bad - the colour you see on my nails only took two coats. However, Juicy was pretty awkward to apply because the consistency seemed too blobby and thick, it didn't glide on in an even coat and tended to sit unevenly on my nails which meant I had to apply three coats at least to get the colour consistent.

The final finish of the polishes with a layer of topcoat is actually pretty good. I am a real fan of Glisten because it is quite a subtly pretty shade, and the gold shimmer is gorgeous in the light. While I do like the colour of Juicy because it is a very fresh light green, after such an uneven application I find it has an equally uneven finish, which is frustrating.. They both seem pretty chip-resistant too, which is definitely a plus.

So all in all, I think you get what you pay for. If you want a quick colour update then these polishes might just be the answer for you, and check out the rest of the range because there are some gorgeous shades out there by Boots 17! I certainly don't regret buying them, even if they only last the season. But if a tricky application would irritate you, it is probably worth investing in some higher quality polishes.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Sunday, 13 May 2012

Wanted - Retro swimwear.

Swimwear, blue sky and holiday tips have been screaming at me from every magazine I have picked up lately, so naturally my mind has turned towards the summer holidays and my trip abroad (I'm going to Indonesia this year). With holidays in mind it is clearly the time to start hunting down this year's dream swimwear - all of last year's just won't cut it, and I need to feel comfortable, fashionable and fabulous on whichever tropical beach I hit. With my love of all things retro, I have decided that a vintage, 1950s style costume is the way to go because they flatter your shape and look cute and glamorous at all times.


1. Miss Selfridge - £26.00
2. Miss Selfridge - £26.00
3. Owntherunway.com - £16.99
4. Topshop - £28.50
5. River Island - Top £20.00, Bottoms £14.00
6. ASOS - Top £18.00, Bottoms £14.00
7. ASOS - Top £20.00, Bottoms £14.00
8. ASOS - Top £18.00, Bottoms £14.00

I have always been a bikini girl, and all of these are so cute that I kind of want them all! I really love the ones with high-waisted bottoms because they are especially vintage style (even if the tan lines would be horrendous). The retro patterns on pretty much all of them are gorgeous, and I love the sweetheart necklines. Wearing any one of these I would feel like a vintage screen siren in the Riviera..


1. Miss Selfridge - £32.00
2. ASOS - £62.00
3. River Island - £25.00

After the torture of swimming for PE in school, I honestly never thought I would want to wear a full swimming costume again, but these retro style ones might just have changed my mind. I love the cute floral patterns and halterneck styles - any one of these would make me stand out perfectly on the beach.

The hard part now is going to be decisions.. I have found my options and as usual have fallen for pretty much all of them. I can't even decide if I want a bikini or a swimsuit! The only way I can start to rule things out is by price - for example I don't have £62.00 to spend on swimwear, so the ASOS swimsuit is out. 

If I was to pick a swimsuit out of the remaining two, I would opt for the River Island one for its cute frills and sweet pink daisy pattern. Well, that was easy enough. But choosing from the bikinis is much more difficult - I adore the River Island one, the high-waisted bikini and the patterned set from ASOS, and the fruit pattern set from Miss Selfridge.. I guess I will have to give it a day or two and see which ones I prefer after sleeping on it!

So followers, which do you prefer? Which one(s) should I invest in this year? And what kind of swimwear are you after yourselves?

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Saturday, 12 May 2012

Star Style Obsession - Jessie J

Haing just read this month's issue of Company, I'm feeling inspired by Jessie J right now. She is a singing sensation, judge on The Voice, an incredible songwriter and most importantly, a complete fashionista. Jessie has been styling herself on The Voice, as well as putting together killer off-duty looks, and while her style isn't to everyone's taste I am loving it. Since day one she has been delightfully quirky, super-fierce and has refused to blend in. Her signature bob may be getting left behind, and she may be wishing to tone it down, but there is no way she will stop using her clothes to express her larger-than-life personality. Since I am a strong believer in using clothes as a form of self-expression, to be whoever you want to be, I am a massive fan of her looks.


This is Jessie on the cover of this month's Company, and I love every part of it. The gorgeous printed top and party shorts suit her perfectly, and those boots are giving me serious shoe envy. I also adore her long, dip-dyed hair and basically think she looks gorgeous.


This shot is my favourite from the Company photoshoot - it is so good to see Jessie working the SS'12 pastels trend, and dipping into the Americana look as well with this bralet and high waisted shorts. To me, this outfit perfection. 


Here she is in one of her typical on-duty looks, aka something so skin-tight and spray-on we mere mortals would be terrified of leaving the house in it. But through some miracle or a form of witchcraft, she pulls it off spectacularly, looking gorgeous as per usual. I think it might be to do with her quirky dip-dye, gorgeous smile and some bold self confidence. My favourite thing about this look is that she is bang on trend baring her midriff.


Stepping back in time a little to an outfit I adore, and showing that head-to-toe black is far from boring, Jessie works another look that effortlessly mixes glam and quirky. This sequin skeleton print top makes her stand out from the crowd, and I really want it!


Of course, because she likes to keep her fashion critics on her toes, every so often she pulls out a look that is pure, unadulterated glamour, like this one which absolutely oozes Hollywood glam. I love how versatile she can be, and the different hairstyle really suits her.


Back to her quirky best, Jessie works some statement hotpants by BOY London with a statement belt, and leaves the rest of the outfit simple and carbon black. I love her unusual bright purple dip-dye, which is very du jour.


I think this stunning red dress shows just how brave Jessie J is - a sheer dress like this one needs an immense amount of courage to wear, and she is working it. I also love her super-fierce makeup and bold hair.


And here comes the glamour again. She is a complete screen siren in this mirrored silver dress that showcases her enviable curves. I love her simple ponytail because it lets her dress do all the talking, and shows off her bold smokey eye makeup.


Even off-duty and in a leg cast, Jessie is a complee style icon. Those leopard print tights are gorgeous and unique, and rev up her simple black leather shorts and grey top perfectly along with the creeper and statement necklace.


Again showing her love of BOY London, Jessie works a sweatshirt and leggings by the label. I love how she has turned a stay-at-home outfit into the perfect daytime look by adding some fierce studded ankle boots and a bright lip.

I think it is Jessie's versatility that really makes me love her style. From the sweetly pastelled look in Company this month to quirky catsuits to retro glamour, she can pull off pretty much anything on any given day. Her collection of fierce accessories is enviable, and the best of those accessories is her hair. Her sharp bob sky-rocketed her to hair icon status, and she has kept it up by dabbling in coloured dip-dyes, a variety of 'dos and is currently working a gorgeous black to light brown dip-dye (similar to mine, no?), and they have all suited her down to the ground. So what do you all think of Jessie's style?

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Friday, 11 May 2012

Minty fresh.

There is nothing like a fresh pastel colour to give you a mood boost on a day like today - I had two exams so I was in serious need of one! This is just going to be a quick little post since I have been at work this evening as well, but I wanted to share my outfit with you all. Anyway, today I relied on my favourite hue of the moment to pick me up and put on possibly my favourite jumper..



Jumper, Earrings & Leaf Ring - Topshop; Shorts - Blue Miss; Tights - Primark; Shoes - George at Asda; Necklace - H&M; Camera Ring - Temporary Secretary.

I absolutely adore this Topshop jumper because it is in a gorgeous spring colour with a cute white collar, and the loose knit makes it perfect for transitional weather like today's. I also love how the oversized shape works with shorts and tights for the perfect balance between covered-up and baring skin. These tights were a bit of a welcome departure from my black opaques - I have had them for years and absolutely love them because the pattern is nature-inspired and really cute and individual.

Now I'm just curious.. but when you guys aren't feeling your best, or have a stressful day ahead, are there any colours, prints or pieces you like to put on to perk yourselves up?

Love and kisses, Tara xox