Flower Power...

It's funny how inspiration for blogging comes at the most random of times. Inspiration for this blog post came when I was on a work night out a couple of weeks ago, sat in a Japanese restaurant in the middle of Manchester (of all places). Said restaurant was actually 'Sapporo Teppanyaki' off Deansgate. If you haven't been, and live in the Manchester area, I suggest you go. It's amazing! The food is wonderful, and the way they cook it is even better. Potato catching anyone? ;-)  Anyways, I had a great night with some good company; so once again thanks for letting me tag along guys!

So, whilst eating we were 'discussing' one of our colleagues love for flowered shirts. Or should I say he was being ripped for wearing one, until I piped up saying that I did actually like his shirt. 

As a rule, on guys or girls, I do like flowery shirts. Not the OTT type like what Noel Edmunds regularly wears on 'Deal or No Deal', or those Hawaiian style ones that should have been left in Benidorm circa 1970, but more subtle flowered designs can look very nice and very fashionable on both sexes. I know some people may look at this and think "no way", but you aren't going to look like a 60's hippie if you follow these easy tips. And remember, it's about how you wear it, and how confident you feel in your outfit!

No, no, and no!

  

Girls...

- Wear with denim, leggings, skirts or tailored trousers to suit your mood. Wear with flats or add heels to take it from office wear to night wear. 

- Keep make up natural and not too heavy if you like a more 'girly' type of look. However, if you want to rock it up, a sweep of eyeliner, some red lipstick and some rock chick inspired jewellery is all you need to help the shirt do the talking. 

- Un-doing buttons is good if you don't like the 'buttoned up to the top' trend. But don't undo too many, or people may get more than they bargained for! ;-)

Oasis 'Midnight Garden Print Shirt' - £45

ASOS 'Vero Moda Floral Blouse With Hi Lo Hem' - £25

Guys...

- Wear with jeans for a casual look or with smart trousers for smarter occasions.

- Leave the cowboy boots and Stetson though, you don't want to end up looking like an extra from Dallas.

- Keep accessories to a minimum in order to keep the shirt the main focus of the outfit. 

ASOS 'Ditsy Floral Shirt' - Was £25, now £13.50

River Island 'BLUE FLORAL STRIPED DOUBLE COLLAR SHIRT' - £30

Until next time lovelies x

Trends for 2013...

I read an interesting article the other day. And it got me thinking (dangerous, huh?). In a nutshell, the article talked about a change in the fashion industry throughout 2013. Said change being the fact that 2013 will be remembered as 'the year of no trends'. Yes, that's right, no trends.

With the rise of cheap and disposable fashion (I think we can single handedly thank Primark for that) and designers bombarding wannabe fashionista's with trend after trend after trend, it appears we have exhausted all available trend outlets. The fashion industry nowadays has a faster turnaround of clothes, with 'trendy' items only being viewed this way for a couple of seasons maximum. Walk down any UK High Street and there are so many trends to choose from. You could have a totally different look everyday of the week! The trend cycle seems to go round much quicker nowadays compared to times gone by. Trends nowadays can be out in just one season (who can remember that god awful neon trend? In my opinion, day-glo is only suitable for a rave themed night out), where as a decade or so ago, they could last several seasons.

It appears that the fashion industry has now started to turn their backs in dictating trends via the catwalk and is now embracing the concept of ''personal style''. Like previous years, there doesn't seem to be a 'stand out' trend. During this year you can be androgynous, lady like, disco diva or boho. Take your pick.

Or, for the cynical out there, could it be that the fashion industry is running out of ideas?! Shock horror! ;-)

I'll be honest, I like seeing what's on the catwalk at those key times - S/S & A/W, but I don't slavishly follow trends. Let’s face it, not everyone looks good in every single trend. And not everyone likes every single trend. And fashion should be fun, and not about point scoring as to who looks better in that peplum dress on the dance floor, or which girl is rocking the faux fur coat and top knot better on the bus!

Perhaps a more relaxed approach to trendsetting is what we need. A world where girls throw away the rule book and say "so what - if I like it, I’ll wear it!" Where people buy things simply because they like them, not because they think they should be wearing it, because this month’s Vogue told them they should. 

We all come in different shapes and sizes, and fashion should reflect that. We all deserve to feel good and confident in what we wear. Fashion shouldn't alienate a certain shape or size, and one good thing about a considerable amount of trends means that there's something for everyone. I think a cheeky peek down any UK High Street shows that. It's all about putting outfits together and making them work for you, and only you.

After all, variety is the spice of life. And we should embrace this variety.

Until next time lovelies x

New Year, New You?

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope everyone had a wonderful NYE (whatever you did) and spent it with all those who are important to you. For the first NYE in agess I stayed in! And guess what? I had a really enjoyable night! I started the night with wine, finished it with champagne, and in between danced to Jools Holland, the music channels, and watched everyone else's fireworks from my drive! ;-) Cheeky but who cares?!

I'll hold my hands up; I'm not a huge fan of NYE. I just find it a little depressing, I mean after NYE we go straight into January (possibly the worst calendar month), and all the festivities of Christmas are suddenly over. The nights are still dark, and let’s face it, when those decorations go down; the house looks very bare for a while! By mid January I start to perk up, and I begin to think about the joys of the impending spring. Longer days, birds chirping, pastel nail polish, and flowers blossoming through. I love going for walks and seeing daffodils growing.

During this time, many of us will all make resolutions of some sort. Whether we stick to them is another matter. I have noticed a fair few people lamenting over the mediums of social media that the whole concept of a 'New Year being a New You' is total rubbish, but the more I think about it, I can't think of a more appropriate time to start afresh! Obviously, if you are expecting to wake up on January 1st having had a complete personality/body transplant, then I think you need to slow down on the old mulled wine (and maybe see a doctor?). However, small and doable changes can easily become part of your daily routine! If making resolutions, remember to make ones that you can stick to. Think realistically and you will be more likely to keep a successful and lasting resolution.

What's my resolution? To learn how to ballroom dance! Hey, I'm in no way shape or form expecting to be Strictly perfect but I will give it a bloody good go! How is my resolution going so far? I've found a dance school near to me... So all I need to do now is ring and book my first lesson... Eeek!

I hope everyone's dreams come true in 2013, and I wish all the health and happiness in the world for everyone! No matter what trials and tribulations 2013 brings, greet them with a can do attitude. I also want to thank everyone for reading my blog this year. I've loved everyone's comments about it - they really have made my day. Stay tuned for more of the same guys!

Stay classy ;) Until next time lovelies x