FASHION - Clutch Control at my-wardrobe.com

  Envelope Clutch AILA £255

I've never been one for big designer handbags. Spending hundreds of pounds on the same bag that everyone else already has doesn't really appeal to me. I do go for quality though, more now than ever before, but I also like to have a collection of bags rather than that one 'it' bag. The recent my-wardrobe.com activity around clutch bags has me thinking I could be swayed when it comes to smaller bags though. A statement clutch definitely has the power to transform a going-out ensemble, especially one with a little bit of glitz.I think I'd be more at the £63 end of the price range though.

See the full feature here, or ogle more gorgeous bags below... 2 Tone Kerry Pouch Rebecca Minkoff £63, Folio Clutch 10 Crosby Derek Lam £227, Valorie Clutch Anya Hindmarch £245, Cracked Mirror Clutch 3.1 Phillip Lim £585.

HAIR - Introducing my Current Hair Idol

I'm not actively growing my hair, it's more that I can't find a slot free in the diary to get a trim. But my unruly mane of hair is actually getting closer to that of my current hair idol, Alison Brie. She has gorgeous, brunette shoulder length hair which I love when it has some volume and a bit of a wave. I don't really have much time to recreate this in the morning but luckily if I wash my hair and only half dry it in the morning it ends up a messy version of the above anyway. With a little time and a couple more inches growth I reckon I could be there.

Who is your current hair idol? Which picture will you be taking along to the hairdressers next time?

SHOES - T-Bar: On-Trend Vs Classic

The older I get the more I look for classics instead of the on-trend 'must-have'. That's not to say I don't pay attention to the latest trends, I do, but I am by no means a slave to them. I love clothes that are comfortable, that make me feel feminine and that flatter my body. While I don't always get it right (we all have fashion disasters and there's nothing wrong with having some fun with fashion) I am trying to build my wardrobe around classic pieces rather than fads that I will fall out of love with as quickly as they caught my eye in the first place.

Demonstrating this is two pairs of T-bar shoes that I was drawn to on the Spartoo website this week. The first pair, from Minna Parika, are not cheap at over £300 but they feature a wooden block platform and perspex heel, have a leather suede upper and metallic straps. You couldn't really do any more shoe trends in one pair and although they look cool they don't look very wearable. Wooden shoes always hurt my feet because they can be so hard, while the almost-flatform shape is never going to have you gracefully gliding along the pavement... it will be more like clod-hopping clumsily. At least, that's how it would be with me.

On the other side of the coin is this pair of T-bar shoes by Belmondo. These also have the metallic straps and black suede upper, but this time it's a much daintier picture. I can actually imagine dancing in these, and by dancing I mean in a 1950s style frock being spun around by a handsome gent, they conjure up that old-school glamour. At just under £100 they're far cheaper than the first pair but they get my vote. These are much more likely to be the pair I'd buy and classic court shoes or variations of them always makes me stand taller and feel more confident too.

Which of these heels would you choose? On-trend or classic?

*Post written as part of an ongoing partnership with Spartoo shoes.

BEAUTY - Paperself False Lashes

 

It must have been over a year since I took home a pair of Paperself false eyelashes as a gift from a blogging event. I loved them, but I wasn't brave enough to give them a try for so long, after all, it's a bit of a statement look for Friday night at the pub. I got my chance to break them out last month though when I joined about 15 friends on a hen weekend down in Bognor... I know, classy right? As it turned out, the weekend was so much fun and the theme was '80s which meant an excuse for bright colours and out-there accessories. 

My lashes, pictured above, are called Clown and cost £12.50, which I think is worth it. I don't usually get on well with false lashes as they tend to lift in the corners of my eyes. I've tried plenty of different brands and have just put it down to the shape of my eye. These ones, however, were easily applied and stuck fast. I wore them from around 6pm until 3am and they still looked as good all those hours later even if the rest of me was a bit worse for wear by then. I was also really surprised that they stuck so well after applying make-up. I was wearing a liberal layering of Models Own powder eye shadow in Mid Green (it's quite old so don't think they still do it) and with that and eyeliner the lashes still had 100% staying power.

In future I think I won't bother wasting time with other false eyelashes as these obviously suit me. I also like the way that fellow blogger Retro Chick cut her Paperself lashes and just applied to the corners of her eyes - a great way to get three applications for the price of one. I wasn't able to take the lashes off to re-use them, but that's not to say it's not a possibility if you're really careful. The next set I reckon I might buy are the Peonies lashes, which ones are you loving?

Check out more from the Paperself range here

SHOES - The 'Barely There' Sandal

 

The sunshine came out at least for a couple of days this past weekend and I've been thinking about my next shoe purchase... I know, shallow of me right? Especially when there are loads of things we still need for the flat. But hey, a girl can never have too many pairs of shoes and one of my favourite pairs is pretty much worn out. It was a pair of Nine West simple heels with a narrow strap across the foot and narrow ankle strap. They fit this summer's trend for 'barely there' sandals - ones with simple, minimalistic design and styling that shows more of the foot. It's a really delicate and dainty look and one which suits the summer months perfectly.

I spotted the trend at The Ultimate Gold Collection Fashion Show in Cannes, where thirty eight top models wore a collection of gold gowns from some of the biggest designer names in fashion. The show was curated by Carine Roitfeld and several of the looks were finished with subtle ankle strap sandals in a neutral hue, as pictured. 

Loving this shoe style? Try these for size from Sarenza...

MOSCHINO CHEAP & CHIC Narciso - £375

MELLOW YELLOW Nikos - £105

GEORGIA ROSE Tafalla - £79

*I am part of the Sarenza blog ambassador programme

TREND - White Hot Summer Style

  Sharon Stone at The Ultimate Gold Collection Fashion Show in Cannes

As soon as the sun comes out the fashion palette seems to shift and white is definitely having a moment right now. It's especially true when it comes to celebrities and the red carpet, just take Cannes as a case in point. The glamorous Sharon Stone - who still doesn't appear to be aging - was pictured wearing a beautiful white gown with train while Kylie Minogue and Rosie Huntington-Whitely have both been sporting the look too.

 Kylie Minogue has a 'Marilyn' moment at Cannes - via Instagram

 Rosie Huntington-Whiteley keeps it simple - via Instagram 

Top tip: When it comes to wearing white there is one thing that you must consider first and that's your lingerie. So many people reach straight for white undies and that isn't a great idea. Flesh-coloured, seamless lingerie is the way to go as it will blend with your skin tone meaning it won't show through lighter, white fabrics. 

Shop the trend...

The Outnet have put together their White Edit featuring lots of designer pieces at discounted prices. M&S are featuring a trend called Summer Shimmer which mixes white with gold and other neutrals, while Topshop's take on the trend is called White Out and they've pulled together some great pieces to work the look.

Plus, here are a few top picks from my recent browsing over at Miss Selfridge who have a fab range of white fashion...

Aztec Embroided Cami Dress - £32.00

White Jacquard Bodice Dress - £49.00

 DESIGNED BY Leather Skirt - £120.00

DESIGNED BY Applique Shift Dress - £95