Take me to the Kandee shop!

While we're on the subject of sales I thought I would share Kandee shoes with you. For those that know me know that I don't own a pair of sky scraping heels but that doesn't mean I can't admire! With their most recent collection; they have moved on from the 'Kandee' colours and adopted stylish, Saturday night must haves. Check out my sale picks below:

1. Rosso

2. After8

3. Tigra

4. Caramel Kisses

Nicola Roberts in a pair of Caramel Kisses...

Image via mydaily

SALE! SALE! SALE!

Apologies for the lack of posting but life got in the way, oh and Christmas. With Christmas comes the sales and they've started much earlier this year. Even Net-a-Porter had the 'if you can't beat them join them' attitude and started a selective sale before the usual Boxing Day.

I've gone to Oxford St. before on Boxing Day *shudders*…. but never again. It's crazy out there (didn't someone die from being stabbed over trainers yesterday?) and I'm not one to buy something just because it's on sale, trust me my wardrobe is full of that. That one and only time I made the effort to get up early on a Boxing Day, I went home with nothing! So from now on it's online and online only and I can still eat leftovers while doing it.

I check out the designer sales first so I have a chance of getting some gems at a less eye watering price. net-a-porter is my first place of call but the sale is so highly sought after that sizes go quick! I tend to stick to jackets/ coats, shoes and bags as these are the things that I can easily hang on to for years but if money was no issue, I would definitely get these...

1. Etro Brass drop clip earrings

2. Bird by Juicy Couture Leather-trimmed tweed biker jacket

3. Alaïa Cross-strap suede sandals

4. Christian Louboutin Dufferin embellished calf hair loafers

5. Alaïa Lace-up calf hair platform boots

6. Jil Sander Shearling aviator jacket

7. Stella McCartney Foil-print cotton and silk-blend clutch

8. Maison Martin Margiela Set of four bronze-plated sterling silver knuckles

Random...Part 2

These two sisters (really?) are a YouTube sensation with over 41 million views of their cover versions of popular songs. It's just them, in their bedroom with their keyboard with a bit of beatbox thrown in too. Just watching these videos, their style screams out 80/90s to me but its casual and not one bit of lycra in sight.

I think these two did a good job on Headlines (Drake) Thinkin' Bout You (Frank Ocean) so I thought I would share!

Don't be fooled by the clothes, these videos were filmed in 2011 but I like it though! I haven't seen one of these little hats since Fresh Prince of Bel Air!

These two took me back with the 90s medleys!!

Pop Up Mall?

Yep, you've read right and it's in Shoreditch but you wouldn't guess that from the word 'mall' but I guess 'pop up shopping centre' wouldn't have the same ring to it. I wasn't even aware that there was such a thing until it was pointed out to me (thanks Olga) but on its officially website, it describes the pop up mall as a 'home to more than sixty carefully chosen fashion, arts and lifestyle brands. BOXPARK is a retail revolution...' This is not totally for high street brands (but Levis is there) but also a way to get independant designers and artists to the masses. 

Is this the way forward? We've had pop up shops but malls? Firstly the word 'mall' will never catch on in the UK and you can't say it without sounding like your mimicking someone from 'the Valley'. To be honest I can see this happening more in the future as this will be a easier way to take fashion, art etc. all over the world for lower costs.

Dress Down Style- Daley

If I were a boy (no Beyonce) I would want to dress like Daley. I only first listened to his music a few weeks ago and already it's my most played mixtape in my iPhone; I need my Daley dose (see what I did there?) otherwise my day will not start off right. As if his hair was not enough to marvel at, he has a relaxed but refined sense of style that also needs to be admired.  

A man in leopard print... and he pulls it off.

Pics via myspace.com/daleyofficial & Google

As if his hair was not enough to marvel at, he has a relaxed but refined sense of style that also needs to be admired. This is why I'm jealous of men's fashion, it doesn't take much to look good. For me Daley ticks the boxes and if he were to introduce some more tailored pieces such as a blazer or waistcoat, it would totally fit in.

P.S. - Don't sleep on the mixtape 'Those Who Wait'

My Hair Journey...

I love the hair of Nini in my last post, it's chic and will suit anything she wears. I have short hair after being gassed on Rihanna's hair (when it was black) and to be fair it did suit me but I wanted my long hair back so I've started to grow it… without the aid of weaves!

Me without weave with shoulder length hair

Went for the chop...

I have a love/ hate relationship with weaves. Sure they look good (when done correctly and in the first 2 weeks), makes styling easier in the morning and is a common protective hairstyle but for me the cons override the pros. They shed, whether you use brazilian or not which by the way, quality will set you back a couple of hundred without stepping into the hairdressers! One gust of wind and your tracks are exposed! Also if you are some what lazy, it will make you neglect your own hair underneath.

With weave

I want healthy relaxed hair (which is possible!) and for it to gain strength while gaining inches. After reading natural/ relaxed hair blogs, watched numerous Youtube videos I have picked up the following tips:

1. Limit heat

I used to use my GHD's everyday, now its once a week. Heat destroys your hair if used too often and damage your ends which are the oldest part of your hair, so like an elderly relative, take care of them! Even after washing my hair, I let it air dry for as long as possible before blowdrying on a low heat.

2. Moisturise and seal

Moisture is so important for black hair, not only my scalp, hair and ends with...

3. Natural oils

Castor oil, coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil all work wonders for ALL hair types. Castor oil especially is a cheap miracle worker (google it and see how many uses it has!) and after using it twice a week for nearly a month, my hair is strong meaning I will maintain length.

4. Trim

You have to get rid of the dead ends, you won't retain length without it.

5. Vitamins

I have taken Perfectil before I started this new regimen and my hair grew so I believe they do work just find out what is good for you.

I only started this at the beginning of November and already I have seen improvements so fingers cross it will get me the results I want.

Dress down style

I just came across a new blog Nini style and instantly thought, if I had the same bank account as she did I would want to dress like that too! You could say its a style crush... Her style consists of mostly back but she adds those splashes of colour when necessary. It really is about taking a look at what you have and trying different ways of putting them together. Now all I have to do is try and apply that when I go shopping so I can spend less on stuff that I don't need! I can't even bring up the amount of things I've never worn (hangs head in shame)... but I digress, take a look at her style

LOVE!

Paper or plastic?

Or leather? Ok you will never hear those words being said to you unless your in an American supermarket but thats what I thought when I saw these bags. While window shopping online, I came across these interesting bags from Cast of Vices 

I love leather and I'm always interested to see it used in different ways and this is different! They certainly beat those lifetime bags from M&S, it'll only cost you £159...

Starry Eyed

These shoes on its own would probably freak some people out, it does me a little bit, there's more glitter than I can handle. They’re statement shoes and when my colleague walked in with them (just back from New York *jealous*) I knew instantly they were Jeffery Campbell.

Shoes- Jeffery Campbell  Coat- Whistles

Charlotte has cleverly paired them with jeans and a green shirt. Simple? Yes, effective? Definitely! The mix and match style adds colour and interest this winter and you can never go wrong with a bit of leopard print.

Random...

Separately she and I used to work in Office together  and the other guy I don’t know but together Tracey Duodu and Tom Barber make up the 14^th. I’ve noticed status updates on my Facebook (the odd occasion I logged in) but never went that bit further to click ‘listen’ but when given the chance to hear them live at the Hoxton Bar and Kitchen (who knew they had a separate ’club’ called Gold Dust inside?) I thought why not? 

This night showcased other acts such as Solomon & Finder (great lead singer) and Finlay (not so great lead singer) and they saved the best till last in my honest opinion. The 14th had the biggest crowd and fans already knowing the track list and they didn't disappoint. It was weird to think the last time I saw her she was serving UGGS and now she was dominating the stage like a pro.

Excuse the iPhone pic

Their MySpace page describe their music as soul/ tropical (??) but personally I think its sounds like old skool UK garage before everyone started jumping on it (pretty much how dance music is being used and abused now). They’re getting air play on Radio 1 and you can’t get bigger than that, check them out

14th

Feature in the METRO

Finishing Touches

I have plenty of days where I don't have anything to wear (I do) and nearly late for the bus because I'm can't make up my mind. Thankfully i work in a 'relaxed' office so you can dress outside of blazers and pencil skirts but I still felt my white shirt and jeans were too plain. This is where my finishing touches come in. Everyone knows accessories can change an outfit but I tried something other than my normal jewellery.

Shirt-  ASOS  Collar tips- ASOS   Stole- Topshop  Jewellery- Thomas Sabo

The stole was a last minute thing as our office is cold and I didn't want to wear a jumper/ cardigan. Simple but effective and surprising warm! Dressed up my rather dressed down outfit and it worked. I will be trying this again in the near future as I seem to have a thing for shirts all of a sudden. 

Baby, it's cold outside

Winter coats. Everyone should have one by now. Don't be like my friend and wear a leather jacket with a shawl covering you! But to me it's not as simple as going into Topshop and trying it on on the shop floor and buying it; no, no, no! You're in this coat for a few good months and apart from your shoes and bag that is all that people will see, so I want to make an expression. Also I can't be seen in what someone else's mum is wearing (I don't want to be a twin).

This often means (unfortunately?) designer. Pricey but if you want quality, I've found out it's the only way to go. Don't get me wrong I tried high street but it is full of styles that don't appeal to or suit me, the fabrics are getting thinner [FACT] or they were pointless. Example A below

                                                   (Picture: Zara.com)

This isn't my style but where are the buttons?!! Am i supposed to hold it down with my arms? A belt is not always practical and can spoil the look so no Zara, I can't do that. Practicality over fashion this time until I saw this…

(Picture: Pyrus)

You know when harps are playing and angels are singing? Yeah, that's what happened when I saw this masterpiece. Smart enough for work but the leather made it casual enough for weekends and, most importantly, it has buttons! It's from Pyrus (I've never heard of them before either) and you will have to go to the website Pyrus- London to look at the price as I'm afraid to put it on here… (Don't judge me).

1st Post! Be gentle..

After all this time, I thought I would start a blog... why not? Everybody's doing it!

Why dress down demeanour? Well anyone that knows me, knows I'm not 'girly' when it comes to my style; I prefer shorts over skirts and trousers over dresses but that doesn't mean I don't sought out a decent dress for special occasions (Aqua seems to my label of choice lately). All anyone really needs are the right accessories and finishing touches to make even a t-shirt and jeans dressed up and I (try to) use this approach daily.

I want this blog to be a reflection of my taste and what I just hope I don't get too lazy with posts but we'll see....