AWOL

For the next few weeks I am going to be living the dream here:

So I probably won't be posting very much!!
F x

The June Issue

First things first: My apologies! The June Issue’s post is super late but in my defence I have been drowning in my finals for the last month, but now I am free with very little but A Vogue Idea on my plate, expect posts a plenty!

After the covers Vogue has given us so far this year:

Alexa Chung’s June cover was like a breath of fresh air, or a summer breeze, which immediately made me think that this was going to be a far more relaxed Vogue after the super-glamorous editions we have enjoyed so far this year. The model come presenter’s cover draws you straight into her eyes, with the vast majority of the shot not even in focus.

As always, I started off with a quick flick through and the entire issue seemed to be a shrine to all things summer, be it sand, sea or sunglasses.  Given that when I was reading this there was beaming sunshine every day and I was stuck in the library this was the perfect little taste of summer to get me geared up for the sunshine to come!

This month in the ‘New Wave’ feature Vogue Spy kindly rounded up the best of everything that we will need for our summer holidays, from the obligatory swimsuits to the slightly more daring swimming caps! A gorgeous Urban Outfitters swimsuit caught my eye as did the giraffe emblazoned Ralph Lauren towel, the entire feature made me lust after the sea. The feature was vastly pictures of the hottest beach looks but the magazine did turn to Jennifer Missoni for a beach guide. Not surprisingly the majority of her tips led us back to Missoni, however she did say that she has a “strict no-heels-at-the-beach-rule” which was a comfort as it confirmed that the beach is somewhere where we all get to enjoy our Havaianas, even fashion’s VIPs.  The feature also included a snippet that pushed Selfridges’ Project Ocean. Until 12^th the iconic Oxford St store has converted into an aquarium and joined with over 20 environmental groups to raise funds and awareness for over fishing. In typical Selfridges style they have seen that the best way to do this is though fashion, they have got the famously outspoken Katharine Hamnett to design t-shirts, totes and towels to raise pennies for the cause.  

 

The most summer ready shoot in the issue is the ‘Heat Wave’ feature, shot by Josh Olins. The citrus shades, bold prints and fifties kitsch cuts screamed summer time and left me lusting after the model’s bronzed glow. Shot in Miami the model Raquel Zimmerman looked as at home on the beach in a DKNY asymmetric swimsuit as she did reclined on garden furniture in a D&G cherry print two piece.

And then there was the story I was waiting for from the moment I saw the cover, the Alexa Chung feature. The archetypal girl-next-door that managed to bag an Arctic Monkey is one of my favourite models and I know she is a big favourite amongst most of my friends, especially Steph who idolises her. The feature looks at her style, but let’s face it, is there anything she can’t wear, and asks “What is next for Alexa Chung.” The model-come-presenter dragged interviewer Christa D’Souza horse riding for their interview. During the interview she rates Twitter, got D’Souza to take pictures of her on her horse and shows off her best Sheffield accent, all adding to the image that she might just be the most normal person in the public eye, despite being one of the most beautiful. The feature comments on the fact that everything she puts her name to (hello Mulberry’s Alexa) or anything she is seen in (oh hello again, Barbour jackets, Hunter wellies and Breton tees) all sell out in a flash. She seems, at least for now, unstoppable. Plus, she has Karl Lagerfeld thinks the world of her, who can fail when he is on their team?

So what is next for Ms. Chung? She has a Madewell collection on the go and another in the pipe line, has just filmed a top-secret TV pilot and she is carrying on as the face of various fashion lines. With all of that on her plate she is a very busy girl! The feature looks at every aspect of her life, from her relationship, her childhood and her hate for all things sexy, the feature gets to the crux of the Chung appeal and confirms what we’d all been thinking, she’ll be sticking about for a while yet!

Now I am going to get cracking on the July issue and I promise that issue’s post will be up before the August one lands on my door step!
F x

Face of Fabulous

This blog post is going to be a little bit different from my usual style, it's going to be an illustrated story of the fashion-tastic evening I enjoyed last night. 

Yesterday I was, very kindly, invited to an event hosted by Fabulous Magazine. Before the party kicked off we were told they would be launching something but exactly what they were launching was kept as locked down as Kate Middleton's wedding dress. 

I arrived at the pretty swish News International offices in Tower Hill with my friend Millie and we were greeted by the lovely Aston with a glass of champagne and some delish cupcakes. The new New Look collection was on display to be drooled over (and tried on) and included some of the most magnificent shoes I have seen in ages, plus maxi skirts to die for (more about them later). MUA make-up artists were on hand with some hints and tips for the perfect summer looks and hair stylists were ready to give us all perfect party locks, some girls I chatted to even managed to blag a fringe trim! 

Once we were all settled in the Fabulous Editor Rachel Richardson was ready to let the cat out of her tote bag. Fabulous will be working with Next Model Management to hunt down the next Face of Fabulous, a competition to find a cover girl for the magazine and the next Alexa Chung or Kate Moss. Entering is really easy, everything will be held on Facebook, so if you think you, or someone you know, have what it takes to make it in the modelling world log on to www.facebook.com/fabulous. You can put yourself forward until the 2nd of July and voting will close on the 4th. The lucky finalists will be treated to an all-expenses-paid trip to London and then a judging panel, that includes Fabulous' Rachel, will pick a winner. Simples! 

The night was then a frenzy of tweets with everyone trying to get #FaceOfFabulous to trend and showing off pictures of themselves modelling New Look’s brilliant summer collection. This is me in the maxi skirt I mentioned before, IT IS MAGNIFICENT! More or less every girl in the room had a go trying it on at one point and it looked amazing on everyone and with so many different style tops. I played it safe with a black bodysuit, but I saw one girl contrasting it with a tucked in bright purple blouse and another with a blush blouse tied into a crop top. I tell you now, this will be the summer’s must have buy!

As if an evening of chatting to fellow bloggers, writers and the Editor of the magazine, trying on gorgeous clothes and getting my hair and make-up done wasn’t enough we were all sent on our merry way with a goodie bag. Without trying to make everyone really jealous here is a wee pic to show you all what was in it!

All that is left to say is a huge “Thank you!” to everyone at Fabulous and Jam for hosting the evening and encourage you all to put yourself forward to become the Face of Fabulous. I am pretty sure I can say on behalf of everyone who was invited last night, we had a ball!

F x

Weekly Wishes

Here I am again.

Usually I would scream "NO!" at the sight of a back pack and slowly shy away from it. However, as I am off on some merry travels in a couple of weeks I have been advised by many a party that a back pack is going to be the only sensible way forward for me. This got me thinking, surely I can have one without looking like an awkward exchange student circa 2003. Then I found this ASOS bad boy and it was snapped up quicker than you can say "Savvy traveller." At £28, I would say it was a pretty good buy!

The other thing I am lusting over this week is far less practical, the super sized coffee table book Kate Moss by Mario Testino. This book is on the book shelf of every fashionista worth their salt, however at £44.99 I am not quite sure I can justify it for the time being. Next month perhaps!

Happy shopping and let me know if there are any little beauts that catch your eye this week.
F x

Weekly Wishes

Good day, this little set of wishes come early because I am meant to be revising, but I am actually doing ANYTHING I can to avoid it.
First things first, at the moment I am in love with Storm in a Teacup Vintage Jewellery, it is just gorgeous.The collection is very Urban Outfitters-esque, but the fact that each piece handmade makes it so much more unique and, subsequently, desirable. Trying to whittle my favourite piece down from all of them to just the one was nearly impossible but I have settled on the 'Got the Blues Vintage Necklace' (£14.50).

However the 'Amelie Necklace' (£13) in gold or silver and the super versitile 'Emma Multi-Way Tie' (17.50) are both pretty high up on my shopping list too.

Now for a far more unrealistic realm, I would like a London cab please. Not just any old black cab... one designed by Christopher Kane. How amazing is that! Kane was given a fleet of cabs to make over and he has designed them with his iconic galaxy print. If I see one when I am out and about in London Town, I will be hailing it for sure! If only for a photo opportunity and a wee trip around the corner.

Hope you are having a brilliant week, 

F x

Weekly Wishes

Dedicated and very much back! Here I am again with another edition of my Weekly Wishes. This week all I can think about is what I am going to don for my Graduation Ball. Yes, its not until July but I am considering my dresses now and feel obliged to share it here. Reluctantly ruling out the cracker of a dress worn by Ukraine's Eurovision contestant this year, I have moved on and realised that feather-clawed shoulders are not the direction I should be looking in.

Instead I have narrowed my hunt down to one of these three:

French Connection - Anna Lace Dress (£110)
This beaut comes in royal blue, red and turquoise. I absolutely love it but I am a bit worried it is not "ball" enough, being lace with its fairly high seam.

River Island - Gold Frill Shoulder Maxi (£69.99)
I adore this dress, and the length and colour make it seem much more ball appropriate, but given that it is a River Island Dress I worry that I'd roll up to the bash and see seven other girls in the same dress. Unlikely, but possible.

Jasmine Guinness - Marble Print Silk Maxi (£62)

This dress is a favourite because it has the maxi glamour but is not from a High Street hot spot... plus I have a £30 off voucher for Very, which makes it an appealing choice! 

Decisions, decisions! I'll let you know what I eventually decide on. 

F x

Retrospective: Star Signs

British Vogue: December 2010

Retrospectives are back! This time with Vogue favourite Tim Gutt's ‘Star Sign’ shoot.

This incredibly clean shoot showcases breathtaking set designs by Shona Heath that revolve fully around the astrological theme, but the elegance of the pieces keeps the focus entirely on the clothes. I love Gemini’s Stella McCartney dress and think that Virgo’s galaxy print halter neck dress that made a name for Christopher Kane fits the theme far too perfectly.

Do you think Tim Gutt’s interpretation represents you and your star sign well?

F x

Weekly Wishes

I am back again! If you are a regular visitor to my humble little blog (who ever you may be, Ithankyou) you might have thought I had forgotten it even exists. Evidently I have not, I have just been stuck somewhere between exams and a hard place. However, as the light at the end of the tunnel is getting slowly closer, I am crawling back to this happy little place for my words and pictures, with some words and pictures about the things I quite fancy this week in the form of my Weekly Wishes.

My demands are not high this week, for the time being I am living the life of a humble lass. So, to please me all I really want is this Accessorize "Flower crown hair bando", a title I will be replacing with "my summer daisy chain of joy."  I am fairly certain that I could go out head-to-toe in black, pop this on and radiate summer. Something I will be trying out when it is snapped up and at £6, it sure will be!

My other little wish is Rimmel Pro Matte Top Coat. I heart doing my nails, so with this I can do them a wee bit differently without shelling out salon prices. Dreamy. I might go crazy and pop a photo up when I have acquired a pot and taken it for a test run. The fingers so proudly displayed here aren't my own, just here to give you an idea of the fun that can be had with the polish, its a bit velvety, no?

And finally, if you haven't already seen it, it is very important you check out the new Topshop Shanghai collection...and want it all. I might just make it my entire summer wardrobe this year. Shanghai and floral garlands, I can see no way it can fail.

I have the June Vogue sat beside me, with Alexa Chung looking up, begging to be blogged about, so that will happen this week. Promise.

Have a magnificent week,

F x