Se-queen

I celebrated a friends 21st birthday last night and so opted for a spring look in an attempt to shrug my winter blues. Despite its block colour, there is a lot of detail in this crochet maxi so I decided to keep my hair, make-up and accessories to a minimum. The shorter underdress adds sass to this elegant piece and makes this a perfect look for a private party or function. Teamed with killer salmon sequinned wedges - the subtle colouring complimented the far from subtle sequinning. 

Dress: Chelsea Girl by River Island

Shoes: Carvela

Bag: Thrifted

Chaos with a side of cream tea

Despite being the shortest month of the year, February, certainly for me remains the most popular month for birthdays! So much so, that yesterday I saw myself flitting through Cardiff City Centre celebrating four separate birthday celebrations!! It was a true test of my time keeping, agility and sheer ability to be social on only three hours sleep. 

 My hectic morning was all but distance memory when I met a group of friends at Pettigrew tea rooms. Situated on the outskirts of Cardiff Castle grounds, this tea room has a quietly cute personality absorbed by blossomed roses and brightly coloured carnations. It has everything of a typical 40s tea room with a selection of loose tea leaves and homemade cakes served on bone china ceramics which were laced with quaint floral patterns. All that was missing was a swing soundtrack and beautiful women in patterned petticoats and stylish 40s updos. 

90s kid

Today's 90s epidemic has inspired this outfit for work tonight!

I chose grunge glamour for this evening look, with simple accessories and clumpy boots!!

For a splash of colour, add a bright throw. Or if you're daring enough just a rouged lip.

A simple, and effortless look to bring you back to the days when Mark Wahlberg was Marky Mark and everything was 'da BOMB'!

Roll Neck Crop Top - Urban Outfitters

Pleated mini skirt - Topshop

Shoes - Doc Martins

Bag - French Connection

Balmain Paradise

Something to look out for this spring is the Balmain S/S collection. It encompasses exaggerated 90s flare that is show stopping, yet sophisticated. 

This off-the-shoulder, yellow piece is fun and sassy. Worn with ankle boots and a statement belt. Think 'Desperately Seeking Susan' with early 90s glamour.

The collection goes beyond 90s cute with its sophisticated tailoring and gorgeous embellishment.

A beautiful collection reminiscing in an oversized era of mini skirts and tailored prints.

To see the full collection visit Vogues coverage of the Balmain 2013 catwalk here: http://www.vogue.com/fashion-week/spring-2013-rtw/balmain/review/#/collection/runway/spring-2013-rtw/balmain/1

Pol-spiration

Polyvore is a fantastic platform to create and inspire your style. With flare and personality you can create your own looks, or interact with other stylists to develop a style that suits you!

The lace bralet is a sexy addition to this cute and playful short/crop combo. Definite Cali chic.

Source: polyvore.tumblr.com

'Nancy had the cutest sideshow act, but the knife-thrower had no tact!

Why is she wasting all her arts? She should be dodging Cupid's darts'

Bill Randall Illustration, 1955

Dare to be different

Dare to be different

60s inspired twins

For their fashion blog visit: http://durimel.com/ or http://twinish.tumblr.com

Source: blackfashion.tumblr.com

Beckham bares all.... (Again)

Romeo Beckham may have bagged himself the Burberry campaign but it comes as no surprise that when David Beckham became the face (or ass) of H&M bodywear that the ad commercial would be something that could rival any Designer underwear brand. This short film was directed by British Director, Guy Ritchie and consists of Beckham conviently losing his bathrobe in the door of his Range Rover after kissing goodbye to his children. The commercial not only shows Beckham as the wholesome family man he is, but also shows him having to chase his bathrobe in a number of heroic and breathtaking stunts - wishing for him to never reclaim his robe my breath was certainly taken!! His athletic torso and firm behind will undoubtebly make these otherwise bland trunks H&Ms bestsellers.

Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/user/hennesandmauritz?v=il21FZu-IUY

Street spotting

Hat: Virgin Islands Merchandise Store
Bowtie: H&M
Top: H&M
Pants: Thrifted
Socks: H&M
Shoes: Aldos

This would be the byproduct if Olly Murs and Labrinth were ever to collaborate. I’m not a fan of mainstream Pop sensations but these two gentlemen certainly have their own unique stamp on fashion. This street spot is channelling Mr Murs’ signature straw tribly and boat shoes look with a twist of Labrinth’s bold colours and bowtie swag. A statement Spring/Summer cocktail for success it seems

Source: blackfashion.tumblr.com

David Wright Illustration c.1940s

Source: vintagegal.tumblr.com

Street spotting

Hannah Lee, 20. London

Statement shoulders and 70s textures. The big buttons and cameo detail in the hat add a touch of diva elegance. Love this black and Gold number

Source: blackfashion.tumblr.com

Everyone wants to be Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is a country girl who can go from Kick-Ass Hot to sweet homegirl in a wardrobe change. I was inspired by her 'day at the office' look this afternoon. Suitable for coffee with Grandma or shopping with friends, this smart/casual look is perfected with an effortless low ponytail and smudge of red colouring - Kudos, Ms Swift. 

A black blazer will come to the rescue time and time again.

Create you own Taylor Swift inspired look with this Jersey Blazer from Zara for only £49.99

http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-neu-S2013/358002/1117228/JERSEY%20BLAZER

Man's greatest downfall (Since Adam) - The Sweater Vest

I watched Project X for the first time last night, and despite its ridiculously fabricated storyline of topless chicks and fire shooting drug dealers, there was one thing that particularly made my skin crawl. THAT SWEATER VEST !!! Ironic that the blockbuster's 'Ladies Man' wore the staple Lady repeller...

What nut job decided that a sleeveless, V-neck knit was a good look?!

Made popular in the 90s with characters such as Carlton Banks and Chandler Bing donning a combination of polyester blends from the L.L. Bean A/W collection - this fashion faux pas should have remained on the golf courses it was inspired from. 

Then it got me thinking why anyone would waste money on half a sweater? - Is it a symbol of wealth, knowledge and bicep size.....? All plausible, yet distinctly idiotic reasons to invest. If this were a business pitch to the Dragons... I'm out. 

To say this tight knit blend of plaid and rustic colouring channels nostalgic British heritage, frankly is an insult to the Queen and her corgis. 

I think you need to have A LOT of character to pull off such a trend (if it can even be called such a thing..).

This fashion hazard should come with a warning label - unless you are Andre 3000 stay clear of the sweater vest!!

Use, don't abuse - Grace Jones

Bey lit-up the Superbowl XL VII half time show

It comes as no surprise that the only reason I watched the annual Super Bowl this year was not for the grizzly quarter-backs, but for rumours that Beyonce would be reunited with her Destiny's Childs in the infamous half time performance. Following a temporary black out, Beyonce's Bootylicious silhouette lit up the stage (pardon the pun) as she opened the show with her early hit "Crazy in Love".

Her energetic and electrifying performance was just weeks after Beyonce was criticised for lip-syncing at President Obama's inauguration. However Bey proved her talents in this completely live performance which lasted around ten minutes, and then...

'Kelly, can you handle this, Michelle, can you handle this, Beyonce, can you handle this...' - I couldn't handle myself by this point!! Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, former Destiny's Child members were launched onto stage to join Bey in a montage of Destiny classics and special rendition of Single Ladies (Put a ring on it). 

Despite being in the shadow of the fierce mum sensation, the girls reminisced in the Destiny days, with matching leather outfits and choreography. I found myself reverting back to my 15 year old self as I flipped my hair and dutty wine around my living room. 

Don't just take my word for it.. To watch the performance for yourself:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/0ap2000000135280/Beyonce-Super-Bowl-XLVII-halftime-performance

The performance conveniently fell in time with the press release of Beyonce's 'The Mrs Carter' UK tour later this year, which will no doubt be a sell out - kudos to the Knowles/Carter PR team for that one!!

http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Beyonce-tickets/artist/894191

I am not only speaking on behalf of myself when I say Beyonce was the only Superstar of the Super Bowl XL VII.