HOW TO STYLE SUMMER VINTAGE PINK

Top/Princess Larrissa

Trousers/Rokit(Similar/Zara)

Boots/Office

Sunglasses/Brooklyn/NYC

Bag/Vintage(Similar/Etsy)

Photography/Zoe Griffin

Walking along London oxford street or looking at your fashionista inspo insta feed, pink styling is absolutely everywhere this spring season. In fact colourful styling has been a fashion thang for a wee while, as the right s/s shade can go with more colours than you may think. And I for one of course am a huge gigantic fan of all things PiNK. I just adore adding a few new striking pieces into my every day looks this time of year.

Talking of THE LOOK how amazing is this vintage Naomi 90's print (I have a big love for her btw), pairing the bold block pink with a simple white top keeps the look understated and more interesting. The pure fresh white blue tinted retro 70's inspired shades and vintage 60's bag add a flare of sophistication and retro personality. Lastly the sharp leather pointy booties keep the overall mood of the look ultra modern and cool. 

STYLE TIP 1  - Get the hue of your pink (or 70's yellow, blue, orange) absolutely right. Think a lighter softer colour and along the lines of a salmon like pink, or a warm dusty rose. The more charming the shade, the more effortless your entire colourful look will appear (magenta is lovely but way too rich for this particular look).

STYLE TIP 2 -  Make sure the tailoring of the garment is on 100% point. PINK SUITS look super sharp, chic and sexy if the cut is 100% right on women. Off the hanger ready to buy pieces do have the ability to have that crispness, but you do need to try on and shop around. I went for the classic straight leg (that felt utterly flattering and fabulous once worn). 

STYLE TIP 3 - The fabric of your new pink style piece has to be of beautiful quality. I've seen a few on the high street that look absolutely lovely from a distance, but once close up a little disappointing. If your looking for a quick fix fashion throw away bargain hit, those tiny details (see through, poorly stitched, not great buttons) may not matter (and are great for a party girls holiday). But as you know the granny instilled in me (that I've no control of), longs for timeless fashion and longevity in any purchases I make (basically gaining as much wear where possible). As usual I've popped a few fabulous pink trouser options below for you....Enjoy! Let me know your favourite. X

SPRING PINK EDIT

NEW YORK GUIDE: TOP PLACES TO EAT

Dekalb Markethall Brooklyn

Sweet Chick Brooklyn

Chelsea Market (Top Right)

Clinton Hall NY Downtown

Amorino Gelato Manhattan Chelsea

Hole in the Wall - Manhattan - Financial district

Dekalb Markethall Brooklyn

Travelling and living in NYC was a third time visit for me this year. And after having done the real tourist places of pizza, bagels, doughnuts, cupcakes and famous cheesecakes previously. I thought I'd share with you a few non-tourist places that probably do go under the Manhattan/Brooklyn beaming travel guide radar. Places that are fairly discreet and only real new yorkers living in the big city eat at. So if you're planning a little trip to the big apple soon, adore your secret gems like me, these places will hopefully be right up your street.......Ps. Can you please take me with you?! 

More Places

Petees Pie - Best apple pie I've tasted that I couldn't not eat to take a picture of. Open til late. You must check out their insta

National - A cast lunch between show favourite two minutes from Bam Theatre. Authentic Thai with a Brooklyn vibe. Honestly absolutely delicious food. 

Steve's Pizza - The cast and I came here most nights after the show, traveling from Brooklyn as they do the best slices of pizza and cream cheese bagels. I badly miss this little place.  

The Press Lounge - For sensational views and gorgeous cocktails. We went at night and forgot my flash to take snaps (Take a flash camera and fabulous outfit!).  

x

All images taken on the Olympus Pen 8.

LAS VEGAS GUIDE: TOP PLACES

THE PERFECT SUMMER DRESS & CONFESSIONS OF A THIRTY THREE YEAR OLD PART TWO

Dress/Topshop

Jacket/Allsaints

Bag/Free People

Glasses/Vintage 5th Ave, Brooklyn

Earrings/Beacons Closet NYC

Location/Sound of the Universe

Photography/Zoe Griffin Photography

Summer is the season for our sweet hot style to truly flourish. The occasion to paint your toes and get your legs did. A time when were not not supposed to show any skin! (because dying of over heating is not an option). And at thirty three and not being able to do my twice a week running (sprained my ankle, but can go for brisk walks so this is probably an excuse) or being too lazy to drag my yoga mat out, i've secretly been dreading this over exposing the Skin season. I know I'm totally confusing, as one minute I'm talking about us women empowering each other to be body confident and the next speaking of hiding my skin......but I guess we are all human. So not feeling as toned as I like and ageing making my body drop a little (that shi* does actually happen. Ahh!). This sweet Topshop piece I found in Soho, New York came at exactly the right time.

Cut to perfection, beautifully designed with a deep old school button down V scooping neckline. And a ultra soft salmon pink sultry cotton fabric, once worn I immediately felt body confident. Gingham is So timeless and with the right chequered design like this vintage 60's inspired piece, it can never ever go out of fashion. Crazy how one can think because you're slim, you don't get days when nothing fits your body. This pretty frock will skim your body nicely and hopefully make you feel body fabulous inside and out this long hot summer :-) X

HOW TO STYLE DR MARTENS

With 'Made for Individuals' as their latest campaign you probably knew a fierce pair of timeless Dr.Martens were bound to appear on this fashion page. As you've already read me telling you how amazing your individual essence, style and shine is. And banging on about not feeling weary to truly express and dress like you. Even if you are from Dagenham, drive an old banger and say silly things alllllll the time like moi (even at 33!). Now you may also be thinking 'Oi where the heck have you been for the last six months?'......But if okay? I'd love to explain more on that in my next blog post. But lets just say I've been pretty busy with Mr old Shakespeare of late (Performing in King Lear and Hamlet to be exact). And just to give you a tiny hint.....I've had the BEST frigging acting experience of my career to date (oh the dramatics).  I truly cried and pinched myself hard at times on tour, especially being a bird from Dagenham in Essex! Did I tell you that I was from dagenham in Essex??...... 

You also need to know that I've been so nervous about re-opening my laptop and blogging again. And if I'm utterly honest I've been putting it off mate. I think its mainly down to not knowing exactly where to start on here. I even forgot how to bleeding login to my blogger account. Anyway I'm fully back! Actually I'm in the blissful market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, where old Shakespeare was born which is very midlands, very country and very different to hustling London. Finishing off the last leg of the tour, but so excited to share a lot more Fashion, Life and Fab-ness with you over the next coming weeks.  

Back to this glorious look that you wouldn't typically piece together on a hot summers London Soho day, but if you're a bit of a fashion rebellion (like moi), you So will. In my eyes you just can't go wrong with a outfit which is basically an old vintage graphic tee, faded black classic jeans and chunky effect shoe. And the Docs really do add a firm distinct ounce of individuality to this 'Soho Made For Individuals' look. Detailed with the classic yellow thin outer lace and sharp point (instead of the round toe). The kind of design that pretty much goes with anything in your wardrobe (which I've already over worn with pretty dresses), subtly tough yet ultra feminine. The tee was a New York vintage find celebrating one of the biggest and greatest bands of all time (say no more). The red electric shades are spot on for sharply creating a visual interest, by adding something striking and colourful to this overall 80's/90's eccentric inspired look. 

I hope you have fun recreating this grunge/retro look this summer, and as always many thanks for truly sticking around. You can also kindly help my slightly out of touch style brain by letting me know of any particular looks, or pieces you would love styled and shared on here. You can be as bold as you like or as basic and minimal as you like (basically throw anything at me :-)). I enjoy playing around experimenting with fashion as you know. So just pop a few words below or on my insta page here or twitter here. Now how do I insert a box thing for you to shop this entire look again.....hmmmm....Help!X

INDIVIDUALS. 

EMPOWER.

Vintage Tee/Metropolis Vintage(Similar Here)/Sunglasses/Beacons Closet(Similar Here & Here)/Bag/Mint Vintage (Similar Here)/Vintage Jeans/Levis@AtikaLondon(Similar)/Shoes/Dr.Martens

Photography/Zoe Griffin

BEST LOOKS OF 2017

Chelsea

Notting Hill

The art of street style photography is like magic as quite often I'll turn to Zoe, and ask her 'How on earth did you get that shot!'? The end result is down to relaying an idea to a photographer, and just us both combining our artistic flares onto the various streets of busy Laandan.  Street style photography is visually exciting as we really do create something interesting and new, that we can both be proud of (and don't stop shooting till we do! eeek!). I take fashion quite seriously as I love what I do. You can really begin to love the creative side of things and enjoy sharing a vision through online blogging. So today as a celebration to Street Style Photography, here are '2017 fashion highlights'. Plus tips for any inspiring silent keen fashionista bloggers out there (as there's space for us all :-)).

The Fabulous Photographer

A great photographer is someone you can easily share your vision with and create something special. It helps to really research your chosen photographer, check out their website and various online platforms. And just drop them a professional email or message. Be yourself when you contact them and just be 100% clear as to what you actually require them to do. I usually start a message with - Hi my name xx, I'm a London fashion blogger currently focusing on vintage fashion. (Here's some of my styling work) I'm looking for a streetstyle photographer and I've seen your fabulous work via your website. I would love to check your availability for a potential shoot. -  Just something along them lines and I'm sure they'd be happy to work with you.

Chelsea

My Beautiful Laundrette, Notting Hill

Creative Eye

Be prepared to scout suitable locations to shoot. The photographer may suggest London hotspots, but as you're creating your own unique online fashion platform, be open to seeing perfect locations right in front of you (I'm always scouting for hidden gems). I really enjoy finding gritty little spots and places you wouldn't necessarily think to shoot (i.e. a laundrette, car park, giant pink recycle bin or bus stop).

Canary Wharf

Taste & Style

You are effectively your own stylist on shoots. And your individual taste on fashion and life is exactly what attracts your audience in. It's how you instantly grab the attention of like minded people, who can relate and share your life style. Purely by the content you create. So honestly don't be afraid to be just you. Remember it's your platform, which you've openly chosen to do. We're all human but stay clear of comparing yourself to others and don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Just do you - your way (cos you're pretty fabulous! you dun know that true lol!).

Instagram

Make instagram your new best friend. Set up a fashion page only (you can include family/friends later, but as a strong starting point, instagram is a great visual platform) and post your fabulous style daily. Mention your interests and share your blogging website at a later stage. The majority of your online blog readers will most likely stem from instagram, youtube, twitter or facebook. And it's just a simple way to get your style vision started, without an official blogging website. You can also connect with many fellow fashion bloggers on insta too. I’ve now made supportive online friends from instagram and built a strong community/network of people that I can share a common interest with.

Regents Park

Peggy Porschen Cakes, Chelsea

Blogging 

Blogging looks so easy-peasy, but if you really want to make your work of something you'd be attracted too. It's actually bloody hard work (or it is for moi). I think the toughest part for me is the time required to make each post the best I can. So just as a little heads up, be prepared to dedicate a whole heap of non-distracted focused time to your new online passion. From styling looks - street shooting - edits returned - narrowing down the images - final edits - editing the written piece (which can take forever) - promoting on platforms i.e insta/twitter/fbk & more. There're days when I think I have no idea what I'm actually writing, but somehow you can connect. It's also more than okay to make mistakes! (I'm always making them!) So what I'm trying to say is...Your hard work and commitment will honestly be worth it. And just remind yourself to have fun!

Money

Ahhhhhh…..The Serious Stuff! But if you think that going into fashion blogging is going to earn you wads of $$…Erm it quite frankly doesn’t (sols just being honest). Not at the start anyway. I never started blogging to earn a living. I started a blog to share a love for fashion, be a hippy and express individuality, inspire others, talk about death/loss and hopefully open some minds on vintage fashion (whoah). It's only when brands started approaching me that I realised you can make money. And if you're extremely pro-active, consistent with posts and making money is your end goal. I'd say 100% go for it - Get emailing brands and showcasing your unique eye for your work. But just for me personally the money side of things doesn't drive me to keep creating content. I just enjoy what I do. So the only times that I do jump on board with the money side of things, is when the product is something I’m genuinely interested in, and by offering you (the reader) a fab discount on a particular brand too.

Brixton

Amazing London photographers @AlishaDandy, @ZoeGriffinPhoto and @Margarita_Karenko. If you would like to see more of a ‘how to’ for the technical admin  part of blogging (pages/domain name/programs to use etc) I can happily share a pt 2. xx

LONDON CITY | TOP 5 REASONS WHY THE FASHIONISTA HAS TO LOVE IT