TIME FOR CHANGE

CONFESSIONS OF A THIRTY SOMETHING YEAR OLD

WHAT TO WEAR ON CHRISTMAS DAY | VINTAGE STYLE

THE SUSTAINABLE POWER DRESS | SUMMER LOOK

FESTIVE LOOK | THE SPARKLY CHRISTMAS JUMPER

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

TALKING SPRING STYLE AND MENTAL HEALTH

Jeans/Zara

Vintage Blouse/Rokit/Topshop(Similar)/UO(Similar) 

Sunglasses/Freepeople

Boots/Office

Clutch/Vintage/Etsy(Similar)

Suede jacket/Pop Boutique

STYLE 

Now that Spring has finally sprung, I wanted to kick this seasons style edit off by sharing this bold and fresh yellow blouse with you. When I first spotted this gorgeous stand out shade, hidden amongst the vintage glory on a rail in the covent garden Rokit store. I knew I had to quickly try it on and nab it. Today's look has been completely styled around the fabulous blouse with a pair of wide leg high waisted frayed comfy jeans, a pointy black leather statement boot (that I've been living in and finally found! See here for reference), banging seventies inspired super frames and mums (Flora Maria) old beautiful vintage detailed brown snakeskin clutch. Finishing the effortless look with a loose fitting suede vintage jacket, which I've had for years and is so perfect for throwing on for laying if it gets cold. You can see how everything pieced together really subtly compliments each other. And you can also get a lot of wear out of each individual piece mixed with other fabulous pieces in your wardrobe as well. Like styling the booties with a fun summer vintage dress, or pop a retro t-shirt on with the bargain jeans or piece some vintage denim shorts and white mules against the colourful blouse. Yellow is the ultimate shade for spring this year and I can't wait to style more of it.

Photography/Zoe Griffin

MENTAL HEATH 

Okay so it does seem a little odd to jump from talking about colourful style to mental health but if you've been reading my blogs from the start, you’ll know I don't really do the norm. I've been wanting to talk more on mental health with you for a while. Especially with the sudden sadden loss of Mike Thalassitis. I remember watching the show (Love Island), with Mikes entrance and thinking who the heck is this very handsome confident guy. Mike immediately grabbed the attention of viewers and made a strong mark on the series. So to hear about the news of his passing was such a huge shock. Of course I didn't know Mike and never met him but I really did feel affected by the news. Then it got me debating whether, was it only a real shock because he was in the public eye. And how so many people that are suffering from mental health go unnoticed every single day. 

Including myself in the past being one of them......Now I do want to say before I carry on with this post, that I am no way a doctor, therapist or anyone trained to address the psychological factors and thinking behind mental health. So all I can do is be honest with you and just share a snippet of my own personal experience with it. You may also be wondering why share about a topic which is so difficult to know where to start and talk about. But the main reason for this post is for you - that maybe going through difficulties with mental health yourself. For you - who wants to understand possibly for someone you care about struggling with mental health, and for you - who wants a clearer insight and understanding on a topic that is increasingly so complex and rising. 

From being someone who has felt depression derived from immediate grief (I lost my mum at 26), I would constantly receive offers of help. People I knew would say I'm here for you and your grief, and even people that I wasn't remotely close to would offer help. But in my worse state of depression I didn't want their help. In fact the thought of anyone thinking that I needed help angered and triggered my depression even more. Even though deep down I knew that what I was feeling wasn't like me and wasn't right. I didn't want help because I didn't want to help myself. I had lost the main focus of my life. A woman who I looked up to and knew would always be there no matter what, had vanished. So in my mind back then in a way my whole purpose for life had vanished too. I couldn't see the point of my existence and had nothing left to live for, and the feeling as I remember was very overwhelming and isolating. It's such a predicament to want to help someone you care about that quite obviously hasn't truly identified that they need help. But even at that lowest point I was still going to work, seeing people putting on a front and in their eyes out of closed doors ‘I was pulling through and carrying on'. So what I'm trying to say is 1. Mental health isn't always as obvious as you think, the happiest person who looks the most out there together can be suffering. And 2. Until I was ready to get help myself no one or nothing anyone said or did could help me. It was something I had to finally acknowledge and address myself. I had to tell myself that I was strong, I was kind, I was beautiful, I was caring, I was intelligent, I was wild, I was giving, I was talented, I was respectful, I was funny, I was down to earth, I was loving and I can see the positives in life. I had to build myself up again. I started to do yoga which really helped the bad thoughts trickling in my head. Exercising by running also made me physically feel fit and strong too.

I'm not sure what I wanted to achieve by sharing a perspective with you, but I do know I don't want to hear that the rate of suicide is rising, especially in men. I do also think that accountability has to be spoken more about and addressed. I can't truly place all blame onto social media but I do believe it can play a part. We as instagrammers, bloggers, readers, writers and social media phone lovers have to be mindful of what we portray. I've always been honest that I'm literally a 30's something fabulous hot mess. But try and pick and delete who you follow if you have to, take time away from social media and the intensity of your phone by giving yourself little phone breaks. I like inspiring people whether that’s through style or the acting projects I do. But I'll always be and stay 100% true X

(For support and help on mental health issues raised please do contact the wonderful charity Mind. I want to continue to talk about mental health because I would of loved to of read a blog like this to help me through some tougher times. Mental health doesn't have to be and shouldn't be shoved under the carpet and not a discussed 'thing' if we don't want it to. Thanks for reading xXx)

BEST ANKLE BOOTS TO BUY RIGHT NOW

CONFESSIONS OF A THIRTY FOUR YEAR OLD

Dress\Here\Lip\Here\Hoops\Here\Sheer tights\Here\Heels\Vintage

HOW TO STYLE BLACK FLARES

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

HOT HOT SUMMER STYLE

#FAVOURITEOUTFITSOFTHEWEEK

Hat |Here - Top |American Apparel (Similar Here) -  Flares |Paper Dress Vintage (Similar Here) - Boots |Stories

THE VINTAGE WAY TO STYLE DENIM JACKETS

HOW TO STYLE VINTAGE GINGHAM

tee | Mint Vintage (similar here or here), skirt | Blitz London (similar here or here), mules | here, bag   | here, sunglasses | Rokit (similar here).

HOW TO STYLE VINTAGE SLOGAN T-SHIRTS + DREAMY WINTER SCARFS

HOW TO STYLE THE VINTAGE BOMBER JACKET

BOMBER JACKET | HERE   BOOTS | HERE   SLOGAN T-SHIRT | MINT VINTAGE  

TROUSERS | ROKIT   BAG | SALISBURY CHRISTMAS MARKET STALL (HUNTING THE BRAND) | PHOTOGRAPHY | MARGARITA KARENKO

TIPS ON HOW TO INJECT VINTAGE ADIDAS INTO YOUR WINTER WARDROBE | AND HELLO FABULOUS 2017!

I feel such a fierce need to start 2017 with more honesty this year.