FORTY FOUR SUNSETS

MAGIC MAN

2012-03-14T14:16:00.000Z

This is a very weird, jumble of a post - apologies. Welcome to my brain.

So recently I've been getting RIGHT BACK INTO older Style Rookie posts (not even ashamed. So what if Tavi is like 15, she's the coolest person I've never met) especially the room inspiration/teen shrine
posts from last year, a la this:

I love the jumble of garish colours and sentimental nick-naks like SO much. But, I mean, you'd never know by looking at MY room, right?

Yes, Tavi is my God. And what?

The 70s vibes of the Virgin Suicides propaganda along with the Catholic pin and crucifixes and stuff got me thinking sartorially so I checked in to see if American Gold on the Spanish Moss site had any new deliveries. They didn't, but their existing gear is still right up my street. Kinda TeenWitchy, sorta 70s, a little bit Fleetwood Mac, a tad dark and occult... Perfect.

Pretty awesome, I'd be happy with any of these pieces for spring. Specially that last dress.

Unfortunately American Gold can be a bit expensive (try stupidly over-priced) so I'll be scouring more Etsy and eBay shops for my spring/summer fix. Actually, Spanish Moss themselves do a great line of vintage finds too (anyone remember when they started out as an aBay shop just like Nasty Gal? I fear I'm showing my age here!), but again only for the super rich. Nonetheless, here are few of my faves:

Perhaps not the most practical for strutting along Kilmarnock Road and maybe not everyone's cup of tea but pretty to look at :)

I'll leave you with the song I've had running round my head all day... Turn it up LOUD now.

WINO FOREVER

2012-03-13T13:00:00.001Z

Happy suicide Tuesday y'all!

Let's all just chill for a sec and take some time to remember how awesome Winona Ryder (particularly late 80s and early 90s Winona Ryder) really was/is/will always be. Why? Why the hell not.

Wino and Claire... My head just exploded from awesomeness.

Beetlejuice, Heathers, Mermaids and Girl Interrupted (and Little Women but shhh don't tell anyone) are all rightfully up there as Winona classics, but who could forget the amaze-balls Reality Bites from 1994? Doesn't the trailer make you YEARN for the simpler times of the 90s, with good pals, good chats and good coffee? I mean, sure, I was SEVEN in 1994 but that's not the point...

Dated, yeah but relevant nonetheless.

You and me (and Winona) and five bucks. Sorted.

And also, My Sharona stuck in my head all day now. No bad thing!

PS I'm bringing "what is your glitch?" back. Get ready, this is SO happening.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: THE RUNDOWN

2012-03-12T11:58:00.004Z

So finally here are some photos from Thursday's International Women's Day blogger meetup!

The night was fantastic and I had a TOTAL BALL - when I wasn't running around like a blue-arsed fly! Thanks again to everyone who turned up and donated so generously! The total we managed to raise was £222.50, which is fantastic considering there was only around 30 of us who made it in the end so a HUGE well done to everyone :)

If my calculations are correct it means we've raised enough to train a couple of midwives, a few teachers and even help several women start up their own businesses in the developing world so I'm absolutely delighted!

Photos by Ann and Nadine

It was really lovely to meet so many other Scottish bloggers (we are a totes friendly bunch!), especially ones who I've been reading for a while and feel like I know already! Those of you I didn't get to chat with for as long, let's sort that out by getting another get together sorted soon, yeah? Maybe Edinburgh this time...?

Finally I just want to say thanks again to everyone who made it along and especially to Rani who helped me out and baked all those amazing caked and did the Shellac nails. YER A STAR MATE! Thanks also to my Maw for the heavy lifting and general dogsbodyness, couldn't have done it without her. And to Laura from Oxfam who gave a great opening speech and helped remind us why we were there.

Also, thanks too to the brands who kindly donated items for the raffle and goody bags: John Frieda, BM Beauty, Bomb Cosmetics, Pure Spa, Leighton Denny Nails, Lomography Cameras, Osco Berber Oil, Schuh, Browns Glasgow, Cherryloco, Rebecca Torres, Miso Funky, and loads more cos my brain is mush and I've forgotten them all.

YAY! Good show lads, we done well. So when's the next one?

x

STRIPED BASICS FOR SPRING

2012-03-06T17:57:00.000Z

I absolutely love stripes for spring. Well, for any time really, but especially for spring - they just channel a sort of laid back, causal, sunny, beatnik vibe, doncha think?

Weirdly enough they never really say NAUTICAL to me, no matter how much ELLE tries to persuade me otherwise (unless the chick is wearing a straw boater or posing on a yacht). Instead I find striped basics perfect for throwing on as it starts to warm up, layering effortlessly with denim or leather and adding colourful accessories if I can be bothered or just some huge black sunnies if I can't. Perfect.

Here's some pretty striped basics from Urban Outfitters:

(Tyra would be proud of that stare guuuurl!)

Casually cool, aye?

OH, and if you're coming to the International Women's Day fundraiser on Thursday, go YOU, you are awesome, AND also try and get there for 6pm if you can as the lovely Laura from Oxfam Scotland will be popping along to say a few words and answer any questions and all that kinda goodness.

Leighton Denny Nails, John Frieda, Schuh, and ROX goodies all added to the raffle today :)

So excited, see you all there!

FELICE FAWN FOR LONG CLOTHING

2012-03-02T13:30:00.000Z

Blogging from my sick bed today - been struck down with an inner ear infection which you'll already know if you follow me on Twitter since it's all I've been moaning about for days...

Booo :(

Anyway, I was perked up mildly when I saw the new images of Felice Fawn - the internet's resident hipster goff - for Long Clothing, specifically modelling their new BOY LONDON collaboration.

You might remember I blogged a while ago about this t-shirt from the range which I still love and wear everywhere, but these new images are making my want to blow my cash on the rest...

Hot, right? And not overly goffy. Also, nice to see Felice with slightly more pared-down make up. She's always stunning but who knew she could actually be pretty?!

I actually think THIS might be my next purchase though:

I love the design and like how its just a long-sleeved cotton top and not a jumper, which is nice. If that makes any kinda sense.

I LOVE Long Clothing. There. I said it.

Away back to bed with a pint of Ribena and some more antibiotics...

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2012: THE PLAN

2012-02-29T12:34:00.002Z

Cute introductory video first...

Yay! The post you've all been waiting for! Or at least the 50 of you who registered to come along to the International Women's Day blogger fundraiser I've been harping on about for the last bajillion years!

I tried to reply to all of you to confirm your registration but I got a bit sidetracked what with the actual orga-ma-nising fandango, but rest assured that if you emailed me your name and address you're on the list, DAHLING!

Also, if you're expecting fancy invites in the post... I had to sack that idea. Sorry, but I wasn't actually sent enough out in the first place, plus I have had NO TIME to deal with admin issues of such magnitude - too busy arranging an awesome night innit!

ON TO THE FUN SHIZ!

The event will be held at the Hillhead Bookclub just off Byres Road in the west end of Glasgow. We have a special bit reserved up the stairs to the left as you walk in - but fear not, someone will be there to say HIYA and point out the stairs incase you've never been before. It's purty :)

It's on from 5.30 - 9.30 or whenever really since it's a bar and open till midnight so if you wanna stay and help me drink my body weight in red wine after, please do!

There will be a bake sale and specially discounted Shellac nails by Rani which will be running all night. Needless to say all fundz raised go to Oxfam's International Women's Day campaign.

You will be given a FUN, LIGHTHEARTED and female-themed Quiz sheet and answer paper on arrival (which you don't have to do, but if you want to that would be cool) and at the end the winner gets a special prize. (CLUE: it may or may not be a meal for two at Browns in Glasgow... but it is.)

At 7 pm the Clothes swap madness with begin! All you need to do is bring a couple of items of clothing or accessories with you that you don't wear and that are in good condition and then swap em for something else! You don't have to take part in this, but clothes swaps are always particularly LOL-WORTHY and an awesome way of getting rid of junk and picking up new threadz. It will cost a couple of quid to take part.

At 8 pm the best raffle in the history of the world will take place! Some of the amazing prizes on the night include three awesome Lomography cameras, a £200 voucher for a makeup class at the Academy of Make Up, Elemis and REN skincare goodies courtesy of PURE SPA, two free PURE SPA treatments, John Frieda hair goodies, BM Make Up gift box, Bomb Cosmetics gift box, a stunning piece of ROX jewellery, two Argan oil gift boxes, Sarah G Cosmetics gift box, two £50 SCHUH vouchers and a few other amazing surprises!

Goodybags will be given out after that and then y'all are free to go or hang about and get messy, up to you! I am also hoping that Laura from Oxfam Scotland will pop in and say a few words about International Women's day and where all our money will go.

YUSS, I literally can't wait! It's going to be a great night, with lots of lovely folks and loads of cake and schmoozing and prizes :)

BUT, let's remind ourselves what we're raising money for...

We're raising money to tackle entrenched attitudes that women are second class citizens. That they don't deserve the same freedoms, equalities, standards of living, care and respect as men. These entrenched attitudes deny women their rights and that's something I'm not about to let slide.

The reality is that in many countries, women:

Miss out on an education

Two-thirds of all children worldwide who are denied school are girls and in the developing world the majority of women are illiterate.

Having never attended school or dropped out at a young age because of early (and often forced) marriage, these women are cut off from the world through their inability to read and write. This limits their choices, their potential and ultimately their life. These women aren't stupid, they know they are missing out.

£135 trains 5 teachers in Mali who between them teach over 250 girls, encouraging them to stay in school. By educating these girls they provide a whole generation with skills to work their way out of poverty.

Suffer horrendous domestic violence

Violence against women is the single biggest cause of injury and death to women worldwide.

Each year, in this country alone, 3 million women experience violence and many more live with the legacies of abuse experienced in the past.

Violence against women includes domestic violence, rape and sexual violence, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, crimes in the name of honour and trafficking and sexual exploitation. Facts consistently show this violence is perpetrated in the vast majority by men, and often partners and husbands.

"Violence against women continues to persist as one of the most heinous, systematic and prevalent human rights abuses in the world. It is a threat to all women, and an obstacle to all our efforts for development, peace, and gender equality in all societies. Violence against women is always a violation of human rights; it is always a crime; and it is always unacceptable. Let us take this issue with the deadly seriousness that it deserves." - Ban Ki moon, United Nations Secretary General

Die needlessly in childbirth

Every single minute a woman with no medical care dies in pregnancy or childbirth.

Having a baby should be a time of excitement, hope and joy with just a twinge of anxiety at the thought of the new challenges ahead. However for women in Ghana, where the track record for maternal health is one of the poorest around but is by no means an exception in the region, it is more often than not a life-threatening situation - a terrifying time of true dread.

90% of all maternal deaths occur in the developing world. Between 1,500 and 3,900 women die in Ghana alone from pregnancy complications each year, and for every death, a further 30 women suffer from short and long term complications.

Living in rural areas, illiteracy and a lack of understanding of their rights, as well as a shortage of trained medical staff nearby, all intensify the problems that these women face.

All of Oxfam's projects have gender equality at their heart, ensuring women overcome the discrimination they face and secure their basic rights. The money we raise next week will go towards helping Oxfam to combat these issues and provide help and aid where it is most needed, but I also hope that during our wee get together we can remind ourselves that the issues of gender inequality and sexism occur CLOSER TO HOME as well.

For example, forty years after the Equal Pay Act, women are paid on average 22.6% less per hour than men, and 30,000 of them are sacked every year simply for being pregnant. Women make up only 12% of FTSE 100 directors, and remain starkly in the minority in parliament and the legal profession. In the workplace, they continue to be victims of sexual harassment; at home, they are likely to be victims of violence (one in four at the hands of a partner or former partner). Last year, 100,000 women were raped in the UK. The conviction rate for this crime is just 6.5%. In 21st-century Britain, women's bodies are objectified like never before: in men's magazines, in lapdancing clubs, and on the internet.

Recently, the Uni Lad fiasco highlighted the fact that rampant sexism not only still exists, which is depressing enough in 2012, but that it runs rampant within the younger generation - OUR GENERATION. I'm not OK with this. I'm not going to accept having the piss taken out of me just because I'm a woman. And I'm not OK with being labelled as a dour-faced, frigid, feminist dyke who doesn't get the joke because I'm offended when someone gropes me in the bar queue, or leers at me in my car, or heckles me in the street. I'm just not going to let it happen.

BLARGH! Anyway, women, of course, are not simply victims of gender discrimination. We are also awesome human beings who have achieved so many mentally-amazeballs things it'd take me another mammoth blog to document. And no-one wants that. Let's face it, this has been a slog right?

So instead let's all eat cake, schmmooze, swap some clothes, get wur nails done and raise money for a charity who concern themselves day and night with putting an end to all the BULLSHIT.

Congrats for getting to the end. I don't know about you but I need a lie down.

Here's a picture of feminist Ryan Gosling as a reward :)

Love!

KATY PERRY COVERS INTERVIEW MAGAZINE

2012-02-28T16:59:00.000Z

KABLAMO!

I mean, yes, she looks smokin' hot, mainly because they've completely changed her entire look so much that it's hard to tell who it even is (no bad thing, I am NOT digging the blue hair stage at the moment. There's just something really UNCOOL about her that I can't put my finger on) HOWEVER, what excites me most about this sneak peek of the March cover is the bit where it says SARAH BURTON BY SARAH JESSICA PARKER.

Let's absorb.

Can you even imagine how good that interview will be? We all know SJP was the late, great Lee McQueen's close friend and ambassador for the brand - she can still pull off a McQueen on the red carpet like no one else - so I have massive expectations for this interview. Plus, she's funny, warm and witty and if anyone can coax the notoriously shy Burton out her shell, it's Carrie. Wait... SJP. Same difference, RIGHT?

Ooooh, I can't wait!

OSCARS 2012: BESTS

2012-02-28T10:33:00.001Z

I forgot all about the Oscars on Sunday night. WHY? Cos I went out for a couple of drinks in the afternoon and ended up on a wild bar-crawl adventure through Glasgow culminating in a lot of drama and a very sore head the morning... THAT'S WHY.

ANYWAY, while I was getting jakey, this lot were getting their glam oan. I'm only doing the bests this time, partly cos there weren't that many disasters (except George Clooney's missus, JLo, Cameron Diaz's face, Shailene Woodley, Vanessa Hudgens and Judy Greer) and partly because I can't really be bothered.

Bernice Bejo in Elie Saab. Wasn't it actually GAGA who predicted mint would be a big deal this year? Spot on Gaga, this embellished pastel number is stunning, age-appropriate and the epitome of class.

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture. A tricky one to pull off thanks to the high neck, bow, ruffles and colour, but consistent risk-taker Emma knocks it out the park once again.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford. Gwyneth is THE most irritating woman in the entire universe hands down, but I struggle to think who else could pull off something so structured and minimal. Also, glad to see she's ditched the thigh-high split. Wish I could have said the same about Angelina Jolie...

Rooney Mara in Givenchy. Once again it's all about the hair and makeup. I WISH she'd crack a smile once in a while though. It's getting a bit old, that intense stare.

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton. Perfect colour, perfect peplum (love that it hits at the exact right spot and doesn't swamp her petite frame) and PERFECT styling with the pale pink clutch. Love, love, love.

Claire Danes in Valentino. I get the impression Claire is more comfortable in 'safer' dresses than this one, but the colour, style and fit actually really suit her. But her best accessory here is that big grin - NOT a dress to look dour in or take too seriously.

Amy Adams in Vivienne Westwood. I never really see Amy looking full on SEXIFIED on the red carpet (or, actually, ever) so I'm pretty happy she uped the ante in this metallic number. Totes hot.

Gwen Steffani in unknown. It's red hot until you get to the shoes. GURL, patent courts are NOT the way to accessorise such a fierce dress. 5/10 so not really a 'best' but whatever.

Lily Collins in Monique Lhullier. Isn't she the cutest? She reminds me so much of a young Camilla Belle... Anyway, this dress is gorgeous with her pale skin and dark hair combo, but it doesn't really scream after party to me. I wish it had been shorter or tighter or SOMETHING, I mean, how is she supposed to get crunk on the dancefloor in this? Regardless, it still photographs fabulous on the red carpet, so kudos.

Finally, let's all just take a minute to appreciate January Jones.
Ahh, my beloved JJ, I'm so happy you've emerged from social hibernation! Now please, proceed to wow us on the red carpet like you used to...

January Jones in Wes Gordon. She just ALWAYS. LOOKS. FABULOUS.

In fact, screw it, ama do a Why I Love January Jones post next.

What did y'all reckon of the Oscars red carpet - who was the best of the best and the worst of the worst? Go on, I love a good bitch!

MY POP ART VALENTINE

2012-02-22T17:21:00.001Z

So I know it was Valentines day over a week ago now, but I thought I'd still show you some cute pictures from a shoot I did with Carrie for the Sunday Herald last week.

I particularly loved the pop-arty styling and awesome post-production artwork - makes a nice change from the more predictable soft, pastel, romantic Valentines vibe.

Cute, right?

All images shot by the lovely Kirsty Anderson.

Heading back to the Herald HQ this week and really looking forward to it :)

OOOH, by the way, a post finalising deets for the International Women's Day meet will be up before the end of the week I PROMISE! Just getting some last min stuff together but y'all are gonna flip out - it's THAT good!

PUGS IN HATS, YO

2012-02-19T11:18:00.000Z

What's that?

It's London Fashion Week you say?

Oh, I hadn't noticed as I've been SUPER busy PMSLOLLING at these adorable pics of Pickles the pug posing in an assortment of ridonculous, hand-knitted hats!

Cupcake Pickles

Clown Pickles

Viking warrior Pickles

Christmas tree Pickles

Teddy bear Pickles

Carmen Miranda Pickles

Lamb Pickles

Happy Birthday Pickles!

Easter chick Pickles

If I had a pug as adorable as Pickles, you KNOW I'd be dressing him up like this. Every day of the week.

Available to buy here on Etsy.

Normal service shall now resume.

RECENT PURCHASES: FEBRUARY

2012-02-17T18:47:00.001Z

Shockingly I've not actually spent too much this month so far! Cray cray I know and not like me at all, but I've been quite uninspired by the high street of late, and I seem to keep getting outbid by a POUND at the last second on eBay which is massively frustrating... Seems the universe is telling me to save my pennies for some reason...

*strokes beard mystically*

Anyway, here's a little mix of some of the stuff I HAVE managed to buy.

A scrummy afternoon tea with the maw at the Butterfly and Pig Tearooms.

I've been in here loads but never actually splurged on the full afternoon tea package but I was in the other day with my maw, thought SOD IT and treated her to the works. CHECK OUT THE CAKES! Absolutely delish and worth every penny!

Topshop lipstick in Innocent.

Argh, sorry for the HUGE close-up of my trout pout, just wanted to show you the difference between the bullet, swatch and how it actually looks on. As you can see it looks a little darker and warmer swatched but actually goes on quite blue-toned. This is perfect for me as I reckon I suit cooler-toned lippys but just beware before you buy. As for the texture, it's soft and quite moisturising but nowhere near as awesome as Pillow Talk from the Smoke and Mirrors collection. Oh, Topshop, PLEASE re-release it!

Topshop nail polish in Hidden Treasure.

Apparently folk are touting this as a dupe for Chanel's Peridot polish so if that floats your boat defo snap it up, it's only £9! I do like this but think it gives a better pay off when layered over black or dark green. Let's face it though, the real issue is my crappy, stubby nails. MUST STOP BITING.

MAC mineralize skinfinish natural in medium.

I do like my Chanel loose powder but sometimes, on drier days in the office with the air-con up full I find it's really VERY powdery and tends to cling onto my huge sideburns/downy fur up the sides of my cheeks. SOOO when I discovered MAC are doing free online delivery for London fashion week I just had to buy this. Waiting on it arriving and VERY excited to see if it lives up to all the hype.

Topshop floral t-shirt and tunic.

The top one is from the actual shop and looks way nicer in real life. The print is sort of worn and looks kind of vintage, but it's only on the front and not the back which BUGS ME. The second was an eBay bargain. Not even really sure why I got this... I guess I remember liking it when it was out in the shops and I managed to get it for just £8 so meh. Check me all floral out ma nut. You'd think it was like, Spring or something...

intage cat-print cropped t-shirt.

I featured this in my Etsy roundup recently and YUP, I bought it. It's REALLY, REALLY cropped though, not quite sure yet how exactly to wear it. But I'll figure it out. I mean, I have to right? Look at all the cats!!!

Minkpink Marrakesh dress.

I absolutely love this but evidently it splits opinion since Kirsten thinks it looks like a tablecloth. Last week I was literally like "I think I'll wear my new patterned dress, the one that ties at the back," and she goes, "Oh aye, yer tablecloth dress?" CHEEKY MARE. But yeah, this was in the Urban Outfitters sale for half price so double snaps for me. Love.

Liz Earle Instant Boost skin tonic.

Y'all know how much I love my cleanse and polish so I decided to pick this up when I found I was running low on my usual toner. I'd been using the Clinique anti-blemish solutions toner for YEARS but was getting pretty sick of it and I was totally lost about where to go next. Liz Earle just seemed like the sensible choice. This smells lovely and doesn't sting - so far thumbs up.

Desert Essence thoroughly clean face wash.

I got this in Whole Foods on a total whim. I'd been looking for a tea tree oil-type face wash for a while but all the ones I'd tried were really harsh and drying. This one's got loads of other oils in it too though and when it first comes out it looks and feels just like an oil, which is kind of weird. Once you start to rub it in it eventually foams up but it doesn't leave my skin tight or too squeaky. I mainly use this in the morning and I like it so far, although I've had a bad couple of outbreaks the past wee while and I can't work out what's been causing it so I'm keeping my eye on this...

Kiehls Ultimate Strength hand salve.

Reading the gumph on this online you'd think it was for WORKIES ONLY and to be honest my hands aren't really THAT dry, but what they are is old looking. The skin on the tops of my hands is really papery and thin, and I have loads of wrinkles and lines around my knuckles and ragged bits of skin round my nails where I bite and... BLEUUURGHH, OK, basically it's just hand carnage. I have the hands of a pensioner, for real.

This stuff is a super duper strength salve, really not one for chucking in your bag and using on the go. I only ever slather this on at night and in the morning they look less wrinkly and feel velvety smooth, it's magic. The weird, filmy, glove-like texture takes some getting used to so I'd say really only get this if you truly need it.

Cath Kidson toiletry bag.

For keeping my face crap in instead of it all just being strewn across my room/the bathroom/any available surface. Come on, who doesn't love Cath Kidson?

And THAT'S IT. Seems like not a lot really, but February ain't over yet...

COBALT EYES

2012-02-13T13:42:00.000Z

I haven't been paying much attention to New York fashion week output (for shame!) but I stopped short when I saw these pics of the makeup at Prabal Gurung's AW12 show.

Such an unusual eye - I'd LOVE to see someone on YouTube recreate something similar but a little more wearable. The diagonal stripe of colour really POPS, no?

Love how this last shot shows just how many shimmery colours were used to create this look - bronze, green, grey, blue and turquoise.

Please, there must be a beauty guru out there willing to recreate this for the real world?

ADVANCED STYLE

2012-02-12T12:39:00.000Z

So, a while back I became mildly OBSESSED with Advanced Style after I wrote that post on Iris Apfel for MAC and discovered she was much-loved by the eccentric blog which celebrates stylish older folk.

Imagine my excitement when I noticed on Style Rookie this morning that Advanced Style are making a documentary AND book, and my beloved Iris features in both :)

Have a gander at the trailer and feel instantly better about your life. Seriously.

Best quotes -

"I just like to feel better dressed than other people." (NEW MANTRA)

"This is what I am, this is what you get."

"I'm not ready for a convent or anything, so I can wear leopard glasses."

"Young women, you're going to be an old woman someday. Don't worry about it. Don't sweat it. Every era builds character."

Absolutely love it. Can I hang about with them?

STREET STYLE INSPO

2012-02-11T17:52:00.001Z

A completely shameless filler awesome-street-style post for you today. Working all weekend and finalising deets for the International Women's Day blogger get together I've been HARPING on about for like decades, so I've been pretty busy, but been collecting these photos for a couple of weeks cos I reckon they are pretty rad, tubular, dope and even fetch.

Thanks to all who registered for the meetup by the way, all FORTY of you! Totally blown away by the support :) Some supplies arrived today from Oxfam so I'll send you all out your official invites next week.

For now, enjoy these TOTES AMAZE pics for some sartorial inspiration.

ONE LOVE

OOH, also, Glasgow gals mind and pick yerself up a copy of the Sunday Herald tomorrow - it features a special Valentines-inspired shoot I assisted on and it's pretty banging, if I do say so myself.

x

JE SUIS ME CHEVEUX

2012-02-08T12:57:00.000Z

I've seen this John Frieda PR post about LOADS over the past few weeks, which at first kind of put me off wanting to try out their products, but SERIOUSLY, I'm now a convert!

I was contacted by Jilly from JF asking if I would like to try out some freebies in order to aid me in trying to style my hair a la THIS:

So, long story short I hate my hair. I've had it short, long, black, brown, blonde, red, bleached, braided (Rastafari!), shaved and crimped and it never ever looks how I want it. Much in the same way I am useless with makeup, I am similarly challenged when it comes to doin' a hot do. It's OK, I've made peace with it. There's more to life than hair, right?

(WRONG)

I actually had a go at this tutorial with my Babyliss curling wand I won from Ann (Girl in the City Glasgow) and it looked PRETTY GOOD. I mean, it was still a bit wonky at the back, and some bits were more tightly curled than others and I burnt my ear fairly badly, BUT STILL, it was OK.

However, one thing ruined the whole look more than anything else... STATIC. I literally could flip my head upside down and back again and it was crackling with the stuff. Completely unruly, tuggy and sticking out sideways. Yuck. It's always been like this, especially when I try and style it - flyaway central and staticked oot it's nut. Normally I just attack it with hairspray or shove it up in a bobble, dejected and disappointed in my lack of styling abilities...

Thank God Jilly had sent me along some of the John Frieda Secret Agent Perfecting Cream, because this stuff is my new favourite hair product EVER!

Honestly you guys, if you have staticky, unruly, frizzy or flyaway hair this cream is amazing.

At first I was like, "no way am I slathering this stuff over my finished do," but once you get the hang of how much you need (clue, not a lot) and rub it between your hands before smoothing it through the ends, it'll work wonders, I guarantee!

The texture is creamy but it doesn't feel wet or thick on the hair and it doesn't weigh it down either. I can imagine this working well in the humidity of summer too when my hair decides it hates me and does a Monica for a solid three months...

I mean, this is probably a fairly useless review for most of you out there who have been using styling products for yonks, but for a novice like me who basically just uses her dad's Head and Shoulders, forgets conditioner, towel-dries and goes, this is my new holy grail item.

You can pick this stuff up for a fiver(ish) at Boots and I'll definitely be getting myself some more when this runs out.

BY THE WAY you only have 2 days left to register by the 10th of Feb to attend the International Women's Day get together blogger event next month. I'll be letting you guys know the location next week hopefully, and will confirm more good stuff over the coming weeks :)

Apart from being an awesome excuse to meet up and have a giggle, the money raised will go (via Oxfam) to some truly inspiring women's charities across the globe, including ones fighting for the banishment once and for all of FGM, equality in the work place, the right to basic maternity care, education for women and girls, the closure of the poverty gap and loads more. Click here for more info.

CURRENT ETSY GEMS

2012-02-03T10:15:00.001Z

Apologies, this is a bit of a bumper post you guys. Over the past few weeks I've been cultivating my Etsy favourites into a list of absolute MUST HAVES. Money's tight at the moment but come next pay day, one, several or all of these beauties will be mine. MWUHAHAHAHAA!

Also, just wanted to say a big fat HIYA to my lovely new followers :) If you don't know me, this wee compendium is pretty indicative of the things I'm into, fashion-wise.

vintage Hole tour tee. It's like £50 but so worth it, right?

Dennis the Menace chic.

Summer perfection.

Dreary Glasgow "summer" perfection

Bought. Ama get SOME slaggin.

I'm heading to Portugal for a week in May and this would be perfect for the beach.

Clip-on silver kitty earrings. My life is sorely lacking in animal jewellery.

So, whaddya reckon? I'm finding myself more and more inspiration on Etsy and Ebay thesedays - can't remember the last time I logged on to Topshop and was impressed. Really not feeling their weird, in-between-season offerings at the moment. Shiny sports luxe is so not my thang.

PS REGISTER to come along to the International Women's Day blogger meetup event on the 8th of March! You can bet your ass I will NOT stop yakking on about this... :) x

LANA DEL REY: MARCH VOGUE UK COVER

2012-02-02T12:04:00.000Z

Hmmm...

I know SO many people will be falling over themselves to say how beautiful she looks, and she does, but is anyone else kind of sick of having her shoved in their face?

Right now the PR campaign for Miss Del Rey is about as subtle as a ten-ton truck. Despite the album being resolutely panned pretty much everywhere, it seems we (and Vogue) are more than willing to over-look that because, AW, SHE'S SO PRETTY!

Whaddya think?

By the way, don't forget to CLICK HERE to register for the International Women's Day Scottish Blogger 'GET TOGETHER' event in March. You have to register to come :) x

REGISTER TO ATTEND: IWD2012 BLOGGER GET TOGETHER

2012-02-02T09:56:00.007Z

Hello ladies! Super excited to let you know how you can register to attend the Get Together I'm currently planning for Oxfam's International Women's Day 2012. (Original post here).

I've called it a Blogger GET TOGETHER but if you want to bring a friend or two, that's great and you totes can :)

Non-bloggers are more than welcome too, you can all still register in the same way.

The event will be held in Glasgow on the evening of Thursday the 8th of March
It will be a tea party-style event with an optional clothes swap, raffle, quiz etc.
There will be a few surprises on the night - gotta keep schtum at the mo ;)
The event is free and non-ticketed but you MUST register to attend
There will be goody-bags!
Kind donations are expected - it's for charity people!

*********************************************************
To register please email k-mclaren@hotmail.com with your name and address, and those of any guests you plan to bring, by Friday the 10th of February.

*********************************************************

The address part is so I can send you out your official invites from Oxfam :)

I'm really excited about this event and I KNOW we can raise some serious moolah for some amazing womens charities. Plus, I do love a blogger meetup and I missed the last few so it'll be lovely to see you all again in the flesh and meet some new faces :)

Don't be shy, get involved!

I'll reveal the location and some other tidbits nearer the time... don't you love the suspense!

x

Ps if you want to blog about the event yourselves to help spread the word, that would be TOTES AMAZE. thanks dolly-bids x

EDIT: Registration has now closed, thanks to everyone who got in touch! Due to overwhelming demand I've had to change venues so that all 50 of us can come! Watch this space over the next few weeks for more details!

BEHIND THE SCENES

2012-01-31T18:06:00.000Z

Earlier this month I assisted on a shoot with the lovely Becky White for her first ever lookbook featuring all her awesome clients including Obscure Couture, Cherry Loco, Deadly is the Female and Rebecca Torres.

Have a peep at the SUPER SLICK behind-the-scenes video shot by Tom Duncan and see if you can spot the back of my head...

Becky White PR || Behind The Scenes from Tom Duncan on Vimeo.

How stunning is model Morven, eh? Well jel.

It was a long but fantastic day, and we all pulled off something rather awesome. Here's a few of my favourite shots from the finished lookbook, taken by Euan Robertson. Click to enlarge em.

Pretty hot, no? Especially the new Rebecca Torres and Obscure Couture stuff.

PS - If you haven't already, PLEASE DO go back and have a swatch at my last post about the proposed blogger GET TOGETHER for International Women's Day 2012 - and get excited! All are welcome, the more the merrier, and nearer the end of the week I'll be posting again letting you all know how to officially register to attend. Myself and Charlene have been cooking up a few ideas and I know it's going to be great! Keep checking back to find out more details, or follow me on Twitter as I'll no doubt be tweeting frantically once plans come together...

GET TOGETHER FOR IWD 2012?

2012-01-26T09:49:00.002Z

*This post goes somewhere, I promise!*

March the 8th marks yet another International Women's Day and all over the world women (and men!) will be taking part in events which serve to celebrate women's successes and also highlight ongoing inequality which still exists. This year's global theme is CONNECTING GIRLS, INSPIRING FUTURES.

International Women's Day means a lot to me - you might remember I blogged about it last year. Click the link to find out what it's all about. In case you don't, here' a little blurb again from the website:

The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.

SO, now to my point...

This year Oxfam are encouraging women and girls to hold get togethers (tea parties, dinners, pampering days, clothes-swap days, whatevs) to help raise some money for selected women's charities around the world. If you register on the site they send you out a part pack with lots of party-type goodies, SO I WAS THINKING, since us bloggy ladies love a wee get together and have a pretty darn significant combined audience, that maybe it would be cool for us to help spread the word and hold our own Scottish Blogger get together to raise some dolla?

We could do anything - hold a wee tea party, a clothes-swap party, or just a good old fashioned NIGHT OUT! If I can drum up some interest then I'll get on the case about booking somewhere and whatnot, but I've never organised a blogger event before and I know some of you gals hefty specialise in that sorta jazz so don't be shy with the suggestions/helping me out/organising the whole thing for me!

March the 8th is a Thursday so bloggies, please let me know if, A you're into it and, B if that date would suit you for something in the day or evening... If no-one's available or particularly into it, no worries. But I really hope y'all will be! Obviously ANYONE can get involved - bloggers, non bloggers, guys, kids, grannies, trannies, fannies... Yeah. Anyone. So if you're reading this and fancy a lovely night with some awesome folk for an amazing cause then please comment and let me know.

Also, please leave any suggestions for the kinds of things we could do since the possibilities are endless (I myself like the idea of a clothes-swap party innit), and anyone who fancies helping me actually organise something - email me!! k-mclaren@hotmail.com

Lotsa sisterly love x

DRIES VAN NOTEN MENS AW12

2012-01-25T08:23:00.001Z

SO, I'm currently sitting in work at 8am having already been here FOR A WHOLE HOUR, so alas this isn't a review as such, but instead a collection of my favourite looks from the Dries Van Noten menswear AW12 show:

Psychedelic Elegance...

Yeah, me likey, but then I AM a sucker for slogans and a narrative print, innit.

Just for kicks let's closer inspect that amazing first look.

Work of art, right? Well, yeah, exactly. This motif print is lifted from Dutch artist Gijs Frieling and the reinterpretation of Oscar Wilde's 'The Happy Prince' by calligraphy artist Letman. So there.

Red hot.

MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF SS12

2012-01-23T10:14:00.001Z

...also known as the reason I'm getting excited about summer!

Back in September this was really the only show that got me pumped for sugary-sweet pastels, cartoon prints and quirky girliness for summer. Shame on me, I'd sort of forgotten how fierce a collection it actually is!

The show was the ultimate in performance-femininity - the models strutted down the catwalk to a mashup of Hole hits (sadly missing in the video below), and sashayed round Courtney Love lookalikes applying lipstick and jerking around in 90s-style babydoll dresses. The hair and makeup were so extreme that towards the end the girls looked less like models and more like living dolls.

Strangely, the collection itself is oddly similar to MK's SS11 offering (that show even started with part of a recorded interview with Courtney Love) but rather than use the girly, feminine aesthetic to channel feelings of anger and hostility, it instead exudes a genuine sweetness - a real charm and warmth. There are reports that some front-rowers found it all so moving it brought them to tears.

I also love it because it reminds me of some of my favourite bloggers like Tavi and Marlena.

Watch the vid and enjoy!

x

THE BEST MAKEUP TUTORIAL EVER

2012-01-19T17:02:00.000Z

From the inspiring artistic genuis that is Lisa Eldridge.

This isn't just a make-up tutorial, it's a history lesson delivered with a genuine passion, professionalism, breadth of knowledge and insight that truly is breathtaking. It's really more like a short documentary.

Other so-called YouTube makeup gurus take note. This is how a master does it.

Seriously, could I love Lisa Eldridge more? Her videos are genuinely a pleasure to watch plus I find them oddly soothing.

Enjoy!

VICTORIA'S SECRET SHOW 2012

2012-01-18T19:42:00.000Z

So, I mean, maybe it's a little creepy of me to post pics of the Victoria's Secret angels on here just so we can all drool over their perfect bodies, BUT I thought this selection from the most famous lingerie show ever might act as some much-needed JANUARY GYM MOTIVATION material...

Karlie Kloss' legs are the eigth wonder of the world... Seriously.

I'm sold. Signing up to the gym tomorrow...

(probs not actually, but I'll now be feeling WAY worse about it.)

RAWWWWWKSANNE!

2012-01-17T22:16:00.000Z

You don't have to put on your red light... etc.

No, but seriously, I really don't want this blog to turn into a tedious captain's log of all the crap I buy on a daily/weekly/monthly basis cos let's face it, that would be pretty boring for you guys and would also make me look like a some kind of nutcase shopaholic with bags of money to burn - the latter of which, at least, is DEFINITELY not the case...

That said, I've been doing a few freelance things here and there on top of the day job and felt like treating myself to a new Mulberry bag, this time in black. My mind went from the Taylor to the Harriet to the Polly Pushlock and back again, until I realised I was overlooking a Mulberry CLASSIC: the iconic Roxanne bag.

One problem - it's been discontinued. At least I think it has, I've read a few conflicting things - one blogger said it was brought back last year for a limited time - but either way it was an absolute MUST HAVE a good few years ago but has slipped by the wayside in favour of the Alexa and Lily etc. But even Mulberry themselves hold it in the same esteem as their Bayswater classic, and there are usually a few to be found kicking around the outlet stores down south.

Once I realised this was the bag for me, I had a wee reccy on eBay and discovered someone selling a slightly battered, deliciously worn-in black leather Roxanne for only £185.

BARGAIN!

And look what arrived today!

I am so in love with this bag. It's probably not everyone's cup of tea - the brass hardware, pockets, belts and buckles mean it looks quite busy on the front but that's one of the things I love about it. The other is the fact that it's been pre-owned. I couldn't bear the thought of someone keeping such a gorgeous bag at the back of their wardrobe for years, never fully appreciating it, and because it's been used, the thick leather is buttery soft, flexible and uniquely creased. It's the kind of bag that's only going to get better with age - something I don't think I'll be able to say about it's much flimsier cousin, the Alexa, which is already starting to look slightly battered and dated...

Anyway, you get it. I love it. Here it is with me at work, just for the hell of it.

The little Mulberry trees are stamped on all the studs :)

Look, it opens!

I am SO busy at work right now.........

Argh! Sorry for the plook and massive eye bags - currently completing my second week of midnight-finishes which are NOT kind to the skin/eyes/soul.

But yeah. I love this bag. Sorry to, like, shove it all in yer faces. Basically my point is next time you're in the mood to splurge consider some pre-loved designer ware, in particular Mulberry. When the bags are of this high quality and have such lasting appeal, you can't really go wrong.

GOLDEN GLOBES 2012 BEST AND WORST

2012-01-16T17:53:00.002Z

So by now you've probably read at least a hundred of these Golden Globes summary posts but what the hell, I'm chucking my opinion into the bitchy swill bucket that is a best and worst roundup. You know the drill.

The Bests:

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

This is the BEST of the bests. I have never seen an Atelier Versace gown look bad on the red carpet, ever. Oh Jolie, you shut it down. Check the withering stare. SHE KNOWS this is a stone cold hit.

Claire Danes in J. Mendel

I love Claire Danes. I love her now, I loved her then (skip to 6.40), and I love her in this simple, classic monochrome J Mendel dress. It's actually backless so there's some drama going on when she turns round but I like it from the front too. She looks comfortable and elegant. Plus she brought her Maw. I LOVE YOU CLAIRE DANES.

Emma Stone in Lanvin

The colour of this Lanvin gown contrasts beautifully with Emma's porcelain skin and it's sexy yet still classy (Lea Michelle, take note). Also, I'd happily rock that phoenix-encrusted belt. I'm not falling all over myself in love with it, but it's definitely a safe all-rounder.

Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci

ERW often has the tendency to about 45 years old on the red carpet but this time she got it right. It's nice that she's not shoving her gothy side down our throats, but this Gucci number is still dark and seductive enough to kind of hint that she's a totes rebel behind the scenes. Loving the under-done makeup too. Anything else and it would have been too much. Smug it up ERW, you look fierce.

Kelly MacDonald in Lorena Sarbu

This is the best I've ever seen Kelly look. She got slightly overshadowed on the night what with Jolie, Charlize and Mila etc. stealing the limelight but this dress/overall look deserves some massive snaps. I'd maybe have liked to have seen something a bit more interesting with the hair - maybe a loose side bun? - but that's me being super pernickity. All in all this is definitely a 9.5 for me. In fact, the more I look at it the more I think it's my favourite dress of the night...

Natalie Portman in Lanvin

Loads of folk were bitching about the boxy shape of this gown and the 'distracting' side train but I really love it. We all know Natalie's got a smokin' hot bod under there and I like to see her going for something a little more structured for a change. Plus, I'm sorta feeling pink at the moment. DID I REALLY JUST SAY THAT?

Rooney Mara in Nina Ricci

The gown itself is fairly plain (similar to January Jones' red Atelier Versace from last year) but what I love most about Rooney Mara here is her makeup. It's absolutely flawless. Seriously, just look at that face. I felt the makeup was fairly tame this year, minus the odd red lip here and there, but this smouldering dark eye and fierce contouring REALLY stood out for me.

The Worsts:

Charlize Theron in Dior

The heinous Kelly Osbourne et al were all fawning over Charlize and this disgusting sugary number complete with infantile Alice band. FOR WHY? Who knows, it absolutely escapes me. There's far to many things going on at once - that weird ruffling around the middle, random embellished bit, plunging neck, a split skirt AND a train? AND a bloody hairband? No. Just... No.

Zooey Deschanel in Prada

Oh Zooey. See, it starts well - from the armpits up I love it. Gorge face, gorge hair, gorge lime green sparkly...oh no, wait, what the hell is happening from the armpits down? I don't like the weird sideways-graduated effect of the sequins and I also don't like that slinky bias-cut skirt, which looks too long and clingy. The contrast of the colours and textures just doesn't work for me. At all.

Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli

Oh hey there, Victoria Beckham's not-so-subtle-boob-job-body circa 2007. Dated, boring, predictable. How exactly is Kate Beckinsale still relevant? Honestly, like why do we care about Kate Beckinsale? I do NOT get her.

Lea Michelle in Marchesa

Oh. My. God. This is horrendous. It's a shame because it's not really the dresses fault, it's just totally inappropriate for the Golden Globes and it clashes horribly with the frumpy up-do and general non-sexiness of Lea Michelle. That fact is clearly lost on her though - did you SEE the poses she was pulling for the paps? Positively glamour model-esque. Lea reminds me here of a bad Halle Berry who also tends to go for an overtly sexy dress and always misses the mark. This one was way off.

Nicole Kidman in Versace

Yeah, check that face out. You KNOW this is bad, doncha Nicole? Horrible colour and it does nothing for her boobs or arms. Her hair MAY have been perfectly coiffed and curled at one point, but here it looks like she got caught in the rain and didn't have time for a sneaky re-tong. Bad news.

Reece Witherspoon in Zac Posen

Someone on Twitter said Reese looked like a bad Pamela Anderson without the boobs, and I can TOTALLY see it. This Zac Posen dress is probably like ten thousand dollars or something but here it looks like cheap taffeta, and I'm not convinced it properly fits at the boobs either. Plus, get your roots done, Reese. There's no excuse.

Honorary Mention:

The Dug from The Artist looking dapper.

BUT WHERE THE HELL WAS JANUARY JONES??? Shes my red carpet FAV and she wasn't there? I am distraught.

So that's my round up, whaddya all think? Have I left anyone out or been too harsh?

SALE! MARC JACOBS COAT FOR £250

2012-01-10T18:51:00.001Z

Yo guys, sorry about the lack of quality posts at the moment. I've been busy with work and not been feeling hugely inspired fashion wise recently. I DID go slightly crazy in the sales and pick myself up some goodies from Urban Outfitters, Jeffrey Campbell, Mulberry and Toppers amongst others, but I've seen loads of sale posts around recently so I figured you guys probably wouldn't give a tiny rats ass about my swag.

I promise to be back with a vengeance in the next few weeks. I've been doing some really exciting things this past wee while - including working on a lookbook shoot, expect awesome photos soon - and I'm back in at the Herald this week so hopefully that will kickstart my fashion mojo again.

IN THE MEANTIME, I wanted to let y'all know, in case anyone's interested, I'm going to be having a bit of a clearout. I've accumulated SO MUCH SHIT this last year and yes I know, it's a hilarious running joke with my pals, but I have GOT to stop spending as much cash on clothes and start saving if I ever want to move out/do anything of real value. It's deep, guys. It's deep.

SO, to that end I present my first offering for sale - my gorgeous, and now totally SOLD OUT Marc by Marc Jacobs boucle-wool cardi coat:

It features a comfy, slouchy fit, notched over-sized lapels, long sleeves with cuffs that turn up to reveal striped lining (but you can keep them turned down too if you want), two gold buttons to fasten and flap pockets at front.

This coat is beautiful, super soft and comfy, but I've only had it on twice and feel like it deserves to be worn much more. I won it as part of my Net a Porter prize back at the end of 2010 and it was £555. In the Net a Porter sale it went down to £388 BUT I'm selling it now for £250. A considerable markdown for a virtually BRAND NEW designer coat!

Believe me, I DO love this and wouldn't part with it were it not for the fact that it's just a little too long/big in general. I have it in the small size but it would comfortably fit sizes 10-14+ since it's over-sized and stretchy/slouchy wool (not massively structured). I'm 5"2 however, and find it fits a bit long on me. Shame to have to sell it but c'est la vie.

I'd prefer to sell it on here than Ebay since the last time I tried that it was big ole mess and I got WAY confused. SO, if you want it, leave a comment or e-mail me at k-mclaren@hotmail.com. I'll only be accepting PayPal and I can discuss sending you it out when you contact me.

First come first serve. If no-one wants it it'll be going on ebay!

Just for fun, here's a cool Asian chick rocking it...

You GO wit you're bad self!

I'll more than likely be selling other stuff on here in the weeks to come, including a vintage mohair tartan cape and possibly some more designer threadz.

Keep em peeled!

Gray bouclé-wool cardi-coat with two gold button fastenings at double-breasted front. 61% wool, 35% alpaca, 4% other; sleeve lining: 100% acetate. Dry clean. Designer color: Waking Night.

DAKOTA FANNING FEBRUARY UK ELLE COVER

2011-12-30T17:20:00.000Z

OK, so this is a shameless reblog, but I can't stop looking at how beautiful Dakota fanning is on the February subscriber's cover of Elle UK...

Those matte, velvety pink lips and nails are to die for, no?

I've always loved Dakota Fanning's look. Although younger sister Elle is classically more model-esque, Dakota's features are interesting, and there's just something about her face that draws me in...

Definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for this when it hits the shops.

Happy Hogmanay eve!

MULBERRY BARGAIN!

2011-12-29T23:42:00.000Z

Say hello to my new winter/spring tweed boyfriend coat, courtesy of the irresistible Mulberry sale...

I have something similar from Topshop but it's totally done, and I couldn't resist this bargain - £275 down from £595! Real tweed and check out those gold buttons... Swish.

I love a boxy, mannish coat so I do, total epitome of dress up or down. Seems like a bit of a splurge but I mainly just got money from Santa and I was privy to a cheeky wee tax rebate recently so BAYUM, I just went and bought it! Cannot WAIT for it to arrive.

There's hunners of other things in the sale, including that gorgeous dress Fearne Cotton wore on Children and Need (totes stunning - when she gets it right she gets it RIGHT) so have a swatch, but be quick!

H&M X THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

2011-12-28T18:47:00.004Z

Warning, I rant in this one!

This fairly unassuming collection of grungy jeans, hoodies, leather jackets and boots might actually be one of the most controversial high street collections ever. That's because H&M have teamed up with Trish Summerville - costume designer for newly-released American remake The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - to create a collection inspired by it's brooding, hard-assed, punkish heroine Lisbeth Salander. And some folks are WELL offended.

In the original trilogy of books by Stieg Larsson, Lisbeth's unique, gritty style is hinted at embodying an outward representation of her traumatic past (interestingly this is speculated at by Blomkvist, never confirmed herself). She is not only a kick-ass investigator, rebel and all-round awesome female lead character, but also a rape survivor. Because of this tenuous link between her harsh, relentless, genderless style and the years of sexual abuse she suffered, many are up in arms with H&M's decision to create a collection which directly emulates her signature look.

Rooney Mara plays Lisbeth in the remake which is out now.

None moreso, it would seem, than journalist and rape survivor Natalie Karneef who posted an open letter on her blog (which then found its way onto fashionista.com) in which she criticises the collection for being 'irresponsible' and claims it 'glamourises gender-based violence and rape:'

"H&M have created a line of clothing based on her character: a woman who has suffered a lifetime of abuse, who is violently raped, and who is hunting down a man who violently rapes and kills other women. Lisbeth has been through hell, and her clothing is her armour. That's her choice, and it's an understandable choice. But [they] glamorise it, putting a glossy, trendy finish on the face of sexual violence and the rage and fear it leaves behind.

"What message is H&M sending to the world? "Look at the trendy rape survivor? Look how strong she is, that she can get through all that hell and still wear cool leather jackets?"'

But I have to say, neither this collection, nor the interpretation of it's inspiration offends me.

Firstly, I would never dream of disrespecting Natalie Karneef's opinion and obviously I am not drawing on any personal experience of rape to form my own. But nevertheless, I am as equally entitled to it as she is. I say this because I was recently publicly chided on Twitter by a blogger who told me I was essentially stupid and childish because I wasn't morally outraged, as she was, by the collection. What a silly girl...

Number one, when Natalie Karneef's describes the character of Lisbeth she places her SOLELY in the rape victim box, and ONLY in this box. This is extremely one dimensional, and, as far as I'm concerned, wrong. While Lisbeth's traumatic past is perhaps a contributing factor towards her style, it is not the only factor (her difficult childhood being the far greater factor in my opinion), and 'rape victim' is only once facet to an extremely complex character identity. In fact, I have a hard time even using that word at all when describing someone like Lisbeth - survivor feels much more appropriate. It seems to me that H&M have chosen to focus on her independence, strength, survival instinct, willpower and rebellious nature in this collection, rather than her portrayal as a victim - of ANY kind, rape or otherwise. It's a mistake on Karneef's part to assume that we all identify Lisbeth as first and foremost a rape victim. Because I certainly don't, and never have H&M mentioned that this part of Lisbeth's character had anything to do with the collection. In fact they say completely the opposite:

"Though we think Lisbeth is a strong woman who stands up for her ideals, we are not trying to represent her specifically. Our goal is to rather offer a collection that we see in today’s trend picture that will appeal to many customers."

Number two, if we are to take the message Karneef is preaching as gospel, then where on earth would it stop? What about goths and goth brands, should we hassle them for emulating death and horror? Likewise, what about brands like Topshop who sell t-shirts emblazoned with pentagrams and upside down crosses on the front - should we boycott them completely for glamorising the Satanic and occult? Of course not. We buy these things in their droves without placing the inspirations and connotations on trial. Obviously Karneef's particular issue with the alleged glamorisation of rape since it is what hits home with her in particular - which is tragic and genuinely heartbreaking - but it is wrong to again assume that it's something which will resonate universally. Rape is neither the first thing I think of when I think of Lisbeth, nor does it come to mind when I see this collection. And that's OK.

Number three, as I told whoever it was on Twitter (I can't remember now, it was a while ago but she was swiftly unfollowed due to her condescending attitude, willingness to shove her opinion down my throat and general odious nature), I feel an opinion like this grossly underestimates the general public's ability to tell the difference between FICTION and FASHION. I can tell the difference between a made up character, a fictional series of events, and a collection of clothes which I can hold in my hand. My issue here is not so much with Karneef's opinion but with that blogger who attacked me on Twitter, who seemed genuinely affronted when I told her I was intelligent enough to know when something is and IS NOT glamorising rape.

The crime of rape is despicable, horrific and can NEVER be taken seriously enough, but I believe some reationaries to this collection have taken the inspiration of Lisbeth Salander too seriously, too literally. The blogger in question's reaction in particular smacks badly of jumping on a bandwagon. Give some of us more credit - we weren't born yesterday and can tell this from a mile off. How about instead you do some research and form your own opinion. Perhaps this blogger also has an issue with the apparent heightened sexuality of the American actress Rooney Mara as compared to Noomi Rapace as the original Lisbeth in the Swedish films - does she think rape victims portrayed in films should look or dress a particular way? Why should this be? Or what about the popularity of the books in general - does she balk at the millions of dollars the worldwide franchise has doubtless made? Does she consider all of this to be profiting from the glamorisation of rape? I wouldn't have thought so.

It's been pointed out that it was perhaps naive of H&M not to expect some sort of backlash to this collection, but whether they genuinely didn't, or did and went with it anyway is irrelevant. Potential for a minority to create controversey is no reason not to do something.

Anyway, I fear I've digressed. Congrats if you've made it this far! To sum up, I like this collection and I might well purchase something from it. It doesn't glamorise rape for me, and neither do the books. I've yet to see the film but I suspect it doesn't either. And I'm more than a little upset that Lisbeth has been reduced to ONLY a rape victim/survivor by all this controversy when in reality she is so much more, and would never dream of referring to herself as such.

I sympathise with Natalie Karneef and empathise with her opinion, but I don't share it. And to the aggressive blogger who thought her opinion was much more important than mine, pipe doon hen. You had no idea who you were dealing with, which is forgivable once. But don't cross me again.

Peace! I really hope I haven't come across like a total cow - it's just my opinion and we are all entitled to one.

Oh, and let me know what you think, please! It might not sound like it but I do genuinely appreciate a good debate. Have you seen the film yet? What do you think? Will you be buying anything from this range?

PROPER CRIMBO!

2011-12-26T21:02:00.001Z

Merry Christmas, everyone!

So far, my festive period has been utterly awesome. Friday was spent catching up with an old pal I've not seen in months and resulted in about 14,000 empty bottles of wine (and beer and gin - boke) and a sare heid on Saturday for visiting my wee Grandma and Maw for early Christmas present-unwrapping.

Traditionally I spend Christmas Eve with Maw but this year I headed to the local pub with my pals for more boozing and embarrassing dad-dancing...

Christmas day was a little different - spent the morning visiting my other wee Granny in the home (it's an amazing place, donate!) and then headed over to Kirsten's Aunt's house for a massive roast with all the trimmings :) Then out again to local haunt The Shed for a boogie and bed.

Today I had Christmas dinner take two with yet more turkey and trimmings at my Aunt's and now I'm at work battling through the worst food coma/extended hangover EVER!

Hope you all had a lovely few days and that Santa was good to you!

Oh, PS, I wore this Topshop dress:

SUCH a drama getting it shipped to Glasgow as Aberdeen was the only store in the country with any left in stock. Grr! Thankfully it came, JUST in time.

This week is for working heinous late shifts, sleeping, recovering and planning a humongous diet for the New Year.

Lots of festive love! xxx

MAC X IRIS APFEL

2011-12-23T09:39:00.002Z

In the latest in a series of quirky collaborations, MAC has announced it's newest muse as New York style legend, 90-year-old Iris Apfel, which IS AMAZING!

Talk about an icon. A former employee of Women's Wear Daily and interior design guru (responsible for revamping the White House under a succession of 9 US presidents), Apfel was featured in an exhibition at the MoMA in 2005 entitled Rara Avis, which explored her unique sense of personal style and interior design tastes. She comes across in interviews as a right GAME AULD BIRD with the most delicious New York accent in the world:

See?

I remember reading an interview with her AGES AGO where she talked about celebrity fashion these days and how young female celebrities look bland, dried out and generally awful. And I can kind of see what she means. When was the last time you saw Jennifer Aniston rocking something unique or extravagant? Does she even HAVE her own personal style? I don't think so, the woman is BLAH to the max.

Stuff that, man. When I'm 90 I wanna be like Iris, decked head to toe in garish accessories and mis-matching knits, loving life and not giving a HOOT. She reminds me of that poem Warning by Jenny Joseph...

Anyway, I digress.

The collection will be released in January and will feature all the usual stuff - lipsticks, nail lacquers, eye shadows... Just don't expect any peaches, beiges or taupes. It's all about COLOUR, dahhling.

Here's some more awesome snaps of Iris to whet your appetite until then...

I'd pretty much die to have a rake around her apartment.

Chillin.

COATS!!!

I. LOVE. HER.

SCOTTISH BALLET: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

2011-12-21T11:49:00.000Z

Yesterday, after yet another day of pampering at Blythswood Spa and a humongous curry for tea, my friend Jenna and I trotted along to the Theatre Royal to indulge in Scottish Ballet's winter offering - the sumptuous spectacular that is The Sleeping Beauty. I've talked about my love for the ballet before and this time I was thrilled to be given the chance to wax lyrical to my heart's content in a wee article for the programme:

This isn't sad at all...

Back in October I was invited along to Scottish Ballet's southside HQ to investigate the painstaking costuming process involved in a grand production like The Sleeping Beauty, and found that heaven DOES exist in the huge warehouse-style hangar that is the wardrobe department. If you have a spare five mins gie it a read - click on the pictures to enlarge:

It truly was an amazing show. The 1940s costumes in Act III looked stunning contrasted with the earlier extravagance of the late Regency gowns. My favourite costume was Auroras when she has her first proper dance with the Prince after she awakes... It's just a simple, light and airy white dress (almost like Victorian undergarments) but it looked so elegant and innocent, especially with her hair down, dancing such a beautiful, romantic duet.

I also loved the other four princesses dresses, and especially enjoyed seeing them updated for Act III - for example, Snow White's traditional fairytale gown was transformed into a smart navy and white skirt-suit with a quirky poisoned apple-shaped fascinator!

The Lilac Fairy was my favourite dancer of the night. Unrivalled fluidity and grace - gobsmackingly good.

The baddies.

Aurora and her pals.

One of the many fairies who bless Aurora at her Christening.

All in all, yet another smashing success from Scottish Ballet. If you fancy going along, and WHY wouldn't you, booking details can be found here.

BUBBLE BETTY

2011-12-19T12:28:00.001Z

And now for something COMPLETELY different...

Say hello to Bubble Betty - a new Scottish brand which aims to bring back that "chic" vintage rainwear staple from the 50s - yes, the humble rain bonnet (or Rain Mate as my Grandma calls hers) and make it uber cool again.

No, seriously!

But we're not talking just any old clear, plastic rain bonnet, these ones have COOL PRINTS, YO, to make 'em chic and fashionable...

They also come in nifty wee tins to keep em safe in your handbag:

I was very kindly sent the red lace version to try out and while I'm really not sure this is my kind of thing, I can't dispute the sheer HANDINESS of something which, under Hurricane Bawbag-like conditions, manages to keep yer DO in place perfectly. A little weird to get used to but utterly practical and a godsend if you've just had your hair done and it's raining cats and dogs outside. Which, let's face it, it always is here in Glasgow.

I imagine the leopard-print or tattoo-print Bubble Bettys would be perfect for glamorous, vintagey/pin-up-esque girls who love a coiffed 50s do and red lip, or for folk who just can't bear wrestling with an umbrella.

Each Bubble Betty is priced at £6 and available to buy here.

What do you guys reckon - will the Bubble Betty catch on?

OOPS!

2011-12-15T19:09:00.000Z

Following on from yesterday's post, and since it's payday and all, I just bought myself this badBOY as wee PUNKY crimbo treat.

I've been enjoying wearing a bit of colour recently, but as soon as I clicked the BUY button for this awesome, over-sized Boy London Tshirt, I got that familiar comforted feeling - like the cockles of my grungy, goffy soul were basking in a right royal warming. Ahhhhh!

I imagine it'd look pretty cool with my Acne leather jacket, grey leggings and creepers or white docs. I don't actually HAVE white docs, but that's a purchase for another month...

Safe to say I am now officially SKINTED.

RECENT PURCHASES: NOV&DEC 2011

2011-12-14T20:36:00.000Z

Howdy, y'all.

Currently obsessed with Christmas shopping, but it seems I can't trawl the shops these days without arriving home LADEN with treats for myself too. Shameful!

In case you're wondering, here's a selection of STUFF I've been buying the last few weeks:

Topsop 'Fluro' ombre jumper. Just trust me when I say it's much nicer in real life. It's a little bit pinker at the top and quite slouchy and over-sized. Perfect for these really dull winter days when the sun never seems to properly rise.

This was ACTUALLY the only piece of clothing I've bought in the last wee while you guys, SO unlike me! The rest of my purchases have been more makeup/skincare based...

Topshop Pillow Talk lipstick. If you follow me on Twitter you might remember a while back I was asking you guys for some nice pale pink lipstick recommendations and this badboy got a lot of hype. I only bought it today so I can't tell you what it looks like on, but hopefully it'll suit me. I have fairly dark browny/pink lips naturally so I hope this has enough pigmentation to properly cover them up and not sit in the cracks and gross chapped bits. Boke! That actually makes a nice segway into my next purchase...

Elizabeth Arden 8 hour skin protectant for lips. I get really bad chapped, broken and sometimes bleeding lips in the winter which I constantly bite and pick at - HOW ATTRACTIVE, GUYS. For the last few years I've been religiously using my Smiths Rosebud Salve - cult fave - but this year they've been particularly bad and I felt it just wasn't cutting it.

I'd heard from a friend this was the way to go, but I got a PURE shock when I realised it was £18! However the girl at the counter assured me that for sore, red, chapped lips there really is nothing better, so I shelled out the moolah. SAW ME COMING, EH?

I've only been using it for a few hours but already my lips feel SO moisturised and much less inflamed. I was worried the texture might be gloopy or thick like the Burts Bees lip balm which I just DO NOT get on with, but thankfully it's light and there's a slight sheen too. I also like the citrus smell and white packaging so all in all, so far I'd say it's worth the money.

Sleek Storm i-Divine palette. I'd been hearing about the Sleek eyeshadow palettes for ages but never really felt much need to get one - usually I'm happy with a generous slick of liquid eyeliner and lashings of mascara, however, for this Christmas season I really wanted to try out some warm, browns, berries and golds.

I'm sure I've mentioned to you all before about what a beginner I am when it comes to makeup, but I kinda felt like only a PROPER DONKEY could go wrong with this particular palette. There are a wide range of shades to blend together (some shimmery and some matte), and a nice wee mirror and applicator, though I might chuck that out and get a proper brush.

I've been using it for a few weeks, on and off and I find the colours really pigmented and easy to blend. I'm still getting used to seeing my eyes with eyeshadow and not just eyeliner as it's quite a DONE sort of look, but for nights out I think I definitely quite like it.

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. So I've been using my Skin 79 Intense Classic Blemish Balm solidly for a while now as I felt like I needed the extra coverage and slightly satin finish it gives me. Plus, it matches my skin tone EXACTLY. However, recently I've been watching more and more YouTube tutorials which feature this foundation and I love the look of it. It's not cheap though, I paid over £30 for this beast, so I have pretty high expectations. It should arrive in the next few days so I'll let you guys know what it's like. Anyone out there use it? What can I expect?

Mac 187 brush. To use with the HD foundation innit. I usually just use my fingers, or my flat Ruby and Millie foundation brush to apply foundation but I like this swirling, buffing motion I keep seeing and hearing about (amateur guys, I told you) and I fancy giving it a go. This is probably a bit of an unnecessary splurge but WHAT THE HELL, it's Christmas!

Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil finishing power. Simply the best finishing power I've ever used. Fact! This is a much-needed and long-awaited repurchase.

Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel and Clearing Mattifier. In my tireless, NEVER-ENDING quest for the right skincare to tackle my evil, spot-prone skin that hates me, I stumbled across a YouTube video of Lisa Eldridge using the clearing mattifier and chatting all kindsa good stuff about how it helps control oil and stop breakouts etc etc, and I totes trust her word so, BAM, I just shelled out over £60 for these two products.

I'm really hoping these make a long-term difference you guys. I'm so sick of trying new products with my hopes all up and then nothing happening. Or in the case of the Alpha H Liquid Gold, a totes unexpected painful burning sensation and immediate breakouts the next morning :( If I'm honest though, my skin has been slightly better than usual the past 2 weeks, and that's thanks to my next new buy...

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. I am SO glad I bought this. At first it was a bit weird smearing the white cream all over my dry face, but now that I'm used to it I can say that WITHOUT A DOUBT it's the best cleanser I've ever used. The process can be a little time-consuming what with all the rubbing, rinsing the cloth, wiping away, rinsing again and repeating, but the results are totally worth it. After patting my face dry it's completely smooth and comfortable - by that I mean it's not bright red and tight as it usually is with soapy or exfoliating cleansers. I haven't noticed a dramtic reduction in the apperance of blemishes but the overall texture of my skin is much improved. The soft, calm effect is still there in the morning when I wake up and I've noticed that I don't need to use a moisturiser in the morning any more. And it literally removes every single stitch of makeup - waterproof mascara, lipstick, you name it - without all that nasty aggravating scrubbing or harshness of astringent removers.

Seriously guys, this is my new Holy Grail product and I've been raving to everyone I see about it. It's about £18 for the largest size in John Lewis but you can get a smaller amount for cheaper if you want to try it. And seriously, YOU DO WANT TO TRY IT.

Yankee Candle in Christmas Cookie. Not clothes, makeup or skincare-y based at all but something else I'm totally loving at the moment - the Christmas Cookie Yankee candle! The others in the Yankee Candles Christmas range, like Christmas Eve, Happy Christmas and Christmas Tree are all nice enough but it's Christmas Cookie's sickly sweet and warm cosiness I can't get enough of! Sweet scents aren't for everyone and I might not get this as a present for someone unless I'm sure they really are into it, but personally I have a massive sweet tooth that just won't quit so this is perfect for me.

I love giving Yankee Candles as gifts. Sometimes candles can seem like a bit of a namby-pamby cop out but the Yankee range is so well-known and credible, which such a massive range to suit everyone that I can't imagine anybody being disappointed with one under the Christmas tree.

*cough* Hint, santa?

Finally, something I WISH I'd bought recently...

Large Mulberry Evelina satchel in black.

Please, Santa? GO ONNNNN!!!

HAPPY (HIDEOUS) HOLIDAYS!

2011-12-10T13:45:00.001Z

I'm starting to feel all festive, folks! Been looking over the myriad of Christmas party dresses and gift idea blog posts with much festive glee and eager anticipation of that famous, fat, jolly bloke sliding down my chimney in two weeks' time... BUT WHERE, OH WHERE are the posts celebrating that rare and special beast - the hideous Christmas jumper - I ask?

Nowhere to be found, so it would seem. But fear not, a quick google had thrown up these - my favourite examples of horrendous festive-wear. Enjoy this terrifying compendium and rejoice in your normality this yuletide:

Check out the demon snowman in the middle... Those vacant, coal eyes and evil grin haunt my nightmares.

Not only is this truly tackily boke-worthy but it's also too wee. A double-whammy of WRONG.

Look how proud she is of this awful jumper with its toe-curling pun. Maybe you can't really see her eyes cos she's actually crying bitter BITTER tears of shame at being forced to wear this piece of crap.

Not massively offensive or nowt, but that thumbs-in-pockets, model-esque stance suggests THEE most unwarranted swagger ever. Girl, look in the mirror before you strike that nonchalant pose.

Just out of shot are the men in white coats poised with huge, human-sized butterfly nets ready to pounce on this GENUINE lunatic. Terrence here chose to wear this. HE CHOSE IT. Ponder that for a second...

You know the saying less is more? Lost on this fool, who clearly believes you can never have enough tassells or ACTUAL REAL BELLS on your jumper. Mate, you is wrong.

I don't even know where to start. I think this has literally just blown my mind. Guy... On... Right...

Aw, what an adorable cheeky chappie! shame no-one will talk to him this Christmas (or ever again) thanks to his Santa hat, festive jumper and mug overkill. Social outcast forever more...

CHRISTMAS CRUELTY.

One of Snoop Doggy Dog's less ridiculous looks, but still completely mental. Several questions come to mind like why is the gangsta snowman blowing hearts out of his pipe if he's such a badass, and WHY oh WHY is it so damn long? The mind boggles.

Behind Maureen's disturbing, forced smile is a killer instinct to hunt down the bastard that got her this for the office secret Santa, and destroy them.

Surly teenager basking in shame. He's accepted his fate. No-one can help you now...

The only thing worse than those ridonculous "occupy wherever" protesters would be one with this on. Can you even imagine? Contro, but true.

And finally, because sadly, hideous festive jumpers are not confined to Christmas alone, this proud young man shows off a truly awful Hanukkah counterpart. Wipe that smile off your face, Tobias, you look like a pillock.

Ho, ho, ho, isn't it funny to laugh at others' festive-themed sartorial mishaps? You BET it is!

Ps, thanks to all who entered my Monki giveaway! Mairead was lucky winner who was chosen at totes random. More giveaways in the new year, innit.

GAGA BY TERRY RICHARDSON - A PEEK INSIDE

2011-12-04T13:58:00.000Z

As a committed LITTLE MONSTER, as soon as I heard about Gaga's new coffee-table art book full of photos of her shot by Terry Richardson, I KNEW it was going at the top of my Christmas list!

The dude himself is the ultimate sleaze machine - like ULTIMATE! But, that aside, anyone that gets to follow Gaga around for an entire year snapping away at every opportunity - when shes in the bath, first thing in the morning, backstage after a concert, chillin in her jammies, etc. - is tolerable to me.

Anyway, the results of their collaboration are expected to be beautiful, artistic, sexy and controversial but only a few have leaked online so far. Have a gander and see what you think...

Got milk?

Me, like 99% of the time.

Here's the Lady herself explaining the book in a bit more depth...

(Please ignore the way she pronounces EXCERPT in the first few secs. It physically hurts me.)

Is it on your list for Santa this year?

BAGS BAGS AND MORE BAGS

2011-12-03T11:46:00.000Z

Oh how I love me a designer bag! Well, did you know (cos I didn't) that e-handbag retailer extraordinaire, MyBag.com, are running some PRETTY SWEET offers over this festive season? One in particular caught my eye - 15% off their bevvy of vintage designer beauties. Beauties liiiiiike...

Aquascutum

Gucci

Pucci

Guy Laroche

And my persona favourite...

It's only a freakin' CHANEL mini backpack! I die...

You just need to enter VINTAGE15 at the checkout. I'm actually not sure how long this offer runs for but try it anyway... Other awesome ones coming up this month include 50% off snoods, 20% off clutch bags, 15% off Disney Couture and 75% of Dior scarves. Pretty nifty, aye? Aye.

PS Turns up my mug is on the Mulberry offical blog afterall. LOLZ!

PPS Tomorrow is the last day to enter my Monki giveaway to win a little black velvet dress. It's pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.

BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT: SELF CONSTRUCTED FREAK

2011-11-30T14:01:00.000Z

Today my blogger spotlight falls squarely on the wonderfully-quirky Marlena from Self Constructed Freak...

I first became aware of Marlena after reading her cute collar tutorial over at Rookie mag...Yes, I KNOW it's an online magazine (started by Tavi from Style Rookie - hero) for teenage girls and I haven't been a teenager for FIVE YEARS (omg) but everything about it invites me in. The content, the articles, the styling, the photos, the guest bloggers... WHY didn't this exist when I was 15?

Anyway, so Marlena was one of Rookie's awesome guest bloggers a while back and I've been creeping on her insane, grungy, teen-witchy, girly, pastel-gothy style ever since. Here's why I love her:

Here she is as Roy Lichtenstein's old school comic strip Crying Girl for Halloween. I mean, that's just RAD.

Pink eyebrows much? Hell yeah!

One of the best put-together outfits I've seen in a long LONG time. Every single detail is perfect!

The things I would do for this T-Shirt...

80s-eyes-tastic.

I rest my case.

I don't know about you guys but when I'm creeping on personal style blogs I always get so much more pleasure out of ones where the blogger has a really strong, statement, individual style that can't easily be copied by the masses. Of course, I do also like the ones where the gal is decked out head to toe in designer/highstreet finery purely for the lust factor, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE blogs like Marlena's for genuine style inspiration. These pics make my heart happy. Or something less cheesy. But, yeah...

Definitely go check her, AND Rookie out. Maybe you'll find it appeals to your inner emo-girl teenager as much as it appeals to mine. Which is A LOT.

Also, Scottish folk, if you're planning on attending Scottish Ballet's winter spectacular - The Sleeping Beauty - keep your eyes peeled for a wee article in the programme written by yours truly. Don't want to give too much away so I will leave it as cryptic as that for now...

Oh, AND, if you're out and about in St Enochs, Buchanan Galleries, Princes Sq, Silverburn or pretty much any Glasgow shopping centre, remember to pick up a copy of the recently-rebranded UK Beauty Guide... Here's a sneak peek of my article:

Check me, pure banging on about trends like I know what I'm on aboot!

MULBERRY LOVES SCOTLAND

2011-11-25T14:51:00.001Z

Y'all know how much I bang on about Mulberry, right? Well, last week I was very kindly invited to a fabulous event at the Mulberry store in Ingram Street in Glasgow - Mulberry Loves Scotland - in celebration of the brand's Spring Summer 2012 collection.

HOW ON EARTH could I pass up an opportunity to schmooze with press and customers alike, be wined and dined by the PR team, and spend quality time in the company of some of THE most gorgeous bags and accessories ever? I couldn't. Obviously.

What follows are about ten squillion photos and some ramblings about the collection.

Here is the lovely Carrie (stylish stylist who I work with at the Herald & Evening Times Group) looking WAY chic in her signature stripes-and-Alexa combo.

During the schmoozing and boozing in store, the lovely Jack from Mulberry HQ in London showed me a few of the stores best sellers (Bayswaters, Alexas and a particular leopard-print Evelina he couldn't keep his hands off) along with some of Spring Summer's newcomers.

Afterwards, we all trooped across Royal Exchange Sqare to the UBER posh 29 Private Members Club for wur tea. Well classy, and check out the awesome Mulberry decorations!

Animal balloon craziness.

Those OOOH! glasses were such a hoot and allowed for many hilarious photo opportunities, but I was also MASSIVELY impressed by the food! I had myself a Caesar salad, one of the nicest steaks I've EVER tasted and a scrummy pear tart. But the stand out food of the night had to be the freshly-baked bread to start. I genuinely couldn't believe bread could taste SO GOOD!

Bread deliciousness. MMM!

Um, tasty.

Spread out all over the lavish table were the sweetest wee Polaroid cameras to capture the debauchery. Here's a few of the photos we took up our end. Jack collected these up at the end of the night with a view to putting them on the official Mulberry blog - EEK! can you imagine my mug on there? Keep yer peepers peeled!

Stuffing my face. I'm so attractive, right? Wearing my red velvet Monki frock, the black version of which I am still GIVING AWAY but only until the 4th of Dec so get entering!

Oh hey there, DRUNK EYES.

Oooh bantz!

After the meal we got to leave with an animal balloon - I took the tiger which caused muchos taxi hilarity and scared the crap out my cat - a press pack and a TRULY EPIC goody bag! Here's a sneak peek at the BOOTY:

Cute, individual press pack canvas bag. Ooh, I say!

Lookbook made to look like a ice-cream wafer. UM, awesome.

General contents including all the relevant lookbooks, some more OOOH glasses, leather friendship bracelet, sticks of Mulberry rock, stickers and a stunning Mulberry scarf featuring the cutest embroidered doodles.

Like, WOW.

Some of my favourite bags from the accessories lookbook.

Please note in particular the pale pink Alexa and leopard-print Bayswater. I'm in love.

Absolutely adore that first outfit on the left - yes to shimmering metallics for next summer!

Some more favourites from Spring Summer 12, described by Mulberry as "inspired by the Great British summer and seaside shenanigans; donkey rides, ice-cream on the beach, sparkling pier lights and kiss-me-quick chic. Our new season is oh-so English, from the of ‘Carry On Camping’ to the quirky English habit of enduring the beach no matter the weather, raincoats and nostalgic fun all! Add plenty of eclectic Mulberry charm and wit, luxe detailing, signature season prints and strong layered silhouettes for our most bonkers and beautiful season yet!

Most bonkers and beautiful season yet? Couldn't agree more, Mulberry!

I'm really glad that Mulberry decided to host an event up here. As a quintessentially English name, it shows great brand initiative and integrity by branching out and making key press connections north of the border. After all, we are AWFY FOND of a Heritage label in Bonnie Scotland, and it's important for us all to get behind BRITISH fashion so the immense amount of talent we harbour in this country can continue to make an impact on a global stage.

And when the pieces are as expertly-crafted, luxurious, innovative and easy on the eyes as Mulberry's world-renowned accessories and garments are, it's not a hard task!

Thanks to the PRs, 29 Members Club Glasgow and Mulberry Ingram St Glasgow for an awesome evening.

BITCHING AND JUNKFOOD

2011-11-24T10:15:00.000Z

So my next bumper blog is on a fabulous Mulberry event I was invited to last week, but I'm a little pressed for time at the mo as there are literally hundreds of photos for me to whittle down! Nevertheless, the post should be up by tomorrow afternoon.

In the meantime, here's a collection of some of Bitching and Junkfood's latest offerings... I'm seriously swooning over this remade vintage jumper, as featured in the Urban Outfitters winter magazine:

Lush, right? I mean, hey, it's a bit out there but I'm really bored of bland, beige knitwear at the moment. Give me loud colours and mad embellishments any day! All about the bells and whistles at the mo.

Also LOVING the grungy 90s styling going on in these shots from their website...

Dark, bushy eyebrows and a pale pink lip = makeup heaven. Defo going to try out this look soon. Can anyone recommend a good baby pink? I've tried a rubbish No17 one before but it didn't stay on and looked really sheer.

Hmmm.

Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a Monki dress, innit!

MONKI GIVEAWAY!

2011-11-18T12:24:00.001Z

It feels like I've been obsessed with velvet dresses for EVER. I constantly find myself trawling Etsy for vintage ones as it's rare to find one on the high street that doesn't look totally cheap and rubbish. UNTIL, that is, I discovered the divine Sam dress from Monki:

I bought this little number online for £25 but then my Dad brought me back the wine-coloured version from London and I've come to the realisation that I really don't need two almost-identical dresses SO...... I'M GIVING THIS BLACK ONE AWAY!

It's absolutely perfect - cinched in at the waist and crossed over at the boobs, with little pockets and long sleeves. Perfect for dressing up or dressing down.

The one I'm giving away is literally a BRAND NEW, never-worn size medium (check size guide but I'd say UK 10-12ish, but it's pretty stretchy to fit most body shapes):

To enter:

Follow FORTY FOUR SUNSETS via Blogger/Google Friend Connect - which I'll double check innit!
Comment on this post saying ENTER ME or something similar so I know to include you, and also leave your email address so I can contact you
For an extra vote you can tweet "RT: I entered @kirsty44SUNSETS blog giveaway to win a Monki dress! http://bit.ly/vB1u3C" but also let me know in your comment that you've tweeted too so I can enter you twice

I'll be running the giveaway till SUNDAY THE 4TH OF DECEMBER at which point I'll pick a winner at random using one of those random number geneator thingmys.

Good luck, innit!

x

VERSACE FOR H&M: TOP PICKS

2011-11-15T15:17:00.002Z

I must confess straight off the bat that I'm not always a lover of these designer/highstreet hookups and I'd even go as far as to say I HATED the last Lanvin for H&M collection with a burning passion. Thankfully this time round with their hotly-anticipated Versace collab, everyone seems to have got it right. Hurrah!

So I KNOW we've all seen it and talked it to death, but just for the hell of it here are my favourite looks from the collection which hits the shops on Thursday.

Not sure if this is a top and skirt or just a dress but either way ME LIKEY. I don't much care for the rest of the prints in the collection - pink hearts etc, but this blue azure, leafy palm and leopard print hits the spot.

Add caption

This look totally SCREAMS Versace in yer face, right? Necklace, aye. Dress, aye. Shoes, NAW. Two outta three ain't bad. The little gold number is perfect for Christmas parties but beware unless you're super slim and petite or modelesque. I wouldn't wear it myself but I'd love to see it on someone who could pull it off.

Black leather and gold, NOW YER TALKING! Just a few of the leather jacket looks in this collection. Love the contrast in texture between the jacket and skirt- I usually like to try and mix up the fabrics if I'm wearing head to toe black myself. Basically I would rock everything here.

I don't actually own a gilet - weird - but I now feel very strongly that I should. Immediately.

If I met a dude wearing these breeks and jacket I'd have to rob him ~~of his dignity~~ of them. Especially that jacket.

Different breeks, same insane love for them. And there's that awesome tropical print again. Swoon.

Masculine, demure, modest, unassuming... NAWT. I don't think Donatella even has these words in her vocab y'all. Totally mental, totally Versace, totally love.

Not so much the jacket cos it hasn't got a collar (collarless jackets are the devil) but yes to the top and skirt underneath. Very much feeling that Greek/Italian meander pattern at the bottom of the skirt - reminds me of Classics lectures and slide after slide of ancient Italian friezes and whatnot. Anyway, kinda loving it.

Surely the piece de resistance? The already massively-blogged-about leather and gold studded dress. I'm tempted to set my alarm for 6am on Thursday JUST for this baby alone. At £180 it's not cheap but it's going to be the stand out, sell out piece - trust me!

Leather and gold belt and necklace. Yes, the second one is a necklace. BEAUT.

There are, of course, loads of other dresses, jackets, skirts, tops, leggings, bags and jewellery in the collection - even couch cushions! - but these are my personal favs. Not sure what time the Glasgow store opens on Thursday morning but I'm gonna phone and find out... See you in the queue!

What do you guys think of the collection? Also, weirdly, don't you think THIS little ditty totally works as the perfect soundtrack to these images? Go go GAGA you absolute heidcase!!

LINNEA STRID

2011-11-13T19:43:00.002Z

I cannot get enough of Swedish artist Linnea Strid's HYPERREAL (it's a word, yo) paintings at the moment.

Yes, PAINTINGS, not photos. I was confused myself at first, but these works of total genius and insane skill are actually oil on canvas. They are so realistic that it's hard to believe - just look at the way she captures the distortion of the water and texture of the skin:

Crazily good, no?

Linnea does loads of other paintings on other subjects but I just love these watery ones - the amount of detail and texture is breathtaking. Her next exhibition will be at the Thinkspace Gallery in LA in December, so, like, if you're in the neighborhood pop in, innit.

Right, that's enough cultured arty chat, I'm away to watch the end of Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and get ready for Gaga on XFactor!

WONDERFUL WONDERLAND

2011-11-08T23:12:00.002Z

The latest issue of Wonderland magazine was launched on Friday with four of the best covers I've seen in a long LONG time.

They've been known to feature some pretty awesome/controversial/unexpected peeps on their cover including Katie Price, Alexandra Burke, Zac Efron, Tyler the Creator, Alexander Sarsgaard and Janet Jackson, but this time it's the turn of Uber-hip indie princess Lana Del Rey to join models Charlotte Free, Meghan Collison and Jesse Shannon.

BUT, which is your favourite?

Personally I'm struggling to choose between Lana and Charlotte's covers. Whaddya reckon, they're both dynamite, no?

I really like Wonderland magazine, y'all. I've mentioned it before when talking about the editorial Cher Lloyd did for them a while back and about Chloe Moretz's cover a while before that... But also it's just an all-round good mag.

Interesting, informative, fun, fashion-forward, but at the same time I don't feel like I'm being beaten around the face with COOLNESS (Vice, I'm looking at you), nor do I feel talked down to or patronised. Basically, I like the content AND the covers. Pick it up if you see it out and about, innit.

PEE ESS - If you haven't seen THIS blog, you have absolutley GOT TO, right now. Best. Thing. Ever. You're welcome!

WHIMS-ICLE AFFAIR

2011-11-07T22:51:00.000Z

This weekend I had just about the BEST wee Sunday ever! I started off at the Whims-Icle Affair vintage & craft fair at the Church on the Hill (a Shawlands landmark) with my pal Kirsten and her sister Mhairi.

The whole upstairs level was literally crammed to the rafters with over 50 stalls selling vintage & handmade clothing and accessories. AKA heaven...

Fell in love with this beauty, only £4! Bargain!

One of many fur jackets and coats. SWOON.

Love the little squinty clock-face charm.

Brooch anyone?

Kirsten and I working the cool vintage glecks and cupcake combo.

Kirsten almost died at the sight of these pistol earrings and pendants. Cos she's a goff.

Mood music! These guys were actually BRILLIANT!

More amazing rings... Literally had to tear myself away.

Inspecting shiz.

Loving the canny sales technique.

Me, Mhairi and KSpoon.

Whims-Icle Affairs are hosting a Christmas fair on the 4th of December (keep an eye on their Facebook for deets) and I totally recommend you pop by if you can. In particular I was MEGA impressed with the abundance and quality of the jewellery and accessories!

Since it was one of those beautiful, crisp, wintry days we decided to take a wee wander round the stunning grounds of Pollok House - another southside institution. Hunners of dogs, old folk, kids and cyclists were all out in force making the most of the day :)

Our new best pal...

All in all such a lovely little day, finished off with a couple of bottles of red wine at our local - OBV! Talk about a wondrous set up for the week... :)

By the by, in case anyone cares, my coat, boots and tights are from Toppers and the bag is Mulberry.