Style Icon: Alexa Chung

Hi everyone,

So I thought I would start a new series on my blog called "Style Icon" where I basically just tell you about who I find inspirtation from in terms of style.  I recently read It by Alexa Chung (I've read it over 15 times since I bought it - that's not an intended pun), and she lists her style icons with a brief description of why and how they inspired her looks.  I don't know if you guys know this about me, but Alexa Chung is my biggest girl crush, I absolutely adore her and love her style, personality and basically everything.  My goal in life is to become the next Alexa Chung essentially.  What better way to start off my Style Icon posts, then the megababe herself Alexa Chung.

So first off AC pioneered a lot of the major trends today including the overall trend which, has become a huge thing last summer and I hope to God it continues because I love the whole essence of dungarees.  So props to you Chung, well played on making one of the easiest outfits look fashionable.

Another trend would be the whole tomboy look.  As Alexa herself said when winning the BFA "This is for the girls who dress like awkward boys".  What I love about dressing like a boy - I am known to frequent the men's section of shops - is that it proves fashion can be comfortable.  You do not have to wear 8 inch heels to be considers a fashion icon and I do not think Alexa ever has worn 8 inch heels.

I think this has to be said but I also love Alexa's self proclaimed "groupie" status.  One of the reasons I love her so much is because she basically has my ideal life.  She is famous for being a model but she is also Alex Turner's infamous ex and hangs out with the coolest people including Matt Hitt, Pixie Gedolf, Nick Grimshaw, Harry Styles and Matt Healy.  She does it in a way where you want to be part of their friendship and it just seems so natural and cool.  If you look at her Instagram or even read her book her goofy and witty personality radiates through it or maybe I am way too into the girl crush trance that I overanalyze this stuff.  She embodies someone I want to become and not just appearance wise.  The only thing I would not want it being a serial dater - as Alexa is - but to each their own.

Lastly, Alexa's staple items include a leather jacker, collared shirts, and oversized sweaters which have all made their way into my closet.  Whenever I need inspiration I can look at an Alexa Chung picture and have an idea for an outfit.  This is essentially why Alexa Chung is the biggest megababe you will ever be introduced to.  Also, it is pretty cool to know Karl Lagerfeld and have a Mulberry bag named after you.  So here's to you Alexa and hopefully I can become Alexa 2.0 ...

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Liebster Award

Hi everyone,

So today I'm doing the Liebster Award tag thing and I was nominated by the lovely, Madeline, so thank you for that!  

The rules for the Liebster Award are:

1. You must link back to the person who nominated you.
2. Post 11 random facts about yourself

3. You must answer the 11 questions given by the nominee before you. 

4. You pick 11 nominees with under 200 followers to answer your questions. 

5. You cannot nominate the person who nominated you.

6. You must tell the nominees that they have been nominated by you.

11 Fact About Emily

 Obviously if you've read my blog you will probably know some of this stuff about me because I can only come up with so many new facts about myself.

1. I'm obsessed with Alexa Chung

2. I live for puns

3. I'm definitely a night-owl, I stay up too late for my own good

4. I start university in the Autumn term

5. I'm on Twitter, Instagram or Tumblr all the time

6. I speak in text talk in real life, super embarro

7. I cannot wing my eye liner, it never goes right

8. Self-confessed tea addict

9. I wish I was musically inclined

10. My goal in 2014 is to end fedora shaming (they're cute ok)

11. I cried watching The Fault in Our Stars trailer

1. How long have you been blogging and how do you feel about this journey?

I've been blogging since I was 14 so about 3 years even though it was off and on for a year and a half.  The journey's been amazing as it has really helped my writing (I cringe reading my 14-year old self's posts), given me amazing opportunities and has increased my love for writing and fashion especially.

2. How did you choose your blog name?

At the time I was creating my blog, MAC had a collection called Stylishly Yours out and I completely just copied the name.

3. What is the next product on your "to-buy" list?

The Eyeko Liquid Eyeliner (reference back to my first fact about myself)

4. What is one thing you struggled with - blog related?

Definitely finding time and motivation to keep up with posts.  Now I have found a schedule where I post once a week (on Sundays) that way if I haven't already pre-made a post I have the weekend to do so.  Also, creating new ideas for posts is hard.  I can only do so many Style Diaries since 5 out of the 7 days I am in uniform.

5. What is your favourite thing about blogging?

Getting e-mails from some of my followers asking for advice or leaving me nice little messages.  It's amazing knowing you have a platform that has reached out to help at least one person.

6. If you could only wear 5 products on your face, what would they be?

Concealer, eyeliner, mascara, lipbalm, and brow powder

7. What is one makeup product that really disappointed you? 

Probably the NAKED Palette by Urban Decay.  It is a great product, but I do not wear eyeshadow usually unless it's for a huge occasion so I just feel like it was money wasted on something I have used maybe 5 times since purchasing.

8. Do you have any changes you want to make to your blog in the future? If so, which ones?

Definitely, I don't know what type of changes yet but I'm not 100% happy with it right now as I should be.

9. Which type of product do you gravitate towards the most? (lipstick, eyeshadow, blush etc.)

Definitely lipsticks because I wear them the most.  Current obsession with dark red lipsticks, I wear them every chance I get.

10.  What is your current favourite beauty product?

I'm going to go with a Rebel lipstick by MAC.  Absolutely obsessed with it.

11. What is one goal you have for your blog?

Ideally, becoming a fashion blogger would be really cool because I love reading them and the outfits they put together are so cool and unique but realistically I just want people to be satisfied reading my blog and I want to feel like this is something I succeeded in.

I nominate....

AdoraMehitabel

Abbzzw

LovelyLittleLux-uries

NotJustACurl

HugheSing
Sultana's Sanctuary

I can't even think of 11 honestly, because most of my blogger friends are long gone...

My 11 Questions For You

1. Why & when did you start your blog?

2. What made you become a beauty blogger?

3. What's your holy grail/ must have product?

4. What product do you believe was not worth the hype?

5. What's the most expensive product you have ever purchased? Was it worth it?

6. What does you blog name mean?

7. Who is your favourite blogger?

8. What's the coolest thing about blogging?

9. Favourite make-up brand?

10. What's the one product you always put on before leaving the house?

11. What's a make-up trend you hate?

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Style Diary: Coven Movement

Hi everyone,

So if you don't watch American Horror Story (I have watched a total of 2 episodes after deciding that it was not for me), the Coven movement is basically based off the latest season of American Horror Story.  Obviously it is set in a coven and the witches all dress in black and lately this all black trend is something I have been very fond of.  So here is one of my all black looks.

Dress: TopShop // Coat: Wilfred (in Black) // Bracelet: Tiffany & Co. // Shoes: Boutique 9 by Nine West // Clutch: Mum's Closet

So that is my all black AHS: Coven inspired outfit.  I hope you enjoyed reading this (or scrolling through the pictures).  Thank you so much for even glancing at my blog and it would mean a lot to me if you followed it.  Also, feel free to follow my tumblr and that is it for now.  I love you all xx! 

Tune Love: January 2014

Hiii all,

So today I decided to update a few of my favourite songs once again.  I get super bored of music after awhile so I felt I definitely needed to update this.  You're probably going to see some of the same artists because I listen to a lot of the same bands.  So let me just shut up and get into it.

1. Happily (Acoustic Remix) - One Direction

2. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - The Smiths

3. M.O.N.E.Y - The 1975

4. 1996 - The Wombats

5. Nogaard - The Vaccines 

6. Werewolf (I Like You) - Sky Ferriera - Her debut album is great!

7. Do My Thang - Miley Cyrus - Bangerz was for sure one of my favourite albums of 2013

8. Mr. Brightside - The Killers

9. All Me (feat. 2 Chainz & Big Sean) - Drake

10. You're So Dark - Arctic Monkeys

11. Luv, Hold Me Down - Drowners - SO EXCITED FOR THEIR ALBUM!!

12. A Song About Love - Jake Bugg - Shangri-La has been on repeat lately

13. Lua - Bright Eyes - Literally my favourite song ever

14. No Better - Lorde

15. Blood On The Leaves - Kayne West

16. Silver - The Neighbourhood 

I love creating these little playlists for you guys.  By the way, I do have an 8tracks account and I have some mixes on there if you enjoy indie or alternative music since that is what the mixes are based on. Feel free to follow me on there.  Also, I am still promoting my tumblr because I have been posting quite frequently on there and have been answering questions and there are a lot of outfits that I do not post on this blog so feel free to check that out.  Thank you so much for reading, you guys are all amazing.  

Guest Blogger: Molly on Budgeting Fashion

Well hello beautiful!

Emily has so kindly allowed me post this week, and I am ecstatic! I would like to take this great opportunity and touch on the New Year and the importance of ramping up your pocket for 2014!

Personally, I am pushing myself to make a monthly list of the top five outfit essentials throughout the New Year. I discovered Polyvore (I know, I’m a little late in the game) and love creating inspiration boards! Check it out here! Due to my small budget I just use many of the pieces as a starting point – and look for lower price items when shopping. VIOLA! It’s my virtual shopping list!

That being said, with the New Year I am trying to stay within my budget – and save a little extra dough for the big-ticket items. I have been looking to save extra money in other places lately, and have discovered the dangerous land of store credit cards.  I’ll be the first to admit I get caught up in the 20% store savings with an application. My parents sat me down recently about my spending habits, and I did research on how this affected me. See the light. Read about it. Eek!

Like I said, making small adjustments in your finances can allow you to save up for other items. I am personally saving up for my first Tory Burch! I am hoping to have this beauty by March 15^th! Don’t you just love it??? Simplistic, gorgeous….extremely pricey.  I am getting mine in the mid camel color – while hoping for a sale! Here it is.

What are you saving for? How are you budgeting? Feel free to check out my blog for more tips and tricks…I will continue to be checking in on my blogger friend Emily.

Enjoy your New Year my fashion friends!

mth 

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I would like to thank Molly for contributing to my blog with this amazing guest post.  I highly recommend you guys follow her on her blog!  I hope you guys enjoyed this post and I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions in the comments below!  Thanks for reading and following xx

Yeezus Concert - December 23rd 2013

Hi everyone,

So even though I am writing this in 2013, I know it is being posted in 2014!  So happy 2014 everyone (I know it's super lame to pre-write posts but hey I have finals coming up and I am a busy girl so might as well do it before and just hit the post button).  Anyways, on December 23rd I got to witness debatably (torn between this and the Arctic Monkeys) the best concert of my life and as you all know I go to a lot of concerts.  

Before I start, I know the negative opinions of Kanye West but unarguably he performed one of the best shows I have ever witnessed.  Not only that, but before the concert I had the same "he's a douchebag" mentailty as most people but after listening to his 15-minute long rant I came to realize that he, like everyone, has more than one side of him.  He knows what to do to get himself respected and recognized, he also absolutely hates interviews which is why he comes off as rude when he is being interviewed but he also has the chill and happy side which is reserved for his fans, family and friends.  I definitely have a much greater respect for him after this and a bit more understanding of how he acts and the way his mind works.  So all hail Yeezus.  

So my outfit: I didn't end up wearing the plaid shirt so I swapped it out for the military style button up around my waist in the second picture.  By the way, Yeezus tour merch is simply amazing.  This was already featured on my style tumblr (shameless plug so you follow me).

Shirt: Yeezus concert // Plaid: Garage // Button Up: Silence + Noise - Urban Outfitters (Old) // Leather Leggings: Wilfred Free - Aritzia // Shoes: Hibou - Little Burgundy // Bag: Tory Burch

The actual concert was amazing.  The crowd was extremely pumped and it was an amazing energy.  The opening act was Kendrick Lamar.  He is an amazing rapper who is all for changing the world by getting troubled youths (as he is from Compton, California) out of the streets and into a safer and better place.  His set was amazing and he was extremely energetic and fun to watch.  Above is a video of one of my favourite songs he has called Swimming Pool (Drank).

After that obviously the main man: Kanye West came out to perform.  His performance was absolutely amazing and as it was the last show he did bring out a special guest towards the end: DRAKE!!! He did most of his set in different (probably super expensive) masks up until the song Jesus Walks. The whole thing was more of a production than a concert.  The concert was broken up into different stages like "Rising", "Falling", "Seeking" and it was extremely Catholic based (as Kanye is a strong Catholic).  It was amazing and I could have asked for a better 2 hours and 30 minutes of my time.  Above I put a few videos because well I just couldn't choose one moment.  In order the songs are: Forever & All Me with Drake (a bit of All of the Lights), Blood On The Leaves.

I had the best time and I hope all of you get to experience a concert like this.  Regardless of your thoughts about Kanye West, he is Yeezus and he puts on a show or production like nobody else.  Thank you so much for reading.  I hope you enjoyed this post and remember that Yeezus loves you and so do I. xx

InstaFashion: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Hi everyone, 

My dad is officially back from his trip meaning I get my camera back and I can finally take better quality pictures.  However, for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner I didn't have my camera so please bear with me and the Instagram style pictures once again.

Christmas Eve

Dress: Juicy Couture // Shoes: Nine West (Old)

Overall Dress: Cooperative - Urban Outfitters // Sweater: Brandy Melville // Sock: Simply Vera by Vera Wang - Kohl's

So that is what I wore for Christmas.  I hope you all had a great Christmas and if you do not celebrate Christmas I hope you had a great day.  I probably will not post this by the New Year so let me say Happy 2014 here!  Thanks for reading and I hope 2014 has a lot in store for all of us.  Also, I post a lot of my OOTDs earlier or not featured on my blog on my style tumblr - attyre.  I love yooou xx.