What A Stud

A recent shopping trip in Soho made it abundantly clear that studs are in this fall. Pretty much everywhere you looked you saw metallic embellishments on tops, bags, shoes, and dresses. Fall always brings out the punk rock in fashion (we think it's all the plaid) and this season will be no exception. It's a great way to liven up an otherwise tame wardrobe. We're huge fans of the studded loafers, but take your pick!

 1. London Rebel | 2. Patricia Field | 3. Lush | 4. Forever 21 | 5. Urban Outfitters | 6. Top Shop

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Color Day: Bridal Market Recap - Vera Wang

Can a designer really pull off a Bridal show without even a spot of white? Well, during this Fall's bridal market week, Vera Wang showed us just how possible it is. Vera's fall bridal collection for 2012 is certainly unique and non-traditional. Instead of your typical bridal whites and ivory, the audience was treated to a beautiful and unexpected array of nude and black gowns that would be suitable for any bride with a little bit of an edge.  Here's our inspiration board inspired by the cutting edge Fall 2012 Vera Wang collection!

Nude and Black Vera Wang Fall 2012 Collection Inspiration Board

1. The Garter Girl | 2. She Knows | 3. O.P.I. | 4.  Vera Wang Collection | 5. Pour Le Chou Chou |

6. roomofyourown | 7. Chictopia  | 8. Weddingbee | 9. Handmade by Meda

Color Day Themes: Queen Bee

Here's a quirky little inspiration board for you based on one of nature's most misunderstood creatures, the honey bee. Bees are industrious, work together in harmonious unison, and if we look back to ancient times in Egypt, the symbol of the bee was used to represent royalty. In terms of colors, black and yellow are always what come to mind when we think of these insects. But, your event or decor can certainly be the bees knees without totally going overboard with the color, just stick with a more saturated hue like a mustard or golden honey and stay away from the bright crayon kind of yellow you might be used to.  Decorate with gold and black accents, add honey comb patterns to your stationary or decor, give away natural local honey, and whip you hair into a high and mighty beehive and you'll have an event that is truly buzz-worthy.

Images from: Trisha Dean, Wren Handmade, Timeless Paper, Anthropologie, J2Jewelry, bee intrigued, EmenGeeDesigns, Seasonal Delights, Cape Bride, The Small Object, Paper and Oats, Projector, kissandtellcards, KOtwo, Anna Kuperberg via Sparkliatti          

XOXO

Jen & Saira  

Maybe i'm an Armani girl!

Hi guys,
I've just seen pictures from the Emporio Armani A/W11 show, and my first thought was, maybe i'm an Armani girl. For it was a complete black out: black as far as the eye could see (with ocassional flashes of a crisp arctic white) The collection really could have been designed with my personal taste in mind:



Here's the inspiration: "In the style of a film noir, beauty is concealed behind a pair of dark glasses and under a hat tilted over the forehead to suggest a hidden mystery. This enigma is heightened by the perception of a life without frontiers, according to a plot that follows an aesthetic journey between different worlds. A precisely defined vision, treated ironically to give an effortless and contemporary image. A stylish take on international espionage, travelling through time and distance, referencing the beat of great nightclubs and the silence of famous hotels."

I loved the layers of black and the mix of the fabrics: the sharp fitting trousers teamed with the knitted scarf/cape and the shiny patent boots was a particular favourite, and an outfit i'm bound to take inspiration from next winter. My favourite piece from the collection was the raw edged sleeveless dress: it looked amazing against the models pale skin and with her vibrant flash of red hair.

I know it's more classic than fashion forward, but I really love this collection: it's the first one i've seen for ages where I could integrate every single piece into my wardrobe right now and wear it to death. Maybe, deep down, what I really want is to be a film noir spy!

Love, Tor xx

Color Day: Green, Black, and White

We decided we were in need of a little spring preview, so, here we have a grassy green with the simple and classic black and white.  This color board could be used for a winter or spring wedding that is both traditional and timeless but with a little bit of modern flair.  Black and white says traditional elegance but bold green says fun and fresh, the perfect mix for a modern couple.

Green, Black, and White Inspiration Board



We had a few more images picked out for this one but our computer is giving us some trouble so for more green and black love, check out this board on Fine Stationary's photostream.  Enjoy and know there are bright, fun, and cheerful colors to look forward to this Spring!



Images from: Wedding Tulle, Modcloth, Jessica Claire Photography, David's Bridal, Sweet Water, ao3designs, Candy Paper , Wedding Bee     

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Color Day: Red, Black, and Khaki

December is finally here and that means today is the first day of our 12 Days of Christmas promotion!  Please start commenting and you'll be entered into our random drawing to win a great little prize from a local artist or crafter.  We have things to give away from cards to candles to prints, soaps, jewelry and more! 

Now, in the meantime, to get us into the holiday spirit here is a color board that says Christmas with style.  One look at this color board will leave you longing for a snow day where you snuggle up with a warm blanket and sip cocoa by the fireplace. Red is a signature shade of the holidays and it very vibrant, but here it is toned down with the neutral khaki, black, and white to create a rustic, country look with a level of sophistication that we think even the people over at Burberry would be pleased with.

Khaki, Red, Black, and White Inspiration Board

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Images from: designandink, ootch, hankandtillie, cottonbirddesigns, lovegrowsbygiving, sewnnatural, anniewhere, pattisprimitives, boopteylu, inburberry, with this ring, modcloth     

May your days be merry and bright!

XOXO

Jen & Saira       

Color Day: Halloween (Orange and Black)

Better late than never!  We apologize to our regular readers for having to wait so long for today's color post so, without further ado:



 When it comes to selecting color schemes not everyone goes for soft, coordinating colors. Some brave souls take the road less traveled and go for bold contrast. Luckily for those with a flair for fright, Halloween is all about the drama! Orange and black are the traditional colors associated with Halloween, probably due to a variety of things such as darkness, death, and the general orange-y colors of the harvest. Orange and black can be a fun pairing to really get you in the "spirit" of fall, but it can also be elegant and warm depending on the shades of orange you go with.  A vibrant orange will give you that youthful, spooktacular, kind of feel while a butternut squash or pumpkin hue will create a space that feels more cozy and sophisticated.

Black and Orange Halloween Color Inspiration Board

Images from: a variety of wonderful sources that were lost when Jen's computer crashed.  We are working to recover them and will credit accordingly.

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Color Day: Black and Purple

Jen's back from vacation, and just in time for this week's color day!  Let's dig a little deeper into the holiday of the season and explore some excellent color combinations for Halloween themed or Gothic style weddings or parties.  Of course we'll do the traditional orange and black in the upcoming weeks, but before we get to that, we figured we could show you some other takes on Halloween that are sure to create a dark and down right spooky kind of event.  Orange isn't for everyone.  So if you love Halloween but sunshine orange makes you cringe, don't fret.  Purple is sexy and classy enough for the modern bride, but creepy and eerie enough to take the phrase "til death" to a whole new level.

Halloween Black and Purple Wedding Inspiration Board

Images from: Project Wedding, Couture Events by Lottie, Marilyn San Clemente , Elizabeth Ann Designs, Zena Dia Design,  Manolo Blahnik Shoe Shops, Polyvore, Chrissy Watson, Jamball, Create and Adorn

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Color Day: Black, White, and Red

The newest Twilight movie comes out TODAY and we wouldn't be prepared for "Eclipse" without a vampire inspired color day! The covers of the Stephenie Meyer Twilight books all sport the same theme, black with bold white and red graphics.  Black and white can represent opposites, Jacob Vs. Edward or Good vs. Evil for example, and red is the color of love, anger, and, of course, blood.  Now, it's easy to incorporate these shades without going totally Dita Von Teese or having your friends and family thinking you've suddenly gone "goth". These are classic colors and nothing can ever compare to the elegance of simple black and white, think 007, tuxedos, pearls, little black dresses. Choosing red as your accent ensures your space, event, etc. has just the right amount of passion and drama.

Black, White, and Red "Eclipse" Color Inspiration Board

Images from: Steve Madden, Forever21, Bakerella, HM Creative Supplies, Planet Wall Art, Name Your Wish Images, Jasmine Bridal, Little Black Book, PriceGems, Lunarrastar Jewelry, FIAZCO, The Kitchen Sink 

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Daily Wear: Back to Black

Whenever I have a wardrobe crisis or I don't know what to wear I turn back to my trusty black. Its my favourite colour to wear, I love the contrast it makes with my hair, and I know it isn't really, but it feels slimming to me.

Today I am playing with proportions. I have a naturally pronounced hourglass figure (big boobs and big hips and bum but with a narrower waist) but I find it really hard to dress, especially when I spend most of my time trying to minimise my bust! However today I decided to play with my bodies natural proportions: this dress is from French Connection (I got it from Bicester last week) and has a wide cinched in waist and heavy sleeves which emphasise my hourglass. I further emphasised my waist by adding my pony belt (I got this from Primark from £3 - I'm really impressed as it looks like much better quality than that!) Finally I added two necklaces in an attempt to elongate my upper torso.

Do you have a part of your body you love to show off? Or is there a part of you your always trying to minimise which prevents you from trying new things? I find other peoples relationships with their bodies fascinating!

Anyway, I think i've bigged up what is actually a really plain and simple looking outfit, so i'll finish it off with the sentence that would have done instead of all the fluff: this is what i'm wearing today!

Love, Tor xx

Bringing back black!

Despite my continual effort to introduce new colours to my wardrobe, we all know my mantra: "I'll wear any colour as long as it's black!" Remember that fateful picture of my wash day?

I rest my case! Every season the fashion editors pronounce another colour as "The New Black" but actually there's no such thing: thats why beloved black is their constant source of reference. You never hear anyone going on about the "New Red" do you? I rest my case, m'laud!

So when the website "basically black" was brought to my attention, my initial thought was what a damn good idea! Imagine never having to trawl through the pages of asos again falling in love with their vibrant patterned dresses, only to wish there was also a black version! Everything on this site definitely comes in black already!

The word basically immediately conjured pictures of basics - sensible shirts and t shirts; great for our mums, but not so great for fashion conscious young things like us! But actually I was completely wrong. You can buy your basics and they're great quality(we all need them, even if we resent the expense!) but you can also get glamourous dresses, coats, and sparkly sparkly bags (oh how I love sequins and black - i'm suprised i'm still typing straight!)

I know its shockingly simple but I think i'm slightly obsessed with that last dress; perfect for going to dinner or drinks straight after work (dahhling!) it looks uber flattering and more excitingly than that, its cashmere; nothing feels more wonderful than cashmere on your skin, except perhaps knowing it was a bargain, which this certainly is!

My quest for the perfect boyfriend blazer was not sucessful on this website (I know i'm obsessed, but their jacket selection sadly leads a lot to be desired!) but the next time my already fairly extensive collection of black dresses for work, play, and everything else I can think of to wear a black dress to, runs low, I know exactly where i'll be turning.

In fact, maybe i'll add that waffle dress to my birthday list (only 3 weeks to go!) Poor old Mike; I keep adding so much stuff I don't know what will explode first - his head or his wallet!

Love Tor x

Wash day blues, or should that be blacks?

Hi All,

You know your wardrobe contains too many black clothes when your weekly wash looks like this:
Note: the few pink items are in fact pajamas, and the checked shirt is my boyfriends!

Eeeek! As colour blocking becomes the new buzz word in magazines the nation over: Time for a colour injection methinks!?

Love Tor x

I demand some answers!!!

Thanks for the questions guys! And now (as the bad cop in a dodgy straight-to-tv movie might say) it's time for some answers:

From KD: How did you and Becky meet?How long have you known each other?

Becky and I would both agree that we should've met alot sooner than we did!

Beckys now ex boyfriend Tristan and I took a class called "the comedy of the absurd" together in my second year at uni in 2003/4. He and I became friends during/after the class and I was aware of Becky as being around but our joint shyness meant that we never actually spoke. Then when I went back to uni to do my MA last year I bumped into Becky and Tristan in the street. She admired the leopard print fur i'd just made a purchase of. We arranged to meet later in the week. Several cups of tea later and the blog and a wonderful friendship was born. (did that sound cheesy? Damn you cheesiness!)

From Dressed and Pressed: What's your favourite colour?

Hmmm, interesting question missy! You see what should be a simple one word response throws up a lot of debate; my favourite colour to wear (or at least the one I wear most and am drawn to when I shop) is black. Black as night, black as coal, as the Rolling Stones would say! However in handbag type accessories I am like a school child when it comes to baby pink; I have a baby pink vera wang make up bag, pink hello kitty ipod, pink hello kitty oyster card wallet, pink hello kitty usb stick....you get the idea.

In terms of colours I am drawn to in fabrics for non wearing reasons I like red, teal, mustard and turquoise blue. All together if possible! Well, the colours got to come in somewhere.....

AmieDavid01 asked: If you had to wear the National Costume of any country which one would it be?

This is my favourite question! You really don't see enough National dress nowadays do you? and after I had a think about it, I realised that apart from London's pearly kings and queens perhaps, this isn't a concept that really applies to us Brits.

Initially my answer to this question was "Scotland". I love tartan and Vivienne Westwood, so it seemed like a natural progression. However, during a quick google search for "national dress" I stumbled across this image and totally changed my mind!

This is the National dress of Karpathos, Greece. How beautiful does this young woman look?? (oh dear, how much like my dad did I sound just then!?) I love the elabourate gold piece and the coloured robes and even the little red patent shoes. This, dear friends, is my national dress of choice!

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Our final question comes from FashionJunkie via email and it is: what should I wear to my xmas lunch tomorrow? I want to look nice but not like I have made too much effort etc

It's a good job i'm not a meglomaniac FashionJunkie, because you're supposed to be asking questions about me!!

Office parties are so hard to get it right for arent they? Lunches are even harder! My standard play is safe option for any even is a black dress. But in this instance I would go for a black dress with sleeves; 3/4 sleeves so you could show off a bangle or two would be even better!

As for everything else, maybe go for a Parisian look? Fresh faced (so dont over do the make up!) with a black dress, black tights and ballet pumps. Accessorise with simple bracelet or bangle, stud earrings and a cute headband. You could either go for something simple with a tiny bow or use this as your statement piece and wear something colourful or oversized.

Mostly fashionjunkie, have fun! After you've eaten your overcooked turkey and drank half a bottle of cheap house wine, i'm sure you'll forget you were ever worrying about it!

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Thanks for the questions and the interest everyone. I hope I told you everything you wanted to know!

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Lots of love,

Tor xxx

Wardrobe Weekly #1

Becky often says that she could shop faster and more efficiently for me than I could for myself. Such is her confidence in knowing my style. And she's probably right: when we hit the shops (which is often) she always picks out things for me that are exactly what i'm looking for.

This can mean only two things. Firstly, that Becky is a genuis (which is true) and has a future career path mapped out in front of her as a stylist extraordinaire. Secondly, that the way I dress is at best formulaic and at worst, pretty predictable.

With this in mind, I'm not sure how exciting this newest addition to the site is going to be (But i'm going to give it a go anyway, so let me know what you think!) I've badly photographed my outfits from the past week for your viewing pleasure. The idea is to showcase my 'personal style' (for what it's worth!) and highlight how my changing moods affect my wardrobe decisions (apparently!) Becky will be doing something similar for compare and contrast fun!

Here goes:

Monday

Tuesday

Ever have those days where its cold and on/off miserable but you just can't bring yourself to wear a coat...again!? Well Tuesday was one of those days! The overall look is black (which by now shouldn't come as a surprise!) and conservative, because Tuesdays are work days, but a little bit scruffy and a little bit hippie. Because I was just in one of those moods!

Tiered floral dress, Oasis. Long black cardi, Primark. Sunglasses, Accessorize. Bracelet,Car boot sale. Patchwork bag, Dorothy Perkins. Black scarf, stolen from my sister.

Wednesday

Today's outfit is, I admit, not one of my best. Wednesday is the only day that i don't have either work or uni, and although I probably should've tackled some reading I decided to veg out, only leaving the house to pop for a loaf of bread.

I'll wear it in any colour, as long as it's black

Athough I make occassional timid forays into the weird and wonderful world of clothing made in (gasp for effect) colour, my wardrobe consists of mostly black things. In fact my 3 favourite things in the whole world are: my black leather bomber jacket, my black skinny jeans, and my black satin puffball prom dress. I also have a Betsy Johnson handbag I got for Christmas that I would risk my life for in a burning house, but that's a very dark brown. Anyway, reader, you get the point. I love black.

Frankly, colour scares me. This Christmas when everyone was searching for the perfect purple dress,(because everyone went crazy for the violets and plums shown at Lanvin) I was still looking for the perfect black one.

Dress from the AW07 range at Harvey Nicholls

You see, the problem with colours is that they come and go. Whereas black, like a truly dependable friend, will never go out of Vogue. I like to see my wardrobe as a box of chocolates (hey, i'm a candy addict!) Sometimes I fancy a truffle, and sometimes I fancy a strawberry soft centre. And it's fun to mix these things up a bit. But whatever filling i'm in the mood for, the one thing I will always want is chocolate.

So I wear my colour with trepidation. Enter stage left: the accessory. Yes, you too can always wear the most up to date trends, and still not have to throw away your favourite dress. Behold, my homage to the purple trend at my aunties wedding in Novmber:

My favourite black puffball dress is turned into a new season trend with the help of a fancy hat and a cheap scarf. Fashion without having to leave my comfort zone: one of my favourite things.

So, what prompts this colour driven angst I hear you cry? Well, that would be the news that this Spring/Summer we will all be wearing vibrant canary yellow and garish pop art hot pink:

When pink attacks...

Clockwise from top left: 3.1 by Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Catherine Malandrino, Oscar de la Renta, Anna Sui, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen (Image Kindly borrowed from handbag.com)

Now as wonderful as these models look, in yellow, I do have major issues with the new yellow/hot pink trends.Firstly, not 2 of the most flattering colours in the world. (especially with my complexion, dahhling!) Secondly, 2 colours i'm just not sure I can get away with teaming with my beloved black (unless I want to look like a bumblebee or an 80s reject: and not the cool kind)

What to do? Oh, woe is me!

It's at times like this I thank God for that most wonderful of inventions: denim. Enter my cute skinny light denim jeans teams with a simple black or white top and yellow/pink shoes delete depending on mood) with acres of the same coloured jewellery. If you're similarly colour opposed (it's a choice, not a desease) then here are some attention grabbing coloured accessories to start off your new season collection:

Pink leather foldover wallet. Topshop £15
Yellow braces. Topshop. £10
Bottega Veneta Woven leather belt £255. Netaporter.com
Marni Disc necklace £316. Netaporter.com

Jade Jagger Pink Kiss Necklace. £95 Netaporter.com

...........Crisis averted. Vive le black! x