The bodysuit!

The new bodysuit trend is making me go giddy. I’m a huge fan of the bodysuit. It’s just so darn easy and Incredible if you want to show off your figure! I went through a stage when I was 18 of watching Fame and Desperately Seeking Susan with my friends like, nonstop. We would try and imitate the wardrobes then rock out onto the streets thinking we were the coolest EVER! Embarrassing I know, but everyone I guess has been there.

 I love that this 80’s look has made a comeback over the last couple of years and has managed to stick. This time around there’s a fresh new look going on. Sensual lace bodysuits will add a WOW factor to any outfit.

 Many girls wear them with shorts to give an easy slim line look.

They also become great layering pieces too. You can wear then under vests like a second skin. They hold you in well so why not! And give a great little detail around your neckline.

I think this summer I will be wearing my floral bandeau under mine with denim cut offs. DONE!

A girl, a flight overseas, one suitcase and a new home

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I moved here in January from the big smoke London.  I wanted to start fresh so packed light and got on the big jet plane.

Moving to a new country can be a pretty daunting experience. Unfamiliar with my new surroundings I had to find a place to live, pretty tough yes!

I wanted to find a place that I could play around with and create a little haven for myself. Not knowing Philadelphia I came across the first place that was safe and pleasant and took it.

Now I’m having fun making it my own. I love using my walls to create collages of inspirational thought; I collect random photo frames to trap my most memorable photos hang trinkets from family and friends and feature dried flowers wherever possible.

When I have friends over they engage themselves in the floor length mirror while I burn my multi coloured candles, dripping wax over wine bottles. The Diptyque scent usually fills the air while Nick Drakes plays subtly in the background.

My place is almost there, it’s nearly reached that comfort zone.

Starting from scratch is the most refreshing thing and letting your personality pour into a new home is quite satisfying don’t you think?

 

Shindig

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Lately I’ve been obsessing over Indiana Jones style hats. I recently saw Risko from src783

Looking might fine in one and it just made me WANT one even more. I’m thinking here a perfect shindig outfit or

 a look I would wear late afternoon drinking in a local dive bar. The hat, an oversized denim wrangler shirt with bike shorts underneath of course and

these lovely little clogs.

 All I need now is for Friday to hurry up and get here!!!!!!

What our Fp girls are into!

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I get a little curious sometimes. I like to get inside the minds of other people here @ the office and find out what’s making them tick  and then maybe it will make me tick too.

I asked one of our Senior Buyers for Web what’s inspiring her at the moment. she’s one of those girls who always look stylish and on trend but adds little bits of quirkiness to her everyday look I sneek a glimpse at her almost everday and I’m never disapointed.

So here’s her lowdown on her style file;

“Hey! I’m loving heavy metal rings, knuckle rings and body armor jewelry and I’m loving big vintage kimonos worn as coats or jackets.

I’m loving the whole Chloe range too :) the little sensible satchels are gorge.

That 70’s mum vibe is rocking me. xxx”

[3:32 PM]:

OMG I forgot I am OBSESSED with Isabel Marants Fall collection .

 

It’s patchwork time!

Patchwork is back on the radar, just like when Gloria Vanderbilt rocked it in the 70’s. Some of my favorite designers have experimented with this traditional craft in their runway collections.  It’s a look that has “old world charm” written all over it!

Full of nostalgia it’s a look I would tone down with distressed denim heavy vintage belts and boho footwear.

Perfect for days in the park, riding your bike through the city and walking your dog

A new take on MOD

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Whenever I hear the word ‘stripes’ used in the fashion the thought of Mods and Rockers of the late 1950’s early 60’s spring to mind.

Twiggy, The Who, Edie Sedgwick, Andy Warhol and his Factory are all icons that I associate with this trend.

Stripes are back again but not so 60’s this time around; think subtle, playful, girly stripes that give a pinch of boy, we’re moving away from the bold black and white signature stripe that has been so dominate in the past to a new refreshing, colour palette. Just look at what the designers for Spring Summer 2010 achieved.

Crazy coloured stripes, contrast stripes and stripes worked into knitwear. I think I might be a wee conscious to walk out in the red and blue Marc Jacobs number, However the cute little numbers in our Stripe shop will work just fine for me.

Bonnaroo Day 2 – Sweaty Hot Saturday!

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Wow Saturday at Bonnaroo was very VERY hot! I’m surprised I made it through :)

I did manage to snap some girls in cute outfits though.

 I quite like the style of Bonnaroo it’s not as high styling as Coachella  but hey we’re at a festival right.

I liked how girls wore florals with aztec prints and how they rocked bandeaus with their shorts.

I liked  they didn’t care if they got sweaty and passed out on the side of the dirt tacks.

I loved that they danced their hearts out under dirty water fountains and that they swung their hair around like they just don’t care.

The sweet smell of patchouli covered the air.

Bonnaroo I had fun with you

xoxo

 

Bonnaroo Round One

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Hey Hey! I’m back giving you the style coverage from the festivals – this time around we’ve hit Bonnaroo in Nashville Tennessee. Mmmmmm or should I say Sweataroo, my is it DAMN hot here. Even Mr Followil of the Kings of Leon thought so “this is the hottest I’ve ever been… man!” but I didn’t mind seeing Caleb all sweaty. I didn’t mind at all :)

We arrived at the festival at 9 set up camp under the pitch black sky then headed into the drunken humid air.  It was very hard at this point to spot people who intrigued me with their style as the majority  were crashed out on the floor star gazing/ light headed.

One thing I noticed though tie dye was everywhere. A look I loved was long tie dye skirts (ok not the wacky packy style) the toned down versions worn with cropped lace tops.

The crowd at Bonnaroo is alot dirtier than Coachella, many girls walk around in just two piece string bikinis, but hey I don’t blame them the heat is a killer!

After seeing Kings of Leon ( highlight Caleb singer ‘Where is My Min’d by the Pixies!!!! ) we bumped into Noot Seear who modelled for us in our July catalog. She is such a sweetheart we love her and I loved her pants!

Ok that’s all form the friday night. We have a full day here today so hopefully some exciting coverage will come your way — BYE!

Make the most of your summer day

 

Summer days make me thirsty for adventure and magic. Whenever it’s hot outside I have the urge to stay out all day making the most of the beautiful sun.

Our new trend is fitting in with this mindset perfectly “summer nights”

It’s all about the long summer day’s outfit dressing “mid street” never returning home until your mind says sleep.

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The body con becomes your new BFF a foundation for a great long day.

Dress it down with a baggy boy Tee and moccasins for cycling and hanging @ the park in the day.

When the clock strikes mmmmmmmm 7 take off the Tee dress up with a cute vest and accessories and away you go onto the Bar or a roof top party to finishes off such a perfect day.

Aztec me – Tribal Jewelry Trend

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Tribal jewelry is the expression of faith, articulation of culture and rendition of archetypal imagination of human beings in its most primal form.

 

When it comes to tribal you have to think statement! Bold accessories that will scream warrior queen.

 

Don’t be scared of going big. I’ve always been a huge fan of Marni when it comes to getting courage to wear quirky, bold accessories. Consuelo Castiglioni adds a new meaning to the notion of wearing accessories. Her creations are always pieces of art with intense tribal eccentricity, beautiful and artistically chosen.

 

We have an amazing selection of African inspired jewelry in our accessories shop at the moment. We believe in piling high all the bracelets to give your summer wardrobe that added Aztec feel.

Retro Africa Inspired – Clash that print

Our creative theme for May is retro Africa and the styling theme is (no surprise for this African theme) clashing prints.

I understand this could be a scary theme for some but you need to have fun with this one.

Think boldness and be eclectic. I adore Abbey Lees style she mixes textures, bold prints and crazy accessories into her outfits and looks awesome.

She’s a great inspiration!!!

Whenever I think of bold prints and clashing colour and textures I turn straight to Marc Jacobs; one of my favorite designers.

His Marc by Marc Jacobs ads encourage this trend to a ‘T’.  I love how there’s no rules. It doesn’t matter if the colours bounce off each other or the accessories don’t quite go. It’s all about the fun!

How we like to work this trend

Bold fabrics with graphic T’s (as above). Aztec patterns with ditsy floral. You need bold accessories so the prints don’t take over the whole look. Think wooden beads and patterned belts.

We’re really into ankle socks at the moment and I love them with clogs and wedges just remember it has to be in a contrast print thought to the rest of your outfit.

Our special shoots for this month  make me want to listen to M.I.A really loud and play dress up!

A Music Monday

26th April Phoenix live @ the Constitution Hall. We headed there straight after work. A road trip from Philly to Washington to go and see a band that I’ve been lusting over for quite some time now – Phoenix.

An amazing soundtrack was played while driving there as my eyes striped the America land passing by. America is new to me so it doesn’t take much to intrigue me eyes. Both sight and sound senses were tickled during this trip.

Washington is a nice place full of profoundness. The Venue where Phoenix was playing ( DAR Constitution Hall) was to, a place of great character.

We were second row from the front which equals great photo opportunity; I could almost smell Thomas Mars!!!

 They played a number of my favorite songs including 1901 and Too Young, which I was reminded, was played in the film Lost in Translation and Shallow Hal

 The atmosphere was great and I had a blast, not bad for a Monday night, work night.

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The evening finished with everyone being invited onto the stage, yes that’s right the entire hall was crawling forward to join them on the stage.

Phoenix sure knows how to make their fans happy!!!

Stay tuned for more free people gig reviews in the future we plan to go to many during the summer months.

(Phoenix photo credit – Nathan Kula)