Clown face

I have to admit to an ongoing love/hate relationship with make-up. I love checking out the new season's looks just as much as the next girl but when it comes to translating the looks onto my skin, I just can't seem to get it right. 

I'm not completely inept. I can do a passable smokey eye and I'm a dab hand with the flicky eyeliner but I'd give anything (okay, maybe not anything, but a fair bit) for the ability to create a little drama with my make up bag; to be totally transformed. 

The problem is for black skin you need a lot of pigment and most high street brand colours won't cut it. However the more bespoke make-up counters are not cheap and (in the UK at least) lack expertise with doing up darker skins. I once tried going into mac in Covent Garden for some pointers for a more dramatic look. I came out with a make up brush, some foundation powder and some eyeshadow. In brown. Gah!   

Anyway today, in my ongoing refusal to give-in in the face of a fixed outcome, I tried to create a strong eyebrow and an intense wash of colour to my lids like the fashion pundits have been going on about. (Click image to enlarge).
If the look I was going for was Bozo the Clown, I think I managed it.

NB: In case you're wondering how I got the Polaroid photo effect, check out the Poladroid app here. 

A few of my favourite things: Capes, cocoons and eggshapes

Yes, the trench coat may forever be a wardrobe classic but I've got to say I'm liking my coats a bit edgier at the moment. Capes seem to suddenly be the big thing this winter, even though they've been edging their way on to the high street for the past two winters, now. I think we've all only just got the hang of them.

I think my main problem with the cape has been: "too airy for winter." When you're neck deep in icicles (figuratively speaking, of course) the last thing you need is a coat with gaping sides and no sleeves. I've learned to combat this problem with lots of layers and arm warmers with elbow length gloves. Oh, and also if it's really cold, just wear a parka already!

The other eternal cape conundrum is: "where the hell do I put my bag now?" I generally put it in the crook of my elbow. Though the only real solution is don't carry a bag. Impossible, I know.

Clockwise from top: Black cape with contrast lining, Full Circle@Urban Outfitters; red checked, Full Circle; hooded, Oli; belted, Next; 3-button, Ted Baker

If you just can't be dealing with the cape and all it's doings, consider the faux-cape shape of the cocoon or egg-shaped. You've got that nice bit of volume but you've also got sleeves.

Clockwise from top: Cocoon parka, Full Circle; cropped trench, All Saints; egg coat, Full Circle; purple cashmere, Lizzy Lu @ASOS

Lastly, unless your trying out for a part in Sound of Music you might want to consider going skinny on your bottom half to balance out the volume on top. So - skinnies, leggings, pencil skirts, fitted dresses all look fab. Full skirts and wide legged trousers, do not. But what do I know? You probably like looking like you've been dressed by Quality Street when you leave the house of a morning.

Primark cape, American Apparel leggings, very old OTK boots.

Goodbye Summer... Hello Autumn

It's the first day of Autumn and I'm finally ready to give up on possibly the worst summer in recent history. Goodbye, flirty summer dresses. So long, shorts and sandals. It's time to bring out the heavy duty woollies and put in that order for thermal underwear.

It's also time to reach into the back of the wardrobe and drag out more weather appropriate clothing. Mostly I'll be wearing:

• a lot of layered tights and socks in different colours and patterns

• lots of sweaters, cardigans and vests layered over shirts, tweed skirts, loafers and hats

• cosy coats and jaunty capes

• roll neck lycra tops and bodies for layering under feminine dresses to stay warm while looking chic

• mannish trousers in all the new shapes - pegs, turn ups, 7/8s, etc - and textures

• Sleek, simple and preferably black long boots; funky, platform ankle boots and colourful shboots

• lots of cosy and colourful scarves and gloves of varying lengths

Pick up a pussybow

If there is one item of clothing that I am always on the lookout - and likely to make a beeline for - when doing a random shop, it has to be a well cut, pretty blouse. And I don't think they come any prettier or any better cut than a good pussybow blouse.

Which is why my eyes widened with lust when I saw these two lovelies at Oasis today. The things about the pussybow blouse, is that you seldom see one that's well done. I like a billow in the sleeve, preferably in a colour other than black (or at least with some sort of pattern), silk and a really nice long bow. These blouses tick all the right boxes.

And this is how I would wear them. (Click on all images to enlarge)

For work:
Because the shirt is see through, I'm factoring in a nice camisole/slip into this. For a little extra I might go with a coloured vest. With the lace pattern it would a good take on that Prada look.

I thought it would be fun to wear with a cute flippy skirt. This grey ruffled and bowed affair from River Island is divine. The addition of some colourful and playful accessories (how much do I love Topshop's Harlequin shoes?) makes it less prim and proper.

For play:
I love the sheer floral print on this blouse. We seem to be constantly bombarded with print trend after print trend. The average wardrobe is, I think, by now a cacophony of prints in every shade and shape available. Mine certainly is.

It's made me think that the only thing to do is keep things fresh is to play with clashing prints and colours. Which is how come this blouse is going with this punky, zipped, leopard print skirt, balanced out by matching (yes, I know, but this outfit needs grounding somehow) purple patent shoes and clutch.



Blue bag and purple clutch; Dorothy Perkins
Harlequin shoes, Topshop
Grey ruffled skirt, leopard-print skirt, and purple patent sandals; River Island

Her dark materials

I love the way that the right accessories make an outfit come together just so. While raiding around in Style Narnia (AKA my wardrobe) looking for some glam goth inspiration, I also came across quite a few little lovelies to go with. Actually, make that, that A LOT. I have boxes full of this stuff.

It's practically all cheap and all from either H&M or Diva at Miss Selfridges - who do the best cheap jewellery on the high street. The little voodoo doll, is a little souvinir from a trip to New York a few years back. It's just there to add atmos, although I am seriously considering turning it into some sort of head piece... Wouldn't that be awesome?

(Click on all images to enlarge)

Chunky rings: green heart, thrifted; rectangular metal, blue stone and snake ring, H&M; red apple ring, Diva at Miss Sellies

Others: Multi strand black bead choker and long length black bead necklace (I usually wear them layered for extra drama), diamante studded bangle, black elbow length glove and fascinator, all H&M!

Brooches: red heart, thrifted and painted; black spider, H&M
Necklaces and neck pieces: Beaded and buttoned, felt neck piece, DIY; chunky crucifix, thrifted and customised with black velvet ribbon; skull pendant, H&M; heart shaped locket, Diva at Miss Sellies, Hematite choker, gift
Bangles and bracelets: purple pearl and stone bracelet, House of Fraser; hand painted black bangle, thrifted

Close up of heart-shaped locket - isn't it gorgeous?

Good goth

Now that all the new season's trends are starting to hit the stores, it would be so easy to just go out and buy more stuff. But I thought it might be more fun (not to mention easier on the wallet) if I just had a fresh look at the stuff in my wardrobe to come up with some new season outfits.

The glam-goth/luxe-goth look has definitely caught my attention and is set to be a key trend. Luckily for me, I've got few bits and bobs that could work. Using what I have, I put together five looks. Goth it covered. Har, har!

Slip, Largerfeld for H&M; mesh vest, Mango; rara skirt (under slip), Miss Selfridge; shaggy shrug, thrifted; brooch, thrifted

Slip, as before; rara skirt, as before; mesh vest, as before; lace belt, Haberdashers; bustle (used as neck piece), Spitalfields Market

Bolero, New Look; beaded collar, DIY

Tulle dress, customised H&M; lace shirt, vintage Biba; lace belt, as before; heart brooch, thrifted and customised; heart locket, Miss Selfridge; skull pendant, H&M Men; crucifix pendant, thrifted and customised with velvet ribbon

Black bouclé shift dress, thrifted; lace shirt, as before; bustle as neck piece, as before

Lacy days

Damn you Prada! I now, suddenly and quite desperately, want some sheer lace to layer in interesting and unexpected ways. I have a few lace items to play with but I wouldn't say no to this awesome skirt, last seen on Wendy B's blog:It's got exactly what I need: stretchy, pencil shape, no lining, and a really strong and wide waistband. It is perfection, but too far away.

I also want Rosiepop's beautiful, ebay-ed, lace dress, which she has cleverly layered over a blue shirtdress here:I've had a look on the high street but apart from a few tops from Topshop, I keep coming across lace prints or touches of lace or ready-lined lace, which isn't what I need. Come on high street, pull yer finger out! Sheer lace. For layering. Got it?

I want it now - Warehouse lace cape, £22

It's the perfect accompaniment to that lacy, goth-ey, witch-ey, look that we are all destined to be into come A/W. Very versatile.

You could pop it over a tight black t-shirt and skinnies and totally rock out. It would look equally good with an LBD and has the power to add a little more to that same ol' skirt n' top combo.

All that, and just £22? Gimme!

On your marks...

Be still my beating wallet. I know we're still in high summer but the Autumn/Winter Primark collection is looking mighty desirable to me. Shapes that look almost cutting edge, edgy-shoe designs and still at low, low prices. Unbelievable.

Of course, this could all just be photo-trickery but honestly just perusing the lookbook has got me drooling onto my key board. If I didn't love the sunshine so much, I'd be wishing it was Autumn already.