so I started uni...

(taken from Google - my uni campus)

So on Sunday I moved to my University, The University of Gloucestershire. I guess I could say yesterday rather than Sunday but it feels like I have been here for weeks, not hours or 1 day. I have had no time to take any photos, nor do I have anything exciting to share with you all so this is purely to let you all know that I am alive! I have moved to a large town in the west of England called Cheltenham which is a good few hours from my family, friends and where I grew up. I would be lying if I said it has been easy. I have already found it so hard but there are elements that I really enjoy and a lot of things I am looking forward to! I have my own (rather large) room and bathroom, but share the kitchen with 5 others. I have met so many new people, forgotten all of their names and have asked 'what course are you studying?' possibly 100 times. What, it's a good conversation starter?!

Anyway, I will take some photos of the area, of the shops, fashion and hopefully a few sneaky outfit posts to share with you all. Also - I cannot wait to catch up on your blogs and all the things I must have missed!

How to dress like Blair Waldorf

A variety of photos taken from Google

"Whoever said that money doesn't buy happiness didn't know where to shop." Blair Waldorf

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you will know that I am a big fan of Gossip Girl. I love how the two main characters, Blair and Serena dress, both being two of my favourite style icons. The fashion from Gossip Girl is so diverse and has so many stylish and inspiring characters - it is definitely worth checking out. If you didn't see my post last year, Gossip Girl: Serena V.S Blair, click here to catch up and have a read.

Blair loves hair accessories, in particular bows and headbands. Her style is sweet, clean and preppy. You will often catch her in a cute skirt or dress with fancy detailing or a stand out accessory. She is always feminine which creates a natural sexiness, her look exuding old Hollywood glamour and elegance. Blair has such a niche style (sometimes that can be boring but with Blair it really isn't) that is pretty simple to recreate. Throughout all of the seasons, her style has gradually evolved but hasn't changed. Wanna dress like Blair Waldorf - try these 5 steps...

1) Add a cutesy hair accessory

Bows, hair bands, hair ties, clips, scarves. Add any of these to your hair to give you an instant Blair look. Remember to keep it stylish and feminine. She would never wear a hairband with a banana on it, or skull hair clips. Blair has been known to wear a beret when Autumn and Winter comes around. I guess you could say it replaces the cute bow hair band that she so often wears during Spring and Summer.

2) Not every look has to be 'toughened up'

It's a popular thing in fashion to add a leather biker jacket to a floral ensemble because it 'toughens it up' or a pair of boots to a lace dress for a similar effect. I'm sure you have read this before whether it be on blogs or in magazines. Blair however, keeps her look very pretty to the point of preppy. She loves her blouses, bows, skirts and pumps. Her look is polished, so don't be afraid to add a blazer or cardigan.

3) Big volume Blair hair 

Blair loves curls. Her hair is never flat but most importantly never ever frizzy. Keep your curls defined for Blair hair. When she wears her hair straight it usually has shape to it and movement. Throughout Gossip Girl, she is often seen prancing along a street on the Upper East Side with her hair bouncing onto her stylish shoulders.

4) Clear skin, framed eyes and pouty lips

Her make-up is usually very natural for her everyday look. Dewy skin, lightly flushed cheeks, defined eyes and a soft pout of either a sparkly lip-gloss or a stand out lipstick (make-up tutorial to follow).

5) Ditch the trousers

I can't remember seeing B in trousers, jeans or anything of the sort. I have a vague memory of her in a pair of shorts but for the majority of the show she wears cute skirt whether it be puffball, school girl, pencil or body con. She loves tailored dresses but also wears soft floaty numbers. Ditch the trousers if you want to try your hand at Blair Waldorf style, save jeans for a Serena inspired look (possible future post?!)

Here is my Blair Waldorf inspired hair and make-up look:

What do you think of Blair's style? 

Do you have any other tips to getting the Blair Waldorf look?

Blue jeans.

As you may or may not know, I never ever ever wear jeans. I always try them on and talk myself out of it. Today however, I dug out a pair from last year and decided to give myself a challenge. I have also never really worn this top so thought I would try it all at once. That is the main reason I horde clothes. A year down the line I start wearing things again so I get scared about chucking things out. I actually really like this outfit for two reasons. One: It's bright and bold (yes, that is only one reason) and two: it is different. After reading a post yesterday on one of my favourite blogs, Fashion Hayley, she said how she got fed up with always wearing leggings and it really inspired me to have a bit of confidence and push myself out from my comfort zone. You see, I don't want to make out that I am 100% confident with my appearance. I think people expect me to wear frumpy tops and baggy joggers just because I'm not a size 10 but I started my blog to prove that fashion comes in all shapes, colours and sizes. This is the shape, colour and size I came in today...

[Jeans - Evans, Earrings - ASOS,  Sheer top - Matalan, Bolero - homemade (knitted) by my Nan, Pumps - Newloook]

[thought I should share the inspiration for the title of this post. It's a great tune]

Are there any items of clothing you hate to wear, or that takes a lot of persuading?

I can't wait to hear what you think of my outfit :) - so let me know your thoughts!!

P.s if you missed out on my last post about trends for Autumn/Winter 2012 click here to read!!

Autumn/Winter Trend Report 2012

I love reporting on upcoming trends for the season, Autumn and Winter being my favourite. I'm sure you must be sick of me talking about how great Autumn is, whilst frequently dropping words such as texture and boots in every other sentence! However, instead of treating you all to an essay on why I love the upcoming season I will try and cover a larger amount of trends. There are so many versatile looks to inspire you from rich regal colours to edgy leather. I am aware that some people don't like to follow trends and I get this entirely. Trends inspire me and informs me/ prepares me for what the shops are going to be flooded with. If you aren't a trend follower to any degree, maybe you could share your favourite look for Autumn or which trend you like best (shown below).

From the ASOS website

                                                                    
Trend 1 Ox-blood

Ox-blood is apparently the colour we are going to be sick of hearing about by 2013. Think nail polish, lipstick, leather pencil skirts, scarves, skinny jeans, brogues - you name it! I think this will be a very interesting trend adding a new dimension to the Autumn colour palette as we get so used to seeing the same burnt and berry hues. This colour creates a real grunge style but transforms it into a rather more elegant look. Everywhere is doing it, you don't have too look far!

Try a quick flash of colour on your nails to liven up your look or to make a real statement, wear a cute skater dress in ox-blood teamed with some elaborate jewellery.

Taken from the Christopher Kane catwalk

Trend 2 Purple Haze

Purple is everywhere this season. We are used to seeing those berry purples that sway towards pink and red, but this year we are experiencing purple in it's purest form. There are a lot of beautiful bright purple pleated skirts, soft lilac dresses and a variety of shades of nail varnished on the high-street.

Christopher Kane show cased a beautiful collection of vivid purples at London Fashion Week A/W 2012. To find out more about this collection click here.

Try a bright purple dress with a jewelled purple necklace (it's all about the necklaces!). This trend has a real fantasy quality so don't be scared to mix in some different shades of P and be very creative with your make-up. (Other jewelled colours are also in for A/W 2012).

From the Topshop website

Trend 3 Studs

I love studs because not only are they effortlessly cool, but also ridiculously easy to get hold of. Everyone seems to be D.I.Ying old pairs of boots by attaching studs. If you are not the customising type you can find reasonably priced studded clothing and accessories right across the high-street so really, no matter what your skill or budget is, this trend can work for you. I have really struggled to find studs in any local craft shops but they can be found online and are most affordable through eBay.

Studded accessories are chic. Team a pair of studded boots (like the ones opposite) with a floral dress or denim shirt to toughen up your outfit. Alternatively, a studded clutch bag will add instant style and edge for an evening do. 

Me with my Cross earrings - ASOS

Trend 4 Crosses

Every high-street shop I have been in, in the last few weeks, have been swamped with crosses. Every other piece on the jewellery rack is fashioning a cross. Cross earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets all in a variety of silver, gun metal, gold and bronze. Similarly, there is an influx of t-shirts, leggings and jumpers branding the the cross motif. Topshop resembled a church more than a fashion outlet the last time I went in there. I mean, it's cool but I think sometimes more is less.

A pair of silver cross earrings toughens up and adds a strong fashion statement to the simplest of evening outfits. Cross nail art will definitely add some originality to your look and be experimental by incorporating the two biggest colours of the coming season (Oxblood and purple) in your look.  

From Newlook website

Trend 5 Leather Look

Think leather: skater skirts, paneled leggings, shorts and jackets (of course!). This is such a versatile trend which makes it interesting. I am certainly not brave enough to try leather shorts but will definitely be investing into a leather skater skirt and already have my trusty leather jacket from two seasons ago.

Slick black leather nails is such a cute take on this trend that will look great with any ensemble. Remember, you don't have to just wear black, leather in ox-blood has flooded the world of fashion so will shortly be filtering down to the high-street. Grey leather is also another great variant.

What is your favourite trend for Autumn/Winter 2012?

Let me know your thoughts! and as always, thank you for reading.

P.s this is the first post from my very own laptop.