Thursday 30 December 2010

Red Hair Appreciation

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted red hair. My mum has red hair, and when I was younger I was hugely jealous of her gorgeous hair. I feel that redheads get a bad press (the whole "ginger-minger" thing), which I completely unfair, and makes me wonder why no-one discriminates against the blondes or brunettes. 
There's a definite trend for having red hair at the moment, which really first started when Cheryl Cole dyed her hair that purpley-red colour. But since I don't really like her colour (it's too fake), here is the original red-headed Girls Aloud member, Nicola Roberts: 
 Christina Hendricks aka Joan from Mad Men has definitely been influential. I mean, who wouldn't want to look like that? Or at the very least, have hair that colour?
Rihanna's red hair, for her softer new look (timed perfectly to go with the release of her album) has made three people I know dye their hair.
And then there's the models, who've been redheads for ages:
Lily Cole
Grace Coddington (she was a model and she's my hero so she's going on here)
and Karen Elson (inspiration for my haircut)
I have dyed my hair red before. It looked like this (ignore the weird face I'm pulling):
Because my hair is so dark, the red dye went an orangey colour, and made my skin look sallow. So it seems I am doomed to have dull brown hair instead of gorgeous red hair. Until I can afford to buy a decent wig. 
Basically, what I'm trying to say is, red hair is beautiful, and here to stay. 

Friday 24 December 2010

Christmas Nails.

I've been doing working all day, every day all week (my first day off in a week will be Christmas Day!), and I've barely spent anytime at home or with my friends. I did find time to give my nails a little festive makeover though:
I used Model Own in Red Red Wine with a layer of Barry M red glitter that "Santa" (aka my mother) left in my stocking last year. It's lasted really well, especially given the pressure my nails are put under at work. 
I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas. 
Flo x

Saturday 18 December 2010

That's enough snow, thanks.

Thanks to the snow, it took me two hours to get home from work tonight (the journey normally takes me 20 minutes). Luckily I was all wrapped up in several winter layers. 
I finally found a big cosy man-style coat (I've been looking for one for ages) in Topshop a couple of weeks ago. It's got lots of lovely pockets to keep my hands warm, but it means that when I get back to my flat, I have to spend ages hunting for my keys, which are always inevitably in the last pocket I look in.
My coat and hat are from Topshop, my scarf was a birthday present and my desert boots are from Office (I raved about them here). 
I'm sure everyone is doing this, but here's a picture of the snow in Canterbury - I'm back at home for Christmas break, so I was at work when the snow started. It had been snowing for about 45 minutes at this point:
While I was keeping warm in Topshop on my lunch break, I bumped into Gem, who writes Gem Fatale's Style Blog. She was so lovely and chatted to me for a few minutes - you should definitely go and check out her blog if you have a chance.

The best shoes in the world.

I think the whole of Britain is aware of the fact that its snowing. And there is a lot of said snow. However, this morning when I left home for work, there was no snow, so I left my welly boots in the car. Big mistake. 
However, I made a sensible shoe choice today - my beautiful black heeled desert boots from Office (I wrote about them here, but I haven't posted anything more about them, which is odd, given the huge number of times I've worn them).
Here are the blue ones (they also come in grey):
I work for Office, and I got my pair of these back in September, but although they're sold out in most stores now, there are some small sizes left on the website in the blue and grey (no sign of the black ones).
The rubber sole had perfect grip on the snow and I didn't slip over once (even on the ice on the hill) when I walked back to my car, and the laces kept my feet nice and snug in my shoes. I thought I couldn't love these shoes more than I already do, but I was wrong. When they come back into stock, I'm buying myself another pair. 

Friday 17 December 2010

Tall Ships

Last week my friends and I went to see a band called Tall Ships (have a look at their Myspace here) at the Hippodrome in Kingston.They were brilliant. Tall Ships were the first band I saw when I came to university, so it was really nice to see them again, especially now that I've got some of their songs on my iPod.
(Photo by Charlotte)
Not only did the band sound excellent, but they were really lovely when I met them afterwards, and seemed so pleased that everyone was enjoying their music. 

Saturday 11 December 2010

Central.

My friends and I made an impromptu trip to central London on Friday afternoon. I can't remember the last time I went to so many shops without spending all money. 
We spent a lot of time on Carnaby Street, especially in the Lomography shop. But because James and I don't have Lomography cameras, we played with our Hipstamatic apps instead.
James' photos:
My photos:
Lydia, Nathan and I in Carnaby Street: 

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Happy Birthday Nathan

My friend Nathan, who writes the blog Real Horrorshow Tunez, turned 19 on Friday. We had planned to go to a roller disco (complete with 80s outfits), but the snow put a stop to that. Instead, we went to a little club in Kingston where Amerie (of '1 Thing' fame) was performing. She came, sang three songs, and left (so there was no time for anyone to take any decent pictures). 
James and Lydia (who had refused to give up on the 80s theme): 
Laura, laughing because I reminded her about this:
Laura and I in our Topshop dresses:
The birthday boy:

Monday 29 November 2010

What I Wore To: Go Ice Skating

I'm wearing: a navy blue cable knit jumper and jeans from Topshop, cashmere socks from Falke, the gorgeous (and warm) cashmere scarf I got for my birthday, and a bandanna I stole from my mum's wardrobe.  I also had several layers on underneath my jumper, so I was toasty warm while I was skating. 
I bought the jumper in a UK Size 10 and it's really big on me - which I what I wanted - I can layer up underneath, and it's really not obvious at all. 
Flo x

Ice Skating

My little brother came to stay with me this weekend, and as a treat for both of us, I took him ice skating at Hampton Court Palace.
I didn't fall over, but the same can't be said for my brother:

There was someone on the rink taking photos of people, so that you could buy them afterwards. We were completely bought into this marking ploy and got one each.
Taken with my beloved Hipstamatic app, which I haven't used in a while: 
 I think I'm one of the few people who actually likes winter. I love the cold, because I get to wear big warm coats, hats and scarves. I love the way the trees looks when their leaves all fall off, all the Christmas decorations going up, the delicious food to eat and getting home to my warm flat when it's freezing outside. 
Flo x

Tuesday 16 November 2010

What I Wore To: Dinner

I went over to my friend's flat for a delicious meal of spaghetti bolognese this evening. 
I wore my birthday dress from Zara and red shoes from Office. 
I think that this dress is one of those pieces I would choose if I was doing the "six pieces of clothing for a month challenge". It's so beautiful - classically so - and there is so much I could wear with it. 
Flo x

Hair cut.

I've had a hair cut. I've wanted to cut my hair like this for a long time, but it's taken a while to work up the courage. 
Flo x

Monday 15 November 2010

Scarlet Woman

I wear a lot of black. I love it's simplicity, it goes with everything, and it's easy to wear. However, for a while now, I feel like I've been wearing black too much - I regularly wear all black outfits (black dress, tights, cardigan and boots) - and it's getting a little dull. 
So I've decided to branch out, and get some colour into my wardrobe. This past week, I've bought a red dress, and a pair of red heels. 
I bought this red dress from Topshop: 
It's sold out online, and they didn't have in the Topshop store where I'm studying, so I had to go to the Topshop concession in the department store - this was a bit annoying as I got vouchers for my birthday I could have put towards the dress. 
I also bought these gorgeous red suede heels from Office, that were on my birthday wish list and that I've been lusting after since August. I'm normally a UK size 4, but I had to get a size 3 and put half-insoles in to get them to fit, but they are worth it - so beautiful and so worth it. 
This photo and the poor lighting in my room really doesn't do these beauties justice. 



Sunday 14 November 2010

Hat Stand

When I moved into my room in halls at university back in September, one of my biggest problems was the minuscule amount of wardrobe space provided. This problem has only got worse as I have bought more clothes and gone home and come back with winter coats and jackets that I didn't need when I arrived in September.
The problem was solved when yesterday, when a hat stand arrived in the post. With the help of my friend Lydia, I put it up this afternoon, and got some storage space back. 
Instead of gathering dust in a heap on the back of my door, or clogging up my tiny wardrobe, my coats, scarves, bags and hats are now stored and displayed, barely taking up any room. 
The stand is made from wood painted white and adds a nice touch to my room (I think) - it doesn't look like anyone else's now. 
Flo x

Wednesday 10 November 2010

19th Birthday

My birthday cake, made my mother, and decorated by my little sister:
I received some very lovely presents this year - my mum me got the THE BEST DRESS IN THE WORLD EVER. I didn't realise at the time, but it has pockets. (Pockets!) A dress with pockets is the best kind of dress. I'm wearing it now, and I tried to take photos but my room in halls terrible for photos - the lighting is truly dreadful. 
My brother bought me the benefit make-up I posted about back in September. It's just as good as I remember (again, photos to come when I have better lighting). 
My dad bought me these cashmere gloves and scarf. They're so warm and cosy, but I'm really worried about losing them, I'm terrible with gloves, I always lose the right hand. 
My sister got me a Topshop giftcard, my uni friends got me a lovely bookmark and all my drinks when we went to the pub in the evening, and a friend gave me American Psycho - I'm rush-reading all my uni books so I can give it my full attention. 
Flo x

Tuesday 9 November 2010

In my inbox.

I checked my email on my birthday yesterday, much later in the day than I usually do, and I was very excited to see this in my inbox: 
It's a brilliant idea, sending me a discount on a day when there is a high chance of my being given some money that I'm not going to spend on food. 
I spent about half an hour looking through the site, trying to decide what to buy. I considered this t-shirt, but then realised that I rarely wear t-shirts, I thought about a classic hoodie, and some trousers, but in the end, I opted for this bodysuit in black. I have a leotard like it already from American Apparel but it's sleeveless, and therefore no good for winter, and I can wear this one with skirts, jeans, trousers, and under dresses too. 
Flo x

Thursday 4 November 2010

In love with a dress from Zara

 I took a trip into town with Grace on Tuesday and while she was waiting for me (I was inevitably running late), she wandered into Zara and spotted this dress. 
When she showed it to me, I emitted a high pitched girly squeal and had to try it on immediately. 
It's such a perfect dress. I'm usually a size Small/Medium in Zara, but I had to get the XS (which I was surprised they had in stock), as in the Small sagged on my shoulders and waist. I think the cut is beautiful, and I could wear it out to parties over Christmas but also to work with a pair of biker boots or Converse. 
I'm taking my mother to see it today on the off-chance she wants to put it on my birthday list. 
Flo x

Tuesday 2 November 2010

Lanvin for H&M

I've never been one for high street store and designer collaborations. All H&M collaborations with Jimmy Choo, Sonia Rykiel, Stella McCartney etc. completely passed me by. Kate Moss at Topshop was never really to my taste. 
But then, I opened my copy of Grazia to see lots of beautiful dresses and shoes that are right up my street. They are more than a wee bit pricey, and far beyond my student budget, every piece is gorgeous, and completely wearable. 
These are my six favourite pieces from the collection:
£99.99

£24.99

 £29.99
 £59.99
£69.99
This dress is my favourite piece of the whole collection - but it costs far too much for me - £149.99
The collection arrives in stores on 23rd November. 
Flo x

Monday 1 November 2010

Birthday Wish List

It's my 19th birthday a week today, so I have comprised my semi-realistic wish list of what I would love to find waiting for me on the breakfast on my birthday morning. 
I may have these trousers in tan and navy blue, but I really want a black pair - £35.99 from Zara. 
These gorgeous heels from Office, £68 (above)
A pair of cherry red Dr. Martens, £75 (below)
Tickets to see: 
Katy Perry & Take That

(I know they're both sold out, but a girl can dream). 
 Lovely lovely Ray Bans, £82 from Sunglass Hut
My tartan tights ripped last winter and I really want some new ones. 
I love Benefit make-up. I use Erase Paste all the time, and I'm running out and I posted about my love for The Porefessional here

I think this is the first birthday in a long time where I haven't asked for something specific, so I'm looking forward to being surprised. 
Flo x
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