Kimono Krazy!

Fabulously flowy, delightfully delicate and beautifully bohemian! I'm in love with this oriental inspired trend. To be honest, I love anything that's going to add a bit of a boho vibe to an outfit, and with the glorious weather we're having at the moment, minus the terrestrial rain, the next-to-nothing material and loose fit is perfect to avoid any unattractive sweating, whilst still looking like the cool kids at Coachella. 

Kimonos are available practically everywhere at the moment, and you'll find them in all sorts of styles, from the traditional oriental florals to bang-on-trend modern neons! Here's a round up of my favourite kimonos to suit all occasions, as well as how I styled up my own knitted version!

Formal

1. Black Lace Kimono - New Look, £19.99

2. Blazer Kimono - ASOS, £40

3. Mono Kimono Jacket - Urban Outfitters, £50

 Modern

1. Lime Embroidered Kimono - Topshop, £65

2. Blue Mandala Print Kimono - Motel or ASOS, £45

3. Vintage Floral Kimono - ASOS, £65

4. Textured Stripe Kimono - ASOS, £50

Traditional 

1. Bird Print Kimono - Topshop, £55

2. Oriental Kimono - Miss Selfridge, was £55 now £30

3. Canton Kimono - Motel, £48

And here's how I styled my Topshop knitted kimono. I love the burnt orange colour!!

What's your opinion on kimono's? Love the oriental look, or think they're best left for fancy dress?

Peeper Protectors!

The only glimpse of summer has probably just passed, but just in case we are lucky enough to receive some more sunshine, I think a spectacular pair of shades are to be prepared!

I don't currently own a pair of sunglasses as I never holiday anywhere hot, and the British weather only seems to demand a pair of solar shields for a couple of days a year. But the range of spectacles out there is just too tempting, and I really should protect my peepers from those harmful rays. So here is a round up of my favourite (affordable) sunnies.

(left to right)

Half Frame Round Sunglasses - Ebay £1.99

Bronze Round Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters £16

Milo Round Sunglasses - Topshop £12

Etched Frame Castro Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters £16

Half Frame Round Sunglasses - ZeroUV $9.99

Classic Retro Sunglasses - ASOS £12

I recently came across the the American brand ZeroUV and they have a huge range of amazing sunglasses and they're all really cheap. Unfortunately, the price gets bumped up with the additional cost of delivery, but to be honest, they're still a good price for a pair of sunglasses. Personally though, I could never buy a pair of sunnies without first trying them on.

There is quite a big focus on the 'steampunk' trend and although I really love this style of sunglasses, I don't want to look too 'pretentious' with my choice of shades. Another big trend at the moment in the world of sun goggles are the very extravagant, heavily embellished glasses, decorated with the likes of flowers and pearls. I must say these aren't to my taste, and I could never pull such a statement piece of eye-wear off, but if you can then go for it!

I wonder how many synonyms for 'sunglasses' I have used in the post. Have you got your peeper protectors ready for this summer? 

JuJu for jellies!

I don't have much luck when it comes to buying new trends. One of two things usually happens to me; I impulsively buy the item either to go off it (insert picture of my dusty TOMS here), or find that the trend doesn't stick around for very long; or I wait too long to buy the item and I'm then put off ever buying it for the reasons stated above, and it turns out that the trend sticks around for ages!

Unfortunately money is always going to be an obstacle, unless I marry a rich man (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, please) so I can't afford to have every new trend. But hopefully I chose wisely to tap into the new trend of jelly shoes! I was desperately seeking a shoe to see me through the summer, so maybe these will do the job. I chose to get them in black because then they'll go with everything. I made the mistake of buying purple doc martens a few years ago only to wish now that I'd gotten them in black, so my new motto is 'better to be black than sorry'.

I'm very excited to wear my new JuJu Babe's. Hopefully my mother will be nipping to the supermarket today so I can tag along and use it as an excuse to flash of my new 'kicks'. Although my sister's confirmation is later today, I'm not sure if it's the appropriate occasion for jelly shoes. I've never been to a confirmation before. What is the dress code for this kind of event?

As usual when I buy a bit of a statement piece, I'm concerned that I won't know how to style these up. However I have looked around on lookbook for inspiration and they seem like they go with almost everything! But just in case any of you have the same concerns, I'm going to try to do a blog post on how to wear jellies soon, and maybe a review.

What are your opinion on jellies, love or hate? Have you got a pair of shoes that will be your staple piece through summer? Leave a comment.

My first look post!

The sun has finally decided to rear it's beautiful head and for the first time this year, I left my house without my big bobbly coat! Although the weather reached a pleasant 16 degrees today (yes, that's considered warm here in Britain), I decided to stick to mostly a black outfit.

This is my first look post, so I have no idea how to pose in front of a (rubbish iPhone) camera. I did my best.

My mesh crop top can be found at Topshop. I tried this on about a month ago and really liked it but decided not to buy it. But when I found it in the sale just a couple of days ago for £12 (down from £26) I couldn't pass up the opportunity. My bouclé shorts were originally from H&M although I snapped them up for 99p (£3.99 including shipping) on eBay. My shoes were also off eBay, originally from Topshop, I got these bad boys for £25. I love eBay. And the leather jacket from Peacocks I have had for years!

Black is my comfort zone, and although it usually looks boring, I like to think that my mix of textures and patterns spiced up the look a little bit. And even though black isn't typically associated with spring, I thought that my (too short) shorts and skin baring mesh top would make up for the lack of summer in my outfit today. And let's be realistic, it's not like the sun was going to reach any blazing temperatures today. You know the kind, when that black jacket suddenly turns into a back burning torture device.

How did you enjoy the gorgeous weather today?

Mint Madness!

Do you have an automatic response you tell people when they ask you a certain question, even though that response is simply not true? For example, when asked what your favourite film is you say Pulp Fiction, even though it's actually Toy Story 3. Well my automatic response is pink. As in what-is-your-favourite-colour pink. But I'd never wear pink, or have my room pink, or paint my nails pink. So why do I say it? In reality, I love mint!

I'm not talking about the mints you eat, or the adjective 'mint' - that only antique collectors use. I'm talking about that delicious pale green which wouldn't look out of place on top of an ice cream cone. I can't get enough!

The pastel trend is nothing new. It grazed the catwalks back in SS12, and now that spring is finally here again it's making a comeback! I'm a lover of all pastel colours, but mint holds a special place in my heart. As I'm typing this I have a mint polish on my nails (albeit very chipped), and sat right next to me is my phone engulfed in a (grubby) mint case. Although it's coming across that I don't look after myself and my belongings very well, the actual point I'm trying to make is that I LOVE MINT!

To celebrate all things mint, here are some of my favourite pieces in this fabulous colour:

Mint Mesh Overlay Mini Skirt - £38 - Topshop

Blouse With Double Collar - £28 - ASOS

JuJu Jellies 'Babe' - £20-£28 (stockists vary)