Icy November

Oh winter - you can be such a cruel and icy mistress, but dya know what? It does mean that I get to wrap up in a long ol' camel shearling coat that makes me feel like I'm in a 90s pop music video. And just to complete the throwback look, a slogan t-shirt that has 'trouble' scribbled inside a heart should do the trick.

It's no suprise that the weather hasn't deterred me from my love of all things pastel, cus y'know, the cold never bothered me anyway (sorry, not sorry). And you know what the best thing is when you wear all the pale colours under the sun in the winter?

You feel like a sassy lil' ice princess with your grey hair, frosted lippy and kick-ass over knee boots. (Can I add sassy ice queen to my CV please?)

If taking inspiration from from Disney princess Elsa isn't enough, then what about Brigitte Bardot? 

A zipped-up little cord number with some slinky 70s boots will make you feel suitably old-school, in the best way possible.

Or a laced-up knit with a trusty golden chained belt will do a similar job - the choice is yours! (oh don't I spoil ya?)

And of course, it wouldn't be winter without some festive knitwear now would it? Am UBER-cozy jumper with gold stars should do the trick, especially when teamed with a leopard print fuzzy mini-skirt and a big ol' high pony tail that would give Ariana Grande a run for her money.

Bit jazzy? Well, if all those patterns and prints are just a bit too jazzy for you liking, then it's time to take things down a notch with an all black ensemble, complete with sheer stripes and a deep side-parting. 

 Don't worry though - the underwear may be black, but it's still sparkly as a Disney festive parade.

And if all else fails, take a leaf out of your girl Posh Spice's book and go for a trusty LBD - i've gone for a scalloped edge and cut out number - and some high black boots wouldn't go amiss either.

 And why stop at going out ensembles when it comes to going back to black. A pair of ripped jeans and a tile printed polo neck will do the trick for any lazy weekend - and with a pair of sassy snakeskin boots and a Tracey Emin book on hand too, your inner Alexa Chung can sleep easy tonight.

Until next time,

A.x

September scarves & sillyness

Autumn is well and truly here. And for the first time EVER - I'm welcoming it with open arms.

Being a proper summer bunny, usually when the temperature and the leaves start to fall, I am clutching onto those last few rays of summer sun and refuse to give into the cold.

But this year, I'm saying 'yes' to the open fires, 'yes' to long coats and 'yes' to being wrapped up in layers.

And what better layer than the humble scarf? Seriously, where would me and my cold neck be without you?

Whether to top off a school-girl worthy denim ensemble - complete with rucksack - or fluffy enough to brighten up any pint-sized outfit

Outfits with all the fiesty skirts a girl could own may I add - leopard print and pink leather? Yeah, go on then.

And the perfect way to top such outfits? With your trusty hat of course - instant chic points, zero effort into doing your hair. Win-win all round.

But when those glimpses of sun still do manage to peep through, make sure you're got your glittery sunglasses and a plait in your hair before you leave the door. Oh, and any kind of floral dress will gain you compliments of lovely elderly women at the park.

If you thought September was all about the autumnal cover ups though, how wrong you were. September's just as silly as the rest of the year.

Enter, the glittery lucky cat bag. Putting the fun in functional!

And all sensible layers can be removed when it comes to bedtime in exchange for the most fun and flirty pjs you ever did see.

And yeah sure, when England rains, it really rains, but who needs a boring waterproof when you can have a yellow fisherman's jacket to shield you from the weather?

Oh, and looking like a french ballerina is always an option for work if you've got your blue stripes and lilac tutu to hand.

And if not, then get ready to go back-to-school with a polka dot heart shirt, topped off with your denim dungaree skirts.

Add in a swishy and sassy ponytail and your light-up rollerskates and you're ready to take on the world.

And anyone who tells you otherwise? Well, you can just tell them to kiss your sweet behind!

Stay happy!

Until next time..

A.x

23 reasons why 'Friends' needs to make it's way back into your wardrobe...

"So, no-one told you life was gonna be this way. Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's DOA."

At this point in my life, those lyrics could not be truer. And I'm so glad I have the Friends gang to relate to and take comfort in.

I flipping love Friends - who doesn't* - and it's not just because of the superb writing, brilliant cast and ever-lasting one-liners. But Rachel, Monica and Phoebe were style inspirations on screen for over a decade. And it's about time they inspired your wardrobe once again.

*(Actually, there was once guy who I didn't want to give my number to because they said it was lame I still liked Friends...)

1.) THE HAIR

Yes, 'The Rachel' is infamous (we've talked about it enough, have a look at this other great Rach Green hairdo instead), but all 3 ladies had great hair. Always full of body and with lashing of layers. Which way to the hairdressers?

2.) The show was the epitome of the 90s

In the early day of the show, the fashion was 100% unapologetically 90s. Unsuprising, as it was actually the 90s... 

But as the 90s are having a bit of moment in the fashion limelight - which as a 90s kid, I couldn't be happier about - it's time to get your strappy dresses out and start layering them up.

3.) Get your checks in check 

Checked prints aren't just reserved for flannel shirts and lumerjacks. Rachel shows that the red and green tartan look isn't just for Christmas, it's for life.

Or go the whole-hog á la Phobe Buffay and go full-frontal checks for a 60s look. Groovy.

4.) When in doubt, tie it up

One of my favourite tricks, executed perfectly by these gals. Things go from loose and casual, to sasssy and cropped.

5.) Fitspiration

Monica was all over cropped sports tops before Ellie Goulding and Kendall were posting them all over Insta.

6.) There's no such thing as too much denim

Miss.Green LOVES a denim waistcoat. And here I was thinking they were just for members of B*Witched.

7.) Diggin' the dungarees

I'm being utterly serious here now, but I cannot express to you enough, the love that I have for dungarees. Over the past year, I've dug out and acquired more pairs than is probably sensible for an adult. But you just slip them on, and look instantly effortlessly cool while still feeling oh-so-comfortable.

 

And no-one rocks a pair of dungarees like Rachel Green. Seriously. She's got a pair in every shape, size and style. If you haven't already, GO GET YOURSELF A PAIR. They'll change you life. Believe me.

8.) Being a slob never looked so cool

Seriously though, how do they manage to look so great in loungewear? When I'm slobbing out for the day, that's exactly what I look like - a slob. But in the world of Friends, you look like you're in a Urban Outfitters ad - all you need is a sweatshirt with a motto on.

9.) See? Slogan tops work everytime

Especially when you match them with something short and have it monochrome.

Even Ross mastered this look.

10.) Classics are called classics for a reason

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Black and white paired with high hemlines worked in the beginning in the 90s, and they did again at the end in the noughties. Kinda oddly philosophical ain't it? Full circle and all that shit.

11.) No really, mini is the key word here

Even the aprons are mini. It might not help protect your clothes from any spills, but dammit, you look like a stylish piece of origami.

12.) Long socks aren't just for your hockey kit

Short skirts and long socks: BFFs of preppy fashion. And you thought you'd seen the back of all the clothes from your school days, pfft.

13.) Max it out

No into micro skirts? No problem, your favourite hippie's got you covered with a long maxi number, finished in crushed velvet and completed with worker boots. Lorde, eat your heart out.

14.) Best of both worlds

Or if you're indecisive, wear them both. The mullet of the skirt world is suprisingly stylish. More so than the haircut anyway.

15.) Have a right ol' party with your hair

Forget pom poms on your shoes and bags that can be mistaken for pets, Phoebe takes it to the next level with fluffy hair ties. Her and Cher Horowitz should team up and inject a bit of fluff into everyone's lives - you'll have a blast!

16.) And follow suit with your coats

Have a whale of a time with your coats too. Thought Alexa Chung brought on the Teddy Coat trend? Nop. Our homegirls Rachel and Phoebe were already there - albeit, in slightly more eye-catching tones.

And you can't forget Janice! No-one rocks a leopard print like her.

17.) You can totes pull off pigtails as an adult

And here you were thinking that you could only have 2 bunches in your hair if you're 6, going as a sexy schoolgirl for fancy dress, or Anna in 'Frozen'. 

18.) Florals always work

Whether it's a tropical dress while you're jamming out to Smelly Cat...

...a cheongsam that even Mulan would be well jealous of...

...or a dressing gown that makes you look like a ethereal goddess. Seriously, stop it Jen An.

19.) Sometimes, you just feel like showing of a bit of skin

Wit-woooo. With the high neck and key hole cut-out, this is incredibly throwback when it comes to 90s. It was like the cast of 'Coyote Ugly' had came to visit.

20.) Or a lot of skin

Who knew when Rachel Green accidently wore a slip dress out for dinner, that in a decade's time, it would be an actual trend. Kudos RG, kudos. We'd just hope our boob didn't fall out at the dinner table as well...

21.) Or cover up in an oversized jacket

It's olive green. It's oversized. It looks like something Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock mode would wear. And it's oh-so-right. Break-ups never looked so good.

22.) They perfected the wistful winter wonderland look

Before the days of 'Let it Go' and sparkly ice princesses, there was Phoebe Buffay's wedding, and I for one will from now on be matching my red-carpet beaded dresses, with J-Lo worthy fur-hooded puffa coats.

23.) Last but not least, a crown is always appropriate

Cause you're the Queen and King of your own goddamn, amazing life. 

You'll never be stuck flicking through your wardrobe, screaming you have nothing to wear again. You may even have a few too many clothes and options...

Which is your fave Friends character? 

(Can I marry both Chandler and Ross....PIVOT!)

Stay happy!

Until next time...

A.x