One Less Problem Without You!

Ariana Grande is a girl after my own heart.

In a world where everyone has their leather skorts being a badass, or kicking it in there BOY sweatshirts and beanies being too cool for school, I'm usually found twirling around in a pink dress, feeling like a 5 year-old who can't hang out with the big boys and girls. Don't get me wrong, my wardrobe is as varied as a box of Bassetts AllSorts - I love trying out different styles. But in my heart, I'm a true girly girl through and through, who loves bows and glitter. And I don't know why I shouldn't be - if it's wrong to want to wear a sparkly dress and fluffy heels, then I don't want to be right!

And Ariana Grande (who's the same age as me and has had hit singles - what have I been doing with MY life?!) has a similar girly taste, and I love that there's finally someone like that out there! She has hints of Harajuku style in there, and her style is appropriate for her age, and I always feels she stays true to herself, whether performing and on the red carpet...

...or just taking selfies on Instagram. Even when she tries different styles - like the 60s touch for the 'Problem' video - her own personal style still shines through. And I've always though hat fashion should be a mix of your own personal style, and experimenting with other looks and trends, but most importantly, it should be fun, and I think Ariana compasses that perfectly! 

Images: @arianagrande (instagram), freetopone.com, wheretogetit.com, mtv.co.uk, seventeen online, directlyrics.com, stuffpoint.com, V magazine

Also, how cute is her hair?! She's had some stick for it always being in a similar style, but she's had hardships with it (it started coming out due to dying it to much for a Disney programme she was on, and her signature style is the only way she can hide her extensions), and I for one applaud her addressing it, and think it's sassy as heck!

Unless you've been living under a rock, she's had hit single after single already, and I first heard of her on her track, 'The Way', and it instantly reminded me of old school Mariah Carey. 

And even though it's the middle of Summer (a pool of sweat is forming as I type this), if you haven't heard 'Snow in California', you need to right away - it's so chilled out, her voice sounds amazing and it's jst got that 90s R'n'B tone to it - OBSESSED!

Are you a fan of Ariana? What do you think of her style?

Hope you're all well,

Speak soon,

A.x

Hey there Mister!

Last week saw the final for the Great British Sewing Bee, which I have become obsessed with this year. And along with many other reasons why I've fallen in love with the show, one of the big reasons is that it's brought the pristinely-dressed Mr. Patrick Grant into my life.

Despite being an absolute fashion fiend, my attention to men's fashion in my life has gone as far as picking a festive jumper for my Ken doll. In fact, that's all he had to wear, because whenever I was good and got a trip to Toys R Us as a treat, Barbie always got a shiny new outfit. Hands down. Poor Ken didn't have any trousers to wear for the best of a year - until my brother was fed up of staring at his his non-existent dolly-man parts, and bought him a pair of fetching board shorts to go with his jumper.

Me with my pride and joy: my Barbie dolls (check out those shoulder pads!)

But, ever since I joined the beautiful world of Pinterest (hey! join me over there & let's be friends!), my love for men's fashion has gotten a bit obsessive and my Ken doll would have a full blown-out, snazzy, wardrobe nowadays.

And Partick Grant is my new poster boy for men's style.

Personality aside - a well-dressed guy is possibly on of the most attractive things on this planet. And Patrick Grant's style hold many of the qualities that I personally think makes a man look 10 out of 10.

There is nothing more classic, more smooth, more suave, than a man in a well-fitted suit. Nothing beats it and if it's not broke, don't fix it!

Cool as heck - that certain stance, that certain attitude. I quite put my finger on it, but it's that confidence of knowing what they're wearing feels and looks good. It's 'them', and that's all that matters.

Cozy - there's something to be said about the understated jumper (I am a massive sucker for knitwear). It's homely, comforting, and paints an instant picture of having a pot of tea in front of a fresh fireplace, after a long muddy walk in the woods. It just warms my lil heart up!

The 3 C's - lucky how that turned out! And there's that one extra thing that always just tops it off. Those little finishing details. That sense of fun. A cheeky manner - just that thing that makes their personalty come through in their clothes.

As you can probably tell, some other fine fellas who I think are worthy of the wall of fame when dressed to the nines, are also featured on here. A little bit of Eddie Redmayne here, a splash of Gordon-Levitt there. For once, pretty pastels and flirty florals aren't the center of my attention!

Un-winding down from the success that was the Sewing Bee, with a new range out for Debenhams, and looking like he just stepped out of GQ, who he contributes for, it seems like there's no stopping Mr.Grant!

Whose your style inspiration when it comes to the men in your life?

sources: hearaldscotland.com, asuitofclothes.tumblr, trekstock.com, rantlifestyle.com, tellychat.co.uk, gq online, telegraph online, dressedfordinner.files.wordpress.com, theguardian.com, stylesavage, esquire, thetimes online, menshealth.co.uk, pinterest

Hope you're all well!
Speak soon,
A.x

Something in the Eyre

Rudimental have completely blown up on the airwaves throughout 2013, and rightly so. Their songs are powerful and infectious and their lyrics are strong and inspiring. I couldn't stop screaming the words "tell me that you want meeee, tell me that you need meeee" for the best part of last year, and they are my go-to when I need a bit of a power boost at the gym.

And the girl responsible for the vocals of this powerhouse anthem is a lil lady with a big voice and just as big hair: Miss.Ella Eyre.

At just 19-years-old, this blonde haired beauty has already scored a no.1 single along with Rudimental and last week picked up her first Brit award for it.

She performed at the awards as well, along with one of my other personal favorites, Bastille, and she went for it and gave it her all, absolutely smashed it and was fierce as heck!

Not only does she have an amazing set of lungs on her but she also has a great sense of style which is simple, yet fun and fresh.

I also have the biggest hair envy over her fabulous and fierce mane.

Here's her performance at the Brits with Rudimental as Bastille, and if you haven't already, I'd definitely go check out her voice on YouTube.

What do you think if Ella? Think she's gonna blow up on her own 2 feet this year?

Sources: pbs.twimg.com, reynaga.co.uk, ellaeyre.tumblr.com, theticketsellers.co.uk, last.fm, idolmag.co.uk, capitalfm.co.uk, hotnewsonglyrics.co.uk, mtv.co.uk, bbc.co.uk

Hope you're all well,

Speak soon,

A.x

Completely Clueless

When I was about 15, I had a Paul's Boutique bag (yes, one of those) and I absolutely loved that pink purse in all it's plastic goodness. And whenever I used to carry it, hanging off the nook in my arm, my brother used to exclaim, "Oh look! Here comes clueless!"

Being a wannabe punk and a immersed in the world if all things emo before, I found this such a slap in the face, but the more I've watched Clueless during the years as I've grown up, the more I love the outfits in it and feel nostalgic about the fashion.

Everything from the neat headbands and knee-high socks, to a shirt in every colour to match every outfit.

I've been loving all the dreamy and soft texture of feathers and fluff that been making an appearnce in the shops and in my wardrobe recently, and Cher is definitely the poster girl for this.

My favourite outfit throughout the whole film though, is this sheer little number, which when I saw it, I paused immediately and rumamged around my room to see how I could recreate my own version at home. I lvoe everything from the longline, pleated, sheer shirt, worn over a argyle skirt, and topped off with a fluffy, sleeveless jumper.

The wardeobe of the Clueless class has not been ignored though, as relaed, luxury brand Wildfox tapped into the film and created it's own little Clueless clan for it's latest campaign.

Although previously being offended by my brother's on-going joke and comparison with the girls in the film, watching back now, I realise now that that girl Cher speaks a lot of truth!

sources: tumblr, wildfox

At this moment in 2014, I'm revising furiously for exams and reading endlessly for essays to hand-in. I'm losing my mind slightly as I've always been one who enjoys the company of others and social contact, but while everyone (including myself!) is stressed with work, it's hard to lie-back and just have fun and natter.

How is your 2014 going? Are you going to be reminiscing and dressing from the 90s anytime soon?

Hope you're all well,

Speak soon,

A.x

50

In my house at uni, i live with 4 other fashion students, and although i am doing a 10,000 dissertation alongside my design module, the others opted to do a 5,000 dissertation alongside an additional module of Design Communications. One of the pieces of work they had to do early on was think of 50 words that inspire them or they feel represent them or they way they work, and the same with 50 images.

Even though i have enough work to do, when looking at one of their pieces of work, i thought it looked great and actually a brilliant exercise to do and a great little thing to keep after, so i decided to do it myself.

Even though we're all studying the same subject, we all have our own unique style and way of dressing that's very different, and you could definitely tell this by just looking at our choice of images.

Hannah's is the one on the left, Michaela's on the right, and mine in the middle.

(Hannah and Michaela both have brilliant blogs too, which I'll link below so you can check them out!)

I love how different they are and although being so different, i still like and find some of their images inspiring and think it's great to see what interests and inspires others.

Mine included Audrey Hepburn, animals, pastel stripes, Wonderwoman, magical lights and Florence Welch.

Hannah's had Korean popstars, architecture, Scandinavian influences and subtle colour.

Michaela's showed forests, baroque inspired pieces, tattoos and a darker feel.

Being different is one of the great things of  life and about humans and i would recommend to anyone to try this little exercise, because although 50 sounds like a lot at first, it doesn't take long until you find so many images you enjoy that you'll have to edit down!

Whose set of images do you prefer?  Who and what would you include in your images?

Michaela's Blog: http://michaelaclaricoates.blogspot.co.uk/
Hannah's Blog: http://hannahpodbury.blogspot.co.uk/

Hope you're all well.
Speak soon.
A.x