City Glam*

I don't where my obsession for luxury brands was born - it may have been early December time when I was Christmas shopping for the gifts. I was surrounded by the hand crafted structured leathers and glimmering jewellery, whilst getting lost in Fenwicks. In places like that where you're surrounded by gorgeous items,  it's almost impossible to resist.

Maybe my love for YSL, Tom Ford, Celine & Chanel  sprouted from scrolling endless on my Instagram news feed - we all follow those dolls that live and breath designer garments. You'll have come across those insta posts that just purely consist of someones lipstick collections or what they've bought on their shopping trip to Harrods.

Now obviously these brands are all great but not all of us are fortunate enough to afford the extortionate price tag that goes along with them. So think of the collage above as your inspo. Don't try and kid yourself into thinking you can afford to dress head to toe in Burberry but don't try and knock yourself neither. Luxury brands are aspirational, they're technically what we aspire to be able to dress like and are not necessarily realistic.

I've managed to team some key hight street pieces & boutique style jewellery in the mix to accompany the luxury brands. The slouch vest is Topshop; the statement jewel encrusted necklace and dagger anchor earrings are both from Love Thy Accessory - an upcoming urban online jewellery and fashion accessories boutique based in the cool city of London. These high street essentials blend in perfectly with YSL and you wouldn't even know the difference.

What I'm getting at is - you can fool others into thinking you're wearing Chanel when really it could be a steal of a bargain. So long as you team your outfits accordingly so they look tasteful, people will believe that is what you are.

Don't be afraid to mix designer and high street is the moral of the story ladies - trick passers-by by drowning yourself in YSL Manifesto perfume and wearing a good quality volupte lipstick on your smackers and it'll be a winner - promise!

city shimmer glam by whatlaradidnext featuring Topshop

Midnight Madness Velvet Crush

Summer has gone for another year and the Autumn/Winter season is now sneaking upon us. This means - bright colours swapped for moody palettes. Think blacks, deep red and purple tones, crushed velvet and as always - leather.

Not sure about you guys but during the colder months I turn into a gothic princess/member of the addams family. (even more so than usual). I really think winter is my time to shine clothes wise, moodiness and gloominess is how I do!!

In this collage I've featured two items that are velvet, now normally this would completely freak me out as the feel of velvet goes through me! It's not quite as bad as the feel of cotton wool but it's definitely up there with the worst. Eeeek! This year however I've had a change of heart. The velvety textured garments that are slowly creeping into Topshop are beautiful - I'm seriously crushing on them right now. I feel the material in itself adds a dose of nostalgia to the mix. When I think velvet, I always think of moth bitten curtains in a haunted house and with Halloween not so far away, this is definitely the look I wanna go for. The deep purple-black lipstick, nail lacquer and smokey eye palette just really finishes this grungey looking outfit perfectly for me. Whilst the silver crystal headdress just adds a smidge of girliness.

Winter fashion is my favourite by a mile, probably due to the fact my wardrobe is rammed full of black items of clothing.

Will you be wearing crushed velvet, berry red lips and leather this A/W?



Midnight Madness Velvet Crush by whatlaradidnext featuring a purple lipstick

River Island retro top, $24 / River Island shearling lined jacket, $145 / River Island pants, $48 / Topshop shorts / River Island ankle booties, $72 / River Island hair accessory, $13 / Topshop purple lipstick / Topshop metallic eyeshadow / Topshop nail care, $9.56 / River Island Black velvet scrunchy, $7.96

Margot's World

Margot's World is the new Topshop collection inspired by a character called Margot from a 2001 Wes Anderson film called 'The Royal Tenenbaum'. I'm so in love with this collection, every piece in this A/W trend is so dainty and pretty. Topshop describes the collection as 'stepping into a sherbet coloured world where dainty dressing reigns.'

In the collage shown above I have created a set that you would be able to mix and match whilst still achieving this preppy vintage look. The character that inspired this trend - Margot, was best known for her oversized fur coats and dark smudged kohl eyeliner. I feel some shiny popping pink lipgloss would finish this look perfectly. I would never normally wear lip gloss, lipstick is where my true love lies. However I feel this collection really focuses on dainty styling with catwalk ready make up - i.e. the typical smudged eyeliner model look with textured lips that give you edge.

The pieces I have picked out in this collection are very princess'esque and prim but also incorporate the Tartan trend that is gonna take the world by storm this winter. Fur, primness and baby pastels will be the 'IT' items to wear in this wintery season. View the LFW stream/highlights here to see Margot reigning the catwalk.

You can shop the rest of the collection by Clicking here.

What do you think to this trend? Will you be wearing sherbet pastels this season?

Margot's World by whatlaradidnext featuring Topshop

Topshop sweater / Topshop crop shirt / Topshop blue camisole / Topshop pea coat / Topshop chiffon knee length skirt / Topshop high waisted shorts / Topshop socks / Topshop shoes / Topshop ring / Topshop clear glasses / Topshop lip gloss / TOPSHOP Kohl Pencil , Bolt, $6.33

Coral Lovin'

Coral Lovin' by whatlaradidnext featuring Topshop

This Coral-come-Clementine colour is all over the catwalk this season - whether it be high street or luxury! Personally, I think this cute colour popping trend looks amazing with a dash of black - whether it be patent or matte. Black looks good with everything but looks seriously hot when teamed with this shade of orange. This look perceives a feminine yet empowering image, except of course the super cute PJs featured on the collage which are just the sweetest little set. P.S. Is anybody else in love with this Celine bag? The royal blue version is another personal fave!

Unlikely fashion icon: Fruitloops!

Unlikely fashion icon: Fruitloops! by whatlaradidnext featuring a shiny lip gloss

Topshop shirt top / River Island turtleneck crop top, $31 / Topshop lace skirt / Topshop cotton skirt / Topshop cropped cami / Topshop tennis socks / Topshop tennis socks / Topshop shiny lip gloss / Topshop moisturizing lipstick, $12 / Topshop bright nail polish, $7.66

Tomboy Chic

Mixing Cara Delevingne’s casual tomboy look with a bit of LA chic. It’s risky but it is hot. Cas’ dungerees, teamed with a beautiful pair of black suede air max and a little OPI polish. You can’t go wrong. 

Sports Luxe

Sports Luxe by whatlaradidnext featuring topshop

Topshop oversized t shirt / The Ragged priest, $99 / Topshop / Topshop / Topshop nail polish,
$7.62 / Supply Semiprecious purple amethyst rondelle bead strand 5mm

We all know Sports Luxe made a massive comeback last year and proved successful.
So if you liked it last year - this ss13 its set to make yet another return but has once
again had a slight reinvention. Expect electrifying colour popping nails teamed with
an oversized baseball tee. Stock up on some mesh and leather insert garments and
make your statement baseball capyour new best friend and most importantly - your
staple item. Think baseball preppy mixed with disco dancing.  Oh and don't forget to
purchase your pair of this seasons hottest sneaks - Nike Skateboarders. I can't wait to
get myhands on the lilac pair featured above. Lovely!

Boy Street Style Grunge

I don't know whether its just me being stuck in my ways but at the minute I'm absolutely loving this sorta street style where girls can totally dress down and rock this boyish look. I've always been the sort to wear oversized jumpers and printed tees, whether it was on trend or not. However, now I'm more than satisfied that it is now considered socially acceptable to wear such clothing. Its always a plus point when you and you boyfriend have a similiar style as well - you know what that means...sharing clothes!

Boy Street Style Grunge by whatlaradidnext featuring gold tops


Sweat shirt etsy.com The Ragged Priest hood $63 - topshop.com BOY London gold top $71 - coggles.com
River Island bustier shirt $39 - riverisland.com Topshop cotton jacket topshop.com  Topshop leather shoes topshop.com Topshop lace up shoes topshop.com The Ragged Priest knit beanie $24 - topshop.com Snap back hat

craniumfitteds.com

My weekend in photos

This weekend I actually socialised (shocker!). Problem is I enjoy my own company far too much and when my friends go out in town I either stay at home watching Keeping up with the Kardashians or have a Sex in The City marathon. Either that or I'm working. However this week I thought I would venture out and see what all the fuss is about. I spent the evening with my two best friends which was well overdue.

I also got my Christmas shopping done. However I almost had a breakdown In Vivienne Westwood because I was buying for other people and not my self. I didn't even let my self loose in Topshop because I knew I'd end up spending all my money on me! I went to Nottingham, which is one of my favourite cities - mainly because pretty much all my favourite shops are there.

Thought I'd post a selfie of my weekend outfit: Peplem top, Leather Jacket and All Saints jeans. Sunday was spent recovering from the night before and my lovely sister cooked us a delicious Sunday dinner. All in all a wonderful weekend. However I am now procrastinating as I am supposed to be doing my English Coursework. Boohoo!

Oh and does anybody wish to purchase that amazing beanie and leather tinsel dress for me? Please :(

It's because I'm green isn't it?

Yes the title of this post is from The Grinch in case you were wondering. I thought it was rather appropriate for the image I've posted, god knows what possessed me to wear all green, reckon I'm turning into a Scrooge this year or something. Anyhow, as usual today I wasn't feeling particularly girly; therefore I threw on some Nike Blazers, the all famous Topshop 'Geek' top and my sacred Ragged Priest coat, along with some leggings.

I'm desperate to go shopping however I am lacking funds due to buying Christmas presents. However I'm not complaining because I enjoy buying people presents and seeing their face when they unwrap it. I had a bit of a splurge on ASOS tonight though and managed to buy most of my boyfriends' presents so it has been a rather successful/productive evening.

Other than that, my day has been consumed by studying, reading Kardashian Konfidential (I would highly recommend) and watching American TV on E! Such an interesting life I lead. Hope you're all well my lovelies! xo

My wish list for this week!

I get paid at midnight tonight and on Wednesday I'm going shopping. I've wanted some Nike Blazers for absolutely ages so I cannot wait to get my hands on these from Foot Asylum this week.  The other items are all from Topshop and I also plan on purchasing them as well. Last week I  bought a 'Geek' top from Topshop which I'm sure you've all seen and its the same style to the 'Horror' top. I really like the style of it so that's why I'm going to get this Horror tee and also because its Halloween soon, oh and because its dead cute! The studded beanie is something I haven't seen anything like before. Its got some studding encrusted round the front which actually looks really pretty and being a beanie kinda' girl, it will definitely got a lot of use out of it.

What do you think? Whats everyone else got on their wish list for this week? :-) xo

Witching Hour

With Halloween creeping up on us, we're all on the search for that perfect costume. - But, who says that Halloween is just for children? - And who's rule was it that you're only allowed to dress up as a witch or a cat? Everyone loves to play dress up and with the new Witching Hour collection on Topshop, I had to literally stop my self from 'adding to basket' (with no intentions of actually purchasing anything!).  

This new trend is for the gothic goddess within. Its a mean, dark and enchanting trend that focuses on mystery and statement looks. Whilst scrolling through the amazing pieces this trend has to offer, I decided to do a 'get the look' because of course its getting to that doom and gloom time of year... and well what better way to embrace the horrific English weather and dark nights, than by dressing head to toe in black? 

We've all got a bit of Adams Family lurking within somewhere. So, I of course chose a leather jacket to go with the outfit simply because its a timeless garment that is also a staple wardrobe item. (bible. honestly it works wonders for even most outrageous items you may have hidden in your closet). This is an oversized biker jacket. If you feel the oversized look doesn't quite cut it for you and you feel like a motorcyclist rookie, then you can always opt for a more feminine alternative. Deep berry lipstick to finish off the outfit, teamed with a smokey eye palette, you're onto a winner. I chose these studded platforms because they're on keeping with the trend but don't overpower the rest of the outfit or cause any distractions. Then of course, the bralet and midi skirt with a lace over lay for the gothic queen within. - Happy Haunting my lovelies (cackles on que). 

Confession.

I'll be the first to admit. I'll hold my hands up and confess that yes I am in fact - a sucker for leather and studs. We all have that one fashion obsession that we just want to re-live forever and this is mine. Whenever wandering aimlessly around shopping centres I almost have anything leather and studs on some sort of radar and if I come across anything fitting that description - I have to purchase. I'm totally into the rock/gothic look, its edgy and can add a great element to any outfit. Sometimes I go all out and flaunt a grunge ensemble, other days I'm a pastel princess. It entirely depends what mood I'm in, however I would say this sort of clothing and shoes is my 'safe place' and what I feel most comfortable in. I suppose that's the thing with fashion, the meaning of the word is so vague and there are so many options. Probably the reason why everybody has caught the bug, but can you blame us? 

Change is good, right?

So, yesterday morning I woke up and thought to myself - I'm bored of my hair! Up until February this year I had been a platinum blonde (and even lilac at one point!!!!!!!), looking at my hair now though that's pretty hard to believe. Its currently a 'berry red' colour, however the lighting on this photo doesn't do it much justice. It doesn't look particularly red, but trust me it is. Anyway - I'm fancying a change and really think I should just take the plunge rather than umm'ing and aaah'ing about it. I mean, its not like I've never drastically changed my hairstyle before, I think I'm just stuck in a rut. So I was thinking of going like a chocolate brown colour, seeing how I adjust to that and then if I like it, adding some honey blonde to the ends to get that 'ombre' look. The good thing about the ombre style is that its low maintainance and looks more natural.

What do you think pretty people?!?! Help!

(Dipdye beanie - Topshop £14)