Eye Print - AW13

These are some of my favourite eye print items. Ever since I came across the Kenzo eye motif, I've become obsessed with finding similar clothing and accessories. While the Kenzo pieces will set you back around £250-£500, there are a couple of average priced items in stores and online if you're lucky you'll spot a bargain. 

1. Lulu Guinness Wild Cat Print Medium T-Seam Leather Pouch - Black/Stone

2. Kenzo Black Eye Print Cotton Sweatshirt

3. Bank Eye Print Scarf

4. G21 Eye Shirt Sold Out

What print are you loving for AW13?

Bianca x

Bloglovin - Twitter - Tumblr - Pinterest 

What you should know about buying a bra from Curvy Kate

I had heard of Curvy Kate for a while but had never tried one anything from the lingerie range before. The Curvy Kate bloggers event at The Owl & Pussycat earlier this month was the best place for me to learn more about the brand and why it’s a good option for ladies with ample bosom.

All ladies go through the difficulty of trying to find the perfect bra, the high street hasn’t always been the ideal place for varied sizes but things are slowly changing. It’s hard to cater for all when we all come in so many sizes but with brands like Curvy Kate aiming to put the needs of customers first there is hope for a better selection of quality lingerie for women who range from D-K cups. 

The Curvy Kate team showed off the spring/summer 2013 and autumn/winter 2013 collections and giving us a sneak peek of what’s to come next summer.  This was a mini-catwalk show featuring the brand’s models that all looked gorgeous in the sets and had some fun with the audience. After the team’s designer Charlotte and PR and marketing manager, Hannah took us through the new collections while expressing their passion for lingerie.

Curvy Kate Model Lotte Williams wearing Princess and Lola sets

There were a couple of highlights from the evening that I thought I would share with you. These include things are a closely related to the brand and general bra buying advice.

The ladies in attendance had so much fun eating cupcakes and playing bra bingo!

Look out for the SS14 strapless bra called Luxe. This is first strapless bra for the brand. It has vertical seams it’s different from a moulded strapless bra because the vertical seams give more support, structure and body contouring.

Some adaptions have been made to the straps for women who have narrow shoulders. This means the straps have been nipped in a bit as some struggled with straps slipping off. 

My favourties from AW13 are Daisy Chain and Gia they each have that mesh upper detail and come in range a subtle shades ideal for the season. From SS14 I’m a fan of Dreamcatcher and Ritzy the latter has a pinstripe overlay that is super seductive.

Left: I am holding the Dreamcatcher bra. Right: My Portia set, bra 30F and briefs size 12

At the end of the evening we all got fitted and to take a set home I chose Portia a balcony bra that is I like for everyday. I feel the cups offer more coverage than other bra styles giving you a nice lift, shape and fit.

Two things to remember when looking for the perfect bra:

The measurement around the back is important to the fit of the bra. This area gives you support and helps to lift your boobs upwards.

You’re most likely to fit into two sizes but opt for the size that is smaller in the back and larger in the cup to get maximum support.

Shop Curvy Kate on ShopStyle:

Curvy Kate

Trending: Monochrome SS13

The black and white combo is super hot for the SS13 season. I've seen so many pieces on the high street that I'm tempted to buy but I think I'll wait for the weather to pick up before I go on a spring shopping spree.

I've been keeping a eye out for monochrome seen on celebs, in stores and across fashion blogs. Here are my top picks.

I was a fan of Beyonce's Osman jumpsuit that she wore to this year's Grammy Awards. I think chunky blocks of monchrome on this outfit appear easier on the eye compared to narrow horizontal stripes or checkboard patterns that you see on other pieces. I spotted a dress from ASOS similar to this style, I've included it on my Polyvore board below.

Photo: Getty Images

Another celeb fave is Rochelle Humes' ka-yute babydoll dress that she wore on a night out in London. Even though this dress is probably maternity but I love it. It's nice how she is rocking the monochrome trend without being too over-the-top. Less is more peeps.

Photo: Rex

My high street favourites for the colour constrasting trend come from my Polyvore board. It's nice that there's so much variety with this trend. It seems like there's is something for everything shape and size plus monochrome accessories make a good pairing for bright clothing, I shall invest for the summer.

Monochrome ss13 by bee2010 featuring a longsleeve dress

ASOS longsleeve dress, £31 / Striped dress / Vesper Dresses checkered dress, £59 / Longsleeve dress / Oasis sheer shirt / Striped tote bag / Stretch bracelet / Dorothy Perkins , £9.26 / Buy Monochrome Scallop Top from the Next UK online shop / F&F Monochrome Cut-Out Saddle Bag

Tell me how will you wear this season's monochrome trend?

Bianca x

Best of Fashion Week AW13

Since the hoopla of fashion month is over it’s time to share my picks for top trends for AW13. These are just a small selection of the styles that caught my eye along with trends that I’d like to incorporate in my wardrobe later this year.

Animal print

Photos Style.com (Burberry Prorsum, DKNY, Moschino Cheap and Chic, Tracey Reese, Tom Ford and Versace)

I love animal prints so I was happy to see DKNY collection lead the way with models head-to-toe in bold leopard print looks. Across the pond Christopher Bailey stunned with a Burberry collection heavy in animal print mixed with tough texture and metallic accents. One of my favourite looks was a black and cream animal print dress. Most designers opted for leopard spots or zebra stripes, I’m looking forward to see how this style will be interpreted by the high street.

Under arm bag

Photos Style.com (Marni, Topshop Unique, Chanel and Victoria Beckham)

This is one trend we can rock now, carrying a bag no matter the shape or size as a clutch. It isn’t practical in reality if you have a huge handbag, but it looks so cool. Strangely enough I’ve already found myself carrying my messenger bag under my arm as if it doesn’t have a strap. Victoria Beckham has been papped hugging her bag instead of holding the handles and Kate Moss posed for the SS13 Givenchy campaign cradling a bowling bag, it’s only a matter of time before this trend catches on. It’ll be the new wearing-your-coat-on-your-shoulders-like-it’s-a-cape kinda thing.

Pink

Photos Style.com (Rodarte, Dries Van Noten, Roksanda Illincic, Sister by Sibling, Moschino Cheap and Chic, Topshop Unique)

Rose, fuchsia and cerise were prominent across the fashion capitals for AW13. A pastel pink suit was a showstopper at Rodarte, while sprinkles of pink were seen at Roksanda Illincic and Unique where a jumpsuit and overcoat featured in pink hues. It is said to become a staple colour rather like black, camel and white next season. I wouldn’t normally associate pink with this season but I’m interested to see how it can work and what shades will be popular.

A-line silhouette 

Photos Style.com (Lanvin, Jonathan Saunders, Holly Fulton, Nina Ricci)

The A-line silhouette seemed to be highlight across the catwalks for AW13. Skater skirts were huge in AW12 as a staple separate and I’m happy to see them again for the following winter as it’s a style that works for all shapes and sizes. 

What AW13 trends are you keeping an eye out for?

Bianca x

Black stud strap wedge hi-tops

I went to the New Look SS13 press day back in November and was given a gift card in a goody bag. Can you believe up until now I hadn’t spent it?! I’m really good at resisting a shopping splurge but caved last week when I wondered onto the New Look site.

I came across these all black wedge hi tops, I’ve been a fan of this style of trainer hybrid for a while but never felt I could pull them off because A. I’ve got skinny ankles and B. I don’t think they look cute on any woman with feet larger than a UK 4.

Despite all my hesitations I purchased them. I like this pair from New Look because they are all black from toe to heel and reasonable in price at £27.99 which means I can buy some other things with my gift card.

There are a lot of high street versions of the wedge hi-top available right now, so if all goes well with this pair I’ll invest in another pair.

What do you think of New Look’s Wedge Hi-Tops?

Bianca x

Style crush: Demi Lovato on the X Factor USA

The new season of the X Factor USA bought new judges, new categories and a new style star. I think Demi Lovato’s fashion choices for the show have been spot on so far. During the auditions she mixed smart and sophisticated looks together with casual cool outfits. With most ensembles coming from Topshop it's no surprise that her style is in the spotlight. Here is a selection of my favourite looks so far.

Live Shows 2

Demi wore this jacquard blazer for the second live show which she teamed with a plain black shirt dress from the Topshop Unique collection. The Skyscraper singer made her outfit pop by teaming her ruby red jacket with a scarlet lipstick. 

Get Demi's look:

Demi on the X Factor USA by bee2010 featuring black wedge sandals

Silk dress, £105 / Topshop metallic blazer, £88 / River Island black wedge sandals, £55

Auditions

Demi wears this dip dye-style jacket with a simple LDB. I like clothes with different textures that make the eyes dance. This is a fun and flirty look that is perfect for a night out.

Get Demi's look:

Demi Lovato X Factor USA by bee2010 featuring Dorothy Perkins

Oasis bandage dress / Faux fur coat, £110 / Steve Madden platform heels / Dorothy Perkins , £8.79 / Lip makeup, £11 / NARS Cosmetics

Finalists party

Demi wore this red skater-style skirt and leather jacket to party to celebrate the X Factor Finalist. I never used to be a fan of the colour red but it's actually a great shade that suits all skin shades. Demi made the dress the centre of attention here by keeping accessories to a minimum.

Get Demi's look: 

Demi Lovato X Factor USA 2 by bee2010 featuring a ponte dress

Glamorous ponte dress / Blonde + Blonde leather jacket / NYX white lipstick

What do you think of Demi's X Factor USA style? 

Bianca x

It’s not just a label it’s a lifestyle

     

Girls in snapbacks

Word has it that after appearing on ITV’s Jonathan Ross show this weekend clad head-to-toe in cult label BOY London, Rihanna has boosted the sales profits of the clothing brand sold in Selfridges by 45%!

When being photographed out and about in London over the past weeks in BOY London and Trapstar apparel something about Ri-Ri’s casual attire caught my eye - the snapback. Her outfit hasn’t been complete without one.

Now all of a sudden it’s no longer guys rocking the flat caps, so many girls are into this style too. A few snapback spots I’ve come across already are Teyana Taylor, Rita Ora, Ciara, (but she’s been on this from a while back).

Snapback hats have been popping up on the crowns of celebs for a while now but with the exposure their getting from this popstar, I suspect it won’t be long until this trend trickles into the mainstream.

Are you loving girls with snapback style?

Bianca x

Bloglovin - Twitter - Tumblr