happy christmas to all bloggers

I LOVE 

THIS LIPSTICK COLOUR

AND

THIS NAIL COLOUR.

That's all for now:) I'm off out to celebrate christmas eve but I had to let you all in on these 2 fantastic colours.

Pour Maintenant, Au Revoir.

Tout Mon Amour,

Neen x

I have issues...

with this weather.  I've never been a lover of snow past the age of 6... I was under the impression that everyone else was the same but evidently not.  My Facebook news feed as been flooded with people begging and praying for snow and now it's here they've done nothing but complain!
My issue with this weather, apart from the fact that I'm on a constant panic that I'm gonna fall on my bum in front of people and that it's blisteringly cold, is what to wear.  Honestly, I never realised how actually thin all of my clothes are.  I very, very rarely wear jeans, (I'm a leggings or skirt/shorts and tights girl) you can't be seen in public in your trackys unless you're in the gym and any other trousers I own are like painfully thin material.  This wouldn't be so problematic if I had a coat that covered my thighs, and whilst I do, I much prefer my shorter one and it goes with way more outfits.
So that's my issue basically... what exactly do you wear on your bottom half at this time of year in these freak weather conditions?  If anyone has any ideas, please do let me know.  I'm about to resort to topping off my thermal vest with thermal pants to wear under my leggings... and then I really will have committed fashion suicide.  

Pour Maintenant, Au Revoir.
Tout Mon Amour,
Neen x

Balenciaga, the spanish master...

Cristobel Balenciaga, a true genius.  I was lucky enough to be visiting New York when there was an exhibition of his finest dresses in Queen Sofia Spanish Institute on Park Avenue.  It was like walking through a dream world... much like when you walk through the hand bags section in Barney's, except it's not the smell of leather that's intoxicating, it's the sound of silence.  I mean, eery silence.  The building was filled with fashion lovers all quietly gazing in awe of this master.  
The dresses were all fabulous, needless to say.  Some were maybe a tad too out there for my taste but the majority of them, well I would have given a body part just to be able to try one on.  As you walked through the exhibition, you could feel the sense of respect and adoration that Balenciaga's designs were receiving.  Quite frankly, I loved it. 
I decided to take a little piece of the magic home with me in the form of the Balenciaga hardback they had on sale: 

Honestly, it was worth the $45 it cost me. It has photographs of all the dresses that were in the exhibition and more! And pages upon pages of text discussing Balenciaga's inspirations and ideas and his background.  I love it.


Not to mention, just handling the book itself gives me a sense of happiness :) Mock if you will, but I adore Balenciaga. Recently, it's all about his bags and I'm hilariously lucky to have a mother who owns one... which I regularly steal. But back then, it was all about the gorgeous dresses!




Here's a few of my favourite pages from the book:

 

This one was my absolute favourite dress from the whole exhibition. I think it's absolutely amazing.  It's my birthday coming up, so if anyone's stuck for what to get me? ;)

Pour maintenant, au revoir.

Tout Mon Amour,

Neen x

  

always forgive your enemies, nothing annoys them more.

This quote applies to do much in my life right now. Oscar Wilde; how did you become so wise eh?


Like I said, I went to the big apple. Literally got back this morning so I'm suffering from serious jet lag and I have a hysterical cold that's confined me to my bed... unfortunately this does mean that my plans for todays blogs are ruined. I need to venture downstairs to the scanner and I'm too ill for all that physical exertion so I have adapted as all good writers do and have decided to blog about something that's been puzzling my mind my whole holiday.


All girls, in my opinion, should have a fashion icon.  There's so many people I admire within fashions critical eye; Blake Lively for one. Kate Moss is a given really. Sarah Jessica Parker another obvious symbol of fashion.  However, I'm completely torn between my two favourites.
Hayley Williams and Audrey Tatou. Both completely opposite in their styles yet both impress me with every outfit choice, every risk, every look they create. 

The thing is, I think it's because I'm in awe of both of them that my wardrobe has split personality syndrome.  No matter where I'm going (whether it's on a night out, to the shops, a party, roast dinner at my nan's etc) I am torn between my want to emulate Hayley Williams' rock chick, thrown together, so cool I don't care look and my desire to imitate Audrey Tatou's classy sophistication and original femme fatale manner. I'm genuinely not too sure which image I portray best, but I don't care. I'm in love with both of these women for their individual flair that are both so different but both so desirable, by me anyway. The point is, in any one week I could be wearing an oversized, vintage band tee paired with wet look leggings and lace up biker boots, and the next day be seen in a chiffon blouse with a fitted skirt topped off with my mother's pearl necklace.

But what the hell, I enjoy switching between styles as often as the wind changes.  It keeps people on their toes ;)

Pour Maintenant, Au Revoir.

Tout Mon Amour,

Neen x      

these streets will make you feel brand new, these lights will inspire you.

New York, possibly on par with Paris as my favourite city.  To be fair, it loses out as I've never been to Paris so I love it even more.  It still contains that alluring mystery, whereas i've experienced the bright lights of New York before.  But still, I leave in the morning at 3am and i'm utterly excited! My first sight seeing experience of the holiday? The Cristobal Balenciaga exhibition in the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute on Park avenue. Could I get anymore New Yorker? ;)

Anyway, expect a tres long blog about my trip to the big apple, god knows i'm going to have a lot to write about.  But since I'm going to be away for 5 nights and won't be blogging, I thought I'd leave you with some of my favourite outfits from All Saints A/W look book:

I literally adore All Saints, I just wish I could afford to do my clothes shopping there.  I'm applying for a job there, so if I get it, I will upload photos of me in ALL of the above outfits! :)

Pour Maintenant, Au revoir.

Tout Mon Amour,

Neen x

La Douleur Exquise

The exquisite pain is 'shopping' in Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge and not being allowed to buy anything. 

So last Saturday I attended a personal shopping workshop with 'Style Aware' in London. I didn't really know what to expect but I dragged myself out of bed at 6.30AM to get the 8AM train to London Euston- and I don't do early mornings. (And I didn't get chance to have breakfast which is bad because I literally don't function properly without a bowl of cereal inside me!) The mother and the nan accompanied me, but of course they got to go shopping in Harrods and Harvey Nichols and peruse the glorious stores on Sloane Street such as Jimmy Choo, Dolce & Gabbana and TODS. 
I, however had a workshop to attend. To be honest, it was great fun. The first 2 hours were spent listening to Faye Marriott, the personal shopper and taking notes on all her worldly wisdom (despite her only being 27?). Don't get me wrong, the girl knew her stuff, but I had been expecting an eccentric Vivienne Westwood type, late 40's/early 50's, who had been around the fashion industry long enough to know a thing or twenty about clothes. But hey, one shalt not judge. The afternoon was spent taking on roles of either a client or a shopper.  The 3 other girls (well, women as I was the only one under 25) and myself had to shop for each other depending on a particular brief we were given.  I must say, I wasn't impressed that when I was the client we were shopping in Zara but when I was the shopper we were in Harvey Nics.  I truly could've cried when I realised I wouldn't be trying on any Balenciaga dresses paired with a pair of stiletto Choos. 
All in all, I would rate the day an 8 out of 10. If I'd known what to expect would I have done it again? Yes, probably.  Faye did give me some really interesting insight into what it takes to set up your own business, how to make yourself accessible to every sector of the market and an extremely innovative way of measuring clients using ribbon.  
On the other hand, would I have rather been trawling the shops with my mum? Definitely.


Have a look yourself:
http://www.styleaware.co.uk/


Pour Maintenant, Au Revoir.
Tout Mon Amour,


Neen X  


PS. The next day I attended the races to watch my dad's horse WIN again :) Ladies, TWEED is making a comeback. 

Baby, you can drive my car and baby I love you...

I've been wanting this song by The Beatles for years but never wanted to fork out for an album just to get it... So you can imagine my excitement when it's announced that itunes now stock everything The Beatles ever recorded. Anyway, that's just my good news for the day.

I wanted to write in reference to the saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" as one famous high-street shop has shown that this is categorically untrue.  I've worn clothes bought from 'Next' since I was little girl.  My mum has always been a faithful shopper at this well known store and therefore I ended up following suit.  However, when I reached my mid-teenage years (16, 17, 18), I felt that no longer could shop in the children's clothes (even though I can still fit into them now and regularly borrow my 12 year old cousin's purchases) and the womenswear just, well, disappointed.  Always in a 'Next' store, there's half the shop for day wear and then another half for office and night wear.  But all of it quite frankly bored me. It was just a mix of cotton, hooded cardigans, the same pair of jeans renamed 5 times over as different styles and various coloured vest tops with a pointless picture of a bow or something on it.  Nevertheless, this is a toasting not a roasting so I'll get to the point.

'Next' has finally got with the times and gone a bit more glam.  I think for me, the revolution became apparent when this advert came out:

I went into 'Next' yesterday and bought a gorgeous granddad cardigan, a flowing, chiffon blouse and a sterling silver necklace with the word 'LOVE' on the end of the chain.  I was not only pleased with the extremely affordable price compared to my all time favourite Topshop or my guilty pleasure Urban Outfitters, but I was genuinely surprised that I even found something I liked.  I've been browsing the website, which has also had a swish make-over and I'm literally finding pages upon pages of items that I want to buy. And when I went into the store in the Coliseum, I particularly loved the range of costume rings they had available.  So not what you would expect from 'Next' but a lovely surprise, they were very boho, very indie, very now. 


Overall, 'Next' has totally impressed me over the past week.  I urge all of you to get your 'tired of the same old high-street shops and in need of something new and exciting' arses down to your nearest 'Next' retailer.   You won't be disappointed...


Pour maintenant, au revoir.
Tout mon amour,


Neen x

"clothes are your cocaine"

My best friend told me this today.  And she's right, they are like a drug to me.  Sometimes I find myself feeling low or morose, I don't figure out what's up until I treat myself to a new piece of clothing and I realise I just needed my fashion fix.  I most definitely have a substance abuse problem, but my substance is clothes.  The only difference from me and a 'coke head' is that I draw lines at how far i'll go to get my fix.
Personally, I comfort myself in the thought that at least my addiction makes me look good?

  So, I just wanted to update you on my newest purchase:

Lissie and I rockin out at revs in the o2... sexy shorts all round.

 My somewhat 'tres beau' camel, paper bag waistband shorts from topshop.  Just seven fivers and they're yours ;) Comment stupéfiant est cela ?
Je les aime!


Pour maintenant, Au revoir!

Tout Mon Amour,
Neen x

Just a quickie ;)

As previously promised, my two outfit choices for my best buy tapered, hareem style trousers :)

On the left, Urban Outfitters and on the right, Topshop.

Both under £50 and both gorgeously flattering.

Short and sweet but I always keep my promises ;)

Pour maintenant, Au revoir.

Tout mon amour,

Neen x

Fashion is made to become unfashionable...

So says Coco Chanel. And really, she does know her stuff doesn't she?  I mean, surely that's a bit of a contradiction... but when I think of some of the things I used to wear that I wouldn't be caught dead in now.  Or the things I wear now that I would have hated a few years back. 

Pour example: Etes-vous garçon ? 

My 15 year old fashionista self would have laughed if you had told me that one day I'd be buying things from Topman because wearing boys clothes was just 'so totally in'. Actually, it's kind of more like stealing clothes from boys I know but still...

From shirts to vests, jumpers to hoodies, tees to jeans... to be honest, even boxers are comfy to sleep in.  The thing to remember when wearing your boyfriend's slash friend's slash poor random sod who happened to leave his favourite shirt within your grasp, is that the idea is to look feminine but not girly. Do excuse the lame photos but these are a few examples of the boys clothes I've hoarded slash stolen over the past few months and do note: the splash of lipstick.  Lipstick is probably the easiest way to establish that: 'Non, votre pas un garçon', it's so vixon-esque that you couldn't possibly be mistake for a boy! Or accused of trying to look like one! 

If you google 'girls wearing boys clothes' you'll see that the majority of you are all for this new trend.  Seriously though, what's not to love?  Have you ever shoved one of your dad's massive jumpers on when you're freezing watching telly?  Wearing boys clothes is literally that feeling all the time- fashion + comfort. Chanel always said that luxury must be comfortable otherwise it's not luxury. 

Now, other than gossip girl, I'm not really a celebrity fashion follower. I'm a sucker for trends but I don't particularly care if Angelina Jolie or Alexa Chung wore a particular dress... however, as I said, the new series of gossip girl has been tingling my fashion senses as did the past two series.  The only thing this one lacks amongst the upper east side with Blair's Audrey Hepburn-esque elegance and Serena's 'thrown together' couture? Taylor Momsen and her grungy, rock girl style. Momsen's character, Jenny, was a girl who definitely shopped in the menswear section from time to time. Vintage band tees and baggy sweaters a plenty my friends!  That was a girl who had the boys clothes + crimson lipstick = HOT equation not only figured, but mastered.

I do hope Blair gives Jenny another day pass to the city.  Gossip girl needs her disheveled, scuzzy look to give it that edge. 

So, my fashion tip for the week?  Sneak into your boyfriends/brothers/dads/friends wardrobe and "borrow" something... anything! I promise that any form of clothing will do, just make sure you paint that pout with a dramatic colour to balance the gender blur. 

Pour Maintenant, Au revoir,

Tout Mon Amour,

Neen x   

TIGHTS glorious tights

Have you ever noticed how amazingly brilliant tights are? I mean, I've always been a faithful wearer of tights, especially in the winter, but this season tights have had a revamp. There was a point when tights were remembered as what you wore when you were a little girl in school, but I'm glad to say that stigma has well and truly disappeared. AND I am also glad that they are no longer all of a hideously low opaqueness! 
Tights have officially become fashionable girls, you heard it here first!
 From wooly to sparkly, patterned with hearts and crazy colours, tights are literally a staple in my wardrobe this winter.       

Some of you may disagree but I stand by my opinion that tights are need-to-have this season. You know another plus point for them? They transform summer clothes into winter clothes! Do you have a nice summer dress that you love? All you need is a pair fabulous tights, an oversized cardigan and VOILA, you have yourself a gorgeous winter outfit.  I have to admit, there was one point when my confidence in tights wavered a little. I know there may be some of you reading this remembering when the only tights available were just plain black or outrageously in your face... but trust me, venture into the accessories section in Topshop, or my personal favourite Urban Outfitters, and you'll find it's a whole new ball game this season.
Top tip? Ankle boots are the ultimate partner for patterned tights. Team the duo up with a body con skirt, a silky blouse and your favourite cardi and you have my perfect winter outfit.


Pour maintenant, Au Revoir!
Tout Mon Amour,


Neen ♥

Winter- my favourite season for fashion

Bonjour Mon Amie,


Here's hoping you're all well.  As I'm new to this blogging lark, I do hope you'll all give me feedback on what you think and how I can improve. 


Luckily for me, I have begun my blog in my favourite fashion season- WINTER. I don't care what anyone else says, the cold months are definitely the best for clothes.  Summer just doesn't interest me whatsoever... I must admit to you all firstly that I am a red head and therefore me + the sun = bad times. So yes, maybe I'm a little biased but hey, doesn't everyone just love buying their winter coat for the year? Or even better, when you pull out your old faithful from last year out of the cupboard and you remember why it was that you loved it so much?  The fact is, buying a bikini or pulling out that tiny dress that fitted you last summer (bearing in mind that was before you spent your christmas stuffing your face with roasties and tins of roses!) really isn't as thrilling. 
So yes, the fact of the matter is that winter is the undisputed champion of fashion.


I also have to admit that I am one of them annoying people who will buy practically the same pair of trousers 3 times over because they were a different colour or they looked better with a certain top etc.  And my guilty, multiple buy this month? The tapered, hareem style beauties that are so circa 1980, I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when I wear them.  Now it's no lie that I would love to go and pick up a pair on Rodeo Drive (baby) but unfortunately; my failure to have became a millionaire yet or to have taken up prostitution and found my very own Edward Lewis to take care of my shopping needs means I must settle for high street versions.  However,  Topshop never fails to let me down and the choices are endless!

These set me back £40 and I absolutely adore them! They are unbelievably comfy and so flattering.
I must say that I was rather pleased with myself for bagging these... I will upload photos very soon showing you all what outfit I created with them. 












For now Belle Amie, I shall leave with you my fashion tip for the week:


Don't be put off by high waisted trousers. I am a serial hipster! Wearing trousers on your hips is just habit for some of us, but honestly- once you get used to them being that bit higher, you'll find it's actually way more chic than you thought.


Pour Maintenant, Au Revoir.
Tout Mon Amour,




Neen x