Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

I certainly hope that saying applies to blogs too.  I know I've been a very absent blogger the past couple of months.  I do fully blame my new job as I've barely had time to do College work, let alone post entries on here... But it's a lazy Wednesday afternoon and I've found the time to make myself known again.

I have tonnes of things to report on, however I firstly want to focus on the lack of imaginative fashion at the moment.  Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt that the designers at Chanel, Prada and Alexander McQueen are still reeling out extreme, individual pieces... however, I'm referring to the high street designers.  Topshop, H&M, River Island... those sorts of places.  I have been left feeling a little more than just deflated at the selection of choice in the high street stores this Spring.  I know it's not just me being picky either.  Working at Bar Lounge in Chester over the May races allowed me to get first glances at the dresses.  I'm a big racing fan, but I'd never go to Chester races.  Too busy, too crowded and it's mainly full of stuck up, arrogant mid-40's men and women who actually don't have two pennies to rub together, but a tidy win on one of the horses somehow gives them the right to look down on others.  BUT, I do look forward to the races for one reason and one reason only... and that's the outfits.
And I'm not going to lie, I was bitterly disappointed with the selection.  I can honestly say I saw about three women who I thought looked elegantly gorgeous... the rest either looked like they were trying way too hard, were showing too much flesh for their age or hadn't a clue what fashion was. (I.E the dress you wore the last time you went to the races, 3 years ago, is no longer acceptable).

However, one girl came into Bar Lounge looking incredible and she had on the FCUK Shelby's summer maxi dress that I have had my eye on since it came out in the Chester store.

This dress is simple yet effective and it screams sophisticated and elegant.  The young girl looked beautiful and it genuinely was the only dress that impressed me over the 3 days.

There's another race day this Saturday and if you're going, my main tip on looking the part would be DON'T TRY TOO HARD.  You're coming to Chester to watch horses run around a race course, you're not attending a debutante ball in Los Angeles.  Also, remember what time of year it is... go for creams and corals... not blacks.

Pour Maintenant, Au Revoir.
Tout Mon Amour,

Neen x

"Being a woman is a terribly difficult trade as it consists principally of dealing with men."

I'm in one of those horrendous moods where not even online shopping could cheer me up.  The worst part is, that I can't even blame my mood on someone else...it's all my own fault.  I've let myself get into a crappy mood over a BOY!  I also use the term 'boy' strongly because despite being 21, he's nowhere near deserving the 'Man' status.  Now, my blog is about fashion and I'm not about to turn this into some relationship themed post, however I just needed to vent my anger.
The male species is my least favourite thing at the moment and I even turned down a night out tonight due to feeling so rubbish.  So, in order to cheer myself up I'm going to tell you all about this fabulous vintage shop that has recently opened around the corner from my flat.  Yes, that's right... I am lucky enough to have a vintage store 5 minutes from where I live.  In fact, tomorrow I intend on going to spend money I don't have in there to cheer myself up :)

It's called Berkin's Wonder Emporium and the quaint store is deceptively large. Whilst it is rather narrow, it is very long and the 3 girls who run it have managed to pack in so much stock to such a restricted space.

    
The whole experience of walking around the store was so enjoyable.  It's so peaceful and relaxing to browse all the beautiful vintage clothes, bags and shoes.  I've always been a fan of vintage stores but it's so hard to find one that actually has things that you would wear.  Usually, I peruse vintage stores just for the enjoyment I get from it but here, I liked so much of the stuff I was shocked.

I bought 2 items.

This gorgeous black leather clutch.  It's so dainty and delicate, I feel like Audrey Hepburn with it slung over my shoulder. 

Also, these figure hugging, high waisted denim shorts. They are the softest denim I've ever felt and they fit so perfectly, it's impossible not to feel amazing in them.

So there you have it.  My first vintage purchases of my life.  

If you live in the Cheshire area, I strongly recommend going to check out Berkin's Wonder Emporium... it's a dream come true for any lovers of fashion. 

Pour Maintenant, Au Revoir,

Tout Mon Amour,

Neen X

Hot and dangerous, if you're one of us then roll with us...

I'm alive. Just incase any of you thought otherwise.  I suppose I became a bit complacent with my blog and I do apologise.  In my defence, I've just got a new job so I've been burning the candle at both ends so to speak... and now I've been ill for the past 3 weeks.  Also, I have a month to complete 13 assignments before my A-Level exams.
Anyway, no more excuses. I'm back now and I genuinely do have LOADS of stuff to write about.  Today is only a quickie, as I'm off out tonight with my 2 gorgeous friends and I need to go and make myself look beautiful...

Remember my previous blog about how Next had suddenly gotten fashionable again?  Well, I must admit that I spoke a bit too soon... it veered downhill again a month or so back.  I was so disappointed because I had such high hopes.  It pleases me when I find things in Next that I like as their clothes are so well made and their prices are reasonable too.
However, it's back in my good books as of today.  I had a quick snoop around Next today and look what I bought:

I have been dying for a pair of heels like this for ages now and I found them for a mere £25... even better I got 10% off as there was an ever so slight mark on the platform.
:) great success.

I'll write again soon :)

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

Here comes the sun... little darlin'

I'm fully optimistic for a brilliant Summer.  I have all sorts planned including a trip to Paris, V festival, Wakestock and a girly holiday.  But I am most optimistic for the British weather.  I think that since we suffered through that horrendous and somewhat unexpected Winter, that nature will reward our survival skills with glorious sunshine this Summer... however, my friends do tell me I'm blindly optimistic all the time... usually to my disadvantage.

Anyway, in my usual 'rose tinted glasses' style, I took the hour of sunshine we had today in my stride and dressed the part.  I even drove round town with my car's roof down and a bit of Avril Lavigne blasting out my speakers (because I'm THAT cool.)

Here's my outfit:

I have to admit that I'm irrevocably in love with this cardigan.  It's from Topshop (pause for sarcastic comment and roll of the eyes) and it set me back a hefty £45 when I couldn't afford it... but it's gorgeous.

My outfit is pretty much the basis of my style for the rest of this month.  The chunky, wool cardigans have been put in the spare room wardrobe to make way for slightly thinner but still warm cottons.  The tights of course are still a staple in my wardrobe but I've gone for high waisted shorts paired with a lacy, see-through cream top. It's long sleeved so slightly added warmth!  I wore the outfit with my black ankle boots but I feel that it would have been better paired with a pair of brogues... unfortunately, mine kill my feet.  Still, I do genuinely feel in a better mood when I know I have a nice outfit on.  However, by the end of my day I had ate far too much chocolate with the best friend, and therefore it didn't feel so sexy then... that was when the hoody and leggings made their inevitable appearance.    

Before I go, (I promise I have better posts lined up) I need to ask 3 favours of you oh faithful readers.  

1.  If you read this blog, PLEASE tell your friends about it and anyone you think may enjoy it.  I love knowing that people enjoy what I write, even if I have been neglectful recently.

2.  Also, if you haven't already, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE become a 'follower' of my blog.  If you go to the bottom of this webpage, you'll see a little link saying 'become a follower' and it really does just take 2 minutes.  It would mean a lot to see if I can get my numbers up a bit! 

3. If any of you are any good at HTML, please can you comment and let me know how on earth I get rid of the silly white borders that appear around my pictures.  I have already tried adding border:0; and .no_border {border: 0;} but nothing seems to work.  Sometimes I like the border, but I do NOT want it there for my next post.  So please do let me know if you know!

Pour Maintenant, Au Revoir,

Tout Mon Amour,

Neen x

And your heels so high, that you can't even have a good time...

(Jessie J... my current love in the music world)


I've been a neglectful blogger recently, I apologise.  And I'm afraid I'm not redeeming myself now either.  I don't have the energy to blog about anything right now, but I'm just here to tell you that I haven't forgotten my readers! :)
I have some brilliant posts coming up... I'm most excited about my guide to festival dressing! :) In honour of the fact I AMAZINGLY managed to get a V festival ticket this morning!  Think Hunter wellies, crocheted cardigans and teeny tiny shorts! 
So I'm still here! Please don't forget about me :) I have a new job and lots of boring essays to complete... but I haven't forgotten.
Pour Maintenant, Au Revoir,
Tout Mon Amour,
Neen x

Another rainy day...

Incase you all haven't realised, I'm on a very rainy South Wales holiday at the minute.  I therefore have very much time on my hands and keep coming across these bordem-busting, fashion related things for you all...  Topshop yesterday, today it's ASOS.com.  They are running a budding stylist competition at the minute and they pick ten winners a day!  It's easy too, all you have to do is pick which 3 items you think will be the best sellers on ASOS that day.  Here's my selection:

 

I actually adore these shoes.  I think they are a dead cert to be the most popular... they're so on-trend it's unbelievable!  Denim shorts, such a staple of every girl's wardrobe! Especially as were fast approaching festival season and girly holidays!  I already have some but I know many of my friends still don't have any... and these are a reasonable price too.  Oh and the belt... 'boyfriend belt' to be exact.  I just think that a belt is another staple of the wardrobe and this colour is my fave for this season.  Also, ASOS haven't ruined it by making there be too much detail etc on it... it's simply a brown waist belt.

Go and pretend you're a stylist too and give ASOS your fashion forecast.
You never know, you might win!

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

Which colour suits me best?

Topshop, you have outdone yourselves this time.  Girls, if you have some spare time on your hands then head over to the Topshop website and enjoy their new make-over application.  It couldn't be easier.  You upload a photo of yourself, preferably a close-up shot and then you play!  You have the option of basically testing all of Topshop's make-up without leaving your house.

   You align your lips and eyes so that the app knows where your facial features lie and where to apply the make-up.








You choose from a wide variety of colours and shades for your foundation, mascara, eyeliner, blusher, lipstick... everything!









If you decide you don't like that certain shade of blush for example, all you have to do is click "remove blush" and it's gone!  You don't have to start all over again, you just take that particular product off.








I discovered this when browsing the recent London Fashion show updates on their website.  Honestly, it's actually really good.  I was sceptical, I thought that it wouldn't work and that it would just look stupid, but it proved me wrong.  Now, with make-up I'm a firm believer in 'you get what you pay for' as I've used low costing foundation and found that my skin reacts badly to it.  I use Bobbi Brown foundation (but I rarely apply foundation at all), Chanel loose powder, Mac blusher, Lancome mascara and Chanel Kohl eyeliner.  I think with make-up it's all about trying different brands and products and finding what works for you.  However, this make-over app is really tempting me to give Topshop make-up a chance!

  This green mascara being my favourite.  I use blue and purple mascara from Lancome (hypnose) as black is just far too harsh for my skin tone... so green wouldn't be that much of a change.  Green goes quite well with my hair too, so I think I'll give this a go.

Honestly girls, if you're bored then seriously go over to Topshop.com and make yourself over!
I had a lot of fun :)

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