Rebecca Minkoff vs. Miu Miu

Miu Miu cushioned shoes / Rebecca Minkoff studded flat

 There comes a time in every girls life when she starts dreaming of designer duds because she knows that they will make her life that little bit more special and FAB. I have found myself at this stage of my life, and my designer wishlist is slowly growing. At the top of my list are these totally to-die Miu Miu flats. The obsession started after I discovered the fashion blog WeWoreWhat and saw Danielle Bernstein pair them with absolutely everything - from casual to more formal looks. The Miu Miu's stood out and brought a little edge to all the looks, and really pulled them together. I have been drooling over them ever since. Now, Miu Miu's do not come cheap... and me being a student with only a part-time job does not lend itself very well to this situation. So, I have been searching for a cheaper alternative for weeks....and weeks, and finally I found the closest thing in the form of these Rebecca Minkoff studded flats. They are not a perfect match, but then again nothing will quite live up to the Miu Miu's. They are very similar in shape, although not quite as pointy in the toe and have a few added details in the form of stitching and studds, AND of course they are less than half the price. I will say though that even the Rebecca Minkoff pair is not exactly 'cheap', but just like the Miu Miu's they are genuine leather from the inside out which means they would be in my life for years rather than months. Now, I am faced with some tough decisions that only a fellow fashion lover would understand - do I go with the cheaper alternative and not put as much of a strain on my purse, OR do I save the pennies and make my first Miu Miu investment, as Carrie Bradshaw would do? Decisions, decisions.....

Do I take the designer plunge?

Lu x

DIY // Flower Crown / Headband

Flowers: Choose any colour you like, and also size. My ones were quite average size (not tiny but not huge) so five were the perfect amount to go around my head, but this will change depending on what you choose.
Felt + Thread: I would suggest getting a colour that either matches the flowers, or the felt could even be the same as your hair colour to make it blend in and not be too obvious.
*Bobby Pins (not pictured): Didn't know I would use them until I got to sticking it all together, but you only need a few.

1. Pull all the flowers of their stems GENTLY. I learnt this the hard way when a couple fell apart on me... oops.

2. Measure the felt around your head and headband and cut it, leaving a little extra on all sides which will be trimmed later. Arrange the flowers as you want them.

3. With a pencil I marked the middle of my piece of felt to make it easier when positioning the middle flower when sewing it on, and to make sure it was centered and I wouldn't end up with a lopsided crown.

4. I sewed them on by threading the needle between each leaf and petal, making sure to thread through a few petals, and going around each flower 2-3 times to make sure they were all secure and stood upright.

5. I measured roughly 2.5cm between each flower, but this doesn't matter very much as you can have them closer together or further apart depending on the type of flowers used or just personal preference.

6. Once all the flowers are on, position the felt on the headband again just to make sure it looks good and you're happy with it.

7. Cut the access felt, but still leave a little extra (0.5-1cm max) around the sides to make it a bit easier to work with. Also, cut another strip of felt to roughly the same size as the piece the flowers are sew onto.

8. Run some glue along the felt with the flowers on first and position it on top of the headband. This bit got a little fiddly, but I found the best way to do it was by running some glue along the other strip of felt as well, and then positioning the strip with the flowers on one end of the headband then taking the other strip of felt and sticking it onto that strip of felt from the bottom of the headband and securing them together with a bobby pin. Basically sandwiching the headband between the felt. Then keep going around the headband sticking the two strips together and sliding a bobby pin between each flower, to make sure that they stay together when drying. I left mine overnight, but this depends on the glue you are using. (Hope all than made some sense...)

When all dry, just slide the bobby pins out and trim around the edges so that there is as little excess felt as possible (careful not to trim too much though as it may start to come off the headband).
If you want to make it super sturdy I would suggest stitching around the edges also, to make sure that the two strips of felt are not going to come apart - but this is not essential).

I hope all this made some kind of sense! Haha I must say it was quite fun making the flower crown/headband and doing it as a wee DIY post on here. Hope this may have come in useful for someone, or even as something to have a wee nosey at!

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for other things I could do this kind of post on I would luuurve to hear them, or even if I should never do it again...hahah all opinions welcome :)

Lu x

Cheeky Treats // ASOS

ASOS dress / ASOS clothing

ASOS is one of my favourite online sites, and the amaze sale section always sucks me in, as it did today. Now, I really don't need, nor do I even have room for, new clothes but these two pieces were total bargains (this is how I justify my actions and weakness). The dress had been in my 'Saved Items' for the longest time so obviously I had to scoop it up when it went down to half price. I think it's such a simple and easy to wear dress, perfect for spring and summer which it's coming into here. I also already have a couple of the ASOS swing dresses and love the material they are made from and they are great quality. The peter pan collar top I came across by chance, and I find it very difficult to resist collared tops... oopps. I loved the colour, I loved the dropped peplum hem, I loved the embroidery... and it just happened! It all JUST HAPPENED.

Anyone else have trouble saying no to ASOS? :D

Lu x 

Today I Fell In Love With // 'Our Moment'

Yes, this is really happening. Now, I am partial to a bit of One Direction here and there (*i love them....a lot, oh gosh, OH MY) and I'm not going to lie I thought that the perfume would be a little 'meh' if that's even a describing word. But I was sooo pleasantly surprised when I finally got to have a whiff of this wee beaut. It is exactly what I look for in a perfume. Sweet and more on the light side - fresh and not too heavy on the floral notes. If I could, I would spray everything in my room with this scent, it is that nice and pleasant, it makes me want to die. After gravitating towards it in multiple stores, and spraying (drowning) myself with it I've found that it really reminds me of my very first favourite perfume 'Viva La Juicy' by Juicy Couture, and also 'Wonderstruck' by Taylor Swift. For me it's like a combination of the two with a third part that brings it all all together. All I have to say to end this post is that there is some serious budgeting happening to bring this bad boy home so I can bathe in it daily.

Please tell me I am not alone in this....hahah :)

Lu x

Outfit Planning // The Races

Boohoo flat top / ASOS pumps / Forever New pink purse, $38 / ASOS flower headband / ASOS sunglasses / Stila liquid eyeliner / MAC Candy Yum Yum Lipstick Review, Swatches and Photos

In a couple of weeks I am off to the races for the very first time. As I am a self confessed shopaholic and generally just obsessed with all things fashion and style, I have been trolling through countless sites looking for the perfect outfit. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if I have had more fun picking and choosing everything than I will at the actual event... although I know it's going to be a FAB day!

The shoes I found first, and they are amaze. I really liked the Cheap Monday cube heeled shoes so when I spotted these I was all over them! They are pretty high I'm not gonna lie, but they look killer on!

I know that most girls will be wearing fascinators so I wanted to be a little bit different and I had also been looking for an opportunity to wear a huge over the top flower crown - TICK! ASOS have some really nice colourful ones at the moment, but I think I may make my own as I think I want one with more muted colours as my outfit is PINK PINK PINK. 

( I may try to do a crafty post on how I make it )

Now, for the outfit - oohhh yeaasshhh. I came across this wee set by chance as I don't really shop on Boohoo as I have been a bit disappointed with past orders. BUT never the less I fell in love with the puffy skirt and how damn cute the two are together. The fabric is a very nice, thick material with a baroque style print, and I think that the bit of skin that shows around the waist off sets the girlyness and gives it a bit of edge, which I am all for! 

The rest of the accessories I'm still picking out, but I think a simple wee shoulder bag, maybe some cute sunglasses in case it's super sunny and a potential hot pink pout just because I am obsessed with 'Candy Yum Yum' at the moment. 

Oh, exciting times! 

Anyone else love to plan outfits and looks like this? ..... I swear I get waayy to much pleasure from it! Hahaha

Lu x 

Life // My New Job

All-In-One Face Base, Colour Crush Eyeshadow, Colour Crush Lipstick (similar)

It has been a rather busy month and a half (hence the lack of blogging commitment), it has been exam season for me, and an opportunity presented itself I couldn't miss. 

I was feeling pretty bored and generally ready for a change after working at my previous job for almost 3 years, and I also really wanted to work in an area I had genuine interest, so when The Body Shop were looking for a new part-timer I was ALL OVER IT! I am sooo excited I got the job, and pretty proud, if I do say so myself. I am looking forward to learning in-depth about skincare and body care, as well as expanding my make-up knowledge and practice. I have already finished up my first two weeks, and I am loving it.

The make-up above is what I picked out with my new employee voucher to start my collection, as with most shops like this we only wear The Body Shop products while at work. So far, I have been VERY impressed with the All-In-One Face Base - amaze for oily skin, and the eyeshadow is a total beaut! 

I am super excited to try out lots of new products, which are natural and cruelty free, knowing I'm not only doing my skin good but also helping out a good cause. 

There should be more reviews and new product posts coming in the next few months, so my blogging should be back on track. Also, as Spring is in full swing here I am going to try and do some more outfit and fashion posts (hopefully ones that look a bit more 'profesh' than my previous ones (cough-cough).

If anyone has any Body Shop product suggestions I would luurve to hear them :)

Lu x

P.S. Is it bad that I am getting excited for Christmas already...???

MAC 'Candy Yum Yum'

WHOA PINK!!! I bought this lipstick on a bit of a whim as I'm very much a light pink lip kinda guurl, but I often see other girls wearing bright shades, and sometimes I want to be 'that girl'. So what did I do? I bought one of the brightest MAC lipsticks there is...ya know, just easing myself into it.
'Candy Yum Yum' is a matte formulation, which I think makes it that little more dramatic. The wearing power is also amazing, like hours and hours without having to top up, being a matte helps with staying power also. I do find that it is a little bit drying on the lips, while wearing it as well as after wards, but to be honest I really don't care as the colour is the most amazing cool-tone Barbie pink, literally the word Barbie sums up this lipstick for me in one word.
What I love the most about it is how wearable it is. Yes it's super bright, and the matte formulation enhances this, but you can totally get away with this during the day, paired with a casual tee and some jeans (YES really), it adds a bit of edge to your look. Of course it is also perfect for a bold-lip night look with a simple cat eye and a pair of cute heels. Honestly, I have never come across such a versatile and wearable bright lipstick, and I know we are going to be very close companions this summer.

Anyone else having a small affair with 'Candy Yum Yum', or have any other bright lip suggestions? :)

Lu x