Where Fashion Meets Fantasy

I Have Moved to Tumblr, Three Times...

2011-11-21T22:54:00.000Z

So unintentionally, I have been posting pretty regularly (posting: re-blogging mainly) on three Tumblr accounts in recent months. Leaving this blog behind was intentional. I bought a new domain for another blog, but whilst I was trying to perfect ideas I became exhausted and frustrated with the direction that most 'fashion' & 'lifestyle' blogs were going, so that never came to much, yet... Anyway come say hi on Tumblr click the following links for:

Pretty much my head & heart and no specific theme in blog form

Lingerie & Swimwear

Polyvore outfit sets

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have followed me, visited from time to time and/or commented on my posts. Part of me starting a new blog instead of improving this one was because I had allowed myself to get too lazy with this, and I felt pretty bad about neglecting to reply to comments and visit most of my new followers' blogs in my spare time. I'll update on here perhaps if I get my other Blogspot off the ground but Tumblr is the way forward for now :) much love x

This Is The Night, What It Does To You

2011-09-16T12:27:00.000+01:00

I'd Never Dreamed of This

2011-09-13T08:00:00.003+01:00

We'll Never Know If We Don't Start

2011-09-12T16:36:00.000+01:00

Gone But Not Forgotten

2011-09-11T08:43:00.001+01:00

Wandering Free

2011-09-10T08:17:00.001+01:00

Stacks of Gold

2011-09-09T19:33:00.001+01:00

I haven't really worn bracelets and cuffs a great deal in recent years, and I've gone even longer without wearing a watch. Then I spotted a gold watch being worn by an industry insider in a magazine a year or two ago, and fell in love. It was a gold Rolex (of course) so it was up there with jumbo Chanel bags and couture gowns on my most-unlikely-wish-list. Then a few months later, browsing Net-a-Porter's newest accessories led me to a new breed of gold watches by Michael Kors, which soon went on to take over the wrists of every style blogger imaginable. Months of visual teasing later, I finally got my own as a 21st birthday treat in Vegas last month, and have been wanting to layer on more gold pieces to complement it ever since, yet nothing I currently own seems to work without making my wrist look OTT. So I did some trawling through WeHeartIt to find some inspiration and here are some of my favourite results...

Your Eyes Are Always Honest

2011-09-08T17:03:00.001+01:00

Go Somewhere

2011-09-08T01:57:00.001+01:00

Lay With Me, I'll Lay With You

2011-09-06T10:18:00.001+01:00

Could it ever be on earth as it is in heaven?

2011-09-04T21:25:00.000+01:00

Apologies for all the samey samey posts. The last three were scheduled on Friday night because of a busy couple of days and a build up of images I wanted to post. I'll try to be more imaginative this week. Hope you're all enjoying the weekend!

When I saw you I wanted to say that this could be the start of something real

2011-09-04T08:43:00.011+01:00

But all that I could say was, 'Hey'.

Don't Look Back

2011-09-03T19:00:00.001+01:00

You Talk To Me With Words & I Look At You With Feelings

2011-09-03T08:00:00.002+01:00

I realised in the week that I had made a silly error thinking our Bank Holiday weekend and Labor Day Weekend were at the same time. Doh. So, Happy actual Labor Day Weekend to you lovely Americans!

Sickly Sweet

2011-09-02T14:02:00.000+01:00

Anna Karina

2011-09-02T01:30:00.000+01:00

Patriotic

2011-09-01T15:36:00.000+01:00

Big Bright Bobbles

2011-08-31T01:39:00.000+01:00

OK so I just fell for these ASOS bobble hats completely. Someone's obviously coming to terms with colder temperatures and darker nights, like we have a choice here...

Click here, here and here to snap them up!

2011-08-30T23:56:00.001+01:00

Relentlessly Craving

2011-08-29T11:52:00.000+01:00

Ready for the Fall

2011-08-28T23:47:00.000+01:00

I've made some more Polyvore sets over the past weeks weeks that reflect the great British Summer. I'm kind of fortunate now that I've been stocking up on knitwear for months, as apparently I need it much sooner than expected.

I always find that as the temperature drops and the coat gets thrown on top of every outfit, I start lacking effort with the way I pair things together, so hopefully keeping this mood board habit up will keep me feeling inspired.

My Polyvore page can be found here.

Reminiscing Again: Prada S/S 08 & James Jean

2011-08-28T20:11:00.001+01:00

Spring Summer 2008 was clearly and inspiring season for me, as I recently did a reminiscent post about Dolce & Gabanna's S/S '08 show. The Prada 'Trembled Blossoms' collection featured billowy skirts, gingham prints and insane floral sculptured heels - a fashion fairy tale with a dark, moody undertone.

The main selling point of this collection was the iconic illustrations by James Jean, which were somewhat accidentally featured on the clothes and as the backdrop to the campaigns, after he had drawn multiple wallpaper designs for Prada stores.

I've gathered a mix of campaign and runway shots, which you all will probably be familiar with my now due to the collection's popularity, but be sure to check out the video animation and hear James discussing his work with Prada at the end of the post, and Click Here for more of the outstanding James Jean's work.

Happy 500th Post!

2011-08-27T12:06:00.000+01:00

This is Where Fashion Meet's Fantasy's 500th post! I only just clocked last night that it would be, so I don't have anything fancy in-store, so enjoy 50 (because 500 would make even the most capable browser weep) beautiful images. Have a great Bank Holiday/Labor Day weekend! x

Think About This

2011-08-26T19:56:00.000+01:00

To Get Something You've Never Had...

2011-08-25T01:50:00.000+01:00

Mint Gold Chip

2011-08-25T01:29:00.000+01:00

Mint/Aqua/Turquoise/Sea-foam Green - whatever you want to name these general shades, I love them. They always have been a favourite of mine, especially in the summer months. Nothing complements a tan better after all.

I've posted before about the Barry M Instant Nail Effects when it first hit the shelves, and ever since then I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a gold crackle effect polish, but to no avail. There have been plenty of silver variations, but I'm a gold hardware girl who sticks to her guns.

So, you can imagine how excited I got when I walked into Sephora last week and there, within a few steps of the door, was a gold shimmery crackle effect nail polish. I envisioned it going perfectly with my favourite mint green shade and due to my giddy excitement, I forgot I already own two nails polishes in this colour and went ahead and bought Sephora's own brand in 'teeny bikini'.

The gold beauty in question is Sephora by O.P.I in blasted gold. I realised after I had put the magical pairing to the test this morning that I probably subliminally got the idea from a purse I already owned. Oh, I bought the mint/gold Forever21 ring (pictured) earlier on that same day too.

To add to the mint loving, I finally got to try the Dessert Delights gums in America last week and bought extra packs to bring home too. Mint Choc Chip is one of my favourite ice creams (Dulce de Leche ties!) so this gum is basically perfect.

And finally, while waiting for my images to load up I clocked my brand new Diana on the other side of my room, which I bought on my birthday just before going away. Not hard to guess what colour she is...

Well, close enough.

Click read more to see more images, created by more talented individuals than I in this colour theme...

Sometimes

2011-08-24T13:18:00.000+01:00

Any Road Will Get You There

2011-08-24T05:48:00.000+01:00

The Miu Miu Glitter Shoe Bandwagon

2011-08-24T04:42:00.000+01:00

Yeah that's right. Miu Miu again. Where would this blog be without Miuccia eh?

Anyway. I have been slightly obsessed with the glittery banana-heeled shoes of the Fall 2011 show for a long time now, and may or may not have let out a little squeal when I saw them in the flesh in Neiman's the other day. But as always I cannot afford to invest in such a trend-led pair of shoes (I would adore them forever of course, but give it a year and people will be sick of seeing my feet sparkle/cover their carpets in shimmer).

For those of you that can afford the read deal here's my findings from a quick browse earlier today...

3 & 4 are the dream shoes right there! Though 1, 6 & 7 make more practical and versatile choices.

The main reason I began this post, however, is that when I was browsing through Topshop.com this morning with a particular style of ballet flats in mind, my eyes got distracted and excited at the pair below (2) and it only took me seconds to realise that they were a 100% unsubtle take on the Miu Miu collection. I was sorely tempted to buy the little cuties but I think it's too obvious, and I have a real distaste towards 'fakes'. I do slip up occasionally however and incorporating the general trends of the season is rarely something to be frowned upon, so here's some more Miu Miu inspired footwear from the high street...

Find out where to buy online and the possible damage to your wallet after the jump...

CMYK

2011-08-23T05:11:00.000+01:00

Vegas and The Rest

2011-08-21T23:41:00.000+01:00

So I'm back, and seeming as I tend to share a lot of images, and lately have shared my excitement for Vegas on seemingly every other post, I figured I'd share some of my holiday photos on here. I landed back in London this morning but haven't slept since Friday night/Saturday morning in Vegas (damn overnight flights and illness) so I'm currently about to go crazy as I haven't slept in about 32hours now. I've been forcing myself to stay up all day to avoid the horrid jet-lag I experienced after my trip to Canada in February. Fingers crossed I wake up at a reasonable time tomorrow then...

So anyway, here's a random jumble of photos from Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and some places in between. My mum and I flew over to celebrate my 21st and her 40th, which are two weeks apart. It was unreal. I'm so exhausted from cramming so much into a five night trip with two long haul flights, but it was oh so worth it.

We stayed at the MGM Grand, but I'm pretty certain I would like to make the Bellagio my home now. We saw the O show by Cique du Soleil too, which was incredible, and had the most amazing steaks at Prime (also in the Bellagio - love love love).

I dragged my poor mother into three Victoria's Secret stores there too, and still didn't manage to find the things I'd bookmarked online. But I did finally get my gold Michael Kors watch with some gift money and money I'd saved for the trip. Very lucky lady, such a surreal week.

Time to sleep at last anyway, until the morning lovelies x

You Suddenly Know What You're Hoping For

2011-08-19T08:12:00.001+01:00

Note To Self

2011-08-18T08:00:00.000+01:00

Good luck to everyone getting results today!

Head On

2011-08-17T08:09:00.001+01:00

Flaws

2011-08-16T08:44:00.000+01:00

The Smallest Things

2011-08-15T08:03:00.002+01:00

Flying to Vegas today! I have posts scheduled for each day that I'm there to keep the tumbleweeds at bay. Hope you all have a beautiful week x

Make Her Mind Your Soul

2011-08-14T01:40:00.000+01:00

My Birthday Is Almost Over

2011-08-13T21:50:00.000+01:00

Well, officially. But the celebrations will continue throughout the week a la Vegas! Giddy :)

Pin-Up

2011-08-12T10:49:00.000+01:00

Reminiscing: Dolce & Gabbana S/S '08

2011-08-11T14:11:00.002+01:00

Don't mind me while I just reminisce over the Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Sumer RTW show of 2008. I will always remember these paint splattered dresses, and apparently the lace up shoes stuck in my mind, as I recently purchased some wedges near identical to the black ones from Kurt Geiger.

This collection had a huge influence on my final textiles project at college, and for many other students too. Now I'm looking back, with changed tastes and a more finely tuned eye (as ridiculous as that sounds) I can appreciate other elements of the collection, not just the show-stopping painted ball gowns.

Let's Get Away From It All

2011-08-10T19:03:00.000+01:00

April, May

2011-08-10T00:38:00.000+01:00

I'd never heard of the April, May brand until I glanced over their lookbook, posted on FashionGoneRogue just recently. I noticed that basic as they are, I really like some of the looks and pieces so saved a handful of images. I don't know if it's just me shifting my focus as I 'mature', or if it actually is more prominent, but I'm noticing a lot more pared-down investment pieces floating around right now. Well cut staples are on my radar.

Never Settle...

2011-08-10T00:23:00.000+01:00

But The War Won't Stop For The Love of God

2011-08-08T23:36:00.000+01:00

Open

2011-08-08T12:07:00.000+01:00

Images of False Beauty

2011-08-05T17:27:00.000+01:00

Waiting On Some Beautiful Boy

2011-08-05T13:11:00.001+01:00

So I've finally organised this blog, almost 3 years later.

There's handy little categories at the side now for you to jump to whatever it is you're looking for, I've cut most of the posts after 5 images with a read more link to make it easier to trawl through (some browsers/hard drives just can't deal with all those images on one long page) and I've added a Facebook share/like function at the end of posts along with links to similar posts, so you can jump to suggested older ones that you may have missed if you're a newbie.

I'm going to work on organizing all my links at the side later today. Some of them probably are sites that don't even exist anymore.

In the mean time if there's a blog you think I'd like/should be listed either way for being awesome, or you want me to check out your own site, send me links! I'll keep adding to the lists anyway, trying to expand my radar a bit, and sharing is caring...

Another Variation On A Theme

2011-08-04T23:48:00.011+01:00

Desiderata

2011-08-04T13:17:00.016+01:00

Not Fussed

2011-08-03T15:32:00.009+01:00

Claire's Cat-Eyes & Frizzy Fish-Braid

2011-08-03T15:14:00.004+01:00

While I was in Portsmouth at the weekend, we popped into Claire's Accessories to get my younger sister a pair of sunglasses. This place used to be my haven when I was her age, I could spend hours in there much to my parents' dismay. While looking at sunnies for my sister I spotted a pair of cat-eye's that madly enough are probably the best one's I have found as of yet on the high street. They were only £5 so I went ahead and bought them, despite the fact my sister thought I was joking around when I picked them up...

Today I also finally taught myself to do fish-tail plaits. I've tried and failed before when reading instructions, but today I Googled it and used one of the video results instead. I picked it up in minutes! The heat in London right now is pretty insane - nice if you're chilling in the park, not so nice if you're running around doing errands or working/commuting. This little plait is a nice alternative to the usual quick regular braid I would do to my hair and means I can go without straightening it, which would be a complete waste of time with the current weather anyway.

Yeah so when my hair is down and curly it looks like I have a ton, but really there's not many strands at all ^

Girl, You're The One Thing Caught In Between

2011-08-02T23:07:00.011+01:00

Where's Your Imagination?

2011-08-01T23:04:00.013+01:00

Marloes Horst for Free People, Again

2011-08-01T22:29:00.007+01:00

Shot by Guy Aroch and set in beautiful Venice, this is another look at Free People's Autumn/Winter range. Everything about this is perfection.

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost

2011-07-31T10:11:00.001+01:00

If Too Long Goes By You Might Just Be Too Late

2011-07-30T18:46:00.001+01:00

Make The Best Of Everything

2011-07-29T22:25:00.001+01:00

Kate Bosworth - Lessons in Laidback Luxe

2011-07-29T01:52:00.008+01:00

You Keep Thinking About It

2011-07-29T00:53:00.008+01:00

More Polyvore sets

2011-07-27T22:28:00.007+01:00

Here's some more of the sets I made over the past few days on Polyvore...

I've been meaning to do a post on the above T-Shirt for a while now. I bought it about a month or two ago from Farfetch.com while I was working there. It's by Zoe Karssen, a new cult T-shirt label that has recently launched on Net-a-Porter and ASOS. This particular tee tells the story of my life, hence the hefty investment.

Ping Hue by Pamela Hanson

2011-07-27T21:15:00.006+01:00

Shot for UK Glamour's July 2011 issue and styled by Sarah Clark, Ciao Bella! has got me prematurely ready for the autumn. Set in one of my favourite cities - Rome - the cute knits, prints, socks and fun colours and accessories have me lusting after every outfit. Glamour has a habit of doing this to me with their editorials...

Magdalena Frackowiak for Numéro #125

2011-07-26T19:31:00.006+01:00

Everything about this editorial is pure beauty. Shot by Camille Vivier and styled by Sheila Single, Magdalena looks stunning as always, working flicked eyeliner like noone else.

via FashionGoneRogue

Magpie

2011-07-26T17:36:00.011+01:00

They're Just Nice To Look At

2011-07-26T12:00:00.019+01:00

I usually try to group my images together in a way that they make sense/flow nicely when I post a whole load of them together. These poor pictures didn't really fit with any of the other 'groups', but I couldn't bring myself to send them to recycle bin, so please enjoy these beautiful rejects...

Ray-Ban Cat Eye-Frames - Be Mine

2011-07-26T02:01:00.004+01:00

It's not that I've only just realised there is a trend for Cat eye sunglasses - Alexander Wang and Miuccia Prada, we thank you - but I got an urge to try some recently, and once I found out Ray-Ban make them now too, I was straight to Selfridges to try a pair on.

Anyone that's been shopping for sunnies with me will know that it's rare for me to be satisfied with how they fit. It took me a couple of years to accept that I could never rock aviators like Mila can. I even bought a pair of Wayfarers that I'm not entirely convinced actually look great on me. But these...

... they were a dream. Costing £110 & £150 respectively @ Net-a-Porter, I'm gonna have to hope people are generous for my upcoming birthday, and that my patience will last until I could at least seek them out in Duty Free at the airport en route to Vegas.

I have been seeking out a pair of high street copies for a couple of weeks since my meeting with the babies above, but alas I have been failed. Diamante details, dodgy colours or just all out dodgy shapes mean I'm sticking with my Wayfarers for now.

Craving Yellow

2011-07-25T18:15:00.007+01:00

Particularly this Cambridge Satchel Company bag...

and this J.Crew sweater...

I tend to wear mostly black, with whites and stoney/beigey colours, so the bag and jumper would be the perfect addition to my wardrobe and would work with most things I already own.

I actually have a strapless yellow spotted dress that I hope to wear to a party this weekend. I've had it for almost a year now I think so it's about time. I'll post images if any cameras co-operate with my lack of photogenic-ness.

PS. I created these sets using Polyvore << Click to go to my account. Sign up if you dare, it's addictive! If you do let me know, I love to check out what other people have put together.

Images via FashionGoneRogue, LittlePlasticHorses, ASOS & Tumblr.

Marloes Horst & Darla Baker for Free People August 2011 Lookbook

2011-07-25T13:04:00.009+01:00

Shot in Venice by Guy Aroch, these lookbook images are super beautiful and super fun. Marloes love forever! You know how I love a good masquerade mask as well....

I Want These, Please

2011-07-25T12:41:00.003+01:00

Christian Louboutin 'Fred' leopard-print calf hair brogues

Oh. £635 @ Net-a-porter. Snaaap. The unrealistic wishlist continues...

2011-07-22T11:45:00.012+01:00

Romance

2011-07-21T16:16:00.014+01:00

A word with many meanings...

Relax

2011-07-21T15:46:00.014+01:00

So Carelessly There

2011-07-21T11:38:00.012+01:00

via FashionGoneRogue, LittlePlasticHorses, StuddedHearts & Tumblr

Stop Saying Tomorrow, Start Saying Now.

2011-07-20T20:39:00.008+01:00

A lot of people are graduating right now - my graduation was yesterday - and for it my mum bought me a book filled with my favourite things: cheesy inspirational quotes.

I thought I would fill a post with some of the best for everyone else graduating, or anyone else who is ready to face the world and needs a boost.

Totally off-topic for the blog but hopefully some people will be thankful for it.

"There isn't a train I wouldn't take, no matter where it's going" - Edna St. Vincent Millay.

"I might have been born in a hovel, but I determined to travel with the wind and the stars" - Jacqueline Cochran

"You either shrink and hide or you throw your shoulders back and charge right in" - Minnie Driver

"When I'm old I'm never going to say, "I didn't do this" or "I regret that." I'm going to say, "I don't regret a damn thing. I came, I went, and I did it all" - Kim Basinger

"If I had my life to live over... I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers" - Nadine Stair

"Courageous risks are life giving, they help you grow, make you brave and better than you think you are" - Joan L. Curcio

"If you think you're too small to make an impact, try going to bed with a Mosquito" - Anita Roddick

"I haven't been everywhere yet, but it's on my list" - Susan Sontag

"It is no sin to attempt and fail. The only sin is not to make an attempt" - Susellen Fried

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour... Explore. Dream. Discover" - Mark Twain

"There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations in your own mind" - Darwin P. Kingsley

"Whatever you chose to do, do it well. Do not be afraid to pursue whatever brings you happiness" - Stuart and Linda Macfarlane

Image via Tumblr.

Always Vaguely Planning & Never Taking Off

2011-07-20T20:22:00.012+01:00

via FashionGoneRogue, LittlePlasticHorses, StuddedHearts & Tumblr

Basically

2011-07-18T09:24:00.010+01:00

via FashionGoneRogue & Tumblr

Offloading My Mind

2011-07-17T23:27:00.017+01:00

As per. That spam I promised you before I went away? This is it, and there's more more more...

via FashionGoneRogue, LittlePlasticHorses, StuddedHearts & Tumblr

Every element

2011-07-17T22:25:00.003+01:00

of this outfit, seriously. Can I get that skirt and those shades please, ASAP?!

via LittlePlasticHorses