Wednesday 22 August 2012

Style Queen Dream


Jewellery was BIG news this summer, but it’s always been big news in my life. An accessory addict and a complete magpie when it concerns sparkly things; an outfit is never complete to me without the bling. 

Just when I thought I couldn’t get enough of jewellery, my heart leapt when Style Queen, New York City’s hottest fashion jewellery brand, got in touch with me. I was soon drooling over their jewellery collections on their site: http://www.stylequeen.com/ within no time.

If you’re a fellow fashionista, you’ll have no problem in finding exactly what you are looking for on Style Queen. Whether it’s for a summer holiday, your next night out or that event, they make it so easy for you to find whatever jewellery suits you through their 5 trend categories:-

'Dowtown Chic'    
'Sophisticate'
'Fashionista' 
'Glam Goddess' 
'Modern Boho'

Every single one of these collections enticed me if I’m honest, as Style Queen jewellery is right up my street! But I have to say, the Sophisticate range has to be my favourite. The jewellery in this collection is so clean cut, high fashion and great value for money, not to mention beautiful! Think designer, without the designer price tag!

I was lucky enough to receive the very chic: “silver multi snake chain necklace” $56 and also the beautiful yet simple: “simplicity cuff” $38, both from the Sophisticate range to review.



This necklace will go with everything from your summer maxi dress to your smart (but always chic) office wear. Pair it with a crisp white shirt, pencil skirt and sky high heels or achieve more of a goddess look with a long evening dress and loose, tousled hair. The limits are endless with a timeless piece like this.



The Simplicity cuff also compliments the multi snake chain necklace perfectly and can be worn with any outfit, with or without the necklace. If you’re more of a simple rather than statement kind of girl, this cuff is for you. It screams elegance without overpowering your outfit. Again, perfect to be worn at work, on a lunch date or at a refined event. See the looks I've created below to team with this sophisticated silver snake chain and simplicity cuff from Style Queen!



I haven’t stopped wearing my gorgeous cuff and necklace recently, but I can’t help lusting after some of the pieces in the other stylish collections too, here are some of the things on my Style Queen Wishlist, perhaps you will agree.... 

Remember me Bracelet $86 from the Glam Goddess collection


Frosted hoop earrings $44 from the Glam Goddess collection



Dunaway Bracelet $46 from the Sophisticate collection



Catroux ring $24 from the Sophisticate collection



Spiked out necklace $34 from the Downtown Chic collection



Lita earrings $24 from the Downtown Chic collection


Happy jewellery Hunting!

Miss V x



Sunday 11 March 2012

Fierce Fight Back

It happens to the best of us in life; certain things can put you on a complete downer. It may be the smallest thing, but like a positive vibe from someone can put you in the best of moods, negative energy can have the opposite effect. Before you know it, other’s own insecurities and problems can be projected on to you in a negative way and in an attempt to make you feel as bad as they feel about themselves. Oddly, it seems to give them some strange self esteem boost but I prefer to lift my spirits in a different (more normal and moral) way, without taking people down along the way. Not my style, ya know? When times are hard and you’ve been put down for whatever reason hit back hard and make like Beyonce with some fierce fashion. In the words of Kanye... take this- Haters.

Check these baby’s out for some fierce fight back! Steve Madden has designed these unbelievable crazy Aztec print wedges and they are available exclusively in New Look! I think these will sell like hot cakes, similar to the in demand Versace for H and M line scenario, squished like sardines on Oxford street ring any bells? Yeh, you get the drift... However, you will be standing tall in these beauties and all those troubles will melt away when you see how long your legs look! These incredible shoes are worth queuing for, and I will be first in line!

I predict... a fierce fashion trend! This hand jewellery has entered our shops and will be everywhere by the summer. Although this trend isn’t for the faint hearted, those that like to push the boundaries with their style will love these. They come in all different kinds of designs but this one (see pic) from Miss Selfridge stood out from the rest. Team with an all black outfit and make your statement with this magical piece.


Feeling extra fiery? Now’s the time to finally get that colour dip dye you’ve been contemplating for so long. We’re not talking blonde... we’re talking blue! Perhaps there is a time and a place for this crazy hair trend but if you’re in any kind of fashion, beauty or entertainment business, you’ve got the perfect excuse to have this hairstyle whilst working anyway. So take the plunge, I’m loving the blue and pink on the tips of the hair, it’s got to be done properly and with this trend and the colour, less is more. But, do this right? And you’ll be looking like one fierce fashionista with guts aplenty. Knock em dead.


If all else fails, re-vamp your make-up look. The latest thing to experiment with in beauty at the moment are lip foils. Shine, brilliant colour and amplified volume for the lips all in one. Try the bright gold and look like a boss or go a shade cooler and more adventurous with blue or silver. These will be amazing for clubbing and you will not go un noticed. Most salons will apply them for you to try them, so go into your local one and see how you like them.



Hopefully this has lifted your spirits and given you a little fierce inspiration to keep you up there and on top of things. And if people try to crush your spirits again, squash them with your Steve Maddens! Positive vibes people!

Miss V x

Sunday 4 March 2012

Spring Vibes

March is upon us and as far as I’m concerned, winter is over and we’re in the spring! I almost felt summery on 1st march as it was so sunny and warm, but one thing at a time, spring first!

Spring is great, daffodils, Easter... my birthday! and a chance to crawl out of hibernation and into the fresh air and blossoming trees. What a lovely picture I just painted... but really, you know what I’m going to be especially excited about, that’s right- the clothes!

I have to say, the spring trends in the shops at the moment are en point and have completely stolen the spotlight off the winter items. Dare I say it... these spring trends will emerge and survive throughout the summer too!

We’re seeing swathes of primary coloured fabrics. Royal blue, bright spring green (aptly named) and beautiful sunflower yellow. These colours are punchy and pretty at the same time. As if it couldn’t get any better, the shapes are feminine and very 50’s, perfect for girls with a shapely figure, and if not, they create a shapelier figure for you.

We’ve also got the pastels thrown into the mix, which again, I didn’t imagine choosing over the brights, but I have been won over. I’m in love with the minty green colour which is everywhere at the moment. Think delicate ice cream colours and afternoon teas and you will have the perfect palette and ambience set for the pastel trend this spring. Flirty, feminine floaty and fun are the words for Spring this year.

As if the above trends weren’t enough to feast your eyes on, the Versace-esque design has taken the shops by storm and is another thing on my wish list. You will find this print in leggings, dresses, bags and even shoes; so you won't have to look far to get hold of this trend in some shape or form.

Here are the pick of the best essentials for the spring season and maybe one or two of them are my latest personal purchases I couldn’t resist... My Spring mood board (below) will give you an idea of the colours and essential items that are in this season.

The good news is, is that this time around, look no further than the high street for these steals. H and M, New Look and even Primark are filled with the latest quality spring trends for great prices. The new trends have definitely brought back the excitement into shopping again that seemed to be lacking during the winter, and pretty is back. Women can look like women again (thank god) and ditch the masculine teddy boy look. Bring on the Spring Vibes!



Tuesday 31 January 2012

* It's a Winter ting *


Yes, it’s rare that I say I’ve got that winter feeling as opposed to summer as most people know I crave the sun, especially during these dank, gloomy months. But they don’t have to be gloomy! All you have to do is embrace all the good things about winter. I know I say it every year, but the little exciting new beauty buys and new looks hot off the catwalk that enter our shops really drag you out of that doom and gloom. Apart from crispy sunny mornings, snow, log fires, roast dinners, too many cups of tea and all the other simple winter comforts, my saviour in this bleak weather is FASHION! Oh and reminding myself that summer is not far away, well- not that far away.


These are my winter warmers this year:-

~ Mint green dream ~

Mint green has gotta be the freshest colour out there at the moment and its gonna be BIG for spring. Pastels are fresh off the catwalk this season, along with block bold colours and this
particular shade of green is set to be swarming the
shops. Designed to bring you out of the winter blues and straight into that spring vibe, this colour will have you perked up in no time. Wear with white for a clean and sprightly day look or team with black for a sophisticated look with an edge.



~ Tiffany blue delight ~

As we know, this colour was big last year too but this season it’s gone a dash bluer and it’s still right on the money. It’s less tame than taupe but still ultra chic. Not too bright for winter but still has that subtle colour that lifts your spirits. Looks good on pale skin but amazing with a tan! (if you’re lucky enough to have a tan in winter that is!) Add that sparkling ring and you’ll be talk of the town in an instant.


~ Orchid inspiration ~

I love experimenting with colour, especially when it comes to makeup. So I had a thrill when MAC released a range of purple lipsticks onto their shelves in January. Although I was tempted by the brilliant bold shade of purple, the spotlight was suddenly stolen by a divine sheen supreme lipstick. Appropiately named “Asian flower” this beautiful orchid coloured rarity is a combination of a lipstick and a gloss. It feels great on, creates a lovely sheen and the colour is eyegasmic. Limited edition though so get it before it goes!

~ Fur waistcoat fever ~

I’ve never been a massive fan of waistcoats, but these wi
nter, wooly ones have changed my mind. They’re right on trend, really warm and don’t dominate a whole outfit, so that new top you love can be on display at the same time, not covered up by a cardy. This is normally the reason I prefer summer for fashion in general because winter means covering up a perfectly good outfit with big fat jumpers.... it’s probably a sign I should invest in a better winter wardrobe and stop buying bikinis!



~ Parka insania ~

This coat actually makes me excited about winter coz its so damn cool. Ok maybe I’m a little over excited, but it is cool, you can’t escape that. It’s casual, street and warm at the same time. It’s probably worth investing in a good one to last you a few years but you’ll be the one looking good this winter and not freezing at the same time.





~ Winter warmers ~

These little beauties come in handy with everything from driving on cold mornings (especially scraping the ice off the car!) to doing the everyday things you want to do with gloves on- but can’t. They keep your hand warm but you are free to do pretty much anything you like in them... you can even paint your nails with them on- now that’s a first!


~ Tantalizing Tribal ~

Tribal is everywhere again and fortunately- I LOVE this trend. The colour, the un usual element to the trend and the mad, crazy fun designs! It’s said that this summer’s fashion is gonna be very Rihanna inspired (works for me!), focusing on the tribal look that she worked so well in her “What’s my name” video. I think we’ll also see, consequently, an 80s spin on fashion too and most likely a combination of the two. Remind yourself of these two styles being combined and check out Rihanna’s style. Even though our summer will be dominated by this trend this year, it’s already hit the stores nationwide. Be on the lookout for rebellious prints and feather elements: Republic has already decked out their store with tribal.

~ Dolce and Gabbanna scarf mania! ~

One of my favourite designers, the fabulous Dolce and Gabbanna have created a n elaborate, out there look with scarves this season. You’ll see they are using scarves on pretty much anything they can: shoes, dresses, skirts and tops! Personally, I want a pair of these shoes, totally yum for summer.

Yes, I keep visualising all these looks in the summer, it’s automatic to me! But, the point is, these looks are here now, in the winter and they are so good they may well last till the summer. Don’t wait till summer to experiment with colour, do it now. And winter fashion doesn’t have to be ho hum, as I’ve learnt. It’s what you make of it and with these trends you will definitely be embracing the chilly season!

Happy new year fashionistas,

Miss V x