What's New?

                           

As a fashion student I'm always reading magazines and I've come across a few interesting things that I would love to share!

Knot it up. 

Personally I love looking at 'street-style' for inspiration (as seen on my pinterest http://pinterest.com/julsb94/word-on-the-street/), and this quick and easy styling trick is one which I find particularly interesting. As a petite girl I often find maxi skirts/dresses a bit overwhelming for my figure, and they end up just making me look shorter. This trick can help with that problem, simply by knotting the hemline, making a maxi skirt that little bit more edgy.

Article from LOOK magazine

                                            

                                                                         Via Pinterest

                                                      

                                                                         Via Pinterest

Wrist Candy 

Recently I have been noticing a certain type of bracelet seems to be cropping up everywhere from instagram to magazines, even high street stores. This is seen to be the new 'it thing' on the accessories scene inspired by the Titan Bracelet by Italian designer label Vita Fede. Even though this Swarovski-studded, spike-ended bracelet will leave you £250 poorer, there are high street alternatives from the likes of Topshop and Asos! 

Vita Fede Titan Crystal Bracelet

                               

Via Pinterest

                               

Topshop £7.50

                                                   

Ballet Blocks

Ballet pumps have undergone an update by adding a simple block heel! Celebs such as Sara Jessica Parker have recently been spotted wearing the newly updated pumps and the high street have caught on fast! Below are a few examples I like from various high street stores/websites. 

Asos £35

                                            

Matalan £12

That's all from me today! Hopefully I've shown you a few interesting things you didn't know already...

                                                   Julia 

                                                     x

Summer Hair Trends

So with my Summer holiday to Malia and TITP getting closer and closer (exciting!), I have been thinking of ways to style my hair for both the hot weather and the festival season. My inspiration came from the key trends on the catwalks for Spring 2013 - some of which I will be embracing a bit more than others...

1. Tying the Knot

This is a simple but quirky way of getting your hair off your face (perfect for on holiday) where you twist your hair into a tightly wound knot. Seen on the runway by the likes of Givenchy, and sported by various celebrities such as Whitney Port (seen below), this provides a chic, five minute style. The following link gives some guidance on how to create your knotted style (http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-create-a-hair-knot). Definitely will be trying this myself!

2. The Braid

The braid is a well-known classic hairstyle, but this year it's all about bringing a fresh, creative twist to the braid - being shown in a number of different ways on the Catwalks. 

Small, intricate braids throughout a straight or wavy hairstyle can instantly make it more interesting. Perfect for a laid back holiday or festival look!

Or try a classic French braid with the ends pinned up to create a more interesting and chic style. 

3. The Modern Ponytail

This season the ponytail is to be worn low, straight and just above the nape. This is obviously quite a simple look and I think if I did this myself it would just look like I couldn't be bothered doing my hair... but it can be made more interesting with the use of hair accessories (seen below). 

                              

Using a wide hair band, inspired by Michael Kors and Ellie Saab, creates a more feminine, interesting look!

Adding a pretty ribbon can again create a more feminine look. This ribbon accessory which I purchased from River Island a while back is perfect for a ponytail (see below). 

River Island

£6 (I think...bought it a while back)

4. Slick Back

Very similar to the "wet hair" look of last Spring, this style basically involves slicking your hair back off your face. This is not something I think I can pull off, but give it a try!

Carolina Herrera




Christopher Raeburn

Rag & Bone

5. Adding Something Extra 

Every Summer hair accessories are seen in abundance on the catwalk from sporty hair bands by Fendi to oversized fabric flowers by Rochas (seen below). This has been my main focus for my holiday/TITP looks, so I have picked out some of my favourite hair accessories shown in the following pictures. 

                    

Fendi and Rochas

                     

This is a head band from boohoo.com that I really like! Aztec is a key look this Summer and it's perfect for a quirky festival look.
£5 - boohoo.com





A pretty floral headband is great for Summer or during the festival season. This a favourite of mine as I like the train of flowers which would look perfect with wavy, beach hair!

Asos - £10






Toughten up the classic floral headband with this cute version from Topshop, complete with metallic spikes - love this!

Topshop - £8.50





Get Shopping!
Julia
x

Crop Top Revival

With Summer just around the corner, I've been stocking up on key Summer pieces including one of my favourite trends - the crop top. For some, this trend might ring alarm bells, but with the right style everyone can wear one!

1. Muscle Tank

This style is perfect for a more relaxed day time look, without feeling like you're showing too much flesh. Team with high-waisted shorts or a pair of 'mom jeans' for that edgy 90's style. 

Crystal Crop Top
Escapology at Topshop £23

Forever 21 tank top
£10.50

Topshop 'Mom jeans'
£40

2. Tie Front

Giving a more feminine feel, the tie-front is a great holiday piece - either for throwing on top of a bikini or as a cute afternoon look. Match with a girly skater skirt or a high-waisted bodycon skirt. 

Asos Tie Front
£15

High-Waisted Bodycon Skirt
Motel £30

3. Cut-Out Crop Tops

With cut out being a popular trend this Spring, it's all about showing hints of flesh but in an interesting way. I am particularly a fan of this look, as instead of flashing your whole stomach you can just reveal sections of skin. Recently, I bought a cut out crop top (shown below) which I am in love with and have also been admiring a few others for a while now (shown below). 

My Cut Out Crop Top
Daisy Street £14.99

Oh my Love at Topshop
£26

Topshop
£22

4. Bra Tops/Bralets

For the fearless and body confident, the bra top is a key item for your holiday and Summer looks. This is one of my favourite styles, and if you are confident enough to wear them then go for it!

Jeweled Bra Top
Missguided £18.99

Fringe Bra Top (Love this!!)
Urban Outfitters £20

  

Embellished Bra Top
Asos £55

Hope this has inspired you for some Summer/holiday shopping!

Julia

x

  

Here Goes!

Hey everyone!

As my first day of freedom, and now my first day of blogging, I would like to welcome you to my Fashion blog - a peak into what inspires me, interests me, and above all fuels my fashion addiction! 

With University finished for Summer, I saw this as the perfect time to be productive and finally start up a blog. Being an avid Instagram user (http://instagram.com/julzbeattie), I have mainly been posting my outfits, thoughts and inspiration in the form of photos so it's nice to add some words to my thoughts. Let me know what you think!