Blake Lively

Hey everyone!

Just a quick update before I start my outfit post about Blake Lively.

As part of my course I have to carry out a fashion photoshoot around the theme of diversity in fashion. My group and I managed to finish ours successfully yesterday which ended up being a lot of fun! Thinking about it now, I realise how much thought actually goes into a fashion shoot - every small detail either in the pose or look can make a difference to each shot looking right. When we found the right shots though it was very satisfying to see! It will be interesting to see how we can edit them and turn them into an actual fashion spread. Thanks to our photographer, Daniel McAvoy (who is very talented btw, check out his work here), we managed to book out this snazzy studio to do our photoshoot in!

Calum Riddell studios in Aberdeen. Picture by Daniel McAvoy

Without giving too much away, we surrounded our outfits and poses around a military theme... but I guess you will have to wait a few weeks to see the finished photos :)

Now to continue on from my last post about an alternative to one of Taylor Swift's recent outfit, the celebrity I have chosen for this outfit post is Blake Lively. Blake Lively has become such a global style icon and success in the fashion industry as well as an actress – it’s like everything she wears appears so effortlessly stylish. She also carries herself very maturely for a woman of her age which I think makes her more admirable. Just like Taylor Swift, she has a very feminine style.

Source: InStyle.co.uk

The outfit she is wearing above is one she wears in a scene she shoots for Gossip Girl. It’s a very typical Upper East Side Manhattan sort of style - why can’t my wardrobe be like Sienna Van Der Woodsen’s or Blair Wardolf’s! She wears an equestrian-style cape coat over what seems to be a skirt or dress, a print scarf, patterned tights and heeled boots. I love the warm colour palette for winter – even though I know it’s all about a pop of bright colour for the AW’12 season. I’ve managed to find a slightly less expensive alternative to Blake’s outfit here :)

The colour palette is slightly different but I think it still works well for winter. Hope you like it! You can find the items here: 

Cape coat, Romwe

Skirt, Topshop

Scarf, All Of My Heart

Tights, New Look

Shoes, River Island

MLx

Taylor Swift

Hey all!

As all of you know, Taylor Swift's music and character is reflected very much in her style in that it is very feminine, youthful and oh so cute. Many girls look up to her for this sort of style and admire what she wears either when she's dressing down or dressing up for A-list events. I personally love her recent fabulous looks from the Teen Choice Awards and Paris Fashion Week!

Paris Fashion Week Source: Idolator

Straight from being spotted in front row shows such as Elie Saab for Paris Fashion Week, she then was spotted in London a few days after wearing her usual cute but chic outfits. I love this one shown below in particular :) it is so wearable and casual for everyday wear.

She looks very ladylike and classy in a short sleeved burgundy knit by French Connection (£67), polka dot jeans by designer AG Adriano Goldschmied (£150+) and a pair of velvet kitty pumps which I absolutely ADORE by Charlotte Olympia (£450+).

So to start off my celebrity style series, here is where you can get similar alternatives for cheaper in terms of High Street prices...

Of course, it is not the exact replica... the jumper is a lighter colour but I think still works well with the outfit and the jeans and kitty Accessorize pumps are very similar to what Taylor Swift is wearing! Click on the links to find the items :)

I hope you like what I have found! 

MLx

A New Series

Hey all!

I know, it has been a while since I have posted again as finding the time and inspiration of what to write proved difficult... especially that summer came along and I spent that time at home in London with friends and family and juggling a full time job at Topman Oxford Circus at the same time.

Oh hey, yes that's me after my first day. Just thought you'd all like to see..

I've now recently come back to Aberdeen for second year of university and all the while thinking how time has flown by. I remember last year and how nervous I was to move up here as if it were yesterday but since then I have met people that I feel I have known my own life. Cliché or what? But it's true.

One of my modules for my Fashion Management course has welcomed the world of blogging into everyone's lives and as my fellow classmates started new blogs or continued on with their own ones for the course it inspired me to think of what I could post about for you all.

As we all know, the use of  celebrity endorsement is a real money maker these days. Even us as the general public can be so inspired and interested in what celebrities are wearing daily. Yet how often can we afford to dress and style ourselves like these celebs? Not often at all. 
Magazines such as GRAZIA and LOOK and even other blogs have sections where they provide High Street alternatives of celebrities outfits either on or off the red carpet - I will start a series of these on here :)

If you have any requests of outfits you've seen on celebs that you love, do let me know!
I hope you enjoy it!

MLx

Selfridges Miniature Designer Shoe Cabinet Launch!

Hey all!

Have any of you been to Selfridges London recently? On my recent trip there, I of course had a look round at their Shoe Gallery to find on display the launch of their Christmas miniature shoe collection. In this limited edition range, you will find perfect miniature replicas by the designers themselves including Christian Louboutin, Vivienne Westwood, Fendi and Maison Martin Margiela. You can buy the shoes seperately as collectables or if have £18,000 at hand you can buy the limited edition Selfridges Mini Shoes Advent Calendar or Cabinet rather!

If I wasn't a student ie. had a disposable income I would think about having this as a collectable. How great of a conversation starter would that be. See the shoes for yourself! These are all available to buy via Selfridges.com and in-store, how cute are they!?

Remember, these are MINI! Maybe even true to size as in this photo...
My favourite is this miniature version of the Melissa - check it out!

What shocked me is that they are selling that for only £5 compared to the others which retail at over £200. Christian Louboutin however, even made a miniature Barbie shoe set exclusively for Selfridges for only £60! I definitely wouldn't mind this for Christmas.

I don't usually collect but I was really drawn to collecting all of these. Especially as a lot of them were quite affordable. What do you guys think? If you have a chance to check this out at their Shoe Gallery definitely do! Especially if you are a shoe lover like me.

Oh and I'm new to bloglovin'
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MLx

FNO London & Starting University..

Hey everyone,

This post may not be relevant to many of you but I'm sure there will be a few of you who can relate; University starters anyone?

Let me just start by introducing myself properly (this may be the first time in my blog). My full name is Monica Leung, I'm currently 18 years old and I have been a fashion student for the past year at the Fashion Retail Academy. It's finally time for me to go to university and to be honest I'm feeling mixed emotions. As of next week I will be a BA (HONS) Fashion Management student at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

Feelings?
I'm excited - Having been born and bred in London I am excited to have a change of routine and atmosphere. I have always been a person who loves interacting and communicating with people from different cultures and seeing different cultures so moving up to Scotland throughout my 4 year course will be a somewhat challenging but exciting experience. I can just imagine the life experience I will gain from moving this far away from home.

On the contrary, I'm only human so
I'm also scared - The distance scares me for one. I've always loved spending time with family and my friends at home so being that far away from them for 4 years will be difficult. I guess this is independence though right? I'm also worried about the language barriers I will face during the first few weeks haha although I'm sure I will pick up on the Scottish lingo in no time...

Is anyone else starting university this year or can relate to my feelings?
Keep checking back for updates though, I move up on the 17th Sept.
****
Lastly,

I couldn't be more excited for Vogue's FNO London this week, I have a map planned out of where I'll be heading with a few of my friends. It will be a night of goodies, partying, drinks and a first view of latest collections and limited editions! One I'd like to see in particular is Moschino's first view of their limited edition bag for the SS12 collection; "The Olivia Spectator"

image via Vogue

Gorgeous right?

I will write about all my Vogue FNO London adventures so keep posted!

MLx

The Versatile Leather Skirt

Hi all,

As you all know, AW'11 is seeing the return of the Leather Skirt which is one of my favourite pieces this year. It's definitely a must due to how versatile a chic leather skirt can be whether you are going for the pleated, a-line or pencil skirt.. one of those wardrobe staples which you can easily throw on and mix and match with other items. I am going for leather in the brown or black simply because it shouts ultra elegance, especially the black.

Some personal designer favourites of mine for the season...

I am loving the cut detail hem in Ksubi's and the cuteness of the Alice + Olivia skirt. The Michael Kors interpretation is definitely something that will catch your eye on the street. Less is more with the clean and elegant A.P.C skirt.

And lets not forget the high street. I'm currently loving River Island's pleated black leather mini skirt.

Emphasis on the word "mini" there as I am quite petite so happy days (even though I will be heartbroken to see £75 go out from my account). Funny how I'm trying to justify the cost of it even after this post of All hail the Leather Skirt!


Please leave your thoughts in the comments! (And convince me to buy this skirt)

Any teeth whitening product lovers? Stay tuned for a review on the Super Boost whitening pen I just ordered from Whitening Lightning!

MLx