Sunday, 20 May 2012

Spring Trends I've Adored

Spring 2012 has put a lot of new trends and styles into the spotlight; whether they've been brought back from the past, reinvented in a whole new way, or inspired from the current day and future. This year's line up involved a lot of prints, ladylike silhouettes and geometric patterns. Brought back to life was the styling's of the 1920's, flapper dresses and all. Sporty cuts clash with accentuating peplums, whereas tribal prints from right out of Africa go hand in hand with bright and bold prints. Pretty shades of pastels are featured in several collections, and dreamy underwater designs are embedded in others. Last but not least, "ab fab" outfits appeared again and again with their daring and sexy cuts.

1. Pulchritudinous in Peplum 
The flared peplum is the definition of elegance and femininity, accentuating a woman's curves with a formal approach. Designed in dresses, skirt and tops, the peplum style appeared on countless catwalks. The outfits came in bright pops of colour, bold prints, cool metallic or classic black, proving their chameleon-like grace and effortlessness. This style is best worn on petite girls as they highlight and create more bodacious curves, and can be paired with patterns or just simple solid colours.
http://www.polyvore.com/peplum_lovin/set?id=49205657

2. Bare Bellies
If you've got it, flaunt it! This season's gradual return to summer warmth has brought back the cropped and bustier tops. These ab-tastic tops came in all patterns, prints, shapes and materials. Exciting prints, like Dolce & Gabanna's pepper print, make for a fun outfit, whereas lace makes a look elegant and timeless. Sailor stripes bring a casual yet classic approach, leather toughens up the attire and gives a rebellious edge, and curved shapes and cut outs add a pinch of sex appeal. If you've got a flat tummy and the confidence to own it, this garment is perfect for you.
http://www.polyvore.com/bustier_cropped_tops/set?id=49205979
3. Into The Wild
This season's trends were inspired not from Europe and America like the origins of the brands, but right out from African culture. Aztec prints owned the runways, particularly Michael Kors' safari-esque collection. Designed in either bright or earthy colours, animal and tribal patterns work best as a single statement piece paired with a simple outfit. 
http://www.polyvore.com/tribal_prints/set?id=49206418
4. Lively Prints
Vivid colours blended with quirky or floral prints were the perfect match to bring some colour back into fashion after winter's much more muted hues. Prints were paired together to make one whole dazzling look, or combined with basic pieces to create a more toned down yet still bold outfit. While you mightn't quite be able to afford these killer threads above, you can settle for some of the equally stunning pieces below!
http://www.polyvore.com/bold_prints/set?id=49207249
5. Underwater Utopia
Designers were influenced by the whimsical and relaxing theme of the ocean, infusing beautiful hues of blue, and saltwater creatures and plants into their pieces. Alexander McQueen's coral dress reflected the beauty of the ocean's foliage, whereas Mary Katrantzou took photographs of underwater scences and printed them onto her dresses. Other designers illuminated their pieces with shell-like patterns, or painted either soft blue waves or big crashing waves with darker colours. These pieces are perfect to ring in the beginnings of summer days spent relaxing by the beach. 
http://www.polyvore.com/underwater/set?id=49216203
6. Pretty Pastels
Pale colours make an outfit delicate and feminine, mixing especially well with floral patterns - perfect for spring! Louis Vuitton was most famous this season for their pastel, floral and feathery dresses matched with fresh faced beauties. Pastel pieces came in all shapes and sizes; as short body con dresses, blazers and trousers, or long flowy dresses. Pale colours look great on most skin tones; just beware of more out there colours like yellow for lighter skin colours. Pair these divine hues with other feminine pieces for a classic lady-like outfit, or match them with metallics to give them a bit of edge.
http://www.polyvore.com/pastels/set?id=49219130
7. Sporty Spice
Whereas some designers opted for pretty looks, others brought out the casual and chicness of sportswear in their collections. Michael Kors' safari style still maintained a sporty edge, and Victoria Beckham's collection incorporated chic hoodies with skirts and sandals. Geometric prints and cuts were designed with sneakers or clean cut strappy shoes to highlight the build of an athletic body. Don't be afraid to wear some more casual pieces so long as you combine it with something chic or a bit more formal. 
http://www.polyvore.com/sporty/set?id=49221381
8. Great Gatsby Girls
Collections are almost always influenced each season by an era in the past. This spring, it was the glamorous flapper dresses of the 1920's that made an impression on designers. Dubbed 'The Great Gatsby' style, a book written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the twenties was a decade of sophisticated and conservative party dresses. These elegant garments have this year been reinvented into a more sexy look, with metallic tones, deep plunged necklines, shear fabrics and cut out designs. These styles are traditionally worn with headbands, glitzy clutches and heels, and have stayed quite similar through the years. The modern version, however, involves less hair accessories, more strappy heels and the same level of glam - great for parties and big events. 
http://www.polyvore.com/twenties_style/set?id=49222613
I hope you've enjoyed this seasons trends as much as I have! Designers never seem to shy away from past styles, as they invent new ways to present these trends each year. I, personally, have definitely gotten into the pastel colours, despite not owning that many pieces. I've also loved bustier and crop tops, and own several myself. I would love to own a peplum dress or skirt, though I don't have one yet, and I think bold prints are unique and fun, especially when worn to parties!

All catwalk images obtained from websites such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire and others...

Saturday, 19 May 2012

Sophie's Wishlist

I have a love for shopping which unfortunately cannot always be quenched due to my lack of millions of dollars. While some of these items are relatively affordable, others are not quite within my price range. So, without further a due, here is my wishlist (though I really am sure there's loads more things I have yet to discover which I'll love)...


A lot of these beautiful garments I've found on Tumblr, so it's rather difficult to track down where each comes from. However, some are from Polyvore and so are luckily quite easy to find! For details of where each item is from go to my Polyvore set here. Hope you like it!


Thursday, 17 May 2012

Favourite Pieces of Jewelry

My beautiful necklace just arrived! This is the one I've been talking about for a while now, the one which I got for my birthday from my grandparents. I am in love. The colours are beautiful and striking, and the length of the chain and the size of the crystal itself are both perfect, especially for the dress I'm wearing to my brother's graduation, which is when I'll be wearing it first!


Crystal Druzy Necklace, from Five and Two (website here)


My new obsession with this necklace has inspired me to create a post with all of my favourite jewelry. I'm a big fan of rings, while I mightn't wear them all that often. I also love necklaces, and a few bracelets here and there can be nice too. I, unfortunately, don't have my ears pierced (they used to be but then closed over... it's a long story), so I can't obsess over earrings anytime soon. I just love how jewelry can transform an ordinary outfit into something special, something that little bit more elegant or fun or formal or chic. Here are all of my favourites, in no particular order...

Rings:
from Editor's Market
from Topshop
a birthday present from one of my closest friends, Sonia!
from Topshop
from a shop in Tanglin Mall
from Topshop - my favourite!
Bracelets:

from Topshop - wearing this to my formal!
from a flea market at Scape
another birthday present, from Issie - from Forever 21
from Thomas Sabo
Necklaces:

birthday present, from Vicky - from Bershka
Christmas present from my family friends, Liz & Harry
from a flea market at Scape
from a flea market at Scape
from Forever 21
from Sportsgirl

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Sweet Freedom

Hi everybody! I was just hoping to make a casual post about what I've been up to lately. Exams just started for me today, so now I've got half of maths done with 10 more exams to go! Yesterday I also got my braces off which was VERY exciting albeit a bit nerve-wracking after two years of metallic teeth. I was really worried about how they'd look, and while they mightn't be perfect I'm growing to like them (:



I've been on study leave due to all the exams, and so haven't really been doing anything too exciting. I've been going to football training three times a week which I've actually really enjoyed; it's given me a break from studying! I admit I haven't been studying as hard as I probably should be, but I've got all my notes sorted so it's really just me doing past papers from now on til' my next THREE exams on the SAME day (examiners suck at planning, eh?) on Monday. Looking forward to it :/








My birthday was a week ago and I'm loving being 16! Nothing much has changed but it's such an iconic age for a teenager to be, what with some of the new benefits that come with the age. I got the exact camera (Canon Powershot S100) which I posted a couple of weeks ago which was really cool (it's a REALLY good quality digital camera with lots of fun effects, I recommend it!). I also ordered a necklace (on the right) similar to the one I posted before as well, which is somewhere in the world on it's way. I'm super excited to get it in the mail, and I plan on wearing it with this amazing dress one of my closest friends, Maya, got for my birthday, which I'll wear to my brother's Graduation at the end of May. For my birthday, I also got lots of Topshop gift cards (like $300 worth, yay!), some perfume, some tops, money and some jewelry.







Lastly, I've got everything sorted for my grade 10 formal in June! I'm wearing a long blue dress from a shop in Sydney called Seduce, a pair of sparkly silver and black heels from Aldo, the coolest silver and blue clutch ever from a boutique in Singapore and a silver cuff from Topshop. There's braiding in my dress and on my clutch, so I'm probably going to braid the top of my hair and leave the rest out in waves, with some smoky eyes and a toned down lip. I'M SO EXCITED!

If anyone's been bothered to read this I hope you've enjoyed finding out a little bit about how I've been! (:
- Sophie xx

Saturday, 5 May 2012

April/May Music Faves

I love to listen to music whenever I can and I like to think I have quite a large variety of music on my iPod (though I do tend to like more dance or mainstream songs.) I have an 8tracks website here if you'd like to see more of the music I like, but for now here's some of my favourite songs from this spring! Note: not all are new, I may have only just come across some old songs which I figured were too good to miss out on (: Happy listening!

1. Azealia Banks
This girl is so cool and makes really fun and catchy music. Caution: a lot of the language is rather explicit, but when you get songs this good it's hard to resist listening to them anyway!
Azealia Banks - 212 ft. Lazy Jay
Azealia Banks - Seventeen

2. Music from 21 Jump Street
I just watched this movie the other day and found it to be hilarious! I'm a sucker for a comedy, especially one as crazy as this. Then again, Channing Tatum might have increased my liking for this film that little bit more. I loved two of the songs from the movie; one of which was the theme song and the other which was the original theme song redone (it used to be a TV series) -
Rye Rye & Esthero - 21 Jump Street
Wallpaper - 21 Jump Street (this one was the original, and they really should make a longer version cause it's so good, am I right?)


3. Adam Lambert
He just came out with a new song which I personally think is his best so far! It's not very unlike the music from his previous album, but it has a more modern vibe plus the lyrics are quite nice.
Adam Lambert - Never Close Our Eyes







4. Foxes
Foxes' music is fresh and chill, and makes for a whole lot of great dubstep remixing. I do, however, prefer the original songs over the latter - her voice is just too perfect to need heavy bass in the background.
Foxes - Youth
Foxes - Home (this song was featured on a very recent episode of Gossip Girl a couple weeks ago!)



5. Glee
So by now I bet you're thinking Glee covers a little overrated and not as great as they were when the show first came out, but recently they've done some really nice covers of both calm and sweet music, as well as up beat and fun!
Glee - Hungry Like The Wolf/Rio - a mash-up of two great Duran Duran songs
Glee - Shake It Out - a beautiful acoustic rendition of Florence & The Machine's song



6. Rita Ora
She's only had a few of her own songs out so far, as well as featuring on some others, but she's definitely one to watch out for! Her voice is stunning, fitting perfectly with a great dance beat and some fun lyrics.
Rita Ora - How We Do (Party)





7. Stefano
Stefano Langone was once on American Idol Season 10, though I had completely forgotten this when I first heard this song. Had I realised when I used to watch the show that his voice was this good, I definitely would've wanted him to go further than his final 7th placing! This song makes me want to dance every time I listen to it.
Stefano - I'm On A Roll ft. New Boyz & Rock Mafia





8. Two Door Cinema Club
This band has some great indie music, however for someone like me with more of a mainstream taste, I couldn't help but love the remixed version! If you're an indie fan though, the original is still really great!
Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know (Nighty Max Remix)







9. Angus & Julia Stone
This Aussie brother & sister duo have been wowing fans for years now with their beautiful harmonious voices, yet it was their song featured in an ad for the TV series Revenge (which I watch and recommend to everyone, by the way) which really caught my ear.
Angus & Julia Stone - For You






10. Ariana Grande
I've watched this stunner on her TV show Victorious for quite a while now (yes, I'm a Disney fan) but I never realised just how great a singer she was until searching her up on Youtube - and clearly many agree with me based on her millions of video views! Not only this, but she's incredible at impersonating other singers too, so go check that out too.
Ariana Grande - Love The Way You Lie (Rihanna Cover)
Ariana Grande - Born This Way/Express Yourself - this mash-up gives Glee a run for their money!


11. Daniel Bedingfield
I haven't heard any music from Daniel other than this one song, which I've been obsessed with for about a month now. It's unfortunately very short, and some of you may think it's a bit too repetitive - but I figure if what he keeps repeating sounds amazing then why bother adding more (though he really should make this song longer anyway!) Caution: the music video's pretty explicit and the music takes a while to properly start, pretty much due to the all the women ripping his clothes off - ENJOY!
Daniel Bedingfield - Rocks Off


12. Gin Wigmore
This blonde bombshell from New Zealand has a wonderful smoky voice and some pretty bad-ass lyrics to match!
Gin Wigmore - Black Sheep








13. Hermitude
I heard one of their songs off of Triple J's Hottest 100 Hits 2012 album and loved it, and since then I've discovered another one which has proved to be just as good. There aren't any lyrics yet the song is very laid back however still has a good beat, so they aren't really needed to make this song great.
Hermitude - HyperParadise





14. Kevin Rudolf
Kevin's been around in the music business for a while now and continues to make really good music. Due to a lot of his older songs being a bit more hip hop, his voice has always been surprisingly good, so it's nice to hear a bit more of a pop sound in some more recent songs of his.
Kevin Rudolf - Don't Give Up





15. Siren
So this guy on the left's name is actually Stefan Niedermeyer, and he actually used to go to my school and is the son of a teacher that still works here as well as a family friend. Since graduating, he's moved to England and has become a singer/songwriter. His songs are a mix of indie and pop, and are really catchy. He has a great voice and his lyrics, written by himself of course, are really great.
Siren - Buckets of Blood
Siren - The Surrender (Acoustic)



16. The Hunger Games
The soundtrack came out around a couple of months ago along with the amazing movie itself, however like a lot of songs it seems recently, I've only just listened to the album. These two songs specifically are really mellow and pretty, and definitely suit the atmosphere of the film.
The Civil Wars - Kingdom Come
Birdy - Just A Game




17. Mathai (The Voice)
This girl has been phenomenal on The Voice this season! Her voice is beautiful and one of the best on the show by far. I loved her rendition of this song, originally sung by John Legend.
Mathai - Ordinary People








What's your favourite song been this spring?