The Power of The Christmas Jumper

American Retro, Fluffy Kittens, Christmas Cheer, Bright Wool, Electric Red.

Mom Jeans: Black Wash, Topshop

Christmas Jumper: East End Thrift Shop

Necklace: Second Hand, Gift

Earrings: New Look

Lipstick: Velveteen Ribbon, Topshop

I will remember this year as the year I learnt the power of the Christmas jumper. You honestly have more fun just by wearing one, and, if you've got your hands on a particularly good number, it's a great conversation starter. I bagged this American retro knit for £15 at the East End Thrift Shop a couple of weeks back and am dreading when I have to pack it away- I'm really going to miss these kittens! 

So, no matter if you decide to sport a Fair Isle number, an American vintage pullover or a novelty elf/reindeer/Santa/snowman onsie, like many fashion articles have stated in these past couple of months, you will wear a Christmas jumper and you will enjoy it.

Meanwhile, have a very merry- and necessarily cheesy- Christmas!

Grace x

'Automatic, I Imagine, I Believe'

'Automatic, I imagine, I believe'- Thirty Seconds to Mars, The Fantasy

Over the last couple of weeks I've been studying self portraits, and below is my final outcome. It was inspired by the bottom two images, from a collection on Rookie Magazine called 'Creature Fear'. The photos were taken by Eleanor Hardwick, the collage work by Ben Giles. I love the styling in these shots, by Nao Koyabu, especially all of the playful vintage pieces she has put together. The modelling was done by Arvida Byström.

Final outcome and response to 'creature fear'.

Grace x

Big Green Jumper

Oversized, cable knit, forest green, winter, bronze metal, paisley

*excuse the bad photo quality in some of these shots*

Big Green Jumper: £4.50, charity shop (H&M)

Jeans: £10, Topshop, sale

Shoes: £65/60, Office ('Leader of the Pack')

Necklace: £2.50, Topshop, sale

Hoop earrings: Part of a set from Primark

Stud earrings: Part if a set from H&M

Ring: Part if a set from H&M

I've had this oversized bargain charity shop jumper for ages now-easily over a year- and have only just managed to make it work. It still had the tags on when I claimed it as mine for £25.50 off the original price, probably because its original owner was just as bewildered by it's awkwardly shaped sleeves and split sides as I originally was. I'm glad I finally decided to give it a go because it's quickly becoming a favourite. They say you can never have too many shoes, but for me it's chunky knits I just can't stop buying.

Grace x

Recent Fashion Inspiration

1990's, Grunge, Hazy, Messy hair, Tartan, Velvet, Small Plaits, Daydream

Some images that have inspired me recently...

Melody Prochet in the Topshop Magazine, S/S 2013, 'French Dressing'

Topshop 'The Damned' make-up collection, A/W 2013

Topshop '90's Antwerp' lookbook, A/W 2013

'10 Things I Hate About You' Movie, 1999

Kat from '10 Things I Hate About You'

Kate Moss in 'The Face', 1990

Kate Moss in 'The Face', 1990

Rookie, Online Magazine

Rookie, Online Magazine

Grace x

Soft Autumn

Soft Autumn vibe, ox blood red, subtlety, rough elegance, calm winds. 

In these photos I contrasted the glamorous Gothic necklace and floaty chiffon midi dress with the ox blood Dr Martens and oversize thrift shop tartan coat.

Coat: £15, East End Thrift Shop

Dress: £20, Topshop, sale

Jumper: £5, H&M sale

Boots: £100, Dr Marten

Necklace: £2.50, Topshop, sale

For my eyes I chose warm toned slightly shimmer shades, highlighted my inner corners with a cream shimmer shadow and then subtly lined my eyes with a matt black eye-shadow. My brows are filled in with a medium brown sleek shadow. Lastly, I stained my lips with a highly pigmented old deep red H&M lipgloss.

To get the subtle waves in my hair I put it into two plaits whilst it dried.

Grace x

Violet Light

A few violet self-portraits...

T-Shirt: £3, Primark

Pearls: £2, Primark

I took these shots under the blue lights in my room at night, with a pink filter over my flash to get the violet hue.

On my eyes I had silver dust and fine glitter with thin black kohl liner. 

I aimed for an over all hazy electric vintage feel, with the lighting, colour, make-up and clothing.

 Grace x

Photo Shoot at Vanity Studios

I spent yesterday at the Vanity Studios, just off Oxford street in London. They are a professional photographic studio, where you get a makeover (make-up, hair and nails) and then a shoot in four different outfits.

For my nails I chose a dark red shade and a complimenting lip colour. I then had thick black eye-liner and had my hair styled into messy curls.

Out of my four looks, my last one was by far my favourite. They have a fun feel to them and a vintage theme, with retro wallpaper in the background and the dark leather sofa that I sat on. I also posed with my Diana F+ camera for a couple of the shots...

Jumper: About £3.50 in a bundle, East End Thrift Shop

Jeans: £15, J.W Anderson for Topshop, Sale 

Shrit: £15, H&M

Shoes: £60, Office

Necklace: £7.99, H&M

Earrings: Part of a pack from H&M

Ring: Part of a pack from H&M

Grace x

July Favourites!

It has been a long while since I've written a monthly favourites post, thanks to having little time! I now have much more time to blog, so I'm starting them up again. So, here we are, my July favourites...

Clinique Anti Blemish Foundation, £24, Boots

I wasn't sure about this foundation at first, It didn't apply smoothly and made my skin appear dry. Now, however, the weather has gotten much hotter and while my other foundations have just been sliding off my face, my Clinique has stayed put. It also has quite full coverage without feeling too heavy. 

Topshop Monkey Bracelet, £1.50, Topshop Sale

I have found myself wearing this bracelet a lot recently, often just on it's own or occasionally in a stack of other bracelets. I love the bronze colour of the metal, it goes well with other metals (rose gold and gunmetal, for example) and the little monekys are just too cool!

Silky Curls Intensive Mask, £5.99, Boots

This mask has saved my hair since I had it bleached/dyed! I could feel a great improvement in the condition of my hair after the first time I used the mask, it really works a treat.

Rose Hoops, £4.99, New Look

These hoops are another piece of jewellery that I have found myself wearing a lot recently. The roses are extremely pretty and make a good variation on your average gold hoop. 

Vintage Levis, (Customised myself)

Denim shorts are a summer staple for everyone, I think you'll agree! The spikes of these add interest to the shorts, and are very on trend. I am going to start selling studded vintage shorts on-line in the near future, so for anyone who wants a pair, I will do a post with more details. 

JuJu Jellies, £25, Various retailers (Mr. Shoes, Office, Topshop etc...)

These shoes have been on my feet almost everyday, and all of my recent outfit posts! The are the perfect summer shoe for me-sturdy, comfortable and easy to coordinate outfits around.

Oversized Vintage Checked Shirt, About £5, Stall at Spitafields Market

This shirt is perfect to throw on over outfits when it gets a little chilly, and they are such good value for money.You'll be able to find them at prices like these in most vintage stores/stalls around London.

Hope you've enjoyed looking at the products I've been using frequently over the last month and I will try and keep these posts up!

Grace x