Challenging new trends for 2013!

That’s right guys, neon is back with a vengeance! After two or three seasons of neon and pastels, hopefully we’ve all learned to keep a few of each ready in our wardrobes in anticipation. If, like me, you threw away everything neon and claimed you wouldn’t wear it again; big mistake. Neon is probably best limited to accessories if you’re re-investing (think of your bank account!) but pastel colours will be in fashion longer – invest more in these than neon if you want long lasting style.

Snake print seems to have made a possible comeback after hiding in the grass for several years now; I feel like I’ve been brainwashed into buying it again – but I’m ok with that and you should be too! Perhaps try not to buy a million items of clothing in the same print, but invest in one or two statement pieces you can pull out when the mood strikes…

The word “monochrome” gets thrown about season after season, but with the heavy 60s influence on the runways it seems that this time it’s really gonna stick! The key to this year’s look is layers – layer up black and white items and don’t be scared of working monochrome patterns into your outfits to keep it interesting. Black and white doesn’t have to be boring if you use a little imagination!

Everything is cropped this year; t-shirts, hemlines, trousers. Whilst cropped trousers can easily look chic and sophisticated, crop tops are a little scarier! If you’re not keen on exposing your stomach so much then try layering them over longer tops instead – this is where you can work on your monochrome layers! Keep crop tops boxy and loose, rather than going for skin tight version. Cropped trousers are great, as they can be worked into any look, whether you’re in the office, around the house or on a night out – just add heels and jewellery where necessary! There are some great tips on working new trends for 2013 on the Monsoon Accessorize blog if you still need some inspiration.

*this post is written by +Rhiannon Davies .

Very: Holiday Party in London

Who's already partying for Christmas or even year end? Or maybe taking a trip to London? Stock up in great party dress that i have picked out below from Very.co.uk! (Though it might be too cold for you all, get some coats!)

The approaching festive season is a great excuse to get dressed up, meet with friends and enjoy a night out. If last year’s eveningwear is looking a bit tired, liven up your wardrobe with key pieces from this season’s latest trends. Need inspiration? Be sure to take a look at the style guides and collection of going out dresses at Very.co.uk

If you’re planning on going further afield than your local bar for a night out, consider a trip to London. The capital has a whole host of seasonal events and evening hotspots in which to showcase that new purchase!
Christmas pantos are definitely not just for kids, especially when it comes to the big budget, all-singing all-dancing spectaculars on show in London. As usual, all the classic favourites are being staged: Beauty and the Beast is at the Shaw Theatre, whilst Dick Whittington and His Cat can be seen at the Hackney Empire. If you still fancy the theatre but panto isn’t your thing, catch Stephen Fry in Shakespearean comedy Twelfth Night at the Apollo.

Combine a festive night out with some last minute present shopping at one of London’s Christmas markets. Running right up until Christmas Eve, the wintery German market at the Southbank Centre is the place to pick up handmade gifts, unique jewellery and sip on warming Gluhwein. Visit in the evening to catch a 7pm choral performance.

A trip to London should take in the capital’s famed nightlife, and what better way to celebrate winter than with a visit to the Ice Bar on Heddon Street, W1. The walls, ceiling and even tables and chairs are crafted from ice in this frozen palace, which offers a range of vodka cocktails. The interior is kept at -5˚C, though luckily the £12 entrance charge includes rental of a snug cape.
For an active evening out, take to the ice on skates at the rink outside Somerset House. This annual installation sees a 900-metre-square ice rink complete with a bar, lounge and Christmas Arcade created in beautiful surroundings. Late night skating sessions are also available, with performances from DJs on select weekends.

Invest in a new going out dress and hit the capital in style for a festive-themed night out this winter!

House of Fraser: Anti-style challenge!?

Hello cherries, today's post is a from a different voice. This contributor from the House of Fraser, Rhiannon Davies, has kindly made a great guest post on embracing style that we always try to avoid as we are scared that we might look like a crazy clown or simply make us feel uncomfortable (girls as always having insecurities issues). Read on!

Now fashion blogs normally tell you how to find the most stylish clothes, and how to be on trend, but I’m in a funny mood today so I thought I’d take a different approach; the weirdest clothes out there! I searched through the House of Fraser website to see if I could find some crazy items in there to help me out.

Do you ever see someone walk past in an amazing outfit and wonder how they manage to pull it off? Or (like me) do you have that friend that can throw on the strange clothes and just make it all work? I decided to go on a little hunt and pick out the most difficult to style clothes out there – sometimes it’s the shape, sometimes it’s the print, but there has to be something that would scare you off!

I think I’m gonna set myself a little challenge…  to buy one thing this year that I don’t think I could pull off, and make it work for me!

Now I don’t know what you think about this lot; they’re not exactly bad, in fact I like them all, I JUST DON’T KNOW HOW I’D WEAR THEM! I mean, I know for a fact there’s people out there that could throw these on and create an amazing outfit. 

They’d know to pair that paisley peplum top with a pair of plain black skinny jeans and heels, and they’d look great. I think there’s one crucial thing you need – confidence! 

Because with prints and silhouettes like that you know you’ll be the centre of attention everywhere… only wear if you enjoy being looked at ;)

I’m starting to think I could really go for those floral trousers from Ted Baker, for some reason prints feel less bold when they’re on the bottom half (!?) I might be really daring and wear them to work – see if anyone notices me a bit more than usual!

Do you think you have the perfect way to style these pieces? Let us know! x
*This is a sponsored guest post brought to you from House of Fraser.

Cream & Burgandy + Flower Print & Orange Outfit By SStyleXOXO

This week feature will be the last feature for my guest contributor post as i am taking a break out of it plus the exams are here too soon + i have changed my url, if any of you notice (enough about me) . Introducing Safira, i love her style that she is going to feature below! Take a read, it's worth it!

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Hi my name's Safira, from 'S Style xoxo'. I started blogging as a hobby to show my outfits online. My blog is based on my style and frequently I do my recent purchase (hauls). I've decided to choose two outfits which Liya really likes from one of my outfit post. 'Cream and Burgandy' and 'Flower print and Orange'.

First Outfit- I’ve recently started to love wearing asymmetrical skirts as I'm petite and find it very difficult to pull off maxi skirts because there so long. I also love the way it’s designed.

I wore tights with this skirt from eBay as I don't show my legs; teamed it up with a nice blouse from Primark and a lovely leather jacket from Miss Selfridge. Your probably be thinking why is she wearing two shoes in one outfit post? Well I original wore my studded vectra3 loafers from Topshop. As the weather in England is horrible this year; when it's suppose to be hot since it’s the summer season. Seeing that it started raining I didn't want to wear my precious shoes to get ruined so I quickly had to change it to something I don't really care about.

Second outfit is just something I threw on together straightaway without thinking. This outfit was worn on a beautiful sunny weather (finally we had a good weather in the UK). I would describe this outfit very summery as I'm wearing a long skirt and lots of colourful contrasting. Like I said earlier I find it tricky to wear maxi skirts as I’m petite (having problems due to the length of skirts) but this skirt from River Island was one of the skirts that was a perfect length.

I sometimes get asked how I would describe my style.. Well I don't know how I would describe my style, as I personally think it falls under many styles, trends and looks. Depending on what mood or occasion it's for I dress the way I think is right or what I feel like wearing. 

Feel free to let me know what you personally think! Enough of me rambling about two of my outfits!! To see more outfit check out my blog & follow me there! Let me and Liya know what you think of this post and outfit!♥

Ebay VS Topshop By Sophie Isobel

Say hello the girl behind the blog of Sophie Isobel, she has fabulous contents & one of my few favorite blogs! Today she is guest posting a Ebay Vs Topshop (My personal favorite content of hers!). I think this is such an original post and i love it! Tell us what you think! x

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Hello everyone! A while back, Liya kindly asked me if I would like to guest post over here, I thought I'd take the opportunity as I've never done a guest post before.

A few of you may already know me but if you don't, I'm Sophie and my blog is Sophie Isobel. I'm 19 years old from England and my blog mainly consists of outfit posts, nail art and eBay vs Topshop posts - which if you're wondering what exactly they are, I basically find eBay items which look very similar to Topshop clothes at a much cheaper price!

 
Flower Peace Crop by Illustrated People, £30 | eBay version, £4.99

Acrobat Wedge Hi-Top Trainers, £80 | eBay version, £29.99

Multi Coloured Tie Dye Leggings, £20 | eBay version, £4.49

Skeleton Body Ring, £16.50 | eBay version, £2.99

Black Ribbed Peplum Mini Skirt, £22 | eBay version, £7.49

Thank you for reading! Please come and say hello to me over on my blog! x

Celebrity Style Steal: Nicole Richie By Lazy2Lovely

Hi Everyone! I was super delighted that Kylie from Lazy2Lovely sent me her guest post, I totally love her Celebrity Style Steal Post especially of Kim K one's here! Enjoy my next contributor sharing her similar style steal to Boho Princess, Nicole Richie! I love her Maxi skirt Outfit for this one! You nail it, Kylie!

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Hello readers, I'm so happy to have been invited to guest post on Liya's wonderful blog! I was fortunate to stumble across her blog very recently and am now an avid reader as I'm sure all of you guys are too.

Now onto me....

My names Kylie, I'm from sunny or should I say rainy England and I started blogging at the beginning of this year! Its still all pretty new to me but I love all the feedback I have been receiving and I'm really embracing the blogging community. My blog is called Lazy2lovely! I chose this title as I feel like I spend all week being lazy and horrible at work and come the weekend I can be myself again, wear great clothes, some nice make up and generally be.... lovely!! 

My Blog is mainly fashion related with a few beauty posts thrown. I love doing posts called Celebrity style steals, check out my blog if you want to see more of these!

For my guest post on Liya's blog I'm going to be doing a style steal on Nicole Richie and will be emulating three of her outfits in my own way, using clothes I already have in my wardrobe. We all take inspiration for outfits and  from celebrities.

Nicole is probably best known for her boho attire, long floaty maxi dresses and skirts were her staple clothing a couple of years back and this is definitely what alerted me to her style credentials and I spent forever trying to copy that effortless laidback look, not so easy in England! Rain and long skirts do not mix. . . . anyway heres my Boho nicole outfit

Nicole also does the rock chick look pretty well too and below is her in a great little leather ensemble.

I love the cutout detail in the leather look top and if you have a petite figure like lucky Nicole then leather trouser are always going to look super slimming!! Personally the full leather look wouldn't suit me quite so well as Nicole so I've compromised with a cream/white cut out top and leggings with leather panels in the side!

Finally this photo of Nicole is fairly recent and is showcasing the animal print trend that hit the fashion world (again) recently!

I love the fact that the jumper is in a bright green and is so contrasting and stand out from the black trousers.

 I wish I had Nicoles Proenza Schouler jumper but I clearly don't so I chose a bright pink animal print cardigain.

Well thats my Nicole Richie transformation complete, I hope you've enjoyed it and if you like what you've seen & read then head over to my blog for more, Lazy To Lovely.

Thanks again to Liya, I've really enjoyed guesting on her fantastic blog!

Casual Chic Outfit by Alia Kanan

Hi sweeties, Today we have the first of many exciting guest blogger post!
Alia Kanan from infiniteLIA. Please welcome and visit her blog for more.
Do give your support by commenting as well!

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Hi! My name is Alia Kanan, Age 19. Born & Raised: Toronto, Canada.

My father is Palestinian and my mother, to say the least of her ethnic background, is from Goa. 

I'm currently in my 3rd year of university at the University of Toronto doing a double major in Human Biology and Health Studies, as well as a part-time fashion student in college. I bake fashion and love cupcakes! I collect and play around with makeup as well as enjoy creating DIY projects. I started blogging when I was 18 (March 2011) with inspiration from a friend who is currently a photographer and videographer in the fashion world.

Shirt: Maxx (Kuwait) Jeans: GAP Wedges: Steve Madden Bag: Michael Kors - Hamilton Tote

For this outfit, I'm wearing dark-wash flare jeans from Gap that I've paired with multicolor wedges that i got from Steve Madden. I kept the top simple with a rolled-cuff white shirt that I got from Maxx when i was in Kuwait, and a burgundy scarf from Le Chateau. My bag is from Michael Kors as well as my watch! I wore this outfit for a casual chic birthday dinner for my best friend at a cafe called MoRoCo Chocolat in Downtown, Toronto!

My inspirations range from everything cultural and minimally normal. Some of my favorite fashion bloggers include Hybrid in a Headpiece, Dina Toki-o, and The Man Repeller.

I hope to one day pursuit design that is affordable and accessible to young women and girls around the world, with my main focus on my studies to hopefully become a pediatric dentist. Ambition.

Do follow my fashion-lit adventure through my blog, twitter, facebook, and lookbook! xx
Thank you for reading!