The most wonderful time of the year

With Halloween and bonfire night just going by meaning we are creeping closer and closer to Christmas, I thought I'd talk about why this time of year really is the most wonderful time of the year. Ever since I was little I always believed in magic, when I was younger it was more in the mystical sense. Now that I'm older I believe in the magic of love and togetherness, that warming feeling deep in your soul. When you get older the holiday season has a very different effect, it's less about the treats and presents and more about seeing people come together as families or friends to celebrate. You can see it everywhere, the look of joy and happiness on people's faces that is so pure and full of magic. 

Any chance I get to complete emeerse myself into celebrating and being a part of something where everyone is equal, I will jump in with two feet straight away and near enough drown in it. For the whole month of October it was spooktober for me. I'd watch something horror or Halloween related most nights, i got dressed up for work - twice! & went out with my girls all dressed up too. Something that I will never forget about Halloween (and all the holiday seasons) is that everyone is equal, you're dressed up as a neon clown? Cool! You're dressed up as a devil? Awesome! There should be no judgment, and to all those who slut shame girls who go out dressed like a "hoe", shame on you. Support your sisters (or brothers) if they want to wear that, who cares it's their body - not yours. Other than that for the most part their is no judgment, and the freaks and weirdos have their time to shine and celebrate being themselves. 

I remember on the drive home from work on Halloween I saw loads of kids all dressed up trick or treating with their families and friends with massive smiles on their faces, and there it was magic. It's such a pure reminder that the world really isn't as bad as well all think, there is still that togetherness that a lot of us seem to think has been lost. I got a bit emotional, looking at all these kids who aren't tainted by the sins of the world yet, who are just enjoying being kids! Which is so rare too see now a days, it seems like everyone is just in too much of a hurry to grow up. Now all of us who are grown up will probably all agree that it's really not worth the hurry.

Like I said before this really is the most wonderful time of year, because it really does bring people together. That's what I love most seeing everyone not worrying about what is going on in the world, just enjoying those few minutes where nothing else matters. It might be a bit sad, and I know not everyone will feel this way but there is nothing more pure and reassuring for me. No matter who you are or where you come from, you are all celebrating the same thing. It doesn't matter what extent you go too, or how much money you spend at the end of the day the fact that we are all coming together in unison to bring light, happiness, and warmth to the world. I don't mean by religion or anything like that I mean by people, people bringing people together. That's the real magic.

I felt like this outfit was very on par with the wintery/ seasonal appropriate content of this post. This look was fun for me as I rarely wear this much of a cool toned / pastel look. It was nice for me to push myself out of my comfort zone. This whole outfit was thrifted, bar the jeans which i picked up in the h&m sale a fair few months back. I always feel bad when I can't provide links too my outfits, but 99% of my wardrobe is vintage and/ or second hand. Sustainability (and value for money) has always been something that I am passionate about so that's why I shop the way I do! Hopefully it will inspire you to look for more sustainable options, or at least to try something new / out of your comfort zone. We are all so obsessed with warm tones at the minute (well seems like a lifetime!), so it was nice to play against that. Until next time,

XO XO, EMMA 

Spring / Summer 2018 Trends : The 1980's

Hello, Hello! 

So, with Spring finally making its mark on the British Countryside and the adorable little lambs are jumping around the fields I thought I would take today to talk about one my favourite trends this season, and show you my take on it. The 1980's in terms of fashion where years of excess and drama, the bolder the shoulder, print, colour or shine of an outfit - the better. I think that's what I love about 80's fashion, as it was so bold and out there but also (for the most part) very colourful! Obviously for this post I am referring too the ~mainstream~ / "popular" style of the decade. For me, the biggest icon is of course Cyndi Lauper. She had such a bold playful unique style, and I love it. So for today's look I was feeling super inspired by my new hair and thought the bolder the better, which is pretty much my outlook on life to be honest.

The main colour of this look is pink, but of course bright almost neon pink - no pastel hues here. I loved the look of layering the cropped oversized sweater over the dress and matching it with my cropped leggings. I think it really added to the whole sportswear / aerobics vibe of the 80's. Sportswear is still a major trend at the minute, especially with the influence of street style still be very predominant. The resurgence of the iconic cycle short (mainly thanks to the Kardashians) just shows how much of an impact the decade is having on today's trends. I honestly can't wait till the weather gets warmer so I can start rocking my cycle shorts, I am going to be all over this trend this year. By teaming these with fishnets while it's a little bit chillier means that they can act as a transitional piece through Spring and into Summer. Also, I am hopefully going to be doing a styling post on them when the weather finally picks up (which fingers crossed is this week in the U.K.), so if you're interested in that keep your eyes peeled on the blog in the future. They are such a versatile item to style and I think they will more than likely take over from high waisted denim shorts for me this year, which is a winner because they are about a million times comfier. I think I might need to invest in them in every colour, no exaggeration. 

The print of this dress screamed the 80's too me, it reminded me of the iconic squiggle / doodle print that was EVERYWHERE alongside geometric shapes. But I also loved the switch in tones, the top half is a white background with black print, and then the bottom half is the opposite. The dress looked cute on it's own but I love the added touch the sweatshirt gives - especially with the 'lil collar peaking through. I just chucked on my super oversized denim jacket / coat over the top, because what was the 80s without denim? Even though I know double denim would be hella more appropriate. But I love the detail of the rainbow stitching it really plays well with the playfulness of this look.  I do not think there are any more appropriate shoes to finish off this look than these high top Nike's. Actually no, a pair of high top white reeboks with the straps (let's ignore the Flo Rida Reference here ~cringe~), but I don't own a pair. But I think these work just as perfectly, especially with the colourway. I also love the way the pink laces and accents tie in with the rest of this look perfectly. These trainers are super old, but still really groovy and definitely gave off the 80s vibe that I was looking for. 

I definitely think that I am more into the more casual and experimental side of 80s fashion rather than the 'glam look'. I can't see myself rocking shoulder pads or crazily bedazzled / metallic dress, but that's the fun of fashion! You can just pick whatever style it is that you like best and run with it and make it your own. You don't need to stick to a specific trend just because that's what is hot at minute, have fun with it and make it your own. The minute that fashion becomes more about trying to fit the trends and straight copy the runway, then it looses its originality and fun. Runway collections are made to inspire and to promote self expressiveness, and that's what fashion should be about. I hate too see people buy something that is considered trendy when they don't even like it just to try and be "current". I personally think the best way, and only way too be "current" is to be yourself and add your personality to your style. I don't mean by being crazy and outrageous, I just think that your style should reflect who you are as a person and not what you think you should be perceived as by society. If you're a quite and simple person, don't feel the need to wear crazily outrageous clothes, and if you like to wear black and feel more like yourself in that, don't feel the need to force yourself to wear colour just for the sake of other people's opinions. You do you, boo. 

Accessories wise I opted for fishnet tights, I mean do fishnets not just scream Madonna in the 80s? Well they do too me. I think they just added a quirky little touch to the outfit and look super cute underneath these cropped leggings, and like I said above added just a little bit of extra warmth ( I mean hardly any, but still). The bag however is where I have failed the era, the clear perspex bags where definately one that became popular in the 90s/ early 2000s. But I just couldn't get over how CUTE it looked with this outfit, especially with the almost neon pink tone to the bag. It definately reminds me of a backpack from when I was younger and I am living for it. This is actually the only item from this whole look that is actually shoppable! (sorry guys). It is from the one and only Primark and costs £4! and was found near the swimwear. The bag inside is my Golf  Le Fleur Converse Dust Bag, but you can be as creative as you want with what you choose to put inside. This trend is RED HOT at the minute with the likes of Chloe and Belenciaga hoping on the train, but this hot pink version is my take on the trend (and a very nostalgic one at that, all i need now is a blow up chair, which I am lusting over so bad). 

So that is it for this weeks blog post, I hope you enjoyed the carefree colourful 80s vibe as much as me. Honestly I have been rocking looks like this a lot recently because they make me feel so happy! I throw on a really colourful and playful look and my mood honestly changes. I can't wait to do more posts on styling cycling shorts, and finally get round to being able to do some festival styling posts. I love this time of year because as festival season approaches everyone is more willing to truly express themselves through fashion, and are less self conscious of what others think. I just wish our society was as accepting as it is over the festival season all the time. But we are getting there!

XOXO, EMMA