All Silver Errthang

Silver jewellery is without a doubt every girl's best friend. It's a timeless staple. Pair it with anything (expect maybe gold jewellery, fashion faux pas or what) and you can look a million dollars... sort of. 

1. Regal Rose: Red Stone Silver Midi-Ring         

Valentines Day '14, or should I say two weeks later... since my boyfriend couldn't be on time for his own funeral. I'll let him off though, he did well. Midi rings are generally my enemy, always falling off (especially after a few drinks...), but this one from Regal Rose is adjustable, prefect to fit tightly on my chubby little fingers (Warning: The red stone does NOT look as prominent as it does on the website and if it wasn't for the sentimental value I'd probably have claimed it was faulty). 

     

    2. Angel Wing Nipple Piercing 

Tacky right? A nipple piercing is like marmite and if I'm honest after getting it pierced I started getting sick of the sight of everyone tweeting constantly about which luminous balls to screw on their new piercing. And then I found this, its just so damn pretty I couldn't resist and from the minute I put it in I fell right back in love with my piercing. (I purchased this from a piercing shop in Newcastle called Blue Lotus, but I can guarantee you'd find one on eBay) 

    3. Kate Spade x Nail Inc. 

I pulled this little treat out from the bottom of my stocking Christmas '13. Nails Inc is by far the best nail polish brand I've came across to date. Dries within seconds and so easy to apply. My Mam (the queen bargain hunter) found this free with a glamour magazine and decided to buy 4 (of the same magazine) so we had the whole set. I wasn't complaining. Works as a new addition to this season's metallic trend.

    4. Pandora: Rose and Heart Ring // Flower Silver Ring, Cubic Zirconia // H&M: Plain Silver Ring

I was far too spoilt on my 18th birthday and received these two Pandora rings. If I'm honest, I never really considered myself much of a fan of Pandora, but these rings are never off my hands (unless alcohol is involved). The flowered diamond ring is hands down my all-time favourite accessory and makes my stubby fingers a little bit more bearable. The plain silver ring is part of an H&M set, there are plenty in store all year round. 

    5. Moon Bracelet

If anyone knows me, they know I have an obsession with all things moon related. It's like I feel some sort of bond just because my middle name is Penaluna which is (supposedly) latin for Hill of the Moon. Hence why my Mam got me this for Christmas gift wrapped with a pastel blue bow. 

    6. Skull Nose Stud

This is when I let my inner goth run wild and free. I snapped up this teeny tiny piercing at Leeds Festival '13, its hard to find a nose stud (or it was...) that isn't just a standard diamond so I just had to get this one. They even sized it for me!

    7. Indian Jewelled Anklet

My flatmate visited India recently and brought me back this anklet from a market she stumbled upon. It looks great with turned up jeans and a spring vest, not to mention the fact I feel so cultural wearing it. It even comes with its own tiny bells that have me sounding like a cat every time I move. 

    8. Vatican City Ring 

I couldn't leave St. Peter's Basilica without picking up some stylish fashion pieces could I?! The ring is coved inside and out with words from the scriptures, a quirky accessory to say the least. Who knew the Pope could be a style icon?

    9. Pandora: June Birthstone Ring // H&M: Silver Patterned Ring

I also got this Pandora Ring for my 18th, made with moonstone- must be fate. 

   10. Links London: Skull Friendship Bracelet 

Sadly, this bracelet hasn't seen as much daylight as it deserves. It was an anniversary present from an ex (who I no longer get along with to say the least), its a real gothic treasure and I think its time to suck it up and give it back its rightful home on my wrist. 

    11. Regal Rose: Mini Moon Crescent Necklace

Anniversary '14 or shall I say 5 weeks later... It just gets worse. It's such a sweet necklace that I 100% picked myself no matter how much my boyfriend tries to tell how successful he is at present buying... Please.  

Follow my Blog with Bloglovin 

  

Monochrome in a Petticoat S/S '14

Pull & Bear: Neoprene Lace Pattern Top // Topshop: Croc High Neck Cami // Matalan: Collarless Oversized Boucle Coat // River Island; White Block Heel Cleated Sole Sandals // Topshop: Wrap Front Bralet // New Look: Pink Check Notch Mini Skirt // NARS: Lara Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment // Primark: Palm Tree Printed Skirt // Topshop: Zip Front Denim Backpack // Topshop: Patent Leather Flippy Skirt by Boutique

For too long now we've been burying our breasts under excessive layers of knitted jumpers and tartan scarfs; frantically hiding our milky legs from the harsh cold under several pairs of thermals (and lest we forget the ugly wellies). S/S '14 is all about embracing our femininity and our old 90's friend, pastel pink leads the way. That's right, monochrome's gone all soft on us, forget black and white, it's so, well... 1960's.

If I'm honest I'm one of those people who as the saying goes will 'stop wearing black when they find a darker colour', but I just adore the straight-edged but ultra-girly vibes from this style. By itself, pink is just too much, the injection of white in this trend grounds it at a point of maturity- where you don't look like you're a 10 year old who hit puberty prematurely.

Pull & Bear- Neoprene Lace Pattern Top

Neoprene, something you don't tend to wear unless you're a deep sea driver, however, the fabric has been trending recently across both the high street and designers. Though better suited to A/W for its thermal abilities, its a big hit for spring... maybe apply a bit deodorant before you head out the door? The cutaway detail, high neck line and cropped length are why I love this top. It's simple, but structured. It's also lace patterned which is always a spring favourite. Check out Zara for simple styles.

Topshop: Croc High Neck Cami 

After watching clips from the Paris S/S '14 Fashion Week, it's decided, I definitely need more metallics in my life. Rochas' silver pleated dress was a beauty, but I didn't even need to look at the price tag to know it was out of my ever decreasing price range. This Topshop cami is definitely the next best thing (sort of), the animal print texture gives it that extra something to the metallic glint. If you love this trend as much as I do, Whistles is definitely worth checking out for some key pieces (and more specifically the Daisy Foil Skirt I'd be typing this blog in if it wasn't for the £125 price tag).

Matalan: Collarless Oversized Boucle Coat 

If they aren't already, everyone and their uncle will be wearing the pink pastel boyfriend coat by next week- a statement piece for S/S. I've seen a tonne of variations but Matalan, somewhere I don't tend to stumble upon, are selling it for the low low price (seriously) of £40. I tend to steer away from trend specific coats (opting for more timeless and interchangeable pieces such as the leather jacket), the prices tend to be too high for something that will be 'so last year' by tomorrow. But £40 I can work with.

River Island; White Block Heel Cleated Sole Sandals

What many might think resemble orthopaedic/nursing shoes, I think resemble next pay day's first buy (after I find a new job obviously...). Chunky is in, big time, and I plan on permanently adopting the inch taller look this summer.  

Topshop: Wrap Front Bralet

I'll let you in on a not-so-secret secret- I am a sucker for a bralet. If I had the confidence I'd wear one every time I nipped to the shop for some milk, but they are just too revealing. I suggest pairing this top with a kimono or even a boyfriend coat to avoid looking like you're desperate for some sun or you've forgot to put your t-shirt on this morning. 

New Look: Pink Check Notch Mini Skirt

I am swooning over this Clueless-esque checked skirt, for £17.99 I'm practically clearing a space in my wardrobe as I type. You don't need me to tell you the 90's has made a comeback and this skirt is the perfect addition to your collection. 

NARS: Lara Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment 

My No.1 accessory to any outfit is a good lipstick and NARS have hit the mark with a lipstick to suit any pastel look. What's even better is the mango butter hydrates your lips, ideal for any poor winter chapped mouths out there. 

Note: Make sure you take a minute to watch the NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil Short Film described as 'evocative' and 'unique', so at least I know I'm not the only one laughing. Yet I still can't help but wish I had Frivolous Velvet Gloss in my hands right now... Something's working. 

Primark: Palm Tree Printed Skirt 

You heard it here first: The high street are obsessing over palm tree print this S/S. If you can't bring the tropical weather to Britain, you might as well wear it. 

Topshop: Zip Front Denim Backpack

You can't go wrong with a backpack, well... unless you end up looking like a school child, again. This mini white backpack has an air of sophistication, and paired with those matching sandals make a perfect combo. Do handbags even exist anymore? I've been the hunt for a cheap mini white leather backpack but I've had no luck, this Topshop alternative is definitely something different and hey, better to have white denim on your bag then on your jeans (White Denim Jeans = Hideous). 

Topshop: Patent Leather Flippy Skirt by Boutique

This PVC look skirt well and truly belongs to those space age looks of the 60's but without a doubt has a (2nd?) home here in the 2014. This pastel take on the generally black style gives the dominatrix look a sweet girly edge and I don't know about you but soaking up the (limited) rays in a pitch black plastic/leather skirt does not appeal.

Follow my Blog at Bloglovin

xox

Sheffield Vintro // TNB Indie Arcade

Dust off your Mother’s old Levi jeans, grab your childhood Mary Jane’s and head straight for Sheffield. Picture this: rack after rack of authentic and immaculate vintage gear ranging from the military trench coats, the jersey shift dresses and embellished evening gowns of the 1940’s; to the psychedelic, A line shifts, PVC everything and space age looks of the 1960’s and then to the 1980’s puffball and ra-ra skirts, oversized shirt dresses and vivid graphics of tartan, stripes and dogtooth. Sheffield has became a treasured dumping ground for all things old. I say put down that dull Topshop fur coat you'll inevitably see someone wearing the next day and clothe yourself in history.  

TNB Indie Arcade- Sheffield’s own time capsule hidden in the quirky area of Kelham Island, in Nichols Building. It has a wide selection of vintage gear, not just stopping at clothes. With a diverse range of traders, the possibilities for what you might find (and isn’t rummaging through the best part?) in TNB Indie Arcade are endless. Supplying wonderfully bizarre items from a pair of retro quad roller skates, an old casino slot machine and a duck shaped vinyl clock,  you’d be spoilt for choice.

I spotted myself a dogtooth trench coach and if it wasn't for the fairly expensive pricing and the fact that as a student I seem to be becoming more skint by the hour, I probably would have bought it. The condition was excellent though I'm sceptical on whether the clothes were AUTHENTIC vintage. This is after shifting through each rack frantically looking for bargains I came across a few impostors.  Firstly, I discovered a Select leopard print fur coat on sale for £35 (?!?!), fair enough the shop deserve a profit but when I'm hunting for buys, clothes from last week don't really cut it as vintage for me.  Below were a pair of snakeskin heels from Atmosphere for Primark going for £16, worth paying the extra £££'s if the stock has ended in Primark I guess, but I don't think it quite qualifies to be labelled vintage. In it's defence,  the items mentioned above do qualify as vintage style (but doesn't everything these days)  but aren't for those looking for the real deal (but in reality more and more 'vintage' stores are customising, renewing or producing their own clothes). It is without a doubt worth visiting, but not for ten minutes on your lunch break (you'd barely scratch the surface of whats on offer) but for a good hour, to stalk out those truly retro products.

But for all those first-hand lovers, TNB offers a selection of contemporary custom made designs such as Mrs Prestige and The Seam, which use vintage patterns similar to the graphic designs and art-deco style which appeared after the industrial advances of the 1930's. All the (fake)retro without that trademark perfumed musk of genuine vintage many of us would die for. Tea Wear jewellery crafted from Sheffield steel cutlery (a massive part of the history here) is worth checking out, I've always loved jewellery with a backstory and it could be an impressive souvenir from Sheffield.  As Cute as a Button supplies the most idyllic jewellery, cards, and frames often using scrabble pieces, though its worth noting that its products could easily be done at home- if you have the time. Twiggeez sells eco-friendly recycled jewellery and accessories which all seem a bit wooden and chunky and unfortunately do not appeal to me (but hat's off for recycling). Finally, Saturday's Kids design Yorkshire themed products including greeting cards and a personal fave which is a door mat featuring printed white roses and the famous Yorkshire term 'Ey Up' (hoping to buy it in preparation for my new flat this year!).

A big thumbs up is needed for TNB Indie Arcade's wide selection of pristine furniture, hard to find when looking for genuine vintage. A lot of the furniture is up-cycled including brands such as Nanny B & Grumpy, TweAk and U-Shade-PVC Ltd and Geoff Lane from Luxury Lanes, so that means no wear and tear and unwanted injuries to your new furnishings but still keeping that retro charm. I found a range of items from mirrored dressers, cocktail cabinets and wardrobes worthy of Narnia, from the most popular brands such as Ercol and G-Plan. Not to mention the grand piano at the entrance of the store. Another personal fave is the newly added customised G-Plan dressing table featuring old theatre tickets on the drawers and going for £120. And there’s still more. TNB has a wide selection of vinyl from the 1950’s onwards. Maybe you’d even bag yourself a classic record player to listen to your new Bowie vinyl.

The store has successfully provided a platform for Sheffield’s independent artists and businesses to unite in their celebration of vintage and offering an alternative to the sky high prices of the city centre (more reason to check it out). The store caters for everyone, recently introducing their very own Man Cave, chock full of oversized granddad knits, old tan brogues and where would it be without an old fashioned poker set. This place definitely deserves a stamp of approval for diversity… or maybe a tattoo of approval? With their very own Little Pink Ink tattoo studio in a 1970’s foldout caravan, TNB could literally become timeless with a story to tell the grandkids.

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11934585/?claim=gzdusqwkwcs">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Milan Fashion Week A/W '14 Stand Outs

Milan Fashion Week A/W '14 by caitlinpenalunajames on Polyvore

Dolce & Gabbana Backstage A/W '14 / Gucci Autumn/Winter 2014-15 Ready-To-Wear / Gucci Autumn/Winter 2014-15 Ready-To-Wear / Moschino AW14, Milan Fashion Week / Inspirasi Kuliner di Busana Moschino / Milan Fashion Week Review Backstage Gallery Gucci / Jeremy Scott’s First Moschino Runway Show Hits Milan With Fast Food...

With one foot in front of the other, Milan effortlessly brought style to the third stop of Fashion week.  The A/W ‘14 collections that graced our screens and magazines had me wishing it were September already.  Day 1 and Gucci’s Frida Giannini dominated the catwalk with pastels reviving that old familiar 90’s trend Versace adored. Although the actual outfits themselves looked like they’ve been thieved from Twiggy’s 60’s wardrobe, as the models adorned parma violet fur coats, belted trench coats, embellished shift dresses and knee high boots labeled as boyish romanticism.

 A collection (and a love/hate relationship) I won’t be forgetting anytime soon is Moschino’s ‘Fast Food Fast Fashion’ inspired range designed by Jeremy Scott. McDonald’s is practically a million miles away from the size 6/8 models that showcase each new design, yet the trademark red and yellow brand was a hit at Milan with models wearing boxy cardigan-style tailored suits and oversized knits. Scott carried on this kitsch theme unveiling his Spongebob Squarepants coordinates and Hershey wrapper gowns. Don't get me wrong, these designs are incredible, but you won't catch me down my local dressed to the nines in a Budweiser inspired cloaked dress. The line ended with Lindsey Wixson in what appeared to be a wedding dress printed with nutrition facts, a spectacularly mad, obscure and fitting ending to Scott’s debut which I found myself loving for exactly those reasons.

Like something you’d find within the forested wonderland of Snow White or amongst the ruins of Ann Radcliffe’s A Sicilian Romance, Dolce and Gabbana presented a scene of fairytale magic. They elegantly showcased their medieval raised waists flared gowns, brocade jackets and shift dresses patterned with dramatic florals, sequins, jewels and imaginative embellishments of woodland creatures. Very similar to the earthy parkas, mossy green toned shifts and rose garland necklaces sported by Alberta Ferretti and the contrasting printed animal motifs of Au Jour Le Jour.  It seems Mother Nature is this year’s style icon for A/W.