Say Cheese!

People get stressed out by their jobs. The angry eyes of any foamy-mouthed celebrity caught bare faced by the paparazzi is a testament to this. “Calm down,” you want to coo and hand them a herbal green tea.

But I understand where they’re coming from. I too get incredibly stressed by my job and struggle to find ways to relax. My job can leave psychological and sometimes physical scars (don’t ask) but excites and interests me so I take the good with the bad.  Apparently eating my height in milky bars and singing “Build Me Up Buttercup” on repeat is anti-social (damn neighbours), but I do need a release that won’t leave me with serious vocal strain or 10 pounds heavier.

I love looking at fashion blogs and perusing the latest glossy to let my mind drift into retail therapy heaven (without opening my purse once).  So, I thought cleverly stroking my chin, what can I do to really delve into my hobby and leave the stresses of the daily grind behind?

Become a supermodel!

Hmm, no I love chocolate too much.

Design couture wear!

Hmm, I’m not comfortable knowing people might go outside in something Judy Jetson might wear.

Photograph the front row set at Fashion Week!

Wait, does that sound so ludicrous? What’s wrong with indulging my love of great clothes and fashion by attending shows, writing about up and coming trends and taking photos of great street fashion? It’s a million miles away from my day job and I would love it. I've often ignored this aspiration because I didn't think I could get in to it. Blogging and writing is also hard without great photos and I don’t have a digital camera (mine blew up, hence my hiatus). But if money were no object, what is more stylish than this baby?

“That’s not going to revolutionize your life!” I hear you say. But what is more revolutionary than having something that literally opens up a whole new world to you? With the Canon EOS 500 I could take photos of my favourite fashion looks (questionable ones too) and become the fashionista features writer I've always dreamt of. Imagine that, me-time with no work phone, no clients and no need for plasters. I want to write more, take more pictures and grow my blog. In 2013 that would make me happy and blissful indeed. The millions of pictures I could take of my dog would just be an added bonus. 

This an entry into the Confused.com competition here. 

Till next time beauties,

Deja

Next and RocknRollBride.com Send Challenge: Message Received

Imagine spending £20,248 in one day. And you don’t walk away with a single Mulberry handbag. 

Harsh, right?

According to this article here that’s the average cost of a wedding this year. Whilst some brides think it’s worth every penny, there might be some who feel they should be spending less. Other star-crossed lovers delay the big day for months or even years to scrimp and save.

 It’s no surprise that a huge chunk of that budget goes on that all-important dress, suits and other fashion accessories.  The typical cost of the dress is around £1500. But I like a challenge people. What if you had to style the wedding for a fraction of the average price?

What like, £10,000? £5000? £1000?!?

No. £500.

Say what?!

Yep, you heard right. Budget: £500. Mission: One snazzy wedding. 

Well that was the brief from Next and  Kat from wedding planning website, http://www.rocknrollbride.com.  

Sometimes people think cheap means trashy. In fact some of you might be thinking trash collecting would be the only way to dress the wedding party on that budget. 

Enter the ultra-personal and relaxed wedding with a hint of DIY craft magic.

Think country barns, jam jar vases, lace doilies, wood painted white and anything with a rose print.

And most importantly think of a day centred on the bride and groom with lots of personal touches. This style is associated with Shabby Chic and I love it.

So what would a bride wear to a Shabby Chic wedding? 

Pearl earrings, Comb, Bracelet, Lace shoes, Rose bundle and Dress Total: £155

This beautiful tiered lace dress, lace shoes and pearl accessories have that easy romantic charm that would make any man swoon.  Kick off the heels for the evening and throw on some cowboy boots.

And the groom?

Shirts, Pocket Square, Shoes, Herringbone Vest and Trousers Total: £154

Who says a man needs a jacket to look smart? I can just imagine my floppy haired prince standing at the end of the aisle in his waistcoat and herringbone trousers smiling sheepishly at me.

And for the girls standing by the bride’s side:

Dress, Wreath, Shoes Total: £83

Who needs to spend lots of dosh on fresh flowers when carrying these rose wreaths would be extra sweet.

And the day wouldn’t be complete without styling the venue to look gorgeous and romantic. Add candles, bird cages and rose fairly lights to create a dreamy atmosphere.

Rose fairy lights, Candles, Candelabra, Birdcage  Total: £93

Allow guests to add their own personal touch to the wedding. How about using the memo board so guests can write messages to the happy couple:

Memo Board £10

Then add your own personal touches like dressing the tables with wild flowers (or silk ones) in jam jars and candles. I stuck some silk flowers I had into clean jars and placed them on the table. I think they look gorge and it’s a great way to reuse and recycle. 

So that’s my gorgeous, romantic wedding on a budget with some awesome pieces from Next. And how much did it cost? £495. Not too shabby, huh?

All the details of the competition can be found here.

Till next time lovelies,

Deja xx

Fresh Start

Dear Readers,

It's been a while, but don't worry, in the time I was away I was busy making myself employed (whoo hooo!), housed (double whoo-hoo!) and healthier (whoooooo hoooooo!).

Forgive me, but I'm baaaaaaack!

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Later lovelies,

Deja xx

Valentine's Day Treat

What could be more of a treat than David Beckham? Whether you're single or attached, this video will appeal on VDay. Promise.

Who says men can't be pieces of meat?

Till next time beauties,

Deja xx

The Mother of All Fashion Weeks

When Sister Act 2 came out I was pretty sure the fashion pinnacle could get no higher than Lauryn Hill in her wide leg trousers and peach top. 

But the biggest influence on my love of fashion and beauty has been my mother. She wore suits with shoulder pads, red lipstick and super high heels. She was a business woman and wanted to look the part. Sometimes bold and eccentric, she once picked me up from school sporting a new platinum blonde do. Now her power suits are in the back of the cupboard but it hasn’t stopped me from loving the power and confidence her clothes gave her. In a recent interview with Marie Claire, Domenico Dolce said “Style is all about the attitude of the person, her way of being. You can’t learn it. You either have it or you don’t.” She has it.

Style is in abundance in New York with gorgeous prints at Cynthia Rowley, the lace, leather and dark colour scheme at Jason Wu and the fairytale theme at Marc Jacobs. What can I say I’m a sucker for Disney. 

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I can close my eyes and imagine the excitement, the thrill of seeing fashion as it happens and being able to blog about it. I’m so excited I put together an outfit in homage to the marrying of colour and texture at William Okpo. 

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Mum never got to go to a fashion week, but I hope one day she can live vicariously through me.  

Fashion Frenzy: London Fashion Week

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Forgot your grandfather’s Easy-chair (with lifting foot rest of course) and make way for the most coveted seats in the house:  front row at London Fashion Week. That’s right, that fashion bonanza is returning to the capital city this February 17^th-21^st. The Autumn/Winter 2013-2014 collections are going to explode onto the runway and there will be a plethora of cross-legged, sunglassed beauties (and beaus) pouting appropriately at this year’s festivities. And I’m not the least bit jealous. Ok, well maybe a little. I mean I love clothes. Probably more than Simon Cowell loves black tee-shirts. Or more than Leo DiCaprio loves models. Or more than, oh you get the point. 

There are some great spring and summer trends in fashion and beauty that I’m looking forward to seeing the guests sport and forecasts for the new trends will be designer-tastic. They’re all going to be showcased in venues around the city and since my grandma refused to be loaned out for a front row ticket I’ll have to make do with all the press that will inevitably surround the event. That woman never gives me anything I want.

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So what are going to be some of your favourite trends at the moment? I love the gorgeous pastel shades that remind me of Disney princesses at Ellie Saab, Louis Vuitton and Versace. 

See what I mean????

And I love how the high street has responded with some gorgeous goodies. New Look has me wanting to break out my plastic crown. 

Newlook.com

I am totally in the mood for the Olympics after seeing the offerings at Alexander Wang and 3.1 Phillip Lim. 

Warehouse has some great pieces to help recreate the trend and I can't wait to rock my inner Sporty Spice.

warehouse.co.uk

I’m a great lover of print (in my other life I was a leopard) and colour so couldn’t mention the current trends without mentioning the great prints gracing last year. The prints at Jill Sander and Dries Van Noten have blown me away.

Karen Millen got the memo and her prints are beautiful and bold.

karenmillen.com

There is so much more on the way and I’m really excited. Is it wrong to sit cross-legged wearing my biggest sunglasses whilst reading the Grazia edit? Hmm. It might be a bit strange for the housemate. Who cares! Now where are my Primarni sunnies...

Till next time beauties,

Deja xx

Spring Delight

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In some parts of the country there's a quiet blanket of snow announcing a winter that many thought would never come. But all I can think about it spring! I'm in love with the pastel hues and candy tones of the spring and summer collections and have been tempted by many lots. I'm currently on the job hunt at the moment so there's not a lot of scope to go mad at the shops but a girl can dream. A couple recently won £44 million in the lottery and I couldn't help feel a little jealous! 

If I won the lottery today there's no hesitation that the Mulberry Shop would be my first port of call. I love their spring/summer shoot in Brighton and how bright and beautiful the new collection is. My favourite is the Candy Pink Quilted Dyed Denim Bayswater.

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At the bargain price of £595 it might be slightly (only slightly) out of my league. Bring on spring!

Till next time beauties,

Deja xx