A/W15 Fashion Trends
When it comes to fashion (much like everything else!) I prefer it in the Autumn/Winter months. I do like summer when the suns outfit and everyone's in a good mood, but give me a rainy day over a heatwave any day! There's a number of fashion trends from the catwalks for A/W 15 which have stood out to me, and after reading up on them on ELLE, Vogue, Grazia and every other site you could think of, I thought I'd collate them here in a post in perfect time for the start of Autumn!
So here's my pick of 6 catwalk trends which I'm loving:
Layering
When I think Autumn/Winter I always think of layering up. One of my favourite things about the colder months is the excuse to wear jumpers and coat and scarves and just wrap up warm! But this trend has really been taken on board by designers this year, with Phillip Lim piling parkas over double-breasted jackets and Hermes adding coats to shirts to polo necks! It's such an easy trend to get on board with using existing pieces in your wardrobe.
DKNY, Temperley
This has to be the most vibrant of the trends with vivid, graphic patterns in every hue imaginable swirling across collections at shows in every city. Whether it's a monochromatic checkerboard print or a brighter emblazoned style, the options are endless. Wear top-to-toe if you're feeling bold, or, like me, stick to one statement piece, but this trend works great with some retro colour blocking too!
Jonathan Saunders, Valentino
It seems the flares which I sought out back in spring were a good shout because the 70's comeback is even stronger for Autumn! After wearing only skinny jeans for so long I'm loving the chic look of a good pair of flares, but that's not the only style with bohemian flowy trousers making their mark. With an array of ditsy floral dresses, fringed waistcoats and corduroy, 70's style is set to be in full swing.
House of Holland, Balmain
I mean, they didn't really work for Madonna (who can forget that fall at the Brits?!) but I love the effortless style of capes and they're set to be big this season. Whether it's a Parisian chic layered cape, a more gothic style black silk cape dress, or even a simple fitted weather appropriate option, there are soo many styles to choose from!
Giles, Orla Kiely
A winter staple which I have been loving for the past 2 years is a good, cosy, faux (obviously!) fur coat! They're great at fighting off a chilly breeze and can be the most comfortable coat ever. There was an array of bold coloured fuzzy coats on the catwalks for autumn while Lanvin and Roksanda went for statement shearling.
House of Holland, Lanvin
Potentially my favourite trend from the catwalk for this season is the gothic vibes of black lace. I've always loved the idea of black lace pieces being the perfect choice for a night out so to see the collections on show fully embracing this is great! Alexander McQueen and Alberta Ferretti went all out with 19th century vamp vibes, but the simplicity of others was equally as striking.
Felder & Felder, Topshop Unique
Loves. Emma.
August Playlist
The last Wednesday of the month (WHERE has August gone?!) means it's time for me to round up 10 of the tracks which I have been loving this month. I've loved a lot of songs this month that I've listened to from my iTunes library/Spotify/Radio, etc. but when it came to picking 10 I seemed to really struggle and I don't know why? I think there was just so much good music I didn't really know which to pick. But hey ho, I managed to pick some!
1. The Libertines - Gunga Din
Obviously, the libs had to make the cut, how could they not? I'm SO happy they're back. This sounds a lot more mature than they're other stuff (obviously, 11 years does that) but it still sounds so familiar and it's just a perfect comeback song.
2. Drowners - Well, People Will Talk
I hadn't listened to anything by Drowners in what feels like forever, but when this came on shuffle my love for them returned. I can never get this song out of my head once I've heard it, but why would I want to when it's so good?
3. The Cribs - Leather Jacket Love Song
This is another that I re-found my love for through shuffle! I used to be quite obsessed with The Cribs and this song is one I could just listen to forever. The melody, the lyrics, I love it all.
4. The Maccabees - Ribbon Road
The Maccabees are back and with a number 1 album, I'm so happy, again! Marks To Prove It in general is amazing, but Ribbon Road just stood out to me. It's a slow builder, which I love in a song, and the tone of it is stunning.
5. Florence & The Machine - Delilah
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is another amazing album I've been obsessed with this month! Flo's voice is so beautiful and Delilah captures it perfectly. It's another slow builder but I love the changes of pace within.
6. Disclosure ft. Sam Smith - Omen
I was obsessed with Latch when it came out and I'm so glad Disclosure and Sam Smith have teamed up again! Omen has such a different yet similar sound to Latch, and it's the perfect song which I have been loving when driving around in the sun.
7. Tame Impala - The Moment
I don't listen to Tame Impala enough, they have such a nice calming, yet somewhat upbeat sound. I think it's really quite unique and beautiful and The Moment captures everything great about them.
8. Neon Trees - Songs I Can't Listen To
I used to like Neon Trees such a long time ago, remember Animal? When I heard this song I didn't realise it was them but now it seems so obviously familiar! I love the sound of this song and I find the lyrics really relatable which is always a bonus.
9. Soak - B a noBody
Soak has such a stunning voice, like, hauntingly beautiful. I think Sea Creatures is the first song I heard and fell in love with, now B a noBody betters that! I love a slow soothing guitar song with amazing vocals.
10. One Direction - Drag Me Down
Quite a different pick from the rest, but I am and always have been a massive boyband lover and I have no shame in admitting it. Considering this doesn't have Zayn's harmonies, it sounds exceptionally good. Such a good upbeat summer song!
What have been your favourite songs throughout August?
Loves. Emma.
Soap & Glory: bath and body
I thought I'd write a little 'brand focus' style post today on the Soap & Glory bath and body range. I love Soap & Glory, like I mean, LOVE the brand, I have so many products from their bath and body, skincare and make-up ranges which I rate very highly. But I thought I would focus solely on the bath and body products today since I seem to have quite the collection at the moment.
With this Soap & Glory range, products are defined by 6 different fragrances (which I recently noticed are available in perfumes, who knew?!) each of which are very fresh and fruity. There's the Original Pink scent and Fruitigo (my two personal favourites!) alongside the Smoothie Star, Orangeasm, Mist You Madly and Sugar Crush scents. They're each so different, yet similar in the way that they are uniquely Soap & Glory.
The Whipped Clean Shower Butter is a favourite I never expected to love so much, I finished a bottle just last week and am desperate to repurchase! This is the only product with the Smoothie Star scent which I have actually tried, but I would definitely try more. The sweet, nutty vanilla scent was great to lather myself with in the shower, and the oils and butters within made it ultra softening to the skin. The ideal pamper product!
The Righteous Butter is the No.1 best seller for Soap & Glory and a firm favourite of mine. I've never been a big fan of body butters, much preferring a lotion which isn't as thick, but this has been the game changer for me. The softening shea butter and aloe vera make it super smooth to apply and it doesn't even take that long to soak in. It's definitely worth the few minutes waiting when it makes your skin feel SO soft! With the Original Pink scent of lemon and lavendar oils, it's the dream body butter.
I wasn't ever interested in trying anything of the Orangeasm scent but when I was gifted the body wash I thought I might as well try it, right? I'm not a big lover of anything orange scented, much preferring sweet, floral scents. But this is such a nice body wash, not overly creamy, really nice and refreshing, I'm actually a really big fan. The undertones of patchouli and geranium I think definitely soften the scent of this. It's a perfect choice for summer!
It is only recently that I purchased the Pulp Friction body scrub, but it is already up there as one of my top Soap & Glory products. With any in-shower product I prefer a tube/bottle to a tub which can easily fill with water, but the creamy texture of this and the way in which it foams up are the biggest positives for me. A lot of body scrubs can be harsh on the skin (especially seeing as I have sensitive skin) but the creamy texture of this really prevents that. It makes for a great, gentle scrub, which still works well in softening and smoothing the skin. The bonus of the Fruitigo fragrance make it extra irresistible!
The Butter Yourself moisture lotion is another top pick of mine which uses the Fruitigo scent. In any body moisturiser, I love a good strong fragrance so this is an instant winner.The richly nourishing cocoa & moringa butters make this lotion great at boosting hydration in the skin, and being thinner in texture means it's much quicker to soak in than the Righteous Butter. My main problem however is that towards the end of a bottle it tends to get stuck in the pump. Not good.
Clean On Me is may favourite everday shower gel ever. It's nice and creamy, softening on the skin, without being overly nourishing like the Whipped Clean. It foams up into a nice, luxurious lather and the built-in body lotion leaves your skin feeling both fresh and soft. The Original Pink scent makes this another of Soap & Glory's best selling products and it's easy to see why. The combination of bergamot, amber and musk make the scent of the shower gel long lasting on the skin.
The Sugar Crush body scrub is the first scrub which I ever tried from Soap & Glory and is also the only product with the Sugar Crush fragrance which I have tried. Although it's in a tub which makes it less appealing to me, being a sugar scrub makes it gentle on the skin yet still strong at smoothing over rough patches. The citrus and vanilla sweetened scent make this such a fresh, energizing product and it's obvious as to why it's such a cult-classic.
What are your favourite Soap & Glory products? Any recommendations to try?
Loves. Emma.
Styling: Band tees
Most of us love a band tee, not only because it's a good way to show off your great taste in music and display your favourite band/artists for all to see, but because they're a comfy go-to when you can't decide on an outfit. There's countless times I've just thrown one on with a pair of skinny jeans and a jacket, not having to think about co-ordinating an outfit and accessorising. But while they're perfect for lazy days with your comfiest jeans, they can also be ideal for dressing up or dressing down an edgy look!
My favourite place is find new band tees is Etsy, theres so many good stores to find on there and you can often get unique designs at amazing quality. But also, for convenience and saving a few pennies, Primark always seem to have a good selection, and H&M often have a few now and again!
Leather Jackets make for a perfect way to cover up with any style of band tee. They're the ultimate pairing whether cropped, fringed or hooded, no matter the band on your shirt. The ideal choice for a cool day, to stay warm, or just to add edge and style to your outfit.
Chunky boots look right in place when paired with band shirts. Most bands on fashion shirts are of the rock/indie style and therefore fit perfectly with the chunky boot style. Doc Martens or heeled platforms, black or white, any style you want and they'll look great.
Top: Etsy
Jacket: Vintage
Shorts: Vintage
Belt: H&M
Boots: Doc Martens
Denim is the one true staple I'd claim is necessary for styling band tees. You can choose a fitted A-line skirt, a pair of short shorts, black skinnies or ripped acid wash jeans and they'll always look perfect in place with a band shirt.
Flannel shirts seem like the cliche choice to add to a band tee, I know, but it's just the style that matches. They can dress down an outfit, provide a splash of colour or simply just add an extra layer for warmth. There are soo many colour choices out there you can't go wrong!
Top: ASOS
Shirt: GAP
Jeans: Primark (ripped myself)
Boots: H&M
Loves. Emma.
