When I Grow Up, I Want to Be...

 

...cool beyond my years

 

...Batgirl

 

...as badass as Sandy

 

...this good at yoga

 

...walking art work like Daphne

 

...treading a fine line between style and madness

 

...Miroslava Duma

 

...preferring to cry in the back of a limo than be happy on a bike

 

...a Black Swan

 

...a devil in Prada

 

...the owner of great pins

 

...the embodiment of Parisian chic

 

 

...a classy bird

 

...rocking prints in my 80s like Iris

 

...throwing up while Tina Fey holds my hair

 

...a right little scene stealer

Style Profile - Colour Me Olsen

A Fabulous Pairing: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

It is no unknown truth that I am a MAJOR fan of all things Olsen. Be it Mary-Kate or Ashley, their chic fashion lines The Row and Elizabeth & James, or their contributions to StyleMint (a lucrative website that suggests T-shirt designs to suit your tailor-made needs; something I have previously blogged about), I go giddy with excitement to see what they are going to offer the fashion world next.

In 2007 the Olsens launched The Row, a high-end apparel and accessories line taking its name from the historic street lined with luxury tailors, Saville Row. Their aim was simple: to create the perfect T-shirt. Since then, the collection has grown to include modern pieces influenced by those from the Olsens' own wardrobes, amassing a range of sophisticated tailored essentials. In 2010 they added sunglasses to The Row, and exquisite handbags in an array of materials and fabrics last year. The clothes are generally simple and chic, forgoing trends for understated classic lines and shapes akin to Calvin Klein. In 2009 the designer duo became members of The Council of Fashion Designers of America. Quite rightly so!

In the Fall of 2007, the twins launched Elizabeth and James, a more affordable designer collection named after their two siblings (yes, that's actress Elizabeth Olsen they're on about). With the ethos to narrow the gap between designer and contemporary fashions, this is the go-to brand for blending masculine yet feminine tailoring, combining uptown and downtown elements with casual and traditional styles. Look to them for a wide range of womenswear, menswear, women's shoes and a collaboration jewellery line with Robert Lee Morris. The Elizabeth and James Resort collection is now on sale at Shopbop.com.

Sue Blazer and Willie Shorts by Elizabeth and James on sale at Shopbop.com

I first forged a love for the duo when I was 16 (they were 19). They had taken the helm of their billion-dollar production company Dulstar the year before, and were rapidly becoming known as two separate people, instead of the corporate mary-kateandashley identity they had been presented to us as for all those years before. Matching uniform clothing and hairstyles were out, couture gowns and designer campaigns were in. Mary-Kate embarked on solo film roles, beginning with a bit-part in the Edie Sedgwick biopic 'Factory Girl' (which was left on the cutting-room floor for the theatrical release), while Ashley concentrated on their business ventures. I, on the other hand, was doing nothing as groundbreaking between school hours and jaunts with friends. But I was starting to find my fashion feet, and with that Mary-Kate Olsen became my style icon.

Best fashion foot forward - Mary-Kate Olsen in 2007

Her collections of chunky jewellery, modern pieces, and vintage finds thrown together effortlessly to create unique self-styled combinations struck a chord with me. She was, and is the epitome of what a fashion icon should be; millions try to recreate her looks, her energy, but there is only on Mary-Kate.

Minty-Fresh Designs

I love all things Olsen. Mary-Kate and Ashley have long been icons of mine; their style is fresh and original, coveted by many. When they brought out their fashion lines Elizabeth and James, and the high end range called The Row, I practically leaped for joy (and landed swiftly in a pair of Elizabeth and James platform lambskin leather heels).
However, the clothes are not exactly affordable for the average 21-year-old who currently makes nothing from unpaid internships. That is why I was ecstatic when I hear about Stylemint. This little gem of a website sells T-shirts designed by the billionaire twins at the very reasonable price of $29.99. Unfortunately I don't think the ship worldwide yet, but it never hurts to window shop!

The site's concept is simple. Just answer a few multiple-answer questions on your style, and you are then sent several suggestions of that month's T-shirt designs that fit your answers. Joining is free and so is the shipping cost, plus it promises all purchases are easy to return. Why not, eh?

This month boasts a great offer, too. Buy one of the selected T-shirt and get a piece of jewellery from sister company Jewelmint (designed by actress and style icon Kate Bosworth and stylist Cher Coulter) FOR FREE! You don't have any choice in which item you get, but luckily they're all very stylish.

So what are you waiting for? Pop along to www.stylemint.com and grab yourself an Olsen-approved bargain! Also, check out http://bcove.me/bc70zaue for your chance to win a full year of StyleMint Ts.

Peace

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My Mid-Year Xmas List

I start planning my list for the coming Xmas on the 26th December, and then add to it over the next 365 days. It is an ongoing struggle to remember to be realistic in my pickings and to take into account my family's budget, which does not usually match my £1 million self-imposed dream allowance.

Still, a girl is allowed to dream. So now that we've broken the back of the year, I have culled the recesses of my mind and compiled a selection of a few choice items I would like very much to find in my stocking on the 25th Dec.
What do you want Santa to bring you this year?

Jonathan Saunders - Sheraton Printed Wool-crepe Midi Skirt
Perfect way to combine brightly coloured graphic print and midi skirt trends together for this Autumn/Winter. Not one for overbearing outfits, this piece teamed with understated accessories is just the right amount for me.


Isabel Marant - All The Midnight In All The World Feather Cuff
I have a bit of a fashion fetish for feathers, particularly peacock. When stood alone against a plain outfit this piece exudes enough luxe to make you look a million dollars. 

Maison Martin Margiela by l'Atelier d'Exercices
Isn't this just the coolest magnifying glass you have ever seen?! Forget needing to read with glasses- why have the skin on the sides of your nose pinch when you can hold one half of the most stylish geek chic specs around? Purely superficial, but a neccessity for the home.

Alexander McQueen - Suede Ankle Boots
I have wanted a black tuxedo to sport around town after hours, but fear I'd look too...well, masculine. These boots would be the perfect colour pop to offset androgyny with femininity.

Tom Binns - Fauve Hand-Painted Swarovski Crystal Drop Earrings
Slightly trashy yet classy; I name thee Fluro-Chic. Again, perfect to wear with my monochrome tuxedo and Alexander McQueen magenta boots (above), they are just long enough to catch the eye and compliment ombre hair with it's dip dye-like shading.

Sandro - Elegante Crepe Blouse
I'm a sucker for anything this shade of blue as I'm convinced my eyes are the same colour. I pretty much live in big baggy shirts, so this smart number would be a perfect addition to my collection.



Acne - Beeta Lux Wool-Crepe Jacket
I love the 60s mod look on girls. It's almost patriotic in the way the look is intrinsically British (The trend started on Carnaby Street). I can see me now: Mulberry Bayswater in one hand, Marlboro in the other, black cigarette turn-ups and Chanel black and white pumps. All eyelashes and nude lips, not a hair out of place. And this coat. What a lovely dream...

 Yves Saint Laurent - Arty Gold-Plated Glass Ring
 This little number has been on the Xmas list for a couple of years running. Again that Yves Klien Blue (a post-WWII artist whose use of the colour has inspired many a designer for the past few years), this ring is the epitome of the kind of statement jewellery I love.



 M Missoni - Leather-Trimmed Twill Cape
Bound to be on the shopping list of many a fashion socialite, the Chic Poncho has been seen on the catwalk for Alexander Wang to Rag+Bone. I change my colour palette according to the season, so wear a lot of blacks and greys in Winter. This would fit straight into my frosty uniform while also keeping me toasty against the chilling December snow.



                                             Sam Edelman - Zoe Boot
It is safe to say this is one of my favourite shoes of all time. Ever since Mary-Kate Olsen stumbled about on her skinny limbs planted shakily into 8inches of heeled ankle boots six years ago, with as much grace as a calf learning to walk, I have lusted after a pair. Eating disorders have come and gone for the actress-cum-designer, but the boots have stayed. I expect the same level of companionship from my future pair. Who needs friends when you have the Zoe Boot?


Jeffrey Campbell - Safety Platform Heel
Why do I want to have a pair of these beauties to call my own? Look at them. Just look. They're fantastic! Probably quite comfortable too. The actual shoe is not too high, so dancing around for hours on end don't look too much of a daunting thought. Heels that the designer has made to look like architecture give them an extra eye-grabbing edge over their other less-exciting counterparts, plus that heel looks like it packs a kick, if ever one needs to defend oneself, Charlie's Angels style.



All images belong to http://net-a-porter.com/ and http://nastygal.com/


Peace

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