PA // NY // RI

I'm back from America! Along with many photos and such amazing memories. Thank you to everyone who housed me in New York, Philadelphia and Rhode Island.

This is a very very small selection of photos which show some snippets of my trip.

Valentino // Dolce&Gabbana

I had to do a blog post on Valentino and Dolce and Gabbana’s ready to wear Autumn/Winter 2013 collections. I am in love. And as overused as that word might be in my dictionary- I actually am! Both the collections are exciting and diverse and make my DIY mind explode with possibilities of winter capes, embellished collars and statement dresses. If I could, these are the collections I would be wearing!

Valentino - Ready to Wear - Autumn/Winter 2013

Is it possible that one of the reasons I love both A/W collections is because Valentino's is inspired by Flemish paintings and D&G's by frescoes and mosaics?- Both of which I am currently studying!
(This university stuff isn't starting to have an effect on me is it?!)

Dolce and Gabbana - Ready to Wear - Autumn/Winter 2013

I can safely say that loose tunics, large collars, tactile fabrics and exciting embellishments are definitely going to be making an appearance in my sketches and hopefully also in my wardrobe!

I also had to include these two pieces from Valentino's Spring/Summer 2013 couture collection because as I was looking through the recent catwalk shows I remebered how exquisite they are and I am definetly going to be taking some inspiration from their detailed patterns.

All images from http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/

Appliqued top

This top is so cute and is such a simple idea of applique I am going to definetly make a dress in this style too!

Pinterest!

I use Pinterest all the time- shockingly more than I get round to updating my blog! It inspires me for so many projects and I can sit for hours looking through beautiful photos and creating fun inspiring mood boards.

I also love checking out my friends pin boards and seeing what is inspiring them, so check mine out and if you haven't already- get your own! You wont regret it!

http://pinterest.com/sparrowandbear/

Vogue Covers

This Christmas my friend Penny gave me one of the best presents ever- A collection of 100 iconic Vogue Covers as postcards! As an avid subscriber to Vogue for a few years it was so interesting to go all the way back to 1895 and look at the history of the magazines iconic covers.

Here are some of my favourites from the collection-

I.B. Price April 18. 1895

Uncredited. December 3. 1903

Uncredited. October 16. 1909

George Wolfe Plank. April 15. 1915

Harriet Meserole. May 15. 1927.

Georges Lepape. Feburary 2. 1929.

Georges Lepap. June 21. 1930

Horst P. Horst. May 15. 1941

Norman Parkinson. November 1. 1950

Erwin Blumenfeld. January 1952

William Klein, April 1. 1963.

Peter Lindbergh, November 1988

Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, November 2011

All images from Postcards from Vogue- 100 Iconic Vogue Covers produced by Penguin 

AMERICA.

I'm going to America!!

Its official, the tickets have been bought, the plans have been made and now its time to get my 2 weeks over there filled with fun things to do! I'm visiting my amazingly lovely ex-flatmates Hannah and Hema who are kindly putting me up in their homes and ferrying me around America during my stay- We are going to Hema's home in Philadelphia, Hannah's home in Providence and then hopefully for a little weekend in the big apple!!

I find that the only way you make the most of big holidays like this is if you truly look forward to going and revel in the fun of finding exciting things to do- So, that is why I have started 'A Little Book of Things To Do Across the Big Pond' I'm going to fill it with fun activities, photos and recipes that I can do when I'm out there so hopefully I won't waste a minute of my 2 weeks!!

I cant wait to start filling it up!!

xx

Spring Colours!

My nail varnish collection has actually become  pretty extensive now and is kept around my room and the jazzy little bag in the back of the photos below! Although I do have my regular nail colours, which tend to be versatile colours like navy blues, dark purples or greys, which are all very wintery I am finding that when I'm falling asleep in cold lectures or walking through the snow, its nice to look down at a cheery colour on my nails and remind me that its meant to be spring! 

And these are my pick of my collection...

SPRING!
OPI- Don't Pretzel My Buttons // Rimmel- 500 Peppermint // Mavala- 47 Izmir // nails inc- brook st

THE REGULARS
OPI- Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine! // Rimmel- 393 Desire // nails inc- the serpentine // Maybelline- 800 Couture Grey

My next nail varnish purchases are definitely going to be a lush orange (possibly OPI- Mod-ern Girl) and a dark green (possibly OPI- Here Today... Aragon Tomorrow)

Enjoy the supposed start of spring!!

xx

p.s. my love for nail varnish has ever increased since doing this post and finding out all the fun nail varnish names, especially OPI! you go OPI!

OPI

nails inc

Mavala

Maybelline

Rimmel Nails 

(I use 'lycra pro' loads for a super smooth finish and easy to use brush)