Crayola Colours

I don't know what it is about blue at the moment, but i'm really quite a fan of the colour.

I bought the trainers in France. Every Friday morning a market came to our village, they sold anything and everything, stalls which varied from jewellery, to fish, even things like olive wood chopping boards.

I was walking through one friday morning when i spotted these Adidas driving trainers at a shoe stall. The guy told me i could have them for €20. The box had the original price tag on at €180, so i knew i had found a bargain.What a steal! (Probably actually were for that price.) So not letting the opportunity pass me by, i bought them and never looked back.

The jeans are Anglomania + Lee, by Vivienne Westwood. They are slightly like the bondage style trousers and have an attachable pouch/bum bag on the back (Or front, depending how you clip them to the jeans)
I've been wearing them loads since i came home, so will apologise now if they start popping up more frequently in future blogs.

Hat: Limited Edition Captain America, Independent hat store in Florida.

Vest: Sesame Street Cookie Monster

Necklace: Eiffel Tower on a chain, Made myself.

Jeans: Anglomania + Lee, Vivienne Westwood

Belt: Gold and Black print, Vivienne Westwood

Trainers: Adidas






Eiffel Tower

The necklace was an idea i had whilst in Paris. I simply threaded the chain through one of the sides of the Eiffel Tower so it hangs at an angle. It can be threaded through two sides so it stands vertical, however i prefer it like this.












This outfit is just a laid back / casual, everyday look which i would normally wear, especially during the summer. Like i said before, i'm loving the colour blue at the moment, so i'll see what tomorrows outfit will bring. I'm gonna try and avoid wearing my Anglomania jeans, as the past 2 outfits have featured them, with 1 more on the way, maybe it's time to give them a little rest. But they are REALLY comfy!


I really don't know that the point of the giant crayon was?

Louis and I

So it's been around 3 months since my last post and i have finally found the time to organise myself with new photos.

Now that i'm back from France i am going to attempt to start blogging again, given that i will have a lot of spare time over the next few months, before returning to university at the end of September.

Plus, being back in the UK means that i am reunited with my wardrobe <3

So instead of writing about this, that and the other, i'll get cracking with what i'm meant to be talking about. Clothes!

                                   L.V and ME                                             

Being in France didn't stop my spending habit. If anything, it made me want more things. A dangerous situation to be in when you have a debit card, internet and a free afternoon.

The things i ordered online were delivered to my home in the UK, this was for two reasons:

1: - Packing everything into one case (which was bulging on arrival anyway) seemed a near impossible task, never mind the luggage weight allowance.

2: - It gave me something to look forward to when i arrived home.

So knowing this, I ended up getting a little giddy at times. Here are some of the things i bought . . .

Blazer: Jacket, Selected

Scarf: Orange Squiggle, Online Seditionaries Store

Jeans: Anglomania + Lee, Vivienne Westwood

Bag: Stephen Sprouse Graffiti Keepall, Louis Vuitton

High Tops: Stephen Sprouse, Louis Vuitton









Everyone in France has a bag. You'll be walking along the street and see about 4/5 Louis Vuittons for every 20 people you pass. Small, large, brown, even furry. So after eight months of this, i eventually gave in and bought the Stephen Sprouse version of the Keepall.
I love the orange graffiti as i feel a lot of the Louis Vuitton bags end up looking quite similar, and i'm not one to normally 'blend in.'
The shoes i randomly found on a website whilst browsing the internet one day. I realised that they matched the bag and before i knew it the card had made an appearance once again. Damn you card!

The bag is so useful, it's big enough to fit everything you could need, even for a weekend away, yet it manages to be just as useful if you're out running errands and need something to quickly throw all of your stuff into.

The only fault i could give it, would be that it has no inside pockets.



Vuitton must have twigged on to that little money-making niche because there is a small wallet available which you can buy. It has a long chain and a clip to attach to a small ring inside the bag. However, for around £500 for such a small wallet, i think i'll stick to my things rolling around in the bottom of my bag.




The black skull charm on the bag is a Vivienne Westwood clip which was attached to a pair of jeans i bought in France. I clipped it on because i didn't really have another use for it at the time.

I found the orange squiggle scarf on a Seditionaries store when i was browsing eBay one day. It's Gold with the screen printed 'squiggle' pattern in Orange.
They are based in Camden, London and have loads of punk inspired t-shirts etc. Here's a link to their store: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/londonpunkrepro

I wore this orange and blue look to go shopping. Needless to say it turned a few heads, people either love or hate the bag and shoes. But i'm a fan and they'll definitely be making quite a few appearances during the summer.

Let It Rock

I've noticed lately that i've started using this blog as more of an online outfit journal than a place for me to post ideas and tips for looks, so to the very few readers who do actually bother to read my blog, i'm sorry.

I'm going to get back to what I initially intended to do with this thing and post my ideas and tips in the next entry.

Ok. I've started, so I may as well continue . . .

As most people are aware, yesterday was Valentines Day. The ever so commercialised day where everyone is encouraged and expected to buy cards, cheap toys and flowers for their loved ones. Contrived and twisted mainly by manufacturers to make a quick buck. It's funny to think that the origins of this day began all those years ago with the killing of a martyr. Not the most romantic beginning to a story.

This wasn't the outfit I wore yesterday, but it ties in well with my current post.

Headband: Vivienne Westwood

T-shirt: 'Let it Rock', Vivienne Westwood

Trousers: Joggers, All Saints

Boots: Boxing Boots

When I put this look together, i was having a bit of a 'lazy day'. The joggers are from All Saints womens department (Somewhere i'd recommend everyone to take a look, but i'll go into that later) and have a corsetted back to the waistband, which you can tighten to your own comfort, it makes them a little more quirky, as well as the 6 small buttons down the front, which are completely aesthetic. They are mega cozy.

The t-shirt is yet another one from Vivienne Westwood. I love her slogans, prints and style, but lately have realised that she is becoming a lot more commercial. I think i'm going to stop buying her t-shirts and only really save my money for the pieces which are more unusual, quirky and unique.

These boxing boots have caused quite a stir here in France. A few weeks ago I wasn't allowed into a bar. My students constantly stare at them. I've even had people shaking their heads at me in the street. My problem is that i fail to see what the dispute is with them? I just put it down to the lack of 'creative influence' in others.

Womens Wear
I mentioned before about the womens section of All Saints. Whenever Ben and I go shopping, we always give the womens sections a quick scan also. You would be quite surprised at what you could find if you look hard enough, sometimes they even just jump out at you. Vests, trousers, t-shirts, even accessories and jewellery. I would totally recommend looking in both sections the next time you go shopping.

Slogan Overload

I decided to put this outfit together just after we arrived back in France. It's definitely not a look I would wear out here, but back home in England it would have most certainly made an appearance once or twice by now.

I love the different prints, textures and overall colours of this outfit.

Being a big fan of layering and combining different accessories, it enables me to achieve a different result each time I put a look together. I used arm warmers with fingerless gloves and attached badges to both my scarf and self-made sleeves, adding a more personal stamp on the look.

Headband: Chaos, Vivienne Westwood

Scarf: Vintage

T-shirt: Topman

Arm Warmers: Black Wool, H&M

Fingerless Gloves: All Saints

Trousers: Extreme Drop Crotch, Triple S

Propaganda Pirate Boots, Vivienne Westwood

Badges can always give an outfit that extra little touch. They're cheap, personal and in abundance. You can mix designer brooches with 50p badges if they look right together. There are hundreds of sites on the internet where you can design and choose your own images to have made into a badge or pin. Even photographs!

I chose to wear the scarf due to its colour, plus it's really warm. My headband is one of my most favourite accessories I own, however it's not getting as much wear as i would like it to. Maybe it's a keeper for back in Engand . . .

Tits & Tartan

I'm aware that i have already blogged these trousers, but i love them!

T-shirt: Tits, Vivienne Westwood


Trousers: Anglomania, Vivienne Westwood
[With matching belt]


Boots: Seditionary, Vivienne Westwood

The best thing about these trousers is that you can wear them any way you like.

For instance, the above outfit, i wore them high waisted ruched together at the front with the belt. The excess material at the front can be positioned to however you like.

I bought the t-shirt at Worlds End when we went back home during December, i love it, but don't really think the French would approve, so it's a keeper for the summer back in England.

For this look, i decided to leave the front of the trousers with no belt. The inner waist band holds them up with great support, so there's no need to tie, pin or hold them up with anything but the buttons.

The t-shirt is from the Anglomania + Lee line.

Yellow Fever

Being such a big fan of prints and patterns, i decided to put this outfit together . . .



Yes, it's a little chaotic and heavy on the eyes, but i actually like how congruous the look is.
The vest is an Active Resistance scribble piece from Vivienne Westwoods 'I am expensiv' range, it features a few of her slogans and images from the line up erratically scrawled all over the vest.

The trousers are the same ones i posted a few months ago. From the Anglomania range, they've had a good wear in already.

I added the braces and handkerchief just to give the outfit an extra tszuj.The shorts don't have belt hoops, or anything like that. Not that they need them, as they're pretty high waisted, however i decided to add the braces to give a more chaotic look. Plus the handkerchief at my stomach is a different way to make use of something you wouldn't normally put there, totally for decoration, but giving you a more unique result.


Vest: I am expensiv, Vivienne Westwood

Braces: River Island

Trousers: Ochre Anglomania, Vivienne Westwood

Handkerchief: Yellow Lion Head, Vivienne Westwood

Boots: Black Pirate boots, Vivienne Westwood



Scarves & HandkerchiefsI bought this handkerchief quite a while back and to be honest, I haven't really used it much.
The yellow in the photo has been washed out by the flash, but i assure you it is bright. I've always liked yellow and blue together, maybe it's a childhood influence from Saturday mornings watching X-Men, but when i saw this scarf, it was kind of bought on a whim, i figured i'd find a use for it in the future.

I was back home in England for Christmas, so Ben and I decided to hit the sales. Usually we avoid Topman and Topshop due to everyone ending up looking like clones, but we decided to have a look in anyway.
The clothes weren't the best, but we found that a lot of the pieces of jewellery were actually pretty decent (Designs, not quality)
So after looking around a little while, i discovered a Lion Head Brooch which looked like an antique door knocker. My friend had a necklace very similar which i've always admired, so i took an instant liking to it and bought it. Not realising that when i got home i would find that it worked well with the scarf i had bought from Vivienne Westwood some months back.

So for this photo i put the two together, continuing with the pattern theme I used a harlequin print vest to add more print to the photo.

Vest: Harlequin, Vivienne Westwood
Brooch: Lion Head, Topman
Handkerchief: Lion Head, Vivienne Westwood

A Non-Viv Related Post

As the title implies, i'm going to show some outfits which don't contain any Vivienne Westwood or big designer names.
I have explained previously that i like to mix designer with other brands. Recently i've been moving away from this process due to the fact that i've only really been buying things with a name on them. Not intentionally, it's just happened that way.
So i've decided to show some outfits i've put together without using any designer names, maybe the odd high street store here and there, but mostly just clothes i've had for a while, picked up online or found in small boutiques.


I wore this outfit for school last week (minus the socks.)

They have a pretty casual dress code, even for teachers and assistants. I find it difficult sometimes when getting dressed as i have to contain myself from wearing anything a little too 'out there' at the school.
For those of you who don't know, i'm currently an English Language Teaching Assistant in a high school in the south of France.

The students are really polite, but i do get some stares from time to time. Even this outfit couldn't be further from the french style of jogging bottoms and a sports top.

T-shirt: All Saints

Dungarees: Diesel

Socks: American Apparel

Boxing Boots: A Christmas Present from Ben's Mum and Dad






For me, this is a pretty average look, it doesn't thrill me to the point of joyous dancing, but it's something i put together nonetheless.
I also tuck the top of the dungarees inside the trousers so they look like an everyday pair of black jeans. In a way, it gives you a second pair of jeans for the price of one.

Instead of a coat . . .

Lately, i've been getting bored of the two coats I have here in France, yes, two! They're not a necessity, because it's still fairly mild, but it's always good to have one just in case.

This is one of my newest purchases. An idea i had about 6 months ago, but haven't been able to find the right one until my trip back to England for Christmas.

Shawl, wrap, large scarf. Whatever you want to call it, it's a great thing to have.

This one in the picture is a £14,99 tartan shawl from H&M. It was perfect for what i wanted it for. A large scarf.
But if you want a particular pattern/material and can't find it in a shop, why don't you try fabric stores? A simple metre of cloth can be turned into a really cool looking scarf/shawl. Aslong as you wear it with the confidence like you're meant to be in it, no one will even second guess you. 

You can wear it over a coat, to add texture and layers. Under a coat as a scarf, again adding pattern and textures. Or even on its own over a t-shirt.
I pin it on one side (ignore the badges, i'm aware of the title of this post)
You can use a simple safety pin, even a paper clip, to pin the material in place.
Personally, i use pins and badges, as they give my outfit a bit more personality.

Girls get away with this look better than guys. It looks sophisticated and chic, when dressed up. Or even dressed down and casual, it's still a different and stylish accessory to own and wear time after time.


Laid Back/ Gymming it
These outfits are normally things i'd wear for the gym, or just lazing around in on a chill out day.

This outfit is literally theeee comfiest thing to wear on a lazy day. The top has a fleece/felty lining and is really warm, plus the bottoms are carrot cut and fit perfectly. I always tuck the socks over the bottom of the pants to 'seal them off'. It's like wearing a cocoon.

Jersey Top: River Island Sale





Jogger Bottoms: Topman





Socks: American Apparel

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This outfit is a little more styled up than the previous. I'd still wear it for a casual day or for the gym, but it's something that could easily be jujjed up with a few accessories for a night out.

The top vest used to be an XXL t-shirt before i took a pair of scissors to it. I cut down both sides and stitched them back together to give a baggy fit on the shoulders, yet fitted at the sides. I love the image on the front of the old movie poster for 'Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill.'

I double the vests to give more texture and pattern to the outfit. The colours tie in together and complement eachother quite well.

Under Vest: Topman

Over Vest: Vintage T-shirt

Jogger Bottoms: Topman

Socks: American Apparel

Shoes: Christmas Gift

Jewellery

If you haven't already guessed, I am a huuuge fan of accessories and jewellery.
 It can totally finish off an outfit or give a look that 'extra something-something'.

I know I talk a lot about Vivienne Westwood. It's fair to say that she is definitely one of my favourite designers. I look at her merchandise in a totally different way to other clothes and designers produce. Stepping inside one of her shops, for me, is like entering an art gallery. I'm instantly overcome with excitement, my senses prepare themselves for a creative feast. The materials, cuts, prints and even smells are unlike any other. When I step foot inside, I want to see everything. Appreciate it all. I want to see how it's made, how it looks on the hanger, the reasons behind the use of prints and patterns.

I'm pretty proud of my collection so far and how it's growing. Buying a new item is like welcoming it to the family. It's exciting. I'd rather pay that bit extra for something unique and well made, than £10 for a generic, mass produced t-shirt from Topman.

So yeah, I love the entire brand. In a way, the house of Westwood is my vice. I'm not a smoker, or a gambler, but this is what I could imagine the addiction to be like.


However . . .

A flaw i could pick at, would have to be the jewellery.
I understand that costume jewellery is better for designers to manufacture for price reasons, but if you're not really careful with it, it gets damaged. I have bought Westwood jewellery in the past and loved it. But it can easily tarnish.

It's only really been over the past two years that i've started becoming a fan of Alexander McQueen.
Yes the jewellery is costume, but from what i've collected, i've noticed that it's really well made.

My favourite McQueen has to be my four finger winged knuckle duster.
I bought this almost two years ago, it was my first ever McQueen purchase. I have recently found out that they have been recalled due to them being considered a weapon. Plus, the house of McQueen were sued by the Hells Angels for 'copying' their winged logo. They even forced them to recall and destroy rings which had been sold to customers, so it's no longer available or in production.
I don't have a proper photo of it because i couldn't bring it to France due to customs confiscating them. So this one will have to do for now . . .

Hells Winged Knuckle Duster: Black Swarovski Crystal Eyes, Alexander McQueen






OutfitRight, i'll get on with the outfit now.

For this look, i wanted to show that by simply using a patterned trouser and plain top, you can create and add to your look with extra detail and texture by adding accessories.

I included arm warmers and necklaces to the outfit to give a more personal stamp on the look. I like adding accessories and feel more myself when i have different textures and layers in an outfit.


Vest: Chanel logo


Arm Warmers: Black Wool


Trousers: Grey tartan, Vivienne Westwood


Shoes: Black Seditionary

Necklaces from Top to Bottom

Skeleton, Vivienne Westwood


Gold Teeth, Sakdidet Road


Large Orb Tag, Vivienne Westwood


Bronze Chain


Gold Safety Pin and Coin, Alexander McQueen

Bracelets

Grey Leather + Charms, Pandora


J G Bolts, John Galliano


Gold Teeth, Sakdidet Road


Skull and Cross, River Island


Gold Skull Swarovski Eyes, Alexander McQueen













Rings
[Left to Right]

Fold out Knuckle Duster, Vivienne Westwood

Rebel at Heart Skull, Thomas Sabo

Silver Orb Token, Vivienne Westwood

Silver Russian Wedding Band, Independent Jeweller

Mad Hatters Top Hat, Disney

Copper Disc, Topman

White Skull, Topman

Double Wrap Around Skulls, Alexander McQueen

I have a lot more jewellery in England, however left it there due to only being allowed to fit my life in a suitcase. I'll post a blog in the future on how to combine certain jewellery and use it as other things for an outfit.

Gold Teeth, Sakdidet Road:I use these as both a necklace and a bracelet. They also go really well under the collar of a shirt in the place of a tie or bowtie. I hope that this piece is a first of many. The company have a fantastic selection of unusual and unique jewellery, the majority made from brass at very decent prices. Here is a link to their website: http://www.sakdidetroad.dk/
Or you can find them in most Harvey Nichols stores around the UK

Pirate Heart

Here's a quickie . . .

T-shirt: Heart, Anglomania + Lee

Trousers: Tweed

Belts: (i) Black and Gold print, Vivienne Westwood

(ii) Grey tartan, Vivienne Westwood

Boots: Tan Pirate boots, Vivienne Westwood

Handkerchief: Cat and Dog, VW

I wore this look because it's fairly simple. I added the two belts to give extra pattern to the outfit.
The handkerchief was a last minute addition just to brighten the outfit a little more.

My Pirate boots look like they've been pretty battered. You wouldn't think it by looking at them, but i actually take good care of them. I prefer them looking old and worn. In my oppinion they look better once someone has worn them in.
These boots were my first ever pair. They're around 3 years old.
You can fasten them any way you like and they'll always look great.
I'll do a more detailed post on boots another time. Talking about how to look after them, why you should get them properly soled and how to age them when they're new, etc.

Propganda

A few years ago, I saw a really unusual pair of pirate boots that I loved.They were cut from a pale blue material with huge 'Propaganda' written over them. I instantly took a liking to them and told myself that I needed a pair in my life. Unfortunately for me, I had seen them in an editorial and pretty much assumed that they were one of a kind.

Two months ago, whilst doing my online christmas shopping (sticking to my 'one for you, one for me' mantra) I happened to stumble across the exact same boots. They were going for £600. Now, I know I said I needed them in my life, but even I can admit that there comes a time you need to stop yourself before you spend your rent..

I e-mailed Lisa at Worlds End to ask her if she knew where I could get a pair. I couldn't believe my luck when she replied. Not only did she know of the boots I was talking about, but she told me that in the 'non too distant future' they would be making an appearance in the shop. I was chuffed.

Fast forward over a very hectic (but AMAZING) Christmas and New Year. Ben and I visited Worlds End whilst we were in London. They had the shoes in! I had to decide between a drunk denim shirt and the Propaganda boots. It was a no brainer. I bought the boots. (Along with a t-shirt, which i'll upload in another post.)

 

'Propaganda' Pirate Boots, Worlds End


Too fast to live, too young to die
I put this outfit together pretty quickly, but I liked the end result.
The jeans are high waisted, but on the reverse side of the material they are lined with 'iconically Viv' blue squiggles. After experimenting with the jeans; trying to fasten them in different ways, wearing them lower than normal as drop crotch, etc, I discovered a great way to fasten them which would show off the lining on the reverse side.



T-shirt: Too fast to live, too young to die, Vivienne Westwood
Jeans: High waisted/ Drop crotch, Anglomania + Lee
Boots: Propaganda Pirate Boots, Worlds End

I folded over the waist band and fastened the jeans in an asymmetric way. It gives a quirky look to the outfit by adding more texture and pattern.