Arched eyebrow - a fatshion blog.

Underneath My Clothes.

2012-02-24T01:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! Here's a review! Of underwear!

36E bra and size XL brief (sorry for no pic of me wearing it: I want a career so thought better of putting mostly naked photos of me on the internet)

When I received my package containing the Betty set from Elomi Lingerie to review, it contained the bra, the briefs (with a strangely hand-written label that initially confused me) and a compliments slip that read 'We were out of stock of your size in the briefs, so we got some made up for you'.

Now, I know you're likely to say 'Welllll obviously if you're getting someone to review your product, you want to keep them sweet', but I think it's pretty rare for a company to go to that much effort. Usually if something you want to review is out of stock, you're just told to choose something else and be done with it, but not here.

When I met the ladies from Elomi at Plus London Two, I was actually quite taken aback by how enthusiastic, friendly, knowledgeable and passionate they were. And when you wear their products, it's easy to see why.

So, the Betty: it is lovely. Truly, truly lovely. I usually wear padded bras, and occasionally SUPER padded ones, but this one is completely un-padded. The bra is probably the most comfortable bra I've ever worn, which may have something to do with the fact I'm now wearing the right size (thanks, Elomi!) and almost entirely down to the utterly perfect design. I screwed up a couple of weeks ago and bought a few cheap bras in La Senza, which I have lived to regret because even though they give me an amazing chest, they also poke me unpleasantly and leave attractive red marks. None of that here! It feels like having your boobs lifted by a cloud. Or something. But really, I'm finally coming to terms with the sheer joy of wearing comfortable underwear and henceforth am unwilling to compromise on that. The knickers are adorable and frilly and fitted me perfectly, were the perfect shape and a real pleasure to wear. Strange thought, but I guess both were so comfortable I sort of forgot I was wearing them.

I thought the underwear was terribly cute but wasn't sure how men feel about twee, girly stuff (not that I care much, but whatever), so I modelled the set for a human male and casually surveyed him. 'I like it. You can't go wrong with polka dots. Also, it sort of matches your hair', which sounds like a resounding endorsement if ever I heard one.

So, there you have it: after years and years of being a lazy wearer of underwear, putting up with ill-fitting bras and un-matchy pants, I have been converted by Elomi. The difference is extraordinary. I feel better already.

Sensible.

2012-02-23T01:51:00.000-08:00

After the uncompromisingly badass look I posted earlier in the week, I thought I should follow up with something a bit more good-girl. I bought this jumper months ago, in a medium, and have worn it to death. I came across it in the very end of the H&M sale yesterday in a small for a mere £7, and snapped it up to wear with high-waisted skirts as the medium sits slightly too low to wear like that. Happy days! Oh, and they had a pineapple necklace. I don't really need to explain why that is wonderful and amazing, do I?

Jumper : H&M (Small)

Skirt : Marks & Spencer Limited Collection (UK 16)

Shoes : Evans

Headband : far too old to remember, sorry

Necklace : H&M

Nails : OPI in Black Onyx with OPI in Rainbow Connection on the tips

Shade of Grey.

2012-02-21T01:58:00.000-08:00

It's kind of simple, kind of plain, but I really love it. My new grey jersey tank dress from Topshop. I tried it on the weekend before last, didn't buy it, then spent all week thinking about it. After a fun Saturday afternoon at the Markus Lupfer LFW presentation, I nipped into the tiny branch of Topshop on the Strand and by some stroke of luck, there it was. Only one, and in my size. I had some money left on a voucher I've been carrying around since Christmas, so put it to good use and didn't end up spending much at all on the dress. Yes, it's clingy, yes, that's ok.

I'm crazy in love with my refreshed hair dye. Please let me stay like this forever.

Jacket : All Saints (UK 14)

Dress : Topshop (UK 16)

Shoes : Evans

Ankh earrings : Topshop

No Aloha.

2012-02-16T01:54:00.000-08:00

My beloved housemate Beth has really got into her role of photographer. She has taken it upon herself to make me do stupid poses, like the one you see below. I shall humour her by putting it on here, but please be reassured this is not generally my approach to posing!

This is actually what I wore for my explicitly non-romantic Valentine's dinner with a friend, and I liked it so much I wore it yesterday, including to see tUnE-yArDs (where I got recognised by someone who reads this who I used to be LJ friends with! Pure joy and excitement).

I kind of dig how clingy it is.

T-shirt : Old Navy (US XL)

Skirt : ASOS (UK 18)

Belt : H&M

Shoes : Evans

Lipstick is MAC in Show Orchid (thought I'd lost it forever, then it turned up in a bag I hadn't used for a while. I think this happens to everyone)

Necklace : This Charming Girl

Nails are Models Own in Top Turquoise

Each Day is Valentine's Day.

2012-02-14T01:55:00.001-08:00

Each Day is Valentine's Day. by myarchedeyebrow featuring lace bras

Dress : Steffen Schraut Jacket : Ted Baker Ring : YSL Perfume : D&G L'Impératrice Bra : Agent Provocateur Lipstick : Nars Schiap Shoes : Miu Miu Sunglasses : Miu Miu

I suppose I look at Valentine's day with a kind of benevolent amusement. It's mostly rubbish but also quite nice and I don't really have anything against it. Tomorrow I'll post what I actually wore today (since I haven't really decided yet). However, if I had a hot date that involved dinner, strong cocktails and frenzied groping, I'd probably wear this. And I'd probably have a really good time.

I reckon the dress is a good bet in terms of curve-activation, and the D&G perfume is swoonsomely gorgeous. I don't think anything needs to be said about the Agent Provocateur bra (which I tweeted about yesterday). I used to avoid wearing lipstick on dates in the event that kissing occurred, but I've discovered in the last few months that no one cares if they end up with your lipstick smeared all over their face, so I think the Nars Schiap is the perfect look-at-me colour.

Happy V-day to you and yours, hope you find someone to get yr lipstick on!

Kynodontas.

2012-02-08T03:08:00.000-08:00

Dogtooth isn't a print I think of often. It doesn't reside in the same category as stars or tropical prints as a go-to, fix-all happy fashion cure. But once in a while, it works for me. This is the dress I picked up off Michelle of Red Bows Boutique at Plus London at the weekend and could not wait to break it out! It took me from magazine office (eating biscuits and fiddling around on InDesign) to film première (Best Exotic Marigold Hotel!) to sipping drinks and dancing with pretty girls at Ruby Tuesdays. A winner.

It may have been something to do with what a beautiful day it was when I left the house, but when I was out and about in this outfit, I felt really great. Despite its demure appearance, this is a bad-girl, high-self-esteem, look-at-me outfit, and I love it. It's days like this where I wonder why I've ever bothered putting myself down.

Dress : Red Bows Boutique

Coat : Primark (UK 18)

Shoes : Evans

Lipstick is MAC in Pink Plaid

Clip-on earrings from a stall on Camden Passage in Islington.

Plus London!

2012-02-06T01:58:00.000-08:00

Where to begin?! I was going to start by saying that Plus London Two is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off, but I stripped off in at least three different locations in front of many, many different witnesses through out the day, so that wouldn't be entirely accurate! But in all seriousness, it was so much fun it should be illegal.

We began the day at Anna Scholz's studio in north west London. She is a true inspiration, making high-end, beautiful clothes in bigger sizes. On a personal level, she is gracious, engaging, passionate and everything a modern businesswoman should be. We were checking out her SS12 collection, which was universally stunning. Here are a few snippets of details to look forward to...

This is my absolute dream dress at the moment. I couldn't stop looking at it, talking about it, touching it. There wasn't loads of room for posing and photography, so here's a slightly rubbish pic of me trying it out. I might have to hoard my pennies until I have enough to treat myself. I'm envisaging my All Saints leather jacket, gladiator sandals and rouge-noir lips.

What do you think? Should I dare to dream or am I making a fuss over nothing?

The lady herself chatting away with us, and letting us rant about the problem of poor design amongst a lot of cheaper plus-size retailers.

And now, some pics from the evening event!

I said a couple of weeks ago re: the Gok event that underwear isn't really my thing. Since that event, I've been thinking more about my lingerie and feel I should definitely make more of an effort. Thank heavens for the girls at Elomi for being present last night! Holly and Katie are PR girls par excellence: real passion for their product, real belief in their brand, real expertise to go with it.

I confessed to them that I hadn't been fitted for a bra since 2005, they gasped, asked what size I was wearing, they gasped again. I was sent off to be fitted by a colleague of theirs who was utterly brilliant (but whose name I didn't catch, sorry!)- great chat AND bra-fitting skills, and apparently I've been doing it all wrong for the last 7 years, and really I'm a cup size bigger than I thought I was! Elomi sent me on my merry way with a gift of a new bra that keeps my unexpectedly large chest in perfect position.

But just LOOK at their wares- for someone who's only just realised underwear is a thing, I found myself getting extraordinarily enthusiastic.

Cute, cute, girly set...

Another thing I ABSOLUTELY NEED in my life, gorgeous leopard print set. This is my most coveted underwear of the moment and I feel it could be worth my while to indulge...

Let's talk about swimwear. I can't imagine anything more me, anything sexier and anything more exciting in the way of swimwear than super high-waisted black bikini bottoms. Every time I see something of this ilk, I swoon. This set was no different. I genuinely cannot wait to get these into my life- anyone fancy a beach holiday so I can make the most of it?!

ASOS Curve brought along some items from their new collection and they were brilliant. Bright prints, gorgeous colours, mixing fabrics: this is what we deserve!

One of the things I was most excited about during Plus London Two was seeing Michelle of Red Bows Boutique! She is a wonderful woman doing a wonderful job of selling plus-size vintage, and I make no secret of how much I adore her stuff! I relieved her of one absolutely brilliant vintage dress that you'll see on here soon. There weren't any mirrors in the venue, so I decided the way to find out if the dress looked any good was to nip into the pop-up photography studio and have a photo taken. In the short space between Michelle's rails and the pop-up studio, I was met with gasps of delight at my cutesy dress. I wholeheartedly approved of the photos, so I guess it's a winner!

With or without brands, it was always going to be a brilliant night. There were so, so many brilliant bloggers I was excited to meet, and the event certainly delivered!

This is the absolutely beautiful Amy of These Girls Turn Heads. Never has a blog name been more appropriate: Amy is divine, stylish and a joy to spend time with. Just look at her Tatty Devine lobster necklace!!!!

She went outside briefly, and when she came back she had this super-cool addition to her topknot...

Any event where I get to hang out with my bb Lauren of Pocket Rocket Fashion is fine with me. Isn't she dreamy?!

I know I talk a lot about wonderful women and this post is full of that, but really, one I wanted to give a huge shout out to is Valerie. Ever since the hallowed days of The High Street community on Livejournal (and we're talking the best part of a decade), I've been absolutely in awe of Valerie. She now writes Blog to Be Alive, and is one of the absolute best plus-size fashion bloggers there is. Her style is so consistent, so demure, so chic and so graceful, and she has always been such an inspiration to me. I probably sounded like such an idiot saying 'Um do you mind if I have a photo with you?!' but it really was exciting!

Things I learned at Plus London:

Fatshion bloggers are wonderful. We stick together.

No one ever believes I'm 22.

I am a 36E.

Some brands know how to work with their customers and bloggers, some don't.

I REALLY need to add a lot of people to my blog list on the side of the page!

So a HUGE thank you to Claire for organising the event, dealing with stress from PRs and being let down left right and centre. She kept her head, pressed on and ended up putting on a truly fantastic event for us. We are SO grateful!

Blue Monday.

2012-01-31T01:56:00.000-08:00

This is what I wore last night to the Zomgbloggersbash as organised by Rockalily Lipsticks. I had to wear it to my class that finished in the early evening, but to be honest, I usually turn up to classes wearing lipstick and dripping in costume jewellery so it was nothing new. Honestly, the evening was a complete success because I made the acquaintance of some brilliant girls and generally just had a great time, so THANK YOU to Rockalily for hosting it!

(Oh, and someone commented on my last post asking if I was in King's Cross last night- the answer is yes, I was! I implore you all to say hi if you ever see me around London, it's almost always me!)

Dress : H&M (L)

Shoes : Evans

Lipstick is MAC in Show Orchid

Gem + leopard nails done with a mixture of things: base colour is Chanel in Péridot, spots done with a Nails Inc varnish I got free with InStyle back in the summer, and the gems and nail art pen came in a set I got in Topshop the other day. Very exciting!

Ring : H&M, (fur by nature)

(yeah I changed my hair colour!)

Simple Saturday.

2012-01-30T02:18:00.000-08:00

Blazer : ASOS (UK 18)

Scarf : River Island

Top : H&M (UK L)

Jeans : Dorothy Perkins (UK 16)

Shoes : Evans

My lovely new bag (too small to fit a lot of my stuff in so it can only come out on frivolous days). It's from Zara and my infinitely wise mother saw it heavily reduced in the sale and knew I'd been looking for a shaggy, fluffy bag.

Ring is by Galibardy, nails are OPI in Dulce de Leche

My beloved Marc by Marc Jacobs necklace

People always really dig my eye makeup when I do it like this. It's just a Topshop Crayon in Sunshowers, and I just sort of smear it on, but it gets such a good response!

Gok O'Clock.

2012-01-25T03:05:00.000-08:00

I'll level with you: I have bras that I've worn since 2005. I never match my underwear (no one ever sees it! Ho ho ho!). Lingerie is not really my area of expertise, but when I was invited to the launch of Gok Wan's collection with Simply Yours, naturally I was curious. I don't really 'do' shapewear, partly because I think my shape is quite excellent as it is, and partly because of the Bridget Jones dilemma (I always live in hope). This, however, was lovely. The colours made such a difference to the overall aesthetic of the collection. Shapewear that's pretty and functional is hard to come by, but the shades and the detail on this was really, really cute. The lipstick pink stuff in particular floated my boat. Let's take a little look...

Obligatory Gokshot.

And what I wore...

Coat : Topshop (UK 16)

Dress : Topshop Tall (UK 14)

Collar : ASOS

Shoes : Evans

Hanging out with all the chubster bloggers at the event made me SO.EXCITED. for Plus London Two in a week and a half's time! We're a nice bunch ;)

Special thanks to Simply Yours and Chase PR for getting it all together yesterday!

What's in my Handbag.

2012-01-23T01:58:00.000-08:00

I've looked like rubbish all weekend (50-hour at-home exam, yay!) so thought now would be a good time to turn the camera away from me and onto the contents of my handbag. It's a standard-issue blog post that I'm yet to do, so here it is, friends!

The bag I am very, very lucky to carry is a Mulberry Mitzy hobo. I've had it for about a year and a half, and I'm still crazy in love with it. As a day-to-day bag goes, I can't think of anything I'd prefer. I see people every so often with the black or tan versions, but I've never seen another deep purple one. I feel a little bit inelegant when I carry my swimming stuff around in my backpack, so it's nice to go back to being a real grown-up with this.

And here's the contents!

The proper essentials that I should really have with me at all times are my Vivienne Westwood purse, my keys (not to mention my various keyrings...) and my Ray-Ban reading glasses.

The useful non-essentials are a pair of gold-spraypainted headphones (which have seen better days- anyone got some gold spraypaint I can borrow...?), some gorgeous Gap gloves with added arm-warming value, and a cute Cath Kidston umbrella.

The beauty bits I keep on me are Kiehl's lip balm (I'm using a vanilla-scented one right now), a small bottle of Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne, a tin of Steam Cream (which can get a bit messy in your handbag, just to warn you), and a heart-shaped Marc Jacobs mirror.

And in addition to that, here's what I'm carrying around at the moment! The lipsticks I have on the go are MAC in Pink Plaid and Revlon in Strawberry Suede, I'm currently trying to read Clélie, and my hat of choice is a plum-coloured H&M beret.

Burger Queen : 2k12.

2012-01-19T02:32:00.000-08:00

Some are born fabulous, some have fabulosity thrust upon them. I don't know which category Scottee falls into, but running Burger Queen makes him as good as it gets. Not content with being an utterly badass performance artist, he's also running a live game show for chubsters!

Every Thursday in March, the divine Scottee will be whittling down a wide range of fantastic fatties in his unique game show for chubs. Make it all the way to the end, and YOU could be crowned Burger Queen 2012. The heats are judged by everyone from Paloma Faith to Immodesty Blaize to Scottee's mum to Nick Grimshaw, not to mention the resident judge, fierce fat femme Amy Lamé (be still my beating heart). The winner will receive £100 COLD HARD CASH, £400 in prizes from Burger Queen's sponsors, the much-coveted Burger Queen medal, the golden unhappy meal and for all you show-offs out there, the chance to perform with Camp at the Roundhouse!

My beloved Lauren of Pocket Rocket fame is entering, I'm trying to work up the courage and the imagination to follow suit, but seriously, and even if you don't enter you MUST come down to the Royal Vauxhall Tavern.

Burger Queen heats are on every Thursday in March, and the RVT is found at 372 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11.

If you need any further info or encouragement, go here to check out the Burger Queen site and if you want to know more about Scottee's incredible career, go here.

Sounds fun, right?!

Concrete and Clay and General Decay.

2012-01-16T02:02:00.000-08:00

Saturday was a lovely day. After some morning exercise and nipping round to my friend's for coffee, I met up with a wonderful Twitter pal & co for a peruse of the Wellcome Collection (where these photos were taken) and then to the Royal Academy of Arts' exhibition on Soviet architecture, then to meet some different pals for evening cocktails. All in all, a delightful way to spend a Saturday.

Coat : New Look (UK 16)

T-shirt : Monki (Medium/Large)

Jeans : Dorothy Perkins (UK 16)

Boots : Evans

Scarf : Cos

Bag : Mulberry

I got this incredible necklace from the brilliant Etsy seller Fable and Fury, who are based in the US but ship swiftly to the UK. Anyone who knows me knows how deep is my love for Manchester's finest, Morrissey. This necklace is not just a necklace with Morrissey on it, it's a beautiful necklace with Morrissey on it. I'm absolutely crazy about it, and implore you to check out all the absolutely brilliant designs/people you can buy from the site.

Lipstick is Lime Crime in Airborne Unicorn.

You're a Firework.

2012-01-10T01:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the first day of the new term. I did nothing of academic value, and to get the term off to a good start, Beth and I headed out for a cocktail. Cocktail duly consumed, we then went in search of frozen yoghurt to recreate Montréal memories (Montréal : land of the froyo), then headed home feeling that going back to school wasn't so bad after all...

Love my new slouchy t-shirt that I picked up in lovely Nordic shop Monki when I was in Finland. I got two oversized t-shirts that I'm looking forward to wearing when I'm feeling casual.

Dress : Topshop Tall

Ankle boots : Office

Leather jacket : All Saints (UK 14)

T-shirt : Monki (One size)

Jeans : Dorothy Perkins (UK 16)

High-heel ankle boots : Evans

Lipstick is Nars in Schiap, necklace by Galibardy

Nails are Nails Inc in Noel Street (Joe Orton fans represent!), and I actually got them done at a Nails Inc counter, where at the moment you can get a mini manicure (usually £17.50) done for £5 in one of their 'Special Effects' varnishes, which are glitter, neon, shatter or magnetic. Bargain!

Flying North.

2012-01-09T01:35:00.000-08:00

I started 2012 with a truly delightful trip to Helsinki. It's cold and often dark up there, and I had to revert to my standard Montréal clothing to keep warm. I never used to look particularly stylish in Montréal, and Helsinki was no exception. I find it basically impossible to keep my cool whilst keeping out the cold. But for your viewing pleasure, here is a typical outfit from Helsinki.

So extravagant am I that I wore leopard print jeans ('looks like they've been rained on', said one of my co-travellers) with a leopard print sweater dress. And just you try to tell me I'm wrong.

(Also note the trashed Uggs. Thing I learned from living in Montréal #23634: Uggs are not a suitable winter shoe)

Sweater : Jaeger (XL)

Jeans : Dorothy Perkins (UK 16)

Hat : Primark

Scarf : Cos

Bag : Marc by Marc Jacobs

Boots : Ugg

Lipstick : MAC in Up the Amp

Mittens : ASOS

Necklace : Forever 21

This is what one should do when one wears this outfit :

And A Happy New Year.

2012-01-02T02:03:00.000-08:00

Hope you had a wonderful 2011 and that 2012 is already off to a good start for you! I'm going to Helsinki this week, so I'll see you on Monday... but for now I'll leave you with what I wore to ring in the new year.

Dress : Topshop Tall (UK 14)

Coat : Primark (UK 18)

Shoes : Evans

Makeup : Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in Light Beige, Body Shop mascara, Topshop Crayon in Stardust inside the eyes, Nars blusher in Orgasm, MAC lipstick in Lady Danger.

Nails Inc magnetic varnish in Whitehall.

ALSO, any fellow chubster bloggers who may be reading this: the Plus London Two event is in a month's time and the more chubby funsters there are, the more chubby fun it'll be! Follow the link to get in on the fun.

Rainy Evening Dinner.

2011-12-30T01:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Annabel kindly had me and a few others over for the strange but brilliant mix of dim sum, cheese, chive and ham bread and brownies. Oh and whiskey. Highlights included a trip to the supermarket where we fell in love with a man (that happens to everyone, right?), me attempting to be helpful but actually being rubbish at everything, and Annabel receiving a truly excellent present (more on that later)...

Blouse : River Island (UK 16)

Green camisole underneath : Topshop Tall (UK 16)

Faux-fur collar : ASOS

Jeans : Dorothy Perkins (UK 16)

Ankle boots : Evans

All clothes : H&M

Shoes : Vans

Nails : OPI in Fresh Frog of Bel Air

Munchies : essential purchase

Double wolf-headed ring : ASOS

Thing I'm ok at doing : cutting up chives with scissors

Thing I'm not very good at doing : kneading dough

Sassy Annabel sifts flour

Simon shows how the collar can also be given a ~masculine edge~... doesn't he?

Annabel got given this remarkable invention : a hat and gloves hybrid that LOOKS LIKE A TIGER. Apparently it's from Spirithood.

See you on the other side... 2012 here we come!

Teddy Bear.

2011-12-28T02:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went sales shopping in Croydon and bought All The Things. If there was a thing, then I bought it. Here is instalment number one of Things What I Bought in the Sales, worn to eat, drink and be merry at Imogen's house!

Gilet : River Island (UK 16)

Top : Topshop (UK 14)

Jeans : Dorothy Perkins (UK 16)

Shoes : Evans

Closeup of the top...

Earrings : from Whistles, a Christmas present from Frankie, srsly go look at his beautiful pictures

The Glamourous Goth.

2011-12-26T02:01:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve I channelled my inner Wednesday Addams. That morning I'd woken up to an early Christmas present : a dress to review from One Stop Plus! I chose a simple black shirt dress which has now been massively reduced in the sale (even better), and I've got to say, I love it. The dress arrived very, very swiftly indeed. It fits perfectly, it's exactly the right length, the cuffs are optimally sized. You can roll the sleeves up and button them in place, but I like the look of the long sleeves. I wore it to visit some family friends in the late afternoon and evening, then to see lots of old school chums in the pub, and it got a great response (thanks guys!). It's very sleek and feels lovely and soft, it's perfectly opaque so no cheeky bra visible through the material. Apparently my darling ma used to have a French Connection dress exactly the same in the early '80s that she wore with a red belt and a red tartan scarf, which is a look I may emulate should I chance upon a tartan scarf.

Dress : Ellos for OneStopPlus (UK 18)

Shoes : Evans

Necklace : A Christmas present from Beth

Nails : Topshop in Blitz under a topcoat of OPI in Servin' up Silver (from the Serena Williams collection)

Ring : Christmas present from Annabel

Hope you had a lovely Christmas! More Christmas presents and sale purchases soon.

Back to Work.

2011-12-22T02:04:00.000-08:00

What up! Beth's gone home for the holidays so it's back to the tripod for me. Bloody hate using my tripod, but didn't want to get out of the blogging habit, so here's my outfit for my first day of a few days' work experience at a newspaper. Can you tell how awkward I feel posing in front of my tripod? Yeah.

Sweater : H&M (L)

Skirt : Oasis (UK 16)

Shoes : Evans

Necklace : Tiffany

This will be my last post before Christmas, so merry Christmas, friends!

Skulls & Swallows.

2011-12-21T02:00:00.000-08:00

Hullo hullo, hope you're all feeling appropriately festive with Hanukkah underway and Christmas on the horizon! Yesterday was spent perusing the West End, dining in Leon, drinking in my beloved secret bar and watching a disappointing solo set from Kate Jackson of the Long Blondes. Mixed fortunes. I just played around with the background colours on here, I was feeling like the dark background was too oppressive and it was weirding me out. Hope you don't mind the change.

As you may notice, I got a haircut! It's all sleek and soft and lovely- gone are the crispy, dry ends that have endured chlorine abuse five times a week. And I got a fringe! I get my hair cut at Ego in Greenwich, and if you're local then I 100% recommend trying it!

Top : H&M Divided (UK 16)

Jeans : Dorothy Perkins (UK 16)

Shoes : Evans

My aunt has brilliant taste and got me this ring and necklace for Christmas. I literally want everything from Galibardy. They're so good for helping me with a skull fix and reminding me I do not need any £200 skull jewellery from Zoe & Morgan! DO.NOT.NEED.

Ring : Galibardy

Necklace : Galibardy

And seeing as everyone likes photos of Mark, here he is again, wearing a jumper left to him by his housemate before he moved to Australia, and some Ray Ban glasses.

Oops, my fringe moved. And I'm doing something weird with my hands. But here's my face anyway, and I'm wearing Models Own lipstick in Blackcurrant.

The Last Waltz.

2011-12-16T01:59:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday I hit the BFI to see one of the greatest concert films ever made, Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz. The Band are waaaaay up there in my list of favourite bands, so it was a truly wonderful experience (even if I napped through three songs, oops...). Mark was looking very stylish so I thought it was time to bring him back onto the ol'blog. Stylish friends are a pleasant thing to have.

Cardigan : Whistles (UK 16)

Dress : Whistles (UK 16)

Shoes : Evans

Necklace : Elsie Belle

Hairband : Forever 21

Lipstick : Kate Moss for Rimmel in #3

Ring : Alex Monro e (probably the single most wonderful present I've ever been given)

Mac : Uni Qlo

Sweater : Uni Qlo

Shirt : Cos

Trousers : Cos

Pretty Women.

2011-12-14T02:08:00.000-08:00

Last night was a good night for soirées: Beth had her work Christmas party and I had my UCL LGBT Christmas party! (UCL LGBT reprazent! Social secretary brap brap! etc) Much fun was had, and I for one used it as an excuse to dress up all fancy.

Usually when I ask Beth to take my photos she's wearing her pyjamas. Yesterday I took advantage of the fact she looked lovely to get her the other side of the lens.

Dress : New Look

Lipstick : Revlon Red

Annnnd this is basically my favourite dress of all time. I bought it around this time of year in my second year at UCL and I wore it pretty much non-stop for months after. At some point, the zip broke and I never got round to fixing it. Knowing how much my weight fluctuates, I decided that rather than just replacing the zip, I would have a couple of wide bands of elastic put in so that if I lost or gained weight, my beloved dress would still fit. I think it worked out pretty well. Thank you to Stitch-n-Time in Archway!

Dress : Topshop (UK 16)

Chunky heeled court shoes : Evans

Lipstick : MAC in Ruby Woo

False eyelashes : #207 by Eylure

Nail varnish : Katy Perry for OPI in Teenage Dream (and they did play Teenage Dream in G-A-Y Late, so it was quite apt!)

Chubby Princess.

2011-12-12T02:00:00.000-08:00

This is my 'chubby princess' skirt. I ordered it from the H&M website sale at the beginning of the summer and have barely worn it since because I was so unsure about it. I wore it yesterday for lunch with Charlotte and Annabel and then to a special screening of David Fincher's Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and the skirt got glowing reviews all-round! So I suppose I should wear it more.

I'm in a funk with my hair at the moment. It just feels messy and unstylish. Maybe a fringe is in order?

Jacket : All Saints (UK 14)
T-shirt : Old Navy (XL)
Skirt : H&M (EU 44)

Shoes : Evans

Bracelet : Topshop
Nails : Models Own in Lilac Dream

And here is a rather rude little ditty called Chubby Princess by Adam Green.

Festive Cheer.

2011-12-09T02:02:00.000-08:00

At the weekend I was lucky enough to be invited round to my darling friends Izzy, Lizzie and Kate's house for a delicious roast dinner, mulled wine and a singalong at the piano. Oh, and there was a Christmas tree! I took this opportunity to wear a dress I've had for a while but not worn yet. It's a sort of faux-suedey material and I picked it up for £7 in the Dorothy Perkins sale back in September. It had always been a bit too tight to really work but I guess swimming has changed that a little. It's not a shape I'd usually go for but I really love it! It looks cute with my mustard cardigan and would be a good look for work.

Dress : Dorothy Perkins

Shoes : Evans

Necklace : My Wardrobe

So it's now six months to the day since I started this ol'blog of mine. I genuinely can't believe how far it's come. I get so much happiness out of writing my posts and thinking about my outfits and finding new ways to be creatively fat. I want to give you all a big cuddle for reading, and for always staying so supportive and positive and saying such kind things. You are, all of you, truly wonderful cheerleaders.

Green & Yellow & Blue & Purple.

2011-12-07T01:55:00.000-08:00

Another outfit from last week, hence the AIDS ribbon. It's an oddly summery look for December, and I'm putting that down to the fact that I could't do last winter in style so I'm making up for it now. I had a very limited wardrobe when I lived in Montréal (I moved there with one suitcase!) and the weather somewhat prohibited my usual frivolous image. But this winter I can do it properly!

This Cath Kidston dress is the other thing I picked up in Bicester last week. I know CK has a bad rap for being twee and clichéd but I really love florals and cute details like the pockets. Who doesn't love a dress with pockets? If every dress had sleeves and pockets, the world would be a better place, amirite???

Coat : Topshop

Cardigan : H&M

Dress : Cath Kidston

Belt : H&M

Shoes : Dr. Martens

Lipstick is MAC in Lady Danger

Leopard Love.

2011-12-05T02:03:00.000-08:00

There is little in the history of design that I adore more than leopard print. My love for leopard print is well-documented, and I have countless leopard clothes and accessories. I don't care one bit if people think it's trashy or reminds them of a barmaid- there are worse things to be than a barmaid! Anyway, I love it, and on a recent trip to Bicester I found this amazing sweater dress in the Jaeger outlet. It made my day.

And remember I said last week about how I wanted a more ~ladylike~ coat? Well how about this? I even managed to get my hands on one of the coats in my wishlist (top right, although I posted it in burgundy rather than navy), and I got loads of compliments on it. Including from a Twitter friend who spotted me sailing up the escalator at Euston with 'a lovely coat on'!

Looking naughty in my new coat! I think 'naughty' is my default expression.

To prove I can smile in photos sometimes, as ghastly as it might be. My brother says I have ugly teeth, an American friend I had 'British teeth'. Sux 2 b me.

Coat... OPEN!

Coat : Topshop

Sweater dress : Jaeger

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Shoes : Dr. Martens

And one of my messy, messy hair for you. Lipstick is MAC in Snob.

Pleats & Pearls.

2011-12-02T02:02:00.000-08:00

I'd seen the pleated Primark skirt on a few blogs and liked the idea but thought the execution was a bit off. Then when I was at Charlotte's at the weekend, I spotted a gorgeous COS creation that was like a perfect version of the Primark skirt, and in a better colour, too! It was on her 'to sell' rail, so I duly obliged and took it off her hands.

Also, I'd been considering my hair options for a while and concluded that going to a rich, warm auburn was a safe bet. I like it.

Detail of the neckline on the blouse

Coat : New Look

Faux-fur collar : Primark

Blouse : Primark

Camisole : Primark

Skirt : COS via Charlotte

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Shoes : Evans

Thank you so much to Sophie and Nick for meeting me for a quick photo session in uni! Very much appreciated. Less appreciated was Nick's direction, which sounded mostly like 'that's an awkward smile'. ALL MY SMILES ARE AWKWARD.

Question : I know I don't do it at present, but would it be helpful or useful if I included the size of the items I'm wearing in my photos? Let me know, plz.

What I Really Want.

2011-11-29T02:19:00.000-08:00

I realised over the weekend, and looking at yesterday's post, that my winter coat is not very ladylike. I think it makes me look quite boyish, which is no bad thing, but I would quite like something more girly. These coats are what I'm feeling right now...

Outerwear. by myarchedeyebrow featuring a short coat

Top row, L-R: Topshop, Wallis, H&M, Topshop

Bottom row, L-R: River Island, River Island, Anthropologie, H&M

Finally bothered to get myself a Polyvore account (lazy Bets is lazy), so I'll be showing you a lot more of my desired objects from now on!

I think I like the ochre Wallis one the most, but the cream, draped H&M coat is the most me. Well, I'm haemorrhaging money these days so I should probably have a rummage in the coat cupboard at my family home and see if I can dig out a forgotten gem rather than replacing anything...

A Weekend Away.

2011-11-28T02:19:00.000-08:00

I really wish it wasn't Monday. I've had such a lovely weekend and didn't want it to end! This weekend I headed out to the country to stay with the wonderful Charlotte of What Charlotte Eats, and much fun was had. By 'fun', I may mean 'food', but I do also mean 'fun'!

On Friday evening we went out for delicious dinner at Lamb's in Stratford, where we both had, funnily enough, lamb.

I followed this up with Eton mess with lemon and passionfruit. It was wonderful. Eton mess is a severely underrated dessert, don't you think?

The next day we went off into the Cotswolds and ate some parsnip soup up a hill with some sheep. So here's an outfit photo with added sheep for proof I was in the countryside!

Coat : New Look

Jumper : H&M

Jeans : Forever 21

Boots : Evans

Turban : H&M

Bag : Marc by Marc Jacobs (borrowed from Charlotte)

Necklace : Tatty Devine

Then I made Charlotte put on a brave face and pose with her mug of lovely soup. We'd just had a tragic soup-related accident, so she's doing a good job of looking like she's over it.

Sheep!

Then we went for a stroll around Stow-in-the-Wold, which involved charity shops, bazaars and a tea room. My kind of village. Charlotte introduced me to a truly remarkable confection, lardy cake. Having never had it before, I was slightly dubious about ordering, so we shared one and shared a scone with jam and cream.

The famous cake...

During the charity shop rummage, I came upon the very thing I needed: a jewel for my plain, black headgear. It was perfect.

And I also picked up this amazing watch for £6 in a little bazaar. My huge, chunky gold watch is great, but very temperamental, and this one feels so unusual and pretty. It even has little rhinestones instead of numbers.

That evening we drove to Hidcote Manor for a wonderful/creepy walk in the gardens. They were all illuminated and ~atmospheric~ and looked a bit like this:

Before I went on my merry way back to London, Charlotte set me up with pancakes, bacon and maple syrup. Because she is wonderful.

So there you have it! My weekend in pictures. I've got a lot to look forward to this week, namely a cinema trip to see Les Enfants du Paradis, a jaunt to Oxford to see my little bro (which my mum & I take advantage of in order to go to Bicester), the UCL LGBT World AIDS Day charity ball, and the publication of the third edition of the UCL magazine (the one what I co-edit, remember). It's all happening for Bets.

Thanks, Mum.

2011-11-23T02:30:00.000-08:00

Just another item in the long line of things my mum has that I want. This gorgeous, soft leather skirt was purchased at the end of the summer by my mum; she used her shopping skillz to find it in the sale for £25, reduced from £129 and I was jealous, I wanted it, she had it. So I waited a while and texted her the other day to see if I could borrow it. Turns out she wasn't so into it, so now it's mine. Patience is a virtue...

Jacket : Kitsch & Swell, Montréal

T-shirt : Topshop

Skirt : Marks & Spencer

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Shoes : Evans

Lady in Red.

2011-11-21T01:02:00.000-08:00

Hallo, hallo and happy new week to you. For the first time ever, I bring you a review. I was contacted about the site Zalando which is just getting started in the UK, and I had a look around and decided it could be a site that might be useful to you or I. One of the main reasons I accepted to review this brand (I've self-imposed a policy of only saying yes to stuff I'd have a genuine curiosity in to begin with), was because they offer free postage + packing, which for me is a winner. I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to review- originally I was going to go for something slouchy and scruffy like this super cool printed t-shirt, but then I decided what I 'really needed' was another dress, so it was down to this chic day dress or this rather foxy night dress. The glamour won out, and I went for the scarlet lace confection. I ordered it on a Wednesday afternoon and it had arrived by Monday, so I'm giving the free p+p a big thumbs up for starters. The dress itself is lovely. It's by Vila, who are a brand I see around but don't think I've ever bought before. This is partly because when brands mark their clothes S, M, L, XL it all seems fairly arbitrary and especially if you're ordering online it can be a bit of a minefield. But body-wise it fits absolutely fine. I'm 5ft9ish and it's quite short on me, but then again I find most high street dresses are. I really, really love this dress and look forward to getting it out for any upcoming frivolity I may find.

Zalando get top marks from me, and judging by the range of brands they carry, I think I'll be ordering from them again.

Dress : Vila via Zalando

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Shoes : Evans

And just for the ~memories~, the original Montréal foursome of Marianna, me, Jonny and Emma.

Made of Wool.

2011-11-18T01:55:00.000-08:00

I used a very kind donation from my friends Adam & Alice in the form of an H&M voucher to subsidise the purchase of this lovely jumper. It's a size Medium, so if any of you are tempted it would probably be better to size down. It's such a... Bethany colour. And so cozy. Without the colours purple, red and green I would be nowhere, I swear.

Jumper : H&M

Skirt : ReDress in NYC

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Shoes : Dr Martens

Scarf : Topshop

Usual face, but with a Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick in #4

Necklace : This Charming Girl

Faux YSL Arty ring : Topshop

Crazy stone ring : H&M

Nails : OPI in Lincoln Park After Dark

Getting worried that my roots are slightly too... rooty. Not sure what to do about it, though!

Heathcliff!

2011-11-14T01:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a perfect autumn day. Clear blue skies, a nip in the air, gentle sunshine. I took the autumnal feeling as an excuse to dress down a bit, go for something chilled and cozy to wear to the cinema to see Wuthering Heights, to stroll up to uni for an afternoon coffee and then for overdosing on sushi at dinnertime. Wuthering Heights was really, really great: a very beautiful, sensual film with stunning production design and cinematography. The only thing I'll say is that it has one of the worst final scenes I've ever seen. I'd be surprised if that wasn't a common feeling? I dunno.

Jacket : Primark

Top : H&M

Jeans : Evans

Shoes : Dr Martens

Scarf : Stolen from Beth

Face: same as ever, but if you'd like to be reminded it's Urban Decay Supercurl mascara, Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation in Light Beige, Benefit Erase Paste under my eyes, Benefit Bella Bamba blusher, Benefit Brow Zings (my secret weapon), and on this occasion I'm wearing MAC lipliner in Redd and MAC lipstick in Ruby Woo.

Shrinking Violet.

2011-11-11T01:59:00.000-08:00

Before I begin, I just want to say that I've finally discovered there is such thing as 'comment settings', and I've played around with them and now you have the EXCITING OPTION of commenting even without an account. Leave me nice words if you so desire.

Genuinely can't believe it's Friday. I had such grand designs for reading week and it's just bloody gone and evaporated before my very eyes. At least I've had some fun: this outfit was worn for a ~school trip~ to see the absolutely magnificent film Weekend, which I'd recommend to anyone who loves cinema. Disappointingly, all the trailers that came before it were pretty rubs.

I do like this outfit a lot, and it was just a product of me running out of clothes and needing to do a wash. But it totally works, so maybe a lack of clean clothes is a good thing when it inspires new mixing!

Leather jacket : All Saints

Top : ASOS Curve

Skirt : Re/Dress NYC

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Shoes : Dr Martens

Turban : H&M

Necklace : J. Crew

Thanks to Katy for running round the back of that weird little building in the UCL Quad with me to take my pictures!

From The Back of My Wardrobe.

2011-11-10T01:54:00.000-08:00

So, it's reading week: both of my 'in-house photographers' (ie, my housemates) are unavailable, I'm doing little more than working and swimming, and not much effort is being made on the image front. I went out for dinner with Alice last night and decided it was as good a reason as any to make an effort!

I haven't worn this dress for ages, but I saw it lurking in the bottom of my wardrobe and thought it was worth giving it another go. Turns out it was rather nice!

Coat: New Look

Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Tights: Marks & Spencer

Shoes: Dr Martens

Not the best picture, but the lipstick is my new favourite: MAC in Show Orchid.

(Thanks, Alice, for patiently messing about with Night Portrait mode for me outside a pub in Crystal Palace!)

Brand New Shoes.

2011-11-04T03:36:00.000-07:00

Having UK size 10 feet means I can hardly buy shoes anywhere. It also means when I find a pair of shoes I like, I wear them to death and then buy a new pair. The shoes themselves aren't particularly expensive, mostly around £20, but the regularity with which I need to replace them makes this a costly venture. So when Maja took me into Dr Martens the other day to look at some sexysexy killer heel black shoe-boots she wanted, I found myself perusing their wares. I fell in love with these amazing purple suede brogues with a thick sole.

I spent the afternoon deliberating: they were more expensive than any shoes I've bought. But the more I thought about it, the more I realised that the one thing everyone says about Dr Martens is that they last forever. Why was I being so fussy about buying a pair of quality shoes that I loved when I'm so quick to pay £20 for a pair of flats that I wear a hole into after a few weeks?

Jumper: Topshop

Jeans: Evans

Brogues: Dr Martens

Turban: H&M

(cheeky hint of bra courtesy of Marks & Spencer)

Aren't they magnificent?

Things I've Enjoyed in October.

2011-11-02T02:59:00.000-07:00

November is here, I've flipped over to the appropriate month on my Alexander McQueen exhibition calendar from the Met (thanks, Marianna!), and that means I should thank my lucky stars for all the nice things that happened in October.

Moroccan Oil.

So, I mentioned in my round-up of September that I started swimming. I'm still swimming, 7 weeks after I started, to everyone's great surprise. I love it. I love how my body feels after exercising regularly. I do not, however, love how my hair feels. Dunking my head into chlorinated water for 45 minutes, five times every week, followed by five hair-washes and five blasts with the gym hairdryers meant that my hair had turned frankly horrible. Luckily, I know Rachael, a hair genius, so tweeted her asking if my hair was just beyond repair, or if there was anything that could help.

The answer was Moroccan Oil. Not even joking, after one use, my hair was sleek and silky and bouncy and shiny and possibly even nicer than pre-swimming. I stole my Moroccan Oil off my lovely mum, but the next week we were given full-size Moroccan Oils in our goodie bags at the Blog Awards! What luck.

I honestly can't recommend it highly enough.

Nice Girls.

Speaking of the Cosmo Blog Awards, the Moroccan Oil wasn't the only nice thing I got out of it. The best thing was meeting lots of lovely, talented women. Go here for Gemma's retro stylings or here for Alice's brilliant tattoo blog or here for Jazzy Elizabeth's aesthetic eye. Go to any or all of them to see the kind of thought and writing that makes blogging a good place. The best part is that when we met at the blog awards, they were all kind, funny, witty and warm. Good work, ladies.

Shame.

Maybe it's testament to the fact my emotions are wired wrong, but I couldn't squeeze out one single tear when I watched The Notebook. When I watched Shame, a film that revolves entirely around a sex addict, I was deeply moved. It's out in the UK in January (I saw it at the London Film Festival), and I would strongly recommend giving it a go. It's not at all an easy film in any way (just because the opening scene is Michael Fassbender's bits, don't let that mislead you), but it has the most stunning, memorable scene I've seen in a very long time; no nudity required.

Making My Mind Up.

I graduate next year and I've spent the last month wrestling with my brain to decide whether I should do a Masters or whether I should catapult myself into the world of work. I think I've decided, but I'm always open to persuasion. Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated!

The Launch of Bad Passion.

October saw the launch of Bad Passion, the second online venture from Jackie, a friend and an inspiration. At Bad Passion, she sources and sells amazing jewellery with a tougher edge than her other store, This Charming Girl. Both sites are brilliant, but I know that Bad Passion sells the kind of stuff that me and a lot of my friends go crazy for: huge, jewelled animal heads, skulls and claws. Brilliant.

This Must Be the Place - Talking Heads.

Last month I posted a link to the trailer for the film This Must Be the Place, and this month I'm giving you the video of the song that inspired it. Talking Heads have been one of my favourite bands since I was a child. My brother can testify that one of the musical highlights of our childhood was any time Once In A Lifetime by Talking Heads would come on one of the home-made mixtapes my dad kept in the car. Once In A Lifetime is still brilliant, but This Must Be the Place is something else. Totally danceable, swooningly romantic, it's my dream song. Click the video and get yourself addicted.

Ladies' Day.

2011-11-01T02:49:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I had a rather delightful day with lots of lovely ladies. In the morning I met up with the wonderful Maja, who I don't see nearly enough. We went for some incredible brunch in Clerkenwell then strolled around the shops of Covent Garden where she may or may not have talked me into a pretty delightful 'investment purchase'. More on that another day.

Dress: H&M
Wool cape: Muji

French toast, with Bramley lemon curd mascarpone, caramelised cardamom apples & walnuts with bacon.

Handbag: bought in Florence

Nail varnish: OPI's Cuckoo for this Colour

Her lovely face

That evening a few of us went over to Nisha's house for a gorgeous dinner of moules marinières and banoffee pie. I have a very stylish group of friends and the Pi magazine ladies (past and present) are no exception.

Natalie (who wrote this, which is one of my favourite blog posts of recent times) wears...

Shirt: Next

Jeans: Topshop

Shoes: Topshop

Nisha wears...

T-shirt: American Eagle

Skirt: Anthropologie

Shoes: French Sole

Necklaces: Dogeared

Willo wears...

Dress: Whistles

Shoes: Topshop

And one extra picture of Nisha looking awkward because that's the effect I have on my friends.

Oh, and what I wore...

Mac: Hobbs NW3

Dress: H&M

Scarf: River Island

Shoes: Evans

Presenting... Fatalie Portman in Black Swan.

2011-10-31T02:46:00.000-07:00

When I saw Black Swan back in January, I knew instantly that I wanted to recreate it for Halloween. So I made an effort to remember this for over 10 months and here I am! It also meant I got to wear the feather bolero for the third time in a week, which is a veritable gift from the heavens.

Bolero: Topshop

Lace vest: H&M Divided

Black bra: Marks & Spencer

Tutu: Escapade fancy dress shop in Camden

Tights: Marks & Spencer

Shoes: Evans

I got a lot of love for my costume, even on the bus ride there! It was worn to the Halloween frat party at the Macbeth in Hoxton, and while I wasn't the only Black Swan in the club, I was easily the best if I do say so myself!

So, what do you make of my Fat Swan? And what did you go as?

Feathered Friend.

2011-10-27T00:32:00.000-07:00

So, the Cosmo Blog Awards rolled around and here's my outfit! I just want to say thank you so much to you all for nominating me and voting for me. It was an honour to get to that stage in such a big competition, but honestly, it was even more of an honour to know that people genuinely read and enjoy this blog. That was the best part, finding out that I had lots of cheerleaders rooting for me all over the world. I can't tell you how that makes me feel. I want to give you all a big cuddle.

I was awarded Highly Commended in the Student Blog category, which is a near miracle.

Bolero: Topshop (from Charlotte!)

Leather jacket: All Saints

Vest: Primark

Jeans: Evans

Shoes: Evans

Face: In addition to the usual, Le Kohl Gloss in Pop Petrol under eyes, Bobbi Brown gel liner in Denim Ink, MAC lipstick in Lady Danger

Earrings: Mikey

Nails: Chanel Le Vernis in Péridot (which also happens to be my birth stone)

I had a really great time, mainly because I got to meet some wonderful women and put some real life to the internet personas that I've seen around for a while! Thank you to Cosmopolitan for running the awards, and thank you to everyone who's given me a hand!

I started this blog in June with no real plans for it to go very far. It's October now and I've already been named the runner up to best Student Blog. All I can say is... wow.

Hairstory.

2011-10-25T01:51:00.000-07:00

I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about my hair. I change it an awful lot. But now I've mostly settled into a style and I've given up changing its colour, I feel it's time for a career retrospective of my hair.

When I started university in 2008, I had long, dark hair with a fringe.

Then the fringe grew out and it got freakishly long.

Then that summer I lightened it. (Hi Bianca & Chloe!)

Aware of how unpleasantly long it had got, I cut it to a more sensible length.

Then for the beginning of my second year at university I dyed over the lightened hair with red dye, which I loved. A lot. (Hi Josh!)

Then I got REALLY fed up of having long hair. I realised that my hair was always tangled, it never felt clean, I never did anything interesting with it. So I cut it off and felt better instantly. I also went back to a more natural colour (which is still a lot darker than my real hair). (Hi Lucy, Emma & Martha!)

Then I slightly changed it to this, which is my favourite hairstyle to date. The long graduated bob suited me, and I now realise it is my optimum hair.

But instead of keeping it like that, I decided to cut it off before I moved to Montréal in August 2010.

There it gradually grew back, and when I came home for Christmas it was like this.

But I couldn't stay still for long, and out came a fringe and a move towards redness in February this year.

It even got long enough for me to be able to put it up like this.

And the week I got back from Montréal, it looked like this.

So I figured it was time for a change, and this happened.

To avoid death by bleaching, when I got back from my summer travels, I dyed it brown again. (Hi Nisha!)

Annnnd it's basically like that now, except it's light brown because I stripped the colour out using Scott Cornwall Colour B4 in anticipation of going swimming. Now I'm in the pool 5 times a week, it seems pointless to be dying it when the chlorine will just take the colour out. So here we are, in the present day.

I suppose that's been quite a lot of hair between my first and fourth years at university! Is there a style you liked more than others? Is my current look too blah? Oh, the trials and tribulations of a change addict...

A Fine Vintage #4.

2011-10-21T01:53:00.000-07:00

I thought #3 was going to be the last instalment of my 'A Fine Vintage' series but NO! It has not come to an end yet. While I enjoy and endorse all forms of internet and, indeed, internet shopping, the one element of it I've never really got into is Ebay. But after a few casual clicks the other night, and a quick check with my Twitter crew that it wasn't completely hideous, I'd ordered this dress. For less than 2 quid! I really am on a roll with my second hand clothes these days, what with the Marie Curie dresses, my beautiful Red Bows dress, the, um, remarkable shirt from the last post and now this.

Speaking as someone who genuinely believed that vintage dresses were the preserve of the slim lass, I am heartened and wowed by this late discovery.

Dress : Ebay

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Shoes : Evans

You may remember in this post about ladies whose style I adore that Nicolette Mason had fuelled my desire for a pair of low-mid chunky-heeled black courts. And I never thought the day would come when they would waltz into my life, but that day has come. Realistically, I don't wear heels. They don't really work with my life, and I don't try to make them work. But a low, chunky heel is a pleasant alternative to my usual flat, and isn't terribly difficult either. Patience is a virtue, and now I've got everything I ever wanted! (The heels, a sweater dress and a knee-length skirt). Victory is mine.

And just to prove the shoes have a wee bit of a heel!

Lovely/revolting.

2011-10-18T01:48:00.000-07:00

Is this shirt wonderful or is it disgusting? Who knows, friends. All I know is that I saw it in a charity shop on the Kent coast when I went a-visiting my family and had to have it. I have a massive place in my heart for Keith Haring and I felt that if he made shirts, he would have made this one.

Annnnd just across the road from there, New Look was having a sale and I picked up this excellent coat for £7. I know it's quite similar to my other camel coat but it felt different enough to justify it. I like its sort of cocoon-y shape and deep pockets.

Coat: New Look
Shirt: Red Cross in Deal, Kent

Dress underneath: H&M
Tights: Marks & Spencer
Shoes: Evans

Bracelet: Bad Passion (don't click here if you want to save your pennies. You will want everything)

Detail of my ~cool shirt~ print.

Voting is now closed in the Cosmo Blog Awards so thank you to anyone who did vote for me, and now it's only a matter of time before the awards themselves!

Deep Purple.

2011-10-13T23:54:00.000-07:00

I don't really have a 'favourite colour' or feel myself actively choosing or rejecting particular shades, but I realised that if I have a choice between a few colours, I will instinctively go for plum. When I lived in Montréal, my handbag, my watch, my snood, my cardigan were all deep purple.

I can't remember why exactly but my mum kindly donated this shirt to me before I moved up to Archway. You may notice that two posts in a row have featured clothes stolen from my mum... what can I say, she's stylish and I'm but a poor student!

Shirt : Gap

Jeans: Evans

Shoes: Evans

Scarf: a present from Jonny (@mrjswift on Twitter, y'all should follow him)

Hairband: Forever 21

Necklace: This Charming Girl

Ring : Primark

Watch : Sekonda

Nails : OPI - Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees

This outfit was worn to meet my darling Alice for dinner at my favourite café in London. It's called Foxcroft & Ginger and I love it so much that when I talk about it people must think I'm some sort of mole planted by them in the wider world. But I'm not. I just love it. Oh and they further increased my love for them for the following words regarding the chelsea bun I ordered: 'Ummm it looked a bit like it was falling apart so we just gave you two'. Now that's what I call service.

Voting closes imminently, so this is my final push to ask you to please vote for me (if you so wish!) in the Student Blog category of the Cosmo Blog Awards!

Knitwear Extraordinaire.

2011-10-12T01:56:00.000-07:00

On Monday the plan was for Nisha and I to haunt campus in our capacity as magazine editors and photograph people wearing good knitwear. We'd agreed that knitwear is a university staple, especially ugly/ironic styles, so we wanted to showcase UCL's array of knits in the next issue of the university magazine. Unfortunately, something about Monday meant that good/bad knits were few and far between, although we did get a few gems.

I thought this would be as good a day as any to wear my own favourite item of knitwear, which is a Whistles cardigan that I desired so much when it belonged to my mother that she finally caved and gave it to me. I get lots of compliments whenever I wear it, and I just think it's deliciously cute and frivolous.

(DISCLAIMER: I do not use the language department at UCL to take photos in regularly. It was too windy outside and my skirt kept swishing away so we went inside to do this!)

Cardigan : Whistles

T-shirt : H&M

Skirt : Topshop

Shoes : Evans

Face : same as ever, but lips are No. 7 lipstick in Gay Geranium. Is that not the best name ever?

Ring : a present from Beth, bought in Oliver Bonas

In the afternoon, after class, I went to a café with my friend Finn (who takes beautiful beautiful photos). He is generally an all-round stylish chap, and although he looks fairly unhappy in this photo (that's what a couple of hours in my company does to you), I hope his dashing eye for style fills him with joy on a regular basis.

Jacket : Thrasher

Shirt : charity shop in Lyon

Trousers : Uniqlo

Skate shoes : Converse

Hat : Krooked

Bag : American Apparel (? this is unconfirmed but I believe it to be true)

Winter Flowers.

2011-10-10T01:55:00.000-07:00

At the dawn of time it was decreed that all people who wanted to write about fashion on the internet needed to own one thing. That thing was a camel coat. One of the best and truest blogger clichés is the camel coat. We've all got one. And here is mine, used to make the lovely charity shop dress of a few weeks ago that I wore with bare legs more autumnal.

Coat : Henry Holland at Debenhams

Dress : Marie Curie Cancer Care in Archway

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Boots : Evans

Bag : Beyond Retro

Usual face, but with Topshop Lip Stain in Bitten Berry

Ring : a present from Frankie. It's totally cool because I have actually no idea what it's meant to be (I decided it was a lily pad, being an artist he decided it was a palette) but it looks great anyway, plus it's always nice to have a man, or indeed anyone, buy you a ring for no real reason.

Upon reflection, I think this is a contender for Favourite Autumn/Winter Outfit!

More My Kind of Thing.

2011-10-07T01:57:00.000-07:00

So on Monday I begrudgingly posted an outfit where I entered into the spirit of our 'heatwave'. Now the weather is decidedly 'back on track' I can indulge my love for Proper Autumn Clothes. I've been complaining for a while in various quarters of the internet about how hard it is to find a nice sweater dress that's also long enough for me to wear as the advertised dress. I used the power of mind control to find one in Cos on Wednesday. I was a little early for brunch with a friend and decided that if I went into Cos, they would surely have a jumper-dress hybrid to please me. And so great is my cerebral power that it happened. Look! It has leather pockets! How amazing!

Sweater dress : Cos

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Shoes : Evans

Owl necklace: Lou Makes

Sadly Lou Makes is closing its (internet) doors imminently and the lady herself is very generously giving 50% off everything with the code ENDOFERA, so I picked up this gorgeous little owl necklace amongst a couple of other things.

I don't know about you but I'm thoroughly enjoying autumn!

Girls I Like.

2011-10-05T01:56:00.000-07:00

I realised recently that there are very few people I look to for 'style inspiration', so I thought I'd have a big think and then write a post about them! Some totally predictable, some kind of surprising, some slim, some chubby, but all wonderful in my eyes.

Khloe Kardashian

Surprise! I really dig the Kardashians. But mainly Khloe because she's got a bangin' sense of humour and whenever I 'Keep Up With the Kardashians' I want what she's wearing. Her wardrobe of maxi dresses, heeled boots and amazing knitwear make my heart ache a bit, but I am consoled by the fact I'm not a millionaire socialite and can make do with what I've got.

Beth Ditto

So here's the deal: there is nothing about Beth Ditto I don't like. In my eyes she can do no wrong. I've seen the Gossip/her solo a few times now and every time she blows my mind. Her talent, her attitude, her outfits are all bang-on. Here's a fat girl who breaks every 'rule' in the book and has made herself totally untouchable. She's not just an inspiration because she's a fat girl in the public eye, she's an inspiration because of how she conducts her career and her personal life with bravery, ferocity and true style. Her clothes are a veritable rainbow, and she plays with tightness, textures, shine, volume and pattern better than anyone else I can think of. She is a real icon for my belief that fashion is fun (even when you're fat). Take note.

Nicola Roberts

I shall make no secret of the fact I liked La Roberts a whole lot more before her most recent 'makeover'. Pre-ludicrous extensions and veneers, I loved her sweet dresses and swishy bob. Now, not so much, but I still have the glory days to guide my choice of dresses. The photo on the left is actually one of my favourite celebrity looks of recent years, and strangely it's a casual out-and-about look rather than a red carpet. That coat, those gloves, that hair, those jeans. Swoon.

Nicolette Mason

A total champion of the goth-glam look with black and crosses teamed with floaty chiffon and sequins, blogger Nicolette Mason has the wardrobe and the look I wish I had. There aren't many bloggers I look to for straight-up fashion inspiration, but Nicolette is one of them. Her eye for accessories (ridiculously amazing necklaces, Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs etc) is second to none, and her warm-hearted, gracious nature is one of the finest accessories she has. Oh and the block-heeled courts in the left-hand photo have sent me into an internet-trawling frenzy, looking for similar 'sensible' heels to attempt to wear in 'everyday life'. In short, when I grow up, I want to be Nicolette Mason.

So, there you have it! A small selection of the ladies who make me think about fashion. Now it's your turn: who rocks your wardrobe?

Endless Summer.

2011-10-03T01:54:00.000-07:00

I thought I should celebrate the crazy weather of late with a suitably ~tropical~ outfit! I kind of hate warmth but love frivolous, bright, multicoloured prints, so there's some upside to the non-stop sunshine. I wore this for the second day of UCL freshers' fayre on Friday for another day of great success!

T-shirt : Cacharel for Uniqlo

Skirt : H&M
Shoes : Evans

Sunglasses : Ray Ban

Earrings : H&M

Nail varnish : Models Own in Lilac Dream

I'm in the mood for my biker boots and camel coat and chunky snood. Hurry up, autumn!

(Voting still running for the next two weeks! Vote for me in Student Blog category!)

Things I've Enjoyed in September.

2011-09-30T01:47:00.000-07:00

Here are some things that have made September nice for me.

This Must Be the Place

I'm lucky enough to be accredited press for the London Film Festival. I've managed to see three films this week (The Future, Take Shelter, and this) and by far the best was This Must Be the Place. There's no indication as to when it's coming out in the UK, which makes me even more glad I've seen it.

Key points are : Sean Penn playing a faded rock star / looking like the Cure's Robert Smith, hunting a Nazi death camp guard across America. It features the single best musical number I've seen in any film ever. Go see (if it ever comes out).

Swimming

I've never been very good at sport or exercise. I've gone through phases of gym membership and daily attempts at running, but they've never been particularly long-lasting, and more importantly, they've never been particularly enjoyable. I've never found a form of exercise that suited me before. Until now! I joined the University of London Union sports facility, and have been hittin' the pool on the regular. I'm pretty sold on swimming. 40 lengths of a 33 metre pool = a pretty good way to spend 45 minutes.

An Argument With Myself - Jens Lekman

Jens Lekman is easily my favourite solo artist these days. He's wonderful in every way and makes me laugh and cry and swoon and pine. And he has a new EP out. This song from the EP is bloody brilliant and shows what delightfully loveable songs Mr Lekman writes. His gig at Heaven on October 17th will be the highlight of my month.

London Fashion Week

Yes, it was scary at times, but I weathered the storm and came out of LFW with some great experiences under my belt. I saw some great shows, my favourite of which was probably Issa. They finished off with this amazing look in their Rio carnival-themed show- how foxy?!

People liking my blog

Obviously my world was totally rocked when I got nominated for a Cosmo Blog Award! Voting is open until Monday 17th October, so please spread the word if you like the ol' Eyebrow. I'm nominated in the Student Blog category, and just make sure there's a little green tick by my blog's name in my section!

Going back to school

So, this year is my final year of BA French at UCL. I miss my friends, I miss exercising my brain, I miss stationery. Classes start on Monday and obviously I've already stocked up on ~cool Muji stuff~ to write on / with. Wish me luck!

A Fine Vintage #3.

2011-09-28T01:01:00.000-07:00

Unless I find another gem in one of my rummages, this will be the last 'A Fine Vintage' edition for a while! This is the dress I wore when I was helping out Michelle of Red Bows Boutique (or on Twitter @RedBowsBoutique) with some photos for an upcoming website, and I liked it so much I bought it. Michelle is a great lady, and what she's doing is basically what I've been wishing someone would do for a long time: sourcing beautiful vintage clothes in bigger sizes. There were loads of pieces on her rails that I could have bought and worn to my heart's content. So if you love vintage but lament the lack of fat-size vintage, then keep an eye out for where Red Bows will pop up next!

Dress : Red Bows Boutique

Shoes : Evans

This outfit was worn to stand around UCL's campus, thrusting copies of the magazine I co-edit in people's faces, cheerily saying 'Pi magazine! It's the UCL magazine! It's really good! I made this!'. I think the lovely outfit and lipstick made me feel marginally better about invading people's personal space.

Probably for the last time: go here ---> put in your email address ---> go to 'Student Blog' category ---> click 'vote for blog' on Arched Eyebrow ---> make sure it has a little green tick by my blog's name ---> help me win a Cosmo Blog Award!

Crazy In Love.

2011-09-26T02:02:00.000-07:00

Throughout our lives, it seems the message we're meant to ingest is that the ultimate goal is to find romantic love. I believe in love, but over the years the kind of love I've come to value the most is the unconditional, unromantic and yet totally perfect-in-every-way friendship kinda love. No one embodies this better than Annabel, who I have loved since the moment I met her. We've never argued once, we've barely disagreed, and when we have, I've learnt loads from her. She is wonderful, and I honestly couldn't conduct my life without someone as rock solid and exemplary as her. Any of her friends or acquaintances would agree- and that's a fact.

So here she is, looking beautiful as ever, on our date-day on Friday! Thank heavens she had the day off work, because we had a hilarious/brilliant/stylish day of Soho strolling.

Vest : Forever 21

Cardigan : H&M

Belt : Joy

Skirt : cut off a dress

Pumps : Topshop

Bag : Ebay

Sunglasses : H&M

Jacket : Primark

Top : H&M

Jeans : Evans

Shoes : Evans

Necklace : Tatty Devine

Sunglasses : Ray Ban

Stackable rings : Urban Outfitters.

I know you're not meant to mix gold and silver, but evidently I'm a massive pervert because I actively chose to commit this fashion transgression!

Once again: go here ---> put in your email address ---> go to 'Student Blog' category ---> click 'vote for blog' on Arched Eyebrow ---> make sure it has a little green tick by my blog's name ---> help me win a Cosmo Blog Award!

Skirting The Issue.

2011-09-23T02:09:00.000-07:00

I've said it before, I'll say it again: HAPPY FRIDAY! There ain't nothing as happy as a Friday. I'll also begin by saying that if you would kindly go here ---> put in your email address ---> go to 'Student Blog' category ---> click 'vote for blog' on Arched Eyebrow ---> make sure it has a little green tick by my blog's name ---> help me win a Cosmo Blog Award!

I seem to have spent half my life waiting for a sensibly-lengthed, unpatterned, single-colour skirt to come along and it feels as if this year is my year. I got this skirt for a fiver in the Dorothy Perkins sale and I'm loving it. It fits perfectly, comes below my knee and doesn't puff out too much. I wore this ensemble to meet my darling friend Frankie (who draws and paints me awesome things because he is a cool artist) and his wonderful mother, and we went to see some beautiful art by Isis Olivier which looked like this but more beautiful.

When Beth and I went outside to take my outfit photos, I spied our housemate Marianna out of the window so I gave her a regal wave. Aren't I regal? No, not really.

Blouse : Topshop

White vest : Topshop

Skirt : Dorothy Perkins

Shoes : Evans

Face : Urban Decay Supercurl mascara, Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation, Benefit Bella Bamba blusher, Revlon lipstick in Stormy Pink, Benefit Brow Zings.

I realise I've got really bad at accessorizing lately (ie, I do not accessorize anymore), so give me a gentle slap on the wrist if you continue to see me without adornment in subsequent posts...

A Fine Vintage #2.

2011-09-21T01:34:00.000-07:00

No photos of what I wore on day 2 of LFW (suffice to say it was pretty goth) but now that my beloved housemate Beth is back from holidays, I have my own in-house photographer! She snapped me in my day 3 outfit before I ran off to Nicole Farhi and Topshop Unique. This is the other dress I bought with the one in Monday's post. It was also six quid, and it's what drew me into the shop in the first place! Shoulder pads, pearl buttons, batwing sleeves, very midi: I love it.

Dress : Marie Curie Cancer Care

Shoes : Evans

Lipstick is MAC Lady Danger. I'd been advised that Ruby Woo was THE ONE and I bought it a couple of weeks ago and I just can't get on with it. I feel I must be a true Lady Danger. I'm sure I'll end up using my Ruby Woo on occasion, but it's just not right for me.

Lovely button detail.

In possibly the strangest moment of my year so far, I found myself with this view from my seat at the Nicole Farhi show:

I think I had a fashion freakout and my brain melted a bit. Whatever you may think of her, you can't argue with her success!

Oh and please please vote for me now I'm shortlisted for best Student Blog in the Cosmo blog awards! Go here, use your email address, vote for MEEEE in the Student category (make sure my name has a little green tick next to it!) and I will give you a big kiss.

A Request.

2011-09-20T01:53:00.000-07:00

Do you remember way back when, and someone told me they'd nominated me for a Cosmo blog award? And then other people also said they'd done it? And I was really confused and flattered and blushed because it was so exceedingly kind of you?

Well, I'm now nominated for the best Student Blog award. Wow. Or, as I'm apt to say, 'wowzer'.

I'm relatively new to the blogging game, and my heart leaps every time I get a new follower, a new comment or a new tweet. Time after time I'm massively touched and surprised by the way everyone's embraced the Arched Eyebrow.

So if you stand by all the kind things you've said and would like to follow up my nomination with a vote, then I'd be honoured to receive it here:

I'm nominated in the Student blog category, it asks you for your email address but I think that's just to prevent multiple votes.

So, I thank you! I know it's a really trite thing to say, but even if I don't win, the warm fuzzy feeling of being nominated is more than I could ever expect. Thank you for your ongoing support. I feel I should do a giveaway to say thank you!

For now, here is a gratuitous picture of me being JFK.

Back tomorrow with my second new vintage dress!

A Fine Vintage #1.

2011-09-19T02:10:00.000-07:00

So, I was at the bus stop the other day. The electronic indicator said I had 3 minutes to wait for my bus. That's fine, I thought. 3 minutes is fine. The bus stop is right outside a charity shop, and a woman was looking at a dress that caught my eye. She put it down, I ran in, grabbed the dress, grabbed the dress behind it too because it was amazing, ran to the counter, paid my money and ran out again, in time for my bus! I don't usually charity-shop but that's only because I assume that any of the stuff they have in my size will be a bit rubbish. On this occasion, I found two proper gems. This dress is actually the second dress, not the one that made me run in there in the first place.

I wore it to the first day of London Fashion Week for the Krystof Strozyna, Sass & Bide and Leutton Postle shows, and I actually felt pretty great in it!

Dress : Marie Curie Cancer Care

Shoes : Evans

Editorielle.

2011-09-16T02:01:00.000-07:00

When I'm not living on the internet, I have other pursuits. One of these is being the co-editor of my university's magazine, and I've been working on it all summer. I don't act alone: I'm lucky enough to have as co-pilot one of my very favourite friends, and this post is a 'what we look like when we spend a day editing a magazine'!

And here is one Nisha managed to snap of me where it looks like I'm doing the robot.

Jacket : Marc by Marc Jacobs

Top : H&M

Jeans : Evans

Shoes : Evans

Necklace : This Charming Girl

Earrings : Topshop

This is the beautiful Nisha. She probably has the most consistent style of anyone I know, and everything she wears is so incredibly 'her'. She is an utterly amazing co-editor and I can tell you already that it's a pleasure doing business with her!

Shirt : Ralph Lauren

Trousers : American Eagle

Shoes : French Sole

'Who did your monogramming?' 'My monogrammer' (true story)

Wishbone necklace : Dogeared

Pearls : somewhere in Singapore

We were visited in the office by our friend Willo (who is now my neighbour!), who was a former arts editor of the magazine and is clearly finding it hard to tear herself away! Willo has an enviable wardrobe of vintage and vintage-esque clothes. When we worked at different magazines on the same floor of a publishing company this summer I always looked forward to sneaking round the corner to her desk to see what she was wearing.

Jacket : Market stall

T-shirt : H&M

Jeans : Urban Outfitters

Belt : American Apparel

Shoes : Topshop

Sunglasses : Market stall

Bits & Pieces.

2011-09-13T01:17:00.000-07:00

So, today's post is a proper mixed bag with a few new faces!

On Saturday I was lucky enough to have breakfast with the gorgeous Charlotte of What Charlotte Eats and there was no way I was going to let her get away without an outfit photo. Charlotte is a personal heroine of mine, not least in terms of style. Suffice to say, it was a good breakfast.

Leather jacket : Oasis

Skirt : H&M

Bag : Gucci

Wedges : Debenhams

Isn't she a beauty?

That evening I went out for Lucy's birthday. Lucy was one of my long-suffering housemates in my second year at university. She is exceptionally stylish in a very clean, classic way. I've often bemoaned the fact that I don't have Lucy's wardrobe / style, but I know I'd just mess it up if I did!

Dress : Louche at Joy

Heels : Russell & Bromley

And this is Emma, also one of my old housemates. Emma has politely requested then not-so-politely demanded to be included in my blog for a while, and it was only last week when she used the argument that if Mark could be in it then she should be too (I'd declined her on the basis she wasn't a chubby girl, so when I caved for her I also decided to include Lucy because it was her birthday!)

Also, Emma just got her braces off and I'd never seen her teeth before, so here's a grand unveiling!

Dress : Urban Outfitters

Necklace : Topshop

Bag : Topshop

Shoes : Aldo

Ok, so last week I posted my beloved red leopard print scarf. This week I give you my other new favourite accessory. I never thought this day would come, but I am in love with a backpack. In the past, I'd written backpacks off as impossible to make stylish, and distinctly un-me. But then Zoe of Vagabond Language showed me this absolute gem, and I'd been looking for a not-too-expensive backpack to carry my laptop around in. I used to take my laptop to and from uni in Montréal all the time, and even though it was no more than a 15 minute walk, my shoulders really suffered, so a backpack was the only answer. And what a backpack it is! I'm crazy in love with it. I love galaxy print and everything to do with it, I only wish I could afford me some Christopher Kane. For now, this will have to do. It's Peter Pilotto for Kipling, and they're not in stock anymore but pretty readily available on Ebay should you like the look of mine.

Annnd yesterday's outfit! I didn't really jump on the Peter Pan collar bandwagon, but this is my concession to the trend that's already passed. This top is so cute it's sick, and my clever old mum got it for me for my birthday from Uniqlo. It's a slightly awkward length for me to wear with jeans/leggings at the moment, but it works with skirts so here goes.

(Sorry, this isn't the best picture in the world but it was so windy yesterday that it was impossible to accurately photograph a skirt...)

Top : Uniqlo

Skirt : H&M

Plimsolls : Primark

How do you feel about this distinctly un-cohesive post? Did it drive you a bit crai crai, or is a little patchwork of fashion good for you?

A Variation on a Theme.

2011-09-09T01:54:00.000-07:00

I enjoy this top very much, so I decided to try it out with jeans. I still enjoy this top very much. More excitingly, I have a new addition to my collection of lovely scarves! Ever since the Louis Vuitton red leopard print scarf made an appearance several years ago, I've been waiting impatiently for a high street brand to bring out something in red leopard. And my time has come, ASOS obliged! How great is this?!

Metallic sweater : H&M

Jeans : Evans

Shoes : Evans

Scarf : ASOS

Necklace : This Charming Girl

Nails : Models Own in Coral Reef

It's so bloody good! It's my joint-favourite new accessory with a magnificent item that I'll post about next week. Happy Friday, y'all!

The Times They Are A-Changin'.

2011-09-07T00:39:00.000-07:00

When I bought this skirt, it was in the logic that I liked my burnt orange one so much that I wanted one I could wear in more wintery climes. The problem was that I felt I had no appropriate tops for it, but then I found this! It's totally rad and kind of metallic-y, which means I have decided it is chainmail.

Last night I used Scott Cornwall ColourB4 to strip the dye out of my hair, and this is what I was left with! It's the remnants of when I was ginger earlier in the summer (thanks to Annabel for that photo!). It's now left me with a golden brown that I'm crazy about. Ever since I saw a) the Charles Anastase SS11 models and b) Anne Bancroft in one of my favourite films, 'The Graduate' I've been in the mood for a classy brown. Hope you like it, I know I do!

Metallic jumper : H&M

Skirt : Topshop

Boots : Evans

Necklace : This Charming Girl

Lipstick : MAC in Ruby Woo, with MAC Redd lipliner.

Nails : Models Own in Lilac Dream

I think I need to do a 'hairvolution' post; just writing this has made me realise how many colours/styles I've gone through!

Florentine Holiday.

2011-09-05T00:49:00.000-07:00

Hi friends! So I'm back home after my last adventure of the year, with some outfits for you! These are all from Florence, because once I got to Venice for the film festival I abandoned all hope of looking half-decent due to the humidity, and the fact that I was working which means it seemed a little ridiculous to ask one of my colleagues to take a photo of me every day!

The Tatty Devine unicorn necklace you see here is the subject of much public interest! I ran into a pizzeria in Venice to ask for a plaster as someone I was working with had cut her foot, but before I could even get the words out, the waiter I asked was complimenting me on my neckwear. I'd been wanting a large Tatty Devine necklace for a while; something I could put with plainer outfits to make them a bit more fun. I think this does the trick!

Top : New Look

Skirt : Topshop

Sandals : New Look

Belt : Primark

Sunglasses : Ray Ban

Necklace : Tatty Devine

Ring : H&M

(nails are Models Own in Aciiied)

Still getting my legs out! I really am sticking to this as a "lifestyle choice", even though as you can see, my legs are so pale as to basically be transparent. So what! Just because I don't have bronzed Italian limbs it doesn't make my chubby pale arms and legs any less delightful.

Bed jacket : Primark

Vest dress : H&M

Sandals : New Look

This is my favourite Florence outfit, methinks. I really liked this dress on the hanger, but when I wore it for the first time I wasn't sure about it. I packed it for Florence anyway, and when I put it on for a day of sightseeing and culture, I felt instantly wonderful! I love the neckline, and the colours are so beautiful. Good old Primark.

Dress : Primark

Sandals : New Look

Men's fashion ahoy! Mark is not particularly photogenic (sorry!) so I decided it was more effort than it was worth to snap him every day. Here's one outfit where he looked particularly stylish.

Polo shirt : Uniqlo

Shorts : Cos

Shoes : Jones

Glasses : Ray Ban

And I couldn't post without including a beautiful photo taken from the Ponte Vecchio. It just wouldn't be right.

A perfect holiday, I say! Hope you approve of my hot weather European fashion choices! Normal service will resume from now on as I'm back on home turf with international film festivals behind me for the year.

Sopracciglio in Vacanza.

2011-08-26T01:46:00.000-07:00

(Eyebrow on holiday)

I'm off to Florence on Sunday to see some art, then taking the train to Venice to help out at the film festival! Either I'll find some time to update from one of the office computers in Venice, or I'll do a MASSIVE POST of all my week's outfits in one go when I'm home the following Monday.

If I could buy a whole new holiday wardrobe for a week in Italy, this is what I'd go for right now:

French Connection

ASOS Curve

ASOS

I wish you a happy bank holiday!

The Art of Dressing Appropriately.

2011-08-24T02:03:00.000-07:00

Finally! At the age of 22, I've cracked how to dress for bad weather. I love this outfit and hope autumn is conducive to me wearing it a lot.

I get warm far too easily (lots of insulation), so even when it's raining I don't want to wrap up. Light layers and boots are, therefore, the answer. The gorgeous jacket even has a HOOD which is about as useful as you can get, no?

The shirt is a proper favourite of mine, and has become a fix-all cure for 'what-to-wear' days. Pussy-bow blouses + skinnies are a look I gravitate towards because I love prints, and because floaty on top/tight on bottom is a good combo for me. Oh, and these jeans are a total lifesaver- I've never found a style I love as much. This outfit was worn for dinner with Mark, which I'd intended to use to plan what we want to do in Florence next week but instead we just ended up chatting, then for drinks with the ever-wonderful Imogen and Melanie.

I found this jacket/cape hybrid on a sale rail in the Topshop in Selfridge's at the weekend. I checked the label of the only one they had. It was a size 10. Not to be deterred, I tried it on. Now, I don't need to tell you that I am most certainly not a size 10, but it fits! It does up, it's the perfect length, even when done up it's still oversized. Frankly I don't know how they sold any bigger than a 10 because I don't really know anyone bigger than a size 16-18 who would even bother looking in Toppers to begin with.

Most of the time I take photos using my tripod, but when my brother's in the house when I'm photographing, I get him to do it. These photos are an example of why he should not be allowed to photograph me, because a) he takes pictures when I'm not ready ; b) he makes me laugh and c) he will only take a maximum of 3 photos before going on strike. So this was what I ended up with...

(I know I'm meant to hate them, but I do kinda love the size o' my thighs/hips)

Cape/jacket : Topshop

Blouse : Topshop

(Camisole : New Look)

Skinny black jeans : Evans

Boots : Evans

Ring : Primark

Nails : No. 7 in Devil's Delight

I'd have been better off using my tripod, eh?

Sunday Lunch.

2011-08-22T01:58:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello! Before we begin, I'mma say one more time that if the urge takes you, then I would be beyond flattered if you chose to nominate me for a Cosmopolitan blog award for being a 'new fashion blogger'. Obviously that is not why I do this, but ever since one of you readers said you'd nominated me, I thought I should alert the rest of you to the fact it exists!

An outfit from the weekend; something I wore to lunch on Sunday with my family in honour of a) my birthday and b) the fact my baby brother has finally survived his A-levels in enough style to get into Oxford Brookes, so he's off there next month. Good for him, eh.

Dress : Primark

Scarf : Primark

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Shoes : Payless

Look at the great print on the scarf! And it's huge, it's really long and wraps rounds loads of times, which is basically the only thing I ask for in neckwear.

This is the necklace that I was hiding under the scarf. My brother 'got' it for me for my birthday, which means my mum chose it, paid for it, wrapped it, then gave it to him so he could hand it to me on the day. This is how he operates. Still, it's a very nice necklace! It's from Mikey, if you were wondering. And dontcha just love the print on our sofas? Very stylish.

Autumn in August.

2011-08-19T01:55:00.000-07:00

What a miserable day, eh? I don't feel I should be wearing boots in mid-August but what can you do. Worn for a spot of shopping, drink with Martha, then dinner at the Banana Tree Canteen in Angel with her and Lucy.

How cute is the print on this top? It's a wee scene of some trees and a house! Cute indeed.

Leather jacket : All Saints

Top : Primark

Skirt : H&M
Leggings : New Look

Boots : Evans

Makeup - face as usual, eyes with Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner in Denim Ink, lips with Bobbi Brown lipgloss in Hollywood Red.

Birthday Celebration #3 : Colour Block Loveliness.

2011-08-17T01:52:00.000-07:00

My mum buys me the best presents in the world. She has the best taste not just for her own look, but knows what I'm into as well. This gorgeous dress was one of my birthday presents yesterday. I'd lusted after it when I saw it online, bought it, agonised over it, and finally returned it because it was a bit expensive / I wasn't sure if it really fitted (paranoia). So imagine my glee when I was presented with it yesterday, my mum not even knowing I'd wanted it, let alone bought it. Good old ma. I decided it did fit, and wore it to have a few people over for an impromptu Pimms & meat & cake gathering in the garden last night.

Dress : Topshop

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Shoes : Evans

Necklace : Astley Clarke

Face - same as ever, cheeks BeneFit Bella Bamba, eyes using Sisley Phyto Eyes palette, lips Revlon matte lipstick in Stormy Pink.

(photos by Beth John)

(it's not a B for Bethany, it's a figure 8. When I was little, I thought eight was the biggest/best number and would express my love in terms of eight. 'I love you eight' seemed a reasonable and accurate declaration of affections to my tiny brain. Now I'm older, I still love the number eight for being not only even but symmetrical. Perfect. Another wonderfully well-chosen birthday present from my parents.)

This entry was brought to you by the number eight.

Goodbye, birthday!

Birthday Celebration #2 : Presents to Myself.

2011-08-16T01:41:00.000-07:00

WOOO it's mah birthday! Happy birthday to me etc etc. In anticipation of it being my birthday, I bought myself some birthday presents yesterday.

(all from Topshop)

A couple of years ago, when the original YSL ring first came out, my then-boyfriend attempted to purchase it for me as a present but even back then they were hot property and had sold out. Fast-forward to this season, and Topshop have done amazing copies that make me forget about the original one altogether! Nail varnish is Barry M in Blue Moon.

There aren't many people I regard as all-round style icons, but Rachael of Fur Coat No Knickers is easily one of them. She tweeted recently about some incredible PRAWN EARRINGS, and I knew I had to follow in her footsteps. Aren't they magnificent?

Whilst debating whether to drop some serious dollar on a Zoe & Morgan skull ring, I'm making do with this snazzy creation. I bloody love skulls, and I rarely find bracelets I really like, so this is a rare and excellent find.

(yes, I have a furry arm- what of it?)

Birthday Celebration #1 : Seeing Stars.

2011-08-15T01:55:00.000-07:00

If you have an aversion to foxy ladies, avert thine eyes now! This is a super edition of Foxy Lady Express, featuring an additional member of my tribe.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is my 22nd birthday so Saturday night was the big soirée with drinking and dancing in Soho. It was also the day I moved some stuff into my new house in Archway, north London, where I will be living with two beauteous ladies. The Mews we live on is the perfect photography location, so once I move in properly you will be no longer treated to regular views of my leafy garden in the south east London suburbs and instead will be seeing lots of the garage in front of our house.

This is Beth, one of my housemates/favourite people in the world. She's not quite a chubby princess, but a princess she is. Look at her! Behold that extreme beauty!

Dress : American Apparel
Tights : Boots
Shoes : Bertie

And as you know full well, this is me. I only slightly regretted my decision to wear a jumpsuit when I repeatedly needed to wee after being bought too many drinks, and having to struggle in and out of a non-stretchy cotton creation every time I made a trip to the bathroom.

Photo #3 is included because you've probably never seen my teeth and I want to prove that I have them. I think my teeth are one of my least attractive features, so I've been working on a closed-mouth smile for years that people ALWAYS tell me to abandon in favour of a proper smile.

Playsuit : Primark

Tights : Marks & Spencer

Gold stilettos : Re:Dress NYC

Makeup: Face as usual, eyes done with Urban Decay Naked Palette, Urban Decay Supercurling Mascara, Revlon matte lipstick in Smoked Peach, Barry M nail varnish in Yellow.

Matched my nails to my playsuit!

I had an amazing birthday celebration, thank you to everyone who came and showed me some love.

You know what would make an amazing birthday present? (apart from an Alexander McQueen scarf, yeah) If I could reach 100 chums on Google Friend Connect. If you have the urge, please click 'follow'! I only need 4 more of you before I feel like I'm not just a goon taking pictures of myself in my garden ;)

Just A Little Green.

2011-08-12T01:55:00.000-07:00

Last autumn in Montréal, Marianna and I were shopping for birthday presents for Emma. Obviously when you go shopping for someone else, all you see is stuff you want. But this time it was different. I saw this jacket and my love for it was so great that I told myself 'I won't even try it on, that way I can't get attached to it and want to buy it'. But Marianna made me, and squealed with delight at its beauty. So I bought it. It was $60 well spent and I wholeheartedly thank Marianna for making me try it on, and for convincing me that I would not rather have the $60.

Jacket : Kitsch & Swell, Montréal

T-Shirt : H&M

Jeans : Forever 21

Shoes : Evans

Necklace : This Charming Girl (Can you tell I've grown rather attached to this?)

Makeup - same face as ever, but with MAC Superslick Liquid Eyeliner in Treat Me Nice, Topshop kohl in Petrol and Pixi Lip&Line in Pale Petal.

My New Favourite Thing.

2011-08-11T01:55:00.000-07:00

Just before I got in the line in Primark on Sunday, I spied this shirt and knew I had to have it. Floaty blouses, preferably pussy-bow (although this one has no collar at all) are so, so my thing. I got a few in River Island and Topshop at Christmas and they were a staple look for my second term in Montréal. I'm definitely carrying on the love now I'm home, but I usually pair them with jeans so this is a bit of a departure for me.

I don't know what you think, but this is now one of my favourite outfits and I'm definitely going to be tucking more of my floaty blouses into my skirts!

Worn for a picnic in the park with Will and a lovely dinner cooked by Mark, with Frankie and Jade. Both Mark and Will deserve their own 'men's fashion special' post, and if Mark packs a good wardrobe for our impending trip to Florence, then he might just get one!

Blouse : Primark
Skirt : H&M
Shoes : Payless Shoesource
Necklace : This Charming Girl

Just so you understand the true loveliness of the print, and how expensive and un-Primark it looks...

Nails are Essie in Body Language

Makeup - purple shade from Nars eye duo in Nouveau Monde, Topshop kohl in Juniper, Maybelline Lash Stiletto, Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation, Nars blusher in Orgasm, Benefit Brow Zings, Clinique lipstick in A Different Grape.

Beside the Seaside, In the City.

2011-08-10T01:48:00.000-07:00

It feels frivolous to post while the city's a mess, but things are going to have to try to get back to 'normal' at some point, so here goes...

Firstly, a big hello to all my new chums on here! Following a very, very kind mention by Claire at French for Cupcake, I seem to have acquired some new readers which is always an unexpected pleasure. I've actually only been going for 2 months now, so I'm amazed at how the internet has welcomed me into its fold with open arms. I think once I have 100 followers on here, then I'll consider myself a propa blogger.

This is what I wore on Monday to head to the seaside and see a whole lot of Rutters! The jacket is one of my new purchases, a Primark bargain from Sunday. As you can tell, I love this ASOS dress to death and, even though I've had it for a year, I can't stop wearing it.

Jacket: Primark

Dress: ASOS

Tights: Marks & Spencer

Plimsolls: Primark

Annnnd here's yesterday's outfit, which I wore for lunch in Soho with my darling Willo, then for post-work drinks with Dom, who never fails to entertain me.

Jacket : Primark
Vest-dress : H&M
Sandals : New Look

Necklace : This Charming Girl

Crazy in love with this necklace, gotta love some religious iconography.

I'm off into riot-ravaged Croydon today, then going to riot-ravaged Clapham for dinner. Hope you're staying safe, staying calm and staying rational, friends <3

Maxi & Midi.

2011-08-08T01:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! This is the first Monday since I moved back from Canada that I haven't been travelling or working. Today I'm going down to Deal on the Kent coast to see various family members and hopefully have some fish & chips. Hopefully now that I'm not working and just chillin' and seeing people I'll have more time to photograph my outfits for your viewing pleasure.

This is what I wore for an afternoon cup of coffee with Dani at Foxcroft & Ginger in Soho, then a brilliant evening with loads of old schoolfriends in Bethnal Green. I got this skirt last week because I realised how much I like my burnt orange maxi skirt but wanted one in black so I could carry on the look into autumn/winter. I have visions of wearing this with my beloved faux mink jacket and boots and stomping down Gower Street to university come autumn.

Top: ASOS

Skirt: Topshop

Sandals: New Look

And this is Sunday's outfit for going for lunch with my brother and grandad, then a spot of shopping. You'll see the fruit of my labours sometime this week!

Top: H&M Divided

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Evans

On My Face.

2011-08-05T01:57:00.000-07:00

I'll begin by repeating what I tacked onto the end of yesterday's post several hours after posting it on the off-chance anyone would like to take me up on the offer! One of my Twitter chums was kind enough to nominate me for the Cosmo blog awards! I've been going less than 2 months, so obviously this is both a massive honour and totally surprising, but if you feel inclined to do the same the link is here http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/blogs/cosmopolitan-blog-awards-2011/cosmo-blog-awards-2011 and I classify as a 'new fashion blog'.

Right, down to business.

So, I dig makeup. I look ok without it, but I'd never dream of going to work/for a social encounter/on a night out minus a carefully-constructed face. For me, makeup (in moderation) is just another pleasant part of the whole glamourous aesthetic I enjoy with my clothes and accessories. I do not believe that wearing makeup is a sign of insecurity or that not wearing it is a sign of laziness. So! Let's have a wee look inside my makeup bag...

The basics:

Bourjois Healthy Mix in Beige Clair - This is my dream foundation. I never used to repurchase a foundation, either because it wasn't quite right or because it was astronomically expensive. This, however, is perfect. Drugstore price, amazing finish. It's the perfect colour for my skin and does what it says on the bottle, which is to give me a 'perfectly glowing complexion & toned skin'. It's so good that when I was living in Montréal where you can't get it at all, I used to get my mother to bring me supplies when she came to visit me.

ELF foundation brush - I apply it with this. Probably not the best tool for the job but it was super cheap and gets it done, so I'm not complaining.

Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara in Intense Black - Another amazing find, I just went into Pharmaprix (the main drugstore chain in Montréal) and picked the mascara whose claims most appealed to me. Such a good job I chose this one, I can't believe how well it works for the price. I naturally have quite a lot of dark eyelashes, so the only thing I really use mascara for is length. Curl, volume, blackness are all pretty secondary to me, as long as they're looooong. And this does exactly that.

Nars blusher in Orgasm - It's expensive, yes, but it's a total classic. I think the word 'classic' is massively overused, but in this case it's justified. It's one of the most famous beauty products ever invented and by far one of the most beloved. I totally see why. It's the most universally flattering shade I can imagine, and it has just the right amount of sheen so you don't feel like you're wearing glitter on your cheeks. In hard economic times I replaced it with Models Own blusher in Warm Glow, which is a pretty good dupe, but this is always my #1.

MAC 129SE brush - I apply blusher and bronzer with this brush, which I've had for years and years and years. It's perfect, it's amazing and it definitely provides justification for spending money on good brushes. Picks up exactly the right amount of product, distributes it evenly.

Benefit Erase Paste in Medium - I use this under-eye concealer to brighten up my under-eye area. It's great and works well.

Benefit Brow Zings - The pièce de résistance in my beauty repertoire. My eyebrows are important to me (could you guess???), and since I bought this, they have just made my life SO MUCH BETTER. Without Brow Zings on, my face feels incomplete, or at least underused. If you want eyebrows, I implore you to invest in Brow Zings.

Tweezerman tweezers - I know some products get hyped to death (Nars blusher, l'Oréal Elnett hairspray, Seche Vite, Shu Uemura eyelash curlers, YSL Touche Éclat etc) but it's usually for a reason. I will never buy another brand of tweezers, so great is my love for my Tweezermans. I use the regular slant ones, and my word they are wonderful. So precise, so fast.

The fun bits:

L-R : Snob, Lady Danger, Rebel

MAC lipsticks - I've figured out there are only about 3 colours of lipstick I need. Snob, Lady Danger and Rebel. Their durability is amazing and the strong pigmentation means I get the result I want in one swipe with no messin'. I know most people favour other reds from MAC's collection like Ruby Woo or Russian Red, but I like the orange tones in Lady Danger because they brighten up my face in a pretty, sunny, 1960s-ish way.

Topshop Crayon in Sunshower - My love for this is endless. I can't believe a product so perfect exists, and that one day it will come to an end. Topshop Crayons are unbelievably good and every season there's a shade that tempts me. Last summer I got a silver and gold, and the gold is perfection. Even silly boys who never notice anything, let alone makeup, comment on how nice it is. It's so easy to use and lasts really well, and it highlights how greeny-gold my eyes are.

Costume National Pop Collection perfume - When I left InStyle I got given a whole load of beauty products for which I'm massively grateful. Amongst them was this, a Costume National eau de parfum that is just gorgeous. It is described thus: top notes are grapefruit, blackcurrant and raspberry; middle notes are jasmine and rose; base notes are patchouli, cashmeran and amber. All I know is, it's a lovely mix of floral and spice that I'm looking forward to wearing all summer and that I'm really grateful InStyle gave me!

Looking Shifty.

2011-08-04T01:56:00.000-07:00

I bought this lovely dress in the Whistles sale last weekend, reduced to less than 50% of the original price! I really like it, it's a great material and a gorgeous colour. I'm wearing it today because after work we're going for dinner for my dad's birthday at Heston Blumenthal's restaurant, Dinner, at the Mandarin Oriental.

Dress : Whistles

Belt : H&M

Shoes : Evans

Sunglasses : River Island

(As you can tell from the weather, I photographed this dress on Sunday, hence the sunglasses, but it's exactly the same today minus shades!)

One of my Twitter chums was kind enough to nominate me for the Cosmo blog awards! I've been going less than 2 months, so obviously this is both a massive honour and totally surprising, but if you feel so inclined to do the same, the link is here http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/blogs/cosmopolitan-blog-awards-2011/cosmo-blog-awards-2011 and I classify as a 'new fashion blog'.