Hollywood really has infected my brain...

Az – Tex – Mex Fiesta

Posted on February 27, 2012 by hollymarshallxx

Instalment two of this years fashion season trends.

This is another favourite of mine, and is going to be HUGE this summer.

It’s hot, it’s summer-ie, it’s fun and it’s going to steal your bank balance.

Aztec, tex-mex and Mexican prints, shapes, colours and trends! So that’s what i’m going to focus on for this post. Short and sweet, focusing on the TRENDS rather than key pieces… Feel free to apply these to ANY fashion item…

1. The tiny mexican.

As a rule, the mexican prints are always busy, but these tiny prints make them extra colourful. Usually small squares and diamonds making up other patterns, this print is perfect for summer, and very cute. Maybe not a head-to-toe option, so this little playsuit (£45 @ ASOS) is perfectly balanced. It may be covered in print, but it leaves lots of space to show off your tan.

2. The Big Mexican

This type of print is a little less work for the eyes, more sophisticated than fun, but just as mexican. Lines and shapes like this are perfect for a casual evening at the beach restaurant, and can be warn on a much larger scale. Also… the vertical lines in these patterns make you look taller! (£120 @ ASOS).

3. Zig Zag

Another strong pattern in Mexican and Aztec prints is the Zig Zag. Horizontal or vertical, this trend is perfect for the more casual summer says, laying in the grass. £20 @ASOS.

4. All that Glitters.

The Aztecs were famous for their Gold and Jewels. So ANYTHING that remotely resembles that is perfect for this trend. Mixing a jewel colour, like this emerald colour, with gold embroidery and embellishment is definitely Mayan worthy. (£30 @ ASOS)

5. Give me some Sugar

Dia De Los Muertos may be just ONE of Mexico’s colourful traditions/holidays/celebrations, but the sugar skull has taken the fashion industry by storm in recent months. I’ve always been a fan, and they certainly come in many shapes and sizes, from the more abstract like this one, to more detailed ones. All, however, are great for a slightly more edgy look without being ‘goth’ in any way. (£18 @ ASOS)

6. South American Cheer

Pom Poms are not to everyone’s taste… but they’re definitely fun, and if you have ever fancied trying them, NOW is the time to do so. Used in moderation, these add a quirky twist to most simple outfits. Either in jewellery like these earrings (£6 @ ASOS) or as trimming on denim shorts and scarves etc. Go on… you know you want to….

So there you go… The basics of the Aztec, Tex- Mex trend of the moment, but trust me, there is MUCH more to explore! So don’t take yourself too seriously with this one, it’s supposed to be fun!

Enjoy!!!

Holly x

Posted in american, ASOS, autumn, aztec, bags, blue, blues, cardigans, country, Dresses, fashion, fashion week, Gold, H&M, hot, jewellery, jumpers, jumpsuit, LA, luxury, mexican, pattern, Pin-up, playsuits, print, trend, Uncategorized, winter | Tagged aztec, fashion week, hot, mexican, pattern, trend | Leave a comment

The American dream…

Posted on February 23, 2012 by hollymarshallxx

The Fashion season is well and truly in FULL SWING! So, what better time to revive my blog.

My problem… There is not ONE trend dominating the catwalks of Fashion weeks around the world, there are loads! And they’re ALL SO GOOD!

My resolution to there being so many amazing trends this year? Write about them all! However, i don’t want to swamp your mind all a once, and some of these trends are so big, i simply can’t put them together, so i’m going to write a series of blogs… Dedicating one to each trend.

So let us begin…

It isn’t often i struggle with favouritism. Normally i fall in love with one trend at a time. This spring, I LOVE THEM ALL!!! Seriously, i could not choose one if you pointed a swarovski encrusted gun to my head. Every time i think i’ve found ‘The One’, i remember the mistress and i’m back to square one. So, just like the way i’m doing this blog, i’m going to wear all the trends, for different occassions.

Trend number one:

Think young love, American Summer, Lana Del Rey, Road trips, Outdoor pools, Laying in the grass and chatting for hours.

This trend is beautiful! It verges on 50′s/60′s teen style with a hint of the LA ‘in your face’ charm and a twist of Miami ‘tacky-chic’ thrown in for good measure. This trend has a few levels, and on paper, sounds quite complicated, but trust me… Not only will you know it when you see it, you’ll LOVE it.

I think the best place to start, is with the Icons. If you’re feeling stuck with this trend, these are the ladies to look to…

Lana Del Rey -

Lana is the embodiment of this look. This photo was taken from March’s Vogue, if you haven’t read it, you need to! Their interview with Ms Del Rey is worth a read alone, but is followed by an ‘American Pop’ spread which also explores this trend.

Reese Witherspoon -

Like Lana, i love Reese Witherspoon, and she loves this look. She takes the more ‘girly’ look to Lana’s ‘edgy’, but this just shows how versatile this look is. If you’re a little bit quirky, Rock it! If you’re slightly more prim, use it! It’s all about diversity in this trend. Reese’s interview in March’s Glamour shows just how beautiful this trend is.

Now for the designers. There are LOTS of brands rocking this look, but these ad campaigns perfectly portray the feel of the look.

Louis Vuitton -

Prada -

River Island -

(Yes, this one surprised me too!! And the Ad Campaign looks very High-End)

Ok, so hopefully you’ve now got a feel for the trend. So it’s time to show you the key pieces.

Seeing as they did SO well in their ad this season, i’ll start with a River Island outfit. More prim than the ad, but still just as fab is the pencil skirt and peter pan collar combo.

Pencil skirts are always the perfect way to channel the 50′s look, but pastel colours are perfect for this particular trend. If it looks like it could be an Ice-cream flavour, grab it! In fact, that is a good rule for nearly everything in this trend.

This particular Pencil skirt is £25, with the cute belt included.

If it’s a more relaxed style you’re looking for, why not try a circle skirt?

American Apparel £38

OR… if you’re not a skirt kinda gal, a pair of distressed, washed, cut off denim shorts or mini skirt work really well for a less girly approach to this look.

However, vogue struck me with something i NEVER thought i’d love in this issue… the high waisted LACQUER shorts!

These bad boys are Balenciaga and will set you back £1,175 so as well as not being to everyone’s taste, they certainly wont be to everyone’s bank balance, but they certainly give you a taste of the shape and feel to go for. Personally, i think they’re fierce!

“But what about the slightly colder spring days?” i hear you scream! Not a problem. Trousers are certainly acceptable for this trend. Chinos are good… But Cigarette trousers are even better!

Whistles £75

Even denim is hot if you chose the right ones. Skinny and cropped just above the ankle OR remember the colour rule!

Both asos, £35 and £30

Now, i couldn’t find the top from the first photo, but River Island have several in the same colour, with the Peter pan collar. The collar always work with this trend. It’s girly, cute and has ‘take me on our first date’ written all over it.

£30 and £16 (and take a look at the other colours too)

However, the peter pan collar is not the only element to look out for in tops. We’ve discussed colour, but material can make a difference too. The borderie Anglais style above is great, but don’t under estimate the power of the traditional Cotton. Shape is important too. With a pencil skirt, the ‘tank’/sleeveless style leaves just the right amount of skin to match the pencil skirt, and doesn’t have to have a collar. For instance…

River Island £30

but this shape isn’t the only option…

With those washed denim shorts, try the cropped Tshirt which is tied at the front. This can work in ANY style. A band tee, slogan, print or plain… they all say summer time just as well. But again, experiment with styles and materials.

All ASOS (£7.50, £24 and £27)

If you want a mix of the two tops, go for the classic crop with a twist. As a side note, Never be afraid of Key hole or Gingham!!

WildFox £55

Asos £27

Ok, so those are the seperates. But what about the one pieces?

I’m going to have to behave here because i can go a little bit crazy with dresses. So… I’m only going to show two, but for shape purposes. PLEASE look into neck lines that suit you, colours you like, prints you LOVE and lengths you’re comfortable with!

The first shape… THE SKATER

This dress comes in ALL shapes (and sizes)… different colours, materials and designs. I chose this one because its very similar to the Reese Witherspoon photos, but there are less girly options out there too. The general idea is the shape. Cinched in at the waist with a circle skirt, the rest, is optional.

Dress number two – The bombshell

I had to cheat a little here. This is TECHNICALLY the same shape. Hourglass = GOOD! Any colour, any style, the hourglass dress is perfect. However, i understand some of us don’t necessarily want skin tight on a problem area, and this is where peplum comes in! Not only is it HUGE and the moment, it also works just on tops.

All ASOS – £96, £85 and £49

But again, if dresses aren’t your thing, theres always the Playsuit!

Topshop £46

River Island £30

The clue is in the name… PLAY about with what works for you!

I’m not going to go into shoes or jewellery too much because i’ll be here all night. Flats – go for cute pumps or relaxed trainers like converse or Keds. Heels – WHATEVER takes your fancy. As for jewellery, gold seems to be the metal, other than that… Kooky, tacky, random or over the top seems to be the main aim. Big gold Bangles and looped earrings, Necklaces with an enamel parrot? Sure, why not.

Well, i hope i’ve given you some inspiration and made you want to run out and go a bit mad with this trend! It certainly works for me!! In fact… it’s pay day on monday……..

Stay tuned over the next few days for trend number two….

Lots of Love,

Holly xxx

Posted in 1950's, 50's, american, ASOS, blue, blues, burlesque, country, Dresses, fashion, floral, Gold, jewellery, LA, luxury, Pin-up, playsuits, print, skater, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Pussy bow, Pussy bow, i LOVE you, yes i do!

Posted on September 6, 2011 by hollymarshallxx

Ok, this one is incredibly self explanatory, Pussy Bows.

They are EVERYWHERE this season and i LOVE it.

Perfect for the office, an evening out or that first date you have coming up! They don’t need much talking about, just make sure you stick to what suits your shape, the bow however, is yours to play with. So here are my top 10 pussy bows available now….

(Again, i’m sticking to www.asos.com this time because there is MORE than enough choice there alone, but trust me, EVERYWHERE has them!)

1. The long one…

£30

2. The Simple one…

£30

3. The romantic one….

£45

4. The big one…

£35

5. The quirky one…

Was £145 now £50

6. The first date one….

£40

7. The wild one…

£30

8. The hot one…

£40

9. The office one…

Was £25 now £13

10. The Tom Boy one…

£35

And of course, Pussy Bows work fantastically for the heritage look from my previous blog.

Enjoy xx

Posted in ASOS, autumn, Dresses, fashion, heritage, luxury, pussy bow, Uncategorized, winter | Leave a comment

A very big wardrobe in the country….

Posted on August 20, 2011 by hollymarshallxx

HELLO!!!!!

I’m back from my travels and full of fashion inspiration! so…

AUTUMN!! Don’t get mad, i know the summer isn’t over yet but i LOVE this autumns biggest trend and couldn’t wait to tell you all about it! I’ve also decided to keep it simple by just using ASOS and H&M to show how easy this style is to put together!

Think big country houses, hot men with horses and big hairy dogs. This trend swings back around every few years but this year, the hottest brands are already pumping out the finest heritage looks for the fast approaching frosty days!

Let me start with my FAVOURITE key piece for this trend… The Blazer!

£34.99 @ H&M

If you don’t love this jacket, then this trend isn’t for you because this is what it’s all about! The plaid design in brown screams heritage and the elbow patches add that something extra. Plus the tailored cut is perfect for showing off, or providing some curves. I have already ordered mine!!

Ok, so you have the jacket, now what to wear it with? Well, you need the perfect pair of trousers! But that’s the beauty of this trend, there are plenty of styles and colours to choose from to fit any shape, size, taste or pocket. So here are my top styles, but remember, mix up the colours!

£34.99 @ H&M

The draped, slightly baggy, high waisted, waistband trousers are gorgeous! Not quite paper bag, not quite peg leg, not quite carrot, these red/brown trousers look gorgeous with a tucked in jumper.

£69.95 By Barbour @ Asos.com

Ok firstly, the brand! Barbour specialise in being ‘quintessentially British’ so are a very good place to start for this heritage/country look, and these Jodhpurs are the best example of that. Any jodhpurs will work, you know, what with being horse riding trousers and all, but these are high waisted, stretch cotton beauties!

£30 by A|wear @ Asos.com

The chino! My personal favourite due to the versatility and the comfort! These are the best of both worlds…. they don’t cling to your thighs like the jodhpurs but they don’t drown them either. They also look smart without being formal or over the top… basically the perfect pair of trousers!

But for those of you who like things a little more low key, a pair of dark denim jeans work just as well!

Or, if trousers aren’t your thing, why not try a pair of shorts…

£45 by Nishe @ asos.com

For an extra ‘country’ look (and a little more warmth), try teaming them with some over the knee, thick cable knit socks!

Or if shorts are a little too daring, a midi skirt is perfect!

£50 @ asos.com

I love this full midi skirt! Plus, the pleating and the plaid make it perfect this autumn.

Tops are very easy! Keep it light and simple but apart from that the fields are your pheasant as they say (probably)! If your going for a blazer, try t-shirts or a soft blouse, if not, go for a tucked in jumper.

I try to avoid shoes in these blogs because i can get a bit carried away so i’m only going to give three different options, but experiment!

£35 @ asos.com

£29.99 @ H&M

Loafers are a huge part of the heritage look, they’re not for everyone though! However, flat or high, these shoes will certainly perfect the british country girl look (maybe don’t wear them hunting though).

£190 by KG @ Asos.com

£69.99 @ H&M

Riding boots are a much warmer and possibly more practical option for the wet autumn weather we are bound to have, and come back into fashion every year so invest in a good leather pair. The tan cuff on the KG by Kurt Geiger pair from ASOS adds a high end touch to a plain pair of boots and the versatility of the H&M pair makes them a great option for someone who loves to swap up key pieces for different outfits.

£24.99 @ H&M

£79 by Hunter @ asos.com

WELLIES!!! A British favourite or a British necessity? Either way, we love them! So don’t throw them away after the festival season because they will work perfectly for this trend! And they come in so styles and colours, there’s something for everyone!!

So finally, the coat, because lets be honest… Britain gets bloody cold!

Again, there are several options for wrapping up. You could go for a classic, very british wax coat which is both in style and super practical for wet weather, or perhaps you want to continue the tweed/plaid trend and go for a long jacket? Theres also the option of an equestrian style, quilted jacket, for warmth and go-with-anything simplicity or even a cape, perfect for any winter tum hiding!

£179 by Barbour @ asos.com

£100 @ asos.com

£65 by Pauls Boutique @ asos.com

£100 in Curve @ asos.com

(At this point i’d like to point out that although i love the cape, and that asos have a section for women of size 20+ that is still fashionable, that model is NOT a size 20 or above and i think that it’s not right to advertise clothing that way, sorry ladies, and sorry asos, clearly i still love you!)

So anyway, there is my pick of key pieces for this autumn’s hottest trend. Mix it up with lots of cable knit socks, gloves and scarfs as well as chunky gold jewellery and relaxed, undone hair! oh, any maybe the odd golden retriever!

Hope you like it, maybe it’ll even bag you Harry?

Holly x

Posted in ASOS, autumn, country, fashion, H&M, heritage, luxury, plaid, print, Uncategorized, winter | Leave a comment

Ok, want to know the print on the moment? Look to your feathered friends.

I did my usual bi-daily browse of Asos and have come across a HUGE print trend… Birds! From swallows to parrots…. From Caged to in flight…. From dresses to knickers. It seems designers can not get enough of them!

And to be honest… Neither can I. I already have my eye on a jumpsuit, a pussy bow blouse, several items of jewellery and a few dresses too (Yes, i am aware that with ALL of them, people might call me ‘Crazy Bird lady’, but thats not the point).

I’m going to make this VERY easy for you today, EVERYTHING will be from ww.ASOS.com , because trust me, you won’t need to go any further. Also, they have free delivery worldwide at the moment, so go crazy I’ve also highlighted the names of them so just copy & paste in the ASOS search box.

Ok… My favorite pieces….

THE MAXI

Ok, so a little on the pricey side at £199 but i am SO in love with this Ted Baker Birdcage Print Maxi dress. It’s beautiful, light and floaty and the colours are not TOO in your face. The tiny, pale coloured birds and their faint sketch cages are very cute without being subtable for three year olds. There is also a playsuit, ruffle top, dress, waterfall cardigan and bag with the same print if that’s more your style.

THE PUSSY BOW

I’m a little bit in love with Pussy Bows at the minute. I prefer them a bit lighter than this Oasis PussyBow Blouse with bird print but the slight bell sleeves and the white birds are hard to resist. This is perfect for a more formal occasion and is even office appropriate. At £35, its also a pretty good price.

THE JUMPSUIT

I LOVE this jumpsuit. From a distance, it just looks like a small, unknown pattern, but up close, you can see hundreds of tiny little white birds and a few red ones too. This Mango Bird Print Jumpsuit is Perfect for a day spent wondering around the city. But it’s goodness doesn’t stop there… IT’S ALSO ON SALE!!! From £69.90 down to £42 … What else could you possibly want from a jumpsuit?

THE DRESS

Now, it was hard to pick my favourite of the dresses, so i’ve decided on one with a bigger print, to contrast all the tiny print so far. This Numph Bird Print Dress is also on sale from £70 down to £50 at the moment. I really like the large swan print on the front and the coloured panels on the shoulders. The uneven hem is also still on trend at the moment and this dress will be perfect for those summer BBQ’s. I love this dress, but it was definitely not the only one, so search Bird for more lovely dresses.

THE SHORTS

These ASOS Bird Oriental Jersey Cullotes are SO cute. The light Jersey material makes them PERFECT for the hot weather we’ve been having here in the UK. They are colourful but discrete and the tiny swallows set off this oriental print perfectly. If you have Pins to be proud of, get them out in these. The best part though? They’re only £15!!

THE UNDERWEAR

This section comes with a bit of a warning. Being gifted in the Boob area means i am used to paying more for underwear, but if you’re not, this might make your eyes water a bit, but they are beautiful.

Dirty Pretty Things

Underwired Bird Print Bra – £90

Bird Print Thong or Knickers – £39/£49

Bird Print Suspender Belt – £60

Bird Print Suspender Dress – £155

Maybe these are for the birthday/christmas list?

THE YUMMY MUMMY

With less than a week until the birth of my new baby cousin, i thought it was only fair to throw in something for all you soon-to-be yummy mummies out there. This ASOS Maternity Swallow Print Tunic £35, is gorgeous, it also has a pussy bow! I’m even tempted by this myself.

THE NECKLACE

If you don’t love this ASOS Pair Of Love Parrots Pendant Necklace then i really don’t understand why. It’s SO cute, i love the splash of blue and although i don’t usually wear gold jewellery, i HAD to make an exception for this. It’s currently winging (get it?) it’s way to me as we speak… as soon as the Bank Holidays are over. It was a BARGIN at £6.

THE BRACELET

Although this is technically a Hand Harness, not a bracelet (and it’s also another gold piece), i am so in love with this ASOS Swallow Skinny Chain Hand Harness. It’s cute, dainty and simple. I’m very skint, but when i get paid, i am definitely stretching t0 the £8 for this. (Don’t all go buy it first please).

THE RING

Yes i am aware that the jewellery seems to be taking on a sub-genre ‘Gold love birds’, but this double ring with love birds is colourful and oh-so-sweet. The ASOS Enamelled Love Birds Double Finger Ring (also £8) is the perfect accessory to add a tiny splash of fun and colour to bland/plain/dark work clothes.

THE EARRINGS

Maybe gold isn’t the only trend colour this season with birds. Blue is also a popular colour, and rightly so! These ASOS Enamelled Swooping Bird Stud Earrings (£6) are so tiny, with an even smaller rhinestone for the eye. They are the perfect accent for any of the above outfits.

THE BAG

Thats right, this trend even stretches to Bags. And not just any bag either, Lulu Guinness . This simple Lulu Guinness Large Florence Bird Cage Tote Bag is perfect for the day time, ANYWHERE. But snap it up quickly, Its on sale from £125 to £69 and is currently low in stock… What are you waiting for? GO GO GO!!!!!

So there you have it. My guide to this seasons best Bird prints, all available in one place. Experiment, Explore and Enjoy… because lets face it, this is a fun trend that was meant to be had fun with.

As always, thank you for reading and please leave your comments, good or bad.

Holly x

Posted on April 30, 2011 by hollymarshallxx | Leave a comment

Pin-Up-Lux

Posted on January 25, 2011 by hollymarshallxx

Hello 2011!!

It’s been a while since i’ve posted, but i’ve been re-inspired and want to get my blog back on track, so here we go…

Ever since seeing this Louis Vuitton Ad campaign in November, i have been so excited for what i think is going to be the biggest spring trend in 2011.

Think 1950/60′s, French Riviera, Hollywood movie starlet get-away and you may just get as excited as me. Anyone who knows me personally, will know how insane i am about vintage 1950′s glamour and pin-up fashion, so seeing this ad put an instant smile on my face.

It’s fresh, it’s warm and it is everything i love about fashion. The pattern on this dress may be edging towards 60′s but it’s a shape Monroe would be proud of, and Louis Vuitton have not been the only ones going retro.

I’ve decided to give you a sneak peak at my favourite looks, from the best brands for this spring. I’m also using one of my fashion bibles, ‘Gil Elvgren – The complete pin-ups‘ (Taschen). If you love beautiful women, pin-ups and gorgeous retro fashion, this is your one stop shop, and one of my favourite books of all time (who says adults can’t read picture books).

Feminine Daytime chic….

Gil Elvgren….

As the photo above portrays perfectly, during the warm spring/summer days of 2011, super girly floral dresses are a must. Think nipped in waists and full skirts.

This simple Emily and Fin dress (£60 @ Coggles.com) is perfect for wandering around the city or along the bars on the coast on a warm sunny day. The belt pulls in the waist and the full skirt adds hips to even the most boyish or athletic figures.

Now meet the love of my life….

I can’t put into words, my love for this Preistley’s Vintage dress (£345 also @ coggles.com). My heart sank when my student sized (yet still Gucci) purse saw the price of this dress as it is my alter ego in fabric.

French Riviera fancy….

Now seeing as LV is channeling the Nice/ Cannes/ San Tropez vibe, and knowing the area quite well myself, sailor chic and stripes are another great 50′s daytime trend.

Gil Elvgren…

Now i LOVE both of these looks. Whether you head for the more 50′s sweater and skirt combination or the 60′s ‘T’ and shorts look, they are both perfect for the warmer weather and showing off pin up pins.

For the first look, nautical stripes are perfect with a block colour, but feel free to mix and match. Try matching something like this sweater (£50 Viyella @ John Lewis)…

Tucked into a block coloured skirt like this one (£35 @ very.co.uk)… (just be sure not to mix cream and white)

Then Pull it in at the waist with a skinny, bright red belt.

For the second look, just a very simple, basic T-shirt is needed for the top. White always looks best but try out a few colours to see what works for you. Then be sure to opt for some high waisted shorts like these…

(£25 Love Label @ very.co.uk)

or…

(£40 Malene Birger Nacci @ coggles.com)

Ps…. I LOVE these!!!

Beach bunnies

Now this one may take a little longer to see sunlight, but if you do happen to be somewhere sunny this spring (maybe i will see you during Cannes week), beach wear is a fun and easy one. Don’t get too hung up on high waisted for this, because they can be hard to pull off without looking like ‘granny-pants’ but also because a lot of the pin ups were prancing about in bikini’s anyway….

Gil Elvgren…

The best option for this is to head straight to www.forluna.co.uk whether its to buy or find inspiration as it is by far the best vintage style swimwear site. My personal favourite is this one (£64)….

What lies beneath…

Now if you are going to do this look, you may as well go all out and get the underwear right!

Gil Elvgren…

For support and sexiness, the fabulous Dita Von Teese released a range with Wonderbra a while ago now, but i still think they are perfect for pin-up/burlesque ladies. These ones currently residing in my closet….

The waspie is INCREDIBLY flattering! it also comes in a pale lilac ( http://www.ditasdomain.com/wonderbra/ ). I also have the mesh ones with the sequin bow on each nipple.