What I Wore Wednesday: House of Fraser SS14 Preview

I was lucky enough to get invited to House of Fraser's Spring/Summer 2014 preview earlier this month at the gorgeous Kibble Palace in Glasgow's Botanic Gardens.  Kibble Palace is a giant glass greenhouse (that description doesn't do it justice) and it was transformed into the most amazing fashion space for us that evening.




Kibble Palace was bathed in pink light, with giant paper flowers displays to compliment the botanical surroundings. Key looks and bags were on display and didn't look out of place next to a giant koi pond and statue of Venus. I'd never been to a fashion preview in a greenhouse before but it made perfect sense to preview the likes of  Maxmara, McQ, Acne and Linea.






Of course wandering around I fell in love with a ridiculously amazing Louboutin bag (damn my expensive taste) that would cost me at least a month's wages if not more. Knowing I'd be certain to drop said bag in a puddle the second I bought it I just lusted from afar.

Some this season's trends are not for me. I'm not someone who will bare her midriff (y'all don't want to see the c-section muffin top combo) and sheer panel skirts just aren't my thing. However I feel head over heels in love with their biker chic look by Armani Jeans and Levi. And who doesn't love Breton stripes?

Casual chic biker--who knew? I like to think I'm vaguely edgy so it really is no surprise that I was drawn to an amazing leather jacket and the perfect jeans. I've been in a bit of a style funk of late evidenced by my outfit for the event below. I felt woefully underdressed and unhip in last year's studded sweater and jeans but I've just lost inspiration of late.

It is still pretty cold here in Glasgow so I think I'm just not thinking Spring yet but hopefully as we move into March I'll get more of my spring trend on!

What spring trends are you most looking forward to?

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House of Fraser Glasgow has an exclusive March offer

Relax with a glass of bubbly and enjoy 20%t off at the House of Mary boutique at House of Fraser Glasgow this March! Exclusive to i-on readers, staff will take care of your every shopping need.   

To book your styling session, Tel: 0844 800 3728 ext 2409. 

Offer is valid 01 - 31 March 2014. 

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What I Wore Wednesday: Oscars 2014 Red Carpet

So awards season is officially over and the biggest and the best of all the awards, The Oscars, took place this past weekend. If you didn't know that then seriously who are you? I love the Oscars and probably my favourite part are the dresses. Beautiful people in beautiful gowns, what more can you ask for?

All the major players and papers have named their fashion favourites but who cares what they say this is who I liked best at Oscars 2014!

Image from Life and Style.

Cate Blanchett, Armani
Normally I am not a fan of flesh coloured dresses but this just was so ethereal, delicate and elegant. Her dress, skin and hair are all sort of the same tone but it just totally shimmers and shines and works for me. Fun fact in the past 10 years 8 of the Best Actress winners have worn white or very pale dresses. 

Image from Life and Style

Sandra Bullock, Alexander McQueen
Everything. I love everything. The draping on the gown, that deep sapphire colour, her gorgeous old Hollywood hair--she looks stunning. She just exemplifies what a Best Actress nominee should look like walking down the red carpet.

Image from Life and Style

Lupita Nyong'o, Prada
Again I'm not a fan of deep plunge necklines but she looked amazing. The pale pastel blue totally complemented her skin tone; she just looked radiant. I loved how she kept her accessories simple but elegant and wore arm bands instead of bracelets.

Olivia Wilde, Valentino
There were lots of beautiful bumps on the red carpet last night but my favourite was Olivia Wilde. I love a monochromatic look on the red carpet because to me black and white just screams elegant. She didn't hide her bump and I love that she kept her jewellery black and white too.

I won't say who looked the worst but I will say who was my most disappointing look of the night. I'm sure a lot of people won't agree with me but my least favourite look was:

Image from Oscars.com

Margot Robbie, Saint Laurent
I actually really like Margot Robbie; she used to play Donna on my favourite Australian soap Neighbours but I am not liking this look. I don't have any issues with her gown but coupled with her new dark hair, the heavy makeup and dark plum lip it really ages her and does not look good. It is all just far too dark and overwhelming.

Also honourable mention goes out to Jared Leto's gorgeous Mom, Constance; I am in love with her hair and it's how I imagine my hair would be if I ever go grey. Now we know why Jordan Catalano was so hot! Also dishonourable mention to his brother Shannon WTF happened to his face?

Image from OTRC

Who were your favourite and least favourite looks at the 2014 Oscars?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Silver Sequin Slippers

So this isn't going to be your typical What I Wore Wednesday post but I hope you will bear with me. Last Monday my Mom had open heart surgery and had her aortic valve replaced with a new bovine valve.  She was born with a defect where instead of having three flaps, she only had two or bicuspid and after 60 years it was just really over-worked and narrowed and basically needed an upgrade. 

So she headed off to Cedars Sinai and got her new valve.  The surgery went great and she's now home and has 8+ weeks of recovery ahead of her. Well what does all of this have to do with What I Wore Wednesday? For her surgery she got herself some new slippers:

It should be known that when I got married my mom was on crutches with a broken foot and on one foot was the boot and the other a Manolo Blahnik---she loves her shoes.  So it makes sense she got some sparkly slippers. What makes these slippers even better is that she got the idea from a nonagenarian named Sylvia at my Grandmother's nursing home.  Bitch stole Sylvia's look! (please tell you y'all watch fashion police).

She won't be rocking Manolos any time soon but she's still got stylish tootsies! I'm gutted I can't go to California to help her recuperate but I hope she knows how many people love and care about her and want her to get well soon!

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What I Wore Wednesday: Natural You

After a crazy few weeks, including Blondie Boy getting the chicken pox, I was more than happy to go for a night of pampering at Natural You Salon, Scottish Beauty Salon of the year 2013. I headed up with the lovely Paula and with only a slight sat nav hitch we made it to the salon in East Kilbride.

Natural You Salon has over 20 years experience in the Beauty Industry and recently underwent a glamorous new makeover. We were invited to try out some of their signature treatments on the night and first up I had a PRIORI® CoffeeBerry® facial.  Now I'm not normally a facial kind of girl; I tend to have sensitive skin and treatments leave me broken out and red. I was assured that Coffeeberry was for me and would act like a peel without any redness or irritation. I was a bit skeptical if I am honest but I had no need to be. My skin was all glowy and unbelievably smooth afterwards and I didn't break out or go red. It was so relaxing and I could see myself having them again now I know how my skin reacts.

Next up celebrity make-up artist Kevin Moore converted me again! I almost never wear foundation. I just don't like it. The new Vitage® Colour Minerals create a fresh faced, healthy look and are made using only natural occurring minerals that are mined and perfectly mixed to create concentrated colour pigments that perform differently to other minerals.  Kevin tried out the  Natural Daily Perfector mineral mousse on me and I was really surprised. The weightless formula delivers amazing coverage without feeling like you're wearing a mask. I've actually got in on today which is shocking because I never manage anything other than eye makeup before work but it really is that quick and easy.

To finish up my night of pampering I got a Shellac manicure in Grape Gum. It's no shocker I went for purple and I'm such a fan of Shellac manicures. With the proper care (almond oil before bed and in the morning) can last up to two weeks. Who wouldn't want a chip free manicure? If you are someone who is really rough on your hands they also offer a gel base to make your Shellac longer, too.

It was a really lovely evening and I'd 100% go back again. All the staff were so lovely and really did have your best interests in mind when recommending treatments. I also got to catch up with my bloggy bestie Susan who got a stunning makeover of her own.

It was a cold and dreary night and since I'd been home playing nurse to chicken poxy all day I didn't really have it in me to get super glammed up. So I decided to go a little bit rock and a little bit glam and a whole lot of comfy with my outfit.

Guns 'N Roses tee- Target

Pink Gala Glitter Bow- Crown and Glory

The Flirt Jeans- Old Navy

My BFF Sabrina got me this amazing Crown and Glory Gala Glitter Bow for Christmas and I've not had a reason to wear it yet so I decided tonight was the night. Ignore my wonky sleeves on my tee; originally I had both rolled but then I had a facial and got all blissed out and forgot!  I got the tee on mega-sale at Target; it's a men's tee but with the exception of the longer sleeves I like them because they are a longer fit than most women's tees and in general way cheaper.

In my head I was channeling the fab Miss West End Girl but I'm still not 100% if this outfit was a hit or a miss even though I got lots of compliments on my bow.

What do you think? Do giant glitter boys and 80's rock tees work together?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Tiger Sleeves

I've gotten into a pattern of wearing the same thing, or a variation of the same thing, most weeks. It's cold, I'm lazy and leggings and a t-shirt dress with a scarf suits my needs.  I've got a pile of things from HM that I've never worn. I've bought them on sale with the best intentions and then they languish away never to see the light of What I Wore Wednesday. So today I dove into that exiled pile of loneliness head first and ended up with an outfit far from my norm.

Tiger Sweatshirt-HM

Jeggings-New Look

Slouchy Sweater Boots-Pineapple

Black Glasses-Vivienne Westwood

When I bought this sweatshirt it was totally because I'm a Cincinnati girl and huge Bengals fan and thought I could wear it to watch games. I sent pictures to some of my friends and cousins in Cincinnati who all were totally opposed to it but I kinda love it. Photo animal prints are super on trend right now in the UK but maybe just not so much in the US?  

There is a photo of a tiger on each arm and it is super comfy. I think it's supposed to be 3/4 sleeves but on me it's just about full length. You can't tell but it is longer in the back so cover my butt which makes the jeggings slightly more acceptable.

Since I'm a shorty and curvy skinny jeans don't always really work on me but jeggings do. These ones have pockets so they aren't totally disgusting (I hope) and work really well when mid-calf boots.  Like I said it is cold so I wear boots almost every day and these ones were a total bargain at TK Maxx.

Are you loving animal photo prints right now or loathing them?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Meet Bex

I'm really lucky that there are so many friendly and helpful bloggers in Glasgow! I've met Bex from Olive Dragonfly at a few different events and she's just as sweet as she comes across on her blog.  You'll recognize her as a regular What I Wore Wednesday linker and a lover of accessories!

I had just been thinking how I had a lot of outfits pictures from the last month ready to write up for my blog (Olive Dragonfly) when I noticed on Twitter that the lovely Transatlantic Blonde was looking for someone to guest post for What I Wore Wednesday so I volunteered.  :)  (It's also doubling up as this week's Pin It Do It on my blog, featuring Michelle Obama!)

I had a great night out at Grill on the Corner recently with some fellow Glasgow bloggers and I wore what turned out to be a selection of sale garments!

www.bexphoto.com 

My bright pink cheerful jumper was just £7 from the GAP sale a couple of years ago, the black statement necklace is from Argento a couple of weeks ago.  The leopard print shoes were from Nine West in the Debenhams' summer sale and I've been waiting for warmer weather to wear them but in the end couldn't wait and settled for dry weather!  Even my scarf and belt were from the Accessorize sale and the Jasper Conran coat was bought during one of Debenhams' 25% off designers offers.

Only my bag and brooch were full price and both still bargains :)  The bag was £14.99 from HM and the pewter dragonfly brooch was £16 from Lady Crow Silks at a Christmas Fayre.

www.bexphoto.com

I had a brilliant night with the girls and really enjoyed my steak with blue cheese sauce!

www.bexphoto.com 

As you can probably tell, I'm a bit obsessed with accessories, especially big, statement ones!  Are any of you partial to a statement necklace or jewelled belt?

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