Boohoo Giveaway Winners!

Finally, the moment you've all been waiting for... but first, I just want to take a second to thank everyone who entered - I'm so thankful that this giveaway has brought so many new readers to my blog who might not otherwise have come across it, and it's been sooo nice to start getting to know some of you through your comments etc - I hope you all stick around for future fun and frolics (and hopefully more great giveaways). I genuinely appreciate every new follower and comment, and wish you could all win!

But without further ado, the lucky winners, picked at random by Rafflecopter, are...

Nataly Carbonell, Courtney B Villari and Lyudmila Sizova, who have all won £50 each to spend at Boohoo.com...

and Emmy Kae, who has won a whopping £100 to spend at Boohoo!

Congratulations girls! Boohoo will be in contact with you by email shortly to arrange receipt of your prize funds. Feel free to make us all jealous by telling us what you're going to snap up!

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My #PartyPose Outfit Re-Imagined - Last Chance to Enter my Boohoo.com Giveaway

Final call for those of you who want to be in with a chance of winning £50 or £100 to spend at Boohoo.com - you have less than 24 hours - until midnight tonight (UK time) - to enter the giveaway. I can't wait to give the winners the good news - the announcement will be made in a new blog post at some point on Friday. I don't think you'll be short of things to pile into your virtual basket if you do win, but just in case, I've got several posts lined up in which I'll be showing you more of my own Boohoo haul (see it all in this post), for added inspiration.

The dress I based my winning outfit around was unavailable in my size at the time of purchase, but I did nab the boots, and the peplum belt was already on my Christmas list, along with a sheer black maxi skirt, so I decided to rework my winning look around these pieces for a "real-life recreation" with a similar feeling of gothic glamour...

You've probably already spotted the boots popping up all over the place in various outfit posts, and I'm equally in love with the belt - set for its own featurette very soon, methinks! I can't say enough good things about this Primark maxi or velvet crop top from Missguided either - new winter wardrobe staples which you'll doubtless be seeing more of soon. As the original necklace I'd picked was out of stock, I layered a collar neckpiece over a waterfall necklace for a similar effect, pairing gold with peacock to embue the look with some opulence.

Shoes* and Belt: Boohoo (Current), Skirt: Primark (Current), Top: Missguided (Current), Tights: Topshop (Current), Collar Necklace and Feather Necklace (Layered): Both Primark (Past Season)

*Part of my #PartyPose People's Choice Winner's Haul

Good luck to everyone who's entered! Have you decided what you'll buy if you win?

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How to Do My No-Backcomb Beehive

OK, cracking on with resolution #1 (more hair and DIY posts), I thought I'd show you my take on the beehive. I don't know about you, but I hate backcombing - I can never seem to do it properly, and, if I do (or, more likely, someone else does), brushing it out takes about 3 hours and involves many breakages... So I have to get a bit creative if I want to try out my favourite retro 'dos. This is how I create my much-easier-than-it-sounds-or-looks full beehive up-do. It's a great day or evening look for day (or two) old hair, suitable for anyone with shoulder-length or longer hair. Slightly messy is, thankfully, acceptable for an effortlessly chic look, or you can go super-neat for a Grace Kelly feel.

You Will Need:

• Dry shampoo (optional)
• Brush or comb
• Hair elastic (ponytail holder)
• Hair doughnut (optional)
• Kirby grips
• Hairspray (optional)

How To:

1. Apply dry shampoo, if you have it, to give your hair some "guts" in the absence of backcombing. Section hair into two sections, front and back, from ear to ear - this doesn't have to be too neat, as no one will see this bit! Pull back section into a high ponytail.
2. Twist ponytail into a bun - ideally, use a hair doughnut for added padding and shape (slip it over the ponytail, then wrap the ponytail around it section by section  - I usually divide into 3 or 4 - pinning the ends underneath as you go).
3. Begin to drape sections of hair from your "front" section up, over and around the bun (yes, this is the front view - you can use sectioning clips if you prefer more vision!). Pin securely at the base of the bun. I tend to start with the "back" of the front section, followed by the front and sides.
4. Continue until the entire front section has been pinned - you can leave your fringe or front sections loose if you so desire. Mist with hairspray for extra hold.
5. If you have very long hair like mine, you might be left with some loose ends - if you're very meticulous, you can try and "tuck" them in as you go - otherwise, do whatever you like with them - this time, I put mine in a braid, which I then coiled up and pinned beneath the beehive.
6. Although you can leave as is, beehives look great with hair accessories - slides, Alice bands or a silk scarf for extra vintage va va voom (and/or to cover up not-so-neat sides!). Red lipgloss optional.

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Primark SS13: My Top Picks

I'm not quite sure why it's taken me so long to get around to this post, when I'm 99.9% sure that I source a larger proportion of my wardrobe contents from Primark than any other fashion blogger, and, way before I even thought about blogging, I signed up to PR programs purely for the purposes of feverishly checking for new Primark drops (weekly, if not daily).

I'm as excited as ever by the new collection - in my opinion it's a great mixture of girly vs sporty, romantic vs fierce, and '50s inspired loveliness vs '80s inspired madness, featuring a new spin on some old and new "classics" such as the biker jacket, peplum top and wedge hi-top.

So, without further ado, here are my top clothing and accessory picks for SS13 from those released so far (including a few gems you might not have seen on other blogs or in the lookbook). They're trickling into stores gradually - some snuck in as early as December, whilst you'll have to wait until March to get a glimpse of others...

 

The Clothes

Yellow Polka Dot Dress

An irresistibly cute, demure '50s style updated with a foot or two lopped off the hemline and a cheeky keyhole - love the cut, collar, colours, everything!

China Print Dress

Cap sleeves, lantern shaping, neckline notching and piping combine with porcelain print to make this the perfect summer dress.

Cut-Out Dress

You may have noticed by now that I'm a sucker for a cut-out, and this style makes a nice change from the typical side-waist versions we're used to by now. I love the circle skirt and sweetheart neckline - like the first two, it's a cute contemporary take on a classic '50s style.

Cat Print T-Shirt

I have wanted one of these for so long! Have actually been considering having my own cat's picture put on a T-shirt... may have to after all, as my mum apparently finds this one scary!

Dungarees

Well, I'll try anything once! Even though mum keeps telling me how much these remind her of her favourite maternity outfit (in 1985). They look fun.

Floral Tapestry Print Biker Jacket and Skirt

Loving the combination of tapestry/carpet print and contemporary styling - this would make a ridiculously cute suit, but the jacket would also look great with skater/circle styles, or shorts.

Cream Lace Midi Dress

I actually already have this (coming soon to an outfit post near you) and love, love, love it - due to my relatively large chest, even though I sized up, this comes up more empire line than waisted on me, but I actually quite like the Austen-a-like effect! It's lovely and floaty and romantic, and, much as I love a mini, I always find below-the-knee cuts so elegant. It's sheer, but comes with a mini removable slip, which is great, but I think I might get a bit more experimental with what I slip on underneath at some point - watch this space!

Net-Sleeved Peplum Top

I've happily owned up to my peplum addiction numerous times on here over the last few months, and this would be a perfect addition to my collection - loving the rock/lady clash.

Tube Maxi Skirt

Much as I love my swishy maxis, I definitely need this shape in my wardrobe ASAP. Sleek, slinky, and how perfect does it look with the top?

My Favourite Lookbook Looks

Love the dress and the net shorts, although I probably wouldn't style them together or turn this into such a sporty look!

Amazing shirt detailing, and love the colour and wash of the jeans - perfect as separates, or as a fun new way to do double denim...

Footwear and Accessories

1 (£18) & 2 (£15) - Now I've got my classic black and white wedge hi-tops sorted, it's time to branch out... tie-dye, studs, pastels... oooooh...
3 - The perfect vintage-look wear-with-anything cowboy boots. Need now.
4 - An ear cuff fit for a princess
5 - A diva-esque twist on the classic nude court (£12)
6 - A rocky spin on the classic ladylike box clutch
7 - An always-in-style lug-anything-anywhere fringed bag
8 - Owl wrist cuff - the thinking woman's arm candy
9 - Studs upon studs - perfect for rocking with the box clutch above!
10 - This entire mix and match multipack costs £2 - that's less than 17p per earring!

What do you think of the new collection? Will you be looking out for anything this season?

See my Primark High Summer 2013 highlights here

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5 More Ways to Wear the Peplum

If you've read my original How to Wear the Peplum post, or indeed much of the rest of my blog (e.g. my recent How to Wear Sequins or How to Wear Disco Pants posts - check out all my peplum-labelled posts for more), you'll probably know me as a self-confessed peplum fanatic... So here are 5 ways I've been wearing 2 new additions to my collection of beloved beauties this season:

The Sheer Lace Top

Gothica

Peplum Top and Shoes: Primark (Current), Skirt and Bandeau Top: Jane Norman (Past Season)

For a romantic feel, I decided to layer one of my new sheer lace peplum tops over a sweetheart-necked bandeau top (and my favourite swishy pleated maxi), adding a cute, girly touch with matching ankle socks and glittery slippers peeking out.

Colour Pop

Top: Primark (Current), Jeans: Primark (Past Season), Belt: H&M (Past Season), Shoes: Marks & Spencer (Past Season)

Yes, I did get the same top in white too - they were £6 each, it would have been rude not to! For Forever 21's Coloured Denim Day back when I was taking part in their #21DaysOfStyle Instagram challenge, I teamed it with plum skinnies and cute matching accessories, for a winter-appropriate whites and brights look which will also be perfect for transitioning into S/S.

The Pencil Skirt

Office Chic

Skirt: Primark (Current), Jacket: Forever 21 (Past Season), Body: New Look (Past Season), Shoes: Dorothy Perkins (Past Season)

Aaand my prediction re: accumulating a new peplum skirt came true - spooky! A peplum pencil is perfect with a simple, sleek body and cropped jacket for easy statement-smart style - I'd love to try tucking in a skinny knit too, for a classic Marilyn-esque feel.

The Pussybow-Pencil Colour Block

Skirt: Primark (As Above), Blouse: Primark (Past Season), Tights: Primark, Shoes: Marks & Spencer, Coat: New Look (Past Season)

Trying out some plum-based tonal colour blocking for a twist on the classic pussybow blouse-pencil skirt combination, and a double dose of peplum with a vintage-inspired jacket - a little bit forties, a little bit eighties!

Rock Chick

Skirt: Primark (As Above), Top: H&M (Past Season), Boots: Primark (Past Season)

And to drag it into the 21st century... an experimental juxtaposition of lady with diva, courtesy of my newly rediscovered studded crop top (first featured in How to Wear Disco Pants). I think my peplum pencil skirt will look great with cutesy '50s style bralets come summer, but for now I feel the need to toughen up a little!

What's Next for the Peplum?

The peplum ain't going anywhere (yay!) - stay tuned to see me rocking my new Boohoo peplum belt with anything and everything... We should be seeing softer, more relaxed-fitting peplums and experiencing a deluge of pep-hems as S/S approaches - as much as I love the classic waisted version, I'm excited to see what the new season brings!

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