Beret Nice: Gucci Geek Chic on the Cheap

It's beginning to look a lot like springtime... which can mean only one thing: it's time for me to come out of #OOTD hibernation. If newborn lambs are braving the April temperatures (albeit in slightly cosier outfits), then so must I.

But before we get to the (recycled) outfit, can we please just take a moment to admire my blurry bricks?! Yep, baby got bokeh! I treated myself to a shiny new lens and (finally) found out that all those proclamations about your lens being "more important than your camera" that I'd dismissed as camera fetishist guff for the past three years were true after all... Well, better late than never.

Moving on. This is my attempt at recreating Gucci's "geek chic" look, using items pillaged entirely from my existing wardrobe. Because the idea that, just maybe, pairing one of the five pin-on flowers I have inexplicably managed to accumulate over the past five years with the beret I have only plucked up the courage to wear once in all that time could completely revitalise my wardrobe was just too thrilling to ignore. I really do need the clear lenses to top things off though, don't I..?

In other exciting news, I have just been signed up to blog for Yahoo! Style and, handily enough, my very first post will equip you with everything you need to know to create your own Gucci moment (just in case you don't happen to own a pin-on corsage for all occasions). P.S. All my posts for Yahoo! will also be published on the all the new Sam Muses Tumblr...

Beret: Accessorize, Blouse: Boohoo, Skirt: ASOS, Shoes and Earrings: Both Primark, Corsage: Not a clue...

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The Print-cess and the Blog

Rounding off 2015 in a sixties-inspired animal vs. geo, citrus vs. mustard mash-up courtesy of Santa and friends...




















Coat: Very, Blouse: Primark, Skirt: River Island at ASOS, Boots: Stradivarius, Lipstick: Velvet Touch Lipstick in 153 Flirty Orange by GOSH

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Caped 'n' Cuffed

Having fallen truly, madly, deeply in love with Hailee Steinfeld's seventies-tastic caped Stella McCartney jumpsuit at this year's MTV VMAs, I was pretty darn excited to discover Pretty Little Thing's fabulously festive cranberry homage. Though perennially wary of over-egging the (Christmas) pudding, I decided to take Hailee's lead on the statement gold accessory front... throwing a jewelled ear cuff in for good measure (well, it is Christmas)... And, having repeatedly tried and failed to find an ear cuff whose fastenings wouldn't necessitate the necking of back-to-back buckets of prosecco in an attempt to dull the resulting pain (well, there goes that excuse...) over the years, Primark's amaaaaazing new £3-a-piece range is just about the best present I could have asked for...

Jumpsuit: Pretty Little Thing, Choker and Belt: Both ASOS, Shoes c/o F&F, Ear Cuff and Stud Set: Primark

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It's All Black and White

etailPR are hosting a competition to win £75 to spend at marc b. and £175 to spend at ASOS - once I'd had a peek at marc b.'s amazing selection of new season bags and acquainted myself with the latest additions to the ASOS treasure trove, I couldn't wait to enter!

I decided to concoct an outfit around the Molly Black Ostrich Handbag - a classic ladylike style with evocations of mid-twentieth century Hollywood, and the perfect go-anywhere accessory to this spring's monochrome mania.

Inspired by the vintage feel of the bag, I wanted to create a glamorous "starlet" silhouette with an elegant high-waisted below-the-knee pencil skirt, ladylike shoes and fascinator, but gave it a contemporary twist with playful touches like the bear ears and two-tone ankle socks. The tucked-in baseball jacket plays up the '50s Americana vibe and adds a hint of sports luxe. For a more casual feel, I'd leave the top untucked and swap the heels for black patent wedge high-tops, and the fascinator for a blinged-up baseball cap. See? Wear anywhere.

Molly Black Ostrich Handbag, £49 - marc b.

Premium Leather Snake Effect Skirt, £90; Baseball Jacket, £40; Bear Fascinator, £12; Pixel Pointed High Heels, £40; Monochrome Ankle Socks, £4 - All ASOS

How do you feel about monochrome? I've always loved it, so I'm taking every opportunity to rock the look at the moment!

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A Baroque Fairytale - the Fashion Vouchers Blogger Challenge

My Christmas wishlist has officially been signed, sealed and delivered (er, well, printed, stapled and handed over with a flourish) to various family members (I insist that I remain a "child" in respect of seasonal festivities until I'm at least 40 - should really get this witnessed - "adult" secret Santa is no fun). If you're struggling with your own wishlist, blogger challenges which involve poring over the contents of various online fashion cornucopia definitely get those creative juices flowing!

A little while ago, I was contacted by FashionVouchers.com, inviting me to take part in their Christmas Party Outfit Blogger Challenge. As a side note, their site is genuinely well worth a look, and a follow on Twitter and/or Facebook, as they sniff out some amazing offers which aren't always publicised in other places.

The challenge was to pick one of their many merchants, then create the perfect Christmas party outfit from amongst its wares for under £100. 3 lucky winners will nab a £100 voucher for their selected merchant - happy days indeed!

After a few hours/days of um-ing, ah-ing and "sampling" various sites, I settled on ASOS, for sheer volume of amazing-ness (trawling through it all is a tough job, but someone's got to do it).

Dress, £33.50 (Previously £45)

I was immediately struck by the way in which so many of my favourite things - velvet, lace and sheer "cutaway" panels - had been combined in this beautiful skater style - dark-edged, seductive, sophisticated... but still somehow sweet!

Cat Ear Aliceband, £12; Pearl Collar, £20

I decided that my latest lust-have, cat ears, would be a perfect partner for the provocatively playful feel of the dress, whilst a luxe pearl collar would bring out its Baroque qualities, and tie the pearl beads of the ears more tightly into the look, for a modern fairytale feel.

Shoe Boots, £26 (Previously £35) 

I couldn't have wished for more perfect footwear to complete this look had I had a star to wish upon - either too light or too heavy would have risked breaking its 'spell' - but these shoe boots are just right (Goldilocks would approve) and (magic) mirror the dress to perfection.

Barry M Wink Marker Pen Eyeliner, £4.59

With a fistful of magic beans to spare, I added the perfect finishing feline flick.

Total: £96.09

Tempted to weave your own fashion fairytale? Check out all the challenge details here.

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