Glam Rock at Motel Rocks: Dusk to Dawn Part II

The second part of the Motel Rocks Stylist Hunt challenge was to put together the perfect night-time look. Whilst my daytime choice was inspired by '50s chic with a '90s grunge twist, this ensemble had me disco-ing back to the '70s (with a '90s grunge twist).

Sheer Babydoll Dress, £25

Absolutely adore this concept - so much scope to be as naughty or nice as you please! For a more demure look, a black bodycon bandeau dress with sweetheart neckline would look beautiful layered underneath, for a fierce look, a bralet and hotpants, or....

Strapless Body in Grey Marble Sequin, £38

This body/mini playsuit is totally show stopping in its own right, but layering with mesh adds a grungy edge (and just a tiny bit of extra coverage!)

Lita in Pewter Glitter, £140

The perfect partner for the outrageously glam Studio 54 vibe of the playsuit - sequins are for life, not just for Christmas.

Eylure Naturalites Double Lashes, £7.50

Any more accessories could tip this outfit into fancy dress territory, but a flirty flutter would surely help you own the look!

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'50s vs. '90s - Dusk to Dawn in Motel

When I was invited to take part in Motel's Stylist Hunt, I couldn't wait to throw my hat into the ring by putting together my perfect spring day look from the amazing SS13 selection at Motel Rocks - the perfect antidote to these snowy (!) April days. This is how I would choose to greet our exceptionally tardy new season...

 

Marley Peplum Top, £25 and Mizzy Hot Pants, £35
Shorts + crop top = one of my favourite warm weather looks, and I'm in love with this year's deluge of elegant blue and white prints. A fantastic range of styles sporting this paisley motif is available, from dungarees to dresses, but a crop top and peplum in one, and '50s style high waisted hotpants? How could I resist?

Montana Boyfriend Shirt, £35 and Dr. Martens 1461 3-Eye Shoes, £75
Usually, I'd pair an outfit like this with a cropped cardi plus wedges or pointed kitten heels to max out the vintage vibe, so, for a change, I decided to embrace this season's '90s mania instead. The denim shirt could be worn open as a casual cover-up (Dawson's Creek stylee), or buttoned up and tucked into the shorts for a whole new look! Despite being old enough to recall the '90s in almost their entirety, my feet have never seen the inside of a pair of DMs - so not "me"! But for this pristine white shoe-style, lending classic brogue-esque chic an anachronistic edge, I could break the vow of a lifetime...

Zatchels Saddle Bag, £55
The perfect simple-but-stylish classic to tie in with my fresh blue and white palette without stealing focus.

Eylure Katy Perry Colour Block Blue Lashes, £6.45
Yes, I like things that match! Why not co-ordinate your eyelashes?


Don't forget, you can get 20% off any Motel products you're considering an investment in - just type in the code SAMMUSES at checkout!

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5 More Ways to Wear Velvet

Spring is (apparently) on its way, but I'm all for making the most of the last days of winter first... Velvet is great for adding a bit of glamour and/or colour into your cold-weather wardrobe, and any bargains you can pick up in the sales now will be an investment for years of snuggly happiness to come.

If you've read my first How to Wear Velvet post, or checked out recent posts like this one, you'll know I'm already an addict, but as Santa was kind enough to drop several new velvety beauties into my collection this year, I thought I'd show you how I've been styling them...

A Drop of Claret

Dress: Missguided; Jumper: Marks & Spencer (Past Season); Tights: Topshop; Shoes: Boohoo*; Hair Band: Boohoo

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

You can see this cut-out lovely in full in my Christmas Outfits post, but for a slightly more casual/edgy look (and in an attempt to prove to myself that I didn't need the matching skirt, which was out of stock in my size), I layered it under my trusty slouchy knit and teamed with tough girl accessories.

She Wore Blue Velvet

Dress: Missguided; Tights, Shoes and Jewellery: All Primark

I'll admit, being able to give this title to an outfit was a major motivator to own this piece, but I also fell hook, line and sinker for its rich-but-subtle elegance. The waist line comes up quite high on me, giving it more of a babydoll look, which I decided to embrace by going for a '60s feel (having recently learned that colour-blocking as we know it today originated in this era with colour-matched tights and shoes, fact fans).

She Wore More Blue Velvet

Leggings: Boohoo; Jumper: River Island (Past Season); Boots and Necklace: Primark; Headband: Dolly Bow Bow

A lovely surprise pressie from my BFF, I was really impressed by the quality and construction of these high-waisted velvet leggings (in fact I'm somewhat crushed that all the black ones have now gone, as I was planning to invest *sad face*). A sort of snugglier version of disco pants, they're super versatile, and great for adding colour and fun to a cosy winter look. Berry shades tone in effortlessly with midnight blue, whilst mustard "pops".

Top of the Crops

You might already have seen this top with my new disco pants in yesterday's post, and my sheer maxi in this post, but I've barely been out of it since it popped through the postbox, so here are two more looks for good measure (and I must admit I have at least one more lined up - this one is travelling into spring with me!). Its relative demureness (thanks to the neckline) means it goes with virtually anything...

Triple Velvet

Top: Missguided; Skirt and Belt: Primark; Boots*: Boohoo; Headband: River Island

Hmm, that title sounds like an ad for toilet tissue... never mind. Teaming my new number one staple with an old favourite - the velvet rara skirt (featured in my original How To Wear Velvet post). The velvet headband elevates it from "13-year-old-at-school-disco" territory.

Texture Clash

Top: As Above; Skirt: Topshop (Past Season); Belt: Boohoo; Boots: Peacocks (Past Season); Hat: Primark

The softness of velvet contrasts beautifully against the uncompromising lines and planes of (faux) leather - the "ladylike" peplum/pencil skirt silhouette juxtaposed against the androgyny of the bowler hat adds a further dimension to the look.

What to Add to Your Virtual Shopping Bag

Missguided still have many gorgeous velvet dresses in stock, some now priced even more bargainously than they were originally.

Motel have a fabulous selection of velvet goodies, including some lust-have high-waisted skinnies in black and midnight blue, and a beautiful bralet.

I never got round to picking up a velvet peplum top, which I'm rather devastated about... grab this Boohoo beauty while you can!

And don't forget eBay! Velvet skater skirt for under £5 anyone? I'm in love with this roll neck midi dress that Roxii from Studded Kisses has discovered too!

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Yet More Amazing Last Chance Fashion and Beauty Deals!

I know I've already told you about some of the fantastic special offers available online this week (see this post for deets/codes/inspiration regarding Benefit, Dorothy Perkins, Madam Rage, Wallis and Wonderbra), but I've heard about so many more since then that I felt it was my duty to share them with you (in alphabetical order, FYI)!

25% off Litas? Yes, please Santa!

Fashion

A|Wear have taken 25% off denim and selected peplum styles, and you can get 10% off Christmas gifts, including a selection of bags, coats and knits, with code GRABAGIFT (for a limited time).

One of the many beautiful peplum-ified items on special offer at A|Wear at the moment (£40 £30)

EDIT: Nearly forgot this very important one! 20% off at Boohoo with code GLAM20 (ends Sunday 18th November)

Debenhams will knock 10% off your order, including items in the 25% Christmas Spectacular, with code NB43 (ends Sunday 18th November)

Feeling festively flirty yet? Figleaves will give you 15% off their luxuriously decadent Christmas selections this weekend with code SANTA15.

Monsoon are offering 20% off at checkout with the code CHRISTMAS2012 (ends Sunday 18th November).

Motel Rocks will give you an amazing 25% off with code VCMOTEL11 until Sunday 30th November (grab those Litas while you can!).

Oasis will take 20% off orders when you use the code NOVTREATS (ends Sunday 18th November).

Chilly? Republic will give you 25% off knitwear with the code OMGFREEZING until 22nd November.

Beauty

If you're spending £60 or more at Benefit, and don't fancy a free full-size Hervana powder (using code HEAVEN), you can grab a free Bella Bamba instead, with code BAMBA.

Bliss are giving away free kits worth £24 - full of fabulous skincare products (fabulips lip plumper, incredi-'peel' pad, triple oxygen instant energizing cleansing foam and triple oxygen instant energizing mask) - to get you ready for party season - use code PARTY when you spend £50 or more (ends 30th November).

Who doesn't love the frankly incredible Boots 3 For 2 gift selections at this time of year (even if you are self-gifting)? Make it even better by getting £10 off when you spend £90 (on anything, not just gifts!) with code VCXET190 (ends Sunday 18th November). There are also a heap of other deals on their website at the moment, including £10 off when you spend £50 on fragrance (no code necessary), and special offers on electrical beauty stuff.

Phew - is that enough to be going on with?

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