Fashion and Beauty Lessons: 2015

On the 31^st December each year, we reflect on the past 364 days and whether we crammed as much in the year as we hoped and try to remember the New Year’s resolutions we made and broke in week one. 2015 was definitely a roller coaster to say the least and has opened my eyes, with numerous lessons being learnt about life and myself. I went from planning my entire life, to having no plan at all in three months. I have been brave, I have been heartbroken and I have been lost. However I have been so proud, so happy and so loved.

One thing I want to reflect on, is what I have learnt in 2015 based on fashion and beauty. To say the least, I have made many fashion mistakes in my time and I probably still make them today. I seem to get drawn to ugly items of clothing, well unique is good right? Gone are the days where I wore spotty tights, clashing with a heart printed over size cardigan matched with ankle socks and grey pumps. Thank you lord.

Below are some lessons I learnt this year- accompanied by previous blogging pictures:

1: Red lips are literally suitable for all occasions, come rain or shine. Paired with a floral print in the summer or an entirely black outfit in the winter, it gives a different feel but works every time. L’Oreal Blake is my all-time favourite red shade! 

 2: Be bold and take risks, whether it be with your clothing, your hair or makeup. People tend to take note when you make a more drastic change and come on let’s face it, we all love a compliment. This year I embraced a new hair colour, whilst returning to my ‘I don’t care what you think about my outfit’ attitude.

3: Buy staple, sensible items that will fit into your wardrobe. I throw out so many clothes and it has taken me to the age of 19 to realise that really it is down to my bad shopping habits. Instead of buying those bright pink shoes I could wear to one occasion, why not buy the black ones that can be worn all the time. All hail the leather skirt that I wear all year round. This is my second version of the same skirt!

4: A strong, sturdy, reasonable sized handbag is worth so much more than that little bag that can only fit your purse and phone in. No girl should ever have to choose between her lipstick and inhaler. 

5:Winged eye-liner is not a talent that can be learnt. You’re either born with the skill or you’re not. I am unfortunately not blessed with this talent and have to battle daily in a hope to leave the house on time with an okay, semi presentable flick. If there are tips out there, please share?

6:All black everything with the exception of white for my favourite trend of monochrome. It is effortless and so easy to wear. In my young teenage years I could never understand why my mum wore full black outfits outside of a funeral, now I am on the all black everything/monochrome bandwagon and I refuse to get off, until it reaches above 30 degrees! 

7:Simple jewellery still says a lot. I used to be one for big statement necklaces, dangly earrings and junk jewellery rings but in the year of 2015 I gained the lazy attitude and decided that I couldn’t be bothered wasting my time picking out the items to match my outfit. Instead I opted for a more simplistic look, of my every day Pandora rings and my Lucky Little Acorn Necklace which complement each outfit perfectly.

This year I shall make no new years resolutions because I know I won't stick to them. Whilst eating healthily and exercising more will be extremely beneficial, I refuse to count calories and say no to a brownie. For the first time ever I have no plan for the year ahead. Nothing is set in stone, instead I am on a free journey, waiting to see what life brings me. So here is to 2016, a year of no plans, just an undecided journey. 

Thanks for reading, 

Mollie Isabella 

xx 

I'm a walking mixture of shades.

 I have always had a huge indescribable love for red telephone boxes. Something so classic, yet not appreciated enough. Maybe it is the beauty within the colour, striking and sophisticated, who knows? Whatever it is, my dream house would feature one in the front garden.

***

I am getting quite worried with the fact that every item of clothing I buy is either white, black or grey. I am a walking mixture of shades with only my lips injecting a bit of colour. Okay, there is always the argument as to whether black or white are colours, but they're not featured within the rainbow, so that is enough justification for me. There is just something so stand out about monochrome and I seriously enjoy wearing it. I think that point is backed up with the fact I mention the trend at least once every blog post but until the summer, I refuse to let go.

I normally avoid horizontal stripes, due to the fact they seem to stretch your body out. However that didn't even cross my mind when my eyes spotted these wonderful black and white scalloped hem shorts. I literally have nothing in my wardrobe that can even compare to them so it was a definite risk, one that I am very glad I have taken. They are an item that can be worn all year round, now with black garments and in the summer with a brightly coloured top and bag. They're a definite wardrobe must have in my eyes. 

As soon as I saw this black wrap front top on the rail, my mind instantly paired it with the shorts. I sometimes find that wrap tops can reveal a bit too much but I must say that the shape and material of this top, make it perfectly suitable. It is the definition of a perfect finishing touch and I will definitely be getting my wear out of it. It also comes in a thicker light grey version, and a thin dark grey version. Due to the bold V neck, I didn't think a necklace was necessary so instead paired with some statement blue and silver earrings. 

For ages I have searched for a plain black handbag that would compliment any outfit. The answer lies within this gorgeous relaxed box shaped beauty, which comes with two straps. Sometimes you need the bag as the main centrepiece but here I have managed to find an effortlessly versatile bag that can be both a statement but subtle when you need it to be. With three separate compartments, it is also very practical. Who can complain at such a handy, all round perfect bag?

With the natural light, providing me with no 'flattering' close up's of my make up and earrings, I went back to selfie central AKA my bathroom to try and capture the shot. These earrings manage to spruce up an outfit-added to a simple tee and jeans combination and they cause an instant transformation. The light pastel shades also compliment the blonde in my hair. On my eyes, I have gone for a flick, slightly higher than usual and made my lashes as long as possible to try and achieve the false lash effect. I have never found a mascara that works as well as this and I highly recommend that you get it. The link and name is below. My lips are covered in a gorgeous shade of red. Due to the cutback of colour in the outfit, red lips were a must.

Clothes:
Striped Scalloped Hem Shorts- £8 Primark
Black 'Boxy' Bag- £8 Primark
Black Wrap Top- £12.99 New Look
Statement Earrings- £3.00 (Sale) Accessorize
Shoes were originally from New Look. However they are no longer sold in there. Replica's can now be found in Primark

Makeup:
L'oreal Colour Riche Pure Red BLAKE- £6.99 Superdrug (Available in most makeup stores)
Eyeliner Pencil Barry M- £2.99 Superdrug (Available in most makeup stores)
Maybelline Master Precise Eyeliner Pen- £5.99 Superdrug (Available in most makeup stores)
L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess Mascara- £10.99 Boots (Available in most makeup stores)

Thank-you for reading another monochrome themed blog. I am sure that as soon as the bright bolds hit our stores, I will fall in love with another trend! Hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing.

Mollie Isabella

xx

Girl in Gingham

I opened up the photo album and was met with a musty smell, an old, worn out kind of smell but homely at the same time. Displayed neatly across the pages were black and white photos of my Nan wearing some amazing outfits. Boxed dresses, silky shirt and skirt combinations, not one hair out of place hair styles and amazing thick rimmed glasses. I couldn't quite believe how sophisticated, smart and chic my Nan looked in every photo.

It was clear to see that watching women in Hollywood films definitely inspired my Nan. There was a metallic skirt which looked super shiny. The ever so fashionable high waisted bikini on the beach paired with platform sandals. And the most classic of them all- a box dress, small heel and beehive combination that summed up the swinging 60's. I so wish that my Nan had kept all her clothes as it would mean that I could dress in the actual classics as opposed to a new updated version.

***

However my brown eyes sourced out a gorgeous box dress in my all time favourite River Island within the Chelsea Girl section. I flicked through the rail until I stumbled across a black and white gingham box dress with velvet detail. It ticked all the boxes (no I didn't need it but yes I wanted it!) So I went out on a little shoot and paired the dress with my beautiful white small heels and a beige and burgundy cute handbag-Here are the results. 

I absolutely love everything about this dress and it is something that can be worn in both the summer and the winter. I'm thinking of adding some chunky thick tights, boots and a long sleeve underneath for more cooler days but for now I'll enjoy wearing it bare legged with a sandal type shoe.

Would love to know what you think of it, please comment below!

Dress- From River Island
Shoes and Earrings from Primark
Choker-New Look
Bag- Camden Market

Thank-you for reading, 

Mollie Isabella 

x

MONOCHROME

If in doubt, I shop. If I'm not in doubt, I shop. Basically no matter what the situation, I shop.  This time the situation was holiday shopping-with a two week break arriving soon I need to purchase some new summer clothing that will work wonders abroad. You know the essentials- denim shorts, sun hat, beach bag and a variety of tops. Now on a budget the best place to go is Primark- you can get some pretty unique pieces and the prices are spot on! 

So I headed to Primark with a sensible list of things to get. It was all going so well, until I walked into the store and got completely distracted. I must admit I am very disappointed in myself. 

Did I purchase anything for my holiday? Urm, kind of. 

Did I need anything that I purchased? Urm, no but they were sooooooo nice!

I place the basket drowned in black and white items onto the counter. "That's £46 then please." You know when you get to the till and don't expect the items to come to the amount they do and you have that little moment where you feel guilty, like you're draining your credit card of life and buying things that are not needed, not essential, not right. Yeah, well I had that moment. It lasted for a brief couple of seconds until I put my card in and waltzed out the store with a Primark paper bag full of goodies.  

So forget all the bright colours and welcome the sophisticated MONOCHROME trend into my somewhat 'summer' wardrobe. Two pairs of shoes, two bags and one top later and I'm more in love with the monochrome trend than I have ever been before. 

ITEM 1: 

I purchased these beauties for only £14. I found them shoved in a pile on the floor and knew I needed to give them a new home. The platform and chunky heel means these shoes are very comfortable and give added height whilst still looking casual. The ankle strap means they stay put and I love the two leather straps that go over your foot. The shoes, although they may not look it, are extremely light. I can't fault them whatsoever. 

ITEM 2:

 All hail these white, leather small heeled shoes. This perfect concoction is a dream come true. The gorgeous bright white leather causes these shoes to look sophisticated. They can be worn both casual or for a more dressed up look (I've already worn them to a wedding and my feet remained comfortable all night, many thanks to the extra padding provided under the ball of the foot.) This style of shoe is a wide fit but in all honesty I didn't really see a difference. The subtle gold buckle, strap across the toes and perfect height heel makes these shoes a serious must have. They're only £12, like seriously, that's amazing!

ITEM 3:

I welcome you here to the bag I have not put down. This cute little monochrome rucksack has caught my eye for some time now. It is so bold and simple making it so effortlessly stylish. I love the split in colours, the comfortable straps and the handy size that it is. The only downfall being, I try to cram so much into it that the zip down the middle makes it quite hard to get things out. However I have not stopped using it. It goes with everything. This masterpiece is only £8-oh yes. 

ITEM 4:

Okay, so the main idea of it, is that it is a camera bag but its the perfect size for my purse, phone, lipstick and comb making it the perfect bag for when I pop out. Again the design is so simplistic and the gold chain and zip add an extra element to the overall look. With an adjustable strap you can tailor it to the look of your outfit. This will be perfect on holiday when I need to take my camera out as it fits in perfectly and isn't bulky at all. Due to the monochrome trend it goes with everything. It's dainty, bold and different-coming in at only £6. 

ITEM 5:

This is the most 'holiday' worthy item that I bought. I thought it would look stunning over my swimming costumes on the beach (check out my swimwear sensation post). I love fringing, whether it's on a bag, skirt, top or shoes. The fringing on this is the perfect length and I love the lace detailing. It is the perfect throw over to transform an outfit. For a different look I paired with a pair of jeans and a black tank top. It's very versatile and at only £6 it's a bargain!

5 pieces which make up my monochrome collection- All for £46 all from the amazing Primark. 

Thanks for reading, 

Mollie Isabella