TREND ALERT - FESTIVAL!!

While festival season has come to an end for all my Aussie lovelies, it is just set to begin over here in the UK, which means the shops are filling with the most amazing head wear, distressed denim and light summer parkas.

Over the previous few years, festival fashion has become a trend in its own right, no longer being confined to the muddy fields of the British countryside. I won't be attending any festivals myself this summer - one of the benefits of working for yourself means that you are perpetually poor :) - but, I still be rocking the festival style in the concrete jungle taking some inspiration from these Hollywood hotties at California's Coachella Festival.

Diane Kruger, Emma Watson an Kate Bosworth

Kristen Stewart, Dita Von Teese and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

I've took a little crack at styling the festival trend as I would wear it out on the streets (not in the night walker way), so I haven't went over the top on bare leg, animal prints and over-sized hats - the streets of Newcastle are very different from the sweaty, body filled fields of the West Country :)

1.) Denim Blue Cap, H&M; Tie Neck Maxi Dress, Topshop.
2.) Beaded Collar Backless Playsuit, Romwe; Leopard Print Socks, Forever 21; Skull Head Black Flat Shoes, Romwe; Heart Broken Ring and Glitter Cross 2 Finger Ring, Punky Pins.
3.) Soft Feather Earrings and Candy Stripe Gilet, New Look; Pleated Dip Back Skirt, Topshop; Shoes, H&M.
4.) Grecian Disc Headband, New Look; Something Else Splice Strap Dress, General Pants; Biker Wellington Boots, Barratts.
5.) Neon Hart Studded Biker Jacket, General Pants; Mint 90's Print Dress, Miss Selfridge; Backback, Romwe.

So how did I do? What do you guys think of the festival trend?

Gems x 

THE CLASH

No I don't mean the English Punk Rock band, so put away the giant nose rings, suspenders and ultra-hold hair gel. I am talking about clashing prints - they have been all over the runways and now filtering onto the street. If you wanna be heard this season, let the clothes do the talking and make them loud - need a bit of inspiration? Here are some of my favourite colour clash looks from the catwalk.

L-R; Diane von Furstenburg, Vivienne Weswood Red Label, Emanuel Ungaro

L-R: Thakoon, D&G, Holly Fulton

 I haven't tried this trend for myself yet, as over recent years I have become a complete wh*re for leopard print and don't really have any prints to clash with, any suggestions? Anyway I have had a little go at styling this trend. I went for a simple colour palette of blues an mustard to keep the focus on the stunning prints.

1.) Dog tooth skirt, H&M; Animal print kami and Jinx vintage style court shoes, Topshop.
2.) Floral print top, H&M; Geo print trousers, Topshop.
3.) Co-ord stripe fluid blazer, Topshop; New Royal serpatine dress, General Pants.
4.) Also Tavolario floral bag, ASOS; Scarf, H&M; Prima weaved point court shoe, ASOS.


What do you guys think of the clashing print trend?

Gems x

GETTING NAILED!

I have never been one to paint my nails too much - it isn't because I don't like the way it looks, I actually love the way it looks, but I just don't have the skills. I would love to have feminine pretty hands with gorgeous and girly painted nails, but every time I try, I don't just paint the nail, I paint most of my hand and the surrounding environment too. I'll never be a brain surgeon with hands as steady as a paint mixer.

In this economic climate (I watch the news), it's not a possibility to go and get my nails done every week, and with my epic clumsiness, I can't rule out the possibility that I will trip up and wipe out the whole salon. Well now nail technicians can finally relax, because I have finally discovered nail wraps.

If you are slow on the uptake like me, nail wraps are essentially stickers for your nails that you just file into shape. They last around 7 days on fingernails and up to a whopping 6 weeks on toe nails - totally amazeballs!

Look 1

 The Nail Wrap: Metallic Nails, Rose Rouse

• Cross Bust High Low Maxi Dress by Love, Topshop
• Wide Cut Red Belt, Romwe
• Guess D-Hondo-B Peep Toe Heeled Shoes, ASOS
• Cubic Clutch, Cactusrose
• Illamasqua SS12 Human Fundamentalism Lipstick in Liable, ASOS
• Biker Jacket, H&M

Look 2

The Nail Wrap: Sheekee Cheetalious Blue Full Cover Wrap

• Neon Hart L/S Tuck Collar Shirt, General Pants
• Runaway Jeans Teal, MINK PINK (currently on sale on official site)
• Retro Woven Black Belt, Romwe
• Pack of 20 Mix and Match Gummy Rings, ASOS
• Multi-Spike Drop Earrings, ASOS
• Villa Envelope Clutch, Forever New
• Point Toes Black Flat Shoes, Romwe

Look 3

The Nail Wrap: Getting Nailed, Trendy Union Jack

•  Cath Kidston Antique Brass Tiny Union Jack Drop Earrings, ASOS
• Stripe Sear Buckle Belt, ASOS
• Barb Heart Muscle Tee, Ksubi
• Pointed Toes Black Boots, Romwe
• Gathering Eye Square Lock Messenger Bag, General Pants

How do you guys think I did styling my nail wrap choices - I promise to show you some pictures of my efforts with nail wraps soon.
Good luck getting nailed!

TREND OF THE WEEK - MULLET HEMS

Probably by looking at my little blogger picture, you probably get the impression that I don't have the usual revulsion towards fashion from the 1980's - my 'Frankie Says Relax' t-shirt and big hair are a dead giveaway. Well it's true I like the 1980's - it was the decade I was born, the decade The Goonies was made, and the decade that Bon Jovi were 'Living on a Prayer'. So you can imagine my delight that mullet hems (longer at the back than they are at the front) are popping up everywhere.
Business Up Front, Part Behind!

Open Fields Dress, Cactusrose $50

Mysterious Universe Tulip Skirt, Romwe $32.99USD

Wall Street Top, Stylestalker $129

Neon Hart Burnout Raglan, General Pants $49.95

Rare Lace Hi Low Hem Skirt, ASOS $40.55

Aren't they just so deliciously '80's and retro? And there are styles to suit any and every occasion - sadly the mullet haircut may never be back en vogue, but I seriously hope mullet hems are here to stay!
Visit Cactusrose, here.
Visit ASOS, here.
Visit General Pants, here.
Visit Romwe, here.

GET CREEPY!

It's time to get a little bit creepy this season, as 'Creepers' are set to be the hottest shoe style of the season. The platform sneakers come brogues are all kinds of awesome, they can be worn with just about everything - I just wish they had made it onto my fashion radar sooner, because I am in love!

Jamie King, Rihanna and Jessie J rocking the Creepers!

 I may not be an expert but this is how I would get creepy (by which, I mean style my Creepers, not stalking around alleyways and such).

Get your creep on!

• Outfit 1: Round Pearl Earrings ($12.99) and New Style Valentine Earring ($10.99), both Romwe; Isla Dobby Mesh Dress $79.99 Forever New; Underground Exclusive Rosegold Triple Sole Painted Creeper $202.75 ASOS.
• Outfit 2: Agent Ninetynine Floppy Fedora $49.95 General Pants; Dipped Hem Silk Shirt $69.99 Forever New; Subtitled Catwoman Pants $79.95 General Pants; Black Suede and Leopard Cow-hair Low Sole Creeper $75.00 TUK Shoes.
• Accessories:  Miranda Satchel $49.99 Forever New; Piece Zammi Necklace $30.82 ASOS; Punk Style Retro Black Bag $76.99 Romwe.
• Outfit 3: Neon Hart Long Biker Vest $129.95 General Pants; Neon Hart Tartan Zip Pant $69.95 General Pants.
• Outfit 4: Splicing PU Belted Cream Shift Dress $38.99 Romwe; Cable Over-The-Knee Sock $12.99 Forever New; ASOS Monroe Platform Creeper Shoe $121.65 ASOS.

Creepers are my shoe of the season, as they can be styled to almost any trend (although they will look especially fly with the modern grunge trend I'm crushing hard on) - go girly and boho with floral prints, go punk with skinny jeans and leather, or go glam with floaty fabrics - in fact do whatever you feel like, it will still be fashion, well-done!

NOTE: All Romwe prices are in US Dollars.

TREND OF THE WEEK: SPORTS LUXE

With the Olympics 2012 just a few short months away, the fashion industry is jumping on the band wagon with the Sports Luxe trend - looking chic and stylish has never been more comfortable.

Victoria Beckham S/S 2012 - Sports Luxe to Perfection!

STOP!! Step away from the drop-crotch jogging pants and college print hoody - the sports look trend isn't about traditional sportswear. Think structured dresses with racer-backs, neoprene, leather and silk fabrics, flowing trousers and shorts and quirky jumpsuits - sportswear just got glam!

These gorge pieces are all on my sports luxe wish list, I can't wait to get my hands on a pair of chic leather-look running shorts - a tougher edge the more girly silk versions.

1.) Slinky Metallic Racer Vest, Topshop.

2.) Subtitled Leather Look Shorts, General Pants.

3.) Mista Brielle Wedges, Topshop.

4.) Silk Baseball Jacket by Unique, Topshop.

5.) Honey Hued Sky Blue Sunglasses, Romwe.

6.) Black Neoprene Bralet, Topshop.

7.) Pleat Calf Skirt, Topshop.

If you get just one Sports Luxe piece this season, make it the bralet, like the neoprene (wet suit material to you and me) version Topshop has on offer in several colour. A totally versatile piece, it can be worn under a boyfriend tailored shirt for a grungy look; with a pleated maxi skirt for traditional sports luxe; or with some high waisted wide-legged trousers and large metallic cuffs for a touch of '70s glamour. All hail the bralet!