Valentino - worth the hype or worth a miss?

Let's get this straight, I am a massive lover of Vintage Couture - I don't care who it's by; Balenciaga, Dior, Chanel, Valentino - It's pretty, high fashion, bejewelled and like a magpie, I love it.
So I always venture into Couture fashion week with baited breath, but so far have not been let down. Armani, Dior and Gaultier have all proved their worth and have secured their place in fashion history for one more year.
But Valentino, where do I begin....?



When I was a poor fashion student undertaking a National Diploma with little knowledge of fashion designers, I set myself a task of researching designers and Valentino was the first one I came across. And I instantly fell in love. What he achieved was true couture, it was daring and exciting. The colours, the fabrics and the volume all went up a notch with Valentino.

As you can see - the current creative directors have a lot to live up to in my eyes. And I don't quite think they make it to be honest. This weeks couture show was a little... well, boring. There was no pizazz, it just looked like a ready to wear collection with more expensive fabric being used. It was sumptuous, i'll give them that. There was lace, silk and chiffon. But I can't help thinking that this was not what the great man would have envisaged all those years ago.

Get the look: Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams is looking simply radiant here in an elegant Black Lace prom dress, pixie haircut and black clutch, and looks every bit the Hollywood Darling. Williams, pictured here on the Red Carpet at the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures gala in New York on Tuesday night, is currently promoting her new film with Ryan Gosling , Blue Valentine. And once again I am here to suggest how you can get her look.

Williams has chosen a simple yet elegant look, which shows off her feminine side whilst giving us a glimpse of old Hollywood glamour. This outfit suits her perfectly as she looks every inch the superstar as she oozes style in this Oscar de la Renta gown, she is definitely one to watch for what she will be wearing this awards season!

The outfit shown on the left shows Black Mary Jane Heels from Harajuku Lovers for $84.99, the black faux velvet clutch is from Dorothy Perkins and the black lace prom dress with ribbon detailing at the waist is from Karen Millen.

So ladies, what are you waiting for? Go and get yourself some Hollywood glamour!!

Vintage and Retro - it's the way forward!

With the recent surge in interest in the 1970s, with many high street stores using it as inspiration for their SS11 collections, I thought i'd have a look at what started it all off - the fashion from the decade itself.

Many people consider the 1970's to be the decade that fashion forgot. I think the opposite. This was the decade of experimentation, being an individual and luxury fabrics and textiles.
The decade of disco fever brought us platform heels, vibrant patterns, hot pants and sequins, and lots of it. So why shouldn't we celebrate the seventies?
Vintage stores today are full of bargain finds from day's gone by, and the picture here shows just a few finds you can get if you have a look on these websites - all orginal vintage from the 1970s. Here in West Yorkshire there are loads of vintage stores especially in Leeds, Harrogate and York.

So grab your platforms, your (faux) fur coat and hot pants - and get dancing on that light up dancefloor!

Christmas Baking

Today I did a little Christmas baking, after all, yesterday's Tesco trip should not have been in vain. I had been instructed by my mother-in-law to make some mince pies for the day itself and my brother had asked if I could bring a desert of some kind on Boxing day.
I decided i would make a cake, as it was the perfect excuse to use the cute vintage christmas cake decorations that my Dad gave me when I moved house. He knows me so well - I love vintage things and I love baking!! Also, along the way I managed to find a reason to use the 1970s Icing Sugar Dredger that my Mum and Dad got as a wedding present back in 1976.
Rather than write about it, i'll just show you what happened...

Once I had made the cake - it was time for the filling - don't forget to let it cool down though or your buttercream will melt!

Mince Pies a la Kirsty and Phil! Basically using filo pastry instead of shortcrust and adding cranberries and clementines to your mincemeat!

Once the jam and buttercream was put in the middle, I added the marzipan.

Then the icing....

.... and finally the decorations!

 Merry Christmas everyone!!