Alexander Wang for H&M

H&M are always on point when it comes to high street meets high end collaborations. In 2004 Karl Lagerfeld kicked things off with a collection that was supposed be be in stores for 2 weeks, yet lasted just 1 day as people flocked in a mass panic to buy as much Lagerfeld as they could. The year after saw a collaboration with Stella McCartney and then Roberto Cavalli, Jimmy Choo and Versace, just to name a few!

And then, announced at Coachella last month, Alexander Wang will be the next designer to team up with the high street brand to create an affordable yet luxe collection. Wang has said that he aims to create "Clothes that girls want to wear" (1) and as of November 6th ladies....we will be able to afford to!

VERSACE FOR H&M (2)

LANVIN FOR H&M (2)

Sources
(1) “Alexander Wang,” by Holly Shackleton. i-D, January 2009. http://i-donline.com/magazine/the-beautiful-issue/alexander-wang/

(2) "H&M Collaborations" by Vogue. http://www.vogue.co.uk/topic/hm-collaborations 

Krakow - Poland

So back in December (yes, this post is way overdue) me and my boyfriend took a trip to Krakow, Poland. The main reason we chose Poland? It's cheap as anything and the flights from Scotland cost next to nothing, so when we arrived, safe to say we were not expecting much. However, although the weather in December was freaking freezing, Krakow is an amazing place with so much to do and see - it was probably one of the best holidays I've ever been on!

I can highly recommend Wodka Cafe Bar, the ultimate Polish vodka bar with an near unlimited selection of Vodka. We may or may not have visited here every night of our holiday...

We also took day trips to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which was so amazing and Auschwitz-Birkenau - which was really emotional but I think it is important to visit to have a real understanding on what took place there.
We booked both trips through our hotel: Hotel Home, which was a really modern, quirky place with super helpful staff!

Also, can I just mention that Krakow has both Sephora AND Cinnabon. Yes, it was heaven.

Practical AW13 Boots

Dr Marten - Serena   Topshop - Argo   Topshop - Arvey   Office - Brazen   Office - Brash   Office - Brassline   Office - Bam

I know everyone loves a good cut-out boot, but as winter is creeping in, there is nothing I would dislike more than getting caught in the rain/wind/snow in a not-so-ideal pair of boots and ending up with soggy feet. Hence the 'almost' practical AW13 boot selection. I say almost as some have a slightly higher heel than may be desired for braving an icy hill, but would be great for stomping around town on a cold winter day. There is definitely a theme running through my boot picks, I like to think of them as clumpy, yet cosy. And of course, all black. 

Have you found your perfect pair of winter boots?

- Mairi x

No7 Mascara Review

No7 Extreme Length Mascara (waterproof) (£12.50) I got this mascara sample free after buying a couple of other No7 product, and oohh my goodness! This mascara! I had my doubts when I took the wand out and saw that it had plastic bristles. I've just never found a plastic wand that worked for my lashes, including the Benefit 'They're Real!' (which I just found clumpy and made my eyelashes look like spiders stuck on my lid) However, as soon as I put on this mascara, I knew this was something different. Not only does it lengthen, it also volumises, holds a decent curl and can be layered without going clumpy! The formula is available in a non-waterproof version, which does allow for easier removal, however I just find the staying power of the waterproof formula amazing.

As for price, at £12.50 it really isn't too bad. Considering most Maybelline sit at the £8.00 mark and your higher end mascaras can sit anywhere from £16.00 upwards, I think it's a great price for a seriously good product that I doubt even the most expensive brands would find it hard to match. I will 100% be buying this again when this sample runs out!

I have been so impressed with the No7 line lately. Have you tried anything recently? What's your fave?

Online Clothing Picks #2

The second installment of my clothing picks from lesser known online stores is from iKrush. They have some great little on trend pieces, as well as some amazing shoes, all at really affordable prices!

1. Heather Tartan Skater Dress £16.99

2.Peep Toe Strappy Heels £14.99

3. Faded Worn Denim Skater Skirt £12.99

4. Platform Heels £24.00

5. Strapless Floral Rose Print Dress £19.99

6. Platform Plimsoles £6.99

7. Harem Anchor Print Trousers £14.99

What's your favorite?

The Battle of the Budget Concealer

 TOP - 17 18hr Stay Time                                    BOTTOM - COLLECTION Lasting Perfection

Collection- Lasting Perfection Concealer (£4.19) So it seems everyone and their Grandmother has heard of this 'holy grail', 'best concealer ever'. I must admit, I did dive to Boots the first chance I got when this product was released and have used it almost every day since. I did however, always find the product slightly too orange for my skin tone, therefore instead of seamlessly covering up my blemishes, in certain lights it made them stand out more! The product comes in 4 shades: Fair (as shown above), Light, Medium and Deep. On saying that, it still was the best, long wearing, concealer I had tried. That is until I discovered this little beauty:

Seventeen - 18hr Stay Time Concealer. (£4.00) This is not available on the Boots website yet, however is available in stores. I had never really been drawn to any 17 products, however as I was browsing the shelves of the drug store, the little words 'Extra Fair' (as pictured above) caught my eye. Basically, the product is the exact same idea as the Lasting Perfection, only much cooler toned, and a MUCH better match for paler skin tones. I also find this product a little less cakey than the Collection version and it is transfer resistant. Although marketed as '18 hour stay time', it is more like 8, maximum coverage, then it starts the break down a little. However, 8 hours of full coverage concealer that isn't drying OR cakey? YES PLEASE.  

Overall, the SEVENTEEN concealer is the clear winner for me, never again will I be going back to the Collection concealer. Need one more push in 17's direction? The writing doesn't fade off the packaging!!

Online Clothing Picks

I love nothing more than coming in from work, slipping into my PJ's, grabbing a cup of coffee and surfing though websites and websites of clothes. I obviously don't place an order every time, but I do like a bit of online window shopping.

I've decided to put together a series of blog posts of my top picks from some of my favorite, lesser known, online clothing stores. Everyone has heard of Asos, Missguided and Boohoo, and yeah, their clothes are great and affordable, but I just like something new every now and then.

Hope you like this little series, and if you know of any smaller clothing stores please let me know :)

Shop One - Chicnova

1. Retro Black PU Leather Boot with Pin Buckle Belt £42.89
2. Retro Oversized High Waist Denim Shorts with Waistband £26.24
3. Mirror Cats Print T-shirt £16.00
4. Vintage Black Round Fold Over Lens Sunglasses £10.88
5. Body-con Skirt with Zig Zag Stripe Print £6.40
6. Leopard Print Round Flat Shoes with Rivets £135.06
7. Retro Sleeveless Tanks with National Wind printing £13.12