yearly round-up

Weekend in Wales/ Florence and the Machine at Alexandra Palace (joined by Faris from The Horrors)/ Diamond Jubilee weekend/ Rafael Nadal winning the French Open for a record-breaking seventh time/ day at Wimbledon/ the Olympics and discovering my ambition to one day compete as a beach volleyball player/ at the final evening of athletics at the Paralympics and watching Oscar Pistorius/ myself and Oliver Proudlock from Made In Chelsea.

It's that time once again when everyone reflects on the year they've had- the highs, the lows, the achievements, the failures. I try not to delve too deep into emotions, because after all tomorrow is just another day, but at the same time I can't help but be pensive on the last twelve months. Overall, it's been a fairly uneventful year but I hate to end on a negative which is why I've put together a mini collage of the days which I will remember as being special. And my new years resolutions? I don't really make resolutions, more wishes of things that I'd love to happen. For example, in 2013 I'd love to finish my final year of school with exam results I can be proud of, get into the university of my choice and not be an outcast,  and develop this blog into something better and more exciting. I feel at times it can be a bit of an experiment so thank you to all who follow and read it- you mean a lot!

However you are seeing in the new year, I hope you have a good time and I hope 2013 will go your way. Below is an outfit which I believe is perfect for the occasion: A Christopher Kane biker, Rag and Bone gold dress and Christian Louboutin shoes. What's not to adore?

My year in music: Florence and The Machine Heartlines; Gary Barlow and The Commonwealth Band Sing; Jessie Ware Wildest Moments; Passion Pit Take A Walk; Josh Groban Brave

BLOGLOVIN' ♥ INSTAGRAM ♥ TWITTER

26th December.

I may be eighteen but I still get as excited about Christmas as I did when I was six, hence the cheesy picture in front of the tree and presents yesterday morning. I hope you all had a lovely day. Mine was a bit odd due to the absence of two family members (my sister and her boyfriend were away) but apart from that we did the usual of taking it in turns opening presents, lounging about in front of the television, eating scrumptious food, more television, and a game of scrabble to finish the day (total hipsters). Below are some photos ♥

gloves, incenses from The White Company for my bedroom, Gucci Premiere perfume, Cath Kidston cake stand, Tara Stiles yoga dvds, Karl t-shirt, fake snow, mini Christmas pudding with cream, annual game of bowling which took place today.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas filled with happiness and fun
Lots of love,
Francesca and Seb the rabbit
xoxo

I'm wearing a handmade headband made by myself using a plain headband, felt stars, glue and lots and lots of glitter and Seb's wearing his very own Christmas hat (awwww). I now leave you with the super cute items from Charlotte Olympia's Christmas collection with heals that jingle like Santa's sleigh and a clutch good enough to eat. It's always enjoyable when designer's get into the festive spirit and Charlotte has done so perfectly!

fur.

Who would ever have thought that Big Bird would become an inspiration for fashion designers? Yet when models strutted down the runway in a mass of bright yellow fur on numerous occasions, I could not help but think that.
 Cosy clothing is always sought after during winter. In those particular times, there is nothing more satisfying than wrapping up in a snug coat, layers piled up underneath, a woolly scarf around your neck and maybe a hat to protect your ears from becoming red with anger from the weather you've made them face. For many, cosy clothing insinuates fur. Whether it's real of faux, its soft snugly texture is like an adorable pet you can hold to your body, amiably keeping you content.

This year, the brighter the fur the better as Blumarine commenced their show with five neon coats and matching bags, Moschino Cheap and Chic had multicoloured splodges and Meadham Kirchhoff showcased bold stripes, angry faces and straggly bubble gum pink and lilac. Keeping it more low key (as low key as you can with this look...) Fendi and Tom Ford kept things a blazing with a short burst of fiery red and yellow amongst their assortments of black leather.

 For me the award for the most fun fur has to go to Meadham Kirchhoff (who also have the most fun AW collection)

leather.

Apply the slightest touch of leather to an outfit and your inner rebellion immediately catches sight of its escape route. There is something about the dark, slick, and edgy material that has the ability to change one's personality. A leather biker jacket courtesy of Burberry Prorsum can boost confidence, forming the feeling of empowerment as though nothing and nobody can get in the way, and a pair of long, leather gloves  can suddenly make someone feel sexier and seductive in their manner.

This season, however, sees leather in a new light. It's not just all about black- pastels make an appearance at Acne, as does bright red at Thakoon. Christopher Kane incorporated leather trims into his radiant blue dresses and lilac leopard print jackets, and there are plenty of leather sleeves about (Hello 3.1 Phillip Lim, DKNY , Karl, See by Chloe and Missoni ) that it seems designers could not bare to miss out on being a part of the trend in one way or another.

But for many designers, it's all about fully embracing the material head-to-toe and the result is what you would expect: mysterious, seductive, and full of attitude.

Topshop Unique, Hermes, Paco Rabanne, Ter Et Bantine, Givenchy, Valentino

À la high street 

Asos, River Island, Mango, La Redoute 

How will you wear it?

goodbye

Alas the London 2012 Olympic games has come to an end. Over the past few weeks I have become pleasantly engrossed, emotionally attached, and sincerely inspired - As I have now come to realise that it is one of my life's ambitions to compete in the games. Which sport? Beach volleyball! The average age is 30 so who knows. Maybe one day ;-)
From the Queen and James Bond launching themselves out of a plane during the opening ceremony, to the appearance of some band called The Spice girls in the closing ceremony, there have been many moments which will live on forever in sporting history. Away from the sport, however, and these are some of my favourite more fashionable moments...

Mexico's over colourful and stereotypical ponchos; Nike's Liberty 'mirabelle' print trainers worn by the likes of Team GB's Perri Shakes-Drayton; United States' Sanya Richards-Ross with her braided hair and Chanel earrings; Rebecca Adlington's patriotic nails; the Duchess of Cambridge dressing casual in denim jeans and polo shirt; trend setters: Mo Farah and Usain Bolt swapping poses; Kate Moss, Stella Tennant, Lily Cole, Karen Elson, Lily Donaldson, Jourdan Dunn, David Gandy, Georgia May Jagger and Naomi Campbell wearing the likes of Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Christopher Kane and Paul Smith during the closing ceremony.

Feel free to share your highlights below :-)

Once upon a time...

I know  it doesn't feel right to be plunging into next season's trends (although it's hard to avoid them) when there's still some weeks of 'summer' left but I've fallen in love with the winter florals. To me they conjure up images of a dark fairytale, as there is something mysterious but magical about them. As a result, I decided to interpret my new liking onto a sleeveless T-shirt using fabric pens brought from New Look. I'm not totally sure what to make of it though as I know I'm not the greatest of artists!

lunch time the British way

 

With 2012 being 'Britain's year' what with the patriotic excitement of the royal family and the Olympic games etc, Tasnim and I wanted to get into the spirit of things. It's been long awaited but we thought it would better to do it now than before it's all over (we could not have chosen a more perfect day in terms of weather either). So after lengthy discussions on what to wear, what to bake, and what to decorate my garden with, here is the result! (Thank you to the lovely Heather for taking the photos)

From what I had available in my wardrobe, I opted for what I would call an 'English rose' look- dainty and elegant with pastels and a lightly flowered tea dress. Tasnim went for traditional British with the bowler hat and smart black but her 60's style paisley shirt is a casual and affectionate beam of hippy-filled delightfulness which creates a pleasant contrast.

Lara love

'Winter florals are deeper, richer and more potent

than ever before. In the heart of the Oxfordshire

countryside, Lara Stone is bewitched'

There's a glowing beauty surrounding this photoshoot (found in the September issue of UK Vogue on sale now). Lara's golden blonde hair complements the radiance of the setting sun and her captivating brown stare fits amongst the enchanting flowers mysteriously budding in time for next season. She peacefully hides in the midst of nature, elegantly laying above water like an undisturbed swan and resting upon branches and enclosed greenery like a comely, genial bird captured through the lens of Ryan McGingly. 

say ciao to Caterina Gatta

Caterina Gatta is an up-and-coming Italian fashion designer. One which delves into vintage fabrics to create something fresh and exciting. Her collection for the autumn and winter, as modelled by South Korean born Soo Joo above, sees pleated and crepe de chine skirts paired in an unnoticeable way with matching tops and blouses- all of which are adorned with oriental style prints, and the dress which makes the model in Luca De Santis' video supporting the collection finally become a woman. My favourites are the bold stripes and red tartan lightly bedecked in opulent patterns as they would hang perfectly in between a quirky vintage shirt and on-trend checks.

Alexander McQueen Autumn Winter 2012 campaign film

Breaking news: A space ship of futuristic, sci-fi induced clothing is heading our way in time for autumn and Alexander McQueen (with model Suvi Koponen and director David Sims) have just boarded that ship.

At first the autumn winter collection is a bundle of creatively furry, fluffy, beauty which leaves one wanting to leap amongst the copiously snug dresses and curl up and nap like a tiresome kitten, but there's more to the dark visors (those that mysteriously accompanied each model on the runway earlier this year) than what meets the eye.

Slip one on and you are transported into the midst of space with exploding hypnotic rainbow colours bursting and travelling around you. Not fazed in the slightest, you will stand motionless, transfixed by your surroundings. This is not the 60's though and an LSD- provoked adventure, this is 2012 inspired by the future.

What do you think of the film? Is it what you'd expect from an Alexander McQueen creation? or has Sarah Burton taken it too far?

troipical fringing

As I type this, I am sat in a jumper drinking Caramel hot chocolate whilst it's dreary and drizzly outside. Here in England it is now a regular occurring motion for us to be solemnly glancing at our calenders, reminding ourselves yes, it is July and that is why the only summer I seem to be experiencing is from admiring collections such as MSGM's.

Thin strands of palm tree leaves blow gently from a relaxing sea breeze above bowls of refreshing, tropical, fruit salad bursting with colour, which are placed next to amiable gatherings of vibrant flowers alive under the clear blue sky and citrus lemon sunshine. Now that's summer. 

bienvenida couture 2012 : )

Christian Dior

Of course there was going to be a huge fuss surrounding Raf Simons' debut haute couture collection for Christian Dior, especially as it seemed not one member of the fashion world had a feeling of indifference towards the event.
What was unveiled was an array of womanly shapes made present by the corset style tops projecting out with a bouffant bottom, and the ball gown dresses which followed. Everything was kept formal and ladylike with the occasional pleasant burst of colour in the form of brilliant reds, a charming yellow, a flowing hot pink, and the seductive lipstick which accompanied each model on their genteel strolls down the runway.

Alexis Mabille

Every woman wants to indulge in opulence, float languorously in in a stream of diamonds, immerse deeply in a hot tub of glistening jewels. Every woman wants to shine in amethyst, glimmer in topaz, glow in a stream of pearls. For Alexis Mabille, understanding is key as he smothers women in firmly fixed sequins and dresses of sparkling platinum. 

Giambattista Valli

Once upon a time, during a blossoming Spring evening when dusk was paying its daily visit and the scenic shades of greenery were darkening, the young girl retreated from the eerie castle that at first glance looked oh so inviting. She darted away from the fiery queen who cackled and laughed in between the bossy bellowing and insulting remarks that nonsensically splurted out of her mouth. The young girl did not know where she was going, all she knew was she had reached a forest of towering trees fully dressed in thick layers of leaves, overgrown bushes exploding with petite, pretty flowers, and butterflies which darted about leaving the young girl speechless with wonder. Although, however pleasant it may have appeared, there was a haunting nervousness looming over as nightfall was drawing momentarily closer.