Statement necklaces

Black & Gold Statement Necklaces

These statement necklaces can offer a bit of sparkle to a less than bland ensemble... 

Teamed with complimenting counterparts these necklaces can be stunning, here they are worn with bare necks, but can be teamed over a t-shirt, jumper or blouse. I used to feel statement necklaces were accessories more suited to evening wear, but after this seasons fever for statement jewellery, I can't get enough. See how the celebs have been making their statements here. Possibly my favourite thing about neck wear is that it just draws attention to the shoulders and collar bone (taking attention away from problem chins) and creates an uber feminine, flattering and sophisticated look in a flash. The top Grecian style necklace pictured above was £4 from Primark  (similar here) and the Egyptian gold and black crystal piece was £6 from New Look (similar here).

Peter Pan Cutesy Collars 

These Peter Pan collar necklaces are the perfect accessory and affordable enough to buy one in every colour. You can ensure your neck is never bare again! 

The two I've chosen here are particularly adaptable, both from New Look - left the navy blue beaded collar was £4 in the Christmas sales, I do love a bargain... Similar here. And the cream lace number, with pearl embellishments was £7 - similar style from ASOS here. I have worn them both with a black, velvet peplum top to add a bit more sparkle but could truly go with almost anything. I like the idea of wearing the lace one with soft pinks, pastels and chiffon materials to give a vintage luxe feel. And the navy with darker colours and maybe with gold accessories (earrings and rings), to create an edgier look.  

Currently trending - Slogan tee, turquoise ring, patterned ballet pumps, skull scarf

Snazzy ADDITIONS TO BORING OUTFITS....

1 - Slogan tee! These are everywhere at the moment... The shirt pictured above is a bargain £4 from Primark but there are similar styles available in Topshop or Newlook. The slightly rolled up sleeve look seems to be very big at the moment and works well if your just looking to wear something comfortable yet fashionable! Other styles have 'GEEK', 'DORK', and 'NERD' across the front. 

2 - Turquoise... I LOVE this ring. The cracked  turquoise stone is absolutely stunning. I don't often wear silver jewellery but since buying this I've barely taken it off! The thin bracelet I've paired it with also works well and doesn't overpower the look. I would probably wear this with a denim jacket and black jeans or leggins as I feel it stands out more when paired with something plain. The nail varnish I'm wearing here is 273 Raspberry by Barry M.

3 - Ballet pumps :-) I understand these might be a bit out there... But personally, I think they're cute! The Grecian print alongside the golds and yellows used contrast perfectly against the black detailing and really brighten up a dull outfit. I have worn them here with plain denim jeans but they also look good with black tights and a skirt. These were a also result of my bargain binge and came in at £4 from Primark. 

4 - Skulls and crosses † These scarves are so cool... For a nonchalant student look, throw it over your shoulders and away you go! This style works best when oversized, so when worn would cover your t-shirt, which is perfect if your looking to jazz up a plain tee. The skulls are detailed with Aztec prints and the crosses are embellished with gold studs which are subtle, up to date addition to a very on trend scarf!

Statement classics - Needed in every wardrobe

1 - Firstly, black wedges... Who would have thought something so simple and plain could be so fantastic? They are comfortable, go with pretty much anything and are very much in fashion. Whether your going for black, chunky platforms or a meagre cork wedge in the summer, your going to be comfortable and looking great! These were my Christmas sales bargain from River Island  reduced from £55 down to £15! I generally team these with dresses, shorts or play-suits but they would also look super sophisticated with jeans or trousers! 

2 - Purple! Peplum! Two of the most in things at the moment mixed into one easy wearing piece! I really like peplum styles and their ability to flatter every body shape... You can use them to build fake curves, accentuate your womanly figure or hide bloated stomachs! Here I've used a purple dress with a contrasting yellow belt to draw attention to my waist. Purple is a very in shade at the moment, red carpet celebrities are even jumping on the band wagon... Taylor swift and Lena Dunham both wore deep purples to this years Golden Globes, so be sure to get your fix! The texture of this dress adds a bit of substance, instead of just being completely plain. The dress pictured here was from New Look and the belt came from H&M. 

3 - Vintage scarves... I really don't think you can go wrong with a vintage scarf. They are an investment piece as they will last a long time and look great with almost anything. Adding a bright silky scarf to a plain t-shirt or jumper can instantly transform the entire look. If your frightened of buying vintage or would prefer a high street version, many places are now doing copies in similar styles. To wear, I would generally fold into a triangle and roll it up, this way its less likely to flap in the wind or get in your way. The middle scarf here is from Primark and the other two are vintage. 

4 - Finally we come to knuckle dusters! Or statement jewellery... I love wearing rings, especially big gold ones (although beware you may end up looking live a chav!) You can generally find statement rings in any high street stores and they are often under £10... I would advise to try before you buy for size and comfort as some of the latest double finger rings can be nasty to wear. And don't forget if your buying cheap, paint a layer of clear nail varnish on the inside of the ring to stop your fingers turning green! (From left to right) the first and second rings are H&M, third is New Look and 4th is Topshop. 

More soon 

xxxx

Wonderland - What Alice Found vintage boutique

Love vintage? Look no further. ‘What Alice Found’ is a quirky Alice in Wonderland themed Bournemouth boutique exuding opulence and glamour – cultivated by vintage connoisseur Nicki Grainger.

Stepping inside this mystical little den, customers are immediately struck by the elegance of the décor and spellbinding sum of clothes, shoes and collectables, coating the store from floor to ceiling.

The fragrant aroma and gentle purr of ambient music creates a timelessly glamorous vibe - everything one would expect of a boutique.

Though what sets this store apart is the enchanting Alice in Wonderland theme which runs subtly throughout; accomplished with pastel hues, Disney themed accessories and a handful of clocks.

The amount of artistic planning went into the shop is evident to any passer-by; today Nicki Grainger reveals her inspiration and experiences.

Nicki is perched behind the till, dressed in a caramel woollen jumper, layered above a leopard print blouse, jeans, loafers and complimenting accessories – she looks every part the business.

With a smile she opens the white picket gate and ushers me behind the scenes, a polite offer of a cup of tea and I’m sold. It’s completely comprehensible how quickly I fell for this place.

Looking around the store, my inquisitiveness holds no bounds; I can’t even imagine how the creative process in building this vintage emporium would have begun.

“I like challenges.” she states. Nicki started her retail career in 2009 (with online vintage boutique The Cherry Closet), after graduating from Fashion Journalism at Southampton Solent University.

“After I finished university I tried interning but in a way I think that can put you off for life.” Nicki explained, “I was able to use the skills I had gained from my degree to start in retail.”

She opened We Found Alice in 2011, after huge successes with The Cherry Closet, “I missed meeting the people wearing the clothes, with online retail you just package it up and send it away.”

“I knew I wanted to build somewhere that people could come to escape from real life, a place that would look totally different each time a customer came in, an umbrella to suit loads of different people under one roof.”

I ask Nicki what brought her to Pokesdown, “I thought where shall I open a shop? I considered Brighton or London but decided I wanted to be a part of something really good. I am promoting the town as a vintage area and hopefully in 5 years it will be completely buzzing!”

Local vintage shopper Anna Steele recognises Nicki’s success, “What Alice Found is fantastic! It’s by far my favourite vintage shop. Nicki is great too; she just makes the whole experience more enjoyable.”

She sounds very satisfied explaining the opportunities the shop has rewarded. “We have recently been featured in Grazia magazine and I styled a shoot for The Daily Mail.”

She also provided costumes for the theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire by Dramatic Productions. During this project she styled leading lady and television actress Nicole Faraday. Nicki tells me it was her most memorable styling experience as of yet - “She came in the shop, opened a bottle of wine and took off all her clothes.”

Nicki doesn’t seem fazed at the mention of the economic crisis either, “Every industry has suffered, but women don’t stop shopping!” She even tells me that she believes the recession is one of the reasons for the recent vintage craze in the fashion industry. “Make do and mend is really in. You’ll get girls looking in their mum’s wardrobe for vintage!”

It is evident that Nicki is taking advantage of the vintage boom and her own boundless success when disclosing information about her latest project, “I am soon to be opening a What Alice Found outlet in a Poole based a vintage warehouse named Molly’s Den.” I have no doubt this venture will be yet another triumph.

So ladies, whether you’re a first time vintage shopper or Audrey Hepburn aspirant, take a trip down to the wonderland and see what Nicki has to offer, I can assure you, your experience will be nothing less than magical.