Category Archives: Fashion
Your Oscars 2014 footwear fashion trend report
It’s a tough gig writing about the footwear at the Oscars. Put simply, the shoes are invisible. So how can I create a whole column about red carpet shoes at the hottest celebrity event of the year if I can’t see the shoes beneath the designer dresses? Don’t actresses know that their stunning floor-length gowns are making my job more difficult?! Anyway, I’ve had a go at researching the Oscars 2014 footwear trends using photos of a tiny amount of shoe peeping out beneath a dress and have tried to draw some conclusions – the first trend is thin black straps and that’s where Naomi Watts comes in.
Hurrah for a back slit dress! It’s allowed Naomi’s Calvin Klein dress to ping open at exactly the right moment, showing off her super-high heels. We saw the return of ladylike heels predicted for SS14 back at New York fashion week and it looks like Naomi has chosen the Oscars to showcase how on trend she is with a pair of finely strapped heels. And she wasn’t the only one… Jennifer Lawrence wore these clear Perspex heels when she changed into a shorter dress for the Vanity Fair Oscars party – who knows? she may have been wearing them beneath her Dior gown all along – and she has also chosen a pair with teeny tiny thin black straps. This trend reminds me of the strappy sandals of the 90s and early 2000s and I’m not sure that I want to be wearing them again so soon! But then again, I’m sure we all have a pair of trusty strappies in a shoebox somewhere that we can dig out and follow the trend again without splashing any cash! If you want a fresh new pair they are in stores everywhere at the moment and you can pick up a new pair of classic black strappy shoes that you can wear with for evenings out for years to come.
The second trend is for silver platforms and I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise to you that Lady Gaga championed this look at the 2014 Academy Awards. The shiny shoes poked out from beneath her Atelier Versace couture dress and although hmade Brian Atwood heels elevated her tiny 5ft 1in frame to the practically the height of an Oscars statue, they proved very difficult to walk in and most of the photos of Gaga at the event show a hand guiding her along! A more wearable version appeared on the feet of Jennifer Garner who wore a pair of white and silver peep-toe platform shoes beneath her fringed Oscar De La Renta dress. If you want to follow the metallic footwear trend for Spring/Summer 2014 you’d do well to take inspiration from Jennifer Garner rather than the skyscraper playforms on Lady Gaga’s feet!
New season trend report from London Fashion Weekend
Today we are taking an exclusive look at womenswear fashion trends for Spring/Summer 2014 because last weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to attend London Fashion Weekend at the world famous Somerset House in London. I took hundreds of photographs during the day in order to document the hottest trends at fashion week and I wanted to share these with you so that you can get a flavor of the must-have looks for this season and next. The hottest ticket at London Fashion Weekend was to the runway show of super-star UK designer Julien Macdonald and I managed to sweet-talk myself into getting a ticket at the last minute - so you can imagine my excitement as I took my seat to watch the super-glamorous designs heading down the catwalk.
Spring/Summer 2014 Julien Macdonald collection
The runway show featured an abundance of diamante and sequins and each of the designs followed the new season metallic trend. The stunning outfits were created in gold, pewter, silver and metallic black for a super-sparkly shimmer and we will certainly be seeing these metallic tones reproduced in stores for Spring and Summer 2014. If you don’t want to go for the all-over sequins look, you can simply add a few diamantes in your jewelry or choose a metallic shoe or handbag to follow the trend without being a slave to fashion!
Gold, glitz and glamour at Julien Macdonald
Interestingly the Julien Macdonald dresses were either skin-tight or loose and floating, using stretch lace and chiffon in equal measures, so you can take your pick of which look to follow this season. I would suggest the skin-tight lace and sequins are best suited to evening wear and the flowing chiffon would be best for keeping cool on hot summer days.
Chiffon and lace for Spring/Summer 2014
Another feature of the designer runway show was soft pastel colors. Traditionally we usually see more pale shades during Spring and Summer and the Julien Macdonald dresses also featured pastel green, pale grey, sofa lilac and nude shades alongside the bold black and metallic block colours. The delicate shades looked fresh and are an easier way to introduce the new season trends into your everyday wardrobe.
Sheer dresses at the London Fashion Weekend runway show
I hope you’ve enjoyed this exclusive report on London Fashion Weekend and have taken trend inspiration from the hottest designer runway show for Spring/Summer 2014!
Spring Color Trends to Rock for your Closet and Home
Pantone, the color authority, has rolled out the colors that are sure to be trendy this coming spring. Radiant Orchid, the color of the year, is included of course. Making an appearance are several other hues ranging from neutral to pastel to electric. No matter where your favorite lies in the spectrum, we are sure that you will be able to rock trendy spring colors via your clothes and home style. Here are pieces to inspire you:
Closet & Beauty Finds
Clockwise from top left: Modcloth Skirt, Fossil Belt, Scarf, OPI Nail Polish, Zara Pointed Heels, Cambridge Satchel, Keds Flat Shoes
For the Home: Sitting Pretty
Clockwise from top left: Eames Molded Plastic Chair, Zulle Santa Maria Desert Flower Camel Back Accent Chair, Arter & Citton Echo Chair, Early Settler Lorne Button Back Chair, Mystic Gray Bench, Sedro Orange Russ Chair
For the Home: All Lit Up
Clockwise from left: Jean-Louis Domecq Yellow Floor Lamp, Sea Glass Lamp, Mhy Pendant Lamp, Anglepoise Type 75 Mini Lamp, Birds - Purple Table Lamp, Jonathan Adler Dora Maar Lamp, Jamie Young Small Egg Table Lamp
For the Home: Knick-knackerry
Clockwise from top left: LSA Vase, Marimekko Pieni Unikko Tray, Reading Fox Bookends, Candle Holders, Diamantini & Domeniconi Plex Led Cuckoo Clock, Jubilee Fine Fragranced Plum Orchid Candle
DIY warm winter hats for all the family
At this time of year the weather is cold, wet and sometimes snowy, so you’ll want to have a nice cosy knitted hat to keep your head warm! You’d probably like to help keep the rest of your family warm too, so why not embellish some plain knitted hats to give to the little ones (and the grown-ups too!) to keep them warm this Winter? Adding a cute little knitted bow or a couple of contrasting pom-poms to your hats will help make them look more fashionable for a fraction of the cost of a store-bought hat and your children will be more likely to want to wear them and keep warm!
You will need: Wool, knitting needles, darning needle, hat, scissors
To make the bow: Cast on a row of 10 or 12 stitches and continue to knit a length (like a thin scarf) which is approximately the width of your hat. Cast off and fold the length in half. Use the darning needle to stitch the ends together and turn the loop inside out. With the stitched ends in the centre of the bow, wrap a length of wool around the centre to make the middle of the bow and tuck the end in. Use more wool and the darning needle to stitch the bow to the hat.
If you’d like to watch a step-by-step video on how to knit this bow, which includes instructions on casting on and off as well as stitching the bow together, please check out my friend and fellow blogger Laurie’s knitting tutorial video on YouTube. If you would like to make a smaller bow (which can be used a button or hair-clip too!) simply reduce the length of the knitting or choose a smaller size of knitting needle.
To make the pom-poms: Wrap the wool around your hand until it is thick and puffy. Slide the loop of wool off your hand and wrap a piece of wool around the centre, pulling it tight and knotting it in the middle, leaving the ends trailing. Use the scissors to cut through the looped ends of the pom-pom and fluff it out. Thread the trailing ends of the central piece of wool through the darning needle and stitch it to the hat, either on the top, or use a second pom-pom on the sides to create ‘ears’!
You can use matching wool or contrasting colors for your bows and pom-poms. I hope you have a go at making your own DIY woolly embellishments to make unique accessories for all your family – and why not give them as gifts to your friends? They will love to receive a personalized hat that no one else will have – plus the amount of time and love you have put into embellishing the hat will show them how much they mean to you!
Bring more love, joy & energy into your life with Pantone’s Color of the Year 2014
Color trend experts Pantone have announced the colour of the year fro 2014. You may remember that last year’s color was Emerald and that we’ve previously discussed their Fall tone Mykonos Blue and how to get the look for yourself – see the article here. This year Pantone have announced that the shade which will be influencing trends in fashion, graphic design, interiors, beauty and product design during 2014 will be Radiant Orchid – a gorgeous bright purple shade with both cool and warm tones.
Pantone describes the color of the year as an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones and says that it is an inspirational shade: “Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.” A color that emits love and joy is certainly something that we at Tamagotchi L.I.F.E is interested in and we’ve looked into ways of incorporating the Pantone Color of the Year 2014 into your homes and wardrobe to bring even more happiness, love and energy into your daily life.
In terms of making a welcoming home for all of your family, you may want to begin adding elements of Radiant Orchid to your interiors. After a few years of taupes, grays and beiges being on trend, this vibrant color will work with your existing neutrals to reenergize your home. If you want to unify your interior spaces, simply adding a few splashes of Radiant Orchid on walls or soft furnishings and this will help to enliven almost any color palette and bring a bright and cheerful feeling into your home for Spring and Summer. Children, especially, will love a more lively color scheme and your friends and family will admire your design knowledge even though you have only spent a fraction of the cost of redecoration by adding a couple of cushion covers or an artwork in this bold color.
If you’re planning to incorporate Radiant Orchid in your closet, you may already be thinking ‘what on earth can I wear it with?’ Well, I’ve done my research and have discovered that the shade works great with those from a similar color palette, such as purple, lilac and pink. It’s already a bright tone but if you want to make an impact with a real pop of color, combine it with scarlet red! Similar to the interior design ideas, using Radiant Orchid as a splash of colour in your neutral wardrobe will bring your existing fashion pieces up to date and need not cost a lot to get the look – a piece of costume jewellery or a pair of colourful shoes will increase your fashionista reputation with only a handful (or should that be armful?!) of new accessories.
Pantone has discussed the use of this color in beauty and tells us that the rosy undertones of this shade will enliven complexions and radiate on the skin. Despite looking like an unwearably strong make-up shade at first, this tone of color (which is actually both cool and rosy at once) can be worn as an eye shadow to outline eyes and make them glisten or as a lipstick to bring a healthy glow to the skin. It is an almost universally flattering shade, looking great with many combinations of hair, skin and eye color, so don’t be afraid to try out such a bright color for yourself and nail polish is an easy way to get the look whilst still looking like yourself!
I hope these tips have helped you to identify ways that you can incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year 2014 into your daily life, bringing your home and wardrobe up to date and infusing your life with the joy, energy and love that Radiant Orchid brings.
All Images by Radiant Orchid 2014 on Tumblr
PREVIEWS FROM OUR PHOTO GALLERY
5 Cute and Chic Valentine’s Outfits for 5 Different Types of Dates
Love is fun everywhere and we believe in celebrating love properly here on Tamagotchi L.I.F.E. And by properly, we mean dressing up like a million bucks on Valentine’s Day. No matter the type of date you’re having, we have prepared here a selection of stylish and cute looks. Don’t worry, we made sure to choose affordable items for the following outfits. We want you look like a million bucks without spending a huge chunk of your bank account.
1. After-Office Drinks - Heading straight out to your date from the office? This floral and chic ensemble has got you covered. This is a wonderful look if you’re going for “corporate yet stylishly sassy.”
Skirt, Heels, Top, Earrings, Bracelet, Clutch
2. Carnival Cutie - Is your date taking you to a fair or carnival? Better bundle up in this cute outfit. It’s comfortable enough for some of the rides without sacrificing the style factor. The satchel is great for keeping your hands free (for hugging those fluffy toys that your date will win for you, of course).
Jacket, Pantyhose, Earrings, Skirt, Satchel, Top, Booties
3. Theater Stunner - A Valentine’s Day date taking place at the theater deserves a sleek but unforgettable outfit. Whether you will be watching a play or swimming in the wondrous sounds of the opera, the following stylish look is sure to stun.
Dress, Clutch, Coat, Shoes, Earrings
4. Dinner and a Movie - Fancy delighting your date in a vintage-inspired look? Combine a full midi skirt with modern cropped and geometric pieces for one daring but darling Valentine’s Day outfit.
Skirt, Top, Shoes, Necklace, Ring
5. Loved-Up Lunch - So you and your special someone are both busy the night of the 14th. If lunch is the only time that you two could be together, there is no reason not to go all out. Take a look at this peach and lacy look to make your lunch date extra special.
Meeting the Parents: Chic Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas
So this Thanksgiving is going to be a big leap for you and your boyfriend. You are meeting his parents and family for the first time! You are probably extremely nervous about it even though you have nothing to worry about. We’d love to help any way we can so we give you here outfit ideas for Thanksgiving dinner. We’re sure you’ll impress his parents, grandparents, cousins, and pets with one of these beautiful looks.
1. A little cute, a little formal - if dinner is a casual/formal affair which may or may not include some of the big shots in your boyfriend’s town.
2. Cozy and Classy - for an intimate Thanksgiving in your boyfriend’s beautiful ranch. Even if you don’t know the first thing about riding a horse, you’d still look picture perfect posing with your love’s family for photos.
Sweater, Skinny Jeans, Earrings, Bracelet, Boots
3. Keeping Warm in Style - will dinner be in a fancy restaurant? Keep warm in this stylish outfit.
Pea Coat, Dress, Tights, Scarf, Booties
4. Seaside Invitation - if your boyfriend’s family is doing Thanksgiving somewhere relatively warmer (and perhaps near the ocean).
Dress, Cross Body Bag, Boots, Earrings, Scarf
5. City Girl Chic - a cute outfit for hanging out on the rooftop of your boyfriend’s family’s city loft.
Sweater, Scarf, Jeans, Pearl Earrings, Watch, Boots
Fall 2013 color trend - Mykonos blue
According to color trend-setters Pantone, this shade of blue is THE ultimate color for Fall 2013. Not quite denim, not royal blue and certainly not electric blue, it’s a difficult color to imagine. However, if you have ever been to the Greek island of Mykonos, you will easily be able to picture it: gorgeous blue skies, bright blue sea and the blue paint on buildings. Here’s a photo of a Mykonos building featuring the blue shade the fashion world is clamoring for this Fall.
It’s a relatively sunny color, in contrast to the usual jewel colors and earthy tones we usually see during the Fall season. The brightness of this blue brings a lovely sense of escapism, catapulting your mind back to warm summer vacations and bright blue skies. It certainly makes a change from all the navy blue we’ve been wearing since the Duchess of Cambridge announced her engagement to Prince William in a navy dress and immediately set the trend for all things navy.
With mykonos blue, you don’t need your whole outfit to be this one color - just adding a little injection of it is enough to follow the trend. The image above shows how designers Viktor and Rolf are using the color on the catwalk in a gorgeous cream dress with a mykonos bow woven through it. Take inspiration from this and add a little splash of blue to your winter outfits.
Image c/o Etsy and Vivienne Westwood
You don’t need to go out and buy whole new outfits to follow this trend: Just adding a scarf, handbag, shirt or even pantyhose (like these from designer Vivienna Westwood above) in mykonos blue will help to bring your fall wardrobe bang up to date.
Not just for women, mykonos blue is great for men too and in this menswear image you can see the difference between denim blue and mykonos blue. It’s easy for men to inject a little Mykonos blue with a classy shirt, funky belt or a flash of bright blue watch underneath a suit jacket cuff.
It’s such an easy addition to any wardrobe because it coordinates well with neutral shades, monochrome, denim, and jewel tones, so in order to bring your fall wardrobe up-to-date, just add a little flash of mykonos blue to your everyday outfits. You’ll be looking super-fashionable and all your friend and co-workers will be scratching their heads working out what you’ve done differently to look so on-trend this season!