Debenhams Winter Style Challenge

Image from the Debenhams website

Check me out, on a fashion roll! Don't worry, the beauty posts will resume as usual during the week. Today I'm making this post to enter the Debenhams Winter Style Challenge, which is an exciting opportunity where you have to make 2 style boards, one as a 'Winter Warmer' and the other as a more glam 'Party Look'. The winner gets a whopping £500 to spend at Debenhams and the two runners up get £50 each- I guess the season of giving isn't over yet!

My first look is the Winter Warmer which I made with the idea of being comfortable and cosy while still fashionable all the while. I love this teal jumper with a fun leopard print collar, which is stylish but warm, paired with a functional pair of thick cable leggings. 

I need this funnel neck coat, it's just so beautiful without being too flashy or over the top, just a simple black coat. I paired the outfit with a tan cross body bag which is quite small, just to fit the winter necessities (lip balm, tissues and sanitizer are a must!) as well as some ankle boots for some warmth. 

To brighten up the complexion, I added this blush highlighter to add some glow to a dull winter face, as well as this white snow-link top coat to make any colour just that bit more wintery. 

Oasis Collar Jumper - £38 here
Quiz Black Fleece Cable Leggings - £11.99 here
Wallis Black Funnel Neck Coat - £65 here
Oasis Xin Big Lock X Body Bag - £28 here

Faith Chocolate Leather Triple Buckle Low Ankle Boots - £52.50 here

Lancôme Blush Highlighter - £35 here

Illasmaqua Blizzard Christmas Nail Varnish - £14.50 here
Total = £244.99

My second look is the 'Party Look', which was so much fun to make. Debenhams have so many brands put together that it made it difficult to choose but also a lot of fun to see all the different styles. This is just a classic little black dress with a twist, the gold collar makes it a bit more dressy. 

The coat I paired it with is gorgeous, elegant and classy but don't you worry, animal lovers, it's faux fur! I added some chunky black courts which I think don't draw too much attention to themselves, all the while making the outfit understated but glamorous. To match the gold/sparkly theme I added this gold sequinned clutch with some dangly gold earrings and a chunky gold bracelet. 

For makeup, I chose this shimmery eye palette for a lovely wash of colour over the lids, as well as a glittery gold nail polish to add some glamour to those finger tips!

Iska Beaded Collar Dress - £32 here
Quiz Stone Rose Faux Fur - £49.99 here
Faith Black Double Tassel Trimmed High Court Shoes - £25 here
No. 1 Jenny Packham Designer Gold Embellished Clutch Bag - £33.75 here

Red Herring Polish Gold Round Disc Drop Earrings - £8 here

Betty Jackson Textured Gold Panel Stretch Bracelet - £12 here

Bobbi Brown Glitter Nail Polish in 'Chrome' - £11 here
Bobbi Brown Bronze Eye Palette - £35 here
Total : £206.74

Who would have thought that the 'Party Look' would cost less than the 'Winter Warmers' look? I hope you enjoyed seeing my winter picks, for whether you're having a lazy day in front of the telly or if you're going out to a party- I'm definitely part of the former. 

Favourite British Designer: Matthew Williamson

LFW SS'14 Show

This may seem like a strange post to be reading on Beauty for the Beauty but a little known fact is that I actually love fashion. Open up my cupboard and everything will come spilling out, it's that full. 

Today I'm posting as part of a competition for BLOGGERS[edit] (link) for the exciting opportunity to win entry to London Fashion Weekend, an event I've always wanted to attend.

My favourite British designer has got to be Matthew Williamson, his clothes are just gorgeous. Yes, it may be an expensive clothing line, but that doesn't stop me from ogling at the beautiful designs when I have so many other things to do!

He is originally from Manchester and then attended Central Saint Martins College in London but I think his clothes reflect the glamour and style of Paris. With titles such as Red Carpet Designer of the Year and Elle Designer of the Year he has a very impressive resume on the paper, but does he live up to that on the catwalk? Well, the answer is yes. 

His clothes are so chic and elegant but so wearable (if your purse will stretch far enough to buy one of his pieces!). Every catwalk show he puts on is bound to make you stare in awe at his beautiful designs, every one of them special in their own way.

In an interview he spoke about his clothes and said:
"My collections are known for their print, embellishment, attention to detail and kaleidoscopic colour. The designs encapsulate a bohemian spirit and a laid back sense of glamour."

Source - link

I love this b-e-a-utiful jumpsuit, with a bold yet simple design, and I love how it's paired with white heels- this is definitely something that I would wear. I'm incredibly tall, almost 6ft in fact, and it's so hard to find things to wear that aren't too short but still quite dressy, so jumpsuits are the way forward.

Embroidered Sweatshirt - link

I have a few picks from the website, too, some really gorgeous pieces. This ombre teal jumper with intricate embroidering on the front would look amazing paired with a pair of dark wash skinny jeans. It looks like it would be really comfortable and something that could be worn every day, not just on special occasions.

Winter Garden Organza Oversized Top - link

Getting into more Spring/Summer appropriate clothes, this oversized boxy fit shirt would look so chic with a pair of black skinny jeans, perhaps even wet look jeans. It could easily be worn as either a day outfit or a quick change of accessories and a darker lip could transform it into an evening outfit.

Winter Garden Organza Embroidered Skirt - link

Now for the item that I wish I could pull off but I know I could never in a million years make this work for me, and if I could it would be one single outfit, leaving this in the back of my wardrobe for months on end. Why can't my life be like Gossip Girl where they have an event to go to every weekend? Paired with a plain top and some matching heels, then you have yourself an amazing spring outfit.

Marais Oversize Tote - link

I can't write a fashion post without mentioning a bag, things I've been hoarding since I was about 5. This oversized tote bag is big enough to carry all of the junk that you probably don't need but you still put in just in case. The colours aren't boring but you wouldn't find them clashing with every outfit.

So, those were my picks- does anyone want to donate a few thousand grand to fund my Matthew Williamson obsession? The good new is, that for those of us on a budget like myself, Matthew Williamson designs a more affordable line for Debenhams which can be found here, currently on sale. Oh Matthew, you know just what to do. 

Don't forget to follow my new Twitter account here!

#BritishBloggerSelection: Week 3- Favourite Clothes Shop

This is my second instalment of #BritishBloggerSelection, if you want to learn more about it read this post. The category this week is 'Favourite Clothes Shop' and it was a toughie! I buy from so many different shops so it was difficult to choose, but my overall victor is ASOS!