THE CHANELEPHANT: June 2014

DATE NIGHT INSPIRATION

Something that I feel like every girl needs once in a while is a little bit of inspiration as to what to wear on a date. As well as wanting to feel comfortable, you will be wanting to feel confident in yourself as well as feeling that you are impressing your date. Here is just a lil bit of inspiration as to what I would wear in different scenarios to help you out if you need it.

1) THE DINNER

I think something minimalistic always looks great. I love this style of dress and how it gives the illusion of a two piece outfit - which is also very comfortable to wear. I paired the dress with a pair of black heels which I recently bought, and they are amazing. I always tend to opt to a shoe with a chunky heel as I believe they are more comfortable and easy to walk in. These shoes I love particularly for the ankle strap - no buckles, no loops, just Velcro. I thought the use of Velcro was very unique, makes the shoe look 1000000x better and adds some complexity to the outfit.

2) THE "CASUAL"

This is a usual "casual" outfit for me - something loose and comfortable. I would tuck the tee into the jeans but make it hang loosely, and "one shoulder" the tee so the strap of the bralet is showing. If it's colder I would hang a leather jacket over my shoulders and possibly add a black beanie. I feel like being comfortable is key at all times, you don't want to be feeling restricted - especially on a date.

3) THE CINEMA

Again, a return of the monochrome. I currently love all white outfits, so having the focal points of the outfit being white will draw in attention and will contrast from the shoes, jacket and hat. I personally love this outfit as it's edgy yet sophisticated, and I am eager to recreate it at some point.

- E x

(Just a lil side note - as of next Saturday I will be going to Spain for 10 days, which means I will be unable to post for the next two Sundays. HOWEVER, I am going to try my best to post on Saturday before I leave, and I will post again as soon as I'm home or if I get the opportunity to while I'm in Spain - which is unlikely as I doubt I will have wifi. Either way, I will try my best to get my posts to you ASAP - you can keep up to date and know when I next post on INSTAGRAM or TUMBLR)

6/22/2014 11:13:00 am
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MY FAVOURITE 2014 SUMMER TRENDS

Summer is basically here, well that's what I can tell from the good weather we're having here which is quite a surprise. Since I am currently skint in the finance department, I can only sit here and lust over the beautiful (and often expensive) summer clothes that the high street have to offer. Instead of dreaming about these items of clothing in my head, I can share them with you here so you can lust with me.

1) TROPICAL PRINTS

The Paradise Print Lolita Crop | American Apparel

I'm currently loving the tropical/jungle prints that are coming into shops at the moment. They bring some zest and colour into the market and I find them incredibly fun. Depending on the tones and colours in your piece, they can also be worn in winter if you opt for dark, richer colours. However a lot of the ones you will find right now are bright and eye catching, which is great if you want to make an outfit look more alive in an easy way. I would pair one of these tops with a pair of white high waist jeans, or maybe a white skirt (which is another style I am also L O V I N G right now).

2) BRALETS

I think bralets are a classy way to show off your underwear through shirts, and I love it. If you choose the correct style of top (something loose fitted with a v-neck) and wear a bralet underneath it so the lace is just peaking through, it can bring more complexity to a simple piece. I find that wearing a bralet that contrasts to your shirt makes your outfit stand out and can add some minor details to make a basic outfit look more put together.

3) FEDORAS

I mentioned my love for fedoras in my previous "Festival Essentials" post and I'm gonna talk about them again. Fedoras are so simple but they can make an outfit look complete. I cannot contain my love for fedoras, if I had unlimited money I would have a wardrobe filled with them. A fedora is basically an accessory that will not date, and can match your outfit whether your style is classy or grungy. Plus they are reasonably inexpensive on the high street in the likes of New Look and River Island.

4) ROUND SUNGLASSES

Another item that I have mentioned previously. I just love round sunglasses. Since I tend to sway towards a more grungy style, these can make the difference between a "meh" outfit and a perfect outfit. They also work well with all styles, it all depends on the frame you pick up. You can get different variations of round sunglasses almost everywhere, so there is bound to be a pair that are perfect for you. Plus, they tend to be pretty timeless so you can wear them forever.

- E x

6/15/2014 12:15:00 pm
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MY HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS

There seems to be a bit of a theme coming along here (completely unintentionally, may I add), however I thought I would share something with you which may be useful to those who have never been on holiday before. Since I am very lucky to be going on holiday to Spain and Malta this year, I more or less have a clear idea of the things I will be taking with me (fashion wise). I thought it would be fun for me to share with you what I would take to another country which could give you new ideas on what you could bring, or maybe our packing essentials are completely the same. Either way, I thought it could be quite an interesting post because after all, everyone has a different way of doing things.

1) THE BEACH ESSENTIALS

Obviously if you're going to be heading to the beach, you're going to need to be beach ready. A bikini/swimsuit is an essential if you're going to be taking a dip in the sea, or in the pool. The high street are selling amazing swimsuits/bikinis at affordable prices, I've recently bought two from Topshop and they are fab - in the terms of their appearance and quality.

A cover-up is also perfect just to throw over your swim costume if you're going out for lunch or anything similar after lying out in the sun. These are literally available EVERYWHERE right now, they are hard to miss and they won't cost you a fortune (unless you opt for something a little more glamorous and higher end). I find that it's easy to find a kaftan that looks a lot more expensive than it is on the high street, without the hefty price tag.

Sandals are a must, for the beach especially - you don't want sand getting into your trainers right? Finding one pair of sandals that you could use at day and night time could save you money as well as having one less pair of shoes to pack.

Having a bag that you could use as a beach bag, a handbag and a carry on bag would be the ultimate way to save room. Get something that's roomy and comfortable to carry, and you're set to go.

2) PROTECTION

If you're going somewhere hot, it's obvious that you're going to need to protect your skin from the sun. Using suntan lotion and a lip balm with a suitable SPF is something that I use constantly on holiday. At nights, using aftersun stops my skin from going dry and having a good pair of sunglasses can protect your eyes from the sun rays (and stop you from squinting, which will help recede under eye wrinkles. Bonus.).

3) A CAMERA

You're going to want to capture the moments you want to remember forever, and a camera does exactly that. Whether you use a polaroid, a DSLR or your phone, anything that can capture a memory does the job. I love taking photos of places I go so I can always remember them, and it's up to you whether you want to share them with friends or not. After all, making them a little jealous does no great harm.

4) A JACKET/JUMPER

Hopefully you won't need this but it's good to be prepared. If the sky is clear the nights could become a little chilly, so having a light jumper or jacket to keep you warm could come in handy. I think a kimono would be perfect as they are lightweight, plus the thin material can be rolled up and tucked into your bag in case it's needed.

5) COMFORTABLE CLOTHES

I hate wearing jeans, sandals and a pullover on a flight. I feel like trainers are comfortable for walking around in whether it's at the airport or where you're going on holiday. You can't really go wrong with a cool pair of high waist shorts and a crop top, just in case you want to look like you've made an effort in what you're wearing. As long as it's comfy, it's good.

HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS by emmajaneross on polyvore.com

6/08/2014 03:06:00 pm
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MY FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS

Festival season is definitely one of my favourite times of the year. Not only because of the atmosphere and the live music, but for the fashion. Festival fashion takes a break from the ordinary, and you can see people in their element in the terms of personal style. Today I thought I would give you an insight of my top 7 fashion essentials for festivals, inspired by my own tastes.

A kimono is a piece that I think would look great at festivals. It shows off a bohemian vibe, but it can look very different depending on the style of kimono you get. I personally love ones with lace and/or tassels, which you can get almost anywhere from H&M to Nasty Gal. They tend to be quite pricey, but I have recently made my own using this DIY tutorial. I found that it was a lot cheaper than buying one from a shop, and relatively simple to make. Overall, a kimono would be perfect if you were trying to capture that classic, bohemian festival look.

Round sunglasses are a new found love of mine. I think they are timeless and can change the look of an outfit. I would say that they would be great for someone trying to achieve a grungy festival look, especially if you opt for a darker frame and lens. I feel that adding sunglasses to a simple outfit can complete it, and that you should definitely pack them if you plan on heading to any festivals - this can also apply to everyday life.

A bumbag is one of my favourite trends that would look GREAT at festivals. I'm one of these people who hates carrying around a handbag at festivals because I feel like it's too much responsibility as there is a large chance that I will leave it somewhere. With a bumbag, you can pack all the things you need - your phone, glasses, money etc. - and they can be right by your side 24/7. Plus you won't even feel like you're carrying anything. What's better than that?

A fedora is a style that I used last festival season and I am so happy that I'll be able to use it again this year. From my perspective, the fedora adds some class to an outfit. Plus, it will hide your hair if you're having a terrible hair day (which is likely if you're staying in a tent). Like the sunglasses, a fedora can completely change the look of a simple outfit which is great if you're wanting to keep packing to a minimum.

The bandana can be used in two ways - as a headband, or a scarf. Using it as a headband adds a hippie sorta vibe, yet I think it looks incredibly cool at festivals. For using it as a scarf, I saw some people at Coachella wearing their scarfs in a sherif style which I fell in love with. If that didn't make sense, it's basically putting the scarf into a triangle and tying it at the back of your neck. It's a style that isn't worn by many, which would be great if you're wanting to show some individuality within the crowd.

Wellies are an essential if you're going to be going to a festival in the UK. As it is well known that our weather is incredibly unpredictable, it's good to be well prepared. You don't want to be treading the fields in a pair of good shoes, right? Wellies are great for keeping the water out, keeping you clean and it has the classic, UK festival look. I highly recommend you bring them with you, you will regret it when it's pouring down.

A waterproof parka is another essential aimed at UK festival goers. As I said before, the weather is unpredictable, therefore you need to be ready for the worst. I would recommend you went for a waterproof, transparent jacket as then your outfit would still be visible while you're staying dry. Plus, a waterproof jacket secretly look pretty cool at festivals.

(Find the items used in this blog post here)

6/01/2014 11:25:00 am
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DATE NIGHT INSPIRATION

MY FAVOURITE 2014 SUMMER TRENDS

MY HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS

MY FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS

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