Dynasty revival on the high street

Just spotted a lot of crazy clothes on the highstreet in Cambridge. Looks like dynasty is back! Tulip shapes, lace, off the shoulders and highlighter pink tones... So- is 80s prom a look you can -or will- work?

An Easy Vintage Retro Pin Up Hair Style- Step by Step!

(This is kind of messy and needs a wash- but you get the idea.)

This is a tutorial on an easy way to pin up hair and it is not a video! There are tonnes of video out there, but here is all the details written down in case you are truly old school!

You will need:

• Kirby grips
• A brush with black bristles (the kind you don't want to step on)
• Hairspray
• A curler (a hot one, big or small barrelled)
• A straightener
• Clean hair, unlike me. :)

1. Flip your head forward. Grab the top section of hair closest to your forehead and bobble it up.

2. The rest of the hair (as you are still bent over_ needs to be grabbed in inch sections and back combed. So grab the strand and in a 1-2-3 motion, rub the brush up against it.

3. Spray the root and blend the spray upwards to add texture. Repeat for the crown of your head.

4. Flip hair upwards. Blimey – you have a bush of hair. It’s cool, I promise. Don’t leave the house yet though!

5. Now. Take half the nest and clip it up. I like to straighten the remaining bits of hair to make it longer and sleeker. Do this, just start half way down the length.

6. Release the clips. 

7. Now to create a quiff. Take a portion of the mad hair (an inch or two) from the peaks of your eyebrows upwards using your fingers. This is quiff fodder.

8. Now, get your curling iron on. Hold the hair up and away from your head. *arm strain*

9. I recommend 200 degree heat – nuke that quiff!

10. Now, go under the hair and press the barrel into the hair from below. Move the barrel forward and back to make a hot bump.

  11. Get smoothing. Take your hand and some wax, oil, hairspray or nothing, and flatten the hair slightly.

12. Now time to pin. Holding your bumped up quiff, twist it, then quickly push it forward. Slide it across your head to make a big quiff. Check it from the side.

13. If it’s cool, add in two pins, criss crossing. Ta-daaa! Quiff!

14. Now, go from your ear line (where your ear meets you face ) and with your finger draw a line straight upwards. This is your next section. Twist this the opposite way to your face so it sticks out. Pin it up. Repeat on the other side.

15. Take your curling iron and curl sections of your hair.

16. Done! A vintage look quiff in minutes. Add lipgloss, big eyes and killer leopard print heels. Enjoy. <3 font="font">

Dedicated Follower of Fashion

I just saw a goth at lunch.

Not ground breaking news. But still, at 27 degrees, someone still decided to don thick trousers, a top hat and make up and chains to go about the task of buying a halloumi and feta wrap.

I find this strange.

The constraints of what we choose to wear are often debated. Are our choices as free as we like?

My case in point is skinny jeans. I lived in flares aged 13. The aim was to get the flare over your trainers (adidas shell toes, nice) and the back, inevitably trailed in dog mess and mud and made my mum weep. Then, somehow, I ended up buying skinny jeans. Why? Maybe Kate Moss.Or perhaps The New York Dolls. Or my trip to New York or time in America. Either way. Not wearing skinny jeans became wrong to me.

Black skinnies. Did I fall in love by chance, or was the fashion world one step ahead, greeting me in America like a new friend. I tried them and loved them. Then they took off. Trying to get flares in 2009 was ridiculously hard. In 2008 you couldn’t move for gypsy skirts and boho gladiator belts.Did I wear them? Of course, they looked good. What’s to laugh about? I surely didn't laugh at them, did I?

And now, even though laugh at flares, know they are coming back. I fear the flare.

So do we find fashion or does fashion find us?

Do we have to conform to what’s on sale? And what does this make us? Fickle followers of fashion – or less interested in the coolness of being individual by having to disobey the shops and actively find your own look?

Doesn’t seeking this out just mark you in a social sect by default?

The point I’m making is that am I any different wearing my skinnies and a tank top with a shiny horse belt and matching chunky jewellery and cute sandals in fuchsia (to match my fuchsia bag) on a hot day, than a goth dressing to meet their own ideal of 'not looking like anyone else'.

What would a goth be if they teamed the goth outfit with some nice gold sandals and some hair extensions?

Would they be true individuals, or would they be deemed 'strange'. Would they be goths? Or would they have broken the code?

Or does personality lead the label? Surely, with my accent, wardrobe and more, wearing a burberry cap wouldn't 'make me' a chav? Or would it?

Where does strange stop and individual begin- and is there such a thing?

I don't know. All I can say is whatever social sect i'm subconsciously dressing to appeal to, either way, I'm pretty sure I’m getting more enjoyment out of this sunshine than anyone in a top hat ever could.

What To Wear For A Wedding

Weddings are tricky.

Not just one offs like Christenings, these things seemto pop up every spare weekend you get.

After shuffling around your diary and moving out BBQ’s and other days out because weddings trump all, you are left with The Outfit.

The problem is, with gay weddings, beach weddings, summer weddings, winter weddings, night time wedding events, black tie, theme weddings and every wedding in between, you can’t just buy one outfit.

Chances are, you need to spend a bit.

So, until your big day when you get to inflict your own theme or principles on unsuspecting guests, what to do? This quick guide will explain how to get the right look for each wedding.

The traditional Church Wedding Outfit.

Think the royal wedding. You need flesh under wraps (literally, under a wrap) something smart, feminine and comfortable for the cold, unheated church walls. There’s a lot of upping and downing too with all those hymns you don’t know the words too, and plenty of cobblestone walking.

I think this dress (above right) is lovely. It is the 'Colour Block Tuck Shift Dress' from Topshop and is a reasonable £46. It looks smart and chic, and I have no doubt it could soon become office wear teamed with darker shoes and a large, substantial handbag. In the case of the wedding, I say get a creamy coloured clutch, and team it with Schuh Costu Court Patent Heels £58 and you're away! Smart and sophisticated, sexy without being too 'fleshy', this is an excellent choice for any wedding. Add a light blazer in a russet or red for autumn or a fur piece and tights for winter. You could even add gold jewellery and a statement ring for evening wear.

The Evening Do

Not close enough to warrant to per head price of a sit down dinner, which is fair enough, you make your arrival later in the day for an evening do invite.

You can go a little more risqué than those at the ceremony, but you will be doing a lot of dancing, drinking and standing, so look for comfort if you can.

I think this bright coloured mini dress from ASOS is perfect for a night do and has the right colours to get you seen, whilst being able to cover your top half.

Also check out this Pyramid metal coloured clutch to wear it with - just £18.

For shoes, look for a bronze, gold, or if you can get a good match, a nice purple. Ted Baker often have wonderful wedding ready heels in deep, rich colours like this purple-pink.

Beach Wedding

If you are lucky enough to get to one, then you can work the cool, beachy look. Unhindered by tradition, I still think a nice, long dress is better than crochet or mesh. This dress, the Sarah Floral Maxi from Boohoo is an amazing £18.

These espadrilles are on sale if you are a size 5/6 for £25 from Schuh, if not, i'm sure you can find a set from any other good shoe retailer!

The Winter Wedding

I love a Winter Wedding and this year, my friends Amelia and Ben will be having one just before New Year. With snow usually on the cards, you need stability and warmth!

I have picked a large 1950's style skirt in cream and black for a bit of drama, which will be balanced with a light camisole vest top, and a fake fur jacket for the evening. I intend to find ridiculously high heels, because if you can't beat the snow- I may as well join it - or in other words, use my boyfriend as a human support.

Soon to come: A blog on The Best Wedding Presents To Give The Happy Couple

With love to the happy couple!

Elaine @ Morethanakeyword xx

What To Wear For Autumn Winter '11

The arrival of autumn and winter is a

beautiful time. Squirrels, crisp red leaves, tall oaks and blissful walks with a loved one in big boots and smothered in knitwear. (Can you tell I love autumn?)

The only downside is the reality that yes, you will need to pack away those flimsy summer tops. You say a farewell to your maxi dress and the ditsy floral prints that saw you through the year, and dig out vintage tartans, furs, and your knitwear.

If you’ve stored it right, you should be happy with buying just a few key pieces to get you through Christmas, New Year and beyond.

So what does fashion dictate you buy?

The Yves St Laurent shows had plenty of luxurious fabrics. Capes, grey cashmere, black woolen dresses – this is all standard winter wear with the twist of sexiness beneath it, tight a-line hems, crisp, almost see through white shirts and vertigo inducing heels.

Designers like Phillip Lim are using androgynous cuts as well, and a mix of the bright, winter-blues defying palettes along with sombre, classic beiges, greys and blacks.

Burberry Prousum, the original, British, heritage look brand have the brightest brights, Paddington bear style anoraks, duffle and lumberjack coats, all with checks, hats, and large, punchy coloured bags.

As we all know in the real world- fashion filters down, so that your high street brands are going to be using a ‘dash’ of YSL’s sleek caped style, a touch of Burberry’s brights and a mix of the ever present duffle with the high, almost neck length fastenings.

My buy it nows would be:

This delightful velvet tweed coat with a bow tie top from Topshop

The long sleeved, boat necked ‘Carey’ sweater from John Smedley, made with merino wool to lock in heat, with long sleeves that can be rolled off to display some lovely chunky bangles and the new on trend 'friendship’ style armfuls of bracelets. These burgundy Wal G hem pants have a wintery tone and the right fit for slouching about after a hearty meal, and these delicious wedge boots are comfy-ish for walking afterwards to burn off those second helpings. A complete winter look. Enjoy your shopping for Autumn Winter!

Elaine @ More Than A Keyword

Made In Chelsea - A Husk Of A Programme

First things first. I loved (love, present tense) the Hills. And the City./ Here’s why. Glamour. Gossip. Relationships/.

The girls are nice, individually. You grow to love them. So can this be recreated in London, with made in Chelsea? After watching, a half hour I won't get back, I can only think- No.

I know this is late in the running when it first aired literally months ago. In fact, I’m only watching this because blogging with no noise is like running without earphones – a bit soul entering.

So here it is.The first problem is the characters. Whitney. Lauren and Audrina from The LA based 'The Hills' are in no way threatened, or shouldn’t be by these girls. Of course, they are pretty. The episode I saw ensured this was stated, both by the characters, as well as with casual voyeurism with the 3 minutes at the shoot of one of them dancing to S and M by Rhianna in leather undercrackers.

The joy of the Hills as a programme is, as well as the shots, the content and the characters, are the soaring shots of the Hollywood sign. In The City this is the equally thrilling New York landscape. Soaring over canary wharf just reminds me of The Apprentice. Someone should also tell the camera man to lay off the ‘quick time’ shots of the taxi lights, which smacks of the Spice Girl’s 2 Become 1 video from the 1990’s.

You can’t just truss up Chelsea and presume we want to be these people who live there. The joy of LA is it's novelty. The sun! The fashion. I could live within walking distance of Chelsea right now. It’s not aspirational. It’s rub your nose in it snobbery.

It errs on the wrong side of appealing to the audience, and I think it jars the whole show. Take away them showing off, horsing about with their dates, tennis and nonsense, and we might get a god programme. We could relate. Or aspire. Or anything. Yet, I come away with as much compassion for them as I have for a sock puppet. Husks of humans trussed up in pearls and leather, these are like droids without any comedy value.

The next problem are the characters themselves. I get it, your plumy. I actually have a bit of a plumy voice myself. What I don’t do is that awful American-Brit nasal crossover. This leaves men, women and vacuous actresses such as this saying over and over with an inflection

“Yarrr.”

“I had an AMAYzing time.”

“It’s seriously…boRRing”

“Pipe down.”

“We should have a Charrrt.”

Oh yes. Chats. Or Charrrts. There are plenty of those. Which leads to problem 3. The story lines.

I grasped that “errrrr””to be honerrrst” and “Yearrrr.” That Gabriella, is the one who sings. She got dumped by the one with long hair that looks like Mowgli, because he likes men AND women.

I also think that he looks like J’aime on Summer Heights High.

This guy is called Ollie Locke. The blurb tells me he is ‘a man on the door worth knowing’. I would suggest that’s a door I wouldn't want to enter.

Some man doesn’t like his girlfriend dancing in nightclubs, and 2 people go on a date.

Oh, they play some tennis too and discuss women like prime

slices of beef.

I have to mention the pin in the cushion of hatred, Francis Boulle. Tatler say he is an eligible young chap. I can only imagine eligible for a mince grinder.

Taking Errrr and yarrrr to a new level, this Francis has more plums in his mouth than Jodie Marsh ever has.

“I like the geek chic look you’v egot on” one girl mistakenly compliments him.

"Well, can’t say that’s what I planned." he replies, dialogue and flirtation as thrilling as a freshly painted wall.

Come on man. Geek chic spectacles? A sweater vest? And I know you can’t help the hair. But that is a 'look'.

And didn’t your mother ever tell you how to accept a compliment?

So with half an hour of my life gone I can only assume that this programme will soon be gone, else I have the whole of the UK pinned wrong. With storylines based around dates, kisses and the drearily dull, clean and safely compartmentalised side of London, that we aspire to escaping, these people have none of the charm and brash ‘new money’ laughs we get from The Hill's Spencer Pratt. None of the All American Barbie looks of his wife, Heidi Montag. None of the California windy-road-in-a-soft top intro or the fashion backstage scenes with anorexic gazelle-like models to gawk at that The Hills have.

In short, it doesn't touch it.

All we have with Made in Chelsea are club dancers, tennis and wet weather.

A miserable attempt at the glitz and glamour- this only reconfirms that TV is in a state until we make our own national niche instead of hanging on the coat tails of America’s MTV methods.

What do you think of Made In Chelsea?

Elaine

Etsy - Art for Everyone?

I have recently got into Etsy.

I find it quite enjoyable as a website – and here's why!

1. Taste test

You go through, being shown images like Freud himself would, asking to pick your favourite. I find this really narrows down your taste, and also provokes interesting , life changing questions such as ‘Am I a wooden vase or a glass egg sort of person?’ Pin ups, pola dots, knitted cakes, proper art, with oils and landscapes and everything, Etsy has something for everyone.

2. The gift idea

You link it up with facebook and all of a sudden- boom- instant gift ideas based on your friends tastes that they put in facebook. Remember they put they like Starbucks? Hey look, here's some earrings shaped like coffee cups! Remember they liked the band Madness? Look- Pictures of scream or yelling sock puppets. It’s a mixed bag, but great for offbeat gifts and a fabulous idea to get people looking around the site.

3.Paying is easy

Got Paypal? You can pay on Etsy. Easy, done and done. It’s the stopping that’s the problem...

4. You meet people.

I got this bit of work done at the top of the page.

It’s an illustration of me by the amazing Danger S. Jones.

( You can check her out here or here for personalised work at very reasonable prices.)

The point is, to get this thing on my wall from California involved talking, texting, photos and work. In turn, I think I’ve made a great new friend with similar interests to me.

And that’s it really! There is something for everyone at Etsy, from making it (You won’t catch me knitting) to buying it (that’s more like it) get involved.

Have you bought any art from Etsy online? Or a gift? Who do you think it suits?

Elaine

Festival Fashion - Make Like A Rolling Stone

Festival fashion. I only have to say the words and you are no doubt picturing the shorts, the willies, the aviators and the plaits.

But has that been overdone?

I know maxi dressed got a look in – with mud? Really? – but is there a way to tackle looking and feeling fashionable at a festival?

In particular, British ones?

Your options are limited. Jeans, heavy and damp when wet thanks to the cotton working like a sponge are out. Cooling, synthetic trousers are a must if you care about your comfort, but what about your look?

Boots for the wet, sweaters for the cold and flimsy pieces for the fashion show in the sun- here’s my opinion on how to do fashion at a festival.

There's the ASOS Navajo Bodycon dress for nighttime. Let's look at it this way. Flouncy is too girly for hanging with the big kids at festivals. Loose is no use when you're crowdsurfing. When it's live music- tight is right. This bodycon is definitely that, so chuck the carbs before you choose it and maybe go a size up so there's no tears before set time!

It is a bit ravey 1980's and it feels a bit Fresh Prince of Bel Air, in a good way. A bit Carlton, at least. I could see any girl wearing this well with loose, chilled out summer hair, some ray bans and some lovely flats, pumps, or plain black sandals when the sun comes up- and throwing some shapes in it at night. A great buy.

Thn there's the Alistair Shiny Lace Up Topshop ankle boots. Let's do them because they are brilliant and in my basket! I did look at them and think- Too 'Doc Martin?' but I think these are the right side of cool. Low, not high and wellingtony, not fabricy, not broguey, but not all out rocker or cliche and done 'biker' these boots have a cute, school time feel to them.

There's the joggers, but they aren't as you know them, so don't bail on me.

These Firetrap 'Yoda' Joggers are designed with a tapered leg and drawstring detail that means they will look slouchy and cool, not slobby and Jeremy Kyle. Team them with the boots and a militray sweater on a colder day, or wear with this ASOS Cami With Ruffle top on a warm day with some black or gold sandals like the Flower Corsage Sandals - and you are winning!

Let me know what your perfect festival wardrobe would contain- money is NO object, of course!

Elaine

What To Wear For An Interview: Hire Me Fashion

I wanted to do a post about what to wear for a job interview.

Job interviews are stressful times, and you want to look appropriate for the industry you are heading into.

Writing is quite a creative career, but I have made my errors. Turning up for an IT position to write content in a cute pencil dress with a jacket and heeled brogues has left me feeling out of place with the work ethic and environment.

So what should you wear to an interview?

I think the key to what to wear to a job interview as a woman, is to choose something feminine- you aren’t a man, which may be an asset- but you need to keep your assets hidden! I’m all for thick denier tights, a covered up chest and making a feature of your accessories, not your womanly charms.

But don't hide your personality in a suit jacket and trousers from the 'corporate' section of the shops. You aren't dead yet, and if you need to be wowing clients, making deals, account managing or just working in a busy office, you need to stand out.

Other Interview Tips

• Don’t forget your nails! ‘Slut red’ colour varnish might not be the best choice, so go with neat, short and filed.
• Take a back up pair of tights in case of laddering, as well as tissues and some scent.
• Hair is best up in my opinion, protected from wind and rain in a smart high ponytail.
• Wear a good mascara and lip gloss and make up that says ‘natural’ ‘professional’ and ‘smart’ not fun, ditsy or bubbly.
• Ensure any facial hair has been assessed before you hit the bright lights of the interview room.
• Apply a good deodorant and minimal perfume.
• Don’t smoke before an interview. Slap on a nicotine patch- or best- give up!

I have picked these outfits above to wear to an interview when you don't want to look frumpy but for when you also don't want to stand out for the wrong reasons!

I chose a 'heavy full skirt' from Topshop that won't need to be tugged down and will keep it's shape throughout the journey to the interview.

I have teamed this with a grey cotton' Grandad Plackett' shirt from Topshop. This can be tucked in, but won't reveal too much bust. The neutral colour keeps this smart.

The necklace is the Miso Oval from ASOS. I think this has a nice vintage look for a personal, homely touch, and won't look too 'fashiony' at an interview.

The shoes are classic black T-bars called the Sonita from Topshop. These mean business, without resorting to an 80's pointed court look. These are high heeled interview ready shoes that you can comfortably wear to an interview if you drive, or if you need to walk along cobbles, mud or grates. (You never know!)

And finally this bargain bag is the Miso Roll Lock bag from Republic- yup, it matches the necklace. The classic mock croc lock is office ready, a classic favourite- and the shape and handles mean this is Birkin inspired on a benefits budget at just £24.99!

Why not tell me about your interview errors or outfits that have been 'hire me' or 'fire me'?

Elaine