Stained Purple ~ freshly dyed hair.

 
{Purple washes over me  

Seeping through my open seams  

I'm stained all over.}

- Skin, Purple

Finally! I've redyed my hair. The roots were getting ridiculous and my previous colour was well and truely faded. After about 6 hours of re-bleaching and dying this is the glorious result. Obviously it wouldn't have turned out nearly as well as it has if it hadn't been for the aid of Nic, one of my super best friends. I am so pleased with the result! It's such a gorgeous rich colour and varies in shade in different lights. So far I've noticed under artifical light it looks bluer and in the sun some reddy-purple tones comes out, and just generally there are loads of subtle differences in colour. 

 To get this colour we used a mixture of mainly Directions in Plum and added a bit of Rusk Scream in Purple Burst that I had left over from a previous partially purple look I had. I've never used Directions before but I've heard good things so I thought I'd try it out.

I love the contrast of the green of the grass and my hair. 

The boyfriend did a good job of avoiding any photos where the skin on my ears or neck is very clear since they're currently both tinted purple. I'm never very careful when I dye my hair so I generally end up with odd coloured skin for a few days as well. My pillows are slowly going purple as well, since not all the dye washes out after the first wash.

 

When we went outside to do some photos one of my cats, Nuage (snow in french) decided she wanted to be involved as well. I think she completely steals this shot. So unfair!

 And on the super plus side, my nails match my hair at the moment! 
Also, I thought I'd mention that if you're looking for a good, cheap supplier for Directions (as well as Manic Panic and Crazy Color I would highly recommend this website.

GUCCI ♥ fur & jewels. {part 2}

Source: fashionrising.com

Here is the second part to my hommage to Gucci's A/W 11 collection.
Part one can be found here where you can find more inspiration focusing on ochre and red and images from the actual show (not taken by me of course). All items featured there (and here) are under £60, apart from one (but sshhh,we'll just ignore that).

P U R P L E  H A Z E.

{1 - New Look fur coat, £31.49}

{2 - Awear fur collar, £16}

{3 - Fashion Union shirt, £25}

{4 - Next scarf, £9}

{5 - Topshop trousers, £40}

{6 - H&M nail varnish, £1.99}

{7 - Dorothy Perkins jumper, £16}

T U R Q U O I S E  D R E A M.

{1 - Fashion Union skirt, £25}

{2 - Bank fur snood, £18}

{3 - H&M coat, £39.99}

{4 - New Look dress, £24.99}

I have #4 in red and I love it!

{5 - Asos fedora, £14}

{6 - Fashion Union blouse, £25}

{7 - Oasis jumpsuit, £75}

{8 - Topshop blazer, £55}

{9 - Accessorize fur stole, £20}

Taking On Gucci.

Now a little on actually pulling off a Gucci look. Here are a list of key things I think are essential when considering how to approach this. 

• Aim for inspiration, not replication. When taking inspiration from this collection there should be less of an aim to replicate a look, after all they are so colourful that it might look too much out of the context of a fashion show. Instead take your favourite elements and work them into your usual style. For example, I personally adore the ochre colours and the floaty rich materials, so a satin shirt with a chiffon scarf or a long flowing skirt would fit in with the rest of my wardrobe a treat. Alternatively a bold fedora with a darker outfit makes a cool statement.

• Own the fur, don't let the fur own you. As for fur, don’t go overboard, it can be quite hard to actually pull off a coat made entirely of fur, considering how even the slim models like bulky wearing them. Instead go for a fur collar on your coat (there are an abundance of these at the moment), or some cute cuffs (ASOS has some). 

• Keep it feminine, but not too girly. If you want the sophistication offered by this collection make sure you don't make your outfit too girly, nothing too short and not too many accessories, let the simple elegance speak for itself. The same applies to the make-up, just a flick of mascara, a little eyeshadow and of course, those gorgeous deep red lips.

 

Later this week I’ll be showing you my take on the Gucci look which I really can’t wait to show you (along with that perfect lipstick I mentioned in part 1)!

Do you have any pieces in your wardrobe (or that you've seen) that you love and think fit in with this winter's Gucci look? Or even a whole outfit? I would love to see them.

GUCCI ♥ fur & jewels. {part 1}

Source: Fashionising.com

There's been a lot of (faux) fur accessorising the catwalks for A/W 11 in the form of coats, shrugs, stoles and cuffs and it has all been so beautiful. There's also been an abundance of gorgeous, rich colour. Think burgundy and wine, deep turquoises and teals, golds, ochres and royal purples, in sumptuous materials; satin, silk, chiffon and suede.

I think that one design house has managed to sum up these two huge elements of A/W 11 in a really amazing collection; Gucci. They've focused so well on real, old time glamour and with so many colours and textures to choose from, a gucci winter isn't going to be a bland or monochrome one. I mean seriously, just look and drool. These clothes exude so much luxury and sophistication, so feminine yet mature.

Obviously most of us mere mortals can't even allow ourselves to dream of owning anything from their Ready to Wear collection. So, I've scoured the internet and have found some examples where you can actually get a little bit of the Gucci glamour, all below £60 (apart from one, but it's an exception!).

{1 - Next berry boots, £89} 

{2 - H&M nail varnish, £0.99} 
{3 - Warehouse pussy bow dress, £60} 
{4 - Next berry heels, £30} 
{5 - ASOS faux fur racoon tail, £10} 
{6 - New Look blazer, £29.99} 
{7 - New Look fur stole, £9.09} 
{8 - Awear belted skirt, £30}

{1 -Dorothy Perkins trousers, £20}

{2 - Topshop silk shirt, £40}

{3 - New Look belted mac, £22} 

{4 - Awear skinny belt, £6}

{5 - Next crew neck cardigan, £18}

{6 - Asos maxi skirt, £40}

{7 - Oasis bag, £40}

Part 2 will be bringing more afforable inspirations and a little on how to pull off the Gucci look.
And I have the most perfect shade of lipstick that matches those seen on the models. I just can't wait to show you at some point next week when I also put up my own Gucci inspired look.