Shop Zoella

As of late, it has become increasingly clear i have a lot of things i just do not use. Clothes and makeup mainly and the odd accessory/electrical item. I do love having a good Blogsale but there is so much hassle involved with a massive list of items for sale on one post, i find it can get a bit much scrolling through 50+ comments to see who got what.

So for this reason, i have decided to create my very own blog shop. Don't be fooled into thinking it's going to be an all singing, all dancing proper shopping website, it has all the same elements of this blog, but im hoping it will be so much easier to maintain and sort through. Also giving you all the option of searching for something you might want. Have no fear, it shall be very straight forward, i don't do complicated. I could have chucked it all on Ebay, but i like to give my blog readers a chance to grab it first, and Ebay is the devil for selling - I dont want to pay for more than one detailed photo thankyou very much.

The same rules will apply when asking to buy an item, just simply state your paypal email and your country. Which also brings me on to say it is Interntational :)

The posts will just be in MUCH smaller batches rather than the typical 20+ items, so makes life easier for the both of us in the long run.

Click the Shop Header Below to take you to the website, or the widget to the right (which some of you have already spotted, and for that, i praise you for being alert, loyal bloggers) Please go and follow & give the info a quick read before i start putting items up for sale.



There will definitely be something for everyone, i have way too much stuff which you need to take off my hands.

I would really appreciate if you could spread the word about the shop, obviously not all of you are always interested in my blogsales but it's worth a follow just to keep updated with any new items.

Thankyou fellow bloggies.

New Purchases

Top to bottom:
PVC Lace Pumps with Floral Interior - £8 - Primark
Black and Gold studded cluth bag - £3 - Primark
Black and Gold sequined headband - £1.50
Denim sleeveless crop jacket - £12 - Primark
Grey Jumpsuit - £3 - Primark
Lingerie/Nighty Jumpsuit - £10 - Primark
Mint Skater Dress w/Horses - £9 - Primark
Navy Lace Dress - £3 - Primark
Cream Lace Dress - £3 - Primark
Brown Leater Boots - £30 - Primark
Navy Body - £5.99 - Zara

♥

Paris

I've never been to France before, and Paris was the one place I had always wanted to visit, so when I did get the chance to go, obviously I took some snaps to share with you all. I ate far too many crepes and macarons and came to the conclusion that Paris is very expensive. I also did a bit of sneaky shopping in Mac, Sephora and City Pharma which is the shop that everyone goes to when in Paris to pick up cheaper french skincare (which might I add, was an INTENSE experience - think smallest ailes in the world with double the amount of people for the available capacity). That was definitely a grab and run shopping spree. I got to see some of the main attractions of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower (which when seen in real life is slightly more disappointing than you might think, but still beautiful from afar none the less), the Notre Dame which was amazing inside and out, the "lovers bridge" across the river Seine and the Louvre Museum. I had an amazing couple of days & highly recommend that if you've not yet hopped across to Paris, please do (Although be reminded that the taxi drivers drive like absolute maniacs & I did think I was going to be involved in many an accident). 

Au revoir mes amis x 

♥
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Maxi Skirts | Wearing & Styling Tips

Maxi Skirt: New Look - Jumper: Charity Shop - Hair Band: New Look - Belt: Primark

I don't often do fashion how to posts, as, well, I don't really consider myself hugely fashionable or highly knowledgeable when it comes to all things catwalk or "on trend". I wear what I like, and something I feel happy & confident in. I gather all my inspiration from people around me and those who I claim DO have a fair amount of clothing know-how. However, when I recently filmed a haul video on YouTube, I showed a couple of maxi skirts and asked if anyone *may* be interested to see how I wore them. I had an overwhelming amount of "yes pleases". So, with the help of Louise as camera lady, I set out and created the video especially for those of you who asked.

Maxi skirts are my summertime essential. As someone who suffers with "I despise my legs" syndrome, they are my perfect go-to on a warm day where tights and leggings would be an awful & sweltering idea. They cover my legs, provide a cool breeze, suit my shape & frame, yet still look quite glamorous & effortless.

A few tips & hints:

• If you are short, wear a maxi skirt at your waist, rather than your hips, it elongates the legs making you appear much taller, as well as shortening the length slightly.
• If a maxi skirt is too long, but you absolutely love the style & colour, then take it up! Don't be lazy, it takes minutes to stitch up a hem, or even use the iron on webbing if you aren't very good with a needle and thread.
• If you are on the shorter side, and anything "maxi" is just too long or you can't be bothered with adjusting the length yourself, then count yourself lucky that you can wear some killer wedges with it. You appear taller, feel more elegant, and nobody will ever know ;)
• If you are taller and find maxi skirts impossible to fit you length-wise , try going for a maxi skirt which is designed to be sat at the waist, and wear it on your hips. This way you are shortening the length and the appearance of your legs.
• You don't ONLY have to wear maxi skirts in the summer or when it's hot, put on a pair of leggings or tights underneath for a bit of added warmth on those days where the sun is shining but there's still a slight chill. Nobody will ever know!
• You can also layer up with different t shirts, jumpers & scarves in the colder months. I find that jersey like fabrics sit better for colder days, and floaty fabrics look a lot more summery for the hotter days.
• As maxi skirts are so long, you can get away with wearing many different top variations and tucking them in. You could even wear a pretty dress or swimming costume underneath & all would be concealed.
• I find that cropped jackets & blazers look best with my maxi skirts, as it helps to balance everything out. I tend to opt for a cropped denim jacket for a more casual look, and if i'm going somewhere nice, I'll go for a cropped blazer.

There really are no set rules around styling maxi skirts, tuck tops in, let tops hang out, wear flip flops, wear boots, wear leggings, wear at the waist, wear at the hips, wear in winter, wear in summer...you make the rules. I know that not everybody will feel the same love I do for a floor-length skirt but it's such an easy thing to dress up, or dress down, and if you aren't blessed with gorgeous pins as I unfortunately haven't been, they are a summer life-saver, plus, you feel so elegant & feminine!

♥

Backstage at LFW - Rachel Freire "Future Noir"

Just a pre warning, this is a long blog post, packed full of images and videos but i hope you find it as interesting as i did being there.
On Tuesday, i was invited by Jack Saundercock (head of makeup) to go backstage at one of the shows for London Fashion Week. The designer was Rachel Freire and her collection was called "Future Noir".
I'm no fashion expert, although i am extremely interested in art, textiles & trends, i can't say i'm much of a fashion journalist (in fact, i'm not one at all), so don't expect a huge in depth spectacle, merely just my personal thoughts, opinions and observations.

The collection involved a lot of reflective strips , black latex leggings/body suits, mirrors, geometric shoes, cassette tape, a mixture of nude & brown & some truly amazing headpieces. The reflective strips are not something i can say i've ever seen incorporated within a piece of clothing..besides the fluorescent jackets we use for safety reasons, and they certainly aren't the most flattering thing to wear i think you'll agree.
I also love the variety of textures Rachel used in her collection..from floating, draping & inter-twining to very tight latex, body suits & very structured pieces.
There really was an outfit to please every fashionista.






The above image was one of my favourite outfits of hers. Her inspiration came from a soccer players uniform & the very structured, protective shoulder gear they wear. I love the mirrors & the reflective strips teamed with the simplicity of the nude body suit & pvc holdups.
I think she has created a fantastic range, there were simpler designs and a lot more outrageous ones. The shoes were incredible, how they walked i have no idea. It was fascinating to see how much detail had gone into every garment & how well the models exhibited them.

The makeup was also amazing. Jack had really thought of everything. With the title of the collection being "Future Noir" he wanted to portray this in the makeup. Using dark edgy colours along with the contrasting white's and greys made the makeup futuristic & geometric. I also think the striking white worked very well with the reflective strips used in some of the models outfits. Jack described it as a "Cybotic Army".








What makeup was used?



What skincare did they use on the models?

How was the look created?







It was amazing being able to see all the products & effort which went into making the models look so amazing. Not only that, but all the thought that Jack had clearly put into his makeup to fullfill the title of Rachel's collection. Makeup is an art, and that really does come across when you see all the imagination & inspiration which is put into it.
After spending time backstage with Jack and the rest of the team and seeing first hand the products used, i definitely wanted to get my hands on the Jemma Kidd palettes & the lipstick in "Peggy", as you all know, i'm a total sucker for nudes & this one is perfect & highly pigmented & at such a good price. Jemma Kidd is sold in most Space NK stores if anyone else in interested. I also really want to try out the Dermalogica dry skin lotions & potions that Jack mentions in the video above. My skin becomes dry very easily during winter, and the things he spoke about sounded like something i definitely want to try out.

Overall it was an amazing experience being at the show & thank you Jack for giving me the oppertunity to see how things work at LFW, on the catwalk but also backstage.
♥

Primark purchases of late.

Mink crop top £5 - Scooped neck navy top £8

Bag £7 - Sailor Pumps £6

Just a few things I picked up in Primark recently. They don't have a lot of newer things since the last time. I really loved the fabrics of the two tops. The crop top is a really heavy, flowly material which I think will look flattering & I loved the mink colour. The navy top is also really baggy and floaty. The bag was one of those "oh my gosh, quick grab it" purchases. I'd seen this in the SS11 collection photos, and it was the one thing that I knew I had to have. I spotted it in Oxford Street & there were literally about 5 girls standing around them when I grabbed one. Think there were 2 left after i'd gone. They may get more in but if you want this, grab it now while you can or if you spot it. Looks to me like it's a popular item. The shoes were just too cute to pass up really. I think they'll look good in summer with little white dresses and pretty skirts.

♥

Style Heroine: Kim Kardashian

Isn't that a surprise..she's only a hugely vast majority of every young girl's idol?
But seriously, after hours of watching "Keeping Up With The Kardashians", i soon realised that if i could switch lives & looks with one person, i would absolutely choose Kim Kardashian.
Why?

♥ She is absolutely bloomin' gorgeous! Some of you might not agree, and that's fine, we don't all have the same perception of what's beautiful. Personally I think she has the most amazing facial feautures, figure & hair...ever. I'm starting to sound like a lesbiano now, so i will shh..but the pictures speak for themselves surely. I also love that she's curvy. Like Beyonce, she has a real booty, and she's not affraid to show it off. Not all beautiful women are stick think like we see on the catwalks. If anything, i prefer to see curves, it shows a real woman. Her confidence is just as amazing as her beauty, she is really very inspirational & such a sweet person.

♥ She is making a living from being these things..imagine being born so beautiful, you can just smile & make money from it. Sounds like my idea of a fabulous career, who cares if she is a bit vein..i'm pretty sure i would be too if i looked like that. :)


[All Images taken from Google]

♥ Her style. Now, normally, i am one for a bit of quirky-ness. I do get bored of seeing the same old when it comes to celebrities..but i also know, that those who do like to try and be a bit different, can get it wrong just as well as getting it right or becoming the next massive trend. I actually love how Kim just dresses classy..she keeps it simple, yet stylish. You don't have to wear a huge flower in your hair, or hot pants teamed with knee lenght socks. Kim proves that simple dressing is enough, and some of her outfits are absolutely gorgeous! Of course, she has been known to get it wrong aswell...i have seen her wearing a few outfits which have made me wince..and wonder why oh why..but then that's predictable being in the public eye. Kims style is very sharp & almost business-like. She teams crisp/frilly shirts with high waisted trousers and gorgeous heels. When she dresses down she likes to team t shirts with leggings, and long waistcoats. Then she has accessories to die for that top off every single outfit.

♥ Her amazing family. I have always wanted to be a part of a huge tight-nit family. I only have one brother, he will do, but i'd love to have sisters who shared my passion in the same things as me, could go out shopping with me etc etc. They fight, they laugh, they love. end of. It's so cute to watch.


These are a few of my favourite Kim photos..all taken from her personal blog.
The one in the bottom left is one of my favourites, purely because she looks stunning. The dress, the hair, the tan, the sunset..grr. Jealous much? haha

Kim also inspires me greatly with her makeup. She can pull off the smokey-est eyes, and the reddest lips. She can be a bronzed goddess, or a pale beauty. Anything goes.
I know some of you may like to point out the whole "air brush" issue. But she wasn't airbrushed in the Kardashian Series..and even admitted to having cellulite. We're all human :)

Any other Kim K fans out there?

♥

Granny Chic on a Budget.

Handbag - Bootsale - £1 Silk Scarf - Bootsale - 20p

It became quite apparent to me, whilst strolling through Topshop on Oxford St, London (I literally get lost in there) that a lot of the things on sale for stupidly high prices, could be found at a fraction of the cost in charity shops all over the UK. I still have a very love-hate relationship with Topshop...

Affordable fashion? Really?
Long-Lasting? Questionable.
Unique? Not Always. Every girl & their mum has the same item.
Quality? Sometimes.

Overall it's pretty hit and miss, and i go through phases of wanting things from there, and then I go back to dissliking it again. If they dropped their prices slightly, I might be more inclined. Although the point of this post is not to go into detail about Topshop, it's simply to highlight other places you can grab similar things, for much, much less. This winter, I have mainly bought my jumpers and cardigans from Charity Shops. The prices in high street stores of winter clothing always shocks me. Especially if you want quality. I have had a bit of an obsession with 80's batwing jumpers. I wear them with leggings, or shorts, or a bandeau skirt.

Top photo: left - Batwing Jumper bought from Brick Lane for £5, Right - Cardigan from Charity shop for £6
Bottom photo: Vintage Beaded tops L-R - Charity Shop £5, Ebay £6

I'm also a big fan of the beaded "granny chic" evening tops. You don't really see anything similar on the high street the best place to find them is Charity shops and Ebay. I like to wear them with leggings. Just something a bit more exciting and different for a night out or evening do ;)

Top left photo: Both jumpers from a Charity shop, £3 & £4
Bottom left photo: Chairty shop again, £5 & £4
Mohair coat/jacket - Charity Shop £5

The mohair coat was such a find, I absolutely love it with my military boots and a messy updo, and it kept me warmer on minus freezing days than any other coats I own. I really can't encourage you enough to check out the Charity shops and bootsale's for vintage items, be it clothing or accessories. Even if none of this is your style, you will find something,to suit you and it's somehow a lot more satisfying.

♥