Belated Blogmas Day 10: Baby It's Cold Outside

White Owl Fur Headband - Oliver Bonas £12

Vintage Fur Jacket - Canterbury Vintage Market - £60

Dogtooth Dress - Primark

Twist Lock Satchel - F&F Tescos £16

Dr Martens Boot - £90

I was definitely well prepared for Prague when it came to clothes. This was on the coldest day where it dropped to -4 degrees. I'm so happy I took my fur coat with me. I worried I'd be overdressed, but almost everyone was wearing something similar. 

Teamed with my fluffy headband, my boots, multiple socks and a thermal t-shirt under my dress, I was unbelievably cosy. 

I've also fallen in love with my new satchel bag. I needed something small because none of my other bags would be allowed on the plane, so I just grabbed this bag from Tescos last minute, but it's so handy and really quite stylish. 

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Witchy Winter Walks

   

 

 

Hat - Primark

Choker - Ebay

Coin Choker - Lost at Sea Jewellery

Long Lace Dress - H&M

PU Leather Jacket - Missbehaver.com

Boots - Doc Martens 

Bag - Primark

Rings - Antique

Bangles - Camden

Even though it's cold outside, when the sun is shining it's hard to resist going for a stroll. 

So on Saturday me and the boyfriend decided to take his Nan's boxer dog Poppy out for a walk in Wat Tyler park in Essex. 

With the sun slowly setting, and bare branches all around us, the woods had a Blare Witch Project vibe about them (who are these people leaving intricately built wooden dens lying around? Stop it! It's freaky!) which was quite apt considering my witchy attire. 

I saw the dress in H&M a while ago and anything black and lacy I have to have, but I'd been struggling to figure out how to style it. I loved it because it was such a statement, and I think that's what I needed to allow it to be. Keeping it simple with just a silver and black accessories helps the dress speak for itself. 

I honestly think the outside world looks it's best this time of year when the Sun's shining, so if you've got time, grab a crazy dog or a friend and get out there. 

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Marks & Spencers Autumn / Winter Collection

 As a 22 year old, when I think of Marks and Spencers, I think food. Amazing, innuendo inspiring food (those adverts are coming back by the way, prepare yourself) that gives Nigella a run for her money. 

Never in my life have I seen M&S as a trend-setting brand leading the way in high street fashion. I don't even think M&S saw itself like that, but it wasn't for want of trying. Just last year, they hit the headlines with a massive drop in profit due to a disappointing fashion range. It goes to show that you can put anyone from Twiggy to Ellie Goulding in your adverts, but if people walk through your shop or look on your website and aren't inspired, the whole thing is a waste of time and money. 

Now I've taken many a venture through the M&S clothing department, but admittedly it's only ever to get to the food section for a cheeky meal deal, BUT there have been times (depending on what store I'm in) where something has caught my eye. The more I've paid attention to them, the more I've come to the conclusion that M&S do have fashion potentioal, and yes, I do mean for people my age. 

I'll say now that they are god awful at marketing their fashion and the styling on their website leaves a lot to be desired, but I don't think our high streets can cope with another major chain going bust. There are so many of us that are disappointed and apathetic towards our high streets, when really it's only us that can change things around. 

So in true Mary Portas fashion, I thought I'd show M&S how it's done (in a non-braggy way of course). 

Using the amazing Polyvore collage creator, I've put together 5 outfits that consist solely of M&S's A//W 14 collection. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, because I want all of it. 

School Girl Chic

Bow Collar Shell Top - £25

Checked Mini Skirt with Wool - £35

Leather Crocodile Design Tote Bag - £149

Leather Faux Fur Cuff Boots - £79

Floral Elegance

No Peep Rose Print Shirt - £35

Coated Skater Skirt - £25

Pointed Toe Lace Up Brogue Shoe - £25

Faux Fur Frame Tote Bag - £40

Winter Pastels

Faux Fur Textured Coat - £139

Ripped Skinny Jeans - £40

Leather Ankle Strap Boots - £69

Metallic Box Across Body Bag - £30

Merry Gothmas

Velvet Floral Lace Playsuit - £55

Leather Faux Fur Cuff Boots - £79

Faux Fur Top Handle Tote Bag - £40

Quilts and Pleats

High Neck Embellished Trim Blouse - £40

Coated Skater Skirt - £25

Quilted Bowler Bag - £30

Train Trim Ankle Boots - £45

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The Return of the Choker

YESSS!!! Choker’s are back (can you tell I’m excited?)

In my opinion, there’s not much that can be salvaged from the 90s when it comes to fashion, although I was pretty young then, and the stuff my Mum dressed me in was pretty shocking. However one item that I’m very happy to hear is making a comeback is the choker.

When it comes to colours, styles and textures the sky is the limit, in fact statement necklaces are still in right now, so the bigger and bolder the better. This trend is so tasteful, and I love that there are two sides to this trend. Both the grungy, punk rock style and the understated, refined style (also known as necklace cuffs) go to prove that something so simplistic can actually make a dramatic change to an outfit.

If it is the more understated look that you prefer, a simple gold or silver band is enough to add an element of glamour to whatever it is you’re wearing, whilst elaborate, jewel encrusted statement pieces are all you need to add drama to something that was previously quite subtle.

This is actually a trend that is so flexible that if you’re a dab hand at crafts, you could even make your own.  

The current interpretation of the choker trend is very varied, but I’m a sucker for nostalgia, so I’m really pleased that the ever so 90s stretch tattoo chokers as well as the simplistic black velvet ribbon chokers are working their way onto the high street, so at the moment, I’m definitely veering towards the grungy look.

So just recently I purchased a velvet ribbon choker with pentagram charm from Ebay, and I’m absolutely in love with it. It gives an instant retro gothic look to anything I wear it with. 

One of my favorite jewelry companies Regal Rose do some amazing chokers here that I can't wait to get my hands on, so go check them out if you're looking to get one yourself.   

I'd love to hear your views on the choker. Do you prefer grungy or refined? What are you wearing yours with? I'm really enjoying discovering new blogs, so get commenting so I can look at yours : )

Steph x x x

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Leather and Lace

Oh my. 290 views already. I would have been over the moon with 10, so thank you to everyone who took the time to look around BS&H, it really means a lot. 

This is my first today-I'm-wearing post. I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture, but the sun is out, and I decided to embrace it and do some outside photography of what I was wearing, seeing as the lighting in my house is so poor. 

 I have a variety of different styles that I like to explore, but looks like this are definitely my favorite. I am a massive lover of black, in fact, until the last few years that's all you would find in my wardrobe. But I think if you are going to wear all black, you really need to play around with the textures.

Here I'm carrying through the Victoriana  trend of Autumn/Winter 2013/14 into Spring, with this lace high-neck top from Zara (it's now sold out, but you can find similar here.) This would look great just wearing a black bra underneath for an evening look, and a leather jacket, but being a size E, I really didn't think that was something I could get away with, so I've teamed it with a black cami top from Topshop instead. 

The faux leather skirt is a recent purchase from H&M that is becoming one of my favorite basic items. It works with so much, and the leather works really well to cut up the lace texture that is flowing from the top down to the tights. I do struggle sometimes to find a non-elasticated skirt that really flatters my curves, and I do worry that I' m going to have to pay ridiculous amounts of money for the privilege, but this skirt is a saving grace, and a massive money saver. I can't find the exact one on their website, but there's a similar one here. 

As for the tights, I'm not sure if you'll be seeing them again, because I love them so much I've worn them within an inch of their life. I wear them with absolutely everything, even just a simple skater dress, and they really add a whole new dynamic. I've had so many compliments and people asking where I got them from, that I'm pretty sure ASOS can thank me for their selling out. They're a unique twist on netted tights, and I think they actually make the outfit. 

Now, this blog is called Blood, Sweat and Heels for a reason, and I think the beasts enveloping my feet can give you a good reason as to why. They're my most recent purchase from Boohoo.com and they are my babies. Being only  5'2, they make me the tallest I think it's possible for me to be without looking like I'm on stilts. I wear chunky heels more than stilettos and I love the gothic feel they add to any outfit, yet not taking away from its femininity. 

Jewelry wise, I accessorized with my Alexander McQueen Ninfea Skull Pendant and my new The Rogue and The Wolf  Queen of Hearts ring.  (I've just discovered this brand on Etsy, they're jewelry is amazingly creative. Go check them out)

Sorry this one's so long, mega well done if you read it all. What's your opinion on wearing all black?If you love it like me, how do you wear it in the Spring/Summer?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions. 

Stephanie x x x

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Hello Everybody!!!!!

Eeeeeek my first post!

 I'm actually more nervous about this than you can imagine, and I'm very new to this so please be kind. Having my own blog to explore and express my love of fashion and beauty has always been an ambition of mine, and I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so I've been putting off this first post, constantly telling myself there's more I can do to prepare (crazy I know) But I've forced myself to dive straight in, otherwise this blog space I've spent ages setting up will just sit here empty. 

I've spent quite some time following some amazing bloggers, and decided to get involved myself. I feel I have quite a unique sense of style that I really want to share with you. 

 I've just recently graduated after dedicating three years to an English Literature degree (another one of my passions) and I think those three years was when I really developed as a person. I discovered my passions, my own sense of style, and really thrived in being given the opportunity to be individual and discover my identity. I did struggle for a while though. Being 5'2, with a rather curvaceous figure meant that there were a few styles that were shut off to me, and for someone just starting to explore their style, that was quite hard to accept. Now though, I feel I have created something that reflects everything I love. 

I love anything dark, weird and unusual, and try my best to portray that in the way I dress, and as you've probably figured from the title of this blog, I love to wear heels, they're my weakness. The chunkier, more dramatic, and more likely they are to give me altitude sickness, the better. I would say that's what the majority of my hard earned cash goes on, so you can expect to see a lot of shoe porn haha.  

If you're wondering what you can expect from Blood, Sweat and Heels, well, it'll be a mixture of today-im-wearing posts, product reviews, trend and runway reports, some of my favorite things,  and me and my hairdresser friend Natalie (I'll introduce you to her at a later date) are going to throw some awesome hair tutorials your way, inspired by the latest catwalk and celebrity looks. 

Well aren't you guys in for a treat : p

Really can't wait to get started, and I hope you enjoy reading Blood, Sweat and Heels as much as I enjoy making it. 

Stephanie x x x x

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