How To Wear: Graphic Tee's By Life Clothing Co.

How To Wear: Graphic Tee's

Life Clothing Co.

You'll all know what I'm talking about if I asked you to visualise the types of graphic t-shirts that you get from retailers such as Urban Outfitters, Forever 21 etc right? Well did you know that the company who does the licensing for said retailers have now created their own brand? Yeah, I'm pretty excited too. The label is called Life Clothing Co and after having a little look at their recent LookBook, it's safe to say that I was left feeling a tad inspired to put together a look using some of their t-shirts. Have a little look at their new LookBook and then we'll get on to the fun part: the styling!

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I love graphic t-shirts, but half the time I just think they look too plain/boring/casual/whatever, but when I saw the lookbook from Life Clothing Co, I knew that I had to take the classic graphic tee and style it up a little bit. There were a few looks that I thought about pairing the tee's with: a leather skirt and creepers or a pair of leather skinny trousers and a flatform Chelsea boot and blazer. In the end though, I couldn't resist the studded leather jacket, spike accessories and custom stud loafers from a fab store I found on Etsy!

1. Full lapel rivet leather jacket - She Inside - £32.80 - I love, love, love this leather jacket. It's so rock-chic and on trend with the studded lapels. I did originally think of pairing the graphic tee with a blazer, but then I came across this and could't resist. I'm pretty sure this little number would go with anything in my wardrobe. Anything.

2. Retro Pop graphic tee - Life Clothing Co. - $18.20 - I loved the innocent and fun feel from this tee: one thing you'll notice about Life Clothing Co is that they use a lot of cereal brands and logos on their t-shirts, so the Tootsie Pop image was just another day in the office for them. I love the colour and worn out look of the graphic, so that's why I chose it!

3. Rock Stripes graphic tee - Life Clothing Co - $24.00 - I love the whole 60s feel of this t-shirt with the sort of Beatles pedestrian crossing feel from the stripes. It definitely has a rocker edge and goes great with the leather jacket. I just couldn't choose which one I preferred between this and #2 Retro Pop, so I'll let you decide!

4. Spike custom made shoes - Etsy (leraw1) - £38.88 - Spikes and loafers: two of my favourite things. I absolutely fell in love when I came across these beauties and was pleasantly surprised when I realised that they were cheaper than I had anticipated. They would look amazing with the leather jacket, skinny coated jeans and graphic tee. Total attitude. Love it.

5/6. Link spike bracelet - Bakers - £11 & Double row spiked bracelet - Boohoo - £8 - Again with the spikes: I just think these accessories add a little arm candy to the outfit and tie in with the whole studded/spike trend!

7. Biker coated skinny jeans - Oasis - £55 - I actually don't think I own a pair of jeans that aren't skinny, so when I put this look together, I couldn't have any other fit of denim. The coating on the jeans bring in the whole leather/biker type look, whilst bringing the jean into the new season for AW 2012.

What do you think of the range of tee's available from Life Clothing Co? Are they a brand that you can see yourself relating/buying in to?

Remember to vote for Vita di Moda as best New Fashion Blogger in the #CosmoBlogAwards by clicking on this link here! Thank you so much xo

Guest Post: The 6 Essentials Every Woman Should Own

Guest Post:
6 Classic Pieces Every Woman Should Own

After sorting through my (what seemed to be) never ending jewelry box today I got to thinking that it would be a lot simpler if we just had those simple essentials that could be worn with everything and we didn't have to go crazy and end up with a collection that could rival Liz Taylor (in quantity, not diamonds obviously). That's why the lovely Emma Chandler, a freelance writer for various publications in the UK has written a little piece for Vita di Moda to help us sort through our clutter and get back to basics.

It's easy to get tangled up in sales and fashion trends, and be tempted to overload your jewelry box with stones, charms and chains. But a jewelry collection only needs the essentials – pieces that will remain timeless and those that are transitional from season to season. If you are looking to start, or complete, your accessory ensemble, here are six classic pieces every woman should own.

String of Pearls

A string of pearls goes with almost anything, whether you need to dress up a pair of jeans or complete a formal outfit. The same goes for a pair of pearl earrings. Pearl jewelry is timeless; it is classic beauty at its best. You don't have to pay hundreds for a nice set or string of pearls, especially if you don't mind being the only one who knows they aren't the real thing. Do you know how to test pearls to see if they are real? Either rub the pearl along the edge of your tooth or rub them together, if they feel gritty or sandy, they are the real deal. 

Cocktail Ring

A cocktail ring can bring a pop of color, depth and boldness to your entire look. Typically oversized and over the top, take a bit of the glam from your hair, make up and dress and put it into the ring on your finger. Statement pieces like brightly colored gems or emerald cut diamond rings won't go out of style, especially if they are in a traditional gold setting.

Diamond Earrings

Possibly the most classic piece of all, every woman needs a real or faux set of diamond studs to complete – or maybe start – her collection. A modest set can be worn with any outfit, while larger, bolder pieces can accompany a more glamorous ensemble. And while a diamond ring is typically something to receive from a lover or as a family heirloom, a pair of diamond studs is one thing a woman can buy for herself.

A Cuff Bracelet

A transitional piece that can be worn daily, a cuff bracelet adds a slice of spice to your wrist that can be sleek and modern on its own or grouped with a set of bangle bracelets. It should be substantial, but avoid anything too heavy or clunky. A cuff will be an investment: choose something based on your overall style. A solid enamel cuff is a classic choice, or mix it up with a geometric shape or a sparkler embedded with jewels.

Classic Timepiece

Don't underestimate the subtle beauty of a nice watch. A classic timepiece is not only utilitarian, but a piece of jewelry in its own right. A loose band can accentuate a thin wrist and feature feminine hands or manicured nails. Whether its simple with a diamond plated face or decorative with bold numbers, a watch can serve you many years while complementing almost every outfit.

Hoop Earrings

A pair of thin hoop earrings is a timeless, ageless essential. Whether worn by a teenager or a grandma, these earrings frame the face and add a touch of feminine elegance. A dainty gold or silver set go with every outfit, while a diamond encrusted pair can be reserved for dressier occasions.
Whether just starting your quest or hoping to add the final touches, these six pieces are the fundamentals of a fine jewelry collection.

Written by Emma Chandler: Emma studied fashion merchandising in the South and now freelances as a writer and editor for various fashion publications.

NYFW Debut: By Misha

NYFW Debut:

By Misha

As the anticipation for NYFW builds, more and more designers are starting to release some inspiration sketches for their SS'13 collections. I personally love this, because you get a little sneak peak at the types of garments that will grace the runway and inspire our wardrobes for the following season: so when an inspiration sketch from the British designer Misha Vaidya appeared in my inbox, I got a little excited.

Misha Vaidya is a London born fashion designer, who graduated from Miami International University with a Bachelors in Fashion Design and an Outstanding Achievement Award at the tender age of 19. After interning with both London & Miami based designers, magazines, PR agencies and working on a range of fashion shows, she created her debut collection Tea Time.

There’s nothing like a cup of tea to express the gentle refreshment of a garden, a sentiment close to her heart. Spoken in a language of floaty tulle, swirling ruffles and tier-upon-tier of pleats; it’s hard to resist wandering off into a romantic fantasy.  Bouquets of flowers, chandeliers draped in pearls and a palette of pretty nudes, earthy neutrals, blush and rose for a resolutely charming approach. But make no mistake, the sugary shades, wispy gowns and billowing chiffon are not as innocent as they may seem.  It is the deliciously irresistible platter of cakes and tartlets, not-so-naïve cut-out panels and slight silk-whirling breeze that are the very essence of seduction. It’s Tea Time!

SEE THE ENTIRE COLLECTION HERE

I don't know about you, but I completely fell in love when I looked at these images. The designs are so unique: they're simply stunning. From the materials used, to the styling and whole Alice in Wonderland atmosphere, the collection appeals to me on so many levels - I would every single piece to be honest!

This NYFW, By Misha will be debuting with the SS'13 collection at the Ailey Studios, NY and although I'm unable to attend the show, I'm hoping to cover the collection once it has shown on September 7th, so I'll keep you posted on that!

The By Misha Spring/Summer 2013 collection, designed by emerging British designer Misha Vaidya, offers a color palette of mint, forest green, marmalade, lipstick, honeysuckle, and crème brulee, inspired by springtime florals. Texture, shape and fabric blend to create fairy-tale dresses inspired by the whimsical atmosphere of spring coming to life. By Misha will debut the Spring/Summer 2013 collection on September 7, 2012.

As soon as I saw the inspiration sketch behind the SS'13 collection, I just had to write about it - even though I was hoping florals would take a step back for SS'13 and give us something new. I'm sure you will agree that if the entire collection looks as magical and fairytale-esque as the sketch, then it will be a definite winner at NYFW.

What do you think of the designs from By Misha? Do you love it as much as I do?

Photo credit: Inspiration sketch from Misha Vaidya's PR agency Danika Daly. Tea Time collection images from www.bymisha.com

AW'12 Shoe Edit: The Chelsea Boot

AW'12 Shoe Edit:
The Chelsea Boot

Is it just me, or did the Chelsea boot trend just pop up out of nowhere? Wherever it came from, I'm seriously getting into the swing of it. I just have one problem though: I can't find a pair that I can commit to. So with my dilemma in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to make a post about said trend and compile a list of 6 styles I've come across on my search for the perfect Chelsea boot.

Starting at the beginning:

1. Suede Chelsea boot in black from Matalan - £10 - This is the cheapest of the lot, but what I love about this pair is that you can't even tell that they're so cheap. When I found out they were from Matalan, I had to go onto the website just to see if it was true. They also come in purple, red and black glitter. I could easily commit to this pair: cheap and aesthetically pleasing. Done.

2. Michael Kors 'Marden' Chelsea boot - £239 @ FarFetch - Higher up in the budget, but these leather boots from Michael Kors are going to fall into the quality section and give you years of wear. I love the pointed toe and and slick look of these boots the most. 

3. ASOS Amp Chelsea boot - £35 - With only 3 pairs currently in stock, it's clear that these platform heeled Chelsea boots are proving popular with fashionista's alike. Perfect for getting away with wearing your boots on a night out, this style of Chelsea boots are great for wearing both day and night. At £35, it's no wonder they're almost sold out!

4. Boohoo elastic insert ankle Chelsea boot - £30 - I don't know if it's the price, or the fact that I really like the chunky heel on this style that makes me want to buy them more. Whatever the reason, they're a pretty good choice if you want to buy into this particular shoe trend this season.

5. Boohoo Rachel pin stud Chelsea boot - £40 - I love the stud detailing on this pair, as well as the chunky heel. Studs are HUGE among bloggers and street style this year - so don't be surprised if you're getting snapped in these little beauties any time soon.

6. Cheska black patent Chelsea boot - £20 - Patent was a huge trend for AW'12 at shows such as Alexander Wang back in February, so these patent Chelsea boots will help you tick off two trends in the one go no problem. And with a retail price of only £20, you're going to be left over with some cash in your pocket to indulge in other trends as well this Fall.

What do you think of this particular shoe trend for AW'12? Have you bought into it yet?

Fall 2012 Ad Campaigns

Fall 2012 Campaigns

A new season and whole new set of campaigns. Fall is just around the corner, along with Fashion Week, Fashion's Night Out and some other personal things for me such as: starting my Fashion Communications degree, relocating to England and just creating a new chapter in my life.
Fall is probably my favourite time of year, so naturally I get a little excited when a new set of trends and campaigns are put on show. After coming across Lanvin's new Fall 2012 Campaigns and falling in love, I have decided to not only share the video with you, but to scour the internet and bring you my top three Fall 2012 Campaigns at the moment. First up, Lanvin.

Lanvin have decided to focus on 'real life' people for their new season campaign, with each person giving a little monologue of their lives. It's actually rather comical and I love that the new collection is shown on real people and not models, so to show that it isn't just models who can wear Lanvin. The clothes themselves? Well, they look fantastic. I love the jewel tones and elegant cuts: especially the peplum tops and pencil skirts.

The second campaign that I am going to share with you is from Juicy Couture Jeans. The ad features Karlie Kloss on a beach in California and portrays her a feisty woman who doesn't take men hitting on her lightly. In a nutshell, anyway. My fiance watched the campaign video and said "what a bitch". Well, he's a man, so that was expected given that the men in this campaign are just annihilated. I think Karlie looks great and the clothes just as good: I'm even thinking of purchasing a pair of Juicy Couture jeans now that I've seen them kick some male egotistical ass. 

The last campaign for Fall 2012 I am going to share with you is from high street retailer Zara. Freja Beha and Cara Delevingne grace Zara's Woman and TRF campaigns and both look stunning to say the least. Most of you will have seen said campaigns if you've visited Zara's website recently, but I just had to share them here as well. Both models look gorgeous in the B&W shoots, and lend their personalities perfectly to the collections. If you were deciding whether or not to buy your Fall 2012 wardrobe from Zara purely by watching the campaigns, I think the resounding answer would be a yes! I've already purchased a pair of new season oriental print trousers from the TRF collection (shown here) and I can't wait to fill the rest of my wardrobe with their new season pieces.

What do you think of these campaigns? Are there any out there right now that you've just totally fallen in love with? 

Project Runway: Fix My Friend

Project Runway:
Fix My Friend

Really this episode should be renamed: "The one where Ven acts like a complete and utter dick head" Pardon my French, but seriously, Ven has infuriated me beyond belief this week. In case you missed this weeks episode, let me explain what happened in a nut shell: The designers were given the task of designing a look for a friend of their client. This woman wasn't very fashion-forward, nor did she really have much of a style. Ven's client was a beautiful, yet slightly shy plus size mother of four. She was constantly on the go between work and her family life, as her husband was a stay at home dad. Her friend wanted her to have a makeover, so that she could get some of the limelight back and feel special again. How did Ven react when he saw her? 'Shocked' because he has never dressed a 'real' woman before". I'm sorry Ven, but can you please explain what a 'real' woman is? Have you been dressing men in drag up until now? Don't be such an idiot. I'm begging you. Throughout the entire consultation and fittings, Ven continued to be rude and insensitive by implying on multiple occassions that this woman was fat, inconvienent for him and just not someone that he wanted to dress. When Tim Gunn asked him how the whole process was going, he replied "I was shocked...she doesn't have a shape or a style". When asked what size his client was, he replied: "*snigger*, like a 14 or something? I don't even know". These statements were probably some of the comments made by Ven during the whole series that had me taking a step back. How hypocritical is he? Ven himself is a plus size with 'no shape'! The man has clearly ate too many pies in his life so far because he doesn't even have a waist. I wonder what Karl Lagerfeld would say about him if he had to comment!
I can't even comment on the matter further without running the risk of completely blowing up on him. I officially hate him.

Moving on to better things now: the designs. Like I said, the challenge was for each designer to create a look based on their clients current lifestyle and needs, however it had to be a change for them, as they were all in need of a little style renovation. Let's see what they came up with:

Alicia

Christopher

Dmitry

Elena

Fabio

Gunnar

Melissa

Nathan

Sonjia

Ven

The top three looks chosen by judges: Nina Garcia, Michael Kors, Heidi Klum and guest judge Alice Temperley were by Fabio, Gunnar and Dmitry. The bottom three were: Ven, Nathan and Sonjia.

Starting with the top three looks: I really loved Gunnar's look. Not necessarily with the design itself, but with how he made his client feel. He listened to her, made her feel special and gave her a look that she absolutely adored. I feel that he really responded to the point of the challenge and did his client justice.
Dmitry's look, although a little lack luster in my opinion, looked great on his client - especially along with her new hairstyle, cut and colour. The colour was great, but I think it was really the accessories such as the stud clutch and ankle boots that made the outfit stand out.
Finally, Fabio's look. His client was a real tom boy: hated showing her femininity as she felt it made her look weak and rarely wore dresses unless forced to. As Michael Kors said post-runway "It took a boy in a dress to make her wear a dress". I think he did a great job in giving her something that made her look feminine and strong, but in-keeping with her own taste. In the end, a winner was chosen and that person was Fabio. Well deserved in my opinion!

Now on to the bottom three: Ven's look was obviously in the bottom three. It was hideous. He always uses the kinds of fabric that looks like a cheap imitation silk. Maybe it's just the colour in this case, but no woman in their right minds would wear something made from that fabric. I certainly wouldn't. The judges said it looked like two outfits, with the top cutting her in half and doing absolutely no favours for her body. They couldn't have said it better, really. He didn't listen to his client. In fact, he had no intention of ever listening to her as soon as he saw her 'plus size' frame. She wasn't even that big. I mean, has he seen half of America? He, himself is bigger than her and manages to dress himself without complaining about it. I actually think that the client's before image of plain t-shirt, cut off jeans and flats looked a lot better than the types of clothes he puts on himself - and he's the designer who is supposed to be fashion forward!!
Moving on to Sonjia now: Her client was a sporty tom boy, who preferred to live her life in sweats, shorts and baggy sweatshirts. Sonjia put her into something that made the client feel sexy and empowered as a woman, however the judges felt that the hem was too short (slutty, was the term they used actually) and the knot on the front put her body out of proportion: They even went so far as to say that the only woman able to pull something like that off, would be someone ready to give birth.
Lastly we have, Nathan's look. Nathan's client was an up and coming R'n'B performer who wanted something with cut out panels, her mid-drift showing and other rather inappropriate features. Nathan tried to make a compromise with the client and gave her a blue satin dress with sheer side panels and sleeves. Although the client loved her dress and said she felt comfortable in it, the judges didn't agree. They said that he threw away a great opportunity due to the clients curvy figure and performing lifestyle, and in the end chose him as this weeks loser and eliminated him from the show. Personally, I disagree with the decision. Although Nathan's look wasn't exactly fashionable or appropriate, his client loved the look and felt comfortable in it, which was part of the challenge. If I were to choose someone to leave the competition, it would have been Ven due to his complete selfishness and lack of understanding of his client. He was rude, insensitive and a complete jerk in general. 

I think I'm going to have to stop there, because once I get going on a subject that displeases me, there's no stopping my rant. 

What did you think of this weeks challenge? Did the judges make the right decision in terms of: top and bottom looks, as well as the winner and loser? Leave your feedback and let me know what you thought!

Photo Credit: www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway

If you could click this link and vote for Vita di Moda in the Cosmopolitan UK Blogger Awards 2012 in the best New Fashion Blogger category, I will love and appreciate you forever - more so than I already do obviously. Voting closes on Friday, the 31st of August so make sure you get your vote in now! Thank you xo

The Trend Edit AW'12: The Peplum

The Trend Edit AW'12:

The Peplum

I'm going to hit two birds with one stone in this AW'12 trend edit post: leather and the peplum. One of the hottest trends for AW'12  is the peplum and the other, leather. Now put said trends together and you have one sexy garment. Why do I love the leather peplum so much you may ask? Well, for starters the peplum is going to flatter the majority of silhouettes out there: it covers any bloating, pot belly or over-indulged stomach. It gives curves to a straight, boyish figure, balances out wide shoulders and to top it off: it's going to make any outfit appear for feminine and dressed up. You can pair a simple peplum top with skinny jeans, trousers, a pencil skirt, a mini skirt...the possibilities are endless. I recently bought one, paired it with some black high waisted skinnies with the legs rolled up just above the ankle and a floral waist belt. I'm actually considering applying some spike studs to the waist line to give it some more edgy aesthetic as well.
Then you have the leather aspect coming into play. As you may know, I'm a complete sucker for anything leather: it's my inner teenage goth coming through and I'm not ashamed of it, so to have two of my favourite trends collaborate into one piece of clothing that can be styled and worn in a multitude of ways is just a dream come true for me.

So, with these trends being such a hit for AW'12, naturally I went on the look out for a new season favourite and because I'm such a nice person, I put them into a little style set on Polyvore for your viewing pleasure. Let's go through them one-by-one shall we?

1. Elizabeth & James Yumi brocade peplum top at Net-A-Porter - £205 - I love the detail and texture on this particular top as it'll give any look that little bit of dimension and feature. The brocade detailing was also a huge trend on the catwalks in February - particularly with Balmain. At £205 it's a little higher up on the price budget, but it's gorgeous none the less.

2. Metallic peplum bustier at AllyFashion.com - $29.99 - This bustier peplum would look fab paired with a pencil skirt and studded waist belt. At $29.99 it's within most budgets, but the fabric is a definite tell-tale of being rather cheap. As style goes though, it's a winner.

3. Oasis bonded lace peplum - £35 - I can honestly say that this lace peplum is high up there on my favourites list. I love the colour and texture that the lace gives the top. You sure as hell couldn't walk by someone on the high street without them wondering where you bought that from. I would pair it with some skinny jeans for a more dressed up casual look. It's definitely marked down on my shopping list, what about you?

4. Red peplum top at River Island - £25. So far we've had black and textured peplums, but now we have one with a wow factor. This red peplum would look great when worn out to dinner, or for drinks with the girls. It has the same comfortable and casual cut, but with the striking red material, it's going to take you that little step farther and update your look for the evening. I hate the majority of things with animal print though, so the belt which accompany's the top would have to go. In terms of styling: leather leggings and a wedge heel would go perfectly with this.

5. Oasis faux leather peplum - £42 - I love, love, love this peplum top from Oasis. You can choose from either a wine red or black and being in a faux leather, will bring you into two trends for AW'12. I would choose the wine red coloured version, purely because that deep, sultry colour will be on trend this season and it will break up the blacks in my wardrobe at the minute. This is another garment going straight onto my shopping list!

6. Topshop sleeveless peplum - £18 - Just like with the LBD, you need a classic black peplum. This one from Topshop is very similar to the one I just recently purchased and so far it has proved a great buy. It goes with pretty much every skirt and pair of jeans/trousers that I own and can be styled up in a variety of ways due to the colour being so versatile. 

What do you think of this particular trend for AW'12? Will you be adopting it? If so, how are you going to wear it?

If you could click this link and vote for Vita di Moda in the Cosmopolitan UK Blogger Awards 2012 in the best New Fashion Blogger category, I will love and appreciate you forever - more so than I already do obviously. Voting closes on Friday, the 31st of August so make sure you get your vote in now! Thank you xo

Fall 2012 Footwear: Prada

Fall 2012 Shoes:
Prada

I don't know about you, but when a new season comes around, the first thing I look for are shoes. When I was growing up, my dad always told me that you can tell a lot about someone just by looking at their footwear, so my shoes had to be nice, clean and fashionable. He didn't actually say they had to be fashionable, but that's just another rule that I added as I got more and more involved in the fashion industry. 

Whilst having a little browse online today, I came across some sexy little shoes from Prada and felt that I just had to share them with you. Although I won't be buying these exact ones (much to my regret), I will certainly be on the lookout for similar pairs!

1. First up we had the nude patent pump which comes in at a cool £395. In terms of luxury designer footwear, that little price tag is relatively decent! I love a nude shoe for every season, because it'll go with practically everything: from jeans and a loose tee, to a slinky LBD.

2. Second is the suede open-toe heel which retails at £525. I love the rich purple colour and the way it comes up a little higher on the foot to resemble a dropped ankle boot.

3. Next up is the nude suede Mary Jane pump at £500. This shoe is probably my favourite as the colour will go with the majority of my outfit choices and has a laid back look to it as well.

4. Lastly we have the Mardore patent leather round toe pump at £430. I love the dark cherry colour in the shoe and how it has that petrol shine to it. These would look amazing with a pair of black skinny jeans and crisp white blouse.

Which pair of Prada's are your favourite? Do you have a go-to shoe that you wear each season? 

REVIEW: Cutey Shamballa Bracelet

Cutey Shamballa Bracelet

"Inspired by the mythical kingdom known as Sambhala in Buddhism, regarded as a place of peace and happiness our shamballa bracelets are designed to bring a little happiness to your life. Made from the highest quality materials and available in a range of sparkling colours, these fully adjustable bracelets will fit any wrist like a match made in heaven. All with a total of nine beautiful jewel encrusted clay beads." - www.cutey.co.uk

This week I had the pleasure of reviewing a pair of Shamballa bracelets courtesy of Cutey. When the bracelets arrived in the post this morning, I was looking forward to checking out the quality of the bracelets: As a birthday present earlier in the year, I was given a lilac Shamballa bracelet from ROX which, after some research, retailed in at around £80. With Cutey offering their range at just £18.99, I was looking forward to comparing the two in terms of quality and appearance.
As first impressions go, the Cutey Shamballa bracelet is gorgeous. Sparkly, eye-catching and comfortable when on the wrist. Compared to the higher priced bracelet from ROX, it measures up nicely. There are nine jewel encrusted beads, with a further four plain beads towards to end and on the draw string, which is exactly the same as ROX's version. 

One factor in jewellery that tends to show an item as being of lower retail price is the weight. Take ROX's Shamballa bracelet for example: when you hold it in your hand, you can feel the weight from the diamonds, beads and general overall product. I don't know about you, but especially in jewellery, I find that heavier products have a much better quality to them. Now, due to Cutey's bracelet being a much cheaper retail price, I wasn't expecting the bracelet to be all that heavy, or as high a quality, but I can definitely say that I was pleasantly surprised. The bracelet has quite a substantial weight and feels as though it is of good quality as well, which is definitely a plus.

As a test, I actually showed the bracelets to my mum to see what sort of price she thought the bracelets retailed for. Her reply? "Well, considering what I paid for yours in ROX, and the fact that those are just as nice, I'd say around £50+?" When I told her that they actually only cost £18.99, she couldn't believe it. She's now wearing the white bracelet and has no intention of giving it back!

All in all, I definitely think the Cutey Shamballa bracelets are great value for money and are absolutely stunning when the jewels catch the light. I can't stop twisting my wrist from left to right just to see them sparkle!

Buy your Cutey Shamballa bracelet by clicking here!

Contact Cutey:

Twitter: @cuteyjewellery
Facebook: facebook.com/cutey.co.uk
Email: support@cutey.co.uk
Web: www.cutey.co.uk


Photo Credit: Taken by myself using a FujiFilm FinePix S2980

If you could click this link and vote for Vita di Moda in the Cosmopolitan UK Blogger Awards 2012 in the best New Fashion Blogger category, I will love and appreciate you forever - more so than I already do obviously. Voting closes on Friday, the 31st of August so make sure you get your vote in now! Thank you xo

10th Tribe: Photoshoot

10th Tribe:
Photoshoots

A little while ago now, I featured the insanely stylish NYC brand 10th Tribe and gave you a little look at their Signature Collection. (READ NOW) What I love the most about 10th Tribe, is the fact that each piece is a wardrobe staple: it's basic enough to look laid back, but when styled in the right way, can look appropriate enough to paint the town red. I don't yet have any 10th Tribe in my own wardrobe - trust me, this upsets me the more I look at their collection - but whilst I was browsing their blog: www.10thtribe.tumblr.com, I immediately felt inspired by some of their recent shoots and wanted to share them with you, my lovely readers. The model featured in the shoots is Rachel Lynch and can be found at I Hate Blonde. She's - in my opinion - a great fit for the brand: edgy, cool and has that whole "I really don't care what you think of me" type of attitude, which is exactly what 10th Tribe embodies. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the images just as much as I do!

Images via www.10thtribe.tumblr.com

Want to find out more on the tribe?

Main Website: www.10thtribe.com
Blog: www.10thtribe.tumblr.com
Instagram: 10thTribe
Email(s):

speak to the tribe

info@10thtribe.com
pr & press 
pr@10thtribe.com
customer services

customerservices@10thtribe.com
wholesale Inquiries
tanya@aikaz.com
ivan@aikaz.com

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Fashion Haul: Elin Kling

Latest Fashion Haul:
Inspired by Elin Kling

In the past you may have heard (or rather read) me saying that I didn't really have a style icon, or person that I found style advice or inspiration from. Well, we have an update: that has now changed and my official style icon is Elin Kling. I have always liked her style and cool, edgy aesthetic, but have only recently found myself wanting to buy a lot of the things she wears - not necessarily piece for piece, but something inspired by what she puts together. Whether it be at NYFW, running errands around the city, or just out in the public eye, Elin always looks amazing and insanely stylish. I follow her on Twitter and just this weekend decided to read a few of her blog entries and search her style on Google: I think I looked at two or three shots of her and decided that it was time for a little online retail therapy, so let me show you what I bought!

The above image shows Elin at NYFW in February of this year in an all-black ensemble with a neon green Acne beanie. This particular look embodies about 90% of my outfit choices on a regular day: all black with an accessory that breaks the outfit up and makes it pop. Now, like I said I don't want to take her style and copy it 100% - I mean, everyone needs inspiration, but you have to keep your own personality -so I made some tweaks here and there and made it my own.

The oriental print trousers are from Zara, leather jacket, beanie and stud chain bracelet from various sellers on eBay and the peplum top is from Topshop. All that's left to buy now are a pair of studded flats and some ankle boots, but I'm yet to find a pair that I've fallen in love with. The reason I chose blue for the beanie was because I have dark hair and blue eyes, so the royal blue is going to complement my skin tone and eyes better than the green would. I chose a printed trouser purely because I needed to buy a new pair for Fall and I think the printed trouser with black top and jacket still has the same edgy, cool aesthetic as an all-black ensemble does. The peplum top is going to prove itself a basic staple this season with the trend following in from SS'12, so even if I don't necessarily wear it with the printed trousers, it's going to lend itself to the majority of my skirts, or even a pair of leather leggings. Oh, and if I want to have a more laid back look, all I have to do is pair the trousers with one of my many black tank tops - this is something that I'll probably do more often than not actually. The look as a whole came in at just over £80, so I think I got myself a bargain. I can't wait until it all arrives in the post!

You can read Elin's fashion blog Style By Kling here, or follow her on Twitter here.

What do you think of Elin Kling's style? Would you wear anything shown above?

Project Runway: Episode 5

Project Runway:
It's My Way On The Runway (Bitch)

It could be said that this week's episode of Project Runway has been the most explosive and bitchiest yet. The designers were given their brief from Marie Claire fashion director and judge, Nina Garcia: split into two teams and create a collection of garments suitable for women in the workplace. The looks were to be then photographed with the intent of featuring in Marie Claire's new "@ The Workplace" magazine, however only the winning team's collection would actually be featured. This brief was a recipe for bitching, arguments and complete clashes from the beginning: after seeing how the designers reacted when paired up in episode 3 to create a look for past Project Runway designers, you just knew that someone would blow up in this challenge!

First up with the teams. Seeing as Sonjia won last weeks challenge, she was able to choose her first team mate. Her decision? Elena - purely for her technical sewing skills. Yeah, can't say I would have made the same decision. After Sonjia, Nathans name was picked from a button bag and so he had the next choice. Following this, each designer chosen then had the decision of who would join their team. In the end, Team 5 consisted of: Christopher, Ven, Nathan, Gunnar and Fabio. Team 6 included: Melissa, Sonjia, Elena, Dmitry, Alicia and Raul. First off, who in their right minds would choose Elena to be on their team? *face of utter astonishment* You just know from the start that she's going to lose her mind over something, attempt to take charge, steal the limelight and throw one massive bitch fit. Oh, and she's going to design some hideous OTT shoulder detail.

The amount of arguments and hissy-fits in this weeks episode could last the rest of Season 10: As we all know by now, Elena is extremely high-strung and temperamental. To begin with, she lost the bag of fabric that she bought from Mood for her design and as a result, had to use some extra material that Dmitry offered as a Plan B - which she obviously wasn't pleased about. Then she wasn't quite happy with the shoulder-ruffle-detail-thing that she designed for her jacket, so proceeded to throw it across her work bench. Later at the photo shoot, she decided that none of the props available were suitable and that the majority of the end photographs weren't quite up to her standard. She was rather vocal on her opinions as well and so, got herself into countless arguments with both Melissa and Raul. Oh, she even had a bitch at the hair and make-up team, demanding that the models be in front of the camera whenever she said. Raul's issues came from his designs landing him in the bottom two a few times and his previous elimination. He worried  from beginning till end and refused to really take in the teams perspectives and ideas for the collection. Then the claws came out. On a few occasions: one being at the photo shoot and again after the Runway show, Raul told Elena that he hated her and I quote, couldn't stand her! Well, who else wants to give Raul a pat on the back? I have to agree with him on this subject, but it was still a little shocking to hear him come out and say it to her face. 

Anyway, I'm about three paragraphs into this post and I haven't even mentioned the clothes! Team 5 were given the task of creating five looks and had a budget of $1000, whereas Team 6 had six looks to create and were given a slightly higher budget of $1,200. Straight away, Sonjia took charge of Team 6 and decided that it could perhaps work out for the best if each team member created something that they felt the most comfortable with, rather than create an entire look each. They didn't exactly have a theme or colour palette ready for entering Mood like Team 5 did, but they seemed organised even though Raul was going in the opposite direction from anything they suggested. Team 5 had a colour palette and decided that they would create a look each. Let's see the designs, shall we?

Team 5:

Christopher

Fabio

Gunnar

Nathan

Ven

I'm going to be honest and say that I totally hated Fabio's dress. While the judges loved it and thought it was versatile for women of all ages, I hated it. The design, the shoulders, the material - I didn't like anything about it. Ven's skirt and top were gorgeous. I would look at any woman wearing that and wonder where she bought it from, but it doesn't change the fact that Ven is a one trick pony. I said this in episode 2, and each week has only reinforced my opinion. He goes for architecturally structured floral designs. Beautiful every now and again, of course, but it gets boring when you see it in his designs every single week. Show me some versatility in your design capabilities Ven!

Team 6:

Dmitry

Alicia (trousers) & Elena (jacket)

Alicia (trousers) & Elena (jacket)

Melissa

Raul (top) & Sonjia (skirt)

Raul (top) & Sonjia (skirt)

My favourite from Team 6 has to be Melissa's dress. That dress is so modern, chic and fashionable, yet completely professional and powerful for any work environment - I absolutely love it. It's definitely something that I would wear to the office myself and it looked fantastic when photographed for the editorial. I also loved Sonjia's skirts: that blue pencil skirt really stood out with the bold colour, but looked insanely flattering and suitable for the office. The worst look for me? Elena's jacket with the OTT shoulder details. I get that that sort of detail is her aesthetic, but she clearly knows how to tone it down, so I don't know why she feels the need to have it in 99% of her looks. Not flattering or fashionable for me at all.

Both teams scored the same amount of points in this weeks challenge, so that meant that this weeks guest judge, Marie Claire Editor-In-Chief Joanna Coles had to really work with Heidi, Nina and Michael to decide which designer would win this weeks challenge, and which look was the worst, meaning elimination from the competition. They chose Melissa's stunning blue dress as the winner and chose Raul as this weeks loser. That's got the hurt: two eliminations! Raul said in his vlog that he was happy to be leaving the competition at this point in time and said that creating garments in seven hours just wasn't for him. I can't say I'll be sad to see him go: his designs never really hit the mark with me.

What did you think of this weeks episode? Did you agree with the judges decisions? Leave your comments below!

Photo Credit: www.mylifetime.com