Tag Archives: style

Coachella: Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson

Posted in Diane and Josh, Fashion, Style Crush by

I like to call these two love birds the King and Queen of Coachella, they are there every year looking perfectly loved up and just super cool.

I didn’t think Diane Kruger would be attending considering she’s been promoting her latest movie The Host, but lo and behold there she was attending H&M Loves Music Coachella party alongside her long-term boyfriend and my favourite TV star Joshua Jackson.

I mean who else could pull off slouchy black suede boots (£59.99) and a Mick Jagger tee? A pop of lip colour with matching earrings and some jazzy graphic print shorts (£12.99) it’s no wonder her street style is so sought after. (All from H&M)

Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson at H&M Loves Music Coachella Party (Image from H&M Facebbook)

Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson at H&M Loves Music Coachella Party (Image from H&M Facebbook)

You guys...

You guys…

Also spotted at the H&M party was Sophia Bush looking just adorable in a cropped top and trousers. (Image from H&M's Facebook)

Also spotted at the H&M party was Sophia Bush looking adorable in a cropped top and trousers along with some stunning DanniJo jewellery they call the ‘bring’.
(Image from H&M’s Facebook)

Sophia Bush and Diane Kruger at the H&M Loves Music Coachella Party (Image from H&M's Facebook)

Sophia Bush and Diane Kruger at the H&M Loves Music Coachella Party (Image from H&M’s Facebook)

And here are Diane and Josh from Coachella in 2012 and 2011:

Diane and Josh back together. Diane is wearing a Stella McCartney Palm Print Dress, £170 and those Dicker boots.

Diane and Josh back together. Diane is wearing a Stella McCartney Palm Print Dress, £170 and those Dicker boots. (2012)

The return of my favourite couple, Diane Kruger and Josh Jackson looking very much in love. Diane ever the style queen is rocking a nude maxi a great look for a music fest and that classic trilby her favourite goto accessory.

The return of my favourite couple, Diane Kruger and Josh Jackson looking very much in love. Diane ever the style queen is rocking a nude maxi a great look for a music fest and that classic trilby her favourite goto accessory. (2011)

You can follow me on Twitter @nlcorner, or find me on Facebook here.

Images from Facebook H&M and JustJared

Shopping: Next

Posted in Style, Shopping by

As a woman who is addicted likes to shop I have been trying to curb my ways, I’m currently “saving” but then I bet about 99.9% of us are always saving for something. So on an unplanned trip to Kingswood in Hull, which by the way would never be classed as a shopping destination because there are only a few shops, I ended up spending a pretty penny.

Now I can’t be the only person who categorizes their shopping trips, and there are plenty: going out, casual day, casual night, work wear, gym wear, coats, jeans, shoes, specific item shopping that will go with everything in my wardrobe etc…

This shopping trip was really just for gym wear, which when you think about what it’s for it doesn’t count as shopping really because it’s more of a necessity. I managed to find some new running leggings and a new top and have put them to good use already!

I have to admit I used to class Next as a ‘mum’ shop, my mum always wanted to go in and I hated it with a passion. But then as I matured (ugh) and my fashion taste changed I started noticing how much better quality it was than say Topshop or New Look. This trip was no different, after my recent splurge at Zara  I decided that I wasn’t buying anything but walking around the Kingswood store was just to tempting.

I find it interesting how different stores of the same brand have a different affect on me as a customer, for example I visited the Next store in Scarborough and walked around it within seconds bored at its dark, unorganised store, the Kingswood store was airy, light and organised by clothing categories I couldn’t help but pick up several items.

As I walked round and put outfits together in my head, I had to stop myself from picking up more and more. I went through a phase of buying pencil skirts to wear for work, purely so I could wear tights all the time as the climate is so cold inside and out, but I’ve been looking for that pair of black trousers for so long that I couldn’t believe my luck at the ‘ultimate capri pant’. I know Victoria who has a great blog over at Lily loves Lola was looking for a pair of the perfect black trousers and these are definitely mine.

Ultimate Capri Pants, £38 // Laser Cut T-Shirt £25 // Snakeskin Print Blazer £36

Ultimate Capri Pants, £38 // Laser Cut Top £26 // Python Animal Jacket £34

I used my new Zara shoes as an example but I wore these with boots as the cut is just fitted enough to wear with them, and it sounds silly but my feet get so cold I can’t wear ballet style shoes for long without my feet getting ridiculously cold which is another reason for not wearing trousers so often!

My full outfit consists of a white laser cut top (which also came in a lovely cornflower blue) and the best lightweight blazer ever, it caught my eye because of the python print and skinny fit. As soon as I put this on in the changing room I knew I’d be walking out with it all, the perfect work wear outfit and its all monochrome with a nice bit of texture and print what more could you want?!

And just because I couldn’t help myself I also bought another pair of trousers, that are an absolute perfect fit and length and such a nice subtle print. Seriously, Next is my new place for trousers without a doubt.

Black and white checked print pants £38

Black and white checked print pants £38

Side detail: pocket love.

Side detail: pocket love.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @nlcorner or like my Facebook page here.

Tattoo: Finished Mermaid Back Piece

Posted in Beauty by

Tattoos are not for everyone, some people love them and have lots, some people love them and don’t have any, some people hate them and always say when you’re an 80 year-old wrinkly woman you’ll regret them. I say when I’m an 80 year-old wrinkly woman and look at my tattoos they are memories of my younger self which I would have trouble remembering by then!

I was, however, stupid when I was 16/17 and got a really shit tattoo which I did regret some years later and have always wanted a custom piece of artwork designed uniquely for me to cover the atrocity up.

Said atrocity with filter to make it less horrible.

Said atrocity with filter to make it less horrible.

I originally wanted some for of 40s pin-up woman but then researching tattoos I really liked the idea of a mermaid instead, slightly inspired by Fearne Cotton’s back piece, I asked Penny Wood who is amazing at drawing vintage style women to create a mermaid for me and back in October last year I had my first session.

First session - outline with some shading.

First session – outline with some shading.

The healing period wasn’t long at all, after about a week it was fine with a two a day application of Bepanthen, and around a month or so later I was back in for my second session this time with the colour added and the darker shading to cover up my old tattoo.

Second session - colour detail

Second session – colour detail

Due to the way my old tattoo was done, it was very heavy and dark so we made the decision to turn the smaller parts of it into a sleeve for the mermaid and rework it to look much better with the addition of clouds and dot work. I always had in mind that I would like my mermaid to have red hair, as we all know the Disney Ariel is the original mermaid and I wanted her to be an inspiration which Penny agreed with.

With the hair a flaming red, the other colours had to complement it so Penny chose a light blue, turquoises, purples and white highlights to make it work. I was back in for my third session in the new year, with more shading completed on the scales of the tail which were the most painful part due to the darkness needed to cover up the old tattoo. I must say that took a while to heal as my original tattoo was scarred so it was basically going over scar tissue. Major ouch.

Third session - detailed colour shading

Third session – detailed colour shading

After a longer break between the last session, I was ready to get it finished. With more detail added to the rock and with waves splashing against the rock added, as well as the skin shaded and more white and blue highlights added my mermaid goddess is finished. It’s a shame my tattoo is on my back really as I don’t see it often enough. Like I mentioned before tattoos are an acquired taste, I don’t mind if you don’t like it and think it’s huge, it is big but I love it. She’s a beauty.

Finished Mermaid.

Finished Mermaid.

New store launch: & Other Stories

Posted in Beauty, Fashion, Shopping, Style by

There’s been a lot of buzz around the internet for the launch of this new brand from the team behind H&M, & Other Stories launched simultaneously in London, Berlin and Copenhagen last week as well as online.

As soon as I saw the site I fell in love. The look of the homepage is more like a Tumblr page, very visual with a ‘story’ for certain themes and collections that links through from the one item of clothing or beauty you are looking at and shows you the other features in that same ‘story’. It’s so easy and accessible you could get lost looking through each and every picture.

And Other Stories

Online shopping has become so samey and boring that when a new website like this comes along you want to lap it all up and blow all your money on every delicious thing you see.

& Other Stories hasn’t just started with clothes, it’s launched your whole wardrobe. From a minimalist sleek Ready-to-Wear collection brimming full of dresses, tops, knitwear and trousers; to shoes, handbags and other accessories. And all of it looks like it belongs on a designer runway. Some of the prices reflect the quality of the pieces, and for anyone thinking that’s a bit steep, why are you still paying upwards of £40 for jeans at Topshop?!

There is even a beauty range which will give Topshop’s make-up collection a run for its money, created by make-up artist Lisa Butler (who has worked as consulting colour director and Prada and Helmut Lang) it includes gorgoeus lip colours, glosses, bright blushes, serums, body creams, pearly eyeshadows, oils, popping nail colours as well as foundations and concealers. The list is endless, and you could really find yourself adding more and more to your basket as you venture through the whole of the site, you even get a free sample of body lotion with your order.

Below are some of my favourite beauty picks, the lipstick promises to be long-lasting and matte but still moisturising which is always a plus for me, the blusher has a cute inscription on it “Go girl, seek happy nights to happy days” I mean I don’t think I’d want to get rid of that, the pigment in the creamy eye colour is so bright and promises to be long-lasting with a “lustrous effect”, and I’m intrigued by the concealer quad because there are so many different tones in our skin it is nice to be able to mix our own perfect shade.

And Other Stories make up

Calamanco Coral £12 // Ecarlate Pink £12 // Moreen Blue £7 // Concealer Quad £15

There are so many things on this site that I love, but the things that are already on my to buy list are the grey marl panel top (£39); the plain yellow cotton t-shirt (£12); this very risque contrast knit dress (£45); and the go-with-everything Clare Vivier white python clutch (£55).

And Other Stories clothesI expect to see my bank account looking very unhealthy when payday arrives… Go check out the store now it’s a refreshing change from trawling through ASOS and Topshop!

Head over to my Pinterest page to check out all my latest looks from awards season and the rest of my wishlist…

And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @nlcorner

The Oscars 2013: Red Carpet

Posted in Awards, Beauty, Celebrity, Fashion, Film, Red Carpet by

The Oscars Red Carpet is the peak of the awards season, and it signals the end of all the boozing and schmoozing. What I love the most about this red carpet, is the anticipation and build up of which designers the stars will pick to wear.

It could be the making of a fairly unknown designer’s career, or it could be the Kings and Queens of red carpet dressing are displayed in all their glory, like the obvious pairings of Jennifer Lawrence and Dior, Anne Hathaway and not this time Valentino, Jennifer Lopez and Zuhair Murad, Jaime King and Jason Wu, and Diane Kruger and Chanel/JasonWu/Giambattista Valli…

What I hope for the most is for someone to be daring, for a celebrity to be brave and genuinely shock critics and viewers alike by picking something unexpected. The only person on the Oscars red carpet that managed that on Oscars night was Jennifer Aniston.

Don’t be mistaken I don’t think she was the best dressed I’m just glad she wasn’t wearing black. Her red Valentino Haute Couture gown didn’t translate as well as on the red carpet as it did on the runway, but kudos to Jennifer because everyone expected her to stick to her usual monochrome palette instead she pushed that envelope a little by going with strapless red bustier dress, safe but interesting for her.

Jennifer Aniston in Valentino Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Jennifer Aniston in Valentino Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Another person in red was Sally Field, although she lost out to Anne Hathaway for Best Supporting Actress, she looked gorgeous in Valentino Haute Couture. Showing the younger ones how it’s done by wearing a sheer gown with a nude underlay , it was a worthy effort and she certainly looked better in her red Valentino than Hilary Swank who chose a similar gown from the Spring couture collection.

Sally Field in Valentino Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Sally Field in Valentino Couture at The Oscars 2013.

I give the award of Best OTT Frou-Frou Moment to Amy Adams, another strapless bustier gown but this time a dove grey Oscar de la Renta creation that the actress struggled to manage down the red carpet. This was just one of many colourless gowns that was on display, it could have been epic if it was a vivid pink or even yellow.

Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta at The Oscars 2013.

Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta at The Oscars 2013.

My obvious choice for Best Princess Moment has to go to Jennifer Lawrence she just simply shone on the Oscars red carpet.

I’ve been trying to figure out for weeks what she would pick from the Dior Spring Couture collection, her BAFTAS dress threw me and the dresses I had earmarked for her were worn by Marion Cotillard, instead she chose a blush pink brocade strapless (!) bustier gown.

A twitter picture showing her getting ready was released just before she appeared on the red carpet, I was glad because I genuinely thought I’d be waiting all night for her to appear. I think what made the look was the Chopard necklace draped down her back, such a modern touch.

I’m so glad she won the Best Actress Oscar because after her previous two nominations this was deserved, and also simply because she is adorably clumsy as proved when she tripped going up the stairs to collect her award.

JLaw getting ready.

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Stunning.

I think what the trouble was with the Oscars red carpet was that it was pretty mediocre, I mean don’t get me wrong there were some nice dresses but that’s all they were just nice and if not pretty boring. So many stars chose to go the strapless look, either a coloumn design or a big full skirt there was hardly any variation. That’s why as soon as Naomi Watts stepped onto the red carpet I knew she was going to be my best dressed without fail.

Naomi Watts in Armani Prive at The Oscars 2013.

Naomi Watts in Armani Prive at The Oscars 2013.

It all rests on the cutout, otherwise it is simply another sparkly column gown, Naomi had said that she wanted something different and this was the perfect choice to stand out on the red carpet. I’m surprised more people didn’t choose a cutout design, it’s such an easy way to add something special without it being tacky (I’m looking at YOU Brandi Glanville). Naomi’s gorgeous teased updo, jewels, and flawless make up made the whole look.

Another actress who dared to do something different was Zoe Saldana, her red carpet style is so unpredictable it was great to see her in a lavender Alexis Mabille Couture gown with an ombre style train. The floral applique hem made the strapless element more exciting, and noticeable with her hair wavy but pushed back to expose her drop earrings.

Zoe Saldana in Alexis Mabille Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Zoe Saldana in Alexis Mabille Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Another stand out gown came from Stacy Keibler, this is her second year as George Clooney’s plus one at The Oscars so well done to her for keeping hold as we all know George is notorious for getting a girlfriend just for awards season maybe she’s a keeper… Anyway she wore a gun-metal grey Naeem Khan embellished gown that just made her look stunning, she made my best dressed list last year as well in Marchesa so she obviously knows what looks good on her and isn’t afraid to flaunt it. I’m warming towards these faux wavy bobs as well I wish my hair would do something like that…

Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan at The Oscars 2013.

Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan at The Oscars 2013.

I was really looking forward to seeing Kerry Washington on the red carpet, and whilst she impressed me in Miu Miu with her coral pop of colour and embellished bust, it was once again a strapless gown. I really was expecting something dramaticlike the amazing Giles dress she wore to the UK premiere of Django Unchained. Now that was epic.

Kerry Washington in Miu Miu at The Oscars 2013.

Kerry Washington in Miu Miu at The Oscars 2013.

When I saw Charlize Theron on run the red carpet, what struck me was how gorgeous she looked with her ice blonde pixie crop with a matching ice white Dior Haute Couture peplum gown. Yes it was another strapless dress, but with Charlize she’s able to bring something that sparkles without really having to do anything. The only factor that may have pushed Charlize down further on my best dressed list is heat magazine associating her with Brigette Nielsen…

Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture at The Oscars 2013.

It’s really the case of the best of an OK bunch, as Salma Hayek wore a black velvet Alexander McQueen dress with gold halterneck applique, Jennifer Garner playing the part of proud wife in a purple ruffled Gucci gown, Samantha Barks looking sexy in black Valentino, Sandra Bullock wearing one of the only Elie Saab gowns in black, Olivia Munn in a burgundy and gold Marchesa with stunning make up and hair, Fan Bingbing wearing an extremely vivid pink Marchesa, and of course one of the shocks of the night Anne Hathaway wearing Prada NOT Valentino, it was a pretty dire dress to be fair as the darts on the bust of the gown made her nipples look erect the whole time.

Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen at The Oscars 2013.

Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen at The Oscars 2013.

Jennifer Garner in Gucci at The Oscars 2013.

Jennifer Garner in Gucci at The Oscars 2013.

Samantha Barks in Valentino at The Oscars 2013.

Samantha Barks in Valentino at The Oscars 2013.

Sandra Bullock in Elie Saab at The Oscars 2013.

Sandra Bullock in Elie Saab at The Oscars 2013.

Olivia Munn in Marchesa at The Oscars 2013.

Olivia Munn in Marchesa at The Oscars 2013.

Fan Bingbing in Marchesa at The Oscars 2013.

Fan Bingbing in Marchesa at The Oscars 2013.

Anne Hathaway in Prada at The Oscars 2013.

Anne Hathaway in Prada at The Oscars 2013.

And a special award to Funniest Hair Faux Pas has to go to Melissa McCarthy, her hair disaster was beyond epic. You could see her bouffant bobbing along in the crowd from space. Otherwise her David Miester dress was quite pretty.

Melissa McCarthy in David Meister at The Oscars 2013.

Melissa McCarthy in David Meister at The Oscars 2013.

Topshop vs. Isabel Marant

Posted in Fashion, Style, Topshop by

Just browsing Topshop, as you do, and came across their ARLENE Western Side Zip Boots, now is it just me or are they a near spit of the hugely popular Isabel Marant Dicker boots that every other person in the fashwan world wears?

And to be completely honest I breezed straight past them, it was only because earlier today I was looking at a picture of Kate Bosworth wearing said Isabel Marant boots that I thought well I could just buy them for £62 instead of the £345 price tag the Dicker boots have.

But it just goes to show that we covet the brand and status not the actual design of the product itself, I don’t think I’d pick a pair of boots like this but if I had the money sitting there for me to buy the Dicker boots I probably wouldn’t hesitate. Well maybe if I considered I could buy a Mulberry bag with the money instead…

Topshop's boots on the left and new face of Topshop Kate Bosworth in the Dicker boots

Topshop’s boots on the left and, new face of Topshop, Kate Bosworth in the Dicker boots