Does the colour of your tights matter?

Today's topic = Tights!

Today sparked an interesting debate between me and a friend, do the colour of your tights matter?

Now when I say matter I don't mean that the colour of your tights is going to mean world peace or anything but I was under the impression that tight colour could make or break an outfit!

If I am wearing a black skirt/dress, I wear black tights, if I'm wearing a Navy skirt or dress I'll match my tights accordingly, you see where I am going with this. But apparently this isn't as common as I thought.

"Black with everything, black all the way" is what I have been confronted with today!

I'm confused - all the rules I have adhered to in the past are now questionable! Does this rule just apply to tights? what about coats, bags shoes!

Are all of my tights obsolete?

Help!?!

Navy, black and brown tights - mytights.com

I think I want to bury my head in the sand at the "black all the way' remark, I like looking well coordinated, it's in my blood. I don't think I can change.

Outfit post: 80's chick

I brought a new t-shirt in the January sales and I hadn't had the right opportunity to wear it yet.

So when a friends birthday party cropped up and we were hitting the town I knew it was the moment to release the top from the clutches of my wardrobe.

I don't have a full length shot of my outfit, actually that is a lie, I do, but It's too far into the night and I'm throwing shapes left, right and centre to be able to show you (if you get me).

Just before you panic - I didn't actually wear my hair like this, it was a bit of fun for the photo!

Disco top - Peacocks £6

the rest of the outfit you can't see:

Purple skirt - New Look £8, Black platform shoes - New Look £20, Bangle - Primark £1.50

If I'm ever invited to a fancy dress I reckon I could rock this look, the side pony looks pretty cool ha ha.

Outfit post: I feel 12 again..

If you had said to me that I'd soon be buying and wearing a denim shirt, I think I'd have literally laughed my head off. So why then I have done just that, I brought one and what's more I'm wearing it.

The shop assistant must of thought me and my shopping buddy were a right pair of looneys as we stood trying on shirts in fits of giggles because we both felt about 12 (when denim shirts were last in).

What do you think?

Denim shirt New Look £20, Vest £6 Topshop, Skirt H&M £2.99 (bargain),

Necklace Topshop £9, Hair-band Primark £1.00

Next someone is going to tell me I'll be wearing double denim...eek

You may have noticed the no shopping rule I was trying to implement isn't going as well as I hoped! In fact it isn't going well full stop...I think I'm an addict!

London Fashion Week arrives

I've had such a busy couple of weeks I feel like I need a holiday to recover. What is worse is that I forgot about pancake day and didn't have any, boooo hisss.

Things have settled down now so I'm back in the flow of blogging and what a better way to kick it off then with London Fashion Week.

Photo from Style.com - Phillip Lim

It is a jam packed action fuelled week of fashion, fashion and more fashion. Whilst I'm not privy to attending such events I will be keeping my eye on what is going on.

For the first time LFW will stream some of the catwalks live, so you can have your own front row seat but whilst at home. Watch live shows here, I certainly will be!

London Fashion Week starts tomorrow (Friday 19) with a full week of shows and parties. I'm hosting my own party instead using the live stream. I'll be like I'm there but in my PJ's.

Primark hord comes up goood

I'm trying to spend less on clothes and shoes and well everything at the moment. I want to have a big summer holiday so I need all the pennies I can get.


I naively agreed to take my friend into Primark, Oxford Street. She was visiting me in London and hadn't been to the store yet.


I thought that I would just help her shop and pick out outfits for her but things didn't go quite according to plan....oops....


I got a few feet through the door before I ran back to the entrance and grabbed a basket!
Primark had some great stuff in, I couldn't help myself.....


We couldn't be bothered to queue for the changing rooms so we took our hoard home with us and had a fashion show in the lounge. . . . oh la la.....

Jumper £6, Cardigan £5, Vest £2.50, Playsuit £13, Stripy tee £2.50, Navy cardigan £5, Stripy hood top £5

The playsuit is something that I wouldn't normally choose, but with its candy floss colours and floral pattern it ticks too many boxes not to have it.

I'm big on stripes but I always go a size bigger as I don't like them to be too tight (horizontal stripes isn't always the best round the tum).

Although I spent money I shouldn't I am actually pretty happy with my picks and looks like my spring wardrobe is taking shape!

Sophs x x

A nude trend me thinks...

I've been looking for some new spring shoes, not wanting to opt for the practical and timeless black I turned my attention to nude shoes....

I thought I'd probably struggle to find some, but boy I was wrong.........check out these high street hottie's.

Shoes range from £20 - £195

Nude shoes are magical to the legs, not only does a heel give your calf a flattering affect the colour also makes your legs ultra long!

I don't think that it means that I can ditch the gym plan just yet but it does mean that I'll be getting a helping hand in getting great legs. yay.

I'm keeping up with 'project legs' they are starting to look better now, phew!!

My advice, bag your self some nude shoes and they'll see you right! The only problem is which pair to choose...

Sophs x x

Brushing up on my lady skills

It became apparent last year that I lack some essential lady skills!

By lady skills I mean cooking, baking and sewing, the sort of thing that ladies should be (or used to be) able to do.


In order to address this skill deficit of mine I enlisted the help of the bf's mum! Bf's mum is a super amazing seamstress who could sew so fast she earnt herself the name of Whizzy Jig.

Whizzy Jig helped me to make my very first dress in October last year, which I wore to works annual ball.

Dress and belt hand made by Whizzy Jig and I, Flower pin, New Look £8

That was in October and I haven't been near a sewing machine since, until I moved to London town that is. Although I haven't made a dress or anything ground breaking, I have made some cushions!!


After a couple of calls to Whizzy Jig for reassurance I went it alone, my lady skills are improving.

Aubergine and white cushion covers - hand made by moi

At the moment they are just covers but I want to buy some buttons and sequins to decorate them.


What are you lady skills like?


Sophs x x

Curly Top

A few weeks ago Look Magazine did a piece on how to achieve a curly top (if you say curly top alot it sounds funny).

So I took it upon myself to try it out, it says that it only take 10 mins to create. ....

10 mins later the result:

Well, it did only take 10 mins to do, but I don't think that my hair is long enough to create the style in the same why that they did.

Although saying that I do quite like it, it's quick, easy, and scruffy.

I have also considered that if like mine you hair is a bit short to get your curls all the way to your forehead, you could sneak some extensions in there too!

To create this you need to:

1. Divide your hair into two ponytails, one at the top of your head (pineapple style) and the other just in front of it (nearer the front of your crown).
2. The first ponytail should be wrapped around the back one to cover up the elastic, secure with kirby grips.
3. The back section should be curled and then pulled forward (covering the first ponytail) and pinned into place.

Give it a try and let me know if it works.

Sophs x

Oooh pretty make up....

My Illamasqua make-up order arrived yesterday and I spent last night playing with it!

Illamasqua says it is for the bolder person hiding inside of all of us, it has plenty of attitude and is a statement of self confidence. This sounds quite heavy but if you spend some time on their website you'll soon see that this is in-fact true.

The colours are powerful and bold and aren't for the faint hearted. Whilst there is a shade to suit everyone, Illamasqua is all about letting out your alter ego.

Whilst my alter ego wasn't around on Thursday night I'd try some of the make up anyway and I liked what I had.

The make-up looked brilliant, I know packaging can't be the judge of whether something is good or not but I liked it nether the less.

What Did I buy: Bronzing Duo, Cream Blusher - Sob, Lipstick - Fable, Concealer - CC130, Intense Lipgloss - absorb, Nail Varnish - Unnatural, Medium Pencil - White, Fine Pencil - Black

Me - playing with the make up

The make-up was great, the colours were strong but not over powering. The most important thing for me was that they stayed on my face and didn't melt away!

There's nothing worst then spending loads of time getting ready for your make-up to slide off half way through your night!

I'm tempted to get another order in already!

Illamasqua have been nominated for two Company Miracle make-up awards - showing that they really are ones to watch.

Sophs x

Primarni for Christmas

Thought I'd start today by showing you what I'm wearing....

Santa brought me a new floral dress for Christmas and it's taken me weeks to find the right cardigan to go with it. Here it is...

Dress, Primark (from santa), Cardigan, M&S £13, Belt, Primark £3, Tights, models own (always wanted to say that), Boots, New Look £30

I've been wearing this dress a couple of different ways just by changing the accessories.

In this picture I've toughen up the dress by pairing it with heavy boots and a chunky belt. But if you keep the accessories softer by adding a peal necklace and earring with some navy flats then it looks much smarter and more feminine.

I wore it the pearls and flats way to my boyfriend's nanny's 90th birthday party!

Do you have any outfits you can wear two ways?

I'm a freak...

Yesterday I spent the morning at the allergy clinic at the hospital. Which I'm not complaining about I've had worst Monday mornings.

I'm allergic to lots of things (unfortunately) and this test was to confirm what exactly it is that doesn't like me.


Interesting test, it went like this: the nurse wrote weird codes all over my arm (see picture below), these codes apparently mean something! She then put a blob of each solution next to the codes, before pricking my arm no less than 15 times!!!!

My arm - lovely isn't it.

It's starting to swell and go red next to the solutions that I am allergic too

So I'm allergic to:

Cats: tell me something I don't know. I found this out when I was about 14 at a sleep over when I sneezed for about 4 hrs and eventually got my mum to collect me

Dust mites: slightly harder to avoid, the buggers are everywhere!

Grass Pollen: kinda figured that out already too

and the cherry on the cake = Tress: yes trees. The very thing that keeps us alive (the whole oxygen cycle thing)

So after the test I assumed the nice nurse would help me remove the strange coding from my arm........oh, no, no, I was wrong, she sent me packing!

I got a few funny looks on my way to work. I bet I looked like some mad woman who had written a coded message (or more likely a shopping list) on her own arm!

I've managed to get most of it off, but I look like a grubby school kid. The pen won't come off!!!!

Sophs x

The Football Monster

It's not often that I will talk about things that are not fashion related but this is too funny not to share....

Picture this....

It's the weekend, I'm sat happily reading a bit of Sherlock Holmes (my new fav) while my boyfriend watches the football (all OK so far).

Slowly the volume creeps up on the television louder and louder until it is so LOUD THE WHOLE STREET CAN HEAR!

My boyfriend has gone from calmly watching the match with a beer to screaming, yelling, swearing, dropping to his knees and pacing the floor.

It's like he is the manager or something, I can't share everything he said whilst shouting at the screen (like they can hear him), here are some that I can share with you:

"Yes"

"Get in to him"

"No"

"Give him some options"

"No way"

"Penalty"

"Up the left, up the left"

"Oh, what, don't even get me started"

"Yeah, yeah, that's right"

"Shall I come over and score for you myself"

"Oh mate, I'm so happy"

"What the?!?"

I stopped reading and was literally just watching him like he was some sort of show. I've never laughed so hard. There were tears.

Does your boyfriend become the football monster too?

Sophs x x

The fear..

Today I've been spending my Saturday doing some 'behind the scenes' work on the blog. You may notice some changes over the next few days as I get to grips with blogging, what I can and can't do etc.

If any of you have any tips let me know! They are much appreciated.

So yesterday I got 'the fear'. This happens to me every year but it seems to have come early for some reason.

The fear happened while I was getting dressed. . . . "what on earth has happened to my legs over winter!?!"

I wouldn't even call them white they were grey! They have clearly been neglected, a bit dry, in need of a shave and not at all ready for summer. I think they have been covered up for too long!

So with the fear well and truly upon me I tried to reassure myself that no one is wearing shorts yet, they aren't even in the shops yet..... erm I was WRONG!

They are every where, and they are pretty, (see pretty shorts below) but my legs aren't. oops.

Shorts from left to right: Topshop floral £35, Topshop black £30, Topshop cycling shorts £12, Miss Selfridges red £28, New Look floral £16.

Operation SOS : sort out legs is up and running.

I have purchased myself a new razor, super thick moisturiser (with a hint of tan) and some nail varnish for my toes.

Give me a few weeks girls and I'll be ready for those shorts.

What is your fashion fear for 2010?

Sophs x

Chocolate dresses, what next?

I knew when I saw these photos today that I had to share them with you.


What runs through a designers mind to make them come up with chocolate dresses, handbags and accessories?





One thing made me laugh about these outfits. Lets suppose you actually wore one, how would you manage to keep your outfit on for the whole night without people (including yourself) nibbling away at it!


It would be too tempting surely!


I decided that the quality of these dresses would be decided by the quality of the chocolate used (I know I'm off my rocker!). I think I would have a little taste!


As a huge chocolate fan and eater I'm a little concerned for the Easter Bunny, does he have to start delivering whole outfits instead of just eggs!


Could we be seeing Gaga in these sometime soon? It would certainly beat the kermit outfit!


What do you think, would you need to taste your chocolate dress?

My Spring Essentials

Its a confusing time of the year at the moment the weather is giving us clear signals that we need to wrap up warm. It is still cold, windy and rainy.

But all the stores are giving us Spring and Summer!

What to do? what to wear? what to buy?I'm as confused as the rest of you and although I like what I see for SS2010, I'm not quite feeling it just yet!

I've been bust reading, looking and checking out what's in and out for SS2010. I like to know the things I am buying will get me through.

I've put together some little hints to get us through:

1. The maxi is back
Short dresses are out the window, maxi's are in! Brilliant creation the maxi, hides approximately 1 million sins and super easy to wear.

2. Florals
These aren't new to the high street, these have been around a while and they ain't going no where. Stock up! I prefer a bigger rose print but with florals anything goes.

3. Ruffles

On your shoulders, hips, skirts anywhere, add a few ruffles and you're bang on trend. This trend is great because you can be as bold or as shy as you like, a ruffle is a ruffle, no matter how many or how big they are.

4. Yellow Any shade the whole yellow spectrum from candy floss yellow to acid bright. Try adding a flash of yellow with a bag or in your accesorises if your not brave enough to go all out.

5. Dungarees (well sort of, more all in ones)

You have all seen and probably struggled with the playsuit (undoing those are a two man job)not the long version is hitting our stores. Personally I'm not keen, not with my body shape. But on those that can pull it off do so superbly.

My spring summer list includes all of the above with the exception of the jump suit. Don't get me wrong there are plenty more must haves out there but without a clear idea of what to buy I end up with everything but nothing. I like my staples.

Images shown: Maxi dress: Monsoon £200, Floral dress: New Look £30, Ruffle top: Dorothy Perkins £14, Yellow Dress: Littlewoods £55, Jumpsuit: Miss Selfridges £40.

Sophs x x

Get on ya boots, get on ya boots

I have new boots.

I haven't stopped wearing them since I brought them last week and thought that if I have this much love for a pair of boots I should share them with you.

Da daaaaaa

Boots - New Look £30

These bad ass boots are the sort of thing that when you had them on to go out in your Mum would of said "you're not going out in them".

Mum - "I have brought them, I do love them and YES I am wearing them!" he he

I've been wearing them literally everything, from 40's tea dress to LBD. They really toughen up my dresses so that I don't feel too girly.

Tough looking boots have been around a while and whilst I know the sunshine will soon kick in and our weather will turn good I think I'll get enough wear of them in the mean time.

I'm the sort of girl that likes to reassure myself after a purchase, my mind works like this: Boots = £30, already worn them 8 times, that is £3.75 each time. This equals BARGAIN!

How would you wear them? What have you recently fallen in love with?

Sophs x

and I didn't get pulled up on footwork!

About August last year, some wise owl at work thought it would be a great idea to put together a work netball team.

As a newbie to the company at this stage I eagerly joined, a chance to meet more people, make some more friends! No one need know my shocking Netball past, I'm different now, I'm older, wiser, fitter?!?.

Last night was our first team practice - Gulp.

But (yes there is a but), it went pretty well. The ghost of netball past didn't make me run with the ball, didn't make me miss every shot at goal, didn't make me live up to my 'butterfingers' name. By jove I think she has got the hang of this Netball thing!!!

Feeling a bit sore this morning but I think it is my body's way of punishing me for running and exercising last night - sorry body!

Would you join a work sport team? fingers crossed mine seems to be going well.....so far.

Sophs x x

My storm, my Teacup

Welcome to My storm, my teacup.

Since moving to London six months ago I have discovered a world of fashion and blogging. So I thought I'd give it a go.

No promises at the moment as to what will become of the blog. Hopefully I'll start to post regularly and give you some wise insight into my world.

I have some exciting things coming up in the next few months, one being a delivery of Illamasqua make up!

I'll let you know how I get on.

Sophs x