One of things that has kept me sane these past few weeks, is knowing that Spring is just round the corner. I know we are all tired of layering up and heading out in the cold and we just can't wait to ease up and relax with our wardrobe choices. I know I am! Haha!

I've compiled a few of the trends I'm excited about and will be incorporating into my personal style this spring. I do hope you find some springspiration through it! :)

~ The New Girlie ~

Think pretty pastels, lovely lace and girly glamour. If this is not usually your thing, perhaps welcoming the new season with a little experimenting may be fun! Gather notes from our friends at Louis Vuitton and 3.1 Philip Lim.

 (L-R 3.1 Philip Lim, Louis Vuitton, Carolina Herrera, Chanel)

~ Print Clash ~

When I say anything goes, I mean anything goes. Mary Katrazantou's s/s 12 show is the perfect example of embracing this bold but fun trend. The secret is to wear with confidence!

~ Minimal Whites & Neutrals ~

For those who believe less is more, but still want to make a statement! Play around with different shades of white and neutrals, as well as the cut and texture, just like the designs of Philip Lim, the master of minimal charm.

  (L-R Kanye West, Celine, 3.1 Philip Lim, Calvin Klein Collection)

I shopped my closet and created three looks inpsired by these trends! :)



Look 1

Dress : Zara (inc. Belt)
Heels : Primark
Clutch : H&M

Look 2

Blouse : Primark
Skirt : Topshop
Belt : H&M
Heels : River Island

Look 3

Riding Pants : American Apparel
Tee : H&M
Jacket : H&M
Shoes : New Look
Cuff : H&M

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It was a beautiful spring day in London. I woke up to the sun shining through my window and reflecting off the divine shade of yellow of my bedroom walls. Nowhere on earth can quite compare to this place, where I call home. I felt a smile across my face as I realised the day had finally come, were my dear friends Pat & Mike were to wed. Inspired by the sunshine, my walls and welcoming of spring, I put on my yellow dress, softly complemented it with nude heels and earrings, and I was ready for the big day. :)

Dress : Topshop

Earrings : Primark

Mary Jane Heels : Primark

Clutch : H&M

(Thank you Wande for capturing these outfit shots!)

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 Battling the tears, trying to write this. I'm going through so much at the moment, and I'm stuck because I don't know who to trust. I want to just come out and bare it all, but I'm scared. I'm so scared.

It's a terrifying place to be, when you feel the people who are closest to you are oblivious or indifferent to the goings on of your life, and as a result you feel even more alone. They have faith that I am a strong person, and I'm able to deal with things as they arise, but I think they forget that I too am a human being. I too make mistakes. I too feel and hurt like everyone else.

I don't know what it is, but I've found myself more and more lately thinking about or doing things that are not of my nature. As an indirect cry for help? I don't know. Maybe I'm just fed up with the way things are and have been for a long time and I'm only just admitting to my sadness and anger about it all.

I've prayed, but anxiety and worry just seems to creep and find it's way back in. I just want it to go away. I want to be happy again and I want to live the life I'm supposed to.

I've recently been asking myself what it is I really want out of life. I'm not far off from finishing my degree, but in all honesty, I'm not sure if it's what I want to do anymore. (I've never said this out loud because right from day one I've been "expected" to do such a degree and go into a line of work that leads on from it.). There have been times were I've felt so sure about what I want to do. I'd revel in the thought of being an engineer or teacher or work in some big firm in some amazing place. I'd work very hard on the back of this thought, but somewhere down the line I'd not feel right. I'd feel it so deep inside, that this is not what I'm meant to be doing. But everytime, I'd brush it off and carry on. And the cycle just repeats itself.

I've always felt that the decisions i've made were to please other people and not myself, and that's a burden I've always carried. Don't get me wrong it's a beautiful thing to be both academic and creative, but what's also beautiful is being happy knowing that what you are doing is for you, and ultimately you will get joy out of it.

Maybe this is just anxiety talking, but all these thoughts have pushed me into a place I'd rather not be in. I've tried to seek help, but as I mentioned earlier, the pressures of being miss perfect make it very difficult to do so. 

Please tell me I'm not alone! :'(

Shirley

xoxo

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*UPDATE* I was so overwhelmed by the response I got after I published this post! I had no idea a lot of people would be able to relate to my situation some way or another. I have read every single comment, email, text and tweet, and I am truly grateful for your encouraging and reassuring words! I've since taken a step back and thought deeply about it and I've decided that finishing off my degree no matter the ups and downs along the way, is the best thing to do because I'm just not a quitter. I now know that even if I don't continue in that career path, there are still valuable and transferrable skills that I've gained and will help me in an other path I take.
I drew comfort from the fact that there are lot of people out there who can relate to this, and I'm so happy that I expressed my feelings on it! I'm going to keep at it, and figure out what I want to do, and trust, you guys will be the first to know! Thank you so much again for all your love. God bless. xoxo

This is a style I've sported on numerous occasions (and in my Woven post) and I finally filmed a Tutorial for it. It's simple, cute, and perfect for spring! What do you think? :)

What you'll need...

Combs/Brushes
Heat Protectant (Tresseme)
Finishing Spray (Tresseme...forgot to include a clip with me using it, but you get the gist!)
Hair Bands
Bobby Pins/Hair Grips
Straightner (Mine's a DIVA one, but any will do!)
Extensions (Expression, Half a packet for each braid. Can be purchased in any Afro-Carrib Hair Store!)

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On my Face

Eyes : Blacktrack Fluidline (MAC), Bad Gal Lash (Benefit)
Lips : Cherry Lipliner & Ruby Woo Lipstick (MAC)
Face : Face & Body Foundation, Studio Finish Concealer (MAC)

Nails : Aquamarine (Mavala)

This is what I wore to my Lunch Date with my sister . Any time spent with my sister is full of laughter, and she is the only person in the world I can fully let my hair down with. We hadn't seen each other in what felt like forever, because of numerous Uni deadlines we both had, and straight after we completed them we were able to chill and catch up! She took these shots of my outfit. I really wanted to wear this cool and laid back dress with a waterfall detail, something I love very much. I thought it went perfectly with this lipstick (Carthage by Nars). The weather was perfect enough to throw on just one layer, so I chose to wear my leather jacket.

Soft and feminine, but with and edge...You know that's my thing right? ;)

Dress : Traffaluc, Zara

Belt : H&M

Jacket : H&M

Hosiery : Primark

Boots : New Look

Bag : H&M

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A collection of photos of various purple items I own, and other random things too. Oh and my freshly painted purple glittery nails. I also bought a new bra from my favourite lingerie store, Bravissimo. ;)

All this has got me in a Purple Mood! :)

Nude Shoes : New Look

Bra : Bravissimo

Top : Topshop

Baked Shadows : L.A. Colors

Lipstick : Rebel (MAC)

Nail Polishes : Urban Outfitters 'Purple 2' & L.A. Colors 'Glistening Purple' Polishes

Book : The Fashion Book

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