What would you wear if...? #3

Hey, It's Lily! This week it was Daisy's turn to choose the theme and she wanted to give me a hard challenge by giving me something that's totally opposite to my usual style. So, this weeks challenge is what would you wear if...

you were a member of the royal family?

As soon as we had the Princess-y outfit on we got rather carried away taking the pictures, recreating all the classic Royal pastimes from playing tennis to waving to accepting gifts from children (played very convincingly by our brother) at parades. One thoroughly enjoyed oneself!  

Dress: Miss Selfridge, Blazer: New Look, Shoes: Louboutin, Headband: Accessorize, Bag: Accessorize.

Hope you enjoyed!
Yours sincerely,

Her Royal Highness the Princess Lilian.

Friday Playlist - Guilty Pleasures

Whether we're willing to admit it or not, we all have those songs in our music collections that we're cripplingly embarrassed by. They taint your otherwise *impeccable* music taste, you pray they won't turn up on shuffle when your friends are in the room and they prompt you to make excuses like 'oh yeah I used to like that when I was about 13, oh 2007....' or 'oh that, that just synced from my parents iTunes' but secretly - you love them. Now here we are about to share our own secret embarrassments, on record, on the internet, for all of you to see - well, here go's nothing.

Daisy

Disclaimer: I have a pretty varied music taste so what others consider to be a cheesy 'guilty pleasure' I would probably happily admit to enjoying - for example my Mum suggested I include Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' I LOVE THAT SONG and I don't care who knows it. In light of this, this playlist turned out to be a lot harder than I thought it was going to be - believe me these are the tip of the embarrassing ice-berg!

1. JLS - One Shot

This is most definitely one of those songs described above that makes you reminisce about your youth (or 2010) and then ironically sing along, except I would, and have, listened to this in my room alone... ahh. Its completely unoriginal boy-band crap, with naff YOLO filled lyrics and a side-step based dance routine - the video even has rubbish special effects - but I actually really enjoy every bit of it.

2. Nickelback - Rockstar

Whether you loved it or hated it there was a time in 2006 when this was the biggest song in the world. As it went, everyone loved it, played it to death, learnt every word and then about two weeks later everyone despised it. Often cited as the perfect example of why everyone hates Nickelback so much, years later I have kind of funnily come back around to this one. Its definitely an abomination but I still know every word and when it manages to sneak out of pop cultures dark corners from time to time I won't hesitate to sing along.

3. David Guetta & Showtek feat. Vassy - 'Bad'

A more recent entry in comparison to all the naughties pop, I don't just like this song - I am obsessed by it. I imagine most of us between the ages of 17 and 25 will have had our fair share of drunken nights out soundtracked by David Guetta, shouting the lyrics and flinging ourselves around in an attempt at dancing but I doubt most of us have listened to this in the morning or in the evening over  a cup of tea. I have done both. I've requested it in clubs, I've listened to it ten times in a row, I love it. I'll leave it at that.

4.Kate Winslet - 'What If'

 Most people probably don't know that Kate Winslet once launched a fairly short-lived singing career in 2001 or that this ballad was the product of it. I remember as a child this was the last track on NOW 50 (hehe) and it really pulled on my seven year old heartstrings. It was the soundtrack to the 2001 animated Christmas Carol and over ten years later the the seven year old within me still sheds a silent tear over this guilty pleasure.

5. Daniel Bedingfield - 'If You're Not the One'

Ahhh what a classic. I was almost unsure about calling this one a 'guilty' pleasure because I'm pretty sure this is universally recognised as an amazing song - or is that just me? Either way once I'd thought of it I had to include it, if only as an excuse to listen to it on repeat a couple of times Those vocals are so difficult yet so satisfying to try and imitate - 'IS THERE ANY WAY THAT I COULD STAY IN YOUR AAAAAAAARMS?' - ah god I love it. Bedingfield himself describes the song as 'cheesy' with 'sappy lyrics and meek tune', he then in the same interview, went on to compare himself to Bob Dylan - nuff said.

Lily

I came up with the theme for this weeks friday playist but I didn't know how hard it would be to think of my 5 songs. Because I usually listen to rock and metal people are often surprised when I like something a bit different but I enjoy listening to different things sometimes (I ain't no music snob!). So for today's playlist I am swapping metal bands for boybands, enjoy!

1. 5 Seconds of Summer – 'She Looks So Perfect'

Okay, I publicly admit it, I like 5 seconds of summer! I like rock and metal but I just can’t help but like them (damn my inner teenage fan girl). I used to hear this song on the music channel and I would leave it on because my mum said she liked it, but secretly I liked it too. Their songs are super catchy and I admit I fancy the pants of all of them (especially Michael). Shoutout to my friends Megan and Sally who I listen to 5sos with, and are also secret 5sos lovers.

2.Chad Kroeger ft. Josey Scott - 'Hero'

This has been a guilty pleasure of mine for a long time, you can’t deny the vocals on this song are awesome. Me and daisy agreed anything that’s Nickleback/Chad Kroeger is definitely a guilty pleasure, but the fact it’s a Spiderman ballad does redeem it slightly… or maybe it doesn’t. Regardless I still love this song and the massive notes in it.

3. Conchita Wurst - 'Rise Like a Phoenix'

 I had to include this song because it’s just brilliant. It’s not I song I would regularly listen to, but me and mum love to blast this out in the car. We got really into Eurovision this year and we loved Conchita, although Lordi are still my favourite Eurovision entry for obvious reasons. Mum decided to buy her song which I regularly forget is on our iTunes, so it makes me chuckle every time it comes on. Plus you can’t beat a good Eurovision power ballad - especially sung by a gorgeous woman with a beard.

4. Glee Cast – 'Dream On'

This song is a guilty pleasure because it’s a glee cover, but the original song is obviously already awesome. The vocals in this cover are amazing, Matthew Morrison and Neil Patrick-Harris pull off the high note at the end perfectly. It’s a song you can easily mime and look like a complete fool to, which is always a good thing.

5. Backstreet Boys – 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)'

This is an iconic song from my childhood, it came out the year I was born but I still love it now.  I have this song on my phone purely for the nostalgia; it puts me in a good mood. I also love the video; anything with a Halloween haunted house theme is good by me!

Thanks for joining us on our cheesy journey through the last 20 years! Hopefully you will find as much guilty pleasure in these tracks as we have.

-Daisy and Lily

An Ode to the Great British Charity Shop

Helloo, it's Daisy. So as you may already know I am completely in love with charity shops, wherever I am I cannot go past one without going in and I don't often leave without buying something. Bloggers and youtubers from the US are constantly sharing their plethora of thrift shop purchases however here in the UK I feel like our equivalent, the humble charity shop, doesn't get nearly as much love and affection and I feel it is my mission to try and change that! So without further ado, here is my list of 6 reasons to shop charity...

1. Price

Being a poor and lowly student, I really don't have the funds to splash out on clothes so this one is a biggie for me. Put simply charity shops are DIRT CHEAP! I find on average they charge £5 for things like tops and skirts, £10 for dresses and mere pence for jewellery, making it easy to come away with around four or five items for under twenty quid. Of course these prices are variable, with some charity shops (usually for bigger charities like Oxfam) charging slightly more than others, however they are all significantly cheaper than all the popular high-street and online stores. I love having new clothes and the sweet sweet thrill of the purchase is in no way diminished by the fact that I've only spent a couple of pounds. Charity shops sell both new and old items so you really get the biggest price reductions when buying second-hand high-street or designer items, just last week I picked up a brand new Miss Selfridge dress and a Topshop Unique skirt for £10 and £3.50 respectively - bargain!

2. Charity

Ok, ok this one is obvious but never the less it is a massive plus point. Of course the very function of a charity shop is to raise money for charities, which has to be a positive thing in anyone's book (unless you are a heartless miser). There are hundreds of charities out there that have shops from huge national causes like Cancer Research UK and The British Heart Foundation, to small charities for things like local hospices and animal sanctuaries. These are especially beneficial because you know exactly where the proceeds are going and that the money you spend is going to benefit causes in your local community. These viral charity challenge crazes like the' ice bucket challenge' and the 'no make-up selfie' are all well and good for raising lots of money in a short space of time but by going to charity shops regularly you are constantly donating to good causes without having to be prompted, pressured or 'tagged'. By saving yourself some dosh and shopping second-hand you are donating money that could help cure a crippling disease, give an abandoned dog a home or provide care and support for an elderly person and when you think about it like that, charity shopping is a really worthwhile thing to do.

3. Sticking it to the man

By giving your money to organisations who really need it, you are keeping from handing over all of your hard earned cash to retail giants like Sir Phillip Green and the Arcadia group, which owns stores including Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins. The Arcadia group is owned officially by Green's wife, who resides in Monaco, enabling the company to avoid paying UK tax and keep more money for themselves - naughty, naughty. Unfortunately this and groups like it make millions from British consumers every year without really giving back to the people thy are making all their money from. So in a way, buying clothes from charity shops and attempting to avoid these big companies from time to time is like giving a swift middle finger to the corporations in possibly the most un-anarchistic way possible. I'm not going to pretend I don't buy clothes from big chain shops because I do, however sometimes it is good to think about where our money is going and occasionally making a conscious decision to fill the pockets of worthy causes instead of big companies.

4. Environment and Ethics

With today's culture of throwaway fashion we are going through so many clothes at such a rate we are seriously harming the planet. High-street stores update their stock so often it is hard to keep up, with certain items in one season and straight out the next. Buying clothes from charity shops is like a form of recycling - with you taking someones unwanted things and using them again instead of them being thrown away and this is especially true if you then donate your unwanted items back to a charity shop for someone else to use. With trends moving so fast it is so much better for the environment to keep recycling clothes in this way instead of constantly buying stacks of new ones that, lets face it, you will probably be bored with in a few months anyway.

5.Originality

Now for some pluses from the style perspective. One of the main reasons I love shopping in charity shops is to find items that are different from what I can find in ordinary shops. I have always liked having clothes that no one else has and charity shops are a gold mine of unique treasures waiting to be discovered, with clothes from brands you've never heard of and styles you've never thought to try.  Whenever someone compliments me on an item I am wearing its usually something from a charity shop that someone has particularly noticed because they haven't already seen it on the rails at New Look or scrolling the pages of Missguided. I know many people have the misconception that there is nothing stylish to be bought from charity shops but I promise there are, especially if you're willing to get creative when putting together outfits. To be honest a lot of the things in charity shops could easily be put in a 'Vintage' shop and slapped with a £30 price tag. Granted if you dressed in head to toe second-hand you might end up looking like a bit of a tit, but what I suggest is to mix charity shop items with new pieces, to create looks that are really individual. 

6. The Thrill of the Chase

Finally, what really excites me about charity shops is not knowing what you might come across. Sometimes going round bigger shops can feel a bit 'samey' and uninspiring, with many shops often just presenting a different slant on the same thing. On the other hand, with charity shops you never know what you are getting yourself into! You could find a sixties looking swing dress, a worn band t-shirt or a sleek and sharp pair of trousers - you just never know!  Buying clothes like this can really help create original looks and push you to think outside your comfort zone. Really, nothing pleases me like finding an amazing item, that is fabulous and unique AND costs me less than a fiver and usually I find at least three of these per shopping trip. Yes, often half the stuff in there is hideous but if you wade through the shoulder-padded, lilac blazers and the noughties denim gypsy skirts there are some real gems to be discovered - and hey, maybe those things are your bag!

I hope I have convinced some of you to at least give charity shopping a try! To convince you a little further before I go I thought I'd address two of the most prolific rumours about second-hand clothes:

-NO, no one died in them! (Probably) 

-Yes, they do smell a certain way but that's nothing a couple of washes won't get rid of!

Thanks a lot for reading and go get charity shopping!

-Daisy

SORRY!

Just a little post to say sorry we have been so crap these past few days! We've both been really busy so we hope you'll forgive us. To make up for our crapness we are going to be posting lots of exciting stuff in the next few days including late 'Monday Madness' and 'What would you wear if...' as well as fun content including Back to school looks, London Fashion Week, Charity Shopping and The Scottish Referendum (jokes, no where near ready to get political on the internet!). Stay tuned and sorry again, please take us back into your hearts. <3
Love,

-Daisy and Lily

#OOTD

This is what we both wore to our friend Sally's 21st (Hi Sal, if you're reading this - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!).

Dress: Jones and Jones, Shoes: Bebo, Choker: eBay.

Dress and Earrings: Topshop, Shoes and bag: Primark.

- Daisy and Lily

Friday Playlist: The Soppy One

Hello! Here we are again with some musical delights for the Friday Playlist and this week we're going to be a couple of soppy beggars and tell you the songs that make us cry - that's right we're getting deep. Well, tissues at the ready we might as well jump straight in!

Daisy

Alright, I'm just going to say it: I'm a crier, songs make me cry. There it is, I'm a big fat softy.

1. Don Mclean - 'Vincent'

Ok,  I admit this is a classic weep inducing song but I fall for Don Mclean's easy listening tribute to Vincent Van Gogh every time. I know a lot of people find this song a bit fluffy but the melody and the imagery of the lyrics really resonate with me - like many people including Mclean I find Van Gogh's paintings beautiful and his story incredibly tragic. Its fascinating that a song totally about someone else's life with no way of relating to your own can still move you. 

2. The Smiths - 'Please, please, please let me get what I want'

Now I know for a fact that I am not the first person in the world to cry at a Smiths song - lets be honest Morrissey knows how to make people feel all the feels. Now the lyrics are full of sadness, desperation and longing but what really gets me in this song is that damn mandolin solo! I feel like the whole song builds up to that moment and when it finally arrives I genuinely struggle to keep from welling up and apparently Morrissey agrees - he is known to visibly break down during this instrumental during live performances of the song.

3. Dog Is Dead - 'Two Devils'

This is a chilled and ethereal song but with some seriously creepy and weird lyrics, and played at a loud volume is really dramatic - all in all its pretty amazing. Its also pretty sad. With the vocal provided by lead singer Rob Milton feeling like there's real emotion behind it, this is a great soundtrack for when you're lying in bed, over-thinking things and generally feeling a bit miserable. As fans of Made in Chelsea might notice this is the song they used to play over all the dramatic scenes just before the ad break, proving that 'Two Devils' is seriously like totes emosh, yah  *cue awkward silence*. 

4. Keane - 'Bedshaped'

To be honest the less said about this song the better! Its a pretty good song and is quite sad but its not the music that makes me cry its the music video. I have vivid memories from when I was a child of seeing my dad watching this (Keane is a dad band after all) and having to leave the room in tears. This video seriously traumatises me and I still cannot stand to watch it - ITS SO UPSETTING! I'll let you guys judge for yourselves.

5. The Beatles - 'Real Love'

Ah this one is a real kicker. As anyone who knows me will be well aware I have a huge Beatles obsession and while many of their songs make me feel feelings this one has to be the epitome. 'Real Love' is a song written by John Lennon during the 60s but never released before his death in 1980 (cry) and then recorded with overdubs by the three remaining Beatles in 1995 as part of the anthology project (double cry) and besides all this Beatles based soppy-ness its a heartwarming love song in its own right. Funny story, the first time I ever heard this song was when me and my brother had just completed Beatles Rockband (an emotional activity to start with) and had received this song as an in-game reward as well as an accompanying interview with George, Paul and Ringo from 1995 talking about the song. Well needless to say this totally finished us off and we both burst into tears and ended up wiping our noses on a Hong-Kong Phooey sock. Yes I am really that sad. 

Lily

Ok, well when Daisy told me this week’s theme I knew I would struggle as I’m not the type of person to cry very easily. I get teased for being an ‘ice queen’ as I’ve only ever cried at one film (king kong) so I don’t often cry at songs either. But I’m not totally heartless, all these songs are sad and could definitely have the potential to make me tear up.

1. Gary Jules - 'Mad world'

This is an obvious choice as it’s a pretty universally known as being a sad song, it’s on loads of sad movies and adverts.  I quite like this song but you definitely have to been in the mood for it. the lyrics for this song are very sad, and you would have to be hard as nails (like me;) ) to not let this song make you cry.

2. Avril Lavigne - 'When you’re gone'

I remember listening to this song in my early teens and thinking it was the saddest thing ever, this probably did make me cry at some point as I was a 12 year old girl when it came out. Me and daisy were big Avril fans and have both been through phases when we wanted to look like her (Claire’s tie necklaces and all). The video for is very sad but it’s the old guy that nearly gets me, he’s so old, and cute, and sad.

3. Myles Kennedy - Hallelujah

This song is another universally known sad song, the lyrics are quite dark and it’s quite a stirring song. This version is by Myles Kennedy of alter bridge (who I love), he sings it really nicely and conveys lots of emotion. Ahh the ‘feels’.

4. Evanescence- 'My immortal'

This song is sad for obvious reasons, the lyrics are very sad and Amy lee’s voice is perfect for this kind of song. She can do the soft and powerful parts really well and it’s the bridge where she really belts it out that gets you most.

5. Queen - 'Who wants to live forever'

I remember watching the video this song when I was little for at my grandma’s house (she’s a massive queen fan). This song is really sad because Freddie mercury died so young and It’s quite relevant to him. The song was also written for the film highlander, it is featured in the scene in the film where ‘Connor MacLeod must endure his beloved wife Heather MacLeod growing old and dying while he, as an Immortal, remains forever young’.  I don’t know which what would make you cry more; the scene, or Christopher lamberts awful Scottish accent.  But nevertheless this song is definitely a tear jerker, and anything with a full orchestra in the background can definitely move you. My favourite part is 2.08 onwards. 

Don't mind us, we'll jut be over here weeping. :'(

-Daisy and Lily

The Round-up - New York Fashion Week 2014

Daisy here! With the all excitement coming to an end and the catwalks shutting down in NYC I thought I'd post a round-up of some of my favourite shows from New York Fashion Week. There has been some really exciting stuff these past seven days and I have been pouring over live catwalk videos and photographs on Vogue.com. One day I will make it to the Front Row (or more likely the Back row, I don't care either way), but for now stalking Tommy Ton and Katie Grand's instagrams whilst I'm at work will just have to do. On with the show!

Oscar de la Renta

For me no collection evoked Spring being sprung more than Oscar de la Renta. The collection was packed with incredibly wearable pastel hues, spring florals, gingham and broderie anglaise - it was so damn girly and I absolutely loved it! It transports you into a world of garden parties, afternoon teas and days by the seaside all rolled into one: basically all the things that we really want Spring to be. As you may know by now I'm a sucker for vintage inspired clothing and de la Renta's clothing has stacks of retro appeal. What's really great for me about this collection is that whilst it is made from the finest fabrics money can buy, the silhouettes, patterns and style of the clothing (especially the more casual pieces) are totally replicable for those of us who can't afford to drop upwards of £2,000 on our summer dresses. 

See the full collection here: Oscar de la Renta

Coach

There were plenty of pastels at Coach too, but in a far more alternative guise. Full of furs, flares and fluro clogs this collection was all about slick, statement-making pieces - cool looking girls wearing really cool looking clothes. I know too well that in summer it is tempting to stick to the basics however these looks will definitely make me think twice before sticking on a same-old shorts and t-shirt combo. Taking inspiration from the American subcultures of skate and surf, relatively newly appointed creative director Stuart Vevers continued his overhaul of the traditional brand, calling the collection a celebration of 'beautiful oddness'. It is certainly not what the usual Coach customer has come too expect and has definitely sparked my interest in a brand I had previously, largely ignored. Its full of colour, texture and pattern, the skirts are short and the shapes are extreme -  and it pretty much rules. 

See the full collection here: Coach

Rodarte 

I always love clothes that manage to be industrial and tough whilst at the same being beautiful and ornate, and this Rodarte collection does exactly that. The tough comes from the army of masterful military jackets (pun intended) and lace up leather boots. There are leather straps, rivets, canvas, buckles and netting, however on the flip side there are flowers, sequins, beading, ruffles and glitter. These come from the dresses on show, that look like fronds of  ripped up fabric all sewn together in a manic mish-mash which sounds mad but looks truly gorgeous. All in all I love this collection - in theory its a mess, but in reality its a masterpiece. Don't even get me started on the pierced, punk eyebrows with the paired back and soft make-up *sigh*.

See the whole collection here: Rodarte

Altuzarra

Altuzarra's clothing is all about the woman who wears it and the sexy, classy, lady-woman inside me wants all this collection has to offer. Again gingham shows up, but this time in a sleek, sharp and very expensive looking way. There are skirt splits and plunging necklines aplenty but done with such elegance and focus on tailoring that it is never too much - these are clothes for grown ups and that is what I really admire. They continue the themes from other collections of bold pattern and bright colour but these designs are completely and unapologetically all-woman and now that I'm the ripe old age of twenty this is something I could definitely stand to incorporate into my own style. Slip on some of Altuzarra's slinky heels *cue Tom Jones 'She's a lady'* and you're good to go. 

See the full collection here: Altuzarra

Anna Sui

Holy mother of god. This Anna Sui collection is all of my 60s, 70s, bohemian, rock n' roll dreams come to life. This is seriously my dream wardrobe and because of that there's no way I can be neutral about it - I just know that I want it, I WANT IT ALL! There are so many patterns, colours and layers to theses looks that all come together in some sort of hippie dreamland. There are so many aspects of the late 60s going into the early 70s with floaty sleeves, kaftans, flares, capes and flowing skirts both long and short and would look totally at home in the wardrobes of Stevie Nicks, Janice Joplin or the late 60s Beatles. I'm going to have to stop gushing now so I'll  shut up and let the pictures speak for themselves. 

See the whole collection here: Anna Sui

Marc by Marc Jacobs

This is a collection also taking big inspiration from a bright and eccentric era but this time its 90s rave culture. In contrast to Anna Sui's romantic flowing creations Marc Jacobs brought loud block colours, boxy silhouettes and lots of latex. There's a lot of focus on circles, from the polka dot emblazoned clothing to the much talked about circular bags and gingham makes yet again another sneaky appearance as do pastel colours. Its tough and functional - with clean shapes and materials that look like you can wipe them clean, but still has all the rebellious appeal you want from a collection fueled by house music. The Marc Jacobs girl is anarchistic, cool and probably off to an illegal rave.

See the whole collection here: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Tommy Hilfger

Another collection packed with swinging 60s notes that I have completely fallen for is the festival inspired magic that is Tommy Hilfiger. The models floated through the mock fields in an array of looks with a distinctly woodstock-y vibe, in leather, crochet, fur and knit and with clusters of stars all over their bodies. Its a gorgeous and rich dreamland that I'm pretty sure I'd like live in all year round - even if the flowers are fake, the boots are real and I need them. I've been watching breton caps on eBay for a while and this magnificent collection has totally convinced me to make the purchase. I think I'm in love!

See the whole collection here: Tommy Hilfiger

Michael Kors 

Last but certainly not least is Michael Kors and what I loved the most about this collection is the simplicity. You want spring/summer? Well here it is, all served up in a clean, light, beautiful package. I've talked a lot about inspiration, and statement making, well this collection has only one inspiration and one statement to make and that is simply summer itself! Everything on the summery checklist is ticked off: florals, whites, nautical stripes, knotted shirts, spaghetti straps, off-the-shoulder, bright colours, tea dresses, gingham (AGAIN), sandals and lace, and it will all have you wishing that the sunshine would stick around a little bit longer.

See the whole collection here: Michael Kors

Right that's about it! Those we just a select few of the shows I have enjoyed this week, other shows I'd strongly recommend checking out include Jeremy Scott, Carolina Herrera, Libertine, Jenny Packham, Betsy Johnson, DKNY, Donna Karan and Vera Wang to name but a few. All of these shows and loads more are on vogue.com and for video streams of the catwalks go to newyorkfashionweek.com. Thank you so much for reading this, I really put a lot into this one and have thoroughly enjoyed doing so! Hopefully I will be back soon with something similar. 

Anyway, watch out for the Friday playlist later in the day - Its a tearjerker!

-Daisy