MeetMyChanges

I have just finished my last shift at Topshop before I jet off to India to study for 4-5 months! Not to fear, I am back afterwards, and I am most definitely keeping a sister blog to MeetYourMaker when I am out there, which will be arriving soon! 

It is effectively the start of a new chapter in my life. New hair, new country, new experiences...I can't say that I'm going to miss waking up at 5 on a Sunday morning though!

Seeing as today was one of the earliest starts I have had in a while, I stuck to the dress-easy rules. I paired my latest luxury charity shop find [originally from Zara - 85% silk, 15% cashmere] layered with a Topshop piece to compliment my new reddy hair...

Having red hair definitely does effect your wardrobe. Those that have experienced red before will know this. Initially it may be daunting, but once your wardrobe in honed to your hair tones, it will be a recipe for a stand-out look!

With my tone of red hair & my sharp pixie crop, I prefer to stick to blocks of colour-pops &  interesting proportions. The tonal fading on this sheer top compliments my hair well is a perfect background for my remembrance day poppy. I combined the crop length of it with my midi-length fine knit jumper dress so the layered didn't swamp me. Pick up the colours in the top to accessorize with a leather jacket & seasonal scarf...

MeetMyManchester

New hair makes life more fun!

Be brave & take a change!

I was spotted outside uni just after having my hair re-vamped for hair modelling...and eating an apple!

Check out Manchester Fashion Week's website for more street style pics...

http://www.mcrfashionweek.com/yoursfashionably

And their facebook page...
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.493925603960483.113499.290691467617232&type=1

My Outfit Recipe [Let's take it from the top]...

Black studded leather biker jacket [Topshop]

Vintage burgundy tartan woolen scarf

Vintage sparkle midi-dress 

*which received a lot of complements, so don't be afraid to shine!*

Black platform boots [Office]

MeetMyPatterns

Psychedelic Pattern Clashing. Contrasting Textures.  It's all about mixing them up at the moment.

Today my Saturday outfit combines watercolour-washed print & jersey lace. I have kept the colours complementary to avoid overpowering the look. Accessorize with vintage jewellery & a bowler hat to complete the look! 

MeetMyPaintOfTheDay

Everyone gets so caught up in everyday life. Take a step back & TakeMeAway...

MeetMyHappyDays

Last weekend for me consisted of over 14 hours work, a couple of 21st Birthdays, followed by a night out in Derby!

This all kick-started with my 'Happy Saturday'...

My day was going pretty quickly & took a turn for the better when I decided to pop across from work to get a coffee from EAT [other food & drink providers always available!] I fancied a mocha [coffee & chocolate for the anti-hot-beverage individuals!] to keep me going for the rest of my shift...and this was greeted with possibly the best response ever!

"Happy Saturday! The coffee's on me!"

"Really?!" I replied, as if nothing is ever free in life!

[To the other Barista] "Make the best mocha you have ever made...and an extra large one!"

And so, I was buzzing off coffee & a free drink high all day long!

It's safe to say that all the Topshop girls will be attempting to get a drink on the house from now on...that's what I call a trend started! Thank you mister EAT barista, you made my day!

To follow this celebratory weekend, I took a trip to Derby to see on of my best girls, for a catch up & a great night out. We both decided to keep our going-out looks black & red themed [I swear we did not plan this though!] & this was the only photo we took. Sign of a good night I would say...

My Outfit Recipe [Let's take it from the top]...

• Black long-sleeved low-backed lace top *cut out the inner to vamp up the look a bit*
• Black bra-let *channel the underwear as outerwear look* [you can also get away with this as a night-time look & a few tequilas always helps with the cold!]
• Black leather skirt *mix up textures when your look is all black* [H&M]

Chazza's Outfit Recipe [Breaking it down from the top!]...

• Red sleeveless sheer blouse
• Black tailored high-waisted shorts *gold studded belt included!* [Miss Selfridge]

Our main accessory...

• Red lippy!
• And smiles, of course!

MeetMyPaint

Everyone remembers Paint. The original of the old-skool Windows 2000 'Accessories'.

Well combine Paint, with illness & Autumn, and this is what you get...

The leaves are falling off the trees, woolly jumpers are filling the shops...it must be time for some Autumn trending! And this squirrel motif is perfect to be made into a seasonal greetings card, or even a print on a dress! 'Paint' is hard to control at the best of times, but with a pencil effect & small lines, this cute character comes alive on the page! The colours would even be changed to achieve different effects...

Keep tuned for more spontaneous 'MeetMyPaint'

MeetMyNewLook

In my latest posts I have showcased to you my newest buys, finds & experiments.

So what comes after new hair? New make-up of course!

Today was the day of the dark lip.

The dark lip. Chocolate lips. Vamp lips. 

Call them what you wish. I just wish I had a better photo than a Visa photo-booth one... unfortunately the only photo I have taken today. However, it presents the way I wear my new hair & some new make-up experimentation. 

To achieve this catwalk-worthy beauty trend, I combined two lipsticks together to achieve the correct shade. I chose my No7 Wild Volume in 'Ruby Glow' to base my darker shade of Rimmel's 'New Black'  Lasting Fix lipstick on. The ruby hues lift the plum tones & create an almost natural looking dark lip effect. Vamp lips have a tendency to be too dark & therefore wash people out, so ensure you have a good blusher to frame your face!

Make like me & create your own catwalk look, inspired by YSL & Ralph Lauren, by pairing burgundy kissed lips with simplistic natural looking make-up & dolly-mascara eyes to avoid over-powering the look...

Finish off with sleek black leather to rule the vamp trend & flashes of brights to then break those rules!

MeetMyMane #2

'The only place where success comes before work is a dictionary'

- Vidal Sassoon

Following in my 'new leaf' lease of life, a new month brings a new haircut!

October is for Opportunities...

On Stage At The Vidal Sassoon Presentation! 

I have been doing hair modelling for about 2 years now, in various salons & locations across the country. Most people would faint at the prospect of a hairdresser 'letting loose' on their hair. But these are top stylists performing the latest cut & colour trends on you. Personally, I find this very exciting. Maybe this is my fashionista side talking or my wild side that likes to take risks...but isn't a risk good once in a while?

Rocking Into A New Month [from left]: Sammy, Me, Amy & Amy!

These looks might initially look daunting to the untrained eye and yes I do admit that at this point I didn't have a clue what my hair looked like, as it is cut in front of an audience with no mirror to be seen! I just knew I was going to turn cross-eyed if I didn't personalize this new look...

So I added my own spin by sweeping my 'unicorn horn' to the side, layering up the gorgeous pleated drape dress with my burgundy leggings, grey hounds-tooth wool socks & my new red-tint lace-up ankle boots.

MeetMyNewLeaf

New Uni Year. New Leaf.

New Look!

My blogging has been a bit sporadic as of late, so here I pledge to knuckle down on my posts! Please help me by showing your support...viewing my posts, checking my updates, sharing the creativity & smiling through life!

I'm starting these smiles with a pop of patterns & a neon zing of a lace peplum...Christopher Kane style!

Christopher Kane's eye-popping neon line-up...
I was obviously the one taking the photo!?

Or maybe more street warden style?...Well, as I say, inspiration can be found anywhere!

What a coincidence!?

Let's bring some colour to this world!

My most recent [and vibrant!] buy combines two major trends...peplum & neon! Yes I admit these two are hard to pull off at the best of times, let alone together, but pairing mine with chic leather & black adds confidence to the look. Accessorized with a cool cat bag [confession time: this is actually my Mum's latest buy! Very kitsch, but kind of cute], a punky quiff & a gold postbox, I hope I completed this look in gold medal standards!

Occasion: Afternoon tea with Mama MeetYourMaker

Outfit Recipe [Let's take it from the top!]:

• Black studded leather jacket * investment piece* [Topshop]
• Black criss-cross lace top *sixties inspired*
• Lace overlay peplum skirt *newest buy* [Topshop]

A Sprinkle Of Accessories:

• Floral print scarf *picking out those yellowy tones!*
• Black & gold skull necklace *from a unique jewellery shop in my hometown* [Pearl & Queenie...http://www.pearlandqueenie.com/]
• Black translucent tights *they look more sleek than opaque ones*
• Black platform ankle boots *newest buy* [Office]

A Story To Tell:

• Getting "papped" by a blogger snapping for a post about the Best Dressed in Manchester! I'm keeping my eyes peeled for this blog!

MeetMyBasics

In this week's issue of Fashion For Thought, which I contribute to, I went back to basics...

I styled a top I simply created out of one piece of jersey, slicing the mid-rift to create a 'peek-a-boo' section. Seen above in three different looks...

Peek-a-boo Prints. I contrasted the vertical 'blinds' in my Annie Oakes' Designs top with the erratic patterned  length of a midi-skirt.

Casual & Cropped. I dressed my creative cropped tee with casual light blue-wash denim, keeping the skirt length below the knee as not to flash too much flesh!

Monochrome Illusions. Complementing the 'bra blinds' [might be a different phrase to describe a feature by, but these slices remind me of Venetian blinds!] with a black & white colour scheme ensures the fine checks worn on my skirt isn't too overpowering.

Inspired at work, by Topshop's Sensationalist tee, which uses the 'slicing' technique to create a peek-a-boo cross shape on the front!

More about my designs & other fashion-related subjects can be read at...

 http://fashionforthoughtfft.blogspot.co.uk/

MeetMyBeautyExperiments

The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are

 permitted to remain children all our lives 
- Albert Einstein

I haven't painted my nails in ages. 

I thought I'd give them a rest, as they've always got one coral or another silver spanning their curvatures. I have a big box of polishes, including a wide variety of colours, and like anything else, I have my favorites! It was time to experiment once again though...into the world of translucent pastels...

I decided on a risky pastel blue that I have only used a few times before...and that was on paper to test the tone! At first I wasn't sold on Rimmel's 'Bright Sky' translucent blue, as it did make my hands look like I had pneumonia! However, I persisted with another layer & finished the nails off with a two-tone complementary pastel pink tip, reminding me of my earlier 'colour scheme' post inspiration!

Designer Inspiration...

From Zimmermann's Latest SS'13 Collection, known for fun, light & amazing printed pieces.

Swimming through a marble wash of pastels, I am immediately engulfed into these printed silk dreams. My experiment was pastels, but this is a masterclass example of how to get them right...on the catwalk. Also, check out those tippex-white talons...maybe that's my next beauty experiment decided?

MeetMyMonth

It is the start of a new month. The Fashion Month.

For everyone that has seen 'The September Issue', a documentary about the editor of America Vogue , which is Anna Wintor for those who do not know...September is the beginning of the fashion year. Starting with big publications & London Fashion Week.

However, these events are for select privileged people only. Striving fashion designers, such as I, are dreaming to go...but will we ever make it? Many just want to see the catwalks, and I assure you that would be this year's dream for me...but I want to design for them. I have forever created unique pieces that I want to see strutting down runways. 

Don't let people underestimate your dreams.

For those of you that haven't checked it out yet, here is my 'Annie Oakes Design's Facebook Page, where pictures are regularly uploaded & people can show their support...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Annie-Oakes-Designs/217043118305980

I enjoy putting my all into everything I do. Some people may say I am a perfectionist.

MeetMyGifts

I love treating my friends & I love making things...

A perfect combination for a day's baking!

With friend's birthdays filling these holiday months, I thought I'd take some time out to put some thought into their gifts. After all, it is the thought that counts!

Three words to describe my baked beauties...

Personal, Cute and Edible!...what more could you want?

I started by making the cute shortcake biscuits, using a simple recipe...then shaping them into teddy bears, little ducks & love hearts. Then they were ready to personalize...matching the shapes to the friends!

Let's get personal...

I used icing sugar to add letters to the cookies & I also created 'booties' for the teddy-shaped cookies by making a special chocolate dip using dark chocolate, golden syrup & icing sugar...

I also dipped the ducky's beaks into the chocolate...so they look like they are chocoholics!

Make Treats. Make Smiles.

:)

MeetMyMayor

Recently a friend I have known for a long time won a new privileged position at this year's Reading Festival...Lotti St. Aubyn was the Mayor of Reading Festival!

*News Flash!*

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150992920582791&set=vb.732982790&type=3&permPage=1

So, this was the first time Reading, or any other Festival, has had a Mayor. And lucky Lotti earned that privileged! As she explains in the video clip, in the link above, wannabes had to apply on the Reading Festival Facebook page with their 'Top 5 Musical Manifesto'. Lotti then left it to fate...but received an email a couple of weeks later informing her that she had made the top 5! From that point she really worked on getting all the votes she could, creating a Facebook event page to ensure that people were voting every day for her...and she eventually tallied up over a million votes! That's dedication for you...but it all paid off!

At the same time as supporting Lotti's votes, I was also supporting my dedication by posting up new photographs of my latest creations, my 'transitional tops', on my Annie Oakes Designs page...and one of them particularly caught her eye!

My 'Skull' top, featuring a Alexander McQueen-esque pattern & beaded trimming, was en-route to Lotti before you could say 'festival-fashion'...and she reassured me that she would be wearing it to open Reading Festival 2012! You can even see a peek of it in the video link above...

Lotti pulls off my design just how I imagined it, although the Mayoral accessories are optional! In this photograph, she has paired my top with a figure-hugging black skirt, which compliments the details very nicely. Even the red from the robe gives a powerful colour-punch to the look and the jewels accentuate the beads on the fringing! And that hat...well it just draws out that piratey side to my printed creation. This is a top festival look!

********************

In a MeetYourMaker exclusive, I asked Lotti some key quick-fire questions in my own personal interview after she had recovered from her Reading Mayoral duties...

MeetYourMaker: Hi Lotti! I hope you have now recovered from the festival & this opportunity, it looked amazing! So, what roles did you have as mayor? And what is your best mayoral memory from the festival?

Lotti: As mayor I had to actually open the festival! There was a ribbon cutting ceremony on the Friday and I opened the main arena. When the ribbon was cut there was a huge cheer and it was amazing.

There were also various other perks such as VIP camping and access to the guest area, I got to meet lots of amazing people. It was definitely a once in a life time experience! I think the best mayoral memory was seeing Florence and the machine from the side of the main stage. It was such an incredible experience and she is definitely one of the best live acts I've seen in a while!

Lotti's In Demand!...

Being Interviewed While Wearing My Annie Oakes Designs' Top!

MYM: What is the ultimate 'festival fashion' for you?

Lotti: For me, i think festival fashion should be a mix of a grunge style with hints of femininity. I chose to wear an Annie Oakes Designs top to open the festival because for me it just totally embodies festival style; fringing, skulls, what more could you want really? My favorite outfit I wore whilst I was there was a floral high waisted skirt, with a washed denim bralet, and then my studded leather jacket over the top to bring the look together.

MYM: What one thing do you recommend taking to a festival?

Lotti: I would absolutely recommend taking dry shampoo! I forgot to take any which resulted in me queuing for hours for the showers so I could wash my hair!

MYM: What is your favorite piece in your wardrobe, and why?

Lotti: Hmm, its so difficult to choose just one! I would have to say one of my (many) big knits. They go with everything and are so comfy to throw on whilst still looking fashionable.

A big thanks to Lotti for contributing to this exclusive blog feature...we look forward to seeing what you have in store for us next festival season!

MeetMyFestivalFashion

So...Creamfields was cancelled on day 2. 

Our tent was swallowed by mud. The main stage was collapsing. 

But we survived. And we did it in style.

Above: Where our tent was on the 1st night...

Festivals are all about Fashion for me. Why would I use a capital F otherwise?
Of course there is the music, dancing, the amazing atmosphere, the crazy people & all the memories. But festival fashion requires a particular organisation. Mainly for our wonderful British weather...

Regular readers of MeetYourMaker will know I also contribute to a fashion magazine blog called Fashion For Thought [check out the link in 'My Favorites' to the right >>]

In this week's issue, I explored festival fashion from a wide variety of angles & talked about my latest creation...my festival rain coat!

Because I love going into detail about my 'makes' on MeetYourMaker [the clue is kind of in the title!] I thought I'd feature my raincoat in this festival feverish post!

Three words that sum-up my latest creation...

Red. Water-resistant. And Fashionable [well, as fashionable as a raincoat can be!]

I began creating my raincoat from a Menswear pattern I have in my design collections. It is a Tommy Hilfiger one, and a Large one at that, but I figured I was going to be majorly layering up underneath it, if the weekend's weather forecast of heavy rain was right...and it definitely was!

My Raincoat was put to the test...and it survived through rain, mud, wind &  drink spillages! I kept the design quite simple, so complexities wouldn't compromise the quality. But I edited the original pattern so it fit me & my style.

This is how the original Tommy Hilfiger Menswear Parka would have looked like...

However, I found this image of a Womenswear Tommy Hilfiger & I prefer the way it contrasts to traditional features by adding extra details, like the multiple pockets. 

These khaki & camel colour schemes would have been greatly suited to the mud, but who wants to blend in anyway?

These crazy people obviously wanted to!

MeetMyFestivalFever

The Bank Holiday weekend is fast approaching...

Shops are buzzing. Manchester is gearing up for it's gay pride weekend finale. 

And I am packing my bags for a festival!

I have only ever been to one 'big' festival in my life, Hop Farm festival. It is big, but not big. So many people may not have heard of it. It's genre focuses on folk/rock, so it was a chilled out weekend, lounging around in the sunshine, drinking cider on the grass. 
I expect Creamfields to be very different.

Being a dance festival [and who doesn't like to dance?!] I am thoroughly looking forward to this weekend planning for a BIG one! I have just bought a 24-pack, a bottle of vodka and a bottle of shots...with my arms nearly giving way carrying it back home! But what I am most looking forward to is the festival fashion...of course!

The weather forecasts predicts heavy rain on Saturday, but sunny spells on Sunday...so my fingers are crossed! To get prepared for our unpredictable British weather, I have my black patent wellies in stand-by...but no waterproof coat in sight! So I made one...

*Image coming in a special festival fashion post!*

I chose red as it will hopefully brighten up the wet mood & it easy to find within a vast festival field! I took inspiration from a Menswear Tommy Hilfiger Parka pattern, and edited it to my style.  

I look forward to showing this off at the festival...

even if it will instantly be smothered in mud!

I look forward to snapping some of the best festival fashions around...

and reporting them back to you!

I look forward to Creamfields!

MeetMyBeautifulWorld

Recently I have focused on what inspires me in the world…everything!

So when you see this photo, it might seem rather random at first, but all will come clear…

Inspiration!

I found this colour theme on the bus home from work. To many it is probably a ‘girly’ painted train. However, to me it reflects some key current trends...pastel colours & studded embellishments.

Two-Tone Dress

£14 [was £34.99 previously!] from New Look

Two-Tone Studded Shorts…

Featured on fellow blog http://www.fishtankfashion.com/2011/09/featured-blogger-heather.html

Two colours combined in one garment is hot right now, especially on the festival catwalk, so the dip dyed effect is perfect to reflect the trends. To create your own, buy a pastel pair of hot-pants, select & make your dye, then simple dip the bottom half in! Have fun by mixing colours & adding embellishments like punky studs!

Every Pavement Is Your Catwalk...

MeetMyEverlastingInspiration

I mentioned in my last post that I gain inspiration from all around.

People. Places. Occassions.

Today, nature was particularly drawn to my attention.

This amazing sunset greeted me as I left work...it just made my day.

I Love The Reflections!
If Only Premier Inn Wasn't Interrupting The Skyline!

Recent memories were also rediscovered when my Dad sent me a photo of me on the rocks in Cornwall…eating a Cornish Pasty of course! Nothing less...

MeetMyMunchies

I gain inspiration from everything around.

Life inspires me.

That is why I like to enjoy everything in life.

How do you like your eggs in the morning?

Soft Boiled Egg with Peppered Beans, Fresh Spinach & Crispy Rice-cakes 

Fried Egg on top of a wilted bed of Spinach & Herb Tomatoes
with a Cauliflower Cheese Rosti

Food is a life necessity. But it is also a pleasure.

I enjoy making food & eating it. The creation is much like creating anything else…a painting, jewellery & even clothes. I like experimenting with new ingredients, recipes & techniques, so I comprised these breakfast egg recipes from my own imagination…and what was in my cupboard! I felt like I was on Ready. Steady, Cook...but at least I had a scrummy breakfast to get the day started!

MeetMyExclusive

‘Anya Sarre is one of Hollywood’s most influential trendsetters. A nationally recognized celebrity stylist, Sarre is known for her impeccable eye and ability to tie any look together with the perfect accessory.’

Anya is a top stylist for ShoeDazzle, a Los Angeles-based online personalized styling & retail service that features reality tv show star & model Kim Kardashian! ShoeDazzle styles & sells women's shoes, handbags and jewellery personally selected by their fashion experts, with every item being just $39.95 each [plus free shipping]

Anya recently contacted me by email, complimenting my MeetYourMaker blog & it is such a pleasure for her to be my first guest post on MeetYourMaker…

**********

Feel and Look Great in Your Summer Clothes

How you dress makes a big impact on how you feel.  The clothes and shoes you pick express your unique personality and show the world who you are.  Wearing an outfit that is perfectly "you" can make a bad day better and be the cherry on top of a great one.  

An important part of choosing an outfit is being true to yourself.  Trying to look like someone else is never as natural and effortless as accepting yourself and loving your own style.  When you feel comfortable in what you're wearing (and in your own skin) it shows - and it makes your clothes look even better!

Summer clothes are fun and flirty, and there are many popular options to choose from.  Patterned shorts, peasant tops, maxi dresses, wedge shoes, brightly colored bags, etc. - the sky is the limit.  The goal is to combine these different elements into an outfit that fits your personal style.  

Beige Camilla Maxi-Dress

If you're not too into trendy pieces, try choosing just one or two to highlight in an outfit.  Patterned shorts and peasant tops are a fun combination, and they look great on anyone, especially when paired with wedges - they'll make your legs look long and lean.

There are a lot of beautiful summer shoes available.  Brightly colored flat sandals are a great way to add color to any outfit, and wedges add a little bit of flirtiness.  Strappy sandals are always a good choice too, especially for sundresses.  If you're feeling adventurous, pair your shoes with a contrasting and colorful handbag. 

'Evelyn' Style Wedge, From ShoeDazzle

Once you've found the perfect outfit and shoes, it's time to accessorize!  This is where you can complete your outfit and make it unique.  Long necklaces, statement necklaces, bangle bracelets, and big earrings are all popular.  However, it's best not to add too many competing pieces to an outfit.  Pick a couple of your favorites and make sure the styles are similar to avoid a busy look.

When you're picking an outfit, shoes, and accessories, don't be afraid to take a few chances.  Try what you love and wear it with confidence.  Who knows - you just might start a new trend!

**********

Anya’s online sites are currently undergoing a major design, but keep your eye on MeetYourMaker, shoedazzle.com & her amazing style site for more updates...

http://anyasarre.com/