Crush of the Week - Neon Pink Clutch

This is my crush at the moment - Neon Pink Clutch Bags.
Something about them just make me think about long summer days and nights!
So here are a couple that are out there a the moment -and under £40!

Color Block Clutch Bag - Zara - £39.99

Leather and Faux Pony Skin Zip Top Clutch Bag - Asos - £30

All that Glitters is Not Gold

Karlie Crystal and Stone- Embellished Satin Box Clutch

Jason Wu Embellished Bag - INCREDIBLE!!

Apart from the £1000+ price tag

Now I am a real magpie and I just adore totally over the top, opulent, glittery, beaded, brightly coloured evening bags. Having a fantastic evening bag can really perk up and outfit (and can be cheaper than buying a new dress or skirt). So, with that thought in mind I have tried to search out a range of fun, frivolous evening bags that will really make a statement (without causing a grievance on your bank statement!)

Embellished Clutch Bag - Zara - £39.99

Neon Clutch - Zara - £25.99

Cluster Curve Clutch - French Connection - £75

Bright Neon Box Clutch - French Connection - £65

Iridescent Beaded Clutch - Asos - £35

Neon Brocade Clutch - Kurt Geiger -£70

Paloma Pearl Clutch - Coast - £60

Harper Clutch - Coast - £60

Felicia Clutch - Coast - £55

Bambi - Kurt Geiger - £79

Handbeaded Flamingo Clutch - Anthropologie - £48

Small Fractal Prouch - Anthropologie - £38

Handbeaded Macaw Bag - Anthropologie - £48

Jazzled  Clutch Bag - Oasis - £40

Antik Batik - £134

Fluoroscence Coloured Skull Print Clutch- www.oasap.com- $85

Pears and Rhinestone Clutch - www.oasap.com - $77

Embellished Clutch - Matalan - £14

Premium Embellished Clutch - Matalan - £14

Madeleine Jelly Envelope Clutch - www.boohoo.com - £15

Marina Make Up Pouch - Stela 6 - $28

Penny Pearl Box Clutch - www.boohoo.com - £28

Style Icons (Both Old and New)

I would hope that people who know me would describe my style as classic and tailored with a good pinch of fun (sequins, feather, tassels, beading, glitter) and a modern twist. The following people are a collection of people whose style I admire. 

BLAKE LIVELY
All - American Girl
My Summer Inspiration! 

AUDREY HEPBURN
Classic, Clean, Tailored Looks
Audrey style was classic and elegant. 
Clean lines, simple yet bold accessories and a minimalist palette

GRACE KELLY
True Old-School Hollywood Glamour
Anyone who was lucky enough to see the Grace Kelly Exhibit
 at the V and A a couple of years ago will have been
 able to see the beautiful dresses that once belonged
to Princess Grace. 

LEMON BREELAND
(Hart of Dixie)
Polished, Perfect Southern Belle
Ok ok...so she's not actually a real person but I
 could not  post a blog on style icons and NOT
 include her. Possibly my style icon of the moment.
 Her vintage inspired outfits are always feminine and
 classic - with the perfect amount of fun added in! 

OLIVIA PALERMO
Modern Classic
What do I need to say? The perfect mix of timeless, classic
 looks and modern trends (note the beautifully tailored
jacket mixed with the fun, bright blue, textures mini skirt).
 Olivia rarely gets it wrong.  

COCO CHANEL
The proof that true style is ageless

SOPHIA LOREN
The Quintessential Italian Sex Goddess
Always my inspiration when dressing for certain special
occassions!
She always knew that when it came to looking sexy
that leaving a bit to the imagination was the key.

CLEMENCE POSEY
Fun French Style
She often adds quirky touches to her otherwise plain
outfits to make her stand out from the crowd.

LOUISE BOURGOIN
Quirky French Style
Yet another French Woman on my list. Rightly deserved.
Always fun, rarely conventional!

CHLOE SEVIGNY
Style Chameleon
Every outfit she puts together is polished .
She is one of those lucky people who has been blessed
 with true, innate style. Her outfits are often quirky,
but the silhouettes are almost always classic. 

JACKIE O
The Perfect Hamptons Look
The reason I buy silk neck scarfs and big sunglasses.

Living the Celine Dream

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful

I'd go as far as saying that when it comes to handbags I can be a bit of a snob. Not in a 'I-have-to-have-a-designer-handbag-or-nothing-else' sort of way but in the respect that it's very rare that I see a handbag that I really really like. I think that, for the most part, it's because I'm not a fan of cotton bags. Or fake leather. Or that strange PVC - wet look - shiny plastic material.

And that rules out a LOT of affordable arm candy.

As I've already mentioned I have a bit of a bag crush on the Celine Mini Luggage bag that is draped across the arms of many a celebrity at the moment.
It's the shape. I LOVE the shape. It has a beautiful,old-school glamour feel about it.

So I have decided that I'm going to add to my small collection of bags but finding one that is the same, beautiful shape as the Celine Mini Luggage bag. And so I have been looking around the shops and online to find a slightly more affordable version!

Shopper with Braided Handles (Also comes in beige)
Zara
£39.99

Black Winged Tote
Nucelle - www.handbaggery.co.uk
£44

Two Tone Shopper Bag with Buckles
Zara
£39.99

Claret  Bat Winged Riveted Handbag
www.oasap.com
$81

Large Bat-Winged Tote
www.oasap.com
$99

Large Selma Tote - Black
MICHAEL Michael Kors
$358 (Pre-Order only at the moment)

Large Selma Tote - Bright Pink
MICHAEL Michael Kors
$358 (Pre-Order only at the moment)

I hope that this helps some of you other cash-strapped lovers of beauty find your bat-shaped bag!
The Micahel Kors bags are my personal favourite of the bunch. Still a little pricier than I would wish to spend but a LOT cheaper than the price tag of the Mini Luggage! They are pre-order only on the American site at the moment and come in black, tan, navy, yellow, green and pink. I can't wait to start saving my pennies and order a navy Michael Kors Selma Bag and have it shipped over!
Xxxxxxxx

Welcome All...

As a lover of all things beautiful - and often frivolous - it always comes as a great shame that for the most part I can not afford the things I love so much. My mother always tries to assure me that one day I'll appreciate having an eye for things that are beautiful - and more often out of my price range - and I'm hoping that is the case (whilst also still harbouring the hope that I'll wake up one day with a Gatsby-esque wealth and all the frivolities that come with it). 

However, until that day comes (forever the optimist) I am dedicated to live like Marie Antoinette (minus the slight lack of social awareness and unfortunate end) but on a tight budget. I'm hoping this blog will help all those others out there who, like me, are lusting over the latest Celine bag but can only afford to shop in Topshop without feeling supremely guilty!

Xxxxx