2 months and 19 exams later, I’ve finally come to you with a new post…

Australian label Triangl, have very kindly sent me a bikini from their line - this model and colour is called ’Tilly Sunburst’. I’ve admired Triangl’s simple but effective design for a while now and I chose this one because I loved the cheerful shade of orange the bottoms come in! 

Triangl specialise in neoprene swimwear, the stuff that wetsuits are made out of - a departure from the usual Nylon/Spandex you usually get. What this means is that it’s hardwearing and sturdy (not to mention waterproof) but also that it doesn’t stretch very much. The lack of give means that I suggest sizing up when it comes to bottoms because they’re quite unforgiving.

With the top, I think the opposite applies - with this particular set, none of the straps are adjustable so a large cup size + small band size may mean that this design may not be for you.  I think I’m going to have the straps adjusted on mine - girls with cup size C and above may want to be careful - coverage is less than expected. However, the thick neoprene prevents you from looking like you’re smuggling raisins so there’s a bonus right there!

It all comes with a duffel bag, also made of neoprene, which I think is a rather nice touch. I should also mention that Triangl’s customer service is pretty amaizng too - they offer an online instant chat if you have questions about sizing or delivery and their staff are really understanding and patient, so there’s no need to be scared!

The quality of Triangl’s products are really amazing - just make sure you get the right size!

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How to be Alone

Our society has a fear of loneliness. We have been conditioned to believe that being alone is toxic and generally means there is some thing wrong with you. 

Like spending time by yourself? Anti social.

Don’t want to date? Scared of people.

Not partying every night? No friends.

In this fun video, filmmaker Andrea Dorfman and poet/singer/songwriter Tanya Davis use poetry, art, and music to offer advice for tackling one of society’s biggest fears: alone time.

Tanya shows us how to ease into solitude—starting in easy places like the bathroom or coffee shop, turning off the security blankets that are our phones, honouring the things we like to do by ourselves—as we learn to enjoy it and realise the importance of it.

Below is the transcript for said viral video. I recommend you read it while listening. This is a piece that will help you understand that alone is okay.

Keep reading

Let’s face it: Travelling takes planning, is expensive, and, depending on where you’re going and who you’re going with, can be a little nerve-wracking. Your Instagram feed may be the thing that’s giving you wanderlust, with that one rich friend or overpaid celebrity posting an endless stream of everlasting blue skies and pristine beaches - but to take the plunge yourself, to leave your couch and embark on your own trip is an entirely different story.

So why is it so important for you to do it anyway? Why is it is so incredibly essential for you to travel when you’re young?

In your youth, you will make choices that will define you. What you choose to do now will alter your thoughts and beliefs and travelling will change you like little else can. It will put you in places that will force you to care for issues that are bigger than you. If you go to southeast Asia, you may encounter the slave trade and major degradation and prejudice towards women . If eastern Europe, you may see the effects of genocide and religious persecution. Travelling gives you perspective - meeting ‘regular’ folks from exotic cultures will teach you that the way you look at the world (perhaps through the lens of mass media) is not the way everybody does. The world is so much more than what you can see where you are sat. Talking to people and experiencing it for yourself brings a healthy dose of reality to your so-called higher thinking. You will feel more connected to your fellow human beings in a deep and lasting way and you will learn to care.

This is not about being a tourist. It’s about experiencing true risk and adventure so you don’t have to live in fear for the rest of your life. It’s about developing a sense of excitement, and later you will come to appreciate that you experienced that sort of stimulation of the senses - besides, you’re not going to think back fondly to that time you sat in front of your HD TV, staring at pictures of Mykonos for a week. That’s not really a story to tell is it? But ziplining over the jungle canopy or a speedboat ride in the clear seas of New Zealand allows you to get a feel for what being an active human being is like. The need for adventure is hardwired; travel lets you tap into it.

So what, then, will it be? What choices will you regret making? Holding back. Being afraid. Making excuses. Not taking more risks. Waiting.

You should take the time to see the world and taste the fullness of life. It’s worth whatever investment or money or sacrifice of time that may be required on your part. Everything will be worth it when you’re standing on top of that mountain with the breeze blowing through your hair and you can look down on the world and know that you’ve made it.

[Picture from: Tripod Diaries]

Have I persuaded you to go jetting around the world then?

Trends: Spring 2014 - Crop Tops

Crop tops - made so very popular in the 90’s - are back. They’ve been a celebrity favourite recently, worn with matching skirts by the likes of Chanel Iman and Rooney Mara after being seen on SS14 runways last year. Crop tops aren’t all about exposed midriffs - they can also combine other trends. Vivienne Tam showed off an all white look at her show, whilst JW Anderson preferred a more structured look. 

Here’s where you can get your own set:

Missguided

Statement prints are the hottest thing you can buy right now - and dogtooth is right at the top of everyone’s wishlists. The gorgeous spaghetti strap top can be paired with any simple jeans or skirts - but of course the matching A-line skirt would be perfect too! (And how lovely is that baby blue?)

Graciela Dogtooth Spaghetti Straps Crop Top In Baby Blue
Petricia Dogtooth A-Line Skirt In Baby Blue

Alice + Olivia

Clean, crisp and seriously chic. The sporty sleeveless top is fitted to perfection with a high-waisted tea length, pale green skirt made from super buttery leather. This has that soft structure that spring is all about.

Pire Fitted Crop Top
Daven Leather Center Pleat Long Skirt

Motel

Majorly on trend turtleneck crop top in a blue print that reminds me of blue and white porcelain combined with a high waist cut skirt with exposed silver zipper at back is super awesome. Love how it can be worn with white trainers for a more relaxed look.

Motel Mindy Turtleneck Crop Top in Blue Venus

Motel Annie A Line Skirt in Blue Venus

Will you be wearing crop tops this spring?

An Outfit for a Night Out from Little Mistress

Two things happened today: one, I made some new friends who bought me chips. Two, I found a cute, cute store called Little Mistress. Both these things resulted in the making of this set - bonding with people meant several invitations to some fun looking parties and a plethora of adorable dresses made me whip out the polyvore immediately.

1. Cream Cutout Sleeve Embellished Shift Dress - Sweet and simple with the embellished cap sleeves keeping things interesting. Love the colour.
2. Paper Dolls Gold Glitter Platform Sling Back Heeled Sandal - gorgeous, sparkly shoes that provide 5 inches of height. Perfect!
3. Gold Clear Stone Spike Necklace - I think this would be the key accessory to make this outfit not too sugary sweet. Let’s deliver some attitude too right?

Little Mistress is immensely popular with bloggers and is constantly featured in the press for their affordable prices and awesome designs! Tell me what you think of the shop in the comments below. Why not create your own set while you’re at it?

Want-It Wednesday

Embellished Mesh Top - Browns Fashion

Daphine Ripped Jeans by Jovonnista - Topshop

Tall Hooded Lightweight Jacket - Topshop

Aubrey Leather Ankle Boots - Asos

Pashli Grained Leather Backpack - Farfetch

Also on Polyvore

Favourite Outfits of the Week | FOW

Chanel Iman in Fausto Puglisi at Sports Illustrated Swimsuit South Beach Soiree

The model jumped on the crop top bandwagon, donning a Fausto Puglisi Resort 2014 crystal-embroidered cropped tank with a blush aztec-print high-waisted circle skirt with a studded waistband.

To complement the exquisite detail on her outfit, Chanel continued the edgy vibe via Giuseppe Zanotti ankle-strap sandals with large studs

A simple ponytail was the perfect final touch.

Amber Heard in Burberry Prorsum on Live With Kelly & Michael

I have expressed my love for the Burberry Prorsum Spring 2014 collection many times already and I must say that I still adore it. 

The actress was promoting her latest film, ‘3 Days to Kill’ on Live with Kelly and Michael, and looked typically stunning wearing a Burberry Spring 2014 pastel lemon cashmere sweater with a lace macramé black-and-white polka dot skirt seen on the runway, styled with white Jimmy Choo pumps. Signature glossy waves completed the look.

This is the perfect daytime outfit; effortless and chic, maintaining her sexy persona, whilst still being event appropriate.

Beyoncé Knowles in Vrettos Vrettakos Couture at Brit Awards 2014

Beyoncé was the surprise performer at the BRIT Awards on Wednesday. The queen turned to Greek designer, Vrettos Vrettakos, for her performance outfit, looking absolutely stunningwearing a sparkling green form-fitting, long-sleeved frock featuring sheer panels in the sleeves while performing her new song, XO, for the first time during a televised performance. The singer completed the look with gorgeous waves and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Pixie Lott in DKNY at Brit Awards 2014

I love simplistic, minimalist looks, and whilst I was surprised to see Pixie Lott don this slinky white number from the DNKY Spring 2014 collection, I was also very pleased. A side slit and criss-cross detail at the back kept the look interesting and the singer accessorized with the very popular Agata bag from Dolce & Gabbana as well as a contrasting pair of light-blue Sophia Webster pumps.

Which is your favourite? x

Want-It Wednesday

Lace Bustier Top - Browns Fashion

Floral Cotton Skirt - Browns Fashion

Daisy Laser Cut Holdall - New Look

Suede Pumps - Mytheresa

Pink Gemstone Teardrop Earrings - New Look

Also on Polyvore

Ondrash and his Watercolour Tattoos

There is plenty of debate about whether those with tattoos are stereotyped and judged strongly - and if they deserve it. Whilst I am not an advocate for facial tattoos by any means and really, Cheryl Cole’s huge back piece isn’t to my taste, I simply cannot claim that Czech artist Ondrash’s designs are not masterpieces.

The talented tattooist is located in Znojmo, Czech Republic, and sees only one customer per day in order to give the necessary quality and care to each piece.

Ondrash has the capability to make tattoo ink mimic the subtle movement of watercolours. It’s quite remarkable, really, not to mention incredibly beautiful.

Whether skin will allow the beautiful lines to hold up in the long term is of course still to be seen, but that is a concern to many a great modern colour artists, and only time will tell whether more recent tattoo techniques and inks will allow for expression that was not previously possible. 

Even then, ladies and gentlemen,

This is art.

Check out his work: http://www.ondrash.com

What’s your opinion on these watercolour tattoos? Would you judge someone if they had one of these?