Budget Interiors

I'm am a bit obsessed when it comes to interior decoration..

being a student in a student flat, it is hard to make your house look and feel nice. I luckily live in a nice modern flat but it needed some colour and life so off we went to ikea!

Already having a canvas from our previous flat, we set off on a blue/red theme hunt,,but i wasn't loving it. Bored of the colour scheme form the previous year, i had the idea to remove the canvas from the lounge and start with a whole new colour theme.

















So the canvas has now been demoted to the hallway, but it does give a good focal point when you walk in the front door. Along with a 99p store rug used as a door mat! Instant girly vibes..







Already having a purple vase and brown and turquoise candles, up came the theme of green and purple.








Being the bargain hunter i am, we found a single duvet set for £4, we cut the seams to make it a large sheet of material, which we used to cover the sofa (which was old and stained-classic student furnishings).


We brought a purple throw to go over the back of the sofa £3

And we then wanted some green cushions..
but Ikea had none-dilemma.

Another idea popped into my head, there where some small
cushions for £1.25 each


and 2 green bath towels for £4



I love being creative and crafty so back at home we made cushion covers out of the towels, and voila green cushions!

3 purple, green and mocha coloured candles sit nicely on our window sill tying in the theme for 99p each

From M&S i found this pretty place mat for 80p in the sale which covers the paint mark on the coffee table perfectly!

I know i'm no Kirsty Allsopp, but for a budget shop with limited tools, pretty chuffed with the outcome

So for a total of £17.30 we have revamped our flat ready for our last year at uni...ah!

The Perks of Working in Retail..

I find it hard to resist shopping at the best of times, and working in retail definitely adds to the temptation!
So over this weekend, M&S have had a offer where by employees get 10% off clothing plus an extra 20%...

If i'm honest, M&S clothing has never really appealed to me being a brand that is very much known for targeting the older woman.

..But i have to admit, this A/W they have stepped it up!

Some items in the M&S collection that have caught my eye..

This Milano Zipped Coat is an amazing £49.50

I love this shape for a/w! It's feminine, versatile and smart, great as that extra layer in the colder months.

Double-Breasted Boucle Coat

£89

I like the asymmetric zip detail and texture of this fabric.

The extra large pockets on the front also add a modern twist to a classic shape.

Again, a great coat to wear with any outfit

Tartan is a key pattern for A/W 13 and this scarf is gorgeous!

At £19.50 it is a great buy, and it is a wide/long scarf which i prefer (can't stand too short scarves!)

Checked Jumper with Mohair £35

As seen in Vogue, this lovely piece of knitwear is ideal for effortless a/w style,

Monochrome checked print with leather neckline really shows M&S making some good on trend decisions.

On my one day off this week, tomorrow, lets see how much will power i have to resist the urge to splurge..

The forecast is looking bleak.

What do you think of M&S's A/W collections?!

Thanks for reading :)

Changes for the better

I have tried to get into this blogging malarky and things were going well a few months ago..

but something wasn't right. 

I wasn't 'feeling it' which made me have a lack of inspiration and motivation to blog. And classic me, this meant i gave up...

Presentation is really important to me in anything i do, and i wasn't happy with the name, layout or images of my blog,, which i realise takes time to develop, but i'm a perfectionist. 

Out of nowhere, one rainy summers eve, i decided to return to my blog (after a long time) and sort it out!

'A Perfect Fit' was born.

I edited my title and profile photo on Photoshop, and created my own image to accompany the name. As tedious as photoshop is sometimes, and the fact i haven't used it since Uni, i'm quite happy with the outcome :)

Being predominantly about fashion, i felt this title 'fitted' well. The coat hangers i edited on photoshop to create my background, add to the overall look and add a fun, personal touch. 

I of course don't feel it's anywhere near 100%, but it is a hundred times better than my previous blog, that was my dummy run!

Creating a blog really needs passion and dedication, which i now have after feeling proud of my new layout.

Take time! It certainly doesn't come over night (i mean it took me nearly a year to feel at all happy!)

But when it comes together, it is a 'sigh of relief' moment!

Hopefully this will give me the inspiration to blog more,

fingers crossed..

Monochrome Trap

I feel i have well and truly been pulled into the Monochrome trend of the season.

Black, white, grey is all i seem to live in lately! possibly reflecting the miserable weather that won't shift..

It is easy to be pulled into the monochrome trap, and being a trend this season gives us an excuse, but i need some colour in my life!

So, to brighten up my wardrobe and life, i treated myself to a lovely long sleeved midi dress from Topshop for a friends birthday!

ok, so i know it has black on it still - but the gorgeous turquoise attracted me instantly!

Topshop dress - £32

I accessorised it with this silver layered necklace from H&M - £7.99

and i wore my heeled ankle boots from H&M - £24.99

I was warm enough for the cold evenings and dressy enough for a night out!

I think I need to start brightening up my wardrobe in order to bring on Spring

:)

they're Real! Review

I know i've been rather slack with my blog lately!

Been a busy couple of weeks, but with easter looming, hopefully I will have some more time on my hands :)

So, a couple of weeks ago i went to London Fashion Weekend and received a freebie Benefit mascara sample.

and oh boy is it good!!

'they're Real!'

I normally can't justify £18.50 on a mascara...

but this i feel i can.

I have fairly long eyelashes but they are fair, so i layer up on the mascara.. but with this benefit one, I can use 1/2 strokes and voila! 

before: 

after:

No wonder it's the UK'S No. 1 bestseller! (and out of stock online)

Thanks!

Everyone loves a freebie

When you're at London Fashion Weekend if, like me, you are unable to afford all the amazing garments and products on sale...

...there are always the FREEBIES.

Here is what i came away with...

ok, so the subscription part wasn't free but at £15 for 12 issues and the great gift that came with...

i couldn't say no could i?!

The free gift was this! Benefit - Cabana Glam - Makeup set.

I have always loved benefit products but it is rare i buy them (due to student living funds) so i have to hope i'll get some for special pressies.

It is a cute little set with - bronzer - posie tint - eyeshadow - foundation

with a leaflet of how to use the makeup 'HOW TO GLAM IT UP WITH NEXT TO NOTHING ON'

 'LESS-ON LESSON'

They make you feel like they have made this product just for you! with the fun messages and way the product speaks to the reader.

feminine, flirty, fun.

Along with the free gift with the subscription..we were given a leaflet with entitled us to a free Benefit mascara sample!

which we had to walk up a 100 flights of stairs for..

but it was worth it!

'they're Real' Benefit Mascara

I love the packaging Benefit uses, they have a very distinct identity which every girl longs to own!

I will review my free make-up products soon :)

Also, i received a red Nails Inc nail varnish, especially for Vodafone customers (thanks becky)...

It's fast-drying, a gorgeous colour and two coats is all i needed for luscious red nails!

Just what i need to brighten up a cold, dull beginning to the year.

Whats been your best freebie?!

:)

Caroline, x

London Fashion Weekend Fun!

Ok, so the getting up at 5 o'clock bit wasn't fun,


but the rest was!

To make the most of our day in London, we first went to Covent Garden to see the TED BAKER store there for one of our Uni projects...

it was gorgeous! 

Me and my friend Ellen taking sneaky photos of the window displays.

the women's floor interior was so feminine i felt like i was in a dolls house!

i loved the light fixture created using hanging wine glasses.

the colour palette is evidently pastels with a burst of colour dotted around the store.

including this amazing playsuit, which i wanted to buy there and then (but it was slightly out my price range...)

HAKKE - Wrap Playsuit - £149

these shoes and bag caught my eye being so bright and fun against the wooden, pastel surroundings.

After getting a bit lost on our way back to the tube in the freezing cold, we eventually made it to Somerset House where London Fashion Weekend was being held. 

A big screen at the entrance played catwalks and interviews from during London Fashion Week.

in one of the rooms there was a rainbow of satchels around a mannequin display in every colour imaginable!

I don't think i would be able to choose...

each room had garments from designers such as Vivienne Westwood, JW Anderson and Paper London.

We then went on to view the Trend Catwalk, presented by Zoe Hardman.

Styled by Hilary Alexander the trends embracing our wardrobes this S/S 13 include:

Graphic Art

(image taken by Rebecca kidd, Edited by Caroline Emberlin)

- Graphic, bold colours

- Op Art black and white stripes

- Chequerboard

- Geometric patterns

Urban Lifestyle

(image taken by Rebecca kidd, Edited by Caroline Emberlin)

- Sporty seperates

-  Pencil skirts

- Smart blouses

- Statement bomber jacket 

- beige, grey, navy, white with 

bright cobalt lipstick to add a splash of colour

Eastern Promise

- Kimono

- Floaty fabrics

-  Exotic prints

- Gold, Rich colours 

- Embroidery

Doll's House

- Girly

- Hi-Shine

- Metallic

- Shell tops

- Bright colours

-Bold statement headpieces

I think there is a trend for everyone here with the ability to mix and match smart wear with sports wear, girly with sophisticated and so on.

What I Wore...

I went for the monochrome look in my: 

-trusty blazer with leather-like sleeves from River Island £34.99

- White tee from H&M £7.99

- Silver layered necklace from H&M £6.99

- Ankle boots from H&M £24.99

- My new trousers from Topshop £28 

(which i love, but the zip broke on me IN LONDON, but thankfully they allowed me to replace them there and then in the changing room

thanks Topshop!)

So all in all it was a good day trip, i think next time i'll go and see the designer catwalk!

oh, and i can't forget, we got a photograph with a

DIET COKE HUNK.

good times.

(shame about my face)

Hope you enjoyed!

Caroline :)

more to come..

Who wore what?

i feel it is necessary to look at the gorgeous dresses worn at the Grammy's this 2013 :)

Rihanna looked amazing in a custom made Azzedine Alaia dress. i want. Her hair is also stunning.

Katy Perry in Gucci. I love the colour! And the shape compliments her figure perfectly! 

Carrie Underwood wore a gorgeous Valentino dress with beautiful detailing. gothic glamour.

Alexa Chung brought summer to London! Wearing a cute Valentino wore bright red lipstick looking very feminine.

I wish i could wear these dresses...one day maybe...

Reviving the past!

just a quickkie..

I came across this on my Youtube which me and friend did about 5 years ago... !!

and had to share it

it gets me every time.

enjoy :)

Feminism in Fashion

Today, i attended one of the most interesting lectures i have had thus far at Uni! -   yay!

It covered Feminism and Gender Performance.

One thing that stood out for me was the way men and women were/are expected to dress, and how the androgynous look has now blurred the line separating the two.

For many, fashion today, is a way for women to celebrate their achievements and present their well-earned forms alongside men.

Yves Saint Laurent created a turning point within feminist fashion - his collection 'Le Smoking' was revolutionary in the way women would would dress from that moment on.

At first, it was evident critics where not taken with his idea for women in suits and tuxedos. But this soon changed...

1966 - YSL

"For a woman, le smoking is an indispensable garment with which she finds herself continually in fashion, because it is about style, not fashion," said Saint Laurent. 

The 'Le Smoking' look is still as strong as ever in today's fashion with the androgynous look becoming increasingly more popular.

the look has been updated over the years, but the classic, clean cut shape has stayed true to itself. Celebrities have endorsed the look either keeping it simple - like Ashley Olsen or adding their own stamp on it like a belt or collar - like Alexa Chung.

-------  "Fashions come and go, but style is forever." - YSL.  ------


I personally love the smart, slick look of the 'Le Smoking'. It oozes feminine power!





Caroline, x