Today I'm Wearing

I don't have the room or the patience to take photos of myself wearing outfits, maybe when I have a nice loft and a DSLR, but for now, here is what I'm wearing today. The levi short, tank top combo is very popular at the moment especially with the weather becoming slightly shinier. 

My levi's are just about hanging on for dear life so I replaced them with these Topshop blue acid hot pants (£28.00) and put them with a black vest from Ark (£12.99) which was cheaper than the identical Topshop ones, so I was chuffed!

I love this look personally, its so easy to throw on, you can put basically anything with it and play around with accessories to make it smart or casual. 

I wore my Urban Outfitters watch and assorted rings and bracelets and to give it that extra edge I would of loved to put a nice leather jacket over the top for the evening.

Below are a few bits and bobs to add to this to really make it a simple but effective outfit. 

Assorted casual accessories by emilyrodgers18 featuring star shoes

Zara before Chanel

Much of Zara's Spring/Summer Women's collection is coated in Chanel inspired tweed suit pieces, with their take on the classic style, in this seasons trending pastel tones. 

Sophistication looms in every jacket, skirt and even dress, perfectly cut and tailored to that of Coco's standards. 

I cannot describe how badly I wanted to buy any one of these garments but sadly the price range was just too high, but that didn't stop me from touching, trying on, and admiring in ore. 

Zara has dealt a safe hand with this collection, this classic suit has never failed to impress with numerous comebacks on the Chanel catwalk, so why shouldn't the high street stores have a dabble in re-creating the style? 

Topshop and Primark have produced their own versions of some suit pieces, but Zara have gone all out. 

Below are a few favourites from the collection and some classic Chanel's from over the years. 

 CHANEL

1950                                                      1958

1960 

2012 Couture                                             2006 Couture

2006 Couture                                2006 Ready to Wear

 2007 Couture                                         2008 Couture 

 2008 Couture                                          2010 Couture 

 2010 Ready to Wear                                    2011 Couture 

 2011 Ready to Wear    

     2012 Pre-fall                                      2012 Ready to Wear 

 2011 Couture 

ZARA

I loved the yellow dress personally, when I tried it on, I didn't want to take it off! 

After seeing this collection and scrolling through the numerous past Chanel collections I hope to one day own a vintage Chanel tweed jacket. (21st birthday present? hint hint) 

All images were taken from the Zara website and InStyle. 

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Review

A couple of weeks ago I went for a chop at a local hairdressers. I took the plunge and got a full fringe, a decision which I later regretted and cried about for a good hour, otherwise known as a 'new hair meltdown'. However, after a few days of styling it myself and getting used to it, I grew to like my new framed face, it was just the colour I had a problem with. 

The hairdresser had put a full head of highlights in, yet I couldn't see a difference, this is when I decided to give the John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder range a go, and put the theory to the test. 

I have used a few of these products here and there before, but not all at once, and not consecutively. 

The range is moderately priced, with the shampoo and conditioner being roughly about £5 and the lightening spray about £7. Boots usually do regular deals on these as well, which gave me the motivation to try. 

As instructed, the products don't start to show until a few uses, and I start to see a difference around about my third wash. 

I have found with the spray, if used in excess or not rubbed in properly, does not dry properly and can leave the hair greasy. 

I have also found with the shampoo/ conditioner that although it has left my hair feeling smooth and shiny, it left my scalp slightly flaky and therefore had to switch to a different brand for a wash or two, so if you have sensitive skin, be warned. 

THE RESULTS

BEFORE 

A couple of days after my haircut, the colour is dull at the top, the roots are dark and it gradually gets lighter.

AFTER

Now weeks after my haircut, the colour is lighter, the fringe has grown in, and I'm happy!

I still have a way to go before I'll have that true summer beach blonde hair but I'm sure if I keep using these products, it will happen! 

That's the good thing about it, nice and gradual so you can stop whenever you like!

All in all, did it work? well, Is my hair blonder? Yes! 

I can see a real change to my hair, and when used properly, the products left my barnet feeling lush. 

 This post is in honour and memory of Vidal Sassoon, who died today, at the age of 84. An icon to beauty and fashion, this hair legend will live on in the creative minds he inspired and in the memories of this  amazing industry. 

Buying Binge

I may have finished exams now, but during the stress, I took a day off and headed to town, and this post is dedicated to what I bought. 

I have to say, I was in a weird mood, and after not shopping for a long time, I was determined to buy something in every store. 

Firsty, I hit Primark, and after nosing around and trying on a few things, despite being disheartened from not finding the right sizes I needed, I settled on this blue floral sleeveless chiffon top with contrast collar (below) I love the colour and the pattern is nice and summery, for dull days like these, I've already worn it with black jeans and I am going to wear it on a night out soon!

 I also bought these black suede loafers which I was ecstatic to find! I was going to buy some from Topshop, but when I saw these I thought why not! Cheaper, and after a couple of wears they are very comfy. 

Below are the rest of my purchases. I had a browse around the Fashion Against Aids Section in H&M, and was going to get the tribal shorts, but they didn't have my size!  I was still happy with the striped dress, its simple, and its great to throw on, on a breezy day. I wear the Boyfriend knitted jumper over the striped dress, and its so comfy! As well as a good bargain I thought. 

It was a bit of a mixed bag in Topshop but I couldn't resist the Sale. The pink shorts and the dress were the bargain choices, both great to wear dressed up or down, especially the Chanel inspired shorts. I bought the crop top in black, but couldn't find that colour anywhere on the site! I love it, only £8, and great for a festival or holiday wardrobe. Lastly, the black shorts, I've been looking for some for ages, and I'm happy with these! High waisted, piped, with pockets, what more could I ask for? Hopefully going to wear these with my new bralet! 

These are all quite simple pieces, but they build up a wardrobe quite nicely, maybe next time I'll be a little more adventurous! 

Recent Buys by emilyrodgers18 featuring dresses

Wrinkle your way out

A couple of weeks ago, I bought my first pot of anti-wrinkle cream. I'm 20, and I don't have wrinkles, but according to the beauty pages, this is the time to start using it. My choice was No.7 Protect and Perfect Night Cream.

 When heading to the counter to purchase the £22.00 cream, all I was thinking was, 'this is going to do great things for my Boots points' however when I got to the till, the woman serving me said that out of the top range of anti-wrinkle creams tested, this was the only one found to work for wrinkle prevention and reduction. It turns out, she wasn't wrong, as an article in the Guardian stated that a trial done from the University of Manchester resulted in woman and men, seeing and feeling a difference to their skin within 6 months, using this cream. These type of results had not been seen from an over-the-counter solution, and the serum sold out in 2 days. 

There has been so much controversy and hoo-haa about young women using anti-wrinkle creams. Is it right? is it necessary? There are so many websites telling us its not, and for those who agree, here's where the science bit comes in. Wrinkles are caused by a loss of collagen, as this happens the skin starts loosing volume and starts to fold, causing a line or a wrinkle. This process is long, so even though nothing may seem to be happening, collagen is still decreasing in the skin. By using anti-wrinkle cream in your 20's, you're starting the re-production of the components needed (including collagen) to reduce the onset of wrinkles by 5 or 10 years.

Despite knowing that its already working to prevent wrinkles, every time I put it on at night, my skin feels revitalised, smoother and its done wonders for my blemishes. I was surprised at this, I didn't think I would see effects for weeks, or even years! But my skin feels refreshed in the morning and I look forward to putting it on at night. 

Your 20's are the most important time to be looking after your skin, a good regime and knowing what works best is going to save you in the future. This cream has finally given me a skin regime and as long as I keep at it, and drink lots of water, I'm hoping for a few extra youth years. 

Yes, it is pricy, but lets face it, your not going to use the whole pot in one night. With just a small dollop, this cream could last up to 6 months, this includes full face and neck coverage. That to me spells a good investment.