Idil Vice Fashion Rocks

We were recently contacted by Idil Vice Fashion Rocks about a brilliant offer: They are offering 10% off for all you guys.

Idil Vice is an amazing online store. They sell clothes with images of key idols such as Elvis Presley, Miles Davis and Bob Marley. They also have clothes with some the best rock bands in history on them, such as The Who, The Sex Pistols and Guns n Roses. As a proclaimed 'rocker', I love the stuff they have. The items are unique and you're unlikely to find them anywhere else. Give some of my faves from the website a look:













What they do that's brilliant is that you can email them a specific idol that you want to put on a pice of clothing, and they'll try to make it for you. They also make custom adjustments for you if you need it.



Idil Vice, the designer, also has a blog so check it out for more details here.
They also deliver worldwide, so we can all enjoy the products!

Just use the word 'hifashion' at checkout as a promo code and get your 10% off.

Sherin xx

New Shoes...YAY

I got 2 parcels first thing yesterday morning. One was Serenity on DVD and the other was my new pair of gorgeous flats from Amazon.
I usually just use Amazon for books, music or checking the price of something. I've always known that they sell clothes and accessories, but always thought that they wouldn't be very nice. I've just been proven wrong.

I've been going mental looking looking for a pair of perfect flats since the Christmas sales, but couldn't find the perfect pair: they were either too expensive or I didn't like them. As a last resort, I went to Amazon and was surprised how good their things were. I got a cute pair of flats for £7.99 - Complete bargain. One thing that shocked me about the shoes was that the charms at the front had Louis Vitton symbols on them. I don't know how I feel about that. I checked their other stuff like bags and clothes and the stuff is great and the prices are reasonable. So check out their stuff and get something from them.

Outfit: Shoes from Amazon, Skirt from H&M, Top from New Look.

My Wishlist

I had an exam this morning and I feel great. I only have 1 exam left (which is in 2 weeks, so plenty of time) and then I'm all done. This means that I can reward myself once it's all done. I usually like to reward myself with something nice and expensive at the end of each academic year as a reward for working hard all year and in the past I've gotten myself everything from shoes to jeans to a new bookshelf.
Seriously, I find rewarding myself a great incentive to work hard. It also lets me have a huge shopping trip where my mum can't say anything. Heres what I have my eye on this year:

wishlist1 by sherin88 featuring Dollydagger heels

And some more...

wishlist2 by sherin88 on Polyvore.com

Wow. Thats a lot of stuff. Anyone have any favourites from the sets? I think I need to narrow it down.

Sherin xx

1940's look

I was recently watching the Notebook the other day (for the 100th time, despite needing to revise) and I was really paying attention to what Allie (Rachel McAdams) was wearing. I recently wrote a post on clothes from the 1950's so I thought I'll put a post about another beautiful era: the 1940's. The 1940's had a more classic and sophisticated look, with its clothes still looking good today. Accessories were also becoming more popular, such as small hats and gloves.

CandySays does some amazing vintage clothing and accessories and really is worth checking out.
Friends of the Forties is also a great place to check out anything 1940's and lists the best places to buy clothes from from that era.
You can also get great vintage accessories at Michelles Vintage Jewellery.

I love the way the dresses look and love the the pastel colours on them as well.

1940s by sherin88 on Polyvore.com

My surprise from far far away

About a month ago, I came across an article from 'Code For Something'. She'd written an article about real letters and how recieving them was more special than an email or text. At the end of the article she added that she would send a postcard to anyone who wanted one. I quickly replied because the only things I get through the post these days are bank statements (never a pretty sight) and reminders from the student loan company that I will eventually have to repay back the loan once I've graduated and got a job (thanks for the reminder).

But I got the postcard today, along with a lot of little items. I was having an awful morning and it was brightened up with the sight of a yellow envelope addressed to me. And inside the envelope was a traditional red chinese envelope filled with amazing little things.


So, go out and send a letter to a friend or boy/girlfriend, or even a relative. My aunts, who only live about 10 minutes away, still send us birthday cards in the post and its so nice recieving them. Letters are so much more personal and are a lot of fun to read. They are the things that you'll find again in 10 years time and remember some great memories. Add drawings on them or send small presents in them, and it'll definitely brighten up someone's day.

Explore #481....A Gem of a Beach....Nice in Large! by MarsW

I've always liked Beachy hair, especially in the summer. Its a cool and casual look and looks great in the sun. Normally, you can get the hairstyle by spending time on the beaches and in the sea. Unfortunately, I live hours away from the sea, so I've had to make do with a more artificial method of achieving this look.

To get this look, this is what you do:

1) Wash your hair. Pretty straightforward. If you already have curly or wavy hair, I'd recommend using a shampoo and conditioner that emphasises the curls. Lots of companies do products for curly hair, so go to your local store and see whats on offer. Personally, I use Toni & Guy. It works really well for my hair.

2) Next you want to blowdry your hair, and add volume to it. I skip this step because I have really thick and heavy hair, so I don't need any more volume. To really add volume, put your head upside down and blow dry.

3) Get yourself a good pair of wide barrel curlers and curl. I recommend these. They are absolutley brilliant. Mine aren't wide barrel, but you can get wide ones from the same company. Be sure to add heat protective spray to your hair before you curl. Remember to section your hair when you're curling. That way you know how you're doing etc. The curls don't have to be perfect because messy hair is all part of this look.

4) You should wait for your hair to cool, then loosen your curls. The best way is not to use a brush or comb, but to use your fingers instead.

5) To add the finishing touches, spray beach curl spray on your hair. Beach curl spray is really good and does actually work. I use Toni & Guys Beach Curl Spray and it really makes a difference and gives my hair that beachy look.

But, I think you can make beach spray on your own. I haven't tried this yet, but I read that if you mix water and sea salt and put it in a spray bottle and spray it, its supposed to do the same thing. I'm not to sure how well this works, so if you've tried it, let me know how it works.

If you do have really curly hair, there is an easier way of getting beachy hair. Wash your hair late at night and don't do anything to it. Sleep on it wet and in the morning, just curl the strands that may need curling and add the beach curl spray and you're good to go.

Also, I went shopping a few days ago. I wasn't supposed to but I needed cheering up after Manchester United got knocked out of the FA Cup. I went to my beloved Crouch End to see what I could get to make myself feel better, not to mention take a break from all my revision. I got such a pretty dress. I did use the 'one week rule' on this one. I saw it when I went about 10 days ago and restrained myself from buying it, which I later regretted. But I saw it again and had to buy it. All I need now is a bit more sun to wear it in.

I'll do Whatever it takes

In continuation of our Ethical posts in the past, I've decided to add another one.
When researching online, I came across Whatever It Takes. They do some pretty awesome clothes, and are currently working with Next to produce some nice tees. (I particularly like this pink one with a Jimmy Choo on it: here). All products are ethically produced and require that their affiliates and suppliers give their employees good conditions to work in.

Whatever It Takes quotes its products as 'merchandise with a meaning' and make everything from clothes to cosmetics. What I love about it is that there are so many people involved. Everyone from the King of Spain to the Lost Prophets are involved, including Margaret Atwood, George Clooney, Vivienne Westwood and my favourite: The Foo Fighters (Oh, how I love Dave Grohl...he just keeps getting better and better). Check out a full list here.

Basically, each person makes a 'symbol of hope' in art form and a message to go with them. I didn't have time to go through them all, but some of my favourites were Sarah Ferguson, Mat Hoffman and Natasha Bedingfield.
The group isn't focused on one type of cause, but all of them, with their website quoting that they 'aim to raise a minimum of $3 million over three years to fund charitable projects in developing countries, contribute to the protection of the environment and other charitable causes.' This is a great mission and has the capability to help millions.

They also work with other charities such as Unicef and Oxfam. Their products are really cool and trendy, with bags, t-shirts and jewellery all being sold.

whateverittakes by sherin88 on Polyvore.com

Jennifer Love Hewitt

I love Jennifer Love Hewitt. I think she is gorgeous and she has an amazing style in her show 'Ghost Whisperer'. She wears really vintage and gothic clothes and she looks absolutely stunning. I've been looking for dresses and tops like that for a really long time. While Googling it, I found that I'm not the only one who loves her outfits, and that no one else can find the exact same items either.

I found this blog that focuses on Love's style during the show, and it is a good place to get ideas about her style.

The look is mainly long flowery tops, paired with gothic dresses and skirts. I reckon I could pick up stuff like that from a lot of shops, then wear it in a kind of way that Hewitt does.

While reading online, I saw that her stylist buys a dress and then might make it into a skirt and top to create a unique vintage look. You could probably get a lot of the looks by looking through your local thrift stores, and it'll help you practice making items look more unique.














The Polyvore sets below have items similar to those that she wears on the show and by getting a few of those, you could make the look.

jlh1 by sherin88

jlh2 by sherin88

Oh, how I wish I was in the 1950s!

I'm on a quest to find a lovely summery dress. Whilst looking online, I realised that what I wanted was a 1950s style dress, alongside a 1950s style swiming costume. The clothes are really vibrant and women were beginning to really realise how important fashion was. Dollydagger is heaven for me at the moment, and I'm aiming to have a dress like something below within the next week or so (budget permitting). I'm also loving the dresses they have in Vivian of Holloway. The dresses are adorable and all the colours are so amazing, not to mention I love Polka Dots.

1950s by sherin88 featuring Dollydagger cardigans

Nicholas Kirkwood Shoes

Ahhh, Shoes. Who doesn't love shoes? Well, I've just re-fallen in love with shoes thanks to the designs of Nicholas Kirkwood. He's a London based shoe designer and is gorgeous (I think I've found my dream guy). I was reading Elle Magazine last month and they had a feature on his shoes. They were gorgeous in every way. They are different from everything else, and would definitely help you stand out in a crowd. But enough of me, just look at the shoes and they'll do all
the talking.

n.k. shoes by sherin88 featuring Nicholas Kirkwood sandals

Are you in love yet? I mean just look at them...wow! The are so unique and bold, and all are amazing. I personally love the ones with the pearls at the bottom. Leia has a Chanel Shoe Fund, and I guess I'm going to have to open a Nicholas Kirkwood Shoe Fund.

Sherin xx

Style Swap with The Glamorous Grad Student

It's time for another Style swap with a blogger we love. This time we have the Glamorous Grad Student answering some questions for us. She has an amazing blog that covers covers all aspects of life. Read on to find out more about her.

Why did you decide to start a blog?
Really, it started as a way to keep track of my thoughts on all things stylish! When you're in your early twenties, you suddenly have so many new situations that you never had to dress for while in school or college. And of course, you've got limited funds to spend! It's like a cycle... Some situation pops up and you realize you've nothing suitable to wear that still reflects who you are. So you go get something cheap that will do the job from the high street, but that stuff rarely lasts! So when that situation comes round again, you're in the same situation. I felt that I needed to start being a bit more thoughtful about my wardrobe if I was ever going to break that cycle, never really thinking that there'd be so many others feeling the exact same way!

Where do you get inspirations for your blog posts?
A lot of the time, I'm just documenting the answer to a style-related problem I've encountered, like what to pack for a romantic weekend. If I come across an aesthetic in a movie, or on tv (like Blair from Gossip Girl), or in a magazine that I think is beautiful, I'll think about how you could incorporate the aesthetic into a functional, wearable wardrobe. Inspiration can kind of come from anywhere!

What are your favourite places to shop?
Well first of all, I probably don't shop as much as you'd expect for a fashion blogger!! I'm very choosy and now I only buy what I absolutely love. I get lots of items from American Apparel. I like their sweatshop free ways and they have sooo many colours. It's a good place for layering pieces. I'm generally unimpressed with the high street as it's very trend driven, though occasionally I pick up a random bargain. I am using Ebay more and more lately, and find the most adorable things on Etsy.

What is your favourite piece of clothing?
This past winter it was probably my brown mid-heel boots. They were super comfortable and went with everything. I wore them to death. I haven't bought much for spring/summer yet, so who knows what my favourite item will be in a few months time! I have some pieces of pearl jewelry that I am very attached to though, and the love lasts all through the year.

How would you define your style?
My style is probably best described as classic elegance with a glamourous, feminine twist. I prefer timeless shapes and cuts in striking colours. I like purple, green, raspberry pink, golden yellow... anything that complements red hair. I like one, maybe two, interesting details on a piece of clothing, but never more than that. I prefer to spend my money on a mostly classic dress and make it my own with accessories.

What are your future plans?
I'm hoping to be The Glamourous Academic!!

What is your favourite city, or where would you want to live/work and why?
My favourite city is Paris and I would love to live and work there someday. I love the cafe culture, I love the food and delicious pastries, the wine, the beautiful parks in the centre of the city where people walk their dogs in the evening, the architecture, the French language, and the fact that you can easily get a train to the country, the Alps, the Riviera, London... What's not to love?

Who is your biggest inspiration?
I am inspired by graceful, determined women who excel at what they choose to do without compromising their femininity. Michelle Obama is definately one. Amy Adams is another. Watching her at the Academy Awards, responding to questions from tv presenters who clearly thought Enchanted was her only movie before Doubt, she responded so politely, with grace and dignity and just a secret hint of amusement. I wish I could react so perfectly in awkward situations! And she's a redhead. What's not to love?

Thank you so much for the interview, A. Keep up the good work. I definitely agree about Paris!!

Sherin x

Smile Like You Mean It

Ok, so I was reading Time Magazine this week and there was an article on the importance of optimism. It said how a positive outlook on life could be just as important for you as exercising and eating well. That got me thinking: I haven't seen anyone really happy lately (my happy buddy Leia has been on holiday). Now, I'm generally a happy person and like to have a smile on my face no matter how bad things are, and I do this quite well. But these days all I see are my stressed friends complaining non stop about this and that and listening to them is even making me depressed and stressed.
The article described optimists as those who 'make the best of things that happen'. And I love this definition. By making the best of what you're given instead of complaining means that you can get the best of what you're given and so, be happier. By smiling and having a positive attitude, you're more likely to be healthy and you'll get the best out of life. You will really notice the difference in your daily life if your positive. So go out there and smile, and make someone elses day better by smiling. Enjoy the good things in life to make the not so good things worth it, and just keep smiling.
Remember smiling is contagious. If you smile, you'll get one back.



Sherin x