streetSTYLE - what are YOU wearing this winter?

In these cold winter months it's easy to forget about fashion and stay 'comfy' in a pair of leggings and a chunky knit! So, I took to the streets of Bournemouth to see who's on the fashion radar.

HOLLY, 18, STUDENT, BOURNEMOUTH.

How would you describe your personal style?
'It's quite casual, I just see things I like and wear them! Most of my outfit is from Topshop because I work there so the discount's good!
Who influences your fashion choices?
'I quite like Alexa Chung's style, and Fearne Cotton!'
Definitely! Do you shop in vintage shops at all?
'Well, I like vintage pieces but I often think I can't afford them. But I quite like charity shops, they've got some good stuff in there! The best ones around here are in Winton, like Beau.'
What are your fave high street shops?
Topshop, Zara and Miss Selfridge in Bournemouth.
Do you follow any of the current trends?
'I know that layering is really in, knitwear as well. Normal, comfy winter stuff really! I wear my scarf EVERYWHERE! I really need a new coat so I'm going to get a long, chunky one!'
Are you off to any Christmas parties this year?
'We've got one at work coming up, and some others as well. I'll probably get my dress from somewhere like Topshop or Zara. I quite like bodycon ones with some embellishment.'
LARA, 22, DESIGNER SALES ASSISTANT, BOURNEMOUTH.

What's your personal style like?
'I wear pretty things and play it safe really. In terms of what's in style now, it's all very gothic looking. I love Topshop and all the high street shops like H&M. There's no real designer shops around here really, so I stick to the high street!'
Where's your outfit from today?
'The coat's River Island and the rest are from Topshop and H&M...the tights are Primark!'
Do any celebrites influence your style choices?
'I sort of mix and match really! I like Cheryl Cole and I read all the fashion magazines... Grazia and Vogue especially!'
What are you going to wear this Christmas season?
'Something sparkly from Topshop probably!'
CLAIRE, 22, TRAINEE NURSE, GUILDFORD.

How would you describe your own style?
'A bit of everything really! I just wear what I feel comfortable in. My outfit is mainly from Topshop, but the basic top and jeans are from Primark. The boots are from Rowley's.'
What shops do you usually go to?
'Topshop and House of Fraser. I don't read any fashion magazines or anything so my style is all my own... I wear a lot of skinny jeans, and jeggings are really in!'
What will you be wearing this season?
'Scarves, long tops and coats!'
Are you heading to any Christmas parties this year?
'I am but I'm not sure what I'm going to wear as my boyfriend is buying my dress! I would want something floor-length and silky, probably halterneck and in turquoise!'
HAYLEY, 16, COLLEGE STUDENT, WEST PARLEY.
What's your personal style?
'I can be casual but I can also be quite wacky! I like to shop at named designers like Hollister and Abercrombie. I also like Topshop and River Island.'
Do you read fashion magazines?
'Yeah, I read Look as it's the best fashion magazine for me. I read OK! and other magazines as well.'
What are your favourite trends of the season?
'I like all the lace and the backless dresses. Knee-high boots are in...but I don't personally wear knee-high boots!
Where are you getting your Christmas party dress this year?
'Lipsy! A black lace dress...something classy.'
JODIE, 23, SALES ASSISTANT, BOURNEMOUTH.

Where's your outfit from today?
'My coat's from TK Maxx, the dress is from Miss Selfridge and the boots are TK Maxx as well.'
How would you describe your personal style?
'I like to be quite elegant if I'm going out for a night or even if I'm casual. I like things that fit my waist, I've got a small waist and I like to emphasise it. I like to be comfortable as well.'
Who influences your style?
'At the moment, I love Lady Gaga and her showgirl style but obviously I don't dress like that! I have my own style. I read all the fashion magazines like Vogue and Now.'
What are your favourite shops in Bournemouth?
'TK Maxx, Topshop and Monsoon but I work there so I get my uniform.'
What do you think are the big trends this season?
'Metallics, sequins, heavy embellishment, big puff shoulders!'
What are you wearing to this year's Christmas party?
'I've been to it already! I wore a bodycon black dress which had a big rose print on the front and back. It had big puff shoulders and was from AX Paris, a concession in New Look.'
5 lovely ladies talk to Sophia Moir in Bournemouth town centre.
If you're after something to wear to your Christmas party, head down to Oasis in Bournemouth where you'll find a huge range of stunning party dresses, from sequins to studs, to suit all body shapes! The store manager Gary says their shift dresses are perfect for girls with a tum!
Let me know what you think of the girls and their outfits,
Love,
Style by Sophia
xo

mySTYLE. looks of the week :)

Hey everyone!

Here's a sneak peek into what I've been wearing this week! Hope U like!

(in chronological order)


Clothes
Grey blazer - New Look
White T-shirt - ASOS
Mid-wash jeans - New Look

Accessories
Gladiator sandals - H&M
Turquoise earrings - Ebay
Brown leather watch - River Island ps. it's currently missing.. :'(
Bag - Next

Make-up
see daytime make-up regime video :)
(except I added Benefit The Gloss in Crystal to glam it up!)

and here's what I wore to another house party :)


Clothes
Black blazer - New Look
Black tunic - H&M
Jeggings - Tammy@BHS (I'm a shortie!)

Accessories
Studded flip-flops - Forever21
Gold stud earrings - Topshop
Brown leather watch - River Island (it went missing that night!)
Bag - Next

Hair&Make-up
I used GHD'S on my hair, and make-up wise I used the Benefit Dallas Powder bronzer and the Benefit The Gloss in Crystal on top of my normal routine:)

Here's what I wore to the park on a sunny summer's day...


Clothes
White top - H&M
Denim rara skirt - H&M

Accessories
Sunnies - Topshop (the ones from the mySHOP a few bits blog!)
Studded flip-flops - Forever21
Brown leather watch - River Island
Bag - Next (...I'm sure you know this by now!!)

Hair&Make-up
I curled my hair the night before to give it some oomf! & followed my daytime make-up regime :)

GOING OUT!
Here's what I wore clubbing...soo much fun!:D


Clothes
Grey blazer - New Look
Coral cropped top - Topshop
Black bodycon skirt - Topshop

Accessories
Black cage shoes - ASOS
Studded leather clutch - Accessorize
Brown leather watch - River Island
Zebra earrings (just seen) - H&M

ps. many of these items were featured in the mySHOP birthday bonanza blog in August! :)


Clothes
White one-shoulder top - H&M
Coral skirt - New Look

Accessories
White studded belt - ASOS
Brown leather watch - River Island
Nude heels - Primark

Hair&Make-up
I straightened my hair using GHD's, and on top of my usual make-up regime (see vid), I wore Versace's hydrating lipstick in Pink (V2005-C).

and finally, here's what I wore yesterday! LOL. I wanted to toughen up my ditsy floral playsuit, so I wore my biker leather jacket and studded flip-flops! What U think?


Clothes
Floral playsuit - Topshop
Leather jacket - Topshop

Accessories
Black leather chain bag - Vintage
Studded flip-flops - Forever21

ps. The hair clips I've been using are generally from H&M!

...phew! OK let me know what you thought of today's blog! I promise to update soon!

Lots of love,

Style by Sophia

myFACE. daytime make-up regime :)

Hello everyone!

Sorry it's been soo long, I have been v busy :(. BUT, never fear, here's a video I made earlier (geddit?) about how to apply perfect daytime make-up! I may fore well record a new one for winter make-up as this is for a very light coverage!

Enjoy :)



Thank you & let me know what you think!! :)

Love,
Style by Sophia.

ps. Here's a list of the products I mentioned in the video:-

No7 Stay Perfect Foundation in New Ivory - RRP £6.98
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Highlighting Pen in 01 - RRP £23
The Body Shop Cream Blush in 06 Sunset Pink (discontinued)
Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator in 02 Peach - RRP £18
No7 Amazing Eyes Pencil in 10 Brown - RRP £7
Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara in Black - RRP £4.59
Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara (not used) - RRP £14.50
Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black (not used) - RRP £14.50
Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes - RRP £21.50
Vaseline Lip Therapy in Rosy Lips - RRP £1.46

mySHOP. what i've been buying this week :)

Hi everyone!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while :) So this week I haven't gone on any mad shopping trips but I have bought some new toiletries and received a few presents!

Here are my new sunglasses that my friend Emily bought for me as a belated bday prez!(I chose them. They've got a tortoise shell rim and being oversized will be fab for those days when you just can't be bothered with eye make-up!(Secret of the stars haha)


Sunglasses - Topshop - £15
Ok next was a gift from my lovely bf from all the way in the US! They're a pair of studded brown leather flip-flops from American chain, Forever 21. You can't get them in England, sorryyy!:( But I LOVE them. ps. I asked him to get them for me :)


Studded flip flops - $14.80 - Forever 21

OK that's all I've bought fashion wise this week (VERY broke lol) but I have bought a few beauty bits recently;


(clockwise from left)(all products available in Boots/Superdrug)

Benefit The Gloss in Crystal - RRP £9.00. I use this lipgloss for going out as it is just sooo glossy and lasts ages! I prefer the clear, crystal shade as it goes with everything.

L'Oreal Elvive Nourish & Shimmer Intensive Masque 200ml - RRP £3.91. This conditioner is amazing to use on top of normal shampoo+conditioner if you have blonde/highlighted hair as it really makes the blonde glisten and stand out!

Vent Brush - 99p from Wilko's. I blow-dry my hair with this brush to get volume (particularly at the roots). I use it with the two 24 HOUR BODY products listed below :)

TRESemme 24 Hour Body Amplifying Mousse 225ml - RRP £5.28. Ok I've been looking for a volumising mousse for ages to use when I curl my hair and want it to look HUGE! This is a great product for giving your hair volume but it makes it a bit frizzy so some serum may be necessary! (I use The Body Shop Grapeseed Glossing Serum which smells lovely and fruity..oh and it works for taming hair, too!)

TRESemme 24 Hour Body Root Boosting Spray 250ml - RRP £5.28. I use this product for going out when I want my roots looking voluminous (basically when I want Cheryl Cole looking hair!). It looks very 50's and the product does work when used with the 99p vent brush! I would definitely recommend the two TRESemme 24 Hour Body products for huge hair at a high street price, but for those with a bit more money I would suggest using the TIGI Root Boot Spray available from many hairdressers including Studio 2 in Horsham :)

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Colour Insurance Spray - RRP £3.91 but you can get it for £1 in Poundland (while stocks last!) I am generally a HUGE fan of Aussie products as they smell lush and they are very reliable, but I use this product as a detangler. This particular product is for colour-treated hair (I have blonde highlights) but they do a similar product for non colour-treated hair (Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-in Conditioner) which works just the same but has a different scent!

and finally... Sally Hansen Maximum Growth (RRP £4.16) is brilliant for when you have bitten all your nails off and need them to grow back quickly! You're supposed to use it for 10 days but I use it whenever I remember (as a base&top coat) and makes your nails strong and healthy!

Ok so that's it for now guys, I hope you have found this blog helpful! I'll let you know when I buy more products, but ta ta for now!

Love,
Style by Sophia

celebSTYLE. Rachel Bilson's LA Chic.

The OC Star has been on the fashion radar this week, epitomising laid back LA style during a stroll through West Hollywood.

Rachel always looks like she has an relaxed, inherent style where she just picks out some cute pieces from her wardrobe and throws them together! (Jealous? Me? No!)


Well it's worked for her today; Her faded denim high waisted shorts really compliment her petite, slim figure and tucking her billowing, beige top into her vintage leather belt is a smart style move.

Her gladiator sandals, ubiquitous Chanel chain bag and dark sunnies complete this lovely summer outfit! I wonder what her fiancée, Star Wars actor Hayden
Christensen, thinks of it?

If you're looking to emulate this outfit yourself, I'd suggest Urban Outfitters for the denim shorts, Topshop for the plain tee and belt and Miss Selfridge for the accessories (especially the chain
bag, which they sell for under £25 and in so many different colours! Bargain).

If only we could steal a bit of that LA sunshine, eh?

Love,
Style by Sophia

mySTYLE. going out outfit.

Hey you guys!

So last night I went out clubbing for a girlfriend's birthday. I went to a friend's house first for a drink so I wanted to wear something that I felt comfortable in, but that I could wear to the
club later on in the eve!

What do you think of this ensemble?


Black dress - H&M

Zebra scarf (worn as waist belt) - New Look

Turquoise earrings - Ebay

Gold chain necklace - Topshop

Ring - Accessorize

Tan leather watch - River Island

Cream bag - Next

Brown leather heels (just seen) - Dorothy Perkins

Do I have your seal of approval? What do you tend to wear on a night out on the town? What are your favourite shops for going out wear? I love River Island's skirts&dresses for a big night out!

Love,
Style by Sophia

mySKIN. daily facial regime.

Hey everyone!

Here's a video of my daily skincare regime for you! I tend to avoid expensive/designer products as a) I can't afford them and b) I find that the cheaper versions available on the high street work just as well if you use them properly!



Just to remind you that it's my first ever video so I'm sorry if you fall asleep half way through! Oh and it might be an idea to wear make-up next time lol.

Listed here are the products I mentioned in the video (all sold in Boots/Superdrug except the moisturiser which can be found on Ebay):

Pure 3 in 1 Make Up Removal Complete Cleansing Wipes (purple packet for normal-oily skin)

Pure Deep Cleanse Complete Cleansing Wipes (blue packet for dry-normal skin)

Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes

Clean & Clear Morning Burst Facial Scrub

Garnier Skin Naturals Pure Active Blackhead Clearing Scrub

Nivea Visage Young Control It Moisturiser (Oil-Free)

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil-Free Moisturiser

Simple Oil Balancing Moisturiser

Clinique Dramatically Different Gel - Combination to Oily Skin Types (use the lotion if you have dry-normal skin)

Simple Conditioning Eye Make-Up Remover

Boots Double Faced 100 Pads

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Blackhead Eliminating Cleanser

Garnier Nutritionist Caffeine Eye Roll-On

Lots of Love,
Style by Sophia

mySHOP.

OK so last week was my birthday and as always I had a huuge list of what I wanted!! :) It also means I have a bit of birthday money to splurge on some high street fashion gems!


(Clockwise from left)
Coral cropped top - Topshop - £16. This would be great teamed with a tight black bodycon skirt or dress to even out the shapes as the top is reallly baggy!(it's supposed to be!) I also thought I could wear it on holiday thrown over a bikini for a quick fashion fix.
Cream bag - Next - £10. I worked at Next for a little while over summer and I found this bag in the sale HALF PRICE. Bargain! Nude colours are so versatile for Summer and the leather feels lush. I'm used to having smaller, across body bags but I'm now a complete convert to the the huge bag that you just throw everything into!
Black cage shoes - ASOS - £12. I had a weak moment and bought these heels as they were in the sale (from £35!!!) and I just envisioned myself wearing them for the entire AW09! They're something feisty to toughen up a going out outfit and the huge heel is great for petite lil me!
Coral skirt - £7 - New Look. This was another sale buy! I thought it would look cute with a white one shoulder top :)
Grey blazer - New Look - £30. OK I've got this in black as well and I just find them so versatile! I can wear them day or night, heels or flats and the length makes me look a little taller and the black one especially would look great on curvy girls. :)
Straw bag - New Look - £6. I also nabbed this in the New Look sale, I thought I'd team it with a maxi dress on holiday!
Studded clutch - Accessorize - £15. I've had my eye on this cream leather clutch for months, but at £25 I told myself it was too steep *sob* BUT as soon as it entered the sale I HAD to have it! I have a thing for studs at the mo and it's just a great summer going out bag.

I've also bought a few beauty bits as you'll see in the pic :)

(Clockwise from left)(all products from Boots/Superdrug)
Natural Collection eye liner in White - £2. A touch of white liner on your lower lid brightens your eyes and makes you look more awake so I thought I'd give this purse-friendly £2 version a go... it works!:) btw all Natural Collection products are under £2.. I love their raspberry lip gloss&bronzing pearls!
Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan for Fair Skin - £5.99. OK so I'm half Italian so really I should be olive skinned.. but I'm not!:( So like most people I have to get my tan from a bottle! This is more of a bronzing lotion as you can see where it's going straight away(ALWAYS use a mitt!) but I prefer self tan that take a couple of hours to develop... I will reveal my favourite fake tans later :)
Impluse body spray in Paris - 99p. My flatmate Becky introduced me to this product as it smells similar to Miss Dior Cherie(only my all-time favourite perfume!) and so it reminds her of me :) Great for when you can't afford to buy a new perfume but still wanna smell lovelyyy!
Vaseline cocoa body butter - £4.99. I was running out of my favourite Body Shop body butter in Mango but at £12 a pop I needed a temporary cheaper alternative!This body butter is LUSH, it feels like you're being wrapped in chocolate :) would definitely recommend.
Marc Jacobs eau de Parfum - Daisy. various prices. Aah my mum bought me this perfume for my birthday and it's so pretty and girly, just like the name! I love it.
Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Green With Envy - £3.22. I've been looking for a turquoise nail varnish for aages! I had my eye on the Barry M one a while ago but it looks more blue :S This is slightly more green than turquoise but I wear it all the time.
and finally...
Eyelure Girls Aloud eyelashes - Sarah - £4.89. Let's face it we all wish we looked like Girls Aloud! I was looking for eyelashes that go up at the end to elongate my lash line and these ones were fab. Kimberly's looked pretty as well, but they were out of stock at the time... *sobsob*

I also bought this watch with my birthday money. It was £25 from River Island but I've worn it every day since so it was worth that little bit extra :) The strap is tan leather!

Anyway I hope you enjoyed my first real blog post! :)

More to follow of course.

Style by Sophia

A little about me.

Ok before I get started on this snazzy new fashion blog, I thought you might want to know a little bit about me and my style :)

I'm a student, so my style is inevitably high-street based and I LOVE a bargain! I choose garments based on their versatility and wearability as I don't see the point in wearing something only once..(party dresses are exempt to this rule!)

I'm also a BIG fan of ebay as I love the vintage pieces and nothing beats someone asking where your outfit is from! (see topshop clone syndrome). I also spend HOURS getting ready as I love to look & feel my absolute best!

I'm 5ft1 and a size 10-12 so I think it's important to enhance my assets and hide the bits I hate! I guess you could say I'm an hourglass shape as I have a 36 bust and 28 waist... but I would say I'm more of an apple.. :( We all have body hang-ups don't we?

My blog will feature many recurring posts including;
mySHOP - a chance for me to show you guys what bargains I found & what I've been splashing my student loan on!
myMAKE-UP/HAIR - I'll reveal to you all my beauty secrets, my make up routine and my cult beauty buys!
myDIET/FITNESS - I think it's important to lead a healthy lifestyle and so I'll spill the beans on my fitness regime...well, sort of...walking to uni does count as exercise right?
mySKINCARE - I am soo fussy with skin products as breakouts are seriously the BANE of my life! I have normal-oily skin so I'll reveal which products work to banish spots and which products make them WORSE!
yourSTYLE - what have you guys been wearing on the street? Are you hitting the latest trends on the head or are you setting your own NEW trends?

and the rest? Well you'll have to wait and see... If you follow one blog this year, make it...

Style by Sophia