Author: Stacey Cosens

How to do preppy perfectly

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Preppy girls walking

 

Preppy girls walking

Release your inner Gossip Girl

 

Preppy is back. Think Gossip Girl or Cruel Intentions and you’re on the right track. American brands Abercrombie & Fitch, GAP and Hollister have all got ‘preppy’ down to a tee, and now other high street shops are following in their footsteps with the look dominating in a big way this season.

Using Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl as your style icon, you can tap the market of looking preppy, edgy and super stylish all at the same time.

Topshop have hit the nail on the head with their Graduation collection. Featuring polka dots and denim, royal blues and beige; the look has spring/summer written all over it. Preppy is the perfect smart/casual, whether you’re strutting around campus or looking chic and professional in the office.

Calm neutral colours like cream, grey, black and blue are key to the ‘preppy’ look with small detail adding something more, think Peter Pan collars and pussy bow blouses for the office and then experiment with baseball jackets, polo shirts, city shorts and polka dot tea dresses for casual daywear. A cute casual blazer is a great way to mix both work and play.

Accessorising is key with the preppy look, with so many fun options to choose from. A satchel is a must, and works best in brown and beige. You can often find some great battered options in vintage shops, if you want that classic aged look, or if you’re keen to splash out on a new bag, the high street is awash with cute satchels of all shapes, sizes and colours. The bigger options are great for university and the office, while smaller options look chic on shopping and coffee dates with friends.

Brogues are still a key item, so dig out your pair from last year, or invest in one of the many options on the high street. There are flat and heeled versions available and they work great with both smart and casual looks. A perfect investment.

No Blair Waldorf would be seen without an Alice band, the cherry on top of a cute preppy outfit. Accessorize is awash with cute hair accessories, and tonnes of alternate preppy options if you prefer to steer clear of Alice band territory.

Finally, a spritz of Vera Wang’s Preppy Princess should send you on you’re way. Just a brief look at the advert shows its Gossip Girl inspiration, and the fruity fragrance will leave you sweet.

Book Review: Warm Bodies

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Warm Bodies Cover

 
 
Warm Bodies Cover

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

R is a zombie. He has no name, no memories and no pulse, but he has dreams. He is a little different from his fellow ‘dead’. Amongst the ruins of an abandoned city, R meets a girl.

Warm Bodies was sold to me as ‘the zombie Twilight’. While this would make many roll their eyes and avoid it like a zombie plague, it intrigued me. Zombies are the new vampires, with zombie franchises set to take over the vampire obsession we’ve had since Twilight. Warm Bodies is already set to become a film, so I checked out this much hyped book.

Stephanie Meyer, creator of the massive Twilight saga has given the book her stamp of approval saying “I never thought I could care so passionately for a zombie…the most unexpected romantic lead I’ve ever encountered” and she was right.

Zombies seem like the least likely thing you could generate sympathy for (after all they are out to eat our brains), but from the very beginning you care for our narrator R. Isaac Marion has given the classic zombie character thoughts and feelings. Some believe this goes against everything that makes a zombie a zombie, but bare with it, it’s brilliant.

As humans we seem to be obsessed with our demise, and in the post apocalyptic world ravaged by the zombie plague we see how the Living and Dead adapt. We see the very essence of what makes a human but at the same time, we see how it feels for the zombie.

Film Review: Blue Valentine

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Blue Valentine
Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine is the heartbreakingly realistic view of the breakdown of a marriage, starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.

The film flicks between past and present in a seamlessly easy to follow way. We are shown flashbacks of the past between the couple’s tense attempt to fix their failing relationship over the course of two days.

It’s clear that as they have given up on their relationship, they have also given up on their appearance. Dean (Gosling) is never seen without paint-splattered skin, while Cindy (Williams) is without make up and visibly bigger than her younger years.

The film has a raw voyeuristic edge as we get a peak into the crucial days of the couple’s tinkering relationship. Camera’s are often handheld, and we are truly dropped into the intimate details of their lives. This could easily be a real life couple.

In a society where almost half of marriages end in divorce, the film shows the heart of divorce and that it is not something that is often entered into lightly.

As a child of divorced parents myself and a true romantic, the film spoke to me. I felt for both the characters, and wasn’t able to put a blame on either side of the couple. Cindy seems hard and cold towards Dean, but she’s just tired and fed up. Her passion is gone. Dean does a good job of playing the wounded victim, but he fails to put any effort into the relationship.

Gosling and Williams deservedly got Golden Globe nominations for ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Actress’ for this film, their performances were heartfelt and believable.

As someone who is often disappointed by films, this one left me satisfied and provided me with a range of ways to interpret it. Hours were spent over cocktails dissecting the film with friends. Not many films can provoke that reaction.

Unfortunately as it’s quite a low budget indie film, it won’t get the distribution it deserves, but I urge you to see it if you get the chance.

Film Review: Black Swan

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Black Swan Film Poster
Black Swan Film Poster

Natalie Portman stars in Black Swan: Image by Fox Searchlight

Black Swan follows a ballerina on her quest to achieve perfection and gain the leading role in the New York City Ballet’s production of Swan Lake.

This dark and thrilling story, follows a woman’s descent into madness as she battles to find her dark side, to enable her to play both Odette (the White Swan) and her evil twin Odile (the Black Swan).

Natalie Portman stars as Nina Sayers, the innocent childlike ballerina, who has been sheltered and pressured by her mother all her life. In her twenties, she is still tucked into bed and undressed by her overbearing mother.

Nina is determined to gain the leading role, when the company’s star Beth Macintyre (Winona Ryder) retires. She has what it takes to play the White Swan, but continually struggles in performing as the Black Swan.

As the film evolves, we see changes in the once innocent Nina, as she embraces her darker side, with thrilling consequences.

Nina’s life begins to parallel with the story of Swan Lake, as the performance date nears.

The film had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, with unexpected plot twists at every corner. I never knew what to expect and was often shocked. The story is dark and sexy, and Portman gives a believable and chilling performance as a woman loosing her mind and grip on reality.

There’s horror, humour and sex and within the cinema I heard collective gasps of shock and titters of laughter. The film has a perfect balance of ingredients to make it a fantastic film, it is clear to see why it has received so many award nominations.

The film has stayed with me since, with more and more depths and interpretations to be gained from it. Rarely has a film left me feeling so satisfied by the end.

A cheat’s guide to vintage

Vintage style has gone mainstream in the past few years, and can come with a hefty price tag. Many great vintage pieces can be hard to get hold of, so here is a cheat’s guide to doing vintage for less .

1. It doesn’t necessarily need to be vintage.

You can get a great vintage look, without even buying anything vintage. Many high street shops are getting their inspiration from vintage styles and mass-producing them for a cheaper price. Topshop is often a great port of call, but also be sure to check out Pearl Lowe’s collection at Peacocks, her vintage inspired dress designs will make you look like a glamorous forties housewife with effortless easy style.

2. Go for modern remakes of vintage designs.

It doesn’t need to be the real deal, when it looks the same. Vivien of Holloway sell great 50s inspired dresses that look like the real thing. So instead of trawling through hundreds of vintage stores for that iconic fifties dress, that’s too small or smells weird, why not go for something shiny and new and made for you? They also sell great forties swing trousers, as well as tea dresses. Some of it is a little pricey, but if you’re looking for an investment or special occasion it’s a great place to check out.

3. Wear modern clothes in a vintage way.

You’d be surprised how your modern clothes can easily look vintage with a bit of smart styling. Team a high-waisted mid-length skirt, with a tucked-in  tee or blouse. Add tights and court shoes and voila!
Or you can always revamp some of your dresses with a waist belt. Leopard print is a great way to go, and everywhere this season (Take some tips from Bette Lynch). Just stand in front of your wardrobe and experiment.

4. It’s all in the hair.

Try some vintage hairstyles to give your look that classic edge. Think Bridget Bardot and get that bouffant high and proud. Simply section off the top part of your hair and backcomb, apply hairspray and backcomb some more. Get height to your hair, push up and clip in place. It may take a few goes and a lot of hairspray but it’s worth it. Or you can channel your inner T-Bird and work your fringe into a quiff. Again a lot of backcombing and hairspray is in order, but you’ll be a vintage vixen by the end.

5. Accessorise!

For bags, raid your local charity shops. You’ll be amazed at the amount of handbags dropped off there, and they are sometimes the only decent thing found in charity shops (apart from the odd pretty scarf).
A little accessorising can go a long way, and like clothes, a lot of modern jewellery is being inspired by vintage designs. Freedom at Topshop is your best bet with its bangles, big earrings, and kitsch necklaces.

Picture by yatenkaiouh via Flickr

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