it's time to begin, isn't it?

Happy day, beautiful.

And believe me, you are beautiful.

I’ve spent the last few weeks thinking a lot about beauty, and our perception of it. How people see others and more importantly, how they see themselves. I don’t think 99% of girls realise how truly beautiful they are. 

I’m not talking external, small-waist-long-legs-blonde-hair-and-blue-eyes beauty. I’m talking about being yourself, and that being truly beautiful, inside and out.

So there’s something I want you to do, go to the mirror, right now - with make-up, without make-up - and look at yourself. I mean really look at yourself. Drink it in, because this is YOU.

Stop worrying about your hair, it fits you just right. The scars on your body are precious, symbols of your journey, where you may have fallen, but are now standing here in front of me.  When you smile, there’s this wonderful sparkle in your eye. Your hands are perfect and unique. You have a good heart and you conquer every day no matter what it throws it at you. 

I don’t care if you’re over-weight or under-weight, or average, whether you have large or small breasts, whether you are tall or short, or the colour of your skin, or if you have acne or crooked teeth, or one eye is smaller than the other. I don’t care that you have a little pooch on your tummy, or that you have wrinkles under your eyes, I don’t care if you have large hips, or big feet, and you shouldn’t care either, because as long as these body parts are a part of you, they are beautiful.

There are three very important words that every girl should learn and MEAN: I. love. myself.

While you’re there, for what may be the first time, properly looking at yourself in the mirror - who you are; who you have become; and who you continue to grow to be - say these words to yourself. Repeat them if you have to until they sink in. No matter what anyone says, no matter what society deems ‘pretty’ – you are more than that. No girl should ever be confined to a 5 letter word. 

You will be: ‘pretty’ intelligent, ‘pretty’ amazing, ‘pretty’ funny, ‘pretty’ incredible, but you will never be merely ‘pretty’. You are BEAUTIFUL.

As someone who knows exactly how it feels to think you’re not ‘pretty’, to feel like you’re not what the magazines say you should be, to feel like you’re not quite good enough, I think sometimes we all need to read words like these. 

Someone loves you just as you are, at this very moment. So love yourself. Know what you are.  

Know what I see when I look at you.

ex oh ex oh,

Amant de la mode

weekday wishlist;

Haaaappy monday everyone, I hope you've all had a good day back at work/school/uni/college/etc. As my working pattern is so backwards, it's actually my first day off - so what better time to do a haul post? Especially as I'm so slack at keeping up with this blog on my work days.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. my real problem with all of this is (versace items aside) it's all so damn reasonably priced that, come next thursday, I'm almost certainly buying it ALL.
1. & 2. So I'm not actually such a massive fan of celebrity/designer/highstreet collabs (shockhorrorgasp). This is mainly due to the fact I think a lot of the items lack integrity and originality, somewhat as though said celebrity/designer has just put their name to something and not a whole lot more. However, this collection is just incredible. I admit that not all of Versace's bright and baroque prints are my cup of tea, but some of these designs are to DIE for. You're getting all the quality and ingenuity of this major fashion haus, at just a snippet of the cost. What more could you want!? Unfortunately, and unsurprisingly, pretty much all their stuff has gone online; but I just had to post these two favourite pieces of mine, because they're just so beautiful.

3. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am loving a LOT of the items from lovelabel at the moment- and I'm not going to lie, this is mainly because of their mullet hems. That said, I absolute adore this long sleeved sequinned wrap dress. It doesn't cost the earth and can be paired down with some leather and dark tights, or dressed up to the max with some vintage curls, red lippy and sky-high heels.

4. Along with everyone else, I owned wet look leggings when the craze was rife. However, they werent ever really for me and were a bit of a one-time wear. BUT I think I've found my personal compromise with these wetlook AND cotton leggings from Topshop. Love the added detail without it being too much.

5. These shoes are H&M but look every inch the Topshop style. I adore the muted natural tones, chunky heel and thick straps. These would go with almost everything and are only £30! Bargain of the week I feel ladies :).

6. Now this dress might look a little odd, but there's something about it I just love, from the long sheer sleeves to the cape detailing at the back. It's sold out online (sadface) but I'm going to give my local store a go and see if I can find it - at £7.99, you really can't go wrong!

7. Urban Outfitters, you are the one for jewellery. Amazing necklace, will go with everything, and particularly 'now' with the aztec/tribal feel. J'adore.

8. This top has sold out online unfortunately, but I have spotted it in my Topshop in taaaan so I'm very much planning to snap it up come payday! Love the print, and the vest style. I feel it would look fabulous with the leggings and versace jacket.

9. Two words. In. Love. If I were a red carpet kinda gal I would live in this dress. Although it might be difficult to find an occasion to wear it, I'd buy it just to look at. Love the style and of course, the dipped a-symmetric hem. I think it would be possible to dress down if you were the London type and could get away with it; unfortunately, where I am, I think I would just get a LOT of funny looks in the day :(. Regardless, this is a definite on the wishlist this week.

10. Interestingly, I spotted a similar blazer on a picture of Cat Deeley in a magazine this week. She's not my usual style icon but she looked absolutely amazing in it, teamed with some leather trousers. I feel this would be a look I would take on with the number 4. leggings! Although white isn't the most practical of colours, I think the black lapel gives it an edge, not to mention tricking the eye into always thinking its looking whiter than it actually is!

11. Finally found a satisfactory peace sign ring. Boom. Love!

12. Last but not least, this extreeeemely popular jacket from Topshop (of course). I adore that the fur on the collar is removable, meaning that it is essentially two jacket looks for the price of one. I did try it on instore but they only had a size 8 - which would mean I couldnt fit any thick woolies underneath! I loved how it looked though and the leather is lovely and thick, so perfectly warm for the winter! I also rather like the quilted effect on the shoulders for that finishing touch.
All I can say now is PLEASE God don't let this have sold out by next thursday!

So what about you guys? What's on your wishlist this week?

ex oh ex oh

Amant de la mode

thursday wishlist;

Okay, I know that technically it's not thursday anymore, but as today was my last day of nightshift, I ended up sleeping all of my first day off, as ever. SO, as it's still thursday in my mind, it's still thursday for the purposes of this blog post!
My wishlist for this week mainly consists of shoes, and is particularly dangerous because it's close enough to payday that I can still realistically afford these things..
Anyway, without any further ado:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

1. I'm sure many of you have already seen these on a one fabulous Miss Nicola Roberts. I adore her style, but absolutely loved these most of all. I generally admire her shoe choices, and even more because they're usually from Topshop and accessible! These are expensive, but I'm hoping they'd end up paying for themselves in attention and envy alone :)

2. I've never really been a hat kind of person but am loving burnt oranges/browns/golds/burgandies/muted animal prints, and love this for going into winter. I'm not sure if it would suit me but it's not a lot to pay to find out!

3. This is technically a scarf, but I've been looking for a longer faux fur collar/stole that's printed and doesn't cost the earth. I've just bought a long burnished orange cardigan from Primark and would love this to wear loosely around as a collar, just to spruce it up a bit. It adds a special little something, and wont break the bank either!

4. Saw this dress on ASOS' new party collection and loved it, but wasn't sure if I liked it enough on the catwalk. Saw it on Caroline Flack on Xtra Factor and it immediately became a done deal. (Plus, 25% student discount on ASOS at the moment - NEED I say more!?)

5. Love this skirt; getting in on the spot mesh trend without the McCartney price tag! Also adds a chic, fairly gothic element to any outfit. Would look great with heels or chunky boots. Absolutely love.

6. I saw these shoes on lookbook.nu teamed with a dress I recently bought and they looked fab together! Have had them in my 'saved items' for a long long time but just couldn't bring myself to part with the money for them. Love them but have a funny feeling they'll end up staying where they are for now.

7. Sold out, but I think these speak for themselves. Truly show stopping shoes.

8. I've been on the lookout for long, gold, simple 'peace sign' necklaces. They had some in Topshop but I think I missed the boat on this one! Therefore I may just have to make do with this ring...


Have any of you guys started seeking out your Autumn/Winter wardrobe yet?

ex oh ex oh  

Amant de la mode