My No-Buy Year 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfDsKzapdgw&feature=youtu.be

You may or may not have watched the video above, but in summary 2020 is going to be my no-buy year. Yes. You heard it here first. The year of not spending is upon me, and these are the rules I'm going to follow throughout the whole of 2020.

1. I am not allowed to buy new clothes unless I'm replacing something which was worn out
 - I can buy from the charity shops if I find something I actually need
 - I can buy my uniform allowance at work

2. I am not allowed to buy new makeup/skincare until I go through something. If I had no moisturiser left or no foundation then I am allowing myself to repurchase.

3. I am planning on doing my bedroom in the early months of 2020, so I can make of list of what I want to get for my room and that is all. Once my room is done, no more homewear

4. Money can go towards experiences/ nights out but NOT new outfits for these occasions - that seems to be my downfall

5. I am allowed to buy presents for birthdays/occasions

6.  If i have a gift card or money for my birthday/ Christmas I am allowed to spend that

7. My planned holiday to Florida is an exception. I will allow myself to buy a small, considered selection of makeup/ Disney merchandise. But nothing over the top.

8. I am to make a note of what I do buy on my desk calendar. Whether its a £3 coffee whilst out with mum or topping up my oystercard for university travel, I want to be more aware of where my money goes.

You may be asking yourself why I am choosing to do this and why now? I have touched on this in my video but in summary I want to have more to my name than £6.40 in my account the week before payday. I want to put money into my Lifetime ISA to eventually go towards a house. I want to have savings. I want to be in more control, I'm an impulsive shopper and it needs to stop. I want to understand my own personal style through what I already own and I want to be more responsible with my money and only buy when I need something - because that wanting feeling for more more more, never truly goes away.

Time to kick the bad habits in 2020.

Stepping Outside of Your Beauty Box

I tend to change my style of makeup depending on how I'm feeling. People at uni have seen me at my palest, with little to no makeup, as well as covered in fake tan with the full works going on on my face. At the moment I'm going through a full coverage moment, where I want all of the makeup, on all of my face, at all times.

There are certain techniques which I abandoned many years ago as I deemed them not suitable for my face and thought they didn't suit me. One of these techniques is applying eyeshadow and mascara to my lower lash line. I always thought it made my eyes look droopy and older, as well as making my already small eyes even smaller. However, after trying it again today - for the first time in many years - I have discovered that is simply not the case.

I did this intense brown eye with a spotlight of shimmer in the middle and felt that some mascara and eyeshadow was needed on my lower lash line to balance out the heaviness on my lid. I loved how it look, which surprised me as I thought I would end up ruining my makeup and having to start again.

The idea is to try something new. If you have a bit of time to yourself experiment with your makeup and try different techniques and colours. There is a plethora of videos and tutorials on the internet with a billion different ways of applying makeup - go watch some and see what you can come up with!

SHOP THE PRODUCTS (affiliate links)

The Best of Haute Couture from Paris Fashion Week

BALMAIN -

This look is simple and elegant but in the same breathe provides intricacy from the silouhette. Everything appears elongated, from the hat to the leg slit, it makes the model seem long, and sexy. The structure appears almost masculine with the heavy shoulder pads, yet the ruffles, folds and slits add a more feminine touch.

CHANEL - 

I love how Chanel can constantly reinvent the classic shape and material which Coco originally used in 1916. The mermaid-esque skirt creates a stunning hip to waist ratio, yet they still keep that functionality of a suit with a straight jacket.

CHRISTIAN DIOR -

The nude colour with the black contrast is stunning. The folding and ruffles are once again very feminine. The head wrap (the lack of hair) strips back the model creating a plain look - letting the dress speak for itself. 

GIVENCHY - 

Florals were all over the runway and Givenchy was no exception. I love how the texture and silhouette is the focal point of this piece rather than the colour. Having it in black says elegance, mystery. The dress is sheer and makes it more sexy as you get slight flashes of skin as the model walks.

RONALD VAN DE KEMP - 

Once again more florals but this time with a splash of gorgeous colour. This dress shouts awards show - Oscars maybe? The low Bardot neckline reveals the shoulders - a very feminine, sensual part of a woman's body, but completely covers her with gorgeous flowers from there down.

Would You Rent Your Clothes?!

There was an advert on my Facebook timeline for Frontrow. London's first luxury designer clothing renting company. It works by allowing you to rent from hundreds of styles featuring up and coming as well as more established designers such as Chanel, Fendi and Gucci. They are also available for styling advice and can send you your perfect outfit the same day.
Their buying is based off of votes, which we, the customer, votes for. WE vote for what clothes we want to be available, and the company buy which ones are most popular. 
Rental periods are for five days, but they can mayor it for you. They offer the dry-cleaning and offer optional insurance for minor damages.

So, what do you think?

Personally, I'm not either way on this one. If someone has a black tie event to go to and think that Gucci bag for £600 to rent for 5 days is worth it then all the power to them. If anything it's helping aid our ever consuming society. We constantly want, once we've got it, we want something else. This company will hopefully help to break that cycle. We can enjoy the item for a few days then send it bag and enjoy something else. Seems a lot more environmentally friendly to me. Although there has been a consistent decline in the frequency that people are shopping for clothing, Mintel found that one in three UK consumers (34%) have bought garments once a month or more during the last year (Dover, 2019).

There are however some obvious issues which can come with renting designer goods online. The first is sizing. As many of the clothing rental companies are online, it's hard to determine what size you're going to need - especially if you've never had the luxury of buying into designer clothing before so know nothing about the sizing. The second is the risk of the goods being damaged. If the customer is using the hiring service, this is assuming they cannot afford the product outright, therefore if anything happened this could prove very problematic. The final issue is the cost. I had a look on Frontrow and the cost of hiring a Gucci bag costs around £200+, which by any means is still not cheap or affordable. 

I believe hiring clothes might be a useful way to lessen our need to purchase, but like any new systems there are some creases which need ironing out as well a changing peoples perceptions towards those who do rent their clothes.

Dover, S. (2019). Login to Mintel Reports - Mintel Group Ltd.. [online] Academic.mintel.com. Available at: http://academic.mintel.com/display/927620/?highlight [Accessed 8 Jan. 2019].

The Spring 2019 Handbags you MUST Buy

As I have access to Edited through university I thought I would be a good citizen and look at the newest trends for SS19 in order to share them with you. I'm the best, I know.

What is woman's favourite accessory? Handbags right. We cannot be without our handbags, be them big, or be them small, they are the love of our lives. So, what type of handbags can you expect yourself to be wearing in Spring of 2019 - let me show you...

1. Saddle 
2. Formal Bum Bag 
3. Bucket Bag
4. Animal Print (snake, croc)
5. Straw bags

35

21

4

Key Designers: Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Fendi, Chloe, Burberry

As you can see there is a great variation in style for the trend bags of Spring 2019. One thing they do all have in common is they are neutral in colour. So, going forward I recommend keeping the colours of your handbags neutral, but playing around with size, style and texture. Whether it be a crocodile tote bag or a draw fanny-pack. Get creative with your accessories.

Shop Highstreet Styles Below - UNDER £50

Do Fashion Magazines Need to Change?

(Vogue.co.uk, 2019)

For Christmas I asked for a yearly subscription to British Vogue, an established publication who's glossy covers I have lusted over for years. Vogue are at the forefront of fashion magazines, with their designer clothing and famous photographers, Vogue seems to be where it's at.

It's been no secret that the magazine industry has taken a hit over recent years. With the likes of the internet and applications such as Twitter, we see news as it happens or even before it happens. We have articles online and blogs like this one which answers all of our questions - What are the latest jeans to hit the market? How do I lose weight? Which beauty product is best for mature skin? I think I'm correct in assuming that not many people turn to magazines for this kind of information anymore.

Regardless of this, I still love flicking through the glossy covers of a magazine, the smell of the paper and the high-res images, in the flesh - it's something you cannot beat. Kind of like the book vs Kindle debate people were having a few years back. I'm someone who still prefers the physical.

If there is a market for them, why do magazines seem to be on the decline? Are some publications shutting their doors as there seems to be an absence of audience? What are they doing wrong?

(Newbold, 2019)

I logged onto LSN Global to have a look and see if there were any answers to my questions. Katy Lassen (one of the founders of the London-based digital platform Also Journal" said: 

"The traditional model of a fashion magazine is on its knees. So many big print magazines are folding or going online. Women clearly want something different. Brands are also cottoning on to the fact that women would rather read and look at women more like themselves. We have less and less time yet spend a lot more of it online, so it is natural that this is where we would seek out fashion content too."

I think she has a lot of sense in what she is saying. I cannot deny that although I love Vogue, I do sometimes wish there were more articles that related to me and to my budget/ lifestyle. Looking at the latest Dior collection is all well and good in an imaginary sort of sense, but not when it comes to style tips for my Saturday night out.

As well as this, I think that sometimes publications such as Cosmopolitan can seem almost juvenile - speaking to a more tween audience rather than something which would appeal to both my demographic and the age group my mum is in for example.

I think that their is a gap in the market for a new fashion/ beauty magazine. I don't know whether it would be successful or not, but I do know that real women want something which represents them, and is for them - not just the elite fashionistas.




References

Vogue.co.uk. (2019). British Vogue Magazine - February 2018 | British Vogue. [online] Available at: https://www.vogue.co.uk/magazine/february-2018 [Accessed 8 Jan. 2019].

Newbold, A. (2019). The Hollywood Portfolio: Margot And Nicole Cover February Vogue. [online] Vogue.co.uk. Available at: https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/february-2018-vogue-margot-robbie-nicole-kidman [Accessed 8 Jan. 2019].

The Importance of Not Over-Buying Fashion

I've had this top in my wardrobe for over a year now and have not yet worn it out. All it sees is the inside of my wardrobe and has never enjoyed the outdoors. I don't really know why I haven't worn it - I bought it in the Zara sale and thought it was a bargain. It's my style and it pretty comfortable...

This is one of the biggest issues in the fashion industry. We are all fuelled by over-consumption, to keep buying and buying even when we don't need to. This creates an astronomical demand for more garments, many of them are poor quality and manufactured in the worst conditions. So, why do we do it? Why do we continue to spend when we don't need to.

I am 1000% guilty of this. I must admit I don't always buy full price, I love to slap a student discount on top or wait until the sales, but I think this is half of my problem.

I tend to buy things because they have a discount, not because I truly want or need them. There are some essential pieces I could really do with in my wardrobe - I just can't bring myself to buy them. Yet as soon as there is a sale on, my basket seems to be full of items I really do not need. Anyone else like this?

We all need to be a little more conscious of what we are buying and why we are buying it. Going forward, I'm not going to buy items unless it's what I really need. If it happens to go into the Christmas sales - GREAT even better!

It's no secret that our planet is suffering due to our over consumption of pretty much everything. We can all make small changed which will help lessen the damage we cause. What are you going to do to improve your footprint on the environment...and you wallet!

Top: Zara

Leggings: Miss Selfridge

Bag: Dorothy Perkins

My Favourite Skincare Brand

I've always loved skincare and trying new products. I've been blessed with good skin  - I very rarely break out, however, I do understand the importance of looking after it and finding the balance between great skincare and not spending a small fortune.

I came across Nip+Fab a few years ago. It was the Dragon Blood Pumping Serum - originally £20 down to £7 at Superdrug so I thought I'd give it a go. Many skincare items I find do not make an immediate difference but with this product it did!

It made my skin feel extremely soft and hydrated, I can vouch and say that it made my skin feel plump too - something which I've never experienced with any other skincare brand.

After this amazing discovery I decided to delve deeper into their products and try some others. I then picked up the Glycolic Fix Overnight Purifying Gel - it's a thick gel which you leave on overnight then wash off in the morning. It makes you skin feel rejuvenated and hydrated. I love this for an intense surge of moisture and renewal.

About the Brand

The website states that "Nip+Fab is the sister brand to Rodial, founded by entrepreneur Maria Hatzistefanis. Providing targeted treatments to specific skin concerns at highly affordable prices, Nip+Fab is aimed at the more mass market customer."
I know Rodial to be a higher range of skincare and cosmetics - Nip+Fab is their baby sister if you like yet still provide amazing products at a lesser price.

Hacks

So, despite Nip+Fab being more afforfable than some skincare products, some of their items can still set you back £15+. HOWEVER, I have a hack for you. Superdrug often do money off Nip+Fab so keep an eye out and stock up when they do. If you're a student you can also use your student discount onto to get an extra 10/20% off!

If you're not a student and still want to save money have a look in TKMAXX. They often have Nip+Fab skincare in their at a very discounted price. At the weekend I picked up The Beesting Fix Repairing Shot with should be £25 and I got it for £7

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Is Louis Vuitton Going Cat Crazy?

As I was strolling through Selfridges - as any Millennial casually does - I couldn't help but notice that Louis Vuitton has appeared to have turned into that crazy lady who lives a few doors down who owns one too many cats. They have gone cat crazy!

The cats featuring on their famous monogrammed designs are down to the Louis Vuitton X Grace Coddington collection which launched on November 2nd. Grace is a fashion editor and self-professed animal lover - hence the inspiration for this collection.



I can't help but fall in love with the cat designs - as a cat owner myself I find myself wanting every piece of this collection. Although something quite different for Louis Vuitton, I really love the playfulness of this collection and how lighthearted it is. The designs themselves are as usual, ever so chic, but with a playful twist featuring the mischievous illustrated cats sprawled across the designs.



The popup at Selfridges is very, very Louis. Monogramming or "Catogramming" was everywhere - it was if we were transported into a Louis Vuitton world.
The staff manning the popup were wearing Louis Vuitton pyjamas - all with the cat designs on them - which once again seemed playful and relaxed, a world away from what we traditionally think of a designer popup being like.



Compared to the Gucci popup at Selfridges which I wrote about on here the other week, I much preferred this popup. I felt the products were displayed in a way which encouraged you to touch and feel and interact with. They were displayed at different heights and all around the room rather than just on one cabinet.

A Millennial Looks at The Biggest AW18 Trends You Must Be Wearing - Edited

I might be slightly late to the party with this post, but I have recently discovered Edited - a fashion platform which analyses, predicts and explains trends in so much depth I could be lost in that website for hours. I wanted to delve into the AW18 trends to break down what you should keep your eye out for in your next shop.

Animal Print

(Magdafinefashion.com, 2018)



If you haven't seen any animal print in the shops then I'm afraid you've been living under a rock. Animal print is everywhere, and in my opinion is this seasons biggest trends. Zebra, leopard and snake print are dominating the highstreet as well as premium brands. You can go all out with the animal print, wearing printed trousers or knitwear - or you can keep it more lowkey with some animal print accessories: earrings scarves and bags.
Below are some of the retailers who feature the most animal print garments within their stores by product count.



(App.edited.com, 2018)

 

 

Flared Trousers

. (Leaper, 2018)

The 70's called, they want their flares back! It's no secret that trends do a 360 and come back around ever so often. This may not seem a wearable trend to younger generations as we're used to super skinny everything, however it's a trend which I find quite chic. It adds a different silhouette to your outfit and can make someone who is possibly more straight in figure have a little more curve to their body - the desired hourglass look.
Below are some of the retailers who feature the most flared garments within their stores by product count.


(App.edited.com, 2018)

Pleated Skirts

. (Agorye et al., 2018

Pleated skirts are one of those items which are both practical and stylish. Many pleated skirts on the highstreet are midi and therefore more practical for the colder months. Pleated skirts can look elegant and classy or pretty damn cool depending on how you style them. I think they look best with a roll neck, some comfy heeled boots and a tonal jacket and bag. Again, comfy, practical and on trend.

. 
(App.edited.com, 2018)


Bibliography


App.edited.com. (2018). Log In | EDITED Accounts. [online] Available at: https://app.edited.com/#trend/animal-print-women [Accessed 23 Nov. 2018].
Magdafinefashion.com. (2018). Timeless Fashion Trends for Women. [online] Available at: http://www.magdafinefashion.com/timeless-fashion-trends-for-women.php [Accessed 23 Nov. 2018].

App.edited.com. (2018). Log In | EDITED Accounts. [online] Available at: https://app.edited.com/#trend/flared-trousers-women [Accessed 23 Nov. 2018].
Leaper, C. (2018). Flared Trousers - How To Wear The Trend For Spring 2015. [online] Marie Claire. Available at: https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/fashion/shopping/flared-trousers-how-to-wear-the-trend-for-spring-2015-120884 [Accessed 23 Nov. 2018].

App.edited.com. (2018). Log In | EDITED Accounts. [online] Available at: https://app.edited.com/#trend/pleated-skirts-women [Accessed 23 Nov. 2018].

Agorye, J., Agorye, J., Dokubo, T., Agorye, J., Dokubo, T., Dokubo, T. and Dokubo, T. (2018). Infinite Pleats Please! Trendy Ways To Style The Metallic Pleated Skirt – Style Rave. [online] Stylerave.com. Available at: https://www.stylerave.com/2017/11/infinite-pleats-please-trendy-ways-style-metallic-pleated-skirt/ [Accessed 23 Nov. 2018].