Birthday Haul

If you come here often you'll know that last week it was my 16th birthday (post here), and that I went on a mammoth two shopping trips with my friends one day and family another. As is customary for me every year, I went into town, armed with my vouchers and birthday money, and blew it all on beautiful things! A birthday comes but once a year after all. I thought it was about time to show you all what I managed to get my hands on, including both purchases and some rather perfect gifts, so let's dive in.

H&M gold chain

This gold chain from H&M was £7.99 which is a complete bargain if you take into consideration how much I've worn it so far (at least 5 times already)! I've been after one like it for a while now and after failing to find one on eBay for a responsible price I was more than a little happy to find this beauty. It's quite a heavy piece of jewelry which I find quite comforting for some reason. Perhaps because it reassures me that it's good quality. Either way, it looks divine   

Gifted blue jeans

After repeatedly mentioning my admiration of my friend Kelsie's jeans, a pair of light blue high waisted "mom jeans", she thought I'd appreciate her buying me a pair for my 16th. She was right! You might also have seen my post on the Topshop pair like these which again shows just how much I was lusting after them. These are going to become such a wardrobe staple for me; they're so easy to style.

Black geometric H&M dress 

This dress is quite minimal in detail but the cut of it is amazing. Unfortunately the pictures don't do it justice but the neckline comes down in a sharp V and the overlay mullet skirt is a gorgeous sheer fabric. I wore it out to dinner last week with my black chunky boots, the gold necklace pictured above and the bomber jacket pictured bellow. 

 Sheer H&M bomber

(Pink silk under fabric to demonstrate sheerness) 

With my love of 90s fashion I have to wonder whether a better jacket for me exists? Probably not. As the weather gets warmer this is going to be just perfect, and the sheer fabric means it won't cover up any ensembles that I'm particularly proud of. 

White mesh River Island skirt

White is going to be my colour for spring and this sports luxe style River Island skirt is the perfect example. The mesh side detailing and crispness of it make any outfit seem undeniably stylish.

 Blue clutch bag

My friend Maria bought me this slouchy blue clutch bag with slight gold detailing. It's large enough to work as a day or night bag and the soft leather means it can look either casual or can be dressed up. The colour also works really well with my new jeans.

 Primark Denim cap

Again my obsession with the 90s shows in this stonewashed denim cap from Primark. I've already worked this into several outfits and once the sun decides to make an appearance, hopefully fairly soon, you'll be bound to see an outfit post that includes it.

Silver ear cuff

This is another present from the amazing Kelsie, and as you can see she has a real eye for pieces that I'll fall in love with! This silver ear cuff with pearl and diamond detailing is somewhat futuristic, and I can't wait to style it with a minimalist looking outfit so that it's the center of attention.

Grey Primark Tracksuit top

At first glance I know that this doesn't seem the most stylish of items, but you'll just have to trust me and wait for an outfit post to find out more about this one!

Two strap black Primark heels 

  

I mentioned my love of simple two strap shoes a while ago in a post, and finally managed to get some. Surprisingly they were from Primark! It's safe to say that these beauties will work with most of my wardrobe due to their simple design and colouring. 

So there you have it, my birthday through clothes. Which of the pieces is your favourite? 

Thanks for reading, 

Bethany Paige X

Meet Kyle

Everybody, meet Kyle. 

He's one of my best friends. I've know him since year 7, because we go to the same school. We share classes. I sit next to him in RE and hang out with him in form a lot too. I listen to him talk about his huge crush on Mila Kunis (a lot). We go out together, us and the rest of our group of friends at the weekends or in the holidays, and he never fails to make me laugh. He's had his hard times, just like every teenager, but he still manages to smile everyday. Plus he gives the best hugs if you're feeling down! It sounds like the normal story, right? Kyle is just your average teenage boy that I happened to meet in school and got close to. Well, there's something slightly different to this story. The school we share is an all girls school. Kyle was born Kayleigh.

Kayleigh jokingly said a few months ago, "you should all use male pronouns in school when referring to me. It will totally mess with the teacher's heads!" It was a harmless joke at the time, it had no meaning, and sure enough we all did just that. Looking back now though, I can see it clearer. As far as I can tell Kyle was fighting to talk, but was too frightened to be heard.  It's understandable; I can't even begin to imagine what it must feel like being trapped in a body that you simply can't relate to. First of all having to come to terms with it yourself, and then having to verbalize how you feel to the people closest to you, and eventually the world. I don't know how a person can survive that. They somehow do though, everyday we live among people just like us that are transgender. Strength is one of the attributes that makes Kyle so amazing. He's managed to overcome the problems that life has thrown his way and at only 16 years old he's had to deal with more than most people in their lives.

It's unfortunate that people today are so judgmental especially with the kind of information available at our fingertips. I guess that's the sad way of the modern world. People are constantly judging us because of our attributes. Hair colour. Skin colour. Sexual orientation  Gender. Who we want to be in the world. Sometimes it harmless, but sometimes it's the complete opposite. People being spiteful and hateful and even worse verbalizing their hate, that's the kind of people that Kyle has to face. Whether it's anonymously on Tumblr or in person, it seems to me like he's constantly having to deal with put downs. It hurts me to even think about some of the things that have been said to him. I don't understand how people can think that such a life changing time for Kyle is "just for attention" or funny. It's pure ignorance.

That's where you guys come in to this story. Even if you don't know someone who's transgender, I'm asking you to be the person who understands. That's all it takes, a greater knowledge of what being transgender means, the impact it can have on people and what you can do to help. I had to educate myself on it so that I could try my best to be there for Kyle if he needs me. After all, it's a lot easier to be the one helping someone who's transgender than being them yourself isn't it?

It only takes a few minutes to learn something new and make the world a more understanding place.
http://www.transgendercare.com/
http://www.outhouseeast.org.uk/transgender-info.html


Thanks for reading,
Bethany Paige X

Quiet brilliance

Minimalism within fashion is commonly mistaken as being basic, when in actual fact creating something that encompasses relaxed silhouettes and neutral tones yet still celebrates the female form, is anything but. There’s less to hide behind. Tailoring and cuts have to be exact, stitching precise and the wearer has to have complete confidence that they can carry off something so uncluttered. After so many seasons of outrageous adornments and shocking shades it was somewhat more surprising to see stripped back style on the catwalks of A/W13 last week. Of course there’s bound to be a minimal stream at every fashion week, but this year it seems we've reached the ocean. Designers came in full force at LFW showcasing clean cuts and colours that somehow outshone even the brightest of ensembles.

Antonio Berardi

Antino Berari's quietly perfect collection used blocks of black and grey to create simplistic yet feminine pieces. Tailoring was used to give strength to the collection and each outfit had a air of merciless power surrounding it. A simple heel and slicked back hair was all that was needed to complete the looks seamlessly.

J.JS Lee 

J.JS Lee created a more relaxed take on the style. Pastel colours and unconventional  geometric hemlines gave a playful touch to the otherwise whitewashed and simplistic garments. The looks as a whole seem almost thrown together and completely effortless.

Lucas Nascimento

The sleek fabrics in Lucas Nascimento's collection made the modernity of his clothes even more evident, with soft leathers and the occasional touch of silk. Cocooning shapes and high necks accentuated the minimalism of the looks, and accessories were nonexistent  The deep inky blues, pops of mustard, and lavish beige colours supplied a lady-like elegance to the whole collection.

JW Anderson 

The JW Anderson collection's brilliance was within the cut. Geometric unevenness, leg slits, and exaggerated sleeves kept the basic colours and lack of print from protruding into being boring. The thick fabrics gave a slightly androgynous feel which was further amplified through the bright white flats.

In my opinion, one of the biggest successes within fashion is being able to create a stylish outfit that looks effortless yet sophisticated. The breath of fresh air that whipped through the London catwalks last week did just that, and made it blatantly clear that minimalism can make the biggest statement.

Thanks for reading, 
Bethany Paige X

Valentino dresses and LFW

London is very quickly becoming the place where my heart is. There’s something about it as a city that makes it just magical, and it’s undeniable that for anyone who’s interested in fashion it’s the place to be. I think it’s all in the atmosphere. The vibe you get in London is an immense, continuous flow of excitement which will instantly cause you to feel excited with it. At least, that’s how it makes me feel! Even on your normal Tuesday the city is charismatic beyond compare, but today is no usual Tuesday. Today is Tuesday the 19^th of February 2013, also known as the last day of London Fashion Week, and I was lucky enough to take a trip up to London and experience the buzz of LFW first hand.

In actual fact it was a (very) happy accident that I had the opportunity to be in my favourite city on such a huge day in fashion. As a birthday present from my Mum and Step Dad I was given a pair of tickets to go see an exhibition at Somerset House – “Valentino: Master of Couture” As though this wasn't enough it just so happened that my Mum booked the tickets for today, and if you know LFW well you might also know that Somerset house is the home of the Topshop Show Space and so in turn, also the home of many a fashion show this year. 11 fashion shows to be precise. This meant that by the time we arrived to look at the inevitably gorgeous dresses that awaited us, the whole courtyard was a pool of stylish movement. It was, pardon my sounding dramatic, quite a mind altering moment for me. The whole day solidified even more to me that working within the fashion industry is my ultimate aim.

Anyway, let’s get down to the real reason I went to London, shall we? The title of the exhibition says it all, Valentino really is the master of couture. His dresses have graced the bodies of some of the most influential women in the world for 50 years, and his reputation as haute couture emperor seems untouchable. Known for their trade mark red gowns, christened as “Valentino red”, the couture lines can only be seen as a symbol of high fashion. 

The exhibition showcased a total of 137 outfits for the Valentino woman, as well as Princess Marie-Chantal’s wedding gown and numerous achieved letters and pictures. Within the archives a hand written note from the legendary Vogue editor Anna Wintour simply amazed me. The dresses were obviously what made the exhibition though, and caused me much like many other fashion lovers I’m sure to become somewhat overwhelmed and emotional. The white washed room contained some of the most intricately embellished and complex designs I've seen, creating the perfect contrast. All I can say is that if you're even slightly considering taking a trip to London to see it, Valentino: Master of Couture will not in any way disappoint.

Myself next to the Valentino rose

I wear - Black midi dress from Select, sheer bomber from H&M, gold chain from H&M, snakeskin Chelsea boots from Topshop. 

The exhibition's entrance complete with signs in, of course, Valentino red. 

Valentino himself in the exhibition hall (this image does not belong to Paige of Fashion) 

The best part is that I'm no less enthused than when leaving Somerset House 10 hours ago! That just shows how amazing the exhibition was; it was truly inspirational. Today has created another memory that shall last a lifetime. 

Thanks for reading, 

Bethany Paige X

So, this is how a 16 year old dresses?

This weekend is one of those times that will last forever in my memory; it's been beyond amazing. As you may know, I turned 16 on Saturday and have spent the whole weekend celebrating my birthday with my family and closest friends. I've managed to cram a lot into the past two days, and I mean a lot! 

On Saturday I was surprised with a trip to Lakeside for a shopping spree by my Dad and Step Mum. I'm sure you'll agree that this was an extremely well judged gift considering that shopping has to be my favourite past time! I managed to get some really gorgeous pieces which I'll be sure to show you in a haul post very soon. I was then lucky enough to go out for possibly the biggest meal of my life with my friends Maria and Kelsie. I wore a deep red midi dress that I bought during the day with my H&M black boots and spike necklace. I also had a new gold clutch courtesy of Maria to complete the look.

From left - Maria, myself and Kelsie. 

Today I went for the second of my two birthday shopping trips (how lucky am I?!) this time with Maria and Kels, and also bagged some amazing clothes and accessories which I'll show you soon. Obviously a much more casual look was required in comparison to my evening out so I chose to wear a new pair of "mom" jeans that the wonderful Kelsie bought me, and a grey roll neck jumper which I chopped the sleeves off this morning! Again, I wore my H&M black boots and used a simple brown satchel bag to carry my essentials for the day in (not pictured). 

So there you have it, my first two outfits as a 16 year old. I hope you all had an amazing weekend like me! 

Thanks for reading, 

Bethany Paige X

Not a Valentine's day post

It may not surprise for you to know that valentine's day has not been my top priority today, my attention has be entirely on my one true love - fashion. In fact in my eyes today isn't to be considered valentines at all, it's "the day before London Fashion Week begins". It's the day before the biggest names in fashion flock to my own capital city to debut and watch the fashion shows that will shape the trends. It's the day before twitter, instagram and blogger explode with enthusiasm for designers and their beautiful A/W clothes. It's a look into the future of fashion.

Of course I won't be at the real shows (oh I wish) but thanks to the technological age we're in, a lot of the shows are lived streamed online. So, until the day when I will be sitting in the front row, the comfort of my sofa seems to be the second best thing! I've managed to narrow down the shows within the next few days that are absolute must sees for me. I'm hoping to be able to watch as many as humanly possible in between my birthday celebrations, and my phone alarms are lined up ready! Dedication or ludicrousness? I like to think a bit of both.

My must sees:

Find the complete LFW schedule here. 

I'll be sure to keep you all updated with my style musings throughout the shows both here and on twitter (@PaigeOfFashion) so watch this space.

Thanks for reading, 
Bethany Paige X

Blow out the candle and make a wishlist

Am I the only one who still gets insanely excited about approaching birthdays? Regardless, in less than 3 days it will be mine and I'm absolutely buzzing! I can't help it, birthdays will always be excitement arousing for me. There's something about the cake, present unwrapping and having the people I love around me that makes me revert to my childish self. Although this does seem to happen more than I care to admit, including whilst out shopping. I go on big shopping sprees roughly twice a year, the day after boxing day and the day after my birthday (February 17th) and this year I intend it to be no different .On Sunday I will head into town, birthday money in hand, ready to raid the rails of some of my favourite shops and inevitably buy far too much. Before then however it seems only right to blow out the metaphorical blogger candle and make a birthday wishlist.

Here are some pieces I'd be glad to add to my wardrobe:

Ring detail harness - £30 Topshop

Ever since I saw the simply stunning designs on the Hervé Léger S/S catwalk I've been lusting after harnesses. Unfortunately, they aren't exactly widely available and when they are they're unjustifiably expensive. Enter Topshop. This gorgeous black harness with ring detail is absolutely jaw dropping, and only a fraction of the price of some of its designer counter pieces. It's hard to imagine looking anything but like a rock star in this.  

Black split tube skirt - £22 Topshop

Sparkle & Fade basic split midi - £28 Urban Outfitters 

I've been wanting a side split pencil skirt for a while now purely because I think it's a welcome addition to in any wardrobe. The versatility of the two pictured is undeniable. In summer with a basic t-shirt and in winter with thick tights and an oversized jumper. Perfect. 

Pink Plastic A-Line skirt - £25 Topshop

Perhaps a little less versatile than a black skirt, but none the less still beautiful! It was only in my last post that I mentioned my adoration of this coming season's plastic trend, then I found this pink plastic A-line skirt from, of course, Topshop and fell in love with it a little more. 

Vintage renewal 90s denim dungarees - £40 Urban Outfitters 

90s. Denim. Oversized. 3 words that are like fashionable music to my ears! These Vintage Renewal dungarees from Urban Outfitters are basically the definition of everything I love, and having them in my wardrobe would certainly not be a bad thing. I'm also lacking in casual clothes at the moment making their credentials even higher. 

Casio gold face watch - £40 Urban Outfitters 

Another item I've been after for a while now is this Gold Casio watch, and after getting my black one for Christmas it's got first place on my accessories wishlist. 

Meyers light up sneakers - £83.87 Nasty Gal

Here comes that childish side again. Plastic light up trainers! I can't help but remember the light up school shoes that were so popular throughout my childhood, and wonder whether perhaps that's what drew me to these. I love the slightly clear plastic material and the super modern look they would give any outfit. Did I mention they light up? 

Soon enough I will be 16 and will also hopefully have a few new items in my wardrobe to show for it. 

Thanks for reading, 
Bethany Paige X

Clearly styish

As the skies begin to get clearer this spring, it seems so too will the clothes. There's no bigger fabric for S/S13 than transparent plastics and clear perspex for a playful take on the season's looks. Gone are the days  when sheer fabrics were considered the height of revealing, and in their place completely see-through garments with only the slight hint, if any, of opaque detailing. Designers including Charlotte Ronson,Valentino, and christoper Kane had models parading in plastic clothing down their S/S runways, with the likes of Givenchy, Dior and Stella McCartney leading the way for rigid perspex accessories. 

I must wonder whether this is one of the most genius trends of the season for fashion lovers everywhere. After all, why would you want to hide your warmer weather wardrobe under jackets, or your new pedicure in classic pumps? It can only be seen as a waste. With such as stylish solution however, the possibilities this spring are endless.

Charlotte Ronson:

Bomber jackets were the plastic picks at Charlotte Ronson. Their transparent natures take the normally punk inspired jackets into airy territory  making them the perfect spring cover-up. They also have a hint of sports luxe about them, meaning more casual looks are also easily achieved. 

Valentino:

Valentino made plastic romantic with this clear trench coat that seems to be the target of affection for many a fashion follower. It's an unexpected pairing that works as a breath of fresh air from the usual thick or silky fabrics used in such coats. 

Stella McCartney (right) Gucci (left):

If there's any bag to have this season it's the perspex clutch. Stella McCartney used deep yellow, almost gold, tones to give and extravagant edge, whilst Gucci kept theirs sharply modern in completely clear plastic. Also note the lack of bright nail varnishes, keeping the look sleek. 

Givenchy: 

The modernity of Givenchy's accessories this S/S is undeniable. Geometric shapes and metallic touches bring the shoes and neck cuffs even further into the future. 

I think it's time to embrace the artificial, don't you?

Thanks for reading, 

Bethany Paige X

Happy first birthday

12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,766 hours, 525,945 minutes, and 31,556,736 seconds. One whole year of fashion blogging. A whole year of research and writing, of picture finding and sharing, and of lovely comments making me smile. Today is officially Paige of Fashion's first birthday! 

This time last year I decided to start a blog, completely unaware of the world I was entering to, with just a love of fashion and a hope of sharing my love with others. Maybe it sounds cliche, but over this past year blogging has become such a huge part of my life that the idea of living without it seems impossible. I'm honestly not sure what I did with my time before Paige of Fashion was born! 

It's never a chore having to write a post. In fact quite the opposite; it's a pleasure. I look forward to sitting down in the evenings with a fresh punch of inspiration, to compose something that I hope is read and enjoyed by people everywhere. Not only that, but blogging has been one of the biggest learning curves in my life to date. I've found my writing style and learnt how to express myself more successfully. Reading as many blogs as I possible also gives me an insight into the fashion minds of other people, and inspires me to try different things that I probably wouldn't even have thought of. 

I think that the key to blogging is having dedication to what you love. You have to push through that awkward, early stage when you're posting and it seems like nobody is listening, and realise that you're still enjoying it and have no reason to stop. If I wasn't absolutely set on the idea of sharing my thoughts on style 12 months ago, it's blindingly obvious that I would have given up a long time ago. Dedication to fashion and writing is something that I'm not lacking however, as you may have noticed! 

So now, one whole year since that first post, I can only express my gratitude to be a part of such an amazing community. I like to think of this as just the beginning.

Bethany Paige X

Rain, rain go away.

The unfortunate thing about living in England at this time of year is having to battle against the inevitably bad weather. The tornado-ish winds and drenching rain mean disheveled hair, bedraggled clothes and black mascara circles around eyes. Not the best of looks I'm sure you'll agree. Walking home today in the rain made me realize just how impractical my current everyday coat (pictured here) is in such weather. The fabric it's made of is anything but waterproof and consequently I ended up absolutely soaked by the time I got to my front door. 

Maybe I've been trying to convince myself that the sun is just around the corner and I have no need to buy something a little more suitable, but now I think I'm starting to realize that I'm kidding myself. After all, in the UK it seems to rain all but 10 days a year! So perhaps it is about time to buy something that actually fulfills the purpose of a jacket. If you're anything like me though the term "practical" rings alarm bells. "Practical" conjures up images of tracksuit bottoms and trainers. "Practical" is the opposite style, right? Well, not quite. After doing a little research I was able to find some absolutely gorgeous jackets that will still withstand the classic English weather. It looks like it's time to take the plunge into practicality.

Topshop - Tie dye parka £65

Topshop - Pink clear plastic jacket £36

Miss Selfridge - White leather biker £165

Topshop - Don't hate appreciate jacket £55

Nasty Gal - Camille Trench Coat £55.53

Nasty gal - Luster anorak £157.76

Which of these is your favourite? 

Thanks for reading, 

Bethany Paige X