OOTN: All black everything

Last week I posted about the fact that I had been invited to a party with a rather strict dress code - "All black everything". As a mentioned at the time, this sent me into a bit of a frenzy! Desperate to find a fabulous LBD that would stand out, I originally began hunting online for an outfit especially for the event. This was before I remembered a French Connection number which I've had hidden in my wardrobe for at least a year without wear (how this happened I'm not quite sure).

As soon as I rediscovered the long sleeved black mini dress, I suddenly had a moment of fashion clarity and knew exactly what to pair it with! I wasn't going to pass up an oppurtunity to wear my Lita boots now was I? I also added my oversized woven clutch with black leather trim and gold clasp - although this did perhaps slightly bend the rules - to carry all of my essentials, camera included.

As promised, here are some OOTN pictures which were quickly snapped on the way: 

 

Dress - French connection, boots - Truffle Shuffle, clutch (bellow) - Primark

 The beautiful Kelsie and myself

 The stunning Shana and myself

I suppose it goes without saying that the heels were removed half way through the night to allow for dancing, but still, prior to that I absolutely adored this look!

I hope you're all having a nice weekend, 
Bethany Paige X

Riviera culture

France: The fashion capital of the world. Famed for its effortlessly chic clothing, France is undeniably one of the most important countries on the style map. Just a mention of the name is enough to conjure thoughts of a buzzing Parisian fashion week, or the copious boutiques that cover the land within the minds of anybody vaguely acquainted with the design industry!

Perhaps the most prominent of the many styles associated with French culture is that of the Riviera. The minimal tailoring, injections of animal print and almost stereotypical stripes mean that every summer, if not throughout the whole year, fashion lovers are saying left saying “ooh la la” to the look! The colour pallet is simple – it’s all about blues, blacks and whites – with the basic rules of pairing coming into play. Despite this simplicity though, the style remains endlessly fashionable. 

Get the look

Bethany Paige X

OOTD: My summer shorts

You know those items in your wardrobe that you go through phases of wearing almost constantly? Those pieces that it pains you to put in the wash because you know you'll have to go a significant amount of time without them? Well, these grey shorts are one of those items! 

Over the past month I've blended them into numerous outfits because they are truly the best pair of summer shorts I own. On top of being possibly the comfiest thing in my wardrobe, they're unbelievably flattering (thank you high waist and long leg) and of course are also extremely versatile. Perhaps they don't seem like the normal fashion basic, after all the style tends to lend itself more towards the gym than the streets, but they seem to work as a surprisingly stylish staple. 

Considering the amount of times I've pulled these on over the last four weeks, it seems only right to show you one of the OOTDs! Here I've mixed the grey shorts with a simple black crop top, my sheer bomber jacket and lace up sandals. 

 Bomber - H&M, crop top - unknow, shorts - uniqlo, shoes - Topshop.

I hope you've all had a lovely weekend,
Bethany Paige X

All black everything

"All black everything" - The dress code that was specified for a party which I will be attending next week. At first look it seems pretty simple, after all perhaps the easiest of ensembles is that which revolves around the trusty LBD! However, after putting a little more thought into the concept, the whole dress code seemed a lot more daunting. Suddenly the question of what to wear was clouded over with a worry of blending in. I realised that with everyone wearing the same colour, having a stand out look becomes somewhat more tricky!

In a room full to the brim with multicoloured sparkles and bright bodycons, the little black dress can make the loudest statement. It will forever have a classic beauty surrounding it. So, what about if everyone wears the LBD? Does it lose its punch? Well, I'm inclined to say "yes".

This thought set me on a mission for my fellow LBD lovers and blending in haters. I've scoured the internet for some of the best black dresses around (it's hard wok being a fashion blogger) just in case you encounter a situation such as mine, where you need a stand out LBD among the masses. Luckily, the high street at my finger tips didn't disappoint. I found some little black beauties!

As for my outfit for the party, you're just going to have to wait and see! An OOTN will be creeping on to Paige of Fashion at some point next week no doubt. 

Bethany Paige X

200 blog posts and counting

On the 7^th of November last year I ended my post with the words “Here's to another 100”. If you've been a Paige of Fashion reader for quite some time, plus you have a rather amazing memory, you may well know that I was referring to blog posts.  I had just reached the milestone of having written 100 of the things! Sure enough, 9 months later and I’m yet again celebrating a similar, yet perhaps even more rewarding event. I have indeed reached the big 200!

Again, I can only look back at the many hours I've spent writing about one of my biggest loves and wonder what I would have done for the past year and half without Paige of Fashion. Despite the fact that I came into the world of blogging utterly unaware of the huge effect it would have on me, it’s undeniable that it now lies as one of my top priorities. When I’m not constructing posts I'm planning, or researching or in some way thinking about them! I suppose that says a lot about the extent to which I enjoy what I do.

On top of the obvious fact that it provides me a lot of enjoyment, I feel that writing for Paige of Fashion has also made me grow as a person. Since reaching my 100^th post my writing style has been further solidified and I feel confident in the way that I express my views. I’m less afraid to say what I think, which previously wasn't the case. I feel as though through writing I’m able to be very truthful about what I like, and occasionally dislike, regarding fashion as well as some other topics too. On top of that, I know that as a community all of you beautiful bloggers are always open to hearing the opinions of others, mine included!

I truly have met some of the most amazing people through blogging, even though it’s not face to face. I can’t help but feel like I’m part of a very large (and very fashionable) family! So over 200 followers, a lot of comments and even more page views later, my biggest thanks lie with you all. To those of you that have been reading since the beginning or have only just followed a few days ago, thank you for your help in making Paige of Fashion what it is today.

I could ramble on about how amazing it is to be a blogger and how wonderful you all really are forever, but I get the feeling that a few months down the line I will be writing something similar for when I reach the 300 blog post mark. Let’s just say that I can’t see my blogging days being over any time soon!

Bethany Paige X

If I had all the money in the world

Not just the lyrics to a Gwen Stefani song (or a the fiddler on the roof song for those of you that are theater goers) but in fact words that you will often hear me saying. I'm sure I'm not alone in the fashion blogger community, after all we are a bunch of label lusters aren't we? It's undeniable that, although the majority of things I buy are quite thrifty, I have a lot of love for designer items too. Unfortunately, I don't have the kind of money that warrants me buying numerous Louis Vuitton bags or Chanel jackets a year! Still, a girl can dream.

On top of the pieces that I have a temporary love for - those catwalk winners that would look great for a season and then slowly fade into the untouched realms of my wardrobe - there are also those beautiful items that every fashionista knows would become wardrobe staples.

So for a moment, let's pretend that I do have all the money in the world to do with what I want. Ignore my lack of funding and I'll take you on a tour of my wannabe wardrobe staples!

A Michael Kors bag:

 $358 

A Louis Vuitton bag:

Louboutons:

£525 

A Michael Kors watch:

£259 

Chanel little black jacket:

Skinny J Brand's:

£197.94 

Maybe someday, I'll have enough money in my piggy bank to buy just one of these dream pieces... or maybe not!

What would be your perfect designer wardrobe staple? 
Bethany Paige X

My time away

Yet again I must start a blog post with these words - I'm back! After a week in London on my NCS scheme I am once again back home, although similarly to last time, only for a very short period before I head off to Devon tomorrow. A few people asked me to post some pictures of my time away and who am I to argue? So, here are a few of my snaps from both Wales and London to give you all a little insight into my life for the past two weeks. 

Just a warning, this post is very selfie heavy! 

Hope and I

Danny, Brenya, Reiss, Hope and I

Hollie, Meg, Emma, Kayleigh, Hope, Kels, and I 

Kels and I

Megan and I

kayleigh, Hollie and I

I hope you all had an amazing week like I did! 

Bethany Paige X