Possibly the Best dresses ever made?

Celeb Boutique dresses, admittedly; are situated at the higher end of the budget for an outfit to hit the clubs in. However, if you're looking for an outfit to accentuate your figure, stand out from the crowd but still make you feel classy- theres no other dress that can compare.

Here are some perfect examples.

'Jennifer' Cross Back Red Bandage Dress
£99.99

'Riemi' Grey Halterneck Bandage Dress
£110.00

'Lone' Hot Pink Bandage 2-Piece Set
£110.00

'Solange' Orange Cut-Out Bandage Dress
£115.00

'Ruiz' Hot Pink Cut-Out Bandage Dress 
£99.00

The Chip Shop Awards...

The Chip Shop Awards is about capturing creativity without boundaries or rules.

It is a competition all about creating advertisement ideas that are funny or genuinely good ideas, but with extremely bad taste.
They aren't anything relating to the brands they advertise, but are simply a marketers' and advertisers' way of expressing their wittiness, banter and creativity through a public competition.

Here a few examples that are bound to shock, but also make you laugh.

Best Iphone App: 

Best Use of Bad Taste- Oscar Pistorius: 

Best Use of Regional Dialect:

The Best use of Shocking Copy:

Best Use of Politically Incorrect: 

Best use of Politcally incorrect: 

Best work for any brand you haven't a hope of winning:

Best Consumer Ad or Campaign: 

Best Ad Applied to an Unusual Medium: 

Best Public Awareness:

Best Use of Bad Taste: 

Best Packaging Design:

Best Use of a Shop Window Postcard Space:

A Level Results!

As most of you will know, A Level results were released last Thursday.

I am very happy to announce that i got AAC and secured my place doing Marketing Bsc at Aston University in Birmingham starting in October! (YEYY)

Here is my home for the next 4 years!

2014 Summer Trends

This Summer 2014, the trends have been hot on their heels.
Many of the 'can't-go-without' fashion must-haves include:

Spaghetti straps
H&M £3.99

People are going crazy for cropped spaghetti strap tops this season, making them an easy match for skirts, skinnies and skirts- dressed up or dressed down!

Skorts
Debenhams £30

Skorts are an easy wear for a night out, with a range of different patterns that accentuate the legs for that all-time wanted 'model look'.

Floppy Hats
H&M £14.99

A must-have for a holiday of any description... a floppy-style sun hat can make any outfit look classy- especially matched with a  good pair of oversized sunnies.





Rounded Sunglasses
Le Specs £50

Hipster-esque rounded sunnies are all in this season, they give your outfit edge and style... oh and protect your eyes from the sun.

Kimonos
River Island £40

Kimonos are the perfect accessory to brighten up worn-down or simplistic outfits. They add colour, pattern and aren't too heavy to be worn in the summer months.







Bold Prints & Co-ords
Topshop £34

One of my all time favourites! I love bold prints and the new co-eds that have come in this season. Its a super-sofisticated style that'll be sure to make heads turn.

1-Strap Sandals/ Heels & Tan Leather Backpacks
Fiorelli £50
Kurt Geiger £49

A great way to add a classy and timeless look to any summer outfit. And whats more? They'll match with practically anything you choose.

White Lace
New Look £38

White lace is a lovely way of highlighting your tan and skin tones. It not only makes you feel classy, but also gives you a hint of Mediterranean style.









Don't go without this summer, to make sure you're on trend, why not go and treat yourself to a few items whilst the sun lasts!

For more fashion tips, advice and trends; visit www.glamour.co.uk

The Ultimate University Checklist!

As I will be starting University in September like many my age, now is the time i need to be getting myself ready with all the essentials- being careful not to overspend on the small budget I have.

I thought I'd make a list of the things that you wouldn't necessarily think of- or at least should come in handy when I'm there...

• A Door Wedge- to keep your door open during freshers week to enable a more friendly and inviting atmosphere. It'll ensure you'll make friends more easily, especially with your flatmates.
• Personal Item Insurance- Breaking or losing a phone, laptop or electrical cannot be replaced on a student budget; so insurance is a cost-friendly way to keep your valuables by your side through your uni years.
• Food Containers- Cooking on a budget can be hard! Make things in quantity and then freeze what you have left over for easy meals for upcoming evenings! Be careful not to take too much room in the freezer up though!
• Mattress Protector- Do you really want to be lying on the same mattress as all the students before you? No, thought not. A mattress cover gives you that...extra reassurance.
• Room Photos- Photographs of friends and family can help to make your room more homely and also add a little decoration to your new room.
• Multi-Plug Extension- This is a lifesaver for someone with a lot of appliances! It will allow you to plug more things in at once so you're not swapping over appliances and getting wires tangled.
• Tray- A tray will help if you ever fancy eating in your room or you've got hoards of cups, plates and cutlery lounging round in your room that you'll need to take back- preferably in one run!
• Railcard- A Student 16-25 Railcard will save you tonnes of money over the months of travelling being a student, particularly if you are located in a city or plan to commute home regularly.
• Laundry bag-A big laundry bag (IKEA style) will help you cart all of your dirty (and occasionally clean) laundry to and from the washing and drying machines with a little more ease.
• Clothes Horse- If you want to save a little money from the drying machines then invest in a clothes horse for your room to dry your clothes instead.
• Berocca- For all those mornings after when the hangovers are a little to harsh to bare. This vitamin concoction should have you up on your feet in no time!
• Storage Boxes- Making those extra things such as DVDs, extra quilts, Evening shoes and winter PJs a little easier to store in your room. They can also be used as transferring boxes at the start and end of the year to move your things.
• Ear Plugs- You're bound to need them at some point, whether you've got an exam the next day and its shouting at 4am or you just want to catch up with some shut-eye.
• Fancy dress- You never know when you'll be asked to dress as something ridiculous, so take some items down to save yourself some money whilst you're there!
• Pack of cards- This is a great way to socialise, particularly at the start of the year to get to know people when playing drinking games.
• Spare passport photos- You might need these for gym passes or during enrolling for your personal identity cards.
• Bottle opener- Something you'd definitely forget but definitely need.
• Desktop mirror- Just in case you don't have a close-up mirror in your room (providing you're a girl) you'll certainly need one to apply your evening make up.
• Coat hangers- These usually aren't provided, and its something almost everyone forgets.

Marketing Rivalry!

I love it when big businesses take an opportunity for some healthy and fun competition!

Here's a couple of examples of how marketing can get competitive even between the biggest and most prominent of companies.

AUDI & BMW

Here located in Santa Monaco, BMW made a billboard featuring their A4 model with the quote 'Your move, BMW'.

Audi soon struck back with a second billboard on the other side of the road which featured their 5 series model quoting 'Checkmate'. 

STELLA ARTOIS & NEWCASTLE ALE

In New York, Newcastle Ale took on Stella Artois in a special campaign to outline the 'no nonsense' strap line and approach to their branding.

In this particular rivalry, Stella begins with using their new 'posh' rebranding to quote that a beer glass is 'A chalice, not a glass.'

Whereby Newcastle replies with 'who uses the word chalice'- mocking the well known brand with its simple, yet effective branding. 

My 5 Make Up Must-Haves!

If you're like me, and you're working on a budget for your cosmetics (or at least you try to be) then its important to buy the right things for your make up bag!
Here of 5 of my favourites that i simply could not live without.

Lloydspharmacy.com £5.99
Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation
I use this foundation on a daily basis to cover blemishes and give me an even facial tone.
It does exactly what it says on the tin by being a lasting foundation throughout the day, and even works well to keep my other make up in place.
Also comes in a really wide range of tones, especially online, just make sure you get matched up correctly by a professional before buying!

Benefitcosmetics.co.uk £18.50
Benefit They're Real Push up Gel Eyeliner
Before I bought this gadget I never even used to try and attempt top eyeliner after one particular panda-like incident a few years ago.
However, after i was roped into a Benefit Cosmetics desk and tried it for myself, i was converted!
This makes eyeliner so easy, and never dries out- making it really easy to use time and time again.
Whats more? It doesn't smudge or transfer- ideal really!

Boots £5.99
Rimmel Natural Sun Bronzer
This bronzer is a simple 1-tone shimmery powder once applied, giving you a sun-kissed look- even throughout the winter months.
I find it really easy to apply on top of my foundation, giving me subtle colour at a really good price that cannot be refused.

Avon £3.50
Avon Gel Finish Nail Enamel 
I wasn't sure when i first bought this nail varnish about whether it would do what it promised.
I was surprised though, with just 2 coats the nail varnish worked really well and gave my nails a shiny salon-finish that lasted days!

BeautyBay.com £8.50
Wella SP Shine Leave In Conditioner 
This lovely-smelling gel product is perfect for my long wavy hair. I simply apply after getting out of the shower when my air is still wet before blow-drying, and it leaves my hair shiny and sleek.
Its a great product and can be bought at most salons.
If you like what your hairdresser puts onto your hair, ask them for a bottle or a name so you can buy online (maybe even cheaper)!

Whats getting me through this summer?

There are so many must-haves up for grabs on the shelves this Summer!
So here are a few of my absolute essentials this year.

H&M £5.99
White Summer Dress
The white summer dress has to be a must!
Its an item you can sneak in to almost any occasion and still look the part.
These days you can grab a real bargain and spruce the outfit up with a statement necklace and wedges.

www.therealthingjewellery.co.uk £145
Rose Gold Stainless Steel watch
Rose gold is definitely in this season and heres the perfect watch to match the trend.
I love this skagen watch because of its timeless finish and classy style which can be fixed with any outfit.
Its so sleek that i can even wear it on my writing hand without feeling it.

Boots £29.50
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
This foundation is perfect for long-lasting wear throughout the summer to winter months.
I limit my use to nights out only, as i find it can be quite heavy on the skin, although the wear is fantastic and keeps all of your make up in place.
Ideal for Ibiza-esque holidays- just make sure you buy a darker shade to match the dream holiday tan!

Kurt Geiger £39.00 reduced from £60
Miss KG 'Polly' Wedges 
Who could resist a Kurt Geiger sale?
I got these shoes a few days ago at a bargain price of just £39! They're perfect for long nights out where stilettos are a no-no as well as running around in during the day.
They're definitely my new found joy.

Superdrug £2.48
Garnier Intensive 7-Days Shea Butter Moisturiser  
This moisturiser is perfect for skin during the summer months!
Its a creamy thick moisturiser lasts for hours, and i find it even highlights your tan with outfits!
The smell is great too, which is always a bonus!

River Island £17
River Island Navy Floral Stripe Print Purse
This has to be one of my greatest purchases this year by far.
The pattern is perfect for summer with a black and white theme and coloured flowers.
Theres so many pockets in it that i even use the purse for nights out to hold my phone, lippy cards and cash- so no need for a big heavy clutch!
Its been a lifesaver at only £17!

River Island £30
River Island Light Blue Large Satchel/Backpack
I was lucky enough to have this bought for me by my boyfriend, so even more of a treat!
In fact, this bag has been great for me as I've been able to use it not only as a functional backpack; but also a satchel bag big enough for me to fit everything i need in it.
This isn't mentioned on the website, but it comes in really handy and suites any occasion because of its handy change in formality.

Welcome

Hi, I'm Elle. I love studying business, shopping and my blue dog; Dolly.

Welcome to my new blog; all about my thoughts and inspirations!

I plan to post about fashion, great buys and other quite pointless information, so follow me for more :)