RIP AMY WINEHOUSE

As many of you will already know by now, Amy Winehouse sadly died yesterday in her Camden flat. The news came as a shock to me, and if I'm honest I still have not come to terms with her death. I always knew this day would come, but I did not expect that day to be yesterday, while I was at a friend's party surrounded by celebration.

It is not yet known how Amy died, and although suspicion of drugs is inevitable after Amy's very public problems with addiction, to presume that her addiction was fatal is not right. Right now the world, in my opinion, should respect Amy Winehouse as a performer, a singer, a musician and one of the most talented songwriters of our generation. Frank and Back To Black are seminal albums, and it is through these phenomenal albums that Amy should be remembered. Her soulful voice will now become haunting, putting her alongside other tragic musicians who died at 27, such as Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison.

Amy Winehouse made an invaluable contribution to both music and fashion, and I am deeply saddened that such a talent has been lost so early in her life and career.  

She was just a girl with a voice and problems.

SHOOM'S ROOM

The Coveteur shot Adrienne Shoom's edgy but practical wardrobe recently, and I couldn't help but feel an affinity with the woman who proclaims "I can edit clothes- but I have a real problem with tossing out magazines...I just can't seem to throw them out!". The senior style director of Joe Fresh has stacks of glossy fashion magazines, from Pop to Love to Vogue to Harper's Bazaar...my heart says yes, but my bank balance says no. Even so, I've run out of bookshelf room and have had to begin stacking my Elles, Nylons and Stylists on my floor like some form of sculpture. After all, fashion is art.

This shelf is stacked full of Elle, ID, Love and Pop

 Some of my favourites

THE SELBY

The most recent shoot by The Selby is a pretty special one. Featuring Karen Inderbitzen-Walller, photographer and stylist, and Delphine Avril Planqueel, retoucher and lighting director, in their New Zealand home, the shoot captures one of the quirkiest, busiest and most interesting homes The Selby has seen in a while! Below are a few choice shots, but be sure to check out the whole collection here

My room is beginning to look like this, I have a lot of magazines

MALIBUTIQUE

MALIBOOM! While those of you in London and Manchester may have already experienced the fabulous Malibutique, here in Birmingham the fun has only just begun! The pop-up boutique attracted unsuspecting shoppers to see what all the fuss was about, and with my signature drink a Malibu and Coke (a double, if you would) I could hardly resist.

After waiting until respectable midday to be let in, Malibutique did not disappoint! As if the free Malibu cocktail wasn't enticing enough, the boutique offered style advice courtesy of Heat magazine and Lipsy, hair tutorials by GHD, fake tans from Fake Bake, manicures from Nails Inc and make-up tips and makeovers. Yes, all for free.

I took advantage of GHD, who showed me how to create Hollywood waves, while my friend at ispeakpolitics opted for a manicure in one of the three limited edition Malibu/ Nails Inc shades. 

  

 Oh, and of course we picked up our free cocktail.

So with the Malibutique sticking around until Sunday evening, what better way to spend a sunny day than with some complimentary pampering and a cool cocktail in hand? Oh yes, there is the free nail varnish too...

Kepe up to date with the Malibutique Twitter here ! Has anyone else visited? Which shade did you take home?

PROM WITH APLOMB

It was Friday. It was my Leavers' Ball. It wasn't that important to me, but my dresses certainly were. My Rodarte for Target dress is not only in my favourite colour, but carefully kept on the right side of feminine with the sheer material covering the black slip underneath and unexpeced satin shoulder bows.    

The details: six inch black peep toe heels and Moschino clutch. Assorted vintage bracelets

Vintage earrings

After the prom wound down at our venue, I changed into a red American Apparel jersey skirt/ dress for the afterparty. Incredibly short. Super sweet.

The morning after. Nothing better than a Ramone and harems to soothe away the sambucca

VA VA VINTAGE

Last weekend, on the 25th and 26th June, the Birmingham Pavilions played host to a Vintage, Fashion and Craft Fair. Stalls, although set in beautiful shopping centre surroundings, strayed away from high street product and instead sold a variety of authentic and reworked vintage clothes, jewellery and accessories, tempting visitors to pick up something completely unique! Local businesses sold alongside the online boutiques, allowing Birmingham to browse stunning summer dresses, vintage Levi's shorts, baskets full of scarves and ethical make-up from Samina (their products don't use any animal derived products, why just be beautiful when you could be ethical too?).

After a heavy week celebrating the end of exams my funds were somewhat limited, but as an out-and-out accessory addict I couldn't resist adding these two rings to my collection!
 

Did anyone else treat themselves? Let me know below!