Bad hair day? Bun it up in under 5 mins

Molly, willing as ever to humour my experiments, agreed to let me abuse her friendship and practise this messy bun do, described as "Really Easy", on her.

Before I confirm how easy it really is I should make it clear that I am not, by any description, one of those extremely capable young woman who posts YouTube videos on how to make yourself look like a super model in seconds.
You are much more likely to find me lying on the floor of my bedroom after knocking myself out with my hairdryer in an attempting to dry my hair. I joke not.
My endlessly patient father would inevitably end up with concussion after agreeing to let me, his then 5 year old daughter, practise my hairdresser skills on him and dry his thinning hair. 

Besides being really easy to achieve, I do think that this messy bun is a great alternative to your usual look, unless of course this is your usual look and you're wondering what all the fuss is about.

I recommend watching Quick & Messy Bun/Up-do to get this look and if you have some good looking styles, that are easy to create, please do share.

nikki

                                                        

Jeans for Genes day...or just for fun

Another great excuse for me to track down a brightly coloured pair of jeans and all for a good cause. You may not be able to choose your genes (well not yet), but even more reason to make sure you're making the right choice in the jeans department.


I usually have a rule about jeans fitting me perfectly before I am prepared to fork out for them, nothing unwise about that, but I was forced to break it on meeting this cute pair of cerise (and all this time your thought the photo's were over exposed and the red had gone pink) cuties.
They were apparently the last of the lot. 
I could her the lovely assistant thinking "Cerise is so summer and it's so Autumn. Are you stuck in the dark ages?"
While saying, "That is summer stock so we won't be getting more of those. We're now onto Autumn colours."


Great. Sky turns dull and so should we?
Not on my watch.
I did tone down the shoot with the Soviet Wall, as our Italian neighbour Marco calls it, as a backdrop. 

Jeans and pumps: Topshop;
 pussybow blouse: H&M;
 hair, hands and feet: Genes.

The Soviet Wall

                          

Coloured - perhaps not brightly coloured - jeans are undeniably the current trend (ok, don't now post a comment slating my unreferenced claims) and such an easy way to make an Autumn outfit pop. Grab your cable knits, your pumps (or ankle boots if you're further North and likely to loose a pumped foot to frostbite) and find your jeans. Your genes you can complain about, but your jeans you cannot.

"Mustard, green, maroon or navy either flavour is just as tasty". Cerise is good if you like me are a season behind - 

yay to summer!

Oh my goodness missing advertising days and those cheesy jingles more than I realised.

Time to clock out.

nikki

Wrap and Roll dress

There's been a drastic drop in the temperature (many would disagree with me and my tropical habits) the sun, however, is beaming brightly - more brightly one may argue than it did during summer - and these Autumn days are giving me much inspiration on the clothing front.

Today I've teamed one of a grey melange wrap-and-roll dress from Alma Henning (yip it's available at Curious Orange) of Spilt Milk Creations, with salmon pumps from Topshop (seems my magic number 8's are in a UK 9 today. More magical one wonders?), Topshop tights (CocoRosa recommends getting them at H&M, but they didn't have stock when I popped in) and a white vest.

            

I am such a fan of versatility, so for a relaxed evening out team the wrap-and-roll with a black leather, aviator jacket; a pair of killer heels and a clutch. Don't forget the earrings.
I found a super cute leather jacket at ASOS and depending on your budget you could step out a pair of heels from Louboutin, Kurt Geiger or Office.
Now find myself dreaming of a pair of black, suede, ankle boot heels. 


Happy weekend!
nikki

Arrival of new stock from Colleen Eitzen

The title should really be Beautiful New Stock, especially the Lace Prom Dress. As ever I followed my standard routine for stock arrival: Hastily reach for a knife and unceremoniously slash (perhaps slightly over exaggerated) open the box. Then for the all important Trying-On exercise - the moment of truth. Will the garment fit like a sack or will the perfection of the fit cause a rush of endorphins?

The arrival of Colleen Eitzen's Autumn/Winter Collection had the latter effect.

My personal highlight of the collection (available at curious-orange.com next week) is without a doubt the Lace Prom Dress (and slip). A sensually soft slip (95% polyester 5% spandex) flatteringly highlights curves under a ingeniously well-cut lace dress.
I couldn't resists watching the full skirt swishing to and fro as I swayed like a 5 year old in front of the mirror. A dress for dancing.

The lace on skin and covered buttons running down the back give this item and unmistakably vintage feel. Tempting to team it with a pair of cream t-bar pumps; a short faux fur; leather, wrist-length gloves; a cute hat and step back in time.

Loving the lace prom dress, despite the stern expression.

Alternatively, opt for antique nails courtesy of David Barton [Cosmopolitan, September 2011], dark smokey eyes with a bit of glitter, bun-up the hair and slip on your Lace Prom in navy or dusty pink. Add a short leather jacket and work the metallic-gothic inspired look, which is oh so big this A/W.


Most importantly have fun playing with different looks.
Hope that you love this frock as much as we do.


nikki

Antique Nails

Get the antique nail look created by Maybelline New York nail genius, David Barton, using Mabelline New York Forever Strong in Midnight Blue (£4.09) as a base colour and top it off with a thin layer of gold leaf.  Once dry use a cotton wool bud soaked in acetone (nail-polish remover) to buff the gold and reveal the blue underneath. 

Your local art shop should stock gold leaf in various colours so have some fun playing with different base coat colours.

Have fun nailing the art.

nikki

New stock. Happy customer.

Great to receive this picture of Amber in the one shoulder, lace overlay dress that arrived last week. Excited to try it on she gave it the thumbs up and I’m sure you’ll agree that she looks stunning in the little lace number.
Thanks for the picture Amber and we hope you enjoyed the party!
We love to see you in Curious Orange designs so do send us pictures.

There is one small one shoulder lace overlay dress , by Anthea Mooney, in stock (£130).
Make sure you don’t miss out.


nikki