Trending... Tribes & Tribulations

From left to right:
Etro, Dries Van Noten, Lourdes Ciccone in AllSaints, Jean Charles de Castelbajac, Roberto Cavalli

No doubt you've heard the words 'Ethnic', 'Tribal', 'Aztec' & 'Navajo' floating round the pages of the fashion mags recently & that's because this trend, after appearing in the Spring/Summer runway shows of L.A.M.B, DVF, Jean Charles de Castelbajac & many more, has now hit the high street with a bang. 

The most obvious way to work this trend is with a large Navajo tribe print with a splash of colour much like the sell-out AllSaints mini dress donned by Madonna's daughter Lourdes (above) which has also appeared on the bodies of HSM's Ashley Tisdale & Una Healy of The Saturdays fame. Jean Charles de Castelbajac & Dries Van Noten have both gone for small detailed prints in eye catching bright colours for a stand out look. For inspiration for a more ethnic & ethereal look choose more natural, muted colours like Etro & add some soft feathers & fringing in the style of Roberto Cavalli.

What we at TTP love about this trend is that it's the perfect choice of styles, textures & colours for this transitional period from Summer to Autumn. Loose knit jumpers, oversized capes & silky kimonos are staples for your aztec closet. Consider the texture of an item before you buy it... Tactile fabrics like wool, mohair, leather & faux fur are great for outerwear. Think autumnal in your colour palette with earthy shades of black, browns, beige & nude with rich reds, blues & greens sparingly thrown in to the mix for contrast. Your prints should be sharp & directional rather than abstract & a great way to get the tribal feel is to look for prints that echo animal print in their markings but are not immediately identifiable with a certain species ('cause then you're just wearing leopard print!) & your accessories should make a statement. Look for feather detail, fringing, chains, spikes rather than studs & anything that resembles armour.

Now that you're armed with information about the trend, it's our duty to show you the best way to rock it. Have a look below at our Top Picks from the high street & on-line & go forth & let loose your inner tribeswoman!                                                              xo TBC

Top Picks

Earthy Ethnic:
Black/Silver lace & jacquard jacket - Karen Millen €302.00,
Geo-pattern bodycon dress - Miss Selfridge €61.00, Vanessa vest - Motel €35.90,
Fringed aztec tote - Accesorize €65.00, Mohair cocoon cardi - Topshop £50.00stg,
Embellished python skirt - AllSaints €210.00,
Mercer Wedge - Michael Antonio Studio $105.00 (approx €75.00) @ www.endless.com

Aztec Accessories:
Pharoah bead statement necklace - Accesorize €24.90,
Green/Gold origami clip on earrings - ASOS €19.23,
Mixed metal stack ring - Accesorize €12.50, Metallic coil bracelet - Penneys €5.00,
Cobalt blue stud earrings - ASOS €10.26, Metallic plate neck piece - Penneys €5.00,
Silver plated arrow ring - Aurelie Biderman €131.08 @ www.net-a-porter.com

Tribal Tones:

Snake print satchel - Penneys €13, Monochrome fair isle jumper - River Island £40.00stg,
Soft Barbarian Ikat print top - Warehouse €72.00, Mixed print kimono - R.I. £50.00stg,
Soft knit palazzo pant - Forever 21 €21.75, Red Adelia ankle boots - Miss KG €110.00

Making a statement

Trending... Statement Jewellery

A girls best friend when you want to add a little oumph to your outfit? Jewellery of course, and this season the bigger and bolder the better! On catwalks Gucci, Jean Paul Gaultier and even Chanel completed their looks with lashings of statement eye candy. And to our delight, as every girl knows that jewellery worn right can uplift not just our outfits but also our spirits.

Style godess in the know, Olivia Palmero shows us how to work this trend perfectly, peared down with no other jewellery and a simple up-do. I love the statement earring choices of Blake Lively and Eva Longoria, for me this is how to wear big earrings, no necklace is a must, you want to enhance not over-do, showing us that making a statement can also be elegant and classy. Like all of the celebs shown, its best to compliment your statement jewels with a solid background of colour in your outfit to enhance the look as much as possible.

Top Picks

Clockwise from top left: Emerald drop earrings €15.38 ASOS, Spike ring £10 Topshop, Drop earrings with pleated detail €19.23 ASOS, Stretch bracelet £20 Topshop, Multi coloured feathered necklace €32.05 ASOS, Gold cut out cuff £12 River Island, 24 karat gold plated ring €166.82 Oscar De La Renta (Net-a-porter), Fish pendant £14 Topshop, Metal bib necklace €64.10 ASOS.

Personally, I'm a statement ring kind of girl.. a bold and beautiful ring compliments most outfits with ease. And with the statement trend, mixing it up and adorning your fingers with multiple bejewelled beauties gives us the bonus of being on trend AND feeling like we've gone back to the days of raiding our mums jewellery boxes!

Statement neck pieces, bibs and layered necklaces are huge right now, and the choker is set to make its come back for autumn/winter. Bangles get mixed up in different types of metals and bold cuffs are the arm's best friend this season. This really is the wallet friendly way to inject some glamour into your wardrobe with plenty of on trend bargain buys to be found in the likes of Topshop, ASOS and Forever 21.

So there's never been a better time to experiment with your jewellery and find what works for you. Think walking, talking, living piece of art and you've got it nailed!                                            xox Marie

Cult product alert!

Looking for a must have make up item this summer that will see you through day and night and has had all the experts talking? Well look no further. The Naked Pallette from Urban Decay has had beauty insiders raving since its release, hailing it the holy grail of eyeshadow pallets. 

Made to suit all skin tones and complexions, perfectly pigmented and with 12 shades of neutral colour suitable for every occassion we can see why this little wonder is selling out on a regular basis. One thing's for sure neutral is far from boring. If you love your make up (like our Tabby) you will want to have road tested this baby for yourself to see if all the hype is warranted and if you adore it as much as the masses. Its in stock now on www.lookfantastic.com or in Urban Decay stockists. 

And who better to test this product i thought than our very own beauty guru Tabitha.. Seeing as she is the BIRTHDAY girl today I thought this little gem might go down a treat as a present for the beauty-ista herself! Surprise!! Every beauty junkie deserves the best of the cult products right? I sense maybe a review on this pallet in a future TBC Make-Up Round up feature! Marie XOX

Ladies We're Lovin'... Nicole Scherzinger

From left: Attending the Cars2 premiere in BOSS Black, Covering UK In Style Magazine wearing 

                Stella McCartney, Celebrating her 33rd birthday in Jean Fares Couture

She's got it all... The formula 1 racer boyfriend, the phenomenally successful music & tv career, the glossy hair, bangin' bod & stunning looks & now it seems ex Pussycat Nicole has also got the killer wardrobe! 

Recently the singer & US Xfactor judge has upped her game & moved on from the bra tops &combat trousers she once sported whilst writhing against chairs in her music videos. Following her stint as a guest judge on the UK Xfactor last year, we've noticed how Nicole's style has evolved since she has stepped out on her own. Flaunting her enviable curves in structured Victoria Beckham & Karen Millen dresses during the 2010 auditions, she diverted all attention from the Cheryl & Dannii fashion wars. 

Dressed to impress this past month in BOSS Black, Stella McCartney & Jean Fares Couture, Nicole's style is sleek & sexy but most importantly for us mere mortals it's attainable! Check out the high street versions of Nicole's looks below! :)                      xo TBC

Look 1: Raspberry Ripple: One-shouldered dress - Coast €205.00, 

              'The Roxy' jumpsuit - Lucy in Disguise £190.00

Look 2: Mono-con: Monochrome mini dress - Miss Selfridge £35.00, 

              'Glamazon' bandage dress - Karen Millen €215.00

Look 3: Metallic Minis: Long sleeve metallic shift - Warehouse €38.50 (sale price), 

              Pleated cocktail dress - Halston Heritage @ ASOS £296.00 (sale price)

Happy Birthday Marie!! xo

Fun in the.. sun?

I don't know about you but we here at TTP already have our sights firmly fixed on Autumn/Winter collections and are busy coveting the latest of what designers and high-street have to offer in trends for the coming season.

BUT it is still July and even though it may not be sunny (fingers crossed for August!) we still need to be suitably summer stylish come our last bit of fun in the sun before winter. So today we're bringing you the best of the end of season in stores and online and also some new season gems that will bring you from end of summer through to autumn. 

So in this time of transition, whether you're lucky enough to be jetting away to the sun between now and the end of September like our lovely Tabby or are praying for good weather so you can live up those long summer nights at home, here's some ideas to have you beach/garden/party ready in no time!

Clockwise from left: Embellished maxi €65 A|wear, Floppy hat £15 Miss Selfridge, Summer mini collection nail polishes Essie €21.73, Halter bikini top €38.33 and briefs €28.20 French Connection (ASOS),Embellished sandals £39.99 River Island, Korres face and body sunscreen spf30 €23.08 ASOS, Denim dungaree skirt £40 Topshop, Moroccanoil oil treatment (25ML) £12.85, Aztec print dress (petites exclusive) £32 Miss Selfridge, Flower sandals £70.00 River Island, Orange halter dress £38 Topshop, Feathered beaded sandal €125 Dune, Original Wayfarer sunglasses €138.46 Rayban (ASOS), Brown oversized bag £50 River Island, Cream belted knit cardigan £38 River Island.

Top Picks

If you haven't already heard the beauty buzz surrounding Morrocanoil products, its about time you gave this product a try. This oil will have even the wildest of hair looking tamed and gorgeous so is a summer must have. These mini nail polishes from Essie (available at ASOS) will give your nails the colour pop they deserve for summer/autumn and are a perfect size for bringing on your getaway/staycation. 

It may or may not be your thing but dungarees are big news at the moment. (well, if its good enough for Alexa Chung..) If you want to recreate the look but without feeling like you've stepped back in time to pre-school days, then this Topshop dungaree skirt is a more sophisticated take on the look and will have you on trend and grown up chic. 

Every girl needs something to snuggle into wen the evenings start to get chilly and this belted cardigan from River Island is cosy and stylish, what more could we ask for!

Lastly, we can't go anywhere without a fab bag for our journey and we love this River Island oversized bag, great for airport practicality and sophistication. Victoria Beckham has nothing on us! Here's to the rest of your summer.. May it be long, sunny and most importantly super stylish! xox Marie

Trending... LWD (Long White Dress!)

Left to right: BCBG Max Azria Resort, Blake Lively in Chanel Haute Couture, Givenchy Couture, 

                     The Row Resort, Donna Karen Resort (Images courtesy of Style.com)

There's been a lot of talk about colour blocking this past season & for everyone who's loving it, don't throw out your clashing clothes yet! This trend is set to continue into the new season however you may want to make room for another colour in your wardrobe.. That colour is white!

Maybe it's the recent wedding fever, for weeks we've been salivating over the lace appliqué & beaded embroidery on the gowns of Mrs. Crouch, Mrs. Hince & of course The Duchess, but whatever the reason, white is the colour of choice this season! From the Resort offerings of Lanvin, Carolina Herrera & Elie Tahari to the Couture offerings from Givenchy, Stephane Rolland & Giambattista Valli, every designer worth their salt has featured the LWD in their Fall collection.

To create this look think more babe than bride! Blake Lively (pictured above), Naomi Campbell and Rihanna have already debuted their LWD looks using crochet cut-outs, sheer fabrics and playing with hem lines but if you don't dare to bare quite as much why not try white separates? A sheer top with a nude bra underneath teamed with lace detail shorts will give a respectable nod to the trend as will a Broderie Anglaise style mini dress or a long white dress with a plunging neckline for an extra boost of sexy! Check out some of our high street favs below! :)                                                     xo TBC 

Top Picks

 Clockwise from left: Oasis Tiered Broderie Maxi -  €81.00, River Island Pussy Bow Blouse -

                                £35.00, Topshop Peter Pan Collar Sleeveless Shirt - £32.50,

                                Miss Selfridge Lace & Sheer Dress - €125.00, R.I, Lace Shorts - 

                                £29.99, Warehouse Layered Shift - €90.00