blogs we love.... The Streethearts

Basically, we're just really in love with this blog. It showcases unique and inspiring streetstyle from all over the world. Every picture is interesting, creative and feels like a little peek into the lives of ordinary fashion forward human beings in interesting places. Click and enjoy This Grown Up Girl friends!

http://thestreethearts.com/

Help I'm awkward!

You know when you get your hair cut short and then decide you really want long hair so you try grow it out and it stays at that awkward length for ages? Yep, that's me right now. If you share my hair-awkwardness, here are a few tips...

Love, trust, appreciate your hairdresser/stylist - And if you don't have one, get one! For example, mine is so fabulous: she knows I'm trying desperately to grow out my hair and discourages me from cutting it short again in the meantime.

Get it trimmed/restyled regularly - It's a fact that if you get rid of your dead ends often your hair will grow quicker and healthier so get to chopping!

Dye your hair or get high/lowlights - This will update your look instantly and make you feel brand new, even if your length is still awkward.

Get a perm - I tried this over the summer and it absolutely worked and looked fabulous until it started to wear off/grow out. Now don't be afraid of perms, they're not all bad. Kate Hudson's perm is so beachy and loose - not 80s nightmare at all!

Excuse your French - A little French braid on the side will always make your hair more interesting plus it's a great way to look and feel more feminine. Check out how hot Nicole Ritchie looks with hers.

Bobby, bobby, bobby - Bobby pins are a lifesaver in certain situations. Half grown out layers, messy bangs/fringes and loose hairs at the back will forever haunt you unless you utilise these underrated accessories.

Let me know how you get on and if you have any other tips or ideas! I've heard pre-natal vitamins and horse shampoo are incredible for growing hair quickly - anyone tried it?

Love, A xoxo

"Fall" Into Fashion: Military

When the air gets brisk and the leaves begin to turn, you know it's time to revamp your fall wardrobe!  If you're wondering what the trends are this season and how to pull them off, you've come to the right place!  Over the next few weeks, I'll be splitting this "Fall Into Fashion" series up into sections by trend, so let's get  started!

Mad About Military
If you've been shopping recently you may have noticed many mannequins sporting the military trend.  Some clothes have rough and rugged fabrics, others are sleek with tailored detail.  Be it camo, cargo, buttons, or pockets, military is a style most everyone can pull off.

Above, you see a military inspired double-breasted blazer donning multiple antique buttons down the front placket and on the shoulders, with large pockets.  Next, a version of cargo pants with lots of flap pockets and rugged seams.  In the third photo, a simple utility dress complete with cargo boots and a waist-belt (another fall trend).

Making the military trend your own is as simple as choosing a staple garment such as a military inspired jacket, shirt, pant, etc., and building your outfit around it.  Whether embracing this particular trend or not, remember, muted greens, navy, brown, and black are your best color choices for this fall.  Keep a look out for my next "Fall Into Fashion" on Outerwear!

Love, L xoxo

photographer of the week ya'll... Daley Hake

I've decided to start "photographer of the week" postage. There are so many amazing and unique photographers out there and it's fascinating to look at their blogs/websites/Flickr albums and see their works, their inspirations and their subjects!

The first is a guy called Daley Hake. I'm assuming that's his real name. If so, it's a pretty rocking name. My husband recently returned from a conference in Atlanta and this photographer was there and hubs was pretty impressed. Go to his website and be inspired, excited and intrigued!

The Wedding of Ami and Mr. Chris

 I promised a few of you that I would post some pictures of my wedding in June - here they are!

Mr. Chris and I 

The whole wedding party - the wedding was on a beautiful lake!

Myself, my little flowergirls and my sister Jess (maid of honour)

My bouquet, made by the very talented Becky Lance
The bag of seeds everyone got to throw at us as we left
The Order of Service

Love, A xoxo

on ink....

To get a tattoo or not to get a tattoo? This is a question lots of girls are asking these days - it seems everyone has one! Personally speaking, I am a fan. I love the thrill of the pain (does that make me a sick freak?!), the planning and being able to show it off afterwards. This generation most definitely has a different attitude towards ink than previous times. For example, convincing my parents that my first tattoo was wonderful and not a hideous permanent branding on my foot was a challenge! Now let's be honest tattoos aren't for everyone, and some are just plain trashy. Many people have tattoos that they regret - names of old boyfriends, mess ups, mispellings (eek!) and more. That said, I have some personal questions for when I get new tattoos that I would like to share to make your decision that much easier.

If you are thinking of getting a tattoo....
a) Have you wanted the same thing in the the same place for at least two months?
b) Does this tattoo have a meaning to you now, and will it always mean something to you (i.e. not your current boyfriend's name - you never know what might happen, and not a passing trend or fad)?

So on a little side note, recently I got to try out tattooing for myself! My tattoo artist and his wife let me mess around with some of their equipment and let me tell you: there is much more to tattooing than you'd think! Not only is it a form of art with a massive amount of creativity and discernment involved, it is a big learning process to make sure that everything you do is beyond question when it comes to cleanliness and safety. I look forward to trying it out again sometime soon!

Love, A xoxo

Sparkly, Sassy, & Sweet

What's it like to work at Victoria's Secret you ask?  Why, it's sparkly, sassy and sweet of course!  I've worked at VS for about three months now and it's a pretty fun job for the most part.  Getting familiar with all the merchandise is daunting yet tempting.  With so many pretty, girly things, impulse buying is something you quickly learn to control!  I'll give you a quick run down of what we sell in case you're unfamiliar for some strange reason.  Victoria's Secret is most famous for their bras, we have over twelve style and new releases every month or so.  Just as numerous as our bras, are our panties, we have them to match almost all our bra styles and designs.

Then there's the PINK brand, which is targeted at a younger generation with lots of cute cotton pants, hoodies, shirts, bags, bras, panties, etc.  VS also has a beauty brand that sells fragrances, like splashes, perfumes, soaps, shimmer mists, and hand lotions.  Finally there is an entire VS makeup brand that was just revamped, containing foundations, shadows, liners, primers, glosses, lipsticks, you name it cosmetic.

As far as experiences I've had with customers go, there hasn't really been any too unusual.Granted, there has been a creeper or two come in with questionable intentions, but the majority of the men that come in the store are legitimately buying things for their wife or something.  As far as women customers are concerned, they've all been nice for the most part, although measuring them was a bit awkward at first.
Shoplifting is also a big concern for the VS store I work at. Before we leave the store everyday, we have to get a supervisor to look through all our belongings to make sure we aren't stealing.  As far as shoplifters go we have a code word for them, when we say or hear it we are on high alert, so to speak, watching some suspicious customer.  There have been a few incidents since I started working there but none on my shifts, so I have no juicy stories to tell.
Before I go, I have to tell you my favorite part of the job...employee gratis!  Gratis is free merchandise or employee discounted merch.  Who wouldn't want a $50 bra for $15 or free for that matter!  Overall, it's a neat job for a girl who likes all things feminine and fun.  So next time your at a mall, check out your Victoria's Secret store, we have something for everyone!

Love, L xoxo