Rodarte, I love you.

I think Rodarte is one of those labels that I love personally but talk about infrequently on here. Perhaps it is because I love it so much that I don't saturate my blog with talk of it. I keep it as something to enjoy on my own, something for myself and not to be shared. However, I can no longer stay silent on the matter. Every day my tumblr dash throws more and more Rodarte goodness and I become more entranced, fall more thoroughly in love. And today, I got this (though I realise I'm almost a year late to the game):

Rodarte + unicorns + a score by Beach House + fantasy elements... = utter adoration.

I mean, how could I contain my feelings after this? Every twist and turn the brand takes, takes me along with it. One knows what the label is and means but never quite what form it will take. There's a wonderful balance of honouring the customer while exploring and taking chances. The choice in models and faces is always on point. The accessories, the details, the nuances, are just so perfect.

And this video (shot by three-time Rodarte collaborator, Todd Cole)? Perfection! Sidney Williams is exactly the kind of face that immediately entrances me and makes me want to wear the clothes. She's a wonderful mix of warrior-princess and boyish, awkward teenager (except also flawlessly beautiful) in the video. Everything I wanted to be as an adolescent. 

And the clothes! Oh, the clothes! Sigh. I'm kind of in love with ear cuffs again and I was so over them up until now. Gimme some floaty dresses, on point leather and perfectly tousled hair, 'kay?

(PS Vote for them in the Webby Awards http://pv.webbyawards.com/2014/online-film-video/general-film-categories/branded-entertainment-scripted/this-must-be-the-only-fantasy)

Very BtVS, non?

Other reasons to love them.

1. Using art prints - I mean, who else would Van Gogh there?

2. Making tie-dye fresh again. No, really.

3. Using images from Star Wars and making it look like this.

4. Dat hairband - making barbed wire beautiful.

5. The makeup and hair pieces from the A/W 2012 collection. Sure the clothes were gorgeous but the makeup was perf.

6. This image of Kirsten Dunst for their A/W 2011 campaign.

7. The styling of the S/S 2014 collection.

8. ...I mean, so wrong, yet so right.

9. Elle Fanning in a Pearl Jam tee for the Rodarte curation of A Magazine.

10.  The other videos.

Luv from Luvocracy xoxo

So, I've mentioned Luvocracy briefly before - it's a unique online shopping platform that lets you organise your lust haves and share the things you're feeling (kinda like Pinterest or Polyvore) as well as shop online. And best of all, they find you the best prices online!

My latest Luvocracy Collection, "Spring Essentials", has been getting a lot of love. No surprises there, I've got great taste. But above is just a sample of what you'll find on there. 

I got a sample of Roses de Chloe a while back and it's the perfect flowery, delicate scent for Spring - definitely my fragrance pick for the season! The collection will make my obsession with Topshop nail polishes apparent and I've chosen my favourite colours as well as an iPhone case inspired by the bottle. SO CUTE. TanOrganic's Oil Arganic is THE BOMB. I recommend for keeping your skin and hair perfect for sun and sea. I'm still obsessed with Tony Moly's Bunny Balm Bars and want every flavour. EVER. The collection is home to my other beauty and skincare picks as well as the clothes I'm digging. Comfy pastels that are easy to style are so the way forward!

Luvocracy and I have teamed up to offer you the opportunity to win $15 Credit to shop their site (which can be paired with the $10 credit to use on purchases of $20 or more that you'll be given when you sign up)!

Here's what you'll need to do:

1. Sign up for Luvocracy but make sure to do so through the link to my collection: http://www.luvocracy.com/Wide-eyedandblind/collections/spring-essentials  (This is the essential part - you must make an account through this link in order to be entered into the draw!)

2. Sure, go ahead and find my account at http://www.luvocracy.com/Wide-eyedandblind/collections while you're at it and Trust me!

3. Follow me here on blogger and like the facebook page if you haven't already!

4. Share the competition if you feel so inclined!

Good luck xxx

*Giveaway ends Mon, March 24. Winners will be chosen at random by Luvocracy and notified via email on Tuesday, April 1 Giveaway rules. Non-US residents are now eligible (I made sure for you guys) but you must be 18 and a new Luvocracy member.*

Well, now you've gone and Dunnes it.

I was wandering home one day, taking a scenic route as per, when I popped into the Dunnes on South Great George's Street - just by the HQ. Surprisingly, I'd never been inside before.

A look at Google Streetview shows that the shop looks very different now to five years ago. Whereas before it was rather run of the mill, now it's all glass, tasteful colour palettes and spaciousness. It has such an amazing high-end, boutique feel for a highstreet store. I was super-impressed by both the shop itself and the products inside.

This branch doesn't stock the main Dunnes clothing line but rather the higher end Savida, Gallery, Paul Costelloe and Carolyn Donnelly lines as well as homeware from Costelloe and Donnelly.

Donnelly's "The Edit" is amazing. It's really hard to believe it's from a high street brand, the appearance and quality are unbelievably close to true designer pieces. Looking for amazing basics? Look no more. Looking for cool work attire? Ditto.

And it's no secret that I love her "Eclectic" homeware line.

Plus, looking for super-kawaii S/S pieces in lovely pastels? Hello, Savida.

Statement necklace anyone?

Abso bargain of a bag?

Plus, though the Gallery collection is intended for a mature audience, there are some awesome accessories that'd suit for all ages.

Dang, girl

Dunnes, when did you get so cool? I'm liking it!

Wide-Eyed and DIY: Sea Salt Hair Spray.

So, I've been a major sea salt spray (or S³) for a while now. Around three years, I think. It's hard to remember but I've had my bottle of Lee Stafford sea salt spray for a while. It's the only product I ever really use in my hair and even then, I do so sparingly. It has all sorts of alcohol and not-so-good-for-your-hair stuff in it. But it is my favourite look so I wanted to find a way to replicate the texture cheaply, easily and less harmfully so I could use it on the reg.

Research online showed lots of different recipes so I went through a whole bunch and recomposed my own recipe to my own tastes. Here's how to make your own.

You'll need:
Sea Salt
An empty spray bottle
Aloe Vera Gel
Conditioner
250ml of warm water

Optional Extras:
Essential oils for different problems you may have with your hair/for scent

1. Boil around 250ml of water. Set aside in a cup and allow to cool until warm rather than hot.

2. Pour into spray bottle.

3. Add a teaspoon of salt. Shake and allow to dissolve and settle.

4. Add a half teaspoon of conditioner and mix. I used an Argan Oil infused conditioner to be extra kind to my hair but you can equal substitute coconut oil here.

5. Add a half teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel - this can be replaced by hair gel as we're using it for hold. Aloe Vera has the benefit, however, of being natural and adding a nice scent.

6. Essential oils can be added at this point. I didn't bother as the aloe and Argan oil made it smell lovely as it was.

And there you have it! It gives a slightly more authentic beachy look to the hair but be aware that your hair will need to dry for a while after application. Unlike the store-bought stuff, this is made up of a lot more water and spray bottles like the one I used tend to disperse more of the mixture than the spray of a Lee Stafford bottle.

Let me know if anyone tries this out and what they think of it! I think this will work as a great lazy-but-lovely look for the S/S season. x

Wide-Eyed and DIY: Miu Miu S/S 2014 Campaign Side-ponytail.

How cute, right?

And how easy to accomplish. As in, if I can do it ANYONE can. I'm gonna break it down into some steps with photos to help - YAYYY!

PS I'm not wearing makeup - soz - but not really.

1. Create a dramatic side-part or exaggerate existing side-part, like so.

Before

After

2. Make a ponytail on the side of your head and keep drawing it to the side and upwards until high on the head. I find this is easier than just trying to make a high side-pony right away and keeps the hair neat. 

3. Wrap a strand of hair around to hide the elastic of your hair-tie. Secure this and the desired position with pins.

4. Curl the ponytail in large sections to create big, bouncy curls. 

5. You can add hairspray for hold but I didn't and it lasted just fine! Yay to less chemicals!

So there you have it. And really, if I can do it, it HAS to be super-easy.

Viktor & Rolf S/S 2014 - Why didn't I do ballet?

Sometimes, the styling, execution and concept of a show come together so beautifully that it is a hairs breadth away from art. Such was the Viktor & Rolf 2014 showing.

I often think my life would be better and more complete if I'd been a ballerina. I'd be fit and have the gracefulness that has eluded and tantalised me my whole life. Completely unfounded is my certainty that I would have been good. I could not tell you why I think this, I just feel it.

Shows like the Viktor & Rolf make me ache for that life that never was. Members of the Dutch National Ballet served as the models and danced down the runway. The hair was a little Grudge-like and the light somewhat eerie but it was creepy in that beautiful, fragile way that makes me fall in love with a Poe, Munch or Burton. The idea of blurring the boundaries between skin and cloth, making the two work together symbiotically, is again, somewhat creepy, almost like the garments were alive. But what mysterious, wonderful creatures.

Can I live in that world that looks like animated little birds have flown in to dress me?

(Images from vogue.co.uk)