SS14: Going Graphic

In the second installment in my SS14 Trend Forecaster I am looking at the (in my opinion) most exciting look for the coming season: Art Attack. This look sees bolder, brighter and vibrant prints which are a representation of  graphic artwork at it's best. The first time I spoke about my love for this reviving look was it was first presented to us at London Fashion Week  last September and in particular the HOH collection, if you missed the post you can read about it here. Since then I have been very excited for the variation of styles and colours that can be used with the graphic theme, and now its finally time to break it out. 

I know recently I have talked excessively about my growing love for great quality Basics, and while I still stand by my earlier statements, sometimes it's essential to break out of the traditional styling and welcome a little contemporary. These bold graphics are not introduced by half, behold rich, vibrant textures in all forms such as shirts, skirts and my personal favorite of them all, trousers. During the January sales I spotted a pair of printed trousers in River Island, mainly a kaleidoscope print with pinks, creams and a hint of green. They were an absolute bargain at 20 Euro down from fifty and will definitely be making a debut over the coming weeks. 

The best way that I will wear this trend will be to mix it in with plainer basics. If you are going with a crazy graphic top match it with black skinny jeans or vice verse. Matching print combos are a great look aswell but I would more keep this for an event, a night out or dinner, not necessarily for day time practicality. 

Blue shades are also something that I have taken a keen interest in, if you missed the Blue Blood post you can read it here. Keeping this in mind I am going to look for some prints with a blue over lay to brighten up my wardrobe which is definitely needed in this terrible weather. This trend sends me to a warmer, sunnier climate which is something that is needed, especially at this time of the year. 

Love C X 

You May Say I'm a Dreamer

These days I love re-pinning "wise words" with an underlying message to  be yourself and follow your dreams and I now seem to have quiet a collection on my Pinterest board. For this post I thought it would be different for me to share a few of my favourite with you. These images will include "free" photography images featuring beaches, forests and minimal shots, all of which I love. This is not a post I would usually cover but I it is nice to change things up every now and then. 

I tend to get most of the images that I love from the  Free People blog, which I briefly spoke about in my last post The Rise of Blogging. Last week I gave the blog a slight makeover (different theme and imagery) and decided to start including art and photography that inspires me, so this may be the start of similar posts like this.

I'm guessing that is is an obvious statement to say that I love black and white images, and I'm always on the look out for new amazing photography. If you have any that you want to share with me please do by either posting the link below/ tweeting me using the sidebar option (or @cicijewels) or by visiting my Facebook page CiCi Jewels.

Let me know if you guys like this.......

Love C X 

The Rise of Blogging.....

Factory F has now been a fashion/beauty blog for almost five months now but the concept had been in place for (roughly) a year before ever publishing. Blogging is something that I always wanted to dabble with due to the fact that I am obsessive when it comes to style, particularly street style platforms ie LookBook, Polyvore and Pinterest images. High end fashion is so beautiful and amazing but I am very realistic with my budget and this is honestly beyond my financial means. So my fashion focus has always been geared towards styling, so much so that I can be instantly interested in someone based on their outfit. I just want to know where they buy ALL their clothes! When I started this blog I wasn't really sure what direction I was going to take it or what topics I would even cover to begin with, I just knew that I wanted to portray my personal tastes. The reason that I am writing this post is mainly to highlight how blogging has evolved so much more than just a hobby for people and can now be seen as "a career" for successful blogs (the dream for all aspiring bloggers).

Recently I graduated and now in a position where I am "looking for a grown up job!", which is much harder than anyone prepares you for. Trying to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life is daunting and very over0whelimg, but I am slowly figuring it out. The one aspect of my life that I have decided on is that writing will definitely be a major factor, be it for a living or just writing  this blog in my social hours.

So like I said, the idea of blogging had been on my mind for quiet some time before I ever signed up to blogger, but when I started to read other fashion focused blogs (hate sounding cheesy but.....) they really inspired me. There are four blogs in particular that I found myself glued to......

• Mojo Made 
• Thunder and Threads 
• Intrigued and Infatuated 
• Free People 

If you haven't looked at these blogs, I highly recommend them. Each one is very unique and different from the last but each post is a great read. Starting Factory F with CiCi Jewels is by far the highlight of this year for me and if anyone is remotely interested in starting a blog  my advice would be to just do it. 

Love C X 

Underneath it all...

 Anything that represents a classic era I am a fan. From jewels to hair to clothes, the chances of me loving it are particularly high, especially the 1960's/70's era. I always find style in these decades so much more interesting and beautiful and the classic approach to styling is so much more appealing. This is predominately true in specific areas of the fashion and beauty industry, the principal example being hair styles. This was a much more refined generation of women who viewed class as a form of living and not just an option which unfortunately is not the way society is today. This ethos carried throughout every aspect of life; work life, home, social and private affairs. The subject of private affairs and accompanying ensembles is the source of inspiration through photography, beauty and art still to this day.

                         

 

 I chose to focus on the vintage style of lingerie for this post as I find it much for flattering for a wider range of body shapes, and visually it is more enchanting. Lace was a popular choice of fabric for under garments during this particular era represented sensuality. Basic colours were always the main choice of tone, black, white, ivory and grey. Honestly, I would completely buy this style of underwear if I could afford to constantly buy it but unfortunately it is quite expensive. I have been researching this topic for the past few days to source reasonable places to purchase this vintage look that will not break the bank and the two main sites that kept popping up at me were Intimissimi and & Other Stories. Intimissmi appears to appeal to the more up-market approach to this vintage attire but stock extremely beautiful bras that you will definitely want to buy. & Other Stories prices are not significantly cheaper and the stock consists of a modernised version of the images seen above, a little bit more sheer and a little less lace.

It has been a common phrase for as long as I can remeber that a women can feel instantly more beautiful/empowered/sexy with the right lingerie. For me, this is justification enough to invest in luxury underwear, even if you are the only one who knows you are wearing it!

I am also a MASSIVE fan of Tumblr and Pinterest and always look for minimal shots of 70's period lingerie shots because of the simplicity and beauty of the photo. For similar photos such as the ones featured above you can click here CiCi Jewels Tumblr . <3

Love C X 

Pretty Ink

Recently I have been looking up lots of tattoos to help me decide what to get for my next one. I already have a little bow tattoo on my foot which has now been done two years, so I'm now at the stage where I'm craving my next one. Over the weeks I have changed my mind so many times on where to get it on my body and also what to get. I'm not one of those people who needs a back story or a significant meaning to my tattoo either. Sometimes it's okay just to like a design. Right now I'm obsessed with the idea of getting a little arrow on the inside of my upper arm. Very similar to the image below. I really like to placement of the first image but the design of the second tattoo. 

As much as I admire the bravery it takes for anyone to have their whole bodies covered in ink, I think for myself I will be just sticking to little designs. For anyone who is thinking about getting one done but need a little inspiration, I highly recommend Little Tattoos Facebook page. It regularly uploads so many different designs that it may at least help you decide on where you may want to get it. I also find that Pinterest have so many boards dedicated to all different styles of ink and I have literally spent hours on that website researching different ideas. 

The images above are a few of the tattoos that I have found on both pinterest and the Little Tattoos Facebook page. I found the image below on Pinterest, and I know I previously said that it didn't need my tattoo to have a meaning, and I don't, but while researching different arrows I came across this and it confirmed my next inking. 

I'm also off to Paris next week and thinking I may be crazy and get it done over there! So if anybody has previously had a tattoo done in Paris please recommend places to me. :) 

Love C X 

Wild and Free

So I'm in the process of trying to grow my hair longer. At the moment it is just below my shoulder, but for a long time I have wanted to have it long enough to recreate some of the amazing hair styles that I often see on pinterest. One of the reasons that I dyed my hair blonde two years ago was that I always find that the pictures you see of amazing french braids and loose curls, such as the image above, are always girls with beautiful blonde hair. So now I am half way there.  Poker straight hair has never been a thing for me, and come to think of it neither has even brushing my hair! Hair styles that I admire are usually the ones that look like  the least amount of effort has been required and are overall "messy". 

Generally, I tend to be a bit on the safe side with my hair, and this usually involves loose curls and just leaving it flow. I would like to say such as the image above, but that would me a lie (mine never looks quiet as nice as that). The problem that I find with curling your hair is that it never stays in place long enough, and I have yet to find the miracle hair spray. If any of you have happened to find it, please share the secret! 

The messy bun has been my "go to" hair style of late. It is such an easy style to re-create and also means that your hair is out of your face and styled for almost any event (unless very formal). You Tube is a great way to discover different ways of styling your hair, and giving you inspiration on what looks best suit your personality.

If I come across any tutorials that I find may be useful in creating the looks in the images above I will make sure to share with you. 

Love C X