Tag Archives: fashion blogger

3 Tips For Looking Your Best In Every Photo You Take

READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP

If there’s one thing that EVERYONE asks me, and when I say everyone I mean friends, families, you guys, everyone, it’s how did I learn how to pose for photos. Trust me when I say I was no expert when I started my blog. I had no idea what I was doing and I would constantly be wondering how all these amazing bloggers got so good at posing in front of the camera. Over the past three years, I have been able to pick up quite a few tips and tricks which means that when we go out to take photos now, I am much quicker than I was when we started. All of this is because I learnt these three tricks to always looking good in photos.

THE PERFECT SMILE

Long ago when I was about to go for my first school dance, my mum taught me a trick that I have never forgotten; the trick to getting the perfect smile in every photo. Take your tongue and stick it behind your teeth. I know that sounds totally bizarre but by doing this you avoid making your smile too wide for the camera. I know it may feel really odd when you try this for the first time, but trust me it always works!

THE GO TO POSE

Did you know that your left side is often more flattering than your right? I always naturally tend to go towards my right side but the left side is the way to go. More than that, it’s all about knowing what to do with your body when you are in front of the camera. One of my favourites poses to get you started would be to put one leg in front of the other. Standing this way automatically puts you in a photogenic position. Keep your arms relaxed and your head at eye level! You can also try crossing one leg in front of the other. As you start to get more confident with this pose, you’ll start to get more comfortable with trying others.

THE ANGLE IS KEY

You could have gotten everything right from the perfect spring outfit, to a great smile and that killer pose, but the photo will be nothing unless you know the angles that work for you. For some girls, they prefer it taken from above, for petite girls, we need a lower angle. Experiment with taking the same photos from all the angles to understand which one works best for you. The difference is insane and once you find the one that works for you, you’ll never go back. (PS: I always ask for a lower angle, that’s how I always look tall in my pictures!)

So, do you have any questions on how to nail your pose in photos? Comment below!

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25 Things You Didn’t Know About Me

MY 25TH BIRTHDAY

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Photos by @alisejane_photo

Over this weekend (more specifically on the 7th of April, feel free to mark your calendar :P) I turned 25. I was so happy to be able to celebrate this moment with my family and friends and I gave you guys a front row view to the whole weekend on my Instagram Stories as well (It’s in a highlight now so you can see the whole thing unfold, just click here). I was planning on writing a post on how to create the perfect birthday outfit but then I stopped and thought to myself, that isn’t as fun and it supposed to be my birthday. Instead, I want to share with you guys 25 things you didn’t know about me to celebrate my 25th birthday. Here we go:

1. I’m one of those people who LOVES their birthday. I still get excited about it and stay up till midnight and I still wake up with that extra special feeling in my stomach. Just can’t help it!

2. Regardless of loving my birthday, I’m actually an introvert. I can be quite shy when it comes to large group events and that’s why I find large networking events to be difficult but I’m working on getting better at that.

3. I’m a total goof. I dance around and make strange noises around the house and the more you spend time with me, the more you notice it. This occurs even when I’m alone.

4. I love to cook and bake. My first attempt at baking was a massive fail (red velvet cupcakes…ouch) but I vowed to get better and now I’d say I’m actually pretty good. I focus on cooking and baking healthy things but every now and then something indulgent will pop out of my oven.

5. I’m a perfectionist. I get very agitated when things aren’t just right and I usually try to strive to be the best at everything I do. It’s taken me a long time to see that sometimes there is a balance and you don’t have to be the best at everything.

6. I am a board game fiend. I LOVE to have a games night and my favourite games are Taboo, Snatch, Scrabble and Codenames. Yes, I can be very competitive but you’ll probably win if you’re on my team.

7. I used to very athletic in school. I was on my school’s football team and played varsity for all my high school years. There was one year when I didn’t make the travel team in the 8th grade and I still remember that horrible feeling. I also trained in a dance company and almost decided to dedicate my life to dance. I obviously didn’t and I don’t ever regret it.

8. I struggle with my weight sometimes. I fluctuate with it up and down but since my days in dance, I have always been very critical of my body. I’m working on showing myself more self-love and care.

9. I think my two favourite foods in the world are dim sum and pasta. My soul dim sum is probably a Xiao Ling Bao or a custard bun. I’ll let you decide.

10. I love Buzzfeed quizzes and I tend to take the results very seriously. It provides great entertainment for everyone around me.

11. I hate avocado. I have said it and admitted it. I have always found it really gross but somehow I like guac… not sure how that works but it does.

12. I love mystery novels and Agatha Christie ones are my favourite. Growing up I would read Nancy Drew like it was going out of style. I still watch Hercule Poirot on TV.

13. Speaking of reading, I also love Harry Potter. I have a very strange obsession with everything to do with the magical universe and my first celebrity crush was Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter. I also LOVE Princess Diaries.

14. My first concert was INXS. I didn’t particularly like the band but my friends and I were just excited about attending a concert for the first time.

15. I’m quite forgetful. I have to set lots of reminders but sometimes I leave things in random places around the house and I just can’t remember where.

16. I write everything down and have an obsession with notebooks and stationary. Any excuse for a notebook is fine by me.

17. The first time I ever went into the ocean was on my trip to Bali… in 2014…Yes you read that right. I actually had a fear of water growing up but not anymore.

18. My teeth may look great but I’ve had 5 root canals and countless cavities. I don’t have enamel on my teeth so they had to put veneers in.

19. The other reason I probably had so many cavities is because I have a massive sweet tooth but one day I just decided to take out refined sugar from my diet. That was.. tough.

20. I went through a phase in my life where I would eat cupcakes for breakfast every Friday. Red velvet cupcakes…not healthy at all.

21. My drink of choice is either wine, whisky or a vodka soda.

22. I am beyond loyal to my friends. It takes a lot for me to get upset and someone must have had to really rub me the wrong way to make me angry.

23. I love candles. I am a massive homebody and love to fill my space with beautiful smells. My favourites are Baies and Tube Rose from Diptyque and Wood Sage & Sea Salt from Jo Malone.

24. I can’t watch TV shows and movies without knowing the ending. If the ending is on wikipedia I’ve read it. It actually makes me enjoy it more.

25. My favourite flowers are Peonies, Babys Breath, Tulips, Roses (NOT red) and daisies.

Get My Look

Ba&Sh Floral Dress

Gianvito Rossi Heels

Flower Crown

What Have I Saved on Instagram?

The Best Spring & Summer Dresses You Should Buy Now

DRESS UP

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Photos by Alise Jane

I was walking around Notting Hill with Alise the other day and we were so excited to see all the beautiful flowers blooming and the rows of magnolia trees. What made me even more excited, was that it’s finally time to start thinking about spring and summer dresses! This year, I am really feeling midi and maxi dresses, especially in linen and tie-dye! That really works for me because tie-dye also happens to be one of the biggest spring summer fashion trends for 2019.

For this summer dress outfit, I styled my tie-dye maxi dress with a light utility jacket, both from Zara. I love the mix of the pastel colours of the dress with the khaki of my spring jacket. For another pop of colour, I added in a little neck scarf. I get a lot of questions about this one. It’s from Dior and it has an S on it (for Shloka obviously, but I seem to get a lot of emails saying “Dear Silky”. Is that worse than Dear The Silk Sneaker?) They still have many available in every letter!

Accessories wise, I kept it simple with one of my favourite pairs of flats; my Malone Souliers pink flats. My favourite part of the outfit has to be my sunglasses chain! I know that sunglasses chain are still a micro-trend and not everyone has gained the courage to wear them, but I hope that all the times I’ve featured them and plan to feature them show you guys how versatile and how cool they are! I got the pearl chain at Selfridges but you can also check out Frame Chain for more!

I’ve linked to some of my favourite dresses below you can get a head start!

Click for Links

Zara Tie Dye Dress

Khaki Jacket (similar)

Malone Souliers Flats (similar)

Ray Ban Sunglasses (similar)

Sunglasses Chain

Dior Neck Scarf

This year, I am really feeling midi and maxi dresses, especially in linen and tie-dye!

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Zara Tie Dye Dress

Khaki Jacket (similar)

Malone Souliers Flats (similar)

Ray Ban Sunglasses (similar)

Sunglasses Chain

Dior Neck Scarf1w

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How To Create The Perfect Flatlay

LAY IT OUT

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When I started my blog, I was introduced to the flatlay. What started off as a simple layout of a few fun items has now evolved into one of the biggest Instagram sensations to hit your feed. All these years later, it’s stil going strong and is now also a regular appearance on my page as well. The response from you all to my flat lays have been overwhelming and after a lot of trial and error over the years, I’ve picked up some amazing tips to help you, my TSS family, get the dreamiest flatlay around. Traditionally a flat lay is exactly what the name suggests, a group of items laid out flat. Usually they are organised in a specific way and taken from above. This is not necessarily the case anymore! Of course those still work a treat, but now you can create more minimal versions or even “messier” versions of the same.

So, scroll down and enjoy my flatly tips! I would love to know what your favourite flatlay has been so far and what your special tips are!

START WITH A FOCUS

Make sure your flatlays are highlighting something specific. This could be a colour or shades you love (rainbow anyone?), a theme, your favourite bag, lipstick or simply your favourite things! This is always a great place to start. It’s always good to choose something that makes you happy, even if it’s your morning coffee or your newest flower arrangement. In this photo, it was all about my new Chanel lipsticks that I was trying out during my morning coffee to see how well they lasted!

A few other instagrammers who do an amazing job of this are Tara Milk Tea and Design by Aikonik.

CHASE THE LIGHT

Naturaly light always works better. It also creates soft shadows and does not distort the colours, I always gravitate towards spots with beautiful natural light. The best spot is always by a window or outside at a cafe table. You can even be really adventerous and do it on the sidewalk! I am known to create flatlays everytime we go out for a coffee or to an event. This photo was taken at the Jo Malone town house,

I think a huge misconception people have is that they can fix any photo with a filter. Yes, filters are an amazing way to express your aesthetic but don’t rely too heavily on a filter to fix the lighting in a shot, especially a flatlay!

It’s always good to choose something that makes you happy, even if it’s your morning coffee or your newest flower arrangement.

CHOOSE A BACKDROP

Keep your background simple! Textured tiles like marble work really well. Sometimes I like toa dd an addtional texture to my backdrop like a scarf or a knit for more dimension. If you decide to go for a bolder background, nake sure the pieces you use contrast the background and stand out enough. Also keep the items you choose simple! This photo was taken on a balcony. My backdrop had a lot going on with the beautiful buildings so I kept the items minimal.

Remember not to have too many points of focus if you are creating a more non traditional flatlay like this one!

USING THE GRID

Your iPhone camera has a grid that you can use as a guide to your flatlay. I never use a ruler (much to the contrary of what everyone thinks!) but instead I rely on the grid to help me make sure everything is aligned; perfect when you’re out for brunch, cause lets be real, pulling out a ruler would just be strange.

Remember that the grid operates on the rule of thirds so you want your focal points to be in line with the lines on the grid and the crosses between them.

THINK ABOUT COLOUR

Colours are super important, especially when choosing what goes in your flatlay. Choose colours that compliment each other. You can occasionally add pops of colour that act as contrasts (ex: all blue with a pop of orange! Think about opposing colours on the colour wheel). Essentially, make sure your colours go well together and don’at clash. Make it soothing on the eyes! In this photo the pink bag is my pop of colour and it goes well with the denim.

You are now fully geared and ready to conquer that flatlay you’ve been wanting to share forever. I think after all these tips that I’ve learnt over time, the most important one is to not be afraid of trial and error. Flatlays can take time and if you don’t get it right the first time, don’t worry about it. I usually move things around and take 500 shots before I get that one perfect one so be patient with yourself and always look for the beauty in the everyday around you.

Make sure to tag me in all your flatlay creations and use #TSSflatlay for a chance to be featured on my stories and blog! You’re going to want to get practicing, especially because I have a very special flatlay giveaway coming up next week! Stay tuned!

I hope you guys enjoy these special tips and tricks to creating the perfect flatlay.

Do you have any more questions about how to create a flatlay? Comment below and I will answer them!

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3 Tips To Get Ready Faster in The Morning

THINK FAST

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This post contains affiliate links however this does not affect you in any way. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Photos by Alise Jane

When I was in school, the number one reason why I was late was that I couldn’t decide what to wear. Fast forward to university, and that problem continued on. Over time I finally figured out a system that worked well for me and helped me to get ready faster in the morning, while still being happy with the outfit I was in when I walked out the door. So, I know that a lot of you have had the same moment as me when you open your closet in the morning and pretty much hate everything you’re looking at, right? To avoid that mini-meltdown, and save you enough time in the morning, I have three special tips to help you get ready faster. (Also, can we not miss the headband? I am in love with this Prada headband and I feel like it’s relevant because I’ve been rocking a headband since I was 4)

Think About Your Outfit in Advance
Okay, I know this is the most obvious tip of all time and I know that a lot of you don’t like to take your outfit out the night before simply because you’re tired, you don’t have the time, or you want to see how you feel the next day. I don’t think you should be as OCD as me (I think about my outfits a week in advance when I know I have lots of events…) but it does help to have an idea of what you’re going to wear. Think about a look you’d like to put together the night before so that when you wake up in the morning, you know what you’re looking for.

Find Accessories To Fall Back On
What lands up happening is that you sometimes feel like your outfit is too “bland” and you’re tempted to start again. Resist this urge! Instead, organise your accessories so you know which ones work to spice up your outfit. In my outfit, I added in the high socks and the headband to make an otherwise simple spring outfit, look that much more chic.

Know Where To Look
If you think that you have to compromise on style to get ready fast in the morning, I’m here to assure you that you can have your cake and eat it too. Sometimes the best way to figure out what to wear is to look at your inspirations! Check out my Instagram page for all my outfits and what I wear every day, or even have a browse on Pinterest for what others have put together. You’ll probably find an idea in a matter of minutes!

Do you have any tips for getting ready faster in the morning?

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Givenchy Black Knit

Storets White Skirt

Falke Knee Socks

Chloe Boots (similar)

Prada Headband

…organise your accessories so you know which ones work to spice up your outfit.

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Givenchy Black Knit

Storets White Skirt

Falke Knee Socks

Chloe Boots (similar)

Prada Headband

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How To Wear A Beige Outfit and Not Look Boring

BEIGE
AESTHETIC

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This post contains affiliate links however this does not affect your experience in any way. I have a gifting relationship with & Other Stories, who are featured in this post.

Photos by Alise Jane

We’ve come to that point in the year (already!) where spring is at our fingertips and street style from new york fashion week and soon London is already teasing us with the best spring summer 2019 fashion trends. One of the best trends to rule all our favourite spring outfits for 2019 is none other than beige. Although you might think of beige as being boring, all-neutral outfits are set to be a favourite amongst the ultra fashionable. Not only because it’s an incredibly easy colour to wear and match, but also because it’s classic. The best part? You can always add your own twist to your beige aesthetic to make it trendier. So how do you wear beige without looking boring?

Here are my three tips to make beige a bit more exciting:

1.Mix shades
Beige doesn’t have to be all one shade. I mixed in a bit of chocolate brown with my turtleneck and an almost ecru shade with my cream knee high boots. The different shades of beige add in a new dimension to the look.

2. Play with accessories
I wanted to give my otherwise classic look a bit of a twist. I removed the belt off my skirt and tied it over my oversized cardigan. I then added in a cowboy hat for a modern update! Accessories have a great way of changing an outfit and updating an otherwise classic look.

3. Beige is for everyone
A lot of brown girls I know are afraid of wearing beige because they feel it almost blends in with their skin tone. Beige looks great on everyone, which is why it’s such a classic and versatile colour. If you’re not ready to go monochrome with it just yet, try pairing it in with black or white, You’ll be hooked onto this classic shade in no time. Another great pairing is beige and gold!

If you live in a warm country and are already embracing spring, you can recreate this outfit with a beige t-shirt and high waisted skirt. Complete your outfit with a beige cowboy hat like mine and add in some boho accessories like layered necklaces, or even a chain for your sunglasses like I did here.

So, are you embracing the new neutral this year? I almost wish I saved this look for LFW but I’m so excited to share it with you guys already!

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Zara Oversized Cashmere Cardigan (similar)

Uniqlo Turtleneck

Maje High Waisted Skirt (similar)

Topshop Cowboy Hat (similar)

& Other Stories Beige Leather Boots

Loewe Bag

Beige looks great on everyone, which is why it’s such a classic and versatile colour.

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Zara Oversized Cashmere Cardigan (similar)

Uniqlo Turtleneck

Maje High Waisted Skirt (similar)

Topshop Cowboy Hat (similar)

& Other Stories Beige Leather Boots

Loewe Bag

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The One Under £50 Accessory That Instantly Makes All My Outfits More Luxe

LUXE IN A SEC

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This post contains affiliate links. This does not affect your experience in any way!

Photos by Alise Jane

The easiest way to make any outfit look more expensive is with the right accessories. One of the biggest fashion trends to make a comeback is the headband, which also happens to be one of the easiest ways to make your next winter outfit look more luxe. The best part? You don’t have to break the bank to get the look! I’ve been reaching for headbands since I was a little girl (I wore on every day!) and although my friends poked fun at me about them all through school, I knew that one day they would all be reaching for one too. (Yes, I was even called Blair Waldorf regularly because of them but whatever, I was always Team B anyways)

Now you’ll find the headband on your favourite street style stars at fashion week (who’s been keeping their eyes on Paris Couture Week?) and across the runway at the likes of Prada, Miu Miu and Dior. Whether you’re looking for a basic one to get you started, a beautiful pearl one for something special or a lush velvet one like this, there’s something for everyone and they are usually under £50 (Of course you can get ones that are over if your budget allows! The Prada one’s are amazing). Now that’s an accessory to stock up on! The one I’m wearing is from Fenwick’s on Bond Street; they have a fab selection if you are ever in the area!

The best part about headbands is that they are the simplest way to complete an outfit. I wore this look to London Fashion Week a few seasons ago but it looks totally different, and so much better, just by adding the headband! If you’re wondering how to wear a headband, I recommend pushing your hair back with it and then pushing it slightly forward to get that slight puff in your hair. I’ve linked to a whole selection of them below, ready for you to shop!

What do you think of headbands? Comment below!

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Headband (see above for similar)

Uniqlo White Sweater

Maje Pinafore Dress (similar)

Similar pinafore dress in cord

Stuart Weitzman 5050 Boots

The easiest way to make any outfit look more expensive is with the right accessories.

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Headband (see above for similar)

Uniqlo White Sweater

Maje Pinafore Dress (similar)

Similar pinafore dress in cord

Stuart Weitzman 5050 Boots

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How To Make Your Office Outfit More Chic

OFFICE CHIC

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This post contains affiliate links but this does not affect you in any way!

Photos by Alise Jane

When you wake up and it’s freezing cold, it can be a bit of a task to decide what to wear to work. Although I may not have a dress code for what I do, a lot of my dearest friends face the same struggle; what do I wear into the office today? I’ve come up with a stylish office outfit that I hope you’re going to love; No more confusion about what to wear to work in the winter!

When you think of work you don’t necessarily think of trends but you’ll be surprised about how easily you can work some of your favourite winter fashion trends into your look. Plaid, houndstooth and tartan are all winter classics and all look incredibly chic. Ditch the black skinny jeans or plain black trousers and instead opt for a patterned pair. I picked up these dark blue tartan trousers from the Sandro sale. I love that the pattern is subtle.

I paired this with a grey turtleneck from Sandro as well (another great sale purchase!). This turtleneck is a total classic piece but what makes the whole look more interesting is the neck detailing. I love classics with a twist! I would also pair these trousers with a plain white ribbed turtleneck and a blazer. Finally, I added in a pair of white boots; a simple yet effective way to make your outfit stand out!

In terms of accessories, I’m wearing vintage Givenchy earrings that I found in a store in Amsterdam and my favourite Louis Vuitton bag. I get a lot of questions about this bag and how much it can fit. Let’s just say I can pretty much fit my life in it! I also added in my new Chanel sunglasses. I’m obsessed with the retro vibes!

If you live in a warmer country but want to recreate this look, I would still opt for patterned pants like these and instead pair it with a white t-shirt or with a white blouse; a white shirt with oversized sleeves would look fabulous! If your office is a bit more casual you can even throw in a pair of white trainers!

Would you wear this to the office?

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Sandro Grey Turtleneck

Sandro Tartan Trousers (similar here)

Office White Boots

Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis Bag

Chanel Sunglasses

Vintage Givenchy Earrings