Living up my princess dreams

Ok. Confession: “princess” my dresses were never really my thing, so I was surprised by how drawn to this beautiful ombré shoulder wing maxi dress I was. 

So I am living up the princess dreams I didn’t even know I had!

From the three I got, this was probably my “least” favourite and as such the one which surprised me the most. 

As soon as I received it, I had to try it on and I knew immediately I’d shoot it because it is magical. 

The blush and navy ombré reminds me of when the fairies in Sleeping Beauty are fighting over the colour of her dress – pink and blue. The glittery tulle with some added sparkly stars really looks like magic was cast over it.

The dress flows and shines beautifully. The apt princess neckline together with the drop sleeves just make it even more wonderful.

Goddiva dresses sizes start at an 8 and it’s a tad big for me on the chest and waist – nothing a belt and a strapless bra didn’t solve!

I also accessorised with my beloved Christian Louboutin pailette caresse all turned to silver. Id probably throw in a lips clutch in silver mirror to wear for an occasion. 

I decided to shoot it at the stunning St Dunstan on the east former church with was bombed in the II world war abs is now a beautiful garden open to the public. 

I highly recommend you pay a visit if in London, it’s a haven of tranquility and peace, on top of its beauty and history. 

I am usually a fan of sequin dresses, a bit more skin tight, but this dreamy dress has definitely got my heart!

Only regret? I should’ve worn a tiara.

Goddiva has a great selection and I hear their new season dresses section is growing considerably for the party months, even if it is to party from your sitting room.

written by Dani

This post contains PR products and was created in collaboration with Goddiva with no obligation to post. Words are all my own, opinions and images too!

Am I going to the ball?

Goddiva dresses

Given the current pandemic situation, this should be the least of my worries but I cannot help but wonder about festive balls this winter. Although chances are slim, it won’t stopping me dreaming about the most beautiful gowns.

Goddiva is an old favourite of mine, especially this time of the year: they never fail to stock the most glamorous dresses for all celebratory occasions.

I might be celebrating Christmas in a very small group, if any, this year, but I am hoping I will give these beautiful dresses an outing.

Goddiva label

Of course they will be styled and posted as they deserve, but for now, I cannot help to think how much I will be able to dress up and show up.

Will I don gorgeous evening maxi dresses that shimmer when the light hits?

Am I going to fall into the exhaustion of multiple Christmas dos? Spoiler alert: don’t hold your breath.

Goddiva evening dresses

I will miss all the festive struggles below and the many questions that come with it:

Am I going to struggle to transition between seasons choosing between autumn and winter dresses? Could I get a multi-tasking one?

What colour to pick to stand out? Are my accessories popping? Dress up or down? (Always up btw)

What is going to be that dress everyone has this season?

Goddiva navy and blush ombre princess maxi dress

Will I have enough dresses to cover he events in my diary? How far can I get away with shorter, lighter dresses before moving completely to winter dresses?

Hell, the only question I can ask at the moment is: “will I even be in a situation requiring me to squeeze into a pretty dress in the foreseeable future?”, as there not many answers at this uncertain times.

One thing is for sure: I am prepared. And as the magpie that I am!

Goddiva silver dress

I got these three beautiful dresses from Goddiva: one straight from a fairy tale, sparkling navy and blush ombrè, a flowy silver sequin number that screams studio 54 and a sexy dark red gown with a fish tail that wouldn’t be out of place on Jessica Rabbit.

And I am ecstatic with my selections. I have worn quite a few of their dresses before and they are always a hit: the designs, the fit, the material, the quality – all with great value.

However the end of 2020 turns out to be, I promised myself I will drape myself in sequins, sparkle and happiness. Even if it is dinner for one, but hopefully we will all be able to have loved ones around – that alone, is worth celebrating!

This post contains PR products and was written in collaboration with Goddiva. Words are my own, opinions and images too!

written by Dani

Dani’s Little Book of Fashion: that party dress

Who doesn’t like a pretty frock? Come on! And when they come well priced, that even better.

Adrianna Papell is a brand that strives to deliver a feeling, not only a look, taking into consideration our individuality as women. Designs are modern, chic and vary in style to suit different ages, body types and styles.

 

 

I found sizing is quite generous, created to fit real bodies. Both designs I tried are size 10 and they were a bit big for me, so I have to be pinned at the back! The fit fit is good, skimming in the right places.

I was thrilled to be invited to a little Adrianna Papell red carpet shoot, which included a little champagne pamper at House of Fraser Oxford St in London.

Dani Dutra
miss.dutra@gmail.com

I had a fab YSL makeup and checked out their latest launches which was followed by a lovely styling by Aveda (do you know that they know have a dry conditioner? YES!) .

Just because I am greedy, I tried 2 different full length styles. A gorgeous black number embroided with flowers, which was dreamy,. The flowers, in bright colours, cascade down the torso into the flowing skirt.

I then went on to wear a silver two piece, as I thought it was quite different and slightly reminiscing of Indian wedding wear, making a lovely alternative to a sari if you are a guest.

The top had a little bit of transparency, which I am a big fan of, and intricate beading was present throughout both pieces. The high-waist skirt was more skin tight, opening slightly on a pretty heavy-ish train.

Both designs featured beading heavily, but felt very comfortable to wear, not to heavy. They also have in-built bras so you don’t need to worry about that!

Really pretty, and they look more expensive than they are!

You can get Adrianna Papell dresses from House of Fraser, of course and from Debenhams.

Their prices vary from £120 to £350 at HoF website, so you can get a new one for every wedding/race/event/garden party you attend this summer!

All pics by James McCauley.

written by Dani

Stepping into another era in Camden, with Collectif Vintage Clothing

100 dresses. No, it is not number I go through every morning before deciding what to wear, silly. It is the number of Collectif dresses donned by lovely ladies at the Collectif Big Camden Party, which lived up to its “night of style, sass and swing” tagline wonderfully.

Choosing from seven beautiful Collectif vintage inspired dresses, we were treated to a fabulous retro hair do as well as a few glasses of prosecco and an unlimited amount of fun at the Collectif shop at Stables Market, in the heart of Camden Town.

I am a huge vintage inspired clothing fan. I don’t make it a lifestyle and don’t really stick to an era, but I pepper it around my own style; and the 50s are by far favourite time.

I love pencil skirts, cinched waists and I think that’s the best shape for my body; I feel comfortable and of course, pretty!

After squeezing myself into the gorgeous Yvonne Hanna Check Trim pencil dress and with my head suitably adorned with Victory rolls (by Lucy’s Vintage Hair) we moved on to Solomon’s Yard for the party.

And what a party it was. We were promised live bands, DJs, burlesque, magic, hoola hooping and Unicorns (yes, UNICORNS) ad boy, did they deliver that and more.

Welcomed by a vintage car and motorbikes, the stage was always filled with the most amazing acts: the Victory Sisters, an impeccable wartime vocal trio wearing pretty Collectif Maria Woodland Bloom Swing dresses.

There was beyond sassy burlesque from stunners The Folly Mixtures, with two cute and sexy acts, music spanning the eras between performances, courtesy of DJ Gem Precious and Diana Thompson.

Fabulous in orange drag queen Meth killed the comedy lip-syncing and got us all singing and laughing, and I even got some bonus spanking from the hilarious Levitating Elvis, with his boxing glove hair, an act so weird that is wonderful.

I do have to single out the not only gorgeous but super talented The Tootsie Rollers.

All five of them wore sultry siren Ingrid Fishtail evening dresses and left me smiling throughout the whole performance of pop sons with a swing twist. Extraordinary.

Finally, the unicorns. They came all the way from The Fabulus of Unicorns, a group of horn wearing, glitter-spreading people whose sole purpose is to disseminate love and happiness among humans. I mean, I just felt so happy around them that it’s not even funny.

I was of course, “kissed” by a unicorn and can still find glitter all over my house.

And there was dancing. Laughing. Such a fabulous atmosphere, fantastic happy people, all supporting a great brand with glamour that keeps giving.

My dress (and all the others I tried – sorry guys, you were fabulous and so kind trying to accommodate me) has an excellent finish and detailing, amazing cut, fits well and made me feel a million dollars.

All their clothes are amazing, the designs are obviously, vintage inspired, but very wearable. I have my eyes on a few little numbers, I tell you!

You can browse the beautiful Collectif Vintage Clothing collection on their website, I highly recommend it.

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Dani’s Little Book of Fashion: Autumn in the countryside

lbf_countryside_autumn - 3If you know a little bit about me, you know I am not a country loving person. That is limited to not enjoying “long walks”, hiking and camping.

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To bra or not to bra

Janet agent provocateur

The bra – often an outfit’s unsung hero – has been under fire recently.

Turns out that our always supporting friend could be not that supporting after all. A French study shows some evidence that bras are actually sagging our breasts more! Shock, horror.

Professor Jean-Denis Rouillon from the University of Franche-Comté says that his studies, involving of 330 women between the ages of 18-35 over the last 17 years, show that wearing the garment could actually make the nipples drop 7mm more per year (!!!) than if not wearing it.

Apparently breasts will not develop support tissue when a bra is worn, thus sagging quicker. On top of that, some of the participants also said their posture was improved and they were breathing better.

Although he found evidence that bras don’t help keep our breasts perky, Professor Rouillon said he would not advise straight away that we all go bra-less.

I am not sure how I feel about this one; I certainly welcome removing that restriction, but I don’t know if I could adopt it 24×7.

What about you? Would you revolutionise and burn you bras to free your boobs for good?

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Dani’s Little Book of Fashion: We are going on a holiday!

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Ooooh, to go on holidays… Going on holidays for me is more than just relaxing; I like to soak in the culture, the people and especially the food (a lot of it). If it is sunny and there’s a pool or even better, a beach, it’s my heaven.

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What I’ve been wearing: 04/05/15

Wow, it’s been a long time since a post an outfit entry. Laziness. No other excuse. Oh, wait, there is… I always get so fed up with the winter that towards the end I cannot be bothered with the outfits anymore… it’s half not making an effort and the other half not finding them interesting anymore.

But as the new season begins (to try) to come… well…. fresh outfits are fun.

Here are some from the last few weeks (maybe months!):

Outfit #1

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Flowery trouser from H&M, black cape from Boohoo, black shoes from Christian Louboutin, handbag from Kate Spade.

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What I’ve been wearing – 18/02/15

I know, it has been soooo long since I posted an outfit entry. It is not that I’ve been walking around naked or been wearing track suit bottoms day in and day out – it’s more like a mix of lack of time to photograph and boredom with the winter wardrobe!

But now… winds are (I hope they are) changing…. and I feel excited about wardrobes again! Here is my latest selection:

Outfit #1

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Tomato red backless top from Boohoo, black pencil skirt from H&M, black court shoes from Christian Louboutin (Pigalle), belt and necklace from Primark, rings from Sobral, Primark and H&M. Bracelet tattoo from Paperself.

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