Free Pies For A Year...You Can't Scoff At That!

In my previous post, you may have read of a special pie delivery to the Holden household last week.

I only went and won a contest on Twitter to win a year's supply of pies!

Holland's Pies, to be exact! And no, this isn't an early April Fool!

Lancashire born and bred, I've almost been brought up on Holland's pies. They mix it up with your powdered baby milk up here ; )

So when an email dropped in my Twitter inbox informing me of my big win, I was literally jumping for joy. Forget the Lotto, this is the real jackpot.

Fifty four pies of my choice (one a week and a couple for Christmas) from the Holland's Pies website was my grand prize. Not to be scoffed at, I'm sure you'll agree.

So when the pies were dropped off at work last Friday, it was all I could do to offer everyone in my office a free pie dinner!

Off to the local chippy for a round of chips it was and we all enjoyed a steaming hot meat and tatey for lunch. Get in!

And do you know how many of those 54 pies I've actually seen myself? Three! My generosity clearly knows no bounds. They've been dished out (quite literally) to all and sundry - including the whole office, my Nana and Grandad, the rents, the fella and my old boss!

Well, dear readers...you'll be pleased to know the big win didn't change me. I was back to work the following Monday. But I did need considerable help dealing with the press and the various 'hangers on' who mysteriously came out of the woodwork once they'd heard my good news ; )

I was even featured in my colleague’s weekly column in the paper I work for. Oh the fame!

I'll leave you with this picture of a couple of Holland's pies. I'd have loved to have shown you the big box I received, were they not snapped up faster than you can say mushy peas.

A Lush Surprise!

Last week was the naffest week ever. Well, apart from a very special delivery from Holland's Pies - more on that in an upcoming post!

We've been getting to grips with a new computer system at work and it's been a blimming nightmare.
So I was beyond chuffed when, out of nowhere, Lush sent me a small surprise package to the office.

I've done a few reviews for the brand in the past and ran the odd competition with them for my YouTube channel, so they already had my details. But it's not often you get a package like this out of the blue. And I love post!

So, there we have it...
 Two of Lush's brand new Easter ballistics - the shocking pink Candy Fluff Egg and the Happy Hippy-esque Hippy Chick.
I'd much rather have one of these than an Easter egg any day, kinder on the hips!

 From left to right: Candy Fluff Egg and Hippy Chick

 

Oooh not long until Easter. What's everyone doing?

FTC Disclaimer: Yes, I was sent the above Lush products for free. But you wouldn't begrudge me that, would you?! I'd had a rubbish week ; )
No chicks, happy or otherwise, were harmed in the making of these Lush products

Oh Clog Off!

So clogs are back in fashion?

"But they're designer!" squeal fashion writers.

I don't care if they've got my name on and they make me a cup of tea in the morning, they're still clogs!

My sister had a pair of foul metallic blue ones at the back end of the '90s. And if you ask me, that's where they should've stayed -  with neon shellsuits,  oversized dungarees and sun visors.

Comedy photo from Google attached to emphasise point...

Clogs weren't cool then and they're not cool now.

So, are you a clog fan? Rant aside, I want to know! Fashion faux pas or too cool for school?
Please back me up on this!

DISCLAIMER: I'm not trying to offend any clog fans ; )

Everyone's Doing It...Are You?!

Sarah Finley, a fellow blogger and freelance journalist, was kind enough to mention Lauren Loves in her guest post for the site This Little Lady Went to London.

Writing about the joys of blogging, Sarah was lovely enough to give a shout out to my little site, as well as a few other blogging gems.

London-born Sarah writes a popular blog about dating - The Loves and Life of a London girl and was recently featured in Company magazine as one of the UK's top bloggers.

There's still time to vote for Sarah's blog in the Company blog awards. But in the meantime, why not go and check her blog out for yourself.

I was also chuffed to bits last week when Company tweeted about my blog, urging people to check it out *blushes*

x

Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the air...and it's time to push your winter make-up to the back of your stash.

Find out how to get a perfect Kate Nash-esque spring/summer look in my latest piece for Elf Cosmetics here

And don't forget to comment while you're there. Do so and you'll get £1.50 off every order over £10.

Cereal-sly Good News!

Thanks to a kind follower on Twitter - Elaine, aka Sassyele, my blog has been nominated for the Dorset Cerals Little Blog Awards.

Thank you Elaine, that's so lovely of you and much appreciated.

If you'd like to vote for me (via the Dorset Cereals link above) that'd be great. You'll also be in with a chance of winning a cereal hamper, so it's not all bad.

Thanks! x

Can Your Fella Be Trusted?

I read with awe a recent post by Eliza, aka Make Up Junkie

She wrote: "I’ve not been well of late which has meant a lot of time in the house. Therefore, make-up purchases have been few and far between.
"So on a whim, and to fight my jonesing for new slap, I ask the fella to pick me up a little something make-up wise when he popped out to the local shops. He’s very understanding of my cosmetic addiction so he was happy to give it a go. Literally gave him a tenner and said to get anything."

Boyfriend Make-up Roulette was the title Eliza gave to her fella's mission - and surprisingly, he returned victorious - bringing her back a lovely red lippie, which she not only loved, but suited her amazingly.

Thumbs up to Eliza's fella. I don't think my fella would be quite so clued up when it comes to all things cosmetics. I dread to think what he'd bring back if I let him loose with a tenner and his imagination.
Orange foundation and tacky blue eyeshadow ahoy!

In fact, I've just asked him outright. What would be choose if he had a tenner and free run of the make-up aisles.

His reply: "I dunno, some Lush stuff." Erm....make-up, lad! See....not a clue.

Would your fella fare any better?

Don't forget to check out Eliza's blog too!

Backstage With....Australian Popsters, Operator Please

They're still in their teens but already Australian popsters Operator Please are onto album number 2.
Hailing from the Gold Coast of Queensland, the band are known for their infectiously catchy track 'Just A Song About Ping Pong', taken from debut album 'Yes, Yes, Vindictive'.
New album 'Gloves' is soon to be released and I managed to track the band down prior to a big tour.
This is what lead singer Amandha Wilkinson had to say....

Who're you gonna call?

Lauren: So what have you all been up to of late? Apart from putting the finishing touches to new album 'Gloves', of course?
Amandah: We finished the Future Music Festival tour - kind of suffering from that, and have been rehearsing and doing some more rehearsals, demoing and getting all artwork finished.
Bits and pieces that need to be organised for the tour and what not.

Lauren The band has been travelling across the UK, Europe and Japan. But what's been your favourite place to perform so far and which crowd has been the most receptive to your sound?
I love Japan and all of Europe pretty much - every audience is different.
I think I also have fond memories of those places because we are received the best, as of late I have also really enjoyed touring Australia.

Lauren: So what can you tell us about the new album? And how does it compare to Yes Yes Vindictive?
Amandah: The new album, I think is maybe a little bit of a step up?
I never really know how to explain myself with these questions. I think you could say it's poppier than Yes Yes Vindictive in the sense that I am singing more, channelling Britney ha ha ha and the instrumentation has changed around a little bit. The synths are a bit more predominant and the songs are thicker and stompy

Lauren: You must be excited to get back out there? What are you most looking forward about being back on the road?
Amandah:  It's just good to have new music to share.
We have been getting a bit of cabin fever being at home though. I guess it has been a healthy amount of down time for us to truly rejuvenate after the last album's touring cycle.
I am looking forward to not being in the same country for an extended period of time and just playing shows in general, getting back into the swing of playing a show pretty much every night, catching up with friends, being cheeky.

Lauren: I remember you telling me [backstage at Operator Please's Preston show 2 years ago] you're a big fan of UK indie act The Futureheads. Is this still the case?
Amandah: Yes, I love The Futureheads.
 I remember being about 16 and watching them play at a festival in Australia called Splendour in the Grass after I'd discovered them on late night Rage (music channel).
A couple of years later we supported them, which was completely surreal. Everyone cuts sick to Does It Offend You Yeah? They were on Future Music so I watched them nearly everyday, there are too many other UK bands that I like so wouldn't be fair to name drop ha ha. Music to look out for though: Tim & Jean who are from Australia - make dance pop songs and are boys that sing high, total babefest AND Killerqueenz - amazing hip hop, totally bootylicious and badass - I kind of wish I was in Killerqueenz, well not kind of, I do.

Lauren: How do you manage the pressures of being in a band - after all, you're all still fairly young.
Amandah: You kind of just have to. You put your head down and you work. You kind of can't think too much about outside pressure, as you already put so much pressure on yourselves - you kind of just have to focus, remember why you love doing what you do and get on with it.

Lauren: Who or what inspires Operator Please's style?
Amandah: I think we're all a little bit vintage normally. Most of the things we wear onstage are pieces we would wear normally but just accentuated a bit by accessories. So I can't speak for the rest of the band but personally I'm a bit Jem & The Holograms - but not when they transform into Jem & The Holograms - just when they are normal girls ha ha.

Lauren: What's your preferred on-stage look?
Amandah: I think big eyes is so necessary, owl eyelashes, black eyeliner. I always base my outfits with black and then maybe add a little shimmy shimmy. I think structural clothing is important for stage, I'm into the 80s' power suite, mainly for the amount of shoulder they have. I also love my pom poms that my friend Kitiya made for me.

Lauren: What's coming up for you all, then?
Amandah: Well the album comes out on May 31 - so to the lead up of the album release we have another single coming out and then it will be tour galore - for now we are rehearsing, demoing and keeping ourselves occupied but it's going to get busier.

For more about Operator Please, click here

In the meantime, check out the band's video to Just A Song About Ping Pong. I challenge you to watch it without smiling....
Don't forget to check out the video to Logic, too.

Backstage With...Pixiwoo

They've recently been featured amongst the top UK bloggers in Company magazine. And deservedly so.                                                

Sisters Samantha and Nic Chapman have racked up some hundreds of thousands of views (and counting) on their YouTube make-up channel - and it's not hard to see why.

Samantha Chapman, one half of YouTube sensations, Pixiwoo, agreed to be interviewed in the latest of my Backstage With...interviews, right here on A Lauren to Herself...

Here, Samantha talks meeting Paul McCartney, working backstage at Milan Fashion Week and juggling family life with her hectic career as a top celebrity make-up artist.

It's a glamorous life, but someone's got to do it...

Sister act: Samantha and Nic Chapman

Lauren: So, how did your journey into the wonderful world of make-up begin?

Samantha: Nic and I studied 2-year BTEC Media Make-up courses at our local college many many years ago (sadly).

We became make-up artists because our aunt is an MUA (http://www.maggiehunt.com/) and she inspired us. Both Nic and I worked at MAC for five years at different times.

I started recording videos when I was 8 months' pregnant and feeling fat and unattractive.

Somehow the fact that only my face was visible was a huge release from my massive restrictive body. Putting make-up on made me feel so much better about myself in that last month and I really hope that I pass that feeling on to others.

 Lauren: Yourself and Nic have been running successful make-up courses for a while now. What's the feedback from attendees been like so far?

Samantha: I have been teaching via various make-up schools for years but I started teaching my own courses about four years ago.

I love it but it is incredibly hard work. I give those courses every bit of energy I have. At the end of our recent courses I was almost certifiable.

Lauren: What's been the biggest highlight in your job as a make-up artist?

Samantha: I guess the biggest highlight would be either getting my first Agent (six years ago) or our success on YouTube and all the doors that YouTube has opened for us.

Lauren: What's the worst thing about your job?

Samantha: That's an easy one! Travelling to and from a shoot on London transport in rush hour.

Lauren: You've been privileged to do make-up for celebs, such as Paul McCartney, as well as working on major fashion magazines.

How does this compare to your day-to-day work, and are  celebs always as you expect them to be?

Samantha: Celebrity work doesn't differ much from my usual shoots other than my nerves are slightly more on edge.

It is really important to maintain composure and professionalism when working with celebs.

I do not ask any questions that are not make-up related and I let them lead the conversation. Most of the time I leave the shoot knowing no more about the celebrity than I did before.

Lauren: What's your desert island beauty product?

Samantha: Benefit Bad Gal lash.

Lauren: What advice can you offer to budding make-up artists?

* Pay attention to the trends

* Keep a scrap book of the campaigns.

* If you get offered an opportunity take it immediately, worry about your train fare later.

* Try to be original (that means forget the coloured feather eyelashes)

* Keep your kit clean and tidy and hygenic

Lauren: With regards to YouTube, what's your most requested make-up look and which was your favourite video(s) to make?

Samantha: We get asked to do Effy from Skins quite often and Arabic make-up.

There are a few that I loved making. I loved Marla Singer, Sophia Loren and Beth Ditto. I also love creating the trend videos because I find them a bit more challenging.

Lauren: You've worked on TV shows and backstage at London and Milan fashion weeks.

How does a day/night at such a show pan out for you?

Samantha: Timings vary. When I have worked London/Milan fashion week it can be five shows a day. I'll be up at 5am to get to the show for 6.30am.

The day is a whirlwind of packing kit, unpacking kit and running from show to show. Finishing as late as 11pm.

The best thing about shows it that I get to work with some of the most beautiful women in the world including Isabelli Fontana, Maria Carla Boscono, Alek Wek, Liberty Ross, Georgina Grenville, Jade Parfitt, Anouk Lepere, Lily Donaldson and Lily Cole

Lauren: You recently got a make-up video request from Courtney Love. How did that come about?

Samantha: I'm not quite sure. I guess Courtney must have found us on YouTube and twittered about loving us.

Then we chatted for a bit and she asked me to recreate a look for her.

It was a bit of a surprise but I was really flattered because I love Courtney's music. It's always nice to be recognised by people whose talent you admire.

Lauren: You must get some lovely comments/feedback from people you've done make-up for...

Samantha: Yes, it is wonderful to get great feedback.

Although make-up is such a light subject the knock on effects run much deeper.

Good make-up can change how someone feels about themselves and thats what I really love about it.

Samantha and her stunning Edie Sedgwick-inspired look

Lauren: You have two young children. How do you juggle family life with your job and YouTube. It must be exhausting...

Samantha: It is really difficult. Olivia goes to nursery on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I have from 9am to 3pm (when I pick Lily up fom school) to film, blog, edit, upload, answer emails etc.

When a good shoot comes in I blag my mum into watching the girls. My mum is a legend!

Lauren: Which YouTubers/bloggers can you recommend?

Samantha: I don't get much time to watch or read blogs.

The free time I have goes into creating videos and replying to hundreds of emails.

If I do get any time I try to catch Lisa Eldridge's videos.

I tend to spend more time on Twitter because I can Twitter from my iphone and it takes seconds.

Lauren: I recently published a piece on my blog regarding an article on Make Up Advice Forum which suggested that beauty bloggers (who are not make-up artists) are not qualified to talk about make-up.

What do you think of this suggestion?

Samantha: Recently Nic and I went to the press launch for Laura Mercier and as she introduced us to her new products. We realised that the journalists from the major glossies didn't actually have much of a clue about colours and textures etc.

They jotted down what Laura said word for word.

It was a huge eye opener for Nic and I.

When I think about it, it makes sense. Why would a journalist know anything much about make-up? However, we assume they do because it is written and published as if it were gospel.

I wouldn't say that the people that write the articles in magazines know any more than bloggers.

In fact, I would say that sometimes they know significantly less.

Nic, riding the tube in style

Lauren: Finally, what's in the pipeline for yourself and Nic?

Samantha: Who knows. We are just taking it a day at a time. It's a bit like that crappy Costner movie 'Field of Dreams' ... "If you build it they will come"

Nic has moved back to Norwich so now we can really focus on fashionface.tv.

Our spring courses are completed and we are currently taking bookings for our July and August courses.

A big thank you to the lovely Samantha Chapman for featuring on A Lauren to Herself.

Watch Samantha and Nic's videos here and don't forget to subscribe to the girls' blog

40 Beauty Questions Tag

Okay, so this one's been doing the rounds on here and YouTube. Here's mine....

SKINCARE
How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice, Morning and Night.

What skin type do you have?
Normal/Dry

What is your current facial wash?
Boots Botanics Pore Perfecting Deep Clean Mousse

Do you exfoliate?
Once or twice a week with St Ives Apricot Scrub

What brand do you use?
Mmmm, St Ives.

What moisturiser do you use?
Planet Skincare daily moisturiser. Good, but far too expensive for me to repurchase.
Anyone got any suggestions?

Do you have freckles?
Yep, a fair few

Do you use eye cream?
Every now and again I use one by Soap and Glory, but it causes terrible stinging.

Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Unfortunately, yes :  (

Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
No

MAKE-UP

What foundation do you use?
Illamasqua solid to creamy compact, but I have a few. I use Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse and also liked MAC's Studio Tech until I suffered a horrible break out.

How about concealer?
No 7 Quick Cover Concealer in Extra Fair. This is amazing and I can't recommend it enough.

Do you know your undertone color?
I'm cool toned. I always knew I was cool......
What do you think of fake eyelashes?
They seem too much hassle. Luckily, I don't need them but I think I'd be hopeless at using them anyway.

Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
I certainly did. I tend to change them more often than that anyway.

What brand of mascara do you use?
I love Maybelline's Volume Express and Barry M's 3 in 1 Mascara.
Sephora or MAC?
Sephora

Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
Nope.

What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
Hands and fingers and brushes by No 7 (I've never tried a MAC one)

Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Yeah, Urban Decay Primer Potion

For the face?
No, just a good moisturiser

What is your favorite eyeshadow (colour or shade)?
Anything dark and smokey for the evening. I don't wear it during the day.

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Pencil. I am hopeless at applying gel or liquid.

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Never, I tend to do it with my mascara wand instead. Anyone else?

What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
Very good, but equally very messy.

Do you use mineral makeup?
Sometimes, but I don't like the coverage where foundation is concerned. If anyone can recommend a good one that'd be great. But I tend to stick to mineral blushers or eyeshadows.

What's your favourite lipstick?
Errr, do I have to pick. I'm going to pick more than one...Rimmel's Pink Shimmer, Stila's Charlotte and MAC's Mac Red

How about lipgloss?
No 7's Whisper

What is your favorite blush to use?
Anything peachy or rosy. At the moment I'm wearing a cheap one from Rimmel - their Autumn Catwalk trio. I love it.

Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
Only the cheap stuff. I'd never take a gamble on high end products as you don't know what you're getting.
I'd rather not worry that I'd spent a load of dosh on fake products.

Do you like drugstore makeup?
Errr. You mean from Boots and Superdrug? Yes, of course.
I love Bourjois, Maybelline, Rimmel and Barry M

Do you go to CCOs? (cosmetic company outlets)
Never

Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
No, I'd be absolutely naff at doing anyone's make-up but my own. And some would say I'm naff at doing my own.

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Sometimes. Depends if I'm rushing. I have trouble blending foundation and using liquid eyeliner.

Name a make-up crime that you hate?
Too much bronzer. I feel sick just thinking about it.

Do you like colourful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
Neutrals and pinks in the daytime but I love to jazz it up at night with fuschia lipstick and big dark eyes. Although not always at the same time.

Which celebrity always has great make up?
Everyone's said Kim Kardashian and I don't even know who she is.
I'd say Katy Perry. She always looks lovely and flawless and embraces her pale.

If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Concealer, without a doubt.

Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
I could, but I'd have to come straight back in! Maybe if I was putting the milk bottles out I'd brave it.

Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
To be honest, not at all.

In your opinion, what is the best makeup line?
I'm currently enjoying Illamasqua, so I'd say them. I love their liquid metal eyeshadows and was very impressed with their liquid foundations with their matte, powdery finishes.

What do you think of make-up?
It's fun and I'm glad I'm a woman because it hides a multitude of sins.


Please join in the fun and do this tag. And don't forget to leave me your product recommendations below x

When Good Make-Up Goes Bad.....

Harsh lip liner, tacky blue eyeshadow and cakey foundation - we've all made make-up mistakes.

But what's the worst?

I've just written an article for Elf Cosmetics on this very subject. Head here and leave a comment!

Skin Care Favourites

Ever had that panicky, sinking feeling when your favourite brand goes bust? Or a product you've used for years ceases to exist?
There's nothing worse than spending years perfecting your skin care routine, only to find a line you've relied upon is discontinued. Sob.
What do you do? Spend a small fortune and buy in bulk? Or look for a new skin care range that works for you?

I generally choose the latter and I've finally found a skin care routine that I use day in, day out.

Here's a quick rundown of my current skin care favourites.

Boots Botanics Face Sensitive Cleansing Wipes

I've been a fan of Boots' Botanics range since I stumbled across their face wash (see below) about a year or so ago. Now I'm hooked. I must own every single product in the Botanics skin care range, as well as the (blimming brilliant) hair conditioner.
I tend to alternative between their normal and sensitive face wipes, depending on how my skin's feeling/looking and I really can't recommend these enough. They're about £3.50 each and there's usually an offer or two on at Boots. Bargain.

From left to right: Botanics Sensitive/Oily Cleansing Mousse, Botanics Blemish Prone Pore Perfecting Deep Clean Mousse, St Ives Blemish Prone Apricot Scrub, yep more Botanics...Boots Botanics Moisturising Deep Clean Foam

My daily skin care routine includes one of the four products shown above. I tend to use Boots' Botanics Blemish Prone Pore Perfecting Deep Clean Mousse or the Sensitive version of the same face wash.
Each retails at about £3.50 and, as yet, I haven't found anything which suits my skin better. They're light, oil-free and remove every trace of make-up.

If my skin's suffering from dry patches, I switch to the Moisturisng Deep Clean Foam - it's just as gentle but super moisturising. I really couldn't live without it.

Finally, I use St Ives Blemish Fighting Scrub once a week, or as and when my skin needs it. I swear by St Ives and wish I'd stumbled across the brand years ago. It's a gentle scrub, as opposed to the 'I've just attacked my face with a piece of sand paper' effect you get with some exfoliators.

Planet Skin care
Pixiwoo was right - Planet products are definitely worth a look. It's a new skin care range and it's pretty expensive, but so far, so impressed.
I'm not always a believer of that old 'you get what you pay for' adage, but as far as Planet Skincare's daily moisturiser goes, I'm hooked.

I was lucky enough to be sent a good range of moisturisers from the company Beauty Enhancement recently and I've been working through a generous stack of samples from Elemis, Guinot and the aforementioned Planet. 

Planet's  Daily Moisturiser is thick and creamy without being oily and so far it's done wonders for my dry skin. It's fairly pricey but if you're looking for a high-end moisturiser, I'd definitely check Planet out.

And finally......

Lush's Cosmetic Warrior Fresh Face Mask

This is a fairly new addition to my skin care routine. I've always been a fan of Lush's face masks - they're fairly cheap (£5 a pot) and I'm a big fan of natural ingredients.
I was promised soft smooth skin by the Lush assistant and I'm pleased to say this product had done its job. At the time of buying this, I was suffering a nasty break out due to changing my foundation (I've learned my lesson!) and this did a great job calming redness and irritation.
It contains garlic and tea tree, so scent-wise this has roughly the same effect as rubbing a chunk of garlic bread on your face. Mmmm, not nice. But once you've got past the pong, it's a really good product that does exactly what it says on the pot.

What are your skin care favourites? Post your recommendations below, I'd love to hear them.

FTC DISCLAIMER: All the products mentioned above (bar the moisturiser samples) were paid for with my own money. I am not affiliated with any of the brands or companies mentioned, nor am I being paid for these reviews.

Toys R Us' Ouija Board: Harmless Fun or a Step Too Far?

Mmm. Toys R Us have brought out this...

What next?

Tanned Vs Fair: Join the Debate

Tanned Vs Fair: What do you prefer?

I recently wrote a short article for Elf Cosmetics on the benefits of both.

Join the debate here and don't forget to let me know what you think below.

Personally, I'm embracing the pale!

Yes, Yes, Yes!

I got one....

I'm not afraid to say I was taken in by the hype!

And if you're not already sick of seeing Urban Decay's Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows, you can marvel at my photos below....

Did you manage to get hold of yours? I can't bring myself to use mine yet.

Lauren x

Style File: Meet Sher

She's back on the 'blogosphere' after enjoying a nice break for Chinese New Year...
Welcome her back - it's Sher from Beneath the Crystal Stars.
Here, the stunning Sher shares her style must-haves and fashion no nos.
Reckon you can rival Sher in the style stakes? Email me at laurenholden6@gmail.com for a stint in the Style File spotlight.

Who or what inspires your style?
I'm a big fan of Zooey Deschanel's style - she always look great in pretty, vintage dresses.
I also adore Alexa Chung. Lately I'm inspired by those clogs she's been wearing. I hope to find a similar pair!
The timeless elegance and classiness of Audrey Hepburn will forever be an inspiration to me.
And of course being a blogger now, I'm constantly inspired by other fashion bloggers who continue to amaze me with their own personal styles. Some of my favourites are The Cherry Blossom Girl and Style Bytes (which is sadly defunct now).
At the moment, I'm also really inspired by Japanese and Taiwanese magazines like Vivi and Ray.

Which celeb's style do you think is overrated?
I would probably say Lady Gaga. I love her music but I can't bear to look at anything she wears.

What item wouldn't you be seen dead in?
Anything with bright neon colours! They just don't work on me!!

What's your current hair style?
I used to have long straight hair but I recently had a digital perm so now it's curly. I have bangs [a fringe] too which I may or may not grow out.

Favourite clothes shop and why?
Currently, it's probably Topshop. I'm not sure why, but I seem to have fallen in love with the clothes they carry nowadays.

What's your favourite item of clothing in your own wardrobe?
Oh this is hard! I feel like I love almost every single item and addition in my wardrobe. If I had to choose, I would say my Topshop prom dress, I've only worn it once or twice but I love taking it out just to to have a look sometimes.

Heels or flats?
Hmm, flats whenever I have to stand a lot and feel comfortable. Especially on those shopping trips.
But heels for sure when I need to doll up for a special night in the city!

What's the one item everyone should have in their wardrobe?
A leather jacket! It spices up anything you wear instantly! You can pair it up with a maxi dress, or with jean shorts, or a lacy dress, the possibilities are endless:)