ACID ORIENTAL

STEP 1:
Click play.



STEP 2:
Close your eyes for 20 seconds.

NOW, hopefully that is enough atmospherics for you to feel my recent mood slash mindset slash lifestyle.

I'm not entirely sure, but the concoction of hot summer evenings, unemployment and the general reckless freedom that comes with having 4 months off university has had a somewhat profound effect on my attitude towards life and importantly, fashion. (How deep am I?)

Living life in excess over the past couple of months (i.e. being an unconditional wastegal) has inflicted me with a sort of boundless attitude-exhibitionism in my style. It's hit me that living in a bubble can so easily happen, and make you lose touch with your originality in so many ways. Yes, OKAY wow, you can seriously tell I've been sitting at home pining over my friends' overwhelming, breath-taking, life-changing gap yah photos. Or I've been home alone for too long. (Guys, come home soon, please?) Either way, temple visits, elephant treks and full-moon parties have been the inspiration for today's look, combined with the influence of London's intoxicating nightlife, to give you ACID ORIENTAL. 

Hawaiian print scrunchie, Urban Outfitters

Neon yellow floor-length kimono, H&M

Bikini top, New Look

Cropped dungarees, The Ragged Priest

Flatform sandals, Deena & Ozzy

In keeping with my rather philosophical tone, here's a tip of the day:

Keep true to your style, even if its constantly developing, and don't be afraid to go large. As has been my mantra on many a night out recently - go hard or go home.

BEXX

LOOK OF THE DAY: Paisley Pastel Throwback

Bad hair day. Hmph.

I could come up with something clever about how today's look came about, but it is pretty much down to my giant mop and how today its just gone, well, a bit cray.

Exhibit A:

In the past I would weep endlessly about not having sleek, wash-and-go style locks like my younger brother and my WHOLE FAMILY (lets face it, I am probably adopted), but you know what, it's about time I had learned to embrace the volume - even if I do look a bit like an electrocuted Chewbacca.

So today, I pieced together a look from the era for huge hair - the 80's.

Hey, if it worked for SJP, Cindy and Madonna - big hair, don't care.

Paisley print off-shoulder crop, Motel

Acid bleach high-wasited jeans, Topshop

Platform peep-toe heels, Jeffrey Campbell

Silver hoops, River Island

BEXX

HELLO, AGAIN

One word: WOW. My first year of uni is officially fini. 

Apologies for the absence from BEXX but multi-tasking is definitely not my forte, and hopefully it can be agreed that finals are sort of, maybe, kind of important. So, drum roll please -
The blogger is back.

I'm not going to lie, the fact that it is only mid-May does seem quite daunting; I can't remember the last time I had this much free time. (Am I actually worrying about this?)

It's a little embarrassing that I just simply did not know what to do with myself after walking out of my final exam.  But then, (a few celebratory cocktails later) it seemed oh so clear - this is SUMMER. Memories - momentarily lost in the cave of my Edinburgh university dorm room - came flooding back of warm, light summer evenings, barbeques and Pimms. Yum.

Obviously, today I have got all excited as a result and hit the florals hard. The fashion world has seen what I like to call 'le nouveau floral' due to so many new takes on the print.  Erdem, Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana's bright textures, Prada's graphic, exaggerated accents and Mulberry's more conservative, ditsy prints of S/S '13 have brought new twists to the timeless design that keeps returning to the catwalks.

[From top: Moschino x2, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Valentino, Mulberry, Chanel] 

So, fortunately my hesistancy was short-lived: Bring on summer, even if that means having to get the legs out.

Faux-flower headband, River Island

Ditsy floral print playsuit, vintage

Tie-dye socks with frills, Topshop

Heavy-duty gladiator sandals, River Island

BEXX

LUST OF THE DAY: PVC Perfection - A shoe 'do'

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN 

Dufoura metallic-leather, PVC and suede sandals, £645

GIANVITO ROSSI 

Metallic leather and PVC pumps, £430

MICHAEL KORS

PVC and leather pumps, £330

SOPHIA WEBSTER

Daria leather and PVC slingbacks, £295

VALENTINO

Studded leather and PVC sandals, £770

Mention 'PVC' as a fashion statement and people typically would begin to question what your, er, preferences are. However, times have changed. 

I couldn't pick just one lust for today; there was simply too much good choice. Footwear has seen a surge of transparent plasticity, but with each designer adding their own influence. Louboutin has kept true to his extravagant, yet oh so wearable, boundary-pushing style by incorporating the neon and metallic colour-blocking element into his design. Equally Sophia Webster's colour-popping, polka-dotting mid heels set them apart by hinting at this season's 40's inspiration. My personal fave, Valentino's sandals, reflect the dark summer/punk-glam by the use of the label's signature pyramid studding.  

I know, you may think that by the lusts above being designer labels makes this trend seem unachievable for the vast majority of us living on our dwindling student budgets (ie me). But have no fear - PVC has hit the high street in flocks. Check out my high-street lust of the day.

TOPSHOP

NINA2 Mid Heel Jelly Sandal, £26

And if the sparkles aren't enough, they also do an ombre neon version to take your fancy. Cute much. 

BEXX

SAY HER NAME: All hail Queen B

Bow down, b*tches: Her 'Mrs Carter Show' ads were a reflection of regalia, which were undoubtedly a fitting image for the seemingly unstoppable star.

Beyonce's sell-out world tour began in Belgrade, Serbia on Monday night, and she never fails to amaze. Since becoming mother to baby Blue Ivy, its obvious she's turned her demure, Independant Woman reputation right around. After dropping a taster clip of her new single 'Bow Down/I Been On', she's had defend herself against the criticism that she's "hiding behind her husband" since becoming one half of Hollywood's most powerful couples, and straying from her Sasha Fierce alter-ego. In May's issue of British Vogue, the cover star showed that her values remain, saying that she still well and truly a gal's gal.

I'm all for Bey's new kick-ass role. Personally, this 'controversial' move is putting her on the same level with Jay-Z, not the reverse. She's still keeping hold of her girl power - just check out her provocative, but dazzling, on-stage outfit choices from Monday night.

Fair enough the sequin nips might be a BIT much, but its BEYONCE - when does she not go all out? You can't deny she looks incred, while keeping to, but changing up certain trends (white, luxe, leather...). Obvious when five of the looks have been designed by Emilio Pucci creative director Peter Dundas. In an interview with Vogue he has said that "doing stage costumes [for Beyonce] is... like a high voltage version of the runway". It's clear he embodied his collection into the outfits, so boo to the haters - it's high fashion.

BEXX

PS: *SPOILER ALERT* Here's the opening from Monday's concert in Belgrade.

LUST OF THE DAY: Reptile

Bermuda plunge-front python print swimsuit, £200

MELISSA ODABASH

Animal print is still making an appearance this summer, only different to last season; Snake is the new leopard. 

This one-piece from celebrity-endorsed Melissa Odabash is so versatile it could easily be braved as evening wear, paired with a sleek high-waisted pencil skirt and some bright heels. It makes a change from the American Apparel nylon tricot version that has definitely been over-advocated recently. Sexy, but appropriate, either way you choose the wear this beaut it's sure to catch some serious eyes - if you dare to bare.

BEXX

THE COACHELLA EDIT: Reported from... London

This weekend there's only been one thing on everyone's minds: Coachella. Whether you have seen pics plastered all over the various social networks, have been hopelessly wishing you were basking in the Palm Desert sun (exhibit A = me) or if you were actually one of those revellers lucky enough to be there, you must know what I mean. So sadly, here I am, sitting next to the potted miniature palm tree in my garden dwelling over the missed festival wardrobe-buying opportunity.

That aside, the weekend has brought along some serious Instagramming from bloggers like Leandra Medine (@manrepeller), Chiara Ferragni (@ChiaraFerragni), Aimee Song (@songofstyle) via Rachel Zoe as well as some of my other style stalkees Rita Ora and Whitney Port - Just to name a few.

Fortunately the sun has peeked out over London today so (not feeling too sorry for myself), I've managed to put together two days worth of Coachella-inspired looks that I would have packed into my suitcase for the event.

DAY 1:

Black lazy brim fedora, ASOS

Pink rimmed round sunglasses, River Island

Grey spike stud crop tee, ASOS

Tie-dye fringe maxi skirt, ASOS

Neon aztec print backpack, original from Peru

Fringe detail boots, All Saints

DAY 2:

Printed logo cap, BOY London

Clubmaster sunglasses, Ray-Ban

Spike chain necklace, Urban Outfitters

Flower print playsuit, Motel

Neon yellow skinny belt, ASOS

Fringe detail boots, as before

BEXX