Guest Post - Pretty Greetea

Hello lovely readers of Urban Butterfly. I am delighted to be guest blogging on one of my favourite blogs today and hope that you enjoy my post.

I wanted to share a few photos of flowers with you because I get my inspiration for what I wear from nature. If I see pink and yellow flowers then I will incorporate these shades into my outfit but if the flowers outside my house happen to be blue and purple then you will see me wearing more of these colours. The colours of the flowers also help me to decide what colours I ill be painting my nails, saying that I have actually had black nail varnish on all week. I have enjoyed wearing a mix of bright colours and pastel shades to work and having my nails black which gives the outfit a bit of an edge. 

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 Where do you get inspiration for your daily outfits from?

Prettygreentea

xx

www.prettygreentea.com
www.prettygreenteaphotography.com

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Guest Post - What Jools wore ~ Canne Gowns

When my lovely Friend Maria asked me to do a guest blog for her while she is on her Hong Kong travels I was so happy. We are very different in our blogging, I tend to look to the future and what is going to be huge next season, and Maria always has one eye very firmly on the past.

I thought about what could marry the 3 together, and it was always going to be about the Gowns!

It very nicely coincided with a couple of other things too. The ball gown retrospective currently on show at The Victoria & Albert Museum, and the upcoming Canne Film Festival.

I adore the Oscars, I have since I was a little girl. I would love to tell you it was all about the movies - but of course it isn't! It is about the glamour, the hollywood princesses dressed in gowns that leave you open mouthed in awe.


But Canne is almost more special. It has the warm weather and the gowns, but it also has one of the most stunning parts of the World as it's backdrop, and the sight of the Elite arriving on the most beautiful boats makes it an impossibly exotic mix!

So I can indulge my love of all 3 of these things in this Blog for Maria, who is one of the most gentle and glamourous girls I have ever met, and I feel incredibly lucky to call her my friend.
This is how the Ballgown has evolved from the early Vintage years of Glamour to the Present

Bridget Bardot, captured at Canne in 1954.

Proving that although she rocked a Bikini better than anybody else, She could also do evening glamour.

Anything Bridget can do Sophia Loren can do better! She is pictured one year later (1955) wearing a strapless white ball gown with the obligatory Fur Stole!

Fast forward 10 years and Raquel Welch rocked a daytime Canne look

in a Skirt Suit and Hat in 1966.

This was a very typical evening look in the same year. Catherine Deneuve and her then husband David Bailey look impossibly beautiful. Even though the dress was very short and of the time, it was still necessary to wear an evening glove.

A very different approach was taken just 4 years later in 1968. Mia Farrow wore a kaftan style gown with a large statement necklace. A look that would become huge in the Seventies.

Way before Brangelina, there was a super cute couple known as Brennifer! I still think they look good together! This was Canne 2004.

Cameron Diaz was the Golden Girl - this dress was timeless and could have been worn in the 1950's

Halle Berry wore a very daring plunged gown in 2006. Not quite so ladylike, but very effective!

Well no way could I do a blog for Maria and not include her icon Dita von Teese! This shot was taken in 2007 and the Burlesque Beauty exudes pure glamour!

3 years after Brad was seen with Jennifer Aniston, his new partner wowed on the red carpet!

and just a year later in 2008, she displayed a very impressive accessory! A Brad Baby Bump

Way before Black Swan, Natalie Portman showed her love for Ballet, in this gorgeous White Givenchy Gown. The Ballgown style had moved on significantly but was modern and beautiful.In 2010 Kate Beckinsale wore full length Tulle Marchesa

Which brings us right up to the Last Canne Festival in 2011. And Rachel McAdams wore a show stopper of a lace gown again by Marchesa. Fashion has certainly changed, but the quality of a couture gown is still very evident.

I cannot wait to see what this years Festival brings for us.


















Thanks for reading my guest blog x

In the 1990's Hollywood stars became much more accessible. Could there be a prettier couple than Kate Moss and Johnny Depp in matching Black!  

Guest Post - MrsBeBe ~ Everyday Vintage

When the beautiful Mrs UB asked me to a guest blog I was so excited, I think we found a common ground through our love of vintage and although I wouldn’t consider myself a full on retro babe, I do like to try and incorporate a bit of vintage styling into my everyday wardrobe and my home.
So, to that end, I thought it might nice to give you a few hints and tips on how to incorporate a bit of vintage into your life too (should you wish to that is!)


Hair – When styling your hair, a cute flower in your or head scarf can give your day to day look a retro feel

Wardrobe – Stripes, cropped cardigans and a little turn up on ones jeans can instantly give you a rockabilly feel. I tend to flit between time periods myself, yes I’m what you might call a vintage ho.... so also keep an eye out for original vintage pieces you can style with your high street pieces. A vintage style jacket like these ones available from Devoted 2 Vintage add an instant vintage feel to any outfit and would look great with some skinny jeans.


The highstreet is also awash with items that can be vintage up, Just lasy week I picked up this leopard print dress from ASOS which I wore to a evening of Burlesque.

In terms of footwear, I just don’t think you can go wrong with Miss L Fire
they have some of the most amazing retro-inspired footwear I’ve ever seen, the quality is amazing and the styling is impeccable. Some of my favourites this season are.

                                                  Sonny - £8.99

 Home Sweet Home - £89.99

Nautilus -£54.99

So there you have it, my little foray into everyday vintage. I’ve only really scratched the surface but below are some links to some of my favourite vintage and retro repro companies for your viewing pleasure.

Miss L Fire

Collectif

Vivian Of Holloway

Lovelys Vintage Emporium
Love Ur Look

http://theramblingsofmrsbebe.blogspot.co.uk/

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Review ~ Dr Nick Lowe - Purifying Foam Cleanser

Hi everyone, how's your week been? we're now headed over the hump of the week and cruising to the weekend, so it can only get better in my book! Sorry there is no 'Wantsie Wednesday' this week, as holiday is looming so I am on total shopping lockdown.
Now to the matter in hand.....It seems that stopping using Vichey NormaDerm Gel and starting using only Dove soap caused havoc with my skin. I awoke one day a few weeks ago to a strange little cluster of spots on my forehead? I have never had anything like it before, so in my vanity I was a little bit panicked!

Off I ran trotted to Boots in need of a fix, I couldn't wait for on-line orders, it was an emergency folks!

After browsing the numerous skincare products I came across Dr Nick Lowe, now this is not a brand I have heard or seen before? The key thing I remember reading from various blogs and beauty reviews was a important ingredient is 'Salicylic Acid', this was featured high on the listed ingredients for the Purifying Foam Cleanser. Faced with my usual indecisiveness and no 3G to google the brand, I called my friend Jools, to see if she had heard of this dude? As quick as lightening after hanging up the phone... I don't exaggerate here, I had a text saying he was indeed a Dr, not some branded phony and a well regarded Dermatologist at that.

Using it for the first time it felt a bit strange, it's a foam product that is not all that thick. Once on my face it didn't lather and I didn't really feel clean.
Looking at the reviews on Boots website the lack of feeling clean is shared by others but they all go on to say it's still great product that helps to maintain / clear up blemished skin.

Five weeks in and I wholeheartily agree with the reviews, so far (touch wood) I have not had any breakouts, my skin feels healthier and has even reduced the appearance of the small blocked pores I have on my T-Zone. Even better this product is great value at only £10.16 at Boots  As I'm so pleased with this I will try more products in the Dr Nick Lowe range.
I have combined the use of this foam with a flannel (or face cloth for my friends across the pond) on the advise of Beauty Mouth and her promotion of the virtues of using said item, rather than cotton wool or face wipes.
Read the article HERE and change the way you cleanse your skin!

Thanks for reading

Urban Butterfly x

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Hand Harness - Yay or Nay?

I can see that the trend for hand hardness' as they call them could very be a fleeting phase, but I think they are quite fun and like the Indian connotation.

When I first spotted them I wasn't too sure, If I was going to wear one it would have to be as feminine as possible. They don't really fit in with my normal look that leans very much toward vintage / tailored wear,  so I am never going to rock ones with skulls or that are super chunky. 

However, I saw this one online at ASOS.com and thought it was sweet.

What do you think of them?

Urban Butterfly x

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Wantsie Wednesday

It's that time of week again for my purse to scream noooooooooo! It really is a no at the moment too as we are soon off on our jolly holidays, so frivolous spending is banned!

Topshop Native Cupped Sun Dress £36.00

 Synopsis

Dahlia Dip Hem Sabrina Dress - £65

Urban Butterfly x

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Girls Day Out

How was your Bank holiday weekend? Was the weather wet like it was here in the South of England?
Unusually todays post doesn't contain clothes or makeup, but please don't run...... I thought it would be nice to show you what I did with my Bank Holiday Monday. :)

The girls and I took a little road trip to Leeds Castle in Kent. This historical medieval castle is said to date back to 1119 and is set in a mass of beautiful grounds and once a home to Catherine of Aragon; my favourte wife of Henry VIII.


View from the Gardens

They have Peacocks wandering around the grounds, now Peacocks are my favourite animals, I just find them magnicificant. I don't think I have shared this before but I have a passion for history, there's a clue in my love for all things vintage, so I'm sure this is no shock to you! Along with the peacocks and the great company I was in my element!

On the 1st May the castle started a exhibition called 'What the Butler Saw' It's a look at the life below stairs during Lady Baillie's ownership 1930's Leeds Castle was a playground for the rich and famous, Lady Baillie an Anglo-American heiress entertained high society and hollywood actors in the castle that was her weekend and holiday home. At the time there were over 30 servants in the house who met the needs of the visitors, so they sure saw some sights! Part of the exhibition was Lady Baillie's clothes and her beautiful art deco built in wardrobe and bathroom. I met this little baby squirrel on my way out, It wasn't fased by me getting so close. I have never seen a baby squirrel before!

Mr Nutkins (Taken with Instragram)



The dining room



The to die for library



Middle Courtyard

Taken with Instagram

Urban Butterfly x



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A date with Dita

Now what do you wear to meet a goddess......

This was the very question my brain wrestled with, I even had a little melt down calling on my style soul mate Jools to virtually slap me and tell me to get a grip! A service she doesn't offer to everyone ; )

As you all know, as I've been incessantly banging on about it, this week I met Dita Von Teese; Just humour me please, I will shut up soon, I'm still in a star stuck haze of elation. Only a few weeks ago I even wrote a life wish list and meeting her was at the top end of it, I never knew she was set to be in London!


So here's is what I wore –  

Dress - Tara Starlet Vixen Dress

Seamed Tights - Primark

Shoes - NEXT

Hair Flowers - H&M

I have been trying to perfect my victory rolls, this is my 3rd attempt and they are getting better.

I think Dita out did me though.............

If you missed all th pictures from Tuesday perfume launch at Liberty you can see them HERE

Urban Butterfly x

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