The Return of Colour

I went out for a friends birthday the other day and her lovely sister decided to compliment me on my pale skin tone. "You're ever so white aren't you, it's wonderful, it goes so well with your red hair. It suits you so much better than blonde. My friend likes to white up and make the best of her pale skin, she has all the make up for it you should speak to her later because you could do that too!" Bless her, she was being genuine.

See what I mean about ghostly? I'm just grateful this was taken with a terrible camera phone. 
My hair doesn't even look red on this photo so I can only hope that in real life I don't glow this much.

I have a bit of an issue with my skin tone pure and simply because I look a bit dead at times. I get stressed out very easily and this stress results in a wonderful array of dark tones beneath my eyes that just will not be covered. Needless to say I feel more ghostly than wonderfully pale. Thankfully, Twilight has meant the fact I look like a Cullen (I've been told I could pass for a vampire...charming I know) actually mildly acceptable.

Thank goodness that spring is coming though! I cannot wait to add a bit of shimmer, get out in the sun so I look like a normal human being in winter and throw on some bright colours. Yes, the return of colour this spring will be paired with the return of colour to my skin (I hope). Blue, tangerine or neon brights, they've filtered down from the catwalk and now the high street has some great options...

From top left: ASOS '60s Mac £75, Next Ruffle Playsuit £38, Topshop Peep Toes £68, Topshop Court Shoes £62, ASOS Tailored Shorts £30 and ASOS Peg Leg Trousers £40. 

ASOS Black

I have been patiently waiting for a while for the launch of the latest ASOS Black range after seeing some carefully styled piece in one of their magazines.  I fell head over heels in love with a feather skirt...not so surprising if you read this blog often, I have quite the penchant for feathers.

So when it launched a few weeks ago I raced home to order said skirt.  Patiently waiting...the next day delivery was not so next day thanks to Parcelforce having a mare with their electronics system...I dug into the bag when it arrived only to find I do not have the right figure for it.  Not in a "I can't pull off feathers" kind of way.  Oh no.  In a "this doesn't fit at all kind of way".  Silly me forgot that due to all the structured feathers there is a lack of movement and stretch...and apparently my hourglass figure doesn't exactly fit ASOS's image of the perfect size 10. 

However, despite all this I am still in love with ASOS Black right now.  The range fully embraces the extravagent side to fashion using all the best fabrics and embellishments, drawing inspiration from romanticism and Parisian couture and utilising a nude palette that encompasses everything from grey to cappuccino rather than just cream...bravo.  Whats more they have taken ruffles to a new level and Spring/Summer 2010 is all about ruffles in my humble opinion.

Here's my pick of the best pieces, and yes the skirt is included because it will fit someone and they will look fabulous...

 Jumpsuit (£75), Frill Dress (£120), Heavy Ruffle Dress (£120), Feather Skirt (£65),  Cluster Sequin Skirt (£75), Sequin Embellished Playsuit (£75)