Met Gala - Fashion at its Finest

"It's taking whatever you are feeling inside

and making art that people can relate to.

It's like Lemonade!" - Aziz Ansari

I LOVE the Met Gala, and I was surprised to hear that some of my friends don't know what it is about or have never heard of it. So what is the Met Gala? The Met Gala is officially known as Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit. No wonder we shorten it. The benefit gets held in New York, on the first Monday of May, to raise money for the Costume Institute. In 2015 they raised $12.5million. Not surprising when tickets cost $30,000, with tables costing $275,000.

The hosts of this years exhibit, Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, were chairwoman of the Gala Anna Wintour, actor Idris Elba, Jonathan Ive - Chief design officer at Apple and Taylor Swift. Although it is encouraged that attendees dress with the theme in mind, it is not a requirement.

I've given you the facts, now I want to show you 5 of my all time favourites from previous years.

Now to my favourite part, 2016's best dressed!

Honestly I don't quite know what is going on with this Versace dress, but I do know that nobody else could pull this off. Kendall Jenner could make a bin bag work!

This is the second time that Karolina Kurkova has made my best dressed list. How could she not with this dazzling, light-up Marchesa gown. 

Everything about Amber Heards look caught my attention immediately. The hair, the make up, the stunning Ralph Lauren. Old Hollywood comes to mind when I look at this. Johnny Depp must be one proud husband.

Now for my 3 Queens of the night. That's right, I couldn't just choose one. And nope, it's not Queen B...

Are you really surprised? Nina Dobrev never disappoints. And can we just take a minute to look at the resemblance she bears to Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Not to mention the detailing on this Marchesa gown. Loving the mix of the floral pattern with the shards of mirror.

The dress everyone is talking about, our real life Cinderella - with a twist. This hand sewn-fiber optic dress is definitely Zac Posen's most incredible creation. And who better to wear it than his long-time friend Claire Danes. Will there come a time when I'm not blown away by this dress? Probably not.

Another lady who never disappoints on the red carpet. Blake Lively. She may not have been inspired by a Disney princess, but a princess nonetheless. Blake was very much involved in Burberry's beautiful creation.

And that's all from me. Who was your Queen of the night?

Love, Han.xo

Twitter - @FFearlessblog

Insta - fashion_fearless_hb

Facebook - Fashion Fearless 

The ladies of the Grand National

"Honey, I got heels higher

 than your standards" - Unknown

That quote above is entirely dedicated to the woman behind Daily Mail's article on opening day of the Crabbies Grand National 2016. I attended the opening day of the Grand National this year and I was in awe over all of you ladies there. Your dresses where stunning! It was cold, it was wet, the wind was blowing, and you still managed to own it! Embraced your inner Marilyn Monroe. And then I was appalled to see that, yet again, the Daily Mail had trashed the ladies that have spent months getting ready. I think the worst thing about this is that the writer, who is a woman by the way, published photographs of women who's dresses had blown up with the wind. I was under the impression that photographing women's underwear without their consent was a criminal offence. It is? Oh right, well looks like Siofra Brennan has some explaining to do then. I meant has she seriously never had an unfortunate encounter with the wind?

The grand national weekend is Liverpool's biggest weekend of the year. Ladies spend months planning their outfit, their hair, their make up. Its like the Oscars of the film world. Style is what you, as an individual, makes of fashion. So ignore the negativity, you looked UNBELIEVABLE! 

Okay, on to the good stuff. I can't show every beautiful woman of the 3 days unfortunately, but here's a few;

(images are not my own)

"Another flashed her bra in a white dress with a lattic panel at the front that showed off her underwear" - Daily Mail.    I would kill to be able to wear a dress like that! And I personally think the bra showing works? I can't be the only one. 

It was made pretty clear that Siofra Brennan is not a fan of high split dresses. But if she had legs like those I'm sure she would have a different opinion. I have quite a few high split skirts and dresses in my wardrobe, it gives an effortless edge to any look.

"Two friends looked like they were ready to act as bridesmaids, although their delicate dresses were somewhat spoiled by their clumpy platform shoes" - Daily Mail.   These dresses are timless classics, by far my personal best dressed this year. 

Loving the pastel colours this year!

"Plunging necklines and huge platforms were the order of the day for many of the women" - Daily Mail.   Where has Ms Brennan been living this past year? Has she completely missed that plunging necklines are THE trend right now? And as for the 'huge' platforms, I don't know about you but I find them much easier to walk in than small-thin heels.

Okay surely she should be on a red carpet with that stunning ensemble.

Forget the words of one pathetic human. You killed it this year!

Here's a quick picture of me this year.

Love, Han.xo

Twitter - @FFearlessblog

Insta - fashion_fearless_hb

Facebook - Fashion Fearless 

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Oscars 2016

Academy Awards. The biggest award show of the year. Glamorous outfits, perfectly styled hair, shiny shoes... and that's just the men! An Oscar is the award every actor wants. Some wait years for it, go Leo go Leo!

I have been so disappointed in the red carpet looks this award season but the Oscars have gone and restored my faith in fashion. There were a few not so great looks but lets not speak about those tonight. I want to show off the stunning ensembles that took my breath away, not only from the awards them selves, but from the Instyle viewing party, and Vanity Fairs after party. (So many parties in one night! What a tough life)

The detail on this Marchesa gown is just exquisite. This midnight blue beauty is not at all what I expected Sofia Vergara to be wearing. I am so glad that she saved her Mark Zunino Haute Couture figure-hugging style for Vanity Fair's after party. As beautiful as she looked back in her comfort zone, I thought she looked like such a princess on that red carpet. 

Sofia Vergara at Vanity Fair's Oscar after party

I am attracted to anything blue! So its no surprise that this custom made Gucci dress caught my eye. Brie Larson, now an Oscar-winning actress, had been planning this dress since before Christmas. It definitely paid off. All props go to Larson's fashion consultant - Cristina Ehrlich - and the man that brought it to life, Gucci's new creative director - Alessandro Michele.

Priyanka Chopra turned many heads at this years Academy Awards, and for good reason. This Zuhair Murad gown was most definitely one of my favourites of the night. I loved that her hair was pinned up, and her jewellery kept to a minimum, the dress speaks for itself. Zuhair's style is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Nothing says 'Oscars' like some gold sparkle. Margot Robbie kept it to the current (and my favourite) trends with metallic and a plunge neckline. She looked absolutely stunning showing off her slim figure in this Tom Ford gown. 

Meanwhile at the Instyle viewing party, the beautiful Katherine McNamara caught my eye with this boho-chic bebe maxi dress. For the Oscars itself I would not have approved this dress, but it is perfect for the annual Instyle party. This look makes me so excited for spring!

Over at the Vanity Fair after party, Alicia Vikander stood wowing everyone with her black, sequinned, Louis Vuitton gown. Another plunge dress, with another favourite trend of mine- the leg split. Also, congratulations for bagging best supportive actress award for her beautiful role in The Danish Girl. 

Now, last but not least. The woman who I am declaring the best dressed of the 88th annual Academy Awards; Rachel McAdams. Who not only took my breath away on the red carpet but again at Vanity Fair's after party.

Teal, open-back Agust Getty gown. Fall 2016 Collection.

Baby pink, plunge Naeem Khan gown.

Who was your best dressed?

Another huge congratulations to all the winners of this years Academy Awards, especially Leonardo DiCaprio, 2016 is your year man! 

Love, Han-xo 

Around The World Review *

Amy and I met up on Friday night for a girly catch up. We decided to go for dinner at Around The World in Liverpool One (attached to Bierkeller). This was the first time I had been in, and I was so pleased when I walked in to see that it had a relaxed atmosphere. I don't particularly like restaurants that I don't feel at home in. It had dim lighting which I love for dinner and cocktails, although not to great for pictures, and I absolutely loved the laid back interior.

(photo credit: Around The World)

Shortly after being seated at our table, the waitress brought over some water for the table. Which I think is a nice little touch, I don't know about you but I love having water during my meal. 

I also liked the layout of the menu, short and sweet. I can't be the only one who hates reading a novel to decide what I want to eat. I found the destination stamps really cute, and loved the clipboard. It truly is the smallest things that draw me in.

After an intense decision making process, I finally decided on a Long Island Iced Tea, one of my favourite cocktails. I really enjoyed reading the history on all the cocktails, located below each title.
I left ATW with some knowledge on cocktails, I love knowing that a Long Island Iced Tea was first created in 1972.

Also, £6.45 - bargain!

By far the most beautiful Long Island Icead Tea's I have ever had.

On to the most important part...the food! Hunters chicken is one of my all time favourite dishes. But I can be very fussy with my chicken, my bacon and even the barbecue sauce. But the chef did not disappoint. The chicken was delicious, the bacon was cooked to perfection and the bbq sauce was just right, not to strong, which usually ruins the whole dish. Coleslaw on the side...well that's the way to my heart.

The only thing that was slightly irritating, was the fact that we felt as though we were shouting at each other because of the music. But I can't really fault them on that either, the music was great! We caught the last half an hour of an excellent live singer. Then they played their own music, it really kept to the feel of the restaurant.

It is so nice to write a positive review on hospitality after such a negative one on Zizzi. Around The World have given me so many reasons to return and to recommend them to every one who will listen.

They'll be seeing me real soon.

Love, Han-xo

Follow Around The World on twitter

My Travel Bucket List

"Travelling. It leaves you speechless,

then turns you into a storyteller."

I have many dreams and aspirations for my life, but travelling is the biggest one of all. Its a dream so big, that it scares me. That makes me want to do it all the more. I have been building up a travel bucket list since I was 7 years old. My plan for 2016/17 is to go on holiday to some of my most desired locations. Then 2018, well that's the year I plan to pack what I really need and just go. Throw a dart at a map, and go. Coming home every few months. Because before I jump head first into a career, and start building a life for myself, I want to live, I want to find myself, I want to discover what I am capable of, do the things I fear. I want to explore. 

The following 12 beautiful locations are only a fraction of my bucket list, they are the vacations I hope to have in the next two years. Some are already being planned. 

  

I hope you will join me on my travels.

Are you ready?

Love, Han-xo

Homeware Wishlist

"A girl and her bed on 

Sundays are an endless

love affair."

Morning lovelies! Its that day again were I never know whether to be happy that I'm off and lounging about, or whether to be sad that I am back in work tomorrow morning. Either way I do love Sundays, as long as I'm off work of course. I love waking up to the smell of my breakfast cooking, followed by a nice cuppa, curled up on the couch catching up on Hollyoaks. I am far too excited than I should be about the fact that I have persuaded my Nan to watch the entire series, so far, of Shadowhunters. I think she'll love it...... maybe... hopefully.

But I'm not so happy about the fact that I got paid on Thursday and 4 days later I barely have any money left. Sure I went to see Deadpool which was awesome, and sure I bought some cute cushions for my bed, and the shoes, those beautiful shoes. But I'm always left wondering whether it was all worth me being skint the rest of the week for. 

I've decided to torture myself by making a little homeware wish list. In the next couple months I'm really going to try and make my bedroom more me. More calm, serene, chic! 

On my bedroom decor hunt, I came across Live Laugh Love a few weeks ago and I am in love with all their shabby chic homeware! 

Heart Memo Chalk Board With Pegs
Link - Heart Memo Chalk Board With Pegs

Large Free Standing Word - Love
Link - Large Free Standing Word - Love 

White Rose Fairy Lights
Link - White Rose Fairy Lights

Bird Cage Tea-Light Holder
Link - Bird Cage Tea-Light Holder

Lustre Tea-Light Holders
Link - Lustre Tea-Light Holders

House Tea-Light Holders
Link - House Tea-Light Holders

Sentiment Jar
Link - Sentiment Jar 

How cute are they? We all know where my next wage packet is going.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Love, Han-xo