Hawaiian Flare

Apple Cart’s last few blog entries have ended up adopting a summer essentials theme so I thought I’d continue this idea for at least one more post. This time, it’s something for the boys. However I can guarantee right now that the majority of you will hate, disagree and scorn what I’m about to say. Granted, with good cause but for those of you who are feeling slightly open minded, maybe my words won’t fall completely on deaf ears.

If you’re still a par-taker on family holidays then firstly: you’re a good son/daughter, well done and secondly: you may be familiar to the dread of your dad cracking out the just awful summer shirt. By this I don’t mean a simple, short sleeve, white or light breathing shirt, no, I’m talking about that bright blue gem with neon pineapples all over it, or a jungle shirt with an array of 7 different bright colours that clash horrendously. Until not so long ago I would of been taking the side of the haters and burning any single shirt like that the second I got my hands on it, but recent events make me feel like I’ve seen the light.

Back in May, two of my housemates and I went to see Friendly Fires at a small gig in Manchester. This was the first time I’ve ever seen them play live and I tell you now, I fell in love. I’ve never seen a band with such energy and such a spot on live repertoire. The atmosphere throughout the whole gig was electric and they left such a buzz behind. Ever since then I’ve been following the band avidly as they hit all the summer festivals. Spotted at Radio 1’s big weekend and Glastonbury, to name only a few, my attention started to stray from the overall performance and home in on the lead singer, Ed Macflarlane. He is hands down the coolest guy I have ever seen in my life. With an ability to dance like no one I’ve ever seen before he was completely intoxicating. But it wasn’t only his dance moves that were mesmerising but also the shirts that he sported at each different gig. We’ve had a sexy beach number with palm trees on; a white one that after a while I worked out was covered in zebras, flowers and trees and one that I could only make out as multicoloured. I mean if Ed’s doing it, I reckon we all should be. Dare to be a little bit different and let’s bring back the crazy shirt and make it acceptable. You won’t get many people supporting this venture but it’ll bring a smile to the majority of passer-by’s faces.

If I have not managed to persuade you to embrace the Hawaiian flare shirt I can only hope I’ve persuaded you to give Friendly Fires a listen. Their new album ‘Pala’ is out now and with a whole load of new tour dates realised, try and catch them before disappear back into the music studio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NncY6X0vJ0E

For some decent advice on men’s wear, check out 50% man. http://50percentman.blogspot.com/

(image taken from 'event-ist, Independent Music Media's
Photos - Rock N' Coke 2011') 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2011/artists/friendlyfires/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2011/artists/friendlyfires/

It’s not about the perfect bikini body; it’s about the perfect bikini

Summmmers here and well under way! The few months of every year we Brits yearn for. Forget Spain and their non-stop year round siestas, July and August is our time to shine! (Or for those of us who were sitting exams, May will always be full of sunshine and one year we’ll enjoy it.)

After endless phone conversations, Skype sessions, joint internet browsing of trawling through websites for that perfect bikini, my housemate and I found the answer to all our prayers: a cut out swimsuit. Who would have thought that connecting a bikini top and bottom with a simple strip of material across the stomach could cause such happiness? However, it does cause the slight problem of an odd tan line but you’ve got to pick your battles sometimes. Now don’t get me wrong, this is a trend that hit our high street last summer for sure but let’s keep it ripe in 2011. Everyone deserves to feel sexy in summer.

Top of my wish list is a gorgeous black crochet number from Pain De Sucre but at £129.99 and myself living off a student loan then this will merely remain a distant dream. Ladies who wish to treat themselves, do it for the rest of us (or me at least.) For those whose bank can’t quite justify that spend, get back into Topshop, River Island and onto Asos. They’ve never let us down before so why change our loyalties now? 

(SS10 Pepe Jeans cut out swimsuit)

(Pain de Sucre, Honolulu, £129.99.
Taken from google images)

Crème de la crème

I’ve got one of my sisters to thank for this discovery. We all know a good foundation is hard to come by and one that your friend loves and wears everyday may not suit your skin at all. It can also feel like you’re just clogging your skin up day after day with layers of foundation. So after having this discussion with my sister she pointed me in the direction of cream gel foundation by Rimmel.

At a very affordable price it was exactly what I was looking for. Light on my skin but a good amount of coverage. Due to it being so light, it is also perfect for summer and will definitely be in the suitcase in preparation for my holidays.

The gel comes in five different shades so no doubt you’ll be able to find a colour to suit your skin tone. Plus it comes in a handy tub so no more squirting too much on the back of your hand and not being able to get it back in the bottle (such a waste! I reckon that’s where most of my money goes).

I’d definitely recommend this for work, shopping, holidays and even evening drinks.

(Rimmel Match Perfection Cream Gel Foundation in True Ivory, £6.99. Mac Duo Fibre Brush, £32.50)

Simply perfect!

Classy but Sassy

I am sure we have all shared the same experience of buying something new and just being completely addicted to it. Well this happened recently to a friend of mine and I can 100% understand why.

She bought this dress recently for her brothers 21^st and was easily the centre of attention in the room and in the photos. The dress is made from 95% polyester and the remaining 5% elastane making it very soft, so I’m not at all surprised that she wants to wear it at every available opportunity.

I think the back of this dress is my favourite part however it may be worth investing in a strapless bra if you don’t already own one. Team this red beauty with some killer black heels, wedges or even sandals and you have a dress for every occasion.

This is available to you all now from Asos in red, black and white and at £35, it’s an absolute steal.

Added bonus: Cheryl Cole was snapped wearing a similar number at the National Television Awards but Cheryl’s LBD was a Versace number at £2,200. If it’s good enough for Ms. Cole then it’s good enough for us (and we’ll save a few pennies!)

LOVE

(Asos Bodycon Dress with Strappy back detail, £35)

Image taken from www.skinnyvscurvy.com

Sheer delight

Often fashion can get caught up in the Haute Couture, the edgy style and the just plain crazy with everyone trying to define their own style but sometimes there is a time and a place for pure and simple. Especially on those humid, sticky, summer days.

A summer must have: a white granddad shirt.

Its light, doesn’t cling, comfy and goes with everything. A shirt like this is also definitely not hard to come by. The one bellow is a standard Topshop purchase but no doubt every high street and designer shop will have one in stock of some sort meaning the price range is up to you.

However, number 1 rule; accept that it won’t be your signature item to make your statement outfit. My best friend and I have met at least three times in the past two weeks wearing exactly the same shirt but will both still continue to swear by it.

Plus every girl much prefers wearing a boy’s shirt. This just makes it more acceptable. 

(White granddad shirt, Topshop)