S T A R D O L L F E A T . | Styled By You / / Styled By Me

It has been a looong time since our last Stardoll Feat. release, but here we have another one! This release was curated by 3 winners of a contest and they each picked out a look for the store - it is quite a bit smaller than the previous release, but I think there are some fun pieces included. First up a couple of features to share - Jacquemus styles up both the CLAUDENTIA Lucite Clutch and the CLAUDENTIA Balenciaga Inspired Boots in this very cool styling. I love the combination of the structured white blazer with the light wash straight leg jeans - such a look! The colour of the boots is perfect for this palate, they really look great in the styling. And the perspex bag is perfect with the rest of the accessories, especially those sunglasses. Completely love it!

Secondly a look from kikinha_25 who styles the Angharadbbz Puff Sleeve Top, I love this piece so much with the spotted dress, they really come out as gold in this pairing. There's a vintage vibe going on with the accessories through the corset-style belt and the booties, but I think that works perfectly for this top, it's super versatile^ 

And now for my stylings! I think my choices might be obvious, I'll go for anything gold! So I also got the Angharadbbz Puff Sleeve Top, and when styling it I did find it quite large, so next time I might think about a little resize. I couldn't resist pairing it with these gold printed trousers, really great to ground the look with some black, and the gold tones are a perfect match. The rest of the accessories really fell into place to make such a stylish look, I love it^ And then of course I couldn't pass up on the Angharadbbz Gucci Inspired Mules, they are beautiful, I'm so glad to have them in my dolls life! I came up with a few options for these, but chose something super simple in the end because they look beautiful with this frilled dress and it's not quite so overwhelming with gold! The shoes are a lighter gold tone so work well with the white base on this piece, and I kept the rest of the accessories simple but fitting - I think the shoes really stand out, and there are so many options for them. I am also quite tempted to buy the CLAUDENTIA Checked Blazer but I think I will check that out in the Autumn/Winter season =)

W I N D O W S O N T H E W O R L D | Release Review

Another release that was a little while ago, a new Windows On The World! This one is themed on Portugal which I think is super fun and something different for the Plaza, which is why I always find these releases interesting. The advertising looks bright and pretty so I'm excited to see what this store holds for us =)

Highlights There are 2 floors in this release with 12 looks, a pretty large number I'd say! There's also a male look included in that number. As you will probably have assumed, the pieces are all from Portuguese designers. 

Accessories There aren't too many accessories, just shoes and bags available in this release. The Silver Platforms are a pretty standard silver shoe - if you don't have any already then these will maybe fill a hole in your wardrobe, but I have quite a few pairs and am happy with what I have. The Pink Fur Platforms are pretty sweet, we don't have anything like these and they're pretty fun. I think they'll work in a range of outfits and I think these will work across all seasons, definitely a piece to consider! There are 2 bags, identical apart from colour, the Three Clutch Bags and Three Clutch Bags Pink - the first being orange, silver and black, the second being pink, orange and silver. I really like the design of the pieces on the hoops, it looks cool and is unique for the Plaza. I can see these will work well re-sized and re-positioned as clutch bags, I think they should be reasonably popular =) 

Clothing The release has quite a bit of clothing in a range of styles and colours, I think there's a very nice selection in this one and I'm pleased with it =) When you first open the store it's the glamorous dresses and glitzy pieces that really stand out. The Chiffon Palm Dress is a bright pink piece, which looks super fun for the summer, and my eye is also drawn to the Chrystal Beaded Jumpsuit and Feather Cape, are these just not beautiful! They can definitely be described as something special, while I'm not sure how often you could wear something like this, they're definitely well-designed and great pieces in this release. I also really like the sequin-styled pieces, the Multicoloured Sweater with  deep V and a silver trim, and the Multicoloured Beaded Skirt with a silver waist band and a sheer trim on the midi-length hem - I love the Skirt a lot, it looks good on and I think will be perfect for winter stylings =) Something else that's a little special is the Carlos Gil Inspired Puff Jacket, it's a beautiful green velvet puffa jacket, which looks fantastic, a great street-style staple! The rest of the pieces are a little more minimal and less flashy, so maybe a little more wearable. The paired Luis Carvalho Inspired Transparent Shirt and Leather Skirt are a cute set. The Shirt has a looser fit, but the Skirt paired with it gives a more fitted shape. The other pieces I want to mention include the Long Sleeved Blue Shirt, which is super minimal with a great design. It's fitted but not tight, has a very nice collar shaping and extra long cuffs, a style which is loved by many. The colour is versatile and so easy to style, I hope many love this one as I do. And then lastly the Denim Jacket Dark Blue which is cropped and loose with a silver trim and an interesting collar shape - it's suited to a thick poloneck design, but with some creativity will work in other ways.

Prices The release ranges between 14 and 33SD's, which is fine and about the regular range for a store like this. Nothing is in SC's, and nothing is SS or Royalty limited.

Styled Outfits I don't think I've gone too crazy with my purchases, I'm happy with these 3 pieces and their stylings =) Firstly the Carlos Gil Inspired Puff Jacket which I've styled all out with the green! The trousers are a nice match with the jacket, I think they do work out together. I stuck with black shoes and bag to remain a little neutral, then these fun red Gucci glasses to finish it off^ Secondly the Long Sleeved Blue Shirt which I've styled smartly with a host of blue pieces, I think it's perfect in this styling with the trousers and blazer and the light blue accessories pop out with the shirt. And finally the Denim Jacket Dark Blue, which does seem more black than blue, and while the neckline might be problematic for some, with it being winter I'm happy to style it up with thick knitwear! The silver jeans work with the trim of the blazer and I loved adding some fun accessories like these glasses and the fuzzy boots =D

Features Next for the features! Firstly a couple with the Carlos Gil Inspired Puff Jacket, this one is from kikinha_25, styling up smartly with black pieces and pairing skirting with trousers, which looks great! I like the texture of the velvety jacket against the detailed lace of the skirting and the shiny leather of the boots - something simple but effective =)

Secondly also with the Carlos Gil Inspired Puff Jacket, Mh91 also pairs with trousers, but I love these as the geometric style of print has the perfect teal tone to match the jacket! The style is really kept wintery with the use of these leather boots, they look good against the texture of the jacket, and I also love the sunglasses, they're a cute finishing touch!

Then we have Andre1396 styling the Luis Carvalho Inspired Cape Belt which is a perfect colour-match for these trousers, a great way of making new pieces work with your current wardrobe^ I love it's billowing style with these fitted trousers and the pale blue shirt is a great fit too. The floral booties add a print of interest and I love the teal bag, super sweet use of this piece^

In the next styling millaxx makes use of the Long Sleeved Blue Shirt and is all set for winter! The blue is great with this suede grey of the skirt and the black leather of the jacket, it really pops and is highlighted in the look. The style also stands out with the long cuffs, collar and the loose tuck. I like this combination of black and blue, it totally works =)

And the final feature of the post, Lady_Lilly wearing the Luis Carvalho Inspired Transparent Shirt and the Pink Fur Platforms, which are just adorable! They look stunning with these sparkling tights, I just love that^ And they match with the belt bag perfectly, it looks great. The polka dot blazer is a sweet piece and the wide neckline lets the shirt stand out!

W I L D C A N D Y | Styled By You / / Styled By Me

We recently got a new drop of Wild Candy - not really my sort of store but a few super cute pieces that are worth mentioning! This is an all SC store as usual, so accessible for everyone and these releases hang around for a while, so there's no worry that the pieces will soon disappear. First up a few features: gorgeous__chloe styles up the Tulle Maxi Skirt which is a beautiful teal piece which I think everyone is loving! It looks awesome in this super smart and styling look, which totally fits with my style vibes^ It looks perfect paired with white in this shirt and the bag, and the golden accents are great. Love the black touches added, these boots are surprisingly perfect with the Skirt =D

Next up kikinha_25 is wearing the Drape Top which is a super dressy cami in a great golden metallic tone, what's not to love?! The tone is perfect paired with these Gucci-printed trousers. Love the use of these metallic-strapped heels in the look, those are the perfect style for the top^ This is such a glamorous piece for the store and I think it will get a lot of wear, particularly in the winter party season!

And my stylings! I've just bought the Tulle Maxi Skirt so far but really loved working with it - I was worried at first that only black or white or neutral-styled pieces would work with it, but I found so many choices in my wardrobe =D First up this cute floral print, I think it helps that the shirt is partially sheer so it's not too heavy, but added darker accessories - these boots really were the only choice in this look^ Secondly I've gone for something nude, I liked the feminine feel to the piece and it allows a range of accessories, naturally I didn't veer far with a gold belt and nude heels (haha), but these heels are so classic with the tone of the skirt! The heels+skirt are a combination I would definitely re-wear. And finally something more fun and playful maybe, this recent LE top is just the perfect base tone for the skirt, I'm loving it! Picked out the peach (again) from the top to choose accessories, so much love for this tone combination, it's unusual but I think it looks really great^ I do have to say I found getting bags to work with this Skirt quite a challenge, I think it's because of the sheer tulle layers and the volume it has. Something cross body or over one shoulder should work out ok, but for these looks I struggled to find something in just the right size - some trial and error needed I think =D

A N T I D O T E | Release Review

Finally reviewing our recent Antidote release - which although came with a few technical issues, was released after a long day of waiting^ The advertising, for me anyway, has kind of a typical Antidote vibe, it fits with what I see as the store aiming for and I think it shows off the pieces of the release quite well.

Highlights This was a two floor release with 9 looks to choose from, including one for the guys. For me it's very much 'Antidote' with a street-style influence to the pieces, so not entirely my thing but considering items individually really takes them to a different context. It came with a few glitches, apparently there were issues when it was released on the site, and it wasn't released on the app for a few days, which is problematic for those of us at work relying on an app release to buy the items - I still managed to pick up the pieces I wanted though^

Accessories Just bags and shoes in the accessories category, along with one belt, the Y Project Black Belt, a classic piece in black with a nice thick width that will definitely stand out in looks, and it has great placement on the doll. There are 3 pairs of shoes, a chunky styled pair, the Lace Up Leather Ankle Boots which aren't so much my thing, and then heels, the MONSE Inspired Loafer Heel and Checked Loafer Heel which I'm just loving! I really like the shape of these shoes, the pointed toe is current and I like the leather ankle strap. This design of shoe just looks really great on the doll, I'm super impressed with these^ There are 2 bags although I'm not feeling hugely enthusiastic about either of them. The Monse Inspired Leather Paper Bag has a minimal tan design, but it's just a piece that's not for me, and then the Velvet Briefcase which I like the burgundy and white stripes on, but it's just huge in size which is offputting for me.

Clothing So very street-style based designs in the clothing but there are definitely some standout pieces in the collection which I want to focus on. There are quite a few denim choices, mostly classic blue washes, with my favourite in that category being the International Monse Inspired Jean in blue straight leg style, but I'm quite fond of the Split Washed Cropped Jeans, which are black/grey with a raw cropped hem and a cool design at the waist. They're that something little bit different and so far they've stood out in all the looks I've seen them styled in - however from experience, I know I don't often dress my doll in jeans, so these aren't pieces missing from my wardrobe! A few other bottomhalves, the Trouser Flare Fringe which are the red tartan culottes are pretty cool, I like the draping on one leg although I'd prefer them if they weren't quite so low slung on the waist. And then also the Asymmetric Zipped Skirt, which is a leather midi piece with a draped and cutout hem, it definitely makes for an interesting style and I like it on, but it's just not for me. Of course, I like the two most minimal designs of the release - the Short Sleeve Shirt which is a classic white longline tee with a really nice fit, which sadly sold out quickly! And the Beige Silk Slip Dress which is super feminine with lace detailing and in a popular slip-dress style, I really love it^ The Pattern Book Slip Dress is also in that style, and I like the printing on it, however the cut of the piece doesn't flatter the doll at all, it's a little shapeless around the middle, it either needed to be looser or more fitted to work out nicely I think.

Prices This release ranged from 15 to 99SD's, which is very much fitting in perfectly with the previous releases, and as usual, all of the pieces are SS only for this store.

Styled Outfits Firstly I styled up the Beige Silk Slip Dress, which I've realised I don't like the top part so much once getting it on my doll in my suite, I think it's because of the short straps! Anyway, styled it up as a skirt and I really like how it looks, so many options for this I think =D Super minimal on the accessories, love a dark belt with this very neutral-based colour palette. And then the Checked Loafer Heel, which I think are going to be so great for autumn winter, they're just fab! This look is completely a winter styling too, with the dark coat and clothing, but I think it works and the tan of the coat goes super nicely with the checkered colour of the shoes, I'm just so happy with these!

Features And the features, I really like all of these as I think everyone's managed to get the pieces working in their own style and not just gone all-out with Antidote! Firstly Claudentia wearing the Checked Loafer Heel and the Monse Inspired Leather Paper Bag - I love the checked theme through the clothing, this coat is perfection with the shoes, and then  the yellow touches really make it pop! I'm particularly a fan of the thin belt and the sunglasses, looking awesome =)

Next up HermosaLisaGirl going for a more casual-focussed look wearing the International Monse Inspired Jean which I think look perfect in this styling! Love the ruffle bardot-style top, I think it's perfect and really pops with the denim against the black sleeves and black accessories used in the styling^

Thirdly, kikinha_25 going for the feminine styling with the Beige Silk Slip Dress. I love the layering with this white polo, and I think the sheeny pink heels and sheer starred socks are the perfect accessory for the dress, they really stand out and drew me into this styling!

And rounding up the features, Mia1435 wearing the GCDS Inspired Embroidered Bodysuit which is looking very sleek paired with this smart navy pencil skirt, I really like it^ The accessories are fitting to the shirt with a nude hue, the boots and earrings are especially great =D

Real red casual

A cute red retro styling for the current season today from kikinha_25 - I love how casual pieces come together and can create something cute^ I love the knitted pattern and it looks good paired with the mesh socks, I like the covered ankles with the jeans this time, I think it looks good for the season and the black mesh matches the belt but contrasts nicely with the red of the sweater. The scarf is a really cute addition and I like the larger size of it. I think it might be easily missed if you don't look too closely, so it's worth a good look^ Also loving the glasses and hairstyle, super fitting to the retro style and they look fab =)

I N S P I R E D B Y S A I N T L A U R E N T | Tribute Review

And here is our third Tribute of the season, Saint Laurent! This season sure is going by quickly and I hope there are at least two or three more sets of goodies in store for us =) Saint Laurent has been released a couple of times before, and from this homepage advert, I sure am excited to get on in and see the store and pieces chosen from the collection - the ad is minimal and has a classic Saint Laurent feel about it! 

Highlights We got three floors of pieces this time, and it does feel like a much larger collection than the more intimate Gucci - although maybe it's because I'm feeling so much more love for this release than our Tribute from last week! The store certainly has a similar vibe to previous releases with the marble and minimal boxed room feel, I love the whites and greys for this and I think it works well to show off the pieces =)

Accessories So there is a reasonable range of accessories with this release, although a small number of pieces. I have to say, looking at the real collection, there are a lot more things which could have been used that I would have loved as well, but I think there's some good picks for us to choose from here! There are two pairs of shoes, both boots, the Black and Crystals Scrunched Boots, and while I like the idea along with the style and fit of these, I don't think they have a hugely versatile wearability - while they look fabulous with the clothing pieces, I think making sure they look good with a range of other styles could be a little on the trickier side of things.

There are also two bags, which totally get my love! There's the Heart Silhouette Clutch and then the Tuxedo Shoulder Bag. The Heart piece is a fab item, maybe a little novelty for some, but it adds a great pop of colour and designer-flair to an outfit that I think will work out nicely in a lot of different situations both dressed up and casual. I also love the detailed texture on it, the patent leather comes out really nicely. And then the Shoulder bag, which I think seems to be somewhat of a staple from this release. It's got classic colours and design and I think it will be a winner of a piece that will work nicely with darker styled outfits, particularly in winter. And then there is a small selection of jewellery pieces. What stands out most is the YSL Monogram Choker, a piece which I just know immediately will be well-loved among the Stardoll members as the choker style is still going strong, it's maybe just a little more expensive than your average choker though! For the neck there's also the Choker With Red Flower, a little of a larger piece, which does put me off of it a little as it can't really be worn discretely, although check out the features below for a good idea for this piece^ And then lastly are the YSL Heart Earrings, yes, finally a pair of earrings! These are delicate and super shiny and therefore attractive, however are reasonably large in size so might overwhelm an outfit so I'd kinda prefer them to be a little more delicate.

Clothing The clothing has a classic Saint Laurent vibe with the typical black pieces available however with some bursts of colour also featuring in there too. There's a pretty decent range of styles of pieces and designs to choose from - I really do think it would be easy for everyone to find something that suited them in this release!
     Dresses There are several dresses in this collection, mostly mini pieces, which I don't wear so much, but this lot are pretty well designed and are mostly in black so it does make them quite wearable - my top pick for these would have to be the Turtleneck Velvet Dress with it's long sleeves and high neck and the shimmery polka-dot style, I think it does suit my doll pretty well and I can see it looking great in some winter party outfits. The Velvet Dress With Ruffled Shoulder and Strapless Mini Dress are very similar however do have some quite extravagant shoulder additions to them, which makes them a little less easy to wear, but that's just for me - it will no doubt be the complete opposite for some of you! Then there's the slightly midi dress, the Lace Slip Dress which is a little lingerie-esque but I do think it's sold as a dress rather than lingerie^ I love the style with the loose fit and the hem height and the detailing in the lace, it's just so pretty! It is a little sheer up top, but there's plenty of work-arounds for that that I can think of, so I don't think this will be an issue so much. And lastly there's also one maxi dress, which is pretty stand out in the collection, the Pleated Gown With Shoulder Detail. It is a nice piece, I absolutely love the texture on the dress, and also the fit, I think it looks good on the doll, I just don't like the oversized shoulder detail so much, and I also know that I don't dress my doll in gowns like this so it wouldn't be worth the money for me.
     Bottoms There are 4 bottom-half pieces on offer, and this time I quite like the good range of skirts as I've become much more of a skirt person these last few months. I immediately went for the Crystals Skirt, what's not to love - sparkly, bodycon fit, and midi length, it's pretty awesome! I think a lot of people have felt the same about this one and I know we'll be seeing it a lot for quite some time^ Then there are two shorter options, the black and minimally sparkly Asymmetrical Mini Skirt With Ruffles and the brown leather Skirt With Ruffles. I'm not sure which I prefer, I'm more of a minimal person, but I quite like the idea of the brown leather ... or maybe I don't want either of them! I've not seen many stylings of either, but one of the features below is really selling me on the Skirt With Ruffles! And lastly a pair of jeans, the High Waist Skinny Jeans which have a good fit and a nice wash, so a decent pair of jeans, but maybe also an expensive one! I don't find myself wearing jeans much on Stardoll, so for me they're not worth it when I have other similar pairs, but I'm sure they're perfect for some of you!

     Tops A reasonable number of tops are featured in this store - but you've either gotta love lace or love those sparkles =) In lace there are two options, the Lace Body With Oversized Sleeves which actually isn't a body, it's just a top, but it is pretty much sheer all over, so there's that to consider, but it is a pretty piece and the design is a very nice one. Then there's the Floral Lace Bodysuit (it is a body this time^) which I don't like so much because it's not sheer - I don't like the white/grey panel under the delicate lace design, I don't think it looks good at all. And in the sparkly pieces you do get a range of shirt styles, there's a proper shirt style with the Crystals Blouse which is in a navy blue style and I like the style of this one, I think it looks good on and I'm excited to see it getting styled! Also kinda navy, but a little bit green is the One Shoulder Crystal Blouse, I think it's a cute piece and it looks fine on the doll, but I'm not sure the style is for me, out of these two, the first is definitely my preferred piece. And last but not least the Crystals Top which is silvery, long sleeved and cropped, and after a few looks at it, is also pretty structured in the shoulder, which I think is what's making me hesitant about it - it does look fabulous with the matching Crystals Skirt but I'd need to have a good think about what else I could style it with before committing to it.

     Outerwear And the last section, the outerwear, which alike the other recent releases is pretty small. Three pieces, all completely different in terms of style and design which is great and I think these all go down pretty well actually! My favourite, and many others too I think, is the Oversized Coat - a lot of us love a good oversized coat and with this not being limited or too pricey it's worthwhile picking it up! The colour is actually a little off black, I do see some navy in it, but I don't mind this for the awesome style - it's an easy one to put in an outfit and I think it will be popular and wearable for a long time yet =) Then there's the Plunging Blazer With Crystals which I'm leaning towards not liking, and again I think it's the structuring of the shoulders, I just don't like how it looks on my doll =/ Lastly, a piece I'm on the fence about, so I need some opinions on it, the Camel Jacket Sleeves. I like the colour and style and the sheepskin collar, along with the fit, but I just don't know if it has a huge versatility factor - how many times would I realistically wear it?! I can see it being good through autumn and winter, but I don't wanna buy it only to get fed up with it 6 months down the line ... help me decide!!!

Prices The collection ranges from 17 to 43SD's, so not the cheapest of releases and I did find that after buying 5 pieces, the cost did add up quickly. None of the pieces are SS or Royalty only though, so that's a good point. You just have to be pretty sure on your purchases to make the most of your money here!

Styled Outfits I took a little time to make my decision on what to purchase and then again more time on how I wanted to style the pieces and actually I'm glad I did as I'm very pleased with the pieces I bought and these looks! First up the Lace Slip Dress and I placed pieces both underneath and on top to make up for the skimpiness and I think it still looks alright - you can still see the lacy details and the levels of hem. I really liked adding this bow choker, the style fits well with the dress, and I think the pointed mules are perfect. Sadly couldn't find the perfect bag to match - any ideas?! Next up the Heart Silhouette Clutch, which is just such a perfect style and colour match for this split maxi dress, don't you think?! I love it, and edged it up with the black leather jacket and black heels. Sure I could have gone more wild, but I think this is an effective way to show off this great bag =) And lastly the Oversized Coat which I wasn't sure about what to wear it with at first and I tried out a lot of things until settling on this blue combination, I think the culottes actually work pretty spot-on with the coat! I went silver for my accessories and love the chunky belt and heels to match the oversizing of the coat. This set is a winning one for me =D

Features And now for some features, I think I've found a really good set of them for this release =D This look is from dm2udm2u and includes the Lace Body With Oversized Sleeves, Choker With Red Flower and Heart Silhouette Clutch. I love the combination of the lace with this dress, it's such a good way to wear both pieces as the best of each get shown off, plus the Choker works rather well as a belt!

This look, or I should say, these looks, are from France25 and give a fresher vibe to the pieces, styling them in a more street manner. I love the Oversized Coat combined with the purple and the printing. The tones are nice for each other and it makes an easy combination to add hair and beauty to, particularly that lip colour =)

And now something brighter and perfect for transitioning to autumn styles, Isabella8103 styling the leather Skirt With Ruffles, which looks awfully good with this mustard sweater. The brown  and golden accessories are great additions and stand out nicely against the skirt - particularly those laced boots and that lip colour, a lot of good lip colours in these features so far!

Another styling with the Lace Body With Oversized Sleeves, this time from kikinha_25 styling it more minimally to show off all of it's features to their full extent. It works well with this midi skirt and I think the bow at the neckline is a sweet and eye catching addition. I like the hair up too as it really shows the piece itself =)

And the final, Marta-43 wearing the Camel Jacket Sleeves. I'm pretty impressed with this one, and love the jacket paired with the velveteen skirt, I think it's a great texture combination. The white makes a good base, but I think other tones would also work. Particularly love the shoulder bag, I think it's a perfect piece for the jacket in both colour and style^

Suite Style

Such a summery and inspiring suite room for you guys today - from kikinha_25! The first thing I saw were these blue and yellow tiles lining the room and that was kinda it, the colours are perfect for the season and add somewhat of a mediterranean feel to the room. The big windows are great too, showing off the light and bright interior the room has been designed in. Love the furniture pieces too, they only extend that summer vibe, especially the mesh style of seating and their yellow colours. And all those plants - they look great and well chosen =D

Tulle topping

Love the high-fashion feel that this look has from one simple addition from kikinha_25! I love this Riviera Sonia Rykiel Inspired Chiffon Dress already, nothing is needed to sell it to me, but I simply can't get over the perfect addition of this tulle collar to top it off and make it such an amazing high-fashion piece =D I think there's so much that could be done with this style with other pieces too^ I like the more chunky vibe that the tights, socks and boots add too, and also the brightness from the bag and sunglasses, very inspiring I'd say!