OOTD: Vampy Verma

Hi ladies! I think it's been long due that we actually did our styling off of what we have in our closet. I have always thought it such a hassle because I'm a) without a good camera and b) without a willing photographer. However, I think we can slide imperfections in this first attempt at a Outfit Of The Day post. Today I was inspired by the new Arsenal captain, Tommy V. While I have nothing to gush about his personal off-duty style, or lack there of, I do always associate him with plaid shirts and dark colours. 

Verma's vampiric good looks and chiselled features always overwhelm whatever outfit he seems to be wearing so let's be real now, it doesn't really matter what he puts on because he seems to pull it off. So this outfit was pretty easy to put together especially after I found this fun take on the lumberjack shirt from Zara. The rest just fell into place. Military green trousers as a spin on the amount of cargo shorts the man seems to own. Wedge trainers in place of his trusted kicks, and assorted arm candy as he's often spotted with trinkets around his wrist. The bag adds toughness - representative of his playing style, and the delicate scarf is added to give a bit more flair to an otherwise tough outfit. 

Shirt, Zara, £53

Trousers, James Jeans, £100

Bag, Alexander Wang, £730 (colour unavailable)

Shoes, Topshop, £80

Scarf, Alexander McQueen, £380

Wrap-around bracelet, Hermès, price upon request

Silver bracelet, ChloBo, £325/set of five

Woven bracelet, local Thai market, price unknown

Safe Hands: If We Can't Get It, Then We'll Wear It

Hi ladies! Though Safe Hands has been on hiatus for a while, we know we can quickly get over that sad truth with this beautiful gold-green shade from O.P.I. off of their The Amazing Spider-Man collection that consists of six beautiful shades and a shatter.

I'll let you in a little secret here: I was a huge Spider-Man nerd. And I mean, huge. So when this collection came out, I was definitely more than a little excited. I haven't seen the movie myself; mainly because I still cannot accept anyone else but Tobey Maguire as Spidey. I'm just being obnoxious, I realise. Guilty as charged. 

I went to my local O.P.I. nail bar today to get my regulars and decided it would be the perfect chance to try one of the shades that has been constantly compared to Chanel's Peridot. After a bit of reading on various nail blogs, it's safe for me to say that Just Spotted The Lizard is a flawless dupe of the former. 

I love the idea of the scaly, slimy, yet slick feeling this shade gives off. It's a beautiful combination of gold, olive green, and a tint of blue when reflected and I am absolutely hooked. Painted on, it's a lot more gold than I imagined, but I still love it nonetheless. Feeling a bit bold today, I decided to play the gold-green against Arsenal's yellow monstrosity from the 2006/2007 season - our first away kit playing in the Emirates. A bit of bling looks good against our kit doesn't it? Now if only we can get the real thing.

Just Spotted The Lizard.

2 coats applied over base coat, covered with top coat. Lighting indoor; full blast. 

Lighting darkened.

In the shade. 

Transfer Talk: Robin van Persie

It seems that summer happened and everything else comes to a stand still - especially around here. First and foremost we'd like to apologise for the lack of activity on the Colney Chic. There has been a massive amount of travelling in my part, and a lot of Lia things and shenanigans in hers. (You can ask the details of that to her yourself). Euros came and gone, and so did the Olympics. Now here we are closing in to the end of summer and the start of another football season. 

The months between the seasons are often gruelling, but fear not - transfer rumours will relentlessly keep you company whether you like it or not. As expected, one player will sickeningly dominate the transfer activities during the break. Arsenal seems to be quite good at providing said players (see: Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri) so why should this year be any different? This summer, we witnessed the classic will-he-won't-he saga provided by the Arsenal frontman and (now ex) Captain, Robin van Persie. 

I have an unhealthy relationship with Robin van Persie. And by relationship, I mean obsession. And by obsession, I mean a sickness. He was plastered on my walls, downloaded to my laptops, and on my lips 24/7 for the past 5 years. Maybe it was the amount of time I spent talking about him to the point of nausea that helped me cope through this summer or maybe it was the fact that I just couldn't care less anymore. Ever since he released that bordering on megalomania statement, I knew I wanted him to pack his shit, give back the keys, and out the door. 

In the words of Whitney Houston: it's not right, but it's okay. 

Now I'm not the football fan blessed with the talent to write a witty thought-provoking article with tactics thrown around like it's Jaeger on a Saturday night, but I'll attempt and give my two cents in the best way I know how. I tend to liken a player's stay at a certain club to a relationship. Many football fans do use this allegory, though I like to think I take it further and better. The Cesc case is easy - he was still head over heels with his first love whose relationship he had ended prematurely, being young. The Samir case was a regrettable one night stand, and Henry's is the 'we know we're each other's love life even if we're not together'.

Robin is the one you waited for so long to be good to you. Robin is the one you loyally stood by while he went out to prove himself a man. Robin is the one who showed you off to his friends and made you sure he was yours. Robin is the one who endlessly hinted a proposal. The one whose closet you dare ransack to prove there's a ring only to realise, he's nothing more than the one that could have been. A dream. A postcard promise. A lie. A disappointment. A waste of time. 

Like the rest of them he leaves you for the neighbourhood whore - famous for all the wrong things. 

These two looks are created inspired by the philosophy of the two reds Robin van Persie has painted his career in. We attempt to embody the spirit of both Arsenal and MU in the context of the transfer through both outfits. The Arsenal look is unique, fashion-forward, and a little on the quirky side. We chose a draped silk dress with a twisted bust that spits out fabric to the knees, calf-hair pumps, and wooden box clutch with a matryoshka as a charming accent. The Man U look is strong, time-tested, and in your face. A rouched snake-skin print lacy dress showing skin in all the desired places, strappy sandals, and a solid black clutch completes the man-catcher look. 

Dress (Arsenal), Prabal Gurung, £789.25

Shoes (Arsenal), Alexandre Birman, £345

Clutch (Arsenal), Charlotte Olympia, £480

Dress (MU), Roberto Cavalli, £1690

Shoes (MU), Rupert Sanderson, £543

Clutch (MU), Bottega Veneta, £1125

Antique Attire: Arsenal FC, 1925 - 34

As a history student, I'm quite obsessed with anything vintage - not even vintage really, anything old! With so many football teams constantly referring to their long illustrious history - it's only right that we pay tribute to the older generations that has made our team the one we know and love today. Through our Antique Attire series, we try to create a look based on both the fashion of the era and the team at the time through our modern interpretation. It's only appropriate that we start our series with Arsenal FC under one of the most influential managers in the game, Herbert Chapman.

Herbert Chapman spent 9 years in the managerial position at Arsenal, passing from the mid 20s to 30s where Art Deco had swept the world under its style. Forget flappers who has dominated our modern thinking of the era, the outfit chooses to represent the industrial yet elegant aesthetic of Art Deco instead. Moving away from the Bright Young People debauchery of the 20s to a more conservative 30s style - the look focuses on glamour that goes hand in hand with functionality.

Herbert Chapman is the man responsible for Arsenal's iconic white sleeves that continues to be used today. He also invented the hoop socks which the modern Arsenal under Wenger sported in the 2007/2008 season's away kit. Coming back to the invention of the white sleeves, this Roland Mouret dress was chosen to highlight just that - with white floral appliqué that compliments the beautiful Arsenal red just as the white sleeves does. The clean gold lines on the suede sandals is a take on the hoop socks.

Fur, while controversial today is certainly not a hard pill to swallow in those days. While an animal lover myself, I find that vintage fur is something to be appreciated (with a lot of other vegetarians such as myself agreeing!). Therefore, a vintage Versace mink coat is added as a needed dose of Old Hollywood glamour to the outfit. The accessories are simply Deco to the touch. The clutch is a clam shell Lanvin number which serves as a reminder to furnitures and lighting of the era that used the same design. We also add a tough yet elegant precious stone ring, a heavy necklace to adorn an empty neckline, suede sandals with gold lining and of course - no vintage inspired attire is complete without gloves.

Beauty Break: Arsenal FC (Away Colours)

Call it cerulean, sapphire, azure, ultramarine, royal, or just blue - it's a colour that guarantees a sense of calmness, serenity, zen, and relaxation...

...except when it's a blue of breathable material against the skins of eleven confused men trying to chase a ball to the back of a net.

Taking inspiration from the 2012/2013 Arsenal Away kit - this Beauty Break debut post focuses on six products we recommend added to your make up pouches as inspired by the blues sported this season by the Arsenal boys.

1) Shu Uemura depsea water (Lavender), £16.50

I've sworn by this product for over 4 years now and can't think of a skincare regime sans this little lady. She looks almost mysteriously useless as your next hydrating spray - yet, my skin have never been better after adding this to my regime. Simply spray it on twice a day - after waking up and before bed (preferably before moisturising).

2) Mac eyeshadow (Electric eel), £9.50

I'm not your average Mac fangirl, but I am a huge fan of their eye shadows. They are always highly pigmented and never fails to do your eyes justice. This shade is boldly blue - almost offensive - but for a night out, it could be the perfect pop of colour amongst a sea of black. 

3) OPI nail varnish (Blue my mind), £6 

OPI nail varnishes are a must in every girl's collection - their colour ranges from here to no end and they turn out beautiful. I have hardly gotten chipped nails since swearing by OPI varnishes. I have tried a dupe to this colour called 'Dating A Royal' and though it is not personally great for my skin tone, it's a beautiful colour nonetheless. 

4) NARS soft touch shadow pencil (Dark rite), £15

I was introduced to NARS by my sister when I was taught how to wear make up for dance performances as a wee 14-year old. I never looked back and now understood the rather pricey tag (double the prices of Mac pencils!). This colour is to die for and runs beautifully on your skin, the colour comes out perfectly. If you are willing to invest on good make up, NARS is the way to go. 

5) Malin + Goetz detox face mask, £25

Voted Allure's best face mask in 2008, I decided to give this bad boy a try after discovering the New York-based brand. I fell in love in an instance. It leaves your skin feeling smooth, clean, and rather brand new. I use this product once every week or so and have never needed a facial ever since! 

6) Mac penultimate eye liner (Rapidblack), £12

Mac products are made for the eyes. Their liners are amongst the best in the business and I have never felt the need to find an alternative to their gel liners. For those who are hesitant to get their famous gel liner pots out of inconvenience, their pen-style liners are your next best thing. As you can never go wrong with black, Mac black at that - it's no wonder they only released it in one colour.