MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas all!

I thought I would share my best sale purchase so far. I blogged about this dress back in February and now it belongs to me! VERY HAPPY RIGHT NOW.



Dress - Peter Jensen

Hope everyone is enjoying a fantastic Christmas Day. We don't do presents till late afternoon, I'm hoping everyone loves their gifts and cannot wait to see their faces when they see open them :)

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME..

I last blogged 12 days ago? Really?? This must be what happens in silly season (and a silly season it has been). I finished my shoppping about a week ago, just in time for the sales to start and I've since treated myself to a couple of amazing pieces I have wanted for AGES, my festive wardrobe is sorted! I will leave those for another post, for now here is a recent outfit inspired by a trip to Next of all places.



This is not a shop I frequent very often (or at all) but for my job I do need to be aware of what is happening on the high street so I wandered in there about a month ago and came across this tobacco coloured jumper. I had to remove the belt, pull the belt loops through to the inside and buy it in a size 16 for it to look how I wanted. Nicely oversized and just about long enough to wear as a dress (wearing it with leggings here on snow day!), proof that sometimes you just have to think outside the box.



I also can't resist a button up collar at the moment!

Jumper - Next, Shirt - Topman, Leggings and socks - ASOS, Hat - vintage, Boots - All Saints

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Have an amazing day tomorrow xx

BLACK SWAN

Just spent about half an hour freaking myself out with clips on IMDb. It looks AMAZING

MOST WANTED: DECEMBER

As if, but you know...

Lace Collar Jumper by Manoush

Boots by Kurt Geiger

Embellished T-Shirt by Meadham Kirchhoff for Topshop

COLD

I've been trying to work out a way of taking outfit pictures without the aid of a person or a tripod (it's on my Christmas list), so I can get some more items up on ASOS Marketplace - sold two things within a week of the launch! I thought I might have found the answer in my stairwell but didn't realise until the pic was taken I'd chosen the flight of stairs in front of the community pin board, not the best back drop, but I'll remember for next time. I decided to post the picture anyway, because you can see my new turban and last years duffle cape which I still love and is seeing me nicely through the 'big freeze'.


Knitted Turban - ASOS, Cape - ASOS, Pleated Silk Scarf - Alpha 60, Wool Fingerless Gloves - Jigsaw, Dooney & Bourke Bag - Vintage, Military Boots - All Saints

JAMES BOND

I'm going to a James Bond Christmas themed party on Friday and I've managed to narrow down my costume choices to either Odd Job or May Day. I'm tending towards Odd Job since I've got the whole outfit already - two in fact. The May Day outfit really needs a red snood (the knitted one was just a stand in for the pic) and I definitely don't have time this week for shopping. Also I've got a busy day on Friday and it will require some intense hair and make up to transform into Grace Jones. It's a shame, because I love a bit of Grace.

So which Odd Job do I go with? I prefer outfit one as an outfit, but outfit two is much closer to the original. I think I'm going to wait and see how far my colleagues push the boat out and make a decision from that. Which do you prefer?!

Whilst writing this post I have realised I owe someone a pound. I thought I was being clever when I bet my mate that the baddie with the metal rimmed bowler hat is definitely not called Odd Job. Fail.

In case you wanted to know where anything is from:

Tuxedo Jumpsuit, Snood and Leather Shorts - ASOS

Shoes - Topshop

Bowler Hat - Portobello Road stall

Blouse - M/Olive (with ribbon added by me)

LILEE FOR ASOS MA}ke

You might remember I went to see LiLee's SS11 show not long ago and I am really excited to be able to talk about the launch of her collection for ASOS. As part of their commitment to supporting new and emerging designers, ASOS have launched ASOS MA}ke, a mentoring intiative which sees selected graduates (one womenswear, one menswear) from LCF's prestigious MA course, working closely with ASOS to produce a capsule collection. LiLee's 11 piece collection is inspired by the strength of women and characterised by the amazing french rope technique she uses to create structure and flatter the female form. The beautiful imagery speaks for the collection itself.

The full range is available to buy here. The silk blouse with lace sleeves is on its way to me now, can't wait for my package tomorrow!

Images from ASOS.com obvs

NOVEMBER WISH LIST

Wow it's been nearly a month since I posted in here, I just don't know what happened. A couple of weeks ago I attended an amazing creative writing course which inspired me to pick up my pen (keyboard?) again and I'm currently enjoying a bit of 'down time' between social engagements (ok I've run out of money), so what better time to get reacquainted with the blogosphere? I need somewhere to offload my numerous sartorial obsessions anyway - why is it there seems to be so much you want to buy when you have the least money?!

As I think the below shows, it's got to that time of year when I can't decide between comfort and fashion and no outfit seems complete without just a little bit of bling.

APC Sweater - Alexa Chung for Madewell Velvet Shorts - APC Star Sneakers - Surface To Air Wedge Buckle Ankle Boots - Pamela Love Sterling Silver Cross Ring - Topshop Felt Boater - Blakegodbold Crystal & Embroidered Ruffle Neckpiece - Alexa Chung for Madewell Dungaree Dress

I need to talk more about those trainers, because they are in equal parts disgusting and amazing. Maybe more on the disgusting side actually, but possibly so disgusting they become amazing by default. Suede, leopard print, zebra print AND pony hair. Really what more could you ask of a shoe?!

Image from ssense.com

NYFW: VENA CAVA

Styling inspiration from Vena Cava. Simply need to find a dress in that colour.



Love their blog too http://vivavenacava.blogspot.com/

Images from Style.com

LFW: CHARLES ANASTASE

Charles Anastase + Valentine Fillol-Cordier = a collection made in heaven.





Images from Style.com

LFW: LiLee

On Friday I headed down to Freemasons Hall to check out the Vauxhall Fashion Scout 'Ones to Watch' show. I was there especially to support LiLee a graduate of LCF who in late October will be launching a collaborative range with ASOS.com.

From my prime spot in the front row(!) I was amazed by the pure attention to detail on every garment, which has come to be LiLee's trademark. My stand out favourite pieces were the calf length dress with pleated skirt, the jacket with tan leather buckle (there was an audible gasp from me and my colleagues when the model turned on the runway and we all got a glimpse of that buckle, it's all in the details!) and the gorgeous pleated front dress above. I will let the pictures and video do the talking but suffice to say LiLee definitely is One to Watch.





Images by Natalia Ilina from Fashion Scout Blog and video courtesy of Vauxhall Fashion Scout

LFW: MULBERRY

Dear Mulberry,
You're killing me with your colour pallette...!

Bertie shoes!

Live blogging from the Bertie bloggers event at their gorgeous store on South Molton St! Impressive spread of food here and already got my eye on a gorgeous pair of suede peep toes....






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AUTUMNAL

I'm back! It's been a long hiatus during which time I've been to a couple of festivals, braved Ryanair (never again) for a holiday to Sardinia (amazing) and gotten well underway with my Autumn/Winter wardrobe. Next weekend I am pretending it's still Summer with a short camping trip, but after that it's Winter all the way. Cannot wait to wear the various wooly socks I've been stock piling in shades of rust, grey and khaki.
Desperate for these two pieces from Topshop Boutique to create the look above!!



Images from Topshop.com, Zara.com

COS BECAUSE

I wonder if I'm the only person that makes visual shopping lists by taking photos of myself in changing rooms?
I always think it's good to have a reference of the things you didn't buy whether it's to remind you of why you didn't waste your money or (as is more often the case for me) to remind you what you loved but couldn't afford when pay day rolls around. Contrary to popular belief I don't particularly enjoy shopping in real life shops, especially not in Central London. Definitely not on a Saturday. A targeted approach is much better.

This is what I didn't buy in Cos last weekend..

Dress £45

I got to work on Monday and someone was wearing this, I hate that, so I'm glad I didn't buy it. On the other hand I am definitely going back for this collar:

Only £25 I don't know why I didn't buy it, I've been thinking about it ever since in that annoying way, like I've got nothing to wear but if I owned that one thing I didn't buy last week I would definitely have something to wear, because it would go with everything and solve all wardrobe conundrums ever.
Pictured here with the first dress/t-shirt that came to hand (think it's actually a t-shirt, I had to creatively tug at it so it appeared a semi-decent length for the photo). Love love the colour.

Obvs I didn't leave empty handed, this is what I did buy:

Shorts £45
I adore the super high waist on these and the colour of course, they will see me well into AW with some nice rust coloured tights, because let's face it, we have about 3 weeks of bare legs left. Sigh!

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NAIL ENVY

Wah! Nails might be all the rage right now but my Grandma has been working fierce nails for as long as I can remember. Check out the latest:


















She's just so ahead of the times!

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MY SO-CALLED LIFE

So, I started hanging out with Rayanne Graff, just for fun. Just 'cause it seemed like if I didn't, I would die, or something. ...Things were getting to me. Just how people are -- how they always expect you to be a certain way. Even your best friend. ...Like, with boys, like they have it so easy. Like you have to pretend you don't notice them noticing you. ...Like cheerleaders. Can't people just cheer on their own? Like to themselves? ...School is a battlefield for your heart. So when Rayanne Graff told me my hair was holding me back, I had to listen. 'Cause she wasn't just talking about my hair. She was talking about my life"



The boxset was only £7.99 on Amazon, practically free, who could say no? I'm wearing my dungarees in appreciation. So many people hate the 90s for fashion, but so far I want pretty much all of Angela's wardrobe and I'm only one disc in!