Tesco's Post It On!

No doubt will you have be aware of the lovely Emma's blog Oh Really?, but if you haven't you should seriously check it out. I've followed her blog straight from day one, and am always in awe of her fabulous styling and lifestyle posts! You should most definitely check out her post on marbling nail effects, bloody marvelous.

To my delight Emma has tagged me to take part in Tesco's Post It On feature, whereby you choose another blogger to receive an item from Tesco's new A/W collection. Do check out what she chose! Over the past two years, i've really grown to love having a good peek at Tesco's clothing, its very affordable, good quality and most of all stylish! Surprisingly so, may i add. Many skirts and dresses have found their way into my trolly, which are always bang on trend and much more affordable. Not only has their clothing impressed me, but their foot-ware, two years back i bought some tan riding boots, and still to this day people always enquire to where i bought them from. Their range of heels always attract my eye - i just cannot justify spending horrendous amounts on shoes that i barely wear (Louboutins don't come under this rule fyi) and they always have a great selection in-store for under £25.

After having a good nose on the Tesco's site, i've picked my top items..

oversized grey snood £7.00 / chunky knit snood £5.00 / knit arm warmers £4.00 / cable mittens £4.00 / chain detail gloves £12.00 / cable knit earmuff £4.00   

swing camisole £12.00 / black military shorts £14.00 / ruffle jumpsuit £25.00 / waterfall jacket £18.00 / scallop edge skirt £12.50  

knitted bubble cable dress £18.00 / gladiator stilettos £25.00 / studded shoe boots £18.00 / suede ankle boot £18.00 / tunic £20.00

The question is, what item do i pick? Too hard too choose. I'm particularly partial to the two dress in the last picture, that knitted dress looks beyond cosy and perfect for winter days, but the pink dress (French Connection, eat your heart out) would be just right for the 'christmas party season' (cringe).. But then that waterfall jacket and scalloped skirt too!

Thoughts? Let me know..

Sweet Paris

A few weekends back i went on a mini-break to Paris with my boy to celebrate my birthday, we were highly excited to go, it was a relaxing break too so we just decided on a whim what we wanted to do each day. We had ideas of where we wanted to go, but we weren't going to try and pack in all the sites into four days, rather just use it as an excuse to go back ;)

We took the Eurostar from St. Pancreas to Gare du Nord, in central Paris early Saturday morning. We stayed within the business district of La Defense, which i cannot recommend enough. We weren't particularly bothered about staying in the heart of the city, as out hotel was only fifteen minutes away by Metro from the Champs Elysees was the perfect choice. La Defence is mainly built up of large sky scraper offices and hotels along one main strip and square, it was dotted with fountains, small parks to sit and enjoy the views of the Arc De Truiph. The hotel we stayed at Sofitel La Defense  which was a real treat to stay in, we managed to secure an amazing deal saving a triple of the price of the rates advertised (400€ per person per night!), it had a crazy size bed and bathroom, which had surround sound everywhere, and not forgetting endless Hermes toiletries! The weather couldn't have been better, pure sunshine and warm weather, luck!

Here are a few snapshots..

of course i couldn't come to Paris and not buy a copy, this deserves it's own post entirely.

view of the Eiffel Tower from our hotel at night - so pretty.

planning the next days adventures in the disgustingly comfy bed.

on my birthday, we visited the Luxembourg Gardens, i cannot word how beautiful this park is. 

the weather was so lovely, and as we went on the weekend, hundreds of french families, couples and old people were relaxing in the sun. It was the most perfect Autumn day, with leaves just fallen and people everywhere doing activities, reading and soaking up the sun. I could have spent all day there, happily reading a book.

the Lourve was another place we really enjoyed, we spent most of the day looking at paintings, as the museum is so big, it would be impossible to cover the entire place - i can't wait to go back and visit. 

my birthday meal consisted of:

Hargen Diaz banana and toffee waffles, with whipped cream and a hot toffee sauce in an wafer basket, yum!

We also visited the Eiffel Tower but the added security of police and army was a pretty tense place to be, and although it sounds daft, it could really do with a polish! ;)

I really enjoyed Paris, we are definitely making plans to re-visit! These are only a faction of the photos i took, my lovely friend Sarah bought me as part of my birthday present, two disposable cameras, so i really focused on using those up to fill up the lovely photo album she gave me too!

Have you been to Paris?

(and of course i visited Sephora!)

all the crazy shit i did tonight, those will be the best memories

if i had a pound for every time i admired this bag, i could buy it first thing tomorrow.

birthday money spenditure yeah?

Lavin for H&M

I'm somewhat slightly obsessed with these designer collaborations, as much as i would like to flounce down to Mayfair in my chauffeur driven car and pick up my new little black dress, it ain't gonna happen (not for a while anyhow.) The whole reasoning behind these designer/high-street collaborations is simply fabulous, providing great labels, and mostly great designs available to all women.

Since Jimmy Choo and Sonia Rykiel jumped on the H&M bandwagon, i've been hungry for more. And as i'm sure your quite aware, after a months of speculation and teasing, it was announced that Alber Elbaz, Creative Director at Lavin will be the next designer to whip us up into a frenzy.

As much as ever, information regarding the collection is very much kept secret, with details being released slowly. The collection is due to be released on the 23rd November, with another video explaining more details. As much as they have tried to pixilate the clothes in previously released videos and keep it under wraps, of course, there's always a leak here and there..

Left: Black one shoulder dress £99.99, Sunglasses £14.99. 

Second left: Coat £99.99, necklace £34.99, sunglasses £14.99. 

Right: Tux jacket £69.99, skirt £34.99, bracelet £24.99, sunglasses £14.99. 

Far right: Black dress £79.99, necklace £34.99.

Left: Puff sleeve dress £99.99, leather gloves £29.99, clutch £24.99. Right: Tiered dress £99.99, bag £29.99. sunglasses £14.99, necklace £24.99.

However, things just got a little bit more exciting. H&M have just announced that on November 18th, H&M will be showing the full collection on runway at the Pierre hotel in NYC and streaming it online for us over the pond to watch too. Stay tuned,

Personally, i couldn't be more excited for this collection. I love Lavins clean, classic designs, and not forgetting their to die for accessories! If your not all that familiar with the brand, here are a few snippets of their A/W '10 range.

 Are you excited? Are their any brands you would love to see collaborate with H&M?

taper jean girl

Each year, at Christmas my mother buys me a chocolate advent calendar. Don't get wrong, i'm all for tradition,  but i'm not all that fussed about chocolate really- yes, i really did just say that.  And after reading this post a few months back on British Beauty Blogger's blog i knew i couldn't just settle for the run of mill Cadbury's calendar..

The L'Oreal Advent Calendar has just landed at Selfridges, retailing at £60 a pop, this little piece of Christmas came early, counting down the days with a beauty treat. Say what? Each little window houses a miniature skincare, perfume or make-up item to trial and test, from brands such as YSL, Lancome, Armani, Shu Uemura. 

For a full list of products included visit the lovely Charlotte's blog Lipglossiping.

What a fabulous idea? £60 is a bit of a stretch, but in terms of the amount of products and quality - is it not worth it? I'm seriously toying with the idea, and i don't even think i'm falling for the gimmick side of it, package it as an Easter Egg gift, i would probably still be interested! No, but seriously if they were marketing it as a 'testing the best of..' i would be still be inclined to buy. 

Would you?

(also, if you haven't already check out British Beauty Blogger and Lipglossiping, because they are simply two of he best beauty blogs in town.)

killamangiro

With winter, not only comes my thick chunky tights and endless, but sneaky hot chocolates (with extra whipped cream, of course) but the common British cold. I call it the British cold, as no other country complain and moan and whine and complain as much as we. Feeling slightly gross and rundown, and rather angry at catching this retched cold, i thought it was the perfect time to post this monstrosity, bitter issue.

Mulberry for Target, exclusively in America, each piece will set you back at under $30, disgusting

snot, snot, snot. 

Okay, a rather bitter post. But still, a Mulberry Bays Water costs a good £700* nowadays, yet the Americans get a rip of version for roughly twenty eight squid slightly unfair. However, i reside in the fact that this is basically one big marketing plan for Mulberry for the US branding, secondly each bag in the range isn't made with the craft and leather that the 'real' ones are made with ...and thirdly, queue evil laugh.. 

MULBERRY FOR TARGET. 

But on the hand, if they were to sell these over here, then every tom, dick and harry would have them and that defeats the point of having an exclusive designer bag, oui?

what are your thoughts? are some things just better when they aren't mass-available?

*my bag was purchased a few years back, with my savings, for no where near that price - thank god.


they are slightly FUG. (sorry Emma Hill) but i would mind the little ones please.

i just called to say i love you!

Long time, no see? October has been such a busy month already, i started uni, aged a year, went to Paris and went back to Stylist. And along the way i bought a few bits and i thought i would share. I won't go into the birthday shenanigans just yet, as i'm still recovering from a night of 80's dancing with my best friends, i'll save that (embarrassment) for another ramble!

As i mentioned in one of my earlier posts, Topshop held a student night in some of their larger stores to which my friend Sarah and i attended the Oxford St branch. We also did a bit of shopping here and there and everywhere too, naturally. One of the first stops was Selfridges where they are currently holding The Shoe Galleries, which was fabulous! They have completely transformed their shoe department into an actual gallery which some of the most fiercest shoes on display to completely lust over. Decked out with large human-sized shoes, with the shoe shop designed like no other, you are also invited to try out their very own photo booth, simply selecting a pair of shoes to go pose with and tell your very own shoe story. Wait out side and bam, your polaroid is there to collect! I really recommend going, just for the giggles, lusting and free photo of course!

the lovely Sarah - double trouble 

After trying on a few sneaky pairs of Chanel pumps, we then head over to the more, lets say the more affordable shoes, where i came across these... the brogue. Which i find rather manly, because you know, they are actually designed for men, but for me? It took some strong persuading from Sarah, but i'm so glad. I think they are the comfiest shoes i have ever purchased, and perfect for the winter, a real twist on flats.

River Island Brogues - (£26.99)

We then popped over to H&M, where i had previously spotted this dress online and knew i had to buy. It's very sheer, floral and pretty, perfect with layers, with an added edge of a cuff detail.

If you own an iPhone, be sure to download the H&M app, if you shake it, a 20% voucher will appear to be used in store. Then if you sneaky, like me, delete the app, then re-download and wham! another voucher.

Finally we popped over to Topshop, which was PACKED. Words cannot describe the mad-panic of girls squabbling and rushing around for their size. Being the somewhat freakily obsessed TS fans that we are, we had already sussed out what we were looking to buy, and er thats when things got a little bit expensive.

Let me introduce you to my all-time favourite piece of clothing this winter.

This coat is freeking amazing, it flares, it has fur, its navy, its mine! At the awful price of £95.00. Thank the lord for 20% off (and student loan). The fit is so perfect and very well tailored for a high street coat. I love it.

Then after rummaging around the dresses, i finally came across my dusty pink shift dress. I adore the colour and fit, and i'm so glad i managed to get my hands of it!

After giving my debit card a good burn, we then went to have a play with the new A/W make up, well it would be rude not too.

Sarah modeling the lipstain that i attacked her with, tres fierce. 

One last thing, i just had to show you this fur collar/scarf thing i bought from H&M. Worn with my Topshop trench, it really transforms my trench into a whole other coat, as well as making me feel like Doris Day in a Touch of Mink, ooh the glamour.

Fur Collar - H&M - (£9.99) STEAL

Posts to follow: Paris adventures, Birthday Celebrations, Moar Make-Up.

Just a quick note to say: Paris was lovely, we diddn't get blown up, Sephora was raided, and it diddn't break up our 7 year relationship, he just takes longer than me to get ready and apparently i always need to pee. Insightful ;). && thank you for the birthday wishes.

What have i missed? you!