That don't kill me, can only make me stronger.

Floral Tie-Neck Top - £22.99

Tie Peter Plan Blouse - £15.99 (STEAL!!)

Floral Tie-Neck Floral Top - £22.99

Cable Knit Cardigan - £24.99

Bow Front Ballet Pump - £7.99

Floral Cut-out Wedge - £24.99

New Look has seriously stepped it's game, sure the prices have upped by a few quid, but nothing in comparison to Toppers or Urban Outfitters. It's so, so good to finally see some new S/S items in-store, honestly cannot get past the amount of lovely, romantic blouses on the high-street at the moment, oh so tempting. Even flicking through the H&M catalog is like playing with fire. I do love those wedges though, and they are practically a steal. They really, really don't look like New Look, but i always think New Look come up trumps with their heels. Although i say that I never ever bloody buy heels unless to match a 'special' outfit, yet i always get completely baffled when i need a pair to wear out at last minute - definitely more of a handbag girl. 

Don't get me wrong, its not that i've never liked New Look, there's just never been a crazed love affair like Topshop, mainly because some things are far too 'tacky' or genuinely plain. Alas, River Island are also guilty of the 'oh god, this perfectly good dress looks too plain, heres an idea, lets shove some sprinkle with sequins all things tacky.' But they too have really upped their style game too! It's said that us Brits have the best high-street in the world, and i really don't think they are kidding.

yay or nay to the heels? 

i think i'll only regret it if i don't!

in-fact i think i should buy it all.

Kiss with a Fist

When i was in the Paris Sephora, i picked up the infamous Make-up Forever Smokey Lash mascara kit. It was a crazy impulse purchase, considering i already have a strong love affair with Diorshow mascara. Which hand on heart, while the Dior is my desert island staple, it's everything that Benefit Bad Gal was meant to be, but really isn't. Yet at £21, and a very small shelf life, it a rather pricey relationship we have. By the by, I tried the Smokey Lash whilst in my hotel room, and it was very good, but just too wet for my liking - meh.

Roll on three months later, digging it out of my make-box, its bloody amazing. It doesn't give me the ultra ummph of Dior but the length of the lashes is crazy impressive. Maybe even too long? It lasts all day, and it really looks as if i have lash extensions. The brush itself is nothing flashy, it just does what it says on the tin (err tube). Despite the fact i bought two, yes two, Christmas packs of Diorshow, i think i will look to purchase the MUF Smokey Lash again and again. Priced at the slightly cheaper price of £17.50 online at Guru Make-up Emporium, it is still a hard to come across brand, unless you do order online or visit a make-up artistry shop in London. 

I will say to create this length, you do need to apply a good couple of layers to get your decried length. This can be an extra few minutes on your mascara routine, but definitely worth it i think. And like the pack i bought, each set comes with a mini eye make-up remover, which is always a plus! 

Have you tried the MUF Smokey Lash? Please excuse my mug, you haven't seen it for a while though!

Have you ever felt like a plastic bag, drifting through the air?

My topic of converse today is playsuits. A true 80's throwback, really cute but extremely frustrating if you need to pee. But by the by, i love playsuits. They look so easy to wear, dress up, dress down. Yet they just don't love me. With probably the most annoying body shape, small bust vs bigger hips. The playsuit is my worst enemy. You literally have to be the perfect balanced shape in order to wear one, sigh. What gets my goat, (did i really just say that?) is how i've seen so many pretty and lovely ones dotted in Topshop, River Island and Miss Selfridge, can't they transform the material in to a dress, pleassse? 

Example one:

As a play suit this is basically my worst nightmare. A baggy bust, or literally dicing me in two?

But.. as a dress this would be the perfect summer tea dress.

Have you ever thought this?

Please excuse the title of the post, it is for comedy purposes only. Every time i hear it, i shudder. 

I love you Katy Perry, but plastic bags, come on love! 

A town called malice

Sitting in front of my Mac book with the dissertation blues just about sums up my life at the moment, but life just got a little bit more exciting. Next Monday i have been offered the chance to try out a new hair treatment at the Eleven salon in Mayfair. The treatment is called the Digital Perm, my first thoughts were a perm? A real, real perm? Didn't they only exist in the eighties? But after much more reading on the subject, the Digital Perm is a new curling technique which produces more larger, softer curls. Think big glam curls, or loose bohoo curls. Low maintenance curls that look fabulous? Yes please! 

Now that LC has finally become a brunette and i'll hopefully have long swirling curls, all i'll need to do now is have a sun kissed glow and master the art of that bloody eyeliner flick! Needless to say, after i've had the treatment, my partner in crime Sarah will be on hand to snap some photos, to be posted in my review for one of my favourite beauty blogs British Beauty Blogger - it's practically a crime not to follow her fyi.

A chance to write for BBB and get a-list curls? My boring Wednesday afternoon of researching just got ten times better.

Do you prefer LC blonde or brunette? Curls or poker straight locks? Oh, the questions!

I'm gunna call her on the telephone, cause i'm all alone.

Like the Topshop make-up my first thoughts of a clothing brand going into cosmetics is a short equation based on job lot of cheap worthless product dressed in pretty packaging. I think it's fair to say that Topshop came up bloody trumps with their cosmetic line, in-keeping with the fashion-side and listening to market research really paid off, who else on the high-street does a decent cream blush?

When i saw the arrival of Accessorize make-up, i was pleasantly surprised. It's currently housed in Superdrug stores, it has a wide variety of nail varnish shades and baked eyeshadows, bronzers and blushes. Even primers, weird. This is what i picked up..

Blusher in Pretty Pink - (£5.00)

Typically, in true Sarah style i always go for the baby pink, despite the fact i have a good ten baby pinks already (meh). But never the less, when i got home i realised that this is more of a shimmery highlighting pink. Basically mine and my pores worst nightmare. But it's not glitter just really fine shimmer, i can definitely see myself using this is the summer on a (fingers crossed) tan face.

The camera shows the blusher in a very orange light, the stock photo on the website shows a more pretty pink.

Crystal Shimmer and Idol - (£4.00)

I seriously cannot rave about their nail varnishes enough! They are unusual shades and tones, and lets face it, you don't find many of those knocking about on the highstreet (apart from Barry M). Crystal shimmer is a clear gloss infused with glitter particles, they are very, very fine. I wore this alot over the Christmas period and it gives a good cover of glitter over the nail in one application. 

Secondly, is Idol a gun metal grey with navy tones, that has a silver shimmer running through. I'm not lying to you when i say that one swipe of the nail is full pigmentation of colour - something i would expect after two coats. It also dries rather speedily, in-fact this is my go to nail varnish when i think 'oh crap, my nails are naked, i can't leave the friggen house.' My only quibble, is when applied and drying it looks super glossy, yet once dried it looses this glossiness. I would - like many of you already do - this definitely needs a super glossy top coat.

This is the perfect combination, i can't wait to wear this in summer. Nail Inc Elizabeth Street is your standard whimsical nude pink, it instantly makes your nails look neat and clean. One of my most used polishes ever. Combine the two it looks pretty as hell. You may have Elizabeth Street already knocking around somewhere, as i think it was a freebie from Glamour a while back.

All in all, i cannot wait to raid the Superdrug at Elephant and Castle, a treasure chest off all the LE Sleek palettes, to buy some more polishes! You can view the entire line online here.

I was going to post shades i want to try, but the boy has turned up rather early and i have a craving for Ben and Jerry's and a good snoop of Tesco's clothing.

Very superstitious, writing's on the wall.

Apparently i'm about four years late for jumping on the Cath Kidston bandwagon, never the less i finally   succumbed to the floral 50's print and ordered myself a wash bag. I had spied these bags last summer, yet due to the lack of holiday (still bitter) i couldn't really justify another wash bag. After the whispered hushes about a trip to Disney World, i ordered one as fast as you can say Hogsmeade in Harry Potter Land.

Button Rose Wash Bag - (£18.00)

It's incredibly roomy, fitting a whole host of ones most prized cosmetics and skin care (and the junk of course). It has two pockets inside, with a zipped up compartment on the side. It really is the perfect washbag for home or travel, this would make a lovely gift too! 

My only moan is that there are so many bloody pretty prints, it was a hard long slog to choose which one. ;)

I definitely think i've been bitten by the Cath Kidston bug, oh yes, albeit four years late. 

Me and Mr Jones.

If it's good enough for Audrey, it's good enough for me.

You either love it or you hate it. I personally love the Louis Vuitton Speedy's. A great influence on my style, the icon Audrey Hepburn was a big fan of the LV Speedy; oh yes. After modeling it in her film Charade 1963, it was a firm favourite of hers.

Forget the fakes and the tarnished reputation. I understand it as if one is trashy enough to carry a fake, people will see straight through it, oui? I think this print is rather tame, there's no need to shout it about. However, if any one is offering to buy me a LV trunk (swoon) then go ahead. They retail at £445 the largest size.

yay? or no bloody way?

I like my money where I can see it, hanging in my closet.

On Saturday afternoon i had a rather lovely conversation with a little old lady whilst i was at work. I found her perusing over the many coats we have on display, watching her umming and arring, i promptly went over to see if she needed any assistance. This tiny little woman explained to me that she was unsure whether she should purchase the coat, of course i enquired as to why, and she in turn replied  'Well you see, i can't remember if i own it already.' Typical little old dear.. 'I have six double wardrobes, and thirty nine coats, so i'm not really sure if i already own this teal shade?' Six double wardrobes, thirty nine coats little lady? Oh yes, one for each outfit, and you know she's eighty four - they always have a habit of telling me their age - so she will sodding well buy it if she wants to.

Now i may not own six double wardrobes, but it really got me thinking. Is enough ever enough? There's no doubt that i buy a new item of clothing every other week (roughly), is that bad? Over the last year, i have strictly only bought items that i love and will wear time after time, not just buying into the latest trend for the sake of it. But that really doesn't stop me cruising Topshop on my lunch break. Should we go all 'Gok' and stick to a staple set of outfits? No because that is beyond boring, have your staple items such as that cream trench or fail safe little black dress, but buy those killer heels. 

Looking at my wardrobe now, i dread to think how much it's all worth. For the record i have one wardrobe, and one very tightly stuffed chest of drawers. But honestly, six wardrobes or not, i would buy every single item all over again - i love wearing clothes, does it really matter if i choose to spend my wages on beautiful items of clothing? No.
Will i be eighty four and own thirty nine coats? Probably. 

Do you worry about spending too much? Sometimes i buy things on impulse, but they mostly get returned. The items i do buy are loved and worn over and over. What is too much?

photo credit: 1, 2

Do you remember the good old times, before the ghost town?

lust lust lust

Sindy Heels - Topshop (£75.00)

Its funny, i never see heels on the high street i love, love. But these are ART.

Love her Madly

Following my last post on my inspirations in the beauty world, this post is a summary of my favourite products right now, some are new to me and some are old favourites, but never the less, they are firm favourites of mine, that i reach for on a daily basis.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light

The perfect formulation i've ever found, light with good coverage, perfect. 

Also it don't shift for love or money.

L'Oreal Super Liner

Easy to apply (instant brownie points) with ultra black pigmentation.

Bobbi Brown Pot Rogue in Calipso Coral

This cream blush instantly applies a pop of natural coral on your cheeks,

 that blend seamlessly. 

Nars Eye Shadow Duo in Tzarine

Can either be used for a natural day look with the cream/gold shadow,

 but can be taken to nighttime with the fabulous navy/grey toned. Fail safe product!

Chanel Bronze Universal

Possibly the best purchase of last year, expensive, but so, so worth it. 

I've hardly dented the amount. It it adds such a healthy warm glow all over.

Nars blush in Deep Throat

The only pink/peach blush you will need, simple.

DiorShow Blackout Mascara

My all time favourite, if i was ever stuck on a dessert island this is my must have product!

Mac lipstick in Hue

I never wear lipstick, but this is the ideal pink/nude shade for everyday.

Like my own lip shade, but better!

Mac eyeshadow in All That Glitters

A wash of this of the eyelid, is a fuss free yet beautiful pink/peach shade.

Benefit's Glided Gold Pencil

This pencil adds the golden touch, a product that was un-loved for many years, but now i spy it being used constantly in the summer. 

Nar's bronzer in Laguna

The best bronzer for a golden tanned glow, it applies light and can be really built up.

Have you tried any of these products? What's your must have dessert island product?

love me two times baby!

I found the one!

I know its from the S/S 11' collection and alas that's all. I haven't the foggiest of the name, price or colours available. All i know is that i want it! Its a satchel, but it's a Bays Water? I cannot word the love and lusting towards this bag.

After looking and pondering on the Alexa religiously for the past month, i came to the conclusion i don't actually like it. Don't get your knickers in a twist, i think its just silly. Silly because i would say the normal size version is tiny! I would have to purchase the over-sized version (which is roughly the same size as my bayswater), and sod that at nine hundred pounds, 

Please pray and cross everything that i have enough savings! FYI i sent the poor customer service team at Mulberry twenty thousand questions about this bag, so watch this space.

Lipstick cherry all over the lens as she's falling.

As much a love chatting all things fashion based, my true passion is beauty and skincare. One of my greatest inspirations are the works of Lisa Elderidge, mainly her work for Glamour magazine. Since having my subscription for over five years, it's the one magazine i read from cover to cover and i eagerly anticipate the beauty pages. Each look is simple yet it employs a romantic, fresh and healthy vibe thats beautifully polished and pulled together.

These are a selection of images that inspire me, shot by Glamour and made up by Lisa Elderidge. 

 

 

These images and more of Lisa's work can be found on her blog, which also discusses how to create looks and general need-to-know must have tips!

What inspires you?

Thought of the Day.

 The thought of the day centre's the February issue of Tatler. In a special collectors edition, they have used one of the iconic shots of Kate Middleton taken during the announcement of her engagement and rather bizarrely given her the Warhol effect. I think it looks down-right awful, poor Kate! Still her blow-dry perfected hair still looks immaculate, even though i could have created the same shots on my Mac book. Scoff.

Weird, but ahem, i'll still buy it.

photo credit.

crazy little thing called LOVE

Any excuse for a magazine post, but with the two biggest fashion titles going head to head on the first cover of the year, with two leading ladies - i had to post.

Cheryl Cole for Elle.

Looking fierce as ever, i feel i've seen this image a thousand times over, but trust me, i'm not complaining. And i can't help but scoff at the headline 'Don't look back in Anger,' although this pretty sums her up in one short lyric/phrase. I'm at odds to know whether this interview will be that revealing as such, but who cares? Its Chezza!

Victoria Beckham for Vogue.

I love Vicky B, i have done since i was eight years old. This 90's muted tones on this cover really show the Victoria we aren't used to seeing. After stating that the airport was her runway, i'm transfixed by the softness of this photo. Plus, when was the last time you saw Mrs Beckham in a jumper? It's Stella McCartney for reference.

Without making this post sound like one of my uni reports, it literally is a war of the covers this month. Whose will you be rushing out to buy? 

You know i'lll buy both, but i secretly love Victoria more - she's the one person i am literally dying to meet. I love her for a) being in the Spice Girls b) being witty as hell c) being fabulous as fuck.

'hold on to your knickers girls!'

you're fit, but my gosh you know it

Camel Belted Caplet Trench Coat - Topshop (£95.00)

I have a fixation with coats and jackets.

I think i need this, pronto.

Its a cape, its camel, its trench looking.

Practically myself in coat form.

Is it too late to purchase a coat? Answers on a post card.

& thank you for your comments on my last post, i want to do a post on my handbags, and thoughts but don't really want to attract any haters, thoughts?

its gruesome, how someone so handsome should care.

blouse - Topshop

skirt -Miss Selfridge

tights - forever Marks and Sparks

I should probably buy a tripod, but i don't think i'm that kind of blogger. Plus, i'm far too emotionally attached to my Mac book. Enough ramble, i went shopping in the city to spend my birthday and christmas money, but alas, when you have the dosh theres nought to spend it on. Sigh. Back to cruising Net-A-Porter - which is basically a hobby now, could i put that on my CV?

Are you a spender or a saver? I'm both. I can save its theres a promise of a new handbag ;)
Also, what is your dream bag? I'm feeling a handbag post coming on.