Rockin' around the Christmas tree

Over the weekend i went out for my first Christmas shenanigans with a few old school girls, then spent Sunday recovering (wine is not my friend) so this post is more of a Tuesday catch up, snap shot. if you like.

On Sunday i wrapped all my presents, and bloody heck there was a lot of them. The first few i busted out my amazing wrapping skills, getting all fancy with festive and strategically placed bows, evoking that Love Actually moment with all the finishing touches and decoration. Not forgetting my Christmas slippers at the ready and my ultimate get-into-christmas film, Mary Poppins on in the background. 

17's Mirror Shine lipstick in Hollywood - Boots (£3.06)

After perusing around Boots on payday, i decided to splurge on a red lipstick named 'Hollywood' from 17. Their Mirror Sine formulas are incredible, with a striking resemble to Chanel's Coco Rouge Shines. They apply really creamy, with a strong moisturising/hydrating feel on the lips, but looking ever so shiny. After previously purchasing the nude shade Beehive, i knew Hollywood would be a nicely pigmented (not overly so) but with a enough shine to not look too out there. Slowly taking those baby steps to a wearable red lip! Definitely be whacking this out at the Work Christmas do, then maybe one day Mac's Ruby Woo.

Last night i went out for a second Christmas rendezvous, dinner with the girls. The lovely Sarah gifted me with these beautiful presents. Hands-down she is the best gift giver, and no you can't steal her. The Liz Earle hair set has been a long favourite of mine (i highly rate it), Victor & Rolf fairy tales is another beautiful coffee table book for my collection, and sorry - but Fashion Designer Top Trumps - amazing!

Black Rainbow Beaded Mini - New Look (£10.00)

Tulip Sequin Mini Skirt - New Look (£6.50)

These two skirts are no lie, probably two of the best clothing buys of this year. I spied the two embellished beauties back on the New Look website in early November, but never looked twice as combined they came to a good eighty quid. I bought them both on Saturday night for a horrendously amazing £16! The black and gold sequin skirt is made of surprising good quality, with a fitted lining and embellished gold waist band, a skirt i'll definitely be wearing on Christmas eve. The pale nude pink skirt is a rather Mui Mui-esk scalloped edged with dainty sequin flower petal detail, one to definitely be worn in summer. Such great buys for my wardrobe, perfect with a silk vest top or dressed down with a black blazer and plain white v-neck tee! 

Also, a short little note to say please keep a beady eye on your dashboard tomorrow as there is a very, very exciting Christmas posts due to be popping up by some of my (and yours!) fellow bloggers..

Whats your favourite Christmas film?

Oh Timbaland

There's nothing i would love more than to strut around in pair of fierce Louboutins, but when it comes to high-heels on the high-street i'm just not interested in the slightest, nada. Don't get me wrong, there are some rather amazingly, well-crafted heels on the highstreet from the offerings of KG, Topshop and my most recent discovery Zara. Alas they never have me reaching for my purse. Sadly the math of a £60+ pair of jaw-droppingly beautiful pair of shoes on the basis of a cost per wear ratio is pretty high. I'm much more of a pretty flats kinda girl. Probably so as i tend to run better in heels that walk - though i have (and i say this proudly) mastered a rather brisk jog that borders on serious strutting. And, of course however much i would love to, i cannot simply justify spending money on a pair of shoes to simply to look pretty in my wardrobe and gaze upon in wonder, because honestly i would if i could. 

However, when i clapped eyes on this pair in New Look, i haven't stopped thinking about them. They just scream anything-BUT-highstreet. I adore the dusty brick colour with the chunky heel. And the fact that they are £19.99. Say what now?

What are your thoughts? I think i may have to buy them! 

Bittersweet.

My absence has paid off, i now have a good sixty pages of dissertation draft, detailing the exciting trials and tribulations of men's magazines. Twenty thousand words later my brain is frazzled to say the least. I really am a worrier, a total stress head. Embarrassingly so, that when a lady stopped me a few weeks back to ask where i purchased my dress, i replied FHM not H&M. Queue awkward looks. 

Alas freedom is still very far off, as i have my final meeting with my supervisor tomorrow to discuss whether any last amendments have to be made. Despite the fact i'm shitting it and feel like projectile vomiting with nerves, i'm so relived to finally say i'm somewhat finished. So whilst i keep everything double crossed and pray that it doesn't need a complete overhaul, i leave you with some lovely lustings. 

Mexicana Embroidered Shift Dress - Topshop (£38.00)

Whilst this dress looks rather basic, the embroidery detail on the sleeves and chest is awfully pretty. A perfect, simple summer dress that can be worn casually with tan sandals and loose curls, or dressed up with wedges and loose up do.. lusting much? 

Red Flower Print Wrap Sundress - Topshop (£36.00)

As soon as i spotted this dress on a mannequin i was instantly drawn too it, surprisingly so. I never tend to branch out to bright colours, preferring to stick with classic neutral tones. But saying that, i'm really drawn to the burnt orangany red shade, not to mention the 50's style is definitely warranting a trying on session for sure!

 Chiffon Side Tuck Blouse - Topshop (£34.00)

I've been biding my time to find the perfect chiffon blouse, some are far too 'shirty' for my liking, and not near enough feminine. I adore the cute gold buttons and the loose sleeves, its simple yet classic - plus it would go with absolutely anything. 

Cream Beaded Jacket -Miss Selfridge (£65.00)

Every season i gaze longingly at the embellished beaded blouses and jackets, but completely thrown off by the price. They had a stunning dark navy beaded and sequinned blouse around Christmas at Topshop,  although i'm sure i would have worn it to death, the fifty plus price tag is just too steep. But i can't help but fall in love all over again with this Miss Selfridge jacket throw over. It doesn't have to be overpowering, simply over a white tee matched with some cigarette pants it could look fabulous. yay or nay?

Orange Blossom Tea Dress - New Look (£39.99)

Another amazing piece from New Look, still seriously upping their game this season. This tea dress is disgustingly pretty, with tiny little buttons adding the perfect touch. I literally need this in my life pronto. Clearly i am not the only one, as this limited edition dress is only available in size 8 for the mean time. This would look perfect with a pair of tan brogues or ballet shoes. 

Scallop Collar Top - New Look (£19.99)

Some while ago i spotted a shirt in H&M, even now i feel bloody angry at myself for not purchasing it. A simple crisp white shirt, yet it had a small black ribbon tie around the neck, in a little bow. Ever since, i have searched high and low for a similar style.Yet this New Look blouse is near enough the same, with an added scalloped detail collar, how many trends can you fit in one blouse eh?

Any items you are lusting over recently? It is pay-day tomorrow! 

I keep my mind on my money, money on my mind.

As the summer draws in and my summer holiday seems to be coming closer, i decided that it really never is too early to holiday shop. Changing over my wardrobe from winter to summer, i realised that last year i hardly bought any summer clothes, nada. This may have been because i never went away or even because i spent most of last summer interning, and turning up in a teeny tiny floral sun-dress wouldn't have been that appropriate, sadly. This is my last summer before i hit the real world, i intend to make full use of my freedom for settling down befor the dream career. 

Red flower print skirt - River Island (£24.99)

I never ever wear red, but i love this burnt coral red skirt. I cant wait to wear this with an assortment of blazers for the city, and a simple v-neck white tee on holiday.

 Suade Moccasions - New Look (£24.99)

My favourite purchase, i plan to wear these to the ground. So, so comfy. 

I really need to sort out the wardrobe, thats one situation to sort out after the big hand-in.

Tomorrow i have an interview set up with Mike Soutar, the managing director of ShortList Media who publish both Stylist and ShortList magazine. I'm disgustingly nervous, hoping that i a) don't say something really stupid b) hoping they have all forgotten that i half cried in the office after dropping my beloved iPhone down the toilet. Other than that, i'm really excited to grill him on the men's market, which is the main topic of my dissertation. I find men's magazines fascinating, weird? Yes. They are after all strange creatures men. But in gods name, what the HECK do i wear? 

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.

The Lust List -28th August 2010

because i want winter now.

i adore a well tailored pair of shorts.

so bloody cute.

i already own two pairs of shoe boots, do i wear the? no, but that's beyond the point.

i have been eyeing up these type of jackets - what a way to add some jazz to a black shift.

you see that price? they can sit looking good on display for that price.

New Look A/W collections

Lusting after all those beautiful clothes, shoes and bags in the designers 

latest collection; i can only frankly draw inspiration. One day, i will be able to purchase one fine knitted cardigan from Burberry or a thick grey pea coat from Mui Mui, but at this moment in time i'll have to stick to the high street.

 I managed to find a sneak preview of the new New Look A/W collection on Marie Claire online, so i've posted the best pieces. New Look has really improved over the last couple of years and because it's so cheap, it is perfect for cheap throw away trends.

This dress makes such a strong statement, with architectural lines it remains to be a stunning dress. With sheer paneling and geometric navy blue sequins gives a feel of Chrisopher Kane.This edgy dress should be worn with black, fierce heels with a black blazer thrown over.

This animal print faux fur jacket is a perfect throw over in evenings, its calling out for glam dress, the highest heels and long tumbling curls to make an outfit. I love how the collar is raised and how it hangs as an a- line coat.

This golden sequin jacket adds something special to any outfit, with sequins and embellished jackets being a big trend, it should be worn with something plain not to look OTT. Wear with caution, repeat you do not want to look like an oap at christmas nor an actual christmas decoration.

This dress rolls three top A/W trends into one: the dog tooth trend was seen at Alexander McQueen this year and done right it can be a very flattering print other wise it can look very cheap and tacky. The added peplum (the frill) to the dress adds a taste of the 1980's which were a big inspiration on both Marc Jacobs and Versaces shows. This jewel tone deep red colour is stunning as well as looking very expensive. 

Every girl should have a well tailored black blazer in their wardrobe, they are perfect for throwing over a day dress or a dressy dress to add that extra edge or dress up am outfit. They can be bought through to Autumn/Winter, remember paying that extra money for an item like this will ensure that it will take you through years of wear! 

I squealed when i saw this faux fur coat! Perfect for winter break, aka my 20th birthday trip to Paris! I think the length is just right, perfect with black thick tights and sky scraper heels. The neck line is collarless, which is calling for a statement necklace to add extra jewels, which were seen at Dolce and Gabbana, Moschino, and Marni.