What I got for Christmas

I didn't do a list this Christmas, so I mainly got money/vouchers etc, plus the obligatory stocking from my mum with the usual cotton wool/toothpaste/socks in (ever so handy!) However I did get some lovely gifts from some of my friends/boyfriend, so here are my faves:

These two presents were from my boyfriend. I had no idea what he had got for me so when I saw the Cambridge Satchel Company bag I was mega excited! I love these bags because they are classic and timeless, and as my sister said 'they get better as they get older'. Also, as you may know if you read my blog a lot, I LOVE Wildfox, and I love rings, so this Wildfox ring was the perfect gift for me. 

I got this scarf from my friend Hannah, I really wasn't expected her to get me anything so this was a very nice surprise. I love the cross design, I'm not a fan of the classic crosses that have been on trend recently but these plus sign type ones (?!?) are much more up my street and remind me of Topshop Unique.

My friend Rosie got me those two presents, I think the T-shirt will look cool with disco pants, and the two nail polish colours (Live and Let Die and Goldfinger) are so pretty and unlike anything I already have. 

I got these two books from my friend Ellie, I really want to see the films but hate seeing the film before reading the book! 

Finally, I got this Burt's Bees kit from my boyfriend's sister. I feel wrong if I don't have a Burt's bees lip balm within reach at all times, but have never tried any other products so I'm really looking forward to trying these. The cleanser smells so good! 

I am so grateful for all the presents I got this Christmas. I had such a relaxing time catching up with all my family and friends, but I went back to work yesterday and it didn't feel like I was away at all. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday :) If you work in retail I hope it wasn't too horrendous. This was the first year for about five years where I have had more than a two days off over the Christmas period, so I feel your pain!

I NEED...

...THIS TOP IN MY LIFE:

Topshop £45

I have a love affair with high necks and I heart the pearly detail. I do think £45 is a tad excessive as it is made of jersey material but it would just look so cute with a high waisted skirt, heels and a big bun. I have been doing my last bits of Christmas shopping this week and it is in every Topshop window, and right at the front of every store. It's taunting me! They only have size 16s left online but I definitely cannot afford it until pay day which is 10 days away, so I'm just really hoping it doesn't completely sell out. 

OOTD: Day at work

I found these OOTD photos which I took about a week ago and forgot about:

Coat Fred Perry

Hat Topshop

Shirt Uniqlo

Skirt American Apparel

Shoes Topshop

Belt Random shop in Bristol

Bag Romwe

I thought this outfit was quite cute and it was also tres cosy and comfortable. All the Cs. I got this skirt from a clothes swapping party I went to with my friend in Shoreditch the other week. I was mighty pleased about finding it as it is from American Apparel so probably cost at least 4 times as much as the £5 I paid to get into the swap. Hurrah! 

I am now going to paint my nails in a festive manner. 

:) 

OOTD: Skating at Somerset House

I had another rather festive day today, and went ice skating at Somerset House. I thoroughly enjoy ice skating but it does scare me a lot as I have an irrational fear that I will fall over and someone will skate over my fingers. Just typing that made me cringe.

After skating at both the Natural History Museum last year and Somerset House this year, I have to say I did prefer the Natural History Museum. Mainly because it was less busy, but also because they played more Christmassy songs, rather than 'Satisfaction' by Benny Benassi. Still, we did have a jolly old time nonetheless. 

Here is what I wore:

Coat Fred Perry

Jumper Topshop

Skirt Primark

Necklace Primark

Ice Skates c/o Somerset House (lolzzzz)

Afterwards we went into the Christmas market in Somerset House which was sweet, there were lots of rooms selling different brands. My favourite was Tatty Devine.

How cool is this Christmas tree? 

I really wanted this ring: 

At £27 I could not afford it, but maybe I will treat myself when I get paid!

On a sad note, I think I have left my Tosphop coat on the train. This makes me very sad as a) it was £85 and b) I don't have a nice winter coat. Waahhh.  

Dream Christmas Wishlist

If money were no object, I would very much enjoy one of these items for Christmas!

1. Lanvin belt. I love a bit of a statement belt, and I love anything with a cat on.

2. YSL pin. This is screaming out to be pinned onto a white shirt! Somehow 'SLP' (Saint Laurent Paris-the label's new name) I just don't think will look the same.

3. Acne leather jacket. Leather jackets are timeless, and this one is super cool.

4. Valentino clutch. Valentino is one of my favourite designers, and I love that studded bit for your hand to go in!

5. Isabel Marant trainers. Instantly make an outfit look cool. I have already bought 2 pairs of wedge high tops and returned both pairs. Next year I will get some and keep them.

6. Stella Mccartney holographic clutch. I am really loving all things holographic at the moment. Love how simple this is.

7. Charlotte Olympia kitty flats. See above for cat obsession. I don't think I've seen many shoes which are cuter.

8. Wildfox jumper. I do love this particular jumper, but it really represents anything Wildfox. I adore this brand.

9. Marc Jacobs watch. I enjoy how clean and simple the face is on this.



What is on your designer wishlist?

OOTD: Christmassy weekend

This is what I wore on Saturday, when I went to buy a Christmas tree with my boyfriend:

Coat Fred Perry

Jumper H&M

Shirt Uniqlo

Leggings Matalan

Boots River Island

Collar Chain Ebay

Scarf TK Maxx

I was super excited to get a Christmas tree as I have never personally bought one before! 

Boyfriend lugging the tree home :) 

We went to Graham and Green in Notting Hill to get this super cute owl decorations:

Note to self: never leave it this 'late' to buy Christmas tree lights. They were sold out everywhere. In the end we got some from a corner shop near our flat, because pretty much nowhere in Westfield had them. Same with tree decorations, I don't really know where one normally buys these but I thought Next, Debenhams, M&S etc would have a massive selection, but I hardly found anything. Maybe everyone just stocks up much earlier these days. 

Anyway, due to the lack of selection, I went out again the next day to Oxford Street in search of more decorations (the bf couldn't face it again so I ventured alone!). 

This is what I wore for the occasion: 

Coat Fred Perry

Jumper Tosphop

Shorts Topshop

Boots River Island

Headband New Look

Collar Cut off a white shirt

I went to Primark as I thought I would find some stuff there but no luck. I also thought I was clever going early in the morning but it was PACKED. Note to self number 2: don't go to Primark in Oxford Street on a weekend two weeks before Christmas. I did get some bargain-ous £3 gold leggings though. 

In the end, good old John Lewis came up trumps and I managed to get all my decorations there for a very reasonable price (as my mum would say). I also got a tree topper from the big Paperchase in Tottenham Court Road (I strongly suggest EVERYONE pays it a visit, it is immense)

I did a bit of DIY-ing and painted these little rubber Chanel logos with white nail varnish, then threaded them and used them as decorations. I got them when I went to a screening of a film sponsored by Chanel 'Chance', where they were adorning the free glasses of champagne. As I am mildly (massively) obsessed with the Chanel logo, I borrowed (took) a few. 

I think Karl and Choupette would be proud!

The finished result:

Hurrah! 

Nail Varnish collection: Model's Own

As I am pretty obsessed with nail varnish and nail art, I thought I would do a series about my nail varnish collection.

First up is Model's Own. I discovered Model's Own just under 3 years ago, when I was looking for some nail varnish which wasn't shimmery or really un-pigmented (unsure if this is a word), I remember my exact words were I wanted a nail varnish that 'went on like paint'.

 I was so excited when I discovered the website because the colour selection was amaaazing , and they even had glitters and neons (this was before nail varnish was massive like it is now). I bought 3 nail varnishes and since then I have been hooked.

They are without a doubt my favourite brand, the pigmentation is great, the colours are brilliant and there are constantly new collections coming out.

Anyway, enough rambling, here is my hoard:

I have swatched them all so it is easier to see the colours (I have done 2 coats in each colour, 3 coats for glitters):

Colours from the top glittery blue clockwise are: Bluebelle, Disco Mix, Purple Haze, In the Navy, Black Magic, Grey Day, Snow White, Pearly Queen, Pink Fizz, Lilac Dream, Pastel Pink, Bubblegum, Sophie's Pink, Pink Punch, Beth's Blue, Indian Ocean, Aqua Violet.

Colours from neon red on the left: Hedonist, Scarlet Sparkle, Fluoro Orange, Fuzzy Peach, Nude Beige, Goldfinger, Disco Inferno, Dancing Queen, Emerald City. 

These are my favourite 7:

One day I will own them all!

Looks Loved This Month: November

I've decided to change my 'looks loved' posts from weekly to monthly as some weeks there are hardly any looks I love enough to include, and some weeks there are loads. So this makes more sense.

Here are my favourite looks from November (and one from December!):

1. Angelica Blick , whose blog is flawless, I don't think I've EVER seen her have an off day or a post where she doesn't look immaculate! I love this because of the mix of textures. I also need a black fur gilet, and I love high necked jumpers.

2. Frassy's blog was one of the first I ever read. I really like that she has a very eclectic sense of style, plus I think her signature 'jumping' pose is really cute :). Love the texture (again) of this dress.

3. Jennifer Lawrence in Alexander Wang (image from Google). I love everything about this look: the colour and shape of the dress, the perfect shoes, and the fact that chain bangle is the only accessory. Simple but stunning.

 4. Zendaya Coleman (image from Google). I didn't know who this was before I saw this pic (she is on a show on the Disney channel), and she's probably about 16, but OMG this dress. I also think the shoe choice is great, love the hair and love the accent nail.

5. Last but definitely not least is Blair again. I can't help myself, it's her fault for being so stylish ALL THE TIME. I think this would be an amazing look for a Christmas party, and you would avoid looking like everyone else.



Thank you stylish people for making my eyes so happy!

OOTD: Dark

Yesterday I had a very festive day. I went to buy a Christmas tree for my boyfriend's sister's house with her family, helped decorate it, had a tasty roast, polished off by watching The Muppet's Christmas Carol with homemade mulled cider.

This is what I wore for the festivities (lovely grotty background):

Jacket Jumble Sale

Shirt Primark

Jeans Topshop

Boots River Island

Scarf Jumble sale

Deer brooches Ebay

Furry headband New Look

My nails are Model's Own Beth's Blue with a matte topcoat. 

These photos were taken in the dark but I actually think they look okay. It's so hard to take OOTD photos or any blog photos these days because of the lack of light. It's also been really cold recently which I quite like, as long as it's not rainy or windy I'm happy. However I really don't want it to snow, I have NO protective or appropriate footwear at all! 

Awkward Pre-Christmas Dressing

As it is the 1st December, it is legally allowed to begin thinking about Christmas. Before this date any thinking/planning/buying you may have been doing could have got you arrested. 

So I made a bit of a faux pas yesterday, I got all excited because it was the 1st December and I realised I could wear my sparkly Christmas dress to work. When I got to work someone told me it was actually the 30th November. This annoyed me greatly as I hate celebrating Christmas before the 1st December. Anyway here is an awkward mirror shot of the dress in question:

It doesn't look very sparkly here but it is. 

Dress Topshop

Blazer New Look

Belt Topshop

Shoes New Look

So now it is the 1st of December I am going to fully embrace Christmas by doing the following things:

1. Watching some Christmas films. My favourites are Elf, Bad Santa and Hook (which is definitely a Christmas film, despite my boyfriend's objections. After all, he thinks Die Hard is a Christmas film, so what does he know?!?) I also want to watch some new ones like It's A Wonderful Life as everyone bangs on about how good it is in polls. 
2. Buying a small (real) Christmas tree for mine and my boyfriend's flat and decorate it with decorations from Graham and Green. At home we have always had a really colourful (I don't want to say tacky but...sorry mum) Christmas tree with loads of random things on it, so I want ours to be just gold and cream and simple. 
3. Going Ice-Skating. Last year we went to the Natural History Museum and I loved it, so this year we are going to Somerset House. I have a new found love of ice skating since last year, despite the slim possibility of someone slicing over my fingers, which terrifies me.  

Happy December!