fashionoblivion

CUSHNIE ET OCHS

2014-09-06T08:55:00.001+01:00

Cushnie et Ochs has lodged itself in my consciousness over the past few seasons; their tailored, feminine eveningwear has been increasingly appearing on red carpets around the world and their dedication to white dresses has made me fall in love with them.
SS15 began with a strong palette; mustard and teal numbers detailed with draped satin, cut out panels and fringing, cut into asymmetric lines and toughened up with metal arm jewellery. Then came soft pink designs, unapologetically feminine; a bandeau and trouser look was my favourite. Monochrome made its return in the form of stripes, white dresses draped and laser cut, black dresses with studs. Overall, a positive outing; there was lots of potential red-carpet outfits here.
Photographs by David Urbanke at Flaunt

LET'S TALK ABOUT ... KAELEN

2014-09-05T14:53:00.000+01:00

Against the backdrop of tropical flowers, Kaelen Haworth presented her first full collection; toughened up girly girl. Spring essentials were covered (stripes, florals, white and patterns) but there was another dimension here. White garments were toughened up with intricately woven, carpet-like undergarments which zipped on and off, neoprene was laser cut into floral mazes, stripes were draped and tied into waist clinchers. But the overwhelming message from this collection was that these clothes were cool; perfect for New York, for the fashion conscious city girls and even more so for the street-style faithful.
Photos by Hannah Sider via Flaunt

NYFW

2014-09-04T13:13:00.001+01:00

So September time has rolled around and over in the big apple, New York Fashion Week is in motion once again; day 'zero' kicked off yesterday with a spattering of shows (check out Lisa Perry's PVC affair) and hits full force today with BCBG Max Azria and Richard Chai amongst others.

NYFW always appeals to me because of the things we know we are going to see; up and coming designers, established designers developing their work and of course the sexy, Met-Gala worthy ball gowns given to us by the likes of ODLR and Monique Lhuillier. These are the top 5 collections that I'm especially excited to see in New York this season:

1. Narciso Rodriquez

Narciso Rodriguez's collections are always a favourite of mine due to their minimalism and discreet sexiness. The way the dresses sit on the body are so flattering and feminine. His word to describe this season's offering - 'clarity' - promises an evolution or streamlining on his minimalist foundation. Expect to see his ever-faithful legion of A-listers sitting front row.

2. Cushnie et Ochs

Cushnie et Ochs have been on my radar ever since they did an all-white collection a few seasons back; white dresses are my ultimate favourite item of clothing. On top of that they've been gaining some serious red-carpet coverage from the likes of Selena Gomez, Diane Kruger, Jamie Chung and J.Lo as well as being the favourite choice of models Karlie Kloss, Lily Aldridge Karolina Kurkova. The reason? The dresses are so feminine and so form-fitting; the type of dress that you put on and feel like a supermodel in. This season's offering will hopefully bring more red-carpet favourites.

3. Dion Lee

Australia's most exciting fashion export, Dion Lee, has been making huge waves in recent seasons. His streetwise designs are fused with Australian inspiration, something which words extraordinarily well for him. Last season's slight departure from dress-territory saw a change in how I look at his work; I particularly liked his outerwear and tailoring. His real strength however lies in those bodycon dresses, layered in sheer material and fused digitally in ways that draw and stun the eye. Spring 2014 will hopefully expose his talents even further.

4. Marc Jacobs

Post Louis Vuitton life is suiting Marc Jacobs well. Some of his collections are far too out-there, far too garish for my liking and whilst others have loved them, the apparent appeal of them has flown way above my head. However last season's Manhattan return was his big moment and against the backdrop of clouds adorning the show space, we saw something heavenly. His softer and more relaxed approach was still full of the incredible detail we've come to expect, but it was ruffled into smoother, more refined dressing. If this season's offering is a continuation of that line then my love for Marc Jacobs will be growing.

5. Proenza Schouler

The prettiest duo in fashion also happen to be my favourite New York designers. Every season the boys at Proenza Schouler give us something fresh, exciting and detailed; a twist on their existing ethic or an innovative statement idea that catches everyone's eye. If you cast your mind back over their shows of previous seasons there will be something that sticks out; the tie die masterclass of Spring 2010, the coloured eel skirts at Spring 2012, the experimental techy-edged Spring 2013 collection or the minimalist and layered turn of Fall 2013. I love Proenza Schouler because they take abstract, over the top, complex ideas and conceptualise them from theory into reality. Their clothes are so intricate and yet so wearable and in line with the customer. I hope that Spring 2015 will bring something unexpected and yet as beautiful as ever.

CALLIE

2014-06-24T10:04:00.003+01:00

All of this summer sunshine in the Capital is getting me very excited for holidays! I love this kind of weather where you can have evening drinks in the sunshine and go out with bare legs and sunnies. As usual I have left my holiday shopping a little late (I have 12 days, that's long enough, right?) but I have a mental and Polyvore wishlist as long as my arm!

This outfit above is the kind of thing that would be perfect to wear for wandering around a sunny city or for relaxing on a balmy evening. Despite summer being the time for brights, my love of monochrome still lives, and white in the summer is my absolute favourite. These shorts are perfect for a day to night transition and will definitely be making the flight with me to Greece. Also, despite being a bank breaker, I am so in love with those sandals; cue my hunt for a cheaper copy!

Top by Aritzia, Shorts by Topshop, Various make up by Bobbi Brown at Selfridges,
Clutch by Topshop, Sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti, Glasses by Miu Miu

SPRING

2014-05-09T11:25:00.001+01:00

Haven't done an Instagram post in a while so I thought I would do one to let you all know what I've been up to lately. From these pictures I can only conclude that I've done too much eating and shopping!

1. Clothes rack for a shoot 2. Prettiest sunset 3. Photo from a shoot 4. Chocolate Martinis 5. Matching yellows 6. Spring has sprung 7. Checking in to Shake Shack 8. Bank Holiday Fun 9. Football zorbing 10. Topshop Playsuit 11.Check Mate Leggings 12 & 13. Birthday visit to Harry Potter Studios (wearing Zara coat)14. Blossom 15. New Topshop skirt 16. Shooting 17. Orange Skies 18. Easter cakes 19. Ice Cream with my cousin

SUMMER WISH LIST

2014-04-21T12:22:00.002+01:00

The sunny weather over the past few weeks has made it feel like summer is just around the corner! I'm on holiday countdown; me and my friends are off to Zante to soak up some rays in July! I'm also hoping to have a few impromptu excursions; top of my list are Ibiza and Barcelona. I've been thinking about my summer essentials, both at home and away. These are the top ten things on my summer wishlist.

1. The White Dress

I love white dresses, even in the winter time; in Summer they are a staple for me. This number from Topshop is one of the best I've seen in a while. It's a lovely shape and could easily take you from day to night. Plus white always allows you a lot of licence for some super bright accessories.
Trapeze Dress £60 by Topshop

2. The Top
This tank is the perfect summer material; chiffon. The colour is also bang on for summer and I love the panel on the back. I usually buy tops like this as they go with so many different skirts, jeans and shorts!
Double Layer Tank $88 by Piperlime

3. The Bikini(s)
I always mix and match my bikinis when I'm on holiday so I usually try to buy separates. I am so obsessed with Triangle and all their bright and beautiful bikinis at the moment; come summer I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and part with my cash.
Orange Bandeau Bikini Top by Triangl, Black Biniki Top by Topshop, Pink Bikini Bottoms by Triangl

4. The Make Up
Holiday make up is always minimal for me - once the tan starts setting in I usually don't wear foundation at all. A visit to the Selfridges make up hall last week has put Bobbi Brown at the top of my summer make-up list. Favourite of all - the beautiful shades of eyeshadow.
Foundation, Beach Oil, Eyeshadow, Eyeliner & Mascara, all by Bobbi Brown at Selfridges.

5. The Flippy Skirt
Skirts are the one thing in my wardrobe that I never seem to have enough of. This cute one from Topshop is lovely for breezy summer days. I also have my eye on a bright orange number and both of them will hopefully be mine by summer!
Daisy Skirt by Topshop

6. The Sunnies
I usually stick to aviators when it comes to sunnies but I fancy a change. Round glasses always make me look like a cross between a bug and a professor but these Miu Miu ones have me hoping that that's acceptable.
Round Frame Sunglasses by Miu Miu

7. The Sandals
I love sandals; winter boots are all good fun but they get a little tired by the time we hit spring. Plus it's a chance to get a manicure! These J.Crew sandals are my favourites, although I plan to find myself a pair of black sandals and white sandals too!
Jewelled Sandals from J.Crew

8. The Bag
Every now and then I find a bag that I just fall in love with and know I won't get tired of (Givenchy's Red Pandora, Proenza's PS11 and Valentino's Va Va Voom anyone?). This Pashli backpack from 3.1 Phillip Lim is one of those bags. The buttercream colour is beautiful and it would be so perfect for wandering around cities in the summer sunshine.
Pashli Backpack by 3.1 Phillip Lim

9. The Travel Accessory
Smythson have so many lovely travel accessories; I have one of their notebooks and I love it. This baby blue passport cover is the perfect accessory to brighten up your journey.
Leather Passport Cover by Smythson

10. The Jewellery
I've never really been a jewellery fan; I have three Michael Kors watches but they, along with my earrings, are the only jewellery I wear. For summer I think I should start accesorising more; these flower rings from Pandora seem like the perfect place to start.
Watch by Michael Kors, Bracelet, Triple Flower Ring & Single Flower Ring by Pandora

EASTER BAKING

2014-04-17T10:10:00.001+01:00

Baking and excessive amounts of chocolate are just one of the reasons why I love Easter. Yesterday my friend Georgie and I (both cakeaholics) decided we would have a baking day!
Chocolate Cornflake Cakes
You will need: 200g of milk chocolate, 10 handfuls of Cornflakes & 1 bag of Mini Eggs. And that's it! Ready? Let's go.
Break up the chocolate into chunks and put in a bowl. Melt over a pan with boiling water in and stir until the chocolate is smooth and there are no lumps and bumps left.

Mix in the cornflakes a little bit at a time. Make sure they are covered well with chocolate.

Keep adding cornflakes until the chocolate starts thinning. Like above...voila!

Open the Mini Eggs and try not to eat too many! Spoon a little bit of mixture into each cake case (ours made 12). Put the Mini Eggs on top. We had a little helper who was in charge of the colour coding!

And there we go! Put in the fridge to cool for a little while and then enjoy!
Chocolate Easter Cupcakes!
To make 12 you will need: For the Cake: 4oz of butter, 4oz of caster sugar, 2 eggs, 3oz of self-raising flour, 1 oz cocoa powder. For the Topping: 3oz butter, 6oz of icing sugar, 1 tbsp milk, 2-3 drops vanilla extract, 1 bag of Mini Eggs.

Preheat the oven to 180C. Beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy and then add the eggs. Sift in the flour and cocoa powder and mix until the mixture is smooth. Spoon into the cake cases and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Leave to cool for a little while. To make the topping, beat the butter and icing sugar together. When smooth add the vanilla and milk. If you have a piping bag then you can pipe the icing on but we just spread it with a knife! Pop a few Mini Eggs on top of each cake, leave to cool and then enjoy!
Happy Easter Everyone!!

DOWN UNDER

2014-04-15T12:02:00.000+01:00

The girls down under at Sydney Fashion Week do Street Style their own way, with a laid back Australian attitude. My favourite look is the first one (black and white, obviously) but I am loving Nicole Warne's watermelon clutch and the 'Good Morning Toyko' jumper too. What is your favourite look?
Photos from Tommy Ton @ Style.com
The girls down under at Sydney Fashion Week do Street Style their own way, with a laid back Australian attitude. My favourite look is the first one (black and white, obviously) but I am loving Nicole Warne's watermelon clutch and the 'Good Morning Toyko' jumper too. What is your favourite look?Photos from Tommy Ton @ Style.com

NEUTRAL

2014-04-14T13:00:00.000+01:00

This weekend has given us some long awaited sunshine and everyone now seems to be on holiday countdown and excited for Summer to be here. All of us have our fingers crossed that this Easter weekend will be sunny so we can spend our time outside in the warmth! This outfit above is perfect for Easter festivities. Topshop's white shift dress is so perfect for summer and is certainly going to be one of my wardrobe staples this summer - I'm a sucker for white! Also this Mulberry bag has been on my wishlist for months, the colour is so cute and I wish it was mine!

Blazer by Stella McCartney, Dress by Topshop, Sandals by Valentino, Watch by Olivia Burton at Topshop, Bag by Mulberry

MADISON

2014-04-13T20:02:00.000+01:00

Saturday saw a little trip to Madison for dinner, cocktails and pretty sunset views!
Yesterday me and my friend Hannah took a little impromptu trip to Madison for dinner and drinks. If you didn't know, Madison is the cosmopolitan, oh-so photogenic rooftop bar and restaurant which overlooks the grand dome of St Paul's Cathedral. Usually a regular haunt for City workers in the week, last night saw tourist types and London inhabitants (and us) descend upon the bar. We had a reservation for dinner at 6.30pm, so got there a little early to wander along the rooftop and take some snaps! At 6.30pm we were promptly shown to our table by our fabulous waiter. Hannah chose the fish and chips and I chose the burger (naturally); both of us loved our meals - the chips were a personal highlight. For pudding Hannah had a chocolate brownie and I had the most amazing Eton Mess ever; needless to say the calorie counter was having a break for the night! The cocktails here were out of this world - I had a Madison Special (rose vodka and passion fruit) and a Pornstar Martini, both of which were amazing! Just as we finished the sun was setting, which made for some truly spectacular views over St Paul's and the rest of London! I'd definitely recommend a trip here to anyone who enjoys a good view and a good cocktail!

ZARA x APRIL

2014-04-13T17:20:00.001+01:00

Zara have released their April lookbook and it looks as though summer has arrived! I love the laid back, New York feel of these pictures and as an advocate of white clothes, I am beyond excited about their April collection!

NYFW TOP 5

2014-02-14T15:18:00.000Z

NYFW's icy week came to a close yesterday with an explosive Marc Jacobs show under the clouds. Here's a round up of my favourite shows of the week...
Proenza Schouler
Parson's prodigies Jack McCullough & Lazaro Hernandez brightened up fashion week on Wednesday with an experimental collection. The monochrome that had reigned the week was gone at Proenza Schouler, where electric blues, sea greens and sunset reds infused the animal patterns emblazoned across the clothes. The printed coats that opened the show were shaped to the waist but with bold shoulders and hips, and were layered over printed turtlenecks and tailored trousers. As 'Work It' played on the soundtrack we were given a sleek and stylish New York woman, who most importantly of all, wore flats in a week when ice was on the pavements.

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs has returned to helming his label full time following his departure as creative director of Louis Vuitton after a long love affair. Jacob's show, which closed the week, took place under a construction of clouds which were splashed across Instagram from every angle. The past few seasons at the house of Jacobs haven't exactly been 'up my street', the problem being that most of the time the clothes simply look unwearable. However this season there was a touch of romance, of minimalism and of pure wearablity (and that's not even a word). The simple dresses that opened the show were smart and chic, followed by knitwear and ombre shearling coats which were a highlight of the week. Finally came the dresses, frilly and floaty; one in crystal white with a wide v-neck and frills stole my heart.

Narciso Rodriguez Rodriguez has always been a solid favourite of mine; he executes minimalism but with such precision and skill that it's hard to not give him credit. The smallest details on his clothes add to their beauty, whether it be a colour contrasting lining or lapel, or a cut of different material. The middle section of the show summed up how I want to be dressing; sleek lines, smart shapes and clean layering. Eveningwear closed the show, sparkling and cut into feminine shapes. A green sequined, grey hemmed dress with a square cut neck was a personal favourite.
Prabal Gurung
Prabal Gurung is a celebrity favourite and his designs are usually red hot for the red carpet. This Fall collection took a turn; waffle-knit sweaters, fur detailing, high necks, chiffon skirts and rustic prints. There was a heavy emphasis on draping and the materials used as such; tweed draped as eveningwear with chiffon inserts, feathered skirts bursting underneath a draped layer. The eveningwear on show was distantly different from the evening wear of past seasons, but the high slits will ensure that his red carpet clientèle are still keen.

Altuzurra

Joseph Altuzurra's Fall collection further explored his core notions of craft and luxury in a show that took place in the same setting as the NYFW heavyweights (DVK, Kors, Klein). His collection had a sense of restraint, not overly loud but quietly crafted and perfectly executed. There were tapestry style pieces, something we've seen of Altuzurra before and these led into a new development; colour. Bright neon pink and orange were slashed across smart workwear and hidden in the linings of skirts. A few checked coats felt too busy and experimental but the neutral outwear and satin evening dresses that closed the show reinforced the strong yet subtle Altuzurra woman. Silently sexy.

These collections were also worth a mention...Kaufmanfranco

Kaufmanfranco is becoming one of my favourite labels as they always produce two of the things I love; outerwear in uniform colours and perfect eveningwear. There was minimal yet perfectly executed outerwear in smart monochrome and 'glacial blue' shades and shimmering and liquid-like eveningwear; this deep-v silver number is one of my real Oscar hopes.

Vera Wang

KA departure from the typical romantic, fairytale dresses we usually see from Wang; a turn towards glamorous grunge with lots of dark florals, tartan and dark chiffon eveningwear. The best thing about this collection was how perfectly Wang made casual dressing look so easy and effortless.

Derek Lam

Lam's layered and sharp pieces nail smart Fall dressing; casual throw on outerwear which is perfectly cut, sharp-yet-comfy outerwear. My favourite look was the all-lemon one with the beautifully cut skirt. The only thing I would like to see is a little evolution in his Fall formula.

RODARTE FW14

2014-02-12T09:25:00.003Z

The Mulleavy Sister's line has often veered a little too far on the side of experimental but this Fall Winter collection provided a more 'sensible' approach to Winter dressing. Note the smart layering; thick turtle-necks, outerwear, long trousers and fur hoods. The evening wear added a splash of decadence - the dilemma being whether your favourites were the beaded chiffon princess dresses, or the velvet and chiffon slinky gowns. A middle section of the show contained a glittery moment; an overcoat in bright blue, a mermaid skirt in beige glittery tones. The show ended with a number of gowns emblazoned with Star Wars motifs. Perhaps dresses that we won't be seeing on the red carpet any time soon, but dresses which keep Rodarte's air of being out of another world.

ICE COLD

2014-02-11T13:28:00.001Z

Street Style is one of the key parts of fashion week and NYFW14 has seen fashion week falling at a time when the city is gripped by freezing temperatures. Some of the fashpack (we're looking at you, Michelle) seem unaffected by the temperatures and are carrying on without the aid of bras, coats or boots. But the ones who do have a temperature gage have been impressing us with some great layering and statement coats. Here are a few of the highlights.
Pictures from WWD, Style.com & Vogue UK

ALEXANDER WANG FW14

2014-02-11T12:26:00.000Z

Alexander Wang's Brooklyn bonanza ads bursts of geometry and colour to a Wintry fashion week...

Alexander Wang's FW14 show dragged the fashion pack away from the Lincoln Center and out to Brooklyn where he presented a collection which stepped away from the Wang of recent times. The first few looks had military undertones with bags holstered over the shoulder, pocketed coats and a grey palette; harking back to the grey-out of AW13. The layering throughout the collection could not have been more appropriate to the February weather outside.
Wang's Spring collection played a little more with shape and texture, something which was continued here. A pair of chevron dresses in bright yellow and blue, laser cut jackets and shorts, bathmat-looking houndstooth in electric tones. My favourite pieces were arguably the most wearable (a white, blue and grey jumper, a suede coat and the white-soled boots) but the rest were fabulous eye candy, as was the spectacle which ended the show; a dozen supermodels stood sentinel upon a rotating circular stage, complete with neon ensembles and short, sharp hair.

Wang's clothes were first coveted for their street style potential and the easy-wear factor that made them so popular with models. Each collection presents an on-trend element (the white pumps, mesh, sheer, sportswear) and here it looks like the boots will be the thing to watch out for. In essence, these pieces definitely have street style potential too, but with a pizazz that will carry a little more of a punch to the photographers.

PHOEBE

2014-01-21T11:34:00.000Z

We may still be in January and therefore in the depths of winter, rain and chilly winds but to me January is the month where you most look forward to the Summer. My friends and I are already making plans for all the things we're going to entertain ourselves with in the Summer months and I'm working extra hours so I can save up for some adventures (potential second holiday anyone?). This year is hopefully going to involve a brand new direction for me which I am very excited about, but that's not coming until after Summer!

So in the spirit of planning I've done what I always do and thought 'What am I going to wear'. Topshop have some new bralets in at this time of year, which are always great for holidays, festivals or even those super-hot days at home (which hopefully there will be a lot of)! This lace number is my favourite and I for one cannot wait to put away my jumpers and coats and break out the sunnies and shorts!

Bralet by Topshop, Shorts by Levis, Sunglasses by Linda Farrow, Sandals by Chloè, Bag by Rebecca Minkoff

BALENCIAGA SS14 CAMPAIGN

2014-01-20T16:16:00.000Z

My all-time favourite model, Daria Werbowy, takes centre stage in Balenciaga's Spring-Summer 2014 Campaign, shot by Steven Klein. Alexander Wang's feminine designs are set against a dark natural background in the images. I love this campaign; it contrasts nicely to the last one which was a little too minimal-Wang and not enough Balenciaga for my liking.
Images from Balenciaga.

LUPITA AT THE SAGs

2014-01-20T15:53:00.003Z

Lupita's fashion game is on point this season - example 1 - this turquoise blue Gucci number she wore to pick up the Best Actress gong at the SAGs. Cannot wait to see what this girl wears to the Oscars.

GOLDEN GLOBES: RED CARPET

2014-01-13T23:35:00.001Z

Last night’s Golden Globes provided us with one of the first major red carpets of the year and the dresses were out in full force. The Golden Globes always act as a warm up to the Oscars but that means we have a lot more lovely dresses to come on March 2^nd! These are my favourite dresses of the night...

Best Dressed of the Night Lupita Nyong’o in Ralph Lauren, Sofia Vergara in Zac Posen
These two looks were my favourite of the night. Sofia has always been a red carpet favourite of mine and I loved how this look was simple and yet strong; the Lorraine Schwarz necklace brightened up the whole thing. Lupita has had such strong styling for the whole 12 Years A Slave promo and this was no different; the style and colour of this dress were spot on. She is definitely my one to watch for the Oscars.

The Colour Girls
Amy Adams in Valentino Couture, Amber Heard in Atelier Versace

At first look I didn’t like Amy Adams’ dress at all but on reflection I think it was a perfect choice; the colour suits her so well and the two tone made an impact against all the other dresses. Amber Heard’s navy creation was typical Atelier Versace; out-and-out sexy. Extra points for the hair.

Underappreciated
Leslie Mann in Dolce & Gabbana, Kate Beckinsale in Zuhair Murad Couture

These two looks didn’t seem to get enough recognition in my eyes. Leslie Mann’s beautifully understated lace dress was pure red carpet glamour and Kate Beckinsale (who never seems to get it wrong) looked stunning in her mermaid style dress. Maybe both seemed a little safe but for me they worked well.

Pure & Simple
Sosie Bacon in Rhea Costa, Reese Witherspoon in Calvin Klein

Sosie Bacon was Miss Golden Globes and her dress could not have been more perfect for the occasion; beautiful detailing, beautiful colour and beautiful shape. Reese Witherspoon’s Calvin Klein dress was an amazing colour and the detailing on the back set it all off.

Weird & Wonderful
Jennifer Lawrence in Dior, Zoe Saldana in Prabal Gurung

These two dresses didn’t go down well with everyone but I like them both a lot. J.Law wore a Dior Couture (what else?) number which was quirky and different; the shape was a little strange but I liked the overall look. After her previous appearances in Dior Couture, I’m hoping the emerald dress from Fall 2013 is her choice for the Oscars. Zoe Saldana was ever faithful in Prabal Gurung. One of my friends commented that there was ‘too much going on’ but I thought it was fun and flirty and Zoe always wears everything so well.

SOPHIA

2013-12-03T20:57:00.003Z

Last Friday saw one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Black Friday. Me and my friend spent about three hours in John Lewis snapping up all our Christmas presents at discount rates (still managing to spend a bomb). I also got these sandals from Topshop which were reduced by 20% for Black Friday, bringing them down to less than £40! They're the first pair of sandals like this I've had in a while that haven't killed my feet so they are definitely my new go-to shoes for nights out!

I created this outfit after seeing this beautiful 3.1 Phillip Lim top on My Wardrobe; the colour and the embellishment is beautiful! If I was just a (big) bit richer this would be on my Christmas List for sure.

What bargains did you guys manage to snap up on Black Friday?

Top and Skirt by 3.1 Phillip Lim, Sandals by Topshop, Earrings by Dannijo, Clutch by Jimmy Choo

COVENT GARDEN

2013-11-28T19:06:00.001Z

Anyone who isn't yet feeling festive, I suggest you get yourselves down to Covent Garden pronto. All of the usual giant favourites (the reindeer, the candy canes, the baubles and the hugeeee tree) have made their return and they always make it feel like Christmas.

The clever people from Lego have also been working hard to make 'miniature' models of London's landmarks for Christmas, including The Eye, The Shard, Big Ben and the Gherkin! I say miniature because they're still huge and must have taken so many hours to make.

Also on today (and every Thursday) was the Covent Garden food market. You can smell the gorgeous food as soon as you step into the piazza and even though I didn't think I was hungry, the smells made my stomach rumble! There's so many different and interesting foods on the stalls including cakes, bread, sausages, burgers, olives and more; there's something for everyone. One day I'm going to go (and persuade a fellow foodie to join me) and see how much lovely food I can get for £20!

These guys from The Red Gingham Bakery make the most amazing cakes I have ever seen. This seven tier rainbow cake looked incredible and tasty, as did all the different fudge (which came in huge lumps), macaroons and cupcakes. I had to restrain myself as I could have happily spent all my money and time on this stall, but I'm seriously considering getting my birthday cake from these guys! Learn more about them on their Facebook page here.

I was peckish by this point though, and there was an obvious choice for what I would get. Covent Garden has recently become home to two Burger giants; Shake Shack (in the piazza) and Five Guys (on Long Acre) are both vying for the number one spot (though if you ask me, Shake Shack hold the top spot). So this stall selling organic burgers has big competition; a burger here cost me £6, which I thought was a little steep for a street vendor. However as soon as I took a bite into it, it became worth every single little penny. The meat was perfectly cooked, tender and juicy, and the cheese was perfectly melted on top. The lovely guys here even applied the sauces in perfect swirls. If you are a burger fan then I recommend you get yourself down to Covent Garden on a Thursday and try one of these beauties!

We finished off the afternoon with Champagne afternoon tea at Browns; scones, sandwiches and cake on top of my burger made for once very full (but happy) stomach. After all the lights and a glass of fizz I am feeling well and truly in the Christmas spirit!

CHRISTMAS SKIRTS

2013-11-27T11:26:00.000Z

During Summer I love wearing skirts but whenever Winter rolls around I tend to avoid them, mainly because it means I don't have to get involved with tights; they're uncomfortable, they ladder, you can never tell the front from the back etc! I always imagine Christmas Day being comfy with me in my leggings and a jumper but on the day I always end up wearing something nice and not very practical for Christmas Dinner (never enough breathing space for turkey and cake)! This year I will be shunning my leggings on the 25th and (hopefully) wearing one of the above concoctions.

1. Embellished Mini, £55 by Miss Selfridge
Miss Selfridge always have a great range of embellished pieces, especially around Christmas time. This one is a lovely colour and despite the slightly hefty price tag, the detailing makes the skirt well worth the money. I think this skirt might just win the and be worn on the day!

2. Quilted Mini, £35 by Topshop
I've had my eye on this skirt for a while (it's white, of course I have) and I saw it in store the other day. The material is lovely and it fits really well too. On reflection I think it's slightly too short for family Christmas dinner but I still would recommend it for a night out.

3. Pen Garden Tube Skirt, £28 by Topshop
This tube skirt came onto Topshop New In this morning and I love the detailing on it. Unfortunately my hips don't allow me to carry off tube skirts attractively, but if (and hopefully when) they could I would choose this skirt.

4. Leather Skirt, £1,682 by Mary Katrantzou at The Corner
One off the price scale here; Mary Katrantzou's skirts always have such interesting prints and would look so good paired with just a simple jumper. Also playing with my favourite colour of the season: purple.

5. Mulberry Skorts, £40 by Topshop
Technically shorts and not a skirt but we can make an exception, right? Topshop have these skorts out in a few colours now (the emerald are lovely) but this mulberry pair have to be my favourites. The material is really lovely and for how nice they look on I think the price tag is pretty reasonable.

AUTUMN

2013-11-15T12:08:00.001Z

Haven't done an Instagram post in a long long time; this is what I've been up to lately!
1. Pink Sunset 2. Family Birthday/Anniversary Meal at Egypt Mill 3. Addicted to Shake Shack (their burgers are almost as good as Meat Liquor) 4. Rainbow Flowers at Colombia Road Flower Market 5. Brunch in the sky at Duck & Waffle 6&7. Camden Exploring with Micheala 8. Banoffee Connoisseur 9. Eyelashes 10. Hitting the Pavements 11. New LBD 12. Killing time with my Paint by Numbers 13. Getting Lost on a Bike Ride, somewhere in Kent 14. Bowling Shoes 15. New Boots 16. Selfie (wearing Topshop) 17. Monstrous Flowers in the Garden 18. New Dresses from Topshop 19&20&21. Dinner with my Girls at The Coney

MEREDITH

2013-11-11T21:16:00.000Z

For such a long time I've been telling myself that I will wear more colour and actively steer clear of my monochrome addiction, but time after time I'm drawn to black and white pieces over all others. This beautiful dress from Topshop is a prime example. The back of it is black, so it's perfect for both casual and work environments; the panel of white at the front brightens it up. On top of that, the sleeves make it perfect for the impending cold season. So with all these things going for it, I reasoned that if I add a swipe of red lipstick (Tom Ford's reddest red if you please) then that would be colour enough for me, and thus I could allow myself one more black and white dress. After all, monochrome is versatile, right?

1. Phone Case £22 by Kate Spade 2. Lipstick £36 by Tom Ford at Selfridges 3. Pumps £650 by Valentino at Moda Operandi 4. Dress £48 by Topshop 5. Necklace £22.50 by Topshop 6. Tote £895 by Victoria Beckham at Net-a-Porter

CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

2013-11-09T17:11:00.000Z

The beginning of November never really seems the right time to start thinking about Christmas but as Christmas adverts have been released and decorations have gone up in shops, I decided that it wasn't too premature to make a Christmas List.
Due to my complete lack of organisation skills I also need to start planning this early in order to get everything sorted in time. I never usually know what to ask for at Christmas but this year I have hundreds of ideas; these are the ones that are at the top of my list.

1. I'm usually partial to bright colours when it comes to bikinis, but this LBB has crept into my consciousness. I really love the cut on it; it looks very flattering (although maybe that's just on the 6'0' model...). It's an awful lot more than I would want to pay for a bikini, hence why it's on my wish list. Bikini, £305 by Lisa Marie Fernandez at Net-A-Porter
2. Chanel & Gilly Hicks (worlds apart, I know) are my two go-to perfumes but I recently was introduced this new concoction by Carven. There aren't many perfumes that I like, but this one I love and I might have to make my the third go-to fragrace. Le Parfum £38 by Carven at Selfridges
3. This skirt looks so perfect for the Christmas party season; I have a few embellished pieces from Topshop in my wardrobe already and they are always my favourites for nights out. I can picture wearing this on Christmas Day paired with an oversized white sweater; only problem being that there won't be too much stretch in it for all that turkey and Christmas pudding!Skirt, £65 by Topshop
4. This would be the fourth MK watch in my collection (you can never have to many bags, shoes OR watches, right?) and I love it because it's more delicate that the others which are chronographs. There are so many colour straps but I was having a girly moment and I decided pink would be the best choice. Runway Watch, £106 by Michael Kors, at neimanmarcus.com
5. As a self confessed bag-fiend I can't quite believe that I haven't bought a new bag since MAY. I'm getting bored of all the bags I have in black and I need one that's a little brighter and smaller for the evenings. This red number from Zara (number one stop for bags) looks like it would do just the trick.Messenger Bag, £39.99 by Zara
6. These headphones are a fashion-blogger sensation at the moment. I'm hoping for the price that they would sound nice as well as looking nice, and let's be honest, they look nice. Single handedly, my brother has broken every pair of headphones that I've owned for the last five years, so if these beauties materialise in my life I am promising myself that no one will touch them but me!Taylor Headphones, £169 by Frends at mywardrobe.com
7. Despite the fact that girls can never have too many shoes, I never seem to have enough shoes. I have heels galore, but currently I only have one pair of brogues and one pair of boots and these are intended to get me the whole way through the Winter rain, snow and wind! Ambitious, I know. These loafers from Zara are so nice, and although not too warm, I'm hoping they would be lovely on those non-rain filled Winter days and beyond. Loafers, £50 by Zara
8. Topshop roll out the best in partywear at this time of year with my personal favourites being the embellished dresses and high heels. They've been producing some lovely playsuits recently and this one looks like it would be perfect for a night out or a Christmas party. I love the cut of the neckline, plus it's a steal at just £36!Playsuit, £36 by Topshop
9. Okay, so admittedly I do have enough heels but how am I supposed to forget about these? My Mum has already placed these in the 'doorway scraper' category. Unhelpfully this counts for any heels that push me over 6'0, which is anything above 3 inches! But I'm willing to be head and shoulders above my friends if it means I get to wear these beauties! Plus, they're a bargain at £55!Satin Bow Sandals, £55 by Topshop
10. Samantha Wills is a jewellery designer who has been on my radar for quite a while now. Her pieces are so simple and yet elegant and all are beautifully crafted and presented in their own wooden boxes. Again the prices are a little pushy, but as a gift they're perfect. I couldn't decide which colour was my favourite, so I thought "just choose both". Bardot Rings, £99 each by Samantha Wills
11. I've been avoiding getting a new iPod for far too long. My old iPod has served me well but but hold broke about three years ago and now the buttons have decided to give up on me too. Running without music isn't fun so I need a replacement ASAP. As I have an iPad I don't need an iPod to play games on; I prefer the look of this iPod anyway. Hoping I can get my name engraved on it like my old iPod too!iPod Nano 7th Generation, £129 by Apple