essbeevee

The rain is here and you, my dear, are still my friend.

2012-01-27T17:09:00.006Z

Lately, I find myself longing for a place with a clear, blank wall. I do love my slopey-ceilinged bedroom, but it makes outfit posts rather difficult. Obviously this is a bit of a rubbish reason to move, but when I start looking in a few months, I know it'll be in the back of my mind. In truth, some weeks it's hard to get an outfit post done in time for Friday evening - and this was one of those weeks. I was poorly last week and it seems to have set everything else back. I hate that.

So, after all that moaning, I have to say these photos do not do this dress justice. In reality, it fits like a dream and I adore the colour - in real life, a slightly more greeny blue than pictured. Coupled with newly dyed shiny hair, I positively strutted around the office in this ensemble yesterday.

Dress - Closet at Dorothy Perkins

Best Necklace Ever - Topshop

Nails - Models Own Vintage Pink

If I could, I'd happily have a wardrobe of ponte dresses. They're so easy to wear - no creasing, no clinginess and they're crazy comfortable. I discovered a few Closet ones reduced to £15 each on the Dorothy Perkins website and, well, couldn't resist picking up a couple. I think this one is my favourite because I adore the colour - I got it in black, too, which is very similar to this dress. VERY similar, but I've worn that dress to death, so purchasing a twin is probably sensible.

Aaaaanyway. What are you doing tomorrow? I'm getting drunk. I've finished my antibiotics and out there somewhere is a full-to-the-brim glass of rose with my name on it. So it's decided. Hurrah!

If you're gonna try and walk on water, make sure you wear your comfortable shoes.

2012-01-25T20:25:00.000Z

My mother would warn me off these shoes. Let's face it, the 6 inch heel is a height best described as "ankle-breaking" and pewter glitter isn't exactly practical. But that's why they’re perfect. As far as I’m concerned, the more impractical the shoe, the better - they’re forbidden fruit in footwear form.

You see, when I was a little girl, shoes were... difficult. "You've inherited my feet," my mother would tell me, slipping her broad feet into a pair of sensible but ugly sandals. A woman who has never been able to wear heels, she tried to prepare me for a life of plate-shaped feet.

I got older, but not much taller - stopping just shy of 5 foot 2. My feet were wide, sure, but I wasn’t ready to give up on heels. I vowed to train my feet to accept them, and started traipsing around in cheap, uncomfortable 3 inch platforms in an attempt to appear just a little bit taller. Oh, there were blisters. There was pain. There were far too many tripping incidents from overly spacious pairs. But I persevered… and it started to work.

The shoes got nicer (and pricier). And my feet adjusted - high heels were no longer out of bounds. I scoffed at the sensible 3-inchers of my past and started living life a good 5 inches taller, made all the more satisfying knowing that I was challenging my flat-footed destiny.

These shoes - these fabulous, sparkly shoes - are the embodiment of all of that. I shouldn't be able to wear them. I should just give up and choose a sensible pair instead. But the best pairs of heels AREN'T sensible. They're a luxurious, naughty treat, and what could be more glorious than wearing such a guilty pleasure on your feet?

P.S. Not that rhapsodising about beautiful shoes is unusual for me, but in case you were wondering, this was my competition entry to become a Sarenza ambassador. DREAM COME TRUE.

I love you like a love song.

2012-01-20T18:02:00.002Z

There are lots of reasons to get married in January.

1) Everyone needs a pick-me-up after Christmas
2) Venues are markedly cheaper
3) The weather's rubbish so you don't place all your hopes on one day of sunshine

Yep, I'm totally for winter weddings. But there is one issue with weddings in JANUARY that I certainly didn't think of and that's... Christmas. Because in December it's totally acceptable to throw the diet out of the window and to go to Greggs for breakfast every single day. To have three tins of Quality Street on the go at any one time. And to drink wine pretty much every night. It's DECEMBER! It's what people DO! It's FINE!!!

Yes. It's totally fine until you go to put on the new dress you've had put aside for the aforementioned January wedding and... yeah, you guessed it. It won't do up. And all my other generously cut, appropriate-for-wedding outfits have already had an outing at weddings. So. Panic. My Paypal account got emptied. Packages of dresses found themselves winging their way to me. I set my lunchtimes aside to run, panicked, around every shop in turn, just trying to find SOMETHING.

We've all been there, right?

Luckily, I did the sensible thing when I hit the shops and started with Debenhams. I was actually looking for a green Oasis dress I'd seen just before Christmas, that somehow I was convinced would still be there in my size. It was still there. But in a size 6. Denied. But then I remembered a pink dress I'd seen in December (and featured in my bumper best of the party dresses post), that I'd sent a photo of to my friend Gemma who loves all things pink and 50s-style, ordering her to march herself down there to buy it (she did, and looked awesome in it). I had a hunt, and I found the dress... reduced to £18. Great fit, great quality, great colour. Aaaaand... sold.

The wedding was fantastic too, but unusually for me, I didn't take that many photos. Far too busy enjoying myself! Big congratulations to my newlywed buddies Mark and Jennie. That's the first of four weddings this year...

Dress - H by Henry Holland (Debenhams)

Jewellery - Topshop

Shoes - Matalan
Belt - Ribbon nabbed from another dress

I'm a fire and I'll burn burn burn tonight.

2012-01-13T17:07:00.001Z

I've missed this spot. I haven't had time lately to take photographs outside, and we have so little sunlight these days. I am dreaming about the return of longer days, and saying goodbye to shivery afternoons.

Thanks to New Look, I've got quite the collection of knee-high boots now. It's such a novelty finding them that fit me so well! These are my latest pair, which I'm tempted to buy in black too. They are basically lush.

Speaking of the boots, when my sister asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I gave her a choice. Be creative - if she wanted, and could find the time in between bringing up an adorable baby - or get me the black boots. And she got creative, which is secretly what I wanted. When it comes to special occasions I rarely have a gift list prepared - and getting surprises is so much nicer. And this rust coloured dress was a fabulous present - I've already worn it loads and Christmas was less than a month ago. Definitely a new favourite.

This is going to be a dress themed weekend, I think - tomorrow I am off to a wedding (thanks to Twitter for some serious wedding outfit help this week) and then our annual family Christmas do on Sunday. I'm looking forward to having a good old gossip with my sister - oh, and lots of baby-cuddles.

Dress - Mela Loves London

Cardigan - TK Maxx

Boots - New Look

Belt & Hairband - H&M

Necklace - Topshop

They said I'd forget her face.

2012-01-11T17:29:00.002Z

Lately, people keep saying to me: 'Sarah. Where DO you find the time?' My stock answer tends to be 'Well, I don't have a boyfriend, so.' But genuinely. I don't know? For the longest time my parents used to say that my sister and I were really different because she can't sit still and I, well, sit still kind of a lot. Except then I realised that, even if I'm sitting down, I'm pretty much incapable of doing less than two things at once. If I'm watching TV I'm normally writing a blog entry or making jewellery or drawing or tidying or editing photographs... oh. And tweeting, but that's a given. It doesn't really count. But yeah, I don't really like wasted time. Hence this blog, that blog (oh and that blog) and the Etsy shop - all on top of a pretty demanding day job. I'm just saying, I wouldn't MIND winning the lottery.

Anyway, I've talked about the jewellery shop before - which is going pretty well, thank you, and there's a 20% off Christmas Sale on right now if you use the code XMASSALE so get on that business as it's going to expire at the end of the month.

The other thing that I've been doing quite a lot of lately is illustrations. When I changed my blog layout a few months back, I got a lot of positive comments on my little drawings and so I had to set up a bit of a mini-shop, because as much as I'd love to do free blogger portraits for everyone on the internets, I don't really have all that much spare time, as I mentioned. But if people pay me money I will make time! Here are some of the ones I've done recently...

Alex from Odd Socks & Pretty Socks

Maria from Frills 'n' Spills

Sarah from A Million Dresses (and her new husband!) - this picture was featured as part of her (AMAZING) wedding post on Rock 'n' Roll Bride.

Sorting out www.essbeevee.com is on my list this year too so I can finally have somewhere proper to put them all. But for now, if you're interested, click here for more info or just send me an email!

This scene is dead, but I'm still restless.

2012-01-06T17:07:00.002Z

If there is one thing I would cheerfully say about myself, it's that I'm cheap. I totally am. It's fine, you can say it. Cheap as chips. I'm that person who, when I receive a compliment about something I'm wearing will declare proudly, 'Thanks! THREE POUNDS!' And very few things fill me with such joy as knowing I've had a really cheap night out.

So those people who spend a fortune on New Year's - I don't get it. Is anywhere really THAT good that it's worth paying to get in and buying drinks at an inflated price all night? Not to mention being jostled by strangers and having to fend off lecherous randoms as the clock strikes midnight. There is a time and a place for stranger jostling and lecherous randoms and IT IS NOT NEW YEAR'S EVE. You know what New Year's Eve IS the time and the place for?

A wine and cheese evening. OBVIOUSLY.

You see, when I was a kid, my parents used to go to all sorts of events that sounded really dull. Like Caravan Club AGMs and dinner parties... and wine and cheese nights. They sounded like the worst things ever. Honestly. Except, as I get older, I've realised that, okay, a Caravan Club AGM probably isn't my thing, but the other two - well, what could be wrong about parties that centre around good food and nice booze? To a kid, wine and cheese might sound dull, but to an adult - well. Wine? Good. Cheese? GOOOOD. It meant an excuse to buy all the cheeses we've ever wanted. Plus, to chuck a Camembert in the oven and make up a giant batch of cheese fondue. HELLO, AWESOME.

It wasn't a crazy night. There were only a few of us, and in hindsight, consuming that amount of food may have been better suited to tracksuit bottoms and a loose tshirt but, come on. If you can't make an effort on New Year's, when can you? SO. A sparkly dress, giant beehive and enormous false eyelashes seemed pretty much compulsory.

And it was FUN. Despite seriously overdosing on cheese and actually feeling rather ill for half the night, I still managed to stay out until 4am. And we gossiped, and chatted, and even had a little dance. Some may say that having strikingly similar parties with the same people every New Year's Eve for the last ten years isn't very adventurous, but you know what? There's no place I'd rather be.

Dress - Oasis (sale bargain, down from £120 to £45 AND SO SPARKLY. Plus, I've ticked #19 off my 30 Before 30!)

Jewellery - Topshop

Shoes - Primark

Belt - No idea!

The lonely goatherd.

2012-01-04T17:04:00.006Z

One of my favourite second-day hairstyles is the Heidi or Milkmaid braid. It's super simple, yet doesn't look it - I'm always asked how I do it. Which, I think is slightly different to most people, but my hair is very thick and mere grips alone will not hold it!

I've been meaning to do it for ages, but it has taken this long for my hair to finally be in a position for me to do some tutorial business! Yeah man.

Have fun, skipping around with a bunch of goats. Like I do, constantly.

Everything's in shape but me.

2012-01-02T20:07:00.000Z

Sometimes there is so much to say and so few ways to say it. 2011 was wonderful in so many ways and I've had a lovely Christmas break, too. I don't know where it's gone - I had grand plans to do all sorts during the break and instead it's suddenly January and I haven't done much at all. But I have spent lots of time with family and friends and helped to invent something called a RumJug so it's hardly a waste.

Usually at this time of year I feel excited and optimistic about the year ahead. I'll be making lists and resolutions, filling in my new diary and planning my outfits and meals for the week ahead, determined to make a habit of it from now on. This year, I feel different. I think 2012 is going to bring a lot of changes and new experiences and although I am excited, I'm also feeling pit-of-my-stomach nervous about it, too. If things go as I hope, I will be in a very different place this time next year which is brilliant and terrifying all at once. I quite enjoy living my life in reckless disregard for what's expected of me, but with my thirties half a year away, I know that it's time to push some boundaries and escape the safety and sanctuary of home comforts. It all sounds rather ominous, doesn't it? But it's a good thing... I think.

In looking at last year's resolutions, I'm proud to say that I achieved one of them - I have learnt to like red wine. Thank you. I'm proud, too.

Resolutions for 2012

1 - Live healthily.
I long to learn how to eat well and exercise regularly without obsessing over it. So that'll be my endeavour - to conquer those issues.

2 - Complete my 30 Before 30 (so this is kind of like 30 resolutions in one).
Check out my progress here - I'm getting there...

3 - Manage my finances better - or, um, at all.
This means I may have to stop buying new dresses every month. Sorry.

4 - Push my boundaries.
See above...

5 - Organise my life.
Use that Filofax, get rid of all my tat and get somewhere close to where I want to be.

We decided just to write, after all.

2011-12-30T17:01:00.005Z

If I could, I think I would match all the time. I'd have an enormous wardrobe with colour coded sections, and every day my dress and my shoes would go together perfectly. And everyone would say 'Colour clashing is in this year!' and 'You don't want to look too matchy-matchy!' and I would skip about in my pretty coordinated ensemble and I would not care a jot. NOT ONE JOT.

My Christmas Day outfit ticks all those boxes. Sure, the shoes are too pinchy and high to be comfortable, and sure, the dress is far too snug around the middle to truly withstand Christmas dinner. And I KNOW, I'm missing the matching hair-bow (in true homage to Ladybird's The Party) although I did remember - sadly rather too late to wear out - this bow belt in just the right shade. All those things might counteract the tickyboxes, but... LOOK HOW IT MATCHES.

Dress & Shoes - New Look

Jacket - H&M

Belt - Urban Outfitters

Ring - Topshop

Watch - ASOS

Bracelet - Dorothy Perkins

And I'm newly be-gingered, thanks to Amy's aid in stalking a blogger at the Motel event and demanding to know her hair secrets (Loreal Feria in Mango - I LOVE IT). Roots begone!

Christmas was better in the 80s.

2011-12-26T22:59:00.001Z

Merry Christmas everyone! I know I'm a day late. I am enjoying chilling out and eating my bodyweight in cheese and chocolate, but I'll be back soon with a bit of an update of how it's all gone! For now, let me tell you: Baileys cupcakes are very, very, very nice.

Hope you're all having a lovely Christmas!

PS - I totally forgot to announce the winner of my Schuh/Vouchercodes Giveaway! It was Vanessa from Nightmares and Boners! HOORAY!!

See that girl, watch that scene.

2011-12-23T18:34:00.000Z

Lately more and more people keep telling me that I’m the girliest friend they have. Normally it’s when I’ve talked them into buying loads of makeup or spending a night in watching Enchanted and painting our nails (IT IS THE BEST FILM EVER). I don’t MIND being girlie, though. I’ve discovered that when you’re a grownup, you can be terrible at sports because you are girlie (not like when you're a kid, and everyone thinks that it's because you are a clumsy nerd, even though that is of course the real reason). That seems like a much nicer excuse!

Anyway, this is one of the reasons that I love Christmas because the parties mean an excuse to really embrace my girlie side. Which is pretty much all sides of me, but I mean REALLY embrace it. Coiffed hair, false eyelashes, flamboyant makeup, sky high heels, dripping in jewellery – oh, and a fabulous dress, of course.

BEHOLD!

Dress – Warehouse

Shoes – Matalan

Jewellery – Topshop

Nails – OPI Caught In Your Net

It was my work Christmas do last week and after scouring the shops for something beautiful and reasonably priced, I realised that I had this scarcely worn little beauty from Warehouse in my wardrobe instead. I bought it for NYE the year before the year before last and it’s seen me through one party, one Ascot trip and one wedding reception. I do absolutely love it. I’m a sucker for greeny/blue tones anyway, and you know by now I love a nipped in waist and a full skirt. I was never sure if the larger chested girl could do one-shouldered, but it turns out that with a good bra (my Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless, still going strong, still can’t recommend enough) it doesn’t matter! No lopsidedness at all!

Anyway, I went all out. False eyelashes courtesy of the Girls Aloud Eylure range (I got the whole lot half price in Boots last Christmas and have enjoyed working my way through them - the aptly named Sarah ones were my choice this time) and sparkly green eyes, thanks to Barry M. And as for my hair… well, I had vague ideas of doing a sort of curly beehive thing that tumbled down my back and it turned out to be surprisingly easy! All night I was asked where I got my hair done and was greeted by shock when I said I did it. But it was easy, honest. It’s basically just a backcombed top, put in a half ponytail, and then the rest all curled and gripped randomly around it. But it works, huh? CHECK OUT MY MULTITONALS.

Also check out Gemma photobombing in the background!

It was a fab night. Unusually for me, especially at an event with wine out on the tables, I decided not to drink. It was the night before Sha’s birthday and I wanted to save myself (and I’m SO glad I did!). It turns out that all those end-of-the-night photos where you look all cross-eyed and sweaty are not down to general wear and tear, but in fact BOOZE IS THE CULPRIT. This was taken when I got home:

Not bad, huh? And I got to be super smug when everyone was complaining about their hangovers on Saturday. What did you wear to your work Christmas do this year?

I'm one of a kind, I'm designer.

2011-12-22T18:05:00.000Z

TBBCAR was a bit of an epic undertaking, involving lots of begging on my part – not my favourite activity! One of the companies who generously approached me right at the start though, was Stanwells, offering a £100 voucher to give away. Stanwells is a boutique with two branches based in the South (Lymington & Bournemouth) – plus they have an awesome website. They sell a lot of designer products, which I adore, but sadly do not have the budget for most of the time (I keep saying I’ll start buying less, spending more, but it doesn’t happen).

It’s okay though because they’ve branched out into Stanwells Rerun, which sells discounted and nearly new designer merchandise – the products are stunning and the prices are completely manageable! A fair few products have made it onto my Christmas list...

This amazingly printed D&G dress is just £34 down from £345!

This Betsey Johnson skirt is £21.25 down from £255!

This beautiful cashmere/silk scarf is £21.25 down from £145!

These YSL shoes are at the upper end of my budget at £106 but they’re YSL, down from £595 and BEAUTIFUL

So. Much. Pretty. You can shop Stanwells either online or in-store at Stanwells & Stanwells Rerun.

PS - This post was written in collaboration with Stanwells.

Just hear those sleigh bells jinglin', ring ting tinglin' to.

2011-12-21T17:32:00.004Z

I feel like I haven't been very Christmassy on this blog lately - and suddenly it's on Saturday and I don't know what's happened! I'm actually pretty sorted - most of my shopping was done at the end of November (thank you, Amazon and Brand Alley) and I'm starting to make plans for the big day. I've been put on dessert duty, so I've been scouring the internet for inspiration. So much baking, so little time.

I've also been amazed by some of my fellow bloggers' posts on Christmas. So much creativity and inspiration! I had a bit of a Christmas tips session last year - so please do take a little look at my Christmas Wrapping Guide (it's pretty genius) and my tips for repurposing beloved toys as decorations. Here are my favourite Christmassy posts (and some baking inspiration for good measure!):

Ellie's Handmade Christmas. How awesome is her old paper bunting?

A Thrifty Mrs is Christmas mad and I'm a huge fan of her tips, especially those for for homemade gifts - I'm longing for blackberry vodka.

Elizabeth's posts on Domestic Sluts make me want to get in the kitchen. I'm so making her pecan pie this year.

Kim's blog is always my first destination when looking for baking inspiration. How much do I want these toffee blondies? A LOT. And also these S'mores Bar Cookies. Nom.

Oh, and anything that brings together peanut butter, nutella and cookies is FINE WITH ME. Thank you, Chocolate Moosey for these.

My sister-in-law has asked me to make a trifle for Christmas day. I'm not sure this, from Willow Bird Baking is what she had in mind, but now I've seen it, it cannot be unseen.

Living in a material world.

2011-12-20T17:07:00.000Z

Another day, another website with a whole bunch of awesome dresses that I want. This is becoming a problem, really. My wardrobe struggles to close, and when I get dressed in the morning I've started suffering from sensory overload and end up wearing the same dresses over, and over again. Especially to work - I actually have plenty of work-appropriate dresses but I get bored of them so easily. So, yeah, ignore the whole bit where I said I had too many dresses and look at all these gorgeous Freemans.com day dresses instead. I want them.

I love this checked long sleeve dress - there's something quite grungey yet chic about checks, I think. It looks like it could be vintage:

I suspect I am too old for pinafores but they are SO DAMN CUTE.

Love the bird-on-a-wire print on this Vero Moda dress.

This pretty little shift dress would be so cute with a cropped blazer and knee-high boots.

Now these are maybe not so work appropriate, but they'd be great for Christmas day, right?

PS - This post was written in collaboration with Freemans.

Those days, I'd stumble in the dark.

2011-12-19T21:07:00.001Z

The last weekend before Christmas always seems to be a jampacked affair (although last year all plans were scuppered and I ended up snowed in with a good friend, a few bottles of wine and a takeaway). There’s so much to pack in, although to be honest, I didn’t really get any of my jobs done. I had lots of fun though, and that’s what counts.

I was meant to go out on Friday night, but was exhausted from a night out on Thursday night so stayed in. It wasn’t very relaxing though as we were babysitting for Cameron, my baby nephew. He is adorable, but he doesn’t like sleeping all that much. His party trick is to look like he’s just about slipped into unconsciousness, then as soon as you whisper ‘He’s just about asleep…’ he wakes up and laughs at you. Cheeky baby.

Saturday was the best day of the year. I blogged about it last year, so this year I livetweeted it… CHRISTMAS PANINI DAY!!! Oh, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. One day. One sandwich. Turkey and sausage and bacon and brie and stuffing and cranberry OH MY. They were possibly the best yet.

THEN! We got changed, got our Morgan’s Spiced ‘n’ Coke on (it’s going to be the drink of 2012, mark my words) and headed off into London where we had an awesome chat on the tube with a random man about Community, 30 Rock and Parks & Recreation. Then we headed to my favourite venue, Brixton Academy, for Soulwaxmas. Lots of dancing (and avoiding people who were on vast amounts of drugs) ensued. Got home at 4am. Ouch.

So Sunday was mostly lost to sleep, but we met up again in the evening for a night of Christmas movies (Elf, Muppet Christmas Carol and Bad Santa) and huge amounts of Dominos Pizza to help us get over our hangovers. SO MUCH PIZZA. It was amazing though. I’ve been dieting for so long, I’d forgotten how good it was. We indulged in a few of the great online pizza offers which meant we got a couple of their gourmet pizzas (the Quattro Formaggio is SO FLIPPING CHEESY), some garlic bread and even cookies included in the deal. Which we weren’t overexcited by, until we ate them. OH MY GOD. I kind of wish I had never tried them as now I’m just going to want them all the time. They’re amazing. Seriously.

And that was it! Back to reality for the last few days of work before Christmas. It’s so hard to concentrate when your brain is full of presents and giftwrapping, but I’m getting there. Only a few more days to go…

That's what makes you beautiful.

2011-12-16T18:04:00.003Z

Ever been to a penguin party? Me neither. Well… UNTIL NOW. (Now = last Saturday) Earlier this year, I was talking to Sha, my bestie, about what the perfect party theme would be. I’m still struggling – I’ve got a Big Birthday next year and I can’t think of anything that’s awesome, obtainable and intrinsically ME. Sha, though, got hers in a nutshell. See, Sha loves penguins – understandable, of course, because PENGUINS ARE AMAZING. So what better theme for her 30th than… A PENGUIN PARTY.

(Stop trying - there is no better theme.)

The dress code was black, white or penguin so penguin costumes were not mandatory. I decided to go penguin inspired, in an LBD (I seem to have so many more LBDs than I thought I did!) with bowtie (a brooch that was actually part of the dress already), accessorised with penguin print tights. YES YOU HEARD ME RIGHT.

Dress - New Look (belt & brooch part of dress)

Tights - Pamela Mann (Ebay)

Shoes - Matalan

Bracelet - Topshop

Top hat - Stolen from Russell

It’s a cute dress – I actually blogged about it back when I bought it – and an outfit in itself with the built in belt, although I found myself secretly wishing I was wearing something a little more… penguinny. If anyone ever sees a penguin print dress, let me know, okay? (Although I did feel a bit more dressed up once I purloined the hat. If there is a hat at a party, I will end up wearing it. FACT.) Plus, I had major dress envy as Sha looked amazing in her polka dot dress of dreams, from Vivien of Holloway. Isn’t it stunning?

Sha’s birthday is almost as big a deal to me as mine is. And, if you’ve followed this blog for any time at all, you may have noticed that I’m obsessed with my birthday. So I was hard at work all week, creating some weird and wonderful baking experiments to fit in with the penguin theme.

Winter wonderland cake! (Coconut cake with coconut cream cheese icing. Holy WOW... I did not make the little penguin sugarcraft toppers. Thanks, Ebay!)

Aaaand mutant penguin cupcakes! (Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate peanut butter icing, topped with chocolate peanut butter cake truffles and more chocolate.)

I am going to open a bakery called Ugly But Tasty.

It was the best night. Just the ultimate BEST. I loved being in a group of people who danced just as enthusiastically to My Chemical Romance as to One Direction (both MAJOR guilty pleasures, so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised). As Sha put it, LIFE HIGHLIGHT.

And all night, I had this funny, warm feeling in my belly. I just felt completely overwhelmed by love. Love for all of my amazing friends who’d gone to so much effort with their costumes and who all stayed late to clear up. But most of all, love for one of the most incredible ladies I know, who would drop everything to help you out and move heaven and earth if you needed her to. Someone who shares my obsessions for seasonal food and drink and bad movies, who thinks it’s totally acceptable to take a hip flask out with you, who is always the last one on the dancefloor. It’s rare, but incredible when you have those moments of total clarity and realise the people who are truly important to you, but there you go. So I’m dedicating this post to Sha, who has been there as a constant nugget of awesome for the last 14 years. Everyone should have a Sha in their life. I really do love her a lot.

Thanks to Russell for most of the photos!

This ain't a party, get off the dance floor.

2011-12-12T19:32:00.001Z

I upgraded my iPhone a couple of weeks ago to a 4S, and because the camera is SO much better, I can’t stop using it. I’ve become a mega Instagram addict – even more so than I was before! Here are some of the latest snappings I’ve taken...

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10 11 12

13 14 15

16 17 18

19 20 21

22 23 24

25 26 27

28 29 30

31 32 33

1. Sleepy Lola. 2. First Christmas sandwich of the year! 3. Awesome cupcake carrier.

4. ILU Topshop sale. 5. Packing jewellery orders. 6. Breakfast obsession.

7. Best coat EVER... if only it came in adult sizes. 8. Naughty wrap. 9. Models Own Beetlejuice collection.

10. More sleepy Lola. 11 & 12. Awesome Christmas gifts in Wilkinson.

13. Trying out party hair. 14. Cuddly Cameron. 15. He is starting to look so much like my sister!

16. Rubbish advent calendar jokes. 17&18 Adventures in baking.

19. Magnetized nails. 20. Sparkly new phone case. 21. Certificate for TBBCAR

22. Cat slug. 23. None for Gretchen Wiener. 24. Below the waist outfit for the day.

25. First Christmas card of the year. 26. Amazing new Aussie campaign for their bigger bottles - I can fit in the box! 27. Busy week for Etsy orders.

28. Apparently the model in the 17 campaign is my lookalike. 29. Being rubbish at eating my advent chocolates. 30. Christmas do nails!

31. Terrible cracker jokes. 32. Bright eyed after a sober Christmas do. 33. Spotty nails for this week.

All over me like a polka dot, you treat me like someone I'm not.

2011-12-09T17:23:00.001Z

Some days I get ready for work, glance in the mirror on my way out the door and think ‘You know what? I look okay today.’ And then on these days something generally HAPPENS. Considering I drive to work and park over the road from the office, it's quite impressive how terrible my hair and makeup always look by lunchtime. Especially having a fringe – the slightest bit of wind and rain and it’s a write-off for the rest of the day (or until I can get my hands on a pair of GHDs). Being a girl, eh? It’s a constant struggle.

But but but! The other day, I got ready and thought, ‘I feel quite nice today!’ And then I got to work, and my colleagues said, ‘You look nice today!’ And then I got to lunchtime, looked in the mirror and thought ‘I look okay!’ And then I got home and thought ‘You do not look half bad, Sarah.’ So, cursing the terrible lighting in my room (damn you, winter!) I took some photos.

Dress - New Look

Tights - Tabio

Hairband - H&M

Necklace - Benita Blue

Boots - Primark

I’ve always really loved the contrast of black with fair hair. I think a black alice band on blonde hair looks effortlessly chic. So when I came over all ginger, I decided to see if redheads could rock this look too. And they can! This little wire hairband from H&M goes really nicely, and because it's a tie, rather than a bow, it doesn't look too 'little-girl'. Mega comfy, too.

I got the dress in the New Look sale a couple of months back. It's a weird colour - I'd call it black, but it doesn't really LOOK black. But I think it is. And it's another dress that's all baggy on top which I think is kind of unflattering, but I really like it so I have decided not to care. Also, it was NINE POUNDS. Accessorised with thick blue tights and my favourite, rapidly falling apart boots, it wasn't a bad outfit for work, all told. Plus, magnetised nails! I don't care if it's trendy but think they look SO awesome.

I'm off to my work Christmas do tonight - just putting the finishing touches to my hair. I'm sure I'll have a few lovely party dresses to show you over the next few Fridays - I'm off to another do tomorrow! Ah, I love this time of year.

Ding dong merrily on high.

2011-12-05T23:59:00.000Z

Every year I draw my own Christmas card. I don't draw as much as I'd like so it's a way of making sure that I keep that little part of me alive - although there have been times when I've wished I didn't have a reputation to live up to and could just give shopbought ones instead!

Anyway, my design for this year is all finished so if you would like a Christmas card from me, pop me an email at essbeevee@gmail.com or a DM on Twitter with your address.

Here are my last few...

2010

2009

2008

Saw Cinderella in a party dress.

2011-12-04T19:08:00.000Z

Sure it's December, and sure I'm counting the days until my pre-Christmas paycheque, but that's because I've been buying gifts for other people - not for me! I know, right, I'm not the person I thought I was either.

So for all the parties and dos coming up, I'm mostly planning to wear clothes I already own. For my work Christmas do, it's a gorgeous Warehouse dress I got in the sale two years ago (I'm sure you'll see it on here soon!) and for New Years, probably the sparkly New Look dress I picked up a few months back. But my workplace and my Twitter timeline is full of people trying to find outfits to wear for the party season, and I keep finding myself called into action. My dress radar is especially active at this time of year. (boop boop boop)

Anyway, I was asked to do a bit of a post on the best party dresses out there and as this meant a night of exploring the internet for dresses... um, yeah, I was up for that. And then I got carried away. So I present to you... THE 57 BEST PARTY DRESSES OUT THERE!!

Dear Santa - All of the below, please. Size 12. Ta.

H by Henry Holland at Debenhams £48 (reduced!) - I made my pink-loving colleague buy this one!

Debut at Debenhams £66.50 (reduced!)

Debut at Debenhams £57 (reduced!)

Oasis £70

Warehouse at Debenhams £40 (reduced!)

Oasis £60

These three are on when-they-go-in-the-sale watch:

Oasis £120

Oasis £84.99

New Look £20 (reduced!)

Warehouse £80

Warehouse £70 - love that back detail!

Dorothy Perkins £20 (reduced!)

Warehouse £30 (reduced!)

Dorothy Perkins £27.70 (reduced!)

Dorothy Perkins £31.50 (reduced!)

Dorothy Perkins £38 (desperately want to try this on)

Dorothy Perkins £45

Dorothy Perkins £28

Topshop £46 - also on SaleWatch!

Topshop £60

Topshop £58

Topshop £42

Topshop £65

Topshop £32

Topshop £55

Very £69

Very £79 (wish I could pull this one off!)

Very £49 (reduced!)

Oasis at ASOS £55

A|Wear at ASOS £60

A|Wear at ASOS £50

Paprika at ASOS £26 (reduced!) - this one is definitely on my Christmas list...

Paprika at ASOS £27 (reduced!)

ASOS £30

ASOS £40 (how stunning is that neck embellishment?)

ASOS £45

ASOS £52.50 (reduced!)

ASOS £55

Missguided £23.99

Missguided £21.99

Boohoo £20

Boohoo £30

Bohoo £20

Boohoo £20

Boohoo £25 (LOVE this one)

Boohoo £15

Boohoo £25

Boohoo £20

Boohoo £20 (really wish this would come back in stock in my size!)

Boohoo £20 (I NEED THIS)

Just so you know, all the prices and stock were fine when I composed this - lots are reduced though which may not last! Oh, and click the photos to go to the product page. That took flipping ages. :)

The clock struck 12 and you, you just slipped away.

2011-12-02T17:06:00.001Z

Oh, the trials of a fashion blogger. You see, sometimes it's not easy to fit outfit shots into my week - especially now that it's dark in the mornings and the evenings. Plus, there aren't a lot of good spots in my higgledy piggledy house to take inside shots and, well, all this all factored towards me heading off to an overnight work conference with a new dress, my DSLR, my tripod and my remote all squeezed into my overnight bag.

It didn’t really work - I was one of the last ones down to dinner because I was taking photographs, and the room wasn’t great for photos - the only reasonable backdrop was this stunning curtain. Lovely. Who chooses fabric like this? Seriously.

But enough of that! The dress! Oh, I wanted to love this dress SO much. Motel sent it to me after the event I went to a few weeks back and I’ve been holding out for a good opportunity to wear it. I really like Motel’s clothes, but I’ve bought from there before and found things come up too small, so I was cautious and asked for the dress in a Large. And it’s kind of too big, which is a shame as I adore the print and the colours. It fits quite nicely around my waist but I wish the top was more fitted - it’s rather blousy and makes my chest look rather more giant... which it doesn't need help with! Such a shame when a dress is almost perfect... maybe I'll just have to keep my eye out for it in a Medium!

The dress did see me through a fab night though - five hours sleep on a work night was a total killer but we powered through... just warming up for the Christmas party season!

Dress c/o Motel

The Cat That Walks Alone necklace - Benita Blue

Shoes - Dorothy Perkins

Nails - No.17 Magnetized Green

Devil in a new dress.

2011-12-01T21:36:00.000Z

The Clothing At Tesco event I went to a couple of weeks back (note the old hair colour!) was one of my favourite events I've been to so far. It was great - all the Florence & Fred clothes from their Spring/Summer collection were hanging around the room for us to have a nosey at. We were also asked to pick our favourite, which was a tough choice but ultimately this gorgeous watercolour print 50s style dress had to win. It's beautiful.

As well as all the gorgeous clothes, it was also a chance to hang out with some lovely ladies. Amy was totally smitten by the fancy dress clothes for kids - doesn't she look fetching in her little star outfit? As soon as we discovered that we could squeeze our grown-up heads into the clothes plus the photobooth that was on hand, there was no stopping us... loads of amazing photo opportunities!

Thanks for the invite, Tesco! I'm going to be stalking the F&F website until that dress comes in now...

(I think I look so weird without the donkey hat on at the end... it just WORKS.)

Photobooth pics from Say Fromage.

You'll still end up on a revolving dance floor in the middle of the river.

2011-11-29T17:02:00.009Z

I was so excited when the nice people at Voucher Codes got in touch, asking me if I was willing to test drive these absolutely stunning shoes from Schuh, and I course said yes. I mean, just look at them. They are GLORIOUS. Super high, covered in sparkles... Oh, I just want to wear them to SO many parties, dance all night whilst getting steadily drunker on free wine and then stagger home barefoot, eyemakeup smeared all over my face, holding a glittery shoe in each hand.

The reality, though, will see me with a different pair of shoes in each hand because these shoes DO NOT FIT. I have pretty wide feet - okay, very wide, I actually wear a size 6 when I'm more like a size 5 - and these shoes are not made for girls with wide feet. There isn't a lot of give in them, and as such they pinch a lot. Wearing them out for the night is, sadly, unthinkable. I hope you know I mean this with the utmost sincerity when I say that I AM DEVASTATED.

But my loss is your incredible gain, if you have narrow size 6 feet. I am giving these beauties away! All you have to do to enter is...

- leave a comment on this post with your email address (written 'at dot com' style is fine)
- follow this blog via GFC
- to get an extra entry, 'Like' my Facebook page and/or tweet this: I've just entered @essbeevee's giveaway to win some sparkly Schuh heels at http://essbeevee.blogspot.com

Entries will close in 2 weeks on 13 December and I'll announce the winner shortly afterwards!

If you aren't a size 6 or are just not lucky enough to win, you can get your own pair here - and make sure to look at the Voucher Codes website for some great Schuh discounts!

You know what it's like to hold the jeweller's hands.

2011-11-27T22:56:00.000Z

I mentioned this on Friday, but I couldn't resist a bit of extra pimpage. As some of you know, I have my own little Etsy shop where I sell handmade jewellery. I've given the shop a bit of a spruce up and a new name - Benita Blue - plus added some new items. Check it out! IT'S AMAZING.

If you fancy getting your Christmas presents sorted c/o me, there's 10% off with the discount code 'MODESTY' until 15th December.

Red gold and green, red gold and green.

2011-11-25T18:53:00.000Z

Now I have two-tone hair, I was looking forward to doing milkmaid braids to show off the contrast, as the underneath of my hair is sooo much darker than the top. Turns out it’s pretty subtle, but I still like it. Although I’m having to be way more careful about hiding hairgrips now – darker hair hides a multitude of sins!

I’ve had this dress a few weeks now, and although I really like it, I’ve still been surprised at how many comments it has received. It’s quite demure, so a good style for work and has quickly become part of my work week rotation. I love the soft, floaty fabric and the print – my boss pointed out when I wore it last that I look like Christmas, all in red and green!

I bought it at Boohoo with a voucher they kindly sent me. I always think of Boohoo as more of a party dress shop, but shame on me for labelling them without investigating properly, as they have an amazing array of all sorts of dresses. No sequin prom dresses, though. Can you sort that out, please, Boohoo? Oh, and a red coat like this please thankyou.

Dress & Shoes c/o Boohoo
Necklace - Benita Blue
Coat - H&M
Belt - Topshop
Nails - Vintage Pink by Models Own

I also got these amazing wedges with my voucher! I showed them briefly the other week, but it was dark, you couldn’t really see them. They’re awesome though, aren’t they? I love how high they are. They’re just like a pair I was eyeing in Topshop, but were half the price and JUST as nice. And surprisingly comfortable – because they’re laced all the way up they’re really secure. I always find what makes high heels kill my feet is when they don’t fit right and move around, I tense my feet up to keep them on. Ouch. But not with these! I love themmm.

Just so this doesn’t turn entirely into a post about how much I'm loving Boohoo right now, isn’t my necklace nice? It’s from this awesome Etsy shop that is run by an incredible blogger who has lots and lots of dresses. OH RIGHT IT’S ME. Go and buy all your Christmas presents! From me! If you’re really, really nice, I’ll even give you 10% off for the next 2 weeks if you use the voucher code MODESTY. Go aheaaad.

OH YEAH AND I HAVE A NEW COAT!! Isn’t it nice? It is, right. Yes. It is the coat I posted about the other day, which I wasn’t sure about, but then I got lots of comments going ‘Ooooh’ and it made me suddenly realise how much I liked it. I thought it was going to be impossible to get the rust version as it was sold out online and I hadn’t seen it anywhere for ages apart from in size 6s and then I popped into H&M on Saturday and found it in rust AND black, both in my size. And rust had to win – it’s such a stunning colour (a lot more brown in tone than is in these pictures). I love the fur collar – it feels a bit showy, but it’s so waaaarm. I don’t mind looking ostentatious if I’m warm. Warm people are ALLOWED to be ostentatious, because they’re so smug that they’re warm. YEAH.