Christmas party daytime look: Nordic print T-shirt and ballet skirt combo

December 20, 2012December 20, 20121 Comment

I can’t be the only girl who secretly wants to wear ballet skirts all the time, can I? There’s just something so beautiful and elegant about the soft layers of netting that will make anyone, even a heffalump like me who only barely knows what a pirouette is, feel like a prima ballerina! So I took the plunge and ordered a cheap skirt from eBay, figuring that even if it didn’t suit me, at least it wouldn’t break the bank in the process…

I have to say, I think it looks pretty good, even with my pear shape – the length is long enough to make it tolerable for winter, too!

I paired it with my new Brat & Suzie Loose Fit Nordic Stag T-Shirt from ASOS (here), which I love, because it’s very festive and comfortable. AND, it’s not another Christmas jumper, but it’s still very seasonal. Now, don’t get me wrong. I LOVE Christmas jumpers. But, as we all know, most of the time, the heating on in people’s houses means it’s actually too hot for a lovely thick jumper, and then what are you supposed to do? My answer: rock a festive T-shirt!

Check out the adorable detailing, with the Rudolph-lookalike, and the Fair Isle style patterns. Love it! The colour is bang on trend, too.

I had to break out my latest favourite shoes, which I’ve been coveting for months now – these beautiful leopard print, pony skin* India flats from French Sole! (* Just so you know, pony skin is not actually made of ponies!)

If you had told me last year I’d be buying a pair of animal print shoes, I would have thought you were mad, but somehow the trend has really grown on me – I think it’s all the vintage fashion I’ve been looking at recently! And the red trim is amazing, too!

Of course, you know I love me some French Sole, right?! There’s just something about these shoes which are really Christmassy and festive – I guess it’s the implied warmth of the animal print, and the red trim which just screams FESTIVE TIMES ARE HERE!

This kind of look is the sort of thing I think would work really well for an informal, daytime Christmas party – it’s not too dressy, but it is playful and festive. And, you won’t be panting like a dog in your thick knit jumper when someone whacks the heating up!

19 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Cookies and Cream

December 19, 20121 Comment

Today’s colour is a pretty light beige called Cookies and Cream!

Ciate’s site says: “A light taupe pastel grey that is versatile and easy to wear. A soft nude milkshake delight that can elevate your workwear or even relax a grunge rock look.”

This is a really lovely colour – a nice, soft neutral. I’m really drawn to polishes like this, so I was definitely pleased to see it in the calendar today! I decided to add a topcoat, and as Pirouette My Whistle by OPI was already sitting on my desk, I decided it was a match made in heaven…

Subtly festive, right? Love it!

Hush Big Sloppy Jumper Review

December 19, 2012December 19, 20121 Comment

I’ve waited patiently since last month for my Big Sloppy Jumper to arrive from Hush – but it finally got here on Monday!

It’s super comfy, with lovely fabric, and is pretty flattering, and in a great, on-trend colour.

Sloppy Jumper from Hush

The down side is that you have to hand wash it, and it’s fairly pricey (£65, more than I’d usually pay for a jumper). However, I decided that it’s time to start investing in basics properly instead of dropping wads of cash on things I’ll only ever wear once or twice! It makes more sense to buy something comfy that I can lounge around in, considering I spend most of my time in my home working, rather than strutting around in fancy frocks! This definitely fits the bill, and the fabrics used (80% cotton, 10% cashmere, 10% silk) somewhat justify the tag. Hopefully I’ll be wearing this for years to come.

The Big Sloppy Jumper is available in bordeaux (pictured), grey marl, charcoal and navy, at Hush, for £65.

GlossyBox December 2012: Round-up

December 18, 2012December 18, 2012Leave a comment

This Saturday, I got home to find my GlossyBox waiting for me by my patio doors – and what a box it was!

Inside was a great range of products, and the cosmetics were all in colours I definitely would have picked for myself.

For example, a full-sized bottle of Seche nail varnish in Portobello! I can’t wait to try this shade out (although, I’ll have to, because I’m still deep in my Ciate Mini Mani Month…). I knew Seche produced a renowned top coat that beauty bloggers love, but I didn’t know they didn’t have a colour range – until now. I expect big things, so stay posted for a review!

There was also a lovely red, full sized lippy from Sleek in Stiletto – very festive.

Matches my red reindeer jumper perfectly!

This pretty pink blusher was a ‘bonus’ item, produced for GlossyBox by Kryolan – a professional make-up company. The shade is called Glossy Rosewood – I’m a massive pink blusher addict, so I can’t wait to try this one out properly.

There was also a body cream from Rituals, a company I’ve not looked into much, but I know people rave about. Not tried this properly yet, but it smells amazing.

I also got a sample of Lemon by Mary Greenwell, which seems to have mixed reviews – some people reckon it smells like detergent, but I think it’ll come into its own in spring. It does smell very lemony, which isn’t a bad thing, but maybe it’s a bit too ‘fresh’ to be appreciated in winter…

Finally, some samples of the uber expensive face cream Argentum, which is so pricey I have no idea how I would even bring myself to purchase it, even if it did work miracles. Like the Wei Black Soy face mask from last month, I almost feel too scared to use it. I already lust after clothes I can’t afford, never mind skin care…

I’ve got to go to my husband’s work Christmas party on Friday, so maybe I’ll break it out then and see what it can do! Anyone else tried this yet?

You can get your GlossyBox here, at http://www.glossybox.co.uk!

18 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Candyshop

December 18, 2012Leave a comment

Yay, another bottle of Caviar Pearls! This mix is called Candyshop – fairly appropriate, I think!

This is an amazing mix of sweet colours – hot pink, light navy blue, and orange!

So Christmassy – it ties really well into the Russian Christmas theme I’ve seen in some of the shops this season, based on the amazing colours of the famous Onion Domes seen on Eastern European churches.

I had no end of trouble trying to capture the beauty of these colours in the dull overcast light of a miserable Tuesday…

This one is probably the best reflection of these vibrant colours – lit by the fairy lights of my Christmas tree, appropriately enough!

Daniel Wellington Watches: A Watch For All Seasons

December 18, 2012December 18, 2012Leave a comment

Is there anything more classic and elegant than a well-made, analogue watch? Let’s just say, as a child of the ’80s, this fact completely escaped me for many years. When I were a lass (and all this were fields, err, mines… and coal… factories?) all I wanted was a digital watch with the most number of features humanly possible. I distinctly remember staring at the Argos catalogue, comparing the number of functions each watch had to the other, and trying to work out what was the best one my parents would let me get away with. Waterproof – yeah, but HOW DEEP COULD IT GO? Calculator? But how many time zones does it cover? And how many buttons does it have? And, DOES IT HAVE A STOPWATCH?

Nowadays, we all have phones to do all that for us, and in twenty years time I guess another girl will be updating her holographic diary about how she loves retro smart phones, but at least her robot companion can cook dinner and play movies from his forehead. For now, though, let us admire the sleek, simple, stylish lines of the humble, yet sophisticated, wristwatch…

You might have seen a few other bloggers raving about the beautiful watches from Daniel Wellington, a company whose style is both preppy and vintage, and manages to be modern and classic at the same time. The company has recently expanded, and I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about them as time goes by – these watches are truly beautiful. The first watch that caught my eye was the Classic St Andrews Lady – I’m a sucker for brown leather and gold – especially rose gold!

Classic St Andrews Lady

What sets Daniel Wellington apart, though, is the use of Nato straps on their watches – brightly coloured striped bands which give the brand a distinct personality and sense of playfulness.

Classic Oxford Lady

I love this great colour combination! Nato straps are certainly nothing new for watches, but I’ve never seen them so elegantly presented as they are here. Even better, the Nato straps are interchangeable, and you can purchase additional straps so that you can constantly update your look. Here’s the strap named after my home town of Southampton!

Southampton Strap

What a brilliant idea – and it makes you feel better about investing in a watch that is so versatile! Check out the site at www.danielwellington.com and tell me which one is on your Christmas wish-list!

17 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Power Dressing

December 17, 2012Leave a comment

Today’s mini was a beautiful, deep navy blue called Power Dressing.

What a lovely, glossy finish – love this colour! Ciate’s site says: “Rich dark blue. This colour is for the strong and powerful women in high places, let your nails do the talking.”

This is one colour I’ll definitely be happy to break out after advent is over!

16 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Big Yellow Taxi

December 16, 2012Leave a comment

Today was Big Yellow Taxi, a super super bright yellow!

How fluorescent is this?! Ciate’s website says: “A high fashion ‘it’ statement bold yellow with a crème finish. Brighten up your talons and toes and compliment your summer wardrobe.”

Definitely not my colour, or anything I’d ever buy! What did you guys think?

15 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Headliner

December 15, 2012Leave a comment

Today’s shade was Headliner, a strong, pastel-hued teal creme. The formula today was really impressive – a very thick liquid that went on well and gave great coverage!

Ciate’s site says: “Turquoise, an extraordinary cocktail of blue and green and a marriage made in fashion heaven! If you love to colour clash, this is a perfect mix to your colour scheme by adding a unique blue tone to your collection.”

Quite by accident, the colour exactly matches the boxes of Nintendo’s new Wii U console games!

Pretty funny coincidence – I thought it was neat, anyway! Any Nintendo PR girls should take note!

The pics above were taken in daylight, but I also took some shots later in the afternoon (in Starbucks actually, getting my Eggnog latte in!).

My Bargain Buy: Hobbs Boots for £15!

December 15, 2012December 15, 2012Leave a comment

Do you remember back in November when I told you I visited the Isle of Wight to see my family, and happened to stumble across a very interesting shop? Cameo of Cowes is a second-hand retailer with a difference – it sells lost property from places like sorting houses, cruise ships, railways stations and the like. I’m sure we’ve all experienced the misery of losing something at some point or another – allow karma to gift you back something special, because this little gem is packed full of plush gear at low prices, and it’s all just waiting for you to drop by and treat yourself! I managed to bag a Reiss cardi for £8, a pair of strappy L.K. Bennett black heels for £9, and these amazing, immaculate Hobbs ankle boots for £15!

As soon as I saw both pairs of shoes on the shelves (believe me, they jumped out right away) I felt that mix of elation and fear that all bargain hunters experience. First – the happiness of seeing something that looks perfect for you. Second – will they be in the right size? Will they be the right price? By a miracle, both shoes were my size (a clumpy 7… Sigh), and I’m sure you’ll agree, for that price, it would have been rude to have left them in the shop!