Update

It's been so busy these past few days, always is this time of year isn't it? It was my Birthday on the 20th, I love having it so near Christmas but it definitely has it's drawbacks, makes it so hard to pack all the festivities in! Vural & I had a great day together, a late start then off to Borough market & a wander all down Southbank. We topped the day off with dinner & drinks in Islington then to the cinema to watch the latest Hobbit offering. If you're heading to Borough market any time soon I highly recommend trying to 'drunk cheese', incredible!! Had to buy a slab of the red wine infused goats cheese & I think I'll definitely be back sampling many of their other wares!

Vural bought me these beautiful flowers, roses & irises- my favourite, along with a whole array of unexpected presents! Coming home yesterday I was treated to more lovely bits for my Birthday!

I decided to treat myself to a few Birthday presents which I thought I'd share as they arrived just today. Wasn't surprised to see the sales already in full swing, there's some real bargains to be had- Asos has a huge discounted selection (as always!) & I snapped up these beauties as quickly as I could!

I bought a couple of bits from river island online & yesterday when I nipped into Manchester (miss it more here every time I come home!) I just had to have this kimono, down from £45 to £15, my sister got the stunning lime tiger one too. Sorry for the fuzzy snood pic, I look atrocious today! The beanie is from Zara, it's a lovely burgundy shade & Im going to embellish it as discussed months ago!

In other news I sanded & painted the table in our living room, I'm sure you're thrilled to hear! I'm actually very pleased with the results, not so happy about the state of my hands though, have been moisturising intensely since finishing it off at the weekend!

Nivea Q10, the best moisturiser hands down (sorry I had to!)

At our studio Christmas party last Weds we were given goodie bags, really sweet idea with these pretty personalised transfers on the front..

Inside was a great selection of make up, chocs & a really handy nailcare kit-perfect size to pop in my handbag.

Unfortunately this is all that's left of my lindt bunny, this was devoured almost immediately!

I'll leave everyone in peace now (until tomorrow possibly!), have a wonderful Christmas x

Winter Wishlist

Christmas fashion isn't usually my bag, each year endless tacky sequins on hideous clingy dresses seem to rule the high street, sky high spindly heels or spikey Jeffrey Campbell rip-offs are all over the place and, if you're anything like me, you're sick to the back teeth of the choice of either black or red for your yuletide attire. I'm hoping this year's the turning point for Winter tack. There's been such a varied choice, stores are finally embracing colour, different textures & more interesting shapes. Topshop, I have to say really is leading the way with their Christmas offerings. They've brought out some beautiful embellishments, jacquards & applique. Their printed leather is just brilliant. The below 5 dresses are standouts for me, they look as if they could be designer pieces

I'm loving all the sheer/lace layered offerings, the high street has really upped it's game here with high quality pieces you'd actually be prepared to pay more for. The forest green Asos shift is just divine. I think you can really go to town with accessories here, perhaps keeping jewellerey to a minimum & going OTT on shoes & bags. Really really want one of the Proenza Schouler holographic purses, absolutely gorgeous! The mint quilted Lanvin bag is a beauty, it's a great match to the cutout Sophia Webster cutout heels. Also, aren't these Tory Burch beetle slippers incredible? They're £177 which is obviously expensive, but not unreasonable for the level of detail there, tempted to give myself an early Birthday present...

Going back to what I was originally banging on about, the high street has been spot on with their fancies this year, this Urban Outfitters sequin on lace dress is inspired, as is the printed leather Topshop dress. I think that's been marked down now too, will definitely be purchasing in the very near future! I've been so excited for this exquisite Asos piece to come out, I truly think it wouldn't look out of place in a D&G show. Such detail & quality for £120. The embellished skirt is also rather wonderful. I'm going to have a go at customizing an old pencil skirt, need to find myself a decent bead shop methinks

Last but not least, PRINTS. The central tartan floral border dress is one of mine, think I'm going to get this too, the shape is lovely. The rather outthere skirt & trousers are mine too, I was surprised River Island went for this print as it is a little scary, but I'm glad they did, look great made up. The red tropical smock is a print from another of our talented designers, bit gutted as I absolutely love it but I honestly don't think I could warrant buying another red dress! I found a new brand today, Romance Was Born, WOW!! I would love to one day own a Missoni cardie, a McQueen signature scarf & an authentic Givenchy handbag, sadly these 3 items will remain on my wishlists for many years to come! Really liking prints worn together, matching & clashing. I think to pull this off though you need to keep everything else super simple & neutral. Unfussy coats, boots & knitwear make great accompaniments to head-to-toe print.

November Wishlist & Northern Love

It's been a manic few days, always is when I go home for the weekend. There's always too much to do, too many people to see & then before I know it, I need to get back to London again! It was a lovely trip though, always good to spend time with your family & I think Manchester is a great place to be around Christmas time. The markets have arrived, I swiftly made my way to the city centre for a hot choc & baileys- ridiculously good there, I look forward to it every year! Vural came too & was able to drive my mum & sister back with us on Monday. Hannah's been flat hunting which, if you're a Londonite, you'll feel her pain!

Here's a snippet of my weekend in photos as promised, beautiful sunset on the long drive home, fireworks, markets, city scapes, SANTA!...all a bit much for someone...

On to more fashionable matters, How amazing is the knitted sweat/floral blouse combo from Zara? This is actually a genius idea, I pop knitwear over my summer tops & dresses a la Keira & Sienna in the Edge of Love to get extra wear over the Winter months & brighten up often drab AW outerwear!

I'm generally more of a dresses girl, if I'm in trousers it's usually jeans. However, this AW, & Im guessing it's partly due to the UK arrival of J Crew, Im into capri pants. The slouchy plaid asos pair are particularly wonderful. I'm also feeling those holographic heels & suede boots- I love knee & thigh lengths for boots, but often find the heel is way too pretty woman, the height on the Topshop pair is perfect. Slimleg trousers go beautifully with printed shirts, tucked in or out. This Zara embroidered beauty is really good value for money. I'm rather proud of this shirt from Urban Outfitters, it's one of my prints (from an UO vintage swatch) that took bloody ages to draw! I'd love to own anything from the hand of Emma Shipley, the colours in this scarf are stunning.

Best of the rest from left to right, bargain beanie (£8!!!), fun fur collar, gorgeous Marc Jacobs & Maiyet handbags, & of course J Crew trews. Cute woolly mitts, & this pretty cranberry bralet are perfect for the festive season.

Finally please let me draw your attention to something wonderful I've happened across on my internet travels...

On the left we have the lustworthy Phillip Lim embellished sweat, with the not so desirable pricetag of £625. On the right, French Connection's budget friendlier winner. Nuff said I reckon!