Flat Broke Fabulous!

Sophie Hulme

2008-11-24T22:38:00.003Z

OH! Why oh why am i on this annoying shopping ban! What have i done to deserve it? :o( I only started my new job in London a week ago so i miss out on the November pay day, therefore making me extremely poor and living off my beautiful precious savings :o( Which means no....Sophie...Hulme...Coat....whhhhhhyyyyy!!!!! Oh how i yearn to buy several items of clothing and accessories from Sophie Hulme. Sophie if you're listening, i NEED the purple/blue sequined coat, the silver sequined army bag and one of your lovely lovely rope necklaces!!! PLEASE?!?!

I don't know if its just because i'm bitter about spending all my savings to make up for lack of wages or maybe i'm suffering from mild seasonal affective disorder but i do know i am in desperate need of some serious sparkle...and not any old sparkle...we're talking PROPER sparkle. And only a Hulme will do! Her clothes are sharp and well cut, with really clever quirks, but are so so simple and timeless. I'm really getting sick of the gimmicky trends (harlequin anybody?) and yearn for more simplicity...although don't me too seriously, im probably just feeling 'the ban' a bit and getting annoyed at everything! But Sophie's clothes are exactly what i need right now....ooh! Particularly the shirt-style playsuit...oh how i yearn...

Strange...

2008-10-22T23:21:00.002+01:00

For anyone thats interested, i am officially in london, in my house for the very first night! Im sat in bed, which currently consists of a sleeping bag because my stuffs being delivered tomorrow and i'm all alone because the poor boyfriend has work tomorrow back home...wait, what am i talking about - this is home now! Scary! Naturally i've been going through the motions! When the boyfriend and i arrived it was nearly 9.30pm...(we left at 6pm!!), the boy then unloaded the car - full to the brim with my essentials for the next two nights while i'm here - and showed me how to turn the heating and the hot water on (since when did you have to turn the heating on!!) clearly i've lived a sheltered life in my parents old house where the hot water just comes out the tap and you dont need to do anything to get it going...so then at 9.50pm the boyf said he had better get going, since he has to drive back 85miles and get up for work at 7am...well that was it then...tears came flooding out of my eyes!!! As soon as he left i was angry at myself for moving! So after a while, speaking to my sister, the boyfs brother and anyone else i could call or text, going on the internet and getting the bed ready, i suddenly felt much better. Im supposed to be some 'independant woman' as the boyfriend calls me as he does his (somewhat exaggerated) impression of me strutting around, bossing him about, clicking my fingers saying 'girlfriend!!!' in an American accent...but here i was wallowing because i've moved into a fabulous 3 bedroom house with a garden in SE1...i dont get me either... All i know is, this is it!!! EEEEEEK!!!!

What the....

2008-10-19T13:20:00.003+01:00

Woah, the Internet is working!!! It hasnt worked for AGES on this computer...how strange! I thought i had better make the most of it and give another mini-update of the relocation...

I have got the busiest week ever coming up, in 5 days i have got to go to London twice for interviews and make it back home in time to work where i am at the moment, i've also got to pack and on Thursday i'm moving! woooooooooo! Right....so...pack, pack, interview, work, pack, interview, move stuff into house, work, work, work, move me and boyfriend into house, get food, unpack, have boyfriends aunty up, unpack some more...the list is endless and its back and forth from here to London...but, as i keep telling myself, its one week of mayhem...thats all! Then the real mayhem will begin, if what i've heard about living in London is right!

Speaking of which, i had to go to London twice last week to sign contracts, pay more money (for the house) than i've ever paid before...I always thought that any receipt that said they had taken nearly £4000 out of my account would at least say 'prada' at the top...!!! At least only half of that was mine...mwaha! Poor boyfriend!

Actually i dont know why i'm saying poor boyfriend, he made us get a 'mocha' i.e brown sofa the other day! Now theres nothing wrong with brown, in fact the sofa is big and plush and comfy (as much as i'd like to inform you that i got it from some fabulous independent furniture designer, the reality is that its from DFS) but its really nice...i actually picked it, the problem lies only in the colour! I wanted plum!!! dammit! The boyfriend and I stood in DFS, extremely tired from a very long day of being at work, having to go to London and being stuck in a car for 4 and a half hours due to an accident on the only main road into town...which meant i was STUCK and couldn't even get back home, and we very irritably 'discussed' the colour. I tried to persuade him that the plum will tie in perfectly with the truffle, teal and deep raspberry that i had already decided we were having...but he had none of it. And in the end, the compromise was that i could have plum/raspberry cushions and a statement chair of my choice (providing he doesnt hate it).

Its amazing what you can argue about...sorry, not argue...'discuss'! So the 'fun' of relocating will be over in the next week, but until then i have a list as long as my arm to do! Im really missing blogging, i keep a list of things i want to write about in my Filofax and its getting quite long, so as soon as i've settled in, let the backlog begin! Note to self: write about tomato red over the knee suede boots, the girl on the tube wearing Christopher Kane and the joys of picking colour schemes - cant beat it!

Hi!

2008-10-05T23:19:00.002+01:00

Again, just a quickie to let you all know that I havent given up on my beloved blog or died, i'm just in the middle of the big relocation. So by the end of the month i promise FBF will be back to normal. We have officially got the best place ever. We managed to get our hands on a 3 bed house, with a garden and a private parking space in Southwark so i am 'super-stoked', as one would say! hehe....we went from looking at bedsits that were being passed off as '1 bed flats' to this amazing house, it was such luck, and it was way more expensive but so worth it. The littlest room is officially my walk in wardrobe (BEAM!!!!) and the second room is a spare/studio room...the boyfriend was feeling generous, since he has two sheds!!! in our new garden. Also we get to keep our car (yay!) and we've just been given a 1 year old Vespa, which the boyfriends brother is no longer in need of, to pop around London on (how hilarious!!!) and both the boyfriend and i have motorbike licenses so we dont need nasty old L plates! YAY! Im very in love with my new life already and i havent even moved yet - a couple of weeks to go...ahhhh!!! Sounds all too perfect huh?...

Oh the fun to come...

2008-09-27T19:22:00.009+01:00

Goodness me! What a time i've been having...for a start, i have been rushed off my feet SO much that there was just no time for blogging which makes me feel really guilty when i check my stats and see all the people that have clicked on and there has been nothing new to read, so for that i am sorry, however, i have some exciting news (exciting for me anyway!)...as of Monday i hand in my notice to my current employer and in 4 weeks time i am moving to LONDON!!!! woohoo! (hopefully if we can find a flat anyway - otherwise i'll be sca-rewed!!!)

Its all very exciting for me and the boyf at the moment. Hes been offered this amazing job in the city (im just going to temp probably, until i hopefully get into CSM again - theres a lot of work to be done in the next 3 months) but luckily we've been EXTREMELY good and responsible and have made ourselves as financially stable as we can, and we have literally bought everything one needs for their home. The only things we need to get are a table and a microwave and thats IT!

Its a really strange time for me at the moment...i've planned to move to London most of my life...when i got into CSM last year, i cried nearly everyday in excitement before realising that the responsible thing would be to defer and save up, in which time my boyfriend and i decided to move in together and everything has been put on hold again. I have promised myself that i wont give up my dreams for anybody and that if i want to follow them i should do what i can to make things happen. Most days somebody asks why i havent moved yet and then i have to go all through the reasons i'm not starting at CSM this year...blah blah blah...and i dont really like having to explain myself to people...it took me two years before i would even go to college so another 2 years out before uni is nothing i cant handle. People always say 'oh you'll change as you get older, you wont want to go to uni...', i hate that!

I have changed ALOT over the years, i'm not a teenager anymore (however much i act like one) and yes i do have quite a responsible job, but ultimately my passions have not changed...i still adore sewing and painting, maybe nowadays i don't do it as much BECAUSE i work full time...that is a sad fact, but all the more reason to get into CSM again! Gimme days of sewing and painting, researching and lazing around, give me long mornings at home and time to throw on an outfit with slightly more effort and excitement...and to actually have time to have breakfast and plait my hair! That will beat working anyday!

I cant wait for people to come up to visit us, and for us to be able to try as many different restaurants as humanly possible! I cant wait to spend my very first Crimbo in London, and most importantly i cannot wait to have my amazing 2 and a half year old nephew up...he will LOVE IT!!! Thats the only thing that is a bit of a sensitive subject though...my family :oS i'm only moving about 85 miles away but for some reason it feels more like I'm emigrating. I'm the very first person in my whole huge family to ever move to a different city too! The boyf has a tiny family (mum, dad, 1 brother, 2 aunties and 3 cousins) whereas i have this HUGE family (made up of mum, dad, 3 sisters, a brother in law, a nephew, countless aunties, uncles, cousins, grandparents...) theres loads of us, so i'm always surrounded by people and all of a sudden i'm realising how much i'm going to miss everybody! :o( cue sad face! AND i have recently been realising that i have NEVER used a washing machine in my life?!?! Nope not ever! My mum has always done it for me! She wakes up at 4am and starts work at 7am so everything is always done before i wake up, even the days i have to wake up at 5am. There ya go, thats the boyfriends first chore then - to teach me how to do the washing! Although i've seen him doing his and even i can tell he's not doing it properly...even i know (from washing powder adverts) that you're meant to wash darks and lights separately!! I don't trust him with my delicates thats for sure!! And i dont really know how to hoover because we have wooden floors, which we swiffer! Oh the fun to come...! I can see alot of my favorite things being ruined over the next couple of months...perhaps i'll locate the nearest dry-cleaners before we actually move in!

What can ya do...?

2008-09-20T10:47:00.009+01:00

So there you have it…my first designer buy. A momentous occasion in my life (albeit one of slightly lesser importance than most momentous occasions) but still momentous to me. The next day at work I told everybody about my new Rick Owens Lilies top, everyone gasped in shock at the price (these are mostly people that have never been exposed to designer goods), and I beamed joyously at the forthcoming delivery. I sat there busying myself, convincing myself it would arrive today so not to expect it to (my tactic to avoid disappointment - always think of the worst scenario, so you’ll never be disappointed) ….and then….there it was…the DHL van!! I leaped for joy and was even more excited to be able to share the moment with the only colleague who understands ‘proper’ fashion (what a hideous term but you get what I mean) as she just happened to be there at the time. We all stood grinning as the delivery man had me sign and as soon as he was gone I fought through the packaging to find my top. At first I was slightly overwhelmed and tried to figure out where the arm holes are and how to put it on. After I figured it out I put it on immediately and everybody looked…and no one said anything…you could take this as a sign of adoration of said new top, but unfortunately it wasn’t so. The top was not, I repeat NOT worth the money I spent on it, and I could see that in every bodies eyes. I ignored their obvious disappointment and stuck up for my purchase, informing them that the actual design is what im paying for. But nope, that didn’t last long…the more I inspected it the more I found faults….seams running really wonky, loose threads…even the actual label wasn’t sewn on properly - it was all wrong! So back its going…. :o(

On the up-hand, I did go straight into town after work to drown my sorrows (in mounds of clothes) and spent equally what I spent on the Rick Owens top. I came back loaded up with bags and got some of the most divine items of clothing I have ever bought ever! What luck that was! Not only did I get a gorgeous jumper and a stunning little cardigan but I also bought THE most beautiful thin black drapey jumper from Kookai. Honestly its perfect, more perfect than the Rick Owens one, more perfect than anything I own. Infact its so lovely that I’m actually returning about 3 other jumper/tops that I bought last week because compared they just aren’t up to scratch! So that makes the Kookai jumper practically free! (in my mind anyway!)… plus as I was leaving the Kookai store, I suddenly noticed they had the same top in rich emerald green (i LOVE green!!! I’m pale, very blonde and have green eyes so green is a good colour on me - unlike brown!) So I fully intend on purchasing the green one too - a girls gotta have some variety after all! And how often do you get really gorgeous bright knitwear! Kookai never lets me down when it comes to knitwear…infact I can honestly say that over the years I have bought a lot from there, and have never bought anything other than knitwear!

All this is all down to the working wardrobe dilemma…I say I don’t like it but then I find something gorgeous for work and suddenly I love work wear…then I get something that looks awful and it’s the most difficult thing in the whole world ever! For instance…I bought this top below from Topshop for £28 after eyeing it up for a long time, and I worked loads of other outfit combinations around it and bought skirts to go with it etc…only to actually get it through the post and discover it looks hideous on me…! So now I’ve got about £70 worth of random things to return due to discovering disappointment and hatred towards them!

Before I go into town with my mound of returns from online and from not trying anything on before purchasing it, im waiting for one last thing. I bought this skirt from Topshop for £32 (surprise surprise) and it’s a bit of a ‘wild card’ type of thing. Its something I’d like to wear but is not within my ‘safe for work’ radar.

Im seeing this with either my new gorgeous black jumper from Kookai or a lovely roll neck jumper (covering the slightly corseted detail at the top due to possibly inappropriate-for-work-ness) and really thick black tights and super high black heels…and of course I will have enough time in the morning to give myself great huge Roisin Murphy hair a la ‘You know me better’ and I will need nothing more than a smart black baby clutch for my phone, card and tube pass and of course a skinny latte….yeah right!!

Besides the fact that I never do my hair, I also am a total bag lady and cant live without my life in a sak that i sling over my shoulder everyday, but I also hate coffee - so lets make that a hot chocolate (with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder - a shot of hazelnut…it will be winter after all!)

Right, rant over! If anybody does have sound officewear advice, please let me in on it. Infact really i'm just having trouble deciding whether things are smart and appropriate enough to wear in an office environment in London...after all, working in forensic phsyicatrics in the middle of nowhere has wharped my sense of 'appropriate'...

It's finally happened!

2008-09-17T21:28:00.009+01:00

Yep thats right....i'm no longer a designer virgin! I know it may be shocking to know, but i have never actually bought a proper piece of designer clothing...please, stop pelting me with rocks! Theres a good reason!! Where i live there are no designer shops...the most designer you get here is John lewis...yeah...no joke. And although anyone could say i coulda bought something online and returned it, i just couldn't be bothered with it. For a start it wasnt until my new manager started (who has just as much of a shopping habit as i do) that i was able to order parcels to be delivered to my workplace and therefore returning goods that don't fit or i dont like was SUCH a pa lava!!!!! Seriously! But for many MANY years i have adored online sites, but i just needed that first piece of 'investment' designer wear. I thought perhaps a coat....nah...a dress...nah...shoes?!...nah...i am still holding out for my first pair of designer heels...they need to be PERFECT...like really perfect...and then it hit me! Something demure, something small, something i can wear to work, to play, to slouch...something i can wear every friggin day if i want to...and there it was...the Rick Owens 'Lilies' jersey top. It was so beautiful when i first saw it that i actually gasped 'its perfect...' and was just as beautiful when i purchased it today (to be delivered to my office either tomorrow or friday).

Now i know it may not be overly exciting to all you guys...it's hardly a Valentino gown or a pair of McQueen heels...heck its not even a Westwood skirt BUT it is perfect for me. It'll fit into my life like chocolate does - very easily! I will wear it to work...and more importantly to my interview(s), i will wear it with casual jeans and flats, dressed up jeans and heels, i can wear it with a dress when its a bit nippy and i can wear it at home lounging around (although perhaps that is just going a bit too far...i mean, it was £161 including shipping, reduced from £220 - not LOADS of money i know, but when you're in the process of relocating to London and actually care what your flat looks like and the furniture that goes in it and save as much money as possible, then it is alot!).

Now lets face it...we may as well be honest: the boyf doesn't know. And long shall that remain how it is...after all...well...he'd kill me...or WORST, make me take it back!! Yes, ladies this has happened before...only once in coming up 5 years so it must have been for a reason! I bought a pair of heels that were not only expensive but absolutely hideously ridiculous. Looking back, I'm glad he made me return them...although i wish he hadnt actually marched me back to the store and stood at the door of the shop with his arms cross watching me to make sure i returned them...haha! Oh memories...see thats what happens when you actually show you're boyfriend your purchases...i have learned to just not show him...unless ofcourse they were bargainous and he cant say anything. But i know he will think this cardigan is the biggest waste of money ever and i know my theory on the cost per use just wont cut it with him...so this one will have to remain a secret. I'm thinking of slipping it into conversation in a few months time when he's due to buy textile motorbike gear which will cost around the same as the top. Sure the gear is serving more of a purpose than my cardi but different folks and all that...PLUS i will never let him forget the fact that he bought an £8000 motorbike, £1000 Alpine Stars leathers and a £500 Arai helmet...now...whos the shopaholic now huh?!

Hello All!

2008-09-16T14:21:00.003+01:00

Right, this has to be a quickie for various reasons, but i thought i would explain my blog-neglect recently, obviously besides the holiday. Since i got back its all gone wrong, my phone (which is primarily my camera) has broken, my laptop needs new security stuff (McAfee/Norton etc) but im having trouble with it (i have paid for it but its not working so i cant use my computer and im not, i repeat NOT, buying it again! Thats a pair of shoes!!!), my work now doesn't allow blogging sites to be accessed (fair enough), and i am having the most difficult time moving to London. The whole process is not the fairy tale i have dreamed of. For a start, i have decided not to do my foundation year at Central Saint Martins, simply because i studied A -level Fine art, Textiles, Photography and Media and therefore apparently don't 'need' to do a foundation year because i already have a varied portfolio so i am moving to London anyway, getting a job and applying straight for the degree in January...i'm quite sad about it but its so much money to do the foundation and if i'm not going to benefit from it as my sources have said then there's no point struggling to do it...phew!

So thats that out the way...now for the job...how hard is it getting a job in London!? My god! I think its probably not so hard, its just me being awkward and unwilling. For you see, i genuinely like my job and dont really want to leave it (this probably makes it worst for my manager who keeps trying to convince me not to go and then trying to convince me that i can commute...i really cant) and theres also the fact that i'm quite clearly going to end up doing financial administration like i used to...boring? yes! Ofcourse its boring and no matter how hard you try, there is just no real way of squeezing fab clothes into that environment...from my experience anyway! Lord knows i'll try though!! I've already picked out the most boring/smart heels i own for my meeting in the financial district on monday, which i have to tell you are so appropriately named after my boyfriend haha!! No lie - the box says 'James' on them haha!

Im trying my best to stay positive but at the moment i feel like i'm making very little progress whereas the boyfriend is onto his 3rd interview and we've only been back a week! Atleast theres the aspect of having to go shopping for interview/work clothes (my place is very smart casual so theres a definite need for new clothes) but even this is more of a chore than an enjoyment...because lets face it...there's nothing worst than boring clothes...

...oh...and not to put even more of a downer on this post (whoops! sorry it wasnt my intention!) but i also have...a wisdom tooth coming through...yep just to top it all off i have a wisdom tooth and i'm not currently with a dentist...great! Another thing to add to the list...you gotta laugh right! Could be much worst! :o) I promise i'll be back soon - I've got so much to talk about!

The foundation issue...

2008-09-07T17:42:00.006+01:00

So now that the tan is here...well...was here, i have been thinking about the issue of foundation shades. I usually have issues with this anyway...When i go to the cosmetics counters to get a foundation they ALWAYS! ALWAYS!!!!?!?!? (sorry, i must calm down)....they always try to give me the wrong shade 'to warm up your skin tone a bit'...GRR! WHY!?

This is why so many unsuspecting girls are strolling around looking orange-faced...because the girls at the cosmetics counters have fooled them into thinking that the shade of' 'Burnt biscuit' is better than just admitting that you're a 'Pale beige' or an 'Ivory'....I don't mean to rant, but i cant tell you how many times i went to cosmetics counters and good ones at that - Clinique for example - and am told to get a certain shade, only to get home, use it and take it straight off. Fling it in my drawer and head to ASDA round the road. to quickly buy a Rimmel or Maybelline foundation in Ivory...what a waste of 20 quid on the Clinique one.

And its not just Clinique (i love Clinique products!), its No7, Benefit...you name it i've tried it! I should've listened to the warning bells in my head sooner, and for the first time last year i finally managed to stand up to the cosmetics lady. Along i went (with my big sister for support) and told myself i was to ask for my actual skin tone. So off i went, confident and sure of myself, i hovered a bit at first while the lady helped somebody else and thought i might just be able to do it myself, unfortunately all the boxes of products at Clinique are the same and you'd need a map to figure out which is which! So i waited for the lady and i took my seat, told her what i wanted and she grabbed a couple of samples and i soon relaxed...but as soon as i saw the squirts of tan-ornage foundation on her hand i practically fell off my chair i backed up so hard! And as firmly as i could i told her i wanted a foundation that matched my skintone perfectly, that would be the perfect bare-faced looking base for everyday...and what did she say?...'oh well you want a slightly darker tone to warm up your complexion a bit'.....NOOO!!!!!

Luckily for me i seemed to have a very firm grasp on the situation and absolutely insisted on having a perfectly matching shade. After about 15 minutes and 30 different products and shades, she finally found a shade that matched! Hallelujah! So ofcourse i purchased it! Only problem with these people is she then added...yes, added...a pore minimiser and an exfoliating scrub to my 'order' if you will. Can you believe it! When i questioned her, she simply said 'oh...well it would definitely be worth it'...yes thats fair enough, maybe my pores did need slightly minimising and in conversation i had asked her how to use an exfoliation scrub but that didn't mean i asked to buy them! PFF!....

So atleast after that experience i had the PERFECT foundation ever! I wore it everyday and it made the hugest difference to my complexion! Only problem now is, i have a slight tan - what some would call 'sunkissed' and my freckles are out of control! Which i LOVE! my dad says i look about 5 and my boyfriends mum looked like she wanted to eat my cheeks as she said how cute my freckles are...but what does one do with freckles? Tinted mousturiser? But which colour?

I'm not my usual shade '02' now so what does a girl do? I've heard about those liquids that you add to your usual foundation when you tan but do they really work? hmmm....and how long does a tan last? Is it worth waiting rather than investing in a shade that you'll only use for 2 weeks? All these questions over something so trivial ay? And suddenly after all that dreaming of having a healthy glow and having a bit of colour...i realise i miss my pale skin! I may even celebrate the return of my natural shade by trying out a bit of Dainty Doll by Jelly Pong Pong and Nicola Roberts in 'Ivory'...what a great idea that was! I often wondered what truly pale people do about foundation. There are girls in this world who have flaming orange hair and the whitest skin ever, and now they have a foundation to match their skintone too...aptly named 'white'! I must admit, i am a bit of a red-head obsessive. I would love to have flaming red hair and porcelain skin! I think its beautiful.

I'm back!

2008-09-07T17:30:00.012+01:00

So did you missed me blog? I certainly missed you! Well ok, i kinda missed you...i wanted to miss you, but when you're lazing in the sun, you almost forget you have a life at home. As i'm sure i made everybody aware, i went on my long-awaited trip to Jamaica with the boy...heaven? Yes! It was more than heaven...

As i lay on the beach looking out over the crystal sea and into the clear blue sky, i realised i could've stayed there forever. It's a strange thing. I havent been away for years and i'm certainly not a sun worshipper...i couldn't be one even if i wanted to. Im as pale as pale gets for someone who isn't albino or a red-head and i accepted it a long time ago, and i embrace it! I couldn't bleach my hair like i do if i had even the slightest tan - otherwise i'd look like a playboy bunny (especially with my hooters! Good gracious!), so it was strange to lie in the sun enjoying it.

I spent most of my time in the sea, but when i laid on that sunbed, with the sea calmly washing over me every now and then, the sun beating on me and the Caribbean breeze blowing ever so slightly...well...i think that says it all. And before anyone thinks i'm trying to rub in the fact that i've just gotten back from a tropical holiday...well don't worry...it didn't stay like that for long...one word: Gustav!

Yes, hurricane Gustav...The first week was heaven and then suddenly the sea got choppy, the clouds appeared and then promptly turned grey and black, the wind began blowing quite harshly and there was a notice board up informing us of the predicted route of the Hurricane. Well, i thought, we're ok, its going over Cuba, but we have to watch out as its passing close by. Pfff..what now? So we watched American TV in our room, read 9 books between us, read magazines, played cards which resulted in several pillow fights and generally spent time relaxing (just not in the sun)...then it happened...the board was updated and showed Gustav totally change course and head straight for us. We had another day until it would pass over us but we had heard it had already caused alot of devastation...

"Hurricane Gustav was the seventh tropical cyclone, third hurricane and second major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Gustav caused serious damage and casualties in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, and the United States.

It formed on the morning of August 25, 2008, about 260 miles (420 km) southeast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and rapidly strengthened into a tropical storm that afternoon and into a hurricane early on August 26. Later that day it made landfall near the Haitian town of Jacmel. It inundated Jamaica and ravaged Western Cuba and then steadily moved across the Gulf of Mexico.

On August 31, the NHC predicted with 81% probability that Gustav would remain at Category 3 or above on September 1, but on September 1 at 9:30 a.m. CDT (1430 UTC the center of Gustav made landfall in the United States along the Louisiana coast near Cocodrie as a strong Category 2 hurricane (1 mph below Category 3), and dropped to Category 1 four hours later, and to a tropical depression the following day. Gustav continued moving northwest through Louisiana, before slowing down significantly as it moved through Arkansas on September 3.

As of September 3, 120 deaths had been attributed to Gustav in the U.S. and Caribbean. A first estimate of the damage in all countries is US$20 billion." - Wikipedia

When it actually passed over us, it was about 4am and it was terrifying. Somebody said to me, on my return to England, 'oh its just a bit of wind and rain'...clearly that person had never been in a tropical hurricane! My most prominent memory was the power going on, off, on, off....the TV going and then a sudden crash and an explosion right outside our room. It was apparently a transformer exploding when a palm tree fell on something or other...

So there you have it...the usual holiday experience? No...but besides those 4 days when the hurricane passed over, it was absolute bliss and i'd recommend anybody to go! I have to admit though, as we were packing up and getting ready, i was suddenly desperate to go home and yearned for England. Not once during the holiday did i buy anything remotely fashion related and i didn't have the urge to blog once due to lack of inspiration. But now that i'm back, my heads a buzz with ideas, inspiration and most importantly...the move to London. ahhh....home sweet home!

YES!!!

2008-08-11T17:52:00.007+01:00

Just a quick post to say that, FINALLY i've got them. Yep, you guessed it, another pair of Topshop heels (i'm not working for them i swear! - although i was offered a job but thats a different story!). Its a pair that i've been admiring for a very long time and i'm surprised they even have any left after all this time. You guessed it, the 'sporty strap sandal' by Unique in white (although the blue was EXTREMELY tempting)....ahhh! Relief! This is one of those pairs, that you really want and really like, but are not your usual style, therefore you put them to the back of your mind and try to forget about them and focus on your more average pair of heels...for me, its a platform and round toe...and always leather (me and polyurethane shoes don't mesh well). So as you may be aware, i'm not a sandal kinda gal. I don't like flimsy looking shoes and i don't really like the idea of exposing my feet...not because there's anything wrong with them at all and i don't have one of those fears of feet (like my dad does) but i just don't like the idea of my tootsies being exposed to the possibility of being stepped on, or cold. But these babies are right up my street. For a start they look sturdy and the leather straps look tough. My only gripe would be that the little tiny skinny heels look 'wood-stacked' and a bit cheap...i may have to carefully spray or paint them another colour or jewell-encrust them or something!...hmm! We'll see, when they arrive tomorrow. I just hope they fit. Another reason i have issues with open toes, is because i have short but wide feet...i'm a 5/38 length but 6/39 width so sometimes there about a centimetre of space left where my toes end and i HATE it...we'll see. If they're just all wrong i may have to return them...but oh well, all i know is, they weren't worth 85 quid to me....but £40...that i can deal with! And i'm definitely thinking that they will go well with my Stella-esque 3 quarter length, sleeveless, grey, French Connection playsuit! yay!

Vroom vroom!

2008-08-10T12:07:00.005+01:00

As the summer comes to an end, after barely even beginning, unfortunately for some of us, it is time to hang up our sun dresses, put on proper shoes and prepare for the cold months ahead…! Yesterday it rained…and rained…and rained even harder. Today it isn’t raining but it is very overcast and its not particularly warm either. But it’s not just us fashion lovers who suffer…there is a whole group of people out there who are suffering far more…bikers. My dad is a biker, I have a bike license (but no bike, which is annoying) but most importantly is my boyfriend. He is a biker through and through. He has been since he was 16 and will be for the rest of his life. As of today, due to the weather just not being good enough, the fact that we’re going away and then moving to London where he wont be able to use it in the winter, he is parting ways with his dearly beloved Kawasaki ZX6R…his Ninja. It is to him, what my shoes are to me…it is his baby. It’s all just material I know, but sometimes you can really really adore something inanimate. And this will be the first time in 6 years he wont have a bike. All hope is not lost however; as he will be purchasing a new bike come spring time and is off to Italy for two weeks of riding with his friend…jealous? Me?…yes! Who wouldn’t be, but I’m not going to pull an Eve McGregor and totally cut in on a boys bike trip a la Long way Down! So farewell Ninja, I was very fond of you. If it weren’t for you I’d never have known what 140mph feels like…and for anyone interested, it feels…well…fast!

I am actually quite sad to see the green machine going, it made the boyfriend very happy indeed and now when he moans at me about my shoe collection I can’t say ‘sorry?….how much was your new bike again?’ DARNIT!!!! But in keeping with the bike theme, and the fact that the boyfriend is hanging up his leathers for the winter, I may have to un-hang my leathers in the form of a Belstaff trench. My dad wears Belstaff gear, (the boyfriend wears Alpine Stars - naturally), but I didn’t realise for a long time that they have actual collections. Where was I? It wasn’t until I was reading Vogue that I saw the advertisement for it, which I liked the striking simplicity of.

Now I’m pretty sure that wearing a leather trench on a super sports bike is never going to be a good idea, so when I get my own bike and/or go on the back of the boyfriends, I may have to stick with my girl-cut textile gear (it’s got stars embroidered on it! Visit GirlsBike2.com). But I still am incredibly interested in the beautiful centrepiece to the autumn/winter collection. This season Belstaff's senior creative director, Manuele Malenotti created pieces inspired by Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly a plane across the Atlantic. I am definitely seeing the influence, although I wish that beautiful leather flying hats, scarves and goggles could have also been included in the collection. It was have made the influence way obvious but I would have been totally sold on the idea! The collection in it’s entirety is very simplistic with clean lines and neat tailoring and the odd biker-esque leather jacket. But this trench, tightly belted at the waist has definitely caught my attention! It is stunning!

It's a shoe thing...

2008-08-10T10:11:00.004+01:00

Hmmm….square-toed….square-toed….Why haven’t I given this more thought, instead of constantly heading straight for round toed. Heels play on my mind a lot. You see I’m not a fan of pointed ‘Essex-girl’ stilettos, except when Kylie wore a fluro pair with combats for her 'Love at first sight' video. Perhaps that’s why I’ve always been a Louboutin fan rather than a manolo lover. Shoes are a fickle thing…with love comes hate. I hate bad shoes…but who decides what’s good and bad…me I guess! I am the consumer after all.

I prefer Louboutins over the typical Manolo because of the style of toe and heel, the same reason why I prefer Louboutins over the Choos…because I’m not a jewelled sandal kinda gal. At least not yet anyway. I have definite shoe prejudice. I assume all Manolo’s are mid-heeled with very long pointed toes and assume all Choos are jewelled sandals. Out of the shoe biggies (the ‘big 3’ as I like to call them) I’m always probably going to go for a round-toed ‘Very Prive’ black, platform stiletto by Monsieur Louboutin….I’m just stuck on that style. But all of a sudden, with the idea of having some extra cash lying about after I move and the decision that I will be investing in my first pair of designer heels, I have to ask myself what I really want. Anyone who knows me, would say that my heart yearns for the red sole.

In my head I think about London and my boyfriend who works in investments. Is it really how people say it is in that world? Will I, at some point, in my boyfriends career have to go to some sort of corporate event and be expected to be a piece of immaculate arm candy. The boyfriend has nothing to worry about. He’s tall, handsome, strapping and looks amazing in a suit…but me…I’m short (5 foot) and curvy and tailoring can look good and bad on me. So lets work from the feet upwards. I decided a long time ago that I must invest in a good, solid pair of designer heels for such an occasion, but I need a pair that will see me through any kind of event…so naturally I decided black would be appropriate and safe. But what kind?? Louboutins? Kirkwood’s? McQueen? Dior? Marni? If I’m going to make an investment surely I should pick something exciting and note-worthy…the kind that people will see and think ’ooh they’re nice’…perhaps they could even be a conversation starting pair…’oh I love your shoes…where did you get them from?’… but saying that, is label important? And is black the best way to go? Nude will surely allow more flexibility and I don’t necessarily want to go with an LBD…I may want to breeze wearing some fantastic Pugh creation (in my dreams…ahhh) But what makes a good-quality pair of heels? I know Manolo Blahnik is renowned for making beautiful, sturdy heels that are supposed to last, but does that mean I should trawl through racks of heels in styles I don’t like or…should I just go to Topshop?! But then am I also expecting too much from the big smoke…is it really all it’s cracked up to be…all I know is, these McQueen’s, but more importantly, that metal toe…has got my heart racing…see this is what happens when you live in a designer-shoe deprived area of England…you just can’t rely on internet alone…I can’t wait to move, and I cant wait to get myself into one of those department stores (Liberty, Harrods, Selfridges…) and actually try on pair after pair until I find my true sole-mate! (Heels by Alexander McQueen at Net-a-porter.com on sale now for £476 from £680)

Cats eyes

2008-08-09T09:18:00.002+01:00

Blast from the past or what? I don’t know about you, but when you were 14, was there something that you relied on everyday. A comfort thing? A particular hair band, a particular scarf. Your favourite lip-gloss? For one of my best friends it was and still is blusher. Mine, well, I don’t really have anything now. I go to work bare-faced at least 4 out of 5 days…some may think of that as shocking but I’m definitely appreciating the fact that I’m young enough to go to work fresh faced and look…well…fresh! Not tired, no bags under the eyes - yet! I think it’s the mix of blonde hair and pale freckly skin that does it, its all very ‘surfy‘ and when you live in the South, that‘s totally acceptable. Although a nude face requires perfect, strong eyebrows and Vaseline on the lips. Plus I have uber sensitive skin and makeup makes me break out so I’m having a transitional period with make-up. I’m trying to figure out my new regime and am thinking of investing in better quality basics…I knew I’d go crawling back to Clinique!

But back to the point…when I was 14, everyday I relied on heavy black kohl, I practically ate the stuff! I applied it before school, reapplied when I got to school and throughout the day too. It was my trademark and the lines went from corner to corner with little flicks (it wasn‘t as hideous as Amy Winehouse‘s eye makeup I swear). When I was feeling awake enough I always added little points by my nose too…this was my favourite. Nowadays I only ever do black kohl when I’m going out and I don’t really do such dramatic corner to corner lines. Its a more sophisticated and cleaner look nowadays, but I did and still do love the kohl look…so you can imagine my shock when I saw the makeup for Jean Paul Gaultier autumn/winter 08-09.…exactly the same as my trademark look. I was flabbergasted! It has definitely spiked a little pulse in my heart and I may have to look into doing this again, although I think I’ll wait until my EXTREMELY belated birthday night out…yes, my birthday was end of July, Im away soon and don’t get back til September, so I have to wait until September pay day. But I’m seeing bouffant hair, LBD’s, super high heels and lashingss of eyeliner!

Ooh and after much digging I have actually managed to find an old pic of me at 14 years old. It’s quite out of focus but you can definitely see the eyeliner! Urgh my hair is such an awful blonde and my roots are awful!! Thank god I’m in my 20’s, that’s all I say! Nowadays I take the shade of my hair far more seriously! ooh! Please also excuse the bull ring and the lip stud, they are real, but i don't wear them now....although most of the time i think i'd like to! I remember thinking i was very cool when i was 14.

Wedding bells...and feathers...

2008-08-08T20:18:00.005+01:00

Ok, so it’s something that pretty much every little girl dreams about right?…her wedding day? I know I certainly did, I know I dressed as a bride using a table cloth, I know I sketched different dresses when I was 8, and I know I spend my pre-teens and teens and post-teens having lengthy discussions about it with my friends and sisters…but I think nowadays it’s a totally different concept, nowadays a wedding doesn‘t really mean ‘ooh lovely, I have a husband to take care of and I can become a housewife/mum‘ (not that theres anything wrong with that), but it’s a far classier affair nowadays - or it can be anyway! A wedding is basically a holiday, you get dressed up, celebrate the fact you love your partner, have a party and go on holiday, only to then return to your life, exactly how you left it (minus a loaf of bread and a pint of milk in the fridge). Its a WAG eat WAG world out there and people will get into life-ruining debt for things like wedding days. Me? I’ve got specific ideas about what I’d like my wedding day to be like (despite the boyfriend of 4 and a half years assuring me, it’s never gonna happen - he’s shy…you can imagine my face…) anyway, back to ignoring the boyfriends wedding ‘joke‘, on my wedding day I don’t want any of this meringue, floor length gown business, none of this hideous bridesmaid business…I don’t want a church, I don’t want a reception full of family members I’ve never even met, I don’t want horrible favours ruining the composition of the table design, I don’t want tacky plastic horseshoes…in fact, from the sounds of it, you’re probably thinking I want a simple 10 minute, civil ceremony…well, you’re kinda right…but you see, I just don’t want to spend thousands on all of the above junk, because I would rather get myself into terrible debt/not buy anything for 2 years in order to get married in…a McQueen…yes…I don’t want a horse and carriage…I want a McQueen! Not just any McQueen…this McQueen…

This McQueen in white. Maybe with the ends of the feathers dipped in another colour or even with Swarovski crystals glued to the ends of the feathers, but definitely white…not only that, but I want the highest platform heels and the most extravagant headdress I can find, and its going to be DRIPPING with crystals and lace tulle…maybe even feathers hehe! Feathers, crystals and tulle...could it be any more of a little girls fantasy...oh I get so excited thinking about it! EEEEEEEK!!! Maybe this is why the boyfriend is terrified of marriage - who knows. All I know is we’re only 21 and 22 and we’ve still got a couple of months until we even move in together for the first time so he’s got plenty of time to further adjust to my insanity :oD I’ve always known, if the opportunity came that I would marry in London, have a ‘city wedding’ and I would wear something shorter than floor length in order to run through a crowd of pigeons in central London…that’s my dream day anyway, and I’d try very hard to make it as unconventional and fun as possible. And I know that the boyfriends lovely mother reads the blog sometimes so Karen: You have been warned! :oD

Ashleigh hearts William Sharp!

2008-08-08T18:44:00.002+01:00

Ever get days where everything’s the same even when its different and you find it difficult to feel excited about anything? Well today was a bit of a strange day, I’m not entirely sure why, I think its because I am literally just holding on to my sanity because its 12 days until I go away…yeah I know I mention it a lot, but when you work for the NHS…well, you know! Haha! So I spent the morning at home, something very odd for me, and I was totally alone because my sister got herself a job as of yesterday and my parents were at work anyway…boring! I had until 2pm, when I started work, to entertain myself and I just didn’t know what to do. I’m never at home, I’ve always got something scheduled in. So I watched This Morning and ate Golden nugget cereal and vegged out…bad move! By the time I got to work, I was exhausted from doing nothing and have remained that way until now. I’ve been generally lulling about the office for the past 4 hours and finally decided to do something constructive - so I read Elle magazine. Again, although I love Elle mag to bits, I just couldn’t get excited…until I saw this William Sharp hat!

EEK! Its so lovely and the shape is so exaggerated yet still subtle and wearable. I actually adore it! It’s Swarovski crystals and cashmere (may I just say…YUM!) It has definitely woken me up from my boredom coma…that, and the fact that our lovely Thai chef has made me possibly THE most delicious lemon and strawberry parfe, to lift my spirits while I work the Friday night shift! Mmmmm….its SO SO deliciously creamy and full fat and I‘m not sure what parfe is supposed to have in it, but I swear this one has tiny bits of meringue …its perfect! I’m sure I could have done with a smaller bowl of it, since I’m not even half way through and I’m struggling, but either way, its amazing! But back to the hat, according to Net-a-porter “London-based designer William Sharp trained as a milliner at Kensington and Chelsea College before setting up his label in 2000. Hand-finished cashmere accessories are his signature and fall’s gray or cream Swarovski-embellished scarves, hats and gloves are the height of cozy-chic” hmmmm! Sounds promising I’m sure you’ll agree. The hat featured in Elle isn’t actually available on Net-a-porter, but the price is £570...unreasonable?…not necessarily! Can I afford one….abso-friggin-lutely not!!! There are fairly reasonably priced pieces online, around the £100 mark, including Swarovski ear muffs, but none of them excite me enough to invest and I’d rather have the one I fell in love with. It’s definitely the ear flaps that have got me…so I guess I had better get my rhinestones and fabric glue out pronto! Oh my goodness…this should absolutely be the end of the post, but I’ve just been on his official site, due to some last minute curiosity and I could have died….look at this hat….AHHH!

Now I’m definitely in love…Ashleigh hearts William Sharp! It almost rhymes!!

Stay calm...

2008-08-07T07:37:00.002+01:00

ahhhh!! So last night, i was driving to the boyfriends at about 10pm after i finished work, when sudden flashes of light lit up the sky over the motorway. Needless to say i was terrified, but not because i thought i was going to be abducted by aliens (even i'm not THAT stupid!) but because i'm scared of lightning. Goodness knows why! Its just one of those things...like wasps...yesterday at work there was a wasp and i practically dissolved in fear until i got our maintenance guy to get rid of the darn thing (humanely). Now the thing is, i'm not a total scaredy cat, but there are some things that i just cannot make myself ok with - like wasps and lightning! If you look at the facts, wasps sting and lightning can electrocute you...but its unlikely, even in my mind, that either will happen - so why so scared! WHO KNOWS! All i know is by the time i got home after seeing the boyfriend, it was really flashy! And as i lay in bed, i just became more awake and aware of it...so out came the computer. Yep, the only thing to take my mind off the lightning...fashion. Good old fashion. So in the spirit of my freaking out i searched for lightning related fashion and the most impressive concept i came up with were these Dsquared shoes with immense lightning bolt heels! I had admired them a while ago, but totally forgot about them!

After having stared at these for quite some time, i finally relaxed enough to go to sleep and dream of all the amazing ensembles i could create around these...imagine total contrast by wearing with a floaty chiffon mini dress! EEK! I love mean looking shoes and these are top of the list - up there with Louboutin for Rodarte! I've even gone so far as to convince myself that these are an important pair of investment heels and that one day, if i have a daughter, these will be one of those pairs of heels that will change her life forever...now i dont think thats dramatic. Actually, come to think of it...if i had a daughter and she wasn't a shoe size 6, or a 5 sometimes....who would i give my mammoth collection to?! Ah well...thats another story altogether! I'm not done with them yet!

It never usually bothers me but...

2008-08-05T22:36:00.004+01:00

NOW it does! Im talking underwear here people! I have big boobs - there's just no other way to describe them. They're not mammoth but they are 'plus size' i guess...they're 34E's (lets get that out the way)...don't worry - this post isn't a rant about my knockers, there is a purpose. Highstreet don't really sell E's, or atleast not in H&M, River Island, Miss Selfridge and more importantly...Topshop. Topshop, actually do the best underwear if you're wanting something extremely affordable and really stylish and a bit different. Unfortunately for the Breast-ically challenged, they do not cater for us. It's frustrating because i don't think they're an abnormal size so i find it almost weird that they don't go up to that size...i guess its like when shops don't stock sizes 6 and 16 - it just doesn't seem right (my older sisters a size 6 so its frustrating when i see something she'd love). Like they're totally refusing to cater for a massive audience! Now usually the underwear thing doesn't bother me too much...yeah sometimes, especially in Topshop i do get a little 'ohhhhhh!!!!!!' because there are some really cute things in there.

But at the end of the day, its just underwear and although i do see underwear as an integral part of the outfit, it's only you and maybe one other person thats going to see it anyway. Plus there are plenty of other places to get bras (even though they cost a fortune) and i can still buy pants and socks in Topshop! But all that positivity changed dramatically when i saw these...

...'OHHHHHHH!!!!' i WANT them - i NEED them! And the set is only £19!! Why don't they just make them one size bigger, just one cup size AHHHHHHHH!!!!! Is it too much to ask...huff! So there we have it. Until these go out of stock and off the website they are going to taunt me. What makes matters worst is that i really love the lipstick kiss print dress, that is yet to become available online and this underwear set would just be so much more practical, cheaper and more wearable than the lipstick print prom dress and would give me that bit of lipstick print satisfaction i crave...and yet i'm forced....yes, FORCED to purchase the less practical, more expensive and less likely to be worn dress (when its in store or online) all because they don't stock 34E's...so there we have it. I tried to be good with my money and purchases but they wont let me...so bring on the dress!

Doesn't it make you wonder...

2008-08-04T20:17:00.003+01:00

So the other day, as i said in the previous post, i shopped for 7 hours straight for holiday stuff, during which i - naturally - took a few moment here and there to scan the shop for non-holiday-related bargains when i came across this entirely beaded shift from French Connection reduced from £160 to £25!

Can you imagine being one of the people who bought it for full price, only to now see it for less than you'd get a 'nice' (term used loosely) dress from New Look - shocking! I had a mini moment in there when i saw a dress i had bought for £75 reduced to £25 but thats still only a £50 loss compared to a £135 loss - shocking! It really makes me re-evaluate how much i spend on highstreet clothing. In a way, i guess its totally fair to say that £160 is a bit overpriced for a highstreet dress but this particular dress was entirely beaded, therefore making it worth the money if you really want it.

Its funny what the sales do to your mind. I like the colours of this dress (grey and yellow) and it also comes in black and white but what i liked about the black and white one was that it had a negative effect where the details were in white on a black background. But i still didnt want the dress...that is until i saw it for £25 and all of a sudden my eyes gleamed with 'oh my god, i could have a £160 dress for £25'...what? Why! I dont even want the dress but all of a sudden it became so appealing. Then i firmly reminded myself that i have a £25 topshop voucher and for the £25 i would have spent on the dress i could buy a £50 pair of heels from toppers! So there we have it, job done. I just had to bring shoes into the equation to bring a stop to the mad sale rage! phew! exhausting!

PHEW!

2008-08-03T13:37:00.005+01:00

Goodness me, it's good to be back blogging after the past few days I've had. Thursday was my 21st birthday and i was very impressed by, not only the quality of the gifts given this year (usually opening the gifts is not the most pleasant moment) but also by the announcement in the newspaper. It was the most fabulous little square with a picture of me looking a little too in love with myself and the caption read 'Happy 21st...good luck in London, have fun in Jamaica'...which naturally made me sound like the biggest spoiled brat in the world...which is why i love it! haha!

Besides that I had Mexican for lunch which was to die for, went shopping, saw a film, bought a laptop (my very first computer!) and my boyfriend helped me set it all up with one of those dongle mobile Internet thinga-mi-jiggys to i can blog from bed - woohoo! Finally i own a computer! No more relying on being at work and not being busy! Then we had a party at my house with the family, complete with a pink shoebox cake and wheelbarrow races (it was the sisters and boyfriends/husbands against one another - yep, classy we are!). We like to pretend it was for the amusement of my 2 year old nephew, (who at the time was sat in a bucket expecting it to fly)....but it just wasnt! So after all of that, the next day i met up with a friend and together we set off on the challenge that was 'The Holiday List'...yep! Getting everything on the list! We shopped from 9am until 4am, i spent £10 on parking, we had to rest 3 times, had to fill our car boots up with shopping twice during the day because we couldnt carry any more bags and i spent...ALOT! Worth it though, after all it's been years since i've been away - i just don't own more than one bikini...so another 3 were on the cards, and thats just the starting point...but we did it! By god we did it, and during the challenge i also managed to get my sister some new work clothes (3 outfits for £14 in the sales...unbelievable!) and the boyfriend some new trainers (£8 in the sales...again...unbelievable!) i was chuffed, they were chuffed - every bodies happy!

After such a day there was no time to just sit and gather my thoughts or blog...but goodness knows i tried...i practically had to crawl to the laptop...but failed and decided it was best just left until Sunday, since Saturday i was a wedding photographer. Needless to say, there was no blogging after 12 hours of photography - i was pooped! But the photos are gorgeous, the bride was gorgeous and i'm extremely pleased with myself and my photography partner! Now there's just the challenge of filtering through over 1000 photos...yikes!

My perfect birthday outfit...

2008-07-30T07:03:00.006+01:00

With the impending 21st just around the corner...in fact, closer than that - its tomorrow!!! Not only am i freaking out about the thought of 'real' adulthood...you know the kind where you can actually go to America and gamble and drink...but also about the fact that everybody around me keeps saying 'oh god...21...well enjoy it, it's all down hill from there!' - AHHHHH!!! Is this true? Oh god, i'm hyperventilating.....*breathes*....i definitely need a pick me up (something i'm beginning to realise i need alot of the time!) but this one needs to be extra special....i NEED something. Now i can't afford what i 'need', but i can imagine. So while i've been sat here, while its quiet at work, i have compiled for you my perfect birthday outfit...Now ofcourse it wouldn't be to everybodies taste...i have been looking at it thinking 'hmmmm, i'm sure it should be sparklier!' but here it is...

McQ draped jersey tank dress with black belt detail. Mmmmm i adore this dress, probably because it's in everybodies fave fabric/colour - grey cotton jersey. And as i'm sure we're all aware - there is nothing better! I can imagine how cool and comfy this would be, and considering my birthdays on the 31st July, it needs to be a bit breezy. There are no heavily beaded ensembles for me! No sir-ree!Next are these divine Nicholas Kirkwood heels, I know what you're thinking - where's the colour?! I know! I'm usually a gal who absolutely 100% goes for a bright statement heel but for some reason i felt compelled towards these because they 'matched' the dress and are still statement in the design. Strange because i would usually want to clash a little but maybe that's a non-birthday thing.
I would also have a few of these Tom Binns cuffs. The black and neon-stoned cuff and the studded silver cuffs too - for a little bit of a burberry feel. Gotta love studs right? Brings me back to my youth - oh my god...it happened! I reminisced....i AM old!!! :'o( oh well, i'm sure i won't be quite as disgruntled when i'm spending all my birthday money, vouchers and going on my holiday! But for now and until midnight i will surely be sulking on the surface and bubbling away in anticipation underneath :oD

Give me Murphy hair!

2008-07-27T14:04:00.005+01:00

After reading Style Bubble's 'neck ruff' post earlier today, and contemplating how i would/if i would wear the ruff myself, i instead, ended up pouring over images and videos of Roisin Murphy for alot of the morning. You know how it is...you read one post, click on the link to the next post, click on the link to the next picture/video/blog etc...Although i do find the idea of the ruff extremely interesting and was keen to see it put into practice in the video, something else caught my attention through this process of clicking...How amazing is Roisin Murphy's hair in the video for 'You know me better' - good lord! It is just the biggest, most glamorous hair i've ever seen! I think the attraction of the hair is also that i could probably achieve it quite easily at the moment, but i'm sure a wig would be easier! I just think its so gorgeous!

Besides the hair, the second most exciting part of the styling in this video was definitely the giant chiffon bow in lilac (very easy to copy i should imagine/hope!) paired with the yellow, skin-tight pencil skirt and blue socks! I really must say, well done to Claire from Enchant and Doom who styled this video, it really is wonderful. And thanks to StyleBubble for bringing attention to it! It gave much inspiration and joy to a very bored NHS worker stuck inside on this amazingly beautiful day...

...it also reignited my love for Roisin Murphy. This is, after all, a woman who caught a bus and went to bed in the video for 'Overpowered', wearing Gareth Pugh for goodness sake...the fact that she made it look absolutely normal to strut about wearing such an outfit means that she is totally and officially fab!

So so weak...

2008-07-27T13:34:00.003+01:00

Ok...i'm weak...i bought the David Bowie tee already! I HAD to! It was going fine until I got a text from my friend who had just read the post. You see, i was being responsible! I was in the middle of purchasing a very sensible grey slip which was reduced from £22 to £4.99 (how responsible am i!) to wear under my numerous knitted dresses which can sometimes appear a little sheer. I was also being kinda good with the other thing i was buying...don't laugh but i bought a pair of salt and pepper shakers...that HUG!!!! hehe! They're so adorable and i had to have them. I'm very torn when it comes to novelty items...i generally don't imagine them as part of the decor in my new home, but sometimes you just gotta have them! These aren't horribly garish atleast, so they should be fine...

So i was about to spend all of £11.99 when suddenly my friend texted 'EEK! Please order me the MJ tee, will pay you back!' (it's payday tomorrow you see, and since my friend is the biggest MJ fan on the planet, i understood how important it is that she doesn't miss this opportunity by waiting a day!) So as i added the MJ tee, i suddenly couldnt help myself as i added the Bowie tee...I'm weak! I'm weak!! I don't know when i'm gonna wear it! I guess it will be one of those slouchy day tees!

The kinda tribute i like...

2008-07-27T09:29:00.004+01:00

Now, let me just say, that these would not usually be my bag but sometimes you gotta love something for what is it, whether you'd wear it or not. And i'm pretty in love with these tees from Urban Outfitters! Nothing more can be said than 'they make me smile'...infact they made me laugh my socks off. For you see i am a HUGE fan of ol' MJ and David Bowie. I adore them both, their music is timeless and with regards to MJ, i don't care what people think of him, because his music is fab and i have no interest in his personal life...i only hope that Michael makes more great music for me to enjoy! And i REALLY hope that the mere mention of his name doesn't spark people to leave comments calling him all sorts, like it usually does in conversation. It's interesting how everybody has an opinion on somebody they don't even know. So in tribute to both gentlemen and their amazing melodies...i present to you...these!

HAHA! Even just looking at them now makes me chuckle....i think im more likely to get the David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust one than the MJ one....or atleast i should imagine it would get more wear anyway. I love both the tees but from an asthetic point of view, the Bowie design is simplier and a bit easier on the eyes, and since i'm not a great lover of the graphic tee, i'd have to have that one! And since they're both £9.99 reduced from £28, i say buy it! Another tee from Urban Outfitters that i'm liking at the mo is this Union Jack print.

God love the British Flag! I'm not trying to be patriotic but i just think the whole design of the flag is pretty cool! therefore i am quite happy to fly it on my body - but not in a spice girl kinda way - eek! Thenagain, never say never right?!

Going broke...cold turkey...

2008-07-26T10:10:00.007+01:00

Ok so at approximately 7.16am this morning, i stuffed not only a whole box of mint Poppets into my gob but also a yogurt ('lasting satisfaction' my arse!), a banana, a bag of Mini Cheddars and...another bag of Mini Cheddars....whats wrong with me? I hear you ask? ...The Net-a-porter sale is wrong with me....ahhhhhh!!!!! All of this is whats wrong with me, it's the sole reason i started freaking out and eating a load of junk!

It is 2 days before payday...i am literally scraping the pennies out the bottom of my bag, i am eating junk because a bag of crisps is cheaper than a tuna steak...mmm tuna steak...see this is the problem with not having your own kitchen, you have to buy food all the time because you dont have anywhere to store it...bring on having my own kitchen! But back to the point, i am broke BROKE BROKE with a huge, skyscraper sized 'B'....huff...And so, baring that in mind, what did i do at 6.45am this morning when i started work? I switched on the computer, typed in net-a-porter.com ofcourse and off i went, through an adventure of misery and dresses....as you can see from the above, the sale means that certain pieces are suddenly more accessible, sometimes you're not willing to pay £240 for something, but you'll damwell pay £60! It's these kinda sales that make my heart thump! Forget the Topshop sale, forget ebay....this is what i want...i want Miu Miu, Day Birger Et Mikkelsen and Alexander Wang for under the £100 mark! And here it is, right before me, thanks to Net-a-porter...and what have i done? Spent all my money on...highstreet sale items! aaaaaaaahhhhh! Why!!! Its not even the above that REALLY got me...it was this Anna Sui dress....
Oh my gosh its so pretty - i would've preferred it a bit shorter but thats nothing that cant be arranged and its reduced to £100 from £400! WHYYYYY! Look at the back, that alone would make me buy this dress! And even when i do get paid, i have so much to pay for this month and i have to get stuff for holiday.... :o( ....hmmm maybe i could just wear this all holiday....Can you imagine?! In all the pictures, me wearing the same totally inappropriate Anna Sui dress....swimming with dolphins, riding horses into the sea, climbing a waterfall, at Bob Marleys house, on the beach...hah! i love it! What a plan! All those in favor?

The dreaded 'list'...

2008-07-26T07:58:00.006+01:00

Yep...daydreaming of strolling through the Caribbean sea is getting all too much for me now...I've begun the countdown...that is, the OFFICIAL countdown. Boyf has made a countdown powerpoint thing (or excel - whatever!) and i have written my essentials list...'The List' even surprised me, so you can imagine the heart-attack-inducing shock it gave the boyf. You see we were planning on taking only one large suitcase (mainly because i am extremely lazy, not to mention extremely weak and if i'm left to carry my own baggage we will probably miss our flight! Hate to be a bit of 'wag' here but i just dont like dragging suitcases behind me - its not the act of doing such things, i actually love the idea of gliding through the airport with beautiful cream leather luggage, but since my suitcase was £16 from Tesco: well, it tends to de-rail if you know what i mean, and i have actually caused pedestrian traffic accidents at airports with my awful suitcase steering skills and all you can hear amongst the pile-up is a little voice going 'sorry! oh i'm so sorry! sorry! are you ok?! let me help you, oh dear, i'm ever so sorry!'...this coming from a woman who can drive a car, ride motorbikes...and yet...can't steer a suitcase!) So we agreed to take one large one, put both our things in it and take a big empty holdall in the suitcase for any extras we accumulate while away, plus my huge French Connection bag (the biggest bag i own) and i'll have an across the body bag for the important bits and the boyf will have a rucksack with the laptop etc...is it abnormal to take a computer to the Caribbean? Thought not! So with the list being as long as it is for just my essentials...well...looks like we're going to have to cut back on some unimportant things - I'm sure the boyf will survive with just one outfit! teehee! *evil grin!*
But what the boyf doesn't understand, is that besides the medical essentials, important documents and everything else, is that there are other items which really are essentials! Take these headbands from Urban Outfitters for examples...they're not on the list per say, although i do have 'headband' on the list, these are more for the evening when we're watching the Jamaican dancers and i want to go all boho...oh god i said it!! BOHO! what an awful word!

But i do imagine myself in a maxi-dress and one of these headbands...after all, the only time my hair is perfect is when i've been at the beach and the mixture of salt water, sand and sun creates the most undeniably beautiful waves in my hair ever...this is the time i'll be posing the most - when i get out of the water...I'm also hoping that the sea water and sun will do my skin some good as currently i'm suffering with an early 20's breakout! URGH! You cant win right? By the time you're skin is perfect you'll be moaning that you're old...anyway until then, lets hope that this natural remedy works a treat! I'll be dunking my head under water every morning if it does, and taking it home in bottles, and everyone will be saying 'crazy English girl trying to drown herself every morning'!

Another misunderstood holiday 'essential' the power of bronzing pearls...and being that usually i wouldn't go near the things, due to the extreme paleness that is my skin tone, i am thoroughly looking forward to over indulging on the pearls while i'm away and after i return, while my tan remains (please god let me look like i've been to paradise) although i am restricted to the lightest combination available, of pale rosy-bronze pearls for those of us that 'flush' rather than bronze. Seriously, even the shade below can be too much for my skin in its natural state! (Below) Pearls £12 and Brush £14, both from the Body Shop.

Make-up-wise i am limiting myself because although i love a good ol' bit of slap, i do tend to go fresh faced. I'm definitely a tinted moisturiser (in 001 'Fair'), Vaseline and mascara kinda gal! It's easier, less time consuming and i have a baby face, so when i do get all caked up i tend to look like i'm trying to look older...like when you see 16 year olds trying to look old enough to drink...this is the time i get mostly I.D'd. So for my make-up list i have, tinted moisturiser, eye shimmer, mascara, eyeliner, bronzing pearls, large brush, Vaseline and tweezers...i think thats a good pared down make-up essentials kit...and i'm sure i wont use any of it!

I'm also being very specific with my holiday ensembles...i'm obviously not too bothered about what i wear, because i'll be living in bikini's anyway, although saying that its not like i havent planned a holiday wardrobe - it's just not full of Chloe and Cavalli like the celebs would have us think you need. It's going to be the following:

Bikini's (2 x triangle, 2 x bandeau)
2 x Jersey shorts
1 x Denim shorts (to the know, for airport)
1 x pair of board shorts for excursion purposed - after all, who wants to climb a waterfall in hot pants?
Bandeau tops
Vests
2 x Bubble skirts
1 x Bubble shorts

etc etc...for you see, there is a knack to paring down ones holiday wardrobe...mines full of nothing but comfy, practical (and cute!) essentials. Another thing to add would be a great jersey Grecian dress for the evening! I really must not fill my wardrobes with things i wont use...the boyf will have me writing lines now:

'I will not fill my suitcase with crap...

I will not fill my suitcase with crap...

I will not fill my suitcase with crap...'

....We'll see!

Oh, i do like to be beside the seaside...

2008-07-22T20:52:00.006+01:00

In a typically English manner, i spent Sunday in Devon at the Seaside. Or, to be more specific, at a friends Castle in Devon on the seaside...no really. Through the boyf, we know of someone who actually owns and lives in a stunning old castle right on the seafront. From the outside its stunning and old, from the inside its modern and chic. There are windows all around the rooms which flood the place with light and warmth. From the bed you see nothing but the sea and the sky. Its a tiny town, and the castle even features on the local newspaper as the title background...some people ay!

You can see it there in the background behind the 'n'...YEP...a castle. And below are some images from the early 1900's of the same castle...

I actually got really excited as soon as i was there, because of how old the seaside town is. I loved flipping through the books our friend had of the place and seeing pictures of his home all those years ago makes my mind flood with curiosity of who lived here before and what it must have been like in the summer all that time ago.

This is the view of the seaside from just outside the castle. I wish i could have bottled the weather from Sunday. Oh my god, it was stunning...unfortunately i was fairly ill and totally weak, so there was no sunbathing or swimming for me. Instead we sat, gazing at the views and had a little wonder around the town... Suddenly you realise what a real seaside town is...bowls, cricket, ponds, the stoney shore, big old houses, tiny shops that don't sell anything in particular...what a lovely place to spend the summer, when you're a child...

Definitely the kind of place that has nothing but trinket shops and you wonder if anybody actually ever buys anything?!?! The kind of shops that nobody ever seems to go in, the kind that are never open but look immaculate!

Good old Victorian town! I do love the Victorian era. There's something about little towns like this that just dont seem to have moved on. Every things still so 'quaint' and pretty. Nothing really happens and yet you could spend hours there...infact next time we pop over, im planning on looking like one of these people...

...and i think these lace up Victorian boots from Topshop (£75) will definitely do the trick! All i need now is a corset, lacey gloves and a frilly umbrella to block the sun!

THE dress

2008-07-22T20:49:00.002+01:00

ITS HERE! The dress! First thing i did was whack on the new heels and a belt with a huge gem detail and began to pose! wooooooo! I forgot just how pretty the dress is!

The embroidery on the bottom is bigger and chunkier than how i remember but its just as perfect as the day i first saw it over a year ago. Its a totally pretty-pretty dress...theres nothing edgy about this! I know the autumn/winter trends are all about head-to-toe edgy leather, studs and dark shades...but who cares! Not that it couldn't go fabulously with studs and ripped fishnets a la Rodarte. But im seeing this with thick rib-knit tights, thick knee socks scrunched down to the ankle, grey jersey boots and a BIG 70's inspired fur jacket in pastel shades! Actually that description reminds me totally of a topshop image...now where is it??...FOUND IT!

Yep, definitely can incorporate this dress to look amazing in the winter too. Infact, i'm thinking the rope detail straps will be rockin' over a jumper or a vest too! Yes, definitely a well-worth the money/effort purchase...and finally...i have closure!

Can't touch this...

2008-07-18T19:04:00.005+01:00

Now, i love hareem pants, MC Hammer pants....whatever you wanna call them. I like them! Infact...i like them alot. So much so that i don't even have any...awful isn't it! I am still trying to find the perfect pair...they've got to be light, perhaps a bit sheer...hmm...well they've basically got to look like these John Galliano A/W 08-09 pants. How gorgeous are they?? Theres so much fabric on them they almost look like a skirt.

I think i particularly like the picture on the right because of the way the model is 'sashaying' - never thought i'd get to use that word, but anyway... I just LOVE the way he has made them in deep berry hues, whereas i would usually associate hareem pants with the summer, in linen and in sheer natural tones. This makes the pants work perfectly for the autumn especially! And coats are beautiful too. I can't believe quite how well they work together. The style almost clashes, like it shouldn't be paired, but the colours make them work perfectly! Infact, its opening up a whole new world of sheerness to autumn/winter for me...usually i go for the heavy fabrics, furs etc...but im thinking dark chiffon will be just as lovely! Infact, if these weren't sold out i would most definitely be purchasing these perfect high street alternatives from Miss Selfridge...reduced from 18 quid to a fiver...but please dont get too excited...like i said - they're sold out :o(

I'm gonna say it...i am...

2008-07-16T20:56:00.005+01:00

BRING ON THE AUTUMN!!! wooo! The more i see the A/W collections, the more i cannot wait for the leaves to turn brown...thats not to say i'm looking forward to the torrential rain or the drizzle - everyday is one or the other. But i just cannot wait for cosy knits, thick tights...and for some reason i only ever wear shorts and mini skirts in the autumn/winter...must just be because of the tights situation! AND no sweaty feet slipping out of heels - forcing you into sandals and flip flops...yuck! I cannot wait. I also cant wait for hats, scarves, gloves, jackets, layering, thick socks, boots....YAAAAAAAY! Excuse the outburst but i feel a little like this...

Yes, that is an image from 'Singing in the rain'! To be honest i don't know if im just feeling a little giddy because i had LOADSA blood taken today, when i had a blood test (i believe the doctor said something along the lines of 'i don't know how much they want, so i'll just fill up all the test tubes'...haha! This is the same man who said 'we've struck oil' when he finally managed to get some blood from my little veins! Fab!) and i havent eaten for the past 9 hours since, because my throat is so so sore...OR...if it's due to these lovely ensembles!! (From left: Biba, Matthew Williamson, Topshop - all A/W 08-09)

Either way, just bring it on!...infact...i think i might go lie down for a while...maybe it is that blood test after all :oS

FINALLY!!!

2008-07-15T16:46:00.004+01:00

FINALLY the day has come, that the dress i once stupidly didn't buy exactly 14 months has FINALLY presented itself to me!!!! THANK THE LORD! I am finally free of regret! haha...sorry i'm a little hysterical due to excitement!

For you see, 14 months ago, i strolled into Karen Millen looking for a dress to wear to a special event, and i feel in love with a beautiful cotton sun dress. It was a baby doll in the palest pink imaginable, it had white crochet embroidery on the bottom and it had rope detail straps...it was just so perfect and i spent an hour in the store wearing it, umming and ahhing over whether to spend the money on it...i can't quite remember but it was well over 100 quid! So i asked the lady there to hold it back for me, and i went home to think it over...on the way home i stopped in at another shop having a massive sale and bought a cute little grey dress for about a tenner reduced from something quite ridiculous, so that was decided then, I was going to save my money and wear the grey sale dress instead. Only problem was, a few weeks later when it was time for said event, i tried on the grey dress and just was so unhappy with it. I yearned for my pink cotton dress with rope detail....huff! So into town i went, but they were sold out EVERYWHERE... I should have taken the shop assistants warning seriously. She said that there was limited stock and that the dress was like gold dust...which was apparently true. So off to French Connection i went, where i ended up buying a really cute black chiffon tiered shift dress which i loved...but it was totally the opposite of what i had wanted so it just didn't feel perfect that evening.

So every time i have been on eBay since, i have searched and searched for this Karen Millen dress and have NEVER found it, not even in the wrong size...i was starting to think i must have imagined the dress, there was just no trace of it, not even a single photo anywhere...that is until today!

Today, i typed in the search phrase, as i usually would....and there it was...in my size...just one...'brand new with tags'. No, it couldn't be, could it??!?!?!! I stared at the photo, which isn't clear at all, but i can tell it was my dress. The dress is so stunning i wish i had a better photo of it, but here is the photo from the ebay seller...i CANNOT WAIT to get it...i can't even tell you all how excited i am...and even better - it was 'buy it now' for less than 40 quid!! It'll never bring back that night where i should have been feeling a million dollars, wearing that dress but atleast i finally have it, for way less money, and i am sure there will be plenty of other places to wear it....in fact...i may never take it off! So let me just say, to the seller who has parted with their dress...you have seriously made this girl EXTREMELY happy!! I will post pictures as soon as i get it in the post, so you can see how beautiful it really is...

Heels vs Flats

2008-07-13T18:52:00.008+01:00

Generally i tend to wear flats on a day to day basis. It would be inappropriate to wear high heels, in my opinion, where i work. The kind of people we have at the hospital i work at, are not the kind of people you want admiring your pencil skirt, pussy-bow blouse and stilettos. Enough said. So i wear plain trousers and plain tops with flats...of course this doesn't reflect me and my style in the slightest. I dream of wearing bright coloured silk dresses and lime green over the knee boots (ooh what a combo!) but just could not do it here.

Heels are my thing, the higher the better...add another inch, go on, it wont stop me! For such a small person, it seems strange to be able to walk perfectly in platform stilettos...Today when i showed a colleague the heels i bought online, she gasped in sheer horror at them "GASP! How can you wear those things! They're SO HIGH!!!" ..."No they're not? They're just...normal..." i replied. "Well i don't honestly believe you could walk in those Ashleigh..." That was the moment where i was hugely offended!! I remember my eyes bulging in horror at what she had said, and my lips became tight as if i was trying to hold back screaming "HOOOOOWWWWW DAAAAARRREEE YOOOOOUUUUU!!!!"...dramatic? I don't think so! I politely informed her i own well WELL over a hundred pairs of heels and can walk in every pair of them perfectly, and in that moment she clearly didn't believe me, i suddenly came up with a reason why - my height! It's all a matter of physics (or something)...because I'm only 5 foot tall, i am more stable in stilettos...just think of a skyscraper on stilts...not very safe! Now think of a two story house on stilts - far less likely to fall over in harsh gales!! Right?? So there we have it!

In fact, my eyes positively lit up with joy when i saw the Christian Louboutin for Rodarte killer spike heels...they're AMAZING! Slightly terrifying to look at, I'll agree there, and you certainly wouldn't want to be kicked up the bum with these bad-boys but otherwise they are stunning. I want, i want!!! I'd have to go for the black in general, although I'd want all three colours. I think these would look so wonderful with a pastel pink and nude tea dress. Can you imagine!!! Ah the contrast! So If Mr Louboutin or the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte are reading (which, granted, is a bit far-fetched i know) I'd like you to know that the above pair in a 39 would be PERFECT for me...ah if only! But whether or not anyone believes it, i know i'd be able to walk in this pair of heels...they're high, yes, but i bet they're easier to walk in than most people would think! Am i right Christian? Thought so!

Which is why its so frustrating that flats are supposedly 'in'. Who am i to disagree with Vogue? Well i am the consumer! It's not that i particularly care whats in and whats out, it's just that i found sentences such as "flats now acceptable for night and day...jewelled slippers replace towering heels as the new statement shoe...". I'm not a huge fan of following the rules of fashion, why are there rules to dressing? I'm the kinda gal that reads the '10 rules every fashionista must know' section of mags and tuts and groans at it...When was it unacceptable to wear a jewelled flats at night and day? If it's what you want to wear then surely that's reason enough? And I'm only speaking for myself here, but, it'll take more than (the wonderful) Lee Mcqueen, Giorgio Armani and Valentino to get me out of my skyscrapers!! What about you?

Can Christopher Bailey do no wrong?

2008-07-13T13:49:00.013+01:00

Here i am, fully aware of the Burberry Prorsum Autumn/Winter 08-09 collection, fully aware how stunning it is and now all of a sudden, in a really belated manner, I've become all swept up in it! Picture the scene; I'm at work, not doing anything in particular, flicking through Elle and Vogue and reading the supplements (i prefer the Vogue catwalk report but prefer the Elle magazine) and obviously kept coming across Burberry Prorsum pieces. The way they are described in every description is 'luxe' or 'super-luxe' and however much I'd like to disagree, they just are...luxe i mean. The fabrics are absolutely stunning, there is practically a complete rainbow of colours from grape-pink-purple, acidy-ochre-gold, bronze-orange-brown, pewter-greys, midnight-inky-blue-blacks...i thought the colours deserved better descriptions than 'pink, yellow, browns...' and the mixture of textures is so beautifully balanced too with the sheeny shiny fabrics, matt wool and feathers...gorgeous! How is it, that mean-looking black leather platform stilettos with curved dagger-heels, over sized knits, fingerless gloves and beanie hats can look so classy and ladylike?? Even in the deepest of hues too!

Then add to that, the spikiest cuffs imaginable, and yet it still looks flawlessly classy! Obviously this look has everything to do with the amazing fabrics and the never-ending details, but back to the accessories; there are even rows of long spikes hanging around the necks, over the coats and scarves. I am particularly liking the whole 'statement jewellery over the coat' thing. I think that its a great way of really making your coat part of your outfit, since we do quite often need to in this country! And the over sized chunky gems are definitely doing it for me! Way to liven up the boring old trench yet again, Mr Bailey!!

Now, i don't know about you, but if i owned one of the coats below, i certainly wouldn't ever take it off! I can imagine myself, breaking the heating just so i could sit in my office wearing it without people wondering why i haven't taken it off yet! Then again, it would probably only take one kick with those heels or a jab with one of those bracelets to break the boiler (please note: I'm not suggesting you should go and do this...please don't make me liable for British Gas being called out to fix your companies boiler!!! I can see the bills coming through my letter box now!). These are definitely 'cab-coats', i think the name says it all. I can't imagine people wanting to dart through the rain and ride on the muggy tube in one of these babies! Vogue described them as being "the focus of the day: raglan coats, cocoon coats, trench coats (over sized, ruched, knotted, panelled, balloon sleeved - take your pick)"...Id pick them all if i could, but am particularly drawn to the orange-brown quilted coat (below, bottom left). I bet you could snuggle up a storm in that!

Then there are the satiny wide-leg troos, that sweep the floor - this is probably the most inspiring part of the collection for me. I say bring back coloured trousers (i never took to the coloured jeans), make gem-coloured satin trousers more widely available please! I bet these ones cost the earth!! And they probably don't come in the right length for me...28" is still too long alot of the time...no I'm not kidding! And since these drag on the floor with a model wearing them...hmmm...i don't think i'll be purchasing them (not that i can afford to anyway!). These are another good idea to add to the DIY pile. I have only made one pair of trousers for myself before, which i spent ages on, but they were perfect and definitely proved that trousers are not difficult to make, with a bit of time and patience...these would be particularly impressive to stroll around London in. I am seeing luxe-brocade fabrics too...mmm! I think a big part of this look is down to the simplicity of the top though, Vogue.com are going on about the 'tunic and trouser' combo, but i don't see why they couldn't look great with a pussy bow chiffon shirt in black or a contrasting gem colour or even a t-shirt tucked in with a great belt (imaginary outfit alert!).

Then there are the dresses; I think its fair to say that the feather dresses stole the show...but the others were just as beautiful if not quite as unusual. I think the main reason the feathered dresses were SO lovely is that, as well as the colours, the way the feathers appear trimmed and blunt, giving them a really modern look. And i think it almost disguises them! Can you imagine all the feather tips lying all over the place at the end of this collection - good grief! And one of the fluffier-feather creations was cinched at the waist with a belt which made it look all the more wearable. Another dress of note is the nearly out of place, matt satin, twisted number. Really really pretty and i would have loved to see a little more of that gorgeous twisting detail in some more pieces...i don't want much do i Mr Bailey?!

And then top ALL that off which an ad campaign by Mario Testino, shot in Kensington gardens with British model Rosie Huntington and British actor Sam Riley...well, what more can be said!!! The shots are stunning, and appear really simple despite all the detail. The collection and shoot were apparently "inspired by the attitude, silhouette, colour, texture, nostalgia and poetry of the evocative paintings by British Northern artist L S Lowry". L S Lowry, for those that aren't aware of his work, was a painter in the early to mid 1900's, known for his Manchester and Lancashire street scenes and also his 'matchstick men'. This was a really interesting quote i came across, as a bit of a Lowry fan myself, it was difficult to imaging his work inspiring this luxurious collection. Even down to the colours; Lowry is well known for his simple palette - sometimes even referred to as 'drab', once stating "I am a simple man, and I use simple materials..." - so how is it that Christopher Bailey used this to create such a stunning collection? Who knows? Inspiration works in strange and mysterious way, I guess i will have to interpret this particularly connection myself...

And just a quick note to say that there's a sweet little video on the opening page of burberry.com, showing footage from the shoot accompanied by an accoustic version of 'Just for Tonight' by One Night Only. Love the contrasting tones in the shot above...takes me back to the days of filters, dodging and burning in the darkroom...memories...

A little pick me up...

2008-07-13T12:19:00.004+01:00

So i woke up this morning with a big swollen eye...from where? No idea! Its either from the insect bite between my nose and eyebrow or the fact that a couple of days ago i got an almighty wallop in the same eye from a construction helmet...don't ask...So to make myself feel better about the fact that i look like a creature from another planet and the fact that all i can see when i look anywhere is my face on that side closing in on my eye...i thought I'd do what i always do when im fed up...buy shoes! So to trusty old Topshop i went (i swear I'm not working for them...although it seems i am! I'm just having a bit of a no-time-to-go-shopping month, so online has taken over...) and decided that, since i have ALOT of shoes, i would search every single item online BEFORE heading to the shoe bit, therefore i may actually manage to broaden my wardrobe from just shoes shoes shoes...it failed. I found loadsa things i could buy but they all went out the window as soon as i found my beloved new heels.... I'll go into them in a minute, firstly may i just point out a slight Topshop-designer comparison here...

Now when i first looked at these heels, i immediately name-dropped Louboutin, of course, and although they're not a direct copy you can certainly see the influence of the designer in these Topshop heels...but no matter what...i just dont like them. Its like i want to like them because i adore the Louboutins, but when i look at these, i just see that awful (in my opinion) black part of the shoe. It feels like the black shouldnt be there. So in a split second i literally went from nearly clicking the 'buy' button to screaming in horror at their ugliness! I'm being a tad dramatic, i know...they're really not that bad! But these, however, these gorgeous multi colour block heels are soooo nice!!
I adore the colour combinations, the fact that they have the renowned Topshop platform, which is extremely comfy AND they have a T-bar, which means i can now class these as sensible heels, due to the non-slippage thanks to the strap! I spent ages staring, not knowing which one to buy...every time i thought i had decided, i changed my mind, but in the end i decided to just go with my instinct and pick the pair in the colours i like the most in general...atleast then i'll never not like them, so the lime, grey and metallic pewter pair won!

And i cannot wait to get them!! eeek! And despite the fact that my face still hurts and i'm still slowly going insane from my sore eye, i do feel a tad better...whoever said buying stuff when you're fed up won't help the situation was wrong! I'd say it makes it a million times better :oD

SALE ITEM ALERT!!

2008-07-11T08:49:00.002+01:00

If anybody else has been pining over this short sleeved military inspired jacket, but couldn't bear to part with £45 for it, then CLICK HERE...because, ladies (and gentlemen) it is officially on sale for £20!!! eeek! And even if only one of you clicks and gets this gorgeous jacket and squeals with delight half as much as i did at 7am when i saw it, then it will have been a post worth posting!

I have actually been looking at this jacket for AGES now. Its been around for months, and i've come so close to buying it, and when i finally saw it in store i squealed with delight then reminded myself that i probably wont wear it nearly as much as i think i will, its short sleeved and i tend to feel the cold quite badly so its impractical...and then my reasoning goes out the window and becomes 'but i want it'...the only thing stopping me buying this was the fact that there was another jacket that i wanted (the tartan one with 3/4 length sleeves) so i waited, and waited and the day has finally come! So by tomorrow i shall have my lovely little jacket delivered to work, where i shall prance around the office in it (tags still on) and it will most definitely make coming into work at 16.30pm worth the effort!

Sometimes its all too obvious...

2008-07-11T08:19:00.003+01:00

Sometimes, a designer 'inspired' highstreet piece is just all too obvious...we don't need to mention the horror of the balenciaga New Look heels i'm sure...But sometimes you can look through a shop and every piece you pick up you can name drop the designer it was inspired by...this is like a fun game to me, i prefer it when the piece isn't an exact copy though, i like to have a bit of a challenge when it comes to this guessing game!

So as i stroll through Topshop online (i'm sure you're all aware i tend to do this at 7am fairly regularly...in fact 'daily' would be a better description for it) i start playing this name-dropping game and was actually fairly suprised at how often it could be done...the two biggies i discovered today had me screaming out 'YSL...!' and 'Anna Sui...!'. Both SS 08...I suppose thats how easy it is though, the designers show their collections and it allows plenty of time for the high street to catch up. I dont know why im sounding a little moany about it as if i dont play a part in supporting the high street...after all...when you live as far away from a designer boutique as i do, highstreet is the onyl fashion reality! Thank god for the internet though...and thank god im moving! Investment pieces are what i want! Gimme designer! (This'll do for now though!)

Grey jersey bandeau dress dress by Boutque (£60), Striped shorts (£15 reduced from £32) Also available in pink and white.

Ready to play!

2008-07-07T20:09:00.002+01:00

YAY! New playsuit!! I'm feeling like a bit of a mini Stella in this. Im loving how casual it is. Again, its high street - there really isn't anywhere to get designer goodies around here (bring on London) - this is another bargain from the French Connection outlet...reduced to £21 from £70 which i think is very reasonable!

There are two obvious ways to wear this; with a vest and flats or with a bit of a saucy bra and killer heels! This is one of those lazy outfits, the kind that you can literally throw on in the morning...no need to try to match anything...however i LOVE the thought of spending hours trying different looks. What i really want is to wear a jewel encrusted bra under this with jewel encrusted heels and maybe a bit of hot pink satin somewhere, hmmm, a plaited pink satin belt is sounding pretty good!!! EEK! Imaginary outfit alert! One day all my imaginary outfits will hopefully become catwalk collections...

Crikey!!

2008-07-06T21:53:00.002+01:00

I don't know about you but i am still looking for that perfect clutch. It's got to be fairly sized, it's got to be a slouchy one, it has to have a good fastening and it has to come with a chain strap inside incase i get sick of carrying it, it has to be leather AND it has to be gorgeous! Not necessarily a statement piece or the kind that goes with everything...just something that i see and think 'I HAVE TO HAVE IT'...that hasn't actually happened yet. My heart flutters momentarily over clutches, but then i begin to analyse them, picking out all the cons and i end up leaving the shop clutchless. I did like this clutch for a moment on Topshop online before picking it apart entirely...colours ok, fabrics not leather etc etc...And i didn't buy it.

There was a clutch on Topshop online that i REALLY regret not snapping up, it was an orange leather envelope clutch at about 30 quid...i should've just bought it...see my theory was right! Im sure i have mentioned before my theory that if you want something you should just buy it because you will end up getting it eventually and if you dont you wont get over it for ages...or i wont anyway! But back to the other clutch...nope the clutch wasn't good enough. But i tend to remember where things come from and how much they were; things just stick in my mind once i've seen them, so ofcourse i became all of a fluster yesterday when i was flicking through Elle and saw this Michael Teperson clutch...

WHAT? Can i just say one thing...'woah...' its practically the SAME as the topshop one but its....sorry i need to compose myself...its well over a grand!! So sure was i that it must be a misprint i even went online to compare them. Granted there are a few differences...like the fastening and the python skin, but goodness me! It has certainly given me a better opinion of cheaper clutches...after all if i saw somebody with that Michael Teperson clutch, i would more than likely think 'Topshop clutch...' in my head. I do that, you see, i analyse peoples outfits in my head trying to identify where they're from...So in conclusion...well i dont really know. I just wanted to draw attention to the price difference...and im still in shock from it!! Now i don't know about you all but i think id prefer to save myself 1247 quid and get the Toppers one! All those in favour...

Rain, rain...go away...

2008-07-06T08:05:00.005+01:00

For those of you that aren't from the UK (and may i say how pleased and shocked i am that there are people from all over the world who read this - USA, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South America, China, Bulgaria, Europe in general and TONS of other places!!!) let me just tell you all that July here is meant to (and used to be) beautiful and sunny and hot and just generally glorious. But this year (and the last few years in fact) it has started off promising, with days of sunshine and clear skies and every bodies in a wonderful mood...and then...it stops and the rain sets in. But not just any rain, noooo! First we suffer with 'muggy' rain, you know, hot and sweaty kinda rain...and then...you wake up for work at 5.30am, like me, and all you can hear is rain, rain, rain! Not just that but for the first time in months you get out the shower and are actually so cold your whole body turns to goosebumps and you need, not 1, but 2 towels!!! One to wrap round your body and the other to wrap round your shoulders like a shawl. Oh its sooooo cold!!! I bet its not in South America at the moment!!

As i, slightly bitterly, write this, i am sat at work with a hoodie, zipped right up to around my neck...have taken the scarf off due to it being incredibly dangerous around the shredder...i have a runny nose, iv got the heater on, a cup of hot chocolate and am actually looking forward to doing stacks of laminating so that i can heat my fingers on the hot laminater!!

What happened to the days when i was a kid, when summer was long and BOILING. Most days it was so hot you didn't want to go out so you sat inside in the cool living room watching Nickelodeon, eating sun lollies? Now its the 6th July and the Met office have put out severe weather warnings! Whats going on - darned global warming! Now i know this post sounds like a complete and utter rant about the weather (a subject close to our hearts here in old Blighty) but there is a fashion aspect to this post, i promise...well, not quite fashion as i'd like it...BEHOLD!! The British weather uniform in all its dull glory...

Yes, the rainmac, scarf, wellies, hat and umbrella(all from Topshop)...not much more you can do with it... this is what we have been reduced to!!!...so i like to think that in order to halt seasonal depression, a good little number to wear underneath said weather-fighting ensemble looks a little something like this Marc Jacobs number... what more can we do. I have even had many lengthy discussions with people about waterproof boiler suits. I say we should all have them...we can all wear plastic boiler suits and then step out of them completely dry and looking FAB!!!

Would anyone really pay for that?

2008-07-05T19:52:00.004+01:00

Now really? Is there any need to pay £50 for a bubble skirt (possibly the easiest of skirts to make no?) attached to a vest???

This is what they're selling at French Connection. There are two types, the racer back and the standard (pictured above) but either way the top is absolutely no more than a ribbed jersey tank top. Now i'm not trying to be all funny about this, but i just can't understand why anyone would hand over £50 for, granted - a VERY nice casual dress....but a skirt attached to a vest none the less. For some reason this really niggled at me, probably because i saw the navy version in French Connection the other day and REALLY liked it. Picked it up, checked the price tag and promptly chucked it back from whence it came!! I was expecting it to be like £30 at the VERY MOST!!! And even at that i would possibly reconsider whether it was worth it...And i do like a bit of FC!

You can actually make this dress SO cheaply...whats a few quid on a vest and another few on some fabric...I have now made this my mission...I will keep you update on said mission...

If there was ever a perfect pair...

2008-07-05T19:33:00.003+01:00

Sometimes a dress and shoes were just meant for each other. Sometimes it was just meant to be. It's like Romeo and Juliet, salt and pepper...even cheese and Vegemite (in my opinion!).

My current favorite pair of heels are my Aldo Atlantic City platforms (£70) ...i got them quite a while ago before they were available online and i remember the moment i saw them! I was with a friend who spotted the same pair in a deep turquoise...we both stopped with our jaws on the floor, then promptly picked them up and scurried over to the display grabbing our chosen colours...which was quickly followed by a face of slight despair on both our parts...for it was still a few days until payday. Obviously we both tried them on, before explaining to the person that we weren't going to be buying either pair...The shop assistant suddenly became slightly rude. This ofcourse was a situation i have rarely had to deal with (i tend to stay well away from shops, right before payday in order to not break my heart over something i NEED and cant have, which then goes out of stock on payday...typical, im sure you'll all agree!)...So my friend and i left the shop a bit fed up, hearts still thumping from the excitement of 'the perfect pumps!'...

Ofcourse on payday i was working, so my friend kindly went in to buy my pair while she was getting hers and ofcourse nothing could go wrong (i wish)...They didn't have our sizes, although they apparently had her pair in my size and vice versa (always helpful to know...) so she ordered them...after about 3 weeks??!?!?!?! we both received our shoes and they have been loved ever since...Theres definitely something missing though...you see, my shoes are lonely...theres nothing quite perfect to go with them in my wardrobe (no, really!)...and unfortunately the only thing that really would be perfect is...a past season Versace dress....oh dear....

Iv searched ebay, and all that would come up are some DISGUSTING orange satin AND leather boots....oh i cant even tell you how ugly they were... So the search will continue for a prized Versace purple and orange dress...sniff sniff...but when i find it, i will certainly be pairing it with purple tights for an OTT colour block look...Im also thinking this would be good with a nude face and extremely long, wavy hair or a really messy, crimped, backcombed, updo....ah the possibilities...I wonder if they'd let that into the Ritz??

I also think its definitely worth noting that these shoes comes in...wait for it...17 COLOURS!!!! I'm definitely wanting the pair in 'bone'...ah so nude...

21st Birthday idea drought!

2008-07-05T13:35:00.005+01:00

As the title of the post says...i'm having a 21st birthday dilemma on a major scale...What should i do?? I'm definitely going to London for the day since its so close and i go up any chance i get (god i can't wait to move!)...only problem is the one thing i absolutely wanted to do for my 21st in the day is have Afternoon tea at The Ritz...i know its not going to be every bodies cup of tea (excuse the pun) but it was something i always wanted to do...but...(and this is all my fault for not booking it like 10 years in advance) they have no tables for 2 left...HUFF!!!

So after about 10 minutes of staring into space with a HUGE grimace on my face, trying not to be a big baby and blub, i decided to try to think of something else. I am leaning towards Pret-a-portea at The Berkeley, which is supposed to be "A Fashionista’s Afternoon Tea at The Berkeley inspired by the Spring/Summer 2008 fashion collections..." FAB!!!! Its literally biscuits and little desserts that look like the collections...is there anything more adorable?? So i've emailed a request to see if there is a table available, and i've pulled my chin up and stopped being a brat and have decided if there isn't a table i will just have to find something else (the best days are usually unplanned ones anyway).

But i want to know if anybody has had the Pret-a-portea?? Is it as good as it sounds or not worth the money at all? And if so...what else should i do??? I'm having a definite 21st mind-block here...its driving me round the bend...i need SOMETHING fun that i can say "on my 21st i did...", not "on my 21st i did nothing really..."

Interiors...

2008-07-03T15:53:00.004+01:00

Do you remember those cardboard cutouts that you'd get as a child and they'd slot together to make things...same concept...only chicer! This is one of my two prized candelabras from John Lewis i bought in the sale yesterday. Mirror glass that slots together to make a full-sized and working candelabra...I'm definitely going to have fun with different coloured candles in this! For my very first Christmas in my very first home, i'm planning a bit of a far eastern theme with peacock feathers and deep purples...this candelabra will be perfect!! It was 15 quid reduced to 7.50 which is handy because i wanted two! YAY! And luckily there were two boxes which i rushed over to, trying to look like i'm not insane about interiors, snatching the two boxes from the shelf, which was followed by a fearful look around the store in case anyone else had their eyes on MY candelabras!!!

I love pieces like this, a little bit quirky...im definitely a bit nuts when it comes to how rooms look...i swear i should be one of those mad interior designers who like what they like and if anybody else (i.e the owners of the room) says anything different...well quite frankly...they're WRONG!! Case in point was the boyfs reaction to OUR new candelabras...i believe the word he used was either 'vile' or 'awful'...either way i guess he wasn't hugely fond of them, but i think he was accepting of them atleast which is good enough for me! :oD Bring on the dinner parties!

A new bag for me!!

2008-07-03T15:51:00.002+01:00

YAY! i have finally got a big sporty simple bag! Yes its simple, its black but its HUGE! And waterproof...thank the lord. Im sure alot of you will recognise it by French Connection...also comes its bright yellow? Anyone? Anyone?...Well anyway, it was £50 and i just couldnt bring myself to hand over my card for that...for you see although i do love a good bag, its not the most important on my list (infact i really must work at my luggage collection...its seriously lacking!). So ofcourse i was suprised and pleased when i was wondering through the French Connection sale today, not expecting to actually buy something and saw this bag for £25!! woohoo! Now, for about 10 minutes i was responsible and didnt pick it up...i wandered around and searched the entire shop before finally returning to the bag...ahhh the bag. It does swamp me a little, since i am about 5 foot nothing tall, however...its so nice and patenty! I could just live in it if all else fails!! Success!! A new bag! P.S just so you know how big it is, you can actually fit a LARGE evian bottle stood up in it!!

SALE!!!...the most exciting word in the dictionary!

2008-07-03T11:18:00.008+01:00

It's gotta be done people! Topshop.com are having a sale...get clicking there's not much left! Luckily i was on an early shift so by 7am i had purchased a few pretty things...something thats becoming more and more common...i don't know whether its the fact that im deliriously exhausted (as quite often i start at 6.45am, which means leaving at 6.30am, which means rolling out of bed in a panic at 6.25am!!!) or the fact that its the only time i really have thats quiet where i can have a good old surf on the net! But back to the purchases! Firstly is this 'mink' coloured lurex vest which was reduced to £5 from £12. I have a serious obsession to lurex...anything metallic and shiny. I clearly have Magpie-iteous! (yes that IS a real illness!)...

Secondly this adorable pink mesh and sequined tutu-ish skirt...I'm fully aware i have only recently purchased almost exactly the same skirt but since this was reduced to £15 from £32 AND its a totally different colour (ok...maybe not totally but the other skirt is technically 'nude'...) plus it has sequins!!!

And finally, this mini deep pocket skirt...I love this skirt! £15 reduced from £30. The obvious choice for this skirt would be to tuck in an oversized tshirt and wear with gladiators...but not me!!! I'm gonna figure out a different way of wearing this skirt...i wont conform to the t-shirt and sandals!!! I wont!

Ode to acid green shoes...

2008-07-02T07:59:00.007+01:00

Green and i have a special relationship...especially bright green...no matter what shade, as long as its bright i love it...i love it on accessories, clothes, dresses. jewellery...but when it comes to shoes, its a whole other story...

Which would explain my sheer delight at coming across these Christian Louboutins in fluro green... (available on net-a-porter for £420). I was actually on a bit of a hunt for some green heels when i came across them.

I blame the front cover of 'Chasing Harry Winston' by Lauren Weisberger for my sudden lust for them. I have been trying to read the book but i just keep shutting it and staring at the heels on the front. They are so perfect, patent apple green...and they're not even real! But i knew there must be something out there readily available...and there was!

I just think about how, if you're ever having a boring outfit day...or not boring necessarily but more of a basic outfit day...you know, knitted black dress or black pencil skirt and plain top (for work obv) you can just sling these on and its like an instant outfit up-lift...

Maybe its the apparent Irish in me (again, i believe i've mentioned before i have the rosy cheeks, pale skin, blonde hair and green eyes thanks to my ancestors...) but i love a good ol' shot of green! Plus the clashing opportunities with these are PRICELESS! I LOVE the mean clash of the red sole and the green patent and would probably carry this on through with red tights. The kind of clash that people say you should mix together as a rule (who decided there should be rules to how you dress??) i say yes to the clashing of red and green!! Infact, i'm almost dissapointed that the toe of the shoe isn't red...that would've been perfect...!

To fringe or not to fringe...that WAS the question...

2008-06-29T15:52:00.007+01:00

But the votes are in...and the verdict...wait for it...the fringe wins!! YAAAAAY! Over that time i have developed the fringe i want to a sleeker cleopatra style blunt cut..pretty much exactly the image on the left <------

Sorry about the image quality by the way, i actually cannot for the life of me remember where that picture came from but i remember seeing it and thinking 'oh my god...thats it!!!'. I've put the proper picture below for you to see the hair a bit clearer. Let me know what you think! I need to grow my hair about 2 to 3 inches before i can get this done because the last person who 'trimmed' my hair decided it was ok to just hack away some layers without asking me...i know it sounds petty but i HATE layers in my hair! (I have naturally poker straight, fine-mid thickness hair and layers make the ends whisp in all directions whereas bluntcut stay blunt!) GRR!!! Thus bringing on hairdresserphobia...which in all seriousness i genuinely suffer with :'oS

So i'm going to have those layers cut out, which means my hair will have to be a teeny bit shorter than this pic but thats ok, it will still look good (i hope! eek fingers crossed!)...now i'm not planning on having this done until i get back from Jamaica on about the 5th Sept (how am i going to blog from there???!) So atleast that gives me plenty of time to grow it and also to source a hairdresser...I've been to Lisa Shepherd twice and shes AMAZING!! I'd highly recommend her, and if i can't get somebody in London i'll book in with her. Hmm Lee Stafford? Charles Worthington?...I'll have to look into it...but please don't think that by saying that i'm some rich girl who can afford to go to these people...i will do overtime for it! I just cant trust hairdressers so i feel like i have to spend all that money for the 'foundation' cut...then i can go to someone else and say "trim this please...no layers"! Even the thought of going to a hairdresser brings out anxiety...eek! Why cant they just do what you ask :o(

I think it's only worse because i'm very particular about my hair...its my crowning glory and i do take care of it as if it were my baby...shampoo and a hair treatment every wash, leave in conditioner spray, leave in conditioner cream, comb through and leave to dry naturally...no heat tools! But at the moment because of those whispy ends i have to hot brush it :o(

PHEW....ranting aside. let me know what you think...

Yearning for ruffles...

2008-06-29T15:12:00.004+01:00

LOTS of ruffles...in particular this Burberry Prorsum dress. It's grey, its short, its ruffly...what more could you want?? Actually if we're being technical its 'oyster grey', which is a grey worth owning in my view...now the only problem is that even in the sale its a wa-hopping £998 (reduced from £1995!)...hmmm...i think this is going to have to be added to the backlog of ensembles to be made...but im thinking of a different colour...i wont tell you what, and i'll hopefully make it soon and suprise you all...

Topshop report...

2008-06-29T09:53:00.004+01:00

There's usually a whole loada i wants when scouring through Topshop online. I try not to be so predictable but i am a fan, i grudginly admit (if it werent entirely obvious) that Topshop is the place for me. It's not because i can't or don't make my own clothes (to me there's nothing better and wearing your own clothes makes for true happiness), and it's not because i don't like vintage/charity shop/ebay buys and it's not that i don't like buying more expensive, select designer pieces...its just because its easy and the clothes are really nice. And besides, i like that with Topshop if you dont buy it when you see it, its gonna be gone! I like the fast fashion as much as i like pret-a-porter, couture and vintage...i know that probably sounds like a sin in the fashion world but its true. I quite like that sometimes people will say "ooh i love that top, where's it from?" and i say "oh just topshop" and they say "really? is it still in there?" and i reply "no, they don't have anymore" because it makes your high street suddenly feel a tad more special...

So my Topshop report today consists of the things i want but havent bought...i am after all extremely broke this month...I think the obvious stars of the stuff available at the moment are the black patent mac, and the silver trousers. Id be cautious wearing the trousers in fear of looking like a pork joint wrapped in baking foil, but i do like them, but would prefer them in black. I would, however, absolutely wear the patent mac...infact i'd go as far to say that i actually almost NEED it. When i saw it i gasped in happiness...then i saw that its £150 and kinda slumped back into my chair and sulked. I just can't spend that much money on a coat that wouldn't be worn with eveything, not this month atleast. I would consider investing in it if it weren't for the fact that this month, what's left of my clothes/shoes/accessories budget is approximately £115 (i bought that Fair trade beanie yesterday so it's gone down £15, plus i bought some pots and pans for London yesterday but i don't like to think of them as expenditure, more like necessity so they're not coming out of the 'spending budget').

Now...these blouses are devine...i want them both but neither i shall get, because tops like this come under the 'i can make it myself' category, which means no buying! Only problem is that then i never bother to make the tops! I have a huge backlog of tops and dress i want to make! I really love the colours of both and it's hard to choose between which one i would buy. At first i thought the pale sheer top because of the gorgeous deatiling but then i promptly changed my mind to the plum coloured one. Not only because it's more 'practical' (*SHIVERS!* a word i have come to know recently but resent sometimes!) but also because look at the detailing on the cap sleeves!! It's adorable and simple but also versatile which is another word that often creaps into my mind when deciding on clothes....every now and then though a girl just has to buy something that impractical and you wouldn't necessarily be able to wear to work and to play...like these woolly bloomers!!!

Hehe i don't know which colour i'd have, i'd probably have both, they are fab! I can't help but think how comfy they look...ahhhh jersey....my friend (when used correctly). I like the idea of layering tights and thick long socks with these in a colour palette of nudes, greys, creams and maybe a bit of soft brown. They do make me chuckle. At first i did consider that they were too long but actually i think the length adds to how interesting they are.

Last but not least, are these 'gladiator'-esque boots (apparently) which i really like because i am lacking in flat leather ankle boots, but these have a nice bit of detailing on them which makes them all the more interesting. And also this stunning angel cardigan which i nearly bought but then managed to hold myself back from. I really love the colour and the sleeves are beautiful. Plus i am a fan of the ol' cropped cardi...Im very short and find that the cropped ones don't swamp me like average length cardi's do.

A beanie in July?

2008-06-28T12:48:00.006+01:00

Why not!? I saw it on Topshop online (Fairtrade, £10) and had to have it...You see i love the winter...i love layering, i love tights, jackets, mittens and scarves and i love woolly hats! I know it might be a bit sad yearning for the winter in June, and its not that i don't like the Summer...I really really appreciate the dry days, when its a perfect temperature for not wearing a cardi or a jacket, and warm enough to bare the ol' pins...but there's something comforting about the winter. Perhaps its that in the summer, it could be anything...seriously! British summer can be gloriously sunny with a Caribbean-esque breeze or sweltering and humid, or cloudy and muggy (causing migraines!), it can be tipping, spitting or blobbing rain, it can even snow or hail for goodness sakes...as seen this year! And while the guessing game can be amusing, most of the time it's irritating...you wait all year to go for a picnic...it rains. You plan a big trip to the beach...it rains...theme park...rain...festival....rain...and you spend all your savings jetting off to warmer climates and you somehow take the British rain with you...yes, suddenly Barcelona is practically minus 10 degrees and raining and back in Britain its the hottest summer for 100 years...ahhh Britain. How i love thee.

Winter, however, is a different story... in the winter, you KNOW its going to rain and if it doesnt its a pleasant suprise but you always have the umbrella in the handbag. And you can guarantee its going to be fa-reezing, that the car will need scraping and a good 20 minutes to warm up and defrost, and there's nothing more beautiful than sunshine glistening on the frost...*sigh dreamily*. So hell to it, i bought a woolly hat in June! AND as i write this, im actually eating hot chicken soup...YES! Bring on the winter - i'm ready!!

Never suffer again!!

2008-06-28T09:42:00.006+01:00

There's one reason and one reason only why we suffer heels...because they are FABULOUS!! High heels can be so wonderfully stunning, classy and exciting, they are generally worth the pain that most of them cause to the wearer. And as long as you can grin and bear it, you will look great in them. But no more will you have to take slow, pinching baby steps home...because now there are these!!! Tipsy feet...!

Tipsy feet are foldable flat pumps which fold into a little palm-sized purse that fits into your handbag easily. You pop it in ya clutch, go out wearing sky-high stilettos and when the night is done and your feet literally cannot take another step, you whip them out and pop them on...but what about your heels i hear you say? Well, the little purse folds out into a tote big enough for your heels!!! ITS GENIUS!! I know they're not that new, and im sure you've all probably heard of them concept before but i am intending on buying a pair soon and thought they deserved a mention! :oD

Now i know there are also Redfoot ones but i like the simplicity of these much better, they're just really basic and the purse is basic and the tote has quite a pleasant pattern to it. But generally i just like the fact that they're plain and simple/ They come in four colours, black, pink, gold and silver and are all a bit shimmery/metallic. There are 3 sizes and they are £19.95! Woohoo...my excuse for wanting these wasn't really the whole night out thing but more the whole getting to work thing. For in London, when im making my way to merry old work...well...there are puddles, and mud, gum and all other manners of shoe-destroying obstacles. And im scared enough of ruining my beloved shoes as it is, so i'm imagining these coming in very handy for the journey!

Another little item of note, which is quite relevant for me, are these 'heart stoppers'...little pvc hearts that stick to the sole of your shoe, thusly stopping you from slipping up and looking like a moron who cant handle 5 inch stilettos...and they apparently even work on black ice! Gotta be worth investing in right?? And they're soooooo cute! What would you rather have? A wet, muddy bum, maybe even a broken ankle or a £5.99 heart stopper on ya sole?

Thank the lord for footwear loving inventors! I salute you!

Gosh i've got alot of stuff...

2008-06-27T17:54:00.005+01:00

I can't even begin to tell you how much stuff i have...and i know i've said all this before but i really do have ALOT! I'd love to see other peoples wardrobes, just to compare their insanity to mine. About a year ago, my sister moved out for a few months, in this time (because we didn't think she was coming back) we cleared her room, stripped it all down ready to decorate but before my parents began their redesigning i promised them i'd sort all my stuff out (stuff being wardrobe or more appropriately 'whole roomdrobe') if i could use the spare room to help, so i began carefully stacking shoe boxes against the wall of the, now, spare room and i began neatly piling and folding my clothes...folding became carefully laying the clothes and then the pile became so big it was just a case of fitting it all in...The room was FULL to the brim and my bedroom didnt even look any emptier, not even a little bit!!! I took a picture of just one of the corners of the (very large) spare room, which was a master bedroom so you can imagine the size and i've just found it while sorting the pictures on my work computer (they definitely needed sorting!)...and i was astonished just looking at that corner, because it wasn't even the corner with the most stuff crammed into it!! The worst thing is, all the stuff that was in the master bedroom is now packed into the loft because my sister moved back suddenly, and my bedroom is probably at its VERY worst ever! Thinking about the fact that this was a year ago, makes me terrified and excited about getting all the things back down from the loft, because if you could see how much i've accumulated over the past year and then add it to this load...well...it makes for a very scary scenario indeed. After thinking about this for a while i thanked the lord we're getting a 2 bedroom flat but surely the boyf will not allow this mountain of clothes as well as the Kilimanjaro of shoes??!!

Hilarious part of this whole thing is that just today i was sending the boyf pictures of Ikea wardrobes/storage solutions...poor boyf trying to actually work while im bothering him with my interior passions, getting only one word answers back, but answers all the same...This wardrobe idea was brilliant, and as i showed my colleague we joked at how its (seriously) not NEARLY enough space for all my stuff and thats not even remembering all the above items!! Even more hilarious is that when i read further about said wardrobe, it actually says that instead of having different wardrobes for all the members of the family, this wardrobe is designed to put "all the families wardrobes into one large wardrobe..." - WHAT??!?! Surely not?!?! What kinda family are they talking about?? That's not nearly big enough for even my work wardrobe let alone everything else...but is it that the Ikea designers are just being hopefully or that i am actually an official hoarder?? Either way, it probably wont ever stop me hoarding, but an organised hoard would suit me much better...

To be a chameleon

2008-06-26T08:40:00.006+01:00

Being a fashion chameleon is probably the best part about fashion...Being able to change who you are on the outside whenever you feel like it is without a doubt extremely liberating. One thing that has me particularly creative at the moment is definitely the beauty side of style. It took a long time to chop my tresses and to go for a bolder block bleach rather than my highlights that i had been having for something like 7 years. And i am loving the block colour.

There are hair styles that have had me drooling for a long time and one particular is the Cleopatra...blunt thick fringe, blunt sharply cut shoulder length hair (i looked up Cleopatra hair and the best image i could find is of Cheryl Cole)...it's definitely something I'm working towards at the moment, but i need to grow my hair a little bit more - then again who wants a fringe in the summer anyway...i can only imagine the frustration it would cause in Jamaica!!! So for Autumn i am looking forward to my new style...

Beauty-wise i am really feeling the extremes; completely nude, natural sheeny shiny skin full of dewy-ness with ultra nude lips and perfectly defined brows as BEAUTIFULLY seen at McQueen a/w 08-09 OR Galliano for Dior a/w 08-09 inspired slightly alien 60's monochrome eyes with sweeps of orange or pink...both are quite extreme to one another but like i said...whats the point in not wearing what you want, when you want, regardless of what people think...after all, the body is a blank canvas just waiting to be adorned...so enjoy!

Va-hintage!

2008-06-24T08:50:00.006+01:00

YAAAAAY! I get home this morning and what do i find but two packages!!! waaaaay! One being the lovely lovely fabric i ordered to finish my cabbage rose tea dress and the other was my vintage ebay buys...now this is always dangerous territory....will it smell dusty and old? Will it fit? thenagain for the pittance i paid for them who cares!! But no it didnt smell of old dust and yes it fit...infact it was a teeny bit big but not enough to be altered... The only one that was tooooo big was the striped navy dress - it was a tent!!! But here are pics of the other two....both of which i am loving!!!

Really like the bell sleeves on the left dress...its VERY short so would probably be best to wear with thick tights...since my pins are very pale! The dress on the right however was pure summer! Loved it! I'd like it to be a bit more cinched at the waist thought so would need a belt... ahhhh cheap clothes.... :oD

A little excessive??

2008-06-23T07:44:00.005+01:00

Ok so at approximately 7.15am today i have already spent £123...does that seem normal to you too? I thought so until a colleague questioned my mental state (they are psychiatric nurses after all). In the end i gave in and bought the 3 items i have been pondering over for a while, which just adds to my theory that if you want something quite badly you should just buy it because you're going to end up buying it anyway!! I know that's not the most intelligent thesis i could've come up with but hey it is 7.45am now...

This should have been a pleasant buy, i got all the three items i wanted, in the correct sizes and correct colours and styles...it was going to be the perfect transaction, free delivery since i spent over £100, and im at work everyday but Tuesday so i had two options...a) next day delivery and wait in at home until it arrives or b) free delivery and get it sent to my work on Wednesday, where i'll be at reception, so it's not like it's going to irritate anyone...so of course i choose plan 'b'...however, i got an extreme case of the clicks and just started whizzing through the payment process and of course...didn't change my delivery address...so now it's going to go to my empty house where no one can accept it.... :o( typical!! Serves me right for getting too excited!!

So i got the cowboy ankle boots with the buckle, the coral cotton playsuit and the nude mesh skirt....mmmm! All from Topshop...where else, when you're confined at work... thank the lord for Topshop online!!

Loving this dress!!!

2008-06-22T18:31:00.007+01:00

Is it wrong to look at something you really like and would very much buy were it cheaper, and think "no, i just can't part with that money for something i could make myself..."

This is a constant battle is fight...(dramatic i know!)...but in my head i consider myself an artist/designer, despite the fact that it is not my actual full time profession. But I work on commission...dresses, wedding photography, paintings, i designed the shop front of salon which i proudly pass and say "i designed that..." and i have turned down jobs in the past because it can become too much sometimes as i work full time. So to see something that i could make a similar version of, makes me stop and just say no, i wont buy it...But is it wrong to not support other designers just because i can do it myself?

This is the question that faced me when i came across this absolutely ga-horgeous dress by Miss Milne on the Independent designers section of asos....I want it!! But it's £78 which, by rights, for an independent designer is absolutely not unreasonable at all...but i just cant bear to part with it for something that i could whip up a similar version of...i feel mean...quick, someone else (with more money than me) buy it so i don't feel guilty. It really is a cute dress! This picture below particular makes me think "OHHHH!!! I WANT IT!!!"...imagine fuchsia heels...dark smokey eyes...

Vintage buys...

2008-06-21T19:52:00.004+01:00

So i may not have won the BEAUTIFUL vintage leather cape coat i so badly wanted but i did manage to get a few other barganious vintage buys! Now i don't very often fall in love with vintage pieces, it's not that i wouldn't wear them but generally i just don't...probably because there is only one vintage shop in my town and it's more like a joke shop...full of all the 'silly and comical' pieces like Elton John sunglasses and glittery platform boots...which is all fine and fun to play around with but actually i'm just not willing to pay the price that is wanted for such items...items that as much as i'd quite like to have, i wouldn't wear unless i was going to a 70's party (oh my god!! i've just remembered i actually AM going to a 70's party next month!!)

So it was nice to find a few bits on ebay (where else?!) to buy. Each item cost around £4 - so i didn't exactly break the bank by buying three things!!! I have to say, it got me all in a vintage frenzy, and before i knew it i was searching frantically for more bargains! I have now calmed down and remembered that just because something is cheap, and you like it, doesn't mean you NEED to buy it when you could spend a little more on something you really REALLY LOVE!!! So, in an attempt to control my vintage fever, i have done something i've probably never done before, and just deleted them from my watch-list...SHOCKING...i know!!!

I bought 1 item from the 60's, 1 from the 70's and one from the 80's...as you do! The dress below was about £4.65 i think, and i think it's a little bit funky!! I'm planning on wearing it with my hair up in a big bun, with HUGE blue, green and pink silk and chiffon flowers surrounding the bun and absolutely sky-high fuchsia heels probably (i'm sure i've got some somewhere!)...also i'm thinking this will look particularly good when i get back from Jamaica and have a gorgeous bronzed tan (please oh please oh please!!!) i'm sure you can all tell i'm feeling a little too pasty for my own good at the moment (whereas i'm usually a spokesperson for the pale, I almost feel like if i dont come back gloriously golden, all that money will have been a bit wasted).

This dress (below left) is so adorable, there's only one way of wearing it! With white tights and white mary janes, hair flowing, with a pastel pout and cat eye flicks...hmmmm might have to make a stop at Topshop Oxford street for 'the Bardot' blow dry wearing this...it just seems like the right things to do...well ya know what they say - when wearing vintage! The dress below right is a bit different and i love the different colour/pattern blocks...but it feels like its missing something so i get the feeling a little customising may be required...perhaps it needs shortening and a sailor style collar needs adding...and big white buttons!!! Or maybe it just needs shortening and some detail adding to the back like straps...hmmmm....we'll see...So there ya have it! All this for under £15 :oD *beams with pride!*

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!?!?!??!?!?!

2008-06-20T20:26:00.005+01:00

WWWWWHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!?!?!??!?!??!!?! How could this happen!!!! I FORGOT to bid on the single most wonderful item i've probably ever found on ebay!!! Ok that's a little dramatic, but i REALLY wanted it! This vintage leather cape-coat was so beautiful i was so determined to get it that i was going to bid up to around £60 for it, and it was an American auction so everything was about half price...but i missed it.... and it went for £35.48!!!! AAAAHHHHHH! Right....calm down... im sorry for that outburst but i needed to release some built up frustration... oh well! I'll find something else to pine after :oD but it was a gorgeous coat...it was so perfect in every way....*sigh*...

The new-in Topshop report...

2008-06-20T16:41:00.005+01:00

Since i'm a saddo and i check the 'new-in' section of Topshop online every day...which gives me the title: 'Ashleigh...her own worst enemy'...i thought i'd give a bit of a summary of new bits available by good ol' Toppers!! God love them! Let's start with the most important...The Shoes!

I am particularly pining after the Beige/nude heels in the bottom right hand corner and the cowboy boots in the top left corner...the cowboy boots will, without a doubt be snapped up fairly soon because they are PERFECT...i'm quite fussy when it comes to things like cowboy boots...they have to be perfect or they'll just look awful!! But these, which have been updated with a buckle, are spot-on! Next we have the all important dresses...

I actually want all of these! The first dress just made me scream 'yes! the good 80's fashion is back finally...enough of these tacky plastic earrings....we want Diana Ross 80's....i'm in the middle of a chain reaction!!!....'. The second dress is absolutely divine...it looks like the kinda dress that really makes you stand out when you just want to wear an LBD, i think i could probably make it though. The third is really nice because it has a fantastic detail on the neckline of plastic discs and the last, the hoodie dress is so wicked! I can just imagine wearing it cinched with a big loose belt and killer heels to Tesco! hehe! Now we have the rest of the clothes...

Loving the First top in the left top corner particularly...it's sooo pretty! The detail is immense on this one...perfect for popping over an otherwise dull outfit. I'm also quite fond of the bottom right corner racer back shirt...such a simple piece that would really make a difference to jeans days, or would look FAB with a pair of pvc leggings!!!

And since i was running out of time i thought i would just take a quick screanshot of the accessories since all the best were pretty much together anyway! Loving the 'cat' across the body bacg and the oversized bow particularly...although i wouldnt have the bow in purple, i'd want something a little more feminine to overdue the girlyness. So there you have it. Visit Topshop to buy any of these scrummy things...and feel free to buy me anything you like! teehee!!

The current project...

2008-06-19T20:22:00.006+01:00

Thought i'd give a quick update on the little tea dress i'm making...I've run out of fabric and am waiting for some more, so i worked on the pattern and made the back-less back. I really love this cut-out back, it was one of the first things i wanted from the dress.

Its lovely to be making things again. I'm a real perfectionist (which also means i'm slow) but things turn out perfectly and i wont settle for any imperfections...it's a curse really, but a curse that i hope will get me far in my design career one day... I just love the fabric!!! I'm a little against ditsy florals at the mo because they're so popular for the summer...but i love the little dresses that are in the highstreet at the moment...so i thought i'd put a twist on it and go for the oversized roses and spots!!

I still can't decide whether to make matching bloomers or put a bit of netting underneath...?

Coleens wedding dress...

2008-06-19T17:01:00.013+01:00

Yep, here it is, in all it's glory...

Im sorry, I know alot of you might look upon this post in disgust, but it has to be done...I adore it! I can't even tell you how much. I wasn't ever planning on writing about it, but i can only write about things i'm passionate about, and this dress not only made me gasp as i flipped through OK magazine in the Co-op but it even made me BUY the magazine!!! I never buy magazines like OK!

As we're all completely aware, due to extreme overexposure in the press, Coleen McLoughlin and Wayne Rooney tied the knot recently, and there's been alot of talk about the wedding dress, which is rumoured to have cost around £200,000 (i dont see what the big deal is?!) was absolutely, without a doubt, well worth the pennies if you ask me...it was stunning! The pleated organza fans on the skirt were so incredibly beautiful, im actually green-eyed about it. I have never before seen a more beautiful wedding gown...and i'm not being biased just because it was made by Georgina Chapman of Marchesa at all...

Plus anyone who wears jewell-encrusted christian louboutins to the civil ceremony gets a thumbs up from me. During the civil part of the day, Coleen wore another gown, which was also really pretty and she also changed into a short spangly dress to cut the cake (which i assume is during the party after the religious ceremony - i don't know...i didnt read the articles...i was too in awe of the dress) But the whole thing was absolutely overshadowed by that dress. Honestly it is breath-taking.

I was completley expecting a Cheryl Tweedy/Cole Cavalli-esque sparkly dress (which, i'm sorry to offend anyone, but i HATED!) but this, oh this dress...i want it so bad! I wonder if Coleen would sell it? Hmmm....if i want something anything like this dress when i get married, i better get pleating now!!! (note: im not actually getting married, that last bit was hypothetical)....Go Georgina Chapman!!! Ok magazine was FULL of photos so if you wanna see the proper pics, go get it!

Must...buy....hat...

2008-06-19T08:56:00.005+01:00

....must...not....buy...yes i am once again having a schizo style fight with myself over whether or not to buy something that one side of my brain is saying i really want but shouldn't buy, and the other side is saying i need it and must buy it right this second... It's this finely woven, high-shine straw beret by Chapeau Claudette....ohhhhhh i want it?!! Everything about its perfect, even the colour! Oh by i mustn't....i mustn't...or do i? ahhhhh!!!! Just thought i'd post about it to keep my clicking fingers busy while i convince myself to remember it's not payday until end of next week and if i dip into my London savings, it's a slippery slippery slope...

LTD 100? WHERE??

2008-06-19T08:33:00.004+01:00

Does anyone else feel like they've TOTALLY missed out on the LTD100 on Asos.com?? For anyone who doesn't know what i'm on about, asos.com have teamed up with fashion students from London College of Fashion, to create 100 one-off pieces to sell on asos.com and 100% of the profits will go directly to the designer/student. But where have they all gone? I don't know why on earth i thought that waiting until about 4pm (when it opened at 1pm) would be a good idea? I didn't get the chance to see everything, but i managed to save some images of a few bits that stuck out...

(From left) Supak Pramsomsub, Joanna Blackshaw and Hayley Cheal. I think these would've been the three pieces i'd have bought...had i been quicker...how could i let this pass me by? Atleast there's the reassurance that I can't possibly be the only one that missed this great opportunity to have bought a completely one-off design...i'm sure that was supposed to make me feel better somehow?? :o(

Flappedy flap flap...

2008-06-19T07:56:00.006+01:00

Last week i was home in the morning because i was working late that day, and ofcourse i indulged in a little morning television...LK Today to be correct. I actually quite like LK Today because of how harmless it is...You won't see no raving looney Heather Mills on there...or atleast i hope not anyway!! It's only on for a short while too so it covers a few things, and always has a fashion section which is fairly enjoyable first thing in the morning. They only really deal with highstreet but it is amusing when they discuss 'high-fashion' and avante-garde items as if they're so out of this world it's unbelievable! Makes me smile...thats what you need while you're eating your crunchy nut in the morn!

So during the 'fashion' portion of the show, they always have a stylist to talk through the bits and say how lovely everything and how much. And usually the stylists are very similar in what they wear. They wear 'safe and flattering' outfits, so ofcourse i absolutely admired Louise Roe for not wearing the typical 'uniform'. She wore a really oversized flapper style dress which dwarfed her tiny frame. But she looked fab and with the hair band and bangles it was just a really sweet outfit! Simple but sweet and a little more daring than 'flattering jeans and a fitted blazer'...plus the dress was a really pale dusky baby pink, with cream crochet-like details...really cute! But what more can you expect from a VogueTV presenter?! Does this lady have the best job or what??

And speaking of 'flapper style'...who else adored John Galliano's SS 08 collection. I thought it was absolutely gorgeous. Usually its the edgier collections that i adore, but this was just so sweet and pretty that it worked. Particularly loving the hats, gem adorned lips and silver shoes. Plus i there's nothing quite like an animated collection, where the models wiggle themselves down the catwalk and seem like they're loving the show! Just a generally really pretty collection, which is sometimes all one needs...p.s I want the look below...now where's my can of spray paint???

My new favorite thing...that i've owned for ages!

2008-06-19T07:23:00.005+01:00

Staying with the horse theme a bit, I have recently realised that one of my key jewellery pieces is only a cheapy thing and it's not something that i'd really expect to be as useful as it is. It's a unicorn necklace by Lisa Galibardy which i bought quite a while ago, and as everything i left it in its little pouch never to see day light until one day something was so so missing in my outfit. I couldn't find anything that my outfit needed but it still wasnt right. Then for no reason at all i remembered the necklace and shockingly it perfected everything...funny how something so silly can make a world of difference to an outfit. Like shoes...sometimes black shoes can completely kill an outfit and you need bright heels to pull it together.

The necklace, is only black acrylic - nothing special. But the simplicity of the black can really pop against certain outfits. And this necklace goes with EVERYTHING!! Seriously, its a bit kooky enough to wear with going out stuff, its a fun shape so it goes with casual summer stuff and because its simple and black it goes with winter jumpers!

"Lisa Galibardy began her fashion career in 2002 making handmade clothing and jewellery for her stall at Spitalfields market.Based in Brixton, South London, this untrained designers use of silk, vintage fabric and beautiful embellishment helped gain a loyal following of customers and led to buyers of several leading department stores and independent boutiques stocking the Galibardy label in the UK and abroad. Galibardy Jewellery designs include Brass and Acrylic earrings, brooches and pendants, drawing inspiration from nature and a world of mythical creatures..."

All hail Lisa Galibardy. Asos.com is the obvious choice to get your hands on some of her stuff but i think you can also obtain them through her MySpace page which has loads of other pieces of jewellery (like my unicorn in different acrylics...i'm lovin the clear perspex!)...

Giddy up!

2008-06-18T12:12:00.005+01:00

This is Mr Horse. Mr Horse lives down the road. He is one of 3 in the field but is by far the best. Mr Horse always runs to us when we walk past, he nuzzles us when we say hi and we feed him grass. When we leave, Mr Horse watches us go until we're out of sight, neighs and makes us feel bad. I love Mr Horse... Infact, i generally just love the horses.

One of the best things about being in the New Forest (on the outskirts) is that you can drive up the road for 2 mins and before you're even half way through a song on the radio, you're in the middle of nowhere. It's really beautiful and massive.

When i was at school loads of my friends lived in the proper forest, in the middle of nowhere, on farms and alot of them had horses. Alot of the people i work with have horses and some live on farms. I used to always want a horse desperately, and used to go riding.

Even nowadays i'd love to have a horse...but theres a very very good reason why people like me, people who love fashion, shouldn't have horses...because we'd absolutely, without a doubt, insist on dressing like this...

...and that, my fellow horse-loving 'fashionistas' would not be safe...!

Long time, no dress...

2008-06-18T08:45:00.007+01:00

So it has been so long since i have made anything, it felt like when you havent seen somebody in ages and although you pick up where you left off, there's a strangeness to getting used to it again.

I'm sure i have mentioned before the burn-out effect college had on me...well i'm finally back in the swing now. And it's nice to be making things i want to make. At college you had to make things that the teachers wanted you to make, but my problem was that i had no passion for what other people wanted and therefore no drive...

So, with my spotty and floral ebay fabric in mind, i designed a super-short tea dress, with pale pink trimming, an open back, rose buttons which ties at the back with a big bow... and for a change i've actually started making it!! Not because i am more passionate about this, not because it's more wearable than my other designs, but because i already had the stuff i guess...so although i've only done like two panels (and ran out of fabric, have ordered more) but i thought i would share the delights and wonders of making your own clothes with you all...and give you a sneak peak of the very first stages...because i don't just get excited when things start to look right and take shape, i get excited at the very first steps as well!

The skirt is currently a bit long and its looking a little old fashioned but its going to be a mini-tea dress when i'm done hacking at it...and i'm really tempted to make bloomers with any left over fabric!! :oD Nothing better than a pair of matching undergarments! teehee!

AND if i wanted to be extra matching, which is not something i would usually want to be, but with this dress it would work, i could also buy the red version of my beige and gold Irregular choice floral heels, which have only just come into the local Schuh store here, but when i saw them i did kinda think...ohhhh! I like the red ones...but now i'm back to being happy with my gold ones (because naturally i needed another pair of gold heels!)

Let there be stripes!!

2008-06-18T07:13:00.010+01:00

mySee now, shopping makes a girl happy. I'm sure you are all in agreement with that...it's almost like a fact rather than an opinion. So ofcourse when a girl can buy an outfit for less than she would usually spend on lunch (at a restaurant) that makes her EXTREMELY happy. So ofcourse, i was pleased yesterday after spending £14 at a sushi restaurant (which...was....devine!! - food and fashion, what else is there?!) to then buy a top and trousers for £13.99! Cheaper than my lunch (just)...and the jeans/trousers...i am in awe of them. They're skinny with black and white stripes from H&M...somewhere that although i can be fond of, i also need to have an entire day off to look in because it's like an absolute jungle...there could possibly even be primates hiding under the sweaters in there, the way that place is!!! Just thats also a positive on some days, having a good rummage.

So my yummy jeans were reduced to £10, and i also bought a fluro-ish yellow-green top which i loved the cut of - little cap sleeves and a scoop neck...gorgeous, and they go perfectly with the vertical striped jeans! I am a tad biased when it comes to stripes you see, because i LOVE them...but only vertical ones really. It's what i'm planning for my lounge in London...black and white stripes, shades of grey and orange...but i'll bore you with my tales of home furnishings when the time comes!

I'd really have to consider wearing my zig zag striped booties by Irregular choice with this out...it must be done! And if only the stripes were bigger, they would look just like the spring/summer 06 Balenciaga stripe pants....ohhh the Balenciaga pants....*dream about owning them*... They were beautiful! I'm sure i would never be able to squeeze into a pair if i did manage to get my hands on them but one can always dream. And with a bit of care and patience, they would probably be fairly simple to replicate! This is where being a perfectionist is truly useful! So to round the post off i will say one thing...LET THERE BE STRIPES!!!

Must...find...dress...

2008-06-15T19:43:00.005+01:00

Right so first things first, i actually have no idea who Katy Perry is, but according to the Asos.com blog she is a singer who wears pin-up style clothes...interesting....but more importantly she wore THIS dress... oh it's so pretty...it's like a more wearable version of the Jean Paul Gaultier gown worn at the Oscars this year.

I love the scale effect. It really is extremely 'me'...i adore it. But, and maybe i'm completely overlooking the obvious here, i cannot figure out who it's by. And it's really irritating me. To be fair, i am at work so it's making the whole research thing a little more challenging, as i'm constantly being interrupted (god, what do they think i'm here for?? To do my job or something??) but i keep thinking it's either something that is American and i will never find on the internet or it's going to end up being a completely obvious designer like Chanel. But to save my poor poor brain, please, if anybody knows, leave a comment and let me know. It is stunning!

Hmmm, the next designers my brain thinks it could be are Ashish? Atik Batik? Michael Kors? Fendi? Who else uses alot of sequins? I guess i may never know...But speaking of Fendi and fish-scales, that reminds me of something else i had almost forgotten about...The Fendi Voodoo bag from A/W 07-08. The way the sequins were placed on the bag created a fish-scale effect and i loved the bohemian style mish-mash of ideas. They worked so beautifully. This bag is definately a stand alone piece...the kind that people would say you should wear with jeans, heels and a plain tee or vest, but i say NO! I'd wear it with a black patent mac, stripey tights and the most neon suede shoes i could find with really contrasting slouchy rib-knit socks. But i'd have no makeup...ahhh the imaginary outfits really do bring a smile to my face...

THATS THE ANSWER!!

2008-06-15T18:40:00.005+01:00

Anyone else out there sometimes almost feel that they're too busy to even get dressed properly in the morning nowadays??? Well me too (wait when did i get old and?!?). Sometimes i wake up and just think..."oh my god, i actually have no time or energy to find something to wear...i've just got to go! No time for breakfast...quick put on the nearest shoes...where's my bag...ahhhh!!!!!" Yep that's me in a nutshell some mornings...and it tends to ruin my day. Nothing quite like waking up early enough to prepare an outfit, have breakfast and stand in front of the mirror for a good minute before leaving the house...but then what can one do? Times a scarce thing... Well i have the answer!!! Or rather, Topshop (yes i know, another Topshop mention - i wish they'd pay me for always going on about them) have the answer!!

All-in-ones!! No i don't mean just any old all-in-ones...THIS kinda all in one (45)!!! An entire outfit basically sewn together!! It's genius!! Just sew your tops and bottoms together like this one. Haha! Can you imagine, getting up in the morning really late, opening your wardrobe (or sifting through your piles like me) and having a row of perfectly put together outfits that are already mixed and matched and just stepping into them! haha! I just love it! And at £45 its actually cheaper than buying the separates...teehee!

***EDIT*** i had to add more to this post after i found this really nice Miu Miu dress on net-a-porter (originally £250 reduced to £100) which has the same concept and this one would be really good for work!!! Definately bring on the one-pieces!

Bonnie Scotland...

2008-06-14T10:44:00.007+01:00

Ahhhh Scotland. My beloved Scotland...well, not quite mine. You see i'm not Scottish, and my family aren't Scottish (we're actually Irish - apparently - and i am blonde, green-eyed and rosy-cheeked!) but anyway, Scotland. So many memories...it is the first place my boyfriend and i ever went away to by ourselves. We drove for 9 hours in blissful harmony, laughing and joking and it holds such happiness for me when i think of our cabin in the middle of nowhere...*sigh longingly*...

So when i saw an advert for the Scottish Fashion Awards i was intrigued! There is one category that make me giggle slightly and thats 'best use of tartan', the nominees are House of Holland (obviously - i don't think you could possibly get a more tartanous show!), Dolce & Gabbana and Ralph Lauren. Don't get me wrong, i'm not taking the mickey or anything, but what will they do if nobody uses tartan next season? And i'd like that category to stay so that when i'm a designer i can make a collection using nothing but tartan and then win the award!

The awards are set to be a massive event this year, with the judging panel this year including:

Dolly Jones - Editor Vogue.com

The Hon. Daphne Guinness - Fashion Icon, advisor to Valentino

Kate Phelan - Fashion Director British Vogue
Hilary Alexander - Fashion Director The Daily Telegraph
Brigitte Stepputtis - Head of Couture Vivienne Westwood
Brian Rennie - Creative Director Gant
Jennifer Uner - Founder of LA Fashion Awards
Gary Van Dis - VP Corporate Creative Conde Nast USA
Janette Harkess - Deputy Editor The Herald
Eric Smith - MD, Eric N Smith Diamond Designer & Jeweller
Tessa Hartmann - Founder of Scottish Fashion Awards and Chairman of the panel.

If you ask me, that's huge! Another category i'm fairly interested in is the Scottish model of the year, after all, look what it did for a certain ms. Deyn when she won Model of the year! Although saying that, the nominees seem to already be high-flying stars in the modelling world. So in Scottish fashion i have been traipsing about the internet to find some clothes to fit the occasion. One thing i am absolutely yearning for is the pair of tartan trousers i made when i was 13, the very very first thing i made form scratch...they were PERFECT!!! That was the moment i truly knew i could be a designer if i wanted. They were immaculately made and i used to get stopped CONSTANTLY by people running over, pointing and yelling "oh my god where did you get those from!!"...ahhhh. But ofcourse i probably threw them away, after all i was 13...god knows what dress size i was but it was definatley smaller than i am now!! **EDIT** finally found the picture of Heidi Klum i've been searching for!! Its only taken me a day... My trousers were almost identical to these! Thought i'd show you :oD Must make another pair!

For now though, this jacket by Topshop (£55) will definately fill the tartan hole. The details are really adorable and i think it's really nicely cut. It's also not too much. Something fabrics like this can be too overpowering but because this is a kinda cropped length it works really well and the ruffles are really adorable, they give the tartan and much softer edge. Plus the brass buttons also make it a little military. Overall i'm loving this jacket, i'm gonna have to give it a 10/10! I want it so bad! Might have to blow the cobwebs off the ol' store card for this one...i'm broke this month! Oh well only 14 days til pay...can you believe this is what a car does to you!

Is there a lightbulb above my head?

2008-06-14T07:10:00.008+01:00

No! ofcourse there isn't...it's under my shoe!! Since i mentioned them in the previous post, i thought i would give them a little bit of limelight...the lightbulb heel by Chanel. Gimme gimme gimme...!!

Yep, i could see myself wearing these. I could imagine wearing something a little bit killer, waltzing down the street one evening with lit up heels. Infact, if i had those heels there would be no waltzing...there would be full-on, 'singing in the rain'-style dancing around, hanging off of and swirling around street light poles and i'd probably even throw in a song complete with choreography and spirit fingers. Yep! All for the shoe... I'm sure none of you are already aware that i love shoes...After thinking for quite some times about these babies, i suddenly thought to myself...my god! I actually have been neglecting Chanel shoes recently...I think because the previous seasons didn't have me overly excited (not anymore than usual anyway).

Last season there was alot of the black and white flat boot with the contrasting dip-toe (which i adore, but they didn't make me squeal because they were nothing new, they were just wonderfully redefined) and the season before there were the wedges with the plastic strap which i wasn't fond of (although, that's just because they're wedges...i just don't like wedges...never have. I'm sure one day i'll find a pair i like).

The season before that saw my favorites - the delicious, must-have-now over the knee white boots with the black dip-toe....ohhhh *heart flutters* oh how i want these...i might cry! Or even the season before with the dip-toe short booty. So you see, i've always come to expect Monsieur Lagerfeld to just re-invent and update the classics he has already created and then, out of the blue come the lightbulb heels...bravo!

And i must add a quick note to say that i am also loving the chanel logo heel (they're so simple and super high!!) and i also am in slightly obsessed with the quilted mini ankle bag...mmmm. I know all of this isn't exactly breaking news, but that last post has got me on a bit of a Chanel obsession now... especially the logo situation...it's just a bit of an indecisive subject to me... and yet, its a subject that gives me hours of happiness and pleasure 'researching' into!

The thing about Chanel is...

2008-06-13T08:15:00.010+01:00

I have a constant battle of indecision when it comes to Chanel. To me the label is simply half and half...i cant even count how many times i've looked at something and gone "oooooh!" (in a good sense) and then "hmmmmm" (in a bad way). It's constant indecision i tells ya! I think the two most confusing accessories by Chanel are also probably the two most obvious...for a start, the Chanel quilted bag with the logo on. In one way i like it because its Chanel, but then i see it on people like Mischa Barton and suddenly it just looks tacky. I don't mean to outrage any Chanel/Mischa fans here but it's gotta be said. It's looks damn tacky. Same goes for the Chanel 'cuff', which actually i really like but just couldn't bring myself to wear. The kind of thing that is so expensive and yet so easy to replicate that fakes are everywhere! I mean, how hard is it to get some diamonte's and stick them to an acrylic cuff in the Chanel logo. Maybe that's it. Maybe thats why i couldn't have one (i think Ashlee Simpson also ruined it for me...no disrespect to the girl but to me, as soon as something is linked with a celeb, it's kinda ruined for me). Same with the bag, I don't know how many times i've seen ladies walking through town with faux Chanel bags...makes me sad but also presents a challenge!

The challenge comes as Chanel IS fabulous. Both pioneering in the past and awe-inspring today (does nobody else squeel in joy at the light bulb heels??). But the whole logo thing (like LV) just brings it down a level when overused. That said, check out this bag which i can't get enough of. For someone who's just moaned about the logo being overused, you will positively laugh your heads off at the bag i want...

Yes...i bag made ENTIRELY of the logo. But its soooo preeeeetty!!! I think that logo's intertwine so well and with the different metallics they almost become lost. This is the perfect handbag for an evening out. Obviously Chanel but in a subtle way (contradiction i know). Mmmm i can imagine this with every outfit...i want it!

Another thing im lusting after is a pair of optical glasses from the new Chanel range...*gasp!* I'm in love with them! The photo on the left is a pair of black frames with diamonte and stud 'eyebrows' which i think are a little bit gorgeous! However, i would probably have to try them on and compare with the beauties below before deciding which pair i'd prefer...is it time to upgrade my perfect Prada glasses? Well i suppose it probably doesn't matter either way since i never wear them (i prefer to be a bit blind! and the arms are so thick i can't check my blind spot in the car...useless but gorgeous). I'm loving the wayfarer style ones below though it'd be hard to decide what colour combination to choose. But there you have it...Chanel. The label that brings up such disagreement with myself...But all in all, it is a wonderful label that year after year brings something a little bit special to fashion...even if it is a light up shoe!

I hate to mention the 'C' word but...

2008-06-12T19:45:00.006+01:00

It has to be done...sometimes i see something on a...a...'celebrity'...and i just can't help but really like it. This time is was Angelina Jolie, heavily pregnant wearing the most devine printed Nicole Miller dress...I really did just love it. It's not fashion forward, its very much on-trend, it's everything i'm usually not bothered by, but for some reason i just really really like it. I'm not bothered by 'celebs', i don't particularly have anything for or against Angeline Jolie but i think she looks really beautiful in this dress. The bust is perfectly cut (for larger busted ladies such as myself!), the print is really flattering and the colours are subtle, but with a strike of bright grass-green through the pattern. I dunno, it feels strange writing about it but, again, i like it. I wasn't so bothered when i saw the catwalk shot of the dress on the (not pregnant) model though - must need curves to fill it out a bit. To be honest i looked it up out of pure interest thinking Nicole Miller was a really good maternity designer (oops!) since there are so many preggers ladies around me ( it's really scary :oS ).

Whilst i was searching Nicole Millers site, it suddenly realised that she's apparently quite a favorite of the ol' celeb...had no idea, and am not really any more interested since finding that out. But there were a few nice things on her site. First of all i could only find one dress in two different colours that i liked. I liked the simplicty of it with the contrasting lines. My boyfriend says i can always find something to buy no matter where we are (this is all since the services incident, when we were on our way back from bonnie Scotland, stopped for petrol, i went into the services and came out half an hour later with about 3 bags of shopping...thank god he laughed!) so this dress would've probably been 'the buy' or the site from the RTW section.

However, saying that i did then find two really lovely catwalk 'fall 08' ensembles which were really different and unexpected considering the previous items i had seen. Infact i would've easily mistook them for being from entirely different nationalities too! (bare with me on this one!) The ensemble on the left looks as though it would be shown in Paris (perhaps Mouret) and the dress on the right looks really London (pretty much screams Kane)...and they were both from the same collection...amazing really. You think you get the jist of a designer by looking at what they have to buy online, looking at all these celebrity photos and then you look at the catwalk collection and it's completely different...well i'm stumped with this one. Love both outfits below. The contrasting fabrics, textures and colours complement eachother perfectly. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up i say!

The enchanted house of Viktor & Rolf...

2008-06-12T18:18:00.004+01:00

Since i just mentioned Viktor & Rolf (who i adoooore!) I just thought I'd post a real quickie to say please go see their website...it's adorable!! It's like an enchanted magical house, which features footage of Viktor and Rolf walking down the stairs with diamonds following them, and they speak a little and there's magical (yet slightly eerie) music...and it's fab! eek! Sorry...sorry... i will compose myself i promise... I mean it captured my attention for a minute or so quite intensely but it's also fairly simple so you can't exactly explore it for ages but it still made me smile a fair bit so thought i'd share...I think it was the part where they say "welcome to our house..." it makes you feel all special and welcome...what?? Tell me none of you felt that??

Face paints and eyelashes

2008-06-12T17:34:00.007+01:00

My brains working overtime with this one...now i try not to take myself too seriously so please feel free not to aswell, but i can't help but wonder how face paint could possibly be incorporated into daily wear...no seriously!

I blame the Viktor & Rolf Shu Uemura advertising campaign. Seriously, how can anybody NOT want to have their faces painted like the model and (most importantly) have those STUNNING lashes applied to ones face...Some may think the lashes are ridiculous but i just think they're beautiful and its nice to see something different in the world of beauty. All hail Shu Uemura!!

The lashes come in three different style: (from top to bottom of photo below) Rhombus, Swirl and Wings...although really id want all of these, i think at £50 (available from Harvey Nichols) i may have to just settle on one pair (if im lucky!) and that, for me, would have to be the Rhombus which is apparently "gold harlequin diamonds appliquéd on the upper and lower lashes" Yum! I'm particular drawn to those because of the whole lower lash thing...i feel very strongly that the lower lashed just don't get the attention they deserve...not since the 1960's atleast!

Anyway back to the face painting...the subtle pink and white diamonds are so soft, delicate and so so perfect that they absolutely devour my attention. I literally haven't stopped staring at the picture since i saw it featured on Vogue.co.uk today. I'm also loving the masked effect around the eyes...hmmm...now...where to go with a painted face...well it's not really appropriate at the moment because its hot...and its not really appropriate anywhen else because it rains...i guess for now it will have to be saved for a masked ball...GASP! A bloggers ball!!! how fun would that be! A ball for fashion bloggers...hmm! Maybe one day...i know what i'd wear already ;o)

WAIT!! Right as i moved the cursur over the 'publish post' button, i realised something fairly important!!...I'm allergic to face paints!!! Or atleast i was as a child...it made my face go yellow! What on earth did they put in face paints during the early 90's?!? So if that still applies, i consider the above (very nearly) a waste of time...not allergic to eyelashes atleast! :oD

A little something i like to call 'soooo 14 seasons ago'

2008-06-11T19:39:00.004+01:00

Ok so we all know avant-garde, we all know the whole 'fashion forward' concept and i'm all for that obviously but what i don't understand is why people don't look to the fashion past...no no i don't mean like that. I'm not talking vintage, i'm not talking a different era...i'm talking last season and beyond! As usual i'm at work, bored stiff and i start to look through 'my pictures' for a bit of inspiration for my summer wardrobe and all of a sudden it hit me (not literally thank god!)...Luella Spring/Summer 2002...now i wasn't bothered overly by the entire collection but there was one particular ensemble that really struck me and i luuuuurved it!

This white cotton loose top and bloomers (god how i love bloomers!!! i can't even tell you...) paired with moccasin boots (which i luckily own a gazillion pairs of - not in beige though dammit!!!)...i don't know what it is about this simple ensemble...maybe her flowing ragdoll hair, maybe that warm tan, but this outfit really does make me excited...i love the structured cut out detail on the top and the perfectly cut shorts...maybe the sun has gotten to my head but i really must try this for myself. Definately a way of keeping cool in the heat!

So what i really wanna know is...whats wrong with living in the past a bit...i do it all the time. I know its a funny thing to say but i'm never on-trend as such. I like to look different so i try to dress a bit opposite to the masses. For example tea dresses...loved them but wouldn't wear them until now because they're just too trendy. So at the moment i'm making one with a really bold printed fabric that's quite the opposite to the ditsy prints that are everywhere...mine are BIG bold prints that remind me slightly of an american diner in the 50's (don't ask). But back to the point...what's wrong with living in the past...it may be 14 seasons old but i think it still looks damn good and i want it now!!! I am forever buying things and then they go away for a year or more...then i suddenly become obsessed with them. I dunno...there's just something a bit cringe-worthy about looking the same as everybody else so give me last seasons clothes any day!

Shoe shame

2008-06-11T08:48:00.004+01:00

Ok so you've seen the previous post regarding the lego rip-offs...well...i did something bad - NO I DIDN'T BUY THEM!! don't be so ridiculous...I'll set the scene...

I was, again, forced into New Look by yet another holiday-going friend and as i wandered around looking for ANYTHING to buy (found nothing) i couldn't help but hover around by the 'lego' shoes...a couple of girls started looking too and they picked a pair up, then one girl turned to me and said "they're amazing right?", sarcastically i replied "they're certainly something"...the girls then started going on and on about them and (in a 'Valley girl/vicky pollard' kind of way) started saying "they're like sooo like a designer or something Chantel said" - the fact that she didn't know they were Balenciaga rip-offs made me a little irritated, only slightly, but you know when you hear something and you just want to put your two cents in? Well i kept my mouth shut and smiled nicely, until the other girl started saying "oh my god, like a designer? Oh my god who?", girl1 replied "i don't know? There aren't that many designers right? So like Juicy Couture i guess!".......WHAT?!?!?!?! And that was the moment i snapped... "WHAT? how can you possibly associate a concept like this with Juicy-coleen-couture? Its Balenciaga...it's a rip off of the infamous 'lego' shoe, which are actually amazing in concept and design and those are disgusting fakes that shouldn't be allowed..." and that was it....i stood there not knowing what to say next, thinking that the girls with the hair extensions (which were the wrong colours) were going to a) ignore me or b) punch my lights out, but they did neither...they looked at eachother, looked at me and girl 2 replied "no, i think you're wrong. I haven't heard of Balenciaga, and if i havent hear of her then she can't be that big?"...i walked away at this point... am i the only person that has ever had faux designer shoe outrage??

I couldn't quite believe how personally i took the whole thing, i'm not ususally that kinda person...ok thats not entirely true...I do like a good debate but i couldn't believe that instead of just ignoring the clueless girls and letting them enjoy their lack of designer knowledge i decided to jump down their throats in my own frustration that not only have New Look copied a shoe that i personally adored and wanted more than anything, but that girls like that everywhere will be wearing them sooner or later thinking that they're emulating Juicy Couture!! At the time i don't think i saw it as my 'duty' to tell them but i do think i had a bit of fashion-snobbery going on...so for that i apologise...i think the shoes are starting to grate on me a bit - maybe that's come from being dragged kicking and screaming into New Look one too many times in a week! I think it was also a shock to the system that girls like that really do exist! Clearly my brain went into shock and overdrive...

HERE THEY ARE!!!

2008-06-09T10:22:00.006+01:00

Have you ever seen anything like it??? Well yes, thats the point!! I'm not really a New Look gal, infact i very rarely go in there, so i'm sure you can imagine the absolute shock i felt as i strolled through with my best friend, helping her get some last minute holiday bits...and i literally stopped in my tracks when i saw these...they are so like the lego shoes i couldn't even believe it. On closer inspection (and after being like a paparazzi around them for a good 2 minutes) i straight away noticed all the differences, like around the toe especially but that doesn't take away from the fact that they are absolute rip-offs of the originals! I'm actually quite stumped by them, because a part of me thinks i should buy them just because i'll never get anything closer to the original, and then another part of me thinks 'no! what are you doing!'...i am torn!

I definately am a 'genuine' kinda gal, i like the real designer stuff and am not overly into the faux, designer imposters...not that i can afford the real stuff. Maybe as somebody who has ambitions of being a designer (i'm back to plan 'A' again) that i feel that i should support designers, (this reminds me of the whole napster uproar, when people started downloading and sharing music for free and the artists got no money for their work). But i am fairly impressed with New Look's savvy...after all there are a million and one other items they could've completely ripped off, but they certainly chose the most obvious and fantastic of shoes... Are you as stumped with this as me???

The great jelly debate!

2008-06-08T10:38:00.004+01:00

A while back i posted about the discovery of the jelly shoes in Newlook...reminded me of spiderman...they kinda look like someone has just covered my foot in a web of hot glue (ohh painful memories - i have a lovely little scar on my pinky finger from a hot glue incident...which resulted in a proper third degree burn! only small though so thats ok - it was so disgusting! see being an artist is dangerous!) Anway, they're glittery and sporty and really really comfy! I wear them alot...with jeans, with shorts, with dresses/skirts, to work...they're the perfect cheap comfy shoe to wear in the summer...however. These are an acception because they are genuinely cute...but these Marni jellies...I just cant decide...

For a start, i love the colour of both these, but the design just looks way too 'i'm going to wear white socks and go for a hike'. It's a shame really because i'm definately a Marni fan and at first i did gasp in excitement but with that fatal click i became almost too horrified to look. In fact i'd go so far as to say that i actually feel hatred towards these 'shoes'....AHHHHHHH GET THEM AWAY!!! *runs away scream with arms in the air*

Never ask your boyfriend to do something blog-related...

2008-06-08T10:17:00.005+01:00

Nope I'm definately not hiring him as part of team FBF (which consists of...me!). I am absolutely DESPERATE to show you all this picture i took of a pair of ABSOLUTE near perfect replicas of the Balenciaga Lego shoe but i am stuck at work on a long weekend, so i text the pic to le boyf, and asked him/begged him to upload the pic and email it to me...i believe the text said something along the lines of..."its a blog emergency!"...and yet it has been 24 hours and still no pic! I'm so desperate to show you! So i thought i would just tell you quick and write a proper post about it later.

Now, i am forgiving boyf for not sending me the pic today because it is his 22nd birthday today :oD HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! and he is out enjoying the sunshine on his motorbike... but that doesn't explain not doing it yesterday while he was sat on his bum at home!! I'm taking back the box of a dozen Krispy Kreme dohnuts i got him - no belenciaga designer imposter heels picture...no Krispy Kreme!! i think thats a fair trade! Don't you?

Design or Shoot? part 2

2008-06-08T07:58:00.003+01:00

Ok so again i've changed my mind. hah! Today i'm having a Plan 'A' day...just so you all know. I have the utmost desire to make 3 designs, all totally different....grr! why this constant battle. haha you'd think i actually have problems by the way i am whining! So once again we're back to the original question...to design or shoot?

I have been slightly more encouraged to go to university today because not only have i only just discovered how much i can get from a maintenance loan but also because an advert came on the radio this morning whilst i was a cruising to work in my tank of a car...and it was all about uni and all of a sudden i just wanted it so badly. Is there something about getting older that makes you feel like you've GOT to get a proper job right away? All i know is that i was definately exaggerating when deciding that going to CSM meant living in a squat...in actual fact we can still afford a nice modern 2 bedroom flat in the Docklands, Camberwell, Bethnall green, Southwark...oh no what dumps (she says sarcastically!), the whole point of getting 2 bedrooms originally was so i could have a studio (or as boyf put it 'we can stick all your crap in there' - charming!) but maybe i'm just yearning for that Thames view...there was however a FAB flat that had 2 bedrooms AND a study! yes...i know you're all thinking the same thing...WARDROBE!!!!!! eeeeeeek! A house for all my prescious things...*dream*...

Back to basics?

2008-06-07T16:50:00.006+01:00

What does that even mean? I know that there is a mainstream idea of 'basics'...usually black trousers, day-time jeans, evening jeans, array of black, white and grey tops and then there's things like black tights, flesh tights, black and white underwear...BORING!!! Everybody's basics can't possibly be the same can they? I like to think that instead of basics, the above list is more of a 'foundation'.

When i thought of the word 'basics' i straight away thought of something that you can just throw on with no effort...something basic! Something that you don't need to match with anything else, something like a one-piece/romper/jumpsuit/playsuit, whatever you wanna call it. With a playsuit (lets call it that - it sounds more fun!) you can literally just whack it on...and job done! I think a playsuit is sometimes more practical than a dress too, because there's no risk of a sudden gust of wind, so its an excuse to wear a pair of pants from your 'foundation list' and also i should imagine it gives you a bit more freedom to run about and climb things...yes i'm aware we're adults! The little selection below shows a few i like;

The first two are from Topshop and the third is American Apparel. The orange playsuit is so adorable, i imagine wearing it with flats in the day time for shopping and lunch out (had a gorgeous lunch out yesterday and now it's all i keep talking about "why don't we go out for lunch...that'd be a nice place for a lunch..." etc) and also with skyscraper heels for the evening, and tights would go great with it too. The second one, i've decided would be totally appropriate to wear to work...although i think i'm kidding myself with that one...it'd only be appropriate if your boss was a total perv and you were ok with him oogling at your pins all day, otherwise i think you'd just be told off. The third one, just makes me think of lounging at home, walking slowly down to a market, just generally a sunday-morning-getting-a-pint-of-milk kinda playsuit...oh the possibilities! I think i'll go back to basics!

Too much choice....!!

2008-06-07T15:50:00.004+01:00

Considering my last post you're probably all thinking i must be having an indecisive melt-down today! Once again i cannot choose...only this time i am scorning Topshop for bring yet another 'i-must-have' pair of shoes, and as usual they offer more than one colour option...so which to choose?!?! Some of you may remember this also happened with the old 3-strap shoe from Topshop...i wanted the grey, but ended up getting the nude and black pairs...and still wanted the grey...

So this time its the gorgeous 'Alexia' Sandal boot. Now what i really like about these is that the they are really really versatile and i can see them being worn in the colder months with tights and thick socks. But they're definately a great statement shoe for the summer, especially the off-white since the black is feeling a little too SATC for me. I do however, really like the black because i'm thinking in the longterm they would probably get alot of use...hmm. what to do, what to do...usually at this point i would suddenly pipe up in a slightly over-excited (hopefully not appearing cocky manner) and exclaim "i'll get both!"...well i'm not so cocky now that i've bought a car...yes. I decided to get a car for the summer which will leave me QUITE broke this month :o( but atleast i'm mobile.

See the issue here is that you just can't really get anywhere good in the summer without a car, i've got like 5 beaches all in fairly close proximity as i live in the South coast but you need a car to get there. So today is my officialy first day with 'Earl'; yes i do name my cars...There's been Princess, Milky and now Earl. Earl is a green mondeo - he's quite ugly/manly, and you definatley can't drive him wearing the Alexia's but you can certainly pop them on after parking and give people the 'yes...i drove all the way in 5 inch heels' look. And since we're back on the original subject, i think i'll end my post with a conclusion; the decision is that i'm leaning towards to off-white, but that the black would be more practical...oh cruel indecision!!!

To design or shoot?

2008-06-07T14:25:00.005+01:00

Oh deary me...what to do, what to do... why is it that life can be such a drag, you feel like you never do anything and you're constantly waiting on things...and then suddenly the world is your oyster (whatever that means!) and you can do whatever you like with your life, and yet you suddenly have too much choice and you have to make decisions, and you feel like you cant win...whatever happened to the simple life ay?

I'm referring to Central Saint Martins. I'm basically unsure of whether or not i'm going. There are two things in the world that are very close to my heart - fashion and photography. So when you love two things totally equally how do you choose when you're forced to pick. My choices are both quite exciting (but both very different to eachother) so i don't know why i'm being such a brat but i just can't decide...to me, its a win-win-lose-lose situation...will i ever be happy with my choices? Or will i always regret not picking the other one... my choices are as follows:

Plan 'A' the original plan....Going to CSM. The Cons - the boyf and i living in a fairly crappy 1 bedroom flat, god-knows where, and i will indeed be a poor student. The Pros - I will be studying at CSM.

Plan 'B'...Setting up my own photography business. Cons - I won't be studying at CSM. The Pros - Being able to work from home, doing something that i love, earning good money, having a 'career' instantly, being able to go on holidays, being able to buy clothes, the ability to buy yummy food and most importantly living in a fairly spacious Thames front flat, with 2 bedrooms: one of which will become my studio...There's definately something exciting about the thought of looking out of your floor-to-ceiling windows and seeing the O2 Dome and Canary Wharf down the river, having a big-ass balcony to be able to roam about on and get some fresh air and generally just being able to enjoy earning money doing something that i love...hmm

The problem here is that i've got two amazing opportunities, but i'm slightly lost. I think i've convinced myself that Plan 'B' is the plan for me, but if i don't go it'll definately be strange...going to CSM was all i wanted...ever. Isn't life funny like that...

Wasn't July Vogue really...dull?

2008-06-05T19:15:00.007+01:00

I know, I know, how could i?! I feel dirty saying it, but its true! Now i'm going to say here and now that if i'm wrong i will retract the above comment. I flipped through it at work tonight, so to be fair i havent actually read it yet, but only about 3 things in the entire magazine jumped out at me...

Whatever happened to the days when UK Vogue was so fulfilling? The editorials were so outstanding and every page made me yearn for the clothes etc...what happened to the little girl who cried in the shop when she was only a kid because mum wouldn't buy her Vogue (yes, it actually happened... i blame growing up in the 'clueless' generation and being allowed cable in my room at age 10). Nowadays, it's gotta be Elle magazine for me. But like i said, i may be wrong...i'll have to give it a proper going over this weekend. Here are the three things that stood out (purefuly from a personal style/shopping P.O.V).

Gloves by louis Vuitton, bag by Dolce&Gabbana, and below a Ga-horgeous dress by Roberto Cavalli...so beautiful.

Ok i'm officially un-banning shoes posts...

2008-06-05T18:40:00.008+01:00

Yes, yes i know what i said but there really is no reason to be so harsh on myself i've decided...after all, if i don't blog about shoes...what will i blog about? Ok so there's lotsa other things i could and do blog about, but i like to think that shoes are one of the 'foundation' areas of the blog. So baring that in mind, i present to you... My latest pair! :oD They're black patent leather (mmm!), square-toed (had to! i couldn't afford/wouldn't allow myself to dip into savings, for a pair of square-toed Alexander McQueen pumps) platform, with a wood and perspex HIGH heel....*sigh lovingly*...

I think the thing i really like about these is that, asthetically, they're not over-the-top, and since i'm an over the top kinda gal, i tend to find it difficult finding work shoes, because generally i do find them a tad boring. These babies, however, should certainly be a pleasure to wear to the office and they'll go perfectly with my new french connection dress (and the other one i bought last week!). Personally i do have a little bit of a thing for the old perspex heel, since my very first pair of 'proper heels' that i bought when i was 15, which i saved endlessly for...hah they were only about £65 but that was alot at the time. My Irregular Choice pink heels, with pink antique leather, scallop trim, pink sequins and a pink perspex heel...BEHOLD...

and they also remind me of a pair of Kurt Geiger heels that are nearly exactly the same which were over £200 back when they were on sale. Ooh before i forget, I thought i'd link to an ancient StyleBubble post about perspex heels incase anybody wants to see an array of faaaaab perspex heeled designer shoesies.

Gimme anything that stands out...

2008-06-04T08:56:00.005+01:00

I think it must be because i'm at work...everythings trousers and jumpers, everythings black or dark tones...me? I'm wearing the most boring outfit known to man and even i'm looking more 'trendy' than most of the people here. I'm wearing black wide leg trousers, flat silver pointy pumps, a black top and a burgundy bolero (which is really cute, from Kookai). HUFF....Whenever i'm at work, i yearn for bright colours and quirkiness! Anything...!

Which is why, as i sit here waiting for the sudden rush of work, i sift through the 'my pictures' file of random pics i have accumulated and two just really stood out... i shall share them with you...

It must be the bright colours, the short hemline and the desperation to wear something fun! Ahhh...colour. The bag is Marc Jacobs (expensive...shant be buying!) and the other picture is Sienna Miller - i think. God that's like 3 'celebs' included in posts today...whats happening to me. I blame the limited resources at work...huff

The truth will out!

2008-06-04T08:16:00.004+01:00

With 3 and a half months until the big smokey move (what i've decided to call my move to the big smoke) my mind's been racing over details like anything...i'm so excited but there's also SO much to think about... its not just the move, its the new jobs, the relocation, the fact that my boyfriend and i both live with our parents - so we basically have...well...nothing! But more than anything, the main issue i'm concerned about is...well, all my 'stuff'...

You see, i have alot of 'stuff' - stuff being shoes (ALOT! and when i say alot, i mean it - we're talking hundreds of pairs of beautiful pristine shoes) more than i think my boyfriend realised i have...more than i think i realise i have. And on top of that, there's the clothes, the accessories, the jewellery, the make-up/hair... the list goes on and on and on...then there's all my sewing stuff, my photography equipment...my books, MY MAGAZINES!!! oh dear lord... and unfortunately there is no getting away from the issue either. For you see, the boyf has a little obsession...he is, in all manners of the phrase - a neat freak! yes ladies and gentlemen, my neat freek boyfriend is moving in with a hoarder!

Now, i've decided to tackle one issue at a time, so far i've decided to deal with the biggest issue - the shoes. There are so many different types of storage...firstly we have agreed to have one of those bed that are raised off the ground, so i'm going to have some flat shoe racks on wheels...now if i have 4 that hold 20 each that covered 80 pairs...then i'm thinking of having a tall, standing shoe rack which should hold about 50 pairs...so that's 130...right, so then if i get some clear shoe cubes and stack them on top of the wardrobe...and well, anywhere else they'll fit i should probably be able to cover it! But this just breaks my heart...i don't want my shoes all exposed and gathering dust...what does one do?? honestly - i'm definately needing storage advice here. Is there, honestly, a way of having a tidy flat AND a million and one possessions? All i know is, when we move..the truth about my shoe obsession will definately become exposed. He had better brace himself...

I saw it from afar...

2008-06-04T08:03:00.004+01:00

To set the scene...i was on the tube in London, i was feeling very happy after having spent the day at the Tim Walker exhibition and then shopping (perfect day or what?) my friend and i, were chatting away havng a marvellous conversation...when all of a sudden my eye spots something...a dress...

A lady, stood behind my friend, had the prettiest knitted dress on, it was black with white gradating stripes down the bottom, the bottom was all flowey and swished as the train jolted around... i would usually stop and ask people where they got the dress (or shoes, or bag, or makeup...or anything!) from, but i felt slightly nervous at doing so in London, i have no idea why. Perhaps there is something different about London, compared to where i have grown up that is intimidating.

I had all but forgotten about the dress and also assumed it would probably be either one of those cheapy dresses that came from nowhere, or a really expensive designer piece. It had been a couple of weeks when it popped into my mind again and i felt compelled to find it. With about two search attempts i found it! It was French Connection...i should have known it would be that easy! So i pondered over whether i should get black and white, or grey and white and ended up getting the white stripes...although now i wish i had gotten the grey...only thing to do here is to a. get the grey as well or b. get over it!

Now i'm still waiting on my dress as i only ordered it yesterday, however...i was most annoyed to discover on my google images a photo of none other than Kate Middleton wearing it - how could i have missed that?! It has kinda irritated me slightly because now instead of 'the wonderous knit dress i saw on the tube from afar' (has a kind of love story ring to it, don't you think?) it's now going to be 'the kate middleton knit dress that suddenly looks really dull' ... :o( is it tarnished forever? We'll have to see...

A vision of beauty

2008-06-03T00:06:00.003+01:00

I love period dramas and such-like and i just had to quickly rummage around getting my camera when i saw this lady on the tv show my dad was watching. It was about Winston Churchill and i'm sorry that i'm not being more specific, but its gone midnight and im not feeling as 'researchy' as i usually would. I just wanted to quickly post this gorgeous picture i took of the TV, which to me really encapsulates absolute 40's beauty...ahhh how i wish i could stroll around London in the winter with a little hat, a big furry coat and a face as stunning as this - ooh and pin curls too!!! waaait a minute - who says i cant! :oD

A word of warning...

2008-06-02T23:56:00.005+01:00

When like me (and i'm sure the rest of you) you work hard, long hours, and the only relief is that on payday you can pay your bills, save your savings and spend the rest on the things you love...well I like to think that i have earned all the lovely lovely things i have...my room is a hideous mess, towered high with clothes, shoes and all in between. But i'm proud of my collection, because i know that i earned it. I can think of all the horrible shifts i've had on the mental ward at the forensic hospital i work at (i'm the receptionist but i have a contract which means i can also work on the wards with the patients as a support worker) i think of the days that the patients have been so depressed and have done such awful things, that i cried the second i got in the car...and all for the love of shoes! I no longer do shifts on the ward...ever. I have completely stopped because even a pair of shoes is no compensation for some shifts on that ward...so like i said, i believe whole-heartedly that i have earned my things...which is why i become VERY angry and upset when the things i love go missing...recently this has been happening alot...and if i'm going to protect my vast collection of fashion items and trinkets there was only one thing to do before i had a 'who the hell's taken my necklace' breakdown and that was this...let that be a lesson to you fashion thieves! ;oD

Who cares if they're beach shorts?

2008-06-02T22:12:00.004+01:00

There is a wonderful thing that exists for fans of French Connection...it is called 'French Connection: The Outlet', a store where a garment usually costing over £100 you can pick up for £10 - £20. Perfect for work wear, or that particular dress that you really want but are just not willing to part with £120 for...and so i began my hunt through the racks and racks of clothes, shoes, belts...ahhhh nothing like a cheap pick-me-up on a Saturday morning. In the end i thought i would limit myself to £30 (pushed it a little at £35 but hey, whats £5) and purchased a lovely, lovely (and very work-appropriate!) knitted dress, that skims the knees, has a scoop neck, sleeves to the elbow and three large buttons down the top...oh and it's black. Like i said, very work-appropriate, but can also be excellent for a slouchy day - mix it with some coloured tights, some grey jersey boots, a scarf and a big slouchy knitted hat - perfect...i can imagine it now as i stroll around on a sunday morning...cup of tea from a cafe in one hand...bag of shopping in the other...ahhh - what like none of you create scenes for your ensembles...ok maybe just me then...dress was £20 by the way, reduced from either £65 or £85...i can't quite remember.

The other item i purchased are some beachy kinda shorts with a really abstract stained glass print, which are so FAB! They are quite loose with a fitted waistband and a tie at the waist which creates a large bow...and i know that they are supposed to be beach shorts, you can tell by the thin fabric, but i am certainly not taking them to Jamaica! or atleast not to wear on the beach! Again they're perfect for a slouchy day, paired with either a golden tan and an oversized tee, or layered up with leggings, tons of vest and jumpers, thin belts at the waist and again booties and a bobble hat (god am i craving the winter or what!??!)...and one last example of how they are SO not beach shorts...with towering heels and a killer black top! hah! see! NOT beach shorts :oD and please, excuse the pasty legs in the picture...as you may know, i'm not off to Jamaica 'mon until August...huff! Although i am definately a girls who likes to protect her skin from the sun - i love being pale and interesting and i'm very 'fair' but even i (sometimes) wish i were one of those girls who just bronze the second they get any sunlight. But since i'm not, i've learned to accept it: rather than smother myself in fake tan, i smother myself in factor 60...it's either one or the other right? whether i pick the other!

I've got a case of 'fabric excitement'!

2008-06-01T15:04:00.007+01:00

YAY! I love ebay, if not for the countless pairs of shoes it has given me, but the clothes, and the random bits and bobs too...but there's one thing that i search for on ebay that always really excites me...FABRIC! eeeek!

I just type in 'fabric' in the search box and scroll through all the many hundreds of fabric available...ya see when you live in a town that only has a Fabric Land and a Hobby Craft, there's a really limited amount of fabric to decide upon, and for some reason theres nothing worst to me than when you see somebody wearing something and you recognise the fabric and know how much it costs too! I don't know if that's 'fabric snobbery' but there ya go....

So ofcourse i was very pleased to find these lovely fabrics on ebay...they're both quite different but i'm planning a couple of fairly similar ideas for them both. I cant wait!

I'm planning a slightly robotic short dress with the black and gold leaf jersey and a very structure tulip skirt perhaps with the floral fabric. I'm definately trying to stay as FAAAR away from anything to do with 50's with this fabric, i don't want it to end up looking like a costume, which i should imagine can happen very easily with a fabric like this! It is perdy tho!

Could it be...Chloe?

2008-06-01T14:16:00.007+01:00

Now i never would have thought that i would one day see a clutch bag and immediately think it must be Gareth Pugh, only to then find out it is infact Chloe?? The two labels couldn't be further apart - surely? But this Chloe clutch is wonderful, the shape of the bag appears intricate but it actually quite simple and i think that this would definately be one of those pieces worth investing in. It's not, in my opinion the kind of 'IT' bag of the moment (the word Paddington comes to mind) and its not got an obvious label to it, hence the Gareth Pugh mistake.

I can imagine this bag being that extra little something that pulls an outfit together and with this on your hand you're sure to feel really special. The only issue is, ofcourse, the price. I feel a little sour towards the £581 price tag.

I guess an items worth is personal, some may look at this and think it's worth every penny and more, but i could only imagine myself parting with up to £250 for this...there will be a 'paddington' owner somewhere laughing at me now with my insane suggestion that a Chloe clutch should be £250...you can barely get a purse for that...oh well a DIY project may oneday produce a similar beauty.

The clutch also comes in Alligator leather, which is STUNNING, at an even more pricey £656!! But they do look really interesting...im suddenly feeling more up to a clutch making session. Maybe my ebay-bought tacky gold foiled leather hide will come in handy after all! Both are available at ASOS.com.

Hehe one last naughty purchase!

2008-06-01T13:21:00.004+01:00

Ok so i know i only just mentioned how i have already spent my allowance on shoes this month (please don't think that by allowance i mean that my parents - or boyfriend for that matter - give me pocket money every month, it's just the amount i allow myself out of my wages to spend on clothes and shoes etc) but i just couldn't help myself when i found this French Connection silver sequinned waistcoat on Ebay ending today. I started watching it, and it was at £21. I thought that is a little much already since i was actually looking for some cheeky sunday morning bargains...but i just couldn't resist watching this waistcoat...it is, after all, covered in sequins...what could be better!?!

So to cut a long story short...i caved and bid for it, and it was a lovely suprise to find that i only ended up having to pay £25 including postage for it, which is great, considering it is brand new with the tags...ahhhhh....shopping. I would've been stronger normally but i am SUCH a magpie its unbelievable!

After all that...

2008-06-01T12:18:00.005+01:00

So it was decided, long before summer had arrived (or in the calender sense anyway) that my summer nails would be bright candy colours, in all the colours of the rainbow, so i went into Superdrug (as you do) and bought some bright shades of Barry M nail paint in neon yellow, orange, bright pink, neon green and shocking pink (and i also bought a grey as well - just incase i wanted something a bit different). And needless to say i was pretty chuffed with myself for making the effort to update my nail varnishes - i'm awful, i never usually bother to paint my nails but since i miraculously cured myself of picking my nails i have been more excited about painting them now that they're a proper length. I dont know what happened but this year i have just stopped picking them - although i do still do it when i'm nervous...filthy habit! But i have also exhaustively created an entire summer wardrobe around said nail colours...one has to be prepared!

The only thing is i havent bothered actually painting my nails - i havent found the time. I don't care what anybody says - there is no 'express' way of painting your nails. You must basecoat, dry, 1st coat, dry, 2nd coat, dry, clear top coat dry, apply nail spray, wait an hour, and then after a few more hours i always like to apply a hand cream to my hands and cuticles really soft and yummy...and voila! Perfect nails...i'm exhausted after all that 'drying'...

So anyway, since the summer came and went in a few days, not only have i started lusting over the thought of a new autumn/winter wardrobe (how convenient that i'll be moving to London town right at the end of summer teehee!) but i've also been lusting after winter white nail varnish... darn it! And once a woman lusts after an item of clothing, accessories or makeup...there is not turning back. Sorry candy brights...i promise i'll use you one day...

To fringe or not to fringe...

2008-06-01T11:24:00.006+01:00

THAT is the question. This is the question that i'm sure ALL women must ask themselves. To have a fringe, or not? I have been thinking recently about this question ALOT. It's difficult because either, you love it or you hate it - much like marmite (come on, you knew the comparison was coming!).

I tend to always want a fringe and then as soon as i have one i don't get on with it, but now i have shoulder length and far blonder hair, i think i could get away with a much edgier look. I always adore fringes, and can become quite the green-eyed monster if i see someone with really perfectly cut bangs. hmmm....what to do...

Funny thing is, as i was having a nosey at ASOS.com (am bored at work, have spent my monthly allowance already - 3 days since payday - and am determined not to lower the amount i planned to save this month because its only 3-4 months until i relocate to London, so asos bargains are called for) when i saw a model who actually has almost my exact hair but with a fringe!!! and its sooooo cute! what do we think? Because i'm practically reaching for the scissors right now! Or do i wait until the end of summer? oh! what to do?? Please vote on the left of the blog. Thankyou!

Thank god I'm not a guy...

2008-06-01T10:41:00.004+01:00

...or else i would have gone even more crazy than i did yesterday, whilst shopping with boyf for a suit for him. Oh my god...how difficult is it? There's all these sizes, then there's short, medium or Long and then you think you've found the perfect size, but the arms are too short so you look for a 'long' but then you find a long and it suddenly doesn't fit around the chest anymore...what is going on?? So now we still don't know whether he's a 36 chest or a 38 but he's definately a 'Long'...*sigh*...take the poor man to Saville Row! Is it seriously this difficult for women too or are we just so used to sizes and cuts etc? Or maybe it's just that i was finding it difficult because i knew that the suits we were looking at were a bit...well cheap...so we then went off to look at suits around the £150 - 250 mark but still no luck...whatever happened to the days of perfect tailoring ay? It's no wonder the Saville Row tailors are still around, even if they're not earning a fortune (as a documentary i watched a while back suggested). After that shopping experience i bet there's nothing better than getting a cutsom fit suit...ahhh

Is matching a bad thing?

2008-05-30T21:05:00.009+01:00

So i sit here, and think of my darling Irregular Choice booties that i have recently purchased and ponder ideas of what i could pair it with...im thinking either go all out monochrome stripes or contrast with pale ruffles and lace...anyway, as i ponder i think about accessories and come across none other than a matching Irregular Choice large clutch bag. And as i gasp in delight i also wonder...'can matching be bad?'....hmmm. Now the thing is, i LOVE these booties, despite the horrified looks from my colleagues when i show them a picture, and equally i LOVE this clutch in its own right. But together? I just don't know...so im buying it anyway :oD problem solved! teehee!