Here Comes The Boys ...

It's about time the boys got a mention - don't you think?!

Be it your father, your bf, the guy you want to be your bf or simply a friend - I have compiled a list of ten pressies that will guarantee to get you best daughter/ gf/ friend award (or at least an even more fabulous present back!)

So I heard it through the grapevine that the new 'it' accessory for men, are socks. Lucky for us there are a huge collection of colour block Ralph Lauren socks to choose from.

(£10/12 - Ralph Lauren - ASOS.com)

It's cosy, it's trendy and it will be perfect for the winter months ahead. You can't go wrong with this Red Herring jumper.

(£35 - Red Herring - Debenhams)

Victoria Beckham once said 'the only place she buys her gloves are at Dents' and I couldn't agree more. He will be one happy chappy with this fab pair.

(£52 - Dents - House Of Fraser)

I love Paul Smith designs; they are quirky and classic all at the same time. This colourful scarf will brighten up the dullest of days.

(£60 - Paul Smith - coggles.com)

You can't go wrong with a music voucher; you give, he buys and everyone is happy.

(Depends how much you want to spend!)

Hermes is one of my favourite designers, not just because I dream about a Birkin bag every single day but because their prints are iconic. The men's ties come in an array of colours and designs, there will be one to suit any style.

(£95+ - Hermes - Liberty)

Ladies, our hearts may skip a beat every time we get given that little green box, but let me tell you, the guys love it too! These Tiffany cuff links turn an every day item in to a piece of wearable art.

(£165 - Tiffany)

Once again Paul Smith wins with his signature forest print. In my opinion, he is the king of wash bags.

(£80 - Paul Smith - my-wardrobe.com)

A consistently popular present is this oak natural leather wallet by Mulberry; classic and practical.

(£130 - Mulberry)

This modern style money clip makes a great gift. You could even get it engraved for a more intimate feel.

(£29 - Ernest Jones)

So, there you have it - ten perfect pressies that ensure everyone is happy. Now all you have to do ladies, is start compiling your gift list!

Have a fab day

xoxo

Champagne Lifestyle - Lemonade Budget!

I'm thinking it's time for a little taster of Designer vs High-Street. The pay cheques have arrived and I can feel everyone's hunger for a serious shopping spree (or is that just me?!)

For all those that enjoy splashing out on one, two or perhaps even ten designer pieces, keep reading and for all those that prefer to hit the high-street with full impact, well, keep reading too!

I have picked some key pieces for this season - prepare yourself ladies, here is the best of both designer and high-street combined.

These timeless strap sandals are mega-high and mega-perfect.

(£45 - Oli.co.uk) (£539 - Fendi)

Add a splash of colour to any outfit with these fabulous bags.

(£25 - Next) (£257 - Angel Jackson)

Add that edge to your outfit with this bespoke embellished jacket.

(£90 - ASOS.com) (£331 - Vintage - chickdowntown.com)

Make a statement with these fabulous cuffs.

(£14 - ASOS.com) (£264 - Marie Seguy - farfetch.com)

Add some sparkle to your wardrobe with the must-have dress for this season.

(£85 - Topshop) (£794.99 - Sass & Bide - net-a-porter.com)

I couldn't resist these gorgeous quirky rings, they give some real party-girl glamour.

(£15 - ASOS.com) (£918 - Solange Azagury - obsessed.instyle.com)

So there you have it, once again my must-haves and my lust-haves!

When buying particular high-street items like those shown above, I think it's vital that they are purchased because they look as if they 'could' be designer, not because they are a straight copy - comprende?!

However you shop and wherever you bop - be sure to keep it stylish!

Kisses to all

xoxo

'A woman's mind is as complex as the contents of her handbag...' (Billy Connelly)

Today I'm in the mood to shop (no change there) ...

OK, let's be honest, it is unusual that a day goes by that I am not in the mood to shop - but even so, today the urge is slightly stronger, so what better way to overcome that (or perhaps give in at some point) than to write about what I am in the mood for - BAGS!

Like shoes, I believe one can never have enough. Regardless of the outfit, the mood, the weather, the food one has consumed the night before - bags will always fit, look good and make one smile! Agreed?

So, as to not prolong this introduction any further - let me commence ...

Welcome to the wonderful world of handbags! From the hundreds (make that thousands) of bags I want and need to posses - I have whittled it down to my top five (for today, that is) :

1. Loving this tapestry duffle bag, very boho-chic don't you think?! (£22 - ASOS.com)

2. I could not believe my eyes when I stumbled across this red suedette tassle clutch. A real statement for a real reasonable price. (£20 - Dorothy Perkins)

3. There is nothing like a classic bag and to add to that, there is nothing like a classic designer bag *mmm* (£1,707 - Mulberry)

4. This chic retro purse is one for the collection. For a casual party or a formal soiree - this has a real 80's feel and will work well with either look. (£18 - modcloth.com)

5. Carry this investment piece to accent every look with a touch of luxe - it's Chanel - enough said. (£880 - Chanel)

Oh how the list could go on!

Arm candies - every girl needs one (or ten).

xoxo

Fashionable Pins

My weekend started Thursday evening with a family dinner to celebrate my Grandma's birthday, followed by a movie with the bf. It ended last night with a delicious dinner at a friend and a shocking dose of X-Factor. In between that, there were two more trips to various restaurants, one family dinner at home, another dose of X-Factor, three hours of shopping with a friend (of which many items were purchased) two glasses of wine and six outfits worn - busy right?!

Patterned tights were all over the AW09 catwalk and having been inspired by the latest trend, I decided to try them out over the weekend. Not only do they add visual interest but also a splash of colour to what would otherwise be quite a simple outfit. Here are the three looks I tried and tested:

Outfit no.1.

Jacket - Zara
Top - A random boutique off Regent Street
Skirt - Primark
Tights - Primark
Shoes - Topshop

Outfit no.2.

Dress - Peoples Market (ASOS.com)
Belt - Miss Selfridge
Tights - M+S
Shoes - Topshop

Outfit no.3.

Top - Olivia Rubin (my-wardrobe.com)
Skirt - Topshop
Tights - Mytights.com
Shoes - Topshop

Three outfits, three totally different pairs of tights.

If you think you might want to rock this look, here are my top five must-haves:

1. Emilio Cavallini's tights are quirky and classy all in one (£17 - ASOS.com)

2. For something a little more modern, DKNY's colour block tights will elongate your legs (£12 - nordstrom.com)

3. Get the winter look with these cable knit tights (£12 - Topshop)

4. You can't go wrong with a touch of lace and these Pamela Mann waterlilly tights are the epitome of ooh la la! (£7.05 - mytights.com)

5. For something a little more fashion forward, invest in these printed floral tights (£7.82 - River Island)

Patterned, colourful, stripey, lace and all sorts ensure you will have the most fashionable pins around!

Have a fabulous day all

xoxo

Miu Miu - so good they named it twice!

What a week ...

blogging, shopping, pouting, working, shopping, socialising, meetings and more shopping *phew* am I glad it's Friday!

As a conclusion of the working week, I feel the need to share a new found love of mine. When I say new, I don't mean brand new, more like a new found appreciation of just how wonderful these designs actually are.

My love affair started a couple of years ago; as I walked through Selfridges something caught my eye, it was like a gravity pulling me towards it, I just had to see more. So I slowly made my way to where it was positioned. I picked it up, I stroked it, I smiled at it and I even posed with it - so many outfits rushing through my mind as I pictured exactly what I would wear this item with. But it was only when the sales assistant politely told me that my new love will cost me close to £1000 - like a kid in a candy store with too many fillings, I had to put the item down and step away from the counter (with great reluctance I might add!)

Without further ado, let me introduce you to Miu Miu - so good they named it twice!

Miu Miu opened in 1992 under the same designer as Prada and is in fact taken from Miuccia Prada's nickname (how cool!)

So for Friday's fix, let me share with you a top-to-toe look put together by me from Miu Miu's latest collection... Start saving ladies, this outfit is one to invest in.

1. Dress - this bustier mini is divine and can be worn day to night. (£711)

2. Socks - bringing out the mag-pie in me, I had to pick out these gorgeous embellished knee-high socks. (£262)

3. Shoes - never one to say no to a pair of heels, these studded boots will work fabulously well with any outfit. (525)

4. Glasses - whatever the weather, these can always be worn - if Audrey Hepburn can do it, why can't we? (118)

5. Bag - complete the look with this arm candy. Black, studded, leather and huge - a perfect combo for a perfect tote! (£891)

As Miuccia Prada once said, "The idea is showing beautiful objects you put together ... "

Have a fashionable and fun weekend all

xoxo

When I die, I want to go to Vogue (David Bailey)

Having weighed up the pros and cons and after much deliberation, I have decided to put my fashion styling career to one side and take up ... Modelling. Yes, that's right ... Ladies and well, Ladies ... You are now looking at the face of Vogue!

Yesterday morning, I took myself off bright and early to The Light Room studios in order to have a few photos taken for my portfolio. I was told to bring along 3-4 outfits, have clean hair and a fresh face, which was make-up free *cringe* Trying so desperately to dodge anyone I might vaguely know on the Jubilee line, I made my way to the studios and began my morning's work.

Shortly after I arrived, I had a consultation with a very friendly young man, who then whipped me off to the hair and make-up studio. Some blusher was applied and I began to look semi-normal again. Once my hair and make-up were complete, I was introduced to a lovely lady called Sally, who I was told would be taking my photos. Having been a model in the past, Sally knew the exact poses I should be making - so under instructions, I pouted, I posed and I smiled and before I knew it, 40 minutes had flown by and it was time to step out of my model-esque role and become well, me again!

I had a fab morning and met some great people, but no fear everyone - although I could easily allow someone to do my hair and make-up on a daily basis, as well as get my Moss-on regularly, I'm not quite ready to hang up my styling shoes just yet!

Same time tomorrow - Ping me
(heard someone say that yesterday and just thought ...
that is so NOW!)

P.s. Keep an eye out for November's issue of Vogue ...
you never know ;)

And so the shopping continues ...

It's Wednesday and this means:

• Only three more days until the weekend

• The Secret Millionaire is on tonight - tissues at the ready

• It's time to make a 'Wish List' (after all, why change the habit of a life-time?!)

Shock horror - my wish list has doubled in size since last Wednesday and it seems for every purchase I make, there are three more that replace it's position! Grrrr.

So, as to not waste any more time, here are my top five must-haves/lust-haves for this week ...

1. This gorgeous ruffled dress gives a flamenco/party girl glamour. Team with black opaques, ankle boots and a leather j for an Alexa Chung-esque look. (goddiva.co.uk)

2. Love the style of this zip tunic. It's so different and can be easily worn day to night. Thank you Olivia Rubin - a capsule piece to take us through to SS10. (my-wardrobe.com)

3. Having whittled it down to just one pair of shoes for this week *boohoo* I have picked these fabulous Salvatore Ferragamo platforms. When these are south of your ankles, who cares what the rest of the outfit looks like! (luisaviaroma.com)

4. Work, rest or play - make a statement with this vintage inspired ring. (Miss Selfridge)

5. There is nothing like a little splash of Lulu Guinness in one's life. This bag is deliciously fun and makes a fab evening piece. (luluguiness.com)

So, there you have it - my top five items for this week.

I saw a person tweet today that is 'only 69 more shopping days until Christmas.' Hellooo readers, what are you waiting for? You have my wish list - get shopping!

Size 12 in clothes - Size 39 in shoes - Love you

xoxo

F.A.M.E

'What a heavy burden is a name that has become too famous' (Voltaire)

As I settled in to bed last night with season two/part two of Gossip Girl - I couldn't contain my excitement. The clothes, the characters, the houses, the life-style not to mention the gossip ... All so glitzy and glamorous - who wouldn't want that?

The typical life of the rich and famous - we all love reading about them in the magazines, watching them on the TV programmes and hearing about them on the radio. We surround ourselves by the good, the bad and the ugly and yet they all have one thing in common - Fame.

As I watched my latest crush since SATC (that being Gossip Girl) it got me thinking ... FAME - at what cost would a person want this?

Ultimately, all we really want is a quiet life (not a boring life - just a drama-free one). Don't get me wrong ... I am extremely career driven, I have goals and aspirations - I have dreams and hopes - I want to be the best at what I do and I want to be known purely for what I do best but would I sacrifice the life I have now for that of a famous person? I'm not so sure I would.

When one signs themselves up for fame are they allowing the media the entrance to both their positive and negative aspects? Is this inevitable? When certain celebrities are scrutinized by paparazzi are we supposed to feel sorry for them or simply succumb to the fact that this is the price of stardom?

Would you want to be famous? If so, at what cost?

'You are nobody until you're talked about' (Gossip Girl)

Something to think about on this c-c-cold winters day.

xoxo