05.12.11- Monday Must-haves: The Christmas Countdown

With less than three weeks to go until Christmas Day, it seems fitting that the Must-haves posts which I'm putting together for December should have a festive theme. I'm winning the war against my Christmas shopping at the moment, with only a few more things to pick up before I can sit down and enjoy a mince pie (or three!) However, as I've been browsing the shops over the last few weeks, I've been feeling quite uninspired by what I've seen and have found that the pennies don't seem to be stretching as far as I'd like them to. So, with this in mind, I've put together a little gift guide- this week featuring a whole hosts of items which come in at £20 or under- to offer a bit of thrifty present inspiration:

These cupcake moulds may just be my ideal present, combining two of my greatest loves in life: tea and cake. Perfect for a baking aficionado or a happy amateur (like me!), and a really cute present. I think this ring from Urban Outfitters is lovely too- it's a really great way to give a personalised gift without breaking the bank. I included this beautiful notebook from Topshop as I think it's a perfectly practical gift, whether it's for someone who loves making lists or who has a long list of resolutions which they intend to conquer in 2012. My Week with Marilyn (the book by Colin Clark upon which the recently released film is based) would be a brilliant present for any Marilyn fan, or for anyone who has had their curiosity sparked after seeing the film. This ring from Accessorize is beautifully ornate, and would be a lovely finishing touch to any festive outfit (and perfect for a jewellery magpie like me!) Again, no party season would be complete without the perfect red lipstick, and this offering from Paul and Joe is the perfect shade of Christmas cranberry. Speaking practically once again, this adorable jewellery holder from Forever 21 is an ideal gift, which I'm sure would prove invaluable all year round. This Whittard cup and saucer set is a beautifully ornate present for any tea obsessive- although I almost think it's too pretty to use! Finally, this Yves Saint Laurent colouring book is a steal at under £5, and is the perfect way to incorporate a touch of (affordable!) high fashion magic into Christmas.

How are you getting on with your Christmas shopping? And what do you think of my under £20 picks?

(Image credit: Amazon, Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Accessorize, Paul & Joe, Forever 21 and Whittard.)

20.11.2011- Sunday Style Spotlight #8: Zooey Deschanel

I've been a fan of Zooey Deschanel's style for as long as I can remember. She's perfected a look which is unmistakably her own, consisting predominantly of cute, vintage inspired dresses, often with a nod to a classic 50s silhouette. As well as having a serious case of hair envy, I love her approach to fashion as it's unashamedly girly- she's a big fan of cute accessories, flowers and bow details, and her style borders perfectly on the conservative side of kooky...

 

This look is all about the dress. Anything that emphasises the waist and incorporates an A-line skirt is a sure fire way to evoke some of Zooey's sartorial charm. Colours are simple and sophisticated, and a cute flower detail here and there keeps things youthful and fun. And, if you're a fan of Zooey's music, be sure to complete the look with a copy of A Very She and Him Christmas!

What do you think of Zooey Deschanel's style? Are you a fan?

(Image credit: Look, Google Images, Topshop, Accessorize, Warehouse, Miss Selfridge and Rokit.)

14.11.2011- Monday Must-haves

Monday again! I really can't get my head around how quickly this year has flown by- and, with only a few weeks until my 22nd birthday (aaah!), this week's Must-haves post is dedicated to lots of lovely things I wouldn't mind receiving as pressies!

I was browsing ASOS over the weekend (whilst cheekily snapping up some lovely pieces as part of their special 10% off promotion!), and came across this beautiful blouse by Sister Jane. I adore how simple it is, and the embellished collar detail is the perfect touch of sparkle now we're heading into 'party season'. This ring from Accessorize is so cute, and the shopper from Warehouse is just about big enough to fit all of my essentials in- I love the metallic touches too. I spied this jumper in Zara last week, and fell in love as soon as I tried it on- the photo really doesn't do it justice. The only thing which put me off snapping it up on the spot was the 'wash factor'- I think one blast in the machine at 30 degrees and it'd be finished. I'm happy to be proved wrong though, so if you've bought one and it's survived a spin in the wash then please do let me know! These ballet pumps from H&M are very reminiscent of Chanel, and a complete steal at £12.99. Finally, this beautiful burnt red beret was another item I spotted in Zara last week, and I think it's the perfect festive touch as we head into December.

Have you bought anything in the last week? And what items are on your wish list at the moment?

(Image credit: ASOS, Accessorize, Warehouse, Zara and H&M.)

16.10.2011- Sunday Style Spotlight #6: Florence Welch

Less than a fortnight after emerging from a giant seashell to sing at the Chanel SS12 presentation, Florence Welch is gracing the cover of every magazine from NME to Interview as she promotes her new album, Ceremonials, which is released next month. Since the release of her debut album, Lungs in 2009, Florence has not only become one of the most recognisable voices on the radio, but has also worked with a succession of designers including Givenchy, Valentino and Gucci to cement her status as a style icon:

From floor sweeping couture gowns for red carpet appearances and performances, to a laid back street style which incorporates lots of quirky little touches, Florence's signature looks are always beautifully co-ordinated. Embellishment, lace and metallics are all key players here, as are vintage accessories and statement jewellery. I love Florence's look predominantly because she's such a style chameleon- from ethereal dresses created by the best design houses in the world to a simple plaid shirt accessorised with a ribbon neck tie, she takes a fun, fearless approach to fashion which works so well and compliments her music beautifully.

What do you think of Florence Welch's style? Are you a fan?

(Image credit: Look, New Look, River Island, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Accessorize, Topshop and Rokit.)

10.10.2011- Monday Must-haves

Another week has flown by, and I hope you all had lovely weekends. It seems like I say the same thing every Monday, but I really can't believe how quickly the weeks are flying by...before we know it Christmas will be upon us! With this in mind, this week's Monday Must-haves features some suitably festive items...

As soon as I saw these shoes from very.co.uk, I fell in love with them! They really remind me of a Miu Miu pair, but at £38 are a fraction of the price. The chunky heel is the perfect antidote to falling over and looking like a wally, which, if you're anything like me, you'll be very thankful for (especially at a Christmas/New Year party!) This Pins & Needles Blouse from Urban Outfitters really caught my eye as I love the colour, and I think it'd be perfect for layering as the weather turns chillier. Although some might say featuring two blouses with a bow detail in one post is overkill, after I spied this New Look top on Sarah's blog, I couldn't resist including it...it's so cute and I love the scalloped edges on the collar and cuffs. The sudden change in weather over the last week has also made me realise that I need to stock up on jumpers, and this vibrant pink number from River Island would be a beautiful bright addition to my wardrobe over the winter. I adore this vintage tea dress from Rokit- the floral print is stunning, the style is so flattering and the peter-pan collar is perfectly on trend, plus you know it's the kind of piece that would never really date. Finally, these earrings from H&M are amazing value for £3.99 (there's something a little Mulberry about them too, don't you think?), and I've been after a ring similar to this one from Accessorize for ages- an early Christmas to myself present perhaps?

Have you bought anything over the last week? And what do you think of my choices?

(Image credit: Rokit, New Look, H&M, very.co.uk, Urban Outfitters, River Island and Accessorize.)

18.09.2011- Sunday Style Spotlight #4: Clémence Poésy

Clémence Poésy has long been on one my fashion favourites. With her effortless approach to red carpet dressing, Clémence has developed a signature style which is laid back and understated, but at the same time classically elegant and oh so French. I've always thought that French women have all the luck when it comes to nailing the 'Oh, I just threw this old thing on!' look- they somehow manage to look amazing in clothes which your average human would look ridiculous in. But, after looking at Clémence's style, I think I've cracked the Parisienne formula- she usually goes for black and navy outfits which are deceptively simple, but which often incorporate quirky details, whether it be a ribbon around the waist or a peter pan collar, and she always keeps accessories to a minimum:

If, unlike Clémence, you don't have a free pass to outfit upon outfit from Chanel, then her look is fairly easily to replicate on the high street. Cute swing dresses with collar details are absolutely everywhere this season, and sticking to a classic colour palette will help to replicate some of that effortless Parisienne magic. Less really is more in this case, so keep accessories co-ordinated, and incorporate a bit of monochrome to nod to classic Chanel. Perfect!

What do you think of Clémence Poésy's style? Are you a fan?

(Image credit: Look, Vogue, Zimbio, Google Images, Accessorize, Oasis, Warehouse, New Look, Rokit and ASOS.)