Work It Out: Bow

Everyone needs a little shift dress - it suits any bodyshape and can hide all manner of sins, even a big pasta lunch in my case ;).

 Bow Shift Dress - Ted Baker.  Shoes - Zara

With a cardigan or suit jacket for the day and a statement clutch for the evening a shift dress is a perfect transition piece from morning to night.

OOTD - Tassels

While browsing through my wardrobe on Saturday night I stumbled upon one of my favourite little LBDs. This dress always reminds me of the scene where Carey goes on her first date with her Russian 'luva' (Mikhail Borishnokov).

Tassels, fringing, whatever you may call it, they make the perfect dancing partner!

For makeup, I stuck to a basic smokey eye using MAC bronze and espresso eyeshadows, with a natural lip gloss from Beaute.

Being short on time I left my hair natural, but added volume by blasting it with a hairdryer with my head upside down and tying it up in a bun while it cooled (leaving time for makeup). If you have naturally wavy hair this is a great trick to add some movement and bounce!

Do you have a secret love of tassels? xxx

Work It Out: Instalment Vingt-Huit

Sometimes it's fun to add a little splash of colour. I call this my Charlotte (Sex and the City) dress ;).

 Berham Dress: Hobbs. Patent leather belt: M&S.

Despite being sleeveless this boiled wool dress is super warm and cosy. As many Hobbs dresses it is designed for the classic English pear shape - skimming over any lumps and bumps, while accentuating a slimmer waist. Luckily as the material has a good amount of stretch it works well on a bigger bust too, plus the fuller skirt creates some balance. It's currently in the sale in graphite, purple, red and storm as above.

L'Heure du Cocktail

Last week I attended a cocktail party in Paris. As much as I would have loved to be swanning around the streets dreaming of fashion week, after a 4am wake up call and back to back meetings I was feeling far from glamorous, so getting ready was a rather rushed affair.

 Dress: Hobbs (limited edition). Suede Shoes with pink detailing: Manolo Blanhik.                  Pashmina/ Wrap: H&M

 Cream belted wrap coat: Oasis.

Sorry for the rubbish iPhone photos, but even when running out the door this dress had to be documented. I just adore the corset style, fold over detailing at the waist, which creates a lovely shape and balances the full skirt. The only downside is since the stiff tulle sown into the skirt is very stiff and weighs a tonne. Not quite 'Gypsie Weddings' dress, but as full as I would ever dare to go ;).

Leopard (Take 2)

I must be in a very leopardy (yes that's a word!) mood lately! Last weekend as I was heading out for drinks I went for a statement animal print dress, paired with simple black patent tights.

Dress: ASOS. Black tights: M&S. Shearling boots a la Burberry: New Look.

You can just see the leopard boots peeping out in the corner lol. Is anyone else on a leopard kick at the moment? What are your favourite pieces? xxx

OOTD - Red Velvet

It feels like I haven't made an OOTD post in a while, so here is a fun one from this weekend. Although I found the sales quite disappointing this year, with stock that had been in the shops 4 seasons ago suddenly popping up on the rails, there are always items that tempt me. When you are feeling a little sensitive about a few rounder edges that have developed over the festive season (I know I am!), but need a couple of new outfit injections, there are still shoes! There will always be shoes!

Shirt dress - courtesy of Love (find it here), camisole (just seen) - M&S, stirrup leggings - ASOS, shoe boots - Office.

With my toes tactically on display in this weather a warm jacket was a must!

 Tailored leather jacket - Reiss.

Completely impractical, but I adore them! Surprisingly they are the most comfortable heels/ wedges I own as they are extremely light. The moment I put them on my feet immediately felt at home. I know these shoes will not be to everyone's taste, so feel free to let me have your opinions ;). xxx

Snow Stories - OOTD

T'was the week before Christmas,

And all through the land 

Snow was falling, 

And everything came to a stand(still).

I have had a little bit of a love/hate relationship with the snow recently - as pretty as it is I feel it has been somewhat out to get me recently. Not only did I slip and fall flat on my derriere in the middle of a busy street with 15 bags of dry cleaning in tow (ouch!), but yesterday it nullified all our weekend plans. The only thing left to do was surrender...

Belted Wrap Coat - Oasis (also in black, new this week!), Black Leggings - Topshop, Shearling Buckle Booties - New Look, White Faux Fur Hat - Topshop.

For me a coat is always the most important purchase of the winter season. Since most of your clothes will be hidden underneath it has to be a piece that you love and enjoy wearing. When I spotted this beauty in Oasis I had to have it straight away. Warm, comfortable and stylish with its soft folds and a belt to cinch in the waist it fits perfectly with my dark winter wardrobe.

Purple Gina Dress courtesy of Motel, also available in Red, Black with Cream Lace and Blue with Gold Lace.

I love the deep purple colour of this dress and it's delicate lace detailing on the shoulders and sleeves. Perfect with black leggings or tights :).

 Make-up wise I decided to glam it up a little and create a very classic look. For the skin I used NARS sheer glow foundation and Bobbi Brown creamy corrector. To add a little colour to the cheeks Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel with a little MAC cream blush in Ladyblush. I skipped the powder as I wanted the skin to look clear, but dewy and instead added a little E.L.F. All Over Colour Stick in Persimmon to the tops of the cheekbones. For the eyes I swept MAC's vanilla eyeshadow all over the lid to create a blank canvas and used L'Oreal's Carbon gloss eyeliner and L'ancome Hypnose mascara. For the lips I used MAC's pencil lipliner in Redd. As I loved the colour so much I decided to dab on a little balm at the centre and leave it at that. I was very impressed as it lasted all day, top marks!

How did you spend your snow day my lovelies? We have wimped out and are getting a takeaway... again ;). xxx

Making Room for the Turkey ;)

On Saturday night I was celebrating Christmas with my first turkey feast of the season. It has become a little tradition over the years for me to have a celebration with all my friends before we disperse all over the continenents to our respective families. Luckily I wasn't cooking, so all I had to do was pop on a party dress (with plenty of room in the key area) and toddle off.

I chose a simple, sparkly dress from Miss Selfridge (currently having 30% off sale here) - note the ribbed material has plenty of stretch ;). I teamed it with plain black leggings and the cutest boots from New Look (50% off sale across the site here). Who needs Burberry when you have these beauties?

I hope you are all having a lovely run up to Christmas... my jeans are already getting tight.. eek!! ;) xxx