Bellinis at Browns

here comes the sun

2011-06-12T10:47:00.001-07:00

Sometimes life throws so many things your way, you don't have time for them all. Having moved house and passed a driving test I don't think I could have fitted much more in. Moving into the house that my boyfriend and I now "own" is lovely. We can begin to decorate how we've always wanted. It's been near impossible at the moment, we have such a blank canvas and so many little things that need doing, we don't know where to start. This is also when you realise that you like everything, some days bright poppy colours, other days muted neutrals. The biggest challenge which has been said before by Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere blog wonderfulness, is finding that balance between masculine and feminine tastes.

So for now I will leave some pictures that have inspired my current colour clash obsession. (these photos are not mine, if on the off chance they are yours please e-mail me and I will instantly credit you).

Only the brave

2010-09-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

My old new favourite things are:

1) Feather earrings from Urban outfitters (only one at a time though).
2) My boyfriend's Harley Davidson T-shirt, that I wear with everything.
3) The fishtail plait, after months of only lusting over wang plaits I finally looked up a tutorial.

Lookbook shizzness

2010-09-18T04:15:00.001-07:00

Teenage Engineering

2010-08-21T10:30:00.001-07:00

Every now and then a song pops up that I can't stop listening to. Swedish House Mafia-One takes that accolade, as one friend pointed out, how is it that everything Pharrell touches turns to gold?

The story goes that David Guetta actually stole this beat from them, hence the reference to the F*^& me I'm famous tattoo at 3:10...apparently they both stole the beat from Ryu. Whoever did what, the video is prety dark and I love it!! Anyone for violet mascara?

On further research the cool bit of equipment they have in the video is Teenage Egineering's OP-1. If that thing can make that track then I want one (although SHM admit that it wasn't used to make their track)...marketing at it's very best.

Check them out here.

Tsunami

2010-08-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

The bfs bday was this weekend, to celebrate we went to our favourite Clapham restaurant Tsunami, it's perfect for a date as it's all about sharing. We go for the cocktails if anything, which are all orientally influenced. From there it was onto firefly, gigalum and be at one. Sore heads all round today.

The main reason of my post of course, was to show you my nails..which were done by WAH nails in the basement of Tophsop on Oxford Circus. They literally do anything you can think of. Check out their blog here.

As summer seems to be drastically coming to an abrupt end, I'm trying to get the most out of my dresses, the silk grey dress is from Miss Selfridge, love ring from accesorize, bag is from aldo, shoes are dune and the cute feather earring is one of a pair from urban outfitters....last but not least the toywatch which I wear with everything.

OH MY GOD

2010-07-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

Check these out..

Total amazeballs

The Christmas Party 2010

2009-12-13T04:49:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday was the christmas party, finally!!!! The theme was 20's so there was plenty of bugsy malone, prohibition references. Our company always get someone good to play at the party, in recent years we've had Blondie and The Sugababes, this year was a little more bizarre.
First we had a burlesque dancer Immodesty Blaize, followed by Bryan Ferry, followed by Sash, (the DJ who did Encore en Fois and Ecuador). I told you it was a strange mix.
I invited an old school friend, I wore a long grey dress from ASOS, feather bag from ASOS, hairband from Oasis, pearls on my wrist from H&M, neckalce was a gift but I think it was from John Lewis. My friend wore a dress from French Connection, fur shrug from Accesorize. So without further ado, enjoy the photos.

Rule Britannia

2009-12-04T02:54:00.000-08:00

I don't whether it is coming across yet, but I am a purveyor of all things British. So I will introduce you to another website that I am desperate to do some ordering from:

www.babaracoupe.co.uk

Now to be fair I haven't looked at all of the site as there are mainly two things I want (if I have to limit my purchases).
Number one: The above cushion, it is amazing and made with a vintage flag. Unfortunately it is sold out, but there are lots of other gorgeous ones, click the link to have a look.
Number two: This:

I think this scarf is just beautiful and really different, it has a full map of the British Isles and shipping lanes throughout Europe. Have a browse on the site, there's loads of wantable things to eat away your bank balance.

One day like this

2009-12-02T03:56:00.000-08:00

I work in a fairly corporate environment normally. On fridays we can dress down a bit but I like to use it as an excuse to try out something new. I wear this jacket even on "corporate" days but normally with more than just a long shirt. I thought I would show you this look from one friday ago.

Another pair of boots from bullfrogs..god I loves that little shop and another tartan/plaid item in my wardrobe. Vivienne Westwoodesque No? (interestingly she lives around the corner from me in Clapham Old Town, although I have yet to spy her). The shirt is from H&M a looooong time ago I have worn it to death..but it's a trooper.The bag is foley and Corinna from Shopbop, it cost me a fortune in customs alone, but I wear it always, so justifiable.

I look exhausted I realise! But to be fair by Friday I am, I apologise for my face. It's all about the clothes though right?

My Crazy Life

2009-12-01T03:16:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling verrrrry under the weather for the last week or so, some bug is going around everyone! It was funny because I sat down and thought what have I done over the last week or so and this is what I came up with, no wonder I feel worn out:

1) Bellinis at Browns (yes I really do, do this, quite a lot).They were roasting chestnuts outside the night I went, it was the same night they were blowing snow out on Bond Street for christmas light turn on! (How pretty does it make Ralph Lauren look?) I snapped some quick pictures on my blackberry.

2) Dinner at Aqua Nueva (a new restaurant off Regents Street).
3) Dinner at Awana (on Sloane Avenue off The Kings Road).
4) Drinks at Collection bar (On Brompton Road).
5) Dinner at Tas (near Waterloo, good for theatre go-ers if you plan on going to the Old Vic after).
6) Lunch with some clients at Via Condotti (on Conduit Street off Bond Street).
7) Dim Sum at Ping Pong (round the corner from Carnaby Street).

I also made dinner for a friend on Tuesday night. I didn't even get to go to my other friend's leaving do on friday night in Wimbledon as I was tucked up in bed feverishly. Making me very miserable as she is going away to Switzerland for a ski season...if you are reading this GOOD LUCK, have a brilliant time!!

xx

Ping Pong

2009-11-29T03:36:00.000-08:00

The weekend was just atrocious and I barely ventured out. Through sheer boredom, me and the boy got a bus all the way to Oxford Street, which was interesting in itself as it takes you all the way along Sloane Street, the traffic was so bad but it was an oppurtunity to take in all the designer stores. FYI Chanel was packed and they were really strict one a one in one out policy. I literally threw on my outfit to go out, which consisted of very old Topshop boots (my faithfuls), Miss Selfrdge jeans, a Harley Davidson T-shirt from when my bf was a small child (amazing or what?!), River Island fur jacket and a small leather saddle bag from a summer trip to Morocco).

We walked all the way along Oxford Street, through South Molton Street (popping into Butler and Wilson) for a quick ogle. They always do the best christmas lights along there.

Past Vogue house.

Past Liberty's (who if I'm honest have done a Christmas display I am not keen on and actually found quite depressing), but here were some bits I did like. (mainly the wallpaper behind the fox)

Then onto Ping Pong for some Dim Sum, I loved this place, you choose what you want and mark it on a little paper menu, we had Pear and Cinnamon bubble tea (with Tapioca balls-the straw was wide enough to fit the little balls through! Which was fun!) and Tiger beer, we shared a selection of Dumplings and a mango coconutty pudding. A girl at the table next to us had Lotus tea, which is just beautiful.

The idea was to walk around Soho but it was raining so much and my throat was so sore that we had a quick amble then found ourselves on Goodge Street past some cool frozen yoghurt place and Bang Bang a vintage/second hand clothing store, before heading home for a lemsip and an early night!!

That was my weekend, *sob* wish me better soon. I am now in bed reading a "penguin classic" oh yes, called "The Plague and I" by Betty MacDonald. How ironic.

madness!!!!!

2009-11-26T04:22:00.000-08:00

Now I'm not a massive fan of videos on blogs..but OMG!!! First I love this song Lady Gaga/Beyonce-telephone). Second where the bloody hell can I buy those/go to a class?!!!
Ok so they look ridiculous but I love that tappy unison thing they've got going on.

I normally search for "funny cats" on youtube (try it it's hysterical-look for printer attack)...I digress. Back to me now. Thanks.

2009-11-25T02:14:00.000-08:00

I love finding new things and quirky websites. This is one I have been browsing recently.

www.lucyqdesigns.co.uk

She's based in Cheshire and I love her jigsaw stuff. Sometimes I wished I wore a shirt with cufflink holes, because these are gorgeous.

Homemade

2009-11-24T01:36:00.000-08:00

I wanted to show you this cute hat. I went back to the family home the other weekend, my mum (as is tradition) was showing me her new acquisitions and purchases. It turns out she knitted this hat!!!

I snaffled it....quickly, how cool?
I'm also wearing my new denim shirt from Topshop, which I can't take off!!

G-L-A-M....

2009-11-22T05:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was another day of awful weather and I was a bit concerned that this would scupper all my plans for my evening outfit. The boy had booked a gorgeous restaurant that he knows in Chelsea called Awana. I drank a lot of their signature asian bellinis (of course). They have TV screens doted around and you can watch the chefs in action, it was pretty crazy busy on a Saturday night. Then it was onto collection bar on Brompton Road. This was my first time there and I was a bit concerned about their policy of face control (nice). The boy went crazy after he spotted a load of front row England rugby players in there, I think it may have been his highlight. They were more interested in the abundance of fake breasts on offer...unfortunately for him.

I wanted to show you my nails! Which I am really pleased with, I painted them black with a top coat of glitter, I'm not normally one to do glitter but I just got inspired.

You will see this necklace all the time it's designed by Gorjana that I got from shopbop, a great sort of posh ASOS based in America.

I am slowly but surely doing up our little flat, and yesterday me and the boy put up the wall of fairy lights so I thought I'd use them for some new photos. I popped into Selfridges on Oxford Street last Tuesday for a quick beauty treatment and ended up picking up some more Harem pants from Miss Selfridge, which I wore with a blush vest top (in a size bigger) from Topshop. Shoes and bracelet also Topshop.

The necklace is from River Island and I wish you could see my bra, it was pretty lacey, but unfortunately my massive mane of hair was covering it. The feather bag got it's first outing as well. Back to the corporate uniform until next weekend!

A hunting we will go...

2009-11-20T11:57:00.001-08:00

The time is definately running away wih me recently. With christmas coming up I always have lots of functions to go to at work, I am tempted to start a restaurant review blog as my job takes me to some of the nicest places London has to offer..hmmmm. Perhaps I will just tell you about them as and when.

More awkward posing, (I'm not gonna quit my day job anytime soon). I love all things checked and tartan and this flannel dress is no exception from river Island, socks and leggings are top shop, pashmina is from India, wellies are Hunters-another outing, I'm on a roll.
I love getting out onto the commons at the weekend and it is a good oppurtunity for some pinturas. It was freezing the weekend these were taken, and I found that I have a squirrel fascination. I think it's the way they move kinda looks like a sine wave (hello fellow geeks!)

I really liked what the girl in the picture was wearing, she had managed to put navy and black together with sucess!

Something for the weekend

2009-11-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

Ok I got all excited about this bag as I will probably be using it for the 20's theme party coming up, but then I get home (family home) and saw that ASOS has featured the bag (yes it's from ASOS-but they had CHOSEN the item for the mini mag and in a copy of SHE that was knocking round the house.

Well I felt quietly smug that I had chosen something desirable and I think it will really make a plain outfit.

This will be my one nod towards feathers this season....ok ok and an alice band I got from Oasis but don't tell anyone.

Gossip Girl Inspiration

2009-11-12T03:50:00.000-08:00

I fear that Autumn is rapidly coming to a close. I keep dragging my boyfriend out to the park so that we can "enjoy" the season. I've employed toddler tactics in that we can go straight to the pub after, for a pint and some mulled wine (more on that later).

I truly think that Autumn is the most beautiful season even if it does create first term at university nostalgia! Time to dust off Stryer, the biochemist's bible.

These grey boots feature A LOT..I know. However I was on the tube home watching an episode from series one of Gossip Girl (yes I'm a late starter). Serena went to her first day back at school wearing grey boots and a little tartan skirt.

There's this cute little shop called Bullfrogs right next to our flat and TA DA..there they were, the over the knee grey boots..excitement in the extreme. I snapped them up double quick.

I bought the skirt a year or two ago from Miss Sixty, it is ridiculously short but it does have built in panties so we're ok there, Serena clone no?!

(Boots:London Rebel, Skirt: Miss Sxity, Sweater: Topshop, Gilet: Zara, Bag: Foley & Corinna and an assortment of bangles)

I really need to think about getting an SLR, I can't stop snapping away.

20% off at Carnaby Street

2009-11-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

I remembered that there is a ridiculous amount of shopping opportunities coming up and most of them seem to be from Grazia which always does brilliant offers.

If you are living in London then this Thursday 12th November there is 20% off at stores on Carnaby street. To register for a ticket just go here:

http://www.carnaby.co.uk/

I will be there with tinkly christmas bells on.

Saturday 14th November also sees the launch of Jimmy Choo for H&M. OMG! If there is anything left I will be snapping it up.

Just check these out!!!

That studding is delicious!! I can barely contain myself!!!

Bonfire night

2009-11-06T04:23:00.000-08:00

This 5th November I was fortunate enough to be living smack bang in the centre of a fireworks extravaganza.

For all of you not familiar with this (and I assume English) tradition some dude called Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the houses of parliament way back in the day, to celebrate, many people throw effigies of him on a bonfire and let off loads of fireworks....nice.

I celebrated by donning the hunters, and getting my sparkler on.

You can't see the outfit so much here, unless you look reaalllllly carefully, but I like these pictures and you might too.

Matches

2009-11-04T03:27:00.000-08:00

If you haven't already checked out matches sale (style steals). Then I suggest you have a look whilst they still have some bargains

http://www.matchesfashion.com/

Whilst having a browse through this I did find myself wandering into the full price items section, and compiled a wish list (which is cetainly not full or comprehensive).

1. Christopher Kane T-shirt (£210)

2. Balenciaga boots (£635)

3. Balenciaga bag (£1065)

4. C.RA.F.T jeans (£225)

5. Acne grandad shirt (£198)

6. Alex Monroe ring (£105)

I'll just keep wishing.....

something old, something new

2009-10-31T17:30:00.000-07:00

Last week I was rifling through my wardrobe looking for something that I hadn't worn for ages and came across some boots I bought in my first year of university (yes that was 4 years ago eeek). I bought these tassled booties from River Island, at the time I was teased non stop. I see a lot of them about now though. I hope you enjoy my cheese ball photos, catalogue perfect.

(Boots: River Island, Scarf:Ireland, Top: H&M, Jeans: Replay, Belt: Topshop)

The jeans are skinny replays that I had to dye black, and I'm pretty glad I did as I was never going to wear them again, I think I bought my knitted scarf in Ireland when I was about 12, and was not keen at all as my parents thought it would be "practical", way to put a kid off an item of clothing. The top is just an H and M number I was wearing to bed!!!!

My current favourite outfit. French Connection dress ( I thought £45 was a lot for a simple cotton dress, but I have worn it non stop), thigh high boots from London Rebel, top shop belt and an assortment of bracelets. The biggest one was actually from dorothy perkins and has cracked with age, which only makes it better I think.

(Boots: London Rebel, Dress: French Connection, Belt: Topshop, Scarf: River Island)

It was a bit chilly out! Added my new River Island scarf and an aldo bag....oh and my clock which I just bought and haven't got round to putting up, I'll be honest the sausage dog sold it to me!!At the moment my biggest source of fashion inspiration is probably a mixture of Puss in boots and Mary-Kate Olsen.

Can't wait to dust my Hunter's off for bonfire night next week, I wasn't sure they'd see the light of day again this year after V festival.

Sorry about the picture quality I have a little point and shoot and they are never going to do professional things..bear with me.

An Introduction...

2009-10-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

It had to happen eventually, the need for somewhere to explore and find inspiration.

I've been thinking for a while that I need somewhere to put down all those outfit ideas that swim round my head.

Our company has just announced that the theme of it's christmas party will be 1920's cabaret, so I will make sure to keep you updated with my ideas and am keen to hear anyone elses. I'm gonna have to dig those Hills box sets out and channel a bit of Lauren Conrad for this one.....