The Ellos Blouse.

So I found my camera!

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the lovely people at Brit Bloggers about reviewing an item for them from One Stop Plus and obviously I jumped at the chance. To be honest I wasn't THAT familiar with the site and presumed it was really similar to Evans - full of frumpy, shapeless clothing that I wouldn't really like. I was given the choice of picking an item off the site and wanted to opt for something I don't really wear that much but could style up and put a twist on. I looked through the jeans section (as I NEVER wear jeans) even though I've asked for some from Santa this year but I'm way to fussy when it comes to jeans, so opted for a blouse instead. There are only 2 shirts/blouses in my wardrobe. My favourite one is a sheer coral one from New Look which is years old, but the collar never sits right and I always find it difficult to really know what to wear underneath it. After carefully going through the site I chose the Ellos Blouse.

What attracted me to this straight away was the ribbon collar and lace detailing around the neck line. When it arrived I noticed there was a loop hidden under the collar that held the ribbon in place (brownie points already) but it wasn't stitched down onto the shirt so could put your own ribbon through if you fancied a change.

The fit was absolutely perfect. I got my normal size, but actually think I could have gone down a size too  as it did come up quite big. I loved the sleeve length on this - perfect for the cold weather as it was quite a thick cotton material. The next time I wear it I think I'm going to try it with jeans (that's if Santa drops any down the chimney) as the length was perfect coming just below the bum.

I wore this with my black maxi skirt from Style369 and some grey wool tights - felt I bit like I belonged back in the Victorian era!

Shirt: With thanks to OneStopPlus

Skirt: Style 369

Bath ring: Topshop

Other Jewellery: Urban Outfitters and Primark

I completed the outfit with a faux fur stole and leather jacket from Primark to go to Winter Wonderland and actually took the tights off. MASSIVE MISTAKE! I was absolutely freezing.

Me and the lovely Jinny

Bag: Mulberry Alexa

I've got to give a massive thumbs up to One Stop Plus for having, maybe just the most beautiful blouse I've ever owned and I actually think £29.99 is so reasonable. Whilst going through the site I did actually find a couple of other bits I may just have to purchase, including this long backed blouse.

What do you guys think? I think this would well really well as workwear too for the office and yet is a perfect day to night item to add with jeans and a big pair of wedges.

Thanks to OneStopPlus UK - I'll definitely be visiting again.

And the obsession continues.

So here's the deal; seem to have misplaced my camera somewhere in the house hence the lack of posts. I know I know, excuses excusess but I am telling the truth and I've also been majorly busy with our SS12 Press Day at work, which I may add was a huge success. I got to meet some of my favourite bloggers (Lara, Clare, Jazmine, Olivia, Abi, Ashanti, Rosie plus many more) and have REAL LIFE conversations as oppose to tweeting or leaving comments on each others blogs.

So onto the obsession. Pleated maxi skirts. I'm so glad that I'm still seeing girls swanning down Bond Street in this horrible cold weather in maxi skirts. I live and breathe in these and have done since the Summer. Recently I paid a visit to Marks and Spencer (my secret haunt at the moment for finding some hidden gems. Ok, not so secret but you know...) and picked up a sparkly gold pleated maxi skirt. Part of their Limited Collection and only £35, how could I resist? I feel so Christmassy when I wear it and am currently looking for an amazing sparkly, reindeer covered jumper to wear with it. Due to the lost camera situation I took some photos with my iphone of me in it which unfortunately doesn't really do the skirt justice as you can't see the sparkle but here's hoping my camera turns up soon.

David Bowie T-shirt: Urban Outfitters

Skirt: Marks and Spencer

Gold Converse

Necklace: Primark

Seeing as payday crept up on me again last week I decided it was about time to purchase the Mawi for Disney Couture ring from ASOS that I've wanted since forever. I saw Kelly Rowland wearing it on the X-Factor a while ago and it looked lovely on her (what doesn't look good on KR though!). I also spotted this joint bracelet ring from Urban Outfitters whilst browsing online too.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know I had some colour put into my hair this week. My hair seriously annoys me most of the time and anyone with curly Afro hair - I truly feel your pain with having to maintain it. I had it treated, cut and colour put in all for £125 at a quirky hairdressers in Kensal Rise called Funky Colour. I basically wanted it the same as Rihanna's with the caramel colour she has. Everyone seems to like it so far and I truly am embracing the 'fro!

I managed to make it to the Mulberry sample sale last week too. (My very first designer sample sale!) you can really tell the difference between women who are sample sales pros and those of us who aren't. It took place at the Music Rooms on South Molton Lane and truly was elbows at dawn!! There were loads of leopard print Alexa bags (still quite expensive though) menswear, womenswear, laptop cases, purses, jewellery and shoes - Mulberry HEAVEN. I managed to pick up a patent laptop case for £45 (which I'll be using as a clutch) and a lovely pink and lime green striped jumper for £15 (blog post to come!).

Studs, a bit of vintage and the Company Awards

I first saw these Topshop slipper studs on Clare a while ago and needed them in my life. I opted for the burgundy colour - perfectly suited to Autumn and love the gold studs on them. I actually wore this outfit last weekend but as usual, haven't had a chance to post it until now. To be honest I was a bit unsure about all the prints together but it's all about experimenting and clashing right? My fur belonged to my Mum's great Aunt, who passed it onto my Mum and then onto me. I love it and always seem to get alot of compliments.

Jacket - Primark

Top - Dorothy Perkins

Skirt - Vintage section of Urban Outfitters

Jewellery - Love, Hearts and Crosses

Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know that I also attended the Company Magazine Awards at Shoreditch House last week. Company is one of my favourite magazines and I think their fashion pages are amazing. Affordable and full of ideas and inspiration. I was attending on behalf of work had such a fun night. We drank Moscow Mules as Gemma Cairney presented the awards to high street brands. When I first arrived I noticed Pixie Lott and her (hot!) boyfriend walk past - she actually ended up winning an award for her range with Lipsy and as she walked through the crowd I asked for a photo. She was BEAUTIFUL. And made me feel like a toad (lol) but she seemed so nice and down to earth and happily posed for a snap.

I was actually papped for the Evans blog whilst at the awards. I've never had anything like that happen before so it was really lovely when their Social Media Co-ordinator approached me and complimented my outfit. I didn't think it would make it onto their blog, but yesterday I had a little peek and there I was!!  They were super lovely in how they described what I was wearing to and how it flattered my shape - so thank you Evans! 

Top - Topshop

Jacket - Rokit

Skirt - H'n'M

Wedges - New Look

Bag - Mulberry Alexa

You can see the full feature here; 

http://blog.evans.co.uk/2011/11/09/evans-best-plus-size-company-fashion-awards-2011/

The Sparkling Shoe

For the 5th year running Dune is collaborating with the Teenage Cancer Trust to lauch the ultimate 'Sparkling' party shoe. This pink glitter bomb shell will be sure to turn some heads (see what I did there?!) during party season and add ultimate glamour to an LBD.

The shoe is priced at £90 with £50 of every shoe going towards the TCT and available in all Dune stores nationwide from November 11th.

From TCT:
Every day six teenagers are told they have cancer. Teenage Cancer Trust believes young people shouldn’t stop being teenagers just because they have cancer. So the charity builds units in NHS hospitals that offer young people specialist care, bringing them together so they can support each other in an environment suited to their needs.



As well as specialist units, Teenage Cancer Trust also funds a number of services all with the same goal – to help young people fight cancer. These include clinical and research staff, an education programme for schools, family support networks and an annual conference for young cancer patients in Nottingham.

Also, to celebrate the launch, Dune is running a competition on their Facebook and Twitter to win a pair of Sparkling Shoes signed by Nicola Roberts - get entering and start donating!

The Party Dress Issue. No 1.

Sorry I've been MIA as of late. My new job is well and truly keeping me on my toes! Anyway, I went for a browse after work along Oxford Street last night and already the crowds are out in force doing their Christmas shopping. As much as I dread Oxford Street in the lead up to the big day, there's no denying how beautiful it is and I'm rather excited that my office is in the West End so I can soak up the best of the Christmas season. Selfridges already have their lights up and M&S are preparing for the big 'switch on' with The Saturday's in a week or so.

I've decided, starting today, to do a weekly round up of the best dresses for the party season, to hopefully inspire you guys for all the upcoming dinners, parties and celebrations that will take place over the next 2 months. First up, Coast. Not a range I'd usually be drawn to in all honesty but their Christmas collection is to die for and if you're looking to invest in a dress that will see you through party after party, this is the place to shop.

The more sequins the better I say for the festive season and Coast are mixing these with beautiful chiffons and metallics. Best worn with black platforms and a bit of in-yo-face bling - best way to P.A.R.T.Y.

 Elita Maxi Dress £180

Florrisa Dress £160

 Florrisa Maxi Dress £175

Perla Sequin Dress £195

All dresses are available in sizes 8-18 and will go on sale through exclusive in store preview events at 6pm on November 3rd. Please see www.coast-stores.com for further details.

Seeing Stars.

Today has been amazing. Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know that I've been waiting for some news with regards to a job interview I had last week. I can honestly tell you, I don't think I've wanted anything more than this job. After being unemployed for 8 months and a few knockbacks I was seriously doubting whether I should give up in fashion industry altogether. But, I ploughed through and good news, I GOT THE JOB. So exciting. The job is actually where I've been interning on and off for the past four months and is my first 'real' PR Assistant role. I had a similar role when I worked for a company last year but my main job there was as a Social Media Co-ordinator so it feels amazing to actually be doing something now that I'm passionate about.

I've been in contact recently with a few of my Twitter followers who have asked for some advice when it comes to interning. I've been a PR intern for a good few years now and can honestly say interning is the way in. Sure some days all you're doing is returns, making tea and running here there and everywhere but both my previous job and this job have come from me having internships within the companies - it pays off! Make yourself stand out, offer to do jobs that you may not necessarily want to do because speaking from experience it really does get you noticed. Anyway, enough of my preaching! Here's what I wore today. My lovely Mum took me for breakfast at The Wolseley which I was not expecting at all. Lovely surprise and a good day all round. Oh, I can finally introduce you to my new Mulberry Alexa bag too. A long time coming but it's finally in my hands.

This star print t-shirt is from Dorothy Perkins and fits so nicely. It has a cute zip detail at the back too. I first saw it on Nicolette (who totally rocks it with her Miu Miu glasses by the way) I put mine together with my khaki maxi skirt and gold converse.

A really cheeseballs photo of me outside The Wolseley this morning...

Jacket: Primark

Star print top: Dorothy Perkins

Maxi skirt: Marks and Spencer

Pumps: Converse

Necklace: Claire's Accessories

Bag: Mulberry

Rings: From a selection at Accessorize, Dorothy Perkins, Forever 21 & Boots

Inspiration from AW Edits.

I'm a sucker for magazines. Aren't we all? I actually dread to think about how much of my money goes on buying magazines. As well as my dose of weeklies (Grazia and Look obviously) I also subscribe to Vogue and Elle. But my favourites always come in the form of the seasonal AW and SS edit magazines. They feel like the ultimate style bibles and I often spend my time jotting notes, ripping out pages and reading word for word to find some style inspiration for the upcoming season.

Company magazine AW11 Edits is fabulous this year. The perfect guide for your must-haves for the season. I've read over it many times, circling the items I want to get. The AW Edit included a section called 'Happy Fashion Families' where Company gave us a complete guide of how to dress like our favourite fashion families. The Kardashians, The Beckhams, The Middletons (not really a style I'll be stealing I have to say) and The Olsens. Mary Kate and Ashley are two of my ultimate style icons and one of Company's features in this get-the-look was this stunning dress from Monsoon which I obviously had to have!

I love this dress. The cut, the colour, the tie-dye effect and the sleeves. Yes it has sleeves because as we all know my bingo wings rarely make an appearance. I went out last night and teamed it with my new leather jacket from Primark and leopard print boots. Must admit, I was a bit unsure about the clashing prints but it seemed to work - what do you guys think?

Personally I reckon I'm well on my way to becoming part of the Olsen clan! I'm looking forward to wearing this dress with tights and some wedges or some knee high flat boots for when the cold weather REALLY sets in. The Courtney Dress is available online and in store now at £85.

Dress: With thanks to Monsoon

Clutch: Giles Deacon for New Look

Leather Jacket: Primark

Boots: Topshop

Cuff: H'n'M

Rings: From a selection at Dorothy Perkins, Forever 21, Boots & Accessorize

Cross necklace: Forever 21