A Not So Fashiony Post!

I mainly write about fashion and beauty on Belle of the Ball, and I will get right back on that tomorrow, but I just want to post about something else today.

If you are a long time reader, or if you know me personally, you'll know that I am a HUGE fan of Christmas...yes I am Jewish and yes I should be just as excited about Chanukah, but, let's be honest, Christmas is just SO much fun! I am one of those people who start to get excited about the festive season as soon as September rolls around, and as far as I am concerned, the build up to Christmas never starts too soon...all you grinch's who start moaning about decorations going up in stores in October... :oP

I actually don't just decorate my house at Christmas, but my parents house too...much to their...umm...joy, and I love buying presents and wrapping them up perfectly for them to be opened Christmas morning.

Anyway, my friend Jo just introduced me to the wonder that is Ikea's Christmas shop! Perhaps not as exciting and beautiful as Liberty's Christmas shop (seriously, if you haven't been there, then please go...now, but with prices starting from £1 and rarely going over the £20 mark...you can't go wrong really.

I'm sure I will do many festive posts in the build up to the big day, but I just wanted to share a few bits I saw in Ikea, which could help you create a gorgeous yet very purse friendly Christmas. Enjoy x

Baubles - £8 for 2

Pudding baubles - £5 for 4

Sleigh decorations - £4 for 3

Robin decorations £5 for 4

Candle - £2

Potpourri in a bag - £1.99

Baubles - £10 set of 50

Star candle dish - £1.75

Gift bags - £2 for 12 pack

Gift boxes - £5 for 3 pack

Wrapping paper - £1.75

Gift tags - £1 for 40 pack

Stickers - 50p

Ribbon - £3

Primark's SS12 Beachwear Range

The weather in London over the last couple of weeks has been amazing! low - mid 20's, sunny and so feeling like summer. Weather like this always makes me want to get on a plane and head on holiday immediately! However, I'm not going on holiday for another month (the countdown begins) but that doesn't mean I can't plan my holiday wardrobe!

I'm heading off with the hubby to Dubrovnik in Croatia for 10 days (I really can't wait) and the thought of blue skies, blue seas and white washed buildings is making me giddy with excitement! I'm also trying to watch my spending at the moment, so planning the holiday wardrobe has to be done on a budget. This is why, when I spotted Primark's SS12 campaign images and product shots, I knew I was sorted.

Primark always have a way of making their campaign shots look expensive, high fashion, cool and attainable at the same time. I love the collection of figure flattering beachwear, 70's inspired maxi dresses, tribal and tropical print footwear and chunky jewellery.

I've chosen a few of my favourite images and products below...I think I'll be heading down there this afternoon! What do you think of the beach range? Enjoy x

the print for SS12

love a bit of neon for the summer!

perfect day shoe!

figure flattering bikini bottoms!

must own these sunnies!!

poolside glamour!

easy and chic beachwear

layering for the beach

a great accessory

tribal print is a must have trend

Agyness Deyn Collaborates with Dr Martens

When you think of androgynous model Agnyess Deyn, what springs to mind? Punk hair? Androgynous dresser? Tomboy prettiness? When I think of this Northern lass, I always picture her in a pair of Dr Martens...and what do you know...she's created a collection with the iconic footwear brand! Whoo hoo!

Aggy has starred in the last two Dr Marten campaigns...have a looksee below:

Her cool, punk look is perfect for the brand and she looks so at home modelling for them. 'The brand is a great fit for me,' Aggy tells WWD 'It stands for strong character and being able to shape your own personal identity.'

According to her interview in WWD, we can expect more than just awesome shoes from the collection! Get ready for clothing, footwear and accessories from the collaboration, which is due to launch in the autumn. I'm thinking lots of grunge but done in a cool '90's way and obviously, very stylish and chic! How she does that I have no idea, but maybe when these range launches, we'll all be able to imitate her enviable look. Enjoy x

first campaign shot!

Monki-ing Around

There has been a lot of buzz about quirky brand Monki recently. If you want a bit of background info on the brand, check out a post I did last year here.

Up until very recently, I had to get my Monki fit at the little concession at Selfridges. It’s a lovely concession really, very well laid out and it displays the product very well, but because of its size, it doesn’t make the most of the brand’s personality…and this is a brand with a lot of personality!

Well, now you can get a big Monki fix at their new store in Carnaby Street! I went for a mooch around yesterday and used up my whole lunch hour! The shop is laid out like a slick, high fashion boutique, with products arranged in a very stylised and unique way. There is a lot of colour, light and quirky touches, such as the Monki characters, placed around the shop. It is on 2 levels and there are cute quotes on the walls and mirrored chandeliers.

I fell in love with the shop. It has a really relaxed feel about it and isn’t overly merchandised, so you feel as if you can really see everything they have to offer. As for the clothing…I struggled not to spend my entire monthly salary! Oversized shirts, spring jackets, pretty pastels, flatforms, floaty pencil skirts, baggy dresses, lace and florals and so much more! I picked up a floral print dress and a lace dress and I have my eye on a couple of pairs of shoes and a stripy dress…but I’ll try and contain myself until next pay day!

I’ve taken a few snaps below of the shop and the products. Have you been into Monki? What do you think of the clothing? Enjoy x

obsessed with these!!!

one of my purchases

just some pretty flowers outside Liberty - nothing to do with Monki, but everyone likes to look at pretty flowers right??

What's Caught My Eye This Week...

Happy Friday!

Hope you've all had a good week.

It was pay day for me this week (finally!) so I thought I would have a meander around my favourite shops and compile a list of what I would love to buy. I am trying to be good at the moment and not shop as much...so maybe I'll just have to settle for one thing from my list!

I'm really impressed with what's on offer on the high street right now...the SS12 collections are out in full and there are some gorgeous pieces. I'm not normally a spring/summer fashion lover, but I am loving the mix of faded nudes, soft prints, floaty chiffons and vibrant neons. They make a really interesting mix that, surprisingly, go really well together.

Anyway, have a looksee at my wish list below and let me know what you think. Has anything caught your eye on the high street? Enjoy x

chelsea girl cardigan £28 @ river island

chiffon shirt dress £"29.99 @ zara

colour block heels £69.99 @ zara

mesh maxi dress £150 @ topshop

asymmetric dress £50 @ miss selfridge

my dress 40EUR @ Monki

neon sweater £38 @ topshop

chiffon skirt £37 @ miss selfridge

stripey socks £3 @ river island

fruit clutch 20EUR @ Monki

wesges £65 @ river island

Winter Arrives...Knitwear Stays!

There I was all set for my SS12 wardrobe to start...eyeing up all those delectable pastels, metallics and floral dresses, when winter finally arrives! I'm not sure where everyone is based, but here in London, it's struggling to get to above freezing, and I am shivering in my new season garb!!

So, as I am sure most of the country (and outside of the UK) are feeling the big chill too, I decided to have a looksee at some new season knitwear pieces from my fave place to purchase cosy, stylish and affordable knitwear, River Island. These pieces are all super warm, but also embrace the colour palettes and styles which are going to be big for the new season. I'm especially loving Navajo inspired knits at the moment, and was very jealous when my hubby received a gorgeous Navajo cardigan for his birthday yesterday from my brother and sister-in-law to be! So I decided to find a femme version on my own so we can look cosy together...matchy matchy!

darren rocking the navajo cardi...ignore the horrendous tracky bums!!

Have you embraced any new trends yet for SS12? Or are you still living in knits like me :) Enjoy x

£38

£38

£35

£38