I'm Baaaaaaaaaaack!

Hello blogging world!

Well, what can I say. I am a very naughty blogger.

I haven't blogged since last summer and I have missed it so much! The reason? Well...reasons really. Where to start? A new job as a Content Editor, raising my toddler Elijah, having my house extended and moving in with my parents for 4 months, moving back in and reordering the entire house, oh, and falling pregnant again! Yay!

So yes...I have been pretty busy and sadly, blogging fell by the wayside, which I really regret but I am on a mission to bring Belle of the Ball back to life again. At least until the new baby arrives and takes away all my free time.

So, please forgive me for my absence. I have missed you and I hope you have missed me too. I will be back very soon with lots of fashion, beauty and life news.

Until then...thanks for checking back in and not forgetting me :)

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

Magazine Covers and Designer Collaborations

Hello!

Happy Sunday. I hope you're all having a lovely relaxing Sunday evening.

It's been a bit of a manic week, so apologies for the lack of blogging. I've just painted my nails a gorgeous sunshine yellow (because of today's fab sunny weather - see below) and am in the mood to spread some blog love :)

I spotted a magazine cover this week that I really loved and thought I'd share it with you. It is the April issue of Elle magazine, who have opted for the stunning Olsen twins as their cover stars. I'm not really that in love with the Olsens. Having practically grown up watching them as babies on Full House all the way to their terrible movie career and now as bonafide fashion icons, designers and entrepreneurs, I am always impressed by their fabulous style choices.

Now, not only do these two get to be on the cover...they each get their own cover! that is the power of this dynamic duo. Ashley is styled in a delicate nude dress dripping with jewels and Mary Kate is dressed in a beautiful white shirt adorned with sparkling diamantés. They both look sensational, but I particularly love the look in Mary Kate's eyes! That's smysing!!

ashley olsen

mary kate olsen

On the 8th March on my way to work, I ventured past the H&M on Regent Street to see how big the queue was for the H&M Marni collaboration launch...just on the off chance it was really tiny and I could sneak into the store before work started...no such luck! The queue was HUGE and not wanting to be late for work, I thought I might just pop in on my lunch break to see if there was anything left. There were a couple of bits..the odd jacket and dress but all of the bits I had my eye on had sadly been nabbed up :-(

This collaboration was a lot more grown up than recent ventures...such as the Versace collection. Clean lines, beautiful textures and patterns and stunning colours, which all work together like a gorgeous mosaic. My favourites include silk dresses with popping prints, oversized  floral necklaces, silk printed trousers and tees with sequin collars. If you haven't seen the collection, the campaign was shot by Sofia Coppola, and it really is gorgeous. I;ve put some of my fave pieces from the collection below. What do you think of the collection? Enjoy x

Take a Look Inside Mulberry's SS12 Lookbook

I think I have probably expressed my love for Mulberry on here quite a few times already, and by doing so, have ended up with some lovely birthday and Christmas presents from observant readers! Well, this isn't a ploy to end up with another Mulberry something to add to my collection...maybe a little!

I received the Mulberry SS12 look book and was so excited by it, not only by its contents, but how it looked, that I had to do a little blog about it.

The look book arrived in a candy floss pink envelope, which in itself looked good enough to eat! upon opening it, the look book had the look, and texture of an old fashion ice cream waffle cone! Mulberry went full out candy-tastic for their SS12 collection, and, as they state; "Inspired by the great British seaside - piers, arcades, donkey rides and sticks of rock - our new season borrows the fanciful fun on Carry on Camping and fuses it with plenty of eclectic Mulberry charm, luxe detailing and kiss-me-quick chic."

In the lookbook, the products are joined with cute props like sticks of rock, handfuls of sweets and peppermint sticks. I do love a bit of kitsch! As for the collection, expect colourful takes of Mulberry classics, fun and retro inspired designs and a big helping of lust-worthy pieces.

I snapped a few of my favourite products from the look book below, along with my Mulberry inspired nails.

What do you think of the new collection? Enjoy x



the ice cream waffle cone inspired cover

the Lily in plaster pink wrinkled patent £495

the Holiday small Bayswater satchel £795 and Holiday Bayswater £895 both in lemon sherbet

Travel Day Bag £1,100 and Oversized Travel Bag £1,250 both in Oak Shiny Lambskin

Teddy Necklace in pale gold £175

Travel Day Bag in Natural Mixed Animal Print Leather £1,500

My Mulberry inspired nails!

River Island SS12 Preview Video

You might remember a few weeks ago I wrote about going to the River Island SS12 press day (if you haven't read it, you can read it here).

I was really impressed with the collections and the trends that River Island have chosen to interpret...and I think you'll love them too! Be prepared for colour!

The brand has just released a video as a preview to the collection. It can be found on River Island's youtube channel, but I have popped it here, just for you! It's a great insight into how the brand creates its key looks for the season, and seeing the photoshoot from a behind the scenes angle. I also love seeing the models and make-up being applied, and the photographer working his stuff!

What do you think? Would you like it if more brands shot videos like this? Enjoy x