S Chapman!

So I'll delve straight in! These brushes probably don't even need a further review/ rave but I feel I need to join the league of lovers and throw in my two cents worth! I bought these recently at Boots and am very impressed. I don't know why it took manufacturers so long to come up with a range of affordable brushes that were designed to be used with various forms of makeup (i.e. cream/liquids etc). At just £21.99 for each set, I thought the price point to be extremely affordable. I have now used every brush and washed them several times (clearly not in time to take the photographs though!) and I have yet to experience any shedding or other issues. I would highly recommend the contour brush in particular- this has worked like a dream with my Kevyn Aucoin sculpting powder and buffs out product very well to give a beautiful natural look with a lovely soft touch on the skin. The reason I think these brushes work so well is that they are taklon bristle brushes which hold up very well and work brilliantly without losing shape. If you have yet to purchase these- what are you waiting for?

Ta ta!

Hello Hennes!

So yesterday I popped in to H&M and was actually quite impressed with some of the womenswear pieces. Normally, I do not shop at H&M purely just for quality reasons but there were some real gems!

I only picked up four basic pieces, but they are so versatile and well cut that I feel I will be wearing them for years-

White t-shirt

£14.99

(Not online)

Hello basic white t! I love this because of the cut- the sleeves fall at a flattering angle and the hem is not quite peplum, not quite curved- but it is however, very flattering! I was searching all over for this in black, but I was informed they did not have it in black. I'm quite happy with this as a basic t under blazers. Let's see how it holds up after being washed!

Black structured sateen blazer

£34.99

(Not online)

One word- wow. When I saw this hanging, I knew I had to have it. It looks just as good off of the hanger as it does on it! The cut is very flattering- unlike anything I've seen at H&M before. The detailing in this jacket is beautiful- it features small striping and pockets. It is of a sateen finish which I normally hate, but on this jacket, I couldn't help but be lured by it! It  looks effortless and classy and one can look put together in seconds- I love!

Black 'honeycomb' cardigan

£19.99

(Not online)

So the photograph does this cardigan no justice- it looks lovely on. Another basic, just hope it wears well though. I bought this because of the 'honeycomb' effect which makes it a little more interesting than a normal mundane black cardigan.

Black boucle-esque bomber jacket

£29.99

(Not online)

This is my favourite piece! I love, love, love this! This reminds me of part Chanel, part vintage- it looks gorgeous on and the sleeves are cuffed 3/4 length sleeves, which look very flattering. This is normally not a piece that I'd even consider but the fabric caught my attention and I had to try it. Now if only I had a jumbo flap bag to wear with it (hey, a girl can dream right?!)

Ta ta!

OOTD!

So London is a tad miserable today. However, that doesn't stop me from running my errands and making a very important delivery :)

It isn't actually too cold, it's just that this rain just won't stop flicking it's switch at us, so here's what I've chose for today-

PPQ for Oli cardigan

Topshop Kristen high waisted Jeans

Louis Vuitton Leopard Stole

Autograph Leather Almond Toe pumps

Now of course I am going to pair a black coat with this, but I can't decide which one right now!

What are you choosing to wear today?

Ta ta! 

Back to basics!

Howdy all!

Excuse the absence from the blogging world- I have been working amazingly long days with little time to sleep let alone blogging. All the Starbucks in the world has even failed to help!

Anyway, now that things have simmered down a bit, I wanted to discuss basics. Some of you might describe them as boring, mundane and others as holy grail status. I go with the latter. For me, nothing builds up your wardrobe quite like a well built collection of good, staple, well fitting basics.

Now why am I talking of basics? Well because during my absence, I had to clean the entire house of my rubbish. This included three weeks of work, clearing out and editing my wardrobe. What came to light was that I used a very, very tiny proportion of my wardrobe (about 10%) the rest consisted mostly of impulse purchases, or items that didn't fit or just weren't really my style.

I found the task of clearing out my cr*p pretty eye-opening. The amount of money thrown away was insane. What transpired was that I was seriously lacking in my basics. Although I'm good with things like jeans and t shirts (only because I live in them) there were other items I wear frequently (boots, blazers, blouses) that I had no real basic staple versions of. My personal style is very, frankly, boring. Let's say simple- I'm not a big trend follower, I go with what fits well and looks simple but well made. So for me, basics is what it's all about. My way of 'jazzing up' an outfit is by adding a bright lip, or a beautiful bracelet. With other people, I go crazy, but in my own personal sense of dress, I am often told I am an older woman in a young girl's body. Get the picture?

So now, the quest is on. I've just shed 1.5 stone in one month (this was completely unintended, I only started running to ease my mind of frustration and cleared up my diet big time! for more info, leave a comment below and I will do another post dedicated to losing weight/ diet) so I will probably wait about another month or two to actually purchase things, but I've already been scouring the 'net like a a mad woman!

My list of basics to buy goes a little like this-

• Black ballet flats
• Nude ballet flats
• Black blazer/ jacket (I'm thinking tweed/ boucle)
• Black skinny jeans
• Indigo skinny jeans 
• Black t- shirt (round neck and v neck)
• White t- shirt (round neck and v neck)
• Brown riding boots
• Black ankle boots 
• Well made, supple black leather handbag (with a detachable strap)

Now the ballet flats are easy, for those I will go to French Sole for their Henriettas-

I have many of their flats and find them of great quality and fit. 

The black blazer/ jacket I still have not found- I'm having serious trouble finding a decent well fitting tweed/ boucle version. I did stumble upon the Michael Kors Chiffon trimmed boucle jacket and I like it but don't love it (it's a little too boxy for me)-

Also, the Zara Fantasy Fabric Blazer is another boucle-esque blazer I happened to see and I absolutely love everything about it, but it doesn't come in black (*sobs hysterically*)

Skinny jeans! I wear skinny jeans daily, so need help with this one. I want to head for premium denim now but am very very confused about the array of brands. Which brand offers the best fitting mid- rise (no builder's crack to be seen here, thank you!), 'suck me in' version? Guess this will include a marathon fitting room session!

For t- shirts, I was thinking James Perse but feel like maybe this is overrated. No clue with this!

For riding boots, I will head to Russell and Bromley- I never manage to leave empty handed when I go there!

The only black ankle boots I really have my mind set on? Why the Ash Jalouse boot of course-

I feel like this would be a wear with anything and everything kind of boot, and can't wait to purchase these. 

Ta ta!

The lure of the Tote!

I already own a wonderful tote that I am absolutely obsessed with, my Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM. But the humble tote has been beautifully designed and updated by many designers as of late, and Miu Miu are no strangers to this. Check out this beauty-

Miu Miu Leather Tote

£695

The sumptuous leather is practically calling to me through my iMac. I normally would never go for a nude toned bag as I'm too terrified of getting it stained, but this one is too gorgeous to pass up. I think it is the perfect mix of casual yet structured and I like the subtle handle detailing. 

Now I was looking through my wardrobes this morning and realised the amount of bags that I still have vs the usage I get out of them. Last week a large amount were donated to charity, some high street ones were sold on eBay, but one particular bag called out to me as I have not used it in ages. My Louis Vuitton Montorgueil GM. It has accompanied my to New York and Dubai on numerous occasions but I have not touched it for two years now, although it is in excellent shape :( To sell or not to sell, this is the question. 

Any takers? 

Email me for details. 

Ta ta! 

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?

I'll delve right in to it. I love Rachel Zoe, I really do. However, I do not like when designers/chains imitate each other, it gets to me as it makes me think there is a lack of inspiration somewhere. Sure, some consumers may like this, but personally, I prefer walking in to a store and seeing something I have not seen before. A particular style of Rachel Zoe's bags, the Zoe tote is available on Shopbop.com in the following versions-

The Zoe Tote

Camel

$495

The Zoe Tote

Black

$495

The Zoe Tote

Natural/ Black

$475

Now compare against River Island's Oversized Padlock Bags which were available until January 2012 on their website and in stores (some black ones have still been spotted in stores as of yesterday!)

Sure, the designs are very slightly different (in that the Zoe Tote fans out slightly and is slightly less structured, but come on, they've even been photographed very similarly.

So, do you agree with imitation being the sincerest form of flattery? Or is is something that irks you as much as it does me?

Ta ta!

Music to my ears!

I haven't stopped listening to the following this week-

Marina and The Diamonds- 'Primadonna'

Gotye- 'Somebody That I Used To Know'

Lana Del Rey- 'This Is What Makes Us Girls'

Music is my love! What's been tickling your ears this week?

Ta ta!