London Wonder

Selfridges Christmas Windows 2013 - Destination Christmas!

I've been meaning to write up this post for a while now, and it wasn't until I re-visited Selfridges' 2013 Christmas Windows yesterday evening that I HAD to do it!
Within it's usual splendour and glamour of faux green twinkling shrubbery, stood the intricate and very detailed Christmas Story of the store. Each window had been themed using giant products as it's display. A much simpler idea than last years' windows, but I reckon a lot more effective! The giant display draws you in, and the beautiful detail memorises. It's incredible how much work, time, organisation and planning is put into creating these displays. I make such a big deal out of them every year as they're not only crucial to the retailer as a form of attracting customers in-store to purchase, but they're also a great way of communication - your shopping experience (from your thoughts, feelings, senses, everything) has begun and enticed before even stepping through their doors. Clever.

Each window really does have something for everyone, from the giant Beats by Dre headphones, to the eye-wateringly beautiful Charlotte Olympia signature Kitty flats. Decorated with hundreds of penguins, snowmen and Santa's, it's clear that no stone was left unturned. The incredibly detailed Fornasetti Profumi candle, rotating Play-Doh pottle, giant Givency high-top trainer and beautiful pendulum-style swinging Yves Saint Laurent monogram tassel clutch bag all added to the 'something for everyone' fun and playful theme they were going for. You could say that the merch team at Selfridges have shot themselves in the foot, by having the challenge of making a bigger, better and even more imaginative display than the last.

The show however was stolen by a celebration of London's lost architectural gems by recreating them in gingerbread form! Intricately made, with every ounce of detail remembered, the cityscape looked more than good enough to eat! Watch the creation of the beautiful display by Bompas & Parr here. The section took a mammoth 400 hours to complete with every window, door handle, postbox, and everything in-between been made a priority.
Special mention to: the Barbie display - it makes me want to jump in and play! They've created such a fun feeling atmosphere, a kind of Barbie does The Alps, followed by chic apres-ski.

Autumn/Winter '13 Hat Trends

Accessorising in the Autumn/Winter season is one of my favourite things to do. Not only is it superfun to brighten up a winter outfit, but they're cosy and practical too (trying to hold an umbrella, a Starbucks and a cigarette is like a re-enactment of Naomi Campbell's 1993 Vivienne Westwood walk... disaster waiting to happen!). I think the biggest benefit of the winter hat is the bad hair day cover-up.
There are a whole bunch of massive hat trends for this season, and I've indulged in almost all of them, so I'm going to talk about some of my favourite trends, favourite hats and famous faces that don them the best!

The beanie has been around for years as we all know, but they've recently resurfaced as a winter staple. Made a favourite by cool kids like Rita Ora, Cara Delevigne and Kylie Jenner, the beanie is a fun take on the woolly bobble hat, with bold and tongue-in-cheek slogans or bright bold patterns, they're great for a young, fresh-faced, 'thrown together' look.


The Mac-Daddy of hats this season, you've got to be brave, bold and confident to pull this one off. It's not so much about how you wear it, or what you wear it with, as it's a hat that needs to be worn with conviction to convey great, effortless style. I think the most popular advocates of the Fedora are Kate Moss, Nicole Richie, Rachel Zoe and more recently, Olivia Palermo.
Taking inspiration from the 1920's (and Downton), the cloche hat is back again this season after being dormant for a while. It's a super cute take on vintage style as it's available in an array of colours - perfect for accessorising this season. I'd say the most popular wearer of the cloche hat was Manhatten's very own Blair Waldorf of popular television programme Gossip Girl. This hat is the most structured of styles in this post, and screams Park Avenue Princess, so would be best worn with clean cut, crisp, girly outfits.


Taking inspiration from Wintery Russia, the cossack hat has made it's not-so-subtle appearance on the catwalks and the high street each season. With firm warnings that this coming winter is going to be a bitter one, I think everyone should invest in one of these truly fabulous hats! Not only are you guaranteed a head-turning reaction, but your ears are sure to be nice and toasty all Winter! The cossack can be either styled up or down to create a sleek country-girl-goes-city-chic look, which both Kate and Pippa Middleton style perfectly.
Inspired from exotic India and made famous by the likes of Kylie Minogue and Elizabeth Taylor, the turban hat adds a touch of sophisticated glamour as well as practicality to anyone's winter wardrobe. The chunkier the knit, the better, a great spin on the beanie as a sassy statement piece. Bright eye-catching colours as seen on Nicole Scherzinger help to make these beautiful headpieces really stand out.

Love them all!! Which are you going to wear this season?

Christmas Beauty Advent Calendars

So my last post was about Ciaté's Mini Mani Month 2013, and after a little bit of digging, I've found a bunch of other great alternative Beauty Advent Calendars. Eeeek!
Each year, more and more beauty brands and retailers come up with new and innovative Christmas gifting ideas, so I've found some of the best ones for you to have a little think about :)

First up; the Selfridges Christmas Advent Calendar, known to me as the holy grail. Selfridges' exclusive bijoux Christmas advent calendar brings you the best in beauty. From Viktor & Rolf, Yves Saint Laurent, Kiehl's and Giorgio Armani to Lancôme and Maison Martin Margiela, you can discover a precious treat behind every door to make you dazzle, sparkle and shine this festive season. SOLD.
At £84, it isn't the cheapest on the market, but you're definitely in for a treat with this one. I think one of the biggest turn-ons about this set is that you're getting such an assortment of top quality products - just enough to sample and try before you buy. Available to buy now.

Next up; the Boots Beauty Advent Calendar, an absolute steal at just £30! 2013 will be Boots' first venture into Beauty Advent Calendars, but they're making sure they start of with a bang! Wake up every morning to a new beauty treat and fill the month of December with gorgeous gifts to pamper yourself from head to toe. Featuring brands such as; Soap & Glory, Nails Inc, Paco Rabanne, Juicy Couture, Rimmel, Mavala, Umberto Giannini and Many More...
Perfect for the bargain hunter, what's great about this calendar is that it features all of Boots' best sellers and all of our fave's too! Available to buy now.

The last one I'm going to talk about is the Benefit Countdown to Love Advent Calendar. I have to admit, this is the one that I am most excited about. I very rarely venture outside my make up comfort zone, and all my friends absolutely love Benefit cosmetics. Other than a short stint quite a few years ago where I tried (and loved) BADgal Lash Mascara, the furthest I've ventured to Benefit is the MAC make-up counter next to the Benefit one, and now there is absolutely no excuse not to have some fun! Our one-of-a-kind advent calendar comes in a show-stopping Pop Art box and is filled with 24 fun and flattering beauty treasures! It contains a bevy of Benefit bestsellers and three glitzy little look goods…a charm necklace & bracelet and an adorable barrette. It’s the gift that gets more gorgeous every day! 
This selection comes in at a very reasonable £50, and will be available to buy from 2nd November 2013 at selected Debenhams stores, Benefit Boutiques and www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk.

Which one are you most looking forward to opening? It wouldn't be right to buy all three... would it?? Anyone know if Latest in Beauty or Liz Earle will be doing another one this year?

Ciaté Mini Mani Month 2013

So, early last month Ciaté released their Mini Mani Advent Calendar for 2013. Back by popular demand, this should of been on every girls Christmas wish list last year, and should most certainly be on your wishlist this year - I've already sent a not-so-subtle link to Ciaté's website to my mum!
Only in it's second year, Ciaté London have put together 24 of their best selling shades of the year in this fun spin on the traditional Christmas Advent Calendar. The pack contains 17 mini Ciaté paint pots, 7 textured toppers from Sequin (eeek!) to Caviar, and a surprise full sized pot! Ciaté have confirmed that the line-up this year will be brand new with no repeats! Hoorah!
This years colours look gorge, lots of pastel and nude-type shades - great for the Winter - which you can also jazz up with the sequins or caviars for the party season, and a couple of bold numbers to brighten up those especially dark Winter days. I love the packaging this year too - much more Christmassy than last years' Aztec style set.
After selling out just a week (yes one week!) of it's release in Selfridges, Ciaté have opened pre-order on their website, to be dispatched between 21st October 2013 and 4th November 2013 with an estimated delivery time of 5 to 7 working days so you'll receive it with plenty of time to open your first door - the problem may be making sure you have the restraint not to open them all at once (my Christmas 2012 disaster). The set is a very reasonable £42.
I love the idea of a beauty advent calendar, there are a few beauty brands already doing them and they're slowly becoming more mainstream. It's a fabulous idea - They look great, make perfect gifts, and everyone goes crazy for them.

Autumn has Arrived!

After the excitement of London Fashion Week, where some of the best in British design were showcasing wonderful SS14 pieces (Stella McCartney, PPQ, J.W Anderson, Mary Katrantzou, Vivienne Westwood Red Label and Burberry Prorsum - above - to name just a few of my highlights), it seems London is now cosying up.

The days are getting shorter, leaving the office is getting darker, and you wouldn't dream of setting off in the morning without your umbrella in your bag. This calls for the Autumn/Winter wardrobe.

I personally love dressing for Autumn. Laying is a favourite; there aren't really any strict rules and you can be as adventurous as you wish with it. Be bold, be brave, be fun, but be comfortable.

My key pieces/trends for this season will be:

- Leather Sleeve and Lapel Wool Coat. For those particularly cold Autumn days, wrap up in a stylish and comfortable updated version of last years' Autumn trend. This French Connection Wool Coat is a great piece, I love that it also hones in on this seasons boxy/oversized trend too!


- Slogan/Motif Jumper. I live for this trend - it's something you can quickly chuck on in the cold mornings with messy hair when you're running late. Wear it with leggings or a cute floral mini skirt, and great accessories (a chunky gold necklace, for example) to really style it up. This Brian Lichtenberg 'Homies' Sweater is perfect! NB Please stay away from slogans like 'Geek', 'Dork' or 'XOXO', they're absolutely dire.


- Bobble Hat. This is probably more of a personal trend rather than a general Autumn trend (the motif beanie being it's new season replacement), as I break it out every year, but I cannot tell you how much I adore my chunky woolly bobble hat. It's cute as anything, and keeps my ears so toasty in even the most bitterly cold days. I bought mine about four years ago from Warehouse, but you can get a similar one for this season from Accessorize (completely got distracted and went off on an Accessorize spree... mine!)


- Emerald. We're nearing the end of the year now, but Pantone's 2013 Colour of the Year is still going strong. Buy an emerald piece as a midi-skirt, chunky-knit scarf, this beautiful LK Bennett Rosamund Leather Bag or a blazer to really make an outfit pop. Team it with structured wovens and subtle gold accessories to make an outfit that even Victoria Beckham would lust after.  L-R: Vera Wang, Acne, Burberry Prorsum and Michael Kors, all from their SS13 collections.


- Tartan/Plaid Accents. Every few seasons this grungy trend is revived, and I don't blame people for doing it. It's not about making a massive bold statement with this trend, it's more about giving a modern and classic look, a fun and alternative accent. Just because it's tartan, it doesn't necessarily mean red - think deep blues, tree greens, even mustards. All perfect for Autumn. These shorts from Urban Outfitters are adorable (they have loads of plaid and tartan in at the moment), as are these Tripp NYC Jeans, don't forget you can accessorise too. The Stella McCartney Falabella is a must have! And if you're feeling really brave, check out this Checked Cape from Zara!


- Winter Floral's. Just because the weather is miserable, it doesn't mean with have to dress accordingly. I love digital print floral's in the springtime, but it seems that the trend tends to die down as the trees begin to lose their leaves. Big, fat, no! This season saw plenty of designers showing what they called 'Winter Florals'. Still as beautiful as ever, but slightly toned down and in darker shades to reflect the change in season. Zara have caught on to this trend beautifully with a wide range of different pieces to match your staple Winter Wardrobe Essentials. This Floral Print Jacket is to die for, and Thakoon's AW13 RTW line was all about the Winter Floral!


- Flat Ankle Boot. We saw this a lot last year, and they're back. For their easy to wear and comfortable traits, these are a must for this Winter. I'd say two staple pairs would see you through the season. A classic brown leather Chelsea Boot, like these from Office are comfy as anything and can be worn with a variety of outfits to create looks ranging from boho-chic to cosy-girl-about-town. I'm obsessed with these Toga Pulla Buckled Suede Ankle Boots, but if it's a bit over your budget, these Office Black Leather Boots are a near enough match to add a little edge to your wardrobe!


Well that's my Autumn round-up for what to look out for! It's going to be a chilly winter, so wrap up warm! I'm heading to M&S to stock up on my tights for the Winter!!

Louis Vuitton Loves Dinosaurs

It was on a particularly humid Wednesday afternoon in London, when I was strolling through New Bond Street that I saw it.

I literally stopped dead in the middle of the road, eyes wide. Silent scream.


The Louis Vuitton store on this glamorous stretch of road has gone pre-historic! It was the eye-catching gold that struck me first, which dominated other store window displays on the street, and it was only a nano-second later that I realised that the gold was gorgeous skeletal structures of dinosaurs.


This wonderful display showcases the LV Pre-Fall/Winter 2013-2014 collection - some shown on mannequins sat on top of the dinosaurs, some casually hung off a Velociraptor's arm. Brilliant.



Upon further investigation, I also found that the Champs-Elysées store in Paris, and the 5th Avenue Maison in New York had a similar display - the dino's are taking over - Louis Vuitton explains that the inspiration came from The Natural History Museum in Paris (one of my favourite places in the world).

It's almost as if there's a secondary/subliminal message, sure it's a great eye catching display. Something fun and exciting. But are the guys and LV also trying to suggest a timeless collection? Something major that will never be forgotten? Interesting, right!?


Whatever it is, Louis Vuitton sure have their work cut out for their next seasons display... this is a must see.

Long live the dinosaurs! Ps, if you love dinosaurs as much as I do, be sure to check out my older post Dino Couture :)

Candles, Candles, Everywhere...

I LOVE candles. I love how wonderful they smell, how special they make you feel, how relaxed and zen'd out it makes you and how they come in all different shapes, colours and sizes. They're fun, right?

I've always been a fan of candles; Yankee, Muji, Max Benjamin, True Grace etc etc are some of my favourites. And on a cold and pretty rainy day in Covent Garden, I smelt it from outside. Absolute heaven in a beautifully presented jar.


So off I toddled to the beautifully merchandised Covent Garden store to discover the scents. At the threshold, I was completely blown away. Presentation alone, this store would score a 10/10. Easy. From its decadent chandeliers and wall hangings, to it's chabby chic Parisian furniture, the store exudes luxury and the very best quality. With its branded rugs, and its bold striped walls, it feels almost like more of a showroom than a retail outlet, which makes it a real destination experience.


After spending a long, LONG time examining every single fragrance, and fragrance combination (a service unique to Jo Malone), I finally chose my scent - a fresh and yummy Grapefruit, priced at £39.


I've now had the candle for about 3 months, I burn it for about an hour once every week or so, and the smell is still as delicious as the first time. I'm about three quarters of the way through it now, and think a PayDay treat is in order!!

Makes for a wonderful gift (beautifully gift wrapped and presented), or a really nice treat if you're feeling a bit run down and tired. Recommended to anyone who likes fresh, airy, crisp and clean scents, with a hint of zest.

I can go on forever about this product, but for now, I'm going to leave you to try it for yourselves!

Ps, I've also heard a little rumour that Jo Malone created the lemon fragrance for the scented hand wipes in McDonald’s... can anyone confirm this? Way cool!!

The Bling Ring

Ok. So I've waited a long time for this film to come out.


The Bling Ring, directed by Sofia Coppola (Lost In Translation, The Virgin Suicides), is a story inspired by true events, telling a tale of a group of fame hungry/obsessed/passionate teenagers who use the internet to find the whereabouts of local San Fernando Valley/Calabasas, California celebrities and use this information to rob their homes whilst they are away.

First shown at the coveted Cannes Film Festival this year, the film, starring Emma Watson, tells of the spree a group of arrogant, ballsy and fame hungry teenagers in 2009, who are willing to throw their inhibitions, fear and morals in the bin in order to pursue a life of celebrity style and luxury. The film is set to be a hit when it roles out to cinema's worldwide later this month.


I remember when these robberies were happening, all over the glossies and interwebs people would be writing about them. Victims of the criminal shopping spree included Paris Hilton (who cameo's in the film), Lindsay Lohan, Megan Fox, Rachel Bilson, Audrina Patridge and Miranda Kerr. The group stole almost $3million worth of designer gear!

The cleverly titled original article, written by Vanity Fair, 'The Suspects Wore Louboutins' reveals an in-depth and candid account of the group in action. A real interesting read.

As for me, I think I'll stick to trying to get the attention of the celebs I stalk with the odd tweet!