From Light to Darkness..

Well helloooo everyone and happy December! Sorry I've been a bit MIA recently, I've been getting more work at the V&A and been super busy with curating (which is definitely needed as I decided it was a great idea to buy everyones Christmas presents all on one payday) and there's a few exciting things going on as well, which I can update you on in a little while.

Is anyone else feeling festive yet? I've already had one Christmas meal with a group of friends, and I'm about to have another one at Wahaca tonight. Any excuse for Mexican food, really... super Christmassy I know. Anyway I think the reason I'm feeling more in the Christmas spirit is because throughout the crazy Black Friday sales (what is this, America now!?) I built a huuuuge present list of all sorts of things I want to find under the tree on the 25th, because I just can't afford them any other time of the year. Muahaha. Here's some clues - big faux fur, patchwork colours, essential oils, Lush x a billion, make up palettes, and books books books. Sorry Santa, I'd be happy enough with a ton of great Christmas food but it can't harm to make a list, right? Just in case..

Onto todays outfit. Another reason I haven't posted much in the way of fashion recently - I've just been dressing super boring. All black or smart for work, or basically PJs everyday I'm at home for super comfort. Today is the first day I actually felt like making a little bit of effort, so tadaaa! This Summery dress is very off season, but I love colours and florals all year round, so there you go. As you can tell I've found some nice colourful locations around Chiswick to take photos, so I needed to take full advantage.

This little number is from Topshop (via depop) and because it is bloody freezing outside, I had to pair it with some 300 dernier thermal tights from Primark. When Winter comes around, comfort comes first for me 100%. Pretty soon I'll even be breaking out my green weather resistant padded coat that makes me look like an alien Michelin man. My comfy patent tassle plimsoles finished off the look nicely, but I'm sorry for the lack of accessories like I normally have. I told you, boring! However, I've recently been discovering more about make up - how to apply it properly, which brands are best, and how to create different looks. I still really don't know very much at all, but I've just invested in the Morphe 350 and Morphe 35W palettes so hopefully once I figure out how to use them, I can do some more beauty posts and my outfits will become a bit more inspired. Maybe.

As for inspiration - now, I know this is going to sound a little strange, but I've been HUGELY inspired by American Horror Story - Hotel. I won't share too much for those who haven't seen it yet (people who post spoilers all over the internet are on my personal hit list) but amongst all the blood, gore and horror is an insane amount of GLAMOUR. I'm serious. Lady Gaga is doing an amazing job, far better than I expected - and her character just oozes elegance. So far we've seen her in the 20s, 40s, 50s, 70s, 80s and 00s I think, although most of the time she just looks Old Hollywood, but in every single scene she just makes me want to die through sheer and utter fabulousness. She's making me wish I was her. Right now part of me just wants to wear black, black and more black topped off with pearls, tons of bling, long blonde hair and BIG RED LIPS (says the girl browsing sparkly pink shoes online as she types this). Even her sexy voice is glamorous. Can you tell I'm getting obsessed? It's not just Gaga though, the whole essence of the hotel and its mysterious happenings - albeit terrifying ones - contribute to the air of curiosity and ultimately, intense beauty.

Brb, off to become a luxurious, elegant, queen of darkness xxx

Pastels in the Rain

Oh, we are well and truly transitioning into our ever bittersweet British Winter here in London. I say bittersweet because while the wind, cold and rain is biting at my shivering skin, a huge part of me loves the city in the Winter - dark nights, Christmas pop ups, festive food markets, and an impossible amount of entertainment to try and pull us out of the Wintery darkness.

Whilst today wasn't spent enjoying any of the above and Charlie and I were pretty much working inside all day, we did pop out for a bit to take some blog photos and get some naaiiiiice fresh (and wet) air. These photos are a bit all over the place - we had to go back home mid-shoot to clean the camera lense, and as you can tell the cold seems to have numbed all my face muscles... still, it was the perfect opportunity to start showing off my obscene Winter coat collection. Another reason why Winter in London is great - you don't have to think about what you're wearing under all those layers.

This coat is a perfect example of how when my willpower makes a very rare appearance, it can pay off. A couple of years ago I was lusting over this pastel Miss Selfridge coat which unfortunately for my bank account was around £70, but after spotting it in the Summer sales I grabbed it for £20. YESSSS. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of a good bargain. For super cosiness I paired it with my pastel blue fuzzy fuzzy cookie monster muppet jumper from Brave Soul. Not a brand I normally go for, but their jumpers are so soft I couldn't resist. Throughout the Winter months you'll begin to see how comfort takes priority over any fashion sense I may have had....

 Till next time xxx

Welcoming Winter

Hi everyone!

Apologies for being so quiet the last couple of weeks, I've been busy recovering and now working three jobs (god help me). And double apologies for the quality of these pictures, we didn't have the SLR with us on our trip to Canary Wharf so iPhone photos will have to do!

Today was actually a bit of a work trip as I needed to write a review for Big Easy and The Breakfast Club in Canary Wharf (two of my favourite restaurants ever ever) but I got to see a couple of friends of mine who live in Devon so we rarely get to see each other, and that was super nice. Of course I couldn't review Big Easy without eating at this branch (or so I told myself) so it was a day of delicious food - popcorn shrimp, fried chicken, bacon and waffles in maple syrup, and pulled pork burgers. If I wasn't skint I'd have pounced on the Lobster Fest but that will have to wait till another time...

Anyway, I was feeling very Autumnal today. The weather is nowhere near as cold as it usually is in Autumn so I was making the most of this very flimsy but pretty Missguided dress, and even got the chance to break out my new cosy Winter headband from ASOS - because technically the Sky Garden is still sooort of outside. You know when it's too warm for a hat but your ears still get FREEZING? Yep. Of course, I had to wear poppies to commemorate Rememberance Sunday tomorrow, especially since I'd lost the pin from my actual poppy and had to leave it at home :( I'd also like to apologise for the massive great spot on my head, still visible through layers and layers of foundation. I've been trying quite a lot of new skincare lately, attempting to find a very mattifying cleanser and scrub, and I think all the trial and error is wreaking havoc on my skin a bit. So actually I don't apologise for the spot at all, but I am sorry that you do have to look at it because it is INESCAPABLE.