Lacquer up: Jewels

It's no secret that I love a good nail polish. I have already spoken about my weekly manicure ritual. I have experimented on a grand scale; having utilised a gem and nail polish set I got from work. If you aren't sure if jewels are your thing and you don't want to splash out on a roundel of jewels; I cheated. The set I am using (below) is from a nail art set from Top of The Pops Magazine. (Yes, it still exists!) You can get the set I bought here. It has a comprehensive selection of gems, for you to try for the price of a chocolate bar! WIN!

After this week's manicure, I am pretty confident that not only do I like gems, I think their application is super easy and will get a few more expensive sets, for sure! 

I've used Rimmel I heart Lasting Finish in "It's a scorcher". It's
perfect for this wonderfully warm weather and the green round gem I chose makes it extra special and summery!

Paint your nails as normal.

For my base-coat I have found a new cosmetic brand Kiko Milano. Their 3-in-1 Shine is a base coat, nail hardener and Ultra Shine Top coat all in one, which is super useful. It dries really quickly and produces an amazing shine. They have an extensive range of nail care products. All are reasonably priced. Perfect for those who manicure at least once a week!



To apply the Gem get a cotton bud and dip into the gem pot. Gently push the gem into the still wet nail polish and allow to dry.

Once dry; add a top coat to retain the gem and the shine & viola!

You can add gems to every nail or use them as an accent nail as I have done. 

Who knows. I could be as good as these in no time! 

      Wah Nails                                   Sophy Robson                             Wah Nails

Barneys New York x Yasmin Sewell

Can we talk about my major girl crush Yasmin Sewell?

Not only is she a style icon to millions (including myself) but she has just collaborated with Barneys New York on an epic capsule collection. SWOON!

For those who are unaware of Sewell and why I think she deserves fashion god status. She is a fashion consultant, buyer, former boutique owner and general chic girl about town.

She is street snapped at almost every opportunity and is always at the chicest events. She turns heads and it is all for the right reasons. Many household fashion names you have become accustomed to, (Christopher Kane, J.W Anderson, Rick Owens etc.) she was responsible for bringing to the forefront. She is a fashion powerhouse.

She now runs an amazing fashion consultancy company and is the creative director of Être Cécile. 

She is just all kinds of amazing and everything I hope and aim to be.     

The collection itself is everything I had hoped for. It is versatile, chic and in my favoured muted palettes, perfect for everyday wear. 

The range is based on what Sewell herself her "ultimate wardrobe" and I have to admit is mine as well. Almost every piece in the collection is worthy of my Lust List and will become a piece that you would find hard pressed to not wear at any given opportunity.

My favourite pieces from the collection are this pullover, this knit looks as soft as butter and would comfortably suit a pair of jeans or a decadent brocade skirt.

I absolutely love this navy contrast collar coat, the colour is in my opinion the best colour to wear. It flatters and adds a softness that black sometimes neglects. The cut is as timeless as ever. You will never want to part with this. 

You can shop the full collection here but you'll need to be fast, everything is available for pre-order. I don't think any of it will be around long enough for you to hesitate. 

My trigger finger and credit card is ready, I am about to go wild!

High Street Heroes: July

Who doesn't love the high street?! If you say you don't you are clearly lying. I can often be found in blissful abandon amongst the aisles of Topshop. I am not the only one, I bump into too many friends in Topshop Oxford Circus to suggest I am alone in this endeavour. 

My bank account and SENSE (actual voice of my mother there) dictate that for most of us, at least 3/4 of our beloved wardrobe is decorated with the spoils of the high street. So you may as well embrace it. 

We spend an insane amount of money on the high street and online (guilty and guilty) and I've yet to find either of the Westfield's empty at any time of the day or night. It's only right that I spend a little bit of time blogging about it as much as I talk about it. 

So I thought it would be in everyone's interests if I picked my best on the high street for this month:

Topshop

I have already spoken about how much this store means to most people of our generation. You are definitely lying if you say you haven't at least one thing from one of their many collections hanging in your wardrobe. I have often spoken about the delights of the store and I am not about to stop now. Topshop have the knack of reacting quickly to trends. Many of the colour palettes and silhouettes seen at the AW14 fashion weeks quietly and quickly found themselves on the shelves of the store that doesn't need much of a reason for us to form an orderly queue.   

New in this month are these wonderfully smart Pink peg leg trousers. I am a fan of a pair peg leg trousers. I tend to wear mine with plimsolls and an oversized t-shirt. If the weather is a little intermittent I will throw on an oversized Kimono. If you needed to smarten them up (maybe for a work meeting, etc.) An oversized Shirt and a pair of loafers or slippers will do the trick. It doesn't hurt either that these are chicest shade of pink. Pink and straight-laced sensible trousers should always have an element of fun; and these have that in spades! Get them here

American Apparel

American Apparel is just for basics. The best Jumpers, The easiest to wear sleeveless shirts that will go with everything. Plain and simple. I go there for most of my sweatshirts and  signature Fisherman jumpers. At the moment I am in love their leather pochette is so useful and is deceptively large. 

It carries my phone, large purse (it makes me feel like a grown up), my make up bag and my Moleskine Diary with ease and without looking bulky. A new summer staple 

Get it here

Zara

Zara are the fast fashion provider on the high street. A few years ago this store took me by surprise. I walked in and have stayed ever since. The clothes are just beautiful. Wonderfully cut I often find their collections are the most like the coveted collections of Celine and Balenciaga that I wish I could adorn my wardrobe with. This skirt is wonderfully simple and chic. Like the Peg leg trousers this would go wonderfully with a plain t shirt, plimsolls and a lightweight cardigan. A bit like a luxe sport-kit from your school days, you know it makes sense!

Get it here

New Look 

I often forget about New Look and whenever I go in, I am always happily surprised. They are the dark horse on the high street and I love them for it. I have a bought a lot from them in the last few months and I end up bringing them out more often than I thought I would. 

They are reliable and excellent for fast fashion.

I have already spoken of my love for co-ords and this burgundy graphic floral set is no exception. Short suits are needed in this sweltering heat and these look amazing with a pair of plimsolls (can you tell I have a lot of plimsolls?) a crisp white shirt, a top knot and bare legs. A winning combination. 

Get the Kimono Jacket here and the flared shorts here 

So happy trawling. I've gone through my best picks on the high street, you may agree or disagree. One thing is for certain. We'll all have a lot of fun looking! 

Bring on August! 

#WantItWednesday (23/07/14)

It's sweltering outside. All I want to do is be outside with a Twister
(or a Spritzer, but I'm starting to sound like an alcoholic)

I do however and in spite of this heat, love a jumper. This one from Acne is perfect for those late, balmy evenings that creep up on you when you've been out in the park. It suits a wonderfully ethereal dress or can be hardened with a pair of high waisted jeans and a loose, collared crop shirt. It would even go wonderfully with these bad boys!

Scandi Juggernaut Acne have always been my go to brand for chic and simple everyday wear. In my humble opinion; Acne are the pioneers and leaders of the Nomcore pack.  

Each collection is thoroughly considered and leads the way with innovative fabrics, cuts and silhouettes. 

Every piece is not only beautiful, but extraordinarily practical. 

So yes it's warm, more than warm but you can't go wrong with this. It'll even take you through to autumn or a biblical downpour. 

So chuck it on. You know you want to! 

I have paired a few looks for this delight below. All looks can be found here 

#WantItWednesday (16/07/14)

Happy Wednesday beautiful people!!

I thought, as I was exceedingly lame in the week previous I would reward you all with a bumper #WantItWednesday!

Apologies for skipping a week, but I will make it up with some super posts in the next few weeks!

Summer, for many means a good, old fashion muddy festival 

With Glastonbury still fresh in the memory of many this Antik Batik Clutch is the conversation piece that will make you feel like every day in summer is a festival, whether you managed to get the tickets or not. 

It is wonderfully detailed and bohemian. It is hand embroidered, hand embellished without screaming 

'I WANT TO BE BAREFOOT WITH A FLORAL CROWN AT ALL TIMES'. 

You will want to scream 'LOOK AT MY BAG'. 

You could go all out and let that happen with turquoise jewellery and a tiered maxi dress in a plethora of patterns and shades. 

I think this detracts from the workmanship and unadulterated beauty of this clutch. It should be the focal point of your outfit.  

I would tone it down with a pair of denim shorts and and an oversized T-shirt and Blazer. A pair of Moroccan sandals with this look would make a chic alternative to the calloused barefoot option and give this amazing clutch the opportunity to shine, like it should SGP, Bestival or Tramlines bound or not.

Have a look at a few of the looks below for inspiration.

All looks can be found here

If bohemian accessories are not your thing, this wonderfully modern, chic everyday satchel from CFDA Award Winners The Row. 

I LOVE this bag... This is bag is structured, simple and chic as hell. 

It is perfect for a chic, everyday office look. It can even simplify an ostentatious one. 

It is simply AMAZING. The soft neutral shade can and will go with the entirety of your wardrobe and a little bit more. The shoulder strap also adds to the wonderfully nonchalant elegance this bag was clearly made for. To put is simply this bag makes me want to move to Paris and sit in a café for the rest of my life.

  The handbag and accessories game has been strong this year; I have talked a lot more about handbags in the last 12 months than I normally do all year. I'm fairly confident that I will break my own rule and run straight to the shops for a new bag & necklace every fortnight, I am that excited about it! (my Bank Manager; will obviously not be as enthused)

I will (in due time) post a fairly comprehensive list of what in the handbag and accessory world has made my heart skip a beat.
It's only fair!

Until Next Time! 

#WantItWednesday (02/07/14)

We are now certainly in the throws of summer. I often find I want to spend ALL my time outside often with either a cocktail or a spritzer in hand. Wanting to be outside all the time obviously interferes with my job, so I have been on the hunt for the perfect outfit to reduce the amount of time spent indoors (The office) and maximise the time spent outside (The Beer Garden)

This Skirt from ASOS ticks all the boxes. It is light, fun and can be serious and flirty all at once. Everything you would need in a day to night outfit. I am of course a massive fan of anything striped and this is no exception. I also love anything that could have multiple wears as I am a very lazy dresser.
This Again ticks all the boxes!
I just cannot get enough!

You know what the best part is? IT'S IN THE ASOS SALE! So there is now absolutely no reason why you shouldn't own the perfect meeting - drinks - drinks - dancing outfit. Get it quick, before they all disappear!! 

All looks above can be found here