#WantItWednesday (30/07/14)

I don't claim to be tech savvy; I know my way round a computer and I get most things pretty quickly; some things however will always escape me (much like my Mother and her constant use of inappropriate emojis) but I cannot and will not get my head around one thing, music on phones. For me it has to be a separate entity from my phone otherwise I get all kinds of Skynet feelings about how much my phone controls my life and what it knows about me; it gives me the John Connor Chills. So despite my fully functioning 32g iPhone 5c being in one pocket,  I resolutely carry my iPod, covered with stickers and filled with the bands of my youth (and their umpteen live recordings) in the other and I feel like headphones should be weighty enough to justify carrying a seperate device, without me having to explain it. 

Music is important to me, not because I'm a music lover, but because I am a Londoner. I, (like most commuting Londoners) am of the opinion that, If you are on the tube and you haven't something jammed into or over your ears I will assume you haven't mastered the art of 'avoiding all manner of human interaction before 9am & after 5pm" mentality that has been ingrained in us since birth. You and I both know and that you need saving; or you are going to be accosted by the obligatory crazy person sat opposite you on the tube. Just in case you do, these amazing headphones   from Friends are an excellent and beautiful way to be saved.

How can you not love these headphones?! These Layla Headphones are beyond a work of art. They are shiny (I must be part magpie, I swear) and in my favourite hue of the moment rose gold. I certainly didn't think rose gold could be improved upon but adding white leather is an ingenious idea that makes me kick myself because I didn't think of it first.

They are spectacular, they are designed of course, to enhance your already fabulous wardrobe. The trouble I'm finding is that I want to replace my entire wardrobe to enhance these headphones! You will definitely feel amazing when your head is wedged firmly between the pages of the Metro at 8am, even if you don't feel all that awake. 

If you'd rather blend in than buy a new wardrobe. Have no fear, there are equally stylish and less obvious headphones for you to avoid the crazies. These amazing minimalist headphones from Urbanears are the ones for you. My favourite style form this crazily popular brand are the Plattan, a simple, classic & flexible style that can fold down into the size of a fist and fit comfortably in a larger Handbag (really, is there any other kind) or backpack. These are sleek and minimalist. I am particularity taken with the colour-block throughout the headphones, especially the Slate Grey. I think this is why I love them so much. 

Don't get me wrong; these all work wonderfully, both sets of headphones possess amazing noise cancelling technology to really block the sound of the raving lunatic out. Aside from my John Connor Chills. Both Sets of Headphones are all compatible with your phone (although in the Layla's case it's only compatible with the iPhone) 

So there you have it, go forth and avoid the crazies in style! I certainly will!

I am sure you'll agree that urbanears were right when they said You won’t know how you made it this long without it. Here, Here!

#WantItWednesday (27/08/14)

 I am in an awful mood. Summer is truly over, a fact I cannot and will not accept and the wind is starting to creep in along with the spiders (another reason to be put in a foul mood). 

I have started to re-evaluate my wardrobe, haul the winter coats out and invest in more high denier tights, the one small consolation for the cold.

This Tartan Tunic from New Look is the answer to all of my Winter prayers.

I am and will always be a fan of tartan and I am in love with the cut of this tunic. It can be dressed up or down and will look excellent with a pair of super thick tights.

How can you not want this?! 

This looks amazing with my favourite shape of coat, cocoon and looks just as amazing with a pair of heels as it does with a pair of converse and that's no mean feat, especially with my winter essential; 150 denier tights in the blackest shade of morose black. 

So I guess this has cheered me up a little, but not as much as the second coming of Summer would.


All Looks can be found here

Lacquer Up: Negative Nails

I have seen a lot of negative nails in the blogosphere of late.

Merricures       One Nail To Rule Them All    Nail That Accent

So I thought, for this lacquer up I would do my best, easy interpretation of a negative nail for you all to try. 

I have done a simple, diagonal negative nail on my first try as I haven't the steadiest of hands. 

In order to make sure the line is clean, I have used surgical tape to ensure a straight line.

Surgical tape is my new, best nail art friend. It's cheap and easy to use and can be cut and shaped with a pair of manicure scissors incredibly easily. Just like the manicure strips that I have written about before if you are wearing another colour underneath make sure the polish is bone dry before applying the tape. You will ruin your under polish otherwise. If you have time, put your base colour on the day before for the best results.

I applied my base coat and allowed to dry before adding the tape in the direction I wanted it to go. Once I was happy with it I applied my first layer of polish. 

I left to dry and applied another coat. Here I am using Ciaté's Mink, this needs a couple if layers for the colour to really shine through. 

This is now a discontinued colour, a similar colour that will work work their range is Cream Soda. 

Leave to dry completely. If not you'll end up with a jagged line, like one of my failed attempts 

Once dry, peel the tape of and apply a quick topcoat. I have added a couple of metal nail art hearts that I found on Amazon. I bought these to add interest to my manicure because it is a bank holiday carnival weekend and I have gone a little nail appliqué crazy since my last post; it's a simple and fun and easy addition to nails that require minimum effort. 

I completed with a more thorough layer of a high shine topcoat.

It's super easy and I will definitely persevere with it. I like how modern this looks, this can be formalised for a job interview; the colour above works well for that (above sans appliqué hearts obviously) or you could make it fun by slicking on a neon colour like Model's Own Toxic Apple. All winners in my opinion.

Go on, bag yourself some surgical tape and get negative!

#WantItWednesday (20/08/14)

I am feeling sad. I'm sad because summer is definitely over and I know I have to start wearing jackets and extra layers . My umbrella is beginning to disintegrate under the strain of rain of biblical proportions and constant battles with the wind; who I might add is winning the war against me not falling over in the street. 

Very little gets me out of this morose funk, one such event is evenings spent (well, more an entire day) with friends in front of a cosy pub fireplace with warming wine and hearty fare; Another one that is far less questionable during the working week are jumpers.  

I love a jumper. I am partial to a pullover. I swoon over a sweater.  Many of you who know me are aware that my drawers and wardrobes full to bursting with woolly wonders. 

So it's only right, on this miserable Wednesday that I cheer myself up (and you) with my favourite selection of sweet sweaters to make the transition from summer to autumn that little bit nicer. 

Jumpers are amazing because they are versatile, they can be quirky and in the early autumn can add warmth and comfort a cardigan just cannot achieve. I think a good jumper is like being hugged all day long and that's just too good to pass up!

During the first autumnal months your breezy summer dresses and skirts can be layered with tights (the higher the denier, the closer to heaven) and your trusty jumper. 

When the cold sets in replace the tights with sturdy wool cigarette trousers, a crisp shirt (Mandarin collars are an especially chic touch) and a warming pea coat. It'll make you feel like you've stepped out of the detective agency of your film Noir fantasies (add a striking red lip if you really want to go for it.) rather than stepping out of your office with the wind and rain whipping your hair out of shape. 

When it comes to jumpers, I've three categories that tend to never fail me:

Utility jumpers, these can be worn all day, all night can easily be dressed up or down and would look amazing if you were moving house or moving from pub to pub on a lazy, lazy Sunday. 

Emotional jumpers, these are for days when you want to pretend it's still summer, or want to make yourself (and others) chuckle. These are eye catching and attention grabbing that will do your talking for you. 

Comfort jumpers, jumpers you'll want to spend the rest of your life in and then some. 

I have picked some of my favourites from all categories to up your jumper game and make autumn feel a little less daunting. 

Utility Jumpers

I cannot and will not start this without talking about my favourite jumpers of all time. The American Apparel Fisherman Jumper. Some have become utility, some have become comfort (older ones especially). I love these because they are simple enough to go with anything and everything, are warm and these are the best basic jumpers on the market (believe me, I looked everywhere) 

These come in a multitude of colours, perfect for any mood or outfit. to be honest if I could wear this through summer I would. To date, I have about five, but I will always buy more, because why the hell not?!

My favourite colour, that I buy in bulk are the Navy and the Vintage Grey, these go with everything. Jeans, light or dark, ditzy floral patterns and bold botanical prints make you feel casual. Pair it with a collared shirt and a pair of peg leg trousers and your fine for any type of meeting. You'd be a fool to not get in on this game. 

Emotional Jumpers

When you think about quirky jumpers my first and only thought is of one genius man. Markus Lupfer.

 Having cultivated the label for four years, he is the reason so many jumpers are embellished with slogans that can only make you smile. 

I love the relaxed shape and the humour that all of his jumpers imparts, you can be as professional as you like with a mandarin collar shirt or tunic underneath, but you will make yourself (and others) smile, which is exactly what everyone needs in this miserable weather!

You can get this jumper from here

Comfort Jumpers

When I think of comfort jumpers (when not thinking about my trusty fisherman jumper) I often think of jumpers I have acquired for free (of course) over the course of my life. My favourite of these are the trusted cricket whites; that are warm, slouchy and just like a hug. 

They, because of their colour again go with most things but aside from cricket, should only be used for casual purposes. (Shops, Brunch, Lunch, etc.)

Mine is my Dad's old jumper, so I can't show you where to get it. John Lewis (Of course) has an excellent selection of cricket jumpers that will soon become your comforting favourite.

Well I certainly feel a bit better, I hope you do too. I'm ready for you wind and rain (no, I'm not at all)

#WantItWednesday (13/08/14)

The weather can't make up it's mind today and neither can I. Do I wear a jumper & tights? Do I opt for the Summer Dress & flip flops? It's all too hard, so I am throwing a strop and am going to talk about jewellery instead this week. 

This wonderful piece of neck candy from Zara is perfect for weather that can't make up it's mind. This would look equally stunning with a loose, oversized T-shirt, denim shorts and ballet pumps or flip flops as it would with a chunky cable knit and a pair of brogues.

This necklace is also incredibly intricate, I am completely in love with the bright stones that you can co-ordinate with or clash violently; either way you would still look as chic as ever.  

Zara have a wonderful grasp of the junk jewellery trend that I am incredibly fond of. Many of their pieces work well as a casual item as well as a dramatic formal piece of neck art. This practicality also helps me buy five at a time because they go with everything and they are really reasonable. So go ahead. Buy something shiny, it will cheer you up and will look amazing once the weather decides to make its mind up! 

#WantItWednesday (06/08/14)

I love things in miniature and I LOVE things in rose gold. It's a warming hue that can be worn day and night and it's a precious metal that suits everyone. 

This week, following on from last week's rose gold perfection I have gone all out on my love for all things rose gold and iminiaturised and I have collated a plethora of mini rose gold trinkets that need to be in my possession RIGHT NOW!

Mini Studs are possibly my favourite ear accessory of the moment. I have an odd number of piercings to play with due to a demure little tunnel I had stretched during my wild days at university (I still love it and it's a fantastic conversation starter) and small earrings make this look unassuming and feminine if I want to draw attention away from it. 

These gorgeous little stars (figuratively & literally) from Phoebe Coleman are perfect for everyday wear. They are delicate, feminine and perfect; I would keep these in during the day for work and they would not look out of place on a night out if you wanted to draw attention to another pieced of eye catching jewellery you wanted to wear instead. I love them. These are sold exclusively at My Wardrobe and can be found here. 

Get them before I do!

Another pair I am more than obsessed with are these beautiful bud studs from another British mainstay, Alex Monroe. The detail is evident right away. These are the epitome of dainty, right down the minuscule diamond in its centre. I want to squeal a little every time I see them. They are just gorgeous. These also mix well with other studs and I think would be an excellent partner to the stars above. You can't go wrong with these!

 You can get these direct from the website here

If you are a person who likes to mix dainty with a bit of edge, these sugar skull inspired studs from Links are Perfect for you. 

These are delicate with a hard edge, perfect if you want to mix your roses or stars with something a little sturdier. 

I would want to wear this with lots of black and minimal, almost invisible jewels to really allow these to shine. 

Again the detail in them is exemplary and I want to wear them all the time.

Get them here.

All of these, I think can be worn together, however the beauty of rose gold is that is suits all other precious metals beautifully. 

Wear any of these with a pair of silver or yellow gold studs and you will look just as chic if you went rose gold crazy!

I'm definitely going rose gold crazy. I am going to pair my dainty studs in various styles with these, super cheap, super awesome rose gold tunnels. I can think of nothing better!