Smouldering Scarlett

Christmas is only a hop, skip and a jump away, so it's not surprising to have the high street brands catch our attention with stunning ad campaigns. Currently feeling Scarlett in the Mango Christmas Campaign! But...

Whilst I love Scarlett and her red-carpet looks, I think she's quite an interesting choice to represent a fashion brand, as I don't particularly see her as an inspiring 'style/fashion icon'. She does look gorgeous as ever in all the campaigns along with Olivia Palermo (who has impeccable style), they have clearly injected an ounce of coolness to the brand.
Anyhoos, I'm feeling a bit divided about this shoot- if it's it a bit bland and not exciting enough for a festive collection (I haven't seen the whole campaign yet, mind), at least Johansson has brought a little something to the shots I suppose.

Have any of you had enough of seeing celebs front campaigns etc and would prefer to see real models and more original ad concepts? OR Are you really not bothered and only want to look at gorgeous pictures and gorgeous starlets?

Ok, I'm rambling about stuff again, but now pondering what this ad campaign would have looked like if you threw Katie Grand into the mix! She would have done a heck of a job styling for sure!

(via)

Have a great week lovelies!

This weekend...

I'll be catching up on some of my favourite reads (yay!) and working (boo!)

...trying to work out what the devil's going on with my macbook, I think it's dying on me, poor thing and Firefox keeps 'not responding' every 30 minutes. I wish there was an Avada Kedavra button which will resolve these computer issues at the press of a button. Simple, no?

...resting, dreaming and cozying up, it's kinda chilly today & I know those of you in Blighty have to deal with snow!!! Wrap up kittens!
(Photography by Marcus Ohlsson)

... Having fun & letting go of things, it is the weekend after all
(Photography by Hugh Stewart)

... dealing with weekend house chores, like laundry, only dressed up in killer outfits with yer ladies pals
(Photography by Kareem Black)

... lusting after this 'Pride & Prejudice' book (the entire thing) printed onto a 1 page poster by Spineless Classics - Me wants badly.

via here, here & here

Have a great weekend darlings!

Party on Princess! Part deux

Hello lovelies, I have more fantastic frock fashion fixes for you! Enjoy!
(nb: nearly everything sourced has international delivery)

I have a really wide & open taste when it comes to dresses, be it for a party or special events, I always want to feel comfortable first and foremost in what I'm wearing, look spectacular and show just the right amount of 'look at me'.

Depending on my mood and my rather schizophrenic style/personal taste, I tend to pick out colour rather than going with an understated little black dress. But most of the time these days I struggle with a large number of options for getting dressed up! I can never decide or make snap decisions! It drives Mr. Perseus nuts!
Anyhow, I hope some of these picks inspire and help you 'steal the show' during the festive season.

I'm not done yet darlings! There's more to come, I promise!
all images via corresponding fashion outlets as mentioned above

'Tis the season to be frocked fantastic! Part Un

I have a Christmas gauge-o-meter, as in when I ought to get really excited, start X-mas gift shopping and thinking about party outfits and so forth. I only ever get seriously giddy with excitement once it's passed my b'day, so now that we're well and truly past that date I am ready to immerse myself in the fabulousness that is Christmas.

Here are 3 fun & flirty party looks I'm kinda loving at the moment from the Daily Mail; I love everything that's going on here, from make up, hair and the fun factor!

From left to right:
Outfit 1:
Dress by Olivia Rubin, £270, House of Fraser Gilet by Biba, £145, House of Fraser Belt by Topshop, £30 Silver Crystal Ring (right.hand), £82 Konplott Necklace, bangles and crystal ring on r.hand all from Dannijo, Net-a-Porter.com Round ring on left hand from Wallis, £12.50 Sandals by Guess, £135

Outfit 2:
Dress by Laura Ashley, £110 Headband by Cherry Chau, £125, Selfridges Belt by Twiggy, £49, Fenwick Necklace, £79, Fenwick Stackable rhinestone rings in gold, £99 black, £75 and silver, £125 all by Amanda Wakeley from Ernest Jones Socks, £19.95 by Max Mara, Fenwick. tights £6 by Marks and Spencer Shoes by Kurt Geiger, £90

Outfit 3:
Dress by Nocturne £320 Blue ring by Konplott, £167 Silver ring, £12.50 & grey silver bangles, £18 for two by Freedom, Topshop Chain and pearl bangle by Allusions, £18, BHS Bag at Russell & Bromley, £165 Tights by Pretty Polly, £4 Sandals by Kurt Geiger, £220

All these looks are very easy to create with a clever mix of accessorizing, layering and hair and make up. To get a messy bun look, see previous post here.
I thought I'd also throw in a 'how-to' video by one of my fave girls, Tanya Burr aka Pixi2woo! Seriously, this girl can do any look, but this is a fun one for going out. You can easily swap out the blue for any mix of colour for the sultry cat eye look or just stick with charcoal tones/black.

Tanya Burr's Blue/Black smoky eye look

Hope you enjoyed this!
I'll be sharing more party frocks with you this week, bringing you the best of high street through to designer!

Total Scarf Off! Cool ways to tie, knot & wear your scarf!

This week lovelies my current obsession lies with different ways to wear or tie a scarf. I'm not just talking about the chunky knitted variety, but the oh-so-chic chiffon silk variety too.

I had a major drooling session, whilst in Liberty's earlier last month and only recently learned that there is in fact an art to wearing scarves! I fell in love with so many beautiful scarves, from Aschön's feather print scarf, Christopher Kane's amazing inter galactic inspired print scarves to Ebony & Ivory's stunning leopard print scarves with a colourful twist. I just want to be draped in them big style.

There are so many different tying or knotting techniques, some basic and some highly intricate along with plenty of versatile ways of wearing a scarf besides around your neck! I love how one item can literally zsush up any outfit.

This weekend I wanted to share these amazing video tutorials (only around a minute or so long!) by Liberty with you. You're all going to fall in love with Lauranne's cute accent!









With some of these styles, you can try playing with different styles of scarves, one of my fave and quickest updates is using an pretty printed scarf and tying around a floppy hat or a printed square style folded up and tied around a trilby/fedora.

Below: The weave knot, this is quite similar to the one below, but the technique to achieving this look is completely different.

Below, the Pretzel knot as shown in the Youtube video but using a long Pashmina instead.

Below: I love this Lucy Jay abstract print scarf worn in the hair too!

Susie of Style Bubble just wears the most gorgeous scarves, her way! Love it!

Images, videos via Youtube, Style Bubble, Liberty, Lucy Jay

How will you wear yours?

Have a super duper fly weekend lovelies!
New readers, followers, thank you for stopping by!

Shoe flash: Get it now! Outnet.com best buys!

Ladies..., are you ready to spank the plastic yet? These are just some of the amazing buys on Outnet.com, which I have just spied! Be quick though, these beauties will go in a jiffy!

• Elizabeth & James - Star ribbed leather sandal at 198 euros
• David Wyatt - currently loving these Baby Satellite pumps at 156 euros
• Sadly I wasn't quick enough to get my mitts on these Michael Kors 'Webster' suede ankle boots, they only have a US size 8 available now. 124 euros

Ok, in Euros it looks super pricey, in Pounds, not so bad, in US dollars, even better - the Liz & James sandals are $118! Hurry ladies!!!

Guest Posting: Celebrity Style... I heart it!

I've got so many celeb style crushes that B of the amazing Beautifully Invisible blog has invited me to guest post & let me ramble on as I wish about celebrity style, influences and fashion.

Check it out here! Thank you so much lovely!

Lusting after... cos its Monday right?

So, my fridge totally fell apart & died on me over the weekend. What's a girl to do, but do a 'Joey'..., what's that??? Eat the entire contents of the refrigerator! That's what, and if I had more shoes than sense or storage then I'd probably stash them in here! Well..., Ok, maybe not.

How was your weekend luvvies?

Whilst there were no other notable drama's, except for a corker of a headache/migraine/evil eye over the weekend, I had a great time stuffing my face. A lot.

I've missed the boat a bit on the Monday morning lust, but here it is...

Treasure Forever rings with different inscriptions:

Love
Forever
Wish Upon A Star
to treasure forever and ever
you make my heart sing
I shall return to my English rose
Rien Que Toi, Moi, Nous (nothing but you, me, us)

Available in Silver, 18ct Yellow Gold Plated Silver & 18ct Rose Gold Plated Silver
Laura Lee Jewellery

Loving Kara by Kara Ross' black python & oynx stone & skin section ring -£153
via asos

I'm totally obsessed with the YSL Arty enamel ring in gold with turquoise and I love these Kenneth Jay Lane molten 22k gold plated earring with the turq etched resin drops. (35.49 euros)

Pretty pop of turquoise via net-a-porter

Come Rain or Shine

Hoorah for the weekend! I'm looking forward to spending time checking out my fave reads over Sunday coffee and also catching up with the unfinished 'to-do' list i've been rugby tackling all week.

Lara Stone styled by Grace Coddington for US Vogue, Sept 10
Don't you just love her Mad Men-esque style?
via here

With the weather turning slightly ugly in Greece, I hope to battle out the breezy, wet weather armed with my trusty mac, boots and brolly. You could mistake today's weather for the UK's!

• Natural waxed mac by NEXT - £60
• Umbrella by Auto Walker @ Topshop - £18
• Quilted Wellies @ Office - £30

Don't fancy schlepping it in waterproof gear?
You could splash around and look as smokin' hot as Carmen Kass here!

Shot by Phil Poytner for Muse, 2007
via here

Have a fantastic weekend, come rain or shine!

Bringing it Back

I was recently tagged by the talented and lovely craftista, Maddie of Wardrobe Recycle to highlight some old pieces in my wardrobe that I'd be wearing again this season. As someone who rarely throws things away (hoarder alert!) and will nearly always put style & comfort first over current looks of the season, I thought I'd share some pieces that I'll always wear time and time again, whatever the current trends.

I've had this sequin blazer-style jacket for a couple of years now and I love daytime sparkles to dress up a casual look. Throwing this jacket on is the quickest way to feeling ultra glam. That and a fabulous pout of hot red lippy.
I think I have a slight obsession with stripes, I have so many varieties I've lost count - I love how stripes are always a classic and a wear with anything piece.
This beautiful necklace above has lost a few chains & gem stones since I was given it by my lovely girlfriends as part of my leaving present for Greece. I love it, and it has done well after so many nights of partying.
The Suede fringe bag is heavier than it looks and was a birthday gift from a few years back. Love it!
My multi buckle boots are my go to item when it's cold outdoors, when the heavens open for a serious downpour or when I want to mix up a pretty floral frock look with a harder edged touch.

A floppy hat usually disguises any bad hair days or when I'm not in the mood to face the world. I remember when J-Lo started wearing these years ago... talk about influence eh? I am easily persuaded after all.
The faux fur gilet is amazing and has kept me warm and stylish when I'm feeling the boho vibe. The patchwork leather frame satchel is simply one of my best purchases ever in Hong Kong; first it was cheap, secondly it came with a gazillion straps (like most bags do when bought in HK, so you can wear it more than one way - genius!) and thirdly I love the folded frame detail and the design.

Because it's Monday...

It's Monday Morning and I just wanted to share this with you all. I know it's random but sometimes random is good, you know?


Whilst I did actually start today out with another post, I'm just feeling these images and also the tune "Midnight Hour" by duo Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek aka "Reflection Eternal" featuring Estelle. It's a good one, one that'll have you busting out your happy dance on a Monday morning.
Feel good, play it loud guys & shake that thing!

There's an ounce of me that's procrastinating about making a start on the things on my 'To-Do' list I have to tackle this week. I like to be organised but the list looks hideously overwhelming... so I might try something else, which I read on Heather's Design blog about writing your To-Do list out on a Post-it note. Here's the post lovelies!

images ref: Studio Stella & Creative Inspiration

Braving New Heights

Whilst shorter than short shorts and hot pants rocked the catwalk for AW10/11, I couldn't resist but fall in love with this look. I was already hooked on this Stefanel Ad campaign a while back, with the gorgeous model strutting her stuff in denim shorts, scrumptious over-sized, knit cardi and a "I don't feel the cold one bit" attitude - I was sold. I just need to borrow someone else's legs.


I loved Dolce & Gabbana's catwalk show; sending models down the runway in minuscule knicker shorts and tuxedo jackets amongst other stunning pieces, including the sequin number above.

From top, left to right:

• Topshop Slouch Cardi - £45
  
• Topshop Overlay Lace corset - £35
  
• Topshop mesh knicker shorts - £20
  
• Kurt Geiger 'Scatter' boots - £150
  
• Alexander McQueen 'Hells knuckle' duster box clutch - 1335 euros via Net-a-porter
  
• Erikson Beamon Medieval Crescent Earrings - 314 euros via Net-a-porter
  

If you're really brave, you could throw this ASOS sequin leotard number under the cardi instead - bold or what?! By RARE - £105

Now then... if I were only brave enough to rock this look and not feel the cold...!

Dolce & Gabbana WA10/11 show
via Style.com

So, what do you think guys? Can you imagine working this look at your office Christmas Party?

Have a fab weekend everyone!!!

Beating the cold

I ought to be acclimatised to the semi bitter cool weather by now, since it was a fair bit colder in London than it is here. But no, the sneaky yet deathly chill got to me, creeping into my chest and frankly I feel a bit yuck.
I have been pretty tough at beating the cold ever since my move to Greece, eating better (well, kind of, excluding cakes and Greek yumminess) and not buying so much processed foods or foods out of tins and jars. I mean who woudda thought I'd be making my own sauces and stuff from scratch (with the exception of Thai Green curry sauce!)?

No matter how much I try to battle a common cold, it always seem to get the better of me but I've tried some basic tricks to get me on the road to recover much quicker without the help of antibiotics. Every year like clockwork I stock up on vitamin C (with added bioflavonoids to enhance the effectiveness of Vit C) & echinacea, sometimes starting as early as October.

Some other tips and tricks?

• Drink plenty; fruit juices, water and herbal teas over coffee, tea or alcohol, which are diuretic and can aggravate dehydration.
• You will laugh at this one but when I do have a fever or a common cold, I stick a hairdryer up my nose (on medium not too hot setting), inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth - the inhalation of warm air helps kill the cold virus. Alternatively try a hot sauna, bath or steam inhalations.
• Soothe a sore throat by soaking a muslin cloth in cold water, wring out and wrap around the neck and cover with a woolen scarf for around half an hour. Also sip some lemon and honey tea to warm you up! Or gargle lemon juice in warm water - it creates an acidic environment hostile to bacteria & viruses.
  
• Garlic has lots of antibacterial properties - chuck it in your cooking! Or if you're really brave, have a clove and go raw! Bet your partners/boyfriends/girlfriends will love that! Not.
  
• Enjoy some heartwarming dishes, such as stews, soups that contain onions, leeks and garlic. Homemade chicken Soup is amazing for colds too! Apparently it stops certain white blood cells (neutrophils) from congregating and becoming inflamed-something which triggers the body to produce mucus, double yuck! Oh and chuck some garlic in the soup!
  
• Keep your hands clean!!! Nuff said there! For all of you who have to deal with public transport - especially the Tube, will know what I mean!
  

Do you have any natural remedies to help beat the cold or flu?

Anyhoos, I'm loving this vibrant, nomadic shoot that the beautiful Liu Wen did for Vogue, Germany in the November issue. Shot by Greg Kadel. (Sorry Leia - there's fur involved!)

via here

Wishing you all a fun & fabulous November!
ΚΑΛΟ ΜΗΝΑ!

source: Reader's Digest '1,001 home remedies'