NYE hype

I'm very excited for New Years Eve - a big group of us are going to a dinner and dance at a hotel, to eat, drink and dance the night away. It got me thinking of some potential outfit choices for different types of New Year celebrations.

The official theme of our evening is "black and gold" which I don't actually intend to honour, as I don't really want to buy a new dress just for this occasion and already have an outfit in mind. But if I were to go with the theme, I would consider the look below.

This is a fairly understated look, but it honours the theme nicely. The top is simple, keeping the skirt the main focal point. I can't seem to get enough of velvet bags, and this twist bow velvet clutch is just the ticket.

I adore this Reiss dress, and have been looking for an excuse to buy it (no such luck, I just can't justify it). It would be a beautiful NYE outfit though.

If money were no object and I were to attend a very fancy NYE black tie event, I think this would be my dream look. The Self Portrait maxi dress is gorgeous and actually not that much more expensive than the Reiss dress above. Jimmy Choo sandals and an Oscar de la Renta clutch make this a semi-bank breaking but truly special look.

Christmas outfit ideas

Now that December is coming ever closer and the invitations for Christmas parties are coming thick and fast, I thought it might be fun to consider some ideas for Christmas party outfits.

I have stuck to high street labels and ASOS to keep these outfits at a reasonable budget.

Red isn't the most original Christmas colour, but the combination of red and silver always leaves me feeling very festive.

Something a little more sophisticated - I am absolutely loving jumpsuits at the moment. They are an easy breezy alternative to a dress, but still very chic and able to be dressed up or down. I liked the idea of pairing this with a velvet bag, given the popularity of the material this season.

On the other end of the spectrum - an ultra-casual look for a cosy Christmas day spent indoors with the family. Can you tell I'm slightly obsessed with cats? I have been lusting over the Charlotte Olympia kitty flats for so long, and am praying they show up in the post-Christmas sales. The Uniqlo stretchy jeggings are perfect to accommodate a day (and a belly) full of Christmas food.

This year I will actually be in Singapore with my family for Christmas, so the cat jumper unfortunately won't be too appropriate for the hot weather. I'm more likely to wear a cool flowy dress in an appropriately festive colour. I love woven bags, and the woven detail on the bag picks up the raffia in the wedges

The Lush List

For a long while I never bought anything in Lush except for their bath bombs and bubble bath products. I had no idea what I was missing! I am not as obsessed with Lush as I used to be, but I do have a curated list of favourites that I keep going back to, time and time again.

Apologies in advance for the photos - these are all my own frequently used and very loved products, so they are definitely not in pristine condition!

Million Dollar Moisturiser

The most recent find of mine, this is probably the most expensive product from Lush I have ever bought, but it is totally worth the price. It is a "bionic facial moisturiser" that contains honey, shea butter and jojoba oil. I love using it under make up because it gives a beautiful glow to the skin and has SPF 30.

It's a very thick cream and so I use it very sparingly. If you have problems with thick moisturisers and shea butter in particular, I would steer clear.

One 45g pot retails for £32.50. It's pricey, but if you feel like treating yourself in Lush, I definitely recommend this.

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner

The ultimate in time saving products, I had to lift a picture of the actual product from the Lush website as mine has now been used up and I haven't got around to replacing it.

Ro's Argan is a body conditioner designed to be the last step in your shower routine. I apply it on my arms and legs and rinse off, leaving me freshly moisturised out of the shower and eliminating the need to moisturise later. One for a lazy bones like me, who often cannot be bothered to moisturise at all.

Ro's Argan retails for £16.50 per 225g tub.

Lip scrubs

Lush have a range of lip scrubs and often bring out seasonal varieties. My favourites are two mainstays - Popcorn and Mint Julips.

They really do reflect their names - popcorn is sweet, salty, and somehow buttery and mint julips is a minty chocolate flavour. These are great for getting rid of dead skin on and around your lips, especially in winter.

I scrub a little bit into my lips with my finger, and rub my lips together to really work in the product. I remove the excess with a tissue, but admittedly I do lick some off, they taste so great (I'm pretty sure they're edible..). Brilliant for achieving a smooth, flawless lip base before putting lipstick.

Unfortunately I can't find the lip scrub online right now, but Lush usually have some by the counters in their stores. They also bring out more varieties around Valentines Day.

Mask of Magnaminty

As with Ro's Argan body conditioner, sadly my mask has run out. This is, without a doubt. my favourite mask ever. Big claim, I know.

It has a very thick, quite gritty texture, and smells beautifully minty. When applied to the face you really feel the mint tingling at your skin and waking it up. The mask dries after about 5-10 minutes, and I usually wet my hands and scrub the mask into my skin, letting the grainy texture exfoliate whilst I remove it.

If I ever have a breakout, or my skin is a bit dull looking, or I just need to give my skin an overhaul and clear it out, this mask is my number one choice. I cannot recommend it enough. It contains peppermint oil, honey, evening primrose seeds and ground aduki beans for the exfoliant. 

Unlike other Lush masks, this is not a "fresh" mask and so does not need to be kept in fridge and used that quickly. It does start to dry out after a month or two, but I have had one pot for nearly 6 months and it still worked perfectly.

The Mask of Magnaminty retails for £10.95 for a 315g pot.

Ultrabland

This is one of my favourite makeup removing cleansers and my go-to for taking on trips.

Ultrabland contains almond oil, beeswax, rose water and honey among other ingredients. It's a very thick paste that dissolves into an oil on the skin and removes absolutely every single last scrap of makeup. It's safe to use on your eyes, and so I take a small dollop and work it all over my face to dissolve my makeup, and clean the residue off with a warm wet towel.

It's amazing for trips because it's in a self-contained little pot that has absolutely no danger of spilling or leaking. It also single-handedly removes every bit of makeup, so I don't need to bring a whole host of products with me. This is a heroic little cleanser in a pot.

Ultrabland retails for £7.95 per 45g pot (and a little goes a long way!).

Big

Last, but certainly not least, is my hero product to rule them all - Big.

Putting salt in your hair may seem counter-intuitive, but my goodness it works. I have quite fine hair that can get greasy and lank very quickly. I find that certain shampoos weigh my hair down and make them even greasier, and that my hair can get used to shampoos, meaning that their effects are lessened with frequent usage. At one point I had to wash my hair everyday, as it would get greasy so quickly.

Enter Big. Not only does this shampoo smell divine, but it has more or less eliminated my greasy hair (in combination with other products which I will discuss in another post). 

I use this about once or twice a week to really cleanse and strip my hair back. After using it my hair is always squeaky clean and beautifully bouncy. It feels so much lighter and cleaner and I can actually go for a couple of days without washing my hair if I use Big. 

Big contains coarse sea salt, lemon infusion, fresh sea water, and coconut oil. It also contains sodium laureth sulfate or "SLS", which some people do have problems with. This is what makes shampoo foam up, but some people find that it can mess with their hair and they prefer using SLS-free shampoos. Most shampoos on the market contain SLS, so if you know it's not your thing I wouldn't use Big.

Big retails for £6.75 per 130g, but I love it so much I have a huge 600g pot. If you have fine hair that is prone to greasiness, I cannot recommend this shampoo enough.

Do you have any favourites from Lush?

On blogger bag hype

We've all been there. You go on Instagram and see your favourite blogger wearing a stunning bag. You realise that this bag is what your life has been missing. Or is it?

It can be very easy to get swept up in the hype sometimes, especially if an army of bloggers have the same bag.

I am definitely not hating on bloggers at all. I love blogs (obviously, since I am writing on one) and I follow many bloggers who specialise in luxury fashion.

However, I am still very aware that it is a blogger's job to produce content, generate ideas and inspire their readers and viewers. This does not mean that they are advocating that their readers and viewers shop like they do.

These are my caveats that I bear in mind when I am considering buying a bag I see on a blog post, instagram snap or YouTube video:

I have linked few of my favourite UK based bloggers below. All of these women are incredibly stylish, but also very accessible and honest about their purchases. They are all also true designer bag lovers, and their designer collections seem to be because because they genuinely love the pieces rather than because they need to buy into hype. If you don't already follow them I highly recommend you check them out:

Chase Amie

Image credit: Chase Amie



Amie is 100% my favourite luxury fashion and lifestyle blogger. She has an enviable collection and is very down to earth and honest. Her styling is also classy, professional and accessible. Check out her blog here and her YouTube channel here.

Hello October

Image credit: Hello October

Suzie is a general, fashion, lifestyle and beauty blogger, but her designer bag choices are on point. That suede Balenciaga City is dreamy, and she has a very special small Chanel Boy. She recently posted a wonderful video of her bag collection here and you can view her blog here.

Fleur de Force

Image credit: Fleur de Force

I hardly need to tell you who Fleur is, but if you have been living under a rock, she is a blogger/YouTube juggernaut. Again, she doesn't necessarily concentrate solely on high end fashion, but she has some beautiful pieces. Blog here and YouTube channel here.  

The Glam and Glitter by Tamara Kalinic

Image credit: The Glam and Glitter



Last but certainly not least is Tamara of The Glam and Glitter. Tamara definitely does specialise more in high end fashion and accessories, but her ever growing collection is fabulous. Count on Tamara to have some of the season's must haves plus the perennial classics. Blog here and YouTube channel here. 

Which blogger's bag choices do you love?

A very exciting purchase

I bought my first Burberry coat!

I had always dreamed of buying a Burberry coat but never really thought I would take the plunge. I had been saving for new bag, but in recent weeks was really unsure about my choices. My beautiful new Longchamp Le Pliage Neo is actually all I want in terms of new bag purchases right now, so thought now might be the time to finally get a Burberry coat.

The coat I bought is the leather-trimmed wool-blend twill coat in black. It is single breasted with a funnel neck and made of very thick warm wool.

I bought my coat at the Burberry store in Knightsbridge, a beautiful branch I had often walked past but had never gone in.

I tried on a few styles, including trenches but decided that with my small frame, a structured trench actually made me look quite boxy. This single breasted funnel neck style is beautifully made, and can be adjusted with the neck down with wide lapels, or with the neck up when it's especially cold.

Neck down

Neck up

This coat was £795 and is still available from Burberry and Net-A-Porter.

Longchamp Le Pliage Neo

I have been saving for a new bag for a while now, and you'll have seen from my wishlist that I had a few options in mind. However, this one was a bit of a surprise and rather crept up on me.

I have always admired the Longchamp Le Pliage as a very chic and practical bag; even though it's absolutely everywhere, I don't get sick of seeing it. I was never swayed enough to get one myself until I saw the Neo version on a friend of mine. She in turn had bought the Neo after seeing it on a colleague.

I kept the Neo in the back of my mind for a few months, but it was only after seeing a lady on the tube with this bag and basically staring at her bag for the whole journey (I'm sure I probably freaked her out quite a bit) that I decided I really wanted it. I even looked the bag up on my phone whilst I was sitting opposite her, in case the people next to me weren't already sure of what a creepy bag stalker I really am.

I ordered my Neo from Selfridges and it was £90 not including postage. I am so happy with it - it's chic and a little bit different. It's also very hardy and has gallons of room. It's a perfect "throwing around" bag, for the airport, the gym, errands and short trips.

Charles & Keith - scratching the luxury itch for less

Without meaning it to be, this has turned into something of a "Charles & Keith" appreciation post. I had meant to write a post on bags from high end brands that I found good dupes of, but realised that all of my current favourite dupes were from the same brand - Charles & Keith.

For the record, I am absolutely against fake bags, and I am very uneasy about so-called dupes that basically just copy a high end brand's design in all but name. The examples here are neither. They are bags that have similar features and buy into a certain trend (e.g. saddle bag) but without outright copying the high end brand's design. They also have their own design spin which satisfactorily differentiates them, and even at times makes them even better (in my opinion).

First - the Aspinal Marylebone Tote in cobalt blue, which normally retails for around £850.

I just love this colour. The bright cobalt blue makes an otherwise very classic structured tote a bit more fun. The Marylebone is a big tote that is great for travelling and retails for around £850.

This Charles & Keith bag was exactly the colour and design I wanted, but was smaller than the Marylebone and ideal for work. I always get compliments whenever I wear it. Unfortunately Charles & Keith no longer sell it, but I think I paid around £60. A similar bag is here.

Second - the YSL classic small monogrammed tassel satchel, which retails for around £1,300.

Image from net a porter



I loved the tassel on this bag, but I wasn't sure I loved it enough for the price. I'm also still toying with whether I like the boldness of the YSL logo.

This Charles & Keith version is very similar, although the detail down the middle and envelope shape of the bag does differentiate it from the YSL. The bag is also made of a suede-like material, whereas the YSL is grained leather.

Again, unfortunately Charles & Keith no longer stock this bag, but you can find a very similar one here.

Third - the Chloe Hudson, which normally retails for around £1,300.

I had seen a few bloggers on Instagram wearing this bag and I thought it looked gorgeous on them, however I never seriously considered buying a Hudson, as I just couldn't justify the price for what it was.

Charles and Keith tassel saddle bag - currently £49!

I actually prefer the Charles & Keith design to the Hudson. I love the woven detailing up the middle and the ability to wear it top handle or cross body (both straps are detachable). It's also still available and at a reduced price!

Charles and Keith are a Singapore brand that ship to the UK. I believe shipping is free over a certain amount, and me and my friends all have several pieces each from Charles & Keith. The bags are well made and sturdy, and really do stand the test of time. The average price is about £50, and they also do lovely shoes.

Don't just take my word for it though - Maisie Williams is a fan too.

And yes, Charles & Keith are still selling that adorable bag for £39.

My Brand Alley experience

I thought I would share my experience with Brand Alley, as there don't seem to be too many reviews out there.

Brand Alley is a designer discount website that basically offers designer goods at outlet prices. They operate on a flash sale basis and have limited stock, so if something catches your eye you have to act quickly. They do men's and women's fashion, as well as homeware and accessories.

I had read negative reviews about Brand Alley before and I found stories from a few years ago that claimed Brand Alley were selling fake Prada bags (see one of the stories here). From my research it appears that Brand Alley's supplier in that instance had supplied them with counterfeit bags, but they took it very seriously and appear to make every effort to ensure authenticity in its products. However, as with every retailer that is not directly the designer, it is a case of buyer beware.

I had been scoping Brand Alley out for a while and saw that they had the Lanvin Jiji bag on sale for about £700. Considering that this bag is usually well above £1,000 it was a great deal. On impulse I picked it up and eagerly awaited my package. This was in August 2016.

I had heard complaints that Brand Alley take an age to deliver, but my package came within 3 days, which was a pleasant surprise.

I carefully examined the bag from all angles. I had also made a point of checking out the Jiji in person at a Lanvin concession, so I knew what I was looking for. The bag seemed fine to me and arrived in good condition, but to make sure I took pictures and sent them to Authenticate First for authentication. I would be glad to write a review of their services but suffice it to say I was very happy with Authenticate First.

They confirmed that the Jiji was real and supplied me with a certificate of authenticity. However, after some soul searching and further reviewing the bag, I decided it wasn't for me. I had been excited by the great discount, but in truth I didn't feel that the bag was worth even the discounted price. For £700 you can get some really special pieces from other brands, and the Jiji just wasn't exciting me enough to justify the price.

I had not cut the tags off and had retained all of the original packaging. I sent it back to Brand Alley within 14 days and received a full refund within 3 weeks (it was right at the tail end of 3 weeks).

I had been worried I would not get a refund, and emailed Brand Alley for confirmation. They were very helpful and told me that bag refunds usually take longer to process because they have received fake bags in the past after sending the customer the real thing, so bags are now checked more stringently before refunds are offered.

Overall I had a positive experience with Brand Alley. The bag arrived in a timely fashion and in good condition. The customer service was speedy and helpful, and they issued my refund within the time they allowed. I would definitely use Brand Alley again, although perhaps in future only for bags that are already on my wishlist, instead of being swayed by the discounts.

I have made a handy little info graphic of my tips for buying from discount websites.

And of course, check the returns policy of any website before buying an item! I hope this was helpful to anyone considering Brand Alley :)

Kat Von D Beauty at Debenhams

Kat Von D's beauty range has been available at Debenhams for about a month now. As soon as I saw it was launching I high tailed it on to the Debenhams site and purchased a few products.

First, the Kat Von D everlasting liquid lipstick. After much deliberation, I finally settled on the famous Bow N Arrow shade (a perfect 90s brown toned nude) and Vampira (a deep blood toned crimson).

Bow N Arrow

Vampira

I love Bow N Arrow. It's a beautiful trendy brown-toned nude that isn't too brown or "out there". It manages to be quite subtle but also not too grey. I have quite pale skin with a yellowish undertone, and can struggle with browny nudes, as they can wash out my face and make it look quite grey. Bow N Arrow really suits my complexion, and I have heard rave reviews about this shade from a variety of people.

Score: 8/10

Vampira is not as easy to get on with. The application it quite patchy and the colour extremely unforgiving. I accept this in a dark lip, but try as I might I just can't get this to apply smoothly. I'm not exactly a liquid lipstick pro, but I have been using bold liquid lipsticks from other brands for a while now, and none of them are as much trouble to apply as this.

Score: 4/10

The formulas of the liquid lipsticks are matte and fairly dry. I recommend putting on one thin layer and leaving it at that, as they tend to look a bit strange and flake off if you layer them. They do stay put, but as with all lip products, don't expect to eat a burger or a burrito and escape unscathed. They retail for £16 per liquid lipstick.

The other product I bought was the tattoo eyeliner in the shade "Mad Max".

This eyeliner is incredible. It gives a decent and consistent dose of colour, and its precision brush tip means you can go very fine or very bold with your line. I chose the brown shade because I already have an excellent black liquid eyeliner from Dolly Wink.

Mad Max is a very very dark brown. It looks far darker than it appears in the picture above. It does give a slightly softer effect than the black, but still delivers a very deep colour pay off. The tattoo eyeliner retails for £16.

Score: 10/10

Have you tried anything from the Kat Von D beauty range? 

October luxury wish list

I do have a weakness for designer bags, but I’m also extremely cautious, as I don’t want to drop months of savings on something that I will fall out of love with in a matter of months, or that will look dated in a few years’ time.

I won’t go into my process for choosing and purchasing luxury brand bags right now, but one of my main rules is to wait and see. Loving something one month is all very well and good, but, in the words of The Shirelles – will you still love me tomorrow? In the case of so many bags I have obsessed over in the short term and then forgotten in quick succession, the answer is no, I won’t.

Here is my current bag wishlist.  

Gucci Marmont (mini)

I’m torn between the leather and the velvet. The velvet is undoubtedly the trendier material and will date more and be harder to maintain. But it’s just so beautiful! I love the deeper black of the velvet and how it contributes to the 70s vibe of the bag.

Tod’s Wave Bag (small/mini)

This bag has been on my wishlist for months, but I keep going back and forth on it. I have tried it on in store and I can attest that it is beautiful in person, light to carry and well made. However I’m just not sure I can justify £1,000 + on this. I have been looking for a larger black bag that I can use for work and for the airport, and currently it’s between Tod’s and the choice below.

 

Balenciaga City

I was never drawn to this bag before. I don’t really like the look of the smushy leather and how it relaxes over time, which I know is the entire point of the bag. But I saw someone on YouTube with a suede version and I fell in love. However, I know enough to stop myself from going for suede. I did some digging and found the goat skin versions of the City, which are just stunning. A little bit more structured, and with a finish that seems less edgy than the lambskin, this is a huge contender. If I could track down a version with silver hardware, so much the better.

 

Tod’s Double T Bag

Yes, it’s Tod’s again! This time with the Double T bag, in the mini size. I don’t love the length of the normal mini or extra mini sizes, and I prefer the look of the chain strap of this size, uninterrupted by the leather shoulder strap. Rather confusingly the Double T has two mini sizes, but the one above seems to be more of a woc.

 

Chloe Drew

I have "ummed" and "ahhed" about this bag for months. At first it was a definite no – too trendy, won’t stand the test of time, too ubiquitous. And then I tried it on in store and absolutely fell in love. The hardware is impossibly pretty. It’s very delicate and ladylike, but also feels very modern. The only things stopping me are that I am unconvinced that the saddle shape will hold up and still be relevant in years to come, the clasp seems very fiddly and I’m undecided about the interior, which doesn’t seem to justify the price tag for me. That said, sometimes love is love, and every time I see a woman wearing the Chloe Drew I always shoot her admiring glances.

Do you have anything you're currently lusting after?