Marni pattern dress
Topshop sequin skirt
J.Crew ribbed tight
Camper leather boots
Steve Madden shoes
Suzanna Dai chain drop earrings

2012 Vogue Covers

Christmas Drinks

Finally I can get merry and not feel guilty about work! And what a better way than at a family Christmas drinks! We made some delicious nibbles including crab filo pastry cups, prawn mayonnaise in croustades, lime and chilli chicken skewers with avocado dip, cranberry and brie filo parcels, smoked salmon on herb blinis, and the family favourites quails eggs and devils on horseback (prunes wrapped in bacon). I definitely think it is worth making your own nibbles - huge number of compliments and some festively full bellys!

Crop top, Topshop
Cynthia Rowley feather skirt
Prada high heel sandals
Vivienne Westwood Anglomania gold handbag
Emerald jewelry
Mimco red lip makeup

The French Cafe, Balham

Had a delicious full English brekky at The French Cafe in Balham as a break from boring revision! Have heard it is also a fantastic spot for lunch and dinner - definitely going to try out both in the near future. Their menus can be found on their website here.

Elle Macpherson Intimates bra
Miu Miu sunglasses
NARS Cosmetics lipstick
Tim Walker Storyteller book
Crystal Two Pear Shaped Faceted Drop Earrings, Butler & Wilson 
Joseph Black Kelly jacket

I first spotted the necklace above in Harvey Nichols, and although it was far out of my student budget, I couldn't resist trying it on! The Italian design duo behind the Iosselliani brand are Paolo Giacomelli and Roberta Paolucci, and it was Paolo who began his career designing jewellery for Missoni. I love the dramatic use of precious combined with heavy metal designs, creating statement pieces that are perfect for jazzing up a simple outfit!

Helmut Lang cardigan
DKNY pajama top, $55
DAY Birger et Mikkelsen trousers
Diptyque Figuier Scented Candle

Homemade Lavender bags

Got these little pouches when I worked at the Issa Sample Sale. They were just extra bits of circular print fabric that had sewn edges and ribbon tied round the top. I brought some dried lavender and took the lavender off the stems, putting it into each little bag and tying it tightly. They are going to go in my cupboard to make all my clothes smell fresh!

3.1 Phillip Lim , $795
H&M knee length pencil skirt, $64 
Oscar de la Renta high heels, $740
Kiki mcdonough citrine earrings

Erickson Beamon

Get me any of these!

Prestonfield, Edinburgh

We had a cracking afternoon tea at Prestonfield, repeating our flat trip last year. Afternoon tea per person consists of delicious mini cakes, scones and finger sandwiches combined with an extensive list of your choice of tea. Highly recommend going - and although they didn't when we went - they will now have all the Christmas decorations up, which makes it feel very festive! Also, try and book the leather room, as its the same price but you get your own private room!

Gestuz lace top, $150
L'Wren Scott velvet pencil skirt 
Dolce&Gabbana suede platform booties 
Oscar de la Renta long clip on earrings 
Mimco matte red lipstick, $26

Gladrags & Handbags Sale

I was in London last week and popped into the Grazia Gladrags and Handbags Sale on Friday. All proceeds of the sale went to Kids Company. Sophie Dahl gave a speech at the opening of the sale, along with the charity's founder Camila Batmanghelidjh. I picked up some wonderful items, including a white cashmere scarf, a Charley denim pleated skirt and a Love Moschino necklace - well worth the visit!

MARNI

After visiting Bicester Village in Oxford on the weekend, I have to say one of my favourite stores was Marni. The fact that it wasn't full of people (we went on a Saturday morning not wise!) made it more appealing. Their original designs incorporate varying prints and shapes which really stood out for me against all the other designer shops. Here are some key looks that I like from their Spring RTW 2013 Collection, and their Fall RTW 2012 Collection. I'm going to go eBay hunting for my own piece of marvellous Marni!

Kenzo checkered dress 
Armani Jeans long sleeve top, $215
Navy opaque tight
Kenzo floral shoes
Statement necklace 
Illesteva circle sunglasses

Brew Lab, Edinburgh

We went to a great new little haunt on South College Street, boasting itself as an artisan coffee house. Not only does it have great coffee, but the interior decor is very rustic and stylish. They produce some yummy baguettes for lunch, and with this Edinburgh weather, there is no doubt that the best pick was a delicious sweet potato, butternut squash and soy seed soup, served with olive and rosemary bread. Great atmosphere, particularly filled with students due to being right next to the University, and relatively expensive, but definitely worth a lunch time visit!

Halloween Outfit

Lace top 
Black knee length skirt, $40
 Zara shoes 
Black jewelry, $8.02
Face Lace The Calligraphic Collection, $74

10 years at HN

Some of my favourite Harvey Nichs windows to date - celebrating their 10 year anniversary

Bonhams

Had a great time working at a sale at Bonhams from Hensol House. I worked in the silver and jewellery department and met some very interesting people, from dealers to members of the family who lived in the house. I learnt a lot about the amazing collections and will hopefully be able to go back there and help at some more of the auctions!

Acne crew neck sweater 
Prada , $2,060
Current/Elliott , $1,690
Pierre Hardy peep toe high heels
Pamela Love spike jewelry, $530

Jamie's Italian, Edinburgh

Highly recommend the branch of Jamie's Italian Restaurant in Edinburgh. It is in the Assembly Rooms on George Street in a magnificent room at the back of the building. I had a delicious prosecco and pomegranate cocktail followed by courgette fritto flower stuffed with ricotta, mozarella, mint and lemon served with pesto. For my main course I had a prosciutto and shaved pear salad with pine nuts. To top off a delicious meal, we shared a yummy chocolate mousse pot! Very good service and great atmosphere!

3.1 Phillip Lim embroidered t shirt 
Mini skirt 
Pointy toe pumps, $40 

Vintage Kilo Sale, Edinburgh

I went along to one of 'Judy's Affordable Vintage Fairs' in Edinburgh last weekend. You have to do a bit of sifting but everything is very well organised and there are changing rooms with mirrors to try things on. It took place in a village hall off Leith Walk. I brought this white shirt, which I think I will just wear with a jumper otherwise it looks a bit too Victorian! And another three shirts and a skirt. All for 20 squidies! A kilo was £15 so very good value and fun day out - look out for them as they happen in London and Leeds too!

My style icon: Miroslava Duma

Miro Duma, who was editor for Harpers Bazaar in Russia, knows how to put some cracking outfits and accessories together, and I wish I had her wardrobe - need I say more!

Topshop knit dress 
Linea, $7.89 
Valentino handbag 
Moxham orange jewelry, $105

Rachel Boston and Moo Piyasombatkul

 Rachel Boston and Moo Piyasonbatkul are two very talented girls that were at school with me. They have both been hugely successful in creating unique accessories that have already and will continue to stun the fashion world! Congrats to both of you!

Laura Bailey: wardrobe for Vogue

Love Laura's classic and simple style, and very envious of her long blonde locks.

Birthday treats!

H&M merino wool shirt, $57
Maliparmi sequin skirt, $460
Proenza Schouler green high heels 
Reed Krakoff camel bag
Wildfox Couture mirrored sunglasses

Stella McCartney blue skirt, $715
Sergio Rossi lace heels 
Leather clutch, $105 
DANNIJO jewelry

NYFW

Best picks from street style during New York fashion week (photos from www.elle.com)

Issa Sample Sale

I was very fortunate to work at the fantastic Issa sample sale recently. Daniella Helayel is the Brazilian designer behind the clothing brand. Regularly worn by the likes of Kate Middleton, Issa also appeals to everyone with quirky prints and styles to fit different body shapes. I was able to get my hands on a dress as my pay and decided on the versatile wrap dress with long cuffs in a great blue, white and red print (bottom right). After seeing images of her wonderful show at LFW I feel very lucky to have one of her beautiful dresses!

Big Fat Gypsy Wedding outfit

A friend of mine had this themed party - one of my favourite to date, and I love a good excuse to dress up! My initial search begun on eBay where I got a pink sparkly bra and the pink tutu. I then sewed the pompoms onto the tutu and made sequin and pompom anklets to wear. I always think accessories really make an outfit so I blinged up with lots of necklaces and a tiara and voila!

Cut out top 
Versace high waisted leather skirt 
CEDRIC CHARLIER jumper
Valentino leather sandals
ASOS bullet earrings

Loch Melford

Here is evidence for the reason for my lack of posts recently.. I've been busy embracing the rural west coast of Scotland. Spent two weeks in Loch Melford where we were very lucky with the weather as it is usually central rain station up there! So lots of scottish dancing, fishing, long walks, cliff jumping and freshly caught and fried mackerel for breakfast - yum!

Rankin Portraits

The British photographer Rankin has just launched a new book, Rankin Portraits, which displays some of his most magnificent and unseen shots of celebrities. I particularly love these ones of Kate Moss, Heidi Klum, Eva Green and David Bailey. He spoke his selected choice of images expressing the unique moment on set where each of them were captured. 'There are some people who you can look at in photographs forever without getting bored. That's the power of a great subject and a strong photograph.'

Vix v neck dress 
Tara Matthews bandeau swimwear 
Tying shoes 
Stella McCartney gold tone jewelry 
Asos Flat Top Round Sunglasses 

Pom Pom

Very happy with my new pom pom clutch from Camden market!

Heatherwick Studio Exhibition

I was very fortunate to get given tickets to go and the exhibition of the moment at the V & A. It was a spectacular display of architecture, sculpture and engineering combined. Thomas Heatherwick founded his design studio in 1994, and the one room of the exhibition contains a vast scope of the accomplishments of his studio. These included the designs for the Olympic torch and the Veledrome, illustrating the fascinating process to the final products. I would highly recommend going to see it, find tickets here.

New Jewels

http://hengrant.tumblr.com/

Sunday Blues

Jeans, Asos; vintage denim shirt; jumper, Boden; rings, Topshop.

J.Crew oversized sweater, $72
J.Crew linen shirt
J.Crew pencil skirt
J.Crew vintage shoes 
J.Crew straw tote 
J.Crew round sunglasses 
NARS Cosmetics sheer lipstick

Samphire, East Wittering

We went on a family outing to the restaurant Samphire in East Wittering. Yummy fresh fish and a rustic vibe, and not too spenny - I would highly recommend if you happen to be in the area, but book in advance as it can get very busy. Check out their website here.

The Rodnik Band

The Rodnik Band fashion label (you can check out there website here), designed by Philip Colbert, is quirky and stretches the boundaries of art and fashion. Many of his playful ideas spring from mundane objects as well as from modern works of art such as Andy Warhol's Campbell soup tins. Colbert says that the label was "born out of the desire to shake the mould and re-contextualise fashion, present it in a different, lighter, more playful way." My favourite is the Mondrian style suit/dress which is next on my DIY list! Check out an interview of him here, giving greater insight into his thought process and design ideas.

Allotment time

I'm not sure Cora was a fan of the old bicycle basket - hence her closed eyes on our way to pick some flowers, fruit and veg at our allotment. I can't get enough of the fragrant sweet peas!

Leather t shirt, $205
Sonia Rykiel sequin skirt, $715
3.1 Phillip Lim high waisted pants
Ash wedge shoes, $215
Yves Saint Laurent 'Mohawk' shoes
Kate Spade chunky necklace