Champagne Toasting, Chestnuts Roasting

TIS THE SEASON TO DRINK BOLLY!

... And Moet, of course!

I felt that with December in swing, i'd do a little Christmassy post to get you in the mood.

the lovely Christmas tree at Chelsea's favourite hotspot

I have to admit that I am not overly familiar with the Chelsea area, but at Christmas I do find that the Kings Road really does flourish, and the real jewel in the crown has to be The Bluebird.

A former garage, The Bluebird bar, shop and restaurant is a little bit of a Chelsea institution- and, for you MIC fiends, it is a permanent fixture on your screens.

is there anything quite so festive?

 
Having dropped by The Bluebird a couple of times over summer, I was rather excited when I received an invite to the launch party of their Winter Pop-Up bar, sponsored by Moet et Chandon.

These are dangerous words when you are as obsessed with the sparkly stuff as I am.

constant top-ups of Moet are dangerous- you have been warned

The charming Winter bar stands in front of the Bluebird bar and shop quite some way up the Kings Road, and is open from the 26th November through to the 3rd of January.

With twinkly fairy lights, candles and plenty of drinks to warm your cockles, this really is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day of exercising your credit card.

these little baby burgers were beyond delicious- perhaps my favourite canape, fabulously indulgent!

In London there really are some fantastic festive events going on, but it's the little details that set pop-up events like this apart- they even give you toasty red blankets when the evening turns particularly icy!

At the launch party I treated myself to far too many canapes including these tangy mini burgers, crispy whitebait, zingy prawn and avocado spoons and creamy mushroom croquettes, all washed down with far too many glasses of Moet. 

With chestnuts roasting on an open fire, a heated outdoor area and some lovely bar snacks on offer, I really would recommend The Bluebird for a little Christmas treat.

More details here!

Pursuit of Prettiness: Face of The Underground

I love living in London. I really, really do.

From the Christmas lights in Covent Garden through to the simple pleasure of sitting a taxi at night, driving by Park Lane and sighing at how beautiful the city of London really is.

I know that I sound smitten, but I really do appear to have fallen for London this year. I'm head over heels, but I think there may be trouble in paradise- London, you're messing up my skin something rotten.

I have never for one second thought of myself as having great skin but, trust me, it is at an all time low right about now... It is really rather dire: dry in parts, shiny in others, spots all over the shop and a serious lack of a glow, and London underground, I blame you.

But, why?

CLEANSING

The underground poses all sorts of threats to the skin, but, first and foremost, it's all rather dirty! I am sure we are all a little bit guilty of not cleansing our face and neck as much as we should do, and living in London this is something of a cardinal sin. As Rodial expert Hana told me, face wipes just wont cut it, you need to invest in a really great cleanser which will work to cleanse deeply and remove all of those horrible little germs that plague the tube. By all means, use wipes to remove make-up, but all that 3-in-1 talk is just not on... When living in London, or any major city, cleansing is key. See below for my pick of peachy clean cleansers.

1. Rodial Glamtox Cleanser £50
2. Bioré Ice Cleanser £3.49
3. Soap and Glory Face Soap and Clarity £6.99
4. Bliss Triple Oxygen Cleansing Foam £24
5. Eve Lom Cleanser £40

MOISTURISING

In terms of temperature, the underground is a little bit of a nightmare. This isn't just darn inconvenient, but it is also rather detrimental to your skin. It's ridiculously warm one minute and bitterly cold the next, which has a drying effect on the skin. Of course, the obvious thing to do is to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Check out my lovely enriching picks below.

1. Elemis Fresh Skin Super Boost £18
2. Decléor Hydra Floral Moisturising Cream £39.80
3. Rodial Dragon's Bloody Hyaluronic Moisturiser £45
4. Estelle & Thild Neroli Face Cream £29.50
5. NIP + FAB Moisture Fix (my pick!) £18.50

PRIMING

The underground also has a charming tendency to completely destroy my make-up. I find myself constantly reapplying after long tube journeys, mainly due to the environmental factors. The secret is... A good primer! It really does make such a difference.

1. Revlon Photo Ready Primer £11.99
2. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer £22
3. MAC Prep + Prime Skin £19.50
4. NIP + FAB Sheer Make-Up Fix £14.95
5. Benefit The POREfessional £23.50

TLC-ing

Finally, though, you've got to give yourself a little bit of pampering at the end of the day. Whether it's an everyday skin treat, or a weekly masque, London skin certainly needs a little bit of TLC.

1. LUSH Catastrophe Cosmetic Mask £5.95/tub
2. Bioré Deep Cleansing Nose Strips £7.99
3. Rodial 5 Minute Facial £28
4. Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask £29
5. NIP+FAB Scrub Fix £11.26
6. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate £36

Best of Burberry: LFW

All images from ELLE UK

Ooh la la. I think I want every single piece in this collection... And I think I want them NOW.

A couple of days ago, Burberry Prorsum summoned fashion's elite to Kensington Gardens to showcase their punchy and beautiful S/S 13 collection, and what a collection it was.

The show itself was totally star-studded. Andy Murray sat with his (stupidly gorgeous) girlfriend Kim Sears on one side, and Anna Wintour on the other. Twitter exploded with "#Burberry"as this glossy audience waited, anticipating Christopher Bailey's next move. 

Burberry is a British institution, and a brand that is truly unrivalled in the current fashion industry. Burberry is tech-savvy, financially sound and, on top of it all, seriously cool. The models that strutted down the catwalk read like a "Who's Who?" of the year's it girls. Cara Delevingne has been the face of LFW, and who discovered her? Christopher Bailey, of course!

Oh, and the collection wasn't bad either. While trench coats were prevalent as ever, they were refreshingly bold in ombre jewel tones and Quality Street metallics. Glamourous metals complemented the rich shades of forest green, lush purple and icy ivory while the accessories were truly scrumptious.

My only niggle? Why so many big knickers?! Come on Christopher, be nice. 

What did you make of Burberry Prorsum? 

Time for Company Grads!

Well that came around fast, didn't it?

The October issue of Company magazine is ready to hit stores and it is guest edited by myself and seven other fashion students and graduates. 

I'm so, so, so excited to see the issue and have a horrible feeling that i'll be buying many a copy, each time waving my picture in the face of the poor WH Smith sales assistant shouting "THAT'S MEEEE!"

If only I were joking... 

Anyway, I would love you to have a read of the issue and please do let me know what you think!

If you can't wait to see what this issue has to offer, see my behind the scenes Insta-Diary here or check out the Company website where you can see this video from the cover shoot and lots of other #companygrads bits and bobs!

Flat-spo: Bohemian Belles

1. H&M Cushion £9.99
2. Zara Home Tumbler £3.99
3. M&S Paisley Print Cushion £19.50
4. Zara Home Paisley Storage Boxes £9.99-£15.99
5. Zara Home Lantern £39.99
6. Zara Home Tumbler £3.99 (also great for make-up brushes and tea-lights!)
7. Zara Home Tumbler £2.99

Oh, with the puns again, I really am awful...

Anyway, this is the first of a few posts i'm doing in the run up to moving into my new flat in West London (sounds so much posher than it is!) just to help me decide how to decorate my new bedroom.

I feel that it is super-duper important to make whatever space you have very much your own. Whether you are residing in a penthouse apartment in The Shard or a prison-like room in halls, it's all about the decor.

I personally love to take a theme and stick to it when decorating my room, and it is usually a theme that allows for plenty of individuality and creativity. In my home in Edinburgh, my room is simple and monochrome with the main decor being Vogue-based collages and beautiful advertorials ripped from the pages of my favourite glossies.

For my new flat, though, i'm torn between a few different themes, so would love to get a bit of feedback from you guys about it! I also felt it was a good time to post just as so many of you are off to uni at the moment, or your first flat, and it's always nice to know what is out their to make your space a little more homely. I christen this, my friends, Flat-spiration, or Flat-spo.

First up we have the Bohemian Belle look which I just adore! I love this laid-back, Moroccan inspired look and think it would look great in a slightly messy student home, as mine is sure to become.

LFW Designer Cocktails

London Fashion Week is perhaps my favourite time of year. The atmosphere is truly electric and the talent on show is second to none.

Even if you are not one of the lucky ones clutching a handful of sought-after invitations for the SS13 shows, there will be plenty for you to get excited about when LFW comes around in just fifteen days!

The first little slice of LFW that I can't wait to share with you lovely readers is the London Fashion Week Designer cocktail selection at The May Fair Bar.

I am a little bit of a cocktail obsessive and love nothing more than a delicious concoction to sip on while on a night out. Give me a tangy, sweet cocktail and i'm a happy girl!

Imagine my excitement, then, when I caught a glimpse of these beautiful tipples, designed by some of London Fashion Week's most exciting fashion talent, all available at the May Fair hotel from the 6th to the 23rd of September.

I have, sadly, never been to the May Fair hotel, but I think this year I will certainly be paying a visit. The luxurious and stylish establishment is the official hotel of London Fashion Week (so is a good bet for some style stalking!) and their designer cocktails are just the cherry on top of some fabulous fashion week treats they have in store. Alongside hosting elite parties every night during LFW, The May Fair are also offering their Fashion Week Treats package which includes an overnight stay, breakfast, discounted beauty treatments and cocktails and cupcakes for two! If anybody wants to treat me this month, look no further. The decadent May Fair Spa has also created some express beauty treatments to revitalise those stressed-out fashion folk.

If you are simply looking for a stylish aftershow drink, you really will not beat these delightful drinkies (above). And at £13 each these cocktails are an accessible taste of Fashion Week's finest designers.

Hopefully i'll see you guys there, i'll be sipping the fruity Corrie Neilson!

For more info visit the May Fair Website or follow them on Twitter at @themayfairhotel

The London Edit: Drinkies

London, meet the rest of the world.

In just a few days all eyes will be on the humble city of London. Part of me is relieved to be avoiding the Olympic chaos, but part of me is very sad indeed to be missing out on the most exciting few weeks the capital shall ever experience.

In saying that, i'm sure that many of you will be visiting London during the games so I thought i'd give you a little insight to the city I have come to love dearly, even though i've only been here a year!

What is so very magical about London is that every district is full of surprises, there are so many hidden treasures and I firmly believe that every day in London is an adventure (oooh cheesy!).

I am not for one second claiming to be a London-er, I still love irn bru as much as the next Scot (try a Malibru if you're feeling adventurous- Malibu and Irn Bru, so wrong, but so right!), but I do feel like a know of a few lovely places in London that I would certainly recommend to you lot.

The first instalment of The London Edit relates to my favourite hobby: cocktails! (Cocktails do count as a hobby. It's called Mixology. I am aware that this is only really the creation of the cocktails, but the drinking is an art form as well. Especially when wearing wedges.)

London is full of many a lovely cocktail bar and I thought i'd edit it down for ya. If anyone has any other suggestions for me to try just drop it in the comment box (i'm always looking for an excuse for a cheeky G&T) or tweet me @SWfashion_

Even in this Olympian chaos, an indulgent cocktail is a godsend. Here are my top picks, in no particular order, natch.

1. The Experimental Cocktail Club, China Town
This is a hidden gem if ever there was one! It looks like a seedy club from the outside, simply a plain black door with no sign and no fuss, but when you get inside (after making a reservation, ideally) it's a nonchalant but stylish cocktail club with a charming retro feel. Book a table in advance and come here on a weekend for a totally relaxed but fantastic night out with the best atmosphere in London. Not one ounce of pretention and some of the most delicious cocktails I have tasted to date. My pick is the St Germain based St-Germain-des-Prés which is a zingy creative mix of elderflower, Hendricks, frothy egg white, cucumber, lime and a slight heat of chilli. This is a gorgeous cocktail experience that I would highly recommend. 

2. Aqua Spirit, Regent Street
If you're looking for somewhere infinitely chic to look out over London and simply bask in your utter gorgeousness, then Aqua is probably the place for you. The Aqua building is just around the corner from Liberty making it the perfect central bar. I only went once for the Nelly shoes party but I loved the venue. It is spacious with a dance area and, the best part, a beautiful roof terrace looking out over London. They have some delectable cocktails as well, of course, including their collection of Champagne cocktails called the "Twisted Bubbles". My pick is the totally breathtaking Rose & Li which is Veuve, rose liqueur, syrupy lychee with beautiful floating rosebuds. So sweet and delicate- perhaps a little too drinkable I think!

3. Barrio Central, Poland Street Soho/ Barrio North, Angel
Sometimes all you need is some great music, great company and a couple of drinks to have a fantastic night, and that's what I love about Barrio. It's totally chilled with no posh Mayfair crowd and plenty of normal folk! It does get undeniably busy at the weekend, but it is a fun bar with such a friendly atmosphere. The cocktails are relatively cheap for London and split into different continents for a really fun menu that will have you totally spoilt for choice- also, very apt for the Olympics, I reckon! A lot are tequila based, but I would recommend the Sakura- cherry brandy and plum liqueur- mmm!

4. Shochu Lounge, Charlotte Street 
Part of me really wanted to put Nobu Berkeley here, but I thought i'd ring the changes and mention this sexy Charlotte Street lounge. Beneath my second favourite Japanese in the capital (Roka) lies the Shochu Lounge, and it really is a treat. Plush cushioned seats surround a central bar which is crazily buzzing at the weekend! Japanese influenced cocktails are always refreshing, and Shochu has some really gorgeous offerings for a bit of a change. If you're getting  bored of your faithful Mojito, then why not try the poetic Setting Sun, a soft marriage of Kumquat Shochu, elderflower syrup and champagne, served with a zingy grapefruit twist. 

5. Lounge Lover, Shoreditch
It's all about East London this summer, but Lounge Lover is my favourite Shoreditch haunt. With a cool, slick interior and spacious tables flickering with candles and dimly lit chandeliers, Lounge Lover is such a treat! It is a little bit out the way, but if you're spending a day trawling the vintage shops of Brick Lane, I would suggest you recharge your batteries here! Read more about Lounge Lover in my review here.