NYE Party Picks

Top tip? Stoli and Bolli may not lead to smart sale purchases, but they will take the edge off the Boxing Day bustle.

Santa hasn't even been yet, but I've already moved on to the real festive fun. Oh yes, I'm talking of the pre-Christmas sales. Though most of the sales are yet to start, a few of the goodies have started early including Net-a-Porter, Whistles and The Kooples.

I personally would suggest waiting a few days before blowing the big bucks, but there are a few party pieces that are too good to resist, particularly with NYE just around the corner. 

Here are a few fabulous little pieces to kick off the sale season in style. Just add fireworks and fizz!

Psst! If you need a little sale time guidance, refer to last year's top tips here.

The Chic List

Image from Skandilicious

From Monday morning cosies to tempt you out of bed through to warm-and-fuzzy Friday night funsies, here are a few of my favourite things for the week ahead.

The LFW Backpack

A luxury backpack is a must at London Fashion Week this season, and you will be hard pushed to find one better than this Whistles Portland edition – hot from the SS15 catwalk. In a versatile neutral tone with glossy silver hardwear, this practical backpack is spacious enough for all your show-hopping essentials, and will lend a contemporary edge to your LFW look. (Designed exclusively for London Fashion Week, it is available to purchase online here, and also in the two newest Whistles stores in Kings Cross St. Pancras and the Bullring in Birmingham.)

But it is what's inside that counts, right? Here is my wishlist of chic Fashion Week essentials. 

1. With rose-gold frames and mirror-shine lenses, these lightweight Linda Farrow sunglasses whisper understated luxury. They are £610.00 here.

2. A nourishing facial oil is a must for parched post-summer skin. Rodin's Olio Lusso is a cult product in fashion circles – the expert blend of 11 botanical oils will deliver a runway-worthy glow in no time. It is £97.00 at Net-a-Porter here.

3. My, my - what a stylish little camera you have. Launching in October, the new Olympus Pen E-Pl7 camera is designed with fashion folk in mind – it even has a 'selfie-mode'. It will retail for £499.00. 

4. Aptly called 'The Sophisticate', this Charlotte Tilbury eye palette of subtly smoky tones is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. It is £38.00 from Net-a-Porter here.

5.This Zakynthos nail polish by NARS is the perfect neutral - the sandy shade feels more modern than blush-toned nudes and was the colour of choice for the 3.1 Phillip Lim show in NYC. It is £15.00 here.

6. Last but not least, this Smythson Fashion Week notepad is the only way to jot down your front-row musings. Far chicer than an iPad, the Runway Notes' notebook is £65.00 here.

Le Flamboyance

Happy Sunny Sunday, all!

On a day like today, there is nothing more appropriate than some seriously pretty sandals, a floaty little sundress and copious amounts of ice-cream/frappuccinos/frozen-yogurt/Pimms (delete as appropriate).

If you are regular reader of my blog (hi Mum), then you will know that I am something of a girly girl with a penchant for all things glossy, pretty and cutesy. So, I am sure you can all imagine my elation on spotting these sweet Sophia Webster sandals on Never Underdressed.

I have been swooning over the bold, kitsch designs by Sophia Webster for a few seasons now, and these sandals (at Net-A-Porter) really embody the fun spirit of London's latest fashion force. 

With yellow and pink polka-dots on the cylindrical heel and cartoon flamingos kissing at the clear perspex peep-toes, these adorable shoes are like Mr Blobby meets Barbie, in the coolest way possible. 

Granted, they are not exactly a throwaway purchase at £315, but how could you ever be in a bad mood when wearing shoes that are so very jolly?

PS

FUN FACT TIME. A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance... Such divas. 

PPS

If this has whet your Sophia Webster appetite, check out these bad boys... More fabulous than a flamboyance. 

Chelsea Chic

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

I never once thought that I would be citing a reality TV star as a style icon, but that was before I realised how much of a style crush I had developed for Millie Mackintosh. While Made in Chelsea is certainly a guilty pleasure of mine, I no longer watch it solely for the dramas, I'm also a little bit infatuated with Millie's wardrobe.

An enviable blend of chic French labels like Maje and Sandro (my favourites!) topped off with luxurious accessories and glossy hair, Millie's look is polished elegance balanced with a youthful edge. She dresses the way I would if I were rich... And pretty... And not so lazy. 

Her outfit at last night's Look awards is a case in point, showing just how to work brights this season. I love, love, love the look! She tweeted today that she was wearing Australian designer Rachel Gilbert with Jimmy Choo wedges (mmm, so lush!), and her papaya leather jacket is by the amazing Parisian brand Carven. I adore her style- she is the perfect example of how to wear a trend without looking a fashion victim.

Steal Millie's style at: Net-a-Porter; Topshop; Missguided; River Island

Lemon Lovelies

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

I can hardly resist sorbet shades this season, and this Topshop skirt really is the ultimate. Pretty pleats, a sweet lemon shade and a lovely drop hem. It's feminine, cheery and flattering- it will brighten up any day!

Pair with these gorgeous bright accessories for an on trend look which will certainly put a spring in your step! 

The Dream Jacket

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

It is a well known fact that a beautiful jacket makes an outfit, and SJP has shown just how relevant this is for now- even for evening!

Wearing a mermaid-esque candy pink gown, SJP looked phenomenal adding a healthy dosage of grunge with this beautifully cut leather jacket by Theysken's Theory (£910 at net-a-porter). It is the label adored and coveted by those in the fashion know, and this jacket is my personal dream piece.

Kudos to SJP for breaking the fashion rules and opting for clashing a saccharine pink with black leather- it pays off and has me drooling after this luxurious little jacket.