Gift Guide 2012: The Goth Girl

Tis the season to buy presents ladies and gents!

Today marks my first day of Christmas shopping so I thought it high time to unveil my first Christmas 2012 gift guide- The Goth Girl!

I will be posting regular gift guides to let you see the best of what is out there this season, as i'm sure you're aware, there is a lot to choose from!

Stay tuned for my upcoming gift guides:

THE GIRL WHO HAS EVERYTHING

THE FRAGRANCE FIEND

THE POOR LITTLE PRETTY GIRL

THE COSY CUTIE PIE

THE GLITTER GIRLY

THE GOOD TIME GIRL

First up, though, I put together my gift guide for The Goth Girl...

Who? She's the cool girl, the one who knows her MeadhamKirchoff from her Margiela. She's into fashion, art, film and music and is forever flicking through magazines. She is last Christmas' COOL GIRL (see the gift guide here)

What does she love? She loves Givenchy, she adores dark lipstick and Carine Roitfeld. She never slavishly follows trends but she is crazy for a bit of head-to-toe black. She lives for black coffee, cigarettes and neat vodka- she's that kind of cool, sexy girl who is always rather tricky to buy for.

Where does she shop? Oh, if only money were no object for the Goth Girl! She adores Riccardo Tisci's work at Givenchy and Alexander McQueen is another favourite, but she shall make do and mend with Topshop and their fabulous gothic inspired range. She is also a little bit of a sucker for American Apparel and their flowing chiffon skirts and wool floppy hats. This season, though, she would have died for anything by Gucci.

What do I buy her?!...

1. Necklace from Kurt Geiger £55

2. Feather Jacket from Topshop £90

3. Lace Detail Dress by By Malene Birger

4. Print by East End Prints £20

5. Dress by Three Floor Fashion £98

6. Rockstud Shoes by Valentino £600

7. Diary by Smythson £40

8. Agent Provocateur bra £110

9. Prada Large Saffiano Tote £1150

10. Nails Inc Limited Edition Polish £15

11. Diptique Fleur de Bois Candle £55 at Space NK

12. Skull Money Bank £15 at Urban Outfitters

13. Happy Pills Case $8.99 at Miamica

14. Beauty Bag £20 at La La Land Boutique

15. NARS Andy Warhol Gift Set £26

If you have anything else you'd love me to post on, drop a comment below! 

All Saints, All Sinners

1. Ring by Zoe & Morgan £395
2. Neely Dress by All Saints £165
3. Revlon Lipstick in Va Va Violet (see how it looks on here)
4. Topshop Booties £75
5. Whistles Pouch £35 (bargain!) 

This little black dress is my favourite piece from the new All Saints collection, which sees a real departure from their usual grungy look with a slick, modern aesthetic that screams nonchalant London elegance. 

This dress, however, belies the All Saints name... I feel it is rather more of a sinner, a devilish and suggestive little number that transforms the wearer into a sort of femme fatale.

A slick of patent violet lipstick and some towering lace-up boots give the dress a directional edge, balancing the delicate lace panels and the sculpting body-con fit. Lighten the look with soft waves and a splash of duck-egg blue- a fresh and unique accent to breathe new life into your LBD.

I love it. Someone want to buy me it? I think my wardrobe desperately needs a killer dress, and the Neely is just the ticket. 

Pursuit of Prettiness: The Gothic Lip

MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger £14

I love this rich tomato red, a subtle take on the gothic look. Apply with a make-up brush for precision and pair with minimal make-up. It is a slightly drier formula so try a balm on top for extra nourishment. It is particularly pretty on warmer skintones- fairer types should stick to Russian Red with it's cool blue tones.  

NARS Liquid Lip Colour in Nana £17.50

This one looks scarier than it is! I expected it to be nearly black and was sceptical to try it, but I have to say I rather liked the final effect. It goes on like a patent, blackberry stain and has some incredible staying power. I was too much of a wuss to wear more than one coat, but I really loved it layered over Topshop Lips in Hazard. A slick and stylish way to wear the trend. 

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Va Va Violet  £7.49

I think this one has to be my favourite- it is also the most gothic. It is a deep purple, almost black, and has a nourishing, creamy texture that feels rather luxurious. I loved the colour and felt it flattered my cool skintone perfectly. It is perfect shade of wine meets rich, regal purple tones. It certainly belies it's Boots pricetag.

Shiseido Perfect Rouge in RS612 £17

I used this one for more of a tint approach- one that would be better suited to an older lady or one less adventurous when it comes to vampy lip colours. This is a gorgeous, glossy lipstick which, after one application, is sheer and nourishing and, I found, rather plumping on the lips. The colour is not the most intense, unfortunately, but for wearability this one has to be a winner. I found that the plum complemented my blonde hair rather well also. 

Topshop lips in Beguiled £8

Of the three Topshop darker lipsticks I tried, this one had to be my favourite. The others were gorgeous also, but I loved this rich blackberry shade- it is so luxurious and a little goes a long way! I found this one a great texture and coverage and it would be great for a really dramatic look- a close second. 

HI. Here's my face.

Sorry about that- hope you weren't eating.

Anyway, I know that instagrammed pictures of me are not what you read this blog for, but they are here for a reason- I promise! 

I have been obsessing about the Gothic trend for ages now, and am a Gucci fiend, dying to be Anja Rubik in that lace and chiffon maxidress with her killer plum pout and wavy platinum hair.

So just as we approach mid-October, I thought I could start getting all spooky on ya (please refrain from telling me to "take of my mask" etc.) 

I felt I had to step out of my comfort zone and try a beauty trend- something I am often reluctant to do. Gimme a tricky fashion trend, and i'll give it a whirl, but i'm much less adventurous when it comes to my make-up... A smoky eye is daring in my books. 

However, I must man up and try something a bit different... Gothic lips. Eek. 

It's not as scary as it first seems, though, and I must admit I am a bit of a convert. I have spent years piling on nude lipsticks and glosses and now is the perfect time to break free from those understated (*ahem* BORING) neutrals. 

Skulls and Sparkles

1. Skull and Flower Ring £171
2. Silver Crystal Ring £303
3. Sapphire Skull Ring £400
4. Skull and Flower Ring in Silver £72
5. Magic Ring £99
6. Crystal and Gold Ring £385

I have been infatuated with Zoe & Morgan jewellery for quite some time now, and with Christmas just a few months away, I felt it best to begin posting some beautiful gift ideas. Just if anyone wants to treat me, you know? 

These are such beautifully delicate pieces which will last a lifetime. While they are a little bit on the expensive side, these rings are unique and understated but still fashion forward.

Shop the ever fabulous Zoe & Morgan here. It is fine jewellery with a cool, grungy twist. 

The perfect stocking filler for princesses and wealthy sorts, or simply a great "main present" for the rest of us!

Her Dark Materials...

1. Topshop Rings £8.50
2. Chelsea Doll Claw Ring £10
3. Zoe & Morgan Ring with sapphires (in. love!) £400
4. INCREDIBLE ACNE dress at Liberty £550
5. The Kooples Sleeveless Aviator £425
6. Revlon nail polish in Impulsive (love it!)
7. Mulberry Boots £550
8. Zara Handbag £89.99

Wow, wow, wow. This dress is incredible! I love the dark floral print and the feminine but demure shape- it's sexy but not over the top. If only I had a spare £550, eh? One day...

Fat Day Formula

1. Miss Selfridge Jumper (SO comfy and such a bargain with their current 20% discount for students!) £35
2. River Island Maxi Skirt £20 (even more of a steal if you have this month's Company magazine or go to the student lock in on the 4th!)
3, 4 & 5. Multipack of Rings from Freedom at Topshop £12.50
6. Ring from  Freedom at Topshop £6.50
7. Ring by Rock'n'Rose £16
8. Zara Bucket Bag £79.99
9. Topshop Stud Ankle Boots £85

Fat days are the bain of my life. Perhaps fat days are the wrong thing to call these days... The ones where I roll out of bed to notice that my hair is standing on end, my face is a spotty mess and my arms look particularly doughy. It's generally just an "EW day" but a fat day sounds better.

There are lots of ways to combat a fat day, and my preferred method is to slink into my Jack Wills joggers and my school hoody with "WALLY" emblazoned on the back, however that is not particularly chic. While I love to cover up and look even more anonymous than usual, that is not always the best option when off to work or out for lunch with the girls.

BEHOLD, the ultimate fat day formula that is comfy, discreet and still looks reasonably cool...

Massive chunky knit + maxi skirt + ankle boots + jewellery = nonchalant, grungy look that hides a multitude of sins. 

A Gothic Goddess: BE MINE.

Dress by By Malene Birger

You know when you see a dress, and you really like it, then you dream about it, then you realise it's £499. Then you cry?

Yeah. That.

I didn't actually cry, but I am so in love with this By Malene Birger dress that I dreamt about it... So sad, but true.

After spotting it at a recent Atelier-To-Go shoot (like our FB and Twitter for some behind the scenes shots), I fell a little bit in love.

With delicate lace panels, thigh splits and a darkly ethereal pleated skirt, the dress is the stuff of dreams. It's a little bit Gucci but still wearable and (dare I say it?..) veering towards affordable.

One of Atelier-To-Go's esteemed stylists, Julia Brenard of Russian Vogue, styled the dress ala Gucci A/W 2012 with deep berry lips and the most beautiful Jimmy Choo peep-to booties. The gorgeous blonde model, all wavy hair and enviable legs, pulled if off a charm- it was elegant but still gothic and beguiling.

Fashion Week Fantasy #2

1. Zara £129
2. Miss Selfridge £45
3. The Kooples £265
4. Topshop £18.50
5. Ring £6.50
6. Tom Ford Lipstick in Black Orchid

River Island: Three LBDs, Three Trends

1. Topshop £18.50
2. River Island Dress £55
3. NARS Lipstick in Scarlet Empress £17.50
4. Topshop Clutch £38
5. Zara Boots £89.99

1. ASOS Earrings £15
2. Topshop Heels £65
3. River Island Dress £60
4. Topshop Lipstick in Rio Rio £8
5. Accessorize Clutch £45

1. ASOS Clutch £18

2. River Island Ring £4

3. River Island Dress £120

4. Topshop Earrings £150

5. Kurt Geiger £170

Weekend Temptation: Studded Flats

Ooh Ya Bootie

all from Topshop (race ya?)

And so the hunt for the perfect Winter boots begins...

Oop. That was quick, wasn't it? I would happily welcome any of these studded boots to my wardrobe, particularly the £70 and the £80 pair.

I'm a woman obsessed with studs and all these boots are just tempting my inner magpie and urging me to reach for my purse. If you see me in Topshop with more than one pair, please do stop me, remind me that I need money to live, not just wear nice boots. Priorities, Shona, priorities.

I would wear these with everything from jeans to my new favourite lacy dress and they are all so lovely and practical. Not ideal for airport security but (BOO HOO) i've done all my international travelling for this year, so that doesn't bother me!

I'm currently on a clothing ban (no. more. clothes.), but I can still buy a pair of winter boots, right?

Or two... Or three... Or four...