Disguise Mince Pie Thighs!

If you can't overindulge at Christmas, when can you?

I must put my hands up and say that I have actually not eaten many mince pies this year- two mini ones to be precise- but I do feel like I am about to gain a stone in Christmas weight... I mainly blame the Champagne cocktails and mum's irresistible Christmas cake and trifle.

Christmas is a very tricky time for those who are struggling with weight, but i'm trying my best to cope! However, if worst comes to worst, I will just gain that almost inevitable seasonal weight and then have to detox- green tea in one hand, gym pass in the other.

In the mean time, though, I bring you some lovely wintry outfits that conceal a multitude of festive foodie sins. 

Nothing beats an oversized jumper with some slim fit jeans and a brilliant pair of ankle boots... It's universally flattering and makes you look every bit as slim as you are in your summertime prime.

It's not time to detox, yet, so let's enjoy the party season while we can.

Pass me the Elderflower Edinburgh gin!

1. Dark Wash Jeggings from Abercrombie and Fitch- the ultimate jeans. I'll have a pair in every colour, please? (£68)
2. This Jack Wills jumper (£69.50) is so wonderfully snug and, when worn oversized and slouchy, this is the perfect way to hide a less-than-washboard stomach (who, moi?)
3. The best way to spend Boxing Day? Hidden away under lots of layers watching Love Actually and eating Quality Streets. This super soft faux-fur gilet from Topshop is super toasty and rather forgiving (£55)
4. Let's talk diversion tactics! This studded leopard print bowling bag from Zara (£49.99) is at the top of my post-Christmas wishlist, and with rather good reason. Such a bold, stylish bag will distract from the pre-detox pounds.
5. MUST. STAY. ALWAY. FROM. THE. KOOPLES. SALE. Please, someone, stop me from buying these tidy little ankle boots. They are reduced to £185 in the sale.  

1. These slouchy ripped boyfriend jeans from Moto at Topshop (the Lacey jeans- £40) are ultra forgiving and the perfect way to disguise mince pie thighs! I'll take a couple of pairs...
2. Slip on a cosy cardigan (River Island, £40) and cocoon yourself in the knowledge that you've got a good few months before bikini season...
* shudder *
3. Where have all the good men gone?.. Need a post Christmas hero that isn't of the Cadbury's variety, well you aren't alone. Send out a message loud and clear with this ultra cool beaded t-shirt from Markus Lupfer (£140)
4. These are biker boots and then some. Balance out the soft pieces with these edgy studded Zara boots (£129)
5. Got a few spare Christmas pennies going?.. Indulge in some new season Mulberry like this glossy Cecily tote (£1100) which adds a polished finish to any outfit... It would also act as a marvellous diversion from my Champagne-enduced bloat (yes, i'm pretty much Bridget Jones)

1. Another sale hit from The Kooples, I adore this slick Oxblood woolen cape. It will certainly hide a multitude of sins! £220.50 on sale- i'll be keeping my eyes peeled for further reductions.
2. Nothing beats a simple cream knit, i'd buy this one several sizes too big. It's £35 from Miss Selfridge.
3. My favourite high street jeans are the super-skinny stretchy Leigh jeans from Topshop. This simple dark denim pair is super slimming and just £38.
3. Ooh la la, did someone say Mulberry? Well, they were wrong. This warm tan handbag with gleaming gold hardware is a snip at £70 from ASOS. Yum.
5. Ankle boots are my one true love, and these new season burgundy buckle boots from Office are a new favourite of mine. The stacked heel lengthens legs while the cut out detail makes them a great partner to flirty minis come spring! (£85)
6. Alex Monroe jewellery is the cutest, and this fox charm bracelet is delicate and sure to attract many an admiring glance. (£135)

1. Alas, yet another pair of killer skinny jeans, this time from Hollister. These have a perfect stretch and the dark wash is slimming. I find they make my bum look a million times better as well, at £40 they are certainly cheaper than a trip to Harley Street!
2. This cutesy Wildfox sweater, embroidered with "I'll Keep You Warm" in shimmery bronze sequins will cover you up without looking even remotely boring. I absolutely love this sweater (£150)
3. I have two faux-fur scarves from Zara that I wear religiously, primarily because they are super cosy and also very forgiving when i'm feeling a little less than body confident. Though my lovely fur stoles have sold out, this cool snood from Topshop is silky soft and a lovely toffee hue (£25)
4. Another day, another ankle boot. These buckled Topshop black booties have a chunky heel which balances out slightly shapely legs. (£110)
5. Et Voila! You could balloon up ten dress sizes and it still wouldn't matter with a Celine Luggage Mini on your arm. I don't even know how much this Cream Python offering is- I don't doubt that it is too much for me to even comprehend- but I love it, and always shall.  

Wild Thaaang.

Christmas is just around the corner, so I thought i'd do a little outfit post- this look is the perfect understated look for Christmas cocktails... Just be careful on the ice with these fabulous Zara booties, okay?!

1. This little Topshop camisole is my new hero piece- it is flattering, pretty and glamourous with a lovely lacy back. On top of it all, it's got a double-layered front to avoid an embarrassing bra clash! I love it tucked into high waisted jeans/shorts, or worn loose over leather leggings (try Miss Selfridge for a great pair at just £18) This little beauty will set you back a rather reasonable £28.

2. Psssst! The Kooples have their sale on- get in line! I absolutely adore The Kooples, particularly their razor sharp tailoring. They have some gorgeous pieces reduced in their latest sale including this perfect black jacket and a slightly more festive offering with a gold leather collar- snazzy! This lovely jacket- which is a real winner in cost per wear terms is reduced to £238. 

3. I am a firm believer that when Christmas shopping, one really must have the "one for you, one for me" approach. After buying some Christmas cards in Paperchase, I felt it only fair that I had a little gander round Miss Selfridge. I then saw these studded super stretch jeans and accidentally bought them... They are glitzy but not OTT and the fit is truly fabulous- tight but with a little stretch. Cut a fine figure and pair with a silky cami. £45

4. This is my new favourite perfume - L'Ombre Dans L'Eau by Diptyque. Though Tom Ford Violet Blonde made the Christmas list this year, I am madly in love with this delectable scent. It is floral but fresh, sweet but seductive and I just love it! Anyone want to treat me?... £50 from Liberty

5. All together now... AWW! This Alex Monroe charm bracelet is the perfect gift for a loved one this Christmas- delicate but a little edgy, I love the key charms- £135

6. This Rock'N'Rose Key charm necklace at £21 is a lovely partner to this dainty Alex Monroe bracelet and is the perfect understated pendant to go with everything from sexy separates through to grecian maxi dresses with decadent layered pendants.

7. I have always been a big fan of Marks & Spencers handbags- they are very much design led, and not everyone knows to look in good old M&S when hunting for a handbag. This quilted patent number with glossy gold detail is beautifully made and has a real high-end quality, plus it's only £25

8. Last but not least, I give you my favourite ankle boots ever! Okay... This week. I love these Zara leopard print heels. They are just so ferociously hot and I want them... NOW. After all, I haven't met a leopard print I didn't like! 

What do you lovely lot think of this look?!

Dapper Darlings

1. Slick Black Jacket from The Kooples £340
2. Chain and Bead Clutch from Zara £49.99
3. Sequin Skinny Trousers from Reiss £99
4. Céline tee from Farfetch- currently sold out, but if you're desperate, check THIS out.
5. Stunning chain detail heels from Zara £69.99

I know that the party season is not the easiest time when it comes to fashion- so many parties/events, such little time ! It's a hard life, isn't it?

Anyway, I thought i'd put together a few little posts about some killer evening looks with a little bit of a difference. First up, we have something for the more sophisticated sort.

If you're bored of the old LBD, then a two piece suit could be just the thing for you.

1. Blazer from River Island £40
2. Glitter Heels from Topshop £50
3. Grey Wide Leg Trousers from Reiss £125
4. Cocktail Ring from Accessorize £12
5. Embellished Clutch bag from Topshop £70
6. Delicate embellished top from Miss Selfridge £45

 It doesn't need to be a black tux with a classic white blouse, though, this season ever brand from The Kooples through to River Island have come up with a more party-ready take on this classic look.

Whether you decide to add a touch of glamour with sequinned trousers, or keep it understated with a muted dove grey palette, the suit is always a sexy alternative to a little dress!

1. Multi-Row Cross Pendants from River Island £12
2. Topshop Bralet £32
3. Metallic Bronze Blazer from The Kooples £350
4. Matching Bronze Shorts from The Kooples £150
5. Black Velvet Wedges by Kurt Geiger £220
6. Lovely Stud Detail Clutch by Missguided £22.99

Add a few sparkly accessories and sophisticated shoes to add a feminine touch to a sharp tailored suit. And if you really can't bare to cover up head-to-toe, then try a short suit.

The Kooples have such wonderful tailoring season by season, and for the party season they really have pulled out all the stops with this metallic shorts suit- a real favourite with fashion bloggers and celebrities alike.   

1. Tweed Blazer from Topshop £68
2. Young Hearts Run Free t-shirt by Wildfox £70
3. Tweed Trousers from Topshop £40
4. Gorgeous grey pouch bag from Whistles £55 (great price)
5. Beautiful Violet Heels from Zara £39.99
6. Collar Necklace by Dannijo $445
7. Revlon Nails in Plum Seduction (at Boots) £6.99

Finally, to stop a simple grey or black suit veering into office territory, keep it bright and bold with colour pop accessories and kitsch touches, like a cute Wildfox tee or Markus Lupfer knit.

Ultimately, a suit is smart, clean and sure to make you stand out from the hoards of girls in cutaway body-con dresses. 

Jumpsuited and Booted

1. Watch at River Island on ASOS £20
2. Gorgeous studded collar by Zara £19.95
3. Flame Alexa Handbag (so, so, so painfully beautiful) £2500
4. Leopard and stud heels £49.99
5. Black and White Tailored Jumpsuit with sexy slit back from Topshop £60

Yes, it's official, basically every necklace on the blog is from Zara, but they are sooo pretty and such good value!

Anyhow, onwards we go, and I just had to share with you all my latest purchase- this incredibly chic and versatile jumpsuit from Topshop. It fits like an absolute dream, is so comfortable and you can dress it up or down (which is my catchphrase, by the way)

It is the perfect blank canvas for seriously killer accessories like the ones I have featured in this edit- ie this delicious Mulberry handbag and these vicious Zara heels that are just the right side of tacky... Gotta love a bit of leopard print.

Holiday Wardrobe #3

Yes... Most of my summer clothes are from Zara... so shoot me.

Hope you're enjoying my posts! I'm having a great time back in London (even though it is ridiculously busy- two weeks until Olympic mayhem!) as i'm working on guest editing the October issue of Company Magazine (read more about it here) which is super duper exciting. Yesterday me and the other grads styled and interviewed Fazer and i've spent today working on my feature for the issue- how very exciting!

Very much looking forward to another day at Company HQ tomorrow- I WANT TO WORK THERE SO MUCH. 

Holiday Wardrobe #1

So now i'm officially back from beautiful sunny Spain (boo-hoo) and have been home for all of two minutes before setting of to the big smoke for #companygrads this week! I'm so excited and can't wait to guest edit the October issue of one of my all time favourite mags. I'll be keeping you posted this fabulous week, but in the meantime i'm going to do something I very rarely do... Outfit posts!

This is the first of a series of posts featuring my favourite outfits from my holiday taken with my new Canon DSLR camera (or DLR, as I referred to it once... I shall never live that down!). I just thought you might be interested to see my relaxed summer looks which, on closer inspection, resemble the Zara lookbook for SS12... Woops. For a poor student I sure buy my fair share of Zara attire.

Look #1 is one of my more covered up looks (oh dear... it was hot, okay?!) of the fortnight. I bought this studded check shirt from Zara as i'm a stud magpie and I just love it. It's every bit as gorgeous unbuttoned with a black maxi as it is buttoned up with white denim shorts. Paired with my beloved new Zara stud sandals (a real hit at airport security...) it really is a lovely look and so comfortable. Perfect for strolling around Barca in a vicious thunderstorm!

Hope you like it, do let me know! This shirt shall be making an appearance at Company HQ this week, I reckon. Paired with jeans, my JCs and muchas bling. Sound good? Any other suggestions just pop a comment below- every single one makes me smile!