Wednesday Envy: Blake Lively

Besides metallic accessories i've never owned a metallic item of clothing. I always try things on but just feel like a bit of a spaceman or like a marathon runner with one of those foil wraps you get after you've run a race.  Though after seeing Blake Lively in this ensemble I think I would feel anything but something from out of space. 

Blake was wearing this gorgeous Gucci metallic skirt at Sprinkles Bakery in New York to launch her own cupcake, the 'Smore's cupcake' (uhh yum!)

I like it because it's a classic look of skirt and shirt but the metallic pop makes it feel fun and youthful. The only thing i'm not keen on are Blake's green Brian Atwood pumps. But each to there own (I do like how she's matched her nails to her shoes though). 

Get the look:

1.PACO Banana Heeled Suede Platform Court Shoes £90.00, Topshop

2.Chiffon pleat front shirt  £36, Topshop

3. Ziba regal panel collection brooch £25, House of Fraser

4.  Premium metallic pleat skirt £90, Topshop

Along with sequins and all things glitter the high street has gone bling bling for metallics, so if you want to incorporate a bit of shine into your wardrobe there's a great variety for you to choose from. 

1. Premium metallic calf skirt £60, Topshop

2. Metallic Hot-pants £19.99, New Look

3. Cambridge Satchel Silver Metallic Satchel £100, ASOS

4.  Silver foil jumper £42, Miss Selfridge

5. Mirror Metallic Skinny Belt £3.50, ASOS

6.Oasis Sandblast Trio Earring Set £6, ASOS

7.  Metallic nails in hyperreal £6, Topshop

8. Rose gold round face watch £25, River Island

9. Gold metallic nail wraps by Nail Rock£6.50, Topshop

10. SCALA Metallic Court Shoe £25, ASOS

11. Double Ziped Black Mini Skirt £27.27, Romwe.com

12.  Gold Metallic Look Blouse £23.95, Romwe.com

Fashion: All that Glitters

You may have adorned your tree with tinsel and baubles of glitter this christmas making it look perfectly festive. But glitter (in my opinion) should never just be left on the christmas tree. It's also a great way to shine this party season. 
Dolce and Gabbana, Chanel and Diane Von Furstenberg embraced shimmering style and even Vogue Veteran Anna Wintour stepped out in sequinned skirt suit so you know it's a winner this winter. 

Spring 2012 catwalks

I think my love of all things glittery stem from my youth of roll on body glitter (don't judge I was 14 at the time) which has blossomed into a full on magpie addiction with all things shiny. 
It's not just dresses this season that have been given a glitzy makeover. If you prefer your LBD then perk up a black ensemble with an embellished clutch or sequinned block heels. 
Even better news is that Spring sees sequin's staying power with Ellie Saab, Jenny Packham and Anna Sui's runaways bedazzling in 2012. 
Okay maybe not a spring staple for every day wear but certainly invest in a be-sparkled evening piece now (especially as they'll probably all be in sale as of boxing day) and rock it from now until Summer.  

Get the look:

1.  Sequin Silvery Shift Dress £47.89, ROMWE.com

I love this dress! If I had any money right now this is what I would by in a heart beat (theres only 5 left, so get a wiggle on if you want to nab one and make me insanely jealous!)

2. Vero Moda Navajo Sequin Mini Skirt £26, ASOS

Now in the sale (yey!) but not in my size (boo!) 

3. Twinkle Glitter bag £26, French Connection 

4. Kandee after8 platforms £198, New Look

A little bit more the I would normally pay for shoes (well quite a lot more) but it's a classic shape, with a platform base meaning they'll be super comfortable and the stunning emerald shade will add the X factor to any classic outfit.

5.Butter London Henley Regatta Glitter Nail Polish £12, Butter London

6. All-over Crystal Detachable Collar £14.65, ROMWE.COM

7. NYX Glitter eye palette £6, nyxcosmeticsstore.co.uk

My mum and I both bought one of these palettes for each other this christmas and I literally can't wait to use it for a night out (though I have been wearing it around the house, glam up the pyjama's) 

To do: Field of Light

A lot of people come to Bath around Christmas time to do a bit of shopping, visit the German markets or enjoy the tourist spots like the Jane Austen Museum. 
If you are taking a trip to Bath this winter then you should definitely stop off at the Holburne Museum and take in the field of light.
Designed by Bruce Munro, The 'Field of Light at the Holburne consists of over 5,000 bulbs of light planted in the grounds of the Museum and flow into the Garden Cafe. Acrylic stems are topped by frosted spheres which are threaded with fibre optic cables and lit by a colour projector'. 


I visited a few weeks back as the sun was setting and it is pretty spectacular seeing the true effect of the lights dancing away in the night. 

The field of light is open until the 8th Jan from 4-7pm and is free admission. Definitely worth a look if your heading that way. 

Photo Friday

One thing I love about American's is their enthusiasm for holiday's. 

I'd love to experience a true american thanksgiving and watch the parade or go trick or treating (it's not the same in the UK). One of the holiday's that they truly go all out on is Christmas. Obviously in the UK we try too but it just doesn't feel the same. 

When I was in America I saw some amazing christmas decorations. Everything looked amazing and festive. I walked one block and saw about 20 christmas trees ranging from traditional to bright and colourful. Though, none can beat the one at the rockerfeller centre. 

At radio city theatre and Macy's they had huge tree's made of lights which was so hard to capture in a picture but they were truly stunning. Makes my poor little christmas tree pale in comparison. 

Still cute though. 

Nail Art

Literally the night before I flew to New York I was manically panicking till about midnight but still decided it would be a good idea to paint my nails. 

But not just paint them, I decided to do a little american themed artwork. And whats more american then the american flag. 

I just used cheap nail pens off Ebay (it came in a pack of about 30 with some pretty weird colours, but most of them are quite nice and they work pretty well). 

I only did the thumbs as I was shattered at this point so painted the rest a glittery hue from Butter London. 

All the glitter nails chipped within the first 5 days but the flags miraculously lasted the whole time I was there.

I'm now trying to think of some festive nail designs I can do for Christmas on Sunday but my last attempt at snowflakes went a little bit wrong so maybe this time I'll go for something a tad easier. 

Must Make: Hot Chocolate cupcakes

Firstly i'm going to state that I love baking! 

I'm not bothered about making meals or canapes but throw a cake, brownie or cupcake recipe at me and I want to make it there and then. 

Now I'm not sure how I came across this blog but I love Diary of A ladybird's idea for hot chocolate cupcakes. 

They look so cute and dainty.

Now I'll admit I did try and make a version of these recently but I was a bit rushed for time and completely burnt the cake to a cinder before I even got a chance to do the fun decorating stuff.

I think I might give them another go soon though as they'd make cute christmassy cupcakes. Just add a bit of white buttercream frosting for whipped cream on top and add a little mini candy cane.

 Yum!

Fashion: The roaring 20's

I recently went to watch Midnight in Paris, not really knowing what to expect as most of the reviews I read tried not to to give away the plot-line (so I apologise in advance if I give away any details if you haven't seen it already). 

Now I will admit some of the story may have gone a bit over my head with certain references but one thing I truly loved was the fashion. Especially as it was from one of my favourite eras, the 20's. 

Ahh the scalloped and handkerchief hemlines, the embellishment, the hair and of course dancing away to the charleston. 

It's a trend that i'm happy to say is making its way back onto the fashion scene once again and I bet it will continue into 2012, especially when The Great Gatsby remake is released next year. 

As the party season is upon us i've seen a lot of gorgeous 20's style dresses on the high street. 

Sequinned and fringed to perfection, if i had a christmas party to go to this year (or just money would do) I definitely would choose something 20's inspired. 

Get the look:

1. Diamante feather clip £18, Accessorize

2. Metal shell clutch bag £35, Accessorize

3. Nude Embellished Vest Dress £70, Miss Selfridge

4. Black flapper style dress £50, Dorothy Perkins

5. Suzie Mary Jane Patent Heel Court Shoe £45, ASOS

6. Black T-bar courts £20, Dorothy Perkins

Pretty Purchase

Now i'm meant to be saving what little money I have for my trip to New York on Monday. But after taking a slight detour on the way to get currency I found myself in Topshop stood in front of a dress (slightly drooling). 

It's one i've seen on lots of fashion blogs and have admired for a while but didn't want to be a sheep and copy everyone else and buy it. 

However after seeing it in person I felt it was my duty to myself to at least try it on and then if I looked horrible I could leave it to the fashionista's. 

But once on, I then found myself not wanting to take it off. 

LOVE Aubergine Asymmetrical Maxi Dress £48

It's by love label and has a dropped back hemline or 'mullet' skirt (which sounds a bit too ugly a description for such a pretty style) and is super silky in my favourite colour of the moment Berry Red.

to-ks.blogspot.com

Vanessa at pure-lovers.blogspot.com

It wasn't that expensive but I have no idea when or where i'm going to wear it?

 Maybe on my birthday in Jan but i'm a bit worried the maxi skirt might get ruined or make it impractical. Though I did try draping it around the back through a belt and it looks quite nice that way as well.

But I love it, so I don't care. 

It's Mine! :)

Photo Friday

This is a little collage I made after my last trip to New York two years ago. It was ridiculously hot and humid which made a trip to Coney Island an essential out of the city spot. 

I loved it so much, it was like stepping back in time with the perfect weather, the wooden cyclone and retro shop fronts. As we're going back next week, unfortunately Coney Island wont be open but there's a million and one amazing things to do equally in the winter months. So I'm sure there's going to be loads of New York themed posts to come. 

E.X.C.I.T.E.D!