For our anniversary supper at the weekend I wore: a Sandro gold sequin jacket (similar here and here), Topshop Jamie Jeans, Whistles sculptured blouse and Isabel Marant Dicker boots, with Clinique Black Honey on my nails. 

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WHAT I WORE: ALL WHITE

The frankly HILARIOUS title of this post is so, because it makes reference not only to my new white jeans, but to every other part of me - as you can see I am very much in need of the sun that has recently arrived in London. I look positively iron deficient I know, but that's what university finals can do to a gal, seeking out natural light sadly fell rather low on my list of priorities over the last month!

 I'm very much enjoying the addition of white jeans to my wardrobe and mostly wear them as here, with other neutrals to ensure I don't stray into that "bad" white jean territory. 
I wore this outfit for a stroll around Richmond at the weekend, and can confirm my bag gets pretty unpopular when it repeatedly reflects the sun into the eyes of unsuspecting passers by.  

I'm wearing: Topshop white Jamie jeans, Whistles Stevie cashmere jumper, Jimmy Choo Candy clutch and Russell & Bromley ballet flats.

SHOPPING WISH LIST

 

The above are all on my shopping wish list at the moment. The jacquard coat is from Zara and would be pure perfection with ankle grazing denim and ballet flats for the move into Spring. The stripe top and simple leopard heels are both Topshop - stripes speak for themselves (we always need more) - but the leopard heels would be such a great addition for evening drinks. ESPECIALLY with some ripped denim (these are Topshop too) and a simple top, like, say, this white Whistles one? Last but not least, I'd love to get some Klorane dry shampoo in my cupboard. I've always known it's not wise that I wash my hair every day and so need to get involved in this dry shampoo malarky. I am not a fan of Batiste - too powdery, too scented. I'm told this one is the bees knees though.

 

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NEW STUDDED SHOES

I don't know about you, but I've been lusting after a certain pair of Valentino studded flats for AGES. They are perfection, ain't no doubt about it. But perfection comes at a price. A hefty price. So step up the ever-reliableTopshop and their Maisy flats: a homage to the most beautiful flats going (get them here). Yes I fully accept they aren't the same, but they try their very hardest and I am more than happy to welcome them into the fold. 

Here I am frolicking in my new shoes. I have no photographer at the mo - cue grainy photos with irritating phone-blocking-much-of-the-shot detailing. 

I'm sporting these lovely shoes with Topshop waxed black Leigh jeans and denim jacket and a Whistles cashmere jumper.

Oh and P to the S... this outfit would look sweet with the Jimmy Choo Candy glitter clutch I'm currently spending every waking minute lusting after. 

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A CHRISTMASSY LIST

It's not like me to let nigh on 5 days of December pass by before uploading my Christmas list to le blog. But I've been hideously busy with work and squeezing in a trip to The Pig in the New Forest for my boyfriend's birthday (it was blooming INCREDIBLE. For a spot on review head over to Milly's blog). I have been neglecting my Christmas and birthday montage for far too long. Yes that's right, Christmas and birthday within three days of each other. Pretty darn tough on the joint-present side.

 

Anywho, I digress. Here is my festive montage in all its glory!



 The recurring theme this year seems to be a desperation for cashmere and Jo Malone. I suppose something about this time of year makes me want to stockpile cashmere like a mad person and smell darn good doing it. 

I'm hoping to don the grey cashmere Whistles dress and beautiful jewelled ASOS earrings on Christmas day. Can you think of anything more comfortable?

The Reiss dress found its way on to the montage because this year I'm heading to Scotland for New Year's Eve and would love a party dress befitting the occasion. I've seen this fellow in store and it is uber cool whilst looking something like a wrapped present. I love it.

 

One member of the montage doesn't require much explanation. I would ruddy LOVE to revel in a little Marant for my 25th birthday bash - hint hint to the man in my life!

 

I always enjoy flannel nightwear post-Christmas and this grey check night shirt from The White Company is just the ticket. Unlike most nightshirts it is not ridiculously short. It's what I like to think of as a cosy length rather than a sort of attempt-to-be-sexy length. That's not what I look for in my flannel nightwear. Heavens no. When not in my nightshirt, I'd like to be lounging in front of the Downton Christmas special wearing the navy cashmere Cos joggers.

 

This year I'd also like to get more serious about hair care. I won't lie - after seeing the brilliant Bumble & Bumble video recording the Man Repeller's quest for french hair I had to get my hands on this pomade. So much so that my boyfriend's sister in law in America kindly got hold of it for me and it'll be winging its way to me in time for my birthday. A Parlux hairdryer would also be a dream addition - I've heard only good things and would be ridiculously excited to call this my own. Not to mention at the moment I currently haul a humongous hairdryer around and this compact Parlux one would open up precious suitcase inches for other things.

 

Outrageous  aspirational gifts aside, I always love adding to the old DVD collection and after reading a (admittedly rather a trashy chick-lit) novel about Meryl Streep films this summer, I'm anxious to see Heartburn (I've just finished the book) and Kramer vs Kramer. I also recently discovered Natalie Duncan on Weekend Wogan (I love radio 2 - don't knock it it's my thing) and am eager to add her album to my collection.

You may or may not know, depending on whether you follow my nattering on twitter, but I'm a quiet, closet, behind closed door fan of the Real Housewives. Specifically OC and NY if you're curious. Partial to a bit of Beverly Hills too though. Given this, and my new found love for Carole Radziwill, I'm keen to read her New York Times Bestseller: 'What Remains'. You can probably tell I'm not a literary snob - I just like to read what I'm drawn to and that can range from aforementioned chick lit to serious reads the likes of which one wouldn't be ashamed to bring up at a party. (My sister has been known to say I only read things with cupcakes on the cover. My reputation has never recovered).

 

Last but not least, I'd be overjoyed to receive a Garance Dore poster. I just know it would look brilliant framed in my flat - there is something so lovely about this caped girl.

 

I hope you're enjoying compiling your Christmas lists and enjoying the joys of December in general. It really is the best time of year in my humble opinon.

 

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WHAT I WORE

I wore this little ensemble yesterday evening (the first vaguely summery evening all week! The rain is back today natch). We popped round the corner to a lovely pub near our flat for drinks and supper. I hit up the prosecco as I do all too often these days... and then we shared a darn delicious scallop starter before I tucked into sausages and mash washed down with a glass of rioja. Fun was had by all.

A sudden movement there made me lose my hand for a sec... Never fear, all is well.

I wore a Whistles blouse, Topshop 7/8ths jeans, Isabel Marant Dicker boots, Annina Vogel charm necklace and Essie Clam Bake upon my nails. 

This Whistles blouse is a relatively new acquisition - it wandered into my life during a post-exam season mini-spree. I'd been living in an attractive rotating combination of leggings/jogging bottoms/totes/big jumpers for well over a month and to break back into proper dressing was an utter joy. [Note to self: Amass a more attractive range of lounging clothes.] 

I was still mopping my eyes as I'm wont to do when an exam is over, and was by then well into my standard deep and multi dimensional coping strategies for when the news I'd failed by epic proportions was delivered a few weeks later. But it is a testament to the strength of my stylish spirit that I was (between gulps and through bleary eyes) able to clearly spot and decisively pick up this blouse (and another like it) and steer myself to the changing room and onwards to the till in some sort of detached trance. I also advised the mother in no uncertain terms about buying herself a lovely pair of deep red Russell and Bromley ballet pumps to go with her navy chinos. My devotion to lovely things knows no bounds. 

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P.S. Perhaps at this point I should clarify - I did manage to pass all my exams (phew) and so the coping strategies/plans of skipping the country and hitching lifts across the Australian outback with nothing but my wits to guide me are on hold until next summer.)

HOLIDAY TIME

It's that time of year again - hurrah! The coral nail varnish is out, the exfoliating, buffing and moisturising has begun in earnest, and I'm getting a little over excited about my impending trip to the mecca that is Heathrow Terminal 5 (you think I'm joking, I'm not. I love it. I already know what my airport outfit is.) 

I'm off on holiday in but a few days, and as per, have been crafting and re-crafting my 'what to pack' list. 

I really like having a clear list of things to bring so that a) I know what to pack (duh) and b) so that when I'm on holiday I don't have outfit panics and can glide from one darn fine outfit to the next. This is mostly for evening and day trips, because realistically much of my time is spent with my nose in a book by the pool, much to my boyfriend's chagrin. He's a pool games and bike rides sort of a fellow...

We're off to the same place in France that we've been early-"summering" at for a few years now with his parentals (Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse). I only need one or two evening outfits, most evenings are spent in what I hope resembles a sort of effortlessly stylish comfort - navy mariners and cream light cable knits for when a chill is in the air; white cotton blouses and cut-off denim shorts or jeans. 

My summer packing elements remain much the same as last year and form the foundations of my holiday wardrobe. Basic tees, pretty blouses, denim cut offs, one pieces and bikinis, fine gold jewellery, simple neutral sandals, black havaianas and converses, a favourite perfume or two (mine are Jo Malone Wild Bluebell for day and Pomegranate Noir for evening). 

I've always favoured white cotton blouses for Spring and Summer, and I recently came across these two little fellows in Whistles - they're everything I ever wanted from white cotton blouses and more. I stumbled across them in a post-exams haze, so glad am I that even with my befuddled brain their brilliance still shone out from amongst the rails. 

Whistles blouses - perfecto. 

I've fallen pretty hard for Topshop's new Neppy tees. Have you seen them? Yes they have that strange curved hem that hangs a little too low at the back, but they are so good. I've been wearing them so often. Some would say too often. I highly recommend. 

  

As well as the usual basics I think it's really nice to have a few bits and pieces that you feel are really special and you look forward to wearing whilst you're away. My new hero bits and pieces for this holiday include my delumptious Isabel Marant blue jacket, red frill Topshop shift dress and simple black Topshop blouse with lace panels. 

I'm very excited, and will be taking photos to share on Le Blog in no time at all! 
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