Charm bracelet (Chamilia and Pandora)

So, this is my new obsession. . .

xxx The Charm Bracelet!xxx

I am sure you will see a lot more of this bracelet in future posts but I wanted to do a little post today about the bracelet for two main reasons

Firstly, I just want to show you how beautiful it is and show off how quickly I'm filling it up. I haven't even had it for long at all yet but isn't it growing?! I feel like I've given birth to it.

Secondly, I wanted to let you know about the offer I spotted in H Samuels. If you buy over so much worth of Chamilia charms then you get a free bracelet to home them on. I think, it was £75 in store to be spent but the website says £100 so it may be best to check with the H Samuels branch local to you. I also asked the staff of mine about when the offer ends but nobody seemed to know though I wonder if it might be Christmas Eve. I would also not be surprised if other jewellers and maybe even Pandora themselves might be doing some kind of equally competitive offer. The free bracelet I got is currently being sold for £55 so that is quite a saving!

Now admittedly as cute as the Chamilia charms are, some of the Pandora ones got my heart too and the main reason I got the Chamilia charm bracelet was the bracelet offer and the fact that you can put Pandora charms and many other charms (not all the Troll ones though) on a Chamilia bracelet, mixing it up a bit.

Obviously my bracelet is in the making and nowhere near ordered or complete yet (but well, it might not take so long given my enthusiasm and all that ; ) ) however, here are the charms and beads I have so far.

1 The Chamilia Kaleidoscope Bead. I love a bit of glitz. This was the first bead I chose and it instantly makes the bracelet. The sparkle from this bead is beautiful and could easily form a beautiful bracelet on it's own. It also reminds me to sparkle, sparkle, sparkle and never to lose my sparkle! Its meant to make me smile every time I look down on it

2 The Pandora Perfume Bottle When I heard that there was a retired Pandora Perfume Bottle Charm, I obviously was straight on to EBay trying to track one down. Scent has always been a big part of my life and I can remember exactly what I was wearing when da da dah  happened and blah de bla bla and I've often spent more time choosing what scent  I'm going to wear then I have choosing what clothes to wear!

3 The Pandora Duckling was my first Pandora bead (woo!) and reminds me of two gorgeous little children in my family that I don't get to see so much anymore. We always used to go and feed the ducks and few trips have ever made me happier.

4 The Frog Prince This charm is what the charm bracelet was all about for me. The Frog Prince is so cute and how one little charm can have so much character is amazing. Look, at that cheeky smile! : )
I HAD to have him and a bracelet to home him. I'm not sure if  my Frog Prince is a genuine Pandora one, I got him from EBay and have my doubts but I love him just the same. He has the same cheeky smile, crown and mischievous eyes. When I look down on him, he makes me laugh 'cos I fear I once knew a frog who claimed to be a Prince but wasn't : / This little charm helps me to see the funny side in it all. It also reminds me that nothing is ever what it seems, there can be two sides to every character/story and depending on my mood, this little charm reminds me that every prince can be a frog or maybe that I shouldn't overlook a frog for he may be my Prince. I don't know, I guess this Frog Prince intrigues me and I can't help being attracted to that.

5 The Pandora Shopping Bag This charm reminds me of several things. Firstly, it is for my Mum, a big fan of bows and somebody who has spent hours keeping me company and window shopping (Note: That IS "window" shopping as we told Dad . . .) with me these last few months. This charm also reminds me why I work on those bad days (though on the whole, I love my job) and encourages me to do those few extra hours when I'm inclined to feel a bit lazy and say, 'No'. This little shopping bag is like a little incentive to work hard, reminding me that I might just reap some rewards!

6 My Chamilia Heart lock I wanted a lock so my beads weren't running up and down. Being me, a big softie, I also wanted a heart on my bracelet  ASAP 'cos well, the heart is always important and this one sparkles too. The way it stands out makes it so much more then a lock. Bonus!. 

I never really "got" the idea of charm bracelets until a couple of weeks ago but these charms are so intricate. The character and overall result is amazing and more often then not so adorable that I can see it is going to be hard to narrow down which charms actually make it on to "my" bracelet. I LOVE that, this is my bracelet!!! I'm going to build it up and each thing on it will have meaning to me and sort of tell my story. I just LOVE that idea! 

Have you got a charm bracelet or anything? What is your favourite charm? I hope you have all had a fab weekend.

The Prodiga Military Jackets!

 

 

Image from the Prodiga website here

So it seems all I post at the moment is wish lists and products I'm swooning over but it's just I like to share with you what catches my eye. I've also been quite busy this week and so longer posts have had to go on the back burner for a few days but I'm hoping to get something else (not a wish list or swoon) up tomorrow today (just noticed the time!).

In the meantime, I thought I would say hello to you all *waves again* and show you yet another winter coat that I really like the look of, this military jacket from Prodiga. It comes in two colours, white and black and both are gorgeous.


Image from the Prodiga website here

Millie Mackintosh from Made In Chelsea is the brand ambassdor for Prodiga and indeed, this is a garment I can imagine her strutting around in. As a military jacket, it seems 'on trend' and probably always will be as military is the one trend that does not seem to be passing. To be honest, I have not always found the military trend that wearable. Sometimes, I fear it bulks my top half up and swamps my bottom half but the peplum detail on this jacket is supposed to balance the silhouette out a bit more making this jacket not only pretty and feminine but also flattering. Flattering, there is an adjective that is not often used to describe a garment that also appears so warm, cosy and functional. These jackets also have crystal embellishment on the wrists which adds that little sparkle I like to see in pieces and just hints at the slightly higher end price tag that this jacket comes with.

Sigh, if only I could afford it!!!

Do you like this jacket? Would you wear it? Do you know of any high street 'dupes' or anything similar? I hope you all have a happy Friday.

 

X

So tempted . . .

Er oh, there could be some trouble brewing as I am (very) tempted to go blond!

Yes, it would be a bit foolish and quite likely, stupid; bad; ridiculous and dangerous also but suddenly, I feel compelled to be blond. Actually, to be honest, it was only as sudden as Milly's new look, I love her new blonder locks!

Yes, I know, I have gone on and on about wanting longer and longer hair. However, I have recently come to the sad conclusion that my natural hair will never be more then longish. It seems, I was never destined for Rapunzel-like locks, no matter how many beans I eat or how much I splurge on the latest hair miracle. Sob!

Therefore, why shouldn't I throw caution to the wind (me bitter?! pah!) and go to the lighter side?

I've briefly crossed this border before and the result is one, I try to block out. Straw comes to mind. This horrible hue, I rarely allow my mind to recall, was created entirely by highlights and I think, that was my mistake. I was thinking about the health of my hair too much and consequently followed the salon's advice, to avoid the bleach. However, I spent that much time and heat trying to style a look that carried the patchy, brash colour better, that, even without bleach, my hair was well and truly fried within weeks and um, I was still not happy with my hair!

So I've learnt my lesson and honestly, can't see how throwing bleach in to the process could cause any more disappointment then what I felt last time I crossed to the lighter side. If I do take the plunge again then this time, it will be with a plan:
1) Pre-lighten hair at home with bleach
2) Tint at home
3) Then get highlights at the hairdressers.
I have watched a few You Tube videos and these steps seem to have achieved a reasonable success rate for darker brunettes like myself. I know this is not the proper way to go blond. If any of my friends or indeed any of you asked me about going blonde, I would advise the salon but what is it, that they say?! Do as I say, not as I do (or contemplate!).

My personal plan seems economical and means I'm more likely to get a colour that I want rather then the standard sensible compromise that is normally nervously swished by those leaving the salons. Still, it is a big decision (in the barnet context)  and I will not make my choice lightly. I am going to take some time and see if this crazy yearning passes.

In the mean time, I am going to use one of my favourite intensive conditioners, the Lee Stafford Treatment for Hair That Never Grows Past A Certain Length to pack lots of goodness in my hair just in case . . !

FYI: This is my ideal blonde look. Fingers crossed, I might be able to achieve something similar if I keep my love for hair extensions alive.

Found in Hairideas magazine, page 91, February 2012. They have credited the MAURICE MEADE ARTISTIC TEAM, AUSTRALIA

Are you blonde? Is it natural? If not, how do you do it? Brunettes and Redheads, have you ever been tempted to cross the divide?

X

To the sea. . !

For me, it isn't Christmas without a little visit to the sea!

Especially when I have a new Canon 550 DSLR (yes, I believe, I may have already mentioned this . . !) to play with.

This is West Bay, folks, one of my favourite places ever. To be honest, the Canon seems to have romanticised and flattered this little piece of coastline a little. West Bay is amazing but for me, its strength lies not in its beauty but in it's character.

The wind and the waves are, more often then not, fierce. Whenever I'm at West Bay, I seem to find some perspective. Those waves have been rolling for thousands of years and probably will continue for thousands more. It reminds me how small we all are, in the 'big picture'. And before I get any deeper . . , it is also the perfect place to awaken my senses. Everything from the waves and wind to the surfers (So obviously crazy! It is late December and they are in that cold, cold water!!  *shakes head*) in the water is so alive! You almost catch energy as you stroll along the beach and stumble up the cliffs. Just what I needed to give me a great big kick out of that slovenly Post-Christmas slumber.

The important bit. . , the outfit!

 I played it quite casual with my outfit of the day. Maybe I was trying to channel a beachy feel.

I wore my new beaded vest from New Look layered over a generic black vest. I love this top, I only got it a couple of weeks ago after seeing it on Laura's blog (here!) but it is beautiful and perfect for layering (in fact, it is sheer so layering is a must). I think, it is actually my first Yellow top ever. Officially. At the time of buying, my size wasn't available online so I decided to go a size or so up and I think, it works really well baggy. I wore this vest over faded dark denim jeans.

Again, going for that effortless feel (or maybe, I really did just make little effort. Again . . , Christmas, exhaustion, excuses . . !), I then threw on my H&M Bow trench without the bow belt (I posted about this versatile coat here!) over the top with sketchers to combat the coastal path.
Sidenote: There seems to be good reason why H&M give you so many spare buttons with this little number!

Nothing in the outfit really matched or were made to compliment each other. Yet, I think it all came together quite well and I'm tempted in 2012 to be oh so daring and throw on more items without overthinking it. Who knows what the result will be and what style (or lack of) will emerge?!

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and have an amazing New Year. Let me know what you've been up to in the comments!

X

The Glam Miss Selfridge Maxi!

Now that I've completed a few more of my core Christmas prep chores (Christmas card writing, shopping, wrapping, more Christmas card writing, more shopping and consuming a Starbucks Christmas special), my mind is starting to wander back towards the trivia like er, what will I wear for this year's celebrations?

Christmas day is a bit more of a casual affair (and actually stumping me a little) but to welcome the New Year, well, I could just be adorning the Miss Selfridge Maxi that I've been meaning to post about for ages.

I think I have mentioned before, how sometimes I go to the wardrobe just to take a peek at this little number. Once (or twice . . .), I even give in, throw it on and have a twirl. This dress just feels very 'me' and is about as close to perfect as a dress can get.

These days, too often, it is easy to look overdressed. However, New Year is the one time when too much is never actually too much. Glam, glam all the way. Show the old year that it didn't get the better of the you and start the new year in the style that'll follow!

This dress is full of promise. In one way, it is a classic, a one shouldered maxi dress. On the other hand, there are some modern twists. The shorter length of the underskirt is a bit of a tease but the chiffon overskirt, complete with slits, maintains your innocence and modesty. This piece is glamorous and memorable. I love skirts that swirl but as a shortie, maxi skirts can be a bit scary and sometimes, look a bit busy on me. However, this one seems to lengthen my body and the two piece design of the skirt means there is still a little flesh on show and therefore, proof, that there is a human in the piece somewhere!

New Year tends to be full of black dresses and sparkly tops but the beautiful, classy midnight blue colour (Miss Selfridge say that it is navy, I'm not sure it is quite that dark) of this piece is a little more unique. A shade far enough from black to give the number a little twist but close enough to flatter and conceal the body in a similar manner as little black dresses do.
Sidenote: One thing I've learnt this year is that it doesn't ALWAYS have to be black. Navy and midnight blues actually seems to work with my colouring just as well. 2012 could be the year of the Blue!

I'm not quite sure yet how to style the piece. Given the nature of the piece and the occasion, heels obviously are a must and I think, a fair degree of arm candy will be required to give the one shouldered number a little balance. Finally bag-wise, I'm thinking clutch but should it be one that sparkles or for one night only, should I leave the sparkle to everybody else?!

As for scent, I'm thinking Very Irresistable from Givenchy. Typical, that it was one of the ones I used up when I started shopping my own collection. Maybe Santa will bring the new Intense version for Christmas. Ooh and while we're on perfume, I need to get the app from Roja Dove that the lovely Beauty Bible girls posted about!

Oh and just in case, you are wondering, this piece comes with a fantastic price tag of just £39.

Are you ready for the festivities? What will you be wearing? How should I style the blue dress? What should I wear for Christmas Day?

X

Amelia's beautiful bag giveaway+Gallery No. Eight!

So do you remember a couple of months ago, I rediscovered my love for handbags. I splurged (or saved. Depends how you see it!!) on a couple of gorgeous inspired numbers, the Focco and the Miu Miu bow. I was so pleased with them and still feel a bit smug when I catch sight of them now. There really is something about a beautiful bag which brings me to the first point of this post . . .

Amelia's Giveaway



Click here for more pics and entry info!

Amelia is having a giveaway and is putting this brand new bag up as the prize. How generous!! Such a divine colour and such a beautiful looking bag. You can find out how to enter by clicking the link above and once there, make time to read some of Amelia's posts (love them) and swoon over her awesome style.
Good luck!

Gallery No. Eight

 Talking of amazing blogs, I just found this one and what an awe-inspiring collection of posts and images. If you're inspired by photos and art (the images from above are both featured on the blog, just how cool are those shoes?!), you need to check this one out. I spent a half an hour or so lost in it last night and just wish I had a fire to curl up in front of, as I peruse and dream!

I hope you all have had a fabulous weekend. Do you have a blog of your own or some favourite bloggers to share. Let me know in the comments.

X

Baby steps required!

If you look in my wardrobe, you will notice several incriminating factors . . .
1/ For every pair of trousers, there are about ten tops.
2/ Most of these tops are vest/cami style.
3/ There are far too many coats and black cropped cardis. Quite possibly, a new one each time you open the door. Magic!
4/ Work attire aside (bog-standard black trousers), my whole trouser collection almost consists of only dark blue jeans (usually skinny, occasionally straight legged)
5/ Er yeessss, Trinny and Susannah, half of my garments are still black. ( and yep, I have noticed this little affliction is slowly infiltrating this blog. Most of my featured garments over the last month or so have been black . . ! )Although forgive me, for what I lack in colour, I try to make up with in the mix of fabrics and textures I don.
6/ Although my look tends to be the pretty cami top (usually with the obligatory black shrug or 3/4 length cardi) with jeans, I do have some dresses and a few jackets cropping up. However, I have very few skirts.

In fact, there is probably only one skirt in my wardrobe that I actually wear.

I was reminded of this little pencil skirt when I saw Ruth in this recent Pixiwoo vlog. She looked so chic. You can see her OOTN post here.

I brought my little pencil skirt in Warehouse about five years ago. It was reduced to something like £12 and I still wear it today. It has to be one of my best buys ever and is certainly a garment I am very dependent on. I tend to turn to it when I have been shopping for some big occasion and have found absolutely nothing, zilch! Argh, don't you hate that? To be fair, I have also turned to this skirt when I have a brand new outfit all ready to go which suddenly on the night, doesn't look quite right!

I have paired this skirt with many things but I often pair it up with this old favourite, a Bay Trading black vest top that has a metallic v-neck (another garment that I turn to again and again.) My tiny TopShop black bolero will often be thrown on to cover the shoulders. Then I continue the metallic-black theme with these New Look heels.

A touch of fake tan, MUA varnish in No 10 (see this post) and a mix of Mac lip (possibly Snob, Viva Gaga and the In Synch lip pencil) and I'm out the door!

Sometimes to hike the classy factor up a little more, I replace the vest with a black bandeau top and a redder lip like Viva Cyndi.

Interestingly, this skirt is one I have only ever worn with my shorter length tops that finish at the waist. Normally I prefer my tops to flow (maybe it adds femininity to my usual jeans look) but with this skirt, I have found the lines need to be kept very clean or I end up looking like a girl playing dress up. The hems of the top either have to a)directly meet the waistline of the skirt or b)seamlessly disappear in to the skirt.

This skirt is made made mainly of polyester but has a lovely satin-like feel to it. It is very structured and flattering with vertical seams which just adds further to the svelte silhouette. When I brought this number, I did so on a whim and had no time to try it on. I liked what I saw and so grabbed the two remaining sizes (neither of them my ideal) and rushed to the till point. I have to say that it is the smaller skirt I choose to don and squeeze in to, even on fat days. This skirt just looks a lot better if you can wear it as tight as you can. Any gaps around the waistband has the potential to ruin the classic, clean silhouette that the pencil skirt is all about.

However be warned, even though it doesn't feel particularly tight at the waist, after I've jumped around and evantually got the zip done up, you can feel it walking and baby steps are required. This is important as there is a pretty little slit on the back of this skirt which I fear with a little too enthusiastic dancing could just ping apart sometime in the future.

Dressing up can be hard work. Tottering around on heels and baby steps ain't so easy especially after a drink or two. Still, I love this skirt, we've had some good times so I think, she's worth the effort and I have no doubt that she is worth the original £12(ish?) investment!

I've seen a few pencil skirts on the high street lately. Is it the type of  piece you are keen to have in your wardrobe? The more colourful ones remind me of Mad Men, a boxset I need to finish viewing.

Lipstick lust and Amelia's giveaway.



Image from Google Search here

For a while now, I have been swooning at the mere mention of Show Orchid from MAC. I love this colour, it is very feminine (and very similar to one of my blogging colours) but the cool purple tones give it the edge and take away any potential Barbie connotations.


Image from Google Search here

 When I've searched images of this lippie, it becomes evident that anybody can almost certainly pull this lipstick off. This lipstick seems to add beauty to any look and complexion. It is an absolutely amazing lipstick but unfortunately probably not one I could wear day to day and at work etc. I guess, this is why as of yet, the stunning Show Orchid remains on my wish list.


Image from Google Search here

MAC lipsticks are quite expensive and I already have too many 'just for pleasure' ones so I can't justify buying yet another at the moment. However, my dream lippie may still be mine as I will be choosing this lipstick if I am lucky enough to win Amelia's very generous giveaway.

You can enter to win a MAC lipstick of your choice here.

Which one would you choose, good luck!

 

Hope you're all having a good start to November. I am so excited for fireworks this weekend, love firework night. Please, please, please, don't rain! What garment is your best buy? What would I see if I peeked in to your wardrobe? Do you wear pencil skirts? What are you reading? I will make sure I include a book update in the next post or so.

X

Coat dreaming!

Wow, it is quite windy today.

I guess, there is no hope of a summer (2011 style) in England. Surprisingly I'm quite looking forward to the cooler months and the inevitable new purchases the cold weather will demand. Oh yes, a new season, what a great excuse to shop!

I've already got my beady eyes peeled for a new winter coat. Or two.

I'm usually inspired by something that I've seen on the celebrities when it comes to winter coats. However, quite often, these celebrities are of a very different build to myself and what looks good on Mrs Beckham et al won't necessarily work on me. More often then not, coats often end up looking a bit boxy or swamping me.

One celebrity I do like to keep an eye on is Kylie Minogue because like me, she is quite short!

Here are some of my favourite jackets and coats as worn by Kylie:

Image from Google search

I have never found a full length coat that works for me. Instead something like this that is mid length or shorter and swings with a bit of movement seems quite flattering. I love the fact that this coat is quite 'conventional' in shape and fabric but then there is the animal print detailing on the collar and the buttons to give it that edge.

 Image from Google search

 I love this cropped hoodie coat as it fits so well. There seems to be nil swamping action and the tomboy style coat seems to pull in, in all the right places to give quite a feminine silhoutte. It actually looks like it would be quite warm too. Fur (fake) on the hood is just so seasonal.

Image from Google Search

This one is a bit more dressy (and not exactly a coat) but again it is the length and the fabric that makes all the difference. I really want to find a jacket like this, for Christmas parties etc.

Image from Google Search

 

I do find leather a little heavy so tend to prefer a more cropped version. My favourite buy of the last twelve months was a cropped Oasis leather jacket, one which I just adore.

Image from Marie Claire

This is the coat that Kylie has recently been spotted in. This design is getting a lot of hype (Pippa Middleton was spotted in one too) and it is expected to be copied widely on the high street but to be honest, I'm not sure if it is one, I'd buy just like that.

I like the "romance" of a proper winter coat. I just don't get trench coats. To me, they equal drizzle and function. Yes, they're perfect for the weather that us Ukers are so familar with but I usually find the material and shape of trenches unforgiving and not particularly feminine plus whenever I've had a coat with a tie waist, I've been very consious of my 'derriere'!

Of course, if I spot a copy of this particular trench then I will have to try it. After all, Kylie looks great and one of my favourite colour combos is black and gold/metallic type shades.

At the very least, I'm thinking this year I may try to pull off a longer length of coat, it just looks so sophisticated and I've got to say I like the look of this mac from ASOS.

It is longer but has cropped sleeves which could counteract any swamping. It has no belt or anything to mock my figure. Also, the whole striped thing is kind of Parisian and adds some interest. What do you think?

What is your coat style? Are you lusting after a particularly gorgeous one yet? If so, link me.

X



Blog for Look Magazine!

Ok, so it is official. I want Nadine Coyle's wardrobe (throw in the hair too please, Nad). I love this look that I spied in the latest Look magazine.

Now I don't stand anywhere on the whole Nadine v Girls Aloud thing but plainly this look just works, doesn't it?! Very classic and simple and if you've got the money in the first place, easy to wear.

I absolutely adore that bag (even through we can only see half ot it) and I love the way she has balanced the look with the gorgeous trinkets on her opposite wrist. Even the nail varnish, which I suspect could look a bit dull and flat elsewhere, complements this look perfectly.

However, today's post is not about my wardrobe envy (well,not much) but about the Blogging competition for Look. I keep meaning to blog about this and er, forgetting  (oops!) but now the closing date is almost here I'm going sit here and type before I forget. Again!

Look magazine are currently running a competition to blog for them from the front row of the Look Show in September. You will also get to stay overnight in a luxury London hotel.

You can find details of how to enter here  but be warned, the closing date is next Friday at 5pm.

I read some of your blogs everyday and think you should ALL enter asap.

So, good luck!

X

TopShop shoppitdy shop!

So yesterday I shopped (or should I say hauled?!) big time. What can I say? I had some good news and I have not shopped so much lately so when I finally got out there, I couldn't really control myself!

TopShop!

When I was a student, I was the TopShop girl. Head to toe. I spent far too much in there.

Evantually with the store card paid off, I realised I should probably cut my TopShop spending down and somehow I actually more or less cut it out completely. I had moved away from student towns and cities with big TopShops. Consequently my local TopShop seemed pretty poor in comparison. Occasionally I will buy an item in there but not like I used to and the card, that has gone!

However a new, bigger TopShop has opened where I was haulling yesterday and when I went in for a little peek, well to be honest, I was quite impressed.

First because they are winking at me, let's go to the bling.

A beautiful light gold leaf cuff. Now bling may be quite a new obsession but I've always been a fan of bracelets, bangles, cuffs and such wrist-like ornaments. So this is going to be one well-loved addition to my collection. I think that it will be especially nice in the autumn, add a little class as the leaves start to fall and the nights get darker.

Carrying on with my green fingers theme. I also got this long flowery ring. You will all remember my Tanya Burr big gold dancing ring (http://essjay23x.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-dancing-ring.html). Well I wanted big in the opposite way this time and when I saw it, I knew that this was what I had been looking for.

This ring may not be the showiest in the world but it is delicate, pretty and comfortable. My dancing ring can get a bit heavy for my poor fingers sometimes.

Oh and the TopShop ring was only £1 when I got to the till. Happy, happy, happy . . !

I'm very impressed with my TopShop jewellery. In fact, I picked up many more items before cutting it down to these two. Now I want to go to an even bigger TopShop and see the Gogo Jewellery that Holly http://www.ymbeautyblog.com/2010/07/gaga-for-gogo.html  has gone Gaga about.

I also got this lovely leather purse. I thought that it was about time that I got myself a proper purse. I've never really being one for purses with lots of pockets and card holders before. My last few purses were just little coin-like ones and I would just ram whatever I could in there. They were also all black. Time to change it up and get a little colour. There were lots of colours to choose from and I nearly picked a classic brown but the little girl in me picked up the pale mint colour. It is really cute. Hopefully now, I will finally be able to find my slightly larger purse in my massive bag without emptying everything out at the tillpoint!

I also got one of these boyfriend type blazer things and a cream tunic dress. I spotted the dress and remembered seeing it in a post from Laura (http://www.lollipop26writes.com/2010/07/little-outfit-of-day-type-thing.html). She suggests combining the very girly dress with a more masculine blazer to balance the look. I want to learn to think like that! At the moment, when I am trying to put an outfit together, all I normally do is throw a couple of things I don't hate on and hope for the best. However, Laura's explanation made sense. Balance sounds good so on spotting the dress, I decided to experiment a little.

Now I was only going to try the combination on but it really did look good and much better then a lot of the other things I'd picked out myself to try so yes, I have invested!

If you get a chance, try this dress on. Honestly it made me feel so light and there is something about the way it falls. I just want to skip around and I think it is just about long enough to twirl around and around in!

As for the blazer. . ! Well to be honest, these boyfriend blazers have never appealed to me. They look great on everybody else but on a hanger, they just look so masculine and mundane. And since I know that I can barely pull anything off from outside my comfort zone, I have never even tried one on (or even wanted to). However, it worked with the dress (I think it helped that it was from the Petite session. I had a quick look at some in the normal section and the arms looked way too long) and now I'm inspired to see what else I can pair it with. Rumour is, these blazers are quite versatile if you're daring enough.

Funnily enough one of my favourite tops which I'm sure I've shown you on this blog before, is a TopShop one from about three years ago. It, too, is cream and conceals the tummy area well. This top is like an old friend but it is a chore to iron. Yep, it looks great creased but only in the right places. I do cherish this top though and it has had a lot of wear. I hope that I can say the same about my more recent TopShop purchases in three years.

So do you like TopShop? Brought anything interesting lately? Are you in to a certain look at the moment? How do you work the Boyfriend blazer?

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My new necklace+ a very pretty ring!

Look, I got my very own Sideways Cross necklace. Yeah, yeah Lollipop26 http://www.lollipop26writes.com/ style. You all know what I am like, so orginal!!!

I'm really pleased with it though. I've never had a necklace which makes me feel so grown up.

I'm not sure how easy it is going to be to keep it sitting straight - it took a bit of a play to get the shot above- but I quite like the slightly tilted thing in real life. It gives it that mismatched 'cool' effortlessly Kate Moss/Sienna Miller edge. Makes the classic a bit more bohemium! In the same way, the cross been sideways does in the first place.

Usually I am more of a bracelet person. I have got away without many necklaces for so long by wearing tops with interesting necklines.

When I have worn necklaces they tend to be the run of mill heart or initial pendant type ones, a little longer then this one or very occasionally, shorter ones full of beads since my family have a bead shop but until today, necklaces have been a special occasion thing for me.

However, I feel that this one is delicate and discreet enough (yet still contemporary) to wear everyday. Well, I don't think that I will be taking it off for a week or two anyway. Ha, this bling bling obsession does not seem to be subsiding.

I ordered my necklace from this seller on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/classicdesigns?ref=seller_info . I made the order on the Sunday before last (27th of June) and it arrived this morning all the way from Texas so I can't fault the service. There are several variations of the Sideways Cross on her website. I brought the Sideways Cross Necklace - The Original 14K Gold Filled Horizontal Cross - Handcrafted by Theresa Mink.

Theresa has some other Etsy stores and I do like (but must be good and not buy) A Summer Place, a beautiful cocktail ring inspired by the sea. I've borrowed this pic from her listing http://www.etsy.com/listing/50400292/a-summer-place-aqua-chalcedony-and

So is jewellery key in your own personal style? How do you work the bling? Ooh and have you ever made any of your own pieces, where can I check them out?

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