Eye Spy.

Some goodies I spotted whilst snooping online..


Disney Couture Shark Jaw Charm Bracelet £55

ASOS Ames Suede Ankle Boot £60

All Saints Kalman Shoe £165

Topshop Knitted Stitch Top £35

Topshop's asymmetrical update of last Winter's Wax Jacket £80

Topshop Vanity Case £45

Several items of good news;

The Topshop Make Up AW11 collection launches September, bringing us more eye shadows, mascaras, eyeliners and blushes. Most importantly, new nail varnishes intriguingly titled - In The Seasons, Camel, Utilitarian Green, Peach, Air Force Blue.

As of September 2nd Zara will have joined the ever increasing e-commerce society. Even more online shopping.

After a lovely afternoon out for lunch in Chester yesterday, I found some delicious loafers and brogues in Russell and Bromley and was surprised at a couple of pairs of cute flats in River Islands flats too.

Above courtesy of River Island.

And last, but by no means least, the temporary New Yorker I posted about is home today.

Under My Umbrella.

Rumour has it these rainy days aren't stopping any time soon and I need a new umbrella.

River Island, Cath Kidston, Topshop.

These Auto Walker umbrellas from Topshop come in the above 6 colours. At £18 I will definately be getting one but which colour?

The above 3 are by London Undercover at ASOS. I love the breakfast and chippie ones but considering they cost £55 and the rate at which I break umbrellas, I'm not sure.

As much as I need a haircut, I just find myself in the familiar predicament of what to do. I am aware with my hair, options are limited but since seeing Emma Watson has had a chop similar to mine, I want a change. Luckily, when I had long hair and chopped it off it suited me. I'm not sure if I can say the same for Emma. From what I've read I don't think I'm the only one thinking this. It is all a bit mumsy.

I'm off to London next month and due to the OCD organising thing I have been busy planning every minute of our time there. Trying not to see and do the same things as last time, obv. Any ideas or recommendations would be greatly received. Hidden treasures and all that.

All About Me.

I bought these home from work last night and am waiting on the ring.

Topshop; Dress £45, Scarf £18, Ring £16.50

If no one has heard of All About Me and/or All About Us books, get one. They're books full of questions about you or you and your partner. I bought both and the All About Me book is a brilliant idea for a present, for you to leave to the younger generation (a combination of my organisedness with my morbidity) or if you want to know more about someone. With 25 chapters from Morals to Memories, Fears to Favourites, and the more awkward things to write (or admit) in the Sexuality chapter. The All About Us book covers everything in your relationship (as it suggests), including Turn-ons and Turn-offs, Uncomfortable Moments, Sex & Company and The Long Run. Personally, we fill it out together, often bringing some 'interesting' conversation to the table, but you don't have to.

Over the last week or so I have been the cinema 3 times (not alone may I hasten to add). I have now seen Step Up 3D, Toy Story 3 and Inception. Inception was by far the best, if you loved Shutter Island and/or Leonardo then it'll be a winner for you too. To the point were we're thinking of going to see it again. Step Up and Toy Story were good but most definately outshone. Plus I'm not 3D's biggest fan. Rosie's film review completed.

I'm off to mourn the airing of The Hills finale. Join me, won't you?

Coats, Car Insurance And Clothes.

I know Topshop are getting some of the most delicious jackets/coats/capes, they're on the graphics around the shop. But what I don't know is a) when they are coming in b) why they aren't already in - do they not know Summer has been and gone? We have to face the sad fact that Winter is upon us. And c) why they would tease us with distressed leather, sheepskin linings and military capes and not provide the goods? I am very stubborn and if these coats don't come until I've already commenced battle with Britain's harsh weather I shall refuse to buy one (or try anyway). Until such a time, I shall drool over this Paul & Joe Sister cape (not literally, that would mean I could afford such a beautiful Winter warmer and at the same time could have so little respect for it). Courtesy of Net-A-Porter at £1,030.

A little depressed this month. It's car insurance month. As much as I love the independance yada yada... I would LOVE some Alexander Wang in my life. It's when you think of all the things you could be spending that money on it gets you down. Like today. And yesterday. And every other day I've been trying to save this stupid money. If it is true that there are almost 2million uninsured drivers in the UK, that is a lot of premiums saved. Excuse me for making assumptions but I bet they aren't spending their saved pennies wisely. They are probably more into substance abuse and aiding and abetting than investing in a luxurious Proenza Schouler PS1.

On a more positive note, new clothes. As well as some lovely underwear sets, I got (unfortunately) not Viv's ring below but Topshop's impressive £14 version.

Topshop; blouse £35, jeans £35, shoes £22.

And So The Fairytale Began.

Once upon a time, a boy named Mark dreamed a dream. A very ambitious dream, but nonetheless a dream, which he didn't quite appear to have grasped the enormity of. Mark simply wanted to immerse himself in the fashion world and what better place to do it other than at New York's VOGUE?

As we speak (I type) Mark is a slave to his own high standards as an intern at VOGUE in their Times Square office, New York.

It appears that Mark learnt some fundamental rules the moment he realised that in fact, A stood not for apple but his new boss Anna Wintour, B stood not for ball but his new go-to on 5th Ave Bergdorf Goodman, C stood not for cat but couture Cavalli, so on and so forth.

As a student of English at Liverpool's John Moores University he mightn't seem like a front runner for such a position, but he knows his fedora from his gaucho. Without going into the ins and outs of how he got this life-changing internship, it goes without saying he must have deserved it. Let's just say be prepared to get escorted out of top fashion magazine offices in New York by security, practically stalk members of H.R for correspondence, and to drop everything and go running (flying) half way around the world when they want to interview you. I know this post would not have been worth writing in Mark's eyes if I weren't to mention the prime example that would be the sacrificial sale of his beloved Smart car to drug barons in order to help pay for his 3 month stint.

With VOGUE having some of the biggest fashion balls of all, Mark was asked to keep certain info hush (including the loss of control of Facebook - shock horror to a sad few). Let's be honest, you would shave your head and go to work wearing nothing but your Miu Miu brogues if VOGUE asked you to and for that reason I won't put his currently unblemished credibility at risk.

Writing to each other has been like our own 'Dear Diary' entries with occasional witty responses from our alter ego. The aptly titled 'Love Letters' commenced on 6th June and are still going strong. Be it haute couture, office antics, the price of washing, work, weather, simple advice or other more illicit topics - we e-mailed. A lot, especially considering his 12 hour working days. The more juicy bits will have to wait. Wait for a book, wait for a blog of his own, a memoir or maybe just for our own personal enjoyment. E-mails carry the title 'Love Letters', therefore a book titled 'Love Letters of Powerful Women', by the intern himself, may be in a Barnes & Noble near you soon.

After visiting the same psychic that predicted Mark's good fortune, who knows where I'll end up. I'm not going to lie, there's no topping VOGUE. Some may call it selling your soul to the devil, and to some unfortunate people fashion is the devil. Ergo, yes may be he did, but as a result he has been given a key that would fit the lock of most, if not all, fashion publications.

And whilst I am very flattered that he reads my blog from VOGUE HQ - I'd rather be the one sat at that computer.

Oh, and to anyone who read this in awe/jealousy, to really piss on your parade, he turned down The New York Times for VOGUE. The choice would be a fine thing.

Home Sweet Home.

After arriving home and then working three days on the trot, I'm somewhat disheartened. What was so recently paradise is suddenly a distant memory. I hate how quickly life gets back to normal. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be home; two weeks is ample. I couldn't wait to return to British puds, getting to wear something other than sandals and dare I say it, a drop of rain. But now I'm missing not knowing/caring what day of the week it is, the satanic combination of oil and sand and the incessant whirring of the air con at night. I couldn't sleep for the silence my first night back. I want to have my cake AND eat it. Please.

Not everything was perfect, we got off to a dodgy start - we were given a twin room (granted they were almost double beds). We then moved into a king-size sea view room - much better. I then proceeded to lock all of our valuables in the room safe without setting a new code. Another call to reception. To add insult to injury, I lost a valuable day in the sun due to playing nurse to sick Thomas. Who, once better, decided he was desperate for a haircut, despite having one just before leaving England. I rarely have to leave others company because of a severe case of the giggles but this called for it. 'Gel' he said. Thomas politely declined. 'Gel' he repeated. Thomas declined with a bit more gumption. 'GEL' he commanded. Thomas reluctantly stuck out his hand. In all fairness, considering I think he's used to braiding girls hair it wasn't all that bad.

As it was the only 2 weeks of the year I tan, I was in it for the long haul. If you think working 9-5 in an office is hard work, try 9-5 in Hawaiian Tropic at 40-45'c. And if you are going to put yourself through that, you are expecting the most beautifully mahogany body as a result. At first I settled for two little white half moons up top, and then I saw the Slovakians. Their entire clan willingly lay there topless AND in a thong (in a predominantly Muslim country). Off came my top, although with a little more demure - I hope.

Some of the less obvious advantages of being on holiday;
You actually opt for a stone cold shower by choice, as opposed to starting WW3 over who used the last of the hot water.
You don't mind a little exercise, 2 hours snorkelling flies by much quicker than 2 hours swimming lengths.
You get up at 9am every morning for a decent spec by the pool, yet you struggle to think of such an incentive that would work back home.
You have read your books by day 2, but in England you would only just be finishing the first chapter by now.

FYI. The 2 pounds I lost the week I left, I gained at breakfast on the first day. Anyone who knows me knows pastry is my vice. Pancakes, syrup and lots of delicious pastries - the ones containing creme patissiere would be my favourite - this was my breakfast for 14 days.

I'm over the 'this time yesterday' phase, currently in the 'this time last week' phase and have yet to reach the 'this time last month' phase. It's depressing. It'd be rude not to share a holiday snap, so here I am on our way to a diving spot. Weep.



I'll try to do a decent post soon, holiday rant over.

Ciao.

See you in 2 weeks. But with a tan that would make a Wotsit jealous.

Topshop Trouper.

Whilst I anticipate the delivery of my latest online binge, it would appear I'm not the only one.






Underwear set £24, Jersey vests 2 for £10, Stripey maxi skirt £15 in the sale - all Topshop.com



Topshop.com have also had a successful delivery as far as my wardrobe is concerned. Although I'm sure the news won't be as greatly received by my overdraft. I don't know what it is with this colour at the moment but anything rusty, terracotta, dusty pink are winners with me. Stones, beiges and khakis are also on my to buy list. I'm like a magpie only replace shiney with colours of autumn. This is an improvement, it used to be replace shiney with black or grey.

Shawl Collar Tux Blazer £60, Smudge Print Tapered Trousers £38, Kipper Boat Shoes £50, Knitted Short Cable Jumper £38, Camel Jamie Jeans £40, all Topshop.

Included in this delivery was the extension of their basic Strappy Jersey Maxi Dress collection and at £18 a pop I'd love one in each colour please.

I like an accessory or two as much as the next guy but when it comes to holidays I have a problem. Tan lines. I draw the line at white ear lobes from earings. This year I shall be experimenting with an addition - headbands. Whilst I am aware they come in all different shapes, sizes and price ranges, Topshop will have to suffice for now and my haircut limits the boundaries even more so. Here are my top 3 (and I shall limit myself to 3);

Whilst I accept this is arguably not the most practicle beach headwear it is; a) beautifully OTT b) half price in the sale c) offers versitility - it comes with/out diamontes and in pale grey, blue or pink.

Definately more practicle and definately cute.

For those who don't want a headband to be too girly - a leather mini studded one. Also half price in the sale so why not ey.

Large Diamonte Bow Headband £12, Heart Printed Headband £6, Mini Stud Leather Headband £8 - all Topshop.

Silverware And Swimwear.

For those who haven't heard of her, Pamela Love is a New York based jewellery designer. Her pieces are all reminiscent of a gothic, dungeons-and-dragons era. When eagle claws, raven skulls and swords were not a thing of fairytales. See for yourself..



Left to right; Sterling silver talon cuff £960, Sterling silver obsidian arrowehead ring £460, Sterling silver eagle claw earings £385, all available at net-a-porter.

I love her necklaces and above is one of my favourite pieces, the sterling silver arrowehead necklace (£230) and the sterling silver eagle claw necklace (£290).

xxx

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Find out more at http://www.pamelalovenyc.com/ and see what's in her AW10 collection - it's a lot more ropey (but not in the bad sense of the word, literally) and hearty too.
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If you're anything like me and finding satisfactory digits on the scales is looking more like mission impossible as departure day inches closer, I'd start looking for a one piece. Or a very clever little number. As the swimsuit technology needed isn't quite up to par yet in creating the 'perfect' silhouette Mouille are here to answer our short-term prayers. Anyone with a lump here and a bump there who isn't looking forward to baring all on the beach, fear not. I mean, sods law Miranda Kerr will be on the lounger next to you with her 34-24-34, and it's guaranteed that she will prance around with very little covering her modesty but who says quantity is quality? I'm not saying it will fix everything. Just help. A little.

Go to ASOS to check out more of these bad boys or the bikini's if you're more daring or head to http://www.mouille.co.uk/ to find other stockists.

I wrote this listening to Liverpool based Ragz, if you like anything acoustic/folk like Eva Cassidy, you'll like her - www.myspace.com/ragzmusic

We're All Going On A.

Now, I'm not a big birthday person but had a lovely weekend with fabulous friends, food and fun (cliche). Now that my birthday is over (weep) it's time to look forward to my holiday (yay). What comes with holidays? SHOPPING!

Every girl has the annual essentials and here are mine, minus the staple bikini's & maxi's..

Lacey Shoelace £7 American Apparel, Freda Chain Sandals £40 Topshop, Tapered Chino Trousers £35 Topshop, Chiffon Twist Front Blouse £45 Topshop, Tencel Utility Hotpants £30 Topshop, Morse Leather Fringe Tassel Loafers £50 ASOS, Clear Round Glasses £15 Topshop, Urban Academy Canvas Bag £32 ASOS, Nail Varnish Kiss And Tell £5 Topshop, H By Hudson Lucilla Flat Strapped Sandal £95 ASOS.

My favourites are the H by Hudson Sandals (bottom left), camel coloured chino's by Topshop and their twist front blouse with satisfies the pastel trend as well as Burberry's love of twists and knots this season. The glasses are cute too. Oh sod it, I'll have it all please.