Fishtail plaits

I've been trying to figure out how to do a fishtail plait (apparently this is what they're called) for aggggeesss, and then last week I stumbled across this very handy video. It's only ruddy Lauren Conrad showing you how to do it!! Granted it's a bit cheesy but now I know how to do it - and so do you!

Elizabeth Olsen - Nylon Cover Girl

Cover girl for Nylon magazine's October issue, Elizabeth Olsen is becoming more and more well know. And how gorgeous is she?

I love these pics - I love the hair (totally want my hair this colour), make-up (she's got the trademark Olsen brows) and styling, especially the front cover outfit (envy!).

Massive inspo love!

All pics Nylon Magazine

Nailed it! Unleashing the tiger

Since my experimentation with leopard print nails (pictures posted here), I've gone a bit crazy for it! So this week I've decided to go for the 'ring finger manicure'. What do you think? I kinda like it....... Grrrrrrrrr!

Revlon: Tropical Temptation. Blue dots - Freebie from Mizz magazine. Andrea Fulerton Nail Boutique: Stripe and Sparkle in Pattie

Considering this season's trend for polka dots, I'm thinking there will be some dalmatian print nail art tried out very soon - watch this space.

New shoes......

I did a bad thing this weekend....... I bought another pair of shoes.

Anyone that knows me knows this is a problem I have. They may also know that I'm currently not working. This makes it even worse.

I. Should. Not. Be. Spending. Money. On. Shoes.

The thing is (cue justification) the weather is very changeable at the moment and I didn't really have a pair of boots suitable for this transitional time. I'm also doing A LOT of walking and needed a boot with a sensible(ish) heel. So........ this is why the purchase was completely necessary and compared to many boots of their type, these really were a very reasonable price. The perfect transitional shoe! Well I've convinced myself anyway!

Ta da!

They're from Marks and Spencers here and I've already paired them with loads of outfits in my head (does everyone else do that?). They go with so much. I would also like them in black too, but perhaps that's pushing my luck.....

Just whatever you do - don't tell Mr M!

Burberry Prorsum Spring Summer 2012 The Video

Here it is! The Burberry Prorsum show - my favourite so far. How rocking is the opening track?!

Pop the kettle on. Make yourself a cuppa and enjoy....

Antonio Berardi Spring Summer 2012

I very quickly wanted to share these amazing dresses with you. They're from Antonio Berardi's show which took place this morning (19th Sept).

I love the tailoring. The detail is so intricate and beautiful, yet there's a really hard edge to them - my kind of style. I forsee many of these making an appearance on many a red carpet. What say you?

(all images courtesy of http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk)

Burberry Prorsum Spring Summer 2012

Today at 4.00pm Hyde Park was treated to the fabulous creations from Christopher Bailey for Burberry Prosrum Spring Summer 2012 collection. Eeek!!

Last year's SS11 collection was one of my favourites. It was all skinny leather trousers, animal prints, exposed zips, studs and killer heels. Without a doubt the studded trench was an all time fav of mine. The show ended with a shower of glitter which was then replicated at the AW11 show in Feb, where all the models were showered with snow!! AMAZING.

Needless to say I've been super excited to see what he's got up his sleeve this year. Not actually being there has also meant that I've been carefully following it online today (the power of the internet, eh!).  The show was streamed live to all 8million of their facebook fans.

The Frow certainly didn't disappoint: Sienna Miller, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (too gorgeous for words), Andy Murray, Anna Wintour (not on the same row as Sienna though!), Kanye, Gemma Arterton,  SamCam and Mario Testino. A huge glass house in Hyde Park hosted the show and attendees were welcomed by a hologram of Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley (face of their 'Body' fragrance) - wowzer! As soon as the full Facebook video link is available I will of course share it with you.

The show was opened by the lovely Cara Delevigne strutting down the runway to 'I put a spell on you' wearing a beautiful plum trench coat and straw baseball hat with pom pom.

I particularly loved the shoes - but have so far been unable to track down an upclose image of them.

The colours continued in the same vein of muted jewels. Skirts were mostly below the knee and there was plenty of thin knits. Overall, I feel Christopher Bailey has really produced a collection for British women and I loved it. Let's face it, our weather is hardly tropical and these designs are totally wearable. Beautiful shapes, tribal prints, woven bags, cropped jackets and wedges (guess I'm going to have to get over my fear of them).

Here's some more pics. Excuse the quality - they're straight from the Facebook video (http://www.facebook.com/#!/burberry) until others are available online.

And what happened at the end I hear you ask...... They were all covered in gold discs falling from the sky of course!

Transitional outfits

What's this weather all about?! One minute it's literally monsoon rain and the next it's gorgeously sunny - it does not make for an easy life when dressing in the morning....

Luckily the past few days have been pretty laid back for me. Morning coffee with a gal pal, popping into a couple of art galleries (more on that later) and few (too many) drinks with my fabby friends. All in one day and all of which required a fair amount of walking too. It called for 'cute casual comfy'!

This pic is from Wednesday - I've been very tardy with my uploading. Bad Claire!

Granted, it's not my most inspiring of outfits but the light weight tea dress teamed with my slouchy Minnetonka boots and layered with my army green parka meant I was dressed for all eventualities - and I needed to be. The weather was just plain weird. As always, I was also lugging around my faithful Zara bag from here.

I've included some inspo from ladies who do it better though!

Whether you're out on the town, working or enjoying a day of leisure, these ladies have got the transitional outfits nailed. Light weight coats, cute knits and funky jeans (I LOVE Ciara's leather ones) and how amazing does Gwny look?!? Bravo to her stylist.

Give it some Welly

Today was the first time it really felt autumnal to me. Not only does this mean I get to wear all my favourite hats and scarves again, it also means we're creeping closer to seeing all city dwellers donning their Hunters.

I say this with a hint of humour in my voice. Having been brought up in the country and not only owned a number of Hunters, but also worn them out, I find it funny to see the shine of never worn wellies pounding the city slabs.

However, this was not meant to be a country vs. city bitch - I love each equally. I actually wanted to share with you what I think is the next trend in wellies..... yes you heard me right!

For the more discerning welly wearer, I introduce you to Le Chameau. A French brand which is set to be the boot of choice very soon - I'm sure of it.

I was introduced to them last winter and I wouldn't usually suggest moving away from such an iconic British brand as Hunter, but since the manufacturing went elsewhere I’m simply talking about quality and the Chasseur boot from Le Chameau is built to last. But with a hefty price tag (around £295 – ouch!) they're reserved for the seriously style conscious country chic connoisseur (and those who actually do wear them every single day of their lives, out in the countryside). I must add that my budgets sadly don't stretch to this.

In terms of design, they're leather lined, and shaped especially for the curves of a ladies leg - Hunters are designed for men's rather less shapely calves. I'm not usually seduced by such functional footwear, but these are seriously nice (and quite sexy for a wellington boot - they are French after all!).

But if I haven't convinced you - just ask Kate what she thinks.....

Exclusive Photos by Radcliffe/BauerGriffinOnline.com

Browmance

Recently I've taken to using a eyebrow pencil - probably not ground breaking news for most of you. However, I've always been a bit scared of them. After a rather over zealous plucking moment last week, I've sadly been left with no choice!! This is why I have been getting them threaded for the past two years......

I. Can. Not. Be. Trusted. With. Tweezers.

Especially my Tweezerman tweezers and handy magnifying mirror (that is one scary reflection looking back at you - no one needs to see that up close!). They are so blummin good that I get over excited!

I must also admit that after seeing the gorgeous Billie Piper at V Festival with her beautifully groomed eyebrows, I have been feeling inspired.

As you'll see from the pics below - I haven't gone too crazy (or even slightly), but hey you gotta start somewhere and I'm new to this... Pretty pleased with them though. I feel much more groomed. I would go as far to say that I really REALLY like it. Right - me and my new brows are off to find some work - wish me luck!

Today's Inspo

Very quick blog to share with you some of my fav images from some amazing bloggers I follow. They're mostly all in my blog lovin section but for your ease (I'm so good to you!) this particular snap shot includes:

• Sofis Snapshots
• Olsen Anonymous
• Angelica Blick
• Style by Kling
• Ulrikke Lund

If you don't already know them (shame on you!!) then what are you waiting for. Get googling and check them out.

I love all these looks and really do draw upon their styles for inspiration.

Told you it would be a really quick one! Need to get some snooze in.......

Living outta cardboard box!

Who knew I had so much crap! Saturday, Sunday and most of Monday saw me partake in the big move of 2011. It took one van, two separate loads, 17 hours, eight pairs of hands, 12 cups of tea, two bottles of wine and around 300 miles, but we're in - and mostly unpacked now. WoooHooo!

The flat is already feeling like home but there's still a stack to do - like setting up the broadband!!! Luckily (or unluckily, depending on how you look at it), we're just a hop skip and a jump away from my favourite coffee shop (Boston Tea Party) complete with free wifi so I can try and get on with life as normal until we're up and running. Great coffee, friendly staff, walkable in heels and free wifi - what more can a girl ask for??

On to less domestic things (and much more fashionable) - In between all the packing, unpacking and making home I have managed to track down one of my fav magazines - Women'sHealth.

It's American so not that easily available everywhere here, so when I manage to get my hands on a copy I like to make a coffee and give it my undivided attention. You can imagine my joy when I opened this month's copy to find a fashion shoot with Cat Deeley (one of my fav fashion follows) - how amazing does she look. I have to share it with you. The leather jacket and jersey skirt has already provided inspo for my outfit today. I'll try and get some pics later. In the meantime check out the images below.

Apart from the amazing fashion spreads, it also has loads of really healthy tips for exercise and food which really does fit into your lifestyle. It's been my little secret read for a while, but i'm in a sharing mood!!

All  pics courtesy of www.womenshealthmag.com

Moving day

Picked up the keys to mine and Mr M's new home today. Yiiipppppeeeeee!!!

So exciting but super busy. Haven't stopped all day and now must hit the hay. Early start tomorrow so time for snoozeville.

Night night possums and sweet dreams,

xoxo