Hurrah! Zara is now online

One of my favourite highstreet haunts has made it onto the worldwide web at last. I believe that H&M are not going to be long behind them either! This development is going to make it even harder to save my pennies..

Holy Clog!

Despite my many musings about 'to clog or not to clog', I figured that I had made it thus far without them and would therefore not be purchasing a pair this close to the autumn months.

But then I discovered these Sam Edelman clog boots......... Interesting, very interesting

Tick Tock, Tick Tock

I can't believe how bad I've been - things have been so busy I had no idea just how long ago I last blogged. Five whole months - eek!

Sadly it doesn't feel like I have done too much either:
- Work
- Wedmin
- Joined the gym

Yep - Pretty much it!

The biggest thing I have been up to though is definitely the Wedding thing! Deciding on a date for the wedding (30th April 2011), trying on potential wedding dresses (so exciting!!) and trying to decide what colour theme to go for (totally confusing) - I need to get a move on and make some decisions. Time is ticking and if the last five months are anything to go by, I'm in trouble!

I think ideally I would like it to be a bit mix and matchy/country chic/city glamour!!! I am very confused.... Kind of like the above though.

Beauty Spot

Why does everything always finish at the same time?!

All three of my very favourite beauty must-haves are done. Oh no! As I have mentioned before, I live and die by Elemental Herbology's Cell Plumping Facial Hydrator. It is truly the best moisturiser I have ever used.

My cleanser of choice is Eve Lom's - it's like a facial in a jar and leaves my skin totally rejuvenated. In short, IT'S AMAZING.

Last but not least is my secret weapon….. Darphin Purifying Balm. I'm told this isn't meant to be used every night, but I slather it on each night and can feel it zapping any unruly skin and smoothing out those late twenties wrinkles which are trying to set in… Doesn't say any of this on the pack but a really do swear by it.

As you can see, I'm not one of those girls who stick to just one brand - I like to mix it up a bit.

Going back to the original dilemma though - this is bound to set me back… ohhhhh £110. Space NK makes a pretty penny out of me!

My name's Claire and I'm a beauty addict!

Oh My Clog!

Oh My Clog!

As you know, since falling for the Chanel clogs I have been on the search for the perfect pair sans the Chanel price tag - PR just don't pay that well!! Having discovered a few pairs, none of them have quite fit the bill (or should that be foot!). Anyway, I believe the search may be over…

Whilst embarking on a rather swift strut (burning calories so I can wear the BCBG bandage style dresses from SS10 NYFW,) I happened across an independent shoe shop on Park Street - and there they were in the window!!!! Unfortunately, said shop was shut. However, I will be hot footing it down there to try them on very very soon. I'll keep you posted.

Also on the shopping list is a new 'it brag'. You know - the type of bag that makes others weep with joy!! Slightly cheesy I know, but any bag-a-holic knows exactly what I'm talking about!

I'm drawing up a strict shopping list of must-have's which the chosen bag must fulfil - Stay tuned.

Xxx

All that glitters...

The Wedding Board

I know it's the same old story, but I really have been totally manic for the past month.

I can usually find a spare moment during the day to write, but alas this has not been so. To top it off, Talk Talk are incapable of putting internet into my house..... I feel a rant coming on, so I'll move on.

Over the past month I have spent A LOT of time thinking about the wedding and have pulled together a little mood board.

Obviously the big day isn't going to be quite as decadent, but it's a starter for ten.

I'm mostly annoyed about the fact that Macarons are now EVERY WHERE!

By the time I get married I'm pretty sure everyone will have had them…. Never mind. Still plenty of time for decisions to be made.

Next step, THE DRESS!!!!!

Stay tuned…..

Coming Soon...

It's here! It's finally here. Today is the first day of LFW - it comes around so fast.

A review of today's shows will be posted soon - I promise. Xx

A sad day

Alexander McQueen. A huge loss. So very sad.

Strike a pose Vogue

Can you believe it?!? Chung has only got the ruddy Chanels. I am green with envy!! I ♥ them......

To Clog or not to Clog....

Since spying the clog clad Chanel lovelies during the Paris SS10 fashion week (how amazing was their show?) I have been intrigued.

Something about them really excites me... I can picture myself wearing them with my gorgeous neutral KM shorts or harem pants, teamed with my beloved thread bare denim shirt (do they ever go out of fashion?) with aviators, ala D&G, and Alexander Wang plaits - not forgetting the tan!

However, another part of me can't quite forget the pink suede pair I owned when I was 10 (I was way ahead of my time!!), which incurred endless amount of abuse from my good friend BB - still comes up in conversation today!! They were all the trend - I'm sure of it….

That aside I think I'm going to have to purchase a pair - haven't been able to stop pairing my wardrobe with them in my head. Just need to wait for the high street to catch on..... Anyone seen any yet sans the Chanel price tag?!?!

I want the last golden ticket....

Top of the wish list at the moment is one of these YSL arty rings. Since Mr M proposed I haven't wanted to wear any other rings - they just didn't look right.

However, this morning saw me break the habit and I'm back wearing my Melinda Maria pod ring - I'm almost ready to dawn the faithful Casio too....

Have tried to track one of these bad boys down but I think it could be a Willy Wonker golden ticket situation - I think I can definitely write off the aqua option for defo. I'm not that easily dissuaded though so the search must continue...

Hairy Mclairey

I love Heidi Klum's hair. I'm so bored of mine at the moment so I'm considering my options.

Yes, yes - I know that imitating Heidi's hair will not make me look like her. But surely it will take me one step closer!!!

Today I am mostly inspired by........

It's been a while since my last blog and sooooo much has been going on.

Obviously Christmas happened, which was lovely but not as restful as I would have liked; Mr M and I moved from our lovely flat (landlord decided to sell). NYE came and went pretty fast too and before I knew it I was back at work.... not for long though! Snowmageddon completely took over the UK and I was snowed in without mobile reception or internet ArrrrgggggggHHH!

Anyhoo, wasn't all bad. Decided to make lots of soup and scones. MmmmmMmmm.

Alas, now firmly back into the flow of work I simply haven't found the time. However, I decided today to throw together (can you tell) a quick collage of what is inspiring me at the mo.

No surprise to see lots of knitwear, lots of denim, lots of Balmain and a spattering of Chanel!!! If I had all the money in the world that is precisely what my wardrobe would look like..

No new purchases to report either, as I am currently trying to purchase a rather lovely car... more news to follow as I don't want to jinx it! However, I can tell you that over the last two weeks I have:

Mostly lived in my hunter wellies
Carried A LOT of tissues (am into the fifth week of my cold....)
Eaten mostly home made soup & Jakemans cough sweets (cherry menthol - Mmmm)
Rocked my mum's vintage furry headwear
Blow dried my hair massive to complete the snow bunny look
Experimented with wearing different rings with my engagement ring - it's been 2mths!
Changed my nail varnish every other day - why not eh?!
Watched 90210 and Glee
Felt guilty for eating homemade scones and not being as skinny as 90210 girls!

Winter wonderland

Oh - one last thing. Totally loving the above looks which I found on instyle.com. Gives me a little bit of inspiration for everyday casual looks.

Random thought - sometimes I yearn for a uniform. It's hard coming up with an 'outfit' everyday!

Xxxx

Love in!

Once again, I was checking out one of my favourite blogs Olsens Anonymous http://olsensanonymous.blogspot.com/ and love love LOVE Ashley's get up - starting to feel like a bit of a stalker.... Needless to say, this is not a look I will be rocking anytime soon though. Weather in Blighty dictates a few more layers - Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Had my hair appointment on Saturday and decided that I had come thus far on the painful journey of growing out my fringe, that I would not back down just yet. Had my colours toned down a bit, in the style of the pic I posted of Ashley (stalkerish - No?!?). Like it! Will try a post a pic soon.

Almost time for home - Hurrah!

Agenda:
Cold walk home in the rain
Christmas dinner courtesy of Miss C M

Bernard and the Genie
Bubble Bath
Nails - loving all of Barry M's colours (cheap enough for me to change my mind every week)
Bed - Zzzzzzzzzzz

In the words of one Lady Parsnips - LOVE IT!

Later Xxxx

Snoozeville

image from instyle.com i think...

I am sooooo shattered so I'm just doing a quick blog before I head off to snoozeville.

Came across the image of Cat Deeley this week and just love the look. Cat has always been a bit of a style icon for me, but since disappearing state side she's not been gracing the glossy pages as much.

This is such an effortless look - love it!

Also loving her hair too which has almost convinced me not to get a fringe cut in tomorrow. Hmmmmmmm need to decide.

Anyhoo, I'm off for a bath and to pop some tan on, then bed. Mr M and I are out for festive frolics tomorrow evening and preparation must be made - chop chop.

Night night

Xxxx

Hair lust

Just checking out one of my fav blogs Olsens Anonymous and came across this pic. This is how I want my hair - perhaps I'll be a loser and print it out for my appointment on Saturday!?!

These boots were made for......

Something has occurred to me whilst writing my blogs - I am obsessed with shoes and in particular boots at the moment!

These are the new object of my affection. The photo really doesn't do them justice because they are really lovely. They sit over the knee and are really buttery soft leather. They look really smart in person. I ♥ these boots soooooo much. They remind me of the type of boots Parisian ladies wear.

When I visited Paris two years ago in February it was notable just how fabulous their boots were. They all looked so effortlessly chic; Wandering around in gorgeous winter coats and beautiful leather boots. There wasn't a hint of fake tan anywhere - Whhhaaattt!

Anyhoo - Jones the Bootmakers have a sale on at the moment and I reckon that these bad boys are coming home with me. One last decision to be made though. Black or Brown? Answers on a postcard kids!

Xxxx

All good things come to an end.....

Ok, so that's probably an over exaggeration but I am very upset that my thigh high flat boots are nearing deaths door.........

Have been at Twickenham today to watch the Ba Bas play NZ (I am of course now a fully fledged NZ supporter due to Mr M's staunch patriotism). It was on this miserable day that my boots truly started to fall to pieces :-(

I feel even worse about the matter because I have in fact already replaced them in my head with a pair from Jones the Bootmakers :-) I feel guilty! But not guilty enough to not post a picture of them when I get back to my laptop - am currently travelling back from London town.

Question for you - why does it take 40mins to drive in a 400m circle here? I'm impatient get me out of here!!!!

Tomorrow Christmas tree shopping. Yaaaaaaaay.

Xxx

Ick ickedy ick ick.......

Do you ever have one of those days where you literally wonder what you are doing with your life?

The last few months have been absolutely amazing. LOADS of ups and some downs.

Mr M and I disappeared for a weekend in Edinburgh/The Highlands - one of my favourite places in the world. We celebrated his birthday in style in the burgh of Edin….. Then disappeared further north to a romantic log cabin where he only went and PROPOSED to me!! I said yes – of course. The ring is AMAZING – clever Mr M! Soooooo exciting.

On our return Mr M also found out that he had passed some MASSIVE industry exams. Such great news.

Last week one of the downs came though when our landlord decided he would ‘get rid’ of the flat – booooo!

Now we have some major decisions to make. To top it off think I may be experiencing a mid twenties crisis – is there anything more pathetic?

So, I have decided to drag my arse out of this disgusting, self deprecating mood, if only to spare those around me, and do something about it.

I am making some Not New Year Resolutions….

Sort my blog out
Sort my wardrobe out
Figure out what I want to be doing
Figure out where I want to be doing it
Put wheels in motion
Realise it’s NOT all that bad. Suck it up and get on with it

Now that I have my rant out the way, I have to get out of work, enjoy the weekend (don’t you love 5.30 on a Friday?!?) and stop using this as therapy.

Oh – also have to add that I got my hands on the below boots I have been lusting after – they are sooooo great.

Next time I promise not to leave it so long.

x