The September issue

Since 2004 I've kept every issue of Vogue - a real pain in the ass when it comes to moving house but it does mean that every so often I can pull out the same month from years gone by to check what we were wearing/lusting over/talking about/reading back then. I also find it interesting to see the seasonal trends and how they differ from year-to-year.

September, in my opinion, always tends to be an interesting and fashion heavy month for the glossies. It's the issue where many advertisers showcase their A/W advertising campaigns for the first time and there's a definite shift towards the new season. It's for this reason I decided to drag them all out.

Before even opening the pages of each of the nine issues I was struck by one thing. Kate Moss. If ever there were any doubt in her influence and prominence in the fashion world you simply have to check how many times she's had a Vogue front cover. Looking at just one month out of the year, Kate Moss has graced the covers of five out of nine September issues since 2004. Not bad.

This weekend

After watching the Hockey in the Olympic Stadium on Thursday night*, Mr M and I headed back London way on Saturday to soak up more of the atmosphere. We pitched a picnic rug in Victoria Park and watched the day's events as well as hopping on the 'eye' (not the actual London eye) to take a peak over into the Olympic village again. It was a great day, but as the pictures show the weather was a little moody...... I got drenched a few times but my neon jumper kept my spirits high!

*no photos from the past week. I drowned my phone/camera in a bottle of Evian and was without it for 4 days....

Monday Muses

Following last week's 'Miranda Monday' I've decided to open the category up for all the other gorgeous, fashionable ladies that inspire, me so I've turned it in to 'Monday Muses'.

This week's Muse is Emma Stone. I first noticed Emma in 'Easy A' (great film) and then again in Crazy Stupid Love (three words - Ryan Gosling's chest). She appeared on the July cover of American Vogue and then the August cover of British Vogue - both really gorgeous images. Her style is young and quirky, always with a twist. She's the perfect combination of sexy and cute (you'll know what I'm on about if you've seen Crazy Stupid Love) - the perfect combo. What's not to like?!? New girl crush for the week.

My favs are the leather dress, the trench and jeans and the wide leg trousers. Totally want my hair the same colour as hers in last month's British Vogue too. What do you think?

Miranda Monday

I have a slight obsession with Miranda Kerr, bordering a full-on girl crush! Her daytime wardrobe is to DIE for! And to top it off she's totally gorgeous too. Here's some of her most recent spring/summer daytime ensembles for perfect outfit inspo.

A polished day look

In my last blog I included a pic from the April issue of Glamour. Initially it was the bed hair and hair colour which attracted me, but the make up is also super sexy in a very relaxed way so I thought I'd give it a whirl myself.

This is more make up than I would typically wear during the average day (especially if I'm working from home), but since I was heading to a new biz meeting I figured that the effort wouldn't go to waste.

Although the eye make up doesn't look overly heavy, I tend not to define eyebrows, wear eye make up, full base, blush, bronzer, lip liner and lipstick all at once during the day. It just feels a bit too 'done'. However, it does appear to come out good in the photos..... It turns out that I would also have to get up another 30mins earlier too! No time to show off my meeting ensemble - was too busy sprinting out the door.

Hair history

So, I've been thinking about changing my hair for sometime and a few months ago I dipped my toe (the little one!) in going a bit darker. This also made me think about what I've actually done to my hair over the years and following a bit if research it turns out I've not been very adventurous....... I present exhibit A. My hair from 2005 to now.......

 

Over the years I've clearly gone through different shades of blonde and experimented with a side fringe from time to time (I'm a real risk taker!). However, ironically, I'm now trying to get back to the same colour hair that I had back in 2005.

What does your hair history say about you?

Today's inspo

This week I will mostly be using these pics to keep me motivated to get my ass to the gym. How gorgeous is she?!?! Kate Upton looks incredible in these photos for Dylan George. Also loving the outfit - a chunky knit, skinny jeans and colour pop heels topped off with killer tan and beachy hair. Totally up my street.

Dylan George

Dylan George

Dylan George

startraksphoto.com

Cotton and Gold

Despite not feeling terribly summery today, these two bracelets are two of my favourite summer accessories this year. Bought from a little shop in Clifton Village, Bristol, they're really simple and if I could be bothered I'm pretty sure I could have made them myself. I might give it a go with some different colour cotton and some actual gold bracelets as these ones are getting a bit tarnished already. Cute though, no?

Good advice

Let's catch up

Four months in pics.

Left to right from top:

1. February: Amazing 80's hair and dress (original 80's from my mum’s wardrobe) for my fabby sister in-law's 30th birthday 80's cocktail party in London town
2.  February: My birthday cake and tea after a rather relaxing break to Bath Spa with Mr M. Dreamy getaway
3. March: The new baby. In March we decided to donate all our wages to Apple and walked away with an iPad, new iPhone and Apple TV
4.  March: Meribel snowboarding for a week. This pic was taken at La Folie Douce in Val Thoren. AMAZING day in the VIP section with endless champagne and fantastic apri music
5. March: the new slightly darker doo
6. April: Leaving lunch. Champagne in tepees of course (!) and a farewell to my lovely colleagues following an exciting social media contract with a luxury car brand. Also had to give keys back for said luxury car. Sad times
7.  April: First wedding anniversary. The memories
8. April: Minibreak to The Pig and The Limewood in celebration of first anniversary
9. May: A visit to the Olympic stadium opening ceremony
10. May: A very cold me at the end of the Olympic stadium opening ceremony
11. May: Trip to the boat with M&C in celebration of their engagement (not my boat I hasten to add)
12. June: The start of my epic exercise regime

Sheltering from the rain



My wedding bouquet.
Photo: McKinley-Rodgers Photography. Flowers: Edward Allen Flowers

I'm sitting safe and sound indoors today, sheltering from the stormy weather which is brewing outside. Ick! I'm pleased I don't have any major plans this weekend - thinking they would be a washout. I plan to chill out at home, cook up some delicious food and catch up on movies. I may also do a bit of blogging since it's been a bit of a while........

There's loads to catch up on and I'm spending today trawling through my snaps and compiling a few updates. In the meantime, here are some beautiful flowers to brighten up a gloomy day. This is actually pic of my wedding bouquet, but isn't it one of the nicest things to receive a bunch of flowers just for the hell of it (eh um. hint hint Mr. M!)? Perhaps I'll brave the weather and go and buy myself some today.

Happy Friday!

Not sure what these are but they made me smile so I thought I would share. I'm gearing up for a big girls weekend - super excited. Need to get to the end of today first though...... It's been pretty crappy so far too. Darn students that live on my road didn't shut up until 6.45am (conveniently 15 mins before my alarm goes off) and then found my rubbish literally strewn across the street from our friendly neighbourhood fox tearing the bin bag open. He must be a seriously skilled yoga type fox too - how he got into the wheelie bin is anyones guess!!

 Periodically have ventured outside to quickly try and pick up any bits still lying around. Deep joy! Things can only get better though - right?! Hope everyone else is have a super duper Friday (unlike me).

Birdsong

The last two weeks I have been glued to The Birdsong, not least because of the boyish charm of Eddie Redmayne (dreamy).  Then, when flicking through Glamour magazine I saw this gorgeous shoot with the equally gorgeous Clemency Poesy, also in Birdsong, and had to share it.

I think the last one is my favourite of all.

Kate Middleton's Coat - Fit for a Princess

Before Christmas I was lucky enough to receive a lovely knitted beanie from Ruby+Ed. At that time I completely fell in love with their Luxury Toscana Sheepskin Coat in Chocolate, but it was slightly out of my budget :(

Anyway, over the Christmas period when perusing the newspapers I saw the lovely Kate Middleton wearing a coat very similar...... and now I want it even more!!!

Her coat is from LK Bennett, I think, but it appears to have sold out. However, luckily for all you 'copykates' out there, Ruby+Ed's coat is still in stock and has gone in the sale here. Granted, it is still out of my budget - but it is fit for a princess afterall!

Days of Summer

Completely out of season but I HAD to share this with you. How gorgeous is this shoot from Australian Vogue, January 2012 issue? I can't wait for the summer months, I only wish I looked this chic when sporting nautical wear. I'm totally in love with the sunglasses paired with the 'bow dress' too. Love love LOVE.

January Outfit Inspo

I'm not sure about everyone else but I'm feeling bored and uninspired by my wardrobe now the party season is over (it could also have something to do with being back to work too - booooo!).At these times I turn to my favourite magazines, blogs, websites and celebs for inspiration and I thought I would share some of my findings with you too - you lucky things!!

Casual chic. I love Rachel Bilson's combo of rolled up jeans, blazer and slouchy clutch. And Ali Larter's cute knitwear, wayfarers, pearls and fitted combats have a real modern glamour feel.

Hats!! I LOVE them and teamed with beachy blonde hair is totally down my street

Miranda Kerr is literally one of my favourite sources of fashion inspo. I adore her style. I especially love the combination of leather trousers, pumps and cardi - it's just a shame my pair ripped across the knee last week :( At least it wasn't the butt though!! 

A splash of colour is a must to brighten up these miserable days and Olivia Palermo's style is anything but dull. Beyonce's red blazer combined with leopard print scarf is actually one that I recreate  frequently either with jeans or black cigarette pants.