Missing in Action

Things have been pretty quite from me for the last couple of weeks.  I've been swallowed by a depression of weight gain :( Sadly to say that although I lost a further 3lbs at Weight Watchers, I then put half a pound back on.  It still brings my total to 10lbs, which is great.  Especially as I tried on a pair of trousers in French Connection today that were too big in my usual size...YEY!!

So then for a quick recap of my activities for the last 2 weeks, Bonus has landed, iPad 2 waiting game is on (roll on the 25th March), not spending money as am going to London again in 2 weeks (apart from a really gorgeous top from French Connection).  I even ignored the free shipping email from net-a-porter, even though several items had sneaked their way into my shopping basket...Bad Sophie.  Had a Work team building day at the zoo...my team won the treasure hunt at the end (Yey) but sacrificed time to look at the animals as we were in the zone of quiz winning (boo).  I did get a nice monkey pencil though

Obsessions

I have decided to also become a domestic goddess, been reading my River Cottage books (I can become quite obsessed) and also my Sophie Dahl cookery book...The only problem with these is that they go totally against the Pro Points Plan of weight watchers.  So anything from these books can only be a once a week treat, unless I change the ingredients to lighter options (um where's the fun in that?!) Although Veg and Fruit is nil points.  Today's dinner is Chicken in Cider Casserole curtosey of the River Cottage Every Day book,  I have also previously made the Eton Mess - my favourite dessert after Cheesecake.  Next time I make it, I am going to use Greek yogurt instead of double cream and freeze it, should be amazing.

As part of my "Become a Domestic Goddess" life,  I have decided to start growing things...This may prove to be a total failure as I pretty much kill everything plant related. The Aloe Vera on my windowsill in work is thriving but I think thats more because I forget about it and let it do its own thing rather than fuss with it a lot.  Today I bought a grow your own pumpking kit from Sainsburys; in my head I will have County Fair size pumpkins, reality will be when they done even get shoots.

House Hunting

House Hunting has been well and truly underway this week.  Had 2 viewings yesterday, one was lovely but far too big for little ole me, the other was awful, hadn't been decorated since the 50s and smelt weird and the bathroom was the cupboard under the stairs, I would have had to crouch to have a shower! Just plain awful.  So its back to trawling through Right Move untill a good one comes along.



Emmanuelle Alt....Perfection

Andrej Pejic

Model of the Moment Andre Pejic seems to be everywhere at once this season, what is it about this man that makes him so special?....Well for starters he looks like this...

Modelling at Gaultier both Mensware on the left and Womens on the right, in "That Dress" that Rihanna than made look trashy at the Grammys.  Pejic has recently said that he would get a sex change if he was offered a Victorias Secret contract....Is it wrong that I am a bit jealous that he looks better than I would ever look in that dress?!

Sunday Sunday

Minx Nails are a Yes

Had my nails done on Friday night by a Minx Manicurist, they are so silver and shiny it scares me a bit, they are like alien hands.  I love them.  However, I don't think that she applied the left hand nails very well as the have little wrinkles in them at the top, no one else can see them but I know they're there!  They are meant to last about 3 weeks, depending on how fast your nails grow and how much you knock your hands about so fingers crossed they last well...

Caped Crusader 

I am loving all things "Cape" at the moment, its like releasing my inner Super Hero...My friend Dave has come up with some names for me too.

The Topshop cape that I bought a couple of weeks ago got its first outing last weekend, paired with skinny jeans and converse.  Next wear I will try it with dress and heels.

Fun With Feathers

I have been thinking more and more about experimenting with Feathers in my wardrobe.  I really want a feather skirt, I have seen them around in nude colours (ASOS) but I want a black one....preferably under £100 in case I only wear it once.  I also like the idea of a little feathered "capelet" too - I will no doubt end up looking like a giant sparrow!

I decided the easiest ways to go about looking for feather clothes and accessorise was to simply go onto my favourite shopping websites and just search them....however I am now overwhelmed with choice.

Having also spied the Prada fur stoles, I want one of those too!   Saw them in a recent magazine, that they are only £230 so my next question...just which colour combination should I chose?? Also a shopping trip to London with my mum might prove prosperous.

YouTube of the Week

The new Cravendale Advert...Cats with Thumbs

(Follow Bertrum Thumbcat on Twitter)

Tumblr of the Week

Super Model Coco Rocha

http://oh-so-coco.tumblr.com/



iPad iWants

Today was the day when all was revealed about the new iPad 2....

• Prices will be relatively the same as they are for iPad 1 in the UK
• UK Release date is the 25th of May, but you can pre-order
• Comes in black and white
• 1.3lbs
• 33% slimmer
• Dual Core
• Front and rear facing cameras

This lovely information comes from Techradar and the site has lots more info on the new iPad.

I am currently waiting for the apple shop to come back online so that I can pre-order mine now...do it people, you know you want to :)

Oh La La

Hurrah of the Week

This week, my friends and I have decided that we shall be going to Paris for a long weekend for one of their birthdays.  I am SO excited as I have never been to Paris before, I only went to France for the first time last year!  I can feel my stomach already yearning for French wines, cheeses, cakes and breads (sorry weight watchers but you will be put on hold for that weekend!)

I have warned Lindsey Bryn and Mike that I would like to do the touristy things of seeing the Eiffel Tower, the Arc De Triomph, Notre Dame, the shops, etc....I have rose tinted visions of us all sat in a Cafe, smoking Gauloise cigarettes and drinking heady red wine - bliss.

Also today I tried on a gold brocade skirt that I bought before Christmas that I was too fat to wear, and today it fit perfectly.  I think I may have told everyone that I work with today too.

Shopping Dreams of the Week

The iPad 2...to be announced tomorrow - I can't wait now as I have decided after thinking about it since iPad 1 that I will get one.  After asking around people have said to definitely wait for the 2nd one to be launched as it will have a faster processor and other goodies that aren't on the original one. (I'm not very good with technology other than what I "need" to know for work)

Watching

In homage to my Paris trip I have been watching a lot of French films (well...3) so far I have watched Amelie, my favourite film ever I think, I loved you so Long, with Kristen Scott Thomas - brilliant, and Coco Before Chanel, very very good.  Has it improved my French? Non. Especially as Bryn pointed out that I was writing Oui with a Q...god knows why I thought it was spelt with a Q.

Listening to

Adele - 21

Such a beautiful album, I am a bit in love with the some Someone Like You, although it makes me feel sad.

Reading

Almost French (in keeping with my Francophile theme) by Sarah Turnbull

Only started in today, but its a good read so far.  Its a true story of Sarah moving to France to live with a French man who she met and fell in love with while travelling, her rose tinted glasses are soon replaced with harsh reality.

Tumblr...

http://fashionmeanderings.tumblr.com/

I think I may have a new addiction with Tumblr, I started following some people on there and then decided to give it a go myself...I find it frustrating though that I can't get a Tumblr app on my blackberry, I have one on my iPod touch, but alas that doesn't have a camera!

I liked mainly that I was able to follow Net-a-Porter through the fashion weeks that have been happening in the last month, New York, London and Milan (still got Paris to go)

Mainly my tumblr/twitter/blog stalking has been around Anna Dello Russo...I love her!!  I am also very jealous that she seems to have the entire Prada SS11 collection, I noticed that she has the stoles in several colours.



McQueen and I

TV Programme of the Week

I watched the 'McQueen and I' documentary last night about Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow, it was very good.  I felt awful for Isabella Blow, and couldn't get my head around the fact that she tried to commit suicide 6 times in 2 years before finally succeeding in May 2007. 

The footage that the documentary showed of McQueen's early shows was quite disturbing, there was no mistaking that the clothes were out of this world but the way they were presented was un-nerving.  The 1996 show with the model in shackles, I thought the way she walked was uncomfortable to watch; as was the woman in the box.

Famous Stars and Stripes

Stars and stripes have been favourites of mine for a long time...I have 3 stars tattooed on my wrist and a star and Maori tattoo on my foot (that I had done in New Zealand I might add so its totally authentic and original). 

I love the clean look of stripes and have been championing striped clothing forever.  I have noticed that stripes are being added to more collections this season, most vividly seen at Prada Spring 2011 RTW with the gorgeous jewel colours clothes and accessorise.

More within my price range is this dress from Sonia by Sonia Rykiel.  I think its really lovely for both work and casual, I especially like the contrasting spotty collar. I would probably wear it belted in to give it a bit more shape for my curves. This dress is available from Net-A-Porter and from Selfridges.  I think it would go well with ballet flats or wedges, or even toughen it up with tights and boots...don't wear the tights too sheer though otherwise it will cheapen the dress.

This pencil skirt from Topshop is also tugging on my purse strings, I think with a white shirt, or even a T-shirt tucked in, with heels, this would rock...Definitely Prada for the Highstreet.

In other news....

I have been looking forward to the release of Radiohead's new album King of Limbs, it was released a day early, yesterday.  I haven't had a chance to listen to the whole album properly yet, but I like Lotus Flower and have seen the video for it which showcases Thom Yorke busting some great dance moves.





She's Got To Have It!

After a request from my friend, I have decided to write my own guide to what I think the best wardrobe staples are...they are quite obvious, and will (hopefully) last through the trends.  I like to think that wardrobe staples are classic and neutral, and that the seasons best new ideas are better interpreted through accessorise, or a piece here and there.  I realise that pretty much everything picture is black, but I think its just easier to start with a black base and then change colour as you go along.

Top

Black & White scoop neck T-shirts and Breton Striped tops

Topshop and French Connection are always good for classic T-shirts, and T by Alexander Wang if you want to spend a bit more.

(I have about 7 black and white t-shirts, and about 4 breton striped tops)

Tailored Shirts

M&S do good classic shirts, but sometimes they can be a bit like something your nan would wear...
(I have about 5 different types of shirt and blouse)

Chunky Knit

Topshop is again my go-to for knit wear, although both of these are from Alexander Wang ( my fave)
(Too many cardigans to list)

Fine Knit

Bottom

Skinny Jeans (blue for casual, black for smart) J Brand do really gorgeous jeans but they are expensive, I think the next best are from Topshop, especially as they come in a longer length.
(several pairs of jeans, skinny, bootcut, flared, cropped)

Tailored Trousers

(fitted & wide leg)

Dresses

T-shirt Dresses and Tea Dresses can be dressed up with heels and a blazer or dressed down with ballet flats and a cardigan.
(Am obsesed with T-shirt dresses and tea dresses)

Footwear

Ballet Flats

Ankle Boots

Knee Boots

Classic heels

I think that shoes are a good choice for updating an outfit each season - hence my numerous pairs of shoes and relatively compact wardrobe.

Outerwear

Wool Winter coat
(I seem to have a collection of different coats, jackets and capes)

Classic Rain Coat

Blazer (casual and dressy)
(4 Blazers, black, velvet, tweed and striped - one for all occasions)

What do you think? Although they look plain, accessorising with jewellery, shoes and bags are always the best way to update your wardrobe...

Crappy Valentines

I have decided to do an Anti Valentines Day post....Its the one day of the year out to make the single girl (or boy) feel like utter crap.

Why is there so much pressure on us to have gifts and cards? And every where I look I see beautiful things as inspiration for "him to her" ARGH!

Beautiful heart shaped things all in pinks and reds...well here is my perfect Valentine's Day outfit...nothing red or pink, and I'd like to meet the man out there who could afford to buy me everything on my list.

Boots

Burberry

Coat

Burberry

Trousers

J Brand

Top

Philip Lim

Jewellery

Kenneth Jay Lane

Bag

Alexander McQueen

London Calling

So yesterday I got the train all the way to London with my friend Jules...today my legs still ache and I am shattered!

Purchases included 2 tops and a skirt from Topshop and a jumper from Cos

no new shoes were bought - gutted! But I did enjoy the beauty of the Selfridges Shoe Gallery, comedy moment was when I first saw it and couldn't actually form words I was so excited. 

My favourite part of the day was going for a yummy dinner at Hix in Selfridges, its a Champagne Restaurant, and was the 3rd restaurant that Mark Hix opened in London.  They had a really good "shopper menu"; 2 courses and a Gin cocktail for £17.50 and the food was divine.

Available Monday to Friday from 12 noon to 7pm
(8pm on Thursday's and Friday's)

£17.50
2 courses and a glass of gin punch
 

Truffled Jerusalem artichoke soup

Whipped beets with goat’s curd, hazelnuts and grilled flatbread

Avocado on toast with Portland crab and chilli

Steak tartare

~

Winter squash & sage risotto

Fish fingers with chips & mushy peas

Smoked haddock with colcannon, poached egg
and grain mustard

Chicken Kiev with Russian salad

~
Bergamot posset

Steamed treacle sponge pudding with custard

Russet apple pie

Welsh rabbit fondue

 I had the crab and avocado to start, followed by fish fingers and chips which was actually the best fillets of fish on a bead of mushed garden peas with a small cup of chips...AMAZING! Julia had the steak tartare to start (I tried a bit and was impressed, it was lovely) followed by the haddock.  Best. Lunch. Ever.

The worst moment was Abercrombie and Fitch...I will never ever ever go in that shop ever again.  The lighting, layout and too loud music made shopping there a total nightmare.  The place was totally packed and really hot. I have never been in such horrible shopping environment.

There was a close call on Bond Street with a Mulberry Tillie bag that very nearly got put on my credit card, but I resisted.  I could feel myself getting the shopping sweats (which is never a good sign) and had to leave the shop...One day it will be mine!