Next Autumn Winter 2012

Last Thursday I attended the Next AW12 Press Day. Despite not shopping there an awful lot I am a big fan of Next clothing. I usually get one or two stand out pieces per season which I wear to death. Beyond the fabulous design their quality is hard to beat on the high street, matched only by somewhere like Zara.

The Next event was held at Somerset House, usually known for being the epicenter of London Fashion week, it's definitely the most amazing event venue I've been to. The Autumn Winter collection was beautifully merchandised between about 8 rooms. There were some real statement pieces from sequin leggings (done the classy way) to baroque style jeans and lots of gorgeous digital prints. Accessories are usually the main things that draw me in and I think Next have accessed my mind to create their collection for next season. There were beautiful fabrics, leopard print, metallics and vintage detailing, I don't think I found one accessory I didn't love! The range of boots was also outstanding, lots of great takes on the classic riding boot which I'm sure will be gracing many blogs come Autumn.

The homeware section was also full of gorgeous shabby chic, vintage style goodies, not so good for my bank balance seeing as I just moved house! The beaded lights and Eiffel Tower lamp (pictured above) are definitely on my to buy list when they hit the store.

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Most Wanted #13

Jeans - H&M - I'm a big fan of H&M jeans, they're cheap, comfortable and fit well. I've been after some ripped style skinnies for a while but some look too messy or too 'perfect' I love the style of these though.
Clarins Liquid Bronze Face Self Tan - Feel Unique - I always feel a bit funny about putting regular fake tan on my face, I don't think any have actually broken me out but I'd still prefer a face specific product. I'm not a massive Clarins fan but this has had such great reviews so I'd love to give it a go.
Michael Kors Watch - Spartoo - It's such a beautiful classic, this is definitely on my ultimate wishlist.
Havaianas - Spartoo - I've been after some Havaianas for a while, I love my flip flops and these are such a great colour. I think I've proved that I really can't have a Most Wanted without shoes!
Maxi Dress - Dorothy Perkins - I'm loving the Maxi/Midi trend at the moment, but haven't seen anything like this one, great price too!

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Hundreds of faces in the street

Top: Dorothy Perkins. Leggings: American Apparel. Shoes: Bronx c/o Spartoo.

Necklace: Oasap. Rings: Dorothy Perkins.

This top doesn't photograph brilliantly but I really love the shape and the back is beautifully draped, I bought the black one too but may have to go back and get the coral and white too, they're so easy to wear and a lovely fabric. I do have a bit of a thing with khaki at the moment though especially when worn with lots of gold jewellery, I'm eying up this French Connection top from work and this American Apparel shirt too. This is the first post, of many I imagine, in my new American Apparel leggings, they are so comfy and flattering, not quite as out there (or pricey) as the disco pants either. I know I wore these wedges in my last post but they really are the perfect shoes, great height, comfy and work with everything!

I'm English so I'm going to talk about the weather. It's so beautiful today!! Typical it would be this week though, I was working yesterday, stuck in the house writing all day today, working tomorrow and will be stuck on the tube in London most of the day on Thursday! By the time I have a free day to do anything it'll be raining again!

I know I say I'll blog more all of the time but I'm so busy with everything I feel like I need to get myself in a schedule to do it or whatever post I have in my mind will just get put on the back-burner and never materialise. I have sorted out a little schedule so hopefully I can get at least 3 posts up a week from now on.

Face: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, Mac Matte Bronzer, Dior Amber Diamond, Nars Orgasm Blusher.
Eyes: Mac Dazzlelight eyeshadow, Mac Sable eyeshadow, No7 Amazing Eyes Liner, Mac Haute & Naughty Mascara.

Lips: YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Rose Dahlia.

This is my first 'drugstore' foundation in a long long time. I'm a total make-up snob, a habit I can't really afford! However, this has to be the best colour match I've ever had from a foundation, it's such a struggle to find pale yellow toned foundations even on the high end scale. I do also love the formula but my skin hasn't been at its best lately so the lighter coverage has meant a little more concealer than I'm used to. I think this is going to be my staple during the summer though. I have just found out that Bourjois is owned by Chanel which makes it feel a little more special.

Listening To: Squealing Pigs - Admiral Fallow

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Happy Birthday Gemma!

Something I didn't expect to get out of blogging when I started nearly 3 years ago was such great friendships. The very first person I met through the blogging community is Gemma from From Gem With Love. We met at the train station on the way to an event in London where she proceeded to pick up chewing gum off the floor (not even going to explain that one) then off we went for the first of many times drinking too much gin!
Gemma is definitely the best friend I have got out of this experience, and I am so happy to have her in my life. I don't get to see her as often as I like but I love our shopping days and lunches, while we talk non-stop.
This post is just to say a massive HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the lovely and wonderful Gemma!

Most Wanted #12

Dress - H&M - So pretty! Will be perfect with heels on Summer evenings.
Bronx Ateru Wedges - Spartoo - I'm loving any metallic or silver on shoes at the moment, it's so unusual to put silver with tan but I love the combination on these wedges.
Skull Vest - Miss Selfridge -This is a bit of a cheat as I actually bought this yesterday. Can't wait to wear it with my American Apparel Leggings.
Navy Peg Trousers - Dorothy Perkins -These are a great staple for the summer (if the summer ever comes!) and the tan leather tabs are a cute detail.
Triangle Drop Earrings - Topshop - I've started to wear my hair up a lot lately so I've been going back to earrings, I love the geometric feel of these and the mixed metals too.
Real Techniques Core Collection - Boots - I've never tried the real techniques brushes, but I think the pointed foundation brush in this set would be perfect to use with Soliel Tan de Chanel.

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Nail Striping Tape

After seeing a couple of nail art pictures using striping tape on Pinterest (here and here) the nail art fanatic in me was extremely intruiged so off to ebay I went and when I found 12 rolls of the stuff for 99p with free delivery from the UK I bought it without a second thought (from this seller if you were interested)!
The tape came yesterday along with a delivery of another new Essie polish (an obsession is quickly forming) in Buy Me a Cameo. I tried them both out straight away!

I let the polish dry for a good 20 minutes before using the tape as I didn't want any smudging. I chose this pinky coloured tape as it went nicely with the polish and I didn't want it to stand out too much on my first go in case I did an extremely bad job.
I applied the strips horizontally on my ring finger nail and I think the result was good, it was surprisingly easy to apply and trim to size and as it is already sticky there's no need for messy glues or dipping in clear polish. I painted over all of my nails including the striped one with a top coat and after sleeping and showering there has been no peeling at all.
The only thing I was dissapointed with was the pink colour fading slightly with the top coat. Despite that, I'm exctied to try the other colours of the tape will brighter polish.

Have you ever tried striping tape? What do you think of the effects?

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