Top 5: Fashion Books

I have so many outfit posts planned but this awful weather makes taking good photos so hard! Where I live today it's foggy, dark and drizzly.... Not a good mix!

So instead I decided I'd pick out a few book every style-conscious, fashion loving woman should own, you may have already heard of some of them! Something to add to your Christmas list perhaps?

1. Vogue: The Gown, £48.75 on Amazon.

If, like me, you love the glamour of a real show-stopping dress then you need to get this book! You might think £48 is expensive for a book, but it's not when you see it. This book is full of stunning dresses with photography by some of the industry's best. I think it's well worth the money and this one is definitely on my Christmas list!

2. Grace: A Memoir, £20.40 on Amazon.

Anna Wintour's right-hand woman has written a memoir and you really need to read it. Charting her life and enviable career, Grace Coddington is both insightful and entertaining. I cannot recommend this book enough!

3. The Little Dictionary of Fashion: A Guide to Dress Sense for Every Woman, £8.99.

The perfect stocking filler, this book is full of great little style tips from the fashion giant Christian Dior himself. 

4. Secrets of a Fashion Therapist: What You Can Learn Behind the Dressing Room Door, £14.93 on Amazon.

Betty Halbreich is the director of 'Solutions' at the legendary Fifth Avenue store Bergdorf Goodman, what she doesn't know about fashion is not worth knowing! In this book Betty shares all her knowledge about how to get dressed and look fabulous. If you haven't seen 'Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorfs' on Netflix, you need to watch that too!

5. The Woman I Wanted to be, £13.60 on Amazon.

Diane Von Furstenburg is one of the most influential fashion designers in the world and her iconic wrap dress is one of the most defining items of clothing. This is another book that is definitely on my Christmas list. 

Have you already read one of these books? Do you have any others you would recommend? Let me know in the comments! 

Style Crush: Jennifer Lawrence

Yesterday my sister and I went to see the latest instalment of The Hunger Games, Mockingjay Part 1 and it was awesome! I'd definitely recommend it. I love Jennifer Lawrence, she always looks so amazing on the red carpet, so I thought I'd do a little style crush on her today.

I've picked out a few of her red carpet looks below where she just looks gorgeous, being the face of Dior doesn't hurt either...

This is from the latest premier of Mockingjay in LA, love the shape of this Dior dress!

Jennifer here looks chic, but comfortable.

This midi dress shape really works for her figure.

Always classy, Jennifer balances out the crop with these Marc Jacobs high-waisted relaxed trousers.

I really like how simple this look is, but it's still very elegant.

The thing I really love about Jennifer Lawrence is her positive body image. As she is repeatedly quoted saying, she's not about getting crazy skinny and her figure is just perfect anyway! The shape of this dress really enhances her shape. 

Two words: show stopper.

This dress is just so minimal - obviously Calvin Klein - and she rocks it.

I think the colour of this jumpsuit works really well with Jennifer's dark hair and pale skin, another simple but elegant look. 

I'm just a huge fan of metallics and this gold tone looks really pretty against Jennifer's tan.

Which look is your favourite? Do you think Jennifer looks better with blonde or dark hair? I can't decide! Leave me a comment! 

Topshop Party Picks

Firstly, I need to apologise for my hiatus! I've been so swamped with assignments at uni these past few weeks I've barely had time to do anything else, but I'm back now! Handed my last one if before Christmas today so get ready to be inundated with posts!

I don't know about anyone else but I think Topshop is so on form lately when it comes to party-wear. I've been scouring the internet for the perfect NYE dress and for some sparkle in general and Topshop seems to have plenty! River Island is also looking good too so watch out for a post on that too!
I've picked out some of my favourite pieces below that are full of sparkle and just scream festive...

Pleated halterneck skater dress, £46

I love this dress. I actually ordered it last week to wear on NYE but it's just too short! I'm 5 ft 11 and this is more like a top on me, I'm heartbroken! So just a warning, this dress is gorg but I wouldn't recommend it if you are tall! *SOB!*

Sequin Crossbody bag, £25

Just one word: mermaid.

Pleated Slip dress, £40

A slip dress is so classic, add a little sparkle and you're on to a winner.

Liquid Metallic Cami, £25

This is perfect for dressing up a pair of jeans; just add heels and clutch.

Shiny PU mini skirt, £38

These metallic skirts are everywhere at the moment, and for good reason! So easy to style and they look so festive.

Flat front luxe joggers, £38

These trousers are so versatile so they make the perfect party piece. Wear them with a lace crop top and heels or a sparkly t-shirt and pretty flats.

 Ruby snake effect high heel sandals, £46

Everybody needs a pair of versatile black heels and these snake effect ones are perfect. December is always littered with parties and events and you don't want to be buying a new pair of shoes to go with every outfit!

Squeeze pom-pom velvet slippers, £28

If you aren't into heels, get some fancy flats instead! I think these pom-pom slippers are so cute! Also, they'll look just as good with a pair of jeans as they will with a party dress.

Matte metallic nails in Usual Suspects, £6

I just love Topshop make-up, it's really cheap and the products are always top quality. How amazing is this colour?


What are your favourite party pieces in Topshop? Have you already bought your NYE dress? Let me know in the comments!

#OOTD: 11th November, Cosy Casual

Today's #OOTD is just simple and casual: 'mom' jeans and my favourite Zara knit that you've probably already seen.

This jumper comes in as such a bargain for me just because I wear it so often, at £35 it was soo worth the money! Also, I find Zara knitwear to be excellent quality. I'll definitely be adding more from their range to my collection soon. 

Please excuse my messy hair, I dashed outside with my sister to take these picture before it rained again so I didn't really think about tidying it up! I'm a fan of the messy bun anyway on days where I'm just working in the library. Which also explains the glasses... They aren't just an accessory as people always ask me, I do actually need them! 

I don't think I've blogged this coat yet, but you will definitely recognise it from my Instagram. This camel coat, from Next, has become my Autumn essential. I wear it nearly everyday, it's so versatile. It can either dress up a more casual outfit or it can add that extra bit of polish to an already really put-together look. It's amazing quality and I personally think it looks more expensive that it was: £65 ! I'm such a bargain hunter.

I know Primark have lots of coats like this for around £20, but this coat is so different from most of the others I've seen in the same style, not to mention it's far better quality than the Primark versions. The waterfall collar falls beautifully and makes it look just that little bit different to other coats in this style.  

Coat, Next. Jeans, Topshop. Shoes, Primark. Jumper and bag, Zara.

I always find posing for blog photos so awkward! I can never get them to look natural. I could definitely never be a model! Do you have any posing tips? What is your Autumn staple? Leave me a comment!

Top 5: Knee High Boots

As it's November now and the cold nights are really drawing in, I thought I'd focus this top 5 on an absolute Winter essential: the knee high boot. I know what some of you may be thinking... 'I will definitely look like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, with less of the endless leg and more of the hooker!' but I assure you if styled right, knee high/thigh high boots look great and they are actually really practical. I'll be posting a '3 Ways to Wear It' soon on knee high boots, so keep a look out for that if you are stuck! As usual, I've picked 5 of my favourites below...

1. ASOS Kiss Of Life over the knee boots, £50.

2. Linzi Shoes Grey Suede Stretch Wedge Boot, £35.

3. River Island Cleated Sole Platform Boots, £70.

4. Zara XL Leather Boot with Patent Toe, £99.

5. ALDO Dyanna Boot in Bordeaux, £89.98 in the sale.

I know I've picked mostly black boots here, but I genuinely believe that if you are going to invest quite a substantial amount of money in a pair of shoes, black is probably the best colour option! They will always go with anything else you wear and you should really get a lot of wear out them (cost per wear is my favourite way to rationalise a purchase!). Which is your favourite of my picks? Let me know in the comments!

Company Magazine 'Bloggers Style the High Street' Event, 30th October 2014

Last Thursday I headed off to London for the #CompanyBSHS event, a high street fashion show hosted by Company Magazine and styled by a handful of well-known bloggers. 
I've never been to an event like this before but I had an amazing time! It was so cool to actually watch a live fashion show and mingle with other like-minded people, plus there were cocktails....

Here's what I wore....
Bralet and clutch, Topshop. Skirt, ASOS. Shoes, Missguided.

And here I am in front of the Company wall...

Before the show began, there were lots of cool things to do. I got a temporary tattoo, which I loved and I'm so sad it wasn't real! There was a photobooth too, and of course my sister and I had to have a pose!

The show was really good and there were some great looks featured, I've picked out some of my favourites from each brand below. I've decided to use the pictures from Company's website because as I don't have a camera, my own pictures are not very clear. After Christmas, I will definitely be investing! 

Warehouse, styled by The Little Magpie

OASIS, styled by Patricia Bright

Next, styled by Coco's Tea Party

Marks and Spencer, styled by EJStyle

River Island, styled by SheWearsFashion

ASOS, styled by Pages by Megan

Primark, styled by Hannah Louise F

YUMI, styled by The Golden Diamonds

I managed to get a shot of the bloggers at the end. It must be so exciting to be involved in an event like this!

Of course, I had to try the post-show cocktails... A Cavoda Vodka Cosmo! 

Since I only bought a standard ticket, I didn't get the VIP goodie bag, but I was pretty impressed with the selection in the normal goodie bag anyway!

If you missed the event, all the runway looks are on the Company site! I had a really great time and I think I'm going to make a habit of attending things like this!