Photo Diary: Christmas Shopping in London

A few weeks ago my sister and I went on a little adventure. Where to? You guessed it, London! London is always the best place for Christmas shopping and as usual, I came away with a few goodies. Check out my instagram here.

First, a quick pit stop in Starbs.

A little peppermint hot chocolate was enough to charge me up for some hard-core shopping.

From Oxford, Bond to Regent Street, we flocked our ways through the bustling crowds to grab all our Christmas pressies. We loved how all of the shops are decked out in Christmas decorations and play jolly music in the background (singing while you shop = Christmas).

Pit stop #2. We can always count on good ol' Whole Foods for a good lunch. I had the delicious stove-baked pizza while my sister had a mini roast dinner. We had a quick (or long rather) snoop around the beauty department before heading back to Fortnum & Mason.

And that's where it all begins.

Just look at that tree.

Then came the Christmas department; let's just say that I literally collapsed and died when I stepped foot inside. (If you did't guess by now, yes, I'm a Christmas-fanatic).

From baubles to garlands, to Christmas tree-scented sprays to wreaths. It was all there. Everything you can imagine.

Gift Guide: The Home-Bird...

They say you know you're getting old when you want things for your home for Christmas. But, the Home-Bird is simply the girl who enjoys her own company, loves a good read in her cosy home, takes pleasure in grabbing a quick coffee from Starbucks and nosing around Liberty's. Her favourite shops are Anthropologie, & Other Stories and one-off boutique stores in the city. Whether the Home-Bird be you or a close one, grab a notebook and pen and scribble your wishlist to Santa, with a little help from me...

1. Diptyque candle in Noisetier 
2. Jo Malone Lime, Basil and Mandarin bath oil
3. Jack wills lounge leggings
4. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald 
5. Mary Berry at Home recipe book
6. John Lewis Lambswool Throw in pale pink
7. Smythson Places to Remember Diary
8. Mulberry Yellow Lizard-Effect iPhone Case
9. UGG Cozy Knit Slippers
10. Paperchase 2014 Diary
11. Ray-Ban Clubmaster's
12. Jo Malone Cologne Collection

Holiday Hair & Makeup Ideas...

Red is always the prettiest colour when Christmas comes around. Try a glossy, red lip a la Millie Mackintosh with fluttery lashes and bold eyebrows while slicking your hair back into a low chignon, sealed with a festive red ribbon. A very chic but glamorous look that I definitely will be sporting this jolly season.

Do you have any hair and makeup ideas for the festive season?

Tuesday Ten: Winter Style Ideas...

Gift Guide: The Beauty-aholic!

Ahh the beauty-aholic. The girl who is always snooping around for the latest, most-hyped product, follows Lily, Vivanna and Kate on Youtube, and visits Space.NK at least 5 times a day. Her 'muji drawers' (yep, every beauty-aholic has those!) are stashed to the brim with everything from Bourjois to Chanel. Not to mention her skincare shelf is overflowing. But there's still space, right? For one more product? Here are a few ideas for you or a friend for Christmas...

1. Jouer mattifying bronzer
2. Caudalie Beauty Elixir (with special L'Wren Scott packaging)
3. Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Water
4. Anastasia Brow Wiz
5. Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze
6. Aromatherapy bath oil
7. Emma Hardy Cleansing Balm
8. Moroccanoil
9. Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser 
10. REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask
11. L'Oreal Intense Nourishing Conditioner
12. Lipstick Queen lipstick
13. Origins Drink-Up Intensive Mask
14. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat foundation

What do you want this Christmas? 

Tuesday Ten: "If You Put One Thing On Your List this Christmas..."

Remember those Christmas' where the entire living room floor was covered in teared wrapping paper and toys galore? The older I get, the less presents I want. Except, I ask ol' Santa up there for just one, extra special gift. For me this year, I've scribbled a Barbour jacket on my list. It is very expensive I know, but hey, it will keep me warm and last for years! Plus, it is a lifetime investment and never goes out of fashion. So, if you're in the same boat as me, where you like just getting one present, then this post if all for you. If you put one thing on your list this Christmas it should be a Prada bag, or Burberry trench or even a strappy pair of Louboutins. Enjoy...

1. A Victoria Beckham dress
2. A Mulberry bag
3. A pair of Louboutins
4. A Burberry trench
5. A Eugenia Kim hat
6. A Tiffany's ring
7. A pair of Ray-Bans
8. A Michael Kors watch
9. A Chloe jumper
10. An Oscar De La Renta gown

The Miranda Look:

Top, trousers, scarf, bag, shoes , ring
The incredible Miranda Kerr.

Gift Guide: The Style Savvy...

YES! The first of many Christmas posts has arrived, and this year, they are bigger and a hell of a lot better! The Style Savvy is someone I'd describe to be a fashion-loving, street-style-obsessed, fashion week-goer who regularly snoops the latest trends (without being a fashion victim) and keeps fashion-forward. Net-A-Porter, Zara, French Connection and Topshop are high on her list for the best garments around. Chic, sophisticated, stylish and classy are a few 'labels' tagged to her style. If you or you know someone who is, a style savvy then here a few gift ideas to make last-minute Christmas shopping a lot easier...

1.Burberry Trench, 2.Charlotte Olympia Cat Flats, 3. Alexa Chung, IT, 4.Topshop Tartan Gloves, 5.Kate Spade Wallet, 6.Chan Luu Earrings, 7. Ray-Ban Wayfarer's, 8. Topshop Pink Heels, 9. Mulberry Black Satchel

What do you want this Christmas? 

Photo Diary: Carnaby Street Christmas Fair...

It's been a long while since I did one of these, but I am thinking of making them a regular occurrence. I thought as I'm doing some rather fun things on the lead up to Christmas that I would take you guys along with me.

Last night I went to the Carnaby Street Christmas Fair where the theme involved a flock of giant robins; the lights on the arches spanning Carnaby Street were switched on and the whole area was in party mood. There was free drink and food, goodie bags and a talk in Kingly Court on current trends from Grazia’s editor-at-large Angela Buttolph (which I'll be going into further detail in a later post). And hey, here's the best part, all the of the shops had 20% discount - making Christmas shopping all the more better!

We arrived in the mist of the hustle and bustle of rush hour where everybody gazed at the '12 days of Christmas' lights glistening on Oxford St.

Shuffling our ways through the crowds to the wonderfully peaceful Liberty's, we, once again, longingly stared at the captivating lights.

Liberty's is always one of my favourite places to visit in London, especially during the festive season, partly due to the pretty Christmas and lights. 

Our tummy's were rumbling and I was craving for a big, fat, juicy burger (to put it ladylike). And, you can't walk past Carnaby Burger Co, smelling that beefy, barbecue smell without at least peering in and taking another whiff. I ordered the Barbecue Beef which also contains smoked bacon, melted cheese, onion rings and bbq sauce. While my sister had the Original Tex Mex (fresh guacamole, crispy bacon and jalapeños).

With our stomach's stuffed (and our belt loops loosened), we decided to have a stroll down the street, where thousands of robins were flying above our heads and Christmas music was blaring out of everywhere.

Now for the fun part. My sister and I just happened to walk past what we thought was a 'fashion library'. But, it turned out to be Grazia's editor Angela Buttolph talking about fashion! A girl can't walk past that now can she? She talked us through key autumnal trends and  her personal style. 

Our little adventure soon came to an end. London's quite like Alice's rabbit hole cleverly disguised as a city; in which you leave wondering if it was all just a dream. 

Tuesday Ten: Coming Up this Christmas...

It's only 6 weeks away and I'm already beginning to start planning my Christmas-themed posts. I have to say, they are my favourite to write as they're just so festive, fun and creative. Although they say a girl should never reveal her secrets, today I go against that rule. I'm going to reveal to you all the posts coming up this Christmas; these are just the ones that I planned but if you have any suggestions please let me know! From gift-guides to outfit ideas to get-ready-with-me's: get ultra-festive in this year's Christmas posts (coming up later in November)...

Here we go...

1. Gift guide: The Style Savvy (fashion, style etc.)
2. Gift guide: The Beauty-a-Holic (makeup, hair and skincare etc.)
3. Gift Guide: The Home Bird (interior design, recipe books etc.)
4. Christmas Day Outfit Ideas
5. "If You Put One Thing On Your List this Christmas..." (top expensive buys)
6. Christmas in London - my guide to the best London Christmas markets, department stores etc.
7. Christmas Party Outfit Ideas
8. Christmas FOTD & OOTD
9. Photo Diary: Be Merry & Bright (photo diary of Christmas Eve, opening up presents, Christmas dinner, Boxing Day etc.)
10. Get-Ready-With-Me: Merry Christmas!

What do you think of the upcoming posts this Christmas? Please if you have any suggestions of post ideas please let me know by either tweeting me or simply leave a comment below. Thank you!

Winter Is Coming.

It officially feels like winter here in London, especially when every shop you walk in has Christmas decorations up; not forgetting the freezing-ly cold weather too. Personally, Winter is probably my least favourite season. Don't get me wrong though, because the lead up to Christmas and Christmas itself is my favourite time of year, it's January and February I hate! They're just too cold for my little body to handle and we all have the after-Christmas blues. But, Winter abroad is nice; the UK can't handle a sudden flurry of snow. Where would I like to be spending my winter holidays? Well, if you ask me, I like my winter's to be...winter's, so that means no exotic, tropical place. Switzerland, Canada, Paris or New York sound nice. It would be magical to see the northern lights in Alaska in the winter too. Well, in honour of my new board called Winter Is Coming on Pinterest, here are a few beautiful pictures to get you excited for the approaching season...

I am soon to be starting my Christmas series, let me know if you have any requests on post ideas! Thank you!!

Tuesday Ten: November Style Inspiration...

In other words: a lot of black and a good coat.

What to Wear to: Bonfire Night

Coat - Barbour, boots - Topshop, hat - Asos, jeans - Burberry Brit, t-shirt - Clu, glasses - Ray-Ban

Dress, scarf and cardigan - Zara, earrings - Lulu Frost, wellies - Hunter

Jumper - Jack Wills, boots - Isabel Marant, jeans - Topshop, bag - Chloe, hat - Karl Donoghue