Christmas jumpers? Don't sweat it

Are you a Scrooge in the making, or a Santa's little helper? Whichever camp you belong to, there is always a special sweater to sport. Come Christmas morn, when the snow is crisp and white (unlikely here in the mild climes of Devon), you can pull on something warm, cosy, and very festively appropriate.

Here are my top picks to wrap up in, now.

Marks & Spencers, £35

 

Topshop, £55

Mary Katrantzou for Save the Children, Bid here

 

Zoe Karssen, £43

Meadham Kirchoff, £375

Magpie moment

Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there lived a girl with too many shoes...

Yes, I buckled under the pressure of Christmas magic and sparkle, and I fell head over (quite literally) heels for another pair of evening shoes. I maintain they were necessary for both my office Christmas party, and for my ego. Sure, they're not particularly practical, but they are just oh so pretty. Now, what is it they say about girls and magpies?

I initially saw a pair from René Caovilla, the opulent Italian shoemaker with it's signature silver glitter sole, but crumpled at the sight of the price tag. With a pair of Caovilla's setting you back in the region of £750, I quickly realised they would forever remain on my imaginary 'wish list'. So, imagine my delight when I stumbled across these sandals one particularly 'blah' Saturday morning!

Found in Covent Garden's Kurt Geiger store, these Carvela's created a frenzy the minute they hit my Facebook wall. Clearly my friends share my substance abuse problem (pretty footwear) and so, as my fellow magpies hit the 'Like' button, it seems birds of a feather really do flock together; particularly where shoes are concerned.

Photo credit: Goody Two-Choos

AMAs: The best of the dressed

Taylor Swift may have done astonishingly well picking up four awards at the American Music Awards (AMAs) this year but, more importantly, who triumphed and who trailed behind when the stars hit the ruthless Red Carpet? Let the 'best of the dressed' games begin...

Best Dressed Nominees

She knows just how to dress for her own body, and tonight was no exception. Nicole Richie shows us how to put white with cutouts and chunky gold jewellery- and avoid the trashy tag. On anyone else, this would look terrifying. On her waspish- boyish figure, it works. Just.

Rex Images

It's simple, it's not particularly exciting, and it's definitely not groundbreaking. What it is, however, is age-appropriate, and it shows girls everywhere that you don't need to have everything hanging out to look fantastic. For this very reason alone, she deserves to be on this list. Bravo, Kylie, and let's just hope it catches on.

My final nominee is, shockingly, Her Royal Highness Lady Gaga. As the newly appointed face of Versace, she did the fashion world proud (for once) in both the lavender number, and even more so in the bombshell silver gown. There's a first time for everything, right?

...But the winner has to be
Zoe Saldana. She doesn't just look like a movie star, she looks like a lady. Although her hair could have been pulled back off her face, she is memorable and has avoided the boring LBD look of so many others.

Worst Dressed Nominees

The worst offenders all have something in common. No matter how skimpy the outfit, it still manages to be ill-fitting. Even Red Carpet royalty, such as Ms. Kelly Osbourne (who should know better being on Fashion Police, and all) could have done with chopping several inches off the hem. Kudos must be given, however, for her very on-trend hair. The of-the-moment crown has been given the Kelly O. twist!

Rex Images

Heidi Klum failed to impress in her gown which had clearly been hacked by a chainsaw then sent through the shredder.

via Metro UK

And Aubrey O'Day appears to have forgotten the vital parts of her dress. It's enough to even make Bridget Jones' Daniel Cleaver blush.

...And the worst dressed is
TLC. Not a single one of the three girls hit anything close to acceptable, as they were stuck in a 90s time warp not once, but TWICE. If you want a comeback, sack the stylist and come back better dressed.

via Metro UK

Shock and ore

'Tis the season to sparkle, and if this means embracing all things gold, silver and metallic, then I'm on board. After all, if the Three Wise Men were wise enough to bring Gold to the party, that's a good enough excuse for me- particularly with Christmas office parties on the horizon. So, embrace all things radiant, and shine on.

Clockwise from top: Knitted sweater (H&M); Mirrored sunglasses (Ray-Ban); Satin V Cami (Topshop); Chain (& Other Stories); Full pleated skirt (Lulu & Co at Matches); Lustrous brogues (Dune); Metallic cuff (Freedom at Topshop); Bag (Pierre Hardy).

Clockwise from top: Necklace (Lulu Frost at Net-a-Porter); Blazer (ACNE) Shoes (Robert Clergerie) and Trousers (Emilio Pucci) all from The Outnet; Bag (Cambridge Satchel Co exclusive to ASOS).

Clockwise from top: Fur wrap (Charlotte Simone); Dress (ACNE at The Outnet); Perspex clutch (Charlotte Olympia); PRONE metallic heels (ASOS); Necklace (Freedom at Topshop).

Architecture meets fashion

On the first Monday of October, which conveniently happens to be today, is World Architecture Day. As architecture is often inspired by- and in itself inspires- fashion design, I have put together a selection of architecturally fashionable pieces in homage to this annual event.

Kicking off the architectural fashion feature, Skyscraper heels have always held a special place in my heart for those special parties where there is little walking to be done, and a seat never more than 100 yards away... Think skyscraper heels, think Charlotte Olympia.

Windowpane checks are big news once more thanks to J. Crew and Stella McCartney. Pick up a pair of smart office-to-bar-friendly trousers for the new season, like this pair from J.Crew. They tick two structural boxes: minimalist lines and windowpane checks.

In architectural terms, Fleur-de-Lys is a very feminine baroque-inspired style which always serves well to counteract the androgynous and minimalist styles prominent on the catwalks and street style stars of the last few years. Hunt No More, a young and playful Australian brand, has created a Fleur-de-Lys themed collection for AW13/14; with one particular dress named just so.

To add a sense of drama to this season's key cocoon coat, throw a decadent baroque scarf over your shoulder and fasten with an art deco brooch. This Kenzo scarf is available here.

Iconography is literally iconic this season, with Dolce & Gabbanna amongst others creating a collection inspired by religious icons, church architecture and the luxurious decor of the Byzantine mosaics. Some may consider this dress out of budget at over £10,000, but I still think it's beautiful. Surely it can't hurt to look..?

Photo credits: theoutnet.com, net-a-porter.com

Review: No7 Eye Make-Up Remover

It promises to condition while it cleanses... but I wish it would do more cleansing, and less conditioning. Today, as promised, I am reviewing the first item in my mini skincare haul: the No7 eye make-up remover.

I didn't think you could go wrong with a make-up remover, believing it to be pretty straightforward and run-of-the-mill. However, it seems that No7 have tried to be too innovative for their own good, focussing too much on the mature and drier skin types; and in so doing have produced a disappointing product in what should have been an easy market.

Price...
The price point for all No7 products is pretty good, considering I am used to Clarins skincare. What's more, I managed to get this product in a 3-for-2 offer, on top of a boots voucher for No7 skincare. Overall, therefore, I paid less than is humanly possible for a targeted make-up remover product, which I am more than happy with. Long live boots vouchers...

Does-What-It-Says-On-The-Tin-alike...
Cleanse? Yes. Condition? Yes. Leave a huge amount of excess oily product on the skin? Yes. It does what it is supposed to; it removes your make-up, including long lasting foundation and waterproof mascara. However, after application, it does feel like I have gone swimming in a grease-pool - so much so that I feel I have to wash my face after use. I think that this not only defeats the point of a skin cleansing product, but also goes against the grain of the No7 'Ta Dah!' claims which has connotations of quick, easy and magic products which reveal a new skin. I just felt like I would be better off with a good old-fashioned bar of soap and water.

Overall Satisfaction...
Will I be repurchasing this product? No. I think there are far better competitors, even taking into consideration the excellent deals on the Boots skincare ranges. I do not wish to put more grease on to my already oily complexion, but that's just me.

2/5 stars

Photo credit: Boots.com

Suited and booted

I am a very fussy person when it comes to boots. I inspect each angle thoroughly and expect nothing less than a beautifully crafted piece of footwear. It must hug and mold itself to every inch of my leg as, much like a shirt or man's suit jacket, you can spot an ill fit from a mile away.

Ankle, tall, heeled, OTK (over the knee), wedge, fur-lined, suede, leather or patchwork, it doesn't matter- eventually, I will reach the point of desperation where it is coming up to November, the weather is deteriorating rapidly, and I am still bootless. I will make my summer ballerina pumps stretch to their full weather-bearing capacity until, finally, moaning and groaning, they are relieved from duty and put away to hibernate until next Spring.

This year, my focus has been directed towards the hunt for the perfect ankle boot, and it has taken me two months of solid soul-searching to reach this point: contentment and relief.

To save you lovely ladies from the same gloomy fate, I have compiled my favourite three ankle boots which will serve you from the office to dancefloor to Sunday stroll in style. These styles have all been tried, tested, and given the Goody Two-Choos seal of approval, and you should all know by now that there truly is no higher mark of quality. Consider this the Michelin Star rating of Boots.

1. L.K. Bennett Dionne Leather Ankle Boot, available here
2. ASH Illico Suede Wedge Ankle Boots, available here
3. HOSS Intropia Metallic Leather Ankle Boot, available here