On the Second Day of Christmas...

My true love sent to me two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

And so I give you two beautiful Cameo necklaces.

The first, a locket, is from Rock 'n Rose, called Grecian Goddess. This classy cameo is 2" in length and costs just £14 and has been featured in LOOK, Grazia and Now online. The simple cream with the gold works really nicely and isn't as harsh with the black as some colours could be.

The second is from The Oriental Magpie. I love the pink rose background colour as it perfectly syncs with the rose itself. The detail is simply stunning and the brass setting is plain and simple, but in a very pretty way.

Abi x

On the first day of Christmas...

My true love sent to me a partridge in a pear tree.

The first day of christmas, and what do I give you? One perfect snowflake.

Another stunning dress from ModCloth, I do love this website. It has everything I love; cute clothes, beautiful accessories and stunning shoes! If only I had some money...

Abi x

5 Days To Go!

As I re-discovered today, winter is very cold...

Even after wearing 3 pairs of tights, a top, a cardigan and a coat I was frozen, along with everyone else. So we spent our time thawing out in the Pallasades in town. They had lovely decks up, especially these massive christmassy stars.

There were about a dozen of them, all spinning around and filling the centre with light and sparkles.

Just a few days to go!!

Abi x

6 Days To Go!

I've just spent the night at one of my friend's houses. She has two beautiful christmas trees, one in her porch and one in her lounge I've always loved her house, it's really clean and sleek and this room is so pretty!

She had a white tree with silver and blue baubles. Now I don't normally like plastics trees, but I'm making an exception for this one!

Merry Christmas!!

Abi x

12 Days To Go!

This image sums up christmas for me.

It's a quick snap taken on my phone at the Christmas Tree farm. This blow up Father Christmas has been there since before I was born, so seeing it every year when I go to pick out a tree finally starts getting me in the mood for Christmas!

So today, I have picked out the perfect tree according to my rules -

1. The tree HAS to be taller than me

2. It must be green.

3. No more than £30 is preferable :)

It was £25 and it's about 6' tall. I'll upload some pictures of it tomorrow or the day after, and photos of my beautifully wrapped presents!!

Merry Christmas all!

Abi x

13 Days To Go!

Liv pointed me towards Asos the other day to show me their Nails Inc. promotion...

The Autumn Winter four pack is possibly my favourite -

I love the richness of the purple, the luxury of the red, and the shimmer of the brown/bronze. The grey is beautiful, but I've been wearing a lot of grey lately and it's getting me down! This set is just £20, normally the price of only two bottles!

One of their Duos that I particularly like is Christmas Duo -

The lilac and the teal work beautifully together, I wouldn't want to separate them!! Again, this is at the wonderful price of £12.

My last love is ASOS' own brand, ASOS Paint. This particular Mint green is called Pixie and I think it's divine -

Anyone remember the story of Chanel's Jade nail Varnish? It was sold for £16 orginally, but the product was available so scarcely bottles are now being sold for £85 + on sites such as Ebay. This colour seems so much richer to me. This beautiful aqua colour is £6.

Abi x

22 Days To Go!

ShopStyle is a website I frequently visit. I love being able to look at clothes from different stores at the same time, because it means I can compare prices and I'm less likely to miss out on something pretty by only looking at a few websites. I've only just started using the 'Create A Look' tool, and so I put together this look - "I'm Dreaming Of A Black Christmas."

Notice my favourite shoes? I do love them and, for me, felt no other pair of shoes would do. I like to think of this look as chic and elegant, the sunnies adding a bit or charm an mystery. I do feel it's missing a belt of some sort, but then the sparkling jewellery makes up for that!

Abi x

23 Days To Go!

For a while, I've been following a website called Anthropologie. I love the styles shown and the elegant simplicity throughout the collection.

I was excited to hear of their first store opening outside of Canada, on Regent Street, London. They have a beautiful window display, and I hope to go visit it before Christmas. After all, where better to go Christmas shopping than London?

I've picked two pieces of jewellery that I love - A purple, Swarovski 'Collage Cocktail' ring. As it goes, the regal purple is perfect for this year's winter, especially as a nail colour, so why not carry it on to a ring that shines just as your nails do?

And these stunning turquoise 'Melting Glaciers' earrings are simply divine. The make me think of icicles and snow, which is perfect for Christmas! The colour is almost as if it were stolen from the deepest of oceans.

Abi x

24 Days To Go!

Christmas has swooped in like a merry little Robin, yet I can't bear to listen to christmas songs until at least the 14th, so I'm listening to Paolo Nutini's Pencil Full Of Lead. Currently 27th in the UK charts, but at least he's above Whitney Houston...

I never really liked Paolo Nutini before, I think it was New Shoes that put me off, it wasn't really my thing at the time it was released, but now I'm really enjoying his musical style.

I like a lot of his latest album, Sunny Side Up, but Pencil Full of Lead is my favourite, it's such a happy song, the lyrics concentrating on what you've got, not what you're missing. I've had a really bad two weeks, and I find that the song reminds me that not everything sucks.

It also makes me think of big musical numbers, with the trombone, the harmonica and especially the dancing girls in the video! (I want their tights!)

I think you should give it a listen because it'll actually put you in a happy, festive mood.

Yesterday, my sister came to me and said "I didn't know you liked Paolo Nutini, I've got a bit of a guilty crush on him, but he's too short." Or words to that effect. It's true, he is quite cute (just look at that happy little smile of his) but then, he does have little (emo) star tattoos on his wrist... He's only 22... pros and cons...

I would rate-

Pencil full of lead - ***** It has everything to make you happy

Sunny Side Up - **** Good to chill out to

Abi x

The Countdown to Christmas!

Happy first of December everyone!!

I hope you got something good when you opened your advent calendar, sadly I don't have one, so keep me updated with what yummy things you get!!

Merry Christmas!

Abi x

Someone who's really rich buy me these?

Topshop £55
Black, lace playsuit. I love the cut at the top and how it's fitted.

Topshop £8
My friends think I'm tights-obsessed... only a little!

My Theresa.com £648.83
These have my name written all over them!

Not necessarily to wear all together... Although I might, but with some colour somewhere along the way!

I want them all so badly!

Abi x

This Is How Horrendously Cool I Am...

Btw, no, I don't know what's going on with the background of the picture!! How odd!

I couldn't resist it, £20. I bought it in a size 20 so I could snuggle up in it. It's so warm and cosy!! The hood is faux fur lined and the rest is 100% polyester apparently. I don't mind that it's not real wool, because I find wool can be really itchy!

Abi x

Wildfox

Ummmm.... yes please?

Loving Wildfox, Sian showed me their site and I was like "ooooooooh... preeeeetyy."

Yet another set of beautiful things I have no money for... sad times.

Abi x

Notice this...?

Loving the striking similarity we have going on here. Gossip Girl's Blair and Emma Watson.

The hair, the bow and the bow-tie... I love the sleekness of the design and the soft cut of Emma's dress. Blair's skirt it simply gorgeous, I kind of adore satin at the moment, it's very elegant.

Abi x

My Favourite...

Person at the moment...

Hard to believe, only because it's me, but it's Emma Watson.

I was looking through her photo shoot for Teen Vogue '09 and I couldn't resist putting these up. I love this sort of photo; grimy background, unexpected objects (chairs, tables etc.), soft light, darker tones and beautiful hair.

What self-respecting girl doesn't want that puff-ball skirt? That Teal-Blue is simply stunning against the purple of the Bluebells.

Another Skirt Pic, but seriously, why isn't it mine? Not such a fan of the biker-esque boots, but then, I'm more distracted by the beautiful Citroen in the background... I love the attention to detail in that her bow and lipstick matches the Citroen, it just shows the dedication and quality needed to survive these days. Don't even get me started on the lace...

Ok... just wow. Not a lot of people can pull off netting to the knees, but somehow, she's carried it off with grace... Is it to do with the ladder? If so... christmas present anyone?

I love the satin in this dress! And the magnificent purple of the hairpiece. The colours are very on trend for AW09/10 in my opinion, the dark, glossy quality of the fabrics and the shoulders. Oh the shoulders. I don't think I could pull it off myself, but I still love it!!

Source - http://ihwmedia.net/index.php

Abi x

Ps. Sorry I've been such a crappy blogger recently, I will be better soon :) x

Loving

The new Arctic Monkeys album.

It's called Humbug.

I started listening to it after I heard Crying Lightning (track 2) somewhere. A lot of the Arctic Monkeys stuff is fairly similar, but this is a bit softer and a bit mellower and I really like it. It sounds a bit like it was recorded in a basement, but that gives it a really hollow and deep tone. It's a nice change from a lot of the indie and random other music I listen. The lyrics are clever and funny at the same time, consistent with their other albums. Overall, I'd give it a **** rating; it's good, clean and generally happy, but it gets a little same-y once you've heard it once or twice.

If you have got Spotify - Arctic Monkeys – Humbug

If not... whyever not? Spotify is possibly my favourite application for computers. Apart from the actually internet browser of course!!

Abi x

France; C'est super!

Wow, France was awesome. I have lots of outfit pics for you and I'll write a little description of each one and how you could find it from your own wardrobe.

Day Outfit One. We were incredibly bored on that ferry, and Actually stayed in that lift for an hour just going up and down; we did have six hours to kill after all! In this outfit, I have a skye blue, mens shirt. I "borrowed" it from my dad a while back. I love over-sized men's shirts because they suit any figure. If you're short and you belt them up, they'll lengthen your figure. If you're skinny, you can wear them open with a vest top underneath and only hint at your figure, leaving yourself open for more attention. If you're tall, you can wear them however you like really; wear them tight to accentuate your height, wear them loose to draw attention to your legs.

I love the denim skirt with this shirt, it gives it the little extra length it needs and the occasional flashes from the gaps in the material show the skirt matching the shirt perfectly. The rugged texture of the skirt really contrasts the soft, smoothness of the shirt and the sleekness of the opaque, black tights. Heels give it a bit of glamour and the jewelry is minimal. However this would all also so great with some String of Pearl beads.

Ok, that was long. I'll do the rest shorter and if you want to ask something then leave it in a comment and I'll reply asap.

Day Outfit Two. The Bikini look is always around in summer. As we were on a site dominated by older couples (50+) and young families (kids younger than 10), we didn't want to walk to the pool in just our Bikinis, so I threw on this. It's the shirt from above left open so as to show off my figure and the pretty new bikini I have; the bikini and a pair of H&M white shorts. I loved this bikini because I found it very fifties inspired with the blues and reds. The bikini bottoms also had ties at the sides; this is good for people like me with a very slender shape. The ties maximise the cut of the bikini and gives hips definition and shape.

Night Outfit One and Two. I found these two outfits very similar, so I figured I could merge the descriptions together. These were very simple, casual outfits. Opaque, black tights, dark boots, loose, light dresses or long tops, a dark cardigan and a dark scarf with colourful detail. The tights and boots are great with this look as they don't draw attention for your dress/top which should be the centrepiece. A dress/top with a large slogan or print on it draws the eye and concentrates everyone to look at you, and it does say something about your personality without you even opening your mouth. The cardigan and scarf keep it casual and comfortable to wear out. Neither outfit requires much jewellery, a bold bangle or two could jazz it up to no end.

Abi x

Trip to London

I went to london with my sister yesterday. So happy to be out of the house for a change.

We took a rather early train, so due to my sleep needs, I had to throw together an outfit dead quick, with improper shoes which I was really annoyed about. I would've worn some white, lace flat but it just wasn't to be... or I got them muddy by taking them out in the rain on Sunday with Livvi. But oh well, they'll be clean soon... hopefully. But I wore a blue vest-top with frills down the front, blue-denim mini and black tights. Plus a black scarf with white pattern which was my nan's so I suppose it must be vintage. Also, string of pearls and heaps of eye make-up. Sadly, there are no decent pictures, but I'll recreate it another day and take a photo in the mirror.

So we started off the trip by visiting the Tate Modern, and we walked through EVERY free gallery. Some off them were a bit dull... some "artworks" were literally just a canvas painted red all over. When we first walked in, I noticed this enormous empty space and couldn't resist a cheeky photo of me. I persuaded my sis to stand on some steps whilst I walked into this space and posed... Voila!

But then we got the tube and really quickly visited the V&A shop, we didn't have time to look at the beautiful jewelry because we were meeting our brother (but that just means we have an excuse for another trip!!) I bought the a gorgeous ring from the V&A shop, not all of my jewelry comes from the internet or my own handicraft.

Then we met up with my brother and had "lunch" in the Haagen Daas cafe. It was immense. My brother ordered their summer special;

Mango Sorbet & and Brownie, Raspberry Sorbet and raspberries, Cherry Ice-cream with cherries and Strawberry Ice-cream with strawberries. The most extravagant ice-cream/sorbet combo I've ever seen. I had a scoop of raspberry and a scoop of lemon with the most indulgent raspberry sauce ever and my sister had two scoops of lemon with chocolate sprinkles... she's a bit odd like that.

Then, it was off to Covent Garden where we had dinner with three of my sister's friends. Annoyingly, I'm really fussy when it comes to food, so generally when I'm out and a meal gets involved, I stick to simple chips... but it was not to be! The restaurant we were in didn't even serve this staple of British meals! So I had to go for the Mixed Salad... which was vile so I only ate half and starved for the rest of the night, well... until my sister took me to Burger King on the way to the train-station.

It was a good day out in all fairness, only ruined by a rude woman on the Underground and horrible food, but then.. what can I expect... it was England!!

Abi x

Laura Baillie Designs

So this is what caught my attention;

Stunner isn't he? Continuing the "Alice in Wonderland" love-in, I was taken by him. I love the vintage look encasement and the subtle beading around the neck. I'm really happy that it's not over complex like many people do just to give a product "more value."

I'm also liking this piece:

Completely adore the simple structure and effectiveness of this design. The Pink Bird Art Necklace is a beautiful, retro-look piece of jewelry; Lace, beads and birds; A perfect piece of wearable art.

laurabailliedesigns.blogspot.com

Abi x

My favourite...

Shop at the moment...

Ji Ji Kiki.com

I am completely enamoured with this website, the jewelry is fabulous and they sell incredible vintage pieces. They do a brilliant range of cameos and vintage style.

I was particularly impressed by this piece; The fully workable miniature Rubix Cube necklace. I've never been any good at Rubix, but if I had this every time I was on a bus... I'd be a genius in no time at all!!

Another small piece from their website is this adorable "April Showers" necklace. With the pearl and bead detail, this is certain to fit with any outfit and create a Storm... (I'm sorry for that awful pun, I get it from my mother's side of the family...)

Abi x

My Two Obsessions...

I've just found this fabby new website. I'd searched on Google for a teacup necklace. I do have a slight obsession with tea!! So I'd though a teacup necklace would be my ideal gift, so I looked...

And came up with..... Temporary Secretary!. There was another website that came up first, but this teacup was much more dainty and looked realistic, but the other was all brown and dull.

Gorgeous, isn't she? I just need someone to buy it for me now!!

I'm officially in love with this website, it's full of cutesy, adorable jewelry such as;

Loving the Alice in Wonderland necklace, especially because I was a big fan as a child, and now there's the Tim Burton version that I can't wait to see!

I've featured the Coral ring because I reckon pink is very A/W '09. The Coral design shows how much effort the makers have gone to. The intricacy gives an extra look of glamour as well, which is always a bonus. Also admiring the filigree ring part, it just makes it a bit more special.

The Cupcake Ring. I know that I needn't say more, but I just have to! I have completely fallen for this necklace, looking at it makes my mouth water and my heart long for it even more. Putting it on view here for me to see daily was probably not the best plan, but I just had to!

My other obsession being ducks. In my bedroom, and throughout the rest of the house, I have well over 100 ducks... My parents love the fact they've taken over an entire wall of my old bedroom... But I do love them so much. I don't know what it is about them, but they're becoming ever more popular. Hence the addition of the "Ducky" ring!!

Abi x

More Mod

Was just browsing through the Mod Cloth website, and found these stunners!

What with all the awful on/off rain we've been having recently, I think these would be perfect for out and about in a typical British sumer!!

Also loving their new "Back to School" feature. This shows you an outfit, plus accessories and shoes, tells you each individual cost and gives you a simple colour palette to work with.

I've picked the "School Council" outfit as my pick of the site because I think it's very 50's new york chic and therefore I approve!

Abi x

Blik

WhatIsBlik.com provides a massive variety of unique wall decor; Re-stickable transfers.

Particularly loving the "realistic" design of Me, Myshelf and I. It's so daft and simple, but it's really effective and will brighten up and room to no end.

Also loving the Chandelier and it's stylish shape.

For someone a bit quirkier, there's the Super Mario Bros sets. My favourite is the Original version, but they also sell a Donkey Kong version and the New Super Mario Bros version.

Abi x

Hair styles

I'm definitely one to change my hair often, whether it's a cut, a trim or full on hair dye, it changes frequently.

This picture a friend showed me is something I'm aiming for. I'll have to grow my hair for a while first, but I love the layering and how blonde it would be. The picture reflects me somewhat as I do have glasses and am prone to wearing a lot of eye make-up.

Not so much the cheek piercing though!!

Abi x

Gypsy Chandelier pendant lamp

Bearing in mind that my room is top to bottom white, this would create a stunning effect as soon as you walk in. The bold colours compliment the curvature of the shape and work together well. Early birthday present?

The lamp is from HiccupGifts.com which also has a great selection of Homewares, Novelties and gifts. I personally favour the lamp because it's stunning.

Abi x

iShopIndie.com

I shop Indie.com is a cute website that offers a wide variety of new designs from smaller, independent businesses.

I particularly admire these bottle cap pieces, made by Wilton Artisians.

Also loving Leviticus Jewelry, with their simplistic designs and cute, wearable pieces.

These, Tick Tock earrings are adorable and are wearable day to day.

I've also found Sparkle Thots via this website. They offer a selection of jewelry with pearls being my favourite.

However, this "My Blue Rose" ring is my utter favourite; it's stylish, elegant and completely vintage.

I hope you enjoy looking though and finding a few boutique websites of your own.

Abi x