Roses are red, violets are blue...

... I don’t want to give into commercialism

And neither should you.

The above sums up my thoughts about Valentine’s Day quite well. It’s a day where the card companies and the alike try to manipulate you into spending a fortune in the name of love. And make you feel damn guilty and a terrible boyfriend / girlfriend if you don’t. But let’s face it, you don’t need to spend a lot to show someone that you love them. Handmade cards are much cheaper than the soppy, heart infested ones you get in the shops. And they show a lot more time, effort and care - it wasn’t purely an impulse buy at the till whilst you were out food shopping.

I found some mugs on Cafe Press which I feel are a true representation of Valentine’s Day:

("Express your love when you want to, not when you're told to.

Down with Valentine's Day!")

("Chocolate makes me fat. Roses make me sneeze. I hate Valentine's Day")

 ("Happy commercialized holiday!")

Brilliant. But also slightly ironic. Many of us moan about the commercialism of Valentine’s Day but now there is a new market (the anti-Valentine’s Day squad and the singletons) which the companies can then make money from too. Terrible, huh?

I am loved up and have been for the last 5 years. We never make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day because if you love someone, you should love them all 365 days of the year – you don’t need one day a year to say / show it. We never go out or have a master plan. Firstly because restaurants are a total rip off at this time and secondly because the one year we did make a plan, I was insanely ill which ruined everything. And we don’t do gifts. But there have been exceptions to this rule. Last year, my boyfriend surprised me a gift and this weekend, we’re going away.

And the question lots of us face: what should I wear on a date? 
I feel like Valentine’s Day adds extra pressure on us to look good (another reason why I semi dislike the day). I have come up with some ideas for looks based on the sorts of things I would wear for each occasion. I hope these are useful / inspiring:

Staying in

If it’s just you and boyfriend home alone, dress comfortably but also add a little sexy twist if you can (he’ll thank you for it!). Try wearing matching lingerie or nightwear with a floaty cover up:

Tesco - babydoll

Topshop - teddy in "Berry"

Topshop - dip dye water colour kimono

Cinema / day time

Because of this seemingly “special” day of the year, you can get away with being a little bit smarter than usual. If you’re making a day of it, wear what’s comfortable - avoid tight fitting garments and high heels. Wedges are a good alternative as they give you a little bit more support and won’t kill your feet after an hour. Floaty sheer shirts, lace detailing and flowing skirts can all look very romantic.

New Look - beaded mesh top

New Look - chiffon gypsy top

River Island - 3D petal tunic

River Island - cream lace skirt

River Island - Peter pan shift dress

River Island - peep toe wedge boots

Topshop - abeline boots

Topshop - crochet lace vest

Topshop - silk shorts

Nice restaurant / night out

It’s up to the individual, but I would choose a dress for an occasion like this. If you are going for a many course meal avoid tight body con dresses and waist belts. Been there, got the t-shirt. You will feel mighty uncomfortable afterwards and in a body con number, your food baby will be quite clear. Try flowing dresses that skim over your stomach and team with a nice pair of heels:

Miss Selfridge - black lace V dress

Miss Selfridge - tan canvas heel

H&M - dress 

… and finally, a clichéd look

If you really love Valentine’s Day, you may want to wear your heart on your sleeve (literally). The High Street has so many options right now so you can wear head to toe hearts if you wish. Show The Love with this cute ASOS hearts cardigan which would look lovely slung over a black dress. Or alternatively team a sweatshirt like this with these gorgeous Topshop scallop shorts and patent shoes. You can even include your legs in the heart fest with these ASOS tights.

ASOS - heart cardigan

ASOS - heart sweatshirt

Topshop - scallop shorts

Topshop - "Kitty" black patent shoes

ASOS - heart tights

  

Hope all you have a lovely Valentine’s regardless of whether you’re single or loved up! 

The DOs and DON’Ts of layering

Not many people can carry off the layered look. Typically über tall, skinny minnies suit the look best. For all us non-super models - and mere mortals - successful layering can take some mastering.

I for one need some serious help when it comes to layering. When I layer, my primary objective is to keep warm. All fashion goes out the window. I throw on as many jumpers as humanly possible and trust me, it’s not a pretty sight. I go from thin arms and torso to obese city. Or should that be obesity? I become Mr Blobby. You know something is seriously wrong when you can no longer lift your arms…

In England you have to expect the unexpected. We rarely have sun but when we do, everyone gets a little too excited and dusts off their sunglasses / flip flops ready. Which then usually scares off the sun. But we won’t go there. It may be sunny, but step outside and it’ll be freezing. UK weather never makes any sense. Layering if mastered, can provide great security and versatility. You can add / remove layers as you please throughout the day. And if done right, layering can also help to balance out certain figures. Long torsos can be broken up. Larger hips and bums can be concealed. But be warned: Do not over do it if you’re not blessed with height – or you’ll risk looking even shorter. 

After a bit of research, I have learnt the DO’s and DON’Ts of layering:

DON’T…

•  … use lots of thick, bulky layers – you’ll end up looking bigger than you are. And being able to move your limbs is kind of important…
• … use too many colours – or you’ll look like a rainbow. And not in a good way.
• … layer up in just one colour or you may appear blob like. A mixture of light and dark shades is a lot more flattering

DO...

• … wear thin layers – use thicker knits and such on top only 
• ... use darker colours on your outer layers and lighter colours underneath – this is more flattering for most body shapes
• … layer your lower half too. Chunky knit socks look so cute peeking out of boots
• … layer loose / floaty garments over fitted ones

  
What should I layer with?

The possibilities are endless:

• Scarves / snoods
• Vests / long + short tops
• Leggings / tights
• Blouses / shirts
• Dresses
• Gilets

There are lots of bloggers who do layering well but sometimes I question how warm their outfits actually are. The point of layering is to be warm after all!

With this post I want to prove that you can be warm and fashionable in these cold, cold times. You don’t have to compromise on style in order to keep warm. I think that the following people on Lookbook embody this fabulously:

1. I am the biggest fan of capes / kimonos / shawls

 2. A fabulous example of wearing thicker layers on the outer layers 

 3. This outfit looks so toasty. The cardigan pattern is just amazing

 4. In LOVE with the cardigan and chunky knit scarf. Great combinations of colour.

In (very) exciting news, I had an interview with the Gucci Group this week :) It was a true “pinch me” moment. I then received a call inviting me to a second (and final) interview later this week. It’s now between myself and one other person. Crazy huh? Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Online shopping vs in-store shopping

Shopping. We all do it. Clothes shopping, food shopping, present shopping… the list goes on. For centuries shopping has involved visiting a store, picking out your items, exchanging these items for currency of some sort and leaving with said items. The act of shopping was then revolutionised in the 1990s when it first became possible to shop online. Amazon appeared in 1995 and then a year later, hello eBay.

But is online shopping all it’s cracked up to be? 

Or has it done us more harm than good?

You are enticed

It is only too easy to be lured in by offers and discount codes. All reason goes out of the window. They want me to pay £5 for postage? Ludicrous! But look here… spend an extra X amount of pounds and get free shipping… bargain! I’m guilty of falling victim to stupid things like this. But the way I look at it, if I paid for postage, I’d never see that money again. However if I spend an extra £20 on something I’m unsure of, I can at least return it for free and get my money back. It makes sense.

At the moment, online January sales are a big danger for purses everywhere. This is the time of year when you find something a bit ugly – yet oddly intriguing – and think “hey, it’s in the sale and it’s only £5. Who cares?”  And despite the sales, I will still end up buying non-sale items. In fact most of my basket is suddenly full of non-sale stock. How did that happen? Boo.

Online shopping is addictive

It really is. In fact it can be compared to the addictiveness of gambling. You see all these bingo adverts announcing “only £10 to play – and get a free £20 from us on top of that as a thank you”. And it is exactly the same with online sites. Spend £75 and get free shipping. Spend over X amount and get X percent off. They encourage you to spend more and more.

 

Shopping online can even become a little bit of an obsession for some of us. You find something you like but they don’t have your size. I’ll check again tomorrow you say. But you don’t just mean tomorrow. You check back every single day. And several times each day may I add?

Lazy or convenient?

One bonus of online shopping is that if it’s tipping it down outside, you don’t have to go out. You don’t even have to get dressed. Order naked if you like. No one cares. No one can see you. Bloody brilliant. But let’s face it, it is a little bit lazy. No physical activity whatsoever is needed other than some wrist action (for the mouse) and finger motion (typing). It is obviously a lot healthier to go out shopping and get the exercise… but staying home is just more convenient. You don’t have to lug all those heavy bags back home. Instead you have lovely Mr delivery man (or woman as the case may be) to do that for you.

It’s too easy

You can add many things to your basket – it can’t hurt right? You don’t have to buy it all. Decisions can be made later after all. When you’ve had your fix and finally decide to view your basket, you faint momentarily over the total it’s reached. How did it get to three figures?! The “removing from basket” stage is a painful one. It’s like giving up one of your children.

The whole process is just way too easy. There are even options to save your card details for “next time”. And it never feels like you’re spending money. It doesn’t feel real.

But nonetheless enjoyable

Yes, online shopping has its annoyances but it also has its good points. It can be quite an enjoyable experience. You can put your feet up and sit comfortably with a nice cup of tea. You don’t get all hot and sweaty like you do racing around the shops. 

And my favourite bit? No queues! You don’t have to get up ridiculously early to avoid the queues as these sites operate 24-7.

How do you prefer to shop? Online or in-store?

And me? I can’t decide. I shop online more but that’s just a convenience thing. Plus some of my favourite brands are only available online.

I think that when you physically go shopping, you feel more satisfied walking out of a store with a pretty bag. The bag itself is the statement.  You are saying I have been shopping. And everything within this bag now belongs to me. There is also the mystery of what is inside your bag. No one else knows but you. I often wonder what others have bought.

By shopping in-store you have handed over your card / cash at the till. You physically have your goods straight away – no waiting involved. It feels more real.

For the last month or so my biggest obstacle from hitting the shops has been the snow. Hence I have done most of my shopping online. Here’s a little taster of some of the things I’ve ordered lately. Enjoy!

Topshop

I saw Ellie Goulding on TV wearing this blouse and I fell in love with it. I don't think that the Topshop website does it justice - the detail is so much more incredible in reality. My only disappointment is that it's quite see through so I'll need to pick up a vest to go under it.

I love kimonos and bed jackets. Nicole Ritchie's Winter Kate range does some lovely ones but sadly, they're a bit out of my budget! This one from Topshop is so airy and comfortable. Again, it is a little see through for my liking (it doesn't look transparent online) but it looks lovely with a lacy black camisole.

ASOS

I got these in the ASOS sale and they were an absolute bargain! Words cannot describe how lovely they feel - the outer material is so soft, I can't stop stroking it!

Urban Outfitters

I love photography and my dream is to get a DSLR one day. I have been lusting over camera necklaces for ages now but I find a lot of them are too "big" and poorly made. This necklace from Urban Outfitters is small and dainty - perfect!

These cut out trousers really caught my eye. And they must have caught many other peoples' eyes too as they're now completely sold out!!

Office

A steal at £10 in the Office sale! They arrived today and I have never had flats like them before. The insides are very cushioned and padded - walking in them is such a delight!

Rocket Dog

I am a fairisle / nordic / alpine (whatever you call it) fanatic. And I really struggle whenever it snows. I salute those of you who go out in heels! These looked so comfortable with the fleecy insides and they have a good grip on the soles. I hope I can rely on them if it snows again!

Perhaps the weirdest shoes you will ever lay your eyes on...

If I were to start with the word "armadillo" what would come to mind first? This perhaps?

Or would you think shoes?

For these of you thinking "eh? shoes?", don't worry - I was the same earlier today!

After a bit of a Lady Gaga fest, I was a little fascinated with the shoes she was wearing in her "Bad Romance" video which for some reason, I hadn't really picked up upon before. It can be found here at 3 minutes 29 seconds in.

Et voilà! I present the Armadillo shoe... 

This is in no way breaking news. I am led to believe that Alexander McQueen first introduced his Armadillo shoe in 2009 where he sent models down the catwalk with them in Paris representing his Spring / Summer 2010 collection:

 Source

Other celebrity admirers of the Armadillo have included Daphne Guiness and Kelis:

Apparently the ones pictured here were 12 inches high. Yes, you heard correctly. 12 inches. Scary stuff. It's hardly surprising that some of Alexander McQueen's models refused to don them in one of his catwalk shows this year. Especially that one model who had had several previous misfortunes such as fainting on the catwalk (due to a tight corset). 

Now over to you. What do you think of the Armadillo? Weird? Fascinating? Ugly? If money was no object, would you ever consider owning a pair?

I struggle in heels at any rate let alone 10-12 inch ones! The Armadillo is just not practical in any way and I cannot believe that they'd be comfortable. And they sort of resemble a hoof. Or a trotter (sorry it has to be said!). But yet there is something fascinating about them. You've got to at least admire the creativity behind them. Tradition can be boring.

I oddly like these:

Photo: Getty Images 

The heel and shape are still a total no-no for me but I do love the sparkle of the embellishment. And the nude colour of the shoe itself. Whilst on the subject of unusual footwear, I also found these:

Car shoes! Read the article here.

 Cat walk literally! 

Love these! (but more of a display item)

 What do you think? Would anyone be happy owning any of these? 

Ending this post, I would like to pay tribute to the legend that is Alexander McQueen. 

May he rest in peace. 

Christmas shopping - love it or loathe it?

Christmas shopping is like marmite. You either love it or you hate it. Seeing the shops all full of glitter, baubles and Christmas cheer is on one hand quite exciting but on the other hand there are The Crowds. Tidal waves of panicking people - aware of the ticking time bomb that is Christmas - elbowing you out of the way. I witnessed this first hand at the weekend when I braved a local shopping centre. A stupid move.

 Source: this london.co.uk

So fellow bloggers… have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? And does anyone else find that with Christmas shopping comes temptation??? You are supposed to be looking for your friends and family and then find, say, a gorgeous dress. You try talking yourself out of it in various different ways. I can’t afford it. I don’t need it. This isn’t what I came for. Wait until Christmas. Wait until the sales. But then comes the need to try it on. It fits like a glove. The colour goes beautifully with your complexion. It makes you look thinner. And then you worry that you won’t unwrap it at Christmas. That it’ll sell out and never be in the sales. It’s then that you lose the fight and hand over your credit card. You tell yourself it’s a one-off but it’s not. Other things materialise and you lose focus of who you’re actually Christmas shopping for. Does this sound familiar? I can certainly relate! Here are my recent purchases in collage form:

Now that I have finished my Christmas shopping, I am avoiding all shops and going cold turkey from the usual culprits… online sites. 

Well trying to...