Santa Baby...

It's getting close to Christmas, and now I feel that it's just about acceptable to begin talking about it, buying presents, feeling festive etc.
If I were a greedy little girl these are some of the beautiful things that I would ask Santa for:

Un.
Lena Wald 'Love' necklace, $220 at shopbop.com

Deux.

Lena Wald 'Crown' Necklace, $198 at shopbop.com

Trois.
Lena Wald 'Moon/Star' Necklace, $264 at shopbop.com

These are just so cute and pretty and small!

Quatre.
Jessica Kagen Cushman - 'Pardon Me is this seat taken' bangle, $125 at shopbop.com

Cinq.
Rehab Tee - £28 from Urban Outfitters

Six.
In pink s'il vous plait!
Marie Scarf, $78 at lulette.com

Sept.
Starbucks Card - stop me spending so much of my own money in there!

Huit.
I'll never, never, never get tired of this film!
La Vie en Rose gift set - £18.98 Amazon.co.uk

Neuf.
'Style A to Zoe' £10.99 Amazon.co.uk
(Whatever, I like her)

Dix.
Stam bag, Marc Jacobs

I'm just in love with it!

Merry Christmas!
xoxo

I'm just crazy about Cavalli!

Well, not entirely - but I couldn't skirt around posting about this forever!
I must say, I have mixed feelings about this collection and I can't figure out if it's on the right or the wrong side of tacky. Don't get me wrong; I love a little bit of animal print here and there, but a whole floor length dress in Leopard print silk?! Well, you either have to be seriously fierce to pull it off, or else you're just going to look seriously deluded!
I do think that the ad campaign did the clothes justice though - the girls all look glamorous and as if they've have so much fun. If that's not enough to persuade you to consider buying, I don't know what is!


My Favourite!



Now onto some of the high (and low!) lights of the collection;


I quite like this, the shape is nice. But probably only flattering on the very slender.

I hate this jacket. It makes me want to take a pair of shears to it - the tassels are just so unnecessary.

I really like this, the proportions are just perfect.

I like the detail around the neckline, but the lurex is hideous.

This piece could go either way because if it were too short you'd look like a barmaid. I think that a this dress would be perfect for me if it was knee length or slightly longer.

Keeping the same detail around the neck, but in white (with that ridiculous bow tie) it's a complete disaster.

But change the colour and wow! I love it, the plainer black lets the shape take centre stage without overpowering. I'd love to wear this outfit, and call me tacky, but I'd love those jeans to be shortened to hotpants!

Thoughts, Opinions?

Eeee! It's all about Ethical!

As a proud Fairtrader, I feel that this blog may be my ideal place to promote the products I feel so strongly deserve it and the companies which I use. Fairtrade is extremely important; it ensures ethical treatment and pay which is fair to it's workers who are commonly exploited by large, important companies who are greedily trying to get their hands on every penny they can. Without any compassion for fellow man.
Silver Chilli
Silver Chilli is a company which I have been using for several years now. They are based in Mexico and were set up in 1999 to show the world that being Fairly traded and produced isn't synonomous with inferior quality.
Here are some of my favourite and bestselling products;


Dulce Heart Earrings - £7.75

Freshwater Pearl Necklace - £23.00

Martillado Bracelet - £12.50

Moon Drop Pendant - £12.50
Plain and Simple, Sterling Silver Jewellery and extremely reasonable prices.
(www.silverchilli.com)

Novica
This company, in partnership with "National Geographic" are operated via their website (www.novica.com). They aim to provide a link between customers and artisans of all crafts worldwide. Their products range from home accessories to jewellery and apparel and paintings.
Some things you might enjoy;


Leather handbag, 'Orange Spice' - $92.99


'Confetti Fantasies' Mirror - Brazil - $347.95

'Triple Hearts' Bracelet - Bali - $87.95

Certainly more expensive than 'Silver Chilli' but there's such a great range and if you have a look around, there's something for every price range.

Pashmina-Pashminas.co.uk/MyPashmina.co.uk

I only started using this company in the past month and I am SO pleased with the products. The pashminas themselves are produced in Nepal, and although they are not members of the 'Fairtrade' organisation they have assured me that this is only because it costs money to join and they are not quite large or wealthy enough a company to afford this.
They offer luxurious pashminas and scarves in silk and cashmere mixes in a wide spectrum of colours. My favourites are the rich jewel tones and the Swarovski studded ones;



Fuschia in 30% Silk 70% Cashmere, 32cm x 150cm - £19.50

African Violet 30% Silk 70% Cashmere, 45cm x 200cm - £29.50 (I have this one and always get so many compliments on the colour)

Duck Egg Blue (Tiffany's!) Swarovski studded - £79.50.

Leopard Print - £57
[All Products are available MUCH cheaper wholesale if you're interested in buying bulk]

Any of the products listed would make a fabulous X-mas gift for family, friends or yourself! You'll feel great for doing something nice and I can guarantee that it's worth it!

YELL for Juergen, be LOUD for Leibovitz!

Juergen Teller and Annie Leibovitz are two of my favourite photographers. I find the work they do so inspirational and innovative.
Teller, a German fashion photographer based in England, is most well known for his creative, sometimes provocative advertisements for Marc Jacobs. He started his career shooting celebrities before moving towards magazines such as 'i-D' and the now defunct 'The Face' and is responsible for the Yves Saint Laurent ads since 2005 (with the exception of this season). In 1998 he created a short film "Can I Own Myself" which starred Kate Moss.

Dakota Fanning in a Marc Jacobs ad

Daria in YSL

Dropping Ball London, 1998

Annie Leibovitz became interested in photography whilst on a trip to the Philippines to visit her family in her youth and has since become one of the world's most recognised and respected artists. She was named 'Chief Photographer' of 'Rolling Stone' magazine and was a featured portrait photographer for Vanity Fair, shooting the iconic image of a pregnant Demi Moore. She continues to produce new and exciting work.


Queen Elizabeth - I love the way she looks regal, yet lonely in the corner of that huge, extravegant room.

Nicole Kidman


David Beckham and Scarlett Johansson as Disney characters Cinderella (in a Harry Winston Tiara and Steuben glass slipper) and Sleeping Beauty's Prince Eric.

Olsen Fever!

Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to emulate the styles of Mary-Kate and Ashley. It has always been so relevant to what I wanted to be like. And now it's no different.

I really admire the way these girls make their choices. Take Mary-Kate for example; she was highlighted as a major style icon in the UK's Times for making outfit choices like a fashion editor, straight from the runway while her peers simply rocked out on Louboutins or what ever Ms Zoë had picked out for them this week. She was criticised by many over her unique look whilst and NYU, appropriately named 'Bag Lady Chic', however she insists that she wasn't trying to make an example - she was simply trying to keep warm.


1. MK does casual chic with a latte, cowboy boots and an oversized scarf.

2. Effortless Glamour in a gorgeous vintage sequin dress which inspired a similar one
available in her lower priced, sportswear range 'Elizabeth and James'

3. Street Style in edgy Black

and just out of interest - http://tinyurl.com/2kf28a

I have always felt that Ashley's style was rather more similar too my own; slightly more classic, tailored pieces. She has always been feminine and well put together, even as an excessively girly-girl in 'Two of a Kind'! She tends to go for timeless elegance with deluxe accessories and always heels achieving a different, more 'Grown Up' Glamour than her sister.


1. Ashley in white looking bronzed and glowing

2. Looking clean cut in a sharp blue shirt, skinnies, the ubiquitous wayfarers and some killer wedges to toughen up the look.

3. In a pale blue dress with pretty, blown out hair and livening the outfit with a bright blue clutch and black peep toes.

One can only imagine where these girls will go next!

Life's a Prom!

I've been obsessed with Betsey Johnson's S/S 08 show since I saw it. It was just so unashamedly girlie; pretty clothes, gorgeous models and a fab soundtrack. It's as if she took 30 cupcakes and turned them into dresses, all lace, silk and crinoline. I liked her tribute to 9/11 and also that she highlighted the importance of voting. Sterling job Betsey!
Some of my favourites:





It really put me in the mood for prom, before I remembered that this year I won't be going to one! There are going to be PLENTY of parties though, so here are my most coveted Betsey imitations;