Clashing Prints

I spent the weekend 'doon tha toon' ... in Newcastle.  Well, Gateshead to be exact.

Friday was spent with Florence and her Machine ... and what a talented soul she is.  It's my 3rd time seeing Flo and she never disappoints.  I was a little apprehensive about the bigger production of the show to previous gigs but I needn't have worried, I was there for a voice, and a voice is what I got! Oh, and a cape. A stunning, flowing, bejewelled cape.  WANT.

I managed to get some grizzly outfit shots after the gig on our way into town.

Scarf print trousers: Matalan
Heels: Dune
Black top: Zara
Leather Jacket: Esprit
Bag: Mango
Jewellery: Mixture of Topshop, ROX, Links of London

I went for bold scarf print jeans that I picked up (last week) for a snip at £20 from the 'Be Beau' range at Matalan.  I love the colour, print and fit of these jeans.  Probably not the best quality but in my eyes, it's fast fashion, I'm sure in 6 months time I will have no interest in wearing them again so I'd rather spend less.

The clashing red snake-print clutch is a vintage Mango purchase.  Well, that's if you count an 8 year old purchase as vintage.  I do ... ;)  I had my friends give me the okay on the clashing prints as I wasn't sure if it was all a bit too much but they gave the thumbs up and in the end I loved the juxtaposition of both patterns.

What do you think of clashing prints? Do you dare?
x

Instagramming

After buying my super cool new Canon 600D a few months ago, all I have done is take random snaps out and about as I try to get to grips with navigating my way around a DSLR.  However, lack of a good photographer or a decent spot to be photographed in, means I have neglected what I bought the camera for ... blogging!

Instead, I have stuck to my trusty iPhone camera to snap shots of blush, lipstick, brows and clothes.  Like many of you, I am hooked on Instagram as my photo app of choice and now have an album full of random pics I have captured day to day.

Here are some instagram pics of an outfit I wore a couple of days ago.

Hat: TK Maxx
Vest: Topshop
Cardigan: COS (sale)
Belt: Vintage
Leggings: Stradivarius
Boots: Topshop via Ebay
Bracelets: ROX

Where's my head at??

My flat is an absolute tip at the moment as I am packing up to move so there is no pretty or tidy area to be photographed in so this is the best I could find... a rare gap in my dressing/spare room that is literally littered with clothes and shoes at the moment!!

I wore my new Topshop boots that I found on eBay unused.  Originally £90 (they still had the pricetag on) I managed to snare them for £25.  The style is called 'Damsel' and they are a vintage, kicked in style of biker boot.  I really needed a new pair as my old biker boots had ripped at the zipper.

Jewellery wise I wore my ROX bracelets which are permanently attached to my wrist at the moment and my Ydeltuyt ring that resembles the YSL arty ring.  It had become very discoloured after too much wear though and actually broke later in the evening. RIP.

I have lots of reviews and bits and bobs to blog about .... sales shopping, new make up brushes,  lots and lots of new shoes!! .... I am hoping to fit in time to write about it all and do a bit of show & tell before I go back to work this week.  Hopefully I can share some better photos from my Canon too!

Does anyone else always resort back to their phone for photos instead of using a real camera?  I think I need to discipline myself in the ways of photography!

x

Outfit of the Night - ROX Gold Moet Christmas Party

Since I posted my ROX party face of the night , I have managed to get a hold of a photo taken on the night that shows my full 'outfit of the night' ... such a naff title for a post really, don't you think?

Anyway, the ROX photographer was working the room and as guided by Toni he ended up taking some pics of a very reluctant not so style fairy!

The photo surprised me as my higglety-pigglety outfit turned out better than I expected.  Having had a complete dress dilemna before the party, I ended up just throwing something together last minute that was more comfort and practical than glam and dolled up although it did have elements of the latter.

I finally decided on my Christopher Kane for Topshop embellished dress which i have had for a while now with some thick black tights to keep me warm in the Scottish baltic weather conditions.  New Look platform booties were still comfortable even after an evening of standing around schmoozing and sipping (read: knocking back) cocktails at the bar.  I accessorised with a chunky silver/diamante chain necklace and bracelet, making sure to keep it as minimal as possible given the dress is heavily embellished.  Finally, a French Connection clutch finished the outfit off ... simply because it was the only black bag I could find as my taxi sat beeping away outside!

I find I can't handle bare legs and shoulders in the cold weather unless I have at least 3 layers to wrap in on my way home, which isn't always easy on a night out.

How do you look glam in the cold weather or are you just braver than me? ;)

x

ROX Face of the night featuring Barry M

Last night I went to the ROX Christmas Party at their boutique store in Argyle Arcade, Glasgow.  It was an exciting night as the amazing Emeli Sandé was going to be perfoming and of course, ROX always put on a fabulously sparkling event.

I had been doing some make up work through the day on a gorgeous party girl so it left me very little time to get myself ready for my own night out.  After the usual 'what to wear' dilemna (I opted for my Topshop Christopher Kane embellished tee dress) and a fluffy hair disaster (it ended up in a ponytail circa 1988) it was time to work on the make up.

The photos don't quite capture the sparkle i'm afraid

Given the festive season is now in full swing and it was Christmas party after all, it was time to bring out the sparkle.  Just this week I had ordered some MAC pigments but they hadn't arrived so I had a root around in my stash and re-discovered some old favourites in the form of Barry M fine glitter dusts which at £4.59 are a far cheaper alternative to MAC pigments but do the job very well indeed.

without flash above, with flash below

A silver grey smokey eye was order of the night with the Barry M glitter dust in Silver giving me an injection of festive bling.

Products used:  Illamasqua Skin Base Shade 7 (not sold on this although it's more of a shade problem); MAC select cover up concealer; Sleek Molten Metal in Silver as an eye base; Estee Lauder Platinum shadow over lid; MAC Carbon worked into crease; MAC Blacktrack; Ardell Demi lashes; Barry M Fine Glitter dust in Silver; Illamasqua blush in unrequited; NARS Laguna; Nude lipstick - not sure of brand; Clinique Fireberry lipgloss

Back to the ROX party.  Just a few things to point out.  First up the amazing Emeli Sandé who is currently supporting Coldplay on their UK tour, gave a flawless performance.  It was a real treat to be a part of such an intimate and exclusive audience and I can guarantee Emeli is going to be MASSIVE.  Emeli is also utterly gorgeous to add to her talents, you can catch a snippet of her performance in a shakey video I took here.

Next is a shout out to the cocktails on offer, all made using Pinky vodka which is a favourite of mine and I always make sure my vodka cupboard is never without it (yup, we have a space dedicated to vodka ... we don't have a problem, honest!).  Pinky vodka is pink, funnily enough, is hand blended using rose petals among other things and is a fabulously sophisticated beverage that works best, in my opinion, in a cocktail.  Vodka connoiseurs should give it a go for something a little bit different.

Thanks to ROX for kicking off my party season ... I will be suitably exhausted by the time 2012 gets here but I wouldn't have it any other way :)

Have you kicked off the party season yet? What are your party make up tips?

x

ROX hosts an evening with Shaun Leane

Last week I had a great time at an evening with the ever so talented designer Shaun Leane at Glasgow's most prestigious and glamorous of fine jewellery boutiques, ROX.

With bubbles and bling surrounding us, we were treated to displays of Shaun's work along with the main man there himself being interviewed by Michelle Haswell from the amazing Kingdom of Style.

We learned how Shaun worked closely with Alexander McQueen throughout his career and how he continues to influence a lot of his work.  We also got to ogle at some of his bespoke designs including this brooch for Sarah Jessica Parker and Shaun also talked of one of his latest collaborations with Daphne Guinness - the Diamond Glove.  It's stunning!

From his collection available online and at ROX, there are a few things I have pending on the 'ole Chrimbo list.

Gold Vermeil & Ivory Resin Bangle

Silver Blackthorn Ring with Black Pearls

A girl can wish can't she?  Let's hope someone (wink, wink) takes the hint ... :)

There were a number of other bloggers also at the event, too many to name all of them here but it was brilliant to catch up with them all and hope to see them again soon!  Obviously in true 'schleb' style, ROX were papping everyone as we entered the soiree ... here's Amanda and I doing our best awkward posing (we really need to get some practise in ;p)!

Has anyone else been admiring Shaun Leane and his incredible designs?

If you haven't, I urge you to check out his work here.  You won't be disappointed!

x

Getting my ROX on with David Coulthard

Last Thursday I was invited along to a special event held in ROX Jewellers in Glasgow.

Scotland's very own David Coulthard was in town to launch his special edition watch for TW Steel.   I let my husband tag along, a self titled watch connoiseur, he was in his element browsing the vast collection of watches and getting to see up close and personal the David Coulthard special edition watch.

Greeted by an F1 racing car parked outside the store, a glamorous evening awaited, set in the sumptuous Thrill Room of ROX, Argyle Arcade.  We were treated to a DJ, F1 themed interactive games,  F1 girls, overflowing Moet as well as French Martinis and platters of sushi.

David was interviewed on stage by Lee McKenzie, F1 commentator, another Scottish export.  Their rapport with each other was fantastic which made for an enjoyable interview - probably one of the most endearing presentations of a celeb/sportsman I have seen or hear at any event.  David came across very approachable as he later mingled with the crowd and words can't describe how beautiful his wife is.

While my husband ogled the watches, I was more interested in Rox own line of accessories, specifically their beaded charm bracelets which I am growing quite a collection of.

A sophisticated evening was topped off with pizza and beer on the way home.  I'm all class!

x