Mmmmm Mulberry

Most of my interaction will Mulberry is lusting over the brightly coloured leather goods, stroking buckle straps and checking for interior pockets (I visit Mulberry's bag concession almost weekly). However, on a stroll through Knightsbridge on a rainy day I was introduced to the new season collection, and I want it.

Prints are everywhere at the moment, with the new take on animal print seeing actual printed animals as opposed the print of the animal's coat. As a horse lover and ex-member of 'Pony Club', I was particularly taken with this delightful carousel horse print dress...the creepy magic of the vintage fairground is really spectacular! There is no way that I could afford this little horsey number, but they also have a silk scarf in the same print, which is more palatable for the bank balance. Forgoing a dress for a much smaller scarf seems like a sensible trade, I might even consider myself thrifty?

Din Sko!

Swedish blogs have cruelly introduced me to the wonders of Din Sko, a shoe shop filled with seas of black booted goodness, wedges, laces and heels in abundance. But do they deliver abroad? Do they heck!I was left plotting a shoe excursion to Stockholm, and wondering how many shoes it would take to breach a baggage limit. Luckily, kind work colleague took my shoe plight in to consideration as she ventured to Scandinavian lands, and I am now the proud owner of these wonderful wedges! Canvas for summer with some super silver hardware, they are a dream for my feet! I wore them from 8am to 11.30pm successfully, with bowling/walking home in between and managed to reserve complaints of pain for the very end of the evening, rare indeed! The only problem is that they have done little to ease my Din Sko lust, and rather have fuelled it as I know I need more pairs. How much was that plane ticket to Sweden?

Giles Deacon for New Look Tenth Collection

After the excitement of the Giles Deacon show in Paris (I think I need one of those furry face bags) we still have his New Look collection to look forward to later this month. I can hardly believe that he is on his 10th collection, how time flies! Here is a 'sneak peek' of the new collection.

Prints will be huge this spring and the bright graphic design of this dress would look great with stomping wedge heels and red lipstick.
This cute top manages to nail two trends in one and combines nautical stripes with delicate floral print. I can't wait to see the full collection!

Aussie Angels Photo Shoot

Here is the result of the Aussie Angels photo shoot. Held in Islington it was a fun day of pink champagne, cupcakes and pampering. We were instructed to bring some spring/summer pastels and denim to create the looks for the shoot, this was quite difficult as my wardrobe is quite famously loaded with black drapey apparel. Luckily I remembered this white French Connection smock which is summery enough, though no one will pries me from my black tights at this season of the year! This stylist was brilliant and directed Tor, Yishyene, Christina and I for the picture above, for me this meant actually grabbing hands and demonstrating foot positioning as I am awkward whenever I have to look directly in to a camera.



We each did a series of individual shots and got involved with the quirky props box that the Emma and Lisa from Aussie had brought along. I decided on the giant paper mache bee which the photographer strung from a broom to make it look 'realistic'! It was quite hard to interact with the bee but I don't regret making his acquaintance. I really liked how my hair was styled here, the stylist actually managed to get some volume into my limp locks using old fashioned hot rollers- a future investment perhaps?


Thanks to the team for an amazingly fun and indulgent day!

Alice in Wonderland

Now that Alice in Wonderland is in the cinemas I feel it is fair to write a little opinion-based review on it. I was lucky enough to see freshly release a week or two back, along with the new Tim Binns jewellery collection for Disney Couture. There had been so much hype over this film, and I felt that the darkness of Tim Burton combined with the already dark tale surely could not fail; as the press shot leaked they seemed to confirm that it would be an excellent film I would enjoy, but this was not the case.

The story was disappointing. I was naively expecting a Disney-esque tale but Burton transforms the strange wanderings of the mind into a directional and Hollywoodized tale of slaying dragons. I have not read the books so I cannot comment on whether or not this is more faithful to the text than Disney, but to name it Alice in Wonderland is misleading as it is surely closer to the 2nd novel, Alice Through the Looking Glass?

Then Johnny Depp. He ruins the Mad Hatter in the same way that he ruined Willy Wonka; by over-emphasising a sensitive nature the characters lose their fictional qualities and become too human. Why isn't the Mad Hatter simply mad? Why must he be self-consciously so and need reassurance that it's ok to be 'different'.

The effects were nothing to speak off. The only thing I've seen in 3D was 'Terminator 3D' in Florida 6 years ago, yet I remember that was scarily dimensional with killer wasps buzzing around your head and bullets aiming at your face. I think that the 3D element wasn't fully exploited here; though many scenes were undoubtedly beautiful no one was blinding reaching out at the screen, it wasn't spectacular.

Even so the costumes were stunning, the characters were aesthetically brilliant and the casting of Alice was spot on. I am very glad I saw it, but will avoid doing so again and intend to stick to good old Disney. The Disney Couture jewellery however, was quite amazing. My favourite pieces are below: a mad hatter ring and a key hole necklace. You can view the other pieces in the collection by clicking here





As disappointing as the film was, I am loving the merchandise that is popping up everywhere, and even the beauty brands are jumping on the bandwagon! I think I'm actually going to get these OPI polishes below- pure glitter goodness!

And this Paul and Joe kit is absolutely adorable. The pretty tin contains blotting paper and a lipbalm- the classic illustrations make the perfect dressing table cosmetics.

Wah Nails Dalson

I finally got my nails done in Wah Nails! The lovely Ellie got me a gift voucher for my birthday and I couldn't wait to bling up the talons. On arrival I was presented with a massive book with nail designs and it was quite a task to choose between the colourful, glittering designs. I eventually settled on the above which is a little out of charter for me (not a hearts and kisses sort of girl) but there was no point sticking to the usually classic monotones when such a wealth of prettiness is on offer. Wonderful Meghan set about filing and painting before eventually doing the intricate art work with needle sharp nail polish pens. I think the result is quite splendid, especially as my nails are little stubs of things! I spent the rest of the evening unashamedly admiring my own hands and holding glasses in such ways that others might admire them too!

Wah Nails now have a concession in Topshop Oxford Circus, so awe inspiring nails are accessible for all! I recommend that everyone try it out, it is quite amazing how much better you feel about everything when your nails look good, but beware, I think it is addictive! I want to go again already.

Check out the Wah Nails blog here

Lilac Lipstick

I'm not a fan of posting picture of my face. I always feel vain and pathetic snapping away holding a camera at arms length and reviewing each photo to see if I look normal enough, yet this is the best way of demonstrating a point often enough. That is my disclaimer.

Awhile back I bought a lilac lipstick, Barry M 'Lavender 129' and renewed my love of pastels on lips. Chalky coloured lipsticks are great for a subtle splash of colour, I wear it with a flicked black eyeliner and pale face. Above I put it straight on to my lips so the natural redness tones it down somewhat, but for a bolder look paint it on to foundation primed lips. Barry M has some great shades and I recommend everyone should try a pastel for spring!

I'd rather be here...

Look closely in the above and you will notice a portly Labrador heading out towards Ireland!

Had a busy week and would dearly love to stamp through some sea in wellies. There should be some interesting posts this week, including a photo shoot with Aussie and a review of the new Alice in Wonderland film- I saw a preview on Friday and have been expressing my opinion to everyone ever since! It will be therapeutic to extract my view coherently.