December Vogue

I couldn't resist buying the December issue of UK Vogue, purely down to the candy-coloured cover. The pages inside do not disappoint either.

Oh to be going to a ball fit to wear a creation like this...

Gift ideas for the romantic...

I never tire of cupcake features.

This is one H&M collaboration I'm looking forward to.

I really love this Hermes Constance pink bag that they are re-launching.

This eye-shadow is fantastic for the party season ahead.

I like the dreamy photography in this image.

Liberty Christmas

Apologies, another Christmas related post. I can't help myself, I love the build up almost as much as I love the event itself. So, if you don't share this thought... look away now!

I took a couple of days off work at the end of this week and visited London for the day. I think I misjudged the size of my to-do list against what I could realistically fit in . I aIways forget the amount of time it takes to actually get around London.

However, I still managed to spend my money - no surprises there. And I'm sure I'll be sharing my purchases with you at some point.

But in the meantime, I wanted to share with you the sneaky pics I took in my favourite department store, Liberty. What better way to get even more into the Christmas spirit, by looking around their Christmas shop and windows.

Countdown to Christmas

I know that Christmas is just round the corner when Starbucks launch their Christmas range. As well as buying my favourite Toffee Nut Latte, I couldn't resist buying into some of their merchandise too... a Christmas mug, tree decoration and candy cane.

Luxury Designer Jewellery

Today, I went on a little virtual shopping trip around my newly discovered find, Astley Clarke. Marketed as ‘a new era for luxury jewellery shoppers, the New Golden Age of Magnificence’. The pieces here are very much collectable items, classic pieces that you will hold on to for years and that will not go out of style – no throwaway fashion at Astley Clarke.

Having said that, despite being a luxury brand, there are items for all budgets, so a little something for under a hundred pounds as well as those higher end items that reach into the thousands.

There are three ranges to browse, Contemporary Jewellery, Designer Jewellery and Fine Jewellery – so there is pretty much something for everyone. And, as well as the ease of browsing on-line, there is also a showroom to visit if you happen to live in the UK. But if on-line is your choice, there is fast worldwide delivery as well as same day London delivery and next day UK delivery. Worth pointing out to those partners that love to Christmas shop at the very last minute.

For the jewellery lover, this is a store with a great deal of expertise. If you need help with the choices available, there is a Personal Shopper and gemmologist available on hand. I know once I have decided upon a purchase I like to do my own research and find out a little about what I am buying.

I have admired the work of Pippa Small from afar for several years, so was pleased to find her pieces as there is no stockist that I am aware of in the North East of England. There are some very stylish and unusual silver pieces, as this is mostly what I wear. The Bow collection, how can I resist? And some amazing rings. I'm going to be spoilt for choice this Christmas.

Museum & Winter Gardens

Sometimes it is good to be a tourist in your own area and visit the local attractions like an out-of-towner. So this is what I did a couple of Saturday's ago, ventured into Sunderland's Museum & Winter Gardens.

No self-calling Geordie would ever choose to cross into Wearside territory usually. But as I am only an adopted Geordie*, I guess it doesn't count.

So a few pictures from my time in the museum & gardens, all thankfully spent indoors as it was a cold, wet and blustery October day.

* For anyone outside of the UK, a 'Geordie' is someone born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne (or thereabouts) in the North East of England.

Pink

It is no secret that my favourite colour is pink. This was very obvious when looking through my Flickr favourites recently. So I have picked out out some of my own pink favourites to share with you...

Pink hydrangea ❖ Top Shop pastel pink ruffle dress (2008) ❖ selection of CD's with guitar Christmas tree decoration ❖ selection of jewellery on vintage pink cake stand ❖ Lula magazines, pink VW van tea-light holder, PinkBow silver necklace, pink heart lolly, vintage lace cuff hand-made by Kat, Chanel nail varnish in Mica Rose ❖ M&S pink cupcake ❖ fridge cupcake recipe ❖ Ladurēe Marie Antoinette tea

Topknot & Cowl

As pointed out by Anabela at Fieldguided in her post "Top knots & Cowls" yesterday, these pictures taken from Copenhagen Street Style ooze inspiration. The fringe, the topknot and the cowl... I'm only missing the polka tights...

H&M beige cowl (2008) ❖ American Apparel black tee

Gold Collaboration

Another week, another collaboration. Next week sees the launch of Giles Deacon's 9th collection for New Look and I have to say the most impressive of the collections so far.

These are just a few of my favourites from the collection, based around 'the louche London vibe that is around at the moment - modern British glamour at it's finest'.

The collection focuses on dresses, my main wardrobe staple, the cut and design of the garments look a lot higher-end than the prices would suggest.

Gold by Giles will be available in New Look stores nationally and internationally as well as online.

Black Magic

Christopher Kane for Top Shop black lace dress ❖ Vintage black ring

A Halloween inspired post today. I finally succumbed to the Christopher Kane for Top Shop hysteria and bought this cobweb like dress. Although I am not specifically going to a Halloween party tomorrow night, I am hitting the town and thought this would be the perfect thing to wear... all that's missing is my broomstick.

Shopping Regrets

It has been a little while since I visited Montmartre in Paris and yet looking at these photographs I took in a little shop there, I regret not buying one of these gorgeous tea sets. They were a little expensive I had thought at the time and I really do not have any room in my flat for yet more tea pots and cups. Every time I go to the flea-market or vintage shops, my eye is always drawn to old fashioned crockery that my grandmother would have loved. Do you ever have shopping regrets once you have returned home?

Hearts & Flowers

Blue Inc pink heart dress ❖ Top Shop grey suede bag, pink suede shoes & grey tights ❖ MAC Limited Edition compact & lipglass

Blue Inc is a brand I have only recently heard of, with stores in the UK and a new on-line women's section. Catering for both the fashion leader and follower, the site has a great selection at very affordable prices. I chose this dress for it's feminine girly print, thinking it would accentuate my new Top Shop heels to perfection.

Thank You!

It is again a time for thanks. Three of my favourite reads have awarded me - Pink Links the Pink Rose Award, the Divine Award from The Swelle Life and The Beautiful Blogger Award from Idee_Geniale. It is so great to be recognised by fellow bloggers, thank you so much.

With the Divine Award comes a tag, list 5 guilty pleasures - so here we go:

1. The Hills (although I have since gone off this show since Lauren's departure) and The City (still love Whitney)

2. 4-6 espressos to kick start my morning

3. Chips (or french fries if you're in the US) - since childhood these have been a constant in my diet

4. Painting my nails (every other day)

5. Sleep - and lots of it!

Thank you Idee_Geniale but I have already done an 'interesting' tag, so will not bore everyone again!

Also, I would like to thank Kat of secretsofabutterfly for posting about my little gifts from Paris that I posted to her. Although we have never met, we keep in touch often, having met through the marvellous blogosphere, I do cherish the contact we have!