Festive Dressing

No doubt you've already been to at least one Christmas party, but hopefully you have a few more invites in between now and New Year's Eve.

Here's a round up of 3 party outfits fit for the festive season.

Dress, Charlie Brear, BUY HERE

Earrings, Lulu Frost for J. Crew, BUY HERE

Shoes, Saint Laurent, BUY HERE

We all know that every woman's wardrobe should include a failsafe LBD that makes her look and feel stunning wear after wear. I used this Charlie Brear dress in a photo-shoot recently and instantly fell in love with the pocket and cape detail. If I only had to buy one more black dress this would probably be it. Pair with these delicate crystal earrings and these super sexy heels from Saint Laurent (love the slope at the back, total shoe porn!)

Skirt, £50, Oasis, BUY HERE

Top, £35, Oasis, BUY HERE

Shoes, £58, Topshop, BUY HERE

Ruby Woo Lipstick, £15.50, Mac, BUY HERE

This outfit may look like a dress but it's actually a skirt and top combo. It's this season's modern way to do the LBD. Buy this and you are shopping clever as you could wear the skirt with a cashmere sweater, tights and ankle boots and the top over a white shirt and jeans for daytime. I adore these feather shoes so much so that I've already bought them. Add a slick of Mac's classic red lipstick Ruby Woo and you're ready to hit the dance floor.

Jumpsuit, £135, Whistles, BUY HERE

ZAC Zac Posen from TheOutnet.com, £151.25, BUY HERE

Shoes, Lucy Choi London, £195, BUY HERE

This has certainly been the year of the jumpsuit so I had to include this beautiful lace one in my party dressing round up! Plus it's just gone in the sale so snap it up and wear it for Christmas Day or New Years Eve. This clutch bag is super chic and would work with all the outfits I've selected. And Christmas time is the best time to wear sparkly shoes and these by Lucy Choi London are exquisite.

Merry Christmas!

Images: Charlie Brear, Net-A-Porter, J.Crew, Whistles, Lucy Choi London, TheOutnet, Oasis, Topshop, Pinterest

How To Do Easy Christmas Party Make Up

Make Up artist Charlie Duffy has kindly agreed to share her top tips for creating easy to do Christmas party make up. Over to you Charlie!

Image Pinterest

Having the perfect 'canvas' to work on is key to creating flawless make up. So the night before the big party prep and prime with Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (a Sunshine & Stripes favourite too!) which is very gentle but effective and will allow any moisturisers to do their job properly. Afterwards prep the skin with Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate which is fab for adding radiance to the skin and plumping it while you sleep. 

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant £41.30 BUY HERE

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate £36 BUY HERE

Don't forget your body either; I recommend using Bliss' Blood Orange and White Pepper Sugar Scrub paying particular attention to elbows, knees and decollete. Then the night before slather whatever skin will be on show in your new party frock with Nuxe Multi Use Dry Body Oil in Golden. It's a wonderful product that has a delicious smell that highlights the skin and won't come off on your clothes.

Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Sugar Scrub £30 BUY HERE

Nuxe Multi-Use Dry Body Oil £28 BUY HERE

I know many people will be going straight from the office to their Christmas party so here are my quick top tips to create the perfect party make up. 

To add a glowing highlight to skin my favourite product has to be Becca Skin Perfector in Moonstone. It suits most complexions and adds the most amazing highlight. Add over your usual foundation to the cheekbones, under the brow bone and the top of the cupids bow on the lips to make them look fuller. I use this product on my A-list clients and they all love the effect it creates.

Becca Skin Perfector In Moonstone £33 BUY HERE

Christmas is the one time we can have more fun with our make up and in my opinion glitter is the way to go! Urban Decay's Heavy Metal Glitter Liner or Stila's Magnificent Metals Eyeshadow both have foolproof formulations. Urban Decay's is suspended in a gel so it won't end up half way down your face after too much dancing and Stila's has a little primer you mix with the shadow then apply with the finger tips, so again you won't have any glitter mishaps! Both are great if you are in a hurry as they have the most intense effect.

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Metal Liner £14 BUY HERE

Stila Magnificent Metals Eyeshadow £33.50 BUY HERE

I like a classic red lip for Christmas party make up, but to make it more festive put Sisley's Phyto Lip Star in White Diamond on top to add a 3D glittery effect to lips. Perfect for shenanigans under the mistletoe!

Sisley Phyto Lip Star £32.30 BUY HERE

And finally a very quick and easy way to make your nail polish more Christmassy is to paint a coat of OPI's Gold Shatter over the top. Instant party ready nails!

OPI Gold Shatter Nail Lacquer £11.50 BUY HERE

Thank you Charlie! Happy Christmas partying everyone!

Images: Dermalogica, Pinterest, Kiehl's, Bliss, Nuxe, Urban Decay, Stila, Sisley, OPI

Terrific TK Maxx

A little part of me didn't want to write this blog post, but I feel I would be doing a diservice to my fellow bargain lovers if I didn't share this. So here goes...think of it as my Christmas present to you!

I used to visit TK Maxx about a decade ago, visiting the out of town branches, to pick up good designer jeans at a fraction of the price. But in recent years I've been disappointed by the fashion on offer and headed straight to the home wears to rummage for pots and pans.

When prepping for a job at Westfield Stratford recently I thought I'd take a look in TK Maxx. I headed straight to their Gold Label section which showcases designer past season clothes. Wowseroo! What a selection! I grabbed handfuls of Stella McCartney, Helmut Lang, J Brand and Balanciaga.

Sadly this stripe JW Anderson shirt above didn't fit so that stayed instore. 

As did this cream Stella McCartney jacket. At £249 it isn't as cheap as the bargains to be had at the McCartney sample sale, but it's still an incredible price for a beautiful jacket you would love for years.

And it pained me no end that these stunning wool black trousers with tiny button detail by Balenciaga for £149 were too big. I was tempted to buy them and eat more cake but reason prevailed.

I did however score this classic black blazer by Helmut Lang for £149.99. The sharp shoulder creates such a strong silhouette and I know I'll wear it loads.

I also picked up this See by Chloe navy pea coat for £129.99 and have already got lots of wear out of it. It's the perfect weekend coat, working perfectly with a cosy cream knit and jeans.

They also had a large selection of classic skinny J Brand jeans for £49.99 so I thought it only sensible to get some!

Then I went back to TK Maxx a few days later, just for a little look, not expecting to find much. But they get new deliveries 6 days a week and I walked away with possibly my biggest bargain buy ever, I was literally hopping with excitement in the queue to pay!

And here she is. A black silk evening dress with crystal embellished neckline from the summer 2013 Lanvin collection. Yes Lanvin! For the bargain price of £149.99! I couldn't believe my luck and can't wait to wear her over the festive season.

If you manage to bag any bargains at TK Maxx please let me know. 

Happy shopping!

Sx

New Work

A couple of months ago I styled this shoot with photographer Dominic Nichols for The City Magazine. It was shot in a London casino and around the streets of Mayfair.

Thank you to all the PRs who loaned clothes and accessories for the shoot.

Images: The City Magazine, Dominic Nichols

Christmas Wish List

Finally work has calmed down and I can finally start thinking about Christmas, even though there are only TEN days to go - jeez I need to get organised! I've compiled lists of pressies for everyone else and am spending today Christmas shopping (wish me luck). However I haven't given much thought to what I'd like prior to writing this. 

So here are my top 10 things I'd like Santa to put in my stocking...

It's been a crazy busy year work wise and I'd really like nothing more than to lie on a massage table and get my entire body pummelled for an hour or two so that all the knots, aches and pains evaporate.

Prestate Sea Salt Caramel Truffles £11.99 from Selfridges BUY HERE

I've got a massive sweet tooth and would like to indulge it with some sea salt caramel truffles.

TRX Pro Suspension Training Kit £238 BUY HERE

To counter balance my cravings for everything sweet and laden with calories, the brilliantly convenient TRX system would be a helpful present. I tried it out on a job recently and was amazed at how much I hurt for days afterwards. And I only did like 5 press ups. 

Frank Original Coffee Body Scrub £11.95 BUY HERE

I am a massive fan of exfoliation and have heard so many great reviews about this Coffee Body Scrub that I think it would make a good stocking filler for me. 

The Art of Eating Well £12.50 from Amazon BUY HERE

And after all the mince pies and stollen I am likely to eat during the festive season a little healthy eating inspiration in book form from the brilliant Hemsley & Hemsley sisters would be a welcome addition to my book case and for my waistline.

Graham & Green Book Ends £48 BUY HERE

I've been searching for vintage pineapple book ends on eBay for quite sometime but recently discovered these beauties from Graham & Green which would prop up my new the Hemsley & Hemsley book rather nicely.

Fifi Lapin He Loves Me He Loves Me Not Poster $50 BUY HERE

I'm always looking for new art to add to my hallway walls. I adore Fifi Lapin's cute fashionista bunny prints and would love to add one to my collection.

True Rocks Safety Pin Pendant £235 BUY HERE

When on photo shoots I'm never without my trusty 'stylist necklace' which is laden down with bulldog clips and safety pins which I use to clip and pin clothes into place and look the best they can. When I came across this pendant from True Rocks I thought it would be very fitting for me to wear around my neck to remind me just how much I love my job (and of all the times I've accidentally stabbed myself)! 

J Crew Sequin Shirt £89.50 BUY HERE

If this simple but sparkly shirt from J Crew appeared under the tree I'd wear it with black tuxedo trousers on Boxing Day.

Louis Vuitton Keepall 60 Personalised £1050 BUY HERE

And last but not least, my monogrammed Louis Vuitton Speedy bag that I treated myself to at the beginning of the year makes me happy each time I wear it. So I'd like to upgrade to a larger style to use when I go away for the weekend or as my carry on luggage. The epitome of chic!

Please Santa I've been a good girl this year!

Images: Fifi Lapin, Frank Body, Pinterest, Selfridges, Prestat, Amazon, True Rocks, J Crew, Louis Vuitton

Life Lately

Argh! It's December already! How the frick did that come about so quickly? Time is just whizzing by and before I know it it will be 2015. Here's a little of my life lately.

Prepping For A Job

Spending many hours on Pinterest putting together mood boards for the many jobs I have coming up before Christmas. Pinterest is genius and you can follow my boards here.

The Divine Dessert List At Balthazar

Meeting up with friends for dinner at Balthazar. I've wanted to visit this restaurant ever since Carrie Bradshaw tried to get in during an episode of Sex & The City. I ate about a week's worth of calories, sipped too much prosecco and had a fantastic evening.

Stella McCartney Phone Case BUY HERE

This has been my best purchase recently, a phone case in the shape of a shark with fins and eyes and teeth! Anyone who knows me knows how fascinated I am with sharks, I am terrified by them, but I respect that they are incredible creatures. This phone case brightens my day and is quite the talking point.

Homemade Pizza

Now that we are in winter I am craving lots of yummy carb-ey food and tried making homemade pizza recently. The base is stupidly easy to make and I've been experimenting with lots of different toppings, my favourite being spinach, goats cheese and sun-dried tomatoes.

Grenson Sample Sale Bargains

We went to the Grenson sample sale this weekend and it was filled with flat shoe wonderfulness. Sadly I didn't find anything in my size, but the boyfriend lucked out with all of these for a bargain-ous £100.

Care Bear Stare!

I recently collected my old toys from my parents home and while lots of them have since been donated or were too damaged to keep I've managed to salvage some, including my beloved Roald Dahl books and some Care Bears.

Wreath of Dreams at Albion

When getting my weekend hot chocolate at Albion I came across the most beautiful Christmas wreath greeting you as you enter the establishment. I really need to start thinking about getting a tree soon.  

Hope you have a wonderful week and happy December!

Sx

The Beauty Review

Here's a round up of the beauty products I've been using recently.

L'Oreal Nutri-Lift Gold Foundation £14.29 BUY HERE

Now that my summer tan has faded and my skin has gone a little beserk with the change of seasons I need to use a heavier foundation. I was given some L'Oreal products on my trip to Australia back in the summer and dug this foundation out recently. It's a thick but not heavy formulation which looks dewy on my skin without setting in my laughter lines. Plus it provides good even coverage, so much so that I don't even require concealor for my lesser blemishes. One squirt easily covers my entire face and it's super easy to blend in with my fingers. It contains gold micro-particles to add 'radiance' to the skin and 5 anti-ageing ingredients; pro-retinol, pro-lastyl, pro-xylane, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to help keep those evil signs of ageing away. It comes in 7 different shades (I'm using 150 creamy beige) and if it had an SPF it would be a 5 star product.

Noble Isle Sa of Green Hand Wash £18 BUY HERE

There's something about a luxurious hand wash in the bathroom that just lifts my day. It's like a cashmere sweater or a decadent candle, it just makes you feel better. Nobel Isle, a British company specialising in bath and body products, have created a range of divine hand washes. I'm using the Sea of Green hand wash and love the wonderfully fresh botanical fragrance that lingers on my hands long after I've washed them. It contains notes of lemon, thyme and rosemary and samphire extract rich in antioxidant minerals and vitamins to regenerate the skin. At £18 it's not for the kiddies to use, but we all need a little treat sometimes and this would make a fantastic Christmas stocking filler (hint hint!)

Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Cream £50 BUY HERE

I've been using this little pot of goodness for over a month now and am only half way through. I use it as my day cream (I prefer to use oils at night) but you can use it for PM too. The formulation is designed for sensitive skins and those that suffer from redness. While I suffer from neither of those thankfully, of late my skin has been developing mean little hormonal spots and I've found this cream certainly calms them down. It contains sea buckthorn extract which has anti-imflammatory properties, and chaga and reishi mushroom extracts to help calm the skin. It also boasts narcissus lily bulb extract to help the skin's defences, thus preventing further environmental damage. It has a delicious herby scent and moisturises without feeling greasy. I just wish it came in a pump dispenser rather than a pot, such is my desire for hygiene.

What I Wore

Here's a little round up of a few outfits I've worn recently.

Topshop shirt BUY HERE, Gap jeans, Zara shoes, Louis Vuitton bag BUY HERE

Doing double denim and wearing my new dark denim shirt from Topshop with some old ripped up Gap jeans (Gap do the best high street jeans!) with a dash of leopard print in the shoe for a day of press appointments.

Uniqlo sweater, ASOS trousers, Miu Miu trainers BUY SIMILAR HERE

Wearing a monochrome look for a day working from home. As much as I'd like to just wear pjs when I'm at home, I find I'm much more productive if I get dressed properly.

M&S jumper, Mango skirt, Topshop boots, Anya Hindmarch bag

Styling one of my favourite people for his next TV commercial I wore a chunky knit with leather skirt and my fringed Anya Hindmarch Bicester Village bargain bag I scored a few years ago.

Hope you all have a great week!

Sx

Fun Fur

Helen Moore Scarf £120 BUY HERE

Now that the Helen Moore faux-fur scarf of my dreams is part of my wardrobe and attracting complementary comments wherever it comes out to play, I've started looking at other furry accessories to add to my stroke-able collection.

Eugenia Kim beanie £215 BUY HERE

I love a beanie hat in winter and this cosy wool version with colourful fur pom pom will ensure you are easy to spot in a crowd.

Topshop sandals £58 BUY HERE

An easy way to add some fur into your life with these budget buy fluffy high heeled sandals.

Jigsaw pom pom keyring £19 BUY HERE

For a little while now I've spotted fluffs of pom pom dangling off of bags. Attaching a little puff of fur is a simple was to do the faux fur trend.

MissGuided Scarf £15.99 BUY HERE

Now I haven't seen this scarf in real life so can't vouch for the quality, but it is a pretty good looking scarf at an incredible price point. I love the mix of burgundy, grey and white.

Whistles Mittens £45 BUY HERE

These cute mittens also come in pink and leopard print, but being a lover of all things grey I think the above are the chicest colourway. I love the mixture of textures and would happily sport these on a freezing day with a navy or black coat.

Zara sweatshirt £29.99 BUY HERE

I know a sweatshirt isn't an accessory, but I tried this on in store when the weather was warmer and instantly fell for the strip of fluff running down each arm. It's a really easy way to wear the trend and would add instant fun to a weekend outfit of jeans and trainers.

Shrimps Pablo Clutch Bag £185 BUY HERE

Oh yeah! I adore this colourful clutch. The mix of orange and baby blue is just perfection and I'd love to give this bag a cuddle on a night out.

Images: Shrimps, Zara, Whistles, Miss Guided, Jigsaw, Topshop, MATCHESFASHION