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

Wardrobe Edit

A few weeks ago I finally got round to clearing out my wardrobes. I've been getting increasingly overwhelmed with the amount of clothes I have, so I was brutal. 

One of my chaotic wardrobes!

Here are my top tips for detoxing your wardrobe.

Remove everything from your wardrobe and section into piles; definitely keep, maybe keep, donate/sell, throw and nostalgia (these are the clothes that you probably won't wear again but you can't imagine parting with them - I have a sample sale Vivienne Westwood corset in my pile). 

If anything is beyond repair, faded or stained, be honest with yourself, are you going to wear it ever again? The answer is probably no so throw it!

If something hasn't fit for more than 12 months it probably isn't going to anymore (sorry!) so again donate.

If you're unsure about something or haven't worn it for a year, be strict and get rid of it. It's just taking up space and stopping you seeing all your other gorgeous clothes.

Clean the inside of your wardrobe with polish or bleach wipes, you'll be amazed how much dust builds up.

Linen storage boxes £19.95 Muji

Then divide all the clothes you are definitely keeping into what season they are for. The ones I'm not using I like to keep in storage boxes above my wardrobes. I use these grey cardboard ones from Habitat and these fabric ones (above) from Muji. I put in scented draw liners and moth balls to protect my clothes. 

Grey storage box £35 Habitat

Pack away all your nostalgia clothes as above.

Put back the things you are definitely keeping into your wardrobe. Make sure everything is clean and ironed if needs be. I like to arrange my wardrobe in sections such as skirts, shorts, dresses, shirts, jackets and then I arrange the clothes in colour preference going from light to dark and then pattern. This makes it easier to find things.

Bag up everything to be donated and drop it off as soon as possible to prevent you from rummaging through the pile and taking things. Do the same with the throw away pile.

When you've packed everything away again you'll be able to notice the gaps in your wardrobe and what you really don't need anymore of (breton tops and grey sweaters...oops!) This will help you on your next shopping trip.

A happy wardrobe is a clean and organised wardrobe

Here are a few things that will help make your wardrobe a happy place that works for you.

Cedar moth balls £6 John Lewis

Lavender water £22 Labour & Wait

Scented Draw Liners £8 John Lewis

Copper hangers £9 for 5 from Hay available at Selfridges

Images: Habitat, Labour & Wait, John Lewis, Selfridges

These Boots Were Made For Walking

As we are now in the month of October and the weather should be getting colder soon, it's time to invest in some boots. I like an ankle boot that will work with a skirt or some trousers. Being on my feet a lot for work means I can't have the heel too high.

Topshop £72

I recently purchased these little beauties from Topshop and feel they meet all my requirements, super comfy and they work with a range of outfits.

Here is a selection of some other booties I would like to see in my shoe cupboard.

Russell & Bromley £235

I love the brogue detailing and oversized golfing tassels on these day boots. Also available in tan leather they are a good investment if you favour a boyfriend style boot.

Saint Laurent £520 from Selfridges

I adore these metallic booties from Saint Laurent, especially the Victorian style lace up detail. The soft silver leather would turn heads while the low heel gives a little elevation without crippling your feet. They'd work perfectly with a loose boyfriend jean and a breton for day, but also with a leather pencil skirt and a blazer come evening. 

Zara £69.99

Zara's take on the biker boot comes with tough buckle and zip details making these boots appear more expensive than they are. They are cut just above the ankle making them leg lengthening and super flattering.

Isabel Marant £565 from Net-A-Porter

What's not to love about these boots? The khaki green suede combined with chocolate brown leather, the triangular heel, the perfect slouchy effect, the pointed toe. They are simply divine.

Kurt Geiger £295

Animal print boots are surprising easy to wear and shouldn't just be confined to the evening. This pull on style in pony leather are actually a touch lighter in person. The low heel makes them great for stomping around and the pointed toe keeps them modern. I'd wear mine with a simple skinny indigo jean and dark oversized knit.

Images: Kurt Geiger, Net-A-Porter, Zara, Selfridges, Russell & Bromley