Black And

A couple of new staples I bought over the last 48 hours. All black except some gold metallic details (studs and zips) and contrasting off-white stripes.

Skirt and Breton top - Zara, pumps - New Look

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*Black Friday Update*


Gap - 30% off in store and online, just click this link and print off the voucher or enter the code online.


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Black Friday

For those of you who don't know, this Friday 25th November is Black Friday over in the States and it seems as though Britain are jumping on the band wagon this year. It's basically a manic shopping day of major discounts and special offers. With only four weeks to go till Christmas, it all helps with the penny pinching so if you choose to join in, I urge you to plan your day with military precision and know what your going for (making sure to do your research on what is and isn't included in the discounts to avoid disappointment) or equally if you're doing your shopping from your sofa, plan out which sites you want to visit and get to it early because it's likely that A. The websites will crash with the amount of traffic or B. What you want will be sold out by the time you've dragged yourself out of bed at midday.

So with that in mind, this is my pick of the best places to visit and the best deals.


Selfridges - online and in store (up to 10% off beauty and up to 20% off everything else) although check the terms and conditions beforehand because a lot of the big designers aren't included. Boo.


Amazon - they're running loads of 15 minute deals from Monday to Friday this week on everything from watches to wine kits (yes, really) so you can start the bargaining early.


Apple - As usual, Apple are keeping schtum about what they will be offering this Friday but not one to disappoint, it's always worth a look.

Currys, PC World - Offering a '100 hour price crash' from Thursday 3pm till Monday. Great if you're in the market for any home appliances, a new PC or music bits and bobs (I know I'm not the only one with headphones hanging by a thread).

I'll keep scouting the net for other brands jumping on the Black Friday band wagon and if I hear of anything I'll post it here.

*Black Friday Update*

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Easy Like Sunday Morning

I think it's about time for another blog post. I've had both a busy and quiet weekend all in one. It was my boyfriend's 21st birthday on Friday so I took the weekend off and we've had 48hrs full of friends, take away pizza, sharades, swanky dinners and long lie-ins. This is where I feel I have to mention the superb Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge - stunning seafood, succulent meat and even better service.

It's unfortunate that I've had a stonking cold all weekend so we haven't managed to do all the things we had wanted to (namely some Christmas shopping) but I've actually enjoyed the nothing-ness of our days for a change.

Anyway, since I couldn't actually go shopping, I thought I'd do a mini gift guide of the type of things I'll be buying for my loved ones this year.

Family

Wallet - £270 Mulberry (Although this is secretly on my wish list)

Aftershave - £36 Molten Brown

Cashmere jumper - £49.90 Uniqlo

Manolo's New Shoes - £24.95. I have this book and it's just full of the most vibrant, beautiful Manolo Blahnik illustrations.

Rose gold bracelet - £81 (Also on my wish list)

Panelled shoe - £85 Dune

Friends

Hand cream trio - £20 L'Occitane

Hand bag charm - £25 Links of London

Anthracite pashmina - £23.20 Marks and Spencer

Friends book by Edward Monkton - £4.99 Campusgifts.com. We have an Edward Monkton book on our coffee table and pretty much everyone who comes round picks it up and reads it. The witty anecdotes are a real talking point.

Gold and silver glitter earrings - £35 Ted Baker

Neoprene laptop case - £14.99 Amazon.com

Stocking Fillers

Cherry Pop slab - £7.50 Hotel Chocolat

Spotty HeatTech socks - £8.90 Uniqlo

Molten gold bubble bars - £3.40 per 100g Lush

Mini Sharpie permanent markers - £3.08 Amazon.com

Velvet knickers - £8 La Senza (currently on 3 for 2)

Liquorice Catherine wheels - £1.99 Amazon.com

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The (Birthday) Weekend

Some of my favourite moments from the weekend...

Pretty white roses for my bedside table

Lemon cupcakes topped with mint leaves. I never did get to light those candles.

Beautiful gift from friends

Playing in the fallen leaves on the Southbank

I love having people to stay because when I see all the toothbrushes together in the pot it reminds me of being at home.

Harrods at night

Plus this is the first time I'm posting from my new iPad so (after a few teething problems) I hope it works!

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Gold and Spikes

My new bracelet and double ring from ASOS. They are quite different pieces for me, I usually go for something more classic but I've decided to experiment a little with a couple of edgier pieces.

I love the dainty chain and dangling spike off the bracelet...limited finger movement that a double ring brings is definitely something to get used to...

Vogue Editors Portrait

I had to share this with you because I love it so much.

You can almost feel the (fashion) power captured in this photo just by looking at it.

Anna and Co

Party Pieces

I haven't been feeling well for the last couple of days so have consequently spent most of the last 48 hrs in a horizontal position on the sofa.

I'm trying desperately to rest for the coming (birthday) weekend so have been willing my body into the party mood by doing some screen shopping.

Also great for the coming festive celebrations (ah six weeks!), these are a couple of bits and (party) pieces that have caught my eye:

Clockwise from left:

Gold ring, £7, Pieces at ASOS.com

Gold and black heels, £425, Christian Louboutin (PLEASE let these be in the January sale)

Clarins Jolie Rouge Lipstick in 700 Cedar Red, £16.50, Boots

Nails Inc in New Bond St., £11, Boots

Metallic clutch, £250, Burberry

Bracelet chain with gold spike drop, £6, ASOS.com

Interiors Inspired by the Catwalk

We're having a little rearrange of furniture in our lounge at the moment and this has prompted the realisation that we really need to get some soft furnishings. Not to say that what we've got isn't functional but because of the mis-matched furniture which comes with a rented apartment, it all looks a bit cluttered and messy. I'm hoping some scatter cushions here and there and the odd throw will help bring the room together. Hopefully next week when I've finally got round to buying a few bits and bobs, I'll post some photos.

The last couple of weeks have been a sea of S/S 2012 catwalk shows. Project after project we are sent to look at photo after photo of the latest trends. So with all that at the back of my mind, I can't help but be influenced.

Here are a couple of looks I've considered:

Grey cushion - £65, Liberty, Green cushion - Mydeco.com, Candle - Lordandtaylor.com, Bowl - £5.50 Liberty

Cushion - £45, Liberty, Vase - £6.95, Liberty, Candle - £35, Alice by Temperley, Blanket - I stupidly don't remember but if anyone desperately wants to know, I'll try and find out.

Floral cushion - £15, Monsoon, Grey cushion - £30, John Lewis, Vase - £28, Monsoon, Skull candle - £80, Harvey Nichols

Cupcake Decorating

Wow, really I don't stop. I am yet to have a day off in weeks but in a way, I like running around my life like a headless chicken. At least it makes the days go quickly.

So this weekend was interesting. I went on a cupcake decorating course with some friends on Saturday. Why does cake decorating look so easy? It's not. And I was decidedly disappointed when I left with less than perfectly decorated cupcakes. Somehow I imagined I'd be much better than I actually was. But hey ho, we had fun, I learnt some good baking tips and I had 12 delicious cupcakes to take home to boot.