OOTD: Vivix

Last season's love of the midi dress has stayed with me this Autumn. I just love the long, lean and sophisticated silhouette that a midi paired with heels creates.

Dress and Belt: Ted Baker (£169 here). Kurt Geiger patent shoe boots (similar here).

This dress is one of my favourite recent purchases, so much so that I chose to wear it for a celebratory brunch with the in laws-to-be. The soft cowl neck draping creates some beautiful curves to an otherwise well structured dress. I also love the contrast of the angular double buckle belt against the fluid colour palette.

Are you a fan of the midi trend? What have been your favourite pieces this Autumn? xxx

Clinique Chubby Sticks

Clinique Chubby Sticks are a really fun moisturising lip balm that give your lips a soft wash of colour. They are available in a great variety of shades and I was lucky enough to pick my top 3 at this week's Clinique cocktail party.

 Top to bottom and left to right: 14 curvy candy, 06 woppin watermelon, 15 pudgy peony.

As you can see the original chubby sticks are pretty sheer and while giving lots of moisture and shine they are not overly buildable in colour. As a lip balm they work perfectly for daytime wear and the crayon shape makes them effortless to apply, even without a mirror.

Being a lover of strong lip colour I am really excited to see that Clinique have now also launched an 'intense' version.

 This stunning red is 06 roomiest rose.

Even though my lips are pretty pigmented you can see that the chubby stick intense lives up to its name delivering an intense burst of colour. The texture of this lipstick is a little thicker than the original giving the lips a matte finish.

The original chubby stick can be found here for £16.

 

Are you a fan of Clinique's Chubby Sticks? Which is your favourite formulation? Which of the shades would you recommend?
 xxx

OOTD: LK Bennett Cranley

This little spotty number from LK Bennett is one of my absolute favourites for that illusive day to night transition, especially as it can be worn in two ways! During the day it can be teamed with a fitted jacket and worn with the straight neckline at the front, while in the evening I usually reverse it with the v-neck and draping at the front to create more shape (as in the photos).

 

 Dress: LK Bennett (on sale for £60 here), Shoes: Kurt Geiger (on sale for £35 here).

What are your favourite pieces to take you from day to night? xxx

Spread The Glove with Bliss

As you all know October is breast cancer awareness month and I am happy to say that many of my favourite beauty brands have been releasing special products to raise money for breast cancer charities. One of my favourites are these cute little pink gloves from Bliss that help to keep your hands well moisturised and pampered.

These gloves are different to any I have previously tried as they contain a hydrating gel lining with olive oil and grape seed oils to quench parched palms, whilst vitamin E smoothes and firms hands. They can be used with or without hand cream, but even after 20 mins you will notice the difference as your hands will feel so much smoother and softer.

These gloves are £36 and can be used up to 50 times. When purchasing online here don't forget to enter PINK10 at checkout to get your FREE High Intensity Hand Cream 30ml!

Laura Mercier Signature Brush Collection

Usually I get very annoyed when people talk about Christmas in October. Perhaps purely for selfish reasons as my birthday is on the 28th (this Sunday... Yay) and it is obviously the main event of the month! However, when the press release for this beautiful Laura Mercier Brush Collection popped into my inbox this week I was swept away with thoughts of Christmas gifts.

The signature brush collection includes an essential edit of Laura Mercier's beautifully crafted wood handle brushes in an opulent case. I especially love the easel back stand which can be used to display the brushes, or removed to be used as a chic travelling case. The brushes included are:

•Finishing Brush

•Cheek Colour Brush

•Camouflage Powder Brush

•Pony Tail Brush

•Eye Colour Brsuh

•Crème Eye Colour Brush

•Smoky Eye Liner Brush

•Flat Eye Liner Brush

•Lip Colour Brush

This beautiful set is priced at £195 and is exclusive to Harrods for a limited time.

Will it be making it onto your Christmas list this year?

Back to Red (and lace)

You may have noticed that after a brief flirtation with brown locks and a few honey highlights this summer I have now gone back to my preferred hair colour. The red is back and here to stay... or at least it's here till I get bored again ;).

This post however, is about red of a more vibrant hue!

I love the vibrant tone of this playsuit mixed with the delicate detailing of the black lace. It's definitely a bit of a show stopping evening number, especially as it is so short (on me), and a cute alternative to a dress. However, I would say that the fit of this leaves a lot to be desired. The pleats create a lot of volume in the front, which as you can see in the picture below makes a rather unflattering little pouch when looking from the side or sitting down. I just wish it either had more pleats all the way around to create a more flared short, or else had none so it lay flat to the body. 

 

I noticed that even the gorgeous Laura Whitmore had this problem on the XtraFactor, which makes me glad that I'm not alone in my phantom poof!

Even despite this I still think it is a gorgeous piece and looks so much more expensive than it's £50 price tag! If you are interested in checking out this playsuit you can find it on the Topshop website here. They also have a similar style in cream here.

What do you guys think of this little red number? Since these photos were taken I have found a way to tame the pleats with a wide belt to keep the front in place, but if you have any crafty suggestions I'd love to hear your tricks! :). xxx

KM Polished Workwear Edit

The last look in my Karen Millen accessory edit is Polished Workwear.

Although the length of this skirt wouldn't be wholly appropriate for my office I absolutely adore this monochrome look! I decided to keep it simple and stylish by adding black accessories in a range of textures. The waist belt combines black pony hair and leather, while the bag has a gorgeous patent finish to contrast the muted suede of the simple black court heels.

If this look is not quite glitzy enough for you there is still time to enter the @KarenMillen competition to win my edit of accessories for the after dark look here.

Good luck my lovelies! xxx

*Sponsored post*

Karen Millen Off Duty Luxe edit

The second of my Karen Millen edits is a much more casual look called Off Duty Luxe!

I chose to accessorise this look with some amazing over the knee suede boots and a long necklace to add a little glamour to a very relaxed ensemble.

If you haven't entered the competition to win my choice of luxe accessories or a @KarenMillen £100 gift voucher you can still go ahead and enter here! Good luck lovelies! xxx

*Sponsored Post*

Win Karen Millen After Dark Elegance Accessories!

Something very exciting begins today! I have partnered with Karen Millen to accessorize their autumn collection and to give you all the chance to win my selection of accessories for their After Dark Elegance look.

The After Dark Look features the Ultimate Prom Dress (£140). I absolutely love the vibrant blue and the fifties style flare fit. I paired this dress with some fun and festive accessories to give it a more modern edge and create some contrast.

To be in with the chance of winning the first prize of an edit of coveted accessories from my After Dark Elegance look, or the second prize of a £100 Karen Millen gift card, simply enter here. For more news and competitions you can also follow Karen Millen on twitter @KarenMillen.

Check back later in the week to see the final photos of my accessories for off-duty luxe and polished workwear. I would love for you to let me know what you think of my choices!

*This is a sponsored post.*

The worst kept secret... I'm Engaged!!!

Apologies for my little absence over the past week, but as you can tell by the title of this post something very exciting happened last weekend. My darling boyfriend proposed on Saturday and I said YES! We are both absolutely thrilled and couldn't be happier!!

I would love to share the whole story with you as I have been gushing about it to anyone who asks, but the fiancée (eek!) has asked me to keep some things private, so I shall give you the shorter and less emotional version!

After weeks of busy schedules that involved back to back night-shifts for him and work trips for me we decided to take Friday off work and spend some quality time together. He planned two magical days of mini dates that included a Michelin starred restaurant for lunch, coffee at the Corinthia hotel (where I have just realised the Xfactor finalists are staying this year), the London Eye, cocktails and nibbles at Evans and Peel detective agency (1920s theme), romantic movie and a long walk around Kew Gardens in the sunshine. On Saturday evening we went for dinner to one of our favourite French restaurants and upon returning home I found my living room had been transformed with hundreds of photos, candles and red roses...

I have never seen the poor boy so nervous, but he assures me it was well worth it to make me the happiest girl in the world! I have been smiling all week like an absolute loon :). 

Thank you all so much for your kind messages on FB and twitter. It really does mean the world to us! xxx