The Christmas Playsuit

Black Playsuit - Topshop £36

Black Heels - ASOS £31.50

Blue Playsuit - Motel Rocks £45

Nude Heels - Zara £49.99

Navy Playsuit - River Island £60

Black Heeled Boots - H&M £29.99

It's coming up to that time when you have to decide what to wear to all the Christmas 'dos'. Or so I have been told by my friend, Gemma who asked me today what I would be wearing to our work Christmas Party. I for one am a very last minute person so this seemed far too prepared in my books! I tend to decide an hour before I go out what to wear and then proceed to get into a stress trying to figure out what goes with the shoes I so desperately want to wear.

For a lot of girls a staple on a night out is the classic LBD - teamed with a pair of killer heels and red lipstick you really can't go wrong. For me, however I'm always in a playsuit. I like the simplicity of having an all in one and not having the fuss of having to find a top that goes with bottoms - Plus the fact that you can dance around like a loon (or occasionally accidentally fall down) and not flash everyone in sight. Bonus!

These playsuits are a nice alternative to the sparkly dresses and sequined numbers that will be gracing the clubs for the next months in the lead up to my favourite day of the year. They are all intricately detailed with just the right amount of glitz for this festive time of year.

If you prefer to cover the tops of your arms - sensible really in this weather - then this Motel Rocks playsuit is ideal. The pale blue and white creates an almost frosty feel and would look complete with a nude pair of heels like these from Zara.

Have an eye for more detail? Navy is in keeping with warm Christmas tones - flattering and beautifully detailed this tshirt-style playsuit is the one I will be buying. A chunky heeled ankle boot adds a toughness that works well with the delicate beading and will mean you can stay on your feet for hours!

This black Topshop playsuit is a smarter and more sophisticated outfit choice. The shaped neckline and slimming colour is a good alternative for those who are used to the little black dress. It is still glamorous and with a slim heel your legs will be never ending!

I can't wait to get all glammed up in a new outfit in the coming weeks but on the other hand I'm excited to buy a wonderfully over the top Christmas jumper! So many reason to love this time of year. Michael Buble Christmas album anyone?...

Leather Love

In recent months I seem to have grown fond of jackets. I'm a woman obsessed. Leather jackets are a staple in a lot of people's wardrobes - men and woman alike so they are always readily available from high end to highstreet and stay on trend season to season.

For a while now I have been looking for a reasonably priced leather which keeps its shape and can be smartened up or dressed down. All Saints do the most beautiful leather jackets but their prices make my purse teary. 

When I popped into my local Zara earlier this month I really didn't expect to buy anything as I had just had two consecutive expensive weekends in London and Newcastle but low and behold I found this beauty which I just couldn't leave without. 

The biker-esque chunky zips combined with the flattering fitted shape make it perfect for daytime and a slightly more dressed up evening occasion.

I love the thick material and I'm like a kid in a sweet shop at the thought of styling it with jeans and Chelsea boots and also a pretty little skater dress with tights.

Who said Winter was miserable?

Fresh Mint

Like any typical teenage girl (ignore stereotype if not applicable to you) when I was 14 I wanted a pink bedroom. I'm talking pink walls, pink curtains, pink lampshade. The works. As a 22 year old now living in the same bedroom I'm regretting my younger self's decision a little. Visiting home during my three years at university it was fine but now that I'm back with the parents I decided it was time for a change.

Thanks to Pinterest and my Mum's interior design catalogues she leaves about the house I was dead set on having a mint green and cream bedroom - a smidgen more grown up yet relaxed.

Deciding on the perfect shade of 'mint' was a mission. There are more shades than you could ever imagine and I liked every single one of them as I painstakingly painted tester blocks on the wall of my Barbie Palace. I finally decided on 'Ocean Ripple' as a sort of feature wall and 'Desert Wind' on the other walls. I'm also having a cream carpet which I'm hoping to keep clean of inevitable tea and coffee spillages.

After heaving all my toot back in and trying to reorganise it in a neater fashion my room is now complete and I wanted to share a few photos to maybe inspire some soon-to-be-decorating minds or for you to simply be nosy.

Elephants are my favourite animals and I like the rugged old effect of the map on this cushion from Habitat.

 My cute little owl from a little shop in Oundle. He is just the most adorable little thing and strangely enough I found his twin on my holiday in Portugal. A sneak peak of the mint feature wall behind him.

I love this storage unit from Ikea. It sneakily hides all the stuff I own that is too messy to be on display the whole time - nail varnishes, books, old school work, hats, scarves...

The vase is an old school milk bottle which I found in the kitchen. A nice twist on the usual glass vase and the lovely pink flowers go perfectly with the white.

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peak into my new little bedroom. I still need to add things to the walls to bring a bit more life to the cream colour but I am very pleased with how it has turned out.

Winter Warmer - The Trench Coat

1. Mango
2. House of Fraiser
3. Mint Velvet
4. BooHoo

As sad as it to realise the nights are drawing in and sandals are becoming less and less appropriate, it's also a comfort to know that soon we can wrap up warm in layer upon layer of cosiness. Time is nearly upon us to drag out those wooly jumpers which take up so much room in the wardrobe - Admit it, they fall on you too when trying to free up some space for bikinis and summer dresses.

If the thought of winter fills you with dread, fear ye not, I have a way of celebrating the upcoming season and of course it involves some retail therapy. 

When I think of the classic trench coat, Burberry springs to mind. Their beautiful designs and classic detailing have me drooling whilst their price tags send me running for the hills. My Dad actually owns a Burberry trench coat from decades ago but sadly it is a few sizes too big so I can't take it under my wing. 

For a few years now I have been eyeing up buying my own trench coat but have never found the right one - or rather have never had enough spare cash to splash out on a good quality one. This year I have been more prepared and have done my research. I have found a number of great options in a whole spectrum of prices and in a range of designs.

1. This Mango design is definitely my favourite that I have found thus far. The colour is just right - sounds petty but they come in so many shades you end up lusting over one in particular - and the length is perfect as it is long enough to keep your derriere warm on cold Winter walks. At almost £70 it sounds a lot but when I think back to the more expensive coats I have had over the years they are definitely a good investment to have, lasting longer and more importantly keeping you warm.

2. This black option is very smart, sophisticated and more appropriate for someone who commutes as it won't show the unavoidable stains and marks you are bound to encounter. Again, the length is great and would look amazing teamed with a bright bag and thick black tights ready for those cold mornings.

3. A shorter design such as this Mint Velvet one is perfect for a more casual occasion. The above-the-knee length is also good for petite women as it is less likely to swamp them. A chunky knit scarf will add the texture to this more laid back suggestion.

4. Finally, this BooHoo find is a fabulous price and still has the smart elements a trench coat needs. I love the colour of this coat as it could be worn with anything from smart office wear to jeans at the weekend. This is a brilliant piece at a bargain price.

Until I save up for my own Burberry trench coat any of these lovely options will most definitely do! Which one do you like best?

Heart to Heart

I'm not ashamed to say I take a lot of fashion inspiration from 'celebs' and what they wear day-to-day through magazines and online blogs. People who spring to mind include, Olivia Palermo, Emma Watson, Mollie King, Harry Styles...Wait, what?!

On my lunch break at work I popped in to New Look for a little browse and spotted this adorable heart print black shirt. 

I had seen a similar design in Topshop a few months previously but at £38 I resisted the temptation, and now I'm glad I did. The New Look piece was half the price. Bargain! Later on when I looked on The Mail Online (kills many a bored hour) I was surprised to see two completely opposite people wearing the designer version of my sweet little shirt. Those people being Mr Styles and Victoria Beckham. For once I'd bought into a trend without even realising. 

They have both been spotted wearing the new craze first showcased by Burberry at London Fashion Week AW13. Other pieces to fall in love with include this heart print dress with leather collar and the same print on a fur coat. Just slightly amazing.

London Fashion Week AW13 - Burberry

I know Harry Styles is a bit of a babe magnet (don't try and deny it, people) but I didn't think I'd be sharing outfit choices with him! 

Style Queen and Heart Throb share their love of quirky shirts

I feel like this could be a Marmite trend, love it or hate it. However, I'm super happy with my purchase and can't wait to style it with my dark jeans and brogues. Worryingly similar to Harry?

Who Wears The Trousers?

1. Topshop

2. Dorothy Perkins

3. H&M

4. Topshop

5. Oasis

I'm a jeans girl through and through but recently I have been drawn in by the tailored trousers and 'smart jogger' trend. Sadly, jeans aren't Summer appropriate but the British Summer can often be misleading and what looks like a warm day outside, perfect for ice cream, is actually too windy for a pretty skater dress. Printed trousers were my go to during the warmer months and I'm sure will continue to be as the leaves begin to fall.

The combined effortless but still sophisticated look has gone from catwalk to highstreet and is now available in Primark (of course they've caught on!).

                          

 Primark Trousers - £13

These trousers are usually way out of my comfort zone but combined with a plain black tee or a smarter cami this is an easy to wear combination and a fun twist on my usual Jamie jeans look. 

If you aren't feeling brave enough to be bold in the colour stakes, go for a monochrome colour palette with styles like 1 or 4. The design is still eye catching on closer inspection but the black and white won't draw too much attention to you.

Feeling bold? Go for bright reds and purples or even a colourful pattern (2 and 5). These warm colours will take you through Autumn and are even Christmas appropriate. Win win!

I've got my eye on a few more pairs for the near future. Saving's overrated, right?

Time to Become Dedicated

There always seems to be a sudden pressure, around late Spring time, to get a 'Summer bod' and when my holiday rolled around at the beginning of August I was most certainly under-prepared. It seems that the hype around getting fit pushed me further back and I managed to get even lazier.

My friends at work, Gemma and Clare started a Juice Plus+ diet before the Summer started. They really stuck to it and their efforts certainly paid off while I sat back and watched on the sidelines with a can of Coke and a Crunchie. Still not enthused to join in.

But I am now back and having eaten my own weight in croissants, ham and cheese in Portugal I have finally started my own healthy regime. Hallelujah. I'm still quite small but at 5 ft 4" I do need to keep in shape and eat healthily to make sure I don't become rotund (flashbacks to Freshers year at university). My boyfriend and I have decided to rid our summer chub together to keep eachother motivated. He actually plays rugby so isn't the slightest bit unfit but insists he must join me in my fitness quest!

We have created an exercise regime consisting of eight 50 second exercises each separated by a 15 second interval. After a 10 minute rest (to catch my breath) we repeat the cycle again. I have only been doing this for a couple of days so far but it's surprisingly hard work and I find myself hurrying the time along. The exercises we have included are; The Plank, Mountain Climbers, Squats, Crunches, Russian Twist, Jumping Jacks, Burpees and Push-ups. Phew.

Russian Twist

The Russian Twist (or 'weighted twist') was certainly Googled before I knew what the heck it involved. For this move to be completely worthwhile I feel like I need to invest in a 5KG Kettle Bell to really get the most out of the routine. Who have I become!?

And don't get me started on Burpees. Horrendous invention but I certainly feel the burn and actually feel so good when I have completed a round of them. Once you get the hang of them they are so simple (if painful) and no other exercise works as many muscle groups in one go as they do. Definitely an exercise to build a love-hate relationship with.

You're probably wondering why I'm doing all this now when my holiday has been and gone (sob sob). I actually read this quote on Twitter

As cringe as it may be, it made me think that although there isn't anything in particular that I want to tone up for it shouldn't stop me from getting off my butt and getting my fitness levels up. Instead of purely aiming for one particular date, I want to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep my body in a shape I am constantly happy with.

I'll let you know how I get on...

Cosy Corner

Any kind of retail therapy is right up my street but recently I have swapped ASOS and Zara for the likes of Homebase and Ikea. 

I'm giving my bedroom a bit of a makeover and seeing as the colour scheme is going from Princess pink to neutral mints and creams I needed a few accessories that were in-keeping with the theme.

Map - I need to jazz up one of the cream walls I'm having and have chosen a large world map to bring some life to it. Since igniting the travelling bug in me last Summer I decided that I would like to physically see where I have been and where I would like to go in the future. This wipe-clean map is ideal for planning my next trip and it will also handily bring some more colour to my room.

Cushions - Every bedroom needs a large number of cushions. I don't care that they take ages to take off at night and then replace again in the morning, they make a bed look so cosy and inviting - I'm all about the comfort! I've decided to go for a range of random cushions rather than matchy-matchy to create a rustic boutique feel.

Owl Candle - I've already got two little owl ornaments but an owl combined with a candle, I mean who can resist that? I promise I won't become a crazy owl lady.

Bedside Table - I stumbled across this small bedside table on The White Lighthouse Company and I'm so glad I did. My room is quite small so I can't have too much bulky furniture. The drawer and two baskets will hold everything I might need mid-sleep and plenty of room for the 3 books I usually have on the go.

What would you buy if you were re-decorating your room? 

Taking a Ride to Another Climb

Second to Christmas, the Summer holiday is my favourite time of the year. That time between July and September (usually) means jetting off to a warmer climate for as long as is possible and this year, Portugal was the country of choice. My boyfriend's family kindly invited us to stay with them in a villa they had rented for 2 weeks. We jumped at the chance as not having much money to spare, or much patience for holiday websites, makes planning a holiday a slight chore.

The villa was in a little town called Figueira which is lovely and remote and quite possibly the windiest place I've ever been. It made putting the umbrella up for breakfast on the terrace tricky to say the least! The location was ideal as we were in walking distance of two beaches and only a small drive away from another.

Jonny turned the grand old age of 22 during the holiday and we spent the day at a beach just down the road at the end of a hill-side walk. It was so secluded and peaceful, perfect for working on our bat and ball skills without preying eyes mocking us. I could think of worse ways to spend your birthday!

On one of our final days we spent the afternoon wondering around Lagos which is the closest large town to where we were staying. It has a huge harbor and plenty of cafes and nik-nak shops for all your souvenir-buying needs. It was a perfect evening for strolling round the shops enjoying the hustle and bustle before retreating back to the villa for a read on the balcony. Ah, bliss.

I'm already looking forward to my next holiday which sadly wont be for around 12 months but this holiday certainly left me relaxed and doubled in freckles.

From This Day Forward

Floral Dress - Zara
White Blazer - Topshop
Cream Heels - Zara
Lipstick - Yves Saint Laurent
Bag - Zara

I've only ever been to one wedding and I was three at the time so my memory of it is somewhat limited. All I remember is not wanting to sit still for the ceremony, not exactly a magical experience and I wasn't even a bridesmaid. The cheek of it. So when I received my friend of nearly 18 years' wedding invitation I was thrilled to say the least.

Weddings conjure up thoughts of celebration, love, a reunion of old friends and of course a new outfit.

My friend, Sophie's wedding is in the Autumn, however for me this summery look is the kind of outfit that springs to mind when I think of a wedding. A flattering skater dress with a fun but sophisticated print in pretty feminine colours such as this one from Zara. I know I always go back to Zara but this frock is an absolute steal at only £29.99. It also has a cut out detail at the back which adds an interesting twist for a formal occasion.

This clean and simple style of shoe is very popular and on trend at the moment. The nude colour creates the illusion of  elongating your pins and I think go well with the other pastel accessories I have teamed them with.

A little bag is a necessity, keeping your camera, confetti and tissues all in one safe place. I have picked out the blue-grey tones in this dress with this smart box bag (again from you-know-where). I would normally opt for a clutch bag for an occasion like this but it's always nice to have the option of not having to hold a bag awkwardly for hours. The long strap with gold chain detailing can easily be tucked away leaving a neat clutch with gold hardware.

I'm not one for planning makeup or even claiming that I know much about it but a soft pink lipstick would be a nice finishing touch for this pretty feminine outfit.

I can't wait for the big day on October 5th and to see Sophie. I'm sure she will look beautiful.

What would your ideal wedding guest outfit be?

My Inter Railing Experience

When I first heard a group of friends talking about their Inter Railing trip around the main cities of Europe I was a bit skeptical of the idea; 22 days travelling through Europe by train sounded a bit nightmarish to me. The thought of spending up to eight hours on one train made my palms a bit sweaty. But whilst avoiding revision in the Summer term, my housemate and I decided to do a bit of research into it and what we found out through the internet, and lots of our friends who had already done it, made us eager to get on board with it too.

For those of you who don't know, there are two types of global InterRail passes which can be used in 30 different countries.

1. 5 travel days within 10 days.
> You can travel for 10 days but you can only use up to 5 of those days travelling.

2. 10 travel days within 22 days.
>You can travel for 22 days but you can only use up to 10 of those days travelling.

We set about planning our route, booking hostels and deciding what we wanted to do in each city.

The route  was by far the hardest part as we had to make sure that we did not exceed our 10 days of travelling. Using websites such as De Bahn helped us to work out how long each leg of the journey would take and whether another option would be better. - I have to be honest, the timings and confusion of this part of the planning was left to my friend, Ness. She didn't fail me and we didn't have a single hitch on any of our journeys. This seems to be very rare as nearly all of our friends who have done similar trips encountered a few minor disasters, such as losing passports and the cherished inter rail pass itself (sellotape this to yourself if you are known for misplacing things), missing trains and paying huge fines for not booking their trains.

The route was changed a number of times before we settled on; Amsterdam, Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Venice. Nope we had never heard of Ljubljana before either but we had been tipped off by our friends to go there and we are so glad we listened to them as Lake Bled is by far the most beautiful place I have ever seen.

I thought I would include a few holiday snaps to show how much fun (& how tiring!) this excursion around Europe was.

 Kirst, Ness & I before we embarked on our little adventure.

 A classic scene from Amsterdam. A beautiful city with so much history.

 We couldn't resist sitting in this giant clog! 

 Next stop, Berlin. My favourite city with so much to see and explore especially with the WWII history throughout

 The Berlin Wall. 

 A sleepy Ness after a long journey from Warsaw to Krakow.

Tuk-Tuk back to the hostel in Krakow

The first leg of the journey after Kirst had left us for Paris. Probably one of the worst but funniest nights of my life - A night train from Krakow to Prague. We shared a room big enough for 3 people with five others and we were three bunks up. Never been so claustrophobic in my life!  

A beautiful market in Prague, we kept revisiting to have another browse around.

An amazing view of Budapest. This man ruined every picture, photo-bombing every single shot we took!

In a cool ruin bar with some fellow Brits we met in our hostel in Budapest

Lake Bled in Slovenia surrounded by the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. 

It was quite overwhelming to go from bustling cities to this idyllic setting - especially as were most certainly under-dressed in our travelling gear of jeans and hoodies

Final stop, Venice. Our hostel was right on the water's edge and this was what we saw when we opened our door. A pretty good way to end the three week trip

A visit to Venice isn't complete without a ride in a gondola. By this time we had spent all of our money and had to seriously bargain to get a reasonable price. Definitely worth it!

If you're thinking of doing the InterRail experience or are just going round Europe, here are a few tips which people had given us before we went and things we learnt along the way.

* Book your hostels before you go! You do not want to be in a city with nowhere to stay after a seven hour journey. If you use websites such as Hostel Bookers or Hostel World you can get handy discounts and can book your ideal hostel in terms of location, price and star ratings.

* Once you have got to one station, make sure you book your next train to the next city. This means you will avoid potential fines and also for a very cheap cost you are guaranteed a seat on what could be a packed train otherwise. Trust me you will appreciate this when you're tired, hungry and irritable after carrying a heavy rucksack.

*Take the correct currency out before you go. This will save you a steep exchange rate and you'll end up with more money.

*Find things to do and see off the beaten track. As much as it's amazing to see the famous sights, it's even better when you stumble across something you never expected to see. Get a map from your hostel reception and ask their advice on something different to do.

For more information visit the InterRail website here

Happy travelling!

Recipe #1 | Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic family meal; it's simple but delicious and a dinner that seems to be loved by all.  

Everyone has their own variation on the recipe and this is one that my Mother dearest gave to me before I started at university - probably aiming to bury her own fears that I would either starve to death or live solely on Dominos Pizza (half true). 

It's such a versatile recipe as you can add anything that takes your fancy or take out something that you're not a fan of (mushrooms spring to mind). Adjust this recipe to suit your own personal taste. 

Ingredients (serves 2)

1 red onion

1-2 cloves of garlic

500 grams beef mince

1 tin of chopped tomatoes

1-2 tsp tomato puree

Salt, Pepper, mixed herbs

Spaghetti or tagliatelle

Parmesan

Step 1 - Add a small amount of sunflower oil to a warm saucepan. Chop up the onion finely and add it to the saucepan with the garlic. Wait for the onion to soften and become slightly translucent.

Step 2 -  Put the mince meat in with the onion and garlic. Using a wooden spoon separate the meat out and stir on the heat until it is browned off.

Step 3 - Once the meat has been browned pour in the tin of chopped tomatoes and a teaspoon or two of tomato puree. Stir in. 

Step 4 - Season with salt, pepper and mixed herbs. 

The location of the salt in our kitchen always makes me laugh, just casually perched next to a magnifying glass and some phone manuals. Obviously. 

Place the lid on the saucepan and leave the bolognese sauce to simmer and infuse whilst preparing the pasta.

Step 5 - Measure out the amount of spaghetti you want and bring the water in the saucepan to the boil. Gradually curve the spaghetti in and add a pinch of salt to the water.

Stir the pasta every so often to prevent it from sticking together. It should be cooked in 10-12 minutes.

Drain off the water using a colander.

Step 6 -  Grate the Parmesan cheese over the top and plate up!

And finally the not so great part.

Enjoy!