Ear knockers...

Earrings: H&M

Shirt: Boyfriends

Ear bling is having such a moment right now.

 No matter where you go; designer or high street, you cannot get away from them- and why would you want to?!

Me and my Butchers (Pat Butchers) are firm friends, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

They take an outfit from everyday to verging on inappropriately evening (my favourite) with the mere pop of a butterfly back. 

 Just make sure you give your lobes a few days for recovery...

 These babies are not for faint hearted!

That extra half inch...

 

Jumper: H&M

Trousers: Zara

Shoes:Valentino

Bag: Tila March

Every season there is a 'shoe' - I am very aware that this sounds both completely obvious and ambiguous at the same time, but stick with me here.

A champion shoe, like a cult tote, is that one garment you just cannot get away from. 

Every fashion ed or fashion girl worth her salt will own said garment and the whole of the fashion world will be awash with these heavenly pieces leaving the rest of the world floundering in a pool of their own lust/ drool.

These be such shoes.

Currently the protagonist of my sartorial love story, (along with Celine, well, everything!) 

They're all a girl could ask for from her winter formal...

1. Midi heel (apparently that sounds better than 'kitten') 

2. Shiny enough to check your makeup in-  always have to have a back up! 

3. Perfect day to night shoe with just the right amount of business at the front, party at the back

4. Investment piece... When is Valentino ever NOT an investment

I do feel, however, (after I have conviced myself that theyre worth a months rent?!) That I may get the slip on version as there is something about 'slipping on' a pair of beautiful shoes that touches you in a special place... Laces kind of take the magic out of it,  don't you think? 

Peplum unite...

 Top: H&M

Trousers: Zara

Jacket: Topshop unique

Shoes: H&M

Brolly: Unknown

Ahh yes, the peplum. Friend or foe? 

I personally find it one of the most flattering way's to draw attention to the waist (I'm slightly averse to belts that hold no 'real' function... call it an aversion or intrepid hatred, either way, contrived clothing is a massive bugbear of mine.)
With the female form being so heavily celebrated this season- and so it should be *goddesses* the peplum is back in a major way for AW. 

After a wee nod last season, the big boys came out with all guns a blazing in the way of some suurious waist accessorising- enter my double peplum/ superhero union.

Black and blue is another one of those, should I, shouldn't I situations.

I say should- they are, after all, close friends of the palette and if you choose the right shades they can merge seamlessly into one.

The brolly was an accident that turned out to be pretty well matched to the shoes, accidental accessories- my favourite!

Show me your kitten heel...

Kitten heels: Zara

Some love' em, some hate 'em, some couldn't care less!

I always thought that I was averse to a heel lower than 4 inches (being from a city where you practically walk out of the womb in stilettos will do that to a gal)

But my feet have paid the price. Hours of walking, running and even on some occasions hurdling- cobbles are a bitch! Have all led me to hold a warmer reception toward this vertigo defiant stiletto.

The reasons are three fold:

1. You instantly feel classier in a lower heel, don't ask me why- it's the same logic as sunglasses giving  you that 'instant cool' 

2. If they're good enough for Hepburn and the Olsen's they're good enough for me.

3. They're the perfect day to night shoe, you don't feel like a dirty stop out at work and don't feel too underdressed in the bar after (both equally important).

4. (I know I said three, but it's my list so I will add one more) The high street is absolutely nailing this trend- see picture for point and case.

Don't get me wrong, I still love my statement skyscrapers, but I think I will keep them big ol' blocks for when I need to dodge the snow! 

Viva la kitten!

Blonde Ambition?

That age old question of, "Do Gentlemen prefer blondes?" is one that has plagued the mind of this Brunette's head for some time- not in the occupying my life kind of way.
More an enquiring mind wanting to know.

There are a plethora of cliches regarding blondes, "blondes have more fun" being one such example- but few that relate to Brunettes, apart from: "Men have fun with blondes and settle down with brunettes" (Something I am suspicious was fabricated by the latter in order to make herself feel better.)

The whole idea that a hair colour can define your character seems ludicrous, but that is exactly what many Hollywood icon's based their entire career on:

Marilyn Monroe- Dumb blonde

Grace Kelly- Angelic virgin Blonde

Sophia Loren- Smouldering dark siren

Audrey Hepburn- Classy and demure brunette

It would also seem that things haven't changed much in 60 years. We still have the ethereal, nymph like beauty's and Bombshell ideals of forgoing fair headed beauties.

If you happen to have a spare 40 minutes ( I know it seemed like I was going to say four there... yeah, sorry about that!) and are not bored by this whole subject (quite likely)

Take a listen to this radio 4 story by Lois Banner (author of Marilyn's best selling biography) about Marilyn herself and how she was forever trying to escape the very ideal she is best known for... it seems brains AND beauty are the most covetable shade (is it strange that I automatically want to write 'of Grey' after that? Damn book.) Regardless of your hair colour.


www.bbc4.com/notsodumbblonde