Sale Update: Today's hot topic: ASOS.com

Another flick through the online sales bought me to ASOS, where a veritable array of bargains awaits the potential shopper. In some cases some of the items have been discounted as much as 75% - and when you think that you could have been paying £100 for one item - it makes it worth you while to have a look.

I've put together some of the sale items to make a great smart casual outfit for you to while away the winter of 2011, whilst still looking stylish and on trend.

Bag: Mischa Barton Chelsea Fabric Detail Clutch; Was £39 Now £20
Ankle Boots: Shellys Montgomery Lace Up Suede Heeled Ankle Boot; Was £75 Now £45
Necklace: ASOS Mesh Tie Necklace; Was £20 Now £11
Leggings: Mango Seamed Jeggings; Was £37.90 Now £19.90
Cardigan:Trapeze Hem Cardigan Was £34 Now £14

But you don't have to take my word for it ladies, there are literally thousands of bargains just waiting to be bought by you! Check out their website at www.asos.com

The must have NYE outfit...

Okay, so it's December the 30th and you're trawling through the January sales in the hope of finding some gem of an outfit to blow everyone away with tomorrow night. Well search no more people - this is it.

New Years Eve is the last blow out of the festive season - and the year for that matter - so it's the perfect time to treat yourself before the long slog of winter sets in.
This outfit is right on trend with open toe boots and a sequin detailed shift dress, teamed up with a patent leather quilted handbag and a bit of designer bling, this outfit is perfect to party the night away and welcome in the 2011!!

Dress: A-Wear £50.00
Boots: Dolce Vita Hamilton
Bag: Topshop £35
Bracelet: Fiorelli £20

January Sale Update - Today's Hot Property: Topshop.com

Flicking through the online sales I saw this gem...
Topshop.com have some designer bargains from their range designed by Meadham Kirchhoff to help you remain in the festive spirit for that little bit longer.
Meadham Kirchhoff is a relatively new designer whose A/W 2010 collection had a heavy Eastern European influence, which his range for Topshop seems to be taken from.
Prices start at £30.00 for a nude silk slip dress and go up to £150.00 for a 100% silk, navy blue sequin detailed dress - perfect for the party season! Here are some of my favourites:

100% Cotton Denim Jacket by Meadham Kirchhoff in Navy Blue with raw hem finishing: £45.00

Double tiered lace skirt with glitter spot chiffon underlay in black by Meadham Kirchhoff: £40

Navy Blue one sleeve dress with sequin detailing, 100% silk by Meadham Kirchhoff: £150

For more information go to the sale section of www.topshop.com

Looking forward to the year ahead...

Well, 2011 is nearly upon us and I thought I would look forward to the year ahead in Fashion. Mainly A/W 2010-11 and the key trends for now - so you all know what to buy in those January Sales!!!
There are 2 main trends for women at the moment:

'Hitchcock'
Inspired by Hitchcock's femme fatales and 'film noir', this trend was mainly encapsulated by the Prada and Lanvin collections. 1940's austerity influences come in the form of wool skirt suits and double breasted belted jackets.

Accessories and Key Pantone Colours for 'Hitchcock'
 

Key Colours: Camel tones, mixed with a hint of masculine in grey and black. Key Pieces: Woolen Pencil Skirts, Structured Handbags made from Patent Leather and Driving Gloves.

High-Waisted Karen Millen Woolen Pencil Skirt with Chiffon Blouse

'Renaissance'

Natural meets man made in Renaissance with the warrior-like essence of Joan of Arc. Natural Wool and Fur trims are mixed with chain-mail and metal studded leather. 

Elements and Key Pantone colours for 'Renaissance'

Key Colours: Earth rooted forest colours such as leafy green and berry red are blended with tanned brown leathers and black. Key Peices: Slim fit trousers, Leather riding boots and cozy cardigans in Chain mail knits.

An example of Chain Mail knit.

So, enjoy the sales Ladies!! 

For more information - check out www.fashionsnoop.com

Christmas Baking

Today I did a little Christmas baking, after all, yesterday's Tesco trip should not have been in vain. I had been instructed by my mother-in-law to make some mince pies for the day itself and my brother had asked if I could bring a desert of some kind on Boxing day.
I decided i would make a cake, as it was the perfect excuse to use the cute vintage christmas cake decorations that my Dad gave me when I moved house. He knows me so well - I love vintage things and I love baking!! Also, along the way I managed to find a reason to use the 1970s Icing Sugar Dredger that my Mum and Dad got as a wedding present back in 1976.
Rather than write about it, i'll just show you what happened...

Once I had made the cake - it was time for the filling - don't forget to let it cool down though or your buttercream will melt!

Mince Pies a la Kirsty and Phil! Basically using filo pastry instead of shortcrust and adding cranberries and clementines to your mincemeat!

Once the jam and buttercream was put in the middle, I added the marzipan.

Then the icing....

.... and finally the decorations!

 Merry Christmas everyone!!

It's Christmas Eve Eve!

It's time for a relax before the real festivities begin tomorrow and my usual Christmas Eve bake off.
Being in a long term relationship for three years meant splitting Christmas between Yorkshire and Lancashire. And now that I live with my boyfriend it is no different, so christmas day will be spent with the mother-in-law whilst boxing day will be spent with my mother, brother and sister in law in Blackpool.
Every year I provide the Desert for the Boxing Day extravaganza, and this year is no different - I will be making a child (and nut allergy) friendly Christmas cake (sponge) and mince pies a la Kirsty and Phil. So tomorrow will mainly be spent baking away for the most part of the day.
Today I bought my ingredients and braved the biggest Tesco in Bradford for 12 eggs, Filo Pastry, Cranberries, Clementines, Bramley Apples, Butter, Icing sugar, Jam, Mincemeat, Self Raising Flour and the last 2 Bags of Sugar in the whole shop.
My fiance assured me that the shopping expedition would go without a hitch, however, I always get a little anxious at this time of year. What is it about the supermarkets being shut for 1 day that makes everyone think a nuclear war is about to happen - they stock up on loaves of bread and bottles of milk like the end of the world is about to happen! I swear, the man behind me at the checkout had 8 2ltr bottles of milk and 4 loaves of bread - i'm surprised he didn't make it a nice round number and go back for 2 more bottles to make it up to 10!
Why do people do that?
Answers on a postcard...

The 3R's

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
For any technology teacher, those three words are a staple for teaching GCSE Technology theory before the big exam, because almost every year there is a question of some form on the subject.

As a textiles teacher I am used to telling my pupils all about how the textiles industry impacts upon the environment. In fact, I'm quite sure I have bored many a child in my 3 short years as a technology teacher, that I am always on the look out for new and exciting ways of bringing the subject to life.
So imagine my surprise when opening the new issue of Company magazine and finding a small, yet informative, section about how Recycling is one of the hot new trends for 2011. After all, we are in a recession, aren't we?

So I thought i'd share some of the knowledge with all you lovely people - and if you have any to add feel free. That's one of the many useful things about this blogging malarkey - or so I'm told.

1. Re-Use: Lou Rota - Customizes unwanted china and furniture using transfer printing and old newspaper print - I especially love the 1970's style school chair using the Cath Kidston-esque floral print. www.lourota.com

2. Reduce:  Zoe Murphy, re-vamps 1970s furniture by adding prints inspired by her home town of Margate. I'm a lover of anything Vintage! www.zoemurphy.com

3. Recycle: GreenPac sells products from recycled PET plastic bottles and from recycled newspaper. These 'Smencils' are made from recycled newspaper! www.greenpac.co.uk

I hope I've given you all a few ideas for how to enter 2011 a little bit more green! If you know of any more let me know!

Getting into the festive spirit!

Well for those of you that don't know, I am completely in love with the Christmas season. It's not the presents, or the turkey or even the spending time with family - although, don't get me wrong, they are a nice perk of the day - it's the Festive Spirit of Christmas. To be more precise, the magic.
Yes that's right, I am 26 years old - nearly 27, and I believe in Magic. Christmas Magic. There is just something about December the first, the carols, the cold nights, the shoppers and cards. And don't get me started on the smells; mince pies, christmas cakes and turkey to name but a few.
I don't question Christmas. I know it will be the same every year. So even if you don't believe in Santa - try not to get wrapped up (excuse the pun) in all the gift buying, cooking and decorating, grab yourself a glass of wine (mulled or not), sit by your tree and enjoy the festivities.
I dare you not to see the magic in that...

Happy Christmas everyone!