Topshop Make-Up Celebrates Its First Birthday

Topshop make-up has recently celebrated its first birthday (just in case it passed you by). So a big congratulations is in order! You know what they say, time flies when you're having fun.

The make-up collection has become one of my go-to brands on the high street since it launched.

The biggest sellers are lips and nails which is to be expected as both offer a fantastic range of striking colours which have great lasting power. My favourites are Gone Fishing and Dust Storm nail varnish, and Nevada and Oh La La lipsticks.

The collection has been really well executed from the start; from the minimalist packaging to the affordable prices, and adventurous colour palettes to the breadth of every-day products.

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 29

The penultimate outfit of the challenge. Can you believe that I have nearly completed it? Me neither!! I know it has taken me somewhat longer than most to do so, but I was determined to finish and finish, I will.

This outfit is a weekend one, hence the casual nature of it:

I have two of these tees from Asos as they are so comfortable and fall in just the right places. Whenever I find a piece I love like this now, I get two, as it doesn't happen too often.

I've been wearing my hair curly for the past few days and am liking it, what about you? I think these Dorothy Perkins' earrings blend in well with the curls:

And finally, these Marks and Spencer shoe boots are the real star of the challenge. They were included as they had survived the wardrobe detox earlier in the year but I hadn't really ever worn them. However, at £15 in the sale, they had been such a steal and were so beautiful, that I couldn't bear to just get rid of them without giving them a fair go. Well, turns out that despite the height they are surprisingly comfortable:

I am wearing: Topshop skinny jeans, Asos tee, Marks and Spencer shoe boots and Marks and Spencer cardigan.

What do you think?

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 16

Have been wanting to wear this Dorothy Perkins' blouse ever since I first wore it. But wanted to give it long enough for you all not to get too fed up with it! What do you reckon?

I am wearing: Dorothy Perkins blouse, Asos vest, Topshop leggings, Next pumps and Next bangle.

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 10 and Happy Valentine's Day

Not looking completely "with it" in this photo (as my mother would say!) - clearly I needed the coffee in my hand!




I am wearing: Next aviator jacket (not a part of the 30 for 30 challenge but a necessity on a cool morning!), H&M scarf, Primark long sleeved tee, Topshop jeans and Oasis bottines.

My clothes look similar for the past few days because I have had to head home for a few days due to a family bereavement and I seemed to forget to pack anything!! Oh well. Back to my "full" 30 for 30 wardrobe tomorrow.

What is everyone up to on Valentine's Day? The boyf and I are not together today but my (very sweet and super stylish!) sis did give me a card:

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 9 and the £3 fur coat!!!

Yes, you did read that right!! The faux fur coat was only £3!! My sister got it on sale. And no, she won't give it to me. Boo! But she did let me wear it for a morning!!

I completely and stupidly forgot to get a photo of the outfit sans the coat but can assure you I am wearing: Marks and Spencer blue jumper, Topshop jeans and Oasis boots.

What do you think?

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 8

Today's outfit consists of throwing a few old favourites together:

These boots have become my 30 for 30 staple. They just go with everything in my wardrobe! Now that is the sign of a really really good buy, don't you think?

I am wearing: Gap tee, thrifted M&S blazer, Topshop jeans, Oasis boots, a Jamie necklace and an All Saints ring.

I got this necklace about 3 years ago - at London Fashion Weekend (by the way, the winner of the pair of tickets will be announced at the weekend!). I had seen the necklace in magazines and loved it. Then there it was! So I had to buy it. Of course. I wore it for months after and then it got buried at the bottom of my jewellery box, where I forgot about it. Until I unearthed it again a few weeks ago during my wardrobe detox.

Here's a close-up of the ring too. And my Chanel Black Pearl nail polish, again:



What do you think of outfit number 8? Getting bored of my grey yet?

The boyf and I went to see The Social Network last night. As I mentioned. Hughly enjoyable, if a little fanciful. The actors and the script were good. But Oscar-nomination worthy? When I think of the performance given by Colin Firth as George V or Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers in Black Swan, I find it difficult to place Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg in quite the same league. Anyone else got any thoughts? I'd still highly recommend seeing the film!

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 7

Today's post and it is the first appearance of my red tunic. I think. Yes, it is. (I checked!)

I am wearing: Dorothy Perkins tunic, Next leopard print pumps, Dorothy Perkins necklace and Topshop leggings.

What do you think of the ensemble? I have no idea how else to style this? Besides maybe with a different pair of heels, or over my skinny black jeans? Anyone got any better ideas?


I love the bow detail on the shoulders of the tunic:

The boyf and I are off to see The Social Network now (yes, I know, we are a little late on that one!) with Orange's BAFTA screenings.

Last week I mentioned the debate which has been on-going over whether to re-mix or not. Tiffany of A Reason to be Fabulous wrote a fantastic post outlining her reasons for re-mixing - I highly recommend reading it.

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Topshop S/S Make-Up Launch, Sanderson Hotel

This week I attended the Topshop S/S Make-Up Launch at the Penthouse of the Sanderson Hotel.

The launch included all the new products for the forthcoming season as well its trend collection: Sandstorm.

The Sandstorm collection was inspired by the Burning Man Festival

in Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA.

This in itself is quite amusing for such a mainstream brand as the

Burning Man festival is renowned for its anti-capitalist stance and therefore dislikes consumerism.

In keeping with desert festival theme the Sandstorm make-up includes bright blushers shades (my personal favourite), vivid nail varnishes and semi-permanent eye-liners all perfect for achieving the festival look and adding a much-loved burst of colour for the summer.

Finally, there was some experimental nail art happening,

which created a marbling effect.

The nail artist put a drop of nail varnish in a bowl of water and gradually added more until he had the desired effect.

He then dipped my nail in and removed the excess nail varnish, é voila!

Thanks Beauty Seen PR for hosting the event!

30 for 30 Challenge: Day 4

Today's outfit is a little uninspired I'm afraid. But that is the thing about posting every day. Sometimes I will have an "off" day. Today, I am full of cold and all I wanted to do this morning when the alarm woke me, was crawl back under the covers and drink my herbal tea. But I got up and got dressed:

I am wearing: Tosphop jeans, Marks and Spencer jumper, Oasis boots, Tiffany necklace and Pilgrim locket.

What are you up to this weekend? Do you have any exciting plans?

I am heading to my mum's for the weekend, to go and see my grandma. It does mean that I won't have any internet connection tomorrow so I have scheduled a post for the morning but you will have to wait for my 30 for 30 post until Sunday morning! Sorry!

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Sale shopping

I always feel bad when just days after my family have shown such considerable generosity, I am dashing off to the shops to hit the sales. My darling grandmother has in recent years, given me money for Christmas, so that I might treat myself to something in the sales from her. Last year, I bought myself a pair of ankle boots that I have worn nearly to death for the past twelve months (you can see them here, here and here!). This year, I hit the Marks and Spencer sale early and managed to grab a wonderful long cable knit gilet that I had lusted after when it was full price. There were just two left. Both in my size. It was a sign! It has been keeping me warm all day:

What do you think?

I am wearing: Marks and Spencer gilet, Dorothy Perkins scarf, Asos dress, M&S tights and Topshop pumps.


How do you feel about sales shopping at this time of year? Is it just a bit of fun and I should get over myself and get back out there? Or is it a sign of the materialistic world in which we live? I can't decide whether it is a good or a bad thing!

One things for sure, if - like me - you seem to have a fair few friends and family with birthdays in January and are feeling all spent out after Christmas, the sales are a great place to pick up something a little bit special for a little bit less. I also always buy my Christmas cards in the sale and a few new tree decorations and then come December next year, that is a few things I don't have to worry about!

Christmas Wish List #9: Topshop knitwear

Every Christmas my mum buys me a new knit. This year I am lusting after these knits in Topshop:

Knitted Grey Crystal Slouchy Top

Knitted Dusty Rose Slubby Long Sleeve Boxy Top

Knitted Lurex Oversize Top

Handknit Cable Jumper

And the jumper that I most hoping to find under the Christmas tree this year:

Knitted Cable Jumper

What is on your Christmas wish list this year?

A/W Beauty Trends

Forget the pastel, neon and rainbow hues in homage to the 1970s discos from spring/summer 2010, we’ve moved on to a more sophisticated palette in beauty this autumn/winter. There are several looks which define this autumn/winter from the dark and sultry vamp to the fresh faced neutral look, and the screen siren red lipstick to the dazzling golden girl.

Vamp

The vamp look as seen on the catwalks at Maxmara and Blumarine is a great look for the party season. Keep things light and fresh by avoiding heavy mascara and eyeliner.

Last A/W saw the rise of purple when creating the smoky eye, this year it is all about different shades of grey blended together.

Get the vamp look: MAC smoky eye shadow in carbon, Rituals dark grey eye shadow in Onyx Eyes, Topshop kohl eyeliner in metallic grey, Maybelline Volume Express mascara.

Golden Girl

The golden girl look has been a catwalk favourite with heavyweights such as Chloë and Kenzo. With this look you need to channel the sun kissed 70s look, think Charlie’s Angels.

It is a glossy and light look where the aim is to exude health. Start with an illuminating primer and then use a light layer of bronzer, with a similar hue on the eyes and lip.

Get the golden girl look: Rituals cheek and eye glow, MAC eye shadow in Crest the Wave, Topshop skin glow, No7 brow pencil.

Screen Siren

The screen siren signature red lipstick is big this season. This look was showcased at many shows for A/W 11 including Moschino, Karl Lagerfeld, Dior and Roksanda Ilincic to name but a few.

All you need to create this look is a classic slick of red lipstick, top with lip gloss for intensity, and lashings of mascara. Keep eyes soft and skin radiant to maximise the effect.

Get the red lipstick look: MAC in Ruby Woo, Rituals in Attention!, CoverGirl in Hot, No7 Tangerine Touch.

Neutral

Spring’s pink cheeks have faded into A/W’s neutral tones this autumn/winter as seen at Alberta Ferretti, Victor & Rolf and Halston.

The key to this look is keeping everything looking effortless and radiant. Start with a light foundation or tinted moisturiser on prepped skin, bright eyes with softly blended hues and a glow in the cheeks. Define eyes and brows lightly.

Get the neutral look: Cowshed exfoliator, Rituals foundation, Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser, MAC brow set, Pixi eye palette.

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Mani of the Week: Topshop in Sunset

I wasn't sure about this one when I first got it earlier in the summer but after putting it on a few days ago I am actually starting to love the sparkles.

What do you think of this Topshop nail polish in Sunset?

As this was a limited edition for summer, it is unfortunately no longer available. But I have found a very similar shade - with sparkles - from Eyeko: try their Chi Chi polish for Girlie Nails. While you're at it, if you make an order over £10 this week, you get Eyeko's Vintage Polish for Elegant Nails for FREE. It is a lovely pastely jade green shade. And please don't forget to enter my Ambassador's code - E11308 - so that while you get your FREE polish, I get a little commission too. Thank you.

I have noticed that I wear a lot of red and pink polishes but have found that this can pose problems in that when wearing red polish, I can't really wear pink and vice versa. Do you find you have this problem or do you just go with it?

Paris: What I Wore

After everything I said about Hand Baggage and packing light, I think that I failed. Completely. But I certainly had enough clothes for a few chic outfits for my trip to Paris:

Looking a little tired after a day of travelling and a delicious French dinner. I was wearing: River Island scarf, River Island tee (just seen), Topshop cardigan, River Island skirt, Topshop leggings and Dorothy Perkins boots.

A day of sight-seeing, followed by an evening of late night shopping was on the agenda for out first full day in Paris. I was wearing: Topshop cardigan, New Look tunic, H&M ring, Topshop leggings and Spartoo over-the-knee boots.

On Thursday morning we took a walk in le Jardin des Tuiliers. I was wearing: Next aviator jacket, Next scarf, Asos tee (just seen), River Island skirt, River Island tights and Dorothy Perkins boots.

Thursday night mum and I made a mad dash to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up in the dark (just seen behind me). I was wearing: Next aviator jacket, Next scarf, New Look tunic, Topshop leggings and Spartoo boots.

On Friday we spent a lovely day in Montmartre soaking up the bohemian atmosphere. I was wearing: Next aviator jacket, Topshop cardigan, River Island dress, H&M belt and Dorothy Perkins boots.

Friday night dinner included the addition of my (Wear It) Pink H&M jumper. While Saturday's travel outfit was the jumper and Topshop leggings, minus the dress.

My Dorothy Perkins ankle boots are definitely my favourite pair of winter shoes. They keep my feet warm in the cold weather and can be dressed down but just as easily teamed with a smarter outfit, thanks to their small kitten heel.

What is your "go-to" for city breaks? Do you struggle to pack light or are you better than me?

Last but certainly not least: Kate Moss for Topshop

Lanvin pour H&M is not the only high street collaboration making the hearts of bargain fashionistas everywhere flutter and their bank managers shudder. Kate Moss's final collection for Topshop launched to massive crowds at the Oxford Circus flagship store last night.

Kate Moss is undoubtedly one of my all-time greatest Style Icons and I love everything she wears but I've never been too fussed over her collections for Topshop. Sure, they have all looked great but I've never felt compelled to go and stake out my place at the front of the queue. But this time, this time, it's different. It's the last time.

Here are my top picks for those on a budget:

And for those with a little more cash to splash out:

And my top top Topshop pick: this skirt:

Which looks kind of familiar, don't you think?

Seems that lucky Olivia Palermo got her hands on a piece of the collection a little earlier than the rest of us!

What do you think of this latest and last collection by Kate Moss for Topshop? Will you be buying anything from it? Have you already? Do tell!