wishlist

I am dying for some sexy black nail varnish. I know Chanel have a tres chic, tres sold out shade, but I'm sure some cheap brand will do the trick, though I want it to have a high gloss, maybe even a slight shimmer (not sparkle) in it. Having said that, the one thing holding me back is that I'm not sure how well it will go down in the offices of one of the world's largest companies: they tend to be a little on the more conservative side of things.

winter woolies!!!

My, it is cold in Edinburgh right now. I love November cold; it's exciting and cosy. March cold, in contrast, is just plain boring because you have worn every single cosy item of clothing that you have about 20 zillion times over the last five months.

Anyway, my current keep myself warm and hip move: grey knee high socks worn over grey ribbed tights with black souchy boots and a mini-dress. I saw a tres chic girl in New York doing this, and I just had to copy. Yeh!

high street prices again

I wrote last week that high street prices for dresses are on the up and up, and it apprears I'm not alone in thinking this. My favourite newspaper, the often-linked-to Guardian has a story about it as well. See, I was right! Unfortunately, it doesn't bring me any closer to getting something short and sparkly for Christmas. Actually, the French Connection dress is currently on my wishlist. It is very cool on as well - just the right length (mid-thigh) and the sequins give it a great weight that just makes you feel insouciant. It's been featured in just about every magazine this season though, so there is a slight ubiquitous feeling about it. Having said that, I've yet to see anyone wearing it. Maybe because it is 130 quid!

today I'm wearing...

Grey sweater: Oasis
Black dress: Urban Outfitters
Jeans (boy, unseen): Gap
Shoes: Converse

I wanted something easy to wear whilst shopping. Since today is a Sunday, I also didn't wash my hair, which I really like. It is really fine, and has much more texture when I don't wash it. Having said that, the scruffy urchin look just doesn't cut it at the office, so I only get to do that at the weekend.

black black and more black

I managed to go shopping today - always a lovely way to spend a Sunday. I was on the hunt for a dress to go to a charity gala in - something cocktaily with character. Unfortunately, I didn't managed to actually get that, although I found a nice one in monsoon that was black sating with a wide red ribbon below the bust that was promising. I always have the fear that wearing a dress from monsoon runs far too high a risk that someone else will also be wearing it; the market for event dresses is just a little bit too small, particularly at the lower end of the budget scale. When I grow up I'll be able to avoid this risk, but at the moment, the pay check just isn't going that far!

So, I didn't manage to get a dress. Naturally I didn't come home empty handed. Instead of sticking with this season's grey, I bought a lot of black. This is extremely out of character; normally I can't stand black clothes, because I wear them a lot for work (no, I'm not working in a funeral parlour, but financial technology isn't far behind it). I got a black dress from Miss Selfridge with fabulous balloon sleeves and a roll neck - it is jersey and ends just below the knee. Very gorgeous. I'm planning on wearing it with either tights or leggings and either my black patent peep-toes, or my silver sparkly heels. Fabulous. Continuing on in Miss Selfridge, I also got a sensible black v neck sleeveless top with a sequinned collar/shoulder straps. It's quite loose, and has a fabulously functional little pocket as well. Brilliant. I got a brown cardigan that I can only describe as funkily shaped - baggy, voluminous. Tres on trend.

I also picked up a pair of leggings from Oasis, and a grey top. Oasis manage to produce plenty of what I call "sensible" tops; not sensible in the way of, ooooh, you can wear that with anything, but more, oh, I know I'll wear that a lot of I can't think of anything to wear.

I did spend some quality time in Topshop as well, but I just have to say that Topshop has lost its way for the moment. I know that structure and shape are very big this season, but it seems that Topshop is marching to the beat of its own drum. Something that I would normally commend, but this season, I am just feeling uninspired by it. Confusingly, I just saw a nice editorial in the Observer magazine that was almost entirely Topshop - all about grunge, which is right up my scruffy street - why are these clothes not in the stores? Why are we having weird blue tartans inflicted upon us?

leggings part II

Harrods Girl over at I Am Fashion picks up on the leggings trend, giving it her thumbs up. Over on my front, I have caved! I bought a pair today, against all the odds. The decision came when my sister bought be a very cheap and chic gold brocade mini, mini shift dress from Primark (yes, she is a Primark girl. Edinburgh, alas, does not have the bargain basement store. We're not that kind of city). The dress is beautiful, but barely covers my bum. I tried wearing it with black tights, but you could see the top part where the texture changes, so leggings offer a bit more protection. And maybe give the rest of my wardobe a few more options. I'm particularly looking forward to pairing them with my silver disco heels. But never, never, will they be paired with a denim skirt. A girl has to stick to a few rules!

The Measure

Time for a review of The Guardian's Measure this week.

Going Up
Sunday Nights Against all oddes, this is now the best TV night ever with Entourage, The Office: An American Workplace, and Arrested Development. About flipping time, eh?
Me: They mentioned Arrested Development last week, so at least they still think it's good. Sunday nights are all about tv for me. Right now I'm supposed to be going to the gym, but it just ain't going to happen tonight, is it?
Facials Darling, it's the only way to cope with the coming winter. Go to Bliss for efficiency, Jo Malone for indulgence, or Vaishaly for both.
French Connection Sto the presses! FC is totally brilliant this season! Out goes the crap advertising schtick, in come amazing tunic and jumper dresses
Me: Totally amazing is a bit far. They do have a great grey parka and a fab navy with gold sequined mini dress, though.
Hoods Cosy and tres, tres in
Me: No argument from me
Roddy Doyle's Paula Spencer Not as good as the first, but a damned sight better than most things out there
Me: Eh? no clue about this at all. Am guessing a book, but beyond that, no idea. Can't be too cool then, can it?
Phoenix's It's Never Been Like That We literally cannot stop dancing to this
Me: Oh no, I'm once again out of it on the music front. I am so unhip!!

Going Down
High street prices £130 for a dress? As Gary Coleman would say, wotchootawkin' bout?
Me: Ohmigod, I so agree. More to come on this later, as I'm currently looking for a cute sparkly number for Christmas parties. Oh, and I have no idea who Gary Coleman is.
Ankle boots Girlfriend, you ain't Debbie Gibson. Give it up
Me: Oh dear oh dear. Just last week The Measure was telling us ankle boots were the shoes of the season. How fickle they are, how ficke the are.
Side partings Sooooo Wag. Go for a model-tastic centre parting, ok?
Pussy-bow blouses Every autumn we give them a go. And every autumn we give them right back up
Trinny and Susannah not going too well, this career move, is it, honeys?
Me: Is that that the cackle of schadenfraude I'm hearing?

So there you go. I can tell you that this week I'll mostly be wearing my hair in a centre parting whilst watching tv and making my facial appointments - until next Saturday when it will be all change again.