S H O P P I N G | Lingerie Gift Buying Guide

12 December, 2015
Lingerie Buying Gift Guide
The lingerie set in the above photo is from ASOS

Ladies, send this to your other half...

If you're a fella and your planning to buy your partner some undies for Christmas, lingerie shopping can be a daunting and scary situation. There are dozens of different styles of briefs alone. Bra sizing involves not only numbers, but letters too?! Madness. Also, what the hell are 'body stockings'?! FYI, they're actually what they say in the name: stockings for your body.
  • Don't just guess her size. Seriously. An ill-fitting bra is both unflattering and extremely unhelpful when it comes to supporting her assets, which is the prime function of a bra as well as looking pretty. If you want it to be a surprise, just sneakily (in a non-creepy way) look at the labels in the underwear she already owns. Be sure to check through a few though as we're all guilty of owning at least one underwear set that doesn't fit quite right.
  • Stay away from tacky. No one wants candy string underwear. NO ONE.  Lingerie gift giving doesn't have to be sleazy. In fact it can be pretty fucking classy if you play your cards right.
  • Tops and bottoms aren't always the same size. Sometimes lingerie is sold as sets in standard dress sizes, eg. Size 6/8/10/12, etc. It's always a huge risk buying sets sized and paired together as a lot of women, dependent on her body shape, can be different sizes. For example, a pear-shaped girl will need bigger size in briefs in comparison to her bra size. As a polar opposite, top heavy girls may need smaller briefs in comparison to their bra size. Buying mix & match separates is a better way of buying undies that will suit her shape, more than buying a pre-matched set.
  • Buy her a full matching set. I hate, hate, HATE not having a complete set. I know we're all guilty of wearing mismatched undies from time to time, but it's nice to have the option to wear a matching set from time to time.
  • Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you're still feeling a little lost about what to buy for your other half for Christmas then don't be afraid to ask. I'm not saying you strike up a conversation with her parents whether she'd rather wear a Brazilian or G-string (that can only end badly)... But, ask her friends, ask the shop assistant and ask any female family members for a helping hand. 
  • Take into account her style. If she's grungy, maybe opt for something black and lacy. If she's more of a girly girl then delicate frills and floral prints might be more her cup of tea. If you have a vintage vixen on your hands, then a retro-inspired, high-waisted set might do the trick. Or maybe, she's a fitness freak, in which case why not look into luxury sports bras from Lole.



Ann Summers Willa Burgundy Lace Corset
Ann Summers Willa Burgundy Lace Corset

This delicate, premium guipure lace corset could just be the perfect festive undergarment. Burgundy lace happens to be my personal favourite as it tends to compliment fair skin tones rather well. I would say to size up on this corset if you can as when I tried it on, it's surprisingly small across the back. For the more daring, this corset could even work as a sensational outerwear piece tucked into high waisted black jeans as it's completely opaque. It's got enough sauce and oozes enough elegance to make it a perfect addition to any lingerie loving girl's stocking.

Ann Summers Louise Lingerie Set
Ann Summers Ella Lingerie Set
Louise Balcony Bra* & Brazilian Brief* // Ella Balcony Bra* & Brief*

Ann Summers also offer gorgeous under garms that are more suited to day-to-day wear. Just because you're popping to Tesco doesn't mean you have to wear boring underwear. In fact, slipping on some nice undies can heighten your confidence and make your day all the better. Just make sure they fit comfortably, so you're not awkwardly re-jigging whilst walking down the street. The Louise black and nude mesh set is exactly the kinda set every girl needs to feel sassy. This soft, satin, balcony bra features nude mesh on the cups that give the discreet illusion of a peep cup whilst keeping everything concealed. 


The red Ella set, however, is a bit more of a 'showstopper' as the back is completely cut out with only two harnessed, dainty red, criss-crossed straps. Maybe not so suitable for a trip to the shop unless you're feeling particularly cheeky that day!

Lingerie Under £50



Handmade Lingerie


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*Prices are subject to change from when this was written
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GIFT GUIDE | Bath Gifts She'll Actually Want!

11 December, 2015

We all know that feeling. Unwrapping a present on Christmas morning and finding another toiletries set that you know you'll probably never use. Usually these gift sets are either re-gifted the next year or shoved to the back of your bath cabinet until you reach an all time low on shower gel or soap and bust out the gift set!

Choosing a bath gift set that someone will actually want can be difficult. Whilst some beauty junkies will love absolutely any bath time treats, some people can be a bit more particular with their cleansing rituals. Mira asked me to put together a gift guide of Christmas inspired bath goodies that absolutely anyone would love and would never think of re-gifting. After all, who could give that adorable little elf rubber duck away?! NO ONE.

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*This post was in collaboration with Mira, but all words and opinions are my own. I genuinely want that rubber duck!
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O U T F I T | AllSaints Balfern Leather Jacket

05 December, 2015
AllSaints Balfern Leather Jacket
AllSaints Balfern Leather Jacket
AllSaints Balfern Leather Jacket
Leather Jacket*: AllSaints via John Lewis // Hat: ASOS // Top: Vintage // Scarf: Vintage // Skirt: Primark // Boots: New Look

After five years of blogging you think I'd be able to keep my cool when it comes to a brand approaching me and offering me a collaboration, but if it's something I'm passionate about, I'm as far from cool as the Bahamas in mid-July. 

I've wanted an AllSaints Balfern leather jacket for years and years, so when John Lewis introduced me to their new AllSaints concession and asked me to choose one to add to my wardrobe, I could not contain my glee! Of course, my hungry eyes went straight to this Balfern baby. The arrival of my new buttery soft, leather biker has well and truly made my Christmas all the better!

 East London brand, AllSaints, have become to most coveted high street destination for all things leather. 

I'm a fan of anything and everything AllSaints, but unfortunately my bank balance is not. Although a little on the pricier side, AllSaints do East London cool like no other. Their romantically dark, borderline gothic pieces always parade exciting hemlines and remarkable fabrics have me cooing and my wallet wailing for restraint. A good chunk of my university loan went directly to AllSaints, but what else are student loans for?!

This leather jacket certainly won't be leaving my back anytime soon; it's my sartorial soulmate. 

AllSaints Balfern Leather Jacket

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S T Y L E | Monarch Airlines Cabin Crew Uniforms Through The Ages

01 December, 2015
Doesn't every little girl dream of being an air steward at some point? 


Well, I certainly did. I mean who wouldn't dream of a job that takes them across the world every working day? It sure does beat the 9 - 5 grind in the office staring into a computer screen. Being an air steward you get so many experiences and opportunities: globe-trotting adventures, new lands to explore, beaches to spend your breaks on, flying from different airports (I have a thing with airports, you see) and don't even get me started on the incredible uniforms! Travelling the world whilst wearing a head-to-toe, glamorous outfit? Count me in.

Monarch Airlines Sketches

Monarch Airlines have recently been getting a little nostalgic whilst reminiscing on their cabin crew wear throughout the years. They also challenged me to come up with my own #FashionForwardFlightwear ideas, which certainly got my creative juices flowing a little!

I'm not particularly subtle when it comes to everyday wear, so I wasn't planning to be subtle when it came to sketching some ideas for Monarch's flight wear; in fact, the more inappropriate and adventurous, the better! I wanted the colour scheme to reflect Monarch's regal branding by sticking to a colour scheme of royal blue and golden yellow. Whilst purple is quite a regal colour, I wanted a tone that was more gender neutral for a possible male uniform so I opted for royal blue instead. 

The cape was inspired by the 1968 uniform (below) that featured a cape, but I decided to build upon the idea a little. I used the golden yellow tone for the base, but decided to add an embroidered, all over 'M' monogram. I then added a faux fur trim on both the neck and the hem, well... just because it looks a little more glamorous! I then topped it off with a navy, matching baker boy hat to add to the sixties inspired get-up. What do you think?

Monarch Airlines Vintage Uniforms

You can have a browse through Monarch Airlines' vintage air steward uniforms here.

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*This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Monarch Airlines, but all sketches and words are my own.
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