The Closet Covet....

I'm in disgrace. The sample sale yesterday was a dismal disappointment and I feel like I let you all down. How could I? Should I have known? Why me.....

OK, wallowing over because I have redeemed myself in SPECTACULAR style. I don't know why I'm sharing it really because, quite frankly, I want everything on here for myself.

Versace silk crepe cocktail dress
http://sophias-closet-2.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/aa-versace-silk 

Now, how to describe www.sophias-closet.com? 'Discount website' is far too dismissive and 'designer boutique' would scare you off immediately, for fear that your credit card could not handle the treasures you'd find. 

OK, let me set the scene. Imagine you stumble in to a shop- a pretty little space on a quaint side street, with mannequins in the window that make the cast of Sex and the City look like hobos. Naturally, you want everything and, just as you are contemplating forgoing next month's rent in order to get your hands on a divine fuschia Versace dress, you notice the price tag. £250? You know that a beautifully tailoired blend of silk and chiffon like this is going for £800 in Bond Street's finest stores and you quickly bundle the dress to the counter and avoid eye contact with the sales girl, terrified that at any moment she will realise there has been some terrible mistake and order you out of the shop and back to the highstreet, where you belong.
Well, Sophia's closet is that very scenario- and in this case you can shop at ease, knowing that the prices are no mistake, just some divine treat from the fashion gods!

I love it because it is simple. It's a one-stop-shop for all your label needs. You'll find patent Louboutin pumps alongside beautifully crafted Louis Vuitton totes and Cavalli animal print...perhaps you'll need the Burberry trench to go over it...or an Elle Macpherson for underneath....whatever your wardrobe is crying out for, Sophia seems to have it. If you fancy a change you can even sell your own designer pieces through the site and raise cash for another shopping spree! What's not to love?!
So now you know how it works, here's some of my favourite finds to get you started:

Just Cavalli Silk Scarf
http://www.sophias-closet.com/

• A half price Just Cavalli silk scarf. Scarves are fantastic designer investments as they are so versatile- this Autumn it'll immediately upgrade any highstreet coat and look divine knotted above a simple blouse. Why not tie it around the handles of your favourite bag or go rockabilly by wrapping it around your bouffant? So many possibilities for so little cash.

Marc Jacobs Shoulder Bag
http://www.sophias-closet.com/

• This Marc Jacobs bag may be pre-loved but it looks like it's in fab condition. and I had to read the price over and over again to believe it. You save £670 on this beauty! That is not a mis-print! GO, GO, GO!

Black and gold is the ultimate classic so it's another one that will see you through countless outfits. Ohhh and the durable chain handles and spacious body mean it's actually useful too!  

• 

  Haute Hippie Ostrich Dress
  http://sophias-closet-2.myshopify.com/collections/dresses/products/black-feathers

  I'm furious that I have ever spent over £100 on a high street evening dress. Probably a poorly stitched number that two other girls were wearing and was banished to the back of my wardrobe as soon as I got home. This Haute Hippie Ostrich cocktail dress is my favourite in Sophia's heavenly closet. It is playful yet demure and will go with just about everything. Oh god, I just realised how much I want it.

• Finally, I'm still reeling at the saving on these BRAND NEW Crisian & McCaffery black python pumps. The gold plaque on the sole and textured feel mean that onlookers will spot your designer status a mile off- and they won't know that you got them for less than half price. Again, I've chosen these because they will blend in with your existing collection so seamlessly and can be adapted for so many occasions. Perfection.

Crisian & McCaffery python pumps
 http://sophias-closet-2.myshopify.com/collections/shoes/products/1-python

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these images, they have all been taken from www.sophias-closet.com
I have not been asked or prompted in any way to promote this website or any of its content, I simply like the clothes- and prices- I found.

Leader of the pack....

Today I am taking a look in to the not-so-distant future to help stay ahead of the glam game!

benetint (www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk)



• Remember, back in the day, when you were thrilled to get a free lip gloss with your monthly magazine? It was invariably a saccharin strawberry tube of gloop which made your mother worry that you'd chosen to embrace a career as a street walker.                                                                               Where did it all go so right?! I was delighted to discover that 'In Style' are treating readers to a choice of Benefit products with November's issue. They are even offering a choice of three delectable lip and cheek stains- the infamous benetint (a sweet rosey tint that builds to create a sexy blush), chachatint (a delicious mango hue that will transport you to the Cuban sun in one dab) or sunbeam (a bronze tone that perfectly compliments a tan for a lasting glow). I, of course, will be picking up all three! I love Benefit tints and they offer great value, even at full price. They are quality products and so you only need a few dots to do wonders. My own sunbeam seems bottomless and, even if these freebies are only travel size, they will soon be the star of make-up bags up and down the country. Look out for the next issue from October 4th. 





http://www.ashforddesigneroutlet.com/brand-directory/kurt-geiger/index.htm


• Designer Outlets have long been a regular haunt for those of us seeking out the labels we crave, at prices that won't haunt us every time we catch a glimpse of the discarded tags on the dresser. McArthurGlen Outlets are home to some firm favourites of mine and they have some exciting new store openings coming up. While all sites are already in full swing of celebrating 'fashion month', visitors to the East Midlands branch will soon find a brand-spanking-new Kurt Geiger outlet awaiting them! Check out http://www.eastmidlandsdesigneroutlet.com/ for more details. Look out for flashy wristwear on Southern ladies from the end of the month too, as Fossil and Watch Station are set to open outlets in Ashford on September 29th. Watch Station stocks coveted brands from Marc by Marc Jacobs to Michael Kors so is well worth a visit to anyone wanting a show stopping timepiece. Go to http://www.ashforddesigneroutlet.com/ if you want to know more.

•  Two words. Sample. Sale. Some of the finest words in the English language, wouldn't you agree? They certainly bring a smile to my face every time I here them- usually in a hushed whisper over coffee, for fear that a rival bargain hunter will overhear our plans and beat us to the discount Vivienne Westwood. Hmmm...posting this one on my blog isn't exactly keeping it quiet, is it? Oh well, I've decided to share the love! If you are in London this Wednesday 19th September then head down to 'The Music Rooms' on South Molton Lane between Noon and 7pm. You'll be happy you did, with A/W garments from a variety of design houses, as well as bags and accessories to instantly update your wardrobe. Entry is £2 and the goodies inside start at £15. Hallelujah.  

Anyone for caviar?

 There is something so luxurious about the latest craze in nail art. It's the idea that you live such a fabulous, pampered life that you can treat yourself to an afternoon at the salon -where women spend hours adorning your perfectly manicured nails with individual tiny beads- and think nothing of it.

Luckily though, the reality is much simpler. I recently fell in love with the....oh maybe I can't say the brand name...ok let's call it 'fish egg' manicure sets. I wanted one. No, actually,I wanted every colour. I wanted to look like I had fallen hands first into a vat of 'hundreds and thousands'...who wouldn't? Ice cream topping beauty doesn't come cheap though and when I realised each varnish and 'fish egg' duo was retailing for £18 I set off in search of an alternative.

No shop in their right mind is selling these beauties at anything less than the price I'd seen- and when I followed a link to eBay I found I still couldn't get much change from £20. But, after a bit of investigation I found the answer.

Now, I don't usually like the idea of imitating luxury brands and looks I've seen in glossy mags- purely because I have all the creativity of a raisin and just can't ever seem to make it look a patch on the real thing- but in this case it's just not so. In fact, I found the cheaper version offered all the glamour of the look I loved, at a fraction of the cost and oodles more choice! I couldn't believe my luck when I found a 40g bag of beads for just £1.99 + 90p  p&p and you get SO much for your pennies! The girls at 'Gold Leaf Craft Supplies' are to be thanked for this find
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GOLD-CAVIAR-BEADS-METALLIC-COATED-GLASS-1mm-accent-beads-/290692435235?pt=UK_Crafts_Beads_CA&var=&hash=item43ae9e8d23



Using Nails Inc varnish in 'Spring Mews' & gold accent
beads from Gold Leaf Craft Supplies



Now, for me, a self-done manicure is usually a shoddy, streaky affair and anything vaguely fiddly has the ability to reduce me to tears. This was incredibly simple and if I can, you can. Trust me.

Here is how:

(Note: Here you can see I have used a contrasting colour varnish and accented one nail. I preferred this look as I thought the gold would be too much on all my nails for an every day look. However, in another colour or for a glam feel I would definitely try beads on every one)  

• Apply a basecoat and 2 coats of good quality nail varnish to every nail- do use a good one, it doesn't chip as easily and has a better finish
• Apply a third coat to every one (except the accent nails) and let them dry
• One by one, apply a third coat to the accent nail and pour over the beads (in truth, I actually dipped my nail in to the bag- careful not to taint the other beads though if you choose this method)

• Pat the beads in to place and tip off any excess.  Don't roll them around though, or they will be stained by the varnish)
• 

  They stick really easily so just let the varnish dry and coat all your nails in a top coat for extra shine and protection.

 (Oh and psssst- use a gold/nude base under the accent finger -or whatever blends with the colour you use- as it won't be as visible through any gaps in the beads)

They are tougher than you'd imagine too. Mine have survived hours of impact so far but I'll let you know if it doesn't last!








Looks lovely, it's easy and won't break the bank! See, all we need is a little smoke and mirrors!











J.W. Anderson's collection has landed!

I'm not claiming to have unearthed some great secret here- it's been splashed all over magazines this month and Topshop's website is like a shrine to his anchor-embellished goodies.

Nonetheless, I just thought I'd take this opportunity to look at some of the highlights of this new collection and how we can use it to achieve a designer look, whilst taking advantage of Topshop's highstreet price tags! Collaborations like these are one of the best ways to achieve the high-end look we all crave, rather than having to stick to the budget copies that every store in your local shopping centre will churn out in a sea of polyester monotony.

That being said, we still cannot- and need not- rush out to buy up the whole collection in order to convince the girls in the office that really- no, honestly, I am like totally rich and fabulous.

Taken from www.topshop.com

So, here are a  few of my favourites from the lovely Mr Anderson.

This quilted paisley silk t-shirt is a must have for me. Now, when I say it's a steal at £59.99, please don't roll your eyes in disgust and picture me sat here in my cashmere leggings. "You simply must have it daaaahling, it's half the price of a decent bottle of bubbly." No, no, no. All I am saying is that this is a pure silk t-shirt by a well known British designer and it is one of my picks because it will take us in to Autumn/Winter in real style! J.W Anderson's main collection for next season features some fabulous paisley prints and so, when asked where this tee is from, I'll delight in reporting back to my friends that I've managed to get my hands on a piece! I won't mention the slashed price of course. 

I will be pairing mine with black skinny jeans, some chunky boots and gold bangles for a day out and plan to  show it off at the office too with a pencil skirt to smarten it up.



Taken from www.topshop.com

Some people hate to show off their designer goods by wearing anything with labels showing. It's showy. It's vulgar. Well I believe in everything in moderation and, quite frankly, this bag is too pretty to miss out on.

My logic behind this one is that, for £14.99, it's one of the most affordable pieces and a bag will always be welcome in any wardrobe. It's not like the emblem is emblazoned in diamante crystals across the front. It is simple, chic and practical. Pretty much all boxes checked then? I picture  it as a handy bag for the gym (and the prettiest one in the locker room) or for lugging around a change of clothes, offering dignified style that a carrier bag simply cannot. It's also available in black, orange or blue. What a find!

Taken from www.topshop.com

These zebra print trousers are £49.99 and perhaps my favourite item of the lot. 'Zebra print' usually conjures images of dodgy, striped Lycra ensembles- something you might have teamed with fluorescent pink plastic jewellery in your childhood, thinking animal print to be at the height of fashion- but J.W. Anderson has reinvented it masterfully for Topshop's new line. It's a witty take on a classic idea. Black and white will never go out of fashion and a beautiful print like this offers a hint of hedonism, yet bears a price tag that won't require you to sell any vital organs. What more could a girl want?  

 All of the images and product details featured here are taken from www.topshop.com. I do not own these images, I just think they are pretty.