Autumn's Here!

I think it's safe to say that Autumn is officially here boys and girls! The weather is crisp, cold and sunny, the leaves are starting to drop...which means it's time to break out my extensive collection of knitwear! Autumn is my favourite season for fashion, little shorts and thick black tights, massive cardigans, cashmere jumpers, fur collared coats, it's my fashion fantasy! My favourite piece in Autumn is always a big cosy cardigan, they're fabulous to snuggle up into, but I've smartened mine up a bit today by crossing it over and securing it with a little belt.

This morning I was thrilled to pull out my favourite cardigan from H&M's last fall season and pair it with my LBD, also H&M. Thick black tights, ballet pumps and a little waist belt pulled it all together, this is my number one, fail safe Autumnal outfit! What's yours?

Cardigan: H&M

T Shirt LBD: H&M

Belt: Topshop

Ballet Pumps: Topshop

Nails: Chanel Rose Cache

Oh, The Scandal...

News has broken this morning that Kate Middleton has been photographed topless, while sunbathing in France last week with her husband. Reports from the Palace say that both Kate and William are distraught and upset, and why shouldn't they be?! I feel like a line has been crossed by the media recently, with the photos of Prince Harry is Las Vegas partying his ass off, yes they're rather amusing for us 20-somethings to look and laugh at and observe he's just like the rest of us. It's one thing for celebrities to be followed and hounded by the ridiculous paparazzi, but now the Royals seem to be the big target, the ten pointers. 

Kate, William and Harry are the young representatives of the Royal Family, and I dare anyone to say they're not doing an amazing job. Yes they're human just like us all, yes they're doing a job in the spotlight of the world unlike us all, but what is this endless fascination we have with finding flaws in them? Why are the media so obsessed with showing their bad sides? Finding scandals? Are they so pathetic and intellectually incompetent that they can't find anything with value and worth to report? 

So Harry partied in Vegas. I doubt there's a person in the world who's been to Vegas and hasn't behaved in a slightly naughty manner. So Kate sunbathes topless. The girl's got sense! Who wants those irritating bikini tan lines?! Next time you say to yourself "It's the 20th Century, who cares", think how you'd like it if you were doing so much good work trying to pull the country together and represent the United Kingdom and your holiday photos appeared all over the internet. I think it's time for the media to catch a grip on themselves, back off and get a real job.

Here's a few of my favourite Royal photos to finish:

The Latest Addition To My Beauty Regime...

As you may or may not know, I am a certified, self-confessed beauty regime obsessor. I'm constantly in pursuit of a "miracle cream" or an "innovative formula"...and recently I've been very content with my regime. Simple moisturiser, No7 night cream, St Ives microdermabrasion face wash, Garnier BB Cream, I thought I had it nailed!

But when I picked up this months InStyle and tried their Clinique freebie I couldn't quite contain my excitement. I have never used a cream which has given me instant results like the Turnaround Overnight moisturiser! Never! I actually felt like my skin was glowing...and usually I need to apply two kinds of highlighter before I get that feeling.

Anyway...I can't recommend it enough and if you don't believe me, go and snag a copy of InStyle for yourself and try it!

Current Obsession

Recently, I've been obsessed with the All-American look of white tees and pale blue jeans. This racer-back top is my absolute favourite (I have it in three colours but that's a secret), it's a complete steal from H&M for £7.99.

I find when I'm in a rush to get out the house, a white tee and blue jeans with a few simple accessories and a chunky cardigan will always be my fail-safe. Maybe my lazy-fashion side is coming out more, but I see nothing wrong with a jeans and t-shirt day!
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The Language Of Flowers

In the Victorian era of Britain, the language of flowers was extremely important. People would choose their flowers based on what they wanted their flowers to say. Oppression was at its height, so when words were not allowed, flowers were the love-notes of the day. Forget-me-not's for true love, bluebells for constancy, daisies for innocence, lavender for serenity...the list goes on and it really is fascinating to read and learn about, but rather than type them all out, you can read the rest for yourself here.

I'm not the only one drawn into the history of the language of flowers, London girls Stephanie and Alexandra are currently working to launch their brand, LOFLondon. From their Twitter account, it is clear the tees are going to be a huge hit. With me at least, I already have my eyes on at least ten things! With beautiful illustrations placed on luxe racer back vests and tees, the language of flowers is coming back! The brand is romantic, idealistic, fairytale-esque and thoroughly feminine, it's as if they designed it especially for me! And if that isn't enough, the patriotic duo are designing everything in Britain. Here are a few images pinched from their Twitter account, follow them to keep updated on the progress of my new favourite brand. 

Photoshoot for the LookBook

Designs...Give me one of everything

"In eastern lands they talk in flowers, and they tell in a garland their loves and cares; Each blossom that blooms in their garden bowers, on its leaves a mystic language bears."

Take One LBD...

My general view on fashion is that it should be versatile, it should be classic, it should suit you. One of my all time favourite fashion pieces is the classic LBD, I think I own at least 10, all in varying styles. However recently, I've started straying more into the accessory zone than my usual minimal look.

So, take one H&M LBD (my t-shirt dress is fabulous, flattering and was a steal at £8), add one colourful scarf (mine was a present from a friend from Turkey, but Topshop always have a great selection), throw in an oversized bag (mine's Topshop) because it styles an evening look away from the standard cocktail clutch bag, finish with a statement watch and some heels et voila!

Easy peasy.

Definitions

I always find there are certain words which people use to define themselves.

"Single"
"Married"
"Smoker"
"Feminist"
"Artist"

It set me off wondering why people feel the need to define themselves as these things. Do we need to define ourselves at all? If I were to define myself I'm not sure I'd even know where to begin.

Romantic?
Idealistic?
Ridiculous?
Photographer?
Cook?
Enthusiast?
Caring?

The idea of defining myself with a single word, like any of the above seems impossible. How can a person be defined so easily? Surely you'd need at least 20 adjectives? I wonder if people use the first words to define themselves because they give such a definite definition. Like, "I'm married and stable and happy so that's all you need to know." Or maybe, "I'm a feminist and there's no way I'm going to let you carry my shopping bags or get my number so don't even bother asking." Maybe the words are shields, comfort blankets, to ensure that no more details beyond the definition are necessary. One word says it all. And if that is true, then what the hell is my "one word"?! What's yours? How do you define yourself? And at the end of the day, do you even need to define yourself?

What I Wore Today..

I've never done an outfit post before so here goes my first attempt (be nice..)!

My absolute must-have item for this autumn is the Topshop Leigh skinny jeans, my personal favourite? The dark forest green pair! Not only are they ridiculously flattering and comfy, they're a subtle nod the new trends. Are they army? Are they countryside chic? Who knows and who cares cos they're so damn versatile! As always, the most practical part of a girls wardrobe is a hard working pair of flats. Mine are River Island snakeskin print! Last but by no means least is my new bag, a premium Topshop number, it looks ten times more expensive that it is (£95) so snap it up asap!

I can't claim credit for my oversized grey cashmere jumper as it happens to belong to my Dad...go rummage around in your house and I'm sure you'll find one too.

 

 

 

A Few Reasons Why I Love Knitwear

If the cosiness of cashmere, or snuggling up in merino wool, not to mention the soft touch of silk-cotton blends are not good enough reasons to love knitwear, here are a few of my favourite visual aids:

It's Complicated

So the other day, I actually found myself giving the answer "I can't, it's complicated." I could have slapped myself. I hate that expression. Because in reality, nothing is complicated. We have complicated everything for ourselves by over-analysing, over-describing and over-stressing.

There was a programme on Radio 4 the other day about how there are some cultures and tribes in the world which don't use numbers. No numbers, none at all. Because they don't think numbers are important. At first I thought, how silly, how can that work? But then the more I thought about it, the simpler the life you lead, the less complicated it is. Kind of like the other day when I had to take my car to the garage because the Lambda Probe had malfunctioned. A ridiculous piece of add-on software meant I couldn't drive for four days. Because it was over complicated. My Dad's 40-year-old VW Beetle has next to no features and doesn't ever break down/malfunction/misbehave. Because it's simple.

Here's to un-complicating everything.

Dinner Party Conversations

"There are three things you should never discuss at a dinner party. Weight, money or politics."


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The Closing Ceremony of London 2012

Where should I even begin? The electrifying opening from Emile Sande? Her gorgeous green dress? Stomp banging it out on their amazing makeshift percussion? One Direction? The John Lennon jigsaw? Kate Middleton? Jessie J, Taio Cruz and Tinie Tempah rolling around in convertible Rolls Royce's? Fatboy Slim in a giant octopus? Boris' dad dancing? The supermodel parade? The designs? THE SPICE GIRLS PERHAPS? 

There are absolutely no words to describe the surreal evening that was the Closing Ceremony. It is my honest belief that Rio, or any other country in the world for that matter, will ever be able to top the London 2012 Closing Ceremony. The evening was a phenomenal tribute to the athletes who have worked so hard for so long to be there, to compete there, to win there. I watched most of the evening through teary eyes and bursts of dancing and singing along to the performers and can safely say, it is the best TV I have ever watched.

So, before I start crying (again), here are a few of my favourite images from the night.

Enjoy! xox

Kate Curls

Something I have never ever been bothered to do is curl my hair. It's just always been such a hassle, with my hair being SO heavy and thick, curls just drop out. Hence my lazy attitude towards curls. Much as I love them on others, whenever I've had curls they've always needed at least half a can of hairspray to stay in anyway (I HATE the crunchy hair feeling) so I simply avoided them.

However. As you may, or may not, know Kate Middleton is my ultimate all-time icon. And she has curls. Perfect, bouncy, salon-blow-dry curls. I knew I needed to find a way round my aversion to curls. So, after a good hour long battle with the GHDs and a masterful technique...I conquered my naughty locks and managed to get them to stay!

My favourite part about it was that after ignoring the hairspray (as a matter of stubborn principle), during the afternoon the curls started to drop from Salon Queen to Casual Princess! Needless to say, I was delighted. The morning result was clean, polished and regal, the evening result was tousled, effortless and a piece of cake.


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Whatever You Want It To Be

Pretty Little Things is now all grown up because I am all grown up! Got the degree to prove it too. My blog is now called "Whatever You Want It To Be", because the more I thought about trying to define my blog in a few succinct sentences, the more I realised it is completely undefinable because my interests are undefinable. I don't sit in the fashion camp, nor do I just post about beauty. I am not a feminist voice, I am not campaigning for anything. I am varied: I love fashion, beauty, shoes, photography. I love cooking, I love the 50s ideals, I love making things.

So, my blog is no longer Pretty Little Things pretending to be a fashion blog, my blog is whatever you want to read, it is varied, it has a bit of this, a bit of that.

I hope you all enjoy reading and looking at whatever madness I'll be posting in the future!

LER xox

Can you have your cake and eat it too?

Something got me thinking the other day. It was as I was looking for jobs, for careers, in London and it suddenly occurred to me that at some point I will have to decide if I want a career, or if I want a job. Because obviously they are two very different things. I have been confident enough to say during the past couple of years that while I would like to work and be involved in the fashion industry, ultimately my ambition is to have a family of my own and raise children (three, in case you were wondering).

The more I thought about this choice, the more I wondered if it means I have an obligation to a company to tell them this would be my intention and risk any prospects of furthering my "career". If my choice would render me surplus to an industry I love so much. I told my friend about this, and instead of responding with confusion, she responded with a simple "well, why can't you have your cake and eat it too?"

Lorraine Candy can. Editor in Chief of Elle Magazine and devoted mother. Anna Wintour too. Victoria Beckham seems to be championing the expression. But would it work for normal women? Normal, working mothers. Personally, I wouldn't have children if I couldn't devote myself to them and their upbringing fully because let's face it, it's a huge responsibility to shape a little life. But I wonder, could I do both?

Could I have my cake and eat it too?

The Modern Housewife

Dinner parties, impeccable manners, daytime baking, traditional values.

That's what my book-in-the-making will be full of. Yes, I'm fully aware that I am going in the opposite direction to the feminist movement, but the way I see it, they rebelled against society so the women of the future could have the luxury of choice. So we could vote, so we could show off our ankles, so we could have careers of our own. So we could decide for ourselves.

And in order to repay them, I'm using my choice to honour them, the women who were the most feminine women in history. Who valued manners and appearance above all. Who valued and cherished their families and children. Who were elegant, polite and graceful. A combination of their values and my choice will result in The Modern Housewife, the future etiquette book for the modern lady, recipes, traditions, manners and how-to's. 


So, what do you think? Would you buy it?

The M Word

Marriage.

We've all thought about it. Each one of us. Regardless of what your opinion is on it, or what your gender is, you've thought about it long enough and hard enough to form said opinion. Men have given it more thought than they would care to admit. Yet, it is women who are painted as "trappers" when it comes to marriage. As if men think we're trying to corner them into a proposal, or bully them into a commitment. Even before marriage is even raised as a distinct possibility, in my experience it is men who play "hard to get", men who seem resistant to commitment. I just can't understand why! Maybe some men have such huge egos that they think women are theirs to pick and choose and dismiss? However, my (male) friend reckons the thought of being tied to someone when you're single is what is scary, and what in turn leads to the commitment-phobe attitude. Why is it scary? It's hard to envisage the end when you've barely begun - but surely when you come across someone you like and could love, it's not so scary after all.

It is programmed into (nearly, a few exceptions I'm sure) all of us to find our other half, our soul mate, the person we want to spend the rest of our lives with - so why on earth are women criticised for vocalising this mission?! We're working to a slightly tighter time schedule than men (biological clock etc) but last time I checked, most men didn't want to end up as lonely old bachelors, they want their other half just as much as we want theirs. So is it an image thing? Are they trying to remain aloof and cool? And if that it is the case, when are they going to grow up and stop playing games? Surely we're all a little old for the double bluff / guessing game / I'm-cooler-than-you charade.

Is honesty the best policy?

Long Hair Problems

Much as I love having long brunette (100% natural too, thank you) locks, unless I give my demanding hair regular love and attention, it decides to spring up into the most unruly curls. And not luscious long waves, no, no, I mean Birds Nest.

Help?

Boudoir Affair

Give me this...

...Just because it's cute.

Whirlwind Trip To The Capital

What. A. Week.

So the initial purpose of the trip was to head to Graduate Fashion Week at Earls Court, however, it soon became blindingly obvious that this was going to be an utter waste of time. Alas, it seems that when you're informed that it's a fab networking opportunity to make contacts etc it appears that this is only relevant and applicable if you've been nominated for an award/are super duper "FASH-ON".

So, here were the options: Stand around and act like a pretentious fashionista all day OR go sightseeing and shopping with my best friend.
Guess which I did?

Day One and we hit Harrods! 3 hours later we emerged feeling extremely pleased with our fantastic exploration skills and hopped straight on the tube to Sloane Square where we casually bumped into Frederik from Made in Chelsea (I know). A fantastic day all around. The rest of the week flew by in a flurry of excitement, giggles, laughter and fun around the capital, from Big Ben to Madame Tussauds (never again will I pay £22.50 to be scared half to death by men in masks jumping out at me in the horror room) to Oxford Circus and Camden Market, it all ended as well as it had started: The Bluebird Cafe in Chelsea. Where we sat at the table just down from Jamie from Made in Chelsea. Could we contain ourselves? Absolutely not. Did we look cool? I bloody hope so.

London watch out, we're coming back soon!