How To Create a Festive Table!

A pinterest-worthy tablescape is one of those things we all aspire to at Christmas time, and the festive period is when you can really have fun and create a gorgeous table which makes your guests feel special, and ready to embrace the holiday spirit. 

Last week, I was at the Great Fosters in Surrey for their Taste of Christmas event, and was inspired by the festive tablescape masterclass by Lilys Flowers; the florists created a beautiful, very organic, glittering table setting and gave us lots of tips for how to recreate a similar setting at home!

Before we get into the table setting tips, here's a quick #ootd! I wore my new graphic print woollen dress from French Connection - it's a classic style dress which I just know i'll be pulling out for many festive functions, as well as my new personalised Radley clutch bag.

Using a white linen table cloth as the base, the table setting was built up using chopped logs which can be purchased from places such as the Covent Garden Flower Market, or local garden centres (as well as foraged from the side of the road!). They are super for building height and layers into the tablescape, and create a base for this organic woodland setting.

The florists encouraged us to use flora and fauna that we have at home, whether it's dried chinese lanterns spray painted in silver or copper, or an amaryllis bulb which you can cover in glitter. Fruit and flowers can be sprayed with metallic spray paint, or coated in thin sheets of gold or silver foil.

Collect jars from around the home, and tie some burlaps string around the tops to give an even more earthy feel to the decorations.

Candles add a new dimension to the setting, the flickering flame adds warmth and movement, as well as giving off a delicate festive scent. Mix in branded candles in their glass jars, with tiny tea lights lighting up their holders.

It doesn't matter if things don't match, and you don't have to stick to one 'metal' colour. The setting here features gold, silver, copper and shimmering ruby red glitter.

Keep building up the tablescape and move pieces around until you have a setting that you're proud of. Don't aim for perfection! The magic of this table setting is that it feels natural and homely, instead of so precise and perfect that you don't want to touch it!

The florists' kit included glue spray, ribbons, glitter and even blue tac (to stop the pear table settings from toppling over!).

Finish the place settings with some ribbon around the cutlery - this gold hemmed ribbon perfectly blends in with the natural colour scheme of the tablescape, and is a simple twist to the usual place setting.

How will you be decorating your table this Christmas?

xoxo

6 Ways To Feel More Confident

There are always those girls who have natural confidence, but for many of us it can be a struggle. Looking back over my time in school and university I always wanted to look like that person that oozes confidence but I know all too well that sometimes a smile and a bright cheerful giggle can really be hiding self doubt. There are a few key things which I've learnt that help me be confident not just on the outside but on the inside too, so I thought I'd share these today in the hope that they may bring a little brightness to your day if you're lacking in confidence.

1. Fake It! It's the clich� that you always read in articles about confidence but something that I learnt at university and during my first years in the working world is that if you don't believe that you can do it then you can be sure that no one else will! If you walk in with a smile on your face and a confident walk, pretty soon your fake confidence will become real. 

2. Get out of your Comfort Zone. When you do thinks that you think you can't, your comfort zone will just keep on getting bigger and bigger. Even small things will lead to bigger and greater things until you grow, and feel unstoppable!

3. Think Confidently. Positive, confident thoughts have an unbelievable impact on how you feel in comparison to having 'worst possible outcome' thoughts which can bring on unnecessary anxiety. 

4. Speak Up. For too long, I shied away from speaking up in social situations, worrying that what I said wasn't going to be entertaining enough, that no one would reply, or laugh with me. It was when I started interning that I knew I had to speak up if I wanted to make an impression, it was scary at first but I had to do it. Turns out that no one thought my ideas were silly or my stories were boring, and the more I spoke up, the better it felt.

5. Find what makes you feel physically confident. I used to hate my smile, years of wearing braces and having goofy teeth gave me some sort of inferiority complex about my teeth but over the years I've grown to like my slightly goofy smile. It's what makes me me after all! I talk too often about my beauty routine but one part which I overlook is my smile - I use Pearl Drops Lasting Flawless White daily, not just for the whitening but also to protect my smile - we only have one after all!

6. Let go of Perfection. Striving to be perfect can cause self doubt and a constant sense that you're not good enough. By giving yourself permission to make mistakes you'll try new things, take more risks and grow as a person. Don't overthink everything, it's OK not to be perfect all the time.

This post is sponsored by Pearl Drops but of course all opinions are completely my own!

xoxo

The Best of Black Friday!

Ahead of the big day tomorrow, some of my favourite retailers have already dropped their prices for Black Friday and Cyber week. Now you know how I do love to shop and browse, so I've saved you the time and effort of trawling through all the bargains to bring you only the very best!

The shop section below shows my absolute favourite products in the sale at the moment, and i'll be adding to it as I find more, so bookmark this page and check back often!

Also, just to help you out, here are the best sales so far:

* CYBER MONDAY UPDATE *

ASOS | 20% Off Everything with code Cyber

TOPSHOP | 50% Off Selected Lines 

MISS SELFRIDGE | 50% Off Selected Lines
MISSGUIDED | 20% Off with code Cyber20 

KURT GEIGER| 20% Off Everything

OFFICE| 20% Off Everything with code SNOW

FOREVER 21| 50% Off Selected Lines

ANTHROPOLOGIE | 20% Off Everything

The White Company | 20% Off Everything
Gemporia | 30% off with code SHOP30

Whistles | 20% Off Everything

Karen Millen | 25% Off Everything

New Look | 20% Off Orders 

Dorothy Perkins | Up to 30% off

Larsson & Jennings | 15% off with code LJ15

LK Bennett |  30% off with code:THANKS

Urban Outfitters | Up to 50% off

FarFetch |  10% off with code BF2015

Selfridges | Up to 20% of with code SELFCCE

Marks & Spencer | Up to 50% off

House of Fraser | Up to 50% off

John Lewis | Price Matched Products

Very | 20% off all Ladieswear

Look Fantastic | Use Code LF15 for a Mystery Discount

Happy Shopping!

xoxo

All That Glitters

Nothing says Christmas quite like a bit of sparkly.

Amiright? This #ootd makes me so warm and fuzzy inside because I feel like the holidays are finally upon us. One of my favourite parts of the holidays is all the sparkle - on the eyes, the nails, even the sunglasses! As much as Christmas party dresses get me seriously excited, its those day to day outfits which I absolutely love to put together, and this one is the perfect blend of being warm and cosy, and festive sparkle. 

Peaking through you can spot my newest knitwear from Topshop. This pink sparkly jumper was a birthday gift, to me, from me! Pink and sparkles remain two of my favourite things so this jumper was a no-brainer. I paired it with classic white jeans and my trusty Ted & Muffy

boots - which are possibly the best shoe addition to my collection this year.

Keeping me warm and snuggly is my new favourite winter coat from River Island. The faux suede has an undeniably luxe appearance, along with the faux fur label and pockets. The price tag makes me smile even more - who knew such a fab coat could be under �100!

I finished the look with my Radley Neal Street backpack (currently �100 off in the Sale so be quick!) and new sparkly shades from Miu Miu. Scroll down for more close up snaps - bonus points if you spot the crystals on my new sunnies!

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Some Festive Favourites

At this time of year there is always a shift in my beauty department. The evenings are well and truly �drawn in�, the heating is on, and the cosy nights in call for a little bit of self indulgence which is why at this time of year I love to treat myself to some extra special products.

Makeup wise the shimmering shadows start to make an appearance, along with a splashing of deep burgundies from my eye palettes to my lipsticks. My favourite deep lipstick this Autumn has without a doubt been this one from Illamasqua. It�s a very intense shade and takes a little while to achieve the perfect application, but once it�s on, you�re good for the whole day with just a quick touch up here and there. As deep lip shades go, this one is incredibly wearable and seems to go with most day and evening looks.

Who says bold lips and a bold eye doesn�t work? Some days I create a striking look with eyeshadow, and other days I let my lashes do all the talking. I�ve recently re-discovered my YSL Babydoll mascara which really separates out the lashes with the stiff plastic wand but is also incredibly buildable. Three coats gives a real false lash effect and I even skip out the liner thanks to my lashes being ultra bold.

One product which is seriously special and very indulgent but I can�t resist at this time of year is my Tom Ford perfume. It�s pricey, yes, but this time of year calls for a little indulgence and for me this fragrance is worth every penny. With a deep musky oud which lingers for hours, it�s instantly recognisable and an absolute classic scent.

Finally, who said a bronzed complexion was just for summer? I like to prevent my skin from turning into a shade of milky grey during the colder months by treating my skin to some St Tropez at night. I love the facial oil with it�s skincare properties and luxurious texture which makes me look as though my skin has seen the sun even when the only warmth I�ve been experiencing recently is my hot water botte!

All of these treats add a little bit of self indulgence into my Autumn Winter routine  - who says we can�t treat ourselves every now and then!

This post is in collaboration with Very but all views are my own!

xoxo

How to find the Perfect Christmas Dress!

Oh yes, it's coming up to that time of the year, and whether you're hosting or RSVPing to a Christmas party, finding the right dress can be make or break as to whether you feel fabulous on the night! Whether you have Kim K's curves or Kiera Knightley's demure style, I've been creating a Christmas dress wishlist with some of my favourite dresses and accessories from Lyst, and here are some of my favourite styles for the festive season!

1. Sparkle!

You don't need tons of tinsel to shimmer at a festive gathering, but unleash your inner diva with sparkling styles this festive season. The first dress that I chose features eye catching sequins and feathers to ensure you keep sparkling long after the last gift has been unwrapped!

2. Velvet

Nothing screams festive and fashionable quite like velvet. On guys and girls, this luxe texture is going to be big this holiday season, so you can add a touch of velvet to your accessories or go all out on a velvet gown - why not invest in a luxe velvet blazer so you can shed your layers as the evening heats up!

3. White

Who says white is just for the snowman! A crisp LWD is a sophisticated an unexpected choice for the holidays. I'd pair this white midi length dress with rose gold jewellery and some sky high heels for an elegant ensemble.

4. Jewel Tones

Whether it's sapphire, garnet, or a Christmas-ready ruby or emerald, it doesn't get much more festive that these rich opulent hues. Take a tip from Pippa Middleton's festive attire; you don't need much accessorising when your dress teams bold colours with detailed embellishment.

5. Draped 

Sexy enough for cocktail parties but forgiving enough for a full feast, draped dresses are the most versatile style at this time of year. Ultra flattering and ultra feminine, it's no wonder they're a festive favourite!

What type of dress will you be rocking for your Christmas party?

xoxo

Christmas Gift Guide : Perfumes!

It's about time things got a little more festive over here and Fashion Mumblr, but for me, I can't really get my head around Christmas until my birthday is over! (OK, it's still officially my birthday if you're reading this on the day it was published, but still!) But I thought a great way to kick things off would be my first (of many) Christmas Gift Guides - Perfume!

Fragrances are such lovely gifts to buy, and to receive and this year there are SO many incredible options that I decided to devote an entire post to them, as well as letting you know who I think they will work best for! So I hope this post gives you a little guidance to kick off your Christmas shopping!

For the Sassy Teen! Ariana Grande Eau de Parfum

I'm not usually a fan of celeb fragrances, let's just get that one out there straight away, and to be honest it's the seriously stylish bottle that made me want to include this in my gift guide! BUT, having said that, the fragrance isn't actually as offensive as I thought it would be from the sweeter-than-sweet pop star, oh no, it's actually..... rather nice! It's fruity and floral, playful and sweet, yes, but with a musky undertone that makes it very wearable.

For the Stylish Lady! Chlo� Eau de Parfum

It's a timeless fragrance, and one which you really can't go wrong with buying for a gift. The classic scent of roses in a floral, feminine scent. The bottle is beautiful too - the iconic fluted glass with delicate bow around the lid, it will look beautiful on any dressing table!

For the Party Girl! Jean Paul Gaultier Eau de Parfum

As soon as I laid eyes on the sparkly bodice edition of the classic Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance, I absolutely knew I had to feature on the gift guide! The fragrance itself is a sexy, floral, oriental fragrance which lingers for hours, with fruity top notes including Raspberry and Bergamot.

For the Always-On-Trend friend! Calvin Klein Euphoria

In it's striking silver bottle, Calvin Klein Euphoria is one of those fragrances that never goes out of style. If you're struggling for a gift idea for the friend who always looks great and absolutely has to be wearing the latest trends, you can't go wrong with Euphoria. I'm yet to meet someone who doesn't love the musky, orchid and black violet tones.

For the Mysterious Lady! Jimmy Choo Illicit

There's something seriously special about the new fragrance from Jimmy Choo. A certain veil of mystique lurks on the skin after spritzing on this modern floriental (I love that word) perfume. It's elegant and edgy at the same time, with notes of Ginger and Bitter Oragne as well as Rose and Sandalwood.

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For The One Who Sets The Trends - Elizabeth Arden Always Red

This fragrance is seriously under rated, and your girlfriends who love to discover new trends is bound to fall in love with this dry, sophisticated floriental fragrance. With ingredients such as Passion Fruit, Jasmine, and Velvet Rose Petals - it's unusual but instantly likeable.

For the Glamorous Gal - Theirry Mugler Angel Passion

Lovers of Thierry Mugler's iconic Angel fragrance will be lusting for this more glamorous and seductive eau de perfum. Notes of  patchouli and red berries give this classic scent a captivating edge - and the red star bottle is simply striking.

For the Haute Couture Honey - Miu Miu Eau de Parfum

The first scent from the Miu Miu fashion house truly encapsulates the spirit of the brand. The combination of lily of the valley and akigalwood is instantly a familiar scent, it's contemporary and natural but the soft blue glass bottle with the translucent red disk gives a pop of Miu Miu's signature quirky ways to the scent.

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For the Teen Beauty Queen - GHOST The Fragrance Gift Set

With the Ghost fragrance and a body lotion too, this gift set makes a lovely treat to unwrap on Christmas day. Scented with fresh flowers followed by notes of Vanilla and warm amber, it's hard not to fall in love with this scent. 

For the Fashionista - Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Gift Set

A fresh and floral fragrance which is light and easy to wear - with notes of Violet Leaf, Strawberry and Jasmine as well as a warm top note coverage of Musk, Vanilla and White Woods. The bottle itself is a pleasure to see, with delicate daisies decorating the glass - this gift set both looks and smells incredible!

For the Daring Darling - Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme

Utterly extravagant and undeniably sensual, Tom Ford Noir is one of those fragrances which women aspire to wear. A floral oriental which encapsulates the Tom Ford woman in a sleek black and gold bottle, this is one to treat your utterly glamorous and unashamedly daring friend or lover.

For the Luxury Lover - Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir

This is the scent that I reach for on special occasions, and there's something incredibly luxurious and warming about the scent of fruity pomegranate on the skin. It's fruity and spicy, a very familiar scent which would make the most beautiful gift for anyone who loves a touch of luxury!

For the Fearless Fashionista - YSL Black Opium

An incredibly wearable luxury fragrance, it would be impossible for the recipient not to love you for tucking this EDP into their stocking. With hedonistic notes of black coffee, with sensual Patchouli and white woods - it smells as good as it looks in the glittering bottle whose diamond dust finish replicates the rock edge but modern glamour of the scent within.

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Have I featured your favourite fragrance? Which would you most like to unwrap this Christmas?

xoxo