Fashion Influx

Party season is the moooost wonderful time of the year, so when Topshop invited me in to check out their personal shopping service I was more than excited. As much as I love getting dolled up, I find the whole process of outfit hunting stressful – I’m pretty particular, so it usually takes me forever! Not only that, but I got to try the personal shopper experience in Topshop at Meadowhall… I love anything that’s blogging related and local! It’s nice to know that the rest of the country hasn’t been forgotten about, and we can all have an extra special shopping treat. I’ve been to a couple of personal shopping events before, and the team at Topshop didn’t disappoint! I was greeted with some dream boat outfits that the lovely Kirby, my personal stylist, had picked out for me. She found me so many pieces that were just my sort of thing! That’s all part of the service - you just give them a call, let them know what you’re after, tell them your size and they’ll do all the faffy...

Who isn’t a lover of a sparkly frock?! Okay, plenty of people, but even though I spend my life in all black, I’m still a fan of something glitzy. Christmas is a whole other ball game, and finding the perfect dress not only involves sourcing something occasion appropriate that suits you, but also something that feels a little festive. It’s not like red with a white fur trim is a must, but I do like something that makes me feel Christmassy… I can wear a bog standard LBD at any point in the year! For last minute options I’ve got three super sparkly numbers that can help you up the glam levels at the Christmas do. Motel Rocks Finn Slip Dress Okay, this is my most naaakud. It’s Christmas though, and if you can’t flash a bit of side boob at Christmas when can you?! Yup, you’re going to freeze your nips off, but you’re going to look like the twinkly star of Bethlehem on your night out. For dressing it down a little I think it’s perfect worn with a leather jacket and ankle boots....

How is it that time already?! Mums are nagging for Christmas lists and Dad’s will be as surprised as you are opening your presents. This is my favourite part of the festivities though – the planning and the lead up… I love buying gifts and I’m mad for all the Christmassy goings on. Annnd so, it comes to sorting out my Christmas list! This year, I’ve had things started off early with a lovely chance to give the Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean White electric toothbrush a go. As someone who’s obsessed with pearly whites, I know I’d be super happy to open one of these on Christmas day! Yeah, a toothbrush doesn’t instantly scream ‘exciting Christmas present’, but Philips has managed to take the humble toothbrush to something way more fun – it comes in five lovely colours (*ahem* cutesy pink), is clinically proven to whiten teeth in one week, improves gum health in two weeks and is proven to remove seven times more plaque than a manual toothbrush. It’s shocking to think only 25% ...

The 'What I Got For Christmas' thing isn't for everyone, but personally, I love having a peek at the presents folk received. Although it's mostly that I'm a nosey Nancy, I do like to get some more ideas for heading for a spend in the sales (I really shouldn't be buying, but it's unavoidable in the sales). I've just uploaded a video sharing some of the lovely presents I've had over the holidays, as well as some other bits I bought around the time. There are a few extras below, mostly because I'm crap at filming & a lot of it didn't make the cut in the editing process - forever finding YouTube a struggle!  Clothing wise my mum always likes to get me something to wear on Christmas day, which I love... It's nice to have something new to get dressed up in! This year she went for this knit dress she knew I'd been after - it's super oversized and comfy, just the sort of thing I like. I wore it with my new Topshop Master ...

Scarf - Boohoo , Crop Top - ASOS, Skirt - c/o Nobody's Child , Boots - c/o Public Desire Just a quick outfit post from me today, mainly because I just wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas! This is just my Christmas Eve outfit... For once, I'm blogging about what I wore on the day I wore it. I was supposed to be working today, but our lovely bosses let us have the day off. Instead, I've had the chance to tag along for all things festive with the family. I've had such a lovely lead up to the holidays this year, so I hope you're all feeling as Christmassy as I am... Some years I can feel like a bit of a Scrooge, but this time round I'm feeling like Buddy the Elf. SANTA IS COMING.  On the outfit front, I did originally go for something way more festive... If you follow me on Snapchat (username - fashioninflux) you'll have seen my cream co-ord that felt a little bit Mrs Claus. Unfortunately, torrential downpours made me wimp out of...

How it's only 5 days to Christmas I do not know, but with all things festive underway I thought I ought to do some Christmassy makeup. I love that December is a time to be way more glamorous than usual - I'd never normally wear a lip like this but I actually really like it! Red scares me a bit... It's a whole world away from my typical nude.  Along with the red lippy I went for some liquid liner and a bit of shimmer - I think that's probably your typical sort of festive look, but you can't beat a good classic. I just went for plenty of highlighter & a little bit of glitter on my eyes, but you can always up the ante on the glitter! All the products are linked in the video... A lot of them are new makeup additions I've picked up specifically for the festivities, so if you're after some Christmas cosmetics then it may be worth checking out. Time for me to go watch the rest of Home Alone... Hope you're all feeling in the holiday spirit!  ...

With Christmas party season in full swing, I thought I'd share some last minute party outfits for festive shindigs! I love that Christmas always feels extra glamorous - an excuse to wear heels more and make red lipstick a regular thing. Having said that, these outfits are more things you can make up from bits you've already got in your wardrobe, rather than being overly 'Christmassy'. I do like sequins and sparkles, but I suppose this is more my sort of thing!  I had to include a LBD in there. It's always a failsafe... I did nearly throw this one away but I'm glad I clung onto it! If I'm really struggling to know what to wear on a night out, I always go with something black & simple.  This is more something I'd wear on a girly night out, rather than the work Xmas do. It's more of a fun look, flashing a bit more flesh without being too 'look at my nuddy bits'. This one is also way more practical for me if I'm going ...

I love shopping for Christmas presents, but it can be a bit of a mare when you're trying to sort out gifts they’ll actually use, rather than something that’ll end up as a passed on present the Christmas following. This year, I've managed to get everything organized (sod the Christmas Eve mad dash), by doing the majority of my shopping at McArthurGlen  East Midlands Designer Outlet . Life. Made. Easier. With a whole load of loverrrly brands (Kurt Geiger, Calvin Klein, French Connection were a few ‘eeep’ inducing stores), there’s plenty of options for picking up something special this Christmas. For Nannas I find older people the hardest to buy for. As bad as it sounds, buying for someone who has had 70 years worth of Christmas presents is tough! Within reason, they’ve pretty much had everything. With my Nanna, I tend to go for a classic present… she has no desire to be learning how to use an iPod at 80. I went for accessories, finding ...

Hat - c/o Amelia Jane London , Scarf - c/o Boohoo , Coat - c/o Boohoo , Dress - Primark, Boots - Oldies Up Sheffield way, we missed a white Christmas by one day! So close, but a nice way to stay festive. Thankfully I was still off work, which meant I could actually go out and enjoy it, without having to worry about the commute.  I didn't take any chances and wrapped up in plenty of layers. I'm liking this whole 'knee high boots & longer dresses thaang', so I thought that'd be the perfect way to keep cosy. I think it looks better with heeled boots, but there was no way I was risking that. Plus I'd have looked like a total fruit bat. Accessories wise I went for the extra snuggly ones. The scarf wraps round like a huge blanket and that hat is just my current favourite. Right, I'm off.. Mainly because I currently struggle to come on the internet without wanting to do some more sales shopping. Staaahhp Lydia!  youtube  /  bl...