JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I COULDN'T LOVE NATALIE PORTMAN MORE...

She goes and does this...




Marry me?

GOSSIP GRADUATE

Pics from March's Harpers Bazar.

GALIBARDY

Pieces from Galibardy:

Oh dear, want them all SO badly! However resisted temptation to spend money I don't have and instead went for this Alexander McQueen bird skull ring from Net a Porter as part of my Grazia prize... You like??

ETSY SPOTLIGHT

Hello bloggies! I confess to still being in a serious food coma from Christmas and a bit of an all round snooze-monster at the moment... zzzzzzzzzzz

However, still trawling Etsy for goodies constantly (between face-stuffing, boozin' and obsessively checking Net a Porter for that Burberry jacket coming back into stock...) and thought I'd share with you another favourite shop.

James Rowland Shop sells vintage shoes and boots from the 80s and 90s. Slightly pricey but there's some real gems in there. Here's a few of the best:

Oh jeeze, the Westwood bag fund is gonna take some battering!

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

I remember when I was wee and still lived with my mum, we had a little Christmas tree decoration that twirled round on a tiny platform to this tune.

Underneath the tree were 25 numbered drawers and in each one was a dainty little charm for the tree - snowmen, candy canes... all sorts. It's still my favourite decoration of all time, even though it's lost in storage somewhere now.

Anyhoo, this is my favourite Christmas song and it still makes me get all choked up. Judy Garand is simply stunning here.

Merry Christmas x

AND THE ROAD HAS ALWAYS LED WEST

"Happiness only real when shared."
(quote from Christopher McCandless as shown in Into The Wild)

New tat planned for January.

"It should not be denied that being footloose has always exhilarated us. It is associated in our minds with escape from history and oppression and law and irksome obligations. Absolute freedom. And the road has always led west."

Considering getting a compass tattoo aswell. Not just because of this film, but because I've always loved the Great American novels and I'm fascinated by the notion of the American Dream and the ideology of early westwards expansion and exploration into the unknown. It holds a lot of metaphorical meaning for me and I'd like to have the reminder of that somewhere on my body.

But where?!

NET-A-PORTER PART 1

Still HUGELY excited about this - grinning all day like a loon! Placed this order today with my lovely personal shopper Seun...

However, I'm currently on the waiting list for these:

 Burberry quilted leather jacket. I cannot describe how badly my soul needs this. It wasn't sold out in a 10 yesterday but it is today. Almost howled "nooooooooooooooo!" at the top of my lungs today in a busy newsroom. Had to heavy reign in the despair. Seun assures me it is expected back in shortly though...

 Burberry shearling-lined boots. Decided on these over the Miu Miu ones cos of the kick-ass zip detail. Nom.

 Alexander Wang Rocco bag. I know I already ordered the Alexa which I've wanted for ages, but I see it as more casual. This is a bit more special methinks, but I'm less hopeful about it coming back into stock soon :(

OK, so what do you think so far? The Rocco bag is a maybe depending on availability and if I get all three that pretty much uses up most of my budget and I still haven't got any jewellery yet! But I'm trying not to stress too much over my choices and just go with what feels right, since I've got nothing to loose. Can't help but notice I'm a little leather-heavy though... I am also seriously considering adding these Alice by Temperly high-waisted leather shorts to the haul - I have a pair of vintage ones but they're becoming baggy at the waist and I love the belt detail to clinch these in.

 Ahhhh!!! Thoughts?

Cannot stop smiling :D

FOR THE WIN!

OH MY GOODNESS BLOGGIES!! I have amazing news! Last week I bought Grazia magazine like I do most weeks and noticed a competition to win £5000 to spend on a new wardrobe at Net a Porter.com. I entered it as ususal (sucker for competitions like you wouldn't believe) and you'll never guess what.......


I ONLY WENT AND BLOOMIN' WON!

I know, RIGHT!? OK, so here's what happened.

I was working at The Herald today for work experience and when I finished I discovered I had a voicemail from a very cheery sounding Jo from Grazia magazine telling me I'd won the competition and to call her back ASAP! So, obviously when I'd calmed down CONSIDERABLY, I did just that and she confirmed it was true - I was going to get to choose a new wardrobe from the designer site to the value of 5 grand!

I'm expecting a call from someone from Net a Porter this week to let me know how it's all going to go down, but in the meantime I can't help but start to plan my picks...

These are a few of my favs...

 

Burberry tweed cocoon coat

ACNE sculpted boots

Burberry quilted leather jacket



Marc Jacobs cardigan



Vivienne Westwood Anglomania coat

 Alexander Wang Rocco leather bag

Alexander McQueen double wrap bracelet

Proenza Schouler long sleeved sequin top (picturing this with leather shorts and the ACNE boots... drool!)



Vivienne Westwood Anglomania dress

Miu Miu suede biker boots - cos every girl needs a good pair of bikers.

AHHHH! I can't actually get over this at all, honestly! It's like my dream, I'm so grateful! I picked these really quickly tonight but I'll have a wee while over Christmas to decide... any thoughts or recommendations?

Moral of this story? ENTER GRAZIA COMPETITIONS, PEEPS!

GIVING UP THE GOTH

... Nah, I can't! Currently re-living Givenchy SS11 and eagerly awaiting my Vero Moda black maxi skirt arriving in the post so I can wear it with my sheer black shirt. Gothtastic.

That whole 70s trend can kiss my ass.

BLACK SWAN

So, recent ballet obsession plus weird feather fixation... Come on, It was only a matter of time before I posted this!



Love Natalie Portman in everything she's ever been in and supposedly she's being considered for an Oscar for her role as Nina in Black Swan. Makes sense since those Oscar luvvies tend to smile on actors/actresses who have transformed physically for a role (Charlize Theron in Monster much?) and, um, check out the biceps on Portman! After seeing Cinderella on Tuesday I'm still filled with this weird sense of awe about the sheer athleticism of ballet and while I'm sure they will have used a double for some of the more challenging sequences, there's no doubt Natalie will have had to develop much of the technical ability herself - that alone deserves serious recognition!

I don't know about you, but I get CHILLS every time I watch this. Looks fabulously spooky and psychologically creepy - Love that last clip...

According to Tavi from Style Rookie, Rodarte designed the costumes - and if anyone would know she would! J'adore! Can't wait to see that exquisite black swan costume up on the big screen.

IMDB says it's out in January - roll on then because I'm desperate to see it!

 Read more about the costumes there, but in the mean time here are some pics (all from Style Rookie):