Mulberry Tillie Hobo

I finally bought myself a new handbag after umming and ahhing about which to choose. I wanted a summer appropriate colour and settled on the very pretty Mulberry Tillie.

The colour is powder beige in a sparkling leather. The rose gold hardware swayed me and as I normally opt for tote bags I decided this would make a nice change. I can still carry the bag two ways, over the shoulder and in the crook of my arm which is usually my preferred option.

I also treated myself to a little rose gold leather tassel in the store to pretty up Tillie even more!

Size wise it's slightly smaller than my usual handbags but easily holds my everyday bits and pieces. I'm really hoping this bag will go with all of my summer outfits and will cross over nicely into the autumn too.

What do you think? Have you made any handbag purchases recently or planning one?

Chanel - June

I have waited quite a while to wear this polish since buying it a few months ago. I think I was waiting until we had Spring in the air, warmer days, sandals and bare legs. It's now the middle of May and that still hasn't happened so my nails are the only thing thats bright and cheery.

The formulation doesn't seem to be quite as good as my other Chanel polishes, just a tad on the streaky side. This was two coats plus topcoat. It's almost but not quite a neon pastel orange i'd compare it to orange sherbert.

I think it will look better on me once I have a little tan and really stand out but I guess i'll be waiting until I go on holiday for that to happen!



Is anyone else waiting for sunny days to break out their new Spring and summer purchases?

I'm really fed up of my winter wardrobe now. I think if the weather doesn't improve by the end of the month i'm breaking out my packed away summer clothes regardless and i'll just have to suffer the cold!

New in - Cosmetics

These are the most recent cosmetics I've picked up / received. The Bare Minerals foundation i've been using for a long time and have only recently come to the conclusion I need a little concealer under my eyes so have opted for the Summer Bisque which is good so far. The Pink Plaid lipstick is a cool toned berry pink which seems to be a couple of shades darker than my favourite Saint Germain - it's a matte formulation so a slick of lipbalm is definitely recommended before applying.

The lovely guys at Tom Form sent me a fantastic little package containing the above, I can't wait to try the lipstick, i've heard only good things and a summery coral will be perfect once the sun appears. I haven't read any reviews yet on the polish so will be interested to check out the formulation, how it applys and how long it lasts. The perfumes are beautiful, white suede especially such a light interesting day fragrance and very easy to wear.

I still need mascara and eyeliner desperately and i'm being very tempted by a couple of items in Chanel Summer 12 collection. (out now I think) What cosmetics have you bought recently or coveting right now?

Re-purchased Bare Minerals foundation in Medium beige &
trying out the Bare Minerals concealer in Summer Bisque

Back to Mac - Lipstick in Pink Plaid

Nail polish in Coral Blame courtesy of Tom Ford

Lipstick in True Coral courtesy of Tom Ford

White Suede and Lavender Palm fragrances courtesy of Tom Ford

Stylist Takeover Urban Village with Doll on Fashion

I'm really excited to share my first video post with you. I was invited to Urban Village in the Custard Factory, Birmingham to style up a look based on a theme from the 60's or 70's. The swinging 60's Carnaby Street was my choice and I hope you like the results! (you'll even see my boyfriend making a sneaky appearance!)

Watch the video here

As well as sharing the video, you can read an interview over at the Urban Village blog and find out a little more about me! Thanks to Urban village for the great invitation and Rachael for the fun morning and the video.

Leopard date

On Friday we opted for a last minute date night heading no further than the realms of our square, our first choice was fully booked so we ended up in the local cantonese to feast on aromatic duck, chilli beef, salt and pepper lamb and singapore noodles. Then we opted for a drink afterwards which turned into a couple of bottles of wine after bumping into our next door neighbours.

The outfit was more suitable for the fully booked restaurant so I was a little over dressed for the cantonese and definitely for the pub! I hadn't worn the top before and only when looking back at these photos did I realise it really needs a little skinny belt to pull it in. I look pregnant in some of the pictures! Despite that, the top has little gold spiked buttons running down the top half of the tunic and on the arms which are adjustable. It looks really lovely tucked into a pair of wide legs jeans too - probably how i'll wear it next.

Tunic - Zara
Leggings - French connection
Heels - Carvela
Clutch - Vintage
Bracelets - H&M
Ring - From Croatia

Tom Ford Private Blend collection - Selfridges Birmingham

I was lucky enough to be invited to a private tour of the fragrances in the Tom Ford Private Blend collection just launched at Selfridges, the only retailer to sell this range in Birmingham.

The Private Blend collection is split into 6 different categories - Oriental Woods, Leather, Floral, Tobacco and Eau De Cologne. The scents are not categorised as masculine or feminine.

I was taken through the whole collection and told about the inspirations behind each fragrance - tropical travels, gentleman's smoking clubs, leather armchairs are just a few.

The designs are based on glass apothecary bottles with gold name plates and will look luxe on any dressing table.

I described the scents I usually wear - fresh, powdery and clean. We started going through each scent individually starting with Neroli Portofino. I loved this instantly, with Tunisian Neroli, Italian Bergamot, Sicilian Lemon, Winter Yellow Mandarin, Lavender, and Orange Flower, Rosemary and Amber. It whisks you away somewhere exotic and tropical, cased in a lovely dark sea green glass bottle.

My other personal favourite was Champaca Absolute so unusual I hadn't smelt anything like it before which is down to the unconventional composition. It takes a rarely used single note and then adds a sequence of secondary ingredients which layer to create the most gorgeous addictive fragrance. Perfect for an evening out.

I hope to be adding both of these to my collection.

Oud Wood, one of the bestsellers along with Neroli Portofino and Tuscan Leather

Do you own any of the Tom Ford fragrances? Have you got a favourite?

I definitely recommend you stop by the Tom Ford counter to try a couple of the scents especially if you are looking for something original.

“Private Blend is my own scent laboratory; it’s where I have the ability to create very special, original fragrances that are unconstrained by the conventions of mainstream scent-making. Private Blend is designed with the true fragrance connoisseur in mind.”
-Tom Ford



Blog i'm loving

Elise from Living Doll blog. Despite being so tiny and petite often wears tougher outfits with really great accessories. I'm very envious of her bag and jewellery collection. I really think she has my dream wardrobe too.

Another highlight of her blog that I love is her travels around the world. I definitely reccomend reading back over the last couple of months on her blog purely to see the posts from the lion sanctury she was volunteering in. Very cute cub photos!

All images from Living Doll

Snapshots

I've been working away over the last few weeks so blogging was put on hold. Now i'm back to usual schedule!

Snapshots from the last month or so. Looking back at the lovely weather we had is quite depressing considering the amount of rain we're getting now.

Hyacinths at the hotel

Tapas made at home

Hotel bed

Cocktails

I heart decaf coffee

Sitting pretty - Peacock basking on the balcony at the hotel

Tiny daffodils

Gorgeous English gardens

Sweeping grand drive

Spring blossom

Fruit beer

New in skincare - Chanel Hydramax

My latest skincare purchases that are doing the world of good for my de-hydrated skin. I'll update soon with more in depth review and the rest of my skincare routine.

Hydramax active serum

Hydramax active moisture cream

Valencia, Spain - Day 3

Day three we were determined to make the most of our last full day and woke to a scorcher of a day, we hopped on the bus this time taking a different route and hopped off at the Bio Parc, a large expanse of natural flora and fauna and animal park with natural breeding programs and no cages, more purpose built grasslands and habitats.

We spent nearly all day here the gorillas making a big impression - it was lovely to just take time out in the hot sunshine.

Later that day we started to walk back and I got us a little lost so we hopped on the metro to take us back to the old city. We found ourselves sat outside a little Spanish bar and ordered a little jug of sangria. Also a must!

Later that night we decided the last thing to eat on our Spanish break was of course Tapas, most of which was devoured before getting any pictures, roasted ham with paprika, grilled baby squids, spicy red sausages set on fire in alcohol and huge grilled garlic langoustine and a bottle of Spanish Rioja. Such an simple and delicious meal.

After that we came across a little pop up bar and tried a local drink - Agua de la Valencia. Sounds refreshing and very likely to trick you into thinking your drink juice! sparkling wine, fresh Valencian squeezed oranges topped with free poured vodka. Two jugs of this and we were ready for bed and a sore head the next morning.

Nothing to do the following day except a leisurely check out a walk to the metro and soaking up the final rays of sun.

I hope you enjoyed the Valencian photos and blogs!