The most wonderful time of the year.

So, it's nearly December 1st, the month in which you're allowed to eat, drink and be merry as much as you like. However, I've started early this year.

 

We started off with a spot of shopping followed by beautiful cocktails. I had a strawberry champagne concoction and my Mum went for her favourite, pina colada.

I wore my Warehouse dress and my beautiful Brit-Stitch bag. I still can't stop wearing it, the quality is amazing and I get so many compliments about it. I think I need to invest in a winter colour as well.

We followed these by a few more drinks in a live music lounge. You can't beat cocktails, comfy chairs and a lovely singer!

We strolled back through the city and ooh-ed and ahh-ed at the oversize reindeers and trees which were dusted with fairy lights.

I hope my December is filled with more nights like this and I wish you a wonderful time as well.

By the way, which is your favourite Christmas advert this year? Mine has to be the oh so cute John Lewis advert (even though they've copied The Animals of Farthing Wood!).

Gorgeous bags wish list.

'Tis the season to be jolly and get lots of new bags from Santa...tra la la la la. Can you tell I'm excited about Christmas?

Family members are asking me what I'd like for Christmas so I've had a lovely little afternoon searching for beautiful bags to include in my wish list!

Top left: River Island - I chose this because I just love the colour, it's beautiful and I can't resist the zip detailing and tassel. I will use it over Christmas but the pastel colour will also be perfect for the spring and summer months next year.

Top right: ASOS: I've seen lots of bloggers with transparent bags, however, I carry that much junk in mine which I don't really want the world to see, so I love how ASOS have combined a clear bag with a gorgeous pink glittery pouch to keep your items hidden!

Bottom left: Lulu Guinness - I'm a sucker for Lulu Guinness bags and I love the glittery lips - a perfect clutch for the party season but as it's rather pricey I thought Santa may oblige!

Bottom right: Diffusion Online - This online store has a gorgeous selection of Armani Bags and I love this one because the colour will go with any outfit, the tassel detailing is so cute and I carry SO much around in my bag (more than Mary Poppins) and this will fit lots in it. I can use it for work and weekends away.

Which is your favourite and what would you like for Christmas?

Party season accessories

During the festive season, I usually announce hours before a party that I don't have a stitch to wear and end up going panic shopping (the worst kind), end up in a hot mess and come home with a new lipstick. So, this year I'm going to be more prepared and I've spent my Saturday doing some online shopping. I've found really beautiful shoes and accessories and want to share them with you.

Top left: These beautiful shoe boots are available from River Island. They'll be perfect with a sparkly dress I have in mind.

Top right: These heart earrings are also from River Island. Vivienne Westwood sold some similar ones last year, but these are a fraction of the price!

Bottom left: These beauties are from Pavers. I'm a sucker for anything sparkly at Christmas so these have gone straight into my basket.

Bottom centre: This statement necklace is beautiful and will liven up my collection of little black dresses. You can buy it from River Island.

Bottom left: This gorgeous black clutch, also from Pavers is essential for me. It's one of those pieces that won't date and looks perfect with most outfits.

I hope you like my picks and are enjoying shopping for party outfits as much as I am.

Country life.

I love living in the countryside, it's perfect for taking Millie for walks, enjoying the peace and quiet and not having to worry about traffic or the hustle and bustle of the city.

I really need some clothes for taking Millie for walks in the winter. It's often freezing cold, rainy and windy. I made a little wish list of Barbour items which I think are perfect.

The wellington boots are perfect for winter, keeping legs nice and toasty and I'm loving tartan this season so it's the perfect combination. The same goes for the scarf, it'll keep me nice and warm whilst also hitting the tartan trend. I love how the jacket combines fashion and functionality; it's lovely to look at whilst being warm and waterproof. Last but not least, I can't forget Millie! The waxed dog coat will keep her warm and dry whilst being the most stylish dog around! 

Banksy in New York: Better Out Than In

Every day during October I've been excited to check out http://www.banksyny.com/ This is the website Banksy is using to document his artist's residency on the streets of New York entitled 'Better Out Than In'. Personally, I love Banksy's work. I see it as art rather than typical graffiti. The only works I'm not too keen on are the ones which feature the rat!

I think it's such a shame that certain individuals are hunting down his work and putting their own tags across them and totally ruining them. Thankfully we have photographs of them before this happened.

Below, I have posted some of his New York residency work. If you want to look at it in date order then head to his website.

*Updated* - I'm so sad that Banksy's New York residency has ended. I looked forward to checking out the website every day to see his next piece. The identity of Banksy is unknown but I think I've got more of a feel for the man behind the art. He's got a great sense of humour and a huge passion for what he does. It makes me want to find out who he is even more.

October 7 - Brooklyn

This really struck home with me. A patched up broken heart.

October 17 - Bed Stuy

Beautiful geishas.

October 11 - Manhattan

Concrete confessional.

October 1 - Manhattan

October 13 - Central Park

Signed original Banksy canvases sold at $60. This was genius.

October 14 - Queens.

This is what Banksy had to say about this piece "Some people criticize me for using sources that are a bit low brow (this quote is from 'Gladiator') but you know what? "I'm just going to use that hostility to make me stronger, not weaker" as Kelly Rowland said on the X Factor." 

A man with a sense of humour.

October 11 - Meatpacking District

The Sirens of the Lambs. A slaughterhouse delivery truck touring the meatpacking district and then citywide for the next two weeks.

Check out the video for this online. It will make your heart melt. I thought from the images that they were cuddly toys, but they are puppets which come to life.

October 8 - Greenpoint

October 20 - Upper West Side

October 21 -South Bronx

October 23

October 24 - Hell's Kitchen

Waiting in vain at the door of the club.

Banksy commented on this piece, "For those of you wanting to know if this was a permission piece, it wasn't."

October 26 - Sunset Park

So true. "Alternative New York bumper slogan."

October 27.

"Today’s piece was going to be an op-ed column in the New York Times. But they declined to publish what I supplied. Which was this..."

October 30 - Yankee Stadium

October 31 - Queens

An inflatable throw-up on the Long Island Expressway.

"Now available - the official Banksy New York residency souvenir T shirt (you have to take the jpeg to a copy store and make it yourself)"

What do you think of Banksy and his work?

All images from http://www.banksyny.com/