How to present shop this season!

Hi all,

Today is the 22nd November and I am over halfway done with my Christmas shopping! 

I have just had my glitter smash nails painted by my mum; have been listening to Glee Christmas and Christmas Hits albums on Spotify for the last week and am fully embracing this time of year! 

But I didn't start shopping until 2 weeks ago when; on a very rainy day may I add; I went to Liberty of London to get my eyebrows done and got swept up in the moment and bought my first three Christmas gifts!

For those of you who want to see them the only one I can show you is my ornament for the tree. This is my gift to my family and is of one of the kittens we have recently started looking after and is soo cute! (Comparison pics below)

He was about £10 (decoration not the real thing) and if you want to buy a pretty decoration for someone special or of something specific then I recommend Liberty (and I think it has the best Christmas department this year although I can only compare to Selfridges which wasn't as good). 

But this post isn't about what to buy - it's about how to tackle the shops at this time of year! 

My first tip is shop where you want to shop if you are shopping in real life! So I was in Liberty to get my eyebrows done, not to shop, but it was through my own curiosity that I actually found some great gifts for my nearest and dearest. And it meant I was relaxed, happy and I also treated myself too so I could feel like I was joining in!

As soon as it stopped being fun I went home. And that's the next tip - take breaks for drinks or food and stop when you can't stand it anymore. If you try to do it all on one day - I'm talking to you 24th December shoppers - then every year you'll dread and hate it - but a little bit of early prep and a happy bunny you'll be. 

Along the lines of early prep is knowing the person you are buying for really well and then keep your eyes and ears out for stuff they mention they want. I pride myself on trying to get really good gifts for people that I know really well and it means I'm usually planning their presents from mid November or before. It means you have a rough idea of what to get them where and then you don't waste time and energy hunting as time ticks closer to the big day.

If you can get what you want online then do that and take the stress and often cost off of your shoulders (just give plenty of time for delivery and do click and collect if you are worried). If you can't then target shop and don't just trawl round the shops - make the day fun for yourself, bringing a best friend usually helps for moral support! 

And my last tip is really an extension of the others - take your time and buy within your budget. People tend to find this time of year stressful in just about every way; from cost to strain on families around the Christmas dinner table. But a long run up will allow that to be smoothed somewhat and leave the stress to what you'll watch on the TV and who wins Monopoly. 

I hope you all have a fabulous and safe Christmas/Holiday time and I will post my latest haul next so you can have some ideas of stuff I love that may inspire you. 

Luv,

Amber xx

Christmas time!!

First, ok I'm sorry. Again.

I've been really busy. Seriously, life = hectic. But it is Christmas and I have time off to relax. YAY! 

So I am going to be back blogging more regularly than I have been, I promise. It's going to be a New Years resloution. 

But anyway hello everyone, happy holidays!!! 

I have a few holiday traditions. This year I got to dress our tree, all by myself, it was a bit of a mission but it is worth it, to see it sparkling in the corner of our frontroom. All of the decorations are amazing, some of them are from when my mum was little and some I made when I was younger. It really is a celebration of our family. 

Also my mum paints my nails sparkly red every year (thank you mummy!). However the colour I chose looked great when my mum wore it but by the time it was painted it on my nails it had gone old. So to rescue it mum painted the Barry M nail varnish in shade 150, red glitter, over the top and it saved the day.

Clothes wise, over the holidays my boots become my best friends and I wear them with my various jeans and jumpers if I go out in the cold, however if it is an occasion I have a new pair of gorgeous black heels that I shall wear and party in! I love them, they are just so sparkly! 

I also cannot wait to hit the sales, I need more going out attire, it's one of the best bits about the holiday season! Lush also have a really good sale after Christmas!

Finally I am on a mission to be reading a lot more this new year, and I will do some book reviews on this blog if you would like! Every Christmas Eve I read The Night Before Christmas before I go to bed, I can nearly recite it, I am still a child at heart! 

So I am now listening to Artpop while finishing this post! Then I will prepare for Christmas Day to come along - it's only 2 hours away! 

Ahh! I'm really excited! I'm such a child but there is something about Christmas that makes everyone joyful! (unless you're a Scrooge but I can't help that)

So Merry Christmas everyone, have a lovely time wherever you are across the world!

Luv with tidings of joy, 

LDN Teenage Fashionista xx♥️

Top winter looks!

Hey guys,

I'm currently sitting in my room, huddled under blankets, refusing to leave my warm bed to venture outside to the cold and college. I know I am not alone. However, I do understand it is needed to leave the house, especially as it is the Yule tide season and presents won't buy themselves!!

It is therefore I would like to impart my recommendations for looking great while keeping warm!

1. Coats are key! I have three full length coats: one black - which is a must key staple! (it was in the sale in Wallis last year!), one tan/beige trench - it's been in outfit posts before and I love it! And I also have a new pink one that is fab, yet to be worn but I cannot wait to!

2. Wear Warm! Don't wear stuff that will give you pneumonia! It's not a good look! Put the shorts and mini skirts away unless worn with the thickest tights but seriously girls don't freeze to death in the name of fashion, it is not worth it!

3. Avoid the over layering look! If you wear a style don't mix it with 11 different patterns and textures attempting the looks you see in Vogue! Most of the time the layered looks are just achieved attempting to show off every bit of designer clothes they can and are with the aim of inspiring not copying!

4. This is for the lads! Christmas jumpers are really cute and most of you have good style (judging by my latest non uni day) but please ditch the chinos in vomit colours and wear jeans instead. It's a much better look. Oh and Levi's are very hot.

5. And lastly, have a merry christmas guys whatever you do. My christmas tree is going up today woo! My most important christmas accessory is my christmas pjs and slippers worn once a year with pride! This year it's pandas and hello kitty!

Luv you guys,

LDN Teenage Fashionista xx♥