The Twelve days of Christmas with Next

Hi guys,
Hope you're all having a great week! I've been in bed with a chest infection since the weekend, but last night was our works Christmas party and the lovely Aussie guys came and did our hair so we looked all fancy before we headed out. So my week has been a week of ups and downs (With my fancy hair being a definite up!)

Last week the folks at Next sent me these lovely 12 days of Christmas icons. Well, I thought they were so cute (and i'm obsessed with anything festive right now!) so I just had to use them in a post! Team that with the fact that although i've been thinking constantly about Christmas presents, I haven't thought about outfits at all yet: something that needed seriously vectifying. So here is the soloution. The first three of my twelve outfits of Christmas:

DAY ONE - And a partridge in a pear tree
Fringe Cardigan - £50, Black leggings, Dip hem butterfly top, High heeled clogs, £35
This is a great cozy outfit that would be comfy and slouchy, but is coordinated enough that when you add the heels you'd look dressy and put together at the same time. I'd wear this on Christmas eve when we have family dropping in and out for my mum's glorious festive buffet and I need stretchy mince pie trousers!!

DAY TWO - Two turtle doves
Pajama bottoms - £15, Pajama top - £8, Slippers, Black robe - £22.
In the Brierley household, Christmas day is a pajama day, so we all go to bed in our finest house clothes on Christmas eve: after all, even in your PJ's you want to look good for the camera! I avoided my personal preference of over-the-top reindeer PJs, and picked out these cuddly but grown up black separates with a pink accent.

DAY THREE - Three French hens
Shoe boots - £55, Striped dress, Boot flare jeans - £22, Vintage buckle belt - £18, Bangle set - £18
How could you do the French hens without a little Parisian chic?? This outfit is for the first day of hitting the sales: comfortable and relaxed for a little harmless shopping (and jostling) but smart enough to meet the girls for lunch afterwards. I would wear leggings with this but I added the jeans for warmth, and to make the look a little more casual.

I love putting together outfits: it's like dressing dolls but without the awkward unbending arms! There'll be more festive outfits coming in the run up to Christmas!

Love, Tor xx

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Until now all the gifts have been for the lady-readers, but today we will be looking at something for the gents.

Umbro have just launched a vintage sportswear range for S/S10 which would be perfect for the fashion savvy fella, and a great way of gently nudging your boyfriend into losing that beer belly in the New Year (when, lets be honest, is when everybody wants to shape up!)

The range is already available to buy from House of Fraser and i'm a big fan of all of the T-shirts, but especially this slightly 80s, tracksuit covered one!

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The Umbro sportswear collection is an amalgamation of over 85 years of cultural influence taken from the Umbro archives and embodies a strong sense of contemporary style through progressive art and music influences, seen in fresh new fabrics, colours and graphics.

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Who knew shaping your man up could make him look stylish at the same time!?

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Merry Christmas!

Tor xx

PS - Don't forget to enter my super-awesome Christmas giveaway!!

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Today we're veering slightly away from the fashion path with our fictional gift: even the most hard-core fashionista needs a little bit of variety in her stocking!

I am a major stationary addict: I especially love heavy smooth running pens and soft leather notebooks. So it's no suprise that I often browse through stationary websites, which is where I found todays perfect gift. It's from Paperchase and it is my favourite "day of Christmas" so far:

Isn't he adorable? His tiny little robot face is so expressive, and he's practical too! And a bargain for just £9. Paperchase have a whole range of robot goodies in store at the minute, and I think they make a great present!

If this isn't to your taste then I would still recommend a quick peek in Paperchase; its not a place many people think to go for gift-buying, but in my opinion their gift section is exceptional. If your an obsessional forward planner (like me!) then I also recommend popping instore in the second or third week of January: I love Paperchase Christmas cards but find them a teeny bit expensive. So I buy them at the end of January when they are a massive 70% off (or they were last year!) and save them for Christmas.

You don't need to say it, I already know: massive geek!

Love, Tor x

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

It's day three of our twelve days of Christmas -soon be time for Santa! Day 2 warmed our legs, and who can forget the rabbit with wings on day 1? (definitely a must-have!) So today's gift of Christmas we're moving away from clothes to the ultimate Christmas party neccessity; the gift of sparkly eye make up of course!

So, on the third day of Christmas, a festive fashion blogger gives to you.....

Urban decay preen shadow box, £18

I love big black eyes when i'm going out for the evening, and urban decay is always the company I turn to first. I find their products a little heavy going for day time use, but they really come into their own at night.

The Preen shadow box contains an eyeshadow primer (which I've used, and which really does hold your shadow all night) 6 different eye shadows to match all your outfits (though it's a shame it doesn't include the black one; I love their "oil slick" eye shadow so much i'm on my third tub!) and a travel sized black liner: their liner is very soft and easy to use.

If Urban Decay doesn't do it for you, now is still the perfect time to stock up on any make up that's running low; almost every cosmetic company is putting together gift sets at this time of year, and you can often get a full set for the individual RRP of just one or two of its contents. Bargain!

Love, Tor xxx

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me....

Is all this Christmas talk making you feel festive yet, or starting to irritate? Do let me know!! Now back to business. Well, it wouldn't be a list of lovely things (Christmas or not!) without me mentioning Topshop at least once. For me, they are the anchor of the British highstreet.
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So, on the second day of Christmas, a festive fashion blogger gives to you.....
A selection of coloured and patterned tights from Topshop. (£6-£12)
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A fornight ago I invested in several pairs of thick opaque coloured tights from Topshop, and have been using them to brighten up my winter wardrobe, which is heavily dominated by black. Slipping on coloured tights lifts my mood, and I often find myself staring at my legs! I am chunky of calf and thigh, so patterned tights aren't really an option for me, but I do think they look amazing, and would be perfect for transitioning a shift dress from office to party.
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Tights are my best friend during the winter months; black opaque ones to slim the leg, coloured ones for fun, and knitted ones when it starts to snow. So today, they are my imaginary gift to you!

Lots of love,
Tor xxx

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

I love Christmas, and the festive feeling that is starting to permiate everything I do. So I decided at regular intervals between now and the magical 25th, I would give you an imaginary gift; something pretty that I found on one of my regular wanders around the web, and available at stocking filler prices. Because the third best thing about Christmas (after seeing family and friends and all the yummy food, of course!) is the feeling that it's perfectly OK to buy yourself little presents!

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So, on the first day of Christmas, a festive fashion blogger gives to you.....

A flying rabbit pendant from etsy shop cosmicfirefly for $27.50.
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My love of animals in fashion is well documented, and I really do think new and interesting jewellery can make any well fitting little black dress perfect for those Christmas parties. Like I said before, it isn't obligatory to spend a fortune on a dress you're only going to wear once or twice. I do think it's obligatory, however, to spend money on rabbits with wings. It's just good logic!
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If your pocket money/stocking filler budget is a little more than mine, and you share my love of animals in jewellery, then I officially declare Wendy B's chicken in egg locket pretty much perfect!

Lots of love,
Tor xxx