A Cute Christmas- Hello Kitty Style

♥ Hello Kitty plushes

♥ The Snowman cake

♥ Hello Kitty Christmas crackers

♥ Hello Kitty balloon 

♥ A My Little Pony called Diamond Rose

There seemed to be a pink Hello Kitty theme running through my lovely presents- which I can't say I objected too! I loved the adorable design of this year's Hello Kitty Christmas crackers and cards as the colours are just so pretty and Kitty looks cuter than ever.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I've been feeling really rotten with a bug and chest infection so mine was quite quiet but lovely all the same, spending quality time with family.

A Kawaii Moodboard for Winter

♥ Hello Kitty plush which came with Hello Kitty Magazine

♥ Marie Claire UK December 2012 Twinkle Twinkle beauty editorial with photo by Jason Hetherington

♥ Hello Kitty ear muffs

♥ Claire's Accessories fairy wand

♥ My Christmas tree

♥ My Little Pony- this one's called Secret Wish

♥ Betsey Johnson bow jewellery

Recycle the sparkles

I hope you all got lots of lovely things under your Christmas tree, but don't forget to recycle (or reuse) the paper and packaging! That goes for unwanted cards and envelopes too.
A random flier from my council, gotta listen to the muscular guy in the green suit and Christmas hat.. haha.

That's just a random snowman biscuit from a bakery in my home town. :D What yummy icing.

I'm a (shoe) Barbie girl

My sister (thank you!) got me this fabulous book called Barbie: All Dolled Up: Celebrating 50 Years of Barbie by Jenny D'Amato. It's really nicely presented and lovely to read. The fashion world went crazy for Barbies 50th anniversary this year, the latest doll to make a buzz is designed by Christian Louboutin.

Barbie in Chanel style tweed.

And one very iconic Christian Dior dress.

But these have to be my favourites. Slightly predictably they are both pink and floral. The book comes with a few lovely illustrations like the one on the right.

I have an admission: I am a Barbie shoe addict.

I collected them even after I stopped making stories with the dolls themselves. My local (now long gone) toystore used to stock packs of six pairs and I loved it when a new one came in. There are over 200 pairs there.

Here's the classic shape in some of my favourite colour variations that was the norm when my sister and I were very little indeed.

I thought I'd share some of my other favourites and see if the styles made it into my adult wardrobe!

The sparkly ones:

Indeed my love of sparkly shoes has prevailed. My very first pair of heels (above) were bought sneakily in New Look and hidden in my wardrobe. This is very unlike me behaviour so I must have really loved them, my mum just laughed and was pleased for me when I told her! She's so lovely, I also once came home with (temporary) purple bits in my hair and she said 'good for you' then.
The ones that didn't make it:

I'm really not into shoes without a back now, I don't think I own any.
The floral wedge

The lace up bootie

Best shoe style ever me thinks.
The boots

Worked brilliantly with Barbies outfits but I've never found a grown up sized one I loved. 2 to make a pair would be even nicer.. ;)
The ladylike high heels

The 3D flower

I think these were my very favourites for a long while. It's the kind of shoe I admire in a magazine but not on my feet.
The practical ones

Well these Chanel shoes fit the bill now, but I don't feel the same about the above ones with brown trim anymore. My shoe collection in general has left behind the practical styles too.

Early signs of the madness I think.

Did you have a Barbie, and what was the best bit-clothes, shoes or bags?

And, readers, what lovely things did you get for Christmas?

Tis the season to be sparkly

I can't believe it's so near Christmas! Despite it being tomorrow- this term's just gone really quickly I've been enjoying everything so much. :)

I volunteered to take charge of the tree this year and instead of the usual mish-mash of colours went for a pink and silver theme.

I made the angel on top a few years ago and my parents won't let me replace it!
And it's a little tradition for pigs to protect the presents from the days when I would be extremely hyper right now, but I guess there's still a few hours for me to stop being sleepy- my last childhood Christmas!

I will be doing a post tomorrow involving my little guinea pigs and Christmas hats, but I hope you all have a very lovely Christmas! :D But while sparkly things are very nice do think about the real meaning of Christmas, I know it's a cliche but it is still important. Merry Christmas everyone!

All wrapped up

Today has been a rather stressful day for my mum, as I have been wrapping presents! I'm very happy making things pretty with ribbons, but apparently my (lack of) wrapping skills are cause for concern. But I just love giving things and that includes the presentation. I'm a perfectionist in so many things, but still presents look a little scruffy round the edges despite earnest efforts. Along that theme, I drew my Luella bow hair clip toay:
So are my readers messy wrappers or neat ones?

That sparkly feeling

Although incredibly sleepy I am feeling much better than I have done the last few days. :)
So it's time to get all sparkly for the British Style Bloggers Christmas party! Here's a set with my inspiration. Outfit coming tomorrow.

The Christmas Gifts Hunt

As well as indulging in a little Luella spree I managed to find some very lovely gifts at Bicester Village which I can't wait to give!
They have over 120 stores, and to help you find the perfect present they've made an online gift guide which I love because of the fabulous illustrations for the 24 personalities (I'm guessing I'm whichever one a certain brand beginning in 'L' is under). Under each type there are some gift ideas and a list of ideal shops, they even mark these shops on a map for you to print off. And even better you can hand in your map at the visitor centre to win £500 and £250 gift cards, or lunch for 4 people on your next trip: think of all the Luella you could buy with that... *ahem* (Must not get distracted with Luella- NO I'm not obsessed and desperate to go back already!!). My top shops for gifts are Cath Kidston for lovely little girly presents and pretty house hold items, Accessorise for fun Christmas decorations and accessories, The Cosmetics Company store for gorgeous gifts from the likes of MAC, Dior has beautiful jewellery for very special presents and the new Phaidon book store (whose arrival my dad is very impressed with). And speaking of men; browsing round a few menswear stores there are some lovely ties and such- my favourites were in D&G, as I know someone who rather loves a bit of tweed.

Whoops- oh yes, you can find the gift guide here: http://giftguide.bicestervillage.com/ :D

Bunny Christmas

I'm loving these Topshop charity Christmas cards by the fabulous Fifi Lapin- my favourite bunny in Luella.
Charities benefited are Age Concern, Help the Aged, Teenage Cancer Trust and Fashion Targets breast Cancer (FTBC).
Find them online here or in your local store and get some festive bunny cheer.