How To...Make Valentine's Day Last All Year

Vday! - by Ms M on Polyvore.com

I love Valentine's day, ridiculously so! I celebrate it like a complete nerd; I make heart shaped cookies, add red food colouring to everything I cook, wear pink nails, blow my money on the sexiest lingerie and indulge myself in as many rom coms as my stomach can physically handle (there's only so many times you can watch Pretty Woman in a row)

But lots of people say that Valentines is a sham, created by Hallmark, that its stupid and childish; and to those people I say loud and clear "Get a life", but there is one thing that I do agree with - you shouldn't limit Valentines to just one day! Here are my tips on making Valentines day last all year round:

- You never ever need a reason to bake heart shaped cookies
- Ditto spending insane amounts of money in Ann Summers
- Loveheart sweets are the perfect silly little gift to let a partner or friend know that you're thinking about them
- Scour the Internet for ideas for perfect romantic dates
- Buy red roses...for yourself
- Pink fluffy handcuffs look great as a decorative feature hanging on a bedroom wall; sexy and tongue in cheek!
- Writing cute little love notes to boyfriends, friends, family,...strangers....
- Buy as much pink crap as you can: earrings, nail polishes, Post-its, folders, lipsticks, toothbrushes, highlighters, cupcakes, umbrellas, ANYTHING!
- Two words: Dirty. Dancing

So get romantic!

XOXO


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Lions and Tigers and Scares, OH MY!

I am so excited about tomorrow. Baby, I'm going to see the new remake of Friday 13th...on Friday 13th!! Call me a nerd, but I booked my tickets extra early so that I wouldn't miss the opening night ;)


fright night! - by Ms M on Polyvore.com

So just a hint, horror films have date night written all over them; pretend to be frightened and snuggle into your bf's arms. Tehee, that will keep the ghoulies away...

XOXO

Woo Britannia!

I am knackered. Completely, utterly and insanely knackered. I don't do sleeping on planes (I'm a self confessed sleep-drooler, public sleeping = definite no no) so I am suffering from the inevitable holiday fatigue.


Milan! - by Ms M on Polyvore.com

Milan was not all I thought it was going to be. A little bit grotty, a little bit dirty and definitely not as vibrant as my beloved London; for a supposed fashion capital of the world the people sure played it safe, fashion wise! I was expected a little more luxury, a little more creative; oh well, I'll just blame the rain!

Being the hardcore fashion mistress that I am, a stroll around the Milan boutiques was a must, and it truly was heaven on toast though; some people say it's torture to riffle through clothes that you will probably never be able to afford but its an aspiration for me, a goal, if you will... And couture is so pretty! Chanel was definitely the most significant shop for me, because I am a die hard Coco fan (complete and utter legend)and Dior was amazing (I saw a flash of red gingham there, an up coming summer trend perhaps?) I was actually surprised at how friendly the shop assistants were, none of them scowled at a young (slightly tatty) 18 year old girl wandering the rails with no obvious method of payment. There were very friendly and made me fall just that little bit more in love with high fashion.

Obviously I didn't come home with a new Chanel handbag or Versace ball gown, but Ms M's funds did manage to stretch to... a little Agent Provocateur lingerie. That's right, Ms M...is now an AP girl! I swear to god, I was practically trembling when the shop assistant handed over the shiny pink paper bag to me, is that a little strange?! But I am the biggest Agent Provocateur fan and to be able to own one of their pieces, to be able to put it on and call myself and AP girl; a dream come true. I love Agent Provocateur for many, many a reason, the main of which is the fact that they make it okay to be sexy; it has the message that it's not about fulfilling a man's fantasy but your own. It's about the fantasy, turning sex into a performance and offering escapism into this glamorous world where you are the headline star. Every girl deserves to feel like a burlesque sex pot at one point in her life.

Another amazing highlight was going to see Da Vinci's Last Supper. It. Was. HUGE! A mural covering a whole wall, it was breath-takingly intricate. I was actually pretty emotional at the thought of being so connected with such an iconic item of history; I was looking at something that was once touched by Mr Leonardo himself. Call me a nerd, but don't you think that's just a little bit amazing?!

The greatest thing about holidays though is coming home and realising how much you missed it. England, I do love you so.

And unfortunetly, because Ms M is known for her clumsiness, she was not trusted with a digital camera so had to make do with disposable ones :(

Will try to scan the photos in once they're developed!

And yeah,and in Italian Vogue, Daisy Lowe spread galooore; Gracias!

XOXO

Mambo Italiano

Well babes, Ms M is off to snowy Milan for five or so days; sightseeing, shopping, drooling outside the Miu Miu shop front (because I have no shame) and expect big write ups when I get back!

So be a doll and leave me some lovely comments to read when I get back, and as a parting present to you, I leave you with my latest creation


Ms M February - by Ms M on Polyvore.com

It's official. Im a Polyvore-whore

XOXO

My First Rule Of Thumb

Nothing gets to me more than an adolescent Jodie Foster, twelve year old showgirls and fake moustaches. I admit it; I'm a Bugsy Malone obsessed freak (and yes I do own the special edition "sing-a-long" DVD...)

But seriously, this film is an untapped fashion goldmine! My full respect to the costume designer because those barely teenaged girls seemed to possess more pulled together looks and a ton more femininity than I currently can boast of.

To anyone too lazy to watch it (shame on you!), I'll fill you in on Bugsy Malone Fashion 101.


Bugsy Malone - by Ms M on Polyvore.com

Set in the twenties, the fashion is all about luxury; whether its adorning your dressing table with ornate perfume bottles or splurging out on an envy-inducing compact. Grooming is essential in order to pull this look together so greasy unstyled hair and an un-made up face are big no nos; take time with your makeup in the morning and there is no greater sin than chipped nail polish (did you see Tallulah with chipped nail polish?! No?! Well there you go!) and remember nothing says flapper glamour more than excusing yourself to go powder your nose.

There are no bright, neon nu rave colours in the film so rock out instead with delicate creams, powdered blues, purples, pinks and pillar box red and match the delicate colour scheme with delicate fabrics. Hell to wash, but heaven to wear; chiffon, silks, satins and beaded details should all find ways to your wardrobe. Search vintage shops high and low for some authentic twenties jewelery, or scour the high street for some pendant drop earrings, cocktail rings and pearl necklaces (Topshop are dynamite for retro jewelry with a twist)

Hollywood star wannabe Blousey Brown wouldn't be caught dead without her heels, and neither should you; either work a basic black heel or a fabulously ornate and OTT heel (and perhaps some feet cushion pads for the heel backlash?)

It never hurt anyone to inject a little glamour into their wardrobes; even the most hardened of tomboys could work a little silk lingerie into their look, peeping stealthily out of their battered Levi's

XOXO

How To...Relive The 90's

Is it just me, or did everything seemed better when you were a child? For example, takeaways meant instant happiness instead of binging and later agonising about pockets of cellulite that you swore weren't there before; a long term relationship back then meant going out with a boy for a whole a week after you danced with him at the school disco; and of course it was the decade of some of the greatest television (Sabrina the Teenage Witch anyone?!) Even my packed lunch was better a decade ago, so last Friday me and some friends decided to have a 90's lunch picnic; a feast of pickled onion Monster Munch, Cheesestrings, pink wafers, Dairylea stackables and more additives and E numbers than an FDA's ban list.

Although my 90's throwback lunch caused some serious hyperactivity and a hideous sugar crash mid afternoon (sugar withdrawal may be even worse than PMS), it got me thinking about other ways in which to bring the 90's back into your everyday life and ways in which to convince yourself that your childhood isn't quite over yet:

-Watch Clueless five times in a row whilst devouring a tub of anything Ben&Jerry's
-Seven syllables: Clarissa Explains It All - a young Melissa Joan Hart was responsible for some of my most crazy and creative outfits of my eight year old wardrobe
-Embrace the grunge look with flannel plaid shirts, ribbed thigh high socks, pinafore dresses and fill your Ipod with vintage Nirvanna, Smashing Pumpkins and a bit of Courtney Love (and feel free to add a little smeared red lipstick now that you're all grown up)
-Youtube vintage episodes of Are You Afraid Of The Dark
-Scour Claire's Accessories for cheap and cheerfully kitsch earrings, necklaces and rings (extra points if you find pink fluffy hairbands a` la Britney Spears circa Hit Me Baby)


Born In the 90's - by Ms M on Polyvore.com

Maybe its best to just skip over the whole Pokemon trend though...

XOXO

AWOL Boyfriend Survival Kit

So Le boyfriend has left me. Not permanently, just for a week when he's in Paris (leaving me AND going to Paris! Not in my good books...)In order to help me cope, and for all the temporary widows out there, here is Ms M's AWOL Boyfriend Survival Kit

- Waay too much chocolate
- A good charity shop nearby, as thrifting is a good distraction
- Plenty of phone credit for all those "No you hang up" international calls
- DVD boxsets, particularly cheesy chick flicks and rom coms (in other words, things you wouldn't be able to watch with your boyfriend)
- Black nail polish because mourning can be stylish

XOXO


missing boyfriend :( by Ms M

End Of Those Mean Reds

So one exam done! I'd forgotten how stressful the whole exam process is - making sure all my pens worked, finding out where I was sitting, what my candidate number was, last minute cramming, trying to find a suitable exam outfit (unfortunately I opted to wear a cute, but slightly itchy embroidered black dress...bad move...), but I am oh so glad it's over!

And as promised, le boyfriend treated me to dinner and a movie so it was a very well-spent evening! I wore a cute little floral dress, grey cardigan, gold necklace and heavy eyeliner (very Daisy Lowe) We went to my favourite Mexican restaurant, where we talked, laughed and stuffed our faces and praised the quick service. Being a newly-turned 18 year old, I excitedly brought my I.D so that I could have my very first legal drink (buying a bottle of cherry Lambrini in the corner shop doesn't count...), but would you believe it, nobody asked for it! I swear, now that I'm eighteen I don't get I.D'ed for anything!! Grrr, oh well.

So, was a weekend well spent, and to all those currently revising and doing exams, I recommend lots of chocolate breaks

XOXO

[Don't] Let It Snow

I am officially BORED OF THE SNOW.

My inner eight year old is crying as I write this, but snow does not hold the same meaning for me as it used to. It used to mean snow ball fights, catching snowflakes with your tongue and laughing at my cat walk in the snow. But now? It means freezing my bum off at the train station, the fear of slipping over on the ice and not being able to wear any of my cute clothes because i am forced to wear "sensible" shoes (aka shoes actually with grip on the bottom) and bulky layers so I don't freeze to death.

So, in order to kill off my Scrooge-ness, I decided to shop around for some cute (and sensible) winter-appropriate clothes

This not only looks warm, it's also a killer 80's throwback (adore!)




To help cure the case of the winter pasties




This nubbly cardigan will look great with thick tights, a denim mini, a brightly coloured beret; whilst gentling nursing a giant steaming hot Starbucks latte

And this is a subtle hint to anyone wanting to run into my room at six in the morning, screaming "It's snowing!" Yes yes, it's beautiful and my inner eight year old is beside herself with glee, but my outer eighteen year old needs her beauty sleep..




XOXO

How To...Cope With Lady Things

I am currently writing this, bent over, pink fluffy water bottle on my tummy, five cushions to lean against and a huge bag of cheesy puffs in front of me. Gosh, I sure love periods (...)

Every month us ladies have to suffer (somewhat silently too - try telling a guy that you have period pains...most awkward) so I thought I would dedicate this post on how to make the time of the month a little more snuggley.

Here is my list of things to cheer you up when surfing the crimson wave
-investing in the fluffiest, brightest, most kitsch hot water bottle ever
-a big bar of Dairy Milk (it has been proven that chocolate eases period pains...as do bananas, but theyre not as fun)
-plenty of yoga to ease aches and pains, and a nice yoga mat to feel extra pampered
-a rich, majorly scented shower gel so you feel fresh all day long (Philosophy do some extremely cute ones, I'm in lust with their gingerbread range)
-get rid of huge, grey period pants and invest in some kitsch boy shorts (cute, but not dainty enough for any "accidents") - Primark normally do some great ones on the cheap

Time of the month :( by Ms M

Rejoice in all it means to be woman!

XOXO