Sorely Tempted

I receive far too many email updates and newsletters from online stores. Every day, a little bit of temptation drops into my inbox. Earlier, I was informed of a revamp at shopbop.com, so off I went for a look around. As if I hadn't already looked at enough shoe boots this week, I found these twee little granny boots with 70% off - and, in my size! I love pointy brogue boots, but should I really be preparing for winter already? Am I only tempted because of the discount?

Diane von Furstenburg bootie - $795 -> $238.50

Then I came across this beautiful beaded tunic from Antik Batik, with 50% off. Again, I am sorely tempted. It's so pretty, but not in an in your face, full on sparkle-fest, bling bling way. It's an awkward length for me (like most tunics) ...could I get away with wearing it as a dress? Or could I tuck it into a high-waisted skirt?

Antik Batik tunic - $547 -> $273.50

...And off to net-a-porter, the biggest online source of desire and heart-break. Here are 3 items new in this week which caught my eye. Firstly, this insane almost scary looking pair of heels from Guiseppe Zanotti. Call me crazy, but when I first saw them they reminded me of the Mighty Boosh Black Frost character. Something to do with the sinister spike shapes and the black ice sparkles.

Guiseppe Zanotti - £890

Then, something less dramatic but equally desirable. These monochrome Louboutins are quite simply gorgeous. I can think of loads of outfits I'd pair them with. Not quite as pricey as the Zanottis, but still too expensive for me to feel comfortable buying.

Christian Louboutin - £620

Finally, a really unique, eye-catching blouse from a label I've not come across before. Willow are the makers of this chiffon delight. I can't decide whether I love it or just think it's plain odd, but the colour is lovely and the layers of chiffon petals add a special touch to the piece.

Willow - £310

all images from shopbop and net-a-porter

Cropped

Way back in January I made a snarky comment about crop tops becoming terribly fashionable again, as part of the wider 90's vibe that seems to be hanging around at the moment. Little did I know that I would actually succumb to the trend. But how could I resist such a delicately beaded, sheer peach crop top? I don't think I've ever owned anything peach/blush/nude coloured, but I've actually enjoyed styling this top and have worn it on several occasions in the two weeks since I bought it. Today I wore the top with black clothing and red accessories. The box bag I painted and decorated myself. When it was plain I never used it, but now I love it. Having done this I then customised my shoes to match. I'm a mega matchy-matchy person, I just couldn't help myself. A little bit of a risqué outfit, but thoroughly fun to wear!

Shoes (Office), top (Topshop), skirt (Topshop), braces (Primark).

Make-up shot - I risked the possibility of looking like I've been punched/not slept by using a pinky red eyeshadow (its actually blusher). Silver eyeshadow at the lower lash line and a dark red lipstick, which was actually much darker than the photo indicates.

Shhoo-boots

It may be mid-summer, but the magazines and shops are gradually filling up with autumn/winter gear. I saw the red and black Gucci boots (below right) a few days ago and have been dreaming of winter footwear ever since. I'm much more of a winter girl than summer anyway. These are just some of the many shoes and boots getting me excited about colder weather......

boots 1 by Nailsbeast featuring Gucci shoes

boots 2 by Nailsbeast featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

Spotted

When I told my mum I'd bought a top with giraffes on it, she was shocked to envisage her daughter in some sort of safari scene souvenir t-shirt. Alas, I am not the kind of girl to wear ironically bad taste 80's t-shirts, instead, my giraffe print top is a wonderfully spotted black and white vest, with barely visible giraffes. They're there if you look closely, but from a distance, they are cleverly camouflaged into the print. I wouldn't normally pair such a busy print top with such a stand out skirt, but I was feeling a little peculiar today. Blame it on the giraffes.

Shoes (New Look), cardigan (Topshop), vintage skirt, vest (Religion)

Geisha

I tend to get lots of comments on my hair, either on the blog or in real life. One recurring comment is that I resemble a geisha girl, which isn't exactly the look I go for, but I am happy to resemble one anyway. This rather dull snippet of information about me provides the perfect excuse to post these gorgeous photos, from Numero magazine. I am working on getting a beautiful hair comb to jazz up my hairstyles, but am yet to find the perfect one. These images are making me want a more elaborate, dangly even, hair comb....

images from here

Piqué

A few weeks ago I mentioned I had bought two new antique brooches, the first of which was my beetle brooch, who I introduced to the world here. The second of the brooches is this example of Victorian tortoiseshell pique work. Pique refers to the technique of inlaying gold or silver into the torstoiseshell, by means of pressing a heated rod of the precious metal into the tortoiseshell, thus metling it slightly. The tortoiseshell then hardens around the precious metal as it cools. The results are amazingly refined and detailed. My brooch only showcases a small example of pique work, but much larger, more elaborate examples can be found. Good quality Victorian tortoiseshell is always in demand, and its increasingly difficult to find good examples in undamaged pique work, so I feel quite lucky to have found this brooch at a very good price (if you're interested in seeing more examples....earrings, brooch, pendant, coin purse and journal, more earrings).

Britain is going through a bit of heatwave at the moment, which means I can happily wear my favourite summer sandals. I purchased them last year, when they successfully kept my feet cool and looking pretty. I also wore my fringe top, which doesn't get nearly enough wear, and accessorised with plenty of long beaded necklaces. Todays bag is one of my most favourite vintage pieces ever. It is a c.1920's black velvet bag with gold thread work in the form of the Taj Mahal. Its kinda kitsch, but the detail is incredible and I love it!

Shoes (Bruno Premi), vintage bag, trousers (H&M), top (H&M),

Make-up shot below - I always wanted to be able to do mad black and white 60's eyemake-up (you know, like this)...but everytime I try, I fail. I think my eyes are too small to carry it off properly, but I'll keep practicing and eventually get something with more oomph than this.