Le (Fitness) Freak, C'est Chic!

1. 3 Pack Trainers Socks, £6.99, H&M 2. Nike Allure Sports Bra, £30, Nike 3. Nike Epic Lux Printed Running Tights, £80, Nike 4. Nike Pro Hyperwarm Fitted Half Zip Shirt, £40, JD Sports 5. Nike Elite Storm Fit Running Gloves, £9.99, TK Maxx 6. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31 Womens Running Shoes, £68.62, Direct Sports 7. Nike Modern Tempo Shorts, £30, JD Sports
After all the excitement of Christmas and New Years, I'm probably not the only one thinking that it might be time to re familiarise myself with that gym place I last remember visiting some time in November. January is a great time to do it because you have the momentum of new years resolutions behind you, as well as lots of other people thinking exactly the same thing!
One way to get yourself motivated to get out there is to invest in some new sports wear. Even the thought of heading out for a run at this time of year in summer's cropped leggings and tank tops is enough to make me declare I'm going back into hibernation mode! Which is why a new pair of long leggings, a long sleeve top (with reflective bits so cars don't run me over) and some fancy new socks will hopefully motivate me to reach the rather ambitious fitness targets I have set for the year.

Best Dressed 2014: Mira Duma

2014 has seen lots of trends come and go, and with them comes a whole host of clothes horses, ready to ping up at the world's biggest shows, draped head to toe in the most chic looks.
Someone who is perhaps most representative of this phenomena is Russian writer and fashionista, Miroslava Duma.
Throughout the year she has graced fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, London and New York with her sophisticated looks, always looked primped and primed to perfection with an outfit which screams elegance.
Her petite frame topped with a chic bob (which has even got me considering the chop!) and finished off with an effortlessly pulled together look never fails to impress. From the electric blue suit worn during LFW, to those burgundy culottes and the powder pink shift, her credentials as a street style expert have definitely been cemented this year.
Add to this her staples of a framed bag and essential courts, and we definitely have a fashionista who has well and truly earned her stripes this year.
Who's style have you been digging in 2014?

Biggest Trends 2014

Certain beauty trends arrive for one season, and then fly away never to be seen again until you audit your Facebook page in a few years time, declare "What was I thinking?!", and delete it never to be seen again. Other trends though, have a bit more staying power and really are built to last.
2014 had it's fair share of both, but here are the ones which I particularly enjoyed trying out this year, even if it'll be the first and last time they crop up!
1. Gold tattoos
Temporary tattoos tend to come up around festival season, but this year they arrived with a twist, and it was gold. Perfect for a festival or for a holiday, these might be around for a little while more.
2. Balayage highlights
Balayage refers to hand painted highlights leaving a naturally sun kissed look in your hair, notably sported by Victoria's Secret models and Kardashians alike. The benefits are that it looks incredibly natural, and needs little to no upkeep. Personally, I'm sold!
3. Kylie Jenner lips
Kylie Jenner's ever inflating lips were a big talking point of 2014 to say the least, with the 90s inspired over-drawn style becoming a look everyone wanted to get. Agreed the colour is a universally flattering one, but overdrawn lips might not stick around forever.
4. The return of the midriff
Midriffs came back with vengeance this year, just not quite as extreme as it was back in the 90s. If done in the right way this can be great, so hopefully we'll see more of it next year.
5. Stiletto nails
Out were horrid square tips, and in were the pointy-est of spikes. Oval is my shape of choice, and if worn with a nude colour can look pretty sophisticated, just make sure your points aren't too long or you risk coming across as a bit Edward Scissorhands!
What were your favourite trends of the year?

Pantone Colour of the Year: Marsala

1. Nars Blush in Seduction, £21.50, Look Fantastic 2. OPI, Opi Scores a Goal, £7.95, Nail Polish Direct 3. Mac Lipstick in Amorous, £15.50, Mac 4. Topshop Lipstick in Boardroom, £8, Topshop 5. Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Pomegranate Pink, $6.99, Maybelline 6. NYX Lip Liner in Ever, £3.50, NYX 7. Stila Eye Shadow in Twig, £12, Beauty Bay 8. Deobrah Lippmann nail varnish in Lady is a Tramp, £16, Look Fantastic
Around this time of year Pantone likes to announce their prediction for the colour of the year, and this year the colour in question is Marsala.
No, it's not a curry, but rather an earthy brown-red colour with warm undertones. It translates across both interiors and fashion, however it's not the first time this particular shade has been en vogue for beauty. By all accounts 90s beauty is having a big revival this season, and if Marsala is anything to go by it looks like a trend which will continue into 2015.
The best thing about this colour is the various iterations it can come in. To try something more subtle a brown-pink toned lipstick like Mac's Amorous is a good starting point. Or dab some of Maybelline's Colour Tattoo in Pomegranate onto the outer corners of your eyes for a bolder look.

Dear Santa... Luxury Christmas Wish List

Christmas is a time when gift guides spring up from all of your favourite brands featuring limited editions, fancier packaging, and versions of your favourite products dipped in gold. If you're not eating something naughty, you're definitely unwrapping something a little bit fancier than you'd typically treat yourself to.
So weather you're treating yourself after a long day Christmas shopping for other people, or thing someone special deserves a little luxury treat, here's a little bit of inspiration for how to spoil someone this Christmas.

1. Tom Dixon Set of 3 Scented Candles, £75, Selfridges 2. Layla leather and rose gold-tone headphones, £130, Netaporter 3. Anya Hindmarch Textured-Leather Pouch, £135, Netaporter  4. Kate Spade Seriously Darling iPhone 5 Case, £25.43, Revolve 5. Bobbi Brown Warm Glow Eye Palette, £59, Bobbi Brown 6. Mulberry Bow Clutch Wallet, £495, Selfridges 7. Charlotte Tilbury Mini Lipstick Charms, £29, Charlotte Tilbury 8. The Nails Inc Alexa Collection, £45, Selfridges 9. Kate Spade Good as Gold Bangle, £65, Selfridges

Trend Spotting: Novelty Phone Cases

Hotdog iPhone 5 Case, £12, Asos Moschino Teddy Bear Case, £31.62, FarFetch Moschino Fries Case, £45, Selfridges Stella McCartney Red Lips Case, £40, Liberty Skinny Dip Popcorn Case, £22, Selfridges Moschino Dream Phone Case, £45, Selfridges
Novelty phone cases seem to be everywhere at the moment after Moschino sent their models down the run way clutching fries phones to their ears last spring. Since then a whole line of these garish looking objects have sprung up taking the shape of anything from geese to Barbie style vanity mirrors, teddy bears and pandas. 
Gimmicky accessories seem to be the look du jour, with both Chanel's supermarket theme and Anya Hindmarch's biscuit and cereal inspired offering developing lives of their own.
And even if you're not ready to lug a goose about in your purse, there are toned down iterations of all of these trends across the high street. New Look are loving the novelty bags for next spring, and Asos can sort you out with a hotdog phone case if that's your bag.
Will you be adopting any of these ostentatious accessories any time soon? 

The Christmas Party Problem... Solved!

1. Black Metal Cuff Barely There Sandals, £75, River Island 4. Olivia Burton Gold Bracelet Watch, £95, Asos 5. Lace Insert Dress, £45, Next,  2. Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Red Carpet Red, £23, Charlotte Tilbury 3. Love Potion Bag, £40, Aldo @ Asos
The date has been booked into your calendar since mid-October, and that date which seemed ages away is now alarmingly close... Yes, it's Christmas party season! Whilst it's exciting to have a night of fun and frolics with your co-workers to look forward to, there's always the problem of just what should you wear. You don't want to look too done up, but let's face it this is the one night of the year where your colleagues have the opportunity to see you without a dribble of coffee down running down your lip and a palm mark on your chin from where you've been resting on it all day.
So how should you play it? Accessories can be your best friend here to transform yourself from 9-5er to late-nighter. Stick with a basic shape dress in an understated colour (blacks and navys work well) but layer on the glitz with a box clutch (these quirky shapes are everywhere at the minute), some gold wrist wear and your favourite pair of black pumps (the ones you're very practised at dancing the night away in!)
But the one thing you need to top your look off is a flash of red lippy. Charlotte Tilbury is the epitome of classy lip colour at the moment; the formula will last all night so "Red Carpet Red" is well worth the investment.
How are you coping with the Christmas party problem this year?

Trend Spotting: The Camel Coat

Is it me or has it now reached that point where last year's coat need to be resurrected from the back of the wardrobe? Goodbye leather jacket, you were good while you lasted but it's now time to bring in the serious winter weather gear.
Traditionally this is the point where I visit every retailer to desperately try and find something I can wear with everything in my wardrobe and has sleeves which reach to my wrist rather than my knees (why is this so difficult?!). Typically this process is futile and I end up returned disheartened to my old faithful black number (which could really do with an update this year!)
But this year I have a feeling I'm on to a winner. Every which direction I turn there seems to be someone very chic looking with a camel coat draped over their shoulders and I might just have to get myself in on the action. Easy to wear with jeans, a jumper, a dress, boots, heels or flats, one of these might just be making it's way into my wardrobe very soon!
Are you in on the camel coat trend and where's yours from?

Trend Spotting: Destroyed Denim

Destroyed denim has been a huge trend this AW, adopted by celebrities and bloggers and the high street alike. As demonstrated above, it's a hugely versatile look which can go from sporty to smart and everything in between My favourite look from above is sported by Olivia Palermo (second from the right.) She's teamed a classic indigo pair of skinnies with just a small bit of fraying at the knee with some lace up heels and a high neck blouse for a really chic look which is super easy to emulate. Try contrasting some super skin tight skinnies with a large overcoat or roll neck jumper to stay warm, or dress the look down with a pair of crisp white trainers and leather jacket; there's definitely a way that this look at fit into anyone's wardrobe. Have you adopted the destroyed denim look this season, and just how shredded have you gone?

5 Irresistible Festive Recipes

Christmas is the perfect excuse to get back in touch with your inner Martha Stewart (or discover one you never knew you had!) So step aside, don your apron, prepare the oven gloves and give a few of these tantalisingly good recipes a try just in time for the big day.

And even if you're so NOT the baking type, wave a few of these in front of someone who is and who knows what magical might just appear before your eyes (hopefully without any cringe "Expectation vs. Reality" results!)

1. Double Peppermint Crunch Bark

Now I'm not all that familiar with "bark" bar pictures I've seen on Pinterest, but from what I can gather it's melted chocolate with bits of other stuff chucked in. This one has peppermint, M&Ms, and white chocolate and is super quick and easy to make; win win!

2. Tiny Gingerbread Houses 

Now there's three words which belong together, and look how cute. How did I not realise before now that gingerbread would be 10,000 times better in the form of a tiny house sitting on the rim of my mug?! You might need a steady hand for this one, but the results are adorbs!

3. Cranberry Orange Frangipane Tart 

Finally something a bit more sophisticated, a frangipane tart is a favourite no matter what the season, but this festive twist with cranberry and orange looks irresistible (add a big fat blob of cream on the side and it'll be perfect!)

4. GingerDoodle Cookies 

Do I know what a ginger doodle is? Do you know what a ginger doodle is? Does anyone know what a ginger doodle is? But my god, look how warm and soft and gooey it looks. Santa definitely needs one of these left out for him on Christmas eve! (Although how he'll get back up the chimney I'll never know.)

5. White chocolate Bûche de Noël 

A Buche de Noel is a French yule log, and those guys look like they know what they're doing with this one. Creamy, full of cranberries and smothered with white chocolate, it's one to indulge in.

Are you baking anything special this Christmas, or just enjoying the spoils like me?!