Having heard murmurings about Nelly.com, on Twitter and in blog posts, I was curious to see what the buzz was all about. I started by clicking on 'New In' (a good a place as any) and was first struck by the accessories. This came as no surprise to me as I go through shopping phases and I'm currently in the thick of an accessories phase.

This isn't to say other item didn't catch my eye. I can assure you they did. They have been stored in my brain under 'for future reference'.

The accessories...

As the weather warms I start to wear bangles and bracelets more frequently. This is just a small selection of the ones that made me say "oh... that's nice"



Of course I don't need anymore bags, but that has never stopped me 'looking'. They have a fantastic range, to cover every handbag eventually (I mean, who DOESN'T need a silver clutch bag?!).



Have been and said 'hello' to Nelly yet? She is ever so lovely.

Be careful what you wish for. That's what my Mum used to tell me, but this wish could have a rather sparkly ending, if luck happens to be on my side.

I read about a facebook competition run by Ernest Jones on Is This Real Life? All you have to do is 'like' their Facebook page, create a wishlist and submit it to enter. You could win one of your chosen items. So, I set about creating my wishlist, using the Ernest Jones Facbook App. I selected five of my favourite items (it wasn't easy keeping it to just five!) and submitted my list to enter the competition.

I knew that a Michael Kors watch would be one of my chosen five as one has been on my wishlist for a while. Once on the site I found this rose gold and white bracelet watch. I am smitten.


Next up, I checked out the bracelets. All of these are invited to my arm party...


Lastly, the lure of the rings (not to be confused with the lord, my precious) couldn't be ignored any longer. I have a bit of a thing for rose gold, and for unusual rings. Oh, and diamonds too... (call me a walking cliché if you must, I can handle it).

Now I just have to cross my fingers... someone has to win.

Which five items would you choose?

All images from Ernest Jones

Oh my! Oh my, oh my, oh my....

Thanks to a tweet from Katie (thank you Katie!) I was alerted to the fact that Louboutins are now available to buy online.

What followed was several hours of browsing and day dreaming, just enough time to select my three favourites.

My friend's recent wedding reception had a black and white theme and, to my surprise, I had little in my wardrobe to fit the bill. I didn't want to go all black and definitely didn't want to go all in white, so I went looking for something with a bit of a pattern. Being a bit of a patternphobe I tend to stick to block colour but this rope chain print Oasis dress from Very wasn't too scary.


I've had this bag forever, I found it in a reduced bin in Warehouse for £3.00 eons ago. It's the sort of thing that comes out when something a little eveningish is required. I painted my nails with my current crush - Rimmel I love Lasting Finish Nail Polish in 270 Hot Shot - to keep my outfit from being entirely monochrome.


I wore my new Rockalily Vintage Vixen lippy (a panic purchase when I heard that Rockalily lipsticks were soon to be no more). This is just one coat which gives a subtle colour, this is my favourite brand of lippy, the colours are long lasting and vibrant - perfect for pale skin, it's super hydrating and smells like cake. I can't believe that once it's gone, it's gone!

Have you ever been to a themed wedding?

For that past two weeks I have been using L'Oréal's new EverStrong shampoo, conditioner and mask. The EverStrong range is designed 'for fragile and brittle hair', which pretty much summed up my locks - I almost typed 'tresses' but that implies a head of glorious, long bouncy hair which mine definitely wasn't...

I washed my hair every other day using both the shampoo and conditioner, substituting the conditioner once a week for the Nourishing Intense Mask.

Do you ever come across a blog post that crystallises something that you'd been pondering?

This happened when I read Alex's recent post.

I had intended to enter Ceri's ethical fashion competition (I broke my camera and missed the deadline) and had been trying to define what ethical fashion means to me. Reading Alex's post made me think 'Yes! Exactly!'. From there the whole thing started to drop into place.

For me, ethical fashion is about more than just buying ethical brands, it's about buying less and choosing well, altering or making clothes and buying second hand where possible, but most importantly making the most of what I already have.

Now, I have to hold my hands up to buying things in the past that I've only worn a few times - cheap, fashion items that fulfilled a momentary need and poorly considered items that just didn't 'fit' my wardrobe. But, with my wardrobe challenges, I'm trying to address this. I want to make the most of every piece of clothing that hangs in my wardrobe, I want to know how to style each piece in numerous ways and make it, as Alex says, 'earn it's keep'.

For me early 2011 was about deciding what stayed in my wardrobe and what didn't (Wearing It All). Later on in the year I went shopping to fill a few gaps and put each piece through its paces with the Shopping My Wardrobe challenge.

So far, 2012 has been about buying less and choosing well. I have to admit that (and this will sound contradictory) I purchased numerous items in March but this is part of a larger plan - I have a list of what I think I need to complete my wardrobe and a few pieces to update it, to see me through to Autumn. So, I expect my clothing purchases to significantly diminish over the coming months.

I have yet to find my thrifting mojo so I have turned to eBay and ASOS Marketplace instead but I have relied on the high street for most purchases. What I find frustrating about the high street is not being able to find an independent report on who does well, who exceeds expectations and who fails miserably in regards to ethical matters. I guess I'm being lazy, I want a quick reference guide handed to me on a plate. If anyone knows of one...

I have to be honest and say that ethical fashion brands have yet to grab me, a lot of what I have seen is either 'not me' or out of my price range, if you'd like to introduce me to some ethical fashion brands then please do. I'll happily have my opinion changed on this particular subject.

As I said the first time I entered Ceri's ethical fashion competition - 'my ethical fashion credentials are a work in progress'.

What does ethical fashion mean to you?