Education, Education, Education.

So, I finally watched An Education the other day (such a great film) and I've just been dreaming about the fashion / beauty / general aesthetics of it since:

Image Source: Sony Classics

I want to pretend to be French again and run away to Paris, dwelling in French jazz bars, hair pinned up, mouth red, pallor porcelain, feet adorned with an elegant heel, frame draped with refulgent jacquard dresses.

Paris, je t'aime; je vais revenir bientôt, je te promets.

Pretty patchwork.

I seldom wear jeans, but this skinny Asos pair, £30, could break me of that habit:

Image Source: Asos

Properly skinny (I hate all these skinny jeans that come up baggy), in a delicate spring shade, and individualised with patchwork detailing  -  so desirable.

Win an Urban Outfitters goodybag.

If you're a fan of Urban Outfitters and have committed a seriously heinous fashion faux pas (let's face it, who hasn't?), then enter yourselves into the competition run by blogger The Very Simon G in a collaboration with the brand for a chance to win one of two goodybags up for grabs. There's one boy bag and one girl bag and each are worth £200. Simply email pictures or a description of your worst fashion faux pas by the end of March to the following address: theverysimong@hotmail.co.uk

Sex and the City, anyone?

If you can't wait till May for your next Sex and the City fix, purchase a pair of fold-up pumps, £45, from online retailer Redfoot in one of the four designs inspired by Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda respectively.

As an aspiring journalist who frequently buys Vogue instead of dinner and has her very own Mr Big, I have naturally ordered a Carrie pair:

 Image Source: Redfoot

On an unrelated note, come pay day, I plan to purchase these Topshop leggings, £18  -  delightfully nude, romantically rouched, these would be a perfect spring / summer '10 staple:

 Image Source: Topshop

Style suggestion: Team with a white or neutral tunic and Doc Martens or clogs for daytime; pair with a nude lace body, embellished shrug / cropped jacket, and pretty pumps (e.g. the above Carrie pair) for sweet summer nights.

Recent skincare additions.

Just thought that I'd share two excellent products that I have recently included in my skincare regime:

1. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm  -  All Skin Types, 125ml, £19.

This product is perfect for the efficient removal of stubborn make-up, including long-wearing foundation, sunscreen and waterproof mascara, rendering this product a necessity for summer beauty. Use as a pre-cleanser.

Directions: Take a large pea-sized amount on one finger, rub with another finger so that the balm begins to melt into a silky fluid oil, then sweep and massage all over the face; remove with either a cotton pad or warm water. Follow-up with your usual cleanser.

Image Source: Clinique

2. Lancôme Exfoliance Clarté  -  For Normal and Combination Skin, 100ml, £26.50.

This gel-based product consists of white wax micro-beads, ultra-fine grains, and pineapple and papaya extract. The result is a gentle yet thoroughly effective exfoliator that smells wonderful and leaves skin radiant.

Directions: After cleansing, massage onto wet skin using gentle circular motions. Rinse off with warm water followed by a splash a of cold to tighten pores. Finish with your usual toner and moisturiser. Use once or twice per week.

Image Source: Lancôme

Latest lust-have.

If anybody feels the urge to buy me a present any time soon, please look no further than these truly beautiful and utterly mesmerising Alexander McQueen digital jellyfish-print leggings, £375:

Image Source: Net-a-Porter

If my size is still available in a month's time, I'm so buying these with the next student loan instalment  -  I'll just live off cereal and miso soup for a few weeks, no big deal.

The clog.

Since its rebirth via the spring / summer '10 Chanel runway, the clog has been causing contention in the fashion world.

Image Source: Chanel

For some, the mere mention of the shoe instantly conjures Dutch milkmaid / '60s hippie connotations, while others simply find the shoe downright ugly.

Personally, however, I find the shoe evokes a certain charm: the innocent simplicity of the materials (sylvan wood and leather) and palette (earthy tones) appeals during a period of recession, yet sex appeal can still be attained when worn properly  -  I'll be wearing mine in the summer with tanned dewy legs, tiny denim shorts and an oversized white shirt. As for which particular pair I'll be wearing, it's got to be this beautifully-made yet reasonably-priced pair from Jones Bootmaker, £65 (also available in taupe):

 Image Source: Jones Bootmaker

Nail-biting solution.

Okay, so I've always had a problem with my nails in that I bite them terribly (in addition to all the surrounding skin, cuticles, etc.). I've tried Stop'n Grow to no avail as well as painting my tiny talons pretty colours for aesthetic motivation, only to chomp off all the polish imminently.

However, I may have managed to cure this addiction of mine once and for all. You see, two days ago, I managed to secure myself a bottle of Chanel Le Vernis in "Particulière" (bought at face value, may I add), otherwise known as the "it" polish of the season, following in the footsteps of last season's "Jade". 48 hours later and I have bitten neither a nail nor a fleck of polish (think of the cost-factor implicit in the incessant re-application)  -  understand that I have previously never lasted more than about an hour.

There is never a single cure for addiction; everyone must find their own personal method. For me, as a fashion and beauty junkie, I guess it took something elusive and exclusive to quit my habit. All may go downhill tomorrow, but I'm hoping that I will soon be blessed with non-mangled nails that are enjoyed by so many already.

PS: Happy Mothers' Day, people!