READY FOR THE WEEKEND

What to wear when you clock off for the week? Dressing for downtime isn't easy - anything tailored looks too corporate and unless you're heading to the gym, a tracksuit looks too Kanye West.  My weekend wardrobe has been in need of some serious love of late; so last month I splashed out (oops) and invested in some casual essentials - my first pair of Vans, a pair of felt Converse high-tops and a new Saint James breton tee from Atterley Road. 

CHRISTMAS GIFT 2014 EDIT - PERSONALISED GIFTS

Personalised presents require that extra effort, but in return they offer a genius gifting solution. A monogrammed tote or an engraved necklace will make a thoughtful statement without breaking the bank or a fraught trip to Oxford Street. For affordable bespoke jewellery, my go-to is Anna Lou of London - I wear my monogram S necklace daily. Buying for a committed coffee consumer? [aka me - my chap and I have matching Keepcups!]  Then check out KeepCup – the first company to offer barista standard reusable cups. The best part? You can customise your KeepCup in colours of your choice, or gift a voucher to allow the recipient to choose their own – genius! Similarly, The Bathory offer the opportunity to invent your own bespoke bath soaks; I trialled the website earlier this year and it’s such a smart concept, plus the monochrome packaging is incredibly chic. A bespoke print makes the ideal choice for a new homeowner – my fellow blogger Victoria designs chic prints on request, available at her I Heart The Home Etsy store. Get your orders in this weekend to meet her Christmas delivery deadline!

Top row L- R: Reusable coffee cup, KeepCup, from £7. Monogram disc necklace, Anna Lou of London, from £54. Bespoke slipper service, Penelope Chilvers, POA. Middle row L-R: Maria Black gold plated + diamond engravable ring, Net-a-porter.com, £230. Willow monogrammed bag, Aurora Living, from £55. Wanderlust print, I Heart The Home etsy shop, £15. Bottom row L-R: Letter B tote, Alphabet Bags, £13. Customisable Nike Free Runs, Nike ID, £115. Bespoke bath soak, The Bathory, £18. 

OUTFIT POST: IN THE NAVY

It's been a while since I did an outfit post, so here's a look at one of the outfits I wore for the small handful of shows I attended during LFW. It was a quiet season for me because my summer was occupied with job hunting, so ticket requests took a backseat. Turns out, it's really enjoyable having a low-key schedule and I've also accepted an exciting new job working in fashion (I can't wait to share more on here when I get started!), so it was worthwhile sacrifice. 

I am in a navy mood at the moment, so expect to lots more of it on the blog this autumn/winter, starting with this sleeveless blazer...

WEARING ANNA LOU OF LONDON

As a blogger, there's no bigger buzz than when a brand you're a fan of gets in contact with a request to collaborate. I don't think I will ever become jaded about that aspect of the job. So when Anna Lou of London got in contact recently to ask me to be a brand ambassador, I was a super happy girl. For those of you unfamiliar with them, ALOL is a British jewellery brand which specialises in bespoke pieces. But unlike many jewellers, Anna Lou's monogrammed pieces are affordable, offering a luxe personalised touch at a great price. The brand also retails costume jewels in eye-popping brights manufactured in perspex for a kitsch-chic look. As a brand ambassador for ALOL I was tasked with picking five pieces from the site that reflected my personal style. 

VALENTINES COMPETITION: WIN AN ANNA LOU OF LONDON NECKLACE!

I'm really excited to be running my first ever blog competition, especially because it's in collaboration with a jewellery brand that I absolutely love: Anna Lou of London. To celebrate Valentines day, LFF & ALOL are giving away a chic 18kt rose gold plated handwritten 'Love' necklace. This is a super pretty piece, ideal for layering with fine chains - I'd love to keep it myself! Full product details can be found on the Anna Lou website here. To enter you will need to follow Anna Lou of London and LFF on Facebook & Twitter using the super-simple Rafflecopter ap below. Competition ends 14th Feb & I'll announce the winner the week after. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE LFF 2013 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR HER

I think the secret to picking the perfect the Christmas present is giving a gift the recipient would feel guilty purchasing for themselves. Frivolity is the key - life's fripperies and luxuries that whilst not necessities, make everything that little bit brighter. Aim to give the gift of luxury and you can't go wrong. This approach can work for all budgets, believe it or not. If you only have £10 to spend, buy a high-quality bar of chocolate, Amelia Rope's (no.4) come in gourmet flavours like rose and lime with sea salt. If you buy a pair of gloves, make them cashmere (no.8- Jaeger has a lovely range of cashmere this season), if you buy a nail polish, make it a Chanel (no.9) and if you purchase a piece of jewellery, bespoke or engraved pieces with a personal touch are guaranteed to thrill ( no.5, Anna Lou of London does affordable bespoke). My edit below has been selected with this luxury mantra in mind, hopefully santa reads La Fashion Folie because I'd love the whole lot!

1. Alphabet soy wax candle, ASOS, £4. 2. Paul and Joe Fairytale collection lipstick, ASOS, £14. 3. Dizzy Bee gold-plated earrings, Cinderela B, £35. 4. Amelia Rope Pale Rose chocolate bar, £6.25. 5. Gold plated name disc necklace, Anna Lou of London, £48. 6. Purple glitter iphone cover, Bobelle London, £30. 7. Rosie for Autograph silk teddy, Marks and Spencer, £36. 8. Cashmere gloves, Jaeger, £35. 9. Chanel nail polish in shade 'Taboo', £18, Selfridges. 10. Blue Iphis zip pouch, Liberty, £95. 11. Anya Hindmarch Gingerbread Man key fob, The Outnet, £64.60. 12. J. Crew Pablo crystal drop earrings, Net-a-porter.com, £100. 13. Chinti and Parker organic cotton heart print top, Net-a-porter.com, £100. 14. Lanvin grosgrain trimmed cosmetics case, Net-a-porter.com, £225. 15. Hillier bunny pendant, Astley Clarke, £995. 16. Jimmy Choo star print acrylic clutch, Net-a-porter.com, £625. 17. Crystal point toe mini heels, L K Bennett, £225. 

LFF OUTFITS: THE WAREHOUSE TUXEDO DRESS

The festive season is pretty much here, so when Warehouse kindly offered me a dress to review, I knew I needed a party-ready piece. If you are struggling to find you Christmas party dress, I recommend checking out Warehouse - I think their offering is one of the best on the high street this season. I picked the black tuxedo dress - I am all about minimal and simple dressing at the moment and this piece is formal without being fussy. It also reminded me of the Victoria Beckham tuxedo dress from her AW13 collection that Diane Kruger has been seen wearing on the red carpet.

6 OF THE BEST: HIGH STREET JEWELLED EARRINGS

The festive season wouldn't be complete without a dash of sparkle and Christmas 2013 sees a strong focus towards opulence. Forget sequins, this year it’s all about jewels. My favourite interpretation of the trend was seen in Henry Holland’s AW13 ‘Rave Nana’ collection where shift dresses were embellished with crystal cigarettes and jewelled cocktail glass motifs skimmed the hems of pencil skirts. An affordable and wearable way to introduce the trend into your wardrobe is with a jewelled earring – an accessory that looks just as great with a cable knit jumper for day as it does with a cocktail dress for after dusk. Even better, the high street has got this trend nailed for AW13, there’s no need to bother with designer when the purse-friendly alternative is this convincing. I bought pair no.1 (in the midnight blue hue) from Next last week and they are now in constant rotation in my jewellery wardrobe. Will you be rocking a sparkling earring this festive season? 

1. Emerald green & crystal effect earrings, Next, £12. 
2. Statement crystal earrings, Anna Lou of London, £35. 
3. Royal blue chandelier earrings, Dorothy Perkins, £14. 
4. Chrystal chandelier earrings, Topshop, £20. 
5. Smoky Quartz and crystal earrings, Next, £12. 
6. Intricate jewel drops, Warehouse, £10.