Making my London Flat into a homely space

As most of you living in a major city will know, beyond how fantastic it is to have your own little space in it and to enjoy the buzz and culture; you won't get much for your money. My dosh seems to end up in two major camps: travel and rent (then clothes and food! :p).

But since I am now a 'proper adult' and cannot go on with only beermats and free posters stuck on the walls, I have decided to try to make my flat, well... funky!

I have decided to give it an ecclectic and retro feel - with lots of bursts of colour.

Here are some of my favourite pics for the flat...

Debenhams at ShopStyle

I also bought this amazing Audrey Hepburn poster for the lounge - such amazing value and really helps make the white room more colourful.

Now I'm just on the search for an affordable but funky shower curtain...

City Belle x

My new logo (and why I should learn to write in HTML!)

City Belle x

Do you like my new logo? It's not exactly what I had in mind, but until I learn some decent HTML, this is what I've got! I used the 'cool text' website (
Image by Cool Text: Logo and Button Generator - Create Your Own

Cool Text: Logo and Graphics Generator) - can anyone lend some advice on learing HTML? As you know, this blog is still in its early weeks. I would love to know any tips you have on making a blog your own!

Love City Belle x

Art and Fashion

I am back at home in sleepy ol' wales for a few days, providing welcome relief from London and the office! I am making it my mission to rediscover almost forgotten hobbies of mine, such as art. So I am making sure I do a sketch, ink drawing or painting every day! I will post some pictures soon.

This, and a conversation I had with a friend of mine over a yummy dinner last week, got me thinking of clothes that are so beautifully tailored they could be art. My debate was that Vivienne Westwood's ethos that anyone can be stylish with as little as an old carpet and a belt was at odds with her £300+ price labels of her ranges. However, I had to admit, the cuts and styling is worth it; and if I get £400 spare for a handbag, I will be spending it on this!

That's all for now as I'm off to watch Gok Wan's HTLGN xxx

Rm By Roland Mouret at ShopStyle

The agony of the shoe boot

Before I had even left the house this morning, I could see a problem with my choice of outfit - unable to skip down the stairs of my flat in my usual rushed manner. The shoe boots were to blame, but since I had worn them to a nearby restaurant without discomfort not so long ago, I reasoned that it was just stairs that were tricky, and that with a few strides down the street I would feel smart and professional. It was at this point that a silver haired lady strode past me at what seemed like record speed.

Crossing the pelican crossing felt painfully slow and when I finally had managed to get a full ten minutes away from my house (about 400 meters in these shoes!) I noticed that my silk tunic had risen up and twisted around full circle, bunching up around my middle giving me the appearance of someone with a built in air-bag.

Then to the last leg on the street before getting to the the station, and I manage to trip over my heel right before the bored workmen; which immediately dissolves any ideas I had that I might still be looking grown up and sophisticated. Oh well, caught the bus and managed to sit through about 2 stops before I gave in to the sting from my feet and swapped for my good ol' (faithful and worn out) ballet pumps. So I think I'll hang up my shoe boots (aka beautiful cages of pain) for another day or two, or stick to wearing them in flat, carpeted areas with no workmen near!

Drinks with Amy and in a lift with Alexa

So the weekend is coming to an end, and I have seen off the boyfriend on his train. Feeling pretty sniffly this evening but it has been a good weekend in London. Friday night was after-work drinks at the Hawley Arms - famous boozer of Amy Winehouse, and Saturday involved bumping into Alexa Chung on the tube to chalk farm! In tribute to Alexa, here are a couple of Topshop beauties that I'm adding to my wishlist.

Gold Button Stripe Tee - Tees - Tops - Topshop

Miltary Style Cardigan - Tops - Kate Moss - Topshop

Premium Antique Lace Trim Cami - Tops - New In - Topshop

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Mad Hatters... and crazy fashion

This month the newspapers are full of pictures from fashion month, with London Fashion Week dominating last week, which just makes me think of clothes even more! Every night, on my comminute home, I think 'I'll wear something weird and wonderful to work tomorrow, with heels and funky make up' but at 8.20 in the morning, having only managed a half cup of coffee, I do pretty much the same make up in a rush before my worn, dirty ballet pumps find me...

But this weekend should be an opportunity to make up for any plain-ness Monday - Friday, as my housemate and I are finally having our housewarming party. The theme will be the Mad Hatter's tea party, from Alice in Wonderland.  Having played 'Alice' in two stage productions, one when I was 10 and one when I was about 17, it seemed natural that would be my fancy dress choice; but the theme certainly got my creative juices flowing...

London Clock at ShopStyle

Dorothy Perkins at ShopStyle

Forzieri at ShopStyle

Eylure at ShopStyle