OOTD: Once you go Hobbs, you don't go back

I always thought there was a certain élan that came with Hobbs dresses, perhaps, in part, because 'Hobbes' happens to be the surname of Miranda from Sex and the City, the high-powered, successful career lady of the show. So it was like, in wearing Hobbs dresses, I would, by extension, be having a bit of Miranda in me!

Dress: Hobbs

Necklace: a gift

Earrings: Christmas market stall

Glasses: Red or Dead

Jacket (to the side): United Colours of Benetton

Hopefully, in the future, I'll build up more supplies of gorgeous Hobbs dresses, so I can emulate the most intelligent Sex and the City character more!

Speaking of film/TV characters' influences on my sartorial choices, when I now go clothes shopping, I seek to emulate the styles of certain sharply-dressed women. Alicia Florrick from The Good Wife and Rachel Zane from Suits are the two at the top of my list.

And, having recently watched the enjoyably soapy A Simple Favour, I am absolutely living for Blake Lively in menswear...

Work wardrobe goals!!

OOTD: Office Christmas Party

On Friday December 15th, I went to one of two Christmas parties our Institute is invited to (the second will be after the New Year - keep your eyes peeled for an OOTD then!). Naturally, this was an opportunity for me to get my gladrags on!

Dress: Jane Norman

Ring: Accessorize

Necklace: New Look (I was going for a Carrie in Sex and the City-style aesthetic!)

Earrings: Topshop

OOTD: A University Friend's Wedding in Bristol.

Dress: Warehouse

Bracelet: bought on holiday in Amsterdam

Necklace: Swarovski

Earrings: Accessorize

As you can see, I went for a pink theme, as I believe it to be the warmest colour!

Bonus picture: oblig vain selfie:

Review: Miss Selfridge Floral Printed Ruffle Dress

I treated myself to a bit of retail therapy on ASOS this week, and this was one of my buys. As you can see in the picture below, I wear the sleeves in a slightly different way, as I don't feel confident enough to bare my shoulders, haha:

I got the dress in size 10, and as you can see, it's a bit of a tight fit (I have to lie down sideways just to  be able to get the zip up!) If you're a bit bustier, it does tend to look a bit like you're 'spilling out' of the dress, and as such, it's only appropriate for evening attire, rather than wearing during the day (I work in a University). But the material is lovely, the floral print is gorgeous, and as you can see in the photos, the khaki colours bring out one's tan nicely.

8.5/10.

The Day I Met Per Mertesacker in Sushisamba.

I was in Sushisamba with Anna (my best friend who this blog is named after) on Saturday evening, and out of the corner of my eye, I clocked someone who resembled PM a lot. I wasn't certain it was him though (the lighting in the Sushisamba bars is very dim), so I took a photo on my phone to investigate. As soon as the flash went off, the guy in question covered his face, which was basically an admission of guilt on his part. Not to be deterred by the fact that he obviously wanted a quiet drink and not be bothered, I gulped down my wine for a bit of Dutch courage, and approached the 6'6'' giant.

To Mertesacker's credit, he was very classy and obliging given this sort of thing happens to him all the time. I didn't give any intimations that I was, in fact, a Chelsea fan, and instead just gabbled 'I can't believe it's really you!!!' Smooth. But, despite recognising what an inconvenience I was, I still forced his friend to take a second photo, in case the first didn't turn out that well.

Koscielny and... Mertesacker? HAHA.

And, much as it will damage my Chelsea Girl credentials to concede it, Mertesacker is much more handsome up close and in photos than he is during games when he's being oafish and getting sent off against us because he can't deal with Costa.

One last thing: when I bothered his friend to take another photo, Mertesacker said something to the friend in German and he looked at my breasts. Given that I'm not quite dressed like a nun and the revealingness of the dress (I bought it because I thought it had an element of Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch about it), we'll allow Mertesacker this one.

OOTD: having fun on a photoshoot.

Dress: Oasis

Bracelet: Miss Selfridge

Necklace: Primark

Earrings: New Look

Glasses: Red or Dead