My DAILY MAIL feature for booby women

Hello all,

Miss Magpie has been a busy girl this week. I've been focusing on boobies - and very large ones at that. Check out my shoot for Femail magazine...and even better, go and buy the paper yourself, so you can check it out in the flesh (so to speak).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1324298/Take-plunge-How-flaunt-bosom-looking-like-glamour-model.html

Here are a few of my fave shots from the shoot...

I love this Ingenue dress (I have it myself - but I'll tell you all about that in an upcoming post) - it's really slinky and hits all the right places. It suits small busts and big alike and it really makes you feel like a million dollars! It's from a shop in Spitalfields called Chica Boutique, which stocks a fab selection of dresses for all shapes and sizes.

This dress from Whistles was also a winner. The shape and colour are so gorgeous and show off the model's well-endowed chest without making her look top-heavy or tarty. I am also totally in love with the Angel Jackson bag I accessorized it with.

If I am being honest, I'd probably never step foot in to Ted Baker...but when the designers behind it are producing items like this, I might be convinced to change my mind. This peplum style zip up dress is as good for work as it is for play.

Anyway, go and check out the piece in the paper and let me know your thoughts...

I've got to go and vamp myself up for the Halloween party tonight (see below post). Pictures will come tomorrow!

AND IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ME TONIGHT, TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR AT MAHIKI FROM 7PM. IT'S GOING TO BE A FANGTASTIC NIGHT!!!!

Blood on the Dancefloor

Calling all Twilight fans; Halloween is fast approaching which means it’s time to get in touch with your inner vamp...and your dressing up box. Fun, fun, fun!!

London hot-spot Mahiki (the favoured hang out of Princes William and Harry didn't you know) is hosting, together with the fab Henry Conway (Google him - you'll know exactly who he is!), an evening of blood and gore in honour of breast cancer charity The Haven, on Thursday 28th October.

With a modern vampire theme, prizes for the best dressed (Miss Magpie is one of the judges and I'll let you into a little secret - I take bribes very well, especially if they come in the form of bubbly drinks!) and gruesome make-up courtesy of Brushstroke, it’s time to embrace this season’s deep hues and dramatic looks. Think leather, lace and blood-red lippie.

I'm concocting my outfit this weekend and I can tell you that I am going to go the whole hog: fangs, vampire contact lenses, blood...

This is a great cause so get involved!

To find out more and bag yourself a ticket to this very exclusive event just click here. Who knows, you might even find your very own Robert Pattinson. Fangtastic!

A Moroccan tribute to Yves Saint Laurent

Need another reason to love Marrakech? Well here's one big one: Les Jardins Majorelle.

Also known as the 'Yves Saint Laurent gardens' because of the late designer's dedication to keeping the gardens alive and running, Les Jardins Majorelle is a haven from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech.

Filled with exotic plants and flowers, vibrant colours and delightful smells, and a sense of heavenly tranquility, these gardens are a must-see.

Also a must-see is the monument that was erected after the death of the much celebrated YSL:

Like an ancient Greek pillar, this monument expresses the classicism and eternal presence of Yves Saint Laurent (that English Lit degree wasn't a complete waste of time then!) and his fashion house.  Set in a secluded corner of the space, this is a simple homage that draws in many a YSL fan.

Can you believe that he passed away over two years ago?

I love this shot. This lady can only have come to pay her respects to Yves Saint Laurent. Decked out in all black (remember, it was 30 degree heat out there) and in an enormous floppy hat, she oozes that Parisian chic that only the Parisians can have. YSL would have been proud!

And because that wasn't treat enough, they garden is also home to a collection of some of YSL's works of art. As the blurb above says, he used to create these images to send as New Year greetings to his friends and clients. What I would give to have been one of the lucky recipients of one of these. (A lot obvs).

1983 - Quite a significant year in the life of Miss Magpie (take a guess) and quite a gorgeous poster to boot. I want!

No trip to Marrakech is complete without an amble through these gardens, so go get your fashion fill pronto!

Marrakech bargain-hunting!

Oh my, oh my, oh my, did I have a fabulous weekend or what!

My beau and I jetted off to Marrakech to get the wheels turning on our Moroccan wedding. Yes, dear readers, we shall be wed in the glorious heat and colourful surroundings of Morocco. Heavenly!

Now, the agenda for trip number one was to find a venue, accommodation and settle the details with our wedding planners. And that we did. Alongside lots of sunning, shopping and drinking - a fab way to spend an October weekend wouldn't you say?!

You don't get to hear any of the details of our big day, but I can share with you the contents of my shopping bags...

Shopping in the souks of Marrakesh is a crazy experience. The paths might be narrow, but while you are perusing kaftans and scarves, you have to keep one eye out for the motorbikes, bicycles and even donkey-driven carts that power through the throngs of tourists and stalls. But when Miss Magpie is on a shopping mission, there's nothing that can get in my way. Apparently not even donkey dung.

Purchase number one - a rather regal kaftan. I spotted this beaut in the souk and after some award-winning bargaining from my beau, it was mine. I'm in love with the vivid turquoise colour and the framing of the gold and silver embroidery. Plus, its so utterly comfy. At £7, its definitely a winner.

Ok, this one might be a bit controversial; a pashmina with rabbit fur pom-poms. Eek! But I couldn't resist, it's so beautiful and luxurious! It'll work perfectly with my winter wardrobe (obvs it was far too hot in Marrakech to wear it, but that's what so great about the yucky English weather) and I'm sure I'll be wearing it for years to come!

And this is on my shopping list for next time. Not the girl obvs, but her belly dancing get-up. My beau was mesmerized by it, so I think that's a good enough reason to invest.

I'm already planning my next trip out there so put your requests in now!

My SS'11 shopping list...

Excuse the silence - Miss Magpie has been enjoying some Portuguese hospitality and is off to road test some of the Moroccan kind tomorrow!

But enough of my adventures, let's get back to the reason we are here: FASHION.

Cast your mind back back to September and you might remember a little something called London Fashion Week. Got it? Well, the London Fashion Week exhibition that runs alongside the shows, displays some of the most fab small (and not so small) designers around.

It had me drooling.

Here are my TOP TEN finds:

Akong

Fashion is a form of armour, so why not go the whole hog with this ode to protective clothing. It'd look fab on an LBD or even with jeans and a simple vest. I can totally imagine sporting this beaut.

Cabinet Studios

OMG! How fashion-fabulous is this collar?! I love the eccentric, OTT-ness of this feathered piece. What a way to add some va-va-voom to your usual garb.

Finsk 

I am the Queen of the vertiginous heel. Fact. So it seems only right that I invest in these babies next Summer, no? Unfortunately, I think this style is only for show. Who wants to sign my petition to get them into production?

Georgina Goodman

A name we've all heard of before, I'm sure, but next season, GG has moved on from her clompy heels and has gone the more delicate route. I love the sculptural look of these heels and the attention to detail going on. Well done!

Henrietta Ludgate

Eco fashion has come a long way! This amazing coat was made out of horse blankets (with not a horse hair in sight). It's a real statement piece and will keep you warm as well as stylish simultaneously. An instant hit.

Jean Paul Gaultier for La Perla

Ooh-la-la, c'est manifique! Wedding lingerie, perhaps? 

I'm all over this Madonna inspired basque. How sexy would you feel revealing this in the boudoir?! Yes please.

Leju

For your inner tribal leader, this piece is what has always been missing from your wardrobe. Made from vegetable ivory, a totally renewable source, it's not only ethical but its completely original too.

Little Glass Clementine

Another eco brand changing the face of recycled fashion, Little Glass Clementine makes totally unusual jewellery with 'found' objects. It's a bit kooky, but actually totally wearable and gorgeous.

 Nicholas King

I'm never one to say no to a spot of gold leaf, so when I saw this choker, I was instantly sold. It's so very simple, yet so effective.

Piers Atkinson

I've always wanted to leave my house with a cocoon of layered net on my head. Seriously. How gorgeous it this?! And your ears would never feel cold. What more could you ask for?! Just don't get on to the tube in rush hour with those twirly things protruding all over the place - you'll be sued, for sure.

Doesn't that make you want to go shopping?! It does me.

This weekend, I'll be sating my hunger for a spot of shopping in the markets of Marrakesh - I'm sure it'll be more price range than these goodies. Look out for my next blog post to see what I bag.

Paris Fashion Week - The big guns!

Here's a little treat for you on this rainy Wednesday morning. Chanel, YSL and Alexander McQueen all in one short, sharp dose. You lucky, lucky things!

Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld's choice of setting and scene is almost as hotly anticipated as his collections. This season he opted for a monochrome (note the prevalence of this combo) ornamental garden - tres chic.

The collection itself contained plenty of monochrome and the trad Chanel two piece suits, but this season they were given a burst of youthfulness, with unfinished hems. Instead of a neat finish, they were edged with feathers or just left raw. Feathers also made a big appearance in the show. Yay! There was also plenty of delicate chiffon, which contrasted brilliantly against the rougher fabrics used elsewhere.

As a change from the Chanel skirt suit, how gorge is this dress?

Chanel does casual. LOVE.

This gorgeous water colour print is divine.

Totally random, but oh-so cute.

Yves Saint Laurent

Stefano Pilati made this collection an homage to the late Yves Saint Laurent, taking us on a history lesson, starting at the trench coat, going right through to Le Smoking. Inbetween came 70s style jumpsuits, bow blouses, ruffles and lots of colour. A hit.

I need to get me a trench - white may be a bit of a risk though...

Zingy orange is a breath of fresh air.

Classic YSL at its best. J'adore.

Ooh-la-la - Je besoin. I need.

Alexander McQueen

Well, this is the first collection produced by the label after the death of McQueen. Sarah Burton, McQueen's new Creative Director, had a lot to prove. And prove herself she did.

The collection started simply with a very McQueen-esque tail coat and steadily gained drama, finishing in a huge maribou feather ball gown. Well, it wouldn't be McQueen without drama would it. 

In between we saw some familiar shapes and textures, making this unmistakably McQueen.

A beautiful tail coat adds subtle drama to any outfit.

 So McQueen. How many times have we seen this imitated?!

Building up the drama... Part fairy, part goddess...

The finale. I just adore this look. Utterly beautiful. I want, want, want.

There you go. Some beauty and inspiration for a Wednesday morning. Enjoy!

Paris Fashion Week round-up

Gosh! London Fashion Week seems like eons ago, but for the (un)fortunate editors still on their Fashion Week rounds, Paris is buzzing with the clackety-clack of stilettos and ooh-and-aahs of the spectators.

Miss Magpie has turned her back on all things fashion for a few days (well not all things obviously) in order to try on wedding dresses. Could there be anything more fun?! Anyway, you'll have to wait until next summer to hear all about that.... Aren't I mean.

Anyway, back to Paris... Here's a wee round up of the goings on over the Channel.

Balenciaga

Hmmm...I'm not sure about this. Nicolas Ghesquière opted for a very androgynous look. When we've seen so much femininity and pretty hitting the catwalks, this is quite hard to digest. The collection has a slight punk-rock feel about it, with the flat shoes, un-summery dark palette and masculine tailoring. I'm not a fan, but that doesn't mean others won't be.

See what I mean!

Balmain

I'm a huge Balmain fan (the styles, not the price tags) but I'm kinda getting that feeling of deja-vu. Christophe Decarnin has a particular style and has run with it for several seasons to huge acclaim, but I'm beginning to think that he might be a one-trick pony. Yes, the leather jackets are divine. Yes, he single-handedly brought about the revival of the shoulder pad. Yes, every woman lusts after a piece of Balmain. But how much longer are we (well, not we, I mean women with plenty of cash) going to fork out tens of thousands for a variety of same-but-not-the-same leather jackets?

Having said that, I am, once again, a fan of the collection...

That's $20,000 of safety pins that is!

Celine

Pheobe Philo is the queen of minimalism. Again. This time however, she's loosened up a bit - e.g. trousers were long and loose. There was also some leather and denim thrown in to the mix - these fabrics seem to be BIG all round.

I'm perhaps not a Celine girl, though I appreciate the huge influence the label has on the fashion world. I'm sure this collection will continue the trend.

Minimalist chic or just drowning?

Love the clean lines and mix-up of fabrics in this look.

Christian Dior

John Galliano must be taking a sabatical! This collection is so tame for the normally extra-extravagant brand, that I'm not sure I would have recognised it on the street. There is however I nice blending of girly dresses with boyish jackets thrown over the top (not that we haven't seen that before). Loving the slouch socks though.

Finally a handbag that'll fit in all my stuff! Hoorah.

Denim rocks the catwalk again.

 
Givenchy

Ooh - Summer's going to have us all getting in touch with our inner goths. Well, atleast that seems to be the aim of Riccardo Tisci. Goths on safari I think is the exact look. There's all the darkness and drama we've come to love of Givenchy, but with an added dose of glamour from all the leopard print.

Summer in the UK sucks anyway, so I'm sold on the black!

Gorge dress, shame about the model. Weird.

Jean Paul Gaultier

If John Galliano is taking a sabatical, then JPG is having a moment of craziness. His collection included jackets with squared-off shoulders, showgirl lingerie, jumpsuits, sailor stripes, palm-prints, leather jackets and even a metal breastplate. All slightly random and OTT, but amongst that plethora of different styles were some quite nice looks.

Speaking of random - Beth Ditto opened the show. Eh?

Not loving the hair so much, I have to say.

Here's a big of JPG we all know and live. And I do love.

Lanvin

If you want pretty, you turn to Alber Elbaz at Lanvin. He is the absolute master of figure-flattering, wow-factor dresses. Having recently added Lanvin to my wardrobe (remember my Hong Kong trip?) I can say with certainty, that nothing makes you feel better! This collection had a lot more day appropriate dresses, that really didn't do much for me. The more typical Lanvin dresses were what really caught my eye...

Floaty and fab.

In love. Totally, utterly, completely.

Zac Posen

A Zac lady does not shy away from the limelight. Feathers, lace and fur all made an appearance in a collection that was just divine - something we've come to expect of Mr Posen. I'd wear any of these dresses and I'm pretty sure that every one of us would be able to find something amazing.

Zac Posen has that rare gift of making the female body look like perfection.

In the boudoir as it is, or with a little slip for going out.

That'll do for now. That's more than enough food-for-thought for a Monday. More to come...