Welcoming Mr and Mrs Kirk!

Round three of Miss Magpie's wedding marathon took place last Friday and what a way to round it off!

Wedding No.3: Dan marries Shelley

Miss Magpie is becoming some what of a wedding expert - what with my own wedding in the works and having now been to countless big days - and I have to say that Dan and Shelley's big day was just gorgeous.

Let's start with the beautiful, blushing bride, Shelley. The moment a bride walks into the room is the make or break moment. When Shelley arrived at the end of the aisle, clutching her proud father's arm, the tears started flowing. She looked utterly breath taking and just so happy:

Shelley opted for a full lace, bustier gown. I've never considered wearing a lace wedding dress before, but Shelley really worked it. Not only is lace so current, but this dress also has the religious-sexy ratio nailed.

And every single detail of this gown was just so cute. Look at the buttons that run the full length of the back of the dress. Look at how delicate the lace is. Look at how beautiful Shelley's shoulders look through the sheer veil. Perfection.

I, however, did not have such a carefully thought-out outfit. Two days before the big day, I realised that I had absolutely nothing to wear. A frantic search of the internet and lunchtime dash to the shops later, this is what I opted for:

Asos.com came to my rescue (and prior to last week, I was an Asos virgin) with this tomato red half bat-winged mini-dress from Aqua. For a very purse friendly £80 I was very happy indeed. I teamed it with my glittery Louboutins and some statement jewellery. Simples!

With no hairdresser to sort out my 'do' for the wedding, I had to resort to a home-made jobbie. Several rollers, grips, clips and hairspray later, this is what I created. Add a Marc by Marc Jacobs gem clip and I was good to go. Who needs a professional, eh?!

Finally take a look at these pics for a real feel of the wedding. A blue and white colour scheme (not a scheme I have ever thought of, but actually looked gorgeous), lots of bottles of Taittinger (yum-yum!) and the sort of minimal simplicity that is oh-so chic.

 

Cheers to Dan and Shelley and their happily ever after!

A day in the life... Part 1

Yesterday was perhaps one of the best days Miss Magpie has had in a long time. Yesterday was the one day of the year where every fashionista in London wakes up at the crack of dawn to queue for shoes. Yesterday was the the Christian Louboutin sample sale. Oh yes, yesterday was shoe heaven.

At last year's sale I succumbed to 3 pairs of Loubs, which I adore; my bank manager, not so much. Yesterday I was incredibly sensible and only came away with 1 pair - how very restrained and grown up of me, don't you think. But as they say, its quality and not quantity that counts, and let me tell you, these babies are all quality.

Ready for a peek?

Drum roll please...

Oh, don't you just love them? So pretty, so sparkling, so vertiginous; pretty much everything I look for in a shoe. Yesterday the shoe Gods were certainly shining down on me. I'm going to wear them this weekend with my Marc by Marc Jacobs purple tiered dress on the surprise weekend away that my beau has planned (when I know what this weekend holds, you'll be the first to know). Major shoe excitement!

And that was only 'Part 1'...

Miss Magpie's spring clean

This weekend, Miss Magpie was drafted in by Mummy Magpie to clear out her old bedroom. Uh-oh - this was not going to be pretty! Miss Magpie is a bit of a hoarder, so this was a lengthy and arduous job. Clothes, shoes, accessories and general 'stuff' was individually placed in to one of three piles: charity, car boot and bin. I can not believe some of the rubbish i've bought in the past...and shamefully, how much of this crap still has the label on.

It is far too embarrassing to put on display the sorts of things that I have previously succumbed to buying, but to give you a general overview, this is some of what I sent to the local charity shops (see above photo):

- 20 pairs of shoes (so sad)
- 30 necklaces (all tangled together - sorry Oxfam)
- 5 scrunchies (I haven't thrown anything away, practically ever!)
- 5 mini skirts (acceptable lengths at University...but now, even with my fave slut chic style, I can't pull these off)
- 10 handbags (including a Marc Jacobs knock-off bought long, long ago, which I am deeply embarrassed about. Naughty Magpie.)
- tops, dresses, trousers that are quite clearly never going to come back in to vogue (I hope)

On top of that, i've saved the 'good' stuff (speaking in relative terms of course) for a car boot sale...details of which will follow soon.

It wasn't all bad though, I also unearthed:

- Mummy Magpie's pearls...now mine
- gold chains and earrings weighing a fair amount (and with huge sentimental value)
- Mummy Magpie also gave me her antique Victorian diamond and sapphire ring (a present to her from Daddy Magpie many years ago). LUCKY ME!!!

And the lessons I have learnt?

1. Only buy the things you know you LOVE and are going to wear and wear again! Although I always repeat this mantra to myself, I do find myself buying for the sake of buying.
2. A few great key pieces will take you further than a whole wardrobe of impulse buys. Once again I know this...but as a shopaholic, it's not so easy to follow!
3. You CAN have too much. I know, I barely believe it myself, but after this weekend, i'm a reformed gal. I think.

Now head to the charity shops of Finchley and buy lots of my trash (err, I mean treasures) to benefit a good cause.

Miss Magpie returns

Hello, hello!

Wow, it feels like a lifetime ago that I last put pen to paper (or finger to laptop as the case may be). Lots has happened in the last 10 days: weddings, earthquakes, the Oscars, Alexander McQueen's last show, 5 long plane journeys. It's been a bit of a whirlwind really! I thought i'd summarise everything in one post rather than go over every event of the last 10 days in detail.

Let's start with my adventure in Chile - a simply beautiful country with great people and one particularly hot bride!

With a Cinderella veil, ruffled bust and sparkling bodice, Maca (Macarena) looked just divine - it was the stuff out of fairy tales (glad to see that they do really come true).

I love the pureness of the white against Maca's glowing tanned skin, the simplicity of the jewellery and the sheer volume of the veil (the bigger the better I say). There's nothing I would change about this dress!

Then came the party...

Feathers and crystal beads galore - Miss Magpie was in heaven! Our Brazilian dancer certainly got the party going (and the boys excited) and had me thinking that my wardrobe needs a new outfit (feathers included).

And here's lil' ol' me...

Not quite as glam as the bride and nowhere near as sparkly as the dancer (surprising for me, I have to say), but I am in my fave Marc by Marc Jacobs dress and Loubs. As for the fascinator I have none other than Accessorize to thank for that (I was firstly in shock to find myself in said shop and secondly, to find such a brill hat).

And I just had to show you all my new Marni arm candy, courtesy of Mummy Magpie. Isn't just gorge? (The Kir Royal was too!).

As the bride took to the red carpet, providing me with immense sartorial pleasure, who could blame me for nearly forgetting about the other big red carpet event taking place: the Oscars.

I'm sure you've all seen the photos hundreds of times, so i'll keep it short and sweet (with a bit of sour) by just awarding 2 prizes: the best and the worst (original!).

First, the worst:

Vera Farmiga in Marchesa

I think Vera has a law suit brewing. Her stylist needs shooting! Honestly, it is the most hideous creation I have ever seen - ruffles may be big this season, but come on! I know I normally say that more is more, but in this case the more I look at it, the more I feel sick. Who'd wear deep fuschia against a red carpet?! Moron.

The best:

Jennifer Lopez in Armani Prive

A surprise for me with JLo here. Maybe I am still suffering from wedding fever (in a good way obv) so the white ballgown is just calling to me, but I think Jen stands out more than any other star. This is a real 'look-at-me' number, which is exactly what I like to see at these celeb-filled, uber-glam events. Heaven.

Snaps must also go to Sandra Bullock and Cameron Diaz for making an impression on Miss Magpie too.

From the red carpet to the catwalk and it must have been a very sad day for the small group of editors invited to the Alexander McQueen A/W'10 show last week. The FINAL Alexander McQueen show. It was of course a spectacular series of looks, delving in to history and religion...but with the McQueen magic coming through in bondage style headgear, OTT details and an ornateness rarely seen on other stages.

Alexander McQueen A/W'10

A divine high collared coat made entirely of gold feathers that falls open in to a mille-feuille of tulle - who else but McQueen could have turned such an absurd idea in to such a beautiful reality? The man done good.

And breathe...