Making 2013 Count

2013:

New Years Resolutions

Well first of all, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and that Santa brought you everything that you could have asked for and more! I certainly had a great Christmas Eve/Day spending all my money on the sales and booking my next tattoo, so I can safely say that I was pleased with Christmas this year.

After eating my way through countless chocolates, glasses of vino and a seemingly endless amount of lasagne (my gran makes me it every year for my Christmas dinner - I don't do turkey!), I began thinking about the inevitable New Years resolutions for 2013. Most are focused on my career and general financial situation (like not overspending on everything - again.) but there are some for my blog and its content after the New Year!

First of all, here's my list of resolutions for 2013:

1. Join Body Zone gym in Newcastle.
2. Go at least 3 times a week.
3. Eat better.
4. Budget my money properly AKA stop impulse buying.
5. Save money.
6. Don’t overspend. Again.
7. Book a trip to California or NYC.
8. Go to LFW.
9. Start my sleeve tattoo on Friday, Jan 4th then come back to Glasgow in Feb to get it finished.
10. Get intern experience with a fashion magazine.
11. Write more lifestyle based posts.
12. Pass 1st year of uni with a great grade.
13. Make 2013 count.

So the resolution that is more of a need to know basis for you lot is #12. Why? Well, I was looking at various blogs out there and felt that I would love to start writing more lifestyle based content for Vita di Moda. Diets, fitness regimes, films, tv shows, beauty products and even food and tattoo's would be on the list of content to feature at Vita di Moda in 2013. Don't worry, there will still be regular fashion posts each week and I'm hoping to get this blogger pass for LFW in February so that I can give a better rounded opinion on the shows for AW'13!

What would you all think about seeing this happening at Vita di Moda? Yay, or nay? 

*Photo Credit: Taken by myself at the dinner table via instagram

I'll Take One of Everything

Online Window Shopping:

What I Have My Eye On

It wouldn't be Christmas without the masses of sales, promotions and constant bombardment of newsletters from our beloved retailers, so naturally I've built up a rather long list of items that I'm currently lusting over. With the rain becoming constant background noise this week, I thought it was a perfect excuse to sit by the fireplace all day, Galaxy orange hot chocolate (40 calories per cup!) in hand and put together a little post to show you all what I would love to see under my tree - or in the wardrobe, ironed and hung up neatly if Santa's feeling generous -  on Tuesday morning. 

First up, it's a pit stop at Zara. Naturally. I don't think I could live without Zara these days. Items 1, 3 & 4 are on my list of definite buys with my Christmas money; if I could stretch it I'd buy everything on the website to be fair.

1. Woolen Coat With Quilted Leather Sleeves

2. Leather Effect T-Shirt

3. Herringbone Trousers With Zip Pockets

4. Basic Ankle Strap Heels

5. Studded Peplum Belt

6. Quilted Leather Jacket

7. Red Coated Biker Pants

Warehouse are a retailer who surprised me actually. I've walked by their stores in Newcastle recently and felt that I've wanted quite a few of the outfits they've styled together in their displays, so when I had a little peak at their website I found myself mentally taking note of some of their stock. Have they always been this edgy, or have I only just noticed it now? 

1. Acid Wash Western Shirt

2. Soft Leather Pocket Jacket

3. Butterfly Tribal Print Tunic

4. Contrast Sleeve Parka - LOVING this!

5. Mesh Panel Faux Leather Dress

6. Beaded Neck Tee

Don't take my word for it, but I'm pretty sure every item I've listed from All Saints is currently in their sale? I know that the majority is anyway! All Saints isn't really everyone's cuppa tea, but I'm attracted to the whole dark, mysterious and slightly gothic personality of the brand so I can't help but lust after a few items every now and then.

1. Saredon Trench Coat

2. Joelle Shirt

3. Abel Leather Jacket

4. Elva Cardigan

5. Restrain Tee

It might be fair to say that Topshop and I have a love/hate relationship. I went off the brand for a while, purely because of how mainstream it had become (GEEK jumper for example. If I see that on one more person I may lose faith in street style) - that and it's prices just kept getting higher and higher and my poor student loan was crying out for mercy. I will admit though that their collections recently have been stunning and I've found myself typing Topshop.com into my web browser more often than not.

1. Shoulder Pad Maxi Dress

2. Cutout Leather Shell

3. Rib Panel Mesh Crop Top

4. Oxblood Full Skater Skirt

5. Pallette Premium Met Boots

6. Mesh Insert Colour Block Tee

7. Heavy Embroidered Mesh Tank

8. Skull Spike Ring

9. Perspex Peter Pan Necklace

10. Ribbed V Front Skater Dress

Happy Shopping! xo

Christmas Review: Pandora Moments

Christmas Review:
Pandora Moments Charm Bracelet

When I received an email from a representative at John Greed Jewellery a couple of weeks ago asking if I would be interested in writing a review for their Pandora Moments range, I immediately said yes. Pandora is a jewellery brand that I have been aware of for years now but I've just never gotten round to owning any of their collections - until now that is, and I have to say I can see where the buzz comes from!

*Slight disclaimer here, I don't agree to reviewing products left, right and center - I actually have to like the brand for starters and then I'll proceed to give a justified and fair review on whatever the product may be. A sell out fashion blogger is not something that I'd like to be known as.*

I'm more a lover of the concept behind charm bracelets, than the actual bracelets and charms themselves - purely because anything that dangles from my wrist and gets caught on just about everything known to man will start to piss me off after about two seconds. Pandora charms on the other hand however, are beads - beads that don't get caught on things or get in the way of my daily tasks. There are some charms on offer though with little dangly bits and bobs hanging off the bead, but it's entirely down to your own preference and there's plenty of selection if you're a little like me and just want some dainty beads on your bracelet. 

The second factor I switched my attention to with the bracelets was the size. I have quite small wrists, so anything that isn't re-sizable will probably be a little big for me. This was sadly the case with this product. I did however notice that on the website (John Greed Jewellery) you can select various cm sizes, so it's nothing really to do with the design of the bracelet itself, it's just unfortunately the size that I've been sent!

Third factor: the material. You can't go wrong with sterling silver, so this was always going to add points from the beginning. It's durable, won't turn black (if you take care of it properly) and looks expensive. And at £99 a pop, expense and durability are things that you'll be taking into consideration when making your purchase. If silver isn't really your thing though, you can opt or a wovan leather band in a variety of colours: this is actually a perfect way to add a little more personality or colour to your outfits and I actually think I prefer it to the silver! 

Which then takes us into the fourth and final factor: the price. You can purchase individual bracelets and charms from JCJ, however what's pretty handy is their starter bracelets which is what I have. Due to their sale at the minute, these are now only £99 due to their current sale (RRP £125-145) - don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that £99 is just spare cash, but considering that the sterling silver bracelet on it's own is £55 and charm prices range from anywhere between £15 and £420, I'd say that a starter bracelet is a pretty good investment both style and price wise if you're wanting to start your own little charm collection, or even if you're just looking for that super last minute Christmas gift for someone special - it's perfect no matter what the reason is for buying it.

What's On Your Christmas List?

Christmas Wish List:
Black Milk Clothing

Well that's all of my hand in's completed and submitted for my first semester and I could not be happier. It's such a relief to know that I now have five weeks over the festive period to eat, drink, be merry and start work on my new sleeve tattoo (yes, I'm getting one!). I hope you're all having a relaxed few weeks and that Christmas shopping/preparation isn't getting you all too highly strung!

The skeleton print is on both sides from hip to ankle.
Image taken via instagram - follow me at @vitadimoda

This Christmas, as an early gift, I was given two pairs of Black Milk leggings from someone who I am now afraid to say is my ex. I've had my eye on their leggings and bodysuits for about a year and a half now due to Tumblr being flooded with people wearing them, but I never seemed to actually get my hands on any of their products - that is until they had their lovely Cyber Monday deal: 50% off selected products and luckily for me, the leggings I wanted were in that category!

So, as a gift I was asked if I wanted them for Christmas and now I am the proud new owner of some Black Milk leggings. I went for the bone printed leggings and just a plain matte black pair. I love the material that they use (polyester bright & spandex mix) because it's nice and thick like dance leggings, so no transparency issues or a constant need to keep pulling them up or make adjustments. They're insanely comfortable and although not classed as high waisted, they do come up as far as my belly button, so I can wear a crop top with them and they'll look good. 

The problem I now have though, is that I want near enough every single style on offer on their website, so I thought I'd put together a little wish list - just in case Santa is reading this and is wondering what to bring me on Christmas morning!

The leggings range in price from $50 to $90, which is why as a student I've been unable to have a wardrobe full of them. I definitely recommend them though and will be purchasing another pair of two with some Christmas money if I have any left over from my tattoo! Fancy a pair for yourself? Get them at www.blackmilkclothing.com

What do you think of Black Milk? Do you own any of their products?

10th Tribe Next Exclusive - The Garter Tee

10th Tribe's Next Exclusive:
The Garter Tee

So you know that NYC brand that I keep raving on about? 10th Tribe? I know I keep going on about them, but I don't think there's a brand out there that I feel more passionately about.
Anyway, after the success of their beanie sale they've gone and decided to give you all another exclusive and personally, I just think it is the sexiest styling piece on the market at the moment!

Long sleeved, scoop neck and then garters for a trim - it's sexy and basic all in one go. If you're not feeling the garters though, just tuck it into your shorts/skirt/jeans and it's a basic black tee - simple, no fuss and it's two looks in one. I can't tell you how often I've just wanted to wear a black tee out to a club to just be comfortable for a change, but it never looks acceptable. Then comes along the 10th Tribe Garter Tee and it's like my prayers have been answered. I think I'll be thanking 10th Tribe for this marvel until my dying day.

Fancy getting your hands on one? Well, if you can wait until Sunday (Dec 9th) then you can just head on over to the 10th Tribe website and purchase one for yourself! It'll be like their beanie sale though where it is only available for a few hours (2pm-12pm), so you best get in there early...

Photo Credit: 10th Tribe Instagram & from the brand themselves. 

Exclusive Saunt&Sinner Competition!

Christmas Competition:

Saunt&Sinner Hand Printed Scarf

If you're unaware of the luxury fashion brand Saunt&Sinner then you really must educate yourself a little. Some may think I'm being a little bias loving their products so much when they are in fact based in Glasgow - my home town - but I can assure you that it is their raw talent and absolutely gorgeous prints that had me at hello. That and the fact that they are passionate about keeping design, manufacturing and luxury in Scotland, when most new designers fly the nest overseas!

"Based in Glasgow, the creative heart of Scotland, the foundations for the luxury womenswear label Saunt & Sinner collections, are beautiful textures, unique prints and expressive pattern cutting.Proudly, each garment is designed and produced where possible in Scotland. Saunt & Sinner is a brand that is a must have in any wardrobe due to its uniqueness and the high standard of quality of product. Collections will be limited editions and create a feeling of individuality and exclusivity for the customer whilst including them and making them feel part of the luxury brand.When you own a piece by Saunt & Sinner, you own a piece of Saunt & Sinner"

S&S will be launching their AW'13 collection next March (an event which I am hoping to attend), and their gorgeous limited edition "Heather" scarf is currently selling for £180 at sauntandsinner.co.uk, so in the spirit of things, they are generously giving one of you lucky lot the chance to win a little Christmas present! I myself have this scarf and knew immediately that it would be something that my readers would love as well. 

Interested? All you have to do is follow a few simple steps
(all of which are mandatory) and the scarf could be yours!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Winner will be chosen using a generator such as Random.org*

The competition will run from Dec 4th to 24th and is open to everyone worldwide. Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favour!

**Update: The Winner is ... #17 Sarah Morbey! Congratulations! Your scarf should hopefully be with you shortly (give or take with the postal service over Christmas & New Year) :) xo

Shop The Edit: Christmas Party

Shop The Edit:

The Christmas Party Outfit

As promised, your Christmas partywear edit has arrived - and it only took around 15,000,000 hours. With so many retailers and amazing fashion out there at the minute, I had to narrow my store choices down a little: otherwise I could be here for days and you would be seeing this Christmas edit in 2013. With that in mind, I decided to hit ASOS first. With everything from high street to designer and clothes to beauty, I knew I could basically form an edit from their website, and that is exactly what I did - minus a pair of heels from Zara that I had taken a peep at yesterday and knew that I had to have in here. I've tried to take into consideration that some of us might perhaps decide that they want to go for separates (skirts or trousers) rather than a dress, so I've taken the liberty of adding those in for good measure as well. I've even added a little beauty and nail section which isn't something that you regularly see here at Vita di Moda, but you never know, if you like it I may just have to do it a little more often in 2013. 

P.S; if you like any of the items shown in the images, rather than put the links up like I normally do (there's A LOT of items in this edit) I've just linked each picture up to my Polyvore account where you will be able to see where each item is from and it's price!

Click to buy

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Shop The Edit: Suited & Booted

SUITED & BOOTED.

First of all, let me offer you my utmost apologies for the lack of new content in EIGHT days! This last week until December 14th has been - and will continue to be - a little stressful and my focus will mainly be on my university modules, as my deadlines are in this time. In my Fashion Communication course, I don't have typical exams. Instead I have briefs and deadlines (which I prefer), but it still gets you a little stressed because it seems as though you have one million things to hand in at the one time. I've managed to get three of the four briefs finished and have another two weeks to focus on the last one, so thankfully that means I now have a little gap to write some new content for you all. I hope you can forgive me!

Is it just me, or have you brought those knee high boots out from the back of the cupboard too? The temperature has well and truly dropped in Newcastle (Glasgow too when I've been visiting for the weekend), so I have literally been living in my over-the-knee black suede boots for the last couple of weeks. I actually wore a pair of ballet flats today and wanted to shoot myself in the face after I took one step out the front door. My poor little tootsies. Anyway. Inspired by my moment of madness, I decided to do a little online window shopping to see if I could find a nice new boots, or pair of shoes that would bring me a little extra warmth this chilly festive season - and naturally I am now sharing my finds with you lovely people.

First of all, if you're reading this and thinking, "where are the party options Maria?!"  fear not! I will be doing a post dedicated to Christmas party attire, which will include everything from dresses to accessories and shoes, so remember to look out for that post if you're needing a little inspiration for your Christmas nights out this month. In the meantime, let's focus of the days in between!

I've tried to stick to boots which are of an attainable level (some readers may agree more than others. I'm a student for example), with some higher priced than others but mostly affordable and good quality. Boots are probably the only type of shoe that I would be prepared to pay slightly more for to ensure better quality, purely because I wear them during the colder months and want to make sure that they're going to last. With that in mind, here they are:

1. Gallivanting Slouch Black Suede - £95 @ Office

2. Long Leather With Metal Detail - £85 @ ASOS

3. Gardenia Suede Tassle - £220 @ ASOS

4. Marc Jacobs Patent PVC Quilted Boots - £162 @ Luisa Via Roma

5. Devils Point Wedge - £40 @ Office (£25 off! Also in black leather)

6. Delta Black Leather - £95 @ Office 

7. Studded Heel Ankle Boot - £60 @ Faith/ASOS

Will you be purchasing any of the boots shown? I can't decide which ones to go for...either the Gardenia suede tassle boots from ASOS, Delta metal tipped toe wedge (hott) or the Devils point wedge ankle boots from Office. Actually, can I just have them all?

Guest Post: Stylish Christmas Spirit

Guest Post:

Stylish Christmas Spirit

I don't know about you, but I am beyond excited for Christmas. I've been watching a Christmas movie every day and listening to Michael Buble's Christmas album on a loop whilst relaxing or doing my uni work. I just love getting into the spirit of things, so when the lovely Luke from The Jewel Hut presented this Christmas themed post to me last week, I just had to have it here for you guys. It's cheesy with themed hats and jumpers, but that's what the season is all about - so embrace it!

With Christmas shopping perched high on the list of purchase priorities, at this time of year it can be easy to forget to treat yourself to some swag. The winter wardrobe should already be in full swing (it’s freezing out there!), but your favourite high street stores and/or online retailers are also likely to be showcasing some festive garb and Christmas-themed accessory additions to really put a seasonal twist on your style. 

Everyone from Topshop to Urban Outfitters are on top of the trend for fun fairisle patterns, making a stylish Christmas jumper a more viable option than ever before. You can go all-out with comfy tops depicting reindeers and Christmas puds, or keep it a little more subtle (but still adamantly eye-catching) with a non-novelty snowflake motif you could get away with in January or Feb. Look out for similarly appealing options for the boyfriend or brother, too. 

Wrapping up warm is obviously a key thing to consider at this time of year, especially if you’re venturing out into the cold to stock up on goodies for friends and family. So, keep an eye out for scarves and gloves in the festive fairisle mode – the perfect final flourish when it comes to layering, and a sensible idea if you plan on treating yourself to a mulled wine or hot chocolate. 

You can imbue your look with further Christmas chic by looking out for very merry designs on everything from tote bags to tights. Have a little black dress marked out for Christmas Eve or this year’s work do? Pair it with some holiday-inspired jewellery designs; online retailers such as The Jewel Hut feature jewellery collections that celebrate Crimbo in stunning fashion – from stocking-shaped Pandora charms to snowflake pendants and embellished rings, there is something to suit and accompany every winter outfit. 

So, don’t forget to equip yourself with some fun Christmassy pieces while you’re busy buying gifts for everyone else. Whether or not you dig them out again next year, such selections are sure to add some vital Christmas spirit to your ensemble and you’ll still have plenty of cash leftover for buying presents. ‘Tis the season, after all!

*Written by Luke McNaney - A copywriter for The Jewel Hut

Location Styling: Graffiti Grunge

Location Styling:
Graffiti Grunge

I've decided to give you a little something out of the ordinary this morning on Vita di Moda: A sneak peak at my latest photography shoot for university! The brief was 'location styling' and I was given free reign on the location, style, model etc etc. In Newcastle, there is a gig venue called The Cluny. Now, the first time I was taken there (to taste the burgers - which are delicious by the way - not for music), we walked through this sort of, abandoned street in an old factory district. It has a little canal with old boats on one side, and a row of old, crumbling buildings covered in graffiti on the other. If I'm completely honest, you sort of get the feeling that you might get attacked walking down the road on your own, but it's just because of the sheer grit and grunge-y ambiance of the place. As soon as I was given the location styling brief in class, I immediately knew that I had to style the shoot around the graffiti and knew that my fiance Chris would fit in perfectly, seeing as his style is a little skater-boy-esque.

I got up at the crack of dawn this lovely Sunday morning, made breakfast and waited on the sun getting to the point in the sky where that orange haze started to appear. Once it did, we were off and had the shoot down in about 20 minutes. I was anticipating the shoot to last an hour or so as I'm not all that experienced with photography or shoots in general, but it was relatively easy to get some good shots that I was happy with and that looked great. I took around fifty or so shots, but just wanted to share a few of them with you here. Let me know what you think!

All photos are taken by myself with a FujiFilm FinePix S2980 and are copyright to Maria Litizia Kelly @ www.vitadimoda.com. If you would like to use any of these images, please drop me an email at maria.litizia@hotmail.co.uk

10th Tribe Exclusive Beanies

10th Tribe:
Exclusive Beanies You Can't Live Without

As you may remember, a few months ago I graced your eyes with a few promotional images and background info on the wonderful NYC brand: 10th Tribe. The brand is a particular favourite of mine and I have followed them from the very beginning, so when I received an email them the lovely Daniela of 10th Tribe letting me know about an exclusive sale for their amazing beanies happening on November 26th, I just had to post it on here to tell you all about it!

If you follow or are aware of the the likes of bloggers, Rony's Photobooth, I Hate Blonde and model Germaine DeNigris, or indeed live around the NYC area, you may have already seen a select few showing off their 10th Tribe beanies already. They're nothing less than hot if I'm honest, and are a perfect way to involve yourself in the tribe that everyone from America to Japan are dying to be a part of. The sale of said beanies is on November 26th from 2pm to 12am - that's only 10 hours - and the link for them will be displayed on 10th Tribe's Facebook page which you can find at the bottom of this post. Once the 10 hours are up, the beanies will be taken down, orders will no longer be taken and you will have lost your chance to own a 10th Tribe beanie forever. Don't let that happen!

The beanies have already caused a frenzy in New York with key celebrities, bloggers and close friends of 10th Tribe showing theirs off around the city, and more and more people have been begging for their own. Once this sale begins on Monday, 26th you can pretty much guarantee that orders are going to come in thick and fast, so make sure you're eagerly anticipating the link going live on Facebook at 2pm. This is an exclusive sale that you do not want to miss. 

So what are you waiting for? Get following 10th Tribe on their social media platforms and Vita di Moda as well, as I will be keeping you informed on the run up and just before the link goes live!

Contact:

Twitter: @10thTribe // @VitadiModa
Facebook: 10th Tribe // Vita di Moda

Website: 10th Tribe

Instagram: 10th Tribe // Vita di Moda

Guest Post: One For The Men

One For The Men:
Where to find the best suits in London

On the look out for that perfect Christmas suit for yourself or other half this season? If there was ever a time to dress to the nines and impress, it's Christmas: what with all those work or college parties coming up, never mind Christmas Eve/Day and Boxing day as well. So why not shop with the Gold card and hit the retail scene in London? You're bound to find yourself a bargain, which is always something us savvy shoppers like to see around this time of year!

Everybody knows about Savile Row, the centre of London’s men’s tailoring industry. Here you will find bespoke tailors who can craft you a one-of-a-kind, made to measure suit that will last you for years. The street is lined with famous brand names, and these shops spill out onto the surrounding streets: Mayfair is a veritable goldmine of tailors.

But there are other London hotspots for suits. Chancery Lane is a good place to start: rich with lawyers, bustling and busy, this area of London will also provide you with plenty of sartorial inspiration if you have time to sit and do some people watching. The City of London – or the Square Mile – also has its fair share of tailors, catering to the financial services workers who commute there every day. This area of London is steeped in tradition and home to lots of premium shopping brands, as well as historic pubs and restaurants.

Although these areas of London have a certain cachet when it comes to bespoke tailoring, remember that large department stores – such as those found on Oxford Street – can be just as good for getting you fitted with the right suit. You’ll also get the opportunity to browse a variety of brands rather than committing to one from the outset, and of course they offer great value for money. The assistants will be able to advise you on the process of getting a suit altered, so do ask for help.

If you really have your heart set on a Savile Row suit, there are canny ways to buy. Rather than visiting a bespoke tailor, opt for one of the larger chain stores on the street, which may have seasonal sales - a bit of planning can help you to come away with a serious bargain, particularly if you go on the first day of reductions. That way, you’ll also have some of your budget left over for ties and other accessories. 

Make your money go further when looking for a new suit by shopping with rewards cards from American Express UK. With an American Express rewards card, you can earn exclusive membership points on virtually every purchase you make, which can be redeemed for a host of fantastic rewards including flights, gifts, hotel stays and more.

*Sponsored Post*

Shop The Edit: I Beanie Want One

Abandon Ship Apparel:
I Beanie Want One

A.S.A Look Book

Thanks to my lovely friend Nicole (@CreativeYizzard on Twitter), I recently discovered the magnificently grungy and slightly gothic brand Abandon Ship Apparel, or A.S.A for short. At the minute they currently sell a range of Tshirts, vests, outerwear and accessories and I think it's safe to say that I want one of everything.

My favourite garments have to be the beanies though, as I'm starting to get more and more obsessed with hats now that the weather is getting a little chillier and these A.S.A beauties are so up my street, it's unreal. If you met me in person (not straight away, but once you start to get to know me), you'll realise that I have a tendancy to overuse the 'F' word. It's like word vomit - it just comes out and half the time I'm not even aware I've said it. Don't get me wrong, I don't use it inappropriately, it's only when I'm around my friends.

If I were to point out my favourites, I could easily say the "Fuck You Buddy", cross bobble (middle top) and "Heavy Fucking Metal" beanies. I love anything where profanity is used and is slightly dark in nature, so those fit the bill perfectly.

Like them as much as I do? Why not check out the A.S.A store and get them for yourself - they're only £14.99 each!

Photo Credit: A.S.A Womens Look Book via www.adbandonshipapparel.com 

5 Of The Best: Winter Coats

5 of The Best:

Winter Coats

When it comes to the colder months, my all time favourite shop-for item is a good winter coat. All year round you will probably find me in a blazer or leather jacket, but when the temperatures start to drop, the bad weather sets in (who am I kidding? it's bad weather all year round in the UK) and I start to feel a little frost bite on my extremities, that's when I know it's time to hit the high street and find that perfect coat that will see me through to Spring - or at least when the temperature starts to lift to a comfortable height.

So what do I look for in the perfect coat? Well, for starters it has to have a certain length so as to be worn with a variety of outfits: it can't be too long, other wise it'll just look a little silly when I wear my Adidas sneakers, but it can't be too short either, other wise it defeats it's purpose of being a winter coat - it's supposed to keep me warm! I usually find that anything around a mid thigh - above knee length will suffice. Second is the style. Obviously this changes slightly due to certain factors such as current trends, however anything double breasted with a collar high enough to stand up and keep the wind off my neck is definitely going to be a winner. I also like fitted coats, with a belted waist and deep front pockets (sewn in with a slight slant are my favourite - makes you appear slimmer I find. This is actually why I love my W116 by Walter Baker trench so much), so if I can find something like this, then I'm doing good on my quest.

I've not really done a great amount of research into a coat this year if I'm honest- other than my W116 by Walter Baker trench - however, ASOS never seem to let me down when it comes to Winter essentials, so naturally I checked there first. Right now they're doing a deal with 30% off jackets, jumpers and more AW'12 styles, plus if you're a student with either an NUS card or a UNiiDAYS account then you can get an extra 25% off on top of that: so if there was ever a time to buy that winter coat, it's now. I will be publishing another post with my top picks for winter knits later in the week, but until then I've chosen my top 5 picks from ASOS' coat selection (actually there's two from ShopBop thrown in because they caught my eye a couple of weeks ago), to hopefully inspire you when you decide on the one for you!

1. Joie Teyona Coat @ Shopbop - £212
2. Vince Shirttail Coat with Leather Sleeves @ Shopbop - £470.79
3. ASOS Biker Cocoon Coat @ ASOS - £70 with 30% off. RRP £100
4. ASOS Cape Coat @ ASOS - £70 with 30% off. RRP £100
5. ASOS Fit & Flare Belted Coat @ ASOS - £49

Which is your favourite?

Chopard: Disney Princess Haute Joaillerie

Chopard Haute Joaillerie:
Disney Princess Collection

I know what you're thinking, "what's the deal with this sudden obsession over Disney-inspired posts? What's this, the third one so far?" To be honest, I have no idea. It just seems that both retailers and myself can't quite get enough of Disney, Princesses or indeed fantasy itself this AW season. Whatever the reason, I'm not complaining, as anything Disney gets a thumbs up from me all year round!

If you haven't heard of the Swiss luxury jewellery brand Chopard before, you probably will on the run up to Christmas this year, as they will be showcasing their Haute Joaillerie collection inspired by Disney Princesses throughout the month of December in Harrods, to accompany their Disney Princess Christmas window displays. The ten piece collection will feature necklaces, rings, earrings and broaches inspired by the likes of Cinderella, Tiana, Mulan and Sleeping Beauty and are absolutely stunning. Each piece is vibrant with colour and sparkle and is the perfect accompaniment to both Christmas and Harrods Disney themed Christmas displays. I think I've managed to narrow it down to my top three pieces, but you can see them all by clicking here.

I think I'm drawn to Sleeping Beauty's earrings the most because of their bright colour (a contradiction for someone who prefers to wear head to toe black, eh?) and cute little bejeweled birds: it's just very sweet!

What are your thoughts on the collection? Do you have a favourite piece?

Photo Credit: www.vogue.co.uk

A Display Fit For A Princess: Part II

A Display Fit For A Princess:

Part II

If you're a regular here at Vita di Moda, you'll know that I recently made a little post regarding the concept behind Harrods Christmas window displays down in London this year. Well, Part II here is going to show you what said displays look like and just exactly what I think of the displays as a whole - which may surprise you, as my opinion certainly surprised me once I laid eyes on the displays. Take a little look at the displays first of all.

Snow White by Oscar de la Renta

Tiana by Ralph & Russo

Mulan by Missoni

Ariel by Marchesa

Jasmin by Escada

Belle by Valentino

Sleeping Beauty by Elie Saab

Rapunzel by Jenny Packham

Pocahontas by Roberto Cavalli

Cinderella by Versace

Now, originally once I had seen sketches and heard about the concept for the Christmas displays, my favourite was Elie Saab's creation for Sleeping Beauty, followed by Versace's Cinderella as a close second. However, after seeing the displays, I can't help but feel that the dresses themselves are a little underwhelming and lackluster and if it weren't for the lavish displays surrounding them, I doubt I would even take a second glance at them at all. Cinderella's dress for example looks slightly cheap with that hologram fabric, and I can't help but feel that Marchesa's Ariel inspired dress looks - dare I say it - boring. In the sketches for both, you get the illusion of expense, luxurious fabrics and exquisite detailing, but in the actual dresses you don't really see much of those things going on. It's a darn shame really, especially if you, like me have been anticipating the big reveal.

From what I can see on Elie Saab's Aurora, the dress is lovely - I just wish we could have seen a little more, especially when the original sketch shows the dress to have a rather large detailed skirt. Tiana's dress is stunning, as is Rapunzel's - these three are probably my favourites now that I've seen the actual dresses in their displays. 

Overall I can't help but feel a little disappointed with the fashion aspect of the window displays, however they are still magical and amazing to look at and I still do want to take a trip down to London nearer Christmas and take a look for myself in person. 

What do you think of the displays? Were you as disappointed as I was? Or am I just being over the top?

Photo Credit: www.vogue.co.uk