ADVENT CALENDER: DAY 24

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!! Are you all ready now? Today, it’s time to open the last door of the virtual advent calender:

Behind the door is Susie of bargainista fashionista. I only discovered Susie’s blog recently but I have no idea how I lived without it before. In her own words: “I love fashion. And I love a bargain, too. I’m a bargainista fashionista. This blog is about my bargain buys – and about affordable ‘real time’ fashion. If I’ve seen it in the shops and you’ve seen it on my blog, you can buy it right now.” As everyone who reads this blog regularly will know, I am all about a bargain!!

I asked Susie:

How long have you been blogging and why did you first start?

I’ve been blogging for nearly two years now. I started in February 2009. The reason? I wanted a creative outlet that I could call my own – to write and to be creative with my photography. Plus, subconsciously, I probably wanted a bonafide excuse to shop. Now I can justify my shopping habit to my husband, the Stickman, by saying, ‘It’s for the blog…’!

What inspires you?

The people I work with, my friends, street style, magazines, the designer collections and other bloggers. It was Susie Bubble’s blog, stylebubble.co.uk, that inspired me to start blogging.

What do you get up to when you’re not blogging?

Work, sleep and eat! Oh, and shop, of course – I’m always on the hunt for a bargain. The blog does take a fair bit of my spare time. Luckily, I’ve got the Stickman on board as photographer now so it’s become more of a shared hobby.

What three things are top of your Christmas list this year?

1. A piece of Alex Monroe jewellery. He’s one of my favourite jewellery designers.

2. An iPhone 4. I’m fed up of waiting for the elusive white version to come out now.

3. A case for my laptop. It’s got to be stylish – and a bargain. Well, actually, if it’s a gift, maybe not!

Christmas is all about family and traditions, what traditions do you have for Christmas?

The Stickman’s family have a fondue on Christmas Day; a meat one, not cheese, where marinated meats are cooked in a fondue of hot oil. Secretly, I heart turkey and all the trimmings, but the dauphinoise potatoes just about make up for it.

Plus, each year, my friend Em and I buy a Christmas decoration for each other’s tree. My tree is all glass and glitz, hers is more crafty and fun.

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Follow my Bargainista Fashionista blog and on Twitter

I hope you’ve enjoyed the blogger profiles that have been featured here for the past 12 days. Let me know, would you like to see more? I have been considering making it a monthly feature. What do you think?

If you’ve missed the other profiles you can find them here.

Now tell me, what are your traditions on Christmas Eve?

ADVENT CALENDAR: DAY 23

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve folks!! Can you feel the excitement?

Behind today’s virtual door is:

Leia of Leia’s Delights. Leia used to blog over at HiFashion (more on that from her below) but she started her own blog earlier this year and it is one of my daily must-reads. Leia’s Delights is filled with outfit photos, nail art, recipes and much much more. Make sure to check it out, after you have read Leia’s answers to my questions:

How long have you been blogging and why did you first start?

I first started blogging in January 2009 with my friend Sherin. We started a blog called HiFashion. We had both been reading College Fashion after I found a link to it on Sherin’s Facebook, and we sent her a guest post. She was too busy to post our article, so she suggested we start our own blog, so we did! At the end of May 2010 I decided to start my own blog, Leia’s Delights, because I wanted to branch out of solely fashion-related posts and make blogging a bit more personal.

What inspires you?

So many things! Unlike high-profile fashion bloggers, I wouldn’t say my main inspiration comes from the runway (although sometimes I try out things I’ve seen styled in designer collections). I’m usually inspired by the weather, nature, bloggers… anything I see. But mostly I think I’m inspired by clothes themselves – every season I pick two or three favorite hues (e.g. pastels), textures (e.g. lace, sequins), and shapes (e.g. high-waisted, maxi) and try to let the clothes speak for themselves.

What do you get up to when you’re not blogging?

I can’t stand ‘doing nothing’ – even though I’ve just finished my studies and I don’t have a full-time job yet, I fill my days with plenty of activities to keep me from getting bored. Soon I’m going to be helping my brother out with the social media aspect of his web development company, but I also love playing piano, reading (fiction and, er, political analysis), doing yoga, baking, and traveling.

What three things are top of your Christmas list this year?

Would you believe that my family doesn’t actually celebrate Christmas?! It’s just not in our tradition. But if I could have anything I wanted this Christmas, I’d ask for:

1. A donation to an animal rights charity. At this time of year, there are lots of animals who lose their lives – turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and goats and cows for Eid – and as a vegetarian, this is very upsetting for me!
2. A thought given to those who are in need – you could spend time at a soup kitchen, donate unwanted clothes and toys, or raise money for a local homeless shelter. There are so many people who could do with a helping hand, and those of us who are more privileged should really do our best to help them.
3. Oh, and I’d also love a Chanel handbag. Teehee.

There only one more door left to open on the virtual advent calender, so make sure you come back tomorrow to find out who is behind it. If you’ve missed any of the last 10 days, you can find them here.

Don’t forget to go and check out Leia’s blog now.

ADVENT CALENDAR: DAY 22

With just three days left for this advent series, behind door 22 is:

Emily of Fashion Foie Gras. FFG is officially your one stop blog for all the very latest fashion and style news. If you don’t read Fashion Foie Gras, you cannot hope to be in the know. Updated throughout the day, you will find all of the latest lust-haves, Outfit du Jour and much much more. Emily was very kind to take some time out from her busying blogging schedule to tell us a little about her Christmas traditions and what she gets up to when she’s not blogging:

How long have you been blogging and why did you first start?

I’ve been blogging for just over a year now. I started because I love clothes and style. It’s really as pure and simple as that. The blog started more as a diary that I could keep for myself with images and memories and it turned into a full blown fashion news site that now provides a whole new motivation for me.

What inspires you?

So much inspires me and it changes daily. I am greatly inspired by my mother who has given me every shred of style wisdom I have. I’m inspired by people who want to do good things for the world and I love the opportunities I have to publicize that on the blog when I can. I’m inspired by my own ability to get three hours sleep and still have the strength to work and write everyday, haha.

What do you get up to when you’re not blogging?

If I’m not blogging it’s because I’m on an airplane. That’s the only reason I have for not being engaged online. I am an American gal in London so I get back to the USA whenever I can. Travel is a big part of my life. But I don’t think I ever turn the blogger in me off. I’m always looking around wondering if I can write about this or that. I carry a notebook everywhere to write things down because they come to me at the absolute worst times – must be prepared!

What three things are top of your Christmas list this year?

An iPad (I’m told I’m way behind the times because I don’t have one yet), a Ralph Lauren Ricky Bag and a Cableknit cashmere blanket (I’m obsessed).

Christmas is all about family and traditions, what traditions do you have for Christmas?

Our biggest and most cherished tradition is being together. I come from a big family and we are all scattered around the globe. During the holidays when you can all be in the same room, it’s a big deal. The presents don’t matter, the food and alcohol help, but it’s really just being able to hug your mom and dad that mean the most to me and will be a tradition I keep around forever. It’s all about family.

Thank you Emily for answering my questions. Remember to check out Emily’s blog and to call back tomorrow for the penultimate blogger of this series. See the other bloggers featured here.

ADVENT CALENDAR: DAY 21

Can you believe quite how close Christmas is now?! Behind the 21st door of my virtual advent calendar is:

Shannon of The Simply Luxurious Life. Shannon is not a stranger to this blog, she wrote about her Style Icon for me a couple of month’s ago and very kindly featured me in her weekly newsletter last month. If you haven’t already been over to Shannon’s blog, you are missing out; from weekend inspiration posts filled with stylish photos to interior design spreads, to recipes and a fantastic Why Not…? series. It is not only the inspiring photographs that make Shannon’s blog so special but her thoughtful and well chosen words and quotes too.

Here, Shannon answers my questions about her Simply Luxurious Christmas:

How long have you been blogging and why did you first start?

I must confess, upon watching Julie & Julia in theaters in August of 2009, I was inspired, but I didn’t begin The Simply Luxurious Life blog until December of that year. As far as I why I began – it all started as a need to express myself and my passions, as I found that when I did, people enjoyed the ideas because they too could bring the same beauty and luxury into their own lives. In creating the blog, it was very freeing and a sense of exhilaration was immediately felt because I found so many other people who had similar passions, and in its own way, it was very validating.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by words and ideas of others I discover in books, newspaper and magazine articles, well-written movies, plays and beautifully honest music. Beauty in general whether it be found in fashion, interior design, architectural design or in nature is so soothing and invigorating. I find that when I am able to carve out time to be by myself – sometimes when I take my walks or when I’m enjoying a peaceful night at home – that my mind is able to relax and be open to welcoming in all sorts of ideas that I wouldn’t have been able to realize had I been busy scurrying about.

What do you get up to when you’re not blogging?

When I’m not blogging, I can be found trying new recipes, enjoying old ones, traveling, reading, practicing yoga, walking my dogs, spending time with good friends and family, savoring wines from our local vintners, shopping, dreaming, laughing, journaling, working out in the yard or enjoying a relaxing bubble bath in my refurbished clawfoot tub (with a glass of wine of course).

What three things are top of your Christmas list this year?

Peace of mind, books, books and more books and a fabulous dress or two.

Christmas is all about family and traditions, what traditions do you have for Christmas?

On the evening of the 24th, our family always has our annual Christmas Eve dinner which is a Surf n Turf affair with prime rib, shrimp and everything in between. My mother is an amazing cook and a few years ago, I began providing the dessert to help out a bit. It is a gathering of friends and immediate family that everyone dresses up for, and I must say I enjoy and appreciate it more every year because I realize how special such holiday traditions are with people who are loving and supportive and have seen you grow to who you are now. Truly an event to be treasured.

Thank you so much Shannon for answering my questions. Remember to check out Shannon’s blog and to come back to tomorrow for another blogger’s profile. If you’ve missed the previous bloggers in this series, you can catch up here.

ADVENT CALENDAR: DAY 20

Oh my! Only five days until Christmas!!!! Excited? Much?! Shall we see who is behind the twentieth virtual door? Ok:

It’s Amanda, the Online Stylist of 40 Not Out! 40 Not Out is a celebration of life beyond 40 in a wonderful mix of fashion lusts and celebrity fashion. I always always look forward to Amanda’s Wardrobe Watch posts and her Meh… Or Yeah! posts. Amanda has a wonderful eye for and sense of style. She has such an enthusiasm for fashion that is just infectious! Go check out her writing at 40 Not Out and I can guarantee you’ll be hooked too!

For now though, check out Amanda’s responses to my questions:

How long have you been blogging and why did you first start?

I started back in May 2008 at my first blog 39 and Counting. I’d always wanted to write and in the run up to my fortieth year I thought a blog was the best solution as I knew there wasn’t a book in there! Having started Forty Not Out after the big birthday, it quickly became all about fashion.

What inspires you?

So many things – people I see in the street, magazines, other great blogs, shows like Gossip Girl and Sex And the City, movies, books especially glossy coffee table ones and shops. Even if I’m not shopping, I love to wander around the stores putting together outfits in my head.. or sometimes on myself in the changing rooms!

What do you get up to when you’re not blogging?

I have a five year old daughter and husband who keep me very busy! Weekends are often spent catching up with friends, doing DIY or just trying to have some quality family time. I love to read and watch movies.. it’s the only time I can stop my brain going into overdrive. Otherwise I’m at the computer writing for Upper Street or choosing clothes for Online Stylist clients!

What three things are top of your Christmas list this year?

Good food, good wine and family time! Apart from that I have asked for some Diptyque perfume and the SATC 2 DVD… even though it’s really quite bad! I can’t help but love SJP and the fashion!

Christmas is all about family and traditions, what traditions do you have for Christmas?

Decorations go up the first weekend in December, there has to be sherry on hand when wrapping presents, my daughter gets to choose a new tree decoration every year to add to the collection, I cook a ham on Christmas Eve and there has to be smoked salmon with scrambled eggs and Veuve Cliquot for breakfast on Christmas day!

Thank you so much Amanda, for agreeing to be involved and for answering my questions. Please can I come and have champagne with you?! Sounds perfect. You can see the other bloggers who have already been profiled here and come back the rest of this week for the final four bloggers too.

ADVENT CALENDAR: DAY 19

There are now less than a week’s worth of doors to open on the advent calendar before THE BIG DAY!! So, behind today’s door is:

Paula of PinkBow. Paula’s blog is filled with wonderful photographs which give the reader an insight into her life, from her vintage-inspired outfits to her Life In Pictures series. I never fail to smile when I see a new post on Paula’s blog as her talent for photography means that every post is a treat. If you haven’t already discovered PinkBow, make sure you go and explore it, after you have read Paula’s answers to my five questions:

How long have you been blogging and why did you first start?

I’ve had my blog for two years now. I was always an avid scrapbooker-er, keeping images of what inspired me. And of course I have always loved fashion since I was very young. So starting my own blog seemed a natural progression to document these loves.

What inspires you?

So many things! Things around me. People around me. Books, films, music and people on the street. I am definitely more inspired by personal style than what is “in fashion”.

What do you get up to when you’re not blogging?

I guess a lot of my life ends up on the blog – I enjoy travelling & visiting new places, eating nice food, shopping at flea-markets. So many things!

What three things are top of your Christmas list this year?

You know, I actually don’t have a Christmas list this year. I’m visiting Barcelona just before Christmas and have been given some money in advance to treat myself. So a bit different to the norm this year.

Christmas is all about family and traditions, what traditions do you have for Christmas?

I couldn’t agree more! My Christmas starts with the decorating of the tree. I always have some festive days out planned. And every year my dad and I go out for a few hours on Christmas Eve to visit Bettys Tea Rooms.

Thank you so much Paula, for answering my questions. If you want to see who else has been featured behind the doors of my virtual advent calendar, you can here. Make sure, too, to check out PinkBow and to come back tomorrow for another blogger!

ADVENT CALENDAR: DAY 18

Behind today’s virtual door is:

Katy of Modly Chic. Katy of Friend Friday fame! Yes, Katy is the brains behind each week’s topic for Friend Friday. But that is only a very small part of who Katy is and what she does. Katy is a freelance writer and founder of Modly Chic. Katy tells us that her “blog chronicles my daily outfits while offering tips for those looking to work what they have in their closets. It’s about being practical; because while we’d all like an endless bank account and rooms full of clothes that’s just not realistic. ModlyChic is about working with what you have while remaining current and chic“.


Without further ado, here are Katy’s answers:

How long have you been blogging and why did you first start?

I’ve been blogging on and off for about 6 years. My first blog was just me ranting about things that drove me crazy but it was mostly negative and it got tiring to always be pointing out the bad and insane. I started ModlyChic in the Spring of 2009 but didn’t get serious about it until January 2010. I started because I saw a void in the fashion blogging world- there were all these amazing bloggers who showed daily outfits in clothes that cost more than an entire month’s salary as a freelancer. At the time I was helping a number of friends shop for clothes and the usual complaint I heard was that fashion was all trashy looking and it was too expensive to dress well. I beg to differ. So I started ModlyChic as a way of showing people you don’t need an endless supply of money and 10 closets in order to be fashionable.

What inspires you?

To a certain extent – Everything. I’m one of those people who walks out the front door and smiles because the sky is blue or the leaves crunch under my feet.There is so many things out there that can inspire and bring joy to a person, we just need to open our eyes and see those things.
In terms of fashion specifically, I think mostly I’m inspired by other fashion bloggers. For the first time in 5 years I decided not to renew my Lucky Magazine subscription because I am finding way more inspiration from my must-read blogs than I do in the 150 pages that come out every month.

What do you get up to when you’re not blogging?

I feel like I’m never not up to blogging. I blog for ModlyChic, freelance write for a blog called Tiger Print and am slowly starting up a blog as part of my ‘day job’. Oh, and I just started my own running blog. But beyond all of this… I work at an independent student residence in Boston. My title here should be renaissance woman because I’m part landlady, part social media strategist, part accountant, part event planner, part RA… I basically do a little bit of everything. Beyond work I enjoy working out and I’m back in gear to train for more marathons. I got out of practice this summer but am now officially back into the swing of things.

What three things are top of your Christmas list this year?

I am craving a large silver oversized men’s watch, the perfect camel-colored cape and a brown pair of riding boots.

Christmas is all about family and traditions, what traditions do you have for Christmas?

My family is full of traditions that my parents started to bond us together – it’s the kind of stuff you look forward to each year. For instance, on Christmas Eve our dinner is just a combination of our favorite appetizers. Each person in the family gets to pick one or two items, we prepare them together in the kitchen and then eat them leisurely around the dining room table.

Another tradition was that to cut down on the number of ‘things’ we got each year. Mom and dad would get us each one present, then we picked names out of a hat and bought a present for one of our siblings and Santa brought us three presents on Christmas morning because that’s how many Jesus got from the wise men.

Thank you Katy for being involved and answering my questions. Remember to check out Katy’s blog. Remember too to come back tomorrow to find out who is behind the nineteenth door.

ADVENT CALENDAR: DAY 17

Behind today’s virtual door is:

Maria, one half of Frills ‘n’ Spills. Maria writes her blog with her house-mate Danni  and together they share their outfits, photographs, recipes and fun musings. As they themselves put it, “If you like all things sweet, stylish and down to earth, read on!”


Here are Maria’s answers to my five questions:

How long have you been blogging and why did you first start?

Since 1st October 2009, so just over a year I was reading a lot of blogs and often thought that I had something to contribute so I asked Danni, one of my best friends and house-mate, whether she wanted to write a blog with me and Frills ‘n’ Spills was born!

What inspires you?

I am inspired by a LOT of things but I think my friends and family and other bloggers inspire me 🙂

What do you get up to when you’re not blogging?

I watch trashy TV; Gossip Girl is my favourite but also shows like ANTM and I spend time with my friends, family and my lovely boyfriend (and often photographer!) Mark.

What three things are top of your Christmas list this year?

I would love some new books to read and also some scented candles- they are my new addiction! A few bargains in the January sales would be nice too 😉

Christmas is all about family and traditions, what traditions do you have for Christmas?

It’s just all about spending time with the people I love, eating lots of good food and watching TOTP on telly!

Thank you Maria for answering my questions. Check out Maria’s blog and remember to come back tomorrow for another blogger profile behind the eighteenth door.

ADVENT CALENDAR: DAY 16

Behind the sixteenth door of the virtual advent calendar is:

 V, from Grit and Glamour. I found Grit and Glamour through IFB originally and indeed I think IFB‘s Jeninne said it best about V: “Aside from her lovely and wearable style, beautiful photos, great life and style tips and pop culture, she’s also contributed great posts to IFB. We love her enthusiasm, knowledge and belief in the community.”


V is stylish with an eclectic wardrobe without her outfits looking like something you couldn’t wear yourself. She is a great role model for any blogger looking advice and is approachable and always willing to help.


Here are her answers to my questions:

How long have you been blogging and why did you first start?

I’ve been blogging since 2006. I’m a writer and a fashion lover—and a gadget girl—so it was something that intrigued me, blogging. It felt like the perfect medium for me. Cruriousity, more than anything, prompted me to explore it.

What inspires you?

My niece and nephew. New collections on the runways. New technology. Underdogs.

What do you get up to when you’re not blogging?

Nothing unusual. I spend time with my husband. I read. I shop.I see movies and concerts. I love trying new restaurants and traveling when I can.

What three things are top of your Christmas list this year?

I’d really love a new lens for my DSLR, an iPad, and more over-the-knee boots.

Christmas is all about family and traditions, what traditions do you have for Christmas?

We’ve always done stockings and stocking stuffers, even when we’ve imposed a no-gift rule. I love looking for stocking stuffers. I always look forward to Christmas Day lunch with my family, which includes mimosas while opening gifts, prime rib, au jus, and mashed potatoes. My mom puts on a feast!

Thank you so much V for being involved and answering my questions. Remember to check out Grit and Glamour this festive season. Check out the previous blogger profiles here and come back tomorrow for another.

ADVENT CALENDAR: DAY 15

Today’s blogger behind the third door is:

Harriet of Where Is Harriet? Harriet’s job is just about as removed from fashion as mine. She tells us on her blog: “I believe in lots of photos, a small dollop of culture and a healthy amount of shopping.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Harriet’s blog is definitely filled with plenty of pretty photos. I always look forward to Harriet’s Lazy Sunday Links which have helped to discover new blogs and fabulous features. I also love Harriet’s simple and chic style which she showcases in her Daily Outfit posts.

I asked Harriet:
How long have you been blogging and why did you first start?

I wrote my first ever blog post in September 2008, so over two years ago now! Although after that I sort of forgot about my blog for about six months so I’d say I started blogging on a regular basis in April 2009, so I’m a little way off my ‘real’ two year blogiversary yet. I ‘m not a very creative person, so I was looking for creative outlet which didn’t involve me needing to be able to draw, sing, act or play an instrument! I’d been reading fashion blogs for a while and eventually I just thought ‘I’m going to try that too!’

What inspires you? 

Other bloggers inspire me. I read sooo many blogs now everyday, and I get so much inspiration from their writing, outfits and photography, even their baking! What really inspires me is when bloggers make their everyday lives extra special. Life really is what you make of it, and the blogs I love to read are the not the ones with crazy expensive wardrobes, or access all areas fashion week passes and the best giveaways, but the ones that turn something ordinary into something beautiful.

What do you get up to when you’re not blogging? 

It’s not very glam I know, but I’m training to be a chartered accountant at the moment, so more often than not I’m at work or revising for exams! Something’s got to keep me in shoe money after all… Other than that I tend to spend time with my friends and family, I read a lot, eat a lot, watch a lot of bad American TV, spend copious amount of time on twitter, the usual!

What three things are top of your Christmas list this year?

I’ve got my heart set on a Lulu Guinness handbag, so that’s number one. I also want a big fluffy grandad style jumper to keep me warm, as it’s been so cold recently, and lots of fashion books with delicious photos to gaze at.

Christmas is all about family and traditions, what traditions do you have for Christmas? 

My family isn’t really into Christmas in a big way, so we tend to have a very chilled out Christmas. One of our more unusual traditions is that instead of having a big home cooked meal on Christmas day we go out to a restaurant. None of us really enjoy cooking that much, and it seems unfair that one person has to spend all of Christmas day morning slaving away in the kitchen, so by eating out it means we can all have a nice relaxing morning and then get a much better meal than we would be able to cook at home anyway!

Thank you to Harriet for answering my questions and being involved in the advent calendar blogger profiles. Remember to check out her blog. And you can see the past two blogger profiles here.