Better late than never...

Okay, I admit, if BeingGraceElisabeth was a child, she would have been taken into social care and I would be in jail for child neglect.

However, I am back. With a vengeance.

So until tomorrow, when I will post something worthy of reading, I thought I'd update you a little bit on what's been happening with me lately.

Firstly, I have black hair. I made the leap just before Christmas, and after spending the better part of 24 hours sobbing uncontrollably into my pillow, protesting how much I hated the new 'do, after a few days it stopped being such a shock every time I looked in the mirror, and now I love it. Admittedly, it's still taking some getting used to on photographs as the camera seems only to highlight my pale complexion against the ebony locks, but the Nice 'N' Easy was definitely a good move.

Also, I'm going to Paris! The Guardian was offering a deal that was just too good to pass up, and so on the 19th March I will be Eurostarring my way to the capital of romance, to eat baguettes and drink coffee and practice my GCSE French.

I'm taking my Mini Diana Lomo camera, and so hope to get many beauty snaps, like the above.

I was also saving to go to Benicassim, however that is now unfortunately not happening. Sad face. I was so looking forward to laying on a beach and soaking up some rays, and I'd already started planning my summer wardrobe. And my beach wardrobe. There's so many beaut retro swimsuits that I want BADLY. Here's a few examples:

This is the cutest swimsuit ever - I have a dress in the same fabric.

Embracing my love for the polkadot again! Classic Hepburn chic.

High waisted knickers are so flattering and so 50's. Accessorised with a pair of red Ray Bans, it would be the perfect beachwear attire. Hello sailor!

This Stop Staring swim dress makes me want to die it's so cute! It's like a little prom dress in swimwear form. I've found it for super cheap online too. Maybe the Easter bunny will bring me it instead of a chocolate egg...

Hello Bette Lynch! Leopard print is one of my favourite prints, and this is just amazing.

I also found a swim cap like this. I could never look as amazing in one as this babe, but one can only try.

However, I have decided, as a compromise, to buy my desired swimsuits over the course of the year, so that by the time Benicassim 2012 arrives, I will have all the necessary dollar and swim attire I could ever need to be a beach babe.

Sex and the City is also taking over my life. Having gotten the boxset with my Christmas dollar, I am currently on Season 5. Things I have realised since watching are the following:
1) I want to be Carrie Bradshaw.
2) I want to live in New York.
3) I hate Big.
4) I HATE Big.
5) A little bit of me died when I saw Carrie in her purple bandanna.
6) Where are all the Monolo's and Louboutins?? I had not realised that my obsessive viewing of the later episodes of SATC had seduced me into thinking that the whole series was like this. The boxset has reminded me of earlier episodes when this was clearly not the case.

I'm lucky to have quite a few journalism placements lined up for this year. I've got one with Accent magazine in April, one with a newspaper back home in May, one with Lifestyle in August and I was offered a month long placement with Living North magazine too! Not bad given that it's only February! I'd have a placement lined up for every week of every month if I could, but unfortunately my rent pennies still need to be paid, and thus my availability for continuous unpaid placements is somewhat limited as a result. Boo.

I'm still working at Office, where I drool everyday over the new season stock and lament the fact that I have no money to purchase any of the shoes. Even with my discount! However, I also recently discovered that I get a 45% uniform allowance, and so the Francis Cuban heeled brogues I've had my eye on since the beginning of time will be mine at almost half price!! SCORE!

I've also found a camper van hire company in Keswick, which is literally on my doorstep at home! The prices are really reasonable and I'm crossing my fingers to have the funds for a 3 night rental. An old VW camper van in the lakes with summer weather would be ultimate bliss. I'd take some retro deck chairs with me and transport myself mentally back to the 1950's...

I would sell all my possessions to own one of these.

The epitome of summer in photographic form.

And with that revelation, I will have to love you and leave you. That's about all that's happened up to date, to spare you the boring details.

Until tomorrow...

Dear Santa...

So, the snow has arrived in Newcastle! Yesterday afternoon I looked out of my window to see the pretty snowflakes falling from the sky. It looked so beaut, as the snow remained untouched by human footprints and the sky was bright blue. This pre-December weather has however gotten me all excited about Christmas, and so I've been putting together my Christmas list to send off to Santa. I really hope he takes pity on me and grants me my wishes, as I do think I've been a good girl this year so I can't imagine my name would be on the naughty list. I just wish I had applied to be an Elf in Lapland, where the snow would be plentiful and Christmas cheer would be everywhere! Next year, perhaps I will get my wish of meeting Santa and his reindeer...

Until I get to Lapland though, I shall just have to make do with the snow here. How pretty does it look?

Back to my Christmas wish list.

Well, I've already purchased my Christmas present to myself, in the form of a Vogue subscription. How ideal! As much as I'll miss buying the new issue on the shelves, it does seem wiser to pay half the price for it... And I got a free Benefit gift! I am eagerly awaiting the heavy thud on my leopard print doormat, signalling its arrival.

Other than that, there are lots of other things I'd like to find in my stocking on Christmas morning (George Lamb mainly, but I somehow don't think that's going to happen).

I heart this tapestry bag from Urban Outfitters. I've coveted another one since mine broke in sixth form. I've never quite gotten over it, so I feel this would be lovely to store all my essentials.

                                             I also really heart these lace-up boots.

I also really want this. I feel it will go well with the above boots: Topshop velvet detail tweed blazer

Recently I have been feeling that I need to branch out from my staple fur coats as I'm starting to think I'm predictable. The only problem is, they're just so warm it's impossible to get them off my back in the chilly Newcastle winds! This sexy coat would however enable me to do so, and with the leopard-print trim, I would still be able to be faithful to my true Bette Lynch self: Leopard detail swing coat.

I really heart this coat. Sheepskin is everywhere at the minute and I fell in love with this as soon as I saw it. I doubt it will arrive in my stocking this year, but one can only wish! It's just a shame my own sheepskin coat I bought at a flea market for a mere fiver last year doesn't fit me as it's too big... It fits my boy perfectly, but I have yet to convince him to wear it, even though he does look like an absolute babe in it. I would quite happily donate it to him if I could have this one in return: Sheepskin pea coat.

I also heart this knitted basic. It's available in so many colours and they're so wearable. My favourite is the cranberry colour, but I'm a bit fan of the peach and dark blush ones too: Scallop edge basic vest.

I'm massively into stoles lately. This one is amazing: Mongolian fur cape.

I also love these chandeliers. Edie Sedgewick would be jealous: Facet drop chandelier.

I'm in dire need of a laptop case, as mine is suffering badly due to my lack of one. This one is fab: Leopard print laptop case. However, in order to avoid a leopard clash with the majority of my wardrobe, I feel this one would be more suitable: Quilted laptop case. I'm enjoying the Chanel-esque quilting.

I also want this fur stole a LOT: Fox fur stole. It will go perfectly over my Bettie Page dress, and with these seamed back tights I'm hoping to get as a stocking filler:

I also heart this fox fur coat. Even though I said I was trying to branch away from the animals, I love the fur of this so much that I feel I might just be able to make an exception: Vintage fur coat.

This stole is also amazing. Gawd, I am so predictable: Vintage fur stole.

And not to be forgetting those Vivienne Westwood wellingtons I so crave...

I'd also love a Polaroid camera. You can get them for next to nothing on eBay; the only problem is the fact that the films are non-existent, and subsequently cost about 20 sheets for 10 shots. So until Polaroid decide to start producing them again, I feel my wish will be put on the back burner.

These Urban Outfitters slippers are so adorable:

I do not however expect Santa to bring me all of these wonderful delights this Christmas, this is merely my wish list. There are other things I could add to this list, but I do not want to bore you with all my wishes as the list is endless... And so from now until the first of December, when I can start opening the doors on my advent calendar that I've yet to purchase, I will be hoping that Santa has Internet access and can see my blog, as I'd love for some of these to be under my tree this year...

A leopard never changes its spots...

Many, many times I have been likened to Bette Lynch; once by the ultimate chav of a builder who jokingly hurled it, thinking I may be offended. Well, the joke was on him because I took it as a compliment, babe that she is and all...



However, the tacky barmaid has got nothing on Casati; early 20th century muse and eccentric, who dressed in cheeter fur and peacock feathers on a regular basis. But that is another story for another post, and so I shall continue.


Increasingly I feel I may need to start branching out on my set clothing patterns of breton stripes, polka dots, tartan and obviously, leopard print. This came to my attention today whilst browsing through the latest edition of Grazia, where Pearl Lowe for Peacocks' leopard print tea dress bowled me over (I never thought they'd be in the same sentence together either). Subsequently, it had me headed straight in that direction in an attempt for a possible purchase (at £35, who could complain?). Alas it was not to be this time, as the Northumberland Street store didn't stock it. Sob.


This disappointment merely led me to assess actually how many leopard print items of clothing I own, and the number is vast. Not that I'm complaining, as I love the print and it's everywhere for this upcoming season - at least I'll be able to dig out my old faithfuls this winter without having to spend a small fortune on new items! Yet nevertheless, I'm sitting here blogging in a grey leopard print body con dress (an old Topshop favourite) coveting this seasons new animalistic items...








This Moschino number is an absolute favourite of mine. Not that I'll ever own it unless I win the lottery, but regardless, how fabulous.











The bag on the right is my belovedly coveted Mulberry Bayswater. But at £1,650, again, it's unlikely I'll own it any time soon...


Aside from that, there's so many other high street finds that I really want. Office have a gorgeous pair of leopard courts, but given the fact that I already have some with a large black bow on the front (they are amazing), I feel it would be somewhat silly to purchase another pair. The Motel trousers are wonderful also, as is the bandeau dress, although past experience with these sorts of dresses tells me it won't fit me well enough to render buying it.


Anyways, enough of the purchase talk. From umbrella's and underwear to headscarves and clutch bags, my leopard collection is only going to keep on growing. I feel I will remain loyal to the Bette brigade even when leopard goes out of season, just like I did with vintage sequins. Although they were slightly ruined for me when horrific shops such as Rebel Rebel (No Bowie link intended) started churning them out left, right and centre. Nevertheless, I am a die hard leopard through and through. And as leopards never change their spots, I never plan to either. And so I shall leave you with a few of my leopard items. Enjoy...

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