a ceremony of chic

The dark, Gothic style of the bridal veils on show at Jean Paul Gaultier reminded me of Tim Burton's 'Corpse Bride' film - there was something eerily alluring about the beautifully crafted, spooky styles which the construction of the film also captures. Not sure if I'll be getting married in any of these dresses in a hurry though - I'd rather opt for a more traditional frothy frock that Elie Saab, Dior and Valentino had to offer this week.

coral couture

Elie Saab's couture offering sent us under the sea to multi-coloured coral reefs, in mermaid dresses embellished to match the beauty of the underwater landscape.

bouchra jarrar on a budget

Want to channel Bouchra Jarrar's looks but can't quite afford the couture prices? Then look no further than...Cambridge University college scarves! 100% wool, they're guaranteed to keep you warm at a fraction of the price of the couture alternative. Nerd points guaranteed.

Look #1: Gonville and Caius chic

Look #2: Stylish St. Edmund's

Look #3: Trendy Trinity Hall

outer verspace

I'm not sure what to make of Versace's return to couture. When I think of couture collections, I think of elaborate, beautiful designs. And while there was intricate embellishment and complex corsetry going on at Versace, it all felt a bit 90s space-age to me, rather than exuding the elegance customary of couture shows. Perhaps I'm a traditionalist, but I'd favour a gorgeous gown over thigh-high boots, exaggerated shoulders and skin-tight styles any day. But then again, Versace herself did say backstage, "I call them my warrior women." Maybe I'm just a weakling.

procrastobaking

I wrote the following article for my college magazine - one of my favourite pastimes!

The procrastobaker.

While the rest of you spend hours sat at your desks perusing Facebook or catching up on iPlayer’s latest offerings, I’ve discovered a whole new sphere in which to procrastinate: the kitchen.

The beauty of baking is that it not only takes up a considerable amount of time, but also results in an end product: a delicious cake. And if your sweet tooth is anything like mine, the endless opportunities afforded by the production of various cookies, cakes, brownies and other sweet treats makes procrastobaking a wonderfully addictive diversion.

A skilled procrastobaker can easily devote an entire day to this pastime. First of all there’s the decision-making process: considerable time ought to be spent choosing the best possible recipe, involving extensive research on the internet, or, if you’re taking the task seriously, a trip to the library to delve into Mrs. Beeton’s archives for extra tips.

Now that you’ve chosen your recipe, a leisurely cycle to Sainsbury’s is usually necessary in order to pick up ingredients.

Back in college, it’s time to get started on your project. Take your time though; you wouldn’t want spoil all your hard work by missing a crucial stage of the recipe.

Once you’ve put your mixture in the oven you’ve got at least an hour to stay close by, admiring the cake rising magically and taking in the mouth-watering aroma it gives off.

When it’s finished cooking, more ambitious procrastobakers might choose to ice or decorate their cake. Again, this is a painstaking process that rewards dedication and ought not to be rushed.

Now it’s time to share the fruits of your efforts with friends: the afternoon is best spent inviting people over and catching up on their news whilst eating a slice or two.

By now your cake has probably been finished off, so you might as well put your evening to good use and begin deciding what you’ll bake tomorrow to replace today’s offering. Or perhaps you ought to bake a second cake to ensure that your staircase doesn’t feel neglected either...

My proudly procrastobaked peach cake. Heaven.

LBD love

The little black dresses in Nina Ricci's pre-fall collection are utterly covetable - but I'm delighted with my bargain LBD from the H&M sale, which at only £10 might not be quite so stunning as Ricci's designs, but at least I'm prepared to risk wearing it out!

It seems that celebrities are loving the collection too - Rooney Mara snapped up one of the dresses to wear to the Golden Globes last night. Not that I'm jealous or anything...

cupcake couture

I received the fabulous new cookbook from the Hummingbird Bakery, 'Cake Days', for Christmas, and I couldn't help but think of its yummy recipes when I saw Thakoon's Pre-Fall 2012 collection:

The pastel palette reminded me of their pretty, pale (and utterly irresistible!) vanilla cupcakes - and by the icing-like shades of her lips, it seems that Thakoon's model might have been taking a sneaky nibble or two as well!

I was also inspired by the gorgeous book and made its Butterscotch Marshmallow Bars this week...they didn't last long!