NHG's 2012

I can't believe I'm sitting here writing that another year (yes, another year!) is over. I wish someone had of told me that the older you get, the faster time goes...

2012 marked my 5th year in London and my 2nd year of blogging. Looking back at my photos, I couldn't help but notice a few fashion habits that appeared over the year. For me, it was all about the trench, pink, monochrome, coats all year long and Sandro (or French fashion in general) this year!

Next year the goal is to bring back more prints and colour into my wardrobe - it's going to be a loooong spring/summer for me so my wardrobe needs to reflect that. NHG x

My favourite purchase of the year - my A.P.C trench, was worn non-stop. Invest in one in 2013 and thank me later. It won't leave your back, I promise.

Not since the late 1990's/early 2000's have I worn so much pink. Someone needed to stage an intervention to stop my addiction this year. It's my happy colour and I'm going with it.

We had the wettest April in 100 years, coldest summer in 100 years and a freezing start to December. I wore a coat for 11 months of the year, and boy did I moan about it.

I often blame my love of black on being a Melburnian. This year I mixed black with white and turned it into monochrome instead. Both shirts by Equipment - shop similar here.

My love of Sandro continued and I own at least ten pieces now. This Parisian label was made for my style and it suits my shape. Shop my Sandro Joyeyse skirt here.  

Winter Sunshine

Yesterday was the first time in weeks that we've had both sunshine and bearable temperatures in London, so I decided to wear another bright outfit to to see the English Ballet perform The Nutcracker at the The London Coliseum with my blogger friends.

Seeing The Nutcracker at Christmas has been on my to-do list forever, and I'm so glad that we went. The whole second half brought back memories of my childhood spent at dance school, and I was a little surprised that I remembered all of Tchaikovsky's pieces like it was yesterday. I highly recommend going if you can get tickets here!

I bought this Acne Lina jumper in yellow in the my-wardrobe sale preview (it's now offically on sale!) and I'm in love with it. It will take me from a chilly winter to spring with ease due to its bright colour. It also comes in purple here.

Are you opting for winter brights this year? NHG x

Outfit details: Acne Lina jumper, my-wardrobe.com (similar style Lia jumper available at net-a-porter here); Mimco flower necklace; Topshop leather skirt (old, similar here); Dune 'Narella' boots with gold heel; Chanel quilted sunglasses; American Apparel yellow leather pouch; Vintage faux-fur coat from Portobello Market.

Pink Boyfriend Coat

You know how I recently said I wasn't going to buy any more pink? Well, I lied.

After spotting this Chloe-inspired Topshop Boyfriend pink coat recently, I couldn't resist swapping my dark coloured coats in black, oxblood and grey for a colour that would brighten dreary London days. I don't cope very well in winter from the lack of sunlight, so after feeling quite rubbish over the past few weeks I decided to get my hair cut (always a good pick me up) and purchase this coat to replace the duvet coat I've been wearing the past few weeks. It's the little things after all...

My chunky wool scarf is COS from last winter, but you can buy something similar from London knitwear designer, Louise Dungate here. NHG x

P.S If pink isn't your thing, Topshop has a lovely Mint green swing coat in stock here.

Outfit details: Topshop Boyfriend pink coat, COS pink wool scarf (similar here), Mulberry Bayswater bag, DKNY leather panel leggings, By Marlene Birger sequin wool dress (old, shop her latest collection here), Belstaff biker boots (last season, shop similar here).

Christmas Gift Inspiration

It's that time of the year when finding that perfect gift for friends and family is high on the agenda, so I decided to put together a few gift ideas (including some Aussie favourites including MOR, Lucy Folk, Bonds and new website, Dreams in Colour)! I own quite a few of the gift ideas listed below so I can personally recommend, and have included some great stocking stuffers for girlfriends that won't break the bank. As I live and breathe all things 'digital' I highly recommend you do your shopping online (London shops are a total mare at the moment)! NHG x

P.S There may be a few things here that are on my own wish list (hello Lucy Choi London glitter ballet flats!)

Top row: Vintage Mason Jar, Pedlars (£8.90); Lucy Folk Taco Friendship Bracelet, mywardrobe.com (£75); Urban Decay Naked Palette, House of Fraser (£36); Karen Walker black glitter sunglasses, Matches (£220); Marc by Marc Jacobs iPhone case, net-a-porter (£30).

Middle row: Geodesis Fig candle, John Lewis (£20); Floral cushion in Neon Pink, dreamsincolour.com.au ($55); Annick Goutal Petite Cherie EDT, John Lewis (£79); Lipstick print by Kristina Hultkrantz, Etsy (£7.60); MOR Rosebud Lip delight, House of Fraser (£10.50).

Bottom row: Bonds Comfy Top Briefs, John Lewis (£11.50), Leopard Fedora, Topshop (£26); Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Too Hot to Handle' tote, mywardrobe.com (£470); Lucy Choi London Gold Glitter ballet flats, mywardrobe.com (£125).
 

Christmas Competition: Win a pair of Hunter wellies

To celebrate Christmas, I'm giving one reader the opportunity to win a pair of Original Tall (worth £79) or Original Gloss (worth £85) wellies in the colour of your choice from Hunter. To enter all you need to do is either 'like' Notting Hill Girl on Facebook, tweet about the competition or leave a comment below.

Competition closes Saturday 15 December and is open to UK residents only (due to shipping constraints). Good luck! NHG x

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