Cause if you're not really here, then i dont want to be either

Its funny how you can always find things to do to fill the time whilst waiting for a train.

I decided to mess around with the 'mind the gap' sign and focus on the the 'Black and Gold' (hence the post title) accessories chosen to sport that day, much to the distress of those travelling home from the city during peak time... Playing with a camera on the platform when people are desperate to get home at the end of the day is perhaps a naive idea, almost falling into the gap myself amidst the hustle and bustle.

Since dying my hair, ive taken to wearing plainer clothes and less and less colour, fused with tougher accessories, to compliment and perhaps distract from the severity of the hair. The shoes, armlets and bracelets worn in this post have all quickly become firm favourites in my wardrobe. And animal print seems to be a common thread in the last couple of posts. What can I say....miaow ;)

Curiouser and curiouser...

Hats in all shapes and sizes came together last week to celebrate my turning 26. Previous posts make no secret that im a sucker for fancy dress, so we conjured up the Mad Hatter Tea Party theme - no hat no entry. 20 girlfriends, courtesy of Patrick - had an amazing sit down dinner followed by drinks and dancing into the wee hours of the morning.Invitations specified guests wear something fabulous, accessorized by hat of their choice - the too cool for school wore trilbys and oversized floppys J-Lo style, the wary dipped their toe in the hat theme and wore fascinators and oversized bows, whilst the brave opted for indian headresses and hats from the forces. There was even a pair of Louis Vuitton bunny ears in the mix - tres chic. Being the 'belle of the ball' and not wanting to be outhatted I took the theme literally and decided to fashion my head gear on the Mad Hatter himself, or rather Gwen Steffani's interpretation - a black top hat sprayed silver with fabric snow leopard print flowers (yes, after a xmas vacation the girl with flowers in her hair is back)

The club scene doesnt usually warrant a toe skimming dress, however birthdays come but once a year. Hunting high and low I finally found a black satin nightie I could work with, following a stern warning from the shop assistant whilst standing half naked - that you are NOT allowed to try clothing on, on the shop floor (NB. It was ten minutes till closing time on the penultimate day of my party, I did not have time to go in search of a fitting room!) This repremanding was quickly forgotten at the till when I found out the dress had been reduced to nine pounds. Happy Birthday to me.

Never one to leave things as they are, when I got home I ripped the straps to transform into a halter neck, cut a deep v to create a backless finish and felt tipped the red and cream floral embroidery for a completely noir ensemble. Et voila, customising is clearly the way forward when you're late, you're late, for a very important date!

Played you like a toy - sometimes I wish I could act like a boy

Have spent sunday afternoon watching the snow fall and doing little else apart from tasting the rainbow and picking at Skittles and a temporary watch swap. Unfortunatley Patrick got the raw end of the deal having to wear my metal ten pound bargain, whilst I gave birth to a newly found obsession with his Panerai diving watch...

Ive always preferred men's accessory departments, H&M, All Saints and Diesel in particular. They make their sunglasses, jewellery and hats that little bit bigger (ideal for encompassing my excessive mane) or simpler which are definitely more suited to my style. There's something quietly sexy about a girl wearing boy toys. Take for example the Panerai, I adore how the chunky face and tough oversize black strap highlight and accentuate the daintiness and fragility of a girl's wrist. The contrasting elements complete a fierce look that can either be played up with other androgynous pieces or dressed down with a girly floral number.

After visiting the Chanel head offices whilst in Paris I fell in love with the white ceramic J12 but this love has now been replaced by my quest to find a watch as cool as the Panerai at a fraction of the £3k plus price tag... suggestions on a postcard more than welcome ;)

So far Fossil and Aldo seem to be coming up with the goods and im currently trying to decide between the three below to add to my wishlist.

However I have a sneaky suspiscion that with the Aldo watches priced at £25.00, one of the latter two will most likely make the cut.

I've got love for you, if you were born in the '80s

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

And so we enter a new decade. It was the perfect start when literally on the stroke of midnight it started to snow. Most people were too busy attempting to link arms and sing Auld Lang Syne - I discovered I still don't know the lyrics. Equipped with my long lost polaroid camera (left at a friend's house 8 months ago following a cowboys and indians party,) it was the ideal accessory for some retro 80s snap shots.

The sailor's hat didn't make an appearance. Last minute change of plans meant if i'd had more time I probably would have worked some magic with a cocktail dress and shoulder pads. Instead I stayed with the monochrome and went for a fusion of Madonna circa 'Like a Virgin' and Winona Ryder in ultimate bitch fest Heathers. Body con skirt, red lipstick, batwing tee, lace cut off gloves and pearl necklaces, finished off with a pair of wayfarers and leopard print bangles.

After a lot of champagne, home made punch and the Flash Dance soundtrack, it was time to head home. Tubes were running all night, and we managed to source a 24 hour Wasabi for 6am sushi. Good times. As much as I love my new boots, after 11 hours standing/stumbling they had to come off, somewhere between Victoria and West Ken, hence the addition of a little glass to my foot. Sad times. But I was too high on life (aka tipsy) to care!

Happy New Year everyone.