Be careful at the sales

The sales started even earlier than last year but coming from a gal who always shops sales on Xmas eve here's some advice:

The best way to shop a sale is on a need to basis...

My top tips for sale shopping are:

1.) only buy if its a current trend or a wardrobe staple (i.e. a good white shirt)
2.) a miracle sale item is when you have had your eye on an item and it goes down in the sale - winner, definitely shop these items!
3.) don't buy sale items out of season - it means they are definitely not on trend and u cannot wear then immediately. When it does get to their appropriate season - u probably won't wear it anyway! 

Happy sales xoxo

The best of 2012

I can't help but think about my most favourite trends when a year nears to an end. S/S12 definite favourites were print trousers and coloured blazers... In particular I fell in love with white.

My absolute worst trend and epic fashion fail for so many people (but not me :)) were dipped hem dresses... Lets hope we do not have to suffer anymore of those!!

Moving forward to 2013... We still have a few cold months... My newest craze for the party season which is upon us and the start of 2013 has got to be shiny leggings! They are being sold everywhere... My best ones come from urban outfitters! They jazz up any chunky knit, tshirt, casual boot scenario and look very cute sticking out from the end of a big winter coat!

Urban Outfitters - Shiny Nylon leggings £25

 

Urban Outfitters - Holographic Sequin leggings £38

 

My second absolute must is pleather (or leather depending on budget). Invest in a pencil skirt or some

shorts if you are feeling brave.

These Zara shorts are my Xmas purchase! Team with a Christmas jumper for an on trend Christmas Day look (avoid the white pins on the Zara website and go for some black tights and shoe boots).

 

Zara faux leather shorts £29.99.

 

Have a wonderful Christmas xoxo

 

Dabble in vintage

Having a few vintage treasures in your wardrobe is going to individualise your outfits and make them look more special. So if most of your wardrobe comes from middle range high street shops like Topshop, adding a few vintage items will make u stand out from the crowd.  

A tip for vintage shopping - know what u are looking for. For example... I would like a vintage thin knit jumper. That's a broad enough description to find one, but if you go in to a vintage store thinking I just want vintage, without thinking about what u might like, there is no doubt that you will buy an item that is a bit crazy, that u are never going to wear, because it fits with nothing you already have.

Vintage shopping can also work out cheaper than high street shopping too.... So if u see a colourful scarf in Zara for 30GBP why not take a look in a vintage store (or eBay works well too), it will probably be cheaper and will definitely be different from anything else anyone else is wearing... Making your look interesting.

Some of my friends wear head to toe vintage.... And look amazing, but this is not for everyone so I am not advocating this. I am just saying add a few pieces to jazz up your look :)

 

My recent vintage purchases include a green spotted dress, a pink silk shirt and a print scarf... total cost £60

 

 

 

xoxo

Decoration, decoration...

In the words of Michael Kors (and many others)... keep the outfit simple and go over the top with accessories...

Nothing adds more glamour and gets more second glances than a statement necklace.... Invest in a couple this season... They work wonders over thin knits, shirts and tees... Necklaces or collars... if you think the more the merrier like me.... add a statement necklace and a huge fur collar!

My best high street ones come from Zara, Reiss and Topshop! I know I'm boring you all with Zara but they do come up trumps most of the time (just not in the shoe dept!)

Topshop and Zara certainly do the best budget options:

 

Topshop ribbon twist collar £18.50

Both from Zara, both £19.99 BUY both

 

 

 

Reiss chunky Chain necklace White £69

 

 

If you are looking for a bit more of an investment piece Stella & Dot are a great online company with quirky pieces that are fabulous..

 

 

Stella & Dot Campari Necklace £110

 

 

Stella&Dot Virginia Bib Necklace £250

There are so many more, take a look at their website.

 

 
There's nothing more worthwhile to splurge money on

xoxo

Beautiful over clothes...

It is getting chilly, and what is really important about this time of year is that what we are wearing over our beautiful pieces, are just as beautiful as the outfits we are having to hide underneath...

Remember that jackets are as important as shoes and bags when making a statement and so investing in a selection is no waste. Invest in at least a couple... give yourself options.... They will stay with you for at least a couple of A/W.

Some affordable high street options are:

 

Quilted leather jacket Zara £119

 

 

 

 

Crystal Embellished Military Topshop £120

 

 

 

Faux Fur textured coat

(comes in 4 colours, but this is my fave!)

M&S £79

I believe this is a true BARGAIN

 

And last but not least... a statement piece (or four) for FUN!

 

 

 

Coat with leather sleeves Zara £129

 

 

Jacquard Coat Zara £79.99

 

 

A splash of colour

Mango Kate Bright Collarless Military Coat

Mango @ ASOS £44.99

 

 

Double breasted blazer

ASOS £60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Winter warmers...

So this time last year I was in sunny Australia... Planning my trip to Bali and looking forward to Christmas on the beach in Sydney. This year, I'm in London... Feeling the cold more than ever... And working even harder on my winter wardrobe because it was non existent the whole time I was on the sunnier side of the world.... Scarves, snoods, fur, cute knits and some leather.... Are all a MUST! My winter warmer shopping list goes something like this.... 

A coat I can throw on with anything, boyfriend cut and a

 huge fur collar makes it look.....oh so glamorous!

Topshop £110

 

 

Every girl should have a snood to wrap up on the weekends

ASOS £12

 

 

 

 

A lightweight knit (works wonders with an a-line leather

skirt this season which makes it super on trend!!)

left ASOS £22, right ASOS £35

 

 

To keep the pins warm.... some leather

(or leather effect depending on your budget)

Below both Zara £39.99.

Add a thin knit to a leather skirt

for a classic but glamorous look.

 

 

 

This is just the start.......ahhhhhh I feel warmer already......

 

Men that do not shop!

Now I'm back in the dating game... You cannot request that your ideal man is a fashionista... Well you could dream of one... But it's highly unlikely you are going to get one!!

One of my male friends recently told me he shops mostly at uni qlo (shudder).... I didn't know these people existed!!

So I have picked out some AW inexpensive gems to jazz up his wardrobe, and thought I would share them with you....

A how to guide for men that DO NOT SHOP!

Everyman should own a leather... they will wear it for years and it jazzes up anything. They come in blazer style, biker & bomber... one style will suit!

ASOS £125,

but the rest of the high street offer good alternatives.

 

 

 

An alternative casual trouser to a blue jean (as an option - coloured chinos are everywhere!!)

River Island Chinos £30

 

 

 

Something a bit smarter.

A blazer to add to some casual outfits

Zara £79.99

 

 

A selection of cute tees. They can be inexpensive if need be. No slogans allowed!

Tshirts should be changed most seasons!

ASOS £12

 

 

Men can accessorise too

A snood or scarf is the perfect pairing with a blazer or leather for autumnal days.

Zara £19.99

 

 

This list is by no means exhaustive.... I couldn't even make a start on the shirt debacle this time round. I think I could go on for days.... but just a snippet or inspiration on how you could jazz up a mans wardrobe in a few easy steps....

 

X

 

 

Points are back

 

I'm surprised... but pleased that pointed courts have made there way back in to high fashion.... They are amazingly feminine and add sex and glamour to any outfit... If your feeling like a splurge... on an amazing pair of statement shoes...

 

 

 

Oscar de la Renta at net-a-porter

£625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a more wearable splurge option, invest in some tortoiseshell points.

These can double up for work and play, with skinnies or a dress.

 

 

 

 

 

Jimmy Choo at net-a-porter

£375

 

 

If however, like me, you cannot afford to go and buy a few new pairs of designer pumps every season... we will just have to work with the high street options.. they too are doing some great examples.

 

              

 ASOS Pointed heels with metal

tow cap £45

 

 

Emma Cook at ASOS £160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

 

KG wrist bling......

If you are struggling with wrist jangles this season Kurt Geiger are doing a beautiful array.....

All from KG Price range £14-50

 

Date night.....

I had to write a note about this outfit because it is perfect as a transitional outfit between summer and autumn, and a great pairing of lace and leather!! As I have been ordered back in to the dating game... what a great date night outfit..

Leather trousers H&M, Lace jacket Zara, Grey Long tee Zara, Statement necklace Topshop.

Gig fashion....

Yes your feet are going to get trampled and yes you are going to get beer in your hair, but we still need to look good!! So as always we need some staples.... some gig and/or festival fashion staples. For me, these consist of a pair of ankle boots, a shift dress of some sort (because it's going to get haaaaat!!), loading up on accessories and a small bag that can go over my head and under my arm. My gig wardrobe goes something like this....



 H&M dress £19.99.

Any shortish, cute, patterned/floral dress looks great with some summer legs and boots!



Left: Studded ankle boots Office £70
Right: Jeffrey Campbell Starburst Office £120
 Comfortable boots are a MUST....how can you dance the day and night away otherwise!

All jewellery and bag from H&M

H&M Ring Pack £3.99

Load up on accessories... it gives your outfit some character!!!



Rock some studs!!!

Studs have been making an appearance on the catwalk and high street for a few seasons now, but when I entered Topshop this week I was definitely faced with the largest selection of studded clothing EVER (not to forget shoes and accessories too….). This filled me with absolute joy because I just can’t get enough of them!

There is definitely (and unfortunately) an age limit on this trend… as there is with a lot of trends in Topshop but done well they can be super cool and very chic! They are not even as subtle this year with actual spikes appearing on the shoulders of jackets and heels of boots in the high street shops, for a real rocker look!

But of course Zara, as always, have come up trumps with more sophisticated wearable options! See below and fall in LOVE....

Zara studded leather £169

Zara Studded Tiger Clutch £69.99

Zara Blouse with studded collar £59.99

Life's a beach

One of these days I’ll start by writing... "The glorious sunshine is out..." But right now I am going to have to store that one away for another day.... and start getting excited about the holiday season! I cannot let grey London dampen my spirits!

Holiday time is approaching... And I for one am a little apprehensive about my beach look... My skin hasn't seen sun in a good few months and I have done very little about updating my daytime wardrobe! 

So in attempt to start the update I recall my beliefs that, for me, beach clothes need to be able to cover the following scenarios 1.) Breakfast 2.) Walking to the beach 3.) Maybe stopping on the way home from the beach for a drink and not looking like you shouldn’t be there!! 

The problem I have with beach clothes is that I don’t want to spend a small fortune on clothes that spend their day working there way around my sun bed getting covered in beach related mess, but at the same time, I don't want to wear anything less than cute on trend clothes pieces either! It's a holiday so of course you want to feel good all of the time! I have picked out some cute daytime pieces and accessories that will not bust your budget... and keep you looking fabulous!! 


One last thing.. I truly believe a floppy hat is a must for every woman on the beach this summer! They hide a multitude of (hair and face) sins! 

Print trousers £28 ASOS

Metallic Beach Bag £19.99 H&M

Animal strappy Midi £28 Topshop

Peach jersey cover up £28 Topshop

Leopard bow floppy hat £12.15 Forever 21