G-D Save The Queen

So it rains 360 days of the year, public transport costs a fortune and we are known for being quite a miserable race - even so, I think our country deserves a little credit where credit is due and I am therefore dedicating this blog to the United Kingdom.

Ladies and Gentlemen - it is time to start getting a little patriotic.

Make some room amongst those LBDs - the LRD has made an appearance. What better to way to start than with this striking padded shouldered scoop necked dress.

£85 - French Connection
frenchconnection.com

Turn heads with this structured Jonathan Saunders marble print dress - the prefect way to see day through to night.

£795 - Jonathan Saunders
brownsfashion.com

Be fashion forward with a pair of Alexander McQueen red booties.

£779 - Alexander McQueen
alexandermcqueen.com

Comfortable yet fashionable - who says we can't do both?

£78 - Steve Madden
zappos.com

Stand out from the crowd with Lulu Guinness' iconic Union Jack lip shaped clutch bag.

£395 - Lulu Guiness
asos.com

Stay on trend with this three-row gem bracelet.

£5 - Peacocks
peacocks.co.uk

Add some bling to your keys, with Butler and Wilson's crystal heart keyring.

£44 - Butler and Wilson
qvcuk.com

One of this seasons 'it' colours is red - so red polish is a must-have - time for a manicure ladies.

£7.52 - OPI
nailpolishdiva.com

One of my favourite designer perfumes; Midnight Poison - for those long days and even longer nights.

£60 - Christian Dior
beauty.dior.com

Compliment any look with this fabulous Swarovski Crystal pen.

£59 - ICE London
ice.co.uk

Britts - wear it with pride!

xoxo

Stylishly Organised

The New Year is creeping up upon us and we need to ensure we bring 2010 in with style. I'm not talking about a glamorous New Year's eve outfit, nor a perfect pair of killer heels, not even a divine clutch bag - nope, I am referring to a diary. A means to run your life day in, day out. That's right - 2010 is all about possessing a fashionable, fun and fantastic diary.

Luckily - I have done the hard work for you and picked out the top five must-have diaries for 2010. Now all you have to do is purchase and be sociable!

Smythson's black sleek diary is a super luxe essential.



£126 - Net-A-Porter
http://www.net-a-porter.com/am/product/61029?cm_mmc=LinkshareUS-_-ProductFeed-_-Smythson-_-Lifestyle&siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-73JEXtRItSffCqpzMqNzLQ

For something a little more individual, purchase this flower power diary.

£39 - Aspinal of London
http://www.aspinaloflondon.com/eshop-catalogue/albums-and-books/2010-leather-diaries/flower-power-leather-diaries/3763-flower-power-medium-pocket-diary-in-purple

'Small in size, yet thoughtfully equipped' - Mulberry's diary is my fave for the New Year.

£175 - Mulberry
http://www.mulberry.com/#/storefront/c5494/1033/category/

Add a splash of pink to your day-to-day life, with this pocket Breast Cancer Filofax.

£18 - WH Smith
http://www.whsmith.co.uk/CatalogAndSearch/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=30668317#

Spoil yourself and invest in this chic, epi leather calender diary by Louis Vuitton.

£205 - Louis Vuitton
http://www.louisvuitton.com/uk/flash/index.jsp?direct1=home_entry_gb

Here's to a stylish and organised New Year!

xoxo

Don't Stop Me Now

Yesterday was spent browsing online, with the odd purchase but mostly just browsing.

Here is what I have added to my Wish List for the week ...

Carvela's purple boots. To be worn day and night; I'd team these with skinny jeans, long-line cardi and mulit-coloured knitted scarf or a mini dress, thick tights and leather j.

(reduced from £160 to £89)
(http://www.kurtgeiger.com/online-shop/111949-carvela-simple)

For an exotic smell to carry you through the whole day -Michael Kors eau de parfum is one to add to the collection.

(£60)
(http://www.michaelkors.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod4540001&parentId=cat2101&masterId=cat11501&cmCat=cat000000cat101cat11501cat2101&index=2&tid=P9)

ASOS' vintage inspired faux fur coat will keep you warm and trendy on those cold winter days.

(£60)

http://www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=804894)

Which girl doesn't love a little green box?! Tiffany's bow pendant is adorable and can be worn all day, every day.

(£80)
(http://uk.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=GRP02669&mcat=&cid=&search_params=s+1-p+1-c+-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+bow+pendant&search=1)

Missoni's delicious knitted scarf is bursting with colour and will add a splash of designer to any outfit.

(£99)
(http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/accessories/item10025963.aspx?cur=GBP&geo=uk)

Now - the only question that remains ...

Who wants to buy me a pressie?

Any takers say I.

xoxo

Rain Rain Go Away ... Come Back When I've Bought An Umbrella

The rain has made an appearance and it doesn't look like it is going away any time soon. Now, although I do not allow this to stop me from venturing out the house, it has made me realise that the time has officially come for me to carry an umbrella in my handbag ALWAYS!

The question is - which umbrella should I invest in this year? I do believe an umbrella is as important as one's outfit and often when out and about, it is the accessory that gets noticed the most, so - one must choose wisely.

Here are my top five to help give some umbrella ella ella inspiration.

1. Work, rest or play, this fairisle umbrella is adorable.

(£8 - New Look)

2. If the Cruise family can do it, so can we. Make a statement with this Burberry umbrella.

(£137 - Burberry.com)

3. Zandra Rhodes has created a fabulous collection for M&S and this dramatic rose print umbrella will keep you dry and trendy throughout the winter.

(£15 - M&S)

4. You can't get more glamorous than Lulu Guinness' birdcage umbrella.

(£28 - luluguinness.com)

5. The iconic print is back and what better way to wear dogtooth than on your umbrella. (£8 - Dorothy Perkin)

So there you have it ... Stamp your identity this year on a fabulous and glamorous umbrella - the fashion world is awaiting.

xoxo

Cotton On

I heart Fearne Cotton. I heart her style, her attitude, her way of life and her career choices. She seems cool, down to earth, funny and looks like she enjoys a good party - just my kinda gal!

I am forever ooo-ing over her outfit choices; often seen in a combination of brogues, skinny jeans and a rock t.shirt or a mini dress, patterned tights and killer heels, FC gives a whole new meaning to the word cool. With her enviable blonde locks and infamous 'always looks immaculate' black eye-liner Miss Cotton mixes high-street with high-end and ladies, we could all learn a lot from her individual style.

Skinny jeans, retro sweater and a feather in her hair - Fearne does laid back chic perfectly.

This girl is just too cool. On anyone else, this would look so wrong but on Fearne, this looks so right!

What looks like a Topshop outfit teamed with an enviable Mulberry bag - Miss Cotton works high-street/designer so well.

This is one of my fave outfits - a gorgeous Olivia Rubin dress and leopard print shoes.

Those pins go on forever. Looking very Gossip Girl-esque, Fearne looks adorable.

Want to be part of the Fearne fan-club? Raid your cupboard and get experimenting!

Have a fab weekend all

xoxo

Broody - Me?!

I am 25, in a relationship but not married, career focused and generally loving life. Although one day I'd like to settle down and have a big family, I am in no way shape or form ready for that 'day' yet, until, I saw Stella McCartney's line for Baby/Kids GAP ...

I ooo'd and I aaaa'd and I wished, there and then, I had a mini-me to dress head to toe in the fabulous collection she had designed!

Growing up, GAP was the place to shop. Classical yet trendy, I would buy the majority of my outfits there. Jumpers, jackets, skirts, jeans, scarves, hats, bags - you name it - GAP had it. As the years have gone by, my profession has developed, my style has changed and I have chosen to shop in various other places - nonetheless, I always rely on GAP for my essentials.

However, if Stella McCartney were to design an adults version of the kids clothes she has just produced, I would be first in line!

From military jackets to tu tu skirts, biker boots to rain coats - I want one of everything! These kids are definitely the coolest on the block and I predict this collaboration will be a huge success.

Now, if only I could lose a few pounds and try and squeeze myself in ...

TTFN

xoxo

Fashionable Farmers

Once again the Choo is all over the high-street and let me tell you -

I just can't get enough!

This time it is for the all famous Hunter boots.

The Hunter boot has been the stalwart welly for farmers and country types for many years due to it's comfort, ease of putting on and pulling off and hard wear and now it has become the fashion welly world-wide. (Wikipedia)

Let's face it - Winter has officially arrived. The leaves are falling, the umbrellas are up and the layers are multiplying and what better way to enjoy those huge muddy puddles than with the perfect pair of Jimmy Choo for Hunter Wellington Boots.

These boots are a walking master piece and can be all yours on Friday with a click of a button (click on the link below) ...

http://www.jimmychoo.com/Collections/icat/collectionsuk

Rainy days will never be the same again!

xoxo

In The Name Of Fashion

Is it a bird?
Is it a plane?
Is it an armadillo?

No, it's a shoe!

An Alexander McQueen shoe, created for his Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

Measuring at a whooping 12 inches - these high-heeled beasts are in a world of their own.

I haven't quite decided whether I love or loathe them - perhaps even both ... but in the name of fashion - I'd be willing to give them a whirl.

I like to think I am particularly good at walking in heels but even these sky-scrapers might leave me needing a hand to hold!

So ladies, would you, could you, should you?
I dare you!

xoxo

Fashion and Queues

This weekend was dedicated to Fashion (and queues).

It was 8.00am when my alarm began to buzz on Saturday morning. Still half asleep and not allowing myself to give in to my warm bed, I peeled the duvet covers away and got washed and dressed and left the house at 8.30. Thinking half an hour would be perfect timing to take a slow stroll to Brompton Road, get a fairly decent place in the non-existent queue I had envisaged and get my fashionable mitts on at least one item of the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection - as I got nearer to the store, I thought again...

The queue was a mile long and there was at least another half hour to wait until the store opened, not to mention the rain was coming down at full speed. Finally, those sacred doors were pulled back, the umbrellas were put away, the empty coffee cups were disposed of and the queue began to move rather quickly. Once in store - the chaos began.

Shoppers were picking-up every item in sight; suede dresses, fur gilets and sequin jackets were being grabbed off the rails quicker than you could say Choo. I decided I would concentrate on one item, the embellished chain cuff that I'd seen in Look magazine. So I made my way upstairs to find yet another queue. You can imagine my disappointment when I saw that the shoes, accessories and bags were sectioned off and then an even further disappointment when I was told that only those that possessed a coloured band were allowed in. I enquired how one would go about getting a coloured band and was told that they were given out to the first 100 customers that morning - meaning - one had to be queueing at silly-o-clock in the AM.

Grrrr - needless to say, I began to queue in the hope I could pick up a bracelet when the section was open to all. After half an hour I decided against waiting, said goodbye to the lady infront of me, whom I had been talking to, wished her luck and headed home.

With no purchases in hand, I am still glad I went along. I managed to take some fab pics for my blog, soak up the atmosphere, get to grips with the fact that there are people out there even more fashion obsessed than I am and enjoy the buzz of yet another fab high-street and designer collaboration.

Next fashion stop, Sunday morning's Really Really Great Garage Sale, which took place in Selfridges car park. Selfridges had teamed up with Mothers4Children (an organisation that supports children's charities from around the world) to host the ultimate garage sale. It was a chance for all those bargain-hunting fashionistas (myself included of course) to get their hands on some fabulous designer goodies.

Amongst many celebs such as Louise and Jamie Redknapp, Trinny Woodhall and Jodie Kidd, thrifty shoppers were working their way round each stand picking up all sorts of treats. Having asked Kirsty Gallagher the size of a pair of Marni trousers, as well sampling Jodie Kidd's Burberry skirt - I decided to spend my allowance on a fabulous Miu Miu jacket (see below and feel free to ooo and aaa!)

Feeling very happy with my new purchase I made my way to a friend later that afternoon, in order to help arrange her flat for the Clothes Swapping party we were holding that evening.

As guests arrived, the room began to look more like a store than it did a lounge. We all had a little wander, sampling all the goodies we wanted to take home. We were then told to leave the room and after a count of three all tumbled back in to get our hands on some fab items. Everyone was extremely civilised and helped one another pick out some great clothes. Louis Vuitton and Prada bags, designer dresses and a Von Dutch jacket were amongst some of the fab items we all walked away with. I snapped up this gorgeous embellished River Island bolero. All in all, money was raised for charity and the attendants were happy shoppers.

So - the weekend is over but the fashion is most certainly not!

Until tomorrow

xoxo