Wednesday 31 August 2011

Roksanda Ilincic / EDITION

Roksanda Ilincic is the latest designer to join the fold at Debenhams. It really is a winning combination - making Ilincic's effortlessly chic designs available on a high street budget! Her capsule collection for the Edition range, which showcases the latest designer talent, is available in store now alongside collections by Jonathan Saunders, Preen and Jonathan Kelsey.























Tuesday 30 August 2011

In Love With Loverdose

Diesel have launched a delicious new fragrance called Loverdose. Just one sniff of this and you're in love...

Friday 26 August 2011

New Look for Autumn

New Look have a fabulous range of blouses in their autumn collection. I have already bought the white with black trim, but with prices from £14.99 it won't be long 'til I add another to my collection!






















Thursday 25 August 2011

H&M @ Selfridges

Today H&M open their very first concession store - and the location? None other than Selfridges, Oxford Street.

Yes, there are already numerous branches of the Swedish fashion chain situated along Oxford Street, but H&M at Selfridges offers something different. They will stock a handpicked selection of the latest collections, chosen by regular guest curators, plus limited edition and exclusive pieces - all in a specially designed interior. Magnus Olsson, H&M country manager for the UK and Ireland promises customers 'the ultimate H&M fashion experience' at the Selfridges concession store.

'We are very excited to be opening our first H&M concession store in the world-renowned Selfridges. H&M wants to be in the best business locations worldwide and Selfridges is a great addition to our London store portfolio - a real shopping destination.'

I can't wait to take a look!





Monday 22 August 2011

Rose & Rose

As summer ends and autumn descends upon us, we start to notice that distinct chill to the evening air. It's not yet cold enough to think about winter coats, but it certainly is time for scarves to take centre stage...


For too long scarves have been an overlooked accessory, passed over in favour of Jimmy Choos and 'it' bags - but no longer. Launching this autumn, Rose & Rose is a brand specialising in luxury trend-driven scarves, designed not just as accessories, but as the stand-out piece of any outfit.

The diverse collection has taken inspiration from architecture, vintage interiors and oriental carpets - you'll find everything from polka dots to skull motifs, Navajo weaving to glitzy embellishment. Each scarf is 100% silk, wool or cashmere and represents the ultimate in luxury comfort.

Rose & Rose is available from Anthropologie and boutiques across the UK this autumn.




Sunday 21 August 2011

Chaser Collection for Baby Ceylon










As the long days of summer gradually shorten, the festival season slowly begins to draw to a close. Your tent may have been packed away and your muddy wellies washed down, but that doesn't mean you can't keep the vibe going that little bit longer. Baby Ceylon have collaborated with US label Chaser to produce a capsule collection of iconic tees just in time for the last of this summer's festivals. This is a partnership based entierly on a shared love of fashion and music. Chaser are best known for their rock tees, and were the first brand to gain the rights to use images of The Sex Pistols and the Ramones. Coachella or Glastonbury - these tees are the prefect addition to your festival wardrobe.


Thursday 18 August 2011

Shopping in the Sunshine State

The USA is a great place to bag designer bargains. When I was in New York three years ago the exchange rate was an amazing 1.98 dollars to the pound and I returned home with money to spare - little wonder when I had purchased a Marc Jacobs cardigan for the grand total of $7! Yes $7 - that's not a typo, it was from Century 21. When I was in Florida this July the exchange rate may have been down to 1.58 - but there were still great bargains to be had. It was just a matter of shopping at the right places...

As it turned out Miami was not the shopping mecca I had anticipated. After a very long walk down the length of Collins Avenue I was hot, tired, and worst of all empty handed. If glitzy glamour a la Cavalli is your thing you may have a better shopping experience than I did, but the shop assistants I encountered were surly and unhelpful.

In the end all of my shopping successes were at Orlando Premium Outlets.




































Dooney & Bourke clutch bag, $25

Ralph Lauren pearls, £25

Ralph Lauren striped cardigan, $28

Michael Kors watch, $80

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Bargain Brights

You only had to see the riot of colour at Gucci to know that colour blocked brights would be big news this season. Who'd have thought that orange, purple and green would be such a winning combination?


Rather than screaming for attention, these colours compliment each other and somehow increase in vibrancy when worn together.


There is no denying that it really is a bold look, but the clean lines of a sophisticated silhouette keep the look on the right side of elegant.


However, if colour blocking your whole outfit just seems too much, why not go all out with your accessories?







Turquoise bag, £7 Primark


Purple suede loafers, £10 Primark


Orange bag, was £16 now £8 Claire's Accessories


Friday 12 August 2011

A Midsummer Dream

Vogue have finally published the photos we have been waiting for... and what stunningly beautiful photos they are! Mario Testino's soft-focus shots of Kate Moss and Jamie Hince's wedding day capture all the magic and romance of the occasion - appearing more like scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream.





















Kate herself wanted to recreate the decadence of the roaring '20s, and tasked her long-time friend John Galliano with the job of designing the all important dress.

Needless to say it has been a difficult year for the designer since his arrest back in February, but he told US Vogue how work on Kate's dress had helped him: 'She dared me to be John Galliano again. I couldn't pick up a pencil. It's been my creative rehab.' The exquisite outcome was inspired by the Jazz Age photographs of novelist Zelda Fitzgerald. The whole effect is quite simply beautiful.







Thursday 11 August 2011

Shopping Tips for Sales Gossip







Over the next few weeks you'll find my top tips for bagging a bargain over at www.salesgossip.co.uk/blog/. Top tip no. 1 is up now, and if you're off on holiday soon you'll definately want to take a look...

Wednesday 10 August 2011

Shine Like a Star

It may be a rather demure look compared to what we've come to expect from Jessie J, but she quite literally shines on the cover of Glamour's August issue. The figure-hugging Dolce & Gabbana star print dress gets a gold star from me!










Monday 8 August 2011

Hip Hip Hooray - It's My Birthday!


It's my birthday today and to help me celebrate American Apparel have sent me a 25% off voucher. I'm definitely going to put that one to good use!

Sign up to American Apparel's newsletter to make sure that you get great offers like this sent straight to your inbox.

Thursday 4 August 2011

Ladies in Waiting for Debenhams Dress

Admired by both men and women the world over, it's little wonder that Pippa Middleton's maid-of-honour dress has become the most sort after style for brides and bridesmaids-to-be.





















Alain Mehada, Chief Personal Shopper at Debenhams Oxford Street, revealed that they have experienced a deluge of customers wanting to emulate Pippa's 'classic' look:

'We have been inundated by customers asking if we have anything similar to the dresses worn by Kate, Pippa and the flower girls, but the ivory dress worn by Pippa is the most requested by far.'

Debenhams have responded to such unprecedented demand with a limited edition dress inspired by Pippa's, which is to go on sale later in the year.

Where the Sarah Burton ivory gown with cowl neck, cap sleeves and button-back detail is rumoured to have cost in the region of £20,000, the Debenhams homage will sell for just £170! That's what I call a rear-ly good deal (sorry, couldn't resist that one). No doubt it will be a huge hit when it arrives in store.

To help cope with the demand, customers are being invited to register their interest by sending their details to ladyinwaitinglist@debenhams.com, so that they can be notified of further developments.






































Also, look out for the emerald green evening gown (£99), based on the Alice Temperley design worn by Pippa to the evening reception. Now you really can get the Middleton look on the high street!

www.debenhams.com

Wednesday 3 August 2011

Cosmo Blog Awards 2011




I can't believe almost a whole year has gone by since I made the Cosmo Blog Award shortlist in the 'New Fashion Blog' category. It was such an honour to get that far - especially since I had only been blogging for 3 months at that point, not to mention the fact that over 15,000 entries were received across the different categories. There is a lot of talent out there so it means an enormous amount when someone tells you that they like what you do. So, if you've got a favourite blog I'd definitely encourage you to nominate it - go on, make someone's day (you've got until August 31st).



Tuesday 2 August 2011

Summer Brights for Summer Days & Nights

A couple of weeks ago we could have been forgiven for thinking that Summer was over. There was a distinct Autumnal feeling - in part brought on with the arrival of A/W 11 stock in stores. But now the sun is out, and we should remember that we still have long August days to enjoy before winter sets in. That means a whole month to relish the shades of Summer.


Orange has been my colour of the season, no doubt about it. Pale shades of peach through to vibrant tangerine don't just sound good enough to eat - they look great too.

Nanette Lepore's S/S 11 collection is full of such delectable delights. My favourite item has to be the Magic Rain Dress in Mango Sorbet. The floral eyelet dress with scalloped neckline and dropped waist makes your mouth water - and it's now in the sale!

www.nanettelepore.com