Monday 30 September 2013

Berry Nice!

This winter I'll be making a nod to the berry tone trend with this Zara handbag (£29.99). It may be known as the Mini City Bag but it's still big enough to carry all the essentials - and that's including a brolly and my Kindle. I know, I know, not another handbag - but it's practical, on trend and good value, so what's a girl to do?

Thursday 26 September 2013

Primark A/W '13

After popping into Primark today I have to say their new A/W collection looks like their best yet. Whether it's pink coats, plaid shirts or leather-look skirts, they've got all the key trends covered. The first thing I bought was this monochrome jumper for £14. What a bargain!



Wednesday 25 September 2013

Jane Austen's Ring

It's a truth universally acknowledged that a single lady in possession of a good fortune must be in want of jewellery - and lots of it! So when American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson got engaged she could think of nothing more romantic than sealing the deal with a ring that once belonged to her heroine, Jane Austen - or so the story goes. But there's to be no happily ever after...





















The singer paid £152,450 for the gold and turquoise ring when it was put up for auction by the Austen family last year - that's over 5 times Sotherby's original estimate - but Kelly has never actually managed to get the ring on her finger. No it's not too small, it's actually considered far too important to leave English soil so it's a replica she's been spotted sporting on her ring finger.

As one of only 3 pieces of jewellery known to have belonged to one of the nation's favourite authors the government were quick to issue an export veto after the sale to keep this little piece of our heritage in the country in the hope that a suitable UK buyer could be found.

Before you rush off to count the pennies in your purse, it's been announced that the folks from Jane Austen's House Museum have now raised the total required to buy the ring and put it on display in Austen's former home - largely thanks to an anonymous donation of £100,000.

Sorry Kelly, but this little gem belongs in Chawton, where it is set to go on permanent display alongside the topaz cross and ivory bracelet also once worn by Austen. At least she's taken the news in good heart, releasing the statement: 'The ring is a beautiful national treasure and I am happy to know that so many Jane Austen fans will get to see it at Jane Austen's House Museum.' I, for one, can't wait to visit.

Monday 23 September 2013

Downton's Back & It's Edith's Time to Shine

Downton Abbey is back on our screens and it's time to swoon at all those 1920s dresses. With Lady Mary resolved to stick with her black widow's weeds it was down to Edith to show off some of the sparkle that the Jazz Age is renowned for on Sunday night - and she didn't disappoint!






















Bare shoulders on display - now what would Granny Grantham have to say about that?! But with her newspaper editor beau on her arm and a wardrobe full of drop-waisted dresses it looks like it's finally Edith's time to shine.

Sunday 22 September 2013

Pippa Packs a Style Punch

Look who's been spotted packing a style punch at the Boodles Boxing Ball! Snapped arriving at The Grosvenor House Hotel for the society bash, Pippa Middleton looked an absolute knock-out in her Catherine Deane knife pleat dress - and the midi length version is still available at FarFetch.com for £800 if you move fast.



Friday 20 September 2013

The Aviator Flies Back Into Fashion

Back in 2010 the aviator was the coat of the winter, but it was widely expected to be a one season wonder. Now three years on the shearling-collared coat style has flown right back into fashion. I can't wait to dig my old H&M aviator out from the depths of my wardrobe - but I could easily be tempted to buy one of their new styles.






















Left: Beige Suede Effect Biker Jacket, £39.99 H&M
Right: Black Woven Fabric Biker Jacket, £34.99 H&M

Wednesday 18 September 2013

A Bum Note from Burberry?

Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of things to love about the Burberry Prorsum S/S'14 show. For starters this has to be the most star-studded FROW of London Fashion Week, but I have to hope see-through skirts worn with Bridget Jones knickers is one trend that won't take off any time soon.






















Harry Styles certainly seems to have enjoyed watching Cara Delevingne strutting her stuff on the catwalk - and there's no question she looked stunning in her succession of sheer blouses and lace skirts. Having your knickers on show out on the street, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter. We're talking a whole lot more than a hint of VPL here!

Following a summer of bum-bearing denim cut-offs, we're now faced with the prospect of see-through skirts. No need for the X-Ray glasses anymore boys! Of course the catwalk is a springboard for styles to be reinterpreted for real life, so I for one predict M&S doing a roaring trade in underskirts to be worn underneath these otherwise ladylike lace pencil skirts.

Monday 16 September 2013

Celine Laundry Bag

They say never air your dirty linen in public, but if you've got the cash to splash on a Celine handbag you'd want the world and his wife to see your new arm candy - am I right? But don't you think Celine's new must-have shopper is more than a little reminiscent of those woven check bags we see hauled in and out of the Albert Square launderette for poor old Dot to deal with? Albeit an uber-luxe version, of course.

Who'd have thought the humble laundry bag could inspire something so beautiful? No question this bag is way too good to lug around dirty laundry, but that said a girl's got to show off her handbags somewhere.

Just don't expect these to be popping up on Eastenders any time soon.

Thursday 12 September 2013

Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve

My favourite thing about the Burberry Prorsum A/W'13 collection has to be the amount of cute heart prints Christopher Bailey sent down the catwalk - providing the perfect offset to the overtly sexy PVC skirts on show. All set to be the must-have motif of the season, even Victoria Beckham has taken a break from promoting her own designs to don the burgundy version of the heart print silk shirt (£495), but at Burberry the cutesy hearts aren't just reserved for the womenswear line, oh no. It looks like Harry Styles loves his Burberry heart print shirt (£350). Who knows, maybe there's a heart on that shirt to represent every heart he's broken?!



Out on the high street they're already feeling the love, stocking their own versions of Burberry's heart print designs. I particularly like New Look's take on the shirt, (pictured centre, £17.99). The hearts are slightly smaller making it a bit less obvious you're wearing your heart on your sleeve.

Wednesday 11 September 2013

Millie Mack Marries in Temperley

Congratulations go out to Millie Mackintosh and Professor Green who wed in a romantic country ceremony yesterday. The Made In Chelsea star looked absolutely stunning in her Temperley gown and Louboutin heels. I'm always a big fan of Temperley bridal designs, and Millie's wedding dress with lace bodice and frilled peplum skirt from the Florence collection is no exception. For the bridesmaids it was dusky pink, bias cut dresses from Ghost (£195), ironically a style named the 'Chelsea'!


























On the topic of Chelsea, somewhat surprisingly Caggie Dunlop and Rosie Fortescue were both spotted arriving at Babington House in Bath for their friend's wedding - putting paid to those reports that Pro Green had banned any MiC stars attending the nuptials. Let's just hope there was no champagne thrown in anger!

Monday 9 September 2013

Harper Beckham Steals The Show

How cute is this picture of Harper Beckham sitting pride of place on daddy's knee waiting for her mum's catwalk show - and is that a smile from Anna Wintour?

















Even if little Harper hadn't won over the Editor in Chief of US Vogue, Victoria Beckham's S/S'14 collection could be relied upon to do the job.

Marking a turnaround from VB, the line focused more on masculine tailoring than on the tight-fitting dresses on which Victoria cut her designer's teeth. But whilst wide cut cropped trousers, white shirts and triangle motifs were the order of the day, there were still enough frilled hemlines to keep lovers of more feminine styles happy. Bring on next summer!


Saturday 7 September 2013

Step Out in Silver Shoes

It seems all I do is wax lyrical about Zara these days, but I figured one more post won't tip the balance too much... well not when we're talking about shiny new shoes!

I can honestly say I haven't worn a pair of silver shoes since way back in the 90s, when I had a pair of square toed sling backs that even my best friend told me were hideous - but I think the time may have come for me to tentatively dip my toes back into the glistening silver waters.

These super shiny pointed moccasins from Zara (£25.99) have definitely brought out my inner magpie. What can I say? I guess shiny things just have the power to cast a spell over some people.

A pair of sparkling slippers certainly never did Cinderella any harm - or Dorothy for that matter...

Friday 6 September 2013

Autumn's In The Air

The return home from a glorious week down in Devon filled with sun, sea, cider and scones was made all the harder to take with the decidedly winter chill in the air. There's no mistaking autumn is here, so it's time to shake the sand from my sandals and stow away the swimwear ready for next summer.

The black opaques are coming back out along with my new winter coat - which I can't deny I've been eager to give an airing for weeks.

I got my hands on the bloggers' favourite aztec biker jacket in the Zara summer sale when it was marked down from £99 - £39.99.

Spotted on a hot summer's day I could barely bring myself to try it on, but it has turned out to be a wise purchase now I'm ready for winter and starting to see the shops fill up with various similar styles.