Friday 31 January 2014

Petit Bateau Go Tropical

Now's the time of year anyone with any money or sense jets off to warmer climes in search of some sun. You only have to flick through the pages of Hello! to see the rich and famous frolicking on some far-flung shore - whilst the rest of us are stuck at home dealing with storms of Biblical proportions. At least Petit Bateau are bringing a little sunshine into our lives with their new swimwear collection.

Featuring a fun tropical print that'll make you feel like a '50s pin-up, this one-piece is enough to put a smile on anyone's face.

Personally, I'm always on the lookout for fashionable swimwear you can actually swim in - and it looks like Petit Bateau have nailed it with this one. If you're more of a bikini kind-a gal, you'll be pleased to hear it also comes as a two-piece. Take a look - there's a lot more than stripey Breton tops in store for the coming season...

Tropical Print Swimsuit, £78 Petit Bateau

Monday 27 January 2014

Beckham Uncovered

So H&M have secured a sought after Super Bowl slot to premiere their new ad - but first we've got to vote whether we want to see David Beckham covered or uncovered. Talk about ask a silly question!


Saturday 25 January 2014

A Taste for Tartan

Happy Burn's Night! Whilst I know many people will be celebrating the birth of Scotland's greatest poet by dancing a reel, eating piping hot haggis or sipping a tot of single malt, tartan's more to my taste when it comes to Scottish exports.

On a cold January night what could be better than curling up in front of a log fire wrapped up in something warm and tartan - especially given that plaid has been one of this season's sartorial success stories. I'll concede that a bright red tartan suit suit may be a step too far (I'm looking at you, Matthew McConaughey), a subtle navy and green plaid jacket is just the ticket.

Bikers, you can keep your leather - I've found this woollen Zara jacket in a wearable yet chic a navy and green plaid.

Reduced from £69.99 - £22.99, it's a great buy for all you tartan lovers!


Wednesday 22 January 2014

So Far, Faux Good for Charlotte Simone

How do you keep warm in winter? Well, if you ask the likes of Rita Ora, Sienna Miller or Olivia Palermo it's got to be wrapped up in brightly coloured faux fur. Charlotte Simone faux fur scarves and hoods are fast gathering a cult following, and Rita Ora loves her 'Popsicle' stole (£298) so much she's even been roped in to front the campaign. Not bad for a girl who was still studying at NYU 18 months ago.

Speaking to Vogue designer Charlotte Beecham said: 'I really wanted to do a product that I believed in. Nice quality faux fur, that wears well and looks luxurious, is very expensive, and while I understand that some people choose fake fur rather than real as a lifestyle choice, I really didn't want to offer it just as a cheap alternative. It needed to be as beautiful as real fur - and in some styles it actually looks better.'

Charlotte prides herself that each of her designs can be worn  in several different ways, meaning they have the potential to appeal to lots of different women - whether that's Rita Ora or her mum.

Add my name to the fan club - I want one!




Monday 20 January 2014

New in at Karen Millen

Now, I usually consider Karen Millen the go-to place for glam cocktail dresses - but there's much more in store this season. Whether you're shopping for off duty denim or looking to update your workwear wardrobe, highlights of the Limited Edition collection include the patchwork boyfriend jeans (£99) and the pinstripe tailored shorts (£115). The tailored shorts are very Victoria Beckham, and will make a great alternative to skirts come summer.


If you want to get your hands on these Limited Edition items you'll have to be quick. As few as 30 and never more than 700 of each item are made, so get shopping!

*Sleeveless white shirt and peep toe shoe-boots coming soon!

Friday 17 January 2014

Kate Moss - Fabulous at 40

Yesterday Kate Moss hit the big 4-0, but I still can't quite believe a whole decade has passed since her debauched 'Beautiful and the Damned' themed 30th hit the headlines. This time around Kate opted for a low-key lunch at 34 in Mayfair, and arrived looking fabulous in one of her signature leopard print coats. How does she do it? Anyone else would run the risk of looking like Bet Lynch - but not Kate, oh no. Bets are on they emerged somewhat bleary-eyed later on, but aren't Kate Moss and Jamie Hince just the most stylish couple ever? I certainly think so. Happy Birthday Kate!


Wednesday 15 January 2014

'90s Necklaces

This week SalesGossip are offering 10% off at Urban Outfitters, so I figured that's the perfect excuse for quick browse through what's new in. Now I say 'new', but when I clapped eyes on these necklaces I had a very strong sense of deja vu...














I'm pretty sure I owned both these necklaces back in the mid-nineties. Actually, I've probably still got them stowed away somewhere for safe keeping. Who'd have known they'd become vintage so soon? Give it another 80 years and they'll be on Antiques Roadshow.

Vintage Renewal Flower Necklace, £6
Vintage Renewal Dolphin Necklace, £6

Monday 13 January 2014

Oh My, Margot Robbie

When Margot Robbie left Neighbours her character Donna Freedman was waved off to fashion school in New York - now Margot's on a fast-track to fashion icon. Boy she's come a long way since those awful 'shrugaleros'. From Ramsey Street to Wolf of Wall Street, via Pan Am, it's fair to say big things can be predicted for the Australian actress who already knows how to make quite an impression on the red carpet. We've already seen her in red silk Oscar De La Renta and monchrome Armani Prive at Wolf of Wall Street premieres, and then it was a bejewelled Gucci column dress at the Golden Globes. The girl's done good!


Friday 10 January 2014

Temperley Does Downton

If you're already suffering from Downton Abbey withdrawal symptoms, don't despair! Temperley have enough drop-waisted dresses to rival Lady Mary's wardrobe, so at least we can pretend to be lady of the manor for a while.























Apparently the 'Downton effect' is making us all want to smarten-up our act and dress befitting the occasion - so it's out with the denim and in with intricately embellished dresses. If you ask me the Alice by Temperley Erte Dress is the perfect homage to ladylike '20s styling. Available in sultry red and black as well as debutante's white - that's pretty much all bases covered. What's more, the Erte is now in the sale, reduced from £495 - £250. That'll keep Lord Grantham happy!


Wednesday 8 January 2014

Shop Scarlett Johansson's Camel Coat

En route to the David Letterman show Scarlett Johansson showed us how stylish New Yorkers are coping with the cold, wrapping up in a classic camel coat by MaxMara.

Now we've seen countless celebs sporting covetable camel coats before, and no doubt we'll see more very soon (Kim Kardashian we're looking at you), but what makes this one stand out from the crowd is the contrast between the traditional cashmere top and the luxe silk panels below the belt. It really is a thing of beauty.

The £1600 Mimma coat, as it's known, is one of those items that will never date and surprisingly it is still available at Selfridges - but the Scarlett effect is sure to make this style sell out soon.

Complete Scarlett's retro look with red lippy, cats eye sunglasses and a victory roll hairdo. In a word - stunning!

Monday 6 January 2014

Step Up in Stella McCartney

So my New Year's fitness regime nearly ground to an abrupt halt before it really even started. The gym couldn't get a Zumba instructor in time for this week's class - but I could always try circuit training. Not wanting to miss out on my weekly class, or a gossip with the girls, I thought why not - it can't be that bad, can it? I was worn out after the warm up!

Don't get me wrong it was fun to try something different, but those endless rounds of squats, stomach crunches and weights have left me with very achy muscles! I'll be glad to get back to Zumba next week - especially as I've found the perfect pair of dance trainers courtesy of Stella McCartney.

Stella McCartney for Adidas Ararauna Dance Shoes, £95 

Friday 3 January 2014

Spot the Difference: Bambi Sweaters

It's the season's must-have sweater that's been seen on anyone who's anyone in the fashion world. That's everyone from Alexa Chung and Amanda Seyfried to Lily Collins and Anna Dello Russo. Carine Roitfeld even paraded her jumper amidst the glitz and glamour of the Met Gala - yes we're talking about the Givenchy Bambi sweater! By merging an image of the iconic Disney deer with a female figure, the sweater manages to come across as cute and edgy at the same time and even with a £600 price tag the jumpers and matching t-shirts have been selling out fast - but there is a bargain version out there waiting to be snapped up by savvy shoppers...






















When I first saw the Primark version in a magazine I completely mistook it for the Givenchy - and couldn't believe my eyes at the £10 price tag.

Wednesday 1 January 2014

January Sale Buys

Now I haven't gone made in the January sales this year, but you know me - I can never resist a bargain so of course I've picked up a handful of great buys...






















My first stop was Bliss for their mistletoe must-haves. The lips and mitts duo of Bliss Fabulips lip balm and high intensity hand cream is a steal at £8 given that the lip balm alone usually sells for £12. I tried out a selection of Bliss products at the Aqua Sana spa at Center Parcs a few weeks ago, so I know these wonder products will be an absolute godsend to soothe cracked skin through the cold winter months ahead. Top tip - the vanilla + bergamot body butter is also divine!

Next up was Topshop. I'd had my beady eyes on the Arctic Fox scarf and vintage inspired brooch for a while, so as soon as I saw they were in the sale I snapped them up. Even better, when I got to the till they had been marked down again - so in the end I got the scarf for £7 (WAS £20) and the brooch for £8 (WAS £12). Can't be bad!