Oprah & The £25,000 Bag

With more than a billion dollars in the bank Oprah Winfrey can pretty much buy anything she wants. The problem it seems is getting a shop assistant actually willing to serve her!

In Zurich for Tina Turner's wedding, Oprah has revealed how she attempted - and ultimately failed - to buy a handbag from the the fashionable Trois Pommes boutique. Wearing what she describes as 'full Oprah Winfrey gear' we can assume she looked far from a scruffy trouble-maker out to damage luxury goods, but when the US chat show host asked for a closer look at a £25,000 Tom Ford tote bag the shop assistant refused, suggesting it was far too expensive for the star.

Big mistake, huge! Pretty Woman really should be obligatory viewing for snobby shop assistants. More fool this down right rude empolyee who missed out on earning a massive commission from Oprah's purchase. Hopefully she'll have learned a lesson about prejudice, but sadly this kind of thing happens far too often.























There is a boutique in my home town, popular with ladies who lunch and mothers of the bride, where the so called assistants frequently offend, showing certain customers straight to the sale rail or sending them packing to Primark - whilst some potential shoppers barely get through the hallowed doors before they're greeted with an 'I'm afraid there's nothing for you in here, madam.'

I've worked as a shop assistant, so I'm not casting judgement on a job I don't understand, but I really can't understand the cult of sulky shop assistants who can't be bothered to provide service with a smile. Spending long hours on a shop floor with no customers is mind numbing at best - so having customers to talk to and keep you busy is actually a blessing. It's not your job to judge how much money someone has or hasn't got. If anything you'd push the more expensive stock - especially when there's commission on the cards.

As for Oprah, I think she has dealt with 'bag-gate' with dignity, leaving without a causing a scene, but now naming and shaming the store on the widest scale, responding with the quip: 'Obviously 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' is not shown in Zurich.' The owner of Trois Pommes has since apologised to Oprah, but insists it was a misunderstanding rather than racism. In a climate where many retailers are struggling to survive service should be of paramount importance. If you don't get the respect you deserve it's simple - don't hand over your hard earned cash.

5* For Orelia

Wondering what I could possibly have in common with Princess Beatrice, Roger Federer, Dustin Hoffman, Patricia Arquette and Chris Eubank? Well, I can tell you we were all born on 8th August. Yes, today is my birthday!

Star present has to be this lovely rose gold necklace given to me by my equally lovely niece and nephews. It's by Orelia - a jewellery brand I'll definitely be buying more of in the future - especially as they do a pair of matching star earrings!

Topshop Limited Edition Dresses

Ready, set, shop! A new drop of Limited Edition dresses has arrived at Topshop - and with 10 show-stopping styles to choose from you'll be spoiled for choice. There is a dress for everyone, whether you want a strappy flapper dress or a '60s shift.

The maxi dresses have to be my favourites (pictured left, £180). Perfect for a prom or a wedding, if you've got a special event coming up be sure to take a look - but they're sure to sell out fast!

Which would you choose?

Ooh New Shoes

The summer sales are still going strong - and these neon yellow slippers from River Island have certainly brightened up my day! Whilst I can quite happily leave head-to-toe neon to cyber-goths and ravers, these day-glo shoes will add a welcome pop of colour to my summer footwear collection - and I definitely won't get lost in a crowd wearing these! Encrusted with silver skulls and crystals, you've gotta love a funky pair of flats - especially when they've been reduced from £28 - £12. Oh, and they just happen to be extremely comfy too. Now you don't find that every day.

Cocktail Hour Earrings

Tell me about it, TGI Friday or what?! But before you rush straight off for a few cheeky post-work cocktails, make sure you spice-up your look with some statement earrings. They're all you need to transform your look in an instant, so you can forget about cocktail dresses and cocktail rings - right now it's all about cocktail earrings.

I love Grand Bazaar London's sparkling selection of cocktail earrings (pictured above, £149), whilst Astrid & Miyu's aptly named 'My Fairy Tale' earrings (pictured below, £49) have even graced the ears of Pippa Middleton.

Yes, you heard it here - chandelier earrings are no longer the preserve of Pat Butcher. The bigger, brighter ans sparklier the better - just hold back when it comes to the rest of your outfit and let the earrings take centre stage.

Who Wore It Best?

It's happened before, and before long it'll happen again... we're talking 2 girls and 1 dress. Just a matter of days apart Caroline Flack and Jenna-Louise Coleman were spotted sporting the very same Aztec print dress. I know, I know, It's not the end of the world - and it's not even like they turned up at the same party or anything - Caroline was snapped on duty at the X-Factor auditions whilst Jenna-Louise was promoting Dr Who at Comic-Con 1000s of miles away in California. The problem is now that everyone's seen it Topshop have only gone and sold out of the £65 skater dress.

So, who wore it best? Has Caroline Flack got the X-Factor or does the Time Lord's assistant Jenna exterminate all competition? Call me a cop out but I think they both look great - I just can't wait until it's back in stock and I can buy one for myself!

Dead Romantics

Today I went along to see what's in store at the new Elkin pop-up shop - now open at Kingly Court off Carnaby Street - and came away with this gorgeous Dead Romantics friendship bracelet in power ballad black, (£35, pictured below). A fiendishly addictive collection of friendship bracelets, I struggled to choose between the rainbow of colours available - so I went for the ever practical option. It looks great next to my rose gold watch, but I know I'm going to want pile on loads more in different colours...

If you're tempted to start your own Elkin jewellery collection, make sure you visit the lovely Eliisa and team in store before 4th August. Don't forget, if you can't make it down you can still find lots of skull jewellery on the brand new Elkin website.