Monday's Must Haves

I've got some real treats for you for today's fashion must haves!!

I decided to keep this weeks list down to earth and tres affordable, so hopefully you can all treat yourself to them! Keeping fashion real.

So, todays must haves include an absolutely gorgeous iconic skull ring by Alexander McQueen, which looks absolutely amazing when worn with your everyday wardrobe - a touch of rebelious bling! A fab pair of heeled chelsea boots in the perfect shade of tan by Topshop, which will look great worn with anything this autumn/winter season, a beautiful and oh-so on trend green pleated midi skirt, also by Toppers and finally, the perfect grandfather grey jumper by M&S! good old marks and sparks have really delivered with this must-have cable knit.

So there are my must-haves this week. What do you think? Would they be on your list? Enjoy x

Dalmation Spots - The Hottest Print for AW11

You should all know by now that I love autumn/winter fashion. One of my favourite trends of the AW11 runways was animal prints, and not your bog standard stripes, zebra, tiger, leopard etc...this season it's all about Cruella De Ville's ultimate obsession...the dalmation spots!

Yep, this season we can all inject a touch of Cruella's style into our wardrobes...just make sure you opt for fur of the faux variety please!!

Now, obviously we'd all love to be able to afford designer pieces, but for those of us who keep it real on the high street, here are a few pieces inspired by the dalamtion trend that I hope you'll love as much as I do. Enjoy x

bag and coat from topshop

faux fur stole from topshop

ballet pumps from miss selfridge

dress from yumi at house of fraser



Olivia Palermo's Blog is now Live!

So it has been the fave bit of gossip for fashion folks over the past few months - rumours that style maven and girl you love to hate, Olivia Palermo was going to launch her own fashion blog.

Well, the time has come and Miss Palermo's blog is now live! The blog lists sixteen members of staff on the mast head...erm...so, it's actually more of a website/online mag then?! I thought the point of blogs was the blogger's opinions and thoughts, and theirs alone...oh well. At least the girl's being honest I guess!!

The blog is simply titled, Olivia Palermo...natch...and has 5 catagories; fashion, accessories, lifestyle, travel and tips. This is Miss Paleremo's welcome entry...and I note that this is the only entry she has supposedly done so far:

"This past July I returned stateside from the Paris collections – and a mini-vacation – to see my girlfriends peppering me with questions as to where fashion is moving towards next. They want the inside track, which I, of course, could not possibly provide. They also wanted to see all of my hidden treasures and finds that I sourced during my jaunt. It’s curious to me as none of them are in fashion, but the fascination with the industry comes from their love of clothes, accessories and beauty.

Providing a forum to express my fashion inspirations from across the globe, it is my goal to show that style is international. In the coming weeks, you will read about my trips to Paris and London, seeing how the locals live, shop and dress. Each country has a distinct pulse on fashion, which I hope you will enjoy.

Also in the coming weeks are some amazing contributors who will be adding their views. I want to take this time to give a special thank-you to everyone on my team. Focusing on the details, my editorial staff will take you on the task of turning jeans and a tee into a red-carpet worthy look on a daily basis. In this digital age where information – and fashion – moves faster each season, I hope that you will continue on this journey with me."

Oh well, no matter how much she contributes, doesn't contribute, I'm sure I'll be an avid reader anyway, so fickle am I!!But what do you think? Will you be reading? Enjoy x

Friday Fashion Flash

I am so sorry I have been AWOL for the last few days. I started a new job this week and my laptop decided to die, so I have been unable to blog...I've felt so helpless!!

On the plus side, I've had a great week and have been to a few awesome events, including the launch party for the new Desigual store opening in Oxford Street, which I went to with my friend and fellow blogger. It was an amazing party filled with some gorgeous fashion folks, fab goody bags and some reality show "celebs." what more do you need from a party?! Anyway, more on that another time.

I'm back in the driver's seat now, and to make up for not being able to post a Monday Must Have, I have decided to post it tonight as a Friday Fashion Flash! So, here is what I have been lusting over this week! A stunning knitted dress by Stella McCartney, an uber cute faux fur fox hat by River Island, a pair of stunning tan leather boots from Zara, and....best till last...the Daria bag by Mulberry...now, did I mention it's my birthday next week?? Enjoy x

In Love With Topshop's AW11 Look Book

I love it when a brand releases a look book on their website. It's a great way to showcase their best pieces in their collections and it gives the customer inspiration of how to put key looks together in a fun way. You would think that every brand or designer would adopt this simple yet extremely effective extra, but strangely, they don't. Hopefully it is something that they will all do eventually, but, in the meantime, I thought I would share with you some images from one of my favourite look books; Topshop.

Their AW11 look book comprises of four main trends which they have captured beautifully; Bavaria, Glam Underground, New Mod and Prim and Proper. Now, being the kind of girl I am, Bavaria sums up what I love about AW11 the best; textures, faux fur, colour, knits and fun!

So, here are my pick of the best. Enjoy x

images from topshop.com

Monki Love!

A couple of weeks ago during Vogue's Fashion Night Out (read about it here) I popped into Selfridges with a couple of friends  - one of whom is an amaaaazing artist! Check out her stuff here - to check out the new H&M concession (again, read about that here). It's a gorgeous concession, boutique like and filled with the best that H&M has to offer in its current collection. However, what really caught our eye was the concession across from it, a brand that I had never seen before, but we were instantly drawn to it.

The brand was Monki, and for those of you who haven't heard of it, it's from the same group as H&M and COS, so the designs are similar in that they are quirky, on-trend without being overly "fashiony" and distinctly unique. I love the slight geeky quality that the clothes have, with cute animal prints, chunky knits, ankle boots, skater skirts, shift dresses, cute bags and jewellery, peter pan collars...Ooh I could go on!!

The descriptions for the clothes are beyond cute. Check this out for way of a description for the Tilda jumper below: "Life is a fairy-tale this autumn. Skip and hop and stride like a queen over the fields of the Monki World, chase the big bad wolf and play a game of tag with secret-keeper Nokimi. Tilda is the cape to keep you company – or to rock the streets in. Elegant and eye-catching, she is a classically knit and oh so mmm-mmmm... " Don't you just love it??

The brand, although relatively new to the UK, is now available to purchase online (yay) and the prices are extremely reasonable - £12 for a massive chunky scarf, £30 for a dress, £25 for shoes...those sort of prices, really similar to H&M.

I've put a few of my favourite pieces below. I'd love to know what you think! Enjoy x

Annika Dress

Lilian Dress

Lisa Dress

Annika Blouse

Bibi Blouse

Huga Cardi

Tilda

Lee Gilet

Andora Jacket

Stina Skirt

Mona Boots

Brighty Briefcase

Nora scarf

Agatha Dress

A Fashion Fairy Tale at Louis Vuitton

So...not many words to really say about the SS12 Louis Vuitton Ready to Wear show in Paris. I'm guessing my invite got lost in the post ;o) so I had to rely on live feeds, tweets, and blogs to keep me up to the minute with the collection.

All I can say is, wow! Nothing sums it up better than, a fashion fairy tale!

The show opened with all of the models scattered on a whimsical and glittering merry-go-round (natch). Marc Jacobs commented; "It's my biggest set, I could have never done this anywhere else.Very magical, it's like a magic box: very Paris." Clean, soft, pale colours, with hair in chic yet gentle chignons, held by sparkling bands, the models looked like ultra feminine fairy princesses in gauzy whips of fabric, and a real 50's inspired femininity. Icy whites and silvers were interjected with candy colours, with beautiful pastel coloured shoes and gorgeous basket handbags with applique leather daisies...soooooo cute!!

Kate Moss closed the show (who else) in a stunning white macrame shift with a ostrich feather hemline.

Basically, a stunning collection, a beautiful show and clothes which already have me longing for next summer! Enjoy x

Kat Moss on the merry-go-round - image from marie claire

Image from beauty and the dirt

Image from heat world

 

 

Image from Hello

image from dazed digital

image from dazed digital

image from dazed digital