Tee for you?

Slogan tees are one of those things that I love but don't wear because I'm not really a t-shirt wearer. However I might have to change my mind, thanks to Erin O'Connor and Kate Halfpenny. They have done a great range of slogan tees (and canvas bags). My fave is the one above, She Died Of Beauty, which is what their great website is called too (go here). The other slogans are equally cool and have already been spotted on Coleen Rooney (don't let that put you off) and Rihanna.

Oh and incase the cute website, great model shots (feat. Erin - well if one half of your team is a super model, why the hell not!) and the catchy slogans weren't enough to convince you, they are all ethically made. So at only £40.00 what more could you want!

Images thanks to www.shediedofbeauty.com

Bag envy

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love Rachel Bilson. It is for a combination of reasons, she has pretty hair (though not right now - bad roots, maybe intentional but that doesn't make it okay), she has a huge collection of Chanel and never seems like she's trying to hard. Plus she was Summer Roberts in The O.C. and some of my favourite quotes with friends come from that show and her character ("Just explain it to him, he left. And suddenly there was a hot hot yard guy in the yard - who was hot").

But now I love her because of her bag. It's the new Roberto Cavalli 'Diva' bag which will be available online and instore from November. I know we're living in "the age of austerity" and all that jazz but I think we might be seeing the rise of a new IT bag. Taylor Swift, Natalia Vodianova and Rachel all already have one, of course that may have something to do with them being at the Roberto Cavalli SS10 womanswear show - but I would've gone, you just need to ask and I would've happily taken the bag!

Image thanks to Getty

Seeing red

I have a love affair with red hair. It stems from spider man comics, MJ was a kick ass red head and I wanted to be her. Then MJ went on to the big screen in the Spider Man trilogy and was played by Kirsten Dunst who went red for the role and the love affair continued (although frankly the less said about Spider Man 3 the better).

Inside of me there is a red head waiting to be released. My brown-y/blonde locks have been through the ringer, from highlights (ages 14 - 18) dark brown (19 - 23) an unfortunate plum episode (24) and now faded red-y brown that went blonde in the sun. But really what I want and what my hair wants to is to be auburn! I'm talking Julianne Moore, Christina Hendricks, Karen Elson, Coco Rocha in her red phase!



Everytime I decide I'll leave my hair as it is, that red might not suit me (although it so would) I am confronted by more glorious red heads. This month on the front of Asos magazine is another of my girl crushes Bonnie Wright, who is the wonderful Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films. It's not enough that her parents are jewellery designers, Wright & Teague, she also has beautiful red hair that I covet!

Then inside the mag there is a great editorial with actress Emma Stone, featuring gorgeous clothes but her equally gorgeous red hair! If you don't get Asos magazine, the wonderful folk over at the site have put it up online here. I love the skirt that Emma is wearing in the below pic, ready for my autumn flirtation with skater skirts and maybe even red hair!


Images thanks to asos.com and imdb

Mad about the Girl

I have just discovered a love for Mad Men and have just finished watching series two, (yeah, I know how behind I am). The styling in Mad Men is just immense, the key to detail is superb and costume designer Janie Bryant really does deserve all the credit she is getting.

My favourite character is Betty Draper, I know she's neurotic and a little crazy but I love her. (The boyfriend's fave is Don - I hope that isn't an omen). I think part of the reason I love Betty is that everything appears to be perfect, her hair is always set, the dresses are always perfectly pressed and the make up in place, even if everything around her is crashing down. I on the other hand am the exact opposite, which is why I love blazers. They are my go-to wardrobe piece. I have a basic black Zara one that I throw on with everything and anything, instantly updating a look from casual to smart casual.

So imagine my joy when watching series two and seeing Betty Draper in her riding gear, complete with various blazers. The tweed one in the image above is one of her more basic options. There are all sorts she wears throughout the series.



Yet even her off duty riding look (sans blazer) is immaculate. The cream coat and cashmere jumper, with just the hint of an Hermes scarf poking out under the collar - it's the casual elegance of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly that I wish I possessed.



So even though she's a little nuts I will continue to covet Betty Draper's style and maybe purchase a check blazer, like this £70 Topshop one to attempt to bring a little Betty style into my life.

Images thanks to AMC

The Rains Came Down..

...and the floods came up, goes the song but thankfully from my forth floor flat the floods don't get that high. But if anyone was in any doubt that Summer is on it's way out and Autumn is heading our way then the rain in London today certainly did it's best to convince us.

After looking through the fall shows and the September issues there are already a few things I'm coveting. A cape is on my wish list for Autumn '10 as in Chanel's Paradoxal nail varnish, although I'm not sure I do want that one and haven't just been convinced by the Beauty Ed's out there! See Fashionista for a great article on that!

The one thing I'm certain I want though are knee high black flat boots. Every year I lust after a pair to replace my long gone Jones's ones. I think this year I may have found some in the shape of Mentor. Not a brand I'd heard much about but the fact I have been revisiting them daily on my-wardrobe obviously means love! Practical and stylish, what more could a girl want!

Image thanks to my-wardrobe.com

Glorious Gucci

One of my absolute favourite things to do, is to get all the monthly glossies and go through them of a morning with a big cup of tea and some cheesy music or radio show in the background. Thanks to the internet, I no longer have to wait for the US issues to appear overpriced at my newsagent, I can simply browse on their sites and then if I really like the editorials buy them.

I love James Franco. Never Been Kissed was partially responsible for this but mostly it's due to the Spiderman franchise. So when I saw this Esquire cover I was instantly smitten. Aside from the fact that it's James Franco, I can't resist a man dressed in head to toe Gucci that not only looks effortless but fits him like a glove. Well done to the stylist because there is nothing worse than a poorly fitting jacket to ruin a look.

Shot by photographer Francesco Corrozinni, the inside shots are equally beautiful. If you aren't in the USA you can see them at the Esquire site.

Image credit: esquire.com

With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes...

I love jewellery, all types. From grungy stacked bangles, to costume jewellery to delicate little pieces that no one else could own. My love for jewellery far outweighs my budget but that doesn't stop me looking! Current favourites are Wright & Teague and Alex Monroe, both have great websites and great pieces.

The main image above are Gala rings from Wright & Teague, they come in Silver (above), gold, rose gold and even platinum. I wear alot of yellow gold, which is family stuff but I like to mix it up and wear silver too. Not for me the no gold and silver together rule! I really like the silver ones and only £200 which means each ring is about £33.33 each - bargain!




Alex Monroe do amazing pieces which are much copied on the high street. I have a bit of a thing for Owls, it's a family thing, my Grandparents loved them, my mother loves them and so do I. So this Alex Monroe locket (above) is just perfect. It looks like a simple, vintage locket but open it up and there is a swinging owl! I love the 22ct gold plated version £360, but it does also come in silver.




Alex Monroe also do bespoke pieces for special occasions, so I know what I'm dreaming about for my next big birthday!

Images from Wright&Teague and AlexMonroe.com

French gossip

The Gossip Girl cast are currently filming season 4, which means lots of fashion goodies for us to feast our eyes on. Great filming pics over at NYmag.

Normally in the fashion stakes I'm team Blair, Serena shows just slightly too much legs and boobs for the average girl! But move over Miss Waldorf because there is a new fashion crush in town (and if spoilers are to be believed a new love interest for Chuck Bass too). Clemence Posy plays the new French girl Eve and her style is as you would expect, Parisian Chic with a twist. I love the Carlos Miele Spring 2010 maxi dress she's wearing (above). It would be perfect for a summer party or even a summer wedding!

Maxi dresses are everywhere on the high street at the moment. From Topshop to Asos. I found a great plain black jersey maxi in New Look, which simple though it is manages to get me compliments every time I wear it. Not bad for a girl who thought she was too short to wear maxi's!

Image thanks to Splash

I want to ride my bicycle

When the sun is shining there is nothing I want more than to go for a leisurely bike ride along the river, stopping off at a pub for a glass of wine then heading home. In this day dream I would never get sweaty or shouted at by motorists and the bike would be Chanel! However, the Chanel bike (at around £6000+) is slightly out of my price range so this summer I have set my sights on a Pashley Princess Classic (vaguely more reasonable at £495+).



In this version of the dream I am still very glamourous and unsweaty but probably would be shouted at by motorists. I wouldn't care though because my basket would be full of flowers and the sun would be shining! I have gone to look at my bike in the cycle shop the way I would normally visit shoes I have decided I want but can't afford. Until I can own my own Pashley I am content with visiting it, and make do with walking along the river.

And if come July 30th I still don't have my own dream bike then I shall rent one in the new Barclays scheme in London. Although looking at the prices, I might be better off with my Pashley, based on cost per use analysis of course!

Images with thanks to Pashley cycles and Chanel

Pretty Little...style

I have a confession to make...I have a weakness for teen tv shows.

I'm pretty sure there is no 12 step program, you're just meant to grow out of it. Well I'm a good few years out of my teens now and I haven't grown out of these shows yet, in fact I have just found a new show to aid my obsession!

Step up Pretty Little Liars. Apparently it's based on a book but I am definately too old to have read those, I just know it as the show. Basic premise: It's about 4 teenage girls whose friend died and now the mysterious "A" is blackmailing them with secrets. So far, so teenage. But other than the plot and the cute male cast, the main thing that has me hooked is the styling.




The costume designer Mandi Line is so smart with the key details! Which is actually harder than it looks (trust me on this one)! All four girls have their own style, labels queen Hannah, preppy Spencer and sporty/casual Emily but by far my favourite is Aria, played by the gorgeous Lucy Hale. Aria is a bit quirky in the way I always wish I'd been. She customises pieces to perfection and is not bothered by what people think of her different look in the confident way that only tv characters can be at that age. The above pic is Aria at her Homecoming dance, channelling Madonna with one glove and Balmain with detailed shoulders!

For more on the girls Homecoming style head over to ABC Family, where there is a great gallery saying where all the pieces are from.

Images with thanks to ABC

Happy Bastille Day!

In honour of Bastille Day I am dreaming of Laduree macaroons...mmmm!

Shopping holiday?

Oh the weather outside is frightful - well not exactly frightful more like a typical British summer, grey but still warm! This kind of weather makes fashion decision difficult because too many clothes and you swelter on the tube, not enough clothes and you freeze! So really what this weather calls for is a holiday; sun, sea, sand and shopping. In this case, shopping Stateside, because sometimes the things you fall in love with happen to be in America and called Mumu's!

In my quest, as mentioned yesterday, to find the perfect smock replacement I stumbled across this site show me your mumu. Now for those who don't know, a mumu is pretty much a long top. Slightly too short to be a proper dress, slightly too long to be just a top. I am in love with the one in the picture above which is called Chief Zack Morris, which I can only hope is a nod to Saved by the Bell! So now I've found a reason to go, I just need air fare, a place to stay, a State to visit, etc. Of course I could just find out if they ship to the UK!

Image with thanks to showmeyourmumu

Once Upon A Time...

...I had a beautiful lilac smock top with purple embroidery. Okay I know it sounds kinda naff but it was the late 1990's I was about 12 and I adored it. Sadly that top is long gone, but the one above from Urban Outfitters could be it's replacement. It's only £55 which for Urban is reasonable and as it's 100% silk, I could dye it lilac, or maybe it would be safer (and nicer) to leave it as it is. Hmmm, decisions!

Image from urbanoutfitters.co.uk

Who's there?

Saw this great picture over on Just Jared this morning, of Rachel Bilson, who is another of my style crushes, carrying clothes into a waiting car. Not sure what it was for or why she was carrying them loose like that but I don't care if it means getting a sneak peak at her wardrobe!

Image with thanks to Just Jared

J'adore Couture

Christian Dior Fall 2010 Couture

Couture week always makes me sad, well okay not sad per say more like extremely jealous that I'm not there, and even if I was that the pieces are a tad out of my mere mortal price range. I didn't have a favourite show from Paris Couture week this year, but as usual I had a lot of favourite pieces.

Valentino Fall 2010

The biggest surprise for me was Valentino, which seemed a lot more accessible than we are used to seeing from Couture. Don't be surprised to see variations of the bow detailing (above) on a high street near you soon.

Chanel Fall 2010

Of course when you think Couture, you think Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld didn't disappoint. From painstakingly detailed embroidered coats to a wedding suit in white and gold no detail was missed. But for me, the piece I am most lusting over was the bracelets. Worn with each look, either stacked up the arm or just a few, they are gorgeous in their gothic heavy detail. They'd look divine worn in the slightly grungy heavily layered style the Olsen twins favour. As I'm not an Olsen twin, it seems unlikely that Chanel will be popping round with a gift bag for me anytime soon, so I'll be layering heavy (cheaper) bracelets in hope for the same effect!

Images credit Style.com

Madge, Dolce & Gabbana - if it ain't broke...

I was just doing a quick browse of the "blogworld" before signing off the net for the evening and boy am I glad I did, because I stumbled across the latest Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2010 images on style.com. I think all the shots are gorgeous but love does not describe what I feel about this particular shot. Yes he's half her age and yes she has been more than a little photoshopped but still. His double breasted suit is just divine; 6 buttons, wide lapels. Boys the double breasted is coming back for Autumn and if you have the height (and/or budget) to wear one but insist on wearing anything else I shall be disappointed!

As for Madonna herself, her figure looks phenomenal in what looks like a simple black dress but creates a classic Dolce & Gabbana silhouette. The handbag is the piece I am particularly lusting over though, I can already think of a million and one places I could wear it too.

Now where did I put my euromillions ticket...

Images from Style.com, Steven Klein / Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

Kate and Alex = crushworthy double denim

Kate Bosworth is one of my girl fashion crushes, so expect some gushing about her laid-back look. Her loose layered tees paired with slouchy jeans are perfect for a summer afternoon trip to the supermarket. And as I am currently rocking some slouchy jeans (Gap mens slim fit) I can't help lust after hers which are quite possibly J Brand, a label she favours.

But I have to be honest the thing I'm lusting after most is not her Alexander Wang bag but her man, Alexander Skarsgard. Now I only know who he is because of my love for her (I did mention my fashion crush) but based on this superb double denim outing, I might have to start paying him more attention. So gentlemen take note, double denim doesn't have to look like you took a wrong turn on the way to a hoedown, it can look slim-lined and stylish.

Image with thanks to Just Jared

Goodbye Football, Congratulations Spain

Despite it being on for almost a month it's only now that the World Cup is over that I miss it. I miss the constant droning of commentators, the constant speculation about team formation and selection, but mostly I miss the fact that this beautiful Louis Vuitton monogrammed case won't be seen again for another four years. The chances of me ever getting my hands on the world cup are slim to none (with emphasis on the none) but the chances of me one day owning this case may be closer to slim. And that's enough for me.

Image thanks to Louis Vuitton twitpic.