Sales

image Getty

It's the most stressful shopping time of the year, you fight tooth and nail to bag those Westwood shoes you predicted would be on sale after Christmas, only to find out the sales started weeks ago and they're already sold out. What happened to January sales starting in January? First it was Boxing Day sales and now mid December sales! A harsh economy has driven retailers to slash prices most of the year round, taking all the fun out of sale shopping. As a teenager I remember the excitement leading up to the January sales, saving up (with a little help from Mum) to splurge on otherwise unobtainable designer luxuries. The desperation and suspense has further been choked in recent years by online sale shopping. The thrill of ploughing through the rails against other shoppers, searching for that bargain, finding the last one in your size and with 70% off is incomparable to just clicking 'add to basket'. Where possible I'll be abstaining, the new year marks a fresh start, a wardrobe detox to clear the way for  spring.

Karl Mania

NET-A-PORTER have gone all viral on us in a cleverly conceived and genius campaign promoting Karl Lagerfeld's collection for the online boutique, due to be released next month. As well as a comical Newsflash and a Find Karl App (play to win £1,000 to spend at NET-A-PORTER) you can also sign up to 'Karl's Kult' in a bid to hunt for the designer's captured collection. Image www.net-a-porter.com.

The Anthropologist

Launched by the brand Anthropologie, The Anthropologist is an online space for the artists that inspire the brand, "Our premise is simple: we expose those who move us in order to move you, knowing that sharing creativity in turn kindles it". I was fascinated watching a video of artist, Etsuko Ichikawa creating abstract drawings, known as pyrographs, using molten glass as her medium. Watch the video, read Etsuko's full story and view the other artists at theanthropologist.net. Images from the website.

Anthropologie

I first discovered Anthropologie on a visit to New York a few years ago, a boutique feel, eclectic US based store, from the founders of Urban Outfitters, focusing on unique, vintage-esque women's wear, accessories and home furnishings. I was over the moon when they finally opened a store on Regent Street. I  recently rediscovered them whilst looking for Christmas stocking fillers and thought I would share their best bits with you.

1 Flared & Cable Knitted Dress £138.00. 2 Setting Suns Clutch £78.00. 3 Sky Stacks Necklace £78.00. 4 The Collector's Charm Heart Whistle £12.00. 5 Fringed Curved Cuff £88.00. 6 Precocious Flatform Shoes £118.00. 7 Tuft & Tassel Necklace £238.00. 8 Nostalgic Nuits Bralette £48.00 and Nostalgic Nuits Shorts £68.00. 9 Little & Lively Clutch £148.00. 10 Tobacco Ribboned Fedora £68.00. 11 Lamby Gloves £158.00. Images www.anthropologie.eu.

l ❤ Whistles

I did say months ago that if Whistles made more knee length, long sleeve, figure hugging dresses I would purchase them in every colour, well I'm on to my third. Just purchased the Sorrel Wide Stripe Dress for half price! I'll be cuddly yet slinky in this 100% Wool number on Christmas day. If you buy online before Christmas you can bag an extra discount by getting a unique code via the Advent Calendar on their website, everyday there is a different competition or special offer. Check out the sale and treat yourself to an early present. Dress £75.00 down from £150.00. Image www.whistles.co.uk.

Making me feel old

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I wish I looked this good at 14... yes! FOURTEEN! Teen screen queen, actress Chloe Moretz, is already a hit in Hollywood, at such a tender age, and has been hiking up the style stakes of late in an enviable  selection of designer clobber. From left, looking svelte and sophisticated in Paris at the Hugo Premiere in Chanel. At The Museum Of Modern Art 4th Annual Film Benefit, again in Chanel, not loving this on her, looks like shes wearing her nan's lacy babydoll. At the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards looking very Olsen Twins in Suno. Looking her age at the Versace for H&M Show in... Versace for H&M. Next job, working on a different pose...

Marni for H&M

The dust of disappointment has only just settled for those who missed out on the Versace for H&M collection but new hope is here! Marni are next to collaborate with the Swedish high street brand with a men and women's collection hitting 260 stores worldwide and online from 8th March 2012. Marni Founder and CEO, Consuelo Castiglioni, hopes to reach the young audience that have a cult following for H&M.  Look forward to colourful and bold prints arriving in perfect time for spring.

British Independent Film Awards 2011

images from Getty

Young acting talent were out last night to celebrate the British Independent Film Awards. French model and actress, Josephine de la Baume looked very, well, French in Clements Ribeiro. Olivia Grant in Dolce & Gabbanna looking very grown up for a 16 year old. Ruth Wilson showed us who was boss in A.Sauvage, Antonia Campbell-Hughes, who I love in Jack Dee's comedy series 'Lead Balloon', in a very understated black dress and Hayley Atwell looking festive and extremely sexy in Antonio Berardi.

Winner

Alexa Chung wowed in her outfit on the red (well, blue actually) carpet last night at the British Fashion Awards, an ensemble well deserved of the winner of the British Style Award 'for an individual who embodies the spirit of London and is an international ambassador for London as a leading creative fashion capital'. I was loving her quirky Kitty shoes by Charlotte Olympia (sister of model Alice Dellal) winner of the Accessory Designer Award. And... if that wasn't enough her dress and clutch were by New Establishment Award winner, Christopher Kane..... This was definitely an award winning combination. Kitty velvet and leather shoes £545.00 from www.charlotteolympia.com, dress and clutch Christopher Kane S/S '12 collection. 
images Getty and www.charlotteolympia.com

Spot the difference

images from Getty and Marvel Enterprises, Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures

Whilst admiring (or in some cases hating) the looks on the red carpet last night for the British Fashion Awards 2011, I couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance between a young British Actress and a Slovenian London based Accessories Designer. Can you spot the difference? Hayley Atwell right and left, Lara Bohinc centre.

Cosy. Sexy. Effortless.

I've long been waiting (4 weeks), hoping and dreaming for Whistles to bring out another great long sleeve, knee length fitted dress after falling in love with their gorgeous Grey Drop Needle Rib Maxi Dress last month. This fits the bill perfectly, plus I got lucky with 20% off. The St. Christopher's Place store was offering 20% off nearly everything, new lines, items already on special offer and sale items, some already at 70% off! At the till I got distracted by all the shiny gold jewellery and decided I needed a long pendant, it even has a working whistle charm on it! Daryl Stripe Column Dress £110.00 and Gold Flat Whistle Pendant £30.00. Image www.whistles.co.uk.

Winter metallics

Saw this treat on the way home last night on the Northern Line. I know that metallics are hot right now but this is chilling. If you want to re-create this look River Island has a pair for just £45.00. Borrow your boyfriends gym bag, your nan's shoes and dig out that pleather, faux sheep skin biker jacket from 2001 to complete the look. Frizzy ginger mane optional.

Versace for H&M

images from www.hm.com and GettyDonatella's collection for H&M finally went on sale today, I felt obliged to buy a piece and actually found something wearable that I like, this silk bustier for £69.99. Being a little lazy I purchased it online from the comfort of my own home rather than fighting the crowds on Oxford Street. It looked fab on the runway and on Emma Roberts, actress and niece of Julia Roberts, who attended the show in NYC last week. The only downside is that I need to get down to the gym, I bought the last one and it was a size 10. Oh well, I've been meaning to drop a stone or so, now is the perfect time, I've set myself a challenge for New Year!

Where were Kitty's lucky boots?

Kitty Brucknell's luck ran out tonight as she was booted off The X Factor after being in the bottom 2 for the third and final time. Every week she has been wearing her lucky Miu Miu inspired boots for the Sunday night elimination show, where were they tonight? It seems a change in footwear spelled the end of the road. TOPSHOP Astrid Suede Glitter Boots £80 available at Topshop.com

Liquorice digits

I hate liquorice, it's trendy magazine copy for saying 'black'. I decided to paint my nails in this sombre hue as part of my half arsed witches outfit at an intimate Halloween soirée I threw last Saturday night. The boyfriend went all out and decorated our flat in cob webs, candles and carved pumpkins. We nibbled spooky canapés washed down with terrifying passion fruit Martinis. I actually decided to try fake stick on nails by Cosmopolitan and then paint them black with Rimmel 60 Second Nail Polish in Black Out, never again. I found myself trying to prize off the painful nails at 4am after waking up fully clothed as a drunk witch in front of a blaring TV. 40 mins later they were off, leaving behind a bumpy layer of hardened glue. A week later and my nails are still ruined, I've been painting over the mess with the Rimmel nail polish, now I'm addicted to this new look, bit rock chick for me but I'm styling it out...

What do these celebs have in common?

images from Getty

Apart from looking sexily stunning on the red carpet, they are all wearing Victoria Beckham. From left, Kim Kardashian, Kate Winslet, Demi Moore and Cheryl Cole. Well, she has done it, £15m in her first quarter for 2011 and a reputation for herself already as a fashion mogul. Her S/S 12 collection as significant as something I would expect from Celine. I take my hat off to you VB. Very, very well done. I look forward to what else is to come, you know how to dress a real woman.

Form over function

My jaw dropped open after seeing Kim Kardashian sporting a pair of 6 inch Louboutins whilst on a camel in Dubai last week. Lord knows how she got on/ off it.

images from www.celebuzz.com

SORAPOL Fashion Show 20.10.11

The old and the new school avant-garde fashion crowd were out in force last night at Sorapol's S/S 12 collection in St George's Church, Hanover Square. There were even a few celebrity supporters including Miss Jodie Harsh. Padron Tequila cocktails were free flowing, was a bit harder getting hold of the Thai canapé's, whole pineapples studded with prawns on skewers, rice wraps and palate cleansing slices of exotic fruit, the Thai inspiration coming from the designers heritage. The models slowly tip toed down the aisle to haunting organ music, blasted by blinding spotlights, carrying sculpted wooden platforms like evening bags. The collection was full of colour, exoticism and carnival spirit with a good dose of bling, layers of tulle, cut out and sheer fabrics. We skipped the after party at Movida for a much needed Steak Frites at Café Boheme on Old Compton Street. I took the above pictures with my iPhone, you can view more detailed pictures here http://www.facebook.com/sorapol.co.uk and http://sorapol.co.uk/

ANTM Season 16

It's week three of America's Next Top Model on Sky Living HD and I know who I think will go far (and who I want to win), 20 year old Hannah Jones from Houston, Texas. She's the one you'll always hear shrieking excitedly at Tyra Mails. Despite her pig tails, clashing aerobics gear and overly girly disposition she does scrub up incredibly well (and bears a striking resemblance to Rosamund Pike). Image skyliving.sky.com.

If I only buy one dress this autumn...

...it will be the Drop Needle Rib Maxi dress from Whistles, I would buy this in every colour if they decide to make more! I shouldn't be buying clothes with pay day so far away but it's so wearable I'd easily make back the money in cost per wear, even by the end of the month. Now, imagine it with Kurt Geiger's Elliot shoe in Nude and YSL's gold plated sting-ray Cuff and Ring to toughen it up. All ticking the boxes for two of A/W 11 key trends, 1940's and Snakeskin. Dress £80.00 from www.whistles.co.uk, Shoes £210.00 from www.kurtgeiger.com. Cuff £325.00 and Ring £180.00 from www.net-a-porter.com.

Tulisa - The Female Boss

      images from Getty

Tulisa was completely off my radar until I demanded to know who had 'replaced' my beloved Cheryl Cole on X Factor. I am fascinated by her big Disney princess eyes but a little confused by the choices made by her stylist. She looks great, don't get me wrong, just thought her style should reflect her vivid personality. This lady is is as real as it gets and an element of Urban Street Chic would bring an added dimension to her style, but alas, the public want polished perfection and something they can aspire to. It reminds me of an episode of Sex And The City where Samantha's actor boyfriend, Smith Jerrod, is about to appear on MTV. After trying on endless suits by Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, YSL etc he opts for his own jeans and vest top in a bid to 'keep it real', at which Samantha, handing him a pair of Dior sunglasses, says "It's MTV, if you're not wearing something the kids can't afford how will they know to look up to you?". Well, I see her point, and Tulisa's stylist has a job to do. Its not just about dressing the part, its about being the brand.

Kitty Spears

images from Getty, www.thesun.co.uk, digitalspy.co.uk

It's X Factor season and all change with new judges (bar Mr Walsh) and a new breed of controversial characters that divide both the audience and the judges. Standing out from the crowd this year is Over 25's contestant Kitty Brucknell, who bears an uncanny likeness to Britney Spears - inspiration or copycat? Either way its going to be a Marmite situation.

Cheers!

A large Martini to mark the end of a long week, toast the life and career of Steve Jobs, mark the end of S/S 12 Fashion Week, welcome the autumn season (first day of wearing my down filled, walking duvet winter coat) and the brilliant Photoshop Express App, which instantly transforms pictures taken on my old iPhone 3GS making them look like they've been taken with a DSLR (see the pic here). Cheers and have a great weekend!

Jedward inspire Nicholas Kirkwood

images from www.nicholaskirkwood.com

It seems Nicholas Kirkwood's A/W 11 collection has been inspired by pop power duo Jedward. These hairy heels bear an uncanny resemblance to the twins.

Clear off clumpy shoes

When will massive platforms die?! It's been a good few years but it seems a chunky sole is still not out of our system. My choices are greatly limited when selecting a shoe, all preferred styles wield a whopping great platform. I am 5'8" and draw attention to my height when wearing even a mid heel, towering above everyone, I can see all the way down the entire London Overground train. In platformed 'stripper' shoes I cross from sexy and elegant into tranny, or worse, feeling mutton dressed as lamb, even in my 20's. I do understand that an inch between me and the pavement is a welcome respite from the dreaded 'burn', it's been liberating not having to put that floppy Jaffa Cake jelly thing into my shoe. If a bit of padding is the only redeeming factor to a platform then I am ready to move on. Clumpy and unladylike can shove off, here are some shockers that demonstrate my point...

images from www.net-a-porter.com, www.kurtgeiger.com, www.aldo.com/uk

BINTM 2011 Winner

Happy to see Jade Thompson win Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model 2011 on Sky Living HD. She has a killer bod and a truly unique look. Look forward to seeing more of her. Lets hope she gets a bit further than series 4 winner, Alex Evans, who appeared rapping in the Yeo Valley Yoghurt Ads. "Big up your chest represent the West" indeed...

Christopher Kane S/S 12

images from www.style.com

Shocked by the nineties minimalism at Christopher Kane! Is it wrong that I feel a little disappointed? Kane is usually such a pioneering and experimental designer who pushes the envelope. Is this merely a collection born of current trends or an invitation to a wider audience...? Designers do have to make a name for themselves at the beginning of their careers by shocking the un shockable fashion crowd, maybe it's just evolution that collections become tamer and more commercial with experience.

Mark Fast S/S 12

Mark Fast brought sexy to crocheting in the BFC Tent at Somerset House today. Nude was the first of four dominant colour palettes that were worked into beachy pieces, the star being a swishing, fringed, halter catsuit. The block colour theme continued in to yellow, black and orange with hot pink accents. Hair was 1930's inspired pinned up waves. Shoe's were Christian Louboutin's Praia Platform Espadrilles from S/S 11 reworked for next season by way of bright colours, t-bar straps, jewelled embellishment and a welcome return to the flat sole - how long can the platform hang on? Jewellery, by Pebble and Renee Lindell, was a fun exaggeration of the type we all buy on holiday.

Caught in the act

Saw myself on the web tonight, front row at the Antonio Berardi S/S 12 Show at Southbank's Queen Elizabeth Hall this morning. The view was amazing overlooking the river.

Antonio Berardi S/S 12

I don't know what struck me first, the attention seeking, patent, green strappy sandals or the intricate sequined embellishment on the sheer dresses. Pretty detailing and floaty fabrics were toughened up with patent paneling that gave structure. The contrast continued into ruby or emerald jewelled and sequined leggings under soft waves of pretty pale pink dresses. A sexy take on power dressing, long medieval-esque dresses and screen siren, curve accentuating dresses completed the collection.

London Fashion Week

image from www.style.com

Sass & Bide's uplifting S/S12 show brought out the sun with bold tangerines, summery yellows and tropical ocean blues. The collection had a modern european vibe, almost verging on futuristic, with an eclectic London mix of patterns, cut outs, metallic's and classic tones accented by illuminous pops of colour. The intricate, ornate and inspired bead work on many of the pieces contrasted and complimented the simplicity of the tailoring and solid blocks of colour. Legs were on show in notably shorter skirts than A/W and thigh slashed long skirts.

Winter is coming

image from www.kurtgeiger.com

September is here and there is a definite chill in the air, fueled by Fashion Week and being a little chilly I head to Regent Street to update my autumn staples. I bought these boots from Carvela at Kurt Geiger, ticking all the boxes for ankle boot, black, heeled and waterproof. Perfect with my new knee length, long sleeve simple black COS dress and chunky gold jewellery.