Okay, so I am obsessed with Whistles...

It's not my fault! They keep making dresses that I want to buy! I bought ANOTHER long sleeve, knee length fitted dress (I can hear you yawning), the Daryl Stripe Column Dress. I already have one in autumnal black, orange and red which has saved me when I've gotten out of bed too late and am in a rush to get dressed. This one is cream, navy and emerald and I hope it serves me as well over the coming months. Its my first official purchase for the new season and, if it arrives in time, will be parading itself with chunky gold jewellery, nude ankle boots and a generous slick of royal blue eyeliner at a 30th birthday this Saturday. I did say I wouldn't be doing any sale shopping but it was a snatch at £45.00 down from £75.00, plus does it count if it was actually something I had already earmarked to buy for Spring? Image www.whistles.co.uk.

90's Denim

images style.com 

I know its only January but I'm already scouting out what to buy for Spring. Get ahead of the fash pack and stock up on pale and light denim now, by the time August comes around it will be too passé and filtering down to the chavs. Expect to see ALOT of it at London Fashion Week in February. From left Mulberry Resort 2012, Balmain S/S 12 RTW, Topshop Unique S/S 12 RTW and Twenty8Twelve S/S 12 RTW. 

Perfection, perfection, perfection

images Channel 4, kjslaundry.com, monicavinader.com

Location, Location, Location made a welcome return to Channel 4 tonight, but, it wasn't the matching necklaces on the gay couple that caught my attention, it was Kirstie Allsopp's old school gold jewellery and power prints. I've always admired her fifties silhouette, the way she stays true to classic shapes and an unmistakeable personal style. I totally agree with the queen of day dressing on owning a great fitting dress in every colour, I'm not one to waste time putting together separates early in the morning. Kirstie has found solace in Samantha Sung's Audrey dress and was sporting at least 6 different variations on her series, Kirstie's Hand Made Britain, on Channel 4 last month. I've also done some research into her fabulous vintage-esque jewellery and have discovered that many of her pieces are from Monica Vinader. Audrey Dress in Jaguar Blue £395.00 from www.kjslaundry.com, Mini Marie Bracelet £120.00, Mini Marie Earrings were £150.00 now £75.00, Mini Marie Necklace £110.00 all 18CT Gold from www.monicavinader.com.

New Year, New Me

Well, the same me but an improved model. I sat up this morning and realised I will be 30 this year. Now, I'm not going to start moaning about turning 30, I'm ready to leave my 20's behind and embrace being happier in my skin and more chilled. I also want to leave 2 stone in weight behind. I have tasked myself 6 months to do this, no fad diets, just plenty of exercise and healthy eating (and maybe less drinking). I did lose 2 stone a couple of years ago through a combination of smoking, ending a long term relationship and working 7 days a week as a fashion intern and shop assistant. This time round I'm a non-smoker, in a loving relationship, at a sedentary desk job 5 days a week, lording it up on fancy dinners and over socialising at weekends. I headed to the Chinese supermarket yesterday to stock up on ingredients to aid the healthy eating regime, oriental cuisine has tons of flavour with little  or no fat and I hope this will help me through this testing time. I have until my 30th birthday to get in shape and dare to wear something slinky and revealing at the party... Suggestions on a postcard please.

Back to school

In protest at going back to work after a fabulous Christmas and New Year's break, and on such a depressing wet day, I am wearing just black and grey. Grey skirt, grey tights, grey crew neck merino sweater, grey handbag, black coat and black UGGs. The only glimmer of hope is in my magenta umbrella. January and February are the most depressing time of year in my book. Doom and Gloom!

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.