Tuesday 27 November 2012

Cambridge Satchels: One for the Wishlist

 
The Cambridge Satchel has been dubbed the 'Brit it-bag' and it's not hard to see why ARTICLE. Thanks to lesser known designer Julie Deane and her measly £600 budget, the uniform satchel has been reinvented with a twist on the traditional tan and black shades.

The bags have become a real fashion success story, with individuality and quirkiness forming the basis of their appeal. Unlike staple holdalls and shoppers, Deane's bags exude personality and in the mundane AW seasons inject a much needed splash of colour to monochrome outfits.

Neon varieties were huge for SS12 with fluorescent green, pink and orange being the favourite accessory of many-a-fashionista (envision Alexa Chung and Elle Fanning). For AW12, I have my eye on the new range of metallics and have swiftly made the addition to my Christmas list!

Satchels start from around £94 and along with their own website HERE, retail in Harrods, Harvey Nichols and ASOS HERE to name but a few.

Thursday 22 November 2012

Shaggy Cardy

Kate Moss and Michael Kors love them LINK and with the search for the ‘perfect’ winter coat as unproductive as ever, I have found a happy medium.

Digressing slightly, I am a massive fan of faux fur coats. In the winter they are the only thing that keep me warm and I love the glamorous, vintage appeal they encompass. Think Audrey Hepburn circa 1950s; nothing looks more elegant on a crisp winter morning than an oversized fur coat, a delicate pair of pearl earrings and a bold, red lipstick.

However, if you want something a bit lighter for the mild autumn days, a shaggy cardigan is the next best thing. I bought this Mink Pink number from Urban Outfitters last year and although I do not wear it very often, it can be a glam touch over a day dress or serve as an extra layer for a night out SIMILAR HERE.



Shaggy Cardigan: Mink Pink, Shirt: Vintage, Necklace: Urban Outfitters, Leggins: Topshop, Boots: Missguided.com

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Checked Dress

With Christmas on our doorstep, what better way to inject a bit of colour into my wardrobe and celebrate by purchasing a red dress? That was my excuse anyway. Topshop does well for wardrobe staples and timeless items that never go out of fashion. Checked prints are one such example and I see this dress as an investment.

The same can be said for an oversized, tan bag-you can wear it with anything. Neutral colours ease the stress of that pre-work outfit panic and make the frantic morning rush a little easier. The size is also ideal for throwing in books, magazines and the overflowing makeup bag.





Jacket: Zara, Dress: Topshop HERE, Cross Chain: Topshop, Watch: Michael Kors, Bag: Accessorize HERE, Patent Loafers: Urban Oufitters

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Pencil Skirt Glory

In hope of breaking up my blog, I have left behind the dark-romanticism and gothic trends of AW12 and digressed back to the summer.

This picture was taken in a photoshoot by the very talented Dan Sakal, a freelance photographer with a very successful business *LINK*. I love this outfit as it breaks the rules by clashing the body contouring pencil skirt and peplum top with an oversized, vintage-inspired denim jacket.

If you 're wearing your skirts on the premise that shorter equates to better, it is time to re-evaluate. Leaving a little to the imagination denotes class and style and, conveniently, pencil skirts and midi styles are still bang on trend. They flatter all shapes and sizes; ingeniously enhancing curves, accentuating the waist and oozing femininity.  They can be worn as both office and evening attire and my preference for this season is with a little pair of ankle socks and heeled boots.




Denim Jacket: Levi's (vintage), Peplum top: Topshop, Lace pencil skirt: H and M, Spiked Cuff: H and M

Monday 12 November 2012

Boohoo Boutique

I am pleased to say that Boohoo.com have joined the influx of high street chains introducing their own take on 'premium' fashion. Marketing the collection as limited edition and following in the footsteps of high street giants Topshop and New Look, I am very impressed with the latest offering, Boohoo Boutique.

With embellished dresses reminiscent of the 1920s and spiked heels encompassing the goth-chic trend, I found myself refraining from buying.....pretty much everything! Although the range is predominantly geared towards evening glamour, with some beautiful luxe touches, you can still find winter coats and fluffy jumpers amongst the offerings. Here are some of my collection highlights:

Beaded Dip Hem Dress: £35 *HERE*
Amelia Biker Jacket: £45 *HERE*
Leopard Print Fluffy Jumper: £25 *HERE*
Spiked Ankle Boot: £55 *HERE*

Friday 9 November 2012

Holey Jumper

I bought this jumper from Asos by River Island last week when I saw it had gone down in price. I have been looking for a style like this for a while so that I can wear different coloured vest tops underneath to show through.

Statement necklaces are still my very favourite way to glam up an outfit. I have an ever-growing collection of embellished collars and this beaut, jewelled number was a steal from Primark; always worth a look in for cheap jewellery. My arm candy is a spiked cuff from H and M **Alternative here** which I am wearing in place of my beloved Michael Kors watch.

Although the lighting isn't great (my work hours don't permit daylight photographs!) my jeans are oxblood, still the 'in' colour for AW12, from the Topshop super soft/super skinny range which I love. My satchel is from Amazon and the jacket in the last picture is my Zara contrast leather/fabric biker.




Jumper: River Island from Asos, Jacket: Zara, RayBans: eyewearbrands.com, Necklace: Primark, Spiked Cuff: H and M, Oxblood Jeans: Topshop, Patent Loafers: Urban Outfitters

Thursday 8 November 2012

Sparkle & Fade Jumper

At the weekend I need to have a massive wardrobe sort out as I am losing track of what I actually own. It's hard not to get bored of the same clothes after wearing them a few times and I don't like posting the same things on here. Saying that, my bank balance needs some TLC so I have been resisting the temptation to shop.

This leopard print jumper was an Urban Outfitters purchase by Sparkle and Fade which I got last winter after deliberating over it for weeks. In the past I have made the mistake of paying full price for something at UO which then goes into the sale for about 50% cheaper-luckily not the case here. It is an oversized style and swamps me a bit so I have tucked it into my H and M PU leather skirt to reveal (ish) my waist! Over the top I have added my black fur collar for a bit of extra warmth and glam.

I am loving the nail art trend at the moment. All the glittery nail varnishes and magnetic nail paint that Barry M have bought out are amazing and although I haven't dabbled with any nail pens or stencils just yet I was desperate to try out this Jewel Glitter Nail Paint. I started with a base coat to protect the colour from staining my nails and then painted them in a dark red shade. I added the glitter nail paint in Amethyst over the top and I'm really pleased with the result. One layer is enough to create the effect and a few days on it still hasn't chipped. However, be warned. Glitter nail varnish tends to be a nightmare to remove so I am dreading the inevitable scrubbing off with gallons of remover and cotton wool!





Jumper: Urban Outfitters, Fur Collar: H and M, Skirt: H and M, Ankle Boots: Primark, Watch: Michael Kors, Nail Varnish: Barry M.

Sunday 4 November 2012

Galaxy Glam

Galaxy print has been trending for a while, with shades of sapphire blue and solar system print making its way around the high street. I wasn't sure it would catch on but when I went onto Topshop.com I was very pleased to see their new Galactica range of clothes and accessories for this season. There are some beautiful tube skirts and jewelled t-shirts on offer and if you are a fan of statement jewellery look no further. I took inspiration from this for my latest outfit post and you can find the full range have a HERE.

Left-Right: Velour Crop Top: American Apparel, £32, Sequinned Collar: Asos, £12, Tube Skirt: Topshop, £32, Cuff: Topshop, £25, Platform Boot: Missguided, £40.99.

OUTFIT TOTAL: £141.99

Friday 2 November 2012

Army Jacket and Fur

Fridays in the office are 'dress down' days. Although I get some funny looks from my lovely colleagues (!) it is so nice to be able to wear whatever I like.

Still loving the military trend and camo jackets. You can buy them for a really good price on Amazon and Asos Marketplace so dont spend more than £30 on your purchase. For extra warmth I have layered my fur gilet over the top and on my bottom half I am wearing my beloved American Apparel Disco Pants. If you are thinking of purchasing a pair yourself it may be worth going a size smaller as they tend to expand as you wear them and sag slightly.

Goth chic is still dominating with black leather, spiked necklaces and creeper shoes everywhere. Mine are so comfortable and add a little bit of height without the pain of heels!





Jacket: Amazon, Fur Gilet: Romwe, Disco Pants: American Apparel, Creepers: ebay, Ray Bans: eyewearbrands.com, Watch: Michael Kors