Seasonal Style #8

Words: sports luxe, sexy, powerful, feminine.

Total Price: £65.98

Price Breakdown: Trousers £14.00, Top £4.99, Heels £22.00, Blazer £24.99

Availability: Trousers & Heels from Select, Top & Blazer from New Look

Sunday Spotlight #4

So, this week...I've seen Office's buyers picks, Uniqlo's new spring collection (lots and LOTS of pastels!) and both River Island and New Look have been playing the denim game with offers and styles galore. However, here's my pick of this weeks best collections... 

Uniqlo- Checked/ Printed Shirts- February 2013

Prices: (L-R) £19.90, £19.90, £19.90, £29.90

Availability: online here

New Look- Blazer Squad- February 2013

Prices: £24.99 each
Availability: online here or in store

Urban Outfitters- Fifty Picks Under £50- February 2013

Prices: (L-R)£22.00, £30.00, £16.00, £25.00, £32.00, £42.00

Availability: online here or in store

Vera Moda- Night at the Movies-February 2013

Prices: check on the website for price guidelines from the euro- GBP

Availability: online here or in store

Fridays Fashion Find #5

On Trend Hi-Tops.

Prices: 1. £45.00, 2. £45.00, 3. £35.00, 4. £14.99, 5. £29.00

Availability: 1. River Island, 2. Topshop, 3. River Island, 4. H&M, 5. Dorothy Perkins

Perfume Dupes #2

1. BCBG Max Azria "BCBG Max Azria">> Beyonce "Pulse NYC"

 50ml EDP £33.99>> 50ml EDP £19.99  

2. Christian Dior "Miss Dior Cherie">> JLS "Kiss"

30ml EDP £44.99>> 30ml EDT £13.50

3. Armani "Code" >> Bench "Urban Original"

30ml EDP £39.50>>50ml EDT £7.99

4. Paco Rabanne "Lady Million" >> TOWIE "Dazzle"

30ml EDP £34.50>> 100ml EDT £17.99

[All prices were correct when this post was published; all prices are from The Fragrance Shop]

Sunday Spotlight #3

Collections of the Week.

Zara- TRF: Blazers- February 2013

Prices: (L-R) £39.99, £39.99, £69.99, £59.99

Availability: Zara in stores or online here

Uniqlo- Greengate Collection- February 2013

Prices: (L-R) £12.90, £12.90, £12.90, £9.90

Availability: online here

Jack Wills- Spring Collection- February 2013

Prices: (L-R)£34.50, £129.00, £59.50, £49.50

Availability: in stores or online here

Mango- S/S 13- Upcoming

Availability: soon to be in stores and online here

Images courtesy of www.candyliquor.co.uk

"Dupes" #1: Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood

 Spring/ Summer 2013

Paris Fashion Week

Catwalk- Crossover straps: 

High street- Crossover straps: 

Oatmeal leather- look cross over wedges- New Look- £27.99
Platform ankle- strap sandals- Zara- £39.99
RIGHT wood shoe sandals- Topshop- £50.00


Catwalk-Buckles: 

High street- Buckles:

Limited khaki suede buckle wedge ankle boots- New Look- £49.99
Fran heavy sole sandals- Topshop- £60.00
White chunky buckle wedges- River Island- £60.00


Catwalk- Prints: 

High street- Open Toe Prints:

Printed platform sandal- Zara- £59.99
3D Floral court shoes- Next- £45.00
Shoe- H&M- £24.99

Friday's Fashion Find #2

Acid Wash.
An edgy staple for any wardrobe.

Prices: 1. £16.00, 2. £16.00, 3. £35.00, 4. £24.99, 5. £14.00, 6. £12.00
Availability: 1. River Island, 2. Matalan, 3. River Island, 4. H&M, 5. Select, 6. Republic

My Closet: Neon, Florals & Jogger Pants

Prices: Dress £4.00, Jogger pants £26.00, Jumper £12.99

Availability: Dress @H&M, Jogger pants @Next, Jumper @New Look.

The most recent additions to my closet are...

 I must admit I wasn't exactly taken with the dress until I saw the price tag and then my sales head took over and now it's in my closet! I think it'll go great with my leather jacket for a harsh florals look- which is reminiscent of the H&M Spring look book. 

Although the quality isn't great- it's that awful stretchy material so I fear the colours may fade after a few washes- for £4 from £24.99 I can't really moan!

One of the big trends of Spring, as seen in the Hot List, is neon but no matter how fashionable it is I always seem to steer clear due to the intense fear of looking washed out and ill.  However, when I saw this jumper in New Look I thought "What the hell- I'll try it on" and surprisingly it looked great. I think it's because the white pigments ensure it's not too bright- not sickly bright.

The winning factor for me though was the back detail (which you can't see, sorry!) it has super cute white buttons falling vertically, and I feel like this adds a touch of uniqueness which distinguishes it from the cheaper designs available from Primark (for example). 

Finally, I've seen jogger pants/ jersey pants/ harem pants (whatever you want to call them!) in Warehouse, Topshop, Oasis and Next over the past couple of weeks so I thought I'd give them a try as they look really comfortable. 

As a petite girl I rarely find bottoms that fit so these were a nice surprise, they didn't swamp me and because of the elasticated waist they give me more of a shape too. Definite win, although I feel £26 may be a bit steep- I justified them by promising myself that they'll be my statement bottoms throughout spring/ summer! (blatent lie)

Have you treated yourself to anything nice recently? 

Friday's Fashion Find #1

The Snood.

A fashionable friend during the transition between yucky snow and warmer temperatures.

Prices: 1. £16.50, 2. £14.00, 3. £15.00, 4. £16.00, 5. £18.00, 6. £16.50

Availability: 1. Vera Moda, 2. Topshop, 3. River Island, 4. River Island, 5. Topshop, 6. Vera Moda

My Closet: Monochrome Fur Coat

Price: £55.00

Availability: River Island

I simply could not resist this jacket when I saw it in River Island this week. 

It was originally available a month or so before Christmas, but I think it was took off sale because it wasn't going to be discounted in the January Sales. 

So, shopping this week minding my own business and it pops out at me again!

 I have this terrible habit where I spend vouchers and gift cards like they aren't actually money, so... this is how this purchase arrived in my hands (thanks Auntie Debbie for the gift cards!)

I must admit it isn't the most sensible purchase because fur is usually kept for the Winter months, BUT in my defence monochrome is huge this upcoming season and it's still really cold!

It may have been one of my crazier purchases (my Dad says I resemble an Essex girl in it!) but it's just so cute, don't you think?!

Insert: Topshop 'Mom Jeans'

The model for Topshop most definitely wears them better than I do, but in the interests of fashion (and comfort...mostly comfort) I've been rocking the 'mom' jeans since early November. And, although their guest appearence on this blog was deleted shortly after it was announced, I thought I'd bring them back in this little insert as Topshop have announced their formal Spring Preview and their version of my Levi's are soon to go down a storm I'm sure...

Cute, comfortable, versatile and they make your bum look amazing (don't take notice of these terrible photo's!)...so, what's not to love?!

If you are interested in this Spring trend then Topshop's version of the 501's are available in stores and online here 

Trending: White Shoes

The second part in the White Accessories series is here, and it's all about your feet! It's only right that we focus on tootsies now as my nan always told me that your shoes should match your bag, soooo... white, white, white!

As early as last October Elle magazine was promoting white shoes in opposition to the boring black, and the high street has finally caught up with the following offerings:

Prices: 1. White perforated hidden wedge boat shoes £30.00 2. White metal toe slipper shoes £25.00 3. Fish scale design platform court shoes £19.50 4. Martina t-bar geek shoes in white £30.00 5. AEROBIC2 paisley wedge hi-tops £45.00 

Availability: 1. River Island 2. River Island 3. Limited Collection at Marks and Spencers 4. Topshop 5. Topshop

Insert: Spring Collections (3)

Warehouse.

Mixed Neutrals. Straight Silhouettes. Blue. 

Vera Moda.

Floral. Block Colours. Basics.

H&M.

Military. Luxe. Bold Prints.

Insert: Spring 2013 Collections (2)

Topshop.

Monochrome. Geometric print. Neon. Block Colour.

Miss Selfridge.

Denim. Lace. Nude. Cut-outs.

Insert: Spring 2013 Collections (1)

River Island.

Ethnic. Embellishments. Neon. Western.

New Look.
Neutrals. Florals. Blue. Crochet. 

Trending: Midi Dresses

As soon as I eventually get round to creating The List for Spring 2013 this is one item that will definitely be gracing the page: the midi dress. Yes it's back from the S/S12 ladies! 

As we are in that awkward transition from Winter to Spring right now (does anyone else have a hard time giving up the scarves?!) a lot of the midi's that are on the high street are long sleeved which is perfect for the fluctuating temperature's and the cold blooded amongst us. 

Most available are simple, block colours as the motto for day is certainly "less is more", however for night time dress yours up with the fur collar you haven't quite put away yet or some statement jewellery. Collars are still huge in S/S13 so be prepared to adorn your necks once more, and remember that with Spring on it's way you may want to think about lighter tones for the dress as black doesn't always scream "SUNSHINE!"

Prices: 1. Black sparkle midi dress £16.00, 2. Brown leopard print midi skater dress £12.00, 3. Fleck 3/4 sleeve midi dress in purple £29.00, 4. Jade 3/4 sleeve bodycon midi dress £14.99.

Availability: 1. Select, 2. River Island, 3. Topshop, 4. New Look.

Insert: Sales

Slightly different insert today: before I launch my "list" posts I thought I'd do a post about the sales that will coincide nicely with it. 
In aid of all the sales that have already hit the internet and are soon to overwhelm our high streets, I thought I'd put together a little mood-board of items currently in the sales that would be great pick-ups ready for the next season:

Prices: 1. Blush punched bomber jacket £25.00, 2. Petites printed kimono £17.00, 3. Beige print waterfall cardigan £25.00, 4. Cream crochet longline blazer £30.00, 5. Denim blue chambray shirt £10.00, 6. Cream lace mesh tunic dress £15.00
Availability: 1. Miss Selfridge (online here), 2. Miss Selfridge (online here), 3. River Island (online here), 4. River Island (online here), 5. New Look (online here), 6. Dorothy Perkins (online here)

Trending: The Cosmos!

It started with leggings and now cosmic print is starting to seep into the high street in all shapes and forms!

The print can be a bit daring so I would advise pairing it with other pieces not so daring, perhaps colour block or monochrome: thus making your statement piece your cosmos.

One shop that is loving the print is Topshop with all sorts of tees, skirts and leggings on offer; but search the high street for a piece that suits your shape and colouring as now the monochrome stars aren't the only ones on offer...

Prices: 1. Purple cosmic print tube skirt £28.00, 2. Orange pleated galaxy skirt £15.00, 3. Pink space print midi tube dress £25.00, 4. Dress £59.99, 5. Cosmic tee by Tee and Cake £25.00, 6. Black galaxy print leggings, 7. Te Amo pink galaxy print blazer £24.99

Availability: 1. Topshop, 2. Dorothy Perkins, 3. River Island, 4. H&M, 5. Topshop, 6. New Look, 7. New Look

Trending: Adventurous Headwear

Thought you'd never wear cat ears again after Halloween? Think again! Dressing up seems to have continued right into the New Year with all the headwear that's adorning the high street right now.

You can make your crown feel glamorous right away with all this to choose from...

Prices: 1.Gold Antler ear headband £8.00, 2.Spike on neon hair band £10.00, 3.Facet bead cat ears £8.50, 4. Cream bead embellished crown headband £25.00 
Availability: 1. Topshop, online here, 2. Dorothy Perkins, online here, 3. Miss Selfridge, online here, 4. River Island, online here

Trending: Topshop Chunky Heels

Topshop's new shoe collection is filled with exaggerated chunky heels and embellishment.

From wooden to rubber the heels of the shoes are definitely something to behold, and the emphasis on the chunky and cut out heels is going to continue far into 2013.

Topshop has many styles to choose from, some less risky than others, so it is well worth a visit to your local store to check the new range out. Take advantage of the metallic embellishments available too (studs, buckles, sequins etc.) and make the shoe the statement piece of any outfit!

Prices: 1. Burgundy anchor cut out buckle boots £75.00,  2. Sellout open toe platforms £65.00, 3. Jaja multi buckle mid shoe £78.00, 4. Lucky high vamp leather heels £70.00, 5. Lord pearl embellished heels £72.00

Availability: all from Topshop, visit the store online here