29.01.2011- tba SS11

I've posted before about my love for tba's designs, and, when I saw these images from their SS11 lookbook, I just had to share:

Not only are all the individual pieces from this collection beautiful (I especially love the Sam Tunic in the fourth picture), but the way each look has been styled is exceptional. I love Binbin McNiven's fusion of 20's inspired detail (geometric collars, ankle socks and pretty prints) with a 70's sensibility (centre partings, floppy hats and oversize sunglasses). Hurry up spring!

What do you think of tba's SS11 collection? Are you a fan of the label?

(Image credit: tba on facebook.)

26.01.2011- Swan Song

In the unlikely event that Black Swan mania has passed you by (alas, a suddenly busy week has stopped me from seeing it yet), this beautiful editorial from Vogue Russia more than confirms that ballet is certainly having something of a fashion moment:

Denisa Dvorakova photographed by Jason Schmidt, Vogue Russia, February 2011.

Although the Black Swan references are perhaps a tad too obvious with the monochrome styling, I really like the way that this editorial imitates a 'behind the scenes' feel and the opulence of the theatre is breathtaking. Also, in the midst of my mountain of dissertation research, I recently watched Anthony Dowell's beautiful Royal Ballet production of Swan Lake on DVD, and until the beginning of April, it is being staged again at Covent Garden's Royal Opera House. Certainly a must-see if you've been converted by Black Swan and are now a bit of a ballet nut (and, if you don't mind a restricted view, tickets are available for as little as £10). Here's the trailer:

It really is a wonderful production.

What do you think of this editorial? Have you seen Black Swan yet? If so what did you make of it?

(Image credit: fashiongonerogue. Video credit: The Royal Opera House/Youtube.)

25.01.2011- Versatile Blogger Award!

The lovely Laura, from Emerald Green 88 has passed on a Versatile Blogger Award to me, thanks Laura!

Apart from swimming certificates and a really lame prize (and by 'prize' I mean plastic trophy) which I won at school for doing well in my GCSE's, this is the first proper award I've won! Very exciting stuff!

The rules:

• Link back to and thank who gave you the award.
• Share seven things about yourself.
• Pass the award along to seven blogs you have recently discovered and enjoy.
• Let your recipients know about the award. 

Seven things about me:

1. I always read the last page of a book before I start it properly. I don't quite know why, I just think I'm really impatient!
2. I will buy almost anything with a floral print on it, regardless of what it is. This is extremely dangerous when in the vicinity of anything produced by Cath Kidston.
3. I've never had a driving lesson (too expensive!)
4. I could quite easily get through a Terry's Chocolate Orange/box of Jaffa Cakes/bag of chocolate covered raisins in one sitting without realising. 
5. Anything involving mental maths makes me want to scream, I'm sure my brain has a severe maths malfunction!
6. I can't walk in high heels. After several occasions of trying, it's a fact I've come to accept. Besides, I have all the co-ordination of a spider on roller-skates so it's probably best if I stick to flats for the time being!
7. I'm probably the most accident prone person you'll meet.

My seven picks:

• Victoria at My Favourite Fashion
• Gem at Fat Frocks
• Stefany at Influence
• Fran at Well La-Dee-Da
• Liberty at Snob
• Mila at fashionrocks
• Tess at "this fashion lark"

Just a few of the blogs I've recently discovered and wanted to share with you all. Massive thanks again to Laura for the award!

(Image credit: Emerald Green 88.)

20.01.2011- Rokit Designers Guild

I've written before about my absolute adoration for all things Rokit, and this month they are launching a really exciting project which, as well as nurturing new talent, pays tribute to the lasting appeal of vintage and classic design techniques. Rokit Designers Guild is an initiative established for new designers and craftspeople with a passion for vintage style to have their work showcased by one of the most reputable vintage retailers out there, as well as giving avid vintage fans like myself the chance to own one-off, handmade pieces which are either inspired by vintage techniques or created using recycled materials. And, with prices starting at as little as £6, the launch of this project really is an unmissable opportunity to own a genuine designer gem without breaking the bank. The range includes everything from jewellery to dresses, and if you're a massive fan of vintage like myself, is well worth investigating further. Here are some of my favourite pieces from the range:

This hand-made Alice band instantly reminded me of some of the costumes from Black Swan, with its beautiful beaded detailing and feather-like motif.

 This printed scarf encapsulates all things London.

This Bourbon brooch combines two of the things I love most- biscuits and cute accessories!

I can't wait to see more of the collection when it launches later this month.

What do you think of this initiative? Would you buy anything from the range?

(Image credit: rokit.co.uk.)

18.01.2011- Don't leave me hangin' on the telephone

When I saw Jessica Stam on the cover of the February edition of W Korea, as photographed by Catherine Servel, I was instantly reminded of Debbie Harry...

...with the platinum blonde hair, pale skin and smokey eyes, it's not hard to see where the inspiration for this cover shoot comes from. And, with the style of the 70's making something of a resurgence this spring, I can't think of anyone better than classic Debbie to turn to when trying to recreate the Studio 54 look:

What do you think of Debbie Harry's style? And who are your style icons?

(Image credit: fashiongonerogue and Google.)

17.01.2011- Starry Starry Night

On a rather gloomy Monday morning, here's some red carpet glamour from last night's Golden Globe Awards (aka an excuse for me to post about my favourite dresses!)

 Natalie Portman, winner of the Best Actress award for Black Swan, wearing a gorgeous blush pink gown by Viktor and Rolf. 

 Claire Danes in Calvin Klein- I adore the colour of this dress.

 Leighton Meester, looking lovely in Burberry. This choice is slightly more casual than some of the other dresses we saw on the red carpet, but I think Leighton's look was one of the most effortless and sophisticated of the evening. 

 Mila Kunis, in a beautiful emerald green Vera Wang gown. 

 Anne Hathaway in Armani Privé, looking amazing as always. 

 Last year's Best Actress award winner, Sandra Bullock in an ethereal design by Jenny Packham. 

I love this Elie Saab dress on Scarlett Johansson, particularly the exquisite butterfly sleeves and embellishment, but a smile would have made this look even better. 

What were your favourite looks from the red carpet?

(Image credit: style.com.)

16.01.2011- You should be dancing....yeah?

The impending release of Black Swan, which opens in the UK on Friday, and centres upon a production of Swan Lake, has got me thinking about other films which feature iconic dance sequences. I can't wait to see the ballet scenes from Black Swan, especially after reading about the rigorous training which both Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis underwent in order to be able to convince as ballerinas on screen (and because I'm writing my dissertation on Swan Lake!) However, if if a reported five hours of ballet training and swimming a day aren't really your cup of tea, here's my round up of some stunning dance performances on screen, which can be happily watched from the comfort of your sofa...

West Side Story (1961)- 'America'
 

Faithfully recreating the essence of Jerome Robbins' original Broadway choreography, this sequence really captures the energy, passion and vibrancy of the film and its characters. Rita Moreno completely steals this scene for me, but the ensemble sections are just as brilliant- nobody misses a beat- and the choreography really brings Leonard Bernstein's fast-paced music to life.

Singin' in the Rain (1952)- 'Singing in the Rain'

Starring and choreographed by the legendary Gene Kelly, never has getting drenched looked more fun than in this iconic scene. I love how Kelly's tap dancing skill really takes prominence here and there is something about his performance that is so endearing that it can't help but put a smile on your face.

Swing Time (1936)- Fred and Ginger's first dance

Swing Time is widely considered to be the finest example of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' on screen dance partnership, and, looking at this clip, it's not difficult to see why. They make the synchronised tap sequences (all choreographed by Astaire) look effortless, and remain perfectly in time with each other throughout. Beautiful.

Funny Face (1957)- Audrey's solo

In this sequence, Audrey Hepburn was able to demonstrate her skill as a dancer, having been trained in ballet from an early age. Her performance, in front of leading man Fred Astaire, is cheeky, engaging and lively, and embodies the unique charm which she is so fondly remembered for.

Given the buzz which is surrounding Black Swan (and Natalie Portman's performance in particular) I wouldn't be surprised if the film goes on to become a dance classic in its own right.

Are you looking forward to seeing Black Swan? What are your favourite dance sequences on film?

(Video credit: Youtube.)

13.01.2011- Butterfly, flutterby

As well as starring in Mulberry's latest campaign, Lindsey Wixson is also the face of Alexander McQueen's SS11 advertising:

I thought these pictures were simply too stunning not to share and I adored Sarah Burton's designs for spring/summer when they were debuted at Paris fashion week. The use of the butterfly motif here also really reminds me of McQueen's SS08 collection, which featured this fantastic hat created by Philip Treacy, bedecked with butterflies, and a stunning array of butterfly print dresses, which I'm still in awe of.

I love that whilst retaining momentum and driving the McQueen brand forward, Sarah Burton isn't afraid to look back at past collections for inspiration, as we see here. It just demonstrates how much of a visionary Lee McQueen really was.

What do you think of the Alexander McQueen ads?

(Image credit: fashiongonerogue and style.com.)

13.01.2011- C is for Cookie!

Last week I tried a new recipe from my lovely Hummingbird Bakery book, this time for double chocolate cookies. Whilst January usually ushers a period of resolution to get healthy/go to the gym more/eat less rubbish, my logic is that it's futile to even attempt this all the time the seemingly never-ending post-Christmas food mountain (largely consisting of Pringles, a box of mince pies which have to be eaten by the end of January and enough chocolate to give Willy Wonka a run for his money) is still to be demolished. So, for now at least, my resolution is to practice my baking!

Hummingbird Double Chocolate Cookies
Makes 12

Ingredients
50g unsalted butter
450g dark chocolate, chopped
2 eggs
170g light brown or muscavado sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
85g plain flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder

To make the cookies:
1) Preheat the oven to 170 degrees, Gas Mark 3.
2) Melt the butter and half of the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until the mixture is smooth, stirring with a wooden spoon. Be careful not to let the base of the bowl touch the water, as this will cook the chocolate.
3) Mix the eggs, vanilla extract and sugar together using an electric mixer or handheld electric whisk until well combined. Slowly pour in the melted chocolate and butter and beat on slow speed until both mixtures are fully combined.
4) Sift the flour, salt and baking powder into another bowl and then add to the chocolate mix in three stages, making sure to mix well after each addition. Stir in the remaining chopped chocolate with a wooden spoon until it is well dispersed throughout the cookie dough.
5) Taking a baking tray which has been pre-lined with greaseproof paper, arrange the cookie dough on the tray in even amounts, leaving room between each for spreading during the baking process. (I found this part the most tricky, so it might me an idea to have two pairs of hands here as the dough is quite hard to shape. But then again, it might be a case of practice makes perfect!) If necessary, use more than one lined baking tray to accommodate all of your cookies.
6) Bake the cookies in the oven for 15 minutes, checking them regularly after 10 minutes. They are ready to be taken out of the oven when their tops begin to crack and they appear glossy.
7) Leave the cookies to cool slightly before placing on a wire rack to cool totally. (It might be an idea to put some greaseproof paper under your wire rack just in case any of the melted chocolate seeps out and makes a mess here.)
8) Serve and enjoy, preferably with a steaming mug of hot chocolate!

Although my cookies resembled cow-pats more than the perfectly formed circles they were supposed to be, they still tasted amazing!

Have you ever tried baking cookies? And what are your favourite recipes?

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell, please do not reproduce without permission.)

08.01.2011- Mulberry's Secret Garden

When I saw Mulberry's SS11 collection from New York Fashion Week, I adored it. The feminine, flowery pieces really stood out, as did the pastel colour palette. This week, we got to see more of the collection as Mulberry unveiled the accompanying ad campaign, shot by Tim Walker, starring Lindsey Wixson, Nimue Smit and a rather cute piglet...

I love how the campaign captures Emma Hill's inspiration for this collection: Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden and the 1975 documentary Grey Gardens; it also instantly reminds me of spring, thanks to the stunning array of hydrangeas on display (I'm now seriously considering how feasible it is to have a room solely decorated with flowers!) And, if you're agonising over which of the new season bags to plump for, why not follow Lindsey and Nimue's lead and accessorise with the whole lot?

As well as the charming Tillie bag, which is forecast by those in the know to be this season's Alexa, my pick from the collection are these gorgeous Rose Gold Oxford Flats:

Heaven in shoe form, don't you think?

What are your thoughts on Mulberry's SS11 ad campaign? And what did you think of the collection?

* I also want to say a massive, huge and enormous thank you to you all for your lovely feedback on my last post, it really does mean the world and I've loved reading all your comments. ♥ *

(Image credit: NOIR FACADE and Mulberry.)

05.01.2011- 'Do I really need another pair of shoes?'

I wrote this piece back in August for a competition ELLE magazine was running, and didn't post it here straightaway for fear I might jinx my chances of winning (and because I'm always massively nervous of sharing anything I've written 'proper'). Of course the closing date for the competition has come and gone and I think I can safely assume I didn't win, so I think the time has come to share my entry. The piece could be about anything, as long as it was relevant to the title 'Do I really need another pair of shoes?'

Do I really need another pair of shoes? 

‘Do I really need another pair of shoes?’ The achingly familiar conundrum that confronts us all when we try (and usually fail) to justify yet another splurge on a pair of stilettos, boots or ballet pumps. Shoe guilt. A commonly recognised consequence of spending what is probably too much money on something which will inevitably languish in the labyrinthine recesses of your wardrobe. Despite the self reproach many women feel for indulging in a fetish for footwear, we are as fixated with the shoe today as we have ever been. Although this wardrobe staple has been a functional part of everyday life for centuries (they aren’t called gladiator sandals for nothing, after all), it seems the root of our contemporary obsession with the shoe can be traced back to one person; yes, step forward, Cinderella.  

Cinders and her magical glass slippers cemented the shoe not only as a garment of necessity (after all, what else does one wear to a Royal Ball?) but also as a ticket to bagging Prince Charming. In this fairytale world, nice shoes equal being swept off your feet by a tall dark stranger and, as a result, enjoying a magical reversal of fortune. It really is a no brainer: invest in (or, like Cinders) be gifted with a pair of perfect peeptoes and, sooner or later, you’ll be starring in a fairytale of your own.

On second thought, perhaps that’s just me being an old romantic, but it is impossible to deny that Cinderella certainly played her part in transforming the humble shoe into an icon, both in style terms and in popular culture. From Dorothy’s ruby slippers, to Audrey’s ballet flats and from Marylin’s notoriously wiggle enhancing stilettos to Carrie Bradshaw’s closet full of Manolos, the statement shoe is now a firm part of our fashion consciousness. It is the ultimate accessory when it comes to feeling confident, glamorous and sophisticated, allowing you to channel a touch of the aforementioned goddesses, and has become as important as the designer dress on red carpets and in luxury wardrobes the world over.

Despite the inevitable kudos which comes with wearing the latest ‘must-haves’, whether they be a pair of Chanel clogs, fiery soled Louboutins or Givenchy gladiators, indulging in a good pair of shoes is far from a frivolous. Ask any woman to deconstruct her shoe collection and you soon realise that every precious pair tells a story. From the £2 Primark flip-flops that you wore to death on that unforgettable beach holiday, to the designer heels you treated yourself to for achieving something special, each and every member of your shoe collection acts as a tangible reminder of the events that have shaped your life and, by extension, shaped you. When you come across those killer (no, really, killer) heels you wore on that brilliant night out with your best friends, you blank out the bruises and the blisters as you reminisce about dancing until dawn. Those trusty holiday shoes may stink to high heaven and be falling to bits, but parting with them is an idea you won’t even entertain. Every part of your collection is special as every pair is an artefact of your experiences, achievements and a testament to the milestones you’ve reached; your shoe collection is, in short, your own personal little museum.

I remember when I first visited New York: I was sixteen, had just left school and was unbelievably excited to be travelling to the city I’d always, always wanted to visit. For the entire time I was there, I lived in a pair of gold ballet flats, walking around Manhattan in them day after day until they were more or less welded to my feet. Those shoes saw Central Park, The Statue of Liberty, scaled The Empire State Building and browsed the department stores of Fifth Avenue. They had been on an international adventure all of their own and saw me blissfully blister free through what was, on reflection, a formative experience of my teenage years. Now whenever I spy them in my wardrobe, they bring back only the fondest of memories and I expect I’ll take them back to Manhattan with me if (or rather, when) I’m lucky enough to go back.

So, the next time you find yourself umm-ing and aahh-ing over whether you do really need another pair of shoes, don’t just think about the practicalities, like how much of a dent they’ll put in your bank balance, but think about the infinite, untapped possibilities that come with a new pair of shoes. Whether you’re thinking about treating yourself to a classic pair of Chanel pumps, pondering some Jimmy Choos, or simply deliberating what colour Havianas to pick up before jetting off to some far flung paradise, remember that in good shoes, anything is possible. Hell, you might even meet your very own Prince Charming.

I hope that wasn't too boring a read for you! I'd love to know what you think.

Have you ever entered a competition?

(Image credit: Google.)