26.12.2011- Monday Must-haves: Sale Steals Special

We're just one day after Christmas, and it can't have escaped your notice that the sales are already well underway. Call me a traditionalist, but I'm a firm believer that Boxing Day should be reserved for seeing family, tucking into turkey sandwiches and devouring a selection box of chocolate, and after working in retail at Christmas over the last two years, I can think of nothing worse than battling my way to the bargains currently on offer on the high street. However, I've been browsing online and have come across some amazing finds, so thought I'd share the cream of the sales crop in a special Monday Must-haves post:

The Mulberry sale kicked off online on Christmas Eve, and there are still some bargains available. I've long admired the Tillie from afar (even my Mum's a fan!) and can't quite get over how good the reduction is on this style- I might just give in and treat myself. I adore Alex Monroe's jewellery, and this heart design ring has been on my wish list for ages. At virtually half price, it really is a bargain that has to be snapped up (especially as I've still got a £50 Net-a-Porter voucher to use!) This blouse from Boutique by Jaegar is a beauty, and a real investment buy as it looks like collars are going to continue to be big fashion news as we move in to 2012. Paul & Joe's lipsticks are lovely, and I really like this vibrant pink shade- the perfect injection of colour for a gloomy January. You might remember I featured this lace blouse from Warehouse in a post back in September, and since then I've been waiting for it to be reduced- I eagerly ordered it in blue and pink as soon as I saw it was on sale! I adore this Mavala nail varnish trio from Debenhams, and at under £10 for three shades you really can't go wrong. Finally, this Michael Van der Ham design for Topshop is stunning, and ideal if you're looking to treat yourself to a designer item at high street prices- the sorbet pink is perfect for SS12 too.

Have you treated yourself to anything in the sales? And did you brave your local shopping centre today?

(Image credit: Mulberry, Net-a-Porter, House of Fraser, ASOS, Warehouse, Debenhams and Topshop.)

19.12.2011- Monday Must-haves: The Christmas Countdown

With less than a week to get those last minute pressies, this final installment of my Christmas themed Monday Must-haves focuses on gifts which are at the more luxurious end of the spectrum. Extra special presents for extra special people, if you will (or indeed if you're feeling guilty about leaving everything so late!)

Mulberry's book, created to celebrate their 40th anniversary is the perfect present for a fan of the label, and is a great coffee table title. This clutch bag from ASOS is a lovely shade of Christmas cranberry, and the ideal gift to complete any festive outfit. I adore this wall light from Habitat, and it's a really unusual present- if you're buying for someone who has just moved into a new house or flat, it'd be fantastic. Alternatively, I think it's a great option for someone who wants to redecorate or add that special touch to a room. Patrick Demarchelier's recently released book, Dior Couture, showcases some stunning images, and would be a dream present for anyone looking for some fashion inspiration. I've only just come across this amazing Christmas gift set from Liz Earle, and with the cold weather here to stay it's a really lovely treat to pamper someone with- it's certainly one of the items I'm hoping to find under the tree on Christmas morning! This Sonia Rykiel scarf is an instant classic, and the star print keeps it feeling festive. I've included the Westfield gift card as it would make a brilliant stress-free last minute present- they can be ordered and delivered up until Christmas Eve, and can carry any amount you choose. I was lucky enough to win one myself after entering the Westfield Style Notes Blogger Competition, and it can be used across the majority of luxury and high street stores in any Westfield shopping centre, so is perfect for someone who wants a splurge in Topshop or who might be saving up for a luxury treat. Finally, this gorgeous star ring by Swarovski is a stunning keepsake, and I think it's a really special present to give someone who deserves to wake up to a bit of sparkle on Christmas morning.

(Image credit: Mulberry, ASOS, Habitat, Amazon, Liz Earle, Net-a-Porter, Westfield and Swarovski.)

07.10.2011- Fashion Week Top Five: London SS12

Although it seems that the SS12 presentations of London Fashion Week took place months ago and are probably considered old news by now (such is the fickle nature of the fashion world), the collections presented in London have remained by far my favourites, proving more memorable than anything I've seen since. Thanks in part to label juggernauts such as Mulberry and Burberry bringing their presentations back to home turf, London is now no longer thought of as the grubbier, more eccentric cousin of ultra-polished New York and glamorous Milan, but is now instead rightly recognised as the hub of new design talent and creativity. Of course we still love our eccentricity (the amazing Meadham Kirchhoff show springs to mind), but London is now more than ever holding its own against the more commercial stops on the fashion month tour. Here are my top picks from the capital's SS12 presentations:

Season after season, I'm always amazed by Erdem's creations. Just when I think his work can't possibly get any better, I'm happily proved wrong. This collection was stunning- signature prints were given a fresh, airy twist and romantic lace featured heavily throughout.

The Giles show was my standout from London Fashion Week- the sheer spectacle was breathtaking. I loved the theatricality of this presentation and the ethereal style of the designs. Luxurious floor-length silk dresses, feather details and metallic accents all evoked an other-worldly quality, and the repeated use of the swan motif throughout this magical collection created a thoroughly fairy-tale like flavour.

The shimmering dresses, vibrant floral patterns and sparkling embellishments all caught my eye at Christopher Kane. The cool, minimalist styling kept things simple, and I love how nonchalantly the looks have been put together- never have I seen flip-flops look so chic!

The Mulberry presentation was a real ray of sunshine. Butterscotch yellows and vivid jungle prints provided us with a vibrant, kooky take on the Great British Summertime. The tousled beehive hairstyles nodded to the nostalgia of 1960s beach holidays, as did the oh-so-cool (but surprisingly tricky to pull off in real life) socks and sandals combo which featured throughout. Beautiful bags in a new array of shapes and colours were, of course, obligatory.

Pretty pleats, sunshine colours and cinched in waists were all key components of the Emilia Wickstead collection, which was demure, ladylike and sophisticated. Each look feels really wearable, and the simple yet classic shapes ensured each design was both versatile and elegant. 

What did you think of London Fashion Week? Which shows were your favourites?

(Image credit: style.com, fashiongonerogue and vogue.fr.)

25.09.2011- Sunday Style Spotlight #5: Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung's style is quintessentially English. Part school girl, part granny (her words, not mine!), Alexa's look has become extremely sought after and much replicated since she made her breakthrough hosting Popworld back in 2006. I remember tuning in to an episode and being amazed to see her wearing a smock from Primark identical to one I had hanging in my wardrobe (needless to say I was a very cool sixteen year old!) Alas said smock has now bitten the dust, but Alexa's appeal has not abated and she's now one of the most sought after faces in fashion, regularly appearing in Vogue, ELLE and Harper's Bazaar to name but a few. It's thanks to Miss Chung that Mulberry gave us the Alexa, and this week her second collaboration with Madewell proved so popular that it crashed their website. In fact, Alexa's come a long way since that bargain Primark smock:

Alexa's signature style has spawned a myriad of copy-cats (how else do you explain the sudden popularity of loafers?), but the thing I love about her look is its simplicity. She knows what suits her and she sticks to it, which is why she's regularly seen in mini-dresses, chunky knits and 60s inspired shapes. The 'school girl meets granny' vibe is the perfect thing to keep in mind whilst trying to emulate a slice of Chung style, so be sure to incorporate opaque tights, school uniform shades (charcoal greys, plum reds and navy blues) and of course the now globally famous satchel. Even if you can't stretch to the eye watering expense of a Mulberry original, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives about. My standout item from this 'Style Steal' is this gorgeous navy military coat from New Look- it looks so much more expensive than the £49.99 price tag, and the swing shape, cute collar and bright gold buttons all scream Alexa. Happy shopping!

Are you a fan of Alexa Chung's style?

(Image credit: Look, style.com, Google Images, New Look, Jane Shilton, Topshop, River Island, Mulberry and ASOS.)

20.09.2011- Fashion's Night Out 2011

This year's Fashion's Night Out in London was a busy one for me! I was up at 6.30am, rushed up to London on the probably the most packed commuter train this side of India, and struggled all morning trying to affix a silly hat to my apparently abnormally shaped head. Never fear, however, as this was not part of the FNO craziness, but instead my experience of graduation! I might pop a cheeky picture or two of the event up on here soon, but suffice it to say billowing robes are a look that only Gandalf can rock. After a panic phone call to my mum ('The hat won't stay on, I need your help!'), I made it across the stage without falling over and had a really lovely time, regardless of the sartorial challenge trying to look elegant whilst being strangled by acres of material presented. After the ceremony, my parents and I went to The Dorchester for their gorgeous afternoon tea (which I blogged about when I first went back in March) before I met up with my best friend Sarah and we began our Fashion's Night Out in earnest:

We kicked off the night by having a browse around Selfridges, where we spotted this beautiful display in the Tiffany window, and kicked ourselves for painting our nails the night before, meaning we couldn't get a free Chanel manicure!

Next up we headed down to Mount Street, where we were surprised to find Marc by Marc Jacobs empty. Compared to the mania of last year, it was eerily quiet. Not that we were complaining, however, when we got a free canvas tote bag each after making a purchase just after 6pm (when the event officially started). Bingo!

As we made our way along Mount Street, we stopped for some obligatory outfit snaps, and I once again proved that I am incapable of pulling a normal facial expression. 

Dress- French Connection

Jacket- Zara

Shoes- Carvela at Debenhams (in the sale!)

Bag- Urban Outfitters

Sarah's outfit:
Skirt- Topshop
Blazer- Zara
Shoes- Office
Bag- Mulberry

Along the way we bumped into our lovely friend Liz, who looked amazing in this monochrome outfit.

We then headed down to Net-A-Porter's Window Shop- a pop up shop front which was interactive! All you had to do was download a special app (or in my case borrow an iPad from one of the lovely team stationed outside) and you could be in with the chance of winning an item from the window display.

After scanning the window, we didn't win anything but as we were some of the first fifty people at the The Window Shop, we were given a goody bag containing a £50 voucher to use on Net-A-Porter.com! We were speechless!

After popping into Lanvin for some lovely macaroons, we headed over to Bond Street, where things were crazy. I have never seen things so busy, but there was a great atmosphere. Unlike last year, many shops had lengthy queues of people waiting to get in, something which seemed to go against the inclusive ethos of Fashion's Night Out. Nevertheless, it was great to see what all of the stores had going on, and I loved the window display outside Louis Vuitton and this NYC taxi outside DKNY.

Our final stop of the night was Mulberry. Although we had to queue to get it, the line moved quite quickly and it was worth it once we got inside and were promptly invited to enter a raffle to win a bag and a luxury holiday. After having a browse around the store and spotting Cara Delevingne (she is stunning), we had our photo taken against the woodland themed backdrop (along with a lovely girl we met in the queue outside!) and managed to get our hands on a goody bag each.

 Amongst the madness we also popped in to Diane Von Furstenberg, where they were handing out freebie fragrance samples, and where we starred in our own mini-movie:

All in all, this year's Fashion's Night Out was a great one. Although it was disheartening to see some of the bigger, more premium brands had invite only events/enormous queues outside, if you knew where to be then there was a brilliant time to be had. I still can't quite believe we were given the Net-A-Porter vouchers (I'm still deliberating what to buy!), and it was great to go to the Mulberry party as the atmosphere was amazing (as was the goody bag!) Much like last year, it was a case of being in the right place at the right time! Bring on FNO 2012!

Did you go to Fashion's Night Out? If so, what did you get up to?

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell and City Girl's Fashion Box, please do not reproduce without permission. Video credit: sarahjsandiford on Youtube.)

17.08.2011- Fashion's Night Out 2011

With less than a month to go until Fashion's Night Out here in London, a few details are emerging of some of the events which will be taking place. On September 8th (co-incidentally the same date as my graduation ceremony!), London will once again be transformed into fashionista central, and, after last year's antics, I'm really excited to see what this year will bring. Here are a few gems of information which have been released so far:

Rob Ryan has designed the official Fashion's Night Out tee for 2011, which will retail for £18 across the retailers participating in the event. All proceeds will go to Kids Company.

Mulberry will be offering manicures and photo booth sessions at their Bond Street branch, following which you can pop over to the Brompton Road store to have your fortune read. There will also be prize draws taking place.

Rupert Sanderson will be having a roller disco in his Mayfair store (amazing!) and will also launch an exclusive disco platform boot, with 10% of the proceeds going to Kids Company.

Matthew Williamson will be showcasing his new diffusion line MW at his Bruton Street store, where he will be joined by the face of the collection, Edie Campbell. An exclusive limited edition t-shirt will also be available in store.

Alexander McQueen will be selling these exclusive keyrings which will be sold at their Bond Street branch:

And that's just for starters! For more information about some of the exclusive merchandise which will be sold on the night and for more on the events taking place visit the Fashion's Night Out website. I can't wait to hear what else will be going on!

Are you looking forward to Fashion's Night Out this year?

(Image credit: Google and Fashion's Night Out on facebook.)

05.07.2011- Walk on the wild side...

I just had to share Mulberry's beautiful AW11 campaign film with you after seeing it this morning...

Rather magical don't you think? I think this might just be my favourite Mulberry campaign so far.

(Video credit: Youtube/Mulberry.)

10.06.2011- Weekend Wishes

This weekend, I wish I had the funds to buy this beautiful new addition to the Mulberry family, as seen in the Fall 2011 campaign...

Mulberry Fall 2011 Campaign by Tim Walker.

Mulberry Polly Push Lock Bag in Conker, £850.

What do you think of the Mulberry Polly? And what are your wishes for this weekend?

(Image credit: fashiongonerogue and Mulberry.)

02.06.2011- My Month in Pictures: May

Looking back, my May was a pretty hectic one! I started interning at Shakespeare's Globe at the start of the month, and am there two a per week until the end of July. I'm absolutely loving it! Other than that, I've had a lovely time catching up with friends and tying up loose ends at Uni....

 3rd May- Caught the last of the Royal Wedding mania by walking down a Union-Jack adorned Regent Street at the start of the month.

 19th May- Spent a lovely day at Kew Gardens with my two best friends. Very tranquil and, more importantly, lovely and sunny!

 20th May- Picked up these cute postcards to celebrate Mulberry's 40th birthday. 

20th May- Collected the mark for one of my last Uni assessments, very happy!

 

 30th May- Made these cupcakes for my cousin as she passed her driving test!

What did you get up to in May?

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell, please do not reproduce without permission. Images edited using Picnik.)

18.04.2011- California Dreamin'

Anyone who knows me well will tell you that going to a music festival is my idea of hell. Although I'm sure the atmosphere at places like Glastonbury and Reading is fantastic, I've never seen the appeal of being stuck inside a tent without access to hot water, a proper loo or a comfortable bed. As 'old-before-my-time' as it makes me sound, I'd much rather watch festival coverage on TV, sat on the sofa with a mug of tea and a biscuit or two, content in the knowledge that I don't have to worry about my tent flooding or getting trench foot from my waterlogged wellies. However, if I was to be seduced into going to one festival, it would, without a shadow of a doubt, be Coachella. Not only does the festival attract amazing headliners year on year, but it also takes places in California, so perfect weather is guaranteed. Coachella 2011 took place over the weekend, and, as we've come to expect, was as star-studded as ever. Here are my picks of the Coachella crew's festival fashion:

Diane Kruger in a relaxed maxi skirt and sun hat combo.

Kate Bosworth showing her patriotic side.

Isabel Lucas in a hippy inspired outfit.

Alexa Chung in a failsafe dress and summer sandals.

And, as if more proof were needed that sunny Coachella was the place to be over the weekend, Emma Hill hosted a Mulberry pool party, complete with cocktails, kebabs and more well-garbed guests...

Alexa (again!)

Camilla Belle.

Emma Hill and Gia Coppola.

Nicole Richie.

The pool...

...and the food!

If looking at that photo of the pool doesn't make you want to book a one way ticket to next year's festival then I don't know what will!

What do you think of music festivals? Have you ever been to one? And who was your best-dressed at Coachella?

(Image credit: Harper's Bazaar, elleuk.com and Mulberry Blog.)