11.12.11- Sunday Style Spotlight #10: Liv Tyler

Since the age of about 11 (when I became obsessed with all things Lord of the Rings!), I've really admired Liv Tyler's style. Her attitude to fashion is relaxed, classic and easy-going, capturing an attitude which is quintessentially New York. As someone who is a little bit on the tall side, I also look to Liv (who is 5' 10") for inspiration- I love the way she returns to trusty staple items and never picks up a trend just for the sake of it. She's perfected the accessible wardrobe- cute patterned dresses teamed with beautifully cut blazers, understated accessories and timeless designer pieces all combine to create a series of signature looks which are effortlessly stylish:

This look is cool and uncomplicated, featuring items which are really versatile and classic. This beautiful pansy print dress from Warehouse is a dead ringer for the Thakoon design which Liv wore to the New York premiere of her film Super, and it's a piece that would look amazing dressed up or down. This blazer from River Island has a really luxe feel thanks to the leather effect lapels, and I think it's a staple item which you could wear again and again. These limited edition heels from New Look are stunning, and co-ordinate perfectly with the oversized clutch bag from Miss Selfridge- I love the gold accents. Finally, there are few things more classic than a pop of red lipstick, and this shade from Topshop is a brilliantly bold finishing touch.

What do you think of Liv Tyler's style? And who is your fashion icon?

(Image credit: Look, Google Images, Miss Selfridge, Warehouse, New Look, Topshop and River Island.)

19.10.2011- Frida does the 40s

The 1940s have to be my favourite style era- I love the 'make do and mend' attitude, the effortless elegance of the design and, of course, the beautiful printed tea dresses which proved so popular during the period. When this blog was in its infancy, I put together a post about changing fashions through the last seventy years or so, and it was no surprise that the 40s came out on top. It seems I'm not the only one who loves the style of the era either- as this beautiful editorial from the November issue of ELLE Sweden featuring Frida Gustavsson proves:

Frida Gustavsson by Andreas Öhlund, styled by Lisa Lindqwister, ELLE Sweden November 2011.

Mixing together some Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs with perfectly set victory rolls and a splash of scarlet lipstick, this editorial offers a perfect take on 40s elegance. If you're searching for the perfect high street interpretation of this style, then look no further than this Swallow Print Dress (pictured centre) from New Look, which looks set to cause a stampede when it lands in stores at the end of the month.

What do you think of ELLE Sweden's take on the 1940s? And which era do you find most inspiring?

(Image credit: Andreas Öhlund via fashiongonerogue.)

17.10.2011- Monday Must-haves

This week's Must-haves is a bit of an odd, uncoordinated selection, but I've seen so many lovely pieces over the last week that this seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to gather everything in one place to form a sort of 'wishful thinking' shopping list:

I've had my eye on this jumper from River Island for ages, but was reluctant to spend a whopping £38 on it. When I saw today that it had been reduced in the sale, I added it straight to this post. I love the burnt red colour and think it would be a welcome addition to my wardrobe now that the colder weather is well and truly upon us! I fell in love with this New Look blouse as soon as I saw it- a floral print and peter pan collar? I'm sold. I adore the colour of these jazz shoes from Office, and after buying a gold pair a few years back I know that they'd be really comfy (as old as that sentence makes me sound!) Monki is a label I've read a lot about recently, and, after receiving a catalogue in the post last week I had a quick browse of their website- needless to say I had to restrain myself from adding everything in sight to my basket! I love this dress as it is so simple and the deep blue colour is gorgeous- it would also look amazing dressed up with this embellished collar from Miss Selfridge. Finally, after buying a beautiful deep berry lip marker from Topshop last winter, I was hoping they'd add to their range with some new colours- and suffice it to say they've come up trumps again with this new addition to their make up collection. Now I just need to win the lottery...

What do you think of my picks for this week? And what have you bought recently?

(Image credit: River Island, Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Monki, Office and New Look.)

16.10.2011- Sunday Style Spotlight #6: Florence Welch

Less than a fortnight after emerging from a giant seashell to sing at the Chanel SS12 presentation, Florence Welch is gracing the cover of every magazine from NME to Interview as she promotes her new album, Ceremonials, which is released next month. Since the release of her debut album, Lungs in 2009, Florence has not only become one of the most recognisable voices on the radio, but has also worked with a succession of designers including Givenchy, Valentino and Gucci to cement her status as a style icon:

From floor sweeping couture gowns for red carpet appearances and performances, to a laid back street style which incorporates lots of quirky little touches, Florence's signature looks are always beautifully co-ordinated. Embellishment, lace and metallics are all key players here, as are vintage accessories and statement jewellery. I love Florence's look predominantly because she's such a style chameleon- from ethereal dresses created by the best design houses in the world to a simple plaid shirt accessorised with a ribbon neck tie, she takes a fun, fearless approach to fashion which works so well and compliments her music beautifully.

What do you think of Florence Welch's style? Are you a fan?

(Image credit: Look, New Look, River Island, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Accessorize, Topshop and Rokit.)

10.10.2011- Monday Must-haves

Another week has flown by, and I hope you all had lovely weekends. It seems like I say the same thing every Monday, but I really can't believe how quickly the weeks are flying by...before we know it Christmas will be upon us! With this in mind, this week's Monday Must-haves features some suitably festive items...

As soon as I saw these shoes from very.co.uk, I fell in love with them! They really remind me of a Miu Miu pair, but at £38 are a fraction of the price. The chunky heel is the perfect antidote to falling over and looking like a wally, which, if you're anything like me, you'll be very thankful for (especially at a Christmas/New Year party!) This Pins & Needles Blouse from Urban Outfitters really caught my eye as I love the colour, and I think it'd be perfect for layering as the weather turns chillier. Although some might say featuring two blouses with a bow detail in one post is overkill, after I spied this New Look top on Sarah's blog, I couldn't resist including it...it's so cute and I love the scalloped edges on the collar and cuffs. The sudden change in weather over the last week has also made me realise that I need to stock up on jumpers, and this vibrant pink number from River Island would be a beautiful bright addition to my wardrobe over the winter. I adore this vintage tea dress from Rokit- the floral print is stunning, the style is so flattering and the peter-pan collar is perfectly on trend, plus you know it's the kind of piece that would never really date. Finally, these earrings from H&M are amazing value for £3.99 (there's something a little Mulberry about them too, don't you think?), and I've been after a ring similar to this one from Accessorize for ages- an early Christmas to myself present perhaps?

Have you bought anything over the last week? And what do you think of my choices?

(Image credit: Rokit, New Look, H&M, very.co.uk, Urban Outfitters, River Island and Accessorize.)

28.09.2011- What I Wore Today #1

This, I believe, is my first ever 'outfit post'! I've posted a few times before about what I've worn to events or out and about, but I think this is the first post I've put together featuring an outfit I've purposefully tried to catch on camera. I can't promise it will become a regular feature in the style of 'outfit of the day', but on the odd occasion I find myself looking half decent (and capable of pulling a normal facial expression) then I'll try and blog about it. I've been thinking about featuring this sort of post for a while (more as a way to help me to wear things from my wardrobe which I've forgotten about!), but knowing me I'll probably end up changing my mind and not carrying on!

Top- New Look

Jeans- Topshop

I saw this top on the New Look website a few weeks ago, and caved in and ordered it when they had a free delivery promo. I love the pale pink colour, and the sequin collar detail makes it a perfect transitional piece. It's really versatile too, and looks as good with jeans as it does with a smarter pair of trousers or a skirt. I think it would look amazing in different colours too, so fingers crossed for similar styles hitting the shops in the next few weeks.

What do you think? And would you like to see more posts like this?

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

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.)

18.09.2011- Sunday Style Spotlight #4: Clémence Poésy

Clémence Poésy has long been on one my fashion favourites. With her effortless approach to red carpet dressing, Clémence has developed a signature style which is laid back and understated, but at the same time classically elegant and oh so French. I've always thought that French women have all the luck when it comes to nailing the 'Oh, I just threw this old thing on!' look- they somehow manage to look amazing in clothes which your average human would look ridiculous in. But, after looking at Clémence's style, I think I've cracked the Parisienne formula- she usually goes for black and navy outfits which are deceptively simple, but which often incorporate quirky details, whether it be a ribbon around the waist or a peter pan collar, and she always keeps accessories to a minimum:

If, unlike Clémence, you don't have a free pass to outfit upon outfit from Chanel, then her look is fairly easily to replicate on the high street. Cute swing dresses with collar details are absolutely everywhere this season, and sticking to a classic colour palette will help to replicate some of that effortless Parisienne magic. Less really is more in this case, so keep accessories co-ordinated, and incorporate a bit of monochrome to nod to classic Chanel. Perfect!

What do you think of Clémence Poésy's style? Are you a fan?

(Image credit: Look, Vogue, Zimbio, Google Images, Accessorize, Oasis, Warehouse, New Look, Rokit and ASOS.)

29.08.2011- (Bank Holiday) Monday Must-haves

Hello lovelies! Hope you've all had a lovely, relaxing Bank Holiday Monday. My productive morning slid into a very lazy afternoon, as I fell asleep watching The Incredibles (how rock and roll of me!)...but if you can't indulge in a mid-afternoon nap at the Bank Holiday than when can you? Luckily, I'm now wide awake and here with my must-haves for this week:

This week's 'Must-haves' is a bit of a dress fest, but as autumn fast approaches I'm going to be stocking up on versatile styles which I can team with tights, boots and woolly jumpers to keep the cold at bay! This swing dress from ASOS is at the top of my 'winter dresses' list, I love the shape and the lace detailing, plus the turn-down collar is oh-so trendy. I saw this leopard print drop-waisted dress in Zara at the weekend, and instantly fell in love with the colours...perfectly autumnal. As a rule I'm not a big fan of leopard print (I always think there's a fine line between looking stylish and channelling the first lady of leopard, HRH Bet Lynch) but I love that this print isn't too gaudy. I also picked this failsafe floral number from New Look, as I think it would look perfect with a chunky knit and is a definite keeper for the summer months too. I was really drawn to the muted colours of this top from Oasis, and love the cut too. I fell in love with this ring from Whistles after spying it on Vicky's blog a while ago, and am including it here as a reminder to myself to buy it soon...simply too cute. Finally, I got a little bit too excited when Topshop dropped their new season make-up online last week, as I'm a massive fan of their lipsticks (they have amazing staying power). This baby pink shade is perfect, and I've been after a similar colour for ages (can you tell I'm trying to justify adding to my rapidly expanding collection?!)

What bits and pieces have you got your eye on at the moment? And what do you think of my picks for this week?

(Image credit: ASOS, Oasis, Topshop, Zara, New Look and Whistles.)

22.08.2011- Monday Must-haves

Hello lovelies! I've just about gathered myself after my earlier post! Hope you're all having a beautiful start to the week. Here's my round up of everything I'm currently coveting (and trying to make space for in my wardrobe!)

I've posted about these paperbag style skirts from New Look before, and, after picking up the dusty pink version for a bargain price of £15 in the sale, I've now got my eye on these other colours- the deep red one is edging ahead at the moment. Another coat from Oasis after last week's post (sorry for being so predictable!) but when I saw this gorgeous 60s style mac I couldn't resist including it. I've posted before about my hunt for the perfect Breton top, and after a few unsuccessful purchases, I stumbled across this one from French Connection, which I've got very high hopes for! Inkeeping with the rather Parisian flavour, I've included these pale pink French Sole ballet pumps...a girl can dream, right? And after seeing this beautiful ring over at the Temporary:Secretary store, I had to feature it- so cute. Finally, this Tesco tote is too much of a bargain to refuse and this lovely lace top from Urban Outfitters has been on my 'to buy' list for ages.

Did you have a good weekend? And what items are you coveting at the moment?

(Image credit: Urban Outfitters, Temporary:Secretary, New Look, Oasis, French Connection, French Sole and Tesco.)

15.08.2011- Monday Must-haves

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Here we are again at the start of another week, so once again I've put together my wishlist. To be honest, I'm in a bit of a style rut at the moment, but I put that down to the time of the year- jeans are becoming my 'go to' option in this ever changing climate of ours! Nevertheless, I've picked out a few pieces I've got my eye on:

A few months ago I picked up the blue version of this Topshop dress after hunting high and low for it- it's now fast become a favourite in my wardrobe and is really versatile. When I saw the pink version online last week, I was very tempted to order it but I think it's one of those pieces you need to see in store before buying. Every winter I'm always tempted by a new coat and over the last few years have accumulated a fair few. This camel number from Oasis is already a firm favourite; I love the cut, colour and the cute fur collar. Another few pieces from Topshop in the form of this lovely sequin tee (I love the contrast between the blue and gold) and these boots, which I love but am fairly sure would make my feet look even more enormous than they already are (I'm a UK 8!) This jumper from Warehouse is also really versatile and I can see it lasting from the start of autumn right through the winter, and the touch of sparkle is adorable. I'm also really tempted to invest in a denim shirt after seeing Michelle's post on how they can be styled, and these earrings from Urban Outfitters were too cute to resist.

Before signing off, I just want to say something about the terrible riots, looting and arson which hit the UK last week. Croydon is my local town and it was heartbreaking to see places that I know and love destroyed, and my thoughts are with everyone who has been affected. I realise it might seem a bit frivolous posting about shopping when there are far bigger things going on right now, but I'm a great believer in the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' mentality, so thought it best to post as normal. Just thought it couldn't go unacknowledged, and again massive love to anyone who has been affected ♥.

(Image credit: Topshop, Warehouse, Urban Outfitters, New Look and Oasis.)

18.07.2011- Monday Must-haves

After a little break, 'Monday Must-haves' is back with a rather autumnal feel (which seems oddly appropriate given the awful weather!)

I stumbled across these loafers from Tesco whilst having a browse on their website over the weekend, and was amazed at how much of a bargain they are! They're a perfect caramel colour for the autumn, and I adore the patent effect. And for £14 you can't really go wrong can you?! I love this blouse from Miss Selfridge, and the ankle boots are a must-have for any winter wardrobe, especially if (and not wishing to tempt fate at all!) we have a repeat of last year's horrible snow. I've been after some stag earrings for ages (which I put down to a childhood obsession with The Animals of Farthing Wood!)- these beauties from New Look are lovely and such good value at under £3. The Topshop website has also steadily been updated over the last week with some pieces from their AW11 collection, and this beret caught my eye as it's so cute and very reminiscent of a Chanel-esque elegance. Finally, I included this scarf from Warehouse as I love the vibrant colours and it's a much more affordable alternative to some similar styles from the Mulberry SS11 range.

Have you bought anything recently? And is there anything you've seen recently which you're currently coveting?

(Image credit: Tesco, Miss Selfridge, Topshop, Warehouse and New Look.)

27.06.2011- Monday Must-haves

Happy Monday! I hope you all had lovely weekends and made the most of the glorious weather, it's boiling at the moment but looks set to bucket it down later on (typical!) Here's another selection of Monday Must-haves to kick off the week:

I saw this gold tee in Dorothy Perkins a while back and have been umming and aahing over it ever since. It does remind me of the sequinned tee from last week's mega-expensive post, and I think it would look great teamed with some skinny jeans. I've seen a lot of people out and about wearing maxi skirts, and this black one from New Look would be really versatile for the summer. I'm still trying to track down the perfect maxi skirt (most of the ones I've tried on have been ridiculously unflattering on me), so this one looks like a contender. I'm in love with these patent River Island loafers, and think that they're the perfect transitional pair of shoes- they'd look great with thick tights and a cute tea dress for the winter. I've also been trying to track down the perfect Breton top for what feel like ages (again, everyone I've tried on to date has made my upper body resemble a rectangle), but this People Tree version may just be the one. Made with Fairtrade organically grown cotton, it's also really great value for an ethically created product. I love this vintage black and white floral top from Rokit, and have been lusting after the satchel since it arrived at work a few weeks ago, I think I might just have to treat myself (although my collapsing wardrobe would beg to differ!)

What do you think of my picks for this week? Did you buy anything nice over the weekend?

(Image credit: People Tree, Rokit, River Island, New Look and Dorothy Perkins.)

13.06.2011- Monday Must-haves

Hello all! Hope you all had fantastic weekends (despite the ever-changing weather!) and are enjoying the new week so far. Here are my Monday Must-haves for this week:

Quite an unexpectedly Topshop heavy post this week, but some beautiful pieces have recently debuted online and I couldn't resist including them. I've probably owned a series of cream blouses with lace detailing since I was about 15 (including a beautiful one from Miss Selfridge which I recently parted company with as it was too big!), but this one from Topshop has well and truly cemented itself on my 'future purchases' list. I couldn't resist including the socks after seeing them in store last week, as they instantly reminded me of the old style school socks I used to wear (although I'm not advocating nostalgia as an excuse to splurge!) I've also been after a pair of tan ankle boots since last winter, and these are perfect- I love the buckle detailing.

After seeing this skirt in New Look last week it was instantly added to my shopping list, as I love the colour and the paperbag waist is really flattering- also rather reminiscent of the Mulberry SS11 collection which can't be a bad thing! The headscarf is a little whimsical inclusion as I've seen some lovely ones about recently and I think they're perfect for summer, especially if you're off somewhere exotic on holiday. And no, I can't quite believe that I've included a jumper in a post being written in the middle of June either, but the buttermilk shade of this Miss Selfridge number is divine, and you all know I'm obsessive about anything embellished.

Finally, a make-up must-have in the form of Chanel's Rogue Coco lipstick in a beautiful shade called 'Boy' (if you've seen Coco Before Chanel you'll recognise the significance), which I spied whilst perusing the beauty counters with my best friend (and self-confessed make-up addict) Sarah last week, and fell even more in love with after seeing this oh so cute ad campaign:

What do you think of my picks for this week? And have you bought Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine lipstick? If so, what did you think?

(Image credit: Topshop, Miss Selfridge, New Look, River Island and Debenhams. Video credit: Youtube.)