17.12.2011- Festive Dress Guide Part Three: The Repeat Offender

With only a week to go until Christmas Day, I'm beginning to frantically trawl online shops (I'm looking at you ASOS!) looking for an outfit. However, I'm reluctant to part with my pennies for something which I'll only wear once, a dilemma which has inspired this instalment of my Festive Dress Guide. Featuring a selection of frocks which I've chosen to dub The Repeat Offenders, these are investment buys at their best:

I loved this Designed By Miss Selfridge maxi dress when it landed online about a month or so ago, but it sold out almost instantly. However, I believe it will be making a reappearance on the Miss Selfridge website within the next week or so, so fingers crossed I'll be able to snag it the second time around- I just love everything about it and think it'd be great to have as we move into the spring. The beaded French Connection dress is a beautiful colour and I think it's a really versatile piece- the perfect thing to invest in as a 'go-to' party option. I've also recently discovered Claudie Pierlot's designs for Urban Outfitters, and this space print frock is stunning- a definite keeper. This velvet dress from Boutique by Jaegar has been reduced by almost £100 in their sale, and it's an instant classic which I'm sure would never go out of fashion. Finally, this burgundy design by Dahlia is another really versatile piece which is really wearable, and which would look lovely come rain, snow or sunshine!

Have you got your Christmas outfit planned?

(Image credit: Miss Selfridge, French Connection, Urban Outfitters, Jaegar and Dahlia.)

02.10.2011- My entry for the Westfield Style Notes blogging competition

After posting the other day about Westfield Guest Blogger competition, I thought I'd try my luck and enter! I've tried something a bit different with my entry (in an attempt to combine my love of cake and fashion!), so here goes:

Recipe for AW11 Style Success

You will need:
access to a Westfield shopping centre,
a supportive best friend/parent/significant other who can be relied upon for honest opinions, coffee breaks when required and carrier bag hauling,
a comfortable pair of shoes,
and an injection of the top trends from AW11 to taste.

Method:

Velvet Dress with Silk Collar, £230, Jaegar

1) Head directly to your nearest Westfield, where you'll find an irresistible mixture of the U.K's most delicious retailers, from All Saints to Zara and everything in between.

Midi Skirt, £30, River Island

2) Take your inspiration from the seasons top trends- whether it be 70s shapes with a distinctly vintage vibe, Mad Men-esque midi skirts, 1960s shift dresses in an array of colours or an splash of polka dot as seen on the catwalks of Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney.

3) Add the crucial ingredient- a good winter coat. This product needs to have a good shelf life, as it's an essential part of any winter wardrobe. Faux fur, oversized and military styles are all recommended, or alternatively incorporate a vibrant colour to brighten your mood as the sunshine fades.

4) Season your outfit with some staple winter boots. A classic riding style, sumptuous suede pair or a versatile Chelsea design are among the essentials to select from.

5) Marinate with a generous helping of this season's key colours: brilliant burgundy, fabulous fawn and radiant russet. Mix in a dash of emerald, amethyst and sapphire for jewel inspired dressing, and add a drop of mustard yellow for an added vibrant kick.

6) To sweeten, add this season's essential details, whether they be peter pan collars a-plenty, beautiful bows or lashings of lace. Alternatively, spice things up with some leather in a nod to the fetish trend, but allow to blend subtly into your look.

Leather Bag, £69.99, H&M

Double Breasted Coat, £79.99,

 Zara

7) Sprinkle with a dusting of failsafe winter warmers- woolly socks, patterned scarves and hats are all a must as temperatures tumble.

8) To decorate, add statement accessories such as hold-everything handbags and body sculpting belts. Garnish with a classy cocktail ring for an added touch of eye-catching sparkle.

9) Serve daily throughout the winter months and enjoy.


That's it! Thanks for reading.


(Image credit: Jaegar, River Island, Zara and H&M.)