Mad Hatter

I have at least three weddings in the diary already for this year. THREE. That's rather alot and I suspect there are two more in the offing. At traditional English weddings, it's a fabulous excuse to get a hat out and I am reminded how much I enjoy wearing them (or rather hiding underneath them - mine all tend towards the large side) and also the general panic about what to do with the darn things when the dancing starts later in the evening. Smart hats aside - I'm not a huge wearer of them. I have a Topshop bobble hat for chilly days and huge, black furry Cossack hat for when it properly snows. Like today.  I think it makes me look like this...

One of the goodies I received from The Boy recently was the amazing L’Wren Scott Minnie Mouse Ears from Barneys that were a jaw dropping $48 excluding postage. I do love a veil and BOY do I love Disney. I'm thinking of test running these on my birthday party evening and then judging the reaction to see if they could be wedding appropriate..

The other hat that is luring me is this gorgeous little beret with cat ears. It's sold in a variety of colours although black is the only colour I would consider and it would be so stylish and fun in the current cold snap we're having.  Clearly I've developed a thing about ears at the moment..

Holiday, Celebrate! - Avoid packing Hell.

Not everyone like streamlining their packing....

I am off on my jollies to the South of France shortly and packing looms on the horizon.  There are those who believe that the simple approach to dressing works equally well on holiday. There's simple and simple. Pack 10 T-shirts in a suitcase, throw in some swimwear and flip-flops and that's about it is not what I ascribe to.  I believe that you will have a better time on holiday if you feel right. Clearly "feeling right" differs from person to person and holiday destination to destination. That said, there are some guiding principles that can help to up your style ante on this year's summer break. I'm leaving it to you dear readers to think laterally and adapt to suit. I should add that a large amount of my suitcase space always ends up being occupied by books. Note to self - must invest in a kindle.

• Have an airport/travel look that comprises of warmish layers and your heaviest holiday shoes. This is especially key if travelling on budget airlines that have small weight allowances. This is not the time to channel Angelina Jolie in a black silk mini dress and skyscraper mules. You'll be cold and grumpy and desperate to buy a bad cardigan from a second-rate high street duty-free shop in no time. Instead, this is the time to wear a rolled chino, a light knit, knockout sunglasses and a pair of leather sandals...also possibly a hat so it doesn't get squashed in your suitcase.

• Speaking of footwear, unthinking loyalty to flip-flops is a style copout. It takes minuscule extra effort to choose a pair of sandals to take away with you, yet they add a style dimension to even the most basic shorts-and-vest holiday look. Also pretty ballet pumps. These are my style staple and I will taking a pair of silver and gold metallic quilts and leopard ponyskin with red edging (both French Sole).

• Don't have a holiday wardrobe, have a holiday style philosophy instead. One that means you wear your usual summer clothes but in a crafty holiday-ish way. Not only does this save cash and time spent in badly lit changing rooms, it is the fast track to looking more stylish. This means admitting that the summer dress you bought for a party can easily be your sightseeing dress. A blouse you normally wear with jeans will look good with shorts for an alfresco lunch. This isn't wardrobe downgrading, this is wardrobe multitasking. And your holiday snaps will thank you for it. Promise. Also it will save you the insane Topshop/Whisltes freak-out panic buying session.

• Take into account your holiday pals and the kind of look they will be rocking at the check-in desk. In terms of how right you feel on holiday, it's up there with reading an accurate weather report ahead of time. Also if they're packing a hairdryer, do you need to take one? Things like this help with allowance weight too.

• No one of any style repute actually wears a sarong. A beautiful, floaty kaftan that you can throw on is all that is required - heck, maybe even a couple. Think about how you're spending your days. If you're going on a beach holiday and lounging around is a big factor you need less proper clothes and probably 2 or 3 cover-ups. Again, they're also light!

• There is no need to buy a dedicated beach bag, unless it is along the lines of a Marc by Marc Jacobs bright canvas shopper: ie, something that you will want to shake the sand out of and use again in actual real life. Failing that, use your Monday-to-Friday leather bag, provided it's a decent size. It gives the impression that you are more nonchalant about beach style and is infinitely chicer.

• Jewellery in the form of overly fancy earrings or a big, shiny bangle will add kick to your style quota but almost nothing to the weight of your luggage.

Lastly, have a super time! X

Grunge me up

Sneak preview people, Topshop's Autumn/ Winter 2011 lookbook...We're not really having a Summer in London so looking ahead to luscious next Season clothes is the way to go. Do you have any favourite looks/ pieces from this?x

Looky Likey

So I know that many fashion bloggers have been expostulating over the lust-inducing item(s) that are a pair of Isabel Marant boots.  They're suede, they're ever so slightly slouchy, they give you that certain je ne sais quoi. They're also super double duper expensive..oh and they're suede which means a little bit vulnerable in British weather even with oodles of protectant and a rubber sole.  There is the Bidou boot...

And my personal favourite, the Forbes boot, which has a slightly Western vibe to it..

So I fell for them and pondered over the purchase. I am all for investment purchases, let me state that right now. My Chanel and Mulberry handbags are prize possessions, my beautiful navy Hobbs coat and my tweed jacket, my beaded Chloe dress that I only wear once in a blue moon because I love it so much I'm actually scared to take it to the dry cleaners, my French Sole pumps. I have no qualms on spending items that will last (physically), are dateless and classic.  These boots tick every category except one, they will not physically go the distance. They will scuff, they will wear out, the soles/ heels will need replacing, they will watermark. I couldn't pay nearly £400 for that.  Ms Bosworth on the other hand, totally can and for once, we see a celebrity who has a pair of favourite boots that she wears all the time despite the gazillions of others in her wardrobe..

This, in fact was at The Kings Speech premiere a couple of weeks ago, I really love that skirt too!

..So I thought, what the heck! I'll go for it, I love them! They look great with everything..apart from maybe that weird pink croquet dress in the second picture across at the top (re-think that look Kate) but I still ain't forking out that amount of dough for them. Fashion Gods, help me out.

..And they did. They may not be an exact replica but my goodness do they look super on and all for the bargain price of £70.  Topshop. You did it again.  Now I just need to find that grey skirt....Happy Friday all X

Oops a daisy!

Spot the similarity...no, it's not the skinny legs..

Confession time..I STILL haven't done any of my Ebay-ing. Not a single thing. Been rather snowed at work as our events season kicks off and I've also been de-camping to the Boy's at the weekend which is all the way South of the river and by the time I get back on Sunday evenings, it's time for trash television, magazine reading, baths and blog reading! (I know I sound like I'm making excuses by the way...)

I'm cross with myself as I'd sort of made a mental resolution that I wouldn't purchase anything else until I had begun my Ebay-ing mission but there were a few (largely SALES...come on, shopping in the sales doesn't count!!!) purchases that snuck under the radar.  Here we go..

These had to be bought. There is a TOAST very near where I live so it it a hazard walking past anytime but especially when there are mark-downs. Classic tan brogues that were £145 and are now £58. Absolute bargain.

Next up and also from TOAST, are these two incredibly useful basics. The perfect long v-neck cardigan. I wear them as jumper dresses with tights, a silk scarf and..ahem..my new brogues...Was £99, now £30!!

This is new season and hence, EXTRA naughty but I can justify this by saying that it's a classic - navy, polka dot, lovely shape. Yes it's sheer but I can slip a camisole under it for work or a plain black bra with a tux jacket and skinnies at night maybe. See, that's two uses already..

The Topshop habit is hard to kick...

Spring is feeling a long way off right now and here in London it has been grey skies and decidedly damp.  Not wet enough to justify me wearing my Hunters or even my lovely Vivienne Westwood ankle boot wellies.  I needed an 'in between' boot. My beautiful Clarks Suede Desert boots cannot be subjected to constant drizzle. The fallibility of suede is one of my biggest moans and another reason why, although I adore the Isabel Marant ankle boots, spending over £300 on something that I can't really wear out much due to our inclement weather is something I can't really justify.  I had seen these little beauties when they were full price  and when I spotted them in the my-wardrobe sale, I knew we were meant to be....

I loved the taupe/ grey colour, the heel height, the way they looked a bit like sexy hiking boots...

And finally, although this isn't a purchase, it really deserves an honourable mention, to my wonderful friend Muddles who brought her back from the Orient as an early birthday present to me. Over-sized, tan and totally unexpected. THANK YOU x

I love her.

UPDATE!! On my last post about wardobes, just to encourage the nosy amongst you, this sight is a GREAT find  http://closetvisit.com/. Go and have a peek!X