New In!

After being rudely awoken by an early morning phone call and without anything to do for a few hours I decided to hit the net and look at pretty things and as always Topshop was on my port of call (I don't often buy from there but every now and again they have some great pieces- just ignore the tween stuff!)

This sequin mini skirt is very Elle MacPherson (goddess of minis and flat sandals- she wears them even in Winter!) and would look fantastic with bronzed skin, flat sandals (something simply) and a basic white t-shirt





Because I adore all things ruffley, this dress is pure indulgence for me- its red, ruffly and just looks like fun to wear! It would look amazing with thick black tights and mary janes and a black trench coat






Speaking of coats, I love this waterfall frill front belted coat- the mustard colour is very on trend and adds interest to an otherwise neutral outfit, the full skirt is just adorable especially with dress and mary janes or t bar shoes for a retro vibe. the puff sleeves are gorgeous and the frill front makes it look very designer (but alot cheaper!)







And finally are these light grey t bar heels- the light grey colour is a fantastic year round shade and the ruffle front detailing is gorgeous and will add interest to any outfit (they'd look fabulous with a black tea dress and tights- let the shoes do the talking!)

Why?

Now I get it- Chloe Sevigny's kooky and quirky and alittle bit different yadda yadda (Take MK Olsen- I love her and even when shes wearing things I wouldn't personally wear- shes working it and owning it and looking fierce and you know people are going to be copying that at home) but for the love of god, who gave her a fashion line and whos going to buy it?

Don't get me wrong, I admire someone with individuality and breaks the rules and I sometimes find myself thinking she looks good but her clothing line called 'Opening Ceremony' looks like someone threw up the 80's/Clueless wardrobe department on her! Since when did women look in their wardrobe and think 'you know what I need- floral high waisted pegged jeans and a matching too short bustier top (oh and I'll team it with leopard print heels just to offset the look)'- I for one do not! (although I am all for leopard print heels!) As for the floral bustier detail dress over a t-shirt- has she ever heard of Luella Bartley (who does it so much better!) and the sleeveless tucked in blouse with super high waisted check skirt and leopard leggings and shoes- firstly sleeveless blouses don't appeal to the majority of women (bingo wings anyone, although Chloe obviously has never heard of them judging by that picture) and for those with breasts tucking shirts in is just a no no. As for the high waist under the bust skirt, how many real women have a waist so slim they could do that and not look like a barrel or a large uni-boob (I'm a size 8 and I'm pretty sure not even I could pull off that look!) and don't even get me started on the leopard print leggings/check/knee length skirt/leopard heels look- its just WRONG

See now if they gave Selma Blair a fashion line, then we'd be talking........................and in a good way!

Shoe Shopping with a conscience

Now what better excuse than buying a pair of shoes than are not only comfortable, fashionable and affordable but will also help others? Look no further than TOMS shoes- for every pair of shoes you buy, they'll donate a pair to children in need. When working for Food4Africa, the company gave away 50,000 pairs to children in South Africa, protecting them from further infection and injury to their feet (Mossy Foot is a serious problem affecting communities) and allowing them to continue to get an education and attend classes. If enough people buy TOMS shoes, they're planning to donate 100,000 pairs in Ethopia this summer!!

The summer collection is inspired by traditional Agrentinean workmen's rope-soled shoes and the TOMS espadrilles are available in a range of lightweight fabric, prints and colours

The website does not currently ship to the UK (they're working on it though!) but are available in Selfridges and online at Karmaloop and Zappos.

So girls (and guys), get shopping and lets get children in need wearing shoes!!

Mothers Day Shopping Trip

Well what else would the woman who created such a fashion addict want to do on Mothers Day but shop? On a trip to Next of all places, I managed to buy 2 pairs of shoes, a bag and a watch- all in the space of 3 minutes of walking in the door- the sign of a true fashionista?

Anyway as always I like to share and allow others to bask in the glory that is shopping, so here's the latest additions to my bulging wardrobe:



The Mother's Day present- these elastic peep toe sandals are gorgeous and have fantastic curved heels- very designer inspired (and very comfy!)- sadly they're not mine nor in my size but they're pretty to look at!



These little beauties are my first pair of proper high heels (I have size 2 feet so my only other pair of heeled shoes are from the now deceased Ravel children's range and are Miu Miu sparkly mary janes lookalikeys) as they're from an actual 'adult' range and are black leather mary janes with buckle and stud detailing and sole reviver soles (allows for flexible, breathable soles which are cushioned for comfort- they obviously work as I've been wearing them for the past 4 hours and they're still comfy!)



This is my new bag- its a bright fuchsia patent pink tote bag with buckle detailing and stitch detailing on the strap. It also has two main compartments as well as one zipped and very pretty white and fuchsia floral lining- who knew the girl who only ever wore black accessories would buy a brightly coloured bag, 2 weekends in a row? All I need know is the Barry M liquid eyeliner in pink and my outfit is complete (I'm wearing it with my new mary janes, navy matalan trench coat, black dress and new pink bag!)



And finally a new watch to replace my much loved turquoise Next watch that has departed this world. Note the turquoise stitching on its replacement- it perfectly matches my new turquoise bag! Oh and it tells the time too but that's always secondary to what it looks like!

Next up to arrive will be my La Redoute parcel- fingers crossed it fits and you'll all get to see what other delights I've bought! (Well that and I bought a pair of leopard print ballet pumps from Boden but they haven't arrived yet!)

New Look

See now I'm good but apparently I missed the fact that New Look now has an online store (i know I too am disgusted at myself!) but thanks to our divine fashionsta Sam, we are now fully aware and ready to shop! Here are a few of my current online favs:



I have a thing for bows and this pencil skirt is just fab (plus at £18 such great value even if you only wear it one season and then donate it to me)- I'm imagining it with green snakeskin heels (they have some in black court style available) or these black patent peep toe heels and a white tank top (i like the contrast between smart and casual)



I love this pleated shirt dress- it ticks almost all my boxes (if it was in plaid then it'd be perfect but we can't have everything!)- its black, its pleated, its a shirtdress (which never dates) and has a 40's vibe which I just can't get enough of- just add mary janes and watch those envious glances roll in!



This check bomber is just so me- I can just see me now wearing it with my black skinny jeans and suede ballet pumps and my new turquoise bag which I'm obsessed with- I'm almost a little teary eyed at the thought!



And just because everyone should own something leopard print is this leopard print tank top in the sale which would be perfect over a black short sleeve shirt and a pencil skirt or over a t shirt and jeans

Patent, check, brogue, check, shoeboot, check, 20s vibe, check- what more does one want from a shoe? They're the perfect shoe and combine so many trends they cant fail to impress! (a huge thank you to Sam for putting me onto these babies- if you do buy them be sure to post piccies!) Now all I need is a flapper dress and I'm all good for the 20's.........

These patent flats are a Chloe lookalike at a fraction of the price and are simply scrumptious and also come in a dark cherry red- sex in a shoe me thinks!

These patent sandals have a touch of Burberry about them and for that alone means you have to buy them, let alone the fact they're simply gorgeous!

I'm a totally gladiator sandal addict and have been for the past 3 summers and these are my ultimate as not only are they gladiator style but are black snakeskin which makes them even more covetable

This cross over bag in black snakeskin might even be better than my new turquoise bag- now if only they'd make it 10x bigger!

(All items http://www.newlook.co.uk/women/store.aspx)

Cold winter blues

Given the current weather in the UK (grey, rainy and all round miserable) and the fact the stores are currently full of gorgeous spring and summer wear (for which its mainly too cold to wear) I thought it was time to find a few pieces to brighten up the dull cloudy days and put a smile back on my face (nothing raises a girls spirits like shopping, well almost nothing!)

To start with (and just because I'm a ballet pump addict) I've spotted these tres chic patent ballet pumps from the La Redoute (http://www.redoute.com) catalogue to brighten up any outfit and chase away the bad weather blues. They're an absolute steal at only £9, range from sizes 2-9 and come in a fabtastic 8 colours (including yellow, blue and green to name a few). They're also available in wedge and court heel versions. What more could a girl ask for (except one in every colour)?

What better to go with some new shoes that a wardrobe staple: jeans! A girl can never have too many pairs of jeans (especially when they fit like a glove) and these babies fit the bill to a T. Made by Cheap Monday, these tight grey skinny jeans have a fantastic fit, come in a wide range of sizes and are only £40. They also make skinny jeans in various other colours (available from Urban Outfitters as well as a host of other online stores)

An essential for the coming months is a summer dress and this nautical beauty is called the Bon Voyage starburst dress from the Red Dress Shoppe (http://www.reddressshoppe.com/). The cotton eyelet starburst dress is cut in a sailor style with a V neck, A line skirt with a 'sailor' style flap embroidered with 'bon voyage' and a front collar tie. The heart applique is also actually a fully functional pocket. The perfect dress to bring a smile to your face and some fun to your wardrobe and its on sale!

Staying with dresses, is this Heaven & Earth leopard empire line dress with a frilled bib and long blouson sleeves from ASOS (http://www.asos.com/) Its a show shopper in itself and needs nothing more than a smile to get heads turning!

And just because every girl wants to feel like a sex kitten, there's this stunning dress from Danger Dame (http://www.dangerdame.com/) Doesn't Veronica Varlow look positively smoking hot in this little number! Its made from a stretch leopard fabric and has black lace trim on the bust and can be worn on and off the shoulder- get ready to set some hearts abeating ladies!

All good things come to those who wait............

I'm finally up and running and now its time for show and tell- for todays item of lust I've found these gorgeous little darlings:






These divine 'Gwen-Stefani-eat-your-heart-out' shoes are from the amazing Mod Cloth website (http://www.modcloth.com/) and are the perfect shoes for any vampy vixen (or in my case vampy vixen wannabe!)