Sale Of The Day

The Blouse.

The blouse is such a huge trend at the moment, possibly started (en masse) by the likes of Alexa Chung; remember the blouse and short shorts combo?

Well the blouse has long been a staple, a bit of a classic amongst most women's wardrobes, and this season they're available in abundance. Suitable for work, partying, casual, formal, any occasion you name it, a blouse is going to work. A while ago I posted this item for sale, but as it did not sell so I'm trying again and it falls into this trend category...

Get it here

Equipment blouses

In beautiful lilac washed silk, a great trans-seasonal colour. Think how perfect this would be next season in your summer wardrobe. The blouse really reminds me of the Equipment blouses available on Shopbop, which are very popular and available in a variety of colours. Its from Urban Outfitters Urban Renewal collection. A great quality, sumptuous blouse, with endless options. The blouse really works two ways - in a put together look - buttoned to the top and tucked in or relaxed casual elegance - sleeves rolled and open buttons. Either way the blouse is the latest forever piece to come out of last years collections. Here's some inspiration for the relaxed fit blouse;

Stay tuned for upcoming sales; Vintage Jaeger pleat skirt and vintage leathers.

Christine Centenera

Christine Centenera is certainly someone who's style I covet - I would love to raid this woman's wardrobe. She combines grungy clothes with a sexy, cool twist and always impresses with her outfit combinations. The latest images come from this seasons fashion week, photographed by everyone but here my favourites come from Garance Dore and Tommy Ton. The bleached denim and black are  f.y.i. a cool combination enhanced with silver accessories. She has inspired me over the years and here are the images which have continue to influence.

A combination of classic style's and colours but with a contemporary edge, something I'm a huge fan of and will be sure to replicate.

Chance Classic's

I love my classics and the Breton striped top has to be one of them - its the international classic. I discovered this website the other day called Chance founded by Julia Leach who has a great concept for stripy top lovers.

 "The striped t-shirt is the paper clip of personal style." 

I love that!

"There's at least one in every drawer, and it's coveted and collected thanks to its simplicity and timeless appeal. The espadrille, canvas tote, and button-down shirt join this item as the cornerstones of the Chance concept"

all of these feature among many a wardrobe and feature quite heavily in mine and f.y.i. the chambray shirt looks the perfect shade.

"Classics that travel the world. Each represents a relaxed, confident sense of style, a curious spirit, and a more minimalist than maximalist approach to living and dressing" 

...so, right up my street then. The website is clean, crisp and the products look great quality everything you would expect from someone with this sort of vision. Go check out Chance here if minimalist dressing or stripes are your forte.

A Piece of Yasmin

London Fashion Week is upon us once again, whilst I can't wait to see what delights will be unveiled, Asos is opening a boutique to celebrate fashion week as part of their marketplace. The Marketplace Collective sees some of the industries movers and shakers parting with some of their togs for us/you to purchase! My favourites have to be from the lovely Yasmin Sewell of Liberty's. She is a popular for her wears within the blogosphere and you will be able to purchase a piece of Yasmins 'well worn' wardrobe.

My favourite is the Margiela Knitwear and Acne Dress. Other fashion folk included in the sale so far are Susie Lau , Vanessa Coyle, Melanie Rickey and Steve Salter...something for the guys. Find it all here.

Anita Ko - I Die Too

I love The Rachel Zoe Project but one thing I find most covetable is Rachel's extensive jewellery collection. Here's a couple of my favourites which I'm incredbily jealous of.

The wing ring was a gift from Roger for V'day.... very nice. Both these beauties are by the AMAZING jewellery talent, Anita Ko. I die too. Her collections are such novel but not gimmicky bijoux and I want them all! You can purchase her collection from here. Whilst I'm not normally a 'bling-bling' kinda girl, the grungy take on the contemporary designs add an edge. The likes of Thomas Sabo and Bop Bijoux offer some more purse friendly alternatives.

Even Audrey Did It

Even Audrey Hepburn worked a pop of colour on her pout... well if Audrey did.

The Same But Different

Abbey Clancy for LOVE Magazine

Victoria Young of  LOVE Magazine.

A stylists touch...... Cutler and Gross for Giles sunglasses obviously a favourite of LOVE Magazine's Fashion Director, Victoria Young. A little bit of LOVE for Valentine's Day <3.

A Year On

Its hard to believe that a whole year has passed since Lee Alexander McQueen died. As a tribute to the fashion visionary, a year on - my favourite show...

McQueen Memory 99

...still.

Mulberry Behind the Scene's

I love a bit of fashion TV and love the competition on Gok's Fashion Fix or the more recent Fashion Roadshow.  The fight is between him and the over-excitable but knowledgeable Brix Smith-Start of Start boutique. Whilst I can only afford the high street, I love the styling from Brix and her choice of outfits, she's got a great eye. I think the star feature of the show has to be the 'behind the design scene's' where Brix scours the country to  visit brands based in Great Britain, such as Barbour, Harris Tweed, Christys' Hats, Mulberry amongst others to get the best quality designer pieces and gets to witness the production stages. 

I love this idea, not only does this excite the fashion geek within me, that's slightly anal and loves to see how such things are brought to life, but it also satisfies revealing the craftsmanship and heritage behind brands which are still based in the UK. Observing the detail, the, albeit edited, man hours and love and care put into them, makes them somehow more desirable. My favourite feature was at Mulberry. Here is the link for Gok's Fashion Fix from last year a look at how the iconic Bayswater bag is made. (jump to 30:30)

Brix Smith Start I <3 you... and want your job.

NB: The Coveted

I posted last month about the blog The Coveted - due to a few issues with the name and rights it has since changed to The Coveteur.

Still ...obsessed.

FYI - LOVE Kardashians

I have something to confess... I love anything Kardashian! Keeping up with the Kardashians, Kourtney and Khloe take Miami and the latest Kardashian instalment to hit UK TV screens; Kim and Kourtney Take New York. There's either a love or hate camp when it comes to the Kardashians and I'm a lover. They are my guilty pleasure! Turns out the love-ly people over at LOVE magazine are fans too, here are the girls shot by Patrick Demarchelier for the current LOVE Magazine.

Get The Look

The grey jumper.

The grey jumper here, worn by Kate Bosworth, Melanie Huynh and by H&M and Stella McCartney. Wherher its oversized, with cut out sections or fabric added in I love the twist to any basic jumper. Whilst I love them all I really love the 3.1 Phillip Lim knitwear. He always designs clothes that women want to wear... or in particular what I want to wear. I'm a lover of basics and this is a great twist on an everyday grey jumper. Relaxed and casual with a contemporary fishtail design.

Styled here by net-a-porter but look at Warehouse, another high street favourite of mine. They have got a great version in a beige marl for a fraction of the price. Oh how I love the great British high street. 

Pleat Back Top

Here's some other items from Warehouse I'd quite like to get my hands on.
 

 Trapeze Shirt

Clean Shopper

Something tells me I'm more of a minimalist than a maximalist, the latest trend camps for Spring/Summer. Which group do you come under?

Great Read

 A menage a trois

Julia Restoin Roitfeld and hubby - soo in tune.

Secrets of French girls

Just how/why do the French look so chic?

Lunch with the FT: Natalie Massenet

The inspirational Natalie Massenet and the looming Mr Porter.

Ruby Shoes

How to choose? Love this photo of Giovanna Battaglia, she's like a modern day Dorothy Gale. She says "My problem with fashion week packing is the editing of my shoes!" and these are just the red ones, have you ever seen so many?

Beauty Lust-Have

I need this is in my life, Nars Blush in Orgasm. Nars product's, blushes in-particular seem to be the go to for people in fashion, models and stylists. Check out Emily Weiss' blog Into The Gloss on all things Nars with insiders favourite picks. Apparently Sarah Jessica Parker used it in SATC, no wonder she had that beautiful glow about her....

One of those lust-haves - I say 'lust' have because I don't have one...yet! And as my favourite YSL blush has bitten the dust, I plan on ordering myself some asap. At £20.50 its in premium make-up territory but worth it? (please let me know) I'm sure. Think I'll stop by ASOS to get mine.

Bed Hair Day's

Perfectly coiffed 'bed head' hair at Michael Kors and Proenza Schouler. Easy, relaxed up do - so hard to replicate. How I wish to wear my hair today. Candids from Vogue.com

FYI - DIY Idea

I am somewhat envious of the ease and elegance some people have when wearing certain pieces of clothing, without a whiff of self conciousness. I am afraid to say I am the latter but I saw this detail on BCBG Spring/Summer catwalk, and whilst I know this is nothing new, it sparked a little DIY project  that could kick my paranoia into confidence.

A simple sheer cape-let or t-shirt top (as they are my got to piece), either oversized or cropped could add the elegance to any strappy top or dress whilst also giving me the much needed confidence to pull it off. The sheer yet slight coverage would hide certain concerns of mine but add a sensual sophisticated twist by giving you a peek without having to brave the a bare back or décolletage! A project I'm sure to bring out again and again particularly for summer. So the FYI - DIY out comes the silk chiffons and the sewing machine.

Net-a-Porter Basics

I'm a huge fan of Net-a-porter.com and love checking in every week to read their weekly magazine, I am a bit of a magazine junky! This week I loved Beccy Clarke's article on basics(click image to view larger), a huge staple in my wardrobe and something I'll add to my collection of on almost every shopping trip. So whilst my collection of basics is bursting at the seams, I just need to find that fabulous statement piece.... but as for the basics I got it covered! I like to get mine from Primarni, H&M and Topshop. Cheap and cheerful! I would love to purchase from the likes of Kain, T by Alexander Wang or James Perse. The modal/silk mix t-shirt's by Kain sound a divine combination, I may have to invest.