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Precious Time

 

“Get a watch!” a colleague said to me the other day when during a conference I asked her what the time was for about the twentieth time.  The trouble is I actually have three watches but they have all run out of battery and I’m really lazy about getting them replaced.

 

My favourite watch is a silver bracelet one which was a graduation present from my parents.  The next one I found and for a while it worked sporadically and the last one I bought from New Look for about £15 when the other two stopped working.  Needless to say the New Look one only lasted about three months and I can’t bring myself to buy a new battery given that it would probably be more expensive than the watch.

Even with this shoddy history of watches I am very tempted to bring my collection up to four with an addition from the new Marc by Marc Jacobs Holiday 2012 range.  The Marci watch is the most feminine (read sparkly) of the range and comes in rose gold-tone of which I am always a fan.  But I am really keen on the masculine Henry collection; the Henry creates an optical illusion of 3D detailing and would drown my wrist enough to look like I’d stolen it from my hubby.

Of course this range is going to cost more than a New Look original so I may have to bite the bullet and get batteries for my current watches, unless of course Santa is feeling particularly generous this year.

Where's Wally?

 

Michael Bastian’s collection for Gant is ticking all the boxes for things I want right now; chunky knitwear, crazy trousers, knitted hats and big scarves.  Also a general attitude of ‘yes I know there is quite a wide variety of patterns going on in this outfit but it works”, okay so that’s quite a lot for one outfit to say but I think you can probably see where I am coming from.

The red and cream stripe jumper reminds me of a similar jumper I bought when I was about 17.  My friends called it my “Where’s Wally” jumper but I was not deterred; in fact I loved it even more. 

Michael Bastian’s AW12 collection for Gant is inspired by his college days as a preppy student in Boston, with a bit of mod thrown in for good measure.  Washed and shrunken Shetland wool, twill and flannel add to the preppy theme which I am finding myself increasing drawn to.  They refer to the red and white striped jumper as “Where’s Waldo” which upsets me greatly, as it still does when people refer to Opal Fruits as Starburst. 

If you want a piece of Bastian’s preppy charm you can find it in Selfridges and Gant flagship stores.  Sadly I no longer have my jumper, I think I donated it during an ill-advised wardrobe purge along with a puff ball skirt and sketchers but I’m glad to see that someone found Wally again because he still has a place in my heart.  

 

 

Grown Up Purchases

The Radley logo always reminds me of what I consider my first grown up purchase.  The teenage me, bumbling around Bluewater, the little store tucked away on the upper floor always felt like an actual grown up shop.  My first ‘grown up’ purchase from there was a purse, incidently, why does your purse get bigger the older you get?  I recently been trying to feel young again by downsizing.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the North London accessories brand and their new AW12 collection is as tempting as always.  As a fan of big, throw everything in bags, the “Baker Street” and “Holloway” are perfect for carting about anything you could ever need.  This year though, the diva in me finds myself drawn to their “Goldington”.  Small but perfectly formed, this clutch will dress up jeans and a blazer for day and then storm the dancefloor with heels and an LBD by night.

Laura Bailey rocks it with a summery dress but I think this bag will be a keeper all the way through the party season.        



I Want Kandee

If you are feeling patriotic this summer you could treat yourself to these "Smartees" shoes from Kandee.  With their Union Jack colour theme they are perfect for Olympic celebrations. 

Kandee's designer Josh Wayman is on a mission to create big and bold shoes that are the ulitimate eye candy!  "Smartees" might have the answer but personally I prefer the two-faced shoes from the SS12 "Loud" collection.  With a whole sweet shop of delicious shoes, including Rhubarbie and Apple Sours, to choose from it's easy to see that Wayman was inspired by a childhood love of sweets.  Shoes and sweets?  A man after my own heart!

Femme Fatale

I am completely in love with this look from Marios Schwab's AW12 collection.  In fact the whole collection is so gorgeous it's hard to pick a favourite piece.  Take a look at the collection and my write up at Lust & Found http://www.lustandfoundmag.com/article.php?articleid=97&category=Fashion.

Sister by Sibling

I love a good chunky knit!  Sibling and their new womenswear collection, Sister by Sibling, is packed full of great pieces.  Take a look at my write up of their Autumn Winter 12 collection at Lust and Found Magazine http://www.lustandfoundmag.com/article.php?articleid=93&category=Fashion

Eudon Choi

Take a look at my write up of Eudon Choi's latest collection on Lust & Found magazine http://www.lustandfoundmag.com/article.php?articleid=86&category=Fashion

Are we all about to go moo?

Is cow print the next big animal print?  According to Narciss it is as they launch The Knight Jacket in a cow print pattern.  I'm a big fan of animal print but not too sure that cow print is for me.  Surely anyone who is not a model is just asking for trouble wearing this?

Rare London

Rare London has had an overhaul of their team and have set their sights on fashion domination.  The autumn winter 2012 lookbook showcases a glam grunge look that will start your inner rock groupie itching to get out.  Girlie dresses are toughened up with leather accents, heavy accessories, smoky make up and a whole lot of attitude.  These two particular looks are my favourite, I love the chain print that is springing up, (I have a top from River Island that looks like it was made from Hermes scarves) and I'm a sucker for polka dots!

The Grass is Always Greener

I thought this was a joke when it popped into my inbox but I got to say quirkiness of it does appeal to the side of me that used to think fairy wings were a good idea.  This is available at http://www.3939shop.com/products/grassy-by-glush-clutch-bags and comes in two sizes.  You better be quick if you do want to grab a patch of grass to call your own as the small is already sold out!

If a faux grass clutch bag doesn't appeal the website is still worth a look for off-the-wall bits and pieces!

The only way to travel......

Please take a look at my article on travel style for online magazine The Style Lane: http://www.thestylelane.com/#/travelling-in-style/4565788143


Which category do you fall into?

Vanity

If you are in London pick up issue 23 of Vanity magazine. Shameless advertising as this issue features two articles by me :p

A Long Winter?

Lust & Found online magazine featuring my write up of James Long aw12 womenswear collection.

Lust & Found

Check out new online magazine Lust & Found, includes a write up on Kinder Aggugini by yours truly!

xxx

Va Va Vroom!

I'm in love with the car print that has been plastered all over Prada's dresses.  But if, like me, the champagne lifestyle just isn't going to happen on your cider budget, you might like this car print prom dress I found in New Look.  Is it just me or is New Look getting it really right with dresses with season?

Tropicana

Despite dismissing the trend when it first burst onto the catwalks I am now finding myself strangely drawn to printed trousers and am keen to get my hands on a pair.  Maybe my desperation for spring is taking over my fashion choices but I particularly like the tropical prints.  Will also need to stock up on some basic tees to wear with, not sure I can pull off a Jessie J style print clash!

These are a selection of the best tropical print trews on the high street.  I particularly like the River Island pair and they are the cheapest too!  

Working it

I'm desperately trying to find the perfect bag for work, one that will fit everything I need in and save me having to lug two bags around with me!

I love this gorgeous Zara large city bag, £59.99, the colour makes a nice change from black (it also comes in grey with tan).  Count day till payday!