WE'RE BACK!

Exams and the 'first job' search put an unwanted stop to my blog writing but as of tonight the blogs are back!

Make sure you subscribe and tell your friend to tell a friend, because its only gonna get better!!

Spring/Summer Trends for Men & Women

Spring is here and summer is on the horizon, so here are the best buys from the high street and internet to keep you in style on those long sunny days and warm nights...

Ruffles give a sweet, romantic feel to an outfit..

Epaulettes add a fashionable edge to a simple outfit...

Stockists: Aldo, aldoshoes.com; ASOS, asos.com; Burton, burton.co.uk; Diesel, diesel.com; Dune, dune.co.uk; Lipsy, lipsy.co.uk; Miss Selfridge, missselfridge.co.uk; Office, office.co.uk; Topman, topman.com; Topshop, topshop.com; Urban Outfitters, urbanoutfitters.co.uk

Denim Delights

Denim makes a comeback............I must admit I have been slightly wary of this trend as it gives me flashbacks of my youth when I was forced into dungarees on a daily basis, but some of the Highstreet stores have come up with delightful denim pieces which we can all add to our spring/summer wardrobes. I'm running down to New look right now to buy my ode to the 90's 'the denim jacket' - roll up the sleeves and vuala.... I've made it current!

clockwise from top left: shorts £28 @ ASOS; jacket £18 @ New Look; dress £45 @ Warehouse; jumpsuit £38 @ Miss Selfridge


Get the faded denim catwalk look a la Christopher Kane, with this offering from Topshop at a very reasonable £45

Fab of the Fortnight

Gwyneth is the queen of effortless elegance.......Her outfits are always so well put together and fit her personality to a tee, this outfit is no exception.

Here's Gwyneth draped in vintage Dior at Elton John's Hottest Pink Party supporting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in New York City.

Other celebs attending the event included Elizabeth Hurley and designer Vera Wang

Fab Five Finds of the Fortnight

I know it feels as if summer is never going to arrive, but its never too early to prepare. I have searched the High Street and found five of the most stylish, on trend flat sandals suitable for those lazy summer days we all long for.

From top l-r: leather strappy sandals £25 @ ASOS; studded sandals £29.99 @ River Island; frill detail sandal £22 @ Topshop; knotted leather sandal £55 by Irregular Choice @ Office; fringed suede sandal £ 14.99 @ Urban Outfitters

New on the High Street this week........

Here's what is new on the High Street this week...... Have a great weekend and remember to leave a comment on your favourite posts!

Here she goes again.....

Call me a complete cynic, but I have never been one to jump onto the fashion hype bandwagon, especially when it comes to 'celebrity for the high street' clothing lines. Lily's was cheap looking, Madonna's was an Adidas rip-off and Kate Moss' mainly consists of overly priced copies of her shabby designer wardrobe. But hype sells and as Tatler's former 'best dressed woman' anything that Kate puts her hand on is bound to go gold.

This season's contribution is by far the weakest of the lines she has brought us so far. I hope this brings an end to it all!

Of the 68 items she has released today, here are a couple I don't hate.......

Star print bandeau dress £150; School Blazer £70

Flared jeans £40

Fab Five Finds of the Fortnight

In an ode to the timeless dress, the LBD, I have scoured the internet to bring you my favourite LBDs on the highstreet right now. Get them while they're still available.

top l-r: Ruffle neckline LBD £60 @ LIPSY; Tiered organza LBD £85 @ TOPSHOP; Applique trim neckline LBD £35 @ MISS SELFRIDGE; Silk Bodice LBD £95 by PPQ @ OLI; Halter neck LBD £39.99 @ RIVER ISLAND

See 'My favourite links' section for stockist websites

Vintage Valuables

If like me you have a penchant for beautiful clothes both old and new then these vintage sites are bound to brighten your day and spice up your wardrobe regardless of which era you wish to channel.

Swap your cast offs for something a little more up your street @ the first UK Swap Shop site
WHATSMINEISYOURS.COM

Find a fab frock for that big event at VINTAGE MODES

For 1950s, 60s and 70s vintage everything, take a look at JAILHOUSE FROCK

Gorgeous clothing and accessories from all the stylish eras @ CANDY SAYS


Ebay UK used to be THE place to go for vintage fashion and it kinda still is if your willing to pay inflated prices for used goods.
With the dollar being as weak as it is Ebay.com is looking ever so much more enticing. Below you can check out a list of my Ebay vintage sellers straight from the US of A.

Le Robo
Noirohio Vintage
Tin Roof Vintage
Dirty Birdies Vintage
Kingston Avenue Vintage
Lullie Vintage
Playground Vintage
Billie Goat Vintage
Voyou Vintage
Hippo Gorilla Giraffe Vintage

Trust me you will not be disappointed!
ENJOY.........

News Fix

Hot fashion news over the past week:

• Osman Yousefzada designs a range of gorgeous 'LBDs' for Mango's MNG range

• Donatella Versace inducted as new Fashion Fringe Chairperson

• Favourite fashion swap shop whatsyoursismine.com relaunches

• Tibi launches shoe range

• Agyness takes over from Drew to front new Giles collection for New Look

• Leona auctions Cavalli Brit award dress in aid of Sports Relief
  

Fab of the Fortnight!!!

Up until this point I was yet to feature a man as my 'Fab of the Fortnight'. No gentleman's seamless style had caught my eye until I saw David Beckham. His wife has taught him well!!! Here he is at an event promoting the Motorola Razr phone in South Korea. He seems to have channelled James Bond in this perfectly tailored sharp suit and looks every inch the debonair gentleman.

A Girl's Best Friend

Forget diamonds, shoes are a girls best friend. They are forgiving and they always make you feel good about yourself. If you are lucky enough to be able to purchase shoes over the £100 price mark then I envy you, but for students such as myself on a tight budget the Highstreet has been 'oh so kind' this spring/summer. The platform is definitely my footwear of choice and Nine West and Aldo have totally blown me away with their fashion forward approach. Offerings from old faithfuls like Topshop and Faith aren't so shabby either.

Shoes for everyone..........


l-r: Blue lace-up sandal £85 @ KURT GEIGER; Black peep toe platform £95 by Carvela @ ASOS; Cream wooden heel slingback £70 @ ALDO; Yellow peep toe buckle shoe £85 @ KURT GEIGER; Black strappy buckle sandal £115 @ ALL SAINTS; Black strappy wooden heel sandal £70 @ ALDO; Black gladiator-style t-bar shoe £65 @ TOPSHOP; Patent peep toe with perspex heel £70 @ ALDO; Cream peep toe espadrilles £65 @ NINE WEST; Black contrast shoe boot £6 @ OFFICE; Turquoise hidden platform shoe £70 @ ALDO; Black pataent sandal £55 @ ZARA; Green wooden heel platform £65 @ TOPSHOP


And my quintessential 'I would if I could' pair of platforms, are these stunning babies from Chloe....... aw I can see myself strolling the French Riviera right now!

RRP £447

Check the sidebar for stockist websites.......New lines are being added all the time so check back regularly.

Fab of the Fortnight!

Madonna's Gucci event to benefit UNICEF was sure to bring out the forerunners in the celeb fashion game & it did not disappoint.

Top of my list for the night was Rihanna......

Lately this girl can do no wrong in my books. Here she is in a stunning emerald green Gucci gown from the Gucci collection.

Other beauties (I refer to the clothes not necessarily the celeb themselves) at the event were Katie Holmes, Madonna herself, and Gwen Stefani.

WOMENS: Spring/Summer 2008 Trends

Swing Skirts
as seen at Gucci, Donna Karen and Dolce & Gabbana


Flower Power
as seen at Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren and Moschino

Up in the Stars
as seen at Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Emilio Pucci

MENS: Get the Look

Now you know the Winter trends, here are the must haves from the high street.

MENS: Influential Catwalk Looks for Winter 2007/8

As there are just under two months left of Winter, and guys aren't ones to shop in advance, I thought it would be best to tell you what you should be wearing NOW.

Grey and plaid are featured heavily throughout the Winter 2007/8 catwalk. Lets just say 'plaid is the new stripe' and 'grey is the new black'.

Tops:

Chunky knit jumpers and cardigans were very popular this season and are still being worn over shirts with ties but for a quirky twist, trade in that tie for a bow-tie as seen at D&G. For a more funky look try out varsity-look jumpers as seen at Viktor & Rolf. Shirts were mainly featured in plain white or plaid.

Outerwear

COATS


JACKETS


Outerwear is always a big thing for Autumn/Winter especially as its mostly winter weather in London. This season the formal coat was double breasted and occasionally belted as with the 'Man Mac' as seen on the Ralph Lauren catwalk. For the more casual guy, the duffle coat/jacket was seen on many a catwalk, as was the bomber jacket which is making a comeback. For the funky dresser the school boy look is still in: try blazers in tartan or with coloured piping details.

Trousers



There were mainly two kinds of trousers featured in the winter catwalk. The first being the skinny fit trouser, which has been around for a while and there appears to be no sign of it going anywhere soon. The other style, which will suit most is the low slung baggy trouser as seen on the YSL and Michael Kors catwalk (to name but a few). Both styles of trousers were often seen worn with turn ups or at an ankle swinger length.

Suits


Grey suits ruled the catwalk this season. The three-piece suit and the tuxedo ran the show, often seen in faint pinstripe or check. These suits are bound to be around for another few season or so, so invest in one now!

Entering New Horizons

After much deliberation and research I have decided that since I am so interested in fashion as a whole - not just womens' fashion, I am going to start including posts on mens' fashion also. Posts will be once a week initially, hopefully increasing over the coming months depending on the content I can come up with. Look out for a post in the next 48 hours.