Zara - Bots

I was recently lucky enough to travel the world on a really big shopping trip (yep even I was jealous of myself....although now I am back it feels as though I never went anywhere and the only clue to my worldwide shopping spree is my credit card debt! Oh and some really fabulous clothes, but that's a whole other blog!). The reason I am telling you (bragging) about my trip is because I came home and realised that although I love Zara and Topshop (almost more than my Nan.....I said almost) I was so disappointed that every city in the world I traveled to, had a giant store on every corner and Europe was pumping with Zara-bots and Topshop chicks! It used to be a treat to travel to Spain and get the latest rags from Zara or lose a few hours in Topshop on Oxford Street but now it seems the world is being over run with all the same stores. Don't get me wrong I was the first to queue for 5 hours to rush into Zara when it first opened in my hometown and I love/adore/obsess over some of the amazing things in store but when you travel half way around the world only to turn up to a Parisian party wearing the same dress as someone else there (true story! Horror, shock etc) it starts to get a bit "small world after all". 

I guess the economic down turn (yawn) is to blame for all the small indie boutiques closing down and the chains taking over but what is a girl to do? ........Shop at H&M and Massimo Dutti while you still can and they haven't opened there doors down-under yet! Oh and an exclusive collection never goes astray either, if you're listening Zara.

Sweatpants the new Botox?

Slim fit sweatpants from www.closed.com

I confess....... I wore sweatpants to a pub! (AND a pair not even as sexy as the one's pictured, well if I'm really honest, not even close!)
I know, I know, I should be ashamed, I shouldn't be  blogging about it that's for sure BUT something very interesting happened. 
I got asked for ID. Yep that's right. I haven't been asked for ID in..... (well lets not give too much away here!) .....lets just say its been ages! Sans make-up, with sweatpants and a sweater on I got asked for ID! Am I to assume that all that time spent putting on make-up and nice clothes only makes you look....gasp....older! WTF? I don't understand? I will just have to assume it was a glitch in the matrix and all the effort I usually put in to looking glam is really worth it and not just aging!

Winter Blues

It is officially winter (confirmed by the gale force winds and constant rain!) and all I can manage to wear (without freezing to death!) is a sweater! Boring.

Don't get me wrong I am extremely thankful that you can at least wear a statement necklace over a sweater to create some interest this season and I have long been a fan of the knotted, belted sweater look but that is seriously where it ends for the creativity I can muster up for a sweater. Ok so you can add a scarf. But that is seriously where it ends!
Help! Bring back summer asap! I am in a sartorial slump.
 

Olivia Palermo rockin the sweater+necklace!

Acne Ruth Sweater in Desert

Mawi Sunray Tube Necklace

The Emperor's New Clothes

I love the thrill of new clothes and accessories (who doesn't?) and I even love the thrill of waiting for said clothes to arrive in the post (committed online shopper!). I buy most things online these days (think first name basis with the postman!) and while I am waiting for them to arrive I think about the places we will go together, the life I will lead in my new..... Gold Fingers Chanel nail polish/French Sole Harriet ballet flats/Zara Floral Shirt/Christian Louboutin Unbout Illusion Pumps (Umm... Honey if you're reading this I promise I didn't buy all these this week! Wink). Surely my new Louboutin pumps will take me to a fabulous industry party, I'll definitely get to walk the Champs Elysees in my new French Sole's and my Chanel polish will no doubt get me an invite to Brad and Angelina's wedding...... ok so maybe not....... but my new fashion items do let me fantasize about the future I will lead with them in it. Perhaps the fantasy won't match the reality but a girl can dream!

Chanel Gold Fingers Nail Polish

French Sole Harriet Black Suede

Christian Louboutin Neon Yellow & Plastic Heels

Zara Floral Chiffon Shirt

If I won the lotto...

This week I dreamed I won the lotto. Turns out my dream didn't come true (surprise surprise!) but it got me thinking..... what would I buy if I could buy anything I wanted? I actually got really stuck.... for a second.
I am so used to searching for the best online deal I can get for a new Chloe handbag,

Chloe Janet bag

finding the perfect off runway look on www.asos.com for 20% off today only, hunting through racks at the local charity shop praying for a vintage Chanel! 

Vintage Chanel dress

So when I thought about money no longer being an option I wondered how I would shop? I would have to learn a whole new way of looking at things. I would be able to choose things based on simply what I loved the most, not what was on sale/flawed/discounted/old!
How strange that would be. Would I fill my new wardrobe with investment pieces or would I recklessly buy fast fashion? I guess I won't truly know until I win the lotto (trying out some positive thinking!) but I think it would be a really big adjustment.......... yes a really big fabulous adjustment! I can't wait!! (more positive thinking, don't judge me, haven't you read The Secret! Sorry I know that was soooo 2009).

The power of red lips

Never underestimate the power of red lipstick! 

I have always been a little in awe of red lipstick and its powers.

Its the cheapest pick me up ( if you don't count Chanel) money can buy and any shade of red will do the job. Its empowering, its gets you noticed and men seem to be far more pliable when red lipstick is involved. Children love it (surprise!) and its goes with just about everything!

If you haven't ever tried it (gasp!) or its been a while, glide on a layer of red lipstick and see its magic ( well maybe that's a slight exaggeration, its won't make your legs longer! Shame.)  unfold!

Lust Have Heels

I'm making a list and checking the price, gonna find out what will bankrupt me twice.......

Louboutin Black & Plastic Heels

 3.1 Phillip Lim Silver Perspex Heels

Alexander Wang Colette Heels

LV Merry Go Round leather heels

Too Fashion Foward?

Is there such a thing?
My boyfriend has always said I catch on to trends too quickly (not sure the true fashionistas would agree with his kind accolade) which is not meant to be the compliment I take it as.
Is it possible that you can get in too early and end up looking like (gasp!) a fool to the rest of the population? 

Let me explain....

Bold Floral Blazer from www.asos.com

A few months ago I jumped on the bold, fabulous, floral blazer trend. Yay, totally loved it, made me feel super cool, on trend and fun......until the little old lady down the street stopped me to tell me how much she liked my jacket! Certainly the reaction I was after but not quite the generation I was looking to attract! I know for sure floral, bold blazers were in sometime ago but its not a tribute I was making but rather a reinvention, at least that's what I thought. Is being 'fashionable' getting strange stares from most of the general public or getting a nod from the chick that works at Vogue? Perhaps being fashion forward is actually anti-fashionable? I guess it all comes back to that old adage about making yourself happy! 
Not one to be easily deterred I am out today in my pastel mint green jeans and my new pale pink lace embroidery top, hoping I don't get mistaken for fairy floss!

Yum! Fairy floss

Almost Obsessed?

Fabulous Scanlan & Theodore Dresses

So I went to a wedding on the weekend and it's fair to say I am almost obsessed with weddings. Now let me explain..... of course I love the romance, the dress, the flowers, the food, the slow dancing (you don't get to slow dance often enough in this modern world) but what I, selfishly, love most is a damn good excuse to dress up! I adore dresses and apart from the races, there seems to be less and less call to wear your hottest dress (read - not hooker dress). I go mad for a great dress, Scanlan & Theodore are one of my biggest weaknesses. I would love to wear a fancy pants dress once a week please but there is just no cause to do it. I spend so much cash on my frocks and they seem to hang out in my wardrobe more than they hang off me. Is it wrong/misguided that I am so excited by an excuse to dress up (not to mention give my highest heels a workout)? I long for the days of old where you wore your greatest finery to the local shops....currently I head to the shops in my neon pink J Brand jeans and my staple white T by Alexander Wang, not that I don't love them, don't get me wrong, BUT I love dressing up more! 
So hurry up and get married please!

Slow to catch the 'Anouk' trend...

Tom Ford Anouk Sunglasses

Ok so I totally know that the Tom Ford Anouk sunglasses are from at least 50 fashion years ago but cats eye sunglasses are back with a vengeance this season and I cant seem to find a better looking pair than the Anouk's. I have been trawling the net to try and find myself a pair for the last few weeks, day and night (I know it appears I have a lot of time on my hands, I don't I am just dedicated/obsessed!) I cannot find a pair anywhere! Boo hiss. 

Sooooo I have given in and bought the closest/next best sunglasses I can find. 

Chantal - House of Harlow 1960 in tortoise shell. Very cute and a fraction of the price of the Tommies. BUT as much as I love Nicole Ritchie I am yet to trial any of her wares. Fingers crossed (still pastel peach coloured fingers!) they are fabulous! Will keep you posted when they arrive from www.shopbop.com 

Chantal House of Harlow 1960 cats eye sunglasses in tortoise

Pastel My World!

This week I am loving the new pastel trend for 2012 and while I haven't found the perfect pieces for my new pastel wardrobe, I have found the hottest new pastel nail polish to make me feel like part of the pro pastel crew!

The hottest new nail colour for 2012 - by Essie "A Crewed Interest"

I am in love with this pale peach nail polish and there is nothing like a home made mani with a glam new colour to make you feel fresh and fab!
Peach fingers crossed I find some more pastel clothes to fuel my new fashion obsession. Next on my hit list an ACNE mint green sweater! 

Lusting after this ACNE mint green sweater