Not ready to give my boots the boot…

Sandals and flip flops might be appearing in stores on the high street now but I am nowhere near ready to pack away my boots yet. Winter this year has been all about the ankle boots for me.

After I spent the weekend living in two of my pairs of ankle boots they have taken a little bit of a battering with all of the walking we did around Glasgow. So I am now on the lookout for another pair to add to my collection before the weather starts to improve (please may it start to soon!).

Here are my options:

Love these Best Mountain heeled desert boots and what about these red boots?

These grey boots are high on my wish list (such a bargain!!) and am loving the heeled walking boots:

Wedges are still on trend for Autumn Winter 2011, so these would see me through to next season too:

Keep your feet warm with these Rip Curl booties or stay on trend with these heeled ankle boots:

Which do you think I should choose?

My new favourite thing

My faux fur hat. Which kept me toasty during the recent snow here in the UK (when this photograph was taken):

What do you think?

I am wearing: H&M faux fur hat; Zara cape; and Marks and Spencer arm warmers.

Christmas Wish List #9: Topshop knitwear

Every Christmas my mum buys me a new knit. This year I am lusting after these knits in Topshop:

Knitted Grey Crystal Slouchy Top

Knitted Dusty Rose Slubby Long Sleeve Boxy Top

Knitted Lurex Oversize Top

Handknit Cable Jumper

And the jumper that I most hoping to find under the Christmas tree this year:

Knitted Cable Jumper

What is on your Christmas wish list this year?

Catwalk fashion on a budget: fairisle knits

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There's nothing quite so stylish this winter as D&G's fairisle knits, nor so practical.

The Italian design duo's Autumn/Winter 2010 catwalk show was one that all of our mothers who have so often told us to "wrap up warm" would have certainly approved.

Luckily for those of us whose budgets don't quite stretch to D&G's prices, the high street have jumped on the trend and created - or knitted (!) - a whole host of warm and fashionable pieces to suit all tastes and budgets.

Clockwise from top left: Dorothy Perkins Red bow fairisle cosy boots; Dorothy Perkins Ivory reindeer cardigan; Topshop Knitted Snowflake Jumper; Peacocks Chunky Scarf; Peacocks ballet slippers; New Look Knitted Fairisle Dress; Dorothy Perkins Oatmeal heart fairisle scarf; Peacocks slipper boot; New Look Belted Reindeer Cardigan; Dorothy Perkins Red reindeer fairisle socks; Topshop Knitted reindeer jumper.



All of the reindeers are making me feel very Christmassy indeed. I have yet to purchase a fairisle knit piece but I have my eye on Topshop's reindeer jumper to snuggle up in on Christmas Day.

Have you bought any fairisle knits this winter? Are you planning to?

How to... Find footwear for the big freeze

As the UK is hit by snow and we all begin to dream of a White Christmas, I got to thinking about the constant effort to find suitable clothing and footwear at this time of year.

Of course, we all know to layer up and to don a hat and scarf and gloves but when it comes to footwear, what do you choose to trudge through the snow and ice on a cold winter's day? Certainly not a pair of ballet pumps or high heels!!

For years wellington boots seemed like the most appropriate choice of footwear - of course they remain a good option and you can see my picks here - but they don't have to be the only option:

From left: EMU STRINGER MINI boots; UGG BAILEY BUTTON boots; and DR MARTENS UNION JACK boots

When I went to New York a couple of years ago in January, I picked up a pair of EMU boots to keep my feet warm and dry:

They are, of course, rather similar to the UGG boots made famous by a multitude of celebrities:

Finally - and maybe not such an obvious choice - Dr Martens. See here for my decade-long love of these iconic boots.

Which boots will be keeping your feet warm and dry this winter?

Something For The Weekend: fireside fancies

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As the evening's draw in and the weather gets colder and greyer, all I want to spend my time doing is tucked up in a blanket, watching feel good films with a mug of something hot (and preferably alcoholic!). It is probably no real surprise then that this week I've been mostly finding myself reading posts about how to avoid the blogging blues and how to make my blog better. If you need some help to stop losing your blogging mojo too, check out these helpful posts: Problogger's Ten Tips For Writing A Blog Post; Vogue Mornings' How Not To Lose Motivation When Blogging; and Tickle Me Chic's Get Rid of Those Blogging Blues.

I decided to update my "look" this week by dying my hair, taking inspiration from Cheryl Cole's new hair colour:

Source



I chose L'Oréal's Casting Crème Gloss in Black Cherry. It's not quite as red as Cheryl's but that suits me as I'm not sure how such a bright red might have gone down at work. It is a nice warmer colour for the Christmas party season and I love how Casting Crème Gloss always leaves my hair so shiny (I can't stop running my fingers through it!). Have you tried it?

As the temperature continues to drop and the UK wakes to a blanket of snow this weekend, remember to check out my Christmas Wish List, which this week features some lovely faux fur treats from Asos where delivery is FREE everywhere in the world before Christmas. AND they are currently offering 20% off all Asos-own-brand with the code ASOS20 until Monday (29 November). So what are you waiting for? Go get warmed up!

Despite of my hair dying, I have been in the habit of covering my head this week. Taking inspiration from this lot:


Sources: Face Hunter; The Sartorialist; and Garance Doré


This week, I have been learning "How to be Chic" and have begun moisturising every day. Yes, every morning I make sure to moisturise my legs, my arms, my décolletage, my feet, my hands and my face. If I have time, I moisturise my torse too! I use either Jergens Naturals Body Moisturiser or The Body Shop's Shea Body Butter. I am hoping that this will soon become a daily ritual that I can't live without...

My Italian, as I discovered this summer, is more than a little bit rusty, so I have been attempting to brush it off a little by reading the fabulous and bi-lingual fashion blog: The Blog of Brunette.

I am preparing to spend the weekend with my family and by that, I mean that I will be at the hosptial where my grandmother currently is with all of her (my) family around her - I just hope she can feel all of that love surrounding her. So if I am a little slow visiting your blogs and commenting, please forgive me.

How about you? How will you be spending your winter wonderland weekends?

Happy Weekend everyone!

Singing In The Rain

With the winter upon us again, here in the UK, and memories of last winter's snow and rain not quite a distant memory, I got to thinking about my choice of footwear for the coming inclement weather. My usual choice of ballet pumps and heels are highly unsuitable for the wet and cold so I have decide that in order to indulge in a favourite childhood pleasure of mine:

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Yep, you got it, jumping in puddles!! I have decided to invest in a pair of Hunter wellington boots. I just can't decide between these:

Or these:


What I do know is that I have to get a pair of these liners, as they'll make sure that my boots are right on trend:

I'll be in good company with my shiny new Hunter wellies. Kate Moss is a huge fan of these fantastic plastic booties:

Amongst others:

Of course, Hunter wellington boots are not the only ones available for the wet. If you're looking for something a little more bright and colourful, grab yourself a pair of these:

Or add some polka dots to your wet weather wardrobe with these:



How will you be keeping your feet warm and dry this winter time?

Something For The Weekend: relaxing reads

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After a week filled with travelling, this weekend isn't really turning out to be as relaxing as I had hoped it might be. But as I continue to be busy and look forward to a less stressful and more calm time soon, make yourself a cup of tea and Why Not ... [learn how to] Create A Sanctury in your own home?


Throughout the month of November, Fiona of How To Be Chic is planning to put some tranquility into her life by remembering thirty of her basic chic principles, one day at a time. You can read these basic principles here.

If you're looking for a lovely home-made treat to enjoy with your cup of tea, or coffee, or hot chocolate, or whatever your favourite hot drink is, why not make yourself some of these easy peasy Oatmeal Thins courtesy of Leia of Leia's Delights? I took Leia's advice and added cinnamon. They were so yummy.


Last week's obsession with all things winter wear continues, as the cold weather shows no sign of going away any time soon and this week Harriet of Where Is Harriet? has provided me with all of the inspiration I need for dressing with style and warmth in mind this weekend. These gorgeous and festive looking D&G-inspired mittens over at Bargainista Fashionista are just the thing to keep your hands warm when out and about this weekend.

If you're looking for inspiration to re-fashion your favourite old knits, check out the two videos here and here created for Global Cool. Global Cool is a green lifestyle organisation that inspires people to think differently and live differently. They work with celebrities and entertainment to show you how to live a greener life without sacrificing the things you enjoy. They are currently running a competition - Turn Up The Style, Turn Down The Heat - which encourages contestants to put a jumper on rather than turn on the heat. A very worthy cause indeed.

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Meanwhile, I am dreaming of travels near and far. Garance Doré is currently in Istanbul and her posts (here, here and here) are making me want to pack up my bags again and head off to the airport for another adventure. Instead, however, I will happily settle for a little quiet time in a comfortable place (the sofa? the bed?) with a blanket and a good read for company.

If you are continuing your Christmas shopping this weekend, or starting it, make sure you check out my gift guides and stocking filler ideas. Or, just treat yourself to something lovely this weekend!

What are your plans for the weekend? Also, I'm intrigued, what books are you currently reading?


Have a fabulous weekend, wherever you are and whatever you're doing.

Something For The Weekend: Winter Warmers

All I want to do when I wake in the mornings and all I can hear is the wind howling around our apartment building and rattling at the windows, is turn off the alarm and bury back down under the covers and emerge again in the spring. Or at least when the first snow falls and there is something more pretty to get up for! After a week of mornings feeling like this, it is now the weekend and I am at the "in-laws" and I can just crawl back under the covers and lie in for as long as I want, or pull myself from the warmth of my bed to the warmth of the fireside. Either way, I plan to spend the next two days in the comfiest and warmest clothes possible, drink copious amounts of warms drinks and read. Pure luxury.

Speaking of luxury, have you told me yet: How Do You Define Luxury?

It is no coincidence then, given my current state of mind, that the folder on my computer that I inventively named "inspiration" is filled with photos of girls in warm-looking knits:


Sources (and I'm sorry but I can't remember which is which!): The Sartorialist; Face Hunter; and we heart it


It is also probably of no surprise that all I want to buy when I hit the shops at the moment, is cosy knitted things: over-sized cable-knit cardigans from Next; motif sweatshirts from Asos; and this snowflake knit jumper from Topshop. Or that I have been lusting after this gorgeous Ocabini Luxury Cashmere poncho over on Forty Not Out.

I have also decided to try to teach myself to knit. (Please don't laugh, friends and family who know me!!) It is something that I have been keen to try for many a year but this post from PinkBow finally inspired me to make a mad dash to John Lewis on Thursday evening. Franca, of Oranges and Apples and this week's Style Icon Guest Blogger, has also provided inspiration from her entire blog! A scarf has been started.

Meanwhile, these adverts for Micheal Kors:

Have me "dreaming of a White Christmas".

On that note, have you got into the festive spirit yet, with a Red Cup from Starbucks?

Following that same theme, who has started their Christmas shopping yet? And finished it? I have started mine and will - I hope - be finished by the beginning of December. It feels so liberating and allows me to enjoy the real build up to Christmas during advent without the constant worry of having to go inside the heaving shops again. For those stumped for ideas, Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere, has begun her Holiday Gift Guide series and I even been, for a few weeks now, posting a series of Christmas Wish List ideas.

Right, there's a cup of tea with my name on it, waiting for me by the fire and a good book.

Have a happy weekend, whatever you're doing.

How to... Wear a midi

The midi skirt was all over the catwalks for Autumn/Winter 2010. From androgynous styling at Margaret Howell:


Elle.com

To Mad Men inspired looks as Louis Vuitton:  

Style.com

And sexy glamour at Nina Ricci:

Style.com


It is perhaps not the most flattering length to have graced the models at the shows or the manequins of our high street favourites but it is there nonetheless. Bloggers everywhere (The Style Crusader and Scenic World, to name but two) have been spotting and sporting the trend for a while now. You might remember that I invested in such a midi skirt from River Island a month or so back (here) and was a little unsure about it and how to style it but I am now learning to love it. This is my latest styling attempt:

I think the key rule when wearing a midi is to wear heels. If not, you run the risk (particularly if you are short, like me) of look stumpy and chunky. Like my current favourite suede court shoes from Spartoo.

The second rule is to find a style and length that suits you and makes you feel comfortable. If you're unsure about a tight calf-length midi, why not follow the Nina Ricci path and go for a little bit of a shorter length? Like this Warehouse double layer tube skirt.

Keep the rest of your outfit pretty streamlined - particularly if you are going for a more Joan à la Mad Men look. If this is the look you want to achieve, grab this Warehouse midi full skirt.

Don't keep your midi for formal (or work), work it into your casual wardrobe too with a little masculine styling, like Margaret Howell. If you're lucky enough to be tall, try teaming with a pair of brogues. And if you're not, a pair of heeled brogues would work just as well.

For a weekend midi, why not try a relaxed knit dress in this season's colour? Like this Asos midi length knitted dress in camel.

Will you be wearing a midi this season? If so, how will you be styling it? If not, pour quoi pas?

WARDROBE WAKE-UP: re-work the maxi

Grunge glamour was a hot trend on the Autumn/Winter catwalks and it is easy to recreate with pieces already in your wardrobe: just grab your maxi dress/skirt from last summer and add a thick knit. Job done.

This is the day-time look for winter 2010 and soooooo comfortable too. I plan to wear this. A lot.

From top: ASOS Fairisle Jumper; ASOS PREMIUM Printed Satin Lace Maxi Skirt; ASOS Bobble Stitch Jumper; and Warehouse Maxi Seamed Skirt.


Will you be cosying up in a chunky knit over your maxi this winter?

WARDROBE WAKE-UP: cape

This is another Carrie Bradshaw inspired piece already in my wardrobe. And one that was big on the catwalks for Autumn/Winter 2010 (see Erdem, Celine, Alberta Ferretti and Jaeger London, above).

A cape is the most versatile coat: they're practical, easy-to-wear, comfortable and cosy... and elegant. It's like a blanket under which to keep warm and hibernate when the weather gets cold.

I have found a few affordable options: Oasis Wool Mix Duffle Cape; ASOS Hooded Military Cape; and Cooper & Stollbrand for ASOS Checked Cape.


Will you be hibernating under a cape this winter?

How to... wear animal print anywhere

The sheer shirt look might not be so appropriate for work-wear but these ladies are demonstrating how the animal print trend can still look smart.

These looks were from the catwalk at Westfield a couple of weekends ago when I was in London. Animal print was a big trend on the Autumn/Winter catwalks, back in February and the high street have followed suit, offering a multitude of options for the fashionable shopper.

Whether you're looking to up-date your work wardrobe with the season's new print or you plan to go all out when you're going out, here is your guide on How to... wear animal print anywhere:

1. For work, look for subtle prints, like the dress, above on the catwalk.

2. If wearing separates - like trousers and a shirt - make sure that only one piece is in print and keep the other to a plain block colour, like black, white or grey. For example, team these Next Animal Print Harem Trousers with a plain black tee, like this Unisex Le New Big Tee from American Apparel.

3. If you're looking to have some animal print in your non-working life, why not go for Topshop's Knitted Animal Dress, with black accessories this will not look too overpowering.

4. My favourite pair of shoes for years were a pair of leopard print ballet pumps from New Look - I wore them until the soles literally fell off! The great thing about a pair of leopard print pumps is that they go with everything. Try these Topshop Leopard Mesh Pumps or these New Look Velvet Leopard Pumps. Or, if pumps aren't your thing, you could grab a pair of these New Look Leopard Brogues or a pair of Dorothy Perkins Leopard Print Point Toe Court Shoes.

5. If you'd rather not go all out on the animal print but still want to get in on the trend, why not choose an accessory in the print, like this Warehouse Abstract Animal Scarf, or this Superfluffy Snood from Topshop, or even this Tosphop Leopard Print Beret.

Will you be adding animal print to your wardrobe this season?


Box above: clockwise from top left; Topshop Knitted Animal Dress; New Look Leopard Brogues; Dorothy Perkins Grey Leopard Print Umbrella; Tosphop Leopard Print Beret; Dorothy Perkins Black Leopard Dial Watch; Dorothy Perkins Pink Leopard Lace Trim Shorts; Dorothy Perkins Leopard Print Point Toe Court Shoes; and Topshop Leopard Satin Frame Purse.

don't you step on my blue suede shoes

The absolutely best thing about Autumn? Easy. Fallen leaves crunching under foot.

These are my gorgeous new blue suede shoes from Spartoo. Remember the black ones that I bought and have been living in? Well, these are the same style, in blue.

Another wonderful thing about Autumn? The lovely long shadows in the late afternoon sun.

Everything looks so much better bathed in the Autumn sunlight, including my new shoes:

What do you think?