Monday 22 August 2011

The Crown Jewels.

Autumn is one of my favourite seasons, there is something about the transition of the leaves turning from green in to shades of orange and red that excites me…Not only does it signal the coming of my birthday (highly important) but also a big change in the world of fashion; with new styles and colours hitting the runway left, right and centre.

A trend that has already caught my eye for the autumnal period…despite really only being half way through the summer (well England’s excuse for a summer anyway), is the incorporation of jewel toned colours. Nothing screams autumn like the rich shades of Emerald, Teal, Lime, Citrine and sapphire adding an elegant touch to your wardrobe and waving goodbye to the summer months in style.

It makes a nice change for the colder weather not to be weighed down with the usual shades of brown or black and for a bit of something eye catching and oozing with star quality to steal the spotlight. This trend certainly has potential and is one that everyone can adapt in their own way to be in keeping with personal style.

Gucci Fall 2011
Despite Gucci being a classic fashion power house that remains to be the name on everybody’s lips year after year, for me personally it isn’t a massive favourite. However, for Fall 2011, Giannini has excelled herself and created a 70’s time bomb exploding with rich jewel tones. The endless array of lavishly luxe, flowing fabrics, which boast a range of colours fit for royalty, mimic the elegance of the Autumn leaves falling from the trees, spiralling gracefully and weightlessly to the ground. She cleverly mixes the colours together leaving the runway models looking like forgotten treasures in the bottom of an old jewellery box.

Gucci Fall 2011
Gucci Fall 2011
Gucci is just one of many who have jumped on the jewel covered bandwagon; others include the likes of Pucci and Marc by Marc Jacobs. I am in love with this emerald green 70’s style dress, with the colour cleverly complimenting the chosen era perfectly.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2011
Pucci 2011
Pucci 2011


I have always wanted a rich Emerald green dress, it has been my dream since my first prom back in 2007 and with it still being unfulfilled, after attending numerous formal occasions…NOW is most definitely the time (and apparently green compliments red hair – so even more of a reason to splash out). Here are some highstreet favourites that will kick start your Autumn in style, in rich shades that will leave you looking and feeling a million dollars.

ASOS £40
Topshop £48


River Island £30
Topshop £38
If colour is not your thing and the prospect of being head to toe in eye catching shades fills you with fear, perhaps try experimenting with luxurious jewellery to achieve the look in a more subtle way

Topshop £5
There really is a shade to suit everyone, so go on, give Autumn a proper greeting and I promise you will look as good as The Crown Jewels.




Sunday 14 August 2011

Cakes AND Fashion = Bliss

Anyone who knows me knows I love a good bit of nosh and I have recently become obsessed with baking and making yummy treats for everybody; especially cupcakes – I ALWAYS get carried away with the decorating (and licking the bowl). I would say that eating sugary goods was almost as high up on the list of favourites as my love for everything fashion related. When flicking through the new season of the Elle Collections magazine I was amazed to find that the two had been combined and not only were clothes making it down the runway but astonishingly, mouth watering tiered cakes were also lighting up the catwalk…HEAVEN!


It was all thanks to designer genius Isaac Mizrahi who believes that fashion shows are not what they used to be and don’t have the entertainment and shock value that they did go back a few years, he states "I'm just having fun. And I want you to have fun when you come to my show." He certainly did not disappoint, not only did the dresses match the exquisite detailing on the cakes but he also incorporated cotton candy coloured poodles for that extra bit of show business.









I think you will agree that these 5 star indulgent treats certainly have the wow factor, but definitely put my cake attempts to shame...time to get practicing (maybe after a slice of cake).










Globe Trotter.

After 4 years of living in Zambia, my cousins finally arrived safely back in England this week… all be it with nowhere to live, no car and all their worldly goods crammed in to 18 suitcases. They had lots of really exciting and eye opening stories to tell from their big adventure, I even tried an African delicacy  and seeing their endless array of traditional African goods really inspired me and opened my eyes to the new native trend for fall 2011.


This season is focusing on Native American style, as well as the prairie girl look…why stop there? There are so many amazing fabrics, styles and interesting textures to explore from all over the globe and Africa certainly doesn’t disappoint.



All Items are personal and some traditionally African goods.


Travelling is so much easier nowadays and is certainly a lot more accessible than it ever used to be, thanks to Mr Easy Jet  (that is if you have the money of course, which with the current climate is a big issue). However, we potentially all have the ability to explore the world, whether it be the coves of England or Down Under in Oz and therefore, the fashion gods from above are incorporating different traditions from around the globe, in to garments on the runway.


Two brands that have been noted to be following this native idea within their latest collections, are famous double act Rodarte and the well known Chloe. Both however, taking a slightly different approach on the concept, with Rodarte looking at the more classic, pretty "House on the Prairie" look with aprons and feminine dresses; Chloe on the other hand incorporating South American influences taken from the likes of Brazil.    

Rodarte Fall 2011

Chloe Fall 2011

With another key look for the autumn being all about eccentric and over the top outfits, with clashing colours and bold patterns, it seems to me that this could indeed go hand in hand with the new native image. Perhaps taking inspirations from various places you have visited around the world and combining them to achieve the ultimate traveller look.


The world is such a big place and I am constantly picking up bits and bobs from the likes of Spain, Australia and Thailand that can be incorporated in to my daily look. Even if it’s something small like a handmade leather bag or some intricately detailed jewellery its guaranteed to spice up your outfit and give an eclectic edge to your image.

If that’s not for you then the highstreet are scattered with gorgeous items from different cultures that will easily lead you in to the Native land. I personally have my eye on trying out a poncho (and hopefully achieving the look without looking like Ugly Betty) or failing that a traditionally patterned shawl.

River Island £25
Topshop £40
Why do your memories of travelling and holidaying have to stop when you step foot off the plane in England, give the Native trend a go and be as extreme and different as you dare to be.

Thursday 11 August 2011

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

The Last Space Shuttle Landing, 2011


So my boyfriend has a MASSIVE interest in everything space related and over the last few weeks I myself have got swept up in all things stars and planets. With the launch of the last ever space shuttle recently making its final star appearance at NASA; almost everyone has been a part of the space hype…only this time the stars are not only up in the sky but, this season are appearing on the fashion runways also.

Patterns and polka dots are everywhere at the moment, being a hit with both designer and highstreet names, but this astrological print is in a galaxy of its own, shining bright and leading the way in to the “new future” trends of Autumn 2011.

Dolce and Gabbana have outshone all others, with their out of this world incorporation of stars in their Fall'11 collection. The ultra feminine designs feature sheer fabrics and long flowing dresses, contrasted with tight figure hugging body-cons, that overall created an extremely sexy, star studded show.


Colours mainly mimicked the night sky, in deep blues with twinkling white stars creating an extremely elegant, feminine look. However, as the show continued splashes of colour in shades of blue, pink and yellow produced optical interest and a heavy cosmic contrast; which when combined with the dresses created the illusion and magic of shooting stars.



Even the celebrities became starstruck with this trend and Lily Allen was seen sporting a Dolce and Gabbana number on the front cover of the August edition of ELLE magazine.


Despite the D&G dresses being my object of desire, sadly they are a little out of my league and so I have had a look around for equally stunning garments, at slightly more down to earth prices…and it was mission successful! These three beauties can all be found on the UK High street and all for under £50 ; now if that gorgeous dress doesn’t leave you starry eyed I don’t know what will. If you aren’t brave enough to go out looking like a star constellation then maybe these tights could brighten up an existing garment, or even just opt for some star encrusted jewellery. 

Either way, the sky's the limit and it’s time to leave your head in the stars.




Topshop T-Shirt £32
ASOS Dress £45
House Of Holland for River Island £8