Didier Ludot - the perfect LBD

So, last weekend I was introduced to a dress of my dreams. Featured in Stella magazine's covetable 'Miss Sixties' shoot, it reminded me of a frock I'd seen in my Little Black Dress book, and when I dug it out realised this was because Didier Ludot, the French designer behind this fabulous Peter Pan collar piece, is the author of said inspirational tome.


At £150, this limited edition dress for Le Petite Bateau is no doubt a total bargain compared to the Chanel dress worn by Catherine Deneuve, but still a little steep for me. Good thing it's sold out then...

Thrift finds - Whistles' winter florals

I just can't get away from Whistles at the moment - not that I want to if bargains like this keep finding their way into my wardrobe. I snapped up this yellow and pink rose print pleated dress in Hove's Oxfam for just £14.99, and plan to dress it down with thick black tights, block heel ankle boots or flats, such as these mustard loafers (£4.99 from British Heart Foundation), and a slouchy cardigan.


The Postal Service and British Sea Power CDs were £1.99 each from Oxfam, Western Road, one of the best local charity shops reasonably for priced alternative music - IMHO...

Silent Sundays: Camel cape

Camel cape mac - Elizabeth Lau via Oxfam
Black long-sleeved top - Peacocks
Leopard print trousers - Whistles
Cowboy boots - vintage via charity shop
Harrods bag - vintage via charity shop
Skull & crossbones heart pendant - Mawi via Cocosa

Spring is coming

Paul & Joe Meow! makeup

Some things are just too beautiful to use. Why do Irregular Choice put kitsch graphics on the soles of their shoes when they'll just get scuffed? Why do brands make candles in the shape of animals when you'll have to watch them melt?

And why have Paul & Joe created this new cat-themed makeup range when every lip slick will make the cute cat in the hat and paw prints disappear quicker? It's mean, that's what it is. Mean.

Monsoon - top five tops

The Seventies and Victoriana trends have afforded lady-like blouses and shirts a fashion revival, and they remain a key piece for spring/summer 2012.

Whether you're going for the prim traditional English look, floaty boho florals and prints or preppy collars to peek out over your crew neck, Monsoon have are great range of sheer tops to choose from.

The cute flower-shaped buttons, delicate embroidery and perfect Peter Pan of the Sophia print top (£38) put it in top spot. See which pieces make up my top five here:

Fusion Erisa blouse, £42

Cherrie print top, £32

Florence blouse, £38

Camilla blouse, £65

Whistles' fan girl / trouser trial

So, this is becoming a bit of a Whistles' fan girl blog, but I CAN'T STOP GOING IN THERE - I may have a problem - BUT THERE'S 70% OFF!

Today's obsession - leopard print riding trousers, now just £35. At the risk of sounding like a typical girl in January, my legs are my least favourite part of my body, so trousers are difficult. But as one of my New Year's Resolutions is to be braver with my outfits, I'm trying to work them into my wardrobe. A woman can't live in dresses and black jeans - particularly a woman who works in fashion.

While the print may be taking on too much too soon, I've been adequately inspired by the polka dot jeans rocked by Jen from A Little Bird Told Me and Laetitia of Mademoiselle Robot, both a similar size to myself, to give these a go.

Is this crazy talk?

Silent Sunday - pink wafer

Pink waffle knit - Topshop via charity shop
Black mini - Monki
Boots - vintage via car boot sale

January sales

So many great bargains to be had this year. While the Topshop sale was a disappointment, my new favourite brand Monki offered up some sleek and simple Scandinavian beauties at Primark prices. I even snapped up a Monki dress in my local charity shop for under a fiver!

Elsewhere, I unashamedly indulged in dresses, picking up a very cute book print sheer shirt dress with bow tie detail from the Urban Outfitters online sale, a great all year round midi dress, slashed from £175 to £50, and chunky cats eye shades for £20 in Whistles, as well as that Pearl Lowe for Peacocks bow dress - just £10.

What did you pick up in the sales?



Red poncho, striped boxy top and black mini skirt - both Monki



Whistles tiger feather midi dress and Pearl Lowe for Peacocks bow dress

H&M designer collaborations

H&M's press e-mails are full of such joys - beautiful imagery, exciting news and sneek peek videos - that it's hard not to share. Proof that good PR relies on good content. So why resist? Let the sharing commence...

First up, and hot on the heels of Autumn 2011's debut Versace for H&M limited edition collection, is the fashion giant's capsule resort range for the Swedish store. Available exclusively online from 19 January, expect it to sell out within hours, to reappear at triple the price on eBay later that same day.


While I wasn't keen on the autumn's brash baraoque and neon Club Tropicana pieces, this new collection, boasting soft pastels, fun prints and easy-to-wear accessories, seems much more up my street.


But as if that isn't enough, March heralds the much anticipated Marni for H&M clothing and accessories collection, available in around 260 stores worldwide and online from the 8th.


"I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints," says Consuelo Castiglioni, Marni founder and creative director. "As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements."


Right, I'm off to set up an online account to save time on style scum days... If you're in, I suggest you do the same.

Clements Ribeiro at TK Maxx

I'm rarely brave TK Maxx, prefering a more laid-back charity shop or online hunt for bargains. But once in a while I brace myself, secure my blinkers in place and prepare to hone in on only the best designer bargains.


The trick is to focus until you find that first special item - a clue that there may be a collection of designer gems just waiting to be found. On this occasion, that initial hint was a pearl-detailed Clements Ribeiro grey cardigan, which lead me to many more cashmere pieces, including this tiger motif striped jumper and royal blue 1960s-style box cardigan.


At £64 and £50 respectively, it's this kind of designer bargain that affords TK Maxx its cult following.

Happy New Year

What I wore for a New Year's Eve meal out with my lovely husband:


Canary yellow flare dress - Louche at Joy, tights - Peacocks, boots - vintage via Traid, owl necklace - Cheap Frills