How I wore - the Primark car skirt

Another wardrobe premier today - this time with my Primark Prada-inspired car print pleated skirt in the spotlight.

Worn with a sheer silk top from Pyrus London via London Fashion Weekend and Swedish Hasbeens x H&M sandals.

A pleasing example of budget shopping for the win.

Peter Pan collar + ice cream necklace = win

The sun is out, my legs are out and the summer wardrobe is OUT! Very excited to - at last - have the opportunity to wear my mint green Peter Pan collar dress bought from Lovely's Vintage Boutique when the skies were decidedly greyer.

Paired with my Millie Pembleton '99' necklace and ASOS 'Woodstock' cardi, it's the perfect outfit to celebrate the start of summer.

Although perhaps, in hindsight, not the ideal attire for a windy roof-top tour of Embassy Court - one of the tallest buildings on Brighton seafront - helloooo knickers.

What summer pieces have enjoyed their first outing from your wardrobe this week?

It's all in the detail

Prints and patterns are seducing the fashion world this season, making us all peer at little closer at what each other are wearing and hunt out quirky pieces worth a second look for ourselves. Here, four of my recent second-hand finds reveal their secrets under the zoom lens. Click on photos to enlarge.

Hunting shirt - £5, Emmaus Stockholm

Gap peplum top - £4.50, British Heart Foundation, Brighton

Kate Moss Topshop shirt - £5, Loved, Worn & Reborn

Laura Lees at Topshop - £4, Loved, Worn & Reborn

Spa break and celeb spotting

It may seem a little like it's one long round of holidays for me at the moment, which is not completely untrue - I'm a lucky girl. But the fact of the matter is that work, www.vintagebrighton.com and various freelance projects have kept me so busy in between that there's no time left to blog about things other than that which merely require a quick download of mobile photos.

So this most recent batch is from Baliffscourt Hotel & Spa in Climping, West Sussex - a stunning countryside location complete with peacocks and next to a quiet beach. While the old building looks medieval, it was actually built in the 1920s for Lord Moyne of the Guinness brewing family, whose wife loved the style, and the low ceilings, wooden beams and mullioned windows quickly help transport you to a place far removed from the everyday.

An hour after a friend and I drove into the country for a night's stay at the luxury spot on a Friday afternoon, I couldn't have felt further away from work, and with little phone signal it was the perfect place to switch off.  We were also blessed with the best weather in months, meaning that the full facilities were taken advantage of - outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi included.

Use of the spa, a massage, three-course dinner at the Michelin-rated restaurant, one night's stay in a four-poster bed and cooked breakfast was all just £200 thanks to a deal from Spa Break Direct. In that price we were also treated to some celebrity spotting, and I'm not talking about my usual Adrian-Chiles-in-Debenhams-type boasts. Universal Studios were holding press calls at nearby Arundel Castle for Kristen Stewart's new film Snow White and the Huntsman, so we were prepped for stars. But that didn't make us anymore cool and collected when K-Stew herself walked into the bar before dinner, with who else but Robert Pattinson!

When another rather handsome man smiled at us in the corridor it took me a few minutes to work out that it was Sam Clafin, who recently starred as Jack in the BBC's White Heat, and plays Prince William in the upcoming film. Very good-looking in real life, and with a cheeky glint in his eye.

Extra special times. I'd recommend the Hotel & Spa to anyone, even without the promise of celebrity appearances...

Stockholm interior style

Sleek lines, simple silhouettes and a striking industrial aesthetic - Scandinavian style always seems fresh, clean and contemporary, despite having its roots firmly planted in the iconic Mid-Century Modern era.

Here are just a few of the inspirational yet everyday interior items I spotted during my visit to Stockholm: 

The enchanting world of Monki

One of the shopping highlights of my recent Stockholm trip was visiting the wonderland that is Monki world. H&M-owned Monki is one of Sweden's most exciting trend-led fashion exports, and recently opened it's first UK stand-alone store on Carnaby Street.

Having not yet had the pleasure of visiting the London shop, I was happy to experience the weird and wonderful concept store in its home city and came away suitably enchanted.

The 'Sea of Scallops' design of the outlet I visited boasted merry-go-rounds, mirrored surfaces reflecting the happy pink and yellow colour scheme and items hung at various heights by rope. A grown-up playroom complete with plush Monki characters to collect.

These 'yes', 'no' and 'maybe' hooks in the dressing rooms are just one example of the small details designed to put a smile on your face.

The all-singing-all-dancing brand also produces a rather awesome read, full of interviews with inspirational women, charming illustrations and insights into the intriguing world of Monki.

With an identity so strong, it's easy to see why the company is making such waves in global fashion at the minute, and I haven't even mentioned the clothes yet!

Combining the sleek, structured and simple designs characteristic of Scandinavian style with youthful colour pops and quirky prints, Monki brings something unique to the overcrowded fast-fashion market. And, like H&M, the price point is equally attractive.  I picked up this heart print dress for just £15 in the sale and I think my online Monki account will be seeing a whole lot of action this year...

Vintage scarf print shirt

I'm not ashamed to admit that I follow trends - the fashions that filter down from the catwalks provide welcome style inspiration and a good excuse to try something new if the look fits.

D&G - £385

But what's even better than buying this season's must-haves on the high-street is hunting down the pieces that inspired them in the first instance. With vintage styles behind much of what we currently see in the fashion press, vintage shops and fairs are great places to look for on-trend pieces that no one else will be wearing.

Topshop - £38

Case in point - my new Simpsons of Piccadilly scarf print shirt from Super + Super HQ's vintage pop-up shop. Truly unique.

Vintage via Super+Super HQ - £10