Must Own More

MIX

2012-02-11T13:00:00.000Z

It is cold in London. Not normal cold but the kind of cold that is reminiscent of New York's bone crunching temperatures. I'm not happy about it. This weekend has been effectively cancelled in my mind and I've been tidying / clearing / organising my clothes instead. I keep finding things I have totally forgotten about, which is good for me but really just a result of my being very, very bad.

Blazer - Topshop

T shirt - Eleven Paris

Trousers - Zara

Shoes - Vintage Thierry Mugler from thrift store in LA

Badge - from YSL exhibition in Paris during 2010

FEELING BLUE

2012-02-08T21:34:00.000Z

Cardigan - Henry a la Pensee

Dress - Whistles

Tights - Marks & Spencer

Boots - Giuseppe Zanotti

2012-01-31T08:56:00.000Z

Another Whistles sale dress...

Dress - Whistles

Tights - Marks & Spencer

Boots - H by Hudson

Spike bracelets - ASOS & H&M

Cluster bracelet & Ring - Whistles

Mask ring - ASOS

MY WHOLE WARDROBE IS WHISTLES

2012-01-30T09:41:00.000Z

Prepare for an onslaught of Whistles dresses. I swooped in at the last minute for the final reductions and picked up some real bargains. Two short but sweet numbers (this is one of them), a 70s number for £50 that was £175 and a party dress that is so impractical but so fabulous that the utter impracticality was blocked out because it was trimmed with feathers.

Cardigan - Vintage Dior from thrift store in NY

Dress - Whistles

Tights - M&S

Clutch - Zara

Shoes - Robert Clergerie

GIRL HAIR

2012-01-29T09:23:00.000Z

As my hair has grown longer I have made friends with my GHDs in a big way. There is so much hair it really needs taming.

I've never been one for really long hair, I was a massive tom boy as a child and my teens and twenties were spent cutting it super short and then growing it out to chin length, before cutting it super short once again. After years of never really understanding how people grew their hair so long my hairdresser gave me some advice...stop cutting it! Sounds so simple but I needed to hear it from a professional. Even she admitted that her hair never gets as long as she wants it if she cuts it as more always comes off that you're anticipating. It's been 9 months now, so I figure get to a year and then I'll go for a trim.

Jumper - River Island

Trousers - J Brand

Trainers - Aldo

Boots - Galleries Lafayette

WINTER FLORALS

2012-01-28T09:01:00.000Z

Excuse the glow. I'd been to see my personal trainer before work and boy did she punish me. Still, after Christmas and the New Year I need a bit of cold hard punishment to make up for all of the red meat, cheese and chocolate.

Dress - Topshop

Thermal long sleeved top - Uniqlo

Tights - M&S

Shoes - Alexander Wang

Bracelets - ASOS & H&M

IN PRAISE OF INSTAGRAM

2012-01-26T09:24:00.000Z

Seriously, if you have an iPhone and aren't totally addicted to Instagram, what are you doing?

Clearly this blog slightly gives away my predilection to sharing mind-numblingly boring insights and photos of myself but Instagram takes it to a whole new level. You like sneakers? Not a problem. Interiors? Hairstyles? Nice graded landscape shots? Puppies? It's all there ready and waiting for you to search.

For me Instagram is my visual diary, a way for me to record what I'm doing for my own sanity and pleasure, and in return the happy bit is that I also get to share in other people's lives. I really enjoy finding out about...Mums in the West Country, tattooed Disney nerds in Southern California, a ballet dancer who lives with her Corsican boyfriend in some unnamed European city, hot moustachioed guys in Vancouver...the more you give the more you get. It's my current social networking community of choice.

NOT CORPORATE

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000Z

I haven't worn trousers to work in over two weeks. I think every now and then the flip switches in my head and I go from being a jeans girl to a dress girl.

This jumper dress is perfect for winter and fun enough to make me not feel corporate. Having shiny shoes helps too. I'm so glad I don't have to wear proper office wear to work, I actually don't think I could cope. I'd become like the schoolgirl I once was wearing a band t shirt under the school issue white shirt just so everyone could see what music I was into.

Dress - Markus Lupfer

Tights - M&S

Shoes - Zara

SEQUIN DRESS

2012-01-18T09:38:00.000Z

This Zara dress is almost perfect - the shape is great for wearing everyday, the print is striking and the sequins aren't too shiny, so you don't look like a human disco ball or a lone wolf from a hen night. There's only downside...I seem to be allergic to it. Yes, really. I come out in a rash all over my arms every time I wear it, yet I still do.

Dress - Zara

Tights - M&S

Shoes - Alexander Wang

J Brand Stretch Leather Skinny Pants...

2012-01-17T09:20:00.000Z

...are the holy grail of leather trousers. I have never tried a pair of leather trousers on that fit so perfectly and were so comfortable. It had to be done, bank balance be damned.

Jumper - Whistles

T shirt - Topshop

Trousers - J Brand

Shoes - Chanel

Bracelets - ASOS & Forever 21

COLD WEATHER DRESSING

2012-01-16T09:20:00.000Z

The weather has finally started to feel like winter here in London and that calls for tactical layering.

It's something I suck at because, being bigger on top than on the bottom, layering (especially with bulky wool) makes me look mahoosive. I envy women like Susie from Style Bubble because she can layer until the cows come home and still look vaguely normal. I would look like a bag lady shielding myself from an Alaskan storm if I attempted her looks and I am totally jealous of her freedom when it comes to fashion because of it.

I am currently trying to layer with thin knits and thicker cardies but I'm basically crossing my fingers and wishing it was summer. I am NOT a winter dresser.

Jumper - Whistles

Cardigan - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Belt - Charity shop

Jeans - J Brand

Boots - Carvela

THE NEVER-ENDING WOE OF TOO MANY SHOES

2012-01-15T13:28:00.000Z

Last year passed by so quickly that I have been somewhat taken unawares by the start of 2012. I haven't had time to make any resolutions or plan out any major events in the upcoming months but some organisation needs to happen soon otherwise my life will descend into chaos.

A case in point is these shoes. I wore this outfit before Christmas and these shoes became my new 'favourite'. Then, over the last two weeks I FORGOT I OWNED THEM. Really. I went into Topshop on Saturday and thought "Wow, those shoes look great..." before remembering I had a pair. And why can't I remember I have them? A) I have too many and B) I can't SEE them because they are all in boxes. So enough is enough. A wardrobe thinning is inevitable in the next couple of weeks as is a reworking of my present shoe storage system (of lack of it).

Oh, and this necklace? It was new on that day and I decapitated it within hours. I am the jewellery killer.

Top - APC

Necklace - H&M

Trousers - J Brand

Socks - Tabio

Shoes - Topshop

LA DAYS

2012-01-14T18:58:00.002Z

LA for a week. The perfect lonesome vacation. I really like going on holiday by myself, where I can do exactly what I want and get lost in my own thoughts and routines.

Packing - it was 80 degrees, which meant some serious digging through my wardrobe.

The Hollywood sign from the verandah at Target (guilty)

CALIFORNNNNNYAAAAA

I fulfilled a lifelong dream to stay at the Chateau Marmont and will probably be paying for that hotel bill for a lifetime too.

Summer feet in winter. My favourite sandals - a simple See by Chloe pair.

Chateau martini

...and hotel slippers

On my wombles I found the Jim Henson company headquarters with Kermit there welcoming you.

9 & 10.

Thrift store purchases - a dress suit and Thierry Mugler vintage heels

11.

Sign on a lamppost

12.

The world's biggest pancakes. They were the size of LPs. I was stumped.

13 & 14

Also finally got to try In N Out burger. Verdict: burger great, fries horrible.

15.

Judy Garland's eyes, as photographed and distorted by Weegee a celebrity photographer of the 1950s. They had an exhibition of his work at MOCA in downtown LA.

16 & 17

Laker's game. Great fun.

18.

And Jack Nicholson was there, that's him, honest.

19.

Random C in a tree.

20.

Final hotel breakfast. Sob.

21.

Trying out my duty free purchase

22.

A quote fit for a holiday in LA

23.

I came with one bag ( the top one) and left with two. So it was a shopping success. I always travel with a packable roll bag.

24.

Parting shot of the Chateau Marmont.

All photos taken with Instagram

FAT DRESS

2012-01-10T20:40:00.000Z

Post Christmas, post LA, I've returned to the real world and am feeling VERY porky. It should all balance out in a couple of weeks with less booze, fewer meals out and more running but still, this H&M cocoon dress I purchased in the sale for £15 has come in handy for disguising some of the chub.

I've had my eye on this since it came out in stores but it was running at £34.99 which I thought was a tad too expensive for what it was, essentially a one season copy of the Jil Sander rtw A/W 2011 print and silhouette, that would probably not make into next year's wardrobe...that is unless it's chub hiding properties are needed for longer than expected.

Style.com

Dress - H&M

Thermal top - Uniqlo

Tights - Marks & Spencer

Shoes - ASOS

AN INSTAGRAM CHRISTMAS - CHRISTMAS DAY EDITION

2011-12-30T18:18:00.000Z

The starting line up for the Peter Pan Christmas Day race at the Serpentine Swimming Club in Hyde Park. My Aunt's friend was taking part. We drank champagne and cheered him along at 9am in the morning. SO much fun.

The end of the race. It was a balmy 13 degrees but the water was freezing. I saw one man who swam (and must have been 75 at least) tucking a hot water bottle down his trousers when the prize giving was happening...

What a cake. It's almost enough to make me want to do it next year. I have to keep reminding myself that I hate race swimming.

Christmas pancakes.

The table all set and waiting for my cooking skills. I love setting the table because it gives me a chance to use all the things I buy from Zara Home for my perfect life that never get used because I eat all my dinners in front of the telly. Typical.

The obligatory Christmas outift - Zara sequin dress

Table detail

We brined the turkey this year, very Waitrose.

Christmas dinner

10.

We have a tradition of 'after dinner' gifts - this was mine from my Mum and Dad. An old Spear's party game from a charity shop. They spent more on getting new magnets for the tails than the game itself. It is a thing of great, great beauty.

ON THE SALES

2011-12-30T18:03:00.000Z

It's that time of year again, when everything I'm wearing is courtesy of this flagging economy and the need to mark down or put things on special offer!!!

And yet again Twitter has been overcrowded with people saying they wouldn't buy things in the sale and wouldn't buy anything that they wouldn't buy full price. Blah, blah, blah.

I. DO. NOT. UNDERSTAND. THIS. MENTALITY.

I'm not paying £135 for a luxe jumper unless it comes with a free puppy but at £70 I might even if there is no furry animal included. Again I'll buy H&M jeans if they are £7 -£10 because at that price I can crop them, dye them or make them into shorts come summertime. I won't do that with full price Topshop jobbies. And likewise with my favourite sale purchase (a pair of studded Valentino kitten heels) £600+ isn't going to happen but I swooped on them the very second they were marked down to the £300 mark and I obsessively checked they still had them in my size every single day before the sale started. I think sales are all part of the joy of fashion, giving you the opportunity to try things you might not usually make a beeline for at full price, allowing you to take more risks. It might just be me but so many of my favourite purchases were sale whimsies.

Rant over.

Jumper - Whistles

Jeans - H&M

Boots - H by Hudson from Poste Mistress

AN INSTAGRAM CHRISTMAS

2011-12-24T11:17:00.000Z

1. Homemade paper decoration

2. Star Christmas Tree biscuit tower project

3. Muji model reindeer

4. Santa pub crawl outside the British Museum where they were all singing carols

5. Magic Snow

6. My Christmas Tree - a 7 footer that takes over the living room. Oops.

7. Zara Home place mats and reindeer from Tiger.

8. Old Christmas carols sheet music cover

9. Vintage and very kitsch decoration from a charity shop

10. A slightly Christmassy living room

11. Getting supplies in...

12. Christmas berry lights in the living room

GIRAFFE JUMPER

2011-12-21T21:01:00.000Z

I've been gone for what feels like ages. After finishing work for a month break I was relishing the chance to do all sorts of things but instead the lurgy I'd been battling for the last week of employment came back with a vengeance and I've been incapacitated for the best part of a week and half. BORING.

All I have to show for my time is lots of used tissues (and the red, dry nose modelled in these pictures), empty Sudafed packets and a renewed ability to watch Law & Order: SVU repeats...oh, and this new jumper.

Jumper - River Island

Jeans - J Brand

Boots - H by Hudson

NIKE AIR MAX 90 HYPERFUSE NEON

2011-12-16T11:00:00.000Z

I am all about the Nike Air Max 90 these days. I've been searching for a pair of these in my size (UK 5.5) but to no avail. There are a few sites that look very dodgy that stock them but I'm not prepared to risk it. I'm not massively good at trainer hunting...designer shoes I know where to ferret around, trainers I'm at a loss. Any tips, sneaker heads?

NEON NIKES

2011-12-12T15:51:00.000Z

I was on the hunt for bright trainers after spying a girl wearing a pair of florescent Nikes in New York last month (I say spying, it was more like walking into a door in a state of extreme shoe lust) but either the colour was wrong or the style wasn't right. During a late night depression filled trawl of the internet I stumbled across the Nike iD site and my dreams were answered. Why have I never got my trainers made to my specifications before? It's such a perfect service, they arrived in about 3 1/2 weeks and you can even get them personalised. Sold.

Jumper - Whistles

Trousers - J Brand

Socks - Tabio

Shoes - Nike iD

CHRISTMAS LIST

2011-12-11T09:41:00.001Z

CHRISTMAS LIST by mustownmore featuring lace up boots

COS AND CONVERSE

2011-12-11T09:02:00.000Z

I had two shoe options to wear with this dress (okay, technically I had 100s of shoe options) but I decided on the clash of a pair of Converse. I like how it made the outfit a tad more 90s grunge.

Dress - Cos

Tights - M&S

Shoes - Converse

FIFTY DAY SHOE CHALLENGE - DAYS 29-50 (+1)

2011-12-10T11:55:00.000Z

These were the last 22 days of my Fifty Day Shoe Challenge, plus a pair of pink Converse I wore on day 51 as a little something extra. I haven't worn some of these shoes for ages so it's been a good chance to have a dig about in the shoe room, boxes, drawers etc full of pairs I almost never wear.

L - R

1. Nike, Chanel, Russell & Bromley, T.K.Maxx

2. Bertie, T.K.Maxx, Paul Smith, Topshop

3. eBay, B Store, Nike, Aldo

4. River Island, Handmade in Marrakech, H by Hudson, Converse

5. Moroccan boots from Topshop concession, Office, Sam Edelman, Giuseppe Zanotti

6. Primark, Charlotte Olympia, Converse

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI THIGH HIGH BOOTS

2011-12-08T09:03:00.000Z

Thigh high boots to the office? In this case, yes.

Jumper - Marks & Spencer

Jeans - Topshop

Boots - Giuseppe Zanotti

HATS

2011-12-07T08:49:00.000Z

Over the years I have amassed a decent selection of hats, if I do say so myself. Woolly hats, mind you, I don't suit the formal kind (wish I did). I love what a nice knitted hat does for a winter outfit but I do hate the dreaded hat head. Is there any way to solve that annoying hat mark on your forehead or the flattening of your hair?

1. H&M tam o' shanter

2. Bobble hat from Interstate, Endell St, Covent Garden

3. Primark wool beanie

4. Peruvian knitted hat, gift from my Mum when I was but a teen.

All pictures taken with Instagram

FLORAL MIX

2011-12-06T09:41:00.000Z

I was in the mood for wearing florals the other day. I decided at the last minute that I would not subject my office to the triple whammy of H&M matching floral trousers and jacket with this shirt and instead opted for the more muted embroidered floral Topshop jeans that have festered slightly at the back of my wardrobe.

The Celine inspired combo will have to wait for another day.

Blazer - vintage Abercrombie & Fitch from thrift shop

Shirt - Equipment

Necklace - vintage Dior from eBay

Jeans - Topshop

Pop socks - H&M

Brogues - River Island

Bangle - vintage Dior from eBay

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

2011-12-05T09:39:00.000Z

I'm gearing up for Christmas. The weather is suitably chilly, the lights are out and the end of my contract is in sight. To celebrate, I give you my Mum, in all her Christmas finery.

CHARITY SHOP BUYS

2011-12-04T18:32:00.000Z

As ever, the charity shops outside of London reaped their rewards this weekend.

I found a pair of old lady patent party shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo for £2.50 and then walked into another charity shop on the high street in Taunton only to be confronted with the wonder of this vintage silk shirt with an amazing print on it. I mean, how could you not buy a shirt this loud? I was so overcome I even did a half hearted disco dance. Well, I think I did because I can't FOR THE LIFE OF ME figure out what I'm doing in the last picture.

Top - charity shop

Jeans - Topshop

Shoes - Salvatore Ferragamo from charity shop

A WEEKEND IN NEW YORK, IN PICTURES

2011-12-01T08:59:00.000Z

All taken with Instagram

PARTY DRESS

2011-11-30T09:15:00.000Z

It was my Auntie's birthday at the weekend so the family headed off for a big dinner in our party frocks (well, my Mum and I did). My Mum has just 'discovered' Cos, which is great because Cos is great, but bad because she bought the frock I wanted. We can't be bopping around in the same stuff - can we? So, she wore an amazing Cos dress and Clarks studded brogues, and I wore my sparkly Toppers party dress. And then I ate too much goose and fell asleep.

Dress - Topshop

Tights - M&S

Shoes - B store

OUTFIT PANICS

2011-11-29T09:35:00.000Z

This outfit was basically a lie in bed at night awake trying to work out how to tone an old lady style wool coat I bought from Zara and make it, well, less old lady.

My Mum and I would term this coat a 'Judi Dench' and that is not a bad thing at all. It's just at at least half her age I'd prefer people to not walk down the street and think 'Judi Dench' just yet. At first I was thinking perhaps a belt would work, but either the coat was too bulky or I am.

So in the end I went for trainers, turn ups and a hat I was given by my Ma at the age of oooh...17? Still, I kind of liked it.

Hat - ???

Coat - Zara

Top - American Apparel

Jeans - Uniqlo

Socks - Topshop

Trainers - Nike Air Max

Bag - Zara

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI THIGH HIGH BOOTS

2011-11-28T08:45:00.000Z

My blue sparkly cuban heeled Giuseppe Zanotti ankle boots are probably my shoe of the year. Nabbed in the Barneys sale back in Jan / Feb at the beginning of the year, they have become my go to boot. Comfortable enough to spend all day on your feet, sleek enough to feel dressed up and with the right amount of disco to put a spring in your step.

When I saw a similar boot, thigh high with an identical heel and foot shape, on Yoox.com I knew I had to have them. Thigh high could be a bit street walker but with a 1 and half inch heel they don't feel that way. In fact I managed to go out on Saturday night in these and only had my friend notice I was wearing them after about 2 hours they are so under the radar.

Jumper - Zara

Jeans - J Brand

Boots - Giuseppe Zanotti

TOPSHOP AMBUSH GLITTER BOOTS

2011-11-27T10:46:00.000Z

I've been waiting to wear these amazing glitter boots from Topshop for a while but with my 50 day shoe challenge I'm trying to be strategic about what I wear and when (do I have a big night? A meeting? Lots of walking to do? etc).

They are clearly meant to be a jazzy rip off of the Acne Pistol boots and quite frankly for £80 rather than almost £400 who's complaining? The black version is probably more suitable for day to day wear, but I like the walking glitter ball ones - for obvious reasons.

I think it was the boots that put me in a good mood, because I pretty much danced my way through Friday at the office wearing these. I danced at the printer. Shuffled away in the kitchen. Had a little bop by my desk. I couldn't stop moving and it's all down to the disco boots. It's impossible not to be chipper whilst wearing them.

When I left for the day there was a halo of glitter on the floor around my desk.

Jumper - Markus Lupfer from Bicester Village

Dress - Topshop

Tights - M&S

Boots - Topshop

BEEN GONE

2011-11-25T10:12:00.000Z

I've been M.I.A. from this blog for a while now. It's partly down to being busy at work, life in general being a bit pants and also my full blown addiction to Instagram.

I'm going to try to get back in the routine of taking photos (on something other than Instagram) and being more upbeat. So here's what I wore yesterday. Hurrah.

Dress - H&M

Belt - Topshop

Tights - M&S

Shoes - Bertie

Nails - Barry M Nail Effects

THE FIFTY DAY SHOE CHALLENGE

2011-11-17T09:18:00.001Z

My friends at work set me a challenge...since I have so many pairs of shoes I had to see if I could wear a different pair every day for an entire 50 days.

I am currently 28 days in and going strong. Occasionally it's annoying that I can't slip into my favourite pairs or the 'easiest' option but forcing myself to put something new on my feet every morning has helped me used more of my clothing wardrobe, not to mention find hidden gems within my shoe collection.

L to R

Row 1 - Topshop / Marc by Marc Jacobs & Carvela / Vivienne Westwood / Zara

Row 2 - Zara / Vivienne Westwood / Opening Ceremony / Chanel

Row 3 - Giuseppe Zanotti / Primark / Emma Hope / Robert Clergerie

Row 4 - Zara / YIN / Russell & Bromley / H! by Henry Holland

Row 5 - Vans / Nike / Vivienne Westwood / Underground

Row 6 - Harley Davidson / Galleries Lafayette / Maloles / Converse

Row 7 - Topshop / Jimmy Choo / Pointer / New Look

All taken with instagram and edited in picnik

GIRLS AND GUYS

2011-11-14T09:08:00.000Z

I clanked and clomped all the way to work in this but I felt I needed the accessories and big old boots to counteract the girliness of the dress. Turns out that Harley Davidson motorbike boots are a big hit amongst both girls and guys. I might try and wear them more often when this 50 day shoe challenge is over (on day 26 at the moment).

Hat - H&M

Dress - Alexa Chung x Madewell

Silver bracelets - H&M

Silver chunky bracelet - Assad Mounser

Tights - Marks & Spencer

Boots - Harley Davidson from charity shop back in my student days

A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS

2011-11-13T09:15:00.000Z

1. Arm party - charity shop, Dotty P's & Whistles

2. Chanel bag & Mulberry bird scarf

3. Thrift store belts

All pictures with Instagram

MENAGERIE MIXING

2011-11-12T09:12:00.000Z

Tiger print top - check

Leopard print jeans - check

Snakeskin print socks - check

A whole menagerie in one outfit.

Jumper - Whistles

Jeans - Current/ Elliott

Socks - Topshop

Shoes - Underground from ASOS

RED BOOTS

2011-11-11T09:04:00.000Z

Red boots seem to lift any outfit imaginable.

Dress - Whistles

Tights - M&S

Boots - Galleries Lafayette

Earrings - Chanel

Necklace - Louise Gray x ASOS

Rings - H&M & YSL

GLITTER NAILS

2011-11-10T09:05:00.000Z

There is little in life I find more relaxing than doing my nails. Sad but true. With the trend for ever more intricate nail designs - crackled top coats, nail art, stickers etc - the simple coat of varnish doesn't sometimes seem enough.

I found some nail glitter pots in Superdrug and decided to do just the tips of my nails in for a snazzy but super simple manicure - just clear nail polish, dip in a pot of glitter, brush of excess and finish with a top coat.

It felt a little bit 'done' but not 'I've just exploded in Claire's Accessories'.

Jumper - Whistles

Necklace - Made from Whistles

Scarf - T.K.Maxx

Jeans - Current/ Elliott

Shoes - NW3 by Hobbs

Bangles - Charity shop, Dorothy Perkins & Whistles

IN PRAISE OF TIGER

2011-11-08T08:47:00.000Z

I am in need of a visit to Tiger in Hammersmith soon. Tiger is a great store, sort of a cross between a small Ikea marketplace and a pound shop. It's great for inexpensive stocking fillers, gifts and decorations (if you want cheap home wares I'd also recommend it).

The front windows always look unspeakably naff and for years I avoided ever going in. How wrong was I? Along with a row of charity shops and the T.K.Maxx, Tiger is now up there in the list of reasons to hop on the Piccadilly line on a Saturday morning. Last year when I was working in Hammersmith I'd pop in once a week and during one of those little sorties I found this harmonica necklace for £1. I haven't been in almost and entire year. Like I said, I am in need of a visit!

Jumper - Uniqlo

Necklace - Tiger

Jeans - Current / Elliott

Trainers - Nike

TEENAGE KICKS

2011-11-07T08:59:00.000Z

Can you remember the 90s?

For those of you that can't, it was all the rage back then to wear a short sleeved t shirt over a long sleeved one. It wasn't a style I particularly embraced but this outfit feels like a modern reworking of that era, what with the long sleeved / short sleeved bits and boots with integrated socks. I even felt a bit stroppy and stompy at work in this and not altogether comfortable. An uncannily accurate summing up of my youth.

Jumper - Whistles

Dress - Cos

Tights M&S

Boots - Opening Ceremony

GRANNY DRESSING

2011-11-06T15:46:00.000Z

I felt slightly like I was trying to pass for a granny whilst wearing this outfit.

The skirt is a maxi from Primark that I've folded the waistband over to make it 3/4 length (those schoolgirl tricks come in handy after all, eh?) and the jazz flats probably got their first airing in a good year thanks to this whole 50 day shoe challenge. I'm on day 18 now and it's getting harder not to just slip into my old staples. I'll do a post of the pairs I've work so far very soon.

Jumper - Uniqlo

Necklace - Gift

Skirt - Primark

Tights - M&S

Shoes - Yin from Poste Mistress

VELVET

2011-11-05T09:56:00.000Z

Love a bit of velvet in my winter wardrobe...but there's a girl my office who has a velvet phobia. She backs away from me in fear and will be doing so quite often over the next couple of months...from velvet coats to tops, dresses to shoes, I have a lot of the stuff going on right now.

Top - Madewell

Jeans - Current/Elliott

Boots - Giuseppe Zanotti

CHALLENGE DRESSING

2011-11-02T09:12:00.000Z

I came to a realisation on Sunday that I don't wear my jewellery enough.

I'm currently on a 50 day shoe challenge at work where the girls have given me 50 days in which to wear a different pair every day, and I think I've added a jewellery challenge to that - not a different piece every day, just some to try and make use of my many bits and bobs that I don't give a decent airing.

I realise a 'challenge' that basically involves wearing stuff may seem a bit stupid but I always find it a fun way of taking myself out of comfort zone. I love clothes but I can be a lazy dresser, always reaching for the same uniform - being just a touch more creative does reap rewards.

Dress - Cos

Snake bracelet - Maria Francesca Pepe from ASOS

Cluster bracelet and ring - Whistles

Tights - M&S

Slippers - Zara

GHOSTLY NAILS

2011-11-01T09:23:00.000Z

Last Halloween post, I promise.

I've experimented with Sally Hansen Salon Effects before in a glitter finish and didn't find them that great (I could have painted my nails with a glitter polish and gotten a similar effect for 1/4 of the price and half the time - tricky buggers to apply) but the image transfer ones have me hooked, as there is no way on earth I could replicate this with my own crappy shaky hands.

The best thing about them is definitely that you don't have to wait for them to dry and you can get right on with your day or fall asleep without waking up to fabric imprints in your freshly painted nails (I never paint my nails past 8pm because it won't give them time to dry sufficiently before bed at midnight). I have leopard and cobweb ones ready to go but will be stocking up when I'm out in NYC very soon.

All photos taken with Instagram

Rings - H&M

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2011-10-31T22:23:00.000Z

All photos taken with Instagram

FRIDA KAHLO HALLOWEEN COSTUME

2011-10-31T21:26:00.000Z

I went as Frida Kahlo for Halloween. Got to say, I'll be repeating the look from now on, the hair accessories and makeup (extra strong brows) were working for me, although it did take about a gallon of hairspray to keep my style in place.

I look even more serious in my stair photos than normal - blame Frida, she wasn't much of a smiler.

Flowers - New Look & Superdrug

Earrings - New Look

Collar - Hobbs

Bangle - New Look

Dress (worn as top) - Chelsea Girl by River Island

Skirt - Zara

Belt - Charity shop

Boots - Ksubi

Scarf - market stall in Cambridge 10,000 years ago

HALLOWEEN PREPARATIONS

2011-10-28T22:54:00.000+01:00

I love Halloween. It's probably my favourite holiday (other than Christmas) and one that has been a big deal since I was little. As a child our family socialised mainly with Canadian ex-pats (because that's where I was born) and my parent's created a little social circle of similar Brits with Canadian ties or vice versa. Our little gang was often extended to include Americans living in London too and Halloween was always celebrated.

Because trick or treating wasn't the norm at all back in the mid 80s, we used to go en masse to one another's houses, or other families we'd checked with first. I can vividly remember trudging through Blackheath Village in an uncomfortable homemade ghost costume with my little trick or treat bag - I wore the same costume every year until I was about 12. A ping pong ball halved with little slits cut out and put over the eyes, held in place by a pair of sheer-ish white tights worn over the head and a white sheet with a hole in it. High tech stuff. We also used to go to my friend's house to dunk for apples and then her Dad would hide a Rolo in a pile of flour (no drying of the face allowed) and the treat of the Rolo would be somewhat tempered by the mouthful of pastry like flour you'd accidentally inhale.

Today Halloween is a great opportunity to cook some fun food, indulge in my love of kitsch and get dressed up in something amusing, oh, and have friends round to share it with so I don't look like billy no mates. I'm looking forward to tomorrow when I'll debut the costume my little brain has been hatching....

Slippers - Target

Photo taken with Instagram

SIMPLE ALWAYS WORKS

2011-10-28T09:18:00.000+01:00

Sometimes the simplest outfits can be the most pleasing. I felt like a lumberjack mixed with Alexa Chung in this getup, although I have a sneaking feeling that I'd probably only fit an actual lumberjack's clothes and never the latter' s.

Shirt - Thrift store in Austin, TX

Jeans - Topshop

Boots - Zara

COS DRESS

2011-10-27T09:52:00.000+01:00

With a chill in the air I can now wear Cos knitted dresses. I have two and they are without a doubt favourites in my wardrobe - simple cut, flattering, comfortable and hard wearing. Cos can pretty much do no wrong in my book.

Cardigan - Alice McCall

Dress - Cos

Necklace - Topshop

Tights - M&S

Boots - Vivienne Westwood

A WEEKEND IN SHOES

2011-10-25T10:16:00.000+01:00

1. Vans from a thrift store ($15)

2. Salvatore Ferragamo two tone shoes from a thrift store ($20)

3. All the thrifted shoes, top r clockwise - Vans, Ferragamo, YSL, random brand

4. My shoes / socks / jeans combo - more a packing fail than deliberate choice

5. Glitter Miu Miu shoes - new Barneys purchase

6. The boots left behind - Dries Van Noten beauties

7. Glitter Miu Miu shoes, I'm in love

All taken with Instagram

INHERITED DRESSING

2011-10-23T11:14:00.000+01:00

My Dad always complains that my Mum's default dressing setting is a striped top. It seems to run in the family.

1 & 2

Jumper - Zara Man

Jeans - Topshop

Boots - Marc by Marc Jacobs

3 & 4

Top - American Apparel

Trousers - J Brand

Shoes - Chanel

CAMO OVERLOAD

2011-10-22T13:10:00.000+01:00

I picked up this camo army shirt from a thrift store for $5 last weekend as I thought it would just the right amount of camo loverload to my new favourite shirt - this fabulous Equipment number that I bought from The Outnet last month. Add a thermal Uniqlo heat tech top and I'm ready for Winter. And yes, my humungous camo padded coat I scored from eBay last year. I said overload and I meant it.

Jacket - Thrift shop

Shirt - Equipment from The Outnet

Trousers - J Brand

Boots - Vivienne Westwood

PRE HALLOWEEN PURCHASES

2011-10-21T08:53:00.000+01:00

1. Skeleton necklace - Topshop

2. Neon snakeskin print socks - Topshop

3. Spine ring - Topshop

4. Alien skull & stud clutch - Zara

All taken with Instagram

THE GAP - A RANT

2011-10-20T08:48:00.000+01:00

There are high street shops that I buy things from all of the time; Zara, Whistles, Topshop, H&M, ASOS, New Look, River Island.

And those that I don't; Warehouse, French Connection, Office, Next, Miss Selfridge, Mango and...Gap.

Let's talk about Gap. In my youth Gap was one of THE places to shop. It was classic Americana at a good price, always innovative (the ads! can you remember the ads!) and with great simple cuts. But as the high street got more and more fashion conscious Gap began to look a little bit old hat and then Abercrombie took the all American look and did it much, much better (this was the late 90's / early 00's). Gap tried to be all cool at times...despite the fash pack harping on about the Pierre Hardy for Gap shoes each season you rarely actually saw them in store (the only pair I ever bought were in a charity shop about 6 months down the line). No, for me the store stayed the same as I remembered at the age of 16, which isn't a good thing in high street retailing unless you are Marks and Sparks.

So it must have been quite some time since I have handed over any cash in Gap when I popped into the Oxford Street branch with my Mum a couple of weeks ago. She likes the linen shirts when they're in the sale but it was me who ended up buying. It's just a super simple sale priced £9.99 tee shirt dress but the fabric is lovely and stretchy and it fulfils all my chuck it on and go needs. So, please, c'mon Gap. Let's get back to real basics. Be proud of your denim, chinos, white shirts and sportswear. Go classic. Get good. Make me want your stuff again. I challenge you...

Dress - Gap

Necklace - Whistles

Tights - M&S

Boots - Carvela from Kurt Geiger

SHOE DAYS

2011-10-19T18:29:00.000+01:00

1. Tory Burch flats

2. Nike trainers

3. River Island wedges

4. NW3 by Hobbs

5. Clogs from Gorman in Australia

6. Christian Louboutin wedges

7. Topshop glitter boots

All taken with Instagram

COS RUFF STRIPE TOP

2011-10-13T09:02:00.000+01:00

The ruff on this pretty standard navy and white stripe t shirt / Breton top take it from the ordinary to a star item in my wardrobe. I was worried that the pleats wouldn't wash well and I'd spend hours trying to iron them very, very poorly (I'm not a good ironer) but happily they spring right back into shape. Could you reissue this top in different colourways please, Cos?

Top - Cos

Jeans - J Brand

Boots - Maloles

Bangle - Cos

CHEAP JEWELLERY TRAUMA

2011-10-12T08:55:00.000+01:00

Am I the only one in the world who can't seem to keep a piece of Topshop / ASOS / New Look jewellery together for more than a week? In the 25 minutes between taking these photos and getting to work my skeleton was missing a leg.

T shirt - Topshop

Necklace - Topshop

Trousers - J Brand

Socks - Topshop

Shoes - Giuseppe Zanotti

DRESSED DOWN DON'T YOU KNOW

2011-10-11T10:00:00.000+01:00

Slumping in the pub on Sunday I had to go for a majorly casual outfit. I just couldn't face 'proper' clothes because I'd run a half marathon in the morning and was super shattered. After I've been on a long run I can't wear dresses or tailored clothes for some bizarre reason, it can only be jersey and stretchy fabrics.

I've also rediscovered my loudest pair of trainers, bought in a Nike factory shop in Houston, Texas. I wanted a pair of comfy shoes for the plane home and then never wore them again after that trip home. On Saturday I saw a girl wearing super loud Nikes with bright laces and the flash of "I should go to a trainer shop and buy some now..." was quickly replaced by my common internal refrain "I already have them!". Yup, I often covet things I then remember I own.

Hoodie - Christopher Kane

T shirt - Rodarte

Jeans - Topshop

Socks - Tabio

Trainers - Nike

SEASONAL DRESSING LESSONS

2011-10-10T08:51:00.000+01:00

The exciting thing about the change in the weather is wearing your new season clothes...finally! It's actually quite refreshing to be able to layer a bit more. Other than jumpers and some heavy weight knitted dresses my 'winter' wardrobe basically just sees me wear more of my clothes all at once with the addition of socks or tights and Uniqlo heat tech tops to any of my usual 'summer' outfits. Oh, and boots. Can't be wearing little thin soled shoes in the cold.

Jumper - Whistles

Vest - Topshop

Belt - Charity shop

Trousers - Zara

Pumps - Tory Burch

WHISTLES METALLIC KNIT SWEATER

2011-10-08T08:59:00.000+01:00

I don't think there is such a thing as having too many sparkly sweaters and knitwear. They instantly uplift my mood and dress up casual trousers really well. The only possible pitfall is the quality but with Whistles you are pretty much assured they'll be good. Even better, this top was only £11 on eBay, demonstrating there are still bargains to found on the site if you look hard enough.

Top - Whistles from eBay

Vest - Topshop

Jeans - J Brand

Socks - Tabio

Shoes - Underground

THE UNIFORM STRIKES BACK

2011-10-07T09:33:00.000+01:00

I have my brother to thank for 'sourcing' these J Brand jodhpurs in New York for me. J Brand trousers and jeans pretty much changed my life in terms of dressing up at the beginning of this year and I've gone from 0 - 8 pairs in that time - they are my work staple without a doubt. Ditto Equipment shirts (which seem to miraculously not gape around the boobage area), although the whole silk / oil / dry clean scenario means they get worn a bit less especially if I know I'm going to be eating something messy, or I'm going to be messy eating.

Shirt - Equipment

Trousers - J Brand Jodhpurs

Shoes - Chanel

CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA KITTY FLATS

2011-10-06T09:30:00.000+01:00

Cat shoes? Black velvet cat shoes that are flat so I can actually walk in them? Yes, thank you Charlotte Dellal of Charlotte Olympia, I think I will.

Top - American Apparel

Jeans - Current/Elliott

Necklace & bangle - Cos

Shoes - Charlotte Olympia

PALE AND INTERESTING

2011-10-05T08:53:00.000+01:00

Making the most of the warm days to wear a light colour palette. Isn't it funny how the weather totally changes what hues feel appropriate?

Lace top - American Apparel

Trousers - Zara

Shoes - Bloch

JUST ME

2011-10-04T09:27:00.002+01:00

This is the kind of summer dressing I like.

Dress. Sandals. Done.

Not even any makeup. Just a few freckles and a bit of a shiny forehead (okay, that bit I don't like that much but I've misplaced my Chanel compact).

Dress - Zara

Shoes - Sister Paul & Joe

TOO HOT TO CARE

2011-10-03T10:01:00.000+01:00

It was way to hot on Sunday to trawl the shops for new winter gear, which had been part of my grand plan for the weekend. Instead I just wilted on my roof terrace in the shortest shorts my ripe old age would allow.

T shirt - Topshop

Belt - Charity shop

Shorts - Uniqlo

Wedges - Topshop

CELINE WOOD PRINT

2011-10-02T12:01:00.000+01:00

England is usually a place of terminal greyness but this summer surpassed itself by being the worst since 1985, or so the papers said. For most of us this 'indian summer' (it's been almost 30 degrees for the last 3 days) has been embraced with vats of booze, BBQs and a return to the summer clothes we bought 5 months ago but hardly got to wear.

I must admit that I was somewhat dismayed by the warm weather. After a fortnight in Morocco I had flexed my summer wardrobe muscles and was looking forward to the A/W offerings but when it's sweltering there is no room for knit wear and winter weight dresses, let alone coats. My only consolation is that my Marni top, bought eons ago on eBay, has a satisfying nod to my print of the season - the Celine wood print that makes my stomach do a little flip every time I see it.

Celine A/W 2011 images from Style.com

Top - Marni

Belt - Charity shop

Shorts - Forever 21

Shoes - See by Chloe

HOLIDAY FEET

2011-09-30T09:49:00.000+01:00

1. Raffia sandals from the souk in Marrakech

2. Castaner wedges from Yoox.com

3. Fake Chanel babouches from the souk in Oualidia

All taken with Instagram

LATE SUMMER

2011-09-29T10:01:00.000+01:00

Cardigan - Urban Outfitters

T Shirt - Stolen Girlfriends Club

Skirt - American Apparel

Sandals - See by Chloe

POST HOLIDAY DRESSING

2011-09-28T09:12:00.001+01:00

So this is my post holiday look. Red faced (the only colour the sun makes my face ever go), brown feet that look mucky rather than tan and loads of blisters thanks to the rude introduction of footwear after a fortnight in flip flops and bare feet. Glam, eh?

Jacket - Luella x New Look circa 2001

T Shirt - Urban Outfitters

Jeans - Topshop

Sandals - See by Chloe

Bag - YSL

HOLIDAY PHOTOS

2011-09-27T08:39:00.000+01:00

I'm back in England with a stinking cold.

Wish I was still on holiday at the villa in Oualidia.

All photos taken with Instagram

END OF THE HOLIDAYS

2011-09-26T10:33:00.000+01:00

Back from Morocco today. Sad face.

UNIFORM OF THE YEAR

2011-09-25T09:28:00.000+01:00

Equipment shirts, J Brand trousers and Chanel flats are without a doubt the wardrobe heroes of the year. They've been putting in the hours and they're still going strong.

Shirt - Equipment

Vest - Topshop

Trousers - J Brand

Shoes - Chanel

BOWLED OVER

2011-09-24T09:22:00.000+01:00

I've been umming and ahhing over whether or not to post these pictures, mostly because I look like a complete dork. This was my not very successful Americana look that I've shied away from since attempting. I need to wear this bowling shirt more often though, as it does slightly rock my world.

Shirt - Thrift store in Austin, Texas

Trousers - Current/Elliott

Shoes - Underground from ASOS

MOROCCAN DOLLS

2011-09-22T09:05:00.000+01:00

My favourite museum in Paris, one that I only discovered a couple of years ago, is definitely the Musee du quai Branly. I can't remember the precise use of these dolls, but it was something to do with crime & punishment. I wonder what these people did wrong?

PARIS PORTRAITS

2011-09-20T09:03:00.000+01:00

Top - Zara

Bracelets - Forever 21

2 & 3

Dress - Cos

Belt - Charity Shop

SUPER SIMPLE

2011-09-18T09:00:00.000+01:00

Top - American Apparel

Jeans - Topshop

Slippers - Topshop

INSTAGRAMING MY FEET

2011-09-16T09:54:00.000+01:00

Bit obsessed with Instagram-ing my favourite shoes. Can you tell?

1. Miu Miu

2. Underground Creepers from ASOS

3. Underground Creepers from ASOS

4. Vintage Manolos

5. River Island Brogues or Zara Slippers?

6. Sigerson Morrison

WINDOW SHOPPING IN PARIS

2011-09-14T09:37:00.000+01:00

1-3

Isabel Marant. Just about everything in the shop was perfect. Sadly it was 30 odd degrees and very humid. Even with all this temptation the last thing I wanted to do was try on winter clothes.

4 - 6

Didier Ludot - I've always been too scared to go into this vintage designer heaven. It was insanely pricey but the every piece was so amazing you'd usually only see it in a museum. Definitely ask to be let into the shop next door where they keep the archive.

7-8

I need these Venise shoes! The shop was shut on Sunday and I can't find anywhere to buy them online. Does anyone know where they're sold in the UK?

AGNES B FOR DIM

2011-09-12T09:43:00.000+01:00

Agnes B underwear x DIM. So Dolce & Gabbana, right?

ALMOST ALL ZARA

2011-09-11T09:39:00.000+01:00

Jumper - Zara

Top - Zara

Jeans - Zara

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Necklace - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Leather wrist strap - H&M

FEARNE'S PINK HAIR

2011-09-10T10:36:00.000+01:00

Is it wrong that I'm a bit in love with Fearne Cotton in this picture? She doesn't usually do it for me but eek, girl crush.

Perfect hair and spot on makeup. It makes me want to go blonde and pink, which I'm sure is so not a good idea...such is the power of a great photo.