Ciao Bella!

On a lunch time stroll around H&M I happened upon this little beauty... What's this I thought? Missoni for H&M? Negative. A bemused shopper put their Missoni cover up back on an H&M hanger? No such luck. Turns out it is part of the Fashion Against Aids at H&M - which landed in selected stores recently.

I'm quietly smug about my new purchase - my smugness crept into my photo booth images I must admit! For 7.99 I consider it quite the steal :)

I always end up stroking the Missoni playsuits in Terminal 5 - thinking, knowing, they'd top my holiday look off if only I could scrape together enough coppers. The dream of the Missoni playsuit is still alive, but until my ship comes in I shall very much enjoy this worthy homage to the masters of the colourful knit. I'm faking it 'til I make it.

Dreaming of Packing My Bags

Despite the moaning I went in for in my last post, previously unforeseen circumstances have led to a total 180 turn in my seasonal feelings. Work has given me time off at the end of May and I'm off to France avec the boyfriend's family who have a lovely house there. Within a few hours of hearing the news tickets and a swimming costume were bought!I went into Topshop after work on the hunt for an actual swim suit instead of the usual bikini. Since going to University and moving to London my exercise regime has suffered. Well, not only

suffered but positively shriveled and died from being left out in the cold for so long. Hence I am not about to show off my newly acquired tummy off to the French in a bikini. It is nothing a bit of exercise won't rid of, and I'm probably being a little OTT about it all, but for now I plan to be all about the swim suit. And so I picked up this beautiful little number in Topshop on Friday evening and I love it - it's so flattering and pretty thanks to some clever ruching and delicate florals. I fancy it'll look mighty decorative on a sun lounger with some 50s-esque shades on courtesy of Tom Ford.

So with this in mind I have picked out my other must have summer pieces. My approach to Summer dressing is so different to the way I operate in the Winter. I plan out each piece carefully, attempting to assemble what can only be described as a capsule wardrobe. I think this is because I find Summer dressing so much harder - I need limited, fail safe options, otherwise I know I'll make outrageous mistakes - mistakes that will haunt me as they stare out from multiple holiday photos. My inspiration this summer is without a doubt, the beautiful Kate Bosworth, and every aspect of her flawless wardrobe. Hence my need for some Tom Ford Cary's and the Mulberry Mini Messenger to punctuate my Summer style. Add this to oodles of white cotton broderie anglaise blouses and oversized jersey and I'm (hopefully) away!

Now I just need to locate said cotton tops, black patent gladiators, nude ballet flats and statement scarf. Phew - quite the challenge.

(Images: Reiss Chinos & Denim Jacket - reiss.co.uk, Topshop Floral Swimsuit and Jumpsuit - topshop.com, Mulberry Denim Mini Messenger- mulberry.com, Tom Ford Cary's: geeksunglasses.com, Byredo Blanche - byredo.com)

Hanging On To Winter..

I have to be honest - I am a winter baby and thus, a winter dresser. I have ridiculously pale skin, it takes on a bluish hue at times, and there is no way I could maintain enough dedication to fake tan to make a healthier shade look convincing. I long to have a festival inspired look - all tousled hair and sun kissed skin all mixed in with an air of Bridget Bardot nonchalance... but sadly I'm far too straight laced.

Summer came and went recently in London, loitering for but a week or two. I found myself peering out at the sunny day- anxiously, hesitantly, leaving behind my coat, and stepping outside surrounded by an air of worry on my way to work. Was it really time to let go of my now trusty leoaprd print coat?? Was I being just a little bit mad?!

As it happens, no. It went bitterly cold again a few days later and my faux friend was back out for a trip to the Junction for brunch, teamed with my wool APC jumper, Topshop jeans and Converses. I could barely contain my excitement. I find the layers of winter just a lot easier - the coats, the jumpers the shearling lined shoes!! I'm already longing for next winter and all the Burberry-esque aviator jackets that are sure to catch my eye.

Bad news is the sun seems to be back. (I know it's good news really, it just means I have to get planning my summer wardrobe fast, ready for the big reveal!) The little Mulberry from my last post is still a big contender, mixed with lovely crisp white cotton blouses (Zara?), Reiss's lovely new sunglasses, denim shorts, Topshop kimono jackets and breton stripes. Quite possibly even a statement scarf to replace the statement coat too? Hmm... Erdem florals would do quite nicely.