Some Might Say I'm A Victim...

... alas, they'd be right!

Two Things I've Decided I Need In My Life

Etoile Isabel Marant Striped Jumper and Acne Nelli Print Skirt (in both cases I'd really appreciate the following added extras - Isabel Marant earrings and Acne Reba Chunky Polo Neck.. whit woo.)

I Rather Love Her Look

Olivia Palermo - what a gal. She has a way with clothes like no other. Between you and I, I'm convinced a good deal of her styling success is down to her confessed ownership of a clothes steamer. She looks so wonderfully primped and pressed at all times! (Not to self - buy steamer when I move flat and can locate a cubby hole to store it in). 

The reason I love this look is the flats Miss Palermo is sporting. Yes their Lanvin (naturalment) and not any old run down Reeboks circa '95, but they are flats none the less. And whenever Olivia rocks flats, I sit up and take note.

Sadly the Toe Cap Leather Sneakers Olivia is pounding the mean streets of the City in have sold out on Net-A-Porter, but these Kurt Geiger Luckys are a steal in comparison, and in the sale now!

Images: Zimbo and Kurt Geiger

Ring Ring

At the moment I'm coveting this ring by Daisy Knights:

I have a near mild obsession with seeking out whisper thin, subtle yet special, gold jewellery. This was sparked by a minuscule star strung bracelet I tracked down for my 20th birthday and have worn near-daily since. Then came Victorian charms from Annina Vogel on a gold necklace after seeing her inexhaustible collection featured in Vogue's secret address book. And a pair of Alex Monroe clover earrings last winter brings us up to date. It is a small collection I'll give you that, but these are treasured items, and the only jewellery I wear, save for a few bejewelled bib necklaces when a grey jumper or stripes are in need of bling.

I've often worried skulls look a little bit morbid when they're used to adorn everything from a somewhat ubiquitous scarf, clutch clasp, and particularly when brazenly emblazoned and studded and blown up to three times the normal size on a Thomas Wylde bag... I'm just not at ease with it. But, when made out of soft, nubby looking gold - in a tiny earring or necklace - I find myself warming to the idea. These little gold skulls would peep out when hair is carelessly tucked behind an ear, or wink up at me from upon my finger as I leaf through a mountain of papers at work. These pieces are little treasures - and ones I hope to add to my collection soon.

Image: Net-A-Porter.com, Daisy Knights Ring - 75

En Français

Just back from a few days in France - it was lovely, very windy, a little bit grey for most of the time, but incredibly sunny on the last day so all was not lost.

Here are a few pictures of my holiday wardrobe & essentials. Turns out I didn't pack enough!! More stripes were needed and, due to the wind, black skinny jeans & little jackets. Hopefully I'll have it all finely tuned for my next holiday!

Must have - Kiehl's, Essie, Clinique, ByRedo & Tom Ford Carys (featuring some errant curls!):

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)