Substitute the skirt for a pair of jeans and you’ve got my everyday working from home outfit right there. Not to say that I’m in a rut or anything, but I’m wearing a lot of the same kind of stuff at the moment. Having a post-house move edited wardrobe, or what Fashionising are called the [...]]]>

Substitute the skirt for a pair of jeans and you’ve got my everyday working from home outfit right there. Not to say that I’m in a rut or anything, but I’m wearing a lot of the same kind of stuff at the moment. Having a post-house move edited wardrobe, or what Fashionising are called the ‘curated wardrobe’ has been quite freeing, my workday outfits are basically a variation on a uniform.

It gets a little harder when you actually have to leave the house, which is where my lace skirt (ace Streatham charity shop find) and surprise gift necklace (thank you Moxham!) come in. I recently did a shoot and the brief was ‘wear something bright’, so you can imagine that it was a leetle bit of a struggle…

Coat: Hobbs, jumper: COS, necklace: Moxham, skirt: charity shop, shoes: New Look.

If you’re wondering what my smug smile is all about, I’m wearing Heat Tech knitted shorts under that skirt, hawt, liderally.

I’m having a bit of r’n'r at the moment, as well as steeling myself for a slew of fashion weeks which is why posts are a little thin on the ground right now. In the last month or so, I’ve generally been trying to make the most of the last few weeks of summer, going [...]]]>

I’m having a bit of r’n'r at the moment, as well as steeling myself for a slew of fashion weeks which is why posts are a little thin on the ground right now. In the last month or so, I’ve generally been trying to make the most of the last few weeks of summer, going to the lovliest/silliest wedding ever, on various country jaunts and swimming in rivers. I also went a little crazy at the Antipodium sample sale recently, spending a good few hours there trying things on. There’s a post on its way soon with all my bargain buys, but for now here’s a white dress I wore in the Sunday sun.

Dress: Antipodium, bangle: c/o Trisori, sandals: New Look, watch: Casio, sunglasses: car boot




Windmill in Turville / Berries / Walking in Eynsford / Drying off towels in a wheatfield

To help mark our AW11 Press Day at work I got Jackie Dixon in to shoot some of our fave bloggers in their pick of AW pieces. The resulting pictures are a 100 times better than I wished, everyone looks really happy and has styled pieces in their own distinctive way. Jackie kindly fitted a [...]]]>

To help mark our AW11 Press Day at work I got Jackie Dixon in to shoot some of our fave bloggers in their pick of AW pieces. The resulting pictures are a 100 times better than I wished, everyone looks really happy and has styled pieces in their own distinctive way. Jackie kindly fitted a couple of shots of me gooning around at the end of the day, I’m wearing a pleated dress and leopard boots. Click through to see the rest of the bloggers.

Miggy from Miggy Likes The Internet was a true sport and bust out some stellar poses. Fiona from Save Our Shoes always makes me laugh, love the pleated skirt with her denim shirt. Alex from Alex Loves creating a new dressing rule, wide stripe, sherbet bright and top and tail it with a dark bright. Nice to meet Claire from Claire Foster’s blog finally (wearing a brilliant vintage dress), she picked out a sheer shirt.

New faces Cyrena and Michael were welcome additions to the day. Cyrena blogs at Freak Deluxe and is top to toe AW, love how she wears it. Owl-obsessed Michael is from Anastasia & Duck and pounced on the owl necklace, hands up who’s jealous of his Prada flatforms? Olivia from My New Favourite Thing is a the fluffy feather skirt, love this look. Queen of awesome poses, Lucy from Snippets of Shiny Thoughts has picked the colourblock pleated dress, one of the standout pieces in my opinion.

A slightly out-of-character pose from Susie from Bargainista Fashionista but that’s why I love it. Sarah from Enchanted Hunters was channelling Margo from the Good Life, as a Good Life fan I cannot do anything but approve wholeheartedly of this one! Superstylist Kit from Style Slicker picked out a winter brights outfit that could be straight out of the lookbook, she’s also a total pro at poses. Lastly, Amy from Wolf Whistle rocks a jumper from the men’s section in a top to toe outfit that everyone loved.

Thanks to Jackie Dixon at Show Me Your Wardrobe for all the pics.

I knew I was going to get the black versions of these New Look lace-ups, especially after seeing Fur Coat in them a few weekends ago. I also went crazy and got the leopard print pair, maybe it was wearing my tie dye tights all days that gave me a little reckless feeling. They’re light [...]]]>

I knew I was going to get the black versions of these New Look lace-ups, especially after seeing Fur Coat in them a few weekends ago. I also went crazy and got the leopard print pair, maybe it was wearing my tie dye tights all days that gave me a little reckless feeling. They’re light and I think the thick sole makes them warm, so a practicality WIN there and they really are pointed, not like the pictures from the site which hardly do them justice.

Krazy tights are from Topshop, I didn’t think they were that kooks, but they seem to be getting a reaction whereever I go which is in the street, at work and in Whistles… so jet-setting! I like wearing these with smart, buttoned up clothes; can’t wait till I FINALLY get my Carrie skirt from Whistles to have a little sheer fun with my outfits but that is a whole other story.

Dress and shoes, New Look

The good thing about work is when you get a last-minute invite to an exciting party and you’re wearing jeggings and a shirt, you can nip down to the press room and borrow a fantastic dress for the evening. I’m wearing a panelled black lace/sheer dress (which I totally want to [...]]]>

Dress and shoes, New Look

The good thing about work is when you get a last-minute invite to an exciting party and you’re wearing jeggings and a shirt, you can nip down to the press room and borrow a fantastic dress for the evening. I’m wearing a panelled black lace/sheer dress (which I totally want to buy) and some reeee-diculous heels. In for a penny, in for a pound!

The party was to celebrate 15 years of Vogue.com, it seems so long! All the most exciting people in fashion were there, Katie Grand, Stuart Rose and Alexandra Shulman. Yasmin Sewell was also there, looking fabulous and relaxed as always. Can you believe years ago they had a party to celebrate getting a mighty 10,000 uniques? Sigh, the olden days of the internet. Oh btw I touched Harold Tillman’s suit. Ha.

I’ve spent a lot of time looking for party decoration inspiration for my birthday next week. Most of my attention has been focused at the Confetti System’s beautiful garlands, their colour schemes are just brilliant. Sherbet-y pastels mixed with sludgy neutrals and metallics is something everyone can get on board with and I think I [...]]]>

I’ve spent a lot of time looking for party decoration inspiration for my birthday next week. Most of my attention has been focused at the Confetti System’s beautiful garlands, their colour schemes are just brilliant. Sherbet-y pastels mixed with sludgy neutrals and metallics is something everyone can get on board with and I think I might use that as inspiration for my birthday outfit too.

Pleated skirts really give that streamer feeling, and have that wonderful ruffly party vibe. Add in some cobwebby knits and some ultrasoft leather accessories and you’ve got an outfit fit for a prom. All it needs is some kind of headband made from those ’60s nylon chiffon slips and some glitter spray and it’s party time.

BTW any IRL friends: this is isn’t a birthday wishlist, although if anyone wants to get me the SS11 Whistles skirt that isn’t out yet I’ll happily hand over my first born, or some of the lesser vital organs.

Repetto BB flat, Creatures of Comfort: $285. Chiffon ladder jumper, New Look: £24.99. Whistles pleated skirt SS11. ’60s gold Lanvin paperchain necklace, Atelier Mayer: £780. Wendy Nichol bullet bag: $550. Buckle sandal, Zara: £79.99. Boutique chintz flares, Topshop: £100. Miu Miu matelassé clutch, Net a Porter. Pleated maxi, George at Asda: £14.

Fashion experts get my goat a little, I actually like people’s idiosyncrasies! When an old friend of mine asked to help find her some nice maternity clothes I couldn’t help but get a bit Gok Wan. When you’re cheggers your body is busy making a human so you don’t want to be faffing around, [...]]]>

Fashion experts get my goat a little, I actually like people’s idiosyncrasies! When an old friend of mine asked to help find her some nice maternity clothes I couldn’t help but get a bit Gok Wan. When you’re cheggers your body is busy making a human so you don’t want to be faffing around, I think the best thing to do is take a tip from men and find a clothes formula and stick to it. In this case I’ve gone for tight bottom half, with a looser top half. Things like leggings and jeggings are easy to gussy up with the tea rose Topshop blouse and bird brooches but are also really comfy. You can also layer up as it gets colder, ankle boots and thick socks will keep you warm when it’s too cold for the ballet pumps. I chose the Kate Kanziers because they’re cheap and although ballet pumps aren’t exactly cutting edge they give a bit of foot expansion leeway.

Narrow stripes are actually slimming (take that Trinnie & Sus!) and I know Cheska is a fan, add a slouchy cardie and you’ll look streamlined without feeling too exposed. I really quite like the check shirt, it’s another piece that you can quite easily slob about in and then dress up with a necklace or something else shiny. The cape is a bit of whimsy, it will safely enclose a burgeoning belly for a good few months.

Topshop maternity blouse: £32. Topshop bird brooches: £10. ASOS striped tee: £25. Kate Kanzier Eleanor flats: £25. Topshop ultimate military cape: £95. ASOS check shirt tunic: £36.

Topshop do some great high-waisted leggings, and some nice dark wash jeggings, as well as a maternity band which should stop any winter drafts from getting in. I’ve also gone for dresses, then you can mix and match with tights and leggings. Cheska has pale skin, and pale blonde hair, so the New Look graphic patterned frock will contrast nicely with her complexion, it’s not actually maternity, but get it a couple of sizes big and it will look great. I love Banana Republic jewellery, if it can transform scruffy ol’ me into something approaching groomed then it will work wonders on anyone!

ASOS cardigan: £32. Diedre chain necklace: £25. New Look oversize drape shirt: £22.99.

I’m excited about SS10, mostly to get out of winter clothes but also because I’m in love with a lot of the trends. ’90s, frenchy, clear pastels, nudes/beiges it’s all a winner for me. As soon as this hit the press room at work I had my eye on it, and apparently it’s only £20?! [...]]]>

I’m excited about SS10, mostly to get out of winter clothes but also because I’m in love with a lot of the trends. ’90s, frenchy, clear pastels, nudes/beiges it’s all a winner for me. As soon as this hit the press room at work I had my eye on it, and apparently it’s only £20?! I cast a shifty look towards the dress whenever we’re in there for meetings and it calls out to me! We’ve got Christopher Kane to thank for the sugarsweet oversize check, and it contrasts really well with the sexy bustier shape. I can’t wait to play up the casual qualities with t-shirts, shirts and dressed down with canvas pumps. I seem to remember a bias cut version in blue, will have to keep my eyes peeled for that one in the press room.

Hand on heart I promise than when I rave about La Cage Aux Folles, or tweet about Songkick (it’s going to change my life) or post another damn New Look thing on my blog I’m only doing it for the love. (I really love la Cage Aux Folles). I spotted these shoes on a trend [...]]]>

Hand on heart I promise than when I rave about La Cage Aux Folles, or tweet about Songkick (it’s going to change my life) or post another damn New Look thing on my blog I’m only doing it for the love. (I really love la Cage Aux Folles). I spotted these shoes on a trend scout downstairs and when she said they were from New Look at the new Oxford St store I pretty much ran in to get them at 5.30.

Big deal, crepe-soled heels, they’re so BOT I know pretty much everyone has got them. But these are really comfy and only £40, and they’re kind of the shoe I’ve been searching for all winter, despite trying similar styles. I’m confused, I seem to be getting the hang of high street shopping. I’m going to go the the charity shops at the weekend, to test my chazza mojo, maybe I can double fist shopping skills. More on this when I have finally bought myself a laptop. So let’s end this post in style with a little Cage Aux Folles song sung by Perry Como:

The shoes are online now, here is the link: shooes

This post comes to you on a wave of illness, drama, long days at work and hospital visits so forgive the spelling mistakes and slight ramble… The fashion press have a love-love relationship with Topshop, there’s nowt but sweet nothings that pour from the pages of fashion mags. Until Tuesday when Jess Cartner Morley wrote a [...]]]>

This post comes to you on a wave of illness, drama, long days at work and hospital visits so forgive the spelling mistakes and slight ramble…
The fashion press have a love-love relationship with Topshop, there’s nowt but sweet nothings that pour from the pages of fashion mags. Until Tuesday when Jess Cartner Morley wrote a swansong for her love of Britain’s favourite high street store. It’s hot on the heels of the news that New Look initial public stock offering which I’ve been following from the inside, as it were. An article like this is inevitable, but it also shows that high street reatailers are catching up with Topshop. Take River Island for example, a shop I wouldn’t have been seen dead in a few years ago until I met the tireless an lovely press team and started paying attention to the great items instore.

This brings me to the real subject of my post, the Topshop dilemma. Everyone else raves about TS and as much as like what I see, I own three things from Toppers. A nude jersey and muslin top, an admittedly fab Erdem-style watercolour top and my OMG necklace, obvs. I don’t really know why I own so little from the store that people all across the world revere, so I had a little think and this is what came tumbling out of my brain…

I like to approach fashion in the same way as life, a roundabout way. I’m a fashion history nerd turned science student turned art student turned fashion writer. It’s not that I stopped loving fashion, clothes and the history of dress I just approach it from all sides before I really get to the core. Being a Jack of all trades is seen as a bad thing but I positively embrace it and let it take me where it will, which means lots of adventures in life!

The same for fashion, I like to wear a mix of hand me downs, borrowed items, charity shop faves, sample sale bargains and high street finds. This is why I have never really been able to get my head round Topshop. Sure I coo and sigh at press days like everyone else but when it comes down to it I can’t commit to buying. I can definitely apportion blame to my ingrained thriftiness and youth spent in Cromwell’s Madhouse; as one of the pricier chains I balk at Topshop’s prices. The other thing is that Tozzashozza (which is my preferred nickname btw) is pretty much all killer no filler, I walk and think, I could wear that, I could wear that, I could wear that. There’s no thrill of the chase, ferretting out something special is harder when it’s all special. In life, like in style if you’ve really worked hard for something the rewards taste sweeter, and seamlessly bagging all my SS10 trends doesn’t sit well with my hawk-like shopping system.

I once compared Topshop and Dorothy Perkins to Barbie and Sindy. If you’re a child of the ’80s you’ll remember Sindy had a round flicky-eyelinered face and distinct ’50s air. Barbie was more popular but then I’ve always had a chronically soft spot for the underdog. So much so, that when everyone at school was into Nirvana, I declared them boring and got into Boyzone out of spite. I know, Boyzone. Contrariness is a funny thing. I love to go into Dorothy Perkins and hunt out the few amazing items they put out every season, in Topshop it’s not the same. I’m obviously in the minority, but it’s something that interests me because no one actually admits to feeling anything less than total utter adoration for Tosho.