Outfit Planning - London Fashion Week - For Day 1 Posted by Unknown |

It's pretty intimidating figuring out what to wear to fashion week – street style has rocketed so high into the stratosphere that the very thought of being on the same pavement as the myriad style star editors, models, stylists, photographers and, of course, bloggers is enough to bring you out in a cold sweat. This year I'm lucky enough to be doing just a tiny bit of fashion week and though it's only a toe-dip (two shows – FelderFelder tomorrow and Christopher Kane on Monday) I do want to feel good on the outfit front. So here's today's outfit prep. Rocking the monochrome trend with this fabulous oversized cardigan By Malene Birger, going a bit casual and spring-like with Free People daisy denim and proudly sporting two of my most cherished leather items, a Sophie Hulme satchel and Sam Edelman Petty booties (both excellent sale purchases I must add :)) and jewellery by my new favourite Portuguese Heart. So wish me luck and check back in over the weekend for some fashion show snaps. 

ps. Happy Valentine's Day! I'm writing this in a rush as, shock horror, we are actually going out for a meal tonight. And I'm wearing a new dress! Oh, the excitement... 

A Visit To My-Wardrobe.com's Showroom For The SS13 Preview Posted by Unknown |

This week I braved the rain and headed over to mywardrobe.com's gorgeous showroom to check out their SS13 arrivals. I was the last to arrive and spent a wonderful half hour being shown around the collections with the whole bright white space to myself. Bliss! Everything looked fabulous – bright eye popping colours, lots of leather and white, graphic and clashing prints, 60s silhouettes and voluminous shapes. For me though, I fell in love with a monochrome oversized cardigan by By Malene Birger – part of the Danish label's 10-year anniversary collection. As I reached for the beautiful angora-mix knit, it fell to the floor, I swept it up in my arms, up and over my shoulders and... I am fallen, hook, line and singer. So it stands to (fashion) reason that By Malene Birger is pretty much my new favourite label. Other stand-outs for me included beach-fantastic dresses by Mara Hoffman, animal print (spirit of the eagle/cheeta – yes!) swimwear by We Are Handsome, knits by See By Chloe and a peplum top and tweed trews by MSGM. Oh, and, the Sophie Hulme tote, of course. (You can shop my SS13 edit below.)

// shop my ss13 edit below //

You Say You Want a #Leatherlution Posted by Unknown |

1. Bag by Sophie Hulme
2. Cuff by Lara Bohinc
3. Trousers by Vanessa Bruno Athe
4. Tee by Zoe Karssen
5. Ear cuff by Free People
6. Boots by Jeffrey Campbell
7. Earrings on Etsy

There's going to be a lot of leather around this spring and thus a lot more to choose from in addition to the usual bags and shoes. So, how about a pair of leather trousers for you, madam? The right fit and they'll be a forever piece as well as a brilliant alternative to jeans. I love a playful outfit mixing up tough-girl leather and spiky studs with a sophisticated handbag and feather earrings all tied together with a luxe causal tee. I've chosen a pair of slim fitting mocha leather trousers by Vanessa Bruno (long-lasting classic chic), an eye-popping blue tote by Sophie Hulme (I am in love with her bags and have eyes for no other) and these in-your-face Jeffrey Campbell round-toe studded boots. For more, search #leatherlution on Twitter.

If I Were In Paris... Posted by Unknown |

1. Jacket - Next
2. Snood - Zalando
3. Jeans - Topshop
4. Clutch - Net-a-Porter
5. Booties - mywardrobe

Today's the last day of the Paris haute couture shows before the onslaught of next month's 'big 4' – New York, London, Milan and Paris. RTW aside, if I had been in Paris this week hopping around the city for fashion fun and games this is what I would have worn... Chic tweed jacket (just £55!), a splash of neon by way of a sizeable clutch, cool bleached denim and ankle booties in snow leopard, natch. I think that would have just about rocked it. :) How about you? Would you have worn something similar?

What I'm Wearing - Sophie Hulme Satchel x Four Jackets Posted by Unknown |

Jacket - All Saints (similar here) 

I don't know about you, but when I get a new bag or pair of shoes the first thing I do is have a trying on session with various jackets (for bags) or jeans and dresses (for shoes). You know, just to have that information logged for whenever I need to quickly throw something on. Pre-tried = quick & stress-free dressing. Un-tried = potential disaster. You know, when you're out and catch a glimpse of your reflection and realise that your outfit components are already filing for a divorce and you long for an invisibility cloak. Anyway, I don't know why I'm harping on about this when this post is actually all about my fabulous new sale purchase of the Sophie Hulme plate satchel (full price in blue here). I love this bag. And so does my wardrobe. And I imagine you'll be seeing quite a lot of it over the weeks to come. Btw, did I mention the Sophie Hulme tote?? To. Die. For. (Or da morire, as the Italian fashionistas like to say.)

Trench - All Saints

Blazer - French Connection

Faux fur – ASOS (similar in sale here)

Instagramming a Five-Minute Catch-Up Posted by Unknown |

I've got a whole load of posts to prepare for the next few days but I'm a bit bleary-eyed and short on time. So, in true fashion blogger fashion ;) here is a quick catch-up on the last 24 hours. What's more, I've managed to do this entire post from bed on the iPad using a combination of apps (Diptic, Photoshop Touch and Blogger). See, it is possible. Just hoping the image size comes out ok. Oh, and I can't figure out how to insert links. Or post the image above the text. Publish and be damned. I've just had to fix this all on my laptop... couldn't stand it. Not such a success after all. :( Btw, we watched Looper last night, which is an utterly brilliant sci-fi movie. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis leaving you with a head full of time-travel conundrums.

1. Yesterday's first snow shot, little birdy feet that look like an aeroplane flight path.
2. A totally impulsive, but so delighted, sale purchase in Islington's Diverse boutique. I've been lusting after Sophie Hulme's designs for near on a year, so with more than 50% off and it was the last one... I couldn't resist. This Plate Satchel looks amazing worn cross-body. Outfit post to come, natch. (In blue – new season or just not in sale? – here. Will do some more sale research...)
3. Hauling out the old Moonboots (available from New Look) for some serious snow and cold protection. I don't care how many weird looks I get on the tube, and from my dentist. They rock.
4. My first ever nail art efforts. I think I might finally get it. (These are Nail Art Nail Tattoos.)

This Sophie Hulme Black Tote Posted by Unknown |

Experiencing a real moment of bag lust. That's all. Sophie Hulme black tote from Style Passport. 

Sophie Hulme’s Charmed Collection & Handbags Posted by Unknown |

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