Layering in stripes

Another thrift find last week was this grey and black striped cardigan by TU, from my local Sue Ryder charity shop for £4.95.

Its great to use as a layering piece, I'm wearing a black stretch dress that I got at the boot sale last year for £1 and a black polo body, tights and shoe boots.

The length is ideal, as it's nearly knee length and I didn't have any cardis that long in my wardrobe, so this is a welcome and versatile piece that I'm sure will go with lots of different items.

Outfit Post

As it was half term last week and there was not a lot of activity-barring some housework and general chilling out, I thought I'd show you my thrift finds from last week.

The trip took place in 2 parts, in which I bought the jeans and grey top 2 Saturdays ago and the belt last Monday-I had to go back for it as I'd run out of cash first time round!!

The grey top is by Tommy Hilfiger Heritage Denim and was £1.50 and the jeans are Sass & Bide for £3.99, from the British Red Cross Charity shop.

The belt was a must have. I hid it on my first trip right under the big pile of belts, intending to return if I still wanted it. Years ago, I visited Marrakesh in Morocco and in the souks I bought 2 lovely leather belts. Goodness knows what possessed me, but I gave them away to the charity shops some years later. So, when I saw this one which is virtually identical to my original one, I just had to buy it-I'm not going back to Morocco in a hurry (mores the pity, its a gorgeous place to go!) So as well as having it for nostalgic reasons, I thought it would go with my summer vintage dresses, as I don't have a brown studded cinch belt.

Awards for you!!

Hi there!! A big thanks to Tanya at Captivate Me and Janet Taylor for the following awards, they are much appreciated and are featured on my blog as a constant reminder of the lovely bloggers who come to visit me!!!

I nominate the 'Fierce' award to:

La Mimi

Kate-Make Do Style

WendyB

I nominate this 'Love' award to:

Skye-Skylark and Son

Marian-House of Style

Lenya-The Fashion Loving Stylist

The Unique and Chic award goes to:

Winnie-Diamond Canopy

LaCouturier

Silje

Spring jackets at Topshop

Next month is Spring-yippee!!! So here is a selection of jackets currently available at Topshop to get you in the mood of shrugging off those winter woollies and wearing something lighter and brighter! Silk waterfall jacket, £30

Hope and Glory Mac, £60

Sass & Bide for Topshop parka, £60


White denim stud jacket, £45

Thrift Inspiration, Alexander Wang Style-round 2!

Inspired by Nic at She's Dressing Up, I thrifted this leather skirt last weekend and like her, wanted to wear it dressed down. Again, I was inspired by Alexander Wangs RTW Summer Collection to do an outfit post, mixing grey marl and leather, similiar to the model above.

I'm wearing my Comme Des Garcons grey marl t-shirt, 99p, Collier Row boot sale, Zara long sleeved grey tunic £3.50, Sue Ryder Care charity shop, leather skirt, £2.99 Sense charity shop, stud belt, 50p, Collier Row boot sale

Thrift Inspiration, doing it Alexander Wang Style!

So, the Alexander Wang post yesterday really inspired me as one of my favourite looks was pastels, particularly the blazer outfit. I think a blazer is a fabulous addition to your wardrobe and such a classic piece to own too-a decent quality one will last for years to come.

I was lucky to get this pastel pink Burberry blazer at Mrs Stings Designer Sale. What I love about it is the colour and the cropped sleeves and length, it is ideal to wear with jeans and also a summer dress too.

I wore my black camisole underneath, which has a sheer lace panel, again inspired by the Wang summer collection, my Sass & Bide jeans and my cream high heel peep toes by Next from the boot sale for £1.

A blazer can really pull an outfit together and I know I'll be making use of this one a lot this summer. My next post is also Alexander Wang inspired, but a more dressed down look-watch this space!!

Alexander Wang RTW Summer 2009

As you may all be aware, Fashion Designers are showing right now for Fall 2009. For the majority of us, summer can't come quick enough, so I've picked my favourite outfits from Alexander Wangs RTW Summer collection from Style.com

What I love about these outfits is how inspirational and adaptable they are for us to intepret and put into our wardrobes. Some pieces you may well have already, such as grey marl (t shirt or sweatshirt), denim, leather or sheer and they all make great casual, stylish daywear.

A pastel blazer is a timeless classic for this summer

This outfit is very inspirational, so casual chic and can be copied so easily for a daytime look.







I love the sheer top combo with the grey sweat shorts, another great idea for summer.



Another outfit which is stylish and easy to wear and my next post is an outfit post inspired by one of these looks!

Have you been inspired by any particular designers this Summer?

Sonia Rykiel-Interview

The very talented and stylish designer, Sonia Rykiel, has recently been awarded the Légion d’honneur for her 40 years of service to French fashion. She is mainly known for her love of rainbow stripes and knitwear and I'm pleased to have thrifted one of her gorgeous pieces for only £2.49 from Help The Aged charity shop last year.

To find out more about the Grande Dame of French style and fashion click here to read Celia Walden of the Telegraphs interview with the lady herself. Its a great read and an insight about what inspires and motivates her-hope you enjoy it!!

Thrift Inspiration, doing it Sass & Bide Style!

It was a good day for thrifting on Saturday, as in the last shop I went in-the British Red Cross, I came across some Sass & Bide skinny jeans. With over a dozen pairs in my wardrobe already, I obviously didn't need another, but when they fit like a glove I couldn't say no for £3.99!!

Sass & Bide for Topshop jeans, £60 Topshop

Sass & Bide jeans, Net-A-Porter, £132


Sass & Bide jeans, British Red Cross Charity shop, £3.99



Now thats what I call a bargain!!!

Thrift inspiration- DIY, Designer Style

Hi everyone!!

For anyone who likes to customise or make your own clothes, here are some great links from The Observer for a touch of Do It Yourself:

Make your own Martin Margiela waistcoat

Make your own Jade Jagger bracelet

Make your own Vivienne Westwood dress

Have fun getting creative the designer way!!

Neon 2009

Another big trend for Summer is neon brights. It is a very bold, vibrant look and not for the shy or faint hearted, LOL! The stunning and unique Agyness Deyn is photographed in this months Vogue UK, showing off this trend looking very gorgeous indeed-her whole take on this look is totally spot on, in my opinion.

All images are from Vogue UK (March 2009)

If you love the look, but like me, are not sure to venture in a full outfit version of neon, then go for it teamed with black as part of your look.

I picked up this vintage original 1980s Thierry Mugler body con top for only 50p last summer at the Collier Row boot sale, definitely one of my favourite finds of 2008 and an item I'll definitely be wearing a lot of this summer.

Will you be in neon this summer?

Ossie Clark-I've been meaning to..............

Ever since I started my blog and before, I've always been truly inspired by the gorgeous Wendy Brandes, who like me, is a great fan of Ossie Clark. She has some absolutely stunning pieces and since I've seen her in this and this, I've been meaning to put together my snakeskin jacket by Joseph and my Ossie Clark black maxi dress, for a seventies look.

This is an ideal going out look for me , but for a more 'daytime look', I would wear black opaque tights, high boots and a black cap sleeve polo body underneath the dress.

I often look at Wendy's stunningly gorgeous collection of Ossie Clark dresses, for anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of seeing some of his work, go swoon over at Wendy's, they are just pure eye candy!!

Art on my front!!

A little while ago, the gorgeous Marian at House of Style did a lovely post on 'Art on my back', which inspired me to do this post of 'Art on my front'!!

Last Spring, whilst on a London shopping trip, I purchased two t shirts from Uniqlo-they were 2 for £20, which was a really good deal.

Both of them have prints by the late Jean-Michel Basquiat, who was a leading figure of American pop art and a grafitti artist superstar in the 1980s. He sadly died of a heroin overdose in 1988. A film was made of his life and his work is highly sought after.

So, after seeing Marian wearing her artwork, I thought I'd wear one of my tops over jeans and a polo neck as a layering piece. Both have a side slit, so can be knotted, a la 80s style.

Chloe Sevigny modelled the collection last year when it came out on sale-this is also my other Uniqlo top.

Do you have a work of art that you can wear?

Barbara Hulanicki-Beyond BIBA

Barbara Hulanicki will always be remembered for BIBA, the shop that changed the face of UK fashion in the 1960s and 70s. She was born in Poland and brought up in England and now resides in Miami.

Still a force in the fashion world, she is scheduled to do a collaberation with Topshop, due out in April 2009.

To celebrate her life and career to date, November Films are producing a film called 'Barbara Hulanicki, Beyond BIBA' which is scheduled for release around March to April 2009.

BIBA was a major part of Barbaras life and this film looks to be a great tribute to her and her BIBA legacy. Be sure to try and watch it, it will also air on worldwide television with a DVD release after its premier in the UK and Europe.

The Trophy (or Statement) Jacket

Checking out the Guardian online, their fashion editor, Jess Cartner-Morley roadtests Summers big trend-the trophy or statement jacket.

Click here to see her mini video review and read her recommendations on what jacket styles are winners for this season.

I'll definitely be wearing my Chanel jacket that I purchased last year, I can't wait!!

Interview with La Mimi

Hi everyone!

I was very pleased and privileged when the gorgeous La Mimi asked if she could do an interview on me, to be her Fashion Idol of the Week.

If you care to take a look, click on my title to view the interview and check out her fabulous and amazing blog. She regularly does fashion features, beauty features, dress your style and celebrity features and the lady herself is very gorgeous and talented, as her blog shows.

Hope you can check it out!

Charity Shops-Times Feature

Hi everyone!!

As you all know, I've been a fan of charity shopping and boot sales for years now and singing the praises of finding awesome bargains at them, so it was great to read the Times article on 'Charity Shop Chic', which if you click on the link, tells of Oxfams story of how they've enlisted celebrities to inspire everyone to go take a look and search for a bargain.

Carry on reading the article to find their pick of the best charity shops around the UK and in London too.

Don't forget to look at the charity shops in your local town too, they are generally a lot cheaper than the main cities and this is where you will unearth the treasures before anyone else too!

Costume jewellery-brooches

As well as my love of clothes, I love costume jewellery, particularly brooches. They are a easy way to pretty up an outfit and if you thrift them, can be a cheap accessory too.

Here are my collection of brooches that I've bought over the last couple of years-I'm quite fussy, so I've still a small collection-roll on the boot sales, as I'll be on the hunt for more this summer!

Parfum Christian Dior Brooch, £10 Wansted Rugby Club boot sale

Butler & Wilson kitty brooch, £1 Collier Row boot sale from the lovely mother in law

Double diamante heart brooch, £2 The Red Cross charity shop

'S' brooch, 50p, Church jumble sale

Kenneth Jay Lane for Avon vintage brooch, £4.50, Ebay

Thinking Pink at Net-A-Porter

You would feel very pretty in pink in one of these gorgeous dresses, now available at Net-A-Porter. Click on my link to visit their website and check out what they have to offer for spring and summer 2009:

Vivienne Westwood, £170

Marc Jacobs, £318



Alexander McQueen, £661

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Monroe dress, £300

Catherine Malandrino, £367

Have a fabulous weekend everyone, keep warm and cosy!!