Winter in leopardprint and OTK boots

A couple of weeks ago, hubby kindly treated me to some over the knee boots, which are flat, faux leather patent and very comfy and rainproof. I decided to wear them for the first time this weekend for shopping in town and with the weather all rainy, windy and cold I wore my faux fur vintage leopardprint coat.

As you can see from the second picture, I had to add my snood.

Are you ready for winter?

Boots over at Dorothy Perkins

Dorothy Perkins has a great selection of boots available to suit all style tastes and prices. Here are my favourite picks:

Biker boots, £55

Lace panel boots, £42

Over the knee boots, £50

Stone suede boots, £65

HeatTech @Uniqlo

I've always been a fan of Uniqlo, I find their items really wash and wear well, are stylish and are very reasonably priced. A couple of weeks ago I decided to try their HeatTech range.

It has Seven Technologies, which are: Heat Generation, Heat Retention, Soft Texture, Odour Control, Stretchable Comfort, Anti-Static and Non Deforming.

Well I ordered a dark brown polo neck jersey and a royal blue scoop neck jersey and although I've only wore the royal blue one, it certainly kept me warm when I layered it with a bolero on top. It also washed up well and looks like it barely needs ironing.

The polo neck version is available in an array of different colours and is on sale price for £7.99

The scoop neck is also available in different colours for £9.99

There are also different styles available and I do recommend them from personal use-they are a stylish and warm way to layer up this winter!!

Cosy Knitwear @ Net-A-Porter

Net-A-Porter have some really gorgeous knitwear available at the moment, here are some of my favourites-I especially love the Bella Freud and Helmut Lang ones best!!

Bella Freud Jumper, £200

DKNY Sweater, £130

DKNY Cozy Cardi, £180

Helmut Lang Sweater, £185

Sonia Rykiel Sweater, £170

Weekend Outfit Post

Its been a little while since my last outfit post, so I thought I'd picture what I wore on Saturday for shopping in town. I'm wearing my Issey Miyake jacket, which I like wearing underdone, as it creates a waterfall effect. I've also got on as arm warmers (underneath) which are some leg warmers from H&M-they make a good layer if you're wearing a short sleeve top, which is what my poloneck body is.

I'm also wearing for the first time these high heel leather boots, which were bought at the boot sale in Spring. They are from Next and have a back lace up detail and were only £4.

Then I also have on my belt from Morocco, a favourite of mine. This weekends weather has been really horrid, torrential rain and winds, just as well I wasn't out for much of it, LOL!!

Designer buy @ The British Heart Foundation

I thought I'd go thrifting last week, more for a browse as I haven't been as regularly as I used to. In the Cancer Research shop, I passed up on some Paul & Joe Sister checked trousers as they were too small and some Joseph trousers had a slight tear in them by their previous owner. I then went on to the British Heart Foundation, where I found a pair of Marc Jacobs trousers. I tried these on, but they were made for a 6 foot model-very long, very wide and with a slight stain down the front, so these went back on the rail.

As a last look, I spied this shorts jumpsuit-according to the Guardian and also judging by Topshops range, they are still very much in trend.

And the label I found? Well, I was 80% certain, but McQ, was surely the 'L'Enfant Terrible's' Diffusion collection, wasn't it? I thought I'd try it on and if it fitted, I'd take a chance and buy it, well for £4.80 it was well worth it.

When I got home, I checked out Net-A-Porter and yes, indeed, it was Alexander McQueens Diffusion line, McQ!! I may try and wear it this winter with opaque tights and a cardi but it will definitely be worn in summer too.

So, if you are prepared to rummage, Designer goodies can be discovered at the Charity shops-please believe that it's not a myth!!

Christmas ideas from MyWardrobe

Is mum, dad, boyfriend or hubby finding it difficult to know what to get you this Christmas, especially if you are wanting them to stick to a budget but still want that Designer touch? Check out these lovelies available at MyWardrobe.com which are all under £75 and I'm sure would be a welcome addition under your Christmas tree!!

See By Chloe keyring, £35

Nicole Farhi Beanie, £50

See By Chloe keyring, £48

Sonia Rykiel gloves, £65

Sonia Rykiel beret, £34

I really love the Sonia Rykiel gloves and Nicole Farhi beanie-whats on your Christmas list?

Season Basic-A Black Skirt

Well, this isn't really so much a season basic, more a wardrobe basic, but funnily enough before I bought this, I didn't have a black skirt in my wardrobe (only a work one-that doesn't count!!)

So, I spied this black pencil skirt which judging by the style, you would not think is by good old Marks & Spencer. It has a great stretch to it, giving it a good fit, but it was the zipper detailing that really sold it to me. This was from the British Heart Foundation charity shop for £3.99.

I'm sure this will be a very versatile piece in my wardrobe and I'll wear it this winter with opaques, heeled boots, a woollen jumper and one of my biker jackets.

Thrifting, Vintage and Style-Labels to look out for!!

Following on from my previous thrifting post last month, many of you may well be chomping at the bit to go and find a designer bargain-but do you know your labels?

Well to get you started, here is a fairly comprehensive list of past and present International designers you should be looking out for!!

Haute Couture labels, past and present, include:

Balmain, Balenciaga, Chanel, Christian Lacroix, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Feraud, Nina Ricci, Thierry Mugler, Valentino, Worth and Yves Saint Laurent.

Worldwide Labels include:

Alaia, Alexander McQueen, Bill Blass, Chloe, Claude Montana, Diane Von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Emilio Pucci, Escada, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Helmut Lang, Hermes, Herve Leger, Isaac Mizrahi, Issey Miyake, Jil Sander, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Marni, Missoni, Michael Kors, Miu Miu, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Roland Mouret, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sonia Rykiel, Stella McCartney, Versace, Viktor & Rolf

UK Labels include:

Aquascutum, Betty Jackson, Bruce Oldfield, Burberry, Christopher Kane, Jaeger, Jasper Conran, Jean Muir, John Rocha, Joseph, Julien MacDonald, Katherine Hamnett, Luella, Margaret Howell, Matthew Williamson, Mulberry, Nicole Farhi, Temperley, Vivienne Westwood, Zandra Rhodes, Terry De Havilland

Older Labels include:

Annacat, Biba, Bill Gibb, Body Map, Bus Stop, Gerald McCann, Gina Fratini, Hardy Amies, Janice Wainwright, Jean Varon aka John Bates, Laura Ashley, Marion Donaldson, Mary Quant, Norman Hartnell, Ossie Clark, Pam Hogg, Quad, Quorum, Radley, Patrick Kelly, Stephen Sprouse

USA Labels include:

Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Norma Kamali, Todd Oldham, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, Zac Posen, Zang Toi

Other International Labels of note include:

Alice McCall, Ann Demeulemeester, Cerruti, Christian Francis Roth, Dries Van Noten, Georges Rech, Leonard, Paganne, Martin Margiela, Cacharel, Hugo Boss, Marc Cain, Strenesse, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Giambattista Valli

Feel free to print this off and take out with you when you thrift and hurrah for any of you who have successfully thrifted any of these labels-definitely worth keeping hold of these beauties!!

R&R for the weekend!!

The last boot sale I went to in October was a great success for clothes and accessories, so its a shame that they are now winding down for winter where I live.

As well as my clothes and bags, I also hunted down some favourite DVDs for the weekends, now the weather is getting chillier, there is nothing nicer than settling down and watching a DVD or two.

You can see my favourites, they are Zoolander-a very fashion filled, funny fabulous film, Oceans Twelve, all my favourite people in this one! The Talented Mr Ripley is another firm favourite, I love Gwyneths wardrobe in it too!! Three Kings-I'm beginning to notice a George Clooney theme here, LOL and lastly an 80s fave, Beverly Hills Cop 2. DVDs were all only £1 each and these are all films that I'll watch over and over again too.

Here's to a good Rest & Relaxation weekend for all of you, whatever you get upto!!

Chloe Find & My Wardrobe Philosophy-How I View It

I've been really inspired by two of my favourite bloggers latest posts-the lovely Make Do Style posted here about 'Thought of the Week-Clothing Allowance or Budget' and the gorgeous Wendy B posted a link to her fab post about 'Why Does Buyers Guilt Focus on Fashion'. They were both such interesting reads and although I don't really budget as such, I've finally learnt my Wardrobe Philosophy, which is to buy quality items that are either wardrobe basics or have the 'Wow factor'.

The reason I don't have a clothing budget is that I generally do 95% of my shopping in the Charity shops or Boot sales and as I am so selective in my purchases, its usual for me to spend from £1 to £5 on an item and its rare that one piece will be £10 to £20.

I'm always looking in my very local charity shop, if not once a day on the way to or from work, then every other day.

The first picture is a gorgeous Chloe blouse from Matches Fashion for £701. Its lovely, but I certainly couldn't spend that sort of money-even if I could afford to-on a blouse.

So you can imagine how please I was to snap up this lovely one earlier this week from my local Sue Ryder Care for only £4.95!! Pricewise, its on par with a new blouse from Primark, but I know which I would rather!!

Its the perfect summer blouse-I'll team it with jeans most probably and its certainly an investment piece in my wardrobe. Its a typical Chloe style, with the ruffles and pintucking, a quintessential summer blouse that is timeless in style.

I culled some of my wardrobe last week and next to wardrobe basics, have these plus items which to me have the 'wow factor'. To me quality beats quantity every time.

Funnily enough, I don't have a 'Signature Style' but I tend to buy what I like-preferably vintage pieces and designer if I can find it. Its good to open your wardrobe and have stylish timeless, good quality pieces that will work for you year after year and season after season. We are all guilty of buying on impulse or ending up with items that are on trend but just don't suit us-note to self, no more shiny snakeskin leggings, LOL! I've learnt that I can actually like pieces but appreciate that its not necessarily right for me.

Having items in my wardrobe that are from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and noughties give such a variation in style and moods and as long as you care properly for your items, even a small wardrobe can last years and pay dividends.

There you go, thats my Wardrobe Philosophy, hope it inspires you too, in looking for quality over quantity wherever you shop-be it in the charity shops, boot sales, Ebay, T K Maxx, The Outnet or Net-A-Porter.
Happy Shopping and don't forget 'Shop Your Own Wardrobe' before you step out the house or browse the 'net, you may well save yourself some money or re evaluate what you actually need or want!!

Carbon Neutral Products @ Louise Galvin

Louise Galvin is one of the top hair colourists in the UK. She launched her Carbon Neutral beauty company in 2003 and ingredients such as SLS, parabens, petrochemicals, silicone and synthetic fragrances are not to be found in any of her products-clean formulations are the byword for her hair and beauty products.

By using Louise’s unique formulas means hair colour lasts longer and regains it's kind of youthful shine and bounce that can be lost through the colouring process.

Her clientele includes Sophie Dahl, Patsy Kensit and American Vogue editor and author Plum Sykes, along with countless other women who rely on Louise’s 20 years experience as a colourist. She has also trained many of the top colourists working all over the world today, whilst she is based at her father’s famous Daniel Galvin salon in London.

Her Natural Hair Care products include: Body Care; Fine Hair Collection; Mothers To Be, New Mothers and Baby Too; Natural locks; The Curly Hair Collection; The Discovery Collection and Traveller.

Prices start from a very reasonable £10 per product and for a lot of the products, an extra 25ml is only £2 extra!

One of the Frequently Asked Questions is are the products also suitable for hair that is not coloured-well yes they are-the gentle formulations and natural ingredients make all Louise's products suitable for both coloured and uncoloured hair, and ideal for all the family.

Vitox, another unique product from Louise, is a two-pack chemistry which naturally aids oxygen and vitamin uptake and provides a perfect platform for successful colour treatment. It is an ideal product if your hair is discoloured from 'holiday' hair or is hair is looking dull and tired.

Her range is completely available worldwide too, not just from her London salon. Check out the stockists via her website and if you are in Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Russia or the USA, you will be able to indulge in her products-go on, what are you waiting for-check it out!!

Next- My New Coat!

When I went shopping with my mum last month, she very kindly bought me my Christmas present of a new coat. Its from Next and you can see it here

It really was a good bargain-£65 and yes, I know for me that I don't generally spend this sort of money, I think for a High Street coat which is a wool blend was really good value for money.

Its a great fit, belted and has an oversized collar which along with the houndstooth check design drew me to it.

Next really does have some great pieces, do check them out online or in store.