Guilt and Glitz

Once upon a time my blog was a once a day even twice a day posting affair. Much like the heady days of a new romance I was all consumed. Now the relationship is in its 6th year oh boy have the bad habits set in. Wearing pjs or worse to write a new post. Unkempt hair, no make up, failing to shave my legs and chipped nails! Yes I have fallen victim to blogging sloth. I promise I will make it up to you. Why I feel so guilty I'm even going to the Louis Vuitton press day this week so I can bring you the goods and low down on the A/W12 collection. People I don't need to go! My fashion page writing for magazines is high street only, true I might reference designer collections but other than on my blog or when I enter the world of academic discourse I don't really have anything to do with designer collections.

Having said that I will enjoy myself, it will be wonderful to see the items up close and personal in a way I haven't for years so make the effort I will. It will seem absurd that I will be thinking about and planning tips on A/W wear in March whilst enjoying sunshine an heat in London town. But such is the nature of fashion. And of course I can do some fantasy shopping and be inspired.

Inspiration is key to ones personal style and since I've become petit garcon's personal assistant I have worked hard not to fall into a world of bland and banal day to day dressing. I avoid school run cliches in the most part and today was no exception. I wore a Marni for H&M top with a Topshop jumpsuit and my Prada shoes. I will tweet the look as I'm posting in a rush (again bad relationship habits syndrome). I also finished the look with my favourite Belle Fleur ring and a new item the Odette cuff.

Odette Cuff  £85 at Kate Battrick's Stella & Dot web site

I showcase my jewellery every day to inspire the other mums who are quite grateful for school playground style advice. Today's tip to one mum resulted in her spending 70p on squash and a cake for petit garcon as I didn't have my purse in the school playground due to a fund raising effort by the PTA thing (it isn't called the PTA at ours). I'm happy to dispense advice and wear looks that help them to make the effort too. It makes up for my changing role and my Stella and Dot work makes up an income I would have otherwise lost. There are always shifts and compromises to make as a woman especially when you have children. I don't have the life of a person who can give their all to their career and circumstance and choice are the reasons why.

But I do have my little bit of glitz in life to keep me contented. So I will make the most of the press day and I will continue to dress up and keep the style glitz alive on whatever level. Right off to brush my hair and add lippie xx

High Street Pick of the Week

Having had the worst cold for an absolute age, years in fact, I was tempted to do a review of Kleenex tissues versus Cath Kidston pocket ones (left over Christmas stocking fillers for family and friends) and the joys of Benylin original. Instead I give you the joys of printed trousers.

I know it is all about floral pants/trousers but I am not a convert to this trend. I like to see it on others but not on me. I have nearly succumbed on many an occasion but always pull back. However this week in the name of style advice I tried on a pair of printed (note not floral) trousers in H&M. I felt okay in them and if I was going on a girls night out I think I would wear them as my statement piece and feel nicely fashion forward but I would not venture an outing in them with Mr MDS who would think I had given up making the effort and snuck out wearing my pyjamas. Of course they are not Pjs!! They are sartorial elegance de jour.

My preference is for a print other than floral and these are cheap and a lovely colour for the S/S12 season and will be exceedingly useful in a Mediterranean or hot holiday destination if you couldn't face an outing in them on these shores.

Wear with high heels and a metallic top for evening and a white t-shirt and flats for day.

Patterned trousers £14.99 H&M

A good old fashioned staple

I'm about to sort out my wardrobe and change everything around to a spring summer focus. I fold my most obvious winter items up and put them neatly above my everyday clothes as I don't like to pack them away in case I need something. It isn't that much that goes above as most of my clothes are trans season and work all year round except for the obvious like heavy coats and winter jumpers. I like to layer and use scarves as much as possible without killing a look so most items work all year round.

I was reminded of this the other day whilst compiling an Isabella Oliver 365 Collection wishlist on the district line en route to Wimbledon. I love the mix of useful items they produce and season designs. My favourite item has to be the black jersey shirt. Simple yet effective when it comes to style stakes.

 Essential Jersey Shirt £69 Isabella Oliver 365 Collection

This season I would wear it with white skinny jeans and strappy flats. Plus I would be tempted to don a headscarf and over sized sunglasses to make like Jackie O.

High St Pick of the Week

One minute you are desperate to reshuffle you wardrobe and bring out all the your spring summer gear and the next it is back to winter clobber. Welcome to life on the British Isles. This temperate climate of ours is proverbial pain when it comes to sartorial style. One minute your thinking the sandals the next socks and boots. Still this madness of March will soon be gone and perhaps style clarity will prevail which still means in my book a useful chunky knit for the rest of the spring months and of an evening in the summer.

Which is why my high street pick of the week is more internet pick of the week but you'd think it was a useful high street buy. The chunky knit I'm picking to represent the pick of the week slot is from Boden. Yes, yes I know hangs head in shame, recent convert and all that, forgive me Johnnie I have used you poorly blah blah. That over lets get to the nub of why this knit ticks all the boxes.

Firstly I'll insert a poor image of me wearing said jumper which arrived yesterday-  with my Marni for H&M skirt, leggings and my Prada shoes. I want to show you how the jumper works in a non Boden photo shoot context.

And here is the jumper to purchase from Boden at £59. Mine is in Ecru and there are 6 colours to choose from.

Textured Stitch Jumper £59 Boden