Escapology

When the snow has fallen and the idea of stepping outside fills you with dread instead of that bracing bravery then what is a girl to do other than pick Spring Summer 11 items. Suddenly my grey world is about to ping with yellow, orange, bright green and azure blue - yippee (if only it were so...)

Miu Miu polka dot silk crepe de Chine scarf £150

In case you feel tempted by those Prada banana earrings at £300...I'm coming to your rescue. Voice of reason £300 on banana earrings is not a good idea. It is ..well...quite frankly...bananas!
Choose Miu Miu instead with these Swarovski crystal heart earrings at £100 if you must flaunt your designer mast on your ears.


Bag this bit of sunshine now!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Cosmo quilted shoulder bag £260

But don't wear any of the above with this perfect orange dress! It will keep you cheery from now until April.

Michael Kors Boucle wool-blend shift dress £910

And keep your fingers crossed these blue babies are in the sale or hot foot it over to the Outnet.
Ah feel better about the grey skies and white snow I'm surrounded by already.

Miu Miu Suede bow ballerina flats £215

I need a lie down rock 'n' roll is killing me...

Well it seems a bit like that. I have realised I am the most useless tour manager for myself. This travelling, packing, printing out e-tickets and returning home, unpacking, repacking malarkey is a bit much. Now I know why they are needed. If I were a tour manager this is what I'd wear.

Minx Leather Jacket DVF Net-A-Porter £680

Helmut Lang Dark Matter t-shirt Selfridges £135

High waisted red skinny jeans Topshop £40

Sykes Ankle boots Matches £558

Now I've got the look just find me a band!

Confusion reigns so off to bed

Sometimes I think not only do people get out of the wrong side of bed but the solar system revolves a different way so your axis is out of step with someone else's axis who say got up before or after you.

This occurs more frequently at this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere due to the short days and the very long nights. In order to avoid these disconnects, clashes and all manner of nonsense it would be better to stay in bed!

Given how cold and how snowy it is, this might not be a bad idea all round. So these are a few sale items to assist a stay in bed. None are romantic, all are for keeping toes and body cosy and warm.

Cath Kidston Dotty Rose Print Jersey Nightie now £20

Toast Flannel PJs £41

Cashmere bed socks £29

Chunky handknit throw £63

Just add a mug of hot chocolate, some magazines, books and let the world go by.....

That Friday Feeling

Why does Friday make you feel like you want to put on high heels, red lipstick and a glam dress? Come Saturday I'm all for sitting in front of the telly with a cup of tea and X Factor.

If I was sipping a Dirty Martini at Mews of Mayfair (for some reason this place is my latest tipple joint) I wish it were in this Acne dress. The combination of sculpture and denim adds an edge plus I'd be able to dress it down with a t-shirt underneath for daytime styling work - ah I can but dream about my fabulous outfit and my Dirty Martini...

Acne Who Denim Strapless Dress £479 my-wardrobe

Three necklaces I need

Technically I need to write my dissertation and think about my career... However, the beauty of being bed ridden (sorry that should be past tense as I'm now up and about) is the time one has to explore the internet. I've had so little time to do this in so many years, it was nearly a joy. I actually thought I'd like an office job again, especially after I discovered 4OD. I watched all the new series of Ugly Betty that I've missed due to never having time to watch tv. Then I got to do window shopping. Usually I've only got a moment to have a quick check of on-line sites, new arrivals, follow up press information and even that is way down in second place to my MA research.

In my moments of wakefulness I got to delve deeply into the many offerings of clothes, bags and accessories. I finally decided that I had to choose three necklaces to add to my potential new wardrobe. Truly I need these necklaces.

My first pick is a Wendy Brandes creation called the Little Woolf Necklace I need this as it will be my writing inspirational aide for my MA dissertation. It will give me the gravitas of Virginia!
The second necklace I need is a gold Maple Leaf by Emilie Hagen I've always loved maple leaves from my days in school at TL Kennedy, Missassagua, Canada. I went there on some progressive experimental school exchange from my comprehensive state school in the UK. I think the experiment was a failure as I have a vague recollection of doing some presentation evening for the Canadian Embassy and most of us who went not doing very well in our GCSE exams. The two schools continued to do a 2 week cultural exchange but the education element was dropped. Hence my nostalgic love of the maple leaf.Finally, a gal always needs a bit of bling and this is the one for me Ora by Dannijo.

Sigh now all I need is a lottery win for number 3, although I think I'll tick number one and two off my list very soon!

Spend wisely

Did you know that Dame Vivienne Westwood was a spokesperson for my Slow Fashion campaign? Well her recent appearance on Jonathan Ross was straight from the pages of Make Do Style until she went into her global warming point - which was well made and heart felt. And she is of course the 'wear your tablecloth' campaigner for Sister Wolf.

The reason I keep banging on about our Dame of late is due to her wonderful Anglomania range. I like the fact the diffusion range she has created loses none of her creativity. I always expect and accept a difference in the construction of the garment but with Anglomania it has a point of its own and is creeping up in my affections and overtaking my Marc by Marc Jacobs fixation.

In short Dame Viv made the point that rather than spend money on updating your wardrobe with the latest fashion, buy one good quality piece if you have to but basically be creative with what you have. If I'm going to follow her advice and mine to the letter then this coat is the one item I should buy.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Grey Propaganda coat £527 from the My-Wardrobe.com new A/W 09 range

The coat has it all, name, colour, detail and cut. This is a coat I can wear. Normally a coat wears me (apart from my leopard print one, but that has to go onto the back burner this season as I've worn it to death, although I'm opening to loaning it out!) It does everything I need it to, just sit on my body and perform. I have to say the way it is styled on my-wardrobe is quite bland but it does show that it can be dressed down and still look good. My savings are on target for an end of August shop to spruce up my wardrobe for the A/W and somehow I'm going to have to compromise on what I need to get this!

A/W 08 wish list

It's time to lay my cards on the table and share my planned A/W 08 purchases. I'll be sticking to my list as for the next 15 months I'll be an MA student and be down to one working day a week.

My must haves to update my wardrobe are a black leather jacket, so far my front runner is Muu:Baa number, £119. But I'll be checking out Zara and Warehouse.

Then to make my hot footing around town on my feet a breeze I'm plumping for Kurt Geiger black biker boots, £140 to work with trousers and skirts.

I'll be buying a pair of 7/8 trousers, Gap apparently have some for £35 which would be perfect if they fit. I find Gap sizing hit or miss depending on the cut. My final purchase will be a red sheer shirt from Jigsaw for £65. And that is my budget blown. Hard student times ahead!