Skirting the issue

As much as I have to make a massive effort this year to clear my student debts completely, I cannot do another post peddling my wares (well I'll have to do one later!). Pearl of Fashion Pearls of Wisdom and I could bore Britain with our educational sacrifices and the worth of it all despite our student debts. Which reminds me don't forget to vote for Pearl in the Company Style Blogger Awards.

Ironically both Pearl and I were awarded our PHd and MA respectively in the worst economic times. My employment options are further confounded by the delightful petit garcon and then personally I have no idea how I would work for a company as I have been freelance for so long. I'm lucky that a couple of my clients love me so much they indulge my desire to look after the petit as my first priority whilst understanding I need to earn some money. Therefore I work from home with the occasional venture into central London for style assignments. This year I set myself the tough task of clearing the remainder of my student debt. I self funded my course fees, the course and all my living expenses. I minimised the debt by a few big styling jobs but in short I hammered a credit card. It is this credit card which I need to tackle now rather than the minimum payment option.

Stella and Dot as an additional source of income has been a lifeline, more so to do with the social nature of it. I try to work twice a week with a jewellery trunk show and it is like going out!. It is hard work and effort but when I get paid weekly the difference it makes is enormous. Hence my peddling of my wares.

Even when I'm in my hard work mode I do need a break and there is one fashion garment that always lifts my spirits - the skirt! A skirt is often the hardest garment to pull off but when you do the joy is next to nothing (in my world). I love a frock but they are the easiest item to throw on and then complete the look with. A skirt is an issue - a style conundrum. You can kill a skirt by getting it wrong. When you wear a skirt it is the main feature, everything else is merely the chorus.

This coming season's offering are a wow! Lots of print, pencil, a-line and full skirt frippery. From short to maxi the choice is enormous. Here are some of the emerging high st offerings and this is only the start...

River Island black print pencil skirt £25

Topshop Large Spot circle skirt £38

Cupids 7 Glorious Gifts - Entwined

Do you remember doodling your name and a boys name in a heart shape with the original word 'forever'. How I loved the feeling of forever even if it only lasted a few days which in my case was quite frequent. Gosh that rush of passionate feelings, never expressed and fulfilled. Nowadays I'm a forever girl with Mr MDS and I feel no urge to write our names together and the obligatory 'forever' and the heart.

Thank goodness there is this wonderful Together Forever Necklace as an alternative to the heart doodle, it feels more modern more entwining.

Together Forever Necklace £40 Stella & Dot

Shipping schedule: standard delivery guaranteed before 11am on Thursday February 9th. Express delivery is available until 11am on Monday February 13th.

Cupids 7 glorious gifts - smelling of roses

I'm probably alone in this world as I don't really like chocolate. Don't get me wrong I will and do eat chocolate but I never think about it or have to have it and when I get given chocolate I always feel slightly disappointed! However I never tire of flowers and roses, including any flower or rose based products as they are always a joy.

I am loving the rose gold jewellery that this season is bringing. Like roses or rose perfume, rose gold seems to work with other metals and on its own give a lustre to one's skin, just like dew on roses. I'm smitten.

Rhea Bangles, set of three hammered rose gold bangles £65 www.stelladot.co.uk/katebattrick

Shipping schedule: standard delivery guaranteed before 11am on Thursday February 9th. Express delivery is available until 11am on Monday February 13th.

Cupids 7 glorious gifts - love and the Single Girl

I should have started a countdown to Valentine's Day on the 1st of February but I thought you might all want to strangle me by the 13th! Instead to temper my enthusiasm of promoting my wares with a modicum of restraint I'm posting a week of  Cupids 7 glorious gifts instead. To kick the series off I'm starting with love and the single girl!

When I was a single girl I refused to feel left out or hopeful on Valentine's Day. It isn't a romantic novel whereby a longed for lover appears bearing flowers, gifts and declarations of intent. In reality it has become a commercial opportunity. It is a lovely day if you are with someone as it so nice to make the effort to enjoy each other and celebrate your time together. Nothing could be simpler or nicer.

But if you are a single girl there are things you can do to celebrate your love for you! I once sent myself flowers to work. Of course everyone was intrigued and I merely smiled and probably blushed at one point but it changed the nature of the day and it isn't just about romance.

I wouldn't send myself flowers now instead I would select this necklace from my Stella and Dot website. Who knows when Cupids arrow will strike - a single girl needs to look good!

On the Mark Necklace £45 www.stelladot.co.uk/katebattrick

Shipping schedule: standard delivery guaranteed before 11am on Thursday February 9th. Express delivery is available until 11am on Monday February 13th.

High St Pick of the Week

Technically it should be thermals! How cold is it. Brrrr. Still one cannot let a little matter of minus degree temperatures get in the way of fashion.

This weeks pick might take your breath away, you know the one that freezes at the moment when you step outside. Shorts! Is the woman mad? Well, the latter is up for debate but the former isn't. Wear now with tights and ankle boots and come summer with wedges, heels, flats or converse the choice is yours.

 Ted Baker Relbele Jacquard Short £89

The Look for Much Less

For those of us who love a flat shoe then the coming season is a joy due to the wonderful Chanel collection and the sublime Valentino one. Both shows gave us flatties a get out of jail card to eschew the high heel fashion brigade, although I am mightily tempted by some mules.

 Chanel S/S12

Valentino S/S12

The fact the minimalistic and strappy flat sandals were worn with formal suits and dresses changes the nature of wearing this style of sandal which typically has been a casual option. 

Now the chances of me getting my mitts on a pair of Chanel or Valentino flats is nigh on nil so the high street will be scoured for options that fit the flat bill with a nod to the catwalks. You need to look for an element of black, strappy and a metallic detail. It will be a few weeks yet before the options get going but for now I'll kick off with these pair of sandals from M&S.

M&S Limited Collection Block Heel Sandals £29.50

An affair to remember

It is an incredible enduring story that finds itself referenced across a multitude of films, stories and news items many many years after the event. The affair of Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor and of course Wallis Simpson. My only interest in Wallis Simpson is purely to do with her personal style. I have even been tempted to see Madonna's W.E. just to have a moment of costume heaven. But a friend of mine who went for the same reason didn't last until the end so I will wait until it appears on television so I can Sky+ it and fast forward as required!

 I never tire of her images although I do consider her quite loathsome although Anna Sebba's That Woman is a good read even though you think you know most of her story anyway. It is the way she wore jewellery so well, in fact exceeding well that fascinates me. It washer ability to wear ornate piece and make it look effortless. The fact she would pile it on and it would look effective and simple.

 Photo: Cecil Beaton Studio archive at Sotheby's from The Telegraph

A brooch from the Sotheby's auction of the Duchess of Windsor's jewellery

When I saw this piece in the Stella and Dot design studio I drew breath as it immediately reminded me of Simpson and the 1930s. It is currently a preview of what will be the Autumn Winter 12/13 jewellery collection but for me it is a must have piece, my own little love affair. I'd better get saving those pennies or find myself a Duke of Windsor, I'm not sure Mr MDS wants to play that role!

 Isis Necklace Stella and Dot £170

PS There is less expensive version which is the panther pendant and is a great everyday piece to wear.

Panther Pendant Necklace £40

High St Pick of the Week

This is a personal selection and after my other post you'd be forgiven for thinking all I've been doing is shopping! I have made a few purchases but within my £100 budget from now until May. The budget is now spent.

The shops are still awash with sales items and the trickle of new seasons clothes is just that a trickle. Tucked away in a corner of the Oxford Street branch of Zara was this dress. I wouldn't have been in there had I not been working with a client. I like to think it was fate that found me the most palest of pink dresses. It is a colour I love and I grabbed the item and it became mine!

Dress with Draped Sleeves £45.99