Don't worry sunshine is around the corner

Well, fingers crossed, hey! I'm sure it is, we'll all be able to dust off those sandals and pretty frocks soon enough. However given we are not tripping the light fantastic with those heady days of after works drinks to relish the warmer weather, why not get some preparation in instead.

What really makes a look is the finishing touches and for starters the lovely Mrs Fab has a wonderful DIY Pedi post on her blog. 
Now is also the time to get your hair cut and apply a hair treatment to get it in great glossy mane shape. Why not apply a home made potion on you locks. Sali Hughes did a great review of hair masks for all budgets in The Guardian

When it comes to your wardrobe I suggest you really re-evaluate what you have and get rid of any items you are never going to wear again. These are usually items which are worn and need repairing or you've had them since 1994 and seriously you are never going to wear them again.

Make a list of what you need and look for items that are discounted or wait for the sale as they will be very soon as retailers have been badly affected by the weather and are going to want to shift stock.

In the meantime you can help me decide which sandals to buy. The choice is between a pair from New Look (top) or Zara (bottom) and no I can't get both! Please leave your vote in the comments box as I seem to be inept at adding a voting button below!

Update: I put a voting thingy on the side!
UPDATED Update: 66% of you said 'aye' to the Zara ones. Thank you for helping me in my shoe hour of need. I ordered the Zara sandals into my local Zara store in Kingston. The order into store thingy is marvellous btw!

Fashion & Politics a Nautical issue

 Striped Breton top £38 Kew.159

There is something about tradition when it comes to fashion that gives us certainty. Nothing carries a greater sense of tradition in terms of work and fashion than the Breton stripy tee. It's reference with the sea, sailors and fishermen was appropriated by the grand dame of fashion Coco Chanel as she modernised the dress codes of women. There's not many of us who at one time or another who haven't adopted a white trouser with deck shoes and stripy tee look. For some it is the default look albeit updated now with skinny jeans, boots or converse and a black jacket.

And as it is a tradition of the fash pack, might we not be called upon to assist the future fortunes of sea faring folk by signing an e-petition to save the closure of Coastguard stations. Their work will be transferred to call centres. I know who dreams up these things. The poor Coastguards are desperately fighting a proposed modernisation that in fashion terms is akin to removing the stripy tee in all its permutations and insisting we make do with something else instead - imagine!

Let's stand up for the tradition that gave us the stripy top and sign the e-petition to stop the closures

High St Pick of the Week

Betwixt and between is the sum total of our wardrobe experience at the moment. The idea of skimpy summer clothes seems unimaginable as downpours, cool winds and meagre sunshine are the current order of the day. Retailers have been suffering with appalling April monthly figures due to the weather. Normally you would be inspired or carried away in the heat of the moment, sunshine gives people hope and you would be happy to add a few summer pieces to your wardrobe as part of the longer days and warmer months.

When it is like this, forget fashion as a trend moment and look to build some useful additions that have longevity. Basics, layering items or anything useful that you feel is missing from your wardrobe that can pull looks together.

The cardigan is one such item that falls into the exceedingly useful bracket. It's versatility lies in its ability to be worn as a layer of warmth which can easily be put on or taken off. To act as a jacket or cape. Add a skinny belt over an open v neck cardigan and it has more structure and formality. Wear a cardigan over your shoulders and it says 'nonchalant' in many ways. It can when buttoned up pose as jumper and when only half buttoned up it is exploring it's options as a style item. A crew neck, a boyfriend and a v-neck is all you need.

To add variety a Breton style cardigan can add the X Factor to an outfit. A step away from the traditional top or jumper, it is to be enjoyed for work or weekend. Isabella Oliver 365 Collection are a good stop for quality and cut so your cardigan has legs in years of wear.

Breton Zip Cardigan Isabella Oliver 365 £89.00

Style & Stuff take back seat due to Puppy Days

It is true puppy days is where it is all at currently. Although puppy Patches Valentino did have a fashion moment yesterday attending a bra video shoot. I am truly amazed at how doting, soppy and in love I am with my our new puppy. He consumes my waking and *ahem* sleeping.

Really I should be sharing the Louis Vuitton press day stuff with you but instead I bring you Patches. I just promise you will never catch me wearing a doggy top or cardigan.

The day we got him!!

 

Patches on location!!

No place for Pucci prints

 In my heart I live in a warm climate and rarely worry about what I put on. A typical day would be to wear some sandals, slides or flip flops. I'd have a wonderful kaftan and jersey dress wardrobe to throw on with ease and a Pucci number would be my pride and joy.

 Pucci jersey dress £810 Net-A-Porter

In reality I live in a country that demands wet weather gear for cold and warm weather. As an island the UK doesn't have the perfectly defined seasons of larger countries or land locked areas in the Northern Hemisphere.
Sometimes getting dressed is based purely on needs must and currently needs must is long sleeve top or t-shirt with cardigan then a trench coat or other lightweight coat with or without a scarf depending on the wind. I've been living in my high top Springforms which are the French equivalent of Converse.

How I long for some sunshine and its carefree ways. Until then I'll be dreaming of sun, sea and sand. Keep popping those Vitamin D tablets!

High St Pick of the Week

It is a small, compact lightweight item which fits easily into your bag. You need this item as there is no point in even thinking about buying anything else this month! Make do with what you have and start hoping this item will be redundant shortly!

 Fulton Tiny Umbrella in black from John Lewis online £17

Jubilee Jewels

 Limited Edition Elizabeth Bracelet £26*

Last Friday night I got the mother of a Jubilee hangover! How can 6 neighbours planning a day of fun for the kids and the neighbours end up drinking and chatting till 3 am? I'm no Royalist, in fact if there was a vote today or tomorrow to get rid of them I'd be putting my X in the Yes box. Liz, it is nothing personal. In fact I really like you, Philip, Anne, Wills, Harry and new addition Kate. I love that you all provide me with entertainment, it is simply I am not a hierarchy type of person. I recognise that there will always be top dogs, that with or without Royalty the predilection of humans is to gain power and status.

Probably the only thing I truly love about Royalty and Dynasties through the ages is the pomp and ceremony. The fact they like a good pile of jewels. One of the reasons I love Wendy Brandes Fine Jewelry is her wonderful creative inspiration from history particularly those inspired by past Queens. My favourite is the Marie Antoinette ring, the Queen who famously did in the French aristocracy with her excess. Of course it was a lot more complicated than that but her contribution to it all is more interesting due to her clothes and jewellery!

I love Wendy's jewellery because she is the creative driving force, she is an independent and produces great quality items. The only point of departure for me is the skull and vampire stuff because it just ain't my bag. Her pop culture range is fantastic! It is F@#! amazing. How I would love to get me some silver or gold swear rings to wear to our Jubilee bash. Well it seems as if Topshop thought so too and intentionally or unintentionally 'ripped off' the design and made some cheap versions of which I'm not going to link too. The notion of swear rings or designs borne of historical context is nothing new. Creativity is often aligned, but seriously in this case 'ripped off' is the only explanation given the exactness of the cheaper version execution.

The original and the best Wendy Brandes Swear Rings in sterling silver $380

All Wendy can do is persist in a shaming campaign against Topshop. Much in the same way my 3am fun has resulted in me not being able to face the thought of wine again for a long long time. Sometimes you overdose on good times and Topshop you need to rein in the excess of covering all bases and perhaps ask for or pay for creativity.

Wendy has a range of jewellery of which most is higher end products but having seen the designs and the quality in real life I'm spoiled by the knowledge. I would choose to buy from Wendy all the time if I could afford to and I'm saving up for a higher end piece as it will a wonderful piece to own.

Meanwhile I'm preparing my world for the arrival of puppy Patches and still selling a jewellery range that has its own fine jewellery design team, collaborates with jewellery designers and is a mid range offering. Stella & Dot thankfully doesn't attempt to steal the crown jewels of another designer but it is offering a Jubilee jewel in the form of the Elizabeth bracelet priced at £26 as HRH was born in 1926.

Whether you are joining in, flag waving and getting into the spirit or thinking B*!!@#^$ to it all there is a piece of jewellery to suit you mood and your price range - just don't go down to Topshop and waste your pennies you all!


* 20% of proceeds from the Limited Edition Elizabeth Bracelet to help raise proceeds for The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. The Trust aims to distribute all donations across a wide variety of charities ensuring many small charities across the commonwealth receive the support they so need.

UPDATE earlier this evening Topshop tweeted an apology to Wendy Brandes and have withdrawn their rings!!

Puppy Love

My life is about to be turned upside down with the imminent  arrival of a puppy. It was by pure chance I fell in love with this little chaps, henceforth to be known as Patches. Petit garcon was determined to call him Patches although I will refer to him as Patch. He is a Parson Russell Terrier.

Just when the trend for doggie motifs on jumpers etc. has moved on I feel free to indulge in some puppy love.

Shoppers

Not the hoards, not even the diminished hoards as we all brace ourselves for recession but the handy bags to have as shoppers. Bags that save you carrying plastic branded bags. Bags that allow you to make that New Look purchase with no shame seeing as it was a toss up between sandals from Zara at 49.99 or New Look at £29.99 - recessionista choices are a coming! Above is the holy grail of a shopper the Anya Hindmarch Nevis leather shopper at £595 from Net A Porter!

You want one that is easy to carry will last you a number of years and get can that worn in look. Leather or canvas are the main options. , although there are brands that produce shoppers in other materials that are worth thinking about, like the Longchamp or Cath Kidston ones that fold up.

Your shopper is preferably a neutral colour and you need it to work on a shopping for all manner of things/weekend bag/holiday holdall. You also don't want it to break the bank and most importantly you need to love it. Loving the bag will make it last. Avoid obvious logo'd bags, aim for more avant garde nonchalance. If it weren't so rainy I recommend baskets too but what's the point we live in the UK not the Mediterranean!

Large rigid shopper £89.99 Zara 

 Weekend collection shopper bag by John Lewis £85

This is your affordable friend and is a solid bit of shopper kit. It will wear well and be exceedingly useful. Leather or canvas are the main options for a shopper, although there are brands that produce shoppers in other materials that are worth thinking about, like the Longchamp or Cath Kidston ones that fold up.

Longchamp Le Pliage large shopper £72 Selfridges or other retailers - sorry about the small image!

Cath Kidston Mini Dot fold away shopper £38

Queen Bee...

  ....of the fashion industry is a close call for me. There are a few big contenders. Past notables are Coco Chanel and Diana Veerland. Present heavy weights are Miuccia Prada and Anna Wintour.

With the exception of Yves Saint Laurent and Valentino I am always drawn to the female players of the fashion industry, they seem to have all the drive and passion. I know fashion favourites come and go DVF is a good example of a career gone and back again. I admire Phoebe Philo tons and have a soft spot for Stella but Anna is my queen fashion bee.

Am I the only person to love the Devil Wears Prada for all the wrong reasons. As a caricature of Ms Wintour,the book only lead me to admire her more not least because she turned up years later for the film premier wearing Prada. My favourite moment in the September Issue is her meeting with Stefano Pilati and her concern over his collection 'it is a lot of black' and guess who has been proved right!

Such is her precision she steers away from being an obvious fashionista preferring her signature style of hair, dressing and shoes. Yes those Manolo Blahnik's! (Just to remind you Pearl)

I always view the shoe situation as Anna being a bit of a Make Do Style girl at heart. She knows the value of wearing comfy heels and not getting distracted by anything 'it' status.

 

Anyway I love Anna and so when I found out she had specifically requested this necklace for her after its inclusion in Vogue, I jumped for joy as I have one too!

Stella & Dot Bianca Tassel Necklace £120