The latest addition to my wardrobe...

One of several purchases last weekend (making the most of the sales!). This cardigan from Urban Outfitters is turning out to be both comfortable and really versatile:

Photo from UrbanOutfitters.co.uk

They wear it well...

I'm a big fan of the Olsen twins' style for their unique looks and the way they put outfits together. Mary-Kate in particular switches seamlessly between her signature Bag Lady-esque look and glam evening wear. There's something a bit mysterious and intriguing about Mary-Kate and Ashley that just adds to the whole look - and their two different styles complement each other really well . I'm also a big fan of the twins' two clothing lines The Row and Elizabeth and James. Their designs look like they reflect their personal styles, which is probably why they look so good wearing them and take every opportunity to show them off:

Ashley in Cashmere tunic and leggings from The Row

Plaid jacket from The Row

"Tokyo" top and blazer from Elizabeth & James, "Motorcycle" pants from The Row

Ashley in The Row and Mary-Kate in Elizabeth & James

Orange parachute dress from Elizabeth & James

Picture credits: Nitrolicious, mary-kateandashley.com

One Woman, Four Cities: Paris

I know this is probably old news to anyone who has opened a magazine in the last month or so, but the Lady Dior ad just keeps catching my eye. The stunning Marion Cotillard is the perfect choice for Dior's 4 part ad campaign titled One Woman, Four Cities. Part 1, set in Paris halfway up the Eiffel Tower, shows that Marion is not only a great actress but has a natural modelling talent as well. The styling is spot on; the slightly dishevelled hair, the quilted bag and what you can see of the gorgeous skirt behind it. Bring on part 2!

Your skin will love you for this...

I don’t often come across beauty products that I could not live without – I’m normally one to chop and change quite regularly and try out new things. I have one exception though… Veld’s Aloe Ferox Pure Pulp is the best beauty invention since Touche Eclat. Pure Pulp was the first product launched in the UK from Veld’s, the French company founded by Joyce Musy. It is made from the Aloe Ferox plant from South Africa, known for its soothing and healing properties. This product is aimed at all ages and apparently has anti-aging effects (my skin is too young to know!), but they recommend several different uses for it. I personally mix it with foundation, which sets the foundation and makes it look lighter. Whatever foundation you are using, this smoothes everything out and keeps it there all day. Seriously, everyone should try this but only if you are willing to use it for the rest of your life as you will not want to stop using it!

For more info or stockists please see http://www.velds.fr/en/

Givenchy Pre-Fall 2009 Collection

I love love love the Givenchy Pre-Fall 2009 collection. Riccardo Tisci has done it again with a combination of sleek, simple dresses and jackets, fur, sequins and all of course with his signature gothic touch. The colour palette is predominantly blacks and greys with a few pastel shades, which makes thhe whole collection tie in together really well. I want it all!

Some highlights:

Way beyond Summer Bay...

It took me a while to place Isabel Lucas when I saw her photo shoot and interview in Jalouse magazine in France recently. I seem to have missed her arrival into the Hollywood crowd, so it took me a second to realise why her face was familiar to me - then I twigged, from the days when Home and Away was on Channel 5 at 6pm and I could get home in time to watch it. I’m pleased she is doing well as I always liked her from the show and she seems a really lovely girl in interviews etc. Not only that, she has such a unique style, quite girly with a definite hippie vibe. Isabel grew up between Queensland and Lausanne, with a Australian father and Swiss mother, and in Queensland lived with an Aboriginal community. In the interview, Isabel talks about the whaling protest she travelled to Japan for in 2007, and some of the charity work she has done in Africa over the years. With my rusty French I managed to pick up the gist of the interview, and she comes across as very mature and focused, and passionate about everything she does e.g. the whaling protest as well as her acting career.

A few pics from the Jalouse shoot:

The first page of the shoot, just shows why Isabel Lucas is the new face to look out for. She looks stunning in this Isabel Marant skirt and American Retro jacket. And again she looks simply gorgeous below in this Marc by Marc Jacobs hat:

I'm not too keen on the outfit she is wearing in this shot, it looks so far removed from her usual style. However it is still a stunning picture, and if anyone can pull off matching burgundy pedal pushers and shoe boots, Isabel can!

Isabel's own style:

I love the fact that she's not afraid to look different - though I'm not quite sure how I feel about the hat and sandals together in the first pic. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing some more of Isabel's style though. And I may even venture to the cinema to see Transformers 2 - my boyfriend will be pleased as I point blank refused to go with him to see the first film...

Colour Injection

I have trouble being colourful. I love colours, but my wardrobe seems to be predominantly made up of black, white, every shade of grey imaginable, and a bit of purple. The colourful clothes I own are normally worn as layers with a grey or black cardigan over the the top - I rely on scarves and bags to brighten up my look. This may have to be a late addition to my new year's resolution list - put the bright clothes I own to more use and get colourful! But while I pluck up the courage to go all-out with colour, I've found some great bags and accessories to perk up any outfit:

1. Warhol bag in Red

2. Zed bag in Mustard

3. Sotero bag in Magenta

All from www.mattandnat.com

1. Bebaroque Bella Tights
2. Pamela Mann over the knee socks
3. Transparenze footless over the knee socks

All from http://www.mytights.com/

1. Fendi belt
2. Alexander McQueen belt
3. Miu Miu headband

All from www.net-a-porter.com

The latest addition to my wardrobe...

Speaking of All Saints, I had some good finds in their sale this week, including this black bubble-hem shirt dress. Perfect for the awkward transition between winter and spring:

I also spotted this gorgeous asymmetric zip crinkle leather jacket. Unfortunately not in the sale :o( But it's definitely on my wish list now!

From http://www.allsaintsshop.co.uk/

New Collection!

I've always been a huge fan of All Saints for their edgily beautiful skirts and dresses, as well as basics like soft cotton t-shirts. And their new collection does not disappoint. Elements of the depression chic trend show through in their crinkled scarves and loose-hemmed tops, combined without their signature colour palette of blacks, browns and greys. Here's some of the highlights:

See more at http://www.allsaintsshop.co.uk/

Proenza Schouler pre-fall 2009

My favourites from the gorgeous pre-fall collection from Proenza Schouler:

Shoes of the moment

My first post is dedicated to my favourite wardrobe staple: shoes :o) Sandals or boots, chunky or skinny, all that matters is higher the better! There are some absolutely gorgeous shoes around this season - I'm loving the patent peep-toe pumps from both Alexander McQueen and Miu Miu, Lanvin's green leather sandals with wooden heel, and of course the snakeskin "Seattle" sandal from Jimmy Choo.

Alexander McQueen:

Miu Miu:

Lanvin:

Jimmy Choo:

Christian Louboutin:

Photos from Net-a-porter.com and Style.com