WANTED: M&S AW13 Lingerie collection .... All of it

It's been a long time since I drooled over lingerie as much a I did at the M&S AW13 press show last week. I literally had to photograph every piece to make a mental note of what I was going to buy as soon as it was available. I can't tell you how long I've been waiting for a collection of feminine, girlie, chic and sexy underwear without having to spend an arm and a leg. Oh how I would love to fill my lingerie drawer with La Perla and Agent Provocateur  pieces but for me, other investment buys will always take precedence.  

Looking at the M&S AW13 range, I noticed one key theme; it's all gone back to glamour and femininity incorporating different textures of lace, soft silk and intricate lingerie detailing. 

There's obviously something for everyone at M&S when it comes lingerie, but personally I feel like the 'push-up bra' with extreme padding look is dated. Secret support for those who need it is obviously a different story, but I am a little over the boobs up to my chin look (we've all done it) and beginning to embrace a more natural, soft silhouette.This AW13 collection was full of soft bralets, non-padded lace bras, high waisted knickers and retro inspired long line bras. The Rosie for Autograph  range also didn't disappoint with its collection of gorgeous silk Camisoles and French designed  Teddy's to encourage us even more to invest in some decent sleepwear. The collection starts to hit stores and online in July and I'm pretty sure they're going to sell instantly. Love it all. 

My favourite picks from the AW13 collection 

Rosie for Autograph silk Teddy

Limited Collection underwear set 

Autograph bra and knicker set 

Bring me Sunshine!

I have literally had a smile on my face all day today as I can't quite get over how amazing the weather has been.
For those of you not living in the UK, you may think I'm  being a little over dramatic but after the long Winter we've had, it is a breath of fresh air just to have sunshine and warmth at last!
I wasn't expecting it to be as warm as it was today so went for a safe Spring outfit, layering up my little ASOS dress, black tights along with my trusted Zara blazer .As predicted, the studded ankle boots  I introduced in one of my previous posts  is fast becoming my favourite pair as they go with everything and are so comfy!
The thing about Summer in the UK (especially by the sea in Brighton) is that you can never be too sure when the temperature will suddenly drop and get cold, so I have formed a habit of taking lots of layers out with me just in case. Yes I may sound like an old woman but I have learnt the hard way, nearly freezing to death after not being prepared for the schizophrenic Bipolar UK summer.
The only thing I'd say about my outfit today is that it's a little too dark for such a nice day ( black and navy with the black tights) This has now probed me to rummage through my summer wardrobe and start including brights, florals and pastels to my Spring collection just for days like this :-)  

Soaking up the Sun

Girl Friday: 'British 'Summer' dressing

Having schizophrenic weather is really not helpful when working out what on earth to wear. I got up this morning ready to wear my denim shorts only to be woken up by rain! So... on come my trusted Hunter Wellies and Parkas only to be met with bright sunshine 2 hours later! What the hell is going on??? 
I guess the thing about dressing for the British weather is all about layering up and being prepared. I always make sure that my sunglasses and mini umbrella are in my handbag and check the weather forecast a minute before I leave my house. 
When the weather is so unpredictable, I can't really deal with dressing up or wearing heels so I decided for a casual Friday look with a pair of black jeans and shirt with of course my Hunter boots. 
Knowing what to wear for the British Summer hard work! Happy Friday! xx 

Outfit of zee day 

 Casual Friday with my Hunter Wellies 

WANTED: Manolo Blahnik BB Patent Pumps!

At last, I found my perfect pumps! Not sure if you saw one of my other blog posts but I have been banging on about finding the perfect pair of pumps after coming to terms with the fact that the Christian Louboutin Pigalle's (as beautiful as they are) are not meant for my feet. So off I went on my shoe hunt and boy did I go everywhere! Online, Oxford Street, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and low and behold there they were..  the Manolo Blahnik 'BB Pumps' displayed beautifully at Harrods.

[Courtesy of  Manolo Blahnik press office UK ]

These gorgeous beauties are the classic silhouette stiletto with a flattering pointed toe and elegant 4 inch heel. They come in a range of colours but the black patent leather version are my preferred option as I know I can wear them with anything in my wardrobe through all seasons. As soon as I tried them on, they completely changed my outfit and I fell in love!

The most important thing for me is fit and the main problem I've been having with finding the right pumps is that sizing with other shoes just haven't been the right fit. I'm normally a UK 7 but when trying on this particular shape, the 7's have been too big and the 6's fit but cripple my feet. This collection  comes in half sizes so the 6 and a half fit me perfectly and comfortably ( well .. as comfortably as a pair of stiletto heels are going to be) There's absolutely no point in investing in a pair of shoes you don't get to wear so making sure they are wearable is vital.

It has been a long journey people but finally, I found my perfect pumps!  These lovelies have definitely  made it to the top of  my investment purchase list and will need to be mine VERY SOON! Where there is a will, there is a way ;-)

 

Trying them on in Harrods.. Swoon 

Girl Friday: Lady in Red

Dare I say it? Spring is here!I felt the need to celebrate by putting away my winter coat and brightening up my look ,so it was really  time for me to christen my red Topshop skater dress today. I had bought this a while ago now but it has just been too cold to wear it out, especially for the daytime. Obviously it's not quite summer so I decided to layer up with tights and a leather jacket as it's still quite nippy when you're out of the sun. It feels so lovely not to need a scarf or gloves so I'll make the most of it for as long as I can because you just don't know how long it will last. Happy Friday!

It's all about the GOOD Denim Shorts!

To say that I'm over my winter wardrobe is an understatement and if I have to layer up with scarves and heavy coats any more, I will lose the will to live! 
One thing I can't wait to wear are my lovely new Gap denim shorts I found last weekend.  I was at the McArthurGlen designer outlet in Ashford and though I promised myself I wouldn't buy anything, I couldn't resist these. 
Denim shorts are sometimes overlooked but I think it's really important to find the right pair as they are the ultimate capsule piece for the summer wardrobe. In terms of style, I always go for the flattering boyfriend shape as shorts are quite daring, and unless you're built like a Victoria's Secret model, the skin tight look is not the way to go!
 It is definitely worth investing time ( and sometimes money) in a decent pair, as they will be a complete life saver come summer. I love the fact that you can dress them up by just swapping your converse with a pair of heels and dress them down with a tank top and Panama hat.
They also work all season as you can throw them on for the beach or night out on holiday (great for lighter packing) while layering them up in the spring with a blazer, fitted shirt or light cashmere jumper.
Some might even brave shorts with black tights in the winter but there's really no need for me to be doing that with my ... er winter curves just yet. Celebs like Alexa Chung  and Nicole Richie can pull it off well but you would need to be even more confident to wear denim shorts in winter. 
I really do wish the sun would just stop playing hard to get and just come out already! I need to get good wear out of these fast. 

Summer wardrobe with denim shorts as hero piece

Celebs rocking the shorts ; Halle Berry, Beyonce and Alexa Chung 

Girl Friday: It's all about Keeping it Chic Geek!

Happy Friday! Aren't you so glad it's the weekend? 
So for my ensemble today, I went all chic geek on my self  after coming across my dad's vintage bow tie can you believe! Never thought I'd see the day where I would rummage his wardrobe and find something wearable ( be it a bow tie), but this was actually the accessory that inspired the rest of my outfit today.
I did mention in my first Girl Friday' post that I try my best to make an effort and dress up a bit at least once a week, but I really couldn't be dealing with wearing heels today ( thank God for the trusted old pair of Converse)
I'm lucky enough to be able to experiment with clothes as it's really relaxed where I work and I can pretty much wear whatever I want ( though some may raise an eyebrow or two if I rocked up  
in a catsuit)
 Today I went for my ASOS boyfriend shirt together with my American Apparel disco pants and H&M blazer.
Not exactly feeling in great shape at the moment so best to keep everything hidden away not to scare people.Go chic geek! x