Today I'm Loving...

So it's been a while since I scouted the 'new in' sections for you guys (and me actually), so here are a few of my fav bits from today. There will, of course, be more on Friday as usual!

Hope you like!


FOR THE BOYS...


NEED this rhino print top by Alpha 60 at www.asos.com, £175. I became obsessed with their creations since nosing round the PR company who look after them, have a look here. And this chunky cable knit with AMAZE shoulder detail that is, surprisingly, from Zara! £39.99

This River Island cross back long sleeve top caught my eye. It reminds me of an Unconditional top I have, £16.99; and this faux fur hooded jacket, and YES, it is for men! Also from River Island, £140. It's time to have fun boys!

Ooo and this fun cardi from New Look, £32.99. Perfect way to layer up for the chilly days!

FOR THE GURLZ...

No, it's not Westwood, it's Peacocks! Totally loving this blanket coat, £40 www.peacocks.co.uk. And it's all about high boots for the autumn, so envious of you girls! £45 from www.linzishoes.com.

Lots of animal references ladies: this brown raccoon hoodie is oh-so cute, £49.99 from www.riverisland.com; and this adorably little fox number, £35 H by Henry Holland at Debenhams.

The Very Men's Trend - #1

In response to a few emails I've had from my male readers, this is my first attempt at informing and showing you all of the amazing things on offer out there on the good old British high street. I'm going to be picking a trend (or a mini-trend) and going round to see what the shops have to offer. I'm going to try my best at uploading one every week, but don't hold me to that, I wouldn't want to disappoint. Please do let me know if there is any particular trend you'd like to see and I'll make sure I'll add it to my list!

So the first installment, lovely reader, is JACKETS. Obviously there are LOADS in store at the moment, seeing as the weather is just about on the turn, to shoot them all would take...well... forever, so I've picked a few of the best. I hope you like!

Benetton was the first stop. DON'T underestimate this old school shop. The Oxford Street store has had a re-vamp and looks AMAZING. Along with the fab decor comes some fab new season items. This grey belted 3/4 length trench is perfect for everyday wear. The unfinished edges to the lapels give it an extra-fab twist. £139.90

Next was New Look, with two equally lovely options. The first is this black hooded duffle, a simple classic that will take you through the whole winter (£50). And second is the maroon boating jacket with draw string detail and contrast check lining (in hood too), £30

Reiss had this rather gorgeous brown-slate jacket to offer (our personal favourite) with side zip and funnel-neck detail. It was £185 and worth every penny, felt super high end; thick and luxurious.

I found this short double breasted tan trench in Next (£80). I hardly ever go in there, but was really surprised with this one. The epaulet detail was a perfect addition to this smart jacket, and the tortoise-shell buttons were a nice colour touch too.

I couldn't let a jacket feature go by without a leather one could I? Zara has one of the best collection of leather... in fact all kinds of jackets. This leather biker really could of been in a designer store. The thick ribbed sleeves are a great addition! (£79.99)

The last jacket of the day was this reversible number from Bershka. I know it's probably not one that a lot of people would pick up, but I really loved the colours, especially the check. Plus it would go with ANYTHING! Perfect.

Hope you all liked my selections, stay tuned for the next trend and let me know if there's anything you want to see!

All jackets in store now. All modelled by Tom, my boyfriend!

A right Royal head scarf - the Queen disemabarks from her cruise...

On her return from a lovely little cruise around the Western Isles in Scrabster Harbour today (a celebratory trip for the Princess Royal, Princess Anne's 60th and Prince Andrew's 50th - reported to have cost £300,000 with a security bill as much as £1 million [source Daily Mail]) the Queen sported a rather lovely floral head scarf. Always one for covering her perfectly coiffed do when walking, the Queen's scarf collection really does rival anyone's. It might look a bit old lady, but isn't that the stuff that fashionistas around the globe...well on these shores anyway, are constantly talking about? Vintage this and granny-chic that.

Plus sun flowers are THE flower at the moment. I spotted some in my friends house yesterday and they really do light up a room. They do the same on a piece of clothing or printed on accessories, wouldn't you say? In fact any floral print is a hit at the moment.

I think it's time to copy the Queen. Pull out your vintage scarves everyone, the wind seems to be changing!

Today I'm loving...

Here's the usual Friday Fix of what I'm loving. Most of it is from the trusty High Street, with maybe a few 'higher end' pieces thrown in for fun!

Enjoy!

FOR THE LADEEEEZ:


Lira Leirner Royal Mail bag, £45 at www.liraleirner.com and AMAZE pearl sunnies by Kerin Rose, £260 at www.brownsfashion.com

Nautical bracelet, £3.99 at www.bikbok.com (store on Oxford Street) and the most GORGEOUS maxi I've seen for a while, £45 at New Look www.newlook.com (available in other colours - get them all!)


How Giambattista Valli is this Miss Selfridge dress?! Oh-so cute! £39 and loving this sheer blush rose print shirt, £45 at Topshop


FOR THE BOYZZZZZ:


Contrast neck-tie tee by Unconditional for www.asos.com, £95 and this cute 'Kiss' necklace by Atelier 11, £65 for www.brownsfashion.com


Looks like a weird white tee, but in fact it's a 'shape enhancer' from Asda of all places! £7 and this cute floral shirt by Giles for New Look, £18


And now for a bit of floral... LOVE these shorts, £30 at Topman and this gorgeous floral print shirt with black velvet shoulders, £210 by T0-orist www.to-orist.com

Today I'm loving...

... these uber-comfy espadrilles from New Look. I'm not usually a fan of this particular choice of flat footwear, but loving the colour options of these, and the price! Only £6 a pair, you just can't go wrong! Available now in store and online this week - www.newlook.com

Skinted:Minted

New Look, £30

A Child Of The Jago, £245

I was just in New Look Oxford Street and stumbled across this rather lovely deep red jersey blazer. It reminded me of a similar one from A Child Of The Jago, but at a fraction of the price! Amazing.

Today I'm loving...

FOR THE BOYS...

I stumbled across these insanely gorgeous printed shirts by the fab Martine Rose on www.oki-ni.com. This first one is my favourite, but I think I might pur-chase all three! Wear them semi-smart with jeans or inject some interest into a plain black suit. YUM!

£229

£225

£229

Embrace the 80s with these super-bright new limited edition Hi-Tec trainers exclusive to New Look (£40). They come in three styles, with just 48 pairs of each made. They'll be available at the end of March at the Oxford Street store or online at www.newlook.com. All you need is a shell suit and you're sorted. (I wonder when the shell suit will rear it's (ugly) head again?!)

FOR THE GIRLS...

Holly Fulton is my favourite UK designer at the moment (if only she did a menswear range!) and this is one of the exclusive Holly Fulton for ASOS dresses that she has designed - so now you can get a slice of the Fulton action for a fraction of the price. It's £85 and available now on www.asos.com

Or if you feel like splashing out on one of her original, amazing geometric cum art deco designs then click onto www.brownsfashion.com where you will find, among others, this orange number (£705) and the fun Chrysler building necklace (£245).

Tailor Made

When did we ever see Frank Sinatra out of a suit? Never. I can't remember ever seeing footage of him not dressed up to the nines. That's the way it was in the 50s. Men dressed up. They looked smart, sharp and as if they'd stepped out of a Savile Row shop practically all the time. A fabulously cut blazer, freshly pressed trousers and a slick back hair do - and that was just to pop to Tesco (I've done my research people, Tesco was founded in 1919). Even in high summer it was still all about looking polished - a pair of crisp shorts and a short sleeve shirt on the beach. You can't beat it!

Taken from a 50s magazine - showing typical day wear!

Yes gentlemen, the 1950s was dominated by tailoring. Impressive, Sinatra-cum-Godfather, good old fashioned tailoring. And now in 2010, as we head into spring/summer (hopefully!), it's all back again. The high street is FULL to the rafters with amazing tailored hot buys so there is absolutely NO excuse not to look ultra smart and uber chic. Here are some bits I've found, there might be a splash of designer too...oops! Couldn't help meself.


Green shorts £20, New Look; Red skinny chinos £26, Topman

Navy blazer £127, Lyle & Scott www.lyleandscott.com; Double layer waistcoat £80, Allsaints


Paint splashed AMAZE shorts £360, Alexander McQueen at www.matchesfashion.com; Jersey-sleeved grey blazer £59.99, River Island

Short sleeve mac £59.99, River Island; Red striped blazer £215, Vivienne Westwood


Carolyn Massey linen trousers £60, Topman; Jersey navy blazer £35, Giles by Giles Deacon for New Look


Double breasted BRIGHT trench coat £635, Paul Smith; Deep V uber-cool blazer £1100, Qasimi

Out and About:

Grey jersey with white trim £49.99, Zara; Blue relaxed 'worker' blazer £69.90, Mango

Roll back the sleeves for a contrast in colours: grey with navy £59.99 and navy (multi pockets) with white £49.99 both from H&M

A few from Topman. LOVE the middle two tone, colour block option. So Jil Sander!