Never 21

After ogling these fab boots on Fade to Black, I realised they weren't, in fact, the mega expensive Chloe version, but a bargain pair from Forever 21. Too good to miss right? So I headed over to their site, filled my basket, then realised the shipping to the UK is $45! Are you freaking kidding me?
I strongly declined taking that exorbitant hit. But, for my yankee friends, here's a small sample of what else I would have bought from their New In section alone...

Excuse me Miss

So my twitter is all, well, atwitter with the Miss Selfridge A/W collection... and it's not good. Someone even mentioned doing a mouthsick... a visceral reaction so strong it should be reserved for furry crocs, surely?

Anyway, I've had a little shufty, and I have to say, I've seen some gems! Now, this being a blog and all, I must be true to myself and say I probably won't buy any of these items. They fit firmly into the looks-awesome-on-someone-else-who-is-thinner-and-goes-to-more-interesting-places-than-me camp... but it's fun to play around outside out usual style boundaries, right?

1 - Can't you just see yourself swanning around an illicit party in the seventies, cigarette in one hand, martini in another, draped in this baby? It's fabulous!
2 - A lined cardie/coat seems so warm right now while I'm trapped in my over-air-conditioned office. It's only 25 outside people, just crack a window!
3 - I would definitely wear this if I were Florence. With number 6. But more about them later.
4 - Do I love 'em? Do I hate 'em? There's definitely something I love about the heel... it reminds me of my forever style-icon Angela Chase. They would look amazing with woolly tights. (Yep, I'm still cold).
5 - A duo I would wear if I were off out on a fabulous night anytime soon. There's something really interesting about how eclectic this whole collection is... seventies, sixties, witchies...
6 - These are the only thing I'm really coveting. I can see these teamed with a million mini shifts I've seen recently, or my skinnies, or even some J Brand Houlihans (and I don't even like 'em much!). Alas, I can't walk around London all day in a heel. Oh God. I just used the fashion singular. Now that deserves a mouthsick!

Britain's Next Top Morons

Shame about the footie hey? Watched the game with my matey Bethan, fuelled by much Pimms (minus the strawberries and cucumber - sometimes it's just too hot to chop).

Popped out in half time for some humid air and outfit pics... think I'll be sticking to sober photoshoots in the future - looked either manic or surly in all of them. Oh well, Beth looks cute!


Me: Sunglasses - Topshop// Playsuit - Kimchi & Blue at Urban Outfitters last year// Necklace - vintage// Belt - boyfriend's// Cuff - Primark// Watch - Michael Korrs// Sandals - Topshop// Lippy - Marks and Spencer Geranium//


Beth: Sunglasses - Primark// Dress - Primark// Bracelet - Cambodian market// Satchel - Topshop// Sandals - Office (I think).


Extras: Jug - Laura Ashley// Tumbler - Morrisons// Studded bag - ASOS// My nails - Barry M Neon Pink with Barry M glitter on top.

So there you have it. This is my favourite playsuit ever and if it had come in more colours I'd have snapped them all up.

Get stoned

There was a recurring theme among the fash pack at the Isle of Wight festival, where stonewash denim reigned supreme.

I think I own the shirt top-centre -- if it's from New Look -- and have some Levi 501 cutoffs rather similar to that fab belted pair top-left, which makes me think I do have something to wear to the Kings of Leon gig I'm off to next week (my only bash at a festival this year).

Though, in some ways, these pics are partly making me want to run far far away from this look, as it may be pretty ubiquitous in Hyde Park next Wednesday... ponder ponder...

Pics from Vogue.com see here

If you steal my sunshine…

If you steal my sunshine…

My h+m Fashion Against Aids haul was filled with highs and lows. Some of the items I coveted most were already sold out, just 8 hours in, others were nabbed with cunning and stealth. I was glad I managed to grab a couple of things, but if anyone knows of a store in London that’s still well stocked, let me know!

THE HITS…

These black and white sandals seemed sold-out, until I began to search every nook and cranny of the Regent’s street branch. Finally, nestled under an accessories stand, I found them – in my exact size – 6.5! It was like a gift from the Aztec gods!

Maybe one day, if my current gym regime pays off, I’ll show you how I’ve styled them!

I wish I’d taken a pic of the in-store display that incorporated the tent… I managed to grab one, despite how uncomfortable I was carting it around Topshop later that evening… a whole two-man tent for under a tenner? Bargain!

THE MISSES…

And now to the depressing part of the day – the following were sadly out of stock. More’s the pity – those deck chairs would have looked great in my flat, and been perfect on this scorching weekend ( am I getting old or is sitting on the grass only comfy for about half an hour?)

If I’m honest with myself, these trousers would probably have been tried on and discarded. But as a leopard-print magpie I couldn’t resist having a good look for them. Probably best for everyone that ever has to walk behind me that they were sold out – I’m yet to find a pair of harem pants that don’t make my arse look like the back of a bus.

I was desperate for this multi-coloured vest, but it wasn’t to be. Oh well, I console myself with the thought that it – in fact, the whole line – was built for babes with bee-stings, not my ample bosom!

UPDATE - Stores are restocking, and my amazing friend Bethan just bagged me two deck chairs and the above vest top. She is the greatest woman on earth, and is now owed ten gin and tonics for her efforts... hurrah!

Thanks to designer/illustrator extraordinaire Jimmy-D for boosting my mad inDesign skills for the composites above!