Hannah Zakari

I can't even begin to describe the amazingness that is Hannah Zakari. I don't remember exactly how I found out about it, but for years now I have found myself regularly logging on to check out the cute as candy merchandise.

This is the perfect got-to place for super kitsch jewellery, playful prints and everything in-between. Originally set up by jewellery designer Rachael Lamb as a platform for independent jewellery makers, there is now a stand alone store in Edinburgh and a revamp of the online shop just around the corner.

Brands to watch include:

• *Michelle Chang* Her tiny silver skulls are amazing, perfect for delicate layering.
• *Cosas Minimas* These fabulous prints have a child-like innocence that makes them utterly adorable.
• *Eclectic Eccentricity* A collection of vintage and contemporary pieces inspired by a love of knick knacks and cute finds.
• *Kate Wilson* Her birdie illustrations won't fail to make you smile.
• *Mary Mary Handmade* Smiling lollies and sloths in sterling silver... Need I say more?
• *Miso Funky* Singlehandedly bringing the art of cross stitch to the twee lovers in the world.
• *Custom Made UK* Cute quirky pieces that pride themselves in being a little different, but completely fabulous.

Once you log on your biggest problem will be deciding how many things you can get away with buying a month!

Check it out here!

Prowling the urban jungle

Meet my Mulberry Faux-Lexa

I thought that it was about time that everyone got to meet my *cough cough* Mulberry Alexa shoulder clutch.

Okay, so for those eagle-eyed Mulberry fans out there you can probably notice the instant fail when it comes to my *almost* perfect copy. Yes - as my sister very kindly pointed out: a) the clasp is too shiny, and more importantly b) lacking that iconic mulberry tree.

I forked over £4o (talked down from £80!) on a rainy night in Thailand and haven't regretted it once. Its real leather, has monogrammed lining, real buckles at the front and even if it wasn't bought for its lookalike qualities is a very chic bag in its own right.

I won't be wearing it into the Mulberry shop any time soon (cringe) but I'm just glad that I've managed to get a piece of the Alexa pie - even if I can't stand its namesake.

Along with my faux-ban clubmasters my counterfeit portfolio is beginning to look a little more impressive.

Check out the real version here.

It can only mean one thing...

Have a great weekend everyone! I'm going t'North.

Alber Elbaz we love you

Today I heard the very exciting news that this November's H&M designer collaboration will be with none other than Lanvin. While I give you a moment to pick your jaw up from the floor - I know I needed one - I shall take the time to give you a little bit more information. Having always been against a mass market "dress for less"collection, Alber Elbaz is taking the opportunity to inject luxury into the highstreet store. Lanvin isn't going public, H&M is - for November at least - going to have something resembling high fashion class.

So what should we expect? To try and create an affordable version of the French powerhouse sounds impossible and yet come the 23rd of November there it will be. Anybody who loves Lanvin will know that the beauty is in the exquisite lines, the feminine detailing, the contrast of modern design and old world glamour and simply the delicious Frenchness of it all. To bring all this to the wardrobe of a regular girl on a regular salary really is "translating the dream".

I can't wait!

Make like an 80 year old man...

Car Booty

Today was possibly the best bargain day of 2010 and I don't give this accolade lightly. Being slightly middle aged in my taste for all things old, junky and antique, the Boy and I decided to go to a local car boot sale. As a highstreet fashionista with limited means of transport, I rarely go to these, but from now on I think I might have to make it a regular occurence.

Above is my selection of goodies that I aquired for the grand sum of £9 (the Ray Bans are my own - I added them for photographic effect).

Yes, I kid you not... the most expensive item was the vintage Hacker radio at a princely £5. Apparently the batteries are £7 each and quite hard to get hold of, so it will make a pretty bookend for the time being.

There is also another handbag which didn't fit in with the colour scheme (its grey - i'm working on my visual appeal). But together with the brown bow-embellished one they cost a please-don't-hate-me £1 each. So so smug right now.

Today's trip has definitely sated the shopping monster for a little while at least, with my current finances taking a spectacular nose dive, it probably won't be long before second hand Primark begins to look attractive. If you have the patience to sort through the piles of junk, George shoes, baby clothes and saggy furniture then there is many a bargain or a gem to be found...

... Mark my words i'll be the one on the Antiques Roadshow claiming to have picked up 'this old thing' for 50p.

A girl can hope.

Mad about the men

I know that smoking isn't smart and isn't cool, but after watching two series of Mad Men back to back its definitely sexy. I know i'm embarrasingly late off this particular mark but I am now completely enamoured with the whiskey neat, grey flannel suit, crisp white shirt, cinched waist, beautiful bored housewives, smoky sultriness of it all...

So in my attempt to work some old world glamour into my life i've been sporting matching red lips and nails all week. *

As for the cigarettes and scotch on the rocks, I might leave that to the boys...

* The cigarette is a fake - I'm a good girl really

Topshop wishing and hoping

Topshop Wishlist by Ellie_Girl featuring bow hat

Cloudy days

Thought I'd do some cloudy nails inspired by the british summer time... I added the suns as wishful thinking.

Street styling at an art installation

Went to an awful art installation today at the Hayward Gallery which featured a giant lobster and some photocopied rabbits (nope no idea). The best part with this Truman show-esque painted sky wall so I decided to be arty and get a photograph of myself.

Fierce?

River Island often miss the mark. They get close, so so close, sometimes they even make things that minus the diamantes and the giant self-promoting labels are worth buying. My recent purchase of a unicorn-print bag is a great example (I am a certified expert at sorting the wheat from the chaff - obvs).

But upon browsing their newly restyled website (which FYI is much much better) I came across this... interesing creation. Perhaps attempting to feed off the success of last winter's super cute panda beanie hat, they've gone and given a furry bag ears.

Fur bags I totally get, shearling and fur trims are going to be a huge hit this winter (so we're told) but this is definitely in a league of its own.

Upon reflection its the oddly placed zip that transforms this unfortunate accessory from not just a weird design choice but into a slightly worrying gimp mask meets zippy homage... shudder.


If it still turns you on, you can get it for £24.99 on their snazzy new website.

*Swoon*

Today I had a Roger Rabbit moment. The moment I laid eyes on these beautiful boots I could have sworn that my eyes jumped out of my head and my heart started to pound audibly. I have been looking for shoes like these for a long time. Screw the faddy shearling-lined hiking boots, you are forgotten already. These will be my investment in timeless style.

In short: They. Will. Be. Mine.

£160, Carvela, pure unadulterated chic.... classic fashion genius.

H&M stuff and nonsense

Just discovered this awesome new feature on the H&M website. You take on model in her underwear, dress her in loads of different clothes and you can see how you'd wear them (in an ideal world where I'm skinny and tall) it also helpfully lists the prices.

That poncho is so mine its unreal.

Love the look

Simple and chic, I absolutely love this look from Asos. As Tyra would say this is H to T modelling, selling me everything from her topknot to those super-cool shearling lined boots. Both the dress and the boots are in my 'save for later' list - however with all this rain making me less inclined to leave the house I have a feeling that they shall be moved to my shopping bag soon enough. £87 seems almost reasonable... but as I sit at home searching for gainful employment I do wonder whether it might be just a little flippant, considering i'm almost certainly going to buy this jacket: (I can't afford Burberry after all...)