Synthetically hot-stepping

I'm a little bit of a snob when it comes to leather. I can't help it, but whenever I buy shoes or bags, if they don't have the little trademark I always think twice before I buy them.

I spotted these Carvela shoes a week ago, and had finally talked myself into buying them (£140 down to £49!) when by chance I looked at the label which told me that not one single part of these beautiful - and directional - heels was once belonging to a cow.

I do like this style, much more wearable than the YSL cage shoes, but something in me just won't budge. Am I completely mad? Have I passed up a great style opportunity?

On the other hand, maybe I've dodged a smelly feet bullet...

Casual Monday

Casual Monday by Ellie_Girl on Polyvore.com

Inspired in part by all the festival madness... just because I don't like camping or mud and have no clue about music... I do love the clothes.

More Aw09

This time its River Island bringing us an "interesting" mixture of tough-girl chic and quirky cool and completely missing the mark on both...

In answer to what everybody is thinking: the panda hat costs £19.99 and I saw it first.

(Images from www.prshots.com)

Miss Selfridge AW09

A pick of my favourite looks from this usually cutesy brand. Very punk, very eighties, very tough and a fringe to die for. Love love love that white blouse.

I left out various leopard print and sequin monstrosities which are in there because (as far as I can see) they have to please everybody. When it comes to competing in the style stakes the highstreet does best when it keeps it minimal.

(Images from www.prshots.com)

A rush of cash from the purse

This Saturday I was in the mood to do some shopping, no real surprise there, but seeing as I've recently been given the very excellent news that I am soon to begin a new permanent job, I thought that I could treat myself. My constant blogging of all the things that I would love to have, but cannot afford to buy, means that when it actually comes down to it I have absolutely no idea what to get for myself.

I'm an impulse shopper by nature, and have gotten used to buying "little things" for £5 and £10 at a time which don't make me feel like I'm spending oodles of cash, but in fact the opposite is true when it comes to looking at my statement. I'm so used to passing by the shelves and rails which hold things for more than £25 (my absolute cut off for some reason) that I'd forgotten the addictive rush of elation when one spends £65 on a pair of shoes. Mere peanuts compared to some, but for me a big step back into the world of thoughtless spending.

I know this isn't a good thing, and lord knows I have sometimes felt that my spending was completely out of control in the past, but I'm hoping that my year of servitude has enabled me to sort through all the things I impulsively want and walk away before buying them.

I shall be all about those "investment pieces". Unless of course I'm in the mood for a little colour... Can't wait to see what the all highstreet equivalents of Marc Jacobs AW09 are going to look like (I'm not going to be earning that much!)
(Image of Marc Jacobs AW09 from www.style.com)

Neon Teens

Neon Teens by Ellie_Girl on Polyvore.com

An homage to all the teenage girls who have fully embraced this (slightly questionable) trend thanks to the window displays in New Look and Primark. A look only the under 18 can pull off, but a nice reminder of just how fun being young can be sometimes.

(Unfortunately the Vuitton and the Louboutins require a lifetime of pocket money).

More Michael love...

Slightly more understated than the Lazy Oaf one, but still sharing in the tribute, it even has the silver glove. Amazing.

£32 at Urban Outfitters

Abercrombie "look" policy

"The Abercrombie and Fitch look? A porno version of Brokeback Mountain... And judging by their ads, the look is no clothes at all - brave, for a fashion label." - Hadley Freeman.

Classic.

Read the whole story here.

RIP Michael Jackson

I still can't believe the completely shocking news that MJ has passed away, he was a true legend. As the news of people holding vigils outside his house and the hospital come through, it is evident that they are singing and dancing and celebrating his life. There is no doubt that many of his songs will appear in this week's chart, Man in the Mirror appearing at number 95, five minutes after Chris Moyles played it on Radio 1 this morning.

As a tribute to this amazing singer (in fashion terms at least), I think I might get myself an "I'm Bad" tee from Lazy Oaf.

They were planning to have a dedicated evening in their Carnaby Street store in July to celebrate his tour, but now I suspect it will be a tribute evening instead ... I'll keep you posted.

Share the love www.lazyoaf.co.uk

Utter peacocks

We have Lady GaGa to thank for many things, creating catchy tunes that will always get you on the dancefloor, making it ok to be blonde and completely vacuous and for pulling off a style that will forever be synonymous with her. While I applaud her for all these things (to a varying degree) it really pains me when the highstreet attempt to create affordable versions of what are essentialy costumes designed for a girl with a killer body.

Peacocks, a favourite of magazines like More! or New! - and any other magazine that feels the need to punctuate their titles quite so annoyingly - has brought out these high-wasted pants for only £4. A testament to Ms GaGa's popularity, size 10-12 is already sold out, and i'm sure that (worryingly) size 18-20 will too.

Unfortunately in Bromley, like all similar suburban towns where the girls tend to take the trends a bit too literally at times - just look at 'local girl' idols like Danielle Lloyd - I'm pretty sure we shall be seeing our fair share untoned bum and thigh sticking out from glittery knickers. Shudder.

I did it! Kinda...

I have to say that I'm very happy with my efforts, although to be fair it was more of an effort finding the bits and getting them shipped over from China than actually putting them together. Better if you wear at least two, think understated Mardi Gras (if there is such a thing!) Might try to sell them on eBay... watch this space...

See what I was trying to copy here.

Karl.

Today, one of the very stylish editors who works on my floor came in wearing this t-shirt. Somehow she managed to get her hands on it back in November 2004 (from his H&M collaboration FYI) and has sensibly kept hold of it since. A quick Google and eBay search confirmed my suspicions, that unless you know somebody who is willing to part with it (and why would they?), theres no way on God's green earth that you'll get one. Sigh.

(Image courtesy of www.wwd.com)

Sartoriology... quite possibly narcissism...

It may look as though I love taking photos of myself... and it might be true... however I know that a good fashion blog cannot exist without copious images of oneself looking moody and stylish, so voila!

Want want want

I love love love this See by Chloe skirt from www.net-a-porter.com, at £290 I may have to sell a kidney to have it, but when has a little bit of surgery ever hurt when it comes to wearing really awesome clothes?

An amusing conversation...

I was out at lunch today and I overheard this rather amusing snippet of a conversation between a couple:

Girl: Oh I want to go in there, there are so many things and they are on sale.

Boy: You can't, you said you wouldn't buy anything and you haven't got any money...

(Men are always so bloody sensible)

Girl: I know.

Boy: (Smells the air) Mmm... food

Girl: Oh look H&M.

Boy: We need to get food...

Girl: H&M is food!

(Obviously this isn't transcribed word for word, but I left what I think are the important bits in... obviously.)