Label love

What would I give to have that scarf? Or that bag... I snapped this label lover on the train home a few weeks ago, but I had completely forgotten about it. This woman-of-a-certain age is definitely not lacking in funds - that or she's seriously overdrawn. If you have a keen eye, you might notice that the cuffs on her jumper say 'Chanel', I'm also sure that up her sleeve is a very expensive watch.

Its unusual that you see someone over 50 who indulges in such unadulterated label love, but in these crunchy times, why not make everyone jealous by flaunting it?

(Although just in case she doesn't want internet (semi) fame I thought I'd give her a little anonymity...)

Um, no.

I was reading a piece in NYMag.com which picks out the key trends that we shall all be wearing over the next four months. Their list is slightly predictable, with its studs, bangles, sequins and here's the shocker - plaid (checked shirts for those of us who aren't fluent in American fashion lingo). Since when haven't we worn these things?

But what really gave me a start is that top of their list of trends for the summer are Lennon-style sunglasses.

No, no, no...

Yes, Mary-Kate just about pulls the look off with her tiny little face, but I think she has definitely made better fashion choices. We have a joke pair at home, and after trying them on I still don't see how this will be the next big eyewear trend. But since when does everyone have to get fashion? We are simply obliged to acknowledge it, and either copy or move on.

Thoughts?

(Above Urban Outfitters £4.99 - Below All Saints £40)

Not sure why...

I know that everyone has already been there, done that and gotten the proverbial t-shirt when it comes to these Melissa shoes, but my interest has been piqued today for no reason whatsoever. Whilst looking through all the fab things that will be going into various summer sales in a few weeks, I have disappointingly found out that these shall not be included in any reductions anywhere. Most probably because at £75 they're not too badly priced (for Westwood) in the first place.

If I actually get to go anywhere on holiday i'll probably buy them and proudly hot-step in the most expensive jelly sandals for miles around.

A little bit of narcissism goes a long way...

Was quite pleased with how I looked today so I thought I'd take a snap... Yes it's in the toilet mirror at work - complete with 70s tiling and flooring, how very retro!

Traditional voting dress

Above we have the traditional dress of the Bavarian Highlanders who like to make an effort to vote. Its probably a good thing that we don't have the same tradition over here, as judging by the new-found popularity of the BNP, some English voters would have turned up in full on SS uniforms...

A foray into vintage...

I know all the cool kids and true fashionistas wear vintage, in terms of style it's a sign of an ability to look backwards in order to move forwards (or some other such nonsense). Vintage clothes are a complete mystery to me, they smell funny, they're all polyester and leave a film of dust on your hands after touching them.

Whilst frequenting an all-you-can-cram-in-a-bag-for-a-tenner vintage sale at the East End Thrift Store, I was sorely disappointed with the piles of dusty, smelly clothes on offer. A room piled high with junk not even the store could sell, the smell of B.O was overpowering. Leaving the sale empty handed, I was pleased to discover a very nice store downstairs.

Other girls I spied had found what can only be classed as treasures, things that looked amazing without needing any alterations at all. Polka-dot dresses, denim shorts, mini jumpsuits and not one of them was itching from the secondhandness. I was inspired to dig around, something I often can't be bothered to do, and I found the little gem above. With only two strange looking stains and boasting the usual 100% polyester on the label it felt like wallpaper, but looked very cute. At only £15 I almost regret not buying it. Perhaps you get used to the itchy sweatiness after a while...

My next challenge...

They retail at £20 at Kabiri, which is frankly crazy as I can get all the stuff for them on ebay for about £5! Watch this space...

Creative, moi?

This is me trying my hand at jewellery making. Not the most complex of processes I know, but I'm pretty pleased with the results nonetheless. Commissions welcome...

(I've also discovered i'm not too bad at this still life photography lark, perhaps another change in career is on the cards...)

One-stop Luella

So Luella is now online. I received the email this afternoon and immediately rushed to have a look. It is a veritable feast of Ms Bartley's offerings, with helpful categories like "Psychedelic Wonderland" and "Wonky Factor" which display the beautiful oddities of her collection.

The Brook Street store in a nutshell, a huge amount of her SS09 looks are available to buy, the only exception being the shoes.There's no sale rail option yet, and as expected it is all very expensive, but I'm sure it will draw many an admirer to fork over £400 for a skirt.

One thing I've noticed, as her popularity grows, the clothes are becoming more and more unwearable. She is playing away from classic pieces, a route which many designers are taking at the moment, and dancing right into the hands (and wardrobes) of many a celebutante-come-cool-London-scene-kid. And if her Autumn looks are anything to go by, its going to carry on like this for the forseeable future (Thigh-high golden boots anyone?). But there is no denying that her creations are breathtakingly beautiful, if only to be marveled at and coveted from the pages of a magazine.

Log on, admire and by all means buy the extremely beautiful "Polly" dress (above), but don't expect to find something that lasts more than a season - fashion is fleeting daaarhling, and none so fleeting as Luella.

Sneak Peak

Whilst having a look at New Look's campaign images for AW09, I have to say I was taken with this little number. Almost Sonia Rykiel-esque in its cute kookiness, I would join a waiting list for that top. Striking just the right balance between cutesy and sexy the whole get-up screams French chic, not bad for the British high street...

Double Take

Above, Isaac Mizrahi neon mesh corseted bodysuits, below River Island jumping on the bandwagon. If you're keen for the sculpting eye-popping real deal - take it from me, I saw them in person when writing for a certain website, they're amazing - it will take a mere £170 to call one your own.

If however, you're more of a £9.99 kind of girl, the River Island versions also claim to have body-sculpting properties. Although if your body does need said sculpting, I'd advise staying as far away as possible from Lycra altogether.

Fashion balls

I bought these lovelies at a French Connection sample sale on Sunday for a mere £10 (reduced from £35!). Although they look as though they are sprayed with black paint, it is in fact a wonderful snake-print pattern. A little chavvy? Perhaps. A little too wannabe "cool" Londoner? Almost definitely. Enough cojones to wear them in public? The jury is still out on that one....

Where's Wally

Where's Wally's style is undeniably iconic, although not usually that coveted. Wally (or Waldo if you're an American) was the pioneer in geek chic, with his football-fan meets French tourist look, complete with horn-rimmed glasses and bobble hat.

Recently I have seen quite a few people inspired by his colour choices, at first I thought it was just one very odd-dressing arty type, but apparently Wally chic transcends all fashion classes when it comes to his socks. Now you can't actually see them in his original outfit, but I'm almost sure that he wears something resembling the above under his jeans.

I have observed quite a few young men wearing them over the past few weeks (And none of them were going to football practice as far as I could see). As they are available at American Apparel for £8 it stands to reason that if they say its ok to wear them, then how can anybody say otherwise? Who says that knee-high socks with shorts is only for girls?

Well actually I'd hazard quite a few people... but three cheers for bizarrely inspired fashion.

APC yumminess

Once upon a time I was told that I had mastered the art of Parisian school-girl chic. Although I was very flattered by this, I know that sadly it isn't true. If it were I would certainly have at least 1 item from APC in my pathetically small wardrobe.

This girl makes French style look so easy - I realise that as shes advertising the clothes that she's meant to- but that is beside the point. Wearing a smock dress, a cardigan and a beret she could so easily look like a dodgy exchange student from a cheese farm in Marseilles, but she is the epitome of casual chic, even the brown socks somehow add to the fabulousness.

Like socks with sandals (on women), berets can now be worn in to create an insouciant air about you. Unfortunately my budget doesn't yet stretch to an entire outfit from APC, but I'm definitely thinking that navy knitwear is the way forward... I might even buy some brown socks.

If you're still feeling the French love, check out thier APC with Liberty fabrics range - a perfect union of London and Paris.

I made this forever ago