' "These shoes don’t compromise on fashion, or comfort. Go strut." Mary Portas....'

She's back....Mary Portas launched her new season shoe range in association with Clark's on Tuesday 21st February at their flagship store on Oxford Street, London. With an array of fruity cocktails complementing the summery tones of the footwear collection and luminous orange balloons decorating the store, the excitement in the room was incomparable when the lady herself was about to grace us with her presence.

Marching down the ginger-coloured carpet laid out for the lady of the night, Mary donned a pair of her own killer faux snakeskin heels, black jodhpurs a classic masculine over sized shirt and one of her statement necklaces. Looking classically stylish, she schmoozed the awaiting crowd, posing for photographs with fans and encouraging females at the event to try on her shoes and give her honest and truthful feedback on the collection. 

Art-Deco props decorated the event at the Clark's flagship store

Balloons in the iconic Mary Portas orange...

"This season is all about snakeskin, pastels or brights, metallic heels, colour pops, and as always, a fashion statement," claimed Portas.

Mary socialised with the customers, chatting and laughing....

"Whose buying my shoes then?" she bellowed and quickly got involved with the excellent customer service of the Clark's shoe team to push her range and get the cash in the tills. The collection is fresh and summery, clearly aimed at an elder age range of 40+ with sensible kitten heels and sophisticated earthy undertones in nude, brown and beige. 

Acidic tones, candy colours and neutral nudes formed a colour base
to the collection...

The most popular shoe of the evening caused a stir with the customers...

The faux snakeskin design seemed popular amongst the event attendees - definitely the most 'Mary' inspired shoe for the Spring/Summer12 range.

Me with the lady herself! How cool is her necklace?

Mary socialised with the waiting crowd, laughing and joking and happy to pose for photographs and sign autographs.

My favourite picks of the Mary & Clark's SS12 shoe range:

£79.99

£89.99

£89.99

£110

Part of the collection has already sold out online and is set to remain a wardrobe staple for the 40-something fashion savvy female. Well, if it's good enough for Mary....

Happy Shopping

xoxo

Event images taken by myself

Product images taken from www.clarks.co.uk 

Punk Out Like Debbie Harry with The Rock Boutique...

Imagine if you could go back in time to an era where music and fashion where at the forefront of cultural behaviour. Where wearing nothing but your man's plain white tee to cover your modesty was seen as effortlessly cool whilst rocking out on stage in front of a crowd of thousands. Well, imagine no more as vintage inspired online store The Rock Boutique lets the past catch up with us thanks to their Debbie Harry inspired twenty piece capsule collection.

If you don't know who Debbie Harry is then I urge you to Google her name. Go on; do it right now. Note her savaged bleach blonde hair and nonchalant styling? Well the motif rock tee was her staple wardrobe item and now you can be inspired by Harry and get the look at The Rock Boutique. Available currently on www.asos.com and to be launched onwww.therockboutqiue.com soon, the range sees slouchy sweaters, racer back vests and scoop neck t shirts adorned in pin-up girl prints and retro tattoo designs. The Rock Boutique have transformed the iconic 'rock' look and given it a modern revival with an ode to vintage style for you - the on trend rocker at heart.

But if venturing outside in just a t-shirt a la Debbie Harry leaves you with a chill (and why wouldn't it in this weather!) why not team your tee with some bleached skinny denim, a distressed leather biker and lush red lips to complete the look? I'll be teaming the Raglan Sweat Top for £40 with a high-low-hem maxi skirt; so Spring/Summer 2012 yet in perfect reference to an iconic fashion era.

I can't wait to shop online at The Rock Boutique (.com) Debbie Harry eat your 'heart of glass' out!



Product images taken from The Rock Boutique Press Release
Debbie Harry images taken from fuckyeahdeborahharry.tumblr.com

Inspiring my wardrobe...

I think everyone has a bit of a lull fashion-wise; whether you're fed up of your style or don't seem to have found it yet, it's good to take inspiration from others when it comes to what and how to wear your clothes. Still finding my feet in the style stakes (it's somewhere between boho/vintage/rock/grunge) I have been looking to some icons for inspiration....

And to start off my new and improved wardrobe, a few sneaky purchases from the good old high street may be in order! This week I'm loving:

Fringed Kimono
River Island
£40

Sheer Maxi Dress
Zara
£89.99

Statement Necklace
Zara
£20

Rihanna Graphic Tee
Topman
£22

Sheer Maxi Skirt
Warehouse
£28

Hand Bracelet
ASOS Marketplace
£18

Vintage Paisley Dress
ASOS Marketplace
£65

Who are your style inspirations?

Happy Shopping

xoxo

Moodboard created by myself with images sourced from Google Images

Product images taken from retailer's websites

Shop Online:

www.topman.conm

www.riverisland.com

www.zara.com

www.marketplace.asos.com

www.warehouse.co.uk



Loved-Up in Lace...thanks to Karen Millen...

So it's Valentine's Day and we all know it's going to be a day filled with loved up couples desperate to show one another how much they love each other. But since when did love ever just involve relationships? What about another important aspect to a girls life - what about fashion?

So whether you're loved up or loved out, you can always trust your wardrobe to make you feel special. And with the high street bursting at the seams with fabulous treats (minus the cheesey red and pink colour breakdowns and love heart motifs...) I'm sure you would much rather have a new statement season piece than a cliche Me To You teddy bear?

The only thing I'm loving this Valentine's is this lace jacket and skirt combo from Karen Millen. Stunningly beautiful and totally inspired by the Louis Vuitton SS12 collection, I'll be teaming the jacket with skinny denim now and then a pretty lace day dress come spring! And a lightweight knit goes perfectly with the skirt at the moment and then switch for a ruffled blouse when the weather becomes warmer.

Lace Jacket
Karen Millen
£175

Lace Skirt
Karen Millen
£140

Hope you have a very fashionable Valentine's day. After all, a girl's relationship with fashion never ends in heart ache.....unless your bank balance doesn't stretch to that new season Chanel handbag that is...!

Happy Valentine's Day

xoxo

Shop Online www.karenmillen.com

Spring Summer 2012 with Matalan...

Not content on marking their spot firmly on the go-to high street destination hot spot with their AW11 collection last year, Matalan are back for 2012 showing that looking fresh off the catwalk doesn't have to mean living off beans and toast for the remainder of the season (believe me, we've all been there in the name of fashion!)

So whether its playful pastels, mix and match prints or free spirited bohemia, Matalan has a look to meet your needs in both the fashion and money sense - phew!

Introducing the Spring Summer 2012 Collection from Matalan

Summer Sorbet

Key Colours: Spearmint, bubblegum, lemon and cornflower blue

Key Details: Separates in block pastels, wardrobe staple jeans and clean mini satchels

Wear it now pre-summer: Swap t shirts and blouses for lightweight knitwear, team with a weatherproof mac for a modernist twist

Pocket Tee £12
Necklace £9, £7
Cuff £8
Skinny Denim £16

Stripe Shirt £12
Necklace £8
Skinny Denim £16

Colour Block Vest £7
Skinny Denim £16

 In the Print

Key Colours: Primary brights in bold blue, daisy yellow, pillar box red and garish green

Key Details: Floral and butterfly mirages, conversational prints and colour blocked accessories

Wear it now pre-summer: Clash your prints underneath a knitted cardigan or layer up with even more prints - the more mixed up the better!

Butterfly Print Kimono £14
Print Playsuit £10

Pussy Bow Blouse £12
Bird Print Trouser £18
Coral Clutch £8

Butterfly Blouse £16
Scarf Print Skirt £16

Festival Folly

Key Colours: Faded denim, pure white lace, ikat prints

Key Details: Fringing, cut out applique, denim

Wear it now pre-summer: Swap denim cut offs from the upcoming season for old faithful jeans and dig out those cowboy boots to battle the winter weather in!

Maxi Dress £22
Denim Waistcoat £16
Necklace £7
Bangle £8
Headband £4

Blouse £16
Crochet Trim Shorts £14
Aztec Bag £8
Sunglasses £5

Maxi Dress £26
Hat £8
Envelope Clutch £8

Happy Shopping

xoxo

All images from the Matalan Lookbook Spring/Summer 2012 courtesy of Matalan and Yellow Door



Sex and the City Tumblr....

For those of you who follow me on Twitter (follow me here) you will have come to the realisation that I am only just getting into Sex and the City! I was way too young to watch it when it first came around, but after seeing both of the films when they were released, I thought it was about time I watched the actual series. So queue those long, dark, winter evenings after work, a box of malteasers and the SATC boxset, I am already on season 4 and willing Carrie to ditch Big and go back for Aiden!

I came across this Tumblr site www.fysexandthecity.tumblr.com and loved the mixture of cute photograhy with classic SATC quotes! I thought I'd post a few up on here seeing as I am becoming obsessed. And as my friends and I argue over who is who in our group (I am Carrie obviously!) I'm wondering if anyone else is doing the exact same thing from our generation?

Enjoy!

xoxo

The ultimate Sex and the City quote! Love this.

Classic Samantha....

Ah we can all relate to this one...

Amazing photography!

Can you imagine!

xxx

All images taken from www.fysexandthecity.tumblr.com



It's all so PRINTIFUL....

Yes, printiful is actually a word. Well, thanks to Mary Katrantzou and Peter Pilotto it is. They stormed onto their Spring Summer 2012 catwalks in nothing but, yes you guessed it, PRINT. But not any type of print; these were colourful explosions of experimental patterns. Think club tropicana meets a rainbow meets the psychedelic era of the 1960's - it's an infusion of fantasy and fashion, it's Spring Summer 2012....

Thanks to singer Jessie J, everyone seems to be embracing the print trend at River Island
 in their now iconic tropical jacket and trouser combo.

PAIR the prints....

Tropical Print Blazer
River Island
£45

Tropical Print Trouser
River Island
£30

Team this statement combination together to get those fashion tongues wagging. You'll be the talk of the tropical town so wear with absolute confidence and don't forget a pair of killer heels!

Palm Mirage Top
Warehou;se
£35

Palm Mirage Skirt
Warehouse
£40

 MIX the prints with this stunning skirt and blouse from Warehouse. Add a tan belt once the top is tucked in to give a flattering break between the print on print. It's high street fashion at its very best...

Lily Printed Dress
Karen Millen
£175

OWN the prints by working a statement one piece such as a jumpsuit or this dress from Karen Millen. Acidic colours and a beautiful equatorial pattern keep your print infusion sophisticated yet still majorly on trend...

Floral Print Trouser
Topshop
£45

Denim Crop Top
Topshop
£25

TONE down the print by teaming your floral tailored trousers from Topshop with a cute denim cut off or colour block tee. Indulging in the trend means experimenting with what and how you dare!

Good luck and Happy Shopping!

xoxo

All images taken from retail websites:

www.riverisland.com

www.warehouse.co.uk

www.karenmillen.com

www.topshop.com

Lollipops: Because sometimes fashion is just too sweet to resist....

The Parisian emporium at 104 Commercial Street...

What do you get if you cross Parisian chic with vintage frills and a touch of feminine softness? You get a brand that oozes that je ne sais quoi. A brand that until November of last year, only opened its doors in one London location in Covent Garden. But now, with a reputation fashionably building up to be one of the one-stop shopping destinations for style conscious Londoners alike, the name says it all: sweet, delicious and totally scrumptious. I introduce: Lollipops.

Set against an industrial brick backdrop, the juxtaposition of the
feminine product was both inspiring and interesting...

Cute captions branded the handbags and clothing....

 
Inspired by romanticism, poetic literature and the Parisian lifestyle, the Creative Director, Majorie Mattheu who originates from France, spoke openly about how her designs play on the portrayal of a young woman going through life and love itself. In a store filled with vintage display trinkets from battered suitcases and 1920's dresser mirrors, the shop located on Commercial Street, Spitalfields, was an emporium of design-led dresses and blouses made from whimsical chiffon and decadent lace.

Cute ribboned hangers gave the clothes a totally kitsch feel...

Adorable white blouse...

Whimsical lace and chiffon was used profoundly in the collection...

Faux fur detailing added to the Parisian influence...

Kooky brights were emblazoned with pelicans, penguins and flamingos...

 
Starting up 12 years ago, Lollipops had inspirational accessories at the forefront of its mind. Majorie, the Creative Director, took accessorising to a whole new level, developing intricate necklaces and glamorous day to night handbags to complete any girl's look; "Accessories define a woman's style.." she states. And rightly so, as the Spring/Summer 2012 range featured a bag collection in the season's only colour palette to be seen in: pastels.

French influences were Majorie's, the Creative Director, main focal point....

Girly satchels and totes formed the baseline of the handbag range...

A palette of blue hues, pale pastels and neutral undertones...

 
Kitsch detailing such as embroidery, ribbon and cute buttons featured heavily on the powder blue handbags with candy pink shoppers and beige knitted satchels also taking centre stage. Lollipops sure has it right when it comes to accessorising with arm candy this good!
 
Adding a new twist to the brand, Majorie has begun to branch out into fashion design, being influenced by the angelic nature of floating maxi dresses and prim girl blouses. Taking Parisian chic and bringing it to London, the collection was developed through the analysis of the customer and features a range that is both delicate and ultra-feminine. My favourite piece included the coral empire line maxi dress and the rose embroidered white blouse - c'est chic!

For a boutique vibe, the clothes were hung in ones...

 
And on the route to completing your Lollipop look its every girls most treasured fashion possession: shoes. But this is no ordinary footwear collection. Aside from the leather studded ankle boots and Mary Jane heels that go hand in hand (or foot to foot) with the clothing range, Lollipops has implemented a "customize your own shoe" idea.

Vintage suitcases and trunks were used as props to display the adorable shoes...

Kitten heels were a major focus in bold blue with additional detailing such as flowers
and bows...

The brand offers a 'customize your own shoe' service...

Quirky brogues are sure to add interest to the feminine dresses on offer from the brand...

 
Integrated from combining what the customer wants with true Lollipop branding, you can customize your kitten heel or play with your pumps to create a look totally unique to yourself. All you have to do is choose between clip on features such as the fluttering eye, the cute bow knot or the blooming flower. It's that simple yet so stylish!
 
And what better way to add the finishing touches to your Lollipop style than with totally quirky jewellery pieces. Think humorous oversized glasses hanging on a delicate chain and adorable moustache rings - sure to add that extra edge to any gorgeous Lollipop dress.

Jewellery emporium...

Kooky glasses and moustaches were the main motifs in the accessories collection...

Oversized necklaces were making a statement...

 
And so if that hasn't got your fashion taste buds going then be sure to check out the store itself at Spitalfields Market Place, 104 Commercial Street. I'll see you in the queue with my customized shoes, my vintage inspired maxi dress, the quirky jewellery pieces oh and the powder blue bags too....!

All images are my own.
You can also see this article published on The Upcoming website.