#WantItWednesday (21/05/14)

I have been surrounded by family this week. 

That can only mean one thing. I have  had a big family event. That can only mean one thing. I needed a big family party dress. 

It was particularly difficult because a) most of my family are incredibly conservative. So my rocking up in my preferred Mary Katranzou crop and wool mini and b) most of my family think I'm weird enough as it is. 

So I had to find something that I felt comfortable and fashion forward in and also would not get my Great-Uncle giving me the most disapproving of looks as I sashayed across the dance floor of my grandmother's 90th birthday. 

So what could I wear that would fit? I found the answer in this Beautiful silk shirt dress. This was the answer to all of my prayers! 

This is fun, chic as hell and is safe enough to wear in front of the fussiest relatives. The best part this looks extra amazing with a pair if jeans or a pair of kick-ass sandals. Topshop have found the answer to all of my prayers! It's a shame they don't come in a myriad of colours, I would have bought them all. 

I get to have my cake and eat it too! WIN! 

Get this piece of actual confection here. 

Details of all looks can be found here

Dressing For Work #1

White Shirt, Derek Lam

Cardigan, Warehouse

Skirt, Martin Grant

Pump, Giuseppe Zanotti

Jewellery, Caterina Zangrando

Sharks Tooth Necklace, Givenchy

Chain Necklace, Stephanie Kantis

#WantItWednesday (14/05/14)

I love shoes. I don’t talk about it often enough, but I am obsessed with shoes; crazy obsessed with shoes.

I often talk about (moan about) not having the coveted shoe wall (an idea my mother has run with - it puts my old collection in the shade) that I had in my old flat, and have to make do with secreting new pairs into my house and stuffing them under the bed, not in pride of place as I used to 

(or had become accustomed to). 

I am starting to reclaim the space and as a result, I am of course, buying more shoes. 

I have mentioned my obsession with Jeffrey Campbell on many occasions; known for (amongst other things) the Lita (I still wear mine ALL the time) and the Ex-Factor. The new Boehme is a step away from the heavy, grungy look the label has become known for. 

This style of shoe, in its many variations is EVERYWHERE at the moment however, this studded style is by far my favourite. 

It adds an edge that such a delicate shoe needs (As you’ve probably guessed, I am not a fan of delicate things) and as every shoe lover knows, it holds a special power non-shoe lovers just don’t understand. It is crazy versatile!  

You can (if you are so inclined) make this the crown (for your feet) of a rather ethereal, delicate look or you can feminise a powerful androgynous ‘nomcore’-ish look.  

When you think of Jeffrey Campbell, you often think flannel and leather shorts. It's definitely time to rethink. There is certainly more to this label than. 

I am all for finding more excuses to buy!  

Get the details on all looks here

Casual Chic #9

Shirt, DKNY

Jacket, Alice & Olivia

Jeans, J Brand

Crossover Heels,Christian Louboutin

Casual Chic #8

Shirt Dress, M&S

Floral Jeans, Tory Burch

Lace-up Platform Boots, Jeffrey Campbell

#WantItWednesday (07/05/14)

I love the power of a good necklace. 

It can transform an otherwise safe t shirt and jeans combo into something unusual  and edgy. Rather than going to the shops for milk, you're going somewhere cool for drinks or for a casual date. 

E K Throngprasert does this best. The mix of silicon and jewels is a winning combination. 

The bright colours and intricate designs are worn best with a paired down silhouette, Single colours work best, allowing the pieces to shine. I think all grey works fabulously with the entirety of the collection. 

My favourite of the latest collection is this intricate wonderfully lustrous confection in purple. 

This is worn best with Navy and White. I want it all!! 

Details of all looks can be found here

Met Gala 2014

This one did take me by surprise (it crept up on me, like much of this year to be honest) but the Met Gala

has been & gone, like most people it has been the talk of my office. 

Apart from the ‘floral couch gate’, the choices last year were a little more daring; mainly due to its ‘punk’ theme. This year, I felt was the safest yet.  

There was an overarching need for ‘Vintage Glamour’ & the usual suspects; Dita Von Teese, Blake Lively & Charlize Theron pulled this off easily with very little visible effort. Others such as Sarah Jessica Parker & Kate Upton looked like they had tried (and failed) to look effortlessly glamorous, aiming for the quality of a Veronica Lake; ending up looking more like a poorly imitated Jessica Rabbit.

Crop tops featured heavily on a lot of the younger muses, Cara, Rihanna & Emma Stone. (To name a few) There was a move towards a sleeker trousered silhouette rather than fluffy ball gowns this event has come to be known for, but this was few and far between.

Normally I’ve an opinion on everything (I wouldn’t write this blog if I didn’t) & I cannot begin to name my favourite look as they all seemed a little safe. Last year was easy, I knew they second I caught a glimpse of the picture. This year I am just not. So. Sure.

For ingenuity it has to be Janelle Monae, mainly because of the detailing on the cape. The look sticks with me. The detailing in the cape is exquisite & evokes vintage glamour in a novel & progressive ‘Basque– esque’ way, not seen on the red carpet in a while.

The ‘McCartney Clique’ I felt captured the entire mood of the season, monochrome and brights working together harmoniously. Individually, I couldn’t pick a favourite, as a collective I am sold.

Dita Von Teese, while the silhouette was utter perfection; the detailing in the sweetheart neckline, need not have been there. This would have easily been my pick of the bunch; I did not however, care for the additional red at the bust. The fishtail hem was more than enough. 

I was not a fan of Kirsten Stewart’s Chanel Look. There was far too much going on; I am a fan of embellishment, but not at the cost of overall look. Pick one and stick with it. 

Overall, this was definitely the safest set of dresses seen at the Met Gala in recent history. I was not overwhelmed by a particular outfit and with the exception of one or two (which could have been so much worse) was not grossly offended by any particular look. Given the aesthetic and body of work of the exhibition is meant to be celebrating, I would have thought the gowns worn would want to try their best to emulate it. 

Vogue, as always has the best collection of images from the gala, have a look here