The May Edition of Elle

This morning my lovely glossy shiny May edition of Elle plopped through my letter box (although May seems like ages away). I have had a quick flick through but unfortunately I have not had time to sit and read it cover to cover yet. My first observation is that disappointingly, there seems to be no reduction in advertising spend in Elle. I always think it has such a small amount of content for the size of the magazine and was hoping the would have more features to replace advertising due to the economic conditions. Some key trends that caught my eye in Elle:

Twisted flat by New Look

Nude Shoes - I love them, they go with almost everything and even better lengthen your leg. I must get a pair for this summer. I actually prefer the tan shades rather than the pinky shades, they seem to suit me better. I practically live in flat pumps most of the time.

Christopher Kane SS09 - picture from http://www.style.com/

Leather and suede - Leather seems to be every where at the moment and I love it. So many different textures and I love the way it is combined with other materials. I also think they make a great outfit when worn with something that either contrasts the glossiness of the leather or matte finish of the suede. Oh and I really really love the yellow leather skirt by Christopher Kane and the red leather shorts by Chloe (unfortunately I could never wear them, not with my legs).

Men's clothes - I love this idea, men's clothes always look great. Unfortunately, being 5ft 2 I have enough trouble finding women's clothes that fit never mind men's.

Black One Shoulder Jumpsuit by Dorothy Perkins

Jumpsuits - Yet another article on jumpsuits and how to wear them. I love jumpsuits. I have added some of my favourite jumpsuits here, I won't say any more as I have already written numerous posts about my love of jumpsuits.

Links à la Mode : March 26th

picture from www.fasshonaburu.com

39thandbroadway.com - Thought it was hard picking a job interview outfit, well, what do you wear if you’re interviewing for a fashion job?
A Few Goody GumDrops - A Few Goody Gumdrops scoops an interview with handbag designer’s Be and D about the re-launch of the Garbo bag!
Breakfast at Saks - A little slice of heaven: Erin Wasson’s Venice Beach Tree House
Consume or Consumed - Soleful Shopping: Negotiating Men’s Footwear (Guest Men’s Fashion Entry)
Dogmom’s Dish - Norma Kamali NK: Spring Blossoms In Unexpected Places
dramatis personae - Curious About Corsetry {part 1}: Answers to Your Most Basic Questions
Fasshonaburu - How to rock multiple brights this spring
fete a fete - DL1961’s 4-way stretch denim slims and shapes
Independent Fashion Bloggers - How essential is twitter to your blog?
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Fashion - Virtual Shopping Cart: Urban Outfitters
misslikey - misslikey is still zipping
Munique Fashions - Twinset and pearls with a modern twist
Or False Glitter - fall/winter 09 inspired hair style tried at home!
reLYME - Studs were all over the runway this season…a few cheaper and more girly alternatives.
Retro Chick - Ethical Design Spotlight - Tammam
Solo Lisa - Tips to take with you when shopping for clutches
Star Fashion Addict - Summer Trend Jumpsuits and Rompers
Style Eyes Fashion Blog - Cheer yourself up with a little lipstick therapy
Style Symmetry - The Best Thrifting Tip I Can Give You
THE COVETED - The Elegant Punks an interview with Felder Felder
Thrift Eye - Making a circle scarf, then turning it into a circle dress!

Quality Over Quantity

Coral One Shoulder Grecian Top - Dorothy Perkins

I have been reading many a credit crunch style article in magazines lately. They continuously tell me that I should buy quality over quantity as not only is it more economical in the long run but it is also better for the environment. I buy into this philosophy completely (well most of the time).

But occasionally, I do have the yearning to buy something that isn't perhaps what could be described as the absolute highest of quality. I am not saying that I would buy anything from a shop like Primark but perhaps somewhere between Primark and very more expensive brands like Reiss or Theory. The attraction of these items being that I just like the look of them and don't have to save up for months to buy them.

So when is it OK to throw quality out the window and for the quick fix - a bird in the hand being worth two in the bush. Especially when it is a pretty bird that I really would like. At the moment, I just can't seem to get enough of Dorothy Perkins. I have concluded whilst for certain items like trousers and jeans where fit is paramount and if you but quality it really makes a difference, it is still alright to but the odd dress, top or accessory that I am just buying because it looks nice.

Suits You

Petite Cardigan - Dorothy Perkins

After some careful reflection on my spending (sorry to keep on about the frugal thing), I have had a good think about which styles of clothes suit me. I have to choose carefully when buying clothes as I am only 5ft 2 and there are plenty of styles that really don't suit me. There are how ever a few different styles of clothes that always make me feel great. These are generally the clothes that hide those few extra pounds that I keep promising to loose and lumpy bumpy bits that I shall blame on having had 2 children. In light of the current economic climate, It may seem a bit boring but I will be sticking firmly to the styles of clothes that I know suit me. That is not to say that I cannot be a bit more adventurous when it comes to colours, patterns and accessories.

Bootleg trousers/ Jeans

Sheath/ shift dresses

Empire line tops and dresses

Fitted tops that finish at the waist

Pencil Skirts

Prom Dresses

Quality Jumpsuits

Tulip Style Dresses

Wrap dresses

Tailored jackets

Fitted shirts

Short and fitted cardigans

A Line Skirts

There are some items that no matter what I will avoid and if I do have any lurking in my cupboard I will swap, sell or send to the charity shop immediately.

Harem trousers

mini skirts

anything over sized

anything that clings rather than clings

Weekly Shopping and Goodies 25/03/09

picture from Spork Fashion

Cheer yourself up on a cold and windy day with some gorgeous shopping and goodies this week. We have it all from clothes, shoes and accessories to interviews and body shaping undies.

A Few Goody Gumdrops knows Spring is in the air and it's time to put a little Pucci in your day!

Couture In The City Shows us how to steal Camilla Belle's style.

Fashion Fille interviewed Beka of reLYME.com!

She interviewed Fashion Fille as well.

Check it out! The Bare Skinny shows you how to give em' the cold shoulder this spring.

Handbag du Jour chats with Be & D on the re-launch of the iconic Garbo studded bag, Kate Moss and what's next for the brand!

Princess Dominique Dishes Fashion hosts the new My Twinkle Toe Shoes. Giveaway! Got Facebook or Twitter? Then You Can Enter!

Quinta Trends shows the NSBP new collection. The fall is coming in South America…

Spork Fashion has teamed with ChickDowntown.com to give away a silk spring dress by Rebecca Taylor!

Shopping and Info wants to buy Katherine Heigl’s Be & D ruffle bag!

Style Eyes is fed up with frugal living so she cheers herself up with some small treats in her post The Lipstick Effect

Make sure to take The Budget Fashionista's fabulous Annual Shopping Survey for 2009, and help us beat last year's record of over 3,000 responses!

What's Haute Magazine shows you how to get in "shape" without even breaking a sweat. The secret? Spanx!

The Well-Heeled Society finds happiness in the color of sunshine.

diva in a carry on understands that your clothes are an investment, so protect them and your body from odor!

The Lipstick Effect

I am finding frugal living a bit of a challenge but have discovered the lipstick effect which really is true. The lipstick effect is a term that was coined by Leonard Lauder, Chairman of Estee Lauder after September 11th. It is used to describe the tendency for consumers to purchase small, comforting items such as lipstick rather than large luxury items. There has been noted a steep rise in the sales of lipsticks in times of uncertainty as these are the perfect cheer you up purchases, not too expensive but giving you that feeling of treating yourself. Amazingly buying yourself a small treat when you can't afford a whole new outfit feels just as good (well almost).

For those who are tightening their belt (be that a thrift shop, Gucci or Prada belt), the lipstick effect is a great way to keep happy in a recession, of course the cost of the lipstick will vary depending on how much you need to economise. But it is not just lipsticks that this applies to. The same can be said of any smallish accessory or make up purchases. Here are some of my favourite cheer me up lipstick size treats.

Leaf Brooch - Seasons Online

Necklace - La Redoute Creation

Fringed Bag - La Redoute Creation

Vintage Brooch - Littlewoods

The Frugal Green Greek Goddess Dress

With my new policy of frugality and a party coming up soon, I decided to get creative to get myself a new dress. I am also only weeks away from the launch of my new business venture and decided it was time to start practicing what I preach in terms of recycling and reworking second hand clothes. The Greek goddess dress seemed the perfect place to start, they seem to be every where at the moment. I found a dark blue dress a line maxi dress in a charity shop for £4.99.


I cut off one of the shoulders to create an asymmetrical neck line and hemmed the edge.


I hand sewed a long silk scarf (originally from LK Bennett) along the neckline.


I tied the remained of the silk scarf around the empire line seam and tacked in place with a few stitches.

Overall I was really pleased with the effect for just £4.99 and an hour or two of sewing. I haven't done any dress making for ages as I don't seem to have patience (or time) lately for such a time consuming hobby. But restyling clothes is the perfect alternative. The main part of the construction is already there leaving me to spend my time doing the create bit. I can't wait to get started on my next frugal and Eco friendly project, I am thinking perhaps some bib style necklaces using recycled secondhand leather jackets and second hand costume jewellery.

Weekly Shopping and Goodies 18/03

picture from the Bare Skinny

This week looks like a bumper week for shopping and goodies. Read on for tons of goodies from the team.

A Few Goody Gumdrops scoops an interview with handbag designer's Be & D about the re-launch of the Garbo Bag!
Handbag du Jour brings you the hottest in green handbags in celebration of St. Patty's Day!
Be Seen In Hollywood takes you to GenArt’s and Boxeight’s kick off of LA’s Fall Fashion week .
Couture In The City No one's perfect until now Perfect One full coverage bra by Victoria's Secret!
Ma Petite Chou is in a shopping frenzy because Shopbop's offering an additional 20% off items marked already 70% off!.

Puppies and Worms loves Starbucks Green Tea Latte recipe for Spring.
Quinta Trends goes to shopping to Buenos Aires

Shopping and Info loves Julia Roberts Halter neck dress trend for Spring.

The Bare Skinny shows you how to Dress to the Max.
Style Eyes loves the sweet as sugar shades at Dorothy Perkins, If you also have a sweet tooth, read about it in Dolly Mixture Style
Its time to chime in! The Annual Shopping Survey 2009 by The Budget Fashionista wants to hear from all of you, dear readers, by Thursday, March 19th.

The Well-Heeled Society gives you attitude on heels.
What's Haute Magazine loves Sunner's grown-up take on the romper.
diva in a carry on wants to know how do you snog?

Dolly Mixture Style

Just when I thought it was safe to do a spot of online window shopping, Dorothy Perkins have sprung some gorgeous clothes and accessories that I am finding it very hard to resist. The main object of my desire is the bib style necklace in the picture above which combines a variety of different flowers in a very eye catching design. It definitely looks like it comes from some where much more expensive than Dotty P's. Unfortunately I have been unable to find the necklace on the website to buy, perhaps it is for the best under my current frugality policy.

There are also some clothes in very sugary sweet shades that remind me of dolly mixtures. I love combination of pale lavender and coral or fuscia pink for a clashing combination that is fresh pretty and feminine. This look was seen in combination with some frilly florals at Luella SS09 collection.

Lime Short Crew Top

Magenta Wrap Jumper

Lilac Pontinelle Cardigan

Coral Tulip Skirt

Pink Floral Belted Dress

Pink Tassel Moccasins

Purple Round Toe Platforms

For a much more understated look these sugary dolly mixture colours look great with neutrals and greys.

The F Word

I have had just about as much as I can take of frugality. Ever since Christmas, I have avoided going shop or spending too much time looking at clothes. But when I receieved my latest copy of Vogue (which I might add was over a week late) and spotted a preview of the Mathew Williamson collection for H & M that was the final nail in the coffin of Frugality. I love every single Mathew Williamson collection, they are bright vibrant clothes, the sort that make me feel alive.

The preview in Vogue only featured four pieces a sequinned T shirt dress, A silk dress with a beautiful print, a blue blazer and a gold silk jumpsuit but I believe that it is going to be quite a big collaboration and will even include menswear. The prices look to be quite high ranging from £75 to £150 but based on my frugal lack of spending this year, I think I deserve one little splurge. I have never so far bought a single item from a designer high street collection but I think this may well be a turning point for me as I already have my eye on the silk dress. I have already blocked out 23rd April in my diary with H & M.

I am afraid I don't post any pics as Nitrolicious has already been asked by H & M to remove theirs.

Jumpsuits go mainstream

Portfolio Belted Wide Leg Jump Suit

Limited Collection Pure Linen Cropped All-in-One

It is official jumpsuits are no longer a fringe fashion, they are now mainstream. I know they must be mainstream as M & S are now stocking them. Either that of M & S has a very trendy new designer on board. Yes the M & S jumpsuits are fairly conservative versions of this trend but lets face it, jumpsuits are not a particularly easy trend to wear and these may be some of the most wearable options that I have seen so far.

Rick Owens AW09

pictures from http://www.style.com/

I am starting to suffer from fashion week burn out (as I suspect are many of my fellow fashion bloggers). Although I have not posted that much on Style Eyes, I do write for a number of other blogs and it does get to the point where you find it difficult to be inspired by any of the collections. I have therefore decided just to pick out a few of my absolute favourites from the last few shows in the hope of avoiding writing dull and uninspiring posts.

I loved the Rick Owens show which started off with a few all black outfits before moving into lots of icey grey outfits. I loved them all. There was some different looking boots and some fairly strange looking leg atire. The single colour layering is a great look and one that I will definitely be trying out. I would so love to get one of those gorgeous jackets. I love the assymetrical zips and the way that they are short at the front and longer at the back. The overall effect was a cosy looking outfit without too much bulk, perfect for me being so short.

Weekly Shopping and Goodies - Shoe Special

picture from Ma Petite Chou

This week, my weekly shopping and goodies friends have all written some amazing shoe posts.

The Fashionable Housewife dishes on Women’s Shoe Trends For Spring 2009

A Few Goody Gumdrops asks Sexy Shoe or Emu? You decide!

Bags, Bling and Beauty looks to Christian Louboutin for some serious retail therapy.

Couture In The City shows us how to get noticed in super-sexy shoe styles for Spring!

Fashion Fille supplies some major shoe porn to drool at why pondering what makes shoes so damn fantabulous.

Handbag du Jour explores why Amber Rose and her accessories are the highlight of Paris Fashion Week.

Ma Petite Chou wants these Marni Crossed Slingback Sandals!

Princess Dominique Dishes Fashion and Franco Sarto Partner to Offerthe Bijou Summer Sandal Giveway!

Quinta Trends wants to by all the new collection of Argentinean shoes Luz Príncipe, because It loves it!

Raging Rouge is in love with the latest designs from Havaianas.

Shopping and Info loves lilac boots for Spring.

Style Eyes is loving Fringed Shoes and Boots just not with a checked shirt or dress .

Be first to shop Piperlime's Shoe Sale from Women. The Budget Fashionista scoped out the latest reductions and Spring steals!

The Well-Heeled Society shows the perfect heels to walk all over that man: embellished in crystals and ankle bow-ties!

What's Haute Magazine interviews star shoe designer Camilla Skovgaard.

Diva in a carry on digs the heck out of these fashionable summer pumps from victoria's secret.

Emilio De La Morena

Now that things have calmed down a bit on the fashion week side of things, I have had a bit more time to look at and reflect upon a few of the collections and digest. Another one of the collections that I really liked is that of Spanish born designer Emilio De La Morena. A graduate of Central St Martins and London College of Fashion, he has worked for Jonathan Saunders and Rafael Lopez as well as winning a New Generation Award to show his aw08 collection at London Fashion Week.

This collection is inspired by The work of Spanish sculptor Eduardo Chillida, pop art and colour and he describes his design signature as sculptural chic. I loved the sheath style dresses in lots of different styles. A very wearable look but also really interesting with cut outs, sheer panels and ruching and gathering. The collection was probably not the most ground breaking ever but never the less lovely clothes that I would love to wear.

pictures from www.emiliodelamorena.com

Fringed Shoes and Boots

I love the fringed trend but it is not something that I would want to wear too much of. A fringed bag or pair of shoes would be perfect for summer. There are so many fringed shoes and boots around, I though I would pick out my favourites. Heeled boots look great with skinny jeans, the high heels with dresses and the flat boots with casual dresses and skirts. My favourites are the heeled shoes, they say global chic without going too over the top. I will definitely not be wearing my fringed shoes or boots with checks as the wild west look is just too much! Perhaps a neutral / beige/ minimalist outfit for my own take on the fringed look.

Fringed Sandals - La Redoute

Tipster Double Fringe Boots - La Redoute

Tasseled Ankle Boot - New Look

Tassel Platforms - New LookLove Label 'Native' Fringe Heeled Boots - Littlewoods Love Label 'Sioux' Fringe Heeled Sandals - Littlewoods

Milan Fashion Week AW09

In stark contrast to London Fashion Weeks up coming designers with innovative designs focus, Milan fashion week was very much about the big brands and well established names creating luxurious well cut and timeless classics. My absolute favourite classic piece is the shift dress. I liked both but in very different ways and both styles. I am guessing that the bigger and more established names at Milan feel less need to prove themselves in terms of design implications but perhaps more need to create very wearble and sellable clothes. It is great to have a balance as sometimes I feel like wearing something outrageous other times I just want some thing very classic and stylish. On the whole at Milan Fashion Week the colours were muted and neutral or blacks and grey with a few exceptions of course. There also seemed to be a bit of a forties theme.

Versace - a very safe collection of trench coats and shift dresses, with a bit of chic understated gloss and sparkle.

Prada- Lots of boiled wool, beautifully cut coats and some wader style boots? Definitely a bit of an outdoor theme going on here, thin Madonna on her country estate, with the odd cheeky flash of red in the form of shoes, a clutch or a glimse of underwear.

Dolce & Gabbana added a bit of humour to the proceedings with Marilyn Monroe prints, gloves that looked like scarves, bright pink fur and lots of balloon and exaggerated shoulders.

Maxmara - beautifully luxurious coats that looked amazing to wear. In fact the whole collection was pure luxury. Nothing ground breaking but very nice.

At Pollini, a fairly untypical Milan Fashion Week Collection but then what else would you expect with Jonathan Saunders being in his second season there. Much more like a collection that you would expect to see at London Fashion Week. I love those suede boots that seem to crop up all over the place.

pictures from http://www.style.com/

This Weeks Very Stylish Shopping and Goodies

picture from What's Haute

As usual some great reads, all the latest fashion news and even better some give aways from my weekly shopping and goodies friends.

A Few Goody Gumdrops and Luna Boston are so excited to give away a to-die-for Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Mini Bag .You'll love the color!

Be Seen In Hollywood takes you to the Jonas Brothers 3D World Premiere

Couture In The CityAussie favorite will give you the royal "Wellington" treatment MoovBoots.

Fashion Fille asks, have you ever been completely unappreciated? She shares a tale of her own.

Handbag du Jour says even the best designers have bad days sometimes. The Pauric Sweeney Padded Patchwork Top-handle bag misses the mark.

Ma Petite Chou says you must enter to win fabulous prizes from Benefit & Banana Republic with the Coralista Fashionista Sweepstakes

Puppies and Worms found a hassle free pet.

Quinta Trends shows the beautiful resin jewels : Sobral from Brazil

Shopping and Info loves turquoise for spring.

The Bare Skinny has proof that a $1,000 shoe doesn't always make the outfit.

The Well-Heeled Society highlights the pre-order book about the towering empire of Jimmy Choo, which she has the honor of reviewing.

What's Haute's Haute Topic: Fashionable Neon Brights!