source: © shopzilla - Soul Cal jumper

Whilst pondering my new found enthusiasm to make an effort each day in what I wear and how I present myself to the world on non-work days, I realised that I don’t have many everyday tops to wear with my weekend Capri pants.

I always used to feel a bit uncomfortable in shirts and blouses and frankly stretchy t-shirts have really got to go. I’m also resisting the urge to buy anything remotely resembling a fleece. A designer sweater or top might do nicely though …

I unearthed a rather sensational chiffon top. It’s a flower and paisley print and will add a touch of colour to my complexion, rather than sticking to black or block colours or worse stripes, which are so last season.

There is a huge range of chiffon tops with pretty patterns. Most are long enough to skim the top of your bottom and would like great teamed with jeans. I did decide that it’s ok to have some t-shirty style tops but they have to have something about them, off the shoulder perhaps or a gorgeous print design on the front.

I totally fell in love with a glitter print design, it’s slightly off the shoulder with ¾ length sleeves, grey in colour with a silver picture on the front, the length is perfect with it being nipped in at the waist and then fitted around the hips. I loved it, I wanted it, and so I bought it. Happy Christmas to me.

Rated: from 1284 votes

Sweater: Flickr Nadya Peek

With winter just round the corner it’s occurred to me that even though my wardrobe appears to be bursting at the seams, I don’t really own any winter clothes. I end up borrowing my boyfriend’s sweatshirts or throwing on a hoodie and thinking “to hell with it, I don’t care what I look like as long as I’m warm.”

Not this year though. I intend to get with the programme and buy some up to the minute basic and fundamental attire to suit the winter weather. I own one - just one - black cardigan and I wear it with everything, but I went in search of some bargains and some investment pieces I can wear when I go out with Jack Frost first thing in the morning to de-ice the car.

I stumbled upon a website called www.promod.co.uk and had a quick delve into their knitwear category. There are some great pieces; a fantastic one in particular is the “body conscious” tunic sweater in grey. Team this with skinny jeans and boots and you will not only look great, you can be sure it’s comfortable too. It’s only £27 and also comes in black, plum purple and beige, but the grey is my favourite. There is also a gorgeous belted long cardigan that’s £39, in grey also. I’ve just realised if I keep going with grey I will end up looking like John Major. Note to self: find more vibrant colours.

I tested the water with some designer sweaters too and found some totally funky and unique items at inkboutique.co.uk; their Queen Bee “designer sweater” is gorgeous. It has a short funnel neck, puffball shoulders, striped sleeves and comes with a detachable satin flower – I’m in love. I think it might be called Queen Bee for a reason given the sting of the £80 price tag. Then again, it’s a small price for avoiding pneumonia.

So let’s see: In the short time I have been writing this post for my fashion blog I have spent £146! One thing is for certain then - I definitely need that designer sweater to keep warm in order to save money elsewhere. Time to turn off the heating!

Rated: from 1471 votes

bride: Sxc © simmbarb

Many women spend countless hours daydreaming abut their wedding day so, when the opportunity arises, the dreaming stops and the planning starts. Any money you like, the moment a girl is faced with a man on bended knee her first thought is not “which flowers shall I have” or “shall we honeymoon in Vegas”, without doubt it will be “yippeeeeeeeee now I get to pick my bride’s dress”.

Every month wedding magazine upon wedding magazine fills its pages with gorgeous glossy pictures of dream dresses. Brides-to-be travel for miles and miles to try a multiplicity of dresses, colours, lengths, styles and of course designers. It’s the one purchase for which you are entitled to spend like a celebrity. Even the cheaper versions that are on the rack are guaranteed to turn any girl into a princess.

The process of choosing a bride’s dress is, however, reserved for girls who actually ARE getting married. It’s not really the correct etiquette to buy a bridal magazine or go for a fitting if you haven’t been asked yet! Shame really, because it looks like a heap of fun.

Invariably, bride’s dresses are almost always white or ivory but what do you do if white doesn’t take your fancy? I think antique gold looks stunning especially when combined with bridesmaids in dark burgundy or red wine! And if that doesn’t do it for you, there is a multitude of dresses available in every colour under the sun: green, blue, red … even black!

Well, I need to sign off and go back to daydreaming…. but one day, if I kiss enough frogs…

Rated: from 1634 votes

Jeans woman bootcut strech © fornarina

Come home from work, sling on my jeans, get up at the weekend, on go the jeans, out on the town better wear the good jeans. Women’s jeans rock! FACT.

No other item I own gets as much wear as my jeans. Skinny jeans, flared jeans, boyfriend jeans, slouchy jeans, Levi jeans, boot cut jeans, I have a pair of women’s jeans in every variety.

How in the world did we all survive before denim was invented? What on earth did everyone chuck on when they were going shopping or slouching about at weekends? I honestly don’t believe it would be possible for me to survive even a week without my faithfuls.

Woman's jeans: istockphoto © Christopher wells

Jeans are a little like Heinz or Walkers or Apple or Sony: once you find something that fits, a style that suits and a brand you can afford, you will never stray. Women’s jeans can do wonders for your figure. Pick the right style and you lose inches straightaway, with a more pert bottom and longer legs.

All my friends and probably all of your friends will differ in opinion. Rock & Republic jeans are a sworn favourite for women’s jeans and it seems Levis for men, unless you are a cow herder in which case you are probably sat reading this in a nice sturdy pair of Wranglers or Lee.

Now aside from tracksuit bottoms, which lets face it, unless you are Jordan, you can’t really leave the house with them on, jeans will always feature in your weekly attire once if not five or six times. They’re about the only item of clothing that can’t shrink and will last you for a few years, so when you have found the perfect pair, it’s worth stocking up!

Rated: from 1816 votes

Anya Hindmarch has paired up with US retail giant Target to launch a handbag collection, and prices start from an incredible £11.50. You will be able to buy these handbags online - available in the UK via her website from 8-14 October, these will be as popular as her £5 I Am Not A Plastic Bag eco-line, which sold out in an hour in Sainsbury’s last year. The cotton totes, produced by Hindmarch as an alternative to plastic bags, became must-have items due to their exclusivity. On eBay they changed hands for up to £160.
The Anya Hindmarch for Target range is set to go the same way. The seven-strong range looks expensive due to linear design and subtle hardware – but cost is kept to a minimum by using faux patent leather and selling the handbags online. Clever thinking as you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between PVC and patent leather from a distance.
All the bags are under £30, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Designer diffusion lines are the future of budget shopping for the style-savvy, and Hindmarch knows that by keeping availability limited and affordable, she’ll have mass market appeal yet remain exclusive.

Rated: from 1977 votes