For the autumn wardrobe: Burgundy & Tartan

When I am in Scandinavia I always try to at least make a quick shopping stop at Gina Tricot! Gina Tricot is a very popular Swedish fashion highstreet chain that is now rapidly expanding into the rest of Europe. It is one of those low-cost shops where you can find some fab fashionable items for a really affordable price. Their clothing and accessories tend to be very simple, on-trend and have that Scandinavian ‘cool’ factor! So when I was in Sweden the other weekend I made a quick pit-stop at Gina Tricot and ended up buying these great two pieces for my autumn/winter wardrobe.

 Elly coated zip jeans in port royal shade - 599 SEK/€59.84 (link)

Simone woven skirt (blue/green) - 199 SEK/€19.95 (link)

 

I’ve been lusting after a pair of burgundy waxed/leather-like finished jeans for a while now and really liked these ones because of the zippers on the front and legs. Also as soon as I spotted the tartan skirt I knew it had to be mine for my winter wardrobe! I can’t wait to wear it with cable knit jumpers, black tights and boots. Both tartan and burgundy are hot trends for A/W 2012. You can read more about how to wear the biggest autumn trends here. 

Both these new purchases can easily be dressed up or down. Think burgundy jeans with heels and a blazer or matched comfy jumpers and converse sneakers. Here a quick collage on how I'd style these items..

Burgundy & Tartan Looks by dutchessroz 

(Click on image above to view this collage in Polyvore with all item links)

Like my new purchases? Will you add some burgundy or tartan to your autumn wardrobe this season?

How to wear: A/W Trend - English Heritage

One trend that featured a heavily on the 2012 Autumn/Winter catwalks was English Heritage. Many designers like Burberry, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors included tweed, dog tooth and tartan as part of their fall collections for this year. The English Heritage trend is all about country living meets city dressing...

I'm definitely loving this A/W trend and luckily we don't have to spend big bucks at the designer stores to get this English Heritage look. The high street stores are filled at the moment with great items that you can mix and match to incorporate country cool into your wardrobe. Here are some looks from the high street that I am loving and I thought I'd show you how I would make this big autumn trend wearable:

How lovely are both these trench coats & I adore the pearl collar peplum blouse!

(You can click on the image above to to view all the individual item links)

(You can click on the image above for the individual items links)

I've always loved the tartan/plaid look so this trend is right up my alley plus I think a classic tweed jacket is a classic wardrobe staple must-have!

(You can click on the image to to view all the individual items links)

One item that has been on my lust list for a while now that fits right into the town & field trend this autumn is a wax Barbour jacket. However after all my recent holidays, I really can't afford to splurge on a Barbour coat. So I couldn't believe my luck when I spotted this awesome wax jacket at Dorothy Perkins last week. And at only £59 it wasn't going to break my bank; ka-ching!! Today was a typical English rainy day so this was the perfect day to show off my new purchase :)

Navy waxed hooded jacket - Dorothy Perkins (link)

Red cable knit jumper by Abercrombie & Fitch (as seen here)

Denim jeggings from ZARA (link)

Hunter Regent Savoy Wellies (link)

A pair of Hunter boots are a must-have for those rainy London days; no need to avoid the puddles ;)

The jacket did well in the rain today and kept me warm and dry. Plus I love the checked detailing in the hood and the patch stitching on the arms! What do you think of my new wax jacket and the English Heritage trend? Have you seen anything that you'd like to add to your wardrobe to look countryside cool this autumn?

 

This 'How to Wear' post is part of a bigger research project I took part in with Most Wanted to find out to how to take the A/W 12 top trends from the catwalk to your wardrobe, via the high street stores to create the hottest looks. You can read the all the articles here including other big season trends like mixed patterns & prints, berries, unexpected leather and military!

Spring/Summer Floral Print Trend +

Flowers are blooming all around us, including in our closets :) Roses, daffodils, daisies and orchids are a big fashion trend for Spring/Summer 2012. Floral prints have been all over the runways by designers from Prada to Dolce & Gabbana to Valentino. The floral trend is feminine and fresh, and a great look to ensure you stand out from the crowd this summer. 

You can mix up the colours to suit your mood, whether you feel like wearing bold colours such as red and blue, or more subtle colours, such as white and black. The floral trend is completely versatile, so you can adapt it to suit your personality; so don't think floral is only for girly girls or grandma's; it can also be an edgy bold look!

From the runways the floral trend has also hit the high street and I just couldn't resist picking up this floral print floaty top from ZARA a little while ago. I am not normally one for girly prints but I seem to received lots of lovely comments from people when I wear this top so I am glad I added this cute top to my summer wardrobe. Here a recent outfit of the day:

Silk sheer floral ruffle long sleeve top by ZARA

Light blue jeggings from H&M (as seen here)

I love the added shoulder ruffles on this top!

♥ My arm candy:
Watch by Michael Kors (find online at ASOS here)
Silver lucky clover bracelet (as seen here)
white crocodile bone ball bracelet (my parents bought it for me on their recent holiday to Cuba)
Gold cable bracelet with heart by Regina Pierallini (link)
Heart charm chain bracelet by Tiffany & Go
Turquoise and pink bracelets by H&M

Beige leather pump wedges by Invito (on sale now for €49.99 here)

I honestly can't enter a ZARA store at the moment without buying something!

These are some other florals items from ZARA that I have my little eye on....

♥ I absolutely ADORE the white floral blazer.......

What do you think of the floral trend; will you be adding some blossom to your wardrobe this summer?

Trends: I heart coral! >

Another huge colour trend for Spring/Summer this year is coral. Designers and high street stores have all been adding lots of this shade to their collections for summer ranging from the subtlest pastel coral to a brighter neon hot pink/coral. Coral is a mix between pink and orange and also one of my all-time-favourite colours! 

I can’t think of a better way to bring some zing to your summer time wardrobe then by adding a few pieces drenched in this lovely shade. Seeing coral everywhere makes me so happy! Loving all of this....

The only problem with having my favourite colour splashed all over the shops means that everytime I see something in coral I just get a little crazy and have to buy it. Oh oh I think we have a problem! ;)

Here some coral pieces I picked up in the shops recently! 

Bright coral skinny jeans from River Island - only £20 (link)

One piece I really really wanted was a bright coral flowing maxi skirt but I looked everywhere and they were all sold out. Until I just randomly saw it in a 'last chance to buy' rack at River Island. It must have been my lucky day because it was the only one left, in my size and on sale for only £15; score!! 

I cant wait to wear this with a simple white singlet and some gold sandals ♥

A slightly more pinkish coral top with pleated shoulders from ZARA (link)

Online in the UK they seem to only have this in a light orange and white colour but in store they have it in more shades like this pretty coral one. I love the gold star button details at the back! I will wear this to work with suit or black trousers or on the weekend with dark skinny jeans for a nice day or nighttime outfit!

Maje & Sandro are two of my favourite French stores! Their clothing is a little pricey but their garments are always amazing quality and their collections just stunning. I got this dress in the Selfridges sale back in January and knew I just had to have it for summer. It looks a bit like a loose shift dress on the hanger but once on it's actually got a really nice tight fit and the low V neckline and high padded shoulders makes it short and sassy. I haven't had a chance to wear this yet but hopefully I will soon! Actually both Sandro and Maje have some gorgeous coral pieces in their current summer collection so I better avoid those shops for a little while.....

I think coral has a great blend of femininity and edginess that will works in any girl’s wardrobe! Don't be afraid to play with this trend in big doses...the more vibrant the hue, the better! As intimidating as bright corals may look, it's actually a very feminine and fresh look. For a bold look, go head-to-toe coral but if you're not ready to commit on this scale, just tone it down with neutral separates. Nude, caramel, khaki, gold and teal/turquoise go fabulously with coral; although black, white and silver are also a stylish alternative if you prefer a stronger contrast. You can also update neutral outfits you own with vivid coral accessories; a bold orange bag to brighten up your ensemble, or a coral belt or necklace to a little white dress for example makes for a chic and on trend accent!

I definitely ♥ coral. Will you be shining bright in coral this summer? xoxo

A 'MINT' (jeans) day! #

As per my 'Spring trend crush: Mint' blog post; getting some mint jeans was on the top of my shopping lust-list! I finally ended up buying the perfect ones last week and couldn't wait to wear them this weekend...

Back in February during London Fashion I popped by the Handpicked Media LFW Lounge where UK fashion retailer Warehouse were also showcasing their gorgeous Spring/Summer '12 collection. 

The collection is full of pretty pastel hues, chic silhouettes, simple shapes and tropical prints.

I love this white lace cami and the beige peplum skirt! So classic and elegant ♥

And this where I first spotted their beautiful mint jeans!!

You can get their ultra skinny mint jeans online here for £40 (link)

I had also seen mint jeans in other high street shops like H&M, ZARA and River Island but the Warehouse ones started my original love affair and once I tried them on I was just sold :) They are a lovely slim fit, quite a strong not too stretchy cotton and about mid-rise waisted.
I had my parents visiting from The Netherlands this weekend and it was b-e-a-utiful weather which meant a perfect time to rock my new mint skinny jeans!

Ultra Skinny Coloured Jeans by Warehouse

White cable stitch jumper by ZARA as seen here (link)

Silver ballet flats by ZARA (last season)

Pastel/white scarf by TieRack (gift from a friend)

RayBan Aviator sunglasses by RayBan

Watch by Michael Kors

Bag by GinaTricot as seen here (link)

We spent most of Saturday walking along the Thames and soaking up the sun in Richmond Park!

The sunset over the Thames in Richmond. 

I had the loveliest weekend and I'm just over the moon with my mint jeans! :) 

Are you eyeing up any mint or other pastel coloured jean this summer? xoxo

Fashion Week OOTD & Pizza East Portobello

As part of a recent impulse shopping spree (see here) I also got a lovely mint singlet. This is the item that actually drew me into the shops in the first place because I am just loving everything in this colour at the moment! Here a simple outfit of the day with my new singlet, which I wore for my day backstage at London Fashion Week, but more posts about that are to follow. 

Black skinny jeans from ZARA (link)

White basic (spaghetti strap) singlet H&M

Mint Long Vest/Singlet H&M (think it was about £6.99)

Black Jersey blazer from ZARA (link)

White Silk Skull Scarf by Alexander McQueen (as seen here)

Watch by Michael Kors (as seen here)

Necklace and bracelets by Tiffany & Co

Green mint stud earrings by H&M (as seen here)

After being in the city for Fashion week I headed back to Notting Hill where I met some friends for lunch at Pizza East on Portobello Road. This is the West London 'little sister' restaurant of the very popular original modern pizzeria in Shoreditch.  For you Londoners out there...I definitely recommend you pay this restaurant a visit! They do the most delicious pizza's and it's a great hip and buzzy place. 

Between the four of us we ordered three pizza's and they were are all UH-mazing! 

The pizza on the right is their 'Pork Belly' pizza.....which actually comes with CRACKLING!!!!

Wowzers, talk about a heart-attack meal but hey it was sooooo worth it......de-li-ci-ous :)

www.pizzaeastportobello.com