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!

Essie manicure: Demure Vixen & new Essie purchases

During London Fashion Week I popped by the HandPickedMedia LFW Lounge at One Aldwych to catch up with their lovely team, check out some cool brands and products on display and get a little pampered! Well they were offering Essie manicures... so how could I say no to that? I'm a big fan of Essie polishes because they are great quality and they offer a fun and large range of colours!

The hardest thing really was what colour to choose.....

After a lot of ummming and ahhhhing and with the help of the beautician, I decided on this pretty lady!

Demure Vixen is a iridescent cocoa mauve shade.

I really like this nail polish because it is modern whilstchic and goes with pretty much everything. I like its complexity because insome light it is more of a subtle taupe/nude shade but in bright light thelittle purple sparkles shine through to make it more of a vibrant lavender shade.Great long lasting formula and all you need is 2 coats to get an opaque evenfinish. You can see more (and better) swatches of Demure Vixen here.

 

As much as I love Essie nail polishes I do find that they are a wee bit pricey in the UK. So when I was in the States I took advantage of the fact they were only $8 (about £5!) there, to stock up and get a few new additions to my nail polish collection.

L-R: Luxeffects; Shine of the Times, Mamba and Mademoiselle

I can't wait to try these lovely new shades. What are your favourite Essie nail polishes?

 

New York, New York!

In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of,

There's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York!

These street will make you feel brand new, Big lights will inspire you....

Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York......

I had the most amazing week in New York City in September with my friend and London flattie!!

Here a some pictures from our NYC adventure... 

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge

A Grays Payaya hot dog; a New York institution!

Drinks and dinner at underground SoHo hotspot Mexican bar La Esquina

Browsing around the beautiful deli that is Dean & Deluca

Walking the NY Highline on the West Side

Indulging in hangover burgers at Bubby's!

Reflection and remembrance at the 9/11 World Trade Centre Memorial
NYC Skyline at sun rise after a late night out in the city that never sleeps...
Tennis at the US Open Quarter finals
To-die-for eggs at The Dutch. Egg's benedict with a difference because served on a cheese biscuit and covered with a spicy hollandaise sauce. My flatmate branded these as one of the best egg she's ever had for brunch and coming from her, that is a BIG call, trust me ;)

Visiting Brooklyn

Strolling around Central Park

Death by dessert at The Gramarcy Tavern...but what a way to go! ;)

The Dutchess at The Dutch - great place for Brunch in Soho!

Out in Midtown - Empire State of Mind! 

Brunch at La Bottega

DUMBO Park in Brooklyn

Delicious dinner and drinks at Aria in the West Village - prosecco shots anyone?

More highline walking..

Me and the 'wife' out in town! 

Photobooth fun at the Ace Hotel Bar!

 

As you can see our week in New York was filled with shopping, exploring, partying and lots and lots of eating. But more on that later because I will do a 'food diary' post to show you all the delicious food we ate and fabulous places we visited. After such an amazing week we really did not want to leave this incredible city but we both knew that it was probably the best for our credit cards and waistlines to return to our London home! My flatmate was the perfect NYC partner in crime and I am truly so lucky to have found such a great flattie and friend. Therefore, returning home wasn't so bad after all because.....

Thanks MiMi for a brilliant holiday - Love you lots.

Happy Hump Day everyone :) 

Tory Burch splurge purchase!

For a long long time now I have lusted after a pair of designer Tory Burch flats. I tried to be good and not give in but it didn't help that I kept seeing them pop up on my regular blog reads like here and here. So when I was in New York City I decided to treat myself and finally satisfy my cravings. In London a pair costs £170 and in the USA they were $195 which converts to about £120 so that's quite a saving...well that's how I justified this splurge purchase to myself ;)

 

Anyhoo here they are....aren't they just beautiful?!

I chose the Classic Reva Ballet flats in black. These iconic shoes are known for its timeless design and comfortable fit. I love the big gold logo which gives them a very chic feel that effortlessly compliments any outfit.

I got mine from Bloomingdales (link) but have since found out for you UK ladies that you can actually score yourself these lovely flats for about £125 from ShopBop online with free world wide delivery here!

 

This is me wearing my new flats out and about the other day....

The dress in this photo is one of my favourite wardrobe items at the moment. It's the Louche Rocia Digital Print Floral dress that I got from JOY a few months ago. I walked past the shop on my lunch break, spotted it on the mannequin and it was love at first sight! For only £55 (link) it had to be mine and I think it's is the perfect dress for a wedding, a garden party or even just for work to let the fun floral print brighten up my day!

 

I am definitely loving my new Tory Burch flats; classy and comfortable; now what more can a girl want....?

......maybe one in every colour? ;) xoxo