Lace, fascinators and pastel-mania.

(Kate's evening gown- also a Sarah Burton creation- is quite beautiful!)

Yesterday, when my mum told me that she was going to start watching the celebrations around 8.00, as that's when the guests were arriving, I kind of laughed in her face. 8.00 on a holiday morning? She must be having a laugh! But when I awoke, in a strangely chirpy mood, I immediately bounded downstairs and turned on the telly for the wedding coverage.

I ran out of steam at around two o'clock, feeling like an old woman, and am currently feeling too sluggish to even make it to the cinema... But the clothes. Well, what sort of blog would this be if I didn't dissect the outfits, eh?

Here are a few of my favourites... Number one is still the stunning Kate, though Pippa did gain a fair few admirers today, not to mention Prince Harry's glances that warranted this facebook group among various others!

Looking like she is stepping out on a red carpet, Pippa Middleton now has a whole new fan base in the form of teenage boys across the globe! She looked absolutely gorgeous. Wearing an ivory Sarah Burton creation for Alexander McQueen, she looked ethereal and positively glowing. Little bit jealous on this one. The dress was probably the one I would be most inclined to wear, it's charm being it's simplicity. Also, after having stuffed my face with an array of cake, chocolate and crisps, I may have to use this picture as incentive to slim down! Her figure is annoyingly perfect.

At first, Posh's dress had me totally underwhelmed. Then I remembered that she's pregnant. It's easy to forget when her stomach merely looks like mine after a big lunch. Her outfit wouldn't necessarily have looked out of place front row at fashion week (or as crueller fashion critics are saying- a funeral), but she still looked impeccable and very stylish. Wearing her own creation, her dress was understated enough to be timeless. Her hat was by far my favourite there too, a navy Philip Treacy creation, and she did look extremely chic.

I don't know if you've seen this dress, but apparently it's by Sarah Burton at McQueen, or something. No big deal really... I'm going to try not to gush too much now, but the dress- reminiscent of Grace Kelly- was a testament to the great British fashion industry and the craftsmanship that makes McQueen one of the worlds most reputable labels. Good choice Kate!

Who am I kidding? The only wardrobe choice that I cared about was that of the politicians and whether or not they would wear morning suits or lounge suits- what a kerfuffle. This was the early morning chat on the BBC, before Boris turned up in a morning suit setting the dress code like the style icon he is. Joking aside, Sam Cam's look was my favourite look on a guest despite being lacking in a hat (shock horror!). While I was initially upset not to see a fluid Erdem floral, I was pretty happy with her jade Burberry Prorsum dress, expertly clashed with a tangerine pashmina and nude Aldo shoes. She certainly made a statement about Brit fashion while looking very much on trend. And while I was very much anticipating an Erdem dress, her pretty Erdem hair pin redeems her.

Mother of the bride must be tricky. How do you stay away from that stiff, boring look without verging even slightly into mutton dressed as lamb territory? Carole Middleton certainly managed in this ensemble. Obviously it is not high fashion, and it is not necessarily my taste, but she looks fantastic for her age and for her position. Mothers of the bride everywhere; take note.

And last but not least comes by biggest disappointment of the day. Prince Harry looked pretty gorgeous today, even next to the man of the moment, and i'm sure the Harry-hunters where having a field day! His rumoured lady friend Chelsy Davy, however, looked less impressive. In an Alberta Ferreti aqua ensemble with nude accessories, she looked a little cheap. The fit wasn't great and the colour looked a little too Only Way is Essex next to the bright tan. The girl has got a lot to do before she can be the next Kate... Plenty of time for me to nab Harry.

Royal Wedding!

"Is that the champagne?"
"Nah it's Red Bull and vodka!"

Hearing this whilst watching Daybreak and BBC this morning (flicking between the two), I could not help but feel strangely proud to be british. The royal wedding has brought so many people together, and it has me in such a good mood!

I skipped downstairs this morning- around half past 7, might I add,- singing "Will's getting married in the morning! Ding, dong the bells are going to chime!". My mum laughed at me as I proclaimed that this was "just like Christmas!".

I may have looked a bit of a loser, bounding out of my house in blue eyeliner and red lippy, with red and blue nails and a red handbag (I had to take off my blue t-shirt with a union flag pinned to it- feeling a little bit silly...). I'm still having such fun, waving my flag as the Queen pops out of her taxi in a lemon skirt suit- only Elizabeth could pull that off!

It's got me in such a happy mood, this community spirit that the UK is usually totally devoid of. BBQ's, street parties and drinking, this is a monumentous occasion in Brit history.

And she wore McQueen! So chuffed. No matter how "safe" her style usually is, Kate looked phenomenal. All sheer lace and tiny nipped in silhouette, Kate knows just how dress appropriately. Now am I free to get back to my champagne? I can safely say I love the Royal Wedding!

Kate to wear original McQueen?!

Aah. The speculation is officially killing me. Even though the one royal wedding i've been absolutely living for is that of the queen of style Kate Moss, the actual royal wedding has me captivated. My nails are flashing red and blue as I type this up, watching Daybreak updates with bated breath as I wait to see the royal 'yah's' arriving in their droves to watch the beautiful wedding of Catherine and William.

Who's going to wear what? Who's going to be the best dressed guest? Sam Cam is my bet- Erdem is the rumoured label of choice, and Erdem is rarely less than stunning. But what will Kate's dress be like?! She can not opt for Issa- yawn- she can't do something meringue-y (well I hope not) and this could really take her style from- dare I say it- boring to high fashion.

The word is, and has been for a very long time, McQueen. Sarah Burton has always been tipped to design the dress, and i'm so glad because Alexander McQueen is without doubt one of the greatest fashion houses in the UK. But every hour a new snippet of info is speculated surrounding this ever-so closely guarded secret. Yesterday sent fashion lovers all abuzz as a woman- wearing a Burton-esque ensemble of ballet pumps and a signature belt- turned up at Miss Middleton's hotel. (see the story here). And just hours before Kate walks down the aisle to millions of adoring cheers, the buzz on twitter is that the dress was designed by the late Alexander McQueen himself! Either vintage, or from a secret sketch.

Could this get more exciting? Yes! Street parties are already starting, i've seen 'Pin the tail on the Corgi' being played, and Brits are getting royally sloshed across the country. It's all going to be such a happy day, even if you aren't into the wedding itself.

But, so help me, if she wears some silk jersey wrap-dress I may have a cry over my bubbly.

Addiction du jour!

Me and a friend recently got our ears pierced, in preparation for our all-important prom, and ever since I have been totally obsessed with earrings. We were like children, like the 10 year olds who hit up Claires Accessories for their birthdays and wear little dolphin studs and mini-hoops.

I have bought about six pairs since i've been able to, and my poor earlobes haven't had a rest! I'm like Pat Butcher at any available opportunity- anything from hot pink plastic chandeliers to teeny weeny peace signs. Any excuse to spend a little more it seems.

My signature layered pendants (Urban Outfitters have a gold one with a spoon on it that sent my heart a-flutter today, so cute!) have had their fair share of partners over the years from stacking bangles to seriously glitzy finger bling. Now my necklaces are oh-so lonely without shoulder tickling earrings. My favourites? £2.50 Primark aqua feathers- they look as fabulously tacky as they sound.

Feather earrings are my main obsession at the moment. They have that airy hippy vibe that I have been craving since the Coachella pics had me ooh-ing and aah-ing. Just don't do a make-shift version, ok? I don't think seagull feathers have the same effect....

Don't you scrub up well?

I know that this blog is primarily about fashion, but I do have a little bit of a soft spot for beauty products. Okay, a big soft spot. A soft spot pampered by body lotions, butters, balms and other variations of basically the same thing.

I have a whole drawer of miscellaneous beauty products from bath oil to endless cans of dry shampoo- it sounds a dream, but the fact that most of it is almost finished/oozy and sticky makes it less so. However, I can't help but add to this sweet-scented treasure chest every time I go shopping.

As I boycotted the easter eggs, my parents gave me a little bit of money to treat myself so I popped to H&M and purchased a little white top, a pair of feathery earrings (new obsession! they look so nice with wavy hair and smoky eyes) and something from the cheery cheap H&M beauty range.

I love a scrub. Soap & Glory's Flake Away is my budget favourite, while Laura Mercier's Creme Brulée offering is my luxury vice... The whole Laura Mercier Gourmande range often leaves me penniless, because I simply adore sweet scents. However, a £1.99 scrub? Surely that's pushing it a bit.

I bought the Vanilla and Apple H&M scrub, and it's surprisingly lovely. It's a funny colour, and lathers a foamy green, but when used sparingly on my St. Tropez stained legs prior to hopping in the shower- the results were rather impressive. Plus it smells delectable, and looks pretty as a picture on my bedroom shelve.

Certainly worth a purchase next time you are in H&M: it's one of the first impulse buys I have actually been happy with. Next up it'll be the Basil and Pear option! Buy online here.

Nothing's more British than tea and cake!

The excitement for the Royal Wedding is mounting- and I don't care if it's cheesy, or you hate the royal family or blah blah blah... This is going to be one of the greatest days in Britain.

Everyone coming together to munch on Brit themed treats from red white and blue mints to the old fashioned favourites like trifle (would it work with blue jelly? just a thought... you can tell i'm not exactly the next Nigella on the culinary front) to the excuse to get a little tiddly before lunch time. Then there are the street parties and the undeniable excitement that is sure to grip even the sceptics!

My mum wants the tea bags (buy yours here) , my dad wants a 'Throne Up' sick bag (feeling jealous? get your own here!) and i've decided my one and only souvenir HAS to be the Rock'n'Rose union flag ring (below) for £19, it'll look great with my red white and blue nails. I feel a purchase coming on...

Either that or a "It Should Have Been Me" plate/t-shirt, because I just don't think Prince Harry's going to cut it for me.

And on another note... Anyone who's a bit of a dab hand in the kitchen, fancy making me these fondant fancies? I'm going Union Jack crazy over here.

Pretty, Pretty Pleats!

I love looking at old photos. I can escape for hours with the dusty old photo albums nested behind our computer. Even though there are three entire albums of my older sister, and only one of me- which she likes to claim is because she was "clearly a much cuter baby!"- the photos always make me laugh, cry and cringe.

While I love the pictures of me and my sister posing in dresses made from bubble wrap and foam- I was a baby Gaga, dontcha know?- my favourites have to be the ones from the ballet shows. Hair scraped up into a slick bun with a little red lippy and rosy cheeks, I smile at the camera and curtsey in a little aqua pleated skirt and ballet shoes- once a poser, always a poser! And even if I do say so myself, I looked rather cute.

Pleated skirts still have a little place in my heart and i'm sure they always will. It's that feeling of prettiness isn't it? A little femininity that is always welcome. How else would that candy-pink Whistles skirt have been so popular that various stocks have sold out? From this summers' Chloé midis (obsessed? surely not...) to last seasons Zara leather mini, i'll always want to feel a little like that wee girl waiting to tip-toe around stage. Even if I am off to uni next year.

My prom dress has a similar look to it- it's just my comfort, all this peachy chiffon. And this week, I purchased this H&M dress (below- £29.99). I absolutely love the dress (the Conscious collection is laaavely!) and I put it on and fell in love- it moves so nicely and almost, almost reminded me of the Chloé dresses that I just can not get over.

Here are a few of the finest pleated offers around to get you that lovely ballerina moment that I often covet. (click on the image to enlarge!)

Watercolour Florals

When shopping for my summer dresses, I was drawn to this beautiful Topshop maxi(£55, get it here) and I just had to try it on! It is absolutely stunning now matter how you wear it, be it casual with sandals or glamourous with heels and delicate jewellery. I lovee it.

I'm. In. Love.

Remember back when the early S/S 2011 collections first appeared on the catwalks? If you are a die-hard SW Fashion reader you may recall me being a little bit obsessed with Hannah MacGibbon's balletic aesthetic at Chloé. The midi-pleats in delicate shades from powdery nudes to luscious caramels that, paired with ballet pumps, made for the most covetable look of the season.

I've searched high and low to find even a similar look (little bit cheaper, perhaps?) and have had no such luck. So I just checked net-a-porter and they have my favourite dress in stock. Anyone feeling super-generous? I'm weaning off chocolate at the moment so an easter egg is a big no-no... This would be the perfect easter alternative surely?

But at £4680, the price is a little steeper than a Creme Egg...

Coachella: jealous, moi?

I'm pretty much living in my garden at the moment, lapping up the sunshine in shorts and shades, but these photos of Coachella -officially the coolest festival going- have me seriously envious. Ah to be there...

Having been unable to find a job, my summer spending had to stop at Zante, thus leaving me without a festival to look forward to. Poor little me, eh? Doesn't mean I can't attempt to dress like i'm at Coachella!

The photos left me wanting a serious wardrobe overhaul- the Coachella hippy look is so right just now- just go for a more subtle look than Vanessa Hudgens (eek!).

Nicole Richie and Kate Bosworth (Blake Lively's got some competition on the girl crush front with these two!) nailed the look in a super cool mix of labels from Topshop to Mulberry.

The hot fashion ticket? The Mulberry pool party. I just adore Mulberry- from the bags to the shoes and clothes and everything in between- and all the coolest Coachella girls were flaunting the latest wares.

Here are a few buys that'll look as cool in your local park as they would at Coachella! Just add dishevelled hair- salt spray is a must! We can dream.

Daily Lust!

These Topshop shorts are actually gorgeous! The weather's lovely here, and I just can't stop lusting after all the flirty florals on the high street at the moment. Just add a simple vest and glads and you're good to go. Stunning!

Bikini Time!

The thought of a bikini has always terrified me. I'm extremely self-conscious in even a remotely tight dress, so imagine my state of mind when confronted with a flimsy triangle bikini... I'll just take a swimsuit, thanks.

There was one particular summer, when I was pretty slim, and I went shopping for summer clothes for a trip to Italy. I returned with three beautiful bikinis- one candy striped, one a blossomy print and a simple black one with gold chain detail, as well as an ill-advised cut-out swimsuit from Topshop- the thought of which still makes me shudder. I also bought a black and white, plain swimming cossie. Guess which one I wore most? The bikini's never saw the light of day.

But this year is different, as i'm going on an all-out, shots and sunshine girls holiday to Zante- the thought of which has been carrying me through the dire days of sitting in the school common room waiting for my next class. And an M&S swimming costume will probably look a little out of place in Laganas. This has been my motivation to get myself back in shape- for I refuse to grace the beach in a baggy t-shirt. Point blank.

Out went the Double Deckers and Yum Yums, and in came cereal bars and about 20,000 carrots. The gym suddenly went from a monthly jaunt to a weekly haunt, all in the pursuit of feeling good in a bikini- the things us girls do eh?

So yesterday I went into town to buy some fake tan- because my pasty complexion just is not cutting it in the sunshine that's hitting even Scotland, would you believe! And while there I could not resist popping into Topshop, H&M, Miss Selfridge etc. Naturally, my first stop had to be the newly stocked swimwear sections. It's a bit of a feast for the eyes, all these bikinis and coverups and sandals. All bright colours and connotations of sandy beaches, blue skies and cocktails.... Aah bliss.

Also, I have to suggest looking in the swim section when shopping for summer clothes because there are some gorgeous dresses and playsuits cheaper than mainline versions simply because they are "cover-ups". There's a Topshop kaftan that I am loving, which would look equally good on a beach as it would with heels and jewellery- very Temperley.

But how do you pick a bikini/ swimming costume to suit your style? How do you find the perfect one amidst a sea of tangled stringy straps and muddled patterns?

Well here's my pick of the best bikinis to suit you - girly ones , edgy ones or just simple ones! And the Zante bikini bootcamp starts today... Easter's going to be bleak.

The Kooples!

I'm totally skint right now- there is no other way of putting it, I literally have no money for clothes and it's starting to get depressing.

It doesn't help that it's getting lovely and sunny, and i'm longing for some new clothes to liven up my wardrobe. How do I cheer myself up? I go on The Kooples website and compile a wishlist for when i'm in the money (if ever...)

Aah it's all just so cool. The whole brand is fabulous from the name to the ad campaign starring real-life, super stylish couples (ridiculously good looking as well!). And the clothes are just beautiful.

Want to nail the minimal, nonchalant gallic chic look favoured by the Alexa Chungs on the scene? Just head to The Kooples. The prices are quite steep, but still not too out of reach. The look is all fabulous tailoring with soft camis and dresses balanced with edgy accessories like studded pumps and quirky scarves.

You can shop online here, or head to one of the stores. All I need now is some cash and a handsome male model to complete the look- if I could combine the two that'd be ideal!

The pink short suit is my pick- summer city dressing to a t, and I love it on Mikaela in the ad campaign- the red hair looks amazing with the colour!

Why dress down when you can dress up?

I love Topshop- it makes you feel so fashion-forward without having to splurge on the latest designer. Having recently been besotted with their MeadhamKirchoff range, I have now fallen for their much anticipated "Dress Up" Topshop project- which is all about stunning party dresses and how you wear them!

It's all about the details from glitter-heavy eyelids to metallic nails and feathered accessories- it's just such a covetable collection and look.

And, my my the dresses are phenomenal. They don't come cheap as usual but they aren't extortionate really! It's all a mix of pretty pastels, studded leather, mesh all muddled with multi-coloured sequins. The stand out piece for me is the £175 Fairground beaded dress which is just calling to be sashayed around a glamourous party- champagne flowing, naturally.

The campaign shots are fabulous- all showing off how to rock the dresses in your own unique way, so nobody need look the same! To coincide with the dresses release, there were also some fabulous in-store events (I would be on holiday at the time of the Edinburgh one- just my luck, eh?). Also Topshop, finger on the pulse, sent legendary fashion blogger Yvan Rodik around some of the coolest parties to snap the coolest girls at their dressed-up best. Serious style envy going on here (check it out here) - why can't I look that cool at a club?

And as if the launch wasn't enough, they even have a competition to win a dress every month for a year! Because "a girl can never have too many dresses!"... Couldn't agree more Toppers, and this Dress Up collection is just what my wardrobe needs.

Shop the collection here. The cream pleated number has my name all over it...

Festival Friendly Lace

click on the image to enlarge!

A Right Royal Icon

In the newsagents today, picking up my usual Tuesday trio of Heat (a guilty pleasure), Look and Grazia, I could not help but notice something unusual about the heavily stocked magazine racks.

Certain publications are frequently covered by the Katie Price celebrity type, all collagen lips and Juicy tracksuits, then you have the more upmarket weeklies who idolise the Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Aniston type, then there are tabloids all bright and boisterous with "MY SIDE" emblazoned all over. Today was different though. Rather than the usual array of different faces and different stories, todays covergirl was a unanimous decision- Kate Middleton.

"Kate's Wedding Strain", "Kate's Secret Past", "Kate's Three Wedding Dresses"... As Royal Wedding fever mounts as the 29th April draws ever closer, Kate is getting some serious column inches. Her bouncy chocolate locks, her friendly smile, her elegance and poise: Kate has us all under her spell and she's done a brilliant job.

Just today, a survey showed that 86% of two thousand women thought that Kate had made the slightly stuffy royal family stylish again. She is reportedly lovely, she is classically beautiful and undoubtedly intelligent. She has all the makings of a princess, and is the perfect ambassador for modern day Britain. Miss Middleton certainly made me take notice of the royals for a change! No disrespect to Elizabeth and her lovely lemon skirt-suits.

The royal wedding really has the media all in a frenzy, and the excitement is starting to hit me too. Vogue churned out their first ever issue with three cover options all as a tribute to Kate and Wills. The mountains of quirky memorabilia are soon to hit shelves and we are spoilt for choice and I have been loving all the articles around, particularly a great Gemma Soames one in the Sunday Times Style entitled "It Should of Been Me!" which is certainly worth a read. Everyone has royal wedding fever and Kate is right at the centre of it all.

But is she the definitely right lady for the job? I would say yes. My commiserations go out to all the ravishing ladies who were born and bred to woo Wills- I can only imagine how hard it must have been to see Kate and her annoyingly shiny hair take what has been rightfully yours since 'Mama' sent you to St. Andrews. There's always Prince Harry-hunting to be done, but as far as William is concerned, the best sloane won.

Whether or not Kate can fill Princess Di's shoes as the "people's princess" really does not matter, Kate has got a whole new appeal that is perfect for now. And as far as fashion is concerned, she is ticking all the boxes. The buzz around her wedding dress- this will be THE most famous dress of modern times- has never died down, and I am even more excited to see who she wears than I am to scoff Mum's buffet of coronation chicken and trifle! The final choice appears to be Sarah Burton at McQueen, reportedly suggested by Alexandra Shulman at British Vogue, which would be a fantastic decision for something timeless that would still please the fashion obsessed British public... I'm getting off topic here: the dress is a whole different topic that I could go on about for pages and pages, i'll stop before I start gushing.

Kate Middleton's style is not exactly ground-breaking. Dame Vivienne Westwood rebelled from many of her peers who praised Kate's look (like Lagerfeld and Armani) by stating Kate needs to "catch up" with style. Her look is safe and simple, but it works for her and works for the market. It's all well and good to lampoon Kate for wearing boring black boots, but if she stepped out in this season's acid-bright Miu Miu sandals, would that really be appropriate? I am sure that Kate would love to dress with more of a fashion edge, but she'd be far more criticised for wearing YSL than she would for wearing M&S. She champions Brit designers, in a similar way to Samantha Cameron (rumoured to wear Erdem on the 29th- good move in my book), as well as promoting our great high street in Whistles and Reiss. So even if she's not dip-dying her hair or wearing Mary Kantrantzou, she has an accessible, wearable style that appeals to the masses, and it certainly works for her look.

So here are a few of Kate's style hits that are helping her on her rise to becoming the first royal style icon for a long time!

(click on the images to enlarge!)