MATCHPOINT

Some of my favourite pieces landing online for Fall Winter 2013, particularly those of the matching variety! This Chloé printed top and bottom number is a perfect example of pairing prints for the season, especially if you (like me) aren't one to clash colours and prints all at once. Swap the printed top for a simple colour block sweater for a more muted look.The Chloé Alice bag falls in at number one for my must-have accessory of the season; so practical and the off-white/black colour combination is timeless. - Match this look with the Saint Laurent Paris heels for night or Zara Ponyskin loafers (aka Céline? anyone?) for the day. Finally, rose-gold is still on my radar and definitely my first choice when it comes to jewellery. This to-die-for Repossi style earcuff  and V shaped ring is from Alex Mika Jewellery (a New York brand that you must check out!) Beautiful pieces made with created white sapphires. 
For bracelets, Monica Vinader never let's me down with dainty diamonds, or if you prefer more of a statement piece this Valentino studded cuff will complete any outfit day or night.

Chloé printed top and bottoms at Farfetch, Equipment Cashmere jumper at Net-a-Porter, Chloé Alice bag at Net-a-Porter, Saint Laurent Paris shoes at Selfridges, Zara Ponyskin Loafers, Ear Cuff and V Ring by Alex Mika Jewellery, Bracelet by Monica Vinader at Net-a-Porter, Valentino Studded Bracelet at Mytheresa.

SUNDAY STUDS

It's a Bank Holiday weekend here in England, which means bye-bye work flats and hello pearly-queen Isabel Marant heels! I scored these in the Barney's New York final sale, having had my eye on them  since they hit the runway for SS13. I loved the Carol wooden heels too but these closed-toe Clemence pumps won in the end! What do guys think? Are studded accessories making their way into your wardrobe too?

My black wash effect jeans are from Zara, the silk oversized sweater is from Whistles, the black clutch is Céline and the heels are Isabel Marant.

MAGNOLIA BEACH

The heat is on! Summer has finally arrived in London.. Although i'm seemingly distracted by all the AW13 new season pieces landing in-store and online that are naturally less suited to this tropical heatwave we're having. Here are some wardrobe essentials i've been eyeing up over the last couple of weeks; some heatwave appropriate and some definitely not, but certain to come in handy when the weather cools down. The most coveted shoe brand this week has to be Aquazarra; these nude lace up heels are perfect for day-to-night dressing and look great with boyfriend jeans and dresses. And, although Hedi Slimane's takeover at Saint Laurent stirred a number of discussions in the industry, I have to say the accessories are subtle, chic and timeless. The Lulu bag is my favourite and this version in White really keeps a simple outfit of jeans and tee's on trend. More on bags.. My Olympia-le-Tan wishlist continues to grow, and the 'Mystery of Magnolia Beach' clutch seemed too weather-appropriate to leave out. 

Final tip! Try my favourite body balm by Aesop, keeps you super hydrated and smells tropical!

Saint Laurent White Lulu Medium Bag (SSense.com) / Topshop Boutique Navy Ribbed Sweater

Aquazarra Nude Lace-up Heels (Mytheresa.com) / Topshop White Shirt Dress / Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm / Delfina Delterrez Bee and Pearl Earring (MatchesFashion.com) /

Asos Nude Round Sunglasses / Olympia Le Tan Clutch (Net-a-Porter.com) / Whistles Libby Boyfriend Jeans / Zara White Boat-Neck Shirt

LEATHER OVERALLS

3.1 Phillip Lim Leather Overalls
(Image via Net-a-Porter)

As you may have already seen, dungarees a.k.a 'overalls' are slowly seeping back into high-street trends, mainly of the denim variety (1994, anyone?). But! For all of you runway-savvy lot you've probably already noticed this is a take on the like's of 3.1 Phillip Lim, whose leather overalls were seen on nearly every editor and blogger who could get their hands on them at fashion week (at £1200, they sold out within 48 hours on Netaporter and Shopbop!).
You may have also seen a month or so ago Whistles did their own take on the leather overalls at £375; still steep in price but again, they sold out pretty quickly.

The best alternative i've found? These Zara Leather Overalls pretty much tick all the boxes of the Phillip Lim ones (note the black hardware, cropped tailoring et all), and the lowest price i've found yet at £239. (If you don't want to invest in a real leather pair, you can get these NastyGal Faux leather overalls, which come in at just under £60!)

Zara Studio Leather Overalls

PJ SANDAL!

Let's talk about the sandal that'll be everywhere this summer (and where you can get something similar) thanks to the genius inspiration that is Phillip Lim. The gladiator sandal comes and goes every year, but the closed toe is what makes these just that bit cooler; the PJ sandal is available in black and two-tone. It's definitely a shoe must-have for this season (alongside the likes of Alexander wang's cut-out sandals) and I really hope the 'PJ' reference is to being able to actually wear them with your pyjamas, because I think this relates to half my wardrobe. But if you're not quite ready to justify spending money on sandals instead of.. er, rent! Do not fear! Zara have once again found the seven changes necessary to rip off these beauties. I hate to say it, but although the real 'PJ's are far more intricate in the detailing (and the overall quality is obviously so much better) the similarities make it too good to be true at just £40. 

Alternatively, if you're thinking 'what the hell, it's March in England and my feet are freezing thanks' then these Topshop Premium boots kind of give off the Phillip Lim vibe, without the cut-out-ness.

3.1 Phillip Lim 'PJ' Sandals, available here and here!

Zara Cut-Out Sandals; available here!

Topshop Premium 'Powerful' Boots. Sold out online; available in-store!

A MATTER OF ESPADRILLES

Back again for the summer are espadrilles, a type of shoe that has long confused me due to a syndrome commonly known as 'Blinded By The Label'. As I entered the shoe department of Harrods not long ago, the vermillion red ponyskin Celine espadrilles immediately caught my attention; as I ran over to pick them up, and consequently began convincing my boyfriend (and myself) that I needed them in my life, he immediately responded 'nice.. but they really are only espadrilles, as in rope and rubber.'

His completely factual response brought me back to reality; It's extremely low-cost production material - Exhibit A: Primark Basic Canvas Espadrilles at approx. £5, proves to us truly how inexpensive it's wholesale value must be, vs. Exhibit B: Celine Ponyskin Espadrilles at approx £490, which makes my savings account and general conscience die inside. But people seem to love them regardless of the production cost vs. actual cost dilemma; Valentino's covetable style in lace seem to sell out consistently and are already in their second season of production, along with Chanel's logo stamped canvas style that have proven to be similarly as popular amongst bloggers (and i'm sure the Celine ponyskin style will be equally as popular as the weather improves).

Above are some of the most covetable espadrilles I have found so far for SS13, from Celine to Stella McCartney to Valentino. The best bank account friendly equivalent I have found thus far is the Zara Camouflage pair in the left column, also in ponyskin and under £40. What do you think? Are luxury espadrilles by a designer something you would invest in? Or are we really only blinded by the label in this instance?

Left Column: Chanel Navy Canvas Espadrilles (in store only), Celine Leopard Ponyskin Espadrilles (in store only), Valentino Black Lace Espadrilles, Zara Ponyskin Camouflage Espadrilles, Celine Vermillion Red Ponskin Espadrilles (in store only)

Right Column: Valentino Red Lace Espadrilles, Prism Leopard Canvas Espadrilles, Stella McCartney Neon Espadrilles, Christian Louboutin Striped Espadrilles, Prism Leather Espadrilles

NEW SHOES

Yesterday, wearing my new favourite shoes; Alexander Wang beauties bought in the sale at 60% off at his store in Singapore. They are such a comfy height and are a great day to night shoe, I had to get them out yesterday when the weather was nice-ish and we were heading out for lunch! Excuse the picture quality, I had to settle for the iPhone camera after realising i'd left my SD card in my laptop; genius. 

Hope everyone is still enjoying the games as much as I am! Enjoy your day all. x

I was wearing: Cos Sweater, Zara Ripped Jeans (get similar here), Celine Sunglasses, Proenza Schouler PS1 Bag, Alexander Wang 'Nadia' Shoes

PYJAMAS PLEASE

Pyjamas! Headed into central today (after finally getting over the flu -cabin fever!) to enjoy one day off out before we're back to work tomorrow. Love this co-ordinating set from Zara; comfy day wear for the summer months; and even more so for an English summer where long-sleeves and layering is usually the norm. Hope you all had a great long weekend, only two days until it's Friday again. Woo!

 Trousers, Blouse and Shoes, all Zara. Bag and Sunglasses by Céline.

SNEAK PEEK

Preview of tomorrow's post; thank you Stella McCartney for your genius take on tailored day-time pyjamas, total outfit inspiration!

DREAM LOOKBOOK

Logged on to the Zara homepage this morning to find the most incredible Zara Lookbook to date.

So many designer inspirations in the styling its amazing, from the Prada jewelled necklace to the Valentino studded pieces, Isabel Marant jackets and Stella Mccartney silk numbers. I am in heaven! You can shop some of it already here. Which are your favourite pieces?

All Images Copyright Zara 2012.

www.zara.com

FRIDAY FEELING

It's Friday! Bought these super ripped boyfriend jeans from Zara yesterday, after obsessing over the Acne ones from SS12. Watch out for a post! Rounding off the week with some random Instagram snaps of home/work/clothes..  Enjoy x

IN RED

Quick outfit post before dinner tonight. I bought these red Leigh jeans from Topshop; they really are the best skinny jeans I have found. I have them in nearly every colour now just because the fit is so good, and best of all they are super comfy. First time wearing my new Zara sandals too, the shape is so simple that they pretty much go with anything! I had seen a similar pair in the Maje lookbook last summer and had been looking for something like them ever since.

Hope you're all having a good week and not letting this miserable weather get to you!

RED LEIGH JEANS BY TOPSHOP

BLACK SANDALS BY ZARA

NAVY KNIT BY COS

BAG BY CHANEL

isabel marant sneakers

I've been looking for some sneakers for ages, so when Isabel Marant's 'Bekket' sneaker came out last year i had my eye on them all the way through to the new 'Willow' version for ss12, which i finally caved for and bought last week. It comes in a number of colour-ways, but i stuck to my instincts and went for the all beige ones as i thought they'd go with more. My favourite part about these shoes is the 3 inch hidden wedge, its such a practical shoe and yet still gives me some height, hurrah! They're a great day shoe that will take you from autumn right through to the summer; as shown in the Matches Lookbook they even look cool with shorts and skirts, (although as its 2 degrees outside i will be firmly sticking to skinny jeans for now!)

I also need to say a big thanks to Mandi at findmeamuse blog who helped me locate a pair of these in my size (as they were sold out within hours!) check out her blog for more Isabel Marant pieces i can only dream of owning!

Have a good day everyone!

 WHAT I WORE:

WILLOW SNEAKERS BY ISABEL MARANT

TOPSHOP LEIGH SKINNY JEANS

TOPSHOP RIBBED CREAM KNIT

ZARA COAT

CELINE BOSTON TOTE